Night Light's horn felt like lead as he pushed power through it, the stab wound of the City Watchpony before him resealing with a hazy blue mist, slowly stitching together, the magical aid acting as both sealant and helping the body replace the lost flesh and blood.

Around him, the Royal Canterlot Hospital was packed to the brim with doctors, nurses, volunteers, and wounded. As the closest hospital to the main site of the battle, it had received the bulk of the wounded - and all of the critically injured. The smell of antiseptic was strong in the air, the faint scent of ozone coloring it to something mildly unpleasant - a side-effect of the most common wound sealant spells. It was almost deafening with the bustle, the groans of wounded, the calls of nurses and doctors. Somepony had left an alarm beeping somewhere in the distance for the last few hours.

The most startling noise for Night Light was the lack of battle.

Legionnaires, City Watch, and Royal Guard were all packed into the same space - enemies only a day before. There was not a single scuffle, yelled insult, or particularly dirty look from what Night Light had seen in his nearly sixteen-hour shift as 'Certified Volunteer Spellcaster - Class 6 Medical Spells, Not MD.' Or rather, CVS-C6-NMD on the tag he had been given. Going through the yearly trouble of recertifying had certainly proven to be worth it, despite the days of courses and tests to remain on the emergency volunteer list.

Moving away from the mare of the Watch, who had taken a spear to the side and had a crushed leg, Night Light had to resist the urge to sluggishly hit her with a pain relief spell. The instructions for volunteer spellcasters were extremely specific; They were there to cast an exact set of spells in place of doctors, to help them preserve their energy for the most life-threatening cases. As much as he wanted to help the watchmare, he knew relieving her pain might cause a fatal combination of spells if the doctors were unaware. So, he left her crying on her cot while a nurse rapidly ticked off the spells he had cast on her sheet and flipped a card next to her bed to red - Night Light had no idea what the colours meant, and he was too exhausted to guess. All he knew was if a card was Blue, it was a call for a Volunteer Caster or Doctor in that department to administer a set of spells.

As he moved away from the cot, doing his best to avoid stumbling on his hooves, he found himself being steered by another volunteer off to the side - into what was once a waiting area but was now packed with other volunteers. Night Light had been surprised by the outpouring of local citizens. By the time he had arrived at the hospital, only an hour or two after the battle, there were hundreds of volunteers readying. So many, in fact, that the hospital had to turn many of them away - ordering them back for later shifts, or to other nearby hospitals.

The one ushering him was a green mare, shoving a glass of water near his face and ushering him to a seat. He obeyed, exhausted. The water glass felt heavier than it should in his grip, and he knew he was beginning to feel the first symptoms of magical exhaustion. Most volunteers of his original shift had long gone, they were on the fourth set of volunteer spellcasters - only Night Light had remained.

Nearby, some ponies were moving in another crate of food for the wounded - the hospital had once again been overwhelmed by the volunteered food, and had to turn many away. Night Light had seen them grab up those boxes of Doughnut Joe's for the nurses and doctors every time, though... The lucky sods. He'd launch a coup himself for a coffee.

Thankfully, he didn't need to lead a revolutionary movement against his Princess. Seeming to sense exactly what he needed, the volunteer who handed him the water also sat a full, steaming cup of black coffee next to him. She bustled off to help a nurse move a cart before he could mutter so much as a thank-you.

He leaned back and downed half the water before going for the blessed black gold in his other cup. A quick spell, which he probably shouldn't have indulged in, given the aching of his horn, instantly drained the heat from the cup, dispersing it into the air. He preferred it iced, but cool will have to do.

Night enjoyed his small break as best he could. He let the world fade from around him, let resurfacing memories fade, focusing on his mental picture of his family. He managed a small smile as he sat and relaxed.

He was jolted abruptly by a poke on the side and a mare's voice, "Volunteer... Night Light," he managed to pry his eyes open, realizing he must have dozed off. A mare in white scrubs stood in front of him, a pink cap on her head, a small badge identifying her as 'Nurse Gleam'. She was holding a clipboard with the volunteer roster, making a note or two. He saw her visibly frown and check his badge again, "Why is your badge from Shift 1?"

