Renaissance

Act II: Incandescent
Chapter IV: System...

Los Pegasus was a sight for sore eyes as Fleur stepped off of the train that had just arrived at the station, her battle robe white and red once again, having taken the colour changing spell off of it long ago. It's so good to be home again...! She walked down the steps to the station with a sense of glee, but there was one thing she immediately noticed had changed about the city since she had last been there. There seemed to be a Solar Guard on nearly every other corner, others on patrols. Daybreaker really cracked down hard on protecting her citizens, just like she said she would... But that also means less freedom for them as well, ...always under the watchful eyes and attentive ears of the Sun.

Solar Empire flags hung around every corner and intersection, and anti-Lunar propaganda adorned the walls in some places, and recruiting posters were stuck to others. It's really become a regime... The Solar Empire... We all thought it would only be a momentary change, just until the changelings were defeated, but it only went further and further. The Princess had finally, truly broke. Celestia is no more, ...there is only Daybreaker now.

Fleur grit her teeth and swallowed hard, but slowly relaxed as she made her way through the city, towards the high-class part of the suburbs. At least I know they're safe. The Lunar Empire would never make it this far, especially without the Peace Corps or anypony else knowing. And I haven't heard of any assassination attempts on the Solar Nobility either, such a thing would have been extremely publicised. She hurried along none the less, making her way closer and closer to home, wanting to be safe rather than sorry.

There were fewer Solar Guards on patrol in the high-class suburbs district, but every manor and mansion she passed had guards posted at the gates and outside the front doors, keeping every family of noble blood as safe as possible. I wonder if mum and mom have been stressed out, they're a part of the Solar Court if I remember right... I wonder what those meetings are like, sitting there before Daybreaker, praying that you don't piss her off as you discuss politics and strategy...

Fleur's brow was furrowed as she continued on. It wasn't until seeing the Lis family home was in perfect condition that she relaxed a little. She was stopped at the gate however, the guards looking her over with their hands held out like stop signs. She groaned. "I'm their daughter, Fleur de Lis." They looked at her cutie mark for a second, before they nodded, and saluted, seeming to wait for her to do so as well, not moving out of her way. She took a deep breath before she stood at attention, saluting with them, her brow arched and eyes intense. "All hail God Empress Daybreaker! Praise the Sun!"

"Praise the Sun!" The guards repeated after her.

They stepped aside, and opened the gates for her, and Fleur relaxed once again, walking through the gate and humming in intrigue as it was closed behind her. She was both impressed and a little intimidated by the tight coordination. Damn, I guess they do take the security seriously around here... I thought it was just out on the battlefield that they were like that.

She smiled as she looked to the driveway however, seeing her Marezda Savanna RX-7 was still right where she left it. She longed to get in and rev the engine, walking over to it it. Mum and Mom will know I'm home when they hear the song of the rotary...! She reached into her armor, pulling out a key that was well hidden and hard to grasp because of it. I wasn't going to just leave my keys in my room. It's like I told Sassy before I left, if I needed my car, I would come back and take it.

Fleur rested her glaive across the spoiler before she got in the driver's seat on the right side, glad her armor was form fitting and not ridiculous or bulky. She put the keys in the ignition, the rotary engine turning over immediately, but Fleur simply let it idle for a few minutes, closing her eyes and leaning back in her bucket seat. She gently applied pressure to the accelerator, the e-brake keep in the car in place as the engine began to rev up, singing it's song. It wasn't long until both of her mothers were out in the driveway, smiling as they walked over, and Fleur turned the car off, stepping out as she locked the door and closed it.

Her other hand put the key back where she had pulled it out of, before she hugged both of her mothers so tight. "I missed you two so much..." She smiles wide, tearing up. "I hope you don't think less of me-"

Pétale de Lis interrupted her daughter, almost giggling as she patted her on the head. "Of course we don't. Your mom and me will always love you." Her purple eyes and pale pink hair were what Fleur got from her.

Silkstrider de Lis nodded at her wife's words, her white fur what Fleur had gotten from her. "Indeed! I had to go on a journey to find myself as well." She hugged her daughter tight. "I'm just so glad you came back to us."

"Gosh, Mom..." Fleur giggled, before stepping back and straightening her hair back out. "...How have things been? It hasn't been too rough being members of the Court has it?" She felt a little bad, trying to get information about the war from her parents, but she knew it would come up eventually.

Pétale was the first of her mothers to answer that question. "It's been... Interesting, to say the least. The first month was a little rocky, but God Empress Daybreaker had everything sorted out by the end of it. We started in chaos, but she brought order to us, and the rest of the Empire. Her presence is... intimidating would not even begin to describe it. She has this... charisma that makes you feel both terrified and in awe."

Silkstrider nodded. "I didn't know how she would do it at first, but through her orders and declarations, she brought the whole counsel together, and we all work together as one now. Like your mum said, God Empress Daybreaker is extremely persuasive, and she gets results, no matter what."

Fleur hummed and brought her left hand up to gently grasp her chin in thought. "I didn't think it would be so... peaceful. Not only the Court, but the Empire itself. Sure, that peace is brought about by heavy enforcement, but it's like you said... she gets results." The ex-model swallowed hard, feeling a little fearful. The Solar Empire might be the most dangerous side of the war, just like Princess Cadance thought...

Silkstrider put her hand on her daughter's shoulder armor. "But you don't have to worry about politics or how God Empress Daybreaker is running the Empire, dear. You're safe here." She smiled warmly, and Fleur couldn't help but smile back, feeling at ease. "Now, why don't you come inside, and I'll make your favourite breakfast treat! I'm sure you want to relax in your room as well, when you're done. We kept it the same way it was when you left."

Fleur dropped her jaw, almost hopping in place as she began to feel giddy. "Coffee Jelly?! Oh my Goddess, you always know just what I'm craving, mom!" Her mothers giggled as they began to walk back inside, and Fleur couldn't help but take a deep breath, letting out a sigh of relief. They're safe, and happy as always. That alone brings calm and peace to my mind. ...I guess I could stay for a day, it's been a while since I've had some real time to myself anyways. She walked through the front doors just behind her mothers, feeling like she was smiling more than she had in the past six months.

As the Solar Guards on either side of the doors closed them behind the Lis family, they gave each other a look, their eyes intense, the one on the left saying what he knew they were both thinking.

"God Empress Daybreaker will want to know about this..."