"Greetings, Your Highness!" Cadenza hopped off her chair and bowed low. "It is both a privilege and an honor for us to have you grace us with your presence in the Crystal Empire." The others had followed the newly appointed monarch's example, doing the same themselves. Queen Cantata, Shining Armor, and...

"SUNBURST!"

All of the decorum I possessed went right out the window in an instant. I dashed directly at the orange unicorn.

"S-Sunset!?" he went rigid as soon as I threw my forelegs around his neck. "It's good to see you, too," he patted me gently on the back with his hoof.

"I'm so glad you're alr-" my heart sank into my stomach. When I finally calmed down a bit, -- when I finally had a chance to pull back and look him in the eyes -- I came face to face with a sobering sight. I hadn't noticed it before. I'd been so happy to see him that my joy had blinded me. "Sunburst... you..."

From the center of his forehead -- nearly touching the base of his horn -- all the way down to his chin, were the remnants of his injury from the battle with the changelings. It was a horrible blotch of scorched tissue. The devastated flesh had no fur left on it and was a darker shade of pink. It looked like a smashed pumpkin might. The damage was so severe it had managed to overtake his closed eye entirely. It looked a lot better than I would have thought, -- especially so soon -- but it still wasn't what I'd hoped.

"I'm not gonna lie, I did expect ponies to react like that, but it still kind of hurts coming from you," he chuckled, scratching his cheek uncomfortably with a hoof.

"I-I'M SORRY!" I lifted my hooves, waving both in front of his face wildly in apology. I didn't know what to do with them after a moment, so I lowered both back to the floor. My entire body suddenly felt like it was being drawn down to the ground. It was taxing to just stand in front of him after saying such a careless thing. "I'm so sorry, Sunburst. It's just..." My head was drawn downwards as well. "It's just I really thought Princess Celestia would help you," I whispered.

Maybe he was right...

"She did help me, Sunset," he chuckled, drawing my confused gaze back to him.

"She did?" I tilted my head.

"Of course I did," Celestia strolled up beside me, a maternal smile on her face. "Sunburst's well-being was my first priority when coming to the Empire," she laid a hoof on top of his head. "First thing when I arrived in the Empire, I went straight to the hospital." I'd not seen the aide so elated as he was in that moment. I was still a little confused, though.

"Then why...?" I lifted a hoof before dropping it abruptly. That would most definitely be rude.

"I wanted to keep it," he lifted a hoof to touch the scarring. "Well, Her Highness did give me back my eyelid, so there's that," he laughed. "I didn't wanna run around like that, scaring all the foals in the Empire, y'know?"

...

"But... you can't see out of it... can you?" I had to ask.

"No," he shook his head, though his spirits were clearly still high. "All function it had previously is completely gone." He hovered a hoof over said eye before tapping his horn. "But I've got my magic so it'll be fine. I can just enhance my vision with a spell if I ever really need to."

"But you could have fixed it completely, couldn't you, Princess?" I turned to face my mentor. She didn't say a word, instead turning to face one of the many entrances to the hall. All of a sudden, it was clear she was not happy. She hid it well beneath a veil of indifference, but I could see it.

"Uhhhh, like I said," Sunburst pulled my attention back to himself once again. He obviously noticed Princess Celestia's shift in demeanor as well. He began to whisper, her sudden change in attitude troubling him. "Her Highness was going to fully heal me. I just... I asked that she leave most of the scarring," he smiled. "I... was wrong, Sunset. You were right. "

"What!? Why!?" I hissed back, though it was only a whisper, too. I'd decided to ignore his apology. I wasn't the type of pony to rub something like that in.

"Well..." he looked back at...

Queen Cantata?

The former monarch donned an expression of serenity. For some reason, Sunburst looking her way seemed to brighten her mood several notches.

"Let's just say, I learned some things about myself. What's important to me. And what I really care about." he grinned.

I know that look.

I'd felt the very same smile tugging at the corner of my own lips whenever I was thinking about Twilight.

"I finally understand her, Sunset. For the Empire..." he looked at me, his confidence, as well as his joy, unshakeable. "And for her."

It was surprising, to say the least, but it also made way too much sense. He'd been her advisor for years now. A bond forming between them wouldn't be completely unheard of. With the news of Marengo's death, I guess Cantata could finally move on with her life as well.

There was no point in trying to get him to reconsider. Considering Cantata's own disfigurement, his injury was probably just an intimate similarity that the pair could share with one another.

It'd be like trying to convince me not to do something for Twilight.