"I've been here since Shift 1," he replied, grabbing up his now lukewarm coffee and draining the remaining half.

"What? As a volunteer spellcaster?" She began to look concerned, moving a bit closer. He could see her focus on his eyes, then his horn, "Are you feeling any -"

"I'm fine," he muttered, stretching in his seat, "I'm alright. Now, what department am I in for shift 5?"

"None," she said, voice firm, seeming annoyed with him. "You've been casting medical spells fo the last sixteen hours. Go home, drink lots of water, and get some sleep."

Night Light felt himself getting aggravated in return, "Look, there's still wounded getting filtered through, I can stay as long as I'm needed."

"I can't in good conscious let you continue any longer, or you might become one of them. In any case, we're sending most of you home now anyway - we only need ponies for intensive care, and the last thing we need is you botching a spell. Go home, I'm not signing off on another shift for you."

Without a further word, she pulled his badge off from around his neck and moved on, marking his name off of her list.

Night Light seethed a little, but couldn't conjure up any much actual anger. She was right, he'd pushed himself a bit too far now. Still, he was Head Astronomer, and would be damned if he did less than his best.

In any case, he knew he should head for the castle. See if Velvet was awake yet, or if it was even daytime. Sixteen hours? Yeah... Should be the afternoon. Maybe Twilight would be awake...

He hauled himself off the seat and disposed of his cups, being sure to finish his water. He was out of the hospital and into daylight after a brief time. Remnants of the blizzard that Princess Celestia had destroyed seemed to haunt the city, and a wall of thick clouds could be seen in the far distance. It looked like it would roll in during the next day or so, and resume the blizzard. So much for doing any observatory work...

He briefly entertained the idea of asking the Princess to go obliterate the rest of the Everfree-spawned blizzard, but decided he wouldn't get very far, even if he was her Head Astronomer.

The streets themselves looked haggard. Buildings, even here, had been scored by a few spells from the battle. The closer you got to the gatehouse the more obvious any damaged became, although neither side had actually destroyed any houses in their battle. Here, volunteers were swarming. Cleaning up streets, helping replace signs and take down impromptu barricades - although it looked like most of the work had already been completed that could be for the moment. The rest of it, like refacing some of these buildings, would come down to contracters.

Night Light noted that the most damaged building seemed to be the Legion Recruitment Office, which had taken more than its fair share of 'stray' spells.

He spotted a candy shop that seemed to be open, and stopped for an important purchase, tucking his chosen box into his saddlebag.

Upon arrival at the gate, he was scanned half a dozen times to verify he wasn't under some illusion before he was allowed back inside the castle.

Here, the damage was heaviest. The gatehouse and entrance courtyard had become a deadly battleground, and the dirt was still muddy with blood. Sixty Royal Guards had given their lives here, and they had slain nearly three hundred legionnaires in return. Outside in the streets it had been even bloodier. Of the six-hundred members of the City Watch who had bravely stood their ground outside the walls, four-hundred had been slain. In spite of lacking War Unicorns, plate, and not being fully armed, they had managed to kill an equal amount of Legionnaires.

It was a tragedy, Night though. A true tragedy. Twelve-hundred Equestrians had slaughtered eachother in the streets, with even more wounded, and for what? He didn't know, no one seemed to. Princess Cadance... Or Princess Celestia, no one knew that either, would be making a statement soon. They were going to use the new radio broadcasting system to address the whole nation.

Night thought it wasn't the best choice for Equestria's first national radio broadcast, but what did he know?

He managed the steps of the Lunar Tower, although it felt like the hardest thing he had done all day, and ran into his wife emerging from their room. She did not look as pleased to see him as he had hoped.

