Kitzumi's adventures through the looking glass. [edited]

by KittyrinnAiko

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Princess Luna, Original Character, Science Fiction, Random, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 130549

Kitzumi's adventures across the multiverse, and the search for home.

This series follows Kitzumi the fox pony. Book Two. and starts out with Kitzumi practicing her transdimensional jumps and devolves to her getting lost in time and space. The stories will be about Kitzu exploring different worlds where we will meet various different variations of many of our favorite characters. We start out with Kitzu discovering a world where Twilight is still a little filly apprenticed to Princess Celestia, and after a second visit, gets a bit more than she bargained for on her return trip. Will Kitzu find her way home? Well, I suppose that depends on whether I want to be nice to her or not. What we can expect are some fairly random stories that Kitzumi gets injected into as she travels across time and space making a mess of events as she goes.

Oh well, just so long as the continuity police don't come after her she should be OK... provided of course her own mother doesn't mistake her for a changeling being it's only a matter of time till she encounters herself.

Published 2018-01-11 23:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2018-09-20 04:20:26 UTC

Chapter 1: One wrong step.

Kitzumi’s adventures began some months after the wedding of Twilight, Luna, and Reynard. Having the ability to jump back and forth across the dimensional barrier had its drawback, that being the possibility of getting stuck in a hostile world. Or just simply being separated from those who loved and cared about her yet again. Twilight had no desire to be separated from Kitzumi in such a way, not if what had been said by her future self had indeed been her future self. Losing her daughter twice would be more than she could bear. The moon pendant did at least give them a way to track her, but Twilight wasn’t going to be happy about it till Kitzu could manage to get back home on her own. The first few months after the wedding saw Twilight teaching Kitzu everything she knew about inter-dimensional travel along with everything she could glean out of Star Swirl’s old notes. Normally such a course of study would be well beyond what a foal of Kitzu’s age would have been capable of, but that was her special talent after all. Kitzu took to the study like a pegasus treading water. What she didn’t seem to manage too well was the course on fox magic, that Reynard insisted she learns. Not just how to manipulate the magic for basic tasks, but how to use it for the humanification spell. Being descended from magic-wielding foxes from the human world meant becoming a fox on returning. Kitzu had to be ready just in case. The downside was that few fox ponies under the age of one hundred ever mastered the spell. Kitzumi was just ninety-two years too young. Reynard would not be deterred and endeavored to drill the basic spell into Kitzu's head. She didn't have to understand it, just memorize it. Her one success in using fox magic had been a clever idea of using a crystal from the grotto of the Tree of Harmony to boost a warding spell that could dispel negative energy such as discordant magic. Discord was less than impressed. Applejack declared them downright useful in that the crystals would light up, and could be used to light up the insides of cupboards and closets.

Kitzu’s first planned jump was from the world where she’d had her misadventure following the foalnapping incident. She started by traversing through the mirror to the other world with her school cloak on and headed downstairs to discover Princess Luna berating her apprentice. “I’m terribly sorry for intruding.” Kitzu offered awkwardly; she has her cloak on, and a pair of saddlebags under it so as not to pin her wings.

“Oh, Miss Kitzu. You’ve come for a visit?” Luna asked.

“Practicing a spell. One that will get me home again if I should find myself in another world unintentionally. Again.” Kitzu offered. That word 'again', didn't need any explanation for Princess Luna. “I was just going to use the Moon viewing hall if that’s alright? - Mom seems to think that’ll be the best place to make a jump from.”

“Well then, go right ahead.” Luna offered as her apprentice looked on with jaw agape.

Kitzu thanked her, gave the colt a smile, and then continued to the Moon hall. From there she set the magic lines of force she needed using the trees as her focus, took a breath, prayed to Inari, and jumped.

Kitzumi found herself standing in the moon-viewing hall. Well, it was a moon-viewing hall, just not the one she'd expected. The hall looks like no one’s been there in a long time. Kitzu gets out a small book and quill. In the book she writes out, [Jump successful. Wrong world. Doesn’t look like any pony has been here in a while though.]

A moment later a response appears [We’ve got your position. Luna’s coming through the portal to have a look.]

Kitzu trots through the doorway leading to the guest rooms and discovers the windows have all been shuttered on the courtyard side. She then goes back to the big windows looking out from the big hall. The windows are dirty, but there are ponies down below going about their daily lives. How utterly odd? Kitzu thought to herself and then headed for the stairs going up.

Upstairs on the next level was the same as below, showing no signs of habitation, with the courtyard windows shuttered. Kitzu peered out through a crack between the shutters for a moment.

“I don’t get it?” Luna said coming down from the attic stairs. “According to Twilight, they should be on the same time frame as us? - You don’t suppose...”

“That you were never freed from the moon?” Kitzu asked retreating from the window. “Mind if I do some snooping?”

“You sure that’s a good idea?” Luna asked. “I mean, you didn’t exactly get that jump right.”

“Looks like there are ponies in the palace, so popping out into any of the passages might be a mistake, but if I go down to the base of the tower I should be able to blend with the ponies in the lower royal apartments without any ponies noticing.”

“Not sure I like that idea.” Luna offered sternly. “Twilight would like it even less.”

“Don’t you want to know?” Kitzu prompted. “Besides, now that I can do a controlled inter-dimensional jump, if I get into trouble I can’t handle, I’ll just pop right back home.”

“You hit the wrong target.”

“I can come right back here in a flash, and use the mirror.”

“Alright, fine, but be careful. Try not to bring any attention to yourself either.”

“I’ve got a school cloak on, I’ll blend right in. - Meanwhile, why not set up a little surprise for the ponies who live here. - We can provide them with a Discord safe zone. Or at the very least give me a safe landing zone.” Kitzu offered.

“You mean if you can manage to hit the same place twice. - Just be careful.” Luna called as Kitzu headed for the stairs back down.

A few moments later Kitzu was peering into the inky darkness that was the shaft of the tower. From her saddlebag, she pulled a small lamp with a crystal in it using a hover charm and held it before her, and stepped gingerly into the darkness. On spotting a lamp alcove she placed her lamp there and then got out another to continue on. The lamp was illuminated with a harmony crystal from the castle, and she’d a mind to light up the whole tower in the future. Meanwhile, that one would assure her a point of reference if she needed it.

Kitzu had been down that way before, but couldn't figure out why it was so dark till she came to a window. It too had been shuttered from the outside. It wasn’t like any pony could get through save perhaps the smallest of bat ponies, though it did keep birds out. Kitzu continued on hoping she wasn’t going to find some grizzly remains at the base where the old Shadow Bolts quarters and bat pony guardhouse was located.

Finding the guardhouse just as empty and dusty as above proved to be something of a relief. Well, not completely empty as it had the appearance of having been vacated in a hurry, just no grisly remains. The idea that some enterprising individual had attempted to teleport in had crossed her mind. One wrong step would result in a nasty fall. As for the door, the door could only be opened with an amulet similar to her own. Or her amulet, as her amulet seemed to be a master key of sorts. Except – Kitzu’s first attempt at opening the door proved fruitless. She thought about it for a moment, and then tried a lubrication spell on the hinges as well as the mechanical parts within. Her second attempt worked.

Kitzu peeked through the crack watching for any sign of activity while putting her lamp away, and on seeing none, slipped out, and closed the door. Fortunately, the area was for service access, and with no access to the palace, thanks to the locked door. No pony ever went there save to store large items out of sight. Kitzu’s keen hearing picked up the sound of a group of colts harassing a filly. Now if there was one thing she could not abide it was anyone being poorly treated. Kitzu made do haste down the lane and turned a corner to discover a very petite wingless filly Twilight Sparkle with her books scattered. To make matters worse any time she tried to pick one up, the colts would wrench it away with their magic to send it skittering across the ground followed by cruel laughter.

Kitzu forgetting all about not doing anything that might bring attention to herself, dove in right next to Twilight, and ordered the colts to leave her alone.

“Ya, what are you going to do about it?” One of the colts asked in a sneering tone not realizing Kitzu had just come from a place where there was no access. At least no access by anyone other than Princess Luna and her personal guard.

“You want a piece of me, well do you?” Kitzu growled bearing her teeth, hooves planted firmly. She slowly lifted her right front hoof while lighting up her horn. The colts watched as all the books levitated, watched just for a moment, turned, and ran.

“Thank you.” Filly Twilight offered.

“Your name wouldn't be Twilight Sparkle, would it? - Princess Celestia’s prize student?”

“Yes, and not for long. I’m going to be late, again. - They are all jealous and determined to get me kicked out if they can. - And no, I can’t tell any pony, it’d be their word against mine.”

“Then I’m going to help you.” Kitzu offered, stuffing some of the books back in Twilight’s bag, and carrying the remainder with her magic. Kitzu looked back in the direction she’d come. No, she couldn't take this Twilight that way. That would require explanations she didn’t want to give. Not to mention that Luna was likely up there keeping a watchful eye on her. That and the climb – oh sweet Celestia that climb. “Come on then, follow me, I’ll take you on a short cut.”

“A short cut?” Twilight asked following after Kitzu. “Do I know you? You seem oddly familiar.”

“Luna Nova.” Kitzu offered giving Twilight the name the guards back home used to refer to her when they didn’t want anyone who might be listening in to know which Nova they were referring to. Luna’s Nova as opposed to Reynard’s Nova. Kitzu went down the passage a short distance following the direction the colts had gone, turned a corner of the path that came to what looked to be a blind end with a locked door. Granted this, as most of the doors, were no match for Kitzu as just the presence of her amulet was enough to spring the lock. She opened the door, and a moment later they were in a passage that led to the backs of the lower royal apartments where some of the higher-ups in the noble ranks were lucky enough to have accommodations they could use while the government was in session.

“I’ve never been this way.”

“Don’t try it on your own either. - Not without an access key.”

“You have an access key?”

“I can get into anything.”

“That’s not the most reassuring thing. We won’t get in trouble will we?”

“Not likely. - That, and you’ve little to lose, and everything to gain.” Kitzu turned a corner down another hall that brought them to the main kitchens.

“Hang on, what are you two doing here?” A member of the kitchen staff called on seeing them.

“Sorry Mrs Baker, but Miss Twilight is late for her session with Princess Celestia,” Kitzu called. Kitzu glanced at the cook, gave her a smile, and continued on glad that she could pick out familiar faces. Mrs Baker was nearing retirement in her palace, but still, some pony Kitzu knew. Granted the fact that every pony Kitzu knew was quite a bit younger than in her Canterlot did bother her. At the moment she would just have to go with the flow and check her calculations later. A short time later Kitzu and Twilight arrived at the elevator that went up to the keep.

“I know I’m not supposed to come this way, but Miss Twilight is going to be late,” Kitzu said flashing her ID badge. The door to the elevator opened, the two fillies entered, the door closed, and away they went. When they reached the top Kitzu led Twilight out of the elevator past two guards who were, to say the least, mildly amused by the present situation.

“Hi, guys.” Kitzu offered. “Come on Twilight, this way.”

“Hang on, I recognize Miss Twilight, but who’s that with her?” One of the guards asked as they watch Kitzu and Twilight vanish around a corner.

“Um, guys, who was that, with Miss Twilight?” The other guard asks with his horn lit up. “No, she wasn’t Princess Cadence. Mane, tail, and color are all wrong. “Royal ID? OK, we have a problem. Someone find out if there is a royal we haven't been told about.”

“And here we are. The back door.” Kitzu offered a few moments later.

“And you are?” One of the guards out in the hall outside the door asked.

“You know who I am?” Twilight asked stunned.

“Miss Twilight was late on account of some colts harassing her.” Kitzu offered.

“Don’t tell them!” Twilight said.

“Twilight, you have to say something.” Kitzu protested. “And if you don’t, then I will.”

“Alright Miss Twilight, I know who you are, and if some pony is giving you a bad time you do have to speak up. Who’s your new friend.”

“Her name’s Luna. - I know I’m not supposed to come this way, but...”

“Aren’t you going to let her in?” Kitzu asked.

“And what about you?” A guard asked.

“I don’t need to see Auntie Tia,” Kitzu replied, and then cringed.

“So you are someone’s filly. - Who?”

Kitzu looked at the guards for a moment thinking. “Princess Luna’s filly. - I’m Princess Luna’s Nova.”

“Oh, that’s it, you’d said Luna’s Nova, I thought you said, Luna Nova.” Twilight offered with a smile. “I’m sorry. - I guess I should have known who you were.”

At this point, the guards were getting just a little flustered, opened the door, and then insisted that both fillies enter. “Um, alright, but I really don’t need to,” Kitzu said following Twilight in. A moment later they’d been escorted to where Princess Celestia is.

“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Twilight said apologetically, but before any more could be said, Kitzu blurted out ‘Spiky’, and went straight to a crib in which rested a baby dragon. Kitzu couldn't resist lifting up the baby Spike and cuddling him.

“He’s so cute at this age,” Kitzu said completely forgetting to be cautious about what she says.

“Um, who?” Celestia asked.

“Mom, I think he wants you?” Kitzu said going to twilight, and sure enough, Spike wanted to be held by Twilight.

“She said her mother is a Princess Luna.” The guard offered.

“He doesn't look too good. His color is off.” Kitzu commented to Twilight.

“We can’t seem to come up with a formula that meets his dietary needs that he wants to eat,” Twilight replied having completely forgotten all else.

“Alright then, it looks like I’m going to have to save you again.” Kitzu offered, went straight to the door that led to the patio, out onto the patio, and teleported in what had to be the most flamboyant teleportation spell Celestia had ever seen.

“Who did you say she is?” Celestia asked watching the spiraling magic vortexes subside.

“Princess Luna’s daughter.”

“Princess Luna...” Celestia said as she tried to think. Not one of the Luna’s she knew could possibly have a daughter who’d match the likeness… Princess Luna. The filly had said that spike – he’s so cute at this age is what she’d said. At this age.

“I’m terribly sorry.” The guard offered. “We’ll keep an eye out for her.”

“Yes, do that,” Celestia replied. “Just see to it she’s not harmed, and she’s to be treated as a member of the family till we know otherwise.”

As for Kitzu she’d jumped the dimensional boundary back to her world, did it right this time, and went straight to her Aunt Tia, Also known as Princess Celestia, and told her everything.

“On the one hand, I don’t approve.” Celestia scolded, and then summoned staff to fetch everything she’d need to make up some formula. “On the other hand, I can’t sit and do nothing.”

Kitzu went back to the other world, this time via the mirror portal, it being dialed into the appropriate world, went downstairs, opened a door to the patio, opened the shutter, crossed unnoticed, and then returned to a rather frustrated looking Twilight, and Princess Celestia.

“I’m back,” Kitzu announced, got a baby bottle out of her saddlebag, and popped it into Baby Spike’s mouth. It only took a moment for spike’s eye’s to light up and start sucking greedily at the bottle.

“He likes it?! Hey Spiky?” Twilight said delightedly. “Thank you ever so much. How did you know.”

“My Aunt Tia raised a little dragon just like Spike.” Kitzu offered lifting her wings to get at a second prepared bottle and containers of dry mix all of which she placed on a nearby table. Twilight now in her own little world completely missed the fact that Kitzu also had wings. Celestia did not.

“You’re Aunt Tia?” Celestia asked as Kitzu got out a scroll.

“Here, she wanted you to have a copy of the recipe.”

Celestia took the scroll and glanced at it as Kitzu headed for the door. “Wait.” There was a look of surprise on Celestia’s face. “Don’t go yet.”

“I’m not going to have to make a dash for it am I? - I really shouldn't have gotten involved.”

“It’s alright, come sit, I just want to talk. With my little niece. - Take your cloak off.”

“I suppose it’s OK. - I gather you saw my wings then?” Kitzu replied lifting her cloak off and draping it over a cloak rack by the door. She sat down and took the saddlebag off. “I know,” Kitzu said getting out her extra lamp, and placed it on the table. “It uses fox magic. - With a bunch of these, you will be able to nerf Discord.”

“Nerf?” Celestia asked as she rang a bell.

“It’s a harmony crystal used to augment a fox spell that negates discordant magic. - Not a harmony stone, but a crystal that was created by the three of harmony. We've got a whole castle that was created by the tree." Kitzu explained. “He’ll never truly reform. - We’ve already learned that the hard way, but with enough of these scattered throughout Equestria he’ll be no more powerful than an ordinary pony.”

“But would he be happy?”

“I’m sorry, but Discord’s happiness brings unhappiness to every pony around him. - That’s not entirely true, it’s his extremes to be true. He’s like a child who can have anything he wants any time he wants, and if he’s a mind to pull the wings off a pegasus to amuse himself... - No different than a bug to him. - At least we have the ability to level the playing field.”

“I see,” Celestia replied as a servant entered. “Would you like some tea?”

“I am found of Sencha Green from the high mountain pickings.” Kitzu offered, ignoring the odd look the servant was giving her.”

“This is my niece who's come to visit,” Celestia explained. “Please bring us a pot of tea, and...”

“Auntie!” Cadence called rushing in. “I’ve heard that Twilight was taken by a horrible monster!”

“Is she talking about me or Spike?” Kitzu asked. Cadence froze in her tracks looking at Kitzu.

“The tea please, and three cups. - Oh, and a juice for Twilight,” Celestia said to the servant who made a polite bow and left the room. “Cadence, do sit somewhere.” Cadence hesitated a moment and then found a place to sit while never once taking her eyes off Kitzu. A moment later the Captain of the royal guard entered.

“Your Highness, there seems to have been a rather disturbing report concerning Miss Twilight and a certain pony she had been with. And I see our mystery guest is back. - You’ve found something the little dragon likes as well. That’s good. - Might I ask if we’ve figured out who she is? - This mini-corn you’ve got here?”

“Captain Butler, it turns out she’s my niece come a long way to visit.” Celestia offered. “From another world, one might say.”

“Will she be staying long? - There was a report of a monster in the palace, and we’ve enacted lock down proceedings.”

“Oh I shouldn't stay too long, but perhaps another time.” Kitzu offered. “I really shouldn't stay too long,” Kitzu asked what the day’s date was only to be given the same date of her own world’s present date. “How curious?”

“Is something wrong?” Celestia asked.

“There is something bothering me. Several somethings making up one big something.” Kitzu replied. “I’m wondering why the shutters, why the rooms across the courtyard haven't been kept clean, and if I dare ask… Nightmare Moon?”

“You don’t already know?” Celestia asked.

“Did you think I was from the future? - While it’s true that my Nightmare Moon was banished, and returned with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna being reunited, your events don’t line up with our events. - Forgive me but my origin has more to do with Star Swirl the Bearded’s work on portals, and we are all one big happy all be it a slightly dysfunctional family,” Kitzu explained. “Our calendars have the same date, yet you seem to be lagging behind by quite a bit?” Kitzu cast a glance at Twilight to see if she showed any signs of having paid attention, but true to form was still lost in her own little world. “Miss Twilight, one bottle at a time, burp him after each, and make sure there is at least the length of a grown pony behind you.” Kitzu offered, repeating the instructions she’d been given. Twilight had already started in on the second prepared bottle.

“Oh, alright,” Twilight responded.

“So what are you the advanced scout?” Cadence asked.

“I was practicing a teleportation spell.” Kitzu offered. “Dear Caddy.” Cadence bristled at being called Caddy. Especially being this interloper seemed to know she didn’t like being called Caddy. “I have the ability to jump dimensions, and I’m learning how to control it.”

“You didn’t come through via a mirror?” Celestia asked.

“Well, the last trip I did.” Kitzu offered, looking at Captain Butler who’d been looking across the courtyard. “I left the door open, didn’t I?”

“She has an amulet identical to one my sister has. She’d have no trouble getting in, and out of the moon wing.” Celestia informed the stallion.

“I’d already done two jumps, and the mirror is so I have an emergency route home. - And I don’t wear myself out. Not really sure what my limit is yet.” Kitzu explained. “Could it be that you simply can’t get into the moon wing?”

“Locked out ever since my sister and I fought. - That much I gather is the same as in your world. - You came back because of Spike?” Celestia offered. “You took a big risk.”

“My Spike is sort of a big brother slash uncle.” Kitzu offered. “I couldn't turn my back on your Spike. - That and I can jump from anywhere.” Just as she said this Spike let out a belch that rocked the room. Kitzu and Cadence’s wings shot out followed by every pony turning to look.

“I’m so terribly sorry.” Twilight offered, blushing. She had Spike over her shoulder, and everything behind her showed signs of having been scorched.

“What have you been feeding him?” Kitzu asked, doing her best to stifle a laugh.

“What was that just now?!” asked a pair of panicky alicorns at the patio door. Their appearance had seemed rather sudden, every pony having been distracted by Spike’s propulsion. They look upon the Captain’s face professed a perfunctory postulation that perhaps he’d just as well been peeking upon a pair of prancing pachyderms performing perfect pirouettes.

Suddenly Alicorns just wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Spike belched.” Kitzu offered as though what was happening around her was an everyday occurrence. And perhaps to some degree, for her it was. “Princess Celestia, meet my two moms, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight.” Kitzu’s demeanor was that of a teenager mildly annoyed by the actions of her parents. Celestia looked at Luna, a tear forming in her eye, she got up, went to Luna, and embraced her. Luna returned the embrace as she was at a loss as to what else she could do.

“Wait? What? Wait? What?” Cadence said looking back and forth from twilight to Twilight.

“Don’t look at me I don’t know who they are?” Chibi Twilie responded still holding Spike. The idea that she could be looking at an adult version of herself simply wasn’t going to register. Never mind they looked nearly identical right down to the cutie mark, the only difference being age and a pair of wings the younger Twilight lacked.

“Princess Celestia?!” the captain asked alarmed, but not quite sure what to do about the present situation.

“Captain, my mother’s are exact doubles of Princess Celestia’s sisters.” Kitzu offered, hoping her explanation would connect with what the Captain already knew of mirror worlds. “And on better terms... - Let's just give them a moment.”

“Oh, right.” The captain said as Celestia let go of Luna, looked at Princess Twilight for a moment, and then Celestia glomped her. Princess Twilight let out a startled squeak not accustomed to such shows of affection from her own Princess Celestia.

“Will you just look at the two of you,” Celestia said backing away from Princess Twilight. “It’s been so long.” She gave Luna another hug. “And you...” Celestia said turning back to Princess Twilight. “Just look at you.” She cast a glance to her student Twilight, and then back to Princess Twilight. “Are you… pregnant?” The last she whispered.

“Both of us.” Luna offered in a whisper. “Trust your Twilight, help her achieve what she needs, and good things will happen.” Celestia then invited the two in, asked what beverage they’d like, and rang for the servant again while chibi Twilie found a comfortable chair for her and Spike.

“A small pot of coffee, two cups, cream, and an assortment of sandwiches,” Celestia said to the awestruck maid. For years the maid had only known Princess Celestia. Just the one true alicorn princess. Celestia was after all very much liken to a deity. Cadence’s appearance had been something of a shock, but then ponies had explained her away by saying she wasn’t a true Alicorn. Not an immortal deity like Princess Celestia. Suddenly there’s another small alicorn in the palace, who seemed to have heralded the arrival of two fully grown Alicorns. It was too much, and the good Captain found himself scrambling to catch the maid as she fainted dead away.

It was the timely arrival of that world’s Miss Raspberry Pudding that saved the day. After all, seeing the occasional alicorn wasn’t a huge shock to her as there were a few living among the fox pony communities set apart from the rest of Equestria.

“Thank you miss Pudding,” Luna said on getting her coffee.

“You’re welcome, mam,” Pudding replied as she took a step back from the table to await further orders, and then realized the visitors knew her name even though she hadn’t been introduced. “If I may be so bold as to ask, have we met”?

“We’re visiting from another dimension,” Luna explained. “Your counterpart works for me.”

“I understand.” Pudding replied.

“Hang on, Miss Pudding, does that mean you know about portals?” Celestia asked.

“She’s a fox type.” Luna offered. “Same as our husband. - They originated from a world dominated by humans.”

“Husband? - I’m not married. - You’re married to someone from our community?” Pudding asked surprised.

“Prince Reynard Silvermane.” Princess Twilight offered.

“Well, then my condolences.” Pudding replied with just a hint of a smile.

“I think between the two of us we can keep him roped in.” Luna offered with a wink.

“Now hang on, what?” Celestia asked.

“Our Reynard is two-hundred-thirty-eight. - Fox ponies live much longer than regular ponies.” Princess Twilight offered. “He’s a catch, but he’s got a reputation.”

“Two hundred...” Celestia repeated.

“Miss Pudding is worth keeping. She’ll be around a long time.” Luna offered.

“You nearly fired ours.” Kitzu pointed out.

“Yes, but then you begged to have her back,” Luna replied. “I will have to admit that having someone on staff that’s going to be around a long time has its appeal. - Therefore I’m willing to overlook the occasional error in judgment.”

“Our Kitzu is not one to be spooked.” Princess Twilight offered. “Let's just say we’ve yet to determine her teleport range.”

“I’m in no hurry to find out either,” Luna replied. “I’d be too afraid we’d lose her.”

“How far have you teleported?” Cadence asked Kitzu.

“Furthest was from the palace to the castle of the two sisters.” Kitzu offered. “Everfree forest just shy of Ponyville. - Though the jump kind of left me feeling a bit drained. I got sick too, but I’d been caught out in the rain.”

“Wow.” Chibi Twilight said from her large plush chair. Spike was curled up with her while she enjoyed a cup of juice and a sandwich.

“Miss Pudding may I see your teeth?” Celestia asked. “If that’s not too much of an imposition?”

“Tia?” Luna asked confused wondering why Celestia would ask such a thing?

“I want to see if she has the same type of teeth you, and miss Nova have,” Celestia explained. “Twilight’s teeth have a slightly jagged profile, but nowhere near as pronounced as yours.” Both Twilight’s clamped their mouths shut owing to feeling subconscious about their teeth. “The ears are larger, especially at the base, and the frame is smaller.”

“I’ll show you my teeth.” Pudding said with a sigh. She leaned forward and held her mouth open.

“Princess Celestia, I must protest this.” The captain offered. He’d been standing by along with a couple of guards dressed as Foot-stallions. Pony equivalent of a footman who serves a large household.

“It’s alright Miss Pudding,” Celestia said making a gesture that Pudding should return to her place.

“Tia?” Luna asked.

“Lulu,” Celestia replied and smiled. “Sorry, that was out of line wasn’t it.”

“I have the palace in lockdown because a certain little foxicorn bared her teeth at some colts.” Captain Butler offered.

“Kitzu?!” Princess Twilight scolded.

“They were harassing little Twilie, and scattering her books all over,” Kitzu said in her defense. Princess Twilight’s ears went back at the thought of books being ill-treated an expression which chibi Twilight mimicked.

“Are we still in lockdown?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, mam. - I wasn’t quite sure how I should proceed given the present circumstances though I have at least managed to put the pieces together.”

“Well let the ministers, and government officials go about their daily routine.” Celestia offered. “I’m going to cancel all my appointments and no one comes or goes from the keep. Unless you have a tour group downstairs. You may show them out. - And get a couple of real foot stallions to replace those two. - You aren’t fooling anyone, and they are vastly outmatched.”

“Yes, Mam.” Captain Butler replied and left taking the two guards with him.

“Considering what you put up with from that stallion I’m surprised you never married him?” Luna offered.

“Because if I did he’d try to boss me around even more.” Celestia offered with a grin. “Is he…?”

“Our Captain Butler is still bossing us around.” Luna offered. “He’s retired, but we let him stay in an advisory position,” Luna replied.

“I gather that means your Celestia is rather attached to him then.” Celestia offered. “Luna, I was wondering if your father might have been a fox pony?”

“Even if he had been, he’d be long gone,” Luna replied softly. “I barely remember mother, and I’m to understand that the life expectancy of a fox pony is no more than a thousand years. - Why this speculation?”

“I remember him. - Your father.” Celestia offered. “I can’t remember my own father only that he’d gone to war and never returned. - Shortly after my mother and I went into hiding their relationship went well past what I thought was appropriate. We had a handful of servants, a group of elders, and your father among them. I seemed to be the only pony who was uncomfortable with their relationship. Granted it’d been some time since I’d seen my father, and I was never told why. - Your father was an earth pony, though by his appearance I suspected he was part bat pony. - What mother ever saw in him I don’t know.”

“What was he like?” Luna asked.

“Very much like yourself.” Celestia offered. “I’m afraid I never gave him much of a chance though. - I’d gone from living the life of a princess to living the life of a simple country filly in a secluded spot, and I confess I harbored a great deal of animosity and resentment towards him. A resentment that I’m afraid was passed on to my dear sister Luna. - I also had my pride - Pride that I’ve allowed to cloud my judgment on more than one occasion. - When the adults around us all vanished, and we were forced to fend for ourselves never knowing what had become of Mother, or any pony else, I vowed I’d take care of you. - That is to say, my Luna.”

“Your Luna, did she marry?” Twilight asked.

“She wanted to, but I was against it.” Celestia offered. “I felt vindicated when the Stallion in question went mad. - We were forced to fight him. It was horrible, and my dear sweet Luna secluded herself afterward.”

“Could it be you did not know why?” Luna asked. “I fear your history has played out the same as mine, but I must confess I’d been touched by the same madness that destroyed the stallion I would call husband and father of my colt.”

“Father?!” Celestia said shocked. “You had a colt by him? - What have I done?” Celestia’s voice dropped to quiet regret. “I didn’t know. - I was so obsessed with bringing back my sister from her seclusion that I never stopped to ask myself why she’d secluded herself. I’d reasoned that my sister was jealous of me, and this is what I’ve told my little ponies is what drove you, her, that is my Luna to madness.”

“I told myself my sister was trying to take my colt from me,” Luna replied her tone full of regret. “I’d named him Nachtlicht Nightfoal.”

“I know that name.” Little Twilight announced. She’d been enraptured by the conversation her mind desperately wanting to fill in the gaps that were being intentionally left out of the conversation, when a snippet of information remembered, popped into her head. “It’s part of our family history. A Nachtlicht Nightfoal became the first Sparkle when he changed his name to Night Light Sparkle.”

“That’s right. I’d completely forgotten.” Princess Twilight said as though hit with an epiphany. “Kitzu, you knew, didn’t you?”

“Yes, and I said it wasn’t my secret to give because I figured that if you weren’t going to talk about it yourself then it wasn’t my place to say anything.” Kitzu offered.

“Kitzu?” Celestia asked.

“Princess Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal Silvermane.” Kitzu offered with a smile and a curtsy from her chair.

“She’s a habit of not telling ponies her name.” Princess Twilight offered. “The guards call her Luna’s Nova rather than refer to her by her first given name. - It’s for security reasons. They call me Book Horse. - It used to be a taunt, but now it’s a badge of honor.”

Meanwhile, chibi Twilight’s face had lit up in inspired revelation. “You-you're me.”

“And she finally figured it out.” Cadence commented dryly.

“Am I going to be just like you when I grow up?!” Twilie asked awestruck.

“There are no guarantees,” Princess Twilight offered. “You will have to study very hard, and face many difficulties that will seem insurmountable at the time. - And most important you will need good friends to support you because you can’t do it all on your own. - A lesson that took me a while to learn.”

“I think we should get back,” Luna offered in a soft contemplative tone. “Thank you very much for the tea.” “And I suspect you’ll be able to get into the moon wing now.”

“I should probably get it cleaned.” Celestia offered.

“I’ll trust Miss Pudding to keep an eye out for anything that shouldn't be touched,” Luna offered.

“I will see to the detail personally,” Pudding offered.

“Is it alright for me to come to visit now and then?” Kitzu asked.

“Well it’d be alright by me, but I think you need to ask your mothers first,” Celestia replied.

Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight both agreed that it’d be alright, after all, there was the matter of the gift they wanted to present Celestia with which would take a bit of time to set up. After all elaborate charms of protection did take a bit of time if they were to be done right. The group walked over to the moon wing a short time later, little Twilight carrying Spike, said their goodbyes, and then Princess Luna, Princess Twilight, and Kitzu climbed the stairs to the room in the attic where the wardrobe was. That night Luna went to go talk to her sister, just the two of them.

“Tia...” Luna began. “When you went to the castle, our old castle to retrieve me, had you known I had a foal?”

Celestia looked at Luna not sure what to say at first.

“No. - I had no idea. - I only tried to take him to force you out of seclusion. - I am so…?” Celestia stopped talking as Luna embraced her. “In hindsight I know it was a really stupid thing – I just wanted you to come back.”

“The world we visited today, the Celestia there had no idea.”

“But how then could you know that her Luna had a foal?”

“Twilight.”

“What’s Twilight have to do with it?”

“Nachtlicht was the first Sparkle,” Luna whispered. “He changed his name to Night Light Sparkle to hide from you. - That’s why Twilight’s father avoids the palace.”

“Because he knows the truth of my sin.”

“Twilight has had the pieces all along, but never put them together.” Luna offered, backing away from the embrace. “Kitzu knows too, and I dare say it has a good deal to do with why she has taken so long to warm up to you. - Tia.” Luna whispered leaning against her sister.

“Luna.”

“Ti-a.”

“Woona.”

Luna let out a small heartfelt sigh. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for.” Celestia offered. “I made a horrible decision. Deprived you of your family when I should have been supporting you.”

“And I’ve allowed it to be a barrier between us. - Yes, you hurt me when I needed your support the most, but I have to let it go. - I can’t truly go forward till I do.”

“Want to sneak off, I know this great all-night diner?”

“Sounds like fun, let’s go.”

Author's Note

This first chapter was fun to write, even more fun to edit. A good deal of the editing was necessary do to absolute teetotal word salad. I’d had a cold. I blame the drugs. Aside from that I think it turned out quite good despite having to delete a chunk, and rewrite several parts. I did leave one bit of total word salad just because. You’ll know when you see it. For those who don’t know, or haven't figured it out, my writing style is rather haphazard. I formulate an idea in my head, and just start writing while hoping I stay on track. One large section of this got junked because I’d gone off on a tangent, and found I’d written myself into a dead end with no way out. What can I say, it’s fan fiction, and I’d like to enjoy it without a lot of rewrites, and I want to share it without first waiting till it’s complete and having had umpteen rewrites of the entire thing. Heaven/Celestia/Inari Sama knows how many continuity errors have cropped up since I started in April 2017. I promise I will do my best to find all the typos and wrong words, and to make it as readable as possible. It’s not always easy either. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

Reads months after having posted. Sees mistakes. Fixes mistakes. Introduces new mistakes that won't be found until several months have passed. XD

The visit

“Hi, Twilight,” Kitzumi called approaching her. Kitzu was back in the world she’d discovered by accident. Twilight was school-age in this world, with all the concerns a young filly might otherwise have. Or in her case, was she studying enough, reading enough, and whether or not she was going to be up to the task ahead of her having had a peek into her possible future?

“Nova!” Twilight called turning and going to Kitzu. Even though Twilight knew Kitzu’s full name, Kitzu would always be Luna’s Nova to her. “You’ve come for a visit! - Aww, but I have to be in school, I’m on my way now.”

“Not to worry. Not only do I have all day, but I’ve also been given permission to sit in, in your classes.”

“You’ll be expected to take the cloak off.”

“Well, they’ll just have to… no, now that I think of it once they realize I’m an alicorn we may not get much classwork done,” Kitzu said beginning to feel a bit deflated. “I came because I wanted to know what school is like for you and if it’s anything like my school.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Twilight offered setting out for school again. “But we’d better get going or we’ll be late.”

“Well, I certainly wouldn't want to be late.” Kitzu fell in right next to Twilight. “Normally I’m asleep at this time of day.”

“Asleep?”

“Nocturnal. - The time difference. It’s early in the afternoon where I live. - I only go to school in the afternoon, and then it’s homeschooling after that.”

“Maybe they’ll let you attend school here so you can get in a full day?”

“And leave all my friends behind?” Kitzu protested with a dramatic air. “That and my moms worry about me whenever I’m not under hoof.”

“I know the feeling. I worry about Spike all the time. - Sometimes I wonder if I’m obsessing. He’s just a dragon.”

“He’s your dragon, you hatched with your magic.”

“Yes, but...”

“Think about it Twilight. Where did they get a dragon egg? How did they get a dragon egg? - Dragons are mighty protective of their eggs. - Well, except the bad eggs.”

“Spike is not a bad egg, he’s a good dragon.”

“As in he wasn’t expected to hatch.”

“Wait, what?” Twilight stopped short.

“I can’t prove it, but I suspect that if not for your power surge, there’d be no Spike, and you’d likely not be Princess Celestia’s prize pupil.”

“What?!” Twilight started walking again and hurried to catch up. “Are you saying I became his mother?”

“It’s just a theory, but yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. - Technically at any rate. I mean, you didn't lay the egg.”

“True, but it also means it was a set up to fail me. - Why would some pony do that?”

“It’s because of our connection to Princess Luna. - Nightfall spelled the end of the Nightfoals.”

“So I probably shouldn't say anything then.”

“Nova Silvermane is the name I’ll be using. Though if I run into any Silvermanes it could be problematic. Your Princess Celestia set me up with a VIP guest ID in case anyone wants to know who I am. - Nova Silvermane, special guest of Princess Celestia.”

“Ooo special guest, and VIP even. Can’t very well tell ponies you are my daughter though, can we.” Twilight said with a grin.

“Cousin, let’s say cousin, and Princess Celestia is my aunt being her sister is also my mom. Or at least in my world. No guarantees things will happen the same for you.” Nova offered with a wink. “My Twilight just happens to have the same name and looks a lot like you. - Different dimensions, different individuals, even if you are exactly alike, at least when my Twilight was your age. - Anyway, if you want a foal like me, you’ll have to marry Prince Reynard.”

“I don’t believe I’ve met him. What’s he like?”

“I like him, but then he is my daddy. - He’s kind, understanding, and treats every being the way he’d want to be treated.”

“Not one bit biased are you.”

“And gorgeous.”

“You, or your daddy?”

“Daddy at three O’clock.”

“What? Wait, that’s… but he’s an adult? - And cute too.” Twilight couldn't help but blush. “How old is he? He’s got to be in his late twenties.”

“He’s over a hundred.”

“Excuse me?”

“Fox ponies can live to a thousand years of age,” Kitzu explained. “Though I guess relative age-wise we could say he’s in his twenties.”

“He is good-looking. - And he’s coming this way.”

“Looks like he’s seen me.”

“Why would that make a difference? He doesn’t know who you are, does he? How old are you?”

“I’m only eight. - I think. - Might be nine or ten.”

“You don’t know how old you are?”

“Stranded in a world not my own. - And a kit like myself alone in Canterlot is something he’d want to know about.”

“What? Did you get stranded in a world not your own? - Why would you even tell me something like that?”

“Not my timeline so it won’t hurt if I give you a warning. My first jump was after I got a hold of a book of spells for time and trans-dimensional travel. - It’s complicated, but I wound up stuck in the world I’ve been living in. It’s technically my world, but the timeline split because I’d gone back in time. - Don’t worry, I’m not from your dimension so my being here won’t cause any rift in time.”

“I’ll be sure to keep an eye on my foals when I have them.”

“Good Morning to you.” Prince Reynard said approaching.

“We are on our way to school, and shouldn't talk to strangers.” Kitzu offered, motioning for Twilight to keep walking.

“Well then, let me introduce myself.” He offered.

“Prince Reynard Silvermane of the Oukitsune clan.” Kitzu offered. “Thank you, if you have any questions feel free to direct them to...”

“I can’t help but wonder what a kit your age is doing in Canterlot?” Reynard asked.

“I’m only visiting.”

“Listen, runt, answer his question!” Demanded a colt flanked by a group of colts who’d moved to block their path. Kitzu and Twilight were forced to stop.

“We haven't exactly been introduced. - And we are going to be late for school.” Twilight countered.

“Prince Blue Blood, if you don’t mind this is between me, and him.” Kitzu scolded.

“Ya, well you need to show your betters more respect.” Blueblood shot back.

“What betters? Aside from Prince Reynard of course.” Kitzu replied with a polite bow to Prince Reynard.

“I’m a prince. - Same as him. Even if he isn’t a proper pony.”

“I’m an Alicorn Princess.” Kitzu pops a wing out from under her school cloak. “Not a proper pony indeed. Special guest of Princess Celestia. - I think I outrank you.” She folds her wing up and turns to Prince Reynard. “Now as I was saying...” her tone softened for him.

“An alicorn princess?” Reynard asked lifting an eyebrow.

“I’ve got an official VIP guest pass from Princess Celestia. - Just ask Princess Celestia, and she’ll tell you what you need to know. - Please?” She couldn't resist giving him the look that always got her, her way. “Please?” In an undertone to him, she added that she didn’t need anything, but thanked him for his concern.

“Yes, of course...” Reynard said staggering back. It’d be a long time before he’d develop a resistance to the look. “I’ll be sure to ask. I shouldn't have bothered you.”

“Thank you.” Kitzu’s smile for him faded to a scowl as she turned to face the colts. The colts reluctantly parted allowing Kitzu and Twilight to pass.

Their passage into the school was noted by many of the student body. Twilight and Kitzu walked through the halls and entered the classroom that was Twilight’s first for the day.

“Oh hey, aren’t you Moon Dancer?” Kitzu asked of an alabaster pony. Of course, Kitzu knew her in a second being their cutie marks were similar. Moon Dancer had a similarly colored crescent moon, a star inside the disk of the moon, and two stars outside on the opposite side of the moon. “Twilight’s told me a lot about you.”

“She has?”

“I have? - Oh yes, of course, I have,” Twilight said with a smile.

“I didn’t know she knew I existed?” Moon Dancer said not entirely sure what was going on.

“This is Miss Nova, she’s my cousin.”

“Hi, how are you?” Kitzu asked then leaned in to whisper, “Twilight’s not indifferent, just the worst book pony ever. Bring her up for air once in a while.”

“I heard that.” Twilight scolded. Kitzu went to Twilight and gave her a hug with a wing.

“Wing!” shouted a yellow filly with hearts for a cutie mark.

“Hi, Lemon Hearts. This is my cousin. Nova, this is Lemon Hearts.” Twilight offered.

“Hi, I’m Minuette.” Offered a light blue filly with an hourglass cutie mark.

“Hey, you with the hair braid. I’d like to have a word with you if you don’t mind?” Announced a rather cross filly entering the classroom. “How dare you make a fool of my colt friend?”

Kitzu turned to look at who it was, her face lit up with a big smile, “Rarity!” Kitzu couldn't resist giving the filly Rarity a hug. “But what are you doing here? Why aren’t you attending a fashion school in Manehatten?”

“Do we know her?” Twilight asked while Rarity proceeded to splutter.

“How do you even know who I am!?” Rarity said in nearly a shout. “And un-glomp me!”

“Um, sorry,” Kitzu replied backing off. “I’m Rara’s friend.” Kitzu offered thinking fast.

“Who?” Rarity asked.

“Coloratura?” Kitzu had to think fast. Really fast. “Oh right, she’s Apple Jack’s friend from camp.”

“Apple… not one more word!” Rarity demanded, placing a hoof to Kitzu’s lips. Kitzu smiled realizing Rarity didn’t want any pony knowing she was from Ponyville.

“Alright, every pony to your seats.” Mrs Inkwell ordered as she entered the room. “Good of you to join us, Miss Belle. - Princess Nova, be so kind as to hang up your cloak.”

“Yes, mam,” Kitzu replied using her magic to take her cloak off and levitate it to a nearby cloak hook. Rarity’s eyes grew big. Under the cloak, Kitzu had her saddlebags, and around her neck hung her VIP pass, her moon pendant, and a small silver lantern on a silver chain inside of which was fitted a crystal and Kitzu’s warding spell.

“You’re?!”

“Well technically yes.”

“Fillies...” Mrs Inkwell warned. “Just find an open seat.”

“Yes, mam,” Kitzu replied looking around for an open seat. One was quickly pointed out to her.

“Today we will be talking about the elements of harmony.” Mrs Inkwell stated and then looked towards Kitzu. “Princess, can you name the elements of harmony for us?”

Kitzu thought about it for a moment and realized they were likely wanting information. She smiled. “The elements of harmony are Gi, Rei, Yu, Meiyo, Jin, Makoto, and Chu.”

“You want to run that by me in Ponish?” Mrs Inkwell asked astonished at the answer.

“The elements of harmony are the fruit of the tree of harmony which was created using a spell authored by Star Swirl the Bearded,” Kitzu explained. “Together with Rockhoof, Mage Meadowbrook, Mistmane, Somnambula, and Flash Magnus, they cast the spell that created the tree of Harmony. By placing a little of their own magic in the tree, the tree was able to grow beyond its original intended purpose. The first known wielders of the Elements of Harmony were Princess Celestia, and her sister Princess Luna. The last known use was by Princess Celestia when Princess Luna was possessed by the shadow pony known as Nightmare Moon.” The room had grown silent as very little of what Kitzu was saying was in any books, and that which was was in scattered obscure references. “Gi is Integrity. Somnambula was the originator of this element. Also known as the element of hope and laughter. Rei, is respect. Star Swirl was the originator of this element embodied in magic and sorcery. Meiyo, is honor. Mistmane was the originator, and the element embodies Generosity and beauty. Jin is compassion embodied in kindness and healing. Meadowbrook was the originator. Makoto, is honesty, sincerity, and strength. Rockhoof was the originator. And Chu is duty, loyalty, and bravery. Flash Magnus was the originator.”

“You skipped one.” Twilight pointed out.

“That would be Yu. Heroic courage.” Kitzu admitted. “Far as I know there has been no individual wielder of it, being that a little came from all six of the originators. Although...” Kitzu thought for a moment. She hated to admit it, but it was true enough. “Princess Celestia herself is perhaps the closest I can think of to being the embodiment of this element, and it’s possible some of her magic went into the tree of harmony.”

“Embodiment?” Mrs Inkwell asked.

“To be able to wield an element the pony must embody the virtue, and be selected as worthy of the element. The individual becomes the element with a jewel from the tree acting as a focus.” Kitzu explained knowing full well she was telling them far more than any of their best sources likely knew at the time. Nor could she tell them about Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, or Sunset Shimmer who had managed to obtain a seventh element in the world she’d been living in. Kitzu was convinced Sunset Shimmer was the bearer of the element of heroic courage. Everything Sunset had been through, even while misguided, had taken considerable courage. Even more so to face up to her mistakes. Of course, fitting the elements to the virtues of Bushido was entirely a fox pony thing. Kitzu couldn't help smiling as she wondered if they’d ever figure out what she just did?

“Any chance I can get you to write all that down?” Mrs Inkwell asked. Mrs Inkwell had had a conversation with Princess Celestia concerning this specific alicorn, and what would or would not be prudent to ask. Mrs Inkwell knew a fair deal of what Kitzu was telling the class was both accurate, and verifiable.

“Might I ask what you are the princess of?” Rarity asked perhaps hoping to catch Kitzu in a lie.

“Ummm, hope actually.” Kitzu offered sheepishly. “I’m not from here so it’s not a title for your Equestria. Just my home country.”

“Neighpon is where she’s from.” Twilight offered knowing there was no way any pony would be able to verify anything. Meanwhile, Kitzu had gotten out a pen along with a pad of paper, to write out everything she’d just said. She had to stop a few times to think to remember it all.

“Have you ever seen a harmony stone?” Rarity asked of Kitzu.

“I’m wearing one. It resonates with the element of hope.” True enough, when an examination had been done on Kitzu’s enchanted crystals, every last one resonated with the harmony stone for hope. But just the ones she’d charged up herself. Stones charged up by other fox pones had been equally effective against Discords magic, but only hers resonated with the harmony stone of hope.

“You are wearing one?” Rarity asked astonished as a hush fell over the room.

“Tha, that’s a harmony stone?” Twilight asked equally astonished.

“It can’t be, can it?” Mrs Inkwell asked.

“Miss Rarity?” Kitzu asked stopping what she was doing. “You are good with stones, jewels, precious, and semi-precious gems… cast a spell, and tell us if I’m telling the truth or not?”

“But I can’t… I mean, I’ve nothing to compare with.” Rarity protested.

“Oh. Sorry, I hadn’t thought about that.” Kitzu offered. “The stone itself is actually fairly common, what makes it unique is that it’s been charged with magical energy from the tree of harmony, and some of my own magic. Would you like to have a closer look?”

“Now, I’m not sure we need to go that far?” Mrs Inkwell cautioned.

“It’s OK, I know I can trust her,” Kitzu replied reading Mrs Inkwell’s tone while taking the pendant off, and passing it over to Rarity.

“It’s such exquisite craftsmanship… oh, and writing on the back. In bleakest days, and blackest nights, may your lantern shine ever bright. - Oh, I do recognize the gem, but I’ve never seen one glow like that.” Rarity’s horn lit up as she examined the small lantern, followed by Rarity being engulfed in a soft glow. “I see it is just a common stone, but it’s been charged with magical energy. - What?” Rarity looked up to see every jaw was agape except Kitzu who had her usual bright smile. “What’s every pony looking at?”

“You’re glowing.” Moon Dancer informed her.

“Glowing… I see.” Rarity said looking herself over.

“It works as a focus, and amplification device.” Kitzu offered. “And I’d caution you not to try to use it to cast any magic. Your magic needs to be one hundred percent compatible.”

“What happens if the magic isn’t compatible?” Twilight asked.

“The spellcaster can lose control of the magic.” Kitzu provided as a way of an explanation. “This one was made by myself so it’s relatively safe. The stones produced by the tree of harmony are soul bound, and can only be used by the pony chosen by the magic of the tree.”

“You, of course, know where the tree is?” Mrs Inkwell asked.

“Of course. It’s in a grotto below the castle of the Two Sisters in the Everfree forest.” Kitzu replied.

“The Everfree...” Rarity said softly not sure what to think. “You don’t mean that creepy old castle with all the hidden doors, and passages, and stuff?”

“Wait, you know where the castle is? But no one’s been able to find it in centuries.” Mrs Inkwell stated.

“It’s only about an hour’s brisk walk from Ponyville.” Kitzu offered. “And Ponyville isn’t even Ponyville...” Kitzu stopped suddenly realizing she’d gone too far and said too much.

“There is a legend that Ponyville is what’s left of Everfree City.” Rarity offered. “Few outside of the residents of Ponyville even know about it though.” Rarity gave Kitzu a puzzled look.

“I heard about the legend from someone from Ponyville.” Kitzu offered. The last thing she wanted to do was tell every pony there she was from a mostly parallel world, and that they’d uncovered evidence.

“I really don’t like to admit it, but I’m from Ponyville.” Rarity offered. She could tell Kitzu was holding back, but somehow the gem seemed to be telling her not to worry about it. It also seemed to be telling her not to worry about studying magic as that wasn’t what she was supposed to be doing. She then made to pass the necklace back.

“Oh, feel free to pass that around.” Kitzu offered. “I’m curious to see who else lights up?”

“Oh-kay.” Rarity said offering it over to the student sitting next to her.

“I thought you said this thing is dangerous?”

“Just use a mild probing spell like you’re trying to figure out what you got for Hearth Warming,” Kitzu advised.

“Wow, that things got a kickback.” The student replied following a little spark off their horn. They then passed it off to the next, and then the next till every pony had had a chance. Every pony except Twilight.

“Twilight?” Mrs Inkwell inquired. Twilight and Kitzu looked at each other with worry on their faces.

“I’m sorry, but I’d rather not risk it without Princess Celestia present.” Kitzu offered.

“Why? - Surely it won’t react worse than what happened with Miss Rarity?” Mrs Inkwell asked.

“I’m afraid of a repeat of Twilight’s entrance examination.” Kitzu offered. After all, telling them that Twilight was an Alicorn and had considerably more raw power than Rarity was going to be a hard sell.

“But her power surge was triggered by a rainboom.” Mrs Inkwell offered.

“Rainboom? - How often does that sort of thing happen?” Rarity asked.

“Just the once.” Kitzu supplied. “You and Twilight got your cutie marks at the exact same time, both triggered by the rainboom.”

“And Twilight does have more power than I do.” Rarity said sounding as though she was awestruck. “But I suck at magic?”

“That’s because your cutie mark has nothing to do with magic.” Kitzu countered. “Or at least not the kind of magic they teach here, and if you don’t go out and pursue your passion you are going to be miserable.”

“Now Princess Nova, you shouldn't...” Mrs Inkwell cautioned.

“She’s right. I am miserable here. I hate it here. I’m not doing what I love, and it’s driving me up a wall.”

“I see. - Wish you’d spoken up sooner.” Mrs Inkwell replied. “Not being able to fulfill the calling of your cutie mark is a serious issue.”

✨✨✨

Later during lunch, Princess Celestia asked to see Kitzu.

“I’m to understand that Miss Rarity wants to quit, and you are encouraging her to do so?” Celesta asked with concern in her tone.

“Rarity’s cutie mark isn’t for magic, it’s bling as in fashion. - She’s a very successful fashion designer in my world. Same cutie mark. - She’s also the element of generosity. My little test proved it. - Or at the very least your Rarity has the potential to become an element bearer.”

“I heard about your test, and Mrs Inkwell gave me a copy of what you wrote.”

“I didn’t think sharing that much information would hurt. - You’d likely need to revive the knowledge as you are going to need it to save Princess Luna.”

“I see. - And you didn’t want Twilight to use your stone?”

“I didn’t want to risk her powering up the gem. It’s the same as the small lantern I gave you. - For some reason the stones I power up all mimic the element of hope.”

“It’s not a true element then.”

“Not from the tree no, but the stone was created by the magic of the tree and my own magic. And that includes fox magic,” Kitzu explained. “It’s a common enough stone in the northwest, and while they’ll work for the anti discordant magic spell, they don’t have the same properties. - Twilight is the element of magic, and a wingless alicorn. My Twilight used a transformation spell created by Star Swirl the Bearded. I’m to understand that before Twilight fixed it, it was a very dangerous spell that switched a ponies destiny. - If you decide to let your Twilight have at the spell, she should be advised to be extra careful.”

“I see.”

“In my world, she accidentally switched the destinies of the element bearers. - I’m under the impression it could have been worse, and that she could have ended up like King Sombra.”

“Sombra?”

“I only know what I’ve overheard. Twilight was quite livid when she found out. - There is a caveat in that the caster must be either of all three primary pony types and or of alicorn decent for the spell to be successful. - I’m uncertain which it is, I can only say that Twilight meets both requirements.”

“I see.” Princess Celestia offered in a quiet contemplative tone. “And the other element bearers?”

“I suppose it can’t hurt to tell you. They all seem to end up in Ponyville just in time to face Nightmare Moon at the end of her thousand-year banishment. - Twilight, and Rarity, along with Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.”

“Rainbow Dash, I know of that filly.”

“It was her rainboom that triggered all six getting their cutie marks.”

“They were all affected by the rainboom. - Their destines would be tied together then. - And what of the seventh? You’ve indicated there might be a seventh?”

Kitzu let out a sigh not sure if she wanted to tell her. “Twilight and the others were able to save Luna without her.”

“There is a seventh then?”

“Sunset Shimmer.”

The room grew deathly silent save for the sound of a ticking clock. Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick tock…

“Banished or in prison?” Kitzu asked after what seemed an eternity.

“Banished. - I gather your Sunset Shimmer has had her troubles too.”

“When she comes back, let her stay. - It’ll save a lot of trouble for you in the future, and gain you a valuable ally if you can reconcile.”

“My Sunset wants to become an alicorn a little too much.”

“My Sunset is an alicorn. - Happened while passing through the portal. You just have to impart on her that it's not something you can give her, nor can it be forced.”

“So then, that is her destiny then. - Is she going to be my replacement I wonder?”

“I, um, wouldn't know.” Kitzu offered not sure what to make of what Celestia was suggesting. A knock came at the door.

“Enter,” Celestia called.

“Sorry to disturb you but Prince Reynard… sir please?!” Reynard pushed his way in past the secretary.

“Just let him in.” Kitzu offered, and Celestia told the secretary it was OK, and that they could leave.

“I want an explanation,” Reynard demanded.

“I’m from off-world. Baka Toasann.”

“Prince Reynard, she is just visiting for the day.” Celestia offered.

“What did you just say?” Reynard asked looking at Kitzu with a rather puzzled expression.

“In my world, you are my father.”

“Oh, so he’s the filly-fooler your mothers were talking about.” Princess Celestia said with a grin.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. And a little overprotective too.” Kitzu replied.

“Now see here?!” Prince Reynard protested.

“Well go on do a reading.” Kitzu offered. ”I couldn't say anything in public because we can’t have ponies knowing I’m from another world.”

“Fine then...” Prince Reynard held up a hoof and produced a blue flame. He only held it up for a moment when he dropped the flame and staggered back.

“Are you alright?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Prince Reynard?” Kitzu looked at him with concern. Especially being he’s just done a reading on her.

“The images were rather jumbled, but I apparently marry Nightmare Moon, and another alicorn I know nothing about.”

“Well, on my world you did. Princess Luna, not nightmare moon.” Kitzu offered. “Jumbled? The reading shouldn't be jumbled?”

“I saw a lot of odd conflicting images, and I’ve got a rather uneasy feeling.” Reynard offered. “I’m sorry, but your being here just makes me uneasy. I can’t explain it. Sorry.”

“Kitzu, perhaps you should head home.” Princess Celestia offered.

“Alright. I suppose I should then. Father’s uneasy feelings have never been wrong, but I sure wish you could give me a little more to go on.”

“Sorry,” Reynard replied.

“I’ll go gather up my belongings, and get going.”

“You teleporting?” Princess Celestia asked.

“I’m a little tired, so I should probably use the portal. - Princess Celestia, thank you for the hospitality and for letting me spend time with your Twilight. - Prince Reynard, thank you for your concern.”

Princess Celestia replied that it was her pleasure, and Prince Reynard just muttered something indecipherable. They all said their goodbyes, and Kitzu left. She went back to the classroom to gather up her saddlebags, the schoolwork she’d done that day, put her school cloak on, and went in search of Twilight and the others. They were disappointed, but it couldn't be helped. Kitzu got out her transdimensional communications book, wrote in it that she was coming back early, and put the book back in the saddlebag. The lack of a response didn’t bother her as she hadn’t been expecting an immediate response. She then said her goodbyes to the fillies and headed back to the keep and the portal.

Kitzu stepped into the portal just as she heard someone frantically calling her. It was too late.

Why haven't I emerged on the other side, Kitzu asked herself as the portal tunnel seemed to elongate.

Kitzu was overcome with a feeling of dread. The tunnel was now whipping about sending her on a roller coaster ride. She felt as though she was falling one moment, and being blasted heavenward the next.

Something was horribly wrong, and the realization that she may be stuck in a maelstrom between worlds was scaring her enough to wet herself. She could feel herself screaming, but could not hear herself.

Teleport. That’s what she had to do – teleport.

Author's Note

Right now my readers are wondering what just happened? Did Kitzu disrupt the time stream by telling the ponies too much? Or was the trouble at the other end? Discord perhaps? Granted, Kitzu did help get Rarity back on track, and she didn't really give them too much information that they wouldn't have been found out sooner or later anyway. I've also wondered how it was that all the bearers of the harmony stones just happened to be in Ponyville right when they needed to be. Here then is one possible explanation. Princess Celestia knew and managed to see to it that they were there.

As for Kitzu, you'll just have to wait to find out what's happened to her.

In bleakest days and blackest nights, may your lantern shine ever bright. Inspired by the Green Lantern moto.

Transitions

“Will you be leaving us soon?” Princess Luna asked Kitzumi. The two were sitting on Luna’s balcony looking out over Canterlot, the lights of the city looking every bit the starscape.

“The Doctor says my magic is right up there with fillies my age. So yes, I’d like to try for home. - Soon.”

“You are always welcome to stay.”

“I know, and you’ve all been so kind to me. - And that hover charm works great. Almost like flying with my own wing power. - Even if it is only good for a short duration of flight. - If it doesn’t work out, I mean if I can’t find my way home for some reason?”

“You’re not going to get stuck in between are you?”

“Oh no. I can tell when I have a good jump. - I’m just worried they may not be where I left them.”

“Pardon?”

“Two worlds existing within the same dimension, each just enough out of phase with the other that no one is aware of it. If Discord’s meddling caused a shift in the frequency of either world, I’d have to figure out what the new frequency is before I can find them again.” Kitzu thought about it for a moment. “The timelines of both worlds were supposed to converge at some point leaving just the one, but I’ve no way of knowing if that’s really going to happen or not? They might just split and become two separate dimensions. - Granted if I could get back to the world I was actually born in… At the right time. I’d be home. I could make friends again. - If I can never go back, it’d be like I died in my birth world. The same goes for the alternate timeline. What with everything that’s been written… I think they’ve given up on me. The last few entries looked more like Twilight was using the book as a personal diary.”

“You miss them though, your mothers in both timelines and the friends you made in the world you were living in don’t you?”

“Ya. I do miss them. That’s why I don’t want to stay here. - Sure all the same ponies are here, but every pony is different. That or they haven't even been born yet. You understand don’t you?”

“I understand better than you think. I lost my world. I can never go back.”

Kitzu looked at Luna wondering what it’d be like, waking up one day to find every pony she’d known was gone? Well, this Luna did have Celestia, and Night Light, but… she’d missed out on watching him grow up. To her, he’d gone from being a foal to an adult stallion overnight. But then maybe Kitzu did know? There’d been no reply to the diary, and there was every indication the enchantment still held on both the book and the moon amulet.

“Come on then, there’s a going-away party waiting for you.” Luna offered.

“A party?”

“It’s a surprise party, so try to act surprised.”

“But you’re telling me?”

“I don’t want you getting too surprised, and teleporting all the way to Ponyville.” Luna gave her a wink. Kitzu had, after all, told Luna about all her misadventures, and now that her power was back up to normal levels she’d best be careful.

🎈🎊🎉

The party had been a blast, and Kitzu found herself walking away with another enchanted diary. They all wanted her to let them know she was safe, and how she was doing when she got there. She stayed two more days, and her total time there had been close to two months. She was eager to try for home, and yet hesitant to leave the safe haven she’d landed in. That evening she went out onto the patio, that area in the center of the keep made the connection for home, and completed the jump. Little had change save her small ensemble of onlookers were now gone. Kitzu wondered if there’d been any flash as had been reported during the Changeling crisis? She got out the book they’d given her and wrote down that she’d made it. She’d let them know if it was the right place just as soon as she knew herself.

Kitzu looked about but saw no one. This courtyard was in the center of the keep above the night court. No pony set hoof here without an invite, and while there were no guards watching the court, they weren’t far off. There was also an intruder detection spell that would alert security if any unicorns should manage to teleport in. Kitzu’s IDs and moon pendant would identify her as a member of the family. Kitzu turned around to have another look, and instead of going straight into the apartments of the Night Wing, she decided she’d have a look at the greenhouse.

Kitzu entered, and walked through noting the changes. Some plants were the same, some were always the same, others were different. Some were older, some new. Kitzu was about to go back out when something caught her eye. There under a bench, she found a small plush toy. She tenderly picked it up, sat on the bench, and held it close. Something her father had given her, just an ordinary common red fox plush toy. It’d been one of her favorites. Seeing it was dirty from being on the tile, Kitzu cleaned it with her magic and then decided to head straight up to her floor. The last messages to her in her diary had been about Twilight and Luna’s foals, and to Kitzu it just made sense that they’d end up giving their little Kitzumi the same toy. It was just history repeating.

Kizu went up the stairs in the greenhouse and opened the door to Luna’s private lounge at the base of the watchtower that sat on top of the big tower. Nothing looked out of place. Everything Kitzu expected to see was there to include a few items that one would expect to see in a home with babies. No one was about though. From there Kitzu decided to go see if there was anyone in the apartments.

“Hello, I’m back,” Kitzu called going through the arch to the back rooms. “Any pony here?” No one answered. Kitzu slowly walked on back. Luna’s room looked messier than it normally would have, but nothing Kitzu would have thought to be out of the ordinary. She continued on to her room. It was full of baby stuff. Kitzu entered unable to resist the lure of the crib. I used to sleep in this, Kitzu told herself as she approached. She looked in only to discover she still was.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so cute!” Kitzu said barely able to keep her voice down as she looked at the tiny pegasus in the crib.

“Uwwwaaa.” Baby Kitzu replied back as she woke up. “Aaaaaaa.”

“It’s alright. I’m you… That smell… hang on!” Kitzu rushed out into the corridor. “Hello, anyone?! Dirty diaper! Anyone? No one.” Kitzu turned around. “I’m a big girl now, I can change my own diaper.”

Kizu ventured back in, looked about, and then retrieved baby Kitzu from her crib with her magic. “Up we go, you little stinker you.”

“Gah!”

“Yes, I know. No one likes having a dirty diaper and no way to do anything about it. - Come on then, to the changing table. - Right then let's get you set here… off with the old… Ewww.” Kitzu levitated the dirty diaper away from her selves and started looking about wondering what to do with it just as two guards entered.

“Alright who are you, and eeewww, get that away from me!” One of the guards said screeching to a halt. The other nearly crashed into the first.

“Look out, she has a chemical weapon of mass destruction.”

“You wouldn't happen to be the foal sitter?” the first guard asked.

“Member of the family.” Kizu offered, pushing a wing out from under her cloak. “Why don’t I put my stuff somewhere...” Kitzu used her magic to take her cloak and saddlebags, and place them on a chair, careful not to mix the diaper with them. “Do you know… ah, there!” On spotting the receptacle for dirty diapers, she popped the lid, dropped the diaper in, and shut the lid. She then gathered up some wipes and proceeded to wipe down her baby self who’d patiently been waiting.

“Sorry, I’m only eight.” Kitzu offered. “Can I gather you’ve no idea where our foal sitter is? What about our nanny? We do have a nanny, don’t we? - Why were we left all by our self?” Kitzu placed the wipes in a second receptacle. She then retrieved the baby powder and powdered her baby bun. A small cloud of dust erupted followed by both fillies having a giggling fit.

“Why don’t we go see if we can find some pony.” One of the guards offered.

“Wait!” Kitzu called.

“Yes?”

“Would either of you know how to put a diaper on?”

“I can.” Offered the guard who’d compared the dirty diaper to a WMD, and walked over. A few moments later the guard had a fresh new diaper on baby Kitzu. “There we go.”

“Thank you.” Kitzu offered while baby Kitzu cooed happily. At least for a moment.

“Ahh!” Baby Kitzu shouted looking at big Kitzu. The two touched noses.

“Ah, you’re hungry,” Kitzumi exclaimed. She wasn’t entirely sure how she knew, she just did.

“I, um… I can call down to the kitchens.” The guard offered.

“See if you can find out where our foal sitter is. Otherwise, I think I know where I might find something...” Kitzu offered, hoisted baby Kitzu onto her back, and headed out into the corridor.

“Who is she?” The first guard whispered to the second.

“No idea, but she’s an alicorn, and has one of Princess Luna’s moon medallions. - Maybe she’s an apprentice no pony knows about? - I’ll keep an eye on her, and you see if you can find out what’s going on.”

Kitzu for her part just ignored the two guards and headed for the kitchenette that was attached to the lounge. Sure enough, bottles of milk along with plenty of other goodies. “Ooo, little fishies!” Kitzu helped herself to a mouthful of the cooked fish. She then pulled out a bottle of milk and took a sip.

“Gah!” Baby Kitzu protested.

“Fresh Luna.” Filly Kitzu announced.

“Aaaa aaaa!”

“Hang on, I have to warm it.”

“Body temperature. You think you can manage it?” The second guard asked.

“I can use my magic.” Kitzu offered. She held the bottle in her magic, the color of her magic shifting as she warmed it, and then took another sip.

“Gah gah aaa!!”

“Alright, alright,” Kitzu said, went over to a large chair, lifted baby Kitzu into the air, sat down, cuddled baby in her wings, and let her have at the bottle.

“So, um if I may ask… who are you?”

Kitzu looked at him bewildered. “Corporal Forge, you don’t know who I am? - Luna’s Nova?”

“No, I’m afraid not.”

“Oh, dear. - Well, that’s problematic.”

“Are you perhaps an apprentice that Princess Luna has been keeping under wraps?”

“I’m afraid I’m from another dimension, and I’ve missed my mark it would seem. That or there is something else going on here."

“I see.” He replied just as Celestia came dashing in.

“The baby, they’ve forgotten...” Celestia said, and then stopped in her tracks at the site of an eight-year-old alicorn Kitzu bottle feeding baby pegasus Kitzu. “Oh my? - Miss Pudding is off sick, and someone dropped the ball. But it seems everything is fine… who?”

“I’m Kitzumi.” Kitzu offered, wondering why this scene seemed so familiar to her.

“I thought you were Luna’s Nova?” Corporal Forge asked.

“Kitzumi Nova Silvermane. - The guards would say Luna’s Nova to distinguish me from Nova Silvermane.” Kitzu was feeling a bit unsure of the situation. Why did all this seem so familiar? Had she gone home? That is to say, her original home. Was she presently crossing her own timeline? How long could she stay here, and how many ponies could she interact with before it triggered another split? Would it be worth it? One thing was sure, no matter how much she wanted to, she could not tell them any more about herself than what she could manage.

“She said she was from another dimension.” Corporal Forge offered.

“I am aware of a Nova Silvermane.” Celestia offered. “She’s around ten or eleven I believe. “Prince Reynard wants to adopt her.” Celestia slowly approached Kitzu who wrapped her wings tighter around her younger self. “How did you get here?” Celestia asked.

“Teleported. - I can teleport across dimensions.” Kitzu had to fight that thing that made her so nervous of Celestia. Why was she so afraid of this Celestia? Sure, she knew all of Celestia’s secrets, but she should be over that… baby Kitzu had stopped sucking and was snuggling in as tight as she could go. That fear of Celestia… was she doing it to herself or was she experiencing her younger self’s emotional state?

“Can you now?” Celestia said taking another step closer while giving Kitzu an accusatory stare. Kitzu was beginning to feel like she was being stalked.

“Princess Celestia, maybe you might not want to press her.” Corporal Forge suggested.

“Corporal… take her please,” Kitzu said softly. Kitzu had decided her best course of action was to get away, but she couldn't do that holding her younger self.

“Are you alright?” the corporal asked.

“No, I’m not.”

The corporal took baby Kitzu who clung to big Kitzu. Once separated, big Kitzu got up and started backing away.

“Now where do you think...” Princess Celestia began while closing the gap further, but Kitzu teleported away. The loud crack caused baby Kitzu to start crying. A moment later another crack could be heard coming from the apartments. “How is she even able to teleport in here?” Celestia said trotting towards where the sound had come from.

“Her things are gone.” Corporal Forge offered when they arrived at the nursery. “She’s gone. - She knew who I was. Wasn’t one bit concerned, begging your pardon, until you arrived.”

“But how?”

“She’s a pendant like the ones Princess Luna gives to trusted confidants.” He offered. “It would likely render all security protocols ineffective against her.”

💫💫💫💫💫

As for Kitzu, she’d teleported straight to the nursery, quickly snatched up her things, teleported to the base of the tower where she was sure to have a few moments alone. If this was home, or first home rather than her second home or at least a nearby dimension she couldn't harm couldn't be too much of a jump. The frequencies had indeed shifted, but Kitzu was going to try anywhere convinced as she was that she could not stay here without adversely affecting her own future. She felt for a contact, found one, and jumped.

Once more there was little to tell if the jump had worked or not. When it came right down to it, the interdimensional jump made less noise than a standard teleport in that there was more of an exchange of atmosphere. Kitzu looked about, and then doubled back to the tower, and opened the heavy door with her amulet. Inside was pretty much empty, though it looked to have been kept reasonably clean for some reason. She went in, closed the door behind her, and went in past the guard room, passed by offices, and found a bedroom with a mattress. It was also quite dark in there, dusty, and the only light available was a soft blue glow from her lantern pendant. She dropped her belongings on the bed, draped her cloak over a chair… she froze momentarily as something tumbled out. It was a plush toy. In her haste to get away, she’d accidentally stolen her own toy. Well, not so much stolen as taken it from her younger self. Kitzu remembered now, the precious toy had gone missing. Then fuss over who she’d thought was a really cool foal sitter.

Kitzu let out a sigh. She got out one of her lamps from her bag to better light the room, placed it on a desk, picked up the toy, climbed onto the bed, and curled up into a ball while snuggling the toy. She lay there for a while, sat up, and retrieved her book from where Night Light had been Luna’s son.

A bit of a problem, right home, wrong year. Kitzu wrote, followed with: For reason’s I’m not sure of, I ended up in my original birth home instead of the altered timeline. I was afraid I might contaminate the timeline if I stayed, so teleported to the next nearest world. I’ll check out where I am after I’ve had a nap. Two jumps seem to have worn me out more than it should have so I’ll need to be extra careful. Thank you ever so much for your kindness, and hospitality.

Kitzu then put that book back and retrieved her original diary. In it, she wrote: I’m in the back bedroom, the bottom floor of Luna’s tower. If by any chance I’m in the right world, please come down, and find me.

Kitzu let out another sigh. There had been no replies to the book. She decided she’d curl up with her plush toy, and take a nap. A nap that was dearly needed as she soon fell fast asleep.

How long Kitzu had slept, she couldn't be sure. She was on no clock at the moment and got up when hunger forced her to wake up. The first thing she checked was her diaries. One book urged her to come back as soon as she felt able, and the other had nothing. She wrote a quick note saying she was fine and would need a bit of time to recover her magic energy before risking another jump. She then pulled out the box lunch. It’d been packed fresh, just in case she needed it. She needed it. When she’d finished she used the facilities available in the barracks, followed by gathering up her belongings and poked her head out the tower base door. She pulled out her original diary and added that she was going to go out and explore.

“Wonder if it’s ever occurred to any pony to keep an eye on this door,” Kitzu said to herself as the door closed behind her. It was late morning, the path was familiar, and yet there was that feeling of the unknown, as she’d no idea what this world had in store for her. She put the diary away, rustled her wings to adjust her cloak, and started down the path at a casual walk. A short time later she found her way to the school commons. Plenty of ponies were about, a few looked at her with mild curiosity, but aside from that, her presence was vastly ignored.

Spotting a newspaper, Kitzu went over to the table it was sitting on, sat on a chair, and started glancing through the articles. Everything seemed quite mundane to her. About the only thing of any interest to her was an article about Lady Rarity opening a dress shop in Canterlot.

“Miss Kitzumi Silvermane!” Shouted an adult mare headed straight for her. Kitzu froze in place. Kitzumi had the interesting sensation of both delight, and dread at the same time. She was both known, and in some kind of trouble by the sound of the mare’s scolding tone.

“Um, hello,” Kitzu said looking in the direction of the mare. “Starshine?”

“Miss Twinkle if you don’t mind.” The mare corrected sternly. “You are coming with me right this instant. Of all the stunts you’ve ever played… Well, don’t just sit there, move!”

“Yes, mam,” Kitzu replied scrambling to her hooves. “I am yours to command.” Starshine being an adult instead of a senior-class filly was a bit of a surprise. Starshine began to walk away looking back only so as to make sure Kitzu was indeed following her. “So, um, how long have you been a teacher?”

“Don’t get smart with me young filly.”

“Yes, mam, I mean no, mam, I mean… sorry.” Well, this was going to prove to be awkward Kitzu thought as she was lead to the school administration offices, and delivered to the outer office of Princess Celestia. She couldn't help but wonder if she was in her own future. There was that hope that she’d make it back to her rightful place and time.

“Sit!” “Honestly if you’d just apply yourself in your studies instead of practical jokes.” She then turned to the secretary to inform them that Miss Kitzu had been delivered, as requested. The secretary then pressed an intercom to announce Kitzu’s arrival.

Kitzu sat wondering how long it’d be? She knew the old make em wait, game, but she’d never actually been the recipient of it at the school before. After she’d been there for a while she got out a diary and wrote that she was in detention, but hadn’t found out why yet.

“Put that away right this instant.”

“Yes, mam.” Kitzu offered just as a unicorn double was being brought in by another member of the faculty. Kitzu added a quick line – I’m beside myself ;) ;) – and put the diary away. The filly was identical save for the lack of wings and cutie mark.

“Your Highness… there are two of them.” The secretary said into the intercom. A moment later Celestia had poked her head out the door of her office.

“Oh my, so there are,” Celestia said bemused. “So which one of you tie-dyed Prince Blueblood?”

“Tie-dyed?” Our Kitzumi asked astonished.

“Yes, cast a spell to make his coat multi-colored.” Celestia offered, looking at our Kitzu. She was likely the first to notice Kitzu was presently wearing a Palace Guest Pass. “Why are you wearing a cloak, and what do you have under it? And for that matter how is it you have one of Princess Luna’s amulets.”

“School bags, wings, and it’s my amulet.”

“Wings?!” the unicorn Kitzu scoffed and laughed. Celestia turned her attention to her.

“And if you’d bother applying yourself instead of insisting on finding new and ever more interesting ways to get into trouble, maybe you might earn a set of wings yourself someday.” Celestia looked back over to our Kitzu. “Wings you said? And it’s your amulet?”

“I wear the cloak so as not to gather too much attention when out and about. My bags are under the cloak so my wings don’t get pinned.” Kitzu offered and extended a wing. She held it there, lifting up her cloak, and then folded her wings back. “As long as I’ve got this opportunity, I’m kind of stranded till I can recharge. Any chance some pony might be willing to put me up for a while? - My trip here was kind of unplanned.”

“I think we could arrange something. I’m sure you must know who I am?” Celestia offered.

“Of course. You’re Princess Celestia. In my home, I’m the Princess of Hope.” Kitzu offered. “Otherwise I’m known as Princess Luna Nova.” Kitzu decided she’d best prevaricate a bit while in the presence of her counterpart. The last thing she wanted was for this Kitzumi to know that she was her counterpart and an alicorn princess.

“Princess Nova...” Celestia began in a tone that suggested she was choosing her words carefully. “..can I trust you?”

“At my present power levels, it would be foalish of me to do anything stupid.” Kitzu offered. “When I came here I was hoping I’d be able to locate certain ponies. - Teleported in, from quite some distance away, but find I am in the wrong place. - I intend to move on as soon as I can, but I’ll need a bit of time to recharge.” Kitzu desperately wanted to use the foxfire to do a reading on these ponies to better access the situation but didn’t dare.

“That’s not a yes,” Celestia said dryly.

“Trust us as well as your own sister, but have a care what sorts of things you ask of us, dear Tia,” Kitzu replied crossly. She was taking a gamble, one in which immediately rankled the secretary, and two instructors. Kitzu had matched Luna’s we are not pleased tone perfectly.

Celestia held up a hoof to stay the others. “Luna, my office.” Celestia turned and went back into her office. Kitzu got up and followed. The door shut behind the two.

“I’m from another dimension.” Kitzu offered.

“That much I gathered.” Celestia stated, turning her back to Kitzu to look out a window. “Are we sisters?”

“I’d be more of a niece. - And please forgive my rudeness.” Kitzu made a polite bow.

Celestia turned around to look at Kitzu.

“And the counterpart to that filly out there it would seem,” Kitzu added.

“Her parents are Ambassador Reynard Silvermane, and Lady Merope Pleiades.”

“I’m Twilight Sparkle and Prince Reynard’s foal, twice adopted by Princess Luna now. - I had a mishap.”

“What sort of mishap?”

