As The Sun Sets

It was less than an hour past sunrise and the entire fairgrounds was already filled with ponies looking to beat the rush. Cadance had looked plenty at the charts and maps. She'd been outside the whole time it was being set up, and she knew exactly where all of the hoof traffic was going, and where to walk to avoid the influx of ponies as they came in.

Tack & Co.'s transportation methods were simple and effective. There were thirty minute intervals each hour, one for returns and one for arrivals. Arrivals got a return time based on a tiny fee of less than a few bits, and if you weren't at the gates when they opened for returns, then you had to stand in the long line for ponies who missed their return times.

That wasn't counting the natives, and not just the crystal ponies. Cadance hadn't remembered the last time she'd seen so many of her citizens outside. It really was a case of their culture falling apart, ponies staying indoors, nothing new happening as time kept passing; but not today, today, Cadance would have guessed that every citizen had stepped out for at least a moment to see the fair. For locals, attendance was free, so there wasn't a reason to skip out on it.

Cadance was shuffling around through the central business tents, making an appearance for all of the business owners who had chosen to show up the day of. That being said, she was wearing her regalia for the first time in...

Since I met Silver.

The clicking of her shoes on the crystal roads was audible only due to her recently heightened senses. That, in addition to the strange coasting of emotional senses she was pulling from the crowd as she walked on three hooves and waved and smiled around. Ponies coasted by her side to side, most of them focused on what they were doing or who they were speaking with. Those coming through the 'expo' portion of the fair tended to have something to do.

Though, a few of them stopped and waved. In one case, the 'As Of Right Now' highlight of Cadance's day, a filly riding around on her mother caught a glance of Cadance, and Cadance waved, leaving the filly to smile with an open mouth as her eyes went wide and she started to tell her mother that the Princess had just waved at her.

Excitement, carrying undertones of tentative hope and an interesting mix of anxiety and relaxation that made Cadance think of 'playing'.

If that even makes any sense.

She was belaying walking over to where Quick Silver's tent was, her current path was strolling through the Crystal Empire businesses on her way to Homeward.

All that, and the grounds had only been open for a few hours. Staff had been rushing around for final checks and distributing water and last minute changes for the past two, Cadance having stepped out of the whole process because she was only getting in the way. One too many tarps with a horn poked into it had the sleepy eyed Thestrals sho’ing her away.

She had the luxury of not having to shoulder past ponies, but she did have to make up for it by making eye contact and smiling at every pony that stepped out of her way. Why? Because, of course.

A minute of polite 'hellos' and waving passed before Cadance caught the eye of Homeward chattering away with a pair of crystal ponies. Behind her, (and this was clearly a practiced demonstration) Kayfur was growing crystals faster than Cadance had ever seen. Usually it takes a pair of unicorns or a group of crystal ponies a few days to get the seeds to sprout and grow in any reasonable timeframe. Kayfur was twirling his hooves, and the crystal was dancing upwards like water magnetized to his hooves, and solidifying into crystal at the bottom. The glow of his hooves matched the glow of the almost fluid crystal. On the other side of the tent, Symbol and Marker were showing off a chart and a map of the proposed college to a bunch of other business ponies. Point Flare and Misty Scarlet were talking behind a pair of boxes, Cadance only knew because she could feel them.

Cadance trotted right up to Homeward and the two ponies talking to her, they both went to bow, but Cadance rushed forwards and grabbed their hooves to raise them up. "None of that please." Both of them, a red mare with a bright pink mane, and a cyan stallion with a navy blue mane both struggled to find something to say in response to not only the presence, but contact with their Princess.

"Cadance!" Homeward came to their rescue by throwing a hoof forwards and inviting Cadance for a side hug.

Cadance conversationally said, "How goes the presentations?" , then turned towards the two ponies, "What do you two think?" She asked, nodding her head towards Kayfur.

"I'm not..." The stallion started, trailing off as Cadance made eye contact, "... sure what to make of it..."

The mare clarified, "It just seems too good to be true. With magic like that, it makes sense how..." She shrugged and pointed up at the Spire.

