Author's Note

Hey guys. Been a while hasn't it? I'm not dead don't worry.

I finally decided to finish this chapter after not writing for a while. Hopefully it won't take me as long to write the next one.

As a warning, this chapter contains brief topics of incest and abuse.

I'm slowly starting to fully preplan this story out. The entire one including the prequel.

I appreciate all the nice comments from you guys, really makes me happy and motivated.

Hope you enjoy this chapter!

The Date

Twilight woke up, limbs entangled with something warm. Something was in bed with her and cuddling her. It took her a few moments to remember that she was actually in her fiancés bed, a feeling that was still new to her even after a few months.

Opening her eyes, she found herself muzzle to muzzle with Cadance. She smiled. Cadance was the first pony she saw upon landing, the pony who had stuck by her and been her rock in the flowing river of change.

Just looking at her erased any denial she had in her mind. She didn't care if they were being forced to marry, she didn't care if Nightmare Moon was returning, or Daybreaker was released. She only wanted to have Cadance by her side, and stick by her through all the tough times ahead.

"Morning" Cadance purred sleepily

"Morning" Twilight replied.

Twilight got up, much to Cadance's disappointment, stretching her limbs. Cadance tried to get up but groaned and collapsed back into bed.

"Looks like someone can barely walk after last night" Twilight chuckled

"How can you?! We went for like, 4 hours!"

"A warmup. If you had my training routine and full alicorn endurance, we would be going to at least a week minimum" Twilight shrugged.

Cadance just stared at Twilight.

"A whole week MINIMUM?! How do you know that? And how do you have so much experience?"

Twilight winced and froze. That was a question she really didn't want to be asked. Anxiety bubbled in her chest, and her breathing quickened. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them and looked Cadance in the eyes.

"I was trained in it for hundreds of years, since I was eighteen. It was part of my education. It was needed for my mission here, which was to either get rid of Celestia, or seduce and turn her. I did neither"

"So you have hundreds of years of experience, I definitely knew that, but I thought the only two ponies on the moon were you and... Wait, Twilight are you saying..."

"Sometimes I was taught with magical constructs, but most of the time she taught me personally. If you excuse me, I need to go do my morning exercise routine"

Twilight unfurled her wings, then noticed the state her wings were in. Typical bed feather. She groaned and sat down again, getting ready to preen when she felt Cadance's hoofs on her back.

"Let me help, honey. Just lay down and relax"

"mm thanks babe" Twilight lied down and spread her wings, "Got word yesterday of a dragon circling a village near the border, I have been requested to check it out. What time are we having our date?"

"We have a dinner reservation at 6pm" Cadance said, massaging her lover's tense back.

"I will slay the mighty dragon, rescue the kingdom and be back for my beautiful princess by 4pm"

"I bet you will my brave Princess Charming"

Twilight giggled and then groaned when Cadance hit a really tense muscle. Unfortunately for them both, there is one other alicorn in the castle that no longer respects boundaries and privacy.

"Once you two have done whatever it is I'm interrupting, I would like a word with Twilight"

Cadance yelped and turned around with wide eyes, while Twilight sighed and rolled her eyes.

"One fucking morning. That's all I asked. One morning with my fiancé and you decide to waltz in. What do you want, flame-butt?"

Daybreaker growled.

"Don't call me that"

Twilight got up, used magic in her wings instantly preening them while giving Cadance a silent apology, and approached Daybreaker.

"Hmmm nahhh I will call you what I want. You can't do anything about it. Cause even with that little helm, you can't even hope to beat me. Boop" Twilight poked Daybreaker on the nose, making Daybreaker growl again.

"No but I can definitely hurt your little helpless princess" Daybreaker teleported next to Cadance, and held a sword against her throat.

"If I see one drop of her blood spill, I will bring the gates of Tartarus down onto you personally"

Daybreaker smirked and put more pressure with the sword onto Cadance's neck, a single drop of blood forming and dripping onto the carpet.

"Ugh, and I just got that wine stain out too"

Twilight's mane and tail burst into magenta flame, her eyes alight with dark purple fire. She smirked and teleported Cadance to the side and tackled Daybreaker against the wall.

"Go on, Flame-butt, keep testing my patience. I promise that if you continue down this path, this sun will have a new owner by dusk" Twilight growled, pinning Daybreaker against the wall enough for it to crack slightly.

