Chapters Twilight winces at the curses thrown at her as the rainbow starts to swallow Nightmare Moon.
"I will return!" She yells one final time before she shoots a spell at Twilight.
Twilight's heart jumps as it hits her, but she relaxes when it seems to just wash over her with no affect. Twilight smiles at her friends before fatigue takes her and they all pass out.
That was three weeks ago.
Now Twilight is laying in her comfortable bed in the Golden Oaks Library. She sits up and rubs her eyes as a long yawn rips itself from her chest. She gets up and trots sluggishly into the bathroom to begin her morning routine. But as soon as she looks into her mirror, she pauses.
"What?!"
The mirror copies her surprised expression and words, but it wasn't exactly her.
This Twilight's hair is black with pink and violet streaking in multiple places. The Twilight in the mirror has eyes a deep red with slightly slitted irises. Her fur is dark lavender covering tight muscles from an athletic build. Twilight opens her mouth and so does mirror Twilight, flashing sharp fangs.
"Must be one of Rarity's rare pranks." Twilight sighs tiredly and hops into her shower.
After her shower she brushes her hair and teeth before heading down stairs, the sound of her cloven hooves alerting Spike to her presence.
"Morning Ma." Spike says, handing a cup of coffee behind his back as he continues to cook breakfast.
Twilight smiles fondly and takes a seat at the table on one of the many stools. "Good Morning Spike."
"Can you set up the table, food will be done in a moment," Spike asks, flipping over the last pancake.
Twilight twitches her fingers and the plates and silverware appear on the table. "Done!"
"That was lazy," Spike says, turning the stove off.
"I haven't gotten enough sleep this past week and I'm tired," She whines, taking a sip of her coffee. "Oh, this is the best one you've ever made!" Twilight then takes a longer sip and hums in pleasure and contentment.
"Glad you think so. This time I tried mixing it with so- Holy Hobgoblin!" Spike exclaims. "What happened to you!?"
"What? Do I have bags under my eyes? Does it look bad?" Twilight asks worriedly, rubbing under her eyes.
"You look... different." He fills the plates before going around the table to stand beside his Mom, reaching his arms up.
"How," Twilight asks, leaning down so he can reach her face.
"Your eyes are red for one, and they're kind of slitted. Your fur and mane are darker, and there's more pink and purple streaks. It's also longer and curly. I like that part." He pries her muzzle open to look in. "Are you wearing fake fangs? You do know it's not Nightmare Night yet, right?"
Twilight finally puts the pieces together. "They seriously vandalized my face?! I'm going to kill them!" Twilight snatches a piece of hay bacon off her plate before storming out the door, yelling, "Rainbow, Rarity! You're dead!"
Spike scurries after his Mom, "Rarity too? She rarely does this. Please cut her some slack." Spike begs, pouting up at her.
Twilight stops to look into his adorable emerald green eyes and sighs. She brings her hand to her chest and breaths in before pushing her hand out with the breath. "Fine, let's go."
"Yes! Let's go kill Rainbow and gently yell at Rarity." Spike says, scurrying up to Twilight's shoulders.
Twilight smiles at his obvious affection towards the beautiful Mare. "Yes. Then I can get some payback."
Spike chuckles darkly. "I can't wait to see what elaborate scheme you've got cooking in that beautiful brain of yours."
"Thanks Spike," Twilight says, starting back down the road at a more sedate pace.
Twilight slams into Sugarcube Corner, Spike still on her shoulders. "Aha! I found you!"
"Ahaha," Pinkie shouts back. "I have found you as well," She suddenly appears in front of Twilight.
Twilight smiles slightly at her energy. "Not you Pinks." She leans to the side so she can scowl around Pinky at Rarity and Rainbow. "Them."
She stalks around the perky pink pony and up to the table the rest of her friends are sitting at, slamming her hands onto it. "I thought that after the whole Change City fiasco we agreed not to mess each others appearance in our pranks." Twilight growls-Spike growling as well- both pointing to her face. "Now change me back!"
"What are you talking about, Egghead, I didn't touch your face. I was asleep untill ten minutes ago because I had night shift." Rainbow grunts, tiredly sinking into her chair.
"I don't know what you're talking about either. I have been with Fluttershy these past two days." Rarity flashes Twilight a stunning smile. "Would you like to see the progress I've made in my garden? I finally got the lavenders planted yesterday, and the smell reminds me of you. I thought you might want to see them."
Twilight's anger falters and she smiles back, a tiny blush lighting her cheeks. "Lovely." Twilight's cheeks brighten. "Your garden is what I meant! Not that your not lovely! Dang it Sparkle, stop fraternizing with the enemy." Twilight glares to the others next.
An automatic chorus of, "I didn't do it!" Comes from the other three.
Twilight sighs and removes her hands from the table, turning to stalk back out the door.
"What in tarnation," Apple Jack exclaims.
The others turn to see what had the cowgirl near cursing and freeze. Two prints in the shape of Twilight's hands are indented into the table, small spindly cracks spreading out from them.
"Woah," Rainbow Dash deadpans.
12:00 AM
Twilight's eyes flutter open. "Another sleepless night," she mutters, slowly rising from her bed. As she walks past his bed, she plants a tiny kiss on Spikes forehead. Twilight swings the doors to the balcony open, allowing a cool breeze to sweep over her. Twilight steps onto the balcony and looks up into the star filled sky and out to the forest that is calling out to her. The Everfree.
Twilight slips into a comfortable hoodie and a nice pair of sweat pants before pecking Spike on the forehead one more time and going for a star-lit stroll.
Twilight walks aimlessly through town, not really paying attention to were she's going as she lets her legs take her where they may. That is, until she smacks face first into a tree. Not one of the sweet smelling familiar trees of Apple Acres Orchard, but a twisted gnarled tree of the Everfree.
She stares into the dark forest with uncertainty as she fights the urge to go inside. After arguing with herself for a while, she finally gives in. "Fine, but no one can ever tell me I don't just always listen reason." Twilight stomps through the forest, oddly calm in the dangerous surroundings.
Her feet carry her quickly through the forest, down a cliff side, over a river, across a bridge, and to the huge front doors of old castle ruins. She easily pushes the heavy mahogany door open with her magic and shoves her hands into her sweat pant pockets as she strides through the halls of the ruins, following her "instincts".
Soon she comes to a dead end and stands in front of the wall, staring at it like an idiot. "So now what instincts? Is a door going to appear on a magical word, huh?" Twilight snarls at herself sarcastically. "What am I supposed to do? Say abracadabra and the do-" Silver streaks across the wall and forms into the shape of a door before sliding itself open.
Twilight snaps out of her stupor and sticks her head into the door and peers down the stairs. She can see a faint light to the left at the bottom of the stairs. "Hello? Is anyone here?" Twilight calls as she goes down the stairs, peeking around the corner at the bottom. She walks down the dark hallway to a door that's slightly ajar, allowing some light to spill into the hallway.
As soon as she steps into the room a huge bullet goes through the wall beside her head.
"Shoot! I missed it!" Scootaloo says, reloading her gun.
"Ah'll git 'em!" Apple Bloom chimes, pointing her own gun at Twilight.
"Wait! It's just me! Twilight!" Twilight steps further into the room to allow the girls a better view of her.
"This is why your supposed to ask questions first and blow their heads off later," Sweetie Bell snaps at the other two, lowering the large pistol in her hand.
"How was we supposed tah know it was Twilight," Apple Bloom defends. "Royal said, and I quote, 'If anything comes through tha door, shoot 'em and hang 'em by their toes.'"
"Yeah!" Scootaloo agrees.
"What if you did kill her? How would you explain it to the Princesses?" Sweetie snarls. "Oh hey, um, sorry to tell you this, but I accidentally blew one of the Elements of Harmony's head off with a gun you've never seen in your life!?!" Sweetie shouts, her tone causing one to imagine the word 'sarcasm' spilling out.
"Girl's, what's all the fuss about? Did Apple Bloom shoot the TV again?" A gorgeous dark gray mare with a long turquoise mane asks, coming out of a door on the other side of the room in nothing but a sports bra and a pair of sea green stallion-shorts that say 'Grouchy Pants' in black. Her brilliant silver eyes lock onto Twilight's red. "Why didn't you shoot it?!" She summons a larger version of the gun Scootaloo is holding.
"Wait! That's Twilight!" Sweetie Bell calls quickly, knowing that her aim is more true than Apple Jack. "Royal, don't shoot."
Royal squints at Twilight before she slowly lowers her gun. "You... Are the Mage Element," She states. "Why are you here?"
"Because I brought her here. If you ever listened to me when I tell you something then you would know!" A tall mare with off white fur that slowly transitions to light green at her forearms and calves says, brushing a lock of her green with lighter green hair out off her amethyst eyes after she smacks Royal in the back of her head.
"Well if you didn't soliloquize all the time maybe I'd listen more!" Royal lashes out but her hand just slips through the mare. "I hate it when you do that! Stay corporeal so I can hit you back!" She swings uselessly again to emphasize her annoyance.
The sound of thundering hoof steps draws everyone's attention to where Twilight had once stood.
"Go get her." Clover orders. Before she even finishes the command, Royal is already halfway up the stairs.
Royal catches up with Twilight easily and scoops the mare up, throwing her over her shoulder.
Twilight pounds her fists against Royal's back, cursing Royal with the largest words she could think of.
"Stop. With your new strength you might actually put a dent in my back. Show some respect, I had to chase you in my underwear after you entered my home without my permission." Royal flips Twilight to her front and holds her bridle style. "Take a deep breath, in and out."
On instinct Twilight obeys. Taking in a long breath through her nose and blowing out through her mouth. After she's calmed herself she allows her eyes to wonder over the stunning mare holding her and admire her visage.
Her long and wild turquoise hair with it's silver and sea-green streaks. Her sharp and high cheekbones that give her an air of elegance and sophistication while also being adorable do to the dusting of silver and sea-green freckles upon her cheeks and the tiny stretch of ashen gray multi-plated armor going down her nose from her hairline. Her striking silver eyes, sharp and angular. The warm and strong body press against her side along with the sizeable breasts and the lush rear she'd gotten a glimpse of when she was thrown over Royal's shoulder, her long Kirin like tail with the fur at the end exactly like her mane. The sea-green fluff upon her chest. Dustings of freckles over her arms, stomach, and back. The crimson camera with the turquoise crown hanging off the end and her long slightly curved horn. The weird tribal tattoos littering her arms arms, chest, and back, dark gray and eye catching. The thing that she was surprised most about the mare was the soft, slightly translucent, turquoise wings adorning her back, the feathers cleaned and preened to shining perfection with freckles of holes in the long primaries.
At the same time Royal takes in the beautiful mare in her arms. Her curious red eyes with their amethyst flecks and long lashes. Her soft yet sharp face framed wonderfully by her long black, pink, and violet mane. Her slim elegant neck and shoulders. Thick yet muscled body, although the muscle was from her change. Her dark lavender coat that shines in the moonlight and the softness of it as Twilight's coat rubs against her's as she holds the mare close. Even her mid length horn and smell. Like sun-kissed lavenders and crisp night air. Royal tilts her head at as she notices that the mare is appraising her as well. Then she watches as the mare's eyes widen.
"You have wings! Like actual wings! And a horn!" She tries to sit up and escape Royal's hold but after a bit of struggling she relaxes again.
"That's the first thing the girls said to me too. Is it not obvious. I'm sure anyone with eyes can see that. Even that Pegasus mare Scoots talks about. Derby?" Royal chuckles as she stops in front of the wall. "Abracadabra."
"But only Alicorns have horns and wings." Twilight argues as Royal starts down the stairs.
"Wrong."
"Excuse me?" Twilight asks, her head rearing back in incredulity.
"I said, wrong. Changelings have wings and horns as well." Royal explains, toeing the door open. Once all the way inside she sets Twilight down on the couch beside Apple Bloom and goes to stand beside the ghostly figure. "Twilight, meet the Cloven Mage-"
"Clover the Clever?" Twilight gasps.
"Aha!" Scootaloo shouts, holding her hand out. "Told you!"
Sweetie Belle rolls her eyes and slaps five bits into Scootaloo's hand.
"Anyways... Clover brought you here for a reasons I do not know, those of which she will explain right now." Royal says, looking pointedly at the ghostly mare.
"Right! Straight to the point." Clover claps her hands together and points to Twilight with both pointer fingers. "You, Twilight Sparkle, are now a Vampire."
Author's Note
I accidentally pressed the Publish button when I wasn't finished with the chapter so sorry if it seemed incomplete and weird.
Chapter 2
Twilight stares at the two mares, then to the girls playing some kind of game on a weird projection device, then back to the mares. She bursts into uproarious fits of laughter, shaking the couch with the power in her laugh. "Woo! This is one weird dream. I can't believe Luna would prank me like this. Okay Luna, you can stop now." Twilight calls to nothing in particular.
Scootaloo slaps Twilight's arm. "Pain meet Twilight. Twilight meet pain. Something that you feel in the waking world." Scootaloo smirks, then she dies. "Dang it Sweetie!" She shouts, going back to her game.
Twilight's eyes glaze over and she stares off into space. "Your lying. I can't be a Vampire. I'm not a monster." She whispers in denial.
"Just because you'll have to drink blood doesn't make you a monster. Hell! I eat meat." Royal says. "If it makes you feel better I can help you learn to control your hunger and powers."
"You're lying, lying," Twilight repeats the word over and over until the most delicious scent she's ever smelled in her life hits her nose. Before she recognizes what she's doing, she has Royal pinned against the wall and is licking the blood from her arm hungrily. The sound of the huge gun Scootaloo had reloading snaps Twilight out of her craze.
"Step away or you'll find your immortality ending up to be real short." Scootaloo says coldly.
Royal pushes Twilight back by her shoulders so she not pressed up against her. "It's okay Scoots. Drink, I know you're hungry."
Twilight hesitates before she slowly lifts the arm up to her mouth and licks the blood from the cut. She sinks her fangs in and Royal shudders. "Does it hurt." Twilight asks around her mouthful of the life giving substance.
"Not at all, Darling. Finish up." Royal says reassuringly.
Twilight soon draws her head back and licks her lips, the glow fading from her eyes. "I really am a Vampire aren't I? Are you still willing to teach me how to control it? I don't want to become a monster." Twilight pleads, looking up at Royal. "I don't want my friends to know either."
"I will teach you. But if any of your friends find out about my existence and asks me, I will answer truthfully." Royal says, removing herself from in between Twilight and the wall.
Twilight sighs and plops onto the couch beside Apple Bloom as Royal goes back into the room on the other side of the huge common room. "So... How'd you girls meet her?"
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle look to Scootaloo who shrinks in on herself.
"I-It was a super bad day at home and my Pa was drinking again. I didn't think he would, he never had before." Scootaloo starts.
"Do what?" Twilight asks.
