Back on Duty

by awf

Rating: mature
Tags: Profanity, Violence, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Human, Princess Luna, Drama, Original Character, Porn, Mystery, Sex
Length: 162326

The Canterlot Castle is thrown into turmouil as Celestia and Luna work to uncover a people trafficking ring operating in Equestria.

After the tumultuous events in 'Off Duty', Celestia is living happily in Canterlot, when a chance encounter on the road brings her face to face with a cancer taking root in her own country. How far does the criminals' influence reach? Who can be trusted during their investigation and who has been working for the bad guys all along?

Nothing and no one is safe while the ringleaders remain at large. Can Celestia and Luna uncover the full truth in time? How do you fight evil when you don't know who it even is?

This is a continuation of the story started in "Off Duty", but aside from borrowing from that universe's 'lore', I think it would also work as a standalone piece.

I left all the smut in this one, and some sections are pure, unabashed clop. I'll mark the sections in case anyone would prefer to skip, as it doesn't affect the story very much.

Published 2024-01-14 19:20:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-02-07 08:09:47 UTC

Chapter 2: Equestrian Flying

Flying in Equestria was a vastly different experience than on Earth. Instead of airliners, there was a pegasus-pulled coach. Instead of jet engines, there were just wings. Instead of airport security, there was gut-wrenching terror. By all rights these flying coaches should not move as fast as they did, so Greg suspected some kind of magic was also involved. Knowing that didn't help, nor did Celestia's presence. The man still sat rigidly, gripping the edge with a white-knuckled hand. The thing was just so open!

The Princess had assured him that the view was spectacular, but Greg took her word for it and kept his gaze firmly on the distant horizon. That way could just barely convince himself they were driving on the ground with really good suspension.

"Remind me a-again: we're not in a hurry, r-right?"

Celestia looked at his face and chuckled. "No, I do not think so. Why?"

"Why couldn't we have gone on the ground again?"

The mare gave this some thought. "We will go by the road on our way back, okay? I cannot have all your relaxation undone because of the flying."

"T-Thanks."

He reached out his free hand and Celestia slid her back under it so Greg would have something to hold on to.

"You know I would catch you if you fell, right?" she reminded him.

"Yes I know that," Greg replied in clipped tones, "but I don't think my gut does."

Again she had to chuckle. She twisted around to give Greg's cheek a good, warm lick, before leaning to the side to look at the ground below. "Won't be much longer, love."

"Good."

True to her word, the carriage started descending a mere fifteen minutes later, making Gregory's stomach lurch and his grip on the side tighten. He relaxed once the wheels actually touched the ground, but his face was still a little pale even when they rolled to a stop. Celestia knew enough to let him disembark at his own pace and she took the moment to go speak with the ponies up front.

"Thank you, Corporal. Excellent job as always," she told the leading pegasus.

He threw a textbook salute, staring straight forward but allowing a tiny upwards curve to his lips. "Thank you, ma'am!"

"I have arranged for you all to have lunch here before you head back. Please return to pick us up on Monday morning."

Again the corporal saluted smartly. "Yes, ma'am!" He didn't even have to give any orders, a look was enough for the other three stallions to shrug out of their harnesses and follow him inside the building.

Now that his heart was starting to slow down, Gregory could finally look at where Celestia had brought him. At first glance it seemed like a rustic farm building, but with far too many rooms. A sign proclaimed it to be the 'Hayloft'. The proprietor, a slightly round earth pony was standing by the entrance, apparently poised to jump as soon as Celestia so much as glanced his way. A proud little smile played across his muzzle, no doubt because of the royal visitor.

As he climbed off the chariot, Greg grabbed the suitcase of stuff he had packed. Celestia only needed a few essential toiletries and the rest of it was clothes for him. Despite Luna's joking suggestions, he was not about to 'go native' and eschew clothes.

"Come, let us go see our room!" the Princess suggested, shifting a little on her hooves in excitement.

Her enthusiasm was quite catching and Greg found himself curious to see what the place looked like from inside. He hefted the bag on his shoulder and followed Celestia through the front door, which the earth pony was holding open for them.

Chapter 3: Much Needed Release (NSFW)

The copper tub was a bit cramped, but Celestia still insisted Gregory join her. Whom else could she trust with such an important task as washing the Royal Mane? This was not her large, luxurious bath in the Canterlot Castle, but if she sat between Greg's legs and folded her wings really tightly, he could perform his magic on her neck and withers. The finger-magic, she liked to call it. Unfortunately the water only came up to her barrel, but she had made it extra hot so that was okay. She would soak later, once Gregory grew tired and climbed out.

"Mmmmph, yeah..." Celestia moaned in her soapy luxury, "right therrrr-" She fell silent when her tongue lolled out.

"What was that?"

Celestia clearly heard the grin in Greg's words. He liked to tease her inability to speak under the assault of his hands, but she didn't mind. She just ignored it.

"Lean back," the man commanded, and she obeyed without thinking. Greg's hand reached around her with the sponge and gently lathered some shampoo into her muzzle. She leaned heavily against his palm, so much that he had to bring his other arm around to support her head. "Hey, don't fall asleep on me!"

"'m not gonna..."

Soon - too soon! - he finished lathering up her face, expertly avoiding her eyes and nose and mouth, then he moved up to her ears. He liked doing that - touching her all over - and Celestia knew it. She could feel it, in every loving caress, in each embrace and nuzzle. She kept her eyes closed for what came next. She felt Greg move as he briefly dipped the sponge in the water and brought it back up. He pressed its wonderful warmth against her face and let the water trickle down and carry away the soap. The hot rivulets felt especially pleasant on the exposed part of her barrel.

He repeated the action a few more times, then she allowed Greg to turn her head a little and inspect his handiwork. His palm cupped her cheek and his fingers brushed her fur smooth.

"There, pretty as always," he murmured.

Celestia smiled, but didn't respond. Greg was already moving lower and the sponge, with its load of warm water, was pressed into her chest fluff next. She straightened up and leaned back to give the man easier access. The fact that she had to lean her head on his shoulder was purely incidental, of course. The lick she gave his ear made him titter for a moment.

Again he poured a fresh bit of shampoo, but this time he didn't need the sponge. Her fluff was thick enough to produce plenty of lather and it was the work of moments for Greg to spread it liberally around her withers and up her neck.

"You know," she said in a slow half-drawl, "a mare could get lazy this way. I might never wash myself again."

Greg didn't stop his massage as he answered: "You say that every time and my reply is always the same."

"Mm?"

"I'm fine with it."

"Oh, yes..."

Celestia gave a half nod as she remembered, but even that fled as Greg began washing off the lather.

"Wanna stand so I can properly soap you up?" he asked.

"Nuh."

Her weak refusal just made Greg chuckle some more and he simply slid his hands down. For a moment Celestia thought he would try to bodily lift her, but instead he ran his fingers in little circles through her fur under the water. Her hind hooves scurried for purchase in the smooth metal tub as Celestia tried to lift herself up to give him better access. With his help she succeeded in pushing herself upright and Greg switched his impromptu massage to her back and croup.

She felt it. Her back was pressed against Greg's belly, but there was... something in the way. something stiff and 'pokey'. Something which promised an entirely new class of delights she could indulge in very shortly. In a few moments she wouldn't be able to wait anymore and the delicious expectation was already making her breath quicken and her hooves tremble. No matter how many times she took Gregory, Celestia always wanted more. The thought made her twist her head around and give the man a short kiss.

"You are sweet for helping me out like this, Gregory."

She held his gaze long enough for the human to plant a return kiss on her nose. "My pleasure." His hand slid down from her mane and gently brushed across her wings. "We'll have to preen," he commented.

"In the morning."

The fingers continued their way down until Greg's palm cupped her cutie mark and squeezed. She gasped and jerked a little. Then she felt his manhood twitch against her.

It proved too much for her resolve.

Scrabbling for a grip on the tub's smooth edge, the mare lifted herself up and hissed: "Grab my tail..."

Greg knew what to do and quickly gathered up the silken strands to move them out of the way. She let his hand on her cutie mark guide her to the correct place and then she lowered herself.

"Ow, careful!"

Almost to the correct place, Celestia thought to herself with a frown of concentration.

"Here, let me..." Greg's hand slipped from her rump so he could aim himself.

This time she felt him prod at her entrance and sat down a little more carefully. He slid smoothly inside, making them both moan in rapturous pleasure. Celestia waited for a few moments, simply enjoying the sensation, until Greg twitched again inside her. She could feel the minute twinges and spasms. She tried to lift herself a little, but despite the water it wasn't easy. Her hind hooves slid, so she had to hold herself up entirely with her forelegs against the edge of the tub.

"Here, let me help," Greg said and put his hands around her waist. He easily lifted her before letting her slam back down.

It was a paradoxical situation. With her on top she should have been the one in control, but since she couldn't find any purchase on the slick bath tub it was Greg who moved and guided her.

"Don't stop, please," she begged.

"Not gonna," he breathed out through clenched teeth.

His fingers dug into her fur again as he lifted her up once more. The combination of his stiffness and the hot water was heavenly.

"Mmmmmyesssss!"

Celestia completely stopped trying to help in any way. Luckily Gregory didn't seem to mind. He increased his pace and water began to slosh over the edge, but neither of them cared. They were concentrating on each other. Celestia closed her eyes to savor the way her lover spread and filled her. Somehow he found all the right spots in her passage and the unusual position they were in pressed against them in delightful new waves.

She couldn't quite help herself. It was a habit she'd picked up during her time on Earth. The words emerged all by themselves: "Oh, fuck yes!"

Her lustful voice spurred Greg on. His grip on her sides grew tighter and he pulled her down harder, trying to push himself as deep as he could go.

It wouldn't take them very long. For the past several nights they had both been tired from their work lately so their nights had consisted of nothing more than pleasant cuddling. Both of them needed a release.

"Wait, stop... wait," Celestia managed.

Greg obligingly let her sit for a moment. He was panting, but Celestia couldn't tell whether it was from exertion or urgent need.

"I wanna turn around," she said.

He gave a soft, disappointed moan when she scrambled off him. More water splashed around and Celestia nearly slipped in the tub. Her wings shot out and flapped awkwardly to catch her balance, which sent a spray of water agains the walls, and Greg quickly put his hands on her barrel to steady her.

"Thanks."

It took some improvisation, but she managed to get her hind legs around Greg's waist. If anything, the position was even less comfortable than before, but this way she could put her forehooves on his shoulder and help hold herself up. She could also regain some control. More than that, she could kiss him during their lovemaking. Most importantly, she would see his face as they finished. If she could see him, she could time herself so they came together.

Again Greg guided his member to the right place and Celestia gratefully sank back down, welcoming his cock into her eager folds once more. Their joint moan was louder this time. She waited just long enough to brush Greg's lips with her own, then put her forelegs around his neck and started moving again. It was hard work, so she was glad that Greg was helping again with his hands on her flanks.

"Yes, just like that!"

In her enthusiasm she pressed her barrel against Greg's face and he used the opportunity to gently nip her skin.

"Aah!" she gasped and then couldn't quite suppress an excited whinny.

There was no helping it, she wanted more. She had to feel more of him, deeper inside her. Celestia increased her pace, starting to pant in earnest with heavy exertion. Her low grunts were matched by Greg's as she slammed herself down, again and again. A brief worry whether the tub would break, or overturn, flashed through her mind, but Celestia almost immediately forgot it in the glow of their union.

Greg moved his hands up around her barrel. The feeling of his fingers and nails digging into her flesh was maddening, just as his teeth had been. Celestia managed to pull herself away for a second to look at his face. He wasn't far off. The hot water and the long buildup as he had washed her had helped. In just a few moments he would explode inside of her. Already his eyes were hardly able to focus on hers, although Greg did manage a small smile.

Knowing how she was making him feel quickened Celestia's own release and she rushed headlong towards a much needed orgasm.

"Yeeeees!"

A few more thrusts and Greg tensed up. At first she feared he would be a few seconds too quick for her, but as she slammed down for the final time she felt him twitch and release, which pushed her over the edge. Somehow his seed was even hotter than the water. Feeling it hit there, deep inside, heightened her own pleasure. As her wings flapped uncontrollably, Celestia pressed her muzzle urgently against Greg's face. She shoved her tongue into his mouth as if trying to get all the juices out of the man from both ends. She shut her eyes and her wings jerked in uncontrollable little flaps as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her.

Gradually she became aware of his hands, now on her croup and with his fingers digging into the fur, holding her in place. She didn't know why, but knowing that Gregory was instinctively pressing her down so he could finish inside, seemed to prolong her own orgasm. It felt as if her own insides squeezed her lover, trying to milk him of his every drop.

She closed her eyes and let out her breath in a long, forlorn moan.

Greg pulled his face away and urgently gasped for breath, so instead of kissing him some more Celestia lay her muzzle on his neck and started licking his ear. Contact, that was important. She wanted to touch all of him at once.

They sat, interlocked, for a long while. The man was the first to stir. He gently lifted up her head from his shoulder and kissed her nose. "Love you."

"Mmmm."

"Let's finish washing up and get in bed."

She shook her head and interrupted: "Nnh-nh. F-Five minutes..."

Greg finished: "Then we can do it again."

Her ears perked up at that and her muzzle split into a grin, but she lay her head back on his shoulder. "I said five minutes. Relax."

It took a concentrated effort of will for Celestia to fold her trembling wings. It took even more willpower to lift herself off his still-hard member, but she was rewarded by sitting back down into the blissfully hot water. The level was markedly lower then what it had been, but it was still just as warm.

A thought occurred and the mare giggled in amusement. She said: "You never finished washing my mane."

Gregory also laughed, but then he splashed around for the sponge. "Forgiveness, your Majesty."

She closed her eyes and let him start rinsing her out.

Chapter 4: Scenery

Gregory woke up to the feeling of a raspy, equine tongue licking his chest. He was on his back and Celestia was sprawled across his legs, pinning him down. Her head had been lying on his belly and she had been snoring softly when he fell asleep. By the feel of his muscles, they had probably not moved even a little through the entire night. The fact that she was still in pretty much the same position proved it.

She must have heard the change in his breathing, because Celestia froze and glanced up just in time for their eyes to meet. She would have been hidden by the blanket, but her large horn kept it high enough for Greg to see her face. The mare flashed him a grin and he patted her muzzle with a sleepy hand.

"Morning..." he said and stretched as best he could without dislodging her.

"Morning," came the reply.

"The salt?"

"Mhm."

Gregory relaxed, letting his head fall back down to the pillow and gazing up at the ceiling. Memories of the crazy previous evening flashed through his mind and he smiled to himself. After a minute, Celestia went back to licking his chest in little arcs, alternating between different directions. It was pleasant and they were on holiday, which meant they could afford to stay in bed for a while longer. Most hotels on Earth only served breakfast until a certain hour, Gregory recalled. He didn't know if Equestrian ones did the same, but he was positive they would be open for Princess Celestia, no matter how late she decided to show up.

His hand sought out her head and his fingers wrapped automatically around her ear. As he began to scratch the mare sighed in pleasure.

"So, what's the plan for today? Later today, I mean. I kinda like this right now."

The tongue vanished from his skin while Celestia answered: "There is a lake near here, fed from a waterfall. It is not nearly as big as Neighara, but it also isn't as crowded."

"Sounds lovely."

Celestia continued from the memory of her previous visits. "It's about two hours' trot, maybe three with your slow, human legs."

"Hey! I only have two!"

She chuckled at her own good-natured jab. "I know, it is such a deficiency."

"Well, if I had four legs, I probably wouldn't have these fingers your seem to enjoy so much!"

To prove his point, Greg increased his grip on her ear, which made Celestia almost purr in delight. "Two is plenty," she hastily corrected. "We can go slowly and take in the scenery."

They both laughed at the back and forth and then Celestia laid her muzzle back down on Greg's chest. He lifted his head and adjusted the pillow so he could look at her. After a short silence he poked a finger at her nose. She automatically licked the spot.

"Any political stuff?"

The mare emphatically shook her head. "Absolutely not," she assured him. "This is a vacation, Gregory. If I learned anything from the whole 'Earth' debacle it is that I need to take some time off every once in a while."

"Don't forget fingers. You also learned you can't live without fingers."

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Yes. I like how fingers feel, but do not let it get to your head, Gregory. I can get other fingers than yours. More fingers can be arranged."

In lieu of a reply, the man brought his other hand to her head so he could massage both ears at once.

"Oooooh..."

He chuckled at the way her eyes slid closed and her tongue lolled out but didn't relent his pressure. After a few moments Celestia's hind leg began to twitch in rhythm with his scratching.

"Just like a big puppy," Greg commented.

All Celestia could do for a reply was poke her tongue out at him.

An unusual sound caught his attention and Greg stopped. "What was that? Are they having a festival or something out there?"

He got up on his elbows to try and see out the window, but Celestia pushed him back down with her muzzle. "Don't! Just... ignore it."

Curious now, Greg nudged her head out of the way and once again lifted himself. "If it's some kind of a holiday it might be fun," he pointed out.

"It is not."

"How can you know?"

Greg immediately realized how silly his question had been. With her lifespan and memory there was no doubt Celestia knew each and every custom her subjects might have developed. If she said there was no holiday here today, then there probably wasn't.

"Well, maybe it's a wedding or something."

With a long-suffering sigh the mare let him go. Greg was halfway to the window before he remembered that it was quite low for his height. He diverted and grabbed a pair of pants before he treated the ponies outside to a very unwelcome sight.

"Oh."

It was an impromptu celebration, but not an official one. Celestia was right. The ponies were gathered specifically around the inn, and especially for her visit. There was a number of signs bearing her cutie mark being held aloft, especially by younger ponies. There was also a large banner stretched above with the words 'Welcome, Princess Celestia!' It looked as if a few stands had already been set up, selling various foodstuffs. Most of the ponies gathered down below were farmers, by the look of it. Greg saw a number of stetson hats, a good many overalls and a lot of muzzles chewing on grass stalks.

Well, maybe not a lot of that last, but there were a few. Most of the revelers - that was really the best word for them - were talking excitedly among themselves and glancing every now and then expectantly up at the inn.

"I don't remember it being this bad the other times," Greg muttered.

True, the pair hadn't been able to get many vacations in the hectic months and years after Celestia's 'Earth adventure', but there had never been an impromptu festival in her honor before.

"These smaller places do not get to see me as often as they would like. I am sorry, but even when you live this long you cannot always make time for everypony," Celestia answered him. "Besides," she continued, "remember Las Pegasus last Autumn?"

Greg did and he understood what she meant. "You shouldn't have given in and started signing autographs. You knew they would just keep asking for advice and help and you'd end up working all the time."

The Princess sighed. "Do not remind me. Luckily you dragged me away after an hour. You see now why I simply had to go to Earth?"

"Yeah, I think I do."

At least when they had gone to bigger cities there had been organization. Wherever Celestia opted to stay made sure to organize crowd control to keep ponies in order. There were carriages when they needed to move about, so they have been able to keep at least a semblance of relaxation and privacy. Now, they were entirely on their own. Someone must have let slip that Celestia was staying here and they had all come to see their favorite Princess.

"Do not get me wrong, Gregory," Celestia continued, as if guessing his thoughts, "it is not a bad thing to be adored. You know how much I care for all of my little ponies."

"I know, but even so you deserve some time off every once in a while." Greg thought quickly. He examined the crowd once more, putting his face right up near the glass to get as wide a field of view as possible. Several ponies pointed up in surprise, but at least there didn't seem to be any fear. "It looks like they're mostly waiting in front. Tell you what, I'll go down to the kitchen, get them to pack us some food, and then we'll sneak out the back, okay?"

Celestia lifted her head, letting the blanket slip off. The mischievous sparkle was back in her eyes and she grinned in delight. "Sneak away from them?" she repeated.

"Yeah! I mean, they look like they're enjoying themselves. It's turning into a good little party. They probably don't need you to have a good time." Greg walked back to the bed and wrapped his arms around the mare's withers. "If they're still going by the time we're back, we can join them for dinner. It'll be just like a festival, right? I'll make sure you don't start answering questions or solving everyone's problems."

Her smile widened. "You can be the bad pony and I will still look like a good pony. I think I like this idea, Gregory."

Greg laughed at her interpretation. "Sure, let's do it that way. I don't mind being the bad guy if it gets you off the hook."

He got a kiss as a reward. "Thank you, Gregory. You are a good human."

Gregory hadn't been aware just how out of shape he had gotten until that day. He knew a hike would take some effort, but he had completely underestimated just how much teeth-clenching, sweat-dripping, stubborn-headed determination it would take to get to the top of the waterfall. Celestia was very careful not to make any jokes or observations on that point and she called for plenty of breaks, even if she did disguise them as 'looking at the scenery'.

"We should do this more often," the mare remarked at some point and Gregory nodded, sending more droplets of sweat flying from his face.

"Yeah..." was all he managed.

'Not athletic' was one thing, but this was ridiculous! Yes it wasn't an easy hike, especially when the original forest trails were made by four-footed ponies, but he shouldn't be this spent after a few hours! It was barely lunchtime! At least it was over. The way back was mostly downhill and their packs had gotten a lot lighter as the couple emptied their water bottles and ate their sandwiches.

His plan to sneak away had been a spectacular success and no one had noticed them going, except for the kitchen staff whom Gregory had sworn to secrecy beforehand. That meant they were completely alone out in the forest. As he caught his breath, Celestia set up the blanket for their picnic and started to spread out their remaining food. A few sandwiches with flowers, which Greg couldn't eat and some potato pie.

"I will take these," Celestia offered magnanimously and levitated the former up to her mouth.

"Thanks."

They sat side by side and looked over the lake. The noise of the waterfall was prominent, but they were above it so all they could see was faint mist spreading away from them from where it landed. Further out the water was still as a mirror, almost perfectly reflecting the blue sky. That reminded Greg and he pointed.

"Looks like Luna did a good job with the sun today."

Celestia nodded. "Yes. She really has come a long way. You know, I never could leave, even for an afternoon, before. There was always some kind of an emergency."

Greg just nodded in silence, mouth full of his pie. It wasn't the best he'd ever had - that honor went to Pinkie Pie - but at least this one wasn't over-sweet. His eyes roamed further, toward the city off in the distance. "That's Baltimare?" he asked.

"Mhm!" Celestia swallowed before adding: "These villages were here before Baltimare was a city. It used to be just a few huts for fisher-ponies."

"I rarely see ponies eat fish, though."

The Princess chuckled softly. "Those were different times. Food was somewhat scarcer. Besides, they traded most of it with the griffins across the bay to the East."

Greg stood up and walked right to the edge so he could widen his field of view. "So, they settled from behind us that way," he pointed, "and then they went further north? Um, what was it again..."

Celestia remained quiet for a few seconds to see if Gregory would remember his geography, but when the silence stretched she answered: "Fillydelphia."

"Yeah!"

She shook her head. "No, that actually became a city before Baltimare. More fields that way, so farming families pushed further, earlier. There was also some fear of the griffins and ponies didn't want to live this close to them."

"Oh. Okay." Greg gaze returned to place nearer to the lake and he pointed: "That's our inn?! Jeez, no wonder I nearly died! I had no idea how far we were going!"

Celestia laughed at his mock-anger, especially once she saw the proud glint in the man's eye. "Aw, poor two-legs can't walk this far. Want me to carry you?"

"Hey! Mind your manners!" Greg pointed out sternly, raising a finger.

The mare just showed him her tongue, but Greg tapped her nose in warning. She mock-snapped at him, grinning.

"Such a disobedient pony. I wonder why I didn't send you away the first week I had you!"

She put her head to one side and gave this some thought. "Perhaps it was because I am pretty?" Her eyelids fluttered to show off her big, magenta eyes.

Gregory exhaled and shook his head, but he was smiling. "Goof."

"Loon."

They both laughed and Greg sat back down, leaning against the pony. He picked up another piece of the pie and bit off a chunk. Celestia went back to her sandwich, but didn't yet put it in her mouth. Instead she pointed a wing and spoke: "How about this: we will rest here for an hour or so and then we will keep going - slowly - that way." Her primary feather was extended in the opposite direction they had come from. "We might as well finish the circuit around the lake and the land goes downhill either way. We can take it slow and return to the inn right around sunset."

"That sounds good."

"Although, if you wouldn't mind delaying dinner a bit longer, I know of a few... ahem, 'secluded' spots along that route. Nopony would find us..." Her wing wrapped around Greg's shoulders and her feathers brushed across his belly.

"Yeah, m-maybe," he replied, blushing a bit.

"Oh, we should refill a few bottles from the stream. I do not recommend drinking the water from the lake."

Greg had to focus a little to hear the burbling of the nearby brook. Of course, something had to be feeding the waterfall.

"Good idea."

Chapter 5: Festival

Getting back to the inn meant more hard work. Gregory was ready to simply collapse into a bed and not rise until the next morning, but there was a complication. The impromptu gathering to welcome Princess Celestia to their quaint village was still in full swing. It seemed those ponies really didn't have any important jobs to do, or something.

"We really should go, at least for a short while," Celestia said. "Besides, they made a cake."

Despite exhaustion, despite every single muscle aching, Greg couldn't keep from chuckling. "Oh, alright. I did promise I'd chaperone you, right?"

The Princess nodded happily. "Yes. Yes you did."

It was too late in any case. The ponies had spotted them and were already gathered up to greet them. Greg looked at the sea of smiling faces. Was it just him, or had the crowd gotten even bigger? Once they were near enough, a cheer went up, accompanied by hooves stomping on the ground - the Equestrian version of applause. At least, he noted, they kept a respectful distance despite their enthusiastic smiles. Celestia hesitated for just a moment, then walked up on the inn's porch, which was a bit higher than the ground around it. Added to an alicorn's natural size that made sure everyone was able to see her.

"Fillies and gentlecolts..."

Gregory mostly tuned out during Celestia's little improvised speech, dreaming about another hot bath and a soft bed. He kept standing, because he was worried if he sat down he wouldn't be able to get up again. A grumble in his stomach reminded him, however, that they'd only had a couple of sandwiches and some pie each the entire day.

Perhaps the bath and the bed could wait for a few minutes to make time for some dinner. There were a few hastily constructed wooden benches and some ponies were eating. Hopefully it wasn't all hay and flowers.

"There," Celestia said, suddenly beside him again. "Let us enjoy a bit of cake and then retire to our room."

"This isn't going to be here the whole weekend, is it?" Greg asked, looking at the gathered ponies.

"No, I do not think so. Things should be back to normal, tomorrow."

Now that she'd given her speech her subjects were no longer staring exclusively at the Princess. Well, some still were, especially the younger ponies, but the others just looked determined to enjoy a day out. Perhaps they had all wanted a festival anyway and Celestia's arrival was just a happy coincidence, or an excuse. It was quite impressive how quickly they had put it all together.

Greg followed her to a place which had apparently been cleared especially for them. Despite his earlier misgivings about his muscles, he sat on a pillow somepony had been nice enough to provide, and groaned in delight. Not standing up was bliss. Someone offered him a bowl and Greg turned around to look at the innkeeper. He had to think for a moment to recall the name, then he had to keep his face impassive. It was an amusing one.

"Thanks, Mr. Cookie."

"Much obliged."

To his relief they hadn't crammed the stew full of grass, or flowers, or hay. It looked like mixed vegetables and some mushrooms. It smelled delicious and Greg was shoveling it into his mouth a few seconds later. Next to him the Princess paused with a fork levitated right by her muzzle. It looked like some kind of chocolate cake, so Greg knew having to wait must be agony for the mare.

He caught the tail end of her reply to a pale, lime-colored mare. "... is not something a Princess would normally do, but perhaps-"

"Perhaps you can come to Canterlot to petition the Princess when she is taking audience, right?" he quickly interjected.

The way Celestia's ears lowered slightly told Greg he had just saved her from promising to do something 'ruler-y'. She nodded and gratefully continued: "Exactly. Like Gregory says, all ponies are very welcome to bring any matter at all before Luna and me."

The mare seemed a bit disappointed, so Greg gave her a polite smile and beckoned her over behind Celestia's back. As soon as she was out of her sight, the Princess put the piece of cake in her mouth and was lost to the world for a minute or two.

"Hey, sorry I have to be a hard ass, but the Princess has been working really hard lately and- well," he said, inventing rapidly. He gave the mare a conspiratorial wink and she began to smile uncertainly. "Took me ages to convice her to put it all away for a day or two and I'd be very grateful if you didn't give her an excuse to jump straight back into work, okay? Don't tell her, it'll just be our little secret!"

His would-be co-conspirator nodded happily and answered in a whisper, presumably so Celestia wouldn't catch on: "Oh! I had no idea! Yeah, of course. Not a word, promise!"

Greg put his arm around her withers to 'take her into his confidence'. "You know, you look like a responsible young mare. I wonder if you could spread the word - discreetly - that the Princess shouldn't be bothered, yes? Oh, by the way, what's your name?"

"R-Rose Berry..."

"Pretty name."

Now she was blushing. Even after all this time it was still a bit tricky to estimate how old a pony was, but if Greg was forced to guess, he'd say in her early twenties.

"So, you think you can help me out? I'd be much obliged."

Rose Berry nodded, confidence returning and chest swelling with pride. "Don't worry, I got this!" she assured the man and slipped away. Gregory looked after her and soon saw her whispering with a few others and pointing at Celestia. With luck, word would spread and the ponies' innate niceness would keep them from constantly pestering Celestia with their problems. The Sisters held court for a reason, after all.

The little crisis averted, Greg went back to his stew, which was perhaps a tad too salty but nonetheless delicious, when he noticed Celestia faintly smiling.

When she caught his look she leaned closer and murmured without moving her lips: "Nicely done. Sneaky, but good."

"You're welcome. Enjoy your cake. Oh, and you might need to carry me up to the room. Dunno if my legs still work."

She chuckled and after a moment he joined her.

Chapter 6: Encounter on the Road

Greg and Celestia opted to do nothing quite as strenuous on Sunday morning, the mare kindly letting her human rest after his exhausting hike. Despite her misgivings, she had accepted the townsponies invitation to visit their town proper and enjoyed a pleasant tour. Of course there were those ponies who couldn't resist an opportunity to ask for the Princess' favor, but Gregory was able to gently deflect their requests. They had a slow, late lunch at a place called 'The Watering Trough' and by the time they returned to their inn, the royal coach was already waiting for them.

Greg was slightly taken aback. "I thought- what happened to the flying carriage?"

Celestia bumped the man carefully with a flank. "You said you did not wish to fly on the way back, did you not?"

"Well, yeah, but-"

"I asked Corporal Silverwing to bring the stage coach instead of the flying carriage. It will be much more comfortable on the road."

All of that was true and Greg just shrugged to himself. "Sure. I mean, thank you."

"I will fetch the bag. I know your legs still hurt from yesterday."

"So kind."

Greg inspected the inside while he waited. It was quite familiar, except that the seats were somewhat lower and wider than human coaches would have had. The cushions looked like they were crimson velvet and there were thick, purple curtains on the windows, currently pulled back to let the light in. The carriage was finely crafted from some heavy, dark wood - mahogany, if Greg had to guess - and the edges were gilded with gold. There was even a small chandelier hanging from the roof, although there didn't seem to be a place for a candle. He'd seen those before, mostly used in the fancier parts of the Canterlot Castle, in the rooms which were usually given to visiting nobles. Magical lighting. Of course, a fire would be a tad dangerous in a moving wooden box.

His inspection of the inside finished, Greg walked around to the front. Perhaps it looked like a horse harness, but he couldn't tell. He'd never seen horse-drawn coaches on Earth close up. Four earth ponies, strapped in with leather belts and with thick, wooden collars around their necks were sitting and talking among themselves. Their corporal, a pegasus, leaning against the front wheel and staring forlornly at the sky. He also had the wooden thing, but it wasn't attached.

Greg's eyes strayed to the harness and he saw the chains lying on the ground. "Um, what's that called?" he ventured, pointing.

Corporal Silverwing looked down around his neck, then shrugged. "Hames," he replied.

The item looked a lot sturdier than the one they used for the air carriage, undoubtedly because the coach was a lot heavier. It was his fault that they had to travel on the ground and Greg suddenly felt a tiny bit bad.

"Um, sorry about that. The coach, I mean," he offered.

The guard looked at the man and shrugged. "It's alright. It is good to run every once in a while, if only to keep your legs in shape."

"Amen to that." The stallion gave him a blank stare and Greg felt he needed to explain a bit more: "Um, the Princess and I had a hike yesterday. Walking all day..." He patted his leg and winced. "Not in as good a shape as I used to be, so now everything hurts."

Perhaps there was a twitch of a smile on the corporal's muzzle, but the stallion hid it very well. "It gets easier with practice, Mr. Gregory."

"Greg, please."

Silverwing inclined his head. "Greg, then. Did uh- did the Princess have a relaxing time then?" His eyes didn't quite meet Greg's gaze and he couldn't hide a slight blush against his gray coat. Of course all the guards knew about Gregory, even if they absolutely never brought it up. While there was still some resentment among a few of the Canterlot Castle ponies, especially the nobility, most of the guards and the working staff were happy for their Princess, especially when they heard her singing some mornings.

"Yep. I kept the townsponies from pestering her as much as I could," Greg answered a different question to change the topic.

"Oh. Good. Thanks."

The four earth ponies were staring with some curiosity at their exchange, but at that moment Celestia returned, the bag in her magical grip. They all jumped to their hooves and stood at attention. Even the corporal hurriedly got up.

"I will take care of that, Princess!" Silverwing offered, walking right under the suitcase. Celestia lowered it to his back and the guard took it around the back of the coach.

Celestia smiled and murmured her gratitude to the stallion, before glancing over at Greg. "Ready to go?"

Before climbing into the carriage, the man took a last look around. There were a few townsponies gathered in front of the inn, but there was almost no sign of the festival now. All in all, it had been a very relaxing weekend, even though it had been quite strenuous physically. Greg smiled faintly, then lifted himself up into the coach and gratefully sank into the cushions. Even that slight step up had his muscles complaining.

He'd have to find a way to get back into shape. This was embarrassing!

The vehicle rocked as Celestia stepped on. It obviously had excellent suspension, so it probably wouldn't be too uncomfortable even if the roads weren't the greatest between Dodge City and Canterlot.

"Corporal Silverwing tells me the journey will take about three hours," Celestia informed Greg.

"Okay."

He patted the seat beside him and the mare took her place, leaning against his side and laying her head on his shoulder.

"That gives us some time to... relax a bit more." She was grinning and there was that mischievous sparkle in her eye again. She was planning something!

Greg's heart sped up a little. Whatever it was, it would probably be fun. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

The mare winked at him and said: "Later!" She looked out the window as the coach began to move at the corporal's sharp command. Gradually the inn slid out of view.

There wasn't a whole lot to do, so Gregory looked out at the landscape, where fields were soon replaced with forest. His hand sought out a few strands of Celestia's ethereal mane. It was the strangest sensation and he'd never quite gotten used to it. It was like holding a slightly more solid mist, except that it wasn't cold. If he weren't looking, he'd swear there was nothing in his hand at all, but with visual confirmation he could feel the slightest pressure.

"Back on Earth your hair was just normal. Why does it do this here?"

Celestia looked down at the bit of her mane twirled around Greg's fingers. "There is a lot more magic in the air in Equestria. It happens with age and there are some theories, but nothing that has been confirmed. Perhaps, in time, Twilight and Cadence will have similar manes."

"So it wasn't always like this?"

The Princess shook her head. "When we were young, Luna and I had quite normal manes. Mine was mostly pink with light blue streaks. They later changed into the turquoise, cobalt and cerulean I have now."

"And Luna?"

Celestia smiled at some pleasant memory. "Hers was actually more blue, but it seems to have darkened with age."

"Hmm. Interesting."

She gave him a nuzzle and they both stared out the window. "I feel as if I hadn't asked in a while: how is your work? You know you may change if you no longer like it, right?"

"No, it's good. It's a bit humbling to be writing your first ever cross-dimensional foreign policy, but I kinda like it."

"Any problems?"

Gregory almost opened his mouth to tell her about the rude mare, but thought better of it. There were only a few hours of their short vacation left, business could work until the next day. "Tomorrow. Let's enjoy the rest of today, right?"

Of course Celestia picked up on the fact that there was something to tell, but she just smiled and placed a hoof on Greg's leg. "Smart human." The pressure of her hoof increased as the mare leaned over to the opposite window and put her face right next to the glass. "I think we're away from civilization now. There's at least an hour until we reach the next town."

"Hmm? Why?"

She looked at him with a small, secretive smile. Her horn lit up and the curtains on both windows slid closed.

"Celestia?"

The coach was darker, but enough light seeped in for Greg to see her face. Her smile broadened. "You fell asleep too early last night. We have unfinished business..."

"What are you- oh..."

NSFW SECTION STARTS -

She slid smoothly from the seat and knelt awkwardly on the floor. Luckily it was carpeted, so Celestia wouldn't rub her knees raw. Her horn kept glowing but its focus shifted to Greg's pants.

"Relax. I will do all the work, Gregory."

Before he could really object, even if he wanted to, Greg's pants were unbuckled and pulled down to his ankles. His exposed... 'self' immediately started to harden. Her breath on his thigh felt hot and the tongue she laid very gently on his skin was like fire. Not unpleasant, though, it just made Greg suck in a breath in surprise.

It didn't take him long to rise fully, not with Celestia's white muzzle brushing almost accidentally against his lengthening member. Her tongue moved sideways, trailing a hot line of saliva all the way to his tip.

"Ooooh..."

The mare smiled at his reaction, then opened her muzzle and took him in. It was incredibly hot and Greg tensed up. His hands sought out her head and he stroked her cheek with a thumb. Her eyes never left his as she began swirling him around with her tongue.

"F-F-Fuck!"

Celestia smiled around her mouthful at the result, then pushed in. Her lips met his groin and he was completely enveloped. His hold on her head tightened involuntarily and his legs gripped the edge of the seat. The muscles hurt a little, but Greg ignored them. A trickle of hot saliva ran down his balls, which only added to the intensity of the pleasure. As she pulled away, Celestia deftly kept his manhood from ever brushing her teeth. Her tongue played with the tip for a second, then she pushed back down, faster this time.

"Mmmph!" Greg moaned through lips tightly pressed together.

Again she smiled, proud of what she was doing to him. She bobbed up and back down, slowly a few more times to get a good feel for his length. Then she increased her pace. He was never going to last. The combination of saliva, heat and her teasing tongue would quickly prove too much. Within a minute Greg was desperately thrusting with his hips, enough so that Celestia had difficulties with the rhythm. She grunted and placed her hooves on his legs, effectively pinning him down.

"Stay still," she ordered, letting him out for just long enough to say that.

He twitched and his member smacked her on the nose, which just made the mare giggle a little.

"P-Please!" he begged, too far gone to stop now.

She let his hand guide her muzzle back and accepted him into the silken softness of her mouth once more. The heat returned and it was almost enough to make him come. Now that Greg was immobilized, Celestia could go faster. For a while the only sounds in the coach were the quiet slurping, the wet slapping of her muzzle against Greg's groin and his faint grunts and moans as he surrendered to the Princess.

She knew him well. A moment before he finished, Celestia pushed further down, accepting his entire length. Greg tried to bat her head away, to warn her of what was coming, but the mare persisted.

"No, w-wait. I'm- I'm gonna..."

Her mouth opened for an instant, but only to let her tongue out, where it cradled his balls. The unexpected warmth was too much. He grunted and jerked despite her weight holding him down. His seed splashed into her mouth. His hands held her muzzle down without conscious thought on Greg's part. Wave after wave of his orgasm rolled through his body and all his muscles locked in place as he throbbed inside Celestia's silken embrace.

He was nearly done when she loudly swallowed and made him spurt a few more times.

When it was over, they both lay there, breathing heavily. She kept him in her mouth until she was sure nothing more was coming, then gradually withdrew, licking him clean in the process. When she came back into Greg's field of vision Celestia was smiling. "See? Wasn't that easy?" she teased.

"I tried to-" he shook his head. "I said I was gonna- tried to warn you."

She shut him up with a kiss. "Hush. I wanted to taste it."

Again Greg shook his head. "Doesn't taste... good," he observed.

There had been just a trace left on her tongue.

"It does to me. I like it salty, remember?"

He was about to argue some more, but she placed a hoof on his chest. "Oh, just shut up! You are a true gentlecolt for thinking of me, but if I found, mmm, your seed in any way distasteful, I would have withdrawn in time, trust me."

There was no arguing that tone and Greg finally smiled. "You're amazing, anyone ever tell you that?"

"Yes," the mare replied with a slightly cocky smile. "All the time, in fact."

"Well, you are."

She climbed back on the seat, lay across Greg's lap to keep his legs warm, and nuzzled his chest. "Rest for a minute and then it is my turn, yes?"

The thought of returning her favor made Greg smile and caused his member to twitch again against her fur. He'd want more after tasting her, he already knew that, and she probably wouldn't be satiated just from his tongue. The hours of their travel would just fly past.

"Absolutely! You're delicious, too, you know?"

Celestia giggled at that and poked his chest with her muzzle. "You are a charmer, Gregory."

"Come on, let me up. I want a taste, now!"

She was all too happy to shuffle off Greg's legs. The seat was barely wide enough for her to lie on her side, but that was enough. He knelt down on the floor and kissed her flank.

"Ready?"

She nodded. "Go slow, my love," she asked despite the fact that she was already glistening with juices.

"Anything for you-"

NSFW SECTION ENDS -

They froze as the coach slowed to a halt. "Oh, what now?!" Celestia asked, slight annoyance in her voice at being denied her pleasure.

Greg quickly stood and pulled his pants back on, while the mare slid from the bench.

There was a tentative knock at the coach door and Celestia twitched the curtains aside. "What is it, corporal?"

The guard's voice was a bit muffled: "Um, there's a problem, Your Highness. I think you should come out."

Celestia gave Gregory an apologetic glance. "I will sort this out and then we will continue, okay? Do not lose the mood!"

"I promise!"

The Princess opened the door and stepped outside. "Show me, corporal," she commanded.

Silverwing glanced around her at Greg, but quickly returned his gaze to the Princess. "Of course. This way, ma'am."

Despite Celestia's command, Greg couldn't just sit inside and wait. His curiosity got the better of him within five seconds and he poked his head out of the coach. Who knew, perhaps they would need some help. Granted, his muscles weren't up to much, but that wouldn't stop him from trying. The sight that met his eyes was quite unusual. A light pink pony with a blonde mane was lying in the middle of the road. An earth mare, young by the sight of her. His heart went up into his throat. Was she dead?! Had they hit her?

"Oh, no..."

"Explain," Celestia said, walking quickly over to examine the unfortunate pony with the corporal right at her side.

"She ran out of the woods over there," Silverwing said, pointing with a hoof. "She seemed scared out of her wits, she didn't even see us until it was too late. She collided with private Longstride."

One of the guards waved, blushing. "Sorry ma'am. I didn't see her until it was too late..."

Greg stepped out of the coach and hurried after Celestia. The Princess knelt down next to the prone pony and brought her head to the pink mare's chest. She listened for a while, then sighed in relief. "She lives. Hopefully she was not hurt. Corporal, please move her into the coach."

"Are you sure, ma'am?" the guardspony asked. "She is rather filthy..."

Even Greg winced at those words.

"Corporal!" Celestia said sternly. "We do not turn from helping ponies because they are dirty!"

The corporal bowed nearly to the ground. "I'm sorry, Your Highness! You're right, Your Highness!"

There was a squeak from the pink mare and she lifted her head, groggily. "Huh? Wha' hit me?" she asked.

"You are alright," the Princess observed with noticeable relief in her voice. "Can you stand?"

The mare looked up and caught sight of the smiling Celestia. The change was dramatic and unexpected. She yelped and jumped up to her hooves. She would have ran for it, but her leg gave way and the young mare nearly fell on her muzzle. With escape out of the question, she whirled around and flattened her ears as she backed away. Her eyes darted between the astonished guardponies and Celestia.

"S-Stay away f-f-from m-me!" she yelled, voice steeped in pure, cold terror.

Celestia took a step closer and the mare jumped further back, hissing and baring her teeth.

"Nopony will harm you, I promise you that. What is your name?"

The mare, whoever she was, wasn't listening. She kept glancing around, both searching for a way to escape and worried that others might catch her off guard. Her eyes landed on Greg, who had stopped in his tracks when she yelled. Their eyes met and he saw just how terrified the pony was. Something seemed to break in her and she bolted, grunting in pain as she put weight on her injured leg. She ran straight for the man. At first Greg thought she was attacking him and he crouched to jump out of the way, but then he saw she wasn't looking. She was running as if her life depended on it, giving Celestia a wide berth. Her eyes were closed and tears were streaming down her muzzle.

It was strange how she was able to navigate even without sight.

Greg took a chance. He fell to his knees and opened his arms. The mare hit him smack in the chest and wrapped her legs around his midriff. She pressed her face against his shirt, whimpering. "Please, I'm sorry, please, don't let the horns get me, please!"

Confused, but suddenly extremely protective of this panicked creature, Greg put his arms around her, mindless of the filth the corporal had mentioned and not caring about her smell. She stank of sweat and grime and worse things.

More importantly, she was shivering- no, trembling. "Please, m-mercy..." she begged in a quiet voice.

Greg looked up at Celestia, who was staring with incredulity. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it.

"What do I do?" Greg asked.

"Perhaps she hit her head, ma'am," the corporal suggested. "Or perhaps she is insane. Where did she come from, though? And why is she this dirty?"

Celestia watched the shivering mare clasping Gregory as if for dear life, then her expression softened. "Take her inside, Gregory. She seems to be afraid of me. Bundle her up and hold on to her, I will enter when you are ready. If her parents are around, we will find them. I will send word to all the nearby towns." Looking at her guards in the carriage's harness, Celestia added: "We will take her to Canterlot where a doctor can examine her. I will find out who she is and what has happened to her, this I promise."

"Of course, ma'am," the corporal agreed.

"Here, let's get you someplace safe and warm, okay?" The mare didn't react, but her grip around Greg's chest tightened when he spoke, and then some more as stood up. She was little more than skin and bones, so lifting her up was distressingly easy. Greg couldn't help feeling sad over her state. "What happened to you?"

Still no answer, but the mare allowed him to carry her inside. He placed her on the bench at the far side and looked around for some blankets. There were a couple stashed under the opposing seat, but he couldn't reach them.

"Sweetie, you have to let me go for just a second so I can grab a blanket."

The mare didn't seem to hear. When he tried to pry one of her legs off she squealed and held on even more tightly.

"Okay, then..." Greg said, more to himself than her.

He stood up, then knelt awkwardly on the floor. That brought the blankets within reach of his hand. He grabbed two and stood up again. Even this exertion was enough to have him breathing heavily. He still felt the aftereffects of his hike the previous day, but he ignored the dull fire in his muscles. Again he sat at the far wall. Luckily the mare wasn't pinning his arms, so he could spread out both blankets and wrap them around the pony. After a moment's thought, he pulled the fabric over her head.

"Okay, I think we're ready!"

The coach rocked a little as Celestia entered. She observed the bundle in Greg's arms with slight frown. "Did she say anything?"

The man mutely shook his head.

"I wonder why she reacted like this."

"She said 'don't let the horns get me'. Was she talking about unicorns, or alicorns?"

Celestia shook her head. "It could not have been alicorns. There are only five in Equestria and I know for a fact none of them would do this to her."

"Unicorns, then?"

The Princess looked troubled. "If so, then we might have a very... dark problem on our hooves. I can't imagine any pony doing something like this to another."

Greg tried to come up with another theory. "Well, maybe she got lost, or her family was... killed by something in the forest. Maybe it was a creature with horns? Maybe not killed, but they just got separated?" Greg swallowed as his imagination attempted to run away with him. "A couple of days in the forest, alone, would explain it.

Celestia almost looked relieved. "Maybe. Yes. I will try not to fret until we know the truth."

The mare in his arms shifted a little and Greg pulled the blanket away from her muzzle. Her eyes, large, amber and luminous, focused on Celestia. The pony gave a tiny whimper and tried to hide under the cover again.

"Shhh, shh. It's okay. She is a friend. That's Princess Celestia. Don't you know the alicorn Princesses?"

The result was less than encouraging. The mare buried her muzzle in Greg's shirt again, doing her bast to wriggle under the blanket. At least she wasn't panicking anymore, which Greg took as a sign of progress.

"This is concerning," Celestia pointed out.

"Yeah. Who hasn't heard of you?!"

"She seems comfortable with you. I know it is much to ask, Gregory, but-"

"I'll do it," he replied even before Celestia made her request. "I'll stay with her until she calms down."

The Princess smiled at him, her ears splaying out a little. "You really are a good human, Gregory."

They fell silent when they heard a soft keening noise. Greg looked down at the mare, who was trembling and sobbing into his shirt.

He briefly worried something was wrong, but then he understood. "I think this is good. She feels safe enough to cry. It's good."

Celestia gave him a single nod. She thought of something and her horn lit up. "Hold on..."

A bottle of water rose from under one of the seats and Celestia offered it to him. "See if she will drink," she suggested.

"Good idea," Greg said and quickly uncorked it. He peeled the blanket away just a bit so he could bring the neck of the bottle near the mare's muzzle. "Here, sweetheart. It's just water."

The pony in his arms sniffed at the bottle then tried to lick it.

"Here, hold on..." he tilted it carefully, letting a slow dribble of liquid splash against her tongue. She lapped it up eagerly, as if she was dying of thirst.

Well, she might be, Greg thought. Seeing the shape she was in, anything was possible. The strange thing was that she didn't try to grip the bottle or put her lips around it. She just licked up whatever stray liquid Greg poured out. He didn't complain, but the process did take a while and ended up with a few spills as the coach rocked on the road. Neither he nor the mare in his lap minded, though.

"Well, it's going to be an interesting evening, I can tell you that."

Celestia was obviously thinking about something. "We will see if she is still afraid of me when we reach Canterlot. If so, perhaps it is better you take her into one of the guest rooms and stay with her there. I do not wish to distress her unduly."

"Yeah, good plan. Hopefully it's just temporary and she snaps out of it."

"I'm sure the doctors in Canterlot will be able to help. Perhaps it is a malady of the mind, or perhaps it is just shock." Celestia let out a chuckle. "In the end, it might even really be a concussion, as Silverwing suggests. She did run full gallop into private Longstride."

"Lucky he wasn't wearing armor..."

They both laughed softly, but then Greg glanced down worriedly. It seemed the strange mare wasn't disturbed by his talking. She was settling down to sleep, if anything. Her muzzle was pressed into the crook of his arm and her breathing was no longer as rapid. Her ears were laid down and she had loosened her death grip around Greg's chest. Greg brushed away a bit of filthy mane and saw that her eyes were closed.

"I think she's falling asleep. Poor thing must have been exhausted. I wonder how long she's been running before she found us?"

"I also, Gregory. I also wonder."

It felt like a thousand years ago, but Greg remembered what they were doing just before their unscheduled stop. "Sorry about- well- us. I'll make it up to you."

"Not your fault, Gregory. It is quite alright..." the Princess said, with only a slight note of sadness in her voice. She brightened up and flashed the human a smile. "I will hold you to your word, however. You will make it up to me." Her eyes fell on the pink pony. "Once this one is safe. Of course my ponies come first."

"Of course."

The mare he was holding grumbled something he didn't quite catch and shifted a little, seeking a more comfortable position. Greg watched her intently, slowly stroking her back with his fingers.

"I think she's asleep," he murmured as quietly as he could.

Celestia leaned closer to see, bringing her muzzle right to the pony's head. "So peaceful," she murmured quietly and gave the poor mare a quick nuzzle.

An ear flicked in annoyance, but she didn't wake up.

It made both of them smile.

Chapter 7: Ablutions

The pink mare in Greg's arms was completely out by the time they reached Canterlot, which only served to prove just how exhausted she had been. Her grip around his midriff had slipped so he was forced to hold her in place. Celestia kept looking over to check on the pair and she always smiled when she saw just how carefully Gregory was minding his sleeping charge.

"If I had known how good you are at this, Gregory," the Princess said, "I would have appointed you a position in my school for gifted unicorns. The first years."

"Oh? Why that?"

Celestia had to giggle before she answered: "The colts and fillies are often frightened and homesick. I'm sure that hug would have helped a lot."

Greg chuckled as well. "Well, if you think it'll help," he offered.

Now the Princess looked thoughtful. "I will actually consider that."

The coach rolled to a stop and corporal Silverwing came around to open the door. He looked at the bundle in Greg's arms, then transferred his gaze to Celestia.

"What should we do about her, ma'am?" he asked. "If you would like, I will call somepony to-"

The Princess interrupted him: "No need, corporal. Gregory will oversee her recovery personally and so shall I." She looked over to the man and asked him: "Should I call for a physician?"

Gregory inspected the sleeping mare's face, then shook his head. "Actually, I think she's mostly fine. I don't wanna risk upsetting her again. Can you just send some food up to one of the guest rooms. I'll try and get her to eat and wash, then I'll put her to bed. We can take her to a doctor in the morning, on a full stomach."

"Good point. Thank you, Gregory. She was afraid of me, so I think I will retire to our chambers. I will come see you in the morning." She was about to leave before risking that the mare would wake up and panic once more, but Celestia paused in thought. "Oh, let me give you this before I go." Sitting back down, Celestia leaned over to plant a very warm kiss on Greg's cheek. "Thank you for doing this. You are a good human, Gregory."

He patted her muzzle and gave her a little wave. "Sleep well."

As Celestia stepped out of the coach, she gave her orders to the guard: "Corporal, please have the kitchens send up a meal to, mmm, let's see. I think Cadence's old room is still made for her - you can take that one for now, Gregory."

"Will do!"

Back to the guardpony, Celestia went on: "After you have done that, go to the Canterlot Medical and ask for Doctor Wellhoof to come to the Castle first thing tomorrow morning." She paused for a second, then added: "Unless he has critical patients, of course."

The guardpony saluted. "Yes, ma'am!" He looked a bit relieved to be given firm orders, but he still glanced in at Gregory and his bundled-up mare a little uneasily. He didn't say it out loud, but Gregory guessed that there would be a few extra guards outside of the room. He didn't really mind. Nothing wrong with taking precautions, after all.

With the Princess gone, Greg slid to the edge of the seat and carefully stepped out, mindful not to bump his head on the door frame.

The mare in his arms stirred and opened bleary eyes. "W- Where-" she started to ask, then yawned. It was adorable and Greg didn't find it difficult to smile.

"Hey, sleepy head."

The mare looked around in amazement and Greg remembered that they were just outside the Canterlot Castle, beautiful and richly adorned. Even Canterlot ponies sometimes felt awed when they saw it from up close.

"Don't worry, you're safe now. Wanna tell me your name?"

Blinking a few times, the mare looked back to him as if she wasn't fully sure why he was holding her. She wasn't gripping him, so Greg had to support her entire weight. She wasn't all that heavy, but he still couldn't keep it up for very long, so he began walking to the doorway.

The two guards posted there looked at one another, then one of them nodded and fell in step behind the human.

"Sweetie?" Greg prompted.

"Um... B-Blossom..." the mare murmured, lowering her ears.

That was good progress and Greg smiled. "That's a lovely name! Are you hungry, Blossom?"

The pony stiffened in his arms and her eyes narrowed, as if she was expecting a trick. She watched his face for a short while, then gave a single, tiny nod.

"Okay, let's get something nice and warm in you, okay?"

"N-No ho-horns?"

That seemed to be her word for unicorns, Greg assumed. He glanced back at the guard who was following them, but fortunately it was a pegasus.

"Um-" Greg began.

"Glory Tail," the guard supplied helpfully.

"Yes, sorry. Glory Tail, could you run ahead and make sure there's no unicorns? I'm afraid Blossom is afraid of them."

The guardpony raised his eyebrow in surprise, but didn't comment. He passed Greg and the mare and sped up, galloping ahead. It also occurred to Greg that Doctor Wellhoof was a unicorn, which might be problematic. He decided he'd send Celestia a message via one of the guards to ask for a different doctor. Hopefully whatever was freaking Blossom out was temporary.

"Did unicorns- horns, did they hurt you?"

Blossom flattened her ears and her eyes immediately filled with tears. She nodded and then buried her muzzle in Greg's damp, dirty shirt. He didn't mind and patted the mare gently on the head. "It's okay, we'll find whoever hurt you and put them in jail, okay? You don't have to be afraid of unicorns around here, understand?"

It wasn't getting through to her. Blossom just wrapped her hooves around Greg more tightly again and was holding onto him for dear life as sobs racked her body. Sensitive topic, Greg thought to himself. He'd have to approach it carefully, or at least mention it to whatever psychiatrist Celestia chose for Blossom. He really wanted to ask her what had happened, but something told him it would be a bad idea. Celestia had been right - get the mare clean, fed and into bed. Hopefully she would feel better in the morning and would be able to provide more answers. One thing did occur to him, however. Whatever it was that had happened to Blossom wasn't a matter of a few days. That kind of fear would only have developed over time. It was still unbelievable that she didn't recognize the Princess, though. Maybe he could get away with just one question. As soon as he got her down, of course. His arms were getting tired and he hurried his step.

It wasn't too much further until the winding corridors finally led him to the room. He hadn't encountered any unicorns, which was probably Glory Tail's doing. Speaking of the guard, he was waiting by the door with another earth pony Gregory didn't recognize. When they saw him approach, the guards opened the doors for him, since his hands were full.

"Thanks. Oh, by the way, can you send a message to Princess Celestia and tell her that she shouldn't send a unicorn doctor in the morning? Thanks."

Greg didn't look back as the earth pony guard closed the door behind him, but he heard the telltale whoosh of wings as Glory Tail flew to deliver his message.

"Here we are, sweetie. You'll be staying here for a while, okay?"

The mare was still weeping silently and didn't pay him any attention. Unsure of what to do next, Greg took her to the couch in the outer, drawing room. He sat down and tried to shift the mare out of his lap.

"Nnnngh!" she wailed and clung to him more tightly. Greg cupped her muzzle with a hand and gently drew it away from himself. His thumb brushed her cheek and Blossom licked his palm.

"Hey, don't worry, I'm not going anywhere, okay? Just let go, there's a good girl."

It took a bit more coaxing, but eventually he freed himself and Blossom was bundled up in the two blankets on the couch. Greg sat beside her, idly stroking her mane.

"This is the Canterlot Castle, ever heard of it?"

The mare just blinked, as if she didn't understand the question.

"It's where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna live. Do you know them?"

Again nothing but a vacant expression. Greg sighed and gave it one last try. "Princess Celestia is an alicorn. She-"

"Wa-Watches over... um.. all h-her ponies, and... and..." Blossom said in a hoarse voice, closing her eyes as if trying to remember. "-and k-keeps them s-safe."

"That's right! You can trust the Princesses, you know that, right?"

Blossom didn't answer for a while. Eventually she muttered: "No h-horns..."

It was going to be somewhat of a journey, it looked like, but Greg felt like this was a good start. Hopefully an emphatic, trained psychiatrist would be able to get to the bottom of Blossom's fear and find out her story. It was probably going to be awful and Greg's mind buzzed with uncomfortable questions. Had she been kidnapped? Who had done this to her and how long have they kept her? Or maybe she'd been lost in the woods and had to fend for herself - although that didn't explain her fear of unicorns. Was it even fear of unicorns? Maybe she was just scared of horns, which would make sense if nasty wild creatures chased her around for a few years. Anyone in that position would develop an instinctual fear of anything horned.

Greg tried to keep from grimacing when he thought of the next question. Had she been abused? By unicorns? He didn't say any of it, of course, and his hand never left her mane. Screw psychiatrists, the human thought, I'm looking after her personally! Political documents could wait. This was more important.

He became aware of her smell. It fit the theory that she'd been lost in the woods, at least for the last couple of days.

"Blossom, sweetie?" he asked quietly.

The young mare looked up at him from whatever internal world she had been lost in.

"Would you like to take a bath? I'm sure it'll be nice to get clean, and then we'll get a delicious dinner for you, okay?"

She blinked at him in confusion. "B-Bath?" she asked. It sounded as if she didn't know what that was.

"Oh yeah, baths are great! Want me to show you?"

Blossom didn't answer, which Greg decided was a 'yes'. He put his arms on the couch to push himself up, but Blossom squeaked in alarm and lunged forward to wrap her hooves around his leg.

"Hey, hey, I'm not going anywhere, I promise. I'll stand up and then we'll go to the bathroom together, okay?"

Hopefully once he showed her the tub and the water she would remember, or at least figure out what it was for. Even more fervently Greg hoped she wouldn't mind him leaving the room while she washed herself. Not much chance of that, though, at least going by her recent behaviour.

Luckily Celestia's antics all that time back in his house had prepared him for this, at least slightly. Ponies rarely wore clothes. Being in the bath and washing wasn't a big deal.

Blossom gradually relaxed her death grip on his leg and he was able to stand up. "Come, let's go together," he urged.

The mare allowed him to pull the blanket off and slid from the couch. Her tail was hitched up between her legs and her head was held low as she glanced nervously around. He also couldn't help noticing how she was trembling. Greg made a slow step in the right direction and Blossom followed, her muzzle pressed tightly against his leg.

Just why had she sought protection from him specifically? Most ponies were somewhat uneasy around him when they first saw a human. They were reminded of minotaurs, who had a reputation for aggression and violence. If anything, Greg would have expected the mare to bolt straight for Celestia when she saw her. The Princess - all Princesses - invariably evoked feelings of trust and safety in their subjects. That probably came from thousands of years of being able to depend on their alicorns, Greg thought.

He led the shivering mare to the bathroom, where she looked around in confusion and wonder. It was Cadence's guest suite, so everything was lushly decorated and adorned with gold and gemstones. The bath tub was finest porcelain, built into the far corner and that was where he led Blossom.

"This is a bath, remember?"

Blossom looked at the object, then up at Greg, slightly confused.

"You get in and then warm water comes out of there and you wash yourself. You know how to wash yourself, right?"

Maybe she was embarrassed, or perhaps she truly didn't know what that meant, because Blossom just lowered her gaze to the floor and hunched down.

With a mental sigh, Greg resigned himself to a very much hands-on bath. "I'll help, don't worry. Here, stand up and I'll help you get in."

Blossom didn't move, but he couldn't keep coaxing her forever. After a moment Greg just reached his hands under the mare's belly and picked her up. She didn't resist and just hung limp from his grip. He brought her over the edge and carefully lowered her into the tub. Already she was panting and as her hooves touched the floor there was no strength in her legs. He laid her down as comfortably as he could manage. Then, keeping a hand on her cheek, Greg kicked off his shoes and climbed in with her.

The clothes would be ruined, probably, but that didn't matter a whole lot. He was not going to get naked with a strange mare in a bathtub.

"See? Nothing to it."

Greg sat down in the thankfully spacious tub and Blossom gratefully put her head in his lap. She tried to curl up against him, but she couldn't find enough purchase on the smooth porcelain. Luckily she calmed down once Greg's hand was in her mane once again.

"Good, good. Baths are nice, don't worry. It feels really nice, trust me!"

He tried to sound as cheerful as he could to hopefully reduce her anxiety about the whole situation.

"Now we get a bit of warm water going. Don't be scared."

After a moment's thought, Greg grabbed the shower head and twisted the knob to redirect the water. He pointed it away from them and opened the tap. It took a bit of trial and error before he had it warm but not too hot. Blossom watched it closely, with the air of someone expecting something dreadful to happen. Greg felt how tense she was, but he just moved slowly and confidently. He put his hand in the stream of water, then held out his wet fingers to the mare.

"See? It's just hot water. It's nice."

She leaned closer to sniff it, then licked his fingers.

"See?"

It didn't seem as if Blossom was about to bolt, so Greg brought the shower head and its jet closer to her muzzle. Of course she shrank back, so he just held it there, not touching her but within her reach. He put his free hand in the water again.

"Look, try it. You'll like it, I promise."

In his years in Equestria Greg had yet to find a pony who didn't enjoy a hot bath, or at least a shower.

Blossom looked closely at his face, maybe fearful of a trick, but then she extended a trembling hoof and stuck it gingerly in the water. Her eyes widened and she withdrew after a second.

"Oh, sorry! Is it too hot? I can make it cooler-"

He lowered the temperature a tad, then stuck his hand in there again. He nodded to the mare with a smile and she got the message and extended a hoof again.

This time she didn't pull away, but she lowered her ears and looked up at him pleadingly. "I l-liked it bet-better before..." she murmured almost too quietly to hear.

Stifling a chuckle, Greg couldn't help grinning to himself as he adjusted the temperature again. "Okay? I'll get all of you nice and wet, and then we'll get you clean. Sound okay?"

Having felt the water, some of the fear seemed to have been taken away from the whole ordeal. Blossom nodded slightly.

"Tell me if it's too hot or if you want it hotter, Blossom."

She didn't reply, so Greg carefully shifted the water jet to her back. The mare gasped a little and her grip around his leg tightened for a few moments, but then she gradually relaxed. He made sure to move the shower head slowly. After a few moments he put his hand on her coat and began gently rubbing some of the dirt out. It was pretty well ground in, as if the poor thing had been covered in fine dust or some kind of a powder for years. Maybe she wasn't even that shade of pink and it was just an effect of whatever this was. Greg had only seen something like that when they were building his house and there was this light, fine powder coating everything. Her fur didn't look as filthy from a distance, but that was because the dust was so fine and so thoroughly worked in that it looked like her skin was almost pure white. Three, maybe four lathers and rinses, Greg decided. Luckily Cadence had left some of her personal scented shampoo on the edge of the bath tub the last time she visited. Hopefully she wouldn't mind if they used it up. He'd offer to pay for it when he saw the Princess of Love next time.

Pushing those thoughts out, Greg concentrated on his work. Pretty soon his pants were soaked and his shirt was decidedly damp, but Blossom was nice and wet. Greg rinsed her whole body one more time, following with his hand, then shut the water off.

If anything, Blossom looked disappointed. It was an encouraging sign.

"Now we rub in some shampoo and then we'll do the water again, right? Don't worry, you'll like this too. It smells nice." He was saying 'don't worry' and 'trust me' a whole lot, Greg realized. Hopefully some of it was sticking, at least.

The bottles weren't labeled, so Greg picked a nice, pink one, similar to Blossom's coat, and opened it. He held it near her nose.

"See? Smell this. It's nice," he offered.

It was rose-scented and very mild, although Celestia assured her that pony noses were a lot more sensitive and Cadence's shampoo was one of the more potent ones. Blossom brightened up and tried to lick the bottle, but Greg got it away just in time.

"No, this isn't for eating! Don't try to lick this, okay? I'll get you some food when we're done."

He waited until the mare nodded, ears splayed in dismay. He gave her head a gentle pat.

"I'm not mad, Blossom, sweetie. Just don't eat the shampoo."

That little problem averted, he squirted a bit of the goop in his hand and then spread it across her back. She tensed up under his touch, but then gradually relaxed. It was slow going as Greg didn't want to startle the skittish, bewildered mare. He lathered as much as he could reach. She was lying on her belly, but that could wait until she was a bit more comfortable. There was also the... 'tail area', which Greg was dreading.

He spotted a sponge in a little wire basket on the near wall and took it out. "Good, now we'll rinse with the hot water again. Don't be scared," he reassured her.

This time Blossom didn't react to him opening the tap and she leaned into the jet of water, eager for the warmth. Greg watched the stream flowing into the drain with dismay. It was white and gritty, almost like a very diluted plaster powder.

"What in the hell have they been doing to you?" he muttered.

Blossom lowered her muzzle and sniffed.

"Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up."

This time the rinse was quicker because Blossom's coat was already wet and she knew what to expect, so Greg didn't have to be as careful. Soon he turned the water off and picked up the sponge. He didn't explain what he was doing and he was glad to see that Blossom didn't try licking the shampoo again. Lathering was easier with the sponge, mainly because Greg didn't feel like he was touching the mare quite as inappropriately. Except there was still a big problem ahead of him. A big 'behind' problem. Greg nearly groaned at the bad pun, even if he had thought of it himself.

"Blossom?" he quavered.

She lifted her head to look at him, ears perking up a little. Greg held the sponge in front of her face.

"I need you to take this and- um- wipe yourself really well... back there."

She blinked, looking at him blankly.

"You know- under your tail. That whole area? It's not okay for me to touch there, so you'll have to do it yourself. Take the sponge, it's not difficult."

This meant she had to stand up, but by now Blossom seemed to trust him enough to take his word. She stood awkwardly on three legs and Greg placed the sponge in her waiting hoof. She looked straight ahead, concentrating, as she reached down with it. Somehow, it was a relief. Greg didn't think she'd be this nonchalant about it all if she had been abused. He relaxed a little and took the opportunity to run his soapy fingers through the fur on her face.

"Don't lick, remember?" he reminded her.

It took Blossom a minute or so and she nearly fell over a few times until Greg supported her barrel with a hand. Then she brought the sponge back out and offered it. He accepted it gingerly, noting with concern just how much grime was on it.

"Good girl. You can sit and we'll rinse again, okay? And then we'll do the whole thing a couple more times, until you're nice and clean and pretty, understand?"

For a moment her eyes sparkled in joy at being called pretty, but then Blossom lowered her muzzle and nodded. She wasn't very talkative, but that could come later.

There was a knock on the door, of course at exactly the wrong time. Blossom gasped and gripped Greg around his waist, and he put a comforting hand on her head in response.

"Don't worry, it's just the food," he told her. "Come in!" he said louder.

The door opened and a maid peeked in. "S-Sir? I was told to bring dinner here."

"Yes, thank you! Could you just leave it on the table? Thanks!"

The mare came inside, a tray floating in the air behind her. At the last possible second Greg grabbed Blossom's muzzle and kept her from looking around.

"It's fine," he whispered to her. "It's just the food. Let's finish our bath, okay?"

She didn't struggle against his grip, except to give a slight nod. Greg mentally cursed himself. He forgot to tell Glory Tail to make sure the kitchen sent a non-unicorn. It had never been an issue before and luckily Blossom didn't see. Even better, the maid was new and apparently a little nervous about seeing humans, so that she didn't linger around and left as soon as the food was down. Greg allowed himself to relax a bit and he released Blossom's muzzle.

"Very good. Now where were we?"

She was thoroughly soaped up and starting to shiver from the chill. Greg nudged the tap to make the water a tiny bit hotter, then turned it on again. This time Blossom brought her head under the jet as soon as it was near enough and she even let out a relieved sigh as the heat returned. Next rinse he would focus on her mane, Greg decided, and he'd give her the sponge for her... rear again. The fact that the water had less of that powder in it seemed to bode well. A couple more times and they'd be done.

Of course that would raise another problem - that of his wet clothes. Greg closed his eyes in exasperation. He would probably have to strip down to his shorts, at least, and then just wrap a towel around himself for basic decency. Princess Cadence probably didn't have any human clothes in her suite, either. If she did, then hers and Shining Armor's marriage was very likely in trouble.

Fetching some clothes for him would be another task for Glory Tail, or whichever guard was stationed outside. For the moment, however, Gregory focused on rinsing out this strange enigma of a mare.

Putting Blossom in bed proved to be an entirely new challenge. By this point Gregory was exhausted, both physically and mentally. All he wanted to do was get it over with and go to sleep. Unfortunately it didn't seem as if he would be allowed his own bed. Getting Blossom to sit on the covers, still wrapped up in Cadence's soft, pink towel was one thing. Getting the mare to ungrasp him was quite another. Gregory seriously believed he would break Blossom's legs before getting free. Still, that wasn't the worst of it. No, the worst bit was when she looked up at him with those eyes, brimming with tears, and her ears lowered, like a sad, sad puppy.

Then she whispered: "Please don't leave me."

Gregory had zero chance of saying no to that. He put his hand on her head and gave one of her ears a gentle scratch. "Okay, okay. I'll just go and tell the guardponies and then I'll be right back, okay?"

Blossom looked just as scared as before, but she squeezed her eyes tightly shut, swallowed, and gave a slight nod. Her hooves around Greg's waist relaxed and fell away. Greg took the opportunity and walked out of the bedroom, through the drawing room and to the door outside. He could hear Blossom's breathing quickening as she was left alone. He would have to make it quick, so Greg opened the door and poked his head out, keeping the rest of him modestly hidden behind the frame. Yes he had a towel wrapped around his waist, and the ponies normally went around without any clothes at all, but Greg still had his sensibilities.

Two guards glanced at him, not even slightly surprised. They had probably heard him walking, even barefoot, Greg guessed.

"Oh, Bright," he recognized one of them, "could you go and let Princess Celestia know I'll sleep in here tonight? She'll understand. Oh, and can you ask someone to bring me a set of clothes from the laundry tomorrow morning?"

The pegasus saluted smartly with a wing. "Sure thing, Greg!" he agreed and trotted smartly away. The other pony, whom Greg didn't recognize right away, just returned his gaze to the far wall, determined to stand at the door all night.

Greg shrugged a little to himself. Some of these ponies took their duties a little too seriously in his opinion. He ducked into the room and closed the door. On his way back he looked longingly at the couch. His first idea had been that he'd sleep there, letting Blossom have the bedroom, but he could already hear her hyperventilating. A few more minutes would take her to total panic.

How had she even survived out there on her own at all?!

"Blossom, sweetie?"

The mare's eyes never left him as he returned to the bed and now she tensed up. Maybe it was a mistake to poke into that right now, but Greg was curious and too tired to think straight.

"Why me? Why didn't you ask the Princess for help. Why were you afraid of her?"

Her eyes closed and her breathing got even quicker. Silently cursing himself, Greg hurried to the bed and sat next to Blossom. Almost immediately she fell on him and hid her muzzle against his bare chest. The weirdest thing in Greg's mind was how warm her tears were. He had expected her face to feel damp and cool, like wet cloth.

No answer, at least not yet. Greg heaved a sigh and patted the poor thing a few times. "Nevermind, it's okay."

Whatever story she would eventually tell would be both intensely interesting and incredibly horrifying, of that Greg had no doubt. He looked around the room for another, easier topic, and his eyes landed on the nearly empty food tray. It was amazing how much Blossom had eaten, especially after he had repeatedly assured her that the food was for her, and that it was okay.

"Would you like some more water before we go to sleep?" Greg asked.

Blososm shook her head.

Greg glanced around again. "Want me to leave the light on?"

This time her head-shaking was more emphatic. "Mmmuh," she whimpered.

"Really?! You'd rather be in the dark?"

He distinctly felt her urgent nodding. Well, that was a bit unusual, but he wasn't about to argue. It'd be a lot easier to sleep without the light. Luckily, the switch was on the wall just above the bed. All it took was a slight shuffle and the room was plunged into darkness. Blossom quickly relaxed.

Greg sighed again and finally gave in. He sought out the edge of the cover with his hand and pulled it open. "Come on, let's get this over with, then."

It took some shuffling, but Blossom quickly understood what Greg was trying to do and climbed under the blanket. She immediately curled up into a ball, after making sure that her back was pressed into Greg's warm belly. In the silence he could hear her breathing gradually slow down. When he put his hand on her side, the mare stiffened, but only for a moment. His other hand sought out her muzzle for a brief pat and he got a friendly lick in return.

"Good night, Blossom."

There was no reply and Greg fell asleep while waiting for it.

Chapter 8: Misunderstandings in the Morning

Gregory woke up halfway when Blossom came back into bed. He shuffled aside to make room, gave the mare a sleepy pat and tried his best to catch a few extra minutes of sleep. She stretched out on top of the covers, but her fur was still quite warm, even though the fabric. Greg put a hand across her barrel and twirled his fingers into her fluff.

Sadly, it was not to be. Now that he had started to think, sleep drained away and Greg opened his eyes. The room was quite bright already and no doubt Celestia would be coming to check in on them soon. With hope, she had found a good, emphatic pony doctor, who would take the strange little mare off his hands for at least a few hours. Greg wanted to shower, eat, and catch up with the Princess without constantly looking after Blossom.

That reminded him - was Blossom feeling any better? Could she answer any more questions?

Greg turned to his back and stretched out his arms above his head. That caused him to yawn, which just helped him clear his lungs and get the blood flowing a bit faster.

"Morning."

Blossom turned to her belly and laid her muzzle on his arm. His forearm became Blossom's pillow and his fingers just reached one of her ears. Using his free hand to adjust his own pillow, Greg just watched Blossom for a while. She looked back at him, unblinking, unmoving, but also silent. After about a minute of this, she closed her eyes and yawned hugely. Her tongue stretched out and when she closed her mouth it was left outside.

Greg couldn't help chuckling a little while Blossom blinked in confusion.

"Nothing," he commented.

He felt a lot better, the dull ache in his muscles almost completely gone. Despite that, Greg uncharacteristically decided to stay in bed a few more minutes.

"Wanna come under here, where it's warm?" he offered.

Blossom narrowed her eyes for a few seconds, as if searching for a trick in that statement, but then she nodded. Greg held the blanket up and the mare shuffled gratefully under the cover. She pressed herself right against the human, who had lost his towel sometime in the night. The situation would have been extremely inappropriate, but luckily he still had his boxers. This way it was just mostly inappropriate. He carefully shielded the mare from his morning wood, which would have made things completely wrong on top of majorly embarrassing. Hopefully, Greg silently prayed, she hadn't felt it while they were sleeping.

After a bit of trial and error, the mare found a comfortable position with her head on Greg's chest and her hooves wrapped around his belly. Greg lowered the blanket to free her muzzle, so she could breathe. She drew in a very deep breath and then blew it out through her nose.

"So, feeling any better from yesterday? Are you still scared of alicorns?"

When he started talking Blossom's ears perked up, but when he finished they splayed once again. "N-No..." she murmured, not looking at the human.

"You know the Princesses are only out to help ponies, right?"

"Yes," she answered in a tiny voice.

"Most unicorns are actually kind of nice. Don't let some of the nobles fool you, they can be jerks, but most ponies are okay."

This made Blossom shuffle a little uncomfortably, but after a while she managed a minuscule nod.

"Don't worry, we'll take it one step at a time. I'll help."

There was no answer and Greg hadn't expected any. He put his fingers over her muzzle and played a little with the soft fur there. The physical contact seemed to be helping.

"So, do you think you could be a brave girl and let a nice pony doctor take a look at you?"

She gave it a bit of thought, then shrugged.

"I'll have to go take a shower-"

Her grip around his midriff tightened, but Greg decided to be firm.

"No, none of that, Blossom. You're a big pony. I promise nothing bad is going to happen, okay? You can't keep sleeping in bed with me..."

Tears were already gathering in her eyes, but then Blossom squeezed them shut and completely flattened her ears. She shifted herself so she was lying completely on the human and brought her muzzle right up to his face. For a moment Greg thought she would try kissing him, which was confusing as all hell, but she just laid her head down on his shoulder.

Greg was puzzling out why the mare would do something like that, but then one of her hind hooves snagged his boxers and pulled them down. He opened his mouth to apologize, but in that moment Blossom licked his neck and ground her belly down.

It was sheer luck he didn't... The mere thought was horrifying.

"What the?!"

Greg pushed Blossom away and almost jumped out of the bed, hurriedly pulling his boxers back and snagging a discarded towel from the floor for good measure.

"What the fuck was that?!"

Blossom had curled up into as small a ball as she could manage and put her head under a foreleg, as if to protect herself from a beating. Panting, Greg forcibly calmed down and sat on the edge of the bed. He put a hand on her back, which made the mare squeak and tense up.

"Hey, sorry, I didn't mean to yell. Don't be scared." There was no reply, so he scratched her fur a little and tried again. "Blossom, please just look at me."

It took a while, but the mare unwrapped enough so that her eyes peered out at him from under her forelegs.

"I'm not gonna be mad, I promise, just answer: did you just try to... well. Did you just try to have s-sex with me?!"

A nod.

"Why?!"

"P-Please don't s-send me away," the mare whimpered. She uncurled further and reached for him with her hooves. "Please, I'll be- I'll be good! I c-can be good! I k-know h-how!"

He was forced to revise his theory of Blossom not being abused and it nearly turned his stomach. She looked on the verge of complete breakdown, though, so Greg somehow managed to put on a brave face.

"I won't send you away, I promise. The Princess and I meant it when we said we'll help you."

Maybe she believed him, or maybe it was just his soothing voice, but Blossom relaxed and her breathing calmed down a tad.

"Blossom, did they make you- do those things? Wherever you were? Did they force you to... you know?"

She thought about this for a few moments, then shook her head.

"Then why did you just try to... do that? With me?"

"M-M-Men li-like it," she stuttered. "T-They gave me foo-food if I l-let them..." She sighed and tried again, keeping her gaze on the mattress between her hooves. "T-They some- sometimes covered for my- my shift..."

"Men?! What men? Wait, your shift? What shift?"

"In- in the mine..."

Greg put his face in his hands. A picture was starting to form in his mind, but he didn't like it at all. He remembered the fine dust from the shower and nearly groaned. It would take the poor thing a long while and a lot of effort to explain it, so he decided to just make an educated guess and have her confirm or deny it.

"Let me see if I get this straight," he began. "You were working in a mine against your will, and you traded sexual favors with some humans in there so they'd give you food and do some of your work?"

Blossom thought this through, then nodded.

"It wasn't voluntary, right? You didn't work there because you wanted to?"

This time she shook her head.

"Were you paid?"

She shrugged, which Greg took to mean 'no'.

"How long were you kept there? Where was it? Who did this?!" Greg realized he was starting to get agitated and took another deep breath to calm down. "Sorry. Blossom, this is very serious, do you understand? Whoever did this to you will go to prison for the rest of their lives, you have my word on it!"

Blossom didn't look as if she completely understood what Greg was saying, but she recognized his tone and smiled back.

"T-Thanks," she said. "U-Um, w-wanna... want me to l-lick you off? I sometimes l-"

"No!"

Her face fell at this rejection, so Greg quickly put his hand in her mane. "Look, Blossom, I know you had to do some awful things to get by, but that's over, understand? You won't have to do any of that anymore, the Princess will see to that."

Her ears drooped and Blossom sighed. "But s-sometimes I liked d-doing it..."

It was not the time to explain it all to the tortured little mare. There was one more thing Greg wanted to know, before he went and talked this over with Celestia.

"How long were you kept in that mine?"

Blossom gave this a lot of thought, but then shrugged. "E-Ever sin-since I was small?" she offered.

"Yeah, I was afraid of that. Well, don't go offering people- or ponies sex, okay? None of that. I'll-" Greg paused, suppressing a shudder. "-someone will explain it all to you."

At that moment there was a knock at the door and Blossom whimpered as she threw her legs around Greg again.

"Come in!"

The door opened and Princess Celestia stepped in. Greg could see her through the drawing room and gave her a little dispirited wave. The alicorn took one look at his face and her ears fell. She was about to walk over, but froze and sniffed the air. Greg cringed inwardly. Hopefully she wasn't smelling Blossom's arousal, because it would raise a lot of uncomfortable questions.

To his surprise, Celestia made her way to the bathroom and looked in, then backed out. "Just a moment," she told Greg and went back to the outside door. "Send for cleaning staff as soon as we leave this room," she ordered.

"Cleaning staff?"

Celestia came into the bedroom, casting her gaze over the trembling Blossom, who was pressing her muzzle into Greg's side.

Before the Princess could speak, Greg held up a hand and put his other palm on the frightened mare.

"This is the Princess, remember? She's here to help. You can trust her."

At first there was no effect, but Celestia waited patiently while Greg coaxed Blossom some more, until she was finally able to look at the alicorn. Her eyes were still little pinpricks of fear, but at least she didn't look like she was about to bolt.

"Princess Celestia, let me introduce Blossom."

The Princess smiled beatifically and knelt down by the bed to make herself a little smaller. "My, that's such a lovely name!" she trilled with a big smile.

Greg had been watching closely and thought he saw Blossom's lips quirk up a tiny bit, before her fear got the better of her again and she pressed her muzzle back against his bare belly.

"I think Blossom has been lost for quite a while, Gregory," Celestia said.

"Well, you're right, although not exactly 'lost'. How do you know?"

Celestia looked back at the drawing room. "She doesn't remember how to use a toilet. Can you not smell it?"

"Oh. Well, that's another thing we'll have to teach her, but it's not important right now."

"You found out more about her?"

"Yeah. I wish I didn't, but here it is. I don't think you're going to like it, though."

The Princess pressed her lips together and her gaze hardened as she steeled herself for bad news. "Tell me."

It took a lot of assurances that she would be okay, but Gregory managed to convince Blossom to leave the room with Celestia and him. Perhaps it helped when the Princess showed off her wings, making it clear she wasn't just a unicorn. Hopefully either Celestia or whatever doctor was waiting for them would get more answers out of the poor mare. She was doing a lot better, though, especially compared to the previous day's near constant panic.

Greg had been right, to an extent. A hearty meal, a bath, and a good night's sleep had made quite a difference. The pancakes, however, proved to be the most interesting of the lot. Blossom's expression as she tried to surreptitiously stuff her muzzle without drawing attention to herself had been priceless. Especially the way she licked around her plate, smearing jam all over her muzzle and hooves, pausing only occasionally to glance nervously around. So delighted was she at the sweet taste that she hardly minded when Gregory proclaimed he'd have to leave for a while.

One of the Castle staff had brought him fresh clothes while he was telling Celestia about Blossom's story, but Greg still wanted a shower. Even more importantly, he wanted Blossom to get used to other ponies, otherwise she might become too attached and dependent on him.

Despite that worry, he laid a hand on Blossom's head for a quick pat. "You'll be okay with the Princess, won't you Blossom?"

She looked up from her food for a moment to give Gregory an uncertain nod. She didn't say anything because her cheeks were bulging.

"I'll come back and find you as soon as I can."

Another nod.

"Don't be afraid of unicorns, no one here will hurt you, okay?"

A bit of jam on her nose was starting to slide down and Greg caught it on his finger.

"Mmph!" the mare complained when he went to wipe it away on a napkin.

Greg understood what she wanted and held the digit out for her so Blossom could do her best to lick it clean. It didn't work all that well, because her mouth was full already and she just kept smearing more jam all over his hand.

"Mmhmhppf!" she moaned, clearly distressed over the loss.

"Swallow first. Sheesh."

Blossom's eyes crossed as she gulped down a mouthful of pancakes, jam, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Just thinking about it made Greg's teeth ache. As soon as it was done Blososm didn't waste any more time. She grabbed Greg's hand with her hooves to keep him from getting away and went right back to licking him clean. This time it worked a little better. Gregory caught Celestia's grin and just shrugged in response while he waited for Blossom to finish.

At last there was no more sweet jam to be gained from his fingers and the mare let him go. A moment later her snout was buried in her plate once again.

"Don't let her overeat, okay? It'll just make her sick, especially if she's not used to it."

Celestia nodded solemnly, but something in her expression didn't give Greg much hope. The Princess enjoyed her sweets too much to have the heart to deny another pony the same. Well, if Blossom ended up crying all day because of a painful belly, he'd just make Celestia take care of her by herself, while he went and had himself a relaxing bath. That ought to teach her.

Seeing how Blossom was busy inhaling another pancake and Celestia was frying up yet more, Greg got up from his chair and left them both to their tasks. It looked like they'd get along famously, now that Blossom was mostly over her fear. They didn't even notice when he left.

He met Luna in the corridor on his way out and was about to walk past her when the younger alicorn shot her wing out to block his path.

"Not so fast!" she said and rounded up on him. The furious look she gave him made Greg back away until he hit the wall.

"What?!"

Luna advanced, glaring. "I will give you this one chance to explain yourself, because I like you. If I do not like your answers, I will toss you in prison myself!"

"But- Luna-" Greg began, holding up his hands defensively. "What?!"

"You were seen, Gregory! It's bad enough that you would betray my Sister, but bringing the floozy right into the Castle?!"

"What?! What floozy? What in hell are you talking about, Luna?"

She stomped a hoof. "That pink hussy! I questioned the maid who saw you. Playing around in a bath, Gregory? The nerve!"

Some wheels turned and Greg started chortling with laughter. He held up his palm to get Luna to wait a second so he could explain, but the look on her muzzle was pure, unbridled fury.

"IMPUDENCE!" the Princess yelled and for a moment all light in the corridor fled and the castle was filled with ominous shadows.

Greg's laughter died on his lips. "Fuck, listen Luna, it's not what you think!"

"Then explain! RAPIDLY!"

"We found her on the road when we were coming back from Baltimare yesterday. She was scared out of her mind and ran right for me. She was panicking."

The glare didn't budge and Luna's hoof began tapping impatiently.

"Celestia asked me to stay with Blossom until she calmed down. For God's sake, she gave me Cadence's suite because it was the only one ready last night!"

"And the bath?!" Luna demanded.

"Blossom was filthy! Luna, she was being kept somewhere and made to work in a mine. I think she's been..." His voice cracked and Gregory could barely whisper the next word. "...used."

The transformation was dramatic. Of course Luna believed him, Gregory had never before lied to her. She would probably know it if he tried, especially about something like this.

"I-" the mare said, backing away and eyes already filling with tears, "I- I had no idea..."

Gregory stepped closer and put his hand on her cheek. "It's okay. Blossom is okay now. Your sister is feeding her pancakes, so I guess she thinks she's in some kind of pony heaven or something."

Luna closed her eyes and nodded, nuzzling Greg's hand. Then she looked at him and her expression hardened once more. "Who did this to her?!"

"We don't know yet. Don't bring it up, we'll find out as soon as we can. Celestia said she'd oversee the investigation personally and find whoever is responsible and banish them!"

Luna scrunched up her face in righteous fury. "And toss them in the dungeon in the place she banished them to?"

"Exactly."

Funny how that silly little fear of Twilight's became such a widespread saying, Greg thought. He'd been confused the first time he heard it until Celestia explained about the incident with her pet phoenix.

Luna looked at the door to the Sisters' private breakfast room and cringed back a little. "Perhaps it is best I do not intervene yet. You said Sister has it all in hoof?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Good. I will go and see the maid who is spreading such vile rumors about you and... educate her."

"Please don't do anything rash, Luna."

The Princess was already walking impetuously away and she looked over her shoulder at Greg. "No promises."

Gregory shook his head to himself and set off toward his and Celestia's room. It had, according to the Princess' own words, 'a primitive, rudimentary shower'. Good enough. It would do. More importantly, it would be a lot faster than a full bath. Perhaps he could also catch up one some work by the time Celestia and Blossom were done with the doctor. If Blossom began to panic the Princess would no doubt send for him.

Besides, he had to think things over. By the sound of it, ponies - unicorns, probably - were forcing Blossom and possibly others to work in a mine. For some reason there were also humans allowed, but Greg couldn't guess at their purpose.

Guards, maybe? Slave drivers?

That wouldn't explain why Blossom ran for him, rather than Celestia.

Gregory wanted to know the answers, but was afraid of them at the same time.

Chapter 9: Socializing

After a quick, refreshing shower Greg found an unexpected guard pegasus in front of his door. The sight was unusual enough in this part of the Castle to make the man pause and blink in surprise. There were a couple of guards at each entrance to the corridor, but they kept well away from the Princess' quarters to give the royal sisters some semblance of privacy.

Before he could ask, however, the guard saluted with a wing. "Sir! The Princess says to tell you to meet her in the Gardens!" he proclaimed.

Yes, 'proclaimed' was exactly the right word. The colt seemed younger than most, so Gregory guessed he was new and, as such, still a bit awed at speaking directly with the Princess.

"Relax," Greg said in as calm and nonchalant a voice as he could manage. "Why don't you show me the way?"

The guard saluted again and, armor clanking as he walked, fell in step just beside the human.

"You're new here, aren't you?"

"Sir! Finished basic training in Fillydelphia last week. Got transferred here yesterday!"

Greg almost chuckled, but managed to suppress it. He glanced over at the pony's stripes, or lack thereof. "Let me give you a piece of advice, um, private. What's your name?"

"Comet Roll, sir!" came the reply.

"Okay, Comet Roll. I know you got this drilled into you every day in training, but now you're here, you can relax a bit, okay? The Princess is not impressed by heroic feats of attention and protocol. She won't grade you on your ability to hold your bladder. You'll have a much better time if you take it easy. Especially, there's no need to shout."

"B-But sir! The drill sergeant-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Discipline and exemplary service and all that. Commendable, but take it down a notch. You can do polite and respectful without shouting all the time, no?"

The guard looked decidedly uneasy, at least from what Greg could see. The helmet hid his ears, so a major clue was lost, but the way Comet Roll's eyes darted around and his feathers rustled and his gait became stiff, told enough of the story.

Greg stopped and turned to face the guard. "Here, let's try this instead."

He held out his hand towards the colt who eyed it uneasily. After a few moments' thought, he sat on his haunches and lifted a hoof up into Greg's palm to shake.

"Nice to meet you, Comet Roll," Greg said. "Come around the offices someday in the afternoon for a muffin and a glass of cider. Mrs. Nutmeg makes some of the best muffins in the city and we get cider straight from Sweet Apple Acers. I'll introduce you to everyone."

The colt didn't know what to say. His mouth opened and shut a few times, until he finally remembered to put his hoof down again. Then he blushed a little. "Um, I'll t-think about it, s-sir."

For a moment Gregory contemplated offering Comet Roll an ear-scratch, but the poor guy already looked like a fish out of water. Enough cultural shock for one day, Greg decided.

"Okay, let's go see how the Princess and Blossom are doing."

It was an assumption that Celestia would be with the mare, but Greg couldn't imagine any circumstances under which she would leave the poor girl with someone else, even Luna. He wondered how their examination with the doctor had gone and whether Blossom was starting to trust Celestia despite the horn. Maybe she even told more of her story.