"Ugh, fine. But one day, you won't be able to overpower me and I will hurt you both"

"Hmm nah, the day that happens is the day I let Discord explore my rump"

Twilight turned and bucked Daybreaker through the wall and out into the gardens, making her land next to the statue of discord.

"AND STAY OUT OF OUR ROOM!"

Twilight fixed the wall with her magic and rushed over to Cadance checking her for wounds.

"I'm okay, Twilight, I'm okay. I just can't believe what just happened"

"Just remember Cadance, this if she tries to hurt you, you come find me or signal me through our mind or our bond"

Cadance nodded, shaking slightly. Twilight hugged and nuzzled her.

"Come on, let's get breakfast before I go fight that dragon"

The two lovebirds walked down the halls, with Twilight holding Cadance under a wing, making their way to the dining hall.

After entering the dining hall, they quickly sat down and told the servants what they wanted. Cadance wanted some simple pancakes and syrup, while Twilight had her usual slab of raw pork meat and gems.

"I never get how you eat that stuff. I wasn't aware ponies could eat it" Cadance stared at Twilight's plate.

"Ponies can't, but us alicorns are omnivores so we can. I just enjoy the texture and taste of raw meat. I studied it and I think it's because these teeth aren't for show, I'm a predator. I feel the thrill of the hunt and eat the spoils. This was last night's hunt, the chefs just cut it for me" Twilight shrugged, and tore into a piece of the slab of flesh.

"I mean, I kind of understand that I guess, I did learn about predators like manticores in school. But I thought only dragons could eat gems" Cadance asked

"Cadance, I'm going to warn you about gems. They are addicting. It's like a drug to alicorns. Do not eat one" Twilight warned as she shoved a gem in her mouth and her eyes rolled back slightly as she shuddered and moaned.

"Well ok, I promise. Wait, if you fight the dragon are you going to keep all its gems and eat them?"

"No, you don't need to worry about that"

Cadance visibly relaxed. "Oh good, I thou-"

"I will just add it to my hoard in Canterlot"

Cadance stared at Twilight. "What."

Twilight rolled her eyes, and chomped on another gem. She locked her lips and chewed on a bone from the meat. Eventually she looked back up at Cadance, who was glaring at her, and froze.

"Whaaaat? What are you glaring at me like that?"

"Sometimes I think that I'm marrying the dragon and not the princess Charming that rescued me"

Cadance stared up at the ceiling, the feeling of nervousness filling her chest.

"Okay, so I have the restaurant booked and notified about her preferences, I have the blanket and telescope ready at the peak of the mountain. The tickets to the movie are also booked. Everything will be fine"

Cadance's ears perked up at the sound of a knock at the door.

"Come in"

Daybreaker walked in, causing Cadance to back up slightly.

"Niece. I have come to check on how the wedding plans are going. I trust you are preparing them" Daybreaker asked.

"I-I am. The plans are a bit behind schedule but I can easily fix that" Cadance reported.

"Good. Now we must discuss the other plan, the one Twilight can't know about"

Cadance winced and her ears pinned to the back of her head, she stared at the floor with her eyes closed.

"Y-Yes... I know" She took a deep breath in. "Let myself get captured by Chryssy, allow her to take my place and... Hope that Twilight notices and stops her, saving me"

"Close enough. You remember what happens if you fail to comply to this plan"

Cadance sniffled and tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"You... Show Twilight the photos..."

"Correct, dear niece. Wouldn't want your bride to be seeing these pictures, would we? After all, she doesn't know the deal you have with Queen Chrysalis now, does she. Or should I say, the deal you have with yourself?"

Cadance's eyes went wide and she whimpered. How could she know?!

"You know?!"

Daybreaker smirked.

"It's cute that little Twily thinks the whole good side bad side thing is genetic. It's alicorns in general. With great power comes a great price. And that price is our mental stability. Of course, Twilight managed to merge with hers, but you did something different. You created a body for your bad side"

No no no no NO! She can't know!

"However, in doing so, you created a new species void of love. You created a species that consumes the love you freely create. Such a parasitic bond. Follow along with the plan, and I won't tell Twilight about the thousands of little bug children you have and about the little bi-monthly escapades you have with Queen"

Cadance was crying now.

"I... I promise I will stick to the plan.. She can't know.. She can never know.."

"Good"

Twilight landed on the balcony of her room, and rushed inside. She yanked open her walk-in closet door and quickly headed in, looking for something to wear for her date.

