Chapter 6 - Distrust

The Goddess of the Sun was surrounded by a small squad of soldiers led by her Captain, Shining Armor. The ponies were all staring suspiciously at the surrounding pack of wolves, sent by their master to accompany them.

At the front, the Captain of the Royal Guard noticed a soldier march up to him hesitantly. He turned towards the recruit questioningly, his strides never slowing, "Yes Steel Blade?"

Steel gave his superior a hopeful glance and started shyly, "W-Well, my wife just came out of hospital from a dangerous operation, and I wanted to give her something special for Hearts and Hooves day. You understand don't you?"

"...Yes, I do." Shining agreed cautiously, he did not like where this was going.

The recruit seemed to gain a little confidence with the Captain's answer, "I-I saw the flower that mare gave to you... I don't suppose I could..."

"I'm sorry, it's actually for my own special somepony, I cannot, in good conscience, give it to you..." Shining Armor apologized, looking at the guard sympathetically.

"No no no, I wasn't asking for the whole thing. Please Sir, just a small petal next to her first meal out of the hospital, you wouldn't even be able to notice it was gone!" Steel begged, he was now trotting to keep up with his Captain's pace.

Shining Armor bit his bottom lip, he was aware of the disease that Windy Willows, Steel's wife, contracted, and he knew that she may not have a long time in this world left. Would one petal hurt? For the sake of an old friend?

"I... I guess a single petal couldn--" Shining started, watching his companion's face light up, only to be cut off a gruff voice.

"Don't even think about it."

Princess Celestia and her guards turned to regard the interferer with shock, it was the first noise any of the wolves had made since their departure from the hill.

"Pardon me?" The Captain challenged with a hint of annoyance seeping into his neutral guard's voice.

The same timberwolf, Aegis, growled, "You have no idea what you're about to give away. That blossom is made completely of pure, untainted magic. This rose you have acquired from our Mistress blooms only once every century. An Azure seed is born from her own private recollections and is only offered to those closest to her--" He shot a disgusted glare to Celestia, who averts her gaze, "--regardless of whether they deserve it or not"

"Closest to her?" Shining Armor echoed, confusion evident in his tone, "We've just met!"

Steel Blade returned to his place in formation, wearing a disappointed frown and knowing begging would do no more good.

"And are you the pony our Mistress has gifted the rose to?"

The Captain scoffed, "You saw it yourself, the Miss gave me the flower on the condition I take care of..." His eyes widened and his steps faltered for a moment, then he snapped at Aegis, "What does she want with Ca- my marefriend?"

"Captain Shining Armor, calm yourself," Princess Celestia spoke in a soft, firm tone, "Twilight does not wish harm upon... your lover. They have had a long history together and were very fond of each other, no doubt it was just a blessing for her happiness."

The stallion exhaled, cheeks tinged pink at being called out by royalty, "Yes Your Highness, please excuse my outburst." Then he recalled a small detail the ruler had included and asked as an afterthought, "They were very fond of each other?"

Celestia looked uncomfortable for a moment, then her features returned to that of a calm and benevolent princess before responding, "They most likely still are, they were just separated as a result of an accident."

Aegis snorted before grumbling sarcastically, "'Accident' indeed"

No pony nor creature made another sound until they approached the path leading to the exit of the Everfree, where the timberwolves ended their escort and let the ponies walk onto the exposed road. Before the princess could thank the wolves, they dissolved into the shadows and disappeared, out of sight.

Princess Celestia spared a last glance at the canopy of trees they had just emerged from, before lighting her horn and finally allowing the sun to dip below the horizon, making way for its pale counterpart.

She made her way over to the prepared chariot and climbed aboard, before pegasi charioteers spread their wings and made for Canterlot in the north, facing the moon.

"There, that should be the last one." Twilight used the lightest of touches to press the 'Horcus Plant', a weed used for healing, onto the chimera's burn, he winced but otherwise offered no comment, only an appreciative nod.

She planted a soft kiss onto each of his heads, gentle as a feather, just as she had done for all the injured creatures in the cave.

