[Tuesday, 17 May 2016, The Equestrian 16th Day of Love.]

It took some explaining to the staff on the train, but a new menu was prepared, though one dish left Cadance still feeling questionable about its appeal.

"Justin," Cadance calmly spoke up at the small table. "Would it be rude to ask what it's like to eat something that was once alive?"

Knowing this would be a sensitive topic to cover, Cerb swallowed before opening his mouth.

"Umm… Not sure how to answer that. I never really put much thought into it because… Uhh… As a species, we eat meat before we even learn to talk. So… I guess it's no different than the rest of the food we eat. Then again in our world, animals can’t talk and really aren’t sentient, so it never really comes across as wrong."

Curious, Spitfire flatly asked, "How's it taste?"

Another question that deserved some tact from Cerb to answer, given the truth of the matter.

"Honestly? Umm… I think they seared it a little too much on the outside and left it a little more rare in the center than I would normally cook myself. And the textures are kinda unusual for me. But even without any salt or seasonings, it's actually really good."

While nearly all the mares gave the dish a few critical stares, Thunder reached out to serve a sample to her plate.

"I don't see what all the fuss is about. Predator species prey on the weak, and none of us are weak. I think a pony eating an owlbear is poetic justice, even if humans just call it breakfast."

Thunder lowered her muzzle to the plate with little to no table manners. She gave even less consideration to the other's sensitivities for whatever reason, placing her hooves down on the thick slice of meat and pulling off her first bite.

"Hmm! Wow," she openly spoke to the table in a placid tone. "It's a lot more chewy than I would have thought… Really juicy, too."

The other mares were shocked to see not only another pony eating meat but that said pony enjoyed it? Of the four others, Rainbow was at least curious.

"So, for a first-time carnivore… what's it taste like?"

Thunder took another bite and started to rend the flesh from under her hooves, pulling away with her teeth sinking deeper as the strands of muscles tore free.

"Et's ditherent. Kent really describe et."

As interesting as watching Thunder tear apart her food like a neanderthal was, there was only so much meat to go around for one meal. It was, after all, meant for Cerb, and Cadance didn't want to see him go without. Not for this meal at least.

"It seems the gift from Prince Aspen is well appreciated enough to warrant revisiting. Justin, would you mind if we all join you next time after informing the kitchen on how to prepare the beast properly?"

After everything else that was introduced to the ponies, Cerb couldn't believe that, of all things, eating meat was catching on. Though, he was a little against the idea, at least for the ponies.

Was it even moral to encourage a carnivore's behavior in a herbivore, sentient or not?

At the same time, it was good to have a balanced diet again, not to mention good company to share it with.

"Sure. Sounds like a great idea, but first, I'm going back to sleep after this."

[Back in Twilight’s room.]

The door slowly crept open as Twilight peeked inside to assess Sniff’s condition, careful not to wake him. As foretold, he was still unconscious, which was a welcomed sight given Becky’s careful watch over him.

"We're back. How is Peter doing?"

The door opened further, with Kelly letting herself in alongside Twilight. Swifty trotted in close behind as if to stop her but relaxed her advance when she noticed Peter still sleeping.

A look of disappointment fell over Kelly's face when she noticed the same.

"Damn. Looks like I won't be getting a proper farewell after all."

Becky put down a notepad and stood up to make her way across the room to Kelly.

"I don't think anyone is going to around here," she answered, giving Kelly a friendly hug. "And Peter is doing fine. If I know my drugs, Peter will be out for a few more hours."

She pulled away and turned all their attention back to Peter.

"I found a drug similar to ketamine. It’s more effective when injected, but I used that to spike his drink, along with a pill for nausea and another painkiller mixed in… My mother would be proud."

Becky’s words sounded like a typical joke shared among her friends in tough times. However, Kelly didn’t laugh, and neither Twilight nor Swifty understood the reference, leaving Becky to continue without acknowledging the jab at herself.

“He should be fine when he wakes up, though he might act a little loopy like Applejack did on her pills. Either way, he's going to need those meds on a regular basis. If he can't sleep or says the pain is too much, get a hold of me, and I'll see what I can come up with."

Swifty nervously shuffled her hooves next to Becky.

"I don't want to see Peter in pain. Can't we just give him more to make him feel better all the time?"

If that were the case, Becky would have been happy to share the good news. Instead, she huffed and folded her arms over her chest.

"No, sadly. Peter never handled pain as well as the other guys did, and the meds he's on becomes toxic in too high of a dose. Just stick to the schedule, and if things become too rough… we might have to switch to injecting the ketamine substitute until he heals enough to handle being awake. Also, wherever he goes, keep as much of what's around him sterile and clean. Even though he's on a ton of antibiotics, a lot of bacteria likely spilled out into his body from his intestines getting cut open. Fighting off internal infections is where most of his struggle will be. Any further exposure in his weakened state could allow for any external infections to take hold, which will be hard to treat. That, or he could get sick and… Yeah… That would be a whole nother uphill battle."

Now, even more nervous, Swifty could feel her heart racing.

"What do I need to look out for? What should I do?"

Becky calmly let her arms down and gave Swifty a few gentle pats on her shoulder.

"You know what Peter looks like normally. If you see any new bruising, redness, swelling, discoloration, or puss around his wounds, or he starts to run a fever, that's an emergency. Call me… Err, fuck. No phones. Right. Just get some pony to fly me and the usual team over."

That was the simple stuff, but knowing what little she did, there was another warning to give. She would relay this message with a playful tug on the mare's ear.

"And no naughty stuff. No matter how bad Sniffy begs.”

A blush grew over Swifty as Becky released the mare’s ear. A good measure of levity was needed to tone down the drama of the whole disaster that was his critical condition.

