The plain, unostentatious coach-and-pair trundled along the streets of lower Canterlot, making its steady, unheralded way through the late-morning traffic, escorted at a discreet distance by a small phalanx of guard ponies.
Princess Cadance gasped, as she peered out through the curtains.
"Everything looks the same, Shiny!" the pink-coated alicorn marvelled. "The nobles are out strutting around, shops and restaurants are open for business. And oh, look! There's Clean Sweep, doing the curbstones just like always. Now I know things are back to normal."
"Yeah..." said Captain Shining Armor. The blue-maned stallion was equally amazed. "I guess even the Return of Nightmare Moon wasn't enough to shake some of these ponies out of their old habits."
"Well, we have Twilight and her friends to thank for that," Cadance said. "Without them, it could have been a lot worse. You should feel proud for her, Shiny."
"Oh, I do!" Shining Armor said quickly. "No question! She saved our rumps and no mistake."
"Then... why the long face, huh?"
In answer, Shining Armor reached out and took hold of her hoof. "I'm just trying to figure out how we go about telling everypony. About us, I mean. I also hope no one thinks I'm falling down on the job here."
"What? Whyever would they think that?"
"Because Princess Celestia tasked me with being your escort and guardian while you were in hiding. And, given how we feel about each other... maybe it might have been a better idea for the Princess to send somepony else?"
"Shiny! I'm sure Auntie knew exactly what she was doing, sending us off together. She is still the Sun Princess, after all. She's not above making use of a crisis to put ponies together, if she knows it'll help them find what they want most. She's kind and loving and caring... and she can be as devious and under-hoofed as sin whenever it suits her!"
Shining Armor looked uncomfortable.
"What is it? Did I say something wrong?"
"No! Not at all." Shining Armor shrugged. "It's just... I'm not used to speaking of Her Highness so... candidly. I mean, I am the Captain of her Guard, and she's well... the Princess, right?"
"She's a pony, Shiny," Cadance said firmly. "Just like any other."
"Oh, yeah? A pony who raises the Sun and Moon every day? And has ruled unchallenged for a thousand years?"
"Well, your little sister," Cadance retorted, "just saved all of Equestria from the return of Nightmare Moon! You're not going to start treating Twilight any differently, are you?"
"Nooo..." Shining Armor allowed. "She'll always be that lovable little bookworm I used to lug home from the library at closing time. But Princess Celestia?" Shining Armor laughed nervously. "I don't know, Cadance! I mean, I'm just a soldier. I'm not used to moving in such lofty circles. Hobnobbing with royalty... as equals!"
"Well, it's how we do things, Auntie and I," Cadance said. "She always insists we treat each other like family. She'd never stand on ceremony, not with me. And certainly not with anypony close to me! She'd never want you to feel you have to be all formal and proper, when it's not actually required by custom."
Shining Armor shrugged. "You're right, Cadance. And maybe I do put her on a million-mile-high pedestal. But... it's how I was brought up! It's how I've always thought about her, my whole life. It's going to be really hard, getting past that."
Then he grinned at Cadance.
"But I'm game to try, if that's what it takes. Because... I really want to make this work!"
Cadance put her other forehoof on his. "And that's why I'm glad she sent you, Shiny. I'd actually been hoping for a chance for us to talk -- just really talk -- about how we feel, without the crown and the rank marks getting in the way. And it would have been so horrid, having to put up with some obsequious, career-minded officer... all yes-highness and if-you-please-your-majesty, and so forth!" She rolled her eyes. "One thing I love about you, Shiny, is you never put on airs. You're just my strong, shining knight in armor, whenever it really counts."
Shining Armor sighed. "Do I have a really goofy, sappy look on my face right now?"
Cadance tipped her head, examining him. "Yes."
"Good. Remind me not to look like this when we get there. The rank-and-file would never let me live it down."
They laughed together, then stared at each other for a long while. Then Shining Armor spoke up again. "How do you think she'll take it?"
"Who, Twilight?" said Cadance, who'd been thinking the same thing. "She'll probably be all excited, the way she gets. And proud... and happy for us, and so forth."
"But... how do you think she'll really take it? Inside, where it counts?"
Cadance looked thoughtful.
"Truthfully, Shiny? I just don't know." Then she smiled. "I'm sure it'll be fine."
"Well, just to be on the safe side, let's not let on to anypony about us just yet," Shining Armor said. "Not until we've had a chance to talk to Twilight, put her in the picture. Wouldn't want her to feel like we're making important decisions like this behind her back."
"Okay..." Cadance said, though with a doubtful look. "If you really think that's wise?"
"Wise?" Shining Armor laughed. "This is self-defense, Cadance! You know how Twily gets, when she feels like she's missed something important."
"Oh, yes!" Cadance nodded. "The classic freak-out, how well I know it!" She laughed. "Tartarus hath no fury, like Twilight unprepared for a pop quiz. And she's such a dear when she's tearing around the room looking for spare quills. But come on, Shiny! This is your sister we're talking about." Cadance grinned. "It's not like she'd go off the deep end and bring about the end of the world or anything..."
Earlier that same morning, in the tower adjacent to the Library Annex of Celestia's School, Twilight Sparkle had awoken in her small bed in the makeshift bunkroom. The lavender unicorn yawned and stretched, then stared happily up at the sun-filled sky, visible through the room's small window.
And then she turned her head, and her gaze fell upon the empty bunks all around the room. Plus Spike's empty basket, and Grubber's den-like barrel.
She shivered. Suddenly, she really didn't want to be alone.
Trotting out through the library stacks, she came into the main tower room, and found her friends already gathered around the main worktable for breakfast.
"Morning, Twi!" Spike waved. "C'mon over and dig in! We've got pancakes this morning."
"Mmm! Smells wonderful, Spike." Twilight trotted over to her usual place, exchanging smiles and nods with the others.
"Yeah, and you know the best part?" Spike went on. "Since they're still delivering our meals, I don't have to cook!" He jerked a thumb over his shoulder, towards the serving cart parked behind him, laden with covered trays.
Twilight playfully ruffled the dragon's green spines with a hoof. "You're going to get spoiled, mister!"
"Oh yeah!" Spike said proudly. "And I'm enjoyin' every minute of it."
Starlight Glimmer looked up from her own plate and smiled at them both. "The serving ponies keep offering to do us breakfast in bed." The lavender unicorn rolled her eyes. "But... that seems a tad much!"
"Really? Even for the heroes of Equestria?" Sunset Shimmer grinned. The flame-maned pony was sitting to Starlight's left, and she and Starlight went back to debating enthusiastically over a small incantation scroll while they ate, pointing out various spell elements and discussing possibilities.
Further around the table, the Great and Powerful Trixie was demonstrating the cups-and-balls illusion for Moondancer. The showpony's blue forehooves expertly skimmed the cups back and forth over the freshly polished tabletop. And Moondancer's top-knotted head swung back and forth rapidly, as the beige pony tried vainly to keep up.
Twilight grinned at that. Any time you could actually see Trixie's hooves moving, it wasn't the trick itself.
Cheese Sandwich was seated to Moondancer's left. The curly-maned party pony was expertly juggling apples while singing softly to himself:
Last night I saw, upon the stair,
A little pony who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish he'd stay away...
Twilight shivered again. It was a little too close to whistling past the graveyard for her.
Feeling a hoof on her shoulder, she looked up, and found Tempest Shadow sitting down beside her. The tall maroon pony was dressed, as usual, in her iron-black battlemage armor. Her hedgehog assistant Grubber lurked watchfully in the background behind her.
"Sleep well?" Tempest asked.
"Better than I have any reason to," Twilight quietly replied. "Whenever I manage to forget, Tempest, everything starts to feel normal... and then I remember..." She winced. "And suddenly, it feels like we're all living on borrowed time!"
"You made the right choice," Tempest told her. "It wouldn't have been you, Twilight, if you'd chosen any different. Hopefully, that other Twilight made it back to her own timeline and set things right there." She shrugged. "And if it so happens we have another day, another year, another lifetime here... then I say don't question it. Treat it like the blessing it is."
"That's... pretty philosophical, coming from you." Twilight smiled.
Tempest rolled her eyes. "Haven't had my coffee yet this morning."
She eyed Grubber significantly, and the white-maned hedgehog jolted. "Oop! One cuppa Joe, comin' right up, boss!" He hustled over to the cart to fetch a mug.
Across the table, Sunset looked up from the spell scroll.
"So, Twilight!" she called out, attracting the attention of the other ponies. "What's our game plan for today?"
"Honestly, gang?" Twilight replied. "I don't have one."
The ponies all gasped at that.
Trixie thumped the table. "Who are you, foul fiend! And what have you done with Twilight Sparkle!"
The others laughed. But Twilight merely shrugged.
"Seriously... there's no great millennial threat hanging over us anymore," she said. "We've done all the speeches and interviews we can usefully do, at least for now. And it doesn't even seem like we're required to attend classes anymore."
"That's true," Starlight said. "Because let's face it, what kind of test could they give us that could top everything we've just been through?"
"So... " Moondancer asked, "what is going to happen to our group? I sort of assumed we'd all keep studying and working on projects together. I just love that!" She looked down sadly. "I really hope it's not all over. I hope we don't have to go our separate ways now."
Everyone else nodded. There were grim looks all around.
"I don't know," Twilight admitted. "I haven't heard anything about it from the teachers here at the School. Or from Princess Celestia. But... maybe there's a reason? Maybe they're leaving it up to us? Letting us decide what we should do next? I mean, we've pretty much set our own rules, up to now."
"All right, then!" Sunset called out. "It's brainstorming time, everypony! C'mon, let's have em! No idea gets turned away!"
