Getting back to the train station on my own was simple enough. With the wedding due to start in a couple of hours most ponies were either already inside, or on the grounds of the Crystal Palace. There were some stragglers and late comers here and there peppered around the city, but most creatures were rushing to see the once in a lifetime spectacle.

That didn't mean the trains weren't going to be running though. Business was business, and even something like a royal wedding wouldn't override making bits for most creatures. I'd bought a ticket and sat down as soon as I got to the station, the interior a far cry from the state it'd been in when we'd first arrived in the Empire.

Unlike the other day, there were far less creatures inside the depot. A stallion in a tuxedo was sitting in one corner examining some documents he'd taken out of his briefcase. Sitting in another spot, a mare was reading a book to a colt, the young pony apparently enthralled by the story. There was a donkey couple sat by themselves, leaning against each other and looking mostly like they were trying their hardest not to fall asleep. Today, probably due to the festivities, only one stallion was working the counter to sell tickets.

I was sitting by myself, listening to the music coming from the speakers above. It wasn't Octavia or anything that extravagant, but it was doing a decent job of distracting me so I was happy to give it my ear.

I didn't want to think about facing my mistress after everything that had happened. I REALLY didn't want to think about facing Starlight after what I'd done to her.

While I had done the unthinkable when it came to my mistress, -- forgetting her completely -- she should be wholly unaware of my mistake.

Starlight on the other hoof.

I couldn't stop replaying the event in my mind.

How could I have been so stupid?

Even if it actually had been my brother she'd attacked, I still could have chose to do things differently. Back in the lab, I almost killed her because of what she'd said about my mistress. I'd lost control of myself.

If what had happened in the palace made anything one hundred percent clear, it was that I hadn't lost control. If I had, I would have killed her.

No.

I was in control. At least enough to hold back to a degree. That meant it was me who'd made the decision to hurt her. I did it rationally, without being forced to do so. I chose him over her.

Even though I...

I lowered my head, resting my forehead in my hooves. The truth made my body feel so much... heavier, like weights had been placed all over me and were pulling me down to the ground. It was a battle not to break down and cry on the spot.

Please Your Highness... grant me strength.

It wasn't an actual call to her, more a prayer. I was desperate. It worked, to a degree, but a horrible feeling remained in the pit of my stomach.

"Hey... Twilight?"

And now, I felt like I was about to start vomiting all over the place. I kept my head in my hooves, my body tensing at the familiar voice. If it really was the real deal, It'd be the first time I'd heard the genuine article in years.

It didn't really matter. I was too paranoid to even entertain that possibilty. I wasn't really sure whose presence would be worse, the parasite's or my older brother's.

"Am I supposed to just believe it's actually you this time?" I sighed.

"It's me," he sat down on the seat next to mine. It was definitely something he would've done before, -- sitting down without asking me -- but that was a long time ago.

"Okay, and I'm just supposed to take your word for it?" I looked at him, my terror and exhaustion getting the best of me. I found exactly what I'd expected; Shining Armor, just like he appeared all those years ago. Just like he appeared when we first arrived in the Crystal Empire. I wasn't swayed one bit. "I already screwed up like that once. I'm not risking making the same mistake again."

"You and me both," he chuckled awkwardly. "She got me too, Twilight. My screw up nearly cost the entire Empire. I'm a pretty big failure myself."

I decided to let that last bit slide, but not how convenient his sudden appearance here was.

"So what, she just decided to let you go!?" I scoffed. "Even if Sunset did defeat her, that was only yesterday. Now you're back, one day later, and you're completely fine? Likely story."

...

"To be honest... I'm just as surprised as you are," he paused, taking a moment to compose himself. "I was a 'prisoner' in her hive for more than a week, and not once in that time did I ever get mistreated or anything like that."

"Rrrright," I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure that parasite was as sweet as honey."

"I never said that. Chrysalis wasn't even there at the time. She was here. In the Empire," he explained, a hint of exhaustion in his voice. "I was in the care of a different changeling. They... Well, at least, she, wasn't so bad."