"Beat us." Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Twilight all wince and their ears pin against their skulls. "He'd just gotten into another yelling match with Ma when I came home from school. Ma tried to get out the door but Pa pounced on her and slapped her around. I tried to get him off and he bucked me in the face and continued to beat her. After he left I tired to help Ma but she pushed me away and said that she shouldn't have had me. I thought since they didn't want me and I was such a burden I might as well end it right then. So I went into the forest and just walked and walked until a Manticore finally found me. It got me good before Royal found me." She lifts her shirt to show a scar across her right side. "She brought me back here and healed me. I told her why I was in the forest and she said I could stay here, but I can't trouble her like that. So I just come whenever I can. On one of my trips in these two followed me. That's how we all met Royal and Clover."
"What is Royal?" Twilight asks next.
"She's Mixed Breed, Hybrid if you will. A Changeling, Kirin, and Hippogriff. Her father was a Hybrid as well, Kirin and Hippogriff. Her mom was Chrysalis, a Changeling Queen." Clover answers, going corporeal long enough to open the door to the room Royal disappeared into.
"What are you girls doing? What are those things?" Twilight plucks one of the things out of Apple Bloom's hands, turning it over to inspect it.
"It's called a controller." Scootaloo answers. "It connects wirelessly to the game console. The console uses digital and disc programs to project said program onto the TV, which has a function of projection and audio. At least I think how it works. Royal made them."
"She also created more advanced guns than the Guard and Military uses, but their only prototypes. Says she not do e tweaking them. Like she made my Isla. She calls it a Desert Pegasus." Sweetie Belle says explains.
"Mine is a high powered shotgun gun that has longer ranger than the old double barrels. It's a Prenchi SPAZ-12. Her name us Aja." Apple Bloom says, snatching her controller back.
"The guns me and Scootaloo use are super modified versions of your Military's Lee-Ploughfields. My Adamya and Scoots' Diana are called Barrel M82 Anti-Air rifles. I created them from the prototype of an automatic version. And I only helped to create them, more of a sounding board. The engineers of the Kingdom are the ones to thank." Royal explains, coming out of the room fully clothed in black skinny jeans and a sea-green plaid button up. "The bullets shot from them are high caliber and are made to cut the air itself. You don't know it was shot until the person beside you is dead... Then you hear the humongous boom a few seconds later. I tired to make them as light as possible yet strong. That way you one have one chance to hit your target and get to the next location. A good sniper never stays in one place." Royal flicks a light on the wall beside her. "Come."
Twilight as well as the girls get up from the couch to follow her down another hallway into a large kitchen. "I've noticed that you use your magic for a lot of things, even opening doors. That hasn't given you much of a chance to see your new strength." Royal explains, picking up wooden a pepper grinder and chucking at Twilight's head.
Twilight catches it easily but crushes it in her hand. Twilight opens her hand and watches as the splinters push themselves out of her skin and her wounds heal.
"Sit. Training begins now." Royal says, pulling out four cartons of eggs.
Six Hours Later
"Come on Twilight, you can do it!" Royal and the girls cheer as Twilight concentrates.
She shouts in triumph and turns to the table and gently sets down five plates. "Tada!" Twilight gently pulls out a chair and seats herself.
"Finally! We've been waiting for hours." Scootaloo whines, stuffing her mouth.
"Scootaloo, Honey, manners." Royal chides as they eat.
"Yes Ma'am." Scootaloo chimes around her mouth full of food.
Sweetie Belle giggles at the other girls silliness.
"Wait, hours?" Twilight looks up to the digital clock hanging on the wall. "Oh no! Spike must be worried sick!" Twilight bolts from her seat and out the door with inpony speed, but not fast enough that Royal's magic can't catch her.
"Hold on. We all need to go. There are some things I need to check up on in town and these girls have to go check in with their sisters. They think they spent the night at the Clubhouse." Royal floats the dishes into a machine Twilight has never seen before and starts it before standing. "Come on girls."
They rise as one and follow a twitching Twilight out of the castle.
Royal leans down to the girls to whisper, "What's got her all twitchy? Is this Spike guy her Colt-friend?"
The girls burst into fits of giggles. "No! Spike is the little Drake she's hatched and raised. He's like her son. Though I'm not sure if Twilight has officially adopted him yet." Sweetie explains.
"How would you go about adopting someone?" Royal asks, straightening up as to keep a better eye on Twilight.
"You'd have to meet the qualifications, and also consider the cost depending on the gender, age, and race of the child you want to adopt. Next you'd have to select an adoption Agency, one that is well educated, experienced, and can handle stress while also producing positive results. Consider their reputation, if they provide credible references, or a detailed history of their adoptions. Verify the agency’s license, conduct a background check for either criminal behavior or lawsuits, inquire about their services, find out their perspective on adoption candidates, and request an itemized list of fees, expenses, and hidden costs." Scootaloo explains as they continue on their way, Royal writing everything down on a materialized piece of paper. "After that you need to meet the legal criteria. There are several legal requirements included in the adoption process, even more for international and racial adoptions. Make sure you contact a lawyer who specializes in this field and has previous experience with-"
"Or she could just ask Princess Celestia if she would be willing to legalize the adoption and only go through with having to meet tha qualifications." Apple Bloom cuts in.
"Yea! Why do you want to know in the first place?" Sweetie Belle asks.
"I-" Royal is cut off both in her words and her stride, smacking into Twilight's back. "Why did you stop?"
"The sun. We've been walking in shade this whole time but there's not anymore shade. I'll turn to dust if I go out there." Twilight whimpers, backing away from the forest edge.
"No you won't silly! All those tales about sunlight and holy water are fake!" Royal chuckles. "The only things that can kill you are silver shredding your heart, having your head blown or cut off, and burning to death."
Twilight shouts in terror as Royal pushes her into the sunlight, squeezing her eyes shut as she waits for the pain of being incinerated to come. After a few moments of feeling the sun on her fur Twilight peeks an eye open. "I'm alive? I'm alive!"
"Told you so~!" Royal sing songs, walking past Twilight with the girls in toe.
At the edge of town, Twilight watches Royal's body twist and shrinks until she finally is a shorter Pegasus version of herself. "Oh that was weird to watch. I thought Changelings change form in a flash of magic."
"Regular ones do, but Royal is different." Sweetie Belle says, like it's supposed to explain everything.
Twilight huffs.
As soon as they hit the Town Square a three foot blur of green and purple slams into Twilight's torso. "Ma! I was so worried. I woke up early today and you weren't in bed so I thought you were downstairs cooking but there wasn't even a cup of coffee made! And then I went around town looking for you but no one had seen you until Derpy said she saw you go into the Everfree after you smacked your head on a tree and I started to get worried that you had gotten a concussion and went into Everfree in a daze and gotten eaten by a Timberwolf or something an-"
Twilight places her finger on Spike's lips to quiet him. "Spike slow down, I'm fine. I just went for a walk and got lost."
Spike seems to calm, though only slightly. "Why would you go for a walk in the Everfree though?"
"I don't know Spike, but I met someone nice enough to help me find my way back. Spike this is Royal. Royal, this is Spike, my adoptive son." Twilight introduces politely.
"Hello, Spike." Royal says turning to Scootaloo. "Go with Sweetie Belle to see Rarity. Knowing her she probably came to check up on you girls and is worried sick." Before they turn to leave she kneels into front of Scootaloo and wraps her right arm around Scoots.
"Until next time Royal." Scootaloo says, smiling brightly.
"Until next time. Bye sweet heart." Royal and Scootaloo but heads before turning around and shaking their tails together and bumping their butts together. "Go now Little Sparrow."
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo rush away, giggling together. Scootaloo's grim face lightening. Royal turns back to Twilight and Spike and stops at the faces they give her. "What?"
Twilight smiles widely. "You're going to ask Celestia to let you adopt her, aren't you?"
"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Royal hisses, slamming her hand over Twilight's mouth. "Do you want the whole town to know?!"
Twilight removes the hand easily. "I can ask Celestia for her permission. From the way Scootaloo talks about her family, it's not a good situation. A horrible one even."
"Wait until the end of the month. I have to do something and it will take me a while."
"For sure. Are you sure I'm okay to be around other ponies? I mean what if someone starts bleeding?" Twilight asks, fear of what she might do flashing in her eyes.
"You not sucking me dry earlier proves that you are way stronger than any newborn. You will be just fine. If somepony starts bleeding scream, BLOODY HELL, and high tail it the other way." Royal smirks.
Twilight smiles. "Again, thank you. I've got to go, a Library can't run itself." She turns and leaves, Spike hot on her tail and asking question after question.
Just as Carousel Boutique comes into view something slams into Scootaloo's back and knocks her to the ground.
"Don't act like I didn't notice you sneaking out you little shit! What did you do huh?! Did go whoring like your Mom?!" An angry, shagging, dirty, smelly, drunk tan Pegasus stallion with a light purple mane yells, storming to loom over Scootaloo. He snatches her up by her mane and slaps her.
Scootaloo screams and bucks her legs helplessly while Sweetie Belle tries to push him away. Tears start to stream down Scootaloo face as her father slaps her again and again. "Royal! Help me please!" She screams when Sweetie Belle is kicked away and doesn't get back up.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Fluttershy giggles, Rainbow Dash snorts, Rarity blinks, and Apple Jack chuckles. "Suuuuuure." They drawl together.
Rainbow Dash slaps Apple Jack's arms. "Can you image it! Twilight a Vampire! She'd be all like, give me your books or I'll suck your blood and turn you into my slaves!" Rainbow Dash bursts into uproarious rumbling laughter, falling from her chair.
Pinky Pie just squints at Twilight's face and leans slowly across the table. Suddenly she dangles a large clove of garlic in front of her face. When nothing happens but Twilight turning her nose up at the smell she falls back into her chair. "Wow! For a second I thought you were serious. Don't joke like that Silly. I thought you'd actually turned into a vicious monster for real. It kind of would explain your appearance."
"I mean, you were standing in broad daylight." Apple Jack reasons.
"And you passed a religious symbol on the way here." Rainbow Dash adds.
"But you did say she was a blur when you saw her running to the Everfree and followed her." Fluttershy inputs.
"Yeah, and she left a hole in the floor when she ran." Rarity says.
"But it can't be true." Rainbow argues. "Vampires aren't real."
"Must I do this everytime." Royal's voice says from the doorway just in time for everyone to watch her bite deep into her own arm.
Twilight stands abruptly and tackles Royal, pinning her to the floor before lapping up the blood seeping from the wound.
"Twilight!" The others yell in shock.
"Shhhhh! Scootaloo is sleeping!" Royal hisses pulling Twilight from her arm. She turns a protesting Twilight to them, presenting Twilight's glowing red eyes and gleaming fangs.
Twilight twists around sinks her teeth into Royal's arm, drinking deeply.
"Twilight, control yourself!" Royal reprimands, her tone chiding.
Twilight blushes and retracts her teeth, taking one last lick before her fangs disappear into her gums. "Sorry." She turns her glowing eyes to her friends and smiles sheepishly.
Royal walks towards Twilight's friends- Twilight still in her grasp and hanging in the air- only for them to scramble away to the far corner, grabbing anything that could be used as a weapon on the way.
"Back up or Ah'll cut ya up like apples." Apple Jack drawls, holding a knife ready and placing herself between Royal and the others.
Royal stops moving but doesn't make any move to go away or drop Twilight.
"Now, Ah don't know what manner of evil magic y'all are using to replicate ponies from our memories or to create an evil Twilight dopel- dolpel- Dopole-" Apple Jack frowns hard as she tries to remember that damned word!
"Doppelganger." Royal supplies.
"Yeah! Ah don't know how y'all created that evil doppelganger, but y'all is gonna give us back tha real Twilight and Scoots If'n ya now what's good for ya." Apple Jack threatens.
"Yeah!" Rainbow Dash agrees, raising the broom she'd grabbed higher.
Royal and Twilight slam their forehead's into their palms at the same time, letting out long disappointed sighs.
"I am not a Doppelganger you imprudent harebrained inane halfwit foals!" Twilight shouts, propping her hand on her hip even though she's hanging in the air, fixing her friends with her best annoyed mother face.
Apple Jack pales and drops her knife. "Ah only know one pony that can make that face."
"Or somepony that uses that many synonyms for the word idiotic." Pinky giggles, throwing her spoon to floor and bouncing over to the annoyed Bookworm. "Twily!"
"Sweet Celestia! You're actually Twilight." Rarity breathes.
"Does that mean she's actually a Vampire?" Fluttershy asks, hiding behind her mane as usual.
"This must be some kind of joke! How could you be a Vampire?!" Rainbow Dash bellows, clutching the broom like a life line.
"The Mistress of the Night, Luna. Or the dark entity that rests in her subconscious that you call Nightmare Moon," Royal answers. She flicks her wrist and resets her kitchen and dining room, replacing her table that had been flipped over and placing the chairs back. "Now if you're quite done destroying my home and making useless threats, please, have a seat so I can explain."
They sit back at the table and look to each other nervously.
Royal pulls out a chair and places Twilight in it before walking around the counter that separates the kitchen from the dining room, opening the fridge to pull some ingredients out. "Now, you must be wondering how Twilight was turned," Royal starts, dicing an onion in seconds before grabbing a bell pepper.
"She was hit by a powerful transformation spell from the Nightmare." Clover answers, appearing beside Royal and causing everyone except Royal to jump. "The Nightmare used it to try and gain quick control over the Mage Element before she was consumed by the power of the Elements of Balance, or Harmony as you call them," Clover explains, turning corporeal to grab a pepper only to barely keep her hand from getting chopped off.
"Yes!" Royal grunts, yanking the knife from the counter. "She has the power to speed up the process and if you hadn't already used the Elements she would have succeeded." Royal turns to the stove to begin cooking. "Now, fun facts about Vampirism. First, Vampire superstitions that are wrong. Religious symbols won't repel her, she can go out into sunlight she just won't be as powerful as in the night." Royal flips a mini pancake and stirs some kind of sauce. "Garlic just annoys her nose, she doesn't turn into a bat, if you stab her with a wooden stake it will only piss her off," Pinky Pie raises her hand, "She will never sparkle in the sunlight," Pinky drops her hand. "What else?" Royal asks herself as she finishes cooking.
"She does not go 'Blah blah blah!'" Clover supplies, clawing the air with the words.
"Yes!" Royal chuckles, setting the plate on table in the last spot at the table after Clover sits down.
"Okay! Is no one going to comment on a mare that just poofs into existence?!" Rainbow Dash bellows.
"Rainbow, she's obviously a ghost. I mean, it was startling but if Vampires exists then so can ghosts." Rarity says, waving it off.
"You are all taking this well." Twilight says, raising an eyebrow.
"You're our friend, Twilight. Even if you turned into an evil psychopath we would still try to be your friend and help you!" Pinky Pie says, giggling as she swipes her hand back and forth through Clover's chest.