"Well, I say we should do an encore performance!" Trixie gestured grandly with a forehoof. "Show 'em what we've got! Take the Field of Harmony spell to the next level!"
"We take that spell any further," Starlight said worriedly, "there might not be an Equestria left! But..." she added, "we could always use some time brushing up on lighter-weight spells. You know, for those times when we don't actually need the full-bore, sledgehammer, rainbow-laser finishing move?"
"What about," Sunset suggested, "taking Applejack up on her offer, going to visit Ponyville? It'd be a change of pace from Canterlot, and we'd be able to see our friends from there again."
"Oh, I second that!" Moondancer said. "The way they described it, Ponyville sounds like a really nice place."
"You getting all this, Spike?" Twilight whispered to him.
"Already on it, Twi!" The dragon's quill was busily scribbling on a scroll, taking notes.
"Speaking of visiting places," Trixie put in, "why stop at Ponyville? We could take advantage of our standing as heroes to see a little more of Equestria! We could go on tour, see the sights! I'm sure we'd be welcome anywhere we go." She huffed on a hoof and polished it on her magician's robe. "And I've been around a bit, with my magic show. With me as our Great and Powerful tour-guide, we'll be sure not to miss a thing!"
"I'll bet!" Sunset said. "Hey, and that reminds me -- at some point, I'd like to go visit the mirror universe again, check up on my friends there. And it doesn't have to be just me. I'm sure the ponies... er, people at CHS would be glad to see us all back there again."
"Assuming the timelines are still in synch," Starlight reminded her. "Otherwise, we might go through the mirror and bump into their great-great-great-grandchildren, or something."
"Yeah, I hadn't thought about that..." Sunset nodded. Then she smiled. "But hey, think positive! Between all of us, we should be able to figure out a way to avoid the time differential. It's just a small matter of structured spellwork."
"Famous last words before an all-nighter?" Starlight replied. The two of them giggled knowingly.
"Or maybe..." Moondancer hesitantly suggested, "we should just... do nothing for a while? Take a break? Kick back and relax for a bit?"
The group all looked at each other. Then they burst out laughing -- Moondancer included.
"Oh, sure," Starlight said. "Like that's ever going to happen with this crowd!"
"What about you, Cheese?" Twilight asked him. "You haven't said anything yet. What do you think we should do?"
The curly-haired pony shook his head modestly, and quietly sang:
I'm only a party-pony,
I'm here to make you grin.
Any place I'm with you all,
I know I'll be happy in.
So long as we're all together,
It won't be hard to see
Just what we're meant to do, at all,
And where we need to be...
He grinned sheepishly. "Tl;dr: I'm not choosy. I'm with all of you, for as long as you need me."
"And Tempest?" Twilight asked. "What do you think?"
Tempest shrugged indifferently. "What he said. I'm just the muscle here."
Twilight sighed, staring around at her friends... and smiling happily. "Thanks, everypony! I really needed that. I was feeling like we had nothing more to do. But I should have known better... with friends like all of you, there's no end of good ideas to choose from!"
"No problem, Twilight!" Moondancer said. "But how do we choose? Do we do 'em in order, take a vote, or what?"
Further conversation was forestalled by Spike suddenly belching flame. A scroll appeared in the air above the table.
"Um..." Twilight suggested, "maybe we should find out what the Princess wants first?"
"Thank you all for coming," Princess Celestia said. "This is a somewhat sensitive matter, not one I felt appropriate to discuss in my letter."
"It's our pleasure, Princess!" Twilight said. She was seated comfortably on a cushion on the red carpet before the golden Sun Throne, and the others were all similarly seated in a row behind her. "How can we be of help?"
"Is it about Princess Luna?" Trixie blurted anxiously. Then she put a hoof to her mouth and winced. "Sorry, talking out of turn again. Bad Trixie!"
"It's quite all right," Celestia assured her. "And yes, this does concern Luna. Her re-acclimation and reeducation is proceeding apace... though with a few hiccups, I'll admit." She looked shamefaced. "Sometimes I feel I don't know my own sister as well as I should. It can be difficult, knowing when she is honestly confused by something, or merely feeling out of sorts because she is frustrated, and has nopony to turn to but me."
"Can we help?" Trixie asked. "I'd love to visit her -- just to keep her company, if nothing else."
"Goes for me too! Um... Your Highness!" Moondancer hurridly bowed in wide-eyed awe.
Celestia smiled at them. "Luna has been asking after the two of you actually, having been told how much you went through on her behalf. I feel certain she'd welcome a visit. Though I remind you, her memories are still returning... so tread lightly with her, until she knows you better."
"We will, Your Highness!" Moondancer nodded eagerly, and exchanged a grin with Trixie.
"For myself," Celestia went on, "I will need to give Luna as much of my time as I can spare. Which... unfortunately will have me out of the public eye at this critical time. Twilight, I would very much appreciate it if you would continue in your role as "Acting Princess" for the time being. I do not ask you to make decisions of state, my staff can handle those. But... be there for everypony. The same goes for all of you. Be visible, be available when needed. Make use of your standing and fame as heroes of the realm, to reassure the public. Let them see by your actions that all is, in fact, well."
"We will, Princess!" Twilight nodded. "You can count on us."
"Tempest," Celestia said, "I would like you in particular to continue in your role as Commander. Both as guardian for your friends, and as liaison with the regular Guard, should the need arise. Though we are no longer in a time of crisis, I feel it prudent to maintain both the position and our readiness. You've shown you're more than capable of managing the responsibility. I feel quite comfortable having you continue to do so."
Tempest bowed respectfully. "Highness."
"So, um..." Twilight asked uncomfortably, "I guess you'll want us to move to the Palace? So that we're here and available, in case you or your staff need us?"
Celestia laughed gently.
"Of course not, Twilight! There is an old saying: a Princess is a Princess no matter where she is. I assume this applies to acting Princesses as well." She smiled warmly at Twilight. "We are in your debt, Twilight. You, and your friends. Whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to do it, we will accommodate you. My staff will come to you, if there is need. Otherwise, I would suggest that you continue to do as you have done so far: follow your instincts, endeavor to do the right thing at the right time... whatever it turns out to be."
Relieved, Twilight smiled. "Thank you, Princess!"
"Of course. And one thing more," Celestia concluded. "I would ask all of you to remain vigilant, remain ready to defend Equestria. For now that the Pax Millennium has concluded, and the thousand years of peace spoken of in prophecy has come to an end... who knows what may follow in its wake?"
Starlight glanced around at the others.
"Why..." she whispered uneasily, "do I suddenly feel like there's a big target painted on our backs?"
Afterwards, the group trotted out through the Palace corridors together, making plans.
"Okay," Twilight said, "Trixie and Moondancer, you check on Princess Luna, let us know if there's any way we can help there. The rest of us will look into defensive spells and the like, so we're ready in case anything happens. We'll keep up our practice sessions with the Field of Harmony, so we've got that ready if we need it. And we'll circulate in public, just like we've been doing, so we're visible, and know if we're needed."
"Along those lines," Cheese suggested, "I'll trot around the city myself, listen in, take the public temperature so to speak. I'm not as strongly associated with the group as all of you, so I won't be as conspicuous. I might hear things we'd miss otherwise."
"Oh, you're definitely part of the group, Cheese," Twilight told him. "But if you wouldn't mind, that would be really helpful."
"Not a bit!" Cheese assured her. "I'm a party pony! It's what a party pony does! Right, Boneless?"
The rubber chicken, sitting on his back, as usual said nothing.
"Oh, yeah..." Sunset grinned. "Totally inconspicuous! He'll just blend right in around here..."
The nondescript coach-and-pair finally rolled across the drawbridge of the Royal Palace. Swinging around the review grounds, it came to a halt at the base of the broad staircase leading up to the Palace's main entrance.
And as it did so, Shining Armor glanced out through the curtains on his side. Then he did a double-take.
"Uh oh."
"What is it?" Cadance asked.
He grinned at her. "Are we sure Twilight took down Nightmare Moon?"
"What do you mean?" Cadance looked with him. And blinked. "Oh!"
Standing on the first landing of the broad staircase, in full iron-black mage armor polished to a mirror sheen, was Commander Tempest Shadow. The maroon pony stood at attention, her head held high, her expression lofty and confident. To her left was Grubber, dressed in a freshly starched tunic and standing as tall and proud as he could manage.
And standing to Tempest's other side, grinning ear-to-ear, was Twilight Sparkle.
As the liveried hoofponies moved to open the coach door and place a set of steps under it, Tempest rapped an armored forehoof twice.
"Detail, Hup!" shouted Lieutenant Rose, who was standing right behind Tempest. And along the entire length of the stairs, the numerous Guard ponies stationed to either side slammed to attention, and saluted.
Shining Armor climbed out of the coach first, then swung round smartly to stand beside the steps, offering a salute himself.
Princess Cadance followed him. She tried vainly to suppress a smile at the effusive formality.
"Cadance!" Twilight shouted eagerly.
"Twilight!" Cadance replied, smiling warmly back at her. She lifted her forehooves, ready to do the Welcoming Spell song-and-dance with her old foal-sittee.
But Twilight had already turned to Shining Armor. "Shiny! Hey, big brother!"
"Twily." Shining Armor gave her a brief, professional nod, and included her in his salute.
Tempest bowed her head formally to Cadance.
"Your Highness," she said, "Welcome home." Then lifting her head, Tempest gave Shining Armor a lofty stare.
"Captain."
"Commander," Shining Armor replied evenly. "Would you... care to debrief me? And deal me in on everything that's been happening here?"
Tempest didn't even blink. "Indeed, Captain. The Green Room should be available for us, if you've a few minutes." She glanced at Cadance. "If there's nothing else you require, Your Highness?"