Even still, Becky knew how much help Sniff would need and sighed again.

“Seriously, though. Peter is going to need a lot of help and support. These next few weeks will be crucial that he stays in bed with as little stress and movement as possible. His recovery will probably be months before he can start proper rehabilitation or even walk safely. So, I took the liberty of detailing as much information as I could think of for taking care of him while in Canterlot. A lot of stuff I remember from taking care of Justin, or at least when I could, back when he was all fucked up… I have faith in all of you… Which I’m really going to need if I’m going to find any time to go check up on Justin any time soon."

Their parting was rapidly approaching, and Becky turned back to Kelly. A little more hope behind her smile than the fear of the unknown made her words ring with an honest tone.

"Jus… fucking be safe out there. And write me… please."

Kelly wanted to be sad, but with a roll of her eyes and a forced grin, she played off an air of confidence.

"I'm not as dumb as I was coming out of high school, Becks. And if worse comes to worst, I still have my temper… and the butcher knife. You just keep everyone else out of the hospital while I'm gone."

Becky huffed a quiet laugh and pulled Kelly in for another hug.

"Don't be gone too long then. You're the only girl I have left in this sausage fest."

On cue, Helix was at the door and knocked before entering, being the only one in the room who looked genuinely optimistic.

"Miss Bardwell, your belongings have been loaded, and the King and Queen are waiting for you."

Not more than a few steps behind, Celestia made her way in with Novo, but Celestia was cautious as she made herself known.

"Twilight… The chariot is ready. Lyra Heartstrings has been sent ahead to prepare Peter's room, as you requested, as well as Cutter to review the security. Is everything else in order for his transfer?"

Twilight’s heart sank deeper than she thought possible, and she took one long resonant breath before she exhaled.

"We were just finishing up, but I'd like a moment alone before you take him."

Celestia bowed gracefully, not wanting to entice further strife before their parting.

"Of course. I'll inform the guard to stand back until you call for them."

Knowing this would be intimately difficult, Kelly decided to give her farewell first and leaned down to hug the nerdy princess goodbye.

"I'm gonna miss the shit out of you, Twiggs. Keep an eye out for my idiot friends. Becky can only do so much to keep 'em stitched together. I wanna see us all together for another game of Kings when I get back. Even if I have to wear the next frou-frou dress."

The sudden rush of those first few days and that night washed over Twilight like the genuine affection she felt from Kelly. It was enough to draw out a few happy tears as she held Kelly tighter.

"I'll miss you too, Drip. You're always welcome here, and please write to me, too. I'll do everything I can to ensure we can all celebrate your return. There's so much I never had the chance to talk to you about."

Next up was Novo, who decided to get in on practicing these friendly exchanges and gave Twilight a warm hug as well.

"You stay strong now, little cutie. You're already dealing with a lot, but I know I can trust you with Silverstream. I won't be so hard to get a hold of now that so many of us will be staying in the Thicket. And we still need to get caught up on what you told me about."

Novo pulled back with her forelimbs still draped over Twilight's shoulders. Warmly, she stared up at her own motionless ears, then back down to properly look Twilight in the eyes.

"Just being on dry land again has me feeling strange as it is."

Losing Peter to Canterlot would be straining Twilight’s mental state, but she happily accepted Novo's offer. It gave her some comfort knowing she had so many new friends to reach out to provide her with some much-needed support.

"I hope you can visit often. Especially for the ear thing, but there are so many questions about your history I still want to learn about. And thank you. Silverstream is such a sweetheart. She'll be in good company with the rest of the delegates here."

After those few exchanges, the door shut, leaving Twilight to make her way back to Peter, still sleeping away the early part of the day. She sat beside the bed and laid her head over his open hand.

Feeling more alone, knowing her goodbye would fall on deaf ears, she quietly sobbed as she lamented over the poor outlook she was facing.

"I don't want you to go away from me… Harmony is gone, and I'm doing everything I can to keep every creature safe."

She nuzzled his open palm and gently kissed his fingertips curling up as she pressed further into his hand.

"I already miss you. I know you need to heal, but all I want is to have you with me again like before. Our herd needs you. I need you… it feels like everything is falling apart because I couldn't keep us all together… You would know how to keep us all together. Tell me what I wasn't seeing.”

Pulling back to lay her cheek over his palm, more of her harsh thoughts came to mind.

“I thought Fluttershy and Rarity just needed time and… I don't understand why Kelly can't stay or how to bring her and Luna back together. Now there’s a new mare with Big Mac, too?"

She raised her head and lifted Sniff's hand to hold against her cheek, though it didn't feel the same as when he held her while using his words and insight to calm and comfort her.

"I don't want to lose you, but I can't protect you from everything. There is so much I can't foresee, and I don't know if Benny is ready to handle those dangers as Justin did… And I know I should trust Celestia… but she's still hiding something from me. She would have been free from Harmony's whispers too many times while she was with us not to tell us more. She shouldn't have made us stay away from each other."

Nearing the point of finishing saying her piece, she returned Sniff's hand to the bedding before rising up to give him one final kiss over his lips.

"Getting close to you was the greatest decision I ever made. I won't let this distance between us keep us apart. I'll ensure Ponyville is safe, and then you can return to me. Back to all of us, and no more nightmares."

Having said enough, Twilight stepped aside from the wide open door as she returned to the hallway.

Farther down, Ovens stood between Mayor Mare and Topsy behind Swifty with the security detail.

Twilight nodded, signaling Swifty to begin the next transition.

Swifty nodded back, raised her halberd, and tapped the pommel to the floor.

