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

While Cadance had earned her night of uninterrupted sleep, Thunder had more work to tend to. However, a battered body required more rest than she wished to admit, and she returned with an incomplete outline of her schedule for the following day.

Sooner than she had desired, she found herself back in her room. Granted, it was luxurious, but luxury wasn't going to compare to the comforts afforded to her on a crowded bed. That is to say, not without the same company she had prior.

Lying in this bed felt regrettably empty, and the blankets, quite expensive and soft, were deficiently less comforting. That, of course, left her mind to dwell on who she was really fixated on, among other things.

"Stupid hooves. Gah. I looked so clumsy tonight. What's wrong with me? I'm gonna get sent back if I keep screwing this up."

Frustrated, she squirmed on her side to get comfortable and hopefully drift into dreams, but her body wasn't having it. The scabs on her back were nagging at her, and the dull ache of the wounds piercing her muscles was more than the mild medication she opted to take could handle.

It also felt like her entire body was covered in heavy armor that rendered even stillness uncomfortable. The sensation was far more maddening than she wanted to admit.

It was then she remembered that she had the same pills as Fleetfoot, so she had another option, so long as her neighbor next door was awake.

A knock came on Rainbow's door. Gentle in its rumblings, it stirred Rainbow from her sheets with the fear of their first emergency was already upon them.

"Oh, shit."

She rushed to the door, only to find Thunder looking just as tired.

"Uh… Everything okay?" Rainbow asked, confused as to the clear lack of panic.

Not knowing how Rainbow would respond, Thunder made a somber request.

"Mind having a few drinks with me? I can't sleep."

There was a heavy cloud hanging over this mare's head. Thankfully, Rainbow was up for the social call, and in no time flat, they were sitting together, passing a bottle of vodka back and forth.

"So," Rainbow finally started, taking a quick shot of the bottle. "You didn't stay at the hospital for very long. How bad were your injuries?"

Thunder winced, hastily taking the bottle only to cough after taking a sip.

"Gah… That stuff tastes like wood polish. It's almost bad enough to take my mind off of how bad my back hurts… Which is a lot."

Rainbow took the bottle, unfazed by the unique taste of the alcohol.

"Yeah, it's not for everypony. But… the way that other Trixie and Becky were talking, I thought you were dying."

Still fighting the flavor of cleaning products in her mouth, Thunder was unabashedly honest.

"I almost did. Some of the shards cut into the lining of my lungs, and at times it still hurts to breathe… All the time, really. But the worst of it healed faster than expected. Nevertheless, I was taken off duty. I can't fly, run, or train... I wasn't even supposed to leave the hospital, but I was in the room next to Justin's. So when he left after attacking Midnight, I went with him… Well… More like I snuck out."

She grinned at the mention of blatantly disobeying an order or two, but the underlying difficulty of her decision was present in her bandages.

"I told them I would go back if I wasn't getting better while at the embassy… but I didn't want to admit how bad I felt or how much worse I got wrestling Justin in his worst moments."

It didn't take a Princess of Love to put the pieces together, but Rainbow had figured this mare out a while ago. Or, she at least figured she did and wasn't shy about it.

"Be careful. Rarity and Fluttershy started off the same way with Justin, and we’ve all seen how that played out."

Not sure what Rainbow was alluding to, Thunder turned with a slanted eye.

"Excuse me?"

Confidently unbothered by the reaction, Rainbow took another, slightly longer drink and casually offered the bottle back.

"I'm not stupid, so don't play dumb. You like Justin, and the kind of loyalty you keep showing off makes it obvious. But I like you, so as a friend, I'm telling you to be careful not to overstep your boundaries with him. He may be single again, but he's not ready for another mare friend."

Careful not to take the bottle with an aggressive yank, Thunder gently pulled it back in her fetlock.

"I appreciate the advice, but I have no intention of making myself available to court him. I aspire to one day prove myself worthy of standing alongside him in combat again. And I'll do so by his choice, not the convenience of my position or with my gender as a handicap."

Not believing a word of it, Rainbow rolled her eyes away from Thunder souring her face while trying not to gag from another swig of the bottle. Rainbow could see the denial.

"Right. And I'm sure your thoughts were nothing but sunshine and holding his axe while he held you against him on the bed today."

While insulted, Thunder was in no condition to turn this into a fight. Then again, the altercation with Spitfire had taught her a lesson in when to start one and how to avoid one. If not, then at least luring her target into a position of vulnerability was a viable option.

"No… Having Justin hold me like that had me wishing I could have more than his respect. I suppose the thought of having him alone without his robe on and rutting me like he did Rarity and Fluttershy crossed my mind as well. We'll be batting together after tonight, so the possibility is there."

In a flash, Rainbow shot off the bed and stood in front of Thunder. Her wings splayed out, and all four legs spread for stability. She couldn’t believe that confession came out so brazenly.

