The Return of the Heart

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
chapter 3

Chapter 1

In the Crystal City, the Capital city of the Crystal Empire, Grand Princess of Love Blueberry Swirl Silverlight’s troops continues to secure the city. Ward by ward, street by street, building by building they are clearing out troops still loyal to Princess Flurry Heart with the help of the crystal pony population.

With all the divisions tied-up with searching for Princess Flurry Heart’s remaining troops in the city, it has forced the Regional General to request additional reinforcements from the Equestria Royal Army to help secure important structures in the city.

Among one of those important structures in the city is the Crystal palace. Since the fall of Princess Flurry Heart’s faction, the palace has remained un-searched for additional documents from the rule of Princess Flurry Heart. The job of finding the documents and securing the Crystal Palace has fallen to a 5ft 9in striking navy blue bat pony hybrid mare with a lime green mane and tail.

She’s attired in a purple color Special Forces nano-bot combat body armor of the Grand Prince of the Moon, Somnus Silverlight’s troops. Her name is Major Adrian Nightwing, the personal guard of the Grand Prince and the commander of his elite guard company know as the Night Wings.

In a specially made small mobile command center for commanding Special Forces troops, Major Nightwing watches the live video feed from several special operation teams. Members of the Night Wings Company move from floor to floor, room by room clearing the Palace and marking rooms to search for documents later on the map. On the live video feed from team 14 who is currently clearing the dungeon of the Crystal Palace, all is going well as no Pow have been found in the dungeon.

“Huh? Commander! This cell door is locked. It is the first one we have encountered down here!”An earth pony PFC exclaims.

“Tech, see if you can pick the lock. we don’t know where the key is for it.” The commander orders as an earth pony PFC mare kneels down in front of the cell door and begins to try and pick the lock with the lockpick tools from her utility belt/holster.

~a few hours later~

“I am sorry Commander, for some reason; I am unable to pick the lock with my tools.” The PFC mare agitated as the commander gestures to the earth pony sergeant with a canvas satchel across his chest.

“Demo, set a position charge around the lock on the door and blow it with a remote control detonator.” The commander orders as the earth pony sergeant tears a small piece of plastique from a larger block inside the bag. He shapes the charge around the lock on the door before placing a detonator into the puttylike substance.

“Fire in the hole!” The earth pony sergeant calls as he squeezes the trigger of a hand-held wireless electrical ignition.

A moment later, there’s a sudden boom that echoes through the stone corridors of the dungeon and fills with smoke. As the smoke slowly clears, two earth pony stallions kick open the damage cell door and shine their helmet light around the darken 10x10 room.

“Sweet Celestia!” the earth pony corporal exclaims as his helmet light falls upon a beautiful unconscious, light pink colored unicorn mare with a moderate violet, moderate rose and pale gold streaked mane and tail. She looks to be a curvy 5ft 9in in height attired in a shapeless dress that hit her at the top of her knees. Her slender and silky light pink feet were bare but tied to the legs of the chair.

“Medic! We found a prisoner! It looks like the mare was a guest of the Black Opal Internal Security Unit!” The earth pony corporal yells as a unicorn mare runs into the room carrying her medical kit with her. She quickly draws her vibro-knife from her scabbard on her utility belt and begins cutting the ropes holding the mare to the chair.

With the last of the ropes cut, her body just tumbles over to the floor. The unicorn mare catches the other mare in her arms and reels in astonishment as she felt feathery wings resting against her back.

“Commander! This mare is not a unicorn! She an Alicorn!” The unicorn medic calls as the commander runs into the room as the unicorn medic lays the alicorn mare gently on the floor of the room to begin working on her.

“Are you sure, Medic, that this mare is a true Alicorn and not a modified pony?” The commander questioning as the unicorn medic slowly and carefully rolls the alicorn mare on to her stomach.

She carefully extends one of the Alicorn’s lavender feathery wings from her back and asks the corporal to hold on to it as best he can. She warns him that an Alicorn wing is more robust than that of a pegasi wing. Since she is unconscious, the wing will try to pull itself against her back to protect it from being broken. The unicorn medic deactivates her nano-bot armor and pulls her glove off.

She runs her finger around the point where the wing attaches to the shoulder feeling for the scars of being a modified pony. None are found. She runs her finger along the base of the unicorn horn feeling once again for the scars and, once again finds nothing.

“It’s safe to say, commander, this mare is an Alicorn, no doubt in my mind.” The unicorn Medic proclaims as the commander quickly relays the findings to Major Nightwing who quickly makes her way to the dungeon.

Once down in the dungeon, Major Nightwing draws her own vibro-knife and cuts a hole in the skirt of the dress over the thigh of the Alicorn mare. Her eyes blink with incredulity. On the thigh of the mare was a multifaceted light blue crystal heart between gold laces. Not since she was a younger Lunar Guard Captain has she seen that cutie mark before.

To make sure it’s a real cutie mark she tries to scratch it off with her nail and when it didn’t work, she was shocked.

“This Alicorn is Princess Cadence Sparkle, the mother of Princess Flurry Heart Sparkle. But she disappeared at the same time Princess Celestia and Princess Luna Silverlight did!” Adrian exclaims, as team 14 gasps, all at the same time, in shock with the finding of the missing Princess Cadence.