"Litter Detail. Bring forward the stretcher for transportation and begin Operation Guardian Flight. The ambassador, Peter, is to be carried with extreme care. Coordinate your movements as if you were transporting Celestia herself. Failure in executing your mission will not be tolerated."

A group of six ponies in Solar Guard armor quickly trotted up in formation bearing a stretcher. Swifty followed behind, leading another four into the room where she stopped to supervise next to Twilight and spoke under a hushed tone.

"Are you sure you won't be joining us?"

Twilight kept her eyes on the team of ponies, carefully lifting the sheet with Peter and moving him with military precision onto the stretcher.

"I can't… I can't bring myself to watch him be taken away from me like that. Even if I know I'll see him soon, I know how much it’ll hurt Rarity and Fluttershy to watch the one they love be taken farther and farther away out of reach. Especially since it's still partially my fault. I should have stayed behind-"

"You did nothing wrong," Swifty answered abruptly. "Not even Discord or Celestia knew what was happening. It was unavoidable. So, even if you had been there, Peter would have pushed you out of the way instead of me. There is no sense in dwelling on what you should or should not have done."

Ovens nuzzled up close to Twilight's side, her own heart breaking at the sight of straps securing Peter in place.

"We all took the same risks going out there. Peter did what he thought was best to keep Swifty safe. It wouldn't have mattered who was there. None of us are human, and not even their strongest weapons stopped her. Peter's sacrifice is probably the one thing that saved us in the end."

Mayor Mare sat next to Twilight and leaned against her heartbroken lover to share further support.

"Twilight, my dear. At one point or another, we all thought Peter was too good to be true. That whatever wonderful future was standing before us with him was impossible… that we would be alone and foolish to think otherwise."

Quietly, the pony guards around Sniff began to notify the others of their status.

"Legs secure."

"Hips secure."

"Barrel secure."

"Right forelimb secure."

"Left forelimb secure."

"Head and neck are immobilized. Brace is secure."

"All litter straps tied down. Package ready for transport on your command."

It was about to happen, but Mayor Mare looked on as if none of it were more than a bad dream.

"But you two made our fantasies real. Let Peter show us that what was possible was better than we could have believed… So even though he will be away for a while… We are still not alone, just as he would never want us to be. We need to stay together for him."

Twilight knew that without her current support, she would have broken down long ago. However, that wasn't what Peter needed. He needed the Twilight he gave all his faith to.

"Swifty, thank you for everything. I have the utmost faith in you. Spike is still recovering, so I expect a letter in the mail first thing in the morning about how Peter is adjusting comfortably under the supervision of his Guardian."

Swifty nodded, gripped the halberd firmly by the shaft, and then raised it.

"I think we've seen the worst of it, Princess. I won't let you down… Never again."

The pummel dropped to the floor, and Swifty firmly issued her command.

"Litter Detail. Heave up and move out."

[Later that evening in the Crystal Empire.]

It had been another long eleven hours on the train. The Crystal Guard had gathered to welcome back Cadance, not expecting the extra company in lieu of Shining and Flurry Heart.

The two royals' absence had caused some concern, but they were formal and welcoming all the same to the new guests. At the very least, that was the vibe Cerb got as he was carried off in his chair into a familiar-looking chariot. That is to say, the guards looked friendly and formal when not carefully analyzing him under the glow of gas lights and torches.

Secured for transit, Cerb sat next to Thunder, sitting on the seat next to him, both looking at Cadance. There wasn't much room for any immediate concern, though old trends were hard to overlook for Cerb.

"I'm not gonna get stabbed, am I?"

His smirk said he was joking, but the humor wasn't well-received by Cadance.

"I would never allow such a transgression to fall upon you while you're under my care. If any of my guards even so much as-"

It was a joke too far, and Cerb raised his hand to stop the fearful tirade.

"I'm kidding. They just seem really uncomfortable around me. Figured I’d lighten the mood a little."

While not tasteful, Thunder was well-adjusted to his ways, so she would play mediator and address the needs of both.

"The Crystal Guard is slightly more reserved than the Solar or Lunar Guard. Their biggest concerns are anything dealing with King Sombra or The Changelings. They don't deal with half the problems we do. If anything, they'll give you some odd looks, but I'll be with you at all times, so you have nothing to worry about."

Cadance relaxed again, but with so little time to prepare, she wondered what she might have overlooked.

"Justin, is there anything else you might need while you're here? There isn't anything I can think of that would be too difficult to procure if desired."

Still tired and sore, Cerb didn’t need much time to answer.

"I need to heal the hole in my back, fix my leg, and stop my nightmares. I can't do anything to help any of you until that's all taken care of. So for now, I just need a bed."

That wouldn't be too difficult to accommodate, but that didn't mean it didn't require a gentle approach from Cadance.

"My castle will be a safe haven for you, but your sleeping arrangements still need to be discussed."

If anything had to be discussed, this was the one Cerb needed to iron out first. Especially since he knew where his sleeping arrangements would keep him.

"Yeah… I know you've been helping me, and I can’t afford another outburst. My leg is already killing me, and I can't risk tearing my back open, but we need to talk about your situation as well. Given who isn’t here, our current arrangement won't look good for you, and I think Thunder should know."

As unpleasant as the conversation would be, Cadance knew it wouldn't stay a secret forever, and Thunder would be in the middle of it regardless. So, trusting her as she did, she took a deep breath and sighed, already feeling the shame and embarrassment that came with her separation.

"Thunder Glide, Justin is right. At the moment, Justin's nightmares only seem to be calmed by particular mares at his side while he sleeps. Without Rarity and Fluttershy, I have been fortunate enough to provide him with that relief. However, when I told you all that Shining and I would be traveling different paths, it wasn't strictly for the needs of Justin and Becky. We have effectively stepped away intentionally to better discern if our love for each other is legitimate or not."