Clover glares at the perky pink pony. "Do you mind!"
"Not at all!" Pinky giggles.
"I'll be right back." Royal says, leaving the room.
"So. Who's this?" Apple Jack asks, nodding towards Clover.
"I am the Cloven Mage, Clover the Clever." Clover introduces herself. "You must be the Element of Honesty."
Royal comes back carrying Scootaloo. She sets Scootaloo in front of the steaming plate of food before turning to Clover. "Did you take care of what I asked?"
"Yes, everything will be ready by the time you've finished here." Clover answers.
"Good! Now, back to explaining. Twilight-" Scootaloo tugs on Royal shirt. "Yes Little Sparrow?"
"What is it." Scootaloo asks, pointing to the food.
"It just sau-" She face palms. "Right, you ponies don't eat meat. I'll make you something else, Honey."
Scootaloo stops her. "No, I want to try it," She says, picking up the knife and fork.
Everyone holds their breath and the room fills with pregnant silence.
Scootaloo cuts off a piece of the omelet and raises it to her lips. As she chews everyone leans in. She freezes and Royal's heart sinks into despair. "Oh my gosh! It's so good!" Scootaloo exclaims, taking a larger bite.
Royal sighs in relief, clutching her chest. "I nearly died! I thought you didn't like it."
"I don't like it, I love it!" Scootaloo exclaims around her mouth full of food, causing everyone to chuckle.
Royal ruffles Scootaloo's mane. "Don't speak with your mouth full."
"Yes Ma'am!" Scootaloo says, mouth still full.
Royal smiles. "Now I can finish explaining. So, things that can hurt or kill Twilight or Vampires. Silver shredding their heart, their heads being cut off, and being incinerated." Royal pauses to wipe some food of Scootaloo's face. "As she gets older she will become more and more powerful. She can control other creatures but as she gets older she may potentially be able to read minds. She is faster, stronger, and has better reflexes than regular ponies. Twilight." Royal throws Twilight a cast iron skillet.
Twilight catches the skillet and crushes it in hand before fixing it with her magic.
"Vampirism also makes a unicorn's magic stronger. Same for a Earth ponies connection to the Earth, and a Pegasus' connection with the skies and weather. All senses will be heightened."
"Wait, so the older Vampires get the stronger they become? It's not from drinking blood?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"No. Vampires need blood strictly to survive. One of the original Eons, a God, created the first life upon Equis." Royal uses her magic to project an image of their world with a huge ghostly figure of a woman, her eyes glowing with immense power. The woman breathes onto Equis and the image zooms in to show a mid sized Earth pony stallion be built form the dirt. "The first life form to walk the Earth. The God created animals of all kinds to keep this stallion company and created a garden named Eden for him to live in peace." The God turns to mist and appears down on Equis with the newly made stallion. "'This is the beginning of all life for all creatures and to you, Adam, I give you the job of naming them as I have named you.' She tells him. 'A-"
"Why is he naked?" Rarity asks, averting her eye while also trying to pay attention.
"Because that's how it was supposed to have happened." Royal answers simply.
"Well could you do something about his dangling bits, there is a child at the table." Twilight hisses.
Royal blurs the stallion's cock and continues. "Adam named and nurtured all life in Eden. But he soon found himself lonely. 'Goddess,' He called to the heavens." The image of the Adam kneels and turns his head to them or the sky in his case. "'I have done all you have asked of me but I still am lonely.' The God pitied Adam and put him to sleep. She removed one of his ribs and from it created him a soulmate. She named this mare Eve." Royal swipes her hand and the image appears to that of two young stallions that looked like a combination of Adam and Eve. "Okay the story was getting to long so what basically happened was that an entity of evil lured Eve into eating a fruit that was forbidden and they were kicked out of Eden. Any questions?"
"What kind of fruit was it?" Apple Jack asks.
Royal shrugs. "No one really knows. So! Other Gods saw what the first was doing and decided to create new life to join pony kind." Several more ghostly figures with powerful glowing eyes appear and they each create different races to walk the face of Equis. "Something happened and Adam and Eve had two sons. Cain, the eldest and strongest." The tall red stallion with jet black hair and rippling muscles glows. "And Able, the gentlest." The blue lean stallion with the same black hair glows. "One day Cain, in a fit of jealousy, beat his brother to death." Cain beats Able brutally until there is nothing left.
"The Gods were in outrage. 'You must punish it!' They cried out. So she did. Upon Cain's hands she placed a symbol." On Cain's hands a crescent moon scarred with blood appears. "'You, Cain, shall walk this land and be shunned and forced to drink the blood of others to survive for spilling the blood of another's.' From that day forward the creatures with sharp teeth began to feed upon other creature to join Cain in his punishment. Wars rang out and the Era of peace crumbled. That's how the first Vampire was made and the tradition of Cutie Marks was born. The goddess was given the name Valdine Tepes, Dracula, The Raging Dragon, Mother of Vampires."
"So what y'all is telling us is that we have cutie marks because of Vampires." Apple Jack exclaims.
"No. She's saying you have Cutie Marks to represent who you truly are, they reveal your true nature. It's a warning to those that know how to read the marks." Twilight supplies.
"Exactly." Royal beams with pride. "She gets it."
"Do you have a Cutie Mark?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"No! Do you see anything on her hands?" Rainbow snarks.
"No! She has one, it's on her back!" Twilight says enthusiastically. She gets up from her chair, turns Royal around, and removes the mixed breeds shirt, all in the span of a few seconds.
Everyone except Scootaloo gasps.
"It's is beautiful." Rarity says, studying the complex looking camera with the shining crown teetering on it's edge.
"What happened?" Fluttershy gasps, gawking at the scars littering Royal's back.
"I'm old, Darling. There have been many fights in my time." Royal answers.
"How come none of them are on your Cutie Mark?" Rainbow Dash asks.
"I don't actually know." Royal shrugs. "Can I have my shirt back?" Twilight hands her her shirt. "Since you are all here and know who I am I need to ask for your help. But first." Royal turns Scootaloo's chair and kneels in front of it. "Scootaloo, would you permit me to adopt you? Be the mother that you deserve?"
Scootaloo's face splits with her smile and she jumps into Royal's arms. "Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes! This is the best day ever!"
Tears of joy gather at the corner of Royal's eyes and she squeezes Scootaloo close as she picks herself off the floor,"Yes, it is." She continues to hold Scootaloo and turns to the Mane 6. "So will you girl's help me rebuild the ruins?"
"What's in it for us?" Pinky Pie asks.
"Pinky!" Her friends yells.
"No, it's alright." Royal pulls a bag full of bits from thin air. "I'm also an excellent cook."
Royal and Pinky smile at each other before bursting into laughter. "You called my bluff. I'll help!" Pinky giggles, sliding under the table only to suddenly rise up beside Royal. "Can I keep the fake money?" She snatches up the bag of chocolate bits.
"I'll help too." Rarity declares. "You helped and took care of my sister.
"Me too." Apple Jack says.
"You already know I'm in." Twilight joins.
"Sure, whatever." Rainbow agrees, crossing her arms over her chest.
"I-It's too scary out here for me." Fluttershy says, hiding in her mane again. "Sorry."
"Crap!" Royal exclaims.
"You forgot didn't you." Scootaloo says.
"Forgot what?" Twilight asks.
"To lift the spell." Royal says.
"Who'd you put a spell on?" Fluttershy asks.
"All of this side of Equis."
"What!? You put a spell on half of the world!?" Twilight screams at Royal.
"I-"
"Better yet! Why did y'all put a spell on half of tha world?!" Apple Jack shouts next, cutting off Royal's answer.
"The-"
"How did you put a spell on half of the world?!" Rarity shouts, cutting off Royal yet again.
"If you would let her speak she would tell you!" Fluttershy yells before immediately shrinking in on herself. "I mean if that's okay with you."
Royal blinks. "Thank you, dear Fluttershy. So, this calls for another story time," She sighs, lifting Scootaloo from the chair only to sit in it and place the girl in her lap. Scootaloo immediately plays and fiddles with Royal's hand as magic dances across the table again.
"Long ago there was a beautiful and vast kingdom," Up from the wood of the table rises and huge kingdom. Full of dragons and other creatures none of them have ever seen, thriving in the huge trees. "A kingdom of unity and peace where all creatures thrived and celebrated in the branches of her forest. The first to settle were the Hybrids or Mixed Breeds. They found Sohuki, the sacred tree of life." The tree bursts so high from the table it goes into the ceiling and seven figures stand around it. "The original seven built their camps at the base. The leader was actually a vampire; Tua. He was a Dragon/Pony Hybrid. The next were Shina, Kira, Duncan, Lion Heart, Fredric, and Myla. A Sea Pony/Griffon, Kirin/Catian, Timber Wolf/Earth Pony, Griffon/Hippogriff, Pegasus Pony/Fury, Reptilan/Chimera. In the middle of the night they each wandered off to different corners of Sohuki. At the strike of midnight they touched her and around formed seven great kingdoms." Up from the ground around the tree rose seven lands, each different in their own way. "The land of night was ruled by Tua. Where he and all vampires like him could find sanctuary. Next were the kingdoms of seas, desert, forest, mountains and sky, tundra, and Day. Ruled by the other six. From Sohuki's trunk formed a stunning castle and from her roots, grand arcing bridges connected to the kingdom. The seven fought over who would rule from the castle, but Sohuki intervened. 'None of you shall rule for the one destined has not yet been born. In ten years send out a party of your people to the badlands. The second you pass into the lands, you will now.' So the seven obey and built up their kingdoms were the shunned Hybrids everywhere could come to live in peace. They named it the Kingdoms of Everfree." The Kingdoms grow into glorious beauty. "Exactly ten years later the seven and three from each of their Kingdoms traveled to the Badlands. Just as Sohuki said, they felt it. The pull of the chosen one. They followed the pull to a young Changeling Queen struggling to keep her hive in order. And in the center of it all was a child. A little baby girl."
"'Queen Chrysalis the tenth.' Tua called out to her after the hive was driven back. 'Come with us. We can protect you and your daughter will grow up in a community that loves her.' The Queen looked to her baby then to the people of her hive. 'I cannot go with you, but if what you say is true take my daughter. Keep her safe. You must know that with her comes creatures of all kinds.' The Queen hands her child to Kira with tears in her eyes, 'Take her and run. Her name is Royal Imagery.'"
Everyone gasps as the bundle is turned in the in projection of magic to show a baby Royal.
The Seven run from the hive castle with Royal. "I was raised in the Kingdom but with me, as my mother said, creatures never seen before followed. As I grew into my power I was able to control them. But that didn't matter to Equestria. They entered my lands and hunted the beautiful life that lived there." Ponies and other races sneak into the borders with weapons, more leaving with the dead bodies of creatures.
Fluttershy gasps at the image and Pinky Pie rubs her back soothingly.
"So on my eighteenth birthday when I ascended to the thrown I used two spells. The spell of Missing Links which erased the existence of my Kingdom from every mind that ever knew of it. Then the Legend Binder, a-"
"A powerful spell used to seal the strongest of monsters. It was used by Gods in Myths to seal the Titans." Twilight whispers. "You'd have to have immense power to cast that spell if it was even real."
"The point is. This is the only part of the kingdom I could not seal so I cast a spell to make it look so dark and horrifying no creature would ever dare enter let alone stay long enough to find the gate to the kingdom." Royals says, releasing her magic.
"So. You're trying to tell us that you are the Queen of a mythical kingdom." Rainbow Dash says, raising a disbelieving eyebrow.
"No. I am the Empress. The Kings and Queens watch over their individual Kingdoms. While I watch, and rule, over all."
"So if it's true. Can you take the spell that makes the Everfree forest scary and dangerous off us?" Fluttershy asks.
"No but I can give you my Sight. It's a spell that will allow you to see the Everfree for what it is, through my eyes." Royal stands and walks towards the exit, the other's on her tail.
Once outside Royal rests a hand over Fluttershy's eyes. When she removes it Fluttershy's gasp excites the others to see the forest through Royal's eyes.
"Holy Feathers!" Rainbow Dash bellows.
"Oh my." Rarity gasps next.
"This is so fun! Look at that creature!" Pinky giggles, chasing after the aforementioned creature.
"What is that plant?" Twilight asks, crouching next to a colorful weed.
"Um, am Ah tha only one that notices tha beasts?" Apple Jack asks, wearily eyeing one of the particularly large animals.
"They are fine, AJ. She can control them remember." Pinky says, rubbing the under belly of a large beast.
"There is also another part to the Missing Link spell. It takes the true vision of the "Monsters" and creatures of Equsestria and twists it into the most terrifying thing. Like this." Royal gives a shrill whistle.
Within seconds the sounds of barking howls and the thundering of hard paws fills the forest.
A huge pack of Timberwolves bound into the clearing. But these are like none the Mane 6 have ever seen. Instead of being stocky and made of weird wood pieces they have fur and slim elegant muzzles with lean muscled bodies. They circle around Royal a bit before sitting and raising their heads to the sky with strong howls.
Royal's eyes glow slightly and she joins the pack howl. A cub leaps at Royal and knocks her to the ground.
"Aw! They're so cute!" Fluttershy squeals, lifting one of the cubs. The pup hardens his fur into timber splinters, stabbing Fluttershy's hands. "Ow!" Fluttershy's quickly sets him down.
"Bad, Birch!" Royal scolds, lifting up the pup and nipping his nose. "Sorry Fluttershy. Birch gets scared easily. You all should head back. It's almost morning and you all have things and work to do."
That Evening
Waves of familiar magic draws Royal from the comfort of her lab. Just as she exits the ruins she watches a familiar Ursa cub fly over on a streaming of Twilight's magic, a huge bottle of milk in it's paws. Her eyes widen when she realizes exactly who's cub that is. Not a second later an Earth rumbling roar shakes the tree tops. "Oh no. No no no no no no no!" Royal speeds towards Ponyville as fast as she can. She leaps into the air and hits the ground again on the paws of a cheetah Catian, tearing up the ground with each step. Royal follows the remnants of magic to Twilight and her friends celebrating. "Why are you celebrating?!" Royal asks, changing back. "You are not safe."
"Yea we are, Royal. You should have seen Twilight. It was so awesome!" Rainbow Dash bellows, slapping Twilight on the back.
"No. Not from the cub. From the mother!"
"What do you mean?" Rarity asks.
The thunder of huge paws shakes the ground they turn to the huge cosmic bear. "Her." Royal says. "Lola! Turn back now and I will not hurt you! Your cub was not hurt and neither should you be."
Lola roars at her in defiance and the sound draws the attention of the town.
"I am your leader! You will listen!" Royal demands, her voice a thousand fold louder than the royal Canterlot voice. Lola rears to her hind legs and raises her paws threateningly, roaring her challenge to Royal.