The rest of the walk passed in silence, Greg lost in his thoughts and Comet Roll too nervous to ask anything. It wasn't far in any case, and soon they emerged into full sunlight. Not quite summer yet, but neither was it far off, Greg thought to himself. He saw the Princess sitting at one of the stone tables on the grass. At first he didn't see Blossom, but as he continued to walk Greg spotted the pink mare examining a nearby flowerbed. She didn't appear to have noticed him approach, despite the heavy stride of Comet Roll and the clanking of his armor.

Celestia heard it and turned around to give them both a smile and a wave. This made the guard slow down and Greg glanced over his shoulder to see the poor guy just staring in disbelief.

"Come on. You've met Princess Celestia, right?"

Comet Roll started to shake his head, but turned it into a nod. "Um, s-she- uh, Her Majesty was at the r-reception ceremony..."

Greg didn't wait for the colt to catch up and went forward. He came to stand beside the Princess and put a hand on her withers. "Blossom looks like she's doing well. How did it go with the doctor?"

The Princess shook her head sadly. "Not as bad as I had feared, but not well." They both watched the mare, who was sniffing one of the early blooming flowers. She seemed completely engrossed.

"Dr. Sherbert was only able to perform a superficial examination. She seems healthy, but I did not dare allow him to take her blood. As it was, she was beginning to get agitated. Perhaps if you were there..."

"I will, next time. Besides, she looks fine. Maybe we should give her some time to adjust before-"

Greg didn't get much further, because the mare spotted him and called out: "'egg!" A moment later she was galloping for him and the man crouched down to catch her just in time to keep her from toppling him. She threw her hooves around his waist and gave his face a few licks, before simply laying her head against Greg's arm and closing her eyes.

"See? I told you I'd be back."

Blossom just nodded.

"Did you have fun with the Princess?"

This time she shrugged and Greg decided not to press further.

"I have been thinking, Gregory," Celestia went on once the immediate excitement was over. "If Blossom had been forced to work in a mine, then we should be able to find it, provided we can figure out what sort of a mine it was."

Greg nodded at that and peeled the mare away from himself.

"Blossom, sweetie? Can you tell me what kind of stuff you were digging out in that mine?"

Her expression fell immediately and tears pooled up in her eyes. The sight was heartbreaking, but he had to insist.

"Don't worry, we'll never send you back. You're safe here, okay? We just have to find out who did this to you so we can stop them."

The mare sniffed a little and closed her eyes shut. Greg, his legs starting to hurt, sat on the grass and patted Blossom's side. She gratefully folded down into his lap.

"Take your time, sweetie. Do you remember what kind of rocks you had to dig up?"

Blossom took a deep breath and let it out. Then she took another. "R-Rocks," she said quietly. "Just rocks."

"Do you know what color?"

"W-White. White rocks."

Greg's mind raced as he tried to imagine what different ores might look like.

"Some sort of limestone?" he asked Celestia, who was frowning a little in thought, her eyes unfocused. "Her coat was covered with a very fine powder last night."

Celestia spoke up, still staring into the distance. "I do not remember any limestone quarries near Baltimare. Let me think. There are coal and copper mines. I believe there is also a gold mine further north, beyond Fillydelphia"

Greg idly stroked Blossom's muzzle as he waited for Celestia to work her incredible memory.

"If she came from the west, then there would be, let's see, two coal mines, several rock quarries, a silver mine... hmm, that would make it quite a stretch for her to run without being spotted around Ponyville."

"What if she came from the south?"

Celestia shook her head. "No mines and then you reach Dodge City and Appleloosa and then there is just the Badlands. I do not think Blossom crossed the Badlands alone. And before you ask, if she came from the east, by ocean, she would have been found in Baltimare, I have no doubt."

"Is it possible this is a new mine, one we don't know about? What else makes a fine white powder?"

The mare in his arms stirred and Greg looked down. She was obviously following the conversation and it was making her quite uncomfortable. He opened his mouth to put a stop to it, but Blossom spoke up.

"G-Great, big, square r-rocks..."

Celestia brightened up. "That sounds like marble or granite slabs!"

"One of the rock quarries?" Greg suggested.

"Exactly! Or, if the operation is indeed hidden, then it cannot be far off. I will have the clerks examine paperwork of all mines in the Foal Mountains range for anything unusual and I will send a pegasus wing to search the area by air for anything we do not have in official records."

Greg grinned in relief. It sounded like whoever was running a slavery operation in Equestria would soon meet justice.

"Um, s-sir? Ma'am?" Comet Roll spoke up suddenly. Greg almost jumped and Blossom squeaked in alarm. They had both forgotten he was even there.

"It's okay, it's okay. Just a guard. No horn, see?"

The mare watched the pegasus with wide, fearful eyes, but at least she didn't panic.

"Yes?" Celestia asked.

"Ma'am, I'd like to- uh, I'd like to volunteer for the assignment, ma'am!"

"And why is that, private?" Celestia asked. She sounded a bit stern, but Greg saw the happy little twinkle in her eye.

Comet Roll nearly cringed back a little from the question, but his training won out and he straightened up. "Because it's wrong, ma'am! What they did to Blossom was inequine and I want to help apprehend the perpetrators! I grew up in Fillydelphia so I know the lay of the land, ma'am!"

The Princess smiled beatifically and inclined her head. "I will make sure you are on the team, private. Thank you."

Her gratitude was unexpected, it seemed, and Comet Roll suddenly blushed. He looked down and mumbled: "Jus' doing my duty, ma'am."

"Celestia," she corrected gently. When the guard looked up in shock, she repeated: "No need to be so formal. Please call me Celestia."

Greg gave the poor guy a wink. "Told you," he said.

The Princess stood up, stretching. "I will go and have the clerks begin searching. Comet Roll, please find the captain of the guard and bring him to the throne room in ten minutes."

This was more familiar and the colt saluted with his wing. "Yes, ma'am! I m-mean, Celestia. Um, right away, Princess!"

He was only too happy to fly off and leave his embarrassment behind.

The Princess giggled to herself. "So stiff and formal when they come out of training, don't you think?"

"Yeah. Don't worry, he'll find his hooves."

"I will look for you after court."

"Deal."

Blossom seemed perfectly happy to just sit with Greg in the grass, but he soon grew bored. He tried to come up with something to do which wouldn't stress the mare overmuch but still help with her rehabilitation.

"I know! Would you like to come with me and meet a few ponies?"

The mare probably wouldn't budge from his side, but there was such a thing as being polite. She was already cringing a little, but the brave little thing managed a nod.

"Good girl!"

He patted her once more on the back and got up to his feet. At least, Greg thought, he didn't have to keep looking at her all the time. Her muzzle pressing against his thigh was a sure giveaway that she was following. Hopefully she would grow out of it in time, but for the moment Blossom simply had to know he was there at all times. Why him, though? Blossom wasn't much for conversation, so Greg had some time to think as he led her deeper into the Canterlot castle. After all these years he had a pretty good feeling which corridors to take to avoid meeting ponies, so it was just the two of them. It kept coming back to her forced labor in the mine. It made sense to Gregory that humans would be running that show. After all, who else had all those centuries of practice owning slaves?

Of course, that raised questions of how they got to Equestria, but the Princess could look into that. Maybe there were reports of humans 'getting lost', although it would be strange if Celestia had known that and not told him. On the other hand, the fear Blossom displayed toward unicorns didn't fit this picture. Greg was aware that some, especially the Canterlot elite, thought themselves above other races, but going as far as enslaving them? If it had happened, the idea must have come from Earth. Pony history had no such thing. Correction - there were some examples, like Sombra, but those were universally reviled. The image in his mind didn't seem right, but it was the best Greg had for the moment. Humans were rare in Equestria, so the mine must be run by a mix of unicorn and human slave drivers. Of those, maybe some of the humans at least weren't too bad, so Blossom had learned to associate 'human' with 'safety from unicorns'.

Looking down at the mare, Gregory wished he could ask her about it and she would answer, but the best he could do at the moment was make her cry. It would need to be a slow process, especially since she might have been in there for years. 'Since she was small', she had said. The mare looked about twenty-ish, perhaps a year less now that she was clean. Had she been enslaved at ten? Less?

How would that make sense, though? The portal to Earth had only opened some eight or so years ago and surely the human influences didn't start from day one?

An idea occurred and Greg stopped so he could talk with Blossom face to face. She tried to keep her muzzle pressed against his leg, but Greg cupped her with his hands and crouched down to be on her level.

"Blossom, sweetie, I'm sorry about this but I just need to ask you one question, okay?"

She was already starting to breathe faster and her ears went back in apprehension. Greg didn't have to look to see how her tail was slipping further between her legs.

"Did you spend all your life in that mine? You said you... started when you were little, but was it just the mine or were there some other places?"

The mare sniffled and tried to push forward to hide her face in Greg's chest. He held her gently, but firmly. "It's okay, it's over now, but I really need you to tell me."

"F-Farm," she blurted out. "There was a f-farm... H-he yelled..."

Greg blinked in surprise. "He? Who was he?"

"M-Master..."

By now the poor thing was trembling and Greg didn't have the heart to continue. He mouthed 'Master' and 'farm' to himself silently. Perhaps Celestia would be able to make something of it, otherwise they'd just have to keep chipping away at Blossom's life story.

He let the little mare push forward and put his arms around her withers. She sobbed a few times into his shirt while he patted her back.

"Good girl. I'm very proud of you, Blossom," he murmured.

Luckily she didn't go full waterworks and just heaved a deep sigh. It was an encouraging sign. Perhaps in a few more days she would be able to talk about her experiences without breaking down completely. In either case, it was time to make her forget about the whole thing with a few bribes. Greg knew exactly where to go and what to do. He rubbed his hands together.

"Okay! Let's go to my office and see if Mrs. Nutmeg has a muffin for us, right? Would you like a muffin?"

Blossom looked at him curiously, but she didn't seem as enthused as he had hoped after the morning's 'Inhalation of the Pancakes'.

"You don't like muffins?"

The mare blinked and scrunched up her muzzle. "Mu-Muffins?" she asked.

"Oooh, you don't know what muffins are?! Well, my girl, you're in for a treat then!"

One of her ears lifted up in definite curiosity. She shook her head slightly in answer. Greg booped her nose and straightened up.

"Well, let's get going then. It's not far."

There were a number of unicorns working in the Office wing, so Greg kept a hand in Blossom's mane for moral support. They might pass one or two in the hallways and he hoped she wouldn't simply bolt. All he needed was to get the mare to his office and have one of his coworkers bring in some muffins and tea. Once Blossom had something sweet in her, he might even be able to make a few introductions. Getting her used to all kinds of ponies, that was the key. If she could be bribed with sweets then Greg would use that to its full extent!

His office only had the one comfy, reclining chair, so Greg magnanimously let Blossom have it, while he dragged around the other, harder stool from the corner. He didn't have much use for it, but sometimes he would interview ponies and so it had to be available. Blossom had spent the first five minutes watching Greg catch up on some paperwork, mostly comments and suggestions on the new legislature he was writing, and had been fidgeting with her hooves for the rest of the time.

Boredom was good, Greg decided. It meant she might not be as scared of everyone if it was her own idea to go and mingle. He changed his mind about keeping Blossom in his office and tentatively decided to include the staff room in that plan. First, however, Greg had to finish reading through the third set of notes, these coming directly from Celestia herself. His concentration was interrupted when the little pink mare cleared her throat. When he looked over, she was staring down at her hooves with her ears flattened, but her eyes flickered up to him every now and then.

"Mmm-yes?"

"Y-You s-said muffins..." she muttered accusingly.

"Oh! That's right!" Greg feigned forgetfulness. "Well, let me finish this page and then we'll go look for some!"

This cheered her up and Blossom nodded happily. She went back to examining the office with its shelves and shelves of books and scrolls, and the few copies of famous human paintings on the walls. There were no windows, but the mare didn't seem perturbed by that. She'd been stuck in a mine, Greg remembered, which made him press his lips together in anger.

He scanned over the last few lines and circled a couple of items to take a closer look later. Then he put his pen down and Blossom looked over, ears lifting up in anticipation. When he stood up, she quickly jumped from her chair.

"Now, a couple of my friends are unicorns, you're not going to be scared of them, are you?"

Aannd down went the ears. Blossom lowered her gaze to the floor and took a shuddering breath. "No," she said, whispering so Greg had to strain to hear her.

Despite her obvious unease, he wasn't too worried. It was around time for the lunch break, which meant that most ponies would be out of the offices. He walked over to the door, opened it, then stuck his head out into the hallway. It seemed empty enough. When he stepped outside, Blossom plodded after him. She peered around the edge as if expecting a monster to jump out at her, but eventually she managed to put a hoof outside. Greg took another step and waited while his ward checked both ways for danger. Once she was out, he reached back and gently pushed the door closed. Blossom hurried to press herself against his legs.

"Sweetheart, you're gonna have to give me some room, or I'll trip and fall on you."

She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, took a deep breath, then stepped sideways. As a small reward, Greg reached his hand down and Blossom gratefully pressed her muzzle into his palm. He made sure to walk slowly, so as not to startle the skittish creature, but the small staff room wasn't all that far and he couldn't hear any conversation coming from it. Hopefully that meant it was empty.

Well, nearly empty. Star Bright was sitting on one of the couches, staring off into the distance and munching on what looked like a rose petal sandwich with too much mayo in it. When he noticed his human coworker he waved and smiled, but didn't speak up with his mouth full.

"Hey, Bright," Greg greeted.

Blossom gave a frightened squeak and hid behind his legs. Just to be sure, Greg leaned down a little and put his hand in her mane. The mare was trembling.

Seeing this, the unicorn scrunched up his muzzle and put his sandwich down on the side table. "Um, what's the matter? Who is that?"

"You'll have to excuse Blossom, Bright. She's a bit scared of unicorns. Just- don't make any sudden moves, okay?"

His eyebrows climbed in surprise, but the colt nodded. "Sure thing, Greg. What's uh-" He lowered his voice, as if that would prevent Blossom from hearing. "What's wrong with her?"

Greg didn't want to go into details, because it would most likely remind Blossom of her ordeals, whatever those were.

"I'll explain later. Just do me a favor, no sudden moves and no magic, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, of course."

Only then did Greg turn around. He cupped Blossom's muzzle with both palms and lifted her head up so she was looking at him. "Don't be afraid, sweetheart. Star Bright is a very nice pony, you don't have to be afraid of him." She wanted to shake her head in denial, but Greg gently kept her from doing so. "Trust me," he whispered.

Blossom took a deep breath, then pulled her face away from Greg's hands. She peered cautiously around him at the new pony, who waved back.

"Say, Bright," Greg said without looking, "are there any of Mrs. Nutmeg's muffins left? I kinda promised Blossom she could have one."

The colt had to think for a moment, before answering: "Oh, yeah, there's one or two left. You want one too?"

"Wait! Don't move yet."

He had guessed correctly that Bright had been about to jump from the couch and go fetch them. "Blossom, would you like the nice unicorn to go get us some muffins?"

It was a struggle. On the one hand, she really wanted this muffin, even if she didn't know what it was. Greg, having learned a few tricks from Celestia, had really talked them up on their way to the offices. On the other hand, however, there was the scary unicorn.

She swallowed, but then gave a slight nod.

"Okay, go. Just move slowly."

There were a couple of faint clicks as Bright slid from the couch and then the sound of his hooves retreating into the adjacent kitchen. It was rudimentary, just a few hot plates for ponies to warm up their lunches or make coffee, but it did have a fridge and a water cooler. All magical, of course.

Blossom tensed up when Bright came back, awkwardly shuffling on three legs as he was unaccustomed to carrying things without the use of his magic.

"Here, bring it over."

He kept his hands on Blossom while Star Bright hobbled his way to his side. The mare shrank back from the sight of the horn, but she didn't flee. Maybe she was slowly getting over her fear, or maybe it was Greg's touch that helped her. She stared at the colt, who smiled a little nervously and proffered the box, as if to shield himself behind it.

"H-Here!" he offered.

The smell did its magic and Blossom's nose wrinkled when she caught a whiff. It was Mrs. Nutmeg's famous chocolate chip and vanilla muffins, perfect for the task.

"Go on, you can take one."

She stretched out a slow, trembling hoof while Bright brought the goods closer. Finally Blossom could reach and snatched one.

"Just act natural," Greg told the unicorn. "She's a bit shy."

"You don't say?!"

"Okay, a lot shy. I'm trying to get her used to other ponies."

"What in Tartarus happened to make her like this?"

"Long story. Later."

Blossom didn't seem to be paying any attention to their conversation. She sniffed the pastry in her hooves and tried a ginger, exploratory nibble. Greg could pinpoint the exact moment when it hit her tongue, because she almost smiled. Well, her lips twitched a little, but that was all he could see before the mare crammed the whole thing in her mouth. It was gone in seconds.

"See? I knew you'd like it." Poor thing must not have had many sweet things to eat during her captivity, so Greg didn't mind indulging her a little. "Want another one?"

There was one last muffin in the box Bright was still holding up. Blossom looked at it with shiny, eager eyes, but then glanced at Greg's face, as if suspecting him of a trick.

Unfortunately for her, she was right. "All you have to do is ask. Don't worry, Star Bright is a gentlecolt, he won't say no."

The unicorn in question caught up on Greg's plan and a slow smile spread across his muzzle as well. He pulled the delicious treasure away. "Well, I am kinda hungry. You better hurry up, uh, Blossom."

The mare looked down, blushing a little and pressing her barrel against Greg's hand where he was holding her.

"Come on, he won't bite."

"Mm-phm-mh an-another?" she mumbled.

Bright glanced at Greg to gauge if this was sufficient and the man nodded. He offered the box once more. The muffin was snatched and devoured in the blink of an eye.

"Thanks," Greg whispered to the colt.

"Yeah, no problem. I'll just go put the box back on Mrs. Nutmeg's desk. I still got a sandwich to finish."

It didn't seem like much, but it was progress. Blossom hadn't been afraid of the unicorn, at least not after that first muffin. That had been pure embarrassment. Shy was good. Shy was tons better than her being scared for her life.

"Come on, let's go and sit for a minute."

With her belly slightly filled, Blossom was a lot more biddable. She followed Greg to the couch and even jumped up, even if she did make sure to keep Greg between herself and Star Bright's spot. Once settled, she leaned against his side and tried to hide her muzzle under his arm. Greg obliged. Blossom deserved to feel safe, especially after what he guessed she'd been through.

Star Bright came back soon and sat on the far side of the couch. Then the colt bit into his sandwich again. He chewed, swallowed, then asked: "So, what's this all about? You helping Celestia with some special school or something? Y'know... 'slow' ponies?"

"No, nothing like that. It's... a long story and I don't wanna remind Blossom. Thanks, though. She's really scared of unicorns and this right now was good progress, I think."

Bright inclined his head. "Yeah, anytime. You saved me from that angry mare the other day, so it's only fair."

"What happened with her, then? Did she come back?"

The clerk chuckled, his grin not entirely nice. "Yeah, but she came to Mrs. Nutmeg to complain."

"Ouch. Big mistake."

They both laughed at the mental image. Nutmeg was a nice mare, most of the time, and an excellent cook, but she didn't like ponies complaining. She especially couldn't stand what she deemed 'frivolous' complaints.

"Anyway, I'll probably be taking a few days off, until me and the Princess figure out how to help Blossom. In case anyone asks."

"Yeah, I'll let everypony know."

Greg heard voices from the hall, which signified the end of the lunch break. Ponies were coming back to work and the place was going to get pretty crowded soon.

"Well, I think me and Blossom will go find some lunch. Nice chatting with you!"

"Same!"

For a moment Greg thought the mare had fallen asleep, but he patted her withers a few times and she stirred.

"Come on. You hungry?"

She gave this some thought, then nodded silently.

"Let's go find Princess Celestia and grab some lunch."

Blossom cast another fearful look at Bright, who smiled and waved back, then gratefully followed Gregory out the door. They went away from the arriving ponies so he didn't have to distress her any more.

"See? Ponies are nice, even unicorns," he pointed out. "Pretty soon we'll have you back to your normal, happy self."

He said it hopefully, more for his own sake than Blossom's, but it felt like it could be true. Greg leaned down a little to give Blossom's ears a scratch while he planned the least populated route to the Royal Dining room.

"Let's hope Celestia found some clues about the mine. I have a feeling you weren't the only pony there, were you?"

Blossom flattened her ears and shook her head.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. This is going to be quite a mess, something tells me."

Greg shook his head sadly and let out a sigh. Memories of his early career, abuse cases, were starting to surface and he didn't like it much. He'd have preferred never to have to deal with these sorts of things again, but he wasn't about to shy away from it either.

Blossom apparently needed him.

Still the question burned: why him? Why a human?!

"Uhm," the mare cleared her throat, "'egg- Greg?"

"Yes?"

"Um, I n-need to... go."

Yeah, he had almost forgotten about that problem. Greg sighed. "Okay, come this way. We're near the guest rooms anyway..."

Chapter 10: Learning Normality

"Blossom, sweetheart, it can't go on like this! It's not proper!"

The mare only clung harder to Greg's arm. She had grasped him the second he tried to get up from the bed in Cadence's guest suite.

"Nnuuuh!" she whined.

Greg let out an exasperated sigh, but then he sat back down. He used his free hand to pat Blossom's barrel. "I'll just be in the other room, for chrissake! You have to learn to sleep alone."

Perhaps it was too quick. After all, it was only her second night, but on the other hand, Blossom was over twenty years old, even if she acted like twelve. She didn't answer, but her grip lessened. That was probably because he was sitting down, Gregory guessed.

"Look," he tried to explain patiently, "I won't leave you, okay? If you need anything, or if you have a bad dream, just shout and I'll come. But it's really not right for us to sleep in the same bed, Blossom, don't you understand?"

The mare shook her head, but that just proved to Gregory that she was lying. Using one hand to free his arm, he slid out of Blossom's grasp and stood up. Then he made the mistake of looking the the mare. It was a heart-wrenching sight. She somehow portrayed the image of the loneliest and saddest pony in all the world, with her ears not even entirely flattened because she simply did not have the energy to do so. Her lower lip was trembling and her large, glossy eyes were on the verge of overflowing. Greg closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Suddenly he was glad that Celestia sometimes practiced 'the Look' on him.

His resolve didn't break, not exactly, but the man knelt down, leaned on the bed and cupped Blossom's muzzle with both palms. She nuzzled him a little but then her gaze fell down to the bed sheet. At least she didn't try to grab him again.

"I won't be far, okay? Promise. You had dinner and a glass of water and now you're all cozy and bundled up in Cadence's soft bed. You're going to be fine."

The two stared at each other for long seconds. Blossom broke first and she nodded against Greg's hands.

"Good girl," he said with a smile.

He kept his hands in place for a bit longer and Blossom licked his palms a few times.

"Tell you what, in the morning we'll get some more pancakes from Princess Celestia, would you like that?"

Her ears went up and focused on Greg, as if she was afraid to miss a single word. The large, shimmering eyes dried up in record time and there was even a hint of a smile on her muzzle.

"Remember how to use the toilet if you need it in the night?"

Another nod.

"You can wake me up if you need to, okay?"

Again Blossom nodded and this time Greg released her muzzle. Her ears splayed as she lost the warmth, but at least it didn't seem like she would start crying again.

"Good night, sweetheart."

Greg waited for a few seconds more and was rewarded: "G-nigh'"

Grinning, he made his way to the drawing room where one of the staff had left him a pillow and a blanket. He almost asked, but remembered just in time that Blossom preferred the darkness. Probably it was the only time she could rest in that mine, he thought.

The sleeping arrangements still weren't ideal, but at least he wasn't sharing a bed with a young mare. That would be a very unpleasant rumor, if it started to spread. Hopefully Blossom would feel better in a few days or a week and then he'd be able to return to Celestia. It was just incredible how he was starting to miss that soft, warm body to wrap his arms around as he slept. Greg wondered if the Princess missed him too. Probably. She had been the one to sneak into his bed at every opportunity back on Earth. Greg undressed to his underpants and lay down. Not much longer. Blossom was making good progress. A few more days, a week at the most, he repeated to himself.

It was that time again and Blossom was decidedly uneasy. She was sitting listlessly on the couch and avoided looking at the people around her. She was mostly fine with Celestia by now, but Dr. Sherbert seemed to instill apprehension in the young mare. Even Gregory sitting beside her didn't help. Every now and the she glanced at him, but then she went back to staring down at her hooves.

"There we go. How are we feeling today?" the old doctor asked. He wasn't a bad sort, but he spoke with authority and Greg guessed that was what was bothering Blossom. The earth pony doctor didn't mind when she failed to answer, he just walked over and peered closely at the mare. She stiffened up, but with Greg's encouraging pat on her withers she let the doctor pull her foreleg.

"Hmm," he murmured to himself, then looked up at the mare. "Does it hurt when you stretch it?"

It didn't look as if Blossom would answer, so Greg leaned closer and whispered. Of course Dr. Sherbert could hear, but it was more about the gesture than any sort of secrecy. "Answer the nice doctor, Blossom. He's only here to help and make sure you're healthy."

The mare gave Greg a pitiful look, but then she swallowed a lump and muttered: "S'fine."

"Good, good!" Dr. Sherbert exclaimed. He turned her foreleg the other way. "How about this? Let me know if it's sore."

By now Blossom was starting to understand she wasn't in trouble, but her voice still trembled. "N-No."

"And this?" He latest manipulation made Blossom hiss and jerk her leg away. "Oh, I'm so dreadfully sorry, young miss!" he apologized profusely. "It hurt when it went that way?"

Blossom just nodded while she was rubbing her injured foreleg with the other hoof.

"Is that bad?" Greg asked.

"Oh, no, no," Dr. Sherbert answered the human. "Just a slight sprain. Don't go too hard on it and you'll be fine in a couple of weeks, miss."

That much was a relief.

"Okay, now say 'aaaa'," the doctor ordered, leaning closer. When Blossom didn't comply, he demonstrated by sticking out his tongue and going: "Aaa!"

It was unexpected enough to make Blossom giggle. That seemed to break the ice and she copied the doctor: "AAAAA!"

He peered into her mouth, 'hmm-ing' to himself, until he was satisfied. "Good, good," he said, rummaging in his bag for his auriscope. Greg felt a small touch of pride for knowing what it was called.

"Turn your head, now," the doctor ordered.

Blossom shrank away from this strange new tool with some apprehension. Luckily Greg noticed.

"It doesn't hurt, sweetheart. The doctor will just look in your ear to make sure it's okay. Here, just look at me."

She did as instructed, but her ears were in a permanent state of folded down. After a few seconds, Dr. Sherbert cleared his throat. "Could you lift your left ear for me, miss?"

All Blossom did at the prompt was close her eyes tightly shut. Greg sighed and very carefully lifted her ear with his hand. It twitched in his fingers, but he kept a firm hold.

"It's not gonna hurt, trust me," he repeated.

The doctor didn't waste time. He pushed the thin end of his instrument in Blossom's ear and peered inside. Greg idly wondered if the thing was battery powered. Probably not, he decided. Ponies relied on magic the same way humans relied on electricity.

The examination didn't last long and Blossom let out a breath she had been holding when the device was removed.

"Good, good," Dr. Sherbert said to himself. "Now the other ear, please."

Maybe having seen that the procedure doesn't hurt was helping. Blossom shuffled around until she was facing away and her ear half-lifted by itself. Greg still helped out with his fingers. This time she didn't fight him. The examination was just as fast and soon the doctor was stashing his device back in his bag. He brought out a stethoscope next and fixed the ear tips in place.

"Very good, this is the last thing, I promise. The Princess said no blood samples and no gynecological examinations."

"That's correct," Celestia confirmed. It was the first thing she said since she had introduced the doctor and Greg.

"Very well," Dr. Sherbert said and deftly balanced the metal disc of the stethoscope in his hoof. "Deep, regular breaths, now." There was very little chance of that, but the stallion didn't seem to mind. He slid the drum across Blossom's barrel. He held it in place for a while. "Mmm, a little fast, but I suppose that was to be expected," he commented. "Can you cough for me, miss?"

Blossom blinked and turned her head to look at Greg. She didn't know what to make of the request.

"Just try."

She obediently opened her mouth and coughed, just once.

The doctor smiled as he pulled the instrument away and removed it from his ears. "Very good, very good," he praised. The stethoscope went back into his bag and the stallion turned to Celestia.

"She's healthy, as far as I can tell. A bit more muscular than normal, even for an earth pony, but from what you told me that's to be expected."

Greg, who hadn't noticed any such thing, looked at Blossom again. She was quite lean, but he couldn't spot anything else. It showed that he'd never paid too close attention to ponies' bodies.

"Other than that, no illness that I can see, at least without a blood sample. No injuries, but we'd have to do an x-ray to see if she broke any bones in the past. I give her a clean bill of health, Princess."

Celestia smiled with relief. "Thank you, doctor. Once she is feeling better I will arrange the rest, but for now this is good news."

The stallion bowed, slung his bag on his back and headed for the door. "You'll call me if anything changes, right?"

"Of course." He was about to leave when he suddenly grinned and came back. "Oh, sorry! Almost forgot this!"

Blossom was already cringing against Greg in fear of some new medical torture, but the doctor had other plans. He plucked a colorful lollipop from his bag. "I knew I had it here somewhere!" he exclaimed. "It pays to have a little reward for the young ones and it seems it's also appropriate here."

He held out the treat. At first Blossom didn't know what it was, but then she caught the scent and her nose twitched.

"See? Most doctors are quite nice, Blossom."

The mare looked at Greg, then transferred her gaze back to the offered sweet. She reached out gingerly and plucked it from Dr. Sherbert's grasp. Moments later it was in her mouth and she was already crunching it. Just listening to that made Greg's teeth hurt and from the look on the doctor's face he felt about the same.

The stallion got over it quickly. "There, you've been a very brave young mare, miss. Bye now!"

With this he left for real and the only sound in the room was Blossom's crunching of the hard candy.

"You should have just licked that, you know?" Greg commented.

The mare stopped and looked at him with the plastic stick poking out of her muzzle.

"It's okay. Just remember for next time. It'll last a lot longer. Here, don't eat the plastic."

Greg pulled it away. It was already stripped clean. A moment later Blossom resumed chewing and scant seconds after that she swallowed.

"Well, that was some good news, at least," Celestia said. Her face looked troubled and she was staring off into the distance.

"What's wrong?"

"I got a very disturbing report from the scout wing I sent to look for that mine. More than that, the report from my clerks was... let's just say 'lackluster'." The Princess sighed. "I feel like I am not being told the whole truth and I do not like it."

"Want me to take a look at those?"

She smiled at Greg and walked over so he could pat her muzzle. "Yes, but I also do not want you to leave Blossom alone. I will handle things."

"Nonsense. Put the reports on my desk and I'll go take a look at them. I have to do something anyway and Blossom seemed fine in my office yesterday. We even spoke with Star Bright."

"The unicorn?!"

"Yep! He gave Blossom some muffins. I guess that helped."

Both of them looked at the mare in question, but she didn't seem to care what they were talking about, even if it was about her. She was still leaning heavily against Greg, resting after the ordeal of a medical check-up.

"Well, that is good, but perhaps you should not keep Blossom cooped up inside all the time."

"What do you suggest?"

Celestia leaned her head to the side in thought, then her muzzle split into a grin. "How about this: I will go and help Luna handle Court. That way she will be done a little sooner. We'll both join you and Blossom out on the terrace for lunch. It is a very nice day outside, have you noticed?"

Greg looked at the window and saw that it was indeed quite sunny. "Sounds good. Blossom, would you like to have lunch with us out in the sun?"

The mare followed his gaze and frowned a little in thought. Then she looked back at Greg and nodded.

"Good! It's a date!"

Celestia gave him a quick kiss. "Mm, I like the sound of that. It has been too long, Gregory."

She was right. Their weekend getaway hadn't really counted as a proper date with all the socializing they'd had to do, not to mention their encounter on the road. They would have to catch up once Blossom was well enough that she could spend an evening alone, or with someone else.

"I'll make it up to you, Princess."

She winked as her grin widened. "You better!"

Chapter 11: Muffins

Gregory caught a break at noon, when Celestia joined him and Blossom in the garden. He was reading a book, immensely grateful for the thick pillow on the stone seat, while the young mare was just lying on the grass, soaking up sunlight. Maybe she was asleep, it was hard to tell. She wanted to run and for some reason he had to give her permission, but once that was out of the way, Blossom had sped around the little clearing until she collapsed, wheezing but happy. She had a lot of energy to burn, that one.

"How is it going?" Celestia asked as she sat on the grass next to Greg's chair and leaned against his side. His hand automatically went to her ear and began scratching.

"Taking a nap, I think."

Blossom made him a liar by sighing and angling her head to look at the Princess. She even raised one hoof in a kind of greeting.

"I see."

"Shouldn't you be holding court? Where's Luna?"

The Princess shrugged. "Technically, but I took a short break. Luna wanted to have lunch with Eli. If you want you can get lunch and I will watch Blossom for a bit."

"Hmm. That okay with you Blossom? Would you mind staying with the Princess for a bit while I go get a sandwich?"

She just shrugged, which Gregory decided to take as a 'yes'.

"Want me to bring you anything?"

The mare had to think for a bit, then she brightened up. "M-Muffins?" she prompted.

"Hmm, I don't think-"

Celestia nudged him in the ribs with her muzzle and he shut up. She obviously had an idea. "I know you don't like sweets, Gregory, so here is a thought. Get your sandwich and when you are back, you can take Blossom out to that bakery on the corner of Cloudsdale Lane and Restaurant Row."

Taking the young mare out of the Castle worried Greg a little. He watched Blossom to try and gauge her reaction to the suggestion. She was still watching him intently.

"You think you're up for that, Blossm? It's just a short walk and we can get muffins. You won't get scared if you see unicorns walking around, will you?"

Her muzzle scrunched up, but after a moment Blossom shook her head. It wasn't entirely convincing, but maybe the lure of pastries would help Blossom get over her fear sooner. He remembered the previous night's meeting with Star Bright. Blossom was showing very good progress. She was quickly adjusting to this new life.

"Okay then. Remember, if you feel uncomfortable just say so and we'll come right back."

She nodded at first, but then she thought better of it and cleared her throat. "Okay," she managed.

All Greg had on his mind when he barged into Celestia and Luna's small dining room was a quick cheese and tomato sandwich. The refrigerator there could be relied upon to be well stocked at all times. More importantly, there would be no crowd. After near-constant Blossom's presence, Greg wanted to eat a solitary meal. He could have gotten something from the kitchens, which provided lunch for the various clerks, guards, maids and visiting dignitaries employed in the Castle, but most pony food was too sugary for Greg's taste and the cooks were entirely too chatty for him right at the moment.

A sandwich would be an elegant simplicity.

Except he wasn't alone. He nearly ran into Luna, who was sitting on her haunches with her back to the door.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to disturb-"

Greg was about to apologize and duck out of the room. It wouldn't be the first time he chanced upon the younger alicorn and her diplomat boyfriend in an intimate moment and the best way to avoid embarrassment all around was simply to leave and pretend he hadn't seen anything. Except, this time Luna was alone. Despite that, she let out a very uncharacteristic squeak, which got Greg interested. What did the Princess have to hide?

He closed the door behind himself and leaned on it. Luna was still facing away.

"Mmmuh-huuh!" came a muffled, weirdly resonating, slightly echoing reply.

"Bad time?" he asked.

The mare heaved a sigh and slowly turned around. Her muzzle appeared to be stuck in a glass jar. That would explain the sound, Greg concluded. He took a closer look. It was one of Celestia's prized blueberry and lavender jam jars. The one which always ran out inexplicably quickly so the Princess had to order it more frequently than she expected. She sometimes mentioned it in idle conversation, especially during breakfast.

Greg began to form a picture in his mind.

"So it was you all along?"

Another sigh and Luna's ears lowered even further. She nodded.

"But why? You know Celestia wouldn't begrudge you jam whenever you wanted it."

"Huum humum hum huam hu how."

Greg couldn't help but chuckle at her plaintive tone, rendered completely intelligible by the glass, which just barely fit her snout.

"Wanna put that down and try again?"

The Princess nodded and put her hooves on the glass. She gave it a tug, but she couldn't get a good grip, so the jar remained in place.

"Hmueh hees?" she pleaded.

Laughing, Greg stepped closer and firmly grasped the jar with both hands. It took a surprising amount of force to get the thing off Luna's face. There was a sound almost like that of a cork coming out of the bottle and then the Princess was free. Except for all the jam covering her nose. It would have been worse if it didn't match her coat color pretty well.

"Thanks," she said, slightly dejected.

"I won't tell her if you don't," Greg offered.

The words made Luna's ears lift up in surprise. "You won't?" Her eyes narrowed. "Why not? What will you demand from me in return?! You will not blackmail me!"

Greg held up his hands in supplication. "Relax, relax, nothing of the sort. It's just... "He paused for a moment to think up the best way to explain. When he had it, he made a circular motion to encompass Luna and her sticky muzzle. "This is too precious. Back when Celestia came to Earth, she told me she missed feeling like a little filly sometime. I guess this is your way of doing that?"

Luna gave a single nod, but she was beginning to smile.

"Exactly. Besides, Celestia already knows damn near everything that's happening in Equestria. Let's keep a little bit of mystery in her life. It'll do her good."

"She- noticed?"

"Yes, but she can't figure out why that particular flavor runs out so quickly."

Luna lowered her gaze to the floor. "It's my favorite."

"You still haven't answered me why you didn't simply tell Celestia?"

Luna shook her head. "I guess... at first I felt these breakfasts were a chore. All I wanted to do was go to bed, but Sister insisted. Once I figured out her pancakes were actually good, it was too late to simply change my mind."

Greg thought he understood. "Oh, so you don't want to admit to Celestia that you were wrong?"

"She is my older Sister! Did you have sisters or brothers?"

"No."

"Then you probably wouldn't understand. I refuse to give her the satisfaction of winning on this! As far as Celestia is concerned, I begrudgingly suffer through her constant pancake breakfasts!"

Greg couldn't help but laugh some more. "Luna," he said as calmly as he could manage, "I think she knows. We all see you polish your plate and then lick it clean! And then ask for more."

The mare just snorted and turned away. "Well, she did not know about the jam! It is my favorite and a secret, and you will keep it that way if you value your life!"

The chuckling fit simply wouldn't stop and Greg had to hold up his hands in supplication so he could catch a breath. "Okay, okay, fine. I promise, Your Highness!"

She was hard to take seriously, even while threatening him, with all that jam smeared on her nose and apparently forgotten. Greg opened a nearby drawer and brought out a clean dish cloth.

"Here, let me help."

It was the work of moments to wipe her face, even if it remained somewhat sticky.

"You'll have to wash if you don't want Celestia to figure it out."

"I know," Luna replied.

"One more thing. Why didn't you use a spell or something to know when someone was coming? Or, failing that, why didn't you hear me walking up?"

Luna flashed a proud little grin. "Two reasons: One, only Sister usually comes in this room and she is holding court for the next hour at least. And two, the treat is more delicious when there is a chance of being caught."

That made a lot of sense, actually. Illicit treats were always tastier, that was a well-known fact.

"As for why I did not hear you," Luna went on, blushing a little and lowering her ears. "Um... slurping," she explained, poking out her pink tongue and wiggling it a little as if in demonstration.

Greg glanced at the jar on the table and tried to imagine. There wasn't a whole lot left so Luna's tongue would have to stretch impressively far to reach the sweet jam. He was slightly grateful that he didn't have this flavor of jam on his pancakes - or at least didn't remember if he ever had. Yes, he kissed Celestia which was an even more direct way to swap saliva, but that was entirely different. Food wasn't involved. Usually, at least.

"Couldn't you use a spoon or something? I don't think Celestia would appreciate it if she knew you stick your tongue in there."

The mare shook her head. "It tastes better this way and Sister will never find out, correct?"

"Yeah, I'll keep your secret, Luna. Anyway, do you mind if I get a sandwich for myself?"

"Please do."

She was eyeing the jar once more and Greg resigned himself to having to free her from it once more in a few minutes' time. Strangely enough, he reflected as he picked up the ingredients from the fridge, he wasn't as disgusted as he was expecting. Maybe living in Equestria had changed him in more ways that he realized.

Still, just to be on the safe side, Greg made a mental note never to have blueberry jam on his pancakes. A second mental note: He now knew Luna's favorite flavor of jam, which could come in handy around birthdays or Christmas, or the pony equivalent of it.

Gregory and Blossom stood just inside the Canterlot Castle's main gate. It was open in the balmy weather but there didn't appear to be any visitors. The two guards posted there watched him with a great deal of interest, but didn't comment. He must have gone through the gates hundreds, or perhaps thousands of times, but today was different because of Blossom. She watched the street warily, as if expecting an attack. Her whole body was tense and her ears twitched and scanned like radar dishes. It put Greg in mind of a cat in unfamiliar territory, assessing all threats and deciding between fleeing or fighting. Every now and then Blossom's tail swished. She wasn't probably even aware she was doing it.

"Hey, it's just a walk. Nothing to be afraid of." He had to calm her down before she worked herself into a frenzy. Pausing had been a mistake, Gregory decided. "Come on," he urged and took a step.

He didn't have to look back because he heard the clop of her hooves as the mare hurried to catch up to him. Her muzzle pressed against his hand and her tongue darted out to give his fingers a quick lick. The courtyard was easy because it was empty, but then there was the main plaza with a number of ponies milling about. A lot of them were unicorns.

Greg glanced down and saw how Blossom's ears were already flattening at the sight. "Don't be afraid of them." He stopped so he wouldn't trip and the mare looked up at his face. Greg tried to smile as reassuringly and disarmingly as he could. "The worst they'll do is be a bit rude to you. Just ignore them, okay?"

The mare swallowed and then gave a single nod.

"Just say if you get too nervous and we'll go back."

Another nod.

Greg decided to take it as a good sign and started walking again. Blossom's muzzle kept brushing his hand, but she wasn't pressing her face into his palm anymore. Maybe Celestia was right. Keeping Blossom cooped up and handling her with extreme caution would just reinforce to her that there was something to fear. They had to immerse her in normal life as soon as possible so she could learn to accept it and adapt. The Princess has also promised she'd bring in an expert to help Blossom get over her experiences, but whoever that was hadn't made an appearance yet. Soon, Greg hoped. He kept his pace slow and steady, so that the mare didn't have to constantly think about her position and speed. A larger version of the famous Heisenberg Principle, the man thought to himself.

After all the years living there, the Canterlot ponies paid the tall alien no mind. He got an occasional curious glance, but there was almost no fear anymore. The first few months after his arrival had been much, much worse. If anyone even noticed Blossom, it was only because she was so obviously with him. She got even fewer glances than him. That was just as well.

"So, have you ever been in Canterlot before?" Greg asked, mainly for something to say.

Blossom took a quick glance around, then shrugged. "Du-Dunno," she answered almost too quietly to hear above the background noise of the street. "I don't remember."

It was a curious answer and Greg furrowed his brow in curiosity.

"You don't remember?"

"Maybe- maybe when I was little," Blossom said, keeping her eyes on a group of unicorns in suits sitting at an outside table in front of a cafe. "Maybe M-Mom and Dad brought me."

She had never mentioned her parents before.

"Mom and Dad? What were they like? Do you know where they are?"

Blossom shook her head. "Dunno," she admitted. "They, um, they stayed at the farm."

Her previous mention of that 'farm' had made the mare sad and frightened and Greg didn't want to repeat that, not in the middle of the street. He wanted to know more, but now was not the time, so he decided to change the topic.

"Well, it's not far now. Princess Celestia says this place has the best muffins in town. Do you want to try them?"

The worried look on her muzzle was immediately replaced by a smile of anticipation. "Yes!" There was more certainty in her voice at this topic.

"Good! What sort would you like?" Greg invented rapidly. "Chocolate, or... or strawberry, or blueberry. I think there's a lot of kinds."

Blossom's smile vanished and she looked pained. For a second Greg worried he'd somehow upset her, but then the mare looked up at the sky. "Ummmm..."

Ah, the pain of indecision. The famous donkey and two identical piles of hay, or how did that old folk tale go?

"How about we take the first two on the menu today and then we come again tomorrow to try a few more? That way you'll have them all and then you'll see which one is your favorite?"

That saved her from having to decide and Blossom's face cleared up in another happy smile. She bobbed her head excitedly and Greg could even swear there was fresh spring in her step. He did notice that she wasn't pressing her muzzle against his hand anymore.

"Greg, my favorite human!" came a greeting from behind them, making the man stop and Blossom nearly walk into him.

He immediately recognized the voice. "Oh, hi Storm," he greeted.

He turned around and smiled warmly at the white-maned old pegasus out on the street. The old pony wasn't all that nimble, but four legs allowed him to hobble quite quickly to the human. Blossom backed away and tried to hide behind Greg's legs.

"Where have you been, you scoundrel? Candy has been asking when you'll come around and I don't know what to tell her!"

Greg leaned down so he could shake the stallion's hoof. "Sorry, it's been really busy lately. You know how it is, borders opening, trade picking up, stuff like that."

Storm shrugged a little to himself, but conceded the point. "Well," he muttered darkly, "I did always say you work yourself too hard, Gregory. But seriously, come over one of these days, will you? Candy and Aura are in town and they'd be thrilled to meet you! Oh, who's your young friend?"

At long last the pony had noticed Blossom and was peering at her with some curiosity.

"Storm Pop, I'd like you to meet Blossom. She's- uh, she's a friend. I'm showing her around the city. We're just on our way to get some muffins."

"Mighty pleased to meet you!" the pegasus bellowed. His direct manner and his wide smile had apparently disarmed the skittish mare enough so that she let him take one of her hooves and shake it vigorously. "Any friend of Gregory is friend of the family," Storm assured her.

As soon as he let her go, Blossom looked up at Greg, trying to see what she should do next. He misunderstood the question in her eyes and tried to explain: "Storm Pop's niece, Aura, had a really bad accident with her wing. Shattered. They came to the Castle to ask for help and we met in the hallway outside of the Grand Hall. I got Mr. Bennett - he used to be the ambassador back then - to listen to their case."

Blossom blinked, no closer to understand than she was before the explanation. Greg waved his arms around and went on: "Anyway, they took Aura in at one of the human hospitals and fixed her wing."

Storm was nodding happily at the memory. He barked a laugh. "Mind you, it didn't seem as if it would even work. All those metal bits in her wing..."

"Well, us humans have had to get really creative with our medicine. We don't have magic, you know?"

"I know, I know," Storm Pop nodded. "What's important is that Aura probably wouldn't be flying today without all that. So, you'll come to visit? Candy will make some cake for you to take back to Princess Celestia. I know you don't eat it yourself."

"C-Cake?!" Blossom asked, suddenly extremely curious.

"Oh, you like cake?" Greg asked in surprise.

The mare shook her head. "I dunno, b-but, um, Princess said something about cake..."

"Ah, and you'd like to know what it is?"

"She said it is de-delicious."

The old pegasus quickly latched onto that statement and prodded the man in the leg. "Hear that? Surely you aren't going to let Blossom go without cake, are you? Only the most heartless of monsters would do a thing like that!"

Laughing, Greg gave in. Besides, he thought, meeting more friendly ponies might really help Blossom get over her fear of others. "Fine, fine! We'll come for lunch, but I don't know when exactly. I'll send you a message, okay?"

"Deal!" Storm Pop held out his hoof again, which Greg dutifully shook. "Good, good," he said. "You two enjoy your muffins. Well, you enjoy them, at least, Blossom."

Greg waved his hand and then they were off again. All in all, the mare had handled the encounter quite well and Greg couldn't help feeling a tiny bit proud of her. Having been stuck at the bottom of some mine for most of her life and now walking around one of the busiest city in Equestria must have been a huge shock, but she seemed to be adjusting to it so far. Maybe it was thanks in large part to the ponies' innate affinity for sugar and sweets, but Greg would use whatever he could. Somehow it was really important to make sure Blossom was as happy as possible after her unfortunate childhood. With luck, once she was full of those muffins and back safely in the Castle, she might even open up a bit more about her parents and that mysterious 'farm'. Maybe her therapist would arrive and Greg would be able to get a few hours of privacy with Celestia. All that talk of sweets and cake was reminding him of the Princess and how much he missed her company. On a whim, he leaned down and patted Blossom's head.

"You're doing great, by the way. I'm really proud of you."

The mare smiled briefly, but then she spotted another unicorn across the street and watched him nervously until they rounded the corner.

"Um... three?" she asked once they were alone, more or less.

"Three what?"

"C-Can I get three muffins?"

Greg couldn't help but laugh. Making requests was great. "Sure, sweetheart. I think we can manage three."

He could have sworn she pranced a few steps in pure joy. Rehab by sweets, who would have thought it?!

Blossom ended up having five muffins, all in all. She had definitely ruined any chance of a healthy lunch, but Greg didn't have the heart to tell her no. Besides, she smiled a lot each time she got to look through the glass and make her choices. Gregory had to apologize because of the faint drool marks, but even that didn't dampen his spirits. He left a very generous tip when they finally left.

"So. Sweets, I guess?"

Blossom burped a little, but then nodded happily. It might have been bad for her body, but oh so therapeutic for her soul. The mare hardly even glanced at a unicorn in a suit and tie who passed just as they were exiting the tiny shop. Still, the sugar high would end soon, by which time it might be a good idea to have Blossom somewhere safe and familiar. God willing, she might even agree to a nap in the afternoon so Gregory could get a couple of hours with Celestia. Funny how he hadn't even noticed the constant touches and little affections until they were gone for a couple of days.

"Well, let's get you back and then you're brushing your teeth, understand?"

Blossom looked confused. "Teeth?"

"Let me guess, you don't know how to do that?"

She shook her head

"I'll find someone to teach you," Greg promised and that seemed okay with the mare.

He also made a mental note to get her to a dentist sooner, rather than later. As soon as she wouldn't freak out about strangers poking around her mouth. Again he shuddered just to think what kind of limited life she must have led during her captivity. Yeah, he decided again, filling her up with sweets for nearly every meal was perfectly fine, if it made Blossom happy.

"Let's go this way, I think there's less traffic."

Chapter 12: Deception, Unrest!

The Grand Hall was essentially a public space during the Court hours, but Greg still knocked on the door. The two guards stationed there watched him with some curiosity. They were both pegasi, which told Gregory that Celestia was expecting him and Blossom.

"Come in," came the melodious invitation.

Greg reached out to push the door open, but the guards beat him to it. He let his hand drop and walked through, but not before giving the two stallions a friendly smile. "Thanks."

One of them inclined his head, but then they returned to their posts, staring rigidly ahead. Not for the first time Greg wondered just how good they'd actually be at stopping an intruder. Well, the gold armor was quite impressive. It calmed the worried visitors and possibly deterred some of the troublemakers. Perhaps that was enough of a reason for their presence.

When he looked at the dais he saw the Princess and her guest, both looking at him. It took a second to bring the name to his memory and then he strode confidently forward. Blossom was right behind him, Gregory could hear the sound of her hooves on the carpet.

"Hello, Fluttershy," Greg greeted. "It's been a while."

The yellow pegasus extended a wing for a wave. She was one of Twilight Sparkle's friends and an Element of Harmony on top of all that, but since Twilight herself lived in Ponyville, her friends mostly stayed there too. All except for Rarity, who came to have tea with one or both of the Princesses whenever she was in Canterlot on business. He'd seen some of the paperwork for her clothes store and it seemed to be doing very well.

Greg was wondering a little why Fluttershy was visiting, especially without Celestia's ex-pupil, Twilight, but he didn't show it on his face.

"Hi, Gregory. How did it go?"

He stepped aside so the two mares on the dais could see Blossom. "Happy and full of muffins. She's doing a lot better, actually."

As if to prove him wrong immediately, Blossom quickly shuffled behind him again and pressed her muzzle against his leg.

"Don't be afraid, Fluttershy is the nicest pony I know."

It didn't do a whole lot, so Greg just sighed and started walking again. Meanwhile Celestia and Fluttershy came down from where they were sitting. There were two cushions on the floor beside the huge pair of gold-adorned thrones. Celestia never did enjoy sitting higher than any of her subjects, even when formal functions demanded it. Of course she had the cushions stashed behind the throne for when her closest friends visited.

"Hello!" Fluttershy said to the mare who was peeking between Greg's legs. "My name is Fluttershy! What is yours?"

The fact that she was a pegasus helped and Blossom didn't follow when Gregory stepped away. "B-Blossom," she said.

"She was kept in a mine and made to work. We do not even know for how long. Ever since she was a filly, I fear."

Fluttershy was instantly on the verge of tears. "Oh, you poor, sweet thing!" she said and rushed forward.

Blossom only had enough time to give a strangled little squeak of surprise, but then the yellow wings were wrapped around her and Fluttershy was holding her against her barrel. "There, there, it's going to be okay now, I promise."

The captive pink mare managed to turn her head enough to look at Gregory. "U-Um..."

Greg didn't know what to do, really. He would have gone to extricate Blossom from Fluttershy's grip, but Celestia laid a wing around his shoulders, keeping him in place.

"Leave them," the Princess whispered right into his ear. "Let Fluttershy work her magic."

Oh, of course! The Element of Kindness!

"You're going to be safe now. Nopony will hurt you ever again," Fluttershy was whispering. It was working, too. Blossom closed her eyes and sniffed. A moment later she buried her muzzle in the surprisingly deep chest fluff. "That's okay," Fluttershy encouraged the mare, "just let it all out. You'll feel a lot better, trust me."

"Come," Celestia said and took a step, but then she stopped. "Oh, Fluttershy - you know where Cadence's guest room is, right?"

Rather than speak up with the currently extremely fragile Blossom in her hooves, the pegasus just gave them a simple nod and a smile.

"You can take Blossom there. It is hers for the time being. Send a guard pony if you need anything."

Another nod. By now Blossom was openly weeping under the combined assault of Fluttershy's wing-hug, nuzzles and gentle back-stroking.

Gregory hadn't had many chances to touch the yellow mare, but he knew she was probably the softest object in the known universe. She normally worked with animals and Greg knew Celestia was secretly funding her animal sanctuary near Ponyville with anonymous donations, but her special Element magic would work just as well on ponies.

"So, she's the-" Greg asked, but Celestia simply interrupted him with a kiss.

Luckily they were already outside of the room and out of sight of Fluttershy and Blossom, because she kissed him so passionately that it probably left his lips bruised.

"Oh!"

She pulled away and winked, completely ignoring the two guards who had dutifully closed the door behind them and were now really relying on their training to look straight ahead with neutral expressions. The two stallions were losing and there was some red in those muzzles, but the Princess didn't seem to mind that either.

"Room. Now."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but no less urgent for that. She really was pent up! Greg began to smile as he plodded after the mare. He also needed this, a lot.

In record time the two were in their room. Greg hardly had time to push the door shut before Celestia's lips clamped against his once more. She moaned a little into his mouth.

Then she pushed him toward the bed. "I do not want Luna listening in on this..."

Her horn began to glow and a shimmering net of light spread around the room, covering all the walls, doors and windows.

Greg smiled a little uncertainly. Celestia hadn't required a silencing spell before, no matter how loud they were. Why would she start worrying about what Luna thought? For that matter, Luna hadn't bothered to shield her room. In fact it was often the case that Celestia wrapped herself and Greg in silence to allow them to even sleep!

The mare climbed up on the bed, but she was out of reach. Gregory slid forward and stretched out his hand for her, but a hoof on his chest kept him at a distance.

Suddenly Celestia's face was dead serious.

"I did not know whom else to trust, Gregory. I am worried," she said in a quiet voice. "I believe we have... well, I suppose 'spies' is the nearest word. Spies in the Castle. On my staff, even."

"Oh. What makes you think that?"

The Princess just watched him for a minute. Something in her expression was making his blood run cold. He'd never even considered a possibility of spies or subterfuge, not in this magical horse utopia. Who would even want to do that? The other races had been either defeated or befriended. Whatever plot she had uncovered, it had Celestia very worried, which meant he was worried as well. The Princess was thousands of years old and she had kept the throne all that time. If anyone, she would have very good instincts for this sort of thing.

"We can speak freely now, but not for too long. I do not wish to arouse suspicion in case anypony was listening in," Celestia said at her normal speaking volume. Greg suddenly understood her unusual silencing spell.

"Okay, what did you find? What's wrong?"

Celestia sighed and looked down. "I set out to find two things yesterday. One," she said, lifting up a hoof, "if there was any anomaly in the paperwork for any of the stone quarries in the Foal Mountains area. And two," here she raised up the other hoof, "I sent a wing of pegasi guards to look for any unlisted mines."

"Okay?"

"You remember that Comet Roll volunteered to join them?"

"Yeah, the new guy."

"He did not return."

"What?! K-Killed?"

Celestia shook her head and it felt as if a huge rock had rolled off his heart. He'd only met the stallion for a few minutes, but he was still relieved.

"I do not think so - I am sure Comet Roll is okay."

"Then where is he?"

The mare grimaced and her muzzle scrunched up in distaste at the words she was saying. "His captain tells me he was insubordinate and rude. That his conduct was unbefitting a guard, so she sent him for a refresher course in basic discipline. In Baltimare."

"Can you check if that's true?"

The Princess nodded. "I sent corporal Silverwing to make sure it is true, but he will not be back until tomorrow morning."

"Okay, what about the paperwork?" Greg asked, relaxing a little.

Celestia was handling the crisis and even if she was disturbed or disappointed in the deception around her, she would get to the bottom of it and then get rid of it. He had no doubts about her ability.

"That one is strange, indeed. The report placed upon my desk had nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Absolutely nothing. As if nothing of interest has happened at those mines in the past ten years."

"That seems a little far fetched."

She nodded and looked around, as if worried they might be under observation even here, in their own room. "It is. Remember that a lot of the mines in that area are owned either by griffins or by some of the Canterlot noble families. Both of those are very... let us just say 'profit oriented'."

She sighed and leaned forward, where Gregory smoothly caught her in a hug. "I was expecting some small tax evasion, or some workers' rights violations. There is always something!"

"Nothing? Wait, you said nothing in the past ten years. You don't check these more often?"

Celestia pulled away and glared. "Gregory!" she said, a little cross. "Who do you take me for? Of course I check! I know for a fact there have been issues. I had to step in several times and make very strong demands of the mine owners!"

"None of that was in the paperwork?"

"None. It is as if-"

"As if they don't know about your memory and thought you'd forgotten?"

Celestia shook her head. "No, as if somepony panicked and removed the original report and then replaced it with one that had nothing. I believe they did not have a lot of time to make the switch."

"Have you checked with the pony who prepared it?"

"I tried."

"Tried?!"

"Turns out, Ms. Ember Wishes had a 'family emergency' and had to leave Canterlot suddenly, yesterday. The report was the last thing she did."

Greg was starting to see a trend. "That's why you said spies. You think someone, or multiple someones are actively working against you on this?"

"From within the Castle staff. I cannot know whom to trust, Gregory."

"Have you asked someone else to check the mine records again?"

The mare shook her head. "No. That would signal that I do not believe the report I got and alert whoever it is that I know about them."

"Smart horse."

This made the Princess chuckle, which she sorely needed. Gregory moved his hands from her withers up to her ears and began to scratch.

"Mmmm."

"Okay, so what's next?"

Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. "It appears somepony, or somecreature at least, absolutely does not want me poking around the stone quarries. I will play along for now, but I want you to investigate this as well. We will both investigate."

"O-Okay?" Greg said, freezing. He wasn't a spy! "Why both of us?"

"Please don't stop!" Gregory started massaging again. After a moment Celestia answered: "Because it will be harder to watch both of us. Because they might not realize it. Because they might make a mistake and assume only one of us is actively working against them, while the other is keeping Blossom safe." She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes in comfort. "Speaking of which, we must never leave Blossom alone. She is a witness and I fear they might try to silence her. I trust Fluttershy completely, of course. I also asked her friend, Rainbow Dash, to come and keep an eye on them both."

"When will she get here?"

Celestia chuckled gently. "She already has. You did not look up in the Grand Hall, did you?"

Greg couldn't help smiling.

"Clever."

"Fluttershy will try and get Blossom's whole story out of her. If anypony can do it, it is her. Then we will decide on the next step. Other than them and you, nopony knows about this investigation."

"The fewer, the better," Greg guessed.

"Correct."

"You can count on me, Princess."

"I know, Gregory. Thank you. Now, since we have a pretense to keep up..."

Her mouth suddenly found his again. The fear, the worry, the uncertainty- they all melted under the gentle assault of her tongue. She let him go, but only because they both needed to breathe.

"Yeah... pretense..."

Celestia giggled a little and planted her next kiss on his neck. "It was not completely an act, Gregory," she whispered. "I do also need you."

"Yeah, me too!"

His hands began to explore down her barrel even as she tugged at his belt with her magic.

Maybe it was the sudden revelation of unknown danger, but the slight tingle of adrenaline made every touch of her hooves electric, every breath on his skin exciting. Every kiss delightful.

Judging by her moans, she felt the same.

Gregory was on his way to find Blossom and Fluttershy when a guard approached him in the hallway. The guard seemed a bit nervous, but that was probably because he was one of the new recruits and hadn't yet gotten used to the human's presence.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat, "Sir?"

"Yes?"

"There's uh- There's a problem out on the Sun Plaza. The Captain said to find you and the Princess."

"Oh, Celestia is taking a bath right now. Maybe you can find Luna somewhere? Did the Captain said which princess exactly?"

The stallion, a pristine white earth pony whose name Greg didn't know, rubbed one foreleg with his other. "Um, no, Sir. I'll go look for Princess Luna."

"Thanks for the information-" Greg asked, looking at the pony expectantly.

"Snow Cover, Sir!"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Gregory."

Normally he would have shaken the new guard's hoof, if only to make him a bit less nervous in his presence, but this 'trouble in Sun Plaza' sounded serious, especially if the guard Captain had asked for Greg specifically. It had to do something with him directly!

The stallion was nearly out of sight behind a corner when Greg remembered and called back after him: "Snow Cover? What's this trouble about?"

The guard looked back, very nervous judging by the way he fidgeted with his hooves. "Um, b-best if you go look for yourself, Sir."

That just increased the mystery and made him worry more. Whatever could be happening that was so bad that the guard Captain needed a lawyer?! Gregory abandoned his plans about Blossom and headed for the main exit. Fluttershy was probably fine dealing with the traumatized mare for a bit longer. The uncertainty and his wild imagination made him walk faster and he was nearly out of breath when he finally emerged from the Canterlot Castle.

The two ponies on guard there were apparently aware of the situation and one of them waved with a hoof. "This way, Sir! The captain is by the main gate."

Like all castles, even the majestic symbol of pony rule had walls and gates, although the ones here were open day and night. Gregory had asked Celestia about it at some point and she said she wanted her subjects to be able to approach her whenever they needed. The open gates just symbolized that.

Greg hurried onward and soon ran into a group of guards standing nervously by on the path. Relief quickly plastered a few of the muzzles when they saw him approach. "What's this about, Captain?"

The guardpony in gilded and polished golden armor raised himself up as tall as he could. He was a unicorn and despite his slender shape looked to be quite strong and imposing. "Sir," he said respectfully, "I'm not sure how to deal with this sort of situation. We haven't had stuff like this in Equestria before, so I thought either you or one of the Princesses should decide what to do."

"Yes, but what exactly is happening?" From his current vantage point Greg could see a small crowd gathered in the big open space just outside the gates, but he couldn't see the source of the commotion. Something was definitely happening, but it didn't seem violent.

The guard Captain cleared his throat again. "A public speech against you, Sir. Like I said, we never had anything like it."

"Speech? Again me?! Why?!" Greg was dumbfounded. He knew some of the nobility resented his presence and his favor with the Princess, but to organize a protest rally specifically against him was a bit much.

"It's about Blossom, S-Sir."

This only added to the mystery. Greg shook his head and put his hand over his eyes. "You better tell me everything before I go out there," he instructed the Captain.

The unicorn sighed and sat on his haunches. "Not much to tell, Greg. A mare set up a box to stand on and now she's saying you're - well, she's saying that you're cheating on Princess Celestia with a young mare." He swallowed nervously and paused for a bit to gauge Greg's reaction. When the man waved for him to continue, the guard plunged on: "She is saying you're flaunting your new squeeze right in front of everypony and making a mockery of both Princess Celestia and the whole of Equestria. She's calling for you to be banished back to Earth."

On top of all the other problems it was one so weird and unbelievable that Greg couldn't help chuckling at it. "Sorry, Fire Fly. It's just stupid. Why would I actually bring Blossom here and have lunch with her and Celestia at the same time? Who is this mare? She sounds more than a bit crazy."

"Couldn't say, Sir. There's a lot of secrecy around Blossom and the castle staff talk. I'm sorry to say, but rumor is spreading."

Greg's first knee-jerk reaction was to go out there and explain to everyone the truth. Tell them about Blossom and that she is being closely watched by both himself and the Princess. Except that might expose the mare to yet more danger. Still, the hope of keeping quiet about her story was surely dead by now. A public announcement might do the trick on Equestria. It certainly wouldn't have worked on Earth, where the people were inherently mistrustful of politicians, but these ponies still tended to believe what Celestia said. That was just the thing, though. If Greg went out now and tried telling his part of the story they might not accept it. Things could get ugly and if he went out like a big, attractive target, he might even spark a riot. Ponies were normally peaceful, but they were also pretty emotional.

"Can you get this mare in here so we can have a word?" Greg asked.

"I don't advise doing that, Sir. At least not now."

"Why not?"

"Imagine what it would look like. She is saying all those things about you and Princess Celestia and then the Royal Guard would approach her and ask her to come into the Castle. It could easily be misconstrued as-"

"Yeah, I get it. You're right." He still wanted to know who this pony was. Who in Canterlot hated him enough to try and stir up trouble like that? Greg walked to the Castle gate and Fire Fly stood up to join him.

"Sir..." the guardpony said cautiously, but Greg just waved his hand.

"I'll just look. I wanna see if I know her. Can you loan me your spyglass?"

It came out in a little cloud of glittering magic and landed neatly in Greg's open palm. He extended the device and peered through it, trying to get a closer look at the crazy speaker on the other side of the Plaza. Luckily most of the crowd were watching her and no one spotted Greg standing out there. The mare was horrifyingly familiar. The same white coat, although it looked less pure in daylight and a very pink mane, done in the latest fashion among the Canterlot nobility.

It was the hallway complainer who had been harassing poor Star Bright the previous week! It seemed her actual encounter with Gregory had spurred her to actually put her threats into action. Gregory still couldn't remember her name, but he had no doubt Celestia would know who it was. He offered the spyglass back to Captain Fire Fly.

"You don't know who she is?" he asked just to confirm.

The guard unicorn peered through the device. "She's certainly a somepony. I think I've seen her at the Gala, but I can't put a name to her. Sorry, Greg. I think she married into one of the noble houses a few years ago."

"Well, she was in the Castle a few days ago, complaining about her taxes or something. She said she'll have her revenge on humans or whatever. I don't even really know why she hates us so much."

Fire Fly heaved a sigh and put his spyglass away in a small pack on the side of his armor. "Hard to say. A lot of these nobles think you're going to usurp their positions. It's been similar when we finally made peace with the griffins, but things settled down when it became obvious griffins aren't all that interested in Equestrian politics."

"I see."

"I'll write a full report on this for the Princess. Do you think we should break it up?"

It was a tough call, but Greg had plenty of precedent from Earth to draw on. He shook his head. "Absolutely not, Fire Fly. Not unless things get violent. Otherwise they'll cry 'censorship' and 'opression' faster than you can say 'First Amendment'."

"I figured as much. Uh, what is 'First Amendment'?"

Greg reached down and slid his fingers under Fire Fly's helmet to give his ear a quick scritch. "Earth thing. Look it up sometime. Anyway, I think it's gonna be fine. Celestia will know what to do."

"Um," the stallion said, shaking free of Greg's hand and taking a nervous step back, "is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"T-That you, um, and Blossom were b-bathing together in Princess Cadence's suite?"

Greg hung his head and heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Captain, we ran into Blossom out in the middle of nowhere because she was running away from being forced to work in a mine. As far as we can tell, she has been there since she was a little filly. She distrust most ponies and in particular fears unicorns, but for some reason she likes humans."

"I didn't mean-"

Greg just interrupted the pony and went on: "Yes, I bathed her, because she was too nervous and scared to do it herself and she was caked with dirt and grime! Putting her in Cadence's suite was Celestia's idea, because no other guest rooms were ready at the time. In fact, the Princess and I take turns watching her."

When he was done, the guard was staring at the ground. "Sorry, Greg," he murmured.

"Don't mention it. Just make sure your guards know the truth."

For a moment Greg thought about mentioning possible attempts on Blossom's life to the guard captain, but he remembered Celestia's warning about trusting absolutely no one. The guards would just have to do their duties as best they could.

That also reminded him: "I have to go find Blossom. If Princess Luna comes here, do not let her go out there and talk. Tell her to come find me or Celestia first, okay?"

Fire Fly swallowed, but then saluted. "Yes, Sir!"

Luna was getting better at diplomacy, but this was somepony impugning her sister and her human friend, so the fiery alicorn might go and do something stupid, like shout at everyone out there. Hopefully she would listen to reason before she obeyed her passion. Greg took a last look at the gathering and then left before he was spotted. He saw the way the crowd were lapping up that noblemare's words and he itched to go out there and explain, but that would probably just make it worse. Public relations were a very tricky thing and far out of his area of expertise. The smartest thing to do was to make sure Blossom was okay, then find Celestia and let her deal with the situation. It still wasn't easy to turn his back on someone dragging his reputation through dirt. For that matter, besmirching Celestia's reputation was even worse, but Greg made himself walk away.

"Oh, Captain? Let me know if anything changes, okay? And if you find out who this mare is, arrange for a message to be sent to her. An invitation. I'd like to see her and find out why she hates me so much."

The guardpony nodded. "Will do. Thanks for the advice, Greg."

"You're welcome."

Chapter 13: Spy Stuff

When Gregory entered the guest bedroom where Fluttershy had taken Blossom, he immediately froze. His mouth, already open to ask the mares how they were doing, snapped shut. A moment later he was smiling at the sight. Fluttershy was sitting more or less upright, leaning against the pillow and idly stroking the other mare's mane. Blossom was lying on her back with her head in Fluttershy's lap and her legs folded against her body. She seemed to be asleep, or at least relaxed enough to have closed her eyes.

As Greg walked closer, Fluttershy returned his smile but didn't otherwise move. He could understand why. It would have been a sin to wake up Blossom right then. He stopped beside the bed and just watched for a moment.

"Sit," Fluttershy whispered and carefully patted the bed beside her. Greg obeyed, moving slowly so as not to jostle Blossom.

"How are you two doing?" he whispered back.

Fluttershy gave this some thought, but eventually she shrugged. "Too soon to tell," she explained. "I think we made good progress today, but it will still take a while."

That made sense. Greg remembered Blossom's indecent offer the other morning and suppressed a grimace. She must have had a lot of issues to offer something like that so casually.

"Learned anything about what happened?"

Their whispering seemed to be waking Blossom up and her eyes fluttered open. Greg froze in place, but the mare just smiled faintly and shifted herself a bit closer to him. Unable to resist, Greg put his hand on her belly and scratched, careful to stay above the waist line. The affection just made Blossom sigh and close her eyes again.

"You're good at that," Fluttershy commented.

"Got a lot of practice," Greg replied, but didn't say on whom. Fluttershy knew, of course. Everyone in Equestria probably knew by now, there was no need to point it out. "Well? Blossom's story?"

The mare opened her eyes at the mention of her name, but when she saw that Greg wasn't looking at her she closed them again.

"Not in front of Blossom," Fluttershy said. "I'll tell you and Princess Celestia later."

That made sense. It probably wouldn't do Blossom's self-esteem any good for them to talk about her like she wasn't there. He continued his scratches up her barrel while Blossom yawned and stretched out her hind legs. She held the pose for a second, then slumped back.

"Um, Blossom, sweetheart? Would you mind moving a bit so I can stretch too?" Fluttershy asked, having been reminded of how stiff her limbs were.

The pink mare didn't so much sit up as merely toss her weight from Fluttershy's lap to Greg's. The fact that she was bent almost double to achieve that didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. She gave the man a sad, soulful look and partly lowered her ears. He understood what she wanted and went back to scratching her belly. A moment later she closed her eyes and her mouth quirked up in a faint smile. It was barely there, but Greg was familiar enough with Blossom by now to spot it.

"You like this, don't you?" he asked.

Blossom opened her eyes and nodded. She preferred to nod, rather than speak, but that was okay. Gregory didn't mind a quiet pony on occasion, especially since so many of them were very extrovert and talkative.

Fluttershy finished stretching out her legs and wings. She watched Blossom for a while, then grinned at Gregory. "She likes you."

"Yeah, I kinda figured when she ran straight past Celestia and asked me for help instead."

"I think I know why."

Greg glanced at Blossom to make sure they weren't dredging up unpleasant memories again, but the mare had her eyes closed and didn't appear to be listening. He really wanted to hear what Fluttershy had found out, but he agreed with her that they shouldn't talk about Blossom as if she wasn't there. It'd have to wait.

"Anyway, are you two ladies hungry? We could go and see if Celestia has finished her bath."

Both he and Fluttershy looked at Blossom, who nodded enthusiastically, this time without opening her eyes. She probably associated the Princess with sweets by now. Gregory withdrew his hand, which made Blossom sigh sadly, but she flipped to her belly and then stood up without much fuss. Fluttershy followed quickly and he led them out of the guest room.

He hoped Cadence wouldn't suddenly arrive and expect her suite to be ready. Blossom was just settling in and it would be a shame to throw her life into disarray again so soon after the last upheaval.

Of all people it was Luna and Eli who ended up watching Blossom while she stuffed herself silly on Celestia's hoof-baked cake. The older Princess joined Gregory and Fluttershy's briefing. Even Rainbow Dash appeared from somewhere, but she didn't seem all that interested in the discussion, opting instead to lounge in the chair and occasionally flick an ear.

"I would like to thank you both again for coming on such short notice," Celestia told the pair and Gregory just nodded in agreement.

Fluttershy smiled widely and blushed at the praise. She still wasn't accustomed to ponies saying nice things about her, it seemed. "Please don't mention it, Princess," she replied.

Rainbow Dash added: "Yeah, it's cool."

"So, you said you learned something from Blossom?"

This was firmer, if sadder, ground and Fluttershy's face fell. "Yes, actually. She didn't spend her entire life in that mine, which is good, but - I don't really know what to make of it..."

"Maybe I will be able to help?" Celestia offered.

Fluttershy swallowed a lump and went on: "She grew up on a farm, but it didn't belong to her parents. It's a bit confusing, because she was just a filly, but she thinks they suddenly moved from a city to someplace with a lot of griffins."

"Griffins?!"

"Mhm," Fluttershy nodded. "They moved to a farm with another pony family, but the bosses were griffins. Blossom said her parents didn't seem too happy about that, but they always told her everything was going to be alright."

"This is... concerning," Celestia asked with a calculating look already on her muzzle. Gregory had a feeling the griffin ambassador would have some pointed questions to answer the next time he came.

"So, what about the mine, then?"

Fluttershy was lost in some dark thoughts and she flashed Greg a grateful smile when he brought her out of it with his question. "Blossom says her parents sent her away one day. She doesn't know exactly why, or how long ago, but it was about five years, I think."

"Around the time the portals opened?" Greg suggested.

"I g-guess so."

"Coincidence?"

His last question was directed at Celestia, who just shook her head. She didn't believe that it had been coincidence either, especially if humans were somehow involved.

"Anyway, they put her in a room with some other ponies and set her to work in the mine. I didn't get a whole lot, because... b-because..."

Fluttershy's eyes were filling up with tears and she looked on the verge of breakdown. Greg reacted faster than Celestia and almost jumped from his chair so he could go and give the pegasus a hug.

"It's okay, she's escaped," he reassured her.

"I think they whipped her. Unicorns, mostly. She calls them 'horns' or 'bosses'..."

Celestia nodded, her face carefully composed even though she was furious inside. Greg could read the tightening of her eyes and the uncomfortable shuffling of her wings.

"It would explain why she is so afraid of unicorns," the Princess guessed in a tightly controlled voice.

"Yes..." Fluttershy said, then heaved a sad sigh. "Anyway, some humans came along and..." she began, then leaned her head to the side in confusion, as if unable to quite make the story straight in her mind.

"They were in charge of the whole thing, weren't they? You can say it, I won't mind, Fluttershy," Greg reassured the mare.

She shook her head. "No, it wasn't that. Blossom said the humans slept in the same room as the worker ponies. She said they also worked in the mine and took orders from unicorns."

"What?!"

"What?!"

Both Gregory and Celestia had spoken up at the same time.

"It didn't make a lot of sense," Fluttershy admitted. "She said the human beds were right next to pony ones and they spent a lot of time together, working. She said the humans were nice to her."

That would explain why the mare bolted straight for Gregory, rather than a pony, but why would humans live and work with pony slaves in a stone mine?

"This really makes no sense..."

The yellow mare looked offended, but Celestia quickly reassured her: "We believe you, Fluttershy. Is it possible Blossom remembers incorrectly?"

"No, she was very clear on that part. She trusts humans because they treated her well and worked alongside her. When it was really cold, they cuddled for warmth and sometimes..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the way her ears splayed made it clear what she was about to say. Greg put a hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, we know."

That was a relief and Fluttershy managed a small smile.

Rainbow Dash spoke up for the first time since saying hello to Gregory: "So, where is this mine? I say we go there and kick some flank!"

Shaking her head, Celestia explained: "I tried to find it, but it seems somepony does not want me to. I am afraid there are spies in the Castle, or someone is blackmailing my staff."

"Okay, so we kick their flanks first and then we go look for the mine!"

Gregory and Celestia both chuckled at that. Rainbow Dash didn't have much tact, but her straightforward and passionate views were refreshing to see.

"We're investigating, don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this, I promise," Greg reassured the fiery pegauss.

"Indeed," Celestia added. "You may trust me on this when I say I will find out who is running a slave labor mine in my Equestria!" The authority in her voice couldn't be doubted. Whoever was behind all of this, they would pay, dearly. Gregory swallowed, happy that he wasn't in their shoes. Or horseshoes, whichever.

"So, what do you need me to do, Princess?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Giving the question a few seconds' thought, Celestia said firmly: "I need you to stay near Blossom, but surreptitiously. Keep an eye on her and make sure nopony tries to hurt her. I have a feeling whoever is running things would prefer if she did not talk to us."

"You got it!"

"For how long?" Fluttershy asked, looking at her friend with concern. "I don't think Rainbow Dash can stay away from the Wonderbolts for a very long time..."

"Yes, thank you for reminding me, Fluttershy," the Princess said. "It will only be a couple of days until Gregory discovers which of the Castle guards can be trusted with the task. Do not worry, both myself and Princess Luna will keep a close watch on Blossom as well."

"No problem! I'm your mare!" Rainbow said and saluted with a wing.

Fluttershy had another question. "Um, what about m-me?"

"Can you stay a couple of days as well? I think Blossom is really opening up to you. Maybe you can find out more?"

"Gregory is correct," Celestia confirmed. "I know you are busy with your sanctuary, but I can send some ponies to help out while you are here, Fluttershy. What do you say?"

The mare didn't like to be the focus of attention, but despite the slight blush she smiled. "O-Of course! It would be an honor, Princess!"

"Thanks!" Greg said and gave Fluttershy's shoulder a squeeze before returning to his chair.

"So, what are our next steps?" Rainbow Dash asked. "There's spies everywhere, right? What if they're-" she began, but then gasped and covered her muzzle with a hoof. She continued in a whisper: "What if they're listening to us right now?!"

Celestia laughed a little and waved a dismissive hoof. "This is a room I use for the more sensitive diplomatic discussions. It is soundproofed - I checked the spell when we came in."

"Won't it be suspicious we are meeting here?"

The Princess shrugged a little. "Perhaps, but I made sure there was a slight accident in my normal sitting room. I am afraid a pot of coffee smashed and the carpet is being replaced."

"Smart horse."

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash looked at each other at the expression and blushed a little, but they didn't comment.

"I cannot keep breaking things or looking for excuses, Gregory. You need to find out how the staff are being influenced or bribed or blackmailed. Fluttershy will look after Blossom so you are free to investigate."

"I'll do my best."

"I have utmost faith in you."

"Um, where should I start?"

Celestia gave this some thought. "Perhaps you can start with the guards. Find out why exactly Comet Roll was transferred to the Baltimare garrison and where that order came from."

"Okay."

"After that," the mare paused and shook her head as she corrected: "While you're doing that, speak with ponies who know Ember Wishes. See if you can find out what her 'family emergency' was all about. Try to find out who approached her when she was preparing the report for me."

"Got it! You can count on me, Princess."

Celestia gave him a pleading look and Greg stood up again so he could go and give her a hug. "Thank you. There has been dissent and subterfuge in the past, but it is a lot easier to deal with when I have you by my side, Gregory."

He almost went to kiss her, but then remembered about their guests in the room. Obviously they knew what was going on, but he didn't want to rub their faces in the fact.

Seeing his indecision made Celestia chuckle and she pulled him closer with a wing for a very brief kiss.

"Um, Princess?" Rainbow Dash asked, a lot less certain of her words than a minute ago."

"Hmm?"

The pegasus swallowed and asked her question without meeting Celestia's or Greg's gaze. "Is it true what they say about humans - you know... in bed?"

Fluttershy put her hooves over her mouth in horror, but the Princess just giggled and winked at Rainbow Dash. "Every word!" Celestia answered in a husky voice.

Even Gregory felt a bit hot in the face at her tone and he urgently changed the topic: "Yeah, okay, we should probably check on Blossom and then I'll go and see what I can find out from Fire Fly." The guard captain's name reminded Greg of the incident just he checked in on Fluttershy and Blossom. "Oh, there was some mare out in the plaza, saying I am cheating on you with Blossom. I told the guards to let her speak."

"Smart move. If they had stopped her it would have been censorship."

"My thoughts exactly."

"You can't just let somepony spread false rumors about you!" Rainbow Dash said forcefully as she jumped on her hooves. "Want me to go and have a word with this mare?!"

"No, don't. She's from one of the powerful families, I think. Actually, she was in the Castle last week, complaining about her taxes."

"I will consider how to deal with this," Celestia promised.

"I thought maybe a press statement about Blossom, except I don't know how much to give away. If whoever is behind this knows we're looking for them, they might try to do something drastic."

Celestia nodded. "I agree. They must already know we are looking into the matter, so this public statement may work in our favor."

"What do you mean?"

"We can downplay how much we know. We can misdirect them into thinking we do not have all the facts, or that we have the wrong facts. It may lull them into a false sense of security."

"Smart horse!" Gregory repeated.

The Princess grinned at the praise, but she laid a wing finger across his lips. "Not when we have company, Gregory. I have told you this before."

"Sorry."

"Very well. Let us go and see what may be done. Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Gregory."

The mare leaned in for another quick kiss, then they all got up from their chairs and walked out of the small meeting room. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash said goodbye, but Gregory didn't hear it. He was already lost in thought. Subterfuge wasn't exactly his strong point, but Celestia didn't have anyone else she could trust right then. Well, there was Luna, but if anything, the fiery, passionate alicorn would be even worse as a spy than him. He turned down the corridor, already plotting out his route to the barracks. He'd invite Fire Fly to drinks and pool after his shift and then just let the conversation idly arrive at Comet Roll and his 'mysterious' absence.
Yeah, that sounded like a start of a plan.

Gregory took aim along the pool cue, then slid the smooth, warm wood through his fingers a few times to make sure his shot was straight and steady. A moment later there was a loud clack and the white ball hit one of the red ones. The stroke had been a bit too strong and the cue ball followed its target into the pocket.

"Damn."

It was the work of moments to fetch it out and replace it in the half-circle before standing up and moving away to let Fire Fly have a turn.

The off-duty guard hefted up his stick and sighted down it. Of course, magic users had it easy, Greg thought, because they didn't have to mind their hands. Or hooves, as it might be.

"Remember, you can move the ball anywhere in the D," he reminded the stallion.

"Oh. Thanks," Fire Fly replied and his magic wrapped around the cue ball. He thought for a moment and then placed it down on the other side. It wasn't difficult to see which ball he was going to aim for.

"Red first, remember?"

The stallion sighed and shifted his ball slightly to the side. He brought the stick up and aimed again.

Clack! Clack! Thump!

"Nice shot."

"I still don't understand why we're playing these weird rules. What's wrong with normal eight ball?!" Fire Fly asked, trying to suppress a prideful smile.

"I just like it more. Besides, the table is custom made for snooker."

Although the guard had to concede this, he still pointed out: "It'd work just as well for eight ball. I know you have the other set of balls."

"Next game, okay?"

"Deal!"

Fire Fly took aim again while Gregory walked to the counter along the far wall. The ponies usually preferred cider, but he'd managed to import a few bottles of whiskey every now and then. You had to have whiskey while playing snooker, after all.

"Want some?"

"Nah," Fire Fly said, "it burns my throat. Could use some cider, though."

"Pansy." The stallion just grunted and focused on his play. Gregory didn't have to look when he heard the ball sink. "You know, I always said using magic is cheating."

This time he did look when Fire Fly didn't answer, only to see the stallion showing him his tongue.

They both chuckled at this and Greg quickly poured cider in the second glass, before taking both to the table. "Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me with a question," he said.

"What's that?" Fire Fly asked absentmindedly while he sighted on another ball. He stroked the cue ball expertly, but Greg was quick to point out:

"Red balls between each color."

"Dammit!"

"So, question?"

Fire Fly relaxed and took a sip of his cider. "Yeah, go ahead."

It was a bit tricky for Gregory to focus on his shot while keeping his voice as nonchalant as possible, but he did a decent job on both, even if he had to kneel down. The table was at pony-height, because it was easier for him to bend down than for his pony opponents to stand on their hind legs and still make good shots.

"I met the new guy the other day, what was his name, from... Baltimare, I think?"

Eager to help, Fire Fly took a guess: "Snow Cover? I sent him to get you for that... Plaza incident today. He's not from Baltimare, though."

Gregory shook his head. He remembered the guard's name perfectly, but he didn't want to draw too much attention to his question, so he wanted Fire Fly to guess on his own.

"Nah, the pegasus," he pointed out.

"Hmm, there's Comet Roll, but he's from Fillydelphia."

"Yeah, that was it. I knew it was that general area. Comet Roll, right. Whatever happened to him? I hope you didn't stick the poor guy on some night shift or something."

Greg hit the blue ball despite clutching the cue stick too strongly. He stole a surreptitious glance at the unicorn, who was looking at a nearby wall as he tried to remember.

Finally he brightened up. "Oh, there was some trouble with him, wasn't there? Lemon Slice said he was insubordinate on his mission."

"Lemon Slice? She's the one who looks like she's chewing on a lemon all the time, right?"

Fire Fly couldn't help but laugh, even if he felt a bit guilty and looked around in case anyone had overheard. "Yeah, I guess her name is spot on."

Gregory tried to recall the mare in question, but she rarely stood guard duty herself. She was just one of those background presences in the Castle, a pony he sometimes met in the hallway or the courtyard. "Shame. Comet Roll didn't seem all that bad," Greg commented in what he hoped sounded like idle conversation.

He sank his next red ball with a tricky bounced shot, which made Fire Fly whistle between his teeth: "Good shot. Oh, dunno, I haven't spoken with the guy a whole lot. Anyway, if Lemon said he was insubordinate then I believe her. Sour or not, that mare has experience."

"Yeah, yeah, I guess so."

"Don't worry, if he buckles down he'll be back here in no time. We're big on second chances in Canterlot, but you probably already know that."

"True, true." Greg deliberately bungled his next shot and pretend-swore. That allowed him to step aside and take another sip of whiskey. It also meant that Fire Fly was focusing on the game, rather than on him.

"Does that happen often? The insubordination, I mean?"

The captain shook his head, before sighting down the stick again. "Extremely rarely," he murmured, then paused as he struck. "Yeah!"

"Good one!"

Almost before the white ball had even stopped, Fire Fly struck it again and deftly sunk the pink ball. "That's eight for me," he said.

"Just the black and you win."

"Yeah, I remember now."

While the stallion was trying to calculate his next play, Gregory was just as thoughtful trying to figure out his next sentence. They both reached their respective conclusions at the same time.

"So, the Princess is going to make an announcement about Blossom. She's been stuck in a mine and forced to work. We're helping her get past that." As he said it, Greg kept a close watch on Fire Fly's face. He clearly saw the way his jaw tightened and his muzzle scrunched up in distaste.

"That's just... wrong."

"Don't worry, she'll catch whoever is responsible," Greg assured Fire Fly.

"Yeah, she put the Castle guard on the investigation. I've already got my best ponies on the job. And once they're caught, whoever they are..." The stallion let out a small growl from deep in his throat. "Well, let's just say I hope they enjoy looking at a stone wall, because I'll personally stick them in prison for the rest of their lives!"

"Who do you think it was? I mean, what species? Pony? Human? Griffin? Maybe dragon or something?"

Fire Fly shook his head. "No way it was a pony. No pony would do such a thing. Dragons aren't too interested in digging up stone. It has to be either humans or griffins." The stallion realized what he'd just said and his ears lowered. "Um, sorry. No offense intended."

"Don't worry. I know there's some bad people out there." It was a bit troubling how quickly Fire Fly ruled out his own kind, though. Did he know something, perhaps? Was he trying to mislead the human? "What if it turns out it was a pony operation after all?"

The guard looked up from his stick and glared at the man for a moment, but then he heaved a sigh. "I'll still toss them in jail, but... I gotta be honest with you, it'd be a blow."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

Fire Fly bent over his stick again and neatly sunk one of the last few red balls. Then he walked around the table to where the cue ball had stopped and tried to come up with a way to get at the final black.

"For what it's worth, I also think it's a human operation," Gregy said. It wasn't entirely a lie, despite what Fluttershy had found out about unicorn slave drivers. There was still probably a human somewhere at the top. Even with humans working in the mine beside ponies. After all, enslaving their own kind wasn't such a foreign idea to some people.

Thump! Thump! Clack!

"Oooh, nice shot!" For a moment his attention was distracted from his spy role while Gregory appreciated the difficult double-bounce shot Fire Fly had just pulled off. He wasn't even disappointed that the unicorn had just deftly sank the black ball.

"Yeah!" the guard agreed, grinning widely.

"Eight ball next?"

"Sure!"

He probably wouldn't get any more useful information from the Captain, Greg thought, but he had gotten his next lead. Lemon Slice. He wondered if he could make up an excuse to see the mare privately and question her a little. A problem for later. He had done a good job so far and now it was time to fully focus on his game and enjoy it properly, even if it was eight ball instead of snooker.

"Another drink?"

"Yes please! I'll set it up."

Greg went back to the counter to pour more cider and whiskey while Fire Fly levitated the balls out of the pockets and replaced them with the other set.

This spy stuff wasn't too hard, actually.

It was late at night by the time Fire Fly excused himself, citing early duty. Peering at the clock on a nearby wall, Gregory was forced to agree. He ignored a pang of guilt when he remembered that he'd left Blossom with Luna and Eli for most of the day. He deserved some time off and besides, his counter-espionage work was important! Not to mention that there were also Celestia and Fluttershy who could look in on the young mare. She was probably fine, gorging herself on sweets if she was with Luna, or giving a detailed account of her life story if she was with Fluttershy. He didn't know where they might have taken the mare, but he made a detour past the guest wing just in case.

Gregory knocked on Blossom's door, not really expecting a reply, but a soft voice invited: "Come in!"

Fluttershy. His second guess, then. He opened the door a crack and looked inside. The antechamber was empty.

"In here," Fluttershy called from the bedroom.

Feeling only slightly uneasy, Greg entered the suite and went to look. It was an unusual, but not unwelcome sight.

"Oh, hi ladies. Just making sure you're okay."

Both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were on the bed, flanking Blossom who seemed quite content to snuggle down with two pegasi. She even gave Greg a happy little smile from between the two other mares.

"Hi, Blossom! How are they treating you?"

She looked from Rainbow Dash to Fluttershy, then back at Greg and just shrugged.

"Well, good night, anyway," he wished them and set off to leave.

"W-Wait..."

That was Blossom and a word out of her muzzle was a rare enough treasure that Greg turned back. Blossom had her ears folded down and her eyes big and shiny. "Stay?" she pleaded.

For an instant Gregory really considered it. Of course nothing could beat Celestia's incredibly soft fur and glorious wings around his shoulders at night, but three ponies in a pile were somewhat... tempting.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be very appropriate, sweetie."

Blossom's ears lowered a little more and she looked down at the bed sheets. Fluttershy quickly put her hooves around the distraught mare and whispered something in her ear. At the same time Greg couldn't help but notice the interested, almost hungry look Rainbow was giving him. He almost said something about it, but Dash shook her head slightly and smiled.

"Yeah, probably," she said, agreeing with his assessment.

"I'll come see you in the morning and we'll have pancakes, right?" He was about to leave again, but remembered something. "Did Princess Luna and Eli treat you okay?"

Suddenly Blossom looked horrified and Greg almost winced. She'd been afraid of Luna - the 'horn'. It had probably been a mistake to leave her with the younger Princess.

"They let her eat a whole tub of ice cream," Fluttershy said with an annoyed scrunch to her muzzle. "She was ill!"

That would also explain Blossom's expression.

"Oh. I'll have a word with them. Hope you feel better, Blossom! Night, ladies!"

"Night!" the pegasi chorused while Blossom just waved without looking at Greg.

