The Master Blackmailerby keithsterlingChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 1Its 2300 hrs, late evening, Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Main entrance into the Royal Palace, a rainy day in Canterlot. The light rain that starts earlier that evening has steadily increased to a medium downpour soaking the Capital city of Canterlot in a cooling shower. Slouching through the downpour on her way back to the Grand Royal Palace was very soggy and stressed Princess Celestia Silverlight. her long golden blonde mane and tail hair hang lifeless on her body. The raindrops slowly ran off her gold tiara from on top her head to her snout and onto the shoulders of her drenched lilac-colored, below the knee-length dress. The gold collar around her neck is soaked with rain and tears. Her twelve and two-third inch long, white with hint of pink bare feet squished in a soggy pair of golden heeled sandals as she approached the main entrance of The Grand Royal Palace, her home with her beloved Royal Foals. After finishing her late afternoon court session in the throne room of the palace, Celestia received a ransom letter from a pony calling himself the 'Master Blackmailer'. In the letter the Master Blackmailer demanding that she pay 7,000 bits or the letters he has will be released. At first, Celestia pays no attention to the letter until she continues to read the content of the message. At the bottom of the letter was a passage from one of her personal letters. Shocked, she ran to her Private bedroom and discovered that were stolen from her room. She dashes out and heads to the address on the bottom of the message to get her letters back. ~earlier that same evening at the home of the Master Blackmailer~ Princess Celestia Silverlight sits in the study of a charming Canterlot home in the Obsidian ward of Canterlot. Across from her sat a red unicorn stallion with a blond mane and tail. A defiant smile was on his smug snout. This unicorn stallion is Master Blackmailer, Coerce Money. "I demand you return what was taken from my private bedroom, right this minute!" Celestia said sharply, slamming her fist down on top of his table, cracking the wood under her fist. "Now, why would I do that, your highness? Right now, you are in no position to demand the letters. They are hidden, and if you don't pay up, your highness. I know a few nobles families willing to pay top bits for those letters, who want to get you off the throne of Equestria. Am I clear, your highness." Coerce said as a knowing smile form on Celestia's snout. "I have not ruled Equestria for this long, without knowing the nobles families that want me off the throne of Equestria. As a matter of fact, many of them have tried and failed to do so. So I say you are in no position to keep my letters, Mr. Money!" Celestia said unconcernedly as Coerce rolls his eyes. "I have forgotten you have gone through several scandals over your entire rule of Equestria and know how to weather them like a good little Princess. But what about your precious royal foals, your highness. Your nobles would love to get their hands around one or all of your foals. If they control your foals, they control you. So once again, you are in no position, what so ever, to demand anything." Coerce said, flashing a superior grin as Celestia gives a startled gasp. Forgetting it's no longer just her and Luna. It’s her, Luna, and her babies, she must protect them from those evil nobles they are looking for any chink in her armor. "By my light! You can't involve my foals in this! There's no telling what my nobles will do to my precious foals if they get control of them! They might threaten to hurt or kill my foals to get at me! I can't allow that to happen to my foals!" Celestia cries out in a voice raw with terror as tears begin to fill her light purple eyes. "Save the tears, your highness, for some pony that cares. I don't care about what happens to those precious foals of yours. To me, those foals are nothing but a tool to get what I want. If few useless foals get killed, so be it, just as long as I get what; I want bits and more bits." Coerce said as he puffs up with self-importance looking at the time on the grandfather clock in one corner of the study. "You are a vile and miserable little pony!" Celestia said bitterly as she gets to her feet and dashes out into the rain shower outside. ~back to the present~ Slowly the front door of the Royal Palace opens. Walking through the door was a soggy Princess Celestia. Her steps were heavier than usual as she gulps air furiously. The raindrops falling from her body masked the tears that caused her eye shadow to run. The day Princess Celestia became a mother to her own foals was the happiest day in her long life. Now that happiness has been replaced with fear and panic. A vile and hateful Master Blackmailer has hold of some letters she wrote long ago when she was young. 'If one of my nobles' gets hold of my letters I wrote when I was younger, he or she would use them to gain the cooperation of one or all my foals. My babies would do whatever they are told to keep their mother's letters from being released. I would be under the thumb of that noble. A puppet Princess being protected by the ones she loves the most, her babies.' Celestia thought as she wandered aimlessly through the hallways of the royal palace for several hours. She found herself in the private living area of the palace, standing in front of her son's bedroom door Prince Somnus. She felt strangely disembodied as her legs refused to obey the commands given to them by her brain. With the stubbornness of an old mare, Celestia steps slowly forward. Once over and through the threshold of the door, her legs started to obey her brain once again. Celestia's stomach fluttered as she stood in the darkened room, looking at her peacefully sleeping foal. She willed herself to speak, but the words never came to her lips. 'How hard can it be to simply ask my foal for help? I know he will say yes because I am his mother. Then why is it so hard to speak. All I have to say is "baby mommy needs your help". But I can't find the words to say that to him.' Celestia thought as tears once again fill her eyes. She quickly turns on her heels and runs out of the room. The sudden sound of running woke Somnus up from his sleep. He opens his eyes just long enough to catch a glimpse of the end of a golden blond tail exiting his room. Interested Somnus rolls out of his bed and reeling with astonishment, as he finds himself standing in a puddle of water. After quickly drying off his dark blue, bare feet with a towel from his private bathroom, he touches the base of a half-moon shaped lamp on his nightstand; lights up his room nicely. "Huh?" Somnus exclaims, noticing the large puddle about the size of a large and very tall mare. "Mother?" Somnus exclaims he remembers seeing the end of a golden blonde tail leaving his room. When he was fully awake, he came to no other conclusion than his mother being soaked and standing in his room. Somnus pulls on his robe and leaves his room in search of his mother, so he may ask her what she wanted. "Mother!" Somnus called catching her as she was about to walk into her room for the night. Upon seeing her son face, Celestia begins to grind her teeth. "Yes, Somnus, is there something wrong?" Celestia inquiry as she got an uncomfortable feeling as he performed a long and slow appraising glance of her. 'Mother is on pins and needles she's very nervous about something. Her body language is telling me she doesn't want me to get involved but her eyes are begging me to help. If I confront her by asking her why she was in my room, she will most likely clam-up and make up some excuse, so different tack.’ Somnus thought as he walks-up to his mother. "I love you, mother, that's all I want to tell you, Good night," Somnus said loving, hugging his mother. The sudden gesture caught Celestia totally by surprise in doing so she once again tear-up. "Somnus! Come back!" Celestia calls as he turns and walks back over to his mother "Yes, mother?" Somnus inquiry "Baby, mommy is in a very terrible predicament that needs your help. But its late if you are going to help me, please return to my bedroom in the morning, and I will tell you everything ." Celestia said in relief as she hugs him with her arms and wings and plants a kiss on his horn. "All right, mother, see you in the morning," Somnus said as he heads back to his bedroom to return to sleep. Its 0900 hrs, the following morning, Canterlot Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Private Living area, Royal Bed Chamber of Princess Celestia Silverlight. 'You are becoming so much like your father, my dear Somnus. A unicorn knight that not only comes to my aid but to the aid of the good ponies of Equestria.' Celestia thought as she watches Somnus through the mirror of her private bathroom. "Somnus! On top of my desk, you will find a letter addressed to me. Have a look at it, while I get ready for morning court." Celestia called as Somnus walks over to her desk. Walking towards the desk. He sighs aggravated as the desktop was littered with royal and personal documents. Sitting on top the pile of papers was plain-looking envelope address to Princess Celestia Silverlight with no return address. One end of the envelope was torn open, revealing the end of a folded letter. Figuring this is the letter his mother wanted him to read, Somnus pulls the folded letter out of the envelope, unfolds and begins to read it. As he read the contents of the letter, his eyes start to sharpen and his jaw becomes unyielding. As sometimes he doesn't agree with his mother's decisions, this letter from this pony calling himself the "Master Blackmailer" is a different matter entirely. "Mother!" Somnus calls as Celestia padded barefooted out of the bathroom and walks over to Somnus, who standing in front of her desk. "I see you found the letter from the Master Blackmailer, Somnus," Celestia comments as she floats her gold tiara onto her head. "Is this what you want my help with, mother?" Somnus inquires as Celestia shook her head as a single tear ran down her cheek. Her chest becomes heavy as a very protective mother; she never wanted to involve her foals in something like this, but the Master Blackmailer has forced her hand. "Indeed I do my dear foal, this is the first time something has felt out of hand. I am unable to figure out a solution for this difficult situation. So I am putting my faith in you, Somnus." Celestia said her voice cracking as Somnus hugged his mother. "I promise to aid you, mother," Somnus said reassuringly as his mother returns his hug and kisses him, once again, on his horn. "But now ,I must ask you, mother. How far do you want to go with this?" Somnus inquiry as Celestia's eyes haunted by some inner anxiety. "I am willing to pay the ransom, but not for the price the Master Blackmailer is demanding of 7,000 bits. If I do that, your sister will surely take notice of the withdrawal from the Royal Treasury of that amount. It's bad enough I have to involve you, Somnus, in this but I don't want to drag your sisters into this as well." Celestia explains as she pattered back into the bathroom to lightly comb her mane, followed by Somnus. "I understand what you mean, mother. With Aurora as your bookkeeper if you take out that much from the Royal Treasury, she will start asking questions about it, and from what I gather, you want this affair to be handled very quietly." Somnus comment as his mother shakes her head again. "So with that mother, how much are you willing to pay?" Somnus inquiry as Celestia sighs slowly. "I can safely withdraw 2,000 bits from the Royal Treasury without your sister noticing the transaction that the normal amount I take out for personal use. If the Master Blackmailer is willing to take that much, I can have it sent to him by the end of the day. As a way to thank you for helping me, Somnus, I will fulfill your royal duties for your aunt today, so she will not get mad at you. Good luck, my dear foal, and may the sun bless you." Celestia said hopeful, as Somnus ran out of his mother's bedroom to try and negotiate with the Master Blackmailer for the lower price. Its 1000 hrs that same day, Coerce Money's Canterlot townhouse, Obsidian ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, Coerce's study. Ever since arriving at the home of the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money, Somnus has gotten down to business with the Master Blackmailer trying to negotiate the return of his mother's letters and a lower pay-out. "The Princess is willing to pay you 2,000 bits by the end of the day for the return of her letters," Somnus explains very businesslike as he taps his finger against the lower half of his snout. "Tell the Princess the price for the return of her letters is non-negotiable. The price is 7,000 bits, or I will sell the letters to one of her nobles." Coerce said, ruthlessly staring blankly at the stallion who was negotiating for the Princess. Upon arrive at the home of the Master Blackmailer, Somnus has not revealed who he really is. "Everything is negotiable, Mr. Money. So I repeat, the Princess, by the end of the day, will pay you 2,000 bits for the return of her letters, not a bit more. I would say that's a great deal for you, especially for a pony that is only looking at the bits he can get out of the beloved Princess of Equestria." Somnus said sarcastically looking at the back of his hand. "Like I said, Mr. Silverlight. The price is non-negotiable. I will take 7,000 bits in payment for the return of the Princess' letters, or should I say your mother's letters." Coerce said, knowing as Somnus recoil in horror when he said it was his mother. "Yes, I know who you really are now. You are Prince Somnus Silverlight, the only son of her highness Princess Celestia Silverlight. If the Princess is willing to send her only son to negotiate for her letters, the letters are more valuable than I first thought and will command a great sum from her nobles." Coerce said greedily as he pushes Somnus out of his home, slamming the door behind him. "Damn it!" Somnus exclaims as bleak, wintry feeling wash over him. Upon arriving back at home, one of the royal guards told the Prince his mother wanted to see him in her private office. A sadden Somnus took his time walking to his mother's office not wanting to inform her, he failed to get her letters back and might have made it worse. "With that done. How did that small assignment I sent you on, go, Somnus?" Celestia inquires friendly, clearing her office of Palace staff, leaving her and Somnus alone in the office. "I-I am a sorry, mother! But I failed. The Master blackmailer will not take 2,000 bits for your letters. Plus, I might have made it worse. He's more willing to sell the letters to your nobles now." Somnus said with a hitch in his voice as he started to weep. At that moment, Celestia's maternal instinct kicks in, and she wraps her arms and wings around her sadden foal. "It ok's baby, I should have known he would