The hair on Thunder’s neck stood up on end. Her shock hadn't gone unnoticed, and Cadance could predict the assumptions Thunder could make.

"The Harmonys had orchestrated the union between Shining and I as their Words instructed. We know not of the depth of influence she held over us. That said, we know that our hearts spoke more freely without the whispers that Justin and his friends kept from us. Beyond that, every major event that led us together was done so by the manipulation of Harmony. So, there is no doubt that the closeness between Justin and I will not go unnoticed, especially given our sleeping arrangements."

Thunder had a lot to think about. Cerb was more than a powerful ally. He was a man worth fighting for. Even her ambitions were beginning to stir, so the thought of a newly separated princess sharing a bed with Cerb in secret would be the scandal of the century.

Then again, she didn't know how close these two truly were. Certainly, they weren’t rutting like his former mares, but still. If Cerb was looking out for Cadance, as she trusted him enough to keep Shining willfully not returning a secret, what could she do to stop him when she knew Cerb needed Cadance just as much, if not more?

No matter the truth, Thunder knew how to answer, even though she could imagine the potential outcome of such sleeping arrangements.

"Justin is a special guest. One would think that his presence would require special protection in his injured state. If you provide me with a private detail, I should be able to keep the guards far enough away so as not to draw suspicion."

Feeling as though she was saying all the right words, Thunder looked over to Cerb.

"After all, if Cerb were to suffer another night terror, the guards should be told to keep their distance, as only we are qualified to subdue such an outburst."

A better perspective couldn't have been taken to give a more favorable outcome. Cadance would be even greater in Thunder’s debt as she was agreeable.

"You are right on all accounts. I will inform the guard that you will be in charge of security for Justin. That will include the physical security and procedures while in the castle. I'll also brief the kitchen specifically about Justin's menu items… and that we accepted his generous offer to share."

Hearing that, Cerb made a funny face, prompting Cadance to respond proudly.

"Don't give me that look. The more I normalize this practice, the more it will put my subjects at ease."

Cerb smiled with a limp shrug, still finding it odd how quickly they had taken to his dietary needs.

"I'm not judging. I just can't help but think of how Twilight first reacted… You’re all just so chill about it."

Thunder could relate but gave little concern to the matter.

"Had it been just about any other creature, ponies would have reacted a lot differently. I think so long as you keep eating other predators, no pony will mind… Maybe we'll get lucky and find another owlbear causing problems out here so we can keep you stocked up."

Cadance and Cerb turned to Thunder, now sitting awkwardly under their gaze, the mare hesitant to respond.

"What? It could happen."

The stares did not improve, and her confidence dropped to feeling defensive.

"Oh, come on. Those few boxes won't last forever, and we're all going to want more… You know I'm right."

Cerb reached out with his good hand and ruffled Thunder's mane.

"Let's not go looking for trouble. That one owlbear already caused us enough problems. No point in rocking the boat."

Little talk was shared the rest of the way to the castle. Most of it consisted of the castle’s layout and the guards, namely that they were only comprised of only Crystal Earth ponies and some recent pegasi additions. That, and Cadance had a lot of work to catch up on, which would include the addition of a program to add unicorns to their ranks.

The castle itself could barely be described with any accuracy to its scale and appearance while doing it any justice. If Twilight’s Castle was made as a reflection of her, Canterlot was a thousand years worth of development and engineering, then the Crystal Castle was truly the epitome of fantasy.

It easily dwarfed Twilight's castle and outclassed Celestia’s in terms of symmetry and elegance.

Two towers of alabaster crystal rose from the outer midsection of four arching bases meeting under the main structure, forming a hallowed dome. Each of the arches held stairways into the castle’s interior of massive highrises, pillars, and one brilliantly inspired tower filled with sky blue crystals encased in the same alabaster from the center. All its majesty balanced out to present a balcony perfectly settled in to address the kingdom below it.

When they arrived, it was a whole affair, with staff greeting them after parking under the balcony.

"Your highness," a guard greeted as he opened the door to the chariot. "Welcome home."

Cadance stepped out, forcing herself to stand tall and proper, despite her ongoing discomfort.

"Thank you. Please hold all briefings until after our guests are situated. Our honored guest Mr. Husk will require assistance up to my floor. At which point, Sergeant First Class Thunder Glide will take over for security regarding all matters with his stay and the areas he is to occupy for the time being."

The guard bowed, readily taking his orders.

"As you wish. I will bring a pair of-"

Rising from his bow, he caught sight of Cerb in his wheelchair, waiting to be carried.

"Five of my strongest guard stallions… Maybe six."

After a tense hike up too many flights of stairs Cerb cared to count, he was finally set down, and Thunder took on her more serious personality. The guards who coordinated Cerb's trip up the stairs came under Thunder's questioning without a moment to rest.

"First things first. What's the normal detail you have assigned to patrol this floor?"

One of the more senior guards caught his breath enough to answer for the others.

"Two guards monitor each end of the hall. A patrol will make the tour through these spaces once an hour."

That seemed a little tame but easy for Thunder to work with.

"How many of your forces are on standby?"

The guard didn't miss a beat.

"We have a hundred and twenty in our ranks. Normal operations keep eighty on duty, though only about sixty-five are combat-ready and make up our garrison. The rest are support that varies when they come in; as needed, rotational, and reinforcements. The garrison can rise to ninety at our strongest when standing up our entire company."

Thunder nodded, taking the numbers all in stride.