"I knew it!"

Having turned the tide in the power dynamic, Thunder extended her hoof with the bottle for Rainbow to take. All the while keeping a straight face and the real secret to herself.

"Calm down, I know better. Chris explained the practices of courtship to me before Twilight’s get-together. So I know how it starts with foreplay, kissing, and touching one another. Putting the stallion's penis in the mouth to arouse him or him doing the same for her. Thrusting his member back and forth inside her until he cums… Though I believe Justin to be the type to enjoy swapping between foreplay and rutting. Rarity and Fluttershy seemed to leave much to the imagination, but I'm sure you know more than I do."

Flabbergasted, Rainbow now didn't know what to think. With how much tip-toeing others had done around the subject, it was shocking to find somepony so blunt and upfront about it.

"You? You know all that and still want me to believe you're not going to try to get with him?"

Since Rainbow chose to posture and lecture, Thunder brought the bottle back to her lap, still not letting on to how much she was enjoying this exchange.

"Am I to take it that is what you desire from him?"

Now on the spot, Rainbow drew a blank. She had no words, despite her mouth drooping open.

"I… eh."

Quickly, Rainbow shook her head clear and re-poised herself.

"Look. Justin is my friend. We've saved each other's lives, and more importantly, he's family to Becky. She sent me here to keep him safe. He trusts me probably more than anypony else. And, an-and, it's not like…"

Finally, the struggles Rainbow was going through got to Thunder, and she couldn't stop her smile from peaking through or childish snickering from escaping.

"Rainbow, please. Between all the rumors and crazy shit we've both seen together, I'm sure every unattached mare wants to be with one human or another. We both admire Justin but relax. He can't even walk or properly care for himself. He pulled me into bed once, you washed his body all by yourself, and Cadance is the only one he can sleep with. So what? Are any of us any closer to replacing his mares?"

After all the panicking, Rainbow now felt like an ass and sulked.

"N… no, but you don't know the amount of shit we all went through when sex became an option for us back in Ponyville. I've never seen mares act so crazy."

With an exhausted huff, Rainbow took the bottle back in her wing from Thunder and rejoined her to sit on the bed.

"To tell you the truth, I wanted to be with Justin, too. Instead… Fuck me… I dunno. Everything just happened so fast. I never had a chance. Every human was claimed by somepony else, and for as angry as I am at Rarity and Fluttershy, I can't bring myself to even think about trying to date Justin. Especially not when he's so…"

Remembering her last exchange with him in the shower, she took another drink from the bottle.

After gulping another mouthful, she exhaled and set the bottle on the floor, finally feeling some of the liquid kick in.

"Justin is more torn up on the inside than he looks on the outside. So, at this point, I'm more scared of him getting hurt again by another mare than anything another Echo or Timberwolf could do to him. That's what I was really trying to say to you earlier. He doesn't need another mare right now. Not for sex or romance. He needs friends like us. He needs his confidence and strength back."

While the exchange had quickly drifted into dangerous waters, the end result had given Thunder some pleasant takeaways. Perhaps a little more appreciation for the multicolored mare as well that she would have to share.

“I can’t help but think it’s a shame you ended up where you are. A weather mare is a noble occupation, to be certain, and being a Wonderbolt has its prestige and honor, but I think you would have made a fine soldier in any of the Guards.”

While clearly the statement was given as a compliment, something about it didn’t sit well with Rainbow. She needed a better understanding of what was implied, if not first defended.

She did have her pride, after all.

“Being a weather mare taught me responsibility, and being a Wonderbolt has been my dream since I was a filly. It would mean that of all the pegasi, I would be the best flier. I'd be part of something important that’s rich in history and tradition while keeping Equestria safe. What’s there to regret about any of that?”

Thunder nodded a few times before lowering her muzzle to point her view at the floor. A smile faintly crossed her lips, though the impact of her word choices appeared to have her questioning herself.

“There’s nothing wrong with either of those. What I meant was that your dedication and loyalty to those you care about is what’s needed so much more in the Guards than anywhere else. A weather mare like yourself can do the job alone. The Wonderbolts are dedicated to their craft and loyal in a lot of ways, but it’s different for a soldier. A lack of loyalty doesn’t mean a few clouds get overlooked or a stunt goes wrong. Wars and lives can be lost. Damages to infrastructure or our monuments can affect the entire kingdom if the guards working together lack loyalty to one another. It’s not the same in the Wonderbolts, where coordination can be mistaken for teamwork while following a scripted routine. Even a disloyal Wonderbolt can rise in the ranks so long as they continue to follow their maneuvers.”

Having said the bulk of her piece, she reached for the bottle again but eyed it up slowly as she put her last few thoughts together.