never go for something like that if that pony is willing to sacrifice my own foals for profit. Why would he take fewer bits for my letters? But at least he didn't hurt you, and you came home safely. But now I must ready myself and my family for the coming storm." Celestia said, comforting and caressing Somnus mane as her stomach constiricts to a tight ball. Chapter 2Its 1500 hrs several years earlier, Royal Blue stable, noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden. The garden of the Royal Blue Stable is celebrating the upcoming wedding of Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue to Captain Lancer Cadet. Walking into the main manor home of the Royal Blue stable was a lovely looking, blue colored earth pony mare with a dark pink mane and tail. Her physically fit 5ft 1in Equine figure was attired in an elm green slightly below the knee-length dress. Her ten and one-third inch blue bare feet were encased in white ankle-strap pumps with a three-inch heel. This earth pony mare was Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. She was summoned by one of her stable' maid’s when a package arrived for her. Watching through the window outside was a handsome navy blue colored earth pony stallion with a crimson red mane and tail. His face was twisted in anguish upon seeing his fiancée opening the package that she was sent to her. His physically fit 5ft 1in equine figure was attired in the light gold uniform of Princess Celestia Silverlight’s troops. His ten and one half inch feet were encased in black boots. This earth pony stallion was Captain Lancer Cadet. Its 1700 hrs, that same day, Royal army barracks command office, Military ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria. Crouched down next to the body of a blue earth pony stallion was a drop-dead gorgeous light blue unicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her athletic 5ft 8in equine figure was attired in an orange-colored mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long light blue, bare feet were encased in black boots. This unicorn mare was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight, the youngest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Royal Coroner for Equestria. "Any thought your highness?" a Solar Guard officer asked the Princess who closed the eyes of the earth pony stallion with her fingers. "From the entrance wound location on the side of the head and the position of the gun, it was self-inflicted, was there a note, officer?" Blueberry asked as she slowly rises to her feet and looks around the room for a note. "None have been located, your highness. But we have not searched the whole room yet." The Solar Guard officer explains as Blueberry sighs. "All right officer send the body to the morgue." Blueberry orders as she walked out of the command office into the central area of the military barracks, then outside the barracks. Waiting outside the barracks was a gorgeous light blue Alicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her shapely 6ft 6in equine figure was attired in a blue-violet mid-knee length dress. On her ten-inch long light blue bare feet were black leather boots. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back. This half Alicorn mare was Princess Aurora Silverlight, the oldest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and overall commander of the Solar Guard division in Equestria. "Was the victim Captain Lancer Cadet the commander of 10th Royal Army Company based in Canterlot, Blueberry?" Aurora inquiry as Blueberry slowly sighed again. "Probably, Aurora, Why do you ask?" Blueberry asked, gesturing two of her medic ponies to pick-up the body and take it to the morgue. "The Lieutenant Colonel asked the Solar Guard Internal affairs to investigate Captain Lancer Cadet," Aurora explains as Blueberry's face glazes with shock. "For what, Aurora?" Blueberry asked as she watches her two medic ponies load the body into the coroner van to transport it to the morgue for processing. "The Lieutenant Colonel was going to petition our mother to allow the 10th Royal Army Company to become separate from the Canterlot Royal Army Battalion because Captain Cadet had great leadership ability. As the Solar Guard Internal affairs unit was investigating Captain Cadet’s Background, there were numerous inconsistencies in his background. So I sent a Solar Guard investigation team to his hometown of Silver Shoals to investigate his background." Aurora explains, pausing momentarily to catch her breath before continuing. "Anyone who knew him had moved to other equestrian cities. We are currently tracking down those ponies. As the Solar Guard investigation team was leaving Silver Shoals, the local law enforcement asked them to look at some skeletal remains of an earth pony stallion that was found in a long-abandoned home. The team said it looks like cut marks on the bones so they sent the skeletal remains to your morgue to look them over. The team found a deteriorated wallet and Military ID card identifying the body as Private Lancer Cadet. That was also sent to your morgue." Aurora explains as Blueberry eyes widen with alarm. "I see sister; I'll get right on it when I get back to the morgue," Blueberry said, shocked as she climbs into the coroner van. "Thank you, little sister; I'll continue the investigation here at the barracks." Aurora's comment waving her hand as the coroner van drove off to the morgue to begin her investigation of the bodies. It's 1200 hrs that afternoon, Silverlight stable, Noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden, small backyard patio area. Sitting at a small round patio table was an everlasting beautiful morning, blue, older unicorn mare with a pink mane and tail. She was sipping from a small teacup. Her perfect 6ft 11in equine figure was attired in a mint green mid-knee length dress. On her twelve-inch long, morning blue bare feet were light blue strap sandal with one fourth inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Duchess Ophelia Silverlight, the boss mare for the Silverlight unicorn family and grandmother to the Royal foals. Sitting across from her was an elegant looking, yellow, older unicorn mare with an orange and pink colored mane and tail. Her toned 5ft 10in equine figure was attired in a deep pink color, below the knee-length dress. On her ten inch long, yellow, bare feet were gray peep-toe pumps with four and one-half inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Countess Clarice Brightly, the boss mare for the brightly unicorn family and a Canterlot Noble mare. "How long are you here for, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry as she took a drink from her cup. "I am here permanently, Ophelia, after what happen in Pearis." Clarice comments as she takes a sip from her cup. "What happened in Pearis, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry taking a drink from her cup. "Someone on my household staff betrayed me. They gave a political rival some of my compromising letters. I was forced to flee Prance before the firestorm started and return home to Canterlot. Well, here in Equestria, my family standing is great, so I don't have to worry about a firestorm." Clarice comment as she shook her head, telling Ophelia no more question about Prance. "I am sorry, Ophelia, for the loss of your grandson Lord Justice Silverlight. His name was well known in Prance." Clarice comments as a single tear ran down Ophelia's cheek. "I thank you, Clarice. But my grandson left me with three wonderful Grandchildren." Ophelia comments as Clarice looks dumbfounded. "Ophelia, you are a great grandmother. Who are your grandchildren?" Clarice asked as Ophelia softly chuckled. "Princess Aurora, Prince Somnus, and Princess Blueberry," Ophelia answers as the breath catches in Clarice's throat. "The royal foals are your grandchildren, Ophelia. I heard rumors that Princess Celestia wed her personal guard. But I didn't know that guard was your grandson, Lord Justice Silverlight. So your grandson was Prince Justice Silverlight." Clarice exclaims as Ophelia chuckles softly once again. "But Ophelia is that a conflict of interest with you being the head of the House of Lords in Canterlot," Clarice comments as Ophelia shook her head ‘no’. "Their mother makes my stable independent, and the Royal foals don't live here at the stable. They live up at the Grand Royal Palace with their mother and their aunt. They do come and visits my stable when they are in the noble ward as a family member of the Silverlight family." Ophelia explains as the two old unicorn mares begin talking about other subjects. It's 1700 hrs, the afternoon of that same day (present), Royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, family living room, private living area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, second floor of the palace. Sitting on the sofa was Princess Aurora Silverlight, attired in a tangerine-colored top of the knee-length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue feet were bare. Nearby, was a pair of light gold heeled sandals. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back, and she was wearing her Princess' regalia. She was reading over the final coroner report for the skeletal remains found in Silver Shoals. Sitting in a chair, in the same room was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight attired in a green colored, mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue bare feet were encased in light gold gladiator sandals, and she was wearing her own Princess' regalia. "So all the medical reports that you requested from the Silver Shoals base hospital for Private Lancer Cadet are inconclusive that the skeletal remains belong to him," Aurora comments as she sits back on the sofa, and Blueberry shook her head. "To make identification of the skeletal remains even more difficult, Captain Lancer Cadet wanted to be cremated." Aurora said, aggravated snorting loudly at the report. "What about your leads, Aurora?" Blueberry inquiry as she reaches down to unclasp the claps on her sandals to remove them from her feet. "All the leads were dead ends. It seems that Private Lancer Cadet became a recluse after the death of his parents. And those ponies that said they knew him didn't know him at all. They didn't even know he left Silver Shoals and joined the Royal army. Until a Solar Guard officer spoke to them." Aurora explains as Blueberry removed her gladiator sandals and set them beside her chair. A few moments later, a gorgeous, light blue, unicorn stallion with a crimson red mane and tail walks into the living room and sits down on the other chair. His athletic 6ft 2in equine figure was attired in a white comfort dress shirt and gray classic fit suit pants. On his socked eleven and one-sixth light blue bare feet were black dress boots. He was wearing his own black metal royal regalia. This unicorn stallion was Prince Somnus Silverlight, the brother to Aurora and Blueberry. "Greeting sisters, what is up with you two?" Somnus inquiry noticing the coroner report tossed on the coffee table. "Greetings, brother." The two mares said in unison as they both sigh. "Oh, it’s nothing brother, we are unable to identify some skeletal remains that were found in Silver Shoals. They also found a deteriorated wallet with a Military ID card." Aurora explains as Somnus looks a bit puzzled. "Well, that Military ID card should belong to the skeletal remains," Somnus comments as Blueberry shook her head no. "That’s where the problem is, Somnus." Blueberry comment floating the coroner report over to him from the table. "Say what? The Military ID card belongs to Private Lancer Cadet. How can there be two Lancer Cadet a private and a Captain? That makes no sense at all, sisters." Somnus said very much lost as both his sisters shook their heads. "What was the cause of death for Captain Lancer Cadet, Blueberry?" Somnus inquiry looking toward his little sister Blueberry. "It was suicide, brother, a single gunshot to the right side of the head with his own revolver. But I don't know why he did it?" Blueberry explains as Somnus' jaw drops. "I might be able to answer that question for you, Blueberry," Somnus comments as a news article appears with a case file in front of his sisters on the coffee table. Blueberry picks up the news article, and Aurora picks up the case file to read it over. "It seems that Captain Lancer Cadet was going to marry Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. But she broke it off. If you notice the date of the news articles its one day after his suicide, Blueberry." Somnus explains as Blueberry gasps with the revelation. "Damn it, brother! She’s our mother as well. Why did you not tell us about this Master Blackmailer that has our mother's stolen letters in his possession. I could have helped and have found a way to pay the ransom off for mother's stolen letters." Aurora said hotly as tears come to her cobalt blue eyes. "I am sorry big sister, but mother didn't want you two involved in this messy situation with this Master Blackmailer. It was hard enough for mother to seek out my help. You know how protective our mother is of us." Somnus explains apologetically as Aurora shook her head. "Something must have changed in the situation for you to bring us into it now, big brother," Blueberry comments as she weighs Somnus' reaction with a critical squint. "As I stated in the case file, I tried to negotiate for a lower price for mother's letters but the attempt was unsuccessful. So with the failure to negotiate, I've set my feelers out watching the noble families that would benefit the most from mother's letters. So far, none of the families have hold of mother's letters. So, I believe the Master Blackmailer still has them. I think the only way to rectify this case is for some breaking and entering to retrieve mother's letters." Somnus explains as Blueberry face glazes with shock. At the same time, Aurora hysterically laughs. "What so funny about doing something illegal like that, Aurora? We are the foals of Princess Celestia Silverlight. The embodiment of law and order." Blueberry said sourly as Aurora stopped laughing. "Being the firstborn foal of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Prince Justice Silverlight. I saw father do many illegal things for our mother. He never told mother what he did for her, as her knowing, would break her heart. He would go beyond the law but remain in the law. This Master Blackmailer is beyond redemption. He would use what our mother holds the most precious and hold her hostage for nothing more than riches.” Aurora said as she sighs slowly. “Our father wouldn't stand for that; he loved our mother too much for that. So I am going to support Somnus in his plan. If you want out, Blueberry, it’s your decision." Aurora comments, sitting back on the sofa. "No, Aurora, you are right; the Master Blackmailer is way beyond redemption. He would use us to hold our mother hostage for nothing but money. As father died when, I was a baby, I have seen how much mother loved our