Her steel-grey fur and purple-white mane were both messy, although it did nothing to detract from her beauty. A slender jaw that took kisses like a champ, aristocratic cheekbones, a smile that could light up a room, and smouldering golden eyes all made his wife the most beautiful mare in the world. The fact that those smouldering golden eyes were currently smouldering with anger and not joy to see him did very little to take away from her good looks.

Then, she accused his full name, "Night Light!" And he knew he was in trouble.

He began tactic #1, moving closer and trying to nuzzle her - she let him get a bit of cheek contact, so it was a win. Then, he pressed on, "Twily! You're a radiant sight after the sort of day I've had, like a dawn above the mountains -"

She cut him off, frowning, "Don't 'Twily' me right now, Night! I fall asleep next to you only to wake up and you're gone? Then I have to find out from a guard that you've run off to the hospital? You didn't even wake me up to tell me! And after last night?"

Of course, because she'd have told him no - but he had to avoid saying that at all costs. Instead, he went with the tried and true methods of calming his wife's temper, before her mane starts sparking. "You always get mad when I wake you up in the night, Twily," he said, nuzzling her again, starting to guide her into their suite. "And I was being a bit of an idiot, I just heard they needed people down at the gatehouse to help triage, then I ended up going with the Royal Guard to the hospital. You know me, Sunlight, I can't help but help."

His wife huffed, growing calmer. She must have woken up not too long ago, or she'd be angrier than she was. "Well, Princess Celestia sent word that Twilight was stirring half an hour ago." Which meant his wife probably woke up ten minutes ago, she slept like the dead, and was twice as hard to rouse. "And I've been looking for you."

"Well," his heart lifted with the thought of Twilight finally waking up after her... ordeal. Celestia had said she needed to speak with them about her reasons, but Night's brain felt like mush. Maybe spending so long at the Hospital was a bad idea... "Well," he said again, "Let's get a shower in... I smell like antiseptic and blood, and could use the company."

Then, he deployed his secret weapon; Withdrawing the large box of milk chocolates from his saddlebag that he had bought on the way to the castle.

Twily rolled her eyes but took the chocolates in her own levitation. "I see through you, Head Astronomer. Come on, my mane needs a wash." She flicked her tail and began making for the suite's bathroom.

Night kicked the room's door shut behind him and followed her, grinning ear to ear.

Score for him.

"I see you extrapolated on my lesson plans quite well," Celestia praised, to Twilight's joy.

Her mentor was shifting through her stack of notes on her studies, eyes scanning several pages at a time. Twilight was envious, she could only imagine what she could do with the ability to read so much at once.

Celestia was sat at Luna's desk, and Twilight was on a cushion nearby. She eagerly filled in her mentor, "Y-yeah! I also - w-well, at the end... I did find a r-room... I mentioned it e-earlier. There are a few t-things at the e-end about that."

Twilight's nerves jangled, despite her happiness at Celestia's return. She had promised not to lie to Celestia, but the thought of her disapproval worried her. She didn't feel rising hysteria, to her own surprise. She knew her mentor wouldn't abandon her.

Celestia reached the final pages in a matter of moments more, where she stopped - her pink eyes focused on the last few paragraphs. Her brows furrowed slightly, and she looked up at Twilight. "Twilight, could you explain where you got the references for these notes? Was it -" Celestia seems to realize, "The room. It contains the Black Books." She stated, not questioned.

Twilight nodded slightly, some relief growing in her as Celestia doesn't grow angry - instead she nods to herself, and rises. "Could you show me the secret room, Twilight? I searched for Luna's secret chambers here for some time, but she hid them too well. I had assumed she moved most of her sensitive materials back to Everfree Castle, but it appears I was wrong."

Twilight nods and hops up, levitating her bag over. "I-it responds to the k-knife I found on her t-table. I picked it up w-with my magic, and then the room opened. I just have to..." Twilight moved over, and demonstrated, levitating the knife out of her bag, unsheathing it, and holding it near the bookcase. With a click, the bookcase unlocked, stone parting seamlessly and opening an inch.