"So one bug out of millions isn't a murderous psychopath? Big deal," I snorted, examining his visage for any indications of manipulation. I found none, but I continued to grill him. "That doesn't explain why Chrysalis would just let you go free."

"It was Cadance," his smile warmed at the mention of his fiancé. "She... look Twilight, if you don't believe me, she's waiting outside the station." That claim was even more shocking than his first. The princess should be getting ready for the ceremony right now, not standing outside a train station while her soon-to-be husband speaks with his sister.

To be perfectly honest... so should he.

"I can go get her, if you want," he suggested. "So she can vouch for me." As he moved to stand, I stopped him with a hoof.

"Why are you here, Shining Armor?" I didn't have the energy to lift my head to look at him. I was so tired. I really did just want to go home, but if I could somehow salvage a single thing from this trip, maybe it was my relationship with him. He sighed, settling back down.

"Cadance wanted me to talk with you," he stated bluntly. "She made it pretty clear she wants us to make up."

I wonder why.

"So it wasn't your idea?" I asked. The possibility that he was still holding onto his grudge actually made me a little happier.

...

"I'd do anything for Cadance, Twilight," he stated with the utmost confidence. "Even swallow my pride and talk to you again."

...

"So you're not here to apologize to me?" I lifted my head, looking at him meekly.

"PFFT! NO!" he didn't hesitate for a second. "What would I even apologize for? You're the one who went crazy and attacked me. I was just trying to help."

"Shining..." I couldn't continue, my voice cracking. I was far too happy to say any more.

He's not holding back.

"Look, Twilight," he began, his voice still flinty. "I love you. I've always loved you. Our fight never changed that, but..."

Please don't, Shining. I stared at him, hoping beyond hope that he wasn't about to start trying to coddle or placate me.

"You were a MESS, Twilight," he laughed. He actually laughed. It wasn't a kind or even comforting gesture. He was laughing at me. "You still had a LOT of growing up to do. Sadly, I couldn't be the one to help you do it."

He was right, of course. I was a heartbroken child that only wanted what she wanted and nothing else.

"So you're here to ridicule me?" I tried to act mad, but I was anything but. I needed the truth right now, more than ever before. I didn't need to be assured that I'd done nothing wrong. I'd done too much wrong for me to ever buy that lie again.

"I'm here to ask you to come back and be my best mare, Twilight."

"I..." The blare of the train's horn echoed throughout the station, making me jump, though my heart had already started pounding because of his words.

"THE ONE O'CLOCK TRAIN DUE FOR CANTERLOT WILL BE BOARDING IN FIVE MINUTES!" the announcement boomed over the speakers, grabbing the attention of the entire depot. "PLEASE MAKE SURE TO HAVE YOUR TICKETS READY TO SHOW WHEN GETTING IN LINE! AND AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING CANTERLOT RAILWAYS!"

Several patrons got to their hooves, moving to the platform where the train destined for Canterlot was waiting. I looked at my brother again, his expression difficult to read. He wasn't hopeful, or anxious, or anything lame like that. No, he was simply waiting with a smile for me to reply, as if whatever I decided didn't really make a difference to him.

"Do you even actually care if I stay, Shining?" I had to know. Sure, I wanted to hear the truth, but...

"Honestly?" His slight smile turned into a toothy grin. When I only continued to stare he scratched at the back of his neck with a hoof. "I do care. You're my little sister, Twilight. I want you to be there when me and Cadance become one, but..."

...

"But?" I lifted a brow, growing impatient. I didn't have much time to make a decision. If I didn't get in line to board soon, I'd miss the opportunity.

"But I can't lie to you and say it would bother me that much if you headed back to Canterlot," he chuckled.

"Gee thanks, Shining," I rolled my eyes, though once again the truth was much more pleasant to me than any lie could have been. "Don't be too nice." Unexpectedly, I chuckled myself.

"Don't get me wrong, Twilight, Mom and Dad traveling and not being able to make it and you leaving would hurt," a slightly pained expression came to his face before he brightened up considerably, his pale blue eyes beginning to twinkle. "But... I'm marrying Cady! I can't even believe it! I'm so lucky!" His enthusiasm faltered, his head falling as his jubilant mood waned into one of sorrowful regret. "Wanna hear something pathetic?" he asked.