He left the room and closed the door behind him. The two guard ponies kept their gazes firmly on the opposite wall and didn't even glance over when Greg bid them a peaceful night as well. It looked like he would get to sleep in Celestia's bed after all. It had been a while and he missed her quite a lot. Hopefully Blossom would be fine with sleeping alone by the time Fluttershy had to leave. Even more importantly, Gregory remembered, he should know by then which guards to trust. He had to find out who was behind this conspiracy, and why, as soon as possible.

Celestia was already in bed when Gregory finally made it to their room. She lifted a head when he entered and then smiled. "Blossom in good hooves, I gather?"

"Yep. That Fluttershy is a godsend," Gregory replied and flicked the light switch.

With a carefully neutral face Celestia pointed out: "All my ponies are special and uniquely gifted, Gregory." He didn't know what to make of it until Celestia added: "But her especially, I agree."

"All three of them are cuddling on Cadence's bed. Should we tell her when she comes to visit do you think?"

Celestia giggled at the image in her mind. "I am sure she'd be delighted. I mean, it is not strictly love, but perhaps it is close enough."

"Such a weird power. She can make people fall in love, you said? Isn't that like, mind control?"

Celestia shook her head while Gregory went to the small bathroom attached to the suite. "Not quite. She can only encourage the feelings if they were there to begin with. She cannot make ponies do something against their will."

"It's still coercion," Greg said, looking around the shelf under the mirror. "Damn, I forgot I took my toothbrush to Cadence's suite while I was sleeping there."

"There is a fresh one in the cupboard," the Princess pointed out without getting up from the bed.

"Oh, thanks."

They didn't talk while Greg went about his evening ablutions. Scant minutes later Celestia held up the blanket with a wing for him.

"Thanks."

With a faint flash of magic Celestia extinguished the light while Gregory slid closer and brushed his hand through her chest fluff. "Mmmm," she sighed in comfort. "I missed this, you know?"

They were talking in whispers by now.

"Me too."

Celestia lowered her voice a little more and brought her muzzle right to Greg's ear. "Found anything out?"

"Lemon Slice was the one who ordered Comet Roll to Baltimare. Insubordination, that was the reason."

"He did not seem like the rebellious sort. I am thinking he might have seen too much on their scouting mission and somepony did not want him to tell us."

"Why not simply kill him?"

There was silence for a while and Greg sought out Celestia's muzzle with his hand. He patted her nose by way of silent apology.

"You forget we are still ponies, Gregory. Murder does not come easily, even to the worst among us."

"I guess." An idea struck him. He really didn't like it, but he had to tell Celestia. "What if I go visit him and find out what he knows?"

"Good idea, but we would need an excuse."

"Well, just tell Fire Fly you're sending me to the Baltimare garrison to speak with their commander. I'm drafting foreign policy and they've had to deal with both immigration and emmigration to Griffinstone. I actually could use their input. Or, maybe it could be a surprise inspection or something."

"Brilliant monkey!" Celestia said, making Greg pause.

"What?!"

She giggled softly in his ear. "Just returning the favor, dear."

"I'm not sure I like that expression."

"It is just the same as 'smart horse', Gregory."

"Point taken."

She kissed the tip of his ear while Greg's hand slid down to her belly and began massaging in small circles.

"Yes, I like that idea. Once there, you will 'remember' about Comet Roll and have a quick talk with him, correct?"

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking."

She aimed the next kiss for his cheek and pulled Greg a little closer with her hooves. "What about Ember Wishes?"

"Haven't gotten around to her yet," Gregory admitted. "I spent the evening with Fire Fly."

"And?"

"I think he isn't a part of anything sinister. I think it's Lemon Slice."

Celestia heaved a sigh. "Back when Shining Armor was the Guard Captain something like this could never have happened. Nothing got past him when it came to ponies under his command."

Even after all these years, Celestia was still trying to fill Shining Armor's enormous horseshoes, it seemed. Gregory had only met the stallion a few times, mostly when he visited Canterlot with his wife, Princess Cadence, but he was quite impressed with the guy.

"Maybe we should send Fire Fly up there to get some more training from Shining Armor?"

Celestia giggled at the mental image. "Perhaps," she agreed. "I will think about it."

"Please don't tell him it was my idea!" Greg pleaded.

The mare just laughed quietly. "Enough business," she said with finality and slid one hoof down Greg's belly. That prompted him to turned his face toward her and their lips met. His fingers stopped scratching her belly and moved lower, making the Princess moan through her nose. He pushed on her barrel with his other hand to get her to turn, but Celestia resisted.

She broke off her kiss and answered his unspoken question. "On your back. I will do everything tonight, just relax."

Gregory obeyed, but not without protest: "But I really like how you taste..." he said in a husky whisper.

That gave the mare pause. After a few seconds thought, she flopped to her back and patted his shoulder with a hoof. "You may proceed, then I will do everything tonight."

She didn't see his grin as he ducked under the covers, but she could probably imagine it, just as he could imagine hers.

As Gregory trailed kisses down her belly, Celestia was already beginning to moan.

Chapter 14: Inspection

Greg remembered why he didn't like the idea of his Baltimare visit as soon as Celestia led him to the pegasi-pulled flying carriage. Of course, he couldn't spend several days getting there and back again. It was a necessary evil. He prepared to climb aboard with a heavy heart when several ponies came running into the courtyard.

"Please don't leave!" Blossom yelled as she barreled into Gregory' legs and clung on for dear life.

Greg managed to keep his balance by grabbing the edge of the carriage. He couldn't turn around at the moment, but he saw a bit of yellow out of the corner of his eye.

"Sorry!" Fluttershy said as she followed the distraught mare. "Blossom wanted to see you and we asked a guard and he said you were going to Baltimare..."

Greg reached down to pat Blossom's head and she licked his fingers in return. "Aw, I'm not going away, sweetheart. Blossom, can you let go so I can talk to you?"

With Fluttershy's help, the distraught mare was able to release Greg's legs and he turned around to face them both. He saw Celestia smiling in the background, but ignored her for the moment. Blossom looked on the verge of tears. "I'm not leaving, Blossom, I promise."

She pointedly looked at the carriage, then transferred her gaze to Greg.

"I know what it looks like, but it's just a business trip. I'm not even taking any luggage, see?"

Again the mare carefully inspected the vehicle and was forced to admit that Greg had a point. "P-Promise?"

"I promise," Greg replied, giving her ear a scratch since his hand was already there.

"I wa-wanna come with."

He looked at Fluttershy, who shrugged, then at Celestia who gave a barely perceptible shake of her head. "I don't think that's a good idea, sweetheart. It'll be cold and noisy and then I have a whole day of meetings. It's going to be boring."

The mare was about to shake her head, but Greg cupped her muzzle with his free hand. "Hey, how about I hurry back and bring you something sweet, huh? And while you wait, Fluttershy and the Princess will find something fun to do, right?"

The last question was directed more at Celestia than the other two mares.

"Promise you'll c-come back?" Blossom insisted.

A very strange promise came to Gregory' mind and he smiled at the absurdity of it. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Now that's a Pinkie promise, right?"

Fluttershy was smiling widely at the words and nodded, even though Blossom wasn't looking at her. "P-Pinkie promise?"

"Fluttershy will explain. No one can break a Pinkie promise, you know?"

It seemed to be working. After a glance at the yellow pegasus, who nodded, Blossom sniffed and wiped her muzzle with a fetlock, before closing her eyes and inclining her head. "O-Okay," she agreed.

That seemed to settle it and Gregory stood up. The four pegasi who were going to pull him to Baltimare and back kept their eyes forward, the epitome of patience. They didn't even look back when he climbed aboard.

"Okay, I guess I'm all set."

"Don't worry, sir, we won't let you fall out," the lead pony promised. Greg quickly recognized him by his voice, if not his face.

"Thanks, Silverwing. I promise I won't scream this time."

The comment was unexpected enough that all four pegasi tittered a little before they could get their amusement under control. The helmets hid their ears, but Greg knew ponies well enough by now that he could clearly imagine how they flattened out of embarrassment. He sat down, buckled himself into the seat Celestia had installed for him specifically, and waved to the Princess. Blossom was almost near enough to touch and when Greg held out his hand the mare stepped closer for a quick mane tousle.

"I'll be back soon," he repeated. Blossom nodded and managed a faint smile before pulling away, just in time as the carriage started moving. Another bit of old memory surfaced and despite his fear, Greg murmured to himself. "On Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen..."

The pegasi looked at one another in confusion and Silverwing glanced back at Greg for clarification. Greg blushed, being reminded again that pony ears were a lot sharper than human.

"Never mind, a bit of an old Earth story."

The corporal gave him a nod and focused back on his task. The other three guards took their pace and direction from him, ensuring a smooth ride. Greg risked a glance backwards at the receding courtyard where Blossom and Fluttershy were both waving their hooves. He wanted to give them a wave back, but his hands were gripping the edges of his seat and weren't entirely under his control. It'd be a terrifying hour and a half to Baltimare and then another on his way back, but the man had to put that out of his mind and concentrate on the meetings and the spying.

Partly to distract himself from the flying and partly out of 'due diligence', Gregory started thinking about a casual-sounding excuse to see Comet Roll once he reached the Baltimare garrison. Celestia had sent a fast pegasus ahead with a message for the commander. The official story was that Greg wanted to interview the garrison leader about any border infractions in the recent past, which would help him codify some sensible rules about that sort of thing in the foreign policy.

The best Gregory had been able to do during the nerve-racking flight, was to come up with his approach. He'd decided on a cool, slightly bored, highly-professional government inspector. He drew his inspiration from some vaguely remembered movies. Luckily, the pegasi team landed the carriage outside of the city proper and drew it in on hoof, giving the man some time to get past his fear of flying and to compose himself. There were curious looks directed his way, but Gregory was used to that by now. Here and there ponies pointed him out to their friends or children as the pegasi guards pulled the carriage through the outskirts of Baltimare.

Very soon they were at the garrison, made obvious by four armored ponies standing in front of a large, wooden door. They were expecting him and pushed the gate open at a brisk order from Corporal Silverwing. The streets with all the onlookers were quickly blocked from view while Gregory climbed out of his chair and looked around with some curiosity. He'd never been very interested in soldiery even on Earth and this was an entirely different species. He had a very vague, imprecise idea of how the ranks worked and which were supposed to be higher, so the man was hoping like hell there would be no embarrassing questions. The best thing to do was try and control the situation from the get-go. He focused on one of the ponies in a plain, green uniform, who had wandered closer to inspect the newcomers.

"You, uh, private?" Greg guessed from the lack of any stripes. "Take me to the commander!"

The pegasus saluted smartly and turned around. "Right away! This way, sir! Commander Vigil is expecting you!" she said.

Good thing Celestia had remembered to send a fast scout in advance to announce his visit, Gregory thought. Most Equestrian ponies would know who he was, of course, but he probably wouldn't be allowed to snoop around a military establishment without a royal permission.

"Thank you."

Gregory had been hoping that Silverwing would follow him and offer at least a semblance of support, but a glance backwards told him that it wouldn't happen. The corporal had already unlatched himself from the harness and was giving some brisk orders to his squad.

Steeling his resolve, Greg matched his pace to his guide's and glanced around the place. The garrison was like a little extension to the city proper. There was only one main entrance and it was surrounded by walls on all sides, even though those probably didn't do much when an invading force could fly. To that end there were a number of towers along all the walls, each one peopled - or 'ponied', as the case may be - by several equines.

"Are the defenses manned around the clock, private?" Greg asked, trying to play the inspector role.

"Twenty-four seven, sir! Pegasus and unicorn per tower."

"Why one of each?"

The mare glanced back as if trying to determine whether Gregory was testing her, then replied anyway. "Pegasus because of our superior eyesight, sir, and unicorn for defense and to send messages, if necessary."

"Good. That's good."

Gregory was thinking up his next question, but they reached one of the buildings. The pegasus mare, whose name he hadn't thought to ask, just barged in. On the inside it looked like a regular office, except that the hat rack held helmets, rather than hats, and there was a shelf with several pieces of armor. An older-looking unicorn was sitting at the table, writing with a quill held in his magic. He looked up at the intrusion and his eyes narrowed when he spotted the man.

"Inspector Gregory, sir!" the private announced a bit louder than Gregory would have preferred. "Commander Silent Vigil!"

The commander stood up from his low stool and saluted, a little less sharply than the mare had done. "Dismissed, private."

She left without a backwards glance, as if getting a human visitor was something that happened regularly.

"Uh, good morning," Greg offered.

The pony looked him up and down, not immediately replying. When he finally opened his muzzle, he just asked: "Tell me, Mr. Gregory, why does Princess Celestia suddenly want you to conduct an inspection of this garrison?"

It was a valid question and one Greg had practiced in his mind on the flight over. "Two reasons, Commander. First, she wanted someone to look at your operation with a fresh eye - someone without a military background. Second, I could use some information for the laws and policies I am preparing."

Silent Vigil just grunted noncommittally. "Okay, so what do you want to see first?"

Gregory invented rapidly: "A quick tour of the place would be good. Then I was hoping I could ask you some questions about the griffins."

"Okay, come this way. We can do both."

The commander went to the hat rack and grabbed his helmet. There was a plume on it, but Gregory couldn't tell from which bird. He decided not to ask.

The stallion led him outside, where a group of soldiers were just marching past. They stopped and threw a salute, which the commander returned. No one spoke. Gregory was just wondering if he should salute as well, but the squad, or whatever it was called, marched off.

"So, do you want to see the inside of each tower?" Vigil asked as he began walking.

Greg had to hurry up a few steps to catch up. "No, just one. What else do you have here?"

"What do you mean?"

Again, Gregory had to invent on the spot: "I assume there's a mess hall and sleeping barracks, right?"

Vigil stared at Greg's face for a few seconds, then nodded. "Yes, we have those."

"How about training?"

"There's a physical fitness course, an archery range and a magic training area. All strictly adhering to regulations."

Pretending like he knew about those, Gregory nodded sagely. "Good. That's good to hear. I'd like to see the archery range, then. How about prison, or holding cells. Do you have any?"

"Currently unoccupied."

It made sense. Equestrian society was, on the whole, a very peaceful one. Even the Canterlot dungeons didn't have any occupants, at least not since ambassador Bennett's unfortunate imprisonment by a misguided Princess Luna.

"No, wait," Silent Vigil corrected. "There is one pony in the solitary at the moment. I nearly forgot."

"Oh?" Something told Gregory he knew who the pony was. His heart was beating faster. Was Silent Vigil in on the whole conspiracy thing, or was he simply fulfilling orders from Lemon Slice.

"Fourteen day solitary for insubordination and conduct unbefitting a royal guard, sir."

"I want to speak with... him? Who is this?" Gregory asked, inserting a pause before his guess.

"Yes, it is 'him', but I'd have to check my paperwork for the name. A pegasus private, recently demoted from the Canterlot Castle guard."

It all fit, so Greg repeated his request. "I want to speak with him. We don't get many delinquents in the Castle Guard."

The commander stopped suddenly and turned around. "I'm afraid that's not possible," he said.

"What?! Why not?"

"Solitary confinement is exactly what it says on the tin, sir. You can come back in thirteen days," Vigil explained with a note of finality in his voice. It didn't seem as if he would budge from this, at least not without direct orders from Celestia.

Greg decided not to push it for the moment and ask the Princess for advice when he was back in Canterlot. If the commander was in on the conspiracy, then insistence to see Comet Roll would look mighty suspicious.

"Fine, fine. It's not really that important," Gregory lied.

They reached the nearest guard tower and Vigil pointed to the door. "Care to take a look inside?"

Gregory did so, but it was an automatic gesture and he wasn't really seeing anything. He was thinking furiously, trying to come up with a way to confirm who had put Comet Roll in prison.

"Hmm, it seems to be in order."

The unicorn took the announcement without any change in expression on his muzzle.

"Take me to the mess hall next."

"This way."

As they walked, Gregory decided to pursue his other topic for a while before circling back to Comet Roll. "So, the other reason I'm here. Have you had any altercations with the griffins lately?"

The question obviously wasn't one Silent Vigil had been expecting, because the unicorn blinked in surprise and fixed Gregory with another piercing stare. "Not recently, no," he said. "It used to be a matter of course a few decades ago. Before my time."

"I see. Fatalities?"

"Not usually. A few, here and there, but not regularly. Scrapes and bruises, perhaps a broken leg."

"Why would the griffins keep coming if they couldn't get through?"

Commander Vigil's lips tightened and Gregory had a feeling it was a stupid question, but the unicorn was duty-bound to answer the silly human. "Well," he began, picking his words with care, "I would assume because the griffins are a warlike race and are always on the lookout for easy conquest. They were either 'trial' attacks to gauge our strength, or, more likely, some kind of maturity rituals."

"Rituals? What do you mean?"

"When a griffin comes of age, it is customary for them to attempt a daring feat to try and increase his or her station. Most of them go searching for lost treasure, but some decide that conquest of land would be more their style."

"I've never heard about that," Gregory admitted.

"Like I said," Silent Vigil pointed out, "the practice ended decades ago. A peace treaty was signed and things have been quiet ever since. These days, hunting for treasure is the norm."

"That's good."

The soldier didn't answer, making it clear that he would have preferred more action to just sitting around and keeping eyes on the sky. It was a very eloquent silence.

"Okay, so you train fresh recruits here. Do all of them eventually go to Canterlot and join the royal guard?"

"No, not that many. Most of them join the force nearest their home town, so they can be with their families."

"Yeah, makes sense."

"It takes special dedication to join the Princesses' castle staff."

This was his chance! Greg returned to the topic he was really interested about. "Strange that one of them would foul it up in his first week. Do you think I could speak with the ponies who trained this- um, whoever is in your prison." Gregory felt a tiny bit proud of himself for not slipping up and mentioning Comet Roll's name.

"I'll see what I can do. Anyway, this is the mess hall. Do you want to see the kitchen?"

"Yes, let's go have a look."

The griffin thing was also interesting. If they were so territorial, then it would make sense to think up some kind of sanctions for unprovoked attacks, even if committed by young birds out to prove themselves, in case the custom ever came back.

"Do you have records of the griffin attacks? How many attackers, how often, their targets?"

"Yes, the old files should still be around somewhere. You!" the commander pointed to one of the soldiers who was just putting his empty tray away. It was an earth pony who quickly threw a salute, even while his eyes strayed to the human at Silent Vigil's side.

"Go into the archives, tell whoever is on duty to bring me reports of any griffin attacks in the last thirty years."

"Yes, sir!" the pony barked and rushed off.

Silent Vigil looked at Gregory for a few seconds, then blinked and shook his head. "It'll take a while."

"That's okay. Let's check out the kitchen and then I'd like to see some maps."

"Maps of what?"

"I'd like to see the exact border between Equestria and Griffinstone. I also want to know how far you patrol and how often. Oh, and I'll need copies of the maps to take back."

He had an idea. It wasn't directly related to the reason he was there, but Gregory wanted to compare pony maps of the Griffinstone border with griffin ones. Any disputes should be worked out before he referenced the border in a new set of laws and policies. At the same time, he was hoping that one of Comet Roll's old commanding officers would know why he was in prison. At least, Gregory hoped, they would know the fake, made-up reason. If they didn't, then he could demand the guard to be immediately released. Last time he checked, Celestia didn't approve of chucking people into prison for absolutely no reason.

"I think I can arrange all that by the time you leave," Silent Vigil said, bringing the man out of his thoughts.

"Oh. Good. I'll be sure to mention to the Princess how helpful you've been."

This finally earned Gregory a small smile from the commander. "Thank you, sir. This way to the kitchen."

He'd have to fake that he knew what a military kitchen was supposed to look like and then he could go and check out some paperwork. Any paperwork. He'd be on firmer ground there, Gregory felt. Not as productive a visit as he'd hoped. He had really wanted to speak with Comet Roll, but unless he could prove that the pegasus had been imprisoned on false changes, he couldn't simply demand to get him out of prison. Celestia might be able to do that, but not her human lawyer, even if he was her lover. It probably meant he'd have to visit again, soon, but Gregory had made his peace with that. He'd just have to get used to flying in a pegasi-pulled carriage.

"Oh, one more thing, commander - could you arrange for corporal Silverwing and his ponies to get some food and drink before we leave?" Gregory said, reminded by the sight of cooks stirring big pots of what looked like vegetable stew.

"Of course. I'll see to it."

"Splendid."

Chapter 15: Tea Time

Celestia was in good spirits as she left the Grand Hall after court. It hadn't been too bad - a couple of pleas for shipments of grain to impoverished villages, several applications for her School for Gifted Unicorns and a rather strange request that she officiate a wedding ceremony in Cloudsdale in a month's time. The grain she approved, even in the cases where the shortage was the fault of poor planning or corrupt civic leaders. In those cases she had made a mental note to visit the towns at the earliest opportunity and have a word with their mayors. She would consider the applications for her School another day, and the wedding thing she would think about later in the day. She wanted to do it, but at the same time didn't like the idea of setting a precedent like that.

There would probably be cake, though.

Perhaps Gregory would be able to help her decide when he was back. Celestia spared the man a thought. Hopefully he wasn't having too much trouble with recalcitrant military leaders who tended to look down on all civilians. She didn't doubt the lawyer's ability, though. He would undoubtedly bring back something useful. In the meantime she could check up on Fluttershy and Blossom to see if they had made any further progress. Any new information would come in useful. The mere thought made her scrunch up her muzzle in distaste. Slavery right there in her Equestria! Celestia didn't like the thought at all.

On the whole, she ultimately decided, influence from Earth hadn't been too bad. Morning Breeze was living proof. That was exactly the point - the young mare was still alive, mainly thanks to human medicine. All Celestia had to do, really, was keep a hoof on these negative 'gifts' and ideas. Her ponies weren't bad, but some of them could be all too easily influenced when motivated by profit. Not unlike some of the humans she'd seen on Earth TV, actually.

Musing about the similarities and differences between their species distracted Celestia enough so that she nearly walked past the door to Cadence's suite. She stopped just in time and raised a hoof to knock when she realized there were no guards. Her blood ran cold and the mare froze for a single, terrifying instant. Surely not all of her staff was involved in the conspiracy?!

The Princess threw the door open with a burst of magic, making it slam against the wall and nearly tearing it from its hinges. She ran inside, hoping against hope that Fluttershy and Blossom were alright.

There was nopony in the antechamber, so Celestia galloped to the inner door. The bedroom was just as empty. A glint of white caught her eye and she plucked the piece of paper from the pillow. As she read, Celestia let her rump hit the carpet. Her legs were shaking and she scanned the lines rapidly, afraid of what they'll say.

'Dear Princess Celestia. It is such a nice day outside that we decided to go in the gardens. Please join us, if you have time. Fluttershy'

Her magic faded away and the message floated to the carpet while Celestia breathed a deep sigh of relief. Nothing sinister, they'd just gone out to spend some time in the warm, spring sun. The guards must have gone with them, which was exactly what Celestia would have expected them to do. She shook her head and tried to calm down her hammering heartbeat. Jumping at the slightest shadow, now? It was imperative that she got to the bottom of this subterfuge as soon as possible. Letting paranoia take hold of the Canterlot Castle and, more importantly, of her own mind, would be disastrous.

Celestia shuddered, brushed her muzzle with a fetlock and stood up. The gardens, then. As she left the suite she closed the door gently behind her.

It was indeed a beautiful day outside and it would have been a shame to miss it. Celestia was smiling again by the time she was treading the gravel path to the hedge maze. She saw the group of ponies sitting at one of the stone picnic tables and hurried their way. Fluttershy's shade of yellow was unmistakable.

"Hello, my little ponies!"

The guards only now noticed her arrival and jumped upright in their panic. One of them tripped over the stone bench and landed in the dirt with a faint 'oof'. The other one immediately began apologizing: "Princess! We were j-just, uhm..." He didn't find any excuse and looked down at his hooves in contrition.

"It's my fault, Princess," Fluttershy admitted with her ears completely lowered. "I invited them to join us for tea."

Celestia quickly understood their trepidation. They were supposed to be on guard against anything happening to Blossom or Fluttershy, but they had let their focus slip and indulged in a little tea party.

"Glory Tail, Vanilla Pop, please stand," Celestia instructed.

They did so, even if they glanced at each other uneasily. "Princes, we're sorry," Glory Tail said. "We'll r-report to Fire Fly for our p-punishment right away!"

Celestia watched them seriously for a few seconds, but then allowed a small smile to grace her muzzle. "There will be no need for that, Sargeant. I do not mind my ponies taking well-deserved breaks, but do make sure at least one of you is on the watch at all times, okay?"

Both guards slumped a little with relief, then hurriedly saluted. "Of course, Princess! It won't happen again, Princess!" Glory Tail assured her.

She wasn't too disappointed, though. An invitation to tea from Fluttershy was almost impossible to decline. It would have taken some sort of special training to resist that, especially since the mare had been kind enough to get croissants.

Now that the little crisis was averted, Blossom let go of Fluttershy's leg which she'd been clutching out of fear, and relaxed a little.

"Will you join us for tea, Princess?" Fluttershy asked, smiling a little and indicating the bounty. "There's plenty of food left."

Her stomach reminded Celestia that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. She came to speak with these ponies anyway, so having a bite of pastry at the same time sounded delightful.

"I would be happy to, Fluttershy."

Blossom watched her for a few seconds, then magnanimously pushed a plate, laden with the croissants, toward her.

"Thank you, Blossom," Celestia said.

The mare looked down at her hooves, but Fluttershy brought her muzzle closer and whispered something, which made Blossom look up again. "Y'w-welcome," she murmured.

Celestia bit into the pastry and closed her eyes in pleasure while Fluttershy slid over a tea cup and filled it.

"H-Hope you like it," came another murmur from Blossom.

Before Celestia could answer Fluttershy clarified: "Blossom picked out the flavor of tea, Princess."

It was strawberry and the sweet aroma filled the air. Celestia took a sip to wash down the croissant and gave Blossom another smile. "It is very nice."

This made Blossom blush a little with pride and there was a hint of a smile on her muzzle. It was a pleasure to see and Celestia decided not to push the two for more answers. Not now. It was a nice picnic out in the sun and it was obviously doing Blossom a world of good. She could get the news from Fluttershy later, when Gregory was back too. That way the pegasus wouldn't have to repeat herself.

The rest of her problems - the subterfuge and the slavery and dissent against her and Gregory - could also wait until later. It wasn't as if the trouble would diminish if the Princess took a short break.

In fact, she might get some fresh ideas on a full stomach.

Chapter 17: Irritating Interview

There was a knock at Celestia's door.

"Enter," she called out.

A guard poked his head into her office and cleared his throat. "Um, excuse me, Princess. Ms. Twinkleshine is here to see you."

"I don't remember... Show her in, please."

The pegasus stepped aside and a very cross-looking mare walked in. It took a moment for Celestia to place her. She was a unicorn with a grayish coat and a pink mane and tail. Not a Canterlot native, but she had married into one of the wealthy families.

"Ms... Twinkleshine?"

"Yes."

No honorific, Celestia noted. Her visitor seemed a little wary, but not afraid and certainly not reverential towards the Princess.

"What may I do for you?"

The mare worked her mouth for a moment, as if chewing something absolutely foul, but her resolve stiffened and she replied: "You asked me to come here. Well, here I am."

Celestia drew a blank and smiled apologetically. "Please excuse me for one minute."

She walked past the annoyed-looking unicorn and out of her office, where she leaned closer to the guard who had announced the visitor. She spoke in near whisper: "Excuse me, Bright Beam, do you perhaps know why Ms. Twinkleshine is here?"

"Uh, C-Captain Fire Fly sent for her on Gregory's behalf, but the Ms. refused to speak with a- uh, with a human." When Celestia didn't reply immediately, the guard lowered his gaze. "She, um, asked to see you instead."

Fire Fly and Gregory in the same sentence reminded Celestia. "Oh, she is the one who was speaking out against Gregory in the plaza?"

"Y-Yes, ma'am."

And her day had been going so well until now...

"Thank you," Celestia said curtly and returned to her office.

She gently closed the door shut with her magic and walked back to her seat. The other mare hadn't moved a single inch, but she was looking around at some of the nicer paintings on the far wall.

"You probably know why we asked you to come here, Ms. Twinkleshine."

"Not a clue," the mare lied. Her expression was composed now, even the slight hint of distaste from earlier wiped away so completely that Celestia nearly doubted her own memory. The only emotion Twinkleshine exuded was boredom.

"You had quite an impressive speach in the Plaza the other day, Ms. Twinkleshine."

Twinkeshine humphed dismissively. "So? It's a free country, isn't it?"

"Quite."

The two mares stared at each other and neither blinked. In the end, Celestia sighed again and decided to try the direct approach: "Why do you dislike the humans living in the Castle so, Ms. Twinkleshine?"

"Who says I dislike them?"

It took an incredible effort of will for Celestia not to outright growl. Her expression hardened and the air in the room felt several degrees cooler. Even Twinkleshine realized she might have gone too far and shuffled her hooves before she could catch herself.

"An honest answer, if you please?"

Her mouth pressed together again and Twinkleshine took a deep breath. "Fine. I think what you're doing is a disgrace! You've given Equestria to humans in all but name. It's a- a- an invasion!"

This was getting somewhere, even if Celestia didn't much like the direction. "What makes you say that? I do not take orders from the ambassador, nor his aide. Aside from them, there is just Gregory. That is hardly an invasion, Ms. Twinkleshine."

"Well, they are all in your bed!" the mare burst out. She seemed surprised at her own statement, but only for a second before rallied and started to glare once more. "It's not right! We won't stand for this!"

"Who is 'we'?"

Twinkleshine didn't answer the question. She shifted her weight from one hoof to the other, but kept her muzzle firmly shut.

Celestia had had enough. She stood up and came around the desk so she could look at the mare from up close. "Whom I do or do not take to my bed is not any business of yours, Ms. Twinkleshine, nor of your associates, whoever they are. If, however, you really are concerned with how Equestria is being run, you may bring your grievance to Court and present it there, in front of everypony."

The mare harrumphed, scrunching her muzzle up in severe distaste. "Yeah, like that isn't a complete farce! A bunch of hooflickers and yes-colts!"

"I am warning you, Ms. Twinkleshine!"

"What are you going to do, Princess," the insolent mare asked, putting a derisive little twist on the title. "Toss me in jail? I'm sure that'll look real good in a newspaper!"

It would probably cause an uproar among the Canterlot nobility, Celestia knew. Twinkleshine wasn't high-born, but she'd married into the Ritz family and had taken to the high society like a fish to water. The mare had ambitions and enough cunning to act on them. With the backing of her husband, Sapphire Ritz, she would have to be reckoned with.

"I do not toss ponies in prison without good reason, Ms. Twinkleshine. Please do not give me one today," Celestia replied smoothly. This back and forth was getting them nowhere and Celestia didn't want to spend any more time verbally jousting with an irate noblemare. She remembered another thing Gregory had told her. "In fact, I might just go and take a personal look into your family's records. After all, if Equestria is to be governed fairly, then it is vitally important that ponies are taxed fairly, don't you think?"

Celestia smiled and even her closest friends would not be able to find any malice in her open, hopeful expression. Suddenly Twinkleshine was extremely nervous. She obviously hadn't expected the Princess to know about her visit the previous week.

"Fine!" she spat. "I'll stop speaking out against this human abomination."

Even though Celestia did not like the word Twinkleshine had chosen, it was perhaps the best outcome she could have hoped for. It was a shame the mare wouldn't be reasoned with and had to be threatened, but at this point Celestia would take what she could get.

"Splendid," she said, letting her smile widen.

"But watch yourself! I'm not the only one who doesn't appreciate what's going on!"

"And what is going on, Ms. Twinkleshine? If there is danger to Equestria, do you not think I should know about it?"

The mare slumped a little. She'd lost her edge and she knew it. Her goal had rapidly changed from threatening the Princess to getting out of the room with her dignity. "Not everypony appreciates the way you-" the unicorn began, but took a breath and changed it: "-the way Equestria is bowing and scraping to Earth. Not everypony loves humans like yourself."

"Noted. You have my solemn vow that Equestria will remain independent."

Twinkleshine obviously didn't believe that, but before she could offer a scathing reply, Celestia continued.

"Meanwhile, we can benefit from human knowledge and ingenuity. You are aware of Morning Breeze, correct?"

This was her fist major success story and everypony in Equestria knew that name by now. Twinkleshine lowered her gaze and nodded.

"Then there was Silver Song, undoubtedly you've heard of her? Neither her mother nor the filly would be among us were it not for human surgery."

Again, Twinkleshine had no choice but to nod.

"And then there was Aura, right here from Canterlot, need I remind you?"

The unicorn said nothing.

"Ms. Twinkleshine, please understand this. We can learn a lot from humans. They are a powerful nation with advanced knowledge, which they are willing to trade. Even now our ponies are studying in human schools. They are learning medicine and astronomy and mathematics and engineering."

Celestia began to walk around the room, inspecting her paintings and the shelves of books she kept in her office just for something to do with her eyes.

"Soon, I hope, we will accept human students in some of our universities. Think of it as 'trade', Ms. Twinkleshine. We trade with the griffins and the yaks and even the dragons. All nations benefit from open trade." It took the Princess only seconds to recall something which would be close to Twinkleshine's own heart. "In fact, does not your husband, Sapphire Ritz, still maintain his father's trade agreements with Griffinstone? Velvet, was it not? Equestrian velvet in exchange for griffin gold."

"Yes," the mare said quietly, not quite meeting the Princess' gaze anymore.

Celestia knew she had won, at least for now. She allowed herself to smile for real this time. "Well, instead of attempting to drive humans out of Equestria, why do you not think of ways you and Sapphire may benefit from trading with them? The Ritz family have always been successful merchants."

There was no reply.

"And, please, do not hesitate to come to me again if ever you have concerns about humans. I will be only too happy to lay your worries to rest, Ms. Twinkleshine, without the need for public speeches. Now if you would excuse me, I am quite busy double-checking Gregory' work."

It was a dismissal for the unicorn and a way for her to keep at least some semblance of dignity. Celestia could almost read the mare's thoughts. If she pretended to accept the answers she had been given, it would appear that she had been no more than a concerned citizen, rather than a rabble-rouser. Perhaps Twinkleshine, or her husband, or perhaps some other noblepony would try to cause more problems, but it wouldn't be right away. Hopefully it would take long enough for Celestia to sort out the recent subterfuge and slavery problems before she had to deal with this other unrest.

It really was like juggling spinning plates, the Princess thought.

"Yeah. Okay," Twinkleshine mumbled and let herself out of the office. Bright Beam poked his head in as the mare was leaving.

"Please see Ms. Twinkleshine to the Castle gates, Sergeant."

"Yes, ma'am!" the guard said and saluted with a wing. He closed the door gently behind him while Celestia returned to her seat and resumed reading the document. She had lied a little to the unicorn. It wasn't a proposal for immigration laws from Gregory, but staff files. She was double-checking out every single guard working in the Canterlot Castle while Luna was organizing an interview room and schedule. Rainbow Dash had been unsuccessful, although exactly how two earth ponies could have avoided her on hoof was a story Celestia would really like to hear. She'd have to ask Luna about it when she was done with the pegasus. Not to mention that the attackers had been able to sneak right into the Castle, dressed all in black and carrying weapons. They had to have had help from the guards!

As they'd suspected, Lemon Slice was still missing, but Celestia was sure there had to be more than one double agent among her staff. After the guard she would interview all her clerks and after that she would go for the maids. An attack on another pony's life in her own Castle! Unthinkable.

She would purge this darkness from their midst, no matter what it took!

"Look, I already explained all of this," Rainbow Dash was saying irritably. "They escaped through the kitchen entrance and into the alleyways."

"That was why you couldn't track them on wing?" Luna asked.

"Exactly! I had to go on hoof, but they had a lead! Excuuse me for checking if Blossom was alright before going after the guys!"

Luna inclined her head. "No need to apologize for that, Rainbow Dash. You have done exactly the right thing. I just wish we could have interrogated the attackers."

"Well, you can start by asking everypony who lives between the Castle and the Elite Equine Spa if they saw anything. They must have hidden in one of those houses! Somepony is probably helping them!"

"That is probably not a very good idea." Shaking her head even before Rainbow had finished speaking, Luna lowered her ears in disappointment. "Most of that area are the wealthier houses and manors. If they ran along the back alleys, they could have gone into any one of them."

Rainbow Dash looked triumphant. "Well, there's your answer then! One of the nobleponies must be in league with these guys! Send the guards, I dunno!"

Luna bit her lip in worry. She shook her head again and couldn't meet the pegasus' gaze. "Perhaps it would be best if Sister decides what to do. We can't simply accuse ponies, especially nobleponies, without more proof. Are you sure you do not have their description?"

The Wonderbolt looked thoughtful as she scanned through her memory again. "I think one of them had a purple coat. I saw his leg when he stumbled. The other one, I dunno. Maybe yellow mane? I know it's not much to go on."

"Nevertheless, I will instruct the guards to watch out for that combination. They were both stallions?"

"Yeah, definitely. Both were earth pony stallions. I'm sure about that part."

"Well, the important thing is that Blossom is alright. Had you not moved as quickly, Sargeant Glory Tail assures me, she might not have been so lucky."

Rainbow Dash allowed herself a touch of pride. "Well, I am the fastest pony in the world!" she boasted. She gave this some thought and corrected: "Actually, make that two worlds."

Luna couldn't help but laugh at her confidence. "I don't doubt it."

"Anything else? I told all of this to Captain Fire Fly as soon as I was back, you know? He wrote a report!"

The Princess inclined her head and flattened her ears in silent apology. "Thank you for telling me also. I am taking over the investigation into this attack personally."

Rainbow just inclined her head in acknowledgment and slid from her chair. They were in the hastily-appropriated guest room antechamber. There was a writing desk, which Luna was using as her temporary office while she conducted her investigation. She didn't want to go far from Blossom, who was with Gregory and Fluttershy in the other room. Rainbow Dash paused for a few more moments to see if Luna thought up any other questions, then joined the three in the bedroom.

If she listened carefully, Luna could hear the sound of the movie they were watching. She'd seen it before, but judging by Fluttershy and Blossom's quiet squeaks and gasps of surprise, they had not. In Blossom's case, that was understandable. She'd been stuck at the bottom of a mine and hadn't seen all these human marvels, which were slowly making their way into Canterlot. Movies which didn't need a projector and a huge room. And such movies! Eli Grant had shown her a few of what he called their 'war films'. Somewhat... gruesome at times, but oh what heroism and chivalry! In fact, Celestia was meeting with some of the human businesses who made these devices to arrange permissions to sell them in Equestria. Indeed, there were quite interesting times ahead.

Luna shook her head clear of irrelevant thoughts and focused back on her task. She opened the outside door with her magic and raised her voice: "Please fetch Captain Fire Fly!"

She bent down to study the roster he'd given her while she waited.

The Captain knocked on the wooden frame, even though the door was already open in invitation. Luna looked up and smiled at the unicorn. "Come in. Close the door."

He obeyed and approached her desk. Despite the chair, the pony just stood there, as was proper for a soldier on duty.

"Sister will be finished with all the guards' dossiers shortly after dinner," Luna said, "and then we will begin the interviews."

"Yes, ma'am," the stallion said, keeping his gaze firmly on the wall behind Luna.

"I would like you to be present at all of them. We do not want accusations of illegal interrogation."

The stallion inclined his head and closed his eyes briefly in acknowledgment. "Of course, Princess."

"Good. I think we will go alphabetically, in reverse order. Please adjust the rosters as you think neccessary and have the first four waiting after dinner."

This time the unicorn blinked in surprise. "Um- may I ask, ma'am, why reverse order?"

Luna gave him a bright smile. It had been Greg's idea, but she had liked it a whole lot. "Because everypony will expect us to go alphabetically. If this surprises you, then hopefully it will also surprise them. We wish them to worry."

The Captain smiled as he understood. "Oh. Of course! Very smart, Princess."

Luna just gave the guard a slow nod before standing up and going to check on Blossom. She poked her head into the bedroom and was pleased to see that Rainbow Dash looked up at her intrusion, even if the other three didn't. At least somepony was on watch. Fluttershy and Blossom were watching the movie with rapt attention and Gregory seemed to be asleep. Luna couldn't blame him. It did look very comfortable. The man was lying on his back, propped up against several pillows and holding the human device - an "eye pad" Celestia had called it - upright on his belly. The mares were pressed up against him from either side. Fluttershy was sitting, more or less, and her muzzle rested on Greg's shoulder so she could see better. Rainbow Dash was lounging against her, using Fluttershy as a pillow, but the latter didn't seem to mind at all. On Greg's other side there was Blossom, lying on her back, tucked into the crook of his arm, which encircled her so that his hand rested on her belly.

He was probably scratching or stroking the soft fur there, but Luna couldn't see because Blossom had curled her tail up and was hugging it with her forelegs as she watched. It didn't seem that she was even blinking and neither was Fluttershy. It really was a beautiful story and she made a mental note to ask Gregory to loan her the 'eye pad' later on, so she could see it again. For now she didn't want to disturb them. She inclined her head to Rainbow Dash, who just flashed her a quick smile, and retreated out of the room.

Seeing that reminded her that she missed Eli Grant. As soon as this trouble around Equestrian slavery was over she would borrow the eye-pad on a more permanent basis and have Eli show her more of his favorite movies. Smiling faintly to herself, the Princess went back to the table and glanced over her documents again. It all seemed in order and Celestia still wasn't free, apparently.

Luna went to the outer door and stepped into the hall. There were three guards stationed outside the guest room and they all bowed their heads in greeting.

"At ease," Luna said and they relaxed. She looked both ways along the corridor, then addressed the highest-ranking guard. "Corporal, anything to report?"

The pegasus shook his head and gave a quick salute. "Nothing, ma'am. It's been quiet."

"I don't like it. The would-be assassins have escaped and I worry. Stay vigilant. I will send others to relieve you in an hour so your squad can have dinner."

"Yes, ma'am!" Silverwing replied and this time all three of them saluted.

Luna made sure to match the gesture before heading off, but she only walked a few steps before she remembered and turned back. The guards looked at her questioningly, but didn't comment. The Princess focused and her horn sprang to life. She felt the wards her Sister had left on the balcony door and the outside window and found them to be intact. Nopony had attempted to gain entry that way. Luna's lips pressed together in slight worry. It really did seem too quiet. Surely if somepony was so worried about Blossom revealing a damning secret they would try to get at her again. It was hard to believe there would only be one attempt.

"Do not let your guard down!" the Princess repeated.

Again, the three ponies saluted.

They seemed watchful enough and there were Gregory, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash in the room with Blossom. Luna trusted them completely. She suppressed the slight feeling of unease and headed off to get some dinner and look for Celestia. Perhaps, after they questioned all the guards in the Castle, they would know more. In the meantime, Fluttershy had promised to try and learn, before the day was over, the secret which was proving to be so dangerous. They had to find out whatever it was that Blossom could tell them and that the assassins didn't want them to know!

Chapter 18: Investigation

Thanks to his impromptu nap during the cartoon, Gregory wasn't in the least bit sleepy, however late it was. Blossom was fine, being cuddled by Fluttershy, and with Celestia and Luna right in the next room, he had time to catch up on paperwork. Despite the crisis, he still had a job to do and this could be a welcome change away from the slightly-too-clingy mare. He could understand Blossom's attachment, especially after being attacked the previous day, but it wasn't a good idea to let her become too dependent on him.

Greg was halfway through his document when there came a quiet knock at his office door. "Huh? Come in!" he called out.

One of the guards poked his head inside and gave Gregory an apologetic smile. "Visitor, sir."

"Oh. What? This late? Let them in."

Celestia had insisted he keep a couple of Castle guards around all the time. It was understandable after the previous day, but Greg didn't have to like it. It smelled too strongly of paranoia and baseless fear. He forgot that line of thought when Star Bright walked into his office, glancing nervously at the two stolid, impassive guard ponies on either side of the door.

"Bright? You're here late," Greg commented in surprise. "Shouldn't you be at the observatory?"

The stallion had never been too dedicated to his job. It was just a temporary thing his parents had made him do for bragging rights. He heaved a forlorn sigh and shook his head. "I should. I'm missing a meteor shower, b-but... I need your help, Greg."

This seemed concerning and Greg stood up, paperwork forgotten for the moment. "Shut the door."

Star Bright did so with a casual flick of his magic, then he looked around the room as if looking for something to talk about. His tail was swishing nervously and his left ear twitched every now and then.

"What's wrong? You can tell me, Bright."

"Um..." the unicorn said, not quite meeting Greg's gaze. "Thing is, I dunno who to tell. I'm- I'm a bit freaked out right now."

Gregory took a closer look and saw that Bright's hind legs were trembling a little. He hurried forward and crouched down in front of the pony so he could lay a hand on his withers. "What happened?!"

Now that he felt safe, Star Bright finally focused on Greg and his lower lip trembled. "I- I think I m-might quit, Greg. I can't t-take this!"

Surely Nutmeg wasn't driving the poor colt too hard, was she?

"Look, if you have too much work or crazy deadlines just tell me and I'll help you work something out. If Ms. Nutmeg-"

Bright shook his head, closing his eyes. "It's not t-that..."

"Then what?"

It took some effort for Gregory to remain patient, but Star Bright looked like he was in shock. His rump hit the carpet and he put his face in his hooves to hide. "I sh-shouldn't be telling you this. I'm s-sorry, I'll just go. I shouldn't."

"You mean it's something personal? Did you get your marefriend in trouble or something?"

Bright shook his head again, but didn't remove his hooves from his face. "No. J-Just forget it. Forget I said anything. I shouldn't tell you." His shoulders were shaking as he fought back sobs.

Greg made a judgment call and slid further down to his knees so he could hug the poor colt. Bright went stiff at first, but soon melted into the embrace. His hooves slid away and he buried his muzzle in the nape of Greg's neck.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. Just tell me what's wrong," Greg cooed quietly.

Bright sniffed once but managed to keep himself under enough control no speak. "T-They said they'd g-go after Mom and D-Dad..."

It was Greg's turn to stiffen in shock. That sounded very ominous. He gently lifted the colt a little so he could peer into his face. "Bright? Who is this 'they'? Has someone been threatening you?" It had to be related to the situation with Blossom, there was no way this was a coincidence.

Star Bright looked at the man in horror for a few seconds before his gaze darted away. "I- I'm... they s-said-" he choked out, but couldn't get any further.

"It's okay. You'll be safe. Your parents will be okay too, we'll make sure. Just tell me what happened."

Luckily Star Bright believed it and he managed to meet Greg's eyes. He sniffed again, then spoke, his words halted and fragmented: "Came to-today... wanted to see me. T-They asked ab-about Blossom..." The stallion shuddered and whispered: "They had a k-k-knife."

That confirmed it and Greg's lips pressed together in frustration. Whoever was behind all this seemed very well organized. "How many?"

"T-Two. They asked about y-you, too!"

That meant they had at least four ponies acting in Canterlot and probably more. Unless it were the same two who attacked Blossom. After all, neither Fluttershy nor Rainbow had been able to identify them.

"Earth ponies? What colors?" Greg asked.

Bright looked around the room as he searched his memory. "Earth pony and a pegasus. One of them - the earth p-pony - was v-violet or s-something, with white patches, umm, gray and brown mane, short. T-The other, like blue? I think..."

"You think? Didn't you get a good look at them?"

Star Bright shook his head. "H-He stayed behind me m-most of the time. They were k-kinda scary..."

Gregory committed the descriptions to memory, then gathered up the colt in another hug. "That's good, you're doing good. What else did they say? You have to tell me everything, okay?"

Wiping his nose with a fetlock, Bright nodded against Greg's shoulder. "I'll t-try. I'm s-scared, Greg. What's happening around here?!"

"That's what we're trying to find out. Don't worry, the Princess will make sure your family is safe. You did the right thing to tell me," the man assured him. One other question popped into Greg's mind and he pulled away from the stallion. "Quick, how long ago was this?!"

Now the stallion blushed and lowered his gaze to the floor. "M-Morning," he whispered so quietly that Greg had to strain to hear. "I h-hid in the bath-bathrooms until n-now." He looked up at the man and reached out a hoof as if in supplication. "I was just so s-scared! I h-heard you come in..."

"It's okay," Greg said, relaxing. "I wish you'd have told us sooner. They're probably out of Canterlot by now, or in hiding. Damn."

Fresh tears threatened to escape Star Bright's control and he sniffled a little. "I'm s-sorry... I'm just a coward."

Gregory sighed, but went back to hug the colt some more. It had been a very traumatic experience and he couldn't blame him for being scared. "Okay, you're safe now. We'll go up to the Princesses and tell them everything, okay? Think you can do that for me? Everything they said and everything you told them."

The colt went stiff. "Princesses?!" he squeaked in a tiny voice.

"Don't worry, I'll be right there with you, deal?"

It took a minute or so, but finally Star Bright nodded.

"Good boy. Would you like a cup of cocoa? I need you to remember as much as you can, so just try to relax. It's over."

Another nod.

Greg considered letting Bright go so he could ask one of the guards to fetch the beverage, but the stallion felt... 'brittle'. He could go to pieces at the slightest thing.

"Um, Bright!?" Greg raised his voice.

It made the colt flinch and he quickly patted him on the back.

"Sorry, sorry. Not you. Bright Beam!"

The door opened and the pegasus guard poked his muzzle in. If he thought the scene in any way strange, his muzzle didn't show it. "Sir?"

"I don't want to presume, but would you be so kind to fetch a cup of hot cocoa from the kitchen? It's just around the corner..."

"Of course, sir. No problem!" Bright Beam chirped helpfully.

"Thanks! I really appreciate it!"

The guard just inclined his head. "Absolutely no problem, sir. Um, sir?"

"Ask."

"Everything, um, okay in here?"

Gregory almost told the guard what he'd just learned, but thought better of it. Bright Beam hadn't been through Celestia and Luna's interview. If he was in on the conspiracy - well, he probably assumed Star Bright had told Greg everything, but he didn't have to confirm it.

"It's fine. Just a really bad boss. I'll go talk with Celestia right away," he lied.

"Sorry to hear that, sir," the pegasus said. "I'll fetch the cocoa now."

The door closed gently and Greg was left wondering whether the pegasus was on his way to tell someone that Star Bright had blabbed. He shook his head. If there were any corrupt guards left, there couldn't be that many. Most ponies were trustworthy and honest, Gregory reminded himself. There was no reason to start doubting everyone just because of what was happening. That was how you got paranoia and started flinging around baseless accusations. It was a dangerous path to tread.

Still, he had to hurry and get Star Bright to Celestia and make sure his family was protected. They now had at least partial descriptions, which was more than they had before.

Eventually Star Bright got his cocoa and settled down with Fluttershy and Blossom to watch yet another Disney cartoon on the iPad. The mare had been a bit tense at seeing a unicorn, but she recognized Bright and soon relaxed.

Gregory left them to it and went to check on Celestia and Luna's progress with the interrogations. "Any luck?" he asked as he took a seat on the couch.

"Most of them are trustworthy," Luna announced, scanning the paper before her with a quill held in her magical grip. "Two are suspicious and we will look further into their past."

Celestia added: "There are six more to interview. Would you like to sit in?"

"Yeah, why not. They were asking Star Bright about me, so I guess it concerns me too."

Luna called for the next guard on the list and soon after a rather pudgy unicorn walked in. She didn't have her helmet, but her golden chest piece was immaculately polished. The mare was vaguely familiar to Gregory, but he didn't recall her name or recognize her military rank, so he just waited for the Princesses to address the newcomer.

"Thank you for joining us, Spring Morning," Celestia greeted. "Please have a seat."

The guard shook her head. "Prefer to stand, ma'am!"

Celestia glanced at her sister, who gave a tiny shrug. Then they both smiled. "As you wish, Sergeant Major," Luna said. "You were born in Las Pegasus, correct?"

"That is correct, ma'am!"

"Hold on," Gregory interrupted, "I thought you said you were nearly done. Spring Morning is near the end of the alphabet, no?"

If Celestia was annoyed at the interruption, she didn't show it. "Spring Morning was on patrol in Canterlot city until now, Gregory."

"Oh. Okay. Sorry."

The Princess just gave him a nod and returned her gaze to the waiting guard. The mare was standing stiffly, staring straight ahead and refusing to meet either of the Princesses' gazes. Was that suspicious? Gregory couldn't tell, so he didn't bring it up. Doubtless the sisters knew what they were doing, especially Celestia with her long experience.

Luna, glancing down at her paper, went on: "Trained in Baltimare under, hmm, Silent Vigil. Commendation and a promotion to Canterlot Castle guard. Tell me, Spring Morning, did you want to come to Canterlot?"

The guard replied smoothly, without having to think. It sounded like she'd rehearsed the question beforehand: "Never thought about it, ma'am. I only wanted to serve."

"Commendable," Celestia said with a small smile. "What do you know of spies in the guard? I find my ponies being threatened and coerced. Have you ever heard about somepony offering bribes to the Castle guards?"

Spring Morning shook her head and opened her mouth to deny it, but then she thought better of it. "There are... r-rumors, ma'am."

Both Princesses were instantly alert and Spring Morning seemed uncomfortable under their stares.

"Do you have names?" Celestia asked at last.

"Sorry, ma'am. Just rumors that somepony was offering bits in exchange for... information."

Luna jumped in and demanded: "What sort of information?"

Spring Morning shook her head again. "Sorry, Princess. I just heard somepony talking about it. I wasn't approached myself, or I would have taken it to Fire Fly immediately."

"Who was talking about it?" Gregory burst out, unable to help himself. He immediately blushed, but neither Princess reprimanded him.

Then again, Spring Morning didn't answer him either, not until Celestia repeated his question: "Who was talking about being offered a bribe, Sergeant Major?"

The mare shuffled a little on her hooves and her facade of professionalism slipped for a second. She looked nervous.

"Answer the question, Sergeant," Luna commanded.

At last Spring Morning found her courage again, but she lowered her voice as if afraid she would be overheard: "L-Lemon Slice and, um, Azure Wings, ma'am."

The news made Gregory sit up straight and open his mouth for a followup question, but Celestia beat him to it.

"In what way were they talking about it?" the Princess asked.

"Ma'am?"

Celestia tried to explain herself a bit better: "Was Lemon Slice offering Azure Wings a bribe, or did she say she was being offered one? Or was it Azure Wings, who was offering Lemon Slice a bribe? Tell us exactly what you heard, Sergeant Major."

Spring Morning swallowed a lump and nervously looked around the room. She stared at the door to the hallway for a few seconds, then brought her gaze around to peer at Gregory.

"Do not worry, Spring Morning," Luna said, "whatever you say here will be entirely confidential."

This helped and the guardsmare nodded. Her ears went completely flat and she lowered her gaze down to her hooves, then she finally replied: "I t-think, um, Azure- Azure Wings was offering Lemon S-Slice a bribe, P-Princess. He was asking about- um..."

"Go on, Sergeant," Luna prompted.

"About Princess Celestia and Gregory. A-And the new mare - Blossom."

Celestia and Luna looked at each other and then they both looked at Gregory. He stared back at them, then shrugged a little. They were already highly suspicious of Lemon Slice and now they had another lead.

"Has Azure Wings been interviewed yet?"

Greg asked his question at the same time as Celestia hers: "When was this, Sergeant?"

"Y-You can't," Spring Morning answered Greg's question, then blushed when they all looked at her. "Um, sorry, P-Princess. You can't interview Azure Wings because he's sick. He's been off work today."

"Really?!" Celestia asked. She checked the paper again and frowned a little. "Captain Fire Fly never mentioned it. It says here Azure Wings was supposed to be on the main gate duty this evening, together with Longstride."

Again Spring Morning shook her head. "He asked to be relieved on account of his illness. He sent word that he has a bad flu and would like to stay at home for a few days."

The two Princesses looked at one another, then Celestia repeated her question: "When did you overhear this, Sergeant?"

Spring Morning looked even more uneasy and she went back to staring at her hooves. "Yester-Yesterday morning, ma'am."

"Interesting," Celestia said and Luna nodded in agreement. "Thank you very much, Sergeant Major, for telling us this."

The mare still looked uneasy about the whole thing and she asked nervously: "M-May I go now, ma'am?"

"Just this last question," Luna said. "Are you lying about Azure Wings to avoid suspicion yourself? You must know that we already suspect Lemon Slice. I know how guards gossip, Sergeant Major."

Spring Morning almost visibly flinched at the accusation and she began babbling in panic: "No! Of course not, P-Princess! I'd never take a bribe! I'd come and tell you right away if somepony offered me a bribe!"

"Yet you failed to report to the Captain when you overheard one guard pony offer another a bribe?"

The mare began backing away. "I d-didn't think much of it! It- It sounded like paparazzi were asking about you and Gregory for a story! I never suspected it was part of a plot!"

Her eyes were darting between the two Princesses and her breathing was faster as Spring Morning waited for the verdict.

It was Luna who spoke up: "Next time if you hear bribes being offered, or so much as discussed, no matter how benign they sound, you will report it to your superior, or to Captain Fire Fly, immediately!"

"Y-Yes, P-Princess!"

"Good. You may go."

The mare scurried out of the room and fled down the corridor without a single word to the group of guards waiting outside. She forgot to close the door behind her, so Celestia did it with her magic. "Thoughts, Sister?" she asked Luna.

"Sounded mighty suspicious to me," Gregory added his two cents.

Luna, however, shook her head. "Keeping rumors of bribes to herself was a foalish thing to do and Spring Morning knows that. I think her fear was simply the result of realizing it. I do not think she is part of this conspiracy, otherwise she would have said nothing at all."

"Yes, I agree. I don't think she was lying."

Gregory frowned in confusion and opened his mouth to argue, but Celestia headed him off: "Remember - I am a good judge of character, Gregory. Yes, Spring Morning was nervous and afraid, but I believed her when she said she was not a part of this plot. This really is as simple as Luna says. She had neglected to report something as serious as guards taking bribes and was afraid of the consequences."

Greg shrugged a little and settled back into the couch. Of course he had complete faith in Celestia, he reminded himself. She'd held her throne for over a thousand years, so she knew what she was doing.

"We should, however," Celestia continued, "send some guards to find Azure Wings and have a word with his neighbors. I wonder if he really is as ill as he claims."

"I will arrange it," Luna promised.

Celestia gave her a grateful nod and looked down at the paper again. "Shall we call for the next one?"

This time it was Luna's magic which opened the door. The ponies outside knew the routine, so she didn't even have to say anything for the next candidate to walk in.

It took another hour, but there were no more surprises, at least in Gregory' opinion. After it was finished, a very tired-looking Celestia accepted his hug and proclaimed she was going to take a very brief shower and then straight to bed.

"Hold on, let me check on Blossom and I'll join you."

This brightened her smile beautifully, so Greg hurried into the other room where the three ponies were now all asleep, the dark iPad lying where it had slid out of Blossom's hooves. The only one awake in there was Rainbow Dash, who was sitting on the writing table and staring out the window mournfully. Greg guessed she missed the freedom of flying and was bored after being still the entire day.

"How's it going?"

Rainbow didn't look around, but one of her ears turned to track the man. "You know," she said in a fed-up voice, "it's kinda boring, now that you mention it."

Gregory decided to be magnanimous: "Okay, how about I ask Luna to keep an eye on Blossom tomorrow and you can go out, stretch your wings, stuff like that?"

She turned her head and stared at Greg in surprise. "You'd do that?!"

"Sure! You're no use to anyone if you're bored out of your mind, after all."

"Well, that's true, I guess."

Gregory reached the pegasus and laid a careful hand on her back. After a moment of stiffness, Rainbow leaned back into his touch.

"You'll sleep here tonight? With Blossom and Fluttershy?" Gregory asked.

"Yeah."

"Mind if I get a night in a real bed?"

"Go ahead. Between the magic around this room, me, and the guards outside, I don't think anything's gonna happen."

"Did Blossom say what the secret was? The one they threatened her for?"

Rainbow Dash just shrugged. "Maybe she told Fluttershy, but I don't know."

Greg slid his hand up Rainbow's back and through her mane until he reached her ear. She leaned even more heavily into his scratch: "Mmm, gotta get me some of this," she remarked with her eyes closed and a happy little smile on her muzzle.

"I'm sure that can be arranged."

The smile slipped and was quickly replaced with a blush as Rainbow Dash jerked suddenly away. "Um- I didn't mean- I just think it might be nice, is all. As a friend!"

Gregory remembered her question to Celestia the other day, but didn't push the topic. "Sure. Having friends is nice. Hopefully after I finish my work we'll have more tourists in Equestria. The wonderbolts could do a show or something and you'd be bound to meet some human fans."

This made the mare brighten up immediately. "That'd be cool, I guess. I'll mention it to Spitfire!"

"You might even get to do a tour on Earth, if we can get basic pony rights pushed through."

"Sweet!"

"Okay, lemme just quickly speak with Blossom and Fluttershy and then I'll leave you guys to get some sleep."

Rainbow Dash just nodded and went back to staring out the window.

The other two mares were awake and looking at Gregory, but neither of them spoke. They seemed quite comfortable as they were, cuddled and half-covered with the blanket. Star Bright was still asleep, undoubtedly having been worn out by his encounter with the bad guys and his hiding in the toilets the whole day. Greg couldn't blame the stallion, really. It looked super comfortable between Blossom and Fluttershy.

"So, you're no longer afraid of unicorns, I see?" he asked Blossom.

The mare shook her head, then paused and shrugged. "I... guess," she admitted. "Ju-Just the Bosses."

"You mean the unicorns in the mines who made you do things and threatened you?"

Blossom nodded to this and her ears flattened while Fluttershy gave Greg a slightly cross look.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and laid his palm against Blossom's cheek. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."

"'s okay."

Star Bright still didn't wake up and Gregory didn't have the heart to do it. The stallion had the cutest little smile on his lips and he was apparently holding on to Blossom with all four legs.

"Is he bothering you?"

Blossom shook her head and Greg made a quick decision.

"Let's just leave him then. If he starts bothering you, just kick him out and tell him to sleep on the couch, okay?"

"With you?" Fluttershy asked, giggling a little bit.

"Actually, I'll sleep in my own bed tonight."

Blossom cast him a fearful look and opened her muzzle to object, but Greg put his other hand on her muzzle to forestall her. "Shh, it's going to be okay. You've got Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and there's magic keeping the room safe, and a bunch of guards outside. Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise." His eyes slid to the sleeping unicorn and Greg smiled. "Besides, you've got your own unicorn now to keep you safe!"

Blossom pulled her muzzle free from Greg's grip and looked at Star Bright, scrunching up in thought. She must have reached a positive conclusion, because she smiled and leaned down to give the unicorn a quick nuzzle. "Okay," she said when she looked back at Gregory. "I like him. He gave me muffins."

"That's right. Star Bright is a good guy."

Perhaps talking about him was making the stallion wake up, because his ear flicked at the mention of his name.

"You'll make sure there's nothing... untoward, right Fluttershy?"

The pegasus gave Greg a firm nod and he relaxed. Even with Blossom's concerning habit of trading sex for favors, surely nothing would happen with both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash in the room. Besides, Star Bright looked too comfortable and moving him would be an absolute sin. Even more, Greg thought and suppressed a chuckle, he would be able to tease him with this for weeks to come. Fell asleep between two beautiful mares. He could have at least bought them dinner, first.

That settled, Greg's mind returned to another, less pleasant thing. He cast a wary look at Fluttershy and decided to push a little. They needed answers.

"Blossom, sweetie? Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?"

The mare seemed a bit apprehensive, but she trusted him and so she nodded.

"You said you heard something in the mine and they threatened you if you ever told anyone, right?"

Her ears folded down and she lowered her gaze to look at her hooves. Despite all that, Blossom gave a slight nod.

Gregory cupped her muzzle in his hand and lifted it up so she was looking at his face. "I promise that's not going to happen. You're safe here. Both Princesses are keeping their eye on you."

Blossom inhaled slowly, but then she gave another nod.

"Can you tell me what you heard? It'll really help us find the bad guys and put them in prison, so they won't be able to hurt others."

Fluttershy opened her mouth to complain, but Greg reached out his free hand and booped her nose to keep her quiet for a few more seconds.

Blossom's eyes were filling up with tears, but she blinked them away, sniffed, then nodded. Greg's heart started racing. Finally, some real answers!

"T-The- The big boss..." Blossom spoke, haltingly. Her eyes flicked to Star Bright's horn, then she swallowed a lump. Greg used his thumb to stroke her cheek and leaned closer.

"It's okay. You're safe here," he repeated.

Blossom took a deep breath and gave Greg's fingers a lick, as if to reassure herself that the man was real. "B-Big boss c-c-came and one- one of the h-horns..." she continued.

Gregory wanted to tell he to hurry it up, but that would be very counterproductive, so he took a firm grip on his impatience and curiosity.

This time Blossom licked her own lips before plunging forward: "He c-c-called the big b-b-boss by his n-name and I heard it!"

Fluttershy's eyes went wide and Greg had no doubt his were just the same. A name of someone high up in this slavery business could be the clue that broke this case! No wonder they were trying to kill Blossom, especially if this 'big boss' was someone important in Canterlot. That would agree with Celestia's assumption that they were panicking!

"Do you remember the name, Blossom?" Gregory asked. He glanced surreptitiously at Star Bright, but the stallion was still out cold, it seemed. Even so, maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to let him hear this. The unicorn wasn't one of the bad guys, Greg was sure of that, but knowing this could put him in more danger. "Just whisper it in my ear, okay?"

Blossom nodded and he leaned closer to her. She brought her muzzle right up against Greg's ear, until her fur tickled him. She whispered: "S-S-Silver Mane..."

Gregory froze. It was one of the nobles, pretty much what she and Celestia had suspected, but it still came as a shock. "Silvermane?!" he whispered back urgently and Blossom nodded.

They were one of the wealthy families in Canterlot! Greg didn't know too much about them - there was a unicorn and his wife, who was a pegasus, but their first names slipped his mind for the moment. Parents were dead, something to do with a tragic flying carriage accident, Greg thought. He had to bring this information to Celestia as soon as possible! Except he first had to do something else. He gave Blossom a wide smile and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Good girl! Thanks for telling me! I'll go tell Princess Celestia right away and we'll put them all in prison for what they did." This brought out a faint smile, but Blossom still looked worried. Gregory glanced over to where Rainbow Dash was watching them from the table and gave her a nod. "Don't worry, you're the safest you can be anywhere in Equestria. That's the Rainbow Dash, don't you know?"

From the slightly confused look Blossom was giving him, Gregory figured she probably didn't know. It would make sense if she'd spent her past five years or so at the bottom of a mine.

"Well, she's the most famous athlete in Equestria and an Element of Harmony. For that matter, so is Fluttershy! Trust me, nothing is getting to you while those two are around!"

Blossom turned wide, admiring eyes on the pegasus next to her. She didn't know what 'Element of Harmony' meant either, but it sounded pretty impressive.

"R-Really?" she asked.

Fluttershy blushed modestly, but she didn't deny it. "Yes, really. I promise we'll keep you safe!"

This seemed to clinch it and the mare relaxed a little. She looked down at Star Bright, who was starting to stir a little from all the movement and commotion around him.

"Remember, kick him out if he gets too forward, right?"

Blossom frowned a little in thought, then nodded at Gregory. He tousled her mane quickly and stood up.

"Sweet dreams."

This time both mares smiled a little and he left them to it. He made himself take slow, measured steps, but he really wanted to run to Celestia and tell her. Since it was a noble and wealthy family it would be tricky business to bring them in for questioning, but he had no doubts that Celestia would handle it perfectly. Finally, some real progress! They might have just uncovered the leader of the whole sorry affair! The Princess would be so proud!

Chapter 19: Promotion

Princess Luna was nearly ready to slip into the 'between' place - a trancelike state from where she would have an unparalleled view of all her subjects' dreams. There was such a lot to do tonight!

There came her regular duty of keeping watch over the nightmares and easing her ponies' fear, although that had become a secondary concern these days. She was also on the lookout for a pony who knew more about this slavery thing, but that was difficult. She only had insight into what ponies dreamed about and she could only focus on a few at a time. It would take her weeks before she could work her way through just the Canterlot nobility. According to Celestia and Gregory, those were the most likely culprits. Except now she had a few leads among the Castle guards, so she had decided to begin with them. The strangest thing was that Blossom herself didn't seem to dream at all. Perhaps it was an unconscious defense against her inevitable nightmares?

She was looking over Canterlot from the high balcony just outside her quarters, but didn't really see it. She was focusing inward, still processing the crazy events of the past few days. Slavery, right there in Equestria, not to mention a murder attempt!

Luna shook her head in dismay and went back inside. She paused in the doorway and listened, smiling a little to herself when she heard Eli Grant snoring softly. She didn't mind that he had gone to bed before her. Her work kept her up until the early hours of the morning, when the man would welcome her into a pre-warmed bed and put his arms around her. It was a most comfortable way of falling asleep. Luna still walked over and leaned down to give him a light kiss. He didn't wake up.

She closed her eyes and concentrated, but a very gentle knock interrupted her before she could slip between the worlds.

"Hmm?" The Princess went to answer whoever it was at this inequine hour. The door opened to reveal a slightly nervous-looking pegasus guard. "Sargeant?"

Glory Tail saluted. "Princess, you said to come tell you as soon as Captain Fire Fly was back with Comet Roll!"

"I did. What took him so long?"

The pegasus shuffled his wings, but stood his ground. "Apparently some... paperwork in Baltimare, ma'am."

Luna snorted, half in annoyance and half in amusement. Some bureaucrats would never change. "Very well, where are they?"

"Small conference room, ma'am. Captain Fire Fly ordered a late dinner for the private."

"Good. Thank you, sergeant."

The guard saluted again and fell in step behind the Princess as she took to the halls. It seemed her dream walking would have to wait a bit longer. That was fine. Getting some answers from Comet Roll was important.

Both guards tensed and were about to jump up from their chairs before Luna held up a hoof.

"Please, remain seated," she instructed as she closed the door behind her.

It was just the three of them - she'd left Glory Tail keeping watch outside the door.

Comet Roll tried to speak up first: "Princess, I-"

"Wait." She concentrated on her magic for a moment to make sure the anti-eavesdropping spell was still in place and intact. When it was done, Luna nodded. "Proceed."

"Thank you for getting me out of prison, Princess," Comet Roll continued. "I'm sorry I caused all this trouble."

"Act-Actually," Fire Fly said uneasily, "it is us who owe you an apology, private."

"The Captain is correct. You should not have been imprisoned without due process, especially on groundless accusations."

"G-Groundless?" Comet Roll squeaked. "Does that mean I was right?!"

Luna looked over at the captain, who shook his head slightly. Apparently he hadn't questioned his guard yet. That was commendable, because Fire Fly was undoubtedly curious about what Comet Roll was going to say, but he didn't want to affect the recruit's answers until at least one of the Princesses heard it.

"Lemon Slice is under suspicion of treason, private. She had you falsely imprisoned with accusations of insubordination, doubtless to prevent us from hearing what you would say."

"None of the other guards from the patrol knew what you'd seen, private," Fire Fly clarified.

"I didn't want to contradict the captain in front of everypony," Comet Roll said, looking down at his hooves. "I approached her in Baltimare and she immediately had them toss me into solitary. I w-wasn't sure what I did."

"You did nothing wrong," Luna reassured the guard pony. "Now tell us."

Comet Roll swallowed a lump and his ears folded down as he worked up his courage to speak so directly with Princess Luna. "Um,..." he began.

"In your own time, private," Fire Fly reassured him at the same time as Luna spoke up.

"Speak freely, please."

Nodding a little, Comet Roll took a deep breath. "I t-thought we missed a valley on our sweep, Princess. I tried to tell Captain Lemon Slice that, but she wouldn't hear it. I said I knew those hills better than my wing feathers, but she said I was speaking out of turn."

"The captain's report said you searched in a grid pattern. How could she have skipped a whole valley without the other pegasi noticing?"

The private looked decidedly nervous, but pushed on: "I think, maybe it's because, with all due respect, sir, the others weren't from Baltimare. They didn't know the land like I do."

"Why did you not speak of this in front of the entire pegasi wing? Why did you wait until Baltimare?"

If he'd mentioned something in front of everypony, one of them might have come forward when they returned to Canterlot. They surely couldn't all have been part of the plot, could they?

Luna glanced at the Captain and saw that he was thinking along the same lines.

"Um," Comet Roll answered, "I wasn't exactly sure what the protocol was for that. I didn't want to belittle my commanding officer." Fire Fly was about to comment, but the private kept talking: "Um, also... um, captain Lemon Slice didn't have us fly grid, sir. We flew a spiral pattern."

"It is easier to confuse ponies who do not know the land by searching in a spiral," Luna guessed.

The Captain nodded in agreement. "Well, we already know Lemon Slice is most likely part of it, this just confirms it. Private, do you know which valley you missed?"

Comet Roll felt on firmer ground now and nodded with a slight smile. "I know, sir! Like I said, I know those hills very well."

"Captain, take the private and a few others first thing in the morning and go check it out. If there's something hidden, I'm sure you'll find it there."

"Do you want us to arrest whoever is there, ma'am?"

"No," Luna shook her head, "just find out what it is and report back as soon as possible. On second thought, report to Sister first. I have no doubt Celestia will want to lead that mission herself. We just found out that some very important ponies in Canterlot are behind all of this and Sister will no doubt wish to make sure everything is done properly."

"I understand," Fire Fly said. "So there's no accusations of impropriety."

"Exactly. Before you leave tomorrow, however, get me the list of guards whom Lemon Slice had chosen for her mission. I have a feeling there will be some overlap with the list sister and myself have made today."

"Of course, ma'am!"

Luna then smiled at the newest recruit, who blushed a little under the renewed scrutiny. "You have done well, private Comet Roll. I will understand if this incident has put you off guard duty in Canterlot. The Captain will write any recommendation letter you wish so you can get a posting anywhere in Equestria."

The guard shook his head. "I'd like to s-stay, Princess."

This just made Luna's grin widen. She needed more guards they could trust, especially in these times. "Splendid. In this case, I believe you've earned a promotion with your diligence. Corporal, I think. Captain?"

Fire Fly nodded immediately. The Princesses were, of course, in charge of the guard, but they very rarely interfered with the running of it. This time, however, he wholeheartedly agreed. "I will make it happen. Congratulations, corporal!"

Comet Roll blinked a few times in shock, then beamed incredulously. "R-Really?! But I've only been here-"

"Long enough to prove your worth and your loyalty. Get some rest and report to the Captain tomorrow morning. I want you to be a part of this search. After your meal, of course."

The younger pegasus jumped from his chair and saluted smartly with a wing. "Yes, ma'am!"

It was very late and for a moment Luna thought about going to tell her sister. It might be fun, especially since Gregory was sleeping in her chambers tonight. She might even catch them in the act. However amusing that might be, this wasn't a time for jokes and pranks. It would have to wait until this slavery problem had been dealt with.

Well... perhaps a small peek couldn't hurt. She did need to brief her Sister on this latest development. Luna gave the two guards a nod and left the room. Already it was proving to be a busy night and it was only just beginning. She didn't waste any more time. She folded magic around herself and slipped into the dreamscape as she walked. She caught Glory Tail staring with his mouth open and smirked to herself. It probably did look quite impressive from the outside, now that she came to think about it.

Chapter 20: Unexpected Present

When Gregory woke up the next morning he felt around for Celestia, but his groping hand only found her tail. That brought him to full wakefulness and he quickly realized what had happened. The Princess had replaced his pillow with her belly and was apparently lying on her back and looking over some documents which she was holding up above her face with her magic.

"Uh, morning?"

Celestia glanced down and smiled. "Rest a bit longer. Luna has just brought me a few very interesting reports."

"Luna was in here?!"

Gregory realized he was completely naked and the only thing which was covering him was a very thin sheet. He didn't need a heavier blanket even in winter, not with Celestia's warm fur and feathers.

"Do not worry, I covered you up," the mare in question replied.

Shrugging a little to himself, Greg settled back down and brought his hand up to give Celestia a scratch on her chest. "Slept well?"

Celestia reached down with a hoof to give Greg a pat as well. "I did. Yourself?"

"It's nice to sleep in a proper bed every once in a while."

"I shall tell Cadence that her couch is uncomfortable."

"Wait, that's not what I- I didn't mean that!"

"Nevertheless." The Princess managed to keep her face serious for a few more seconds before she burst out giggling. A sheet of paper floated down and landed on Greg's belly. "Take a look at this."

It took him a minute to quickly scan the text, while his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Wait, so Lemon Slice threw Comet Roll in jail just because he told her they'd missed a spot?"

"Apparently. I will lead a wing of pegasi myself to go inspect the site right after breakfast. Which means..." Celestia fell silent and when Greg glanced up he saw she was uneasy about her next thought.

"Which means what?" he prompted.

"Gregory, I know you have not served in the military, but I need your help on this. I want you to join the guards when they go talk to Azure Wings."

The man shot bolt upright, his sheet of paper floating away in the sudden breeze. "Me?! Why me?! Surely an officer-"

Celestia shut him up by means of a simple feather against his lips. "There will be an officer, do not worry, love. I merely wish your eye on the whole thing. You have a unique perspective, different from that of my ponies."

"How about Luna?"

Celestia shook her head and twisted around, so she could lift herself up into a sitting position. She sidestepped and threw her forelegs around Gregory. "Luna has to sleep after her night's work and by then too much time will have passed and Azure Wings might slip through our hooves."

After some more silence the mare leaned her head on Greg's shoulder. "Please? It will be safe, I assure you. Captain Fire Fly will lead the assignment personally, I have already instructed him."

"Wait, he was in here as well?! While I was sleeping?" Gregory gasped.

That made Celestia giggle a little and lick the side of his neck. "You are a most sound sleeper after... mmm, exertion."

The statement made him blush as Gregory remembered their night. He let out a sigh. "Okay, I'll do it. But I'm not a cop or something, Celestia. I'm a god-damned lawyer," he said perhaps a tad too forcefully. In a lower voice he added: "At least that's how I started out."

"You still are, a most excellent one. You know I would have given you the position of High Justice, but you would have been bored. There is not nearly as much crime in Equestria as on Earth, so Luna and I take turns acting in that capacity."

"Yeah, you're a whole nation of goody two-shoes. Or is it four-shoes?"

Celestia sighed sadly this time. "This development with Blossom somewhat shakes my faith, Gregory."

Greg shifted his weight a little so he could bring up a palm and pat her muzzle. For some reason, this gesture made Celestia flatten her ears and the image made him think of nothing so much as a sad puppy. "Aww, it's just a few bad apples, Celly." He slid his shoulder from under her chin and planted a slow, gentle kiss on the tip of her nose. "We'll get them and then it'll be back to goody-four-shoes-land, just like the Ambassador likes to say."

Celestia had closed her eyes at the kiss and now smiled as well. "Thank you. This makes me feel better. I have put a lot of work into Equestria and I will not see it fall into crime!"

"'atta girl!"

Their conversation done, Gregory went to uncover himself only to discover that the sheet was unexpectedly sticky. "Ugh, I think I need a shower."

"You do," Celestia answered, wiggling her nose for emphasis.

"Well, it's your fault!"

She shook her head in denial. "It was not me who caused me to... um, 'gush' so much. Ponies have not evolved defenses against fingers, Gregory."

He lifted up his hand and wiggled the offending digits, but Celestia darted forward and gave them a lick. "Go ahead. I will shower after I finish these reports," she said. "Go fetch Blossom and Fluttershy and meet me for breakfast. Oh, and Rainbow Dash, if she will come."

"Sure thing."

Despite both their tasks being thus assigned, Gregory couldn't stop himself from leaning in just once more for another quick kiss. "Good thing Luna and Fire Fly didn't mind your hair being all frazzled," he commented and chuckled as he walked to the bathroom.

"It is?!" Celestia squeaked and twisted around on the spot as she tried to look at her own mane. "Gregory, you could have said something!"

"I was sleeping, remember? You can't toss me in the dungeon for sleeping!"

"I can too!" Celestia grumbled under her breath. It just made Greg laugh harder, to which she replied by sticking out her tongue at him.

Still, she knew Greg was right. Even as she went back to reading the reports, Celestia floated a hair brush from the bedside table and went to work on her mane.

It was still only midmorning by the time Gregory and his retinue of guards reached Azure Wings' home. He stayed at the back and let Fire Fly and his ponies do what they did best. After all, Celestia had only asked him to observe, not get involved in any other way. If Azure Wings was an enemy, this whole thing could turn dangerous really quickly. There were two unicorns in his group and one pegasus, keeping watch from above the rooftops. The other four were earth ponies. Every one of them looked grim. Gregory imagined that it probably wasn't fun for the guards to have to go and apprehend one of their number.

"Okay, steady everypony. Corporal, keep an eye on the house if he tries to bolt!" Fire Fly ordered. "Horns at the ready. Bind or stun only!"

The pegasus in the air saluted and the both the Captain and Spring Morning lit up their horns. There was the faint sound of clanking armor as the earth ponies flexed, preparing to tackle the fugitive in the unlikely case that he came out fighting.

The Captain walked up to the door, lifted a hoof, and banged the iron hoofguard on the dark, toughened wood. "Azure! Come out peacefully. We only want to ask you some questions!"

There was no reply. All the ponies listened intently for any sort of activity inside. Gregory looked inquisitively at Snow Cover who was tasked with keeping him safe, but the stallion shook his head silently.

"Okay, seems we'll have to do it the hard way. On my heels, spread out and sound off as you secure each room!"

Gregory had time to look around, noting a number of curious onlookers watching from a safe distance. He made a mental note to tell Celestia. She'd have to release a statement for the press and explain this incident, otherwise some creative journalist somewhere would have a field day with it. The Captain's horn flared brightly and the door swung open with a loud bang. Splinters flew from where the lock was torn right out of the woodwork, but they pinged harmlessly off guard armor. Fire Fly rushed in with the rest of his squad right behind him.

Snow Cover shifted a little beside Gregory, but didn't move. His job was to keep the man safe, for which Greg was very grateful. After all, Azure Wings might have accomplices in there. He looked up at Silverwing, who was hovering above the house and watching the back alleys intently. His gaze darted this way and that and the pegasus jerked around as he repositioned himself to see better. It put Gregory in the mind of a nervous hummingbird, except that the corporal looked more angry than afraid.

There were hoofsteps inside the small, two-story home and barked orders and reports, but it didn't sound like a fight. Either they hadn't found Azure Wings yet, or he had escaped before they even got here. That had also been one of the possibilities. Despite that, maybe the stallion had left some clues about his involvement with the conspiracy.

About a minute later Fire Fly appeared at the door and beckoned with a hoof. "You can come in," he said. "It's clear. No sign of him."

Despite himself, Gregory breathed a sigh of relief. He followed Snow Cover, who moved smoothly to walk in front of the man, and ducked inside through the door frame, which was slightly too low for him. The ceiling inside was just tall enough to accommodate the man and he straightened up.

"This... isn't right," he muttered, looking around in astonishment.

"Tell me about it," Fire Fly replied, both his voice and his gaze troubled. "I really want to know what you make of this."

Gregory inspected the hall and then moved to the first door which opened into a kitchen. It was even worse in there. The place seemed... uninhabited. There was dust everywhere and a few cobwebs hung in the corners. Just inside the door there was a pile of mail on the floor. On the kitchen table there was a bowl of fruit, but it was almost completely rotten. On the stove there was an empty pot. Gregory leaned to glance inside, but it was completely dry.

"How is it upstairs?"

"About the same. Dust everywhere, doesn't look like anypony has lived here... what'd you say?"

Gregory took one more look at the fruit bowl and the layer of dust and made a guess. "Two months? Give or take?"

The Captain nodded. "Yeah, sounds about right. Come and see upstairs."

As he passed the second door in the hallway Gregory looked into a living room, but it was much of the same. There was a plate of what might once have been cookies on the coffee table, but they were going green and fuzzy now.

"Hold on," Gregory said and stepped into the room.

He crouched down and picked up a mug from under the coffee table. The spoon seemed stuck to the bottom, but there was no liquid in it. As he glanced down at the carpet, Greg could see a darker stain where the mug had been lying.

"It wasn't your men who bumped this from the table, right?"

Fire Fly looked at the item, then glanced around at his squad. "Specialist Pepper, you were the first in this room. Did you topple the mug?"

The earth stallion shook his head. "No Sir! I would have noticed. I must have missed it under the table!"

"So this fell some time ago. Whatever was in it has dried, but there was a lot of sugar. It sort of... solidified." To demonstrate his point Gregory turned the cup around and the spoon stayed put.

Fire Fly quickly understood what the man was getting it. "Signs of a struggle, sir?"

"Maybe. Was there anything else upstairs?"

"Come and see. There's Azure Wings' guard armor, but it looks like it hadn't been polished in months."

Gregory followed the unicorn upstairs and indeed saw the armor on the bedroom floor. It looked as if it had been casually discarded as the guard undressed, but there was a layer of dust over it. There were fresh hoofprints in the dust.

"Captain, did your men make those hoofprints?"

This time Fire Fly didn't have to repeat the question. Private Longstride nodded. "Yes, sir! The dust was undisturbed when I came in!"

"Okay, so about two months ago Azure Wings came off from work, stripped his armor and tossed it on the floor. Then he went and made himself a cup of tea or something sweet. He was sitting in the living room, drinking it, but something happened."

Fire Fly nodded and picked it up from there: "Either a struggle, or he had to rush off in a hurry."

"Why would there be a struggle if he's one of the conspirators?" the man asked.

"Dunno, sir," Fire Fly replied, his hears lowering a little in embarrassment. "Spoke the first thing on my mind."

"Okay, so - something must have happened, something urgent. Maybe at the mine? Azure Wings is a pegasus, so maybe he worked as a messenger for them, whoever they were."

"That's a solid guess, sir."

"So they call him urgently away. He spills his tea and doesn't even care. Why didn't he come back? Didn't-" Gregory looked around for the mare who'd told them about Azure Wings. "Spring Morning, didn't you say he was at work two days ago and only called in sick yesterday?"

The unicorn saluted. "Yes, sir! He didn't miss out of his duties!"

There was only one explanation, but for some reason Gregory didn't quite like it. "Okay, so my best guess is that he moved in with whoever runs this conspiracy. Maybe so he'd be more available if there were other messages he had to carry?"

The Captain also looked doubtful, but he nodded eventually. "That'd be my guess, too. It's... weird, but I got nothing better right now."

"Okay, let's go and ask the neighbors. Maybe they heard or saw something.

"Good idea, sir!"

"So you see, Mr. Gregory, we all thought Azure Wings had simply moved out and the landlord hadn't found another tenant yet," a unicorn stallion explained while his wife nodded in confirmation.

"How long ago did you say you saw him last?"

This time the mare answered: "It'd say it was over two months ago. Now that I say it out loud it does sound strange that nopony has moved in yet. Places to live in Canterlot are highly sought after."

"Well, things get in the way," the husband said. "You think it's strange and maybe you should ask somepony about why there's an abandoned house on your street, but then the roof needs new shingles or the drains need unclogging and it slips your mind."

The couple gave Gregory and Fire Fly a slightly worried grin, as if Azure Wings' disappearance might somehow be their fault.

"I completely understand," Gregory said to disarm them. They had made him and the Captain some very nice tea, in fact. "What was Azure Wings like? Secretive? Reclusive? Did he keep to himself?"

"Oh, the furthest thing from it, dear," the mare answered. "A more polite pony it was hard to meet! Remember that time our Monsoon got ill and we both couldn't get time off from our jobs, so Azure brought her lunch from the Castle every day?"

The husband beamed and nodded. "Most polite and neighborly, yes."

Gregory glanced at Fire Fly, who shrugged a little. They'd both read through Azure Wings' file back in the barracks, but there was hardly anything in it. There was one note about his professionalism and a commendation for bravery during the changeling attack on Canterlot, but nothing else. The pegasus wasn't bucking for promotion, nor was he slacking off. By all accounts he had seemed quite happy with the rank of sergeant.

"And he didn't mention anything about why he had to leave?"

"Well," the mare said and leaned closer. She also lowered her voice, a sure prelude to gossip. "I don't mean to poke into other ponies' affairs, but... well, there was a rumor."

"Yes?"

She blushed heavily and couldn't meet Greg's gaze. "Well, it's just a rumor, mind you. There might not be much truth to it, but I recall somepony mentioning he got into some trouble with the Silvermanes."

This sounded like a very promising lead and Greg struggled to keep his expression neutral. That was the name Blossom had given and both he and Celestia were quite certain that the Silvermanes were at least partially behind the whole slavery thing!

"What, um, what sort of trouble?"

"Now, now, Sugar," the husband cautioned, "no need to go around spreading vile rumors."

Gregory lifted up his palm to forestall the stallion. "No, it's okay. I would like to hear it."

The mare, Sugar Moon, shuffled uneasily now that she was the center of attention. "Well, they said he'd gotten... well, 'involved' with Silvermane's daughter."

"Involved?" Gregory asked to move her along, even though he knew what she meant.

"Rather more than just 'involved', if you see which way the horn is pointing. There was supposedly some trouble."

Coming to his wife's aid, the stallion explained hurriedly: "That was some time before he vanished. We were thinking- well, maybe he didn't know how to take a hint and got into... trouble again. Which is why he had to leave Canterlot in a hurry."

"I see."

"It's all just rumors, mind you!" the wife added almost frantically.

"Of course, I understand," Greg assured them and stood up. He put his empty cup on their coffee table and stretched his back. The chair had been a bit too low for him, but he'd be perfectly fine after a short walk back to the Castle. "Thank you very much for your help."

Greg held out his hand to receive two hoofshakes. He waited for Fire Fly to do the same, then they both left. The rest of the squad was already in the street, waiting for their commander and further orders.

"Anything to report, sergeant major?" Fire Fly asked.

Spring Morning gave a short salute. "Nothing out of the ordinary, sir! Other that Azure Wings seems to have vanished about two months ago and nopony knows why exactly."

"Any interesting rumors?"

The other guard shook his head. "Nothing, sir. We could go and ask again, if you'd like?"

Gregory shook his head. "Won't be neccessary. Captain?"

"Agreed," Fire Fly confirmed and lowered his ears as he asked the question: "Will you report to the Princesses?"

"Sure, get your men and yourself some lunch and I'll take care of the report."

It was one less thing to worry about and Fire Fly smiled nervously. "Thanks. I owe you one."

"Pool later tonight?"

"Sure!"

There was a stifled cough from the rank and Greg looked up just in time to see a red-faced Snow Cover who was fighting hard not to laugh and losing.

"Anything to add, recruit?" the Captain barked.

The stallion was instantly the center of attention and seemed to wither under all the scrutiny. He gulped and looked down at his hooves. "S-Sorry, Sir!" he stammered, "I c-couldn't help myself. It won't happen again!"

"What was so amusing anyway?" Gregory asked, now genuinely curious.

"Well, um..."

"Answer him, recruit!"

The poor pony swallowed another lump and glanced up at the human. Gregory made sure he was smiling openly, to show there would be no hard feelings and that encouraged Snow Cover a little. "Well, you s-s-said 'men', sir..."

It took Gregory a few moments to process what was so funny about that, but then he chuckled. "Yes I did. So?"

His smile was disarming enough that Snow Cover dared continue: "Well, we're ponies, sir..."

A few likely responses flashed through Greg's mind, but then he decided to make a joke out of it. They were all tense after coming to apprehend Azure Wings and finding him gone for a long time and they needed a good laugh.

"Wait a minute, you're right!" Greg said and stared pointedly at the group. "Jeez, I'd never have noticed!" Most of them chuckled now and even Fire Fly had to strain to keep his muzzle straight. "Good thing you told me, Snow. Thanks!"

There was perhaps just a tad too much sarcasm in his voice, but they all really needed a good chuckle so they didn't mind. All of them laughed and even the Captain smiled a little.

"Okay, okay, enough horsing around," Fire Fly said once they'd settled down a bit. "Off to the Castle with you lot and get some lunch!"

A few of the guards saluted and they all set off. Greg and Fire Fly followed closely behind.

"So, what do you make of it?" the Captain asked once they were all moving.

"Hard to tell. I know it's just a rumor, but this was the second time the name 'Silvermane' came up with regards to this whole mess. I'll tell the Princesses and they'll come up with the next step."

Fire Fly nodded in agreement. "What I'd like to know, if Azure Wings had to leave Canterlot over this... ahem, 'trouble', why did he keep showing up for work? I mean, he could have asked for a transfer someplace else at any time."

Gregory shook his head. The facts felt right, but the way they were connected bothered him for some reason. There was a clue they were missing before they knew the whole story. "Yeah, that is strange. We'll see if Celestia will find anything in those mountains. With luck they haven't had time to abandon the mine and we'll get some answers that way."

Fire Fly sighed and shook his head. "I'm not as optimistic, sir. The fact that both Azure Wings and Lemon Slice were in on it, and the fact they locked private Comet Roll in prison tells me they knew we knew as soon as we knew it." The wording was a bit confusing and the guard tried to clarify it: "What I mean is, as soon as you knew there was a slave mine in the Foal Mountains they probably knew it. Maybe they started clearing out the moment you found Blossom and they just needed a few more days, and that's why Comet Roll was sent to Baltimare?"

Unfortunately it made too much sense and Greg was forced to nod in agreement. "Well, maybe they weren't thorough enough and there will be some clues left. Still, we have the name 'Silvermane' to follow up on. Don't discount Celestia's ingenuity." Greg barked a laugh as he thought back to how he met the Princess. "She managed to avoid the US federal agents and those guys really know their business."