Twilight looked back to Celestia, finding her mentor's attention focused on the knife. She seemed a little confused, eyebrows furrowing - then her eyes widen slightly. "Ah, of course... My sister is a devious trickster. Are you aware of what you're holding, Twilight?"

Twilight looked at the gleaming knife and shook her head, "N-no, but it... Well... It k-keeps reappearing in my b-bag."

Celestia nods, moving closer, "If I may, Twilight?" Her horn lit very slightly, and Twilight could tell the care she put into mixing their levitation over the knife. As always, coming into contact with her mentor's magic felt like tingling heat, fire, and energy. It made her spine tingle.

Twilight nodded and let go of the knife, leaving it solely in Celestia's grip. To her surprise, the knife lost its glow, and Celestia seemed to lose her hold on it - the knife slipping and falling, hitting the ground with a clang, coming to a rest unnaturally quickly. "C-celestia?" She asked, confused, levitating the knife up again, its soft glow returning.

"It is a mithral knife, Twilight," Celestia informed her, seeming very pleased indeed. "I thought it was bound to my sister when I found it on the table, but perhaps she simply spelled it so I couldn't pick it up... In any case, now that it is yours, Twilight, you will never be rid of it I'm afraid - not unless you willfully abandon it. In addition, anyone not yourself will find it nearly impossible to carry in any capacity. A few ponies can overpower this, myself included, but not without permanently ruining the material."

Twilight was enraptured and looked to the knife as Celestia spoke, turning over the gleaming blade. "L-luna made this?"

"Well, not wholly, no. I divined much more of the nature of mithral than she, but neither of us ever learned the secrets of making it. The material is a relic of the time before Discord, when magic was at heights unheard of since. We grow closer to those peaks every day, but creations such as mithral are yet beyond our ability to replicate wholly. It is unlike any material you will find that we have. It is... For lack of a better word, intelligent. The material itself is a creation of pure, concentrated magic, and has a will, and is capable of interpreting yours. Luna and I worked in conjunction to reforge what bits and scraps we found into several artefacts. It has always been my personal theory that the ancients must have had some access to the energies of the Sun, and used its energies to create it - but I have not had the time or attention I would like to dedicate much serious study to the matter for some time. Artificing was always a serious interest of mine, and I am sure you can understand my fascination with this metal."

Twilight nodded slowly, turning the knife over and over again, thinking of the ancient power of this thing held so simply in her grip. "A-and... T-theres more than k-knives?"

"Oh, yes," Celestia's voice gains a note of pride, "My sister was ever the craftsmare, but the fine art of manipulating mithral always required the pair of us to work together. It requires heats similar to that of the Sun to even manipulate. We, over time, managed several creations for our own uses. A sword, a hammer, an amulet. We attempted armour, but the material cost for a full suit for an alicorn would have consumed all of our available supply, even applied conservatively. Oh," Celestia smiled brighter, "I expect you will enjoy this party trick... Toss the knife across the room, Twilight."

She looked at the knife a moment longer, then obeyed her mentor, tossing the knife across the room. It embedded into the stonework, Twilight's toss not quite landing on the hilt as she wanted. "Now," Celestia instructed, "I want you to conjure the sensation of channelling your magic, but do not feed your horn power. Picture the knife in your mind. Imagine that you need it."

Twilight frowned, but once more obeyed. She took a moment to recall the feeling that had become part of her very being, the welling of energy inside her heart, the thrum of power deep in her bones, connecting her to the world itself. Then, she pictured the knife in her mind... She let out a small yelp as the blade glowed and rocketed across the room right at her head. Panicking, she grasped at the knife - stopping its movement several feet from her. Twilight let out a shaky breath, and looked to Celestia, eyes wide, a tremor of fear running through her.

"Twilight," Celestia smiled, "Allow me to assure you that it would have stopped before it struck you, although it would have clattered to the ground. It is quite a unique aspect of the material, it can seek out its owner from almost anywhere. It eases my heart to know it is bound to you, even if I suspect your parents would not wholly approve... And you are not quite ready for a warhammer, I think."