"S-sure," I nodded. I remembered this expression. He only carried himself like this when he was going to tell me something he didn't want anypony else to hear.

"When I was trapped in the hive the only thing I could think of, the only thought on my mind at the time, was how terribly I'd messed everything up. Mo- Queen Cantata had just promoted me. I was the one responsible for their safety. The Crystal Empire was going to fall to its mortal enemy and it was all my fault," a crooked smile spread on his lips. "I never knew what that felt like before," he looked my way, his expression remaining the same. "I never really knew how you felt back then. But... you all did it. You, Starlight, and Sunset saved us." His smile shifted, becoming genuinely luminous. "You saved me, Twilight. You and your friends made it possible for me to marry the mare of my dreams," he placed a hoof on my shoulder. "I know it's not much but... thanks... Twily."

I stared at him, wide-eyed. I couldn't believe it.

Shiny...

I don't deserve it.

My head fell, the guilt adding weight to my form.

"But Shining... I didn't... I didn't help at all... I just messed everything up. I-"

"That's not true."

I whipped my head around, coming face to face with the Princess of the Crystal Empire.

"C-Cadenza!? You're...!?" I fell right off of my seat, staring up at the twisting spire that's size could rival that of my mistress'. My mind raced as it tried to process exactly what I was seeing.

S-she's an... an...

How something like this could have happened was beyond me. It couldn't be a trick...

Unless it's that parasite taking her form and throwing a horn into the mix.

That was entirely possible, but the energy... the pure aura of... indescribable goodness coming from her was... familiar.

Like my mistress or Princess Celestia. Or...

Not exactly the same, but it felt similar, like all three of them might be related in some way. It was a little alarming at first. The sense of warmth washing over me was different than the feeling of reverence I got when I was in the presence of my mistress. It was much different than the aura of authority that accompanied Princess Celestia.

Cadenza... Princess Cadenza made me feel... welcomed. Her mere presence was making me feel like we were already sisters and she wanted nothing more than to embrace me. She made me feel... home.

Still... an alicorn?

It just wasn't possible. At least, that's what my mind kept screaming at me. Ascension was something my mistress and I had spoken about at length. From the way she'd gushed about it, I was leaning towards the possibility that she might one day want it for me. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I really wasn't sure if immortality was something I truly desired. Sure, the idea of living for eternity with my mistress sounded like paradise, but the very concept of endless life just seemed... unnatural.

At least, for me it did. I could not fathom Equestria without my mistress and Princess Celestia protecting it.

In a strange contrast, for some reason I couldn't quite comprehend, my heart felt the opposite of my mind. Seeing Princess Cadenza like this, so graceful and beautiful... I couldn't help but feel as if it was... natural. As if this was the form she'd always been meant to have.

"Twilight..." The alicorn looked so very sad. It was a little jarring. "Do you know why Sunset was able to fight so well? Why she was able to overcome Chrysalis?"

"I... I don't." I really didn't. She'd said she gained some new power, but even then. The parasite was clearly really strong. "She said she felt liberated. She said that she overcame something that was restricting her capabilities and doing so made her stronger."

Even though Cadenza smiled at that, my head began to stoop.

"Where do you think she got the strength to do that, Twilight?" she used a wing to gently lift my head. "She said it was you and Starlight."

"W-what!?" my head shot up in surprise.

Cadenza folded her wing away, a brilliant smile on her lips.

"Sunset was nearly defeated by Chrysalis. But..." she took a seat on her rump in front of me and Shining. "You and Starlight... her best friends... she found the strength to overcome Chrysalis because of the two of you."

"She..." A tremor ran through me, like I'd just been struck by a bolt of lightning. I looked at Shining Armor in the hopes that he'd either confirm or deny her claim. He shrugged in response, his glowing smile letting me know that he was already well aware of that tidbit of information.