“We have our moments of putting on a dog and pony show when we march, conduct ceremonies, or even stand watch… But you fought with us out there in the Everfree Forest and against the Echoes. Combat is different. War is different. You can’t just follow a routine or stick to yourself and expect praise when you come back untouched because you didn’t help the soldier next to you who struggled. Everything changes and every soldier has to compensate and keep each other safe to complete the mission, even when nopony else is watching. Justin knows all that and he lives it by taking care of all of us in any way that he can. And you? You threw one of your best friends off a train and told her to fix herself instead of leaving her in the dust with no direction, even though it was a painful thing to do. Then, even though you wanted to be with Justin, you still put the feelings of your friends and his first. You even offered me advice? True loyalty like that, even in the face of adversity and sacrifice, that is the making of a fine soldier."

She raised the bottle with a smile that vanished with the return of vodka hitting her tongue, though that didn't spoil her mood.

"Uck… Besides… I saw what losing those mares did to him from start to finish. He still loves them. And it's not like he held me with any kind of passion. Even if he did know I'd enjoy it, I know he would still miss them, knowing I was where they should have been."

Rainbow's ears perked at that last comment, but Thunder kept talking, preventing an interruption.

"He left them to save them. I'd be foolish to think I'd be anything other than another warm body to hold while he tries to find the strength to let go of them. So, I won't change how I treat him. I know where I stand, and that's right where my duties have placed me… That's my loyalty."

That seemed to lay out Rainbow's part as well, as sad as it was to hear. At the same time, it was just as sad to hear for Cerb.

"Yeah… They really screwed him over… Not to mention the rest of us who might have wanted more. And I tried telling him that he should try again. So… even though I might want to take a shot of being with him if that's something he wants, don't think you could never be with him either. At the very least, he'd be lucky to have a mare that cares about him like you do."

Thunder extended the bottle back, but Rainbow politely pushed it back with her hoof, taking a more somber tone.

"You keep it. I'm done for the night, and we both need some sleep. Plus, I don’t feel like waking up with a hangover tomorrow."

With that, Thunder nodded and capped the bottle.

"Thanks. I think I can sleep now."

As Thunder returned to her bed, a mix of thoughts came to her inebriated mind.

"Me and Justin? More than comrades in arms? I'm not even an Element… Not that such a thing was needed by Chris and all the mares he chose to be with. Though, even if I could, do I even want that?"

In the process of trying to talk herself out of the fantasy of having more, her mind wandered back to catching Cerb in the act.

"I've never wanted a stallion like that before. I didn't understand how any mare could. Still don’t if I’m being honest."

She felt a shift in her body as if a new set of gears had turned, and a flood of sensations washed over her.

Warm, tingly, tantalizing feelings coursed through her, forcing her body to curl in like she remembered Rarity straddling Cerb.

"But if I could… What must it feel like? He's so big. He could crush me… And that part of him is also so big. How did they do it?"

Her right ear twitched, snapping back against her mane. The sensation grew as she curled in further but felt the strain on her stitches, and her eyes shot open.

The pain pulled the thoughts away from her wandering mind's images of passion.

"How could I do it?" She regrettably asked herself. "I'm sure the last thing he needs is anypony reminding him of them."

The rush was over. In its place, her mind went back to what she knew best.

"I'm not an Element. I'm only here to answer the call… He would not ask for such things from me. I’m his Lioness… not his mare."

[Wednesday, 18 May 2016, The Equestrian 17th Day of Love.]

[The next morning in Cadance’s room.]

Cadance opened her eyes to find herself still holding Cerb next to her. He was asleep. Barely even a sound escaped his slumber to alert her of his existence over his slow breathing.

For a moment, she questioned why she expected to see Shining. Not that she had been confused about his whereabouts, but more that she had grown so accustomed to having him there.

That was his place to be, given their vows. Instead, regardless of all the actions she had taken to ensure she would have Cerb with her, it didn't seem as though her reality was to be what she had awoken to.

Even if she had acted with clear intentions, this new string of fate that had led her here felt undeserved. That, or the results of letting go of the past she had been puppeteered into for this new present and unknown future, had not yet impacted her as they should have.

It was something she had to ponder to herself in these waking moments. Though she feared she may go mad in the pursuit.

"Justin, my dear. What have our lives become? How can I need you so much when you need so much more than I can give? All I wanted was to feel your love against me, but did I ever truly know what love really was? Then you… I feel your pain, your loss. Who am I to ask anything of you?"

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with his rich scent of spices. The faint hint of sea salt lingered quietly in the melody of his fragrance, teasing her senses with more guilt and longing.

"Soon you will wake. The agony your body must be in, only matched by your heart's struggles. How do I begin to fill that void when mine is so clouded and needing itself? I fear that you may have guarded yours again after all you've been through… All of those terrible nights I could have held you, nights you chose not to surrender your fight for us."