"Very well. My only instructions, for now, are to double the guards above and below this floor, which includes using the guards normally posted here. For the time being, have the patrols avoid this floor. That is for their safety. The reasons why will be shared by Princess Cadance when she deems it necessary."

The guard blinked, amazed at the break of protocol to protect the most crucial floor. Even still, he had to make sure he understood the directions clearly.

"You want us to ignore protecting the princess while she sleeps? …As in, no guards? ...At all?"

It was an order even Thunder would have questioned if in his position, but she never hesitated with her response.

"Not when she sleeps. All hours of the day. But, it will likely be for only a few days as we acclimate to the new environment. Mr. Husk requires no interruptions while he recovers and will be under the direct supervision of Princess Cadance or myself during her absence… You should verify this with her, as I know how absurd it must sound."

This time the guard saluted, sounding confidently resolute with his orders.

"I will verify as you recommended, but we trust Princess Cadance. Your orders will be carried out as requested. Mr. Husk, you can rest soundly knowing the Crystal Guard is on duty. Sleep well."

Without any further discussion, the guards departed, emptying the hall.

That left Thunder to lead Rainbow and the two Wonderbolts to their rooms.

"Rainbow, you and I have the rooms across from her royal chambers. Spitfire, Fleetfoot, you two can use either room together or separately in the other two rooms adjacent. Justin… for now, you will be staying with Cadance, though she has left the option for you to allow any of us you wish to join you if you think it will help."

This felt slightly familiar to Cerb. Not only from the train ride but from his first night being coaxed into sharing a bed with Fluttershy and Rarity.

Of course, back in Ponyville, he was oblivious to the desires of his now ex-mares. Thanks to Cutter, he knew the Wonderbolts had an attraction for him. He also knew Rainbow and Thunder had his back, just like Cadance, but he didn't know where to draw the line.

"How about for now we all settle up in our own rooms? No need to get too comfortable taking over one room right off the bat."

Spitfire took the hint not to crowd Cerb and started pushing Fleetfoot down to the first door.

"I'll stay with Flatfoot here. At least until she can start walking on her own. Just give us a holler if you need anything."

The two left, closing the door behind them. That left Thunder to make a request neither Cerb nor Rainbow expected.

"Justin, I'm sure you would appreciate a proper bath. Would you like me to inquire about staff services, or should this be a task for Rainbow to assist you with? There are other duties dealing with the guards I still need to attend to while Cadance is receiving her briefings. And I know Princess Cadance said that when you shower, I shower, so if you would prefer to wait or want another one of us nearby..."

A proper bath would be amazing but wasn't going to work.

"If there's a shower available, I can do that. But if you could hurry back to at least help put on some new bandages, I'd like your help with that… since you need yours changed, too… And don't push yourself."

Thunder started to push Cerb to Cadence's room with a complacent grin.

"I'll make the inquiries quick and hurry back."

[A short time later, in a shower big enough for five.]

The warm water rained down over Cerb, sitting on a stool customarily left by the vanity mirror. A mix of relief blended with the sting from mending wounds and abrasions the water agitated. Nevertheless, Cerb’s most extensive injury remained dry, protected by Rainbow's wing pressed against his back.

Under the sprinkling stream, Cerb found the silence unbearable and broke the ice.

"Do you think I made the right choice to let go of Rarity and Fluttershy?"

"Huh?" Rainbow quickly blurted out, turning her eyes back to Cerb. "Oh… Uh."

A stream of water rolled into her eye, making her wince and reach with her other wing to turn the water off.

"Damnit… Sorry. Got some water in my eye. But… I… I mean, I want to say yes because they just left you dangling in the wind. But they're also my friends… But so are you, and they should have known better. And Rarity only came after you when you didn't do what she wanted you to do."

Still dwelling on the matter, she reached for a washcloth and started a lather in her hooves.

"Even Fluttershy. She was crying non-stop over Discord, who, okay, turned out to be a hero in the end. But she should have been all over you crying, not locked away in her room. And fuck that owlbear. Crying over him?"

Carefully, she took the lathered cloth and gently scrubbed his back.

"That thing could have killed all those kids. It nearly killed Ocellus, who you had to save. And knowing those two, I don't think they would have let her feed on you."

Cerb sulked slightly further, knowing the risks he had taken, despite the outcome. Even worse, he couldn't help but find his own faults.

"I was careless," he quietly admitted.

Such an odd omission had Rainbow stop mid-scrub on his back, leaving a window for Cerb to expand upon his guilt.

"I wanted to fight… I always have… And there was nothing about those two that reflected that mentality."

Unsure of how to interpret this admission, Rainbow went back to scrubbing, hoping she could find an opening to follow his train of thought.

"Don't blame yourself for their mistakes, Big Guy. Their ideas of intense action are wearing dresses and tea parties. Not everypony can enjoy kicking ass like us."

The sentiment was appreciated, but Cerb didn't like the weight of his choices still left on his shoulders.

"They said they would help me prepare for the next big fight. That we would be in it together… That's what I wanted… part of the reason I took everything they offered me."

So many of the particulates about how Cerb ended up with his now ex-mares had been left secret. Hearing it now became a difficult pill to swallow for Rainbow, but Cerb had more to say.

"It was selfish. They gave me back everything I wanted. I was so… lost… after the war. I wasn't done. I knew what I was made for, so I gave as much of myself to them as I could, but I… I never should have brought them into my world."

That was a heavy confession to take in, and Rainbow was having difficulty finding the right words to reply with. His world of violence was much larger than she knew how to confront. So, she decided to focus elsewhere as she rounded his side to work his chest.

"Justin… I don't know your whole back story, but I know there is much more to you than just fighting."