“If this is the missing Princess Cadence and the mother of Princess Flurry Heart, how did she end up down here in the dungeon in the hands of the Black Opal Internal Security Units?” The commander poses the question to Major Nightwing as Adrian thought for a little while.

At the same time the unicorn medic set to work stabilizing the princess so she can be Medevac from the Crystal City to the Palace hospital in Canterlot for critical medical care.

“Here’s a crazy thought, Commander, what if like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna she suddenly reappeared in this timeline. To her, nothing changed except for her form of a two legged pony, as far as she knows, as she’s trying to make sense of what’s going on around her. she ran into the Black Opal Internal Security Unit from what the Crystal pony’s told me. The main job of the Black Opal is to enforce the will of Princess Flurry Heart and independently interrogate a prisoner for information.” Adrian explains as the commander realized what the Major was implying.

“If we follow that line of thought, Major, since the Black Opal is an independent interrogation unit.(eyes widen with alarm). By Celestia’s light, they used every single Interrogation technique on her to make her talk. it was, most likely, the most horrible experience the Princess of Love could have. Plus Princess Flurry Heart would have never known her mother reappeared.” The commander exclaims as two earth pony paramedics rush in and gently lay Princess Cadence in a patient transport basket to carry her to the waiting Medivac helicopter outside the Palace.

Its a few hours later as a comatose Princess Cadence lies in a bed with an oxygen mask over her snout at the Palace hospital in Canterlot. Supervising her medical care was Grand Princess of Love, Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. Since the arrival of the unconscious Princess Cadence from the Crystal Empire to the hospital, Blueberry has felt torn between her loyalties to her mentor and the detest of Cadence’s daughter Princess Flurry Heart for killing that innocent Crystal maid to force her to give-up the Throne of Love.

Watching from the observation room above the private hospital room was Blueberry’s niece Princess Alysia. Also with her was Blueberry’s mother and Alysia’s grandmother Princess Celestia Silverlight.

Celestia heard that her granddaughter was heading over to the palace hospital to see her missing cousin Princess Cadence and decided to join her for the visit. When Celestia asked her Granddaughter if she wanted some company for the visit with her cousin, Alysia immediately said, 'yes' to her grandmother’s offer.

The two ponies were walking through the Canterlot city park, a short cut from the Royal Palace to the Palace hospital. Alysia told her Grandmother she was a bit scared to see her cousin alone because she has never seen her cousin before.

But now with her grandmother at her side, she feels a bit more secure about it. As a torn Blueberry clasps and unclasps her hands she turns and leaves the private hospital room to begin her rounds. She must put her personal feeling aside as she still a Doctor. With the private room now vacant, both Celestia and Alysia climb down the stairs from the observation room into the room.

Alysia’s breathe catches in her throat as she looks upon the tall, curvy and beautiful new Alicorn mare that lies unconscious before her. She looks mystified at this new member of her royal family. She reaches her trembling hand out to grasp the hand of Princess Cadence but stops short. A moment later, her grandmother places her hand on top of hers and gently moves it the rest of the way towards Cadence’s hand. Celestia places her granddaughter’s hand into Cadence’s hand and closes her fingers.

“Go ahead grandchild, introduce yourself to your cousin, don’t worry I’ll remain at your side, Granddaughter.” Celestia said supportively.

“Greetings cousin, my name is Princess Alysia Ara Silverlight. I am the daughter of the Grand Prince of the Moon Somnus Silverlight and Granddaughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight, Great-niece to Princess Luna Silverlight. I am eager to speak to you cousin. But till then, heal your body and mind first.” Alysia explains as she joins her grandmother as the two ponies leave the hospital room to head home.

Later that same day at the hidden lake in the palace gardens, Celestia sits on the edge of the lake with her barefeet, once again, submerged in the water. All the time she spend with her granddaughter has taught her that the Sea pony siren side of her son’s family will talk more freely when they are swimming in the water. At the hospital, Celestia sensed something was troubling her granddaughter.

On the return to the palace, Celestia invited Alysia to join her at the lake. After a few playful assaults on the fairly large ticklish soles of her grandmother’s submerge feet, Alysia surfaces and sits on a small rock in the lake. Celestia hoped her granddaughter is ready to talk to her.

“Grandma? Why was Aunt Blueberry so torn when she was looking at our cousin?” Alysia inquired innocently as the question caught Celestia by surprise.

‘Does my Granddaughter not know who Blueberry’s teacher was?’ Celestia thought looking at her granddaughter quizzically wondering just how much her foal told Alysia about her family,

“Grandchild? Do you not know who my foal’s teachers were?” Celestia inquired as Alysia shook her head slightly in response to her grandmother’s question.

“All right, Who was the teacher for your Aunt Aurora?” Celestia inquired as Alysia’s faces brightened.

“Aunt Aurora’s teacher was you, Grandmother, Princess Celestia Silverlight.” Alysia answered

“Correct, Granddaughter, now who was the teacher for your father?” Celestia asked

“Papa’s teacher was my great-auntie, Princess Luna Silverlight.” Alysia answered as Celestia claps her hands together joyfully

“Final question, Granddaughter, who was your aunt Blueberry’s teacher?” Celestia inquired

“After the start of the war. Aunt Blueberry never again mentions her teacher. so I thought she had died during the war and that was why she never spoke of her again.” Alysia explains sadly as Celestia gasps and her chest becomes heavy with grief.

