Cadance The Crystal Princess

Cadance and Twilight walked through Outpost Artic in silence, not acknowledging the crystal ponies and the crystal creatures bowing to them as they continued before entering the Crystal Spire and into one of the guest quarters.

Once inside, the Princess of Love closed the door behind her via her magic. She turned her head to face her sister-in-law.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Cadance asked Twilight, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why?" The Princess of Friendship started, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt as she continued. "Why did you keep the secret about your wings and horn being different colors from me, Celestia, Luna and my parents, but not to my brother, for three years?"

The Princess of Love looked away from her sister-in-law in shame for a while before speaking in regretful voice. "I was afraid. Afraid that if anypony found out about the discrepancy in my appearance, they would suspect... they would suspect that I was Queen Chrysalis in disguise."

Twilight's eyes widened in shock as she took in the words her sister-in-law had said before she asked. "You were afraid that we would think that you were Queen Chrysalis?"

Cadance nodded as she looked back to her sister-in-law and answered her question. "Yes. And I was terrified that you and the others would banish me, or worse... turn me into stone."

Silence fell between them as Twilight struggled to process the reason and the truth of her sister-in-law's words, before she asked again. "But what about after Chrysalis was... permanently disposed and drained to death of by her own hive when they found out that their former queen had hid the secret about ridding themselves permanently of their hunger for love a year ago? Why didn't you tell us then?"

Cadance's gaze fell down straight towards the floor, her shame resurfacing with renewed intensity before she admitted. "I know I should have told you, your parents and my aunties about my wings and horn when Chrysalis's demise was told by her changelings." Her wings twitched and fluttered as she continued. "But I was afraid. Afraid that you and the others would think that I am a rogue changeling. Afraid that I would be judged differently."

The Princess of Friendship stared at her sister-in-law in blank faced.

"Twilight, I'm so sorry. I should have trust you sooner. I was just so scared of losing everything." The Princess of Love whispered.

Twilight didn't say anything and just kept staring at her for a while before readying herself.

Cadance seemed confused for a moment, but then realisation struck her like lightening and readied herself too.

“Sunshine sunshine ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” The two sister-in-laws chanted while going through the motions of their special hoofshake, breaking down into giggles by the end before hugging each other.

"It's okay, Cadance. We can move past this together. Just promise me, no more secrets. We face everything together." The Princess of Friendship said softly

The Princess of Love nodded, hugging her sister-in-law tightly as she spoke. "I promise."

Just then, a couple of knocks was heard through the door to which they parted away before Cadance spoke. "Come in."

The door of the guest quarter opened, revealing Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof as they trotted in and saluted before relaxing as the stallion pegasus spoke up. "Princess Cadance. Your mother requested us to bring you and Princess Twilight Sparkle to meet other leaders at the base of the Crystal Spire."

The Princess of Love nodded her head before noticing her sister-in-law standing still with her expression being shock and surprised along with her jaws being opened, staring at both the female and the male pegasi.

"Uh, Twilight?" Cadance asked, waving a hoof in front of her sister-in-law's face while the pegasi glanced at each other.

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Outside the guest quarter, two crystal guards; A female kirin and a male hippogriff, were going about their duties loyally, patrolling the corridors with complete focus on the task at hoof.

*EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH*

The Royal Canterlot Voice enhanced squee made the kirin jumped on the hippogriff who instinctively flapped his wings in shock, lifting them both a few inches off the ground. They clung to each other, shivering like leaves in the wind, their wide eyes fixed on the guest quarters' door.

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"OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! YOU ARE NIMBUS DASH AND GRIMHOOF! YOU TWO SERVED IN THE CLOUDSDALE ROYAL LEGION WITH FLASH MAGNUS!" The Princess of Friendship squeed while bouncing off the walls in excitement .

Both pegasi were staring at Twilight in shock, their ears folded back to their heads as they winced, while the Princess of Love tried to calm her down.

"Twilight-" The Princess of Love tried to chime in.