"I must thank you all for not engaging with the royal guards, I am happy to report no casualties on either sides, all soldiers and animals alike retreated unharmed, save for a few burns and bruises." Twilight smiled gratefully at each of her creatures, earning proud grunts of pleasure at receiving the Mistress' acknowledgement."Rest here for the night, I shall deliver your dinner to you in a moment."

As she turned to leave, a manticore to the side of her called out in a worried tone, "Mistress, is Miss Aurora alright?"

Twilight smiled at the creature, her eyes speaking volumes of her love, "Thank you for your concern Hollow, Aurora should be fine, it was just a stunning spell."

Hollow growled, "I could have finished that pony off... the nerve!" He pawed at the ground, thinking about the phoenix's tormentor.

"I understand your fury towards the guards, all of you, but we must also remember how threatening we must have looked from their perspective. They were sent into a dangerous environment where they could have easily been 'finished off' as you say, to look for a princess who, before today, would have seemed flawless and infallible. If a goddess couldn't keep herself safe, what chance did they have?"

The chimera he had tended to last spoke up, "If I may Mistress," He received a small nod of approval,"Why would you save the pony princess after... all she's done?"

Twilight hid a wince and explained evenly, "Elijah, I acknowledge the crimes Princess Celestia as committed against me along with many of the creatures here, but is it really your wish to know you can save a life and you refuse to, due to a past event? Would that be so different to having her blood on our hooves, paws and claws?"

"But now she'll never understand how you felt Mistress! It's justice!" The timberwolf to the back of the group asked in deep voice, sounding strong and sure.

"Is it justice? Or is it revenge?" Twilight questioned softly, eyeing the animals surrounding her, "Forgiveness is an important skill, it creates new bonds and allies. Vengeance is deflecting all your negative emotions onto a being, making them hurt the way you did, would it really make the situation better? To deal pain to Celestia for her past actions?"

"The Princess comes before us a changed pony from how she was nine centuries ago, she now tries to treat all animals with respect, she is once more humble and kind. Just as you cannot blame the ancestors of your tormentors in the past, we should not think of all the damage Celestia has done, but rather the things she's done to fix her... mistakes.”

Twilight smiled once again as she saw the reluctant bobbing of the animals' heads, "Thank you, I am not asking you to forget what she has done to you, I have not forgotten and doubt I ever will. My hope is that you will come to know the new Celestia instead of focusing on the old."

The mare trotted out of the cave before any of her creatures could speak.

"Are you sure you're alright 'Rora?" Twilight stroked her phoenix's feathers tenderly upon receiving a reassuring nod, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have let my guard down. But next time, don't jump in front of every danger, alright?"

The bird ruffled her wings indignantly, clacking her beak together repeatedly with a huff.

Twilight raised a brow, “I know you want to protect me, but getting hurt isn’t the right way to do it.”

Aurora hung her head and tapped once more, letting out a low cry at the end.

The lavender pony smiled, “It’s alright, I forgive you. But do you think you could do something for me once you get better?”

She watched as her pet's eyes lit up, turning to her and letting out a questioning squawk. Twilight leaned forward whispered quickly, Aurora letting out a guffaw when her master had finished her request, nodding excitedly and already planning the event.

“Much appreciated ‘Rora, I don’t know what I’d without you.” Twilight gave her assistant a last nuzzle before setting a tray of food to the side of her perch and making her way over to the cloud bed her former mentor had just vacated in the afternoon.

For the first time in a while, Twilight drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

“Good evening Captain, is something the matter?”

“Your Majesty.” Shining Armor bowed before his monarch before receiving a polite nod and standing straight once more, “I would like to talk about the... encounter we had with that mare.”

Princess Celestia was resting in her chambers after the unexpected chain of events when her Captain had requested an audience.

The Regent of the Sun nodded, she had expected questions to arise of course, it wasn’t everyday you came across a powerful mare residing in the Everfree and controlling it's wild, unpredictable beasts after all.

“What would you like to know Shining Armor?” Celestia offered graciously, taking a sip of tea and setting another cup infront of Shining.

“Well, I have many questions, if you would answer them all.”