Besides... I was honestly happy for them. But there was one thing that was troubling me.

"I thought you were interested in Star, Sunburst?" I asked quietly.

"Starlight is beautiful," he chuckled. "She still is, but I honestly thought I had no chance with Cantata. She loved Marengo as much as she loves Her Highness. After..." his glee faded. "After what happened to him, I know what I have to do for her."

That's what I figured.

"Well, then I'm happy you're hap-"

"As am I," the despicable voice of the queen of the bugs rang out from the entranceway Celestia had been keeping her eyes on. "Let the weakling keep his pathetic little 'trophies' while the rest of us remain beautiful."

"Chrys..." Cadenza said sternly. A glare from the Princess of Love brought a faux look of innocence to the usurpers face.

"Do forgive me, Sister..." she shifted her attention to the pink alicorn as she walked over to her. "Old habits die hard, as they say." Queen Cantata and Shining Armor both looked away from the monster in disgust.

"Our guest has arrived, Chrysalis," Cadenza smiled meekly at the changeling before turning her attention back to Celestia. "Your Highness, this is my older sister, Chrysalis. Queen of the Changelings." Chrysalis finally looked at the alicorn, her demeanor not changing at all.

I was more than a little confused by the turn of events. Generally, my mentor commanded attention no matter what creatures were around her. At the moment, even Cadenza seemed to have more of a presence than the diarch.

"Thank you, Cadenza," Celestia responded politely, not taking her eyes off of the insect queen for even a second. She hadn't done so since the changeling had first entered the hall. "It is a... pleasure to make your... acquaintance, Queen of the Changelings." The Princess of the Sun offered the monarch a polite smile. The monster did not accept, looking the sun alicorn up and down with an expression of utter boredom on her face.

"You're not as impressive as I'd heard." She looked thoroughly disappointed as she looked my way. "What was it you told me, child? 'She'd stomp me into the ground'?" she scoffed, examining Celestia once again. "Not from what I'm seeing."

"Chrys..." Cadenza moved forward in an attempt to rein her sister in. A raised hoof from my mentor stopped the new alicorn in her tracks. Without a word she lowered it back to the floor before looking down at me with the same smile as before.

"Y-your Highness?" I gazed back, not sure what she was planning.

"Cadenza?" she said firmly.

"Yes, Your Highness?" The pink princess stood up straight as she addressed the Sun Princess.

"Out of respect for you and the rest of the Crystal Empire, I shall allow your sister to maintain her sentience for the time being. However..." She stood to her full height, looking down her nose at the bug. "If she wishes to denigrate my disciple, I cannot ensure that she will continue to enjoy that freedom."

Chrysalis winced, a scowl on her face. Cadenza was already standing next to her sister.

"P-please forgive me!" she bowed low to the ground. "Both for my lack of proper control of my hall and for her disrespectful words, Your Highness!"

It was... uncanny. Even though I completely understood her sudden penitent attitude, Cadenza was still an alicorn. She was a creature beyond transience now, and yet she bent the knee so willingly to the Princess of the Day. Even amongst other immortals, Princess Celestia stood at the peak of the mountain.

"Come along, Sunset," my mentor declared as she walked towards two of the seats at the long table.

"Yes, Your Highness!" I followed with a bow of my head. The hall was vast, -- usually containing dozens, if not hundreds, of creatures -- but today there were only seven. As the Princess and I walked by the sisters, I could hear the quiet negotiating that Cadenza was doing.

Chrysalis looked like a filly who'd been caught with her hoof in a cookie jar before dinner, though she still didn't look particularly remorseful. Cadenza was practically pleading with her, and while it didn't seem to be working too well, it was easy to see the younger sibling was definitely having something of an effect on her elder.

As soon as the two of us sat down and an explosive "FINE" echoed throughout the hall, the pair moved to join the rest of us as well. Once we were all sat down Cadenza cleared her throat, a tinge of nervousness still in her.

"Uhm... as I said before, Your Highness. Welcome t-to the Empire. It is with the utmost r-res-"

"Cadenza," my mentor spoke much softer than before. "Do not let your sister's brash attitude hinder your confidence." Chrysalis snorted in annoyance. My mentor continued, though she did turn her gaze onto the arrogant monarch. "I know who you truly are. I know what kind of heart you have. You'll make a fine ruler one day. Of that, i have no doubt. You've nothing to worry about."

"Y-yes, Your Highness," the pink alicorn smiled before taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. "You're right, thank you."