“Granddaughter, your aunt Blueberry’s teacher was Princess Cadence and the mother to Princess Flurry Heart.” Celestia explains sorrowfully as Alysia’s face flushes with indignation and she dives into the lake and swims off. Her grandmother yanks her feet out of the water, quickly getting to her feet.

“ALYSIA! COME BACK GRANDDAUGHTER!” Celestia yells as the end of her granddaughter’s fin disappears under the water.

Sitting on a chair on a second floor balcony overlooking the gardens drinking apple cider was Grand Prince of the Moon Somnus Silverlight. His drinking companion for today was his Aunt Princess Luna Silverlight. It’s been a very long time since the two Alicorns of the night sat down to have a drink and talk together since she disappeared years ago.

“So Auntie what are you thinking about?” Somnus inquired as he refreshes her drink with the pitcher of apple cider that sat on the table next to them.

“Nephew, did you hear that Princess Cadence was found in the Crystal Empire’s dungeon unconscious?” Luna asked as she took a sip of the apple cider from her cup.

“That is very regretful Auntie, She’s the one pony I wished had never returned.” Somnus said off the cuff as Luna looked at her nephew piercingly with his comment.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that comment, nephew.” Luna said sourly as she waited for her nephew to explain himself.

“As bad as it sounds Auntie, it’s the truth. I wish Cadence never reappeared for the sake of Blueberry.” Somnus explains as Luna just looks at Somnus with a withering stare.

“Since Flurry Heart betrayed Blueberry by killing that Crystal maid. My little sister has not been herself, What made her a great Princess of Love was her heart. Then it was snuffed out the moment Flurry heart betrayed her and took the Throne of Love. Now with the return of the original Princess of Love to Equestria that wound in her heart has slowly started to reopen. As much as she doesn’t want to blame Princess Cadence for what happened In her heart she does.” Somnus explains as Luna begins to start feeling sorry from thinking her nephew wanted more power in Equestria.

“I am sorry nephew, for thinking you wanted more power in Equestria, that’s why you said you wish Princess Cadence never returned.” Luna said apologetic and a bit embarrassed.

“Now Auntie! The very first lessons you taught me was the lust for power leads to a dark place, once you enter that place there’s no way to escape and the deeper you go, the more power you want. That is not the way of the Night or the will of Mother Moon. we, the children of the night are to show that the night is not an evil place. it’s a place to rest and dream of a brighter future. That’s what it means to be the ruler of the night.” Somnus explains as Luna’s eyes mist over with joy.

“And to think I thought you were a hardheaded and stubborn stallion, my little Somnus.” Luna said teasing as she spread her wings and took to the sky.

“Stubborn!” Somnus exclaims as he spreads his wings and takes to the sky after his aunt.

In the skies over Canterlot, the two Alicorns continues their airborne game as Somnus tries to catch his Aunt Luna to get her to apologize for calling him a stubborn stallion and to enjoy the flight with her in the sky. A few minutes into the game, Luna loses sight of her nephew who flew into the sun, to cover his approach. Blinded by the sun, Luna doesn’t realize that Somnus is already behind her.

“Got you, Auntie! Now is the Princess of Night going to apologize for calling me stubborn?” Somnus inquires as he wraps his arms around his aunt’s waist to keep her from escaping.

“Tee-hee alright, you, win, Somnus, and I am sorry for calling you stubborn. Shall we land, nephew, and talk for a little longer, before we head home?” Luna suggest as she points toward a flat top roof on a nearby building. Somnus let his aunt go and she flies straight for the roof. She followed closely by Somnus.

“I thought about what you said, Somnus, about Blueberry. so the reappearing of Princess Cadence just brought back very painful memories for my young niece ,what I thought would be a joyful reunion celebration. has turned into reliving the betrayal of Cadence’s daughter against our family and the loss of the Crystal Empire.” Luna said very sorry as Somnus sat down next to her on the low wall she was sitting on. Somnus reached down and runs his finger inside his aunt’s arch which causes Luna to jump.

“Now Auntie are you not the one who told me. you cannot change what happened in the past, all you could do is hope to be forgiven. if you can’t forgive yourself for a past mistake, there’s no moving forward.” Somnus comments as he, once again, takes to the sky followed by Luna.

Chapter 2

It’s a few weeks later, Princess Cadence had regained consciousness after being interrogated by the Black Opal internal Security unit. For several days they used every single interrogation technique at their disposal to get her to tell the truth. Listening to her horrendous version of events was Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Both are very relieved that they awoke in the friendly but jittery Royal Palace in Canterlot when they returned after disappearing.

Standing outside in the hallway trying to sort out her feelings about Princess Cadence was Princess Alysia. She was told by her grandmother that Princess Cadence was the mother to villainess Alicorn Princess Flurry Heart. Alysia’s willingness to welcome this new Alicorn mare to her family with open arms was severely shaken. Now Alysia searches her muddled emotions for the answers she seeks.

But Princess Alysia is not alone. Standing in her office, at the palace hospital, looking through a large bay window, towards the tall stone turrets of the Canterlot city prison was Grand Princess of Love Blueberry Swirl Silverlight.