father, so I am in." Blueberry said as she placed her hand on the table in front of her. Chapter 3Its 1700 hrs, early evening of that same day (present), Royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, the hallway outside the family living room, private living area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, second floor of the palace. Standing outside the door press against the wall was breathtaking beautiful white-colored pure alicorn mare with a golden blond mane and tail. Her 6ft 5in perfect equine figure was attired in Vanilla ice colored slightly below the knee-length dress. Why her twelve-inch long white bare feet were encased in a coral-colored crew wedge sandals with a one-inch platform, a single thick ankle-strap band held the sandals to her foot. Her white-feathered bird wings were folded on her back. This pure white alicorn mare was Princess Celestia Silverlight, the mother of the royal foals and co-ruler of Equestria. Tears streak her cheeks as she listened to her own foal's conversation about their father and her beloved husband. Celestia never knew all the time she spent in the company of her dear Justice, how much he actually did for her. It was right of her husband not to tell her anything about how he completed the tasks she sent him on. Some of the ways that he completed the tasks would put him at odds with his own wife's beliefs. Quietly Celestia moved away from the door. Deciding it best leave all the paperwork for her son on tops his desk in his bedroom from his royal duty that she did for him. Walking down the opposite side of the hallway on her way to the family living room was heavenly looking dark blue pure Alicorn mare with midnight blue mane and tail. Her 6ft 3in elegant equine figure was attired in orange-red top of the knee-length dress. Her eleven and five-sixths inch long dark blue bare feet were encased in blackstrap sandals with one and one half inch heel. A single slender ankle-strap band held it on her foot. This dark blue pure Alicorn mare was Princess Luna Silverlight, the aunt to the royal foals and the co-ruler of Equestria. "Luna may I ask you something?" Celestia commented as Luna stop and stood in front of her sister. "Yes, sister," Luna replied as she notices all the documents under her sister's arm with her royal seal on them. "Did you use your ability to control the moon to help Justice on some of his tasks I gave him?" Celestia asked as Luna remain straight-faced, knowing she's trying to find out if she helped Justice Illegally by blocking out the moonlight. "Justice never came to me, so my answer is no. I never help him with any of his tasks." Luna answered as Celestia knew it impossible to detect went Luna is lying because she was so good at it. "Well thank you, sister. If you please would you lend your ability to my foals." Celestia said nonchalantly as she continued on her way to Somnus' bedroom to drop off the documents she was carrying. "Of course, sister." Luna comment pretending to be a bit confused as she continued on her way to the living room to meet up with the royal foals. ~A few moments later in the living room~ "I just had a strange encounter with your mother on the way to the living room." Luna comments as she sits down on the sofa next to her oldest niece Aurora. "How so, Auntie?" Blueberry inquiry as she crossing her leg one knee over the other as she taps her barefoot soundlessly in the air. "She was trying to find out if I help your father illegally." Luna comment as Aurora had a coy smile on her snout that was quickly noticed by her brother, Somnus. "Mother was listening to our conversation. Was she, not Aurora." Somnus comments, looking toward his sister, Aurora. Why Blueberry's eyes blink with the incredulity with what her brother said to her sister. "I pick up mother aura the moment she neared the living room. I'll bet she was masking her aura from you, Somnus." Aurora comments as she crossing her leg one knee over the other. "She was Aurora. She was suppressing her full aura from me." Somnus explains as Aurora chuckled. "Then, the question is, Auntie. Did you?" Blueberry inquiry looking toward her aunt Luna. Who then looked over to her nephew Somnus, who has a smile on his snout and nodded his head. "I'll be free later in the evening, my dear little Somnus. You may punish me then, I could use the stress relief. I have two very annoying meetings during the night watch today. You know who I am talking about, Somnus." Luna comment as Somnus chuckled and shook his head. "To answer your question, my dear niece. I did help your father using my ability to control the moon for several of his tasks. Before I agreed to help him, he told me his full plan. What he wanted to accomplish with this option. I had the right not to aid him. But the plan and what he wanted to accomplish was the only option for that task, and I aid him." Luna explains as Somnus reaches over to grab hold of his auntie's hand. "Your father and I made a deal between us. He would not use my help to hurt or kill any pony. Unless there was no other choice. In turn, I agreed to tell no one of my involvement with his illegal task. If I spoke of it, he had the right to punish me. As your father would never knowingly hurt an Alicorn mare, he has other ways to punish me." Luna explains as she got down to business with the royal foals. Its 1700 hrs that same day, the brightly stable, northwest noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, front driveway. Slowly a Canterlot city cab pulls up to the staircase leading up to the main mansion home of the brightly stable from the rear passenger side of the cab exits refined-looking young light blue unicorn mare with a light pink mane and tail her hand was wrapped around a single suitcase. Her toned 5ft 11in equine figure was attired in tangerine-colored slightly below the knee-length dress. On her, ten-inch long light blue bare feet were a pair of green open toe wedge heel pumps with two one half inch heel. This young unicorn mare was Lady Fiona Halcyon. After an accident that took the life of Clarice's youngest sister and her husband, Clarice adopted Lady Fiona Halcyon. She raised her niece as her own foal. After paying the driver, Fiona climbs up the staircase to the main door of the mansion home. Upon entering the main mansion home, she is greeted by her aunt's loyal Chief Maid. "Welcome home Lady Fiona, may I take your suitcase for you?" The Chief Maid inquiry as she hands the suitcase to her. "Yes, Glory. Where is her ladyship at?" Fiona inquired "Last time I saw her ladyship. She was up in the study, reading over the requests from the ponies living in her Lustrous ward and doing her paperwork to send to the Princess for approval." Chief Maid Glory explains as she takes her suitcase to her old room in the main mansion for her. As Fiona climb up the staircase to the second floor of the estate were, her aunt's study is located. ~ A Few moments later~ Walking down the hallway heading toward the kitchen was a beautiful white colored unicorn mare with purple mane and tail after dropping off Lady Fiona's suitcase in her room. Her 5ft 9in fit equine figure was attired in black mid-knee length dress. Why her ten inch long white bare feet were encased in black pumps. This unicorn mare was Chief maid Glory neatly the Chief maid of the brightly stable. Sitting in the kitchen of the mansion home was nice looking white unicorn mare with green mane and tail resting her feet on the table. Her 5ft 9in good equine figure was attired in black mid-knee length dress. Why her ten inch long white bare feet were encased in black pumps. This second unicorn mare was Maid Gusty Shady, one of ten maids working for the brightly stable and the most troublesome of all the maids. "Gusty! I thought her ladyship told you to clean that room on the first floor! Before the end of the day!" Glory said sharply, stomping her foot on the ground. "I'll get to it went I am good and ready, Glory! It not like her ladyship uses that room for any thing." Gusty said sarcastically as Glory snorted angrily at her. "If we didn't need another maid here at the Stable. You wouldn't have this job at all, Gusty." Glory said hotly as she left the kitchen to find another maid to clean the room. Since being hired at the stable, Gusty has shown the household staff that she has little regard for a noble mare that what to help her by giving her this job. All she looking at is the bits she can get out of Countess with little work as possible. Meanwhile, sitting behind her desk in her study on the second floor of the mansion wearing magenta-colored mid-knee length dress was Countess Clarice Brightly; she was going through the pile of request form from the lustrous ward, the ward her family administrates in Canterlot. Their knock on her study door. "Come in!" Clarice called as the door is open by Fiona. The moment she saw the young unicorn mare walking into the study, she leaps to her feet walks toward her. "Welcome home, Fiona! How long are you here for?" Clarice inquiry as Fiona chuckled, noticing that her aunt Clarice was barefooted. "I finished my nursing studies abroad and was offered a job here in Canterlot by the Director of Royal Canterlot Hospital Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. As a chief nurse at the hospital. I jump at the offer." Fiona explains as Clarice smiled. "You must have impressed Director Blueberry with your nursing skills to be offered a position like that at the Royal Canterlot Hospital. Fiona, do you know who Director Blueberry is?" Clarice inquiry with a smile on her snout as Fiona shook her head no. "Director Blueberry is actually Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. The youngest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and the granddaughter of my friend Duchess Ophelia Silverlight the boss mare of the Silverlight unicorn family." Clarice explains as Fiona gawk in disbelief. "The Princess offers me a job," Fiona said shocked as Clarice had to catch her went she fainted from the news. ~later that night~ In Lady Fiona Halcyon's bedroom at the mansion, Fiona rolls out of her bed, wearing an elm green colored nightgown in her bare feet. She walked over to her suitcase and placed it on top of her desk. She opens the suitcase and begins rifling through the bag, looking for something. A few moments later, she brings out a small bundle of letters tied with a red ribbon from inside the suitcase. During the time she was studying abroad, she got involved with a disloyal royal army Sergeant Armand Aegis. He would steal medical supplies from the hospital she was working at and sell them on the black market. Till his greed got the better of him, he took a critical vaccine shipment from the hospital, heading to pony land to stem any outbreak in the area. It was not till a not so bright seller sold one of the stolen vaccines to an undercover Solar Guard agent that the stolen shipment was recovered and sent to pony land. During the investigation, the seller gave up the name of the Sergeant who stole the medical supplies and the hospital he was getting them from. The Sergeant was arrested and sent to prison. Two years into his sentence, he was killed in a prison fight. One thing that Solar Guard couldn't figure out was who the inside pony was to get the medical supplies for the Sergeant. 'How naïve could you be Fiona, being taken in by that unicorn stallion charms and help him steal medical supplies from the very hospital you worked at. I broke it off with him went he took the critical vaccines shipment heading to pony land.' Fiona thought to hide the bundle of the letter under her mattress in her room before going back to bed. ~The following morning~ A vengeful Maid Gusty Shady finishes her cleaning chores for the day, so she gets her last paycheck from her ladyship as Chief Maid Glory Neatly reports to her Ladyship that Gusty is not fulfilling her contract with the brightly stable. Countess Clarice Brightly has already warned Maid Gusty Shady that if Chief Maid Neatly reports her again that she not fulfilling her contract with her stable, she will be let go. As she was changing the bedding in Lady Fiona Halcyon's room, the small bundle of letters falls from under the mattress onto the floor. Gusty unties the bundle and reads one of the letters. Not knowing about the stolen vaccine shipment from the hospital, Gusty quickly stuff the letters into her dress and leave the Brightly Stable with the letters that Fiona hid. Sometime later, Gusty waits on the back streets of Canterlot with the letters a moment later a sedan drives up to her. The driver side window is rolled down by a red unicorn stallion with a blond mane. She hands him the letters, and he looks through them before giving her back the second bundle of letters. Many years ago, Gusty Shady was a high-society mare in Manehattan (Simply called Majesty) till her husband died under mysterious circumstances. All suspicion fell on Majesty as she was known as a gold digger in high-society circles. She quickly went into hiding using her real name Gusty Shady to stay one step ahead of Manehattan Police Department looking for her. Two years later, she got involved with dishonest unicorn stallion that discovered her high-society persona of Majesty and her letters. He sold her high-society persona of Majesty and her letters to the Master Blackmailer for quite a bit of money. Seeing potential in this mare, he offers her a deal. If she works for him, her high-society persona of Majesty, along with her letters, will not be given to the Manhattan PD for the huge reward. The Master Blackmailer sweet the deal by telling her if she finds equal devastating information about a target, he will trade her letters for that. So she can disappear forever. Gusty Shady quickly takes hold of the bundle of letters and runs into the alley right into the waiting arms of two Solar Guard officers. Who was tipped off to her real identity by anonymous source? It's 1000 hrs, the following morning, Canterlot Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Public Business Area of the Palace, Private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight. The private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight is medium size room in the public business area of the Grand Royal Palace she uses this office to conduct face to face negotiation with various ambassadors that need not be heard in open royal court. Joining her in her office was Prince Somnus Silverlight, her brother, and Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight, her younger sister. Upon discovering that her letters were stolen from her room, Lady Fiona Halcyon went to her Aunt Countess Clarice Brightly. She told her everything that happens why she was studying abroad. Countess Clarice Brightly was none too happy about what her niece did. She called Duchess Ophelia Silverlight, the Grandmother of the Royal foals, asking her if she can set up a meeting with the Royal Foals for Lady Fiona Halcyon. "Lady Halcyon, do you know how bad it could have gone if the vaccine