Royal straightens to her full height and snaps her wings out as she roars back mightily, her tattoos glowing with power. They rush at each other and Royal shifts into an Usra Major right before they collide. They each smack the other around, Royal trying to keep Lola from the town. Royal manages to push and tackle Lola into the forest and delivers and bone crushing blow to Lola's skull. She looms over the Ursa and roars in her face with so much power it bends the trees, her tattoos glowing brighter.
Lola whines in defeat and retreats with her head bowed.
Royal turns to the shell shocked ponies of Ponyville and smiles toothily before turning into a small monkey and going a ways into the forest before changing into a falcon mid swing and flying back to Twilight. She lands on the startled Unicorn's shoulder and just stares at them until finally one of them gains some sense.
"We should go some where private tah talk." Apple Jack says, pushing everyone towards the Golden Oaks Library.
Rainbow quickly closes the door and turns on Royal. "What the heck was that?! I thought you said you could control them.'
Royal's feathers puff up in indignation. "I said I could control them not that it was easy or that they always listen the first time. Some need to be wrestled into submission."
"Well you could of told us you couldn't do what you said you could!" Rainbow bellows.
Royal leaps off Twilight's shoulder and shifts to her regular form, her wings out in anger and her tattoos glowing with power. "Maybe I should beat you into submission and see if you keep that same attitude!"
Apple Jack steps between the two angry mares and places a hand on their chests to keep them apart. "Hold yer horses you two! Rainbow, what is yer malfunction?"
"My malfunction?!" The speedster squawks in disbelief. "She said she could control all of the Monsters! Yet we were nearly demolished by that thing!"
"She has a name! She's a not thing or a monster! Your two little ponies shouldn't have been in my forest! This is why I put up the spells in the first place! So ponies like you don't come into those poor creatures homes and try to destroy the 'Monsters'!" Royal pushes Apple Jack to the side and her eyes glow as she looks into everyone except Twilight's eyes. She then slams through the door and disappears into the sky.
"What just happened?!" Rarity exclaims, blinking rapidly.
"Everything is darker than before." Fluttershy whines.
"She took your vision." Twilight states simply, sitting on a recliner and glaring pointedly at Rainbow Dash.
The others turn to her as well.
"What?! She lied! If she couldn't control that evil Monster she shouldn't have said she could!" Rainbow defends, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not apologizing!"
Pinky scowls at her. Like actually scowls! "I can't believe you would say something like that after what she told us?! Now she thinks we are as bad as them!" Pinky growls, her ears pining themselves to her head.
"Oh dear! We should go apologize and see if she's okay." Fluttershy says, worrying her bottom lip.
"No. She needs some time to cool off. She's usually calm about everything, but this really bothered her. She'll come back and apologize for snapping. Even though she has nothing to apologize for." Twilight glares at Rainbow Dash pointedly. Lasers would have burned holes in her had Twilight the power.
"Twi's right. We'll wait till she's ready tah talk." Apple Jack agrees.
"I hope that's soon. I don't like it when someone's mad at me." Pinky pouts.
Four Weeks later.
Rarity slams through the door and immediately stops her rampage at the curious stares from the Library goers. "Oh, sorry. Just here to see the Librarian." She smiles politely and quickly ducks into the office beside the stairs.
"Oh hi Rarity! What can I do for you?" Twilight greets, setting down a stack of papers.
"She hasn't come to pick up Sweety for three weeks then she has the nerve to quit through a letter!" Rarity complains, slamming aforementioned letter on the desk.
"And there goes number five." Twilight sighs and drops her head into her hands. "Gather the girls. We need to go talk to Royal."
The Mane 6 approach the forest but stop at the threatening growls.
The pack of Timberwolves emerge from the trees and snarl at them. Their fur turning into sharp splinters as their fangs grow, eyes glowing with menace. They advance but avoid Twilight. Pushing the others back and away from the forest.
"Why are they letting you through?!" Rarity calls over the Timberwolves snarling barks.
"I still have Royal's Sight and they can probably feel that. I guess they think since their leaders magic essence is in me I'm allowed in." Twilight answers.
"Yeah! Royal sent the Timberwolves to keep everyone out." Apple Bloom calls, zipping past the Timberwolves on Scootaloo's scooter.
"She said that only those that can truly see may get to me." Scootaloo adds.
Two of the Timberwolves break from the pack and push Fluttershy and Pinky Pie through.
"I'm over this!" Rainbow declares, opening her wings and shooting towards the tree tops.
Only to be intercepted by a group of Wyverns and Phoenixes. They all flap their powerful wings together to create a large wind blast that knocks Rainbow Dash from the sky.
Rarity is the next to be let through.
"Oh! I get it now." Rarity exclaims. "Only those who can truly see! She wasn't talking about the spell on the Forest!"
"She was talking about how you see the creatures in the forest!" Twilight finishes. The two squeal together and high five.
"Look at me. Fashionable and Smart. I do love a good riddle." Rarity says, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
Apple Jack is finally allowed through.
The Cowgirl let's out a relieved sigh. "It's kinda hard tah stop seeing em as monsters when they're growlin' at ya. But when you're able to see past that you start to see em as beautiful creatures just doing what needs tah be done. Especially when there's a rude Pegasus callin' em monsters and going against their beloved leader." This is said pointedly at Rainbow Dash.
The Pegasus rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. "Fine! I may have been a little boneheaded and rude. I'm sorry." Rainbow says.
"You don't sound too sincere. Tah me or tha Timberwolves." Apple Jack says.
Rainbow stands right in front of the lead Timberwolf and places her hand on his head. "I'm sorry. Sorry for calling Royal a liar and you guys monsters. When clearly you are all just loveable, large, beastly creatures that want to be left in peace. Is that better?"
The Timberwolf leaps on Rainbow Dash and licks her face over and over with a mossy tongue, his and the others tails wagging rapidly.
Rainbow shoves the beast off and grabs Twilight's offered hand.
"Now was that so hard?" Twilight asks.
"Whatever, let's go catch up with the girls."
They take the short cut to the Castle ruins. Although, when they get there they can no longer call them ruins. Tall ivory spires twist into the sky from the roof of the newly renovated castle.
They enter and gasp at the homely yet grand decor. All illuminated by the light of the sun spilling in from the arcing class ceiling.
A crash sounds and they watch the helm of an old unicorn armor set rolling in from the corridor. Not three seconds latter Royal dashes in after it and then rushes back into the corridor.
The sound of her placing the helm back on the set floats to their ears and Royal zips back in. She slides to a halt, smiles at them, holds a finger to her lips, then disappears.
Two seconds later the Cutie Mark Crusaders rush in with air soft guns. "How does she keep doing that!" Sweety Belle yells. "Oh hey Sis!"
Rarity waves.
"Have y'all seen Royal?" Apple Bloom asks.
Twilight shakes her head.
"Darn it!" The girls turn heel and speed back the way they had come.
Royal appears behind them. "Hello girls. It's been a while."
"Royal. I'm really sorry for doing what I did. I was just kind of scared for my town and the fear that my home would be crushed before you could control one of the creatures caused me to act brashly. I understand if you are angry." Rainbow apologizes, rubbing her arm as she stares at the floor.
"I stopped being mad the second I returned home. I had a talk with my ambassador and she explained to me what you just told me. Your people are not like mine and don't have the trust in the creatures or me as much as they do. My people always know that if a creature goes on a rampage I will be there to stop it." Royal hugs Rainbow and rubs her back. "I am sorry as well for losing my temper with you."
"Aw! Bring it in big girl!" Pinky yells, squeezing Royal and burying her face in Royal's chest fluff.
The CMCs rush back into the foyer. "We've got you!" Scootaloo declares, firing at Royal.
Royal disappears again, leaving the Mane 6 to take her bullets. Royal appears behind them and teleports a gun to her hand. Hitting each of the Crusaders square in the forehead.
Scootaloo clutches her forehead and groans in faux pain. "Oh no! We have been defeated yet again by the infinite might of the Everfree Empress! My last life was lived well." She falls onto her back and stills.
"Get up Drama Queen." Apple Bloom says, nudging her friend.
"Oh! I'll take you all on a tour." Royal extends her magic to all the lights in the castle before she leads them down the hall. "I tried to make the castle as kid comfortable and friendly as I could think possible. Here is the kitchen. Outfitted with the best appliances from my home. The dining room is just through this door." Royal leads them through the whole castle, showing off renewed murals and paintings, new decor, and rooms she'd set up for them if they ever decided to stay the night. "Oh, this is my favorite." She pushes open the doors to the throne room and the girls gasp. "Yeah. I kind of think I went over board with the thrones a bit, but over all I think it's nice and welcoming."
Seven thrones form a crescent in front of the raised dias of the two renewed original thrones.
The first throne is made of clouds and rainbow steel, shaped into Rainbow's Cutie-Mark. The arm rest of the throne is made of cloud like the cushion and are craved in the visage of Phoenixes.
The second is made from the trunk of an old apple tree. Etched into the high back is Apple Jack's Cutie-Mark and in the side of the throne are two craved Timberwolves, their heads making up the arm rest. The cushion of the throne is made of soft brown leather.
The third is an elegant piece, curving and twisting. The side of the throne is made of two craved women dancing in one of Rarity's dresses. The back, seat, and arm rests of the chair are cushioned and covered in white crushed velvet. Embroidered in the high back are three of the purest diamonds one can find.
The next is obviously made for Royal. The frame is made of hundreds of plates of platinum just like the camera on her back. Royal's Cutie-Mark is emblazoned in multicolored fire, the image reminding them of aurora borealis. It looks oddly wide, like made for two to sit.
The throne next made from a White Oak. The throne craved to look like it's made of each of Twilights favorite book spines. In the high rise of her throne Twilight's Cutie-Mark is made of amethyst and rose quartz. This one is also wide seated.
The next is plush and pink. Confetti and streamers are embroidered in the soft fabric. At the top right under the different colored crystal balloons are the words 'Live, Love, Laugh' written elegantly.
The last is made of twisting roots and strong flowering vines, the cushion made from lush red immortal grasses. At the top three large life like pink butterflies guard over the throne. A tiny throne is made into left arm rest with Angel Bunny's name on the back.
In front of the thrones in the center is a large pit, slow fire burning warmly and illuminating every detail of the room.
Behind the thrones the princesses look down at them with warm smiles from the stained glass beside their thrones on the dais. This ceiling is made from glass just like the foyer but instead of the regular depictions of the princesses or some beautiful Everfree creature a different picture watches over them.
Seven beings unlike any the six have ever seen; behind them lands vast and stunning.
"Those are the first Seven. I thought that they, like the princess, would make any that entered feel safe and welcome." Royal explains.
"You have succeeded." Twilight breathes.
"I call the hot pink one!" Pinky Pie squeals, leaping onto her throne.
"That one's obviously yours, Pinks." Apple Jack chuckles, rubbing the head of one of the Timberwolves on her throne.
"Is this why you wanted me to wait a month to ask Celestia?" Twilights asks, sinking into her throne with a sigh of comfort.
"Yeah. I thought she wouldn't really let a child live in the basement with all the dangerous weapons and tech that, if she were to do something wrong in testing, could explode and kill her." Royal smiles. "I also thought she'd appreciate me cleaning up her childhood home and would go easy on me."
"I'm positive I would after all I've seen." Rarity reassures, rubbing her throne with a giddy giggle. "This throne is absolutely exquisite!"
"Yes, they are so well made." Fluttershy whispers appreciatively.
"It's my sorry for everything. As Empress and being the age I am I should know to control my temper. I've just never had someone call me a liar. I've never told a lie in my life and pride myself on being honest no matter the consequence." Royal rubs her arm nervously.
"Ah understand whatcha mean." Apple Jack says, giving Royal's shoulder an encouraging squeeze.
"So, when do you think she will come." Royal asks Twilight.
"Immediately..." Twilight sinks further into her throne in despair. "Right after I write her the letter about me being a Vampire." She groans and slams her forehead onto the arcing table in front of the thrones. "Ow."
Twilight growls and balls up her letter, tossing it into the ever growing pile of discards. "Okay Twilight, just keep it short and blunt. It's better to rip the band-aid off quick."
'Dear Celestia,
I have been turned into a Vampire. Do not worry, I had help and did not turn into a bloody thirsty killer. I request your presence to discuss how this effects my assignment here at Ponyville. Please respond at your leisure.
Twilight Sparkle.'
"No no no! That's not right." Twilight goes to ball up the letter but Spike quickly grabs it, rolls it, and sends it off. "Spike!"
Spike props his claws on his hips and glares at her. "You were going to die of hunger before you sent that letter. You haven't slept or eaten in a day and a half. I'd like my Mom to not die from hunger." Spike smiles and removes his hands from his hips. "Come on, foods ready and I made you a blood infused coffee."
Twilights beams and scoops him up, blowing into his stomach. "Whatever you would I do without my number one assistant?!" Twilight carries her giggling son downstairs and puts him in a chair before serving food and pouring drinks.
As soon as Twilight takes a sip of her drink, Daybreaker slams into the room, her eyes burning with hatred and rage. "Where is the filthy leech that has taken your life!"
"Celestia what's wrong?!" Twilight ask worriedly, bolting from her chair.
"She is no longer Celestia, but Daybreaker." Nightmare Moon says, coming in calmly. "And for good reason. If one of my children attacked you, they must have done it to others. There could be a whole hidden army. Can you remember anything of the one that turned you?"
"Yes, if we allow them to grow stronger all of Equestria will be in danger!" Daybreaker says.
Royal walks in with bag of blood and smiling widely. "Twilight! I brought you some more blood! Spike said-" She finally notices the Princesses and her smile widens further. "Hi!"
Daybreaker takes one look at Royal's fanged mouth and attacks. She slams the rod of her flaming lance into Royal's stomach. "You dare attack my student and control her?!"
Royal stands and heals her stomach before quickly dodging another attack. "I don't know what your talking about, Cel!"
"Don't play ignorant you monster! You will pay!"
Royal opens her wings and shoots into the sky, Daybreaker and Nightmare right on her heels.
"You even impersonated an Alicorn?!" Daybreaker and Nightmare attack together, Daybreaker with her lance and Nightmare with her scythe.
Royal ducks under Nightmare's wide swing and grabs Daybreaker's lance, swinging the Alicorn attached to into into the other. "Twilight! Some help please!?! I don't want to hurt them!"
Royal twists away from another fatal strike and roundhouses Nightmare.
Twilight worries her lower lip as the six watch helplessly as Royal tries her best to keep from hurting them while trying not to get killed herself. "You can't stay on the defensive. You have to attack. Try to knock them out!"
Royal nods and swoops through a team attack. She slams her fists into each of the stomachs before grabbing them and flying for the ground. She slams them head first into the ground, knocking them out instantly.
"I didn't mean break their necks!" Twilight panics, rushing to the prone Alicorns as they go back to normal.
"I didn't, their too strong for something as small as that to even scratch them. The only reason it knocked them out is because I slowly absorbed their power while we were fighting." Royal says, lifting Luna into her arms. "It's been a while my star." She whispers to the dark Alicorn. "Let's get them inside."