There was no immediate reply and Greg looked at the Captain to see if he even heard it. The pony had his ears flat, clearly unhappy with the story of how Celestia had risked herself and gone to Earth. When Fire Fly saw Greg looking, he forced a smile and nodded. "Yeah, the Princess is sharper than any pony in Canterlot. I'd like to see those nobles try to put blinders on her..."

Gregory looked around to see if anyone was watching, then risked giving Fire Fly a quick ear scratch. This cheered him up a little and they hurried after the squad, which had outpaced them a little.

"Drop by the office later on. We'll play a game or two."

"Deal."

Gregory was about to go check on Blossom when Celestia caught up with him in the hallway. He stopped so they could embrace briefly. The two guards who were with the man just looked at the artwork on the walls while they waited.

"How'd it go?"

The Princess gave him a rueful smile. "There was indeed a mine, but it was empty. Heavier equipment was left behind, but everything else was gone." Her grin slipped as memory reared up its ugly head. "It was obviously a place of forced labor, of that I have no doubt."

"Damn."

"Do not worry, I left some ponies to search for clues. If whoever was running it missed anything we will find it and we will have more proof!"

Gregory resumed his walk, but he put his hand on Celestia's back. "We should send for some human forensic experts."

The Princess looked at him and smiled. "I did the next best thing, Gregory. Ponies might not have forensic science, but we do have magic, you know? I asked Silent Spell to examine the mine."

The name was familiar, but Gregory hadn't met the pony in question yet. "That's the crime scene investigator from Las Pegasus, right?"

Celestia nodded, but her ears lowered a bit. "Unfortunately such things are necessary there. Something about games of chance, alcohol, and an overabundance of entertainment sometimes brings out bad tendencies."

Greg angled his gait so he could reach further around Celestia's barrel and give her an impromptu, walking hug. She, in turn, nuzzled his neck and laid a careful wing around his shoulders. They went on in silence until they reached Blossom's guest room.

"Anything to report?" the Princess asked.

One of the guards in the hall saluted as he answered. "Nothing suspicious, Princess!"

Gregory remembered his own entourage and waved to the pair. "Uh, thanks, Snow Cover, Spring Morning. I'll stay with the Princess from now on so you don't need to keep an eye on me anymore."

The two still looked at Celestia, who gave a slight nod, before saying their goodbyes and strutting off back the way they came.

"I'm never getting used to having guards with me everywhere I go," Gregory muttered under his breath.

He saw by the way the remaining ponies shuffled that they heard him, but nopony commented.

"It is just until we catch whomever is behind this, Gregory."

"Yeah, I know, but it still feels strange."

They went in in the room and Celestia shut the door with her magic while he walked over to the bedroom door and peered inside. It was quite a familiar sight by now, Fluttershy apparently sleeping and Blossom leaning against the pegasus like a pillow while she fiddled with the iPad. Rainbow Dash was nowhere to be seen, undoubtedly out to stretch her wings or something.

When Blossom saw him, she let out a faint, excited squeak and dropped her toy. She rushed from the bed and hit the floor running. Greg only just barely crouched down and caught her around the barrel before she could topple them both.

He couldn't get a word in while the mare happily licked his face. "I missed you! Where were you?! They said I couldn't see you!"

Laughing, Greg let her assault him for a while, but then firmly held her at arm's length. "I'm fine, I'm fine," he assured the overjoyed mare. "I just had some stuff to do!"

"Can we get muffins?! I wanna get muffins!"

He looked around at Celestia, who was struggling very hard to keep from laughing. She gave him a nod even as her wings rustled in silent mirth.

"I guess we can, but tomorrow, okay? I still have more stuff to do today."

Blossom's ears flopped immediately and her eyes filled up to the brim with tears. "O-Oh..."

She was a natural at the Look and even Celestia whistled quietly in recognition.

"Aw... Okay, how about this: you can come with me to my office and wait while I finish up some paperwork. Maybe Star Bright can get you some muffins today and we'll go to the bakery tomorrow in the morning, okay?"

This helped and Blossom lifted up one ear. "Star B-Bright? He's n-nice."

Not to mention that Fluttershy would get some time alone this way. Gregory didn't know the yellow mare well enough to guess what she thought about this whole thing, but some time off was generally good for everyone, wasn't it? He glanced at the bed and saw Fluttershy looking back with a blank expression. He was about to ask for her thoughts on his plan, but she closed her eyes and yawned hugely. Greg couldn't help noticing that her tongue curled up at the tip, almost exactly like Celestia's. Maybe it was a common pony thing?

He was thinking up a double-blind study when suddenly Blossom froze and her ears flattened once more. She looked at her forehooves.

"What is it?"

"I have to g-go..."

Greg was about to ask 'where', but the way she glanced furtively at the bathroom made it clear what she'd meant. He laid his palm against her cheek and brushed her muzzle with a thumb. "Oh, you don't have to ask permission, you know? Just tell us so we know where you are and go."

Blossom nodded and gave his fingers a quick lick before trotting off past Celestia and into the bathroom. Apparently someone had taught her how to use the facilities there, for which Gregory was immensely grateful. As long as it wasn't him who had to do it.

"Seems I'm babysitting for a bit longer," he told Celestia, but she just shrugged.

"No matter. I will tell you about the mine later today. You also have to tell me what happened with Azure Wings."

"Oh, that's right!" He'd almost forgotten about that morning. Greg wondered if that showed just how surreal the entire experience had been. "Maybe Luna should hear about this as well. I'll tell you both when she's up."

Celestia nodded in agreement. "Good. We'll discuss all of it before dinner then. I think I will go take a bath now. I feel sullied after... the mine."

He straightened up and held out his arms. Celestia looked at him for a minute, then her mouth quirked up in a small smile.

"You know, that's one thing I have always been jealous of my earth ponies and pegasi for."

"What's that?"

"They can bury their face in somepony when they draw comfort from them."

"Why can't you- oh... the horn."

The Princess nodded, her expression suddenly wistful. "The horn."

Gregory snapped his fingers. "Well, you can change into Supple Branch, no? You still know the spell?"

This made Celestia blink in surprise before her muzzle split into a disbelieving grin. "Supple Branch! Why did I not think of that?! Yes, I think I still know it. I just did not want to even think about that spell when we came back."

"Well, there you have it then. You can try it tonight and then you'll know what it feels like to bury your face in- well, you know."

"Your shirt," Celestia finished his sentence even though Gregory hadn't wanted to mention it. For some reason the mere thought was strangely exciting. Celestia took a step closer and brought her muzzle right to his face, until the hairs tickled his nose. He could feel her warm breath on his cheeks. "Then we can try other things, too. I wonder how Supple Branch might feel if we- mmphm!"

There had been only one way fast enough to silence her before she said something really embarrassing and that was to kiss her. After a moment Celestia closed her eyes and relaxed. She didn't open them again even as they pulled away, but she was still smiling. Gregory glanced around at Fluttershy, who was apparently completely engrossed in her own wing. Too bad her yellow fur betrayed a definitive blush on her muzzle, which no amount of feigned nonchalance could hide.

Well, Greg thought, at least she hadn't heard the Princess actually say it. Besides, the kiss had been worth it.

The toilet in the bathroom flushed and there were hoofsteps as Blossom walked out.

"Hey! Wash your ha- hooves, young lady!" Gregory admonished. Blossom let out a faint squeak of fright and hurried back inside. Pretty soon there was the sound of running water and splashing. When Gregory looked back at Celestia, she still had her eyes closed, but now she was giggling soundlessly. He gave her nose a pat. "I'll see you later then?"

The Princess just nodded and blinked at him. "Go ahead, I wish to speak briefly with Fluttershy."

Gregory murmured something affirmative as he led Blossom out of the room.

Somepony cleared their throat while he was closing the door and Gregory looked around to see Comet Roll with a white envelope on an upturned hoof. "For you, sir," the guard said.

"Huh? Me?"

"It came to the Castle gate, addressed to you, sir."

That seemed to be the only explanation he was likely to get, so Greg picked up the letter and opened it. He scanned the few lines and started to smile.

"Blossom, I have a better idea for tomorrow. We'll get muffins some other day, okay?"

She looked downcast, but nodded in agreement.

"Looks like Storm Pop is inviting us over for some cake, instead!"

That cheered her right up.

Blossom barely had time to become bored in Gregory' office before there was a quiet knock on the door.

"Come in," Gregory called without even looking.

It was Star Bright, who paused on the doorstep and stared fixedly at the wall just beside Gregory. "Uhm..."

"Bright!" Blossom squeaked with relief and jumped from her seat. The unicorn took an involuntary step backward and the mare would have toppled him, had she not thrown her hooves around the poor guy.

"We're getting cake tomorrow! Greg is taking me to have some cake!"

Star Bright didn't know how to respond to all of that, so he just turned a slightly worried smile on Gregory, who shrugged at him helplessly. Greg was having a hard time not laughing, especially since Blossom normally did the exact same thing to him, or rather, to his legs.

"And then, he said, we're getting muffins from the store!"

"Hey, I said no such thing! I said another day!"

The only sign Blossom gave of having heard him was a flick of her ear, but she nevertheless smoothly corrected herself: "Getting muffins someday!"

"Uh... that's nice?" Star Bright ventured uncertainly.

"Can you get me some muffins now, please?"

The way Blossom's ears folded and she pulled herself away so she could use 'the Look' on the hapless stallion was just too much and Greg couldn't keep from chuckling.

Luckily neither pony seemed to notice and Greg wasn't alone in his amusement. He caught a glimpse of a very red-faced private Longstride watching the scene from the hallway.

"Please?" Blossom whined when Star Bright hadn't replied quickly enough to suit her.

Star Bright woke up with a start from whatever thought he'd been lost in and blurted out: "Oh... I- I- y-yes? Um, I'll go and check if there's any..."

"I'll come with!" Blossom agreed and all but physically dragged Bright away.

Gregory was about to tell the guards, but Longstride composed himself and poked his muzzle in. "I'll go and keep an eye on Blossom, sir."

"Good. That's good."

The private had been kind enough to shut the door after him and Greg had some privacy to catch his breath. It wasn't that Blossom had been incredibly funny, but it felt really good to see her happy. Maybe she was acting like a filly, but she of all ponies had a right to try and regain some of her lost youth. It was a nice contrast from a mare so frightened that she had offered to fellate him in return for safety. Greg shook his head to dispel the image. It was starting to look like that Star Bright and Blossom would end up friends - or perhaps more. He'd have to speak with the stallion and make sure he understood Blossom's situation and how to handle her.

He was certain that Star Bright probably wouldn't accept Blossom's advances, but Greg wanted to be extra sure. On that thought, maybe the young mare would benefit from visiting Princess Cadence in the Crystal Empire to get some first-hoof education about relationships and love. He filed the thought away to discuss with Celestia later. It would also get Blossom out of Canterlot and might help thwart any further attempts on her life. The conspiracy against Celestia probably didn't extend all the way to the Crystal Empire.

Anyway, nothing should happen with private Longstride there. Greg bent down to his work once more. It wasn't terribly urgent, but he had delayed the document too much even before this mess with Blossom. Of course, just as he was warming up there was another knock on the door. Gregory put his pencil down and sighed. He'd been hoping the muffins would last a while longer.

It was his other assigned guard, Spring Morning. "Um, a visitor to see you, sir."

"Visitor?"

The guard stepped aside and revealed a pony Gregory really didn't want to see right then. A certain white unicorn with a pink mane and a permanently dissatisfied expression. Except - this time her eyes were wide open and almost pleading. Her muzzle didn't hint of a snarl just below the surface.

"Let her in," Greg said.

The mare shuffled forward, never taking her eyes off Greg. She didn't speak, but her horn was glowing and she was holding a small, cyan box with a red ribbon.

"What is this about?"

She opened her mouth, but changed her mind and closed it again, eyes falling to the carpet under her hooves. She drew a breath through her nose and let it out again in a sigh.

"Well? Twinkleshine, right?"

Without looking up, she nodded. "I came to ap-apologize," she finally quavered. She managed to lift her eyes and meet Gregs and she floated the box to his desk. "A present... As a s-sign of good will."

This was extremely unexpected and Gregory caught himself gaping. He looked from the box back to the mare and then back to the box. "What?! Apologize?" he finally repeated, unable to find any other words.

"Yes. I d-did a lot of thinking and-"

"This isn't because of what Princess Celestia said, is it?"

The noblemare didn't look offended that he'd interrupted her. She just shook her head. "No- well... maybe a little. B-But I also spoke with Sapphire and, um, Dainty, and they said I was out of line and I should apologize."

"Sapphire...?" Gregory asked, not immediately recognizing the name.

"Sapphire Ritz, my husband," Twinkleshine explained.

"Ah, and Dainty would then be..."

"Dainty Silvermane." If Twinkleshine was offended that Gregory didn't recognize the names of some of the most powerful ponies in Canterlot, she didn't show it. She nodded at the box. "Please, open it."

He reached for the present and examined it from several angles. It was small and not particularly heavy. Finally curiosity got the best of him and he tugged at the bow to untie the knot. Under the cyan wrapping paper there was a simple wooden box. It opened smoothly on a hinge to reveal a glittering diamond pendant.

"Oh..."

"W-Will you wear it?" Twinkleshine pleaded. When Gregory glanced up her eyes were almost brimming with tears and her ears were completely lowered. "It would mean a lot. J-Just for a little while? Maybe a few days?"

"Why is this so important to you?" Greg asked, his eyes narrowing a little in suspicion. He lifted the pendant up and examined it in the light. It was a simple design, an oval with three stars cut out of it. A glance confirmed that it matched the shape of her cutie mark.

"It will show everypony that you've accepted my apology," Twinkleshine explained. "It's important to me- um, after that speech."

Gregory didn't wear jewelry as a rule, but if this would help put the whole affair behind them, he'd do it. "For a couple of days, you said?"

"At- at least if you go out in public. So that ponies can, um, see."

"Okay, okay, for a few days, when I'm out. And maybe for special occasions. Jewellry isn't really my style."

The mare blushed and looked down at the carpet again. "I didn't know what to pick. If you d-don't like it, I'll take it back and get something else."

She seemed genuinely contrite and Gregory stood up from his chair. Twinkleshine didn't look as he circled around the desk and crouched near her. He reached out a hand, hesitated, but then decided to just go for it and patted her head.

"It's okay. It's pretty and it'll go nicely with my formal suit. Thank you."

She looked up and gave him a faint smile.

"Why the sudden change of heart, though? Last week you couldn't stand me. Yeah, I know you said you've been thinking, but this isn't some kind of a plot to-"

"Oh, of course not!" Twinkleshine said, shocked at the very idea. She drew back and laid a hoof over her chest. "I was just... misguided. I listened to the wrong soft of pony."

"Like who?"

She glanced away from Greg's stare and shook her head. "I... don't want to say. Just- the wrong sort. We're not friends anymore, okay?"

For a moment Gregory considered pushing it. Whoever had been filling Twinkleshine's head with anti-human nonsense were probably the same guys actively working against Celestia. There was just one strange thing in this whole story. "Wait, you said 'Dainty Silvermane'?!"

The mare blinked in confusion, but then nodded. "Yeah. Why? She's my friend."

"It's just... Silvermane," Greg began, but then decided not to reveal how much he and Celestia knew. There was always a chance that Dainty didn't know what her husband was doing. It was also possible that Silvermane wasn't actually a part of it, even though Blossom had specifically named him as having visited the mines.

"Silvermane, what's his name? Something impressive-sounding..."

"Glorious?" Twinkleshine supplied.

"Yeah, that's him. He's got a son, doesn't he?"

Again, the mare helped out with the name: "Paisley Silvermane, yes."

Gregory fell silent as he thought. Maybe it was the junior who had gotten in with a bad crowd? Maybe he was working with some human slavers. The old man might not even know the whole story. Then again, maybe it was both of them and the mother didn't know anything about it. All these alliances and friendships and striving for more power was too confusing by half, so Gregory just shrugged a little to himself. Luckily he didn't have to deal with it. He'd just relay everything he'd heard to Celestia and let her handle it. She knew all those families better than anyone and would know what to make of it all. For now, Greg went back to observing Twinkleshine, who was staring at him with a kind of worried curiosity.

"Is everything okay?" she asked when she saw him looking - really looking at her, not just staring into space.

"Oh, yeah. I know I've been here awhile, but it's hard to keep all these names straight in my head. Thanks for clearing it up a little."

"Um, any-anytime?"

Gregory stood up and went back to his chair. He picked up the pendant again and watched how it glittered as it spun in the light. "So, no more hard feelings? Even though me and Eli are humans and we're... well, here? With the Princesses?"

The unicorn shook her head. "I promise. It's not my place to judge whom Celestia takes to her- ahem, whom she likes. I trust her not to sell Equestria out."

"You can take that to the bank." Gregory decided to ignore what Twinkleshine had nearly said and focused on the positive. She was apparently genuinely trying to move past her prejudice. "As a matter of fact, you should have seen her meeting with some of the... well, let's call them 'Earth leaders'. I swear, I thought she'd start banging on the table with a hoof."

The mare smiled a little and nodded. "Um, okay. I have to go now- please enjoy my gift!"

"Thanks for stopping by."

Gregory watched her walk to the door and pull it open. There was still no sign of Blossom and Star Bright, so he hoped they were having a nice time with some muffins. Spring Morning looked in the room to make sure everything was alright, gave Gregory a nod, and closed the door behind his departing visitor.

Perhaps he might still get a bit of work done before his meeting with the two Princesses.

Chapter 21: Old and New Friends

Gregory glanced through his notes and concluded his report: "I guess that's all of it. The other guards didn't get any useful information from the neighbors, but Sugar Moon and Ocean Spark definitely said 'Silvermane'."

There was silence as both Princesses digested this. Celestia was the first one to break it: "Interesting."

Luna gave a little shrug. "It merely confirms what we already know from Blossom. The Silvermanes are behind this whole thing, there can be no doubt."

"Ahem due process," Greg coughed.

It made Celestia smile even as Luna stared in confusion. "What is 'do process'?" she asked.

Her sister waved a dismissive wing. "It's a legal term of what we must keep in mind before we accuse ponies, Sister. Ask Eli to explain it to you, undoubtedly he knows."

"Very well, but the clues still point to Silvermane."

"Yeah, except for what Twinkleshine told me earlier," Greg explained, lifting up the pendant around his neck as if for proof.

"Bah!" Luna growled, "that merely goes to show that Glorious does not discuss his 'business' ventures with his wife!" The Princess even signed the air quotes with her wings.

"Perhaps. I will look into it, you may trust me on this, Luna, but I will not make a false accusation against Silvermane. It would give him too much power."

Put like that, Luna had to incline her head in agreement. "Very well. Now what about the mine?"

Celestia smiled, but there was no joy behind it, only grim satisfaction. "There is indeed a mine which was not registered with Canterlot. The entrance is well hidden, but not well enough. Comet Roll was able to find it very quickly."

"What did you find inside?"

The smile slipped and Celestia's eyes grew sad. She lowered her gaze and spoke in a quieter tone: "A place of forced labor. There were cells with strong, iron doors. There were beds in them and restraints. Gregory-" Celestia took a deep breath and then continued: "It occurs to me that Blossom was not the only one kept there."

Suddenly Greg also realized that fact. They must have known it on some level, but both of them had suppressed the notion. "I... guess we didn't want to think about that?"

Celestia nodded and reached out a hoof to lay on his shoulder. "It is time we do. We must hurry up and find where the... the laborers have been taken."

"You're sure they're still alive?"

Celestia gave him a pained look for bringing it up, but she nodded firmly. "Yes. There was no scent of death in the air. If ponies are in charge, they will not want blood on their hooves despite their other crimes."

"But what if it's humans?"

"We have to hope," Celestia replied, "that ponies have some influence over the operation. Besides, it is quite a big step from forced labor to outright murder. Perhaps not even humans are this cold-hearted?"

It was a remarkably optimistic view, but one Gregory couldn't really fault her for. "Yeah, makes sense. People trafficking is a bad enough crime so maybe they'd stop at murder, especially with pony influences. Bennet said this place changes people, right?" He saw Luna shudder at the talk and changed the topic: "So, how do we find them?"

Celestia shook her head. "It is up to Silent Spell. In the meantime, we will follow up with this Silvermane business here in Canterlot. If he is involved, he will lead us to wherever the ponies and humans are being kept."

There was a faint rustle as Luna repositioned herself on the seat and both Gregory and Celestia looked at her. The night princess lowered her ears defensively. "I believe you two would be much more discreet than I."

Her admission made Celestia giggle. "Probably true, Sister."

"What may I do to assist?"

Gregory gave it some thought and came up with another loose thread they hadn't explored fully yet: "How about those two goons walking around threatening people and asking questions about me? Or the two who gave Rainbow Dash the slip after their attack on Blossom? The guards are looking into them, but maybe they could use an alicorn's help?"

Celestia nodded to herself and flashed Gregory a proud little smile. "I concur, Sister. You should take charge of those investigations while Gregory and myself look into Silvermane."

As Luna thought this over, her ears lifted up and her muzzle slowly split into a grin. "I shall do it," she announced. "I will get to the bottom of it, count on it!"

"That's the spirit!"

"Oh, and one more thing," Celestia said, turning to Greg.

"Mm?"

"Could you go through the records and see if we know of any Equestrian family who owns land in Griffinstone? Something Blossom said once is bothering me."

"What is that?"

Luna glanced from him to her sister as Celestia explained: "Remember when she said that she used to live on a farm with her parents and there was a griffin 'boss'?"

"Yeah," Gregory agreed, recalling Blossom's words, now that he heard it again. At the time they had worried more about Blossom's well-being than her history, but now that the mare was doing well it was time to look into her past.

"So either her parents have land in Griffinstone and are selling their produce to griffins, or they are employed by one of them. Perhaps we have a record of pony families who have emigrated to other lands. Maybe we can find Blossom's parents."

"That would be nice, yes. I'll check with Ms. Nutmeg, she'll know if there's any records."

"Good," Celestia said with a smile. She leaned closer and stole a peck from Greg's lips. She looked into his eyes for a few moments, then blinked very slowly and asked: "Perhaps it could wait until later? My wings are a bit sore from flying all that way today."

He picked up on the cue and shared her grin. "Maybe a massage would help?"

"Mmmm. Maybe."

Out of the corner of his eye Greg saw Luna starting to blush. She stood up and cleared her throat to remind them that she was still in the room. "Well, I will go and see Fire Fly about the investigation then. I trust I will see you for court later, Sister?"

Celestia's ears splayed a little as she was reminded. "Of course. Court in the afternoon today. I will be there, don't worry." To Gregory she said in a lower voice: "We have two hours, is that enough?"

"We'll make it be enough," he promised.

This made her grin widen and she leaned closer for a longer, more intimate kiss. Neither of them noticed when Luna mumbled something incoherent and left.

Blossom's joy was infectious and Gregory couldn't keep himself from smiling when he saw her prancing along. The streets of Canterlot weren't causing her any issues this time, but that was perhaps because of the promise of cake.

"Um, Celestia said there were many kinds of cake," Blossom explained her newfound expertise.

"There sure are."

"What kind are we getting?"

"I really don't know. Storm Pop didn't say in the invitation."

Not even meeting a couple of unicorns could dampen her spirits. Blossom just shrank behind Greg's legs and put the man between herself and the two ponies. In a way he understood how she felt. That morning it seemed to Greg that every eye was on him. It was probably just his imagination, but he couldn't help noticing, for example, a pegasus flash a quick smile when she looked in his direction, or a unicorn blink in surprise then pretend he hadn't seen him. Sighing, Greg decided it was probably just the fact that he was a human. He'd been in Canterlot for quite a while, but some ponies still weren't used to him. Or maybe it was the fact that there were three guards just behind him. His little procession must have looked like some official business or something and several ponies stopped to watch him go past. For all he knew, it might have even been his slightly more formal clothes. The ponies had probably gotten used to Greg wearing nothing more than casual jeans and a rather plain jacket, but this day he had opted for a shirt and blazer combo, if only because putting on Twinkleshine's pendant had made his usual style feel somewhat inadequate.

Yep, he definitely envied Blossom and her blissful ignorance, especially in expectation of sweets.

"Um, so Celestia said we should bring some cake back for her," the mare continued.

"What? Oh, yeah, sure. I'm sure Ms. Sunbeam will think of that and insist we take some back," he replied.

"Who's Ms. Sunbeam?" Blossom asked.

"Candy Sunbeam, she's Storm Pop's sister and a baker. She always gives me some cake for the Princess when I visit."

"Oh. That's nice of her!"

They came to the correct street and Greg gently nudged Blossom toward the right house before she simply pranced her way past. Their door was in the middle of the row and Greg looked back at his entourage. "Um, he only invited me and Blossom, so I'm not sure if..."

Luckily he didn't have to say it, sergeant Bright Beam gave a fast salute with his wing even as he kept walking. "No need, sir! We will wait right outside."

"Thanks."

He wasn't used to traveling with guards, at least not when Celestia wasn't there. She always had a few around, at least on official business, but Greg suspected it was mostly because the other ponies expected it of her, not for any kind of protection. There was very little which could threaten Celestia, but could be stopped by a few guards. Besides, the past few times he'd visited with Storm Pop and his family Greg had gone alone and there had never been a problem. The only reason he and Blossom needed guards today was because of the attack.

He pushed those thoughts aside because Ms. Sunbeam had already opened the door and was smiling hugely at him and Blossom. She must have been watching from the window. "Come in, come in!" the older mare said, waving them both into the house with a wing. She looked at the guards in confusion when they stopped on the sidewalk.

"They'll wait outside," Gregory explained.

The mare gave him a strange, uncertain look. "Are you sure? There's plenty of room..."

Again Bright Beam earned his proverbial pay. "Thank you, ma'am, but we should stay here and keep an eye out for danger!"

"D-Danger?" Sunbeam squeaked, glancing around nervously. "What danger?"

"It's a long story and nothing to worry about."

Another voice called from upstairs: "Greg, my favorite human! Oh, and if it isn't the lovely lady Blossom!"

The compliment was so unexpected that Blossom didn't know what to do with it. She looked at Greg, then at Storm Pop who was coming slowly down the stairs. She opened her mouth and then snapped it shut when she didn't know what to say. It was tricky with her shade of pink, but Greg could swear she was blushing a little. He also caught other clues: a slight splaying of her ears, they way she looked at the carpet and nowhere else, and the telltale way her tail crept between her hind legs.

Greg reached over and patted her, but Candy Sunbeam was faster. She laid a protective wing across Blossom's withers and chided her older brother: "Pop! You're embarrassing the young lady." She led the grateful mare away, all the time continuing her tirade: "To think! At your age! Have you no manners?!"

For his part, Pop just laughed it off and reached for Greg's hand to shake. "I had to resort to a formal invitation, Greg! What gives?"

"Well, there's... a lot of stuff going on right now at the Castle."

"Yeah, we heard some rumors. Is it true there was an assassination attempt on the Princess?!" Storm Pop had lowered his voice and spoke fearfully, as if expecting assassins to jump out from behind the furniture.

"Well, not on the Princess. Look, I can't tell you much because we're still investigating. They didn't succeed, okay?" Greg reassured the stallion.

The old pony nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good news at least. Anyway, come in. There's tea and cake."

Greg had suggested they invite Celestia as well, especially if they were serving sweets, but the two pegasi were aghast at the idea. Their home, they claimed, was nowhere near fancy enough to host a Princess. At most they insisted Greg take some cake or a few pastries back to give Celestia, along with their well wishes.

As he followed Storm Pop into the dining room they met Sunbeam coming the other way with a tray balanced on her back between her wings. There were three steaming mugs and a plate of cookies.

"I'll just take this to the poor dears outside, Greg. You just make yourself comfortable."

Blossom was already seated and she barely had time to notice Greg entering. All her attention was taken by a large, square, marzipan-decorated cake in the middle of the table. Even from a distance Greg could see a glistening drop of drool on her muzzle.

Storm Pop nudged him in the back. "Go, sit! Sit! I'll bring a bottle of cider so we can celebrate!"

The cake had writing on it and it was facing the door, as if someone had specifically arranged it for Greg to read the moment he walked in. It said: 'Thank you Gregory!'

"Hey, I thought we were past all that, Pop. It really wasn't a big dea-"

"Shush, it wasn't my idea," Storm Pop interrupted. He rummaged in a cupboard until he found two glasses. "Aura is in town and she wanted to do it. She was up all night yesterday with Sunbeam to bake that."

As if the words had summoned the young mare there was an excited squeak from the door. "Gregory!" Smiling, Gregory turned around and caught the jumping pegasus. She clung to him with all four legs and gave his face a good lick. "I got into the weather team, Greg!" she proclaimed with a big grin. "I made it and it's all thanks to you!"

He chuckled in delight and lowered the mare to the floor before sitting in the nearest chair. "No, Aura, it's all thanks to Earth doctors and modern medicine."

She pouted a little at being proven wrong, but the smile soon crept back. "Well, I never would have gotten there if it weren't for you! Look, look!"

Taking a few steps away, the mare slowly extended both wings. It took some time and concentration, but once they were fully spread, she flapped them quite easily a few times. It didn't seem to be causing her any issues. There was a nudge against his hand and Greg accepted a glass from Storm Pop. He held it low enough for the stallion to fill while he watched Aura fold her wings back. Again, it took a lot longer than it would any other pegasus, but by the time she was done they looked just like normal wings against her barrel.

"It's a bit tricky and they catch sometimes when I'm folding or unfolding them," the young mare explained, "but I can fly just fine! And the job at the weather team proves it!"

"Well done! Good work, Aura. I'm proud of you."

In perfect timing Storm Pop was done with the cider and Greg clinked his glass against the one the stallion was holding with both hooves. They drank a toast.

"Oh, who's your friend?!" Aura squeaked and walked around her father to inspect Blossom from up close.

"That's Blossom. Blossom, I'd like you to meet Aura."

The two mares looked at one another, but then Aura slowly smiled. "I love your coat! It's like bubblegum!"

Blossom blushed a little, but she couldn't keep a tiny grin from her muzzle. "Um, y-you're n-nice too..."

"She's a bit shy, so take it easy on her, okay?"

Luckily Aura was very outgoing and could draw on her extensive experience from babysitting jobs. Somehow she seemed to sense that Blossom was, at least mentally, somewhat younger than she looked. Aura hopped up on the chair right next to her new friend and reached over to lay a hoof on Blossom's. "I'll just sit right here and make sure you get some of that delicious cake, okay? I made it!"

This, at least in Blossom's eyes, was the highest calling and her eyes widened in delight. "Really?! You made it? How? It smells delicious..." Before Aura could really reply, Blossom went on: "I had some nice muffins yesterday, but they didn't smell as nice as this."

"Of course not!" Aura replied, scoffing a little. "This is my signature mint-chocolate marzipan cake. It's the best in town!"

Greg glanced at Storm Pop, who was chuckling soundlessly. He grinned at the stallion, raised his glass to him and took another sip. It really was good cider.

"One of these days I'll have to bring you some scotch from Earth. Now that'll put hair on your chest."

The pony looked down. "My chest already has hair on it, Greg."

Laughing, the man patted him on the back. "Sure does."

The front door opened and then closed, followed soon after by Ms. Sunbeam. Her tray had three empty mugs and a plate with no cookies left. "Such nice young colts," she commented, mostly to herself as she came into the dining room. She noticed the gathered group and froze. "Oh my, you're not all waiting on me, are you? Aura, cut the cake! You can see the poor thing is drooling already!"

They all looked at Blossom, who squeaked and hurriedly wiped at her muzzle.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry! Why didn't you say?!" Aura apologized and reached over for where her aunt was just handing her a knife and a cake spade. She deftly cut out a large piece and deposited it on Blossom's plate first. Only then did she remember that Greg was actually the guest of honor and looked at him with horror.

"It's fine, it's fine. I don't mind at all," he said, grinning at her expression of relief.

"Aura, why don't you take a few pieces out to the colts out front?" Sunbeam suggested while her niece was busy with the cutting and divvying up.

"Huh? What colts?"

Sunbeam explained: "There are a few Castle guards with Greg today, but they wanted to stay outside and keep an eye out for danger. Such polite colts, too!" The older mare seemed dreamy for a while, then shook her head and sighed. "I always liked to see some young flank in armor..."

Storm Pop caught Greg's look and rolled his eyes, but they were both smiling. It was part of Sunbeam's charm and the reason most of her bakery customers were regulars.

Aura, on the other hand, was blushing furiously, the pink clearly visible on her pristine white coat. "Auntie..." she whined.

"Well, it can't hurt to go out and say hello to them, dear."

That just made the red in Aura's cheeks hotter. She tried to cover it up by busying herself with cutting the cake up while the older mare brought out three fresh plates for the guards. Despite her protestations, Greg thought there was an eager bounce in Aura's step as she obeyed and took the treats out. Perhaps her tail swished around a bit more than usual, too.

"So, tell me about this trouble at the Castle, Greg," Storm Pop asked when his daughter was gone.

"I'm sorry, I really can't. There's an investigation and until it's done I really shouldn't say, or the bad guys might get away."

"Oh my, sounds serious!" Sunbeam commented. "Is that why those colts are with you today?"

"It's... related," Gregory admitted.

Storm Pop huffed. "Must be pretty bad if not even Canterlot is safe."

"Trust me, it is. But don't worry, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna will handle it."

"I don't doubt it. Two two are canny," the stallion admitted. "Well, as long as it's in hoof. There's no danger to us ordinary citizens, is there?"

Gregory shook his head firmly and made his voice as authoritative as possible: "None whatsoever."

Storm Pop nodded at this news and relaxed a little.

Candy Sunbeam pointed and spoke up next: "That's a lovely pendant, Greg. I've never seen you wear jewelry before. What's the occasion?"

He lifted up the diamond and then hurriedly let it drop, as if it was red hot. "Oh, nothing. Just- a gift from someone."

"Your special young mare gave you that?" Storm Pop asked, but then immediately burst out laughing when he saw Greg's expression. He leaned over and put a comforting hoof on the man's knee.

"Don't worry, we didn't believe the rumors."

"Oh. Thanks. No, it was from... someone. An apology gift."

The two older ponies looked at each other, but before they could ask for more details Blossom lifted her head, a big, goofy smile plastered over her muzzle, and pushed her empty plate away. Her eyes had trouble focusing, but they found Greg and her grin widened. "I think I love cake..."

While Storm Pop was chuckling at the sight, his sister jumped up and went to cut Blossom another piece. That much sugar would probably make her sick, but the mare looked so happy that Greg didn't have the heart to say no. Blossom was apparently trying to make up for all the sweets she'd missed while she was in that mine.

"Another cider?" the stallion offered and Greg wordlessly held out his glass.

He heard laughter from outside and recognized private Snow Cover, mingled with Aura. It sounded like Ms. Sunbeam hadn't been wrong. While he sipped his second glass Greg picked up the fork. He had to at least try the cake, or Celestia would never forgive him.

"That's right, dear," Ms. Sunbeam said. "There's more if you will want it and I'll make sure to wrap up a big piece for the Princess!"

All Greg could do was nod his thanks, because his mouth was full.

"'ome 'oo 'ee?!" Blossom squeaked through her mouthful of cake. She swallowed and tried again: "Some for me too?"

The older mare leaned over and patted her on the shoulder. "Oh, of course I'll give you some to take home, dear! You're all skin and bones, you poor thing!"

Blossom lowered her ears to enhance the visage of misery, but it was slightly spoiled by her bulging cheeks as she chewed yet more cake. He didn't begrudge her, though. Pretty soon they'll have to start figuring out what to do about Blossom's future. She probably didn't get much education, if any, so she'd have some catching up to do. It would be a busy, complicated part of her life so Greg didn't mind if she acted like a filly for a while longer. In fact, a peaceful morning with Storm Pop and his family was just what he needed, too. A couple of hours away from the conspiracies and secrets.

He leaned back in his chair, swirled his glass of cider and took another long sip. He'd felt guilty about his guards having to stand outside and wait, but now that Aura was entertaining them he didn't feel as bad anymore.

Chapter 22: A Cake and a Picnic

When he was back in the Castle, Gregory sought out Celestia in her office. That was usually a safe bet, if she wasn't holding Court or eating. The guards standing in front of the door confirmed his guess even before he went in. They didn't stop him as he knocked and immediately entered without waiting for the Princess to say "Come in!"

She looked up from the scroll she had been reading and smiled when she saw the package in his hand. "So you and Blossom had a good time?"

"Mhm! I brought you this, courtesy of Storm Pop and Aura."

Her tongue poked out as Celestia unwrapped it and Greg couldn't help chuckling at her expression of pure delight.

"Oooh, it's a Candy Sunbeam cake, isn't it?!"

"Well, Aura helped with it, but yeah, I guess. By the way, there's something wrong with this," Greg said and pulled Twinkleshine's pendant off.

"Mm?" Celestia didn't even look at it. She opened the bottom drawer on her desk and pulled out a small fork.

"You keep cutlery hidden in your office?"

"Mhm! You never know when it might be time for cake!" the mare beamed. "Just a taste now and then I'll have the rest of it after lunch."

"Huh... all these years and you still surprise me, Celly."

Her mouth was already full, so the mare just nodded happily. "Mhm!" she affirmed, then her eyes went to the pendant and she gripped it carefully in her magic. She rotated it a few times while she finished her mouthful and swallowed. "Hmm. Let's see here."

Gregory, out of his depth when it came to magic, just pulled back Celestia's guest chair and sat down to wait. "Where did you find this?" the Princess asked. "I don't remember seeing it before. Did you buy this?"

"Not really-" Greg began, but Celestia looked at him and her muzzle scrunched up. Her intense stare made his words falter. It was a struggle to finish the sentence: "Twinkleshine gave it me."

The admission made Celestia's eyes narrow. "When was this? Before or after she came to see me?" The magical aura around the pendant intensified, as if the Princess was going to crush the offending bit of jewelry, and the scrunch in her muzzle became hard enough that her teeth showed.

"After, I think. Why? What's wrong with it?"

The mare gave a snort and her horn flared for a second, although nothing else really happened. "It was a prank, I believe. When I get my hooves on that filly, she'll- I'll..." she began, but closed her eyes and took a deep breath before finishing that unsavory sentence. "I'll have words with her."

"What prank?" Greg asked and reached out to place a comforting palm on her hoof on the table. "It didn't work, I don't know what this was about, so it doesn't matter."

Celestia nearly pushed herself away to start pacing in frustration, but kept sitting and her foreleg on the table so as not to dislodge Greg's hand. "Not that easy. In some places you wearing a gift like this means you had accepted her advances."

It was a good thing that Gregory didn't have a beverage, because he would have spat it out. "What?! What do you mean 'advances'?! What'll people think?!" Actually, he knew what they would think. The stares and blushes he'd seen on the way to Storm Pop's suddenly made sense. "Celestia, I went out with that thing! Christ..."

The Princess just let out a sigh and reached over to cover his hand with her other hoof. "It is okay. I think this was a bit of revenge after what I told her, and it was in very poor taste. I will speak with her again."

Something else suddenly made sense and Gregory looked up sharply. "I think I know what her game is. She has specifically asked me to wear that around the city and I bet she'll raise a big stink about how I'm cheating on you with her."

"That would be my guess as well," Celestia nodded. Still grimacing a little, Celestia pushed back her chair with a hind hoof and circled the table so she could give the man an affectionate nuzzle. "At least," she said, "it is an obscure, old custom and not many follow it anymore."

"Well..." Greg began to rise to his feet, but then he couldn't resist the power of the nuzzle and sighed. "Fine, but we need to do something. Tell her off, at least."

Celestia nodded against his cheek. "Agreed. I will send her an invitation to an audience. Again."

"At least, this doesn't have any magic, does it? It was just a prank?"

The pendant was still floating in Celestia's levitation and she brought it closer to her face once more. She concentrated, frowning a little, and laid the crystal flat on her desk. There was a quiet click as she freed the gem from its clasp and separated the two. She levitated the golden chain back to Gregory. "Here, hold this. It might interfere with a subtle spell."

Her magic almost completely winked out and the glow around her horn was barely noticeable as she scrutinized the gem stone in minute detail. "I... can't really tell," she admitted. "All crystals are slightly magical, a really subtle spell will be very hard to detect."

He obediently stuck the item in his pocket while Celestia bent over the gem. "Anything?" he asked after what felt like an appropriate interval.

She looked back at Gregory and smiled. "If it is so weak that I cannot sense it, then its effects will be proportionally negligible. If this is some kind of an attack on you it is completely ineffective." She sidestepped to bump Greg's shoulder with her rump and he patted her back in return. "I think this really is as simple as it looks. Twinkleshine is merely trying to cause more trouble by insinuating you are unfaithful. It is a really weak bluff."

She gave him the stone back and Greg replaced it in its metal clasp. He dangled it before his eyes and then shrugged to himself. "I'll leave it in the office. When you're done chewing her out, send her my way and I'll give it back to her. It looks expensive."

"I will do so, then. Oh, by the way, how is Blossom? Did she enjoy her trip?"

Gregory smiled at the memory. "I think she likes making new friends, especially if they give her cake. She and Aura got along pretty well and Aura asked if she can visit. I said yes."

The Princess nodded in agreement. "Good. She needs more friends her age. Any luck with finding her parents?"

At this Gregory had to look away in embarrassment. "I hadn't asked Ms. Nutmeg yet. I was going to yesterday, but then this Twinkleshine thing-"

Celestia interrupted him with a kiss. "Shush, it is okay. There is no particular hurry. Blossom is doing fine and a day or two will not make much difference in the end."

"Thanks," Greg replied, leaning in for a second kiss. "I'll do it today, if she's in her office. Otherwise tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I promise."

"Okay. I will finish the paperwork and then I will check on Blossom. I am also hoping Silent Spell will conclude her investigation today. I left Glory Tail and Comet Roll with her and they will bring her straight to Canterlot when she is done."

"Good. Hopefully she has some news."

"And then," Celestia went on wearily, "I have to figure out what to do about Silvermane."

"Not envious, dear." Greg stood up and wrapped his arms around the poor, overworked mare.

She leaned on him for a few seconds, just soaking up his warmth in silence. "I'll see you for lunch."

He let her go and was about to leave, but Celestia called after him: "Gregory?"

The word stopped him with his hand on the door handle and he looked back.

"What if we take a basket and have a picnic?"

"Where?"

She had to give this some thought. Greg's aversion to being teleported and his inability to fly did limit their choices.

"The trail from the back of the maze up the Canterlot Mountain?"

"Oh, yeah, that nice spot almost no one knows about, right?"

"Mhm! What do you say?"

"Yeah, sounds lovely, actually. I could use a couple of hours away from it all."

The room seemed to grow brighter as Celestia smiled in anticipation, as if the otherworldly light which shone upon her was turned up. "I will let Fluttershy and the guards know. I can keep you safe all on my own."

Greg didn't doubt it. "Okay, so I'll meet you back here in say, an hour?"

"It's a date."

It couldn't be helped. Gregory let go of the handle and walked back to Celestia's desk so he could give her one last kiss.

Their picnic place was like a small meadow, except it was surrounded by steep rock rather than trees. It was open on one side which overlooked the Canterlot Castle and the city behind it. The only way to reach the place was by flying if you didn't know where the path was. Most ponies in Canterlot didn't know the place even existed and the few who did, knew it was Celestia's special, peaceful retreat. She sometimes came there during hectic days for an hour or two so she could have a peaceful lunch and unwind a little.

Whether through a geological accident, or by deliberate design, a small brook sprang up from between the rocks and flowed around the edge of the clearing. The water was ice cold and pure and, to Greg's amazement, tasted almost sweet. It was probably constructed, the man guessed, but the craftsmanship was such that the spring appeared entirely natural.

He'd put the picnic basket down while Celestia picked out a sunny spot and lay down, folding her legs under her body and fluffing her wings slightly open. Greg soon joined her and sat as well.

"I do love it here, Gregory. Thank you for this idea. I haven't been up here since autumn."

"But it was your idea," he pointed out.

It just made the Princess giggle. "Yes, but you gave me it."

He didn't see how that followed, but Greg wasn't about to argue. He laid a palm on Celestia's withers an used his other hand to brush a crumb from her muzzle. "I thought you said we'd have lunch up here?"

"We are," Celestia assured him and floated the basket closer. She opened it and pulled out a napkin, which she spread across the grass in front of her.

"You've already eaten, though?"

"A simple croissant. Not what you might call a meal," she pointed out. While they talked, several more pastries floated up from the basket and landed on the cloth.

"You know, it did feel as if the basket was getting lighter all the time."

Celestia couldn't suppress a smile at his friendly jab, but she stuck her tongue out through her teeth anyway. "Oh hush," she chided, "I only took one to try."

"Yeah, but when? I didn't even see you do it!"

"I... can be very efficient and discreet."

Gregory shook his head and reached over to the basket. Surely it wasn't all pastries?

Celestia guessed what he was looking for and rolled her eyes a little. "Do not worry, I packed a sandwich for you."

It wasn't difficult to find among what were mostly pastries. It was a simple affair of lettuce, tomato, and hard-boiled egg construction, with a bit of salad dressing to bring it all together. Putting it aside, Gregory kept looking in the basket for a bit longer. "Where is your lunch, then?" he asked.

"Right here," Celestia replied, frowning at him in confusion. She spread her wing to indicate the bounty which she had laid before herself.

"Celestia, those are just sweets! You can't live on nothing but sweets!"

Her ears lowered and the mare let the tiniest touch of rose touch her cheeks. "I cannot see why not. I have been doing it for over a thousand years, Gregory."

"Sometimes I wonder..."

"What was that?"

He had murmured it to himself, once again forgetting just how sensitive pony hearing was.

"Sometimes you seem like five, Celestia."

"Well..." she began, trying to think up a scathing reply and failing. She just stuck her tongue out at him again. They both laughed at that. The moment of tranquility was most welcome in the current hectic times.

Gregory leaned back against Celestia's side as he bit into his sandwich and looked around the heights above him. It was called the 'Canterlot Mountain', at least as far as he knew, but there was actually multiple peaks. "Ever been up there?" he asked and pointed after he'd swallowed.

Celestia followed his pointing finger with her gaze. "On each of them, yes. I would not recommend a climb, but I can carry you up if you'd like. It would only take a bit of magic to strengthen my wings."

"No thanks. I didn't really like riding you that time for halloween."

She gave him a deadpan look. "Gregory - you ride me essentially every night." Somehow she kept her face serious even with the delightfully amusing way Greg blushed at her words.

"I- didn't- not that kind of-"

She couldn't help it any longer and burst out laughing at his expression. She leaned her head against Greg's shoulder and closed her eyes. "Oh, you are too easy, Gregory," she wheezed. "You are worse than Fluttershy in some respects."

Greg decided just to ignore it and focused on his sandwich again. It wasn't a warm meal, but it was quite sufficient, specially with how strong the sun was getting. Summer really was right around the corner.

"This is quite nice, though," Celestia said, echoing Greg's thoughts. "We should do this more often."

He nodded wordlessly, his gaze going around the meadow again. "Does someone come here to mow the grass?"

The question made Celestia inspect the green carpet on which she was lying. "I suppose the Castle gardener. It would be his domain, after all." She lowered her head and nibbled on a blade of grass.

"Delectable. I must remember to thank Mr. Greenhooves when I see him."

"That still doesn't count as lunch, you know?" Gregory pointed out.

"Why not?!" Celestia pierced him with a glare. "It is essentially a very fresh salad!"

Gregory just laughed.

Chapter 23: Taken!

Gregory was just putting away his paperwork when his eye landed on the crystal pendant Twinkleshine had given him. He'd told Celstia he would return it, but perhaps it would be better to just leave it in his office as a conversation piece. Perhaps losing what it had cost would teach that annoying mare a lesson about pranks. He picked it up and let the thing dangle from his fingers. The gem spun slowly until the symbol of Twinkleshine's cutie mark was facing him. Three stars, cut expertly through the oval gem, so that he could use it as a stencil if he wanted. He shook his head and decided to give it back, after all. It seemed far too personal to keep around, even if he never intended to wear it. Twinkleshine should have it so she'd be able to give it to someone who meant more to her. Maybe the jewel could be redeemed from its present role of a trick gift for political gain.

Greg heaved a sigh at the confusing situation and grabbed his pen to continue his work. Before it even touched the paper there was a quiet knock on his door.

"Huh? Come in!"

It opened a crack and Star Bright stuck his head inside. "I h-hope I'm not disturbing..." he said and fell silent, grinning at Greg with his ears flat in supplication.

Luckily it wasn't hard to guess that the stallion wanted to come in and chat, so Greg put his pen down and invited him: "Not at all. Come in. What's up?"

Star Bright's smile went from rigid to relieved and he slipped fully inside the room. He made sure to close the door carefully before walking forward and jumping up on the extra seat. It was higher than most pony chairs, because Gregory didn't appreciate leaning over his desk to look down on the guests in his office, nor did he relish the idea of sitting higher than them. That sort of stuff worked well for Celestia in the throne room, but she had earned the privilege many times over, at least if the official histories were to be believed. The Princess had tentatively admitted to him that some of the reports were a little embellished, but only where it made for a better story. Besides, it had been other ponies who wrote the accounts and she had simply never bothered to correct the few minor discrepancies.

"S-So..." Star Bright began nervously when Gregory hadn't said anything in a few minutes.

"Oh, sorry. Just thinking. What's up?" Greg asked again.

The unicorn swallowed and flashed him a weak grin. Then, eyes wandering around the room as if he was unwilling to face Gregory' gaze, he asked: "Um, I just wanted to know how- y'know, how Blossom is doing."

"Last I saw her, Fluttershy was teaching her some elementary school stuff. Reading and basic maths, I think."

"T-That's good," Star Bright agreed. "Maybe I can help with that?"

Gregory began to understand where the conversation was going and he didn't know whether he should be pleased or worried. He decided not to bring it up straight away, though. "Probably. If you can stand to explain such basic stuff. I mean, you're studying astronomy and that's pretty advanced. Blossom is more at the... well, two plus two equals four level, if you know what I mean?"

Star Bright nodded, his smile undiminished. "That's no problem. I'm sure I can help out w-with math at least!"

"Okay, I'll mention it to Fluttershy. Wanna tell me why you're so interested in helping? I haven't seen you do any actual work around here," Gregory joked. Perhaps some humor would help him break the ice and get Star Bright to admit why he was there.

"Har har har," the unicorn mock-laughed. "For your information, Ms. Nutmeg recommended me for a raise last week!"

Gregory chuckled at the stallion's defensive tone before reaching across the table to give him a pat on the head. "I know, just joking with you."

The moment of silence stretched and Greg was about to ask Star Bright to go on, but the pony spoke up first: "Um, I kinda like Blossom."

There it was, the blush, the folded down ears, the nervous shuffling of hooves on the chair. It was surprisingly easy to read. Perhaps, Greg thought, he was finally getting a handle on equine body language. "Yeah, she's nice," he agreed, keeping his tone and his face neutral.

"I was wondering..." Star Bright continued, but paused to think about what he was about to say next. "Maybe I could join you two for muffins someday? Or m-maybe, I could take her? Y'know, just for muffins?"

Gregory wondered if Star Bright saw him as some kind of a father figure to Blossom and wanted to get his approval. Come to think of it, that wasn't all that far from the truth.

"Sure, I don't see why not."

Star Bright grinned and started to relax, but Greg lifted a finger and the unicorn froze.

"Just one thing. You know about her past, right? She's been stuck in that mine and whipped to work. It's... well, it's affected her. How could it not?"

It didn't seem possible, but Bright's ears drooped even lower and he sighed. "I know. She told me some of it."

"She... how can I put this. She acts younger than her age in some ways, I'm sure you noticed. Then again, in some things she seems too old." Gregory was remembering Blossom's attempt at eliciting favors with her body that first night.

"I- I don't think I understand," the stallion said. "Too old?"

Sighing, Greg decided to just give it to Star Bright straight: "She used to, well... 'offer herself' to her cowork- make that co-slaves in the mine so they'd do some of the work for her, or give her treats."

Star Bright's eyes went wide and he stared at Greg without blinking for a few seconds. Then his face crumpled and he lowered his gaze down to his hooves. "That's- that's aw-awful," he mumbled.

"Just so you're warned. If she ever tries something like that with you-"

"Celestia, no!" Bright burst out, jumping to his hooves on the chair. "I'd never! Greg, you know me! I swear I wouldn't take advantage like that! Yeugh! I'm not some kind of a monster!"

The outrage was a bit much, but Gregory believed him. He gave Star Bright a slow nod. "I know you wouldn't. I just need you to understand what Blossom is going through. Actually, I think she likes you too. If you could be patient with her, I think she could use your help."

"Of course! Anything!" Star Bright said, sitting back down. His breathing was faster and his ears flicked every now and then. "Jeez, I hope you toss those responsible in prison and then throw away the key..." His muzzle scrunched up in distaste and for a moment it looked like Star Bright was about to spit. "Horrible..." Then, suddenly, his head whipped up and he looked at Gregory in wonder. "After all that," he said slowly, "Blossom is still this nice? She's the sweetest pony I know!"

"Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it?" Gregory agreed, smiling.

After a few seconds Star Bright murmured something with Gregory didn't quite catch.

"What was that?"

There was a vivid red tint to the stallion's muzzle as he repeated himself more loudly: "She's really cute..."

Again, there was nothing to it but agree. After more awkward silence, Gregory sighed. "Well, as long as you know about her situation and can be patient with her, I don't see why not. She seems to like you back, too. Although that might just be because you bring her sweets."

"S-She said that?!" Star Bright exclaimed, suddenly sitting up straighter and perking up his ears so as not to miss a single word.

"Yeah."

He struggled with the next question, avoiding Greg's gaze and twitching his ears. At long last the pony continued: "I have some, uh, some muf-muffins left from lunch..."

It wasn't all that hard to guess where Star Bright was going with that and Gregory decided to take pity on the poor guy: "Well, why don't you grab them and take them upstairs? I'd say you shouldn't ruin Blossom's appetite for dinner, but she'll probably just have more sweets then, too, so I guess that's fine." Greg chuckled at his next thought and when Star Bright gave him a questioning look he explained: "If you're not careful she's going to get so fat."

Star Bright joined him in a chuckle and then stood up. "I'll just go and-" he began.

"Oh, yeah, sure. Have fun!" Gregory wished him.

When Gregory was alone again he settled back down in his chair and looked over the paperwork on his desk. It was getting late in the afternoon and there wasn't a whole lot left for him to do. The foreign policies could wait and Ms. Nutmeg was looking for records about Blossom's parents. The afternoon would soon become evening and when Greg focused he could hear the difference. There was usually a very faint background noise when the offices were in full swing and there was noticeably less of that right then. He shrugged a little to himself and tidied away the rough sketch of the form he had been preparing. Celestia would need to look it over to make sure he'd captured all the important species and as many reasons for immigration as would fit, and then he could give it to the printers for a trial run.

Any modern society ran on paperwork and forms were the backbone of bureaucracy. Hopefully having a standard questionnaire for immigrants would allow the ponies to speed up the process. Greg nodded to himself at a job well done and leaned back in his chair. Celestia wanted them to have dinner together with Luna, Eli and Blossom, but that wasn't for another hour or so. Enough time for a shower and a change of clothes.

First, however, Greg needed to visit the bathroom. He heaved a satisfied sigh and pushed himself upright. He made his way to the door an opened it. He was starting to get used to the fact that there were always guards outside these days, even if he didn't much like the fact.

Needs must, after all.

"Silverwing," he greeted the guard in charge of his detail. He glanced to the other side of the door, too. "Longstride."

Both ponies gave him friendly nods, before going back to scanning the hallway for danger. Following their example, Gregory looked in both directions but didn't see a single staff member.

"Any trouble out here?"

The corporal shook his head, a motion which made his armor clank. "No sir, all quiet."

"I need a quick break. Are you going to follow me to the toilets?"

The guards glanced at each other, then the officer grinned at Greg. "If it's just over there," he indicated the door with a hoof, "I think we can wait here. You'll yell if anyone attacks you, right?"

"Of course."

True to their word, the guards stayed put while Greg hurried to do his business. Just as expected, the facilities were completely deserted and he was back in his comfortable office in a matter of minutes. He took the chair behind his desk when a faint noise caught his attention.

It was coming from Twinkleshine's pendant. Greg picked it up and watched with curiosity as light pulsed up and down the golden chain. "Huh, weird," he said as the gem dangled from his fingers. "I thought there was no magic in this..."

A feeling of dread and foreboding made him hurriedly drop the item back on the desk. He stood up to leave the office and ask his guards for help, but there was a soft pop of air in front of him and suddenly a pony was standing in his office. Greg barely registered what was happening and his attention was completely consumed by a pattern of fine scorch marks in his carpet around where the unicorn had appeared.

There was very little he could see about the newcomer, except that they were dressed in black. Some kind of a mask hid their face, except for their eyes.

Gregory opened his mouth to shout, but a solid fist of air smothered his entire face.

"Tut, tut!" the intruder said. "We can't have any more guests to our private party, now can we?" The horn was already glowing blue, but it intensified and the light seemed to fill the room. As Greg tried to claw at his face to free his mouth, most of the magic concentrated around the door. "There," his attacker said with smug satisfaction. "No one is getting in now, and no one will hear you."

Greg was urgently looking around the table for something to use as a weapon, but once again his assailant was too quick and simply pushed him back down into his chair and wrapping him up in what felt like bonds of steel. "Please, don't get up for me," she said, a little purr in her voice identifying her as a mare.

The plug of air vanished and Greg found he could breathe again. He sucked down an urgent lungful of air and struggled vainly to free his hands. "Who-" he gasped. "Why?"

Twinkleshine's pendant began to glow again, and the new mare retreated to the edge of Greg's office. "Hold on a sec," she told the man.

There was another magical pop, and another pony in the middle of the office.

It was Silver Morning.

"Fuck, not you too?" Greg almost whined in dismay.

The mare, not wearing her guard armor, sneered and advanced on him. "Too easy."

Gregory was still taking big breaths, even though his throat had only been blocked for a matter of seconds. "Why?" he gasped, trying to think of a way out of this situation. Maybe if he kept them talking for long enough, Celestia or someone would come by. "What do you hope to gain by killing me?"

Eyes widening in surprise, Spring Morning shook her head. "Killing you? Oh, not at all, human," she reassured him. "You are much more valuable to us alive."

The unknown unicorn spoke up at this and by the way Spring Morning grimaced it seemed like the newcomer was in charge. "Don't struggle and you won't be harmed."

Gregory was glad the desk was between him and them, but with their magic tying him down there was nowhere to go. Even if he could, by some miracle, free himself and incapacitate one unicorn, the other would merely have to think and he'd instantly be bound up in magic again. At least they said they weren't going to kill him. Gregory didn't know how much his attackers might lie to him, but he did believe that part.

"So, w-what happens now?"

Spring Morning glanced at the other pony before returning her stare to Gregory. Yes, there was a definite chain of command there. The newcomer, however, didn't seem particularly interested in talking. She glanced around the office.

"So this is where Celestia keeps you? Not even a window, huh? Like even she doesn't want ponies seeing her disfigured pet."

Gregory opened his mouth to argue, but then realized there would be no point. These people, whoever they were, had their minds already made up. "Is Twinkleshine one of you?" he asked. If he survived, any information he might glean would come in useful in weeding out the group.

"Ha!" the unicorn barked. "She's just a useful tool! She did exactly what she was supposed to do!"

The pony lit up her horn and Gregory flinched, expecting a blow or something, but all that happened was that Twinkleshine's pendant floated up from the desk. The mare inspected it for a moment, then dropped it on the carpet and stomped it, hard. There was a faint crack as the fragile stone shattered.

"Nice of you to leave it in your office like that, exactly as we hoped. It led us straight to you."

Greg closed his eyes, suddenly overcome by great weariness. "There was something in the gem after all... But Celestia looked at it!" It was hard to believe that the Princess, with her mastery of magic and centuries of experience, would miss something like that, but he had seen it happen first-hand.

Both unicorns laughed at this. "It seems your precious Princess isn't as powerful as you thought," the unknown pony said.

Spring Morning added: "Bummer, isn't it?"

"Now, if you would kindly stand here," the black-clad unicorn pointed at a spot on the carpet. The magical ties around Greg's hand and torso loosened.

"What?! Why?!"

They wouldn't just kill him, at least Greg knew that much. They'd said so and he believed them. Alive, he would be a powerful tool against Celestia and his gut clenched up at the idea. He wished at the same time she wouldn't obey any demands they would undoubtedly put to her, but he also didn't want to die. It was a mess, whichever way you looked at it. Gregory felt his hands bunch up in fists almost without conscious controls. These bastards have been one step ahead of them the whole time and now they were taking him God knows where to use as a weapon against Celestia. The powerless feeling reminded him of some of the kidnapping cases early in his career, except now he was a part of it, rather than just reading about it. For a moment he considered punching the unicorn with her insolent grin, but the way both she and Spring Morning watched him made it plain that he wouldn't succeed. They could still change their minds and kill him to send Celestia a gruesome message.

The two seemed to understand exactly what was going through Greg's mind and their smirks grew wider, which only served to infuriate the man more.

"We checked all the guards!" he almost snarled, glaring at Spring Morning.

The mare giggled softly and shook her head. "It was so easy to fool you that it's almost sad. Too bad Shining is no longer Captain of the guard. I bet he'd never let this many of us join!"

There was one last, faint hope which Gregory seized on: "Well, you'll never get me out of the Castle, so you might as well give up now. Maybe I can get the Princess to go easy on you."

This time they both laughed. "Don't worry, monkey," the unknown unicorn almost purred, "we'll get you out. Just stand here, please."

Suddenly Gregory realized what they were going to do and his face twisted up in panic. "Wait! No! Not a teleport! Please!"

It wasn't a choice he could make and Spring Morning grabbed him roughly with magic. Her grip was like iron and it pulled with immense strength. Greg could either walk, or be dragged and it seemed the mare didn't care which it was. He still tried to grab the table and keep himself in place, but to no avail. He let go before they simply broke his fingers or dislocated his arm. The powerful magic all but hurled him at the carpet and Greg collapsed on the floor between the two mares, groaning.

They just ignored him and lit up both their horns at the same time. That's why there had to be two of them, Gregory realized, but it was a weak thought under the sudden panic. Twilight had only teleported him a few feet and it had been the worst experience of his life.

This would probably be a significantly larger distance. He reached out a hand to the unicorn in supplication. "No, don't-"

Everything went black.

Chapter 24: Missing

"Princess! Princess!" the guard yelled as he burst into the guest suite.

Celestia looked up from making sure hey peytral was straight and took note of the poor pony's near-panic. "What is it?"

Corporal Silverwing was trembling as he opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out at first. He cleared his throat, then tried again: "W-We don't know. It's Gregory!"

Her muscles immediately stiffened but Celestia stopped herself before simply running out randomly. She needed a direction. "Where?! Is he okay?"

The guard shrank back a little from her expression. "We- we don't know, Princess! He is barricaded in his office. We can't open the door and he is not answering!"

Now Celestia knew where to go and her horn lit up brightly enough to cast shadows on the walls. "Meet me there!" was all she said before vanishing in a small explosion.

Her mind was already racing, even as Gregory's study formed itself around her. She should have given orders to keep Blossom safe and to fetch Luna, but it was too late now. She only had one priority.

"What? Where-"

She twirled around the room, but it was empty. There was a powerful spell encasing the place, concentrated on the entrance. It took a single flick of her horn to shatter it and fling the door wide open.

Longstride jumped into the room, teeth bared, a spear clutched in the crook of his foreleg, and ready for a fight, but when he saw it was her the guard relaxed and looked around. "Where is Greg?!"

"Gone..."

It was worrying that the room had been apparently sealed from the inside. That meant someone had teleported out. That was impossible to do with any kind of precision from afar, which also meant someone had had to come in, first!

Celestia closed her eyes and probed the air around her, but her own powerful teleportation spell masked any others which might have occurred previously. "What happened here?"

"I don't know" Longstride answered. "Greg went to the bathroom a few minutes ago, but he came back. He closed the door. Corporal Silverwing heard something inside, but when we tried the door it wouldn't open! He ran to get you, and I've been trying to get in!"

"Silverwing did get me. How long ago was this?" Celestia demanded.

The stallion thought for a few moments. "Twenty minutes. I've been trying to get in ever since. I sent the clerks to get help."

The story still didn't make a whole lot of sense, but there was a flap of wings and the sound of hooves skittering on tiles. Silverwing nearly missed the door, but caught the frame and pulled himself inside.

"Explain!" Celestia demanded.

The pegasus guard, his chest heaving, saluted with a wing. "Myself and Private Longstride were on guard. When Gregory came in from the bathroom, there was a sound - like a very faint explosion. I don't know what it was, but we knocked on the door to make sure Greg was alright. He didn't answer, and we found the door wouldn't budge."

It really did sound like some kind of an elaborate foal-napping, but Celestia could hardly believe it. Surely they wouldn't be so bold, especially in a Castle which was waiting for them! More importantly, how could they have done this? Teleporting blindly into a room, especially if they weren't familiar with it, would be suicide!

Silverwing hurried on with his explanation. "I came to fetch you after we couldn't open the door between the both of us, Princess."

She gave the guard a nod and went back to examining the room. His explanation painted half of the picture, but what had happened inside the office? A glint caught her eye and she lifted Twinkleshine's pendant from the carpet.

Her breath caught as she recognized it, despite a crack running right through the middle of the gemstone. "Surely not..."

She had checked it for traps, carefully. Surely they couldn't have snuck a spell past her, could they? Only two ponies in Equestria had the skill to weave magic too subtle for her to detect.

One of them was Twilight Sparkle, whom she trusted with more than her life, and the other was Sunburst, who was surely still in the Crystal Empire with Cadence. Celestia shook her head. There was no way a spell had slipped her detection. The pendant must have simply fallen and then gotten damaged when somepony trod on it. Which meant there had to have been a struggle in the office. Celestia looked around with renewed interest, searching for any other signs of damage. She noticed a bulge in the carpet by the desk.

"Moved? Bumped?" she murmured to herself.

She looked under her hooves and studied the pattern of burn marks on it. She had materialized herself in that exact spot, and the fabric was scorched in a large circle. Here and there were lines, radiating outward as the surplus energy had grounded itself.

Except...

"There were multiple teleports!" Celestia exclaimed.

It was obvious, now that she looked at it properly. All her lines had to begin from the larger circle, going outwards. They shouldn't extend inward! That could only mean that there had been a smaller scorch mark on the carpet before hers!

"How many, though?"

It was hard to tell because the fabric was severely blackened. More than one, but less than five, the Princess guessed, else it would have burned through to the floor tiles below.

She tried to reconstruct the scene in her mind.

"Somepony teleported into Gregory's office and barred the door from inside to keep them safe. I do not yet know how exactly, but there can be no other explanation."

Such precision would require extreme familiarity with the place. Casual visits, even more than one, wouldn't do it. It meant either one of the staff, or a guard. The last thought made the mare close her eyes and shake her head in distress. Could she and Luna no longer trust even their own judgment?!

"Somepony teleported in and there was a struggle. The pendant fell and was stepped upon. The table was bumped in the struggle."

She was forced to conclude with the thought she absolutely didn't want to voice: "Gregory lost, else he would still be here. That means he was taken."

For an instant Celestia tensed up and spread her wings, intending to teleport high above Canterlot, but she would surely be too late to see where Gregory was being taken. Surely they wouldn't openly drag the human through the streets.

"They could not have teleported far. They surely did not have an alicorn and very few unicorns can manage significant distance when they are carrying a passenger. Silverwing!"

The pegasus, who had been standing quietly in the doorway until the Princess finished her examination, snapped to attention. "Ma'am!"

"Take all guards who aren't protecting Blossom and scour the ground in and around the Castle! Look for the other side of this teleport. The ground will be scorched in a circle like it is here. Hurry, before some fool maid takes it into her head to clean it up!"

"Yes, ma'am!" The stallion sounded relieved to be doing something and rushed out of the room with a clatter of hooves. A few steps later the sound vanished and there was a whoosh of his wings as he took flight.

Celestia focused her stare on Longstride, who endeavored to look a little taller under her scrutiny.

"Private, send word immediately to all city gates. Any coach or wagon leaving Canterlot is to be searched. Anything large enough to hide a human! I will not have Gregory whisked away from under my nose!"

The guard saluted, barked a loud and clear "Yes, Princess!" and galloped away.

Now that she was alone, the thought forced Celestia's head down. Her hind legs failed her and she let her breath out as she sat on the burned carpet.

Gregory, taken. She had not expected that. They had been so sure that they'd rooted out the subterfuge within the Castle! The mare blinked away tears and steeled her heart. Whoever was ultimately responsible - and Celestia had a pretty good idea who - would live to regret their actions, both before, as well as on this day. They would have a good many lonely years in her dungeons to rue their decisions, that much she swore to herself!

"Sister?" came a tentative call from the entrance.

Celestia looked up at a blurry Princess Luna.

"Right from under our hooves, Sister," she whispered.

She was hardly aware of the other mare moving, but suddenly there was a wing around her back and a soft, yet firm presence against her side. She leaned heavily against Luna and closed her eyes in gratitude.

At least she wouldn't face this adversity alone.

"We will find him, do not worry. I know his dreams well and I will seek him out. Nothing will stop us!"

"And if he is already dead?"

Luna didn't have an immediate answer, but she looked around the room and suddenly her face cleared up. "If that were the case, Sister, do you not think they would have left his body?"

That made a certain kind of sense. They went through the trouble of taking Gregory right from his office, which meant that they had plans. They intended to extort her.

"I do not understand what Silvermane hopes to gain from this," Celestia said. "Why would he attack like so? He must know we suspect him. This is senseless!"

Again, Luna gave this some thought before replying: "Perhaps it is the same reason he had Comet Roll imprisoned in Baltimare. It was a measure to buy time. They are panicking because we are breathing down their withers, Sister!"

It could be true. Celestia allowed herself a glimmer of hope. If they intended to use Gregory as a bargaining chip, then they wouldn't dare harm him. Luna was right - she would see his dreams and she would know where he was. Her muzzle scrunched up and a fierce light gleamed from her eyes as Celestia imagined calling down her full might and tearing apart the very building where Gregory was being kept. She would peal open the roof and the floors until she found him. Then she would burn the place to the ground, and then she would scatter the ashes in the ocean. And then she would boil the ocean into-

With a shake of her head, Celestia dislodged that train of thought. If it really was Silvermane, as she suspected, then there would be one fewer noble family left in Canterlot by the time she was done!

"Do not let vengeance consume you, Sister," Luna's voice intruded on her grim thoughts and Celestia blinked. The night-blue mare's expression was concerned. "It leads down a dangerous path. Trust me on this. We will have justice, but it will be justice, not revenge."

Celestia let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding and managed a tiny smile. She buried her face as best she could in Luna's Royal Chest Fluff without piercing her Sister with her horn. "Thank you."

The words came out muffled as the soft fur performed its insidious magic. Luna's muzzle came down next to her ear and the mare whispered: "I will watch over you always, Sister. You know that. We are here for each other, always and forever."

Letting out a shuddering sigh, Celestia tried very hard not to cry, while Luna started licking her ear and nuzzling through her mane. The gesture helped dissolve her bad thoughts and brought Celestia back to when they were young and afraid together. Back when the world was new and scary, and all they had was each other. She remembered how she used to do the same for a crying Luna. She didn't know how long they remained like that, but it was long enough for her tears to dry up and for the dread to lessen.

Gregory was alive and they would find him. She was sure of it. How could she fail with Luna by her side? Celestia pushed herself away and gave her sister a smile. "Thank you," she repeated.

Luna simply smiled back. "Go and rest. I will make sure that Blossom is safe and then I will begin searching the dream world."

The thought of lying around, doing nothing, while Greg was in danger, felt physically revolting to Celestia and she pushed herself away. "I can help them search."

She was about to rush out, but Luna's foreleg barred the way. "No, Sister. Rest first and trust in those around you. You will not be useful in this state."

The advice made sense. Rushing around, distracting all her guards, and demanding immediate results, as she was likely to do in her present state, would just reduce the chances of getting any results. Big operations, as this search was likely to become, required a steady hoof and a calm heart. "You are right. I will eat, first."

Luna lowered her leg and Celestia walked out of Gregory' office. She remembered just in time and turned back. The broken pendant was on the floor, where it had slipped out of her grasp. Now she picked it up again and held it up before her eyes.

"Perhaps there are still answers in this. I will not leave any leaf unturned."

Luna gave a single nod, but did not otherwise comment. When it came to magic, Celestia was far more subtle than her. Offering help would be entirely pointless.

Taking a deep breath and clutching the pendant securely in her magic, Celestia stepped out of the room. A pony would have to look quite closely indeed to see the faint tremor in her legs, or the dried marks of tears on her muzzle. She looked both ways before settling on a direction and walking. Two of the guards, who had been waiting outside, followed her without comment. She didn't acknowledge them.

It was nearly time for Princess Luna to begin her watch over the dream world when a pegasus in the guard armor flew up to her in the corridor. She had to think for a moment before being able to put a name to him.

"Sergeant Glory Tail?"

The colt saluted as he delivered his message. "Ma'am! The Captain is back with Silent Spell. We were looking for Princess Celestia to give her our findings."

That reminded Luna. Glory Tail and Fire Fly had been watching over the investigator pony from Las Pegasus in the slave mine. For an instant she debated fetching Celestia, but after what had happened she decided against it.

"I will take care of this. Take the Captain and the investigator to the smaller conference room. I will join you shortly."

The guard saluted again and was away, winging down the hallway with alacrity and efficiency. She approved of that kind of swift obedience. It wasn't much further to their quarters, so Luna walked past Celestia's chamber to her own. Her step faltered when she was at her sister's door and she reconsidered whether she should tell her. Luna leaned a careful ear against the door and stilled her breathing so she would hear better. For a while she didn't catch any sound, but then - a soft sob.

Ears folded down in sympathy, Luna raised a hoof and gave the wood a gentle knock. Her sister's voice came back, faint but clear: "Enter."

She did so and the door opened to reveal Celestia lying on the bed and staring at the wall. Luna made sure to shut the room and give them some privacy.

"We will find him, Sister. Be strong," she said in as gentle a voice as she could manage.

Celestia didn't answer, but one of her ears perked up and focused on Luna. It was a good sign and Luna walked over. She lowered her head and pressed her muzzle against her sister's cheek.

"I will take care of things. The court tomorrow and the investigation. Leave it to me and take a few personal days."

"How?!" came the question along with an incredulous stare. "How can I rest when Gregory is who knows where, going through who knows what?"

"I do not think they will harm him, Sister. He is too valuable alive and they surely fear your wrath. I believe they are panicking and this... foalnapping was their last effort to save their hides."

"You mean the Silvermanes?"

"Whoever is behind this."

Celestia glared suddenly and her lips peeled back in a sneer. She lifted her head up and a low growl escaped her throat. "I will find out! I will go question him!"

Perhaps it would help calm her spirit? Luna was thinking about what to say, but then she noticed something disturbing. "Sister, did you hit your eye? Did something fall into it?"

The question was unexpected enough that Celestia blinked and let her grimace fade to mere puzzlement. "What? What is wrong with my eye?"

Luna leaned in and peered at it a little closer, but it was back to normal. For an instant the whites had darkened and the irises changed from the usual magenta to... gold?

"I thought I saw- never mind. It is gone now."

Shaking her head, as if to dismiss this new strangeness, Celestia frowned again. "Silvermane-"

"-is best left to professionals, Sister."

Again shock suffused Celestia's muzzle and she scrunched it up in confusion. "What do you mean, Luna?"

"You are an amazing diplomat, Sister, and much admired - rightly so - for your many fine qualities. But an investigator you are not. You cannot think that way. You are too good."

"Too... good?!"

"Yes, Sister. You knew this when you sent for Silent Spell to examine the mine. I believe we should charge her with the investigation into Gregory's foal-napping. I will oversee," Luna reassured her sister.

Celestia opened her mouth as if to argue, but then she heaved a sigh and closed her eyes. Her ears flattened. "Maybe you are right..."

"You said only the other day that you rely on my judgement more and more. Rely on me again this time, Sister. I will not dissappoint you."

For a moment it looked as if the older mare would decline, but then Celestia bit her lower lip in thought. "I am personally involved..."

"Exactly. An investigation should be executed with a clear mind and a steady heart. I am sorry, but you have neither of those right now."

The two sisters looked at one another for a while, and then Celestia's mouth quirked up into an almost-smile. "When did you become wise, Luna?"

An instant later the younger mare was smiling as well. "I learned from the best, Sister."

Luna thought she saw a glimmer of a tear in the corner of Celestia's eye and she leaned down again. The other Princess met her halfway and they nuzzled for long moments. Luna could almost feel her older sister's accustomed confidence flow back into her.

"I will meet with Silent Spell and Fire Fly right now. I will charge them with this investigation, and make sure they take it as their utmost priority. We will find Gregory," Luna promised.

"You make it sound so easy, sister..."

Luna just smiled and brushed her muzzle against Celestia's cheek for one last time, before breaking the contact and straightening up. "Try and rest. Read. Bake a cake. Keep yourself occupied and try not to think about what has happened. It will all turn out fine in the end."

Celestia gave a dutiful nod, and her folded ears, brimming eyes, and disheveled mane made her look much younger than she was. Luna felt her heart swell with love for her sibling and she wondered if that was how Celestia felt all the time. If she'd known this feeling a thousand years ago, perhaps they wouldn't have been parted for so long.

"Luna? I just remembered-"

"Yes?"

Celestia shook her head in dismay at having forgotten something so important. "Our friends are coming to visit for Summer Sun Celebration."

"Which friends?"

"Miriam Adams, Glitter Dust, Silent Brook with April and Glitterbug. Rock Lichen and Lake Frond and their daughter will also come to Canterlot for the festivities."

Luna made a fast mental calculation, then smiled with confidence. "That is more than a month in the future, Sister. By then, this sad business will be finished and Gregory once more by your side. You both will have an amazing story to tell them."

Celestia wrestled with emotion for a few moments, then her face cleared up and she nodded. "I hope so."

"Belive it."

Still smiling, Luna went back to the door and quietly let herself out of the room.
She entered her own bedchamber and found Eli already in bed, reading a book.

He placed his finger between the pages to mark his place and closed it. "All done?" he asked.

"Sadly, no. The investigator and Fire Fly are back from the mine and I will take over that duty from Sister. I will also sit in Court tomorrow, so we must change our plans for lunch."

The man seemed a bit sad - they'd been looking forward to their reservation on Saddle Row. "Okay."

Luna stepped closer and tipped his face up with a careful wing feather under his chin. That brought him in reach for a nice, long kiss. "We will go another day, I promise."

Eli gave her a nod. "I'll take care of it. I'll call the restaurant."

"Thank you."

It was one less thing to worry about and Luna really was grateful. She rewarded the man with another warm kiss. "I guess I will come to bed even later than usually. No doubt my visit of the Dream World will be delayed."

Eli wasn't too happy about this state of affairs, but he understood the need and gave Luna a nod. "I'll keep the bed warm for you."

"Thanks."

She left the room with a smile still on her muzzle.

By the time Princess Luna was approaching the conference room her grin had long vanished. She had promised she'd find her sister's lover, and while she had every confidence in her dream walking ability, it was still a dangerous situation. If the perpetrators were as panicked as she assumed - and they would have to be, or else they wouldn't have staged such a daring, reckless foal-napping - they might yet do something utterly stupid. If she approached the rescue in the wrong way, Silvermane, if it was indeed him who led this whole mess, might decide to simply kill Gregory out of revenge. It wouldn't be very pony-like behavior, but neither was slavery and forced labor.

She shook her head, trying to dislodge the bad thoughts and keep her optimism, then entered. There were only Fire Fly and Silent Spell in there.

"There is a more urgent situation we must discuss before your findings, Inspector."

The mare just gave a slight nod and waited for the Princess to explain.

It didn't take long for Luna to summarize what had happened and with each word Fire Fly looked more crestfallen. His thoughts were easy to read: nothing like this would have happened when Shining Armor had been Captain of the Guard. His self pity wouldn't help. Even if it turned out that he was incompetent in keeping his guards in order, they could not afford the upheaval of replacing him right now, so Luna gave the stallion a smile.

"It is an exceptional situation, Captain. Even Sister and myself failed to prevent it. Please, do not blame yourself."

The Captain swallowed and flashed her a quick, worried smile before nodding.

Silent Spell was already in deep thought and her hoof idly tapped on the table. "Princess, tell me all that you know about where Gregory was taken from. Every detail about the room you can remember."

Luna did so, as best as she could. She described what she remembered from Gregory' office and what her sister had told her. Then she summarized again what little she knew of their investigation so far. Silent Spell listened quietly, but her mouth began twisting almost immediately and her frown only kept deepening as the explanation went on. Once it was done, the mare worked her mouth as if trying to swallow something awful.

Finally she sighed and spoke: "I keep telling Celestia that she needs a proper police force in Canterlot. She says there isn't enough crime here - well, maybe so, but then she should have called us the minute all of this began!"

Even Luna couldn't help but fold her ears down in embarrassment. "I thought we had everyhing in hoof..."

Silent Spell shook her head. "This is basic police work, Princess. All due respect, but you two stomping around the human's office have probably messed up all the clues. And you said Celestia took something away from it?"

"The pendant. It was given to Gregory by Twinkleshine, but we think it was only her plot to incriminate him. Most likely, it does not have anything to do with his foalnapping."

"Most likely?" Silent Spell asked quietly, closing her eyes in exasperation. "Princess, you don't run an investigation on hopes and assumptions. I need to see that pendant. I'll tell you if it's connected or not. I also need to see the office."

"Of course. You may go freely anywhere in the Castle, except our bedchambers."

The investigator gave a nod. "Furthermore, I wish to speak with all the guards who were involved in this. And then you and I will question all the other guards, again."

In a way it was a relief to have a competent pony in charge who knew what she was doing. "I will recommend to Celestia that a police department is opened in Canterlot, but we will discuss that after this emergency."

"Good. Now, before we go, my report on the mine," Silent Spell said and slid a piece of paper across the table.

Luna glanced at it, but didn't read it - that would take too long. "Can you give me a quick summary? I wish to enter the dream world as soon as possible and look for Gregory' dream. I may be able to find where he is being held."

"Good. The mine is more or less what we suspected. Ponies and humans were being kept there and made to work. They moved the prisoners recently and in a big hurry. Some of the tools and clothing were left behind." Silent Spell paused for a moment to collect her thoughts, then shrugged. "They left with ground carts, so I've already had the Captain send pegasi to nearby villages to ask if anypony has seen anything."

"We already knew some of that from Blossom. Good idea about the carts," Luna agreed.

"That reminds me, I'll want to speak with her as well," Silent Spell interjected. "What bothers me about all of this..." The unicorn shook her head and paused for a moment to get her thoughts in order again. "Princess - do you know how humans can enter Equestria?"

Luna blinked. What did that matter? She decided to play along for now, even if she didn't understand why it was relevant. "Through the portal, of course."

"Good, good. Yes, through the portal. There are border controls on both sides. It's guarded day-round, right? Any crossing has to be officially sanctioned, no?"

That much everypony in Equestria knew and Luna still couldn't see where Silent Spell was going with it. She leaned her head to the side in confusion, but still nodded. "Of course."

"Tell me then, Princess, who are the humans being worked in that mine? Where did they come from? You should have a record of who came into Equestria and didn't return, right?"

Luna's mouth dropped open. She glimpsed from the corner of her eye that Fire Fly had done much the same. Silent Spell looked smug, but didn't say anything else.

"But- we-" Luna stammered. "What?!" She jumped up to her hooves. "How is that possible?! There should be no humans in Equestria other than the ones we know about!"

The unicorn mare sighed and nodded. "See? That's why you need the police. We know what questions to ask. Find out where those humans came from and you'll understand how that slavery ring operates."

"B-But that's completely impossible! Nopony can cross from one world to the other without us knowing! Without the humans knowing! If some humans went missing, surely Bennet would ask about it!"

Silent Spell waved a dismissive hoof. "I've got three theories for now."

"Speak!"

"First - and most likely - perhaps the guards at the portal are not entirely trustworthy. Perhaps they are being bribed and things are being smuggled into and out of Equestria. Things and people."

It made sense, but the possibility nearly turned Luna's stomach. It would mean that she and Celestia could trust practically nopony. It would also mean that they were ruling in name only!

"What else?"

Silent Spell tapped the table with her hoof again. "Second, somepony might have figured out how to open new portals to Earth. They went there and foal-napped some humans to make them work in the mine."

Luna shook her head. This seemed entirely implausible. "Surely not. Twilight Sparkle had been studying the portal from the moment it appeared and she has no idea how to close it, or make another. It is impossible another pony would have figured it out before her."

"Very well, that leaves us with option three: there is more than one portal."

Again in just a few minutes Luna's jaw dropped open. "More than one?!" she gasped.

Silent Spell shrugged. "Think about it. Why would there be just the one? Both Equus and Earth are big places. Have you searched all of our world? Have the humans examined all of theirs? If one portal opened by itself, why wouldn't others?"

It was too much to take in and Luna's head swam. "I- don't know," she admitted, ears folded flat against her head.

"We have to consider all three possibilities. With your permission, I will send a message to Las Pegasus PD and ask for some backup. That is - if I am in charge of this investigation?"

Bewildered, Luna could do nothing except nod quickly. "Of course," she said hoarsely. "You will get everything you ask for, Silent Spell."

The investigator inclined her head in agreement. "Good. I will examine the crime scene and the Captain will help me with questioning everypony involved. I will have more questions for you and Celestia, but that can wait until morning." She thought for a few more moments, then went on: "I'll need an office here and a fast courier. Most importantly, I'll need coffee. Lots of it."

All three of them chuckled, grasping the joke as if it were a life line to sanity. Luna exhaled and turned to leave, but paused before she took a step.

"I will pass by the kitchen and have them bring a tray," she said, "you can use this room as your office - it is shielded against eavesdropping. Captain Fire Fly will help with any other arrangements you need."

"What about my courier? A fast one, mind you!"

Luna leaned her head to the side, but then her muzzle split into a grin.

"I know just the pony. I will send her to you in the morning," she promised.

"Good. Let me know if you find Gregory through his dream. We have to move quickly on this!"

"Of course."

Luna left the investigator to her job and headed for the castle kitchens. There was generally somepony there even at night. If there wasn't, she would make coffee for Silent Spell herself! It was good to have a pony who knew what they were doing. Luna shook her head again. Why had nopony asked themselves where the humans in the mine had came from? Perhaps Gregory was right that there was a human in charge of this whole mess, but then where had he come from? Or she, for that matter? Could there be another portal? The thought was chilling, but not so much as the possibility that the guards on the existing portal were all criminals. From what Eli had told her of the human world, that might have been possible on their side, but surely not the ponies?

Celestia and Silent Spell would find out which it was. In a way, Luna was glad it was out of her hooves. The investigator was a competent pony, good at what she did, and her sister was the finest diplomat that lived. That had ever lived, possibly. Both of them together would be a force to be reckoned with.

All she had to do was find Gregory. It sounded like a trivial task when she put it into perspective. Simply find the man's dream and ask him where he was being kept. Easy.

Now, to see about that coffee...

Chapter 25: Rude Awakening

There was something important he had to do, but Greg's thoughts slid from his grasp like drops of water on oiled cloth. He managed a brief glimpse and saw that he was in some kind of a room, but Celestia wasn't there with him. The fact was significant, but the reason eluded him. There was a vague sense of unease and foreboding, but that might have been an upcoming difficult meeting in the afternoon.

"Finally."

The voice was new and Gregory struggled to open his eyes again. "Celly?" Talking felt like his mouth was full of wool. He tried to swallow, but became aware of the foul taste. "Ugh..."

There was also the smell which twisted his stomach into unpleasant knots. Gregory turned his head away to escape from it, but that just made the room spin. Moving his head had been a mistake and the nausea swelled. His stomach lurched and there was no stopping it anymore.

He was dimly aware of someone yelling: "Yuck! Not again!"

On the plus side, there wasn't a whole lot of vomit, but since Greg wasn't able to lift his head, that meant it all just trickled down the pillow and smeared on his face and neck. A bit went the wrong way down his windpipe and he coughed weakly.

"Don't you choke on me!" his unseen companion said and Gregory felt himself being turned. He tried to protest before his nose and mouth were ground into the sodden pillow, but the hands which moved him were too strong.

He came face to face with a unicorn. Her blue coat tugged at his memory and Gregory was suddenly afraid. "Spring M-Morning?"

The mare rolled her eyes. "Well, at least you recognize me. For a minute there we thought the teleport gave you brain damage..."

He was still lying in a puddle of his own vomit and Greg tried to push himself upright. Unfortunately his hands barely moved and the effort left him winded. "Tele- Teleport?" he managed to croak out.

"Yeah, you just started throwing up the minute we landed. What's up with that? Do all humans do that?!"

He wasn't able to answer, not while he tried to focus on the sense of danger and urgency, so Greg just shook his head. Again he became aware of the foul taste. "Water..."

The mare sighed and her horn flared with lime light. It was too bright in the dim room and Greg protectively shut his eyes. A few moments later there was a clink and he looked again. His bedside table now had a glass, but it was out of his reach. The man pushed the disquieting worry aside and looked imploringly at the mare.

"H-Help?"

She groaned and muttered: "You gotta be kidding me..." but the magic enveloped him and lifted Greg up to a sitting position.

The wet pillow immediately soaked through the back of his shirt, but he couldn't do anything to avoid that. He took the opportunity to look around the room. It was a nicely appointed bedroom with beige walls and heavy, dark oak furniture. It looked old but well made, finely carved to resemble leaves and flowers. Baroque- that was the word. It spoke of wealth. There was a window, but the curtains were drawn so that very little light came inside. Other than the bed and the table beside it, there was the chair in which Spring Morning was sitting and a wardrobe.

The glass nudged his lips and Gregory remembered how thirsty he was. He managed to get a hand up and touch it, but there was no strength in his fingers to grasp it. He was completely at Spring Morning's mercy and the knowledge made him scared for some reason. Despite that, he opened his mouth and accepted a trickle of water. It helped rid him of the horrible taste in his mouth.

The mare was annoyed at having to do this, but she was patient and attentive, only giving him as much as he could handle. Gradually they finished the class and Greg closed his eyes to focus on his breathing.

Why was he so weak? Something had happened to him...

Suddenly, as if a firecracker had gone off in his mind, the memory exploded. "Y-You kidnapped me!" he accused.

Spring Morning didn't seem bothered by the accusation. "Huh, took you long enough to remember."

"Why?!"

She looked at him for a while without answering and just as Greg was about to repeat the question, the mare spoke up. "Dunno. I do what the boss says."

"Who- boss?"

Spring Morning grinned and shook her head. "Nope. I'm not falling for that. You just sit tight and don't try anything stupid. We have orders to keep you alive, but nopony said I can't break your legs to keep you from escaping."

Gregory couldn't help shrinking back from her icy gaze. He had no doubt Spring Morning would deliver on her threat. His hand slipped back down and landed on a wet spot.

"Ugh..."

"Hey, you did that all by yourself, so don't look at me. Who knew teleporting made you puke your guts out?"

He was about to retort angrily, but it wouldn't have done him any good. Even if they had known how teleportation affected him, Gregory had the feeling they would have gone through with it anyway.

"Change- the bedclothes?" he managed.

Spring Morning's muzzle scrunched up with distaste. "I'm not your bucking foalsitter! I was just here to make sure you didn't choke on your tongue while sleeping, that's all!"

The smell seemed to be getting worse by the minute and Gregory gave her a pleading look. "Please?"

The mare thought about it for a while, then she heaved a sigh and stood up. "I'll go see if somepony can help you," she said and walked to the door. Before leaving, she paused and inspected the man.

"Actually, just in case..." she murmured and her horn flared again. Thick bands of lime magic wrapped around the bed and Gregory, pressing him down. He grimaced as his back was ground into the vomit, but he could do nothing about that except curse, which the mare ignored.

The ethereal ropes bound his arms to his sides and his legs together. "There. Don't go anywhere," Spring Morning said with a smirk.

He hadn't been able to even lift himself, so the magical bounds were completely unnecessary. It felt like Spring Morning was just doing it out of spite or to amuse herself.

"F-Fuck you!"

If she was surprised at the language, the mare didn't show it, but her smile widened. "Just for that, I'll take my sweet time. Enjoy!"

He wanted to say something more, but he didn't want to be left lying in his own filth for the whole day, so Gregory bit back the words. It wasn't easy, especially when Spring Morning noticed and chuckled to herself.

"See? You can be taught to obey. Is this what Celestia does to keep you in line?"

Again it was a struggle not to say anything, but his face showed the mare exactly what he was feeling. She decided not to tease him anymore and just left, still laughing to herself.

Celestia had a difficult decision in front of her. She had joined Blossom and Fluttershy for lunch, but one of the first things the mare had asked was why she hadn't seen Gregory yet that day. What was Celestia supposed to tell her? That the man was missing? That he had been foal-napped, right from under their noses, and was being kept as a captive? That it was all because of Blossom?

No, not that last part. Never that. No matter what happened it wasn't Blossom's fault.

"Well..."

The young mare had a faint, hopeful smile on her muzzle and was watching Celestia intently, with her ears perked up in polite interest. On the one hoof, if she lied to Blossom and Gregory was found quickly, there would be no harm done. No heartache or sorrow. Blossom wouldn't even have to know. On the other hoof, if Gregory wasn't back soon and Blossom found out, she'd be even worse off. Not only that, she might come to distrust Celestia, or even hate her for lying.