“When I was around five or six I got a hold of a book about time travel and inter-dimensional travel. I recited a snippet of a spell and propelled myself into the past. Presumably my dimension. When I interacted with others it created a brand new timeline. Again I’m assuming I hadn’t simply slipped into a different dimension, though the evidence suggested two timelines within the same dimension. My teleportation skills are, shall we say, at or near savant levels. I can teleport across dimensional barriers.”

“Is that how you came to be here?”

“It’s a bit more complicated. I was practicing my skill, using a portal as a means to get home if I overexerted myself. For reasons…” Kitzu hesitated as to what to say. “It was Discord. That much I know. He did something at his end, and my end collapsed while I was in transit. If not for my teleportation skills I’d probably still be stuck between being driven mad.”

“You came here?”

“I ended up in another dimension right in the middle of a changeling invasion.” Kitzu offered. “I spent about two months recovering and tried for home. I actually made it, but it was the unaltered timeline, and I was still in the past. Rather than risk altering my own future, I felt for what seemed to be the closest dimension to me, and came here.”

“When?”

“Yesterday, fairly late. Right around sunset. I holed up in a quiet corner, and being I was worn out from two jumps nearly back to back I went to sleep. I only decided to have a look about a few hours ago.”

“How long do you think you’ll need?”

“At least a month.”

“A month?”

Kitzu got out the plush toy. “That’s when my plushie came back.” Kitzu smiled.

Celestia looked at her for a moment, and then returned the smile. “Grabbed it did you? - At least now I know what that anomalous reading in the security net was. - Any suggestions on how to motivate our Kitzumi?”

“Have Twilight teach her.” Kitzu offered with a grin. Princess Celestia’s face flashed a wide range of emotions settling on a stunned expression for a moment, then breaking into a grin.

“You poor filly,” Celestia said after a bit of contemplation.

“I knew all the basic theory of magic by the time I was four. - I suspect they were a bit careless with me because, well, I don’t think they knew I could actually do magic. I was born a pegasus with a button horn, and I couldn't fly.”

“But you can now.”

“Still haven't a proper set of flight feathers. - The last Princess Luna who looked after me taught me a spell I can use to compensate. I won’t win any races, and it only lasts so long as I can keep the spell going. - It’s for emergencies.”

Princess Celestia went to her desk and pressed a button on an intercom. “Please let Captain Golden Bough know I’ve discovered the cause of his anomaly. Seems we have a special guest. Hang on...” Kitzu had levitated her diary from home over to Celestia’s desk and opened it to the page where she’d stepped into the portal. Kitzu then went to a chair and sat down.

Celestia knew Twilight’s writing as well as her own. She looked at what had been written there, sat in her chair, at her desk, and began to read. When she’d finished she looked up at Kitzu visibly distressed. “Did you have to show me?”

“I thought you should know,” Kitzu replied. “I wanted you to know I’m telling the truth.”

“If I had any doubts, they’re gone now.” Celestia offered. She pressed the button on the intercom. “Tell the captain our guest is a pony I need to look after, and is to be considered an honored guest, and member of my family.” Celestia looked back to Kitzu. “I recognize the pen of each and every pony who’ve written in your book, and I’m familiar with this type of book. We’ll give you all the time and support you need.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you not trust me?”

“Forgive me, but you… I’ve never been comfortable around my Aunt Tia. I’m not entirely sure why, though it may be of my own doing. - Also, I should probably keep my distance from my counterpart. Just in case… I’ve inherited a certain talent from Princess Luna, and there is a possibility that if I’m in close proximity to my counterpart for any length of time they might, in essence, be able to pick my thoughts and vice-versa. - She may have similar talents, and I know some dangerous spells I wouldn't want to share unwittingly.”

“Blueblood wants her suspended.”

“If she has half the talent I have, that would be a shame. - That and if your Blueblood is anything like mine, he probably had it coming. In fact, I’ve yet to meet a Blueblood that wasn’t full of horse.”

“I see,” Celestia replied with a deadpan expression. “Impress me.”

“The stone I’m wearing is a harmony stone. I made it.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu wasn’t being entirely truthful, but there’d be no way Princess Celestia would be able to tell otherwise short of powering the stone to its maximum. “Here, let me show you the basic concept.” Kitzu then started drawing diagrams and equations in mid-air using her foxfire to create a visual heads up display while explaining the process. The mix of mathematical and Neighponies characters made Celestia’s head swim.

“Alright, that’s enough, I’m impressed,” Celestia stated just as a mandala formed in front of Kitzu. Kitzu looked at Celestia for a moment, and let the energy vanish. Kitzu smiled – she’d also done a reading on Celestia. Aside from a few variations, there was little difference between this world and her own. “Tell you what, why don’t I escort you over to the palace, and get you set up with a proper place to stay. Can’t have you sleeping in that old barracks.”

“And my counterpart?”

“Well just let her stew for a while.” Celestia offered. “Being the daughter of an ambassador makes it problematic if I were to suspend her.” Celestia got up and passed Kitzu’s book back to her. “I’ll just have to think of something creative. - Come on then.”

Kitzu put her book away, got up, and followed after Princess Celestia as she opened the door.

“Have Miss Kitzumi do remedial lessons for the remainder of the day. And no, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook young filly.” Celestia instructed, thought for a moment. “When she’s finished detention see to it she is escorted home.”

“Escorted?!” Unicorn Kitzumi exclaimed.

“You’ll get used to it.” Kitzu offered.

“Now, it seems Miss Luna Nova here is a distant relative so I’ll be looking after her personally.” Celestia motioned for Kitzu to follow her. The two left the faculty area, down a hall, and outside where they soon passed the commons. Ponies inside watched curiously as they went by.

“So what do you think of our Canterlot?” Celestia offered as they walked along a path that led to the royal apartments and gardens.

“Far as I can tell it’s exactly the same as where I grew up.” Kitzu offered. “It’s so much like home it makes me a little sad. - Even a lot of the ponies are the same… only older. Every pony got older. - I was friends with Starshine, she was only a couple of years ahead of me in school.”

“Something tells me you’ll be able to relate with Princess Luna a lot better now.”

“She’s kind of my second, third, and fourth mom.”

“Ordinarily I’d say you are too young to be that cynical.”

“We headed for the front door?”

“I want ponies to see us.”

“Um… Oh-kay.” Kitzu replied. She was of the opinion that it’d be better than her presence not be advertised. Celestia was up to something. “I’m not exactly at my best right now.”

“A night and better part of the morning spent in an old guard barracks will do that.” Celestia offered, as they turned towards the doors of the outer entrance to the Keep. She said nothing to the guards as she passed, she didn’t have to, they all knew who she had in tow. Or at least they thought they did.

Once inside the residence, Princess Celestia called for Twilight. Kitzu was made to sit on the floor.

“Yes? Oh my, whoever have you drug in? She’s filthy.” Twilight said.

“A project for you and my dear Luna.” Celestia offered. “I know you two are thinking about adopting, so I thought I’d offer you this little alicorn.”

“Alicorn?” Twilight asked astonished.

“She’ll answer to Luna Nova. - Miss Luna Nova will be staying with us for the foreseeable future. She was discovered in the academy library. They mistook her for Kitzumi Silvermane. - They are nearly identical.”

“Was she?” If ever there was a filly who needed straitening out it was that one.

“Speaking of which, would you be willing to teach her? Take on Miss Silvermane as an apprentice?”

“What about Miss Nova, or should I call her princess Nova?” Twilight asked.

“By all means, take her under your wing. Though I suspect you’ll find she’s at a different level. - Might be best to keep them apart as well.”

“Very well,” Twilight replied with a curious look to Kitzu.

“It’s alright if you call me Nova.” Kitzu offered. “Might get confusing if you call me Luna.”

“Well, come along then.” Twilight offered.

Kitzu followed along as though minding her very own mother. Granted it was difficult to know the difference. Of the Twilight’s Kitzu had meet who were of the same age if they were to be placed side by side, would she be able to tell the difference? Kitzu’s mother did have those extra pretty wings.

It didn’t take long to reach the night wing, even less time to find a bath. “So you do have a set of wings under that old cloak,” Twilight said as Kitzu removed her cloak, and hung it on a peg.

“Old?”

“It’s an outdated school cloak. - It’s in good condition, but it’s been seven years since this style was last made. The saddlebags are nice… how did you get a hold of saddlebags with the Canterlot royal crest on them?” Twilight lifted the bags off Kitzu’s withers.

“Please don’t.” Kitzu requested seeing Twilight was about to open the flap on one of the bags.

“Why what’s in there?”

“Your worst nightmare.”

“Low marks in school is it?” Twilight teased.

“Ya, something like that.”

“So how do you feel about baths, and when was the last time you had one?”

“Two days ago, and hate them.”

“Hate them?”

“Thick fur takes a while to get dry.”

“I see. Well, I think I know a good spell I could try teaching you.”

“I’m sure,” Kitzu muttered knowing full well what spell Twilight was talking about. It was affectionately known as the fox goes floof spell. The bags were put up on a shelf, along with Kitzu’s ID badge she’d had on that stated her name as Luna Nova Silvermane, and the two went into the bathing room where small stools waited for them. Kitzu had insisted on keeping her moon pendant, and lamp charm on. Twilight got the water going, undid Kitzu’s braid, and when she was satisfied with the temperature, she dumped a bucket of water on Kitzu’s head. Most of the water rolled right off.

“What are you doing?” Twilight asked after having dumped the fifth bucket of water. Kitzu had been muttering what sounded like an incantation.

“Saying my purification spell.” Kitzu offered.

“Um, kay,” Twilight replied. She didn’t have a clue what Kitzu meant but was satisfied she was finally wet enough to start scrubbing. “According to your identification card, you are a member of the Silvermane family.”

“I am, just not the local Silvermanes.”

Twilight started working the shampoo into Kitzu’s mane. “You don’t seem to mind a shampoo.”

“It’s just that it’s so much work. - My moms used to levitate me, and turn me upside down to get me into the tub.”

“I bet you were a hoof-full.”

“Didn’t really struggle all that much once I got caught. - Last time I had to be turned upside down Muna dislodged me from the ceiling by using the royal… the royal voice.” Kitzu’s voice volume dropped noticeably.

“Are you alright?” This filly referring to a Muna, and royal voice was causing all kinds of bells to ring in Twilight’s head.

“Ya, it’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve been home, I mean really home.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu let out a surprised cry as Twilight dumped a bucket of cold water on her. “Mom?!”

“What? - Did you just call me mom?”

“Ah, hey, what’s with the cold water?!”

“No feeling down allowed.”

“Ya. OK.”

“So did your mother dump cold water on you when you were feeling down?”

“Um, ya. Reflex on my part.”

“Oh? - Here, let’s scrub that ear.”

Thump thump thump went Kitzu’s hind leg on the side being scrubbed.

“Don’t stop.” Kitzu pleaded. Twilight laughed and gave that spot behind the ear another scrub.

✨✨✨:twilightsmile:✨✨✨

A short time later one floof monster is presented to Princess Luna.

“What on Equestria have you got there?” Luna asked dumbfounded by the sight.

“One of my new projects,” Twilight replied to Luna. “She’ll be staying with us for a while. Celestia wanted us to take care of her. - Somewhere under all that floof is a little filly called Luna Nova.”

“Tell me, little miss, do you think you can take living with me?” Luna asked. She expected Kitzu to do what most foals did, and that was to hide behind the closest safe mare. That’s what she expected. To her astonishment, as well as Twilight’s, Kitzu trotted over to Luna, maneuvered so she’d have Luna between her, and Twilight, and snuggled up to her.

“Muna, please don’t let Twilight use the Floof spell on me again.”

Author's Note

Well it looks like Kitzu has found her home, the one she was born in, but she's a might bit too early. Celestia from Kitzu's birth home seems to have been a bit dense as well. Perhaps she thought Kitzumi might break, and confess who she really was? As for Celestia in the new world, Kitzu was just a little concerned that "special guest" meant I've someone who needs to be put in a cell until we can get to the bottom of who they really are. At this point Kitzu felt it was in her best interest to lay her best card on the table, and hope for the best. As for new world Twilight, Kitzu has decided it might be kindest if Twilight doesn't know who Kitzu really is. Wonder how long that'll last?

I also cut this one down in length a bit. There's a lot more that can go into this, but I decided to save it for another chapter.

There and back again.

🏫

“Hey, you’re still here?” A gray filly with a white mane asked Kitzumi Silvermane as she entered the classroom. Kitzumi the unicorn, daughter of the Neighpony ambassador. “Thought you’d be gone for sure.”

“Not,” Kitzumi replied a bit harsher than she meant. “I do so hate to disappoint you, Sylvie.”

“I heard Prince Blueblood wanted your hide,” an alabaster colt offered.

“Lance, I’ll have you know that I have diplomatic immunity.” Kitzumi offered, slamming her book bag on her desk followed by sitting down with a plop.

“No suspension?” Lance pressed.

“Suspension? Oh no, no suspension. Princess Celestia is far too devious to do that.” Kitzumi replied.

“Say, there’s a rumor you were seen in the commons wearing an old-style cloak, and Miss Twinkle escorted you to the office.”

“Sorry Iris, I wasn’t in the commons, I was in the locker room, and Coach Quartermane escorted me to the office. After that they made me do make-up tests all afternoon.”

“You didn’t go with Princess Celestia to the palace?” Iris asked. Iris was a blue pony with a purple mane.

“No.” Kitzumi offered. “Miss Twinkle was there, and there was a filly with her who could be my twin, except...”

“Except what?”

“She had both wings and a horn. She identified herself as Luna Nova Princess of hope. She didn’t say where she was from only that she’d been traveling, and came here by mistake. - Get this, she actually called Princess Celestia, Tia. And then they went into Princess Celestia’s office, and when they came out Princess Celestia said that they were related.”

“Holy horse apples!” several of the ponies echoed.

“She sounded like she was kind of annoyed at having been brought to the office.” Kitzumi offered. “Miss Twinkle was a bit off guard being she’d nabbed the wrong pony, and that pony turned out to be an alicorn related to Celestia.”

“So there’s another alicorn princess,” Asked a dark blue filly with a silver-blue mane. Her name is Sapphire.

“Ya. And Princess Celestia ordered that I be escorted home when I was done. Princess Luna Nova tells me to get used to it, and wouldn't you know it, an escort showed up at home this morning. Mom is furious.”

“Your mom is always furious, she’s always pissing and moaning about something.” Offered a red and blond fox unicorn entering the classroom.

“Morning Sunny Willow.” Kitzumi offered as Willow went to her desk, put her bag down, sat heavy, and dropped her head to the desk. Sunny Willow was the daughter of Raspberry Pudding and Thaddeus Smith.

“Why do they make us get up so blessed early in the morning?” Willow complained. “I’m nocturnal for Celestia’s sake!”

“Well if you two screw up my scholarship by dragging me into your mischief...” warned a dark-coated fox-type unicorn as she entered the class. Her coat was midnight blue, and her mane silver and blue. She was also the foster of the Smiths. “I should never have helped you figure out that spell.”

“Morning Estar,” Kitzumi offered followed by, “Well, how was I supposed to know that idiot wouldn't be able to dispel a simple illusion spell?”

“Seats please,” Miss Twinkle ordered as she entered. She gave Kitzumi a calculated look as every pony rushed to their seats. “Let me guess, it’s one of those he has to break himself, and no pony can help him?”

“The moment he realizes it’s an illusion the spell will be broken. - An alicorn might be able to break it if she knows the spell.” Kitzumi offered.

“Funny you should mention that.” Miss Twinkle said in a cautious tone as though she wasn’t sure how to break the news. “It would seem that Princess Twilight Sparkle has taken an interest in you.”

“In me?” Kitzumi asked sounding shocked.

“Lucky,” Estar muttered.

“Midnight Estar.” Miss Twinkle said switching ponies.

“Yes, mam?” Estar asked fearing the worst.

“The foster agency has set up an appointment with your sponsor after school. Be at Princess Luna’s office right after your last class. Don’t miss it.”

“Yes, mam. I’m not losing my scholarship am I?”

“Why would you think you’d be… oh, never mind I think I get it, no. I doubt any pony knows you were involved in Miss Silvermane’s little prank. - Off the record, I doubt there is a mare in Canterlot who hasn’t secretly delighted at Prince Blue Blood’s new coat. Not that you heard that from me.” She gave Kitzumi a warning look. “No, your sponsor has expressed a desire to meet you in person.”

“Oh,” Estar replied sounding shocked. “I guess that could be a good thing?”

“Maybe they are going to adopt you?” Willow offered. Her head was still on her desk.

“Miss Sunny, I know it’s difficult for you, but do make an effort.” Miss Twinkle scolded.

“But I’m awake when I should be asleep, and asleep when I should be awake.” Sunny Willow complained.

“Being there is only the three of you, you’ll just have to get used to it.” Miss Starshine offered.

“Miss Starshine, do you know anything about that Princess Luna Nova?” Kitzumi asked.

“Well if I did I doubt I’d have mistaken her for you.” Miss Starshine offered. “Oh, and the free hour you had will be spent with Princess Twilight Sparkle. You will also be doing detention after your classes till it is time for you to go home, at which point you will be escorted home.”

“My life is over,” Kitzumi announced as though she’d just been handed a life sentence.

✨✨✨

Meanwhile back at the palace… “Tia...”

“Luna, you haven't gone to bed yet?” Celestia asked concerned.

“We, that is, I’d like a word with you, in private. Please?”

“Yes of course. I have got a moment. Let’s go here.” Princess Celestia offered, directing Luna to a small unused lounge. She motioned to the guards to have them make sure they were not disturbed or eavesdropped on.

“It’s about Miss Luna Nova.” Luna offered as the two sat down.

“Is there going to be an issue with her?”Celestia sounded concerned. “I thought that it would give Twilight a chance to look after a foal.”

“I noticed Miss Nova was low on magic, and absentmindedly used mother’s touch on her.”

“Is she alright?” Celestia betrayed no emotion regarding Luna absentmindedly using a spell-like ‘Mother’s touch’.

“She’s sleeping, we let her have the hours she requested.” Luna stopped to contemplate her sister's reaction. “I used Mother's touch.”

“I’m assuming the only reason you are bringing it up, is because it worked.”

“And that doesn’t surprise you? She’s not my filly. - I can’t even begin to understand how she came by one of my moon pendants, and it looks like she has a harmony stone as well.”

“So how is that filly you were so kind to sponsor?”

“I’ll be meeting with her after her last class today. - And no changing the subject. - Who is this Princess Luna Nova?”

Celestia let out a sigh. “Must you know?”

“You know full well there are only two ways the mother’s touch spell will work, and she doesn’t qualify for either.”

“There’s a third, an exception.”

“A third?”

“Be an exact double for either the mother or wet nurse. In that case, the magic won’t know the difference.” Celestia explained. There is a moment of silence.

“What are you saying, that there’s another me out there that filly calls mother?”

“She’s from another dimension,” Celestia said keeping her voice down. “She’s just stopping over before making another attempt at home.”

“I see.” . . . “An attempt you say?”

“She has a rather unique ability. She can teleport from one dimension to the next.”

“Are you saying she did this to herself?”

“No. Seems the Discord from her homeworld was the author of her present situation.”

“Why did you ever release him?”

“Our Discord has reformed.”

“Has he? Has he really?” Luna replied with just an edge of anger. “Every day he gets away with behavior that would not be tolerated by any pony else, and somewhere out there is another me wondering what’s become of her foal.”

Celestia put a hoof out to Luna but didn’t know what to say.

“She’s actually Twilight’s. - Not so sure I want to tell her if I don’t have to.” Celestia offered. “As for Discord, unless we can figure out a way to rein him in, and I mean seriously rein him in, there’s not a lot we can do about his excesses. - And the spell we used to turn him to stone is dependent on the elements of harmony, and has the same half-life as the spell that locked away...”

“That locked me away. Meaning we’d have to look forward to a fight on our hands every thousand years give or take. - Not to mention the fact that they are useless if we don’t have at least six of the elements.”

“So, will you be turning in now?” Celestia asked breaking an awkward silence.

“I suppose I should,” Luna replied. She took a moment and then got up. “Thank you for telling me.”

Celestia got up and gave Luna a hug. “Something I haven't told you. I know what your counterpart is going through. I had a daughter go through a portal – we kept in touch for a while. - The portal closed down a few years back, and I may never know what became of her.”

“Here’s hoping that wherever she is she has some pony she can rely on.” Luna offered. The two held their hug a moment longer, and then backed away from each other. “All right, time I got some sleep. I’ve fillies who’ll need me at my best.”

When Princess Luna returned to the room she now shared with Twilight she found Kitzu in her bed. She thought about waking her and chasing her out, but then decided she’d just go ahead and climb in with her. Kitzu snuggled up next to Luna, and let out a sigh.

✨✨✨

“Come on sleepyhead, time you got up,” Twilight whispered.

“But mom I don’t want to get up.” Kitzu groaned.

“Does she do that often, call you mom?” Luna asked with her eyes half-opened.

“Not too often, but enough to peak my interest. “Key-sue-me. Get up. you’ve slept all the way into the middle of the afternoon. - Oh, and Luna, it's time you got up if you want to be ready for our meeting with Midnight Estar.” Twilight offered, giving Luna a kiss.

“Mom!” Kitzu exclaimed bolting up to a sitting position. She looked Twilight in the eyes, and somehow she knew. Her ears drooped. “Not the mama. - And that was a dirty trick.”

“Did Celestia tell you? - And why’d you call her Kitzumi?”

“Figured it out on my own.” Twilight offered. “And she’s a near-perfect twin for Miss Kitzumi Silvermane. - I just thought I’d test it out.”

“Ya, well don’t go through my stuff.” Kitzu chastised. “Please.” Her tone changed to more of a pleading. “For your own sake.”

“My worst nightmare was it?”

“My correspondence.” Kitzu’s tone was subdued.

“Your… oh.”

“Your worst nightmare might not be what you thought.” Luna offered, getting up.

“Come on then Miss Nova.” Twilight prompted. “And hiding your identity was probably a good thing. Your counterpart is full of herself.”

“She’s lucky you know.” Kitzu offered as she climbed out of bed. “She doesn’t have a special talent that is both an awesome talent, and a curse at the same time. She gets to live a fairly normal life. - I’ve had to do a lot of growing up over the last couple of years.”

“I guess it’s been rough for you.” Twilight offered, leading Kitzu to the bath where Twilight proceeded to wash her face.

“I can do that myself… OK never mind.” Kitzu started, but then realized Twilight was giving her a little bit of her magic.

“Twilight, you figured out that works, too?” Luna asked. “The mother's touch?”

“I noticed it right away. Didn’t know what it was at first. - Have you had to use it on Estar?”

“A few times when she was little. - Nothing as bad as our little Nova here. It’s the reason why she’s been sleeping so much.” Luna then went into the shower. “I’ll be out in a bit. Make sure the staff knows to prepare the special diet for her. - I just wish I’d never given Estar up.”

“I guess crossing the dimensional barrier is taking more out of me than I thought.” Kitzu offered, even as the reality that her sister Estar’s parentage was being hidden for some reason. “The first time I did two jumps in one day it didn’t really bother me. - Are you going to get back together with Estar?”

“I’ve decided to tell her, and let her decide what she wants.” Luna offered.

“Luna, we’ll meet up with you there.” Twilight then turned her attention back to Kitzu. “Well let's take you to Rarity, I want to see what she can do with your mane.”

“You think she’s forgiven you for what you did to my fur?” Kitzu teased. After Twilight had used her drying spell on Kitzu, she’d been forced to go find Rarity to see what if anything could be done with Kitzu’s mane. “Hang on, I need to use the little fillies room, and I don’t need help.”

Twilight waited patiently listening to the sound of the shower. A smile formed on her face as the notion struck her to join Luna in the shower, but not today. At least not just at this moment. Kitzu emerged a short time later, followed by Kitzu and Twilight making their way to the palace seamstress shop which was located in its own building below the keep tucked away in a corner of the palace complex.

“Darling!” Rarity called as the two enter the shop. Twilight had rushed Kitzu out without her cloak, but she did manage to grab her saddlebags. The sight of the diminutive alicorn with bedhead was gathering a lot of odd looks. “Princess Twilight, and how’s the little filly dear sweet Celestia has fostered off on you?”

“She’s doing much better, and I’m just as busy as ever.” Twilight offered while giving Rarity a hug.

“I see her mane is still a sight though.” Rarity offered. “Did she just get up?”

“She’s nocturnal, same as Luna. - She hasn’t even had anything to eat yet.”

“Luna Nova wasn’t it?” Rarity asked.

“Tsuki no Kazoku, Luna Nova-hime.” Kitzu offered with a smile. “Visiting from a small island nation in the Sea of Tranquility.” The new last name, if we can call it a last name, had been discussed between Twilight and Luna the night before. Neither were sure they wanted Kitzu using the Silvermane name, and she was not to use her identification from the other world. Little did they know Kitzu had two identifications from two worlds. As for her new name, she was simply claiming to be a princess from the Moon family.

“Yes, you did say that.” Rarity replied while measuring up Kitzu with a look of suspicion. “Do you always wear that saddlebag?”

“Never leaves it behind if she can help it.” Twilight offered. “Won’t even take her pendants off to take a bath. Any chance you can do something with her mane?”

“I might, I might...” Rarity offered, leaning in to have a closer look at the stone in Kitzu’s lamp pendant. “How odd? This pendant has been bugging me all night, it looks like something I might have made, what kind of stone is that? - You don’t mind if I get a better look do you?”

“Miss Rarity, wait no, don’t!” Kitzu protested as Rarity used her magic to detect the type of stone.

“Ack!” Twilight uttered as all three ponies were engulfed in a magic aura, and lifted into the air.

“My word, it’s a harmony stone!” Rarity declared. “But how is that even possible?” Every pony in the shop was now looking at them.

“It’s a chip off a castle similar to Princess Twilight’s castle,” Kitzu explained as the aura slowly died and the three slowly sank back down to the floor. “I could have told you that would happen. It reacts to bearers of the elements of harmony.”

“But a chip shouldn't react like that?” Twilight offered.

“Ordinarily it wouldn't, but I added enchantments to it,” Kitzu explained. “Every stone I enchant with specific spells mimics the element of hope and laughter.”

“Every? Wait, does that mean there are more?” Twilight asked. “You wouldn't happen to have more in your bags, would you? Is that why you never leave your bags behind?”

“Well, that’s part of it,” Kitzu admitted.

“Oh right, there was that other item you wanted to be kept safe.”

“The intent of the charm is to make a simple good luck charm.” Kitzu offered. “Just the ones I make end up being a little bit more.” Kitzu had decided after having read through what her Twilight had written in the diary that she was going to keep quiet about the effect the charm had on Discord. She had told Luna and Twilight from the world where Kitzu had been involved in a changeling invasion about the lamps, but fearing Discord might get wind of it, made them promise to tell no pony the true nature of the lamps. The knowledge needed to create the charms would be passed through the fox pony community with no pony knowing the full truth. Even so, she still feared Discord would find out somehow. A fear that seemed irrational being that in that world he was still encased in stone. As for the diaries, her real reason to keep them with her was in case of a reply to either book.

“A secret, hmm...” Rarity mused as though she was dying to know what Kitzu wanted to keep safe.

“More like letters from home.” Kitzu offered. “I just don’t feel comfortable leaving them lying about, that’s all.”

“Oh, oh well. No deep dark secrets then, like a boyfriend?” Rarity pressed.

“We kind of broke up actually.” Kitzu offered, hoping that would satisfy Rarity. Not really broke up, but Kitzu was fairly sure Stargazer had given up on her along with every pony else it seemed. Despite the colt's acidic nature, she’d grown fond of him, and they’d even started dating. To his credit, he never once showed any sign that Kitzu’s status or alleged illegitimacy mattered.

“Darling, I’m sure you’ll find another in no time.” Rarity offered. “Now let's see what we can do with that mane of yours.”

“Do wish you hadn’t used that spell on her, Twilight.” Rarity lamented a short time later. Kitzu did her best not to cry out while Rarity worked the knots in her mane. Any time her mane and tail got super dry they started to knot up really bad. The only solution was to slowly work fine oil into the knots and gently untangle her mane. “Her hair is thicker, denser, and considerably fuller than most ponies.”

“This isn’t going to take too long, I need to get her a guest pass, and meet up with Luna,” Twilight asked. “She’s finally going to meet with the filly she’s been sponsoring.”

“So is Miss Nova here the same sort of deal?” Rarity asked. She’d stopped brushing.

“Miss Nova just sort of showed up yesterday. She’d been mistaken for another filly.” Twilight offered.

“I’ll be going home in about a month.” Kitzu offered. “After that, I’m not sure yet.”

“Oh… Twilight?” Rarity asked while looking at Twilight. “You aren’t going to let her stay?”

“That’s up to her I’m afraid. And I understand her reasoning. She wants to go home. But it’s complicated.”

“Alright then.” Rarity offered. “I’m done now. What do you think?”

“Umm, I kind of look like Sweetie Belle.”

“Sweetie bell doesn’t wear her hair like this?” Rarity protested.

“Not anymore, you mean.” Twilight pointed out.

“Just how complicated are we talking here?” Rarity asked. “It’s been years since Sweetie did her hair like this.”

Kitzu pulled up her bags, opened one, pulled out a textbook, and showed it to Rarity. Inside written in Twilight’s foal scrawl was written friends forever to Luna’s Nova, along with Twilight’s signature, and messages from several other ponies. Twilight eyeballed the book, and without skipping a beat announced, “We were filly friends in school together. - It was a short visit. Slipped my mind.”

“That complicated enough for you?” Kitzu asked putting the book back.

“But that, but that… that’s not even possible. Is it?” Rarity asked astonished at what her mind was trying to tell her.

“Come on Nova.” Twilight prompted.

“It’s a prank, it has to be?” Rarity muttered watching the two go. “Princess Luna was still on the moon, and we all know how Celestia gets any time a stallion gets anywhere near her sister.”

✴✴✴

“Oh, you’re just full of surprises,” Twilight said as the two walked between government buildings.

“I’d discovered a world that was far enough behind my own that I was able to spend time with filly Twilight Sparkle.” Kitzu’s statement was followed by silence.

“Nova?”

“It was leaving that world. I used the portal to go back. I’d been told there might be some trouble that might prevent me from getting home. The portals collapsed while I was in between. - I got out via a panic teleport.” Nova had to take a few moments before continuing. “Judging by the messages in my book, I was in there quite a long time.”

“You don’t want me seeing those messages I gather?”

“I don’t want you seeing those messages.”

“Bad?”

“They think I’m dead.”

“But you haven't given up.”

“Not one bit. I will find my way home, even if I have to go into the past again, and just sit someplace till I’ve caught up with myself. - The world I ended up in, the world I just spent two months in, the Twilight who lived there, she read some of it. Some of what was written in my diary from home. It made her cry, and I don’t want you to cry like that.”

“Alright, I understand,” Twilight said putting a wing over Kitzu and giving her a hug as they walked along. A short walk later they entered the office where the identifications were issued. Kitzu’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the young stallion behind the counter.

“Stargazer?” Kitzu said softly. Stargazer had become a very handsome young stallion.

“Mr Alca,” Twilight said greeting him. My young visitor here is in need of a pass. - Nova.”

“Ummm hi,” Kitzu said softly as she reminded herself that this was not her Stargazer. How many ponies had she left behind, and how many more would not know her if she ever did make it back to her proper time and place? Stargazer would just be a forgotten foal hood crush in the end.

“Hey, it’s alright, I don’t bite.”

“Preferred you when you did,” Kitzu muttered.

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.” Kitzu approached the counter. “Name’s Nova. Tsuki no Kazoku Nova hime.” Kitzu offered completely forgetting to add Luna.

“Alrighty then… could you spell that?”

“T- H- A- T.”

“Your name, silly. - Ha, I used to do things like that when I was your age.”

Kitzu smiled, a blush on her face. She spelled out the name, and a short time later she had a brand new ID complete with a magically rendered mugshot. ‘Novahime Tsukinokazoku’ it read. “Looks like I’ve another alias.” Kitzu offered a short time later after she and Twilight had left. ”Ummm, any chance I can get something to eat?”

“I imagine you’re hungry.

“I am.”

“Well, there will be food when we meet up with Miss Midnight Estar.”

“It’s been a while.”

“Since you’ve eaten? I’m aware, but you’ll just have to wait.”

“Um, ya, that too,” It’d been over two years since Kitzu had seen her sister Estar.

✳❇✳

Estar was finally done with her last class for the day, and despite being worn out, she was eager to meet her sponsor. When she arrived at Princess Luna’s office she found not Princess Luna, but her foster parents Thaddeus Smith and Raspberry Pudding. “Um, hi… Is Princess Luna not here?”

“We are taking you over to the palace for a little get-together with your sponsors.” Captain Smith offered.

“The… the palace?” Estar asked eagerly. Estar earnestly hoped her sponsor was Princess Luna. In her earliest memories, she could remember Princess Luna being some pony she’d been very close to. But then she went to live with the Smiths. Not that there was anything wrong with the Smiths, they’d been good foster parents, Raspberry Pudding had been Estar’s milk mother, and she loved them very much. Still, though, there was this longing for her real mother.

Estar quietly followed along with her foster parents as they took her around the back way into the keep. They continued on to a small lounge on the third floor of the north wing, where the first pony they saw was Kitzumi. Kitzu was sitting at a small table where a rather nice meal had been provided for her.

“Kitzumi! What are you doing up here?!” Estar demanded going up to her.

“I’m… I’m having breakfast.” Kitzu replied with a bit of mild annoyance. Kitzu looked at Estar and swallowed hard. “Estar?” Kitzu got up from the table she was at and started to slowly close the distance between them. Kitzu knew this Estar wasn’t her sister, but her emotions were getting the better of her.

“Wings?” Estar said softly as Kitzu embraced her with forelegs and wings resulting in Estar dropping to her backside with a plop. Estar wasn’t quite sure of the situation, but she knew that look.

“It’s been so long, so long.” Kitzu choked out and then started crying.

“Oh, Kitzumi, what mischief have you gotten yourself into this time?” Estar asked bringing up a front leg to try to comfort Kitzu.

“She’s from another world.” Princess Luna offered, going to the two. For her and Twilight, it had been like watching a train wreck. “Nova, was Estar a good friend in your world?”

“She’s my sister.” Kitzu offered between sobs. Her words seemed to suck the breath out of every pony there. “It’s been over two years.”

“Sisters?” Estar asked. She too was starting to cry too.

“Now I know I’ve made a huge mistake. A bunch of 'em,” Luna offered as she went over to the two, and gave them both a hug. Twilight stood by for a moment, not quite sure what to do, and then called for a group hug. Pinkie would have been proud.

“Awww come on!” Pudding protested as she started to cry, and then went in to hug Estar. Thaddeus couldn't resist the opportunity to hug Luna. She didn’t complain.

“OK, this is getting a bit awkward.” Pudding muttered. She backed away and wiped a tear. One by one they separated till it was just Luna and Thaddeus getting in a quiet snuggle. Twilight cleared her throat loudly only to have Kitzu hug Pudding, and the whole thing started up again with more crying.

“Ya, um… sorry.” Luna offered as she and Captain Smith finally split up. They’d been the last after the third go-round. Kitzu and Estar had looks of utter astonishment on their faces once they realized Luna and the Captain had a very close personal relationship.

“M, m, m, Muna?” Kitzu stuttered out. “You and Mr Smith?!”

“I’m afraid so.” Luna offered sheepishly.

“He’s the Captain of the Night Watch!” Estar exclaimed. “Anyway… I thought I was here to meet my sponsor, not – not for true confessions of which I can hardly see why I would even want to know about it?”

“I am your sponsor.” Luna offered as Twilight wiped Kitzu’s face.

“Come, on blow.” Twilight to Kitzu with a napkin over the end of her nose.

“You”
- Honk-
“You’re my sponsor?” Estar asked as Kitzu blew her nose.

“I’m afraid it’s worse than that.” Thaddeus offered.

“We’ve decided that you are old enough to know the truth.” Luna offered. “Let's all sit down shall we?”

“Something tells me I’m going to need to,” Estar replied. “Um, I kind of already am.”

“How about sitting in a chair, dear?” Pudding offered. A few moments later every pony had moved to a group of seats in the lounge.

“We’ve decided it is time you knew the truth.” Luna offered. “But first you must understand that what I tell you must be kept in absolute secrecy.”

“No telling my counterpart.” Kitzu offered. The others gave Kitzu a curious look. “What? I like to gossip. At least I’ve learned the merits of keeping my mouth shut.”

“Fair enough.” Twilight offered.

“My sister, who I love very much, can be...” Luna paused as she searched for the right word.

“Protective to the point of borderline insanity?” Twilight offered.

“Not sure I’d put it that harshly.” Luna offered.

“She set me up as your personal bodyguard.” Twilight countered. “Just try to imagine how she’d react if she knew we’re in a relationship. It was how she reacted when she found out about your affair that caused this mess in the first place.”

“What was I supposed to do? Have another knockdown fight with her where I end up spending another thousand years on the moon?”

“Um, why are you telling me all this?” Estar asked.

“Because, princess, we’re, Luna and I, are your parents.” Thaddeus offered.

“Somehow – I managed to keep you a secret from Princess Celestia.” Luna offered. “Not like she really pays that much attention to what I do, just so long as I do my duty, and behave like a proper princess.”

“Wow! And I thought my Celestia was bad.” Kitzu offered.

“I suspect she knows, but she won’t admit it.” Twilight offered.

“Well until she decides to at least give me some indication she isn’t going to have another fit the moment I bring up the idea of marriage...” Luna protested. She let out a sigh. “I can just imagine how she’d react to my wanting to marry the captain of my guard.”

“Maybe I might be able to talk to her?” Kitzu offered. “Does she know a fox pony can live a thousand years?”

“That’s a nice offer, Nova, but I think it best you not but in. Not unless you are prepared to make a run for it.” Twilight offered.

“I’m sure she’ll come around eventually.” Thaddeus offered.

“Meanwhile...” Pudding prompted.

“Meanwhile Estar is caught right in the middle,” Luna replied. “Estar, Princess Celestia has said that she is open to my adopting. - I can adopt you. That way we can be mother and daughter. I’m asking you. I… I hope you’ll say yes, and you will forgive us.” Estar began crying all over again, squeaked out a yes, and ran to Luna to be embraced.

❇✳❇

That evening presented a perfect opportunity to present Estar as Princess Luna’s presumed adoptee at a state dinner. Kitzu was present as well, the two fillies having been provided with colorful dresses. Dresses that paled in comparison to Prince Blueblood’s lavish multi-hued coat of many colors.

“Princess Celestia!” Blueblood exclaimed slamming his front hooves on the table on recognizing Kitzumi. He pointed at Kitzu and tried to say something, but all he managed was angry sputtering. The patterns of multi-hued pastel spirals and undulating target-like patterns shifted about as he moved. The effect was quite mesmerizing. Rarity sat next to him, ears laid back. A teenage Sweetie Belle sat next to her with a similar expression.

“My dear Blueblood, whatever seems to be the matter?” Princess Celestia asked as though she hadn’t a clue. “And do have a care who you point hooves at.”

“I demanded that filly be punished, and you turned her into an alicorn?!” Blueblood exclaimed as his face began to boil a bright red.

“Do have a care, there’ll be steam coming out of your ears in a moment, dear Bluesy.” Discord offered from the far end of the table. He was presently wedged in between two ponies, and as far away from Kitzu as was possible. “Though I must say it’s a devilishly clever prank.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s very clever!” Blueblood shouted.

“Prince Blueblood, please.” Princess Celestia admonished. “This young alicorn is not who you think she is.”

“I was actually born like this.” Kitzu offered.

“Were you?” Celestia asked looking at Kitzu.

“Well, the horn didn’t start coming in till I was four. - Every pony thought I was just a button head.”

“Really? I started out as a button head.” Cadence informed from across the table from Kitzu. “Mine didn’t come in till I was much older though.”

“Do you mind!!” Shouted Blueblood as steam started coming out of his ears. “What?!”

“My dear, please calm down.” Princess Celestia requested. “Discord?”

“Don’t look at me, I’m not doing that.” Discord offered. “So who is this lovely young filly you have here?”

“Her name is Nova, Luna Nova.” Celestia offered.

“Is it now?” Discord asked.

“Luna is a nickname.” Kitzu offered. “It’s Novahime Tsukinokazoku. - At least that’s what it says on my identification. - I’m here on a visit.”

“Indeed.” Discord replied as he studied Kitzu. There was something off about her.

“Hello, pony with a bad dye job here?!” Blueblood protested.

“Daddy, please?” Sweetie Belle protested.

“Dye job.” Discord echoed Blueblood with a snicker.

“It’s not funny!” Blueblood protested.

“Oh, I dare say it is.” Discord offered.

“Prince Blueblood, it’s not dye.” Kitzu offered.

“It’s not? - Oh!” Celestia proclaimed after having taken a good look at Blueblood. “I feel so silly now.” The realization had allowed her to see through the illusion. Discord looked at her, his eyes wide, and started laughing.

“Do you mean to tell me you just figured it out?” Discord asked between guffaws.

“I figured it out a long time ago.” Sweetie Belle muttered under her breath.

“I’m embarrassed to say yes,” Celestia admitted noting a number of smiles around the table.

“Well, I never thought I’d be out pranked by a little filly.” Discord admitted. “It’s so simple and elegant. - I’m also rather amused by the fact that so many ponies have yet to see through it.”

“If it’s so simple, why don’t you fix it?” Blueblood asked angrily.

“Oh, I never interfere in another's prank.” Discord scoffed in his self-important tone. “Wouldn't be proper.”

“Won’t, or can’t?” Kitzu asked curiously.

“Shan't.” Discord replied giving Kitzu a curious glance.

“Don’t antagonize him,” Twilight whispered to Kitzu.

“I shall endeavor to be on my best behavior,” Kitzu replied with a smile.

“Can we get back to me!?” Blueblood asked sounding annoyed. “How do I get this dye out of my fur?!”

“Prince Blueblood, there isn’t any dye in your fur,” Kitzu informed him hoping he’d figure it out, and they could get on with the dinner.

“Oh, next you’re going to tell me it’s all in my imagination!”

“I’m afraid that’s just it,” Princess Celestia offered. “You just think your fur has been dyed, and the spell will continue to manifest until you can see through it.”

“Oh for the love of...” Blueblood said sounding defeated and plopped down into his seat. “So as long as I think my fur is dyed, it will remain dyed.”

Blueblood mulled it over quietly for the better part of the dinner. He’d been contemplating the fur on his foreleg when the multi-colored show switched off, and he was back to normal.

“Aha! He figured it out!” Discord proclaimed. Blue blood for his part sat there for a moment and began laughing. Others in the room who’d figured out the riddle couldn’t help but join in. Discord switched to Kitzu.

“You don’t like me, do you.” Discord commented while giving Kitzu a very critical stare. The room grew quiet very quickly.

“Misplaced hatred I’m afraid.” Kitzu offered as though it was nothing. “I’m sure if I got to know you better I might actually like you.” Kitzu could sense the fear in the other ponies.

“You’re not from around here are you?” Discord asked while leaning back in his chair.

“You’d be absolutely right, I’m not from around here. Only plan on sticking around for about a month.”

“Well, can’t be helped, now can it. - Pity you can’t stay longer. - I’m sure we would have had lots of fun.”

“I’m sure we would. What with you being able to appreciate the simple pranks where no pony gets hurt, or reality gets bent all out of shape.”

“Yes, well that sounds a bit like the old me.”

“But not anymore?” Kitzu asked with honest curiosity.

“Not anymore. Scouts honor. - I must confess that when I realized the only one who enjoyed my pranks were myself, it rather struck a chord with me.”

“And there is your friendship with Miss Fluttershy?” Kitzu offered. Kitzu noted a slight shudder out of Discord. “Something wrong?”

“I do love her so, it’s just ever since she became an alicorn… I swear it’s like she has power over all nature.” Discord offered, sounding a bit sheepish.

“You mean she can kick your tail if you don’t behave, is that it?” Kitzu asked with a grin.

“Well, that’s being rather crass.” Discord complained. “Accurate enough I’m afraid.”

“Well if it was me, I’d be more inclined to beat you with your own tail.” Kitzu offered, and then took a bite of food.

“Celie, did you hear what she said just now?” Discord protested.

“Oh don’t act all hurt, with your sense of humor, you’d probably get a good laugh out of it.” Kitzu chastised. Celestia chose to remain silent. “And Fluttershy cares about you. You shouldn't let your relationship fall apart just because she has all that power now.”

Discord opened his mouth, but nothing came out of it. He had to think about it for a moment or two. “You know, you are probably right. I shouldn’t neglect my friends. What a spectacle that would be though, to be chased with my own tail. - Especially considering your diminutive size.”

“Awesome comes in small packages.” Kitzu offered.

“Now where have I heard that before? - So how did you come to be here?” Discord asked.

“Oh, pulled an awesome prank on a certain pony shorting out their magic, and then some pony else decided to chuck...” Kitzu cleared her throat to cover that she had nearly indicated exactly who she was talking about. Granted Discord likely had a good idea who she was talking about. “..them through a portal when it turned out they couldn't take a prank. - Bad timing on my part though, as that individual was building up to an all-out temper tantrum.”

“You don’t say?” Discord mused.

“Even hurt their best friend.” Kitzu offered. “Granted I’d no way to know what was going on at the time, though I did think a time out was in order, being they were yelling at my mother.”

“So you shorted out their magic.” Discord mused eyeing Kitzu’s lamp pendant. Something about the pendant was most unsettling to him. To Discord, the pendant was both there and not there at the same time as it was protected by magic he’d no control over.

“And later on down the road I had a portal collapse on me, so I guess they got even. - Now I’m separated from friends and family.”

“And all that because of a prank.” Discord replied. “I just don’t know what to say?”

“That you’ll never let a prank go too far, or get mad because something happened to you that you don’t like?” Kitzu suggested. “Or because you can’t have something you want?”

“Yes, point taken.” Discord replied. “I will admit it’s not always easy, but I get your point. Celestia here drives off all of Luna’s colt friends because she fears I’ll make a mockery of the wedding should there be one. That is it isn’t it, dear Celly?”

“Tia?” Luna asked.

“No, it’s because I fear that you would hound the potential groom, and should he not be driven off, no one would attend if they suspected there was even the slightest chance you’d be there. Especially after the kind of stunts you pull at the gala. - What was it last time, you thought you hadn’t been invited, and as I understand had worked yourself up quite a bit, and then did your best to spoil it for every pony else. There may not even be another gala because the interest has been so low.”

“Tia?” Luna asked once more. “So you drive everyone off yourself?”

“Dear Princess Celestia...” Discord's tone had switched to his smooth I know something you don’t and I’m about to sell you a used car with no motor tone of voice. “You are the only pony driving off Lulu’s colt friends.”

“And I’d marry in secret if I had to,” Luna added. The anger in her voice was easy to hear.

“Which would undoubtedly lead to a rather awkward situation that might look very much like what’s going on right under your nose, dear Celly.” Discord sneered.

“So what’s for dessert?” Kitzu asked, hoping to lighten the mood.

“Here, allow me.” Discord offered with a snap of his talons. A moment later Kitzu found herself licking up piles of cake cream and icing that’d been dumped on her and every pony else.

“Well, that wasn’t supposed to happen?!” Discord offered as Celestia gave him a dirty look. “Honestly, I don’t know what happened?” Discord was truly baffled.

“The steam from Prince Blueblood’s ears was me, and the cake is likely partially my fault.” Kitzu offered. “Fox magic tends to throw off Discord’s magic.” Kitzu followed her explanation with another mouthful of cake while mumbling that it was good. Granted she knew the problem was likely the interaction between the discordant magic and her pendant, but she wasn’t about to tell anyone.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” Twilight scolded, and took a bite herself. “Say this is good.”

As for discord, the situation and surprise of what had just happened struck him as the funniest thing ever, began laughing, tipped over in his chair, fell to the ground, and continued to laugh while rolling around.

As for Princess Celestia, she just sat there mortified. Not so much by the fact she was covered in cake, after all, being covered in cake was a secret desire of hers, but because of the realization that had struck her. She’d become her own worst enemy. Worse yet was the realization that Miss Midnight Estar was undoubtedly Luna’s foal. A relationship, pregnancy, and foal that’d been so carefully hidden from her she’d nearly missed it, not to mention missing out on the joy a niece would have brought her. Why had she been so strict? Why had she been so blind?

“I’m so sorry.” Celestia offered to Luna. “I’ve been so blind I’ve sent us down the same road we went down slightly over a thousand years ago. - Can you forgive me? - You can marry your colt friend. I assume Miss Estar’s father?”

“My dear sister who I love very much.” Luna began in a soft contemplative tone. “Of course, I’ll forgive you. As for marrying Estar’s father, that I’m afraid, is going to be a bit complicated being I am technically already married to him, and he is also married to another mare at the same time. - Estar needed a mother.”

“Princess Celestia, given the circumstances, I’m afraid you are left with maintaining the status quo.” Prince Blueblood offered as he cleaned the cake off himself.

“Did you know?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Let’s say for the sake of argument, I might have known or at least found out after the fact, I might have been inclined to place the stability of the nation first and foremost.” Blueblood offered. “If that means keeping something from you while turning a blind eye to Princess Luna’s continued affair then so be it.”

“I see,” Celestia replied. The realization that she’d been intentionally left in the dark because of concerns about what she might do hurt her deeply. She’d known Luna had been seeing someone despite her best efforts to discourage all comers. She’d no idea who it was, and her demands that Luna cut off the relationship had simply resulted in ponies taking lengths to better hide the relationship. There’d even been a foal that Celestia had been unaware of till well after the fact.

“Now if you’ll excuse us, while it’s been an interesting evening, I’d really like to get cleaned up.” Prince Blueblood offered as he got up from the table.

“Allow me.” Discord offered.

“No!” Kitzu protested. Too late. Instead of cleaning up the mess, more cake was dumped down on them. “Discord if it’s not too much of an imposition, it’s probably best not to do reality-bending magic while anywhere near ourselves.” Kitzu let out a sigh. “On the one hand, this is kind of fun, but on the other… I’m going to need another bath.”

“Wonder if that’s why the table didn’t get bigger when I added a place for myself? - Discord mused as Kitzu got up from the table. “Though I have noticed there seems to be some sort of dampening field around the castle. Not just this one, but Twilight’s as well.”

“What?” Kitzu asked turning to look back, cake flying off her head. “Any idea what’s causing it?” she asked cautiously.

“Not a clue, but it seems to be emanating from a different dimension.” Discord offered. Kitzu smiled back.

“If nothing else, that shows you’re alright after all.” Kitzu offered.

“Am I?”

“Well if you weren’t at least trying to be open and honest, telling us your magic was being dampened would be the last thing you would want to let slip. - Oh and don’t blame me for the field, my spell should never have had any effect outside my home dimension.”

“Yes, I think I have an idea what’s happened then. My counterpart tried to get rid of your little toys, and now it’s affecting me as well.” Discord offered. “He must be quite insufferable.”

“He can be.” Kitzu offered. “The worst part is he was starting to grow on me. I’d honestly thought I could be friends with him.”

“His loss.” Discord offered.

“We both lost.” Kitzu offered. “There are no winners when it comes to losing a friend.”

“Yes, yes I think I understand,” Discord admitted. “Think I’ll be off, there’s a pony I want to talk to.” Discord snapped his talon and vanished along with the majority of the cake.

“Where’s the closest bath?” Kitzu asked after he’d gone. “No point in tracking cake all through the place.”

✳❇✳

Getting clean again took considerable effort lasting several hours into the night with help from the staff. “Please tell me this is that infernal illusion again?” Prince Blueblood asked hopefully as he approached Kitzu and the staff who were presently working on getting her dried. He was back to being multi-colored “It’s not just me this time, but Rarity, and Sweetie as well.”

“Afraid not,” Kitzu replied holding out a wing. She too had been dyed multiple shades. “Dye in the cake I’m afraid.” Kitzu smiled as a thought hit her.

“You look like a refugee from a hippie commune, how can you possibly be smiling about it?” Blueblood asked.

“Well it’s most prominent on those of us with really light fur, and it just occurred to me that Princess Celestia likely looks as ridiculous as we do. - Anyway, I’m not going to let myself get worked up over this, all that does is make me a pony no pony wants to be around.”

“Point taken.” Prince Blueblood replied sounding a bit sheepish.

As for Princess Celestia, well she did look just as ridiculous as the other light-colored ponies but didn’t have to endure it nearly as long. When Celestia raised the sun the next morning the solar magic burned away all that remained of the dye. Princess Luna decided she’d see if Kitzu had the ability to tap into the power of lunar magic, but it failed to do the trick. The exercise wasn’t a total loss though as Kitzu had managed to tap into the moon, and even budge it ever so slightly. Kitzu was so thrilled to have managed even the slightest amount she forgot all about her dye-stained fur and feathers. A month later when it was time for her to go home again the dye was still very much evident.

“Don’t forget about us,” Celestia called to Kitzu from the edge of the Lunar Hall. Kitzu was presently standing in the middle of the Lunar hall, her saddlebags over her shoulders, and her cloak on. Luna and Twilight gave her a hug and then backed off.

“I won’t, and I promise to write often.” Kitzu offered as her fox magic enveloped her. A moment later Kitzu had taken on the appearance of an upstairs maid. “It works, tell Estar thank you again for teaching me the illusion spell. I kind of wish she was here to see me off, but I imagine teleporting might be difficult if I start crying.” Twilight had started crying. “Thank you for everything – I’m off now.”

Kitzu had vanished leaving behind only the muffled sound of an inter-dimensional teleport echoing off the walls.

Once again Kitzu looked about with that nagging feeling that the teleport may have somehow gone wrong. Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Twilight were gone now. The only difference between the rooms is Twilight had hung a calendar with the matrix for that dimension on the wall. Kitzu looked about wishing she’d thought of doing that earlier. As for why she chose to teleport in that specific spot, Kitzu needed something familiar, and the energy of the trees that supported the ceiling seemed to make teleporting across dimensions easier.

Kitzu was about to make her way out of the keep when a soft glimmering light caught her eye. They're arrayed in the trees were the charms she and the others had set up. Was she indeed home, she asked herself, her heart leaping in her chest. Something wasn’t quite right… Kitzu slowly walked up to one of the big support columns to have a better look at the hanging gems in the branches. Every last one had the most peculiar opaque appearance almost as though they were some kind of ghost light.

Kitzu tried probing one with her magic and smiled when it lit up. The effect radiated out but slowly faded as though ripples in the water. “So that’s what happened,” Kitzu whispered looking at the lights. “They’re out of phase.” The two timelines had merged, but it looked as though the original timeline had taken precedence. A thought struck her, she spun around and headed upstairs. She was sure there wasn’t any pony likely to be about knowing they’d gone to Ponyville, so wasn’t too concerned about being discovered. After all, she presently looked like a maid and had even been supplied with an identification that stated as much. One hundred percent authentic save for the fact she’d likely not be on any rosters of ponies working in the palace. Her intended destination was Luna’s personal Library on the same floor as their bedrooms.

Kitzu entered the library with an odd sense of trepidation and went to the shelf where Twilight kept inter-dimensional communications diaries. Sure enough, there it was, right on the shelf plain as day, Twilight’s copy of Kitzu's book. It was right there, a book that didn’t belong to the timeline it was in. “Why is it that you never take that one book down?” Kitzu asked herself softly. “Surely the presence of a book that shouldn't be there must be driving you nuts?” There were plenty of other books strewn about. Various ongoing projects. Kitzu had gotten fairly good at telling which books were no longer needed, and decided to put them away and do a bit of tidying up. When she’d done, she got out the textbooks she had with her, the ones from Twilight’s foal hood, and placed them on a table followed by getting out the plush toy, and dropping it off in her bedroom.

From there Kitzu headed for the back hall, and out the door. Two guards stood not too far away. She did her best to ignore them, which likely helped to persuade them into thinking she was indeed a maid. She had even timed it to take advantage of a recent change of the guards.

“Oy!” One of the guards shouted. Kitzu cringed. “What were you doing in there?”

“Me sir?” Kitzu asked turning around. She smiled recognizing Kalevan. “Kalevan. Um, I’m sorry, I was asked to do a bit of clean up, I’m done now. I was just heading...”

“Do I know you?” Kalevan asked suspiciously.

“We both attended the same school. OK fine I was just a freshman when you were a senior so I’m not surprised you don’t have a clue who I am. You used to hang out with Starshine Twinkle.”

“If you attended Celestia’s school, why are you working as a maid, what’s your name?” The other guard asked accusingly.

“Name’s Tsuki, Tsuki Nymn. And you don’t honestly think they’d let just any pony in here, do you? - Well, do you?” Kitzu scolded. “There’s stuff in here that could be dangerous in the hooves of a pony who doesn’t understand how to handle magical artifacts. - Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get going, I have things to do.” And at that, she turned away from them and walked down the hall making her way towards the back stairs. As she went, she could hear Kalevan teasing the other guard about getting told off. Kitzu let out a sigh as she went. After all, surely Kalevan would have remembered her?

Somehow or another Kitzu managed to make her way downstairs without incident, where she made her way to the Night Court. There she chose to hide up near the ceiling clinging to the wall over the entrance where she waited for a tour group. It didn’t take long. Kitzu quietly dropped down while transforming the illusion that made her look the part of a maid to fit in with the group. She quietly followed them until they passed another group. It didn’t take her long to blend in with a group of unicorn fillies from an all-filly school, to quietly follow along with them.

No one was going to notice one extra filly in a herd of fillies, but the hard part would be getting past the checkout area. Kitzu felt confident in that she’d been practicing the escape for the last two weeks and had gotten mighty good at it. At the last possible moment, she switched to a group of pegasi using the illusion spell to hide her horn, and match their school uniforms. Just one hitch. There always had to be something. Rainbow Dash was leading the group along with one other adult Kitzu wasn’t familiar with, a pale green pony with a yellow mane. Surely Dash would notice?

“Alright, let’s fly!” Dash shouted as she took off into the air shortly after exiting the palace, followed by the rest of the group. Kitzu had little choice but to use her magic to try to keep up. Moments later Kitzu was high over Canterlot wondering how long her magic would last?

“Come on, you can do it,” called Scootaloo from her right. Kitzu was momentarily surprised as she hadn’t realized Scootaloo was also in the group. “It’s not like it’s that far to the aerodrome anyway. - Kitzu wasn’t it?”

“Scootaloo?” Kitzu asked astonished, glancing over. “You know me?”

“Um, I guess?” Scootaloo offered. “Don’t remember you coming out with our group though?”

“Oh, I needed to head back early so I was told to catch up with Rainbow Dash’s group.” Kitzu looked Scootaloo over briefly to get a look at her wings. Something just didn’t seem right.

“Hang in there. Dash likes to make us fly back and forth to the Aerodrome.”

“Do you have a sister?” Kitzu asked.

“Oh don’t tell me you’ve seen my elusive twin too?”

“Elusive twin?”

“Supposedly there is another me at the Highschool level of flight school. I hear she has really pretty wings too. - Though nowhere near as colorful as your wings I bet.”

Kitzu hazarded a glance at herself and nearly lost flight control in the process.

“Hey, you OK?”

“Ya, I’m good.” Kitzu lied. Her illusion was fading or had faded enough that the dye in her wings could be seen. “I got caked. Never could get all the dye out.”

“Caked?”

“Discord.”

“Say no more. - Hey, we’re here.”

“Bout time,” Kitzu said as she glided in for a landing. Once her hooves were on the cobbled stone Kitzu’s illusion had completely vanished.

“Ummmm Miss Kitzu?” Scootaloo asked looking at Kitzu with a shocked expression. Kitzu quickly removed her cloak to reveal a midnight blue underside, reversed it, and put it back on.

“Not one word.” Kitzu requested. “Look, there isn’t supposed to be two of you. - At least not originally. - Listen, I’m on my way to see someone who can help me make sense of a few things that are, shall we say, out of place, and or mixed up.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“For the moment, not really.”

“Hey Scootaloo, you make a new friend?” Rainbow Dash called. “Come on, we need to board, or you’ll have to fly all the way back to Cloudsdale on your own.”

“Rainbow Dash should know me too, but she apparently doesn’t,” Kitzu whispered. “Come on, I need to catch that airship too. - Lucky I made it or I’d have had to wait for the next one.”

“Rainbow Dash, you don’t remember Kitzu?” Scootaloo asked. “Kitzu Nightfoal. We met her in Ponyville a while back… back… funny, I can’t seem to remember what we were doing?”

“Afraid I don’t.” Rainbow offered. Come on, the airship won’t wait all day. - Sorry I don’t remember you, Kitzu.”

“That’s alright,” Kitzu replied following along. Kitzu showed an earth pony at the gate a pass that had been prepared in the other world and walked across the boarding bridge. Scootaloo pulled Kitzu off to one side once they’d boarded.

“Something really is strange when Rainbow Dash can’t remember an alicorn. A pony would think she’d remember.” Scootaloo stopped and thought about it. “Now that I think about it, some of my memories seem out of place. - Please don’t laugh, but I’d swear I used to be something called a human.”

“Afraid it’s entirely possible, and would also explain why you remember me, and no pony else does. - You don’t belong in this dimension. - Listen, this might sound counterproductive, but I’m going to tell you not to worry about it.”

“Not to worry about it?”

“Well the timeline where human you came to Equestria to live, your mother was missing, had been for at least three years as I remember, presumed dead, and you faced deportation to Faust knows where if the human authorities caught you.”

“Dayamnnnnn,” Scootaloo said astounded.

“Oh, and that other Scootaloo was your sister not your double.”

“What?”

“Half-sister actually.”

“What the What!?”

“I probably shouldn't tell you too much.” Kitzu offered with a smile. “If there is a Dawn Shimmer, you’ll find she is a dead ringer for your mother in pony form if I’m not mistaken.”

“I think there is a Sunrise Shimmer on the faculty.”

“Oh? She might answer to Sunset.”

“Sunset was my mom’s name.”

“Ya, I know.”

“Say you want to check out the snack bar?” Scootaloo was at a loss and simply couldn't think of what else to say.

“We’d better check with Rainbow Dash first.”

“Ya, I suppose I should let her know what I’m doing so she doesn’t freak out.”

“Does she freak out often?”

“Every time she thinks she’s lost a student.”

“Scootaloo?!” Dash called sounding a bit frantic.

“See.” Scootaloo offered with a grin. “I’m right here!”

“For gosh sake, stay with the group at least until we depart,” Rainbow offered with a list of ponies in hoof. She was looking over the list, and counting heads.

“Scootaloo was just offering to show me around as it’s my first time on an airship,” Kitzu responded, curious as to why Dash was counting heads over and over. “Is Something wrong?”

“I’d have sworn there was one more coming over from the palace?” Dash offered.

“Maybe you saw me?” Kitzu offered.

“Not unless you have a set of wings under that traveling cloak.” Dash countered. “Every pony who’s supposed to be here is here though, so I’m not going to let it bother me. Still, though, I’d have sworn I saw a really bright set of wings… not unlike the tones you have on your face there...” Dash zeroed in on Kitzu’s face. “That isn’t your natural tone is it?”

“I got covered in cake, and my fur got stained by the food coloring.” Kitzu offered. Dash cracked a smile. “There were multiple victims. The carnage was awful.” Kitzu’s tone was deadpan. Dash was trying desperately not to burst out laughing. “It gets kind of messy so I won’t go into detail.”

“Pfft! - I bet it does.” Dash offered with a silly look on her face. “So who else got covered in cake?”

“I’ll tell you what, you like a challenge don’t you?” Kitzu offered.

“I’m always up for a challenge,” Dash replied.

“I’ll tell you everything that happened, when you remember me,” Kitzu told her. Dash’s grin dropped to a look of confusion. “You see the thing is, if you don’t remember me, then likely you won’t believe a word of it.”

“Try me.”

“I was at a state dinner, and discord dumped cake on everyone.”

“Oh-kay, I can see him doing that?” Dash mused. “Why did I never hear about it, and why is it no pony else dyed like you?”

“It only shows on white ponies, Princess Celestia burned the color out of her fur with her sun magic, and didn’t you say you saw a multi-hued pony following on your tail on the way over?” Kitzu replied with a grin.

“Looks like she gotcha.” Scootaloo teased. “We’re pushing off from the dock. Snack bar?”

“Ya, sure, knock yourself out. - Stay on the ship!” Scootaloo had taken off the moment Dash said the word ‘ya’ with Kitzu following a moment later. “I swear there are times I’d rather be fighting bad guys than doing this foal detail.”

“Don’t be silly, you love this stuff.” Offered the pale green pony with a yellow mane. “Best job I’ve ever had. And they love the fact that a Wonderbolt as famous and lovely as yourself would take time out of their busy schedule to help out.” He slowly leaned into Dash.

“Cool it Zephyr. - I swear you never do give up do you?”

“I’m just telling it like it is,” Zephyr replied pulling back.

“Mr Zephyr, you weren’t going to try to kiss her just now?” Asked a filly. “She is married to Soarin, and I’m almost certain he’d kick your plot.”

“I don’t need Soarin to kick any ponies plot.” Dash countered. “I can do that myself.”

✳❇✳

Meanwhile, at the snack bar, Kitzu carefully watched to make sure the currency she had was, or at least looked the same as the bits she’d been provided for travel expenses. Her pass along with her currency had all been carefully orchestrated to fit the year they believed Kitzu would be returning to. That being her birth year. Her money had literally been minted in the future with appropriate dates and serial numbers. The pass was supposed to be good for boarding any time she wanted over a ten-year period. And every last bit of it would be taken for forgeries if anything wasn’t spot on.

“Miss?” The shopkeeper asked.

“Oh right, a hay burger, an order of sweet potato fries, a side of smoked kippers, and a cup of water.”

“Kippers?” Scootaloo asked.

“I’m a fox pony. I like fish,” Kitzu explained passing the money overusing her magic. The vendor took a glance at the money, counted up the bits, put it in the till hoofed over the change, and a short time later a tray with her order was presented to her. From there Scootaloo and Kitzu went to a table that was by a window.

“If it wasn’t so far to Cloudsdale, I’d fly it myself,” Scootaloo said as they set their trays on the table.

“Yes, but then you wouldn't get all this good food.” Kitzu offered as they sat down. The bread was dried out, the patty overcooked, the kippers old, the fries shriveled and greasy, and the water tepid. “Maybe next trip Cloudsdale will be closer.”

“You’re telling me.” Scootaloo echoed as she took a bite out of her hay burger.

“Excuse me, Miss, can I see your pass?”

“Mmmf?” Scootaloo said with a mouth full of hay burger.

“Is something wrong?” Kitzu asked looking up at a rather gruff-looking pair of ship's crew members, one of which was the pony who’d checked her pass at the gangplank, the other an officer.

“Your boarding pass, Miss.” The officer insisted.

Kitzu nervously got out her pass and passed it over to him. “Is something wrong?”

“Where’d you get this?”

“Pardon?”

“Well, they don’t hoof out passes like this to just anyone?” The officer informed her. “Where’d you get it?”

“It was provided to me so I could travel at my leisure. - I’m...”

“You’re leisure? - How old are you kid?”

“I’m a kit, not a kid.” Kitzu protested. “Or if you like you could say foal, as my mother is of the pony kind.”

“Don’t be giving me none of your lip, fox. - Now tell me the truth, who’d you steal this from?”

Kitzu’s ears went back. Nothing of the sort had ever happened to her before.

“Miss Kitzu would never steal from anyone!” Scootaloo protested standing up.

“She’s with me. You have a problem with that?!” The voice was ruff, male, and intimidating. Kitzu shifted her head to see who it was that was coming to her defense only to discover none other than ‘the’ Commander Flash Magnus.

“Commander Magnus,” Kitzu said softly.

“Come on Princess, haven't I told you to call me Flash?” He offered sitting down next to Scootaloo. “Incidentally I have one of those special passes too. - Sure makes getting around really easy.” He looked at the two earth ponies. “So, is there still a problem? - Perhaps you might like to give her back her pass, and so help me if I find out you have treated her poorly ever again, I’ll drop-kick you off this ship. - Pass, back, now! - Now git!” The two crew members, flustered, quickly hand back the pass while making their apologies, and hurry away.

“C – c – c – commander Magnus.” Scootaloo stammered out.

“You’re sitting with an alicorn, and for me, you go gaga?” Magnus asked with a smirk. Kitzu’s ears shot up. “Oh, right I should probably keep quiet about that. - Ya, I saw that landing. It was a valiant effort. Might help you to know that Princess Luna wasn’t much better when she was younger.”

“Say my name.” Kitzu requested.

“What?”

“Say my name.”

“Kitzumi...” Magnus’s eyes went wide.

“You remember me then?”

“You’re alive!” He quickly reached across the table to take hold of her shoulder. The feelings were mixed with relief that she was alive, along with checking to be sure she wasn’t some kind of apparition and that he hadn’t finally gone mad as some had suggested.

“And out of every pony I know that I’ve encountered so far, you two are the only ones that remember me.”

“Wow,” Magnus said softly as he sat back down. “We should tell your mother.”

“No.”

“No?” Magnus asked dumbfounded.

“If she doesn’t remember me, it’ll be kinder this way. In fact, it’d be best that I avoid doing anything that could impact my timeline.” Kitzu explained softly. “I’m presently on my way to find the fox enclave off the northwest coast in the Ponget sound area.”

“Then allow me to escort you. I know the area well.”

“Oh, I couldn't impose. And what about your duties?” Kitzu protested.

“My duties are to the crown, and I am on indefinite holiday.”

“Indefinite holiday?” Kitzu asked astonished. “Surely they haven't fired you?”

“Oh, no, no, OK, fairly nearly did. And you’re partly to blame.”

“I am?” Kitzu protested her ears dropping. “No, let me guess, ponies were all forgetting about me, I was presumed dead, and yet...”

“I can’t really name a specific date, but every pony close to you just started to forget. It was like they didn’t know you had even existed. Like you’d been erased from the collective consciousness. - I’m not really welcome anymore. - Star Swirl advised I leave it alone being we all thought you were dead. - And your lamps… they’re known as ghost lights now. - Every pony was just so terribly fascinated by them. And nearly a soul could remember how they originated - Oh Star swirl remembered...”

“But he’d no idea why they’d gone all ghost-like, or why no pony could remember me. I’ve got a hunch myself, but I can’t really prove it. I think a certain pony tried to get rid of them along with me and set the timeline back to the original timeline. Only he couldn't completely eliminate them anymore than he could get rid of me. He’s done his best to make it as if I never existed, but it didn’t work, not completely. He failed to see to the finer details, left too many loose threads, and probably doesn't know a damn thing about quantum mechanics. Everything that happened still happened, all he’s done is covered it up, and did a piss pore job of it.”

“You sure don’t sound like a princess, not that I blame you. - So what have you been doing?”

“Spending time in different dimensions.”

“All this time?” Scootaloo asked, and then thought to sit down again.

“Only been about three months for me.” Kitzu offered. “My age in regards to the amount of subjective time is about eight years.”

“Wow, I’m older than you now,” Scootaloo offered. “I’m in middle school now. I just started my first year of flight school.”

“I got caught between worlds, wound up in a dimension where my mother was Princess Luna’s granddaughter, and they were in the middle of a changeling invasion.”

“Well, that’s different,” Magnus commented regarding Twilight, and Luna’s relationship. “But you fought valiantly against the changeling hoard though no doubt?”

“Used up way too much of my magic freeing myself from the space between worlds. About all I could do was tip them off that there were changelings in their midst.”

“Then you were stuck all that time?” Magnus asked.

“I can’t really say. It seemed like I’d only been in there a short time, but by the time I was able to get to my book there was a whole stream of messages.”

“Well, as soon as we get to Cloudsdale I want you to come stay with me for a few days.” Magnus offered.

“Um, northwest?”

“Not on this airship,” Magnus explained. “This ship only goes Central to the East coast. Canterlot, Cloudsdale, Manehattan. Vanhoover isn’t on their route. You’ll need to transfer. I’ll square away my affairs, and get us reservations on an outbound airship. We’ll need reservations if you want a room. - Just out of curiosity, is there a specific individual you wanted to find, or are we just going out there blind?”

“I’ve got a letter of introduction to get me into the school of fox magic they have. The dean of the school is the pony I need to see.” Kitzu’s ears perked up again at the sound of a pony approaching them.

“Magnus.” Rainbow Dash said with a cold tone as she approached. “Not filling these fillies full of nonsense about a princess no one can remember are you?”

“Miss Dash, I’m the pony he was looking for,” Kitzu said softly.

“Rainbow Dash, I’ve seen the way you constantly obsess over the foals in your groups. That nagging fear that you’ve lost someone but you’re never really quite sure who?” Magnus offered quietly.

Dash just stood there for nearly a minute without saying a thing as her mind tried to make sense of the input it’d just been given.

“Miss Dash, I’m sort of a dimensional traveler.” Kitzu offered. “Let's just say I’ve visited before. Why you can’t remember me is troubling, to say the least. - However, I think it best to leave well enough alone for now.”

“You’re?” Dash was stunned. Dash suddenly emitted a squeak and jumped into the air, the result of Kitzu tickling her with a wing. This was followed by a string of words that made little sense. “I should tell someone.”

Kitzu and Magnus both echoed no.

“Why not?” Dash asked as she dropped back down.

“What are the chances any pony will believe us?” Magnus offered. “Sure Star Swirl remembers, but I doubt if that doddering old fool will support us.”

“I’m going to go out to a school in the Northwest.” Kitzu offered. “All you have to do is wait. - Commander Magnus will be going with me.”

“I see,” Dash replied. “I don’t like it. Just so you know that.”

“Dash, the pony you’ve been subconsciously looking for has been found.” Magnus offered. “Isn’t that good enough?”

Dash went over to another table, took hold of a chair, drug it back over, sat down and looked Kitzu in the eye. “Kitzumi Nova Silvermane. You took care of our little Kitzumi when they forgot her.”

“That was me.”

“Why’d you take off?”

“Princess Celestia didn’t know me. She looked like she was ready to skin me for daring to be there.”

“OK, I get it. I’d probably have lit out of there too, at your age.” Dash admitted. “Never thought Magnus’s missing princess would turn out to be real. - So you want me to just do nothing?”

“Well if Twilight mentions anything regarding Luna’s Nova, just say you saw her.” Kitzu offered with a smile. “I was in the palace today. The Moon viewing hall is an ideal jump point. While I was there I planted a couple of clues to get her thinking.”

“Oh, I see,” Dash replied as a smile formed on her lips.

“All I want to do is plant the seed. The books are from a different dimension, but that doesn't matter. I want to give her a mystery to solve, but it’s going to be unsolvable because all the pieces aren’t in place yet.”

“And when will that be?” Dash asked.

“My estimate, in about five years from now, give or take,” Kitzu replied.

✳❇✳

Three days later Princess Twilight Sparkle stormed into Rainbow Dash’s office, slammed a textbook onto her desk, and demanded to know where Former Commander Flash Magnus was.

“Well hello to you too, Twilight,” Dash replied.

“Where is he!”

“Left.”

“Left?”

“Ya, he decided to do an escort job to give him something to do. - What’s the problem?”

“Canterlot palace had another uninvited guest. - Left a calling card this time.”

“Calling card?”

Twilight opened the textbook and showed Dash the messages.

“Oh, hey. I guess you did go to school together.”

“I never… what?”

“I ran across a pony the other day who said she was in school with you, and you used to be good friends. - Answers to Nova.”

“I never wrote that, and I checked with the others, and they don’t remember writing in this textbook either.”

“It’s not your writing?”

“Well it is, I just never wrote it.”

“You don’t say? And the others, it’s not their writing?”

“Well it is, but they don’t remember writing any of this either,” Twilight replied. Her demeanor had changed from anger to one of quiet desperation.

“Twilight, it wouldn't be the first time you forgot about some pony.”

“Dash, that’s not helping!” Twilight shouted. And then apologized while hanging her head down. Twilight turned, went to the chair Rainbow provided for guests that weren’t for recruits in trouble, and sat down with a plop. “Flew here on my own power. I’m beat.”

“Damn, Twilight. I seriously need to add that to my training program.” Dash offered with a smirk. Cloudsdale to the Canterlot Wonder bolt base, and recruit center.”

“So what did our forgotten friend tell you?” Twilight asked while looking at the ceiling.

“She said hi.”

“That’s it? She said hi?”

"That's it. Oh, that and it'd be nice if you'd write once in a while?"

"How am I supposed to write to some pony I can't remember?"

"I guess you'll just have to figure it out, won't you," Dash replied with a smirk. "You'll just have to figure it out."

Author's Note

When Kitzu tells Rarity that she is from an island in the Sea of Tranquility, this is both a reference to the moon, and the Pacific Ocean. I wanted to go with Pacific, or a pun alluding to Pacific. Except that I can't say for sure that there is a Pacific Ocean in the world of MLP. Next best thing, pick a word that has a similar meaning to pacific, which is what inspired me to use tranquility.

And this is if I'm not mistaken, my longest chapter yet. It also took longer then the previous because I ended up sitting on it for a while. I could have broken it up into short chapters, but I felt each section really needed to be in the same chapter to keep things from getting too confusing.

Kitzumi has also found her way home, but not home at the same time.

A long road home

Using Cloudsdale as a base whenever Kitzu returned from the Fox enclave in the northwest had proven to be interesting as it meant finding Cloudsdale. Cloudsdale just never seemed to be in the same place twice. Kitzu had been jumping back to the world where she could visit with Midnight Estar and continue studying unicorn magic, along with forays into other worlds. She’d gone back to where she had experienced the changeling invasion first hoof and even managed to relocate the world where she’d met Twilight as a filly among other worlds. Namely the human world, but we’ll save that for another time. The ponies from the world where Twilight was still a filly had been ecstatic to know she was alright but horrified when they heard what she’d been through. The downside to using Cloudsdale as a jump point is she had to be sure she knew where Cloudsdale was going to be on the return trip being the jump required physical and or stellar points of reference. Jump points had to be fixed. Cloudsdale being movable simply did not work as a reference point for dimensional travel, and materializing in mid-air miles from the city was never fun.

Five years was nearly up, her younger counterpart was approaching the age where she’d go back in time, and the last year had been interesting, to say the least.

Kitzu materialized high over Equestria wearing a genuine Shadowbolt uniform, a souvenir of the world she’d just returned from. Fortunately, Kitzu could fly now. I mean really fly. The Shadowbolt uniform was a modern version, gray, nothing like the stylized palace uniform of a thousand years ago, and not likely to be recognized. The uniform consisted of a gray flight suit that fit tight to the body made of spider silk, flexible yet incredibly strong. Over the top of that, she wore a gray waistcoat with epaulets, high collars, and trimmed with black piping, made of pressed wool felt with an outer shell made from spider silk fabric. On the left color was pinned silver bat-winged pin. Attached to the epaulets were black shoulder boards with a thin silver stripe across the length and a crescent moon above the stripe. It was functional and intended as lightweight armor as the spider silk weave resisted puncturing, and cutting very well. It also served as padding for plates that could be strapped on. The felt of the waistcoat helping to protect from blunt strikes. She also wore a black peytral with her moon pendant fitted into it along with two crystals fitted to mimic her cutie mark both having been charged with warding spells added to the pendant, her saddlebags, the ones with the royal crest hung beneath her wings thanks to a harness along with a long narrow backpack on her back, and, a cap with earmuffs made of undyed felted wool which was the helmet lining from a unicorn helmet on her head on which was attached a small then oblong pouch. Built into the earmuffs was a two-way radio dependent on magic plus she’d an MP player she’d added to the radio. Dark shaded goggles that were more oblong than round with a section cut to fit the snout finished off the outfit. There was more to the uniform, that being a hard shell of plate armor made from thin laminated sheets of carbon-infused laminated spider silk. They were lightweight and extremely durable, capable of stopping a dart propelled by unicorn magic at short range. These she chose to keep in her pack rather than wear them. Being black they created an intimidating appearance.