Twilight nods and carefully lifts Celestia. She leads Royal up stairs and into the guest room, setting Celestia down before making her as comfortable as possible. She turns and a small smile pulls at her lips at the sight.
Royal tucking in Luna and whispering soft reassuring words and a smile Twilight had only ever seen her give Scootaloo. Royal kisses Luna's forehead and looks up at Twilight. "What?"
"Nothing, I didn't say a word." Twilight smirks. "Let's leave them to rest and go find Scootaloo. Make sure her Mom has at least fed her."
"What about her dad?" Royal inquires as she follows Twilight out the door.
"He went to jail for domestic violence, public intoxication, child abuse, child abandonment, public indecency. And just to make sure that put him away I called my brother." Twilight's snarls, "That stallion got off easy if you ask me."
"Thank you." Royal says softly as Twilight knocks on the door of a rundown house.
"It's the least I could do after all of your help."
"What do you want Sparkle?" A burgundy Pegasus mare with white hair groans.
The sight of the haggard mare sends Royal into panicky/worried mother mode. "Has Scoots been fed yet, has she been cleaned, is she okay, is-" Twilight slams a hand over the panicking mare's mouth.
"This is Scootaloo's friend, Royal. She watches Scootaloo when she's not at home and is worried. Is Scootaloo home?" Twilight asks calmly.
The mare rolls her eyes and turns into house. "Scootaloo! Your friend and Twilight are here for you!"
The thunder of hooves fills the silence and Scootaloo comes rushing from up the stairs and straight into Royal's arms. "Royal!"
"Hello Little Sparrow, are you ready?" Scootaloo nods and Royal lifts the small girl onto her shoulders.
"Let's go. We've got to get the princesses into more comfortable beds." Royal says
"The Princesses are here!? Are you ready?" Scootaloo asks, bending over to look Royal in the face.
"As much as I'll ever be. Hopefully they'll forgive me for knocking them out."
"You what!"
Twilight giggles at the two.
"This is not funny! Do you even-"
Celestia groans as she sits up in the most comfortable bed she's ever been. She rubs the sleep from her eyes and stretches as she raises the sun. "That's odd, why is the Sun already up?" Yesterday's adventure floods back as she takes in the new yet familiar surroundings. "Luna!" Celestia gets up quickly but stops. "Where are my clothes?"
Celestia rummages through the wardrobe until she finds a flowing spider silk sun dress. She slips it on and brushes her fingers through her hair before heading out. As she traverses the corridors she takes in the new yet familiar decor of her old home.
The sound of voices finally reaches her ears and she enters a common area. Burgundy with beige animals cover the walls and a lush dusty rose carpet covers the floor. Plush couches and pillows are scattered in an ordered mess across the area.
Down three stairs on the other side of the room is an elegant dining room. Beautiful paintings and murals Celestia hadn't seen in centuries hang on the walls. At the hand carved white obsidian table is Twilight and her friends, the CMCs, Luna, and... "You."
Every head turns quickly to her and Luna quickly gets up. "Celestia before you attack. She is not who you think she is. It's Royal."
"It can't be. It's been over a thousand years since we've seen her. Royal is dead." Celestia denies, her mind storming with confusion between logic and the mare in front of her. "How old were you when I was born?"
"Five and six days." Royal answers quickly.
"What did you used to call our butler/babysitter?"
"A Butt-Snack. He would chase me with the funniest little grimace. Like he was trying not to smile."
Celestia falters. "How much older am I than Luna?"
"Two years, three months, one day and six hours."
Celestia's brow furrow's as she tries to think of a question only the real Royal would know. "Why does Luna call herself Mistress of the Night instead of Queen, Princess or Goddess?"
"Because when were kids Luna snuck in during my training. After she declared that I was to be her knight and she was my Queen. I asked if I could call her Mistress instead, because she had my heart and loyalty. She insisted on calling herself Mistress ever since. Drove Golden Heart crazing." Royal places her hand to her chest and flips her hair. "The Mistress of the Night orders thou to give us thine Haybacon father!"
Luna groans in embarrassment.
Celestia's eyes widen. "It's really you?! How?!"
"I don't know. After thirty I stopped showing any signs of aging." A timer dings and Royal teleports three backpacks into her hands.
"Bye Royal!" Sweet Belle hollers as she grabs her bag and rushes off. "See you later Sis."
Apple Bloom kisses Apple Jack's cheek and grabs her bag before hugging Royal. "Bye y'all, don't get into any trouble!"
"Back at yah!" Apple Jack calls.
Scootaloo grabs her bag and tries to bolt.
"Ah, Apple Jack got a kiss." Royal pouts.
"But Ma!" Scootaloo whines. "The Princesses are here." She whispers to Royal but everyone still heard.
"No buts Little Sparrow." Royal crouches down and they but heads before turning around and shaking their tails together. They bump buts and hug. "I love you."
"Love you too." Scootaloo kisses her cheek and rushes away.
Royal props her hands on her hips and smirks at Apple Jack. "Eat that Jackie."
"Whatever Roy." Apple Jack chuckles.
"Wait! You had a child!? With whom?!" Celestia asks, finally popping out of the shock.
"Gods no, Cel! She's my adopted daughter, well hopefully she will be. That's another reason Twilight contacted you." Royal smiles and nudges Twilight.
"Right. Royal would like your approval so she can go through the approval of the home and probable parent to Scootaloo as fast as possible." Twilight explains. "Royal has rebuilt the whole Castle. She's renewed murals and paintings, made the Castle fun and safe for a child, created personalized rooms for us Six and you two- As you saw earlier. She's got the finances and skills needed to raise a Pegasus Filly."
"We understand Twilight Sparkle. Let us inspect the Castle." Luna says, her sister nodding in agreement. Luna latches her arm into Royal's and pats it. "Now, show us the home you've made and we can evaluate the situation and decide if you and your home is qualified to take care of this child."
Royal smiles and bow's her head. "As you wish Mistress." Royal leads the sisters into the corridor and as soon as the last tail hair is out of sight Twilight and Rarity clasp hands.
"Aaaah! They look so good together!" Rarity says.
"I know! Let's go follow them. Come on girls." Twilight calls, speed walking after the large Alicorns.
They hang back out of ear shot and watch the expressions of surprise and warmth of fond memories flash across the Princesses' faces.
"Ah sure hope they let Royal adopt Scootaloo." Apple Jack says, watching the Princesses' reactions with furrowed brows.
"Darling, calm down. I'm positive they'll say yes. I mean look at this place. She did this all by herself for Scootaloo. Even if they didn't like it, which they obviously do, Luna will say yes just because-" Rarity gesticulates helplessly at Royal and Luna. "It's obvious."
"What's obvious, Rare?" Pinkie Pie asks, squinting at the two dark mares as the three laugh.
"It's obvious that Luna likes Royal quite a bit." Fluttershy supplies.
"Duh! We like her too! So?" Pinkie frowns.
"No." Rainbow whispers into the pink power balls ear and the others watch her face slowly light up.
"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh! Oookaaaaaaaaay!" She grins widely.
"Either way, Royal's got this." Twilight says.
"You girls do know that I can hear every word your saying." Royal calls down the corridor.
"What where they chatting about?" Luna asks, still holding onto Royal's arm.
"Oh it's nothing." Royal says innocently.
"Come on, that's not fair. Ever since we were kids you've kept all the gossip to yourself." Celestia pouts. "I could really use your ears to weed out the... well, Weeds in our court."
"Um, actually that's another thing I wanted to talk to you about. I would like to join the Royal guard as an official Dignitary of the Kingdoms of Everfree."
"What?!" The sisters blurt together.
The Mane 6 rush up. "What what?!" They ask.
"Let's discuss it in the throne room." Royal says, pushing the huge doors open.
"Royal is super proud of the throne room." Twilight whispers to Celestia.
Luna and Celestia's eyes widen.
"Welcome to the throne room of the Castle of the Everfree Sisters, or Castle of the Two Sisters. You were born here, I think the name is good. Everfree Castle wasn't really sticking much because of the other Castles in my hidden Kingdoms." Royal says.
"You did the murals in the stained glass? It's exquisite." Celestia complements.
"It's so realistic." Luna sits in her throne and her sister follows suit. "How are we supposed to talk if your thrones are turned away?"
"Girls, please have a seat." After everyone is seated, Royal presses a hidden button on her throne and the thrones, table, and fire pit rotate to face the Princesses. "Now, as I was discussing with the Princesses earlier. I would like to be taken on as a Royal guard trainee as a Dignitary from the Kingdoms of Everfree."
"What?!" The Mane Six yell.
"My identity as it's ruler would not be given. I would come as myself and train under the watchful eye of you and your people to gain the trust of the people towards us Hybrids. Through this, once I feel I've gained a certain amount of trust I will reveal a small part of my Kingdoms to your world and return certain memories of it." Royal opens a small slit in reality and pulls out a glowing scroll. "This document has been written in my blood and the blood of my land. It binds me eternally, until I fulfill my duty at least."
Celestia grabs the scroll with her magic and reads it aloud. "By decree of the Empress of the Everfree Kingdoms, under the agreement of Princesses Luna and Celestia, Imperial Ambassadors Royal Imagery and Clover the Clever- Wait! Clover the Clever?"
"Yes, that would be me." Clover answers, appearing beside Royal.
"Oh. Imperial Ambassadors Royal Imagery and Clover the Clever will be surrendered to the Princesses of Equestria. If the Princesses agree Royal Imagery is to be given a high exposure job as to earn the trust and goodwill of Equestria to us Hybrids and our Empire. Clover is to report the status Royal is given, her treatment under the Princesses care, and her success in earning the trust of the people."
"So... What do you think?" Royal asks.
"The answer would be yes, but you are the Empress. They need you." Luna says.
"That's the thing..." Royal starts.
"The Council of Rulers, and the Kingdom, voted her off the throne." Clover says bluntly.
"They what?! Are they allowed to do that?!" Rainbow Dash asks.
"Actually, yes and no. They voted behind my back and then all ganged up on me. 'Since I ascended to the throne I've worked nonstop and haven't done anything for myself.' at least that's what they said. They made me take a vacation... For a two years." Royal explains.
"Who is ruling until you get back?" Twilight inquires.
"Tua."
"He's still alive?!"
"He is a vampire. Tua's had some close calls but that Stallion is stubborn if nothing else. So... What do you think?"
"I think this is a great idea." Luna says.
"Yes. You can start by coming to Canterlot by train tomorrow. I'll get in the final papers for your adoption of Scootaloo and expect to see the three of you at noon tomorrow." Celestia agrees.
The sisters stand as one. "Now if you'll excuse us we must be off." Luna says.
Royal breathes a sigh of relief after they leave. "I did it, I passed."
"You sure did! And you got into the Royal Guard training. Which is nearly as hard as the training itself." Rainbow Dash says.
"Yeah. They are the Elite of the Elite. It took my brother years to get in. He's now one of the Captains." Twilight says, straightening with pride.
"Shouldn't you be packing?" Rarity asks.
"I already did. I was very optimistic and went ahead and packed. Though I'm kind of surprised one of them didn't flip. We were so close and I just disappeared." Royal looks down at her hooves. "Oh, and I told them about your predicament and your progress in your training. I don't know how long I'll be gone so I filled the fridge with my blood in the East Wing's kitchen."
"Why is it always your blood?" Fluttershy asks.
"Yeah, can't she use animal blood." Rainbow says.
"We've tried using animal blood, but I didn't feel the same afterwards." Twilight says.
"She attacked Royal after she got a whiff of her blood. Royal's blood is addicting because of the raw power flowing in it." Clover says.
"How did she even wind up smellin' Roy's blood?" Apple Jack inquires, raising a brow.
"Royal bit herself the first time they met to prove Twilight was a Vampire and... We might have gotten into a knife fight and I nearly took her finger off." Clover shrugs.
"She cheated." Royal pouts as she leads them to Scootaloo's room. "Every time I was about to stab her she went ghost on me."
"I still won." Clover sticks her tongue out.
"Why were y'all having a knife fight!" Apple Jack yells.
"Clover was being childish." Royal says, packing Scootaloo's clothes, toys, and scooter into two trunks.
"I was not!" Clover huffs indignantly. "I was informing her of the goings on in the court and she completely ignore me. So I threw a knife at her head."
"I did not ignore you." Royal says, teleporting the luggage to the front of the castle and then into her room to teleport her trunks. "I listened until she started prattling on about gossip and what she thought about the other snobby ghosts."
She teleports them out into the garden and starts to pick herbs. She dries them out and puts them into different labeled bags with her magic. "Fluttershy can you get me some Jade Root?"
"Sure." Fluttershy heads happily to the other side of the huge garden.
"What are you doing?" Rainbow asks, looking over Royal's shoulder and into the bag of herbs.
"It's medicinals and other seasonings that Canterlot might not have. For my meat, teas, and something to help with Scootaloo's wing growth." She answers, grabbing the plant from Fluttershy. "Thank you. Now I'm ready."
"Wait, you said you had training, with swords right?" Twilight asks.
"It's been a while since there's been a war, but yes."
"We can't have you being rusty if your going to make it in the Guard." Rainbow Dash says.
"But none of us know how tah swordfight." Apple Jack says.
"I do, actually. My brother taught me. He's a bit over protective and thought I should learn how to defend myself." Twilight says, rubbing her arm sheepishly.
Rarity nods. "It's perfect! Since you're a Vampire you have the strength to hold your own and the skills to decide if she's rusty. If she were to go against one of us, her brute strength would be enough to beat us even if she was horrible at swordfighting."
"Speak for yourself, Ah could take 'er." Apple Jack says smugly.
"Let's just go!" Pinky says, bouncing off down a corridor.
"Wrong way Pinks!" Rainbow bellows, chasing after her.
"You ready?" Twilight asks, holding out her claymore.
"Ready." Royal nods, holding her Khopesh and Hook Sword at the ready.
"Are you sure you want to use two different swords?" Twilight asks.
"I'm positive."
"Ready, set... Fight."
Royal stands her ground as Twilight comes in for a quick diagonal swing. Royal dodges but is forced to retreat when Twilight expertly changes her Claymore's direction.
"This is so much easier now!" Twilight beams.
Royal smiles and hooks her swords around Twilight's claymore. She jumps and spins, disarming her, before sweeping her legs from under her and pointing her other sword at her throat. "I'm not too rusty."
"Show off! My turn." Apple Jack smirks, moving into the sparring area and raising her wrapped fists.
Royal teleports her swords back to the wall and wraps her knuckles. "Let's go Jackie."
Apple Jack rushes forward goes for a high kick. Royal meets it with one of her own and they push against the other. Royal stops putting pressure on her and uses the force of Apple Jack's kick to gain momentum when she twists around for a roundhouse. Apple Jack ducks and hits Royal hard in the stomach. Royal backs away and toe kicks Apple Jack in her diaphragm.