While Cadance was warring with both her heart and mind, her body had issues of its own. Not only the constant pains and aches in her bruised muscles and joints, but her stomach churned and growled from discomfort.

Cerb groaned in a groggy stir, slowly waking from the grumbles. His bruised arm was tracing down Candace's side but crawled to a stop at her hip.

"Em?" Cerb mumbled as his eyes finally opened. "Oh… Sorry."

Slowly he raised his hand higher, bringing it back to Cadence's shoulder as he regained his wits.

"I, uh… I guess I'm not used to waking up normally and not… Uh… Sorry… I'm used to waking up with someone else along with me."

Had it not been for the increased size difference, Cerb would have likely started off this morning quite differently. Given how he had a much longer reach to get to Cadence's posterior than Rarity or Fluttershy, she would have had a much different wake-up as well.

For now, Cadance would remain clueless about the near mishap, staying focused on the man in front of her instead.

"No need to apologize. I felt much the same way this morning. I'm sure we both have a lot of adjusting to do… Did you at least sleep well? No unpleasant dreams?"

Cerb's eyes turned away to think about that. One of those questions left him searching for how to answer. Shame Luna wasn’t here, or else he could make a funny quip to lighten the mood.

"I slept fine, all things considered… but I didn't dream at all."

That didn't sound good nor bad to Cadance, but his delivery left her wondering what the potential issue was.

"Is that normal?"

For a moment, Cerb continued to think but just as quickly gave up. The answer was there, though he still seemed a bit lost with it.

"I dunno… It's just… All the times I went to bed with Rarity and Fluttershy, I don't think I had a single dream. Good or bad… I just slept."

That was odd. However, such topics would have to wait.

"Well, a restful night's sleep sounds far better than your nightmares, but you must excuse me. I am in need of the little filly's room."

Understanding her needs, Cerb pulled back his arm and started to try and lay on his back.

"Yeah-yeah. Go ahead. I'm up."

Despite her hips and lower back zapping her with electric knives of pain, Cadance made a speedy walk to a set of tall french doors.

Thankfully, in her rush, she missed the sight of Cerb working his hand under the sheets to puff up the fabric around his crotch. As it were, it hadn't been only his hand that started off the morning as if he were back in bed with his prior mares.

"Jesus," he grumbled to himself. "What a great time to find out that still works."

At least in this position, he could take in the millstone with the progress of tolerating this much pressure on his back without cringing or tensing up in pain. There's no telling how many close calls he had from a yak, dragon, and/or an elite guard taking him to the floor.

Just the same, there were just as many close calls from him just moving on his own before Smolder operated on him. It was beyond good fortune that he hadn't ended up paralyzing himself since leaving the hospital.

Regardless, despite how much it hurt, it was such a drastic improvement over what he had left the cave with. It was also a far cry different from a 7.62 round ripping through his torso, or the fragment from the other rounds that followed.

Somehow, making the quick comparison of war wounds left him feeling optimistic. However, despite the optimism, he wasn't motivated enough to move, let alone capable in the duration Cadance had been preoccupied.

Finally returning, Cadance was reluctant to stay.

"A thousand apologies, Justin. Not just for having to rush off first thing this morning, but for last night."

All things considered, it didn't really matter what Cadance would have said next. Cerb was already well past such trivial matters.

"Don't worry about it. Life gets messy and… I dunno. We stick together the best we can and try to hold each other up."

Kind words can often do so much more to keep one's spirit strong when coming from a genuine place. To Cadance, they were more than enough to improve her day.

"Thank you again. Unfortunately, I have much to tend to today and will require Rainbow Dash for likely much of it. Will you be fine with only the other three tending to you?"

Unphased, Cerb lay still on the bed, sounding unconcerned.

"I'm still stuck in bed. Having any company should be more than enough."

Cadance went to turn away, a slight grin growing from Cerb's commentary but stopped with a serious thought.

"Would you be against sharing some… private time with me this evening? I know we both have so many issues to work through, but… if we could… I'd like some time just to talk like normal ponies would. Or, humans."

Cerb drummed his fingers over his chest, taking in her sad request.

"Yeah. No need to jump into the heavy stuff right away. And it's not like we've had a super long time getting to know each other."

Cadance smiled and lowered her head, showing some relief as she started for the door.

"Thank you. I'll alert the others to join you, and the staff will be at your service. You need only to pass a request along through any of the girls, and it will be done. That includes your meals, entertainment, or whatever your heart desires."

Sporting a tired grin, Cerb waved her off.

"Food and sleep. I don't need much more than that."

At the door, Cadance corrected her posture, sounding more optimistic for the day.

"Perhaps not, but we have more to offer when ready."

After the door closed, Cerb had only moments to minutes to himself and brought his hand to head.

While running his fingers through his hair, he quietly brought his concerns to words.