Celestia swirled her cup gently, sending puffs of steam up into the air, “There are some questions that I cannot, and will not, answer, but I will attempt to provide an explanation to at least some of your questions. I must ask, however, that this knowledge imparted to you today along with the events which have occured this afternoon stay strictly between us and the deployment of guards who have witnessed it firsthoof.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard nodded and shuffled nervously, “My first question, who was she and how did Your Highness come to know her?”

The Princess smiled serenely, “Twilight is a... very dear friend of mine, she was my former student and is remarkably talented in magic.”

Shining arched a brow, “With all due respect Princess, I have never seen you interact with her before today, and you haven’t announced a protege since Sunset Shimmer. If she was your student, what is she doing in the Everfree Forest of all places?”

Celestia let out a small sigh at the mention of Sunset, unnoticed by Shining Armor. So many years had gone by since another one of her students had fallen as a result of the Princess’ own mistakes, however indirectly it may have seemed. “Twilight and I go a long way back, we were very close but I pushed her away in an act of foolishness. I... hurt her, both physically and mentally, and she was saved by the timberwolves when they bought her to the Everfree.”

“You hurt her? Princess, she seemed comfortable with your presence, neither angered or resentful.”

The Solar Regent let out a chuckle, “Indeed Captain, my dear Twilight is very forgiving. She prefers to settle disputes over a conversation, something I had forgotten when I lashed out at her...”

There was a tense silence for a few moments before Shining spoke up, “If she has dismissed your actions, why has she not revealed herself to ponykind? Her magical abilities could certainly be used to help Equestria.”

“Twilight believes she owes a debt to the creatures of her forest, she is their protector and master, she feeds, takes care of them and has built strong relationships with both the fauna and flora , as you have no doubt seen. Neither side feels comfortable apart from eachother.”

Shining huffed, “Your Majesty, please, you are talking about the monsters in the forest as if they were sentient beings, who is to say ‘Twilight’ does not practice the branch of hypnosis?”

Celestia eyed her Captain sternly, “Can you honestly say these ’monsters’ are not aware after what you have witnessed today? Twilight has managed to teach them communication and restraint. Furthermore, for hypnosis to work, the caster must have a sufficient amount of magic stored in their wellspring, she had none.

The Captain’s eyes widened, “None?” He spluttered, “But what did she use it on? That’s impossible! The trees and vines!”

The Princess peered straight into Shining’s dark blue eyes, “She gave it all to me.” Shining gaped, “There was a good reason why Twilight had requested for ponykind to stay out of the borders of her forest, I did not heed that advice.”

“Cockatrices. Infant cockatrices. They have not been taught mercy or control yet and will petrify all living beings on site, with no hesitation. I teleported into the trees without questioning the reason for her request and I encountered one. Twilight saved me, despite the strain in our relationship, she freed me from the stone.”

Shining gawked at his monarch, “Princess! We have to get you a physician! A cockatrice’s trap saps your magical stor--” His eyes widened in realisation, “You mean she...”

“You are correct Captain, Twilight poured her entire wellspring into mine to shield me from discomfort at the cost of her own magic.”

Captain Armor shook his head, “But the Everfree Forest! The vines, trees, flowers! She must have an alternate source of power for her to be able to shape nature.”

“I do not know how my former student manages to control her forest or her creatures, but it isn’t unicorn magic. I have personally seen her empty wellspring and she does not light up her horn while she ‘shapes nature,’ as you say.”

Shining Armor ran possible debates through his head, but none fit the situation. He sighed, “Princess, there is one other thing...”

Celestia nodded, “Yes?”

“My shield.” Captain Armor stated bluntly, “She went through my shield, and if what she said is to be believed, she passed my shield with no magic. that ‘Twilight’ didn’t even shatter it! How did she just...”

The Princess furrowed her brows, “I apologize Captain, I do not have the answer to your question, you would have to ask her yourself, but there is no assurance that she will reveal her tricks to you either, Twilight likes to allow her enemies and adversaries find out on their own, catching them off guard with her magical prowess at the last possible moment.”

“For her allies, she encourages them to delve into her secrets themselves, again revealing nothing, testing their independence and teaching them in her own way.”

“Her closest confidants may receive a small gift given to them in their time of need, crafted to suit their uses and provide a spark of hope for the future.”

Shining huffed, “I’m guessing I can be counted as an ally then? How about you Your Highness? Could you ask her for me?”