"Nice kick Jackie."
"Right back at cha Roy." Apple Jack chuckles holding her stomach while she catches her breath. She suddenly lunges and dropkicks Royal in the chest. She quickly stands and leaps, rotating her hips for a brutally blow to the chest.
Royal grabs the heel and slams Apple Jack down beside her. "That hurt." She wheezes, standing.
Apple Jack leaps to her feet and rubs her shoulder. "Yah holdin' back, why?"
"Because you are." Royal smirks. "I know you're way better than this."
"Can we just call it a tie?! I'm hungry!" Pinky Pie says, a small pout on her face.
"What do yah say, tie?" Apple Jack asks, holding her fist out.
"Tie." Royal hits it and unwinds the bandages on her hands.
Scootaloo bursts through the door. "Mom." She grabs her knees and weakly lifts a finger. After she catches her breath she smiles. "My teacher wants to meet you, and when are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow before noon. When and as what?" Royal asks.
"Now and as yourself." Scootaloo's smiles grows.
"She's here now?! How? Why?"
"Yeah she's here now, she wanted to meet my new caretaker, as she called you. It took a while but she got past the Timberwolves." She answers.
Royal speeds out of the room, down a corridor, and into the foyer. She slides to a stop and fixes her wind swept hair, smiling politely. "Hello! I'm Royal Imagery. Scootaloo's mom. Well adoptive Mom. As of today that is. I just had the authorities over to make it official. I'm rambling aren't I?"
Cheerilee nods with a small smile. "Just a bit. I'm Cheerilee, Scootaloo's teacher. I know about her previous situation and wanted to make sure its better this time. Scootaloo defended your honor, told me all kinds of stories."
"I hope they were all good ones." She panics at Cheerilee's raised brow. "Not that there are any bad ones! Would you like to sit down before I make an even bigger foal of myself?"
"Yes please."
Royal holds out her arm and Cheerilee takes it. "Right this way. I'm think they've moved to the east wings common room."
"Speaking of wings. I couldn't believe it when Scootaloo told me you had wings and a horn." Cheerilee says
"Not many people do."
"What are all these scars from?" Cheerilee asks, gesturing to Royal's exposed arms.
"Battles fought ages ago. How has my Little Sparrow been doing in class?"
"Well. She's a very smart girl, but troubled. She's gets bullied a lot by some of the girls for not having a Cutie-Mark and not being able to fly. I try to help where I can but their parents are pompous fools." Cheerilee scowls.
"You're talking about Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Those two will learn. I have a feeling it will be Scootaloo and her friends that show them the way." Royal smirks, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Little Sparrow's wing condition is a simple case of malnutrition. Not getting the right amount of care needed as a baby and as a growing child. The muscles in her back and wings are quite strong from riding her scooter and using her wings as propellants, so she has the strength and endurance. Just not the size."
Cheerilee nods in understanding and looks up at the murals on the walls. "I recognize the Princesses, just not every one else."
"I'd be surprised if you did. These are people from the oldest of ages, painted from memory only I have." Royal explains. "The the large fit stallion with the golden mane and ashen coat is Golden Heart. Long forgotten Legendary Defender, and father of the Princesses."
"Really?!" Cheerilee asks, her eyes widening to saucers in surprise.
"Yes. The beautiful black, silver, and pink mare is, Altea. The Goddess that created Pegasus and Unicorn Ponies and the Princesses' mother. That regal and calm Queen is my Mother. Queen Chrysalis the tenth."
"She's a beauty." Cheerilee complements.
"Thank you. Come, I'm sure the others are wondering what's keeping us."
Author's Note
Sorry for the long wait, I hope you enjoy it. Please don't forget to comment and share!😄
Royal speeds into the line up just in time.
"Your late cadet!" Shining Amour calls.
"She actually made it right on time." Clover comments, checking her wrist watch.
"I have a saying. Early is on time, on time is late, and late... Is cut. Meaning, if you are ever late, even by a second, you will be cut from your training and any chance of being in the Guard. Am I understood?!" He bellows.
"Yes sir!" Royal answer, straightening nervously.
"Now, you are all going to fly around the castle at a set speed. When you finish your round you'll go straight through the course and do it again. Every pass you make you will go faster! If you fail to reach as higher speed each pass, you fail. If you slow down for any reason, you fail. If you fall, trip, or slip in the obstacle course, you fail! If you cheat or trip up another cadet-"
"What, we fail?" A tall brown stallion with a white mane says with a cocky smirk.
"Exactly." Shining Armour breathes out calmly and steps up to the stallion until their chests nearly touch. "And guess what. You get to be the first to fail."
A pretty auburn mare snickers.
"Since you think it's funny you get to go with him. Please see yourselves out. Anyone else?" Shining Armour asks, scanning their faces.
"No Sir!" Everyone except for Royal replies.
"You, why did you not answer?" Shining Armour orders, stepping into her personal space.
"Because my silence was my answer, Sir. They were cut for talking out of turn and my answer was to not speak." Royal answers, looking straight through him.
"And who taught you that?" He asks, circling her.
"High General Tua, right hand of the Empress."
"I am not him. When I ask, I expect an answer. Am I understood?!" He bellows in her ear.
"Yes Sir!"
He retakes his spot two yards in front of the middle pony. "Fifteen rounds. Begin!"
Royal shoots off immediately, an orange stallion following.
The stallion flies up beside her and smiles. "Shouldn't you go slower, you might get tired."
"Stamina is no problem for me, little one. I just hope in can fit through the air obstacles. My wings are quite large." She flutters her slightly curled wings for emphasis. "I'm Royal Imagery, you?"
"Flash Sentry." Royal fans her wings out as they take a sharp turn and Flash's eyes widen at the sheer size of her wings. "You weren't joking! They're larger than Celestia's."
They stop talking for a bit as Royal tucks her wings in and dives, swoops, and loops through the air obstacles. She pumps her fist and dives for the ground obstacles, speeding through them with ease.
She goes only slightly faster than before so Flash can catch up before she picks her pace up.
"How are you not even slightly winded!?" Flash exclaims, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Chin up. There are only fourteen more to go." Royal smirks. They watch as Unicorns and Earth Ponies race below.
"Who's that mare with you, the one taking the notes?" Flash asks after they finish the obstacles again.
"That's Clover, another Dignitary. She's half the brains of the Kingdoms. She's like a sister to the Empress." Royal smiles fondly as they pass over Clover, who waves up at them before going back to her notes. "She's here to record and report how well I'm doing and how I'm treated by your people. Being a Kingdom full of Hybrids, the Empress is weary. Hybrids have been hated for centuries, seen as unnatural."
Another run though the obstacles.
"Well this Sentry thinks you are naturally awesome." He winks.
"1) Worst pun ever. 2) My heart belongs to another so no flirting." Royal flies through the obstacles again.
"So, what are you?" Flash asks.
"Kirin, Changeling, and Hippogriff. My father was a Hybrid and my mom was a Changeling Queen." Royal answers.
"Doesn't that make you a Tribrid, and I thought Celestia was your Mom." Flash smirks, getting a glare from Royal before they go through again.
"I'm only joking! I'd bet on Luna if I was the betting type. You look nothing like Celestia. Plus it's like you have the galaxy caught under your wings."
Royal nearly falters and stares wide eyed at him. "You can see through the glamour?!"
"I guess." He shrugs and dives through the obstacles.
"Don't just shrug it off! That's cool!" Royal bumps his wings with her's lightly. As they swoop towards the West Wings, Royal spots Luna on her balcony watching them. Royal's smile grows and she waves at the stunning Princess.
"That's the Princess!" Flash gasps, slapping hand her down.
"Ow." Royal pouts, slipping through the obstacles again.
"How are you not tired!" Flash pants after their eleventh round.
"I see the air." Royal answers with a shrug.
"You're using magic!?!"
"Its only Pegasus magic. You can do it too." Royal says, catching another warm breeze.
"No, Pegasi magic is dormant and shown in our ability to stand on and shape clouds to create different weather. Not magic magic like the Unicorns." Flash argues as they dive through the course.
"Since when?!" Royal asks.
"Since forever. Maybe it's just different with Hybrids."
"No, I've seen a Pegasus change the weather and create hurricanes with her magic. I've witnessed mountains being made with the effort of strong Earth Ponies." They do the course again. "Seen them pull liquid metal from the grounds and use it as a weapons. I made a throne from metal crafted from lightning." Royal flies right over the Unicorn and Earth Ponies heads, giving them a cool breeze.
Cheers and "thank you"s are thrown up at her and she waves.
"You've got to be kidding. There is no way." Flash shakes his head vigorously as they hit the course again.
"Timberwolves!" A Unicorn mare warns, the groups of training cadets stampeding to get away from the massive beasts.
"Those are some beauties." Royal breathes, diving straight for the cowering ponies.
"Royal wait!" Flash yells, diving after her.
Royal lands between the pack and the Royal Guard candidates. "Stop!" She bellows, stopping the pack in it's tracks.
The pack splits to allow the largest through, the pack Alpha. He snarls in challenge at Royal, startling one of the Unicorns and causing him to fire a strong spell. The spell simply slides off the hulking wolf and irritates it.
"Magic resistant huh?" She chuckles, rolling up her turtleneck sweater sleeves. "Stay back, I've got him." Royal commands, raising her fists.
"No! You stand down, let me take care of this. I don't want you dying and starting a war just to show off." Shining Armour grunts, lifting his broadsword from his back.
Royal's eyes widen and she stops him. "You are not going to harm him and you are going to stand down." Royal tattoos glow her wings flutter in agitation, making her look bigger than her actual size.
Shining Armour freezes but soon opens his mouth to argue but Clover grabs his arm gently. "Let her, this was her job in our Kingdoms."
Royal stalks up to the huge Timberwolf and her ears twitch, catching bets beings made. Most in favor of the Timberwolf wining.
Royal huffs and turns her powers on the Timberwolf. "Submit, I don't want to hurt you."
The Timberwolf howls, the sound cracking like thunder as he charges.
Royal sighs and widens her footing, waiting for him to come in range. As soon as her is close her fist shoots out with immense speed and power, knocking him back into his pack with an eat splitting shriek.
He limps back to his paws and lays against the ground, his tail tucked between his legs and his face buried in the dirt, whining up at her for forgiveness.
The Ponies cheer but Royal silences them. "Before you celebrate you must know that it's my fault for them being here. I have a dormant power that attracts all manner of creatures."
"You didn't call them here on purpose did you?" A cerulean Earth mare asks.
"No?'
"And this wasn't just some ploy to get our trust?" The Unicorn from before asks.
"No."
"Then I don't see a problem." Flash grins, clapping Royal on the back.
"Ow! Wings take up my whole back. Please warn me next time." Royal stretches out her wings with a grimace.
The Princesses land, the Lunar and Solaris guards at their sides. "We heard a pack of large Timberwolves attacked. We trust you've taken care of it?"
Royal bows. "Yes your Majesties, I have. I have also made three friends from your Kingdom who were not revolted or scared by my appearance, but kind and welcoming. I have decided to reveal the true nature of Timberwolves to your Kingdom as my first revealing of the Kingdoms of Everfree. If you would permit it."
"You may proceed." Luna says, curiosity barely contained.
Royal's tattoos glow blindingly and sparks of power float around her as she chants her spell, the power lifting her from the ground without help from her wings. Waves of intense silver light burst forth from her body and over Equestria, lighting the inhabitants eyes with her Sight.
Once their eyes clears the Ponies gawks and gasp, staring at the Timberwolves in their true form.
Luna squeals and leaps at one, rubbing her smooth wood and moss body. "They're so beautiful." She freezes and pulls away, giving a small cough and burning glare at all her subjects.
"We saw nothing." They respond instantly.
"What we going to do with them?" Celestia asks.
"They must be sent to the Kingdoms, they are too old to be here anymore. Only pups are safe here. The ones who haven't grown into their power. They'll soon get too big to live here." Royal answers. "With your permission I'll send them off immediately."
"You have our permission." Celestia gives her a small head bow, imperceptible to everyone but Royal and Luna, before they take of back to Court.
Or so they thought.
"Alright! Back to your Commanders, show's over!" Shining Armour orders, leading the Pegasi back to the east Training Grounds. He never takes his eyes off Royal, his mind reeling with questions as to why the Princesses would bow to the Hybrid.
The time they've all been dreading comes... The fights.
Shining Armour claps his hands and rubs them together, a huge enthusiastic grin upon his face. "It's time for your last trial. You are going to fight me for two minutes. If you are still standing, you will be welcomed into the guard with open arms."
Flash gulps hard. "If we're still standing!?!" It comes out as a terrified squeak.
"Don't worry, you are quick and smart. He won't even hit you." Royal reassures him. "Much," She mutters under her breath.
"But you hit me... Several times." They wince as a big blonde stallion goes down.
"Stay on your toes and try to stay on the defense. You only have survive two minutes, not take him down." Royal advises.
"What are toes?" He asks.
"Flash Sentry, you're up. Grab a weapon." Shining Armour orders, patting a creme colored mare on her back with a brisk 'Congratulations'.
"It means to stay fleet of hoof, be quick, agile and wary." Royal explains as he slowly approaches Shining Armour.
"Begin!" Another Captain orders, standing with his group of successful new Royal Guard Earth Ponies.
The other groups finished early and the Captains decided it would be educational for the newbies to see how others fight.
And to start up another round of bets on who'd win, Royal or Shining Armour.
Royal's ears flick with annoyance as she catches a whisper on how bad Flash was about to get his ass kicked.
It doesn't surprise her when Flash doesn't get his ass handed to him. Instead he goes hoof to hoof with Shining Armour and holds his ground. Dodging and retreating from certain strikes while counter attacking at others. All though he doesn't get a hit in and is hit a couple times himself, he does cause a small sweat to break out on Shining Armour's mane line.
Royal claps him on his back before he takes his place amongst the other new Guards.
Fourteen minutes later, Royal is finally called.
"You are not going to go easy on me, are you?" Royal asks as she pulls a wooden broadsword from the rack and turns it in her grip.
Shining Armour smiles like a predator that just caught it's prey. "From what Twily told me, I don't need to."
"Begin!"
They circle each other, each taking quick swings to test the waters.
Suddenly, Shining Armour dashes at her, sword out. He goes for a vertical swing to which Royal raises her sword accordingly, only for Shining to duck and go for a lightning quick jab.
Royal twists and the motion causes every pony to cringe at how inpony and painful it looks. She brings her sword down at the same time, expertly striking a pressure point.
Shining pulls away, his sword dropping as his left arm goes limp. He looks down at the still and paralyzed appendage, wrinkles creasing his brow as the onlookers gasp.
"Thirty seconds!"
Shining slowly bends down and picks up his sword with the other. He stays in that position for a moment, looking at the grass. In the next second he's behind Royal, his sword raised and his body glowing with his magic.