That reminded Twilight of a burning question that had been in her mind ever since she woke up. She set the knife down carefully, and followed Celestia as she made her way toward the secret alcove. "C-celestia?"

"Yes, Twilight?" Celestia pulled open the door, her pink eyes taking in the research lab, the shelves of books, the desk, the mug.

"Can you t-teach me to f-fight?" Twilight said it quickly, wanting to get the question out before she lost her nerve.

Celestia levitated the mug over, examining the written 'Moonbutt' for a few moments before turning back to Twilight. She smiled, understanding, and lightly amused - one side of her mouth quirking in a genuine, lopsided smile. "I had planned to, Twilight. The world is not a wholly peaceful place, as you are too well aware. Recent events have made me consider advancing my schedules... I suspect I will have more free time in these next years. In any case, you would have received tutelage on the subject around the time we began broaching dark magic."

She placed the mug back and entered the room, making for the bookshelf as Twilight stood in stunned silence. Celestia had levitated one of the red books up, gently flipping through pages, before Twilight recovered. "Y-you were going to teach me d-dark magic?"

"I am," Celestia corrected, placing the red book back before levitating the small stack of six black books from the shelf. "As I have explained, your cutie mark is Magic, Twilight. You may not feel it now that you are so relatively early in your studies - but you will be drawn to Dark Magic in your life. All studies of magical science, theory, and application will pull at you as irresistibly as the tides. I was always the more talented of us at these dark arts, I found the temptation to rely on them far easier to resist than Luna - I understand the seductiveness of my own dark emotions all too well. I suspect Luna will find it easier when she returns... You have this potential as well, Twilight," Celestia looked back at her now, eyes focused, serious, "But it requires direction. It is all too easy to lose oneself in these powers. A sort of corruption far worse than any possession. I am glad you did not manage to delve into these arts before I returned. I promise you we will research dark magic together, Twilight - but in return, you must swear to me never to practice without my presence, not until I grant you permission. Do you understand?"

Twilight nodded, now glad she hadn't tried to find a dead bird like she had been planning. "I promise," she said, firmly.

"Good. I will set aside some time for us every week to practice the fundamentals of combat. We won't have to worry about anything serious until you are older, your body simply cannot gain the muscle required for a true warrior yet, but we can lay the groundwork. I'm afraid you will have to cut down on your visits to the pantries." At that, Celestia's good humour returned, "A true tragedy, one I wish I did not have to inflict on anypony."

"Y-you're so lucky you're an a-alicorn..." Twilight mumbled in faux-jealousy, moving up to levitate the armour schematics, bringing them to Celestia's amused attention.

"Yes, I am," Celestia agreed, grasping the papers and moving them closer, eyes flicking over them. Before she could comment, however, there was a knock on the door to the bedroom.

"That will be your parents," Celestia states, beginning to move for the exit of the secret room. "I heard them preparing to come up."

"Y-you did?" Twilight asked, amazed, following after Celestia.

"Yes, they were quite loud," Celestia said, a half-smirk adorning her face.

Twilight didn't get it.

"Best not to mention that joke to them," Celestia advised, shutting the door to the secret room after them, "I can't imagine they would be pleased, all too often ponies are unaware of my senses."

She nodded slightly. She was very well aware that sometimes her parents were better off not knowing something...

Twilight reached out and opened the doors with her magic, the room unsealing, and immediately she was scooped up by her parents, her mother taking her over to a cushion - asking a bevvy of questions and accusations; 'You're alright, oh are you feeling better? How are -'

She saw Celestia watching from the side for some time before the Princess slipped out of the room, and shut the door.

It had been two days since the attempted coup, and Cadance had never been more nervous than she was now.

Ponies moved around the small room, making small last-minute adjustments to various bits of magical equipment that filled the room. Most of them were magical and audio engineers, but a few were interns, carrying around coffee or notes, or just standing there with the same nervousness she was. Celestia was present as well, a pillar amidst the chaos.