She took a moment to carefully adjust her washcloth to focus cleaning around some scuffs of lost skin.

"Granted, you're amazing when it comes time to fighting, but you're more than that… You can't let one trait define you. I mean… I know you’re really good at lots of other stuff, but those two said they took you as you were. We all did. Besides, I know you still have me and Thunder, who will stay with you when you need backup for a fight."

Comforting words. That should have helped cheer up Cerb, but there was more to it than that. Everything else he gave up left just as big of a hole in him.

"I miss them, Dash… I miss what we had. It was… too good to be true… Too good for me."

Hearing Cerb cut himself down like that should have set Rainbow off, yet it struck her differently. In fact, it hurt to hear him sound as if he was giving up on future aspects.

Conflicted, her expression was remorseful, but her voice was more annoyed than anything else.

"You're battered enough as it is. Stop saying stupid shit like that. I'd hate to have to deck you if you honestly thought anything other than you were too good for them."

Her sad eyes turned bitter as she looked up at his empty expression.

"They got lucky sweet-talking you like they did. I'm still surprised at how far they managed to push each other; just trying to keep up with you. They did everything they could, but they couldn't cut it. You didn't fail them or fall short of what they needed you to be. They failed you, Big Guy. They fucked up everything you all had going for each other. They had you all to themselves, fucked it up, and now you can give somepony else a chance that won't tell you to stop being you… You know?"

She had reached his lower abdomen. Far lower than before, and was unsure why he hadn't stopped her. Of all the times to tempt fate, this wasn't it. It wasn't what he needed, and certainly not the way she wanted him, sobering her tone.

"Justin… At some point, you gave being with a pony a chance. Two ponies, but you had to have thought we were worth it… And what I'm trying to say is, just like what Ember said about you at the dinner you skipped out on. You stopped once and realized the mistake you made, but never again… Don't give up on yourself or us mares."

That must have been the right thing to say, judging by the shift in how Cerb held himself upright. Even if only a tiny change, it was in the right direction, which brought a weak smile to Rainbow.

This small opening was enough to inspire some further honesty for Rainbow to confess.

"I know you had some good times with Rarity and Fluttershy. I might even know more than you'd want me to…, but I also know what Starlight figured out about Chris also applies to you. Even after every time I knocked her down and tried to tell her she was bad for Chris, she never let me or any injury come between her and who she wanted to be with... You're a human worth fighting for."

[Meanwhile, in the Wonderbolts room.]

Spitfire finished adding the last pillow to Fleetfoot's nest.

"I think we're in over our heads, Flatfoot."

Fleetfoot, nursing a bottle of honey whiskey, had to agree, but not entirely.

"Rarity will not take well to Rainbow Dash kicking her off the train. And Cerb is royally messed up… but you can't tell me that wasn't the greatest day of laying in bed today. I'm totally fine being in over my head so long as I can get a little more bedtime with Justin."

That wasn't what Spitfire was talking about, as accurate as that might be, to which she was about to admit.

"Okay, the cuddling in bed together was nice, but we're still the odd ones out. Princess Cadance practically owns him but she has to stay close to him to stop him from freaking out when he sleeps. Then Rainbow Dash and Thunder Glide already have their ins to have him reaching out for them… We need to find a new angle… or at least more opportunities to help take care of him."

Fleetfoot considered all that, realizing they had been proverbial third wheels throughout this trip.

"We need to be patient. Think of this as Wonderbolt training, and we're the newbies. If we go headstrong into a role we haven't earned, they're gonna push us back. We wait for the go-ahead to do our best at what they want us to do. Then, after we finally impress them, stay confident and not act like we run the show."

She shifted again, finally finding her comfortable spot for the night, and tried to relax her mind.

"The goal is to take care of Justin, so that's what we'll do. Only after we accomplish that can we finally consider getting more than the crumbs Rarity and Fluttershy left behind. We'll get our piece of the cake sooner or later, just like Thunder did."

[Meanwhile, in Cadence's throne room.]

The briefings had been running shorter and shorter with the clear indication that Cadance was only looking for the most pressing matters. That being the case, once the staff sought to expedite the process with her, things ran much smoother.

“It is good to hear that the damages were minimal and repairs will not take long. Considering that the economic trends have continued as the appropriations committee has projected, I will continue to entrust them to keep our programs operating as suggested. How have the crops been fairing?”

An older stallion stepped forward with a series of rolled parchments to answer this question.

“The crops are still doing fine, outside of those we lost from The Darkness. However, there has been a noticeable drop in the temperature within reach of the Crystal Heart’s protection. An unseasonable decline of ten degrees started three days ago following another unusual shift of the westward winds overpowered by those in the north. The change has been enough to lower the local weather by five degrees. I fear what may happen should this trend continue.”

Three days marked the first day Equestria was free from Harmony, and the change in the winds fell in line with her demise. It couldn’t have just been a coincidence, being how the surrounding weather seemingly ran like clockwork.

Cadance could now see how things could be expected to change on even the most fundamental levels in this new world she had helped produce.

“This is unfortunate. The lower temperatures will certainly have an impact on this growing season. What countermeasures-”

Already on top of things, the stallion raised one of the parchments.

"We have already erected tarps to tame the winds. Also, we have begun covering the necessary crops with cloths in case of frost during the night. However, if the temperature does not steady itself or rise again, we could easily be looking at a food shortage that could even lead to an outright famine. The price of imports would be outrageous for the volume of food we will require."

Action would have to be taken, but there was a limit to what Cadance could divulge at this point. Beyond that, she was still sore and tired on top of all of the other personal issues on her mind. Her responsibilities as ruler had suddenly become much heavier than she’d previously seen.