Cadance stared at her, surprised. "Oh! Not a thing! And thanks so much for the grand welcome... er... Commander."
Tempest bowed again. Then, coming about sharply, she preceded Shining Armor up the stairway, at a quick-march pace. The two of them swiftly vanished through the doors into the Palace.
"Wow..." Cadance said to Twilight, watching them depart. "It almost feels like she's running the place now."
Twilight grinned. "Tempest does take her job seriously."
"Too right!" Cadance agreed. "She's almost scary."
The two of them wandered up the stairs themselves, escorted by Lieutenant Rose and a small honor guard detachment. "All this authority, and power..." Cadance went on. "I really hope it isn't going to her head."
"Oh, not at all," Twilight assured her. "Tempest is just really, really dedicated. She's like that with all of us. She looks after us, and keeps us safe. Though not in a parenty, hovering kind of way," Twilight added quickly. "She's just, well... one of us, Cadance."
"Really?"
"Yeah! Since she's a student, Tempest understands the work we're doing in ways that the guards and the teachers at the School just can't. She understands how complicated it can be, getting a spell working just right. And she always seems to know just what to do, whenever things start to go sideways. And she's been so supportive all along, whenever it's started to get a little too much for me to cope with." Twilight smiled at the thought. "You know, Cadance, sometimes I find she's already reassuring me, even before I knew I was worried? She's such a good friend!"
"Wow... she sounds like somepony really special," Cadance said.
"Yeah, she is!" Twilight agreed. "She's been kind of like... well, like a big sister to me. Which is great, because I've needed somepony like that. I mean, Shiny's busy running the Royal Guard, and you and Princess Celestia are busy with royal stuff, and --"
"Hey!" Cadance gently interrupted, "I hope you know if you ever need to talk, Twilight, I'm here for you!"
"I know that, Cadance!" Twilight smiled gratefully. "But Tempest... well, she's always just there, all the time! And she never tells me what to do, or passes judgment on what I've done, but she's always ready to pitch in and help once I've made up my mind. She's got my back, Cadance, no matter what! That's just so... nice. I don't know how else to put it!"
"Oh." Cadance looked momentarily worried. Then she quickly brightened up again. "Well, I'm glad you have someone like that, Twilight. With all we've been throwing at you, you should have someone who's there for you." She smiled at Twilight. "You... want to come help me unpack? It'll give us a chance to catch up?"
"You bet, Cadance! Let's go!"
On the balcony of one of the highest towers in the Palace, a tall, pale-blue pony with a flowing blue mane sat at a table laid out for midday tea. Princess Luna adjusted her crown with her magic and then, out of nervous habit, counted the place settings again. Her expression was somber, pensive, and more than a little uneasy.
The royal suite she'd been given was spacious and luxurious. The servants assigned to her were patient and quietly efficient. And the glowing-eyed, dragon-winged nightmare guard ponies who escorted her everywhere, they were stolidly and unquestioningly obedient... so much so, she found herself more than a little intimidated by them.
Yet all of it felt so... empty, so hollow. Just like her memories. There was so much that she did not recall, so much of her past that simply was not there. Celestia, endlessly loving and patient, explained things when Luna asked, showed her records and histories and engravings and artwork. Yet it all felt so unreal. She could scarcely credit it.
She had been the villainous Nightmare Moon for well over a thousand years. And she might be so even now, were it not for a few very brave, very caring ponies. And, as Nightmare Moon, she had done everything in her power to try to undermine and destroy them... even twisting the fabric of space-time itself, reshaping their destinies...
She had no idea what to say to them.
A discreet tapping at the suite doors brought her head snapping around. "Enter!" she called sharply.
The right-hand door opened, and the Chief Steward looked in. "Excuse me, Your Highness. Your guests are here."
"Ah, yes," Luna replied archly. "Do show them in!"
The Steward was about to reply. Then he felt a hoof tugging fiercely at his robe.
Whisper-whisper-whisper...
"Really, madam?" the Steward asked, astonished. "I'm certain I would have been informed --"
Whisper-whisper-whisper!
"Oh, not at all, Your Ladyship! My deepest apologies."
Pulling the doors wide, the Steward stepped briskly forward into the room, coughed lightly, and then announced:
"Her Grace, the Lady Trixie Luna Moon! Together with her companions, the Countess Moondancer, and Baroness Starlight Glimmer!"
Stepping to the side, the Steward bowed deeply as the three ponies trotted past him into the room. They were all wearing the finery that Rarity had designed for their society debut. Trixie's was an upscale version of her magician's hat and robe, rendered in fine purple satin with silvery stars. Starlight's was a gown of gossamer blue hues, to match her magic. And Moondancer's was a simple, basic black dress, though with fine silver threading along the edges.
And all three of them, while attempting to look grandly confident, were glancing about the suite in awe and trepidation, almost as if they feared being called out for being in the wrong place.
"Trixie," Starlight whispered, "how come you get to be a Lady, while Moondancer's a Countess and I'm just a Baroness?"
"Well," Trixie replied archly, "it just wouldn't do for my Great and Powerful assistants to be my social equals, now would it?"
Starlight frowned at her, but didn't object further. And Moondancer made no comment at all. She merely stared straight ahead at Luna, in wide-eyed amazement. Then she winced and quickly lowered her gaze, as if afraid she'd been caught in an indiscretion.
Luna smiled in relief. This at least was something she knew how to deal with.
"Lady Trixie!" she called lightly. "And my dear Countess, and Baroness! So good of thee to come. Please join us! Make thyselves comfortable!"
At her gesture, the three ponies quickly crossed to the balcony and sat themselves down at the table. Behind them, the Steward quietly withdrew, and the nightmare guards swung the doors closed after him.
Luna and her guests all sat staring at each other, at length, uncertain and uncomfortable.
Then Luna abruptly spoke up. "When Celestia spoke of thy wish to visit," she said, "we were most gratified. We had wished for a chance to thank thee properly for thy efforts on our behalf. From what our sister tells us, thou went beyond mere duty, beyond loyalty. Thou were kind and caring, and have suffered greatly for it. For that, know that we are truly grateful to thee, beyond the capacity of mere words to express!"
She bowed her head humbly. And then glanced up, looking around uneasily to see how the speech had been received.
The three other ponies looked at each other. "How much," Starlight asked cautiously, "do you recall, Your Highness?"
"Truthfully?" Luna shook her head sadly. "Almost nothing. We wish we could recall it. But we do not. In freeing ourself of the Nightmare we created, we have been... remade, reborn. We are as a child, having to learn it all anew." She looked around at her guests. "And we must admit, we do not even recall encountering thee, prior to our return. Yet even so, know for truth thou hast our undying gratitude -- both now, and henceforth."
Trixie opened her mouth to reply... then fell uncharacteristically silent, biting her lip. Moondancer's mouth was a thin, quivering line, her expression forlorn and sad.
Again, it fell to Starlight to speak up. "It's our pleasure, Your Highness," she said. "All of us. My friends are just a little lost for words right now, given how much you mean to them."
"Clearly they are. And thou?"
Starlight smiled. "I'm here at their invitation, Your Highness. And it is such an honor, I can't tell you! Still... I think it means something more to each of them."
"We see that it does." Luna first looked at Trixie. The showpony's eyes were quietly sad and pleading, on the verge of tears. Then the Princess looked at Moondancer. The beige pony seemed ready to explode with questions, but didn't seem to feel she was entitled to ask any of them.
Luna shook her head. I can't go on like this, she thought. This will not do.
She abruptly stood up. Before any of the surprised ponies could react, she trotted quickly round the table, and sat herself down again, right between Trixie and Moondancer.
Gently, she put a forehoof around each of them. "We fear that... ahem, excuse me... I fear that I may not be the pony thou came to see." She looked at each of them, a small, vanishing smile on her face. "Yet I would dearly wish to be. Thou hast given so much. It would be undeserving of me not to return that kindness. Please, my dearest of friends, allow me to help. What may I do for thee?"
In response, Trixie simply hugged the Princess, quietly and desperately. And after a startled moment Luna returned it, as warmly as she could.
Moondancer just stared up at her, wide-eyed. "Um," she said, "there were so many things I wanted to say to you, Princess. I was thinking about it, all the way here. And now... now I can't recall a single thing! But I wrote it all down, in my journal. Oh, I wish I'd brought it with me so I could show you."
"Oh, hey!" Starlight said. "Let me help with that. Trixie, okay if I borrow your hat?"
The showpony just quietly nodded.
With her magic, Starlight lifted Trixie's hat from the table and brought it over. She held it upside down before her, waving her forehooves over it in mystic passes. "Trixie's been teaching me stage magic," she explained, at Luna's puzzled look. "It's important to do the trick properly."
Luna nodded in approval. "We feel so as well."
With a flash of teleportation, a blue-jacketed book with a crescent Moon on its cover appeared in the hat. Starlight gently lifted it out and passed it over to Moondancer, who grabbed it with her magic and flipped it open to show to Luna.
"See? Whenever I felt worried or wasn't sure what to do, I wrote in my journal. I wrote my entries as messages to you... well, to Nightmare Moon, actually, but I think it was really to you, Princess. And even though I never got an answer, it helped me so much. I felt like I had somepony to talk to, somepony wise and kind, who understood me and would help if she could."
Luna nodded.
"And so you always shall, Dancer of Moons. I swear to it." She gently put a hoof on the journal. "Wouldst thou be willing to loan this to me, just for a short while? I should very much like to read what you had to say, even so long after the fact. I promise thee, I shall treat its contents with the utmost care and discretion."
Moondancer nodded. "I don't mind that at all. I'd love for you to read it, Your Highness!" And then she suddenly, impulsively hugged Luna as well, overcome with finally meeting her childhood friend.
Luna held the two of them close -- willingly, if a little uncertainly. Then she looked over at Starlight.