Cadance turned her eyes to the glass window that looked into the studio room. A heavily latticed crystal had been stood by wires and metal poles, secured firmly in place at near her head height. The room, otherwise, was mostly bare except for a stand for her speech to sit upon and sound dampening materials on the walls.

She was to address the entire nation, and be the first Princess - or pony at all - in history to do so. It felt like robbery somehow, but Celestia stood serenely and had even spoken encouraging words to her before they came in here, although Cadance struggled to recall them now.

It wasn't as if Cadance hadn't performed publically before. She had been everything from Smooth Mercury, rockstar extraordinaire, to Pink Bubble, the pole-spinning dancer. She knew how to perform in front of ponies, but she had never done it as Cadance. And not to an entire country.

The door to the studio was opened for her by an intern, but her hooves wouldn't move.

Maybe she should ask Celestia to do it? There was still time, the national anthem was apparently still playing for a bit longer. Was Cadance really ready to speak to their ponies?

Their.

Cadance slowly looked to Celestia, and saw the pride in those pink eyes, the encouragement.

Cadance realized it wasn't just Celestia's nation any more, or only Celestia's little ponies.

They were hers now, too.

She gathered herself, and moved into the audio room, and laid out her speech on the stand. She made sure to keep her distance from the microphone as the door was shut and sealed.

One of the engineers started a countdown with his horn.

3... 2... 1...

A crystal above the door turns red, and across Equestria millions of homes fall silent.

Cadance took a breath, and spoke.

"Come ooonnn, Applejack! We're gonna miss the Princess' talkin'! Come on, come on!"

Fourteen-year-old Applejack's attention was grabbed from the applejuice she had been making by Apple Bloom's incessant poking at her side. She loved her sister more than anything, but sometimes she had a bit too much energy for a little filly of six... "I'm hurryin', Bloom, I'm hurryin! Just wait a darn -"

"Ah best not be hearin' any swearin' from those lips, young mare!" The aged, reedy voice of Granny came from the other room, the old mare's hearing almost supernatural. Applejack winced, calling back, "Nah, granny - was just, uh, hurryin' up!"

Applebloom seemed satisfied by Granny's yelling, and Applejack's response, and adjusted her red bow before eagerly hopping toward the other room - amaranth mane bouncing in time with her little yellow body as she rushed for the living room.

Sighing, Applejack grasped the pitcher of apple juice's handle in mouth and followed after her, arriving in the living room after only a moment. It was relatively simple, but nothing felt more like home than this solid, old room. Heavy wooden floors and walls, built with sweat and toil. The furniture was simple, but comfortable, and didn't crowd the room, instead a few simple couches and chairs were dotted around with tables. There weren't any fancy portraits on the walls, but Granny's quilts covered a good few of them - and more had been put up for the winter season, which had them snowed in. The fireplace roared in the corner, stoked to great heat.

The only thing out of place was that darned radio. Granny had insisted they get it, said it was good entertainment for Applebloom, and it meant they could hear what weather was coming out of the Everfree early from the only station they normally got - the Ponyville one. Although apparently, Applebloom managed to get static-filled broadcasts intended for Canterlot sometimes. The metal and wooden contraption was like a small table with a big, flat brick on top. Some sort of gem in the front was glowing, and blaring from it was the last lines of the national anthem - although it was unlike any performance put up in town that Applejack had ever heard...

"- Equestria, Equestria,
Stars shed their grace on thee,
And crown thy good with sisterhood,
From sea to shining sea!"

It was crystal clear, an entire orchestra and choir, filling their front room with the harmonic words of the anthem. Applejack glanced at Granny, who seemed similarly impressed, and commented, "Sounds mite better than the Ponyville broadcast..." She moved over and took her seat next to Bloom, Granny on her living room chair.

"It's better than 'n my day, when -"

Bloom cut in, interrupting Granny in a rare occurrence - and getting away with it in an even rarer one, "Shhhshsh! It's the Princess!"