"Jesus… Shining up and left me to take care of Cadance because he didn't plan on coming back? What the fuck did I miss in that cave?"

He lowered his hand and sighed a deep breath, knowing how dangerous he was playing things.

"Sharing a bed with a married woman? A princess at that… Now I'm a poacher… Shining had to have known what he was doing… Unless they both… No… He cares for her. He has to… It's not like…"

Remembering that Cutter had warned him about Spitfire and Fleetfoot but also suspecting that Rainbow was sitting somewhere on the fence, he momentarily questioned the intentions of Cadance. She had to be on the level, and now thinking otherwise, Cerb questioned his value as a friend for misjudging Cadance's loyalties.

Then again, this entire reality secretly was controlled from behind the scenes by some magic pony goddess to keep everything G-rated and family-friendly. It all threw a massive spanner into the works and made thinking logically about the whole thing difficult.

A collection of thoughts to be had once he had more time to himself, perhaps. At that moment, a knock came with the opening of the door again, welcoming in Thunder's voice.

"Good morning. Justin? Cadance said you were awake."

She peered inside just far enough to see Cerb waive and invite her in.

"Hey. Yeah… I'm awake."

Taking the invite, Thunder walked in at a leisurely pace, not sure what to make of her start of the day or what conversation to begin.

"Did you sleep well?"

Cerb raised his hand in a careless gesture, only to let it flop down to his side.

"Yeah… You?"

From the sound of things, Cerb wasn’t in the best of moods, which was understandable. However, Thunder hadn't exactly slept through a restful night either.

"Not really. Couldn't sleep at first. Back problems again. Ended up sharing some drinks with Dash just so I could tolerate lying down… Would you like some breakfast?"

With so much on his mind, he wasn’t ready for food, still sounding distracted. Honestly, drinking himself into oblivion sounded more appealing.

"Maybe in a bit… I'm just kinda… at a loss right now."

Curious, Thunder joined him by the side of the bed.

"I take it you don't mean because it's a new castle?"

Cerb shook his head slightly.

"No, but that's going to be another thing for me to try and get used to. I just don't really know what I'm supposed to do right now, and everything is so messed up with everyone trying to figure out what to do, and who they are or want to be with."

For a moment, Thunder thought she had been discovered, but as the awkward silence carried on with Cerb staring at the ceiling, she hoped he was speaking in general terms. It was enough that she still had to question him.

"Do you mean you still want to be with Rarity and Fluttershy, or are you talking about the wants of others?"

Cerb took another moment to collect his thoughts. There was a lot he could say, but even as much as he trusted Thunder, some things shouldn't be spoken of so flippantly in any company.

"Yeah, I miss them a lot. It hurts that I had to let them go, but I was wrong to think they could handle me and the way that I am. They'll be fine on their own. That was their plan to begin with, thinking I wouldn't stick around. As long as they’re happy, then I’m happy."

That was understandable from one point of view, but Thunder didn't see it that way.

"Justin, if I'm not being too forward, I think you are more than just a warrior. Certainly, on the battlefield, you have proven yourself, but even as a civilian you are more than any one mare could hope for. Though, for me, the way you carry yourself and the level of respect you've shown towards me and so many others, I see you as one I am fortunate to serve under."

Cerb smiled a little at hearing that. The confirmation graced both his troubled heart as well as his pride.

"Thanks, and don't worry. I won't be laid up like this for too long. I'm sure I'll be battle ready well before I'll go looking to find another mare… If at all."

Hearing those words dug at Thunder. Even if she had all but convinced herself of never being with Cerb, the sentiment felt like an unwarranted punishment.

At the same time, who was she to question his reasoning?

"I'm in no position to say what you should do or what relationships to aspire to, but there's no reason not to share your intimate company. Not every mare needs a full commitment of your time. Sniff has demonstrated that much."

Certainly, there were some thoughts to be shared with a statement like that, but with two more arrivals walking in, he'd have to wait. Fleetfoot was wide awake and wheeled in by Spitfire.

"Rise and Shine, Devil Dog," Fleetfoot called out. "Are we ordering breakfast? Steak and eggs sounds like a great way to start the day."

If it would change the subject, Cerb was willing to take it.

"Yeah. Let's do that."

Not the warmest welcome, it was early, and Cerb was still in rough shape. However, since their company was welcomed, Spitfire had a new plan to enact.

"Also, since you can't really leave the bed, I figured we'd get some study material to review. If you want to start our training sooner rather than later, you need to know more about the potential threats we should prepare for."

[Off in the Changeling Hive.]

Sitting upon her dark and twisted throne, Queen Chrysalis brewed quietly with the new information provided.

"Another human injured while in Ponyville? The Solar Guard on higher alert with the Lunar Guard but Shining Armor staying behind as Cadence returned alone? …And even Twilight has her own Guard as well?"