Celestia nodded, “Despite your actions in her forest, I’m sure all is forgiven, Twilight likes to look at both sides of the conflict before delivering her final judgement after all.”

She paused, breaking eye contact and taking a sip of tea, “While I was no doubt considered one of her... closest confidants before, I believe it would take some time to regain the same level of friendship we once had... The things I did, cruel wouldn’t even begin to describe it. Twilight forgives me of course, like always, but there just isn’t the same level of... familiarity. Still, it’s better than what I deserve and I am grateful.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard wore a thoughtful frown, “How do I... ‘delve into her secrets?’ then? There are no records with her name on it as your student or otherwise, I would have seen.”

Princess Celestia let out a melodic chuckle, “If she does not wish for you to find anything, you will not be able to, but I believe she may lay down a trail for you very soon, she did always like to string her allies along before, always several steps ahead and guiding you to success without your knowledge, praising you for your achievements and never acknowledging her own subtle hoof.”

“Actually, it sounds...” Shining glanced at his Princess, “like you...”

Celestia widened her eyes a bit, at a loss of words, before bursting out in laughter, “Oh Captain, if you could tell, then I am nowhere near the level of my former student!”

Shining Armor grinned awkwardly as he ran through the thoughts in his head, ‘She sounds very powerful, she has an advantage over me, my shields do nothing to her, she also has nature and her animals...’

“She sounds like a formidable foe Princess.”

Princess Celestia leveled a steely gaze at her captain, dropping her smile, “I assure you, Twilight means no harm, she will never use her magical abilities for anything malicious. I will not tolerate you regarding her as a threat and an enemy. Do I make myself clear?”

Shining nodded quickly, sweat seeping from his pores, “Very clear Your Highness, please forgive me, I was not thinking straight.”

“Of course Captain, anymore questions?”

The Captain hummed, “Will Miss Twilight be visiting regularly? Should I allow her clearance with the Royal Guards?”

Celestia chuckled, “I highly doubt it will matter Shining, the guards cannot keep her out or in, should she decide to visit me, she’ll appear on my balcony. She is only seen when she wants to be.”

Captain Shining gulped, “Uh, I see Your Majesty. I have no further questions, thank you for your time and have a good night. Permission to leave?”

The Sun Princess gave a curt nod, “Granted.”

“Okay how do I look?” Shining Armor glanced at his mirror for the dozenth time, arranging his mane until it was perfect. He tidied his tuxedo again and checked the little, black box within his pocket.

It was time to go meet with his marefriend. It was time to ask her for the final stage. He held a beautiful flower up against the sunlight, he thought about the mare who had given it to him and their encounter a week ago. ‘I still need to figure out who Cady is to her... No matter, questions can come after our date tonight if all goes well.‘

Shining tucked the blue rose into the same pocket as the small case and made sure it wasn’t cramped before regarding his reflection one last time and heading off to the palace gardens.

The love of his life was there. Dressed in a dazzling pale dress and standing in the light of the afternoon sun.

“Cady!”

She spun around to face the ivory stallion with a bright smile on her face, “Shiny!”

The two lovers met in the middle, embracing each other, “Shiny I didn’t see you at all yesterday! Where were you?”

Captain Armor grinned slyly, “Sorry Cadence, I was preparing for today...”

The Princess of Love cocked an eyebrow, “What do you mean?” She questioned, “Aren’t we just going on a date?”

The stallion felt sweat build on his back as he slowly knelt down and reached into his pocket with his aura. He pulled out the beautiful flower out and smiled at his marefriend’s widening eyes, but it couldn’t compare to the loud gasp she gave when Shining held out the tiny velvet box, it was so light yet held so much value.

“Princess Mi Amore Cadenza... W-Will you marry me?”

It was still and silent, nothing made a noise. He had done it, now he just had to wait for her reaction.

“Yes. Yes! Yes!” Cadence exclaimed as her coltfriend let out a massive sigh of relief. He levitated the ring up to the Love Princess and slid it smoothly down her horn before allowing Cadence to take the flower in her own telekinesis.

They dove into a passionate kiss.