On one side of the room, we're dresses and a table with a mirror and tons of makeup, and on the other side were a bunch of suits. She sighed, unable to choose what to wear.

"Maybe a suit? They are much more comfortable than dresses, but would Cadance prefer me in a dress?"

She sighed. Deciding to try on some suits first, she didn't notice Cadance who had entered the room and was peeking in the closet.

"Ehh the blue suit doesn't really fit me, and the black suit is a bit basic. Why do I even have a pink suit?"

Twilight sighed again, holding up a bright pink suit.

"Awww you might look cute in pink though"

"Ahh! Cadance?! When did you get here?!"

"Weeellll not that long, just long enough to see you deciding on these suits. Worrying about what to wear for our date I see"

Twilight rubbed the back of her head with her hoof and nodded.

"How about we just go without any outfits? Just our regalia" Cadance suggested

"Are you sure? I mean aren't we going to a fancy restaurant?" Twilight asked, unsure

"We are, however, we are also royalty so turning up in our regalia is just as good"

"Well, alright then. We have a few hours before the time you said, and I have an idea on how to pass that time" Twilight suggested, quickly pulling Cadance into a passionate kiss and leading her towards the bed.

"Oh Twilight, I don't mind not waiting till after the date, guess we can blow off some steam" Cadance said slyly

"Great!" Twilight exclaimed, thrusting a hoof into the air. "I have the perfect book about how to act in fancy restaurants in my collection!"

Cadance stared at Twilight for a second, then started giggling, which turned into full on laughs.

"What? What did I say?"

"Oh Twilight, never change"

Approaching the restaurant, Twilight basked in the attention she was receiving by everypony in the area. Cadance still didn't understand why she enjoyed it so much, but she thought it might have something to do with her mother's history.

Cadance knew that she was staring at Twilight, and that Twilight most likely knew that she was. How else could she explain how Twilight slowly held herself higher, making the early-evening sun hit her in the most perfect way, framing the alicorn in a soft yellow-orange glow.

"Cadance, babe, you're staring" Twilight said, smirking slightly

Twilight's voice broke her from her little trance and she blushed.

"Uhh right. Uh we should be near the restaurant"

"I never said you had to stop staring. You had the same look in your eye that Celestia has when she sees cake. I'm sure public displays of affection are recommended, let's just keep it tame. I'm pretty sure public fornication is illegal"

Once they reached the restaurant, they were quickly seated after all the ponies in there dropped to the floor and bowed, much to the embarrassment of Cadance.

"What would you like for drinks, your highnesses?" The waiter asked, holding a notepad in his magic.

"I would like a glass of red wine please" Cadance said

"Of course, we have a selection of red wines, your majesty, do you have a preference?"

"Surprise me"

The waiter nodded and turned to Twilight. "And you, Your Highness?"

Cadance saw a glint of something in Twilight's eye, something that looked playful or amused.

"Hmmm I like the looks of some of the cocktails. Do you do a blow-job or a suck, bang and blow?"

The restaurant went quiet and the waiter went as red as a strawberry when it's in season. Multiple ponies spit out their drinks and one even started choking on theirs. Twilight sat there with a normal smile, patiently waiting for the waiter to confirm whether they did them or not. Cadance facehoofed.

After looking around, Twilight rolled her eyes.

"They are cocktail names, ponies, trust me I don't go asking random ponies to have sex with me. I don't need to, not while I have Cadance with me"

Cadance visibly paled, and a lot of ponies who weren't helping the poor pony that choked on his drink gasped. Cadance felt like she would possibly die of embarrassment right then and there.

"Uh.. Twilight, maybe we should, um, not say things like that?" Cadance timidly said, trying her best to ignore the stares.

"Fine. I will just have a glass of red wine too"

The waiter nodded and all but ran away from their table. Cadance took this opportunity to tell her fiancé off.

"Twilight!" Cadance whispered, "Why would you say something like that in public?! Who knows what the reporters are going to say!"

"I don't really care what the newspapers say, honestly. They all know not to spread slander about you, especially after the canterlot times tried to" Twilight shrugged.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, shortly after we got engaged, I found out some reporters tried to call you a succubus for power. The canterlot times building needed to rebuild half their building after that"

The waiter brought out their drinks and took their food orders. Twilight ordered a t-bone steak and gems, while Cadance ordered the tomato and daisy soup.