"Think nothing of it," she smirked at the sneering bug. "Cadenza... may I speak freely?"

Everyone's eyes went wide, except for Chrysalis'.

"Of course, Your Highness!" Cadenza blurted out. "You've no need to ask for permission."

"Thank you, Your Highness," my mentor bobbed her head. "Now then..." she looked around the table at all present. Cadenza was at the head of the table. Sitting to her right was Shining Armor and to her left Chrysalis. Queen Cantata sat next to Sunburst and Princess Celestia and I sat across from Cantata. My mentor began speaking to all of us. "If we insist on sticking to ceremony and tradition, I fear Chrysalis will most certainly end up in an... undesirable position." The bug narrowed her eyes on my mentor, but did nothing else. Celestia continued, not even seeming to notice the queen's irritation. "As such, what say we abandon all pretense and simply have a... pleasant conversation on what it is exactly that will happen as the Crystal Empire, Canterlot, and the Hive move forward as allies?"

They were all stunned by the princess' sudden request. I kind of figured she'd choose to do something like this. It was apparent Cadenza was uncomfortable, and the others were clearly looking to her to lead this meeting.

Well, everyone except Chrysalis.

In spite of Celestia's encouragement, the Ruler of the Crystal Empire was still frazzled. If things took a more casual turn, the pressure could only lessen on the Princess of Love.

At least... that should be true.

I glanced at Chrysalis. She was seething with rage. The Queen of the Changelings was a wildcard. Normally a more lax atmosphere would be beneficial for everyone... but who could guess how the insect would react to anything?

...

"What you're saying is... we all just speak our minds?" Shining Armor was the first to talk.

"Exactly, Shining Armor! You're as bright as your younger sister," Celestia nodded. "Playing politics at the moment sounds far too... draining, does it not? I'd rather just..." she looked back at Cadenza, both mares smiles growing. "I'd rather do my best to enjoy the time I have in the Empire."

"I think that's a splendid idea, Your Highness!" Cantata openly agreed with a smile on her face.

"Sounds good to me," Sunburst nodded.

"Let's do it then," Shining Armor shrugged, turning to Cadenza.

"You're too kind, Your Highness," Cadenza bowed her head slightly. "Let's do things your way."

Oh Cadenza...

...

Inexperience is a heck of a thing.

Well, it was either that or Cadenza was making an even more elaborate play that I couldn't discern this soon. I doubted that, considering her hooves were still shaking. And besides, it wasn't like I'd ever seen anyone outmaneuver my mentor.

Celestia looked down at me, her smile faltering for a split-second. I understood what she wanted from me immediately, though I'm not really sure how I had. Perhaps it was just instinct after all these years being together with her.

"Hey, Chrys?" I did my best to put on a mask my teacher might don. "Is someone like you okay with that offer?"

It was a power play. Force the bug to answer me specifically with the prior parameters set by my mentor while taunting the queen by utilizing the laid back mood Celestia was trying to establish. The changeling didn't have much of a choice in the matter either way. It was a brilliant opening move by the Sun Princess.

The game had already begun, and I finally knew exactly why I'd been summoned to the Empire by my teacher. Sure, she could have simply forcefully established her superiority and be done with it, -- and no one would be able to resist -- but this wasn't a fight for dominance. It was a test and an exposé.

What better way to grate on the Bug Queen's nerves than to bring the pony who'd humiliated her so thoroughly. Not only that, but force the changeling to "play nice" with said pony under the pretense of being "pleasant". It was the brilliance that was the Goddess of the Sun.

She's so amazing...

The Changeling Queen went through a bevy of emotions, her face shifting by the second. It was clear she was unable to hide any of them properly or she would have done so. That was probably because she wasn't used to having to do so. She finally settled on a twitching smile that she was struggling to maintain.

"I am fine with it..." She spoke through clenched teeth, closing her eyes in an attempt to appear more pleasant. Honestly, the expression paired with her sharp teeth made her somehow look even more menacing than usual. "S-Sunny."

...

I stared back, saying nothing, as did my mentor. The others -- most notably Cadenza -- let out a sigh of relief.

Not bad, monster.

"Then... should we begin?" Cadenza drew the room's attention to herself. She was still painfully oblivious.

Ignorance IS bliss, though.

"I believe we should. And I know just where to start," my teacher grinned confidently as everyone turned to face her. The Princess of the Sun leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table and bridging her hooves. "Punishment."

Author's Note

Apparently, I can post one of these each time I update. Hopefully, they're not turning any of you off.