Author's Note

Here we are, the second and last book in the Star-Kissed series, well probably. I took a hint from my previous story and massively cut down on the build-up and no annoying b-plot (heh, plot) this time.

There's still a bit of story here, but I'd recommend reading the first book if you want more world-building and romance.

A repeating pattern...

Twilight Sparkle’s lavender wings twitched every time her seat reverberated as the train jostled and clacked against the tracks, causing her no end of irritation. As she sat and waited, she found herself fighting the urge to go ask somepony about speeding up the steam-powered locomotive. Thinking better of it, she let out a small huff and settled down for the last leg of her journey. Turning her attention to the window, she watched as small flurries of snow began to blow by as the train pulled away from Hope Hollow station and plunged into the icy cold winds of the Crystal Mountain range.

Instead of finding relaxation, Twilight's overactive mind drifted back to the recent events in Canterlot.

Several days ago, Celestia had failed to properly lower the sun. In response Twilight had rounded up the elites of Equestria's military forces with the intent of saving Celestia and Luna. Charging into Canterlot they had found that not only was Celestia unharmed, but was instead...committing reprehensibly lewd acts with her own sister in the Castle's throne room. Not long after Twilight boarded the first train to the Crystal Empire, despite endless apologetic letters from Celestia streaming in (poor spike was still recovering).

The following mid-morning, the Equestrian Express finally pulled into the Crystal Castle station. The young alicorn stretched and yawned as she disembarked, trotting towards the main entrance. Off in the distance she could already hear the distinct voices of Cadance and Celestia talking and laughing in a nearby hallway. Twilight's features darkened as she made her way towards the sounds of conversation.

“...so of course, trying to make lighting strike twice, Shiny picked the pony up and threw him at the goal!” Cadance was smiling as she recounted the story.

“The only problem...”

“Earth pony?” Celestia ventured a guess.

“Earth pony.” the pink alicorn nodded bemusedly. “we’re still paying off the hospital bills for the poor stallion.”

Celestia had just started on a new topic when Twilight entered into the hall, she was still hoping to try and pull Cadence away for a moment, but the words died on her lips when she saw them, when she saw her.

Twilight had always looked up to the alabaster alicorn as a mentor and second mother. Biased by that affection, Twilight had often thought of Celestia as a goddess and the very image of maternal perfection and grace. Despite recent events in Canterlot soaking that vision in degrading juices, she couldn’t deny what stood before her.

Celestia looked absolutely stunning.

The Solar Princesses seemed taller than usual, carrying herself with a stance that radiated innate leadership and self-confidence. Her smile was no longer the public mask used to cut through the conniving nobles, but instead beamed in a genuine way that shined like warm sunlight. As she spoke her large wings and powerful hooves were gesturing wildly, giving Celestia a dynamism and giddiness Twilight had never witnessed in the often stern, but loving princess.

“...Twily?” “Twilight!”

The purple alicorn shook her head as Cadance’s voice finally broke the spell. By this point the Princess of Love and the Princess of the Sun were staring at her. She thought about teleporting away out of embarrassment, but came to her senses and simply let out a dainty cough.

“Apologies, Princes-” both Candance and Celestia’s eyebrows rose. “right, apologies, Cadance, Celestia. she gave a polite nod towards each of them. “the long train ride left me a bit absentminded I guess."

“How did you get her before me, Celestia?” Twilight asked, unable to hide the irritation from her voice.

Celestia gave Twilight a knowing glance before giving a nonchalant wave of a wing. “Having unlimited access to the College of Mages and a grand teleportation circle has its benefits.” She paused for a moment turning to face Twilight. “Do not dwell on being late young Twilight, Cadance and I were just catching up while waiting for you. Why don’t we all head to the meeting hall so we can discuss current events.”

Twilight swore she saw Celestia wiggle her eyebrows at that last part but the larger alicorn had turned away too quickly for her to be sure. What was unmistakable however, was that Celestia was giving an exaggerated sway to her hips as she walked, forcing Twilight to try to avert her eyes to anywhere but her beloved mentor’s massive flanks.

Soon the group found themselves in the Crystal Palace’s meeting hall. It was a beautiful room made bright by rays of light shining through the narrow but tall windows. The ceiling high above was dotted with ornately carved pillars that hung down like stalactites, all of which were adorned with crystals that caught and reflected the sunlight, making the room sparkle.