“Damn you, Cadence! Why did you return now? It was hard enough to relive the death of that Crystal pony maid over and over that your daughter murdered to force me to renounce the Throne of Love and my title of the Princess of Love.” Blueberry said bitterly driving her fist into the wall of her office leaving a dent.

“Our civil war went on for five long years, before the combined forces join the war, thousand of my loyal troops died because of your daughter’s stubbornness to think only a natural born Alicorn shall rule. A hybrid like me was unworthy to be thought of as a Princess of anything even though my mother was the Princess of the Sun, she looked down on me because I was a normal looking unicorn Mare!” Blueberry said venomously as tears began to fall from her cobalt blue eyes that soaked the floor in front of her.

“With my troops declining in numbers. I was forced to involve my whole family in this Civil War, even after the tortuous Talon War my family pledged to help me regain the throne.” Blueberry said distressed looking at the family photo hanging on the wall of her office along with a photo of her mother and aunt.

~back in Princess Cadence’s hospital room~

Princess Cadence watches as her Aunt Princess Celestia, passes her hand a few times over a device she’s wearing on her forearm. A moment later, she stops and begins to press holographic buttons in front of her with her fingers in a recognizable pattern known to her. A ringing sound comes from outside in the hallway as a surprised look appears on Celestia’s face followed by giggles.

A moment later, very lovely looking lavender colored teenage unicorn mare enters the room wearing a dark plum short sleeve wrap dress and short white gladiator sandals. Celestia stands up and walks over to the mare. Celestia hugs the mare and the two ponies talk to each other for sometime as Cadence turns toward her other Aunt Princess Luna to ask her a question.

“Auntie, who is that mare that Celestia just hugged?” Cadence inquired as Luna chuckled while reading something on her MCV.

“Her name is Alysia and that is all I am going to tell you niece.” Luna answers mysteriously as she goes back to reading.

Soon Celestia is standing beside Cadence’s bed with the teenage unicorn mare standing beside her.

“Cadence dear, I would like to introduce you to Princess Alysia Ara Silverlight, this unicorn mare is my granddaughter.” Celestia said proudly as Cadence’s jaw drops.

“Your Granddaughter!” Cadence exclaimed as she looks over to Luna who had a smile on her face.

“So she’s your great-niece, Auntie?” Cadence comments as Luna shook her head.

As Cadence was about to put her hand out to shake Alysia’s hand, she shoved pass Celestia and ran off. Cadence looked at Luna and Celestia, who like her, was baffled with how Alysia was acting. Soon Luna’s face soften as she might have figure out why Alysia ran off and didn’t want to shake Cadence’s hand.

‘You were most likely hurt in that same Crystal War my dear great-niece, so that’s why you couldn’t bring yourself to shake the hand of the mother of Princess Flurry Heart this Crystal War has hurt so many members of mine and Celestia’s royal family.’ Luna thought as she sighs softly deactivating the link to Canterlot’s matrix on her MCV. She turns towards her sister Celestia.

“Sister, you should go talk to her, if you do, forget everything you might think of Alysia’s behavior. there’s a few things you don’t know about what happened in this time. I know some things because Somnus told me about them.” Luna explains as Celestia leaves the room to find her Granddaughter.

For the next few hours, Celestia searches the grounds of the palace hospital looking for her granddaughter. When she was about to give-up, she spotted Alysia sitting on a bench in a small courtyard at the center of the hospital. The moment Celestia set foot in the courtyard, Alysia spotted her and makes a dash to the exit. Not wanting her granddaughter to get away, Celestia takes to the air and lands to block the exit. Celestia braces herself as best she can. The collision sends the two ponies flipping head over heels backward till they finally come to a rest.

“Ow!” Celestia groans as the front of her wing hits a steel pole holding up the bench leaving her quite a bruise.

“Grandma!” Alysia shrieks as she checks her grandmother’s wing to make sure she didn’t break it.

“Alysia, I’ll be fine, I just bruise it, It’s not broken, dear.” Celestia said reassuring as she folded her bruise wing onto her back. She slowly stands up and helps her granddaughter to her feet, before walking with her to a bench.

“I am not angry at you, Alysia, Just very confused. Before I told you that Cadence was the mother of Princess Flurry Heart, you wanted to meet her. but now you seemed to have lost the drive to meet your cousin. Please explain to me why the change. I just wanted to understand why.” Celestia said reassuring and sounding motherly as Alysia shook her head.

“Early on, when the combined forces joined the Crystal War, my first squad was sent to an unexplored region of the Crystal Empire for a reconnaissance operation. The operation went as hoped for, no enemy contacts with the Crystal Empire forces for the whole of the operation. But during extraction, my squad comes under attack by a Zealot platoon from the Crystal Empire. During that battle, one of my squad members drugged me and loaded me on the Evac helicopter and they stayed behind to hold off the platoon to allow me to escape. I came to, a day later, and found out that my squad sacrificed themselves for me, how can I shake the hand of the mare that gave birth to that villainess.” Alysia said hotly as Celestia looked into the blue sky and sighed softly.

“Listen to me, my dear grandchild. If you died during that operation who would have been at the Royal Palace to take a leap of faith that your great aunt and I were real Alicorns. As twisted as fate can be, it happens for a reason. I believe if you were not there, this outcome would have never happened and me and your great aunt would be locked in a psychiatric hospital. So because of that, I am very happy you were there to trust your heart.” Celestia said thankful as she hugged her granddaughter.