"OH MY GOSH! RAINBOW DASH IS SO GOING TO BE JEALOUS WHEN I TELL HER THIS!" Twilight continued as she stopped and moved closer to their faces, prompting the pegasi to shrink down with their eyes twitching.

"Twilight." Cadance spoke, this time louder.

"AND THERE'S FLASH MAGNUS AND ROCKHOOF! THEY ARE GOING TO BE SO HAPPY THAT YOU TWO ARE ALIVE AND-" The Princess of Friendship still continued as she pulled back away from them and started to walk in circle before...

"TWILIGHT!!!" The Princess of Love finally exclaimed with her Canterlot Royal Voice.

Twilight froze mid-step, her eyes widened in shock as she turned to face her sister-in-law while Nimbus and Grimhoof had their ears covered with their wing tips, wincing at the volume.

Cadance smiled sheepishly as she spoke up. "Sorry about that, but that was the only way to stop you from rambling."

Instantly, the Princess of Friendship's face turned bright red as she realized the extent of her excitement. She sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, feeling embarrassed.

"Sorry about that. I got little carried away." Twilight sheepishly apologised.

Both pegasi lowered their wings while sighing themselves in a relief before the pegasus mare spoke with a smile. "It's quite alright, your majesty. Oh, there is something that me and Grimhoof want to say to you."

The Princess of Friendship arched an eyebrow at them as her blush on her face melted away and prompted them to say while the Princess of Love stepped aside to give the pegasi some space.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, thank you for saving and bringing our friend, Flash Magnus, from the limbo. Your sister-in-law have told us everything." Both the pegasi said.

Twilight's eyes widened with surprise and then softened before speaking. "You're welcome, Nimbus Dash and Grimhoof. Me and my friends were able to use Flash Magnus's and his friends' magical artifacts and talismans of the elements to bring them back from the limbo."

Cadance smiled at the heartfelt exchange before suggesting. "Shall we head to the meeting now?"

Twilight nodded, her excitement now more contained as she answered. "Yes, let's go."

The group walked toward the door and opened it, only to see the kirin and hippogriff clinging to each other in the air while shivering.

"Hey, are you two alright?" Grimhoof asked as he walked over to them.

The female kirin, still clinging to the hippogriff, nodded shakily as she stuttered. "Y-yes, Grimhoof. We're alright. Just a bit startled."

The hippogriff gave a nervous laugh, gently setting the kirin down before he spoke. "We didn't expect such... enthusiasm."

The blush immediately returned as the Princess of Friendship again rubbed the back of her neck while replying. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you two."

"It's alright, your majesty. We're fine." Both the crystal guards assured.

"Please, just Twilight will do." Twilight insisted.

Both the female kirin and the male hippogriff glanced at each other before the kirin spoke up. "Very well, Twilight. Now, let us lead you to the leaders."

With the nod, the group departed for the base of the Crystal Spire.

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After a few minutes of walking, the group arrived the base to see the leaders of various races, Princess Amore, Shining Armor, Flash Sentry, Spike, Commander Hurricane, Clover the Clever and Dew Nourish all waiting.

Nimbus and Grimhoof suddenly froze when they saw the lieutenant as he looked like their friend, Flash Magnus, and stared at him before Flash called out. "Are you two alright?"

The lieutenant's question knocked the two pegasi out before the stallion pegasus replied. "Sorry. You just look almost like our friend, Flash Magnus."

Flash chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck before speaking. "A lot of ponies kept mistaking me as your friend. I'm actually his descendants."

"What?! You're Flash Magnus descendant?!" Nimbus and Grimhoof exclaimed.

The lieutenant chuckled. "I suppose I should explain."

While the pegasi were talking, Cadance and Amore individually introduced the leaders to their family with Clover and her friends standing aside.

"You're Queen Novo's husband?!" Both the Prince of Crystal Empire, the Princess of Friendship and the dragon exclaimed when the Princess of Love and her mother introduced King Crestwing.

The King of hippogriffs sighed. "Yes, Prince Armor, Princess Twilight and Spike. Cadance told me everything. Princess Twilight, I'm truly sorry about how my wife outright refused to help you and your sister-in-law during the Storm King's invasion on your capital."