shipment was not recovered," Aurora said hotly as she slams her fist down on top of her desk. "I know your highness, I am not asking for forgiveness. What I did goes against everything I stand for as a nurse. I put the lives of many ponies in danger because of my naiveté. (look toward Princess Blueberry) I will understand your highness if you don't want me working at your hospital." Fiona said, her voice a lifeless monotone as she lowers her head. "No Lady Halcyon. I didn't hire you for your past. I hired you because you are a wonderful nurse. Because of this incident, you will be under my supervision for entire career. Plus, I have been looking for a student to teach. Just like my teacher Princess Cadence Sparkle did for me." Blueberry explains as Fiona's face flushed with happiness that she's going to be taught by Princess Blueberry. Chapter 4It's 1000 hrs, the following morning (a few moments later), Canterlot Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Public Business Area of the Palace, Private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight. "With that done, brother, do you think this is the work of 'the Master Blackmailer'?" Aurora inquiry as her brother Prince Somnus rubs his chin with his hand. "It sounds like it sister, this is the kind of scandal the Master Blackmailer would be drooling over." Somnus comments as Fiona gasps. "Lady Halcyon, have you received a ransom note from the Master Blackmailer yet?" Somnus inquiry rubbing his chin once again in deep thought. "What are you thinking, brother?" Aurora inquiry as they waiting for Fiona to answer the question. "No, your highnesses," Fiona answers as a smile formed on Somnus' snout. "Your ladyship, you are planning a party to celebrate the new job for Lady Fiona Halcyon, are you not?" Somnus inquiries as both his sisters are still very puzzled. "I am your highness." Clarice answer as the smile got larger on Somnus snout. "Very good send an invitation to Art Dealer Coerce Money for the party," Somnus explains as he taps his finger against the lower half of his jaw. "May I ask why?" Fiona inquiry "It best not to know why Lady Halcyon and for yourself your ladyship." Somnus comment as the two mares leave the office. Leaving the three royal foals alone in the office. "I am going to assume that the reason for the invitation to the party is so Coerce Money is not at his home in the obsidian ward. So we can break in to steal the letters from our mother and Lady Halcyon. Correct, brother." Aurora comments as Somnus shook his head. Its 1700 hrs, two weeks later, the brightly stable, northwest noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, main Manor home, Ballroom, First floor of the estate. The ballroom of Brightly Stable is beautifully decorated for the celebration of the new job of Lady Fiona Halcyon, the niece of her ladyship Countess Clarice Brightly. The party is in full swing walking about the party guests were the Royal foals dressed in their finest clothing. A few moments later, Art Dealer Coerce Money arrives in his finest clothing. "Greetings, your highness." Coerce said politely as Prince Somnus Silverlight stop next to him. "Has your mother changed her mind about paying my price for her letters, your highness?" Coerce inquiry as Somnus taking a deep breath before answering. "You have won Mr. Money. My mother will pay 7,000 bits to avoid undo stress on her foals. I'll be their next week with payment for the exchange of the letters." Somnus said sourly. "It was good doing business with you, your highness." Coerce said, flash a superior grin as Somnus' reluctantly shook his hand. "I bet it was. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Money." Somnus said frigidly as he continued on his way to meet up with his sisters standing in front of the exit. "Let get going sisters, we have one hour before the party end, and the van is waiting outside with all the equipment for housebreaking. And Auntie will block out the moon for few hours and that it." Somnus explains as the three royal foals slip out of the party unnoticed. Its 1800 hrs that same evening, Coerce Money's Canterlot townhouse, Obsidian ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, an unmarked van parked in the back alley of the Obsidian ward one block down from Coerce Money townhouse. Slowly a cloud covers the moon blocking out moonlight from the van a winged pony taking to the sky dress in black from head to toe. A few moments later, two unicorn ponies, also dressed from head to toe in black, exit the van and head to the townhouse. The two unicorn ponies are moving at a rapid pace toward the townhouse. Once they're the unicorn ponies begins to pick the lock on the door, a moment later, the door springs open, and two unicorn ponies enter the home. They quickly make their way to coerce Money's study the location of the safe with all the blackmailing material in it. Meanwhile, back at the party, Art dealer Coerce Money continues to enjoy himself. A moment later, one of the stable servants walked up to him, giving him a folded note. As he reads the note, a jauntily smile form on his snout, he turns and leaves the party to return home. Slowly a light fog begins to cover the Capital City of Equestria, but not before the airborne lookout relays to the two ponies inside the home that a car is approaching. The two unicorns inside promptly find a hiding place behind some large curtains in the study. Soon the door into the study opens and enters Coerce Money. He begins to pace back and forth as if waiting for someone to arrive. Soon he opens the window onto the study a moment later a good-looking sandy tan colored pegasi mare with honey blond colored mane and tail lands in front of him. She folded her tan colored feather bird wings onto her back. Her 5ft 10in physically fit equine figure was attired in yellow-green colored below the knee-length dress. On her, ten-inch long tan colored bare feet were orange heeled sandals. This pegasi mare was as far as Coerce money knew was a disgruntled maid from the Silverlight stable. "So the Duchess is less good then she's let on." Coerce comment as the pegasi mare shook her head. "So, you have the letters, so we can get down to business." Coerce said as the pegasi mare shook her head a second time. "As you know, I need to examine the letters before the exchange begins. May I see them?" Coerce said as his face pales went, a revolver is revealed and before he can say another word, the trigger is pulled. (Bang) "You will never hurt my family. You vile little pony." The pegasi mare said coldly as she pulled the trigger two more times. (Bang-Bang) "My foals are the most important thing to me. No hateful earth pony like you will hurt them ever." The pegasi mare said venomously pulling the trigger three more times unloading the remain shots into Coerce Money. (Bang-Bang-Bang) Suddenly the pegasi mare sinks to the ground in shock with what she did. A moment later, the spell wears off revealing Princess Celestia Silverlight, quickly Somnus and Blueberry exit from their hiding place. "Mother! Snap out of it! Please quickly light this fireplace! So no other pony will be forced to kill!" Somnus yells, snapping his mother out of her shock as she snaps her finger, lighting the fireplace. Quickly the three ponies grab arms full of blackmailing materials and toss them into the fireplace destroying everything in the safe. Once done, Blueberry grabs hold of her mother's arm and leads her outside the townhouse to the waiting van being driven by Aurora. Who is shocked went she see Somnus and Blueberry dragging their mother to the van. "What is mother doing here?" Aurora inquiry as she quickly drives away from the obsidian ward back to the Royal ward. "She shot Coerce Money. Freeing herself and every pony that Money has his tentacles around," Somnus explains as Blueberry tries to bring her mother back to her senses. "She did what!?" Aurora exclaims as she gawks in disbelief. "I am going to assume that this was not part of your plan, Somnus," Aurora comments as the van pulls into the grand palace underground garage. "Somnus, I suggest you go get Auntie...Right away and bring her down here." Aurora ordered as soon as she parked the van Somnus head up to the main floor of the palace to fetch their Aunt Luna. ~ A Few moments later in underground parking garage~ In the underground parking garage, Princess Luna Silverlight arrives with Prince Somnus attired in orange-red slightly below knee-length dress and black heeled sandals with three one fourth inch heel and her princess' regalia. On the way down to the parking garage, Somnus explains to his Aunt Luna the situation with his mother, and she blinks with surprise. She didn't know her sister had the guts to do that. But since becoming a mother to her own foals. She changed quite a bit. "So there no evidence that connects the killing of Master Blackmailer Coerce Money to the Equestrian Royal Family, correct," Luna said, looking at the three royal foals. "That is correct, Auntie." The three foals said unison as Luna smiled broadly. "So this is the best outcome for this situation and any blackmailing material you destroy it, correct," Luna said as she taps her finger against the lower half of her snout. "So my orders. Blueberry take your mother to her bedroom and put her to bed. Plus, stay with your mother for the next two nights to keep an eye on her." Luna orders as Blueberry took her mother to her bedroom to put her to bed. "Somnus, I want you to write two reports for this case. In the first report, have an accurate account of the events, in this case, that is one you will give me. I'll hide that report in my special file room. For the second report, remove anything mentions of the illegal activity you did on this case and put that one in the solar guard case files." Luna orders as Somnus shook his head and left to begin the two reports. "What about me, Auntie?" Aurora inquiry "Your part, my dear Aurora, is most critical in my plan. I'll set up a news conference for you tomorrow afternoon at the Grand Royal Palace. You are going to reveal that several of your mother's letters were stolen by the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money. Solar Guard Internal Security is currently investigating the matter." Luna explains as she continued to tell her plan. Its 1200 hrs, the afternoon of the following day, royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, Grand royal palace broadcast center, public area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, first floor of the palace main meeting room. At noon Princess Aurora Sol Silverlight attired in her orange, red embroidered royal court gown with the small key-hole opening in front between her cleavages, and her formal Royal Regalia walks onto the stage. Through the opening, you could see the ivory white silk bra holding up her curvy and perfectly shaped breasts. On her light blue bare feet with red nail polish was a pair of white open-toe pumps with a two-inch heel. A single slender band around her perfect ankle held it to her foot. She steps behind the podium with the Equestrian royal seal on the face as numerous flashbulbs go off in front of her from the press core She gracefully raises her hand up telling them to hold their questions until she makes a statement. "A very embarrassing situation has happened to the Royal Family we were subject of a blackmail attempt by a pony calling himself the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money. Our royal family was trying to keep this blackmail attempt from the public view and rectify the situation quietly. But in doing so, it caused Princess Celestia Silverlight our mother to fall ill. She is currently resting in her bed-chamber under the care of her youngest daughter Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. As of the start of this press conference, Princess Celestia Silverlight is resting comfortably in her room and is slowly recovering. Princess Blueberry reassures me our mother should be back to full health in a few weeks. Till she's better, I'll take over as ruling Princess of the Sun." Aurora explains as she begins taking questions from the Press Core at the News conference. Meanwhile, in the private bed-chamber of Princess Luna Silverlight, Luna finishes watching the news conference of Princess Aurora Silverlight from the Grand Royal Palace. In her dark blue five-finger hand, she held the complete report from Royal Investigator Somnus Silverlight of this blackmailing case file. She snaps her fingers, and the file goes up in flames obliterate the file. "Now their only one case file on this whole case. The second report I had Somnus write. This one event no one should ever know about, not even my own sister." Luna comments as she walks barefooted over to her wardrobe to change into her nightgown so she can go to bed till night watch. At that same time in Princess Celestia Silverlight's subconscious mind, a desponded Celestia sits under a tree on a grassy hill. With her arms wrapped around her legs, waiting for someone to arrive. A moment later, a gorgeous dark blue unicorn stallion with crimson red mane and tail wearing the white uniform of the commander of her elite Princesses protection unit arrives and kisses her on her cheek. Before Celestia knew what happens, the unicorn pushes her over. He wraps his arms around her ankles as she was barefooted in her subconscious dream. "I am not going to stop tickling you, my love-till you beg for mercy and stop blaming yourself." The unicorn stallion insisted as Celestia was thrown into uncontrollable laughter till her side started to ache. "Pleeheeaseee let me gohohohohon, Jjjjusticeee. I-I cahahahan't take Anymorhoore-Mercy!!!" Celestia screamed with laughter as Justice stop and released her ankles to allow her to recover. "That Master Blackmailer left you little choice, Celestia. He was way beyond redemption. He used what you held so precious our foals to control you for what? Money." Justice said gruffly as Celestia slowly sat up with dark shadows around her eyes. "But beloved, I took a life of one of my pony’s. That something a Princess should never do." Celestia said, her voice a lifeless monotone as tears runs down her cheeks. "Yes that is true, my beloved. It's something you must cope with for the rest of your immortality. But remember your family will always be with you. And I will always be with you. So let it go." Justice said reassuringly as Celestia slowly open her eyes to find herself in her bed in her bed-chamber. "Mommy!" Blueberry exclaims as she saw her mother slowly sit-up in her bed and look around her room. "Thank you, Blueberry, for watching me," Celestia said thankfully as Blueberry wrapped her arms around her as she kisses her on her horn. "Your welcome, mommy how do you feel?" Blueberry inquiry as she sat on the edge of her mother's bed. "I still have much to cope with. But if my family is with me. I should be fine." Celestia comments as Blueberry shook her head. "Of course, we are with you. you are our mother." Blueberry comments as Celestia lay back down on her bed.