Sometime later, Celestia and Alysia returned to Cadence’s room only to find a despondent Cadence on all fours on the ground. Her light purple eyes were filled with tears in front of a panel in the wall of her room that was hidden by a folding screen. Alysia makes her way over to the panel and looks it over a few times, before pulling a wireless access node out of a small compartment on her MCV and plugs it into the panel.

“What is it, Alysia?” Celestia inquiry as Luna returns carrying two glasses of water.

“Sister what is going on?” Luna inquiries as she finally noticed Cadence on the ground on all fours crying her eyes out.

“I am hoping that Alysia can explain it to me, when she gets done.” Celestia comments as Alysia finishes downloading the history from the panel and pulls the wireless access node.

“Ok Grandma and Great Auntie (pointing at the panel in the wall) a lot of these old structures in Canterlot still have these old public access points to gain access to the Canterlot Matrix and many are turned off. But in this case, somehow, Cadence was able to access the Canterlot Matrix. From the history on the panel, she found a news story that says the ex-princess of the Crystal Empire, Flurry Heart, is now sitting in Canterlot city prison awaiting trial for war crimes against Equestria.” Alysia explains as Cadence leaps to her feet and grabs Alysia by the collar of her dress with both her hands.

“You are lying! my daughter would never do something like that to Equestria!. What is your game your highness!” Cadence said defensively as Alysia brought her arms up between Cadence’s arms and swung them out breaking the hold on her as she pulls her punch knocking Cadence to the ground.

“I don’t care if you are my cousin! I will not allow anyone to call me a liar! I am the daughter of Grand Prince of the Moon Somnus Silverlight! the most honest and noble ruler of the Night! .you have no right to say that!” Alysia said gruffly as Celestia stood shocked from the display of Alysia. Luna was not surprised that Alysia knew how to fight.

Later that same day at the palace, Alysia was sitting on a chair in the sitting room, adjacent to the throne room. Standing at the window, with her arms crossed, looking outside, wearing an emerald green ¾ length sleeve fit and flare dress with gold heeled sandals and her Princess’s regalia was Alysia’s Aunt, Grand Princess of the Sun Aurora Silverlight. Her wings fold and unfold on her back as she sighs a few times. Sitting on a sofa beside Alysia, wearing a light maize dress shirt and khaki flat-front pants with black dress boots and his royal regalia was Alysia’s father, Grand Prince of the Moon Somnus Silverlight.

“Alysia, when your father interrupted my royal court to ask me to see you, I was upset with him. but what you had to tell me was more immediate, so please forgive this aunt.” Aurora said sincerely as she walks slowly over and sits down on a sofa on the other side of Alysia before crossing her legs and resting her hands over her snout.

“So our cousin Cadence discovers that her daughter Princess Flurry Heart was in jail for war crimes against Equestria. this is very regretful but we knew we could not keep it a secret for too long is that right brother?” Aurora comments looking over her hands at her brother on the sofa across from her in the room.

“That’s very true sister, the plan was to ease Cadence slowly until she was comfortable. we were going to tell her about her daughter. as her trial was not scheduled to begin until the trials of the rest of her officers concluded. Her trial would be the last one of this tangled history. but that plan went out the stable door when Cadence learned about her daughter.” Somnus comments as he stretches his arms out on top of the sofa and rests his head on top of it.

“So now what, Auntie?” Alysia inquiries as Aurora forgot her niece was still in the room with her and her father.

“Oh, I am sorry Alysia I completely forgot you were still here, well niece, I thank you for bringing me this news. so your job is done, why not go see if your grandmother has returned to the palace yet. I want you to spend as much time with our mother as you can, she is a very wise Alicorn and one of the best teachers to teach you about ruling all of Equestria one day.” Aurora suggested as Alysia stood up and left the room after bowing to her aunt and her father.

As Alysia disappeared through the door, Aurora reached down and unbuckled her sandals as she had no other plans with her court cut short. She drew her legs onto the sofa and sat down on top of them. As her brother sat up and rested his elbows on his lap. The two Alicorns begin to discuss how to proceed with the first plan no longer in effect for their cousin Cadence.

As the day becomes night, three bells ring in the clock tower signaling the beginning of evening court at the Canterlot Royal Palace. Taking his position on the Throne of the Moon was Grand Prince of the Moon Somnus Silverlight. Silently observing this evening session from the shadows of a column in the room was the original ruler of the Moon Princess Luna Silverlight and Somnus’ aunt.

For most of the evening court session, it proceeds unimpeded, till close to the end of the session when a commotion in the vestibule draws the attention of both Somnus and Luna. With her nephew busy with court business, Luna stands up and walks towards the vestibule to investigate the commotion for her nephew.

In the vestibule, two unicorn royal guards wearing the purple standard light combat body armor with a fin shaped helmet of Somnus’ troops argues loudly with Princess Cadence Sparkle. She is demanding an audience with the Princess; the guards have already informed her that the Princess’ court session had ended. If she wants to meet the Princess she’ll have to return in the morning. But Cadence has refused to leave till she speaks to the Princess, holding court now on a personal matter and it can’t wait till morning.