Suddenly, light burst from all around them as they broke apart, startled. From the foliage, usually shy and secluded animals, squirrels, rabbits and butterflies surrounded them, birds of all kinds sang a synchronized tune, landing on the two newly engaged ponies.

Shining Armor and his fiancée laughed and pranced around the woodland creatures. Could they have come over just for their celebration? Even mother nature agreed with their union!

Everything was perfect until a bird flew past. A bird familiar to Shining.

The pale phoenix, driven by her master’s request, circled through the air, elegant wings propelling her and leaving a trail of flames suspended by an unseen force. The turquoise fire shaped a beautiful heart.

The Captain’s protective instincts took hold. He stepped in front of Cadence who was staring up at the phoenix in awe before, but was now staring at him in confusion as he put up a shield and glared at the bird defiantly.

“You!” Are you here to spy on us? For your owner? I don’t know why Celestia trusts her, but I refuse to fall into her ‘gentle and caring’ trap! Your ‘mistress’ is dangerous, and I will protect my new fiancée from her!”

At first, the phoenix recoiled as if struck, then, at his last statement, she let out a low, threatening warble and took off to the sky, disappearing in a cyan flame.

Shining exhaled in relief, turning back to his perplexed fiancée, “Are you alright? It’s okay, we’re safe now.”

“I-I’m fine Shiny, but what happened?”

The Captain smiled reassuringly, “Don’t worry, just something I saw on the rescue mission the other day. How about we just continue with our date?”

Cadence looked like she wanted to know more, but held back as she nodded with a bright smile.

It was only then that they noticed the friendly creatures had backed away, glowering and hissing at them. No, at him.

“No! Wait, please!” Shining called desperately, not wanting the warm comfort of the small creatures to leave, but it was too late. They had disappeared into the bushes.

Captain Armor dropped to his haunches. Everything was going so well, his would-be-wife was so happy and even nature had blessed their relationship, all ruined because of his tendency to lash out. Come to think of it, was that mare even untrustworthy? The princess seemed to know her well...

“I’m so sorry Cady, I ruined everything...”

Cadence sat next to her fiancée, basking in the brisk, afternoon sun, “Shining, you haven't ruined anything,” She gave him a small peck on his cheek, “I’ll admit I don’t know the full story, but we just got engaged, and our date isn’t exactly over yet...”

Shining Armor’s ears perked up and he gave a small smile, “Thanks Cadence, you always know what to say.”

The Princess of Love winked at him, “Well?”

The Captain shook himself, he would worry about the bird and that mare later. “Milady,” He offered a hoof and grinned as she took it gracefully, “May you accompany me out on a date?”

Cadence’s eyes twinkled, “Why, good sir, I would be delighted!” They made their way to the nearby restaurant, Cadence shooting occasional glances at her new ring and Shining still eyeing their surroundings for any sign of the phoenix.

Stars shone like sugar spilt over black marble, glistening in the moonlight. The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic at each sunset, promising to return as she faded in dawn's first light. There were times in the daytime, under skies of blue, Celestia would think of those faraway stars and how they'd return after the shadows blended into the dark.

It truly was a masterpiece, but contrary to what the astronomers in the foyer, praising her endlessly, believe, it wasn’t her masterpiece.

The Sun Princess had agreed to hold a ball for the Astronomers’ Guild in the palace and had gotten pestered with complements and questions. The ponies commending her stolen canvas had bought a dagger of guilt down onto her heart and twisted it too.

Celestia had excused herself and retired back to her private chambers for some privacy.

The moon was a warm milky glow in the sky, as if the sight of it could become a song in the eyes of anyone willing to raise their head upward. But to the Princess of the Sun, it was a reminder. A reminder of her failure, her neglect and her flaws.

The craters visible on the pale surface of the sun’s counterpart were shaped into a unicorn mare, silently judging her. It was her dearest sister.

Her own flesh and blood whom she ignored and abandoned. Celestia stole the spotlight, snatched the ponies’ love and now she had taken the results of her sisters pride and joy, her beautiful night sky, as well.

“Oh, Luna... I’m so sorry... Please! Please forgive me!” Princess Celestia felt saltwater gathering in her eyes, filling them to the brim and threatening to burst.