When their food came, they were deep in a conversation about Twilight's time on the moon.

"So all your experience comes from magical constructs your mother created?" Cadance asked

"Yes. That and mother herself. I swear sometimes I feel like she craves to be loved in that way a lot. Shame I can't just unbanish father and shove them two in a room for a few days" Twilight said, ears slightly lower

"If you don't want to talk about this then we don't have to"

"No. I want to. You deserve to know, and I put up these privacy wards for a reason" Twilight took a deep breath and sighed. "Cadance, my previous technical relationship lasted roughly 800 years, and it was with Nightmare Moon. After doing research, I confirmed it. Incest in alicorns doesn't exist. I absolutely hate that it's true because I feel wrong. I feel wrong because of that relationship, I feel wrong because I was obviously used for centuries. I may act all better mentally, after all I merged with my dark side, but I'm not. I'm still depressed, I'm still anxious. I just hide it because I have to. I have to save my mother, and aunt Celestia, I have to rule a country, I probably will have to deal with discord or father should they escape. Why? Because deep inside I know that all I'm good for is being used as either a tool or a weapon. Now, let's change the subject and not put any more downers on this lovely date"

Cadance nodded and looked down at her bowl, ears slightly back and promising to talk in depth to Twilight about this tomorrow.

"It's a little spicy, which surprises me" Cadance said

"Yeah, these gems have a kick to them. Weird, unless" Twilight licked one of the gems and sighed. "I believe the chef has put poison in our meals"

"WHAT!?"

Twilight rolled her eyes and called the waiter over.

"Please go and get the chef of these meals for me, I believe they have poisoned our meals. Oh and bring the poison too"

After a brief panic, the waiter rushed to the kitchen and came back out with a bottle of something and a chef.

"Ah, thank you waiter. So you tried to poison us, interesting. I'm assuming you used the strongest stuff you could get your hands on"

"That's pure botulinum, along with unicorns bane and cyanide! It will kill you within minutes"

"Tch Tch someone didn't do their research at all"

Twilight grabbed the bottle of poison and poured it over her steak. She took a big bite out of it.

"Mmm I love the spice of unicorns bane. I was unaware botulinum had such a kick too. The flavor doesn't really go well with the cyanide though. Eh, 6 out of 10 I'll rate it"

"B-but you should be dead! That much poison would kill a dragon!"

"Like I said, you didn't do your research. Alicorns are immortal, unkillable. Thanks for the meal, shame you used your skill in cooking for this"

"GLORY TO DAYBREAKER! SHE IS THE RIGHTFUL RULER AND PAID ME MONTHS AGO TO ASSASINA-"

The chef's head was engulfed in a magenta glow and his neck snapped as his head was forcefully rotated 180 degrees. Cadance couldn't watch anymore as the body hit the floor, so she stared at her bowl.

"Captain shade, please remove the body and let everypony know why he was given the death sentence, I want to go back to my date"

Cadance just stared at her bowl, ears pinned against her head as a pegasus soldier grabbed the body and carried it out the back. She didn't realize she was crying till Twilight spoke.

"Are you OK, Cadance?" Twilight asked

"I... I'm fine..." Cadance said, voice wavering

"Cadance please, you're crying, there must be something wrong. Please, I want to help" Twilight begged

"Y-you killed him..." Cadance stated

"I... Did, but he committed crimes that gave him the death sentence" Twilight said, sounding unremorseful.

"H-how can you just... Kill without regret? Why is it so easy for you? Would it be just as easy to kill me like some kind of a monster?!" Cadance shouted, then her eyes widened at what she said and how she said it.

Twilight flinched backwards, ears down. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes.

"Cadance, if that is what you think of me, then so be it. I love you, even if you say I'm a monster. I... Understand. So send me away or don't, because either way I will love you and I would never, ever intentionally hurt you"

Cadance felt horrible. She just basically called her fiancé, who has had problems with being called a monster for months, exactly that. She felt she could literally feel the crack in Twilight's heart that she just made. So, her mind apparently not being compliant, made her try to run away.

Twilight acted fast, grabbing her and wrapping her in her legs and wings. Cadance cried into Twilight's chest, sobbing and stuttering apologies. Twilight kept her comfortable and calmed her down.

"Cadance? Are you okay now?" Twilight asked quietly

Cadance sniffed and nodded slightly.