There was only one truth, however hard it was and the Princess steeled herself. She caught Fluttershy's eye and the pegasus stepped closer to Blossom and laid a wing on her back.

"I am very sorry to say this, Blossom, but Gregory has been taken by some very bad po- people."

The mare's eyes went so big that they were in danger of falling out, before she shrank back and lowered her ears. "B-Bad?" she quavered, then shook her head. "No! No."

"Don't worry, we'll find him! He'll be safe, okay?" Celestia hurried to explain.

Blossom's rump hit the floor and she let out a shaky breath. She didn't look up as she muttered a question: "T-This is because of m-me?"

"Hey!" Fluttershy interjected, using her other wing to nudge Blossom's muzzle and make the mare look at her. "None of this is your fault, Blossom!"

"Fluttershy is right. The only people to blame are the ones who did this. The ones who kept you in that mine!"

Hopefully their combined assurances would work, but for the moment Blossom was utterly distraught. She slipped from Fluttershy's grasp and simply folded down to the floor, face in her hooves and shoulders shaking as the first sobs racked her.

"Come on, let's get you back to the room. Do you want to take the last pancake with you?" Fluttershy asked as she nudged Blossom back to her hooves. Celestia couldn't help but notice that the young mare refused to look at her.

"I really am sorry. I will do everything to find him again, I promise!"

Blossom blinked away her tears and finally looked up. To Celestia's relief, there was no hatred or blame in her expression, only pleading. "Please find him!"

"I will!"

Just like that they were gone and Celestia was left staring at the closed door. She barely registered Luna clearing her throat behind her. "The pancakes got... burned a little," the younger sister explained and there was the sound of a plate sliding across the table. "They're perfectly fine if you put cream and syrup on them!"

Finally Celestia was able to tear her gaze away and bring her runaway thoughts back under control. "Sorry. Oh. I'm not hungry."

"Nonsense!" Luna exclaimed and nudged the plate closer still. Her horn flared up and a chair moved aside. "Sit!"

"I really am not-" Celestia began.

"Shush!" There were undertones of steel in Luna's voice. She would not accept 'no' for an answer and Celestia sat down with a sigh. "I do not cook so often that you may avert your nose from it, Sister!"

Celestia couldn't help giggling a little at that. "No, you do not. Very well, let me taste how far you have come."

To her credit, Luna's pancakes only crunched a little and it was quite hard to taste the charred batter under all the sugar. It definitely was an improvement over the last time and Celestia had no trouble saying so after she finished.

"Not bad. You need to practice more, but you are getting better, Luna."

The younger alicorn beamed a happy smile before swapping their plates. Hers was still mostly full.

"No," Celestia began, trying to think a way out of it, "they're good, but I just couldn't eat another bite."

Luckily it was convincing enough and Luna accepted her words without needing further proof.

"Any news of- of Gregory?"

Luna's face fell and her ears flattened as she shook her head. "I am sorry, Sister. He did not dream tonight."

Celestia's breath caught as the worst explanation sprang to her mind, but Luna noticed it and reached across the table to lay a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "It is not that!" Luna spoke urgently. "Never think that! He simply did not dream, or perhaps they did not let him sleep! I'm sure I will find him tonight."

Celestia just nodded numbly.

"There are some news from Silent Spell, however."

This made Celestia's ears perk up in interest and she looked at her sister hopefully.

Luna grimaced as she went on. "There was a spell in the necklace Twinkleshine had given Gregory. One which allowed a skilled unicorn to teleport directly to him, without having first memorized where the room was."

"What?! How is that possible? I checked that gem very carefully! Nopony could have sneaked a spell-"

Shaking her head, Luna interrupted her: "It was in the chain, Sister."

"Wha-?"

"The spell was in the golden chain, not in the stone. You were searching in the wrong place, Sister."

Dumbfounded, Celestia remembered how she had automatically discarded the clasp to prevent interference, when she had been examining the pendant. Her hoof itched and she wanted to slap herself, but she forced it to stillness. "What sneaky, under-hooved, devious..." she growled.

"There is more bad news, Sister," Luna added, hear ears splayed in distress.

"What else?"

The younger Princess looked away and she drew a deep breath. "It seems Spring Morning is missing, too. She did not report for duty this morning, and she was not found in her home."

Celestia nearly wilted under those news. "Another spy? Is anypony in the guard loyal to us, Sister?!"

"Silent Spell is not fully certain she is in with the conspiracy. It may be a coincidence. We must not assume until we have proof."

"Do you think she stumbled upon something and was taken to keep her quiet?" Celestia said with a flash of mad hope.

"It is possible," Luna conceded, "but I doubt that."

She was right, of course. Celestia pushed it out of her mind and focused on the real problem. "Why? What else did Silent Spell say?" she asked.

"She interrogated the prisoner - Lemon Slice. She knows very little. She hasn't been bought long. Gambling debts and cider. Somepony offered her a lot of bits."

Celestia leaned her head to one side as she thought. "That doesn't say anything about Spring Morning."

"No," Luna agreed, "but remember our interview with her? She specifically named Lemon Slice and Azure Wings. One of them we know works for the enemy, and the other is missing."

"Why would she tell us the truth and give away one of their agents?"

There was silence before Luna answered, and she didn't sound certain. "It is a theory Silent Spell has come up with. What better way to allay suspicion than to toss an underling under the train? Spring Morning must have known we would take her report very seriously. Besides, Lemon Slice wasn't really one of them, just a convenient pawn."

"We never suspected," Celestia said in defeat.

Luna shook her head. "That is also something Silent Spell had said. We do not know the correct questions to ask. We do need an investigator on the staff. Remember that fiasco with Wind Rider? As I recall, it was Miss Rarity who found out the truth."

Celestia frowned in confusion for a moment, until she remembered the incident. "Well, granted, but why bribe Lemon Slice? I doubt they simply intended her to take the fall, and they must have known they could not trust a pony who is so easily bought?" Unless... "We come back to our original theory. They are backed into a corner and have little choice. It was a delaying tactic and Lemon Slice was susceptible. I wish I had noticed something. We could have helped her before she waded in this deep."

Her sister nodded at that. "Silent Spell said much the same thing. She is bringing a few more ponies from Las Pegasus to assist in the investigation. I gave her the smaller conference room as an office."

"Good. You did well, Luna," Celestia said absently. "This still does not prove that Spring Morning was a spy."

"It does not," Luna agreed, "but Silent Spell's story makes sense. I agree we shouldn't assume either way until we have proof."

"The prisoner doesn't know?"

This time the younger alicorn shook her head. "No. Her orders were to wait for further instructions. She doesn't know why Spring Morning would betray her."

"Who paid her?"

Luna looked troubled. "She refused to say. Silent Spell promised she would keep asking until she got an answer."

They really had done well and Celestia felt a little better. With ponies such as the investigator on her side they surely would find Gregory before long. She wasn't even aware of it when Luna slid the half-full plate of pancakes under her and held up a fork before her muzzle. Celestia gripped the utensil in her magic and began to eat as she thought.

The door opened without any warning and Gregory gave a small start. Or at least he would have, if he weren't bound like he was. Just in time too - his arms and legs were going numb from being kept still for so long.

"Hmm," the unicorn maid who entered said, before using her horn to untie the man. The pressure against his chest and limbs released and Greg gratefully massaged some life back into his wrists while he inspected the mare.

She was obviously a maid, evidenced by her stylish black and white outfit. Under that, her coat was dark gray and her mane was white. His best guess was that she was an older pony and the gray hair was because of her age, not her natural color. She had dark blue eyes and an expression locked in a permanent frown.

"Can you stand?" she asked, voice sounding almost bored. She had to know who he was, but somehow she just didn't seem interested. Gregory couldn't help staring, until the mare cleared her throat. "Well?"

"Where am I?"

The maid didn't answer. She came closer and her horn glowed in brighter cyan. "Up you get," she said and her magic grabbed Gregory around his waist and lifted him. He could either follow through or fall on his face off the bed and Greg picked the former. The motion made his head swim and he steadied himself with a hand on the bed.

"Hold on, wait. Wait!"

The mare leaned her head to one side, but the pressure against his back lessened. She still kept him wrapped up in magic, perhaps to stop him if he tried anything stupid, but she wasn't pulling him upright anymore at least.

"Thanks. Gimme a minute."

Gregory tried to think. She was probably one of Silvermane's servants, if it was indeed him who orchestrated this whole thing. Obviously she would be loyal to her employer, otherwise she probably wouldn't have been sent. He glanced at the window, but it was still covered so he couldn't even tell if he was still in Canterlot or someplace else. Silvermane was rich enough to have properties all over Equestria, so perhaps this was one of the houses he didn't use. It would make sense - Gregory couldn't imagine the stallion being stupid enough to keep a prisoner under the same roof as his family.

"You're not going to tell me anything, are you?" he guessed.

"Correct."

"You realize what you're doing is wrong - what Silvermane is doing is illegal, right?"

Greg was looking very closely and saw the slight scrunching of her muzzle and a flicker in her eyes, before she schooled her expression to stillness again. Maybe it showed that his guess was right and he filed the knowledge away for later.

"I'm not here to chat, Mr. Gregory," the mare said, proving that she knew him, "either I help you wash, or I leave you lying in your own filth until you're ready to cooperate."

The smell was still making him nauseated, so Greg heaved a sigh, planted his feet on the carpet and nodded to the mare. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

It took a very firm grip of her magic, but he managed to climb up to his feet. His legs felt weak and his stomach lurched, but after a few seconds Gregory thought he could stand on his own. It boded well for his recovery. All he needed now was for his captors to grow careless and forget to tie him up with magic.

The maid led him to the door and opened it for him. Beyond was a beige-painted, stone-paved floor. There was a wardrobe against the wall and a painting of a pony in what was obviously a military dress. It looked old.

"This way," the mare instructed and pushed him down the hallway. He stumbled and would have fallen, but the magic around his chest kept him upright.

They didn't meet anyone else and reached their destination a couple of doors down. The room was a bathroom, obviously renovated in recent times because the fixtures didn't match the other furniture Greg had seen. He was a little relieved to see a normal toilet, rather than the Japanese-style some ponies preferred. There was also a large, metal bath tub and a low washbasin. If he wanted to use that, he would have to bend nearly double, or crouch down, but it would be perfectly serviceable. He almost asked about a toothbrush, but clamped his mouth shut. He wouldn't be in this place long enough. He was determined to escape and return to Celestia as soon as possible. No doubt she was worried sick.

"Hot water?"

The maid pointed a hoof at the wall beside the bath tub, where a brass tap protruded out of the tiles. "All new plumbing. Undress."

Suddenly Greg realized that she intended to stay with him as he washed. He blushed, despite the situation he was in. "You're gonna watch me?!"

The mare rolled her eyes before answering. "One, you're not really capable of doing it yourself, and two, my orders were to not leave you alone without first tying you up with magic."

Gregory pointedly looked around the bare, windowless walls. "Where am I going to go? Fuck's sake, just help me in the tub and wait outside, okay?"

She firmly shook her head. "I have my orders, Mr. Gregory."

"Well, can you at least turn away?"

To his relief she did so, but with a pointed swish of her tail in annoyance. The magic around his chest vanished suddenly and Greg sat heavily on the edge of the tub. He sighed and began pulling off his shirt. It was smeared with vomit in several places and suddenly he couldn't wait to be rid of it. Lacking a hamper, he just let it drop on the floor. The pants caused him more problems, but he managed to get them down around his ankles without falling by shuffling from side to side. He elected to leave his underpants and tried to come up with the next step. If he bent down, he would undoubtedly fall flat on his face. There was no other choice and Gregory looked at the mare, who was still studying the far wall with apparent interest.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "Can you help me with my shoes?"

The maid turned around, glanced him up and down, then her horn lit up. She didn't say a word as she untied the laces and pulled both shoes off his feet. A moment later his socks and pants followed and she added it all to the pile.

"I don't suppose you'll wash that for me, right?"

The unicorn glanced at the dirty clothes, then went back to looking right at Greg's face. "Nope. You can ask Spring Morning tomorrow, but I doubt she'll say yes."

That was just great. His captors obviously knew about humans and clothing. Leaving him naked would make it less likely for Gregory to try and escape.

He put his head in his hands and bit back a swear word. "Let's just get this over with..."

Gregory was about to reach for the tap, but the maid beat him to it and her magic enveloped both handles. She turned them and water started gushing out of the faucet. He probed it gingerly with a finger, but it was already pleasantly warm. Very likely heated with magic, he guessed.

"Listen, what's your name? I can't just call you 'the maid'."

The mare pursed her lips for a moment as she decided whether to tell him, but then she shrugged to herself and said: "Dusty. You can call me Dusty."

It probably wasn't her real name and Gregory nearly opened his mouth to say this, but he changed his mind. It was better than 'maid' and her real name didn't matter at the moment. It was more important to get the names of the higher-up.

"Okay. Fine. Anyway, I can handle all of this myself," he tried once more.

Dusty shook her head. "Staying right here. I've got orders. I'm not leaving you out of my sight until you're tied down with magic, so you might as well stop trying." She glanced him up and down and then pointed a hoof at his midriff. "You're going to bathe in these?"

If she would be there to watch then there wasn't really much of a choice.

"Yes."

"Humans are weird. Here..." she didn't even have to look where her magic opened a cabinet and levitated out a bottle. "It's shampoo. I guess it'll work on human manes just as well as on pony ones."

There was a picture of a lotus blossom on the bottle and the large text promised a 'lustrous, shiny mane and tail'. Gregory didn't comment on it. He kept reminding himself that it was temporary. Either he'd escape in a day or two, or Celestia would find him. She shouldn't need more than that, since they already strongly suspected Silvermane. With a weary sigh, Gregory glanced once more at the maid, who was sitting on her haunches and staring curiously at him. Her mask of dispassion was good, but few enough ponies had seen humans naked and Dusty was apparently curious.

His arms still felt weaker than usual, but he was able to hold the bottle relatively steady in the air. He looked around for a shower head. The water was rising, bringing pleasant and welcome warmth, but it would be a while until it was deep enough to dunk his head, even if he weren't worried that he'd be able to lift himself back up. Leaning against the tub was fine, but anything more was risky.

Strange, aside from the nausea, Gregory didn't remember feeling that weak the first time Twilight had tried teleporting him. Then again, his first trip was barely the length of a room, while this was...

"How far did they teleport me anyway?" he asked.

Dusty shook her head. "Far enough that Celestia won't easily find you. Trust me on that." She was obviously on guard against his questions.

"Well, do you have a shower head or something?"

Rather than replying, the maid opened yet another cupboard and lifted out a wooden bucket. It took Gregory a moment to understand what she was suggesting.

"You've got to be kidding me..."

She didn't respond, other than a very slight smirk on her muzzle, but she dunked the bucket in the water and lifted it up above Greg's head. It was a good thing, too, because he wasn't sure he could have done it himself. If he thought he could stomach the smell of his vomit Gregory would have sent her to hell and gone back to the room dirty. As it was, he had to struggle a little to keep the grimace from his face.

"Close your eyes," the mare said a second before pouring the bucket over his head.

Hot water cascaded down his shoulders, taking some of the grime away with it. He heard a soft thunk as Dusty dropped the bucket next to the tub and Gregory took that as a signal that he should begin with the shampoo. His hands shook a little from the effort, but he managed to gather a handful in his palm and slop it on his head. He was about to place the bottle down, but the maid attentively plucked it from his hand, so he could start massaging his scalp. A few seconds later he was already winded, but Greg persevered.

"Jeez, the teleport really did a number on your rump, didn't it?" Dusty commented. She had a strange little smile and shifted her position so she was sitting a bit closer to the tub. "I better help you. I don't wanna be in here for the rest of the day..."

Gregory wanted to protest, but opening his mouth allowed some of the foam to slide inside and he spent the next minute spitting out the foul taste. Meanwhile the maid found a long-handled brush and was already sticking it into the water to wet it.

"I dunno if you humans have a different shampoo for your fur, not that there's a lot of it, anyway," Dusty commented, "but this will have to do."

She squeezed a bit of the lavender shampoo on the brush and returned the bottle to the floor. Then she inspected Greg's form and brought the brush to his back. It pressed against his skin and he grunted in pain.

"Not so hard!"

The bristles moved away, but a moment later they were back, a lot more gently this time. "Sorry," Dusty said and shifted the brush around for a better angle. Gregory did his best to ignore it as it brushed small circles around his back and shoulders, but as soon as he felt his hair had been thoroughly shampooed, he grabbed for the handle to continue himself. The magic refused to yield and it was like gripping an immovable iron rod.

"Leave it," Dusty commanded. "Here..." The cupboard opened again and a sponge splashed into the water in front of Gregory.

He let go of the brush and resolved to get the bath over with as quickly as possible. He could wash his chest and belly and then tell the maid he was done. Lacking any other type of soap, he patted the sponge against his hair to soak up some of the lather, then started washing as best he could.

"You should remove these," Dusty said, tugging at his underpants, "so I can wash you down there."

"No."

She rolled her eyes. "You'll have to take them off to get dry anyway."

"No."

This time the maid sighed and the brush she was holding sagged for a moment. "Don't be foalish, Mr. Gregory. I've tended to invalids in my life, I can deal with you. I'm a professional."

Her face was dispassionate, but Gregory thought he saw a strange little glint in her eye as she said it. Something was strange about this mare. At first she had been almost annoyed at having to deal with him, but now she was helping him wash and asking him to remove his pants. He hoped it was just curiosity and nothing more than that. While he tried to convince himself that the maid didn't have ulterior motives, Gregory finished washing his front side. The tub was getting quite full, so he reached over and shut the taps off.

He wanted to enjoy the hot water for a minute or two longer, but Dusty was straying dangerously low with her brush.

"Okay, I'm done. Get me some towels!"

The unicorn's mouth pressed together, but it only lasted a second before she nodded and let the brush drop from her grip. With her magic it was the work of moments to get Gregory cleaned of lather and out of the tub. He wasn't about to admit it, but without her helping him up, he didn't think he could have stood up in the tub, nor climbed out over the edge. Dusty didn't seem to mind the large puddle he was making on the tiles, nor the fact that the water was soaking into her tail. She took the opportunity to look the man up and down as he began to shiver.

Gregory sternly resisted the urge to put his hands in front of his pants. He didn't want to see any more smirking. "Well?" he asked impatiently.

Without even looking, Dusty drew out a drawer and lifted up a couple of large towels. She ignored Gregory reaching out to grab them and simply draped one across his shoulders and wrapped the other around his waist. Glaring a little, Gregory clasped the one around his midriff and tied the corners at the waist. Only then did he slip the underpants off. They landed in the puddle with a small splash and he kicked them toward the pile of his dirty clothes.

Dusty's eyes followed the garment before looking up at Greg's face again. "I'll ask Master if I should wash your clothes. He might want to move you."

Greg didn't like the sound of 'Master', but he was still grateful to get his clothes washed. With luck the ponies might be stupid enough to leave them in his room, although he didn't dare get his hopes up. He tugged at his waist towel to make sure it was secure, then started drying his hair. He tried to ignore the maid, but it was hard with her magic propping him up. It was a small mercy that she opted to wait in silence and not help in any way. Greg couldn't help noting how Dusty's magical grip shifted around to allow him to dry his chest and belly. She even followed him smoothly when he bent down to wipe his knees and calves.

"Thanks," he said grudgingly as he dropped the used towel.

"Sure," Dusty replied. "Come on, I have to get you back to your room."

"Will you leave me alone?"

"Yes."

Maybe he'd have a chance to look around, maybe even open the window and see how high up he was. Gregory cheered up a little as the mare led him out of the bathroom and back into the corridor. The stones were cold under his feet, but he didn't care. The room had a thick carpet anyway. They didn't meet anyone else on the way and pretty soon the man was sitting on the chair, breathing heavily, while the maid was stripping down his mattress. She bundled up the soiled bedclothes and tossed them on the floor, then opened the wardrobe against the far wall. There were fresh sheets and Gregory brightened up some more. Even if the window was high above the street, perhaps he could use them to escape. Tie the sheets together in a makeshift rope or something.

Dusty replaced the bedclothes with expert efficiency and then looked at the man. "Let's get you back in bed."

"I'm fine. I'd like to sit for a while," he countered.

The mare shook her head. "I have to tie you down and you'll be more comfortable in the bed."

He was about to say no again, but the door opened and Spring Morning came in. She smiled almost pleasantly at the scene even as she deftly stepped around the pile of laundry. "Good, you're done. Get in the bed." There was a small, dark bottle floating behind her and Gregory couldn't help glancing at it nervously.

"I'm fine," Gregory said again.

The guard mare didn't listen and her magic simply picked him up. It was a lot less gentle than what Dusty had done and Gregory found himself wishing he was still alone with the maid.

"Hey-"

His breath was knocked out of him as the unicorn dropped him on the sheets. She lifted him back up into a sitting position and brought the bottle to his face. "Drink this."

"No. What is it?"

"It'll help you sleep."

"I'm not drinking it."

Spring Morning's grin widened and the bottle inched closer. "Either you drink it, or I force it down your gullet. Your choice."

Her expression made it plain which option she'd prefer. Gregory considered fighting it, but with her magic he was pretty much helpless. His glare told the mare exactly what he was thinking and her grin widened as he reached up and grabbed the bottle.

The magic didn't let it go. "If you toss it, I'll just fetch another, except the next time I'll spank you on your bare rump until you're sorry, got it?" Spring Morning said with a note of warning in her voice.

Gregory, who had considered just that, nodded in defeat. When the magic let the bottle go, he dutifully brought it to his mouth and tilted it up. There was only enough for a single sip, but it tasted bitter. It reminded him a little of beer, except there was no alcohol. For all that, it wasn't too hard to force down.

"Okay, now swallow," Spring Morning commanded.

"I did already!"

"Good boy!"

He refused to meet her eye, but Greg blushed a little. It felt too much like being trained like a dog. "What the fuck was it anyway?"

Spring Morning looked at Dusty, but then decided the maid wasn't important. "Sleeping potion. It'll make you sleep without dreaming, so your precious Princess can't find you while you're out."

She watched his face crumple as yet another hope of escape was dashed and the mare laughed pleasantly. "We thought of everything, see? You just be a good, obedient little monkey and you'll be fine, as soon as Celestia accepts the demands."

"What demands?"

The potion was definitely taking effect. Gregory felt lightheaded and his eyelids seemed to be getting heavier. He blinked a few times, but consciousness was fading fast.

"Don't you worry about that. It's out of your hooves."

Before he could think up another question the darkness seemed to rise up and take him. The last thing Gregory remembered was Spring Morning's magic lowering him down to the pillow. Hopefully he wouldn't throw up in his sleep, he thought, and then he was gone.

Chapter 26: Rescue?

Princess Luna was walking with Silent Spell on their way to get some lunch. The Inspector's work ethic was thoroughly impressive so Luna didn't mind taking the driven mare to her and Celestia's personal dining room for a much-deserved snack.

"I agree that the arrest was somewhat premature, but you must understand that Sister is quite distraught."

Silent Spell shook her head. "That's all very well, but I'm telling you if this goes to the courts, that could be a problem."

"You still must agree that Silvermane belongs in prison. Even if you disregard circumstantial evidence, Blossom gave us his name directly."

The inspector jumped ahead and faced the Princess with a frown on her muzzle. "What if they were talking about the son? We do not have an actual description, Princess!"

Luna shrugged a little. She couldn't envision the younger Silvermane doing something his father knew nothing about.

"Things have changed while you were on the moon," Silent Spell went on. "Yeah, once upon a time you and Celestia could toss anypony in prison and nopony would bat an eyelash, but we've come a long way since then. Partly thanks to your sister's efforts, might I add."

Luna was forced to admit that the Inspector was right and her ears splayed a little. "Agreed. But this is a special case, you must see that. I have not found Gregory despite nights of trying. Sister fears the worst! Might I add that there has been no sign of Spring Morning, either."

Silent Spell sighed and stepped out of the way so they could continue. "Fine. I'll interview Silvermane today."

"Thank you."

Before Luna could resume walking, the inspector laid a hoof gently on her foreleg. "He's fine, I'm certain of it. It wouldn't make sense for them to kill Mr. Gregory, not after all the trouble they've gone to already. The foal-napping plot was too risky, and it must have taken months to plant Spring Morning in the guard."

Luna just nodded and they continued on their way in silence. Soon they reached the correct door and she opened it with some trivial magic from her horn. She stepped inside and paused. "Sister?"

Celestia was sitting at the empty table, her head leaning on her hooves. She looked somewhat more... disheveled than usually.

"Anything?" Celestia asked.

"Sorry. Silvermane refuses to talk and he will not be intimidated. Silent Spell-"

"Hurt him."

"What?!"

Celestia lifted her head and turned red, bloodshot eyes on her younger sister. Were they just a little bit darker than usually? Luna resolved to visit the Canterlot Library and look for a certain book she'd seen just once, a thousand years ago. For now, she shook her head.

"This is not like you, Sister."

Celestia just shrugged. "Maybe not, but it is like you, isn't it? Are you sure there's no Nightmare Moon left? You could visit him in his dreams and frighten the truth out of him!"

Luna glanced at the Inspector, who shook her head almost imperceptibly.

"Sister, you are not thinking clearly. You are not yourself. Have patience and trust in your ponies. Trust in me."

The older sister opened her mouth to argue, but then she slumped back down. "It's been so long, Luna! I'm worried!"

"I have called the Elements like you asked. Rainbow Dash is already helping with the investigation and Fluttershy is keeping Blossom occupied. I'm not sure what the others will be able to do, but I've called them."

"Good. What about Shining?"

This time Luna shook her head firmly and put her hoof down: "No, Sister. He has a kingdom to run and a daughter to raise. We have guards and we have Silent Spell, we do not need Shining Armor. Be sure I will call for him if that changes."

Celestia looked like she was about to argue, but she just sighed and returned her gaze to the table.

"Have you slept at all?" Luna asked, despite already knowing the answer.

There was no reply.

"Eaten? The cooks have prepared some Devil's Food Cake."

Luna glanced up at the counter where the said cake was sitting, untouched.

Silent Spell followed her gaze and whistled softly. "Wow, that does look amazing!"

"Let us all have a slice, then."

Celestia didn't refuse and Luna hurried over to grab the cutlery and cut the cake. She made her sister's piece somewhat larger and floated all three plates to the table. The Inspector was already sitting and watching the floating dessert with rapt attention. Luna sat herself opposite her sister so she could watch. For a while it seemed that Celestia was just going to ignore the moist, rich slice of cake right under her nose. She was getting really worried when her sister suddenly lit up her horn and grabbed the fork. A large piece flew up into her mouth and Celestia closed her eyes in something approaching rapture.

"There, isn't that good?"

Luna was only taking small nibbles of her own cake, more to encourage her sister than out of hunger or enjoyment, but Silent Spell was exhibiting a nearly identical expression to Celestia.

A thought occurred and Luna seized it, because it wasn't related to their current trouble. "Tell me, how did you two meet?"

It was Silent Spell who answered: "Las Pegasus civic banquet. We both kept coming back to the pastry table and we started talking."

Even Celestia grinned at that, teeth flashing white in the middle of a chocolate-brown stain around her muzzle. "I remember being surprised when I heard that Las Pegasus needs a police department," the Princess added. "I thought of you about a year later when there was that bad business in Vanhoover."

Silent Spell nodded to that. "Interesting case."

"What was it about?" Luna asked, determined to keep Celestia's mind off the missing human for as long as possible.

"Smuggling," Celestia replied and the Inspector added: "They were exporting priceless Equestrian art into the Crystal Empire."

"How did you even realize it was happening?"

Celestia looked up at the ceiling and her eyes gazed, unseeing, into the distance. "We did not, at first. Not until they began stealing from museums and galleries. I asked Silent Spell to look into simple theft, but it turned out to be much more than that."

The Inspector suddenly chuckled to herself and twisted in her chair to look at the Princess beside her. "Remember the look on Cadence's muzzle when we told her?"

They both burst out laughing and even Luna had to giggle in anticipation of a good story.

"Do tell me everything!"

Gregory woke up from what felt like the deepest sleep of his life. His thoughts were sluggish and his muscles didn't seem to want to respond. The memory of the past few days was fuzzy, but some things trickled through. They were keeping him drugged, which made it essentially impossible to plan his escape. He'd tried everything he could think of: arguing, pleading, even resisting, but Spring Morning simply held him up with magic and forced the bottle in his mouth every couple of hours.

He tried keeping the syrup-like potion in his mouth so he could spit it out later, but the mare pinched his nose and tilted his head back until he was forced to swallow or suffocate. The utter defeat and humiliation of it burned, but until his captors made a mistake there wasn't a whole lot Greg could do. He was also naked, which further compounded the fact.

Luckily they let him put on a towel when they took him to the toilet or on short walks, but he didn't even know where his clothes were being kept - if they hadn't simply destroyed them all.

"Good morning, sunshine!" the hated unicorn said cheerfully. Gregory had come to detest her slightly mocking smile.

"When are you gonna let me go?" he demanded.

"Soon. Probably. Your sweetheart has the boss in jail, which complicates things. Until he's out, I have my orders."

"What is he paying you? I'm sure Celestia can-"

"Bah!" the mare interrupted. "I'm not after money, sweetie."

This was new. Until now, Gregory had always assumed that Spring Morning was being paid well for her obedience.

"Then what?"

Her smile grew wider and she shook her head slightly. "That's between me and the boss. Nothing for you to worry about. Come on, let's get you emptied out and then fill you up again."

Gregory groaned. Even with one of the unicorns helping him up, the trip to the bathroom was both tiring and uncomfortable. His only consolation was that they left him alone to do his business. If only the bathroom had a window. At this point, he'd risk breaking his legs and jump out, only for a chance to get away. Surely there would be passers-by who would help him. The most annoying thing was that he couldn't refuse. There was a definite pressure in his bladder and the only other choice was messing himself in the bed, which was unthinkable, even now.

"You'll pay for this..." he said weakly, but his heart wasn't in it.

Spring Morning's expression didn't change. "Sure. Here's your towel."

The mare floated over the piece of cloth and Gregory pulled it under the blanket so he could cover himself before she dragged him out of the bed. The magic pulled him upright and he tied the towel around his waist. His legs felt like lead, but it was good to move about. It seemed the fatigue went away and his mind cleared with exercise. Besides, he was starting to get worried about bedsores.

"How about a walk outside?"

The mare leaned her head to one side as she considered this. "If you're a good boy and take your medicine without struggling, I'll think about it tomorrow, okay?"

Greg grimaced at her tone, but it was the first concession she'd given so far and he didn't want to lose it. "In my clothes?"

"If you're good."

Gregory did his best not to glare. It would be an opportunity to see where he was. Maybe he would be able to surprise Spring Morning and get away. If he got out one good shout near a busy street, he might attract some attention. His heart began to beat faster at the prospect and he felt his steps lighten. Spring still held him upright with magic around his waist, but Greg felt he was leaning on it a little bit less.

If the unicorn noticed this, she didn't bring it up.

Celestia was chafing at the bit to do something. Anything. The pony and human trafficking ring should have been falling apart with their leader in prison and their mine shut down, but her guards had still not found the captives, nor captured any accomplices.

More importantly - just as importantly, she corrected herself - Gregory was still missing. Despite Silent Spell's best efforts and Luna's persistence in the dream world, Silvermane hadn't given up the location where Gregory was being held. The unicorn stubbornly maintained that he didn't know. That he had left the matter entirely in Spring Morning's hooves.

"I don't believe that!" Celestia told Luna for the umpteenth time.

"I do," her sister replied much too calmly for Celestia's liking. "He ordered Spring Morning to take Gregory... somewhere, and not even tell him. He must have expected we would question him. It is a reasonable precaution."

However much Celestia tried to convince herself otherwise, there was sense in what Luna was saying. She wouldn't be able to deny the logic of it much longer. "Well, what about Twilight Sparkle and her friends? Any news? Never mind, I will go ask her myself!"

She was about to stand up and go, but Luna laid a restraining hoof on her shoulder across the table. "We agreed, Sister. Remember your outburst yesterday? You are no use to them in this state."

Celestia hung her head and lowered her ears in shame.

"In fact, Twilight Sparkle-"

"Doing nothing is just so frustrating, Luna!" she growled under her breath, interrupting whatever Luna was about to say.

"You cannot help when you are emotional, Sister. Trust in myself and Silent Spell. Trust in Twilight Sparkle and her friends. We will find Gregory before long."

It was good advice, however much Celestia didn't want to hear it. She bit her lip and gave a slight nod. It had been nearly a week and Celestia didn't think she had another in her. Surely she would go crazy if they didn't find Gregory in the next day or two. She was just too worried. Her gaze landed on the plate in front of her and Celestia considered taking a forkful. The cooks had done their best, but she simply did not have any appetite.

Luna noticed where she was staring and smiled encouragingly. "Do try the casserole, Sister. It is delicious. There are pancakes for later - sadly not as fine as you make them, but still quite good."

Celestia shook her head. "Not hungry."

"If you eat, I will tell you news from Twilight Sparkle."

Her head snapped up and Celestia glared at her sister. "You have news?! Tell me!" she demanded.

"Eat your meal, first."

"Luna, this is not funny! If you know something we have to move fast!"

Luna shook her head. "An hour will not make a difference. One forkful?"

Celestia knew that look, which said that Luna wouldn't budge. Still glowering, she levitated a fork and stabbed it, viciously, into the meal. She put it in her mouth, chewed twice and swallowed. A small part of her delighted at the taste, but Celestia pushed it to the back of her mind and glowered expectantly at her sister.

"It is not much," Luna admitted, shrugging, "but Twilight Sparkle says she can join a scrying spell with whatever magic Spike uses to send letters and make it find Gregory."

"When will it be ready?"

"Soon," Luna answered calmly. She scooped up another mouthful before continuing, all the time looking pointedly at Celestia. It seemed she was going to trade mouthfuls for answers. Celestia glared at this obvious extortion, but her mouth was drooling and the casserole was delicious. In the end she gave in and took another bite.

"Twilight expects us in her guest room in two hours. She says you should cast the spell, since you know Gregory better than she does."

"Let's go then. Perhaps she will be done sooner!" Celestia said and stood up.

Luna's magical hold gently pushed her back down to the seat. "All you would achieve, Sister, would be to bother her and slow her down. Let Twilight finish. If she is done sooner, no doubt she will come find us."

It made sense and Celestia let her breath out.

"In the meanwhile, why don't you finish your casserole?" Luna prompted.

"Fine..."

Now that she had been reminded how hungry she was, Celestia no longer hesitated. She was still worried, but here was something concrete to do. Surely Twilight's spell would work - she was the Element of Magic, after all. It would work and they would know where Gregory was being held before the day was out.

Once they had him and Spring Morning, the other innocent captives wouldn't remain hidden for long. Perhaps it was hope which made the meal taste better, but it was one of the absolute best casseroles Celestia had ever had in her life!

Gregory drifted up from a gray, shapeless fog. The light hurt his eyes and he had a nagging, persistent headache. His mouth was so dry that his groan of pain came out as barely a croak.

"Here. Brought you some food," a voice said beside the bed. The man glanced over and saw a familiar unicorn. Her name...

"Spring Morning?"

"Yup, still me. Come on, you're not supposed to die on us."

"Ugh, why do I feel like-"

He shut up as memory came flooding back. In that first instant of realization, Greg would have leapt out of bed and tried his luck with the window, but his muscles didn't want to support him.

"You've been drugging me!" he said.

Anger, tinged with fear cleared his mind of the aftereffects of that dreadful potion Spring Morning was making him swallow. How long has it been? Days? Weeks?

The mare didn't react to the accusation in the slightest. "Come on, eat."

Gregory shook his head. "Water..."

Spring Morning blinked, but then gave a small shrug and exchanged the bowl and spoon for a glass from the bedside table. She floated it over to Gregory's lips and he strained, eagerly, for the life-giving liquid.

The unicorn tilted it up a bit too quickly and some trickled down his face, but Gregory was beyond caring. He eagerly gulped it to the last drop and lay there, panting.

"Okay, how about some stew, now?" Spring Morning asked, swapping the glass for the bowl again. "It's got meat in it!"

This last one made Gregory furrow his brow. Most ponies were repulsed by meat and thoughts of eating it. Spring Morning had to be really worried if she went to such lengths.

"Will you let me go?"

The mare shook her head. "Sorry. You know I can't do that until I hear from the boss. Come on, it's good stew!"

Despite his present situation, Greg didn't wish to die, so he closed his eyes and nodded in defeat.

"Afterwards I'll take you to the bathroom and then we can go up on the terrace and sit in the sun a little, okay? Would you like that?"

Again, the man gave a slight nod. Moving about and fresh air helped his fatigue. "Can we go to the garden instead?" he prompted.

That was his best chance for his escape. All he needed was for Spring Morning to be distracted for just a short while and for there to be a wall he could climb. The fact that he could hardly walk without the mare holding him with her magic was a detail Gregory chose to ignore. He had to try something!

Spring Morning lifted him up into a sitting position and brought the bowl closer. Maybe if he ate really slowly, that would give him time to shake off the aftereffects of the potion and gain back some strength. Perhaps enough to escape before the unicorn doused him again. For that matter, he should take his sweet time on the toilet as well.

"Can you get me some more water, please?"

Spring Morning glanced at the empty glass, then nodded. "Sure. Let's finish this stew and then I'll get you water, okay?"

Gregory nodded and opened his mouth for the spoon. Under the blanket he clenched his fists and tried to make his muscles obey like they used to.

"There we go," Spring Morning said as she was dabbing at Greg's mouth with a napkin. "Wasn't that delicious?"

He refused to answer. Being fed like that hadn't improved his mood, but it strengthened his determination. The hot food was doing him good and a short walk would do the rest. Maybe if he faked how weak he really was, he could catch the mare by surprise and hit her over the head with a rock or something.

Spring Morning hadn't let her guard down around him in the past, but perhaps today...

Gregory closed his eyes and focused on his breathing while the unicorn tied him up with her magic and left the room. When he was alone he strained against the bonds. He knew he couldn't overpower them, but maybe the exercise would help him achieve better control over his muscles. Pretty soon he was breathing heavily. It felt like trying to lift a mountain. He strained once more, then slumped back to rest. Spring Morning would be back very soon and he didn't want her to ask why he was winded.

Just as Gregory managed to get his breathing under control, the mare came back with his water. She had a whole jug with her this time so she wouldn't have to fetch more if he asked for it. There was also a bundle of cloth, which Spring Morning dropped on the chair. Gregory watched his clothes almost hungrily as Spring Morning poured a glass. She never left them in the room. He had been permitted to keep his boxer shorts, but nothing else.

His line of sight was interrupted when a glass bumped against his lips and Gregory eagerly accepted the cool, rejuvenating liquid.

"Thanks..."

The mare smiled pleasantly. "See? You can be polite if you remember to. Okay, let's get you up."

The magic holding him down vanished and was replaced by the now-familiar band of force around his waist. Gregory let the mare lift him up with almost no assistance on his part. It made Spring Morning frown in slight worry.

"Are you feeling okay?" she asked. "You seem... Here, try to stand."

Gregory made a show of barely staying upright. He swayed a little to enhance the illusion.

The mare seemed concerned. "Hmm, I'll have to change your dosage," she muttered to herself. "This doesn't look good."

"Or you could stop!"

This time her sigh was almost sad. "Sorry, sweetheart. Orders, you see?"

Gregory didn't answer.

"Come on," Spring Morning coaxed, "let's put on your clothes and take you for that walk. Maybe that'll help."

Gregory let the mare lead him to the wardrobe and waited patiently as she pulled a shirt over his head. Moments later she helped him lift his legs for the pants, all the while supporting him with the ever present magic band around his chest.

"There, now sit on the bed while I figure out these things again..."

She meant the shoes, which weren't a common sight in Equestria. He didn't have enough fine control over his fingers to tie his shoelaces, so Spring Morning simply did her best, forming the string into crude knots.

That left him pretty much dressed and the mare looked him up and down. "Handsome," she said and chuckled dryly. "Let's go."

Her magic around his chest tightened and pulled him upright. All Gregory could do was follow, making sure his steps seemed particularly unsure and faltering. She took him down the familiar hallway to the bathroom and guided him to the toilet. Once he was leaning with both hands on the wall, the magical grasp vanished.

"You sure about this? Maybe I should stay this time. You don't look so good."

This was a downside of his act which Gregory hadn't considered. He shook his head firmly. "I'll be fine."

Spring Morning studied his face. "Really? You seem about ready to fall over. No way you can do this yourself."

"I'm fine!" he snapped back irritably.

His captor shrugged to herself. "Well, yell if you fall," she suggested and left him alone.She would wait outside the door until he was finished, something Gregory had verified a few times.

He sighed and unbuckled his belt before placing a hand back against the wall for balance. He froze in thought, then carefully turned around and let his pants slide all the way down. Pretending to go number two would buy him more time. He could almost feel the life gradually returning to his limbs. Twenty minutes, he estimated, and he'd be able to run. Maybe there would be a low wall, or a gate or something. A place he could, if not exactly jump, at least tumble over. Gregory leaned back against the wall and settled down to wait as long as Spring Morning would let him.

There had been no chance at all, which was making Gregory fume in anger. Spring Morning had watched him like a hawk the entire time. He'd asked for a glass of water once she had him sit on the grass, but Spring Morning simply refused. He could get it back in the room, she'd said. Once or twice the mare glanced away, but before Gregory could do so much as to think about finding a rock, she turned back. Her magical grip around his chest never wavered, even when he was sitting down.

It almost felt as if Spring Morning knew what he was planning. She never said anything and Gregory wasn't about to bring it up either, but the mare was simply too attentive. He'd asked to go farther, hoping he might get to see the wall or a street, anything, but Spring Morning kept him near the house. During the silence, Gregory had tried to hear traffic, or any signs of a city, but there was nothing. Surely this house wasn't in the middle of nowhere, was it? If he could get at least one good look at his surroundings he might recognize which part of Equestria this was! The potion didn't let him dream, but maybe he would build up some kind of resistance to it, or Luna would break through anyway.

Gregory was in a foul mood when Spring Morning led him back to his bed. She was measuring out the potion in an empty glass, all the while keeping the man in place with her magic. It was the ease with which she did it that irked the most. As if Spring Morning didn't even have to pay attention to Gregory! As if he was below her notice!

"Can we just not?" Greg tried.

She glanced over, but then went back to pouring the liquid. "I'll give you a bit less, since it's affecting you so much, but I can't let you dream. You know that."

"Celestia is going to find me anyway, you know?" It was an empty boast, but Gregory couldn't take it anymore. He had to say something. "Dreams or not, she's going to find me. If you let me go, I can put in a good word for you."

The offer made Spring Morning chuckle pleasantly. "No she's not."

"Your boss will crack sooner or later. He'll sell you out, you know? People like that only look out for themselves."

The mare pursed her lips for a moment before replying. "Possibly. That's why I made... arrangements of my own."

"What kind of arrangements?"

Her muzzle split into a grin and Spring Morning's voice became softer, gently chiding. "Now now, no weaseling out secrets from your captors, Mr. Gregory."

She levitated the glass towards his mouth. "Come on. It's a lighter dose, it shouldn't knock you out so heavily. You'll feel better tomorrow, I promise."

Gregory had another idea. If he could pretend like the potion was making him weaker than it really was, perhaps Spring Morning would keep lowering the dosage out of fear of killing him. Eventually the dose had to be low enough to lose its effect of suppressing his dreams, hadn't it?

That was it! That was the way out!

Gregory made sure not to show any of his glee on his face, but he didn't struggle against the potion. In minutes it would knock him out and he still had to get undressed.

"Oh, here, let me help you with that," Spring Morning said. She left the glass on the bedside table and her magic wrapped around Gregory' shoes.

Suddenly there was a low rumble and a distant crash. The mare whipped her head up and her ears focused on the door.

"What the hell was that?" Greg asked.

"Hush!" Spring Morning hissed. They listened until there was another loud bang.

Some dust fell from the ceiling and Gregory actually felt the bed shift.

"Oh no no no no," Spring Morning whined. "Stay here!" she ordered and ran for the door. The command was superfluous as Gregory could already feel the effects of the potion taking hold. He fought to stay awake. Whatever was happening - surely an attack, or worse - he couldn't defend against it if he was asleep.

"Fuck!"

He managed to half-stand, but a wave of weakness was spreading from his belly to his limbs. He shot out an arm to balance himself against the bedpost, but it slipped and he fell on his back.

"WHERE IS HE?!" somepony shouted. The voice filled his heart with relief and joy.

"Cel- Celly..." he managed, but it was only a whisper.

There was another boom, closer this time, which ended with a scream and a thud. "I WILL TEAR THIS HOUSE DOWN!"

The man smiled faintly to himself. It was no more than Spring Morning and her accomplices deserved. Finally the nightmare was over. He barely flinched when the door slammed open and she walked in. To him she was even more beautiful than before. Her muzzle, snarling in anger, changed to a relieved smile when she saw him.

Celestia rushed over, her magic already enveloping Gregory. "Are you alright?! Did they hurt you?" she asked.

"'m fine. Potion..."

The Princess glanced at the bedside table and floated the bottle closer to her. She sniffed it and grimaced. "Some kind of sleeping potion?"

By now Gregory could just shake his head. He wanted to tell Celestia that he would be fine, in time, but he couldn't make his mouth work. He hoped his smile would convey that he wasn't worried. Celestia gathered him up gently in her magic and righted him on the bed. She pulled the covers over him even as she kept examining his face. "I'll wait until you are better, my love. Rest. You're safe now."

Gregory gave a nod, making sure to keep smiling. Everything was going to be fine now.

"I've missed you. You can't know how much I've searched and searched!" Celestia said, very carefully laying a hoof against his cheek. "I'll keep you safe while you sleep and then we'll go home. Rest now."

For the first time since his kidnapping, Gregory went to sleep willingly. He just hoped it wasn't some kind of a dream or hallucination. He hoped Celestia would still be there when he woke up.

Gregory woke up to the gentle sound of rain against the window. He had to struggle for a moment to get his eyes open. His eyelids felt like they were made from lead and filled with sand, but he managed and took a look around the room. It was dim, but Greg didn't think it was night time. The curtains had been drawn from the window and he could see a hint of gray skies out there. Raindrops pattered against the glass, filling the room with their hypnotic, relaxing sound. He slowly became aware of a warm presence at his side. The blanket was pulled over it, but a few seconds of thought brought the memories back. His eyes found the door, still torn off its hinges and the man smiled.

Celestia had come for him. Just to further convince himself that it hadn't been some kind of a dream, he forced his arm into motion and lifted up the corner of the blanket. He couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when he saw the white body pressed against his side. The Princess seemed to be asleep, her muzzle buried in the crook of his arm and her ears splayed. The ethereal mane, which had been caught under the blanket, lifted up when it was freed like it had a mind of its own.

His mind felt clearer than in a long while and Gregory smiled to himself as he observed. Celestia shivered a little and inched closer, pressing her flank more tightly against his side at the sudden chill. He let the blanket down again, but left the mare's head outside this time.

"Thanks," he murmured.

An ear flicked to focus on the sound of his whisper and an eye opened to regard him with its beautiful magenta iris almost invisible around the big, round pupil.

Celestia didn't lift her head, but Greg could see the corner of her mouth twitch up in a smile. "Hi."

"Hi yourself. Took you long enough."

The eye closed and for a moment Gregory feared he had said something wrong, but a moment later her smile was back. "Sorry. They hid you pretty far out of the way, you know?"

Celestia's voice was muffled, but Greg didn't mind. Her breath felt delightfully warm in his armpit. He decided to enjoy this moment for as long as possible before they had to leave. Besides, his muscles felt like jelly after the potion and it would take some time for him to even be able to stand. Now that he had been rescued, Greg didn't like the idea of being carried out like an invalid. His gaze darted to the broken floor and he remembered the sounds of battle he'd heard... yesterday? Earlier that day? It was impossible to tell how long he'd slept.

"Spring Morning?"

Celestia regarded him for a moment, then shrugged a little with her wings. "Dead, I think. I'm sorry, but I hadn't intended that. Heat of the moment."

Greg didn't like the thought of the Princess killing a pony, but in this case he could forgive it. He'd have preferred the mare alive - she hadn't been entirely bad, he was sure. With some time in the jail and maybe some counselling, Spring Morning might have been redeemed.

"Anyone else?"

He was thinking of the maid, whom he only saw a couple of times after that first day. Celestia closed her eyes and sighed. "Some were hurt. Servants, a cook and two... thugs," she admitted. "Captain Fire Fly took the prisoners to Canterlot. He left some ponies downstairs, guarding."

"When do we leave?"

The mare lifted her head, letting cold air touch Greg's ribs and make him shiver while she examined the window. "We can wait here," she decided. "It's safe - now that I'm here. I don't want you to fly in this weather, not as ill as you are."

"Ill?" Gregory asked, suddenly worried. "Surely now that I've stopped taking the potion..."

Celestia shook her head and focused her gaze right on Greg's. She seemed worried. "They fed you some nasty stuff, Greg. You'll go through withdrawal now that you're off it. I dare not move you, especially in this weather, and I dare not teleport you."

The mention of teleporting made the man wince and Celestia leaned down to place a warm kiss on his cheek. "Relax, I said I won't."

It looked like he would stay in the house for a bit longer, but now that Celestia was with him, Gregory didn't mind. It was just a house. He was getting bored with the room, though.

"Can we go downstairs? Or anywhere else?"

Celestia looked at the broken door, then gave Gregory a rueful smile. "Soon, my love. You're warm and comfortable. You need more rest before getting up. I'll keep you company, okay?"

It sounded like an acceptable compromise and Gregory nodded. His agreement made the mare smile. "I did miss you, you know? I was so worried! I'm happy you're fine!"

Greg returned the smile. He'd missed her as well. He would never admit it, but he actually missed her pancakes in the morning! "Will you make me pancakes? All they fed me was stew."

He remembered the meat Spring Morning had brought him the previous day. It hadn't been bad, especially after his mostly vegetarian diet in the Canterlot Castle.

"I think I'd like to have some fish once we're back. Or maybe some meat, every now and then. I can cook it myself."

Celestia nodded and her grin widened. "I think we can arrange that." Her ears suddenly splayed and there was a hint of a blush on her muzzle. She glanced away from Greg's face and her voice lowered. "I l-love you..."

It took some effort, but Gregory managed to lift a hand and place it against her muzzle. "Yeah, I love you too."

The words made her smile even more and the mare shifted her rump uncomfortably. Her gaze travelled down Greg's bare chest and she lightly bit her lip. Greg guessed she was trying to decide if he was strong enough for...

"I dunno if it'll work, but you'll have to do most of the work," he told her.

Celestia nearly jumped at having her mind read so precisely and her blush deepened. She shook her head and the smile came back, if a little more hesitant than before. "In time, dear," she promised in a low voice. "Rest first, there will be time for that later."

She nestled herself back down against his side, except this time she extended a wing across Greg's belly. Her muzzle went back in the crook of his arm and Greg covered her up to her neck with the blanket. It left his shoulder out in the chilly air, but he didn't mind, as long as he could glance down and look into her eyes whenever he wanted.

Everything was going to be alright and the man relaxed. A few more hours of rest and then he'd get out of the bed. His thoughts strayed to the flight waiting for them and to the open, pegasi-pulled carriage. They wouldn't fly in this weather, but surely it would clear up by the next day. It hadn't rained once in the time he was there, so it was probably a rare enough thing. Pretty soon they'd be in Canterlot, but even in this house, Greg felt at home. Wherever Celestia was with him was home.

He moved his arm and the mare shifted so she wasn't lying on it anymore. That allowed him to put his hand on her withers and start scratching. The motion elicited a deep, half-moaning sigh from the mare.

"Celly?"

She didn't look up. "Mmm?"

"How did you find me?"

The mare still didn't open her eyes, but she shifted a little to bring her mouth out from Greg's arm. "I think they gave you wrong dosage of that drug. Princess Luna sensed your dreams, only faintly."

"Huh. I don't remember dreaming," Greg explained

"She said you might not. It was very faint."

"Where is this anyway?"

Celestia gave a slight, annoyed grunt. "Does it matter?"

"Just curious."

"North of Las Pegasus, in the woods under Smoky Mountains. Silvermane has an estate here, I think as a little getaway from the hustle and bustle of Canterlot."

"Huh. Well, I'm glad you found me."

Celestia opened her eyes and smiled. "Me too."

Chapter 27: Weakness and Love

Princess Luna and Silent Spell walked side by side down into the dungeons. Neither spoke, so the only sound was that of their hoofsteps on the harsh stone. They reached a guarded door, but the golden-armored pegasus just looked at the Princess, bowed, and stepped aside. Luna inclined her head in thanks, but didn't break the silence. There were several cells in the hallway beyond, but most were empty. Only two, right at the end, were filled. Lemon Slice, and Silvermane. It wasn't long before the two reached the end of their walk. Luna glanced inside the second-to-last cell, where the former guardsmare lay curled up on a simple cot. She was looking out, undoubtedly having heard their approaching hoofsteps, but as soon as Lemon Slice recognized who it was, she lowered her head, unwilling to draw attention to herself.

The next cell was the more interesting of the two. Luna focused for a moment and lifted a wing to allow a key to float free. She slid it into the lock and twisted. In the cell, the prisoner was already standing against the far wall, his muzzle a grimace of hate as he watched the two mares enter and close the door behind them.

Moments later, Silent Spell erected a barrier against eavesdropping and simply sat on her haunches. "So, how are you feeling today?"

The unicorn didn't answer. He looked directly at the Princess, as if by ignoring Silent Spell's presence he wouldn't have to deal with the inquisitive mare. "I demand you release me this instant!"

"Silvermane, Silvermane... that is not how it works," Luna said.

"We have a lot of evidence about your little operation. Why don't you tell us where you sent the prisoners - all of them - and maybe then we'll talk about some... luxuries?"

The stallion harrumphed, still determined to ignore the investigator. He shook his namesake mane and sneered. "What you are doing is wrong! You and your hussy of a sister! You're both just human toys!"

A loud slap surprised both him and Silent Spell, who looked at Luna in shock. "No, Princess. Don't! He's not worth it!"

Luna transferred her glare from the captive unicorn to the investigator and her muzzle relaxed from its rictus of distaste. She heaved a sigh and her horn, glowing and ready to slap the prisoner again, winked out. "You are right. Tell me who is in charge of your operation while you are here, Silvermane. Is it your wife or your son?"

The Princess was watching his face closely and caught the involuntary widening of his eyes. "No!" he barked, urgently. "Leave them out of this! They don't have anything to do with this!"

Silent Spell caught Luna's eye and gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod.

"I will promise to leave them alone if you give me some names, Silvermane."

In truth, they had already brought the wife and the son in for questioning. They both claimed they had no idea of Silvermane's activities. The way Dainty had shivered in fear and by her sad, haggard face, Luna tended to believe her. The son, Paisley, simply burst into tears at her questions and began to wail that his father was innocent. He was either the finest actor in Equestria, or he really didn't know anything. Celestia had suggested tossing them both in prison and making sure Silvermane knew, but Luna took Silent Spell's advice and let them go free. She'd had the house watched closely, but so far it seemed the two were telling the truth.

"Tell me again about the mine," Silent Spell asked. "Whom were you selling to? How did you get exempt from government inspection for so long?"

Silvermane, still a little shaken from Luna's threat to his family, blinked and cast his gaze from one mare to the other. "What?" he said. "I already told you. I sold the stone to Fillydelphia and to the Griffins."

"What about the inspection? You must have bribed ponies at the Canterlot Castle. Who were they?" Luna took a step forward and she seemed to loom above the stallion. "Tell us, or I will have your wife and son put in the cell right next to yours."

"Y-You can't do that!" Silvermane whined and his ears pinned all the way back. He dropped his gaze and took a deep breath. "Fine. Ember Wishes."

Luna glanced at Silent Spell, who gave another slight nod. They already suspected the unicorn, especially after her convenient disappearance. "Who else?" the investigator demanded.

"I don't know! Azure Wings and Spring Morning handled everything at the Canterlot Castle. I don't know and I didn't want to know!"

This made Luna sneer a little in turn. "What kind of a leader are you if you didn't know what your underlings were doing?"

Silvermane clamped his muzzle shut and glared at the wall behind the Princess. After a minute of tense silence, Luna flared up her horn and dispelled the eavesdropping shield. She fit the key into the lock again and walked out without another word.

Silent Spell hung back and took a step closer to the noblepony. "I hope you'll reconsider, Silvermane. We can put you in a cell with a proper toilet if you just work with us here. I might even talk about extenuating circumstances when it comes to the trial." His silent, smoldering look gave all the answer the mare would get. She sighed. "Just think on it."

She rejoined the Princess in the hallway and watched closely as Luna locked the cell again. The key went back under her wing and the two walked calmly out of the dungeons. They were silent until they came above ground, far enough away that even the best ears couldn't overhear them from the cells.

"What did you think?"

Luna shook her head sadly. "I still believe Dainty and Paisley Silvermane are not involved. There is some affection, perhaps we can use that."

"No legal ground to toss them in the cells, although I don't think anypony would say anything if you did it anyway."

It was a tempting thought, but Luna firmly shook her head. "I already made that mistake once. I don't think Sister would appreciate if we started putting ponies in jail on a whim," she explained.

"Wasn't Celestia the one who suggested it?"

Again, Luna shook her head. "Yes, but she was not thinking clearly. Gregory... Until she has him back in the Castle and he is fine, Sister might not be all that reliable." There was a faint smile on Luna's muzzle, even while her ears drooped lower. "I do not think I have seen her this smitten yet. Then again, I was away for quite a while."

Silent Spell shrugged a little to herself. "Anyway, the Captain said they have Ember Wishes in custody in Vanhoover. They'll bring her here tomorrow and we'll find what we may find. It may not seem like it, Princess, but we are unpicking their little operation." She inclined her head to the other occupied cell.

It was good news, but it wasn't good enough. Luna grimaced at the thought in her mind. "What about the prisoners? You said there were a number of humans and ponies in Silvermane's mine - how close are we to finding them?"

The investigator hung her head and sighed. "I have the Silvermane manor in Canterlot under surveillance and all the guards have descriptions of suspicious ponies. Well, ones we know about. The two earlier attackers who got away were masked." Silent Spell thought for a moment, then went on: "They can't have just vanished and I don't think Silvermane would have them killed. We'll just have to wait until all his estates are searched, or he blabs."

"How do we make him blab without beating it out of him?"

The pair had discussed that option, but both had rejected it, despite what Celestia had said.

"Did you see him jump when you mentioned his wife and son? Maybe if we allow them a short visit, then threaten to put them in chains again he'll crack?"

"Worth a shot," Luna said grimly.

"You still can't get into his dreams?"

Luna shook her head. "It is as if his nights are full of nightmares. The instant he begins dreaming, he wakes up, possibly screaming."

Silent Spell shook her head in dismay. "Whatever could have him this spooked? Are we sure he is in charge of this whole thing? Because it seems to me, he's afraid what somepony else might do to him if he says too much."

"Who else? All the clues lead to Silvermane."

The investigator gave a half-nod, but she remained thoughtful. "Well, what if we slip him a sleeping potion or something in his food? Something that'll keep him out for the whole night?"

Luna froze mid-step and a slow smile spread across her muzzle. She began walking again. "Brilliant. Arrange it with the Castle Alchemist," she ordered.

Silent Spell inclined her head. "I will go check on Blossom and Fluttershy. Meet me for dinner in an hour."

"Sure thing, Princess."

They turned down different corridors, but Luna stopped for a moment more. "Oh, and Silent Spell?"

The mare also came to a halt and looked back.

"Please call me 'Luna'."

The unicorn smiled and nodded, before hurrying away.

The day had started out awful, but it was getting better. After throwing up most of his breakfast, Celestia took Gregory out to the walled garden for a walk. He couldn't go any significant distance, but the greenery was nice and the fresh air did him good. They even had sandwiches on a stone bench overlooking the estate.

"Reminds me of our picnic," Greg commented.

"Y-Yeah," Celestia replied, a tiny bit uncertainly as if she was having trouble deciding which of the occasions he was talking about. "The one in the..."

"The meadow, remember?"

The mare smiled and nodded. "Oh, sure. In the woods."

Gregory blinked in confusion, but then he realized she must have meant their vacation.

"Well, that too," he agreed, "but I meant back in Canterlot."

Celestia chuckled a little at the misunderstanding and pressed Greg against herself with a wing. "We're talking about two different picnics, I think. They were both fun, though."

Shrugging a little to himself, Greg was forced to agree. "I didn't like the one in Fillydelphia. I mean, the walk was nice and I always like spending time with you, but it really wiped me out. I'm really out of shape."

He got a nuzzle as a reward for admitting it, or at least that's how Greg decided to think of it. Celestia shrugged a little before replying: "We'll get you back in shape, don't worry."

"Hope there won't be any lasting consequences after this drug they fed me."

"No, I don't think there will. It's gonna take some time for you to get over it. Oh, by the way, are you feeling any withdrawal symptoms yet?"

Gregory focused inward for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't... think so?" he announced uncertainly.

"Just in case, you should take small doses of it over the next few days. It'll make it easier to wean off," Celestia explained.

It sounded reasonable and Gregory nodded to the suggestion. He didn't mind not dreaming for a while longer, especially since he didn't need Luna to find him anymore. While he was thinking that, Celestia prodded him in the chin with her muzzle and when he turned to look, she kissed him. Greg gladly accepted it, but he had to pull away to catch his breath after a while.

"Don't be greedy, now."

Her ears folded down and the mare gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry, I guess I just missed you so much. I'm still not entirely convinced you're back, you know?"

As he gazed into her eyes, Gregory felt like something was out of place. He frowned a little and leaned closer. "Hold on a second," he murmured.

Celestia froze, her ears stopping mid-way through coming up. "What is it?"

Greg stood up so he could get closer and inspect her eyes in more detail. The Princess blinked and tried to pull away, but he stopped her with his hands on her muzzle. Whatever it was that had disturbed him, it was gone now. Celestia's eyes were just like he always remembered them - magenta. They'd always been magenta, with long, flowing eyelashes and pupils which glimmered more than they had any right to.

"Nothing, I guess. I thought- well, never mind. Maybe the stuff's been messing with my memory, too."

Celestia nodded sagely. "That does sometimes happen with this herb, but it's rare. Just in case, maybe we should go through the past few weeks, just to make sure there are no gaps."

Suddenly worried that his mind might be affected by the foul potion Spring Morning had fed him, Gregory readily agreed. "Sure. Where do I start?"

Celestia looked around, frowning a little in thought, but then her expression cleared up. "Let's start from when I found you and go backwards," she suggested.

"Okay, no problem. Oh, by the way - Spring Morning is dead or not? You said you didn't know."

The Princess glared a little at the name, but then she looked away. "She is not. Just injured. I had some of the guards take her to the Canterlot Hospital."

"That's another thing, how come the guards aren't going crazy after I was kidnapped?" Greg asked.

He hadn't seen so much as a tail or feather of the Royal Guards. Celestia said they were patrolling the area, or guarding the entrance, but Gregory was friends with most of the ponies in the Guard and wouldn't mind saying hello.

"That- I'm afraid," Celestia said with a tiny blush of shame, "is my fault. I wanted you all to myself for a bit, first. Sorry."

Her wide-eyed contrition was incredibly cute and the man couldn't help chuckling. "Selfish horse!" he chided.

Celestia's ears fell even lower and the pink in her cheeks deepened until it nearly matched her eyes. "Sorry," she said again. "Just for a day or two, okay? I don't want to-" She turned her head away as she spoke and Gregory suddenly felt the morning's nausea again. He groaned and put a hand on his stomach.

"Ugh, not again!"

Celestia instantly faced him again, embarrassment entirely replaced by worry. "What is it?!"

"Feel... sick..."

She lit up her horn and probed the man with her magic. She shook her head. "We've been out too long. You need to be in bed and you should probably take some of the potion. It's the withdrawal."

Gregory nodded and tried to stand up. There was almost no strength left in his arms, but Celestia wrapped magic around his chest and helped him up. She stepped closer so Greg could reach her.

"Put your hands on my back," she ordered and he obeyed. Then she took careful steps and with that support Greg was able to walk slowly. He appreciated that Celestia didn't simply lift him up bodily with her magic and allowed him this small dignity of at least walking on his own. That was the difference between her and ponies like Spring Morning. Not that there were very many of those. He was glad that the unicorn had lived through her encounter with an enraged alicorn. Not so much for Spring Morning's sake, but because he didn't like the thought of Celestia killing someone. She must have done so in her long and colorful past, but Greg had never asked about it and he didn't want to start thinking it. He preferred the Princess the way she had been in his house, back on Earth - carefree, happy, curious and, somehow, so very innocent.

The two made their slow way back to the house and in the ground floor. There was a clank of armor from the kitchen area, but Celestia took him right past the door and to the stairs.

"Good to hear you're doing better," a pony said. Gregory quickly placed the voice and tried to turn around to see, but the hallway swam and it was all he could do to stay upright. The best he could do was lift a hand slightly in greeting.

"Hi, Pop..." he managed.

Vanilla Pop sounded worried. "Everything okay, Greg? Ma'am?"

"Don't worry," Celestia replied. "I've got it in hoof. Gregory just needs some more rest. Return to your post, Vanilla Pop."

The clank indicated a very smart salute. "Yes, ma'am!" the guard said and returned to the kitchen with loud hoofsteps.

After he was gone, Celestia turned her attention back to Gregory. "Can you make it up the stairs? I'll carry you, if you want."

"Let's give it a try."

The mare nodded and took a slow step. Gregory leaned on her back heavily, but Celestia could easily take his weight. He remembered their Nightmare Night costume that one year when he'd actually ridden her to the chagrin of most of the Canterlot elite. The memory brought a smile to his face, despite his current hardship.

"How long... the side effects?"

Celestia understood. "No more than a few days. Watch out for the first step. Here, let me help."

Her magic around his chest tightened and lifted him, so Greg's legs didn't have to do any of the work. He cursed silently at the stupid drug making him this weak, but at the same time he was glad he hadn't thrown up again. Small progress, he thought to himself. Slowly but surely, the two made it up the stairs and into the room. Celestia laid Greg carefully on the bed and went to draw back the curtains and open the window.

"Fresh air'll do you some good," she murmured while the man caught his breath. "I'll get some of the potion and some water, okay? Don't go anywhere!"

Her light, joking tone dispelled some of Greg's worry. Surely it wasn't too serious, especially if Celestia was joking about his condition. Just a momentary weakness. In fact, he was already starting to feel better and his strength was returning.

"I think I'll be fine," he commented.

"Well, stay on the bed just in case, okay? For me?" She gave him such a pleading look that Greg couldn't find it in his heart to refuse. He didn't feel like he'd be up to roaming anyway, especially not down the stairs.

"Okay, I promise. Anyway, when are we leaving?"

Celestia shook her head sadly. "Not for a few days, yet. I don't want you getting like this and falling out of the carriage and I really don't like to think what the rocking of the ground coach will do to you." She came back to the bed and gave the man a quick nuzzle. "It's not so bad here with me, is it? Think of it like a small vacation."

She was right and Greg wasn't in the least bit enthusiastic about the long journey to Canterlot. He inclined his head, leaning his forehead against Celestia's warm nose. "Okay. A couple of days, but no longer. I really wanna see Blossom and make sure she's fine. Did you tell her what happened?"

Celestia gave a nod. "Yeah. She's crying her eyes out, but I think it's fine. Princess Luna is taking care of her."

"Did Fluttershy have to leave?"

"No, Fluttershy is there, too, but Luna is helping out now that you're gone. That's what I meant."

It made sense. Next to Gregory and Celestia, Luna was the pony Blossom was most comfortable with. Except for... "And Star Bright?"

Celestia looked blank. "What about him?"

That reminded Gregory. "Oh, I forgot to tell you about it. Star Bright has a little crush on Blossom and I think she likes him back. I made sure he'd take it slow and not let her do something stupid."

Celestia brightened up. "Oh, so that's why he was visiting so often! Heh. That's cute, actually."

Greg smiled as well and the mare gave him a kiss on his cheek. "I'll get you that water and the potion now. After, we'll see if you can keep down some lunch, okay?"

Nodding, the man let her lower him down to his back and gave her nose a final pat before she slipped away. Only a day or two more and things would go back to normal. He remembered that he'd forgotten to ask Celestia about the mine and the prisoners, but that could wait. With Silvermane in prison and Spring Morning incapacitated, surely it wouldn't take Luna and the Castle Guard much longer to find the rest of the captives and free them.

A job well done, even if he did get kidnapped. The important thing was that the slave trafficking ring was broken up.

"Your orders, Captain, are to obey any orders from Silent Spell as if they had come from me personally, do you understand?!"

Fire Fly cringed a little at her sharp tone, but Luna had had enough of the guard coming to her for confirmation every time the investigator asked for anything. She kept up her glare for a moment longer, until the Captain lowered his gaze.

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

"Good. Now go. I believe you have some orders to see to!"

The guard all but galloped away while Luna shook her head in irritation and entered the room. She had a difficult task ahead of her and the Captain's interruption hadn't been entirely welcome. Strange, the mare thought, how despite everything she still thought of the place as Cadence's guest room.

Wrenching her thoughts to the present, Luna prepared to deliver bad news to Blossom. The scene in front of her made her pause, though. The pink mare was lying on her back, but her head was resting in Star Bright's lap so that her mane was spread across his legs and the couch beyond. The unicorn was carefully braiding it with his magic. He was clearly bad at it, judging by the few misshapen, lumpy braids already done, but Blossom didn't seem to mind. Her eyes were closed and she had a hint of a smile on her muzzle.

It was quite a contrast with the dark circles under her eyes and a welcome change at that. Apparently Star Bright really was helping. Good thing Fluttershy had spotted their budding romance. Thinking of the pegasus drew Luna's eyes to Fluttershy, who was leaning on the armrest, reading a book with Blossom's tail draped over her lap like a blanket.

The sudden scrutiny caught her attention and the mare smiled. "Oh, hello, Princess!"

The words made Blossom open her eyes and when she realized who it was the mare sat up. There was a hopeful smile on her muzzle as she scanned the room behind Luna, undoubtedly looking for her favourite human.

"Sorry, Blossom. Still no word."

Her expression crumpled, but Star Bright wrapped his hooves around Blossom and rubbed his nose against her neck. It seemed to work and the mare didn't start weeping again. "W-When will you f-find him?" she asked in a quiet voice without meeting Luna's gaze.

"Soon. He will be fine, I promise. Just be patient."

All the poor, distraught mare could manage was a nod. One of her ears twitched slightly, as if she wanted to lift them, but in light of the news they stayed firmly down. Luna was sorry she didn't have anything better to tell her.

"Me, Silent Spell and everypony in the guard are working really hard to find Gregory. I'm sorry that Twilight Sparkle's spell hadn't worked, but between her and Sister I have no doubt they will come up with something."

The mention of her friend made Fluttershy close the book and lay it aside. "Have you heard from Twilight and the Princess?"

Luna had to shake her head, but she kept smiling encouragingly. "I am expecting a message today, in fact. If not, I will go to them personally. Despite this crisis, there is still a country to run!"

Fluttershy just nodded, but didn't say anything. Luna knew the timid mare thought friends were more important than governing, but her personal experience told the alicorn otherwise. It was important to keep Equestria together, especially as news of the slavery ring was starting to come out. No doubt Celestia would appreciate her efforts once everything was back to normal.

Still, while they waited for news and for the investigation, she could try and keep everypony's spirits up. "Blossom, would you like to join me for lunch?" Luna offered.

"Mm?" the mare obviously hadn't been paying attention.

"I will be having cake and ice cream today, would you like some?"

For a moment it looked like Blossom would refuse, but Star Bright gave her another nudge with his muzzle and the mare nodded instead. "Okay."

"Good! You should all come!"

She made sure to flash the colt a grateful grin, which he returned with a nod.

Fluttershy pushed Blossom's tail out of the way and slid from the cushion. "Come on, Blossom," she cooed gently, "let's go wash up before lunch!"

The earth mare obediently followed her friend into the bathroom, leaving Luna alone with Star Bright.

"You seem good for Blossom."

Suddenly the stallion was embarrassed, all blushing and unable to meet her gaze. "Um... I like her a lot." Luna didn't immediately reply, which obviously made Star Bright feel like something more was expected of him. He cleared his throat, glanced in Luna's eyes for a second, then stammered on: "Sh-She's not like other m-mares."

"You know her history, correct?"

Instantly the stallion nodded. "Yes! Greg told me! I promised I'd be careful with Blossom! If she tries to- I mean... I know she used to do... that to make her life easier, but I'm gonna say no. I promised!"

It wasn't what Luna had been asking, but it answered her question. She had wondered if Star Bright would still be as interested if he knew, but apparently the answer was yes. Perhaps this really was young love, like Fluttershy had guessed.

"Well, someday she will be ready to take the next step. I trust your discretion to know when the time is right."

Apparently it was very uncomfortable to talk about these things with a Princess, at least judging by Star Bright's blush, but luckily Fluttershy and Blossom returned and the earth mare hurried back to whom Luna was beginning to consider her coltfriend.

The two nuzzled for a second and then looked up.

"Shall we?" Luna invited with an extended wing.

They smoothly fell in step behind her as she led them out.

Chapter 28: Escape

The dizzy spells seemed to be getting worse, despite Celestia's incessant ministrations. The Princess was starting to look very worried even as Gregory tried to assure her that he would be fine. By late afternoon he couldn't even sit up to accept a glass of water by himself and the mare had to lift him up with magic.

"S'fine..."

"No, it's not, Greg!" Celestia countered. "This is worse than I thought. Maybe it works differently on humans?" She put the empty glass back on the bedside table and climbed up to take her place at Greg's side once more.

He had to admit that her presence was infinitely comforting. He had also been glad to hear when one of the guards came upstairs, asking the Princess what to do and she sent him - Greg thought it was Glory Tail - to fetch the air carriage from Canterlot.

Unfortuntately, he was in no shape to travel, but having the option nearby to use as soon as he felt better gave him peace of mind. He'd been a little sad when the guard had obeyed instantly and trotted away before Greg even had a chance to see him and say hello, but there would be time to catch up with everyone once he was back in Canterlot. They had to be especially vigilant this far from backup, Celestia had explained, so the guards took turns patrolling and resting.

A warm muzzle brushed his cheek and Greg put a hand on her ears for some relaxing scratching. It was amazing how well that worked to relax both him and the mare.

The weakness seemed to be passing, or at least that's what Greg dared to hope as the dizziness subsided.

Celestia had given him very small doses of the potion to help him through the withdrawal. It wasn't enough to put him to sleep, but it was probably what was making him so weak. The stuff was probably a muscle relaxant or something.

"Try to sleep, love," Celestia said. "I'm sure you'll feel better once you wake up."

"Don't wanna. I slept through most of the past week. Or was it two?"

Celestia just shrugged her wings. She was right - the potion was making Gregory tired - but he wanted to stay awake and enjoy her presence for as long as possible. He managed to lift his head a little so he could look at her face, which never failed to make him smile.

Celestia stared back. "Mm? What's wrong?" she asked.

There was that faint feeling of unease again. Gregory had ascribed it to the situation, but now he was starting to wonder. He'd seen nothing to worry him since Celestia had arrived. Why did he feel like something was missing? The house was making him uneasy. It belonged to Silvermane, who was trafficking with both pony and human slaves. Perhaps it was the vibe or something, which was putting Gregory off.

"Celly?"

"Mm?"

"When the carriage gets here, take me to Canterlot. Even if you have to knock me out and tie me down, I wanna get out of here."

She looked uneasy, but eventually she gave a shrug. "We'll talk about it."

"No, I mean it! I-"

A wing feather pressed against his lips. "Shush. Rest. We'll talk about it."

There was no disobeying that voice, so Greg just nodded. He was about to close his eyes when movement caught his gaze. The mare he saw in the doorway made him gasp and try to push Celestia away.

"You!"

As soon as the maid saw him looking, she ducked behind the wall. Greg pushed at the warm, white body sprawled over him until the Princess lifted herself. "What? What happened?"

To his surprise, Greg found he had enough strength to lift himself up, if not quite enough to try standing. The hallway outside the room was empty.

"I saw that maid! She was here when I first came!"

Celestia blinked a few times in confusion, then smiled. "Oh, Dusty."

At his incredulous, confused stare, the Princess sighed and laid a careful hoof on Greg's shoulder. "She knows the place and has agreed to help with cooking and cleaning. Don't worry, she has a magic blocking ring."

It hardly made sense that Celestia would trust one of Greg's captors with freedom like that.

"What if she escapes?!"

"I told you, we're in the middle of nowhere. Besides, I put a spell on her which'll let me know if she ever tries to leave. Don't worry." The Princess raised her voice. "You can come in, Dusty."

Careful hoofsteps announced her entrance as the maid came in. Once inside, the carpet muffled the sound of her walking. She looked quite abashed and more than a little bit scared as she approached the bed.

"See? It's fine. You won't hurt Gregory, right Dusty?"

The maid vehemently shook her head. "Never, mm- Princess! I swear!"

Celestia nodded in satisfaction and her mouth quirked up into a pleased little smile. "And you won't try and escape, right?"

"I c-can't..." Dusty said and angled her head the other way. Greg could see a thick band of yellow around the base of her horn, nearly hidden by her mane.

He relaxed a little. Of course Celestia would know what she was doing and he had complete faith in her. It had just been a little unsettling to see the maid just freely walking around the house.

"Well, okay. I guess. Didn't you put her under arrest?" he asked.

The word made Dusty grimace and look away while Celestia answered: "Well, yes and no. I told her if she repented, I'd put in a good word for her at the trial. She'll be punished, but she was only acting on Silvermane's orders, so I don't think a prison sentence. We'll see."

That was right, Gregory remembered. Celestia always preached forgiveness and redemption, so it made sense that she would practice it as often as possible.

While he was thinking what to say, Dusty spoke up again: "S-Sorry for how I treated you, Mr. Gregory." She still wasn't meeting his gaze, choosing instead to look at the carpet between her forehooves.

"It's fine. You weren't too bad. I'm just glad that Spring Morning isn't around anymore."

At the mention of the name Dusty looked up sharply at Celestia, her eyes full of fear. Whatever the Princess had done when she burst in must have been pretty bad, Greg guessed.

"Well..."

"W-Want me to cook something for you, Mr. G-Gregory?" the maid offered.

Greg shook his head. The dizzy spell seemed to have passed and the excitement did wonders to clear his head, but he didn't want to risk being sick again. "Thanks, but no. Actually, what I want to do is take a walk. It's still early." A glance through the open window confirmed it. The sun was still in the sky and the evening was nice and warm. Suddenly Gregory didn't want to be in the room anymore. "And then I'd like to say hi to Vanilla Pop and the others."

Celestia inclined her head. "Okay. Let's go on that walk and then we'll see how you feel. It's a good sign. Maybe you will be well enough to travel by tomorrow."

He grinned at that news and the alicorn smiled back.

"Um, I'll go now," Dusty announced as she left them alone.

The extreme fatigue was gone, but now Greg suffered from frequent attacks of nausea. They seemed to come after exerting himself, so Celestia urged rest. The only issue was that Gregory had had enough of rest to last him a lifetime and would much rather just power through the dizzy spells. The mare insisted as she kept feeding him minuscule amounts of the potion.

Grudgingly Gregory had to accept that she knew what she was doing, because it was slowly getting better. Unfortunately, his improving physical condition did nothing for his peace of mind. He still felt deeply uneasy about something, even while Celestia reassured him everything was alright and they would be home soon. Perhaps the most normal Greg had felt in the past couple of days was that time Vanilla Pop walked in on the two of them in a rather compromising position. Maybe it was a good thing that Greg couldn't see the guard's face.

Celestia had had him lie on his belly with his face in the pillow so she could give him a hoof massage. It would improve circulation and speed up his recovery, the mare said, but Greg felt she just wanted to feel him over. Not that he could blame her. Pretty soon he was sporting a large tent and it was only sheer luck that he was facing down, into the bed. That was when Vanilla Pop had walked in. At first Greg didn't know who it was and feared it might have been Dusty, but the guard cleared his throat and started to apologize profusely. Celestia just giggled and Greg froze in shock at being seen practically naked and with the Princess all but lying on top of him. There had been something Vanilla Pop had wanted to say, or ask, but Greg couldn't blame the stallion for completely forgetting all about it in that situation. He just kept apologizing and, Greg presumed, bowing all the way out.

"You should have fixed that door!" Greg had said. "At least then they'd knock!"

Celestia just chuckled again. "Don't worry, love. He didn't see anything. Would it be so bad if he did?"

She had a valid point, but there was such a thing as propriety. They'd had this discussion when Greg had first arrived in Equestria and both had agreed that it wouldn't be very polite to rub their relationship in her subjects' muzzles. They all knew, of course, but it was a different can of worms to keep blatantly making out in public.

Maybe that little embarrassment was the reason all the guards tended to avoid meeting Gregory and Celestia. He would have liked to catch up, but between his dizzy spells, his weakness and the guards avoiding him, Gregory had no choice but to wait for a better time.

Soon, Celestia kept promising.

"Is the carriage here yet? Let's just go home and be done with it," Gregory pleaded.

The Princess looked uncomfortable for a moment, then gave the man a pleading smile. "One more day, please Gregory? I'm still worried about you. Tomorrow you'll be completely off the potion and then we'll go, okay?"

Maybe she was putting it off so she could keep him to herself for a while longer? Like a kind of impromptu vacation? Gregory tried to convince himself of that, but it didn't quite work. Surely if she just wanted them to spend some time away from Canterlot and the hubbub of court life, she'd have said so and taken them somewhere else.

They were still staying in Silvermane's mansion, which didn't do Greg's disposition much good. He'd rather be done with the whole sorry mess, even if he had to pay for a hotel or an inn out of his own pocket.

Celestia saw how he felt about the whole thing and opted to take his mind off it by means of a very warm, very aggressive kiss. Gregory had no choice but to respond in kind. For the next minute or two all he could think about was the long, flat tongue in his mouth. He'd keep it up longer, but he had to breathe. Despite that the mare kept licking his face while he gasped.

He caught her gaze and saw deep lust, which matched his own.

"I- I think you're-" Celestia began, pausing to give his cheek another lick. "You're well enough?"

All Greg could do was nod. He'd already gripped his belt and was struggling with the buckle. Celestia was lying on it, but she hadn't noticed. As she kissed him again, Greg forgot about it as well and put his hands on her barrel.

The fur was just as smooth as always and the man slid his fingers down to her flanks, where he dug them in. The touch made the mare moan right into his mouth before pulling away. She smiled. "I love you!"

Gregory opened his mouth to say the same, but then he suddenly saw it in her eyes.

It couldn't be.

Except everything fit together. It explained it all: the potion, the nausea, the delays.

"W-What's wrong?" Celestia asked nervously when his expression changed.

Greg's heart, already racing from excitement and lust, speeded up even more until he thought it would explode. He could feel the rush of blood and the tingle of adrenaline. He let go of Celestia's flanks and brought his hands up to his face.

He would only get one shot at this.

Before the mare could react, Greg bunched his fingers in a fist and struck right at her horn, as hard as he could.

"W-EE-" the Princess began to shriek, but he hit her again and she just went limp. The horn was extremely sensitive, especially to blows from the side. It was the only way to negate her magic without his own.

For a minute it was all Greg could do to just lie there, struggling to get his breathing under control. It wasn't until the unconscious Celestia stirred and groaned that he remembered himself. Once she woke up, would she have her magic back right away? If so, what could he do about that? He tried to remember.

There had been a time when, during their passionate tossing on the bed Celestia had smacked her horn against a bedpost. She couldn't use magic without a headache for a good several hours after that. It was the best idea he could come up with on short notice. Hopefully his punch had done much the same and he had a few minutes to figure it out.

The mare was still a lot stronger than him in his weakened state, so that was the next urgent thing. Greg's eyes landed on the sheets and he slid out of the bed. His breath came in short, almost panicked pants as he rolled it up into a tube. It was too thick. There was no way for him to tie a knot.

Almost whimpering, the man looked at the pony who stirred again and tried to open her eyes. He didn't have a lot of time. He quickly unrolled the sheet and ripped it in half. Luckily it was thin linen and didn't offer much resistance. He tore it apart again. He was left with a long, thin strip, which he hurriedly wrapped around Celestia's fetlocks. That took care of forelegs and Greg tied a crude knot with shaky hands. He tore another strip from the sheet and did the same for her hind legs.

There was just enough of cloth left to bind all her legs together. It wasn't perfect and she'd probably be able to get free, but it was good enough if he watched her closely.

The mare was definitely waking up by now, whimpering and growling, so Gregory looked around for a weapon. Any weapon.

There! The smashed door had split and a plank was hanging loose. It wasn't exactly a club, but it would do in a pinch. Greg tore it from the frame, twisting it a few times to get it free, then hefted it above the prone mare.

Her eyes opened, blinked a few times, then focused on him. "W-Wha-?"

"One sign of a spell and I'll whack you again!" Greg threatened.

Ignoring him, Celestia lifted her head and he made good on his threat. He hit her horn, but not too hard. It made her gasp in shock and fall back down.

For a moment Greg was worried he'd smacked her too hard, but the mare began whimpering and flapping her wings.

"STAY STILL!" he ordered, nearly knocked from his feet by her flailing limbs.

In the moment of silence he listened intently, hoping there wasn't Dusty or someone else on their way to see what all the noise was about. Any one of them would be able to subdue him with no trouble.

"H- H-" the Princess worked her mouth to get her tongue to work once more. "How?" she asked hoarsely. "How'd you know?"

That confirmed his suspicion and a huge weight was lifted from Greg's shoulders. If this really was Celestia and he'd made a terrible mistake-

It had been a chance he'd been willing to take and the right one, obviously, now.

"Look at me. Look me in the eye!"

The mare did as he commanded and Greg inspected her eyes. Now that he knew what to look for it was patently obvious.

"You did a good job, but I guess you never saw Celestia from up close. She has tiny flecks of gray in her irises. It's not just solid magenta."

Celestia - or rather her imitator, closed her eyes and heaved a sigh.

"And you used too many contractions!" Greg went on, triumphantly. "It's hard to spot, but she almost never does. I guess you didn't hear her talk enough. I am. You are. We will!"

All the mare did was grunt in what sounded like annoyance. She refused to look at him.

"So I guess Vanilla Pop is a traitor as well?"

The mare shook her head, but the motion was subtle. Obviously her head hurt a lot and Greg was pleased about that. He hefted the board and considered smacking her again, just to be done with it. Surely she'd be out cold for a few hours and he could try to make for a town or a village.

"Ventriloquism spell," the mare said finally. "I can do voices. That's why he was always out of sight."

It made sense and now that Greg thought about it he realized he'd never actually seen the guard.

"What about Dusty?"

The Princess - the fake Princess - shrugged with her wings. "Silvermane's servant. She obeys me."

"What are you? I know a little about the changing spell and you shouldn't be able to keep it going when I hit you. How are you doing it?"

She just barked a laugh. "Somepony will come and find you, and then I'll have you. And I won't be gentle, either, you stupid ape."

"I asked you a question!"

Greg mock-swung the board and the mare tried to jerk out of the way. Despite her brave words, Greg could see how she was nervously licking her lips and how her wings rustled. Probably a pegasus originally, he assumed. The reaction looked unconscious, which meant she was used to having wings.

"Fine. It's not like you'll live to tell anypony. Not after this!" She closed her eyes in concentration and Greg gave her horn a light tap, which nevertheless made the mare gasp in pain.

"No magic! I'm warning you, a single glint and I'm whacking you as hard as I can!"

She grunted in annoyed response. "Fine. I'm changeling. Happy now?!"

All Greg knew of her race was the tidbits he'd learned about Glowbug back on Earth, which wasn't a whole lot. From what Celestia had said, they were the ones who originally invented the disguise spell - or maybe it was something they could do naturally, which would explain why it didn't vanish when the changeling had been knocked out. They also fed on emotion, which would explain why he'd felt so weak and drained lately, even after going off the potion. Greg forced his anger down. The problem now was getting away. Sure, he could smack the creature unconscious and run for it, but there was no way of knowing how long she'd be out. Too soon and she'd raise an alarm and get him caught before he made it to safety.

Hit her too hard, on the other hand, and she might never wake up again. It was probably no less than she deserved, but Greg wasn't about to simply kill another sentient creature. Not unless it was the only choice. An idea struck him and he looked at the bedside table. There was the brown, nearly opaque bottle with no label. He reached over and picked it up.

"You're gonna drink this, or I'll smack you until you're out cold and pour it down your throat, understand?"

The mare glanced at the makeshift club in his hands, swallowed, and nodded. Her ears went flat in defeat.

The mixture had made him sleep, surely it would do something similar for a pony. It also left his muscles feeling like wet noodles. That would take care of the changeling, at least for a while. Maybe someone would find her, but probably not for a few hours. The last few days Celestia - or rather the impostor - had spent most of her time with him and there hadn't been any interruptions.

With that settled, all Greg had to do was think up what to do about Dusty and possibly some others in the house. The best way would be to sneak out. That would give him until they found the unconscious changeling, or until she woke up.

Or was it 'he'? He'd kissed the thing, which made Greg's stomach twist up.

He suddenly realized that he was standing still with the potion in one hand and the plank of wood in the other. The creature was watching him warily, waiting to see what he would do. At least she wasn't trying to get free from the makeshift bounds.

"By the way, what really happened to Spring Morning?"

The mare rolled her eyes. "I am Spring Morning, idiot. I've been in disguise all along."

It was all getting too complicated and Greg just gave up. If Spring Morning had always been a changeling, Celestia and Luna would know what to make of it. Right then, he just wanted to get out of the house.

"Open up!" he commanded.

The changeling glared for a few moments, but then her ears lowered and she exhaled in defeat. Her mouth parted. Gregory kept his hold on the plank and put the bottle against the mare's lips. He tilted it up, but his hand was shaking and he spilled a little around her muzzle. He watched her throat closely and it looked like Spring Morning was swallowing obediently. That was good, a relief that he didn't have to force her.

Very soon after that, her eyelids began to droop. She seemed to be having trouble keeping her head upright and her wings were unfurling. It could still have been an act, though.

Greg got a brilliant idea. He dropped the empty bottle and threw the remaining blanket off the bed. Then he hurried to the wardrobe and took out some fresh bedclothes. They went in an oblong pile in the bed. There was a dull thump and he looked just in time to see fake-Celestia's eyes close. The noise had been her muzzle hitting the carpet. He should have thought about this step earlier...

It took some doing to get the heavy pony up in the bed, but there was no choice. Gregory was winded by the time he had the changeling settled with her head on the pillow. Was she faking the effects of the potion? Gregory keept a close watch on her face and suddenly slapped his hand on her rump as hard as he could. Not even a flutter of an eyelash. Surely if she'd been awake, there would have been some kind of a reaction. Reassured, he pulled a new blanket over her and the bundle of cloth he'd arranged. He inspected the effect from the door and almost smiled to himself. It looked exactly like two people in bed, sleeping.

It should buy him some time if one of the others came to check. Surely they wouldn't bother the changeling sleeping with her captive human. For a moment he considered leaving the wood behind, but it was the only real weapon he had, so Greg opted to keep it in his hand. He was fully clothed, which was a relief, so nothing was really keeping him there. He cast a critical eye over the scene once more and nearly cursed out loud. The empty bottle was on the floor. He hurried over and put it back on the nightstand. He still wasn't absolutely sure what it did, but he hadn't had a single dream since his kidnapping and Greg was pretty sure it wasn't due to changeling magic.

That was probably why the changeling had insisted he keep taking it. She must have worked out the smallest dose which would keep him from dreaming and alerting Princess Luna. The story about getting addicted to it and having to be weaned off was just a lie. His lips pressed together as Gregory went over what the impostor Celestia had told him and mentally marked it all as lies. Everything seemed in order, so he walked to the door and listened. No hoofsteps. He poked his head outside and looked both ways, but the hallway was empty. His best bet, Greg decided, was the back exit into the garden. The guards - or rather, Silvermane's goons - kept to themselves in the front rooms.

After that, it would be a different problem to find habitation.

Actually, Greg reconsidered, he didn't need to find habitation. He just needed to stay hidden from his captors for long enough so the effects of the potion completely wore off and he dreamed. Undoubtedly Luna would find him.

Surely they hadn't stopped looking for him that soon, right?

Once Luna and Celestia - the real Celestia - knew where he was, at least the general area, they would probably rush over. They could figure it out from there. The plan decided, Greg slipped out the back door, looked around the garden to make sure no one was in sight, then sprinted for the nearest wall. It was head high for him, but filled with adrenaline as he was, Greg had no doubt he could easily scale it.

Freedom, at last!

Gregory sat down heavily on a fallen log to catch his breath. He'd tried running, but couldn't keep it up for more than a few minutes. Now he was walking as far as he could and then waiting for the spots of lights to vanish from before his eyes. Distance, that was the key. No doubt Spring Morning's pals would search the area in some kind of pattern once they discovered him gone, or when the changeling woke up. He also had to assume that they'd be able to fly, so staying in the trees and keeping an eye out on the sky was a must. As he waited for his panting to wind down, Gregory kept looking up and behind.

They might also use magic to track him, but since he didn't have a way to defend against that, Greg had opted not to spend too much effort on worrying about it. Distance was the obvious thing, so he focused all his energy on that.