Who waved a hoof. "I'm good, Your Highness," Starlight said. "Seeing my friends this happy, it's more than enough for me!"
"It is good they have a friend such as thee," Luna said. She looked down at Trixie and Moondancer. And sighed.
"And for myself... it means everything in the world..."
After a quick debriefing and review of the troops, Shining Armor and Tempest found themselves walking back through the Palace corridors together.
"I've been meaning to thank you," Tempest said as they went, "for helping me keep up appearances around here. I never forget that my rank is purely honorary. But you help me sell it to the troops."
"Not a problem," Shining Armor replied. "Thank you for keeping things together here, while I was away."
Tempest shrugged. "Your soldiers know their jobs. I just glare at them until they suddenly remember what it is they're supposed to be doing."
"Oh, it's more than that, I think," Shining Armor said with a grin. "From what I can see, the rank-and-file are really impressed by your leadership and confidence. Seriously, Tempest, you keep this up, you'll have my job one of these days!"
Tempest snorted. "I wish! The one that you need to watch out for is that Lieutenant Rose -- if anypony's going to have your job, it'll be her."
"You know..." Shining Armor said, "I'd been thinking the same thing myself... she'd be a natural."
He gave Tempest a curious look. It was an unusual experience these days, having a fellow officer he could just talk shop with, without rank getting in the way.
It was... well, nice, to put a word to it.
"So," he went on, as they turned through a doorway and started across an open courtyard, "what is your opinion of the troops, Commander? And be honest," he added with a grin.
Tempest nodded approvingly. "The officers are sharp, the soldiers loyal to a fault. If it so happened that I actually was after the crown jewels... speaking purely hypothetically of course," she added with a sideways glance and a smirk, "I'd have a real challenge on my hooves."
She snorted dismissively.
"Of course, your troops would totally lose it in a street brawl."
Shining Armor stared at her. "Seriously?"
"Oh, yeah!" Tempest nodded. "Throw them at another trained, organized army on a battlefield, they'd handle themselves just fine. But one on one? In blind alleys? No holds barred?" She sniffed. "They wouldn't last five minutes on the street in Klugetown."
Shining Armor laughed. "That's hard to believe!" he said.
And then his chin abruptly hit turf. Tempest had casually swiped his hooves out from under him.
Continuing on a short distance, she turned and looked back innocently. "Oh, I am sorry. Should I have asked permission first?"
Picking himself up, Shining Armor nodded gamely. "Okay, fair enough. You got me. But you'd never be able to do that again without the element of surprise."
"Oh, really?" Tempest asked, coolly and languidly.
Thinking back Shining Armor wasn't quite certain how it happened. One moment she was in front of him. The next she was flying overhead. The next, he was being yanked backward by his tail. He ended up flipped on his back, an armored forehoof jammed down hard onto his throat.
"Like I said. Totally. Lose it." Tempest repeated. "It's called asymmetric warfare for a reason, Captain."
"Okay... I hear you," he said, slowly getting to his hooves -- and then abruptly swinging a hoof.
Which should have connected, except that it didn't. Instead, Tempest smoothly leaned back, just far enough to let his swing pass by. Her own forehoof swatted his leg, hard, and the follow-through put him off balance, nearly sending him sprawling. He turned it into a tuck-and-roll and came up, whirling round, to face Tempest.
He found himself facing empty air. Only another desperate duck-and-roll saved him from the blow coming at him from behind.
Lashing out with a hind-hoof, he felt it connect, heard her grunt in annoyance. Grinning, he started to turn to face her...
And what felt like a cart-load of iron bars landed square on his back, smashing him flat to the ground.
Leaning close, Tempest whispered in his ear. "Had enough? Lots more where that came from!"
Growling with barely-constrained temper, Shining Armor shoved hard against the ground, bucking her off him. He whirled about, his horn blazing. A bright magenta shield flared into place around him.
Tempest stood a few lengths away, regarding him with a sardonic smile, her head tilted and an eyebrow raised.
"Falling back on our magic now, are we?"
"Oh, I am sorry." Shining Armor smirked. "Should I have asked permission first?"
Tempest shrugged. "I was giving you a fair fight as a courtesy, Captain. But if that's how you want to play it..."
Her broken horn crackled and blazed. She stamped an armored hoof. And a house-sized poisonous green aura blazed to light all around her.
"Did I fail to mention," she went on, "this is battlemage armor I'm wearing? Twilight's been kind enough to help me figure out some of its more interesting capabilities." She grimaced. "Kind of wish I'd known about some of them sooner, actually."
She lowered her head, scowling at him darkly.
"I'd say the gloves are off, Captain... but here's the thing: I don't wear them!"
She abruptly launched herself from a standing start, like a freight train headed straight at him. He set his hooves, preparing to take the brunt of the assault against his shield. Her shield slammed into his...
... and swiftly ate right through it.
Shining Armor was smashed backward and thrown to the ground. In a moment, Tempest had him pinned down again, one hoof at his throat, the other swung back to deliver a crushing, punishing blow. There was a snarl in her throat, and a grimace of pure, unhinged, killing rage on her face...
And all at once, she stopped, drew back. Her expression turned first embarrassed, then sadly miserable.
Shoving herself away from him, Tempest cancelled her shield spell and sat down hard on the turf, with her head bowed and a forehoof pressed to her face.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't let myself go like that. It's just..." She looked up at him, frustrated and sad. "On the streets I learned real fast to hold nothing back. To strike first, strike fast, and strike hard." Her voice grated angrily. "Because whoever I'm fighting definitely will. And, well... I guess I'm still carrying around a lot of anger from back then. It's not you, Captain. Not at all. You've been nothing but decent and accommodating with me." Her breath hissed tensely. "And this is a really sucky way to repay that!"
Shining Armor nodded. He sat down next to her, rested a comforting hoof on her shoulder.
"It's okay. I hear you. And no harm done... well, apart from my pride, but maybe that's the point. I wasn't paying attention, and you let me know it, loud and clear. I'd be an idiot if I held that against you."
She eyed him.
"Are you sure? This is no way for an officer to behave, right?"
He snorted in amusement. "Anypony else?" he agreed. "They'd be up on charges in a hot second. But you? I can tell it's because you're trying to help, in your own way. You were trying to teach me a lesson I needed to hear. And yeah... sometimes it can take a bit of tough love to get the point across. I get it, Tempest. I really do."
"Thanks."
"Hey, we're both soldiers at heart, right?" He shrugged. "Gentle isn't in the job description."
Tempest stared at him. And then smirked. "You know, you're a lot like your sister? Think first, and ask questions later?"
He laughed. "Guess it must run in the family, huh?" Then he rolled his eyes. "I can only imagine what Twilight would think if she saw us right now..."
"Shiny? Tempest?"
The two of them looked up, startled, to find Twilight trotting towards them across the courtyard. She had a concerned look in her face. Which rapidly turned scolding.
"Were you two sparring?"
"Uhm... no, actually!" Shining Armor said quickly. "The Commander was just demonstrating a few helpful street-fighting techniques. Which... we are totally going to start teaching the troops, right away, aren't we, Commander?" He gave Tempest a nudge and a wink.
Twilight wasn't buying it. "Uh huh. You were totally sparring."
"Well... maybe..." Shining Armor looked sheepish. Then he pointed a hoof at Tempest. "But look, she started it!"
"Yeah, I totally did." Tempest agreed. "This one's entirely on me." When Shining Armor looked at her in surprise, she shrugged. "Hey, you've got my back, I've got yours."
Twilight shook her head at them. "Honestly, what am I gonna do with you two?"
"Book us on the arena circuit?" Tempest quickly suggested. "Little Friday-night special, gladiatorial combat? The Captain vs. the Commander?" She looked at Shining Armor speculatively.
Shining Armor grinned back. "Battle of the titans?" he said, eyeing her appraisingly. "No holds barred?"
"Two ponies enter, one pony leaves?" Tempest replied with an evil smile.
Shining Armor laughed out loud. "You know, apart from it being totally against regs, it's not a bad idea. Sure, it could get me busted back down to Private. But hey, could be worth it!"
"Oh, come on, Shiny!" Twilight scoffed. "That wouldn't be a fair fight."
"Hey, thanks kiddo!"
"Tempest would mop the floor with you inside of a minute."
"What? Twily!"
Twilight shrugged. "Well it's what she was doing, wasn't it? When I walked in on all this?"
"Yeah, I totally was," Tempest added, grinning smugly.
"Huh! Whatever happened to sibling loyalty?"
"Don't give me that, Mister Sibling Supreme. And she was totally kicking your butt!"
"Totally," Tempest confirmed. "He didn't stand a chance."
Shining Armor stared at both of them, his mouth open, feeling outnumbered and betrayed. Then he smirked, and finally gave in, laughing out loud. The others joined in, and the three of them laughed together, smiling companionably at each other.
And from an upstairs balcony behind them, Princess Cadance looked down on it all.
There was an uncomfortable, ambivalent expression on Cadance's face, a mixture of happiness and concern, seeing how easily the three ponies got along. And how brightly Twilight smiled, whenever she looked at the Commander and her brother. The two of them, sitting side-by-side, laughing together, so easily and comfortably... like comrades-in-arms. Like... they were made for each other...
Her expression turning sadly resigned, Cadance swung round and trotted away quickly, before any of them could see her.
As Tempest accompanied Twilight back through the Palace corridors towards the Library Annex, she realized that the lavender unicorn was eyeing her evaluatingly.
"Something on your mind?"
"Oh, nothing..." Twilight said innocently. Then she grinned. "I think somepony has a colt-friennnd..."
Tempest gave her a look.
"It's finally happened. All that reading has warped your brain. You're delusional."