On instinct, Royal swoops down on one hoof with the swing as the other comes up and back in another quick move.
"Time!" The Earth Pony captain calls the second Shining flies over the rings line from the brutal blow. "Royal wins through, Time and Ring Out!"
His words and Shining's sprawled body registers in her mind. "Oh shit! Are you okay?!" Royal fusses over him, healing his bruised back.
He slowly sits up, pain etched into his visage. "Yeah, I think the body enhancement spell kept my back from being shattered." He groans as the other captains help him stand.
"I have to be strong and rely on instinct," Royal says, rubbing her neck awkwardly. "It comes with the whole controlling magical creatures shtick."
He straightens his back, telling the other Captains silently to back off, and walks stiffly to Royal. "I owe you an apology."
Royal's worry turns into confusion. "Whatever for?!"
"For underestimating you and for cheating during our bout."
"You didn't cheat." Royal says.
"I used magic. I am training Pegasus Corps, magic is against the rules." He holds his hand out. "Congratulations. You weren't here for the other training, but you've passed the final tests with the highest scores. With this achievement you get to choose your sigil. Lunar Guard or Solar Guard."
Royal takes and shakes his hand. "Thank you, Sir. I would like to be placed in the Lunar Guard."
"Nay, Imagery, you are the first Guard the Twilight Guard. You are to report to your new post tomorrow in Ponyville to watch over my student." Celestia declares, landing gracefully with her sister.
Royal immediately kneels, "It would be an honor, thank you your Majesties."
"Rise and receive your new armor." Luna commands as a black mare with red eyes steps forward with her new armor.
It's made of hundreds of different plates of platinum, made to fit snugly. The trim of the armor turquoise and Twilights Cutie-Mark is emblazoned on the shoulder plates, back, and chest. The edge of the wing guards sharpened to blades. A purple cape, also with Twilight's Cutie-Mark, signifying her post as Captain is folded neatly on top.
Royal takes it and bows.
"Flash Sentry, Autumn Breeze, and Foalan. You are also members of the Twilight Guard," Three more Bat Ponies step forward to hand them their armor. "Rest, say goodbye to family, and pack your things. At noon, you leave for Ponyville." Celestia and Luna open their wings and fly away, their entourage following.
Flash Sentry stares wide eyed down at his armor.
Foalan slaps him on the back. "You did spectacular buddy. Better than me! Though suspect that's from practicing with Roy. Wait, I'm sorry, with our Captain." He chuckles and wraps Royal in a bruising hug. "Good job!"
"Let her go. You know what happens when she hugs back," Autumn Breeze chuckles. "Don't want those muscles to go to waste because you're paralyzed.
After Foalan steps away, Autumn grabs Royal forearm, Royal returning the gesture. "I couldn't imagine a better Captain, or anyone I'd rather follow."
"I couldn't imagine a better Mare to have my back." Royal replies.
"Aww," Flash coos, "You two are so cute."
"Don't make us hurt you." The two threaten as the rest of the new guard are given their posts.
"As your new Captain the first thing I want to do is establish rank. Autumn Breeze, you are my second in command." Royal assigns.
"What?! But, I'm your best friend," Flash pouts.
"And Autumn Breeze is my second in command," Royal says with simple finality.
"Shut down by the Roy Bomb!" Foalan bellows.
"You heard the Princesses. We leave at noon. Go pack and say goodbye. Bring your things to my room in the morn at 11:45 sharp. I'll teleport your baggage to the guest rooms of the castle."
"Yes Ma'am!" They click those hooves together and salute before turning and leaving.
Autumn Breeze arrives at 11:35, early. She lifts her hand to knock but a loud 'Ew!' drifts through the door.
The door opens and Luna glides out with a satisfied smile, not sparing Autumn Breeze a glance.
Autumn peeks in and finds a stunned Royal on the floor, her mane ruffled and her daughter poking her cheek. "You okay Captain?"
Royal blinks and shoots up, grabbing Scootaloo to keep her from tumbling over. "Y-Yeah! N-Nothing to s-see here!" She squawks. She blushes and clears her throat, "I'll just grab your things." Royal disappears out the door to grab the luggage.
Autumn Breeze turns on Scootaloo. "Should I ask?"
"No," Scootaloo deadpans as Royal returns with several buddled bags and suitcases.
"Those aren't all mine." Autumn blinks.
"Nope! Some are mine and Foalan's. You're not the only one that knows how to arrive early." Flash smiles smugly, fist bumping Foalan.
"You two were hoping to get here before me." Autumn chuckles.
"N-No," Foalan protests.
"They probably had a whole plan in place," Royal teases. "Woke each other up early and tried to find the fastest way to the Royal Suites."
"No. W-we—"
"Oh. My. Gosh. That's totally what they did!" Scootaloo joins the banter.
"The kid too! Fine! We might have... Rushed a bit." Foalan concedes.
"Why did you have us bring our things to your room instead of the luggage carriages?" Autumn asks.
"Because I can just send it to the rooms I had prepared for you at the Castle." She answers, tossing her and Scootaloo's luggage with the rest. "I'm friends with one of the courier ponies and it's not an easy job. There was this one mare that had so much stuff she sent someone for me and I had trouble getting it to the customers house."
"Wow. What did she pack?!" Foalan exclaims, utterly surprised that anything could be hard for Royal to carry or pull.
"I have no clue!" Royal answers as she uses her magic to put the room back to what it looked like before she had gotten there. "Felt like she packed a whole castle." She mutters grumpily when she thinks back to the huge pile of... stuff packed on the wagon. Royal snaps her fingers and their luggage disappears.
"Howdy!" Clover greets as she pops into the room, hugging Royal tightly.
"Howdy! How did the trip back to the Kingdoms go?!" Royal asks.
"Yeah! What's the gossip!" Scootaloo adds excitedly, clambering up onto her Aunt's back.
"The Kingdoms are doing rather well with Tua taking over as Temporary Emperor. He asked and wrote letter asking about you and your Mom like two thousand times, he misses her. Oh! One of the Nobles thought it was their chance to challenge for the throne with your Mom gone," Clover chuckles evilly, "he was so wrong! Tua crushed him. The Tundra Kingdom volunteered to be the first Kingdom to be revealed. I made sure to tell Ellie you love her and that one of the Centaurs took her out for a jog. I should stab you for making me do it, she slobbered all over me. She coul-"
"Your the Empress aren't you," Foalan and Autumn chorus.
"PFT! What!?! Nooooooooooooo!" Clover lies oh so convincingly, nervous chuckling so loudly that Royal cringes. "What ever gave you that idea!"
"Uh, one, every time the Princesses come they are barely able to keep themselves from bowing. Two, you said that Clover was the Empress' closest advisor and confidant, like a sister to the Empress. Three, you also mentioned that Tua was like the Empress' father. You also let it slip once that the Empress tamed some wild giant boars and then told us the same story but you used your name." Foalan ticks off, Autumn nodding along and Flash looking more and more shell shocked by the second.
"Also she said 'Thought he had a chance with your mom gone'". Royal being gone shouldn't have anything to with the Empress and there would be no need for Tua to substitute if the Empress was not gone. Royal is the only viable candidate for that since she is the only Mixed/Hybrid in Equestria."
"What! I've been talking to you like you were just another pony!?! I am so sorry your Highness. No!" He bows dramatically, "Your Majesty."
"I can explain all of that," Clover panics, wrecking her brain for any tiny lie, "because-"
"Because," Royal cuts her off, "I am the Empress. Empress Royal Chrysalis Imagery of the Kingdoms of Everfree. But I just go by Royal Imagery."
"Immy," Clover protests... Loudly. "I understand your whole, 'I will never tell a lie', vow, but this information is dangerous! For both you and the Kingdoms. What if they secretly hate Mixeds and torture you for information on the Empire?! Or Assassinate you? Or kidnap Scootaloo for ransom?"
"I hardly think Celestia and Luna would send me such untrustworthy characters. And I'm stronger than all of them together. So there is no way for them to assassinate or kill me. And if anycreature ever even thought of laying a hand on my daughter," Royal spits, seething with rage at the thought and her eyes glowing with hatred, "they'd wish for tartarus! No, death! Because that would be the only thing that could ever save then from my wrath! I will-"
Scootaloo hugs her mothers legs. "It's okay Ma! I'm here, and Nopony's ever going to take me."
Royal breathes in deeply the scent of her daughter and hugs her close. "I would never allow it."
Diana whines and headbutts Royal's hip, her three heads pouting.
"And neither would Diana." After Royal fully composes herself she turns on the three frightened ponies. "You will not tell anycreature. Will you?"
An automatic chorus of Yes Ma'am! Ah, No Ma'am!s is her answer. And a small shiver of terror from Foalan.
"Good! Time for us to go!" Royal announces happily, snapping her fingers to teleport her armor onto her body before pushing them out of the door. "Fall in!" Her group take their places a few paces behind her, stances rigid. Royal sets them at a brisk pace for the main courtyard where the carriages await.
The carriages land and Royal and Scootaloo are the first out and are immediately tackled by two very excited CMC's.
"Royal! Scoots!" They squeal happily.
"Girls!" Royal replies hugging the fillies just as tightly. "I'm so happy to see-"
"Ahem!" Comes the clearing of Twilight's exasperated throat.
Royal immediately freezes and looks up with huge eyes. She quickly gets to her feet and salutes, Sweet Belle and Apple Bloom still clinging to her as Scootaloo lays stunned on the ground. "Miss Sparkle! We have arrived to assume our posts as your guards. If you would allow us to, we will start our duties immediately."
"Sure! I mean... Yes, please escort me and my fellow Elements to Castle of the Two Sisters." Twilight commands.
"Yes, my Lady," Royal gives a clipped bow and turns to her fellow Royal Guards. "In formation!"
They fall into position and begin to escort Twilight, Fluttershy, and Apple Jack to the Castle.
"So, how was your training, Captain?" Twilight asks conversationally as they traverse the Everfree, the other Royal Guards ogling the forest.
"Your brother personally volunteered to train the Pegasi Corps, the group I started off my training with, as soon as he heard new of my coming." Royal answers blankly, her eyes scanning the trees and ears swiveling to scoop up every slight sound.
"Ooooh, aah. I can imagine how that went." Twilight winces.
"Horridly," Flash and Foalan answer together.
Twilight's eyes snap to them and Autumn Breeze elbows them both sharply.
"Sorry for speaking out of turn, Scholar." Foalan apologizes briskly.
"Oh, you two are perfectly fine, we're all friends here. Feel free to talk with me all you wish," Twilight admonishes. "It's just that we haven't been properly introduced."
"The Pegasus is Flash Sentry, Spymaster, he's utterly quick and silent, with the ears of an owl. He is our scout and assassin. Super stealthy. The Earth Pony is Foalan, he's the gentle giant of the group, the unbreakable shield of the group. And the by the book Unicorn is Autumn breeze. She specializes in offensive magic, our piercing spear." Royal introduces. "They also know that I am the Empress."
"What?! How did they find out?" Apple Jack asks.
"It's Clover's fault mostly. She gave the most hints." Royal instantly throws Clover under the carriage, the other Guards nodding in agreement.
"Well, I'm Apple Jack, Element of Honesty. This is Fluttershy, she's tha Element of Kindness, she's also very shy so it'll be a bit before she's comfortable conversing with y'all. You'll meet the others when we get to the castle."
"Speaking of the Castle, there it is," Twilight points out the gleaming marble construct.
Even Autumn's jaw drops.
"It is quiet beautiful, isn't it. We could barely believe it when we saw it too. It was in ruins, now it's even more beautiful than the stories described." Twilight smiles up at the tall spires before Royal pulls open the doors and she gets a paint ball to the forehead.
Author's Note
Oh. My. Gods! I am so sorry for making you all wait this long. I"ve been working an actual book of my own and have recently moved. I hope y'all can forgive my lateness. *Author Sobs*
Again, don't forget to Comment and Share.
Author's Note
Sorry it took me so long to start back up. Thanks for hanging on and I hope you continue to enjoy it. Please, Like, Comment, Share. But definitely Comment, no negotiations. Comments are required. 😜
Chapter 13
Royal's head rocks back with the blow and a yelp yips from her throat.
She glares a Rarity and the Unicorn smiles sheepishly. "Sorry darling, thought you were Pinky. She was just behind me, but you know her and how she just poofs."
Royal bows her head to the Element of Generosity and steps aside to allow Twilight and the others in.
Suddenly a hot pink flash of metal shows from the ceiling and paint balls spray from down upon Rarity and the others.
A barrage of shots make their way to Twilight. "Flash," Royal orders.
Flash wraps his wings around Twilight, covering her from the fire. "Is this normal, My Lady," Flash asks, chuckling.
"Sadly yes," Twilight mutters, pushing his wings away after they stop shuddering with shots.
Foalan blocks Rarity, his armor colored bright pink and baby blue while Autumn Breeze has a sheild around herself, Apple Jack, and Fluttershy. Royal stomps over to the wall and kicks it. It shakes and knocks Pinky from the rafters. She catches the mare and sets her on the floor, frowning deeply.
"Why the frowny face Fluffy?!" Pinky asks happily, tilting her head.
Royal just squints at her before returning to her post at Twilights side. "Forward march!"
Pinky skips up astride Royal and looks up at her as they make their way to the throne room, head tilted curiously. "Come on Roy, I'll clean up. I'm sorry Rarity pelted you in the head because of me." Pinks twirls to bounce along in front of her, pouting up at her. "You going to ignore me the whole way? Pleeeaase, Fluffy. Fluuuufffyyyyyy!" Pinks reaches up and grab Royal's face to stop her, causing the other guards to freeze in shock.
Does this mare want to die?!
"Look at me, Fluffy," Pinky orders briskly. When Royal finally looks down at her blankly she whines petulantly, "Loook at meee. I'm going to die if you don't give me a hug!"
Royal rolls her eyes with a quirk of her lips and looks to Twilight. At a nod she turns to Pinky with an exaggerated sigh, "Looks like I've been ordered to give you a hug." She teleports her armor off, exposing her soft fluffy chest fur she had been pet named after.
Pinky squeals in delight and plunges her face into the fluff, nuzzling deeply.
Royal hugs her back and then pulls away. "You can have more hugs later if you go get Rainbow Dash and bring her to the throne room. We have much to discuss."
Pinky nods and takes off down another corridor as Royal replaces her armor. "Shall we continue Scholar?"
Twilight smiles at the mare's poorly hidden beam. A Pinky hug always washes away her stress and, though well hidden, nervousness.
"You do know you are doing an excellent job. Right?" Twilight asks as they continue on down the corridor. "There is no reason to be nervous."
"There is every reason to be nervous. My Kingdoms security rests upon this mission. If I fail to foster goodwill with your People and the other People of Equus. It could mean that the hunts will start again. Then I will be forced to kill those who poach from the land, as is the law. War will fall and it will be my fault."