Kitzu spread her wings, cast a full-body force field, brought it in tight to her body, caught an updraft, and soared high into the stratosphere in hopes of spotting Cloudsdale. Trapped air within the force field would keep her warm and provide an air reserve for about an hour at the high altitudes she liked to fly.

For four years Magnus had been like a father to her, and then she found herself in a world where Luna was Queen. Kitzu had been careless in her calculation. A mistake she came to regret very quickly. Her reception there was interesting, she’d found herself pressed into service, her precious books taken from her. She was desperate to have them back, but they’d been locked up, even the book she’d been using to keep in touch with Magnus. Her only option was to do as she’d been told until she could get her books back. Granted most of the books could be replaced with one exception, that being the book she’d need to prove to her mother who she was.

Boot camp had been grueling, and yet she’d managed to keep up with the other cadets while hiding the fact she had a unicorn horn. At least until one fateful day when the drill Sargent was lambasting her for getting her feathers all over the place. Of course, she had little choice but to put up with it.

Feathers all over the place.

Her feathers

all

over

the place.

Completely forgetting about the Sargent yelling at her she checked one wing and then the other.

She was molting.

“I’m molting.”

“I can see that you little snot!” Shouted the Sargent. Kitzu had been a difficult nut to crack. Unlike the other recruits, Kitzu never broke down. The other foals in the group, even though they were older, every one of them had broken down and cried at least once. Kitzu held firm because there was little they could do to her that could even begin to compare with the horror of between. That and her only real fear was not getting her precious books back. No matter what, she had to push on.

“I’m molting!” Kitzu shouted happily.

“What does it take to get through to you?!” The Sargent shouted as Kitzu excitedly danced in place while flipping back and forth from one wing to the next. She got so excited she forgot to keep her illusion spell up that hid her horn, pendant, and amulet.

Kitzu could laugh about it now but at the time, the Sargent seeing a horn, and a moon pendant pulled back in horror, and rushed out of the room. This left Kitzu momentarily confused, especially being the other cadets were now eyeing her with caution. Up to this point, Kitzu had been at the bottom in regards to performance and had been using her magic to keep up.

“You’ve been cheating!” One of the older cadets accused. “Using magic.”

“Oh give me a break. Look at me, I haven't even fledged yet. How else was I supposed to keep up?”

“She’s got a point there.” Whispered another cadet.

“I’m going to be able to fly without having to rely on magic!” Kitzu shouted excitedly and danced about. “So where’d the Sargent go?”

“Hello, you’re an alicorn. I imagine he’s freaked out.” Another student offered.

“Ali...” Kitzu looked and realized every pony could see her horn. Not just the horn, but her pendants were now plain to see as well. “Aw crud. - Sargent?” Kitzu stepped out of line and took off after the Sargent. “Sargent? - It’s probably not what you think.”

Kitzu had completely forgotten about the situation she was in as she wandered through the halls of the complex they were in, and on sighting Queen moon, trotted up to her, addressed her as Muma while announcing to all ponies present that she was molting.

“Do we look like your Muma?” Queen Moon scolded harshly. Kitzu froze realizing her mistake. “Well do I?” Queen Moon demanded as Kitzu bowed her head.

“Yes” came the meek reply.

“Yes?” Queen Moon asked as she closed in slowly. “Wait...” Luna looked at the horn for a moment or two. She backed off a bit. She craned her neck to look at the wings. “Show us thy wing.”

Kitzu held out the wing closest.

“For the sake of thy ancestors, gentle colts, please explain why this young alicorn was not brought to our attention right away? - Bad enough she hasn’t even fledged yet. Are things so dire we must take babes from their mothers?”

“You’re majesty, I’m from a different world. I came here by mistake. - I hid my horn.” Kitzu interjected while Luna’s officers all searched for an answer. “I sort of got herded in with the recruits. - And they took my things.”

“What is thy name, young one?” Luna asked.

“Kitzumi Nightfoal.”

“And your Muma’s name?”

“Luna Moon Nightfoal.” Kitzu’s answer had been carefully thought out. When she first arrived she’d used Kitzumi Nightfoal because that’s what Commander Flash Magnus and his friends knew her as. She also knew that if this Luna were to probe her mind, she’d get that name, and likely see far more then she bargained for.

Queen Moon sensed that Kitzu was telling the truth even if she was holding back.

“You’re highness, forgive us!” Shouted Kitzu’s Captain accompanied by her Sargent. Both looked like they expected a beating.

“Oh don’t go getting all soft and intimidated just because you found out.” Kitzu scolded, head still down. She probably should have held her tongue, but their demeanor just rankled. “Pushing me to my limits may have been hard on me, but I did it. I did everything asked of me. - Now give me back my books!”

Luna smiled, and let out just a hint of a laugh. “I swear she sounds like my great, great Granddaughter Twilight. - I want you to bring me her possessions. - Princess, stay by my side till I say otherwise.”

A short time later Kitzu found herself in a war meeting. To her horror, she learned that the Moon Kingdom along with the Kingdom of Canterlot was in a desperate struggle against King Sombra and the Crystal Empire. Kitzu looked around at the faces of the generals, gathered as to attend a black mass they were, all looked resolute. All but one, a pegasus who’s eyes had a glassy sheen. They were intent on every detail, but it looked as though no pony was home. No, that wasn’t quite right. Kitzu had been well instructed on how to spot someone who was being mind-controlled, and how to deal with it. Kitzu quietly crept around to where the general was standing, leapt up, and employed a maneuver she’d learned from the other cadets. Hooves to the nerves on both wing shoulder joints. The effect was immediate, down he went, front legs collapsed, back, wings extended, Kitzu on top, wings out looking like a predatory bird that had just made a kill, her horn and lamp pendant lit up, and she grabbed hold of the invading mind. The yell that came out of the pegasus’s mouth sounded like the cries of an enraged wounded demon.

“Sombra!” Luna shouted the moment her racing mind grasped the situation. Her staff was frozen. Kitzu held on as long as she could, her lamp glowing, foxfire swirling about, and purple smoke pouring out of the eyes of the general. Kitzu’s moon pendant lit up momentarily shrouding her in the ghostly image of Nightmare Moon.

Silence.

The struggle was over. The general out cold, and Kitzu had been thrown off by a blast of dark magic.

“I’m OK.” Kitzu offered, breaking the silence. She got up and shook herself out. She was also quite oblivious to the danger she’d placed herself in or of the protection spell of the moon amulet that had quite possibly saved her life.

“Sombra, he knows our plans!” One of the generals exclaimed.

“How many of our own people have been compromised?” Luna asked softly. “It’s no wonder he’s been able to counter our every move. - What do we do?”

“First off...” Kitzu began as she jumped up on the table.

“Has they Muma ever told you that thy are a precocious brat?” Luna asked.

“Many times,” Kitzu replied with a grin. “I was about to suggest that what just happened, not leave this room.”

“That much I can figure out on my own,” Luna growled.

“Spread the word that there is a new princess in town.” Kitzu offered. The generals all agreed as it would be good for morale.

“And what good are you? You’re just a filly who doesn’t even have a proper set of flight feathers yet.” Luna replied giving Kitzu a dirty look.

“Hope. I can give them hope.” Kitzu offered and then repeated herself. “I can give them hope.”

“You would help us?” Luna asked curious, realizing there’d be little she could do to hold onto a pony that could teleport to other dimensions.

“I’m a filly, and you’re the image of my Muma who I love very much.” Kitzu offered. “That and if you were in any way tainted by dark energy you’d have started squirming the moment I powered up my little lamp.”

☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁ ☁

Looking back, Kitzu just had to chuckle at the look on Queen Moon’s face. For the present Kitzu had spotted a flash of light glimmering high above the clouds, turned on her music, and headed in that direction hoping it was Cloudsdale.

Sometime later, as the cold began to seep in, and her head started getting fuzzy, she knew it was time to get back down to a more respectable altitude. Down below she could see earth ponies along with the occasional unicorn going about their daily routine. Spotting what looked like a respectable tavern, Kitzu camouflaged her horn, dropped down, landed out front, shut off her music, and walked on in.

“We don’t serve minors.” The barkeep called. Kitzu was only somewhere around the age of thirteen, and technically a minor, but she hadn’t come in for alcohol.

“You see a shovel in my hooves?” Kitzu asked sounding a bit put out.

“I said minor, not miner. - Don’t go getting smart with me.”

“All I want is something to eat, some water, and this is the only place I could see that looked decent.”

“Alright fine, but sit at a table. Can’t have you sitting at the bar.”

“Fair enough,” Kitzu replied respectfully as she walked over to a table.

“So is that supposed to be some kind of uniform?” He asked as he filled a goblet with water. Kitzu snapped to attention.

“Ensign Kitzumi Nightfoal, sir.”

“Ensign? - Can’t say I recognize the uniform though it kind of resembles the uniform worn by the local military.”

“I was on a world tour.” Kitzu offered as she relaxed, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “Wandered into the wrong country, and got drafted.”

“Ouch.”

“They finally let me go, and I’m on my way to Cloudsdale. Any idea where they put it?”

“Not a clue. - Afraid you’re on your own.”

Kitzu pulled her goggles and cap off and stuffed them in a saddlebag.

“Ah, a fox pony.”

“That’s not going to be a problem is it?” Kitzu asked as her ears went back. The officer on board the airship had only been the first of many ponies who just didn’t seem to like fox ponies. Why any pony would judge another so harshly on looks, not just looks, but heritage was beyond her. They knew nothing about her, and yet they always assumed the worse.

“Oh, no, I’m not like some of them I imagine you’ve run across. I’ll never understand some ponies.” Anyway, there’s a small community out in the forest. There’s a trail marked with ghost lights of all things. No pone really knows anything about them, but the Timberwolves won’t go anywhere near them. Some say they were created by a goddess to protect the ponies. I say they had to be created by mortals. We just haven't figured out the riddle yet.” He offered as he brought the goblet over, and set it down. “Beyond that, there’s nothing but the Everfree forest.”

“What if I told you-you are right about the lamps, and is there really nothing out past the fox village?”

“Afraid not. - OK, we’ve hay burgers, salad, nachos, ah, but I bet you’d be interested in the roast fish. No?”

“Yes.”

“You can pay for it? it’s expensive.”

“Is it fresh?”

“Swimming in a tank.”

“I got money. Even got money for this country.” Kitzu offered with a grin. "Worst case, I got gems for trading."

“Ha, that’s good. I wouldn't know what to do with money from another country. - I’ll get right on it.” He then went back behind the counter and began preparing the food. “So what was the name of that place you were at, and how long were you there, and do you really think I’m right about the lamps?”

“Kingdom of the Moon. They were allied with the kingdom of the Sun. Kind of like if Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were to split Equestria into two kingdoms only without Princess Celestia. - There was a Queen Moon, I ended up as a courier because I’m a really fast flier, but I'm trained as a medic. Spent a whole year out there. As for the lamps, I suspect that old wizard Star Swirl knows the truth, but he’s keeping it to himself. That’s just based on a bit of scuttlebutt I’ve heard. I also would not be one bit surprised if a certain draconequuss has had a claw in it.”

“Ya don’t say. It kind of makes sense. - What about your parents, you got family? I mean, you seem rather young to be traveling the world?” He eyed the gems on Kitzu’s peytral.

“It’s complicated.” Kitzu offered. “I’m presently the ward of an old pegasus. Retired military. He was alright with me traveling as I’d be stopping off with ponies we knew. Going back and forth between different schools. Sort of a road scholarship if you like. We communicate via letter. Neither one of us thought I’d end up taking a year longer than planned.”

“So does he know you are back?”

“He knows I’m on my way. - I’m not really back till I’ve found Cloudsdale.”

“Having one’s home in a city that moves around must be interesting.”

“It is at that. Spend too much time away and it’s not where I left it last. Most inconvenient.”

They both laugh at the notion of losing an entire city.

A short time later he brought out the roasted fish, it was smothered in butter and had herbs sprinkled on top, with a side of green beans and little red potatoes. Kitzu thanked him and dove right in.

♦ ♦ ♦

“That was so good. You could cook for the palace.” Kitzu offered once she’d finished.

“Oh, I’m sure they have much better cooks than aye.” he offered.

“The only pony I know who can cook a roast fish like this is Miss Fluttershy out in Ponyville.”

“You mean as in the element barer?”

“One and the same. - She helped me out once or twice when I was little… er, littler.”

“Wasn’t going to say anything. - So you know Miss Fluttershy?”

“One of the few medical practitioners who knows anything about fox ponies.”

“I see. I imagine that’d be a problem.”

“So what do I owe you?”

“Twenty bits.”

“Twenty?”

“Hey, getting fish and keeping them fresh isn’t easy.”

“Alright, all right,” Kitzu replied and pulled a small bundle of money from a pocket in the waistcoat. “And an extra five for the wonderful service.”

“I thank you most kindly.”

“Before you go, can I ask you about that symbol on that thing you’re wearing?”

“Oh, that’s just my cutie mark.”

✳✳✳🌥🌫🌫✳✳✳

A short time later Kitzu was headed down the road in search of the ghost lights, and after having asked a few ponies she was soon on her way. Sure enough, there was a string of ghost lights leading into the forest, but walking was proving to take too long so she chose to fly through the trees. Flying through trees was always fun. At least it was fun when she wasn’t trying to shake pursuers. It was during such a chase that she learned the dangers of teleporting while traveling at a high rate of speed. All that kinetic energy resulted in a considerably large implosion at the starting point and an explosion at the endpoint. Kitzu had done a pop teleport to avoid hitting a large tree, one side to the other, only to wind up getting hit by large splinters from the tree as the two opposing forces shredded it. Fortunately, she hadn’t been injured too badly. The ponies that were after her were all killed. Something she didn’t find out till later being she had no desire to double back to check out her handiwork.

Kitzu’s ears perked up at the sound of someone crying out for help. She hated to leave the path, but she had to go and at least try to help.

Kitzu zipped through the trees, left, right, left, left, right.

“Some pony help!”

There, high in a tree, an earth type fox pony kit had treed themselves. Kitzu slowed to a gentle glide, drifts over to the tree, tips herself up, and lands on the side of the trunk clinging to it with her hooves. “So, you are saying you can’t just walk down?”

“I can’t!” The kit protests with eyes closed tight while hanging onto a branch desperate not to let go.

“How’d you get up here?”

“Climbed.”

“And you can’t climb down?”

“I’m too high.”

“So you need to be rescued.”

“Yes.”

Kitzu let out a sigh. “I guess I’ll have to do it.” Kitzu offered. She climbed up to the kit. “Think you can manage climbing onto my backpack? - Or do I have to grab hold of your scruff? - You got a name?”

“Roxie.”

“I’m Ensign Nightfoal. - Roxie, you going to open your eyes, and climb on?”

“I can’t.”

Kitzu let out a small sigh, plucked her off the branch she was clinging to, walked out onto the branch, and pressed her to the backpack. “Hang on.” Then instead of climbing down, or in Kitzu’s case, simply dropping away the moment she could feel Roxie clinging tight, Kitzu walked further out on the limb...

“What are you doing?”

..spread her wings, and simply glided off.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m a pegasus, I’m flying.”

“What?” Roxie asked as she dared to open her eyes.“Oh my gosh! I’m flying!”

“You really freaked yourself out back there, didn’t you?”

“Wow, I’m flying!”

Kitzu couldn't help but laugh at the little filly clinging to her pack. “Hey, Roxy. Do yourself a favor and don’t climb up trees you can’t climb back down again. - How old are you anyway?”

“I’ll be five next week.”

“You've got a birthday coming up. Congrats.” Kitzu offered as she made a slow easy turn around a big tree. A moment later she had the path again and could see the village up ahead. Moments after that they passed the village gate, ignored the shouts of guards, found their way to the village plaza, circled three times, and landed by what looked like a group of elders. They gave Kitzu a curious look and then brightened upon seeing Roxy.

“Welcome, stranger. I see you’ve rescued little Roxy.”

“Did you know she was up a tree?” Kitzu asked.

“Wouldn't be the first time she’s gotten stuck.” A stallion offered walking up to them. “She’s really good at climbing up, but loses her nerve once she gets up there.”

“And I thought I was bad at that age.” Kitzu offered with a grin. “I liked to climb on ceilings.”

“Being a pegasus, I imagine that wasn’t too big an issue.” he offered as a pair of guards walked up to them.

“I’ve two moms, well a mom and a grandmother really, both decent enough fliers they could come up after me if they’d a mind. Grandmother had a habit of dislodging me by yelling. My hooves would come unstuck, and down I’d go. Couldn't fly worth a lick so they had to catch me.”

“You couldn't fly?” Asked a smallish pegasus who’d joined a growing crowd. She was mostly blue with streaks of white, and a white mane and tail. Kitzu gave the filly a smile.

“She can’t fly.” a pony offered.

“Does she have any pony who can teach her how to exercise her wings properly?” Kitzu asked reaching over to give the filly a rub on the head. Kitzu paused for a moment on feeling the lump of a button horn. “Parents?”

“My mommy and daddy don’t want me.” She replied dropping her head down.”

“You’ll be able to fly. Soon as you hit puberty, you’ll get a whole new set of wings, just like mine, but you have to work those muscles every day.” Kitzu informed her. “I’m kind of an expert on button heads.”

“We don’t really like to use that term.” One of the ponies there stated flatly.

“I can certainly understand.” Kitzu offered as she messed up the filly's mane. “Stupid ponies worshiping alicorns, but should one be born in their midst they abandon them, that or they just don’t know enough to provide them with the proper support.”

Kitzu’s statement was met with a moment of stunned silence as they just looked at her.

“Excuse me?” A mare asked with an air of incredulity.

Kitzu used her unicorn magic to levitate Roxy off her back, and down to the ground. She then went over to a souvenir stand where they had a number of small lanterns for sale.

“Flew right in without paying the fee.” One of the guards stated as Kitzu examined a lantern.

“Right stone, right inscription. - Have you forgotten how to activate the charm?” Kitzu commented not bothering to look at them.

“Now look here.” The mare who’d spoken harshly to her before scolded, and started forward. She froze in her tracks when light burst forth from the lamp. “How?”

“Activation spell.” Kitzu offered. Her tone kind, but reproachful. “Granted it only responds to fox magic.” Kitzu turned to look at them. “Roxy, do you know the charm activation spell?” Roxy nodded that she did. “Well then, see if you can activate one?”

Roxy went up to the booth took a lamp in hoof, recited the spell, and nearly dropped the lantern when light burst forth from it. “I did it!”

“Now I’m really confused?” The mare offered.

“I’ll give you one guess, and his name starts with a ‘D’.” Kitzu offered. “Somehow you’ve all forgotten that you were the ones who made the ghost lamps around this village. Not in their present form, but you were the ponies who built, and hung them up. - Now, little miss.” Kitzu said turning her attention to the little button head. “What’s your name?”

“Cirrus. - Will I really be able to fly?”

“Sure you will. I’m just like you.” Kitzu offered. Call me Kitzu. - Come on over here while they marvel at those lamps, and I’ll show you some exercises. - I only just started flying about a year ago. - Now, first, we need to do wing stretches, one wing at a time, reach out as far as you can.” Kitzu demonstrated while keeping an eye on the others who were discovering they could, in fact, activate the lamps. First, they did the left-wing, stretched out, then forward, and sweeping back. Then came the right, followed by both wings. This was followed by flapping the wings. Kitzu had her count ten times each, then start over and do the repetitions four more times. “Do that every day, twice a day. After one week add another rep. Keep adding reps each week till you’ve built up a nice workout. Also, you’ll need to do wing push-ups.” Kitzu lay down on the ground, spread her wings out so the outer half of her wings were flat on the ground. She then lifted her body up, legs tucked and off the ground.

“Ugg, I can’t do that.” Cirrus protested trying to do the same thing.

“Work on it every day till you can. Push up and hold it. Do that till you can start doing reps, and just keep working on it.” Kitzu offered still holding herself with her wings. "The longer you can hold it, the longer you'll be able to stay aloft."

“How long can you do that?”

“Hours.”

“No way.”

“Yes way, and you’ll be able to do it too. Keep working on it. Every day. That way when you get your flight feathers, you won’t be too far behind.”

“Am I really an alicorn?”

Kitzu looked around to see if any pony was paying attention. On seeing that they were all mesmerized by their new discovery, Kitzu dropped the camouflage from her horn.

Cirrus’s jaw dropped.

“I’m also the inventor of the lamps. That’s how I know so much about them. Well, not so much the inventor but the first pony to come up with the idea of using a gem to amplify the warding spell.” The lack of chatter gave Kitzu to know the other ponies had spotted her horn. “Say, before I take off again, I could help you to fly with a little magic assist.” Kitzu offered, getting up.

“Really, could you?” She asked spreading her wings and bouncing to her hooves.

“Sure, why not. Just keep your wings spread.” Kitzu lifted Cirrus into the air with her magic, spread her own wings, and then pushed off the ground. The two proceeded to circle about the square followed by a figure eight, as Kitzu instructed her on how to bank and turn. Not that it would have made much difference considering it was Kitzu controlling her flight. After they made a dozen circuits of the plaza Kitzu decided it was time to set her down.

“Aww, I was having so much fun.” Cirrus protested.

“Well, then I’ll just have to visit more often.” Kitzu offered, reaching over with a wing and giving her a hug. Kitzu stopped on realizing the ponies around her were all bowing. “Will you stop that.”

“But you're a goddess?”

“I’m no goddess, I’m just a very clever pegasus who grew a horn and can do magic. - Miss Cirrus’s horn would grow too if she had access to a relative who could use magic.”

“Oh, so if...” Cirrus began with a hint of disappointment.

“I suppose even if it does grow, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to do magic anyway.” Kitzu consoled. “Afraid I don’t have all the answers as I haven't encountered many ponies like ourselves.

“You mean I’d be like an alicorn impersonated?” Cirrus asked.

“If the wings and horn are real, the pony is an alicorn regardless of magical ability. If a unicorn can’t do magic no one calls them a unicorn impersonator, do they? Well?”

“Well no, I suppose not,” Cirrus replied. “Still though.”

“Tell you what...” Kitzu began as she retrieved her old lamp pendant from a saddlebag. “I’m going to let you take care of this for me.” Kitzu fastened the pendant about Cirrus’s neck. “It’s just like the others only this one is infused with harmony magic. May it bring you good luck.”

“But I couldn't.”

“Sure you can. - Now, I need to get going.”

“Won’t you stay the night?” One of the town ponies asked. “The sun will be setting soon.”

“I’m part fox pony. Perhaps you hadn’t noticed. I do my best flying at night, and there’s a full moon.” Kitzu replied. “I’ll promise to spend more time the next time I visit, but right now I really want to get going.” Kitzu offered. “Oh, and one more thing, don’t tell any pony about me. Not just yet. - If you see an announcement in the papers pertaining to a new alicorn, then yes, otherwise I doubt anyone would believe you. I'm just a pegasus with a button horn.” Kitzu gave them a wink, took a few steps, and lifted up into the air. She did a circle and then shot out through the opening in the tree canopy created by the buildings and plaza.

🌲🌳🌳🌲🌲🌳🌲🌲🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲🌲🌳🌲🌲🌲

Kitzu made a mental note to remember the location of the village, climbed as high as she could and looked out over the forest, and on spotting the glint of spires highlighted by the late afternoon sun, adjusted her wings for speed, and used her magic like an afterburner.

“Ha, they’ll be calling me goddess of thunder now too.” Kitzu mused as she pushed past the air cone breaking the sound barrier. Sure enough, the village she’d just left was rocked a few moments later as though there’d been a nearby lightning strike. Down below the forest grew thicker and thicker with rugged peaks and ridges thrusting up like the backs of giant dragons. In fact, the closer she got to her target, the more rugged the landscape got. Kitzu watched as a flock of cockatrice formed and lifted up into the air as if to pursue her but faltered as they reached their altitude limit.

Kitzu began to become concerned, her air reserve would soon run out, and she was now in the very heart of the Everfree. She had little choice but to drop back down.

Kitzu dove down throwing caution to the wind while leaving her air cone far behind. She’d decided to get in and out as fast as she could, replenish her air, and get back up to altitude.

Black thorny vines began to shoot heavenward in an attempt to snare her as she passed over the forest. Fortunately, she was going too fast. Quick as she could, Kitzu recast her shield spell to capture fresh air, then poured on the afterburner rocketing back up into the stratosphere. The forest was definitely trying to stop her from reaching her goal. She was in the no-go zone which worried her considerably. Why would Cloudsdale... No, there was no way, she must have seen the spires on the other side of the forest. She had to chastise herself for knowingly flying out over the Everfree and its exclusion zone.

When Kitzu had regained her altitude, there before her high on a mountain peak stood a shining citadel and not Cloudsdale as she had thought. Kitzu wasn’t quite sure if the buildings were gold or if it was the light of the setting sun, but it was definitely not Cloudsdale. As she approached she backed off on her speed. The citadel was high up, just at the edge of the tree line, and the mountain itself looked quite rugged. Far below the Everfree encircled the mountain, an impenetrable barrier of thorn which looked as though it was deliberately set to keep all comers out. The mountain itself seemed untouched by the Everfree having its own unique forest of conifers clinging to those slopes that afforded a place to cling on to. There was a road of sorts that wound it’s way up the mountain, though impassable in places. Many of the bridges were gone, and sections lost to landslides. As inhospitable as the forest, and the road up, Kitzu reasoned that it’d be impossible to gain access by hoof, or going the normal pegasus flight limits. This was a place only an alicorn could get to, and then only if they were an excellent flier, and knew the trick to flying above the altitude limit of the creatures of the Everfree.

The city itself had massive ramparts built into the side of the peak made from stones of monolithic size and fitted together like puzzle pieces. Beyond them, the top of the mountain looked to have been sheared off, in fact, the mountain itself was so massive that the final approach was a nice easy incline.

“Wow!” Kitzu said spotting two massive stone-carved alicorns standing to either side of the entrance. She circled down and landed on the entryway to admire the golden-hued statues. As the sun went down their color shifted to the gray of the stone. Before her, there was a massive gate lacking any battlements that she could see. Kitzu got it into her head to announce herself. “I am Princess Hope, daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle, adopted daughter of Princess Luna Moon, Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal Silvermane by name. I’ve come here by chance bearing no ill will.” Only the wind answered. “Queen of the sky, goddess of thunder.” Kitzu couldn't resist throwing in the last. A number of the ponies in the Moon kingdom had jokingly called her that. The gate itself hung ajar, so Kitzu decided to walk through instead of flying over the top. The gap wasn’t big, but then she wasn’t a large pony. Beyond the gate was a guard post, and what looked to be a customs facility, and everything was plastered white with a variety of colors trimming the buildings. At least it was where the paint remained. Various plants clung to life here and there, grasses, bushes, and lichens on walls, with a few diminutive gnarled old trees. There was also a feeling like the entire place had a strong magical field about it.

The sound of her hooves echoing off the walls was a bit unnerving, a few doors hung open, and windows were broken. Kitzu walked over to an open door and levitated one of her lamps inside. The place looked as though the occupants might return at any moment, some items showing their age while others looked to have been preserved with magic.

Kitzu continued on in hopes of finding some community or government buildings. In her mind, she reasoned that something dramatic must have happened, and the ponies that had lived here had been forced to leave in a hurry. As she went the buildings got bigger and fancier, many with ornate carvings in the stone, life-sized Alicorn statues just about everywhere, and then she came to a very large structure set slightly apart from the other buildings raised up with wide steps going up to it, with two more large alicorn statues at the top of the stairs. Kitzu spread her wings and flew up to the top landing. Before her, large doors of hardwood with carved scenes of ponies engaged in learning, but when she tried to open a door it held fast. The same was true for all seven doors that were on the front of the building. Curiosity getting the better of her she flew around the building till she found a balcony that had a door that would open.

Quietly she crept in, all three of her lamps floating out ahead. She soon found herself on a wide sweeping loft which ran along the side of a great room with books along the sides of the walls. Books, thousands of books! Going to the railing of the loft she looked out over a library that rivaled the library in Canterlot.

“Books! Thousands, and thousands of books!” Kitzu dropped to her haunches and got out her diaries. Books, I found books, thousands of them! She wrote in each one. Kitzu smiled wondering if ‘her’ Twilight would finally answer.

Twilight did answer, filly Twilight, Twilight who was Luna’s granddaughter, and the Twilight where Kitzu’s counterpart was a unicorn. All wanted to know where? Kitzu quickly penned in each book that she’d found a citadel high on a mountain in the Everfree. She then explained that the only way to get to it was by using her high altitude flying trick. There were a few moments where no pony answered, and then Granddaughter Twilight said that Princess Celestia wanted to know if there were statues of alicorns.

One by one each asked the same question. Kitzu replied yes, and informed them that she’d found it by following the glimmer off the tile roofs, and stone towers reflecting the setting sun. She’d mistaken it for the towers of Cloudsdale. There was also some concern as the place was supposedly protected by powerful enchantments. Kitzu informed them that there was a strong magical field, that she’d entered through the front gate after having announced herself, and there’d been no sign of any charms or traps that might be dangerous.

The book she used to communicate with Magnus finally returned a reply. [I’ll assume it’s going to be a bit longer till you are back then.] Love you too, Kitzu wrote back. Meanwhile, the other books had all replied with the pronouncement that Kitzu had likely found an ancient alicorn city that had been cut off by the forest, along with warnings to be cautious.

Now Kitzu wanted to know if the rumored observatory from fable and myth actually existed, informed every pone that she was going to see if she could find it, and put everything away. She then went back out the way she came, made sure the door latched and flew up above the buildings in search of what looked like a likely prospect.

After looking around a bit she spotted a large building with a massive dome and decided to check it out. Of course, there were more alicorn statues, and the doors had been left open. It didn’t seem to matter much as she walked in, it was as though she’d walked through some kind of invisible barrier into another world. Inside beyond the atrium was a massive arboretum featuring a central white tree that looked like it could have produced the timber columns inside the Lunar viewing hall at Canterlot with its branches. It was covered in pale green leaves and pale pink blossoms that hung like wisteria. It was also undeniably the source of the powerful aura she was experiencing.

“Wow,” Kitzu said breathlessly. She quietly introduced herself to the tree and bowed. It just seemed the appropriate thing to do as it felt to her as though the tree itself was somehow aware of her. Like the columns, there was light emanating from the tree. High above, the dome let the fading light in through thousands of small windows supported by a heavy concrete structure. Kitzu hadn’t noticed it from outside. Among the plants, there were brightly colored birds, butterflies, and a squirrel-like animal that glided from branch to branch, and tree to tree.

But as amazing as it was, this wasn’t what she was looking for. Kitzu went back out, and flew up into the darkening sky, up where she could see the layout of the streets. She had to stop for a moment to have a look at the top of the arboretum dome, much of the window panels showed signs of sand etching, but she could still see-through. From there she decided to follow the main thoroughfare to what had to be the largest complex in the city in front of which was several long flights of steps, and more alicorn statues at the base, three landings, and the top. She decided to land at the top rather than climb the stairs. Before her, there was a grand entrance beyond which were rows of carved stone columns supporting a massive stone roof.

Kitzu slowly entered. Once more the sound of her own hooves reminded her of just how alone she was as she passed yet more alicorn statues standing between the columns. Was this an observatory, or a temple, she wondered? Perhaps both.

More stairs lead upwards to a large open rotunda from which she could look out over all of Equestria, with a circle of upright stones with stones on top spanning the gap between each forming a giant ring all ornately carved with symbols she couldn't begin to understand. In the center of all this was a massive model of the solar system. In the center Equestria’s Earth being orbited by the moon, and further out a small star orbiting the planet which was their sun. Beyond that a great bowl on which was a tiny gem for each and every star. Kitzu looked at it in amazement. And then her jaw dropped when she saw the moon being enveloped by Princess Luna’s magic. Above her, the great stone ring began to vibrate and glow. Kitzu ran to the edge of the rotunda and looked out towards the horizon, and discovered that a sliver of energy was being projected from the stone ring to the moon.

“It’s an amplification system,” Kitzu said in awed wonder, though she was unable to tell if Luna was tapping directly into the model, or if the presence of Luna’s magic was a side effect of moving the moon directly. She ran back to the model. “This is what I touched when I touched the moon. I think I’m not sure?” She sat down on her haunches, let her magic touch the globe for a moment, and just gazed at it for the longest time. Her mind was going a mile a second until one more revelation hit her. The model of the Earth was detailed down to the finest feature, every cloud even including a moving Cloudsdale. But the best part is she would be able to calculate positions. The first thing she did was ask Magnus to give her the approximate position of Cloudsdale. His reply made her ecstatic. She then calculated the exact position and asked him to verify it.

[Well if you know that exactly, why aren’t you here already?] came his reply.

The globe was showing the exact position of Cloudsdale, where it was at that precise moment. She then found the citadel on the globe and calculated its position. Once she was sure she hadn’t miscalculated she entered the coordinates in each of her books. She then went to look over the edge to locate a peak she knew the elevation for so she could calculate her elevation. She had to calculate it several times as the angle was giving her an estimated altitude of somewhere around eight to nine thousand horns, a horn being a unit equivalent of the average adult pony unicorn horn length. Slightly over one foot, or 30.5 centimeters for this narrative.

She asked Magnus to verify the known heights of the peaks around the Everfree forest and then waited. She thought about asking the others, but wondered if they’d be the same heights? Magnus wasn’t answering so she decided to go for it anyway. Three Twilights returned all the same answers.

When Magnus finally replied he stated that Wind Rider said she was on top of Mount Thorn, and how in Equestria did she manage to get out there? The name rang all kinds of bells in Kitzu’s head. Mount Thorn, a peak in the center of the Everfree. A peak no pone could get near because the forest itself actively fought to keep them away. Estimated elevation at eight thousand seven hundred horns. And all Kitzu wanted to do was to make sure she’d be able to find it again. Kitzu had been the first pony to penetrate the forest in thousands of years.

Kitzu let the others know and reassured Magnus she was fine and wasn’t pulling his leg. She then went back to the globe and checked her location in regards to the closest edge to the forest. Ponyville. Kitzu gathered up her things and went back to the arboretum, eat the box lunch she had brought, and decided it’d be best to take a nap being she didn’t want to show up in Ponyville in the middle of the night. From there she could move on to Cloudsdale.

Kitzu took off her Peytral, placed it in her backpack, and lay down under the tree with everything else still on. Sure it was early yet, but her time with Queen Moon had taught her to be flexible and sleep when she could. Missions didn’t care about sleep cycles.

🥀🌹💐🌾🌷🌻🌼🍄

Kitzu woke with a start, sat up, and chased off a flock of birds that were after her mane and tail. “Hey, that’s my fur! You little...” Somewhere in the branches of the great tree, a squirrel chattered at her, and the great tree seemed to smile.

“Fine, I know when I’m not wanted,” Kitzu said getting up and stretching. She was stiff, sore, and hadn’t had anywhere near enough sleep. She was also hungry, and needed water having drunk up the last of her own the night before. As for why she’d slept with her equipment on; experience had taught her to be able to move without even so much as a moment’s notice when not sure of the environment. There’d been times where any pony who stopped long enough to pick something up, never made it back. Kitzu stretched out her muscles some more and headed for the door. Once outside she made her way to the edge she knew to be closest to Ponyville. She looked about, spotted the crag that loomed above Canterlot, the morning sun making it look like a giant hunk of gold on the horizon. Kitzu let out a sigh, part of her wanted to go back to sleep, but the emptiness of the place, and the fact she’d no back up just bothered her. She checked her gear, powered up the crystals in her bags, put her cap and goggles on, and dove off the edge.

Down she went, faster, and faster. Just a little push was all it took to punch through the air cone breaking the sound barrier. If she was going to make the distance across the forest, she’d need oxygen-rich air. The air up where she was at was too thin, and she estimated her needed cruising altitude to be at least ten thousand horns to be above the range of the flying creatures of the Everfree. She could go higher, but that used too much magic and was way too impractical.

The forest was coming up on her fast. She could see black tentacle-like thorny vines reaching up out of the canopy. The forest knew she was there, but what kept it back was a mystery. Was it the great tree itself?

Level out, cast the shield spell creating a bubble, bring it in tight to capture the air, full magic to the afterburners, and rocket upwards into the sky and far away from the menace of the forest below. A little over an hour later, Ponyville was in sight.

Kitzu dropped back down to a more normal altitude, and slowly backed off the speed so that she could drift on in without any pone noticing her. Just another pegasus. She’d nearly forgot to raise the camouflage to hide her horn. Now she was just another pegasus. Kitzu then decided to circle round so it’d look like she just came from Canterlot.

The castle of the two sisters, Kitzu had just passed over it, and while she wasn’t doing mach speed, she was still going at a mighty fast clip when she passed over. Kitzu listened into the two way hoping no pone had seen her and chastised herself for making such a dumb move. Granted there was a part of her that just wanted to drop down and say hi I’m home, but that just wasn’t going to work. Not just yet.

Just to be safe Kitzu decided to drop down into the trees, and made her way out of the woods that bordered the Everfree. Chatter was still quiet.

Kitzu exited the woods flying low between hills, turned, and headed back towards Ponyville. At this point, she just couldn't resist just doing some lazy back and forth swaying along with the occasional roll. It’d been a while since she’d been in Ponyville, and it kind of felt good. Even if she couldn't stay. A little breakfast at the diner should be safe enough.

Kitzu took her cap and goggles off, landed, and stuffed them in a saddlebag. She then took off again and glided on into town. Fortunately, she knew exactly where she wanted to go, and a few minutes later landed in front of the Ponyville Diner.

“Good morning.” Offered a young waitress as Kitzu entered. “Sit wherever you like.”

“Oh, good morning Apple Bloom. I didn’t know you were working here?” Kitzu said on seeing her.

“Ummm, do I know you?”

“I’m one of Scootaloo’s friends from Cloudsdale. - I’m Kitzu, Kitzu Nightfoal. - Little Scoots’ friend.”

“Oh right, she’s mentioned you. Weren’t you away somewhere?”

“I got drafted during my last trip. They finally let me go, though. It got kind of intense.” Kitzu offered. “I’m on my way home to Cloudsdale.”

“Drafted? Holy buck!”

“Apple Bloom, what have I told you about that mouth of yours?!” Shouted a mare who looked to be in charge.

“Sorry mam, won’t happen again.” Apple Bloom offered and then switched back to Kitzu. “So aren’t you a little off course for Cloudsdale? - And drafted, at your age? You’d be about the same age as Sweetie Belle.”

“Things were kind of desperate where I was, and not my fault Cloudsdale’s not where I left it. I swear, I leave for a little while, and they up and move my whole city away. A pony’d think someone was trying ta tell me something.” Kitzu replied with a smile, and a wink. Apple Bloom laughed at the bad impersonation of her sister. “Why don’t I go sit over here...” Kitzu headed over to a table by the wall opposite the counter, stowed her pack against the wall, and sat down.

“Let me get you a menu.” Apple Bloom offered and dashed over to retrieve a menu from a stack on the counter. She handed Kitzu the menu a moment later. “So where’d you end up at? See any fighting?”

“Little kingdom known as the Moon Kingdom. And yes, and Apple Bloom now’s a bad time for that conversation. No, you were about to ask if I saw any pony get killed weren’t you?”

“Maybe. OK, ya, that’s probably not something you want to think about prior to eating.”

“Oh, hey, the Apple family-style breakfast looks good. One order of that please.”

“You sure, that’s a lot of food?”

“Haven't had anything to eat since yesterday, and worked up an appetite flying in from where I bed down.”

“Alright then, one Apple Family-style breakfast coming up. - Hey Madge...”

“Ya, I heard, one AFB coming right up.”

🍳🥓🥞🥞🥐🍳🍳🥓🥓🥓🥘🥞🥞🥞

A short time later, and way more food than Kitzu had any business eating, we find Kitzu leaning back in her chair with numerous empty plates, along with a teacup and empty glass in front of her. “Kami Sama I’ll be grounded for a month after that.” Kitzu moaned with her eyes shut.

“Glad you like it,” Madge said from behind the counter as she looked out on her customers. Her eyes went to the door as Thunderlane entered. He was wearing his Wonderbolt uniform. “The usual?”

“Sorry Madge, official business,” Thunderlane announced.

“Ooooh, official business,” Madge replied while rolling her eyes. “You sure you don’t want some breakfast?”

“Aww come on Madge, I’m serious. I need to know if you’ve seen any suspicious ponies?”

“Whatever for?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Some pony went blasting through the air space of the royal compound out on the edge of the Everfree forest.”

“Nope, haven't seen a thing,” Madge replied. “Maybe you could ask Miss Kitzu over there if she saw anything?”

“Nope, afraid she died.” Apple Bloom offered. Kitzu was sound asleep with her head back.

“Damn; third time this week,” Madge replied.

“Hey, Kitzu, you can’t sleep here.” Apple Bloom said while giving Kitzu a prod.

“I’m not dead!” Kitzu shouted, waking with a start.

“Nearly dead.” Apple Bloom offered. Kitzu looked about, took a moment to clear her head.

“I’m getting better.” Kitzu offered, letting her eyes close.

“Thunderlane is looking for suspicious ponies, you see any on your way in?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Thunderlame did you say?” Kitzu asked.

“Lane. It’s pronounced lane, as in a road.” Thunderlane corrected. “Who are you, and what’s a Ghost Squadron flier doing in Ponyville?”

“Any resemblance to my uniform and the ghost squadron are purely circumstantial.” Kitzu countered. She’d no idea what he was talking about being she knew nothing about a Ghost Squadron short of they were the unit she'd heard about the day before.

“OK, so who are you?” Thunderlane pressed.

“I’m the goddess of thunder.”

“She’s one of Little Scoot’s friends.” Apple Bloom offered.

“Goddess of thunder my plot.” Thunderlane scoffed. Kitzu opened one cat-like eye to look at him.

“I can outfly any pony any day or night of the week… except right now,” Kitzu informed him.

“Oh sure, but just not right now?” Thunderlane scoffed as Apple Bloom picked up a stack of plates.

“Apple Family Style breakfast.” Apple Bloom offered. “The whole thing. By herself. - She’d be lucky to get off the ground.”

“Damn...” Thunderlane replied as a smile formed on his lips. “Heck, if a filly can do it, so can I. Madge, one AFB.”

A short time later Thunderlane was passed out with his face in a plate full of food.

“Lightweight.” Apple Bloom said looking down at him.

“So what do I owe you?” Kitzu asked.

“On the house.” Madge offered.

“On the house?” Kitzu asked looking over at her, confused.

“Rules are if you can eat the AFB in one go, and that's every last bite, you don’t have to pay.”

“Sweet,” Kitzu replied. “So when’s the next southbound train?”

“Should be in about an hour. Not flying?” Madge offered.

Kitzu slowly got up. “I’ll be lucky to make it as far as the train station. - That and I was hoping to get some sleep on the train.”

“Apple Bloom, why don’t you help your friend to the station,” Madge suggested.

“Oh, I wouldn't want to impose.” Kitzu protested, but Apple Bloom insisted, and a short time later the two are walking, all be it slowly, to the train station with Kitzu’s pack on Apple Bloom’s back.

“Oh wow, there are palace guards patrolling the streets.” Apple Bloom commented as they walked down Main street. “I wonder if some big shot is visiting. I mean, this is sure a lot of fuss over a ponarazzi.”

Kitzu stopped, pulled out her cloak, turned it right side out to student mode, and put it on. It was a bit on the tight side but still fit.

“Kitzu?” Apple Bloom asked frozen from astonishment.

“Well if they are looking for a pegasus, then I’ll be a unicorn.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a changeling?”

“What? No! - I’m an alicorn.” Kitzu held out a wing for a moment. “It’s a little difficult to explain, but if I were to become involved with the authorities right now bad things might happen.”

“What kind of bad things?” Apple Bloom asked sounding as though she wasn’t too sure about her present situation.

“I’m sorta from the future. That means I have to avoid making any big impacts.”

“Ah, right. And an alicorn getting tangled up with the authorities would be a big impact.”

“Are we OK?”

“Ya let's go.”

“Thanks. - I swear, if I had to make a run for it, I’d lose my breakfast.”

“Well, we sure wouldn't want that happening.”

Both fillies started laughing and then continued down the street with big smiles on their faces. When they arrived at the station Kitzu bought a ticket that would get her close to Cloudsdale’s present position. They then went out to the platform and waited.

“Oh wow, more guards,” Apple Bloom stated seeing a dozen palace guards spaced out along the station platform.

“Maybe there’s a dignitary arriving on the train? - I’m going to go wait in the waiting room. You don’t have to stay if you don’t want.”

“Are you foaling, I want to see who gets off that train. - That and I still have your pack.”

“Alright, suit yourself,” Kitzu replied, and then the two went inside to wait. And yes there were more guards inside.

This was making Kitzu nervous, and to make matters worse the train was late. Ponyville trains were usually right on time.

“Oh look, Princess Twilight!” Apple Bloom announced, got up, started for the door to go out and say hello to Twilight only to be blocked by the guards.

“What are you doing here, and what do you want with the princess?” A guard demanded.

“She’s here to see me off, and a personal friend of Princess Twilight.” Kitzu scolded, having chased after Apple Bloom. “Come on Apple Bloom. Let's sit, you can see Princess Twilight another time.”

“Aww, I just don’t get to see her that much anymore.” Apple Bloom protested as they went back to their seats. “Or any of my old friends for that matter. Sweetie Belle is in Canterlot, and Scootaloo, well little Scoots is in Cloudsdale. Babs is in Manehatten, and big Scootaloo is in the Canterlot Wonderbolt junior academy.”

“I bet that sure threw you for a loop when you found out there were two Scootaloos.” Kitzu offered with a smile.

“No kidding. I was getting letters from both wondering what kind of stunt she was trying to pull, and then Scoots sends me a letter telling me about you, and that there’s another Scootaloo. - I thought it was an elaborate prank till I got a picture of the two together. - Twilight is mystified. There’s a mirror world, but there is already a Scootaloo there.”

“There is?” Kitzu asked, as her mind tried to make sense of the information. “Hang on, little Scoots came over in an alternate timeline, but if discord were to slam the unaltered timeline and the altered timelines together without taking into account that in the original timeline the human Scootaloo hadn’t come to Equestria… yes, of course, we’d end up with an extra Scootaloo.”

“You want to run that by me again?”

“It has something to do with why I’m here.” Kitzu offered quietly. “I went into the past, and a brand new timeline was created even while the original timeline remained. After all, I can’t very well go into the past to create a new timeline if the old timeline no longer existed. Anyway, a brand new timeline was started, due to the deviation of events, and the human Scootaloo came over to Equestria. Discord, for his own selfish reasons somehow managed to get the new timeline to converge on the old while favoring the old line, no idea how, while not erasing the new thus causing a plurality where an extra Scootaloo now exists. - Apple Bloom… Apple Bloom are you alright?”

“Hu? Wha…?”

“You OK, Apple Bloom?”

“Ya, but I swear you sounded just like Twilight right now.” Apple Bloom replied after shaking her head the way one does when there is loose wax in the ears. “You even kind of look like her, hell you look a lot like… Oh, sheeeee-mf!” Kitzu put a hoof on Apple Bloom’s mouth to keep her from blurting it out.

“Not one word. You can talk to little Scoots, but aside from that you can’t say anything.”

“And why the buck not?” Apple Bloom asked after pulling Kitzu’s hoof down.

“Because it’ll just make things worse. - Trust me. - All we can do is wait. Just go about your life without second-guessing anything. “When it happens, well, then it’s fine, and I think you’ll know when it does happen. But until then we can’t risk screwing up the timeline more than it’s already been screwed up. We could end up with wall to wall Scootaloos!” Kitzu leaned in close. “And being you’ve figured it out, I’ve got a hunch Princess Skystar may be on that train. - And we’ve front row seats.”

“Really!” Apple Bloom replied enthusiastically as she set aside her concerns for Kitzumi. After all, Apple Bloom had learned that there were indeed times when it was best to leave well enough alone, and move on.

“Shush.”

“Oh right.”

So the two waited in quiet anticipation until the train arrived, and sure enough, when the train arrived several hippogriffs stepped off the train to include princess Skystar who was warmly greeted by Princess Twilight. After they left, Kitzu was able to board the train, with Apple Bloom helping with the pack. She said goodbye to Apple Bloom and then found a small unoccupied compartment. Once there she got out book number one and wrote in it, Hi mom, saw you with Princess Skystar at the train station. It was all I could do to stay put and not run out to you.

After Kitzu finished updating her books, she put them back in her saddlebags, reversed her cloak, put on her cap, turned on her music, and snuggled up to the wall by the window to get some sleep.

Author's Note

Altitude: OK, so when I originally typed this out I'd used feet... and then I was like, but ponies don't have feet. I thought about converting the values to metric, but that would mean converting the values. And for that matter would ponies even use metrics? Next best thing, use find and replace to change feet to a pony equivalent length. But what length? That's when I hit upon the idea of the average horn length, and then made it 30.5 centimeters. Looking up horn lengths on line I found no consistency, and just thought I'd use 30.5 centimeters. But what about using Celestia's horn length, you may ask? It occurred to me that as Celestia ages, it may be possible that her horn grows with age. So I came up with horns as a basic unit of measurement, with a horn being broken up into four hooves.

Apple Family Breakfast. Kitzu orders the Apple family style breakfast, and then I abbreviate it as AFB, which just happens to be the abbreviation for Air Force Base. The idea is that it's a obscene amount of food.

In writing this, I kept going on into the next chapter, and doubled back several times as I thought of details I could add. Glad I did, as I kept thinking of nice little details. As for the approach I took, I wanted to write two things at once, and was afraid if I went into too much detail in the world of Queen Moon, I'd get bogged down, and be stuck there for like the next three chapters at the very least. So to avoid that I chose to go with flashbacks.

I intend to update the sketch later, but the ruff sketch is supposed to represent Kitzumi as a teen.

The great cosmic clock: I was thinking to myself, what if Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had been unwittingly taping into an ancient alicorn device that controlled not just the heavens, but pretty much everything in Equestria? Expect to see more of the device.

The Ghost Squadron Ensign

Appleloosa - Kitzu stepped off the train onto the platform of the old rustic station, her pack, back on her back. Cloudsdale wasn’t far away as they were in the area to provide rain for a parched land. Kitzu had also put her cloak, and flight suit in her backpack, keeping only the waistcoat on. Good thing too as it was hot out, the train had taken the better part of the day and it was now the hottest part of the afternoon. As to why she insisted on wearing it, that was the result of having it ingrained in her to be in uniform at all times. Kitzu was also back to being a pegasus which gathered an odd look from the conductor. She showed him the ticket that he’d punched.

“I’d have sworn you were a unicorn when you got on the train.” The conductor said looking her over.

“Maybe I’m an alicorn, and I’m just hiding my horn?” Kitzu teased. The conductor raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Kitzu walked out to the end of the platform, stretched out her long wings, and with a swift downstroke soared up into the air.

“Ever seen anything prettier?” asked a pegasus near the conductor.

“I think she’s underage,” the conductor replied giving the stallion an odd look.

“I’m talking about the way she just took off, grabbed a thermal updraft, and away she went. Can’t say I’ve ever seen wings quite like that. Like a big bird of prey. Not typical pegasus wings, and a bit on the large size in comparison to her body.”

“She had saddlebags hidden under those wings with the royal crest on them.”

“Did she now?”

“Had a unicorn horn when she boarded. And a school cloak on from Canterlot. For the life of me, that’s all she had. - No idea where the pack and uniform came from.”

“I’ve lost her. - Did she now? Did she pick all that up on the train, or maybe she switched with some pone? One gets on, switch out along the way, another gets off? - Does sound kind of odd. Maybe you should report it? - That kind of looked like a Ghost Squadron uniform.”

“She said she was an alicorn.”

“Well, there you go, an alicorn impersonator. You just missed her luggage going on. Probably had a friend load up her luggage.”

“I suppose that must be it.”

“Probably does filly parties. Might be on her way to some sort of cosplay thing.”

“Cosplay?”

“The epaulets and collar had crescent moons instead of a sun.”

🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔

High overhead Kitzu scanned the sky for Cloudsdale with the realization she’d made a mistake. She just knew that one was bound to come back and haunt her, but there was little point in worrying about it. She’d thought about transitioning after getting off the train, but that would mean walking about with her cloak on till she found a nice secluded spot to change. Given how small the community, that meant more walking than she wanted to do.

“Ha, there it is!” Kitzu exclaimed on spotting the city in the clouds. She was eager to be back. So eager she forgot herself and broke the sound barrier before she realized she was even going that fast. She backed off but was having trouble keeping her speed down. Slowing to enter Cloudsdale was perhaps the hardest thing she’d ever done. Even then she had pegasi yelling at her to slow down.

Finally - sure it’d only been a few minutes from the moment she’d spotted Cloudsdale, but the moment she arrived on Commander Magnus’s doorstep, it was as though those last few blocks through the city had taken forever. Kitzu knocked on the door, and when there was no answer she let herself in. Home sweet home. At least her home away from home when she was there.

No one was home, and Magnus’ volume of the shared diary was sitting on the kitchen table. Kitzu let out a sigh, she wondered what homecoming would be like when she was finally able to go home. I mean home, home, and would they even accept her? After all, they’d be losing a six-year-old and be presented with a teenager who was now a combat veteran. Seven years of her life that they would know nothing about without reading Twilight’s copy of their shared diary, and it would all have appeared to have happened in an instant.

Kitzu went to her room and undid the buckles that kept her pack, and saddlebags in place, dumped them on the floor, unbuttoned the waistcoat, and hung it up. She then got out her flight suit, cloak, and a few other clothing items, and hung them up. Everything needed to be cleaned, along with the camping gear she had. True she could have used the camping gear at the alicorn city, but she’d been too on edge.

“Oi, who are you?” Called a voice just as Kitzu was putting her cap on. “Who’s in here?”

“Mrs Gale, it’s me, Kitzu,” Kitzu called and then cautiously looked out the door. “Didn’t Magnus tell you I was on my way back?” Mrs Gale was an older mare who didn’t get out much, and the landlord of the apartment. She was also a snoop and a gossip.

“As I live and breath, Miss Nightfoal. - My you are looking prettier than ever, I hardly recognized you. - Oh and now that I think of it, he did mention you were on your way back. Didn’t think you’d be back so soon, what with coming in from the northwest coast.” Mrs Gale knew nothing of Kitzu’s ability to travel to other worlds. She certainly knew nothing of Kitzu’s new flying save for illicit glances at Magnus's diary.

“I just got in. - So where is he?”

“He volunteered to help build a thunderhead.”

“Well, in that case, I think I’ll go out and have a look.” Kitzu offered and picked up her goggles.

“Oh, you really shouldn't. Thunderheads can be really dangerous. And you can barely fly.” Mrs Gale seemed quite concerned at the prospect of Kitzumi flying anywhere near a thunderhead. Granted the old Kitzumi had a hard time just crossing the gaps between clouds in the city. Cloudsdale’s version of streets.

“Mrs Gale...” Kitzu said slowly spreading out one wing, and then the other. The tips pressed against the walls of the small room. Mrs Gale’s eyes widened.

“Oh, my stars? - Those wings.”

“I did tell Magnus my flight feathers came in,” Kitzu folded her wings back up.

“But I’ve never seen the like?”

“Cool, aren’t they.”

“They are predator wings.”

“I’m a fox pony. All fox pegasi have wings like this. - Anyway, I’m going to go find Magnus. Either way, I’ll be back later,” Kitzu offered, walked past Mrs Gale, and headed out the front door.

Mrs Gale watched as Kitzu put her goggles on, spread her wings, and just lifted up off the front porch. Just like that Kitzu was up and away and by the time Mrs Gale had trotted out to the porch, Kitzu was out of sight.

-----------------🌥⛈⛈⛈🌩🌨🌨-----------------

Kitzu now free of the pack and saddlebags couldn't resist doing a loop the moment she was high enough above the apartments, followed by climbing straight up as fast as she could, engaging the air shield, the magical afterburner, and popped up so high she could see the curvature of the planet on the flatlands below. Picking out the thunderhead they were working on was easy at that height, easier still to bypass all the speed restrictions around Cloudsdale. She took a nice leisurely glide, leisurely for her, over to where the factory clouds were presently puffing out small clouds, and then did a corkscrew maneuver around the lines of pegasus running the small puffs to the crew that was presently stacking them.

Thunderhead stacking was always an interesting task as the small clouds would be pushed from the bottom and forced up. The most dangerous job was the pegasus who flew up into it to get the air currents going. Once a good updraft got going, an unwary flier could find themselves being rocketed upwards to forty thousand horns. Most Pegasi stayed in the lower range going no higher than six-thousand-five-hundred to seven-thousand horns, so the rule was to break off once the air really got moving. Any pony going higher needed to get down fast before the cold and rarefied air did them in. Pegasi simply weren’t built for high altitude flight. At least not sustained high altitude flight. Not even the highest-flying bird could go as high as the top of a big supercell. Any ponies still in the cell were to get out as quickly as they could and be prepared to take their time getting back down. Provided of course they could get down to at least nine-thousand horns before the thin atmosphere got to them. The higher the pony went, the greater the chances they’d pass out before getting back to a safe altitude.

“Oi, quit screwing around!” Shouted a pegasus worker flying over to her. “You and all the other teenagers!”

“Oh, I’m sorry, I was looking for Magnus.”

“Well, you are just going to have to wait, and do it at a safe distance.”

“Yes Sir,” Kitzu offered, put some distance between herself, the work being done, and then shot up into the sky. Just for fun, she decided to let herself stall, slip back, yaw to the right rotating on the vertical access until her head was pointing down at which point she decided to corkscrew towards the ground. After what looked like surely she’d be too dizzy to recover, she leveled off, gained speed, pulled straight up again, and turned rotating on the yaw axis again to point down, and then continue rotating in that manner as she descended. She did three rotations, then dove down to gain speed, followed by a loop, at the base of which she did a snap roll. This was followed by arching back up, another yaw flip, only this time she reversed her direction to go right back in the direction she’d come, arching back up again, a flip, and snap to go back in the direction from which she’d just come. All this she did without ever once having to rely on a magical boost.

Kitzu was just having fun. One moment she’d be doing a loop and the next tumbling through the air with wild abandon. Every so often she’d stop to have a look at the progress. She had the two-way radio so she could listen in on the coordinators in charge.

They were starting to pull ponies out. The storm was building itself now so Kitzu decided to go to a gathering point by a cloud machine. Seeing Commander Hurricane, Kitzu glided on over to him.

“Hi Commander, where’s that old man of mine?”

“Old man, who? - Miss Nightfoal, you’re back! - Sorry, but he hasn’t come out yet.”

“Oh?” Kitzu listened in on the radio chatter. Group leaders were calling in their headcounts. “Anyone got Flash Magnus in your group?” Kitzu called breaking in. A few moments later it was confirmed that Flash Magnus was unaccounted for and probably still in the cell. Kitzu lifted up her right hoof, produced a flame of foxfire, and studied the cell via a foxfire screen. Magnus was still in there along with some pony else.

“Miss Nightfoal, you can’t go in there!” Commander Hurricane called as Kitzu began moving towards the cell.

“Miss, don’t do it!” Called one of the coordinators on seeing her.

“Don’t stop me. - And I’m probably the only high altitude flier you’ve got,” Kitzu said over the two way, as she launched herself upwards with powerful strokes of her wings.

“Who was that!” The coordinator asked of Commander Hurricane.

“Ensign Nightfoal. She’s a fox pony.” He replied about the same time Kitzu formed her shield with a noticeable shimmer. “Wow, didn’t expect that?” A moment later there was a boom as Kitzu pushed herself forward with her magic, and broke the sound barrier.

“Did she just… while climbing?” The Coordinator asked.

“Fox ponies can use magic, she augments her flight, not sure how she’s doing it though?” Hurricane offered. “Astounding improvement from the last time I saw her a year ago.”

“Well, I hope for her sake she knows what she’s doing?” The Coordinator offered as two more coordinators joined them.

“What the buck, what the actual buck, who the buck was that!” Called another coordinator approaching.

-------------------------🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵🏵-------------------------

Meanwhile, Kitzu Had circled around to get as close as she could to her targets. Magnus was after a pony in distress. Kitzu used her foxfire again, this time applied to her goggles to map out a route to him, set her wings to the delta position, and dove in. From there on she would be relying on her magic for propulsion.

The winds buffeted her, threatening to throw her off course, but her magic was telling her where to turn, and when. Sure it was a wild ride, but she was still in control. A moment later she sighted Magnus struggling against the currents. Kitzu threw one of her shield bubbles around him, and then looped, turned, dived, and climbed to get up next to him.

“Follow me, that’s an order!” Kitzu shouted over the roar of the winds. A moment later they were pummeled by hail, and if not for Kitzu’s shield, they might both have been in a bad way. Target number two wasn’t fairing so well.

Magnus tried to ignore her and made another attempt at the golden yellow pony with a magenta mane and tail he’d been after only to get swept away again.

Kitzu grabbed him with her magic to force him into close formation behind and to her left. She ignored his protests and used the eddies to her advantage. At first, it looked like they were going to lose sight of the other pony but a moment later they were right on them. Kitzu slammed a shield bubble around her target, pulled them in close, wrapped her forelegs around the pony, and let the currents take all three right to the top. Forty-thousand horns. She was now higher than she'd ever been before.

It seemed like no more than an instant, the three had gone from maelstrom to sublime stillness. Below lay a plain of white that seemed to stretch on forever, and above was the bluest sky she’d ever seen.

“Hold your horses!” Kitzu exclaimed into the two-way radio. “I’ve got them. - I'm Ensign Nightfoal. I’m a fox pony, I made shield bubbles with my fox magic. And I am not going back in for any pony else. - We’ll be down in a few minutes.” Behind her, Magnus was yelling, but she couldn’t hear a word. “Let the aid station know I’m bringing them a patient. Broken wing, and concussed from hail.” Kitzu shifted her position so she’d be side by side with Magnus, and then touched wingtip to wingtip. “Can you hear me now?”

“We’ll asphyxiate up here!”

“Not so long as I’m maintaining the shields around our bodies. It traps a layer of good air.”

“Kitzu!?”

“I told you I could fly at high altitude. Not the first time either. My limit seems to be about forty-five minutes to an hour, give or take. - I’ve no intention to stay up here any longer than necessary, it’s too cold, this pony you were trying to rescue is out cold, and has a broken wing. I’m splinting it with my magic.” Kitzu offered as they passed over the edge of the storm. The view from that altitude was breathtaking, and a tinge of regret hit her knowing she'd no time to enjoy it. From there they proceeded to switchback down with wide sweeping turns each time they changed directions.

“Wouldn't it be faster to just go straight?” Magnus asked.

“At the altitude we started at we’d end up going too fast and be unable to keep it under control if we were to try to go straight for the aid station. I could do it by myself, but I’d likely overshoot Cloudsdale, and break every window in the city doing it. - So who are we rescuing?”

“Little Scootaloo.”

“Remind me to tell her off when she’s awake.”

“You’re going to have to stand in line. - Glad to have you back.”

“Glad to be back.”

“So what was living under Nightmare Moon like?”

“Queen moon was stern, but no nightmare.” Kitzu offered. “Remember that I hit their world when they were so desperate for ponies to fight Sombra they were forcibly recruiting any pone who could fight. Young and old. Queen Moon, and Queen Shimmer were in a desperate war that they were losing. Sombra had been making gain after gain owing to his ability to use mind control. It was my little lamps that turned the tide in our favor. We were able to use them to counter Sombra’s magic.”

“So what happened to Princess Celestia?”

“According to eye witness accounts from the time, when Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had their big knock down drag out fight, it was Princess Celestia who lost it. She was calling herself Eclipse. At the climax of the fight, Princess Celestia took the elements of harmony to banish Princess Luna, only when she activated the spell it backfired. Princess Celestia’s horn shattered, and lost both her magic and immortality. Accounts from the time suggest she was reduced to an invalid and she lived out a mortal life. As for raising and lowering the sun, Luna couldn't do it, the sun wouldn't respond to her. Fortunately the power to raise and lower the sun had transferred to another pony who became an alicorn shortly after.”

“What was it you said her name was again?”

“Princess Sunset Shimmer.”

“You don’t mean like our Shimmer?”

“Our Shimmer is old, but not that old. - I never had the opportunity to meet her so I don’t know if she was our Shimmer’s counterpart or not. Kitzu offered. “OK, we are low enough, I’m going to cut you loose.”

“Woow!” Magnus called out as he dipped out of formation. Kitzu also dropped the shields. “Now I know what it’s like to be put on a leash by an alicorn.”

“Just don’t tell any pone I’m an alicorn. All they need to know is I’m a fox pony, and what I just did is normal for flying foxes.”

“Is it, is it really?”

“The few flying foxes I’ve met all talk like it is. - There were a couple who liked to talk like they flew up thunderstorms all the time, although, I don’t think they’re as big in the northwest.”

“So how many times have you been that high?”

“Been in a few to shake pursuers. - This’ll be the first time I went all the way to the top.”

“First time?!” Magnus shouted.

“My normal cruising altitude is usually around ten to twelve thousand horns.”

“Twelve thousand horns!!”

“Well how else did you think I managed to get out to Thorn peak? - Any lower than eight thousand horns, and the curse of the forest will throw everything it’s got to pull a pony down. - There are ridge lines upwards of six thousand horns that throw black thorny vines at any pone that gets too close, and my lamps don’t seem to have much effect out there.”

“Oh ya, I’ve encountered that.” Magnus offered as a group of pegasus flew up to meet them.

“If you could direct us to the aid station?” Kitzu asked as they came along side.

“That was pretty darn gutsy. - Should have let Magnus handle it.” The lead pegasus scolded.

“I was floundering up there. She just knows how to navigate a big thunder cell.” Magnus informed them as they continued on towards the aid station.

“I used my fox magic to create air reservoirs, shield every pone from the hail, and feel my way through the eddies.” Kitzu offered. “It’s not something I’d recommend trying. - Not without protective clothing and an air reserve. - Wish I’d had my flight suit on. It’s cold up there even through my thick fur.”

“She’s not wrong about that. - Damn cold up there.” Magnus offered.

“Wait, how high did you go?”

“All the way to the flat top.” Magnus informed them.

“So that’s why the odd flight path. - Damn! - But that ain't normal?”

“Apparently it’s a fox pony thing.” Magnus offered as they approached the aid station.

“She’s got multiple contusions from the hail, and a broken right wing.” Kitzu shouted as they entered. “I’m going to assume she has a concussion as well. - I need a stretcher!” Kitzu hovered briefly while a gurney was brought out, and then gently lay little Scoots down. She pointed to were the break was. “The break is right there, I set it, but my magic will only hold so long, it’ll still need to be splinted.”

Kitzu dropped down to the deck as Scoots was wheeled away, and folded up her wings. “Of all the stupid things to do.” Kitzu also worried about impacting the time line, but Lady Aiko had told her to go with her heart if she found herself in a situation where some pone needed help. Aiko had explained that any thing she did would just be part of the time line so long as it didn't impact herself in a big way.

“Excuse me, we’ll need some pone to sign a release.” A unicorn in a white smock said approaching.

“I’ll sign it.” Magnus offered. “I’m her grandfather.”

“You don’t look like a grandfather.”

“He’s Commander Flash Magnus, he’s every pegasus's grandfather.” Offered Wind Rider having followed them in.

“Believe it or not her mother is a direct descendant of mine, and I have permission to sign for her in an emergency.” Magnus offered. “The filly’s name is Louise, nicknamed Little Scoots. Her mother is Dean Shimmer over at the flight school. - I can give her a call via the wireless.”

“I’m going to go sit in the waiting room. Any chance there’s an on site food vendor? I haven't had anything to eat since this morning, and used up quite a few calories out there.”

“Not so fast young filly.” Magnus said as he signed the form. Soon as he set the pen down he went over to Kitzu, and gave her a big bear hug. “Welcome back. Been a while.”

“Idiot.” Kitzu muttered as she leaned into him. “Food?”

“Afraid you’re out of luck. What did you have this morning?” Magnus asked.

“Stopped off at Ponyville this morning and had the Apple Family style breakfast at the Ponyville diner.”

“And your hungry?”

“Pulling your flank out of that thunder cell was hard work.”

“I had it under control.”

“No you didn’t.”

“OK, no I didn’t.”

“No offense Magnus, but isn’t she a bit young for you?” Wind Rider asked.

“It’s not like that!” Kitzu protested pulling away while blushing. “I’m just a little filly!”

“Honestly, I just look after her when she’s in town.” Magnus protested. “That’s just… wow.” He gave Rider a dirty look and got a smirk back in place.

“Say miss, how old are you anyway?” Asked one of the coordinators who’d followed them in.

“Six.” Kitzu replied, and headed for the waiting room.

“Six?” She was very mature for a six year-old leaving the mare to think maybe she ment sixteen.

“Inside joke. She’s actually somewhere around thirteen or fourteen. I kind of lost track.” Magnus explained his expression going to a smirk. “Anyway she kind of needed some support, and I was available. - I’d better go make that call now.”

--------------------⛅🏥 --------------------

Kitzu sat in the waiting room for what seemed the longest time looking at mare’s fashion magazines to try to stave off boredom, her goggles hanging from her neck. Rarity was in several of the magazines. Magnus was outside somewhere talking to ponies about his wild ride. She glanced up just as Sunset Shimmer entered, and went to the reception desk. Shimmer was asked to wait for a moment. Kitzu got up, and went over to Shimmer.

“Hi. She’s going to be alright,” Kitzu offered. Sunset Shimmer looked down at her. Kitzu had grown, but was still short compared to other ponies her relative age.

“Hi, are you one of Scoot’s friends?”

“I’m the friend who told her to go look you up. - Miss Nightfoal.”

“Oh right, the mysterious friend who blows through town every now and then. - How is it this is the first time I’ve met you?”

“I rescued Scoots.” Kitzu had actually been avoiding Sunset Shimmer.

“You did?”

“Sure did.” Offered a nurse. “I’m nurse Aerocare. - I’m to understand she flew into a big thunderhead to pull her friend out.”

“She did what? - Where is Scoots? - How is she?”

“Come this way. She’s awake now. And is it alright if the young miss comes too? Miss Scoots mentioned she was looking forward to seeing her. - Seems like they are good friends.”

“I’d like to see her. We were supposed to get together tonight,” Kitzu offered.

“Right, Magnus did mention he expected your return. Where is he right now?”

“Outside swapping stories with Wind Rider, I’d imagine.” Kitzu offered.

“Well then, lets go say hi to Scoots.” Shimmer offered as they followed nurse Aerocare.

“Hi Ms Shimmer… Kitzu, your back already,” Scoots said greeting them. She was sitting on the gurney she’d been laid out on earlier, her wing was wrapped up, and she had a neck brace.

“And a good thing too, that was a dumb stunt flying into that storm.” Kitzu scolded.

“Um, Kitzu?” Scoots said, not to sure what was going on.

“I’m to understand Miss Nightfoal was the pony who rescued you.” Nurse Aerocare informed Scootaloo. “Or at least that’s what I’ve been told. - Miss Nightfoal, setting a bone in flight is a very difficult thing to do.”

“Not like this was my first rodeo. I’ve been in combat,” Kitzu offered with the tone of someone who really doesn’t want to talk about it. “I’ve done emergency medical aid in flight before.”

“Kitzu?” Scoots asked. Shimmer just gave her an odd look.

“I got mixed up in a war,” Kitzu replied reluctantly. “That’s why I’ve been gone so long this time.”

“I guess that’s why you kept calling the clinic an aid station over the wireless,” Nurse Aerocare replied in a contemplative tone.

“Oh,” scoots said. “I knew Commander Magnus was awfully worried about you, but never knew why. - Or why you were gone so long.”

“After my flight feathers came in, I had to learn how to fly under some really harsh conditions. - I’m not the same as I was.”

“You’ll always be my friend, no matter what,” Scoots offered with a smile. Kitzu looked over to her, and smiled back.

“Scoots, you could have died, you and Magnus. He was trying to save you, but he can’t predict the winds like I can. I could have lost you both.”

“I guess I won’t need to yell at you then,” Shimmer offered. “Why’d you do such a foal thing in the first place?”

“It was a dare.”

“Scoots, the number of ponies capable of successfully navigating one of those big storms once it gets going is infinitesimally small,” Kitzu offered. “You either get sucked right to the top which can be upwards forty thousand horns, or pulled down the falls side where all the rain falls. - I have an advantage with my fox magic because it allows me to predict what’s going to happen. I can create an air bubble around myself in case I go over the altitude limit, and I can shield myself.” Kitzu dropped her had down, and in a quiet contemplative tone told Scoots, “You’re practically a sister, you and Magnus are like family, the only ponies who remember me and care what happens to me. You can’t begin to imagine what it’d be like if I lost you.”

“I can.” Magnus offered from the door.

“Ya, I suppose you can.” Kitzu offered while looking over towards the doorway.

“Well, what say we get straight to business here?” Nurse Aerocare offered taking advantage of that moment of awkward silence. “I’m going to release Louise into your care. She’s got a lot of bruises from the hail, and her wing will need to be splinted for at least a month.”

“A month?!” Scoots protested.

“Might take longer. Four to six weeks for a pony your age,” Nurse Aerocare cautioned. “Ms Shimmer, she also has whiplash and a mild concussion. She’s to take it easy for a while. You’ll need to keep a close watch on her as well. If she becomes lightheaded, severe headache, vomiting – get her to the horsepital as fast as you can. - Miss Louise, don’t make any sudden movements for the next two to three days. Just take it easy. It’ll help.”

“Understood.” Shimmer offered. Scoots just nodded her head the best she could.

“I’m also prescribing a mild pain killer for the wing that you can pick up at the pharmacist.”

“Thank you very much.” Shimmer offered, followed by nurse Aerocare excusing herself to go see another patient.

“Shimmer, why not take Kitzu in, as you offered.” Magnus offered.

“Now hang on here?” Kitzu protested.

“Just until Scoots is on the mend. Then we’ll discuss your future, and quite frankly, these forays into other worlds is what concerns me. - The next time you go, I might never see you again.”

“Other worlds? Is that what you’ve been hiding?!” Shimmer asked astounded.

“Now is a bad time.” Kitzu offered. “I’ll come to stay, but first I want to get my stuff, and secondly there’s a condition.”

“Which would be?” Shimmer asked.

“That you say nothing about my having been to other worlds.” Kitzu offered. “And I don’t wish to be brought to the attention of any pone in or connected to the royals. Not just yet.”

“And if I do?” Shimmer asked. “Not to mention certain ponies are already curious about who you are?” - Twilight for one.”

“I know you are Sunset Shimmer and not Sunrise Shimmer. Do you want to risk Princess Celestia finding out you are here? That is, I am under the impression you’ve been avoiding her?”

“Alright fine,” Shimmer replied feeling like she’d just experienced the tactical version of a sucker punch. Here was a filly she knew almost nothing about, who seemed to know far too much about her. As for Kitzu, Sunset using Sunrise had been a surprise, but not unexpected. It meant not having to explain her initials, or even her real name should any pone spot something with either on it. The first would be acknowledged, the latter as a mistake or jest.

⛅

Kitzu returned to Magnus’s apartment with him to retrieve her belongings only to find Mrs Gale had taken the liberty to wash and sort her belongings.

“Mrs Gale!? - I can take care of my own belongings!”

“So what is this contraption, and why do you have a reversible cloak from Princess Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns?”

“That’s a tree tent, it sets up in a tree, and the cloak belonged to my sister who was a unicorn.” The last part an out and out lie. Well sort of, as she did have a sister who was a unicorn. “And my books, where are my books? Those are confidential eyes only material!”

“Confidential… pft.”

“For Celestia’s sake, Miss Kitzu is a military officer, you can’t just go through her things.” Magnus chastised entering the room.

“Where are my books? - Please tell me you didn’t open anything?”

“On the shelf. And don’t worry, I didn’t look at anything."

“My uniform is magic clean only.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Where is it, please tell me you didn’t put it in a washer? - And what did you do with my peytral? - Please tell me you didn’t touch the spare uniform as well?”

“I only washed what you’d been wearing, and I didn’t recognize the fabric so I hoof washed it. It’s on the clothesline drying, and what’s a peytral?”

“The chest plate thingy that looks like the one Princess Luna wears. It’s got enchantments on it! It’s dangerous if miss hoofed!”

“Oh, dear. Mr Nimbus next door said he would polish it.”

“Ack! - There's an anti-theft enchantment on it!" Kitzu exclaimed, and ran out the door. She found Mr Nimbus backed into a corner being threatened by the image of Nightmare Moon. Furniture had been tumbled over, and household goods scattered. Kitzu scanned for the peytral, trotted over to it, and picked it up. The image of Nightmare Moon vanished.

“Mr Nimbus.”

He mouthed the words 'what in Celestia'?

“It’s an illusion to deter would-be thieves,” Kitzu explained, turned, and walked out the door. She then went to retrieve her uniform next. The uniform didn’t look like it’d been damaged being washed, After all, it was supposed to be able to hold up to rugged conditions, be puncture, tear and cut resistant, but she was concerned about what being hung on a line might do to it. Unfortunately, the best way to keep it from either shrinking or stretching in strange ways was to put it on while wet. She’d simply have to fly around with it on. At least it was a hot day.

“Oh, are these souvenirs?” Mrs Gale asked holding one of Kitzu’s lanterns as she walked back into the apartment. Kitzu just gave her a dirty look. “I’m just asking?”

“It’s real, they are all real, and they are dangerous in the hooves of ponies that mess with things they shouldn't be touching,” Kitzu replied crossly. Truth be told they were only dangerous if deliberately misused by a magic-user, and almost guaranteed to burn out if they were.

“Dangerous?” Mrs Gale asked softly.

"Specifically if mishandled, otherwise they are safe enough. Just don't mess with any of my stuff." Kitzu took the lamp and put it on a shelf followed by putting the peytral on another shelf. She then put her uniform on and walked to the door.

“Don’t – touch – anything – else,” Kitzu growled, walked out the door, and off the ledge allowing herself to drop down to where the heat of the vast open plains below would dry out the uniform.

“Right off hoof, I’d say you really blew it,” Magnus informed her.

“Teenagers can be so touchy,” Mrs Gale offered. “And for that matter why does she have so much money and jewels?”

“Touchy?” Magnus asked picking up a large black lock blade knife with straps for strapping it to a leg emblazoned with the old skull and wing of the Shadow Bolts. He activated a release mechanism and produced a long wicked looking blade big enough to be considered a sizable dagger. “Damn.”