"Am I? The way he's been flirting with you?"
Tempest blinked. "That was flirting? Hmph. What does he do with ponies he doesn't like?"
"Not the sparring! I mean, the way he keeps going out of his way to help you fit in around here."
"Which... I appreciate," Tempest said cautiously. "I really do. But... maybe he likes having a superior officer who needs his help? And who owes him big time, for not calling her out on it? Maybe he feels that's to his advantage?"
"No way! Not Shiny!" Twilight objected. "He'd never think like that. But he also doesn't just open up like that with just anypony, not even with the ponies who serve under him. Only with family, and really close friends. Anypony else, it's all 'I'm Shining Armor and I'm a Really Professional Guard Pony, Can't You Tell?'" Twilight emphasized it with a stern expression and a strutting walk.
"Well, then..." Tempest replied. "Maybe it's like you told me once. He's just a really nice guy at heart. Nothing mysterious about that."
"I... think it's a bit more than that. I think he really likes you." When Tempest didn't reply, Twilight gave her a worried look. "Don't you like him?"
Tempest snorted, and rolled her eyes.
"I'm not blind, Twilight! Your brother's a hunk, no question. But," she added, "he is your brother. And that could get awkward real fast, if things didn't work out."
"I don't think that'd happen," Twilight said. "You two get along great. You have a lot in common. I bet you'd be really happy together!"
Tempest scowled at her.
"You try to set me up with your brother, kiddo, they'll never figure out where I buried you, all right?"
"Okay, okay!" Twilight said. "I'll say no more!" She giggled. And even Tempest allowed herself a brief smile.
Then Twilight looked up at her, concerned. "Don't you think you'll ever find a special somepony, Tempest?"
Tempest considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Maybe. I think I need to relearn how to trust ponies first." She sighed in exasperation. "Besides, I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the last useless dude who wandered into my life."
"Hey, boss!"
It was Grubber. The hedgehog quickly jogged up the corridor to join them, a clipboard loaded with papers tucked under his arm.
"Oh, hello, Grubber!" Tempest said languidly. "We were just talking about you."
"Yeah? Anything good?" He grinned his beartrap smile, and then held up the clipboard. "I got these requisition form thingies you're supposed to okay, as Commander and all. The Cap'n's already looked through 'em, so we can probably just sign off on 'em, right? Oh yeah! And there's that big Joint Chiefs thing later on. He told me to remind ya about it. I don't know when or where it is, but he said you'd know, so we're good there, right?"
Tempest looked at Twilight again, long-sufferingly.
"See what I mean? Why would I ever want to make my life more annoying than it already is?"
Later that afternoon, Twilight was deep in a back aisle of a back room of a back wing of the Canterlot Archives, looking up an old multi-ward shielding spell that Starlight had found a reference to. This involved seemingly endless ferreting around through bins of scrolls, trying to find the one that was reputed to contain just what she wanted.
Not that Twilight minded... she hummed quietly to herself, as her magic carefully lifted out crumbling parchment rolls, one by one, and gently unwound them.
At the end of the row of shelves, Tempest was resting on a comfortable cushion that the librarians had provided, with Grubber parked right beside her. Tempest was still working her way through the forms on the hedgehog's clipboard, trying to make head or tail of the officialese, while at the same time making sure she wasn't being suckered into signing for an empty equipment locker or storage vault somewhere.
She looked up at an approaching hoofstep. It was Shining Armor, looking uncommonly nervous. Leaning close, he whispered hesitantly to her. Surprised, Tempest nodded. Casting a glance at Twilight to make sure she was still thoroughly occupied, Tempest got up, collected Grubber with an imperious tilt of her head, and then trotted off up the aisle between the stacks.
Biting his lip, Shining Armor approached his sister, more than once opening his mouth to speak, then falling silent.
"Hey, Shiny," Twilight said, her eyes still focused on the scroll in her magic. Then she looked up at him with a grin. "I can always tell it's you. No one else tip-hoofs that loudly. What're you doing here, anyway? I don't normally see you browsing in here." She suddenly looked worried. "Oh no! How late is it? Tell me it's not closing time!"
"Uh... no," Shining Armor replied uncertainly. "At least, I don't think so, but--"
Twilight giggled. "Gotcha, Shiny! The Archives never close. At least, the Reference wing doesn't. The research ponies would throw a fit!"
"Oh. Right. Um... Look, Twily..."
"Something wrong, big brother? You're not usually this tongue-tied."
"Nooo... nothing's wrong." Shiny grinned. "Actually, I think something's finally going right." Shining Armor took a breath, then launched into it. "I want to run something by you, Twily, see what you think. Something kinda personal."
"Okay." Twilight sat down facing him attentively. "What is it?"
"You remember how when you were little, and you used to nag me about finding a special somepony someday?"
Twilight stared at him, astonished. Then she looked puzzled.
"I never nagged you about that."
"Wha...? You didn't?" Shining Armor frowned.
"No, of course not."
"Darn! And that was my best opening line."
"Yeah, you were so dedicated to Guard duty," Twilight went on. "You always said you were going to wait until you made Captain before you started looking around, and then..." Twilight's eyes went wide. "Oh!"
He nodded. "Yep! Got here a little faster than planned, but I crossed it off the list. And now I think maybe... just possibly... I've found that special somepony. Somepony really special. Like..." He grinned nervously. "Like marrying kind of special!"
"No way!" Twilight beamed. "Good for you, big brother!"
"You're... okay with that?"
"Why would I not be! Shiny, this is terrific! Is it anypony I know?"
"You... could say that. It's somepony real close to you."
"Ah." Twilight nodded sagely. "And... you're not gonna tell me who it is just yet, right? 'Fraid I'll blab or something?"
"I will in a bit, I promise. I just... wanted to float the idea first. Make sure you're cool with it. This is kind of a big deal for both of us."
"No kidding!" Twilight agreed. "But I'm glad for you, big brother! You've been working so hard to get where you are. It's nice seeing it all come together. For you, and... whoever it is!"
"Thanks, Twily." Shining Armor reached out a hoof and fondly rumpled her mane. "That means a lot, coming from you. More than I can say. And don't worry, this doesn't mean we're gonna drift apart or anything like that. We're still a team, right?" He held out a hoof. "Monster trackers forever?"
She bumped it willingly. "You know it, B.B.B.F.F!"
"Okay, cool!" Shining Armor nodded. "Hey, look, I need to get back to patrol. But I promise, when the word goes out, you'll be the first to know, okay?"
"Thanks, Shiny! I'm looking forward to it!"
"All right! Catch you later!"
Shining Armor trotted off, grinning ear-to-ear in relief. He disappeared around the corner.
A few moments later, Tempest reappeared. She glanced from the departing Captain to Twilight.
"I take it that was good news?"
"You... could say that."
"So tell me, who's he got his eye on?"
"What? How did you --"
"Don't worry. I wasn't eavesdropping." Tempest smirked. "I just know that look a mile off. He's sweet on somepony, isn't he?"
"Yeah... in kind of a big way. He didn't say who, but he did say I know them."
"Good for him," Tempest said, glancing up the aisle again. "He needs someone to look after him, knock a little sense into him now and again." She glanced at Twilight. "If you don't mind me saying it?"
"No, not at all..." Twilight said, a little distractedly. She was suddenly staring at Tempest, a concerned expression on her face. "I sometimes think the same thing myself..."
"Okay," Shining Armor said. "So I had a quick chat with Twilight, laid the groundwork, sort of. And she's totally on board! So, we just need to pick a good time to tell her."
Cadance sat at her desk in her room in one of the high rear wings of the Palace, staring out through the window at the panorama of Equestria spread out before her.
"Ah. Right," she said quietly. "You know, Shiny... I've been thinking..."
Shining Armor's happy train of thought abruptly ran off a cliff. He stared at her, wide-eyed, with the sinking feeling that any stallion gets on hearing those words.
"Um... what about?"
"Maybe we shouldn't rush into this. I mean, it's like you said. We move in different social circles. I certainly wouldn't want you to feel out of place. And I think maybe... well, we got a little overeager, envisioning a life together. Isolation and imminent threat can make ponies say things that... well, maybe they reconsider, when things get back to normal."
"What are you saying?" Shining Armor said. Though from the look on his face, it was clear he knew exactly what she was saying.
Cadance couldn't face him, couldn't bear to look at him as she went on speaking. "I'm saying maybe we should... well, keep our distance for a bit. Keep things on a professional level between us for a while. Be certain about how we really feel." Cadance gritted her teeth. The words burned in her mouth. She forced herself to remain calm and collected, not show how she felt. It has to be done, she thought. It's what a Princess would do, for the good of her subjects.
"I appreciate your diligence and loyalty, Captain," she said, coolly and regally. "I truly do. I just... don't think we should read too much into words spoken in a time of crisis. We'll keep that between you and me. And I promise, I won't regard you any differently because of it."
"Uh... well... I..." Shining Armor's voice wavered, sounding lost and utterly heartbroken. "If you think... that's for the best..."
"Yes..." she said quietly. "Yes, I do."
Shining Armor's shoulders fell. He turned about and reluctantly headed for the door. Reaching it, he paused, looking back.
"Was it something I said? Something I did?" he asked, hopelessly. "Whatever it is, I take it back! I'm sorry, Cadance!"
"I think... that will be all for now, Captain," Cadance said firmly, resisting the urge to run to him and comfort him.
She heard him give a tiny, quickly stifled sob. Then he forcibly cleared his throat, settled his helmet back on.
His armor clashed as he saluted.
"As you wish, Your Highness. I'll just... return to my duties."
"Thank you, Captain."
She heard him leave, heard the doors shut behind him.
And then she put her head down on the desk, and cried.
Back at the tower room, the other ponies were comparing notes.