The alicorn trio made their way to a handful of seats near the long wooden table that took up the center of the meeting hall. A crystal pony mare quickly entered, deftly balancing a platter of snacks and a large tray of tea on her back.

Soothed by the tea but still glowering at Celestia, Twilight found herself quietly listening as the other two alicorns continued talking. Most of the conversation was inane, bordering on time-wasting. That was until Cadance asked, “So several days ago I felt a massive blast of love-filled alicorn magic, something I haven’t felt since Shiny and I banished the changeling queen.” barely contained excitement was oozing from her features as she turned towards Twilight. “fess up Twi, who’s the lucky mare or stallion that set you off?”

Twilight blushed and then gagged slightly as she realized Cadance had no idea what was going on. “Well you s-”

“Though I’d hate to dampen your hopes for Twilight finding a special somepony, I’m afraid to inform you that the spell was from me. I performed the ancient Sun Celebration ritual and impregnated Luna.”

Celestia’s casual tone threw off Cadance for a moment who began to answer, “Oh well, we’ll just need to keep searching I’m sure she’l-” “WAIT WHAT?!”

Celestia tittered. “Now, Cadance, I’ve told you time and time again to not raise your voice at the table.” she nodded her head sagely.

“But, your sister… the laws… the implications… What. Have. You. Done?!” She sputtered, trying to find her voice.

Celestia looked cooly for a moment at the irate pink alicorn. “I simply gave Luna what she’d desired for over a millennium, and I will admit I may have also indulged in my own desire to once again have a hoof in bringing new life into Equestria. However, I will not apologize for an act driven by love.”

The last part took Cadance off-guard for a moment, her readied argument dying on her lips. “I...I did feel it, you know. There was so much love and power in that spell. Is Luna ok?”

Celestia was now smiling. “Oh Luna is quite alright, in fact she’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her, though perhaps a bit sore these last few days; We did -ahem- ‘try’ several dozen more times, just to be certain.”

Twilight dropped her head to the table with a loud thunk, causing the tea cups to rattle. She had personally seen some of the aftermath of Celestia and Luna’s first “try” back in Canterlot. It was something she’d never be able to pull from her mind, save for a mind-wipe spell.

It might be worth it at this point. Twilight thought.

Cadance stayed much more composed and gave Celestia a stare that slowly went from anger and disgust to one of understanding tinged with desire. She knew about Luna’s barrenness, it was no secret after-all, having been documented in several historical tomes. If Luna had made the decision she had, Cadance could fully understand why. Her and her husband, Shining Armor had been trying for their own foal for a few years now. The Crystal Empire’s finest doctors had assured them both that nothing was wrong and that it would eventually work out, but that hope had slowly begun to fade as time went on. The information was mostly kept secret by the royal family and only a few outside the walls knew they had been trying.

“Celestia. Cadance stepped out of her seat and stood tall before the Solar Diarch. "I want to learn how to create the magic circle used in the Sun Celebration ceremony. Shiny and I would very much like to start a family.”

“My dearest niece-” Celestia began.

“I don’t want to hear it Aunt Celly, I don’t care about the dangers or the risks, I want to have foals!”

Celestia looked toward the pink alicorn and Cadance no longer saw a beaming smile and motherly warmth, but a timeless face filled with the untold sorrows of centuries come and gone. “Cadance, the powers of the magic circle I use during the celebration act directly off my connection to the sun.” she paused for a moment, deep in thought. “anypony else who performed this role, alicorn or not...it would be fatal. I’m sorry.”

Both Celestia and Cadance became quiet. Twilight also remained silent, feeling it impolite to add to the conversation at this point. She’d come here livid at what she’d witnessed Celestia, her beloved second mother do back in Canterlot. It, all of it, should have disgusted her, but now sitting and listening, seeing the pain on Cadance and Celestia’s features, Twilight felt nothing but sadness. If Cadance felt how she did, how much worse off must Luna have been after centuries of trying to have a foal?

Suddenly Nightmare Moon makes a lot more sense, Twilight thought to herself, making mental notes to re-read the historical records with her new perspective.

Cadance was the first to break the short silence. "Celestia, there is another way..." her voice trailed off.

“Your are correct, Cadance. I did not come here to sow dismay, I came here to offer you hope. If you want a foal, if you desire it as much as Luna did, then I would be honored to help you fulfill that desire.”

Twilight became wide-eyed, oh no!

Celestia’s slight smile turned almost predatory. “Oh, yes.”