True to Applebloom's words, a voice came through the radio. It was clear, radiant, kind, and softer than Applejack had expected. She, like everyone in Ponyville - and most of Equestria - had only ever seen the Princesses in pictures. Ponyville hadn't been visited by Princess Celestia in... well, Applejack didn't know. Princess Cadance, though? She was pretty sure no one had ever mentioned any visit from her... She had expected a commanding, deep mares voice with a heavy noble accent and lordly tone. The Princess just sounded... Well, she had a pretty voice, but normal. She could've been from in town...

"Greetings, my fellow Equestrians. I am Princess Cadance, and I speak to you from the Royal Castle of Canterlot. I am sure that all of you have heard of the events that occurred within Canterlot not two days ago."

Applejack certainly had, they could see flashes near the castle from Ponyville after the storm had been blown away. She had thought it was some kind of fancy parade until the news came down...

"I believe it is my duty as Regent, and the Princess of Harmony, to bring you the truth of what occurred. For the first time in our nation's history, Equestrians fought Equestrian on the soil of our home."

The only noises in the room, other than the radio, was the crackling of the fireplace and whistling of the wind from outside. Granny looked horrified, like she couldn't believe that it was real. Bloom huddled closer to the radio, listening intently, hardly seeming to understand.

"That dark day has claimed the lives of twelve-hundred of our fellows, sisters and brothers all, in spite of their motives, creeds, and allegiances. In honour of lives lost, I will now hold a minute of silence on this broadcast."

The radio crackled slightly in the quiet. Granny muttered, "Silence for traitors? What's the -"

Applejack gave her a look, unsure what to think herself, but it felt wrong to not be silent with the Princess.

The minute passed like an hour, then the Princess' voice returned.

"While it is my solemn duty to inform you of these events, it is also my goal to reach into each of your homes and give you a message of hope, to speak of the greatness of our compassion and heart. What has truly stolen my attention, and should earn the pride of every Equestrian, is the response of ponies to this crisis." Here, the Princess' voice grew in strength, and Applejack felt her own heart lift, "Never before have I seen the generosity and kindness that lay within all of us on such display. Before emergency responders had even begun to reach the wounded or to clear the streets, the denizens of Canterlot were risking their safety to allay the fighting, and rescue those caught in the crossfire, to lay rest to the fires and damages caused by this civil strife. Thousands of volunteers have arrived at hospitals, more have offered supplies and food, and countless move in the streets in solidarity with their fellow pony to allay the suffering of ponies they have never met."

There was a beat of silence, even Granny was enraptured, Applejack was unable to tear her eyes from the Radio. She could imagine the Princess was there, before them - speaking not to millions of Equestrians, but just to their home.

"But most of all," The Princess' voice now lowered in volume, Applejack leaned in slightly in response, "I am humbled by your capacity to forgive. I am proud of your ability to accept responsibility for your actions. I am stunned by the willingness of every Equestrian to set right the results of their mistakes, no matter the difficulty and struggle."

"Darn right," Applejack muttered. Granny had always taught that.

"I know in my very being that all ponies of Equestria can hold these values in their heart so that friendship and forgiveness become our goal, kindness and acceptance our means. I invite each of you to let go of any hatred in your heart to these ponies who were misguided, and to instead open yourself to compassion, that we may bring these ideals into all our lives, in all corners of our homes, in every street, in every town, in every city."

Applejack looked down slightly, absorbing the words from the Princess.

"Sun and Moon shine on Equestria, on us all."

The radio cut for a moment, then began to play the national anthem once again.

Author's Note

Wouldn't have been quite 12,000 words, but close enough. Hope all of you like the chapter, and the speech. I spent way too long agonizing over it.

You'll get a bit more Applejack characterization in the next chapter, and a bit of Apple Family.

Also, the Equestrian National Anthem is just America the Beautiful but adapted to Pone. I'm many things, but a poet is not one of them. Sorry.

P.S. Over 100,000 words! Holy shit. I never thought I'd make it this far...