Chapter 1Its 2300 hrs, late evening, Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Main entrance into the Royal Palace, a rainy day in Canterlot. The light rain that starts earlier that evening has steadily increased to a medium downpour soaking the Capital city of Canterlot in a cooling shower. Slouching through the downpour on her way back to the Grand Royal Palace was very soggy and stressed Princess Celestia Silverlight. her long golden blonde mane and tail hair hang lifeless on her body. The raindrops slowly ran off her gold tiara from on top her head to her snout and onto the shoulders of her drenched lilac-colored, below the knee-length dress. The gold collar around her neck is soaked with rain and tears. Her twelve and two-third inch long, white with hint of pink bare feet squished in a soggy pair of golden heeled sandals as she approached the main entrance of The Grand Royal Palace, her home with her beloved Royal Foals. After finishing her late afternoon court session in the throne room of the palace, Celestia received a ransom letter from a pony calling himself the 'Master Blackmailer'. In the letter the Master Blackmailer demanding that she pay 7,000 bits or the letters he has will be released. At first, Celestia pays no attention to the letter until she continues to read the content of the message. At the bottom of the letter was a passage from one of her personal letters. Shocked, she ran to her Private bedroom and discovered that were stolen from her room. She dashes out and heads to the address on the bottom of the message to get her letters back. ~earlier that same evening at the home of the Master Blackmailer~ Princess Celestia Silverlight sits in the study of a charming Canterlot home in the Obsidian ward of Canterlot. Across from her sat a red unicorn stallion with a blond mane and tail. A defiant smile was on his smug snout. This unicorn stallion is Master Blackmailer, Coerce Money. "I demand you return what was taken from my private bedroom, right this minute!" Celestia said sharply, slamming her fist down on top of his table, cracking the wood under her fist. "Now, why would I do that, your highness? Right now, you are in no position to demand the letters. They are hidden, and if you don't pay up, your highness. I know a few nobles families willing to pay top bits for those letters, who want to get you off the throne of Equestria. Am I clear, your highness." Coerce said as a knowing smile form on Celestia's snout. "I have not ruled Equestria for this long, without knowing the nobles families that want me off the throne of Equestria. As a matter of fact, many of them have tried and failed to do so. So I say you are in no position to keep my letters, Mr. Money!" Celestia said unconcernedly as Coerce rolls his eyes. "I have forgotten you have gone through several scandals over your entire rule of Equestria and know how to weather them like a good little Princess. But what about your precious royal foals, your highness. Your nobles would love to get their hands around one or all of your foals. If they control your foals, they control you. So once again, you are in no position, what so ever, to demand anything." Coerce said, flashing a superior grin as Celestia gives a startled gasp. Forgetting it's no longer just her and Luna. It’s her, Luna, and her babies, she must protect them from those evil nobles they are looking for any chink in her armor. "By my light! You can't involve my foals in this! There's no telling what my nobles will do to my precious foals if they get control of them! They might threaten to hurt or kill my foals to get at me! I can't allow that to happen to my foals!" Celestia cries out in a voice raw with terror as tears begin to fill her light purple eyes. "Save the tears, your highness, for some pony that cares. I don't care about what happens to those precious foals of yours. To me, those foals are nothing but a tool to get what I want. If few useless foals get killed, so be it, just as long as I get what; I want bits and more bits." Coerce said as he puffs up with self-importance looking at the time on the grandfather clock in one corner of the study. "You are a vile and miserable little pony!" Celestia said bitterly as she gets to her feet and dashes out into the rain shower outside. ~back to the present~ Slowly the front door of the Royal Palace opens. Walking through the door was a soggy Princess Celestia. Her steps were heavier than usual as she gulps air furiously. The raindrops falling from her body masked the tears that caused her eye shadow to run. The day Princess Celestia became a mother to her own foals was the happiest day in her long life. Now that happiness has been replaced with fear and panic. A vile and hateful Master Blackmailer has hold of some letters she wrote long ago when she was young. 'If one of my nobles' gets hold of my letters I wrote when I was younger, he or she would use them to gain the cooperation of one or all my foals. My babies would do whatever they are told to keep their mother's letters from being released. I would be under the thumb of that noble. A puppet Princess being protected by the ones she loves the most, her babies.' Celestia thought as she wandered aimlessly through the hallways of the royal palace for several hours. She found herself in the private living area of the palace, standing in front of her son's bedroom door Prince Somnus. She felt strangely disembodied as her legs refused to obey the commands given to them by her brain. With the stubbornness of an old mare, Celestia steps slowly forward. Once over and through the threshold of the door, her legs started to obey her brain once again. Celestia's stomach fluttered as she stood in the darkened room, looking at her peacefully sleeping foal. She willed herself to speak, but the words never came to her lips. 'How hard can it be to simply ask my foal for help? I know he will say yes because I am his mother. Then why is it so hard to speak. All I have to say is "baby mommy needs your help". But I can't find the words to say that to him.' Celestia thought as tears once again fill her eyes. She quickly turns on her heels and runs out of the room. The sudden sound of running woke Somnus up from his sleep. He opens his eyes just long enough to catch a glimpse of the end of a golden blond tail exiting his room. Interested Somnus rolls out of his bed and reeling with astonishment, as he finds himself standing in a puddle of water. After quickly drying off his dark blue, bare feet with a towel from his private bathroom, he touches the base of a half-moon shaped lamp on his nightstand; lights up his room nicely. "Huh?" Somnus exclaims, noticing the large puddle about the size of a large and very tall mare. "Mother?" Somnus exclaims he remembers seeing the end of a golden blonde tail leaving his room. When he was fully awake, he came to no other conclusion than his mother being soaked and standing in his room. Somnus pulls on his robe and leaves his room in search of his mother, so he may ask her what she wanted. "Mother!" Somnus called catching her as she was about to walk into her room for the night. Upon seeing her son face, Celestia begins to grind her teeth. "Yes, Somnus, is there something wrong?" Celestia inquiry as she got an uncomfortable feeling as he performed a long and slow appraising glance of her. 'Mother is on pins and needles she's very nervous about something. Her body language is telling me she doesn't want me to get involved but her eyes are begging me to help. If I confront her by asking her why she was in my room, she will most likely clam-up and make up some excuse, so different tack.’ Somnus thought as he walks-up to his mother. "I love you, mother, that's all I want to tell you, Good night," Somnus said loving, hugging his mother. The sudden gesture caught Celestia totally by surprise in doing so she once again tear-up. "Somnus! Come back!" Celestia calls as he turns and walks back over to his mother "Yes, mother?" Somnus inquiry "Baby, mommy is in a very terrible predicament that needs your help. But its late if you are going to help me, please return to my bedroom in the morning, and I will tell you everything ." Celestia said in relief as she hugs him with her arms and wings and plants a kiss on his horn. "All right, mother, see you in the morning," Somnus said as he heads back to his bedroom to return to sleep. Its 0900 hrs, the following morning, Canterlot Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Private Living area, Royal Bed Chamber of Princess Celestia Silverlight. 'You are becoming so much like your father, my dear Somnus. A unicorn knight that not only comes to my aid but to the aid of the good ponies of Equestria.' Celestia thought as she watches Somnus through the mirror of her private bathroom. "Somnus! On top of my desk, you will find a letter addressed to me. Have a look at it, while I get ready for morning court." Celestia called as Somnus walks over to her desk. Walking towards the desk. He sighs aggravated as the desktop was littered with royal and personal documents. Sitting on top the pile of papers was plain-looking envelope address to Princess Celestia Silverlight with no return address. One end of the envelope was torn open, revealing the end of a folded letter. Figuring this is the letter his mother wanted him to read, Somnus pulls the folded letter out of the envelope, unfolds and begins to read it. As he read the contents of the letter, his eyes start to sharpen and his jaw becomes unyielding. As sometimes he doesn't agree with his mother's decisions, this letter from this pony calling himself the "Master Blackmailer" is a different matter entirely. "Mother!" Somnus calls as Celestia padded barefooted out of the bathroom and walks over to Somnus, who standing in front of her desk. "I see you found the letter from the Master Blackmailer, Somnus," Celestia comments as she floats her gold tiara onto her head. "Is this what you want my help with, mother?" Somnus inquires as Celestia shook her head as a single tear ran down her cheek. Her chest becomes heavy as a very protective mother; she never wanted to involve her foals in something like this, but the Master Blackmailer has forced her hand. "Indeed I do my dear foal, this is the first time something has felt out of hand. I am unable to figure out a solution for this difficult situation. So I am putting my faith in you, Somnus." Celestia said her voice cracking as Somnus hugged his mother. "I promise to aid you, mother," Somnus said reassuringly as his mother returns his hug and kisses him, once again, on his horn. "But now ,I must ask you, mother. How far do you want to go with this?" Somnus inquiry as Celestia's eyes haunted by some inner anxiety. "I am willing to pay the ransom, but not for the price the Master Blackmailer is demanding of 7,000 bits. If I do that, your sister will surely take notice of the withdrawal from the Royal Treasury of that amount. It's bad enough I have to involve you, Somnus, in this but I don't want to drag your sisters into this as well." Celestia explains as she pattered back into the bathroom to lightly comb her mane, followed by Somnus. "I understand what you mean, mother. With Aurora as your bookkeeper if you take out that much from the Royal Treasury, she will start asking questions about it, and from what I gather, you want this affair to be handled very quietly." Somnus comment as his mother shakes her head again. "So with that mother, how much are you willing to pay?" Somnus inquiry as Celestia sighs slowly. "I can safely withdraw 2,000 bits from the Royal Treasury without your sister noticing the transaction that the normal amount I take out for personal use. If the Master Blackmailer is willing to take that much, I can have it sent to him by the end of the day. As a way to thank you for helping me, Somnus, I will fulfill your royal duties for your aunt today, so she will not get mad at you. Good luck, my dear foal, and may the sun bless you." Celestia said hopeful, as Somnus ran out of his mother's bedroom to try and negotiate with the Master Blackmailer for the lower price. Its 1000 hrs that same day, Coerce Money's Canterlot townhouse, Obsidian ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, Coerce's study. Ever since arriving at the home of the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money, Somnus has gotten down to business with the Master Blackmailer trying to negotiate the return of his mother's letters and a lower pay-out. "The Princess is willing to pay you 2,000 bits by the end of the day for the return of her letters," Somnus explains very businesslike as he taps his finger against the lower half of his snout. "Tell the Princess the price for the return of her letters is non-negotiable. The price is 7,000 bits, or I will sell the letters to one of her nobles." Coerce said, ruthlessly staring blankly at the stallion who was negotiating for the Princess. Upon arrive at the home of the Master Blackmailer, Somnus has not revealed who he really is. "Everything is negotiable, Mr. Money. So I repeat, the Princess, by the end of the day, will pay you 2,000 bits for the return of her letters, not a bit more. I would say that's a great deal for you, especially for a pony that is only looking at the bits he can get out of the beloved Princess of Equestria." Somnus said sarcastically looking at the back of his hand. "Like I said, Mr. Silverlight. The price is non-negotiable. I will take 7,000 bits in payment for the return of the Princess' letters, or should I say your mother's letters." Coerce said, knowing as Somnus recoil in horror when he said it was his mother. "Yes, I know who you really are now. You are Prince Somnus Silverlight, the only son of her highness Princess Celestia Silverlight. If the Princess is willing to send her only son to negotiate for her letters, the letters are more valuable than I first thought and will command a great sum from her nobles." Coerce said greedily as he pushes Somnus out of his home, slamming the door behind him. "Damn it!" Somnus exclaims as bleak, wintry feeling wash over him. Upon arriving back at home, one of the royal guards told the Prince his mother wanted to see him in her private office. A sadden Somnus took his time walking to his mother's office not wanting to inform her, he failed to get her letters back and might have made it worse. "With that done. How did that small assignment I sent you on, go, Somnus?" Celestia inquires friendly, clearing her office of Palace staff, leaving her and Somnus alone in the office. "I-I am a sorry, mother! But I failed. The Master blackmailer will not take 2,000 bits for your letters. Plus, I might have made it worse. He's more willing to sell the letters to your nobles now." Somnus said with a hitch in his voice as he started to weep. At that moment, Celestia's maternal instinct kicks in, and she wraps her arms and wings around her sadden foal. "It ok's baby, I should have known he would never go for something like that if that pony is willing to sacrifice my own foals for profit. Why would he take fewer bits for my letters? But at least he didn't hurt you, and you came home safely. But now I must ready myself and my family for the coming storm." Celestia said, comforting and caressing Somnus mane as her stomach constiricts to a tight ball.