Before the argument could begin anew with the royal guards, Princess Luna Silverlight steps out of the throne room into the vestibule. She quickly calms the situation with the guards and Cadence. She asks Cadence to stay put why she speaks with the guards and learns why they were arguing with her. After hearing the reason for the fight, she dismisses the two guards and rejoins Cadence in the vestibule.

“I can’t believe those guards wouldn’t let me see you, Auntie.” Cadence said hotly as she crosses her arms in front of herself angrily.

“The truth of the matter is, Cadence. I am not the sitting ruler of the Moon and this not my court anymore. When you asked to see the Princess the guards thought you were asking for Grand Princess Aurora. It’s her court in the morning.” Luna explains as Cadence’s face glazes with shock.

“What?” Cadence exclaimed shockingly

“Th..Then who am I going to ask for permission to visit my daughter in prison? I went down to the Canterlot city prison earlier and was told by the warden that I must get special permission to visit my daughter from one of the rulers of Canterlot, because she is a high value detainee and he can’t allow even her mother to see her without permission.” Cadence explains as her light purple eyes begin to fill with tears.

“As I can’t give you the special permission to visit your daughter in the prison, Cadence. I know who can.” Luna comments as Cadence dries her tears.

“You do Auntie? Who?” Cadence inquiries as Luna shook her head.

“The current ruler of the Moon Throne.” Luna comment as Cadence gaps in stunned silence.

“But, Auntie. I don’t know the current ruler of the Moon Throne and why would that ruler want to grant the special permission to a mare like me. From what I learned on the Canterlot matrix the Princess of Love Cadence Sparkle doesn’t exist in this time. the only princess of love is Grand Princess of Love Blueberry Swirl Silverlight and my pupil has refused to see me.” Cadence dispirited as she closes her fist into a tight ball.

“What makes it so much more upsetting is that I don’t know what my daughter did to make Blueberry hate her old teacher like this. I was hoping to ask her?” Cadence’s voice wooden and distant as her chest becomes heavy with sorrow.

“I suggest Cadence you don’t ask your daughter what she did if you get the special permission from the ruler of the Moon Throne go talk to Celestia, she is the go between and ask her to set up a personal appointment with the Grand Princess Aurora and ask her what your daughter did to hurt Blueberry and don’t be surprise what the answer is going to be.” Luna explains as she reenters the throne room to see if Somnus will give his cousin Cadence the special permission to visit her daughter Flurry Heart in jail.

chapter 3

A few hours later, Luna exits the throne room, once again, carrying a rolled up parchment with the royal seal of the Moon Throne on it. She hands it to Cadence and tells her that the Moon Throne has given her the special permission she seeks to visit her daughter. There is one condition though; Luna goes on to explain that before she can see her daughter, she must get Grand Princess Aurora to sign her name to the parchment.

If she tries to go without Aurora’s signature, they will not let her into the prison and inform the Throne of the Moon that she didn’t follow the condition. This means the special permission will be revoked and she must try again to gain it from one of the main Equestrian thrones which will not be easy. Cadence takes the parchment from Luna’s hand and promises that she will fulfill the condition of the Throne of the Moon. With that, she also informs Cadence that a room has been set-up for her by the Ruler of the Moon to stay here at the Palace.

Later that same evening, a wide awake Princess Cadence walks through the moon lit hallways of the Grand Royal Palace, trying to tire herself out. Her barefeet pip plop across the tile floor. A light shines through an open door into the hallway. She looks into the room and sitting at a desk, wearing a personalized plush fleece robe, was Princess Alysia.

With all that’s been going on for the past few months, Alysia has neglected her regular royal duties and her equivalent paper work. Her aunt, Grand Princess Aurora, has informed her niece that all her reports are coming due and if she doesn’t want to anger the Throne of the Sun she better get the most important reports done by morning and brought to her before morning court. An exhausted and annoyed Princess Alysia continues to tap on her holographic computer keyboard, writing out her report for her Aunt. When out of the corner of her eye, she spots Princess Cadence walking into her private bed chamber.

“Leave me be your highness. I am too busy to be insulted by you. f I don’t finish this report, her grand highness will be angry with me.” Alysia said unfriendly trying to get Cadence to leave her alone and leave her bed chamber.

Cadence pretended not to hear Alysia’s objection and continued looking at her personal belongings spread around her bed chamber as Alysia kept one eye on her. She would intentionally touch one of Alysia’s items to get her to react to it, but she never did, until she spotted a well taken care of, but worn, leather sword belt hanging on the wall from a peg.

Inside the scabbard was an old beat-up long sword with a pear cut white diamond on the pommel. A tear comes to Cadence’s eye. The white diamond mark was the symbol for the Silverlight unicorn family and the blade belong to her late uncle Prince Justice Silverlight.

“Don’t touch it!” Alysia shouts slapping Cadence’s hand away from the handle of the sword.

“Ow! Do you know who this sword belongs to, your highness?” Cadence inquires as Alysia shakes her head.

“It belongs to my grandfather Prince Justice Silverlight, he was grandmother’s personal guard for many years, before she married him. But grandmother and grand-auntie as well as Auntie Aurora and father don’t talk about him. I have asked Auntie Blueberry about him and she knows even less about him, than I.” Alysia comments sadly as she unsheathes the sword from the scabbard and performs a few master swords level exercises with it.