“Oh my!”

Kitzu put her goggles on shortly after dropping, angled down, spread her wings, and pulled out of her dive. From there she chose to just let her wings carry her on the warm air coming up off the hot land below. Soaring with wings fully extended was easy. All she had to do was just hang in the air, and let the wind do all the work.

“Oh ya, that feels much better,” Kitzu told herself a few moments later when she’d cleared the shadow of Cloudsdale. Her pace was slow and easy, and the sun felt so good. She didn’t want to get too far from Cloudsdale, and just flew in big lazy circles, letting the occasional updraft lift her higher. When she was satisfied her waistcoat was dry enough she unbuttoned it to let the airflow underneath.

“Excuse me?” Called an appaloosa pegasus coming up alongside. He was mostly golden with a black and white mane, tail, and what looked to be a cloud formation with a lightning bolt on his rump. Kitzu cast a glance at him, he looked to be high school age. She knew him, she knew that thunder strike cutie mark, but the pony she knew was gone.

“Landlady washed my uniform. I’m drying it.”

“I don’t want any trouble, but why is a flier from the Ghost Squadron in Cloudsdale? - Also you are freaking out the earth ponies down on the ground.”

“I’m what?” Kitzu asked glancing over at him.

“Freaking out the Earth ponies.”

“Seriously? - I’m just drying my uniform.”

“They think you are one of the big birds of prey they have around here.”

“Farmers,” Kitzu said as she rolled her eyes. “Maybe if I went lower so they can tell I’m a pony?” Kitzu offered and dropped into a dive.

“Wait!”

Kitzu dove down to a small ranch to discover life playing out like it always does.

“Howdy stranger.” offered a big reddish stallion with a green mane.

“Hi. My name's Nightfoal. I’m a friend of Apple Bloom in Ponyville. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go bust some pony’s chops.”

“Pardon?”

“A certain pony up there told me you all were afraid of me because you thought I was a big old nasty bird of pray. - Naturally, I came down here to tell you, you don’t have to be afraid of me. - And now I feel like an idiot.”

“You’ll fit right in with the rest of Miss Apple Blooms friends then.” The pony offered. “Names Cinnamon, Apple Cinnamon.”

“Speaking of fitting in, if you could send word to Apple bloom let her know that Little Scoots did a darn foal thing, and has a broken wing.”

“Oh my gosh.” a mare said approaching. “What happened?”

“Flew into a thunderhead.”

“She did what?”

“That big one they just jump-started, flew in as every pone was getting out. - She’s OK, just won’t be doing any flying for a while. - OK, I kind of need to get going, I’m supposed to meet up with Scoots. Looks like I’m going to be moving in on her, and her mother.”

“Well, you take care,” Cinnamon offered.

“Goodbye,” Kitzu replied and flew up into the air.

“Ooo, right where he thinks.” The mare commented a few moments later. Cinnamon just cringed. “And I can see she’s a kind enough filly, she’s not going to just let him drop...”

“Spoke too soon.” Cinnamon offered just as Kitzu dropped the young stallion into the pig wallow. Kitzu hovered overhead just long enough to make sure he didn’t drown and then headed back up to Cloudsdale.

“Don’t give up son, I think she likes you.” Cinnamon offered as the young stallion lifted himself up out of the mud.

“She kicked me in the jewels, hit the nerves on my back to disable my wings, and dumped me in the mud! What makes you think she likes me?”

“Stuck around to make sure you didn’t drown.” Cinnamon offered with a grin.

“I’d hate to think what she’d do to me if she didn’t like me.”

“What say we get that pig mud off you before it hardens.”

🐷🐷🐷🐷🐴🐷🐷🐷🐷

Kitzu returned to the apartment to find Mrs Gale and Magnus attempting to repack her things. They weren’t having much luck, especially being they’d pulled out the outer shell for her uniform.

“Oh hey, your back,” Magnus said on seeing her.

“Everything has to be stacked in a specific order,” Kitzu offered punctuated with a sigh. There was also a spell that made the pack bigger on the inside, but a pony had to know how to activate the spell.

“Is this armor?” Magnus asked. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“My flight suit, along with the outer shell of my doublet is made from spider silk. Very tough material. - I’m sorry Mrs Gale, I was probably worried for nothing, it’s just that I’ve always been really careful about maintaining my gear. - It’s custom fit and worth a small fortune. - Those plates are the armor that goes over the top.”

“Oh, can you put it on and show us?” Mrs Gale asked.

“Another time, sorry. - I need to repack all this so I can get over to Dean Shimmer’s house. Scootaloo is probably wondering what’s become of me by now.”

“Oh dear, I’m sorry.” Mrs Gale offered.

“Listen, Mr Nimbus triggered the anti-theft charm on my peytral, why don’t you go see how he’s doing. He was kind of shook up.”

“Oh dear, I suppose I should.” Mrs Gale replied, and then left the apartment.

Kitzu let out a sigh, and began laying everything out using her levitation spell. “Want to see something cool?”

“And that would be?” Magnus asked.

“Watch this.” Kitzu offered, hovered into the air along with the armor. One by one the armor all went to the appropriate location buckling into place, complete with a helmet reminiscent of the one worn by Queen Moon. With the peytral finishing off the look, Kitzu looked quite formidable. Despite her small stature.

“Wow,” Magnus replied. “No earholes though? - Just sort of ridge-like section with a slight gap.”

“Covered flaps I can raise and lower,” Kitzu offered while popping out her ears to demonstrate, then popping them back in. “Let's face it, an exposed ear in hoof to hoof fighting is an invitation to lose an ear. Ear holes are also a terrible weakness in the armor that can be exploited. - Having my ears pinned back may not be the most comfortable thing, but beats the alternative.”

“What about when you outgrow it?”

“I suppose it’ll just be a souvenir then. - My cloak is already a bit tight in the shoulders.” Kitzu offered and began removing the armor. “Not like I can replace any of it. - Queen moon has given me orders not to return without permission, and gave me no way to contact her.”

“The war?”

“The war is over. And no, I don’t want to talk about it.” The room fell quiet for a moment or two, and then Kitzu started packing everything up. Her waistcoat and flight suit going into the pack last. The cap and goggles went into a saddlebag, and sunglasses came out.

“Well, I guess I just need my civvies.”

“I packed them up for you, want me to carry them?”

“Yes, thank you. - Any more, and I’ll sink through the clouds.”

“Didn’t you come in with all that stuff?” He had to laugh when Kitzu gave him a big smile. A short time later they were out the door, and on their way to the flight school where Shimmer lived.

“A tram, you want to take a tram?” Kitzu asked as they approached a tram station.

“I have no desire to lug your bags all the way there.” Magnus informed Kitzu. He’d two large suitcases. “How you managed to accumulate so much stuff when you are seldom here I don’t know.”

“I’ll try not to collect too much.” Kitzu offered. Her ears went down, and her head drooped. “Not too much longer, and I won’t have to hide anymore.” Magnus put a wing around her, and gave her a hug. The tram came, and they got on without saying a word. The tram was a small zeppelin with a gondola about the size of a mid sized bus pushed about by pegasi.

Kitzu sat quietly as she watched the cloud buildings go by. Kitzu always enjoyed how they got different colors by varying the density of the enchanted clouds. After all, pegasi could do magic, they just never really thought of it as magic, being all they were doing was packing clouds together. And yes, there was the ability to make solid objects hang in the clouds as though clouds were solid. “It’s nice to be able to look at the shops.” Kitzu offered after a while. “Downside is I can’t see the tops of the buildings.”

“You can see the tops of the buildings any time you want. - Speaking of buildings, tell me about the ruins you came across?”

“It was so quiet, peaceful, and yet I was on edge the whole time I was there. Didn’t even unpack any of my gear. Slept with my pack on and one eye open.”

“You’re not tired now?”

“Slept on the train. - I just felt safe on the train. - That and all that food I ate. - Apple Bloom saw me to the station.”

“Does she know?”

“I told her too much, and she figured it out.”

“So now what?”

“She’s going to keep my secret for now, and I get to put another friend back on my list.” Kitzu replied with a smile.

“What about Dean Shimmer. She’s been wanting to get you in her school.”

“I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. - I’m going to have to tell her something. - Pretty sure my education has been lacking academically, what with going back and forth. - As far as flight school goes I've surpassed what they teach at the high school.”

“I’m sure you’ll catch up. Academy then?”

“I wouldn't mind a deal similar to what big Scootaloo has.”

The two continued on in silence as the tram turned a corner and left the business district. A short time later they were passing through an upscale urban area, turned another corner which brought them to the front of the school.

“OK, we’re getting off here, come on.” Magnus announced as the tram pulled up to a stop. A few moments later they were standing on the walk out in front of the school, Magnus having nearly left Kitzu’s bags on the tram.

“Don’t tell me she lives at the school?” Kitzu asked.

“House is in back off to the right. - That’s as close as the tram will get us.”

“Alright, I guess… Lead on commander… or did you want me to take point?”

“You could just walk with me,” He offered as the two started walking again. It didn’t take too long, though walking did tend to make Kitzu antsy now. It wasn’t so much that she had to wait so long to be able to fly, it was just that flying was so much faster. A few minutes brought them around to the end of the building, a few more past the end, past some administration building until they finally came to the housing for the upper staff members. Shimmer hadn’t been there a long time, or perhaps she had, no pone was quite sure when she started but she had excelled in the ability to organize. Having studied under Princess Celestia her organizational skills were far and above what most pegasus were capable of, resulting in Shimmer quickly advancing right to the top of the leadership structure at the school. Sunset Shimmer, now known as the pegasus Sunrise Shimmer, was now the dean of the school, and had been provided with a fairly modest home.

“Not bad. Should we knock, or just walk in?” Kitzu offered as she walked up the steps.

“Both.” Magnus replied, rapped on a board specifically for that use, and opened the door. “Honey, I’m home!”

“Honey??” Kitzu asked astonished. “You’re joking, right? Right?”

“Sort of yes, sort of no.”

“Hi guys, what took you so long.” Scoots asked coming out to the entry hall to greet them.

“Mrs Gale got into my stuff, and washed my uniform. I had to put it on and fly around a bit to dry it. - Kind of need to lay it out, it’s still damp.”

“Why don’t I show you to your room then. - Shimmer is in her home office.”

“I’ll go say hi to Shimmer,” Magnus offered.

“Luggage?” Kitzu asked.

“Oh, right, right, I should probably help with that.”

“Come on,” Scoots offered, and showed them to an upstairs bedroom.

“This is nice,” Kitzu said as she entered the bedroom. “It’s a corner room part tower. - Do I really get all this to myself?” She asked as she put her pack on the floor, followed by her saddlebags and the straps that held everything together.

“What have you been staying in?” Magnus asked. “You weren’t exactly very open about where you were, and what you were doing.”

“A barracks when I was lucky enough to have a roof over my head. - I did have a decent sized room whenever I was in attendance to the queen, but most of the time I’d be bed down out in a tree or something like that. Whenever we were out in the field we always tried to bed down in places that could not be easily accessed, and could be defended such as the face of a cliff. There were times when we didn’t even get out our bed roles, and took turns sleeping. - Being nocturnal has a considerable disadvantage when your enemies are trying to find you while you are sleeping, and the light of day can betray you. Though it could be a blessing any time we could bivouac with day shift.”

“Sounds like you had it rough,” Scoots offered.

“Can I ask you a question?” Kitzu began as she headed for a wardrobe. “Why don’t you call Shimmer, mom? I mean she is technically your mom, and as far as the rest of Equestria knows, you are her daughter?”

Scoots went and sat on a sofa. Magnus set down Kitzu’s bags, and quietly excused himself, while Kitzu got her as yet still damp uniform out of her pack. Kitzu took the uniform over to the big windows, and laid it out on a rack devised of foxfire.

“Neat trick,” Scoots offered.

“Not going to answer my question?”

“She’s not my mom, OK?”

“Ooo touchy. - Listen, the only Luna I wasn’t able to call Muma, was Queen Moon. She always made sure to keep that distance from me, and I can kind of understand why.”

“But this isn’t even my world.”

“No, no it’s not. - It’s not really my world either,” We lost our world… and it’s my fault.”

“How could it be your fault?”

“I went back in time, and screwed everything up. - Buck it all, the original you is still in the human world attending Canterlot High from what Apple Bloom tells me. - Neither one of us should even exist.”

“Wait, does Apple Bloom know?”

“Yes, she figured it out, but that’s beside the point. - What I’m saying is that we just have to make do with the hand we’ve been dealt. - Just try opening up to her a little more. I mean, weren’t you the one who approached her in the first place. Take the plunge, and call her mom.” Kitzu got out her school cloak next, and laid it out on the bed.

“I did go to her, I wanted to know more about her. What with having no family of my own to speak of, when she offered to take me in I accepted. - Ever been tempted to stay in one of those other worlds?”

“I’d be lying if I said no,” Kitzu offered, opened up one of the bags Magnus brought over, and started putting things in the wardrobe. “I’d have a home with ponies that would be more than willing to take me in.” Kitzu paused for a moment. “Wouldn't be much different than when you came here, that is before the time lines smashed together. - If we hadn’t crossed paths, you’d probably still be telling yourself your memories were all some kind of fantasy cooked up by your subconscious.”

“It helped. A lot.” Scoots offered. “It’s nice to know that I’m not crazy.”

“And it’s nice to be remembered. It’s nice to not be alone. - Starting another life somewhere else where some of my own relatives aren’t even my relatives would be difficult. - The way I see it, all you have to do is just accept things as they are, and go with it. Me, I need to wait for history to repeat itself, and then try to convince my parents that I’m their foal.”

“And if they don’t accept you?” Scoots asked.

“I don’t know. I haven't really thought it out that far.”

“You could stay with me.” Shimmer offered from the doorway. “Rainbow Dash, and Twilight are already at odds, and if I’m to support you, and cut Twilight out of the picture I’d like some commitment from you.”

Kitzu’s ears went down. She then went to her saddlebags, and pulled out a book which she showed to Shimmer, and deposited it on a small writing desk. She then got out another book that looked nearly identical, and placed that with the first. A third book was retrieved followed by a forth, and finally a fifth. Each had her cutie mark on the cover, differing only by the addition of a number. Each had a short description added to the inside flap to identify the world. “The book I use to keep in touch with Magnus, the book I use to keep in touch with the world where Twilight is still a filly, oh and if any pone has mentioned a textbook left in Princess Luna’s personal library with dedications to a Miss Nova, that’s where it came from, the book where Twilight is a teen and Grand daughter of Princess Luna, the book where I have a counterpart my age, and finally the book my mother gave me so I could keep her up to date on what I’m doing. Of all the books, that last one, the one that is the most important, is the only one that hasn’t been responded to in nearly five years by my reckoning.” Kitzu dropped the camouflage hiding her horn, and then passed her number one book over to Shimmer via her magic. “Go on, read it. Being how you were eavesdropping, you might as well know everything. - That and being how I already know everything about you.” Kitzu hadn’t meant to be harsh, but her candid this is the way it is tone came across as harsh. She softened her tone, “Right now I’m just waiting to see if history repeats itself.”

“I see,” Shimmer replied. She knew what those books were, having one herself. Her tone sounded like she’d had the wind knocked out of her. Shimmer quietly went to the lounge by the window, sat down, and opened the book. The first entry was the word ‘test’ written in Twilight’s pen. This was followed by a list of bullet points detailing events starting with when Kitzu showed up in the ruins of the castle of the two sisters, along with each and every event deemed important by Twilight up to the point of starting the book along with dates and times. This was followed by a time travel spell that would allow the user a few moments to an hour to observe the past. Following that was everything a pony needed to build a time portal, and after that the logs were Kitzu was learning to control her ability to cross to other dimensions.

Kitzu sat down on the floor and leaned against the wardrobe. Magnus who’d been at the door went over to her and sat on the floor nearby. Kitzu had never once let him see that book. Not that he really needed to as he’d a good idea what was in it, so they just sat there, and waited while Shimmer read through the book.

Time dragged on, Scoots got up from the sofa she’d been on, and went over to Kitzu and sat down.

“Oh sweet Celestia.” Shimmer said very softly a short time later.

“Are you beginning to see the problem I have?” Kitzu asked. Shimmer didn’t say a thing, and just kept on reading. Kitzu then in a whisper asked if there was anything to eat?”

“Go on downstairs, I’ll stay here,” Magnus offered. “Not like I need to read that. I can guess at what’s in it.”

Kitzu got out one of her lamps, placed it on the desk, Magnus nodded that he understood, followed by Scoots, and Kitzu quietly getting up, and going down to the kitchen.

❇✳❇✳❇✳❇✳❇✳❇✳❇✳❇✳

“Listen, you’ll have to be the pone to do all the reaching. Hurts when I try.”

“Ooo hey, fish!” Kitzu announced discovering a package of smoked smelts in a cloud cupboard. The cloud cupboards were ingenious places that had been devised to keep things cool where the true temperature of the cloud was allowed to just do its thing.

“Well that didn’t take you long.” Scoots said then laughed.

“Here, have some, eat the whole thing, bones and all.”

“Bones and all?”

“Yep. Calcium, it’ll help you heal up, that and you were never a hard core vegetarian anyway. - Face it, you and I aren’t like other ponies, and you used to love sushi.”

“I did? - Mom bought those for you as a treat.” Scoots replied taking a small plateful.

“You said mom.”

“Did I?” Maybe it’s just having you around that’s making the difference?”

“Maybe you are starting to remember? - Listen, our Shimmer had been in a really close relationship with your mom.”

“Wait, she was?”

“Her being here was part of why you came over. She and your big sister.”

“Big sister is pretty awesome. - OK, ya, I can see that. I mean what with the combination of factors what with discord and living in hiding because of fear of deportation. Coming here just made sense. - I recall I wasn’t able to show any kind of close relationship because Shimmer was attending High school for the umpteenth time, but people did think we might be sisters.”

“You are remembering.” Kitzu offered while nibbling on a little fish. “I never said anything about Discord, and you’ve recalled a good deal of your old life.”

“Oh. - You don’t mean this is his doing?”

“It’s a safe bet he had a talon in it. - After I shorted out his powers, Princess Luna got it into her head to banish him. - Though in hind sight it might have been better to just sit on him till he promised to behave himself. The lamps I authored negate his powers, the ghost lamps are proof that all that happened.”

“There are ghost lamps scattered all throughout Equestria.”

“The effect was reduced, but he wasn’t able to get rid of them. - What’s more is they’ll never age so long as they’re stuck like that.”

“Cool, say can you get down the oat bites?”

“Where are they at?”

“Top, second cupboard over.”

Kitzu got down a box that read molasses oat bites. She opened the box, tried a hoof full, and then passed them down to Scoots. “Not bad. - I need something more substantial then junk food though. - Did Shimmer have anything planned? Assuming of course I didn’t just torpedo everything by letting her see that book.”

“Is the book that bad?”

“They thought I was dead, Twilight started using it for a diary, and then at some point she just put it on the shelf and never looked at it again. - Naturally I started writing in it to let every pone know that I was indeed very much alive. My entries kind of devolved into status posts where I have no friends on my friends list. - Oh, hey, this looks interesting.”

“Friends list? - Wait, how do you know your messages are even being received by the other book?”

“Because, five years ago, right before we crossed paths, I had the opportunity to check. - Ooo, an orange. When I returned five years ago, I teleported directly to the Moon Viewing hall. At that point I was just going to sneak out being my encounter with my younger self a month prior had proven this was in deed the world I’d been born into. My plan was to just sit tight till time caught up with me. But then I saw them, the crystal lights hanging in the trees. They were ethereal in nature, but the very lights I’d hung up only a few months before by my reckoning. In reality I’d been gone more like two years. As I’d the opportunity, I went to Princess Luna’s library where Twilight kept her two way diaries, and sure enough it was right there and they matched word for word.”

“Well why didn’t you just confront some pony?”

“Because I was convinced, and still am to some degree, that any interaction with anyone who could effect my time line could prove disastrous.”

“You could stop yourself from going back in time.”

“I doubt that’s even possible. It’d be a paradox, and I’d have to be a doppelganger of myself to do it. If I could somehow stop myself from going back in time then I wouldn't have gone back in time in the first place to be able to stop myself. - I’d be some kind of anomaly. - And the same holds true for anyone I talk to. Once they know what happened, they’ll no longer be able to prevent it from happening because it’ll be like it already happened, and the past can’t be changed by the future.”

“Sorry, you lost me.” Scoots offered, and then took a bite of oats.

“Oh, and the you that you are right now wouldn't exist.”

“Wait, how’s that work?”

“You came over during the altered time line. The you that belongs to this time line didn’t, and lets keep in mind that so long as there is any kind of connection between dimensions the time lines will remain consistent.” “You’d never have known the joy of flying all on your own.”

“OK, whatever misgivings I might have had, it’s the flying part that makes it all worth while. I love to fly. It’s the greatest thing ever. - Kitzu...” Scoots went to a chair, and sat down, and rubbed her forehead. Kitzu stopped scrounging for food, and went over to Scoots.

“I might not be able to speed up your wing healing, but I think I can do something about that headache.” Kitzu pulled a chair up to her, sat down in it, and lit up her horn. “Do you trust me?” Kitzu leaned over, and nuzzled Scoots.

“What are you doing?”

“Shhh, just let it happen.”

“Are you purring? You’re purring. - Can ponies purr? - I can’t purr. - Why can’t…”

“You done?”

“Whatever it is you are doing, it seems to be working.” Scoots commented, and closed her eyes. “So how come you don’t call Princess Twilight mother, you always seem to refer to her and Princess Luna by title and name?” Kitzu’s purr stopped, and she sat back in her chair. “Did I just hit a land mine?”

“Sort of.” Kitzu offered, sat there for a moment, and let out a sigh. “The other worlds I’ve been visiting, not a one of the Twilight’s was my mother. Or even had a foal like me. Two were teens, and one was a little filly. - The habit of referring to someone as mother, mom, or muma, all dies away.”

“I see.”

“That’s part of why I think you should call Sunset mom. - By the way, how does your big sister feel about you showing up out of the blue like that?”

“She’s about as mystified as the rest. - Twilight and every pone back in Ponyville all assumed I was their Scootaloo being they’d all forgotten about my older half sister. - No pone seemed to be aware that there was two of us for some reason.”

“How’s her horn development?”

“She’s got a right proper horn. Main reason they sent her to the junior Wonderbolt academy was so she could have access to Princess Celestia’s school.”

“So on the surface she’s a cadet, but in actuality they are teaching her how to control her magic.”

“That’s about it.”

“I figured as much. Know what, I’m kind of jealous.” Kitzu stated. “Gets to hang out with Wonderbolts, and learn magic.”

“Any of the Wonderbolts ever been to the top of a thunder head?”

“Doubt it… oh no, they’re bound to make a big deal out of this.” Kitzu responded, got up from her chair and headed upstairs.

Kitzu arrived in the bedroom just as Shimmer was about to go looking for her, and found herself clenched in a tearful embrace.

“What have you been through? - What have you been through?” Shimmer asked. Shimmer was shaking, Kitzu hugged her back.

“It’s going to be alright, there’s a happy ending, I make it back.” Kitzu offered. Sunset’s distress had disarmed Kitzu’s emotional defenses.

“If only there was some way, let me talk to Twilight.” Shimmer asked.

“Princess Twilight… mom – already has all the information she needs to stop my going back in time.” Kitzu offered. “Something caused nearly every pone to forget everything. - Maybe it’s just kinder this way. - Are you going to be the pone who tells my mom that her six year old is going to be taken from her, and there’s nothing that can be done about it?”

“What about your diary?” Shimmer asked.

“At first I wanted my family to know I was alright.” Kitzu paused for a few moments. “Never occurred to me there’d be no reply. They’ve just put it up, some pone, sooner or later some pone is going to get it down, and see that I’m alright. After a while it got to be a habit. I’d write down where I was, and the highlight of my day. That I was alright. - It never crossed my mind that they’d completely forgotten about me.”

“There are a bunch of entries where you are anything but alright.”

“Serving Queen Moon,” Kitzu had dropped into a whisper. “I suppose once I’d retrieved my books I could have left any time I wanted, but I just couldn't bring myself to leave them when they were so desperate. I made lots of good friends.” Kitzu breathed in heavy, her breath ragged. “So many. They’re gone now. All my friends, all of them, and I've done some horrible things. - Why didn’t I just turn my back on them once I’d given them the tool they needed?” At that point all the emotions came boiling up to the top and manifested in a flood of tears. Kitzu is after all only a thirteen year old filly. “Why did I let myself get so attached to ponies I’d likely never see again anyway?” Kitzu said the last while burying her face in Shimmer’s chest while crying.

“I finally come back, and Scoots nearly got herself killed.” Kitzu added once she’d managed to gain control of her emotions. “Magnus is tough, I’m sure he’d have made it... - Ten months ago I’d have been helpless to do a thing. - And the storms… Sombra used them as weapons against the very land. Whole communities wiped from the face of Equestria.”

“How do you fight something like that?” Magnus asked having come up alongside Shimmer who was still embracing Kitzu.

“It’s all we could do to get ponies evacuated from the path of the storms. We found that we could isolate Sombra’s mind controlled ponies, and brake his hold with the enchantment of my lamps, but it was difficult. We ended up making thousands of them so we could distribute them. - One for every pony in Equestria to keep him from using his mind control on them.”

“And you beat him?” Sunset asked.

“We beat him. - Do you know what happens when a pony teleports while moving at a high rate of speed? Do you know what happens when that speed is mach one or mach two?” Kitzu asked with her head down. Shimmer held her back to try to look in her eyes. “They used me. - They used me as a weapon.” Queen Moon didn’t send me packing because I’m all torn up inside about losing so many friends, she sent me packing so I couldn't be used anymore.”

“Sweet Celestia.” Sunset whispered.

“I don’t get it?” Magnus asked.

“Have you ever been next to a unicorn when they teleported?” Shimmer asked.

“I have. There’s a rush of air.” Magnus replied as he mulled it over. “Oh don’t tell me?”

“The faster the spell caster is going, the greater the effect.” Sunset offered. “Never occurred to me the effect could be weaponized.”

“So then if Rainbow Dash could teleport at the moment of creating a rainboom...”

“The effect would be devastating.” Kitzu offered. “The rainboom, which is just a colorful sonic boom, is by itself enough to shatter glass in windows just by being too close to buildings.”

“Ummm, Kitzu?” Scoots asked approaching in the hall.

“We, kind of had a break down.” Shimmer explained. “Both of us.”

“I want to go home, but I can’t.” Kitzu said in a soft tone not really meant for the others. “Not just now… maybe soon, I’m not sure.”

“Kitzu, weren’t you worried about the media attention diving into that thunder cell is going to bring?” Scoots asked.

“Oh, I wouldn't worry too much.” Magnus offered. “They’ll be looking for a member of the Ghost squadron more likely. - What say we get cleaned up, and go to that welcome back party we had planned?”

“Ya, I suppose I probably need a bath, too.” Kitzu admitted, and let out a sigh.

“Sorry, no baths in Cloudsdale, just showers.” Scoots informed.

“Oh right.” Kitzu replied. “Leave it to Pegasi.”

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A short time later we find a much cleaner, and considerably floofier Kitzu with her mane combed down instead of braided. However when she went to put on something nice she discovered that in the year she’d been gone she’d outgrown all her fancy clothes. Her present fluffed out state didn’t help either.

“You’re not seriously thinking of wearing that are you?” Shimmer asked as Kitzu got her peytral out.

“Watch this.” Kitzu offered casting a spell on the peytral. A moment later the modified pendent with two gems, one large, one small emerged from the peytral, it’s colors reversing from a light colored crescent moon and two stars with black background to that of the dark crescent and stars on a white background. Kitzu fastened it to a ribbon, and hung it from her neck. She then got a small hoof bag on a long strap, and hung that around her neck as well. “I’d feel absolutely naked without my pendant.”

“That’s not some powerful magic talisman is it?” Shimmer asked.

“Crystals will shatter if misused.” Kitzu offered. “Otherwise, kind of sort of. - It’s most dangerous feature is it could allow any being in possession the ability to bypass security measures at the palace. Queen moon set it so it should only work for me, but I’d still be iffy about losing it.”

“I see, well come on, we’ve time, lets go get you a new party outfit.” Sunset said, left Magnus to watch after Scoots who’d decided to lay down for a bit, and a few moments later were out the door.

“We taking the tram?” Kitzu asked as they walked down the path in front of the house.

“Be faster if we fly.”

“Oh good. Show me the way and I’ll play like I’m your little duckling.”

Sunset asked Kitzu if she was ready, turned to look only to discover that Kitzu had her wings stretched all the way out, legs tucked up under her, and hanging in the air nearly motionless. “Impressive, come on,” Shimmer offered, spread her wings, and a moment later the two were on their way.

A short time later they’d arrived outside a brand new dress shop in the retail district. This specific area had a lot of tourist oriented shops as well, along with walk ways that could be used by unicorns and earth ponies.

“How about this shop, looks brand new?” Sunset offered in front of one. The presence of a pegasus in royal guard uniform didn’t seem to phase her.

“Gossamer Wings,” Kitzu said looking at the name of the shop. The name rings a bell, but Kitzu ignores it unconcerned regarding the presence of a palace guard so accustomed as she was to having guards about. To her the presence of a palace guard was akin to being home. Together they enter.

“Welcome to Gossamer Wings,” Rarity said shortly after they entered.

“Aaaaa...” Kitzu said softly on recognizing Rarity's voice. It took her only a moment to zero in on Rarity.

“Lady Rarity, I had no idea you were in Cloudsdale?” Shimmer offered. The tone in her voice indicated she was genuine, and had truly been caught by surprise. There are two more palace guards in the front corners of the shop trying to be as invisible as a palace pegasus could. Both cast a glance at Kitzu, and then back at each other. They seemed to be trying to communicate through facial expressions as what to do next.

“Oh, Dean Shimmer.” Rarity replied recognizing Shimmer. “Darling, I’m so glad you could make it to our grand opening of our Cloudsdale branch. - What can we do for you today?”

“A party dress, nothing fancy though.” Shimmer informed Rarity.

“Anything for you.”

“Oh no, not for me, for our young Miss Nightfoal.” Shimmer corrected. “She only just arrived in Cloudsdale this afternoon, and needs a new outfit.”

“Good afternoon, Lady Rarity.” Kitzu offered punctuated with a polite bow. Kitzu was keeping an eye on the guards, who were doing likewise to her.

“My, aren’t we the polite young filly. - Well come along then. - Tell me, what sort of party was it?”

“Just an informal get together at a diner.” Sunset informed as Rarity directed them further into the store.

“A diner you say. - So is she one of your students?”

“Undecided as to whether or not I’ll be enrolling her. I’m looking after her while she’s in Cloudsdale.”

“I’m technically the ward of Lady Aiko of Fox Haven.” Kitzu offered. “A portion of my education requires traveling.” The two guards look at each other mouthing the name Lady Aiko.

“I’d imagine that must be rough on a pony of your age.” Rarity offered.

“Afraid I’ve outgrown all the outfits I left here last year.”

“Well how about a sun dress.” Rarity said while going to a rack, and pulling down a long white dress with different colored roses printed on it. The shoulders were covered, it had short sleeves, but it had a plunging v-neck in front. The dress was open on the bottom sweeping back with wavy edges. “Lets have you try this on.”

“It’s pretty.” Kitzu went behind a screen, and put it on.

“It’s very pretty on you.” Shimmer offered as Kitzu stepped out from behind the screen.

“To tell the truth, I designed that for Princess Kitzumi.” Rarity informed them. “I’ve no idea what I was thinking, she’s just a little filly, but it does seem to suit you quite well.”

“Managing your business, creating new designs, court functions, and Twilight’s school… I don’t know how you do it?” Shimmer commented.

“Perhaps you intended it for Miss Nova?” Kitzu asked.

“Oh, yes of course. You are about the same size, you’re a little smaller, though I think you've a considerably more muscular build.” Rarity offered. “I am slipping. - I’m afraid dear sweet Miss Nova is going to be rather upset with me, as I’d been promising her this very dress. I will just simply have to make her another dress.”

“So how is Miss Nova? I haven't seen her since I was just a little filly.”

“Spending the summer with Trixie of all ponies.” Rarity offered eyeing Kitzu’s pendant. “I believe they are due at the Apple Cinnamon ranch any time now.”

“Are they?” Kitzu asked as the bell for the door jingled.

“I’m on official business.” Called the voice of Rainbow Dash as she entered the shop.

“Is there something you need?” Rarity asked sounding a bit put out by Rainbow Dash’s presence.

“Gee, nice to see you too, Lady Rarity.” Dash offered.

“Hi Rainbow Dash.” Kitzu offered with a cheerful tone. “I’m back.” The two guards look back and forth, their expression going to annoyance.

“Did you dump a high school colt in a pig wallow?” Dash asked. “While dressed in a Ghost Squadron uniform?”

“It’s not a Ghost Squadron uniform, and yes I did.” Kitzu replied.

“Kitzu?” Shimmer asked astonished.

“Why?” Dash asked.

“Because he made a foal out of me… and because he’s identical to a colt I liked who went and got himself killed. - Did Magnus tell you the trouble I got myself into?”

Dash just looked at her for a moment. The room had grown silent. Dash went over to Kitzu, and gave her a hug.

“What? Trouble? Killed?” Rarity asked astonished. “Shimmer?”

“Our Miss Nightfoal has a talent for getting herself into trouble.” Shimmer offered. “Scoots as well.”

“I’ve already been by the house.” Dash offered. “Kitzu, you here to stay this time?”

“Now hold on one minute.” Rarity insisted “I demand to know what’s going on!”

“Our Miss Nightfoal here was traveling abroad, and got herself mixed up in a conflict a long ways away,” Dash informed Rarity. Or at least that’s the gist of it. “Afraid I can’t really tell you much about it. - I came back to Cloudsdale for two reasons, because Magnus had let me know Miss Nightfoal was on her way home, and I figured this would be the best place to catch her after having missed her at Ponyville, Shortly after arriving I heard that Scoots had gotten hurt because of doing something really stupid and went over to Shimmer’s house. I also wanted to drop in to wish you good luck with your shop. - I’m just lucky I caught up with Kitzu here.”

“How’d you find out about Scoots?” Kitzu asked.

“Ran into Apple Cinnamon at the station. He was sending a telegram, told me about his encounter with you, I reported in at the local Wonderbolt office where I was informed of your exploits, went straight to Magnus’ apartment, and then to Shimmer’s house. From there I followed you to the shopping district, saw the guard outside, and asked if he’d seen Dean Shimmer in the company of a fox filly. - Now do me a favor, don’t leave town till I can straiten things out.”

“Am I going to be in trouble?” Kitzu asked. “And I was kind of hoping to go see Nova.”

“I think I can straiten everything out, after all this is Equestria were all is forgiven. Isn’t that right Rarity?” Dash offered.

“You’re the one that said no to Twilight’s school, and won’t help her find that filly who seems to have access to the palace calling herself Kitzumi.”

“Rarity, my dream has always been to be a Wonderbolt. Being a Wonderbolt is a full-time job. I just couldn't do both. Maybe when I can’t be a Wonderbolt anymore I’ll teach. As nerve-wracking as it is to look after foals not my own, I’ll consider it as a second career. But you and Twilight have got to realize that I shouldn't have to give up my dreams to fulfill some pony else’s dream. That just isn’t fair to me. - And for that matter, how long do you think you’re going to get away with burning the candle at both ends?”

“Don’t change the subject.” Rarity protested. “Kitzumi?”

“If Princess Celestia hadn’t scared her away, you wouldn't have to ask about her,” Dash replied. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go talk to some ponies to let them know what’s going on concerning the little incident with a certain colt. - Kitzumi, what uniform were you wearing anyway?”

“I served the armies of Queen Moon of the Moon kingdom as an Ensign. I’m a Shadow Bolt.” Kitzu offered.

“I can’t tell anyone that!” Dash protested on hearing the words ‘Shadow Bolt’. The eyes on the two guards widened considerably. “Lest ways not the Shadowbolt part.”

“Fastest courier they ever had.”

“Fine, I guess I can tell them you are a courier from another country.”

“Moon kingdom. - On indefinite leave. - Best not to make anything up less I get caught on a lie.”

“Fine, I suppose I can say that much.” Dash relented. “Moon Kingdom courier on Indefinite leave?”

“Her majesty, Queen of the Moon Kingdom ordered me to go home, and never come back.”

“We can discuss the finer details later.” Shimmer offered. “But I think Moon Queen wanted Miss Nightfoal out of her kingdom for their own good, Her’s and Kitzu’s. It was her way of protecting Kitzu.”

“I’m dying to hear the details.” Dash offered. “Just one thing. You seriously went from barely being able to fly to the fastest?”

“Got my flight feathers.” Kitzu offered and extended a wing careful not to knock anything over. “Bet I could out fly Soarin now. He’s welcome to come to the party if he’s with you.” Kitzu folded her wing back up.

“Sweet. Maybe later we can go flying together,” Dash offered.

“We’ll be at the Dewdrop Inn in about an hour,” Shimmer offered.

“Not going to the Dive?” Dash asked with a wink.

“I’m not taking fillies to that dive, honestly Dash.” Shimmer scolded. Dash smiled. “Oh, one other thing...” Shimmer stepped up to whisper in Dash’s ear. “Get word to Cadet Scootaloo, and tell her that under no condition is she to attempt a teleport while flying.”

“No teleport… while flying?” Dash asked dropping into a whisper. “Don’t you have to be relatively stationary to teleport?”

“Kitzu can do it. I’m to understand the results can be devastating depending on the speed one is traveling. Scootaloo might be able to do it, if not now, some time in the near future. - Kitzu has had it rough, I just want to ease her back into being a filly if I can.”

“I see, I’ll do that. - Alright, see you at the Dewdrop in about an hour. - Oh, and Rarity, you can come too if you’d like.”

“But what about Kitzumi?” Rarity asked still not realizing that Miss Nightfoal was the same Kitzumi who’d been such a mystery.

“She’s the guest of honor.” Rainbow offered, waved, and walked back out the door.

“I’d like this dress.” Kitzu offered once Dash was gone. “How much is it?”

“For you, only seventy nine bits.” Rarity offered.

“Seventy nine?” Sunset asked.

“Darling, that’s the sale price.”

“It’s alright I’ve got that much on me.” Kitzu offered getting some money out of her bag. “It’ll just about clean me out though. Would you consider a gem as partial payment?”

“You don’t have to pay for it, I’ll cover the cost.” Sunset offered.

“I am a little curious about the gem.” Rarity offered. Kitzu got out a small gem and hoofed it over. It was a rather pleasant stone of pale pink that picked up the light every bit as well as the finest diamond. “Why it’s exquisite, but I can’t say for sure what manner of stone this is? - Where did you get this?”

“As I wasn’t going to be able to use the currency from the kingdom I was in, I was paid off in an assortment of gemstones.” Kitzu offered. “I gather it’s a semi-precious stone, but I’ve no idea what it or any of the others I have are worth.”

“Well, no need to worry about.” Rarity offered. “Nor could I take that in good conscious without knowing what it’s worth. I might overvalue, or undervalue it. Either way, one of us loses. Might be best to get them appraised.”

_______________:rainbowdetermined2:_______________

A short time later Dash has arrived at a local government building, she lands on the steps, and walks in. The floors are all tiled in the material that allows earth and unicorn ponies access, a number of whom are outside milling about on their way to or from offices. Dash ignores them, and heads for a side hall that leads to an office marked official access only. She enters, Soarin is waiting inside along with a number of other Wonderbolts.

“Well?” Soarin asked. “Are there Ghost Squadron fliers causing trouble? - I know you asked us to stand by while you checked it out, but I’m not too keen on sitting idle while there are members of the night wing causing trouble.”

“That all the welcome back I get?” Dash asked going up to him. “The pony in question is the very pony I came out here to see. And she’s no Ghost squadron flier. She’s barely in her teens. She’s the young filly who stays with Magnus now and then when she’s in Cloudsdale.”

“That isn’t the same filly Princess Twilight is so interested in, is she?” Soarin asked. “The one that all the palace guards seem to know about, but no pony seems to want to talk about?”

“The same.” Dash offered. “She got caught up in a… how do I explain this… she got drafted on one of her trips. I gather she has a uniform that is similar to the Ghost Squadron. Our Ensign Nightfoal is Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal. Princess Kitzumi’s older twin. Kind of how we’ve two Scootaloos.”

“Yes, we’ve discussed how she’s connected to little Scoots.” Soarin replied. “What was it she wanted, to be remembered? - And yet she goes out of her way to avoid us. Well, except you.”

“She trusts me, and I don’t want to betray her trust. Oh, and Soarin, you are invited to the party too, so you’ll get to meet her in about forty minutes from now. And no one else. We all know this filly is capable of defeating palace security. The last thing I want is for some pony to spook her. I gather she’s been through some heavy stuff in the past year, and the last thing we want to do is spook her. - I’ve advocated a hooves off approach these last five years for the simple reason that I honestly believe that if anything were to happen to her we’d all end up regretting it. A lot.”

“Apparently something did happen to her.” One of the other Wonderbolts pointed out.

“My understanding from Magnus is she can jump from one dimension to the next.” Dash explained. “Let’s not forget she can do magic as well as fly. - Also I need some pony to run an urgent message to the Canterlot Academy.”

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Kitzu walks into the diner with Shimmer right behind her. Magnus, Scoots, and Wind Rider are already there.

“That was some impressive flying today,” Wind Rider offered as they approached. “How were you doing that?”

“I’m a fox pony, I can use magic,” Kitzu offered. Wind Rider had no idea Kitzu was an immature alicorn, and she liked it that way. Wind Rider just rolled his eyes having heard the same line many times before.

Kitzu and Shimmer sat down at the table, and were delighted when Rarity showed up.

“Aww, come on guys, you can have something too,” Kitzu called to Rarity’s three shadows. They declined saying they couldn’t. Kitzu went over to them, addressed them by name, and told them she wanted at least two of them bookending Rarity on account she looked like she was ready to fall asleep at any moment. They reluctantly agreed, nor was it entirely a ruse to get at least two of them to sit down.

Kitzu was about to sit down again when Dash and Soarin arrived. She gave Dash a hug, and offered a hoof bump to Soarin. Soarin seemed a bit hesitant and extended his hoof slowly. There'd been more strength in that bump than he'd expected. A moment later they sat down, and beckoned to the waitress to bring them menus.

“So, I hear you’re quite the flier,” Soarin commented looking at Kitzu past his menu which was presently upside down.

“I remember the hay burgers here were mighty nice.” Kitzu offered. “Ben a while since I had one.”

“She rescued me from that big thunderhead.” Scoots offered.

“All the way to the top,” Magnus informed them. “There’s a sublime beauty about the top of a flat top.”

“I didn’t think that was even possible?” Soarin asked. He was skeptical even after having heard eye witness accounts.

“It requires the proficient use of magic.” Kitzu offered. “Being a good flier isn’t enough on account of the air being so thin up there.” Kitzu held out a hoof, and produced a flame of foxfire. “I can project a screen onto my goggles, and use it to predict my best course through the storm. I can fly in pitch blackness, or a forest if need be, but that’s not what’s needed to go to the top of a flat top. That’s forty thousand horns give or take, or if you want that in hooves we are talking one hundred and sixty thousand hooves above sea level. Two things are needed at that altitude, protection from the cold to prevent hypothermia, and a supply of good sweet air. I can cast a shield spell, and pull it in tight. The shield provides protection, and traps air. - The sweet air is the air closest to sea level.”

“So in order to get that high?” Soarin asked.

“You need an updraft to get up there.” Shimmer offered. “I’ve done the math on it. - Some ponies can manage nine to ten thousand, but going any higher becomes problematic.”

“I can use a variation on a hover spell in the absence of an updraft, but even then I’ll top out at around twelve thousand.”

“A hover spell?” Soarin asked.

“That’s how she was overcoming her lack of proper flight feathers.” Dash offered. “Watching her fly was nerve wracking.”

“Just crossing the gaps in the clouds was a challenge for her.” Magnus offered.

“Speaking of young fliers pushing their limits, I’m putting together an impromptu rally at the school tomorrow to address today’s incident.” Shimmer began while looking Soarin in the eyes. “Any chance I can get the two of you to come. You and Dash?”

“We’d love to.” Dash offered.

“Um, Rainbow Dash,” Kitzu said, Kitzu had a far away sad look in her eyes. “I think you’ll need to be at the castle of the two sisters tomorrow.”

“Kitzumi?” Sunset asked.

“The arrival of Princess Skystar, on the same day as Thunderlane putting himself out of commission from over eating, and Aunt Rars opening a store in Cloudsdale.” Kitzu offered just as Rarity reached over and bumped the side of Kitzu’s horn.

“Aha, you’re hiding a horn!” Rarity proclaimed. “And to think you’ve been right under my muzzle.”

“A horn?” Wind Rider said under his breath.

“You think tonight’s the night?” Sunset asked unfazed by Rarity’s discovery.

“I’m not one hundred percent certain, or if it’ll even happen at all. But yes, tonight, or tomorrow should be about when I went back in time. - Rarity being in Cloudsdale was the missing piece."

“Oh my word, back in time? You’re saying you are our Kitzumi? Why didn’t you just say something?” Rarity asked. She was stunned, and not sure she could believe it, but Shimmer was presently acting like she’s known all along.

“I did. I told Princess Celestia exactly who I was, but she acted like I was an intruder to be dealt with accordingly. - Waitress, I’d like to order.”

“Wait, wait, what? I thought you were just from another dimension?” Dash asked.

“I did kind of give them the idea I was from another dimension, and maybe I am. I have been bouncing back and forth a bit. Another time line would be more accurate. Same one Scoots is from. A time loop if I want to be more precise. Also understand that if you were to take off now, and somehow prevent history from repeating, this Scoots will cease to exist. Along with who ever else is from that alternate time line.” Kitzu offered. “Still doesn’t excuse Princess Celestia for treating me like an intruder.”

“Explain?” Rarity asked sounding just a bit cross.

“From my point of view I was home.” Kitzu offered. “I went back in time. By interacting with the ponies there, a brand new time line was created. Later on the two time lines mashed together. Most ponies so far as I can tell only remember the original time line. The ghost lamps are a product of the altered time loop. - It’s all detailed in Twilight’s copy of our trans-dimensional diary. - When I got back, that day I took care of my younger counterpart, I was convinced I’d screw up my time line if I hung around, and Princess Celestia didn’t exactly give me any reason to stick around.”

“Are you ready to order?” The waitress asked approaching the table.

“I need to get to Ponyville.” Rarity said with a hint of desperation.

“You really should eat first.” Kitzu offered.

“How can you be so calm?” Rarity asked. She was quite perplexed at Kitzu’s live and let live attitude towards the situation.

“Because to her it’s history.” Dash offered. “Right, I’m not going to fly on an empty stomach. Waitress, I’ll have a hay burger, sweet potato fries, and an iced coffee.”

“Same for me, except I’ll have the strawberry malt.” Kitzu offered.

“But, but?” Rarity protested.

“You know as well as I do how well Twilight’s attempts at changing the outcome of events already set in time have gone.” Dash offered. “The best we can do at this point is to be there when it happens.”

“And somehow convince my mother I’m no longer a little filly.” Kitzu offered.

“You’re still a little filly in my book.” Magnus offered.

“My going from six years old to thirteen is going to be a shock to her.”

“You’re serious?!” Soarin asked astonished.

“But are you sure you are our Kitzumi?” One of the guards asked. “I mean, you are obviously the young alicorn that took care of our little Kitzumi, but are you the same pony as our little princess.”

“Obviously?” Rarity asked.

“It’s her cutie mark.” Offered the guard who’d chosen to remain standing. “There isn’t a pony in the palace who doesn’t know that cutie mark, and we are under orders from Princess Luna not to hinder her unless it’s absolutely necessary. - There is also a book in Princess Luna’s library with the same cutie mark. Odd thing about the book is the moment some pony tries to open it, they immediately think of something they need to do, put the book back up, and go do whatever it was that popped into their head. On top of that not one pone has asked why? - Miss Kitzumi, you came back about a month later, Identified yourself as Tsuki Nymn. You recognized Kalevan only he didn’t know who you were. Considering there is no Tsuki Nymn on staff, that’s not too surprising. Based on the description we figured Tsuki Nymn was the same pony as the young alicorn who’d identified herself as Kitzumi Silvermane from another world.”

“Wait, does Twilight know about this?” Rarity asked.

“Know about it, she was furious. - How she even knew I’d been in contact with her I’m a little hazy on yet.” Dash informed Rarity. “She kept pushing me till I was able to convince her that Kitzu needs to come back on her own when she was ready.”

“A search of the school’s records turned up a Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal, listed as Princess Luna’s adopted daughter.” The guard continued.

“It did?” Kitzu asked, her heart leaping in her chest.

“Aside from the guards, Princess Luna is the only pony who was told about the record. - Princess Twilight and Princess Celestia were intentionally left in the dark, and only know there is a doppelganger that showed up at the palace.” One of the guards sitting next to Rarity offered. “It was thought that since she didn't seem to be afraid of the guards, maybe we could talk her into coming in out of the cold if we’d a chance so we could try to work out who she is.”

“Luna had an adopted daughter?” Rarity asked astonished. “Why can’t I remember that?”

“So that’s why Princess Luna went along with Rainbow’s idea of a hands off approach.” Soarin commented. “Princess Celestia wasn’t too keen on the idea, but Princess Luna put her hoof down.”

“Kind of wish I’d known about that.” Kitzu replied with a wishful tone.

“And no one could remember?” Rarity asked.

“I did.” Magnus stated. There was an edge to his tone. “Star Swirl does too, or at least did. Not sure about the others from my time. - For what little good it did me. - Little Scoots here remembered, but no pone payed her much attention. - Might have helped if I’d have known about the school record.”

“So far as am I sure this is my world or not, baby kitzu’s thought’s were flooding into mine, and I remembered the encounter from when I was a baby. It was the strangest feeling of I’ve already been here and done this,” Kitzu explained. “I’ve met another version of myself in another dimension, but there was no overlap of thoughts like I experienced with my baby self. - I was also able to look at Twilight’s book. It appeared to be identical, though I can’t say why no pony else seems to be able to read it short of there is a spell...”

“Can’t or won’t?” Magnus asked.

“Twilight was using it as a diary towards the end of her entries. - I got caught in-between when the time lines mashed together. - It’s possible a certain individual wanted every pony to forget. You see, he was responsible for what happened at Fluttershy’s cabin. And while I can’t prove it, I think he mashed the timelines together just so...”

“He who, just so what?” Rarity asked still feeling a bit flustered.

“Perhaps everyone should order?” Kitzu offered.

“Yes, we should probably order.” Shimmer offered realizing they’d been openly discussing the matter with the waitress standing there. One by one each ordered something including the guard who’d been standing having decided to pull up an extra chair. It was going to be a long night.

“Who else but the master of deception and disharmony.” Kitzu offered in a hushed voice once the waitress had gone to put the orders in. “Princess Luna, and Twilight had taken him into the human world, and left him there destroying the portal on their return. He was marooned, powerless without his magic.”

“What you are suggesting is that individual from that time line somehow managed to free himself from the human world by restoring the time line.” Shimmer offered.

“That’s about it, except it’s impossible to set a time line back to the way it was, not completely, not once it’s been altered.” Kitzu replied. “That’s how we ended up with an extra Scootaloo. - I’m also not one hundred percent certain everything I remember will even happen. - Two timelines getting mashed together could easily have created a brand new time line built up of elements of both.” Kitzu was starting to sound exasperated at the prospect.

“Yep, you are definitely Twilight’s daughter.” Dash offered. “You going to come with us?”

“No.” Kitzu replied quietly.

“What do you mean no?” Rarity asked both concerned, and a little bit angry. “You’re sitting there telling me you are our Kitzumi, that you went back in time, and you are not going to go see your own mother?”

“I was in combat four days ago.” Kitzu replied firmly. Perhaps a bit too firm. Kitzu took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. “I need time. - I know my mother well enough to know she’s going to go crazy. You know as well as I do that that as soon as she starts to collect herself, she’s going to make a list of every place I might be, and will insist on searching every conceivable location. I don’t want to be there for that. If I just walk in, having aged seven years with her remembering nothing of me, I’m not sure she’ll be able to accept me. - That and I’m not sure I want to be there while everything is going crazy. - I don’t want to be there when it happens. - I think it best I wait.”

“I suppose that’s a reasonable enough thing to do.” Shimmer offered.

“Reasonable?” Rarity asked. “Let’s not forget she’s been looking for her, even if she doesn't have a clue about the truth, she still wants to find this Kitzumi.”

“I’m not going to push her. - And she’s right about the lists.” Dash offered. “Kitzu, might be nice if you were somewhere nearby.”

“We’ll see.” Kitzu offered. “Let Twilight search in every conceivable location. For my own piece of mind as well.”

“Lets let Kitzu take it at her own pace.” Magnus offered.

“I just don’t want to be anywhere nearby when it happens.” Kitzu offered. “I’m scared. More scared then I ever was facing off against… against the shadow empire.” Kitzu had no desire to say Sombra’s name there in the diner. If that much was overheard it could cause a panic. “What happens if what ever it was that sent me back in time doesn’t just effect six year old me, but the me I am now?”

“You also have a duty to fulfill.” Magnus informed her while giving Wind Rider the signal to shut it.

“Duty?” Kitzu asked.

“If you ask me, you are being a coward.” Wind Rider quipped.

“What would you know?!” Kitzu retorted harshly. “Aren’t you the one who tried to frame Rainbow Dash because you were afraid she’d get credit for breaking your long distance speed record?”

“Not to mention never having the guts to commit to a relationship with any pone.” Magnus scolded.

“Or been in combat.” Kitzu continued. “I saw combat at the age of twelve. But that is nothing compared to being stuck between worlds in limbo. I lost everything when I went back in time. It only took moments to lose close to two years, and nearly every single soul I care about yet again. That world I just came from, I’m an Ensign there under a Queen Moon. All the friends I made, they all got killed. Getting rejected would be like losing everyone all over again.” Kitzu sat back in her seat, and let out a long sigh. “I’ll go in the morning. - Like I said, I don’t want to be there when it happens. If it happens.”

“But don’t you want to see Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“More then anything in the world.” Shimmer offered.

“Sunset?” Dash asked, calling Shimmer by her true first name.

“That damn book. - I’ve seen Kitzu’s copy.” Shimmer offered in a quiet tone. “I won’t push Kitzu because I honestly believe that if she had to face Twilight, and be rejected, I think it would break her. - Reading the diary nearly broke me.”

“Oh. I see,” Rarity offered quietly.

“Well I’m not going anywhere till after I’ve eaten, and then I’m going to go watch a magic show.” Kitzu declared. Her tone had softened considerably, and Shimmer gave her a hug with a wing. “So how was the grand opening of the new store?”

“Yes, tells us about your new store?” Shimmer prompted.

“Oh don’t get me started,” Rarity cautioned, followed by going through a list of all the insurmountable obstacles she’d somehow overcome. By the time the food arrived Rarity had come to the inescapable conclusion she could not continue teaching at Twilight’s school, and managing her business anymore. It really had been too much.

After the meal, Rarity gave every pony a hug good bye, made Kitzu promise to come up to Ponyville first thing in the morning, and departed along with her escort. Kitzu, Shimmer, Dash, Soarin with Scoots on his back, Magnus, and Wind Rider made their way down to the Cinnamon Apple ranch.

“That’s some impressive flying there.” Dash offered as they landed just beyond the front gate of the ranch residence where ponies were gathering for the show.

“I’ve had some good teachers.” Kitzu offered with a smile. Kitzu hadn’t simply glided on over either, being she’d felt like messing around a bit on the way she and Dash had been showing off a bit. Scoots was set down so she could walk on her own.

“That is so embarrassing.” Scoots said in regards to having to be given a ride.

“Think of it as a privilege.” Kitzu offered going over to her. “I mean, how many fillies can say they got a ride from Soarin of the Wonderbolts?”

“I think I’d want to be careful how I phrase that.” Wind Rider offered.

“Why do I even put up with having you hang around?” Dash asked.

“He’s friends with Magnus,” Kitzu offered. “And Magnus has been kind of short on friends.”

“Fair enough. Lets go find a place to watch the show,” Dash replied. Dash had to admit that Magnus had been unfairly treated.

Trixie’s wagon had been set up at one end of a barn with a temporary stage just inside. In front of the stage was an open area surrounded by chairs and benches for the show. A sizable crowd for such a small community had gathered as well.

“Wow, looks like we should have gotten here sooner,” Shimmer observed.

“Lamps!” Kitzu exclaimed looking about. She hadn’t noticed it at first, but the farmyard, and the inside of the barn had been festooned with fox lamps just like the one’s back in the fox village where Cirrus and her new family lived, only these weren’t ghosts lamps. Kitzu flew up to inspect one of the lights. “They are just like the ones I make.” Kitzu did a flip, and then dropped back to the ground to do a little dance in place. “It’s Nova’s work, I’m sure of it.” Nova remembered how to do the lamps, but did she remember Kitzu?

“Come on, lets go in, and find a place to sit.” Shimmer offered. All the seating up close had already been taken, so they went up to a loft overlooking the stage to wait in anticipation. Kitzu, and Scoots couldn't resist laying down in the hay, and looking down to see who all was there. A short time later, the barn had filled to capacity, Apple Cinnamon stepped up onto the stage, and welcomed everyone. The night was going to start with entertainment by the Great and Powerful Trixie and company, followed by music, and dancing.

Trixie was announced with much fan fair followed by Trixie appearing from a cloud of smoke. “It is I, the Great, and powerful Trixie, come to beguile, amaze, and hopefully entertain you!?” Trixie’s entrance was accentuated by confetti cannons going off. “Not to worry, there’s no fire. The new and improved Trixie does not burn barns down. So how’s that new barn? Here’s some flowers to say I’m sorry.” Trixie produced a bouquet of flowers. From there she went on to do some card tricks assisted by Nova Silvermane, Kitzu’s half sister followed by the three large rings trick. Kitzu clapped her hooves madly every time Nova entered the stage. From there they went to the cut and repair rope trick, followed by endless scarves, white doves from a handkerchief and finally the cut the filly into three parts trick. Nova emerges unscathed, there is more applause, confetti cannons go off followed by Trixie turning confetti into tea cups while Nova levitates the confetti printed tea cups, and passes them out to interested ponies in the audience.

“And now… and now.” Trixie called out. “For a very special treat, my assistant, Nova, will regale to you the story of the Princess of Hope, she who gave us the lights that drive away the darkness. - While illustrating her story with her magic.”

“Once upon a time...” Nova began as the band played a soft melody, “..there was a beautiful princess.”

“Here that, she says I’m beautiful.” Kitzu whispered to Scoots. Scoots stifled a laugh.

Nova talked about how she came to live in Canterlot, and met a princess. And while she talked her foxfire painted a picture of the spires of Canterlot, followed by two fillies playing in the palace gardens, and going to school together. Nova talked about the lamps being made, and about how Kitzu had gone on a visit to never return.

“She remembers.” Kitzu whispered as the ghostly image that represented Kitzu walked away from the one that represented Nova. The room grew quiet, the music stopped, the image of the princess of hope faded. Kitzu couldn't stand it. “That’s not how this story ends.” Kitzu whispered, and used her own foxfire to create another little princess.

Nova noticed her audience was still watching where the image of the princes had walked off too, looked, and saw it was still there. This confused her. Had the foxfire simply refused to dissipate? Nova watched as the foxfire formed into a ball, and then shot up into the air, and circled around a few times before transforming back into a pony, only now a fully realized alicorn. The little alicorn then flitted about the barn doing aerial acrobats. Nova was about to get mad figuring there was another fox pony having sport with her when the little alicorn touched off one of the lamps. To Nova’s bewilderment the light began glowing considerably brighter. One by one the lamps that had been hung up grew in intensity as the little alicorn flew about.

“What are you doing?” Trixie asked Nova as the little alicorn flew up to the top of the barn where a ghost lamp hung.

“I’m not doing it.” Nova said, and then took a step back when the ghost lamp responded. “I can’t do that… I can make new lights, but...”

“I think you’re freaking her out.” Scoots cautioned.

“I think you’re right. Time to drop down there and see what happens,” Kitzu offered, let the foxfire magic fade away, stood up, cast a glance to the others, said wish me luck, dropped the camouflage spell hiding her horn, and stepped off the edge of the loft.

Kitzu glided down to land in the middle of the dance floor, looked up at Nova, and asked if she would forgive her.

“That’s my dress!” Nova scolded her, ears going back in anger.

“They sold it to me at Lady Rarity’s new shop.” Kitzu offered her ears dropping. Not what Kitzu had expected, not at all. “I’m sorry, Rarity said she was going to make you a new one.”

“Honestly, I had to stand still for hours getting pins stuck in me for that dress, and they go and sell it to you.”

“I’ll give it back… it’s just, there are wing slits in it.”

“Wing slits. - I swear, Lady Rarity is loosing it. Why in Equestria would she put wing slits in a dress she had reserved for a unicorn. And you’ve got hay on it.”

“Aww come on!” Scoots shouted walking up to the dance floor. Scoots had climbed down the ladder. “Is that any way to treat your own sister?”

“Sister?” Nova asked confused. Her expression turned from confusion to annoyance. You know if I had a bit for every pony who claimed to be a half brother or sister I’d have a whole lot of bits. - You don’t even have the right pendant.”

“Fine then.” Kitzu replied, pulled off the dress with her magic, threw it at Nova, turned, and walked out.

“Wait, that cutie mark?” Nova said in a hushed tone.

“Oh stuff it!” Scoots scolded. “At least my sister had the decency to acknowledged me.” Scoots, turned, and followed after Kitzu. A moment later Dash, Shimmer, and Magnus dropped out of the loft, and followed after Kitzu.

Kitzu walked out into the barnyard, crouched down, and blasted into the air.

“Kitzu!” Scoots called.

“Should we go after her?” Rainbow asked from the door of the barn.

“I doubt even you can catch her… who was that?” Magnus said just as a high school aged colt took off into the sky after Kitzu, beating his wings for all he was worth.

“Good luck Thunder Strike!” Scoots called. “Ehh, he can’t hear me.”

“Is she really…?” asked a brown mare with a thorny rose cutie mark exiting the barn.

“Yes, yes, and possibly yes.” Shimmer offered. Inside Trixie could be heard wrapping up the magic portion of the show. “Yes they are sisters, yes she’s an alicorn. - I’m hoping this doesn’t discourage her too much.”

“Dean Shimmer?” Nova asked while approaching them a few moments later. The band could be heard warming up. “Trixie said I should go apologize.”

“Well if she come’s back down, you can apologize to her,” Shimmer offered.

“You never even gave her a chance, did you?” Dash asked.

“So where’s she at?” Nova asked.

“You see that bright star up there?” Scoots offered pointing up into the sky. “She’s lit herself up so we can see her.”

“Star, but the sun hasn’t even set yet?” Nova asked looking up, then back as Scootaloo. “Um, you’re Scootaloo aren’t you, where’s your horn?”

“I’m my little hornless sister.” Scoots offered with a sarcastic air.

“Sister… Oh right, you’ve a look alike sister, or rather you’re the sister. Same name even I hear.”

“Ya, I’m a product of a time loop apparently,” Scoots offered.

“Is she from where you came from then? - Her cutie mark looked familiar?” Nova knew that cutie mark, but how she knew it was presently escaping her. “OK, she looks familiar but the story I just told every pony was made up… at least I thought it was? - Look, I tell stories. I’m really good at it too.”

“She should look familiar and that story of yours isn’t as made up as you think,” Dash offered. “She was messing with you because she thought you remembered her. - As for that cutie mark, it belongs to the elder Kitzumi. Or I should say the older version of her. - She’s your sister, but she’s like Scoots here, a product of a time loop.”

Meanwhile high overhead Kitzu has her wings out to full extension, her magic lighting her up. Kitzu was disappointed, and angry. Kitzumi had thought that surely Nova had remembered. Apparently all Nova remembered was a legend. Kitzu let out a sigh as the cold air did it’s trick. She’d have to go back down sooner or later. Kitzu turned to look back and discovered a certain colt valiantly trying to climb up to her. His wings looked heavy, and he was desperately out of breath. Kitzu watched as he started to slip back, his eyes rolled up into his head having overexerted himself on the climb the thin atmosphere and his body’s demands for more oxygen taking a toll on him. And then he pitched backwards. “Oh buck! Striker, you idiot!” Kitzu dove down catching him with her magic. She quickly descended as safely as she could, bringing him back to the farm yard.

“Kitzu. What happened?” Shimmer called rushing to the two as they landed. Kitzu laid him out, and tilted his head back.

“Come on breath! Striker!” Kitzu shouted. “You idiot!” He took a breath, and opened his eyes.

“Dance with me?” He asked. “Names Thunder Strike.” Kitzu couldn't resist hugging him. “Is that a yes?”

“OK, sure. Why not.” Kitzu offered as she sat back. “Even if you do smell like a pig pen.”

“And who’s fault is that?” He asked with a smirk.

“What just happened?” Dash asked.

“Bone head here tried to power climb beyond his limit.” Kitzu explained. “He might have managed it if he’d have taken advantage of an updraft, but he tried to power all the way up.”

“I didn’t want to lose you.” Thunder Strike offered.

“Every bit as impulsive as my old squad leader.” Kitzu replied followed by zoning out along with her mane billowing and taking on an ethereal look that closely resembled the night sky save for the red and white streaks that ran through her mane. She was still glowing from the spell she’d cast earlier as well.

“Um, Miss?” Thunder Strike asked.

“Kitzumi?!” Magnus asked alarmed.

“No, don’t touch her, don’t any pony touch her!” Shimmer ordered. Kitzu was pulsing with power.

“What kind of magic is that?” Nova asked. “Are you serious about her being Kitzumi?”

As for Kitzumi, she’d suddenly found her astral self drawn to the solar model. At that moment she also came to the realization it was a cosmic clock that had been used as a control device. She could also feel Princess Celestia’s magic trying to set the sun, but for whatever reason she couldn't do it. Celestia was being blocked by the mechanism, and yet, the moment Kitzu asked why is Princess Celestia being blocked, and said let her have access to the sun, it was so.

:trollestia:🌇🌆

“Tia?” Princess Luna said concerned. The two alicorns were presently standing out on Luna’s balcony at the top of her tower. Princess Celestia had been straining to lower the sun, but it simply would not budge, until...”

“I couldn't move it, it’s like there was a presence blocking me?” Celestia offered to Luna. Fortunately it wasn’t a formal occasion, and hadn’t been witnessed by any ponies. “Raise the moon.”

Luna looked at her sister, concern in her gaze, and an uneasy feeling washing over her. Luna had no trouble, but there was that presence. Kitzumi Nightfoal was back, and this time in the most unlikely of places.

Kitzu found herself shifting from the observatory to a dreamscape. She found herself standing as though on the top of a big thunder cloud flat top that stretched on forever. Above her a moonless night sky. “I am here,” Kitzu said on feeling Princess Luna’s presence probing for her. A few moments later Luna was standing a few paces away from her.

“Hi Muma.” Kitzu offered, breaking the silence. She dropped her head, her ears flopping down to the sides of her head.

“Kitzumi Nightfoal?”

“Hai. - That is, yes.”

“Were you blocking Princess Celestia somehow?”

“It’d be easier to just show you.” Kitzu offered. A moment later both were back in the observatory. “I had physical contact with this device last night. Somehow I seem to have accidentally blocked Princess Celestia. It’s fixed now, and I’m sorry. I never intended anything like that to happen. - I’m not even sure how it happened, or why?”

“This place...”

“It’s an alicorn city, and that’s the device used to regulate the heavens. Any time Princess Celestia touches the sun her magic flows through this device. Anytime you touch the moon, your magic flows through this device.” I suspect I could even move the clouds in the sky with it, and it is in the middle of the Everfree. - Thorn peak.”

“How did you get out here?” Luna asked.

“Cast a shield spell, pull it in tight to trap air. You’ll be able to use that air as a reserve at high altitude to sustain flight, and it provides insulation from the cold. Without it you risk overtaxing your body in the rarefied air. Catch an updraft, and propel yourself forward using your magic. - The trick is in slowing your heart rate down, or your body will use up the good air faster then your lungs can replace it. - You’ll need to be at least at ten thousand horns above sea level to safely pass over the forest, and when you get to feeling light headed it’s time to come down. - The peak is really high up too, so the air there isn’t going to be good enough for prolonged high altitude flight, and I can only stay up about an hour with my flight suit on. Shorter without. It can be mighty cold up there. To replenish my air reserve I dove down going as fast as I could while over the forest, recast my shield, and went right back up. - It is possible to go that high without the air reserve by using an updraft, but the pony doing it wouldn't be able to stay up there very long. - Do you think Celestia’s going to be mad at me?”

“You let me worry about Celestia. No harm done, so everything will be fine. - When are you coming back? - I’d like you to come home so we can get to the bottom of what’s happened with you.”

“Everything is in Twilight’s book, the diary with my cutie mark on it. If you take it into the moon-viewing hall you should be able to overcome the enchantment keeping ponies from reading it. I met Rarity today, and her escort mentioned the book. They indicated that there seems to be a spell on it. - I should get back, it sounds like they are getting panicky.”

“Where are you?” Luna was concerned. Why had Kitzu just sidestepped her question?

“At the Apple Cinnamon ranch near Appleloosa. Dash, Shimmer, Little Scoots, and Magnus are here. Wind Rider, and Soarin might be about too, but I lost track of them. - Oh and Nova Silvermane. She doesn’t seem to know me.” There was an upbeat to her tempo on mentioning Nova, which dropped to a somber tone on admitting that Nova couldn't remember her.

“We’ll fix this. Somehow, we’ll fix this.” Luna offered moments before Kitzu broke off the contact.

“Luna?” Celestia asked, the concern in her voice showing. “Why are you smiling at me?” Luna had a frown on her face during the time she was connected to the moon, but it switched to a smile on focusing on Celestia.

“You got locked out by a little filly.” Luna replied looking over at her sister. The fact that a little filly had figured out how to do something Celestia hadn’t been able to do in thousands of years, just tickled her.

“I what?”

“A filly.”

“A filly? - How can a filly possibly block me from the sun?”

“She discovered the location of the Cosmic clock that once regulated everything back in the hay-day of our ancestors.”

“Did she say where it is?”

“Middle of the Everfree on Thorn peak.” Luna replied. “Probably just as well that it’s so difficult to get there.”

“I thought it was impossible to get out there?”

“She found a way. - She’s resourceful, and seems to have a talent I don’t fully comprehend. I’m aware of her presence, but there will be times when it’s like she’s simply not on this planet. - I’m aware of a pony’s presence, and can locate any I’m acquainted with, but she’ll just vanish. - She can block me and is very good at avoiding me on the dreamscape. - This is the first time she’s surfaced in well over a year, and she let me find her this time. She wanted us to know why you hadn’t been able to set the sun.”

“Who is she anyway?” Celestia asked with concern.

“Lets find out,” Luna offered, turned from the balcony, and went back inside. She was momentarily followed by Celestia who was just a little confused, and a short walk later they’d arrived at Luna’s library.

“And here it is,” Luna said pulling the diary down from the shelf.

“That old book?”

“It’s her cutie mark. The one on the little filly you intimidated into running away. - The one you wanted arrested.”

“Oh we aren’t bringing this up again? - Personally I don’t know why she’s so important to you?”

“A filly who can come and go from the palace at will, who can avoid me in the dreamscape, who can gain access to that which is off limits to even us, and block you from accessing the sun?” Luna scolded. “On top of that Twilight has a dimensional diary with her cutie mark printed on the cover, and none of us seem to know why? - Yes, they are the same little pony.”

“Well then why don’t you just read it?”

“Did I mention that she’s listed as my adoptee in the school records?”

“She’s what? - Why wasn’t I informed about this? - Why did you never tell me?”

“The staff got curious after the second known incursion, and did a records search. This Kitzu isn’t one bit afraid of the guards, and even knows some of them by name. It was of interest to myself because she had one of my moon pendants, this despite all known pendants being accounted for. And the ones my Shadobolts had would be useless as they’d need to be recharged after a thousand years.”

“I would have liked to have known.”

“I haven't even told Twilight we had an adopted daughter who had the same name as her daughter. - I wanted to wait till I had more information.”

“Well why haven't you looked at the book? Open it.”

“Here.” Luna offered passing the book over to Celestia. She then took a few steps away. “Go on then, open it.”

“What silly game are we playing...” Celestia had barely cracked the cover, when she closed it up again, put it back on the shelf, and started walking away.

“Ti-a,” Luna called.

“What, I’m busy, I have to go...” Celestia stopped in her tracks.

“To go do what? There is absolutely nothing you need to do right at this moment, and yet you just remembered there was something you needed to do.”

“Why are you being so cryptic?”

“The book.”

“What about the book?”

“The moment you cracked it open, you got it into your head that there was something else that was more important.”

“I did not.”

“You did so. - No, no point in arguing about it. There is something funny going on with that book, like some pony doesn’t want us to read it.” Luna went back to the shelf, retrieved the diary again, and then headed for the stairs leading down to the Moon Viewing wing.

“Hang on, where are we going?” Celestia asked following after her. A short time later they were standing in the center of the Moon Viewing Hall. “Why here of all places?”

“Our mystery Miss Nightfoal seems to think we’ll be able to overcome the spell simply by being here.” Luna offered, and opened the front flap. This time she was not overcome by the desire to go do something else. “So far so good. - And this is most definitely Twilight’s pen. - Oh dear...”

“What’s it say?”

“Here.” Luna offered passing the diary over to Celestia. It didn’t take long.

“This, this… that Kitzumi Nightfoal is Twilight’s daughter? - She’s our Kitzu?”

“The same Kitzu who won’t warm up to you because you treat her like a subject instead of a niece. - Must you always be so distant?”

“I do not! - It’s not intentional, she just won’t warm up to me. - There’s no indication as to when she went back in time?”

“Number one rule of time travel, tell the past as little as possible,” Luna offered. “Still though… Did we put a spell on the book to keep ourselves from reading it? Why come here to break the effect of the spell, and why is she finally...”

“Discord!” Celestia shouted truly expecting him to simply pop in. No answer.

“You think he’s got a talon in this?” Luna asked. “Yes, of course, any time there is a reception in this room he either doesn’t show, or is on his best behavior. No antics at all. - Does it say anything about the ghost lights?”

“Lights, lights, lights… here’s something… oh my.” Celestia muttered as she flipped through the pages.

“What’s it say?” Luna asked taking a look at the book.

“It seams our little fox filly has declared war on Discord.”

“You don’t say?” Luna asked sounding rather delighted.

“This doesn’t concern you?” Celestia’s tone was that of concern and worry. “According to this, you marooned him on the human world.”

“Did I? It does concern me, but we already know she’s going to be alright, and Discord has had his powers diminished in the bargain.” Luna froze momentarily. “I’m going to Ponyville. Specifically to our old castle to where Twilight is.”

“What, now? - I thought you stayed behind to do night court?”

“All I’ll get is more complaints about Discord. - Kitzumi just gave us the key to figure out what is going on, and by what she told me, she’s coming out of hiding.”

“Why now?”

“Why indeed?” Luna offered. “Because she’s about to come full circle.”

🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞🏞

Meanwhile back at the ranch.🤠

Moments after Kitzumi’s eyes refocused. “Miss Kitzu, are you alright, what was that!” Nova asked sounding frantic.

“What, ah, oh nothing.” Kitzu offered as her mane settled back down to its normal appearance.

“Nothing? - That wasn’t a nothing!” Dash exclaimed.

“Come on Striker, you still want to dance?” Kitzu asked as she stood up.

“Ya, sure. Um, it’s Thunder Strike though.” He offered getting up. “Hey, that’s OK, you can call me Striker if you want.”

“Excuse me, I’d kind of, that is, I was out of line back there.” Nova offered with her head down. “I’m sorry… Trixie kind of chewed me out. Um, do you want your dress back?”

“My dress?” Kitzu asked, a touch of anger still showing.

“It fits you better anyway.” Nova offered.

“I thought you remembered me,” Kitzu offered sounding disappointed.

“I’m sorry, I don’t.”

“You remembered the lights, and how to make them?”

“I um, someone told me how to make the lights, but I can’t really remember who, or when,” Nova offered. “That and your pendant is wrong.”

“It’s been modified to match my cutie mark.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu smiled.

“What?” Nova asked.

“You remembered the pendant. That means there are bits of me still in your head,” Kitzu offered. “What about the poem, bad as it may be?”

“Poem?” Shimmer asked.

“Though the day be bleak, and the night long, the light of hope shines on.” Kitzu recited. “Look to the sky and there you’ll see a shining star, one for you, one for me.” Kitzu smiled delighted in Nova’s shocked expression, and added, “If you should happen to see a shooting star, smile, because it just might be me.”

“OK, that last line is not part of the poem.” Nova protested. “Doesn’t even rhyme.”

“I just added it. True enough though. Not very original either, I mean it’s based on a line from a comic, what do you want?” Kitzu offered levitating the dress up, raring up, followed by slipping the dress back on. The dress was filthy by this point, but Kitzu cleaned it with a spell. She was also still glowing not having negated that spell. “I mean just look at me, and I can fly now.” She spread her wings, gave them a flap to push herself up into the air, did a loop, and then dropped back down on all fours again. “Light myself up, go zipping across the sky at a high altitude.”

“Ponies will think you’re a UFO.” Nova quipped.

“Come on Striker, the music is calling, and behave yourself, I’m still a minor,” Kitzu said giving Nova a dirty look for the UFO comment.

“Umm, Kitzu, you planning on turning the lights off?” Magnus called. Kitzu laughed, and negated the spell which was making herself glow like a lamp.

“That was definitely some alicorn magic,” Shimmer offered as the crowd hanging outside the barn parted to let Kitzu and Thunder Strike in.

“She’ll tell us when she’s ready,” Magnus offered. “I suspect it’s something she wants to keep confidential.”

“You ever see her do something like that before?” Soarin asked. Soarin had slipped out during the show to let the other Wonderbolts know where they were, and had returned just in time to see Kitzu bringing Thunder Strike back down to the ground.

“Nope, never. And if she wants to tell us she will. In her own good time,” Magnus supplied. “To the best of my knowledge she has never lied to me. If she doesn’t want to tell me something, she just doesn’t tell me.”

Inside the band had set up on the stage and ponies were square dancing, a dance Kitzu could actually do, and dove in the first chance she got. Poor Thunder Strike didn’t have a clue what was going on, and got turned around in the wrong direction numerous times. Nor did it take long for an aromatic wreath to be placed around his neck. “Much better.” Kitzu remarked as they continued the dance.

“How can you stand the smell?” Asked a young filly followed by laughter from several of the older fillies. Thunder Strike may have been hard on the nose, but he was easy on the eyes.

“It’s my penitence for dumping him in the pig wallow.” Kitzumi offered. This pronouncement was followed by shock, and then laughter.

The night continued on with Dash, Soarin, Shimmer, and Magnus joining in the dancing. Scoots had little choice but to sit out do to her broken wing.

“You hanging in there?” Brier Rose asked approaching Scoots. I hear you had a tangle with one of them big thunderstorms.”