Cadance nodded, "Forgotten magical skills applied without the limitations of the casters who created them. That's what the school is for, imagine every pony being able to create their own crystal homes.

The stallion smirked, "Imagine the bits."

She punched him in the shoulder.

"What are your names?"

Homeward interjected herself, "Oh! Princess..." She spun around, "This is Wave Form-" Miss Pink Mane waved, "and this is Sapphire Stone."

Cadance perked a brow, "Oh? A Stone, I can't believe I didn't reco-"

He waved his hoof, "No no, I'm not part of the family, my parents just... I get that a lot."

Grief

So many of them had lost so much. Cadance opened her mouth, the barest idea of something consoling to say before she was interrupted by a peculiarly familiar soft voice. "Excuse me? Princess Cadance? May I speak with you?"

Cadance turned to see an ivory white pegasus mare with an unkempt pink mane standing within that range of 'just a little too close'. Despite the distance, Cadance smiled, "Of course? How can I help you?"

The mare tilted her head and took a step to the side. "In private?"

Cadance stepped to the side for two reasons, the first, there wasn't really 'privacy' in a place like this. A few steps to the side wouldn't cost her any distance aside from their voices being too far away to carry. Secondly, this mare didn't have any emotions, or rather, her emotions were hidden. That, combined with the pink on white led Cadance to tentatively raise a brow as they moved away from the crowd. "Celestia?"

A smile reached the mare's face. "Sunny Skies, as of right now."

Why are you faking your smile? Why are you hiding your emotions? Why are you in disguise?

Suspicion immediately fell into the forefront of Cadance's mind. It'd been the first time she'd seen Celestia in a few months... and she'd sent that letter fairly recently, so there was no doubt what this was about. Except that didn't explain the subterfuge.

"It's a very pretty disguise." Cadance said slowly.

Celestia turned sideways, "Cadance, please, we can talk for a moment before getting to business, can't we?"

"Can we?" Slipped out.

Oops.

Celestia frowned.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that." Cadance looked around to the crowd and noted that nopony was looking in.

Celestia's tone shifted. "I'm sorry for showing up in disguise and unannounced, but I didn't want to throw your fair into disarray, or upstage Luna."

Liar

Celestia's tone shifted again, deeper, "I needed to tell you about the... sovereignty plan you broached me with."

I didn't.

"I'm sure there are a few details you missed and-"

"I'm sorry Celestia, but there aren't. This is what we're doin-"

She interrupted, "You haven't announced it yet, which means there's still time to undo any damage that's been done."

"Damage?" Cadance asked incredulously, "What damage?"

Celestia shook her head, "Noble discourse, disarray of resources. Did you know how many import taxes apply to staple foods?"

Cadance narrowed her eyes and straightened her back, "Seven." It was a strange thing to say intensely, but it worked. Celestia blinked once and opened her mouth, Cadance interrupted again, "The nobles were at my back when I made this decision, and it's been made, I'm not going back on my word."

"Cadance, my dear niece, I really don't want to argue with you about this. I-"

"Then stop arguing."

Celestia's mouth sealed itself shut and her brow furrowed, "Where is this hostility coming from?"

Cadance took a deep breath, "The only reason you could not want sovereignty is if you... want to erase the Empire's culture. The nobles warned me about Crystalia becoming... just another principality of Equestria, is that what you want?"

Celestia slowly responded, "This is the wrong way to achieve that."

Liar.

"No it isn't."

"Cadance." She tried to admonish, "You're young, and-"

"This is what you trained me to do. Age has nothing to do with it."

"Again with the combativeness." She frowned again, except her face didn't make any sense. Cadance knew Celestia, she didn't lie like Silver, she just didn't. All of these faces and expressions. The way she twisted her voice like a screwdriver into Cadance's ears, she'd heard it all before. It was uncanny, it was wrong. Had she always been like this?

Why are you shielding your emotions?

Cadance shook her head, "This isn't your choice Celestia, and I've made up my mind. Please enjoy the festival."

Cadance turned to leave, but failed. Her front hoof was stuck to the ground by a pale yellow glow.

Celestia smiled at her.

Oh.