“The reason your Aunt Blueberry doesn’t know too much about your grandfather is because he died soon after she was born. so she never met him when he was alive. But if you will forgive me, Alysia, for calling you a liar at the hospital. I can tell you about your grandfather. I spent a lot of time with him during the wars in Equestria after the Tree of Harmony died.” Cadence explains as Alysia agrees to forgive her for calling her a liar in exchange for learning about her Grandfather, Prince Justice.

Watching through a crack in the door was Alysia’s aunt, Grand Princess Aurora. She was coming to her niece’s bed chamber to check on her progress on the reports. She spotted her cousin, Princess Cadence walking into Alysia’s bed chamber. A smile forms on her snout as she watched the two mares talking to each other. She feels it should be fine to let her niece’s reports be late, but only this once.

The following morning, Princess Cadence paces impatiently back and forth in the small sitting room adjacent to the throne room. She is wearing a dark burgundy colored short sleeve dress with gold gladiator sandals and her Princess’s regalia. An hour before her scheduled appointment with the Grand Princess of the Sun Aurora Silverlight, an urgent matter came-up that needed the Grand Princess’ immediate attention.

Sitting on a sofa in the room, watching her cousin pace was Princess Alysia Silverlight, wearing a black, ivory colored, elbow sleeve fit and flare dress with tan women’s gladiator sandals and her princess’s regalia. She was asked by her Aunt Aurora to keep Cadence company till she finishes up the urgent matter.

“Cousin, wearing out the rug in the room willn’t speed-up the conclusion any faster. You should know about urgent matters, as you were the ruler of the Crystal Empire a long time ago.” Alysia comments offhanded as it made Cadence feel older than she really is.

“I am not that old, Alysia.” Cadence said bothered as Alysia shrugged her shoulders and watches her cousin sits down on a nearby chair.

“Besides, maybe you can answer one of my questions, Alysia?” Cadence inquires as Alysia smiles too much. She was firmly told by her aunt Aurora that she was not allowed to tell her cousin anything about her daughter’s crimes against Equestria, till she was present. If she did, she would be punished for it. Next to her own father and mother, Princess Alysia listens to her two aunts when they give her a royal order.

“Ok?” Alysia said afraid

“My question is this, Alysia, where’s my sister-in-law Princess Twilight and her Friendship assembly during the Crystal War. surely being the Princess of Friendship she got involved with trying to stop this Crystal War from happening?” Cadence asked as a relieved Alysia sighed softly as she could answer that question.

“Princess Twilight and her Friendship Assembly didn’t get involved in the Crystal War until the combined forces joined the Civil War. Five years prior to that, Princess Twilight and her Friendship Assembly were silent during the Civil War in the Crystal Empire. It has always been a sore spot for.” Alysia said cut short by someone clearing their throat behind her.

Standing in the doorway wearing a black 3/4 length sleeve faux wrap dress with gold heeled sandals and her Princess’s regalia was Grand Princess of the Sun, Aurora Silverlight. She just finished up the urgent matter she had to take care of and headed back to the sitting room for her meeting with Cadence.

“Now Alysia, did you forget what I told you about talking about our family sore spots.” Aurora disappointed as she shook her finger toward Alysia, whose ears begin to droop.

“I am sorry Auntie.” Alysia said feeling sorry as Aurora walked over to her niece and hugged her to make her feel better.

“But since you brought the subject up, Alysia, Allow me to explain what the sore spot is to Cadence.” Aurora comments as she sits down next to Alysia on the sofa and puts her arm around her.

“The sore spots Alysia was talking about was .when your daughter Flurry Heart threatened to take the Throne of Love from Grand Princess Blueberry. Princess Twilight and her Friendship Assembly didn’t lift a finger to stop it. she let it happen and the Crystal Empire was lost to our family when the Friendship Kingdom finally entered the Crystal War at one of the strategy meetings in Canterlot, I asked Princess Twilight why didn’t she try to stop it. the answer she gave me enraged me. She didn’t know.” Aurora said livid as she slams her free fist onto the table in front of her and she cracks it.

“Auntie! Calm yourself down, your angrier is getting the best of you.” Alysia said reminded as she squeezes her aunt’s hand with hers.

“As the Crystal War continued to rage in the Crystal Empire, I was able to talk to the five members of the Friendship Assembly about why they didn’t react to the threat to the Throne of Love when it first happened. Four of the members of the Friendship Assembly repeated what Princess Twilight had said. Only Miss Rarity came out and said she was sorry that the Friendship Assembly failed to help my family when they needed them the only member to take responsibility for the failure was generosity.” Alysia explains as Aurora calmed herself down and kissed her niece on the cheek to thank her for reminding her about being a member of the Silverlight unicorn family.

“I see.” Cadence said miserable and wounded upon hearing that her sister-in-law Princess Twilight didn’t lift a finger to help the family that came to her aid when she asked them.

“Please forgive this member of Princess Twilight’s family, your family aided my family so many times and we returned the help by not coming to your aid when you need it.” Cadence said very sorry as she noticed a change in both Aurora and Alysia’s mood when a member of the Sparkle family took responsibility for losing the Crystal Empire.

“But now I must ask, what war crime has my daughter committed?” Cadence inquires as both Aurora’s and Alysia’s faces were etched with sorrow.