Chapter 2Its 1500 hrs several years earlier, Royal Blue stable, noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden. The garden of the Royal Blue Stable is celebrating the upcoming wedding of Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue to Captain Lancer Cadet. Walking into the main manor home of the Royal Blue stable was a lovely looking, blue colored earth pony mare with a dark pink mane and tail. Her physically fit 5ft 1in Equine figure was attired in an elm green slightly below the knee-length dress. Her ten and one-third inch blue bare feet were encased in white ankle-strap pumps with a three-inch heel. This earth pony mare was Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. She was summoned by one of her stable' maid’s when a package arrived for her. Watching through the window outside was a handsome navy blue colored earth pony stallion with a crimson red mane and tail. His face was twisted in anguish upon seeing his fiancée opening the package that she was sent to her. His physically fit 5ft 1in equine figure was attired in the light gold uniform of Princess Celestia Silverlight’s troops. His ten and one half inch feet were encased in black boots. This earth pony stallion was Captain Lancer Cadet. Its 1700 hrs, that same day, Royal army barracks command office, Military ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria. Crouched down next to the body of a blue earth pony stallion was a drop-dead gorgeous light blue unicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her athletic 5ft 8in equine figure was attired in an orange-colored mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long light blue, bare feet were encased in black boots. This unicorn mare was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight, the youngest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Royal Coroner for Equestria. "Any thought your highness?" a Solar Guard officer asked the Princess who closed the eyes of the earth pony stallion with her fingers. "From the entrance wound location on the side of the head and the position of the gun, it was self-inflicted, was there a note, officer?" Blueberry asked as she slowly rises to her feet and looks around the room for a note. "None have been located, your highness. But we have not searched the whole room yet." The Solar Guard officer explains as Blueberry sighs. "All right officer send the body to the morgue." Blueberry orders as she walked out of the command office into the central area of the military barracks, then outside the barracks. Waiting outside the barracks was a gorgeous light blue Alicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her shapely 6ft 6in equine figure was attired in a blue-violet mid-knee length dress. On her ten-inch long light blue bare feet were black leather boots. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back. This half Alicorn mare was Princess Aurora Silverlight, the oldest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and overall commander of the Solar Guard division in Equestria. "Was the victim Captain Lancer Cadet the commander of 10th Royal Army Company based in Canterlot, Blueberry?" Aurora inquiry as Blueberry slowly sighed again. "Probably, Aurora, Why do you ask?" Blueberry asked, gesturing two of her medic ponies to pick-up the body and take it to the morgue. "The Lieutenant Colonel asked the Solar Guard Internal affairs to investigate Captain Lancer Cadet," Aurora explains as Blueberry's face glazes with shock. "For what, Aurora?" Blueberry asked as she watches her two medic ponies load the body into the coroner van to transport it to the morgue for processing. "The Lieutenant Colonel was going to petition our mother to allow the 10th Royal Army Company to become separate from the Canterlot Royal Army Battalion because Captain Cadet had great leadership ability. As the Solar Guard Internal affairs unit was investigating Captain Cadet’s Background, there were numerous inconsistencies in his background. So I sent a Solar Guard investigation team to his hometown of Silver Shoals to investigate his background." Aurora explains, pausing momentarily to catch her breath before continuing. "Anyone who knew him had moved to other equestrian cities. We are currently tracking down those ponies. As the Solar Guard investigation team was leaving Silver Shoals, the local law enforcement asked them to look at some skeletal remains of an earth pony stallion that was found in a long-abandoned home. The team said it looks like cut marks on the bones so they sent the skeletal remains to your morgue to look them over. The team found a deteriorated wallet and Military ID card identifying the body as Private Lancer Cadet. That was also sent to your morgue." Aurora explains as Blueberry eyes widen with alarm. "I see sister; I'll get right on it when I get back to the morgue," Blueberry said, shocked as she climbs into the coroner van. "Thank you, little sister; I'll continue the investigation here at the barracks." Aurora's comment waving her hand as the coroner van drove off to the morgue to begin her investigation of the bodies. It's 1200 hrs that afternoon, Silverlight stable, Noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden, small backyard patio area. Sitting at a small round patio table was an everlasting beautiful morning, blue, older unicorn mare with a pink mane and tail. She was sipping from a small teacup. Her perfect 6ft 11in equine figure was attired in a mint green mid-knee length dress. On her twelve-inch long, morning blue bare feet were light blue strap sandal with one fourth inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Duchess Ophelia Silverlight, the boss mare for the Silverlight unicorn family and grandmother to the Royal foals. Sitting across from her was an elegant looking, yellow, older unicorn mare with an orange and pink colored mane and tail. Her toned 5ft 10in equine figure was attired in a deep pink color, below the knee-length dress. On her ten inch long, yellow, bare feet were gray peep-toe pumps with four and one-half inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Countess Clarice Brightly, the boss mare for the brightly unicorn family and a Canterlot Noble mare. "How long are you here for, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry as she took a drink from her cup. "I am here permanently, Ophelia, after what happen in Pearis." Clarice comments as she takes a sip from her cup. "What happened in Pearis, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry taking a drink from her cup. "Someone on my household staff betrayed me. They gave a political rival some of my compromising letters. I was forced to flee Prance before the firestorm started and return home to Canterlot. Well, here in Equestria, my family standing is great, so I don't have to worry about a firestorm." Clarice comment as she shook her head, telling Ophelia no more question about Prance. "I am sorry, Ophelia, for the loss of your grandson Lord Justice Silverlight. His name was well known in Prance." Clarice comments as a single tear ran down Ophelia's cheek. "I thank you, Clarice. But my grandson left me with three wonderful Grandchildren." Ophelia comments as Clarice looks dumbfounded. "Ophelia, you are a great grandmother. Who are your grandchildren?" Clarice asked as Ophelia softly chuckled. "Princess Aurora, Prince Somnus, and Princess Blueberry," Ophelia answers as the breath catches in Clarice's throat. "The royal foals are your grandchildren, Ophelia. I heard rumors that Princess Celestia wed her personal guard. But I didn't know that guard was your grandson, Lord Justice Silverlight. So your grandson was Prince Justice Silverlight." Clarice exclaims as Ophelia chuckles softly once again. "But Ophelia is that a conflict of interest with you being the head of the House of Lords in Canterlot," Clarice comments as Ophelia shook her head ‘no’. "Their mother makes my stable independent, and the Royal foals don't live here at the stable. They live up at the Grand Royal Palace with their mother and their aunt. They do come and visits my stable when they are in the noble ward as a family member of the Silverlight family." Ophelia explains as the two old unicorn mares begin talking about other subjects. It's 1700 hrs, the afternoon of that same day (present), Royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, family living room, private living area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, second floor of the palace. Sitting on the sofa was Princess Aurora Silverlight, attired in a tangerine-colored top of the knee-length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue feet were bare. Nearby, was a pair of light gold heeled sandals. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back, and she was wearing her Princess' regalia. She was reading over the final coroner report for the skeletal remains found in Silver Shoals. Sitting in a chair, in the same room was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight attired in a green colored, mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue bare feet were encased in light gold gladiator sandals, and she was wearing her own Princess' regalia. "So all the medical reports that you requested from the Silver Shoals base hospital for Private Lancer Cadet are inconclusive that the skeletal remains belong to him," Aurora comments as she sits back on the sofa, and Blueberry shook her head. "To make identification of the skeletal remains even more difficult, Captain Lancer Cadet wanted to be cremated." Aurora said, aggravated snorting loudly at the report. "What about your leads, Aurora?" Blueberry inquiry as she reaches down to unclasp the claps on her sandals to remove them from her feet. "All the leads were dead ends. It seems that Private Lancer Cadet became a recluse after the death of his parents. And those ponies that said they knew him didn't know him at all. They didn't even know he left Silver Shoals and joined the Royal army. Until a Solar Guard officer spoke to them." Aurora explains as Blueberry removed her gladiator sandals and set them beside her chair. A few moments later, a gorgeous, light blue, unicorn stallion with a crimson red mane and tail walks into the living room and sits down on the other chair. His athletic 6ft 2in equine figure was attired in a white comfort dress shirt and gray classic fit suit pants. On his socked eleven and one-sixth light blue bare feet were black dress boots. He was wearing his own black metal royal regalia. This unicorn stallion was Prince Somnus Silverlight, the brother to Aurora and Blueberry. "Greeting sisters, what is up with you two?" Somnus inquiry noticing the coroner report tossed on the coffee table. "Greetings, brother." The two mares said in unison as they both sigh. "Oh, it’s nothing brother, we are unable to identify some skeletal remains that were found in Silver Shoals. They also found a deteriorated wallet with a Military ID card." Aurora explains as Somnus looks a bit puzzled. "Well, that Military ID card should belong to the skeletal remains," Somnus comments as Blueberry shook her head no. "That’s where the problem is, Somnus." Blueberry comment floating the coroner report over to him from the table. "Say what? The Military ID card belongs to Private Lancer Cadet. How can there be two Lancer Cadet a private and a Captain? That makes no sense at all, sisters." Somnus said very much lost as both his sisters shook their heads. "What was the cause of death for Captain Lancer Cadet, Blueberry?" Somnus inquiry looking toward his little sister Blueberry. "It was suicide, brother, a single gunshot to the right side of the head with his own revolver. But I don't know why he did it?" Blueberry explains as Somnus' jaw drops. "I might be able to answer that question for you, Blueberry," Somnus comments as a news article appears with a case file in front of his sisters on the coffee table. Blueberry picks up the news article, and Aurora picks up the case file to read it over. "It seems that Captain Lancer Cadet was going to marry Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. But she broke it off. If you notice the date of the news articles its one day after his suicide, Blueberry." Somnus explains as Blueberry gasps with the revelation. "Damn it, brother! She’s our mother as well. Why did you not tell us about this Master Blackmailer that has our mother's stolen letters in his possession. I could have helped and have found a way to pay the ransom off for mother's stolen letters." Aurora said hotly as tears come to her cobalt blue eyes. "I am sorry big sister, but mother didn't want you two involved in this messy situation with this Master Blackmailer. It was hard enough for mother to seek out my help. You know how protective our mother is of us." Somnus explains apologetically as Aurora shook her head. "Something must have changed in the situation for you to bring us into it now, big brother," Blueberry comments as she weighs Somnus' reaction with a critical squint. "As I stated in the case file, I tried to negotiate for a lower price for mother's letters but the attempt was unsuccessful. So with the failure to negotiate, I've set my feelers out watching the noble families that would benefit the most from mother's letters. So far, none of the families have hold of mother's letters. So, I believe the Master Blackmailer still has them. I think the only way to rectify this case is for some breaking and entering to retrieve mother's letters." Somnus explains as Blueberry face glazes with shock. At the same time, Aurora hysterically laughs. "What so funny about doing something illegal like that, Aurora? We are the foals of Princess Celestia Silverlight. The embodiment of law and order." Blueberry said sourly as Aurora stopped laughing. "Being the firstborn foal of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Prince Justice Silverlight. I saw father do many illegal things for our mother. He never told mother what he did for her, as her knowing, would break her heart. He would go beyond the law but remain in the law. This Master Blackmailer is beyond redemption. He would use what our mother holds the most precious and hold her hostage for nothing more than riches.” Aurora said as she sighs slowly. “Our father wouldn't stand for that; he loved our mother too much for that. So I am going to support Somnus in his plan. If you want out, Blueberry, it’s your decision." Aurora comments, sitting back on the sofa. "No, Aurora, you are right; the Master Blackmailer is way beyond redemption. He would use us to hold our mother hostage for nothing but money. As father died when, I was a baby, I have seen how much mother loved our father, so I am in." Blueberry said as she placed her hand on the table in front of her.