His breathing gradually slowed and Greg got back on his feet. Time to move on. The sun was on his right as it descended, which meant he was going south. Closer to civilization, hopefully. At least the forest wasn't too thick, so it didn't take a lot of effort to walk. There was very little undergrowth and the ground was fairly even, which was just as well. His legs already felt like lead pipes and his muscles were burning with fatigue. Apparently he wasn't completely recovered yet, but Greg was still determined to do what he could. He paused to take a look behind him and then pushed forward. The trees seemed to be thinning out up ahead, which was both a blessing and a curse. The going would be easier, but he would also be much more exposed.

Moments later Gregory recognized a road of hard-packed dirt. It didn't look like a major thoroughfare, nor could he see any travellers in either direction, but it made him a little more hopeful. He contemplated walking on the road, but changed his mind and stayed in the trees. He still wanted cover in case any pegasi were looking for him. The makeshift club had been left behind in the garden behind Silvermane's manor. It would only have been extra weight. If a pony tried to catch him, Greg would just have to rely on his fists. Hopefully they wouldn't expect that.

The going would be a bit slower off the road, but it was worth it. Greg looked in both directions. To the West, the road seemed to curve back north, the direction he had come from, so he picked East and set off at a brisk walk. It was late afternoon, which meant only a few more hours and then he'd find a hiding place. Greg considered possible dangerous fauna, but he knew the wildlife in Equestria was a lot nicer than on Earth, at least in the populated areas. The truly dangerous stuff was in the Everfree, which was a lot further to the Southwest, and maybe in the Frozen North, which was in the opposite direction.

Despite the burning in his limbs, Greg was happy and relieved to be out of that house. He'd escaped all by himself, which felt good and filled him with confidence, and soon he'd be back in Canterlot. Hopefully, by now, Celestia had dismantled Silvermane's operation and had put everyone responsible behind bars. Spring Morning and her lackeys might escape, but it was a trade Gregory was willing to make.

He slowed down and stumbled to a halt. His lungs were burning again and his vision was swimming. There was no convenient place to sit, so Greg just slid down under a tree and leaned against the trunk. Still no sign of pursuit. Maybe he'd done a good enough job on Spring Morning, or whatever her changeling name was, that she'd sleep until next morning. The disguise of them in bed together should also keep any others away.

Despite his cautious optimism, Greg watched the sky to the north until he felt he could stand again. He took a deep breath and headed onward.

A flash of color through the trees...

At first he dove for cover, afraid one of Spring Morning's goons had overtaken him and was lying in wait, but the splotch of color was too large for a pony. Houses! Gregory couldn't believe his luck! He caught another glimpse of white and red through the trees. A few cautious steps forward revealed that it was indeed a building of some kind. The sun was on its last rays and some of the windows Greg could see already had lights in them.

It was a small village, but in that moment it was more welcome than a palace. Relief masked the pain and he stumbled to the road. He wanted to get there as fast as possible. Footsteps turned to a halting run and sweat poured into Greg's eyes, but he wanted the ordeal over as soon as possible so he pushed forward.

A plain, brown-colored pony - an earth stallion - was walking down the street and froze in place as he spotted him. Even at the distance Greg could see how his eyes widened in fear and the stallion hurriedly pushed locks of red mane out of his eyes before taking a step back.

"No... Don't-" he gasped out.

Of course the stallion couldn't hear, but Greg slowed and focused on gulping down as much air as he could. Everything hurt, but he really didn't want to collapse so close to his goal. As he came nearer, the stallion finally saw in what shape he was and his look of fear changed into one of concern. Humans probably weren't a common sight in this part of Equestria, but he must have heard of them and knew they were connected with Canterlot and the Princesses.

He still approached cautiously, letting Greg walk most of the way before asking in a hesitant voice: "W-Who are you? What are you d-doing here?"

Greg shook his head and stopped. He fought for breath. "Police... Sheriff-"

The pony looked afraid once again and looked at the road in the direction from where Greg had come. "What? Is there danger?"

Rather than struggling for breath, Greg let himself sink to his knees. His legs wouldn't hold him anymore, but that was okay. Surely the village ponies would take care of him and they wouldn't let Spring Morning take him.

"They're after me," he managed. "Silvermane's man- manor. I was being held pri- prisoner."

Each word made the stallion more agitated. "That place in the woods?!"

Rather than repeating himself, Greg just nodded. "Send- pegasus. Message. Canterlot- to Celestia. Name's Gregory."

Finally concern won out over fear and the stallion stepped closer. "Okay, okay, I'll get the sheriff. Come on, let's get you inside, you don't look so good."

The commotion was attracting more attention and several other ponies were looking at them from the village. The stallion shouted for torches and help, before slipping under Greg's arm to support him upright.

"Thanks..." was all he could say.

The stallion just grunted and started walking slowly forward. It took significant effort, but Gregory got his legs under him and his hands on the pony's back. He could make it to a house and then he could rest.

"We'll get you some water and a place to rest up. Then you can tell the sheriff what's happened, okay?"

"Sure... Thanks."

Gregory was hardly aware of another village pony joining them and nuzzling from his other side. He swapped one hand to the newcomer. It meant he was walking nearly bent double, but it was welcome support. He looked up and tried to see where they were taking him.

One of the houses was larger than the others and there was a sign out in front. The Inn, Gregory guessed. He focused on the door like a lifeline. He just had to make it that far...

Gregory woke up with a start, looking wildly around the room before remembering where he was and why. He fell back on the pillow with a soft sigh. Even scant seconds after waking, he'd already forgotten his vague, unsettling dream, but he knew he'd had one. Hopefully it had been enough for Luna, but even if not, his message to Celestia had to be on its way.

He didn't remember climbing the stairs, but a glance at the window showed Greg that he was on the first floor. It looked like a typical guest room in a small village inn. The ponies must have gotten him up there and put him to bed. For some strange reason Greg was glad they hadn't undressed him.

He considered just lying there for a while longer, but too much had happened. He had to make sure the letter had been sent and that there'd been no pursuit. Gregory rolled over and sat up on the side of the bed. It was low, so his knees came nearly up to his chin, but he was used to this by now. What he wasn't used to was the ache.

All his muscles protested the movement. Everything was sore!

He wasn't sure he could stand without falling over. As an experiment, Greg held a hand out in front of him. It wavered up and down no matter how hard he tried to keep it steady. Hopefully the fatigue would recede as he started moving about, otherwise Celestia would have to carry him out. That would be a bit embarrassing after having escaped on his own. Greg rested for a few more minutes, then braced himself and stood. Tried to, at least. At first he underestimated how hard he'd have to push and he barely lifted himself up from the bed a few inches before falling back with a quiet grunt.

The second attempt was better, but this time he put too much effort in and nearly fell on his face. Only a hand thrown at the last second against the wall kept him from toppling. It was getting better, now that he was moving once more, but Gregory still held on to the wall as he made his way to the door. He paused before he opened it, listening for any familiar voices. If Spring Morning or any of her thugs had followed him here, Greg didn't want to walk right into them. There was no sound, which was encouraging, so Greg switched his hands on the wooden frame and reached for the door handle. The hallway was empty, but now that he was out of his room the man could hear sounds coming from the lower floor. Pots clanking, soft talking and the sound of water being poured. That last reminded him that he was parched and Greg made his careful way to the stairs.

He kept his hand on the wall but he needed its support less and less with each step. There was a handrail, but it was placed too low to be really useful to him. Greg gritted his teeth and stepped from step to step as slowly as he could. His legs still jerked uncontrollably every now and then, but he was able to keep his balance easily enough. The ache came back in force at the unaccustomed exercise but Greg just ignored it. He'd have to get into better shape, he resolved. One measly potion and a couple of weeks in bed shouldn't be able to wipe him out this completely. True, he'd pushed himself far beyond his limit during his escape, but that still wasn't very encouraging.

The trip to that place near Baltimare had been worrying enough, but this was just ridiculous. Greg resolved to start walking more. It wasn't as if there were no places around the Castle. The gardens made for a very pleasant stroll. With that decision firmly established, the man finally reached the common room. There was a gray-haired old pony sitting at one of the tables and middle-aged, orange-colored mare behind the counter, washing glasses. The sound of cooking pots was coming from an open door which led to the kitchen, judging by the smell.

Both ponies looked up and the old-timer gave a small start even as the mare flashed Greg a smile. "Relax, Gramps," she said soothingly. "It's just one of those humans from Canterlot, nothing to worry about."

"Humph," the older pony grunted. "Thought it was a minotaur for a second there."

Gregory chose to ignore that. The old guy probably wasn't trying to insult him. Instead he addressed him as politely as he could: "The name's Gregory. Has anyone sent that letter to Princess Celestia?"

The stallion looked blank, but the mare at the counter seemed more informed. Her smile widened and she nodded. "Yep! The mail-mare took the job, special. It means no post today, but that's fine. Everypony understands!" A moment's thought reminded the mare of her manners and a blush graced her muzzle. "Oh, my name is Apple Leaves and that over there is Gramps. We just call him Gramps."

"Nice to meet you both." Gregory inspected the mare for a moment. The color was familiar, not quite orange although it was close, but one he'd definitely seen before. The mane was green, which threw him off, but the name matched and the apple cutie mark all but confirmed it.

"You're related to the Apples in Ponyville, right?"

Her smile widened. "Yup! So you know Applejack?"

"I've met her a few times, yes."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, that makes you practic'lly family, right? Sit down and have some breakfast!"

Of course the mere mention of food, combined with the smell wafting from the kitchen was enough to make Greg's stomach growl and he gratefully sank into a chair. There was no back support and it was a little too low, but he was still glad to rest his legs for a while. The older pony, Gramps, watched him for a bit longer, but then shrugged a little to himself and picked up his newspaper again. While he waited, Gregory looked out the window, but he couldn't spot anything worrisome. If there had been any pursuit, there would probably be some commotion, at least. He began to hope that his escape had gone unnoticed the previous day.

Spring Morning would be waking up soon, Greg guessed, but with so much time having passed, she might not have any idea in which direction to look. She might try the nearby villages, but Greg hoped one of the Princesses would arrive before that. Or, failing that, the townsponies wouldn't just give him up. He felt a lot better about his chances now that he knew one of the Apples lived here. The entire family was well-known for their unscrupulous honesty. His thoughts were interrupted as Apple Leaves slid a plate before him. There were fried eggs, some potatoes and a thick slice of bread, still steaming. It immediately made his mouth water and Greg barely paused to thank the mare before picking it up and biting off a good chunk of the freshly-baked loaf.

The mare seemed pleased at his enthusiasm and went back to the counter to fetch him a pitcher of water and some coffee. It was one of the best-tasting breakfasts Greg remembered having and he wolfed it down without a single pause.

When he was done, feeling much refreshed, Apple Leaves waved a hoof to get his attention. "Would you like some more? We got plenty!"

A thought which had been trying to make itself known finally rose up and Gregory suddenly felt embarrassed. "Actually... I don't have any money. Um..." He hadn't even considered it last night. The most important thing had been to get away and find safety, but this was an inn and they had a business to run. "I'm sure the Princess will pay my bill when she gets here, though!"

The mare just giggled, hoof covering her muzzle. "Don't worry about none of that, Mr. Gregory. What kind of ponies would we be if we didn't offer hospitality to somepony in need?"

Once again Gregory was reminded that this was Equestria, not Earth. He relaxed a bit. "Well, fair's fair. I'll make sure to send money to cover my bill."

"There's really no need-"

"Please, I insist."

Apple Leaves just shrugged a little to herself. "Well, as you wish, sir."

The barmare was taking the empty dishes back to the kitchen when the front door opened, making her pause and look back. "Oh, hi sheriff. I'll be right out!"

Gregory inspected this new pony. He didn't remember him from the last night, but the stallion had obviously seen him, because he headed right over and joined Greg's table. He was an older stallion, with streaks of gray in his otherwise black mane and an impressive moustache. The hat and the vest with the star badge completed the picture and confirmed the pony's job.

"Feelin' any better?"

"I do," Greg said cautiously. "Sorry, I don't remember your name."

The sheriff just inclined his head in acknowledgment as he gave it: "Silver Spur." Seeing the alarm on the man's face, he waved a dismissive hoof. "I'm not related to Silvermane, if that's what you're thinking. That stuck up, condescending, 'holier-than-thou' good-for-nothing doesn't own everythin' around here!"

There was obviously some bad blood there, but Greg was glad to hear it. If the sheriff disliked Silvermane, he was a lot less likely to betray him. "I see. Well, my name is-"

"Gregory. Yeah, you said. Our dear ol' Princess' plaything, right?"

This was just as unexpected and Greg couldn't help blushing. "Well, I-"

The stallion started to chuckle and reached over the table to place a hoof on Greg's hand. "Don't fret it. That filly needs some diversion. B'sides, they say you're a damn fine lawyer, too."

Shock turned to amusement at this pony talking about Celestia as if she were some young filly. Funny how she'd wanted to experience that side of her on Earth, and here it was, practically on her doorstop, if only she'd known where to look. Then again, whatever he said now, the sheriff probably wouldn't act this way to Celestia's face. Or maybe he would? Greg inspected the old pony's face. Sheriff Silver Spur's opinion wasn't shared by the majority of Equestria's populace, though, but Greg had a good idea where to take the Princess for their next vacation.

"Anyway, you should send some people over to Silvermane's manor. There's some criminals hiding there and you should grab them before they get away."

The stallion's grin faded and his muzzle twisted into a grimace as he shook his head. "Sorry. No can do."

"If they have something on you-" Greg began.

"Nah, 's not that," the sheriff explained, waving a hoof expansively. "It's that I don't have ponies. It's just me and the deputy in this nick o' the woods and he spends his afternoons working on 'is farm. I sent a pegasus to Vanhoover, but I don't reckon we'll get any backup for some hours yet."

"Well, provided they don't immediately run away and spend some time searching from me in the forest instead, you should be able to get them. Just be careful, there's a changeling."

This was news to the sheriff, but he hardly showed it on his muzzle aside from a slight widening of eyes and his breath catching for a moment. "Changeling, huh? That complicates things."

"The one disguise I do know is a unicorn, blue coat, gray mane, but she's not old. Something like a book for a cutie mark. Goes by the name of Spring Morning. She might be in Canterlot guard armor." That last was still worrying Gregory. Was there a real Spring Morning somewhere, or was that entire character a changeling's fabrication? "Oh, and she was able to fake being Celestia, so..."

"Sheesh, really complicates things!"

"I know. Sorry."

The stallion shook his head. "Not yer fault. I'm still hoping the mail mare reaches Canterlot and we get some help from there. I don't mind telling you, this is way beyond my pay grade."

Gregory murmured a thank you to Apple Leaves who'd brought a couple of mugs to the table. He glanced in and caught the smell of strong cider.

Silver Spur saw his hesitation and gave the man a bright smile. "Drink up. You look like you need it."

For a moment Greg thought about asking for something non-alcoholic, but maybe the sheriff was right. He'd just been through an ordeal and maybe getting tipsy would take the edge off his aching muscles. He leaned back, remembering just in time that the backrest wasn't there, and held up his mug.

"To beating the bad guys."

The pewter mugs clanged together and the sheriff gave a curt nod at the toast. It was surprisingly smooth and sweet, with only the slightest tinge of alcohol and a very strong aftertaste of apples. If Greg had to guess, it was Apple Leaves' or her family's work. The drink put him in mind of that Grand Galloping Gala when Twilight's friend had brought a barrel for her and her friends and Celestia insisted he try it.

"Dunno what sort of magic those Apples have, but I sure can appreciate it!"

The sheriff's remark broke him out of his memory and Greg smiled faintly. "So, what do we do next?" he asked.

The stallion pointed a hoof. "You do nothing but rest. I'll round up some folks and we'll take a look around the village, see if we can catch any of those criminals skulking around."

It sounded like a plan quite well fitted to Greg's current abilities. He looked around the room. The old pony was still reading his newspaper and Apple Leaves was polishing the counter with a cloth.

"Well, I'll be here if you need to ask me more questions."

The sheriff gave him a simple nod and left Greg to his thoughts.

Chapter 29: Reunion

"G'egory!!"

The squeal of delight nearly deafened Gregory. He hadn't heard the young, pink mare enter and looked up just in time to see her practically flying towards him at chest-high. It was a good thing that he was braced against the wall, or the flying Blossom would have knocked him right out of his chair. As it was, the impact drove all air from his lungs.

"Blossom?!" he gasped when he could talk again.

It was probably a dream, Greg decided. He must have fallen asleep on the table in the common room and now he was dreaming about Blossom. Weird, though, why it would be her instead of Celestia. The young mare grasped him around the midriff, buried her muzzle in his chest and squeezed until Gregory found it physically hard to breathe.

"Sweetie? You're choking me..."

It came out as barely a croak, but the mare understood and relented a little. She pulled away, ears folded down and a light blush on her cheeks. "Sorry," she murmured. "I missed you..."

"Yeah, s-sorry," came a voice behind Blossom and Greg craned his neck to see Fluttershy standing in the entrance, too. "She, um, kinda got away from me."

The pegasus walked in the room and then...

It felt as if the world had brightened up a little, as if liquid sunlight was flowing into the room. There were three distinct gasps - one from old 'Gramps' from Greg's left and two from the kitchen door, where Apple Leaves and the cook pony whose name he didn't know smoothly fell into a bow.

"Please, there is no... need..." Celestia began, but fell silent when her eyes met Greg's. Her mouth quirked up in a smile and she walked smoothly across the room to him.

Blossom was forgotten in his arms because Greg only had eyes for the Princess. He found himself wondering how he could ever have mistaken Spring Morning for Celestia. This alicorn was the one and only. No one else moved quite like her, or held that exact expression of quiet serenity. Except her dignified look was cracking now as she approached. Her ears were lowering, like a puppy who's happy to see her master. Her tail swished and she rustled her wings unconsciously. In a few steps she was standing beside Gregory.

"Hey, you."

She brought her muzzle closer, examining his face in minute detail while Gregory did the same. There was no mistaking those eyes. Even if it weren't for Fluttershy and Blossom, Gregory would have known Celestia from some cheap imitation.

"So this isn't a dream?" he ventured.

"I hope not," the Princess said.

As he continued to stare, Gregory saw a few signs that all was not exactly well. A wrinkle, left by long days of worry. A furtive darting of an eye, expecting a trick or an attack. A slight strain on her smile. Her mane was its usual self, billowing in some ethereal wind, but was it slightly more frazzled than he remembered? Was Celestia's fur matted here and there, and her feathers in a disarray?

Possibly no one who didn't know her really well would be able to tell, but Greg's heart constricted when he realized just how much she had worried about him. She brought her nose closer, careful not to poke Greg with her extremely sharp horn. Her breath was warm on his skin, like radiant sunlight, and it smelled slightly of-

"Cherries?"

Celestia's smile widened. "Sister made me eat on the flight here. She said I would need the sugar."

The time for talking and thought was over. Gregory closed his eyes and pushed forward. Their lips met, to another chorus of gasps, which barely registered in his consciousness. He didn't try any fancy tongue-work and neither did Celestia. Both were simply happy to be in each other's presence, sharing this intimate thing and basking in the love it conveyed. At some point, Greg felt Blossom wrap her hooves around him again, but at least it wasn't such a death-grip this time. He lifted up his hand and brushed a stray strand of mane from Celestia's face. She pulled away, cheeks lightly flushed but still smiling.

"I missed you."

"I missed you more."

"Nuh-huh!"

She shut him up with a lick. "You need to shave."

Greg scratched his chin with his hand and was forced to agree. A few more days and the stubble would officially become a beard. "I know. What took you so long?"

Celestia blinked, eyes filling up with tears, and he was immediately sorry for the question.

"Sorry. I'm just glad I'm out."

The Princess sighed. "They were well prepared. They knew our weaknesses and how to use them. They kept you from dreaming. They hid from scrying. I couldn't- I-" Celestia fell silent with a sigh.

"They had a changeling. At least one, maybe more." The words reminded Greg and he tried to push himself up, but with Blossom in his lap he didn't have the strength. "The changeling! Back at the house, with some thugs, you have to catch them!"

Celestia gave a slight nod, but didn't move. "Princess Luna went ahead. She saw the place in your dream, moments before you woke up. We took Fire Fly and all the guards he could spare. Blossom insisted and I didn't have the heart to say no."

The mare in Greg's lap gave an affirmative little squeak at her name.

Celestia sat on her haunches and went on: "Luna took the guards to Silvermane's mansion. Do not worry, most of his... accomplices in Canterlot are in prison."

"You found the rest of the captives? The mine?"

She shook her head slightly. "Sorry. Silvermane was not in charge of the operation. Silent Spell is nearing the true masterminds behind this whole mess. We should have them very soon."

"He... wasn't? Spring Morning was taking orders from him, until he was captured..."

Celestia glanced around the common room and sighed. "Perhaps this is not the best place and you do not look well enough to do this now. Come, I will take you to Canterlot and we will talk when you've rested."

Despite having wanted nothing else for so long, Greg shook his head in frustration. "You can't just give me bits and pieces and expect me to rest! Tell me!" He looked around and saw that the barmaid and the cook were still staring. Neither seemed ready to approach, not while Celestia and Gregory talked between themselves. On the other side of the room, Gramps was sitting perfectly still, also looking at the scene in wonder. He doubted any of them had heard a word, despite their pony ears.

Celestia seemed to reach the same conclusion and gave a nod. "If it will make you stop worrying, then fine. Silent Spell believes Silvermane was in charge here in Equestria, but he was taking orders from somepony else. Somepony on Earth."

"Some- pony?" Gregory asked, confused.

Surely there weren't that many criminals among pony kind, and none of them on Earth?

"Some one, then. It might not be a pony. Whoever it was, they came up with the idea of using slave labor. However, it was Silvermane who came up with the notion of an unlicensed, unregistered mine to avoid inspection. He had been bribing my clerks for a while!"

The admission wasn't easy and Greg could see how the knowledge rankled. Celestia gritted her teeth and scrunched up her muzzle in distaste. "I will make an example of him, you have my word on that Gregory, and of whoever is in charge!"

Her explanation didn't answer all of the questions, but when Celestia looked at him with finality, Gregory knew he wouldn't be getting any more. Not until he was back in Canterlot, he suspected.

"Well, maybe Spring Morning and her guys can shed some light on this thing. A changeling would explain how they managed to infiltrate the guards so well."

"Indeed. Now that I know, I will order Fire Fly to use a disruption spell on all the guards when they come on duty and when they are done. You have found one, this Spring Morning, but perhaps she was not the only one."

At least that much was good news. The spying and infiltration would finally stop.

"Now shush!" Celestia said with finality. "Let's go!"

Gregory glanced at the barmaid again and prodded Blossom in her barrel. "Sweetie, let me up please."

The young mare slid from his lap with a small sigh of regret and Fluttershy came forward to put a hoof around her. That solved, Greg pushed himself upright and took a few steps to the bar.

"Thank you again for the room and board. Princess, would you mind paying my bill? I seem to have lost my wallet somewhere..."

Celestia rolled her eyes, but she nodded. "I will have the Castle staff send you the bits. Apple, correct?"

"Yes, P-Princess!" the mare stuttered. "There's no need, Princess. Anything for you and, um, Mr. Gregory!"

"Nevertheless," Celestia countered, "services rendered should be paid for. It is only fair."

The barmaid pony didn't have a reply to this, so she just bowed again. "As you s-say, Princess."

That seemed to settle it and Greg waved his goodbye. "Thanks again. I'll be sure to visit!"

He didn't wait for a reply, but rather made his way outside. Seeing Celestia - the real one - had given him new energy and he found himself able to walk with only an occasional twinge or ache in his legs. Fluttershy held the door open for him, which was a nice gesture, and the sight in the courtyard was a most beautiful one. Normally the man didn't like Celestia's airborne carriages, but now it was a welcome sight. He didn't even care about flying, as long as it would take him back to Canterlot.

"What about Luna and the guards?"

Celestia looked off into the distance, then shrugged. "She will handle herself. She is not called the 'warrior princess' in vain, Gregory. My one priority is getting you safe."

Celestia was probably right. Luna was an alicorn and she had guards with her. The house only had Spring Morning and a few of her goons, and perhaps not even that. One changeling wouldn't stand a chance, not after the stories Greg had heard about their invasion of Canterlot some years prior to his meeting Celestia.

"Okay. Let's get this over with, then."

Here was another proof that it was the real Celestia. She didn't try to keep him in this place but wanted him in Canterlot as soon as possible. Greg didn't need any more proof, but there it was. He strapped himself into the seat and helped Blossom with her buckle as well. Celestia and Fluttershy didn't need the belts, since they could both fly. He gripped the edges of his seat even before the carriage began to move, but when he felt a warm muzzle press against his ear he let go with one hand so he could pat Celestia's nose.

"It's good to see you again, Celly."

"You too, Greg!"

His nickname for the Princess made Blossom giggle and even Fluttershy smiled, even though she tried to hide it.

He gave Celestia a quick kiss on the muzzle, then let her go so he could hold on with both hands as the carriage lurched.

For once, Greg thought, flying wouldn't be so bad. It was taking him home.

Chapter 30: More Reunions

NSFW SECTION STARTS -

Celestia pulled out of the kiss with a small gasp as she urgently sucked down lungfuls of live-giving air. Breathing through her nose simply wasn't enough, not after that exertion. Underneath her, on the Royal Bed in her chambers in Canterlot Castle, Gregory was also panting. She'd insisted he leave everything to her, but it seemed the man couldn't stop himself from bucking up in the throes of passion.

A drop of her sweat fell from her muzzle to his chest where she watched it mingle with his own and slide down, to be lost between their bodies which were still pressed tightly together.

"I missed this, you don't know how much I missed this!"

"I know. Me too," she answered, smiling. "Sorry I- jumped you the moment we were back. You still need to rest, the potion-"

Greg shut her up with a hand on her muzzle. "Is out of my system. It's just muscle fatigue from my escape, Celly. Relax, I'm fine." She closed her eyes as his thumb stroked her cheek. "Besides, you did most of the work."

It was true and Celestia gave a slight nod. She leaned down and licked a bead of sweat from his face, grimacing only a little at the raspiness of his stubble. "You need to shave."

"I know, you said," Greg replied with a chuckle. "Is it really that bad? How about... well, before me, with stallions. You didn't mind they were furry?"

She was forced to agree - how hairy her lovers were had never been an issue, until now. Celestia shrugged with her wings and grinned a little. "Let us just say you opened my mind to wonders of hairless flank, Gregory." She paused in case Greg wanted to make a joke out of that, but since the man wasn't saying anything, she went on with a sultry smile. "I hope I have also shown you the joys of pony flanks?" she prompted.

"Y-Yeah. You did at that," Greg confirmed, but he was staring up at the ceiling, his mind apparently a million miles away. A very unwelcome thought occurred to Celestia and she lowered her ears.

"You did not- I will not be mad if you did. The changeling looked like me, I mean. Of course I could not hold it against you, Gregory. B-But... did you?"

He blinked as he worked on that mess of a sentence and Celestia considered rephrasing it, but then his face split into a grin and he shook his head. "No, of course not. She - it - wasn't nearly as... eager as you."

It was good news and the Princess sagged with relief. The thought of having shared Gregory with a changeling was an abhorrent one. Even so-

"It was probably just after your love. That is what they feed on and lust is only a replacement when they cannot get love. From what you feel for me it is no wonder Spring Morning was taking it easy. Too much could have hurt her. It."

"Let's settle on 'her'. Until we know if there really is a Spring Morning, we say that's the changeling's original identity. Or the first one, or whatever."

Celestia inclined her head in a nod. "Very well. Luna is probably back by now, should we go and see if she captured them?"

Greg's hands went to her head and gently pulled her down. Celestia didn't resist and gladly accepted the kiss. There was no tongue-wrestling this time, just a sign of closeness and love. She enjoyed it nevertheless and it caused a slight stir in her nethers.

"Y-You know... you are still... inside," she prompted in a voice which was too squeaky by half. The lack of control made her blush and fold her ears down, but Gregory didn't think less of her. He was just smiling back.

"I know," he said. "Wanna keep going?"

"You are sure you can? It has been twice already. Maybe you should rest-"

Greg bucked his hips and the motion made her gasp. A fresh spurt of their combined fluids leaked out. The blankets were undoubtedly done for and after this time the mattress would probably be ruined as well. Celestia didn't care. The Castle had another mattress. More mattresses could be arranged.

"Still!" she ordered with a hiss, "I will do it. You need rest."

Gregory rolled his eyes, but he slumped back down. She could feel his legs shift. It seemed despite her command, he could not make his body lay still during lovemaking. She felt a momentary pang of sympathy - his muscles would probably ache for days! Well, it wasn't as if she hadn't warned him. All he had to do was say 'no' when she asked him that first time. She would have restrained herself, honestly she would have! Gregory had said 'yes' and that was that. Besides, she was doing most of the work. Even as she plunged back down to give him as passionate a kiss as she could muster before the need for air overwhelmed her again, Celestia lifted her rump and ground it against Greg again.

Incredibly, he was still as hard as wood. Maybe she should arrange for them to be apart for a week or two on purpose sometimes, she thought, especially if the sex afterwards would be like this.

She slammed down on Greg again, making him moan a little in her mouth. She was sucking down air through her nose, but it wouldn't be enough. She needed to pant, so she broke off the kiss.

"Damn, I love you so much!"

It warmed her heart and laid the last few worries to rest. Spring Morning had been careful enough not to drain Gregory completely dry of love. Silver lining, that. She paused up in the air, letting a wink send shudders through her body. A squirt of fluid followed, splashing hot against her hind leg.

A shower. She would need to shower thoroughly after this.

Celestia shook her head and focused on the task at hoof. The stray thought faded away, dissolved in unthinking pleasure.

NSFW SECTION ENDS -

If he walked slowly enough, Gregory could move around. It really was just a matter of letting his muscles stretch and warm up. Besides, staying in bed like Celestia had ordered was boring and Equestria still didn't have TV. A short walk to the Princesses' private dining room and a meal would do him more good than lying on his back, he'd decided. The shower with its abundance of hot water had already helped immensely. Of course that meant a honor guard of the castle guards, but after Spring Morning's bold abduction he didn't mind them as much.

"Good to have you back, sir," Glory Tail commented from his side. The stallion was smiling in relief, but his eyes were a bit too round.

"I said it before, Tail," Gregory said with a touch of exasperation in his voice, "I don't hold any guards responsible. Spring Morning just outsmarted everyone, me included!"

He hit the nail on the head and Glory Tail's grimace proved it. "Well, we knew there were spies in the guards, sir. There really is no excuse-"

"Just drop it. I'm fine and if I know Princess Luna, she'll have Spring Morning tied up and being dragged back as we speak."

"Actually, sir," another of the guards added from behind, "Princess Luna has returned half an hour ago."

Gregory twirled around and immediately regretted it. His legs were fine if he took things slow, but sudden moves still sent pings up and down his calves. Luckily he managed to retain his balance this time.

"She's back? Oh yeah, Celestia did say. Did she catch Spring Morning?"

The earth pony - Longstride, Gregory remembered his name - gave a nod, smiling grimly. "She had a changeling with her, but it was unconscious. I don't know if it was Spring Morning, but who else could it be?"

"Good!" Gregory said grimly.

That... thing belonged in a prison cell. Besides, with Spring Morning and Silvermane both apprehended, their human and pony trafficking ring should collapse. The fact that it hadn't yet was a bit disconcerting, but surely now?

Some of the other guards had grim smiles at the news, Greg saw, but no one else commented on the situation. They were paying close attention to their surroundings, as if expecting an attack at any moment.

"F-For what it's worth, sir," Glory Tail continued, glancing away and pawing at the carpet with a hoof, "we were getting a little worried about the Princess when you were gone. I'm glad you're okay."

"Worried?" Gregory remembered how haggard Celestia had seemed at the inn. He hadn't realized it at the time, but now it hit him: Celestia was immortal. If he'd seen lines around her eyes and muzzle, they could only have come from extreme worry. "Oh," was all he could say.

Glory Tail gave a slight nod and turned back to face the man. "Yeah. She- um- really seems to like you, sir."

"For the hundredth time, just call me Gregory, okay? Or Greg."

The stallion firmly shook his head. "Not while I'm on duty, sir. Protocol."

"Fine, but you're playing a game of pool with me after, deal?"

The guard allowed himself a small smile at the offer. "Deal."

With that Greg turned back the way they were going, carefully this time, and resumed his slow walk. It was a relief to know that Luna had captured his... well captors. Otherwise he would probably keep looking over his shoulder, wondering if any pony he met was the changeling in disguise. He slowly began to understand Celestia's reaction back at his house when she first figured out that Glowbug was a changeling. They could be both worrying and frightening if you knew them like this. It also went to show just how much Earth had mellowed Glowbug out.

The guards kept their silence for the rest of the way, leaving Gregory to his thoughts until they came to the familiar door. He reached for the handle, but Glory Tail blocked the way with his body. "Just a moment, sir. I have to check the room."

Sighing, Greg stepped back and allowed the guard pony to enter first. There was a chorus of familiar voices raised in greeting and the stallion visibly relaxed.

"All clear, sir," he announced and backed out of the room. "We'll station out here, yell if you need anything."

"Thanks," Greg said dryly and entered the room.

Blossom was there, which made sense because it was lunch time, but there was also Star Bright, whom Gregory wasn't expecting. He was standing on a stool by the stove and making pancakes. That made sense after a moment - the furniture in that room was Princess-sized, so the unicorn wouldn't be able to see well enough on the stove.

Blossom was already seated at the table, eagerly awaiting her sweets. She lit up when she saw who it was. "G'egory!!"

Gregory hurried around the table and scratched her ears before the mare thought of jumping up on him once again. "Having a bit of lunch, you two?"

"Mhm!" Blossom said, nodding with palpable enthusiasm for the meal. She looked at Star Bright, who seemed a bit embarrassed.

The stallion cleared his throat. "The, um, P-Princess said it was alright and- and I can make a passable pancake-"

"Pancakes!" Blossom interjected, making the nervous stallion smile.

"I can make some for you too, Greg."

He was about to politely decline and make himself a simple sandwich or some oatmeal, but Greg changed his mind. The sugar would do him good, probably, and help him flush the remaining lactic acid out of his muscles.

"Actually, that sounds delicious."

Star Bright smiled and turned back to the stove. "Coming right up!"

Sitting down, Greg looked from the mare to the stallion. Blossom was watching Star Bright closely, but it wasn't all just an expectation of sweets. Her small smile seemed genuinely happy for the unicorn's company. A unicorn. It was still difficult to believe that just a few weeks ago the mare had been scared for her life when she saw one of 'the horns', as she used to call them. It went to show how far a bit of kindness could go.

"So, what'd I miss while I was gone?"

The young mare shifted her gaze from her boyfriend - at least that's what Gregory assumed - to him. "Star and me went on a date the other day!" she exclaimed, confirming the suspicion.

"Oh? That sounds lovely. Where did you go?"

The grin widened. "Muffin place!"

It made perfect sense, especially for anyone attempting to court Blossom, but Gregory still laughed with a mixture of relief that she was doing better and joy at her infectious enthusiasm. Amazing how positive she was, especially considering her past. Ponies, Greg decided, really were a resilient lot.

"Well, you should be careful with the sugar, Bright. Or else you'll have to roll her around to get her places before long."

Blossom just poked her tongue out at him, but the stallion actually chuckled. "Don't worry, I got it all in hoof. We discussed this and Blossom will only have sweets for one meal of the day. It's salads for the other two, right?"

Her expression soured a bit and the young mare looked sullenly down at her hooves. "Yes," she finally replied in a small voice.

"Really?!" Greg asked, quite incredulous. "Blossom and 'salad' in the same sentence? I never thought I'd see the day..."

He couldn't keep a straight face and ended up chuckling, while the mare in question smacked his forearm with a hoof. "Quit it!" she whined. "You're being mean."

As a conciliatory gesture, Greg put his hand back in her mane and gave her ears a couple of good scritches. Blossom quickly forgave the joke and leaned into his touch, eyes closing.

"First batch is done," Star Bright announced. "You can each have half and then I'll make some more."

"It's fine, I can wait," Gregory reassured him.

This earned him a grateful smile and a lick of his palm from Blossom, but she soon found all her attention occupied by the stallion who was levitating a plate in front of her. He also floated a jar of jam from the overhead cupboard. Greg froze when he recognized the label. Blueberry and Lavender. He opened his mouth to warn the young mare, but she was licking her lips and staring at the jar. It was probably her favorite and Greg didn't have the heart to spoil it for her. Besides, where was the harm?

Still, he pointed a finger at the cupboard before Star Bright could close it.

"Strawberry for me, please."

Another jam floated down. This one was probably safe. Luna didn't particularly care for strawberries, them being 'far too bright red', as she put it. While he waited for the unicorn to make more pancakes, Greg looked out the window where a patch of sky and a couple of clouds were visible from his seat. Celestia said she would attend court today, feeling reinvigorated and happy by their reunion and because Princess Luna was busy with capturing and imprisoning Spring Morning. He didn't want to distract her, so Greg decided to take Star Bright and Blossom out to the gardens for a short walk. The sun was starting to get really warm, but a short outing should be fine, especially after being trapped in a bed these past few weeks.

After that, the man shrugged a little to himself, deep in thought, perhaps he would look for Princess Luna and ask how the capture had gone. He wondered if Spring Morning had been awake enough to put up a fight after he'd dosed her with the potion. Tomorrow, he decided, he'd stroll down to his office and pick up where he'd left off. No sense in lazing around when there was actual, useful work to be done. Not like it was strenuous work, either.

He glanced over at Blossom, thinking that some of her friends were still caught, maybe still forced to work. Hopefully Celestia would soon get to the bottom of it, especially with Spring Morning to question.

"You've got a little something..." he pointed out.

Blossom froze and her eyes crossed as she tried to see her own nose. Grinning, Greg brushed the speck of jam off with his finger. He looked around for a napkin to wipe it, but the mare would have none of that and simply licked the digit clean. "Thanks!" she chirped and went back to inhaling her pancake.

Star Bright, who had looked over at the sound of Greg's voice, smiled to himself and pointed an accusing hoof. "The next one is for Gregory, you hear? It's not his fault you eat these so fast!"

Blossom paused just long enough for a pout and to say: "But they're just sooo good!"

"Not my problem!" Bright said and turned back. He didn't see how Blossom had stuck her tongue out at him, but a twitch of his ears told Gregory he knew. They'd make for a very cute and interesting couple, if their relationship lasted. Hopefully it would be based on more than sweets, though.

As the sound of frying filled the air once more, Greg went back to staring out the window as he waited for his turn. The important thing was that he was back home.

Gregory was staring at the last morsel on his plate and wondering whether to eat it or just let Blossom take it. She had been giving it hungry looks and inching her chair closer to Greg's for the past few minutes, but hadn't said anything yet. Even Star Bright seemed a little uncomfortable in his hide, leaning back on the chair with both forehooves on his belly. Before Greg could reach his decision there came a soft knock on the door and one of the guards outside put his head in.

"Mr. Bright? There's a messenger for you. She says it's urgent."

This was unusual, but the unicorn was obviously expecting it, because he was off his chair in an instant. "Thanks, I'll be right out!" he said.

Blossom blinked at him in confusion, but then she forgot about it and looked very pointedly at the last bit of Greg's pancake. He chuckled helplessly at her expression.

"Yeah, you can have it."

It was gone almost before he had finished speaking. As she chewed Blossom glanced at the door as it closed behind Star Bright, then smiled at Greg. "I mi-missed you, Greg," she admitted.

"Well, I'm back now."

In lieu of an answer Blossom simply threw her hooves around him and squeezed. "We were so worried when you went missing! The Princess..."

"Mm?"

The young mare pushed herself away and her ears lowered at the memory. "S-She was... kinda shouty."

"Shouty?" Greg repeated, not quite able to imagine it.

"Yeah," Blossom nodded. She glared at the far wall and banged a hoof on the table. "What do you mean 'nowhere to be found'?! Search Silvermane's house again!" She had tried making her voice deeper to imitate Celestia, but it didn't quite work. What it did was make Greg chuckle some more and he put a hand on Blossom's mane.

"I see."

Blossom shrugged a little, then turned away and simply fell backward in the sure knowledge that Greg would catch her in his lap. He did so and Blossom wiggled a little to make herself more comfortable.

"So, you're doing a lot better, I see."

"Mhm! There's a ton of stuff I don't know how to do, but Brightey's been teaching me. Um, he's teaching me how to read and write." That last was imparted in a near whisper, like it was some big secret.

Greg patted the mare on her barrel. "That's good. I'm proud of you."

"Also, um- he asked if I wanna be his fillyfriend."

"What did you say?"

Suddenly this was getting into awkward territory and Greg stiffened a little. He wondered if it was appropriate to discuss Star Bright and Blossom's relationship with her when the stallion was just outside the door.

Blossom lowered her ears and leaned her head back until she was looking Greg in the face, albeit upside down. "Um, I don't know what that means."

"He didn't explain?" Greg asked, shocked.

"Nuh-uh. He just got all blushy and stammery when he said it."

"Well, it's kinda hard to explain, actually. It's when two people like each other very much."

This cheered the mare up and she smiled. "I like Star Bright very much!"

"Yeah, that's a part of it. Do you know what love is?"

Blossom blinked, then her smile widened. "Yeah! It's when a colt puts his- mmmphm!"

Gregory had been expecting that and quickly covered her mouth with a hand. He sighed and closed his eyes. "That's a part of it, but not the most important part. That's called 'physical love', Blossom, but what I meant is emotional love."

The young mare shrugged and Greg removed his hand. "I dunno what that is," Blossom said sadly, frowning at her own ignorance.

It was a difficult concept to explain to someone like Blossom, especially for Gregory who was already blushing heavily, but he tried anyway. "It's when you like someone and want to spend a lot of time with them. You're willing to sacrifice for them and put their needs before yours."

Blossom's expression softened and a gentle smile replaced the frown, reminding Greg that she wasn't really a child. Maybe that made it a little easier to talk to her about this stuff.

"Anyway, since you're learning to read, have Star Bright teach you with a romantic novel or something. Maybe that'll help. Or you could write a letter to Princess Cadence - she ought to be good at this sort of thing."

"Okay," Blossom agreed readily.

Star Bright came back at that moment, pausing and blinking a few times at the scene. Blossom was only half-sitting on her chair and mostly leaning against Greg, who was holding her in place with both hands on her barrel. Her forelegs were folded up close to her, but her hind legs were outstretched and kicked every now and then.

The stallion closed the door behind him and took a few more steps back to the table. "So, what did I miss?" he asked.

Before Greg could answer Blossom shot upright and blurted out: "Brightey, do you love me?!"

The poor colt actually took a step back and his ears went entirely flat. He glanced fearfully at Greg, but he just gave him an encouraging smile.

"Um... y-yess? I t-think so?" he answered. It sounded more like a question than a statement, but it was enough for Blossom.

She squeed and ran around the table to hug Star Bright. "I think I love you too! Greg has explained it to me!"

"Oh?" the stallion asked, hesitantly putting his own hooves around the mare but keeping his eyes on Greg.

"There's a lot more to it, Blossom. Just- don't rush things and you'll be fine."

That last sentiment was more for Bright's sake than Blossom's and the stallion nodded knowingly. "Thanks," he said and closed his eyes as his would-be fillyfriend nuzzled him.

"No, silly," Blossom said with a giggle. "Thank you for pancakes! They were delicious!"

Both Star Bright and Gregory laughed at that. Greg stood up, hissing a little at the pangs in his thighs after sitting still for this long. He had to grip the table to steady himself.

The ponies looked over, two muzzled faces filled with concern. "Um, you okay?" Star Bright beat Blossom to the question.

"Fine, fine," Greg reassured them both. "Just ran too much... yesterday." It really had been only the previous day, Greg thought with wonder. So much had happened in such a short time. "I'll be fine after I stretch my legs a little. You two wanna come with me on a walk in the gardens?"

Star Bright glanced at Blossom and smiled. "Actually, that sounds really nice," he said and the mare clapped her hooves together in joy.

Greg was about to leave, but the stallion called after him: "I'll catch up. I have to wash up here."

There were their dishes and the pan, which the unicorn had left on the stove to cool down.

"You sure? We could help."

"Nah, it's fine," Star Bright reassured him with a smile as he nudged the mare towards the man. "You two go on ahead, I'll catch up."

Shrugging a little, Greg held the door open for Blossom. His guards were still waiting outside, reminding him that there was still danger until they found all of Silvermane's accomplices. He decided to put that problem out of his mind. No reason he couldn't enjoy a walk with his friends despite it. For that matter, he considered all the guards his friends too, so it was like a group walk.

"Ladies first," he said as Blossom walked past him.

The expression made the mare giggle some more. Pretty excitable and entirely too hyperactive for his taste, but seeing her happy did him good.

Gregory was glad to be back.

It was nice to sit in the sun without any immediate worries, Gregory thought. He sat the wrong way on the stone bench and leaned on the table with his elbows and his back. It wasn't the most comfortable position, but it was the best he could do at lounging without a lawn chair or something. He'd have to order a couple, he thought to himself, not for the first time. Then again, it wasn't enough of a priority for him to remember afterwards. A short distance away, Blossom and Star Bright were sitting right on the grass, apparently completely engrossed in one another. They were talking about something, but Gregory couldn't guess what it was, except that it seemed funny to the mare, who giggled loudly every now and then.

They seemed to be enjoying their conversation, which was the important part. Gregory couldn't help smiling when he saw Blossom happy. If anyone deserved it, she did. He was about to close his eyes again when the mare darted forward and pressed her muzzle against Star Bright's. Greg stared, even while feeling a bit guilty about doing so.

Even Star Bright seemed frozen in shock. The unicorn obviously hadn't been expecting it.

Greg was starting to blush himself, but then he saw a flash of pink tongue and realized it wasn't quite a kiss. Instead, Blossom was licking Star Bright's muzzle.

Probably for the remnants of sugar or syrup, Greg guessed. It made him chuckle. Star Bright's ear turned in his direction and the colt blushed a vivid red. He'd heard it and realized the man was watching, but he didn't push the mare away. Good for him, Greg thought to himself and closed his eyes to enjoy the sun some more. He couldn't help hearing Blossom giggle again, though. Probably she was amused by her coltfriend's embarrassment. They went back to talking softly and Greg put the pair out of his mind. The warmth was doing wonders for his aching muscles and he was in real danger of dozing off.

Some indefinable time later, he became aware of several sets of hoofsteps approaching and opened his eyes to look.

"Storm Pop?!"

The pegasus waved with a wing, smiling widely. "Greg! Good to see you're well!"

"How did you find out so fast?!"

His incredulity made the old pegasus laugh and he stepped aside to reveal a pristine white pegasus mare walking behind him.

"Aura?"

She rushed forward and jumped on the bench where she could throw her hooves around the man. "We were so worried, Greg! I'm glad you're okay!"

"Um, thanks. But still, I only got back a few hours ago, how did you find out this fast?"

Aura chuckled to herself and pointed a hoof. Greg almost didn't recognize the colt without his armor, but when he did pieces fell in place.

"Snow Cover?"

The guard saluted, even though he was off duty. "Sorry, sir. We were all so happy you were back, I c-couldn't keep it to myself. Sorry."

Snow Cover glanced at Aura and his nervous grin steadied. It didn't take a huge leap of logic to figure out what was going on.

"So, you and Aura..." Greg asked, just to confirm what he already thought he knew.

"Yup. The young private came back the next day after your visit, Greg," Storm Pop explained with a happy smile. "They seemed to have hit it off."

Both named ponies blushed a little, but Aura quickly got over any embarrassment she might have felt and prodded Greg with a hoof. "So, wanna tell me what happened?" she asked. "All I heard is that you were foalnapped!"

"Actually, I'd rather not talk about it now."

The mare was slightly disappointed, but she shrugged to herself and let it go. "Well, come by when you have a moment and I'll make you a cake, okay? You can bring Blossom, too!"

The younger mare was staring in their direction and brightened up when she heard her name in the same sentence, or nearly, with the word 'cake'. She looked at Greg with one of the most pleading, splayed-ears, big-shiny-eyes, sad-pony expressions he'd ever seen. If she entered that in a competition it'd take first place.

"Oh, fine, fine. How can I say no to that?"

"Yay!" Blossom squeaked in pure, unadulterated joy, and rushed over. She landed on the bench on the opposite side from Aura and put her hooves around Greg as well. "Thank you! I love cake!"

All of them laughed at that and Aura was the first to answer: "Yes, sweetie. We noticed."

The statement made Blossom avert her eyes and lower her ears, but it only lasted a moment before she went back to nuzzling Gregory. He didn't fight it, but he caught Star Bright gazing at them with a fixed, almost forced smile.

"Sweetheart? I don't think you should be doing this. Your coltfriend is getting jealous."

Blossom pulled away, even as Aura gasped and looked around. "Coltfriend?" she exclaimed and quickly found the unicorn.

Star Bright was in the middle of protesting, with both forelegs held protectively up before his face. "I wasn't- It's not-" he began, but drew a deep breath before finding his words. "I'm not jealous."

"It's fine to be a little jealous," Aura pointed out. "Your fillyfriend is an absolute cutie! You're lucky I'm not into mares, or I'd be stealing her right now!"

Greg glanced to see what Blossom felt about all this, but she just seemed happy to have her friends together and talking. To her credit, though, the young mare had slipped off the bench and went back to Star Bright. She gave him a quick nuzzle, then tugged at his hoof with both of hers, leading him back to the group. "Um, this is Aura," Blossom explained. "She makes the best cake ever!"

"It'd be easy, too," Aura continued her thought. "Just offer some of my cake, that's all it would take!" It made Star Bright blush some more, but he tried his hardest to hide it.

Gregory couldn't help laughing at their antics. "Don't worry, Bright," he reassured the stallion. "No one is stealing Blossom away from you."

His assurances helped and the unicorn began smiling in earnest then. He studied Aura closely, then went on to look at her uncle. He remembered his manners and offered a hoof. "Um, Star Bright. Nice to meet you."

The older pegasus accepted. "Likewise. My name's Storm Pop and any friend of Greg's is a friend of mine!"

With that, all introductions were made and everyone knew each other. Greg went back to leaning back against the table and soaking up the sun. He saw Snow Cover whisper something to Storm Pop and walk away to rejoin his fellow guards for a murmured conversation. Meanwhile Aura and Blossom got into a discussion of cake-making, unsurprisingly, which left Star Bright and Storm Pop as the only ponies left out.

The unicorn looked at the older pegasus and tried to find something to talk about. "So, um, how do you know Greg?"

It would be a long story and Gregory tuned it out, opting instead to relax as much as possible. The only thing which would have made the moment better would be if Celestia was there with him. Greg felt a pang of sympathy for the poor mare who was caught in court. After what they'd been through, she probably missed him a lot.

That decided it and Greg pushed away from the table. The ponies around him fell silent and looked at him.

"I think I'll go and keep the Princess company. You'll be fine on your own here, right?"

Storm Pop was the first to answer and he waved a dismissive hoof. "Don't worry about us, Greg. Actually, I think I'll go have a word with the private over there. He needs to learn to leave work aside when he's on leave!"

He was right, Greg saw. Private Snow Cover had a far too serious expression as he listened to whatever the sergeant was telling him.

"Good idea," Greg agreed.

"Um, can I go with Aura?" Blossom asked. "I wanna learn how to make cake."

The pegasus mare was nodding happily. "What'd you say, Greg? I promise to have her back by sunset and you can come over tomorrow to try what we baked. How's that sound?"

Gregory was a bit uncertain about the prospect, but with most of the bad guys already caught, surely it was safe enough? "You know a couple of guards will have to go with you, right? The Princess won't let Blossom leave the Castle without escort."

Star Bright stood up and puffed out his chest. "I'll go. And there's Snow Cover. We won't let anything happen to Blossom, I swear."

That sounded okay, but Greg still pointed at the nearby guards. "Okay, but clear it up with Bright Beam anyway. He ought to know if Blossom is going out of the Castle."

"Sure!" Blossom said, taking the initiative. She hurried over to where Snow Cover was still deep in discussion, oblivious of what was being planned. Aura followed shortly after her.

With a grateful smile at Greg, Star Bright also hurried to join them, leaving the man alone with Storm Pop.

"Anyway, good to see you back Greg. Now you be careful something like that doesn't happen again, okay?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Anyway, see you tomorrow, I guess?"

"Yeah, I'll visit."

The old pony held out his hoof for Greg to shake, then went to gather all his impromptu visitors and lead them away. Greg watched them talk briefly, then the group peeled away and headed to the exit from the Castle gardens. It seemed like Star Bright's proposal had been accepted, because no other guards followed them.

Then Gregory stood up, stretching his legs carefully until the ache mostly went away. The guards came closer and the sergeant asked: "Where to, sir?"

"The throne room, I think."

The ponies formed up around him and Greg followed them back in the Castle.

Chapter 32: Raid

There really was no rest for the modern Princess on the go. Sometimes Luna missed the moon with its quiet serenity. A mare could really reflect on things up there. She had barely stepped out of the dining room, pleasantly full of waffles and maple syrup, and there was already a guard running right at her down the corridor.

"Princess!" he began even before the dust had settled. "Specialist Silent Spell sent me! You must-"

She merely had to hold up a hoof for the colt to fall silent. He blinked in confusion while she looked into the distance with a contemplative expression on her muzzle. The pressure in her belly rose up and she released it with a small burp. That made it infinitely easier to walk.

Sister had been a little overbearing with breakfast, but seeing her joy at getting the human Gregory back, Luna couldn't begrudge her. The food had been delicious, too. "Excuse me. Go on."

The side benefit of all that was that the guard had slowed down and explained himself much more intelligibly. "Um, Silent Spell wishes to speak with you in the smaller conference room, Princess."

Luna inclined her head in a silent thank you and headed that way. The messenger followed, but none of the other guards did. She'd made it clear to them on multiple occasions that she didn't require protection in her own castle. If Fire Fly didn't like that arrangement, he was free to complain to her sister.

"What else did Silent Spell say?"

The guard, a pegasus colt by the name of Comet Roll, paused to salute. "She found the house, Princess! The Captain has already been summoned, we are only waiting on you."

It was sooner than Luna had hoped and her pace, as well as her heartbeat, quickened.

"So Spring Morning's information was good?"

"Apparently yes, Princess!"

The changeling had been tough to crack initially, but a little pressure applied at the right spot got her to spill some very interesting details about Silvermane's activities in Canterlot. To think that he had kept his operation hidden for so long, right under their noses...

Luna became aware she was baring her teeth in anger and forced herself to stop. The pompous ass was in prison and his wife and colt were being kept in one of his estate houses - the one near Ponyville, Luna remembered. The most irksome part, the mare thought, was that Silvermane was not even the leader of their little gang. So far her questions had failed to yield any concrete clues as to who it really was. All Luna knew was that Silvermane was deathly afraid of whomever he called 'boss'. That pointed to either a dragon, a griffin or more changelings. There was no way a unicorn would be that terrified of another pony.

With luck-

"The house is being watched, right?!" she snapped, sudden fear chilling her to the bone. "They will not sneak away from under our noses!"

This made the poor colt gulp in fear and he nodded hurriedly. "Y-Yes, Princess! Silent Spell ordered Corporal Silverwing to keep an eye on the house until we get there!"

"Good. Silverwing is reliable."

They arrived at the conference room and Luna walked in without a pause. Silent Spell was peering closely at a map of Canterlot, while Captain Fire Fly looked on from the chair opposite. They both glanced up and the mare smiled.

"There you are," she said to Luna. "We must move quickly. No doubt word of Spring Morning's capture will have gotten out."

"Naturally. Where? How do we approach this?"

If it were up to her, Luna would have stormed to the place in her full alicorn might and smashed the house to pieces. The guards could arrest whatever they found among the rubble. Instead, the Princess looked at the map, where Silent Spell had circled a specific building. She imagined how the city looked from above and fixed the position in her mind. It wasn't one of the richest residences, and not one of Silvermane's properties, but it was still quite a large manor. Who knew what sort of bad guys might be hiding in it? In fact, her wings itched to go, but the Princess made herself wait. It was a different time and Celestia wouldn't thank her for starting a panic among her ponies in Canterlot. She certainly wouldn't enjoy having innocent bystanders hurt in the process.

"The squad should be assembled in the courtyard by now, Princess," Fire Fly said, saluting. "I will accompany this mission personally and-"

"I will go as well!"

For an instant it looked as if Fire Fly would try and argue, but one look at her expression made the poor colt swallow before saluting again. "Of course, P-Princess!"

"I will take Forward Point and Comet Roll. We will go down in the sewers and ward off the exits from the manor," Silent Spell said.

"You believe they will try to flee through the sewers?" Luna asked, aghast.

"Sure! I would, if I saw you and the guards at the front door. No way they can out-fly or out-teleport you, so sneaking out will be their only option."

Luna nodded at that and rustled her wings. "We do not tell Sister about this until it is done. She would only slow us all down with procedure."

This command made Fire Fly uneasy, but he took another look at Luna's face and nodded. "As you wish, Princess," the Captain said.

"Do not hold back. This is an order for you and all your guards, Captain. Protecting the lives of innocents is our top priority, but if some of them get bruised in this capture I will consider it a good trade!"

Fire Fly's eyes seemed a tad too wide for his station, Luna thought, but she didn't comment upon it. At least Silent Spell understood and the mare was nodding approvingly.

"Good," she proclaimed, even if the Captain hadn't explicitly agreed. "Let's move!"

Their course of action decided, Luna pushed the door out of the conference room open with a burst of magic and ran outside. She was dimly aware of Fire Fly and Silent Spell galloping after her, but her blood began to tingle with excitement and a grim smile appeared on her muzzle. This! Action! Battle! These were the moments when a mare felt truly alive! Whoever Silvermane's boss was, they wouldn't know what hit them!

As she ran out of the castle door, the Princess spread her wings and took off. She'd have to wait for the Captain and his squad to get there through the streets, but she could fly circles around the city and keep an eye on anypony trying to escape on wing.

The door splintered before her and Luna rushed into the house. She heard more crashes from around the back, where Fire Fly had also begun his advance. She glanced around the antechamber, but it was both unremarkable and empty. The only place anypony could be hiding was in the big wardrobe against the far wall, so the Princess yanked its doors open to check. Nothing. She hurried onward and stopped at the foot of the grand staircase. She pointed a hoof at her retinue.

"Corporal, search the top floor, yell if you find anything! You-" she pointed out another pony, "stand guard at this entrance. Do not let anypony out."

They both saluted and the squad ran upstairs. It left her alone, but Luna didn't mind in the slightest. An alicorn was a match for any five ponies, even if there were changelings among them. She heard Fire Fly's barked orders from somewhere up ahead and nodded grimly. Anypony hiding in those rooms would be in for a nasty surprise. She picked the door to her left and her horn glowed briefly. The wood slammed against the wall and Luna leapt into the room. It looked like a sitting room which also served as a library. No closets or wardrobes and the only table in the room was made of glass, so nopony could be hiding under it. The Princess gave the room a quick inspection, noting another door in the far wall. She ran to it, blasting it to bits even as she approached. Some noise and destruction might unnerve whomever was hiding enough to make them bolt. Then she'd have them. Even if they got out on wing, Corporal Silverwing was still floating above the house, keeping an eye for any escapees.

The next room was a small office, or maybe a workshop. There was a table in the middle with several open books on it and a set of fine tools. Luna didn't take the time to identify what they were doing here. She ducked her head down to check under the table, then glanced around for more hiding spots. There was a thick curtain pulled across a window alcove and she lit up her horn to yank it away.

Nothing.

Mouth pressed together in a thin line, she hurried back out to the main hallway, where she ran into the captain. "Fire Fly. Report!"

He inclined his head, eschewing a full bow, and pointed. "There are kitchens in the back, but all deserted. The pots haven't been used recently and the fire isn't lit. Princess- we may be too late."

Luna stomped a hoof angrily and shook her head, nostrils flaring. "I refuse to accept that! Search it all again! Forward Point is searching the upstairs."

"What about the cellars?" one of the guards with Fire Fly pointed out.

"Good idea! Come with me. The rest of you are with the Captain."

The guard, Snow Cover, gave a nod and fell in step behind the Princess as she hurried back to the staircase. It stood to reason that the way down would be near the way up. It only took her a few seconds to spot the small wooden hatch in the floor. A burst of magic flung it up so hard that it smashed against the ceiling.

The guardspony didn't even flinch at the noise, Luna was pleased to see. He was about to jump into the darkness, but she put a hoof in his way. "Light," she said simply and her horn sprang to life.

A glowing ball of white fire appeared and she sent it down into the darkness. It revealed a narrow stone stairway. Snow Cover began walking down, shoulders hunched and tail flicking. He was expecting an ambush at every step. Luna followed close behind, sending her light to scout ahead. Soon they reached the end of the stairs and the young guard swore under his breath. The Princess hurried after him to see and a small groan escaped her as well.

"Definitely changeling work," Snow Cover pointed out needlessly.

There were two slimy cocoons against the far wall. Other than that, there was nothing in the room at all. A lingering smell in the air told Luna that once it must have been full of root vegetables. She smelled potatoes and beets at the very least. She sent her light closer to the cocoons and followed it to get a better look. After a moment the guard joined her, armor clanking softly as he shuffled uncomfortably.

"That's- sweet Celestia!" he exclaimed when the light fell on a familiar muzzle.

"Hmm, so Spring Morning was an actual mare. I wonder how long she's been in there."

She moved the light to examine the other one and Snow Cover gasped again. "Sergeant Azure Wings!"

Luna was scowling as if the two unconscious ponies were keeping secrets from her. She looked down at the guard and barked an order: "Go find the Captain. Send a flier to the Castle and have him bring a doctor. I will free them, but they may need medical attention forthwith!"

As much as Snow Cover tried to hide it, the relief on his muzzle was palpable. He was glad to be sent away from this place and galloped back to the stairs. Luna remembered too late that there was no light for him to see, but the stallion hadn't asked for any. His hoofsteps faded into silence as he made his way up top.

Luna thought quickly. Ponies freed from changeling cocoons were disoriented and weak. They would also probably be frightened. Azure Wings might react better, thanks to her guard training, but Spring Morning was a wild card. They hadn't been able to find anything about the mare after she - or rather the changeling in her guise - had foalnapped Gregory.

The mare had appeared apparently out of nowhere, having been assigned to the Castle from a small guard garrison near Neighara. Her record had been entirely unremarkable, but when they'd tried looking for her parents, neither she nor Celestia had found anything. It could mean that Spring Morning was an orphan, but they'd decided that her entire identity was probably a changeling fabrication. In fact, there was a good chance that the mare's name wasn't even Spring Morning.

The Princess concentrated for a moment and her light split into four globes of pure white. It lit up the dark room until all the shadows were banished. She sent the orbs to the corners and fastened them there, so she didn't have to think about the magic anymore. True, they would dissipate in a matter of hours, but that would be plenty of time. Then she focused on the thick, green, gooey membrane of the cocoon itself. She pushed at it with a hoof, noting how it gave way before flowing back. The inside was filled with some kind of liquid.

She formed a blade out of her magic and chose the point where she plunged it into the goop. It immediately spurted out, some of it staining her hoof guard, but Luna didn't care. With a strong, brisk motion of her horn she made the impromptu dagger tear a long gash downward. The ooze spilled out and coated the floor. Some of it went on her legs, but again the Princess paid it absolutely no mind.

The mare in the cocoon began to slide and Luna abandoned her ephemeral dagger in order to grasp the falling figure with her magic. She lowered her gently to the floor, but she kept supporting the mare around the barrel to keep her upright.

"Wake up, Azure Wings. It's over."

The mare took a sudden breath, then began to cough. Some of the ooze, whatever it was, sprayed from her mouth as she cleared her throat of the stuff. Then she gulped down another big lungful of air and opened her eyes.

"W-Where? Wha-?"

Her eyes tried to focus on Luna and a small smile graced her muzzle. "Pri-Princess?"

Luna held the guard against her chest fluff, completely ignoring the goop she was smearing all over herself. "Yes. You are safe, my pony. Relax."

It seemed the guard had more to say. Her ears folded down and a spark of anger entered her eyes. "Got me... hallway. Shift- end. Changelings!"

"I know. I know, Azure Wings. We got them."

It wasn't completely true, or maybe it was. Perhaps Spring Morning, or whoever was in the prison was the only changeling attached to this operation. In either case, it wasn't something Luna wanted Azure Wings to worry about right now.

"Can you stand?"

The guardsmare put her hooves on the ground and lifted herself on shaky legs. Luna kept the magic supporting her, but Azure Wings took it as a point of pride to stay upright by herself. "H-How long?" she asked after another bout of coughing.

"I don't know exactly. More than a month, less than two."

The guardsmare nearly toppled over as she lifted up a hoof in salute. "P-Permission to come back on duty, Princess?"

It made Luna chuckle and pride warmed her heart. The castle guards really were the best of the best. "After the doctor has checked you out, Sergeant. Sit now and rest. There is one other we have to free."

Hopefully Spring Morning would take it at least half as well as Azure Wings had. Luna sighed and carefully withdrew her magical support from the guardsmare. She was sitting on her haunches by herself, which was very encouraging.

The Princess reformed the magical blade and plunged it into the other cocoon with a grim, slightly disgusted expression.

Chapter 33: Answers

Gregory carried a box with a whole chocolate cake in it, as they walked back to the Castle. Star Bright had the one with the fruit and cream combination cake. That left Blossom and the two guards, Glory Tail and Pepper Crush unencumbered. For the guardsponies it made sense, since they needed to be ready to react to any threats. Not that Gregory was expecting danger, but it just seemed like the proper thing to do. The mare, however, should have been the one carrying her own damn cake, except that Aura had taken Gregory aside and told him to help out. Apparently Blossom lacked the effortless balance most earth ponies seemed to possess. Any cake entrusted to her would likely end up as a splatter on the cobblestones.

On the other hand, Celestia would probably be happy with the gifts they were taking her, so it wasn't that much of a hassle. He glanced at Blossom, who was still chattering excitedly at Star Bright. She was so engrossed in whatever she was telling the poor colt that she hardly even watched the street and relied on Bright's occasional nuzzle to direct her down a particular street.

"Nearly there, sir," Glory Tail announced, mainly for something to say. Gregory could see perfectly well where they were.

"Good. When do you come off duty today?"

The guard pegasus glanced at his colleague, then cleared his throat. "Um, we were supposed to be off duty at noon, sir."

That sent a pang of guilt through Greg, since it had been him who had insisted they stay a little longer. He had wanted to finish telling his story to Storm Pop and Aura had been helping Blossom brush her mane after a shower. It had been too cute to interrupt.

"Sorry about that."

"No problem, sir. Glad to serve!" the other guard, Pepper Crush said.

"Well, you're getting a slice of these cakes each."

The offer made Blossom squeak in alarm and she twirled around to face Gregory. "B-But they are for the Princess!" She made a step closer and reached out a hoof, as if to snatch the package from Greg's hands, but he just lifted it up high, beyond her reach.

"Don't worry, Celestia will get her cake, but you've made rather a lot. You can't expect her and Luna to finish both of these cakes, can you?" Now Blossom's ears folded down and she blushed, but she didn't reply. Gregory connected the dots. "You were expecting them to leave some for you, weren't you?"

This accusation made Star Bright miss a step and glare at the young mare. "Blossom, we agreed! You already had plenty of sweets for breakfast today!"

The poor, put upon mare just lowered her gaze to the pavement and heaved the saddest sigh Gregory had heard out of her yet. Her hindquarters hit the pavement as she shrank down in pure misery. After a few moments of self-pity, Blossom stole a quick glance at Bright and muttered: "Fine..."

They resumed walking and Greg carefully moved the cake box to one hand so he could reach down with his other and give Blossom a quick ear-scratch as he passed. "Don't look so glum. I saw you licking the beaters. Poor Aura had to keep washing them!"

"Yeah," Star Bright agreed. "Counting that, it was like you had two cakes for breakfast today. That's not very healthy Blossom!"

The young mare got to her hooves and followed. She caught up with Greg and pressed her muzzle against his thigh in apology. "I know," she said. It was still a little dejected, but then she looked at her coltfriend and brightened up. "You're gonna teach me how to kiss instead, okay? I don't think I got the hang of it yet."

It was poor Star Bright's turn to squeak in alarm and Greg lifted the box again, only this time to hide his grin. There was a faint chuckle from the two guards, but with both of them facing stoically away there was no way to tell which one it was.

"Well, we're basically here. You two can go get some lunch, but make sure you come by the small dining room after for your cake, okay?" Greg told them.

The guardsponies looked uncertain and Glory Tail replied: "If it's all the same to you, we'll just see you to the dining room. It's on the way to barracks anyway."

Pepper Crush nodded in agreement.

"As you wish," Greg said.

As they passed the Castle gate, the two ponies stationed there saluted and Glory Tail returned the gesture. Gregory just nodded, having his hands full with the box he was holding.

"Ah, there you are. This is fortunate. Come with me, please," Luna's voice announced from the side. Greg moved the box out of his line of sight and saw the Princess and Silent Spell, who were coming from a side passage.

"Huh? What for?"

Luna rustled her wings in her impatience to tell him and her muzzle split into a smile. "We found two captives. Azure Wings and, well, Spring Morning."

"Wait, what? Captives? Azure and... Spring?" At first it didn't make much sense, but then realization came. "Oh, so there really is a Spring Morning?"

"Yes and no," Luna said. She glanced over the other ponies with Gregory and decided they were allowed to hear this. "The disguise was based on an actual pony from Neighara, but the name was not. Her actual name is Smoke Puff. She has been reported missing nearly five months ago."

It was too much information too quickly and Gregory was starting to get lost. "Hold on, let me take this cake to Celestia and then we can talk," he offered.

"I can take that, sir," Glory Tail offered.

This kind of initiative made Luna proud and she inclined her head. "Good. I am not sure why you are fetching cake for sister, but the sergeant can take it the rest of the way. Come with us, Smoke Puff is waiting in the conference room."

"Why me, though? Shouldn't Celestia-"

Before he could finish his question Luna had already interrupted with an answer: "I do not wish to bother Sister with this. I need you because-" the Princess looked around at the assembled ponies and shook her head. "I will explain later, just come."

This was both mysterious and ominous, but Greg had no reason not to trust Luna. For an instant he thought she might be a changeling in disguise, but Silent Spell was with her and he doubted there were any changelings left in the Castle. If there were, they'd have attacked by now, or freed Silvermane and Spring Morning.

"Okay, sure."

He handed his package to Glory Tail, who easily balanced it on his back and held it in place with his wings. Blossom eyed the box hungrily for a moment, but Star Bright noticed and distracted her with a quick nuzzle.

"Come on," the colt told her, "let's get some lunch and give these to the Princess. Won't she be happy?"

The young mare squee'd in excitement and pranced a little as they set off. It seemed she liked giving gifts even more than she liked cake, which was useful to know.

"This way," Luna said, and led Greg back the way she had come.

Everything went to hell the moment Gregory stepped into the conference room, right behind Princess Luna. He had a split second to recognize the mare sitting at the table with a cup of something steaming before her. She was the spitting image of Spring Morning, but that made sense; the changeling had copied her appearance. To her left was Azure Wings, also with a hot beverage.

Smoke Puff, which Luna had said was her real name, shrieked at the sight of him and scrambled backward so quickly that she toppled the chair and hit her head on the floor. That didn't stop her, however and the mare scurried into a corner.

"No no no no," she yelled, "get it away! Get it away from me! HELP!"

The other two mares reacted faster than the stunned Gregory. Azure Wings hurried over to the shouting Smoke Puff and put her hooves around her. That broke the line of sight, which reduced her shrieking to mere whimpering in terror.

Meanwhile Luna turned so she was standing in front of Gregory and nudged him back and out of the room with a hoof. He was dimly aware of Silent Spell slipping past him into the room and slamming the door shut.

"What the hell was that?!" he asked once he could speak again.

Luna seemed just as surprised and she glanced at the door. "I have absolutely no idea, Gregory. Perhaps- would you mind waiting here for a minute?"

He nodded and the Princess pushed him to one side with a hoof, probably so there would be less chance of Smoke Puff catching another glimpse of him, then entered the conference room herself. In the moment while the door was open, Gregory heard Azure Wings' urgent murmuring and Smoke Puff's terrified whining.

He was shaken at the reaction, but still curious what could have brought it on, so he stepped closer and tried to listen through the closed door. There was absolutely nothing and he wondered why they had all gone quiet so suddenly, but then he remembered that there was a permanent spell against eavesdropping on the small room.

"Gregory?"

He twirled around, blushing a little at having been caught spying and at appearing foolish for doing so where it was clearly impossible. It was Princess Celestia, looking at him strangely.

"Mind telling me what is going on?"

He hurried over, putting a hand on her withers as much to calm her as to steady his own nerves. "I have no idea. She just started screaming the moment she saw me!"

Celestia leaned her head to one side. "Who started screaming?"

"Smoke Puff. The mare Luna rescued from that house they raided today. From a changeling cocoon."

The Princess frowned a little. "Luna sent word that she had freed some captives, but I was in Court. I came here as soon as Glory Tail and Blossom brought me some cake from Aura and said Luna had dragged you away for something."

"Well, she'll have a lot of explaining to do, I guess."

Celestia looked at the door and her ears twitched upright. She probably couldn't hear anything, but Gregory still fell silent and waited for her to finish whatever it was she was doing. Her nose wrinkled and her eyes widened.

"What is it?"

Celestia just shook her head to herself and focused on the man again. "Tell me exactly what happened when you went in."

"There's not much to tell. Smoke Puff saw me and started yelling like I was going to murder her or something. She knocked over a chair and hid in the corner, and then Luna pushed me back out."

"I don't understand. Why such fear? Blossom had been exactly the opposite."

That was right! Gregory remembered the younger mare's reaction to him and to Celestia. She hadn't been quite as terrified as Smoke Puff, but it was a close thing. "You're right. I wonder why."

"We will find out. Come, you need lunch and I think Smoke Puff will need some privacy," Celestia said as she urged the man to turn with a gentle pressure of her wing across his shoulders.

"What? Why? You can't hear what's going in there."

The Princess shook her head. "No, but I can smell. Somepony... soiled herself. You must really have frightened her, Gregory. Come, I will send a maid to help clean up."

An impossible idea occurred to Greg. "That means she's met humans before. Some bad ones, by the sound of it. But how? And where?!"

Celestia shrugged. "That is something we will have to find out. Come on, you cannot help if that was her reaction to seeing you. Oh, one more thing: who else is in there with her?"

"Silent Spell and Azure Wings."

"Good, they will get everything in hoof. We will talk with them later. Come."

There was nothing for it but to let the Princess lead him away, though Gregory kept glancing back at the door in disbelief. So scared of him that she peed herself? Just what had Smoke Puff seen?!

The contrast between her and Blossom could not be more poignant.

"The cake looked delicious, by the way," Celestia commented, aiming to take his mind off this strange, unsettling new development.

"Well, Aura and Blossom baked both of them. I just helped them carry it here."

"Still, I thank you," Celestia replied smoothly. "Except next time, please do not promise my cake to guard ponies, Gregory."

His mouth fell open and the man looked at the Princess in shock. Surely she wasn't that selfish, even for cake?

He caught her amused smile and relaxed. She was just joking.

"I'll give what I want to whom I want, Celestia! Don't be greedy!"

She giggled and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Or else I'll have to revoke your bath privileges again!"

This threat just made her chortle. "I am no longer in your service, Gregory."

He didn't have a counter for that, so he just reached his arm around her withers and patted the side of her barrel as they both laughed. She'd succeeded in getting his mind off the incident, though. What had happened with Smoke Puff was strange, but surely there had to be a logical explanation. No doubt Luna or Silent Spell would find it.

The important thing was that the mare was otherwise alright.

Everything was in hoof. Princess Luna was finally able to relax after Azure Wings had taken Smoke Puff away to settle her in a guest room. Her reaction to Gregory' presence had been utterly unexpected, but having heard her story it made sense. She wished it hadn't. The Princess was sitting in the small conference room, listlessly staring at the far wall and completely oblivious of the smell. A maid had poked her head in to clean it up, but seeing Luna's expression had made the mare mumble something about coming back later and duck back out.

"Tartarus..."

There came a knock, but Luna didn't really hear it. A moment later the door opened to admit Celestia, who took one look at her sister's face and pushed a chair next to Luna's. The wing around her back was welcome, as was the soft, comforting presence next to her, and Luna leaned heavily against the older Princess.

"I will not tell you. It is too horrible, Sister."

Celestia gave her a nuzzle, her breath warm and smelling faintly of chocolate. "Tell me," came the quiet command. The older sister had spoken softly, but it was an order and Luna knew it.

She still shook her head, but Celestia grasped her face with her hooves and made her face her. Their eyes met and Luna felt her own fill with tears.

"Tell me."

Luna closed her eyes and drew a breath. "There is another portal, Sister. It leads to a distant, cruel part of Earth. A place where the rule of law applies only loosely. Tartarus, it is worse than... Tartarus!"

This was certainly a surprise and Celestia blinked a few times as her mind obviously raced. "That... explains much. Now tell me the bad part."

Perhaps she was right. Two could carry the burden more easily than one. True, Azure Wings and Silent Spell had also heard Smoke Puff's story, but it would be the Royal Sisters who had to face this dark story. The duty came with the power. They had to deal with it ultimately. Perhaps knowing that it was out of their hooves had made it a little easier on the other three mares, but there would be no such luxury for the alicorns.

"We will have to arrange counselling for Azure Wings and Smoke Puff. Perhaps for Silent Spell, as well."

The investigator had proved quite resilient, at least for now. She had taken charge after Smoke Puff's story had come out.

Celestia didn't immediately answer, looking worried about what she was about to hear. "We will. Now tell me the rest. Why did you insist to bring Gregory into this, without even telling me?"

Luna looked down, ears folding flat. 'The Warrior Princess' was one thing, but this was something else. She had made an error in judgement and disappointed her sister, which never felt good. "Silvermane is taking orders from one of the human warlords. He is sending gold to them and in return they are giving him slaves. Human slaves."

"Did you know this before... the incident?"

Luna shook her head. "I thought- perhaps, seeing how Blossom took to Gregory, perhaps Smoke Puff would feel the same. That perhaps she would feel safe confiding in him, like Blossom had done. I did not consider that her experiences might have been that bad."

Celestia nodded a little to herself. "I see. A mistake, but one anypony might make. I do not blame you, but I wish you would have involved me sooner, Sister."

"Yes, Sister," Luna replied, voice as meek as she could make it.

"Another portal. That explains Blossom's story and the people in the mine. I did not understand how they could have come through the border, but if there is another portal..."

Luna nodded slowly and then leaned against her sister once more. Celestia was warm and solid, a real comfort after this revelation.

"There is more," the older sibling said, matter-of-factly.

"Yes," Luna admitted. "Silvermane had given some ponies to the humans as servants- slaves!"

Celestia grunted and her muzzle scrunched up in disgust. "It is hard to believe, even of him. Perhaps he was under duress by the humans?"

Luna shrugged a little. It would explain his behavior, but she wasn't too optimistic. The stallion had been plotting with changelings and using slaves in his illegal mines. Him selling other ponies into slavery wasn't that much of a stretch.

"What were they paying him? Gold is worth a lot more than human money," Celestia asked.

"I do not know yet. Silent Spell has promised to find out. Sister, that was not the worst bit."

"Oh?"

"Smoke Puff- the human warlord..." She stopped to draw a shuddering breath and tried to banish the mental image, but now that she had started she had to tell her sister. "He killed a pony in front of them. An escapee. He said it was an example."

Celestia was silent and Luna didn't mind. Any words in that moment would be superfluous. She leaned her head on her sister's shoulder and closed her eyes. Such evil was hard to imagine. Smoke Puff had been in near panic when she had said it and for good reason. She had spoken of blood. So much blood. Doubtless she would have nightmares. Luna had her work cut out for her.

"What do we do now?" she asked.

After some more silence Celestia replied: "Have Silent Spell speak with Silvermane again. He will be tried in court, but I do not yet know what the punishment should be. Perhaps... Tartarus?" Her voice trembled at the word. It would be the first pony she sent there. At least the first normal pony, not some twisted monstrosity which had almost nothing left of the pony they used to be.

"I do not envy you that decision, Sister."

"I know. Furthermore, I will involve the humans in this immediately. This is no longer only Equestria's problem. If there is a second portal we must have control over it, on both sides."

"Smoke Puff did not know where the portal was, but she knew it was out west someplace. Beyond White Tail Woods; that land is not explored well enough."

The elder Princess gave a single nod. "I will send some pegasi to look for it."

Luna lifted her head and looked in her Sister's face. "I will join them!"

"Luna-"

"They need an alicorn. They might need magic. Who knows what weapons the humans might have brought into Equestria?"

Celestia couldn't argue with that, of course. "Very well. Leave as soon as you can. I will tend to matters here."

"Will you tell Gregory?"

For a while there was no reply, so Luna just waited patiently. It was an important decision and she did not wish to rush her sister.

At long last Celestia shivered. "I will have to, but maybe not just yet." She turned to look at Luna. "We will have to tell Eli. He will need to take this news to Earth and coordinate the investigation there."

It was unfortunate, but Luna agreed, so she nodded. "I will send him to see you." She was about to stand up and begin doing. A plan, at least a start of one, made her feel a little better. The atrocities Smoke Puff had described were easier to bear when she was working on stopping them.

Celestia's wing pressed her down and Luna complied. "In a minute. I wish to sit with you for a while, Luna."

Her sister's warm muzzle leaned against Luna's neck and she put her own wing around Celestia.

"Perhaps we go to a different room. This one... smells. We should let the maids clean it."

Celestia didn't move. "In a minute."

Chapter 34: Family

Gregory wasn't a big fan of Luna's idea. In his view, fear like Smoke Puff's was a result of severe trauma and should be taken to a professional. The Princess, however, had a more rough and ready approach.

"It will be fine," Luna was saying, starting to get impatient with his recalcitrance. "I will be with you all the time and I will take Smoke Puff out at the first sign of trouble."

"Yeah, but neither of us are psychiatrists, Luna. I don't think we're qualif-"

The mare just snorted, interrupting him mid-word. "Bah! I know that the best way to overcome fear is to face it head-on!"

Gregory didn't subscribe to the same school of thought. He tried to play his trump card: "Have you talked with Celestia about this?"

The whole plan sounded like something Luna would concoct, so he was expecting a shame-faced no. Luna's triumphant grin came as a bit of a surprise. "I have!" the Princess said, grinning. "Sister agrees that it is worth a try and gives her blessing. She merely implores us to be careful."

It seemed like there was no talking her out of it, so Gregory swallowed his unease and spread his arms in defeat. "Well, fine then. Bring her in. The moment she shows any signs she's uncomfortable, you're taking her out and going to a professional, understand?"

Seeing she had won, Luna took the condition with good grace and inclined her head. "I promise."

She walked over to the door and slipped outside while Gregory sat back on the sofa in Blossom's quarters. The only thing he could do to prepare was to appear comfortable and nonchalant. He heard some murmuring outside in the hallway, but he couldn't make out any words. Blossom's voice was unmistakable, as was Luna's, but the other two were too quiet for him to place. Smoke Puff, most likely and maybe... Azure Wings? A sudden realization made him blink in surprise. If Luna had Smoke Puff and Azure Wings both waiting in the hallway while she went to convince him to do this, she must have been very certain of her success. Greg didn't know whether to be pleased with how far Luna's diplomacy had come, or annoyed that she'd dismissed his opinion even before she'd spoken with him.

There was no more time to make up his mind anyway, because the door opened and Blossom walked in the room. As he'd guessed, Smoke Puff and Azure Wings were there, hanging back, with Luna standing just behind them.

He had to take his eyes away, because Blossoms stopped right in front of him and glanced back, smile fixed on her muzzle. "See?" she said to the mares behind her. "Greggy is really nice and he gives the best scratchies!"

She pushed her forehead toward Gregory and he obliged by giving her a quick pat. When the mare pressed forward again, he relented and let his fingers slip around her ears, which made Blossom give an exaggerated moan.

"Go on, say hello," Luna urged, giving Smoke Puff's rump a very gentle pat with a wing feather. "I'll be right beside you."

The mare was staring wide-eyed at the scene before her, but at least she wasn't screaming this time. Gregory supposed that was some progress, at least. Then, to his amazement, Smoke Puff took a step forward. She seemed skittish most of all, like a frightened animal. He didn't know how to act, so he froze uncertainly. Smoke Puff was now inside the room, but she stopped and lifted up her head to sniff the air. Her eyes were large and unmoving, focused on him with pinpoint accuracy. He began to doubt that she was blinking at all. It was obvious that the tension was building up and the mare was working herself into another panic. Luna's silly plan to get her used to humans would fail and they'd have another screaming session on their hands.

He sighed and opened his mouth to tell them as much, but Azure Wings brushed past Smoke Puff. "I wanna see how that feels," she said, nudging Blossom away. Glad of the distraction, Gregory switched his hand to her and began rubbing her ears. Azure Wings kept smiling, but her eyes glittered with impatience as she stared at the man. "Say something to her!" she murmured, so quietly that he barely heard.

"Oh. Right. Um, sorry," he fumbled, before giving his best, most winning smile to Smoke Puff. "Hi there!"

This seemed to break the ice and the mare relaxed a little. It helped that Blossom, having been denied scratches, jumped up on the couch, flopped on her back and laid her head in Greg's lap. It looked like a very comfortable position and made Greg proud. Quick thinking on Blossom's part.

Luna placed her wing feather back on Smoke Puff's rump and urged the mare forward. Still looking quite uneasy, Smoke Puff nevertheless took a few steps. She came to a stop just out of arm's reach and then she leaned closer, as if to get a better look.

"Hi. My name is Gregory. What's yours?"

That usually worked on small children and it got a result out of the frightened mare as well. "S-Smoke Puff," she murmured, lowering her eyes for a moment in acute embarrassment.

"It suits you," Greg commented.

This made Smoke Puff's mouth quirk up, but it was so brief he wasn't sure he'd seen it or just imagined. Her muzzle came a fraction closer. Greg slowly took his hand off Azure Wings' head and held it out, palm upwards. At first Smoke Puff shrank away, but when he remained still she leaned toward him again. Her ears were pricked and her muscles tense, ready to bolt at the first sign of trouble. It was a bit silly, especially considering her horn. She could have him wrapped up in magic before Greg knew what was going on, but the mare didn't seem to be aware of the possibility. He decided not to remind her in case she got spooked and did something drastic.

She was now so close that Greg felt her warm breath on his fingers. It came in rapid pants, so he didn't move any closer and let her come to him. At long last she touched him, the merest brush of fur against his palm. She withdrew, but came back a moment later. This time Greg felt something hot and moist.

Surely she wasn't tasting him?!

He pulled his hand back, making the mare lean back in apprehension.

"Look, this is silly. You're a thinking, talking creature and so am I. There's no need to act like a frightened animal, is there?" This time Greg held his hand out vertically. He knew ponies had handshakes, even if they didn't call them the same and they usually involved both hooves. "I'm Gregory. Pleased to meet you."

Smoke Puff watched his hand in astonishment, then blinked and scrunched her muzzle up in thought. "Um..."

She glanced back at Luna, who just nodded.

When she looked back, Smoke Puff was a little more sure of herself and lifted her foreleg to place a hoof against Greg's palm. He took a very gentle hold and shook it up and down a few times.

"There. I'm sorry you met some bad people your first time, but most humans are okay."

The mention of her ordeal made Smoke Puff's ears flatten and she looked away. Gregory was instantly sorry for having reminded her. He wanted to say so, but that would just keep dragging the bad memories up. Luckily Azure Wings saw his predicament and threw a wing around the stricken mare. "Well, enough formality. Here, you gotta see how this feels, Puff." She nudged the mare that final step closer and pushed her rump down until Smoke Puff was sitting on her haunches.

Taking his cue, Greg held his hand out again, just short of touching the mare's head. "Only if you want to," he told her.

Her eyes strayed to Blossom, who was apparently falling asleep in Greg's lap. "Um... ok-okay," she agreed and closed that last half an inch of distance.

By now Greg had had enough experience with ponies to know what to expect. Each one was different, but all their manes were incredibly soft. Of course, none could compare to Celestia and Luna's ethereal hairdo, but even the regular ponies' manes kept surprising the man with their light, airy softness. He slid his hand to one side and found the spot just behind Smoke Puff's ears with his fingertips. For her first time, he just traced small circles around the area. Some of the tension left the mare and she leaned into his touch, a sure sign that he was doing it right.

Greg smiled to himself and applied a touch more pressure.

"Oh... oh." That was all Smoke Puff seemed able to say.

Blossom finally stirred and flipped to her side so she was looking at the action. "See?" she said. "Greg is nice and gives the best scratches. Just don't get used to it, because he's busy a whole lot."

That last sentence was fraught with such immense sadness and disappointment that Gregory couldn't help but chuckle. "Hey, I always make time for you!"

Blossom shrugged, not quite saying that he could have dono more to pamper her, but heavily implying it with the roll of her eyes.

When he took his hand away from Smoke Puff, the mare tried to follow it, but caught herself before falling flat on her muzzle. She seemed undecided for a moment, then sighed. "Sorry I screamed, um, earlier."

"Don't be. You had a bad experience and I probably came as a surprise." Greg looked up at Luna, who was grinning triumphantly with that 'I-told-you-so' look on her muzzle. "I still think you should speak with a therapist. Stuff like that doesn't just go away because you meet one good human."

Smoke Puff nodded in agreement, "I guess," she replied, looking at the ground between her forehooves.

"There's no shame in it. You've had a very traumatic experience, um, Puff," Greg went on with the nickname Azure Wings had used earlier.

"Yes, yes, we will arrange for therapy," Luna said only a bit testily. She was annoyed that Gregory kept pushing her in that direction when she was sure she could 'fix' Smoke Puff herself.

Azure Wings took the matters into her own hooves again and placed her wing around the other mare's withers once more. "So, how about you and me mosey on down to the kitchens and see if there's any dinner?"

Smoke Puff looked relieved, but then she cast an apologetic glance at Greg and gave him an uncertain smile. "It was n-nice meeting you, um, Mr. Gregory."

He waved the title away. "Please, just Greg. We're all friends here."

The mare nodded and repeated: "Greg." Then she let Azure Wings lead her away.

Luna remained in the room, watching the two leave. Meanwhile Blossom grabbed Greg's hand and pulled it down to her head. He obediently started scratching and the mare let out a soft moan of delight.

"Smoke Puff will be alright, now that she is back. I have sent a pegasus to bring her parents here."

"Yeah, you said she took a job with Silvermane in Neighara? Do you know how she ended up on Earth?"

"Yes. She told me everything, or nearly so."

Gregory waited for a few seconds, but Luna didn't start talking. He frowned a little in confusion. "Will you tell me?"

The Princess shook her head. "Not right now. Later. I am leaving within the hour to search for this new Earth portal. With luck, I will apprehend whoever is leading this trafficking ring!"

There was significant force behind her words and a stern, or maybe determined look on her face. Gregory had no doubt she would do exactly as she said. "Well, good luck with that."

Just like that Greg was alone in Blossom's guest room with the mare. His hand was still on her head, idly massaging her ears and her head was still in his lap. It was a comfortable moment and he relaxed, letting himself enjoy it for a while. Then he got bored and poked at the mare. "Get up. Let's go find Bright and see what he's doing. It'll be time for dinner soon, anyway."

Mention of her coltfriend smoothed over any disappointment Blossom might have felt over having her scratching time curtailed and she nodded. "Okay! Maybe there's some cake left!"

"You already had all the cake for today, Blossom. It'll keep until tomorrow."

"Not if the Princess gets it!" she countered, looking worried.

"Tough luck!"

She grumbled under her breath, but followed Greg out of the room anyway.

Gregory was working. Well 'working'. It had started out like a regular day in his office, but quite soon after that, Star Bright knocked on his door with a very unusual request. The unicorn wanted Greg to keep Blossom company, citing an urgent, unavoidable meeting. Only a little bewildered, but fully intending to question the stallion in detail later, Greg agreed.

Unfortunately Blossom hadn't been able to sit quietly, so Greg had decided to take a short break. That had been nearly an hour ago.

He could have gone back to work, but truth be told he didn't particularly want to. Especially when he glanced down at the mare. Blossom had joined Greg on the couch in the employee lounge while he sipped coffee and she quickly wiggled her way into the most adorable position he'd yet seen. She was now lying on her back with her head in his lap and her hind legs in the air and her forelegs curled up against her sides, and with her eyes closed and her tongue lolling out. Quiet grunts and an occasional sigh escaped her at Greg's ministrations. He had one hand on her barrel, playing with the soft fur there, and his other on her head, tickling behind her ears.

His coffee was cooling on the table, forgotten, as Greg concentrated on his fingerwork. He brought both hands to Blossom's ears and began to massage them between thumb and forefinger.

"Mmmmmbh," she tried to say and failed. A small dribble of spit nearly escaped her, but she caught it with her tongue and smacked her lips. "Mmmmm- s'niiiiice," she moaned. One of her hind legs kicked feebly and Blossom groaned. "Right... there..."

Greg became aware of Star Bright standing in the door, watching with rapt attention and with small smile playing across his lips. He brought up one hand and placed a finger against his lips, hoping the unicorn would understand the sign to keep quiet. Blossom's ear flicked as it was left alone and Greg quickly put his hand back, massaging with renewed effort. He let his fingers stray lower, to the base of her ears, careful not to poke the ear canal. The result was most satisfying as Blossom arched her back and let out another deep-throated groan.