“Ya… I’m OK,” Scoots offered.

“Liar,” Kitzu pronounced as she walked up to Scoots, the set having ended. “No point arguing, I can see it in your face.”

“It’s alright,” Scoots offered.

“No, as much as I’d love to stay longer, I think it’s about time to call it a night. - Especially being I’ve got to catch the train in the morning.”

“What, you’re leaving already?” Thunder Strike asked.

“Scoots is feeling that thundercloud, and I’ve got to be on the train to Ponyville in the morning. - I kind of promised, so I don’t have much choice,” Kitzu offered. “Although I wouldn't mind a crack at that cigar box the band has.”

“A what?” Scoots, and Thunder Strike asked.

“The box guitar.” Kitzu offered.

“Why don’t you go ask.” Scoots told her. “Look, I can hold out, and maybe they need a break?”

“Can’t hurt to ask.” Thunder Strike prompted.

“Alright, but then we take you home.” Kitzu replied, and walked over to the stage. She talked with them for a moment, and they agreed to let her have a go at it. Kitzu sat down on one of the chairs, and played a nice bluesy melody.
{Something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENEnQy-yh18 }

“Are you really an alicorn?” Someone in the audience asked when she’d finished playing.

“What, alicorns can’t play three string blues?” Kitzu asked with a smile while levitating the instrument back to its owner. “Yes, I’ve a horn, can fly, and do magic. I’m also part fox pony. I started out as a pegasus who couldn't fly, with a button horn. So I guess I’m just a pegasus who grew a horn till some pony important says otherwise. - Now, I thank you all for the horsepitality, and would love to stay longer, but I’m going to have an early start tomorrow.”

“Kitzu?” Shimmer asked stepping forward. Kitzu made a motion with her head to remind her that Scoots wasn’t presently at her best. “Oh, right, yes you are going to have a rather early start tomorrow.” Kitzu opened her wings and with one sweep of her wings lifted effortlessly off the stage to glide over the tops of the crowd gathered. She dropped, and started walking out followed by Shimmer, Scoots, and Magnus. Dash, Thunder Strike, and Soarin followed a moment later.

“Hey, how do I get in touch with you?” Thunder Strike asked.

“You’ll have to relay letters via Dean Shimmer.” Kitzu offered. “At least until I’m settled somewhere.”

“Oh, OK.” Thunder Strike replied. “Are you really in the Ghost Squadron, or was that just a cosplay?”

“Foreign service. Ensign Kitzumi Nightfoal, Night Courier. Her majesty Queen Moon’s own.” Kitzu offered leaving off the last part. Her majesty Queen Moon’s own Shadow bolts.

“Say, do you need me to carry Scoots?” Soarin asked.

“That’s alright, I can manage.” Magnus offered sitting down to let Scoots climb up. “You two might want to head for Ponyville.”

“He’s probably right.” Dash offered.

“I should probably head home.” Thunder Strike offered.

“You coming with us then?” Kitzu asked.

“I’m sort of a local. I don’t actually live in Cloudsdale. And it’s summer break.” Thunder Strike informed. “At least for me it is. My parents didn’t want to pay for the summer session.”

“Talk to me about tuition assistance.” Shimmer offered. “It’s getting dark, are you going to be alright finding your way home? - Oh, and there is a safety seminar tomorrow at the school. I want every pegasus available to attend.”

“I’ll be fine. I can see well enough in the dark. - Safety seminar?”

“It’s because of Scoots. - Here, take this.” Kitzu said pulling a small fox lamp from her hoof bag. “May it keep you safe.”

“Thanks.” Thunder Strike replied, took hold of the small lamp, and flew up into the air. A few moments later he was lost to sight.

“Um, Kitzumi?” Nova called softly. “I’m sorry I can’t remember. I will see you again, won’t I? - Are you going to be alright?”

“Ya, you’ll see me again. Expect it.”

“Just don’t goof around with my stories.”

“Fix the ending.”

“At this point I’m a little hazy on how it ends.”

“Ya, you and me both. - Just one more rough part, but I’ll be sure to tell you all about it. - Listen, if you catch the last train north…”

“Train, right, I can do that.” Nova offered suddenly sounding more enthusiastic.

“Well don’t just stand there, get moving.” Trixie ordered, having approached unnoticed.

“Right! My things! I don’t need anything!” Nova exclaimed, and galloped down the lane that led to Appleloosa.

“Come on, lets get moving ourselves.” Dash announced, and took off momentarily followed by Soarin.

“We’ll need to let the local Wonderbolts know what’s going on.” Soarin called to Dash.

“Hey, princess. Good to see you again,” Trixie offered. “Ya, I remembered. Wasn’t any point in arguing the point when every pony thought you were gone for good. - Glad you’re back safe.” Kitzu grabbed Trixie, gave her a hug, and then leapt up into the air to do a mid air somersault. Or a forward flip if you like. Followed by shooting up into the darkening sky.

“Well see everyone again sometime soon.” Magnus offered, and lifted up into the air, followed by Shimmer who wagged her wings to wave good bye.

Kitzu, and the others made their way back to Cloudsdale, as the last of the evening light bathes the clouds in reds and golds. “It seams at last I have found the golden city of Eldorado.” Kitzu announced.

“Ell what?” Magnus asked.

“Eldorado.” Scoots offered. “A fabled city of gold.”

“Gaily bedight

A gallant Knight,

In sunshine and in shadow,

Had journeyed long,

Singing a song,

In search of Eldorado.”

Sunset offered. “A poem by Edgar Allan Pone.”

“But he grew old,

This knight so bold,

And o’er his hart a shadow fell

As he found no spot of ground,

That looked like Eldorado.”

Kitzu added. “Mom made me memorize the poem, and if such a place ever existed, it would undoubtedly be a city in the clouds.” Kitzu offered, and then smiled, a most devious smile.

“You want to let us in on what’s going on in that head of yours?” Magnus asked.

“Only that I’ve likely found a place that might well fit the city of the legend. I found a city in the clouds, and turns to gold when the last rays of the sun hit it, and again when the first morning light strikes it.”

“Oh, right, that place,” Magnus commented with a grin.

“What place?” Shimmer and Scoots asked.

“Dean Shimmer, you didn’t get that far into the book?” Kitzu asked. “Towards the end of what’s been written. I found a city deep in the Everfree. - Afraid the only way to get to it is by prolonged high altitude flight. - I can show you my trick if you like?”

“Trick?” Shimmer asked.

“To be able to sustain high altitude flight for more then a few minutes, first cast a shield spell...” Kitzu demonstrated by forming a bubble around herself. “..and then bring it in tight.” She demonstrated further by pulling the bubble tight to her body to fit like a flight suit made of magical energy. “This traps air creating a layer of good air that can sustain me while at high altitude, and provides an extra layer of insulation. Next, either use an updraft, or use your magic to propel yourself. Once up at that altitude it’s best to use magic to push ourselves forward, as too much activity uses up our good air too fast. - Go on, give it a try.”

Shimmer thought about it for a moment, cast the shield spell, pushed herself forward using only her magic, and within moments had soared high into the sky with Kitzu hot on her tail.

“This is… this is incredibly liberating!” Shimmer shouted.

“It is, isn’t it.” Kitzu confirmed flying alongside of Shimmer. “Just be careful to keep it under control, it’s really easy to get going way too fast.”

“I bet.” Shimmer replied with a big smile.

“I’m going to get back to Magnus, and Scoots.” Kitzu offered, rolled to her left, and dove back down. Kitzu had caught site of a group of older high school colts slowly coming up behind Magnus and Scoots.

“Hey Scootaloo, is he yer daddy?” One of the colts jeered.

Kitzu whispered a fox incantation, and a moment later she was being followed by a dozen battle-ready pegasi and bat ponies flying in formation. They all had on the same gray and black uniform Kitzu owned.

As the boys laughed, Kitzu’s ghost flight glided up past them. Each was fashioned after hardened warriors, countenance fearsome to behold, their uniforms tattered, their armor battered, and being they were illusions, made not a sound. The colts took one look, and took off like Sombra himself was after them. Scoots looked on with eyes wide, and Magnus looked at the night ghosts not quite knowing what to think. A quick scan revealed Kitzu behind the flight.

The ghostly apparitions faded away, and Kitzu glided on over to Magnus and Scoots. “Like my ghost flight?”

“Oh, you’re going to be a hoot come nightmare night.” Magnus offered with a sarcastic air.

“This is so fun, why did it never occur to me to use magic to augment flight?” Shimmer exclaimed as she joined the trio. “What?”

“I just scared the pee out of some bullies with a fox illusion.” Kitzu offered. “You’ll love my shadow clone maneuver.” Kitzu inexplicably split into two ponies each diving away in different direction.

“Kitzu?” Shimmer called.

“I’m right here.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu had dropped back behind them. “I can’t tell you how many times that trick has saved my life.”

“You don’t have to run anymore. I want you to know that.” Shimmer offered as they approached the outskirts of Cloudsdale, and as they entered they were approached by members of the local law enforcement who asked them to set down on a cloud on the edge of the city.

“Please pardon the inconvenience. My name’s Flyday, Joe Flyday, and this is my partner Jack Smith. I need to know, have you seen any suspicious ponies?”

“Not a thing? - Why?” Shimmer asked.

“There was some high school colts giving us a hard time.” Kitzu offered. “Smith, any relation to Thaddeus Smith?”

“It’s a common name.” Smith offered.

“Not in Equestria.” Kitzu countered. “So he doesn’t know you?”

“No.”

“Funny, I never pegged Thaddeus for not knowing Jack Smith.” Magnus offered with a smile.

“OK, you got me, the high school colts?”

“Afraid I must have missed them.” Shimmer offered

“Ya, I kind of freaked them out with one of my illusions.” Kitzu offered.

“Ha, you nearly had me going.” Magnuss offered, and then laughed.

“...” The officers just looked at them.

“Fox pony.” Kitzu offered. “I’m working on a prank for Nightmare night.”

“I see… Do us a favor, and don’t do it again.” Officer Flyday ordered.

“Can you do something for me? Don’t tell the colts they fell for a prank?” Kitzu asked plying a winning smile. “More fun that way.”

“Maybe we should have you come into the station, and make a report?” Smith suggested.

“You want me to come in now?” Kitzu asked.

“In the morning.” Smith offered.

“No can do, I have to get to Ponyville in the morning. - Lets just say it’s a matter above your pay grade. - Being I’m primarily nocturnal, it’d have to be now, or I’ve no idea when I can come in.”

“Princess stuff.” Shimmer offered. “We need her to go report to Princess Twilight Sparkle tomorrow.”

“For what it’s worth, a certain group of colts is claiming there is a ghost army out here.” Officer Friday explained. “Said we were being invaded.”

“Army?” Kitzu asked.

“Invaded?” Scoots asked, and then laughed.

“Hey, I’m good, but I’m not that good.” Kitzu informed the officers. “Sounds like some exaggerating going on.”

“Listen, officers...” Magnus began, his voice calm. “..even if there was an army out here, they haven't broken any laws. - What you got is a bunch of colts prone to extremes, making things up. - They got pranked. - Nothing more. No invasion, and no laws have been broken.”

“Alright, what is going on!?” Dash called as she and Soarin came down to join them. “We need to get going to Ponyville, and we are being told some horse shit about an invasion.”

“Officers, you wouldn't know about this?” Soarin asked. “Considering we’ve scrambled every available Wonderbolt in Cloudsdale, and no pony has seen a thing.”

“I’m so terribly sorry.” Kitzu offered. “I pranked some colts, and it seems to have gotten out of hoof.”

“You...” Soarin said looking at Kitzu.

“It was only a dozen ghosts.” Kitzu offered, her tone that of chagrin. “The fox pony equivalent of throwing a sheet over my head.”

Dash looked over at her, and started laughing. “A dozen ghost you say?” Dash asked once she’d stopped laughing.

“Well it was that or start busting heads for their rudeness.” Kitzu countered. There was an edge to her tone.

“They wanted to know if I was Scoots’ daddy. And I doubt they meant in the paternal way.” Magnus offered. Soarin face hoofed.

“For what it’s worth, I’m not apposed to the paternal thing.” Scoots offered.

“Whether or not our relationship is to advance to that stage is ultimately up to me to decide.” Shimmer offered.

“Oh?” Dash asked getting a great big grin.

“I see.” Kitzu commented also with a big grin.

“Officers can we go now?” Shimmer asked. Dash let out a snicker.

“I’d like to see this ghost squadron.” Soarin prompted.

“I’m kind of maxed out. Another time perhaps?” Kitzu asked not wanting the officers to see just how good her ghosts really were.

“If she says she’s maxed out, we shouldn't be pushing her.” Shimmer warned. “Push her beyond her limits, and you better be prepared to explain it to Princess Twilight.”

“She’s got a point.” Dash affirmed. “Twilight’s going to be in a right tizzy as is. - Shimmer, Magnus, go on and take the fillies home, and Soarin and I need to get going.”

“Now hang on?” Officer Flyday protested.

“Only thing you need to do is to pass the word that there is no invasion, just a bunch of colts who need to be escorted home.” Dash countered.

“Princess level stuff was it?” Smith asked.

“I’m Lady Aiko Okitsune’s apprentice.” Kitzu informed him. He lifted an eyebrow.

“Flyday, I think we just might be in over our pay-grade.” Smith whispered to his partner.

“And if I need to contact anyone?” Flyday asked.

“I’m Dean Shimmer, head of the Cloudsdale Flight School. - And the Wonderbolt captains are Captain Soarin, and Captain Rainbow Dash.”

“I’m retired Commander Flash Magnus.” Magnuss offered. “I teach at the school. The filly on my back with her wing in a sling, and her neck in a brace is Scoots, and the other filly is Ensign Nightfoal.”

“Also known as the Princess of hope, Queen of the sky, and Goddess of Thunder.” Kitzu added with a big grin.

“You’re pushing your luck there kido.” Dash said, while giving Kitzu a calculating look.

“Maybe, but we’ll have to save it for another time.” Kitzu offered. “Listen, if you like, I can put an enchantment on your goggles that’ll make it easier for you to see in the dark.”

“Oh hey, that would be great.” Dash replied offering up her goggles. A few moments later Kitzu had enchanted both goggles explaining that the enchantment would last about twelve hours.

“This is nice.” Soarin remarked putting his goggles back on.

“Come on Soarin, if we are to catch the last train to Ponyville we need to get going.” Dash announced, and then took off. Soarin followed a moment later.

“So um, are we good?” Magnus asked of the two officers. They admitted that they had no real reason to detain them further, and every pony was soon on their way.

When Kitzu, Magnus, Scoots, and Shimmer arrived at Shimmer’s home, Scoots was glad for some more pain killer, and went to bed shortly after. Magnus gave Shimmer a kiss good bye, and left for his apartment a short time later.

“So, you really thinking of marrying him?” Kitzu asked after Magnus had left.

“Well if he’d get around to asking me.” Shimmer offered with a smile. “What about you and that high school colt? - I noticed you kept calling him Striker, instead of his name.”

“Thunder Strike is a fairly common name. - In Queen Moon’s world he picked up the call sign of Striker, but that was a different world. - I keep having to remind myself he’s not my old squad leader. - He’s the same pony, but not the same pony.”

“Ya, I understand. Better then most I imagine. - When I made the decision to come back, I never thought I’d be so cut off. - I’ve made lots of new friends though.”

Rarity, arguing with Twilight had proven futile when she'd attempted to explain the situation. At the goading of Discord Twilight had insisted on searching every square inch of the castle, and when that proved fruitless, the search went out into the forest. When Princess Luna arrived, and explained what she’d discovered, Twilight came very close to calling off the search. Discord goaded her further. There was after all no way to be sure if their Kitzu was the same one in the book. Even Reynard’s ability to see past and future events via the foxfire was proving fruitless. All he could see was that Kitzu had taken a book from the library, gone to the royal thrones in the audience hall, sat down to read, and had somehow managed to teleport herself somewhere. He was unable to determine where. The search went on.

🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

Shimmer found Kitzumi the next morning, not in the bed that had been provided, but curled up in her old worn bedroll up on top Scoots’ wardrobe. Kitzu had been unable to sleep in the bed, and felt more at ease while watching over Scoots. Kitzu had been up most of the night, first because she couldn't sleep in a big empty room in the clouds, and secondly because she’d spent the better part of the night using her magic to prevent Scoots from rolling over onto her broken wing. Breakfast looked much like it did on the morning of Kitzu’s arrival in the past with Kitzu being only slightly more responsive. After breakfast, Kitzumi packed her gear plus the new dress, and flew down to the station in Appleloosa accompanied by Magnus.

“I don’t need an escort, I’m just going to Ponyville,” Kitzu protested as they were buying her ticket. “Besides, you need to be at Dean Shimmer’s safety thing.”

“Alright, alright. If that wasn’t such a pressing matter, so help me...”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Fine, but I’m following after you just as soon as we are done knocking some sense into a bunch of foals,” Magnus declared. The two waited together for the train, and didn’t part until Kitzu was on the train headed north.

“Off to another gig?” The conductor asked when he came by to check her ticket.

“Gig?” Kitzu asked confused. “I’m just going to Ponyville. Unfinished business. - Any chance I can get you to wake me when we get there?”

“Sure thing, can do,” He replied with a smile. Kitzu watched him go, snuggled up into a corner, put on her cap, turned on her music, and went to sleep.

💢💢💢💢💢💢

The next thing Kitzu knew she was being hurriedly rushed off the train, and made to line up with a bunch of other foals, most of whom looked to be a few years older then she was. Kitzu hazarded a look about, she knew the drill, somehow she’d ended up in a group of young recruits, but they were the most unlikely set of recruits she’d ever seen made up of bat ponies, and ponies likely mixed with bat pony. She couldn’t help but wonder if any of them were fox ponies.

“What are you looking at!” A large burly pony in a uniform not to dissimilar to her own demanded. He wore a heavy wool shirt, gray with black piping, with a bunch of stripes on his sleeves.

“Sargent, I’m looking at the recruits.” Kitzu offered projecting her voice, and snapping to attention. Kitzu was a little confused at first, thinking maybe she’d somehow gone back to Queen Moon’s world, but this pony, she knew him well. Boot Sargent Thruster. The fact that he was yelling in her face like that, inches from getting poked in the eye by Kitzu’s horn, proved he wasn’t that specific Sargent.

“Who the buck told you, you could look at anything? Who the buck do you think you are?!”

“Ensign Nightfoal, Night courier.”

“Ensign!? - Good Celestia, they’re getting younger every day.

“Sargent Thruster, I’m on my way to Ponyville.”

“Well too bad.”

“What?” Kitzu was baffled by his response. “With all do respect, Sargent, I’m not a recruit.”

“And the next train doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning.” Sargent Thruster informed her harshly. “You’ll stay with every pone else till told otherwise. You got that?”

“Yes Sargent.” Kitzu replied remembering to project. This was not what she wanted. Not at all, but she was presently at a loss as to what to do about it, short of making a dash for freedom.

“You!” Sargent Thruster shouted looking at a recruit further down the line. “What ever it was, don’t even think about it! - I am Sargent Thruster. - For the next six weeks I will tell you when to sleep, when to get up, when to eat, and what to think! - You will do nothing unless I tell you! - Do you hear me!?”

Sargent Thruster was replied by a number of feeble yes sirs, with one strong “Yes Sargent!” Coming out of Kitzu.

“Well at least one of you got it right. Try it again. And no, I am not a sir, I am a Sargent. - Do you hear me?! - I can’t hear you! - You’re all a bunch of princesses! Louder! - Why is it the only pony I can hear is the one with the smallest lungs? - You’re weak, the whole lot of you! But do not despair for I am going to make soldiers out of you. - Welcome, Princesses, to the home of the Night Fighters. Do everything I tell you, and you might even make it into the Ghost Squadron. - Now pick up your bags and move out! - Left face, at a trot, forward harch! - Your other left! Oh for the love of Faust, follow the little white filly with the black ears, at least she seams to know what the Faust she’s doing! Come on, come on… Move! Move! Move!”

It was all Kitzu could do to keep from smiling as she led the raw recruits. Every marching order Sargent Thruster gave she followed it to the letter letting him guide where they were going, and every moment between orders he berated the recruits along the way. A short time later they approached the arch of the front gate. Hollow Shades Garrison, home of the Night Fighters, the sign on top the gate read.

Well at least I know where I am, Kitzu said to herself as they entered the gate. They continued on, and past several buildings prior to making a turn to march down another road, and continued past more buildings. A short time later Sargent Thruster called halt, set them at ease, and went inside. Several of the recruits began to sit down on their bags.

“I wouldn't do that.” Kitzu said plenty loud enough to be heard by all. Her warning was disregarded. One even went so far as to cuss her out.

“Care to come over here, and say that?” Kitzu called.

〽

“That the new recruits, what a bunch.” Asked a lieutenant as Sargent Thruster entered. She was a gray bat pony with a dark mane, petite, but very strong. “So help me, in my day...”

“You know that sounds really weird when coming out of your mouth,” Sargent Thruster offered. Lieutenant Mouse was perhaps one of the prettiest mares on the post, only the small bat pin on her collar gave any indication she wasn’t what she appeared to be. Her uniform presently consisted of a waist coat remarkably similar to Kitzumi’s with shoulder boards. On the shoulder boards were two vertical silver bars with a golden sun above the bars instead of a moon. It served to remind the night wing who they served. “Listen, I’ve a young filly out there identifying herself as...”

“Would you just look at those idiots, they are already sitting on their plots. Oh, sorry, you were saying?”

“By any chance do you know anything about an Ensign Nightfoal?”

“Nightfoal? - Which one is she?”

“The little one who’s actually standing at ease.” Sargent Thruster commented with a tone of disgust. “Oh now what’s he doing?” The two watched as one of the larger stallions broke rank, and trotted over to Kitzu while yelling obscenities. Kitzu remained in position right up until he was a pace away, at which point she unfolded her wings sweeping down, and shooting up into the air with blinding speed. A moment later she dove down striking the stallion's back with enough force to cause his legs and wings to splay out dropping him hard.

“Holy shit, that was a Death Strike!” Mouse shouted, followed by her and the Sargent dashing out to the troops.

“What in Tartarus is going on out here!” Sargent Thruster shouted. Stand at attention, on your hooves! - No pony told you you can sit on your plots!”

“Explain yourself!” Lieutenant Mouse demanded of Kitzumi.

“I am standing at attention per the Sargent's orders, Mam.” Kitzu replied in a deadpan tone while giving a quick salute with her right-wing. The lieutenant returned the salute.

“Please explain the stallion under you?” Lieutenant Mouse asked concerning the stallion Kitzu was presently standing on.

“He asked that I give him a massage.” Kitzu offered.

A massage? - He’s out cold!” Lieutenant Mouse pointed out.

“Yes mam, he found the massage very relaxing.” Kitzumi offered while somehow managing to keep a straight face.

“The Lieutenant here seems to think you just executed a Death Strike, whatever the buck that is.” Sargent Thruster asked as he walked up to her.

“Lieutenant Mouse is mistaken, Sargent. I executed a drop maneuver striking the nerves in the shoulders. Had I executed a Death Strike he wouldn't be breathing anymore being the death strike targets the vertebrae in the neck.”

“You ever kill another pony?” Sargent Thruster asked.

“I got mixed up in a war, Sargent. - Details are confidential.”

“Sweet Celestia. I think she has.” Lieutenant Mouse stated looking Kitzu in the eye. She closed in hoping to intimidate Kitzu in a stare down, and failed. Not just failed, but got a poke from an invisible horn to boot. “Oww. - Who are you?”

“I’m Princess Kitzumi Nova.” Her tone softened a bit knowing they’d not likely believe it. “I’ve been using Kitzumi Nightfoal.”

“You’re looking mighty mature for a six year old.” Mouse countered.

“And you’re looking mighty spry for the age of one-thousand-twenty-six years. Lieutenant Alice Mouse.” Kitzu had recognized the Lieutenant the moment she saw her knowing her from Princess Luna’s memories. She wasn’t one hundred percent certain this mare was indeed the Ensign from Luna’s memories, but the stunned look on Alice Mouse’s face indicated Kitzu was probably right. Then Ensign Mouse, had dove into the thick of the fight between Luna and Celestia in hopes of stopping it only to find herself advanced one thousand years into the future.

“Holy sheet,” Sargent Thruster said under his breath as Kitzu dropped the camouflage from her horn. “Sweet Celestia, we got ourselves an alicorn.”

Mouse took a step back.

“I was on my way to Ponyville, and somehow ended up here,” Kitzu offered. No point in telling them she’d over slept while on the train and missed her stop. Granted she had asked the conductor to wake her… she’d a mind to have words with that conductor the next time their paths crossed.

“Come with me,” Mouse said to Kitzu with ears laid back, and started walking away. Kitzu didn’t wait to make sure she meant her, picked up her kit and followed after her. Being Sargent Thruster said nothing to her, Kitzumi felt assured Lieutenant Mouse had indeed meant her. Lieutenant Mouse took Kitzu inside, and had her wait in an office. Kitzu sat down to wait. Outside Sargent Thruster could be heard berating the troops.

As for Lieutenant Mouse, she went into another office, picked up a phone, and dialed the palace.

Kitzu having nothing better to do while she waited decided to go into the dreamscape to see if she could contact Princess Luna. Kitzu was also completely unaware how that specific exercise effected her. As she went into the meditative state her eyes went all glassy, glowed, and then thanks to her link to the cosmic clock her mane began to billow out.

“She’s… You mean to tell me she really is who she says she is?” Mouse said into the phone receiver. “It’s not a clever prank? - Well how am I to know how she ended up here? - I see. Been through some serious stuff has she? - Her majesty Queen Moon? So as far as anyone knows she really did serve as an Ensign. Wow. How’s Princess Twilight taking it? - Oh dear… What about the search, is that still on then? I mean… she is, and they can’t convince her otherwise. That’s not good. I’d better inform the Wing commander, they are gearing up to cross the forest to help in the search. - Right, no need to take any unnecessary risks if we’ve got the filly every pony is looking for, and thanks for the info.” Mouse hung up, and went back out into the main office to discover a number of panicky ponies. “Um… what’s going on?” They pointed towards the office where she’d left Kitzu. Mouse looked in… “Yep, definitely an alicorn. - Princess… your highness? Miss Kitzumi? - Ensign Nightfoal!”

“Yes Mam.” Kitzu replied snapping out of her trance.

“Mind if I ask what you were doing just now?”

“Doing?”

“Your eyes were glowing and your mane had gone all cosmic.”

“What? It did?” Kitzu glanced at her mane which still showed the signs of having gone all cosmic. “Oh wow. - I was trying to contact Princess Luna.”

“A moment.” Mouse offered, turned to the office workers. “It’s alright, just a young alicorn doing her thing.” She turned back to Kitzu. “We need to get you to see the Wing Commander.”

“Mind if I put my uniform on? Kind of feels a little awkward being on a military installation out of uniform.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

A short time later Ensign Nightfoal, and Lt Mouse exited the building to find the Sargent and his recruits were still there. Kitzu had her flight suit, waist coat, and peytral on. There was also a medical team reviving Kitzu’s victim.

“Um Lieutenant?” Sargent Thruster prompted.

“She’s legit. - We’re on our way over to Wing.”

“So, princess, might I ask what you did to him?”

“All I did was hit the nerve points, and force him down. - Why isn’t he on his hooves yet?”

“Why indeed?” Sargent Thruster mused. “Used to do that when I was a foal. Stings like the dickens. Although, let’s not forget you did knock him out. - I will have to admit it never occurred to me to actually use it as a take down maneuver. - I couldn't help but notice your uniform is a little different.”

“Word is she got mixed up in a war in another country.”

“I lost a lot of friends. Just want to go home now. - I was a fast courier. - More often then not it’d be myself and one other pony. After a while I started doing solo runs because no pony could keep up.”

“I see. Those of us who were in the service during the Storm King’s invasion… we nearly lost that one. - Worst disaster in Equestria’s history.”

“That’s one I seem to have missed.” Kitzu admitted. “Probably just as well I missed it, I’d have been useless at the time.”

“A lot of the Palace Guards were too, so don’t feel too bad.” Mouse retorted.

“Speaking of useless, I’d better get back to my recruit, and see if I can’t get him back on his hooves.”

“Well if he doesn’t he’ll have to go home with the indignity of having been flattened by a thirteen year old.” Kitzu offered.

“You’d send him home.” Mouse asked.

“In a heartbeat. Nor would I want him in my command. Not if he can’t shake off something like that.”

“May I remind you that you did knock him out?” Sargent Thruster offered.

“You think the Storm King’s troops would give him that much time to recover? Trust me, I’ve seen ponies take far worse, and get right back up. Get up or die was often the only choice we had. - The last thing I’d want in one of my units is a hot head who charges at the slightest provocation, and can’t get it back up when he’s been slapped down in the dirt.”

“You thinking of pressing charges? The lieutenant saw the whole thing.”

“Charges? That’d be letting him off easy.” Kitzu offered with a sly smile.

“Oh ya, she’s seen combat,” Sargent Thruster saluted, turned towards the recruits, and trotted back.

“Any pony ever do that nerve strike to you?” Mouse asked Kitzu.

“Lots of times in basic training. We’d do it to each other. I started out at the bottom of my class, so I got it a lot. We learned how to fight through the reflex action. I learned how to counter the strikes.”

“Well come on then.”

The two continued on while Sargent paced back and forth in front of his recruits. “Just to let you know, that little filly is, I’m told, the real deal.” He offered. “It seems some pony had the bright idea to weaponize an alicorn.”

“She’s...” Asked the pony being treated by the medical team.

“Yes, Francis. She’s the real deal. - Now, if you’d like to get up off your plot, and do as you are told, we just might put in a good word for you.”

A short time later Lt Mouse, and Ensign Nightfoal had arrived at a hangar for airships where a briefing was taking place. “An airship hangar, nice,” Kitzu commented as they walked up to where the briefing was being held.

“Well if the storm king can use airships, so can we.” Lt Mouse offered. “Come on, and I’ll introduce you.” Meanwhile up in front ponies could be heard arguing.

Attempting to cut straight through the Everfree forest is madness,” argued a familiar-sounding voice in a very frustrated tone. Mouse wasn’t the only night guard who’d been swept up into the thousand-year banishment.

“Is that Captain Hoofstrong?” Kitzu asked, and hurried up to the front. Lt Mouse was quick to catch up with her. Captain Hoofstrong was a large dark gray pegasus with a midnight blue mane and was of mixed bat pony heritage.

“It’s not like we are going through the forest, we are going over the forest. - And who let the little filly in here? Lt Mouse?” asked a Lt Commander Payne who’d been arguing with the Captain. The Lt Commander, a muddy brown pegasus with a mane that was only slightly darker, was up front where he’d been briefing the squadron on the mission.

“Lt Commander.” Lt Mouse replied. Meanwhile a map on a board up front had caught Kitzu’s eye.

“Excuse me, but would you happen to have airships capable of doing at least ten thousand horns?” Kitzu asked.

“Lt Mouse, be so kind as to remove this foal,” The Lt Commander requested.

“Why ten thousand?” Captain Hoofstrong asked Kitzu. He was honestly curious.

“The only way to pass through the exclusion zone safely, is to go over the elevation of the creatures that live there.” Kitzu explained. “That means maintaining an elevation of no less then ten thousand horns above sea level for the duration of the crossing, and if you’re going at a slow pace common to most airships, best be prepared for the creatures who can get up that high. The only safe way to cross is to maintain a speed that is equivalent to the speed of sound. At least that way you’re already passing while the nasties are still scrambling.”

“Lt Commander Payne, this young Ensign is Princess Kitzumi Nova.” Lt Mouse offered. “And a former Currier for a Queen Moon of the Moon Kingdom I’m told. - She’s the very pony every pone is looking for.”

“How the, wait what?” Several ponies echoed.

“I went back in time, couldn't get home.” Kitzu offered, and then added, “Alicorn pony problems. - In short, the ponies looking for me in, and around the palace of the sisters, aren’t going to find me because I’m not there to be found.”

“I’ve already been in contact with the palace, and they want us to see to it she gets to Ponyville safe.” Lt Mouse offered.

“Well then she can come with us.” Lt Commander Payne offered.

“Not on that rout.” Kitzu countered. “That path takes you into the exclusion zone.”

“It’s alright, I’ve got these lamps that I’m assured will keep all the monsters from us.” Lt Commander Payne offering holding up a good luck lamp he’d gotten from a local tourist shop. Not only did it have absolutely no light emanating from it, but it was a cheep knock off of the real things.

“Let me guess, you got one for every pony in the command?” Kitzu asked in a dry sort of tone one might use when they want to scold someone for their stupidity.

“Princess, or no, I’m not sure I like your tone.”

“Well I for one don’t blame her, that thing is a cheap piece of junk.” Captain Hoofstrong commented.

“I have it on good authority...” Lt Commander Payne began but stopped short when Kitzu reached out with her magic and crushed it. She then levitated her original three lamps out of her saddlebags and hovered them out in front for every pony to see.

“Not all will like me, some will even despise me, but it is I who stands against the dark. While the land sleeps, I will stand watch. Ever vigilant,” Kitzu recited.

Captain Hoofstrong, Lt Mouse, and at least one other, perhaps a few others whispered the words, Shadow Bolts ever faithful.”

“Until I see an official order countering the last one, we are set to take off in one hour. I’ve been waiting my entire career to be called into action...” Lt Commander Payne protested. “We will respond as ordered, and I’ve chosen the fastest route.”

“But I am Princess Kitzumi.” Kitzu reiterated quite at a loss as to how to reason with this major pain of an officer and sat on her haunches. Nor could that route possibly be construed as the fastest. "Short does not equal fast.”

“Sir I must protest.” Captain Hoofstrong pleaded. “And I am in full agreement with the young Ensign on this matter. Short does not equal fast.”

Kitzu meanwhile had noticed the telltale vibrating of one of her diaries. I can ask for advice, she thought pulling out the book that was vibrating. Her heart leapt on discovering which book. Book number one, her original diary, some pony had finally answered. Quickly she opened the book, found the message, Princess Celestia had written in the book: My dearest Kitzumi, I am so sorry for the way I have treated you, not just the last time, well the time you had to take care of your younger self. I should have listened to you but also because I’ve been keeping you at wing length ever since you were a baby. You were so precious, and yet I chose to distance myself…

Princess Celestia was going on, and on. In fact she was still writing. Kitzu quickly got out a never dry quill, and slashed a line across the page to get Princess Celestia to stop writing. I’m at the Hollow Shades Garrison. Kitzu wrote. Lt Commander Payne intends to take the squadron through the heart of the Everfree forest. He’s going to go into the exclusion zone around Mount Thorn and the Alicorn Citadel.

Kitzu waited a moment. Hopefully Princess Celestia understood what Kitzu meant by an exclusion zone.

On it. Princess Celestia wrote back a moment later.

Kitzu waited a few moments wondering what Princess Celestia was going to do.

“No, we are not using airships, they are two slow. It is my intention to demonstrate that we can mobilize, and arrive on location in a timely manner.” Lt Commander Payne stated.

“But sir, not even our best fliers can maintain an altitude of ten thousand horns for more then a few minutes.” Captain Hoofstrong protested. He knew about the citadel, his grand sire had told him tales about being a boy and going there, and how the forest encircled the city, and cut it off. He knew from experience that any being attempting to penetrate the forest to find the citadel would be forced back, or killed. The idea that there was an exclusion zone just made sense. Along with the idea that there was a safe altitude. Unfortunately, that safe altitude simply could not be maintained for very long. Certainly not long enough to get over the forest.

Kitzu retrieved her lamps, and was delighted at the sight of one of Princess Celestia’s message scrolls materializing right in front of the Lt Commander with a pop. It hovered for a moment, and dropped to the floor. The room grew deathly silent save for the scratching of Kitzu’s pen.

He’s staring at your letter like it’s a snake. Kitzu wrote in her book. She then waited quietly.

“Well aren’t you going to look at it?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“Oh my...” Lt Mouse whispered on noticing Kitzu’s book.

I kind of feel sorry for him, he’s so eager to please. Kitzu wrote. A moment later Princess Celestia had written back the words, a might bit too eager.

The Lt Commander slowly picked up the scroll, unrolled it, and went white as a linen sheet. Kitzu relayed this via her book, and Princess Celestia let Kitzu know that she had simply reminded the Lt Commander that he had standing orders not to attempt to penetrate the heart of the forest, nor skirt through it in any way. He was allowed only to duck in and out as needed to rescue a pony who’d wandered too close, and that meant going around the edge if need be. And he was to cancel his operation and provide Kitzumi with an escort via a safe route.

“The, um… the mission is canceled.” Lt Commander pain announced in a tone that was barely audible.

“Pardon?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“Canceled. The mission is canceled.” Lt Commander Payne repeated loud enough for all to hear.

“Oh? - You don’t say?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“Tell you what… new orders. Captain. Since you seem to like the little Miss so much, you can escort her back to Ponyville,” Lt Commander Payne ordered. “In fact, you can take your own flight.” He started to turn away but then stopped. His body froze in place for a moment, and then ever so slowly turned back around.

“No, I will prove to Princess Celestia I can do this!” Payne growled. “We are going, orders or no orders!”

Kitzu quickly scribbled something in her book, put it away and got out the lamps again. The fact that her crushing the cheep candle lamp had garnered so little reaction had been bothering her. She got up, and started walking towards the Lt Commander who’d begun to rant by this point. “You will not win this battle this day.” Kitzu said under her breath. She levitated her lamps up to the Lt Commander, and began rotating them around him in a counter clockwise rotation relative to the floor.

“Get those things away from me!” He shouted with rage.

“By the light of the silver moon, and the halls of the high heavenly Citadel I will stand against the deceiver and cast out his evil works.” Kitzu said in a strong clear voice while lighting up her horn. The crystals in her Petrel answered followed by the light of the lamps shining brighter then ever their circular motion making them take on the appearance of a mitsu tomoe. Payne began to scream with rage his face distorted. “Sun lights day. Dark night has fallen. Light the lamps.”

Kitzu presses forward speaking, “Harmony disrupted, return to the path, sweep away the obstacles and impurities. Sweep away the mists that cloud the mind and soul, and grant us purification and clarity.”

Payne had crumpled to the floor crying out in pain. Meanwhile Kitzu’s mane and tail had started going all cosmic while those gathered drew back in fear and confusion.

“Be free of the inflictive poisons that have possessed you!”

Payne let out one last yell, and lay back on the floor, the room silent. Kitzu waited a moment, and slowly walked up to him.

“Wow, I must have really tied one over last night.” Payne said, and then sat up. “Umm, what’s going on.” Kitzu smiled, and dropped her light show. She then retrieved her lanterns.

“Welcome back.” Kitzu offered. “You’d been possessed.”

“Oh so that’s why he was being a bigger pain then normal,” One of the ponies said just loud enough for their voice to carry to the front.

“You know, that sounds suspiciously like Ensign Loki.” Kitzu mused with a smile on her face. “Lt Commander, just how many of Princess Luna’s Shadow bolts do you have here?”

“There are seven of us.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. “May I ask...”

“I’ve had access to Princess Luna’s… mementos of her life before Night Fall.” Kitzu offered. Luna’s memories to be exact, but she’d no desire to tell every pony there she’d been inside Princess Luna’s mind.”

“Mementos...” Captain Hoofstrong mused knowing there was no way Kitzu would be able to recognize a pony by the sound of their voice by mementos. Kitzu on the other hoof, pulled out her book, and jotted down a quick explanation of what had happened.

“Um, that book?” Lt Commander Payne asked.

“She’s been in direct contact with Princess Celestia nearly the whole time.” Lt Mouse offered.

“Oh… so what all did I do?” Lt Commander Payne asked rather sheepishly.

“Oh, ordered the Ghosts to cut through the heart of the Everfree, and even tried to countermand a direct order given by Princess Celestia.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. Payne let out a groan.

“And apparently spent a lot of money on nick knacks.” Kitzu offered. “Could be worse though.”

“How?” Payne asked.

“No one stopping you from taking the squadron on a suicide run into the Everfree.” Kitzu offered. She then passed one of her little lamps over to him. “This is one of my original prototypes. I’d like you to keep that on you at all times.”

“Oh I couldn't...”

“Afraid I’m going to have to insist.” Kitzu countered. “It’ll provide some protection from who ever it was who put that whammy on you. - Meanwhile you can get the real thing at Fox village, which shouldn't be to far from here. The functional part of the lamp is a fox pony spell, it has to be fox pony magic, and a crystal that amplifies the spell. - Without those two components, it’s just a nick knack for the shelf.”

“So what’s it do, I mean what’s it really do?” Payne asked.

“It negates negative forms of energy such as discordant magic.” Kitzu offered.

“Disc...” Payne whispered.

“Who else delights at creating chaos?” Kitzu offered. He didn’t change his ways, just his M-O.”

“Sweet Celestia.” Payne whispered sounding a bit like he’d just been punched in the gut.

“We just have to see to it she gets back to Ponyville safely.” Captain Hoofstrong offered.

“Well then, lets do that.” Lt Commander Payne offered. “Suggestions?”

“I for one wouldn't mind getting a bite to eat.” Kitzu prompted. “And then I know a way to get to Apple Valley and Ponyville without having to go all the way around the forest.”

“How’s that?” Lt Commander Payne asked.

The exclusion zone centers on Thorn peak, more or less.” Kitzu offered getting up. She went to the map board, and drew a large circle. She then drew two smaller circles, one around the palace of the two sisters, and one around Fox village that took big bites out of the big circle she’d drawn. “The tree of harmony protects the Palace, and Fox village has an abundance of ghost lamps. In fact it might not be a bad idea to double back to the village and pick up some lamps that actually work. - The border I’ve drawn is an estimate since the limits seem to fluctuate some, but as you can see, we can go north, then north west, then west to cross over to the Apple Valley. - Any good updrafts around here?”

“There’s a good updraft on the windward side of this ridge.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. “What did you have in mind?”

Catch the updraft, let it do the work for us, go up to about nine thousand horns, and than set a shallow dive. - It’s the way I cover long distances without wearing myself out.” Kitzu offered. “Um, except I usually top out around twelve thousand, and can generate my own updraft with my magic.”

“Twelve thousand...” Mouse whispered.

“I can use magic.” Kitzu reminded. “It’s possible for an ordinary pegasus to get up that high if they ride on an updraft, but they won’t last long without a flight suit, and auxiliary air supply. - Now, how about some breakfast?”

🥓🍳🥞🍊🥖🧀

As Kitzumi was escorted to the dining facility, and told of the Night wing and how their roots were from the Shadow Bolts of old, Princess Celestia leaned back in the office chair that had been brought in. A makeshift office had been set up for her right in the Moon hall being it was the only place they knew for a fact she could read that diary. It was also the only place in the palace in which she was sure that Discord had no sway.

“Princess Celestia… the lights.” A secretary whispered. The ghost lamps had all started glowing considerably brighter.

“Yes, I noticed that myself.” The lights had begun glowing brighter shortly after Kitzu’s reply concerning the exorcism she’d performed.

“They are responding to her perhaps.” Offered the secretary.

“That would seem the case.” Celestia mused. “I’m also beginning to appreciate Luna’s misgivings concerning Discord. - I fear he’s been playing us the whole time.”

Author's Note

OK yes, this could have all been multiple chapters, and not just the one. I decided to go with it as one being the Ghost squadron AKA modern day Shadow Bolts keep getting mentioned, and then we finally get to see them towards the end of the Chapter. Up to this point I've tried to keep my chapters short for my own connivance and to make them easy reads. The longer it gets, the more editing is involved before I can post. And it would not surprise me in the least to come back some time later and find mistakes I missed on the first umpteen pass throughs.

The name Aerocare is the name of an air ambulance company. I was trying to think up a good name when I run across it and decided it'd be perfect.

Lieutenant Commander Payne. I'm using navel rank structure for the most part. For those of you who don't know, the navel rank of Lieutenant Commander translates to the Army rank of Major. That's right, he's a major pane.

Have attempted to edit using Grammarly. No go. Grammarly fails spectacularly do to the size of the file. I did go back through to look for stuff I know I'm screwing up on, such as switching then and than, or piece and peace. Most of what Grammarly highlights tends to be fairly minor stuff caused by my casual use of commas.

Princess Luna's own Shadowbolts.

Drawn by bam-bean-itzevil

If Kitzu seemed nothing more than a filly in a grownup’s uniform, her skill in the air proved otherwise. The first thing she did once they got going was to insist on diamond formations to ascend the updrafts. They’d never used a diamond formation and didn’t even know what it was. The value of the formation became apparent once they hit the updraft that would take them up to altitude. Keeping a tight formation was of utmost importance to make sure every pegasus jumped in, and out, at the same time. Anything else would leave the formation scattered.

Ponyville was not their first heading. Kitzu wanted everyone in the flight to have an actual working lamp charm, and not just any lamp charm as she’d a mind to put into practice an idea she’d been toying with, so it was off to the fox village.

“Seriously guys?” Kitzu admonished as they landed. The inhabitants seeing members of the Ghosts landing in the square had run for it, barricading themselves in their homes and shops. Granted they did have their full armor on just in case they experienced any issues crossing the forest.

“Unfortunately there are some elements in the Night Wing that like to cause trouble.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. “Tends to be recruits mostly.”

“Ya, I can see how some of the recruits can cause issues. - We've had issues with one of them already. Called me a dirty pretender, and a few other choice things,” Kitzu’s tone was a bit cross. Kitzu took off her helmet and called out, “It’s alright, it’s me, Kitzumi. Your princess of the lamps.” There was a moment's silence, followed by a door opening, a pony admonishing some pony not to go out, accented by the sound of tiny hoofs galloping. Kitzu turned just in time to catch a flying tackle hug executed by Cirrus, a rather diminutive pegasus of light blue with white mane and tail and patches of white across her back and flanks. Kitzu dropped on her plot so as to better receive the hug.

“You came back!”

“Well, of course, I came back,” Kitzu replied to the little filly. “Though I must confess I hadn’t planned on coming back quite so soon.”

“No?” Cirrus asked plaintively.

“I haven't even made it to my own home yet.” Kitzu offered, and then tousled the fillies mane. Kitzu paused a moment, had her horn grown? Her contemplation was interrupted by yet another filly tackling her. “Roxy! And here I thought you’d be stuck in another tree?”

“Not me!” Roxy called.

“Ha, you got stuck again only just this morning,” Cirrus tattled. Roxy stuck her tongue out at Cirrus.

“Now none of that.,” Kitzu admonished playfully while wrapping them in a wing hug.

“So who are these little cuties?” Mouse asked. She had a silly grin on her face.

“One would almost think she just wanted to come to visit these little fillies here.” Teased the other Lieutenant in the group. He was a blue pegasus with a white mane by the name of Ansaldo Balilla.

“Well, let's just say it’s a perk.” Kitzu offered. Out of the corners of her eyes, she could see anxious ponies looking out at them. “This little redhead here is Roxy,” Kitzu offered, indicating the little fox type earth pony. “And this is Cirrus. - She’s a baby alicorn.” Cirrus blushed. “Roxy, Cirrus, this is Captain Hoofstrong, Lt Alice Mouse, Lt Ansaldo Balilla, Corporal Pfalz Shadow, Petty Officer Morane Saulnir, Gunny Gotha Moonshine, and Ensign Loki.” Ensign Loki wasn’t much older than Kitzumi having been a cadet in training when he got caught up in the same spell that banished Nightmare Moon and the others. Loki was also a fox pegasus like Kitzu and had the dubious fame of being a thousand-year-old fox who had yet to grow out a second tail. All had been caught up in the banishment spell as they’d all been foalish enough to have rushed in, in a vain attempt to stop the fight between the two sisters. As for Kitzu telling them that Cirrus was a baby alicorn, they were all a bit skeptical until she parted Cirrus’s mane and showed them the horn. This generated some raised eyebrows. Loki who should have known about the problem concerning button heads had been out of the loop on that matter and wasn’t aware of the individuals within the fox pony community.

“Alright you two, I’d love to spend more time, but we’ve business to attend to.” Kitzu offered as she stood up. She trotted on over to where a small gathering of ponies was forming. They bowed as she approached. Kitzu sighed, returned the bow while adding, “You know that’s not necessary outside official functions? I haven't even been officially recognized yet.” Granted as a fox pony who was Lady Aiko’s protege she still would have been given the royal treatment had they known.

“If there is anything we can do?” they asked.

“We need some lanterns, but I don’t want ordinary lanterns. I’ve my own gems, but I’ll need some lamps that haven't been engraved yet.”

“What was it you had in mind?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“I’d an idea to personalize them to each of you.” Kitzu offered. “And don’t worry about the time, I’ve done thousands of 'em by now. I’m pretty quick.”

Kitzu was directed to a shop where they had been making small silver lamps that could be worn as a charm. She sat down at a workbench, took up a lamp shell, and a stylus with her magic, and scratched the spell into the back of the cavity where the gemstone would go. The crafts ponies who were watching were astounded by her speed in making the inscriptions. This was followed by Kitzu retrieving not the usual light blue stone that was normally used, but an orange stone that was fitted and set in place. The next lamp received a pink stone. This confused the crafts ponies all the more when the next stone was indeed the standard blue, followed by a purple stone, a vermilion stone, and a magenta stone.

“Why that’s the colors of the harmony stones.” a crafts pony whispered.

“Ah, you’re catching on.” Kitzu offered as she retrieved a green stone. “These stones came from outcroppings near the base of a tree of harmony in another dimension. Each resonates with one of the known virtues.”

“But you’ve made seven?” Lt Mouse asked. “And surely we don’t… I mean, isn’t one supposed to represent the element of magic?”

“I discovered some time back that the lamps I was making all resonated with the harmony stone of laughter and hope. It occurred to me that if I could customize the energy flow to specific ponies, I’d be able to simulate all the stones.” She then fastened strong ribbons to each and presented them to her escort. “To you Captain Hoofstrong, the orange stone, Makoto, Strength honesty, and sincerity. Lt Mouse, I present you with the pink stone, Jin, kindness healing, and compassion. Lt Ansaldo, Gi, which is the bluestone, laughter hope, and integrity. Same as mine I might add. Corporal Pfalz, Meiyo, the purple stone, generosity beauty, and honor.”

“Beauty?” Pfalz asked perplexed. Pfalz was a rather well-built bat pony. He and the others suppressed a laugh.

“Well, you’re not exactly hard on the eyes.” Kitzu offered with a wink while ignoring the laughter. “To Petty Officer Morane, Chu, the vermilion stone, Loyalty bravery, and duty. And to Gunny Gotha, Rei, the magenta stone.”

“But doesn’t that stone represent sorcery and magic?” Gunny Gotha asked.

“It also represents respect. No magic wielder ever gets very far if they are lacking in respect.” Kitzu offered.

“But surely you can’t mean we, I mean, wouldn't this make us bearers of the elements of harmony?” Corporal Pfalz asked.

“Princess Luna elevated the six of you to her personal guard because she saw in each of you the same qualities that the pillars of Equestria possess.” Kitzu offered. “And no, you won’t be bearers of harmony, but the stones will make it possible for you to fight dark magic.”

“But what about me?” Loki asked. “I’m assuming you are going to give me that green stone?”

“Seven elements for seven pillars.” Kitzu offered.

“Seven?” Mouse asked. “But aren’t there only six?”

“You forgot about Stygian. Every pony forgot about him, even his own friends.” Kitzu offered. “Time and time again Stygian faced danger with nothing more than his wits, and his friends.” Kitzu then presented Loki with the lantern with the green stone. “Yu, the greenstone, uncommon valor, and heroic courage. May also be interpreted as redemption. You rushed in, all of you did for that matter, where not even fools would dare to tread. You rushed in having nothing but the desire to put an end to the fighting.” Kitzu then went back around and activated each one, the lamps glowing as it was activated. “Star Swirl’s own arrogance was his downfall because he never realized how valuable Stygian’s contribution was. ... Now, let's keep in mind that these stones may not have the same power level as the original harmony stones, but they will make it possible to kill a timber wolf.”

“Hang on, what?” Loki protested. “Timber wolf?”

“Snap the neck, the charm breaks the flow of magic, and the timber wolf falls apart. Don’t feel bad about doing it either, those things aren’t technically alive in the first place. Just a pile of sticks and old dead branches animated with discordant magic. Downside is you have to get in mighty close to do it, and hopefully, it won’t be necessary to put them to the test when we get there.” Kitzu offered.

“You sure we haven't delayed too long?” Lt Ansaldo asked.

“Hopefully they are still within the influence of the Tree of Harmony. Even so, it’s better to arrive in the nick of time prepared than to arrive on time unprepared. Now… just one more thing... - Cirrus, do you mind if I do a reading on you? I want to see if I can figure out who your family is?”

“Um, OK, I guess.” Cirrus offered. “But even if you do find them, what good will it do?”

“Well, I won’t know that till I find them.” Kitzu offered. “In fact, I’ve got a mind to talk my mother into adopting you.” Kitzu offered while producing her foxfire screen. She studied the information presented, Cirrus’s mother was a unicorn, and her father a pegasus, moderately wealthy, but aside from that there was nothing distinguishing about them. They were quite ordinary. As for Cirrus, she was indeed responding to Kitzu’s magic, which troubled Kitzu deeply.

“We’ve grown quite fond of our little Cirrus.” One of the elders offered.

“I’m sure you are.” Kitzu offered quietly. “It’s just that she seems to be responding to my magic. Unless there is someone among you who is a close family member...”

“But we are all fox ponies, and she’s not.”

“I’m not. I’m of mixed heritage.” Kitzu offered. “It’s possible her parents are somehow closely related to me, but I’ve no idea who they might be?”

“We should get going.” Mouse offered. “We’ll just have to unravel this mystery once we’ve reunited you with your own mother.”

Kitzu gave Cirrus a hug. “I’m going to check back with you just as soon as I can, but don’t worry too much if it takes more than a week or so.”

“Mmm-kay. Promise?”

“Make it a Pinkie promise.” Kitzu offered.

“A what?” Cirrus asked.

“A Pinkie promise. Cross my heart, and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“But you can already fly, and I want to fly,” Cirrus said plaintively.

“Miss Pinkie is an earth pony.” Kitzu offered. “A very silly one at that. But enough of that, we’ve got to get going.” Kitzu let loose her hug and trotted over to the center of the square. “Captain?”

“Alright then, form up!” Captain Hoofstrong said in a commanding tone. A moment later they’d formed up, he gave the order, wings up, and launch. As one, their wings swept down, and with a leap into the air, they soared heavenward.

It didn’t take long to find another updraft, up they went, and as it was going to be a long flight, just glided along letting gravity do the work till they’d arrived at the originally planned jumping-off point. Having descended quite a bit, they road the updraft up once more, turned northwest, and set out across the forest.

Down below the canopy of trees fell behind them as they swept by. Birds could be seen flying from tree to tree, and at one point a Manticore was sighted gliding along the tops of trees with its large bat-like wings.

“Would you look at that, it’s oblivious to us.” Petty Officer Morane commented.

“An if we’d been flying just above the tree level the way pegasus normally do, we’d have flown right into that.” Corporal Pfalz commented.

“And the ground ponders would never know it was there until it was too late.” Lt Ansaldo added as they left the area.

“We’ve got a ridgeline coming up.” Captain Hoofstrong called out. “We’ll use it to regain some altitude, and then head west.”

It hadn’t taken too much longer to approach the ridge, but as they were climbing the updraft a dragon lunged out at them.

“Stay in formation!” Kitzu shouted, cast a shield spell around each pony, and used her magic to rocket them upwards to twelve thousand horns leaving the dragon far behind.

“Well, I hadn’t planned that.” Kitzu offered a few moments later via the helmet radios. The dragon had given up the pursuit. “Never try this without a magic-user. Alright, as long as I have the shields up, let's hurry things up a bit. Captain, I think we can afford a steeper angle.” The captain looked back at her, smiled, and set a shallow dive, just enough to give them some extra speed. Kitzu would drop her shields once she felt they were no longer necessary. An hour later they passed over the edge of the forest into the Apple Valley.

“Say, isn’t that the Canterlot to Ponyville express?” Mouse asked over the radio. They were still going at a fairly good clip as they turned down the valley.

“Sure is,” Kitzu replied. “Anyone want to take a break?”

“You need a break?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“Kind of yes, kind of no. I was just thinking it might be fun to ride on top of the roof for a while. Being they didn’t wake me up like I asked when I went through Ponyville this morning.”

“Did they now?” Loki asked.

“Truth be told, I’d be there already if I hadn’t slept past the station,” Kitzu admitted sheepishly.

“You know it’s not likely to be the same crew?” Mouse prompted.

“Maybe not, but let's take a break anyway. We’ve been flying for a little better than two hours now, and this way we don’t lose too much time.” Captain Hoofstrong offered and then guided them into land on the roofs of the passenger cars.

Down in the train, the passengers were more annoyed at the presence of pegasi on the roof than alarmed. The conductor on the other hoof was extremely annoyed, popped his head up to tell them to get off his train only to find what looked like a military patrol of the Night Wing fliers. He quickly lost his nerve and dropped back down.

“Who’s up there?” the brake pony asked.

“It’s a military patrol. Night wing.”

“Night fliers?” The brake pony asked, took a look, saw the armor, the uniforms, Equestria suns on the epaulets, the bat pins on their collars, along with Kitzu’s horn, moon insignias, peytral, and shadow bolt insignia on her daggers. Add to that Kitzu’s royal horseshoes with the fleur de lis design. Peytrals and royal horseshoes equaled royalty. Wings and a horn equaled alicorn, but the wings were white, and legs were black, and the only white-winged alicorn they knew of was Celestia herself. The brake pony dropped down. "I think they are ghost squadron by the looks of them only they have bat pins on their rank boards, and they’ve got a rather diminutive alicorn with them wearing royal regalia, and Shadow Bolt insignia with them.”

“A diminutive… an alicorn impersonator more likely.” Spat out the conductor. “I don’t know what their game is, but those fakes are not riding for free!”

So up went the conductor, this time climbing up till his shoulders were above the roofline. “Oy, you lot! Get off my train! And take that fake alicorn with you!”

“Wow, he’s sure got a pair on him.” Gunny Gotha commented.

“You sure those aren’t crotch boobs?” Corporal Pfalz asked.

“So hard to tell sometimes.” Captain Hoofstrong commented with a smile, followed by Mouse protesting indigently. “Not you, I didn't mean you.” The others all laughed being the Captain and the Lieutenant are married. All except Kitzu who looked up at her horn realizing she’d forgot to camouflage it.

“You know what...” Kitzu began, the comment had hit just the right nerve. “I am sick and tired of ponies giving me grief for having both wings and a horn. Bad enough I get bullied just for being a fox pony.” Kitzu’s eyes began to glow, and her mane billowed out. “A fake, a pretender, a freak, oh ya I’ve heard it all.” Kitzu turned to look at the pony who’d been fool enough to step on her last nerve. Overhead thunder rolled, and the sky grew dark. “Do you know what the problem with ponies like you is? It’s your blind bigoted ignorance.” Her words were punctuated by a window cracking, eardrum-shattering thunderclap.

“Ensign Nightfoal, stand at attention!” Lt Mouse shouted. She and the others had crouched down a bit, wings partly unfolded.

A year's worth of training and combat did its trick. Kitzu snapped to attention and dropped her hold on the weather grid.

“What just happened?” Loki asked eyeballing the foxfire smoldering around Kitzu’s hooves. Mouse walked over to the conductor.

“Did it never occur to you...” Mouse asked in a calm menacing voice, “..that among those ‘impersonators’ you so love to hate, that there might be some real alicorns who were just being nice by not blasting you into dust?”

The conductor said not a word and slowly retreated back down into the platform between the cars from which he had come. The window panes in the cars were all cracked, and the occupants were scrunched down looking rather apprehensive. “What… what just happened?” The brake pony asked as the conductor plopped down on his plot. The conductor said nothing and did nothing until the brake pony started up the ladder.

“No, don’t!” The conductor cautioned grabbing the pony’s leg.

“What’d they do?”

“That’s a real alicorn up there, and I’m lucky to be alive.”

Meanwhile, on top the car, Mouse had gone over to Kitzu and given her a hug to help her calm down.

“How’d you know that’d stop her?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“She’s an officer in Her Majesty Queen Moons Shadow Bolts.” Mouse offered. “She obeys orders.”

“Queen Moon?” Gunny asked.

“Hey Ensign, you got it together?” The Captain inquired of Kitzumi.

“Yes, sir.” Loki offered.

“Not you.” Capt. Hoofstrong scolded.

“I’m sorry. I guess he just managed to step on just the right nerve.” Kitzu offered. “I had no idea I could power up like that so quickly, either.” Kitzu shuddered at the thought of what she did and almost nearly did. “It’s just that I get so much grief from ponies that don’t have a clue. I’ll never understand what goes on in ponies' minds?”

“You’re just nervous about going home. I kind of know what that’s like except in our case, none of us have any of what you’d call living relatives. - We’ve some descendants of relatives some of us managed to track down, but it’s just not the same, and some are a little wacky. Bat shit some of 'em are. Guano in their heads. And yes, I know what it’s like to be treated like a second class Equestrian, we all do.” Mouse offered.

“I found a niece,” Loki informed. “Descendants all over the place too. She’s getting up there in age, but it’s fun to talk to her because we remember some of the same relatives.”

“Hang on… you have a relative... How old are they?” Mouse asked astonished. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”

“She’d have to be a nine tail,” Kitzu suggested. “Nine tails can be intimidating.”

“Thousand years.” Loki supplied. “At least that much.”

“A thousand years?” Mouse asked astonished. If a pony lived past a hundred it was considered exceptional, and most who did had a lot of magic.

“Life expectancy for fox types is as much as a thousand years or more depending on their heritage.” “The closer they are to the original kitsune that emigrated to Equestria the longer the life expectancy,” Kitzu informed them. “Those that are exceptionally gifted in magic may even become immortal like Princess Celestia and Muma, er that is Princess Luna. Um, do you think I should apologize to those ponies for my outburst?”

“We’ll fly along the side of the train, and then we’ll continue on.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. “I suspect if you climb down that ladder it’ll just make things worse. Alright, let's line up, well lift up, and drop down while in a trail formation then break the flight into two squads. Myself, Lt Mouse, Ensign Nightfoal, and Corporal Pfalz, front four. Lt Ansaldo takes the aft four. On my command, we’ll split, forward squad into a right route, and the aft formation will be a fluid four. Ready?”

They all called ready one after the other as they lined up, Captain Hoofstrong signaled to lift off, and up they went. He then peeled off to the left of the train where the flight lined up again. On the command to shift the formation, Lt Mouse went to the left of the Captain, while Kitzu went right with Corporal Pfalz following where he’d be able to pull up alongside Kitzu to act as a shield between her and the train. Trailing them was Lt Ansaldo and Petty Officer Morane side by side, with Gunny Gotha and Ensign Loki as their outside wing guards following to the left and right.

“Oh geez...” Kitzu said under her breath seeing the cracked windows running down the length of the cars. “I’m terribly sorry,” Kitzu called out. “I never meant for that to happen. I’m sorry about losing my cool like that.” On the platform between the cars the Conductor and brake pony just looked on from where they were, frozen in place. Inside ponies looked on with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. What’s more is Kitzu’s horn was still plain to see, and her mane still billowing out from her helmet along with the pony feathering at her tail doing much the same. Add to the overall image was the presence of a foxfire orb following like a smoldering ember that had been thrown into the air by an explosion.

Kitzu made a guarded smile when some inside dared to wave. She waved back.

“Snap role left, four points all the way over...” Captain Hoofstrong called. “Harch!” On the command, the flight rolled, each together as one, while holding their relative positions. Each did a quick on the side stop, upside down stop, on the other side stop, and then back to start. The captain smiled. It’d been over a thousand years since they’d done any maneuvers in front of the public. Back then they would do night shows while carrying iron baskets with glowing embers in them. “Diamond formations!”

On the command, the two squads reformed into diamond formations. The captain waited just long enough for the formations to form, then called for some altitude. Inside the train, every pony watched in admiration as the flight soared heavenward and was lost to sight.

High aloft the two groups of four flew side by side at which point they shifted to fluid fours. For ponies on the ground looking up at the right time, they’d see only a staggered line of pegasi traveling along the length of the valley, and then gliding over towards the Everfree forest.

“Are you all hearing chatter on the two way?” Kitzu asked. Her keen hearing picking up a sound that is far too familiar as they approach the airspace around the palace of the two sisters.

“Just sounds like static to me.” Mouse offered.

“Too much static. Like a lot of ponies overloading the system.” Captain Hoofstrong commented.

“Oh gods, it sounds like they still have search parties out, and they are being attacked!” Kitzu said sounding alarmed. “We need to speed up.”

“Sun’s setting.” Corporal Pfalz observed.

“Good, a shadow bolt is at their best after dark.” Lt Mouse snarked.

“Some of us do mighty fine after dark.” Captain Hoofstrong replied.

“Oh-kay...” Kitzu mused pretty sure the topic was going off track. “As it gets darker it should be easier to find where they are if they’ve unicorns with them.”

“And I suppose you’re going to want to jump right into the thick of it?” Captain Hoofstrong asked.

“I may not have the physical strength of a full-grown pony, but I’ve more than enough magic to compensate.” Kitzu offered. “That, and I just won’t feel right about not helping after all I’ve done over the past year.”

“I’m to understand she got caught up in a war in another country.” Mouse offered as the radio static went silent. “Serving a Queen Moon.”

“Another dimension actually.” Kitzu corrected. “The official story is I was traveling abroad, but that’s not the truth of the matter. The truth is I found myself Serving in a kingdom ruled by Princess Luna, and they were in a desperate fight against King Sombra – no don’t worry, I switched our radios to a closed channel.” No one had noticed when she did it, but the sounds of ponies in desperate need were gone. “I’m more than qualified to deal with Timberwolves.”

Kitzu switched the radios back only to be assailed by calls for help.

“This is Ghost flight Zero, inbound air support, signal your location.” Captain Hoofstrong called on the radio. “I say again, this is Ghost flight Zero, signal your location.”

“OK, the most important thing you need to know to knock down a Timber wolf, use a death strike, break the neck, get out fast.” Kitzu offered. “If you aren’t careful it’ll collapse around you, and you’re a dead pigeon.”

“Who you calling a pigeon?” Loki teased.

“You go getting yourself killed, I’ll go down to Tartarus, find you, and kick your flank,” Kitzu warned. The others weren’t quite sure if she was teasing or not. After all, after her little display on top of the train, the idea that she could do such a thing wasn’t off the table as an impossibility.

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“Twilight, this has got to stop!” Luna demanded. Reports coming in were not good, and the two had gone to the command center they’d set up to listen to the radio. “Kitzumi is not out there! Ponies are getting hurt.”

Much of the chatter was difficult to make out, it was broken, and ponies were talking over each other. The search teams had gone further and further out, and today all Tartarus broke loose. The forest was throwing everything it had in the way of timber wolves as though it was an organized attack on the searchers.

“Princess Luna.” Shining Armor called. He’d come as soon as he’d learned Kitzumi had gone missing to personally take command of the search. “We’ve parties coming in that broke off when the attacks started. Some of them are reporting having seen pegasus in the old style Shadow Bolt uniforms. We believe it’s the Nightmare Moon cultists.”

“Oh this is getting good, what could possibly happen next I wonder?” Discord mused joyfully, moments after popping in. He was presently floating about the ceiling with a bucket filled with unpopped corn that would pop in his mouth and spray out.

“Discord, did it never occur to you to actually help?” Twilight all but shouted. “Is there not one bit of empathy in you?”

“What, it’s not like I’m going to find her out there.” Discord scoffed.

“Weren’t you the one who kept saying we needed to look everywhere?” Twilight was exhausted and her exasperation with Discord’s usual antics had reached a fever pitch.

“I said no such thing. I said to leave no stone unturned. Really, the answer had been right under your noses for years.”

“Years?” Twilight dropped to a sitting position right where she stood. “Luna?” Luna had told Twilight about the book, but Discord had discredited it as a remnant of another dimension.

“As a matter of fact, Former Commander Flash Magnus has been keeping tabs on the writer of that diary you dismissed for some time now.” Discord added. “Pity no one seems to be on speaking terms...”

“Discord...” Luna growled. “This is all your doing, isn’t it? Kitzumi vanishing, a little filly who popped into our lives out of nowhere years ago, to every pony forgetting she ever existed.”

“Well of course it is. Surely you didn’t actually think I’d really reformed did you? Oh and Flash remembered.” Discord offered with an absurdly large grin. “Seems I was a bit sloppy in cleaning up after myself. But instead of listening to him, and investigating all possibilities, you pushed him away. And now the Pillars of Equestria are scattered, several of the bearers of harmony aren’t talking to each other, oh and if you are thinking of trying to punish me for my part in all this fun, you can forget about sweet dear Fluttershy ever lifting a hoof against me.” His words were all syrupy sweet tinged with madness followed by a slow laugh that came across far more sinister than mirthful. "Although... if you ask me, I'd say I've done you a favor. Yes, a favor. After all, someone had to get rid of that thing."

The room grew deathly quiet save for the radio: I repeat, this is Captain Hoofstrong, Ghost Squadron, Flight Zero. Inbound air support. Signal your location with a flare.

“Hoofstrong?” Luna whispered to herself. Maybe it was the stress of the situation, but she’d swear she knew that voice. And that name… but then again, maybe it was just more of Discord's idea of fun. Why hadn’t they come up with some other way to deal with him instead of relying on being able to use the elements of harmony? Discord knew how vulnerable their defense was, had played them, and there wasn’t a thing they could do.

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Deep in the forest, along what could only be described as the front lines of a battle, ponies having scrambled for cover, now desperately fight to push back the onslaught of the great beasts of wood held together and animated by discordant magic. “Somebody help us. We can’t hold – no don’t run!” A lone pony, panicked, had decided to run for it only to have a timber wolf take chase. Someone was playing music over the radio, a fast expectant tempo, growling of wolves, or was that the wolves…

Heard over the radio the word: Thunder. Again and again, the word Thunder is repeated to the sound of hard-driving rock.

A small pegasus in black armor, shrouded in forest darkness and the dark of fading dusk, struck home on the back of the wolf chasing the fleeing pony, it collapsed in an explosion of dust erupting from the forest floor as the pegasus lept free. Her wing tips leaving trails of swirling dust to mark her path in the fading light. Hardly a moment later more black-clad pegasus, and bat ponies dropped down through the canopy striking down timberwolves, launching themselves back into the air as quickly as they’d struck. Singing could be heard coming over the radio, something about some pony being caught in the middle of the railroad tracks, and by the time the ghosts had finished their first round, in the moment of relative silence could be heard the words, “you’ve been thunderstruck”.

The Timberwolves that had been struck down weren’t getting up again. Squad zero raced through the trees, lined up more targets, and struck again, again, and again.

The ponies on the ground weren’t sure what they were seeing. Normal pegasus couldn't fly in the thick woods after dark, nor did these ponies look like normal ponies. And for that matter Timberwolves always got right back up again when knocked down. Defeating a timber wolf was usually a matter of driving it off.

Thanks to Kitzumi’s lamps the ghosts all had a slight glow about them despite having tucked the lamps in under their armor. The light wasn’t enough to give away their positions, but enough to scare the living daylights out of any pony close enough to see it. The glow was from a built-in shield Kitzu had worked into her spell. Of course, she hadn’t told them there’d be a shield. After all, she didn’t want anyone getting careless thinking they’d be protected regardless of their actions. In the gloom of the Everfree at night, it made them look a bit like they were real spirits. The bat ponies in the flight only helped to enhance the image.

The radio grew silent for a moment. And then the music started up again, ‘Turn up the radio’ echoed through the forest.

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“What the buck?” Discord whispered looking at the radio. Even he was taken back by the turn of events. A good deal of the chatter had been replaced by rock and roll. A shiver ran through his spine. He could feel his creations being snuffed out. Creations he’d lost control of, but still, they were his. Some pony had figured out a counter curse.

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A few moments later the Ghosts were weaving their way through the trees to the tune of ‘Flirting with Disaster’ while seeking out and knocking down timberwolves.

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“We’ve got old school!” Lokie shouted over the radio a little while later on spotting pegasi in the old Shadowbolt uniform skimming the tops of the trees.

“Ensign, stay with your squad!” Gunny shouted over the radio.

“I’ll get him,” Kitzu called.

“Princess, don’t – damn it! What is with you fox types, can’t follow orders?!” Captain Hoofstrong shouted.

“Don’t worry about me, I’m still supercharged.” Kitzu offered, ignoring several protests. “I have to be the one to go after him, only a fox pegasus can keep up with a fox pegasus.” Red Rider’s Lunatic Fringe started as she took chase.

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High above the trees, Loki was mixing it up with a bunch of fake Shadow bolts. They were good, they were cocky, but they weren’t the real thing. Except, Loki was lacking in battle experience. Kitzu hit the afterburners and rocketed upwards as the Shadowbolts lined Loki up for a strike from a big griffin. Next song up, Judas Priest: you’ve got another thing coming.

When Kitzu hit the griffin’s back there was electricity in the air following her. Every molecule of air was forced out of the griffin’s lungs, feathers scorched by the thunderbolt Kitzu had generated around herself, and just to make sure – this was combat – her hoof daggers dug deep into the big griffin’s neck, and severed the spinal column at the base of the shoulders. She wasted no time watching her prey go down, and rocketed back up into the sky.

Loki had been momentarily distracted by the ferocity of Kitsumi’s strike, turning to watch her instead of his opponents. They’d been startled too, but thinking the squad captain would be up in a moment closed in on Loki. Kitzu swept past Loki, wings back in a delta wedge, and reached out with her hoof blades severing the end of one wing on one individual, followed by the wing of another. Two ponies went down, followed by two others in an attempt to save their comrades from what was going to be a nasty fall. Their Captain was gone.

“Loki! On my six!” Kitzu shouted over the top of her rock music. “Can you augment your speed with magic?” He indicated he could. “Let’s do this! - No mercy! - No more farting around!”

One of the tactics Kitzu had learned in the world of Queen Moon was to never try to outmatch Sombra’s drones. Move-in fast, and disable the wings. Gravity would do the rest. Flying as fast as she could, also meant her opponent would have very little time to react. The impact of a sonic shock wave did its own share of damage. Kitzu had often wondered how Dash could even survive that kind of speed without any kind of personal shielding. Kitzu and Loki now had their own magic shields to protect their bodies from the force of the wind created at those kinds of speeds. As for the cultists, it would only take one high-speed pass through their ranks to send the entire flight tumbling, the sound of the sonic boom reverberated across the forest.

“Come on, let's get back to the others,” Kitzu called shortly after losing the cultists to the forest.

“You don’t want to go after them?” Loki asked.

“No, I don’t. - Look, you never separate from your wing pony, never separate from your squad, and never separate from your flight! - Ever!”

Kitzu’s words cut sharp in scolding Loki. He’d turned just in time to see Kitzumi driving down hard on that big Griffin. He hadn’t seen the Griffin. He’d been lured into an ambush if not for Kitzumi he’d be seeing his ancestors.

“Stay alert, we’re going in,” Kitzu called, and then dropped back down into the canopy of trees just in time to spot a pair of large timber wolves trying to get at a small group of ponies who’d taken refuge in a thicket. “Take the one on the left,” She called to Loki as he followed her into the trees.

“Are you alright in there?” Kitzu called moments after they dismantled the timber monstrosities while hovering in the air overhead.

“Who are you?” called the voice of Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom, it’s me, Kitzumi. I hooked up with some ghost squadron fliers. - What are you doing out here? Surely you must have figured out I wouldn't be found out here by now?”

“Miss Kitzu?” Apple Bloom gingerly poked her head out of the thicket she was in. “I – I was bringing box lunches to the search parties when everything just went crazy.”

“Princess Kitzumi, Ensign Loki, where are you, are you alright?” Lt Mouse called over the radio.

“Yes mam, we’re good. Drove off the fakes, and winged a couple~”

Kitzu’s sentence was cut off along with her music as a powerful blast of magic hit her.

“Kitzu!” Apple Bloom and Loki exclaim rushing to where she’d fallen some pony lengths away.

“Kitzumi, are you alright?” Apple Bloom asked while pulling branches from her. Loki turned to protect the two from the new menace.

“We were just attacked by a powerful magic user!” Loki called over the radio.

“Muma...” Kitzu moaned.

Not far off a tall dark figure of a tall pony slowly approached.

“Art thou the one’s responsible for luring Timber Wolves to our little ponies?!” The Canterlot voice was unmistakable.

“Princess Luna?” Loki asked astonished. He hesitated but a moment followed by quickly pulling off his helmet.

“Muma! What the buck?!” Kitzu called out as best she could muster.

“Princess Luna did it never occur to you to ask first before blasting your own daughter?!” Apple Bloom demanded.

“Princess, it’s me, Loki,” Loki said as he proceeded to pull off his goggles.

“Loki… but it can’t be?” Luna asked astonished.

“A lantern, I see a lantern!” Kitzu announced with excitement. “Loki, it’s directly over the thicket. Hit it with some foxfire and let's see what happens?”

“Kitzumi, are you alright?” Loki asked.

“Oh I’m great if you don’t count not being able to move, and feeling like I headbutted a bison.” Kitzu offered.

“Kitzumi?” Luna asked. Luna was momentarily stunned by the turn of events. If she couldn't do anything about Discord, she could certainly give the cultists what they seemed to want. Destruction at the hooves of Nightmare Moon. As for Kitzumi, it was going to take a while for Luna to get used to the now older version.

“Ah, I see the lantern. It’s a big one.” Loki offered and throwing caution to the wind, conjured up a ball of foxfire, and chucked it at the lamp. A moment later the lamp burst with light revealing a small group of frightened ponies beneath it.

“Night has fallen light the lamps!” Kitzu called. “Drive away the darkness! - Evildoers beware the light!” There was no way of knowing who set out those lamps, but it hardly mattered.

A pulse of light erupted from Kitzumi’s gems on her peytral, the lamps in her saddlebags, followed by a pulse of light emanating from Loki do to his lamp with him raising up into the air. The combined pulse hit the large lamp triggering a pulse from it that swept through the woods.

“Another lamp just lit up!” Apple Bloom called out with exuberance.

“There’s another in the other direction!” Loki called.

“And another!” Apple Bloom called as one after another lit up in a giant circle that enclosed the castle of the two sisters.

“Kitzumi?” Luna asked in a soft tone. “I’m so sorry. - Discord has been playing us. Is that really you?”

“Yes, it’s me. - When’s this spell going to wear off?” Kitzu asked sounding rather grumpy, though there was a touch of joy.

“Your uniform?” Luna asked.

“Never go into battle without it. - We had to cross the Everfree.” Kitzu replied. “Oh, and Loki and the others are with the Ghost Squadron.”

“Ghost squadron? Others? Does that mean I really did hear Captain Hoofstrong’s voice over the radio?”

“And you didn’t hear me?”

“You were playing your music because the ground ponders wouldn't shut their traps long enough to let us know where they were.” Loki reminded her.

“Listen, that pulse may not last long,” Kitzu commented as the rest of Flight Zero arrived.

“But how?” Luna asked as they took their helm and goggles off.