"Thank you for your swift response. However, unless there are any emergency items for action, we will pick up on this again tomorrow. Also, starting now, create a record of any and all unusual changes. The weather, wildlife, geographical, atmospheric... Anything that may appear out of the ordinary or even slightly out of sync. If even the changing of the wind threatens us with hardship, I want to make sure we can plan accordingly. Otherwise, we are lucky enough to have a seasoned weather mare staying with us who I am sure can help in the meantime."

That was one possible solution, but Cadance couldn't help but think there would be more problems to make themselves known in the coming days. One way or another, she couldn't help but think she would need Cerb. If not to conquer a new problem, then at the very least, be the rock she used to have Shining be to lean on.

"Also, I will rely on you more than usual in the upcoming days or weeks. More information will be made available, but a new race of creatures called humans arrived in Equestria. There are seven in all, but one of them will be staying with us here in the Crystal Empire for the foreseeable future. With his help, new alliances and more favorable ties were forged with neighboring kingdoms. His wellbeing has been entrusted to me, just as he has vowed to protect us from the dark forces that wish to do us harm."

Such a claim should have been empowering, but as they knew so little about him, if not anything at all, she could see they needed more explaining to calm their nerves.

"There is no need to worry. Mr. Justin Husk, or Cerb, as you will likely come to know him, was involved in rescuing several delegates that had fallen into trouble while finding their way into the Everfree Forest in Equestria. This incident eventually grew into a fierce battle against many Timberwolves and other creatures requiring the combined efforts of many nations… It is safe to say that great tragedy would have befallen the ten children, a majority of them delegates themselves, and even myself, had it not been for the aid of our new human allies. It is because of them that The Darkness that entered our world was thwarted."

That was rather vague and excluded the most important truth of Harmony and the world nearly ending. That felt like a detail that should remain hidden, the sheer existential panic such information could cause was terrifying to consider.

Regardless, leaving early with Cerb had taken her out of the loop of additional information provided in Equestria, so she couldn't say much more.

"The specifics are still being investigated, but with our new human friends, it is believed that there is no existing threat they could not overpower and decimate that has threatened us before. Justin alone has demonstrated that even the likes of King Sombra would stand no chance if he were to return… And I will say that our new allies are very protective and committed to assisting us. They have saved many lives at the risk of their own. Some, including Justin, have suffered terribly for it, which is why he is here and why I will ensure he is well enough to continue standing at our side."

Having said enough, she rose from her throne but faltered in her first step down. Thankfully, she caught herself, but those in the room hadn't missed it.

"As you were. And pardon my current state. My injuries are manageable… But I would not dare imagine how things might have turned out had the likes of Justin and his friends not been there for us. I'm sure the life I know would be over, and this kingdom would have fallen under the control of another if not lost altogether. So, I bid you all good night."

[Not Much Later, Back up in Cadence's room.]

Cadance entered her room without knocking, as old habits would have her do. Her first sight was of Cerb sitting on her bed, barely covered, enduring the long task of allowing his bandages to be replaced. Something he was not enjoying.

"Not too tight and- fuck. No tape on the stitches, Thunder."

The aforementioned mare was having issues fitting the new bandages over the stitches on Cerb's ribs, sounding just as clumsy with her words.

"I'm sorry again. My hooves aren't working with me like they should be. All this tape feels weird, and it's distracting me."

Likewise, Rainbow was also a bit distracted and opted to speed-wrap Cerb’s right arm in gauze instead of applying a patch.

"How the fuck does Redheart make this shit look easy?"

Cerb noticed Cadance walking in and started to cover his bare lap.

"It's fine. Girls, you did enough."

Rainbow tore the gauze free with her teeth, leaving it long enough to tie on loosely if a little messily.

"Yeah, right. Did you see all the bloodstains you left back on the train? Do you want to ruin this bed, too?"

No one offered a retort, though Rainbow did feel a few glares at the somewhat tactless response.

Even so, it was late, and Cadance had no issue with replacing the whole bedroom so long as she could keep Cerb in it at this point.

"Girls, he looks more than fine from where I'm standing. And if his desire for comfort over cleanliness means a change of sheets in the morning, so be it. I've collected more bedding than I'll ever use, so it's a fair trade for some sleep if he’s ready to have it."

For most of the girls and Cerb, it had been a rather laidback kind of day. For Cadance, though, she still had her royal duties to catch up on for much of the ride back, so Thunder could understand.

"Justin, you are more than sufficiently bandaged. I still have some matters to attend to regarding the day-to-day schedules. Afterward, would you like me to return to your side this evening?"

It had been a long day, and Cerb also could take a hint.

"Uh… How about tonight we don’t overcrowd Cadance? We can change things up later or if I… freak out tonight."

Rainbow didn't need to ask at this point. The sleeping arrangements were already made for her.

"I'll leave my door cracked open. If you need anything, just scream loud enough to wake me. Just make sure it's uh, Ahhh. Not ah, wahhh."

Cerb tried to force a glare, but it came off more as a smirk as he attempted to swat her off the bed.

Of course, tired and sore, his motions manifested only as a short slow swing of his arm, which never came close to touching her or knocking off her cocky grin as she easily dodged his attack.

"Real funny, Dash. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out."

Thunder and Rainbow both departed, closing the door behind them after Rainbow turned back with her tongue sticking out, leaving Cadance to hastily crawl into bed.

"You must forgive my impatience, Justin, dear. After all my sudden trips back and forth, and time lost after the battle, I have fallen behind in the responsibilities to my subjects. And now, it seems that what little good Harmony had created to keep us complacently ignorant has started to come undone."