“Please... I miss you...” She whispered, head still tilted up to the shimmering moon, it’s rays reflecting her glistening tears.

“I miss her too.”

Celestia started, swiveling around hurriedly and flinging water droplets onto the marble floor.

“Tw-Twilight!”

The alabaster alicorn was met with a smaller mare with a familiar lavender coat and sparkling violet eyes, staring up at the pale orb in the sky with a small smile.

Twilight walked over to her former mentor and sat next to her, pulling down her hood to reveal a limp, overgrown mane, it’s ethereal qualities disabled.

The lavender mare did not meet Celestia’s gaze, instead studying the night sky and leaning into the larger frame beside her, lending her comfort and support.

“You know, the one good thing about having less magic is that I can finally let my hair down, you know how manes like these always get in the way.” Twilight joked, laughing lightly and finally resting her attention on Princess Celestia, who was furiously swiping at her eyes.

“Go ahead,” Twilight offered softly, “You can tell me what’s wrong, let it all out.”

“I’m sorry, you shouldn't have to see me like this... I’m fine, this doesn’t happen... often...”

The cloaked mare nudged her friend, “Tia, you’re acting as if I don’t know exactly how many times this has happened. I’m here for you now, you no longer have to hold it all in.”

The Sun Princess gazed into her former pupil’s wide, encouraging eyes and averted her attention quickly, “Y-You know?” She received a small smile, “I.. I guess there really isn’t anything I can hide from you, is there?” Celestia chuckled before choking on the lump in her throat.

“I want to hear it from you. You know you can trust me with anything and everything, I will listen and I will understand. Tia, let me help, please.” Twilight nuzzled the larger alicorn as she trembled like a leaf in the storm, still desperately holding it in.

“I-” Celestia wanted to rein it in, to deny any sign of weakness, to tell her beloved friend that she couldn’t possibly understand, but it was all a lie. Twilight knew better than anypony what she was talking about, what she was feeling and why. “I just miss her so, so much... It’s like I have nopony to lean on anymore, no bastion of support, no... constant. I-I’m... alone...”

Twilight pulled her weeping mentor into a hug, stroking her flowing mane gently and catching every single word.

“I’m lonely, and I can’t show it, my ponies all want to see an unflappable goddess, perfect and pristine, and I have to try my best to be that... but I’m not. They sing me praises not because they want me to be happy, but because my happiness brings them riches and advantages. Twilight, I just want somepony to like me! To like the imperfect side, to admire something other than just my shell. That somepony was once Lulu, and now I’ve lost her.”

Princess Celestia wrapped the smaller pony in her soft, ivory wings and let her bottled up feelings flow, for once not thinking and just saying.

“Today. Just then, the Royal Astronomers were talking about how magnificent my nights were! Twilight, my nights! They don’t know about her, and I’m stealing the one thing she’s always had away from her too! I have never even changed the stars, they’re in the same positions as they were in before she... I... I was a horrible pony, the only memories I have with Lulu are the ones from when we were fillies! I don’t even have a photograph of her any more. I never even noticed my neglect until it was too late.”

Twilight remained silent, her own tears unnoticed by her mentor as she cast a quick drying spell for herself and focused on soothing Celestia, she could grieve later, right now, her friend needed her.

“Luna is coming back soon Twilight, and I can’t fight her. The Elements have abandoned me, they won’t respond to my pleas and refuse to even acknowledge my presence. They are little more than just inert stone spheres now, and I don’t know what to do! Ponies depend on me, but who do I have to depend on?” Celestia sobbed into Twilight’s fur, staining it wet and turning its color into a darker shade of purple.

The next moments passed in silence, broken only by the sniffing and cries of the Princess.

“Celestia,” The use of her entire name made the pony in question look up at her friend with glimmering eyes, still wet from tears, as Twilight continued in a soft voice, “Do you trust me?”

The Sun Princess nodded hastily, “O-Of course Twilight, I-I trust you completely”

Twilight sent her a smile, “Then believe me when I say you are not alone. You have me...” Her eyes shut and she hesitated before continuing, “...I apologize. I know I’ve been a terrible friend and I--”

Celestia gasped, her tears momentarily ceasing, “Twilight! Don’t say that! If anything, I should b--”

The lavender mare felt her eyes pooling as she explained, “No, Tia, I... I saw you. I saw you crying every night for the first couple of centuries, and I--” Twilight quickly blinked her tears away, “--I never helped, I let you wallow in sadness and did nothing! All because I was... afraid.”