“We are your ever faithful guard.” Captain Hoofstrong offered with a reverent bow. “I gather Princess Celestia never told you?”

“No, she didn’t,” Luna replied sounding a bit disgruntled considering she’d been kept in the dark.

“Thorns! Thorns! Blackthorns! Get me out of here!” Kitzu exclaimed sounding as though she was ready to panic. Loki ran to her, stomped his front hooves from which shot out white streams of foxfire traveling along the ground. A moment later the thorns that had slowly been engulfing Kitzumi shrank back as the foxfire blazed up and down the thorny vines.

Princess Luna shook off her stunned reaction to the presence of her own elite guard plus one and used her magic to pull Kitzumi free. A moment later Kitzu was leaning heavily into Luna.

“Can I go home now?” Kitzu asked plaintively.

“Just one thing first.” Captain Hoofstrong said in a commanding voice aimed at Kitzu. “If you are going to wear that uniform don’t you ever disobey my orders ever again.”

“Yes, sir,” Kitzu replied weekly. Luna’s blast had taken quite a lot out of her, and it was all she could do to stand with support.

“As for you young Ensign Loki...” Captain Hoofstrong began, but then Kitzu cut him off.

“Captain. Now is not the time and place. Things happened, and there needs to be a proper debriefing.”

“Princess?” Captain Hoofstrong asked. Kitzumi had clearly switched from Ensign Nightfoal to Princess Kitzumi.

“There was a griffin with the fakes,” Loki informed them. “They’d lured me into a trap. Princess Kitzumi used a death strike on the griffin moments before it could rake me with its talons.”

“My hooves were clean in this world,” Kitzu said in a ragged way. “I didn’t want to, but I couldn't take a chance. The threat had to be neutralized.” Kitzu slumped down onto her plot and began to sob. “I just want to go home!” The present turn of events and what she had done to protect Loki hit her hard as her emotional defenses crumbled.

“I’m… I’m sorry.” Loki offered meekly.

“Neutralized?” Apple Bloom asked in a whisper fearing she knows what that meant. Had this sweet filly actually killed a griffin?

There was a moment of silence save for Kitzumi’s crying. Princess Luna keyed her radio and informed the searchers that Kitzumi had been found and that every pony was to evacuate to the castle of the two sisters. She then called for Shining Armor to meet her as soon as she got back. Luna lifted Kitzu to her back just as she’d done when Kitzu had been much smaller, and then they escorted Apple Bloom and the ponies that had been with her back to the castle.

“Now then, let’s have a look at you.” Luna offered as she set Kitzu down out in front of the main hall. Kitzu smiled at Luna, removed her helmet, and cap to reveal a shock of white where black had once been.

“Is something wrong?” Kitzu asked.

“It’s your mane.” Lt Mouse offered.

“It’s not still all cosmic is it?” Kitzu asked.

“It’s white. Well mostly white.” Apple Bloom informed her.

“Kawaii...” Loki squeaked. Kitzumi’s ears flattened and gave him a dirty look.

“If that means cute, I’d say he’s right.” Apple Bloom offered with a grin. Loki blushed, followed by Kitzu blushing even brighter.

“Princess Luna.” Shining Armor said as he approached. Rainbow Dash and Soarin followed close on his heels. “I heard you found her? You found Kitzumi?” He’d scanned the ponies present but didn’t see any six-year-olds. Just A flight of Ghost fliers.

“Hi, Uncle Shining.” Kitzu offered sheepishly. He stopped dead in his tracks along with Dash and Soarin.

“Kitzumi… what happened to your mane?” Dash asked

"What happened to her mane?" Shining Armor blurted out on recognizing her.

“I’m afraid the mane might be my fault.” Luna offered. “I mistook her for one of the cultists. We have an issue as well. - Kitzumi and Loki engaged in aerial combat with the fakes, killing one of their members.”

“And winging two more.” Kitzu offered.

“And blasted through them at rain-boom speed,” Loki added.

“You did what?” Dash asked astonished.

“Magic boost.” Kitzu offered.

“Holy horse apples,” Soarin said sounding as though he’d had the wind knocked out of him.

“Needless to say I need ponies to go back out there and see if you can find them, or what’s left of them,” Luna told them.

“We’ve got a company of night guards, and one wing of the night patrol available.” Shining offered.

“Make that two Nightwings.” Captain Hoofstrong offered. “Ensign Loki, do you think you can guide us to the area you engaged the enemy?”

“Yes, sir. Be a cinch.” Loki replied enthusiastically.

“Luna?” Twilight called as she exited the doors of the castle's main hall. “Where is she?”

“Mom?” Kitzu said and began moving in her direction.

“Kitzumi, is that you?” Twilight asked astonished at the change.

“Mom!” Kitzu called and began moving as fast as her wobbly legs could take her.

Elsewhere high on the walls of the castle, a grotesque comes to life. It’s Discord. “See you in the history books.” He snaps his talons, and Kitzumi vanishes.

“Kitzumi!?” Twilight and Luna call only to be answered by Discord's laughter.

“I’m going to break every bone in his body!”Corporal Pfalz announces and launches straight for Discord. Loki follows hot on his tail.

“By the gods, it’s worth a try.” Captain Hoofstrong growls momentarily followed by the rest of Flight Zero.

“Come, come, and taste the new era of Discord! - Pathetic foals!” Discord shouted followed by more cackling. His cackling came to an abrupt stop. A hoof had connected right to his jaw. “Wait, that’s not...” he exclaimed in astonishment. And then another hoof connected, followed by another, and then another. He tries to flee but finds that he is unable to use his magic as he is mobbed by those pathetic excuses for ponies. His magic has inexplicably gone. They drive him from the wall, and down into the cobbled stone hard enough to leave a crater, each member of the Ghosts now glowing the colors of the elements of harmony.

“Stop!” Twilight shouts and then walks over to where the beating had been taking place. Discords moan of genuine pain the only sound to be heard. “Discord. What did you do to my daughter?”

“I don’t know...”

Twilight’s right cross strikes his jaw just as hard as she can. “Try again.” A smile forms on her lips. How good it felt to dish up a helping of pain to the most insufferable horse's ass she’d ever had the misfortune of knowing

“She was a threat. I...”

Twilight’s hoof struck him again. “She was a six-year-old filly!” She struck him again. “What possible...” she struck him again “..threat could she possibly be?!”

“How is this...?” Shining asked.

“By any chance did she fix you guys up with lamps?” Dash asked.

“As a matter of fact, she did.” Captain Hoofstrong replied. “Seven lamps for seven elements of harmony. What makes her a threat to Discord is that she figured out how to duplicate the harmony stones. - He must have foreseen that she’d be his downfall.”

“I sent her back in time, and then the ungrateful wretch had the audacity to attack me, oh and then Luna dumps me in the human world. Oh, you really didn’t think that was going to leave me helpless and marooned, did you? No, I knew another way. I reset time leaving her in limbo. How she managed to get back...”

This time it was Luna who struck him. In fact, she struck him hard enough to send him flying out from under the ponies who had him pinned.

“Damn it, Luna!” Twilight scolded as Discord scampered away, and vanished.

“Don’t worry too much. I doubt even he could recover from a beating like that right away.” Mouse offered. Let's just say he won't be snapping his snappy things for a while.

“Twilight, Luna!” Princess Celestia called as she landed. She’d forgone her chariot and was flanked by members of the palace guard who were desperately out of breath from giving it their all to keep up with Celestia.

“We had her, she was here, and Discord...” Twilight offered, her rage boiling up.

“It’s alright, I know where she is, but we need to move fast before they move her.” Celestia offered.

“Move her?” Luna asked.

“It’s complicated.”

“How…?” Luna asked confused. She and the others just looked at her confused. “And why did you never tell me about Loki and the others?”

“I, I didn’t really know who she was at the time. I knew she was connected to you, but she had a white mane.” Princess Celestia offered. “It wasn’t until I got to the last entry in the diary that it fit. I turned a page to send a reply to ask how she was and there was a complete report of everything that had happened today and where she ended up.”

“You mean he sent her into the past again?” Twilight asked. “That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Since when does anything Discord does make sense?” Luna mused through gritted teeth.

“And what did you mean by we need to move fast before they move her?” Twilight asked.

“Like I said, it’s complicated.”

Author's Note

What, did you think Kitzumi was finally going to be reunited with her family?! :trollestia:
We aren't at the bottom of this rabbit hole just yet. In short I had an idea, but instead of sending her to another dimension I decided to pop her back in time again, and this time she went quite a ways back. Over two hundred years back.

The beat down. These are Princess Luna's original elite flyers. Much of what Discord did in the past would be fresh in their minds. As for Princess Twilight, and Princess Luna, Discord took their foal from them, and then yanked their chain just to torment them. Twilight especially. What happened here is that Kitzu's specially modified enhanced gems would short out Discords magic while in close range. Also, Kitzumi didn't have her full assortment of enhanced gems, so it wasn't enough to protect her. Had she stayed with the group she would have been safe.

The New Image of Kitzumi is thanks to bam-bean-itzevil I was fortunate enough to win a monthly raffle. I've no idea why the majority of the black in her mane wasn't shaded in, but it's so cute I decided to make it canon to my story.

Nightmare Moon’s Daughter

Drawing by bam-bean-itzevil

Kitzumi stopped almost as fast as her heart sank. Twilight had at least recognized her, but as soon as she’d tried to approach… It was still night, she was in an outside passageway between buildings, it was not the palace of the two sisters, but where? One thing was certain, she hadn’t done it to herself. Had she heard discords voice right before finding herself… wherever here was? If nothing else it helped confirm her suspicions regarding that first fateful jump back in time. There was no way she could have done it to herself.

Kitzu flinched at the sound of her helmet hitting the cobbled stone. She’d had it tucked up under her wing along with the cap. Her goggles hung about her neck. Kitzu picked up the cap, the radio and MP3 player were fried. “Gee thanks Muma,” Kitzu muttered as she sat on her plot.

“Here now, what have we here,” Called the voice of a stallion.

“Looks like some pony took a wrong turn,” Offered another.

Kitzu turned to look, standing behind her were two guards, a unicorn, and a pegasus. They’d the typical highly polished silver breastplates of the Canterlot guard, but under that, they had red tunics, with lots of gold filigree, and on their heads, they wore tall feathered bonnets of black.

“Um, ello?” Kitzu asked. She was still recovering from Luna’s blast, and in no position to do much of anything. Not to mention having run the emotional gauntlet and would have burst into tears if not for being emotionally drained. What with getting blasted by one of her own parents, coming dangerously close to being torn apart by the vines of disharmony, being reunited with Luna, and nearly being reunited with her Twilight. Kitzu’s eyes were a bit puffy from having lost control of her emotions and she just felt numb. She’d finally caught up with her timeline, and now...

“Let me guess, you took a wrong turn, and got lost,” One of the guards stated rather than asked. A reasonable assumption considering Kitzu had obviously been crying.

“I suppose that’s one way to put it,” Kitzu admitted sounding very defeated.

“Come on, pick up your helmet, and we’ll take you to where every pony else is. So who are you supposed to be with all that gear?”

Kitzu gave them a calculated look as she picked up her helmet with her magic, and stuffed it, and the cap, back under her wing. She couldn't really be sure where she was at this point, or when for that matter. “Ensign Nova Moon, daughter of Princess Luna Moon. Fast message courier, Her Majesties own Shadow Bolts.” Kitzu offered as she got up. Kitzu was still in uniform, after all, there were gouges in her armor, forest debris stuck in her wings, mane, and tail, and her horn was very visible. She was also somewhat pungent from knocking down timber wolves and mixing it up with the fake Shadowbolts.

“Impressive.” They hadn’t even batted an eye, and a moment later Kitzu would know the reason why. She’d landed at Canterlot palace in the middle of a Nightmare Moon celebration. They’d guided Kitzu out to the main passage between the government buildings that lead up to the keep. There were dozens of Nightmare Moons, and Shadow Bolts running about with parents or guardians in various costumes following after, along with a liberal assortment of just about every costume imaginable. Strung across the passage from the roofs was a large banner that read ‘Welcome to Nightmare Nights 785’. Well, that at least solved the when, but which dimension?

“You need any help finding your parents?”

Kitzu’s parents, Twilight hadn’t been born, and won’t be for close to two hundred years, Prince Raynard was barely more than a foal, and Princess Luna was presently stuck on the moon.

“I’ll be alright now that I have my bearings.” Kitzu offered. “Thank you. - Um, you wouldn't be a Dash would you?” She asked the pegasus. He was so much like Rainbow Dash, Kitzu just had to ask.

“Ah ha, it’s that rainbow mane, gives you away every time.”

“Ya, well whatever you may have heard about my brother doesn’t apply to me.”

“I’m sorry, I know nothing about your brother.” Kitzu offered. “I know a Dash who is a good flier, that’s all.”

“Oh, alright. Name’s Indigo. Friends just call me Indi.”

“And I’m Harold, be sure to ask for us if you need any help.”

“Thank you so much for your help, Gentlecolts,” Kitzu replied with a curtsy, one knee bent and wings slightly extended. “And now I must go find my family.” And with that, she turned and trotted off to blend in with the throng a moment later.

“Who was that?” Asked a pale unicorn with a red and purple mane. Around their neck hung a badge of some sort hung from a gold chain, and a clipboard hovered out in front of them.

“Just a lost filly.” Indi offered.

“That Filly’s costume isn’t on the list.”

“No? - OK, she said she was Nova Moon, Daughter of Luna Moon.” Harold offered.

“Daughter of Princess Luna Moon. Fast message courier, Her Majesties own Shadow Bolts.” Indi corrected. “Oh and an Ensign. Like she’s old enough to be an Ensign.”

“Oh, right right.” Wings were impressive even if they were a bit oversize.” Harold replied. “She was clearly a unicorn though.”

“I swear, those wings looked real, but she could do magic.” Indi mused.

“Well that’s all well and good, but there’s no such costume on the list.”

“She had to be on the list, how else could she get in?”

“You tell me, you’re Palace guards, not me.”

In the meantime, Kitzu had found her way to a refreshment stand where she downed several cups of punch. What they had out for food was far too sticky sweet, Kitzu needed real food. Of course, getting at more substantial food was going to be tricky being that sooner or later some pony was bound to challenge her and not one of her ID’s looked anything like the badges the staff was presently using. There was also the issue of determining the dimension she was in.

Kitzu made her way through the crowd, and on spotting a group of unattended foals heading for Celestia’s school for gifted Unicorns decided to follow, her passage going unnoticed. Kitzu knew this path well, and at just the right moment, cut away into the dark path that led to the base of Luna’s tower. Kitzu approached the base door, applied a lubrication spell, and stepped up to the door. The charm in the amulet in her peytral did its thing, and the door slowly opened.

Kitzu gingerly stepped into the inky blackness of the old guard room and closed the door behind her. She then retrieved one of her two remaining lamps and used it to light her way. Of course, no pony had used the guard room at the base in many a year and was as dusty as ever. Food would likely be upstairs. Kitzu sighed, made her way to the stairs, and started climbing. “Be nice if my hover charm was working,” Kitzu grumbled to herself at the first landing. By the time she got to the third landing, she decided to rummage through her belongings to see if she’d any thing to eat.

“Fruit cake.” Kitzu mused looking at the ration bar. Never mind how old it was, she was hungry and ate it. With that gone, she put herself back together and continued her ascent.

Finally, after what felt like hours, she’d made it as far as the landing below the Moon viewing hall. And by the sound of things, there was a rather boisterous party going on in the hall. Kitzu wondered if she should just wait, or risk it? At the very least she had to rest before going out there, and then there was the issue of being all hot and sweaty, and not just from the climb. It was a wonder no pony seemed to have noticed, but then she had been outside. This would be different. Inside her, present aroma of swamp battle would be most noticeable.

After thinking on it for a while Kitzu decided to go with a nonnoticeability spell. The nonnoticeability spell was a nice simple fox spell that caused those affected by the charm to look anywhere but the item that has the charm on it. Kind of how when looking for something it’ll be right there in front of you when you finally do see it. It was effective and required very little effort on her part. So Kitzu cast her spell, and quietly slipped out into the room.

Kitzu had intended to simply continue upstairs, but there was a smorgasbord. She simply could not resist, walked around the table using her magic to load up several plates of goodies, and then continued upstairs to Princess Luna’s private apartments.

No lights were on in Luna’s great room that encompassed the tower, two Pegasi stood out on the balcony, but other than that, there was no pone within other then herself. White sheets covered most of the furniture. Kitzu pressed a front hoof to her amulet moments after the door behind her closed.

“Apartments, Princess Luna’s, this floor. All entry doors and all windows, Lock. Close the curtains.” Kitzumi smiled at the sound of the door behind her locking, and the door to the balcony locking. The two pegasi guards jumped at the sound, turned to discover the curtains were now closed.

“Well if they were just going to lock it up, why have us up here in the first place.”

“Our lunch is in there.”

“Oh, that’s just dandy. Might have given us a chance to get our food.”

As for Kitzu, she took her pack off and placed it against a far wall. There was a clotheshorse available so the armor, daggers, and saddle bags went on that while placing her ill-gotten booty on a table.

First things first, cast the spell to verify the dimension.

A moment later Kitzu had dropped the spell. A part of her wanted to break something, and a part of her felt totally defeated. It was as she feared, Kitzu was in the past, and not in another dimension. How Discord had managed it she'd never know considering the affects the lamps should have been having on him. Kitzu pulled off her waistcoat, hung it on a chair, and then took off her flight suit which got the same treatment. She nibbled at the food but found she’d lost her apatite. Not wishing to waste anything, she put it all in the icebox, after which she got out book number one,and wrote down everything that had happened from her last entry up to that moment. Her last entry: I don’t know if this book works across time the same way it does across dimensions. I imagine what I’m writing now will likely show up in your book, but I’m not too hopeful I’ll see a reply any time soon. Love Kitzumi.

Kitzu then closed up her book, put it back in the saddle bag, took everything off the clotheshorse followed by putting her uniform on the clotheshorse, followed by the armor, and then the saddle bags. She got her dress out of the pack and went back to Luna’s rooms with her goggles still about her neck. At least the dress was relatively clean even if she wasn’t. The dress was hung up, and Kitzu went into the bath to clean herself up as best she could.

“I wonder if I should just go find Auntie Tia.” Kitzu muttered a short time later as she sat on a bucket puling brambles from her tail. But then, she’d probably get arrested, and end up spending the rest of her days locked up in some dank cell. Or at least that’s what she feared.

Elsewhere the Unicorn who questioned who Kitzumi was, now had managed to garner more cooperation out of the guard force do to complaints of one of the fillies in costume smelling like a swamp. A little detail Guards Indi and Harold had overlooked being they couldn't bear to see a filly disappointed. As for the party in the Moon Viewing hall, the effect of Kitzu’s spell would linger just long enough for the occupants to get drunk enough that they’d just assume blame each other. “Wow, something must of crawled up inside of someone and died. - He who smelt it dealt it. - Don’t even try to pin that one on me.”

As for Princess Celestia, she spent the better part of the evening in the grand dining hall putting on as best a face as she could. After all, what had become a celebration of the banishing of Nightmare Moon was to her nothing more than a reminder of her greatest failure. Nor would she learn of the presence of the uninvited guest until morning.

On the morning in question, Princess Celestia rose the sun from the grand audience hall of the sun before a capacity crowd, and then retired to her sitting room to have a cup of tea prior to starting the day’s scheduled duties. Celestia sat sipping her tea looking out across the inner courtyard of the keep. Something was bothering her, tickling at the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite place it. Something was definitely off but what? “Did anything unusual happen last night, anything out of the ordinary?” Celestia inquired of her staff as she gazed up at Luna’s apartments. The answer was that nothing unusual had happened. Not even having a smelly uninvited filly slip in and out was considered all that unusual. After all, it was known to happen from time to time that an enterprising individual would find a way to get on the grounds and so long as they didn’t make a spectacle of themselves the guards would turn a blind eye to it. After all, many of the guards had done it themselves, it was part of what made them good Palace Guards. They all knew the best ways to sneak in and out of the palace.

“If nothing unusual happened, why pray tell is the Princess Luna apartment draperies all closed up?”

“The um, we aren’t quite sure.”

“Not sure?” Celestia asked looking over her teacup at Mr Gray who is the Palace Butler.

“It seems some pony locked the apartment, and we can’t seem to figure out how to get back in.”

Locked? All manner of alarm bells started going off in Celestia’s head. So far as she was aware, the apartment could only be locked with magic, and if any pony other then her attempted it some manner of alarm should have gone off.

“Are you telling me the whole floor is locked down, and not just barricaded?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Some being locked us out of the Luna apartment without setting off an intruder alert?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“And I was not informed?”

“Umm…. yes. - Please forgive me, I should have informed you immediately.”

“The watch Captain should have informed me. - And you’ve no idea who could possibly be in there?”

“No, your highness.”

Celestia set her cup down, got up, and went to the Moon Viewing Hall via the court yard. Some of the revelers were still there passed out on sofas in the lounge area or in the hall itself. Celestia gingerly tried the door at the top of the stairs by reaching out with her magic. No go, the charm was holding fast. Celestia back tracked to the greenhouse. She climbed the stairs, and tried the door up there. Still no go. She then attempted a counter spell to disengage the magic lock only to have the spell feedback in a rather painful shock. It felt very much like Luna’s magic keeping her out.

“Princess Celestia, are you alright?” An attendant asked.

“Is there a record of known gatecrashers? Yes I know the guards will sometimes let ponies in.”

“Just foals, your majesty.” The day Captain offered.

“Did any stand out?” Princess Celestia asked.

“There was one likely anomaly last night,” The Captain offered.

“Which was?” Princess Celestia prompted.

“The morning report listed that Guards Indigo Dash, and Harold Sweet encountered a lost filly who’s personal hygiene was perhaps a bit much for the invited guests.”

“Did this lost filly have a name?”

“She had identified herself under the name of Nova Moon. It is the opinion of the guards that the name was not her real name being she claimed to be the daughter of a Princess Luna Moon, and even went so far as to claim she was an Ensign in the Shadow bolts.”

“Did it never occur to any pony that she might have told the truth?” Celestia asked. “About the only way some pony could lock my sister’s apartment without setting off alarms is if the security spell that’s in place recognized the individual as having authority to do so.” Granted that to the best of her recollection, Luna had not had a daughter, though it was likely Luna may have simply adopted a young filly, and the present situation was more fallout left over from her horrible decision following the loss of the Crystal Empire. Granted that the pony now barricaded inside might more likely just be some pony who got their hooves on an artifact, and was suffering from delusions... Celestia had to be sure to remain open to all possibilities.

“According to the report she was wearing some kind of light weight armor, black in color, and she looked like she’d gone for a roll in some brambles. - I’m afraid there was an assumption that it was all just a very elaborate costume. - The mark on the armor on the flank consisted of a crescent moon and two stars, one small one large with the small directly under the overhang and the large one under the maximum reach of the overhang about midway down. There was a shadowbolt symbol on her wing guards, and what looked to be large hoof dagers. Large for her. We just assumed the moon and stars was a cutie mark as it’s not registered as one having been used by the Shadowbolts, or the impostors.”

“Indeed.” Celestia replied giving the Captain a withering look. “Meanwhile we are locked out of my sister’s apartment by her own magic. - Magic I have not felt this strong since the time she was taken from me by the Nightmare.” Celestia didn’t wait for a reply, turned, and went back down the stairs, and returned to her own apartments. There within a hidden room was a safe only she had access to, and within the safe a magic talisman she’d made shortly after being rejected by the elements of harmony. Princess Celestia placed the talisman under her peytral and teleported to Princess Luna’s great room.

Slivers of light streamed in through slits between the curtains in the dimly lit tower room. Celestia caught a glimpse of Kitzu’s armor out of the corner of her eye, spun in place, and leveled her head in anticipation of battle. She froze in place for a moment, and then relaxed on realizing it was just a clotheshorse wearing the uniform of either a Shadowbolt or some pony on the night watch. Except, the night watch didn’t have armor like that and they all had her sun on their uniforms, not a crescent moon, and the crescent moon with two stars was the same that had been worn by the mystery guest. Best open the curtains, she thought, and found that the curtains would yield to her magic. Outside on the balcony stood a dozen of her pegasi guard, word having gone out that a pony had barricaded themselves inside. Celestia tried the door, but it held fast. Having failed there, she went back to inspect the armor.

Kitzu’s armor was pulsing with Luna’s magic, and in addition to numerous scratches and gouges there was one large black thorn embedded in a flank. The armor was to small to be Luna’s but it was of the same design favored by her, and the magic aura that permeated it proved that who ever owned the armor had at least been in close contact not long ago. The crescent moon and two stars on the flanks were unknown to Celestia, and suggested personalized armor. Luna was never one for absalut uniformity prefering her guard be alowed for some individuality. The crest on the old warn saddle bags were non other then the combined crest of Equestria. Beneath the armor sat four silver horseshoes of the style Celestia herself wore complete with the royal crest stamped in front and the stamp of the royal shoe maker on the inside. Celestia then opened a bag to inspect the contents. Finding books was not what she had expected. Pulling one up she found the same moon and stars on the cover. Had she dug the books out she’d have found multiple identification cards under the books. Going around to the other saddle bag she discovered more books with the same moon and stars, two rather curious lamps, a folded letter addressed to a Lady Oukitsune Aiko of Foxhaven, a writing implement of some sort, a bag of heavy iron shot the sort to be used in a sling, a bag of gems, a box containing carefully wrapped gems, an inscribing tool, some parchment, and a bag of equestrian money that had dates that wouldn't be good for two hundred years or better. The quandary of the money had her stumped. The bills looked perfect in every way – no the design was off as well. The currency looked absolutely perfect, and yet it was all completely useless. Is it play money, she pondered, and who puts gems in lamps instead of candles… and yet light shown from the gems? Then it hit her, the lamps had been the most singularly important things there. She levitated one, and then the other to inspect them more carefully.

“Surely these aren’t, they can’t be?” Celestia said in astonishment. The stones within displayed all the properties of harmony stones. Celestia’s apprehension was slowly being forced out by excitement. She put the lamps back, and looked about the room, and inspected the uniform. A quick inspection showed all the hallmarks of a real shadow bolt, made from spider silk, the fakes never knew about that, and had the bat pin that marked the owner as a member of an elite squad. Could this be from the garrison of the Chrystal empire, Celestia thought to herself? The black thorn proved the owner had at least been in the Everfree Forest. She knew the uniform wasn’t the one used in Canterlot, but she wasn’t aware if Luna’s Shadow Bolts had a duty uniform or not? The presence of Luna’s magic on the uniform, a black thorn from the Everfree, and a uniform made from spider silk all pointed to the owner being an authentic Shadowbolt. Celestia made a mental note to have her people deal with the thorn, and further investigate the uniform. Most troubling was the presence of Discordant magic suggesting the pony in question had been in close proximity to a very active Discord.

Celestia went over to the pack, but all she found there was field gear. A quick inspection of the ice box located Kitzu’s loot from the smorgasbord, along with a couple of her guards lunch boxes. Celestia made a mental note to speak to the guards concerning why they were using Luna’s kitchenette.

Celestia returned to the saddle bags, and pulled out the letter. Celestia was astonished at what it said.

To Princess Celestia the most honorable august sovereign of Equestria. Princess Hope is thy sister’s daughter. Please look after her.

Inspection of the letter indicated it was enchanted in some manner, but Celestia was at a bit of a loss as to how. The message was dubious at best, but what if it was true? It was time to find the pony in question. On taking a second look at what was written an add on had appeared. PS: why are you reading that which is addressed to another? Celestia raised an eyebrow, the letter was indeed enchanted. She decided to put it back.

Celestia then made her way into the long corridor outside the apartments. She used her magic to open the curtains looking out over the courtyard, and then poked her head into Luna’s personal chambers. The first thing she saw was a most exquisite gown, the sun dress, it is a Rarity creation after all, hanging from a hanger in front of a wardrobe. The simple elegance of the dress was like a breath of fresh air when compared to the overblown fashions of the day.

Celestia ventured in seeing no pony, and opened the curtains. The added light revealed a largish lump under the covers of the bed. Celestia slowly pulled back the covers to discover a small white pony curled up in a ball having both wings and a horn. The stripes in her white mane was reminiscent of the Velvet family, but Celestia had never encountered a pony with black ears quite like that, or the large fluffy tail with the black tip. Granted the feathering at the base of the tail that matched her mane stripes was fairly normal.

“Princess.” Celestia called gently. “Princess, time to get up.”

Kitzu stirred for a moment, a bleary cat like eye opened. Kitzu blinked, and then curled up into an even tighter ball while tucking her head under her wing.

“Come on, time to get up.” That eye was a bit of a puzzle as well, though perhaps not so much if she really was Luna’s foal. The foals reaction was also a bit curious. Certainly not the reaction of a foal who’d been caught doing something they shouldn't. No, this was the typical reaction of a foal who just didn’t want to get out of bed.

“But Aunt Tia, it’s not even noon yet.” Kitzu pleaded. Celestia raised an eyebrow at being called Aunt Tia by a perfect stranger. And yet the words had rolled off Kitzu’s tongue as though this situation was perfectly common place. As for Kitzu, in her present state she’d completely forgotten about her circumstances. She was also quite over her fear of Celestia.

Well this was a puzzle. If it was a trick it was both a very bad, and a very good one at the same time.

“Come on now, you’re wasting daylight.”

“But I’m nocturnal...” Kitzu’s voice trailed off. A moment later she stuck her head out, looked at Celestia’s puzzled expression, and let out a heartfelt sigh as reality began to sink in. “I don’t feel good either,” she added with a pout as she lay her head back down. Kitzu being small for her age, was as yet unbearably cute.

Celestia couldn't take it, she climbed onto the bed, and gathered Kitzu up in her forelimbs to cradle her in a hug.

“You’re damp.”

“I did my best.”

“And you have a fever.”

“Figures.”

“Your bedding is damp too.”

“I was to tired after my bath, I don’t think I was dry when I went to bed. I did my best.”

“So what are you doing here?”

“I sort of live here.”

“Do you now? - Any chance I can talk you into unlocking the doors so we can get some dry linen?”

“Servant’s access door, unlock.”

“You really have that kind of control over my sister’s enchantments?”

“Um, ya. - I mean unless Muma locks me out. - I doubt she ever would though.”

“Indeed. - Any chance I can get you to unlock a front door?”

“Not unlocking the tower doors while there are guests, and the guards were using our home for their break room. Or at least I suspect as much.”

“I saw the lunches, and your right, they shouldn't be there. That clotheshorse shouldn't be there either.”

“What about the greenhouse door, at least ponies wouldn’t be able to get in without first going through the greenhouse.”

“I can see to it you don’t get any uninvited guests. - Should I call you Princess Hope? - Or is Nova your actual name?”

“Hope is sort of a title, but how’d you know about that? - Alright, the greenhouse door it is then. - Greenhouse door, unlock.”

“I looked at your things, and there was a letter with a note to myself addressed to another. - I hope you don’t mind.”

“It sounds like you found my teacher’s letter of introduction. There’s a rather interesting spell on it. It’ll have a different message depending on who holds it, and it’ll tell the pony in question what they need to know. Nothing more. Nothing less. - Just one thing, you have to promise not to look at the books?”

“Now I’m curious.”

“A riddle then. I am your messenger of hope.”

“Let me guess, the money in your bag aren’t clever all be it worthless forgeries, are they?”

“Some of it is from different dimensions.”

“Ah, those are dimensional books, but then are you from a different dimension then?”

“If only… that would be so much easier. - I said that I am your hope. What is the one thing you hope for most?”

“To someday reconcile with my sister. - You are my sister’s daughter is what the letter said. I thought perhaps you might be the young cadet my sister had taken under her wing.”

“I’m guessing that would be Loki, Loki is a colt, not a filly, and yes I know everything that happened back then. Maybe not everything, but a good deal of it. - I’m not from the past though. - I’m from the future, and too much information would have you second guessing yourself.”

That’s when an idea struck Kitzu, was that it, was that Discord's game, to put foreknowledge of the future in Princess Celestia’s hooves, and thus cause another split in time? Or worse yet, to completely alter the time line? As if it were possible. If Celestia knew what Kitzu knew would she do anything different? Was Discord creating retroactive save points? So far as Kitzu could tell Discord benefited only by creating more copies of himself, though his end game seemed to simply create more chaos and entropy. At least so long as Kitzu didn’t do anything big, she was relatively safe, and one more guest at Canterlot wasn’t going to cause any rifts in time.

“Alright then, the books are off limits. - What should I call you though? - Nova Moon, or Princess Hope.”

“Did the letter say Princess Hope?”

“It did.”

“Well then, Princess Hope it is. - But I’ll probably answer to Nova better.”

“Is this the device you use to control the locks?” Celestia asked on spotting the pendant.

“It’s a key of sorts as well as a tracking device, and don’t mess with it. There is an anti theft spell on it I think you’d find most unpleasant.”

“How unpleasant?”

“I call her Mooney. She’s a very realistic projection of Nightmare Moon. She kind of has a mind of her own, but obeys me. - She’s been know to protect me as well, so I guess we could call it a protection spell to keep me safe.”

“My Sister created an image of Nightmare Moon, to keep you safe?”

“Dimensional travel. The spell has been tinkered with by multiple Lunas. - Otherwise it’s relatively harmless if you discount the ability of the A-I to stun. It acts as a sort of shield should any creature try to access my mind against my will as well.”

“I see… Aren’t you kind of young to be doing that sort of thing?”

“It’s part of my special talent. I’m just a little too good at teleporting. - Good enough Muma put an inter dimensional tracking spell on my amulet. - It’s my benchmark so I can tell when I’m in my own dimension.”

“I see.”

“I did not do this to myself.” Kitzu admonished. “And as soon as I’m back on my hooves, I’m going to find a way to get back to my proper time.”

“Well until you do you will be my guest. Now lets see what we can do about getting you dried off.”

“Well if you aren’t going to have me arrested, and thrown into a dungeon, I’m partial to sunbeams. - Nothing like a nap in a sunbeam.”

“You’re a filly after my own heart. - Thought you were nocturnal though?”

“Mostly. Being somewhere I can sleep in the sun, and feel safe while I’m doing it is to me the height of luxury.”

“You don’t say.” Celestia mused as she got up. “You up to getting on your own hooves?” Celestia asked as she’d sensed that Kitzu was suffering from the aftereffects of having been hit with a powerful stunning spell. The idea that it might have been Luna herself who’d done it was troubling.

“I think I can manage. - I’ve been worse.” Kitzu offered followed by stretching front to back, and then a side to side stretch of her wings. She groggily climbed down and followed Celestia who led her out into the corridor, and then to the great room. The pegasi guards still waited on the patio, their eyes growing wide at the sight of the diminutive alicorn, along with a couple guards at the door who were showing a similar response.

“Oh by the way, there’s a large black thorn in your armor.”

“So then while I’m bed down elsewhere you’ll be having the hazmat team sweep the place I gather?”

“Hazmat?”

“It’s from the Vines of Discord. Also known as the seeds of Discord, and Plunder seeds. It’s a black thorny menace of the Everfree. The thorns are the seeds, and the plant is extremely dangerous. It’s resistant to harmony magic as well.” Kitzu offered. “Yes I was in the Everfree. I suppose I can tell you this much, I was in front of the old palace in the Everfree, and then I was where Guards Harold and Indi found me. If you’ve a mind to trace me to sweep for those thorns, I went from there to where the refreshments were, and then let myself in at the base of Luna’s tower.”

“So that door will open for you as well.”

“I have a key.”

“Of course you do. Haz...”

“Hazmat? Hazardous materials?”

“Oh right. - I imagine I should put together a team.”

“Please tell me I didn’t just invent Hazmat teams?”

“We already have that.” One of the guards offered.

“Speaking of harmony magic...” Celestia prompted.

“They aren’t what they appear to be, just a clever trick. They can be problematic if fiddled with. I’d recommend not fiddling with them.” Kitzu explained, and then leaned heavily into Princess Celestia. “You offered me a place in the sun?”

“Oh, right, right. Come along then. I’ve got just the place in the Greenhouse.”

“My favorite spot,” Kitzu replied.

“Gentle colts...” Celestia prompted of the two guards who stepped aside for the two.

“Don’t touch the contents of the saddle bags.” Kitzu warned as she went through the door.

“Let me just get that, and put it somewhere safe.” Celestia offered, retrieved the saddle bags, and then followed after Kitzumi. From the landing they went down into the greenhouse where there was a fainting lounge. Perfect for Kitzumi to take a nap on. “You go ahead and lay down there, and I’m going to go lock this up.”

“Alright. Thank you Aunt Celestia.” Kitzu replied, sat down on the lounge, and watched as Celestia whispered some orders. A moment later the greenhouse was cleared of ponies, and Kitzu had it all to herself. She lay down, and let the warmth of the sun do it’s trick, and fell fast asleep.

🐺

“Princess?” Beckoned a soft familiar voice. “I brought you some broth.”

Kitzu opened her eyes, yawned, stretched, looked at the white earth pony who’d brought the broth, and her eyes opened wide.

“Teacher?”

“Teacher?” Lady Aiko asked. She was presently dressed as an upstairs maid.

“Should I address you as Miss then, being you seem to be passing yourself off as a maid?” Kitzu quipped with a smile. “So how is it you are here in the flesh?”

“I’m slumming. - Not often I meet someone for the first time who already knows who I am. - I brought you some broth.”

“Um, thank you.” Kitzu said sitting up. “So then you didn’t come all the way out here to investigate me?”

“No, I was already here when you popped in from nowhere. - To be honest it’s nice to get away and just be an ordinary pony for a while.”

“Hate to say it, but I kind of know what that’s like.” Kitzu took a sip of the broth. “And I’m glad there is some pony here who knows how to make a good fish broth. - It’s very good. Thank you.”

“So who blasted you?”

“It was a friendly fire incident. We made up shortly after I was freed from the brambles.”

🌞

At that moment in Princess Celestia’s office, Celestia is in a meeting with her captains.

“Princess Celestia, the armor and uniform is consistent with what we know of Nightmare Moon’s Shadow bolts.” offered a unicorn guard captain.

“Captain Rhys, need I remind you that before there was the Nightmare, there was my sister.”

“Forgive me, I misspoke.”

“Do please have a care you don’t continue such slips. The real Shadowbolts were loyal guards ponies. - Continue.”

“As I was saying, the uniform, while unknown to us, is consistent with a proper Shadow Bolt uniform. Interestingly enough it does share traits with the present Night Wing uniform to include the rank insignia save for a moon instead of a sun. Granted that it’s a crescent moon, and not the full moon used by the fakes. Also, so far as I’m aware no pony other then the shadow bolts of old have ever used a skin tight jumper. It’s definitely made out of spider silk as your majesty suspected, to include the laminate armor. Something we’ve never seen being used by the cultist despite their fervor. We’ve done a full sweep, there was only the one black thorn, but there were other flora that only grows in the Everfree.”

“So she was in the Everfree fairly recently?” Princess Celestia asked.

“It seems likely. It is also likely she was involved in a fight. The armor shows signs of having been hit with a powerful stun spell, and there are two daggers that have blood traces on them. If you could perhaps let us see the books she had? - There is a device that was attached to the helmet cap that looked similar to our two way communications devices, only some clever pony managed to shrink it down quite a bit.”

“The books are dimensional diaries.” Princess Celestia offered. “Any information contained within, without knowing the details, or shall we say, the subscripts, would make the information less then useless. Possibly even dangerous as it could have us believing things happened in our world that never did nor ever will.” Celestia decided to take a calculated gamble. “My sister and I didn’t always see eye to eye, and I wasn’t aware of everything she was doing. If I had been more attentive I might have been able to save her from the Nightmare. It’s possible she discovered this filly or that she is in deed my sister’s daughter, and I was unaware. Or perhaps my sister’s daughter from another dimension. It also looks like, given the evidence, that she has somehow been transported through time, or perhaps held in stasis over the years. Her present condition could be the results of having been involved in the conflict between myself and the Nightmare. Such were the forces being used it’s hard to really say.” Celestia paused for a moment, and let slip a sigh. At least no pony remembered Luna’s involvement with King Sombra. “Princess Luna’s entire elite team along with a number of her staff were never accounted for after the fight.”

“And you think this filly may be one of the missing members of Princess Luna’s personal entourage?” One of the other captains asked. A pegasus Captain Hayz. “After all these years?”

“Can you discount it given the evidence? - No we can’t, and everything about her is an enigma, leaving us with the task of eliminating all possibilities until there is only one left. No matter how unlikely that may be.” Celestia replied. “I can also add to that, that she is aware of an individual the public at the time knew nothing about, and fewer now.” A bit of information that posed more problems then it actually solved being Kitzu had professed to be from the future, and not the past. “What of her shoes?”

“The Cartier family have identified them as genuine. Originally made for Princess Luna, thought lost. They are beyond priceless. - Given the evidence she could easily be a protege discovered by Princess Luna, only to have had the Nightmare turn on her.” Captain Hays offered. “Do you think she might actually be your sister’s daughter?”

“I’m afraid it’s entirely possible. I’m afraid that I was so caught up in being the ruler of Equestria, I had precious little time for my sister. We weren’t even living in the same part of Equestria. - She could just as easily be an adoptee I knew nothing about. My sister had a weak spot for foals, and often took in foundlings. - Now, until we learn otherwise, I want her treated just as if she is my own flesh and blood, which she may very well be. - I also want everything in the Luna apartments cleaned up with fresh linens and mattresses for her.”

“But Princess Celestia, you never let any pony stay in those rooms.” Captain Rhys protested.

“From her perspective, that apartment is her home. Well, her home away from home. Her real home lays in ruin, and this was the only place she had to go to. Would you want to be turned out of your own home? - I’m more troubled by the fact that she felt it necessary to sneak in, and lock herself in.”

“Well, no.” Captain Rhys admitted. “And to be honest, I can’t blame her for wanting to sneak in. I imagine that she found herself in the ruins of her own home, and made her way here, only no pony knows anything about her, and she likely would have understood this. Who’d have believed her? Locking herself in forced us to figure out who she is. How exactly did she do it, I didn’t know the apartments could be locked.”

“She has the key. I doubt I could keep her out if I wanted too. - She’s also indicated that trying to take that key could be a bad thing.”

“Princess Celestia, she’s a filly, what could she possibly do?” Captain Rock Akaz, an earth pony, protested. He’d been quiet up to that point.

“I’m to understand anyone attempting to take the key will have to face a projection of my sister in, shall we say, a less then pleasant mood. The enchantment I’m told is the work of various versions of my sister during Princess Hope’s trans-dimensional travels. - We are talking a Nightmare Moon projection as in the real Nightmare Moon. - Trust me in that having a projection of the real thing pop up is not something we want happening.”

“What about these things?” asked the small yet bold voice of a filly that had slipped into the room.

“Miss Sunset, what did I say about sneaking into – no don’t!” Celestia began as a little filly Sunset Shimmer had procured one of Kitzu’s lamps from the desk where Celestia had placed it to examine. Sunset was presently examining it herself by casting a spell on the device.

Moments later a wave of magical energy washed through the greenhouse. Kitzu’s stones in her peytral answered in kind causing her to lift up off the lounge momentarily.

“What was that?!” Aiko asked astonished. Her astonishment changed to perplexity as Kitzu began laughing.

“I told Princess Celestia not to mess with those!” Kitzu exclaimed between a fit of laughter. She dropped back down, rolled onto her back on the lounge, and kicked her legs as she laughed.

“You know I feel strangely uplifted as though I’ve just had a refreshing bath.”

“It’s an anti negative energy charm. A purification slash warding spell. Give it a little energy and it triggers a cleansing pulse.” Kitzu left off the effect they had on timber wolves and all things possessing of discordant magic. “And whoever did that is probably freaking out right now.” Kitzu rolled over, and off the sofa to land on her hooves. “And between that and your wonderful soup I’m a brand new filly. - Shall we go see who the culprit is.”

“Any chance you can tell me how it’s made?”

“You should already know the charm. Granted I’m taking a risk by telling you anything about them, but I think you’ll be able to figure out what I did when you see one.” Kitzu offered as the two trotted out of the greenhouse, and past a couple startled guards.

“You know I do believe that pulse cleansed you of the residual energy from when you got blasted.” Aiko offered. “Oh, and your mane has gotten all lustery too. More like a proper alicorn, and less like a false alicorn.”

“Ha, no such thing as a false alicorn, just celestial alicorns and lesser alicorns.” Kitzu quipped, and then to the guards at the door who were looking panicked, “Don’t worry about it, it’s harmless.”

“Harmless?” one of the guards asked. “What was that?”

“Apparently it’s a charm that clears a wide area of negative energies.” Aiko offered. “Are you feeling refreshed and energized?”

“Ya, actually, I am.” the other guard offered as a smile formed on his face.

“Energized panicky ponies is going to be fun.” Kitzu quipped as she and Aiko headed for Celestia’s sitting room .

“Better pass the word to let ponies know it’s nothing to be concerned about.” Aiko called as she followed Nova into the room.

A couple moments later, Kitzu and Aiko had arrived at Princess Celestia’s office to discover the ponies in the room seemed frozen in place to include a rather familiar little filly who was crying her eyes out. Kitzu went straight to Sunset Shimmer, that’s right a young Sunset Shimmer and embraced her, wrapping Sunset in her wings.

“It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s harmless.” Kitzu said as she rocked Sunset back and forth.

“Harmless? - But?” Celestia asked.

“I said they’d be problematic. I didn’t say it was dangerous. It’s a purification spell. The magic of hope.” Saying it was the magic of hope was perhaps just a little white lie, but Kitzu wanted to give Princess Celestia the impression it was something only she could do. “Now your going to have to do damage control to keep ponies from panicking.”

“I’m sorry.” Little Sunset said, and then sniffled.

“You know, you really shouldn't be poking things if you don’t know what they are.” Kitzu said softly.

“Princess Hope, are you feeling better?” Celestia asked.

“Oh yes, the sun dried my fur out nicely, Miss Aiko was kind enough to bring me some broth, and, well to be honest, the magic pulse the lamps produced have eliminated the remnants of the spell Muma used on me. - If you’d like I can look after Sunset?”

“Hang on, how’d you know her name was Sunset?” Captain Akaz asked almost as if he was accusing Kitzu of something. Kitzu looked at him for a moment, and in that moment his entire history popped up in her head.

“Why the same way I know you are Captain Rock Akaz.” Kitzu offered with a smile. “Would you like me to tell you your entire life’s story? Beginning to end?” Even if she hadn’t known, she could always pick his mind in a pinch if need be, or do a reading on him. Granted picking some ponies mind for information or doing readings without permission wasn’t something she liked doing. During her travels these skills had become survival skills. “I am the daughter of the night after all.”

“Um, no, that’s quite alright,” Captain Akaz replied. Kitzu’s explanation had thoroughly unnerved him.

“Princess, I’ll leave Miss Sunset in your care for now then,” Celestia offered as she got up.

“Oh, and if you are thinking of punishing Indigo and Harold, how about just assign them to me as escort duty?” Kitzu offered.

“You think I should punished them?” Celestia asked. “Though I must say that’s an interesting punishment.”

“In hind sight I’d have been better off if they had not left me to my own devices,” Kitzu replied. “And having had military experience despite my age...” Kitzu winked.

“Understood. - Gentle colts, I fear we have some damage control to do,” Celestia announced.

“What do we tell every pony?” Captain Hayz asked.

“Why not just tell them it was a Nightmare Night prank?” Kitzu suggested. Celestia smiled, turned, and exited the room followed by her captains.

“She, I mean...” Aiko said softly looking back and forth from the doorway to Sunset.

“It’s OK, it’ll all work out.” Kitzu offered suspecting she knows all to well what her Sensei is thinking.

“Is she like that with you?” Aiko asked.

“She keeps her distance, and I think I can understand why. - Say Sunset, want to go raid the ice cream?”

“Ya.”

“Now hang on.” Aiko protested, but gave into Little Sunset’s pleading face. “Oh all right, but lets clean up that face first.”

❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

“Oww ow ow!” Kitzu complained bitterly as a brush was pulled through her mane. Kitzu was back in Luna’s bedroom sitting on a stool while Miss Aiko ran a brush through her hair.

“If you want to go to tonight’s festivities, we need to tame that mane of yours.” Aiko offered. “Anyway you need to make an appearance.”

“But it’s a Nightmare night festival. What am I supposed to wear?”

“Why don’t you wear that pretty dress you have?” Princess Celestia offered as she entered the bedroom.

“But that’s just a sun dress?” Kitzu asked.

“Oh, I love the name,” Celestia replied with delight. “I’ve never seen something so simple, and yet so elegant.”

“Well, when I see the maker again, assuming I see her again, I’ll tell her how impressed you were.” Kitzu replied. Was Celestia really that impressed with such a simple dress? “Isn’t tonight a masquerade ball though? I mean, that dress can hardly be considered a costume.”

“All you need is a mask,” Aiko offered.

“What do you mean?” Kitzu asked.

“Wear the dress, a mask, and go as yourself,” Aiko prompted.

“Oh, I was thinking the very thing,” Celestia chimed.

“Should I tell ponies I’m Kaguya-hime?” Kitzu asked.

“Who’s that?” Sunset asked.

“Oh it’s a very old story about a moon princess who came down from the heavens to live among mortals,” Aiko informed her. “Princess, just be Princess Moon. - I fear no pony would know the reference anyway.”

“So be myself then. Right, got it.” Kitzu offered with a smile.

“We’ll have to see about getting you a mask though.” Celestia offered while thinking about her princess of the moon and how much she missed her.

“Oh, I can just conjure up a mask.” Kitzu replied, and a moment later a sparkly mask of silvery mist had formed on her face. The mask vanished a moment later.

“Decent.” Aiko quipped.

“I can conjure up a whole flight of Shadow Bolts that are good enough to fool even the originals.” Kitzu offered.

“Can you now?” Aiko teased.

“Oh, I’d like to see?” Celestia requested.

“Alright.” Kitzu offered with a smile, conjured up some foxfire, gave it a flick, and a moment later Captain Hoofstrong was standing before them with a rather grim look on his face. He was clad in the old Palace Night wing uniform, standing at attention with his helmet under his wing.

“Captain… but how?” Celestia whispered, and then dropped her head.

“Look again.” Kitzu prompted.

Celestia looked up to see the Captain now clad in a uniform that closely matched the one Kitzu had. He looked at her, smiled, and saluted. And then to Everyone’s surprise save of course Kitzu, he spoke. “Princess Celestia, do not be sad, but count the days until we return home again.”

“That is impressive,” Aiko offered. Few things impressed her. “How’d you do the voice?”

“Modulation of the air,” Kitzu offered.

“But that, and his voice, that’s his voice?” Celestia said, her voice nearly a whimper.

“Oh dear, I’ve over done it,” Kitzu announced, got up from her stool, went over to Celestia, and gave her a hug. The illusion faded like so much mist. “Are you going to be alright?”

“But how can you get him so perfect?” Celestia asked.

“Princess Celestia, are you alright?” Sunset asked.

“They are with Luna,” Kitzu informed her. “They tried to stop the fight. They didn’t die under a pile of rubble, they got caught up with Nightmare Moon.”

“They did? Everything got so out of hoof so fast.”

“It’s going to be alright. Every pony will come home.”

“They’ll never see their families again.” Celestia offered.

“They are their family. They’ll adapt. They are the best bunch of ponies I’ve ever met. - But never mind that, we’ve a party to get to. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve been to a party? - Too long, that’s how. Oh, and can I get my shoes back?”

“Your shoes?” Celestia asked.

“The household staff took my belongings for cleaning...” Kitzu prompted. “I’m assuming they took everything for cleaning? - If I’m to go as a princess I’ll need my shoes. The peytral is optional being the important part is the amulet itself.”

“Oh dear. I’m told those shoes are priceless.”

“Oh, and next they’ll be saying my uniform is priceless as well, being no pony knows how to work spider silk any more.” Kitzu quipped. “Let’s not forget all those things are my own regardless of value.”

“Not to worry, I’ll get them back.” Celestia offered, gave Kitzu a hug. “Sunset, go wait for me in my office, I want a moment with my niece.”

“Yes mam.” Sunset replied, and slowly walked out of the room.

“We’re both fox ponies. - We might even have a common ancestor, or something. - If that’s what’s bothering you?” Aiko offered. Aiko wasn't about to say she was more then likely Kitzu’s great grand mother umpteen times removed on Kitzu’s father’s side.

“Is that why you look so much alike? - But not that, before, that lamp went off...”

“That was an overcharge.” Kitzu offered. “It reacts differently to different ponies. The lamp takes in magical energy, amplifies, and discharges the excess in a wave of cleansing energy.”

“Is that how it works - But no, that’s not what I wished to discuss. Princess, the general consensuses is that you are at the least my sister’s protege who has somehow been transported forward in time.” Celestia explained.

“Oh, alright, I guess.”

“We haven't ruled out the possibility that you are my sister’s daughter.”

“And what I told you earlier?” Kitzu asked. She wasn’t entirely sure she liked where this was going.

“You know as well as I do that we must be cautious concerning what we tell ponies.” Celestia cautioned. “And if any pony makes the connection between my sister and King Sombra, I think it best to fall back on you having been adopted.”

“Oh, alright, I understand.”

“So for now, we will be telling ponies you are my sister's daughter, and that you were transported from the past as such a thing is a little easier to explain.” Celestia explained. “Miss Aiko, can we have your cooperation in this?”

“You can count on me so long as her safety and well being are never compromised.” Aiko offered with a smile. “We tend to be very protective of the young in the fox pony community.”

“I see.” Celestia replied. She was a bit unaccustomed to servants talking so candidly. Celestia wondered if that boldness was a fox pony trait.

“Miss Aiko is some pony I feel I can trust. I’ve confided in her the basic gist of my present situation, and she has offered to support me in any way she can.” Kitzu offered.

“In that case I’m glad you have someone you can trust.” Celestia responded with a smile. “Princess, while at the party if some pony tries to put you on the spot, or test you?”

“Considering that what I know may conflict with what’s in the history books, and legend, it might be a good idea to make sure no pony backs me into a corner.”

“That actually might be a good idea. Just one more thing, what happened, that is, if you don’t mind...”

“What happened between myself and Muma?” Kitzu asked.

“Yes, why did she use a stun spell on you? - And a fairly powerful one at that.”

“It was an accident. She meant to blast some other pony, and I got hit instead.”

“Oh, so there was nothing going on, at least not between the two of you. - What about the uniform, and there was blood on your daggers.”

“Picked all that up in a different dimension where they were fighting King Sombra. - Part of the reason I don’t want any pony reading my diaries. I wouldn't want you thinking we end up fighting Sombra. You actually manage to dodge that bullet, but I probably shouldn't say anything.” Kitzu had been deliberately misleading regarding the fresh blood, but the explanation was simply going to have to wait until the incident happened. if it happens, and Princess Celestia probably didn't need to hear that she'd been the one to go mad in that world.

“I see, and that’s quite alright as I do expect I’m going to have to face him again... though a narrative where you fight him in the past is doable.”

“Ah, yes of course, the Nightmare incident followed the Crystal Empire incident.” Aiko observed. “Some have even speculated one led to the other.”

“Muma was effected by the same madness.” Kitzu mused. “It shouldn't be too hard for me create a narrative that’d fit.”

“My Captains were speculating that Nightmare Moon turned on you.” Celestia informed her.

“I think I’ll stick to the accident telling. I wouldn't be comfortable saying anything bad about my own mom. That and even as Nightmare Moon, I doubt she’d intentionally hurt a foal.” Kitzu offered. “Even the Queen Moon I encountered in the world were they were fighting Sombra had a soft spot for foals despite all her gruff. - And no, I volunteered to help once I realized how bad things had gotten. That Luna was about as close as I’ve come to a real Nightmare Moon. She wasn’t happy about my participation, but under the circumstances, she didn’t have much of a choice. She ordered me to go home once they’d finally defeated Sombra. She didn’t want me to stay there, she wanted me to be safe.” What followed was silence. On hearing Kitzu’s defense of Luna, Celestia wasn’t quite sure what to say. “As to how I ended up here, your guess is as good as mine.”

“Luna always was very found of foals,” Celestia offered giving Kitzu another hug. “After all, her ire was aimed at me, and no one else. - Now...” Celestia let go of Kitzu. “I need to go get ready myself, and see what I can do about getting you your shoes back, and maybe I can come up with a tiara for you? - Oh, and everything is scheduled to kick off in about three hours from now. If no one comes for you, just come over to me.” Celestia gave Kitzu a smile, and exited the room.

“Alright now, lets finish up getting you brushed.” Aiko offered once Celestia had gone.

“Teacher, how is it you aren’t the queen of the fox ponies or something like that?” Kitzu asked as she sat back down.

“Because it’s a trap.” Aiko offered. “And there isn’t a fox pony who lives past seven hundred who hasn't realized this. Those of us who’ve beat the odds to reach a thousand or more, much prefer to be advisers. Granted being I’m the matriarch I’ve been set above every one else, which is why I like to just sneak off once in a while.”

Lady Aiko while mature, hardly looked old enough to be an adviser let alone a matriarch.

“And become a servant.” Kitzu teased.

“It is in serving others that we retain our empathy. If I were to sit in my temple all the time being waited on paw and hoof I’d have absolutely no idea what life is like for the poorest of our kind.”

“You’re spying on Princess Celestia, aren’t you.” Kitzu suggested with a smile.

“Umm, a bit. - And your a precocious little imp.” Aiko replied with a grin. “Princess Celestia is a genuine caring pony. Some of her hangers on and staff not so much.”

“Let me guess, no one wanted anything to do with me?”

“Not entirely. I did want to see for myself who you were.”

“I’m glad it was you.”

“So when can I expect you to show up on my doorstep?” Aiko asked as she finished up brushing Kitzu.

“In just a little over two hundred years. Assuming I don’t end up visiting some time in between.” Kitzu offered. “I’ll let you know more about what’s been going on with me then, only none of this will have happened yet.”

“Oh goody.” She replied with a touch of sarcasm. “I get the impression you’ve had it ruff.” Her tone softer now. “Any way, we’re done, and ready for your dress.”

Kitzu got up, levitated the dress over to herself, reared up, slipped it on, and set back down while adjusting her amulet. “I’m ready.” Aiko looked at her for a moment, and just started laughing. “What?”

“Wait till you see some of the elaborate outfits.”

“I saw some nice costumes last night.”

“Oh, but yesterday was the first day of the festival. Tonight is the fancy dress event.”

“And me with no shoes.”

“So where’d you get them, the ones you had?”

“Queen Moon gave them to me. They aren’t even from this world.”

Aiko burst out laughing.

“I imagine I probably can’t go anywhere without an escort so I think I’ll peruse the library for a bit. - Not that I expect to find anything I haven't already read.”

“Well if you’ll not be needing anything, I imagine my supervisor is probably wondering what’s become of me.” Aiko offered. “Do you know how to get a hold of me if you need anything?”

“Magic letter from anywhere.” Kitzu replied with a smile. “And tell them that Princess Hope Nova Moon requested you as her personal attendant.”

“I intend to.” Aiko offered as the two exited the bedroom, and headed down the corridor. Kitzu stopped off at the private library, thanked Lady Aiko, who replied that it was her pleasure, and continued down the corridor.

Kitzu climbed the library ladder, and slowly perused the books. Occasionally she’d pull one out and look it over, scan through the pages, and then put it back. Everything was out of order. Well there was only one way to fix that. Kitzu started levitating books onto stacks on tables, stacks on the floor, and even out in the corridor. Before long she’d had several shelves completely empty, and that’s when she saw it, cracks in the wall indicating a hidden, perhaps forgotten cupboard. It only took her a little while to figure out how to access it. Within was a small treasure trove of books along with a silver tiara, horseshoes, and several other items that would have been precious to Princess Luna, and likely viewed as priceless to Equestria. “I can’t,” Kitzu said to herself while looking at the artifacts. Her shoes were her shoes, and these were Luna’s. Even if they were the same exact pair of shoes. If her belongings weren’t returned to her there was still the item teleportation spell she’d finally mastered. Kitzu looked at the jewelry with a sense of longing in her heart. Thanks to a spell, everything was as shiny as the day they were placed in there. A far cry from her own silver shoes which desperately needed polishing after the abuse she’d given them. These were Luna’s precious belongings secreted away. Kitzu looked at the books. These were books she’d never seen, and one was a book about the moon hall.

“It’s an observatory?” Kitzu said with astonishment. No matter, she wouldn't have time until after the dinner. Kitzu closed up the hidden cabinet, and went back to her task of organizing books. A couple hours later she’d reorganized a good deal of the small library with something becoming painfully clear. She then found the inventory, checked it against the card catalog which would have shown if a book had been taken out, and checked the list against the books on the shelf. Kitzu looked at the place where the cabinet was, and touched her pendant, “Cabinet, lock.” A satisfying click reassured her that the spell had kicked in, and everything would be safe until either she or Luna came back for it. She’d every intention of looking that book over as soon as possible. But first…

Kitzu turned, headed out into the corridor. “Lock the servant’s door.” she said as she headed for the greenhouse door. A moment later she’d passed through the greenhouse door locking it behind her. Down into the green house, and out into the patio. Kitzu could see some curious ponies in the family guest apartments below Luna’s apartment. She couldn't help but wonder how any of these ponies could possibly be related. Likely why so many of the books that were supposed to be there were unaccounted for.

“Excuse me Miss, aren’t you supposed to have an escort?” One of the guards asked.

“I’m only going to talk to my Aunt.” Kitzu offered. “I’ll still be within the royal apartments. - Oh, and Princess Celestia said I was to just go on over if no one came for me.”

“I guess it’s alright then.”

“If it’s permissible for me to ask, who’s in the visiting family apartments?”

“That would be Prince Azure Platinum, his family, and guests,” One of the guards offered. “I imagine you’ll be introduced to them sooner or later.”

“I imagine so,” Kitzu observed. “They do seem rather curious about me. - I should go find Princess Celestia.”

“You take care.”

“I will, and thank you.”

Kitzu found Princess Celestia in her bed chambers in the process of being laced up into a corset underneath of which was a shift which is a type of full slip, and multiple ruffled petticoats. The team effort consisted of three maids, two were pulling laces as hard as they could while the third supervised the operation. Celestia’s hooves had white powdered socks made of angora wool and held in place above the knee with a tied ribbon.

“Oy you, what are you doing here?” The supervising ladies maid scolded on seeing Kitzu.

“Who, Oh, Princess Hope. - She’s perfectly fine, I asked her to pop on over.” Celestia offered. “She’s my niece.”

“Is she, is she really?”

“All evidence would suggest as much.” Princess Celestia explained as they affixed a front panel to her chest.

“Am I too early?” Kitzu offered as she cast a glance over to Philomena’s empty perch.

“We may be running a bit behind for the reception, but that is perfectly fine. The dinner isn’t till later anyway. The dinner doesn’t happen until after I lower the sun.” Celestia offered. “So tell me, what’s on your mind?”

“Well I can see why you like my dress.” Kitzu offered as Celestia had her dress put on her. The dress itself was a blend of reds, golds, and yellows not unlike Sunset’s colors.

“Princess Celestia, it would hardly be fitting for you to appear in public in a filly’s slip.”

“I’ve a mind to just show up wearing nothing but a mask.” Celestia protested as they fit a decorative saddle made of red velvet from which they hung lightweight saddle bags. “It’d take far less time, and clothing is nothing more then a display of status. It’s hardly a necessity.”

“I believe I spent more time getting my mane tamed then I did actually getting dressed.” Kitzu offered with a grin.

“I don’t doubt it for a moment. - Well now, all I need are my shoes, peytral, and crown.”

“Speaking of shoes...”

“Oh don’t worry, I told them that if they didn’t return your shoes and provide a proper tiara I’d refuse to go to tonight’s event. - But there was something else?”

“I can’t really be sure. Muma’s library is in a horrible mess. In the time I had I started organizing the books, putting everything where it belonged. Afraid I’ve still got quite a few on tables. The thing is, I’m not finding books that are supposed to be there. Specifically there were some books that might help explain my being here that simply were not where they were supposed to be. They are listed in the card catalog, and on the inventory as being there, but they simply weren’t. - By any chance is there an inventory of everything that’s supposed to be in the apartments?”

“It seems I need to make some inquiries as to the handling of Luna’s apartment. - It was my wish that her apartment be preserved as she left it, and I know she was a stickler for order. There is no reason her books should have been in such disarray other then ponies have been helping themselves. - I suppose we can be grateful they were putting them back.”

“I locked the floor again.” Kitzu informed Celestia.

Celestia let out a sigh. She wasn’t really sure what to think, and how would Luna take it if on returning to Canterlot half her things were missing? Were they to free Luna from the Nightmare only to bring her home to an apartment that had been ransacked. Celestia hadn’t noticed it because it’d happened a little at a time, but to Luna it would look like it’d all happened over night.

“Come on, they should have your shoes.”

Kitzu followed Princess Celestia out to the reception room were a couple business ponies, and a dozen palace guards waited.

“Ah Mr Silver, and Mr Filigree. How good to see you,” Celestia said warmly greeting the two business ponies.

“You’re majesty.” They offered with a polite bow. “We have as promised prepared a matching mask and peytral for tonight’s festivities. - I think you’ll be quite pleased.”

“And about the other items I asked about? - What say we take care of that little nicety first.”

“Oh, yes of course, for the little filly.” Silver offered, retrieved a case, and opened it to reveal a set of small silver hoof shoes, and an equally small tiara.

“Those are nice, are they for little Sunset?” Kitzu asked. The shoes looked to be entirely too small for Kitzu, and of low quality as well.

“Oh these are for you. Princess.” Filigree offered. There seemed to be some kind of mix up.

“I asked my shoes be returned. Might I ask where they are?” Kitzu inquired about as politely as she could muster. “And if I’d a mind to use what you’ve brought as a temporary loan, I might point out that the shoes simply aren’t going to fit.”

“Mr Silver, Mr Filigree, this is not what we discussed. - You were to return her shoes, and provide an appropriate tiara.”

What followed was a series of stuttered excuses and apologies.

Kitzu stepped a few paces away while Princess Celestia engaged in a circular argument with the pair as they provided excuse after excuse as to why the shoes couldn't be returned. Kitzu wondered if she’d be able to access the cosmic clock that was the key to Equestria, her eyes glazed, began to glow, she lifted her head up high her mane and tail started to flare out – contact – Kitzu could feel the power surging through her. She’d decided she wasn’t going to argue the point, and cast the item summoning spell. Four loud pops were heard as each shoe snapped into the room. A moment later she’d used her telekinesis to put the shoes back on her hooves.

“P-p-princess?” Celestia stammered out.

“Yes?” Kitzu asked. “Oh right, let me just tone it down a bit.” Kitzu gave herself a shake, and a moment later her power levels were back down to that of a fairly normal yet talented unicorn. “I’m sorry about that, but it was just looking like we weren’t getting anywhere so I retrieved them myself.” Kitzu smiled a most cunning smile. “Be nice if I had a tiara to match, but I’m just a fake, aren’t I?”

“We never, I mean…” the sales ponies said quickly. What they’d just witnessed had them half panicked. That and they'd already lined up a buyer for the highly prized shoes.

“Then what was it, why is it you didn’t want to return that which is rightfully ours?” Kitzu’s tone was less then polite.

“Princess?” Celestia asked.

“I’ll be alright, I just need a moment,” Kitzu replied as she dropped her head in a bow towards Princess Celestia. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go get some air.”

“Yes, that might be a good idea.” Celestia replied with a polite bow, followed by Kitzu heading back through the apartment to the tea room. She thought about going outside, looked up at the sky with longing, but decided against it. As all the fixings for tea were right there, she decided to make some tea,

“Gentle colts.” Princess Celestia said in a rather dangerous undertone after Kitzu had gone. “Thank you. I’ll not be needing your finery. - You may show them out.” Princes Celestia thanked them for their time, and followed after Kitzu.

“Hope?” Celestia asked as she poked her head into the tea room. “You are making tea?”

“I know, muma is a coffee pony. I just happen to like tea.”

“I am sorry about what happened.” Celestia offered as she entered the room.

“Afraid I get that sort of thing more often then you’d realize. - A pony would think I’d be accustomed to it by now, but it was really looking like they had no intention of ever returning my property. - The cynic in me suspects they'd planned to make a fast bit off my shoes."

“Your majesty, Princess.” Aiko said from the doorway.

“I’m alright, I just used a alicorn level spell because it was looking like I wasn’t going to get my shoes back.” Kitzu offered while fumbling with the tea pot.

“Perhaps I should get that?” Aiko offered as she moved in. “Go on sit.”

“I haven't seen that spell in over seven hundred an eighty five years.” Celestia informed them as she sat down.

“I’ve only just recently figured it out, and it requires tapping into the source magic for me to do it.” Kitzu admitted.

“You can do that?” Celestia asked.

“I’d just assume not do it,” Kitzu admitted. “I’m only, what, fourteen at best. Closer to thirteen really. I don’t need that kind of power, and I’ve found I can’t always keep it in check.”

“You’re inexperienced. You’ll learn,” Aiko offered as she put out a couple cups.

“I can tell you it wasn’t easy for your mother either,” Celestia offered. Celestia meant Luna, but at this point she knew nothing of Twilight. Twilight was well into the future. “She loved to fly too. How’s your flying?”

“I’m not called the queen of the sky for nothing.” Kitzu offered with a grin.

“Oh are you.” A smile formed on Celestia’s lips. “There’s going to be a scramble tomorrow for that very title.”

“I’ll need my goggles at the very least,” Kitzu offered. “And for that matter, should I?”

“Defend your title for Monarch of the sky and risk altering time, or play it safe and do nothing?” Aiko mused

“But then again, playing it safe and doing nothing would also be a choice,” Celestia reminded her. “You’re keyed up, and doing something you enjoy will help you loosen up.”

“But first I have to survive tonight,” Kitzu offered just as Aiko put down another cup. “You weren’t thinking of joining us were you?”

“That would be inappropriate to my present station.” Aiko offered.

“He’s coming isn’t he.” Celestia groaned. Now make no mistake, Celestia loved the pony in question, he just had a tendency to be a bit too much at times.

“He, he who?” Kitzu asked.

“Prince Platinum.” Aiko offered, and a moment later a white unicorn with a blond mane and tail who looked suspiciously like Prince Blue Blood burst into the room. About the only difference was the cutie mark. His was a dark blue crown over which were three stars of the same color. The outfit that he wore consisted of a blue gray livery frock coat with red cuffs, collar, and copious amounts of gold braiding. He also had elaborately embroidered fabric saddle bags which featured his cutie mark.

“Mother, what’s this I hear?” Platinum asked.

“Mother?” Kitzu said repeating the word with astonishment.

“I adopted Azure after his parents were assassinated.” Celestia explained her tone empty of emotion as though that sort of thing happened all the time. Kitzu’s eyes widened as Celestia continued. “I figured being he’s blood related I had little choice.”

“Blood related?” Kitzu was genuinely astonished. “Assassinated?” There were plenty of things about the family history that simply wasn’t spoken of. That and Princess Celestia’s family were distant relations at best being they were related via Celestia, and Kitzu’s family was Luna, the Sparkles, and the Silvermane Kitsune.

“Seven hundred and eighty years back I married the prince who was then the crown prince of the Platinum line in order to consolidate two factions and avoid the possibility of a civil war. My dear sister had far more supporters then she realized to include those who’d managed to escape King Sombra. - Though I suspect many were just maneuvering for power, a few of which continue to be a thorn in my side. - I don’t regret the marriage even if I went into it with reservations. - The assassination gave me an excuse to crack down on a certain family who’d the audacity to claim decent from my sister.”

“That would mean you became queen by marriage. - Which family? If I may be so bold?”

“She did, and being Equestria is a matriarchal monarchy, no other pony can ascend the throne so long as she lives. - And it was the Lulamoon family.” Prince Platinum supplied. “The assassination of my parents was meant to target Princess Celestia. Fortunately they failed in that. - But enough history. Mother, why did you turn away our jewelers? They were most upset.”

“Because they refused to surrender Princess Hope’s shoes.”

“Oh, right, this young mystery guest who somehow locked herself into the Lunar apartment.”

“It’s my home, and they are my shoes.” Kitzu stated. She had to think for a moment about the Lulamoon family for a moment. So far as she knew, they weren’t related to the Sparkle/Nightfoal family at all. There were some Lulamoons among Luna’s servants, and hangers on, but no one of any significant rank. "I must confess the only Lulamoons I'm aware of where hangers on, and not related. Of the families I know to be directly descended there is no connection so far as I know."

“Prince Platinum, tea?” Aiko offered indicating the place she’d set a cup.

The topic of the Lulamoons was simply being dropped and Kitzumi was perfectly fine with that. And if anyone where to ask who is related to Princess Luna, that information was confidential.

“Yes, do sit down, and have a cup of tea,” Celestia offered. “And don’t worry about being late to the reception. Just let them stew for a bit.”

“Very well,” He replied and sat down. “So this is Princess Hope, also known as Nova Moon.”

“To be honest, I’ll answer to Nova far better then I do to Princess Hope.” Kitzu offered. “And did you see that cheep substitute they tried to pawn off on me? It wasn't even proper silver, just polished nickle silver."

“Yes, as a matter of fact… Alright you’ve a good point there. I’d have given them a piece of my mind if they’d have tried to give that cheep set to my Sunset. It did look about her size.”

“Hang on, is Sunset your daughter?” Kitzu asked.

“She is at that. Brightest one of the bunch that one. - So what’s so special about those shoes? - I hear you went all Nightmare Moon on them.”

“It was an unconditional retrieval spell. The spell can retrieve any number of objects and defeat the most powerful of security spells.” Celestia offered. “It was some pretty impressive use of magic. I had no idea she was capable of that level of magic until that moment.”

“It’s a typical trait of fox ponies to keep their true potential under wraps.” Aiko offered as she poured the tea.

“Ah, loll potential adversaries into thinking you are weaker then you are, is that it?” Prince Platinum asked.

“It is a foalish commander who underestimates an adversary.” Aiko replied. There was no hint of emotion in her voice. “We’ve found that it is far better to avoid conflict through cleverness then to rush head long into disaster. We are strong ponies, but we are few.”

“Oh, right I think I get it. If no one sees you as a threat, they won’t bother with you, is that it?” Prince platinum offered.

“I suppose that is a fair enough assessment. There is value in being overlooked if one does not wish to be drawn into conflicts.”

“Regarding the shoes, they were gifts from my Muma.” Kitzu interjected hoping to put an end to the banter between the prince and her teacher. Though truth be told Prince Platinum delighted in antagonizing this maid who would actually talk back. “It’s a sentimental thing.” The shoes had actually been given to Kitzu by Queen Moon when Kitzu had mentioned that her standard issued shoes couldn't hold up to the abuse she was giving them. So far as Kitzumi knew Luna’s old silver shoes had protective enchantments on them, and legend had it that the shoes weren’t even silver, but something else far more rare. Something called True Silver or adamantine. Not even Queen Moon was sure as it’d been so long since she was young enough to use the shoes.

“You must miss her a great deal.” Prince Platinum offered. “A shame you’ll never see her again.”

“Oh, I’ll see her again, it’s just a question of time. Though if I can figure out a way to skip forward I will.”

“Not going to try to bring her back early?” Prince Platinum asked.

“Oh no, that would be disastrous.”

“It would? How so?” he pressed genuinely puzzled by Kitzu’s response.

“Not all the elements are in place yet, and won’t be until the curse runs its course.”

“Curse?” This time it was Celestia who was puzzled by Kitzu’s answer. She’d always told herself it was a banishment because there’d been no other way. Or had there?

“Take into consideration that I have studied the elements of harmony. I’ve even seen Star Swirl's original notes, and have even figured out how to create a sort of mock element of harmony," Kitzumi explained. "The true elements of harmony respond best to the magic of friendship and love. They were meant to act as protective magic, not as offensive magic. When used to do harm, no matter how noble the cause may seem, the magic will rebound in a curse. - Aunt Tia, that’s why you lost the elements. You misused them, you banished my mother when you should have never started the chain of events that led to the fight in the first place.”

“Now see here, it’s not like you were there.” Celestia scolded.

“Wasn’t she?” Prince Platinum asked. “Would she not have been with her mother?”

“The palace of the Two Sisters had a full staff of servants on hoof, Shadowbolts, loyal retainers who’d escaped King Sombra’s madness, and a few foals. Loki Starbright, who I count as a good friend among them, and my infant brother Nachtlicht.” It might have been something of a stretch, though Natchlicht being Luna’s first would technically make him an elder brother.

As for Celestia she knew there was no way her sister could have had a foal anywhere near Kitzu’s age without her knowing about it, not to mention Kitzu’s own admittal that she was from the future. Kitzu did say they would reconcile, but then again it was likely not going to be easy even after the nightmare was banished. Knowing about Natchlicht, whom Celestia had learned of only after confronting her sister only helped to Cement Kitzu’s position as a pony with close intimate knowledge of Princess Luna’s affairs.

“I’m so sorry.” Celestia said as she recalled what had really transpired that day. She’d pushed Luna past the breaking point, and then punished her further by banishing her to the moon. Never mind that there was no way Kitzu could have known being from the future as she’d said… unless Luna had simply shown her, but why would she have shown her what had happened? Princess Celestia would have just assume the details be lost to time.

“I’m sorry too.” Kitzu offered reaching a hoof over to Celestia, and placing it on Celestia’s. “I should be more careful about what I say.”

“It’s alright. Bout time I faced the truth anyway. Luna had gone into seclusion after the loss of the Chrystal empire, and I was bound and determined to drag her back kicking and screaming if I had to, with no regard for who might get hurt in the process, or why she’d secluded herself in the first place.”

“Say, speaking of doing things without thinking of the consequences, a recent find of mine is now worth considerably less thanks to the blast of magical energy my little genius daughter set loose.” Prince Platinum interjected.

“You know, we were having a moment here.” Celestia admonished just as Kitzu took a sip of her tea. The prince produced an old tarnished silver crown. To everypone's bewilderment, Kitzu spit out her tea, spilled what was in her cup, and even went so far as to push her chair back and away from Prince Platinum until she’d hit some obstructing furniture. The design of the crown itself was a squat tree with long tendril like branches in which rested the moon in it’s phases. At the center where there would have been a gem representing the full moon only a hole where the gem had been.

“Hope? Miss Nova?” Celestia asked.

“Prince Platinum, it seems to be that crown.” Aiko suggested. “May I?”

“Teacher, no, don’t touch it!” Kitzu pleaded forgetting that she wasn’t supposed to be calling Miss Aiko Teacher.

“Teacher?” Celestia asks.

“Apparently her younger self shows up on my doorstep some time in the future. - Your Highness, where’d you get the crown?”

“Where…? Now that I think of it, I haven't a clue. It’s like I’ve been walking about in a daze.”

“Princess Hope, do you recognize that crown?”

“It’s the Blood Moon crown.” Kitzu offered.

“The blood moon… Oh my?!” Celestia replied astonished. Luna had told her about the crown, about how Sombra had intended to use it to control Luna against her will. This was the very crown that had forced Luna to admit that Sombra was quickly sinking into madness. Celestia’s eyes widened even further when Miss Aiko, an earth pony produced a screen of magical energy which she looked through at the crown.