"You've forged bonds of love, Twilight," Cadenza placed a hoof on my shoulder, drawing my gaze. "I can feel them. You may not think you've done anything special yourself, but..." she looked at her fiancé. "Shining Armor is right. Because of the bonds you've created, the three of you were able to save the Empire," she rubbed my shoulder gently. "You saved us all."

I can't say the exact feeling I had in that moment. Cadenza was telling me the opposite of what I wanted to, needed to, hear. I failed. Again. There was no changing that fact.

I'd allowed the parasite to infect my mind and mislead me. I didn't trust Starlight when she needed me most. I hurt her.

Even though I think...

I really didn't know what to think. I thought I liked Starlight, but I couldn't be sure. With that bug doing whatever she wanted in my head I didn't know if what I felt for the lilac mare was genuine or if I was still feeling the aftereffects of her control. That could wait. Right now there were a few things I did know.

I let my friends down. I let myself down. I let my mistress down.

And yet, in spite of all of that, Cadenza's words made me feel... conflicted. It was like she was a completely different creature now, though I suppose, she really was. Along with her soothing presence, her words carried an air of comfort and love, further confirming my theory that alicorns were beings on a different level.

My mistress could do no wrong, and while I honestly believed that trust had something to do with her saving my life, I also felt more... entranced by her as our time together grew. When it came to her sister... I could definitely defy her more outright, but her aura made it impossible for me to truly hate her. And now, Princess Cadenza...

"Please..." she placed her hooves on my knees, her eyes pleading with me. "Come back with us, Twilight."

I didn't know how to react. Her aura was far too strong. It was making me question my own feelings. It had to be her aura, there was no other explanation. I was drawn to the alicorn, her words much more effective than any other creature I'd spoken to, save my mistress.

I chuckled awkwardly, staring at the mare in disbelief. Normally, I'd have pushed her hooves away or gotten angry or probably something even more crazy than that, but I couldn't move. I wasn't feeling hot or anything like that, I just felt... comfortable. Maybe... even happy.

One thing was still bothering me though.

"Why do you care so much, Cadenza?" I placed my hooves on top of hers, but nothing more. My question drew a smile to her face. Probably because I hadn't refused outright.

"Would you believe it if I said it feels like we were sisters in a past life?" she giggled. The sound was like music to my ears. I couldn't help but laugh along with her, though now, it was an authentic action.

"No, I can't say I would," I replied honestly. Still, I couldn't explain why, but something was nudging me toward the possibility of that somehow actually being true.

"Well," her laughter subsided but her smile remained vibrant. "It was Shining Armor," she glanced at the stallion, her gaze filled with adoration.

"My brother?" I turned my attention to him as well. He had a sheepish look on his face, a red tinge coming to his cheeks as he turned away.

"Come on, Cady," he refused to look our way, focusing on the line of creatures waiting to board the train to Canterlot instead. "You're embarrassing me."

"Shining Armor loves his little sister," she teased, forcing him to turn away even further. "I can't tell you how many stories he's told me about the two of you."

"He did?" I smiled. I wasn't expecting that. If anything, I'd have thought he'd drag my name through the mud while we were estranged from one another. He continued to watch the creatures boarding, acting like he was ignoring us, but definitely still listening.

"LAST BOARDING CALL FOR CANTERLOT! THANK YOU!"

"He did," Cadenza confirmed, rubbing my legs a tad to draw my attention back to her. The announcement didn't faze her at all, her shimmering violet eyes locked on mine, setting my heart ablaze. "I wanted to meet the mare from those stories. I wanted to get to know her because..." she stood to her hooves, wrapping her forelegs around me in a loving embrace. "Because I knew I wanted her to be my sister."

"P-Princess Cadenza!?" I couldn't move, tears stinging at my eyes as my heart pounded like a drum. I didn't deserve this... but I wanted it so badly.

"Please, come back with us." I felt my brother join his fiancé, embracing me as well. "I want my little sister back, Twily."

Shiny...

I bit my lip, but it didn't help.

"Okay."

I cried.

Author's Note

The bond between Cadance and Twilight is just as strong as the bond between Celestia and Twilight. They're eternally connected as well in my eyes.