"It seems normal out there," Sunset said. "Ponies are out and about, chatting with each other, going to garden parties and races and the theater, the usual stuff. But they're on edge. I can tell. It's kind of like they're all waiting for the other three shoes to drop."
"I definitely get that too," Cheese said. "I'd say it's the Return. Everypony was expecting it to be the end of the world. They'd psyched themselves up for it, were ready for everything to fly to pieces like a smacked piñata! And yet here we all are, alive and well, as if nothing happened. It'd be surprising if they didn't feel on edge."
Moondancer nodded. "And there's Nightmare Moon, too... the greatest living terror in recorded pony history. And now she's suddenly gone, like she never existed. There isn't a Mare in the Moon anymore. Something that deeply ingrained in pony myth and lore, just... gone! It makes everything else feel kind of unreal."
"On top of which," Trixie said, "there's suddenly a new Princess. Co-equal with Celestia, by joint decree. There isn't one reigning monarch any longer, there are two. Hmp! The nobles must still be working out protocol for that."
"Hey, on that subject," Sunset asked, "how'd it go with Princess Luna?"
"In a word?" Moondancer replied with feeling, "Wow!"
Trixie nodded. "She's everything we hoped... kind, and caring, and understanding. But I think... I think she's scared, too. She doesn't remember most of what happened. All she knows is what she's been told, and what she hears." Trixie frowned. "Mostly from ponies who've only known her as Nightmare Moon! She wants to help everyone, wants to make up for what she did. Reassure ponies that she's not the Nightmare any longer. But she doesn't even know where to start!"
"Trixie and I are going to keep visiting her," Moondancer said. "For tea, or whenever she'd like company. I think she finds it helpful, having ponies who know her for who she is. Ponies she can talk to, just be herself with." She shook her head, marvelling at it. "You know, all my life I wrote to Nightmare Moon because I needed somepony to talk to. Now suddenly I'm paying that back... by being a pony she can talk to."
"Good for you, Moon Moon!" Sunset said, grinning. "Another star in your cutie-mark, huh?"
"Yeah, I suppose..."
"But that still leaves us with the main problem, right?" Starlight reminded them. "How do we reassure the rest of Equestria the Nightmare is over? That they can stop holding their breaths, and just get on with life? That is supposed to be our job right now, isn't it?"
"Yeah..." Sunset agreed. "You know, if it wasn't so soon after the Summer Celebration, I'd say we should organize some kind of big party bash. Give everyone something concrete to focus on, something to celebrate. Help take their minds off things. Am I right, Cheese?"
Surprisingly, the party pony shook his head.
"Normally, that'd be my go-to answer too. But the vibe on the street I'm getting... it says we need something more... a lot more. Something really grand, special, game-changing!" He jumped up onto the table, waving his forehooves dramatically. "Something that will lift ponies' hearts! Give then confidence in the future. Reassure them that no matter what, life goes on!"
Then he sat down again, frowning. "If only I could figure out what it was."
Further conversation was forestalled by the main doors banging open downstairs, and hooves galloping up the stairs two at a time. Twilight hove into view, with Spike, Tempest, and Grubber close behind her.
"Oh good! You're all here," Twilight said, coming to a halt at the table. "I think we might have a problem, one I need your help with."
"All right!" Sunset said, smacking her hooves together. "We're on the case! What is it, Twilight?"
"Is it Princess Luna?" Trixie gasped, horrified. "Has she reverted to being Nightmare Moon?"
"Uh, no..." Twilight replied. "She's fine, as far as I know."
"It's something worse?" Sunset asked. "Like, Tartarus has broken open, and there are hideous fiends on the loose, rampaging the countryside?"
"No, it's --"
"Is it griffons and dragons?" Starlight suggested. "Teaming up to invade Equestria? No offense, Spike."
"Hey, none taken!" Spike nodded. "A dragon invasion would be no joke. But... maybe it's the Yaks declaring war again?"
"Oh! I know!" Moondancer said. "Is it the panic-buying of tulip futures, leading to an inevitable market crash and flatlining of the economy?"
In the silence that followed, she stared at the others.
"What? Does nopony here read history? It could happen again!"
"No!" Twilight shouted. "It's none of those things!"
"So what then?" Sunset demanded. "What is it, Twilight?"
Twilight grimaced, sheepishly. "It's my brother. I think he's talking about getting married."
The others exchanged glances.
"And..." Sunset said, gesturing with a hoof, "that's bad, because...?"
"Because I think he's talking about Tempest here!"
Befuddled silence followed.
"Don't all look at me," Tempest told them dryly. "It wasn't my idea."
Sunset broke out laughing. "Seriously, Twilight? Okay, that would be kind of awkward, but... why's it such a big deal?"
Twilight stared at her. "Because Tempest isn't remotely interested in him!"
"Oh...!" the rest of them chorused.
"Now hold on a minute, Twilight," Tempest said. "I never said I wasn't interested." She shrugged. "I'd even consider dating him, if he asked nicely enough. But really, like I said, why wouldn't it be Princess Cadance he's fallen for? They did spend all that time together, while she was in hiding. I'd be surprised if they didn't at least chat to pass the time."
Twilight shook her head. "Not Shining Armor. He's a dedicated professional. He'd rather be caught dead than be accused of impropriety. And what's more, I was talking to Cadance earlier, right after she got back? And she didn't even mention Shiny, not once! It's like she was going out of her way to pretend he didn't even exist! You'd think if it was her, she'd have had something to say about him."
"O-kay..." Tempest allowed. "But what makes you think it's me?"
"Because Shiny said it was somepony real close to me. And you may have noticed, Tempest, I don't have a huge social circle." She looked around the table. "Present company excepted, of course." She looked back at Tempest. "And too, what about all that time you and he have been spending together, on guard exercises and troop reviews? And the way he's been helping you out, helping you fit in around here. Treating you like... well, like family?"
"I don't know..."
"Trust me, Tempest. I know my brother. And I think it's you he's got his eye on!"
"Ooooooh!" Trixie said, clasping her hooves and waggling her eyebrows mischievously. "Are those wedding bells I hear, for our Great and Powerful Commander? Oh, the wedding bells will start to ring! Ding-dong-ding!"
"That's it!" Cheese suddenly exploded. He slammed his forehooves on the table, making everyone jump. "A wedding! That's exactly what I was looking for!" He spread his hooves excitedly. "Don't you see? Big occasion, big celebration? Everypony excited, and happy and optimistic for the future... and Luna!" He pointed at Trixie. "You said she felt out of place? This could change all that! If we can talk the two Princesses into officiating... Celestia and Luna, side-by-side... Luna would be the talk of Equestria! She'd be back in everypony's good graces before nightfall!" He punched the air. "Yes! This could change everything!"
Tempest glanced at Twilight.
"Gives taking one for the team a whole new meaning, huh?"
She stared around at the other ponies, dourly. "Now, even assuming I was willing to go along with this whole donkey-derby, don't you think we should at least talk to Shining Armor? Make sure we're reading him right?"
"No, no, no!" Twilight said. "If he's so nervous about this that he hasn't even mentioned it to you, Tempest, then confronting him with it is the last thing we should do. If he found out you didn't feel the same way about him, it'd break his heart!"
Tempest gave her a look.
"Twilight... granted that in a fair fight I could take him four falls out of three, he's a lot tougher than you give him credit for. He's not going to go to pieces, just because some pony he has his eye on turns him down."
"I'm just saying that we should break the news gently," Twilight said. "And that's what I need the team for," she said to the others. "We need to come up with a plan for that."
"Okay!" Sunset said eagerly. "A plan we can do! So, any ideas? Who has experience with this kind of thing?"
They all looked at each other, uncertainly.
"What, none of us?" Sunset persisted. "Come on! Who's got family? An older brother or sister?"
Again there was silence.
Moondancer put up a hoof, uncertainly. "I've got a younger sister. I doubt that's any help."
"Eeeyeah -- probably not," Starlight agreed.
"Hmph!" Trixie smirked. "Looks like you're it, Twilight -- as usual! And as far as relationships go..." She shrugged. "Well, we're all top students... really good with magic, and stuff. Buuuuut... we don't get out much..."
"Oh, come on!" Sunset said. "We stood up to Nightmare Moon! We pretty much re-invented the Elements of Harmony -- from scratch! We can handle this! We just have to... come up with something on our own. Some way to bring up the subject gently."
"Like... dinner?" Starlight hazarded. "We invite Shiny up here to dinner with us? And kinda sorta bring up the subject then?"
"Or maybe," Moondancer suggested, "it should be Tempest inviting him? The rest of us could be... I dunno, hiding behind the bookshelves over there? Ready to jump in if we're needed?"
"Hmm... not sure about that," Sunset said. "Might give Shiny the wrong idea. Make it even more of a blow when we break it to him."
"No... no... wait!" Trixie said, triumphantly. "I've got it! What if I'm giving a performance of my magic show? And you're all in the audience, chatting away. And... then I invite Tempest up to do the sawing-in-half trick... and..." She frowned, her voice trailing off. "Uh, no, never mind. Not sure where I was going with that..."
"Or maybe we might try..." Moondancer began.
Tempest stopped listening at that point, shaking her head in disbelief. She leaned closer to whisper to Twilight.
"Would you excuse me for a little bit? There's something I need to see to."
"Sure, Tempest."
Tempest glanced around the table, at her friends still scheming away.
"And look, just... don't let them sign anything official until I get back, all right?"
"Right!" Twilight grinned. "Don't worry!"
Turning, Tempest trotted towards the stairs leading down to the main entrance, nodding for Grubber to follow her.
"Where we going, boss?" he asked.
"As usual," Tempest muttered, "we seem to be the designated grownups in this little group. We're going to put a stop to this, before it gets any weirder."