Glancing back up at Star Bright, Greg saw that the stallion had one hoof in the air and was watching him questioningly. It was easy to guess what he wanted. Greg nodded and leaned his head to the side, where there was still some unoccupied couch. To his credit, Bright managed to move absolutely silently, even on the linoleum floor. It took him a long time, but Blossom didn't notice a thing. She didn't even feel the movement as the stallion climbed up.

Greg and Bright shared a smile, then he brought his hand away from her ear and put it on Blossom's belly. When he dug all his fingers in, the mare let out what could only be called a moan. "Yessss."

He kept the scratching up for another minute, then took his fingers away and carefully grabbed Bright's hoof. The stallion watched in puzzlement, but didn't fight it as Greg brought it down.

"Gently," he mouthed silently.

The stallion understood and nodded. He didn't have fingers, so he just lightly kneaded Blossom's belly with the frog of his hoof. That left Greg's hand free to go back to the mare's ears.

He wondered how long it would take her...

Nearly a full minute later, Blossom scrunched up her muzzle in thought. "Wait..." She blinked her eyes open and looked down. When she saw it was only her coltfriend, she smiled and stretched. "Hi, mmmm, Brightey!"

The stallion grinned right back and kept up his impromptu massage. "Hey."

Now that they were talking Greg also opened his mouth. "So, what was this urgent meeting you had to do?"

The stallion blushed and looked around the room for inspiration. "Just... stuff. I'll tell you later, okay?"

Blossom was completely ignoring their conversation. She got a thoughtful look on her muzzle and stared at her coltfriend intently. "Um, Brighey? Can you... like... um, grow some fingers? This feels sooooo good!"

Both Greg and Star Bright chuckled and the stallion shrugged. "Probably not, but maybe I can do something similar with telekinesis? Let's see..." He held up his leg, earning himself a regretful look from Blossom as the massage ended. Then Bright's horn began to glow and he frowned at his leg. Something like a pincer of magic formed and he tried it out on himself. "Ow!" he yelped, shaking the limb. "Too hard! Gentler..."

Greg was grateful he'd tried it out on himself first. The second attempt seemed better, but Bright shook his head and muttered something to himself. Blossom watched it all with eager expectation and Greg took his hands away to give Star Bright room. Finally the unicorn seemed ready, but he still gave the mare a concerned look. "Tell me if it's too hard, okay?"

She just nodded.

The glow went to one of her ears and Bright focused on his magic. His tongue poked out in concentration.

Slowly Blossom began to smile. "Mmmm... niiiice," she commented as she closed her eyes.

Her obvious enjoyment brought a grin to Bright's muzzle and he redoubled his efforts. "Dunno how long I can keep this up, but at least we know I can do it. Does it really feel that good?"

The mare just nodded, then tapped Greg with a hoof. "Show 'im."

Chuckling, Gregory obliged and put a hand on Bright's head, catching his ear and rubbing it between his fingers.

"Oh- oh, wow. Yeah, that is nice," the stallion commented. He leaned into Greg's touch and he obliged the unicorn with a few more seconds of scratching before taking his hand away. "Aww..."

Greg ignored the disappointment in both their muzzles and lifted Blossom up from his lap. "Here," he told Bright, "your turn. I got work to do. Come see me when you're done, I'm still curious about this secret meeting."

"What secret meeting?" Blossom asked, sitting up and stretching her forelegs above her head.

Bright looked away again and stammered a little: "I'll t-tell you, um, later. Okay?"

Luckily the mare wasn't too nosy and she just nodded. "Okay," she said and threw her legs around the stallion. "So, what are we doing today?"

Star Bright didn't have to think too long. "Let's do some reading, okay? If we finish the book, you can get a muffin after lunch, how's that?"

Blossom giggled and clapped her hooves together in excitement. "Okay!"

They left without a backwards glance, already talking about the children's book Star Bright was using as his teaching aid. Gregory didn't mind. The pair had a very complicated relationship and they could be excused if they occasionally forgot to say bye. In the meantime, he had to get back into the saddle, so to speak, and finally get the documents done. As he walked back to his office he wondered if Luna was doing okay on her mission to the far west. Hopefully she would find the second portal and things would go back to normal.

Sometimes, especially in the offices it was hard to believe everything had actually happened. The kidnapping, the escape, the changelings.

It almost felt like a dream.

"Um, Greg? Could I ask for another favor?" Star Bright said almost before the door had even opened all the way. The stallion stood just outside Greg's office with a pleading sort of grin and his ears slightly splayed.

"What is it now?" As hard as he tried, Greg couldn't quite keep the irritation from his voice. These interruptions were starting to become annoying.

"There's, uh, two ponies who should be arriving at the main gate about now.. Um, could you fetch them and bring them here? They'll be asking for me."

It was a very unusual request and Greg just pierced the unicorn with a stare, waiting for some explanation.

"Pleeeease?" the stallion whined, giving Greg a guilty smile. "I swear you'll understand as soon as you bring them down here, okay?"

"Are they gonna try and kidnap me again or something? Have you been working with the bad guys this whole while?"

The accusation made Bright take a step back and his muzzle dropped open. "What?! Greg, you know I'd never- I mean... No! Of course not! I'd do it myself, but I have to keep Blossom busy!"

His panic was at least worth a chuckle, so Greg stood up and walked around his desk. "Okay, okay, I'm not accusing you. It's just... secretive. Why do you want to keep this from Blossom this badly?"

The stallion blushed again, but this time he stood his ground. "It'll be better this way, trust me! Besides, she'll know as soon as you bring them down. It'll be good, I promise!"

"Is this related to the secret meeting earlier?"

Star Bright couldn't quite meet Greg's gaze. "Actually, um, there- there was no meeting. I got a letter."

"Letter from whom?"

"Please... I'll explain everything, just go fetch those ponies?"

Shaking his head a little to himself, Greg did as he was told. Bright stepped away, thanking him profusely, then hurried back to wherever he'd stashed the mare for the few minutes it took him to bring his request to Greg. The good thing was that now Star Bright owed him a few favors. Greg didn't know yet what he'd do with them, but he had them. Maybe the unicorn could proof-read some of his papers, or do some of that tedious searching for precedents through ancient scrolls. He shrugged a little to himself, hardly even noticing the two guard ponies who had been standing beside his office and smoothly fell in step with him.

Greg immediately recognized the two ponies. They looked quite lost, even while explaining the purpose of their visit to the gate guard.

"Afternoon?" Greg greeted.

The pair almost jumped when they saw him, clearly unused to seeing humans. Arrivals from some quiet, out of the way place, Greg assumed. The stallion managed a faint smile. "Um, hi... we're looking for, um, Star Bright. He told us to come here."

As Greg closed the distance between them he felt as if they were vaguely familiar. The mare was pink, somewhat darker than Blossom, with a deep red mane and the stallion was very light gray with a blonde mane.

"Name's Gregory. I'll take you to Star Bright. Mind telling me why you need him for?"

The pair looked at one another and frowned slightly at the question. Greg couldn't help noticing the lines around their eyes and muzzles. They were in their forties, as best he could determine, but they both seemed to have had a life of hardship and sadness, which was quite unusual in Equestria.

Finally the mare spoke up: "A-Actually we don't quite know ourselves, Mr. Gregory..."

"Just Greg will do."

"Mr. Bright just told us to come here. His letter had a seal from the Princess."

The mystery deepened and now Greg was burning with questions. Just what kind of espionage or intrigue was his unicorn friend playing with?! Not to mention that Celestia was probably involved. Either her or Luna. Greg was planning to have some words with his mare. Something told him that this had to do with him, especially if Star Bright was a part of the conspiracy. Celestia should have told him.

"Well, follow me, then."

He took a step and it seemed to wake up the two ponies. The stallion gave a small gasp and hurried to catch up. "Oh! Where are my manners! I'm Stepper and this is my wife, Morning Lily."

"Nice to meet you."

They walked in silence, Greg lost in thought about what this great mystery could be and why Star Bright was involved, and his two guests were probably a little intimidated by his being human or the Canterlot castle, or both. At long last they came back to his office, where Greg remembered that Star Bright hadn't told him where to bring the guests.

"This way. Maybe he's in the lounge."

They gave a nod and followed through another set of doors. The guess was good and both Star Bright and Blossom were sitting on the couch.

The unicorn kept glancing around and his eyes widened when he saw the newcomers. "Y-You're here!" he said.

Blossom followed his gaze and inspected the new ponies with a casual interest.

Still wondering what this was all about, Greg stepped into the room and introduced them: "Anyway, these are Morning Lily and Stepper. Now mind telling me-"

He noticed that the couple had stopped in the doorway and were simply staring at Blossom. The stallion's muzzle hung open and the mare was blinking in shock.

It took her a few tries to get voice working. "L-L-Lilly?" she whined, taking a half-step forward.

When he saw her expression, Bright scooched away from Blossom and watched the old mare carefully, unsure what she would do.

"What?" Greg asked, totally dumbfounded.

Another step forward and the mare said again, her voice breaking: "Lilly Blossom?"

This caused the younger mare's breath to catch and her ears instantly flattened. She seemed to sway a little in shock, then opened her mouth. "M-Mom?"

There was a pink blur beside Greg and an instant later the old mare was on the couch, holding on to Blossom as if she would never let her go. Already she was bawling her eyes out even as she peppered the younger mare with little kisses.

"I'm so sorry sweetie! We've looked all over, b-but- I'm sorry! My sweet, beautiful filly..." Her words devolved into wordless sobs again.

Greg glanced back at the stallion, who seemed to be a little slower at getting over his surprise. Seeing his wife embracing Blossom woke him up, though, and he hurried forward to grab both of them in his hooves.

Greg caught his gaze. Stepper wasn't crying, but his eyes were filled with tears threatening to spill over.

"Mom-" Blossom said, but it was choked off. "Mom... I- I remember you! And D-Dad!"

This was the last drop and the stallion began weeping softly as well. Even Greg felt his throat constrict and his eyes get a little bit moist. Star Bright rubbed a fetlock against his muzzle and then gave the man a faint smile.

"How did you-" Greg began, but instead of finishing the question just spread his arms.

"The Princess," Bright explained. "She told me what to look for in the old records and I- I found them. They live in Las Pegasus now, but they were originally from Baltimare. Missing daughter, their names, colors. It all matched up, so I wrote and asked them to come here."

"Well, you should've told me."

Star Bright just grinned and shrugged, before turning back to the happy reunion. Blossom and her parents still weren't able to speak, so they just resorted to holding on to each other and nuzzling.

"I'll go make us all a coffee," Greg proposed.

He needed to get out of the room before his eyes started to leak as well. Finding Blossom's actual parents was a stroke of incredible luck. It was what those sappy dramas were made of and it hit right in the feelings. As he gratefully ducked into the small employee kitchen he heard Morning Lily murmuring something to Blossom. It sounded heartfelt.

The cups for the guest ponies were cooling, unheeded, on the coffee table while Greg and Bright nursed their own beverages. The stallion had left the couch to allow the family reunion more comfort and was sitting on his haunches on the rug, next to Greg's stool. It wasn't the most comfortable seat, but the view was worth it.

Blossom had simply pushed her face in her mother's chestfluff and was gripping one of her forelegs tightly against her own belly. Every now and then she sniffled. Morning Lilly, on the other hand, kept patting her daughter as if reassuring herself she was there. Whenever Blossom made any kind of noise, Morning Lilly gave her ears a nuzzle. It looked as if it would go on for hours yet. The father, still completely overwhelmed, at least acknowledged the other people in the room, even if his hoof never budged from where it was lightly draped across Blossom's back. He cleared his throat.

"I- uh, I really don't know how to thank you for this. I- We've-" his voice broke and he coughed again to clear the constriction in his throat. "We've given up hope."

"Actually it was Princess Celestia and Gregory here who found Blossom out in the country. Then the Princess told me to look for families who've returned from Griffinstone in the past ten years or so."

The stallion gave Greg a grateful nod, but his ears folded down at the memory. "We didn't want to come back. We thought our- little Lilly was still there, but the griffins just... deported us."

"Why would they deport you without your daughter?" Stepper closed his eyes and hung his head. He didn't seem able to speak, so Greg raised up his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "Don't worry about that now. My curiosity can wait." Greg thought of something else and smiled. "So it's Lilly Blossom, then? Not just Blossom. Seems she didn't even remember her whole name."

The father shook his head and patted his daughter. "No wonder. She was taken from us when she was so little..."

The words made Morning Lilly shudder and let out a breath. She sounded like she was on the verge of tears again when she spoke up: "We never should have let them take you, my heart. W-We tried to stop them, b-but we couldn't. We should have tried harder! I'm sorry!"

At long last Blossom moved and pulled herself away from her mother's chest. She blinked the tears away as she tried to see Morning Lilly. "It's okay, Mom," the young mare said. "I'm safe now. I forgive you."

It was a very mature thing to do and it brought a tear of pride to Greg's eyes. He had to look at the painting on the wall above the couch to bring his emotions under control once more.

Morning Lilly caught his gaze and smiled, even through her tears. "I really don't know how we can thank you, o-or the Princess. Anything-"

She sighed and her ears lowered. "Anything at all, but it's not enough. You gave me..."

The words were enough to make her sniffle again, but luckily Stepper knew what his wife was about to say and finished her sentence in a husky voice: "You gave us our filly back, Greg."

The man just shook his head and put a hand on Star Bright's head. "Really, it was pure luck we found her out in the wilderness. It was actually Bright here who spent a lot of time with Blossom and helped her with... well, with civilization."

Both parents stared at the unicorn, who began to squirm and stutter: "It- um, it was nothing, r-really. I l-like Blossom and it was a p-pleasure!"

The silence was broken when Blossom said happily: "He's my coltfriend!"

This was so unexpected that both her parents began chuckling, followed shortly by Star Bright, even if the unicorn's laugh was a little uncertain. "Anyway," Star Bright said, eager to change the subject. "The Princess has set aside rooms for you. Well, actually, it's Princess Cadence's suite, but she said you can have it as long as you stay here."

Suddenly Greg realized this would mean that Blossom would soon be going away. Of course it was a good thing that she was going back to her family, to the ponies who loved her, but...

He'd miss her.

The young mare had incredible vitality and joy, despite her tragic past. He'd miss her smile. It was probably even worse for Star Bright. Greg wondered if he'd continue 'dating' Blossom. Despite that, this was still the right thing to do. Greg was proud of his young friend for seeing it through. Had he been selfish for Blossom's attention, he might have simply said he hadn't found anything about her parents in the records. Still, this was Equestria. Love tended to find a way. He was a living proof of that, after all. Doubtless Star Bright and Blossom would be okay.

Morning Lily and Stepper were now talking with Blossom, but it was too low for Greg to overhear. It looked like a private discussion, so that was just as well. He stood up. "Come on, Bright. Let's give them a few minutes. Maybe we could walk down to the muffin store and get a snack for everyone?"

He'd been watching Blossom closely and her ear flicked at the mention of muffins, but the young mare kept her attention firmly on her mother. She smiled and nodded at whatever Morning Lily was saying.

"That's- actually a nice idea," Star Bright commented and stood.

Greg paused in the doorway just long enough to whisper to a guard. "Make sure they're okay. If they want some privacy, you can take them to Blossom's room."

Glory Tail nodded and saluted. Greg couldn't help noticing just how shiny the pegasus' eyes were. It seems himself and Bright weren't the only people caught up by the emotional scene.

Maybe sometimes there were happy endings...

Chapter 35: Tragedy and Hope

Some hours later Gregory and Star Bright were having a quick snack before dinner on the small table in Cadence's suite, while Blossom was still being fussed over by her parents. The fussing has been going on for hours already and it didn't seem likely to stop. Not that the young mare was complaining, though. On the contrary, Blossom seemed to be positively basking in all the attention and the nuzzling and licking. At some points Bright seemed nearly jealous with the way he stared. Eventually the father, Stepper, extricated himself and joined the other two by the table. Greg pushed a plate of lettuce and tomato sandwiches towards the stallion, who, after a moment's thought, took one and swallowed it whole.

"Thanks, I needed that. We, um, the missus and me didn't stop for lunch when we came to Canterlot. The letter said it was important..."

"Don't worry, dinner will be soon and I'm sure the Princess will insist you dine with us."

Nodding his thanks, the pony grinned. "I guess it's everypony's dream to have dinner with the Princess, but even that seems... um, lackluster." He realized suddenly with whom he was speaking and Stepper's ears lowered. "Um, no offense, of course."

Greg just chuckled and patted the stallion on the back by way of reassurance. "Don't worry about it. Getting Blossom back trumps everything else today, I think."

The mention of the name made Stepper look back at the couch and the nervous grin was replaced with a happy one. "Yeah. I still almost can't believe it, even though I can see and smell and touch her." There was a moment of silence and then Stepper opened his mouth.

By his expression it wasn't hard to guess what he would say for the umpteenth time, so Greg raised his hand to forestall him: "It's fine, it's fine," he hurried to reassure the father. "Blossom has been a pleasure to have around. Truthfully, I'll be a bit sad when you take her away."

This gave Stepper pause and his eyes darted to Star Bright, no doubt wondering just what was the unicorn's relationship with his daughter. The gaze made Bright blush and look away.

It still wasn't the right time for this particular discussion, so Greg picked the first other topic which came to mind, even if it wasn't the greatest choice. "So, Mr. Stepper. I'm curious about your story and how- uh..."

The stallion understood and his ears flattened, but he took a deep breath and steeled his resolve. "How we became separated?" he finished Greg's question.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

Greg couldn't help noticing that Morning Lily was looking over with an unreadable expression. Perhaps she gave her husband some kind of signal, like an imperceptible nod, because the stallion let his breath out and said: "I guess it has to come out sooner or later... Not like it's a big secret or anything." It took Stepper almost a minute to prepare himself and neither Greg nor Bright dared interrupt. At length the stallion began to speak. "I guess it was some twenty years ago now," he explained, "when me and the missus decided to move to Griffinstone. We were young and foalish and so on. You know."

Greg nodded, recognizing that faint trace of wistfulness and wanderlust common to many young people on Earth as well.

Stepper flashed him a faint smile before going on. "Well, the relations had just gotten better, y'see. It looked like Griffinstone and Equestria would become friends and Lily and me wanted to be a part of it. We were living in Baltimare at that time so it wasn't all that far." Suddenly Stepper looked at Blossom, still clasped in her mother's hooves, and smiled hugely. "That little blessing came very shortly after. We couldn't be happier and even our griffin neighbors said she was the most precious thing ever."

Even Morning Lily was smiling at that part of the story. She gave her husband a nod to encourage him and shifted the young mare a little higher so that Blossom would also hear the story.

"I can imagine," Greg commented. "Even with everything that's happened, she's full of joy."

Star Bright nodded enthusiastically but didn't say anything, riveted on the story of his - hopefully still after that day - fillyfriend.

"Well, we got a grant from Canterlot and the griffins were kind enough to sell us a farm. Not a particularly good one, mind, but it was some land and that's all we earth ponies need, really. I guess I thought everything would turn out alright." A darker bit of the story was coming, as evidenced by Stepper's ears which were rapidly wilting, and a slight twist to his mouth. "Well, I guess the relations soured, or something, because suddenly there was a landlord. We were working for somepony other than ourselves..."

That didn't sound legal and Greg opened his mouth to say so, but Stepper guessed his intention and forestalled him: "Yeah, yeah, I know what you're about to say, but it was kinda hard to argue when a bunch of armed griffins showed up at our farm and threatened my family. We weren't allowed to leave and they handled all our mail, of course. There was no calling for help."

At this point Morning Lily jumped in and added: "We were hoping somepony back home would notice and send help, but... neither Stepper nor myself really had any family left in Equestria. I guess that was part of the reason why it wasn't so hard to just up and leave."

"Makes sense."

The stallion swallowed and glanced over at the two mares, who were clinging to each other in apprehension. Lily put her muzzle to Blossom's ear and murmured something, which helped relax her daughter.

Swallowing, the stallion continued, but his voice was less certain and slightly shaky. "Well, it went on for years and- well, they never did anything bad to us, there was just the threat. And the 'rent', as they called it, wasn't too bad. I... guess we kinda gave up trying to escape, especially with a young filly."

Stepper seemed ashamed of that fact and Greg reached over to lay a hand on his withers. "Perfectly reasonable," he assured him. "Of course you wouldn't risk Blossom."

That earned him a grateful smile, even if it was short-lived. "Thanks. Anyway, I dunno what changed suddenly, but the griffins wanted us out. I think somepony told me that peace was declared and the fighting was over. I hadn't even known there was a war."

Morning Lily let out a breath she had been holding and clasped her daughter more closely. By her flattened ears and darting glances, Greg figured the crux of the story was approaching. He nudged the cup of apple juice closer to Stepper to give the stallion a breather.

He drank it greedily, then lowered his gaze to the table. "T-The... landlord-" the pony began, shuddering a little at the memory. "Nasty bird. I wanted to pound him into the pavement so many times, but there were always guards." Another breath and a glance at Blossom as the father steeled himself to continue. "He- he took Blossom. S-Said we owed him some 'rent'." The words came out in a kind of a growl and the table creaked a little as Stepper gripped it with his powerful forelegs. "I tried to fight them... b-but it wasn't enough."

Morning Lily clicked her tongue in what could almost be an annoyance, were it not for the love in her eyes. "Honey," she said, with the air of someone who'd explained this over and over. "They knocked you down and stuck a spear in you! There were too many and they had weapons!"

Stepper lowered his ears, but didn't look at his wife. He drew another slow breath and simply went on. "Well, once I came to, we were... free, I guess you could call it. In the wooded mountains East of Griffinstone. Blossom was gone."

He looked like he was about to weep again, but the young mare struggled free from her mother's grasp and trotted over to poke her muzzle against her father's side in an urgent nuzzle. "I'm here now, Dad. It's okay."

The stallion put one foreleg around his daughter and it didn't look like he would say anything more.

Greg still had some questions, but the story was quite an ordeal on the ponies so he kept his mouth shut. Luckily, Morning Lily provided at least some kind of a conclusion: "We searched forever," she said quietly, looking at Blossom. "They turned us away from any settlements and we couldn't swim the Celestia sea. For a while we lived on the beach, hoping some ship or boat would come by..." The mare shook her head. "I guess despite the peace, there was little trade. Not that we would have gone. Not without our little Blossom!"

"How were you rescued?"

"Princess Luna," Stepper said. "When she was finally back, we saw her in our nightmares one night. She figured out where we were and sent somepony to get us."

"She didn't help you look for Blossom?"

Morning Lily nodded urgently. "The Princess did everything she could! B-But she said she couldn't find B-Blossom's dreams..."

At this point, the young mare added: "I g-guess I never really dreamed in the m-mine."

Gregory opened his mouth for another question, but seeing the three stricken muzzles - four, if he counted Star Bright - he changed his mind. He reached over to pat Blossom's mane and tickle her ear. Their spirits needed picking up and there was only one thing he could think to say.

"Well, you're all okay now and I think Princess Celestia has a cake in the works for all three of you."

This immediately brought a smile to Blossom's muzzle and, seeing her joy, Morning Lily and Stepper weren't far behind. The shadow of the past receded, though that faint, haunted sadness remained in the older ponies' faces. It might take some time for that to go away completely, if it ever would, Greg guessed.

He stood up to lead them to the private dining room, but the old mare had one more thing to say to Blossom. "Sweetie?" she called, walking from the sofa to put her hooves around the young mare and her father both. "W-We thought you were dead. Um, we c-convinced ourselves. It was too hard to think of you w-with... them. I'm sorry..."

Her eyes were already filling up with tears, and Blossom quickly gave her mother a nuzzle. "It's okay, Mom. I'm just glad you're here now..."

"You three go ahead, I'd like to speak with Star Bright for a minute," Stepper said.

The two mares looked at him, then at the young unicorn, before shrugging and walking off. They were so alike in their expression at that moment that Greg was thoroughly convinced they really were mother and daughter. He saw from the corner of his eye that one of the two guards peeled away to escort them, while the other stayed behind to keep an eye on the rest.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to hear this as well."

He didn't say it out loud, but he was worried Stepper might be a tad overprotective after having found his daughter again and he didn't want Star Bright to get hurt or something.

The unicorn looked more than a little bit worried of that possibility, judging by his flat ears and wide eyes. He had apparently forgotten that his magic could easily subdue the older stallion if he became a danger.

Greg sat back down and looked expectantly at Stepper, who addressed the younger stallion: "So... You took care of my little Lily, I hear?"

Bright swallowed, but nodded anyway. "Y-Yes, sir."

The silence stretched as Stepper was apparently waiting for something and the olt was entirely oblivious what that might be and expecting nothing less than swift judgement.

At last Stepper rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh. "Well?"

"Um... well, what?"

Greg spotted a slight quirk to Stepper's mouth and relaxed. The old pony was just teasing the younger one. There probably wouldn't be an altercation.

"Colt, in my day it was customary to ask the young mare's father before courting her."

This statement nearly made Bright swallow his tongue and he paled from his customary gray to nearly white. "W-What? I wasn't- I didn't mean to- I'd never... w-with your daughter, s-sir!"

Stepper waved it all away and smiled openly. "Young colt, I've seen the way you look at Lily Blossom. I ought to- it's the same way I used to look at her mother. Still do, in fact."

Of course the unicorn didn't have a counter and didn't know what to say, but some of his color came back in the form of a deep, pink blush.

"While she is a tiny bit young," Stepper went on, "I think the things she's seen make up for it. Colt, all I need you to promise me is that you won't break her heart, deal?"

Finally Star Bright's tongue seemed to untie and he nodded so hard he nearly dislocated his neck. "I s-swear! Promise! I wouldn't... I l-lo- I really like Blossom!"

"Good enough. Just so long as we understand each other," Stepper conclude and stood up. "Might be hard when we take her home to Las Pegasus, but I don't doubt you'll find a way. Young love usually does."

Greg didn't comment on how this fact was not universally true. On Earth, young love often didn't find a way, resulting in some heartbreak on both sides. Perhaps it was different in Equestria, though.

"Well, good that's all settled. Now let's go meet the Princess and have some lunch."

Star Bright swayed a little on his hooves from the upheaval he'd just gone through, but at the same time it looked as if a heavy load had been lifted from the colt. He hung back while Stepper left the room and whispered to Greg: "I already thought about it. There's a university in Las Pegasus, I'll ask for a transfer. They also have an observatory. I mean, it's not like the one here. It's not even as good as the one in Baltimare, but hey- that just means they need me more!"

Greg frowned a little at the implication. His friend would follow his girlfriend across Equestria, which would mean he'd rarely get to see him in the future, but the unicorn's happiness was worth it.

"You'd do that for Blossom?" he asked.

"Mhm!" Bright nodded. "Greg, I really like that mare. I'd go anywhere!"

In lieu of a response, Greg just reached down and tousled the young unicorn's mane, before taking the lead and catching up to Stepper, who didn't know which way to go.

Chapter 36: The Expedition

Luna made sure to fly slowly enough so that she and her escort of pegasi guards didn't exhaust themselves. She knew some of what to expect and needed them in fighting shape at the end of their search. She glanced back to make sure her magic still held and smiled in satisfaction when she spotted a faint, translucent outline around each of them. Her gaze lingered a few seconds more, marking the graceful, yet powerful curves on each lithe form. Every one of those stallions was hoof-picked by her from the whole of Equestria. The sergeant, for example, came all the way from the Crystal Empire where he'd been Shining's Armor top graduate a year prior.

True, she had Eli, but the Princess was of the opinion that it couldn't hurt to look, and it certainly didn't hurt that what she saw was good-looking. Since guards were a necessary evil in Canterlot, if only to keep up appearances, then they might as well be pleasant appearances. Besides, she'd endured enough of Celestia's little jokes about her human lover to have earned this small indulgence. It wasn't as if she'd ever cheat on Eli.

The eight she'd picked for this mission were her finest and fastest. Their destination, their target, was far away, so they were all pegasi. They didn't need unicorns, not when she was there.

Once again she rechecked the magical shields around them. The barriers she'd created would let slow things pass through, but repel anything else, including magic. It wouldn't do much good against traditional weapons or even arrows, but here was where human weaponry actually helped her. The Earth movies she'd watched with Eli had been most useful, after all. A few times her older sister Celestia had teased her about them, but now they were a source of inspiration.

Perhaps she would not encounter humans today, just like she hadn't found them yesterday, or the day before that, but it couldn't hurt to be prepared. The unexplored forests to the East were quite vast and incredibly dense. They could easily be hiding an ambush. Most importantly, the forests were completely uncharted. Well, officially, at least. Smoke Puff had said Silvermane and his human masters travelled this way sometimes to...

She didn't allow herself to think 'trade slaves', but the anger from the thought was still there. Her mouth tightened and her speed increased unconsciously, even as Luna wrenched her mind away.

Strange how ponies had never ventured this way in the thousands of years of their civilization, the mare mused. Then again, looking down, the jungle looked pretty impenetrable and unforgiving. A kind of place that put Everfree to shame. Yet her reports said that there was a settlement. Well, 'settlement' was a strong word. Spring Morning, whatever her changeling name was, had described it as a patch of cleared forest with semi-permanent tents. There was supposedly one wooden building, but nothing more substantial. She had even provided the direction and distance, after some... well, 'prompting'.

Luna closed her eyes and let her senses expand all the way to the horizon. She was searching for a specific feeling, a point of strong magical energy. She knew what to look for because she'd taken a detour around the Earth portal to see how it felt. This second one had to be very much like the first, Luna reasoned.

Nothing.

Perhaps she was still too far. She opened her eyes and looked around. There was no ocean to see anymore. The place where this unexplored continent touched Equestria was a narrow strip of land, caught between two masses of water like in a vice, but it had since expanded and pushed the seas away. There was nothing but forest as far as the eye could see before her, and an odd glimmer to her South. Perhaps a desert, or something stranger still. Towards North she could see a brighter patch of snow jutting up from the forest. It looked just like the tips of the Frozen North, the peaks against which the Crystal Empire nestled. Luna guessed that the very same mountain range continued all this way, perhaps even forming a ring around the whole planet. She knew there was a sea passage to the North Pole up from the Celestial Sea, as a heroic explorer had proved nearly a century back. She had to think back to her hasty lessons of recent history with Celestia to come up with a name. Muddy Road, yes. An earth pony with a crew of fifteen sailors, including a unicorn who could decisively prove that they'd reached the exact pole by measuring the magical leylines.

The Princess shook her head in annoyance. She ought to be paying more attention to where they were flying, and how fast, rather than reminiscing about strange tidbits of lore. She slowed and let her escort catch up. There were some things pegasi were better at than even alicorns.

"Sergeant, how far?" she asked.

Luna had asked the same question at least four times each day, marking off the distance on her mental map.

"Five and a half days normal flight, ma'am," the colt replied. His voice was absolutely certain. She'd tasked him and another of his subordinates of keeping a close track. The distance was five and a half, but they'd covered it in a little under four days. Such was the navigational skill of her officers that they could work out their relative speed and translate it into something usable. She beamed at the colt with pride and almost giggled when her smile made him blush. Young, to have achieved that post, but then again all the ponies around her were young. Mere infants, when compared to Celestia and herself.

"Thank you... Moon Glow," she said, foregoing the title just to see how much she could fluster him.

His unusual name was perhaps as much a reason she'd demanded for his transfer to Canterlot as was his military skill. Her eyes lingered on that flank a little longer and Luna changed her mind. That crystal-sparkling blue-violet coat was the real reason, actually.

Spring Morning, the changeling, had given an approximation of five days' pegasus flight from the borders of Equestria to the portal, but the mare hadn't been entirely sure. Changelings flew differently than ponies, so it had to be taken with a grain of salt in either case. She had obviously underestimated, but that was okay. The worse possibility was that Luna had missed the direction, which would mean backtracking. That was the reason she tried to sense the portal to either side as much as in front. If she covered a wide enough swath, being slightly off course wouldn't matter.

"Let's keep going. Don't push yourselves and yell if you get too tired. We might have a battle on our hooves before the end of the day."

The sergeant gave a strong flap with his wings to push himself higher and used the momentum to give her a smart wing salute, before continuing the precise, even pace of his flight.

Luna focused inward once more. She tried to expand her area of awareness, even though it lost precision. The portal was powerful enough that she should be able to-

"There!"

She angled herself into a new direction and sped up. A rush of adrenaline flushed away any traces of fatigue she might have felt, even after days of constant flying and nights of restless sleep.

Her guard adjusted their heading and matched her wing beats easily, eyes already scanning into the distance.

There was nothing to see just yet, not until they got a little closer, but Luna was certain. Now that she'd felt it, the place shone like a beacon in her mind.

"One hour, sergeant," she called behind her, muzzle already splitting into an eager grin. "We land and rest at thirty minutes, then we fly fast. We show them what the Night Guard can do!"

A cheer erupted from eight throats, a cry of boasting and anger. The humans wouldn't know what hit them.

After they had rested, and ate, and drank their fill, Luna gathered her troop around her to explain her plan. She had gone over it, at least in general terms, with the sergeant, but now it was time to enact it.

"Good. Gather up, everypony," she called to them.

They clustered together in front of her in a loose semicircle, so she could look them all in their eyes. Despite all her precautions, there was a real possibility that some of them might not make it back. Luna wanted to see their faces, burn them into her memory. She would have to live with what happened and she was not about to shirk her duty. There was a reason she was called the 'Warrior Princess' and today was the day to re-affirm that title.

"You might have noticed there was a magical bubble around each of you while we flew. There is a reason for that."

Not one of them had questioned, of course, but the eyes looking back at her were curious. In some of them, there was grim determination.

"This is because the humans have weapons you haven't seen before. Their guns can shoot small pellets of metal with tremendous speed and accuracy. I did not want to take any chances."

There could have been forward scouts or a guard even before she felt the portal. Luna didn't think so, based on Spring Morning's description of how lazy these criminals were, but it paid to be careful. Not one among her guard batted an eyebrow or flicked a tail at this news. She couldn't help but smile with pride.

"There may be worse things - weapons which explode or spout flame. I will renew your shields before we attack, but come seek me out if they weaken," she instructed, then glanced at the officer. "Sergeant?"

He cleared his throat. They'd agreed that this part would be best explained by him, since Luna was rather rusty at hoof-to-hoof fighting. She'd been relying on her magic her whole life.

"Alright, troops," the brisk, no-nonsense voice rang out. "When we engage the enemy, fly at them and fly fast. Hooves forward, the sooner you put them out of action, the safer for us all." He pointed a hoof around the semi-circle. "You and you, you're with Corporal Heat Lightning. Your job is to take out solitaries or pairs." Then he picked out a glossy, black colt. "Velvet, you're with me. We watch the Princess' back!"

The chosen ponies saluted, but Moon Glow wasn't done yet. "The remaining three will be flying perimeter. Pick off any stragglers but don't expose yourself. Keep a watch on any of them fleeing into the forest or reinforcements coming out of it. We don't want any surprises!"

There were more salutes all around and the sergeant grunted in approval. "Good. Evasive action as we fly in. The Princess will protect us against guns and explosions, but any hit we evade makes it easier for her."

This time it was Luna who nodded her agreement. Each hit that impacted their shields would leech away a tiny bit of their magic. She was confident it wouldn't be a problem, but she was no Shining Armor.

"Remember," she broke in, "there may be captives, both humans and ponies. Furthermore, there may be ponies helping the humans, so use your discretion. If you aren't sure, knock them out or point them out to me and I will stun them. We can apologize later."

Once more the squad saluted, wingtips touching foreheads in perfect unison.

"We fly straight for the portal. We must prevent any of them from going through and fetching help. That will be my job."

She would have to seal the portal off somehow, or raise some kind of a barrier to prevent both humans fleeing through it, and reinforcements coming the other way. It would have to be creative, though, since there were likely unicorns with the enemy. One particular bit of ancient magic came to mind and the Princess shuddered just thinking about it. It was dangerous, but it should do the trick. Most importantly, it wouldn't need her constant concentration.

"We will fly low and fly fast. Weave through treetops. Make no noise. I don't want them to know we are upon them until it is too late, understand?"

There was a resounding "Yes, ma'am!"

She looked over at Moon Glow to see if he had anything to add. The sergeant barked an order: "Ateeeen- shun! Check your equipment! Two magical-dampening nets, each. Two bolas, each. Hoofguards. Armor. Helmet."

There was a clattering as each guard felt around their person for the mentioned items. A few of them pulled their helmets off and inspected them.

Heat Lightning, Moon Glow's second in command, watched the proceedings and when he was happy with the results he turned to face the sergeant. "All ready, sir!"

Moon Glow turned and gave Luna a nod.

"Then let's go!"

She crouched and jumped, bringing her wings down in a swift, strong first flap like a thunderclap. She rose quickly to just below treetops and turned to zone in directly at the portal. There was near absolute silence behind her as the rest of the pegasi flew up and established a formation behind her. A wedge with her in the head. Luna knew they would hold rank precisely until battle was joined. She turned her next wing flap backwards and pushed ahead, heart pumping with the thrill.

Sometimes it was a damned shame there were no wars in today's Equestria. She hadn't realized how much she missed this rush, this contest of wits and strength and agility.
It really made her feel alive and it took an effort not to yell out her battle-cry.

Chapter 37: The Warrior Princess

It began according to plan, but it quickly became improvisation as all military engagements tended to do. Luna swept past the first row of tents, grinning as the humans scattered. Some of them had guns, but her appearance was so fast and unexpected they didn't think to use them at first. Good thing she'd practiced her Nightmare Moon illusion for that misplaced Nightmare Night prank. It served her well to strike fear into the hearts of these mortals and, more importantly, into the few unicorns she spotted moving freely about.

Her wings were black velvet and her mane was a window into a midnight-starry sky. Her eyes were vertical slits and her teeth pointed, like those of a monster. Even her horn looked longer and sharper. She glanced back to make sure her troop were still on her tail, then swooped around the wooden building and flew straight for the glimmering portal in a clearing. Several humans were already running for it, but it was a trivial matter to pick them up in her magic and toss them aside. If they weren't knocked out by the landing, they wisely stayed down.

More were on their way and a few were already near, fiddling with their guns as she considered what to do next.

She looked back and barked orders: "Go! Don't let them use their guns!"

As soon as Luna had said that, she pulled sharply up and let the pegasi shoot forward and split up. They had their jobs.

The portal. A simple shield would not do, especially since these humans had ponies on their sides. She saw one of the unicorns running toward her. It would have to be her original idea, however distasteful. There was no real time for anything fancy, so Luna focused her horn on the ground around the portal. This was a little trick she'd picked up when she and Sister had fought Sombra.

Black crystals shot up from the ground around the opening, higher than a man could jump. They crackled with dark energy and splintered into sharp points. No creature would be stupid enough to approach that. It would have to be cleaned up later, but it was the fastest she could do in a pinch and it didn't need concentration to maintain. The black power within them had a life of its own. It would spread if unchecked and plunge this part of the world into corruption and mayhem. Most importantly, it would serve her for a while.

There was a soft ping and she looked in that direction. The air rippled as more and more bits of metal - bullets, they were called - ricochetted off her shield. That was good. Most of the soldiers were focusing on the biggest threat, which was clearly her, while the pegasi flew around the clearing, laying waste to the armed humans and ponies on their side.

She watched as a group of three unshaven men whirled to face the charge. Corporal Heat Lightning and his wing pony expertly flipped in the air, hind hooves bent like a coiled spring. They bucked and Luna thought she could hear the low thump of hooves on chests. Two fewer defenders and the third one couldn't keep his grip on the weapon as it was kicked out of his hands. He went scurrying after it, but the piece of metal was twisted beyond usability. She glanced the other way and saw one of her guards deftly evade a unicorn's spell and drop a net over the shocked pony. He pivoted practically on his tail and his hoof slammed against the unicorn's head.

More bullets impacted her shield and were deflected. It really was no effort at all and Luna slowly descended to land before the main group of soldiers.

She would show them what it meant to go against an alicorn!

One of the men tossed a small metal ball at her and shouted: "Grenade!"

The soldiers threw themselves down and she frowned at the thing. It was a bad idea to let it touch her, so she smacked it away with levitation, but it landed nearby and rolled to a stop. Just in case she thickened the magical barrier around herself.

Its concussive force nearly pushed her off her hooves and for a few moments all she could see was white. The world rang after the explosion and Luna took an involuntary step backwards, covering her muzzle with a wing. She blinked her eyes, trying to bring two images back into alignment. She shook her head to get rid of the ringing in her ears.

There was a cheer from the humans, but she took a step forward and it died out.

Had the 'grenade' been a hoofstep closer, she might have been knocked down, perhaps even lost consciousness. It was a piece of luck and Luna was a little shaken. Perhaps a touch more respect had been warranted.

Despite that, she bared her illusory fangs and snarled at the men. She kept a close watch for any more of these grenades lobbed her way. Luckily, the fighters lost heart and turned to run. The front rank collided with the people in the back as they struggled and pushed to get out of her way.

It was time to finish the battle. Her enemy was on the run and their best weapons could not touch her. Luna lowered her horn and drew more magic into herself. 'Try not to kill.' That had been her Sister's advice. It wasn't out of compassion for these brigands, but rather out of concern for her. Killing hurt the heart. It was to be avoided. That was where magic provided much greater finesse than these crude human weapons. A blast shot from her horn and Luna swept it across the fleeing backs of men. Where the blue beam touched a human, said person fell to the ground, stunned. They would sleep firmly, unable to wake, until at least sunset.

The sergeant landed before Luna, a fierce little grin on his muzzle. "They are on the run, Princess," he reported. "Some of them run for the woods."

Luna shook her head. "We must catch them. They will not survive alone in this forest. Have your ponies keep track of them from the air. They should stay out of reach of their guns."

She glanced back at the portal, but it was completely impenetrable. Even the best unicorns in Equestria couldn't get through that barrier. She shuddered a little at the dark, thorny feel of the magic coursing through those stones.

What a twisted genius was Sombra.

"First, finish the search of the tents and the house. We do not want any surprises. If you find prisoners, bring them to this clearing."

Black Velvet few in from the side, muzzle twisted into a grimace. "Princess! Sergeant! Casualties!" he reported.

Luna's heart dropped and she remembered the other side of war. "Dead?" she asked, keeping her voice steady. There would be time to mourn later.

Velvet shook his head and it was as if a large stone rolled away from Luna's heart. "No, but... you might want to see for yourself."

She glanced around the clearing, but there was little else for her to do. A few earth ponies were dodging between the tents, trying to evade capture by two of her pegasi guard, which was clearly a fruitless endeavour. There were no bipedal creatures standing. Her attack had been so sudden that most of them had no chance to fight. A few of them were kneeling with their hands on their heads under the watchful gaze of Heat Lightning.

The rest, she thought, had run into the woods, but there were winged shapes up above tracking their every move.

"Very well. Let's go. Moon Glow, keep an eye on things."

The inside of the cabin was dark and gloomy. The small window didn't let in enough light. Not to mention that it stank of unwashed cloth, alcohol and sweat. At first the scene made very little sense. One of her guards, Rain Drop, was standing in the middle of the room, a crude wooden spear in his hooves aimed at a cowering human.

She was about to ask where the weapon had come from, but she spotted a couple more leaning against the wall near the door. Beside the human was an unconscious unicorn with blood on his head. He was covered with the dampening net despite that. In fact, red droplets liberally spattered the floor and Luna quickly identified the source. Rain Drop already had a hastily wrapped bandage around a foreleg, the fabric stained pink.

"Are you alright, Private?"

The stallion nodded without taking his gaze off the captive human. His eyes glanced down and Luna saw a knife, edge coated with blood.

"The unicorn... proved somewhat of a distraction and it allowed the human to strike," the private admitted, a touch of red gracing his otherwise azure muzzle coat.

The Princess transferred her gaze to the man, who snarled wordlessly at her. She didn't let him do anything else and lowered her horn. He managed to get his arms up to shield his face, but it was useless. The stun ray hit and he toppled over. Only then did Rain Drop relax and let his spear fall.

"Come here. Let me see your wound. Corporal, check on the unicorn."

The private took an unsteady step, trying to suppress a wince. Obviously the wound pained him, but he didn't want to show it. Luna unwrapped the bandage with a simple bit of levitation and hissed through her teeth.

The gash wasn't very big, but it looked quite deep. Luckily she knew some basic first aid spells. "Hold still, this will sting a bit."

Her horn glowed and enveloped the injury. Rain Drop grunted, but didn't try to pull away, reminding her that she only picked the very best for her guard.

Let Celestia have her pristine white, statuesque stallions. She'd take the tough, the wiry, the fierce, regardless of their color. If some of them had nice, firm haunches, that was only an added bonus.

"There. Bandage it up and keep it clean. Report to Canterlot Medical as soon as we're back."

The stallion saluted. "Yes, Princess!"

A shadow blocked out what little light came through the open door and Luna looked up. It was only Moon Glow, but he had an interesting sort of smirk on his muzzle.

"Sergeant?" she asked pointedly.

"Sorry, ma'am. Unusual to see Nightmare Moon tending the wounded!"

She suddenly realized she still had her disguise. She couldn't help chuckling at how the exchange with Rain Drop must have looked. It was only a matter of stopping to concentrate on the spell and it faded. Her form went back to her normal, slightly less imposing, but infinitely more lovely self. At least those had been Eli's words. That man had some strange ideas for the bedroom, some of them involving Nightmare Moon. She had to shake her head twice to clear the sudden memory.

"The prisoners?"

"Six ponies, three humans. The ponies were being taken to Earth, the humans just came from there."

"Good. There is one more thing I must do. See to things."

The sergeant just saluted as she squeezed out of the cabin past him. She walked to the portal and inspected her hoofwork. Already the corruption of the crystals was spreading, but she didn't dare banish it yet. Some of their essence penetrated to the Earth side, warning all not to try enter the portal. At least, Luna hoped they'd be smart enough to stay away. If they tried...

She didn't know what would happen. Probably nothing pleasant.

There was a bit of the portal still open near the top, but it looked like the crystals would cover it in a few minutes. That was perfect for her. It took her a few moments to remember the spell she'd worked out with Celestia and the human scientist she'd brought to see her. Something like a beacon.

Her horn began to glow in the blue light of her usual magic, except a lot fiercer, and the mare grunted with the effort. The spell itself was simple, but she had to make it last as long as possible. A ball detached from her horn and floated before her, its magical energy making an angry buzz in her mind, like a rasp being dragged across her horn. It was making the hair on her back stand on end. Luna poured more and more into it, until the ball was as big as her head and the angry buzzing practically screamed at her. That was good enough and she didn't want to tire herself out unnecessarily, in case there was more trouble.

She nodded at the ball and it floated up. Then Luna flicked her horn and the thing flew into the portal. It was pure energy and there was no way for the humans on the other side to stop it, even if they had built a building around the portal. The ball would rise several miles into the air and keep blaring out that annoying magical noise.

Celestia's scientist had called it a- what was it now?

Luna had to say it out loud to remember properly: "Wide-spectrum, high-frequency E. M. radiation. Huh..." The words tasted foreign and she couldn't begin to guess what they meant. She decided to ask Eli when she was back.

"Princess?"

Corporal Black Velvet was standing behind her.

"Nothing. Just something I heard."

He watched the portal, even though the ball was gone and the crystals were slowly enveloping the last opening. "What does it do?"

"The humans will be able to sense it, somehow, with their machines in the sky. They will know where to go, where the other end of this portal is hidden." One more thing, and an important one at that. "Stand back, corporal," she warned.

Black Velvet scurried out of the way as Luna aimed her horn down. It blazed pure white this time and a stream shot out to score a gouge into the ground. The furrow she made with it was filled with light. Luna began walking backwards, keeping up the pressure, until she had circled the portal and the shallow trench became a moat of white light.

"There." She was beginning to feel a slight headache of magical exertion. She shook her head and sighed. Out of practice, out of shape. "It will keep the dark magic contained until the other side of the portal is secured. Then we will banish it."

"What will happen with this second portal?" Black Velvet asked.

Luna could only shrug. "That is for Sister to decide. I'm glad I'm not in her hoofguards, though. It will... complicate matters." Still, she had won a victory and the mere thought was enough to bring out a smile. "Come. Let us see to the prisoners and plan how we will get everypony back to Canterlot."

The guard inclined his head and stepped aside to let Luna pass.

"We will hunt down the stragglers, first," Luna added, looking at the dense forest around them. "It would not be civilized to let them die out there."

Besides, Equestria had to be shown those responsible. There had to be justice done, proper justice, not simply revenge.

That was something both Eli and Celestia had insisted upon.

Chapter 38: Quiet Moments

Princess Luna stood on the roof of the only wooden building in the camp. It gave her a good view over the activity around her without having to flap her wings to stay up. She had to be extra vigilant. Thanks to her guard they'd rounded up all the stray humans from the forest, but she was still worried about a possible attack. According to the prisoners she'd freed, the criminals made an expedition to Equestria and back approximately once each moon and one was overdue. Her muzzle scrunched up in distaste. A caravan of fresh pony slaves was on their way to be shipped to Earth, where they would be mistreated and used.

Of course it was possible they'd seen her flying overhead, which may make them vary of coming in the open, but Luna didn't imagine they'd choose to stay in the forest. No, they'd either come to the camp, hoping to escape to Earth, or they'd turn back toward Equestria. Moon Glow had instructions to set up a line of watchers along the eastern border. It would mean a few weeks of roughing it for some of the local town guards, but it was a small price to pay. Small, compared to what the captured ponies had to go through. Luna shook her head to dislodge the unpleasant thought. She sought for anything else to think about.

Her eyes landed on the portal, which was now completely covered with the black crystals. The ward she had put in place was keeping it contained, but she couldn't be sure the scourge wasn't spreading on the Earth side. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but perhaps it was a good thing. It would unsettle the criminals on that side and make it easier to capture them. Once she had word from Celestia that the criminal camp on Earth was secure she'd be able to destroy the infestation easily enough. Yes it spread like a disease, but without a malevolent, guiding mind it wasn't too big of a danger for an alicorn.

More than once she'd thought of banishing Sombra's magic and replacing it with a more mundane spell, but with that knowledge and with the additional fear that the humans on the other side might have some unicorns helping them, she'd decided to leave it. Of course, it was possible that they might figure out how to banish the dark magic, but Luna thought it exceedingly unlikely. She only knew of two ponies beside herself who had both the skill and the power to do so.

"Princess?" a voice interrupted her thoughts and she looked around for the source. She hadn't even heard the guard approach.

"Corporal? What is it?"

He inclined his head, foregoing a formal bow on the sloped, slippery roof. "Lunch is being served. I can take over here."

Now that her attention had been brought to it, Luna did feel slightly peckish. She spread her wings and jumped into the air, hovering beside the stallion, who took up position at the top of the roof. "Keep a watch on the forest. A caravan may be coming from Equestria and we must catch them."

Black Velvet took the spot she'd just occupied and quickly scanned the horizon before throwing a smart wing-salute. "Yes, Princess."

She didn't bother replying and twisted in the air. She gave just one flap of her wings to gain some momentum, then locked them in place to glide down. The half-spiral brought her to the entrance of the wooden house. She'd taken it as both her headquarters and the infirmary. It was where she'd housed the freed slaves who were too unwell to travel. She entered the gloomy interior, but her eyes quickly adapted to the darkness. Two humans and a pony were watching her warily from crude, straw beds in one corner. Corporal Lightning looked up from a pot he was stirring in the other. The house had a rudimentary fireplace with a chimney, so it was possible to cook inside. There had also been a table were the criminal leaders ate, but it took up too much space and Luna had her troops toss it out.

"Princess. Stew is ready," Heat Lightning announced. She'd never guessed he was such a good cook, but their extended stay in this camp had brought out that particular skill. The smell was making her stomach growl and Luna licked her lips in anticipation.

"Have you eaten?" she asked him.

"I will, Princess."

She turned around to the freed slaves and tried to look less intimidating. They were extremely scared of her, ever since seeing her in her Nightmare Moon guise. They'd watched how easily she'd vanquished their captors.

"How about you? You should eat to regain your strength. The journey back to Equestria will be difficult, even on Sister's pegasi-pulled carriages."

The two humans stared at her and the pony, a pegasus mare, looked down at her hooves. They looked decidedly uncomfortable.

Luna came closer and tried giving them a warm smile. "Please, there is no need to be afraid."

Their reaction was just like that silly Nightmare Night in Ponyville all over again! It was all the Princess could do not to growl in frustration.

"Um, we already ate, Mah-Majesty," one of the humans finally spoke up. It was a younger male human, Luna saw, rather pale, with spindly arms and a short, messy crop of black hair. There was a sheen of sweat on his face and he was shivering, despite being wrapped up in a blanket.

"Would you like some more?"

This made all three of them look up with interest. Their expressions were easy to read. Disbelief, mostly. They'd made their peace with being prisoners and now their world was being turned upside down. She knew they used ponies to pull the carts through this thick, muddy forest. It was hard going and she'd seen the results of such labor in all the former slaves. The pegasus mare had a sprained ankle. Well, it had begun as a sprained ankle, but since her captors hadn't been all too keen on providing her with even the most basic medical care, it had gotten worse. She may be able to fly when they left, but Luna wanted her to rest a few days beforehoof.

The two humans both had a fever of some sort. She was hoping it would break before subjecting them to the arduous journey. Luckily it didn't seem to be contagious to ponies, at least.

Heat Lightning brought four bowls neatly balanced on outstretched wings and Luna levitated three of them to the freed prisoners. The human female grabbed it as if afraid it might be taken away and began gobbling it down, but the male had enough presence of mind to murmur a quiet thank you. His accent was thick and unusual, similar to what she'd overheard from the other humans. They all seemed to understand her, but sometimes when they spoke they used wrong words, or hesitated as they sought for the right expression. It seemed Equestrian wasn't their native language, Luna guessed.

"Thank you, P-Princess," the pegasus spoke up at last. They were the first words she'd said to Luna and there was still a large amount of fear in her eyes. She'd seen her Nightmare Moon act and for her it was possibly even scarier than for the humans. She'd grown up with the legends of the Mare in the Moon, after all.

"It's quite alright. What are your names?"

The mare lowered her head once more, but she murmured: "Lemon Drop, Princess."

It suited her bright yellow coat, Luna saw. She transferred her gaze to the human colt - no, he was a boy Luna corrected herself. He gave a start and nearly spilled his stew, but managed to recover in time.

"Relax. We are here to help. What is your name?"

"Ah-" he began, but he'd spoken too quickly and some stew went the wrong way, making the poor lad cough. He was completely red in the face by the time he managed to choke out: "Akash."

"Good. And you?" Luna asked and turned her head to look at the female.

For a moment it seemed the young woman was too scared of her to answer, but Lemon Drop draped a wing around her shoulders which gave her some courage. "Um, Lalita, uh Princess."

They'd both stopped eating and were watching Luna warily, waiting what she'd do. She inclined her head to try and put them at their ease. "When you're feeling a little better we will take you to Canterlot, so that the doctors can take a look at you. After that you will be free to go, understand?"

This made Lalita sit up straighter and her eyes lit up with sudden hope. "We can go home?!"

"Of course. It should only be a matter of days."

Luna looked at Heat Lightning, who was enjoying his own bowl of stew. He hadn't bothered with a spoon and was dipping his muzzle into his meal. When he noticed her looking, the guard straightened up and began hurriedly licking his muzzle clean.

"I have informed Sister of our situation. She has sent pegasi-pulled carriages with reinforcements, but they will need several days to come here." Her mouth twitched up into a smile. "The day guard are not as proficient fliers as you."

The corporal blushed a little at the praise and threw a salute. "What about the Sergeant, Princess?"

"The reinforcements will find him with my help. It is useful to be able to walk in dreams, don't you think? They will take the freed humans and ponies to Canterlot, but the criminals will go the long way."

That would give Celestia time to work out the court proceedings and the legal matters, in particular where they touched citizens of Earth. Furthermore, slogging through the thick, Eastern Wilderness would work as a good start to their punishment.

"Thank you, Princess. I will fly another pass around the nearby forests in case we missed any of them."

"Good. I suspect if we are unable to close this portal Sister will arrange for permanent pony presence here. If any of the humans have managed to hide, they will undoubtedly crawl back when they get hungry."

Heat Lightning threw another salute in lieu of a reply and began to slurp up the rest of his stew. That reminded Luna that she had her own meal floating in the air beside her. She looked around for a spoon, but the only three seemed to be in use by the former prisoners, so the Princess simply brought the bowl to her mouth and sipped.

Speaking of the freed slaves, they were fully engrossed in their meal and slowly relaxing in her presence. Luna spotted some cloth in the corner and lifted up a blanket. She folded it and placed it on the concrete floor to sit on.

"Tell me more about yourselves, please," she inquired of the three.

Princess Celestia dragged her hooves a little on her way from the conference room to her bedroom. She fought to suppress a yawn and nearly lost her balance. It was a blessing that no other ponies were about this late. Her muzzle held a slight grimace, tinged with annoyance. Those military people from Earth were impossible! She was starting to think it was their job to come up with potential problems.

"No, they are not going to escape from Canterlot Castle dungeons! As if we do not have magical enchantments on locks!" the mare grumbled quietly to herself.

The nerve of the man! However decorated he was, no human had call to doubt her methods! Not even the best unicorns would be able to escape her dungeons! It all stemmed from the request - no, the demand - that the criminals be delivered into human custody at once. Celestia wouldn't stand for that. Not only were some of the prisoners ponies, but had also been caught on Equestrian territory. Well, that last one was more of a technicality, rather than absolute truth, but since Princess Luna had been the first pony to legally claim the unexplored East, that made it sovereign Equestrian soil.

Celestia sighed and lowered her head. She hoped her words wouldn't come back to bite her on the rump when the griffins and the dragons and the minotaurs heard about them. It would take careful hoofwork, especially if the portal couldn't be closed and she'd need to establish permanent presence in the far East.

Problems for another day. For now it was enough that she'd dissuaded this Commander Callahan from sending troops to meet the returning night guard. Part of it was the fact that the jungle was completely impassable for human vehicles. From what Luna had explained the criminals had used pony-drawn carts and it was still quite a travail, only made possible by using slave labor. No, the pegasi-pulled carriages would be an elegant sufficiency for the endeavour.

The Princess almost bumped into an unexpected human in the hallway.

"Hey, Celly."

"Greg?" Her mood lifted instantly and her scrunching muzzle relaxed into a grin. "You are a sight for sore eyes, love," she said with heartfelt conviction.

"I could say the same. I got worried so I came looking for you. Everything okay?"

Her smile slipped away and the mare growled: "It is that... Callahan!" The pause and her tone of voice when she said the name betrayed that she'd rather have said 'idiot', but didn't want to undo her hard work in case anypony overheard. "Are all humans so- insistent? Eager? Controlling? He would not take 'no' for an answer!"

Greg chuckled and put one of his delightfully warm hands on her neck. "Sounds like a military type, yep." His fingers dug in and Celestia's knees trembled before she locked them in place. "Come."

She looked around for any of the palace staff and spotted two of her guards behind Greg. A flash of guilt almost colored her muzzle red before she could stomp it out. She hoped the man wouldn't notice her own escort was strangely missing. There was no further need for it anyway. Silvermane was in prison and the human camp was captured. If the pony mastermind behind this whole mess wasn't among the prisoners, Celestia had little doubt they'd tell her who it was as soon as she got her hooves on the lot. Those insidious, sneaky attacks on the Castle guests were over, especially now that they didn't have a changeling anymore.

True, there might have been more than just Spring Morning, but Celestia doubted it. If Silvermane had more changelings at his disposal, he'd have used them already. It was time to stop with the exaggerated guard.

"Private Cover, please go to the Castle kitchen and have them send some coffee to the big balcony. You are free after you finish that task."

The earth pony gave a salute and hurried off without a word in a display of brisk efficiency. He was bucking for promotion and something about that thought tickled Celestia's mind. She looked at the other guard. "Sergeant, you can finish for the day as well."

That one hesitated, perhaps feeling his rank a little more. "But Princess, Captain Fire Fly will-"

"Not say a word about it. I will give him his orders first thing tomorrow. The guard is to be stepped down from high alert."

The pegasus quickly realized this was above his pay grade and dipped his head in a little bow. "As you say, Princess."

Finally she was alone with Greg. A smiling, mischievous-expression, sure-to-be-plotting-something Greg. She met his grin with one of her finest innocent gazes. "Shall we?"

He fell in step beside her and she lead the way to the balcony overlooking Canterlot. It was a lovely night and despite the late hour she wanted to share some of it with Greg.

"So that's it?" he asked. "No more panic. It's over?"

"I believe so."

"What if the leader of this whole mess is still free, somewhere in the city?"

"That may be the case, but they will be on their last hoof. No more allies and we will know who it is the minute Moon Glow brings in the human prisoners."

Greg nodded sagely, but then he grunted to himself and looked directly at her. "That could be a month from now. You said Luna intends to have the criminals walk the whole way."

"Yes, that was her idea, but I gave Silverwing different instructions. I don't think I could keep Callahan waiting for that long. Half of Silverwing's squad will pick up the entire party and bring them here, the others will go to relieve Luna at the portal."

"Good. Having them slog through the jungle could give some unscrupulous lawyer ammunition," Greg pointed out. "Cruel and unusual punishment, for one."

Celestia inclined her head and closed her eyes for a few seconds. "You know, memories of your court proceedings still haunt me some days."

Greg just chuckled, his hand patting her back as they emerged into the cool night air. It was summer, but the nights this high up the Canterlot mountain were still quite fresh. She led him to the railing and the two of them looked across the mostly sleeping city.

"Did you ever imagine you would be here someday? I mean, after you heard about my world, after the first portal opened?"

He shook his head and stepped closer, so they could share a bit of body warmth. "Never. At first it was just curiosity. You know, Earth never had magic, at least not real magic. Then I guess I kinda dismissed it and focused on my work."

"Until you decided you wanted a pony maid," Celestia giggled.

"Yeah, I don't really know what came over me. If I'd known how much trouble you'd be..."

Celestia turned to face him and her breath caught. Surely Greg wasn't regretting meeting her?!

"I'd still do it," he went on, eyes focused on the distance, probably not even seeing her. His hand came to rest against her muzzle and Greg leaned in to leave a light kiss on the tip of her nose. "Wouldn't trade this for the world, Celly."

Again her knees went weak and the Princess let her mouth split into a goofy grin. "That good in bed, am I?"

They both laughed at that, but fell silent when hoofsteps approached. It was one of the maids with a tray levitating in her magical grip. She brought it close, then bowed her head and lifted it up.

Celestia grabbed the two cups in her own magic and floated one over to Greg. "Thank you," she said to the maid.

The unicorn mare murmured some polite reply, but Celestia wasn't listening anymore. She barely waited long enough for the hoofsteps to fade before stealing a light kiss from Greg.

"Oh, there was one thing I was meaning to ask," he said, suddenly thoughtful. His mischievous expression from before was back and Celestia steeled herself from a possible prank.

"Anything, love."

"Do you think the Crown could put up a stipend for one aspiring baker?"

The request came out of the blue and Celestia blinked a few times in surprise. She tried to pierce the darkness to see Greg's face better, but it didn't sound like a joke.

"Probably. Why, if I might ask?"

He shrugged and turned to look at the city. "Well, there's this bakery on the corner of Cloudsdale Lane and Restaurant Row. They're looking for an apprentice baker."

Celestia started to have an inkling where this was going, but decided to play along and pretend not to understand. "And I suppose you have a candidate in mind?" she asked.

"Yeah. Except they're not from Canterlot, so they'd need to find a place to stay, living expenses, you know. Not something a pony could afford on apprentice baker's pay."

The Princess pretended to think about it, then licked her lips. "I am quite fond of that particular bakery."

Greg chuckled and wrapped his arm around her neck to press her against himself. She wasn't cold, not with her fur, but it was still a pleasant gesture which she returned with a wing around his shoulders.

"I do not know if I should be upset with you, you know? Blossom's parents had only just gotten her back and already you are plotting with Star Bright to take her away again." She took the sting out of her accusation by means of a gentle nuzzle.

Luckily Greg didn't take her words too seriously. "I know Bright offered to move to Las Pegasus, but I don't think he should give up his own studies just to be with his girlfriend."

"Fillyfriend," Celestia corrected. "And there is an observatory in Las Pegasus."

Greg sighed, but he didn't let her go for which Celestia was infinitely grateful. "Yeah, but it's not nearly as nice as the one here. I checked."

She grinned and leaned down to brush her muzzle against his hair. In truth, she'd already decided and she was just teasing a little. "Relax, Gregory. I will give Lilly Blossom a stipend with which she can live in Canterlot. She can repay me in cakes. Just tell me this: are you sure it is her destiny to be a baker?"

"Well, it's what she wants. I know her cutie mark is some flowers, but from what I've seen those things sometimes have a very loose interpretation."

Celestia was silent for long seconds, then sat on her haunches, her wing sliding down until it was around Greg's waist. "That is one of my best-kept secrets, Gregory. I hope you will not spread it around."

The man stiffened in surprise. "What? What do you mean?"

"The fact that a pony has a large degree of choice when it comes to their cutie mark. It is not as set in stone as everypony believes. Whatever explanation they conceive of what the picture represents is usually correct, and aligns with their natural talent." He was silent, so Celestia tried to explain it with a concrete example: "For instance, Lilly Blossom's cutie mark is water lilies, which most ponies would translate into something to do with actual flowers. Well, on the other hoof, it could represent marzipan flowers, such as one puts on cakes."

"Oh. I see."

"With how obsessed my ponies are with cutie marks, this knowledge would make many wonder if they had chosen correctly. Please keep it to yourself."

Greg said nothing for a while, then ventured in a very careful tone of voice: "So, what else could yours mean, then?" He sipped his hot coffee, grateful for its warmth.

Celestia chuckled at the unexpected change in direction. "A Princess will never tell, but if you can guess I will reward you, handsomely."

"I'm not really after money, Celly."

"No, you misunderstand. If you guess I will reward you by letting your handsome self do what you want with this Princess."

As if she wouldn't let him do anything to her anyway. They both knew it, but it sounded like an enjoyable little game and Greg readily agreed. "Deal. Let's see, sun. What else can an image of the sun represent?"

Celestia leaned her head on his shoulder, content to sit and let him talk through it. Soon it would be time to go to bed, but for now she could enjoy a quiet moment with her coltfriend. A thought from earlier rose up again. "By the way, Gregory. Do you perhaps know why Snow Cover is bucking for a promotion?"

This was another unexpected change in direction and it took Greg a few moments to bring his train of thought back under control. "Snow Cover? The new recruit guard?"

"Yes?"

He thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers. "Ooh, yeah. Fire Fly told me over pool yesterday. He proposed to Aura and wants a higher wage so he'll be able to afford the wedding."

"Proposed?! Had they not only met a few weeks ago?"

"No," Greg explained, "it was right at the start of this whole mess with Blossom, remember? I went to visit Storm Pop and Aura a few days after we found Blossom on the road."

"That still feels rather fast."

Greg shrugged to himself. "Not everyone has to go as slowly as us, Celly."

She had to give him that. Her own courting of Gregory had taken quite a while, not least because of her own uncertainty. "Well, Snow Cover had shown himself capable. Perhaps I can find room for one more corporal. I will speak with Fire Fly."

"Great. Thanks," Greg answered and patted her side with his hand where he had it draped around her. "Wanna go inside?"

"In a minute. I would like to watch the stars a little longer."

Greg turned his face up, perhaps really looking at the sky for the first time since they'd come out. "Yeah, the nights really are spectacular here. I can see why Star Bright likes it so much."

"Thank you for these quiet moments, Gregory. It has been a... strange few months."

Rather than replying, Greg just squeezed her a little tighter. They both sipped their rapidly cooling coffee and gazed at the stars.

Chapter 39: How a Princess Relaxes (NSFW)

Princess Celestia paused before entering the conference room. She closed her eyes and took a slow, deliberate breath. For a moment she forgot Eli Grant beside her and the insufferable Commander Callahan inside. All she needed was this one moment of serenity, so that she could-

"Are you okay, Princess?" Eli asked. His voice was polite and respectful, but Celestia could detect a hint of worry.

He was probably concerned about Luna and was just projecting it on her, but the thought still warmed her heart and she forgave his interruption of her quiet moment.

She forced a slight smile, re-assumed her regal expression and went to reassure him: "I am fine. Let us just get this over with."

She reached for her magic to open the door, but paused once again when a new thought occurred to her. Why was she even doing this? They'd had no news since Luna's message in her dream when she had captured the criminals' camp on the Equestrian side. There had been no word from Earth about the search for the other end of the portal. True, such news would come to the Commander first, but Celestia would undoubtedly be informed about such a message from Earth the instant it came in. Not to mention that the search might take a while, given Earth's fractured and tense diplomatic situation. From what she understood none of their 'satellites' had picked up Luna's magical flare, so now they had to fly some kind of machines - the air planes - around the whole planet to find it.

All she was going to do for the whole morning was keeping the Commander company and saying no to his various demands. He called them 'requests', but the man was just a bully. She was sick and tired of feigning politeness to his brusque and pushy behavior! Something snapped in Celestia's mind and her eye twitched as she glared balefully at the door.

For whose benefit was she going through these motions? If the answer was for Callahan's, then the next question was: 'Why?'

"Actually, a word, Eli."

She stepped away from that dreaded door and the diplomat followed. Ever since Bennett had returned to Earth, Eli had been invaluable as her link to the human government. Especially because of his involvement with Luna. She could trust he had Equestria's best interests at heart.

"Princess?"

"There is nothing new for me to tell the Commander, Eli. Captain Fire Fly will join you in a moment and you can discuss what needs to be done. I have complete confidence in you both."

This obvious dereliction of duty didn't escape Eli's scrutiny, but he kept his reaction in check aside from a slight widening of his eyes. "Are you sure, Princess? Commander Callahan might be upset if you ignore him."

Celestia looked around for any eavesdropping staff, then beckoned Eli with a hoof to lean closer so she could impart a secret. "At this point in time," she whispered, "I do not give... hmm, what was that phrase he used? I do not give a rat's ass if he is upset." This actually made the diplomat gasp and for a moment Celestia was worried she'd gone too far. "Please don't tell him I said that."

The shock on Eli's face was replaced with a knowing grin. "He is a bit... persistent, isn't he?"

She stifled her giggle and winked at her partner in crime before getting down to the business at hoof. "The Captain has all the missing pony reports from the past few months and there has been nothing new from Luna. I hope Sergeant Moon Glow will find their caravan on the way back from the portal, but it is a big forest and he has to bring back the rescued ponies and humans. We might have to do a search later on." She thought about any other questions the Commander might have and came up blank. It wasn't like they hadn't covered every possible eventuality in detail already! "Make sure to ask what he intends to do with the rescued humans. They should be back in Canterlot within two days. I will ask the same on tomorrow's meeting, but I would like the Commander to think about it some more."

Eli had taken out his notebook and was scribbling some hurried bullet points. He finished the last one and looked up. "Anything else, Princess?"

She was about to say no, but a pang of guilt got to her. "Tell the Commander I am sorry, but an important matter of state has come up which requires my immediate attention. Unless there is news from either Luna or Earth, I will be elsewhere occupied."

This time Eli allowed himself a conspiratorial grin. "What will you really be doing?"

Again Celestia had to stifle a giggle. Despite his professional courtesy, the man had a bit of a mischievous streak. Perhaps he'd gotten it from Luna, but it was a refreshing change from Bennett's stiff self-importance. She debated internally whether she could tell him, but decided to trust Eli. After all, Luna did.

"I will take a relaxing bath. I do not think I have had one since this whole mess started."

He cast a curious look at the way she bit her lip and flicked her tail, but didn't comment on it further. "Don't worry, I will take care of this, Princess."

Celestia waited only long enough to give Eli a grateful smile before turning on a heel and practically bouncing away. She'd just won her morning back and she knew exactly with whom she wanted to spend it. She even hummed snatches of a song as she bounded down the halls, oblivious to how the castle staff stared at her. One or two of the older maids looked away and tried to hide their giggles behind a hoof or a fetlock, but Celestia noticed and didn't mind. She came to the right door and raised up a leg to knock before simply thinking better of it and barging inside.

"Wha-? Celestia?" Gregory exclaimed behind his desk. He'd been pouring over some paper or other, but his hand lowered at her sudden entrance.

"Come with me. It is important," she said gravely.

It wasn't easy to erase all traces of her exuberance, but Celestia managed thanks to long practice. The look of sudden worry in Gregory' eyes almost broke her concentration, though.

"Is everything alright?"

"It will be, as soon as I get your help with this matter."

He didn't argue, trusting her word implicitly. The paper dropped from his hand when Greg stood up and those same fingers came to rest lightly against her neck as he came around the desk.

"Come. We must hurry."

There was no further hesitation and the man followed on Celestia's heels as she hurried back the way she came. She took occasional glances at Greg, almost breaking into a grin when she saw his eyes darting around. He was watching where they were going and trying to work out their destination, hoping it would give him some clue of what was the matter.

"Celly, what's all this about?"

"Hush. We're almost there!"

She took him past the conference chambers and the throne room, which just seemed to confuse him more and Celestia could nearly read his thoughts. They were headed for the living wing, so this was not guard or government business. Maybe it had something to do with Blossom? Cadence's rooms were down that way.

Gregory opened his mouth again and Celestia headed him off: "No, it is not about Blossom or her parents."

He almost stumbled, which made the Princess giggle in amusement. "How did you-?!" he sputtered, unable to even finish the question.

"I know you too well, love. In here."

The distraction had been enough and only now Gregory realized where they were. The bath chamber. She hadn't lied to Eli. Celestia really wanted to take a bath. She'd simply neglected to mention that she wouldn't be taking one alone.

"Wait, this is- What are we doing here? You said it was important!"

There was a slight tone of reproach in Greg's voice, but Celestia twirled around, closed the door with her magic and pushed her lips against his. It wasn't a very passionate kiss, but it was the first of many and they had time.

"It is important, Gregory." She kissed him again while she kept him in place with her wings. He didn't fight it, but neither did he react, apparently still confused about her little ploy. Celestia pulled away and sighed. "I missed you. I wanted you. That is why it is important."

He was still a little defensive and Celestia was about to apologize for her little trick, but Greg beat her to it: "Aren't you meeting that Commander around now?"

She just shrugged. "I delegated. There are no news from Luna and nothing from Earth. The Commander can wait." Once more Gregory opened his mouth to argue, but Celestia growled low in her throat and laid a feather on his lips. "Shut up and kiss me!"

His eyes widened in a most pleasing way, but the shock didn't last for too long after Celestia gave him 'the Look'.

"Please? I have been so lonely..."

By now her lover was a veteran of 'the Look' and he could sometimes resist the large, pleading eyes brimming with tears and ears splayed in misery and the slight pout of her lips.

Greg shook his head, as if in dismay, but betrayed his amusement with the small grin which now graced his face. "Celly, we slept in the same bed until about two hours ago and then we had breakfast together."

"So. Lonely!" Her sad, quiet, heartfelt plea would have instantly broken the heart of even the most hardened criminal. Of course it worked on Greg!

"Oh, c'mere you goofy horse!"

She all but fell into his arms and sought out his lips once more. This time there was no hesitation and his mouth opened to allow her entrance. Greg's tongue was at the same time a familiar thing and something completely new. She felt like this every single time and wondered at it. Would it feel just as fresh in a hundred years' time? Like a schoolfilly stealing her first kiss from her sweetheart during recess?

Celestia staunchly refused to acknowledge rational thought. Greg would stay with her for another hundred years at least! She'd give him the Look until he agreed and mortality be damned!

They wrestled for a bit and Celestia tasted the remnant of Greg's morning coffee. She probed a little further but didn't push too hard, letting Greg know she wanted him in charge. A warmth was spreading through her from where his hands were holding her in place and the Princess closed her eyes. She pulled out of the kiss for a moment.

"We have until lunch. I want to enjoy it. Go slow."

Rather than replying, Greg shifted his hands to her muzzle and drew her back in. She let out a small moan and a shiver went down her spine, making her flutter her wings and swish her tail where it passed. She was hardly aware of sitting on her haunches, but she realized she had done so, all for giving Greg better access.

"Want me to fill the bath?" he asked when they broke apart once more.

She shook her head. "Leave it. It can wait."

He looked around. "It won't be very comfortable on the floor."

She let out another small growl from deep in her throat. It took some concentration, but Celestia used her magic to open a nearby closet and pulled out all the towels which were stashed in there. She stacked them on the stone floor.

"Better?"

There didn't seem to be any more objections and Greg led her to the makeshift bed with a hand on the leading edge of her wing. She complied easily as he nudged her in place. "Lie down."

She didn't have to be told twice. Her legs all but folded under her and she flopped down on her belly.

Greg chuckled and patted her flank. "No, I meant on your back."

Celestia returned his grin and turned around. There hadn't been enough towels to make the impromptu 'mattress' very thick, but it was comfortable enough. It was also a bit too small, so her head rested on cool stone, but she didn't mind at all. The important part was what Greg was about to do with his hands. She tensed up in expectation but didn't look. Already there was a warm tingle deep in her belly, promising the fire to come.

Luckily he didn't make her wait too long. Celestia felt fingers dig into the fluff on her chest, even sliding under her royal peytral, seemingly intent on seeking out each individual rib.

"Mmm, yes."

She allowed her eyes to slide closed and relaxed all muscles, becoming little more than putty in Greg's hands. She was dimly aware of her wings unfurling along the stone floor, but she paid them no mind. His palms continued their massaging downward journey, quickly reaching her belly. Each sliding touch left a swath of warmth on her skin, making coherent thought just a little bit harder.

She didn't mind losing herself in the moment, though. There was just one thing she needed to say before letting go: "Mm-Greg?"

He left his hands on her belly, but stopped at the sound of her voice. "Yes?"

"I promise I will return the favor-"

He brought all ten fingers on both hands to bear, pressing into her soft belly with precisely calculated pressure to turn whatever she was going to say into a low moan.

"Just relax. I can see you need this."

"I lo- ah! -oooove y-yooo"

Her confession was mangled by the way Greg raked his fingers down her fur and cupped her small, perky teats. She shuddered as she winked... down there. It was useless to try and talk. She'd trained him too well and he knew exactly what to do to drive her crazy. One of Greg's hands stayed there, playing gently with her exposed skin, while the other continued its journey to her thigh, where he paused only long enough for a light scratch before moving around her stifle.

Her leg twitched, but Greg held it firmly pinned between his forearm and his chest as he explored further with his fingers. He kept going around and ran his hand up to her flank. Or down, since she was lying on her back. It didn't matter. He stroked her cutie mark a few times, then patted her lightly on the rump. It just put more fuel on the fire between her thighs, making her reconsider leaving him in charge. The need burned stronger and Celestia was getting impatient for some real action. They could do the slow, gentle loving later. There would be time in the bath.

The hand on her teats vanished and Celestia nearly looked to see what Greg was doing. Her answer came soon enough when he tugged one of the rear hoofguards off and let it drop on the floor beside them. The other quickly followed and then she heard the man shuffle around. This time she did open her eyes, just in time to see him carefully removing the bits of gold from her forelegs as well. Their eyes met and, with a slight grin, Greg lifted her hoof to place a kiss on it.

"Such- such a gentlecolt!" she breathed.

She was still wearing her ornamental peytral and was about to lift herself up to discard it, but Greg held her down with a hand.

"Leave it," he said. "You look cute in it."

Even after all the years, hearing those words still made her blush and Celestia slumped down. She kept watching as Greg unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged out of it. He wasn't particularly muscular, but there was enough definition there to hint at strength. Well, strength he didn't necessarily have, but the promise was there. If he wanted, he could become quite strong. More importantly, she absolutely loved running her tongue along his skin. Just the mere thought was enough for her to lick her lips and shudder with renewed desire. Greg noticed and smirked at her. He leaned down to steal a quick kiss, but broke it off far too soon for her liking. She gave a slight whine when he withdrew, but it was to no avail.

He was sliding back down, heading for the treasure between her legs. He was going to-

The thought was blanked out by a particularly strong wink. Just the idea of what he could do with his fingers and tongue down there made the Princess gasp. She tensed all her muscles in expectation of sweet relief as Greg positioned himself.

He was being careful not to kneel on her tail, gentlecolt that he was!

One of his hands went back to her teats and the other came to rest on the inside of her thigh. His thumb stroked her outer lips, eliciting a faint whimper and another wink. The wait was killing her and the roaring inferno in her loins demanded more. Demanded it now!

"Stop!"

Greg looked up and met her gaze, confused. Celestia knew how crazed she must have looked. Her mane was already in a disarray and there was an unmistakable sheen of lust in her eyes. "No. You- I want you," she managed huskily. "Inside me."

No half-measures. It was a last-moment decision. Greg's tongue was marvellous, but she needed the kind of fulfillment she could only get from the real thing.

Luckily he didn't argue and began unbuckling his pants. She tried to help, but her magic tugging down just made it all harder for him.

"What's gotten into you?" Greg asked even as he grinned. He managed to free the belt and slide his clothes off.

"I need it!" It was the only answer Celestia was able to give.

Maybe it was the naughty knowledge she was shirking her duties to be here, or just a sudden inspiration, but she did need it, badly. There would be time for cuddles and gentle lovemaking later, right now she needed to be rutted fast and hard. Greg didn't delay much longer and lowered himself over her. They came face to face and she reached up to brush his lips with a kiss. When he came closer to follow up, she wrapped her wings around him and pressed him to herself in one swift motion. She imagined she could feel every hair touching his smooth skin and it was electric. She pulled a bit harder and Greg stopped resisting. It always took a bit of persuasion before he let his weight rest on her.

His member also pressed against her, its length nestling between her folds and rubbing against her button. It wrung another gasp from her mouth and she sought his lips again. She'd changed her mind about letting him guide and invaded his mouth with reckless abandon. The poor man never stood a chance as she twirled and twisted her tongue around, as if trying to suck out his very soul. He moved, rubbing himself against her slit and earning an urgent, passionate moan. Her nostrils flared when she drew in a much-needed breath, but she didn't break their kiss.

She managed to hook her hind legs around his and jerked him forward, which pressed him even more tightly against her and made them both groan. After a few moments, she winked again, this time against his shaft.

He felt it, there was no doubt from the squeak he gave. Finally she let him pull away for a moment.

"God, I love you, Celly!"

Her mouth tugged up in a small, mischievous grin. "You didn't- Ah! -didn't need to say my name twice."

That got them both chuckling and she finally released her grip on him. This allowed him to pull away and align himself. Unfortunately he had to take one hand away from her side, but that was okay. She felt him prod right at the entrance and bit her lip to resist the urge of crushing him against her once more.

It didn't take much effort for him to slide a little way inside, filling her up in a place she really needed to be filled up. All her world seemed to shrink down to just her passage and how it gripped Greg. She barely felt him shift his weight again to bring his hand back.

It was a close thing, but her magic caught his arm before he could wipe his fingers on a towel. Instead, she lifted it up to her muzzle and wrapped her lips around his digits, soaked with her juices. She knew her own taste, but it was different licking it from his skin.

She released her magical hold and allowed Greg to pull his fingers free with a slight pop. Then she swallowed, smiling all the time.

He'd been so captivated with her display that he hadn't moved any further, but now she felt him twitch inside her, which reminded her what they were about to do. Her hind legs once more wrapped around his and squeezed.

It tore a gasp from both their throats as they joined fully together. She had been entirely soaked, so Greg sliding fully inside her was effortless. He was a little cooler than her core temperature, but that just made her more aware of his length.

For a few moments she just held him there, enjoying their closeness and union. His face came down once more for a kiss and she gladly accepted it. Her inner fire was calmed for a moment and she was content to simply feel him there, deep inside her. Eventually she relaxed her grip with her legs and Greg took the hint. His leaving left an openness, a void in her and she almost stopped him. It was only the knowledge of what would come next that prevented her.

He took it slow, pulling almost all the way out before driving himself inside again in one, fell push.

"Oooh!"

She felt herself wink against him, which made her clench from pleasure. She imagined she could feel every vein on his manhood throb with his heartbeat.

He liked it too, judging from the groan she'd wrung out of him.

The feeling lasted for a moment and then he pulled back again. She felt another wink and a spurt of her essence dribbled out and down, a line of heat dripping on her... back door. The thought was as hot as her fluids and she couldn't help lightly biting Greg's lip. It spurred him on and he slammed back, strongly enough for his sack to slap against her.

"Keep going!"

He muttered a yes, but it was faint and might only have been her imagination. In either case, he didn't need to say it for her to know he understood. Greg picked up his pace and settled into a slow, but steady stroke. Each time he pulled out she wanted desperately to hold him in and when he came back, parting her, she let out a small moan of ecstasy. It wouldn't be much longer before...

"Wait! Wait," she groaned, trying to stop Greg with a hoof on his shoulder. "I am almost there!"

He did slow for a moment, but only to smile at her and say: "Do it. Don't worry about me!"

Celestia suppressed a slight pang of guilt and let herself loose. Greg had slowed down, perhaps to allow her to enjoy the feeling longer, but it just made her more aware of him. She could feel his head gliding in and out, perhaps reaching just a touch deeper with each push. She was aware of his skin lightly kissing her button each time he drove in. Even his belly seemed to gently stroke her teats with each firm push. Her nipples rubbed against Greg's skin and the two little points of pleasure added to the whole.

His hands were clutching at her sides, keeping her in place and giving him leverage to pump, again and again, into her. Her breaths were now coming out in short pants, interspersed with mewling groans.

"Yes. Please. Greg! AAAAn-"

She couldn't finish the word as her insides clenched up, almost painfully so. He had been ready and slammed inside for one last time, as deep as he could. Her impending orgasm made her wrap her hind legs around him again to prevent him from leaving. Then it came, pulsing like a bass beat from the biggest speakers in the universe, pressing down on her with thump after thump. Each spasm made her jerk her hips a little and her wings quiver.

Even with Greg's member filling her, she still squirted her fluids against his legs as her passage clenched and unclenched around him. It felt as if she was milking him with her insides, waves of pressure running from his base, up his shaft and culminating at his head. A low groan was escaping his lips too and for a moment Celestia thought he was about to come just from that. It made her moan once more and her dwindling orgasm came back in force for a few more heartbeats.

Neither of them dared move. Greg knew how sensitive she was right after and kept himself still. A true gentlecolt.

Eventually the pleasure receded and was replaced by a soft, warm afterglow. As soon as she was able, Celestia stole a gentle kiss.

"Ready?" Greg asked her.

She remembered he still hadn't finished, which made her smile. It meant she got to do all of it again. She nodded. He began moving slowly, aware that she might be oversensitive right after an orgasm. The pleasure almost bordered on pain, but she could stand it.

"Slow."

Greg gave her a nod and waited once he was nearly all the way out. Then he pushed with almost exaggerated care, slowly sliding back into place, all the while carefully watching her face.

"I'm okay. Keep going," she reassured him."

This time she didn't clench around him, still coming down from her peak, but already the fire was starting anew. It was just one way mares were better than stallions, Celestia thought to herself with a smirk. They could keep going right after an orgasm. She squeezed him with her wings, which brought his face close enough for a passionate kiss.

Gradually Greg's thrusting sped up and he began giving little grunts of effort when he pushed in. He was getting close, but she still needed some time. Celestia closed her eyes and tried to relax her muscles and focus on him. It would be perfect if they came together, so she had to hurry herself a little. Maybe it was a bit rude to let Greg do all the work, but she'd repay him later. She needed some spoiling.

She kept their kiss going, darting her tongue into his mouth for quick tastes of his, coaxing him out towards her.

"Mmmph!" Greg groaned against her as his speed increased.

She was winking again as the pleasure built up once more. The added sensitivity made her even more aware of they way his girth stretched her out. Even without her conscious control, her insides were trying their best to hold on to his warm shaft, desperate for him to stay inside her. She felt how slick her lower lips were with her fluid and how it dribbled down her ponut and on the dock of her tail. More importantly, she felt each time Greg's balls pressed against her. They were no longer hanging loosely and slapping, but were bunched up as they prepared to unload their bounty inside her.

He wouldn't last much longer, but now Celestia was getting worried it'd be too soon for her second climax. She wasn't quite ready yet. She bit her lip as she pulled away from their kiss. There was one surefire way to get her there.

"Come on, Greg. Make sure to give me all of it. I want it inside!"

Just thinking about him exploding his essence into her hidden depths was enough to drive her further, faster. His grunt was the only answer she got, but it was enough of an affirmative for her.

"Yeah, fill me up, love. Don't spill any!"

Her moans were reaching a crescendo and she put her hind legs around Greg's thighs to guide his pace. With each pump he was growing more erratic, his limbs starting to jerk and his rhythm disrupted. He no longer pulled all the way out and ground himself against her with desperate urgency. His tight balls pressed against her spread lips, his pubic hair tickled her clit and his belly rubbed against her nipples in a symphony of pleasure. She didn't need much more!

"Nnnngh!" His arms clasped her tightly and Greg gave one last, desperate push, reaching new depth inside her and... swelling.

We was unloading his seed right into her. The feeling of it bursting inside her, along with the knowledge of it happening was enough to push her over the edge. Celestia gave a cry and came again, clenching around Greg's length and pinning him in place with her legs and wings. All they could do for a while was twitch in unison, letting out small grunts and moans as their orgasms intertwined. Once again she squirted out, the hot mixture of fluid running down between skin and fur.

Soon Greg collapsed on top of her, panting. Celestia nuzzled his face and relaxed, waiting for her breathing and her heartbeat to wind down a little.

"You don't know how much I needed that," she was finally able to speak.

"I... might."

They chuckled, but then fell silent once more.

Just lying there, together, Greg still inside her even if he was getting soft, was enough for now. Later she would enjoy a hot, relaxing bath, and after that she would taste Greg with her mouth. Perhaps he would return the favor, exploring her some more with his talented tongue, or perhaps they'd just kiss. Either way it would be sweet and gentle, very unlike the roaring inferno they'd just shared.

She loved both ways of doing it.

For now Celestia was perfectly comfortable on a few thin layers of towel, with her lover sprawled over her, and with her head on the cool stone floor. She closed her eyes and simply focused on her breath. There was a warm glow suffusing her body, emanating from deep within her belly where Greg's seed was already seeking...

It wouldn't find anything compatible, even if she were in heat, but the thought was still pleasant. It proved how much they trusted one another to share something so preciously intimate.

She gave Greg's ear a kiss and looked around. "I'll get the bath started. Don't move."

Magic was handy sometimes, especially when she wanted to prepare the next step of their relaxation without breaking the bond between them. As soon as they moved Greg would slip out of her, but for now she was content to let him remain there and enjoy her warmth a little longer.

Chapter 40: Negotiation

Gregory surfaced slowly. The world was... soft.

Soft and warm.

His cheek was pressed against wet fur and he heard a strong, steady heartbeat inside, its slow rhythm somehow calming against his ear. A quiet splash of water prompted him to open his eyes. He was lying on an expanse of white fluff, but he could see the edge of the big bath tub beyond the fur.

Before his mind could connect the dots another touch registered, a slight pressure against his forehead. "Waking up?" It had been a kiss, Greg realized.

He knew the voice and it triggered a flood of memory rushing back. He was taking the morning off with the Princess and they'd gotten into the tub after... Greg suddenly realized he was completely naked and mostly submerged in hot water. He pushed against Celestia's chest to lift his head a little.

"How long?"

Her wings were partially wrapped around him, but not so tightly as to prevent him from rising. Greg came face to face with the Princess and then looked blearily around the room. He saw the pile of towels on the floor where they'd-

"Only about an hour. There is no rush to get out. Relax."

Her suggestion was good and Greg allowed himself to slip back into the water. "It's still hot?"

"Magic," was all Celestia said by way of explanation.

Greg remembered their passionate, if brief 'fun' and put his arms back around her barrel. "You wanna-?" he prompted, not quite comfortable in saying it out loud.

This made the Princess giggle and the movement of her chest jostled Greg a little. Luckily she kept him from sliding off with her wings. "Eager, are we not?" she teased. Before he could reply, Celestia went on: "For now let us just enjoy the moment, Gregory. We do not often have time to relax."

"That's true."

He tried to clear his mind and obey her wish, but now that he'd started thinking it was too late. Unwelcome thoughts and questions forced themselves into his mind and Greg began to fidget. His fingers twirled in Celestia's wet chest fluff as he thought. At length he could no longer keep it to himself.

"Anything new from Luna? I still can't believe there's a second portal."

The Princess sighed, but she didn't sound annoyed when she spoke. "Nothing after yesterday night. She is waiting for the relief effort and I expect her situation has not changed."

She stopped talking and Greg lifted his head again to look at her face. There was the barest hint of a scrunch on her muzzle and a faraway look in her eyes. "Celly?"

She shook her head, but didn't meet his gaze. "Just something Luna said. Well, the way she said it."

"Yes?"

Celestia blinked and finally looked into his eyes. "Nothing important, but I got the feeling she has done something she considers wrong and does not want me to find out."

"But you will find out, right?"

At his intimation the Princess grinned a grin which could only be called 'predatory', and Greg was glad he'd never been on the wrong end of her intellect. "Oh yes."

Greg hoped Luna hadn't done anything really bad. He didn't like it when the sisters argued. It was all too obvious to him just how much arguing with Luna hurt Celestia. "I'm sure it's noth-"

His word was cut off by a knock at the door. He jerked bolt upright and would have climbed right out of the tub and scrambled to get a towel around his waist, but Celestia grabbed him with her forelegs and pulled him back down.