Twilight quickly responded to King Crestwing. "It's alright. I understand."

As the group continued their conversation for hours getting known to each other, Cadance suggested to her mother. "We could head back to the Crystal Empire. The crystal ponies will be overjoyed to see you again, mom."

Amore hesitated as her eyes filled with uncertainty. "I don't know if I'm ready for that." She admitted.

Seeing her reluctance, the unicorn mare stepped forward.

"Princess Amore, you are beloved by your people. Your return would be a true joy for them," Clover said gently.

The commander pegasus nodded in agreement at his wife before speaking. "The Crystal Empire needs you. You have been gone for so long, and your presence will bring the crystal ponies joy."

The combat medic added. "The crystal ponies will accept you again."

Shining, standing beside his wife, spoke up. "Mother-in-law, you are now part of our family. Your return is not just a political matter, it's a personal one. We want you with us. Beside, I think my mom would love to get to know more about you."

Twilight stepped forward before adding. "Amore, listen to us. We need you, and we want you to be with us as we face the future together."

Spike said. "Yeah! The crystal ponies will be happy to see you again."

Flash Sentry chimed in. "The crystal ponies in the Crystal Empire already know that you have returned, and they've been excited ever since."

Amore's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? They know?"

The lieutenant confirmed with a nod. "Yes, the crystal ponies in the Crystal Empire have been buzzing with excitement since they learnt the news."

With more gentle encouragement from Cadance and the leaders of various races, she finally nodded her head and said. "Very well. Let's go home."

The Princess of Friendship then turned to the dragon. "Spike, write a letter."

"On it!" Spike replied, swiftly grabbing a quill and a letter before started to write.

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Life was starting to return to normal in the city of Canterlot. Ponies of all races went about their lives, bustling with activity.

Princess Celestia overlooked it all from one of the castle’s many balconies, a sense of unease surrounding her regal aura.

“Sister?” A kind voice called from behind. The solar princess looked back to see her sister, Princess Luna, joined by a group of crystal creatures.

“Sister, what troubles you?” The lunar princess asked gently.

Celestia's eyes returned to the view of Canterlot as she spoke. “They should have been back by now.”

“Tia, the fate of Equestria no longer rests squarely on your shoulders. You need to stop worrying constantly.” Luna urged.

Celestia countered. "How can I not? Cadance is in danger. And we have heard nothing from Twilight and her team.”

“They will be fine, Princess Celestia. You said yourself, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her group can watch out for themselves.” Furx reassured.

Midnight added. “Don’t forget about Clover, Hurricane, and Dew. They're with them. Give them a few more days. If we hear nothing, my friends and I will go out and look for them.”

Before the solar princess could respond, a letter suddenly manifested from green fire in front of her. She grabbed it with her magic and quickly read it out loud.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,

We have finally located the outpost Cadance was staying, though we did have to go through the Frost Animals. But we are okay. Clover, Hurricane and Dew were able to help us.

There were a lot of races. There were kirins, changelings, bat ponies, yaks, hippogriffs and griffons. They all seem happy to work for Amore.

Each of the races are led by the leader. For the kirins, it was King Fire Blaze. The yaks, Thunderhoof. The bat ponies, Au Hasard. The griffons, Stormfeather. The changelings, Queen Seraphine. And the hippogriffs, King Crestwing.

I will explain to you about the changelings and hippogriffs, it's a long story.

Anyway, Cadance had suggested to her mom that she should head back to the Crystal Empire. Princess Amore was hesitate, but we managed to convince her and Princess Amore agreed. So we are preparing to head back to the Crystal Empire.

I think you two should come. After all, she was your friend.

Your friend,
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Celestia stared at the letter in her magic, blinking.

"See, Princess Celestia. You don't have to worry for them now." Sunwing spoke up.

It was then the group shrunk back when the solar princess suddenly shouted, causing them to cover their ears.

"TWILIGHT WANTS ME AND MY SISTER TO SEE AMORE?!"