"Ah!" Grubber nodded. "Gonna have a talk with Shining Armor, huh?"
"What? Don't be ridiculous." Tempest shook her head disapprovingly. "Twilight would be furious, us going behind her back like that..."
"Ohhh... right! Eh..."
Grubber came to a halt for a moment, scratching his head in puzzlement. Then he suddenly realized Tempest was already out the door and trotting away down the tower steps.
"Yo, boss! Wait up!"
Cadance was still in her room, still sitting at her desk.
Still heartbroken, and aching with regret.
If only, Cadance thought miserably, if only things could be different. I want them to be different. I want him back. I should go find him, call him back, explain things...
She shook her head, firmly, determinedly.
No. It's better this way. Better for him, better for Twilight. And all I have to do is not look at him, for the next few years. That won't be so hard. And maybe one day I'll get over it. That's all it will take. Just --
There was a loud rapping at the doors. Unable to stop herself, Cadance swung to them and all but shouted:
"Shiny! Come in! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it! I --"
She stopped, almost choking on the words.
Tempest Shadow was standing in the open doorway, looking at her curiously.
"Your Highness?" the maroon pony asked. "May I have a word?"
Cadance drew herself up, cleared her throat.
"Right now... may not be the best of times, Commander."
"Perhaps not." Tempest turned and shut the doors behind her, then swung back to face Cadance. "But we do need to talk."
Cadance frowned and crossed her forehooves, but said nothing.
"And... since I'm not really a great conversationalist," Tempest went on. "I'll just get right down to it." She stared at Cadance levelly, coldly. Her voice was like a drill sergeant, rapid fire. "Brass tacks, Your Highness. Completely honest answer. Do you love Shining Armor?"
Caught by surprise, Cadance drew herself up haughtily.
"Yes. Yes I do."
"Good," Tempest replied. "He's all yours. Enjoy your life together."
She turned and moved to open the doors, then paused, looking back. "Unless I'm reading this wrong. Was there actually something else?"
Cadance stared at her, amazed. "No, actually. But... how did you..."
Tempest sighed. "Like I've told Twilight, I'm not blind, Your Highness. And it's not like it was hard to spot, the way you two kept looking at each other."
Cadance's face fell. "I do love him..." she whispered, as if finally admitting it to herself. "More than anything..." She looked up at Tempest. "I just thought... you and Shiny... well, you get along so well... and I thought that maybe..."
Tempest rolled her eyes.
"Why does everypony around here want to play matchmaker with me? As I said to Twilight, her brother's a hunk and a really nice guy... a rare combination, believe me! If things were any different, I might seriously consider him an option. But," she added, with a knowing look, "I have the strongest possible hunch he's already spoken for."
"Really?" Cadance looked hopeful.
Tempest smirked. "Why else did I just pass him in the corridor, looking like he wanted to throw himself under a runaway hay-cart?"
"Oh." Cadance's gaze fell, miserably. "Oh, no."
"I mean, technically, I am his superior officer," Tempest said archly. "Have to see to the well-being of soldiers under my command, don't I?"
Cadance smiled weakly at the joke. Then she shut her eyes miserably. "He's such a dear. An officer, and a gentlepony both."
"You've got something good here," Tempest agreed. "I say go for it."
"Maybe not anymore..." Cadance whispered. "Now that I've ruined it."
Tempest snorted pitilessly. "Then you need to un-ruin it, Princess, and fast! Before Twilight and her friends accidentally convince Shining Armor that I'm the pony of his dreams." Tempest nodded at Cadance's shocked expression. "No joke! I just left them all plotting and scheming together. I'm taking a real risk, letting them out of my sight right now."
Cadance couldn't help laughing at that. "Oh, I can just imagine! Twilight alone was a hoofful, whenever I was looking after her. But we always got along so wonderfully..."
"She mentioned that. She also mentioned how much you meant to her, growing up. Speaking for myself, I can't think of a better sister-in-law for her to have. That is, if you're still open to the idea?"
"Oh, I am!" Cadance nodded. "If it's not too late. But..."
"But what?"
Cadance spoke carefully. "I'm very grateful to you, Commander for sharing your feelings on the matter. I just... wish I could be certain about Shining Armor, too. You know? Just so I know I'm not being selfish here?"
"Hmm." Tempest nodded, and thought for a moment. Then she smiled. "I may have an idea of how we could manage that. Actually, it's one Twilight and her friends came up with. But it's just as well not to waste it, with a few minor adjustments..." She gave Cadance a crafty look. "If you'll trust me, Your Highness?"
Cadance just stared, her gaze filled with hope. Then she nodded.
"I'm in your hooves, Commander.
"Fine. Let's go."
"Just... one question first," Cadance said. "Why?"
"Hmm?"
"Why are you so determined to help me?"
Tempest looked at her, an eyebrow raised. Then she smirked. "Princess, you and I have something very important in common. A little purple pony... whose happiness means everything to us. Twilight gave me back my life. She reminded me who I really am. So, I look out for her, try to be the guardian and best friend that she needs." She shrugged. "It's not a bad life, really. Better than I would have had otherwise... and I have that on very good authority."
She pointed a hoof at Cadance. "You can do the same for Shining Armor. That way, we'll have both of them properly looked after. Deal?"
Cadance smiled. "Deal. And thanks... Tempest."
"My pleasure... Cadance."
Then Tempest called over her shoulder. "Grubber!"
The hedgehog pushed the doors open and peered in. "Yeah, boss? And hey, you still need these guards out here?"
Cadance looked at Tempest, astonished. "You brought guards?"
Tempest shrugged.
"Just in case things got ugly. I make a habit of planning ahead..."
"Hi, Big Brother!"
"Twily." Shining Armor glanced around glumly at the otherwise empty tower room. "Where is everypony? I thought you said something about us all having dinner together?"
"Actually... it was Tempest's idea." Twilight said. "She noticed you seemed a little down, and she thought this might cheer you up. Come on over and sit down!"
Shining Armor followed her unresistingly, and sat at the indicated place at the main worktable, which was set with fine china and candelabras. "Cheer me up?" he sighed. "To be honest, Twily, I'm not sure there's much hope."
"Well, then," said a silky voice from across the room. "We'll just have to do something about that, won't we?"
Shining Armor looked up, then stared.
Tempest Shadow had just stepped out from behind a bookcase... and he hardly recognized her. Instead of her armor, she wore a fetlock-length black dress with dark red accent threading, which went from smooth in front to unobtrusive ruching over the flanks. There was a matching cape, black on top and flame red beneath, and fine black dress shoes. And Tempest had even combed back her plume-like mane so it was less obtrusive. There was a light dusting of sparkling gemstones in her mane and tail.
If looks could kill, she'd have been Death's plus-one.
"Do you like it?" Tempest asked, holding up a hoof to examine her reflection in a shoe. "Rarity made it for me, for our debut in society. Though at the time, I went with the armor instead, 'cause it felt more appropriate. I must say, that little dressmaker can really come through in a pinch, huh?"
"Uh... right," Shining Armor said uneasily. "Maybe I should --"
"Spend some time chatting together? Great idea, Shiny!" Twilight said quickly. "I'll go see what's keeping everypony!" With that, she trotted away down the main stairs, and out through the doors, shutting them behind her.
Tempest crossed over to the table and sat down beside Shining Armor, smiling at him. He eyed her uncomfortably, clearing his throat.
"So... what's the occasion?" he asked cautiously.
"Do we really need an occasion?" Tempest asked, giving him a heavy-lidded gaze. "To have a quiet, private little chat about how we feel about each other?"
"Er... you... me... wha?"
"Oh, don't try to deny it," Tempest grinned. "All those times you've invited me to an inspection of the troops, or a security exercise. All those times you've practically held my hoof, helping me 'fit in' around the other Guards? When really... what you actually wanted was to have me all to yourself?"
"Uhhh... I think you may have me all wrong," Shining Armor said, inching away from her as she leaned closer. "And I'm not sure this is really an appropriate topic of conversation --"
"No one can see," Tempest coaxed. "No one can hear. We can say what we really think, what we really feel..." She grinned evilly. "Shiny!"
"Now just a minute!" Shining Armor slammed a hoof on the table. "This has gone far enough! I don't feel that way about you at all!"
"Oooh!" Tempest purred. "I love it when a colt plays hard-to-get. They say no-no-no, but really, they mean yes-yes-yes..."
"Commander! Will you please get control of yourself! Now look, get this through your head. I am not in love with you!"
Tempest feigned injury. "You're not?"
"No!"
"Not in the least?" She asked, pouting.
"No! Not at all! It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"
Tempest eyed him for a moment longer, as if enjoying the look of scared outrage on his face. And then she nodded.
"Well, of course it is. It's utterly ridiculous." Her voice was suddenly flatly calm and professional. "I told them it was a dumb idea, but would they listen to me?"
Shiny stared, flabbergasted. "What?"
"Look, Twilight saw how excited you were about the possibility of having found someone you really cared for. But she was also concerned you might have your eye on me. So she and her friends decided they needed to take steps to let you down easily. But..." She eyed him speculatively, "... as your fellow officer, and friend, I had the strongest reason to believe it was actually somepony else you had your eye on. Was I right?"
Shining Armor stared at her wordlessly.
"Come on, Captain..." Tempest encouraged. "I have a bet going with Grubber. Don't leave me hanging here."
"Um, yeah," he said quietly.
"Thought so." Tempest smirked. "It's Princess Cadance, isn't it?"
The Captain stared at her. Then his face fell, and he slumped miserably.
"Yeah," he whispered. "I'm not even sure how it happened. We just... seemed so right for each other. And I love her, more than anything!" He shut his eyes, suppressing a sob. "And then suddenly... it was gone. And I still don't know what happened! What I did! I wish I knew what I did wrong..."