“Murder.” Aurora said sadly as Cadence gaped in stunned silence

“To force Blueberry to renounce the Throne of Love and the title of the Princess of Love your daughter executed a crystal pony maid. she promised she would kill one crystal pony for as long as Blueberry would stay on the throne. Blueberry knew that the Crystal ponies suffered enough and renounced the throne to add insult to injure, she ordered the execution of my little sister eventhough, she renounced the throne that night a Solar Guard Rescue Team got Blueberry out of Crystal City and got her back to Canterlot alive.” Aurora said coldly disembodied as Cadence was speechless.

~a moment later~

“What about my husband, Shining Armor. .He would not allow that to happen to our ponies.” Cadence exclaimed reeling from the shock of the crime her daughter committed against Equestria.

“He disappeared mysteriously prior to me being forced to renounce the throne.” A calm mare’s voice said from behind Cadence. Standing in the doorway wearing a blue short-sleeve shift dress with brown gladiator sandals without her Princess’s regalia was Grand Princess of Love Blueberry Swirl Silverlight.

“If being forced to renounce the throne didn’t happen a moment later. I would of immediately launched a search for Prince Shining Armor. He was my strongest ally when dealing with your daughter’s ego.” Blueberry explains as she walks behind the sofa Aurora and Alysia were sitting on. She leans over the back of the sofa and kisses her niece on her cheek.

“Sister, How did you find out about this meeting with Cadence?” Aurora inquires as Blueberry walked around the sofa and sits down next to her niece and sister.

“I was messaged by auntie late last night about Somnus giving Cadence the Special permission and condition . Then I remembered that this month Alysia was assigned to your court, sister. So I sent her a message asking her to keep me up to date with the meeting. So she left her radio going and I have been listening to the meeting ever since.” Blueberry explains as Alysia shook her head.

“I see.” Aurora said not surprised that her niece was keeping her Aunt Blueberry up to date with the meeting.

“Do you think my daughter was involved in the mysterious disappearance of her father Shining Armor?” Cadence inquiries struggling to control the quavering of her voice as the idea slowly came into her mind.

“That, I can’t say, cousin, without real evidence the only thing your daughter is going to be charged with is the killing of that crystal maid and the overthrowing of the Grand Princess of Love. I would never charge your daughter with the disappearance of her father on a hunch, you know how my family works.” Blueberry explains as her eyes met Aurora’s eyes.

“I ask Somnus to send his elite guard company the Night Wings, to secure the Crystal Palace and search for any kind of documents that could tie to the disappearance of Prince Shining Armor. so far, they have turned up nothing. but the Crystal Palace is huge and very ancient even in this time.” Blueberry explains as a knowing look appears on Aurora’s face.

“So now that answers my question, Sister. Why our brother sent his elite guard company for guard duty at the Crystal Palace.” Aurora said realizing as Cadence’s body slumped over and tears fill her light purple eyes.

Several hours later, Cadence with the scroll in hand and Grand Princess Aurora’s name on it makes her way to the prison where, her daughter is being held. Once she arrives at the prison, a good looking light magenta gray with tinges of pale light grayish fuchsia 6ft 4in Alicorn mare in her early twenty’s with a gradient of light cerise to grayish violet with light arctic blue highlight mane and tail is brought out from her cell. She was wearing an orange jump suit and white slip-on shoes. This prisoner was Princess Flurry Heart Sparkle, the ex- ruler of the Crystal Empire.

“Mama!” Flurry Heart exclaims as a crafty smile forms on her face.

“Mama! Our cousins invaded the Crystal Empire and arrested me for war crimes. Equestria is trying to take over our homeland and they made father disappear when he didn’t surrender the throne to them.” Flurry Heart said pretending to be an innocent victim and fakes an innocent smile on her snout.

“Shut-up Flurry Heart! Your innocent act will not work on me. I’ve been here in Canterlot for about two weeks since being found in the dungeon of the Crystal Palace.” Cadence said, her tone of voice carried to the edge of indignation with the game her daughter is playing.

“So you talked to those half breed Alicorns already *sneer at her mother*. So there’s no need to play the innocent victim for you, mother, you are already tainted by the foul stench of the half breed Alicorns.” Flurry Heart said coldly as she rolls her eyes.

“What happened to my baby girl?” Cadence inquires feeling hurt as a dull, empty ache gnawing at Cadence’s soul.

“What happen, mother? Nothing happened I just learned how superior a natural born Alicorn is to those half breed Alicorns, they call themselves true Royalty of Equestria, only natural born Alicorn should call themselves true Royalty of Equestria.” Flurry Heart said hypocritical as she assumed a posture of superiority.

“No! Being born an Alicorn doesn’t make you true Royalty of Equestria. It’s the ruler’s heart that makes you true Royalty of Equestria.” Cadence said as her eyes mist over seeing how far her daughter has fallen makes her unworthy to bear the title of the Princess of Love.

“What a laugh, a ruler’s heart makes you true Royalty of Equestria, Weakling sentiment. Just as bad as Aunt Twilight’s view that friendship creates Harmony, Horse feathers.” Flurry Heart said flashing a superior grin as her nose wrinkles up in disgust.

“That’s the same thing father told me and that comes from a weak unicorn stallion, who could never rule without his Alicorn Princess. Dear mother.” Flurry Heart said coldly as she gestures to the guard telling him she wants to be returned to her cell as she’s done talking to her mother Cadence.