"Cadance." Celestia said slower, "You can't do this. Genuinely, you have no idea how far the waves will roil."

Cadance tore her hoof up from the glow with nothing but muscle, and nearly popped her shoulder. "Maybe not, but I-"

Celestia raised her nose, "No but's, Cadance. Please, I need you to trust me with this."

Cadance belted out, "Why should I trust you when you're lying to me. Right in front of my face."

Celestia's right ear flicked.

"I don't understand." Cadance tried, "What is going on with you? I didn't want to believe w-"

"What who was saying?" Celestia cut her off. "Who was telling you things about me that were hard to believe."

oh

"Nopony... There are... History books in the Crystal Archives."

Celestia's expression remained unchanged. "No there aren't. I removed them myself."

Oh.

Celestia was no longer playing games. A menace rose up from her stance that Cadance had only just now noticed. The menace of a thousand year old mare. "Do not give the announcement Cadance." She commanded.

Cadance asked simply, "Why?"

Celestia rolled her mouth around and turned away. "Be very careful of the path you're walking dear niece, and enjoy the festival." And then she was gone. Cadance blinked, and the disguised Celestia was just gone.

"Who was that?" Homeward asked, making Cadance jump. Her breath came in a short spurt as she tried to rationalize the sudden ominous end to the conversation with her fellow monarch. "Cadance?"

"Apologies, sorry, I got-" Cadance took a deeper breath, "I was lost in thought, where did your friends go?"

Homeward waved a hoof, "Oh, they've got a bunch of things to look at today."

Cadance nodded, "Would yo-"

"Of course!" Homeward jumped past her and moved into the tent, intent on showing Cadance all the bits and bobs. Cadance truly tried to listen, but her mind was still spinning around what she had just learned. So viscerally, at that. All those things Luna and Silver and Chrysalis had said about Celestia... they were more right than wrong, at least.

She just came out of nowhere and threatened me. Unless I...

Should Cadance be scared? What was she supposed to do about that? With a single conversation, an entirely new and foreign Quick Silver in the shape of Princess Celestia was occupying her thoughts.

Was it just talk? What if- oh my stars, what if she goes to war? Or fights me! I can't fight Celestia! What-

"Princess Cadance?"

Cadance blinked a few times, noting the looks she was getting before pulling up from her skills as a Princess for a swift recovery, "Oh goodness. I'm so sorry, I fell into my thoughts there for a moment, please continue."

Homeward tilted her head, "Are you sure? It's really all the things I've shown you already."

Point Flare had also joined in on the looks. Cadance still had to apologize to her a bit more profusely for...

Doing what Celestia just did to her...

Oh... yeah... I definitely need to apologize again.

"You look off."

"Dawn!" Homeward spun to meet the pony in question.

"Rays." Cadance said, also turning around, "It's good to see you. I was surprised when you weren't around."

Flare walked up to him with a big smirk and threw her hoof over his shoulder, "Dawn here's been riling up the crowd. Most of our hoof traffic is from ponies he sent up here."

"Yeah-"

You seem awfully comfortable under her hoof

"It's crazy early in the morning, so most of the ponies wandering around now are locals or are only trying to beat the hoof traffic for the 'festival'" he put in clearly audible quotes, "part of the festival."

"Clever." Marker said, having come up from the side.

"It was your idea, Marker." Symbol said from next to Cadance. Maker smirked and shrugged.

"Really though, I'm fine."

Homeward waved a hoof, "Really, Princess, are you sure we can't get you off your hooves for a moment?"

Kayfur called over, "They're all in cahoots to get you to take a break."

A series of hard looks passed from the group to Kayfur, who was seemingly basking in the angry glares for giving up the chicken.

Cadance smiled, "Okay. I'll go find my husband and rustle up some breakfast."

"You haven't eaten breakfast yet?" Point Flare asked incredulously.

"I-" Cadance stuttered, remembering Silver trying to bap her over the head for just that, "There's so much happening, it slipped my mind."

"Well go on then." Marker said.

"Sho." Symbol clarified.