"First thing you did wrong," Tempest told him coldly, "was not tell Twilight the whole story. That little pony can easily get herself in a pile of trouble when she only has her own assumptions to work on. It's why she needs all of us hanging around her... to talk her down when she starts to freak out."
"How well I know that!" Shining Armor agreed. Then he looked uneasy. "Uhm... what else did I get wrong?"
"You gave up too quick. When the love of your life suddenly says she doesn't love you, you ask for particulars. Besides which..." Tempest arched an eyebrow. "... you have to consider the source."
Turning, she called across the room. "Am I right, Your Highness?"
From around the bookcase, Princess Cadance stepped uneasily into view.
"Shiny..."
The Captain's eyes went wide with shock -- and joy. "Cadance!"
And then she was galloping across the room, to wrap her forehooves around him. "I'm sorry, Shiny! I'm so sorry! I love you! I do love you!"
"Cadance, what...?"
"It was so stupid!" She shook her head. "I saw how happy you and Twilight were with Tempest... and I suddenly realized how happy the three of you might be, if you and she liked each other enough. But... you'd never be able to discover that for yourself, not with me in the picture. So I... tried to give you some space, give you a chance to find out." She winced. "I didn't stop to think I might have misread the two of you. And I... kind of overdid it."
"Seriously?" Shining Armor stared at her, his expression a confused mix of relieved joy and disbelief. "Why the hay would you --"
"Princess of Love, remember?" She shrugged. "It's... kind of an occupational hazard."
"Woah." He held her close. "Cadance, I love you," he told her. "More than anything, more than life itself. But please... don't ever do that to me again!"
"Never again, Shiny. I promise!"
"Good," Tempest said coolly. "Now that that's all settled, it's time to ask our studio audience what they think. You can all come out now!" she called over to the bookshelf.
And Twilight and the others trotted out from behind it, all smiles.
"I... thought you said that we were alone?" Shining Armor said.
Tempest looked smug. "Now why would I say something like that?"
"It's really true, Shiny?" Twilight asked eagerly, trotting up to hug them both. "You and Cadance?"
"Yep," he said. "It's all true, Twily!"
"Every word," Cadance agreed. "I don't know how it happened either, but... we do seem just perfect for each other."
Shining Armor grimaced. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the whole deal earlier, kiddo. I kinda... left out the most important part, didn't I?"
"Shiny was worried," Cadance explained, "about how you might take it. So he wanted us to talk to you first, before we made it public." She gave the Captain a raised eyebrow. "Though I kind of assumed the idea was that we'd talk to her together?"
Shining Armor looked ashamed. "Yeah, that was my bad. I should've just waited, but... I needed to be sure you were comfortable with this, Twilight. Given how close we've been, all along."
"Seriously, Shiny?" Twilight was all smiles. "Comfortable with Cadance? The kindest, most caring, most wonderful foal-sitter in the history of foal-sitters?" She stared up at Cadance, overwhelmed. "And you're marrying her!"
Twilight suddenly began prancing around the two of them like a filly, in total abandon, not caring how she looked.
"You're marrying Cadance! You're marrying Cadance!"
"Well... almost," Shining Armor admitted, smiling at the Princess. "We... kind of left it open... I mean, until we were sure..."
Twilight landed on all four hooves. She turned to stare at her brother in horrified shock.
"Are you kidding me?" she demanded. "You haven't even asked yet? Shining Armor, what the hay is wrong with you?" She snorted in frustration.
"Well!" Sunset said. "Looks like we're gonna have to do something about that, pronto!"
"Absolutely!" Starlight grinned at her. "Gonna need a new plan, huh?"
"Oh, who needs a plan? I know I don't!" Cheese turned a handspring. "And it just keeps getting better and better! First we were going to do a wedding! And then it turned out to be a Royal Wedding! And now we get to do a Royal Engagement Ceremony on top of it? Woo hoo! A party pony's work is never done!"
Cheese linked forehooves with Trixie, and the two of them started spontaneously dancing around together.
"Oh, the wedding bells will start to ring! Ding-dong-ding!" they chorused.
"And I can be doing my magic act!" Trixie added breathlessly. "And you'll all be in the audience, and we'll ask Princess Cadance up to the stage, and we'll do the sawing-in-half trick and..." She gave up, tossing a hoof in abandon. "Oh, I give up! I still don't know where I was going with that!"
"Your Highness?" Moondancer said, smiling up at her. "We're very happy for you both. I just thought somepony should say it, before we forgot completely."
"You don't have to say it," Cadance told her with a smile, glancing around at the smiling, celebrating ponies. "I can see it for myself!"
Then she turned to Tempest. "And thank you, Commander... for helping us get things sorted out here."
The maroon pony shrugged. "All part of the service." She bowed her head respectfully. "Your Highness."
They chose a weekday afternoon, when the activity of the Royal Court was at its busiest, and the Audience Hall of the Royal Palace was packed with nobles and citizens of all stripes, from Canterlot and beyond... including, by not-so-really-chance, Shiny and Twilight's parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, who were standing anxiously amongst the front rank of the petitioners.
A silence fell over the chamber when, with a fanfare of trumpets, the rear doors swung open and the heralds proclaimed:
"Her Royal Highness, Luna, Princess of the Moon and the Stars!"
Luna proceeded slowly and sedately up the carpet, wearing a recreation of the night-blue, star-glistening coronation robe she'd worn, all those many years ago, when she and Celestia were originally crowned as Princesses together. She held her head high, carefully masking her nervousness, as she paced the length of the Hall amidst the kneeling throngs. Then she mounted the ramp and swung round, to seat herself primly beside Celestia on the Sun Throne.
Celestia gave her a brief, encouraging smile, then faced forwards again. Her Royal Voice rang out, echoing the length of the grand Hall.
CITIZENS OF CANTERLOT, AND OF ALL EQUESTRIA, MY NIECE AND MY GUARD CAPTAIN HAVE AN IMPORTANT DECLARATION WHICH THEY WISH TO MAKE IN THE PRESENCE OF YOU ALL. PLEASE GRANT THEM YOUR FULL AND UNDIVIDED ATTENTION.
From the right, Princess Cadance stepped forwards, wearing a light, summery dress and floral wreath on her mane. And from the left, Captain Shining Armor, dressed in full red-jacketed dress uniform, crossed to meet her. He knelt before her, and presented a small velvet-lined box, containing a white gold horn ring.
"Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," he said, declaring her full name in rolling, austere tones, befitting the line of ancient poetry it was, "will you do me, a simple, humble Guard soldier, the very great honor of accepting my hoof in marriage?"
"With all of my heart, I will!" she replied formally. "And will you, Captain Shining Armor -- my shining knight and protector -- will you do me the very great kindness and courtesy, of accepting my hoof in return?"
"With all of my heart, Princess, I will!" Shining Armor replied, swallowing and nearly overcome with joy. "I love you, Cadance!"
"And I love you, Shiny!" she replied.
Before the astonished nobles and guests could even react, the Royal Voice rang out once more. But it was a different, unfamiliar voice speaking this time:
CITIZENS OF CANTERLOT, AND OF ALL EQUESTRIA! LET THIS BETROTHAL HERALD A NEW ERA IN OUR LAND!
Luna glanced nervously at Celestia, then went on.
THE LONG NIGHT HAS ENDED. A NEW DAWN BECKONS. LET US CELEBRATE IT, WILLINGLY AND EAGERLY -- TOGETHER!
And the assembled audience of ponies willingly exploded in cheers and applause. Whether it was for the happy fiancés, or for the relieved, smiling new Princess, standing once more upon the throne of Equestria, it was unclear.
But it hardly mattered. The point had been made.
From the sidelines, Twilight swung a hoof proudly. "Yes! Good for you, Big Brother!"
"Way to go, Shiny!" Spike agreed, gleefully.
Sunset nudged Trixie. "He made it. All the way through without a bobble. Pay up!"
"Fine." Trixie growled. She pulled a small bit-bag from her hat and hoofed it over.
"They look so happy together!" Moondancer sighed, tears in her eyes. "It's so wonderful!"
"So, how're you going to top that, Cheese?" Starlight asked him, "at the engagement party, after?"
Cheese shook his head, wiping away a tear. "I could never top that. And I wouldn't want to try."
He took a deep breath... and then grinned.
"We're just... gonna... have to... PARTY!"
Whipping out his accordion, he struck up a fiercely catchy polka number, and began dancing down the main aisle. Before he'd even reached the far doors and started back again, he had most of the room rhumba-ing right along with him. Even the Princesses, seated on the Sun Throne, were nodding along indulgently to the beat.
Tempest shook her head at the ensuing mayhem. Then she glanced down at Twilight.
"Hope your sister-in-law is okay with the insane asylum she's marrying herself into."
"Oh... I don't think she'll have a problem." Twilight pointed a forehoof.
In the midst of the crowd, both Princess Cadance and a rather bemused Shining Armor were dancing right along behind the jigging party pony, willingly and abandonedly.
Twilight sighed happily.
"And neither," she said, "will I..."
The End
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, its characters and indicia are the property of Hasbro.
No infringement is intended. This story is a work of fan fiction, written by fans for fans of the series.
Author's Note
They're back... the Advanced Projects group rides again. Yes, Virginia, there is a multiverse.
Since this whole series has been about flipping things round to see what happens, I decided to look at what the Canterlot Wedding (or at least the Canterlot Engagement) might have been like if Shining Armor had told his sister he was getting married. It was also a chance to show the beginning of Luna's reintegration in Canterlot society. And have some light-hearted fun with the characters -- the Advanced Projects group are finally faced with a challenge for which they are not prepared.
Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think in the comments!