Curious, Chrysalis leaned closer to Pharynx, standing firm with his report. The newest update was not pleasing her.

"And you are certain that no pony has any clue as to what transpired in the days Celestia was missing?"

Pharynx stood tall, not wavering in his demeanor.

"No, your most wickedness. There has been no mention of any events in Ponyville. However, we believe it has something to do with the dark ooze that attacked every major city. It's a mix of hushed rumors that the humans were responsible for either its arrival or removal, but no pony knows anything. Even still, the Crystal Empire will be more vulnerable with Shining Armor taking up residence in Canterlot again."

Still, there was the bad news that he knew he had to converse with his queen over. It was vital to have her insight and new instructions regarding how to move forward.

“It isn't like the Solar Guard not to be so out of the loop. They always gossip and share rumors that would captivate those in their more private settings. Should we pry more aggressively?”

This new development left Chrysalis more uneasy than usual. Not that she would let it show.

"We were lucky to ward off the ooze when it attacked the hive. We should assume every Kingdom suffered worse results. It is good that you returned when you did. With no sight of our two runaways, we need to focus on more important things. With the Crystal Empire so poorly defended, we will move forward with our infiltration and send our spies to investigate what happened in Ponyville."

The orders were clearly stated, but Pharynx felt one important matter had been overlooked.

"And of my brother?"

Still focused on his priorities, Pharynx narrowed his eyes.

"He has yet to be accounted for and dealt with. No matter where he could be, it would only complicate matters if he were discovered."

[Back in Cadence's throne room.]

Rainbow had plunged deep into her work, looking over weather charts and the local farmer's almanac.

"Yeah, you're right, but so are the books. Arctic oscillation would cause a natural cold wind from the north to flow this direction, but it's never happened here before. With weather teams controlling southern winds to balance out the air pressure where needed, that would be easy to manage."

A little confused, she flipped back and forth between a few pages in both books to verify her analysis, yet one glaring problem stood out.

"These weather patterns of consistent mild winds and warmer spring growing seasons existed long before weather teams could have managed such large-scale planning. This would be typical weather team coordinated efforts had you looked anywhere else."

Cadance sat back in her throne, quietly taking in the information. Though, a simple question had to be asked.

"So… can we fix this?"

A simple question, that it was. Unfortunately, Rainbow knew there wasn't a simple answer.

"I mean, mostly. Yeah. But I can probably do a little to help by myself. Or, more than likely, do little to help. You're going to need a whole weather team, maybe even a whole division working on coordination with Equestrian territories to make sure you don't accidentally throw their weather patterns out of whack."

Finally pulling her nose out of the books, Rainbow turned her full attention to Cadance.

"We need to spread the word. These same types of changes could be happening all over Equestria and other kingdoms. This could be the start of major problems for more than just your fields right now. Us pegasi can only do so much."

She turned her eyes back to the charts, trying to work out some plan or rhythm to the patterns needed.

"I can clear a sky in ten seconds flat, but there's too much sky to cover to keep the temperature controlled outside of a few degrees for long. We still get cold winters, hot summers, and issues with precipitation. Holding too much back or forcing too much out can affect how much influence we have over weather control. Even holding back a normal rainstorm can turn a few showers into a superstorm or alter the headwinds and screw up everypony else's weather. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if this is already affecting Yakyakistan."

That last comment made Cadence's ears perk up. While they were allies, they could be a fickle bunch, which only complicated matters.

"Rainbow, for now, if there is anything you can do to help my farmers, please do what you can with as little to no detriment to our neighboring kingdoms. I will reach out to Celestia and Prince Rutherford with what we have discovered. In the meantime, I will draft a letter appointing you as our lead counsel for weather. Any support you need, my staff will assist you with."

Rainbow bobbed her head, giving no thought to the appointment.

"Yeah. No problem. I can clear up some clouds and see how the winds…"

Slowly, it dawned on Rainbow what was being offered. She had unwittingly stepped in some rather large shoes to wear with no guidance.

"Wait-what!?"

Already with a quill in her aura, Cadance was busy drafting her letter.

"Rainbow Dash, I know this is a lot to ask of you, but for now, I need your help and you're the only one fit for the job. If you're not comfortable with the title and know another pony better suited, I'll happily take your recommendation. For now, though, there is too much at risk for me not to act."

While it was a big request, Rainbow knew Cadance already had a lot to deal with. Potentially, that could take time away from Cerb. For Rainbow, taking care of Cerb also meant taking care of Cadance.

So, with a sigh of giving in, Rainbow had to accept the request.

"Ah… No. No pony I can think of right now. But I will need the help I mentioned earlier at some point. I'll need to be selective about what changes I make for you."

Before making much progress on the letter, a guard trotted in with a parchment at his side.