The Princess gaped, processing the newfound information before blurting out, “That’s hardly your fault! If I hadn’t foolishly hurt you the way I did, then you would have never been afraid in the first place!”

Twilight shook her head, “No, I was never here for you when you needed me, but now I will be. I could never replace Luna, I know that, I just want you to know you can always count on me, anything you need to talk about, tell me and I’ll listen, anything you need help with, I will do everything in my power to help you.”

“Lulu is going to come back soon, but you won’t face her alone. You may have felt like you could never lean on me, like I was just another student to you, but we are going to get your sister back whether we have the Elements or not! Together.”

“I’ll never leave you again, ever... I promise.” Twilight smiled despite the twin trails running down her cheeks as she was drawn into a tight embrace by Celestia.

“Thank you... Thank you so much... You have no idea what your words mean to me” The alicorn princess sobbed into her coat, “You’re the best friend a pony could ever ask for...” Her words of gratitude gradually ebbed into silence.

Neither pony disrupted the peace for a long while until the Solar Regent let out a light yawn and tilted her head forward, mind and body exhausted as she drifted off.

Twilight shut her eyes for a mere moment, basking in the hushed quiet before gently unraveling herself from the larger alicorn’s loose grip. She stood, dispelling her multiple privacy wards from around them and floating Celestia over to her bed, carefully landing her with a soft ruffle of feathers.

She was about to leave when a muffled voice called out, “mph... Twilight?”

“Yes Tia?”

“Can you... Will you... Could you maybe stay with me? Just until I fall asleep? ...Please?”

The lavender mare smiled privately, she was getting a major sense of deja vu from when she was a filly... “Of course.” before adding with a small giggle, “Just until you fall asleep”

She made her way over to the offered wing and nestled into the royal mattress as said wing closed down on her, covering the entirety of her body save for her head.

“Thank you Twilight, I really missed this...” Celestia mumbled quietly, “Love you.”

“Sweet dreams Tia,” The lavender alicorn listened for her former mentor’s slowing breaths, “Love you too.”

Twilight stayed in the same position for a few more minutes before letting a long exhale escape and suddenly lighting her horn and blinking out of existence, reappearing at the foot of Celestia’s alicorn sized bed while her former mentor’s wing slumped back down onto the plump pillow she had teleported in.”

At Celestia’s slight shiver, Twilight pulled the princess’ comforter over her, tucking it under her body and creating a warm, comfortable cocoon.

The lavender mare made her way to her friend’s heavy, mahogany desk and conjured up three objects.

She levitated the first gift. A white candle, lit with an ever-burning turquoise flame, was placed lightly onto the smooth surface, landing with a small ‘clink’.

Next, she revealed a thin scroll of parchment secured with a small, glowing vine and a sealing charm, making it so that the only pony able to read the contents would be Princess Celestia.