“Umm, is there something I should know?” The Prince asked.

“You’re fine.” Aiko offered. “Princess, princesses, you can relax, it’s quite inert. When the purification wave hit it, I gather it shattered the blood stone, and rendered the crown harmless.” She then took the crown from Prince Platinum so that she might further inspect it. “There is some spell work in runic, but it shouldn't be hard to fix that now that the thing has lost it’s power. - Seems Sombra had been studying some old magic.”

“Was Prince Platinum under the spell of the crown?” Celestia asked.

“Possibly. Likely he would have gone about his daily routine as though he was sleepwalking. - As I recall, Sombra’s control magic was dependent on someone pulling the strings.”

“So it’s harmless now?” Kitzu asked as she started to relax.

“Yes, lets just make sure it stays that way.” Aiko offered, took up a butter knife, and used the tip to scratch up the inscriptions. “Nice thing about this kind of magic is that it’s fairly easy to defeat it. All a pony has to do is destroy the inscription.”

“I guess my lamps are vulnerable in that regard as well.” Kitzu admitted as Aiko applied magic to the butter knife, and began using it to smooth the interior of the crown.

“What are you doing?” Celestia asked.

“I’m smoothing the inside to obliterate the enchantment so no pony can reactivate it. It’ll be a blank slate. Polish it up, and it’ll be as good as new.”

“Hang on, you can do magic? Without a horn?” Prince Platinum asked. The fact that Aiko was an earth pony using magic had finally registered.

“I’m a fox pony. We use a very ancient type of magic that’s not dependent on having a horn. All we need is a focus.” Aiko explained. “There, that’ll do it.” Now all it needs is a new stone.”

Kitzu and the others looked on in amazement. Aiko hadn’t just obliterated the remnants of the old spell, she’d manipulated the crown so that it looked as good as new, and had shrunk it down to Kitzumi’s size.

“It’s perfectly safe now?” Kitzu asked as she moved forward, and Aiko cleaned up the mess Kitzu had made.

“It’s not even the same crown anymore.” Aiko offered. “When I shrunk it, that closed the gaps where the inscriptions had been made. Perhaps you’d like to make some inscriptions of your own?”

“Nova, how did you recognize the crown?” Celestia asked.

“Muma made sure I’d know it if I saw it.” Kitzu offered. "It was part of a set that included an amulet known as the alicorn Amulet. - Perchance might I have my bag? - I’d like to see if any of my gems will fit.”

“Were you thinking that you might use it? - The crown, that is?”

“I’ve a particular stone that would look really good if it can be made to fit.” Kitzu offered. “If that is alright by Prince Platinum?” He noted that he’d be fine with her having the crown.

“Alright then, I’ll be right back.” Celestia stated, set her cup down, got up and exited the room. She returned a short time later with a golden mare, Shimmer, and two other foals in tow.

“Princess Hope, this is Princess Marigold Shimmerhorn, You’ve already met Sunset, the little filly is Aureate Dawn, and the colt is Cerulean Light.” Celestia offered. Aureate looked much like Sunset only with wings, and Cerulean looked a great deal like his father. All were dressed up in resplendent outfits.

“I’m honored to meet you.” Kitzu offered getting up, and making a polite bow.

“Oh no, the honor is all mine.” Princess Marigold offered as she returned a bow. “I mean, I’m only an honorary princess by marriage, and you are the real thing.”

“Please, don’t sell yourself short as you may be far more real a princess then you realize.” Kitzu offered.

“Your bag.” Celestia prompted as she levitated the saddle bags over to Kizu.

“Thank you.” Kitzu offered as she accepted the bags. She opened one taking note of the books, nothing seemed to be out of place, and then opened the other. Everything was still there. “Next time I should have you watch over everything.” Kitzu offered with a smile as she pulled out the small box. Kitzu carefully opened the box to reveal that aside from an inscribing tool the remainder of the contents were carefully packed in plain felt bags. Kitzu examined the contents by touch alone, and when she was satisfied she had the right one, she placed it on the table, put the inscribing tool next to it, put the lid back on the box, and put that back in the saddle bag.

“Miss Aiko...” Kitzu began softly as she removed a dazzling peace of white fire opal from the small bag. It had ruff edges having never been worked, but the colors of all seven harmony stones could be seen sparkling in it. “Any chance you could use your magic on this?”

“Oh, you want me to do all the work do you?”

“Oh no, I’d never ask such a thing. I intend to use my own purification spell inscribed to the inside of the crown.”

“Tell you what, you do your inscribing first, and if I like what you put on it, I’ll shape this stone to fit.” Aiko offered.

“Deal.” Kitzu replied, reached out for the crown, hesitated a moment, took hold of it, and pulled it over to herself. A moment later she’d picked up the inscriber, and was busily scratching away.

The room grew quiet as the look of concentration on Kitzu’s face suggested no pone say a thing. Just the sound of metal scratching on metal.

Kitzu looked up from her task a short time later, made a few more adjustments to what she’d inscribed, and then proffered it to Aiko.

Everyone sat quietly as Miss Aiko inspected Kitzu’s inscription.

“Impressive. You've learned quite a bit.” Aiko offered, took the stone, and placed it in the position for the moon. The stone now perfectly fit and shaped so that it now resembled the moon complete with the Mare in the moon resplendently defined by the colors reflecting from the stone. She then hoofed it back over to Kitzumi.

“Teacher, my inscription?” Kitzu asked. The inscription could no longer be seen.

“Being you were wise enough to add a fail-safe against misuse, I thought it best to hide the inscription.” Aiko replied with a smile. Kitzu touched the crown while whispering an activation spell, and light shone from the stone.

“Something tells me that’s no ordinary opal?” Celestia asked as Kitzu put the crown on her head. “I haven't just witnessed the birth of a powerful artifact have I?”

“That, oh it’s just an ordinary gem grade opal.” Aiko replied. The stone itself was anything but ordinary having come from the grotto of the Tree of Harmony. Kitzu got up from her seat, and went to hug Aiko.

“Thank you so much.” Kitzu offered. “I used a purification spell similar to what’s on the lamps. It will amplify magic so I added a spell to negate negative magic, and to feed back if used aggressively. It’s for protection only.”

“So, um, where did you find it?” Celestia asked.

“It was in a layer of substrate in a grotto.” Kitzu offered. “Now if we can lock up my bags again, I’ll be ready to go.”

Princess Celestia knew when some pony was putting her off, but decided to let it go for now. A short time later the group was headed for the Solar Audience Hall where the reception was already in progress. The plan was to attend the reception, and then return to the royal apartments, at which time the foals would stay with a foal sitter save for Kitzu who was to attend the dinner with the adults. The dinner would be in the grand ballroom.

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Princess Celestia had Kitzu walk with her as they entered the crowded audience hall. The hall itself had been swept clear of all the normal furnishings and replaced with small tables scattered about radiating out from the dais in loose crescents separated by different colored ropes. Princess Celestia had chosen not to wear her peytral, and crown just yet though she did wear her silver shoes. A simple mask had been brought up from wardrobe, an enormous powdered wig, and a cheep tiara on top which contrasted rather glaringly with the elaborate outfit, and telegraphed the message that the court jeweler had failed Princess Celestia. Kitzu’s simplistic outfit gathered a considerable amount of attention as well, the plain white dress of a material that looked as though it could have been spun from clouds, the mask that was, and the gleaming crown that declared her as someone important. Add to that, her nervousness was causing a slight misting of fox fire around her silver shoes, and her mane would occasionally billow as though blown by a wind unfelt by others. Prince Platinum, and Marigold followed, each in their outfits, followed by Sunset, Cerulean, and Aureate. No names were called to announce their arrival as was the normal procedure, this being a masquerade no one was supposed to know who anyone was. Kitzu had the feeling ponies would be able to recognize Celestia no mater how she was dressed. Nor did it take long for ponies to gather round the royal family. It didn't take much longer for the press of politically minded ponies in want of favors to cut Princess Celestia and Prince Platinum away from the rest of the family.

“Don’t feel to bad, this sort of thing happens all the time.” Marigold offered as the orchestra began to play. “Come on, lets go find some refreshments.”

“This is actually kind of nice,” Kitzu admitted as they headed for a refreshment table. “What will they be serving for dinner later, and I’m wondering if I’ll get enough to eat? If not I should still have some goodies leftover if they haven't cleaned out my ice box.”

“Careful you don’t get too fat.” Sunset teased.

“Not a chance,” Kitzu countered. “I burn a lot of calories. Especially when using magic. - How do you think Princess Celestia stays so thin?”

“Wow, raising the sun and the moon must burn a lot of calories,” Aureate said, and perhaps a might bit too loud. Kitzu rolled her eyes at the sound of nearby ponies quietly laughing.

“Foals will say the darnedest things,” Offered a matronly mare approaching them.

“Ah, Lady Carneighie if I’m correct in my thinking?” Marigold prompted.

“I might admit to owning that name, and I might not.” Lady Carneighie replied. After all it was a masked ball and every pony was wearing masks, and outrageous outfits. “So how is life in the palace treating you now that you no longer serve as a guard?”

“Very well thank you.” Marigold offered politely. Kitzu smiled, her opinion of Prince Platinum having gone up quite a bit.

“Prince Azure treating you well?” Lady Carneighie sounded as though she was hoping for bad news.

“I’ve another foal on the way.”

“Do you now,” Lady Carneighie replied in a tone very reminiscent of a sneer. “I’d so hoped his foals would be my grand foals.”

Kitzu dropped an ear back. This pony reminded her far too much of Discord with perhaps a touch of Prince Blue Blood.

“Well, I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” Marigold offered.

“So tell me, who’s this odd little creature you have with you?”

“This is Princess Hope.” Princess Marigold offered.

“I swear it’s getting so any pony can be a princess.” Lady Carneighie replied in a rather self important tone. She bent down to look Kitzu in the eyes. “Tell me little princess, where did you get those wings, the penny and nickle mercantile?”

Booth ears were down now, not flat from fear or intimidation, but back in aggression. Her wings rustled in agitation. Kitzu was after all a pegasus first, alicorn second, and insulting a pegasi’s wings was fighting words.

“So tell me, if you are supposed to be an alicorn, what are you supposed to be the god of? ... Hummmm?” Lady Carneighie pressed.

“Hey, hey hey...” Interjected a couple stallions getting in between Kitzu and Lady Carneighie just as electricity began to arch along Kitzumi's wings. One offered to dance with Lady Carneighie, and quickly maneuvered her away without so much as asking leave to do so.

“Take a deep breath, let it out slowly, she’s not worth it.” Offered the stallion who’d remained.

“What am I supposed to be the god of indeed. Pompous old nag.” Kitzu muttered as the arches of electricity died down. “I’ve a mind to show her.”

“Princess, that’s no way to be. Have you gotten anything from the refreshments table?” The guards on discovering that Kitzu was indeed the real thing, had taken it on themselves to make sure no pony pressed the wrong buttons. After all, Kitzu was a teen, had some rather dangerous power reserves, allegedly the daughter of the night goddess, and most importantly an unknown. If there was one thing that would put the guard force on edge it was an unknown. As for Kitzu, she wasn’t hampered in this way as she’d a pretty good idea what was going on around her, and could even use her unique talents to tell friend from foe.

“Ah, Indi.” Kitzu was delighted at recognizing the guard.

“I am as accused,” He replied with a smile. Both he, and presumably Harold, had on elaborate outfits that would make it all but impossible to identify the individual. Indi had even a large powdered wig in hopes of hiding his mane. This time they made it to the refreshments table without being stopped. Kitzu and the others loaded up on goodies, wine for the adults, and a punch of some sort for the foals, to include Kitzu. Kitzu wasn’t exactly a stranger to hard cider, but then again, she was still under age even by the best estimate. From there they made their way over to a table that was about as far away from the dais as possible, and sat down.

“So, this is it?” Kitzu asked after a bit.

“Well until it’s time for dinner at which point Princess Celestia will lower the sun and raise the moon.” Princess Marigold offered.

“Hey, them wings for real?” challenged a brash gold yellow pegasus filly as she approached the table.

“Go away Goldenflair.” Aureate chastised.

“Not you, small fry.” Golden replied. “This pony presenting herself as a royal alicorn.”

“Miss Goldenflair Spitfire, she is a royal alicorn.” Princess Marigold cautioned.

“Spitfire?” Kitzu asked.

“She’s my niece.” Princess Marigold offered.

“And queen of the sky.” Goldenflair boasted. Kitzu had to stifle a laugh. Kitzu and Goldenflair were about the same age, but Goldenflair simply did not have the advantages Kitzu had.

“She won last year’s scramble.” Princess Marigold supplied.

“You’re a real princess, and it’s not just make believe?” Goldenflair asked.

“Nova Moon, Princess of Hope, Steward of Arcadia,” Kitzu had managed to identify the name of the city on Thorn peak from Luna’s hidden book, and being she was the only pony with actual physical access, it did technically make her the steward of the city, and then she added, “Queen of the sky.”

“Ha, you’ll have to beat me in tomorrow's scramble to call yourself the Queen of the Sky.”

“Steward of Arcadia?” Princess Marigold questioned.

“Technically,” Kitzu offered with a smile. “It’s kind of complicated.”

“But that’s the name of the fabled alicorn city?” Marigold asked.

“Ya, it is. - Not much there any more though,” Kitzu offered.

“You’ve been there? - You actually found it, and know where it is?” Marigold asked.

“Mmm, ya, but it’s only accessible to an alicorn. A pony has to be able to fly at high altitude for an extended time, and do magic.”

“How high have you been?” Goldenflair asked.

“I’ve been up to forty thousand horns,” Kitzu offered quietly. Goldenflair protested saying, no way.

“Sounds a bit like bragging to me,” Indi offered from his post a few paces away.

“Prove it.” Goldenflair commanded.

“Not sure how I’m supposed to prove that?” Kitzu offered. “I mean the only other pony alive who can match it is Princess Celestia herself. Short of taking you up there myself. It requires special gear, and a good strong updraft as well. - The truth is any determined flier can get up that high if they know the trick, and the one time I did it, I'd rode the updrafts of a southern thunderhead. The trouble is the lack of good air and extreem cold. Most ponies are apt to pass out before getting that high. - But I’ll tell you what, I’ll be in tomorrow's scramble, and you’ll get a taste of what I’m capable of. Provided of course I can get my gear back. I need my goggles.”

“Goggles?” Goldenflair asked. “And what gear?”

“So we don’t get bugs and wind born stuff in our eyes.” Indi offered. “You really should get a pair for yourself.”

“Mine are magically tinted as well.” Kitzu offered. “Otherwise flying in the day time can be challenging. - Flying at altitude is dangerous, it’s cold enough to freeze, and the air is mighty thin. When flying that high it’s really nice to have a nice warm flight suit, and a way to store extra air. - I need my goggles primarily so I can see where I’m going in the day time. I’m a night flier, I can see really good in the dark. Not so good in bright sunlight. The tint spell on my goggles makes the lenses dark in the day, but clear at night.”

“Tinted? Kind of squarish?” Indi asked.

“Yes, I had assumed they were taken along with the rest of my gear. - Think I left them hanging in the bath.”

“No actually, the goggles are in the Captains Office,” Indi informed her. “The Captain's have threatened to ride us till the owner fesses up to using the bath in the royal apartment.”

Kitzu looked over to him, and just started laughing.

“Oh, you’re full of heart,” Indi replied.

“Do you think we have time to go get my goggles?”

“You’ll have to wait till after the dinner.” Princess Marigold offered.

“The captain’s office will be closed by then.” Indi informed her.

“That’s not an issue,” Kitzu offered with a smile.

“You can’t break in. If that’s what you are thinking?” Indi replied.

“Oh no, I don’t have to. There isn’t a lock in Canterlot Castle that won’t open for me,” Kitzu informed him. There was a mischievous look on her face.

“You mean to tell me?” Indi asked.

“Any thing Princess Luna would have had access to, I have access too. - I’ll just walk down to his office, open the door, go in, retrieve my googles, and leave. - I’ll need an escort though.” Kitzu replied. “I just get the feeling I shouldn't wander about being I don’t have a pass of any kind, and ponies don’t really know anything about me.”

“Tell you what, if I’ve time, I’ll take you down to his office, otherwise you’ll have to wait till tomorrow.” Indi offered.

“Long as I can get them before the race,” Kitzu replied with a smile. “Why don’t you join us?”

Elsewhere within the audience hall more then a few ponies gathered were wondering who Kitzu might be. Following the intervention with Lady Carneighie, any of her ilk who attempted to gain access to Kitzu would find themselves being turned back by a number of costumed ruffians in the crowd. The family presumed to have been the royal family had inexplicably sat about as far away from the place of honor as they could, and the place that would have been occupied by the royal family was now occupied by one of the other leading families of Equestria. Now the only way to know if the small family that had entered with Princess Celestia was the royal family or a misdirection was left up to seeing if the small party would be escorted into the dining hall were the dinner was being held. Otherwise it was starting to look like this particular group wasn’t the royal family at all with the exception of a heavy guard presence. As for Lady Carneighie, word of her rudeness had spread, and her political rivals eagerly anticipated her downfall.

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“I do believe the ruse has worked.” Prince Platinum offered as he joined them. “Sitting all the way back here has every pony half convinced we are a bunch of fakes.”

“We had a run in with Lady Carneighie,” Marigold offered. “I may not have been the best of the best, but I can certainly tell who’s who?”

“Not the best of the best? You got into the Palace Guard didn’t you?” Kitzu asked.

“To be honest, it wasn’t her prowess as a guard that got her the post, it was her ability to remember ponies and handle them that got her in the palace,” Prince Platinum offered. “It was her kindness and generosity that attracted me. - And despite her ability, she’s just a wee bit on the shy side.”

“Shy nothing, you're a scoundrel who just wanted to find the chinks in my armor,” Marigold chastised playfully.

“Say, Indi, what would you say Princess Marigold’s best qualities are?” Kitzu asked.

“I’d say the fact that she didn’t let her new position go to her head,” Indi offered.

“My dear sweet Mom is very good at spotting phonies,” Prince Platinum offered. “And she liked Marigold from the start. - One day out of the blue I asked her what she’d think if I were to marry a guard? She asked me if I was talking about Marigold, I said yes, and she said go for it. - There was a caveat though.”

“Expect opposition from various noble houses I gather?” Kitzu asked.

“Exactly.” Prince Platinum replied with a smile. His smile kind of faded as he thought about how the nobles had reacted. They were outraged about his marriage to Marigold, and liked Sunset’s name even less. If Celestia hadn’t supported him…

“Oh, she’s ditched the powdered wig, and has her court peytral and crown on.” Marigold observed.

Celestia had left the hall, and came back flanked with guards as it was time for business. Celestia walked up to the dais, and looked out over Canterlot through the large windows. It was time. Her horn light up, she rose into the air and began to glow. All eyes were fixed to Princess Celestia, all save Kitzumi who had decided she wanted to see what it really looked like. Kitzu wanted to see the interaction between Princess Celestia, the sun, and the cosmic clock now that she was aware of the interaction. Being a typical teen, she failed to think about the unintended consequences of her actions.

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Unobserved by those around her, Kitzu’s eyes glazed over, and she began to glow, Her consciousness traveled to the cosmic clock, she observed Princess Celestia’s magic forming a magical triangle, direct to the sun, and via the cosmic clock which amplified Celestia’s magic. The sun began to move. Kitzu watched in fascination of the process and as the sun began to set it occurred to her that some clouds in just the right places would paint the sky. Kitzu had figured out how to move clouds some time back, and to her delight the connection to the cosmic clock made it absurdly easy. Was that part of her special talent, she wandered, not just moving clouds, but her use of the cosmic clock? She’d assumed it had something to do with teleporting, but being an abstract cutie mark it could very well mean any number of things. And that included being able to dissipate or build clouds at will without ever having to go near them. Not to mention the amount of energy she could tap into. Next Kitzu looked to the moon, and felt it’s pull, a moment later Kitzu was in a dreamscape dark and barren of any features save the light that shown about herself and a slight cloud like billowing at her feet. A moment later a figure emerged from the darkness, and Kitzu found herself face to face with Nightmare Moon.

“Who are you?” Nightmare Moon asked. Her tone gave Kitzu absolutely no clue by which to judge the situation. There was no malice, nor the kindness Kitzu was accustomed to. Some distance beyond was a shadow darker then the blackness that threatened to engulf them with wings of the blackest obsidian, bright yellow eyes, and a face that was almost human if not for the beak like snout. Kitzu knew immediately what it was that had possessed Princess Luna.

“My name is Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal Moon.” Kitzu offered. She’d decided it’d be best to use Moon instead of Silvermane. “I’ve been having some difficulties. I’m your daughter by marriage.”

“I don’t have a daughter.”

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?” There was a hint of confusion in Luna’s tone.

“I’ve been time traveling. - Not exactly by choice either. - I can tell you that Nachtlicht made it out of the palace, and that Princess Celestia never found him. - Afraid I’ve never gone far enough back in time to tell you much about him. I can tell you that I’m descended from him.”

“Show me.”

“Show you?”

“Your family, show me.”

“I suppose it’s safe enough, you probably won’t remember once you get out of that limbo you are in,” Kitzu offered, and then began displaying her memories of when she was a little filly. The void filled with images of a mature Twilight sparkle, Luna, elder sister Nova, Prince Reynard, the little foals, Estar and Kitzu, all engaged in various family moments. Twilight Velvet, and Night Light Sparkle also featured in some of the memories. Kitzu was careful in her selection.

“A might too perfect.” Nightmare moon commented.

Kitzu smiled, and allowed the images to fade, and then provided the image of herself changing her younger self’s diaper.

“I thought you said you were my daughter?” Nightmare moon asked accusingly.

“As I said, I’m from the future. What I am showing you is a time I crossed my own time line. I had no choice but to change my own diaper because I’d been left, that is my younger self, had been left behind.” Kitzu explained. The memory of the incident colored her tone to be slightly scolding.

“You would scold me?” There was a hint of anger.

“You left me.” Kitzu offered, and then displayed the encounter in the forest.

Nightmare moon took a step back, “No don’t!” She called to the image of herself, and cringed when the blast hit Kitzu. “Ah, Loki. He was always so clever… hang on, Loki?” A smile had formed on her face, and Kitzu’s readiness to forgive her nearly brought a tear to her eye.

“Princess?” Asked the astral form of Loki stepping from the darkness. His coat now gray.

“Hi Loki.” Kitzu called. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Don’t talk to that, it’s just a product of my madness.” Luna said with a sigh. Loki looked at Luna with sadness in his eyes. Kitzu trotted over to Loki, and gave him a hug. His coat began to whiten.

“I’m afraid you’re mistaken. He’s real,” Kitzu offered. She then called Luna’s personal guard. Captain Hoofstrong, Lt Alice Mouse, Lt Ansaldo Balilla, Corporal Pfalz Shadow, Petty Officer Morane, and Gunny Gotha. One by one they emerged from the darkness. “They got caught up in the curse with you. - They have been with you all this time.”

“This is a curse?” Loki asked.

“Princess Celestia misused the elements of harmony, and you all got caught up in it,” Kitzu explained.

“I swear on my mother and my father that I will kill her,” Nightmare Moon said while clenching her teeth on some of the words.

The shadow drew closer.

“You’ll do nothing of the sort, for to do so would be to doom us all,” Kitzu scolded. “You’ll never know the love of my mother, your husband, your daughter Estar, my sister Nova, or myself.”

“I will have vengeance.”

The shadow drew near.

“Then you will have your vengeance,” Kitzu offered as if it was nothing. “But keep in mind two sayings, vengeance is a dish best when served cold, and the best vengeance is a life well lived. Why at this very moment ponies all over Equestria are celebrating you.”

“They are?” Nightmare Moon asked. Her face brightened and the shadow backed away.

“Auntie Tia hates it. Oh she hasn’t said as much, but she does,” Kitzu offered with a mischievous smile. She then offered a vision of fillies dressed like the Princess of the Moon.

“And that’s going on right now?” Nightmare moon asked.

Kitzu thought it best to check, and sure enough thanks to the odd way time flows on the dream plane, the sun was only about halfway to setting. “Why at this very moment Auntie Tia is lowering the sun. She’ll be raising the moon momentarily.”

“Like Tartarus she will,” Nightmare moon growled.

“And will you deprive ponies of your beautiful moon?” Kitzu asked.

“You raise it then.”

“But I’m not strong enough. - I’m only fourteen at best.”

“Well then, I shall help you.”

Kitzu thought about this for a moment, looked back to the Cosmic clock, conveyed her concerns hoping that whatever intelligence lay behind the device would understand, and then brought up an image of the moon. Once she’d done that she channeled her own energy through the stone on her crown. She quietly delighted at the shadow drawing further back. “I’ve an idea, if you channel your energy into the moon, and will it to raise, I should be able to do the rest.”

“Oh what a delight this will be,” Nightmare Moon said sounding quite delighted to get one over on her sister. She began channeling her magical energy, and Kitzu provided the control. The moon was moving.

“Kitzu had anticipated it, the shadow making a lunge for her, she’d have to retreat, but she’d one more trick up her sleeves. The shadow lunged, the Shadowbolts and Nightmare moon herself moved to block, and Kitzu who still had Loki in a hug, kissed him behind the ear.

As Kitzu drew away she saw Loki light up bright as a harvest moon.

🎑

🌇As the last rays of the sun slipped beyond the horizon Princess Celestia let out a sigh. It’d been one of her best sunsets. She quietly thought to herself that she’d have to thank the ponies who’d brought up the clouds to create such a magnificent canvas. Behind her the ponies gathered were speechless. Celestia decide that she best raise the moon now, turned to face the direction needed to raise the moon, and found herself looking right at the biggest harvest moon she’d ever seen. All of Equestria was bathed in the light of the moon.

Celestia just stood their staring at it. How? Had Luna made good her escape early, and was now taunting her? Concerned for her subjects she turned to look back at the mesmerized ponies. The hall was as bright as ever, and at the far end was the source. Nova, Princess of Hope, was presently sitting at her table, back hooves firmly planted on the floor, front on the table, wings outstretched, and in a trance of some sort. About two dozen ponies looked at her in bewilderment, and then jumped back when the stone on her crown pulsed followed by the aura about her fading away. A moment later her right hoof came up, and slammed down on the table as the focus returned to her eyes.

“Blast that Onmoraki!” Kitzu spat out. “I nearly… Oh dear.” Kitzu looked about her to discover that more then a couple dozen ponies were now looking at her. Lady Aiko, wearing an appropriate outfit to fit into the crowd was standing nearby giving her a dirty look. “Aaahhh, whoops.”

“Should you even be taking on such things?” Aiko said in a quite all be it menacing tone.

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. I hadn’t really planned on it either.”

“I see.” Aiko replied dryly.

“Don’t worry, I blocked it when I retreated.”

Meanwhile Princess Celestia had been quietly closing the gap, her hooves the only other sound in the room. Kitzu’s ears dropped as Princess Celestia approached.

“So, um, how far did we get it?” Kitzu asked sheepishly.

“It’s not quite all the way up, but it is actually quite beautiful.” Princess Celestia offered.

“That far? Really?”

“You did a good job. So good in fact, I think I’ll wait till later to adjust it. - Now, what was it you blocked?”

“Princess Celestia, how do you keep the nightmare at bay when you raise and lower the moon?” Kitzu asked.

“Oh that it.” Princess Celestia replied. “It’s afraid of me. - You took a huge risk young filly, you do understand that don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, I hadn’t even planned to do that. It just sort of happened, and maybe I best explain later?”

“We will definitely be discussing this later.” Princess Celestia warned.

Kitzu’s stomach growled. Followed momentarily by Celestia giving her a hug.

“Really makes a pony hungry, doesn’t it?” Celestia whispered.

“So is it time for dinner yet?” Kitzu asked.

“Just as soon as we take the little ones up to their foal sitter.”

“Um, we good?” Kitzu asked looking at the foals that were with them. Their eyes were like saucers.

“Did she, I mean you… Did you just raise the moon?” Sunset asked.

“Part of the way.” Kitzu replied. She thought better of telling them that Nightmare Moon had helped her. “I’ve still a long way to go.”

“Wow.” Cerulean said in a whisper.

“You still have to beat me in the race if you want to call yourself Queen of the sky.” Goldenflair stated.

“I’ll be there, count on it.” Kitzu replied with a smile.

“Well then, time we got going.” Prince Platinum prompted. “Everyone up.”

Kitzumi was the first to get up, she walked alongside Princess Celestia, the two followed by Prince Platinum and his family. Goldenflair sat there for a moment, and then went back to her parents. As for Lady Aiko, she filed in right behind the royals without a soul thinking it odd for even a moment.

“Did you seriously take on an Onmoraki?” Aiko scolded as they entered Celestia’s apartment.

“I’d wondered why you’d insisted I know how to deal with one of those things.” Kitzu replied with a sheepish grin. “Except from your perspective, that hasn’t happened yet.”

“Hasn’t happened yet? Does this have something to do with what Miss Aiko said about...” Celestia was asking as Aiko took off her mask. “Miss Aiko? ... How exactly does a maid manage to get into the reception in the first place?”

“Because, dear mother,” Prince Platinum explained. “She’s not a maid.”

“What?” Celestia asked.

“You knew?” Aiko asked.

“No real maid would dare to talk back,” Prince Platinum pronounced with a grin.

“Well it’s been one interesting night of surprises. - So tel me, if you aren’t a maid, who are you?” Celestia asked giving Aiko a rather suspicious eye. If Princess Celesta was trying to intimidate her, it wasn’t working.

“She’s the spiritual leader of the Oukitsune fox ponies and my great grandmother.” Kitzu supplied. “I’d like to think she anticipated I’d be here, but in reality she’s just hiding from her responsibilities.”

“I needed a break from being fussed over, so I ran away, and sort of inserted myself into your staff.” Aiko explained.

Celestia looked at her dumbfounded, cracked a smile, and began to laugh. “So tell me, what is a Onmoraki?”

“Ruff translation, it’s a shadow daemon. The spirit of someone or pony who died and wasn’t properly laid to rest. Generally referred to as a Shadow Pony here in Equestria, only they aren’t ponies. They are malevolent spirits,” Kitzu offered. “And this one possessed Princess Luna when the two of you were fighting. - When I was observing the process, and I mean the actual process of lowering the sun, I was drawn to the moon where I encountered Nightmare Moon. Lets just say she’s not quite the Muma I know and love, but she wasn’t beyond reason though.”

“So how’d you get away, and why’d you try to raise the moon?” Aiko asked.

“Long story short, Nightmare Moon wanted to raise the Moon to steal Aunt Tia’s thunder.” Kitzu offered. “She supplied the raw magical energy, and I controlled the process. - The Onmoraki attempted to possess me, but Princess Luna fought it to give me time to make my escape. I really believe that for a brief moment she was herself. - Anyway, her personal guard are with her along with Loki. I gave Loki a kiss behind the ear, and that created more then enough positive energy for me to get away.”

“But you were sitting with us the whole time… weren’t you?” Sunset asked.

“My physical body, yes, but my spirit while still tethered to my body, can go out of my body. In this way I’m able to observe things in a way I would not otherwise be able to,” Kitzu explained. “Princess Luna has a similar talent.”

“As do I,” Aiko offered. “It’s common among fox ponies.”

“Well, in the future have a bit more care as to where, and when you do such exercises,” Princess Celestia cautioned. “And now, Miss Aiko… forgive me, but I’ve concerns… your presence here isn’t going to cause some kind of international incident is it?”

“Oh this is hardly the first time I’ve run away.” Aiko offered with a smile. “They’ll eventually track me down, assess the situation, and either request my return or spirit me away.”

“Well if they should decide to do the latter, please let us know so that I don’t worry about you.” Celestia requested. “Now, where’s the foal sitter?”

“Oh that would be myself,” Aiko offered. “There was some issue preventing the regular foal sitter from being able to make it.”

“I see...” Princess Celestia replied.

“I will treat them as though they were my very own,” Aiko offered.

“Does that include filling buckets of water, to move water from one trough to another, and then back again?” Kitzu asked.

“I only do that to students who lack patience.” Aiko replied with a wink.

“We should compare notes some time,” Celestia offered with a grin. “Very well then, I’ll trust you with the foals. As I have been trusting you even though I knew nothing about you.”

“There in lies the hazards of being in a leadership position, you presume to trust the people about you because you trust the people you know will have done a proper job of vetting new hires,” Aiko replied. “Thank you for putting your trust in me.”

“And me, do you trust me?” Kitzu asked.

“Well of course I trust you, Ensign Kitzumi Nova Tsukinokazoku Nightfoal Silvermane Moon. - saw your Identification badges.”

“You left out Hime.” Kitzu offered. "There should be a Hime there somewhere."

“Did I? - Oh yes I seem to recall that as well as at least one having the title Princess Hope.” Celestia mused.

“Though you probably shouldn't be looking at those either.” Kitzu cautioned.

“You are undoubtedly right. I only saw them by chance, and it wasn’t my intention to snoop,” Celestia admitted.

“She doesn’t have Steward of Arcadia on one?” Marigold asked.

“Not an official title anymore then queen of the sky is,” Kitzu offered.

“Steward of Arcadia?” Celestia asked.

“She says she’s been there,” Sunset offered.

“Princess Nova, should you be making such claims?” Celestia asked.

“It’s high on a mountain peak, a silent oasis of calm in a sea of hostility,” Kitzu informed. “The only way to get to it is to fly really high, and really fast. It is a citadel surrounded by massive walls with no battlements. At the front gates stand two mighty alicorn guards carved in stone. There is a guard house just inside, and several large warehouses. Beyond that are a number of businesses and homes. Not too much further on is a library the likes of which I’ve never seen before. The entirety of all the Canterlot libraries could be fit inside with room to spare. At the center of the city is an arboretum that is massive in scale inside of which is a magically preserved environment and a tree, a white tree so large an entire Mountain Elk village could be hidden in the branches.”

“Aww come on, you’re making all that up.” Cerulean protested.

“Alicorn statues all over the place?” Celestia asked.

“Ya, except they kind of gave me an odd feeling” Kitzu offered. “The whole place gave me an odd feeling. - I spent half a night sleeping under that tree. I didn’t even unpack any of my things, and left at first light.”

“Wow, that place must have really unnerved you.” Aiko observed.

“I know first light is kind of early, but…?” Sunset asked.

“I’m nocturnal. I don’t normally go to sleep until four in the morning. Mom makes me go to bed at two on school nights.” Kitzu explained. “First light might as well be the middle of my night so to speak.”

“I remember that tree from when I was a filly. Before Luna was born,” Celestia offered. “I don’t remember much else, but I remember that tree.”

“Princess Celestia,” called a guard at the door. “They are ready.”

A short time later Princess Celestia accompanied by Kitzu, Prince Platinum, and Princess Marigold enter the dining hall, their masks still on though it’d be obvious who Celestia was by where she was seated. The guest were in position standing behind their seats as it was considered inappropriate to sit before Princess Celestia did. Prince Platinum, and Marigold went to their seats, and Princess Celestia walked over to hers while directing Kitzu to a chair normally reserved for Princess Luna. Kitzu looked at her unsure if she should but as it was the only open seat left, she had little choice. Kitzu went to the chair, and looked to Princess Celestia.

“Welcome to the Seven hundred eighty fifth Nightmare night grand masked dinner. When these dinners first started it was just myself and a hoof full of close friends who wished to cheer me up. The loss of my sister to the Nightmare was, and has been very emotionally draining.” Princess Celestia paused for a moment. “Tonight...” Princess Celestia stopped talking as a smile formed on her lips. “Tonight I have in some small part been reunited with a portion of my dear sister’s life. We’re not really sure how she got here, but somehow thanks to the monumental amounts of magic that were used during the fight, she was transported through time to land on our doorstep. I’d like to introduce you to my precious niece, Nova Princess of Hope. - Oh, and she may not be quite on the same level I am, but she is most decidedly the real thing.” Silence. “Please welcome Princess Hope.” Celestia clapped her front hooves which was followed by polite clapping from the gathered guests. “Well then, without further ado, let us be seated, and begin tonight’s repast.”

Kitzu hesitated a moment as Princess Celestia sat down, and then climbed into Princess Luna’s chair. It was a big chair to fill. No really, it was a big chair. Of course Celestia’s chair was larger, but the petite Kitzumi sitting in a chair meant for a full grown Princess Luna was at the very least mildly comical. Prince Platinum, and Marigold sat in their chairs, the guest following suit.

Kitzu sat in Luna’s chair looking at the edge of the table, levitated it forward so she could reach, and then conjured up a cloud she could use as a booster seat.

“You going to be alright?” Celestia asked Kitzu.

“Yes, thank you please, Princess Celestia.” Kitzu replied.

Celestia smiled delighted by Princess Hope’s transformation. Kitzumi had gone from the brash young filly, to that of a dainty princess of the finest manners. When bread was brought out as appetizers, Kitzu only took small pieces, placing just the tiniest bit of butter on each. Of this she daintily nibbled. A short time later a pumpkin soup was brought out, and Kitzu remained true to form taking hold of her spoon at the end with just the right amount of magic, dipping slightly into the soup, and never slurping.

Kitzu’s sharp ears picked up every word being spoken. At least they hadn’t found fault in her manners. There of course were the whispers suggesting she was a fake, and who is she that Princess Celestia would give her such an honored place at the table? At the same time there were a few who’d cautioned to tread carefully.

“Oh I wasn’t the one who did that beautiful moon rise.” Princess Celestia replied to a compliment. “It was my niece, Princess Hope.”

“Afraid I got a little ahead of myself.” Kitzu offered. “Just wondered if I could do it, and next thing I knew I’d risen the moon. - Though next time I’ll not try arranging the clouds and the moon at the same time.”

“Hang on, you did the clouds?” Princess Celestia asked.

“I’ve been able to manipulate cloud formations for a few months, or at least a few months prior to finding myself transported seven hundred and eighty five years post Nightfall.”

“How did you discover how to manipulate cloud formations?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Do you remember how King Sombra was manipulating weather patterns?”

Princess Celestia had to think for a moment. “Yes, I do remember he had attempted to control the weather grid. “Don’t tell me you’d figured out how to counter him?”

“I did. - Being a high altitude flier gave me a perspective other ponies didn’t have, and I was able to use an aspect of my unique talent to counter what he was doing. It had it’s drawbacks in that I don’t know what’s going on around me while I’m doing it and it used to take a lot of magical energy to do it. - I use that ability sparingly. - As for raising the moon, Muma had provided me instructions on how to do it.”

“Muma?” One of the guest who’d been listening asked, wondering who this Muma person was.

“Oh I’m sorry. I mean Princess Luna. Princess Luna is my mom.” Kitzu explained.

“When I said she was my precious niece, I didn’t mean it in the way I do when I take in a promising student.” Princess Celestia offered. “She is my sisters daughter. My flesh and blood’s own offspring.” As Princess Celestia was saying this, plates were being removed. A moment later dome covered plates were brought in and placed in front of each pony at the table.

The presence of the covered dishes had every pony distracted, and when the dome was removed a delightful main course was revealed. Kitzu’s was a carp from the ponds. One of Princess Celestia’s prized Celestial Koi.

Not only had it not been properly prepared, but… Kitzu watched as it made it’s last gasp. At least it was fresh. She looked to see if any pone had noticed, but they were all engrossed in what they’d received. No point in letting good fish go to the rubbish so, quick as a wink she used her telekinesis with laser like precision to skin, and remove the flesh from bone. She then snatched back the lid, turned it around to be used as a bowl and deposited the now meatless carcass in the bowl, and passed it back over to the now horrified house maid. Not only had she unwittingly served up a fish from the pond, she’d witnessed Kitzu eviscerate it of flesh and deposit the remains all in the blink of an eye. Kitzu took a quick look about. Princess Celestia was now looking back and forth from plate to upturned lid, but asides from her, no pony else at the table seemed the wiser for what was going on.

The head foot pony had seen it, saw the demeanor of the maid, and quickly snatched the lid while motioning a couple of the footponies waiting in the wings to usher out the maid.

“Princess?” The head footpony asked not quite sure how else to react to the present situation. The butler moved in to intercede.

“It was so kind of some pony to welcome me with this delicacy from the far east.” Kitzu whispered. “But perhaps next time have Miss Aiko prepare it?”

“You’re going to eat my...” Celestia whispered.

“I’m sorry Aunt Tia, but it was beyond saving, and I do rather enjoy Celestial Koi.” Kitzu replied.

“Mr Gray,” Princess Celestia said addressing the butler, “if it’s not too much trouble, I’d really love to know who it was who was so generous with my pond fish?” Her voice was low, only for him, and had a hint of impending doom.

“Yes, Princess Celestia, I will see to it.”

“Is something the matter?” Marigold asked looking up from her own meal.

Oh they were just letting me know they’d have my spicy radish sauce right away.” Kitzu offered. “They were kind enough to provide me with a plate of koizushi.”

“Yes, terribly sorry this happened,” Butler Gray offered. “Would you like some rice as well? I’m to understand such dishes are usually served with rice?”

“Yes, that would be most appreciated, thank you very much.” Kitzu replied.

He and the head footpony then retreated to the hall where they found several maids trying to revive the stricken maid who’d served the fish.

“She’s a fox pony isn’t she? I’d heard they eat strange things.” The head footpony offered looking at the contents of the lid in disgust. “I’ll have to hand it to her for how she handled the situation.”

“Yes they do eat strange things, but there are strict protocols.” Note that she only kept the meat, and discarded the rest.” Gray offered. “We have strict protocols as well, and it seems some pony broke them. - Rumors be hung, she’s got a good head on her shoulders that one. She has all the intuition of a good diplomat. Had any of the other guest seen that fish there’s no telling what might have happened. - Best dispose of that before it starts to stink. - We are embarrassed by this incident, best we move quickly to fix it.”

As for Kitzu, she’d used a bit of her conjured cloud to chill her koizushi, and sat patiently while nibbling at more bread, or taking a small morsel of fish. Not that she’d never eaten raw fish with nothing on it, it was just given the present setting it just seemed wrong. The other guest had by this time noticed something was up.

🍣

Elsewhere in the kitchens, the meal that had been intended for Kitzu was found secreted in a cupboard, sending the head cook into a tizzy.

“A fish, we served a guest a raw fish?!” The cook exclaimed on finding out what had happened. “Oh, and not just any guest, but Princess Celestia’s special guest!”

“The whole thing, unprepared,” Mr Gray offered. “To her credit, she separated the meat from the carcass, and quickly stashed what remained of the carcass in the bowl of the lid before anyone was wise to it.”

“I know fox ponies like fish, but there wasn’t any fresh to be had.” The cook protested.

“About that, there are fresh fish to be had.” Mr Gray offered.

“Where?!”

“The royal ponds,” Mr Gray informed him. “Princess Celestia is keen on thanking the generous pony herself.” “Meanwhile, what became of the meal intended for our guest, she’s requested spicy radish sauce, and is there any rice?”

“Ah, yes, yes of course. - I have rice on the plate that was intended for her, and...” the cook hurried over to a cupboard, pulled out a bottle, retrieved a small sauce bowl, filled it with the milky white paste from the jar, took the jar to a lone covered plate, took the cover off revealing an array of delectable treats, placed the sauce bowl on the tray, recovered, and passed the plate to Mr Gray. Mr Gray thanked the cook, and returned to the dining hall with the plate.

Kitzu was delighted at finally receiving her proper meal, along with the radish sauce for the fish. Her restraint was well tested as she began her meal in earnest.

The apparent slip up hadn’t gone unnoticed and would become the fodder for gossip for some time. Nevertheless, the night continued, and did so without any additional awkward moments. At one point she even found herself fending off Marigold who was keen to sample from Kitzu’s plate to include the koi.

It’s quite tasty.” Marigold remarked as she had a bite or two of Kitzu’s koi. Princess Celestia muttered something about putting a guard on the palace ponds.

“Mares and Gentlecolts. And now as according to tradition, it is time for the unmasking.” Celestia announced as the dinner plates were being cleared. “That is if you wish to have any dessert. - Who will be first”

“If it pleases the court, I say your little mystery guest go first.” Offered a mare a short ways down the table.

“I’ve no objection, nor will it do you any good as I’m not a pony that is known.” Kitzu offered. Her mask melted away like so much mist blown on a breeze. True enough, no one could name her.

“She is as I have said.” Celestia offered as she removed her mask. “She is the daughter of my sister."

“Looks a bit like a Sparkle to me.” offered a mare.

“My dear Victoria Velvet, I was going to suggest she looked a bit like a member of the Velvet family.” The tone was slightly defensive.

“I meant no harm or disrespect to you or your household,” Victoria offered apologetically, and removed her mask. “After all, your family's tragedy has affected us all. - Dare I ask where Commander Sparkle is?”

“My husband has been at his usual task of attempting to find some sign of our Granddaughter Cirrus.” Lady sparkle offered with a sigh, and removed her mask. She turned to study Kitzu, who smiled back. “She does look a bit like my Brighteyes. Why if she was purple she’d look just like her. - Wish I’d never let her marry that pegasus. Brighteyes has been inconsolable.”

“I’m sure your granddaughter will be found safe.” Celestia offered. “Now, lets have our masks off, and bring on the dessert.”

Kitzu caught Celestia studying her momentarily. After all, Twilight Sparkle’s name had been on a couple of the ID cards as a contact. the news that a lost foal by name of Cirrus was playing havoc with Kitzu’s mind. It couldn't possibly be the same Cirrus, could it? Kitzu forced the matter to the back of her mind as dessert came.

🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏🛏

Kitzu was stuffed, and if not for it being the middle of the night, she’d have gladly gone to her spot in the sun.

“You going to make it?” Celestia teased as they headed back to the apartments flanked by security.

“I’ve survived Apple Family breakfasts, I can survive this.” Kitzu teased.

“Apple Family?” Celestia asked.

“Earth ponies.” Marigold offered. “Warm friendly, salt of the land sort. They’ll lend just about any pony a helping hoof, and invite you in if it’s meal time.”

“We ran into an Apple Family in Ponyville, and again in Appaloosa during our honeymoon tour.” Prince Platinum offered. “Thought I was going to die.”

“Your own fault for eating so much.” Marigold chastised.

“It sure is good food,” Kitzu replied with a grin. “Mmm, Princess Celestia?”

“As you aren’t addressing me as Aunt Tia, I’m assuming you want something?”

“Guard Indigo indicated that my goggles are in the Captain’s office, and I was wondering if I might go fetch them. With an appropriate escort of course.”

“Indigo Dash could you be so kind, and Harold Sweet, if you don’t mind?” Princess Celestia prompted. They indicated that they didn’t mind, and a moment later Kitzu and the two guards were headed for the captain’s office. The downside is it also meant going through the crowd of departing guests. Many of whom still didn’t know quite what to think of this young alicorn they’d been presented with.

“I can hear you.” Kitzu said loudly as they went through the hall that exited to the bailey. The hall grew quiet. “Alicorn impersonator my fanny.” she muttered. Fortunately the passage through the hallway to the bailey only took a short time. From there, they turned right to where the keep’s guard house was located. Inside they were greeted by the on duty guards.

“Ya, um, I don’t think you want to go back there.” The guards offered.

“How’s that?” Indi asked.

“Commander Sparkle is back there.”

“Oh.” Indi replied.

“I think I can manage one Nightwatch commander.” Kitzu offered and trotted on back to where the office was located. Indi and Harold hesitated just long enough to lose sight of her. Kitzu found the office, and gingerly opened the unlocked door. Inside the dark room the outline of a pony could be seen sitting at a desk looking at a framed item, possibly a portrait, by the light of the moon. The pony in question wore a black breastplate, and a purple tunic underneath with gold trim, a sun on the collar, and shoulder board with three horizontal gold bands and a sun above.

“Um, excuse me, I understand my goggles were brought down here by mistake. - I’d like to retrieve them if I might?”

He lowered the frame to look at her.

“Commander?”

“Sorry, for a moment I thought you were my grand daughter.”

“I see. You look just like my grand father.” Kitzu offered as she walked further into the room.

“Do all care warn stallions remind you of your grandfather?”

“No, just you,” Kitzu offered, produced a small frame of fox fire, and scanned the room. “Ah, there.” Kitzu then went over to a desk, used her magic on the desk, and tapped the top, followed by a drawer opening up.

“Captain Rock Akaz isn’t going to like you going through his desk.”

“Well...” Kitzu began as she fished out her goggles. “Maybe the next time he finds something that looks like it doesn’t belong where it is, he should check with the pony occupying said premises.”

“Princess?” Indi whispered poking his head in.

“You know, you Dashs sure have a hard time keeping track of fillies,” Commander Sparkle growled.

“I’m right here, and I’m not sure that tone is called for,” Kitzu announced as she hung her goggles about her neck.

“Ya, well his Brother took my baby girl, and her daughter into the Everfree, and promptly lost their baby.” Commander Sparkle announced, and showed Kitzu the portrait of the small family. Kitzu looked at it and froze as her mind tried to comprehend what she was seeing.

“So any chance you managed to find the fox village?” Indi offered sounding apologetic.

“I did. The only thing they could report was a strange event where the village was surrounded by some sort of spirit lights.”

“Spirit lights?” Kitzu asked. “Did they describe them?”

“Said they looked like lamps.”

“Any other interesting things happened.” Kitzu pressed.

“Just who are you anyway?” Commander Sparkle asked sounding rather cross.

“She’s Princess Celestia’s niece. Her name is Nova Moon, Princess of Hope, and she’s the daughter of Princess Luna Moon.” Indi offered as Harold peeked in. Commander Sparkle started laughing.

“Guard Harold, close the door and go wait in the reception area. Do it.” Kitzu ordered.

“Yes miss.” Harold replied, and closed the door. He hesitated a moment, and then walked away.

“In a pig’s eye she is.” Commander Sparkle spat out a moment after Harold had gone. Kitzu quietly climbed into a chair.

“Fine then. I’m Ensign Kitzumi Nightfoal, Loki Starbright’s sister. - Adopted son of Princess Luna.”

“Oh you know about Loki do you?”

“And about Nachtlicht,” Kitzu smiled having only guessed at Loki’s relationship with Luna.

“Who’s Nachtlicht?” Indi asked.

“That’s none of your business,” Sparkle barked.

“I’m also a Sparkle,” Kitzu offered.

“Like Tartarus you are.”

“I’m as much a Sparkle as you are. - Shut up Dash.”

“Now hang on?!” Indi protested.

“I let you stay because you are family,” Kitzu offered. “What I’m about to tell you is extremely sensitive.”

“How sensitive?” Commander Sparkle asked.

“Commander Rusco Sparkle, I’m your great grand daughter.”

“Say what?” Indi asked astonished at the claim.

“And your great great aunt umpteen times removed via adoption,” Kitzu offered. “I’ve told Princess Celestia that I’m actually from the future, but never gave her any names other then Princess Luna’s. Down side is she’s looked at my things and now knows I’m also connected to the Sparkle family. She doesn’t know who the Sparkle family is, or what their history is so far as I know.”

“And you are telling us this because?” Commander sparkle asked sounding like he didn’t believe a word.

“The lights are my doing, and the reason they don’t remember Cirrus, Brighteyes, or Mr Dash is because they haven't arrived yet. Whatever caused me to end up here, has stranded Cirrus in the future.” Granted there was no way as yet to know if the two events were even connected, but Kitzu figured that it was going to be the most palatable explanation. The worst part is that she'd no way of knowing if the Cirrus from this world was transported into the future, or the future of the world she'd last been in. And then, perhaps, just perhaps, it had happened in both worlds and there were two little fillies waiting for a pony who'd never come for them. No, the Bolts, they'd go back and take care of the Filly Kitzumi had met.

The room fell silent.

“What do you want?” Commander Sparkle asked.

“You don’t believe me do you?”

“I don’t know what game you are playing…"

“She raised the moon tonight,” Indi offered. “I was there. Princess Celestia herself confirmed it.” Indi thought for a moment giving Commander Sparkle a moment to process what he’d just said. “Look, I don’t know anything about a Nachtlicht, or even why that’s significant, unless it’s something you don’t want Princess Celestia to know about? If it is, and it’s something she can hold over you, and I’m guessing it has something to do with why you seem to know she couldn't possibly be Princess Luna’s daughter. - Also, if you wanted to out her as a fraud, you’d have to explain how you’d know. Wouldn't you? - And even if you were to take that risk, she’s already countered that possibility, and has provided certain evidence that proves that she was at the very least in close proximity to Princess Luna prior to coming here.”

The room fell silent for a moment before Indi continued. “Her claim is on its face preposterous, but, I’m inclined to think what she is saying is true.”

“You seek to clear your brother perhaps?” Commander Sparkle asked Indi.

“It doesn’t clear him.” Kitzu offered.

“And how’s that?” Commander Sparkle asked her.

“Those fox pony villages tend to be very secretive in regards to their location, and that particular one is in a very dangerous part of the Everfree.”

“It is at that," Commander Sparkle admitted.

“I know for a fact that they left her in the village, and walked away. This I was informed by the ponies living there. Secondly, why were they out there in the first place?”

“Some nonsense about wanting to explore the Everfree,” Indi offered. “I know he wasn’t telling the truth because he’s changed his story several times. First it was he wanted to explore, and discovered the village, after which Cirrus got lost. Second he’d heard about the village, and wanted to go see it.”

“And Brighteyes went along with his scheme, having second thoughts afterwards,” Rusco Sparkle added punctuated with a sigh. “I thought maybe if I could just find that village. - Why though?”

“She can’t fly.” Kitzu offered.

“She’s just a late bloomer.” Indi offered.

“Wishful thinking, I’m afraid, and it only damns your brother all the more if he really did want to be rid of her just because she couldn't fly.” Commander Sparkle offered.

“She’s a button head.” Kitzu offered.

“You aren’t saying she’s a false alicorn?” Indi asked. “Sweet Celestia, she’ll be grounded for life.”

“Not necessarily. That horn on her head responded to my magic,” Kitzu cautioned. “Mind if I do a reading on you?”

“A reading? What sort of reading?” Indi asked.

“I’m curious about your ancestry. - And it has a bearing on Cirrus’s future.”

“So what’s this involve?” Indi asked.

“I produce a screen of a special type of magical energy available only to fox ponies, and attempt to divine that which makes you special.”

“You know, I’ve often wondered that myself,” Rusco teased. He was finally starting to relax.

“Very funny. - Fine go on.”

Kitzu produced a fox fire screen, and began to delve into his past. Layer by layer she peeled away the past generations until she found the foundation of the Dash family.

“So, you find anything?” Indi asked after a bit. Kitzu remained contemplative for a bit followed by a large smile forming on her face.

“Oh, I do believe she’s found something.” Rusco offered.

“Dare I ask?”

“I know where you get your unusual rainbow mane and tail.” Kitzu announced.

“You know, I’ve always wondered who was to blame for that.” Indi mused.

“Well the bad news is you are related to Prince Platinum.” Kitzu replied.

“He’s what?!”

“I’m what?!”

“..good news is you possess within you the seed to an element of harmony, and your rainbow mane is inherited from non other then Princess Celestia herself.” Kitzu announced. “Which means, as I suspected...” Kitzu continued before they could fully process what she was saying. “..that Cirrus is an alicorn.”

“She’s an alicorn? - But?” Indi blurted out. “But, I mean, am I really, and how does that make Cirrus an alicorn?”

“I’d kind of like to know that myself?” Rusco asked.

“Both families are descended from alicorns.” Kitzu announced.

“Wait, you don’t mean the Sparkles are…?”

“Indi, that knowledge is very dangerous, and I’d appreciate it if you’d take it too your grave.” Kitzu requested.

“Oh buck, if the cultist ever found out.” Indi said in a whisper.

“Or the separatist.” Rusco pointed out. “My life could be turned into a living hell overnight.”

“And I could wind up non existent. It’s very important that Princess Celestia be supported, and remain as the Princess of Equestria. Anything else puts Equestria in grave danger. Kitzu offered.

“I can think of a few ponies who’d like to see the end of the world, but I’m not one of them,” Indi offered. “You have my word, I swear on the elements of harmony.”

Kitzu got up from her chair, and placed her right hoof over Indi’s heart. “Then place your right hoof right there, for within is the element of duty, loyalty, and bravery.”

“What, three elements?” Rusco asked with a smile.

“Technically it’s only one.” Kitzu offered. “Now that bad news. - I don’t know if Cirrus ever finds her way home. That is to say back in her proper time. - There are no records of any new alicorns, that I’m aware of, to include myself. - Granted I’m only fourteen, and I’m not as well versed in history as I’d like.”

“Not even yourself you say?” Indi asked.

“Nightmare nights. No pony knows for sure if she’s real, or not.” Rusco Sparkle offered. “So long as she maintains a low profile, she’ll be forgotten within a generation.”

“About that, I’ve been challenged to race in the scramble.”

“Speaking of which, are you aware it’s a costumed event?” Indi asked.

"Aunt Tia – Princess Celestia seems to want me to just be myself.” Kitzu mused. “Would either of you know what they did with my uniform?”

“What kind of uniform?” Rusco Sparkle asked.

“A genuine Shadowbolt uniform.” Indi informed him.

“Shadowbolt?”

“I found myself in an alternate dimension where Princess Luna was queen, they were fighting King Sombra, and I got drafted. - But never mind that. I’d kind of like to get my uniform back, and it’d be nice to wear it in the scramble.”

“They’d likely have it in Research and Development over at the Wonderbolt compound.”

“So we going to sneak over there, and get it?” Indi offered. “Listen we might not be able to retrieve Cirrus, but we can get that uniform.”

“Are we just going to give up on Cirrus?” Rusco Sparkle asked.

“No, we’ll make it a project to be handed down to each generation,” Kitzu offered. “We know she’s alright, at least I do. You’ll just have to take my word on it. What we need is an explanation as to how I traveled back in time some two hundred forty years give or take, and a way to duplicate it.”

“Star Swirl the bearded never traveled back more then a few days.” Rusco Sparkle offered. But then, two hundred years just might be enough time to figure something out. - Well come on, let’s go see if we can find that uniform. It’ll give me something to do. - Get my mind off the fact that I’ll likely never see my grand daughter ever again.”

“That’s outside the castle though, and Princess Hope isn’t supposed to even leave the keep.” Indi cautioned.

“What? What could possibly go wrong?” Kitzu asked. “We’ll pick up Harold, trot on over to the research and development, pick up my stuff, if it’s over there, and come back. - Besides, I’m still just a little filly, and expecting me to stay cooped up during the Nightmare nights festival is a bit much. Especialy when I'm fully cable of sneaking out any time I want.”

“She’s got you there.” Commander Sparkle replied. “Come on, lets go.”

So a moment later they’d collected Harold, exited the keep and were on their way. There were of course ponies still out and about despite the lateness of the hour. There were even a number of parties still going on as well, having been arranged at various government offices. Every where along their path they met friendly ponies, some a might bit too friendly whom Kitzu chose to use her magic on to redirect their drunken stumbling in other directions. Everywhere except the Northwest gate that led to the Wonderbolt compound.

“I don’t get it? There should be some pony here?”

“I’m sure it’s just some strange scheduling snafu.” Kitzu offered, trotted out the gate, and up onto a rise about a dozen pony lengths in distance. “Come on, come on, you did promise.” Kitzu called as she flapped her wings about, this way and that like a typically excited young filly who’d been promised an adventure. The scene looked totally out of character for the normally reserved filly.

“Now Princess, we can’t just...” Indi began, but got cut off by Commander Sparkle.

“Of course we can, it’s obviously some kind of scheduling error, and we did promise to take her to the Wonderbolt compound.” Commander Sparkle offered, and walked over to where Kitzu was located. Indi and Herold reluctantly followed. Meanwhile Kitzu was still flapping her wings about.

“You think they’ve seen me yet?” Kitzu asked softly.

“There’s the confirmation now.” Commander Sparkle replied looking up towards the northwest tower of the keep. Kitzu followed up with a new set of wing motions. “You’re doing pretty good.”

Now why is it do you think Shadowbolts would have had white pegasi among their ranks? Well the answer is obvious, those wings can be seen in the dark, and while this can be a considerable disadvantage to stealth at night, those wings make wonderful semaphores. Thanks to Kitzu’s intimate knowledge of the castle and grounds she knew the guards in the northwest tower of the keep would be able to see her. See her they did. At first they just watched with amused curiosity until they realized it was an alert signal. Spotting one of the commanders approaching via telescope, and then just standing there, they knew something was up. Kitzu’s next message was to inform them the Northwest gate had been abandoned, followed by a request to rectify, and for a couple flights of the night wing to flank their movements. “What’s going on?” asked a guard of the others in the tower.

“The pony giving the signal is a bit on the small size, but that’s Commander Sparkle with her… I’m assuming a filly… and I see Indigo Dash and Harold Sweet with them. Gentle ponies, I think the horse apples are about to hit the fan.”

“What was that all about?” Harold asked as the four ponies continued on. “And shouldn't we be doing something about that gate?”

“Our little princess knows the night code.” Commander Sparkle offered. “It’s going to be taken care of. Meanwhile we continue on as though nothing is out of place.”

“Is this even a good idea?” Indi asked.

“Probably not,” Kitzu offered. “One possibility is that the lack of guards really is some kind of snafu.”

“Not very likely.” Commander Sparkle countered. “Our other more likely possibility is something is going on, and some pony wanted the guards away from the gate. - Turning around could alert them, worse yet, turning around could lead us right into lookouts waiting for any ponies that might double back.”

“Tell me, if a guard hasn’t been relived from their post, what’s supposed to happen?” Kitzu asked.

“Every post has multiple guards so they can relive each other if some pony needs to run to the latrine, or falls ill.” Harold offered. “Princess Celestia is mindful that we are mortal after all.”

“Hey, even alicorns have to poop.” Kitzu teased. “Go on.”

“Well if they don’t come back, or if the relief hasn’t shown, a runner is sent to watch command to report on the situation.” Indi offered.

“Whittling an entire gate down to no one takes effort, especially considering they can use semaphores to alert the watch towers that they have an issue.” Commander Sparkle offered. “You two are relatively new, and the signaling ability of the towers isn’t widely known being it’s only used sparingly. - Hopefully the castle is going into alert status, the keep should be in lock down by now, and if foul play is suspected, the whole place will go into lock down.”

“One silly question… Princess, if you really are as you say, doesn’t your involvement concern you?” Harold asked. "I'm talking about a possible time paradox here."

“I don’t think it’s a problem.” Kitzu replied taking a moment to contemplate the issue. “One filly alicorn goes missing in the Everfree, thanks in part to her parents, or at least one parent not appreciating just how precious she is, and then some time later another filly alicorn emerges having been in the Everfree. I realize there is an age difference, I’m a teen, and she’s preschool age, but I don’t think the universe cares being that there has been a net gain-lose of zero. The universe doesn’t know the difference between me and her. I’m hesitant to tell Princess Celestia any more about the future then I can absolutely help it less she second guess her decisions. - I have jotted down in a journal presently under lock and key my discovering Cirrus, but I had no way to know who she was at the time.”

“I can see where telling Princess Celestia about the future could be an issue.” Commander Sparkle offered. “Our impact would be minimal, but the decisions she makes can have long range repercussions.”

“At the same time I need to tell her something so that an injustice isn’t done,” Kitzu offered.

The four continued on in silence until they reached the gate of the Wonderbolt compound.

“We’re closed.” A guard said gruffly. The guard was a pegasi, but he was hardly fit enough to be in the military.

“We are not the ponies you need to turn away,” Kizu said in a sort of monotone way as she looked him over. “Now go turn yourself in.”

“Oh, OK,” the guard replied, turned and walked into the compound.

“What was that?” Commander Sparkle asked as the pony walked away.

“Old fox pony mind trick,” Kitzu explained. “Come on.”

“OK, there is definitely something going on.” Harold whispered. “Princess, do you think you should be here?”

“I’m part of an elite team of fliers. The mission is to retrieve my uniform. That and I’ve back up,” Kitzu offered. “That and I don’t think we’ve much choice at this point.”

“We leaving the gate with no pony on it?” Indi asked.

“Nope, if some pony is keeping tabs, I want them to see their pony.” Kitzu offered, tossed out a ball of fox fire, and a moment later it was the perfect likeness of the pony who’d been there a moment later. She then tossed out two more. “Lets add a few just to mess with their minds. Flash Magnus in an appropriate uniform, and everyone's favorite, Allen Quartermane.”

“Now I’ve met Quartermane, he isn’t anywhere near that heroic in stature. Good Flash Magnus though.” Commander Sparkle commented.

“Well I’ve never met Mr Quartermane.” Kitzu offered.

“Oh, you’ve never met him, hang on, you aren’t saying you’ve met Flash Magnus?” Indi asked.

“Lets just say I know what became of the pillars of Equestria and leave it at that.” Kitzu offered, and looked to Commander Sparkle.

“Why do I feel like I’m going to regret this?” Sparkle said looking back at her.

“Now you start to doubt?” Kitzu teased. “In for a bit, in for a bale.”

“Come on, it’s this way.”

It didn’t take long to get to the Research and Development building outside of which two ruff looking earth ponies were waiting minus any kind of uniform. Kitzu without saying a thing lifted up into the air, angled around to a good vantage point, and blasted them with a powerful stun spell. Commander sparkle, and guards Indi and Harold rushed to the dock. Kitzu perched on the overhang, and a moment later they were joined by a half dozen night fliers all wearing a uniform not too far removed from the original Shadowbolt uniform with a purple and black jumper trimmed in gold, and a black waistcoat similar in style to Kitzu’s save for the sun symbols instead of the moon. None had the bat pin or the skull and wing.

“Princess, you stay up there out of harms way!” Commander Sparkle ordered. He then asked how many ponies the night fliers had brought, and was informed that they’d a baker’s dozen still overhead. Plan of attack was quickly formed, Harold and Indi would stay with Kitzu, Commander Sparkle would rush in, and the remaining fliers were to rush the front and side doors.

Everything was over long before any of the Wonderbolt staff knew anything was going on. Kitzu went in, found her belongings, gathered everything up in her pack, teleported to Luna’s great room, dropped the pack, and teleported back.

“What about your uniform?” Commander Sparkle asked as Kitzu exited the building. Kitzu indicated she wanted to say something in confidence. He leaned in, and she whispered that she’d teleported everything back to her rooms.

“Be easier this way.” Kitzu added with a wink.

“You can just pop back and forth like, despite the anti teleportation charm on the castle?” he asked curious.

“Ya.” Kitzu replied. “Indi, Herald, I’d better get back. Princess Celestia is going to have a fit when she realizes I’m not in the keep.”

“Would some pony like to tell me what’s going on?” Demanded a Wonderbolt officer trotting up to the ponies.

“Oh that’s easy. Commander Sparkle got a tip that there was going to be a heist, and that they were getting inside help. They’d even planned to escape via the castle to blend in with the late night revelers.” Kitzu announced like a typical excited filly who had a secret, and couldn't keep it in. Her announcement had a ripple effect among the would be thieves, a number of whom were wearing the old style Shadowbolt uniform with bat wing guards, fish fin helmet, full moon pins on their collars, and skull and wing on the uniforms. So far as they knew, some pony had sold them out. Truth was Kitzu just wanted her stuff back, and was unwilling to wait. Especially considering the issue she’d had with her shoes. She feared the ponies simply wouldn't give any of it up willingly, and using the retrieval spell again so soon was sure to give her a bad case of jelly legs and wings. The presence of the false Shadowbolts only complicated the issue. Growing up she’d been completely unaware of the extremists. If that is indeed what they were.

Commander Sparkle couldn't help but smile knowing the effect Kitzu’s little white lie would have.

“Come on Princess, we should probably get you back.” Indi prodded.

“We are so going to get chewed out.” Harold offered up as the three walked back to the castle. Kitzu’s ghosts were gone, and the castle gate was now being covered by night watch ponies. The castle was still under lock down.

“I’m sorry, but we are under a lock down order.” Offered a guard speaking through a small opening in the gate.

“We are well aware of the situation.” Indi replied. “We need to escort this filly back to the Keep.”

“Well you are going to have to wait until the lock-down has been lifted.”

“And when is that going to be?” Harold asked.

“When they’ve finished the sweep.”

“That could take hours.” Indi protested. “I’m going to be fired- worse yet, I’ll be sent to the moon to join Princess Luna!”

“Say, Princess, you don’t suppose...” Harold whispered.

“Nothing of the sort.” Kitzu countered. She took him off to a few paces away. “I can’t be manipulating friends and allies. That’d be a bad habit to get into. That and there are too many and it doesn’t work on strong willed ponies. I could just unlock the door, but that would put us all in an awkward position as they’d still be duty bound to see to it no one passes through here. I also don’t want it to be widely known I can do that.”

“What about teleporting back?” Indi asked. “You could have just done that to begin with.”

“I can only teleport myself through the anti teleportation field. I’d have to leave you behind, and that would put you in an awkward position. Which is why I came back after depositing my belongings.”

“We won’t be able to say we saw you safely back.” Indi remarked. “Still though...”

“Hang on.” Kitzu requested, and went up to the gate. “Um, excuse me, Corporal. My Aunt is in the Keep. Could you possibly send word that Miss Nova Moon snuck out an is presently at the Northwest Gate?”

To Kitzu’s bewilderment and surprise, the guard dropped out of sight, closed the hatch, and a moment later the gate was being unlatched. Kitzu backed away as the doors opened, there, standing before her was none other then Princess Celestia wearing her crown, peytral, shoes, and a simple slip that looked like she’d planned to sleep in it. She was presently flanked by a dozen guards, as well as the captains. Indi and Harold immediately dropped to their knees in a bow, and Kitzu dropped back between them doing the same as her old fear started to kick in. The display troubled Celestia, her angry expression dropping to one of concern.

“Princess, I’ve been worried about you.” Celestia said softly.

“I’m terribly sorry. One thing lead to another, and I soon found myself right in the thick of a mess.” Kitzu offered apologetically. “Please don’t blame the others this was my doing. Sometimes I think getting into trouble is what my cutie mark really means, I seem to be so good at it.”

Celestia let out a sigh. “I’m sure your cutie mark has nothing to do with getting into trouble. I doubt you had any idea what you were about to walk into either. Otherwise I think you’d have been wise enough to not get yourself or any pony else involved.”

“I just wanted my stuff back.” Kitzu offered in a soft voice.

“I see you got your goggles back.”

“Will I still be allowed to fly in tomorrow's scramble”

“If you plan to fly in the scramble, shouldn't you be in bed by now?” Celestia scolded mildly. “No, no arguing, come on, get up, lets get you back where I know you’ll be safe. Come on, do please get up. It’s alright.”

Kitzu got up slowly and went over to Princess Celestia with her head down.

“Come on now, you aren’t in that much trouble, I was just worried about you.” Celestia whispered to her. The two turned, and quietly walked back to the keep. Celestia watched her ward, her heart going out to her. Kitzu seemed most contrite, and yet… Kitzu’s ears were zeroing in on every sound as they rotated back and forth. Celestia looked at her captains, they’d noticed it too, despite Kitzu’s demeanor, she was one hundred percent alert and wasn’t likely to settle down right away.

Kitzu hadn’t fully relaxed until they were back in the royal apartments. Miss Aiko was there, sat her down, and made them some tea.

“Would you like to talk about it?” Celestia asked.

“I was alright until you surprised me.” Kitzu offered. “I went down to the Captains office to get my goggles. I met Commander Sparkle, we talked for a bit, and he said my uniform was likely at the research and development building in the Wonderbolt compound.” Celestia said nothing choosing to sip from her tea. “So we headed out to the Northwest gate. We got our first hint that something was up when we discovered the gate empty. I went to a rise I knew to be visible from the keep’s northwest tower, and signaled them regarding the situation and requesting a larger escort.”

“So I hear. You know the night code then.”

“I do. Do the fakes know it?”

“So far as I’m aware, they never figured out why my sister had at least one white pony in every squad. They have no connection to the original Night Watch or Luna’s own Shadowbolts. And it seams you walked right into a swarm of them. I’ll see about getting your belongings back first thing in the morning.”

“Oh I’ve already got everything. Once every pony was rounded up, I went in found my belongings, gathered everything up, teleported to the great room in the tower, deposited everything there, and teleported back. The only thing I didn’t find was my helmet radio.”

“What, you did what? Why’d you go back, you should have come straight to me.”

“I wanted ponies to see me going back the same way I came, and I couldn't just abandon Indi, and Harold. I knew I was going to be in trouble as well, I just hadn’t expected you to come fetch me.”

“I was worried. So how did Commander Sparkle seem?”

“He found the village he was looking for.” Kitzu’s tone betrayed the news that the pony he’d been looking for hadn’t been there. “Ant Tia...”

“Yes?”

“Something I feel I should tell you, but it involves the future.” Kitzu was hesitant.

“Are you sure you should tell me?”

“It involves Cirrus.”

Celestia set her tea cup down, and let out a sigh. “We find her remains I gather.”

“Oh no, she’s fine. In fact I was going to ask mom to adopt her.”

“Pardon?”

“Right now I think it may be related to my being here.”

“Oh.” Celestia was shocked. “Then they?”

“They had no business being out in that forest, and they did leave her there.”

“Any idea why?”

“I do, but you’ll have to ask her parents.” The two sat in silence for a bit till Kitzu set her cup down. “I’m going to go get some sleep. Also, I’m to understand the scramble is a costumed event, so I was planning on wearing my uniform as a costume.”

“Sure, you do that, but no weapons.”

“I promise, no weapons. It’s a race, not combat.”

🏇🏇🏇🏇🏇

The next morning saw Kitzu at the eleven o'clock brunch in uniform, minus the armor, reading a book written in Arcadocypriot which was considerably older then old Ponish. If her having a book at the table wasn’t bad enough, the bibliophiles at the brunch were rather upset that such a valuable book, it was in Arcadocypriot and they didn’t know what it was therefor it was valuable, should be in the hooves of a filly.

“It’s not rare, I’ve thousands of books like this.” Kitzu offered not even bothering to look up.

“Princess?” Princes Celestia prompted. “Could you perhaps be exaggerating? Just a bit.”

Kitzu looked up with a contemplative expression, looked over to Princess Celestia, “Well how many would you say are stored in the caverns below the keep?”

“I ah, I don’t actually know? Don’t tell me you’ve been down there?”

“About as far as I could see without my own light. So who is Usgov anyway?” Kitzu asked.

“Usgov?” Celestia asked. “Can’t say I’ve ever heard of them. Must be left over from Princess Platinum the first. What were you doing down there?”

“I’m an inquisitive little filly, I’ve explored every square inch of this place. Well maybe not every square inch, but you get the idea. Any way, this book is one Muma had stashed away. It seems to be a technical manual. It starts out with an overview on particle physics, and briefly mentions a place called Atlantis.”

“I see. Perhaps you should put it away for later?”

“Perhaps I should at that.” Kitzu mused catching sight of a pony slowly working their way up to her. “Can I help you?” she asked as she closed up the book.

“No, no, that’s quite alright, I just wanted to get a closer look at that book.”

“Can you read Arcadocypriot?” Kitzu asked, they admitted that they could not, and quietly retreated back to their seat.

“Princess Celestia, might I be excused?” Kitzu asked a short time later.

“But you’ve hardly touched anything?” Celestia asked.

“Race lineup is in an hour, I need to report in before that I’m told, and not even I can fly while stuffed. Float maybe, fly no.”

“Alright, alright.” Celestia conceded, followed by Kitzu getting up from her chair, and exiting the dining hall.

Kitzu went up to Luna’s rooms, this time flanked by two unicorn guards. She climbed the stairs, opened the door, entered, “Sorry guys.” and then closed and locked the door before they could enter.

“You think maybe she doesn’t like us?” One guard says to another.

“Na, she’s just a teenager. That and I can hardly blame her what with ponies taking her things, and not giving them back.” The other replied, turned, and went back down to wait in the Moon viewing hall with the great tree pillars. “I hear those boneheads they caught last night had planned on cutting everything up to sell to others of their ilk. The really embarrassing part is some of them were our own ponies.”

“Ya, but she gets a whole floor to herself practically.”

“From what I hear, she is Princess Luna’s daughter. As in The Princess Luna who became Nightmare Moon. Princess Celestia’s actual niece, and not just a talented waif that’s been brought in.”

As for Kitzumi, she put the book back, locked up the cabinet, put the books back that hid the location of the cabinet, went to Luna’s room, brushed her teeth, combed her mane and tail, went out to where her uniform and armor was, put it and her goggles on complete with her pendent set in the peytral, and went back downstairs locking the door behind her with the helmet under her left wing.

“So that’s the armor everypony has been talking about.”

“Sure is.” She offered pulling the goggles down around her neck. “Getting the material is rather labor intensive, takes a lot of time, and requires going into some of the more hazardous areas of the Everfree forest.”

“So it’s spider silk as they say?”

“The whole thing. The trick is to gather the long strands that cross the forests paths made by animals, and spin them as you go.” Kitzu explained as they exited the hall, and made their way for the grand stairs.

As Kitzu went down the stairs, her progress was marked by a number of VIPs, dignitaries, state guests, and royals alike. Among which were four pegasi officers of the Night Watch who went to meat her as she descended the stairs.

“Gentleponies, we’ll be taking over the escort duty.” One of the officers announced, and produced a document signed by Princess Celestia.

“I’m honored.” Kitzu offered as her two guards reluctantly released Kitzu to them. Outside in the large bailey Kitzu was delighted to find the entire palace night squadron turned out. “Hang on, are we flying formation?” Kitzu asked delighted. “Just give me my orders.”

So Kitzu was directed to her place in the squadron, they were called to don helmets, goggles on, given the ready, and commanded to launch. In her exuberance at being able to fly in formation again she nearly raced ahead on take off, and found she had to put her wings at full spread to maintain the slow cruising speed they were using.

“Something wrong Princess?” Her flight Sargent asked.

“It’s kind of slow.” Kitzu called. There was some good-natured chuckling around her.

“I told you this pace would be too slow!” Someone shouted from behind. Kitzu couldn't help but laugh herself.

“You know the best part is that just a little over a year ago my time, I’d have been struggling to keep up.” Kitzu announced. “I can fly faster, a lot faster, and I love every moment of it. Even the crazy bits when the sugar turns to horse apples.”

“So how come you don’t wear the skull and wing on your uniform?” Asked a wing mate.

“Only the elite personal guard wears the skull and wing on their uniform.” Kitzu explained. “I have it on a pair of daggers, and wing guards I was authorized to use, but otherwise the device was never used by any pony other then the elite squad. Something those fakes don’t seem to appreciate. I was given the honor to use my cutie mark. Every pony else would wear the cat’s eye on their chest to symbolize that we are the ones who stand watch at night to protect Equestria from harm.”

“We gave up using the eye some time ago.” Her wing mate offered. “Afraid the symbolism was lost on most ponies, and completely misinterpreted by the cults. Those boneheads actually want Equestria locked in eternal darkness.”

“Did no one ever explain to them we’d all die if that happened?” Kitzu asked. “Gees, not even Sombra at his worst was that crazy.”

“Did you fight against King Sombra?” One of the others asked.