Cadance spread her wings, "Okay okay, I'm going. There's plenty of fair food to enjoy." She turned to Homeward, "I'll check in with you later." Before taking flight and nosing her way up around the edge of the tent flap, out into the air. Generally, the fair was a 'no fly zone' so that equipment and fair staff could get pega-lifted and have an easy way around. Cadance technically counted as festival staff, so she was allowed.

Otherwise she would have walked.

No really.

Finding Shining Armor was never difficult, even in a crowd with so many flowing emotions, Cadance could pick out the beacon of love from the other side of the Empire. She set down next to him and Applejack. "Ah, Cadance perfect. I wanted to let you know a-"

"Hold that thought Applejack, I'm on a royal mission for breakfast."

Applejack smiled, "Well then, you came to the right place. Right down there's mah cart. You can talk to Applebloom but-"

Cadance used her magic to 'yoink' Shining, who looked confused for a moment before chuckling to himself. "Thanks!" She said to the parting Applejack, despite being obtusely rude, Cadance desperately needed to talk to Shining now that she had the split second to do so. "Shining?" She floated him into place next to her.

At her tone, his face morphed into 'serious' and he asked, "What else happened?"

Cadance opened her mouth, intending to start making noises until what she wanted to say ended up said, but stopped short. "Else?"

Shining pointed backwards, "Applejack was trying to tell you, remember those conponies from Ponyville?"

"They have a booth?" Cadance guessed

Shining nodded, "Applejack's keeping an eye on them." Shining switched expressions and tone, "What happened with you?"

"Celestia's here." Cadance answered, a little too forcefully. "In disguise, and she threatened me to basically shut down the festival."

Shining's eyebrows nearly popped off his head. Being in public though, that was all he could do.

"I don't know what to do."

Shining adopted the same deeply contemplative look that Cadance felt. They weren't walking towards food anymore, they were just... walking in a direction. After a few more waves and smiles to the crowd, Shining opened his mouth just in time for screaming to reach Cadance's ears. Cadance turned first with her wings spread, and spotted a swarm of changelings hovering over the crowd, back where they'd come from.

"Shit." Shining said, taking into a gallop. Cadance followed, and Shining stopped and sent her a look.

"I can-"

"No." He waved his hoof, "Spire, safety, now."

Shining didn't give her instructions, what just happened was because this was no longer Shining. This was her guard captain, and he told her to get to safety. Cadance lit her horn and teleported to the Heart. Immediately after, she was rammed by a charging bull, both of them going spinning onto the ground as the Heart came flying out of a bag, for everypony around to see.

Cadance was still trying to make sense of what was going on when the bull recovered, scooped up the Heart, and kept running. A menagerie of guards and a pair of Twilight's friends rushed past, and Cadance was still deciding what to do.

Focus!

She'd stay right there. They could handle it.

They could handle it.

She could already see the Thestral guard engaging with the cloud of changelings and winning. There was a rainbow streak against the sky an-

Oh, the Crystal Heart is missing.

Cadance rushed up into the Spire, she needed to reinforce the shield before it went out and covered the Empire in snow. The guards in the palace got quite the shock as Cadance blitzed past them all to the upper floors, shouting about an attack to those who were unsure about leaving their posts. The Spire itself could remain undefended. It was closed for the day anyway. A trail of gold a purple followed behind her as she flew, using her hooves to skip on sharp turns before throwing herself forwards again until she w-

Cadance took a long breath the moment she reached the balcony and spotted Quick Silver. She trotted out after recovering from the surprise, "I don't hav-"

"No you don't." She interrupted, waving her hoof forwards, "Shut up and do the thing."

Cadance did so. She lit her horn and recalled the adapted shield spell Shining had taught her. It was a lot like the point form projection, but required a second matrix for adaptive shield angling. Range was a big deal too, she fired a beam upwards, starting the spell as it wove itself down the side of the Crystal Heart's shield. There was resistance, some weight of spellform pressing back against her as the cascading failures of the magic she was reinforcing grappled against her will to find purchase.

Both held.

Cadance took a deep breath as she watched the storm of changelings engaged in combat with Twilight and her friends.

Hopefully it would be enough.