Chapter 3Its 1700 hrs, early evening of that same day (present), Royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, the hallway outside the family living room, private living area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, second floor of the palace. Standing outside the door press against the wall was breathtaking beautiful white-colored pure alicorn mare with a golden blond mane and tail. Her 6ft 5in perfect equine figure was attired in Vanilla ice colored slightly below the knee-length dress. Why her twelve-inch long white bare feet were encased in a coral-colored crew wedge sandals with a one-inch platform, a single thick ankle-strap band held the sandals to her foot. Her white-feathered bird wings were folded on her back. This pure white alicorn mare was Princess Celestia Silverlight, the mother of the royal foals and co-ruler of Equestria. Tears streak her cheeks as she listened to her own foal's conversation about their father and her beloved husband. Celestia never knew all the time she spent in the company of her dear Justice, how much he actually did for her. It was right of her husband not to tell her anything about how he completed the tasks she sent him on. Some of the ways that he completed the tasks would put him at odds with his own wife's beliefs. Quietly Celestia moved away from the door. Deciding it best leave all the paperwork for her son on tops his desk in his bedroom from his royal duty that she did for him. Walking down the opposite side of the hallway on her way to the family living room was heavenly looking dark blue pure Alicorn mare with midnight blue mane and tail. Her 6ft 3in elegant equine figure was attired in orange-red top of the knee-length dress. Her eleven and five-sixths inch long dark blue bare feet were encased in blackstrap sandals with one and one half inch heel. A single slender ankle-strap band held it on her foot. This dark blue pure Alicorn mare was Princess Luna Silverlight, the aunt to the royal foals and the co-ruler of Equestria. "Luna may I ask you something?" Celestia commented as Luna stop and stood in front of her sister. "Yes, sister," Luna replied as she notices all the documents under her sister's arm with her royal seal on them. "Did you use your ability to control the moon to help Justice on some of his tasks I gave him?" Celestia asked as Luna remain straight-faced, knowing she's trying to find out if she helped Justice Illegally by blocking out the moonlight. "Justice never came to me, so my answer is no. I never help him with any of his tasks." Luna answered as Celestia knew it impossible to detect went Luna is lying because she was so good at it. "Well thank you, sister. If you please would you lend your ability to my foals." Celestia said nonchalantly as she continued on her way to Somnus' bedroom to drop off the documents she was carrying. "Of course, sister." Luna comment pretending to be a bit confused as she continued on her way to the living room to meet up with the royal foals. ~A few moments later in the living room~ "I just had a strange encounter with your mother on the way to the living room." Luna comments as she sits down on the sofa next to her oldest niece Aurora. "How so, Auntie?" Blueberry inquiry as she crossing her leg one knee over the other as she taps her barefoot soundlessly in the air. "She was trying to find out if I help your father illegally." Luna comment as Aurora had a coy smile on her snout that was quickly noticed by her brother, Somnus. "Mother was listening to our conversation. Was she, not Aurora." Somnus comments, looking toward his sister, Aurora. Why Blueberry's eyes blink with the incredulity with what her brother said to her sister. "I pick up mother aura the moment she neared the living room. I'll bet she was masking her aura from you, Somnus." Aurora comments as she crossing her leg one knee over the other. "She was Aurora. She was suppressing her full aura from me." Somnus explains as Aurora chuckled. "Then, the question is, Auntie. Did you?" Blueberry inquiry looking toward her aunt Luna. Who then looked over to her nephew Somnus, who has a smile on his snout and nodded his head. "I'll be free later in the evening, my dear little Somnus. You may punish me then, I could use the stress relief. I have two very annoying meetings during the night watch today. You know who I am talking about, Somnus." Luna comment as Somnus chuckled and shook his head. "To answer your question, my dear niece. I did help your father using my ability to control the moon for several of his tasks. Before I agreed to help him, he told me his full plan. What he wanted to accomplish with this option. I had the right not to aid him. But the plan and what he wanted to accomplish was the only option for that task, and I aid him." Luna explains as Somnus reaches over to grab hold of his auntie's hand. "Your father and I made a deal between us. He would not use my help to hurt or kill any pony. Unless there was no other choice. In turn, I agreed to tell no one of my involvement with his illegal task. If I spoke of it, he had the right to punish me. As your father would never knowingly hurt an Alicorn mare, he has other ways to punish me." Luna explains as she got down to business with the royal foals. Its 1700 hrs that same day, the brightly stable, northwest noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, front driveway. Slowly a Canterlot city cab pulls up to the staircase leading up to the main mansion home of the brightly stable from the rear passenger side of the cab exits refined-looking young light blue unicorn mare with a light pink mane and tail her hand was wrapped around a single suitcase. Her toned 5ft 11in equine figure was attired in tangerine-colored slightly below the knee-length dress. On her, ten-inch long light blue bare feet were a pair of green open toe wedge heel pumps with two one half inch heel. This young unicorn mare was Lady Fiona Halcyon. After an accident that took the life of Clarice's youngest sister and her husband, Clarice adopted Lady Fiona Halcyon. She raised her niece as her own foal. After paying the driver, Fiona climbs up the staircase to the main door of the mansion home. Upon entering the main mansion home, she is greeted by her aunt's loyal Chief Maid. "Welcome home Lady Fiona, may I take your suitcase for you?" The Chief Maid inquiry as she hands the suitcase to her. "Yes, Glory. Where is her ladyship at?" Fiona inquired "Last time I saw her ladyship. She was up in the study, reading over the requests from the ponies living in her Lustrous ward and doing her paperwork to send to the Princess for approval." Chief Maid Glory explains as she takes her suitcase to her old room in the main mansion for her. As Fiona climb up the staircase to the second floor of the estate were, her aunt's study is located. ~ A Few moments later~ Walking down the hallway heading toward the kitchen was a beautiful white colored unicorn mare with purple mane and tail after dropping off Lady Fiona's suitcase in her room. Her 5ft 9in fit equine figure was attired in black mid-knee length dress. Why her ten inch long white bare feet were encased in black pumps. This unicorn mare was Chief maid Glory neatly the Chief maid of the brightly stable. Sitting in the kitchen of the mansion home was nice looking white unicorn mare with green mane and tail resting her feet on the table. Her 5ft 9in good equine figure was attired in black mid-knee length dress. Why her ten inch long white bare feet were encased in black pumps. This second unicorn mare was Maid Gusty Shady, one of ten maids working for the brightly stable and the most troublesome of all the maids. "Gusty! I thought her ladyship told you to clean that room on the first floor! Before the end of the day!" Glory said sharply, stomping her foot on the ground. "I'll get to it went I am good and ready, Glory! It not like her ladyship uses that room for any thing." Gusty said sarcastically as Glory snorted angrily at her. "If we didn't need another maid here at the Stable. You wouldn't have this job at all, Gusty." Glory said hotly as she left the kitchen to find another maid to clean the room. Since being hired at the stable, Gusty has shown the household staff that she has little regard for a noble mare that what to help her by giving her this job. All she looking at is the bits she can get out of Countess with little work as possible. Meanwhile, sitting behind her desk in her study on the second floor of the mansion wearing magenta-colored mid-knee length dress was Countess Clarice Brightly; she was going through the pile of request form from the lustrous ward, the ward her family administrates in Canterlot. Their knock on her study door. "Come in!" Clarice called as the door is open by Fiona. The moment she saw the young unicorn mare walking into the study, she leaps to her feet walks toward her. "Welcome home, Fiona! How long are you here for?" Clarice inquiry as Fiona chuckled, noticing that her aunt Clarice was barefooted. "I finished my nursing studies abroad and was offered a job here in Canterlot by the Director of Royal Canterlot Hospital Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. As a chief nurse at the hospital. I jump at the offer." Fiona explains as Clarice smiled. "You must have impressed Director Blueberry with your nursing skills to be offered a position like that at the Royal Canterlot Hospital. Fiona, do you know who Director Blueberry is?" Clarice inquiry with a smile on her snout as Fiona shook her head no. "Director Blueberry is actually Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. The youngest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and the granddaughter of my friend Duchess Ophelia Silverlight the boss mare of the Silverlight unicorn family." Clarice explains as Fiona gawk in disbelief. "The Princess offers me a job," Fiona said shocked as Clarice had to catch her went she fainted from the news. ~later that night~ In Lady Fiona Halcyon's bedroom at the mansion, Fiona rolls out of her bed, wearing an elm green colored nightgown in her bare feet. She walked over to her suitcase and placed it on top of her desk. She opens the suitcase and begins rifling through the bag, looking for something. A few moments later, she brings out a small bundle of letters tied with a red ribbon from inside the suitcase. During the time she was studying abroad, she got involved with a disloyal royal army Sergeant Armand Aegis. He would steal medical supplies from the hospital she was working at and sell them on the black market. Till his greed got the better of him, he took a critical vaccine shipment from the hospital, heading to pony land to stem any outbreak in the area. It was not till a not so bright seller sold one of the stolen vaccines to an undercover Solar Guard agent that the stolen shipment was recovered and sent to pony land. During the investigation, the seller gave up the name of the Sergeant who stole the medical supplies and the hospital he was getting them from. The Sergeant was arrested and sent to prison. Two years into his sentence, he was killed in a prison fight. One thing that Solar Guard couldn't figure out was who the inside pony was to get the medical supplies for the Sergeant. 'How naïve could you be Fiona, being taken in by that unicorn stallion charms and help him steal medical supplies from the very hospital you worked at. I broke it off with him went he took the critical vaccines shipment heading to pony land.' Fiona thought to hide the bundle of the letter under her mattress in her room before going back to bed. ~The following morning~ A vengeful Maid Gusty Shady finishes her cleaning chores for the day, so she gets her last paycheck from her ladyship as Chief Maid Glory Neatly reports to her Ladyship that Gusty is not fulfilling her contract with the brightly stable. Countess Clarice Brightly has already warned Maid Gusty Shady that if Chief Maid Neatly reports her again that she not fulfilling her contract with her stable, she will be let go. As she was changing the bedding in Lady Fiona Halcyon's room, the small bundle of letters falls from under the mattress onto the floor. Gusty unties the bundle and reads one of the letters. Not knowing about the stolen vaccine shipment from the hospital, Gusty quickly stuff the letters into her dress and leave the Brightly Stable with the letters that Fiona hid. Sometime later, Gusty waits on the back streets of Canterlot with the letters a moment later a sedan drives up to her. The driver side window is rolled down by a red unicorn stallion with a blond mane. She hands him the letters, and he looks through them before giving her back the second bundle of letters. Many years ago, Gusty Shady was a high-society mare in Manehattan (Simply called Majesty) till her husband died under mysterious circumstances. All suspicion fell on Majesty as she was known as a gold digger in high-society circles. She quickly went into hiding using her real name Gusty Shady to stay one step ahead of Manehattan Police Department looking for her. Two years later, she got involved with dishonest unicorn stallion that discovered her high-society persona of Majesty and her letters. He sold her high-society persona of Majesty and her letters to the Master Blackmailer for quite a bit of money. Seeing potential in this mare, he offers her a deal. If she works for him, her high-society persona of Majesty, along with her letters, will not be given to the Manhattan PD for the huge reward. The Master Blackmailer sweet the deal by telling her if she finds equal devastating information about a target, he will trade her letters for that. So she can disappear forever. Gusty Shady quickly takes hold of the bundle of letters and runs into the alley right into the waiting arms of two Solar Guard officers. Who was tipped off to her real identity by anonymous source? It's 1000 hrs, the following morning, Canterlot Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Public Business Area of the Palace, Private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight. The private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight is medium size room in the public business area of the Grand Royal Palace she uses this office to conduct face to face negotiation with various ambassadors that need not be heard in open royal court. Joining her in her office was Prince Somnus Silverlight, her brother, and Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight, her younger sister. Upon discovering that her letters were stolen from her room, Lady Fiona Halcyon went to her Aunt Countess Clarice Brightly. She told her everything that happens why she was studying abroad. Countess Clarice Brightly was none too happy about what her niece did. She called Duchess Ophelia Silverlight, the Grandmother of the Royal foals, asking her if she can set up a meeting with the Royal Foals for Lady Fiona Halcyon. "Lady Halcyon, do you know how bad it could have gone if the vaccine shipment was not recovered," Aurora said hotly as she slams her fist down on top of her desk. "I know your highness, I am not asking for forgiveness. What I did goes against everything I stand for as a nurse. I put the lives of many ponies in danger because of my naiveté. (look toward Princess Blueberry) I will understand your highness if you don't want me working at your hospital." Fiona said, her voice a lifeless monotone as she lowers her head. "No Lady Halcyon. I didn't hire you for your past. I hired you because you are a wonderful nurse. Because of this incident, you will be under my supervision for entire career. Plus, I have been looking for a student to teach. Just like my teacher Princess Cadence Sparkle did for me." Blueberry explains as Fiona's face flushed with happiness that she's going to be taught by Princess Blueberry.