"I don't blame you, you are in shock. I understand, trust me. I'm here for you"

"I... I need to tell you something... And it might make you hate me..."

She felt Twilight tense slightly, whether it was the thought of hating her or being scared about what she was about to reveal, Cadance didn't know.

"You can tell me anything and I won't hate you"

"I...I had a bad side... Like you did. We separated... She created a race called the changelings and every month or two I have to go... Help her repopulate by letting her feed on me... I'm sorry! It involves us... Doing things to get the love out..."

"Ah. I see. When was the last time you did that?" Twilight asked, voice sounding calm

"Last week... Aunt Celestia seems to think she will invade our wedding, and used this information as a way to blackmail me into following a plan to defeat them which relies on you noticing that Chrysalis would take my place. I'm really trying to hold this in or lie but it's not working and now I'm so scared" Cadance blurted out.

"I'm sorry for that, Cadance, but I knew you were lying about something like this. I had to. Call me a stupid monster, but like I said, you could do anything to me and I would still love you. Even... Cheat... On me"

Cadance, of course, knew that, but she also could hear the hurt in Twilight's voice along with the noticeable pause when she said 'cheat'.

"I've hurt you... I know I have...twice"

"It... Ah... It would be a lie if I said you haven't. If going out and... Having sex with some other ponies while I'm busy makes you happy... Then it's fine.. I guess"

She could hear the struggle Twilight had saying that whole sentence. Cadance already knew what Twilight was doing. Twilight was sacrificing her happiness to try and make her happy.

"Cheat on me... Abuse me... Hate me... As long as you are happy, Cadance" Twilight whispered.

Cadance felt something liquid on her head. Twilight was crying. Enough was enough.

"No. I will stop. I have to stop, Chrysalis will have to find somewhere else to get love. I never want to cheat on you again, I will never abuse you. You are all I want, Twilight, you are all I need to be happy" Cadance grabbed Twilight and kissed her.

"You... Truly mean that?" Twilight asked after the kiss.

Cadance smirked.

"I do"

Twilight made a mental note to do some research on this Chrysalis and these so called changelings

After the whole fiasco at the restaurant made them miss the movie, they decided for a quick late evening walk around the city before heading up the hill.

Twilight felt a lot better after Cadance had promised not to cheat again.

"Hey Twilight!" Called a familiar voice.

Twilight turned around and saw Pulsar trotting up to them.

"Oh hey sis" Twilight greeted.

"How are you guys doing? I hope I'm not interrupting a date"

"We don't mind. Besides, it doesn't look like we are the only ones on a date. Who is the mare next to you?" Twilight asked

Both Pulsar and Cadance looked around, seemingly confused, before turning back to Twilight.

"Um, Twi, there is no mare next to me" Pulsar carefully said

Twilight stared at this mare standing next to her sister that both Pulsar and Cadance couldn't see.

This mare had gray fur, bright magenta slitted eyes, and a fiery mane and tail that seemed to have a cyan outline, with purple inside. It had another section in it just like fire, except it was two shades of magenta instead. It flowed calmly, despite being fire-like.

"Then who.."

The mare's eyes suddenly became fully black, and darkness surrounded Pulsar. Twilight watched this darkness seep into Pulsar's skin. She tried to stop it but couldn't move.

The strange mare, whose eyes now were leaking a black substance, shushed Twilight and disappeared in a vortex of darkness.

"Twilight? TWILIGHT!" Yelled Cadance

"Huh? What?" Twilight shook her head

"You OK sis? You are acting strange" Pulsar looked concerned.

"It's nothing. I think i just need some sleep after a tiring day" Twilight brushed off their concerns but still stared at the spot the mare was before.

"Come on Twilight, let's go home. We'll see you later Pulsar" Cadance wrapped a wing around Twilight and coaxed her to walk away.

Once they both got to their room in the castle, they both sat on the bed.

"Are you going to tell me what happened back there?" Cadance asked, slight authority in her voice that Twilight completely missed, staring at the door.

"How many alicorns do you know in Equestria or beyond?" Twilight asked, gaze not altering from the door.

"Four. You, me, Aunt Celestia and your mother. Chrysalis doesn't count because she isn't exactly a pony. Why do you-"

Twilight suddenly turned and looked into Cadance's eyes full of panic

"Then why did I just see another one that was able to freeze me without me detecting any magic and able to alter Pulsar's soul?"