"Princess, my apologies for bothering you, but our guest, Spitfire, delivered a list for reading materials. She said that Mr. Husk wanted your approval before issuing the request from the royal library."

Curious, Cadance levitated the letter in front of her and eyed up the contents. It wasn't very long but made perfect sense after remembering Cerb's mission.

Assuming his intentions, a gentle smile graced her royal lips as she returned the parchment back to the guard.

"Yes. Any book in the library that doesn't require my special access is to be made available to Mr. Husk and the rest of our guests. The same will go for any reports, official logs, or documents from the Crystal Guard archives that may assist them. I will thank Justin for his thoughtful consideration when I see him again for lunch."

No sooner had she lowered the parchment, a wisp of smoke trailed in overhead. Stopping just above eye level, a small pop and flash gave way to scroll holding Twilight’s familiar golden horseshoe seal.

Believing it to be important, Cadance caught it in her aura and opened it, hoping for good news or any important updates. Why else would the message have been sent from Spike?

However, having all but robbed Equestria of one of their seven humans, the opening dialog should not have shocked her as it did.

Then, the text that followed most certainly did shock her. It downright infuriated her and left a knot in her stomach… until she finished reading the very bottom line.

Thankfully, Rainbow had been so drawn in by the oddity that was this contradicting weather reports that she hadn’t noticed Cadance, which Cadance took advantage of as she trotted off towards her legal office.

“You keep working hard, Dash. I have to go remind some ponies that demands go through crowns, not to them.”

Rainbow might have been listening but waved the princess off just the same as she tried to map about the winds.

“Sure thing, Princess.”

Still livid, and now out of earshot, Cadance uttered angrily to herself.

“Order me to my own doorstep? What good will that do you if you never make it to my empire, bitch?”

[Later that afternoon.]

Having proven herself to be rather productive, Cadance returned to her room for a late lunch, much calmer, serving cart in tow. On her bed, Cerb had appeared to have been relatively unmoved. However, all around him, the remaining mares had taken up residence.

Spitfire sat behind Cerb, acting as his pillow as she looked over his shoulder. Fleetfoot lay along Cerb’s left side with her legs in their casts over his thighs while his bruised arm came to rest over her torso.

Lastly, Thunder lay along Cerb's right, held close by his good arm. She read aloud from a book Cadance knew too well.

"-carried deeper underground, Cadance struggled against the hastily tied bindings. Glowing eyes of green and blue narrowed and glared as the dark creatures would take turns hissing with forked tongues as they ensured she remained… Oh… Sorry, Princess. We were-"

"Studying," Cadance answered with no trace of bitterness. "And the changelings are a good subject to become familiar with. Ocellus is proof that they have not left these lands. Even if she has proven to be an ally, she is young and does not hold a grudge as those we defeated assuredly do. Otherwise~"

She gave an odd smirk as she examined the four huddled together on her bed. They were rather close, after all.

"I imagine Justin has been well tended to before you found yourselves so attached?"

On that note, Cerb flipped the book closed for Thunder and ended the impromptu study session.

"This is my doing. My back was hurting from laying down so much, and Spits makes for a better pillow than an actual pillow. Then I just felt bad for these two suffering so I thought I'd share as much comfort as possible to help ease their pain… Close contact seems to do the trick… also makes it easier taking turns reading."

It was a pleasant sight, warming Cadence's heart as she approached closer.

"I see… Well, since I am here. First, thank you for being so considerate to ask for my permission before accessing the contents of my library. Not necessary, but still appreciated. Second, if you have any questions about my time imprisoned by the changelings, feel free to ask. I'm sure you could imagine they were nothing like Ocellus, and the book does leave out a few details."

A little amused at the princess's resolve, Cerb nodded but didn't wish to sour the mood by revising the romantic reunion the story ended with. Instead, he would focus elsewhere.

"I might have a few questions later. Mostly I'm trying to find out more about their habits and tactics. There's a lot of potential danger they pose outside of their shape-shifting abilities. Also, as strong-willed as Thunder is, I want her to recover along with Fleetfoot as much as possible next to me."

Finally catching the last request, Cadance sat on the bed, frozen, save her eyes drawing down on Cerb.

"Hmm?"

Not surprised, Cerb was quick with an answer, explaining as he strummed his fingers through the fur on Thunder's chest.

"I don't like being alone, and I can't keep comfortable on my own. The girls both keep me constant company, and Spitfire flies around for us while Rainbow is busy. At the same time, just like how Benny helped keep Ocellus stable and Applejack healed so fast with Lumberman, I think close physical contact will help these two heal faster."

He looked towards Cadance with a softer, endearing smile.

"Same goes for you with all your physical needs."

Cadance adjusted her hips slightly, releasing a dull pop in her back. The reminder of her still sore joints pushed down any possible joke she could’ve made about his word choice.