Twilight frowns, "But you-"
"There are no buts, Honored Scholar. If this doesn't work and war falls upon my people, it will crush me. Crush me to know that every death of a loved one, every death of every creature, the decimation of our forests and homes, will be my fault." Royal whispers quietly so the others don't hear, her fists clenching at her sides. "All the pain, suffering, and loss of everyone involved will be upon my head, because I failed to foster peace, because my negotiations went wrong, because I was too weak to protect them. It will all be on my head, and I will pay for it with it." A tear rolls from her eye and disappears into the darkness of her helmet.
"What do you mean because you were too weak to protect them. I've seen your magic and your skill with multiple swords. You trained with the best of the best Equestria has to offer and came out on top. You have shown goodwill to the Princesses and their people and have had it shown to you in kind." Twilight places a comforting hand on Royal's shoulder and smiles. "You have done nothing but succeed."
"But I haven't! I am still failing!" Royal shouts, her breath quickening as the tears start to fall more freely. She turns from them all, her back ridged.
"Wait here guys, we'll be back in a sec," Twilight grabs the Mixed Breed's arm and drags her away behind a pillar before turning to face her. She removes the grieving mare's helmet and speaks soothingly to her, "It's okay dear one. Your fine. Come here." She pulls the taller mare down to cradle her in her bosom, stroking her mane softly. "Now tell me what's wrong."
Royal drops to her knees and hugs the bookworms midsection closer. "I've failed them, all of them."
"How?"
"The spell I cast to protect my people is weakening, it's degrading and I can't stop it. Because I too am weak to control it. Not without the original Seven. Six of them are already bones in the sacred roots of Sohuki." Royal confess, her shoulders shaking with sorrow and regret. "I don't think this will work. Maybe with the Ponies it will. But there are dozens of others out there, a whole world that I cannot protect them against."
Twilight snorts as she runs her fingers calmingly through Royal's mane. "You thought you would be able to hold the spell forever. Even casting it was incredible, but keeping it maintained this long is fanominal. I don't even think I could do it. Even if you could continue it, like you said, there is a whole world out there. A world filled to the brim with powerful Sorcerers, fiendish Villians, and even well meaning over curious Scholars, like me." Twilight snorts again. "And you thought you could keep it Secret forever!"
"Your supposed to be comforting me, not laughing at my shortcomings."
"No, I supposed to be kicking you in the face with common sense and crushing you with the brutal reality of things. Pulling your big head out of your tiny pot of self deprivation and pitifully over estimated confidence." Twilight snorts yet again, going so far as to pull Royal's head back to laugh in her face. "You actually thought you could cloak an entire nation forever!?!" She throws her head back and chuckles deeply. She suddenly stops and smacks Royal upside the head. "Now get up, smell the Reality scented roses and help us come up with a plan to show the world what an amazing place your Empire is."
Royal clutches the side of her head and stands, nodding. "Y-Yeah. Thanks for smacking some sense into me Twi." She rubs her bruised head, "Literally. Do you really think we can make peace with all of Equs."
"Uh, no! There are always going to be those that seek power, and wealth, and more land. But we can make strong ties with those willing to open their eyes to new things. We can find Allies, people that, if the time ever comes, will fight by your side. You've already got the Equestrian capital, the Princess, and the whole army on your side." Twilight flips her hair, "As well as me and the other Elements. I mean, really."
Royal smiles, "You've been spending to much time with Rarity."
"I spend as much time as I can with her," Twilight smiles dreamily. "Now let's go make a battle strategy. We've got a Kingdom to dazzle." Twilight wipes Royal's cheeks and pushes her back out to the others, who look a little too innocent.
"Really guys?! Does no one believe in privacy?!" Royal scowls, pulling her Helmet back on.
"I didn't eavesdrop Captain, it was just Foalan, Rarity, and Flash," Autumn Breeze quickly throws the three under the chariot.
"Speak of this and suffer brutal retribution. Onward, to the throne room."
"Oh?" Rarity challenges. "And what accounts for retribution? Tickle torture?" She sasses.
"Ooooh!" The other guards coo teasingly.
Royal blushes and sputters, "B-Bruttal Tickle Torture! I could really torture you!"
"Yeah right, Roy. The day you torture Somepony is the day I spit on my hat. Now git on! Pinky is probably waitin' on us. An' knowin' Dash, they won't be waitin' long." Apple Jack shoos them along, getting the precession started again.
Royal sulks the whole way to the Throne Room, refusing to talk to anyone.
Foalan and Royal open the doors while Flash and Autumn Breeze go in first to check the perimeter. "Clear!"
"Fluffyyyyy!" Pinky launches herself at Royal, barely giving the Mixed Breed enough time to do away with her breast plates.
"Oof! Thank you for getting Rainbow Dash, Pinks." Royal wheezes as she waddles along with the Earth Pony attached to her chest. Royal pries Pinky from her chest and sets her in her throne before going to the fire place in the crescent of the thrones. She lays a hand on the stones and sets her magic through it. The fire goes out and into the ground, allowing Royal to set up a huge mana screen.
"Okay, so I've already conversed with the Seven and we've decided that the first Kingdom to be revealed will be the Tundra Kingdom. It has many fun things to do and the cold will discourage most from straying to far from the area that will be enchanted with warmth." She manipulates the image into a huge ice crystal arc, with two huge ice sculptures standing beside it. "This is the gate, and the Ice Ents that guard it. Tulaloki and Anraq will scan everycreature for weapons and dangerous magical items before they are allowed to enter." She spreads the image out to show more land and uses a finger to line out an area in a different color. "This is the area in which the festival will be held."
As Royal begins to explain the security measures, entertainment, and activities, she doesn't notice the looks of shock on the other faces as a giant saber toothed leopard Catian woman, materializes from a glowing blue gate between the Princesses thrones.
The creature leaps and Autumn Breeze calls out too late.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. "Why is everyone staring at you?" Scootaloo asks from Royal's shoulders.
"Have you seen me Little Sparrow? I am taller than Celestia, I have a horn and wings, I've got magical tattoos, my eyes are silver, and my muscles." Royal smirks and flexes. "I mean aren't they wonderful."
Scootaloo giggles at her Moms silliness. "Why would your eyes be stare worthy?"
"Ah, I was waiting for you to ask that. No Pony or Creature on Equis has ever had true silver eyes. It is said that the creator of the Universe had silver eyes. The spark of his joy spilling from those eyes and creating the stars and worlds." Royal explains. "The train is here."
"No it-" A shrill whistle sounds in the distance. "Oh. How'd you know."
"I can hear a lot." Royal hands the courier their luggage and sets Scootaloo on her feet. "Ours is the abnormally large one. They sent us the one they usually travel in."
They go in and Scootaloo flips out. "Wow!! It's like a miniature house. They've got a bed, and a couch, and a table, they even have a small icebox!" Scootaloo pulls a game box from under the coffee table. "I challenge you to a game of Monopony."
"Challenge accepted!" Royal chuckles.
"Ha! This whole side of the board is now mine!" Royal cackles.
"Aw man! Are you sure this is your first time playin'?" Scootaloo asks.
"Absolutely positive."
A knock sounds at door and an amber and sea green head pops in. "Hello! Mommy's trying to find somewhere to sit, can we come in with you?" The little filly asks.
Royal stands and invites her in. "Sure."
"Mommy! I found somewhere to sit!" The girl calls behind her to a mid height azure and green mare.
"Amber Lotus no! That's the Princesses' cart." The mare rushes up and grabs her excited child. "I'm so sorry about her. We rarely leave Canterlot and she has fun meeting new people."
"It's alright, I understand. I haven't been out of my Kingdom in a long time." The train stops and the two nearly fall, but Royal catches them with a wing. "Would you like to come in and sit? It's just me and my daughter."
"Thank you. I'm Azure Clover and this is Amber Lotus." Azure introduces.
Royal leads them to the seats at the coffee table. "Scootaloo, these are Amber Lotus and Azure Clover. Azure and Amber, this is Scootaloo and I'm Royal Imagery. If you were wondering, I'm a Hybrid, not a Princess."
"Hi would you guys like to play?!" Scootaloo asks them, her eyes wide and pleading.
"But then you'd have to restart your game." Azure Clover says.
"Exactly!" She messes the board up.
"She's embarrassed because she's being beaten by a first timer." Royal chuckles, grabbing the pieces and resetting the board.
"You cheat!" Scootaloo pouts.
"Thank you for walking us home." Azure Clover says.
"No, thank you two. You've shown me kindness, and are the only two to look me in the eyes today." Royal says.
"You were kinda scary at first, but not that bad. Bye!" Amber Lotus says, hugging Scootaloo.
Royal scoops Scootaloo up and flies them the rest of the way to the castle gates.
"State your name and business." A bright gray earth stallion with deep brown hair orders.
"I am Imperial Ambassador Royal Imagery, Dignitary and Representative from the Kingdoms of Everfree. I am here on behest of the Princesses and are to meet them in ten minutes." Royal hands over a scroll with the royal crest.
The guard reads it and his eyes widen. "Get them to the throne room quickly." He orders his post mate.
The other guard clicks his hooves and salutes. "Yes Sir! Right this way please."
They are escorted the throughout the castle, gaining one more guard at each post. As soon as they reach sight the doors are pushed open.
Royal and Scootaloo walk into the middle of the throne room and kneel, heads bowed. "I have come as discussed your Majesties."
"Please stand and drop formalities Royal. We see you as equal." Luna says.
They rise and Royal bows. "Thank you Princesses."
"How was your trip?" Celestia asks.
"It was very nice Princess. Though I believe I have drawn quite a bit of attention. I also think your Guards are betting on which of you is my mother?"
"And?" Luna asks, raising an interested brow.
"Most votes were put on Celestia." Royal says sheepishly.
Scootaloo and Celestia giggle slightly at Luna's response.
"Well, your things should have reached your room by now. After you are settled in you will proceed to the south training grounds with the next troop trying out. From there try to be as good as possible and your Captain won't make your training Tartarus."
Royal gives another shallow bow. "I will check in when Clover arrives. Good day your Majesties." Royal and Scootaloo turns and leave.
When the doors close Scootaloo pumps her fist and high fives Royal. "Yes! We were so in sync! I bet we looked really cool and offical!"
Royal smiles. "Yes, we did. Now let's go unpack." She turns to the guard shifting awkwardly beside them. "Am I allowed to fly in here?"
"There is no rule against it, but I warn you to be careful if you do. Is there anything else you need?" He asks politely.
"Yes." She smiles, flashing her fangs. "Luna is the likely vote. I don't even look like Celestia. I mean looks at my fur color!" She scoops Scootaloo and shoots off down the corridor.
When they stop at their door Scootaloo smiles at Royal with a knowing look. "I can't believe they voted for Celestia!"
"I know right?! Luna is... Nooooo. I know what you're doing young lady." Royal says, eyeing her daughter.
"Whaaaaat?" Scootaloo asks, innocence masking her visage.
Royal gives her a sour face and opens the door. "This is..."
"Bland." Scootaloo finishes. She walks over to her bag and starts to unpack her things.
"Hold on, I've got it." Royal closes her eyes and feels all of their things with her magic. She releases her magic and all of their things float into their designated spots. The walls change from brown and white to sea green and orange. The beds sheets change patterns and fabric, and their names are spelled over the post in an elegant script.
Royal opens her eyes and Scootaloo jumps. "Woah! Your eyes!"
"That's what happens when I use my magic a lot."
Scootaloo leaps onto her bed and rolls around on the soft sheets. "Why?"
Royal plops down beside her. "Well, when I was small, I was training with Tua out in the Forest Kingdom. I was doing good, for a small girl my age."
"Okay, I don't get the problem." Scootaloo frowns.
"Believe it or not, is was a tiny kid."
"Pfft!"
"I'm serious!" Royal giggles, tickling Scootaloo's side. "The kids cornered me by myself when Tua left to find Duncan for my next lesson. They teased and taunted me. You know how that feels. Now imagine you're a small girl who's mom gave you up, even if it was for a good reason and you know it, and you've been sheltered in a castle away from interaction except for with super powerful and mature leaders. Imagine that you were taught extreme self control, to never let your anger out. Now imagine all of that rage building up inside you for over six years."
"That's a lot of rage." Scootaloo whispers in awe.
"Yeah, I know. I finally snapped and my powers went haywire, I exploded. I took out a huge chunk of the forest. Burned, cut, and smashed it with all that magic. Luckily Tua was near and saved the kids, but that didn't excuse what I had done. They called council to see what to do about my ever growing powers. They decided to lock most of it away until I learned to control it better. And I did."
"Then why is the seal still there?" Scootaloo asks.
"As I got older my powers continued to grow until is was just a powerful as before with the seal still on. So I decide to leave it. We added a couple more layers to the seal and now every time I come close to using more power than the seal wants me to, my eyes glow. To protect people from what it could do if I went berserk."
"Has that ever happened?!" Scootaloo asks, surprise raising her eyebrows into her hair.
"Another story for another time my dear. Clover's here." A knock sounds at the door.
"How do you know its because Clover's here?"
"Because that's the only reason anyone would come here." Royal says innocently.
"Ah, you're lying. I know, its my super power."
"Fine! You've got me." Royal opens the door and in bolts an excited three headed pup. "I was given one when I was your age. She's from my Elie's litter. She can teleport from anywhere, to me, Cheerilee, Twilight, Pinks, Rarity, Jackie, or to your room back at the castle, just ask her. She's loyal."
"She's perfect! Your name is going to be Diana, after my gun!" Scootaloo giggles when Diana drags her tongue across her face. "Ew!"
"Best not to tell anyone what she's named after. I don't think giving you a gun is gonna get me any trust." Royal grimaces.
"But you made sure that I trained first."
"They won't see it like you do." Another knock sounds at the door. "That is Clover."
"Is it okay if I go play with my friends?"
"Of course."
"Take me to Cheerilee, Diana." Scootaloo says excitedly, petting the hyperactive pup's head. They disappear with a pop of displaced air.
Royal opens the door and the Guard stands at attention. "Your presence is requested in the Throne Room."
"Do I need escort?" Royal asks.
"Yes Ma'am," He answers.
"Okay." She teleports them both to the Throne Room doors. "Thank you for your escort ." Royal enters the throne room and kneels at its center beside Clover.
"Rise."
"There has been a change of plans. Instead of working with the Unicorns you will train with Pegasi first. And... Your Captain is Shining Armour."
"You mean the overprotective brother of Twilight Sparkle?" Clover asks. "I'm pretty sure the words she told us before we left are... "Pray to Sohuki that you don't get my brother. If you do, I hope he goes easy on you."
"Yes. Line up is in two minutes, I'd run." Luna says happily.
Royal and Clover disappear.
"We didn't tell her that the Pegasi are meeting in the East training grounds, did we?" Celestia asks.
"Nope."
