A Glimmer of Hope: Reborn

“It was an honor transporting all of you,” Celano bade the group a hearty goodbye. “Let us know if you need any help in your quest, Dash knows how to contact us.”

“Thank you again for your hospitality Captain Celano,” Celestia smiled brightly at the captain. “I’m sure we’ll be in need of your assistance again.”

Having said their farewells, the group returned to their new hosts, Cadence and Shining Armor. The pink princess seemed jovial to meet the two new human arrivals, whereas her husband had somewhat of a sour disposition to them, considering what the last human did to his sister.

“I can tell you two have a complicated history,” she sang-song while wiggling her eyebrows at the two, causing both to fluster and slightly make space between themselves.

“So you two aren’t related to Nick?” her husband interrogated the pair, looking each one up and down, as if he were inspecting one of his guards.

“Do I look like a furry to you?” Matt sharply replied, although realizing since he was attracted to all these female non humanoids around him he was indeed, a furry.

“What does that even mean?” Shining shot back, to which the human just shrugged his shoulders.

“No, we all seem to be from the same planet but very far away from each other,” Ivy chimed in for the assist. “Just like how all ponies come from different areas.”

“And why do you wear your mask? What are you hiding? Do your eyes shoot -”

“Shiny! That’s enough of mistreating our guests!” Cadence chastised him. She did let him have his fun with the male human, but asking such personal questions about the snake like one was overstepping his bounds. “I’m sorry about him, ever since Nick, things haven’t been the same.”

Matt snickered at how culled Shining was to his wife, but quickly shut up when the pink pony gave him a stink eye. The Cadance from his universe was secretly a psychopath, so he wasn’t gonna tempt this one.

“Have you located anything my niece?” Celestia added, focusing on the matters at hoof. She didn’t like having to be so direct in these dealings, but the political pressure from Canterlot was placing her into this situation.

“Yes and no auntie,” Cadance sighed, leading the group along with her own personal guard to the castle. “We have been searching since you informed us of the situation but with winter coming and all of the snow storms it’s been a hindrance. We also thought maybe the artifact would be in Canterlot, where the final battle took place. But seeing as you’re all here with Chrysalis’ horn and Nick’s gem, perhaps we’re missing something very important.”

“Well Chrysalis knew what we needed to do for the cyclops,” Rainbow Dash chimed in. “I was able to save Twilight because of that… man it’s so weird to think she’s on our side now.”

“Nick was able to get her to turn a new leaf just like Twilight did for me,” Tempest concluded. “After all it was her who saved him from being eaten.”

Twilight looked down at the ground. Not only had she caused trouble for them, but now it seemed Nick had another female in his life. What were they doing now? Was she mimicking her in order too - No. He visited them on the ship, he still cared about them even if…

She turned to Luna, who was just walking ahead, disinterested in the whole conversation. If the princess of the night was mad about all of this, Twilight was just as mad at her for acting like a foal and not communicating. She was all alone before Tempest showed up, and the two were very close. Seeing her talk about Nick proudly, maybe something else would come from all of this.

As the group entered the castle, Cadance fell back from and rounded up Twilight and Luna. “You all go ahead, there’s something I need to talk to Twilight and Luna about.”

Shining nodded, Celestia understood what it was probably about and led the rest to the dining hall to refresh and share more information. Once they were alone, Cadance looked to the two.

“It’s probably best we discuss Nick in my chambers. I’m sorry I didn’t try harder to help you two out.”

“It’s ok Cadance,” Twilight blushed a bit, not sure if she did want to talk about her thoughts on Nick currently, or what she had in mind when he came back. “I just can’t wait to see him again.”

“That may be the case, but there are still unresolved issues between the two of you,” the pink alicorn stated. “And if we’re going to go through with all of this, dealing with it when we’re in the middle of a battle isn’t the time.”

Luna, remembering her decision the night before on the airship, just nodded. “Lead the way niece.”

This surprised both the younger alicorns, not expecting the rather stubborn princess to just accept help. However, it gave them both hope for moving forward, and maybe some healing. Deciding not to push it, Cadance just smiled. “Alright you two, follow me to my chambers.”