"Emph… I've certainly had more needs as of late… And you do provide some much-needed comfort."

Pulling up her serving cart closer, the tray lifted from an elegant spread of soup, salad, some bread, fruit, and a pastry. No meat had been prepared, but she could hold off for later.

For now, she was content with the meal and her company in good spirits.

"You know, at some point, we'll have to start putting in more effort than you put out for us. In fact, I’m certain there must be something more we can do for you that we aren’t doing for you now."

That might have been true, but it was hard for Cerb to feel that way whenever Cadance was around.

"No. You all do way too much for me. If anything, I feel like I'm the one getting more than giving back… Surrounded by beautiful ladies. Full-service day and night… Free room and board in a castle made of gems? ...Not being left behind or so easily moved on from?"

Knowing how much the separation was still weighing down on Cerb, Thunder laid her hoof on his thigh as she trained her eyes on his.

In his eyes, she could see him still holding back his words, just as she could feel the sensation of physical misery fighting not to be discovered.

"We are all warriors here. Not because of strings pulling us into battle but because we choose to answer the call. Even Princess Cadance refuses to give up our fight after Harmony’s intervention, which could have given her cause to step away from defending her kingdom."

Having set the pace, Thunder relaxed more and laid a bit further into Cerb's side, as she knew what he needed to hear.

"You are to us what we could not be, nor dream to deliver. Yet, you keep us at your side, striving to be what we can be for you. Grateful to have you near as we travel the same path… We want this life and you in it. We get to be what we desire most, so don't think for a moment we would so easily part ways. We understand loyalty, and Rainbow Dash can vouch for that."

[Meanwhile, outside the barrier of the Crystal Empire.]

The bitter polar winds of the north blew without remorse high above the protected planes of the Crystal Empire. Hammering snow and cutting spats of chiller vapors, the merciless cold front waged its war against a new challenger for the right of occupation over the Empire.

"I said turn, you stupid fucking wind!"

Rainbow battled the gusts and ice, forcing what she could to divert the freezing winds one degree closer to the east. And while not truly sentient, Rainbow could have sworn the winds of this frigid tundra were intentionally fighting her demands.

"Gawd damn, it's cold!"

No matter how familiar the currents felt, bitterly cold or not, they were unseasonably rigid. Every ounce of energy she poured into altering the course of the cold front stubbornly resisted to the nth degree, taking only a fractional portion of Rainbow’s influence to shift.

“Come on! Come on!”

Rainbow snapped again at the winds that flexed and bowed under their unwavering pressure building up.

“Turn just a little more! Come on!”

She gritted her teeth, nearing the breaking point of either easing the headwinds in a new direction or building up a dangerously high-pressure system.

“JUST-”

SNAP

“SHIT!”

The pressure pushed back, forcing all the compressed cold air of the winds out in a whirlwind, instantly crystallizing any remaining trace of moisture in the air.

Rainbow reacted instinctively, curling up and folding her wings around her with her head and tail tucked inside.

Ice crystals covered her body and adhered to her wings, but her vitals were saved. Although saved didn’t take into consideration the freefall she was now tumbling in.

She had to be out of the worst of it, or at least within reason, and unfurled her wings with a series of painful pinches and crackles. The ice was thick, and her mobility would suffer because of it.

Thankfully, there was no need to panic for one of such experiences as hers. Rainbow simply allowed her wings to open as far as they comfortably could, controlling her glide down back to the gates to the empire’s primary entrance.

Now all she needed was a cooperative set of gate guards.

“Official Weather Council emergency landing! Open up!”

The guards nearly tripped over themselves but managed to part the gates enough with seconds to spare, allowing Rainbow to glide in without further challenge. At least, no greater challenge than what the next day would have her facing.

“Fuck me… This is going to be a lot harder than I thought… I’m going to need help.”

Author's Note

i apologize for the lack of art. Sure, I know not everyone here is flocking to my story for it, but it was one of the big things I wanted to do for this second arc. However, my ER visits keep on happening and my motivation is tanking. Just trying to keep it real wit y'all about that.

Otherwise, I was happy with the start of this chapter but was a little disappointed that I couldn't throw in more to make it pop with a little more excitement. Mostly that happened because this chapter is meant more as a build-up and setup for the next chapter that will start to establish more of the some of the external factors to expect fo this story. That, of course, being a stronger contraction of the last chapter's more substantial internal points of focus to expect.

As for the next chapter, expect a bit of a heavy dialog portion, but with a swift kick something that should make up for it all. Probably something not really any of you would have caught onto even if you were paying attention to with the last few chapters.

But, I guess none of us will know any of that until you find out in the next time in chapter 04. An Introduction to (the dangers of) Political Demands and Power.[/spoiler

Also, acknowledgments to my story support:

The Fan Without a Face:

Editor for Chapters 01 & 02.

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