She made her way to the center of the bed and pulled the covers back for Cerb to join her. The look on her face hinted at her weariness, but there was much more on her mind, as Cerb would have expected.

Not that she gave him the time to comment as such, as an uncomfortable-sounding grumble came from her stomach. Even then, she still spoke coarsely over the rumbles.

"I only know of changes in the weather that may affect our crops for this year. I'm sure there will be more in the days to come, but for now, I just want to rest."

Taking extra pity on Cadance, Cerb crawled with his good arm beside her. Not content simply to take her good graces and abundant charity, he pulled his battered arm from the sling and began to rub her belly.

"You're not used to eating meat, so that’s probably going to upset your stomach a bit. And I'm still so sorry about you and Shining."

Cadance remained silent. A simple sympathetic touch from Cerb blurred her misery with the thrill of having a comforting hand upon her. Despite her troubles, her mind momentarily went numb with wanting more of him on her.

The thought of so little taking away so much of her mental strain and emotional clout was a welcomed distraction. How easily they could be removed left her motionless with her thoughts to share.

"I'm still trying to find myself… It used to be so easy with Shining at my side. His bright light and steadfast shield, as well as his dedication… Harmony gave that to me… then took it away when the Echo told me it was all of their wills. Like some play I was unwillingly cast in."

The bittersweet memories of how well she played her role momentarily danced through her mind. A performance she once would have taken a bow to, for any audience, given how in love she was with the cast she shared. Such a role so many would have fought for.

Now?

Now, she was her most cynical critic.

"Your greatest fear since arriving, I tried to dispel, was my own truth. Everypony I know. All of those I called family, a product of mind control for some greater good. A fairy tale, paved in the blood that I was to be a footnote of.”

A weakness in her heart had her reach for his hand and pull it tightly against her chest. Prior fancies of being so inappropriately touched came tumbling down in a flimsy heap at the need for her insecurities to be calmed.

“I feel so empty inside, Justin,” she quietly admitted under a crumbling strong front. “We had a child together, and I remember nothing of our most intimate times together. My love… My purpose… My family… The memory of my parents? Harmony took them all away, and now even my kingdom faces uncertainty because I chose to live free? As if my blind slavery was needed to keep my subjects fed? Is my freedom to come with the death of those I will now come to know?”

The chains that kept her foundation from falling apart unbound themselves. Mentally, pulled free from their locks and pins, she let her monuments of success collapse so she could turn and pour herself around Cerb.

Moving to face him, she pulled him against her chest, hugging him closer than she had ever held him before. Even if he didn’t, or couldn’t hold her as tightly, she forced her wings around his back, bandages and all, laying her cheek over his shoulder to cry over his cuts and bruises.

“Please help me. If I can’t save you, then I have nothing to hold onto.”

There was so much emanating from Cerb. A warmth of love, a quiver of fear, the calming from his compassion, and finally, a painful tinge she felt from him forcing himself to try and hold her as best he could. His pain and his own needs were all felt pulsating for her to embrace.

This wasn’t her fantasy. There was no harmless adventure into something new and unknown. Both of their pains were real, but their culmination was of necessity, not intrigue.

So, if not precisely everything she fantasized about over the passing weeks, it was more than she needed.

For that alone, she was grateful.

“You’re the only thing I know that’s real for me… Please don’t let go.”

Everything she had said, every word, how she spoke, Cerb had understood more than what she had told him. It was terrible to know, but perhaps now he knew the real reason he was asked to be here.

Then again, as a parting gift from one who didn't know how to let go of the lie forced upon this once happily married princess? Maybe he should have seen it coming.

"Shining isn't coming back to you, is he?"

For the rest of the night, Cerb let Cadance cry out all the pain she couldn't show anyone else. Her many tears and quiet sobs trailed on until she would eventually succumb to sleep.

In that time, until sleep overtook Cerb, as selfish as it was, he held her just as needfully.

After all. No one truly wants to be alone, and in that short while, neither of them were.

Author's Note

Well, starting off with the picture, I kinda like how Thunder Glide's face turned out, but the rest shows that I still have a lot to work on.

Regardless, addressing equine diets, there's a slight misconception that they're biologically unfit to consume meat. They've been recorded to eat small birds, eggs, snakes, and insects and will often consume their own placenta after giving birth.

It's not always a matter of preference, but more of a necessity for the much-needed nutrition of protein, carbs, or lesser accessible nutrients plants fail to deliver.

After that, we got to see a bit more of the various kingdoms parting ways, as well as Twilight having to deal with the hardship of allowing Sniff to be taken away for his own care. As it would seem, Sniff was suffering more than he had led everyone to believe before the end of the previous arc. Of course, he may be heading out of the frying pan in into the fire, in more ways than one.

At the same time, what will become of the mares he's leaving behind? Who all will be staying with Sniff, and for how long? Swifty? Lyra? Cutter? Who else? When? In what compacity?

Otherwise, the bulk of this chapter was setting up the real focus of this arc and where it would lay. Well... at least most of it. That being, of course, the goings on of the Crystal Empire with Cadance, Cerb, and the rest of the mares there.

Each mare has their own objective and their own angle, as well as their own set of issues. Not to mention, there is, of course, Cerb, stuck in the middle of all of them.

For this night, though, I wanted to really bring it all together with Cadance to show you how much this has affected her. Not just her, but also to help better understand why Shining might have acted the way he did in the end.

Regardless, things are only going to get more complicated as the days go forward as Cerb finds himself further smothered in mares.

What do I mean by that? Find out more next time in chapter 03: Not Exactly To Plan.

Also, acknowledgments to my story support:

The Fan Without a Face:

Editor for Chapters 01 & 02.

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