The last item was a dark oak box. It was old and obviously treasured, Twilight undid her several dozens of security enchantments and gently lifted the lid to uncover her most precious possessions.

~~~”The only memories I have with Lulu are the ones from when we were fillies! I don’t even have a photograph of her any more”~~~

She shuffled through the contents carefully and grabbed out a single, small slip of paper in her telekinesis before closing the container and resealing it, followed by disappearing with a quiet ‘pop’.

The piece depicted a navy figure with a blue billowing mane, complete with thousands of pinpricks for stars. The pony in question held a majestic sabre in her aura, pointing it at the fallen stallion on the opposite side of the fencing ring and grinning trianphantly.

Twilight smiled, it was one of the only photographs she had of Luna, but for her friend, she was willing to go to great lengths to spark even a small glimmer of joy in her heart.

She stroked the pony a last time and teleported it into the scroll with an audible fizzle before glancing at Celestia, slumbering peacefully on her grand bed.

The lavender mage flared her horn, several coatings of shields covering her friend. Protections, whiplash resistance, sound cancelling domes.

She checked her orbs before shutting her eyes and exhaling deeply, opening them again to reveal an unnatural platinum glow.

A burst of magic swept across the room, fluttering documents and flickering the fire, disrupting every corner in the royal chambers save for Celestia’s resting place beneath the protective shields.

Suddenly, hundreds of magical strings and runes written in a distinguishable golden aura leapt out from the walls, floors and ceiling, showing Twilight all the enchantments used to secure the most protected room in the palace.

Twilight hummed, inspecting the blinding sight, “Not bad Tia, most of the potent defensive spells I see... fires, sparks, regeneration, shields, water, earth, light, healing.”

She smiled, “Although you were never really that good at designing your own wards... Let’s see if I can add something for you.”

Her horn blazed with a sudden jolt of magic as she began her work. Magenta lines of pure power traveled from her glimmering hooves up the walls and along the ceiling with thin strands connecting the trails together with precise geometric shapes. Tiny runes, charms and symbols were woven in between the complex wards and arcane cantraps, leaving not a single blank area left.

The display of her magical prowess was then hidden behind a discreet veil and shone like the stars as it pulsed constantly, looking for signs of danger and harmful intents.

The light died down to reveal Twilight letting out a breath and observing her masterpiece. The chamber was wrapped with her newly added layers of intricate spellwork and personified defenses. She nodded to herself before coating the room with a powerful illusion, wiping away all traces of her magic.

Twilight’s gaze swept across her surroundings for a last time before turning to the balcony and staring out at the night’s sky like she had done before.

“Being a ruler is a very trying task.” She spoke into the silent room, devoid of any living being save for the sleeping princess and herself.

“It requires patience, confidence, kindness and no hesitation, but even the most perfect creature or pony in our world needs to have time to let that facade drop. To be themselves.” Twilight sighed, the balcony providing a perfect view of the illuminated city of Canterlot.

“Most are able escape from prying eyes in their homes, where they can take off the mask, where nopony is judgmental, where nopony is looking to them to set an example. But what if that cannot be? What if you were the Monarch of Equestria, Princess Celestia, and your home is but a tourist attraction?”

Twilight tilted her head back, staring at the pale orb hanging in the sky, “Her room is the only place where she can achieve complete privacy, where nopony will assess her on her every move, where she can be free. Free from reservations and what is expected of her.” She shut her eyes as an icy breeze abruptly appeared and swirled around her, tousling her mane as her voice gained a cold edge, “But it seems that there are ponies who are not content to give her even that.”

“To plan for a potential enemy out of fear, I understand. To place guards atop my trees to keep a look out, I understand. To dive through files for my name, I understand. To dig for my history in the archives to achieve a better view of your suspect, I understand. To place my name under the title of ‘Potential Threat’, I understand.”

The temperature around her dropped as Twilight lifted her eyelids to reveal her rage filled gaze, “To undermine Princess Celestia’s authority and take advantage of her trust, intruding on her privacy, the only reason being wanting to catch me ‘red-hooved’ in the flesh, is not something I will stand for.”

She spun around abruptly, attention locked on a blank space atop the mantle of Celestia’s fireplace.

“It is admirable that ponies wish to protect their Princess, but sometimes we need to learn where to draw the line. Understand that just because somepony possesses the potential to pose a threat does not mean they are a threat.” Twilight stated coldly, “Do you realize that scrying on your ruler is accounted for as a Class One Felony? That you could be facing a lifetime prison sentence? Consider this a warning. Do not doubt a single word when I claim I will not allow this to happen again.”

In a flash of her horn, Twilight conjured a complex rune, one she invented herself, and shielded her spellwork before readying to release it into the room, “Before I forget, my congratulations on your engagement Guard Captain Shining Armor.”

The invisibility spell unraveled from the mantle, revealing a raspberry scrying orb for a moment before Twilight’s charm sent a pulse of power across the royal chambers, dissipating the sphere upon contact.

The lavender mage checked on the Solar Regent for a last time, retracting her privacy shields before disappearing into the shadows of the darkened room.

Captain Armor jumped back as his orb suddenly erupted in a burst of light.

He gaped at his office desk, unblinking and jaw working uselessly.