Chapter 4It's 1000 hrs, the following morning (a few moments later), Canterlot Grand Royal Palace, Royal Ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, Public Business Area of the Palace, Private office of Princess Aurora Silverlight. "With that done, brother, do you think this is the work of 'the Master Blackmailer'?" Aurora inquiry as her brother Prince Somnus rubs his chin with his hand. "It sounds like it sister, this is the kind of scandal the Master Blackmailer would be drooling over." Somnus comments as Fiona gasps. "Lady Halcyon, have you received a ransom note from the Master Blackmailer yet?" Somnus inquiry rubbing his chin once again in deep thought. "What are you thinking, brother?" Aurora inquiry as they waiting for Fiona to answer the question. "No, your highnesses," Fiona answers as a smile formed on Somnus' snout. "Your ladyship, you are planning a party to celebrate the new job for Lady Fiona Halcyon, are you not?" Somnus inquiries as both his sisters are still very puzzled. "I am your highness." Clarice answer as the smile got larger on Somnus snout. "Very good send an invitation to Art Dealer Coerce Money for the party," Somnus explains as he taps his finger against the lower half of his jaw. "May I ask why?" Fiona inquiry "It best not to know why Lady Halcyon and for yourself your ladyship." Somnus comment as the two mares leave the office. Leaving the three royal foals alone in the office. "I am going to assume that the reason for the invitation to the party is so Coerce Money is not at his home in the obsidian ward. So we can break in to steal the letters from our mother and Lady Halcyon. Correct, brother." Aurora comments as Somnus shook his head. Its 1700 hrs, two weeks later, the brightly stable, northwest noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital City of Equestria, main Manor home, Ballroom, First floor of the estate. The ballroom of Brightly Stable is beautifully decorated for the celebration of the new job of Lady Fiona Halcyon, the niece of her ladyship Countess Clarice Brightly. The party is in full swing walking about the party guests were the Royal foals dressed in their finest clothing. A few moments later, Art Dealer Coerce Money arrives in his finest clothing. "Greetings, your highness." Coerce said politely as Prince Somnus Silverlight stop next to him. "Has your mother changed her mind about paying my price for her letters, your highness?" Coerce inquiry as Somnus taking a deep breath before answering. "You have won Mr. Money. My mother will pay 7,000 bits to avoid undo stress on her foals. I'll be their next week with payment for the exchange of the letters." Somnus said sourly. "It was good doing business with you, your highness." Coerce said, flash a superior grin as Somnus' reluctantly shook his hand. "I bet it was. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Mr. Money." Somnus said frigidly as he continued on his way to meet up with his sisters standing in front of the exit. "Let get going sisters, we have one hour before the party end, and the van is waiting outside with all the equipment for housebreaking. And Auntie will block out the moon for few hours and that it." Somnus explains as the three royal foals slip out of the party unnoticed. Its 1800 hrs that same evening, Coerce Money's Canterlot townhouse, Obsidian ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, an unmarked van parked in the back alley of the Obsidian ward one block down from Coerce Money townhouse. Slowly a cloud covers the moon blocking out moonlight from the van a winged pony taking to the sky dress in black from head to toe. A few moments later, two unicorn ponies, also dressed from head to toe in black, exit the van and head to the townhouse. The two unicorn ponies are moving at a rapid pace toward the townhouse. Once they're the unicorn ponies begins to pick the lock on the door, a moment later, the door springs open, and two unicorn ponies enter the home. They quickly make their way to coerce Money's study the location of the safe with all the blackmailing material in it. Meanwhile, back at the party, Art dealer Coerce Money continues to enjoy himself. A moment later, one of the stable servants walked up to him, giving him a folded note. As he reads the note, a jauntily smile form on his snout, he turns and leaves the party to return home. Slowly a light fog begins to cover the Capital City of Equestria, but not before the airborne lookout relays to the two ponies inside the home that a car is approaching. The two unicorns inside promptly find a hiding place behind some large curtains in the study. Soon the door into the study opens and enters Coerce Money. He begins to pace back and forth as if waiting for someone to arrive. Soon he opens the window onto the study a moment later a good-looking sandy tan colored pegasi mare with honey blond colored mane and tail lands in front of him. She folded her tan colored feather bird wings onto her back. Her 5ft 10in physically fit equine figure was attired in yellow-green colored below the knee-length dress. On her, ten-inch long tan colored bare feet were orange heeled sandals. This pegasi mare was as far as Coerce money knew was a disgruntled maid from the Silverlight stable. "So the Duchess is less good then she's let on." Coerce comment as the pegasi mare shook her head. "So, you have the letters, so we can get down to business." Coerce said as the pegasi mare shook her head a second time. "As you know, I need to examine the letters before the exchange begins. May I see them?" Coerce said as his face pales went, a revolver is revealed and before he can say another word, the trigger is pulled. (Bang) "You will never hurt my family. You vile little pony." The pegasi mare said coldly as she pulled the trigger two more times. (Bang-Bang) "My foals are the most important thing to me. No hateful earth pony like you will hurt them ever." The pegasi mare said venomously pulling the trigger three more times unloading the remain shots into Coerce Money. (Bang-Bang-Bang) Suddenly the pegasi mare sinks to the ground in shock with what she did. A moment later, the spell wears off revealing Princess Celestia Silverlight, quickly Somnus and Blueberry exit from their hiding place. "Mother! Snap out of it! Please quickly light this fireplace! So no other pony will be forced to kill!" Somnus yells, snapping his mother out of her shock as she snaps her finger, lighting the fireplace. Quickly the three ponies grab arms full of blackmailing materials and toss them into the fireplace destroying everything in the safe. Once done, Blueberry grabs hold of her mother's arm and leads her outside the townhouse to the waiting van being driven by Aurora. Who is shocked went she see Somnus and Blueberry dragging their mother to the van. "What is mother doing here?" Aurora inquiry as she quickly drives away from the obsidian ward back to the Royal ward. "She shot Coerce Money. Freeing herself and every pony that Money has his tentacles around," Somnus explains as Blueberry tries to bring her mother back to her senses. "She did what!?" Aurora exclaims as she gawks in disbelief. "I am going to assume that this was not part of your plan, Somnus," Aurora comments as the van pulls into the grand palace underground garage. "Somnus, I suggest you go get Auntie...Right away and bring her down here." Aurora ordered as soon as she parked the van Somnus head up to the main floor of the palace to fetch their Aunt Luna. ~ A Few moments later in underground parking garage~ In the underground parking garage, Princess Luna Silverlight arrives with Prince Somnus attired in orange-red slightly below knee-length dress and black heeled sandals with three one fourth inch heel and her princess' regalia. On the way down to the parking garage, Somnus explains to his Aunt Luna the situation with his mother, and she blinks with surprise. She didn't know her sister had the guts to do that. But since becoming a mother to her own foals. She changed quite a bit. "So there no evidence that connects the killing of Master Blackmailer Coerce Money to the Equestrian Royal Family, correct," Luna said, looking at the three royal foals. "That is correct, Auntie." The three foals said unison as Luna smiled broadly. "So this is the best outcome for this situation and any blackmailing material you destroy it, correct," Luna said as she taps her finger against the lower half of her snout. "So my orders. Blueberry take your mother to her bedroom and put her to bed. Plus, stay with your mother for the next two nights to keep an eye on her." Luna orders as Blueberry took her mother to her bedroom to put her to bed. "Somnus, I want you to write two reports for this case. In the first report, have an accurate account of the events, in this case, that is one you will give me. I'll hide that report in my special file room. For the second report, remove anything mentions of the illegal activity you did on this case and put that one in the solar guard case files." Luna orders as Somnus shook his head and left to begin the two reports. "What about me, Auntie?" Aurora inquiry "Your part, my dear Aurora, is most critical in my plan. I'll set up a news conference for you tomorrow afternoon at the Grand Royal Palace. You are going to reveal that several of your mother's letters were stolen by the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money. Solar Guard Internal Security is currently investigating the matter." Luna explains as she continued to tell her plan. Its 1200 hrs, the afternoon of the following day, royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, Grand royal palace broadcast center, public area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, first floor of the palace main meeting room. At noon Princess Aurora Sol Silverlight attired in her orange, red embroidered royal court gown with the small key-hole opening in front between her cleavages, and her formal Royal Regalia walks onto the stage. Through the opening, you could see the ivory white silk bra holding up her curvy and perfectly shaped breasts. On her light blue bare feet with red nail polish was a pair of white open-toe pumps with a two-inch heel. A single slender band around her perfect ankle held it to her foot. She steps behind the podium with the Equestrian royal seal on the face as numerous flashbulbs go off in front of her from the press core She gracefully raises her hand up telling them to hold their questions until she makes a statement. "A very embarrassing situation has happened to the Royal Family we were subject of a blackmail attempt by a pony calling himself the Master Blackmailer Coerce Money. Our royal family was trying to keep this blackmail attempt from the public view and rectify the situation quietly. But in doing so, it caused Princess Celestia Silverlight our mother to fall ill. She is currently resting in her bed-chamber under the care of her youngest daughter Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight. As of the start of this press conference, Princess Celestia Silverlight is resting comfortably in her room and is slowly recovering. Princess Blueberry reassures me our mother should be back to full health in a few weeks. Till she's better, I'll take over as ruling Princess of the Sun." Aurora explains as she begins taking questions from the Press Core at the News conference. Meanwhile, in the private bed-chamber of Princess Luna Silverlight, Luna finishes watching the news conference of Princess Aurora Silverlight from the Grand Royal Palace. In her dark blue five-finger hand, she held the complete report from Royal Investigator Somnus Silverlight of this blackmailing case file. She snaps her fingers, and the file goes up in flames obliterate the file. "Now their only one case file on this whole case. The second report I had Somnus write. This one event no one should ever know about, not even my own sister." Luna comments as she walks barefooted over to her wardrobe to change into her nightgown so she can go to bed till night watch. At that same time in Princess Celestia Silverlight's subconscious mind, a desponded Celestia sits under a tree on a grassy hill. With her arms wrapped around her legs, waiting for someone to arrive. A moment later, a gorgeous dark blue unicorn stallion with crimson red mane and tail wearing the white uniform of the commander of her elite Princesses protection unit arrives and kisses her on her cheek. Before Celestia knew what happens, the unicorn pushes her over. He wraps his arms around her ankles as she was barefooted in her subconscious dream. "I am not going to stop tickling you, my love-till you beg for mercy and stop blaming yourself." The unicorn stallion insisted as Celestia was thrown into uncontrollable laughter till her side started to ache. "Pleeheeaseee let me gohohohohon, Jjjjusticeee. I-I cahahahan't take Anymorhoore-Mercy!!!" Celestia screamed with laughter as Justice stop and released her ankles to allow her to recover. "That Master Blackmailer left you little choice, Celestia. He was way beyond redemption. He used what you held so precious our foals to control you for what? Money." Justice said gruffly as Celestia slowly sat up with dark shadows around her eyes. "But beloved, I took a life of one of my pony’s. That something a Princess should never do." Celestia said, her voice a lifeless monotone as tears runs down her cheeks. "Yes that is true, my beloved. It's something you must cope with for the rest of your immortality. But remember your family will always be with you. And I will always be with you. So let it go." Justice said reassuringly as Celestia slowly open her eyes to find herself in her bed in her bed-chamber. "Mommy!" Blueberry exclaims as she saw her mother slowly sit-up in her bed and look around her room. "Thank you, Blueberry, for watching me," Celestia said thankfully as Blueberry wrapped her arms around her as she kisses her on her horn. "Your welcome, mommy how do you feel?" Blueberry inquiry as she sat on the edge of her mother's bed. "I still have much to cope with. But if my family is with me. I should be fine." Celestia comments as Blueberry shook her head. "Of course, we are with you. you are our mother." Blueberry comments as Celestia lay back down on her bed.