“Fighting his drones isn’t easy.” Kitzu offered. “I was a courier so I did my best to avoid them. Sombra uses mind control. Those that are under his control will fight till their body just can’t go on, and they can’t be reasoned with. If they can be isolated, and the mind control broken, then there’s a possibility of saving the pony. My strategy was to either outrun or out think them.”

“You talk like he’s not gone.”

“He is, and he isn’t he’s neither dead nor alive.” Kitzu explained. “It has something to do with what he did to himself. Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna used the elements of harmony to defeat him, but he was only banished.”

“You mean he might come back?”

“Oh he’ll be back, you can count on it.” Kitzu offered. “Why do you think Princess Celestia maintains the night watch?”

Before anypone could answer orders were shouted to prepare to land. The trip from the keep to the air field had taken very little time. The squadron did a loop around the Wonderbolt facility prior to landing in the field were the race was being held. On landing the command “Squadron” followed by flight leaders shouting “Flight” echoed across the field. The next command was attention. Again the words squadron followed by flight echoed across the field, this time the command at ease is given.

“Honorary Ensign Nova Moon, front and center!” shouted an officer.

“I ain't budging till he gets it right.” Kitzu growled while lowering her ears.

“Um, what part he screw up?” Her wing mate asked.

“I am a commissioned officer in Her Majesties Princess Luna’s Shadow bolts.” Kitzu replied. OK it was Her Majesties Queen Luna, but that was splitting dimensions. Or was that hairs? Regardless, Kitzu was no honorary anything.

“What seems to be the problem?” The flight leader asked.

“She’s not an honorary Ensign, she’s an actual commissioned officer, and refused to budge until address as such.” The wing mate called.

“She’s what?”

“A genuine bucking Shadowbolt.”

“Pass the word up that Ensign Moon would appreciate being addressed properly!”

A moment later the Lieutenant Commander came back to find out why Kizu hadn't come forward. “What’s going on?”

“Sir, with all do respect, I am an Ensign. A commissioned officer under Princess Luna. My commanding officer is Captain Hoofstrong.” Kitzu offered. “I am not an acting Ensign, nor am I an honorary Ensign.”

“But, but your age? Captain Hoofstrong?!”

“I’m a courier. Couriers aren’t held to the same age restrictions. Or at least they weren’t at the time. Couriers were picked according to their ability to fly over long distances really fast, and or slip through enemy lines undetected.”

“Well then, my apologies, Ensign Moon. Now, shall we get you signed in?”

“Yes sir, I’d like that very much.” Kitzu replied, her ears going back up.

“Well then, allow me to escort you.” He offered, and a moment later Kitzu was walking with him forward. Before her a large crowd of ponies was gathered, some racers, many were just there as supporters. Nearly every eye was on the squadron.

Kitzu walked forward towards the desk where several Wonderbolts were signing in entrants, the crowd parting as she approached. She waited for the foal ahead of her, and then walked up to the desk.

“Ensign k… Ensign Nova Moon reporting. I’m to understand there was a spot reserved for me?” She’d nearly said Kitzumi Nightfoal.

“How old are you?”

“Fourteen.”

“Fourteen?”

“I’m in my fourteenth year.”

“Age thirteen.” The Wonderbolt looked her over. Other then the crescent moon and two stars in the peytral the uniform was identical to the one that had gone missing last night. “I’ll need you to remove the helmet so I know who’s under it.”

Kitzu removed the helmet, pulled her goggles down around her neck, shook out her main, and placed the helmet under her left wing. The guard had been provided with pictures of all the participants as precaution against ringers entering the race. Which Kitzu was, by all practical reasoning as she was far better suited to be racing against adult ponies who were skilled athletes.

“Ever been in a race before?”

“Just against time with my life at stake, otherwise I’d have to say no.” Kitzu offered deadpan.

“You don’t say.” To the Wonderbolt this Nova Moon was just another princess who’d used leverage to get into a race intended for serious athletes. What did they say, she was Princess Hope? He figured the horn was likely glued on. “Your competition number.” He said passing a large peace of paper over to her. The number read forty two. “That’s also your starting position, and don’t loose it. If you lose it you’ll be disqualified.”

Kitzu levitated it away, and fixed it to her chest just under the peytral where it stuck like it’d just been glued on.

“Yes sir, thank you sir.”

The Wonderbolt looked on in bewilderment. Had she just, could that horn be real? What was going on here?

“Anything else?” Kitzu asked.

“Just, just go line up with the others.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir.” Kitzu replied, and went to find her starting point.

By this time the Night Watch had fanned out to strategic locations save for a couple of the officers who escorted Kitzu to the line up.

“So how does this race work?” She asked them.

“One time through the Wonderbolt training track. As the gates are set for formations of four, you’ll all be lined up in fours.”

“I’m number forty two, the race will be over before the last in the line hit the gate.”

“That’s intentional. The serious racers have to compete in races throughout the year to move up in position in this race. That ensures the racers get in the front of the line up ahead of the ponies who’s parents use their political clout to get their foals and grandfoals in the race. There was only supposed to be ten groups, but they had to add an eleventh group do to your entry.”

Kitzu listened to the explanation. “I see. Well not like it’s going to make a difference. The course should be easy enough, all I have to do is get past all the costumed buffoonery to catch up with the serious racers.”

“That you do.” They both responded at once, and then laughed. Indeed the only costumes that looked practical for racing were up in the front, every last one of which was wearing their very own custom fit Wonderbolt outfit. Several of which were starting to look like the skin tight jumper Kitzu was used to seeing on actual Wonderbolts. Kitzu also had a good idea what her competition was like. Sure she hadn’t gotten a good look at Goldenflair’s physic, but she could tell the filly didn’t have quite the refinement she had.

Goldenflair watched Kitzu from the front of the line up as she stretched.

“I’m going to beat you this year for sure.” One of the competitors boasted. “Who’re you lookin at?”

“That Shadowbolt with the two Night Watch officers.” Golden offered. “If anyone is going to beat me, I’d wager it’s going to be her.”

“You can’t be serious, she’s just another princess who used pull to get into the race.”

“She’s an alicorn, an actual alicorn, and her body is like chiseled stone.” Golden offered.

“Um, ya, sure, sure she is. Besides, she’ll be starting from the back of the pack. Even if she’s all that, she’ll never catch up.”

Meanwhile Kitzu was more worried about getting past the foals in front of her as she took up her position at the back of the lineup. There she found two very silly ponies in outrageous outfits, and very determined gray filly with a straw blond mane in a Wonderbolt costume that reminded Kitzu a great deal like a filly version of Miss Derpy Whooves.

“Hi, my name’s Muffins.” Offered the little Derpy look alike.

“Hi, name’s Nova.” Kitzu offered. “Nova Moon.” Muffins had the same issue with the eyes, not as pronounced, but it was there. “I’m going to assume you are a racer.

“Sure am. The best...” She offered with enthusiasm waning to discouragement. “.. or at least I was.”

Kitzu couldn't resist giving her a hug.

“Hey!” Muffins protested.

“Well I know you are one of the best, why else put us in the back of the line up.” Kitzu offered. “Here stands ready to race, two of Equestria’s finest. Why perhaps even the best fliers that Equestria has ever known.” the other nearby ponies overhearing, look and laugh. One walleyed pony, and one pony with impossibly large wings wearing armor of all things. Two of the greatest indeed, they laughed.

“Muffins, no matter what, keep going, never give up, never quit.” Kitzu told her emphatically. Kitzu looked up in the stands, now full of ponies, and saw Princess Celestia taking up her position in her box seat. Celestia looked down at Kitzu and waved. Kitzu turned to face Princess Celestia. “Hey Muffin’s can you do a salute? - Princess Celestia is in the stands.”

“Sure can, wait, where’s the stands?”

Thanks to her issue with her eyes Muffins’ vision beyond anything close up might as well be a kaleidoscope of double images served up in a thick fog. The further out something was, the harder it was to see it.

“Stand next to me, one wing spread, facing the same way. Do they do the anthem?”

“Oh ya, they do.”

“Then when the anthem plays, we salute.”

“Can do.”

The two listened as an announcer spoke over a loud speaker, explained the race, welcomed Princess Celestia, and everyone else, followed by playing of the anthem. The two snapped a sharp salute.

“Racers, positions!” Shouted the announcer.

“You got your strategy?” Kitzu asked as she put her helmet on.

“Sure do.” Muffins replied as Kitzu put distance between herself and the other ponies. “Where are you going?”

“I need a little distance.” Kitzu offered. “Just concentrate on the pony in front of you, and don’t worry about me. “I’m going to do a bottle rocket Launch.” She pulled her goggles up, and into place adjusting them to just the right position.

“Cool, you’ll have to show me after the race.”

“Racers, ready!”

Kitzu’s ear flaps snapped shut.

🚀

Up in the stands Princess Celestia is watching Kitzu with puzzled curiosity. Why had Kitzu walked away from the other racers, and why was she crouching down like that? Kitzu spread her wings lifting them up ready for a sweep that looked like she intended to go straight up. One look at her wing spread set her apart from the other foals.

“Is that your new prodigy?”

“She’s my niece.”

“What ever is she doing?”

“It looks like she intends to go straight up?”

The shot of a cannon going off to start the race might as well been loaded with Kitzumi. Up she went, straight up, climbing faster then any pony thought possible while the racers surged ahead. The first obstacle was a high wall that the racers had to go over, after that a gate followed by another wall.

Kitzu satisfied with her height she pitched over, righted herself, aimed for the gate clearing the first wall, and looping through the gate and up again to clear the second wall while at the same time avoiding other racers. Most of the costumed cavalcade was behind her now as they struggled to gain enough altitude to get over the wall. Those that had already made it to or through the gate went through either dead center or a bit on the low side. The next had ponies skimming the top in much the same way as they did over the first forcing Kitzu to go over them. After this was a hard left turn to the next gate. Kitzu did a sweeping right turn all the way, passing over the far end of the stands, and then back, tucking her wings to shoot betwixt racers. Wings out, turn right for a cloud gate, drop down, back to the left for a standard gate. The next gate was a cloud gate directly over the last gate forcing many of the racers to circle wide to regain speed and altitude. Kitzu was still going plenty fast enough to loop up and through passing even more ponies. Now only a half dozen racers were ahead of her with the next turn being a hard U-turn followed by a slalom course about half of which was made of cloud gates at various altitudes. Kitzu made the turn, one wing tip pointed at the ground, the other to the sky while vapor trails formed at the tips, she straitened out, and powered into the slalom. She rolled to her side again for the first gate passing it at blinding speed, pulled in her wings, rolled the other way, wings out, power into the next gate, and so on.

About halfway through she encountered another pony and passed between them, and the gate. Two ponies in the middle of the path forced her to pull up into a tight loop, and back down into the course forcing her to pass the same two again. The leaders were pulling out of the slalom. Kitzu was hot on their tail.

Goldenflair was out of the slalom with two ponies behind her, and the only thing in front of her was a wide turn right through a cloud gate, followed by another right and another one each higher and higher forcing the ponies to climb in a circle until they were well above the air park. She was giving it her all, when a white winged shadowbolt swept around her and started climbing like it was nothing. Try as she might, that pony was slowly pulling away. At the top the fliers were headed back towards the stands, and a spiral drop. Goldenflair watched in disbelief as the pony dove into the spiral holding as tight to the center as was possible without clipping any gates. Goldenflair started her decent just in time to see the pony pull out at the last possible moment, dust and turf lifting up in their wake, and into the next climb before the final turn into the home stretch.

Princess Celestia had been on the edge of her seat the entire race. Never before had she seen such aggressive flying. Every near miss had her on her hooves, and now Kitzu was in the lead. Kitzumi had gone from the back of the pack to first with a widening gap between her, and the next racer. Now she was in the final turn, and racing along the track fast enough to form a vapor cone in front of her.

It was but an instant for Kitzu to pass the stands, and the moment she’d passed the finish line, being it was one lap only, she looped up into a huge loop, but instead of finishing it she dove down to the infield where a filly in a wonderbolt outfit was flying back and forth looking lost. Kitzu glided over to the filly, they spoke briefly, and then the two headed for the spot where one gate was on top the other. Now flying in formation with Muffins on Kitzu’s left, Kitzu started back thru the course as though she’d missed at that point with Muffins in close formation.

“What ever is she doing?” A spectator asked confused by what they were seeing. The pace was considerably slower, but it soon became apparent that Kitzu was guiding the other filly through the course. One by one, racers who hadn’t dropped out finished, and then stopped to wait wondering what was going on. Those who had dropped out had gathered on the infield to cheer on the last racer.

“She’s leading her around like a mother hen, and they are practically the same age.” Celestia mused as she watched the pair.

The last racer save Muffins and Kitzu had landed, and the judges were left with an interesting problem. Kitzumi had disqualified herself. They also had no idea who Kitzu was only that she’d been entered into the lineup the night before. To be true, they really didn’t know who the majority of the entrants were other then the hoof full of regular racers. This was to maintain a degree of fairness. As for Muffins and the other two who’d started with them, not a one was expected to finish. Muffins was known to them, she was a racer, or rather a former racer thanks to a genetic eye condition that seemed to hit every other generation.

Kitzu had the best time they’d ever seen from a racer on that track, but she’d also flown in a reckless manner that put others in danger. Flying over the stands was the third strike as she was clearly outside the course.

“Ladies and gentle colts!” rang the voice of the announcer over the loudspeaker. “The judges have come to a decision.”

Decision, what decision, it’s obvious who won, the crowd murmured in confusion.

“Do to numerous infractions, pony number forty two has been disqualified. The first place goes to pony number 1, Goldenflair!”

Some of the crowd applauded. More then a hoof full voiced their opposition. Including Goldenflair herself.

“No, no, no, no! You can’t do that!” Golden shouted, her voice carrying over the loud speaker. The crowd applauded her. “You made her start from the back with the ponies who didn’t care. Had we started side by side I wouldn't have had a chance!”

Kitzu walked up to the announcer's podium followed by Muffins.

“You are probably right, but I can’t accept the first place.” Kitzu offered. “I cheated on the first turn.”

“Cheated?” Goldenflair asked shocked.

“I couldn't safely make that first turn at the speed I was going at so I turned right and looped out over the grandstands to maintain my speed, and pick a better opportunity to get past the slower fliers.” Kitzu explained. “Add to that I nearly collided with a couple ponies in the slalom. The final sin, if you can call it that was when I went back into the course to help Muffins. She’d gotten lost, missed that cloud gate over the top of the standard gate. She knew she’d missed a gate too. I saw her going back and forth trying to pick up the rout so I went to help her. She can barely see anything past a half dozen wing lengths.”

“Why would you do that, you can’t go back in the course when your done!?” Goldenflair exclaimed. “I know she can’t see. She should have never entered the race!”

“I am a princess by accident of birth. So there are certain expectations of me. But that’s not why I went after her. I went after her because I’m a Shadowbolt. A true Shadowbolt. I earned my wings, and a Shadowbolt never leaves a pony behind while they still have the will to go on. A Shadow bolt protects others.” Kitzu removed her helmet and goggles to stunned silence, her mane flowing freely in the breeze. “If you don’t want that crown, give it to Muffins, it’s probably going to be her last race anyway.”

Goldenflair looked at Kitzu with a shocked expression for a moment, and then a smile formed on her lips. “Hey Muffins, come here.”

🌃

Kitzu descended the stairs down into the Moon viewing hall with Luna’s book in her magic aura. The day had been a good one, Muffins got to wear the crown, and they had let her race the adults in a steeple chase to Canterlot station and back. She’d kept pace to the station, and as soon as she’d finished her turn at the station, afterburners into the stratosphere. Reentry after breaking the sound barrier was always interesting, slowing down, the mach wake overtaking her… in this case it heralded her arrival back at the Air Field. She had to go to the mike for the loud speakers and reassure the ponies there was nothing to worry about. Maybe she shouldn't have done that. Princess Celestia scolded her once she realized what had created the boom that hit the stands. The racers had heard it too, reverberating off the mountain, and never having experienced thunder on a cloudless day, flew all the faster to get back. They arrived some time after Kitzu had, thoroughly winded. Later on in the day Philomina had shown up with a brood of her fledglings. A dozen in all, and watching them cavort about was a bit like watching a fireworks display that never ends.

Kitzu had to stop thinking about the day she’d had and start thinking about the task at hoof. It was two A. M. and she’d put any trepidation about attempting to activate the observatory behind her, standing there with book in hoof, she cast the incantation and activated the spell. She smiles at the result, the entire hall had seemingly vanished leaving only night sky high above, high above Arcadia. Kitzu suspected the observatory must have been moved from Arcadia in the days when they’d been forced to evacuate ending up here in Canterlot and it was still set to display the sky above Arcadia. Kitzu looked at the book again to see what she needed to do next.

“Well, this is a surprise.” Offered an alabaster Alicorn that had appeared in the center of the hall. “It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had the opportunity to converse with any pony.” Her hooves were plated in gold, the tips of her wings shown like the early morning light, and her mane and tail billowed out with every color of the rainbow. “Who are you?”

Kitzu was quite surprised by the presence of the alicorn now standing in the hall.

“Indeed it is.” Kitzu replied. She certainly hadn’t expected this. “Might you be the spirit of the great tree?”

“I suppose that’s one way to describe my present self. But who are you? You’ve been in contact with the cosmic clock?”

“I have, but it hasn’t happened yet your time.”

“Well I’ve yet to see you cross my threshold. Who…? What are you doing?”

“Making sure no pony walks in.” Kitzu explained as she checked, and locked the doors. “I’ve been cast into the past a little over two hundred years, so if I’m to tell you the truth, I’m not going to want it overheard.”

“I see. Two hundred?”

“My name is Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal Silvermane, and I am, or at least was Princess of hope. I’m really good at trans dimensional travel, and in the world where I was finally granted the gift of flight, I soon acquired the unofficial title of queen of the sky and goddess of thunder. I’m the daughter of Twilight Sparkle who is Princess of friendship, Adopted daughter of Princess Luna Princess of the night and Moon, who is sister to Princess Celestia Princess of the Sun and ruling monarch of Equestria.”

“Luna? Celestia? They survived the war, where are they?”

“Aunti Tia should be asleep right now.”

“Luna?”

“Well obviously she’s going to be alright.” Kitzu offered.

“What’s happened? Please, I’m their mother.”

“Princess Aurora, Daughter of the Sun King.” Kitzu said softly, and then bowed. I’m honored to be in thy presence, even if that presence is only an astral projection.” Kitzu paused a moment. “Much has happened. Princess Celestia and Muna, er Princess Luna, obtained artifacts created by a mage named Starswirl the bearded with the help of others known as the Elements of harmony. I know they had at least five of the elements. These were used to turn Discord the...”

“A curse on that mistake. Ours was once a mighty empire that spanned across worlds until Discord, and it was he who brought ruin upon us.”

“They turned him to stone, and he presently resides as a statue in the garden.”

“Smash him, pulverize him to dust and cast his remains into space!”

“Um, I’m sorry… I can’t really do that. Not just now anyway.” Kitzu was shocked at the vehemence and hatred towards Discord. “For what it’s worth I share your sentiment. I suspect my present situation may be his doing. I’d hoped to use this to study the time stream, and see if string theory of time and space will play out enough to help me get back to my proper time.”

“Let me help you with that.” Princess Aurora offered as she willed herself to calm down. “You were telling me about Luna...”

“Yes.” Kitzu offered as the stars speed away and were replaced by something that looked more like a serpent made of stars with multiple Equestrias like some kind of spine, each overlapping the other like snapshots of moments in time. “Luna had fallen for a unicorn stallion, but Celestia had foreseen that the relationship would end in disaster. His name was Sombra Nightfoal.”

“Then it turned out alright?” Aurora asked as the time stream drew further away till other streams of time and dimension could be seen. The streams all seemed to be traveling in the same general direction, but not always parallel. They wobbled about, even spiraled back on themselves, sometimes crossing multiple times.

“No, Aunt Tia was right, it was a disaster that lead to more disaster.” Kitzu explained. “He desired immortality, and attempted to turn himself into an alicorn.”

“Alicorn?”

“Um, Pegacorn, like you and I.”

“Ah… so they call us alicorns now.”

“And the common ponies worship us. To be honest I kind of find it annoying.”

“We control the very heavens, it’s understandable.”

“Anyway, Princess Celestia and Luna faced off with Sombra using the elements of harmony. Instead of undoing the spell he put on himself, his body was shattered, and his soul was banished. Luna, unknown to Princess Celestia was with foal, and went into seclusion. Some time after the foal was born Princess Celestia got it into her head that Luna had been in seclusion long enough. She went to Luna to force her to come out of seclusion, and it lead to a fight. During the fight, thanks to Luna’s weakened will, she was possessed by a shadow pony. Princess Celestia was forced to use the elements against her. Luna was banished to the moon, which is where she is now, in a sort of limbo like state. - She's accessible to the dream state, but I don't recommend doing it, as the shadow pony might try to take you instead."

“I’m detecting a pattern here.”

“I’d like to think she didn’t have but five of the elements. There are seven that I know of, but at the time, or rather when Luna comes back, only five were known. My mother somehow managed to discover a sixth, or rather she is the sixth. She and her new friends became, or rather will become, the bearers of six elements of harmony. They drive off the shadow pony and save Luna.”

“I can understand why you wouldn't want the ponies here in this time to know all this knowledge about the future. Just knowing could cause it to not happen. You’re not worried about me?”

“You are stuck in a tree, and I’m assuming Princess Celestia can’t use the observatory.”

“Well some one had to protect the cosmic clock. This might come as a shock to you, but this world is artificial. It was created by our fore bearers. A sizable planet was selected, a moon put in orbit, and a small sun placed in orbit. All of this is regulated via the cosmic clock. We had created a paradise, and then one of our bio engineers created Discord never once stopping to ask if they should.”

“I never would have even imagined it.” Kitzu said stunned. “About my little, possibly Discord induced issue? I’ve only been here three days now.”

“Well, three days ago, a future section of one of the time lines crossed over this section close enough all a pony would have to do is just give some one a little shove.”

“I see. That’s it, it’s not even a time travel spell. It’d have to be a variation on a dimensional traveling spell that he’s using. Looks like the two parts of the time line have split apart now.”

“Afraid so. If you knew the spell, you would have had two days to get back. It’s too late now, and the next convergence doesn’t happen for quite a while. Your other option is to do a bit of dimension hopping.”

“I had thought of having Princess Celestia freeze me in stone as a last resort.”

“Bad idea to do that for any length of time. It robs you of your magic, and causes you to regress in age. You might survive but you’ll never be able to use magic or fly ever again.”

“Oh,” Kitzu let out a small sigh. “I guess I’ll talk to Aunt Tia in the morning.

“Cheer up, you'll find your way home. Don’t give up, not now.”

“But I’m further away then ever. And I probably should stay away from worlds I’ve already been to.”

“It’s actually not a big problem so long as you don’t make a big impact… granted you are a bit young to be living incognito for any length of time… Ah, I know...” Aurora adjusted the projection to show what the dimensional time lines would be doing in the future. “Here we go, you’ve a week, and then this world’s dimension will come in conjunction with our own and will remain that way for just shy of two weeks. It’s a human world, but there’s a lot of magic so you shouldn't have any issues with magic. I’m not sure if you’ll transform or not. Often times the magic of a portal will cause us to take on the form of the apex species of the planet, but you won’t be using a portal I gather.”

“I can ask Aunt Tia if there is a portal, otherwise I’ve gotten fairly good at transforming into a human.”

“You can transform?”

“I’m part kitsune, divine fox. A world we had a portal to that had very little magic gave me problems. When visiting I’d turn into a fox. I had to learn a spell that would allow me to transform myself.”

“Excellent.” Aurora praised. “Now, once there you’ll have to stay there about a year, and then that dimension loops back on itself. All you have to do is jump across the gap. After that it won’t take too much longer till our dimension will be in proximity. You’ll be able to wait it out until it’s time as the two will be in close proximity for quite a while, and if you find you are too early, then it’ll be safe enough to do the frozen in stone thing. Just be careful of a third dimension that is running more or less parallel with those.”

“You think I can do it? Except, I don’t see any evidence of a dimensional split?”

“That...” Aurora began zooming out a bit more, “would be the dimension your pendant is from. I’ve been analyzing you and your pendant. Your tachyon signature is different then the one of the pendant.”

“So all this time I’ve been aiming for the wrong dimension, and the ponies I thought were family aren't?”

“You’re in the right dimension now.”

“But I checked?”

“What did you check against, the pendant or yourself?”

“I was worn out, I wasn’t thinking clearly… I didn’t used the pendant.”

“And verified your true home, whereas using the pendant would point you away from home. You’ve as likely been going back and forth, and never knew it.”

“I didn’t have access to the observatory so I’d no way to verify either. I wonder if there is another me doing the same thing? There as likely is. Oh, that time I babysat myself, I had to have been in the right world then, but when I went back I’d verified by the pendant… and my counterpart has as likely been doing the same thing. We’ve been going around in circles. Who knows how many times we’ve passed by each other? Oh, and Cirrus, was there another conjunction about a month ago with the timeline with the split?

"Indeed there was. The time line was so close a pony could have walked across without having to use magic to do it if they were just in the right spot."

"Would I be able to retrieve another lost pony?"

“Indeed. You’ll know better now. You'll be able to find your way now. By any chance can you dream walk?”

“I can.” Kitzu offered cautiously. It wasn’t something she liked to admit to.

“I’ll make you a copy of that book then.”

“You can do that? But how will that do me any good if I don’t have access to the observatory?”

“The observatory can be accessed via the dream state regardless of dimension. As can the Cosmic Clock with limitations, but it can be done. Full access requires being in the same dimension of the clock being accessed” Aurora reached out with her magic, and cast a spell on the book. Kitzu looked at the book with fascination as the spell took form. At first it was like her eyes were going cross eyed as the book split into two images. A moment later there were to books in front of her. “Being you’ve had access to the Cosmic Clock, you are essentially in the position of a High Priestess of Arcadia.”

“I am?”

“You are.”

“And here I thought I was being bold by calling myself the Steward of Arcadia.”

“Well, being no pony else seems to have access, I guess it fits.” Aurora offered with a smile.

“So what exactly does that mean anyway? I mean there is no one there, no pony what so ever, the city is abandoned.”

“The clock leaves a marker on those deemed worthy. That’s how you were able to access it now even though you’ve never been in physical contact with this specific clock. You need to study that book, memorize it cover to cover.”

“I’m just lucky I can read it. It’s written in Arcadocypriot.”

“Are you saying you don’t use the old language anymore?”

“It’s still taught in school at the higher levels to unicorns who’ve an aptitude for it, but otherwise no. It was taught to me because my mothers are over achievers. Somewhere along the line we switched to what is now known as Old Ponish, and the language we speak now, the modern Ponish is vastly different. The fact that I can understand you and we can communicate is do to my knowledge of the language and I suspect the spell work that makes this meeting possible.”

“I see, yes I hadn’t thought of that. It’s been over three thousand years, hasn’t it?”

“I’ll just have to take your word for it I’m afraid. Once I get caught up to myself, I’m going to pay your library a visit.”

“And I will enjoy having you there.”

Kitzu continued talking to Princess Aurora until the it was nearly morning when she finally decided it’d be best to go to bed. She shut down the spell that activated the observatory, unlocked the doors, and climbed the stairs. She didn’t rouse until the afternoon, just in time for High Tea.

“I was beginning to wonder if you’d left us already.” Celestia mused with a wry grin. Kitzu had her book with her, Luna’s having been returned.

“I was up late working on a solution for my little problem, and I’ve a course of action plotted out. I have verified that I am at least in the right dimension this time.”

“So what now?”

“I’d thought about just having you freeze me in stone, but I’m to understand that would be a bad idea.”

“It would indeed. We do that to criminals for a reason, it allows us to give them a brand new start.”

“My other option is to go to another nearby dimension, a dimension where humans, and magic exist side by side.”

“Oh yes of course, I’m aware of such a world, I helped four wizards set up a school of magic some time back, but I’m not sure how going there is going to help?”

“Their time line is going to loop back on itself in about a year their time. You see I know now that it wasn’t a time traveling spell that sent me back, but a dimensional spell. All I need to do is hop across the gap when the wizard dimension time line loops back on itself. It won’t get me all the way back to where I belong, but it’ll get me close enough. Oh, and I’ll probably want another dimensional book. I mean that is, so I can let you know how I’m doing. You see, it seems the majority of what I have in my diaries may very well have occurred in a dimension other then our own. “I’ve been going around in circles, and I’m going to need to add a few things to my existing diaries. Right now I'm not entirely sure what happened in which dimension. Not sure how I’m going to fit one more book though?”

“I think I have just the thing for you.”

Now, as for the world Kitzu had mistaken for her own, that dimension’s Kitzu had indeed been doing the same thing our Kitzu was doing, with one exception, she wasn’t afraid of Princess Celestia. That Kitzu had ended up in the Crystal Empire. When she told the ponies who she was it was only natural no pony believed her, and they put her in an orphanage, where the influence of the Crystal heart had caused her horn to grow. She somehow managed to hide her horn from all except Princess Flurry Heart who discovered her, and taught her how to use her magic in secret. Flurry Heart being a bit of a rebel, the two would get into all manner of mischief together. It was a panic teleport to escape being caught by the local Law enforcement that led to That Kitzumi to cross the dimensional boundary. She’d arrived home to find herself having been left without a foal sitter, and like her counterpart, fearing she might effect the time line, she fled as well. Later on she began to rethink her actions, and approached Princess Celestia and informed her what it was that happened to her even though she'd no idea how it happened. She'd also managed to approach the right Princess, that is her true Aunt, purely by chance. Celestia and that Kitzumi decided that the best course of action was, unfortunately, to freeze her Kitzumi in stone, but not tell anyone. When that Celestia learned of our Kitzu she was convinced she was just a fake who needed to be dealt with. Meanwhile the Kitzu in stone was stolen by cultist, and had to be rescued. Once freed our little statue had reverted to the little filly that had been lost days before, her adventures having been forgotten. She did lose her magic, but owing to the nature of a button head, and who her parents were, she matured as she would have had, had she never had her misadventure. As for that world's Discord, his powers had been greatly reduced, and dared not show his face openly for many years to come.

There is just one more thing to add, when their copy of Kitzumi Nova's diary kept updating they quickly realized there had indeed been two Kitzumi Novas. Princess Celestia vowed to be a proper Aunt to her niece and they all agreed to keep an eye out just in case any other Kitzumi Novas ever found their way to their dimension.

And Cirrus was discovered by Rainbow Dash who after hearing about her, decided to go see if she was indeed the filly that one of her ancestors had lost.

Author's Note

And that's how we turn continuity issues into a plot twist. :facehoof:

There are probably still a few continuity issues I haven't tied down, but I'm going to call it done for this book baring any issue that I may need to address that I've overlooked. Word count on this chapter is over 36k words, and editing it has been a bytch. Sure, I could have broken this down into smaller sections but really felt like it needed to be one piece. On the one hand, small chapters are easier to edit, but on the other hand. er hoof, longer chapters make it easier to fix continuity issues before I post.

Why do I write? I do it for my own enjoyment. And I do it as a form of mental exercise. My approach to fan fiction is more of an exercise in what ifs then any consideration of canon. As for long term goals, I ain't got any. I'll think of an idea, set some loose goals, and then follow a course of cause and effect as I run my characters, OCs and canon, through the various obstacles I set up for them. This series is as much a sounding board for ideas as it is an adventure. As to why I'm so mean to Discord, it's because he's overpowered. Seriously over powered. And if Discord is truly reformed, he'd be able to protect Equestria from all threats foreign and domestic. He'd be able to just quietly solve everyone's problems. Instead he often abandons Equestria, and behaves in ways that paint him as being a very selfish self centered narcissistic egomaniac individual who goes from going out of his way to spoil the Grand Galloping Gala, to sending the element bearers on a wild goose chase just so he can sabotage Twilight's school; just because he hadn't been included.

Now if you've made it this far, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. If not, why did you read the whole thing? [A question I once asked myself after reading a trilogy that had a main character that was about as irredeemable as could be.]

Now for my next project, which I've hinted at towards the end, I'm going to tackle a pony-Harry Potter crossover. Just don't expect to see young Harry Potter right away. Will our Kitzu ever get to go home? Maybe. I've had my cake and eat it too. Kitzu's counterpart goes home, and as far as she knows, it's as though she'd never left. Our Kitzu, thanks to the decisions she's made, and Discord's actions, isn't much better off then when she started.

I've added a little more to the ending of this. Things that should have been there right from the start. Perhaps someday I'll write a story about Cirrus and Rainbow Dash.

10/09/2024 edit: Just finished doing another read through. And yes, still finding things that need editing or correcting. I've also adjusted my ideas about Discord. Even though Discord is constantly doing nasty things even after being "reformed" his actions almost always result in pony society advancing in some way. It occurred to me that he's really more of a god/kami of progress. Chaos is just the catalyst from which the progress springs. Do I still want to reign him in and take him down a few pegs. You bet I do.

Changelings and a wild foxicorn.

Spiraling swaths of infinite pulsating colors gave way to ear-shattering sound and blackness peppered with streaks of light. 🌠

Kitzu could feel herself tumbling through the cold night air. It was exhilarating, like plunging into frigged waters. The streaks slowed to pinpoints of light as a feeling of weightlessness came over her. She gazed up at the stars caring little for her present situation mesmerized by the simplistic beauty of it. Nor was she entirely certain she wasn’t dead. She’d a feeling of euphoria about her as though she’d just been born a brand new being.

Gravity.

Kitzu felt herself being pulled by the ever-present force of gravity along with the increasing wind rushing past her. Well, at least she wasn’t in that damnable wormhole any longer. Instinct kicked in, and she flipped herself over and spread her wings, the cloak flapping in the wind. Her wings weren’t doing a lot of good, but at least she’d enough lift for a glide. Far below was Canterlot castle.

Kitzu tried a levitation spell on her wings to give herself more lift, but the effort was making her nauseous, and her magic was flickering like a candle in the wind. She needed help, and fast. She was coming in way too fast and she knew it. Without a rescue, she was going to end up as one big splatter mark. Should she try for one of the ponds she thought looking about. Most weren’t very big, or deep, and if the landing didn’t finish her, she’d likely drown. She looked to Luna’s tower, and to her delight and relief, she spotted Luna and Twilight out on the balcony. Placing her hopes and trust in the two, she maneuvered herself to aim for the balcony and used what little magic she’d left to light up her lamp pendant. She knew they likely couldn't hear her, but shouted, catch me, all the same. “Catch meeeeee!!!!”

A young alicorn Twilight had been inside arguing with Princess Luna when they heard the sound of a large explosion high over Canterlot. The city was on alert, and the two rushed out onto the veranda at the top of the big tower on which rested a large watchtower. “Look there!” Twilight called spotting a flickering light like a star falling. Both strained to see the falling object.

“Is that a pegasus?” Luna asked spotting Kitzu. When Kitzu lit up like a small sun, both knew they were dealing with something very unusual. “Twilight, stand back, it’s headed straight for us!”

“No, wait?!” Twilight called as Kitzu’s light began to flicker again. Down below pegasus guards had taken wing in an effort to intercept the oncoming missile. “We need to catch that pony! - I think they are in distress.”

“Alright,” Luna replied, and then both fired off a spell to catch and levitate. A moment later they’d safely delivered Kitzu to the veranda unharmed.

“I’m… I’m home.” Kitzu said weekly trying to stand. Her wings drooped, her hindquarters gave out, and everything in her stomach came forward. A moment later Kitzu collapsed completely and blacked out.

“Guards, fetch a doctor, quickly!” Luna ordered as three pegasus guards landed on the platform. “Hurry!”

“Grandmother, what’s wrong with her?” Twilight asked with both fear and concern in her tone.

“She’s used way too much of her magic getting here, and is dangerously low,” Luna replied. “Let’s get her inside.” Luna then lifted Kitzu up with a levitation spell. “Why are you lot still standing there?” Luna inquired of the guards. “Doctor! Now! Or I’ll have your hides on my wall by morning!”

“Yes, Princess.” The guards all said in unison and took off.

Luna then took Kitzu, baggage and all, back to one of the bedrooms followed by Twilight.

“Is there anything we can do?” Twilight asked as Luna set Kitzu on the bed.

“She needs magic. We need to find out who she is, and find a relative.” Luna explained.

“Looks like she has a VIP pass.” Twilight offered.

“Twilight, if you can get her cloak off, and clean her up, I’m going to go see what’s taking that doctor. I’ll need to get someone to clean up the veranda as well.” Luna offered, releasing her magical hold on Kitzu. Luna hesitated a moment sensing that the magical link between her, and this filly had lingered for a moment after cutting off the spell. Luna thought about it for only a moment and then left the bedroom.

When Luna returned a short time later Twilight had removed Kitzu’s cloak and saddlebags and hung them over a chair. Kitzumi was tucked into the bed, cleaned of the remnants of vomit, and twilight was caressing Kitzu with her magic. “Twilight?” Luna asked.

“She was shivering. - She calms down when I give her a little of my magic. - You did say she needed magic.”

“Yes, but it’s supposed to be a close relative.”

“She’s got a VIP pass that says her name is Nova Silvermane, and a guest of Auntie Tia.”

“Are you alright?” Luna was concerned for Twilight.

“I’m fine.”

“If you get to feeling light-headed I want you to put some distance between you and her.”

“Grandmother?”

“Your magic should not be able to soothe her like that.”

“How’s that? - Sorry, I took so long Princess Luna.” Offered a brown unicorn with a doctor's bag for a cutie mark, and a pair of black saddlebags over his shoulders. He had a dark curly mane, a floppy old brown fedora that nearly matched, and a ridiculously long scarf wrapped around his neck that dragged the floor. There were guards behind him. With a look from Luna, the guards stayed out in the corridor. “That is interesting...” he offered, looking at Twilight. He then went over to the bed levitating a chair in place and sat next to Twilight. “Princess Twilight, I’ll need you to stop for a moment.”

“Alright.” Twilight offered, shutting down her magic.

The doctor pulled out a test instrument and placed it on Kitzu. “Yes, her magic reserve is really low. - It’s usually very dangerous when it happens to a pony away from family.” He tried doing the same thing Twilight had done only to get shocked by feedback. “Well, she doesn’t like my magic. - No accounting for taste. - And she’s wearing two very powerful enchanted items. Do you have any idea who she is?”

“She has a VIP pass that says her name is Nova Silvermane, she has a moon medallion that looks like one of Grandmother’s medallions that she gives to trusted confidants, and a gemstone set in a pendant shaped like a lantern.” Twilight offered.

“A moon medallion?” Luna asked. She went over to the bed to inspect what Kitzu was wearing. “Why that looks like one of my old master keys.”

“Curious.” The doctor mused. “I might hazard a guess as to who she is. There is a new ambassador named Reynard Silvermane. - Princess, as your magic seems compatible, go ahead and keep doing what you were doing.”

“It’ll be alright?” Twilight asked.

“It’s an effect known as Mother’s Touch. When a foal pushes their limits too far, the mother is able to provide enough magic to stabilize them till they are better.” The doctor offered.

“But she’s not my foal?” Twilight protested.

“Of course not, she’s at least eight, and you are hardly old enough to have produced an eight-year-old.” The doctor offered. “Never the less, her magic doesn’t know the difference. - Princess Luna, perhaps you should give it a try? - Worst that can happen is she’ll just do the same to you she did to me.”

“She...” Luna said softly caressing Kitzu with her own magic. “It feels just like she is one of my own? - I’d felt it earlier, but dismissed it.”

“That would suggest that she is somehow a member of your family.” The doctor offered, getting up. “Normally one must either be the mother or a nurse mother.” He retrieved his instrument, placed it in his bag, and announced that Miss Nova should be fine so long as she was in their care. After which he excused himself adding that the young filly was a fox-type unicorn.

“But she’s...” Twilight began.

“Oh, she’s decidedly a fox type.” The doctor offered not realizing Twilight was about to say Alicorn. “Now if you’ll excuse me, and if you don’t mind I’d like to contact Ambassador Silvermane to let him know there is a filly here who may be part of his extended family. - And yours it would seem.”

“Yes, thank you.” Luna offered. She stopped what she was doing, and followed the doctor to the door. At the door, she kindly asked the guards to please leave her apartments. They were hesitant at first but soon felt the need to do as Princess Luna asked. Luna followed them out only to discover one of the unicorn captains along with a dozen of the guard coming in.

“Captain, what is the meaning of this? Why are you violating our apartment?”

“Orders mam.” The captain replied.

“Orders?” Luna asked.

“We have been ordered to take the pegasus into custody.”

“Pegasus? There’s no pegasus here.” The doctor scoffed, and then went around the guard, and out the door. The guards looked a bit puzzled by the doctor's honest report.

“But, but...” The captain stammered. “We were told to arrest the pony who breached the security.”

“On whose orders?” Luna asked getting right in the captain's face.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.”

“Cadence?” Luna asked genuinely surprised. Had Twilight been right? Was there something going on with Cadence? “She has no authority to give such an order!” Luna replied using the royal Canterlot voice right in the captain's face, their ears going back in fright. Luna’s next words came out sounding more like the quiet sort of threat Nightmare Moon might give. “Are you prepared to fight me for thy guest? - Go tell dear Cadence that she can go suck a swamp flower. - The pony in question is under our protection. Now get out, and see to it this never happens again.”

“Y-y-yes your highness.” The captain stammered backing away followed by the captain, and the guard rushing out the way they’d come in. Luna used her magic to slam the door behind them.

“Of all the nerve of that filly.” Luna spat out and returned to Twilight and Kitzu. “Granddaughter, we believe that we may owe thee an apology.”

“That’s alright,” Twilight said nervously. Luna had obviously been upset by something, and Twilight had no desire to push the issue.

“Dear Cadence just sent the guard to arrest Miss Nova.”

“Arrest her?”

“Who’s arresting who?” Kitzu muttered from the bed. “Why am I in the guest room?”

Luna looked at Kitzu somewhat critically. “Princess Cadence wants you arrested.”

“Why would Aunt Cadence want to have me arrested?” Kitzu tried to sit up, and immediately dropped back down overcome by vertigo.

“Don’t try to get up, you’ll just make yourself sick again,” Twilight ordered. “Aunt Cadence?”

“Mom?” Kitzu asked looking at Twilight. She then turned to look at Luna. “Muma?”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not your mother.” Twilight offered.

“I should be so lucky to have landed in the right dimension.” Kitzu offered, punctuating her words with a sigh.

“Dimension?” Luna asked taking a few steps forward.

“I was passing through a portal from one world to another when the wormhole between collapsed,” Kitzu explained. “I am Kitzumi Nova Nightfoal Silvermane. - In my world, I am your daughter.”

“My daughter?!” Twilight asked astonished.

“Yes, but you are both, kind of, my mom. Shared custody sort of thing, being you both married the same stallion.”

“But Princess Luna is my grandmother!?”

“Not in my world.” Kitzu objected. “Honestly. - Do I dare ask what’s going on in this world? - Why would Princess Cadence want to arrest me?”

“Cadence is set to marry the Armor colt...” Luna began. “And best not mention the name Nightfoal either. Mine is Moon, Twilight is a Sparkle.”

“There is an unknown threat, Shining Armor is maintaining a force shield over Canterlot, dear Cadence is being a bridezilla, and Twilight is convinced that Cadence is evil.” Kitzu offered.

“Up till now I just assumed Twilight was being a sore loser,” Luna admitted. “Bridezilla?”

“Same thing happened in my world. - Oh, we’re a little ahead of you. - Sore loser? Shining Armor and Twilight aren’t brother and sister?”

“I might just as well be his brother,” Twilight said with an air of bitterness. “No, he’s my cousin. - And Cadence – Cadence was my best friend. I go away to Ponyville, and find out second hand that the two are rushing to get married.”

“And Cadence doesn't have any time for you anymore does she?” Kitzu offered. “She can’t even seem to remember sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake either, can she?” Twilight gave Kitzu a blank stare. “Clap your hooves...” Kitzu brought up her forehooves to clap them. “I’ll have to owe you the shake.” Twilight leaned in and gave Kitzu a hug.

“So what happened?” Luna asked.

“Full-scale invasion of changelings.” Kitzu offered. “If this is the same thing, you’ve already been infiltrated, and the bridezilla to be is Queen Chrysalis.”

“And we are without any of our bat ponies,” Luna muttered.

“Bat ponies?” Twilight and Kitzu asked.

“The echolocation scrambles a changelings ability.” Luna offered. “My dear sister won’t let me have my Night Wing.”

“And there are too many variables to know for sure if this is indeed the same thing.” Kitzu offered. “The pattern might be the same.”

“I’ve a mind to just blast that captain anyway.” Luna offered. “The nerve of that captain coming in here and insisting on taking you into custody without first asking our leave, nor even knowing who it is they intend to arrest.”

“I have an idea.” Kitzu offered. “First off, Twilight do you know how to find the crystal caves under Canterlot?”

“Like the back of my hand,” Twilight replied.

“You’re not suggesting Twilight go down there?” Luna protested.

“Afraid she needs to, and by herself. Not without a way to know for sure who is, and isn’t a changeling. Assuming that is indeed what is going on here, Twilight will find the real Cadence in the caverns.” An idea struck Kitzu’s mind. “How does changeling magic work?”

“How do you mean?” Luna asked.

“I’ve three small lamps in my saddlebags, along with a couple of books, a diary of sorts, sunglasses, a bento, and some schoolwork. - I’d like to check the diary in a moment though I don’t think I’ve recovered enough to manage writing. - The lamps are what we need. They are the same as my pendant, and the crystals are a product of the tree of harmony. Their intended use is to be a ward against discordant energy.”

“Discordant?”

“They render dear Discord impotent, and I’m wondering if they might have a similar effect on changelings? - I dimly remember working on a side spell to unveil changelings, but I’m afraid I’m a little addled at the moment.”

“You don’t say,” Luna replied with a smile.

“There’s a trade-off with the stone in that it weakens the darker spectrum of alicorn magic as well.” Kitzu offered.

“Meaning if I use one I won’t be at full power,” Luna replied.

“They can amplify unicorn magic,” Kitzu added.

“So it negates the darker baser magic while amplifying the light and more refined magic.” Twilight observed.

“That’s about it,” Kitzu confirmed. “What I have in mind – Twilight I’d like you to take one. It’ll work as a light in the caves without having to do a thing, and may get you out of a jam. Misuse it, and the crystal will burn and shatter, but it will amplify your power. All you have to do is give it a little of your own, and you can expect a boost just like you’d get from a proper harmony stone. - Don’t let anyone see it when you leave. - I’m thinking that if you were to say, storm out of here in a huff...”

“I get your meaning,” Twilight replied fetching the bags with her magic.

“And you had in mind that I might try using one to see if it’ll out a changeling?” Luna surmised as Twilight dumped out the contents of the bags. Everything was as Kitzu had said, the small lanterns were wrapped in cloth bags, along with the addition of a small white box tied up with string, and Kitzu’s royal identification card. Princess Luna picked up the card and examined it.

“I’m really hoping that my grandparents, Twilight’s parents are not directly related to you, Princess Luna. Otherwise, things back home are going to get mighty awkward.”

“Wouldn't be the first time several mares from the same family married the same stallion.” Luna offered.

“Somehow I can’t see myself sharing a stallion with you,” Twilight replied picking up a lamp and tucking it under a wing. “No matter how much I love you.” She turned to look towards the door. “No time like the present.”

“You sure about this?” Luna asked.

“No, but then again, finding cadence locked away in the caverns would be a big relief. - Sort of.” Twilight headed for the door and whispered showtime as she left.

“Let’s see if we can’t make it a bit more convincing.” Luna offered, taking a lantern stashing it in her peytral, she then dropping the ID on the bed, and following after Twilight. The shouting started a short time later.

A few moments later saw Twilight talking back to Princess Celestia, and storming down the hall.

“Oh, just let her go. She’ll get over it.” Luna said with a sharp tone meant more for Celestia than any pony else.

“I’m surprised you are just going to let it go?” Celestia asked.

“You know full well if I don’t I risk the nightmare taking over.”

“Yes, I’m sorry. - So how is Night Light?”

“Busy I assume.” Hope is what Luna wanted to say, considering he hadn’t been around to check on her, his mother. It was Night Light and a group of his friends who’d faced Nightmare Moon in this world.

“So… I hear you have a guest?”

“Member of the Silvermane family. Poor thing overtaxed herself.” Luna offered. “She’s in one of my guest rooms resting. Would you like to meet her?”

“You’re going to let me?”

“Let you?”

“Well, I heard you drove out the guards when they came to investigate?”

“Come,” Luna said in that tone that says you don’t get a choice. Celestia gave Luna an odd look and followed when Luna led the way. They stopped outside Luna’s chambers where a group of guards minus the captain they’d been with had gathered. “You there, tell my sister why I drove out Captain Golden Bough.”

“With your Majesty's respect.” One of the men offered nervously. “The captain had orders from Princess Cadence to arrest the pony who’d violated Princess Luna’s quarters.”

“He what?” Princess Celestia said not quite sure she had heard correctly. Her brain had to take a moment to comprehend the audacity of the statement.

“Just for the record, my guest is a young flier who flew up to the top of the shield dome, and overexerted herself in the effort,” Luna informed them. She knew otherwise, but that’s what she wanted the guards to know. “Her family has been sent word that she’s here.” Luna then continued on.

“I dare say Cadence has gone entirely too far,” Celestia said in a low angry tone as she followed after Luna.

“I’ve got a mind to give her a good swift kick where she sits.” Luna offered as she entered her apartments. “I’d never penalize a filly for a mistake, and it’s just not like Cadence to do so either.”

“I’m sure it’s just stress.” Celestia offered.

Luna closed the door and led her sister to the room where Kitzu was. Kitzu had crawled out of the covers, and over to her books. She looked exhausted, the effort to get that far having worn her out.

“Kitzu, what are you doing?” Luna asked perplexed and concerned. She gathered Kitzu up with her magic and put her back in the bed. Celestia stood in her spot with jaw agape.

“I need my diary, I need to let them know I’m alright,” Kitzu explained.

“She’s an alicorn,” Celestia announced quietly.

“Yes, I figured that out,” Luna replied dryly. “She’s also my daughter from another world. - That loud crack was her teleporting in from a collapsing wormhole.” Luna couldn't help but smile seeing the bewildered look on Celestia’s face. Luna then took up the diary and flipped it to where a ribbon was marking a page. There was a line written in Kitzumi’s pen saying she was headed home early, followed by a line in Twilight’s pen warning not to use the portal followed by entreaties to answer. Another line explained that Discord was back and that he’d somehow managed to hijack the portal. He was presently in custody. More lines asking for a response followed by letters from several ponies that read like eulogies. Luna had turned pale. She quickly turned the pages till she’d found a blank page, took up Kitzu’s quill and wrote down that Princess Kitzu was safe and sound. Please reply as soon as you can.

“Muma… I mean Princess Luna?” Kitzu asked.

“You may call me Muma if that’s what’s natural to you. - A bunch of messages came in while you were stuck between.” Luna offered. “I’m just letting them know you are alive and well.”

“I’m not so sure about the well part, but don’t tell them. - Any idea how long?”

“How long have you been gone?” Luna asked looking at Kitzu. “Afraid I can’t really say. Long enough that they’ve...” Luna found she was getting choked up.

“That looks just like the book I gave Miss Shimmer,” Celestia commented.

“Do me a favor, dear sister… don’t say anything about this. Not a word to anyone. Please.” Luna implored. “This isn’t to leave this room. She’s just a young flier who overdid it.”

“Alright, but I should probably...”

“No. Tell no one anything other than she’s a young flier who overexerted herself.” Luna cautioned strongly.

“What should I say to Cadence?”

“The only thing Cadence needs is to be reminded of her place.” Luna cautioned. “I’ll tell her what she needs to know if and when I feel it’s appropriate.”

“Oh don’t tell me Twilight got to you?” Celestia protested.

“She apparently ordered the guards to arrest a young filly who doesn’t even have the strength to get out of bed. - Granted she couldn't have known who had crash-landed on my balcony, but still...” Not unless one of the pegasus guards had reported back to Cadence instead of their chain of command.

“I will definitely have to talk to Cadence about that.” Celestia offered. “If she was indeed responsible, she is way out of line.” Celestia let out a sigh. “Poor Twilight, she must feel so betrayed.”

“Book please?” Kitzu asked looking at Luna. Luna sighed, and slowly passed the diary over to Kitzu.

“You sure you wouldn't rather read one of your textbooks?” Luna asked.

“I’ve already memorized them. I only had them to follow along in the classes I was to be in.” Kitzu offered while taking the diary.

“She’s so much like Twilight.” Celestia offered. “Night Light turning out to be your son. I can’t help but wonder how I missed a male alicorn right under my nose.”

“Being reunited with him was all it took to dispel Nightmare Moon,” Luna said.

“Night Light Sparkle is Nachtlicht!?” Kitzu asked astonished. She couldn't help but wonder about her grandfather, but he didn’t have wings. If he had they were well hidden.

“Yes, dear,” Luna offered. “Twilight was born a pegasus. The horn started coming in when she was around four. - What about your Twilight?”

“Born a Unicorn,” Kitzu replied. “She used a transformation spell to get her wings. - I was born a pegasus.”

“I see,” Celestia said.

“She fixed the spell.” Kitzu offered. “I understand that in its original form it switched destinies.”

“I suppose one could say that,” Luna said quietly.

“I sure hope things get back to normal soon. - Miss Kitzu, will you...”

“Be staying long? Doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere for the time being.” Kitzu offered. “Whether or not I make it to the wedding is going to be kind of up in the air for now.”

“Are you going to need anything?” Luna asked.

“Is there a Miss Raspberry Pudding on staff?” Kitzumi asked.

“Not sure if there is or not,” Celestia replied.

“Well if there is, can you let her know there is a Kitzumi hime sama asking for her? - Mine was sort of a nanny to me.”

“She might just be a little filly herself at this point.” Luna offered.

“She might,” Kitzu replied taking up the diary in her hooves. “Or she might not.”

“Alright,” Luna replied. “Now, I think I’d like to have it out with Cadence. Time her attitude was put in check.”

“Think I better go with you.” Celestia offered, and the two left Kitzu alone with her diary.

Kitzu lay there wondering how things were going to turn out. Thought about reading the diary, but found she was just too worn out and settled down to sleep.

Kitzu woke up sometime later feeling a bit better. Well enough that she decided to have a look at the diary. She wasn’t sure if she even wanted to look, and sure enough, the first few lines following her last entry made her heart drop. Now she understood why some pony had been calling for her. If only she’d hesitated a moment longer. Ambassador Silvermane had indeed been right, but this had been a situation where ignoring the warning would have been better. Had she finished up the day, she’d still be in that world where Twilight was still a filly. Still safe. Still in contact with the ponies she knew. Right now she wasn’t feeling too safe, and she was helpless to do anything. Was she facing the Changeling invasion? Only time would tell. She just hoped everything would turn out the way they had in her own history.

Kitzu flipped back to the last entry. There’d been no reply. Kitzu then managed to drag the pen over to where she could get a hold of it with a hoof. Hi from Kitzumi, Kitzu wrote. She was having trouble making the pen stick fast, and her hoofpenship looked like a five-year-old’s scrawl. She then went back to read through the panicked entries followed by the letters telling her what a wonderful, brave, loving, helpful, adventurous, and on and so forth pony she had been and how much she was missed.

“Bucking Discord,” Kitzumi muttered marking the page she was at and putting the book down. She’d just read up to where Twilight had her filly and named her after Kitzu being she was identical. Twilight had sworn she would not let history repeat itself.

“Um, excuse me, miss...” said a gray pony in a maid’s outfit entering the bedroom. Kitzu looked them over and wondered if her magnetic sensing had gone off too. Kitzu’s head tilted one way, and then the other. Ever since her experience of having to go without sight for a week, Kitzu had been able to see the auras of living things quite well. It was annoying at first, but she soon became accustomed to it. She’d learned how to tune it out as well. This pony’s aura wasn’t tuning out. It was all mottled, and jumbled not matching the pony it belonged to.

“What?” Kitzu asked in a very terse tone straitening herself. Thanks to finding out what Discord had done, his irresponsible behavior being responsible for Kitzumi’s present circumstances, Kitzumi was feeling no love. She wondered if this odd pony might be a changeling. Kitzu’s hoof went to her lantern pendant but stopped. Supposing she could expose this pony for a changeling, what then? Kitzu was completely helpless… no not completely, Kitzu still had her wits. It was time to live up to the fox’s reputation.

“Whatever it is you want, you’ll not find it here.” Kitzu scolded.

“I um… I was told I’d find a loving little filly here?”

“Sorry, fresh out of love. Out of magic, out of love, and out of patience. Now unless you are here to help me get to the toilet go away or I’ll be forced to taunt you.”

“Taunt me?”

“Yes,” Kitzumi replied returning an impersonation of Discord’s best leer. “Love? Did you think love grew on trees? You pathetic excuse for a pony.”

“But I thought ponies were full of love?” The grey mare asked sounding confused, and even slightly alarmed.

“Ha! Someone told you wrong. Ponies are backbiting, tail pulling little shit pot hay burners who don’t care about anything but themselves. What little love there is, is only on the surface. Why if a changeling horde were to come to Canterlot, once they feed off the superficial love, they’d soon find they’d nothing left, and would face starvation. Starvation I tell you. Love is a rare and precious thing that requires nurturing, and you’ll find little nurturing around here. - Why are you still here? - Git!”

The changeling looked at Kitzu with a stunned expression, backed out, and ran off.

“You planning on treating me to that same vitriol? - Well, young filly?” Kitzu knew that voice to belong to Miss Raspberry Pudding.

“That depends, come here,” Kitzu called. She guarded her emotions.

“Well?” Miss Pudding asked entering the room. She was presently dressed in a guard uniform. Kitzu looked her over, let out a sigh of relief, and smiled.

“Did you happen to get a good look at her aura?” Kitzu allowed a wave of relief to overtake her. “It was all wonky.”

“It was kind of off, now that… I’ve noticed that with a number of ponies… you’re not saying?”

“Changelings. Twilight and Luna have already been alerted. - And I just hit upon a way to drive them off without having to do a thing. - But first… I kind of need to pee. Could you help me out? Please?

“But I?” Miss Pudding protested.

“You’ll have to spread the word one pony at a time, and I need your assistance right now.”

“You can’t do it yourself?”

“At the moment no. - I can barely lift a pen for Aiko Sama’s sake.”

“But I’m not good with foals?”

“You’re good with alicorn fox kits. - Now help me out of this bed, and to the little fillies room. - Please?”

“I swear, the fate of Equestria may hang in the balance, and I have to help you to the toilet?” Miss Pudding bemoaned while rolling her eyes.

“Can you levitate?”

“Not really, no.” Miss Pudding offered. Kitzu sighed and crawled to the edge of the bed.

“Just take hold of my scruff so I don’t fall. Alright?”

“Aren’t you a bit old for that?”

“Maybe so, but I doubt my ability to get out of bed on my own safely.”

“Alright, fine.” Miss Pudding relented took hold of Kitzu’s scruff in her mouth and lowered her off the bed. “There, wow!” Kitzu had started to sink to the floor the moment Miss Pudding let loose.

“I got it. - I think.” Kitzu offered staggering forward on wobbly legs.

“You do not. - You’re as wobbly as a newborn. - Here.” Miss Pudding took hold of Kitzu again and carried her to the toilet, which was fortunately in a small room attached to the bedroom.

“I think I can manage from here.” Kitzu offered once they’d reached the toilet. “At least it’s a sit-down and not a squat.”

“You got it?”

“Ya. Thank you.”

“I’ll just wait out in the room.”

“Just don’t abandon me here. OK?”

“I won’t.”

✴✨✴✨✴✨✴

Elsewhere, Luna is presently baiting Princess Cadence who is doing her best to give back as good as she gets without giving herself away. Which was proving difficult owing to a number of well-pointed jabs.

“Auntie Celestia!?” Cadence turned to Celestia trying her best to look like she was terribly unhappy, but it wasn’t working.

“My dear, you’re the one who keeps rising to the bait.” Celestia offered. Even Celestia had begun to doubt Cadence owing to several nonsensical answers she’d given.

“Dear Cadence strikes me as the sort who’d put her own children at risk for her own selfishness,” Luna said. “I’m not so sure I wish to support this marriage.”

“Now isn’t that going a bit far?” Celestia countered.

“No, I don’t think so.” Called out the voice of a white stallion with black markings that made him look more fox-like than a pony. “I’m Ambassador Silvermane. I am going on record that we are strongly opposed to any marriage to that pony.” Reynard stated with firm conviction. “We are so adamant in this that if this marriage were to go forward we would consider it an act of war.”

“Wait, what, but, now hold on?!” Celestia protested. Luna walked over to him, and in a hushed voice asked if he could confirm that Cadence was a changeling. He could.

“Why’s every pony so frowny?” Pinkie asked pumping herself up. She’d come to Canterlot along with Twilight, and their other friends from Ponyville. She wasn’t happy about the present turn of events and was determined to find some way to turn things around so every pony would be happy again. “Ooo, Princess Luna is that a lantern sticking out of your breastplate collar thingy? Is it a magic lantern, is it, is it, is it? Does it project images, or maybe there’s a jinn inside? Oh, I know, maybe it’s like the comic book, is there a ring that goes with it, is there?”

“Miss Pie now is not the time!” Princess Celestia ordered.

“In brightest day, and blackest night, no evil shall escape my light!” Pinkie said in a very loud voice followed by light bursting forth from the lantern, Luna was engulfed in light, rose into the air wings extended to maintain her balance, as a wave of magic flooding out from the lantern.

“Pinkie, you are amazing!” Luna shouted. Cadence was gone, and Chrysalis now stood in her place. Around the room stood several more changelings.

“No!” Chrysalis protested, leveled her horn at Luna, and attempted to blast her with everything she had. It had no effect.

“Sorry Chrissy, your number is up!” Luna shouted as another wave of magic washed over them.

“I found Cadence, the real Cadence!” Twilight shouted rushing into the room followed by a very bedraggled Cadence. Twilight was also glowing, wings extended, her lamp having answered the first.

“To me my Children!” Chrysalis shouted only to be blasted by Luna and knocked off her hoofing by yet a third more powerful wave of magic.

✴✨✴✨✴✨✴

Back to Kitzumi. Poor Kitzu had been sitting on the toilet when the first wave of magic flooded through lighting up her pendant, and the lamp that was still on her bed, three lamps in total. Kitzu let out a squawk as she began to rise up the magic of the stone now acting independently of her own.

“Miss Kitzu!” Raspberry called rushing in. Kitzu’s wings were extended to keep herself from tipping over. “Why are you hovering over the toilet like that?”

“It wasn’t my idea!” Kitzu protested. “It’s my pendant. A wide-area spell has been activated using one of my lamps.” Kitzu not having the energy, her lamps had not yet fully answered the first. Kitzu slowly dropped back down only to pop up once again as the magic from Twilight’s lamp passed through. This time it triggered an amplified magic pulse from Kitzu’s lamp, and pendant. “Aww come on! - Can’t a filly pee in peace!”

“There’s a lamp that was on the bed that popped up into the air too.” Pudding replied with a smile. Her smile dropped about the same time as Kitzu dropped back down. The sound of ponies running out in the outer corridor could be heard.

“I’m guessing that was the – do you mind!?” Kitzu was about to explain that either Twilight or Luna had probably triggered the changeling detection spell when a pony guard rushed in.

“There are changelings in the castle!” The guard exclaimed just as the fourth wave of magic swept through. This time the lamps didn’t react.

“I’m guessing that would be Twilight was successful with her mission.” Kitzu mused.

“That sounds a bit like maybe you had some foreknowledge of what’s been going on here.” Miss Pudding mused.

“Not my world, can’t hurt my timeline. - That and the changelings were supposed to be driven out anyway. At least they were in my world.”

“I see. - You came through a portal then?”

“Not exactly.”

“Not exactly?” Pudding asked confused.

“Bucking thing collapsed while I was passing through, and this is where I ended up. If Princess Twilight and Princess Luna hadn’t have caught me I’d be a splatter mark on the pavement.”

“Sweet Aiko-sama, you’re lucky to even be alive. And do watch the vulgarities, it’s unbecoming of a princess.”

“Um, don’t you mean Sweet Celestia, or something of that sort?” Asked the guard.

“Aiko-Sama is sort of a fox pony deity,” Kitzu explained.

“So you have an Aiko-Sama in your world too?” Miss Pudding asked.

“Oh yes, she’s a very nice pony.”

“You’ve met...”

“My moment of peace, if I may?” Kitzu asked. “Shy bladder and all.”

“Oh, right, right. Sorry about that.” Miss Pudding offered, turned, and herded the guard out as she went. “Call when you need me.”

✴✨✴✨✴✨✴

When Princess Luna returned sometime later, Kitzu was back in bed, and asleep again. “Princess.” Miss Pudding said getting up from the chair she’d been in.

“Relax.” Luna offered. “You are Miss Pudding I gather?”

“Yes, mam. I gather she knows my counterpart from where she’s from. - She’s comfortable with me despite my knowing nothing about kits.”

“Just out of curiosity, how old are you?”

“One hundred eighty-three.”

Luna stopped in her tracks to look Miss Pudding in the eyes.

“I was working in Household Staff, night shift, and transferred into the guard force when I’d the opportunity.”

“You’re…?”

“One hundred eighty-three. - I, um, lied on my application, no pony would believe me when I told them my age, so I made up an age they could believe. - Staffing thinks I’m twenty-nine.”

“A hundred and eighty-three?”

“Life expectancy for a fox pony is a thousand,” Kitzu announced opening her eyes. “Miss Pudding is practically a teenager. - I knew there was a possibility she’d be here.”

“Thousand?” Luna repeated.

“She’s not wrong.” Mrs Pudding offered.

“I see,” Luna said, and continued over to Kitzu’s side. “So how are we doing?”

“Hungry,” Kitzu replied.

“She succeeded in chasing away a changeling.” Pudding offered. “Convinced them there was no love to be found here.”

“You don’t say,” Luna said with a smile.

“And then wore myself out trying to use the toilet.”

“With my help. She’s terribly wobbly yet.” Miss Pudding offered as a group of ponies gathered out in the corridor. “I had some broth for you out on a cart, and a few other things. Probably cold now.”

“Is she awake?” Twilight asked entering. “Up for some visitors?”

“Muma.” Night Light said from the door. He looked as though he’d been through quite a bit. “Afraid I’d been waylaid. - Sorry I wasn’t more on the ball. - So who’s our guest?” Luna went over to him and gave him a hug.

“From the moment I realized something was wrong, I worried about you.” Luna offered.

“Can I meet her?” Asked a rather bedraggled Cadence. Shining Armor was by her side.

“I’d like to meet her too.” Ambassador Silvermane offered. “I mean, she is supposed to be my relative.”

“Ambassador, you go ahead.” Luna offered, exiting the room. “Let's keep it to no more than a couple at a time till she’s back on her feet.”

Reynard slowly entered the room and went over to Kitzu’s side. “So you are the mysterious Silvermane that shouldn't even exist?”

“Ya. - I’m an off worlder. - Got here by pure dumb luck.”

“She says she was passing through a portal when it collapsed.” Miss Pudding offered. She then went out to where she’d left the food cart to check on what she’d brought. When she’d been told Kitzumi Hime Sama, she had guessed that meant someone from the fox community, likely connected to one of the old families, and had prepared appropriately according to the sort of things a young fox pony on the mend might want to eat.

“You don’t say,” Reynard replied reaching out and caressing Kitzu’s mane. “Miss Kitzu, you remind me of my little filly.”

“So how is Nova?” Kitzu asked. “I’m assuming big sis is doing better than me at the moment? - It’s a time difference between worlds.”

“Kitzu?” Twilight asked looking at her. “Big Sis?”

“Ooo, I should be careful what I say, shouldn't I?” Kitzu teased with a wink. Twilight blushed, and Reynard laughed the moment he figured it out.

“What’d I just miss?” Luna asked poking her head in.

“It seems the Ambassador is our world’s counterpart for Miss Kitzu’s father.” Miss Pudding offered as she brought the cart in. Her keen ears hadn’t missed a thing. “If I’m not mistaken.”

“Oh really?” Luna asked as Cadence cautiously entered the room.

“Miss Kitzu...” Cadence began. “I really wanted to thank you. If you hadn’t shown up, I doubt any pony would have believed Twilight, and I’d still be down in that cave with the others.”

“I just wish I could have done more.” Kitzumi offered.

“You did plenty just by showing up.” Luna offered. “Your presence represented an unknown element that Chrysalis hadn’t accounted for, and it caused her to start making mistakes that were too blatant to ignore. And those lamps of yours made it possible to make short work of them.”

“Well for what it’s worth, I’m withdrawing my objection to the marriage. - Shining Armor to Cadence that is.” Twilight offered.

“About that… It wasn’t even me who proposed the whole idea of marriage. It was Chrysalis putting the whammy on Shining,” Cadence admitted. “I’m not sure I’m even ready for it.”

“He loves you.” Kitzu offered. “A great deal. It’s what made him such a juicy target. - You love him too don’t you?”

“Well don’t you?” Twilight asked with her head slightly tilted.

“If it’ll help, I’ll propose all over again.” Shining suggested followed by kneeling down. “Will you be my special some pony, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?”

“Let's not forget that the hall is already ready, and the public is expecting a wedding.” Luna prompted. “No pressure though.”

“Oh, no pressure at all.” Kitzu echoed as Pudding brought the cart over to the bed.

“I’ve heated up the broth. Let's see about getting you propped up.” Miss Pudding offered. She and Reynard propped her up on some pillows, and then he took over spoon-feeding her the broth as Kitzu was as yet unable to hang onto a spoon.

“Say, what say we take this out into the corridor so Miss Kitzu can eat in peace?” Twilight suggested, and proceeded to herd Cadence, and Shining Armor out the door.

“I hope she says yes,” Kitzu said watching them go.

“Broth?” Reynard prompted. Kitzu opened her mouth and looked at him to let him know she was ready. “Something tells me you’ve done this before.”

“Food please?”

✴✨✴✨✴✨✴

The next day saw Kitzu in a wheelchair being escorted by Miss Pudding. The two were headed for the dining hall for a luncheon, and Kitzu had her hair up in a bun to hide her horn and wore a pretty pink dress. Kitzu was wheeled in after the majority of the guests had seated so that she could go from the wheelchair to her chair at the table without being jostled. She was delighted that she would be able to sit next to Luna. Miss Pudding was presently dressed as a personal ladies' maid slash governess and pulled the wheelchair away once Kitzu was seated. The last to enter were the princesses and bridal party. The affair was a formal one, and as yet Kitzu was the only pony seated.

“I’d like to bid everyone here a warm welcome.” Princess Celestia announced standing by her seat. “I’m sure you are all aware of the difficulty that came up yesterday. A number of ponies have been victimized. Fortunately, the incursion was discovered and rectified. - It was this young flier here who had alerted us having managed to escape a fate worse than death. She’s still recovering and will be Princess Luna’s guest until she is well enough to go home. - Now, something you might not know about also came up, but I’m going to let Princess Cadence explain.” Celestia then sat down in her chair which was the signal for the rest to sit down. Cadence remained standing.

“Well this is going to be awkward,” Cadence announced. “You see, it was Queen Chrysalis who’d put it into Shining Armor’s head to ask me.” Cadence put a hoof on her chair to steady herself. “I’m a bit unsteady on my hooves as of yet myself. - What I’m telling you is that Shining Armor hadn’t actually proposed to me, he’d actually rather unwittingly proposed to the queen of the changelings.” She let that sink in for a moment. “Afraid I’d been waylaid, and held captive. - Not to worry though, he has rectified his oversight, and I have decided that I would be remiss to let him get away. - I’m saying yes. The wedding is on.” Her announcement was answered by applause.

Cadence took her seat, and then lunch was served.

“Here, let me help you with that.” Offered the pony sitting next to Kitzu.

“Thank you,” Kitzumi replied. She was still having difficulty hanging on to her tableware. She looked up at the white mare, an earth pony by all outward appearance. “Lady Aiko. I, um… thank you. - By any chance...” Kitzu dropped to a whisper. “Considering you weren’t sitting next to me a moment ago, any chance you’ve come from my homeworld to retrieve me?”

“Oh, so that’s what’s going on with you. - Afraid not.”

“There’s been no answer to my communications diary. I hope it’s not broken. - Some pony should have come for me by now.”

“And if they don’t what then?”

“When I’m back to full capacity, I’ll teleport home.”

“You can do that?”

“I can do that. - I’d have been home now if I hadn’t relied on a portal.”

“I see. - I gather you used up all your magic freeing yourself from a collapsed wormhole. - I suspected there was something else going on than what’s been told us.”

“Excuse me, Miss?” called a unicorn mare sitting next to Reynard Silvermane. “Young Miss… Kitzumi wasn’t it?”

“Oukitsune Kitzumi hime.” Lady Aiko offered. Kitzu smiled at Lady Aiko, and then looked across the table.

“I thought you were a Silvermane? - My mistake. - I thought you’d over-exerted yourself flying?”

“That was after she escaped.” Luna offered, hoping that would be the end of it. Luna raised an eyebrow on realizing that the earth pony next to Kitzu hadn’t been the pony who’d sat there when every pony sat down.

“This is Lady Aiko,” Kitzu informed Luna. “Lady Aiko, Princess Luna is my benefactor. I owe her a great deal. And um, Lady…?” Kitzu had no clue who the mare was who was so curious about her.

“Merope Pleides, my wife.” Reynard offered.

“Oh, Nova’s mother,” Kitzu said delightedly. “How is Nova?”

“With a foal sitter.” Mrs Silvermane offered. “How do you know my daughter?”

“I.. um, my second name is Nova, and I usually use the Silvermane name,” Kitzu explained. “Sometimes ponies mistake me for her.” This mare was being a bit combative, and Kitzu was wondering if perhaps she needed a good dose of her lamps. Unfortunately, her lamps were in her room, and all she had on her was the small pendant.

“She’s considerably younger.” Mrs. Silvermane countered.

“I can’t really help that.” Kitzu offered. Reynard put a hoof on his wife’s and whispered in her ear. After that, she stopped asking questions.

Meanwhile, Miss Pudding after seeing that Kitzu was having difficulty with her cutlery, had retrieved some cutlery that had an enchantment on them that would make them a lot easier for Kitzumi to use.

“This is much better, thank you,” Kitzumi said with a smile for her.

“You alright?” Twilight asked Kitzu.

“I’m alright, just feeling like it’s going to be a while before I’m back to normal.”

✴✨✴✨✴✨✴

Later after lunch, Lady Aiko reappeared before Princess Luna. “Princess Luna, might I have a word concerning Miss Kitzumi?”

“You do seem to get around,” Luna replied just as Miss Pudding wheeled Kitzu into the room. It was a simple lounge area, back in a wing furthest from the public. An area that was generally off-limits to all but close family.

“Why are you hiding the fact that Miss Kitzu is an alicorn?”

“That was my idea.” Kitzu offered. Kitzu had a hunch that being Lady Aiko had shown a personal interest she might approach Princess Luna the first chance she could get her alone. “If ponies know, it’s only going to make things even more difficult than they are now. - Especially being I have every intention of going home just as soon as I’m able.”

“Why not come stay with me then?” Lady Aiko asked.

“Because this is my home,” Kitzu replied. “Even if it is the wrong world.”

“I see.” Lady Aiko replied.

“She’s in good hooves with us. You needn't concern yourself.” Princess Luna offered. “Also, in her homeworld my counterpart was, shall we say, a very close relative.”

“I see.” Lady Aiko replied with a smile. “Well then, I’ll leave her to your care.” And at that, she vanished. It wasn’t a normal teleport either, more like a mist blowing in the breeze.

“Well, she’s got some nerve.” Miss Pudding said under her breath.

“That was ‘The’ Lady Aiko. - Though I suspect that was nothing more than a projection.” Kitzu informed them. “No pop when she vanished.”

“I must say I was unaware that there were earth ponies who could do that kind of magic.” Luna offered.

“Oh, she’s no earth pony. She’s not even a pony so far as I know.” Kitzu offered. “What little I know about her would suggest she’s on par with Discord. - They are as different as night and day though.”

“Hey, squirt!” Called Rainbow Dash. Dash was followed by Twilight, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Cadence, Shining Armor, and Pinkie Pie. “Mighty gutsy of you… still though, those wings, and what are you hiding under that bun?” Rainbow reached out to muss up Kitzu’s bun only to collide with a horn. Rainbow let out a cry of pain.

“Satisfied?” Twilight asked in a scolding manner.

“What do you have hidden in there?” Rainbow asked nursing the bottom of her hoof.

“It’s a horn,” Kitzu admitted. She reached up to rub the area around her horn, the bun coming undone.

“An alicorn filly?” Applejack asked.

“And with all the prowess of a yearling,” Kitzu informed them.

“Don’t be too down on yourself, I’m sure it’s only temporary.” Luna offered.

“Look, I suspected something wasn’t quite on the up and up, but why are you keeping her being an alicorn a secret? - Ponies would want to know.”

“Because as soon as I’ve recovered I intend to go home,” Kitzu replied.

“Home? - Well, I can certainly understand that.” Rarity offered as Twilight rubbed the top of Kitzu’s head while applying a bit of magic. “Twilight, that spell you are using?”

“By any chance is there a nice quiet sunbeam I can lay in?” Kitzu asked.

“You aren’t ready for a nap already, you just got up a little while ago?” Twilight asked with a touch of concern in her tone.

“We are nocturnal ponies by nature.” Miss Pudding offered. “And I’ve no doubt breakfast wore her out, and the sunlight will help her recharge.”

“But that was lunch, silly.” Pinkie quipped.

“Afraid it’s all relative,” Twilight responded.

“Relative indeed.” Rarity said softly still wondering how that particular spell might be working. Rarity went over to Kitzu, tried the spell, and got a nasty shock. Luna raised an eyebrow on realizing Rarity knew what the spell was.

“She’s a member of the Moon family.” Luna offered, going over to Kitzu, and demonstrating she could do the spell as well.

“You can do it as well?” Rarity asked. “Isn’t that the mother’s touch spell? - I thought a pony had to be either the mother or a wet nurse to be able to use that spell? - I… I only know about it because Mother was told by the midwife to be sure and get some volunteers to nurse Sweetie Belle so there would be plenty of mares to help her if she overtaxes her magic.”

“Seems Twilight, and I are both compatible. - The doctor didn’t think much of it, so I’m assuming it’s not unheard of,” Luna replied. “I’m up all night myself.” Luna let out a big yawn. “Twilight, go ahead and show your friends from Ponyville around, I’m going to go take a nap myself. - Miss Pudding, Kitzu, I know just the spot for you two.”

Princess Luna, Miss Pudding, and Kitzu went down the hall leaving Twilight and the others to watch them go.

“Well come on.” Twilight offered. “I’ll show you around a bit, then I want to see how Cadence is doing.”

Author's Note

This one really got away from me. It was supposed to be just a short chapter. Nine thousand words.... wow.

Anyway, Kitzumi is now paying for having earned Discord's wrath. Kitzumi has found herself in a new dimension where things are a bit different then anything she expected. She has no desire to stay any longer then necessary to recover, and is eager to get back to where every pony knows her name.