"Relax," she told him with a small grin. Then, louder, she called: "Enter!"

Despite her reassurance, Greg stiffened. The castle staff knew he was involved with the Princess, but he still felt distinctly uncomfortable flaunting their relationship so publicly. After all, she was something like a deity to the ponies. It wasn't even as if any pony had remarked upon it, except for that trouble with Twinkleshine. The nobility looked at him darkly, but they didn't dare say anything, and the common ponies seemed positively delighted at how happy their Princess was. More than once a maid caught Greg's eye and gave him a sly wink and a very inappropriate grin. It never failed to make him redden, which was probably why they were still doing it and why Celestia hadn't put a stop to it. She'd always said his blushes were cute. Just the thought was enough to make Greg flush all over again. Those ponies cleaned Celestia's room, after all!

All those thoughts flashed through Greg's mind in an instant it took their visitor to push the door open. A light gray pegasus in a black and white maid's outfit stood there. She bowed when she saw Celestia looking at her.

"Princess, Mr. Eli asked for you. He said there is news from Earth."

Gregory knew Celestia was disappointed that their time together was being cut short, but she kept her face pleasant and even mastered her ears before they could lower. "Thank you, Autumn," she said. "Please tell Mr. Eli that we will join him right away." The maid bowed again and closed the door as she left. Only then did Celestia allow her ears to sag and her eyes to fall. "Duty never ends, does it, Gregory?"

"Sorry, Celly. I'll help you dry off."

That, at least, brought a smile back to her muzzle and she gave him a light peck on his cheek. "I suppose they found the second portal on Earth. Nothing else would cause Eli to interrupt... this."

Gregory almost squeaked in alarm. "He knows what we're doing?!"

The Princess blinked in confusion at his reaction, but then her muzzle split in a very sultry grin. "Maybe he does. I did say I would take a bath and I... might have hinted that I would not be alone."

"Celestia! There is such a thing as propriety!"

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Bleh! I have had a thousand years of propriety, Gregory. Quite frankly, it is boring."

How far this mare had changed from the prim and proper maid who had entered his house on that distant autumn evening, Greg mused. Her stay on Earth really had brought out her childish side. In a way it was cute. She'd had to repress that part of her in the name of ruling her country, but now Celestia had discovered that she can allow herself some playfulness every now and then.

"Well, I guess we should get out then," Greg prompted, still being clutched to her barrel.

Celestia sighed and let him go. "I suppose. You first."

Sometimes you just had to show the Princess a good example.

It was a very nostalgic feeling for Gregory as he was taken through the portal building on Earth. He'd gone back a couple of times since their close escape, but the place still felt oppressive. He'd been so sure they would be caught when he tried to smuggle Celestia out of Earth and it had only been through a miracle that they'd escaped.

"Tell me again why I agreed to do this?"

Callahan didn't even break stride. "It was your horse's idea, not mine. Apparently she trusts you enough to do this."

Greg sighed and followed the man past the border checkpoint. There were a couple of ponies waiting in line to have their passport checked, but no one gave him a second glance. Once they were in the corridor and there were no civilians around, the Commander went back to his briefing. "The Princess demanded that any ponies rescued from captivity at the portal site should be escorted to Equestria ASAP."

Greg waited for the second part, but the Commander didn't say it. Perhaps he was hoping it would conveniently get forgotten. "The ponies working with the people traffickers are to be sent to Equestria for trial as well. No 'interrogations'."

Callahan just grunted in annoyance. "That part you'll have to discuss with the Secretary General."

"Wait-" Greg came to a halt in surprise. "The Secretary General is in on this?!"

It was the first time he saw the Commander grin since he'd met him. It seemed this little revelation and Greg's reaction was giving him some kind of perverse pleasure. "It's an important mission. What did you expect? Relations between Equestria and the U.S. are still strained."

"Why?"

The smile faded and the Commander gave him a narrow-eyed look. "Sir, how did a lawyer end up being Celestia's personal lackey?"

He was trying to unbalance him through thinly veiled insults, but Greg had had enough practice in the courtroom not to fall for it. Maybe the man had done some digging and knew about that hunt for Celestia when she had been hiding on Earth. In that case, he could very well suspect Greg of aiding her escape. Luckily, the Princess had considered the eventuality of such questions and had prepared a good cover story for him. Now, more than ever, was Greg grateful for Celestia's intellect.

"My firm was involved in that case about pony kidnappings some years ago. Maybe you've heard of it?"

Callahan looked blank so Greg explained some more. "It was the case that got Miriam Adams into the Supreme Court. It was in the news again just a while ago."

At long last some recognition dawned on Callahan's face. "Oh, so you were a part of that thing?"

"Yep. After the case I got curious about Equestria and Ms. Adams was kind enough to introduce me to the Princess by mail."

That was the official story, at least. Some people on Earth might suspect otherwise, in particular Greg's ex-coworkers who'd met Celestia personally, but they had all agreed to be quiet. It hadn't been too hard to achieve, especially since they could end up in the middle of a scandal for 'hiding' Celestia at the office. More importantly, they all considered the Princess a friend.

"Funny how it turns out," the Commander commented, but Greg couldn't be sure if he believed the story, or just didn't want to dredge it up in face of something he considered more important. "This way to the car. It's about two hours drive."

The mention of travelling got Greg thinking about another thing he'd discussed with Celestia. "You're not gonna take me all the way to the other portal, right? Where was it again, somewhere in south China?"

"Malaysia," the Commander clarified. "No, we won't send you there. You just have to reach some kind of a deal what to do with prisoners and rescues. The U.S. military will handle the rest."

"Okay. Good. Hopefully it won't take too long. Oh, before I forget, Princess Luna warns that your people should not approach the portal under any circumstance. Whatever she did to make the travel impossible might be dangerous."

"Celestia already said that. Understood."

It looked like that was all for now and Greg resigned himself to making uncomfortable smalltalk with the Commander. Either that, or uncomfortable silence.

At long last the talking points ran out and the meeting was adjourned. Greg was just about ready to go to his hotel and fall in bed, but he waited in the hallway for the only bright point of this entire trip.

It took a few more minutes, but finally the woman he'd been wanting to speak with came out. "Miriam! I never imagined I'd see you here!"

She excused herself with her group of officials and came over. Gregory was holding out his hand, but she pushed past it and gave him a hug instead.

"Nonsense. A big hubbub about ponies again? Where else would I be? To be honest," she said, all smiles, "I was expecting Celestia. How is she?"

"She's well. How about you? I heard about the promotion, so congratulations."

He looked at Miriam's face, noting that she had a number of new wrinkles. Even her hair had more silver in it, but the combined effect was of a good-natured grandmother.

"Oh, it's just a job, Greg," she waved it modestly away. "Tell me about this thing now. Kidnapping and hu- people trafficking? Bad business."

For an instant Greg considered telling her about his experiences, the captivity and escape, but Miriam didn't need to know all that, at least not know. They might not have a whole lot of time. "It's bad, but I think we almost have it sorted. This portal stuff is the last bit. Apparently they were smuggling people in both directions. We found some human slaves in Equestria and they're on the way home as we speak."

The next bit made Greg sigh in despair.

"They've also been taking ponies to Earth and selling them. We're still gathering all the missing person reports."

Suddenly the woman was serious and stepped closer. She was easily as tall as Gregory and her eyes bored into his. "Do you know how many ponies they brought over? At least approximately?"

He was forced to shrug and shake his head.

"Shame," Miriam sighed. "No way to get them all back. I thought we were past this," she bemoaned. "Well, you've got our full support, but you already knew that."

"Yeah, thanks for that. Celestia wouldn't like it if her people were stuck in prisons on Earth, even if they are criminals."

The woman once again waved a dismissive hand. "The Secretary General can be a bit stubborn at times, but he doesn't want more tension with Celestia."

"How are the others? Have you stayed in touch?" Greg asked. He didn't want to go over the whole meeting yet again.

"Oh, swell, last I heard about them. Glitter Dust basically runs the store for Maggie, Heavy Hoof and Belle Hop got married. I didn't hear from Glowbug lately, but I think she's fine."

"That's great!"

Miriam barely gave him time to digest all this before coming out with her own question: "How about Lake Frond? I didn't get the chance to see her little one last time I was in Canterlot."

"Wow, I almost forgot. I haven't seen them in a while either. I guess we can all catch up when you visit."

Miriam Adams looked wistful, but her expression was pained. Greg imagined she was quite busy and could ill afford to take any time off, even when it was planned that far in advance.

"It'll all still be here, Miriam, it's just a couple of days off," he told her gently.

The lady watched him for a while longer, then her face creased into a smile again. "Oh, you're probably right. I guess the underlings can handle things for a bit."

"That's great! I know for a fact Celly will be thrilled to see you again!"

His nickname for the Princess just made Miriam's smile wider. She reached over and patted Greg on his arm. "I'll be happy to see her too. I'm still sore she didn't take my offer. She'd make a superb attorney."

This just made Greg chuckle. "I think she has bigger and better things on her plate, Miriam."

She joined his laughter and nodded. "I guess you're right. So..." Miriam looked around, but all the other people had filed out of the hallway, except for her driver, who was standing patiently at the other end. "I'll see you and... mm, 'Celly' then, but I really have to go now."

"Yeah, I'll head back to the hotel too. Too late to return today."

This time Greg had been expecting another hug, but the Justice grabbed his hand and have it a firm squeeze instead. "You look after that horse of yours Greg. Bye!"

He watched Miriam leave with a small, bemused smile on his face. Hopefully she wouldn't slip and call the Princess that in her presence. That or 'Celly'. She had gotten used to the nickname from him and, occasionally, from Luna, but if human dignitaries started using it, or - god forbid - other ponies, Celestia might have some choice words for his indiscretion. After a moment's thought, Greg went back to the lobby of the building, looking around for the Commander. He didn't particularly enjoy his company, but the man was his transportation.

Having moved entirely to Equestria, Greg didn't have any cash on him, or any credit cards. Even if he wanted to get a taxi he had no means of paying for it. Strange how visiting his home country left him feeling like a tourist. Fortunately the Commander was waiting in the lobby, apparently in deep conversation with some of the other military types from the meeting. He spotted Greg and held his palm up, signalling for him to wait while Callahan finished his discussion.

Looking for something to do, Greg strolled over to the nearby wall and started examining the paintings on display there. Hopefully the Commander wouldn't take too long. By now Greg really wanted his bed. He felt so tired after that hearing - more like interrogation, actually - that he probably wouldn't even miss cuddling with the Princess before falling asleep. Good thing that he'd be heading home first thing tomorrow morning. In a way it was a piece of luck that the second portal was on the other side of the world, otherwise he might have to go visit it. Or maybe not, considering Celestia's warning of how dangerous it was to approach it.

His eyes slid past the paintings, unseeing, as tried to imagine what Luna had done to it to make it that dangerous.

The boring and uninterested dragged on. Perhaps the only bright spot in Greg's day was when he finally got back to the Canterlot Castle and Celestia all but scooped him up in her hooves and wings. The way she lavished kisses on his face was nice, too. It was a good thing they were alone, at least momentarily. After that, there was a meeting with Callahan and Eli and Fire Fly, which Gregory would have preferred to skip, but there had been no time to brief the Princess on what they'd decided, so it fell to him to present it.

He was just explaining about the decisions they'd reached with the Secretary General and mentioned how Miriam has helped on some of the more difficult points.

Callahan scowled a little at that, and the Captain and Eli looked blank, but Celestia gave a small gasp and her muzzle split into a grin. "You did not tell me you saw Miriam, Gregory!" she accused. "How is Miriam Adams?"

The Commander heaved a sigh and tried to drag them back to the topic at hand. "Princess, is this the best time for gossip?"

Celestia just ignored him, which made the man's face redden and a vein start to throb on his temple. Greg thought it best to finish the distraction quickly: "Yeah, we talked about her visit and she's looking forward to meeting the whole gang. I'll tell you more after we're done here, okay?"

Celestia gave him a happy nod and turned to face the table again. "Very well, Commander," she continued as if there had been no interruption. "You may proceed with your... strike. When word comes back that you have secured the portal on Earth, I will let Luna know and she will allow passage."

So far so good. This part of the plan was to the Commander's liking and he nodded curtly.

"You are to send all the ponies, both the captives and their captors, over to the Equestrian side. I will arrange transport for them to Canterlot and we will handle it internally."

This was the bit Callahan didn't like. In his eyes the ponies who'd sided with the criminals were just as guilty as their human counterparts and they deserved a taste of the human justice system. His heart was in the right place and the man staunchly believed in doing exactly the right thing, according to the law, but for some reason he was convinced that the Equestrian courts would go easy on their own citizens.

He didn't argue anymore, not after being ordered to do exactly what Celestia wanted by his superiors. "Yes, ma'am. I trust you will hold your end of the agreement and hand over the human prisoners as soon as they come here?"

It was a point Celestia had been willing to concede, despite wanting to keep the criminals for a couple of days of questioning. More importantly, she'd wanted to keep the freed slaves in Canterlot to make sure they were recovering from their ordeal. She looked at Greg, who shrugged and nodded, telling her that the Commander was correct about the agreement they'd reached the previous day.

"Of course. We will hold to the agreement, Commander," Celestia confirmed.

"Good, there's just one more thing I need to know," Callahan continued, opening his briefcase and taking out a yellow folder. He removed some glossy papers and spread them on the table before himself.

Greg and Celestia shared a look and there was a question in her eyes.

"I don't know, this didn't come up yesterday," Greg told her.

The Commander caught their exchange and a grin appeared on his face. "I only received these photos today, Your Highness. They are low altitude stealthplane shots and my people can't make heads or tails about them."

He pushed the papers forward and Celestia picked them up in her magic. Greg craned his neck to look and she accommodated him by holding the photos at arm's length. It showed a stretch of some sparse forest with a couple of snaky dirt roads visible as white lines. There was a large clearing in the middle, but it looked like scorched grass. Greg and Celestia stared, trying to make sense of the scale and the devastation.

"Have they burned down their camp when they found out the portal was blocked?"

The Princess was staring intently at the middle photo, which showed the southern side of the clearing and a stretch of forest beyond. She was chewing on her lip thoughtfully and her ears twitched up and down as she considered.

"Maybe this will help. The plane was sent on a lower altitude to get some close ups of the camp itself," Callahan interrupted and slid two more photos their way.

Celestia's magic picked them up and held them alongside the original three. Most of the frame was black, with strange hints of structure, very much like burned grassland. Greg could recognize a large, square building, but it was either burned to the ground or covered with tar, leaving only a few patches of white concrete visible.

"Hmm," Celestia said, eyes scanning the new pictures. The second was of a group of buildings, if that was what they were. There were square-shaped bulges in the black terrain.

Finally, Celestia lowered the photos and gave the Commander a tight-lipped look. "I'm afraid I don't know what to make of this. Perhaps Gregory is correct and the criminals burned their camp down when they realized they'd been discovered?"

The man shook his head while Celestia passed the photos to Fire Fly and Eli. "I don't think so," Callahan replied. "I spoke with the flight crew on radio and they said the fires were green and purple. It definitely looked out of the world, they assured me."

This made Celestia blink in shock. "Green and..." She was already white, but by now Greg knew her enough to realize she would have paled in shock. "Surely she didn't-"

"Did what? Who? You know what this is?" Greg asked.

The chair clattered on the floor as Celestia sprang upright and began pacing the small room. He ears had gone completely flat and her mouth was pressed in a tight, displeased line. She stopped and glared at the Commander with such intensity that he flinched back. "How large is the black circle?!" she demanded.

He glanced down at his notes. "The crew estimated at one-point-five clicks diameter. About a mile across, Princess."

The news made the mare grunt and she whirled around to continue her pacing. Greg stood up and stopped her with a hand on her withers.

"Talk to me."

Celestia stared in Greg's eyes and said just one word: "Luna!"

Something tickled his memory and he recalled their conversation in the bath. "You think this is the bad thing she didn't want to tell you?"

"I bet it is," the Princess almost growled. "Undoubtedly she thought she could clean it up before anypony knew. She might not have realized it would spread through the portal."

Celestia tore free from Greg's hand and went back to pacing and grumbling. Luckily she kept it low enough so that Eli and Callahan couldn't hear. Greg was close enough and Fire Fly had pony ears.

"I am going to wring that little filly's neck when I get my hooves on her!"

"Hey, relax. It probably isn't that bad."

The Princess twirled again and faced the table. She took a forced breath to relax and closed her eyes for a moment. When she spoke, her voice was calm again: "The ground is not burned, Commander, but rather infested with dark magic. I believe my Sister has used Sombra's magic to prevent passage through the portal. She must not have realized that it would spread on the other side, even if she is keeping it in check on ours."

This made Captain Fire Fly let out a small whimper and shrink down in his seat, while Eli and Callahan looked confused. The Commander regrouped first. "How bad is it?"

Celestia's ears folded down again, but she answered: "If left unchecked, the corruption will spread over your entire world."

"WHAT?!" Callahan was suddenly on his feet. "How do we fight it? I'll authorize a nuke right now!"

The word was unfamiliar to the ponies and Celestia gave Gregory a questioning look. He swallowed and shook his head slightly, which was all the information she needed.

"No, not that," she said, forcing herself to speak calmly. "I am not certain any of your weapons would eradicate this- this infestation." Suddenly her smile turned positively evil and both Eli and the Captain looked decidedly uneasy. "Instead, what I will do is send Princess Luna with you to clean up her own mess. She will obey all your orders, as long as you do not make her commit crimes. I promise you that!"

This news calmed the Commander down a little and he took his seat again. "So, what do we do about this until then?" he asked.

"Nothing. Your men are to stay away. I only hope the criminals were smart enough to have run when it started to spread."

"W-What would it do to a person?"

The Princess looked uncertain as she considered, then closed her eyes and shook her head. "Without Lord Sombra to guide it, I am not sure. My best guess is that it would enslave people like it was meant to do, but without orders they would simply... wait."

"Can they be freed?"

This time Celestia nodded immediately. "Yes. Both myself and Luna can perform that spell. If it fails to work, we will have to bring them to the Crystal Empire so the Crystal Heart can cleanse them."

The news relaxed everyone at the table and even Celestia sat down, though her gaze was still troubled. Greg reached a hand over and patted her neck.

"I'm sure Luna had good reasons for using this," he tried to reassure the Princess.

She shrugged. "Perhaps. What I am worried about, and Luna does not seem to realize: if the corruption draws enough power into itself, it can bring Sombra back. I do not want him loose on Earth!"

Commander Callahan accepted the photos back from Fire Fly and glanced them over before returning them to the folder. He cleared his throat. "Who is this Sombra and why is this magic bad, Princess? I need to know the worst case scenario so we can prepare."

She didn't really want to answer, but the man was right and Celestia owed him an explanation in her sister's name. She swallowed a lump and let out a slow breath. "Very well, Commander. It is a long story, though. Captain," she turned to Fire Fly, "since you already know this, could you find somepony and ask for some tea to be brought in?"

The guard hopped to his hooves, threw a salute and left.

"Sombra came to power in the Crystal Empire a little more than a thousand years ago..."

Chapter 41: Mission

Nothing much had changed for Princess Luna as she waited for reinforcements at the human camp. The injured former prisoners were recovering well and none of the criminals had tried a counter attack to reclaim what they had lost. Heat Lightning thought he saw some movement nearby on his night patrol, but by the time he could land and check it out, whatever had been there was gone.

Hunger would eventually drive them to surrender, the Princess had no doubts about that. Her bigger concern was boredom. Sombra's evil crystal magic was still being held fast within its protective ring and there had been no obvious attempt to breach the portal from the other side. Soon the enemy camp on Earth would be captured and then she could finally dispel the dark magic and stop lying to her sister. Celestia was getting quite nosy in their dream meetings.

The sun was setting and Luna finished her circuit around the quiet camp. She paused at the hut, where Black Velvet threw her a smart salute. "Private, is the Corporal back from his round?"

"He's inside, Princess."

He probably had nothing new to report, or he would have sought her out directly. Guarding the defeated human encampment was mostly boring, after all.

"I will get his report and meet with Sister in the dream world. Then I will come and relieve you for the night."

The stallion was uneasy of having the Princess of all ponies stand guard while he and his superior officer slept, but he had been trained well enough never to question her orders.

"Thank you, ma'am!"

Luna ducked into the gloomy interior, where a single candle was flickering fitfully on the table. There were darker shapes against the far wall and she heard quiet snoring. The Corporal was sitting at the dying fire. He had looked over when she was speaking with the guard outside, but now his eyes had been drawn back to the embers.

"Anything, Corporal?" Luna asked in a soft voice so as not to wake their guests.

"Sorry, Princess. I'm sure there are some humans in the forest, but I wasn't able to spot them."

"Any ponies?"

The soldier shook his head. "No. I caught a whiff of human a few times, but no ponies other than us."

"Good. Get some rest. I must meditate to meet with Sister and then I will be taking the first watch. I want you on the second."

Rather than replying, Heat Lightning just saluted. He kept the gesture slow, so as not to clank his hoof against his helmet and wake the sleeping people. He didn't move from the fire, though, even after Luna had waited for a while.

"Corporal?"

His head turned again, eyes reflecting the fading daylight outside.

"I said you are relieved for now."

"Thank you, ma'am. I'd prefer to stay up and... and watch the fire."

"Is everything alright?" Luna inquired. She sat on her haunches next to the guard and joined him in staring at the dying embers.

For a while he was quiet, but eventually he answered his Princess: "It's just- Princess, I saw how the slaves were kept and how they were made to work. Why would ponies do that?"

It wasn't something Luna had been expecting and she took some time to think it over. What would Celestia say to this? "Corp- Heat Lightning. Most ponies are good, but not all. I don't know how else to put it. There will always be a few bad apples in the bunch, however carefully the crop was tended."

"Yeah, but I never thought they'd- all this!"

"Don't worry, Sister and I will get some answers. We have the pony responsible in the Castle dungeon already. If there are more accomplices, they will be found and this cancer will be cut from our society." Luna was staring past the fire, into her memories of the recent years as she had helped rule beside Celestia. She had seen that darkness sometimes took hold in even the best of ponies. "Perhaps we are not yet as homogeneous as Sister and I would like. Some of the elite still think themselves better than their kin. Sometimes, one such can convince themselves that other people are worth less. That other people are not people at all."

She watched the Corporal's face for any signs of understanding. She was about to explain again, but he gave a slight nod. "I'm glad we rooted out this place, Princess. I'm honored you chose me for this mission."

The fervor in his voice made Luna smile and she placed a wing around the stallion. He didn't seem to notice, at least not consciously, though he did lean against her side. "Stay still now, I must meditate to speak with Princess Celestia."

Luna closed her eyes and focused. With her experience it was easy to slip partly into a dream. Such half-measures wouldn't be enough to fight even the most basic nightmare, but it was sufficient to speak with her Sister, who should have been asleep by now. She soon found Celestia among the slumbering ponies. Luna could never explain how she did it, but she always knew where to look for whomever she sought. Celestia wasn't dreaming yet, but it was relatively easy to create a shared dream and pull her sister into it. She made it the Canterlot Castle balcony on a beautiful, cloudless, moonlit night. Her dream, her rules, after all.

The white alicorn walked from the balcony entrance and her eyes immediately focused on her sister. "Luna!" There was a growl in her voice and a scrunch to her muzzle which Luna didn't find comforting at all.

"Sister? Is something the matter?"

Celestia took three quick steps and stopped. She seemed to tower over her younger sister. "What have you done?! Tell me!"

Luna swallowed a lump and squared her shoulders. She was not a little filly anymore to be punished by her sister for every perceived slight! "I don't know what you mean."

Celestia snorted, but not in amusement. "Sombra's magic? Really, Luna? Whatever possessed you to toy with something like that?!"

"How did you-"

"Because it spread to the other side! It is already a mile wide and growing by the hour!"

This was very unwelcome news and Luna lowered her ears. She gazed past her sister and her eyes darted around as she thought. "It should not spread at all! It did not spread on our side!"

"How do you figure?" Celestia demanded. "You know we never studied it in too much detail. Magic like that is simply too dangerous and unpredictable! I am very disappointed Luna! Whatever could have possessed you to-"

"I had to make sure, okay?!" Luna defended herself with hot tears in her eyes. "I did not know what I would find when I attacked. I didn't know how many unicorns the humans had working with them. I had to block the portal off in a way that wouldn't require constant checking if somepony had broken the shield during the battle!"

"Why didn't you pull it down after the battle?"

Luna growled low in her throat, but she couldn't come up with an answer. By that point she'd already decided to leave Sombra's magic in place until the other side was safe. "I placed a ward around the portal to prevent it from spreading, but it didn't even try. I thought it was inert!"

Celestia sat on her haunches heavily and let out a weary sigh. She put a hoof on her face. "Because it focused all its power into spreading on the other side, where it was not limited."

It made sense now, sure, but how was Luna supposed to have known that?! She was determined to clean up her mistake, though. "Fine! I will tear it down and then I'll go through the portal and cleanse the Earth side as well!" She stood up and was about to will herself out of the dream without another word, but Celestia reached out a hoof and laid it on Luna's back.

"Don't. We do not know if you can purge it through the portal and it could ensnare you the moment you step through. It is not safe."

"Then what do you suggest?!"

"You will come to Canterlot as quickly as you can. The relief team will be at the portal tomorrow and you can leave your guards in charge until then. You will go to Earth with Commander Callahan and he will get you to their side of the portal. There you will work under his commands for as long as it takes to cleanse the corruption from their world."

It would mean being away from Eli and her comfortable quarters for longer still, but the shame of not having foreseen this problem stung enough that Luna readily agreed.

"I will. I swear."

"Oh, and one more thing, Luna."

"Hmm?"

Celestia looked frightened for the first time since her tirade had begun. "If the infestation on the other side becomes large enough, it may bring Sombra back. If you suspect that's happened, do not fight him alone. Callahan will use his machines to contact me and I will come help."

Suddenly there was a chill running down Luna's spine and she felt as if her horn crawled with insects. "That can happen?! I didn't know that!"

"I kept it a secret. We do not want misguided unicorns trying to bring him back."

"What about the corruption on this side?"

Celestia shrugged. "There are unicorns in the relief team, you will teach them the purging spell in their dream. As you said, your ward is holding and it should hold for long enough until we have this whole mess sorted out."

Luna let herself relax a little. Of course her sister would already have a plan for fixing her mistake. She was irritating like that sometimes, but it was also a very comforting thought. She took the two steps until she was nuzzling Celestia's neck. Her sister's hooves came around in a big hug and Luna could have sworn she felt the warmth of sunlight on her fur.

"Thanks. I'm sorry, and- thanks," she whispered.

"You are to obey Callahan's every command, except if he tries to make you break the law or hurt somepony. Oh, and if he tries to take you to his bed. You may refuse that one."

Luna stiffened, but didn't pull away from the embrace. "He m-might do that?!"

Her sister's gentle laughter reassured her.

"That was not funny!"

"Sometimes I think I would prefer that option to his demands to bring more soldiers into Equestria," Celestia murmured back. "Perhaps you and he will get along better since you both enjoy military matters. He can show you some of the machines he keeps talking about and you can show him how alicorns fight."

It sounded as if Celestia intended for Luna to stay on Earth for quite some time. She pulled away and looked her sister in the eyes. "Just how long do you mean for me to spend there?"

The older Princess shrugged. "Until the corruption is banished. Send a signal to let the unicorns on our side know to dispel the crystals here, then you can return through the portal."

Now that it had been decided, Luna didn't want to lose any more time. The crystals had already spread across a mile on Earth in the few short days she had spent there. The sooner she could start destroying them, the less chance of Sombra being re-instituted.

"I will give my guards orders and begin my flight back immediately. With Twilight's lessons in long-distance teleportation, I will be in Canterlot by morning. Have the Commander ready to take me to Earth."

Rather than answering Celestia grasped her with forelegs and brought her in for another warm, sisterly hug. "I will see you off. Fly safe, Sister."

"And you have sweet dreams." Luna returned the embrace for a few more seconds, then woke herself up. Already excitement coursed through her. She'd forgotten about the guard pressed against her side in the night's chill and he fell down with a squawk as she stood.

"Corporal, I have new orders..."

Chapter 42: Surprise Revelations

"You're sure you'll be alright?" Gregory asked once again, just to confirm.

Celestia, sitting on her haunches on the gravel, lifted up her foreleg to lay a hoof gently on his forearm. "Go," she said with a smile.

They were waiting at the landing area for airborne carriages when Star Bright had come to find him. He was meeting up with Lily Blossom, Aura, and Snow Cover for a friendly lunch in the city and had asked if Gregory would like to join them. It sounded like a good chance to catch up, not to mention see how the guard and the pegasus were doing. The thought gave Greg a slight pause when he recognized it. Had he really changed this much in the years he'd spent in Canterlot? Before meeting Celestia, something like a lunch with friends would have seemed... frivolous. Now it seemed downright pleasant. While he didn't know Snow Cover all that well, he considered Aura and her father, Storm Pop, good friends and wanted to make sure the mare was being treated right.

Star Bright was also a good friend and Blossom, despite not having known her that long, would always have a special place in his heart, Greg suspected. He refocused his eyes on Celestia and smiled in thanks, but before he could say anything he caught sight of an approaching carriage.

Rather, carriages. Two of them, pulled by Celestia's gold-armored guards and accompanied by Luna's darker Night Watch. He could see several humans on board, most of them white-faced. It gave Greg the tiniest tingle of satisfaction to know he wasn't the only one who didn't like flying in these pegasi-pulled things.

"Looks like they're here. I'll greet them with you."

Celestia shook her head and pushed at him with her hoof. "Go," she repeated. "I have this. Eli is keeping Callahan busy so at least I have a few hours..."

She didn't say it out loud, but Gregory understood. Celestia wanted to make sure the prisoners' impression of Equestria wouldn't be forever tainted by what they'd experienced. It had taken some arguing, but she'd gotten Callahan to agree that they at least deserved a good meal before being shipped to Earth. Eventually he even permitted her to feed the criminals, although they would enjoy their meal from the comfort of the Castle prison cells instead.

"If you're sure. Okay, Bright, let's go."

The young unicorn took another glance at the carriages, then turned and led Gregory back into the Castle. As soon as they were out of eyesight form the door, the stallion slowed so they could walk side by side. "Um, so we don't have a reservation, but I don't think we need one. I asked Mrs. Nutmeg and she said they aren't too full, usually.

"Where are you taking us?"

Bright smiled in eager anticipation. "It's that griffin place on Restaurant Row. I think it opened last year, right after Summer Solstice."

It didn't ring a bell, so Greg just shrugged. Wherever they went, the food would be good. It generally was. "Sounds good."

"It's called 'Hoof and Claw'," Star Bright kept on explaining. "They employ both pony and griffin cooks. Um... I hear you can order, uh, m-meat."

This sounded more interesting, but Greg still shrugged. He'd gotten quite used to a mostly vegetarian diet with an occasional fish for variety. He'd had steak on some occasions, when Celestia organized a picnic with important human dignitaries, but she always complained about the smell from his mouth and made him brush his teeth multiple times before kissing him.

"Cool, but I'm in the mood for something different. We'll see when we get there."

Star Bright relaxed a little. "Yeah. Sure. This way."

He led them to the guest rooms and stopped outside the closed door to Cadence's suite. His knock was so tentative that Greg thought no one heard it.

To his surprise, there came a high-pitched "Coming!" from inside, followed by hurrying hoofsteps. The door flew open and Blossom grinned nervously at her coltfriend. For some reason Greg had been expecting her to dress up. It was a date, after all. Instead, the young mare looked just like she always did, her pink coat maybe just a shade darker because of a slight blush.

"Ready?" Star Bright asked, gaze firmly locked on Blossom. He appeared to be drinking her in with his eyes.

She glanced over at Greg and her smile widened. "Greg!" she exclaimed and threw her hooves around the tall man's legs.

"Yeah, he'll come with us, um, if- if that's okay," Star Bright explained.

Blossom just nodded, dropped down to all four hooves, and brushed past the two males, taking extra care to rub her muzzle along the stallion's side. Greg couldn't help but chuckle at the stunned, disbelieving look on his face.

"Where are we meeting the other two?" he asked to bring Bright out of his reverie.

The unicorn gave a start, then turned and hurried after Blossom. "Oh! Yeah, they'll meet us at the restaurant. Follow me!"

The evening got off on a slightly awkward note, especially between Snow Cover and Gregory. For a while it seemed the two would have absolutely nothing in common, now that the guard was off duty. Luckily Aura had noticed their predicament and reached her wing around the colt to tickle his other side. His head whipped around and the rest of the table tittered in amusement. Once he understood how he had been fooled, Snow Cover stared at Aura and gave her a slightly hurt look. She shrugged it off and gave the mistreated colt a peck on his cheek.

"Have I ever told you I wouldn't have these without Gregory?" she asked and wiggled the tips of her wings at his face.

"Oh?" Snow Cover exclaimed and stared at the man. "How so?"

Her ears turned down and the young mare sighed as she stared at the table top. "I got hurt. Bad. Freak downburst. Shattered nearly all bones in my wings."

Snow Cover's expression wilted and he reached out a hoof to lay on Aura's foreleg. "Ow. Yikes," he said lamely, not knowing how to even respond to something like that. His face scrunched up and he grunted in surprise. "How come you haven't told me any of that before?"

It was Aura's turn to look downcast, but she took Snow Cover's hoof between both of hers and held it up to her face so she could nuzzle it. "I should have, but there's never been a good moment. It's not something I enjoy remembering, you know?"

Almost immediately Snow's face softened and he pulled the mare closer, thanks to her firm grip on his hoof. Once she was in range he touched his nose to hers. "It's okay. I understand if you don't wanna talk about it now."

Aura shook her head. "I'll tell you. I can't not after dropping something like that."

Greg cast a glance at the other two. Star Bright had heard the story from him already, though he seemed uneasy hearing it first-hoof, but Blossom looked absolutely devastated. Her hooves were up over her mouth and her eyes were already brimming with tears. "How dreadful!" she whispered.

"Yeah," Aura said, fiddling with the tablecloth. She gave Snow Cover a long look. "Doctors said I'd never fly again. That I'd be lucky if didn't lose my wings altogether."

Her coltfriend couldn't stand it anymore and lunged at the mare to hug her as tightly as he dared. He was taking special care with her wings now.

Aura nuzzled into him for a moment, the pulled away and smiled. "Anyway, Greg here got uncle Pop an interview with the human ambassador while I was still in the hospital and they transferred me to Earth." She chuckled suddenly. "I was so high from the painkiller spell I don't even remember the journey there. I must have gone through the portal, but I swear the first time I saw it was on the way back."

"You said you didn't like Earth when you came back," Greg pointed out.

"Not Earth as a whole. Just the hospital there." Her entire body shuddered. "Ugh, I did not like that place. They stuck my wings full of metal pins. I had like five or six surgeries! I was either in pain or drugged out of my mind." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Snow Cover, meaning that next bit just for him. Unfortunately she spoke in a slightly too loud of a whisper: "A nurse had to help me use the bathroom. You do not want to know about that mess." The next bit was more cheerful and Aura brightened up. "Anyway," she said in a normal tone, "even once they got all the pins and stitches out I wasn't sure my wings worked at all. They were just numb."

Everyone at the table winced at that, but Aura began to smile. "It worked, though. Not only were they able to save my wings, but I could fly again after some rehab. So I forgive them," she conclude magnanimously.

"Wow..." It was all Snow Cover was able to say.

The mare gently pushed him away and extended one wing as far as she could in their booth.
She ran a hoof along the limb, then grabbed her coltfriend's foreleg and held it against the leading edge. "Feel that? How it's thicker than you'd expect?"

Unfortunately Snow Cover was too engrossed by the fact that she was making him feel up her wings, something normally reserved for intimacy among pegasi. Luckily the lighting was dim and their booth was in a corner, so no peering eyes saw.

Noting that, the guard relaxed and really concentrated. "Yeah. Wow, I never noticed before."

His admission made Aura smile. She didn't want special treatment because of her injury and this was exactly what she liked to hear. "Well, you must have noticed I take extra time unfolding and folding them, right?"

Snow Cover lowered his gaze and his ears splayed out in slight embarrassment. "Y-Yeah, I did. I kinda wondered, but I thought it'd be rude to ask."

At this the mare lifted up an eyebrow and gave the guard one of her finest, sarcastic looks. Gregory was proud that she'd learned from him so well. "Really?" she asked in a flat voice. "You propose to a filly but you don't think it appropriate to ask her about her body?"

This really turned Snow Cover's blush knob up to eleven and for a while his pristine white coat nearly matched Blossom's pink. He didn't know where to put his face until Aura reached over with a hoof, turned his muzzle to face her, and planted a very passionate kiss right on his lips. It made the rest of the table shuffle their feet and look around uncomfortably.

"They still hurt sometimes, but it's not so bad. My wings aren't as flexible as they used to be, but they work just fine, so I'm grateful."

Snow Cover nodded, lightly stunned by the unexpected kiss. "Yeah, m-me too."

After the mare turned back to the table, the guard gave Gregory an appraising look and a nod, one which didn't escape Blossom's eye. "Yeah, Greg'ry is the best!" she picked up from there, earning a round of chuckles. "But I wouldn't trade him for Starry!" she concluded. Now it was Star Bright's turn to color.

Following Aura's example, the young mare leaned over the table and lowered her voice to what she felt was a conspiratorial murmur. "Did you know Starry taught me how to do everything? I didn't know about, uh, shampoo and stuff. Or, or, plates and knives and forks and all that!" She tried to pick up a spoon, but the delicate maneuver was causing her a few problems until she managed to tuck it in her wrist. "See?" she said triumphantly and put it down.

Gregory knew for a fact that the young mare preferred to eat with her muzzle in the bowl, but he didn't point that out. Star Bright was a unicorn and they liked their table manners almost to a fault. The topic brought to mind Blossom's captivity and the conditions she had been forced to endure, which caused a symphony of drooping ears and wandering gazes around the table. No one wanted to bring it up, though.

Greg broke the silence by reaching over to ruffle her mane. "You're doing a good job, Blossom."

She beamed at him, then remembered something else and looked at Aura and Snow Cover. She didn't know the guard very well, but Aura was one of her first real friends and it seemed that was enough for Blossom to take them both into her confidence. "Oh, oh," she almost bounced on her seat. "Mom and Dad said I can go to school here in Canterlot, um, so I'll be able to see Starry every day! He's my coltfriend, you know?!"

Everyone laughed at her exuberance, except for the unicorn who sounded as if he had something stuck in his throat. When he finally managed to speak, he just croaked out: "I would have moved to Las Pegasus to be with you, Lily."

Aura shared a look with Snow Cover. "Wait, Lily? Your name is Lily?" she asked the younger mare.

Blossom shrugged a little. "I guess. I kinda forgot, but Mom and Dad reminded me."

The guard grinned back and gave the mare an appraising look. "It suits you. Nice to meet you, Lily Blossom."

He made a show of formally reaching across the table with a hoof, which Blossom took, and they shook before sitting back and bursting out laughing.

The young mare turned to her unicorn coltfriend. "Anyway, I know how your stars are important to you and I didn't want you to have to move to Las Pegasus. I know their- um... what was it again?"

She gave him a hopeless look with a pleading smile and Star Bright was only too happy to help her out: "Observatory?"

"Yeah, that! I know the one in Las Pegasus isn't as good. Greg told me. So I wanted to do something nice and move here, so you could keep using the one here."

The act of kindness was making Star Bright's eyes water heavily and he gathered up the young mare in a hug. "You're just the best, Lily," he whispered to her, but it was loud enough so they all could hear.

Aura was suddenly embracing Snow Cover as well as she watched the touching moment. "Awww," she couldn't help saying.

The couples enjoyed their closeness in silence for a bit while Greg sat back and thought about Celestia. He determined to do something nice for her, maybe get her a bouquet of flowers, or a pastry. If not that, perhaps he could go ask around that sweets shop if there was a way to combine the two. Since ponies ate flowers they must have thought about it before, right?

Their meal arrived, or at least the first course. It was mushroom soup, beautifully presented with a sprig of parsley and a smattering of sour cream. For a short while there was just the sound of slurping and tinkling cutlery as the four sated the hunger which had gone unnoticed during their discussion.

Once they were all done, Aura looked around the table, then caught Snow Cover's eye. She was giving him a questioning look which obviously held some significance to the guard. He frowned for a moment, but then gave her a nod.

Gregory happened to catch the exchange and wondered what was going on between the two. "So, big news time?" Aura proclaimed, gathering everyone's attention on her. She reached out her hoof and Snow Cover grasped it with his wrist for some silent support. "You're probably wondering why we're getting married this soon..."

Greg had been, but not particularly. Equestria was a lot friendlier place and the ponies were more open about their feelings. Love at first sight was commonplace. "A little," he admitted in the end.

Star Bright gave nod to show agreement and Blossom looked blank.

"Well," Aura went on and took a deep breath to prepare herself. Her free hoof went to her belly and she gave the group a nervous grin. "It's, uh, 'cause we're- we're expecting."

The unicorn gave a slight gasp and Greg blinked in surprise. Both ponies wilted a little under the combined stares and they both had a blush on their muzzles, but Aura was smiling happily. She cleared her throat and went on: "It just kinda- happened. I guess I wasn't paying enough attention, um, to- to the date." She realized how that might sound and hurriedly tried to explain. "B-But, we're happy even if it wasn't exactly, y'know, planned." The mare looked at her coltfriend and her smile grew. "I knew I loved Snow almost from the start. And I've always wanted foals, so this... kinda worked out."

She leaned forward and so did Snow Cover, so they could share a quick nuzzle.

In the ensuing silence Blossom asked in a loud whisper: "What does that mean?"

Star Bright coughed and spluttered, but luckily Aura had things in hoof. She caught Blossom's eye. "It means I'm going to have a foal in... about ten months, sweetie."

The sudden realization made Blossom's eyes go wide and she took a long gasp. "Really?! That's so cool!"

"Congratulations, you two," Gregory said.

"Yeah, congratulations," Star Bright added.

Blossom had already slipped out of her seat and hurried around the table, bumping it in her rush to get to Aura. She practically jumped in the older mare's forelegs and the two nuzzled.

"I'm so happy for you!" Blossom squeaked. "Someday I'll have a foal too and then they can be best friends!"

The proclamation just made Star Bright's coughing fit worse, which made Snow Cover laugh openly. Aura took it all in stride.

"Sure you will," the pegasus said with a smile. "Just make sure both you and your coltfriend are okay with the idea. Oh, and maybe give it some time, right? At least finish school first."

Blossom nodded to all that in a silent promise, before rushing back to grab the startled unicorn in her hug. "You hear that, Starry? Someday we'll have a foal, okay?"

To his credit, the colt rallied magnificently and returned Blossom's nuzzle. "Yeah. Some day, when we're both ready."

He got a crushing hug and tiny kisses peppered all over his face as a reward while the rest of them watched in bemusement.

The waiter came to pick up the dishes and bring their main course, paying no attention to the couple which was practically making out on the bench. Hopefully the food would distract Blossom from trying to make a foal right there in the restaurant.

Greg turned to his own dish. He'd gotten an eggplant casserole on Aura's recommendation and it looked like the mare hadn't led him astray. Before digging in, however, he lifted up his glass of wine and made a toast: "To the happy couple and their new family."

After a bit of an explanation from Star Bright, Blossom also had her glass and they clinked them all together. In the young mare's case it was grape juice instead of wine, but the gesture still counted.

Greg smiled a little to himself. Celestia would find this bit of gossip as juicy as the best of cakes. He was looking forward to her excitement. There was just one thing he had to do before that. "Uh, Aura? Is it okay if I mention this to the Princess?"

She glanced at Snow Cover, who turned a nice shade of pink once more, but then gave her a hesitant nod. The pegasus smiled and her hoof went to rest on her belly again. "Sure. It's gonna be public pretty soon anyway. Wedding's next month and we're gonna announce soon after. Of course you're all invited. We'd be honored if the Princess attended!"

Greg just raised his glass again by way of a reply and then focused on his food for the immediate future.

Gregory was returning to the palace rather later than he'd expected, with Star Bright and Lily Blossom in tow. After the lunch Aura had insisted they went to her place to celebrate with a cake and no one had the heart to say no to Blossom. In truth, they did have things to celebrate and Greg was sure to have Aura wrap up a large piece to appease Celestia when he came back late. She'd probably been kept busy by the arrivals from the second portal and didn't even notice him gone. It wasn't as if he was especially qualified to deal with traumatized ponies and humans anyway.

"What in the..." Bright muttered, prompting Gregory to look over at what the stallion had seen. His own mouth fell open at the sight.

A group of guards were escorting one of the nobleponies to the castle. That in itself was only slightly unusual, but the unicorn's formal dress was torn in several places, her mane was messed up and there was a large bruise blackening her eye. The first conclusion Greg jumped to was that the mare had been attacked and the guards were there to protect her, but that didn't feel quite right. The noblepony was glaring pure murder at her escort and as Greg watched, one of them smacked her on the rump with a spear to keep her moving.

"Huh?"

"The ring, Greg! She's got a ring on her horn!" Star Bright pointed out.

Greg saw it was true. It was a small, silver band, not entirely fitting the rest of the unicorn's wardrobe, but a piece of jewelry on the well-to-do didn't seem that out of place.

He was about to point that it was a small detail in contrast to the other anomalies, but Star Bright went on: "It's a magic suppression ring, Greg! I t-think she's a prisoner!"

"What? Isn't she the richest mare in Canterlot or something?"

His unicorn friend swallowed and nodded. "Y-Yeah," he confirmed. "That's Duchess Opulence herself! She looks like she's been in a fight."

Something extremely unusual was going on and Greg saw that other ponies had noticed too. A large gathering seemed to have followed the guards, but they kept their distance. Here and there he could hear murmuring and more than one pony pointed with a hoof.

"I think I better go tell the Princess," Greg decided. "You take Blossom to her room." He held out the package with cake out to the unicorn. "Keep this safe." He barely waited for Star Bright's nod before hurrying after the little procession to the main Castle gate. Before he'd gone three steps Greg turned around as he thought of something else. "You better stay with her. I don't like this."

"Yeah, of course," Star Bright said and nuzzled Lily to get her attention. She allowed him to turn her aside and lead her to one of the side entrances.

That taken care of, Greg broke into a brisk walk until he reached the gate guards. He gave Opulence's procession a wide berth, but the mare noticed and glared distilled hatred at him.

The sheer venom in her stare made Greg stutter a little with his question: "Do- uh, do you know where I can find Princess Celestia?"

Luckily the guards prodded the irate unicorn again and took her down a side passage and out of sight. Greg looked back to the guard at the gate. The navy-blue-coated pegasus in the customary golden armor inclined his head. "Sure thing, Gregory. She should still be in Court for another thirty minutes, although I'd hurry if I were you."

"Why? What do you know about all this?"

The guard - Glory Tail, Greg remembered his name was - glanced at his partner at the gate. He got a nod of approval and beckoned Greg with a hoof to come closer. "The Princess was the one who ordered the arrest of Opulence Chattel. No doubt she'll want to see her immediately."

That made even less sense. "Thanks."

He'd almost forgotten that basic nicety before walking off in the direction of the Grand Hall. After a few steps Greg broke into a run.

"Hold on, wait!" Gregory caught up with Celestia, who slowed down at his shout. Fire Fly was by her side along with one of her clerk ponies, but whatever they'd been discussing was successfully interrupted. "Why did you have Opulence arrested?" Greg demanded.

There was a momentary grimace on Celestia's face at his brash proclamation, but it smoothed over and she seemed to sag a little. "I suppose everypony will know before long. Raven, handle things until I am done."

The clerk pony bowed, nearly making her spectacles fall from her nose, before trotting away and leaving the three alone. Once they were alone, Celestia resumed walking. "Come with me," she said, needlessly.

Greg was about to repeat his question, but the Princess beat him to it. "I had Opulence arrested, Gregory, because I have proof that she is the leader of the trafficking ring."

An incredulous gasp escaped Greg's mouth and he almost stumbled. "The hell? How does that work? What evidence?"

"Captain?" Celestia prompted, directing the guard to field that particular question. He inclined his head and transferred his gaze to Greg.

"Princess Luna's escort brought the human and pony prisoners from the second portal today," he said, mostly to establish a reference rather than to inform, since Gregory already knew. "We interrogated the ponies who'd been working with the human slavers and... well..."

Luckily Celestia finished what Fire Fly could not. "Opulence was in charge here in Equestria. Silvermane was just a pawn, it seems. Well, perhaps 'in charge' is too strong a word."

"What do you mean?"

"You know that the Chattels used to be one of the wealthiest families in Equestria, right?"

"Used to?!"

Celestia's mouth quirked up in a smile. "The recent generations have been somewhat... frivolous with their bits. Opulence inherited a title, a wagon-load of pride and an empty bank vault. Unfortunately she was not ready to give up the lavish lifestyle. She certainly was not ready for anypony to know she was broke."

Gregory could imagine where the story was leading to and skipped ahead. "So they paid her?"

"That was how it began, yes," Celestia replied, looking rather pleased at his deduction. "There is more to it, though. I believe Opulence severely despises all humans. That was a part of it as well. Whatever her mental state, it made it possible for certain... agents to approach her and begin the whole sorry enterprise."

"When was this?"

Celestia paused with a hoof in air and her companions stopped beside her. After a few seconds she began to walk again. "Within the past three years, I believe."

"Then what about Blossom?"

"That is unrelated, I am sorry to say. Aside from the fact that Opulence's group purchased slaves from Griffinstone to help kickstart their operation."

They walked a few steps in silence before Fire Fly raised up his next question: "Princess, you said Opulence hates humans. Why would she work with them?"

Celestia nodded in approval, but didn't answer until they were through the guarded door to the dungeons. There she stopped to face them both while a couple of prison guards saluted the Captain. "The reason, I believe, is two-fold: On the one hoof, this enterprise provided Opulence with much-needed income. I suspect Raven will find the Chattel family indebted with all Canterlot banks. On the second hoof, bringing humans into Equestria and making them work served as an outlet for Opulence's hatred of humans."

"Why does she hate humans?"

This time Celestia shook her head. "I do not have all the answers yet. It is something I hope to find out. It was she who got Twinkleshine to attempt to discredit you, and also she who ordered your foal-napping. The prisoners from the Portal confirmed as much."

Greg didn't know what else to say to all that. He'd been convinced that Silvermane and his family had been behind the whole thing and that the matter had been concluded when they were put in prison. To suddenly learn there was a kingpin, or at least a pony version of one, was quite unsettling. "But we're sure she's the one behind all of this, right? There won't be another pony popping up as the mastermind in a couple of weeks?" Greg asked in a dry tone.

Celestia smiled and shook out her mane, mostly to try her amusement. "I do not think so. Opulence worked directly with the human slavery ring on the other side of that portal. I think that is where the ideas came from. The real leaders are there, and they are Commander Callahan's problem. He and Luna already know of our findings."

It was a chance for a change of topic, so Greg took it. "Luna came back then?"

"Yes, but now is not the time, Gregory," Celestia said and stepped closer so she could brush her muzzle against his cheek. He distinctly heard the rasp and realized he needed a shave. "Go and have dinner, I will join you when I am done with Opulence."

For a moment Greg could have sworn Celestia's eyes narrowed in anger, but she smoothed her expression before he could be sure. The Princess was understandably upset, especially considering the noblemare's position and title. It cast a bad light on Equestria and on the ruling Sisters.

Perhaps if he lightened her mood a little... "Okay, don't do anything drastic. Oh, Aura sent over some cake, some incredible news, and an invitation to her wedding."

This was unexpected enough to make the Princess blink in confusion. She opened her mouth to ask, but shook her head and forced the look of steely determination back on her face. "It sounds as if you have a story to tell me as well. I will hurry, my love." She turned her head to one side in invitation and Greg placed a quick kiss on her cheek. "See you soon."

"And you."

Epilogue

A freshly-shaven Gregory was catching up on some classical Equestrian literature when there came a quiet knock on the door.

"Come in!"

Glory Tail poked his head in, but without his customary helmet. "I'm going off duty," he said by way of explanation, "but the Princess sent me to ask you to join her in the dining room."

"Oh. Thanks. Have a good night."

The pegasus flashed him a smile. "You too, sir," he said before vanishing from the door.

He left it ajar, expecting Greg to leave soon, but it was a few minutes later, after he'd gone in the bathroom and made sure he was still presentable, that Gregory finally emerged out of the suite and set off for the room Glory Tail had mentioned. The few members of staff he met along the way either ignored him, used to his presence by now, or acknowledged him with nods or waves. Pretty soon Greg joined the Princess in the dining room and stopped in the door.

"What is all this?"

The table was laid and there was a rich spread of food on it. A basket of what looked like fresh bread, straight from the oven was still steaming. There were cheese platters, several jars of pickled vegetables, multitudes of dessert, a bunch of varied flowers, and Celestia was busying herself at the stove where she was apparently preparing something complicated.

She glanced back, but turned her attention to the pot she was stirring. "Just dinner. We have not had a hoof-cooked dinner in too long, Gregory."

"This is just for us two?"

The stirring paused for a moment and the Princess glanced over her shoulder at the table again. She gave him a somewhat guilty grin and prompted: "I hope you are very hungry?"

Before Greg could come up with a meaningful response she decided her latest project was done and lifted up the pot in her magic. "Mushroom soup," she explained as she laid it carefully in the middle.

"Celly, what's really going on?" Greg asked as he sat down.

It might have been excessive, but the dinner looked delicious nevertheless. He took a piping hot piece of bread and availed himself of a few selections from the cheese platter.

Celestia paused only to remove her apron before taking her own seat across the table. "Sometimes cooking helps me think. Be glad I was not stress-baking."

Greg glanced at the bounty before him and raised an eyebrow. "Lots on your mind?"

That was an understatement and the mare sighed and lowered her ears. "I keep trying to see the angles we have missed, Gregory. Were it not for the ponies Luna captured we would never have suspected Opulence. I worry there are others."

It was curious how her opinion had shifted from earlier that afternoon, Greg mused. "If there are, you'll root them out. You're playing the long game, remember that."

Aside from a very brief, grateful smile, Celestia didn't acknowledge Greg's words. Instead she leaned her head to one side and raised her voice to her typical 'pleading' tone. "Do you think Miriam Adams would agree to sit in on this trial? I would really value her opinion."

Another unexpected question, but the answer was obvious: "Write her a letter and ask for her help. If anything, it's a sign of trust between our nations. Better yet, ask her during her visit!"

"You are correct, as always. I will write her first thing in the morning. Equestria has not had a slavery-related court case yet and Miriam has first-hoof experience."

The trial meant that the ponies in Canterlot dungeons would have a chance to defend themselves. It wasn't a prospect Gregory really liked, especially considering that they were rich and influential and well-able to afford extremely good attorneys, but it was the proper thing to do.

"So you'll put Silvermane and Opulence on trial?"

Celestia nodded. "Them and some of the higher-ups Luna captured. I will let some underlings go with only community service." At his strange look she explained: "Those were the terms of the bargain of them revealing who their boss was. I will hold to the agreement."

"Okay, good."

"Meanwhile, Luna will cleanse the corruption on Earth and do what she can to help Callahan capture the human ringleaders. Provided they can even be caught with all the warning they have had."

Considering where in the world the other end of the portal was located, Greg had his doubts. He didn't want to bring the Princess down, however. "Luna is resourceful and Callahan is particularly single-minded. I wouldn't doubt in their ability. Who knows, they may even become friends in time."

Celestia laughed softly at whatever image her imagination threw up. "I would pay to hear that story."

They shared a chuckle and then Celestia levitated over two bowls and filled them up. As it landed in front of Gregory she also floated over a spoon, right into his waiting hand.

"Oh, before I forget: Star Bright has a piece of Aura's cake for you. You might send for it before Blossom gets at it. It's only a matter of time."

This made Celestia remember Greg's earlier remark and her eyes widened together with her smile. "I almost forgot! You said something about a wedding! Aura and Snow Cover, was it not?"

"Yeah. Apparently he knocked her up and they've decided to get married."

His blunt way of putting it made the Princess tsk a few times. "You might have said it a bit more romantically, Gregory. Of course a foal on the way is a joy for most mares, even if the circumstances are not... ideal."

"So, you'll attend?"

Celestia screwed up her face in thought. "I would like to, but that would make her wedding a wholly public affair. I am not sure I wish to drop all that on her back."

It was indeed a conundrum. Greg knew Celestia wasn't wrong. As soon as word came out that she was attending a 'common' wedding, pony-paparazzi would descend on the event and very likely ruin the whole day for Aura and Snow Cover. The only to prevent that would be to enlist a bunch of guards to keep the crowds at bay, but that would only heighten the fever and produce accusations of preferential treatment. If only they could keep it a secret.

"Wait!" Greg gasped at the devious idea. "Just go in your Supple Branch disguise, no? That way you're just another pony, no fuss, no outcry."

Celestia's stunned expression gradually morphed into a delighted smile. "That is actually an excellent idea! Oh! I will write to Lake Frond and Rock Lichen. You do not think Aura would mind if I invited them as well?"

"Why those two? I mean, I guess she won't, but why them in particular?"

"You reminded me of them the other day when you came from that meeting on Earth. Miriam said she would like to see them, did she not?"

After Gregory nodded she continued: "I realized I have not seen them in quite a while, and that Miriam Adams will be in Canterlot at the same time, so we can have a bit of a reunion."

It actually sounded kinda nice. There was just one nagging thought in Greg's mind. "So you don't want Aura's cake?"

The Princess paled in shock, a spoonful of soup coming to a halt before her open mouth. "I almost forgot!" she whined. The spoon clattered down into the bowl and Celestia rushed to the door. "I will send somepony to invite them to dinner. Be right back!"

Celestia forgetting about cake was a very rare thing indeed and Greg did his best to commit the look on her face when she had realized it to memory. He really hoped she would never change, Greg thought to himself, that she would remain happy, and vibrant, and so quixotically young. The chances were good, considering her extended lifespan. His thoughts went out to his own friends and ex-colleagues. Perhaps he could follow Celestia's example and invite them for a visit one of these days? Wendy Locker would love it especially. Hopefully she was still the receptionist at his old firm, or if not, someone at the company knew how to get hold of her.

It wasn't long before the Princess was back, but this time she didn't go to her seat. Instead Celestia came to stand behind Greg and brushed her muzzle against his ear.

"I have said how much I appreciate you, did I not?"

"Yeah, just about every day. Same, by the way."

Maybe it was his fancy, but Greg imagined he could feel her smiling there, just out of sight. It was like a ray of warm sunshine on his face. He reached blindly with his hand and gave her nose a careful pat.

"Is the cheese any good? I was not paying too much attention..."

"It's delicious. Here, try it." He grabbed the fork and speared a particularly nice chunk of Brie, or whatever ponies called it here. He lifted it up to the side of his head and felt a gentle tug on the fork as Celestia took it.

"Good," she commented, "but I am in the mood for something even more delicious."

Greg turned to look at what she meant and met her lips. Almost without his volition his hand went around her muzzle to hold her in place. It wasn't a particularly passionate kiss, but it was warm and full of promises.

"We should do something like this more often. I like it when you cook. Maybe you can even teach me a thing or two."

Her laughter was music to his ears. "We should and I will."

"It's going to turn out alright, isn't it? With the trial and Luna and all that?" Greg prompted, his mind going back to those problems despite his best efforts to keep it in the present.

"Yes."

There was quiet certainty in her voice and Greg allowed himself to believe her.

Everything would turn out for the best. After all, it was how Equestria worked.

END

Chapter 1: Unpleasant Customer

Gregory Rawsthorne was sitting in his office deep in the Administrative wing of the Canterlot Castle when he heard the commotion. This was unusual, because most ponies never ventured this far into the hidden guts of the Equestrian bureaucracy. In fact, the sudden disruption was so strange that he decided to get up and go out in the corridor to see what all the noise was about.

It made very little sense at first. A white unicorn, one he didn't recognize while she was facing away from him, was complaining very loudly at one of his coworkers, Star Bright. Complaining perhaps wasn't even the correct word. 'Shouting' would be more apt. Star Bright noticed Gregory and flashed him a weak grin, as if apologizing for all the racket. Fortunately, the shouting mare didn't notice this slight and simply continued with her tirade.

"What I want, you- you... commoner," she spat as if it was the worst insult she could imagine, "is to see somepony in charge!"

"Miss, the Princess has audience every weekday, if you could just-"

Poor Star Bright didn't even get to finish his suggestion before the irate unicorn interrupted him. "Don't give me lip! I just want to see somepony in charge around here! You don't tell me to just go see Celestia!"

"Why not?" Star Bright asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "The Princess listens to all-"

Again he didn't get to finish. "The Princess is useless! She spends all her time wrapped around that disgusting ape of hers!" She advanced on the hapless bureaucrat who backed away with his tail tucked up so far between his legs it was nearly brushing his chin. "Mark my words, things will change. And soon!"

It was time to step in. Gregory didn't much like the sound of 'disgusting ape', even though he was aware of the derogative used among some of Equestria's 'finest'. The nobility very much resented accepting other species into their ranks and the Sisters' lasting infatuation with their respective humans was starting to cause noticeable dissent among the high-born families. The fact that it had happened to both Celestia and Luna just compounded the outrage.

"Excuse me. Is there something I may be able to help with?"

Star Bright looked immensely relieved and the unicorn mare, startled, jumped into the air and twirled around. Her ears were laid flat and her muzzle was scrunched up into a derisive frown. "I don't want anything from you!" she spat, apparently not even slightly worried that Gregory had probably overheard her insult.

"If you can remain civil, I'm sure we can discuss any issues you might have."

She growled and spun around to push past Star Bright. She spoke to the stallion, but loudly enough for Gregory to hear, which had been her intent: "I'll come back when this place isn't infested!"

Both of them watched the mare go, Gregory still trying to place her. She seemed familiar. Probably he had seen her at some official function or a banquet or maybe even at the Gala, but he didn't remember her ever so much as looking at him the wrong way. She probably felt safe to display her disgust with no real witnesses, Star Bright, of course, not counting as 'anyone' in her skewed worldview. She would not have been so bold with a few more ponies around, even commoners. After all, however dissatisfied the nobles were about the current situation, showing their distaste in public was simply Not Done.

"What the hell was that all about?" Gregory asked.

Star Bright breathed a sigh of relief as soon as the irate mare was out of earshot. "I don't even bucking know," he admitted. "One minute she came in to complain about her tax statement. You know, the new stuff the Princesses implemented when she found out the nobles were avoiding paying?"

"Ah, maybe that's why she didn't want to see Celestia personally. Maybe she thought she could bully someone into waiving what she owes. Some underling, who could take the blame."

"Yeah, that's probably it. Anyway, thanks for stepping in. I couldn't believe what she was saying."

Gregory was aware that there was some resentment to increased human presence in Equestrian affairs, but he hadn't realized just how upset some ponies were about him and Eli in particular.

"Don't worry, we have people like that on Earth, too."

He shrugged it off, mainly to put Star Bright at his ease, but the attorney-turned-bureaucrat still made a mental note to bring it up with Celestia. If nothing else, she should know what her subjects were thinking, especially possibly influential ones like that mare. Maybe all it would take was to invite her to some more social occasions where she'd have a chance to speak with a few humans and have her opinion of them changed.

He was about to go back into his office and pick up the paperwork when he noticed how Star Bright was leaning inconspicuously towards him. Greg smiled knowingly. "Anyway, don't let it get to you. Some people are just weird."

He reached down to give the pony a calming pat on his short-cropped mane, but of course it turned into a very quick ear-scratch. Some equines simply couldn't get enough of it and Greg didn't find it onerous to indulge them. The ponies were a lot more physical with each other than humans. It took some getting used to, but these days Greg didn't even bat an eye at casually patting a back or scratching an ear. On more than one occasion he'd given Luna a back-and-withers massage in the morning after a strenuous shift in the dreamscape. All Celestia did when she came in to make her signature pancake-breakfast was smile approvingly.

He was about to excuse himself and go finish his paperwork for the day, but Star Bright simply followed Greg into his office and looked around at his collection of legal texts. "So, what are you working on?"

Gregory didn't mind the interruption. He had been hard at his task for several full hours, and the dull ache developing behind his eyes, combined with the stiffness in his legs, told him he could use a break.

"Right at the moment? I'm going over the immigration policy for Princess Celestia. She's looking to allow more humans permanent residences in Equestria. It's kinda complicated because she has to work out the details with several human governments, which is why she's engaged my old law firm to hammer out some of the fine print. I'm checking their reply to make sure they haven't missed anything important on the Equestrian side."

Even before Greg got halfway through the explanation, Star Bright's eyes were already glazing over. He was an intern, the man remembered, and he probably wouldn't stick around when his contract ran out. It was only his first job, one his parents made him take because they wanted to brag that their son was working for the Princesses.

"Tell you what, I could use a real break. Why don't we walk over to the tea kitchen and make ourselves some coffee?"

The colt swished his tail around and smiled. "Sure! That sounds good!"

Late afternoon found Gregory relaxing on a human-sized-and-shaped chair on the balcony overlooking the hedge maze, and warming his hands on a cup of coffee. The sun was up, but there was still a chill in the air on this early spring afternoon. The snow was over, at least, and there was the summer to look forward to. His sixth in this crazy talking-horse land, which was in itself a weird thought. He'd never seen this coming when he had planned out his career after college.

It wasn't bad, not really. At first he'd missed some things from Earth, like cars and TV and, of all things, Starbucks coffee, but after a while those things faded. He'd never been too enamored with the Internet, for example, so it wasn't difficult to give up. TV he mainly missed because of the pool championships he had liked to watch, but once he had a table made by one of the Canterlot craftsponies, and had taught a few of his new coworkers to play, that was at least alleviated, if not exactly replaced.

Seeing the non-unicorns fumble with the cues had been funny, though.

As for cars, that one should have been the easiest to replace. Celestia had given him free use of her pegasi-pulled carriages, although he had neither the occasion, nor inclination to use those. Gregory hadn't minded flying on Earth, but the pegasi-carriages were open to the air. It was more like a roller coaster than a means of travel!

Anyway, in Canterlot walking usually sufficed and his other travels were mostly official or at least accompanied by Celestia, so transportation wasn't really an issue.

There was also teleportation, but after having tried that once and then spending a few gruesome hours puking out his breakfast, Greg decided he didn't like that mode of travel. Twilight Sparkle had proposed a hypothesis that human physiology was just different enough for that particular spell to affect them so, but since she didn't have any voluntary test subjects, she couldn't work on removing the adverse effect.

Then there was his job. It was at the same time completely different and uncannily similar to his old one on Earth. All the essential skills he'd picked up in college and honed during his career were still useful. He had to revise his international law a little bit, if only to draw good examples from it when drafting some of Equestria's first policies on things like customs, immigration and trade relations. Every now and then it struck Gregory that he was doing groundbreaking work for the ponies and he nearly panicked about getting it all wrong, but Celestia reassured him that he was doing an exemplary job.

Yeah, that mare was completely worth it. All the strangeness he had to get used to, new faces he had to work with, new climate to adjust to. All the discomforts of losing the technological conveniences of his home, it was all worth it.

Even now Greg couldn't prevent a smile from creeping up on his face. Celestia was going to live forever. She already had lived over a thousand, yet there was still this core of joy, curiosity and simple delight in her that - almost literally - shone through the filter of wisdom and experience. She was quite an impossible creature, now that he got to know her better.

"What are you smiling about?" the alicorn in question asked, suddenly standing beside Greg's chair.

He almost jumped in surprise. How could that horse move so silently on these floor tiles with those hooves?! "Jeez, don't sneak up on me like that!"

She grinned back, eyes twinkling in amusement. "Ahem, I called out from the door but you did not answer. I thought you fell asleep." Without having to ask for it, Celestia lowered her head and got a quick ear-scritch. "Here, your coffee has gone cold," she murmured and her horn lit up with energy for a few moments.

Instantly new steam rose from the cup and Greg took a careful sip. "Thanks."

"You still have not told me what you were smiling about."

"I was thinking of you."

The mare snorted in amusement. "Hah! That is what you always say!"

"I always think of you."

She feigned annoyance, but her pupils widened a little and her ears splayed in happiness. "Careful. If Luna hears how cheesy you are, she is going to put you on one of her pizzas."

They both laughed. "Speaking of which," Celestia went on, "want to come in for dinner? She is trying her hoof at bread again, so I will not blame you if you say no."

The younger Princess had recently offered to cook dinners for them, inspired by Celestia's example of making breakfast each day. The fact that she wasn't good at it, mainly through lack of patience, meant that more than once the Castle staff had had to step in at the last minute.

"Let's hope she let it rise at least a minute before shoving it in the oven this time," Greg said.

Celestia shook her head. "It is not that she does not let the dough rise enough, what worries me more is that she gets bored and takes it out of the oven after five minutes."

Greg grimaced at the memory. The buns had looked alright on the surface, and they had certainly smelled good. No one could have known that biting into one of them would be like biting into a doughnut filled with raw dough.

"So, what are we really having?"

"The cooks made a light salad and there is salmon for you."

"Good! Let's do it."

Greg got up, but before he could take so much as a step the mare halted him with a wing. "This first," she said and leaned in.

The kiss lasted a while and left them both leaning against each other. Both of them were panting lightly.

"This weekend," the Princess said, pausing momentarily to catch her breath. "Make sure you do not have work. We are going away."

"Oh? Where to?" Greg asked.

"I booked an out of the way place near Baltimare. There is a lake and good hiking paths, I remember. I have been there before."

Of course, she had been there before in her long life. She had been everywhere.

"Won't it be boring if you've been there before?"

Celestia shook her head. "Each time it is different. The land changes. The ponies change." Her ears lowered and her voice grew sad. "Who I am with changes."

There wasn't a lot Greg could say to that. He knew he was mortal and she was not. He'd grow old and then he'd be gone. They both knew it and accepted it, even if they didn't like it. It meant that these moments together were all the more important.

"I'll make time. I'm already looking forward to it."

Her smile came back and she gave her human a quick nuzzle. "Okay. Let us not keep Luna waiting. Eli tells me she has really outdone herself today."

Chapter 16: Attack!

Luna was waiting for Gregory when his carriage landed back at the Canterlot Castle. He was a bit disappointed that it wasn't Celestia, but still happy that the flight was over.

"Hi there," he greeted once the pegasi had brought his carriage to a stop.

"I saw you approaching from the balcony," Luna explained. "Sister is speaking with the Council in the meeting room. She should be done in an hour."

As far as Gregory could recall, this wasn't a scheduled meeting of the pony leaders. Perhaps Celestia had uncovered something new about Blossom's enslavement and was acting on it? It would have been rude to barge in and she would undoubtedly tell him all about it when she was done.

"Okay, I could use something to eat, though."

Luna turned to follow the man into the Castle and only remembered at the last second to pause and thank the guards. "Oh, thank you kindly for your service, uh- corporal."

Gregory noticed her moment of uncertainty. "Silverwing," he whispered.

"Corporal Silverwing," Luna repeated more loudly. She flashed Greg a grateful smile while the four pegasi were saluting. She was really trying to remember all the names of staff ponies, but sometimes they would slip from her memory. Everyone who knew her didn't mind.

As they resumed their walk the Princess spoke up: "There is some lunch left in the staff dining hall, I believe, or you can wait for dinner."

"Dining hall will be fine. Anything new from Blossom?" It wasn't likely that Luna would know, but it was something to fill the silence so Greg asked anyway.

The Princess shook her head. "Fluttershy has spent the whole day with Blossom. I believe Sister wishes to speak with her and you after her meeting."

"Okay. Do you want to join as well?"

"Perhaps it would be wise."

It occurred to Gregory that he hadn't really heard Luna's opinion on the whole 'Blossom affair'.

"What do you think about it all, though?" he asked. "Slavery in Equestria? I still think there's a human behind it all."

"It might also be a griffin or a dragon. Tartarus, it might still be a pony," Luna said, even if her muzzle scrunched up in distaste at the words. "Whoever it is, rest assured that we will find them and punish them." The mare stopped and turned to face Gregory. Her wings spread out and her expression was nothing short of fierce. "Then I will personally make their every sleeping moment a nightmare!"

Her voice held dark promise that made Gregory think about Nightmare Moon. He'd only heard stories of that, but seeing Luna angry like this made it all the easier to imagine.

"Celestia might not want you to take it too far, though."

"What Sister doesn't know will not bother her!" Luna muttered. She relaxed somewhat and sighed. "You are probably correct. I should try and not let my anger rule my decisions."

Gregory acted on impulse and stepped closer so he could lay his hand on her withers. Luna leaned into his touch and he slid his fingers through her mane until he found an ear to scratch. It really did help her relax.

"Thank you," Luna said simply.

A clatter of hurrying hoofsteps sounded from the other end of the hallway and a unicorn in golden armor galloped into view. Even before he was around the corner he was shouting: "Princess Luna! You must come quick!"

Gregory and the mare froze at the sudden intrusion. "Princess!" the guard repeated. He spotted Greg and added: "You come as well, Sir!" The guard slid to a stop a few paces away from both and pranced nervously in pace. "There has been- it's-" he tried to say, but remembered something just in time and clamped his muzzle shut.

Luna took a hesitant step forward. "What is the matter, private?! Speak up!"

"It's B-Blossom, ma'am!" the stallion answered, glancing around uneasily and chest heaving from the effort of running.

"Blossom!? What's wrong?!" Gregory exclaimed.

"There as been an attack! You must come quick!"

Luna started to trot and the guard, relieved, took the lead. "Has Sister been summoned?" she asked.

Gregory broke into a brisk jog to keep up with the pair. The guard pony had said 'attack' and it made the man worry. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash should have been with her at all times, so nothing should have happened to her at all! There were guards! Any kind of action against the mare had been unthinkable just five minutes ago! He hoped like hell Blossom hadn't been hurt. The guard had said 'attacked', not 'killed', so Gregory let his mind seize onto that.

"Sergeant Tail has gone to fetch her directly!" the unicorn answered Luna's question.

Luna thought for a few seconds, then asked: "Where is Blossom? Is she alive?!"

The guard had turned down a different corridor and barely dodged a maid who was staring at them, before he could answer: "East wing, second floor, near the guest suites, Princess! She is wounded, but not seriously."

It was both a relief and worry. If she'd been hurt, Blossom might revert to her mistrust of everyone around her. Hopefully she would still trust Gregory, but he wouldn't blame her if she didn't. He had promised her everything would be fine.

Luna's voice broke him out of his thoughts. "Private! Sergeant Silverwing and his squad are putting the flying carriage away in the courtyard. Go and find them. Tell him to send one flier to find Captain Fire Fly. He is to immediately lock the Castle down!" It was a good plan and Gregory nodded to himself as Luna continued: "Nopony is to leave or enter the Castle. Send word to all the gates and watchtowers and make sure anypony leaving Canterlot, whether by road or by air, is noted!"

"Yes, ma'am!" the unicorn stopped and saluted. He seemed relieved that a Princess was in charge and giving orders.

"Follow me," Luna told Gregory and increased her pace. Gregory found speed he hadn't known he even had. He wouldn't be able to run like that for long, but at that moment the only thing on his mind was Blossom.

"Right behind you!" he gasped.

The guard turned and ran the way they had come and was quickly out of sight.

Celestia and Doctor Sherbert were already there, as were several guard ponies. Gregory recognized Fire Fly and Longstride, but barely spared them a glance as he was trying to see inside the room. He could hear Celestia giving orders inside Cadence's guest suite, so Greg simply pushed past the crowd.

Luna stayed behind to speak with Fire Fly. "Send guards to lock down the castle!" she ordered. "Whoever had done this must be caught!"

"Rainbow Dash is in pursuit, Princess," the guard Captain explained. "I've sent a team of pegasi after her."

It sounded like they had everything in hoof, so Gregory stopped paying attention. Celestia was in the antechamber with doctors Wellhoof and Sherbert. She looked up and relief flashed in her eyes for an instant.

The two medics stepped aside so Greg could give the Princess a quick hug. "How is she? Where is she?" he asked.

"Blossom is fine," Celestia assured him. "It was a minor injury, thanks in no small part to Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. She is resting."

He didn't need to ask and all three ponies stepped aside when Greg pushed onward into the bedroom. Blossom was indeed there, a pristine white bandage wrapped around her foreleg and Fluttershy sitting beside her on the bed. Both stared at him for a second, but then Blossom brightened up and started lifting herself. Luckily Fluttershy pressed her gently, but firmly down while Gregory rushed forward.

"Don't get up!"

The mare obeyed and just waited until Greg was there. He cupped her muzzle with a hand and she gave it an urgent lick.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there, Blossom. This shouldn't have happened!"

The mare just shrugged a little. Perhaps she was in shock? Gregory looked at Fluttershy, who just gave him a faint, worried smile.

"T-They mis-missed," Blossom explained.

"What happened?" Greg asked Fluttershy.

The pegasus closed her eyes and folded her ears down before replying. "Two ponies. We were going to the room from lunch. One of them had a spear."

"Did you see them? Who were they?"

Fluttershy shook her head. "I'm sorry, Gregory. They were all in black, even their faces. It happened so fast. If it weren't for Rainbow Dash..."

He would have asked more, but talking about it was reminding Blossom and the mare was starting to sob. Gregory crawled up on the bed and the mare threw her hooves around his waist. He patted the back of her head. "It's over now. I'm sorry, I won't talk about it anymore, sweetie. You're safe. We'll make sure you stay safe, okay?"

He made sure not to sound doubtful, even if he wasn't entirely certain of what he was saying. Blossom was in the middle of Canterlot Castle, presumably the safest place in Equestria, yet this had still happened.

Princess Celestia raised her voice in the other room: "... don't care! Luna and I will interview every single guard, understood? Where is Lemon Slice?"

Gregory didn't hear the reply, but then Luna said: "Search the city! Find her!"

It sounded as if his hunch about the mare had been correct, not that it brought him much joy.

Blossom seemed to be calming down, so Greg carefully pried her away. "I have to go and talk with the Princess in the other room, Blossom. I'll be right here, okay? Five minutes."

Her eyes were large and brimming with tears, but the young mare nodded. Luckily Fluttershy took his place, patting Blossom on her back and wrapping her up in her soft yellow wings. Even as he left, Greg couldn't help looking back several times to make sure they were still okay. He rejoined the two Princesses, the guard Captain, and the doctors in the antechamber. It felt quite crowded, but Gregory was happy about that. The more ponies, the less chance anyone would try anything.

"Ponies dressed in all black. They had a spear," he said, even though they probably already knew it.

Fire Fly gave him a nod, but his expression was grim. "We found the spear. It is standard guard issue."

"So it were some of the guards? Is anyone missing?"

The stallion looked even more troubled. "Lemon Slice, so far. We are checking the roster."

Gregory sighed and sat on the couch, where he put his face in his hands. "Okay, that's good. Some of them may stay undercover, though."

Celestia came closer and gave Greg a gentle nuzzle. "We will interview everypony in the Castle, Gregory. This has gone beyond spying now. This is no longer subterfuge, it is an attack!"

"I will get to the bottom of this!" Luna said with conviction. "If Rainbow Dash catches the- those scum I will interrogate them personally!" She stomped a hoof for good measure.

"Blossom- how bad..." Gregory asked, looking at Dr. Sherbert.

The earth pony doctor glanced at his unicorn colleague, then stepped closer. "Just a nick. Don't worry. We checked the spear for poison, but there wasn't any. Blossom didn't even require stitches. I gather that Rainbow Dash knocked the attacker away in time."

At least that much was good news.

"The guard will be stepped up," Celestia instructed Fire Fly. "I am sorry, but we cannot trust any single pony with this. There will always be multiple guards near Blossom and their rosters will be chosen randomly." The Princess walked around the room as she thought and she glanced into the bedroom. "I will personally put a barrier on the window and the door to the balcony. Furthermore, Blossom will not leave this room without either myself, Luna or Gregory, understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Fire Fly saluted. Then he slumped a little and pulled his helmet off. His ears were completely flat. "P-Princess?" he began, then swallowed as both of them looked at him. "I can't help but feel like this is partially my failing as well. Traitors in my guard!" Fire Fly said and shook his head in saddness. "Perhaps if I had learned more from Captain Shining Armor..."

Celestia interrupted him. "We will not assign blame at this time, Captain. I do not doubt your loyalty. Just make sure something like this does not happen again."

Luna thought of something and her ears folded down. "Sister, there will be rumors. An assassination attempt in the Canterlot Castle. It will be a scandal."

Celestia sighed, but nodded. "You are right, of course. I will prepare a statement so that we may get a jump on these rumors rather than the other way around. Captain, send somepony to my clerks to organize a press statement."

"What do you need me to do?" Gregory asked.

"Stay with Blossom. There has to be a reason she was attacked. She either told us something important or was about to."

"If she already told us, what would be the point of trying to kill her? It's a lot of danger for petty revenge."

Celestia thought this through. "Perhaps whoever is behind this didn't hear about Blossom in time. Maybe the earlier rumors that she was your... mmm, 'squeeze' worked in our favor. I think this was the earliest they could have organized this attempt."

"More importantly," Luna added, "it means that Blossom can lead us to them. Otherwise they wouldn't have risked something so... public."

"Good thinking."

"Did you learn anything at the Baltimare garrison?" Celestia asked.

His trip felt like a million years ago and Gregory had to think for a second to remember. "Oh, that's right. Comet Roll is in solitary confinement and isn't allowed any visitors. I tried, but the commander wouldn't hear anything about it."

At this news Celestia spun around and stared at Fire Fly, who shuffled uneasily. "Captain, have Comet Roll released immediately and escorted back to Canterlot. He obviously knows something which somepony does not want us to hear!"

Luna added: "And, in the future, if a Castle Guard is charged with a crime which warrants imprisonment, do not have him locked away without a hearing."

The stallion saluted. "Of course, Princess. I will see to it myself. I will take a flying carriage and go fetch private Comet Roll personally!"

Celestia inclined her head in agreement. "Good. We're past the point of trying to hide our knowledge of this conspiracy. Luna, take command of the Guard while the Captain is away. Investigate this with alacrity."

"Yes, Sister."

Greg added: "I'll stay with Blossom, but I also want to help."

The Princess gave this some thought. "You should proceed with the investigation among my clerks. There is still the question of why Ember Wishes left in such a hurry and why the report I asked for was as lacking as it had been."

"Will do."

"If that is all, Princesses," Dr. Sherbert said after a short silence, "I will make sure my patient is okay and then take my leave." At a nod from the Princess he grabbed his bag and walked into the bedroom.

That reminded Celestia and she gave Gregory a meaningful look. "Blossom has reverted to her fear of unicorns. Can you find out why?"

"I'll try," Greg promised, looking at Dr. Wellhoof.

"She had a panic attack when she saw me," the unicorn explained. "I checked her with a spell to make sure she wasn't in mortal danger, then I sent for Dr. Sherbert to bandage her up."

"Was it unicorns who attacked her?"

"No, Fluttershy said it was two earth ponies," Celestia shook her head, "but her fear of them is probably connected to the whole mystery. I wish we knew more."

"I'll do my best to find out." Another thought occurred to Greg: "Maybe it would be a good idea for me to sleep here. I'll take the couch, just in case Blossom has nightmares or something. We don't want her running around the halls at night in a panic."

"Very well," the Princess said, with only a slight tinge of disappointment in her voice. Gregory doubted anyone else had even noticed it.

He gave her a small smile and went to check on Blossom. The doctor was just finishing with his examination, peering intently into Blossom's eyes while he listened to her heartbeat.

He dropped the stethoscope in his bag and closed it with a quiet click. "I think everything is okay, young mare. Take it easy with your leg for a day or two and you'll be right as rain."

Blossom just nodded, looking down at her hooves as soon as the stallion moved away. Doctor Sherbert walked past Gregory with a polite nod and left. That just left the three of them. Blossom looked hopefully at Greg, who obliged by going to sit on the bed by her side. He put a hand around the mare's withers and heaved a sigh. It had been a worrying mystery before, but now it was also a dangerous one. Hopefully Celestia and Luna would weed out the bad guards, if there were any left, and Comet Roll would be able to tell them something about the stone mine where Blossom had been kept. If they found that, it would probably lead them to whoever is responsible. Once the head was cut off, the rest of the operation would quickly fall and they could go back to a world where the scariest problem was late paperwork.

"Sweetheart?" Gregory asked.

Blossom shifted a little so she could look at him.

"Can you tell me why you are afraid of... horns?"

Her lips tightened and her ears folded down. Blossom would have looked away, but Greg had gently brought his hand up from her withers to cup her muzzle. She didn't fight his touch.

"It's okay, they won't get you. I need to know so I can help."

Her eyes were already filling up with tears, but then Blossom drew a shaky breath and said: "They b-beat me..."

"The unicorns? I mean, the horns?"

She nodded and Fluttershy put her hoof on Blossom's in a show of support. "They s-said if I told, they'd..." Blossom began, but a frightened little whimper interrupted her words. "They'd... f-flay me," she finished.

"I promise they'll never get close to you. You don't have to be afraid of them anymore, okay?"

Blossom didn't look too certain, but Fluttershy stroked her leg and asked: "What mustn't you tell?"

Gregory held his breath as they waited for what the mare would say next. She opened her mouth, but then shook her head. "I m-mustn't!" she whispered.

"We need to know, sweetheart. It'll help us keep you safe."

Unfortunately Blossom just closed her eyes, shook her head and started to sob gently.

"I think that's enough for now," Fluttershy said with finality, glaring a little at Greg.

He felt like shit, but they had to have some answers, and soon. Blossom would have all the time she needed to heal once the crisis was over. He still deferred to Fluttershy's wisdom in these things and let it drop for the momrnt, though. "You'll keep trying?" he asked quietly.

"I will, but not now," Fluttershy assured him.

That had to be good enough. If he tried to pressure the soft-spoken, timid mare, she might decide to use the Stare. Gregory hadn't been the target of that yet, but he'd heard it was pretty terrifying and had no desire to experience it himself.

"Thanks."

He shuffled higher up and grabbed a pillow so he could lean more comfortably against the headrest. As soon as he became still, Blossom also wiggled closer until her hooves were around his legs and her head in his lap. She sniffled a few more times and fell silent. Only the rise and fall of her barrel proved she was still alive.

"It's going to be a long afternoon, I think," Gregory commented.

"You'll stay with us?" Fluttershy asked, a smile returning to her muzzle. "She's a lot calmer with you around, you know?"

"Yes, but I'll sleep in the other room on the couch, okay?"

"That is fine."

Gregory sighed again. "Good thing I forgot my toothbrush here..."

The admission made Fluttershy giggle softly. A moment later Blossom also chuckled. He put his hand in her mane and tickled an ear until the mare flicked it in annoyance. "We'll catch the bad guys and put them in prison. I promise, sweetheart."

Blossom just nodded against his belly.

Chapter 31: Reintegration

"I see you are feeling much better," Luna said as she walked up from behind Gregory in the hallways.

"Luna! I heard you caught Spring Morning and some others."

The mare inclined her head. Her mouth quirked up in a smile, but it vanished almost instantly and her ears folded down. "I am sorry it took us so long to find you, Gregory."

He just waved a dismissive hand: "They were well prepared. I guess a lot of planning went into the kidnapping."

The Princess leaned her head to one side at the expression, then she blinked and nodded. "Oh, you mean foalnapping. Well, I'm still sorry we didn't find you sooner."

She looked quite downcast from the perceived guilt, so Greg took a step closer and laid a palm against her muzzle. "It's fine. The important thing is that I got out," he reassured the mare quietly.

Luna nuzzled his hand for a moment, then pulled away, brightening up. "Speaking of, whatever did you do to Spring Morning? She was half-asleep when I got there."

"So the potion worked even better than I thought."

"Ah, yes. What she was giving you to keep you from dreaming. How much did you give her?"

Gregory shrugged a little. "I just told her to drink it and she emptied the bottle. That's what she was giving me."

Luna nodded to herself. "That would explain it, yes. Gregory, the dose was meant for you. You weigh twice as much as a pony." He was about to apologize, fearful that he'd nearly killed the mare, changeling or not, but Luna spoke first: "It did the job, anyway."

"What about the other bad guys?"

Chuckling a little to herself, Luna patted the man on his shoulder with a wing. "There were two of them, a mare and a stallion, and they were no trouble at all. When Spring Morning didn't come down they went and tried to wake her up. When that failed, they didn't know what to do." Greg resumed his walking and Luna fell in step beside him as she continued her story. "By the time I got there, they'd worked each other into such a panic that I think they were actually relieved to be arrested."

Gregory frowned a little. He hadn't expected the bad guys to care about each other so much, especially if one of them was a changeling. They must have known, right? They had seen Spring Morning changed into Princess Celestia when she took him out for walks. They were ponies, Greg reminded himself again. Why wouldn't they care for their friends?

"So, did you get anything out of any of them yet?"

Luna nodded with a happy smile and Greg could have sworn her hooves pranced for just a bit. "Indeed! Once she came around, Spring Morning was very helpful indeed. Silvermane was not the leader of this slavery ring, did you know?"

Gregory nearly missed a step in surprise. "What? But Spring Morning always talked about him as if he was her boss!"

"He was," Luna confirmed, "but there was somepony - or someone - even higher up. Silent Spell has a few leads she is following and I am expecting a report from her this evening."

"Can I hear it too?"

Luna frowned a little at him, trying to decide if he was well enough. She caught his gaze and sighed. "I will ask Sister, alright? I don't wish to involve you further unless she is okay with it."

"That's fair."

They walked for a minute in silence, then Luna said quietly: "I'm glad you're okay, Gregory. Sister was quite worried." A moment later she added hurriedly: "And so were all of us."

Gregory reached with his hand and patted her withers, but then they were at the open door to the throne room. There were a couple petitioners inside, but it looked as if the court was nearly done. Celestia looked up from speaking with a garishly-clothed unicorn mare and smiled beautifully. Greg gave her a wave as he entered and his retinue of guards took their posts at the door, joining the two who were already there.

The other ponies in the room glanced over, some uneasily, others indifferently. Most of the populace, especially ponies from Canterlot, had gotten used to Gregory' presence, but there were some who still didn't fully trust humans. It didn't look as if Celestia would be caught up in court for a whole lot longer, so Greg simply leaned against the wall by the entrance to wait. Luna continued on and climbed the steps up to the twin thrones. She stood beside her sister and the two shared a smile, before Celestia nodded at the unicorn mare in the fancy dress to keep going.

She began explaining something about about noise from the street keeping her awake, but it wasn't all that interesting and Gregory tuned it out. He kept catching Celestia's eye and made a little game of seeing how much he could distract her from whatever the petitioner was complaining about. No doubt she'd tell him off afterwards, but it was still an amusing thing to do. At one point when she glanced at him, he gave her a little wave, which for some reason made her blush. Greg made a mental note to ask her what she'd thought of at the gesture, although not until later when they were alone.

The fancy unicorn finished her story, Celestia promised she'd look into it, and then it was time for the last two petitioners. As they approached, Luna leaned closer to Celestia and whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was made the Princess smile and she gave her sister a quick nuzzle before starting to climb down from the throne. Gregory blinked in surprise and the petitioning couple stopped uncertainly, until Luna bade them to explain their troubles to her instead. It was just one case, but still a very nice gesture and Greg resolved to get Luna a little treat as thanks. Maybe he'd find out where that blueberry jam she liked was being sold.

"I thought I told you to stay in bed, Gregory," Celestia murmured as she made her way over. She stopped right in front of him and Greg laid his palm on her cheek so he could guide her nose closer for a brief kiss.

"It was boring. I'm fine anyway, just a bit sore and tired."

Celestia just nodded and looked back at where Luna was intently listening to whatever the earth pony couple were telling her. A faint smile of pride touched her lips. "So," she said, looking back, "what would you like to do?"

It wasn't a question Greg had been expecting really, but he thought fast and an idea occurred: "How about we walk down to the Saddle Row, pick a restaurant at random and order their daily special?"

For a moment the Princess looked uncertain, but then a slow smile spread across her muzzle. "Mm, sounds romantic. Are you not worried about the danger? We still do not have everypony responsible in prison."

"I know, Luna told me," Greg assured her, "but maybe seeing that I'm okay will surprise whoever it is and they'll make a mistake?"

Celestia was forced to agree with his logic, even if she didn't quite like it. Her ears splayed, but she finally nodded. "Maybe. But we will still take-"

"No guards. Give them the evening off."

"What?!"

Gregory let out a sigh and reached up to scratch an ear. "I feel safe enough with just you, Celly. Besides, I don't wanna scare half of Canterlot with a large retinue of guards." He thought of something else and his smile grew mischievous. "How do you propose we have a romantic dinner with a bunch of guard ponies around?"

His smile and wink clinched the deal and Celestia finally nodded. "Very well, Gregory. I suppose you are right."

It was a bit of a walk, but he'd resolved to start exercising more and the stroll to Saddle Row in the afternoon promised to be quite a pleasant one. Greg patted the Princess on her withers and followed her out of the throne room. He was sure Sergeant Bright Beam wouldn't like the idea of letting them go out alone, but he wouldn't disobey an order. Besides, if Gregory wasn't safe with Princess Celestia by his side, then there were no safe places in all of Equestria.

They hadn't had a real, romantic dinner out of the Castle in ages. It would be a very welcome change of pace.

"Oh, and before I forget: Aura and Blossom are making you a cake. I'll bring it tomorrow after I visit. She actually asked if she could go and learn, can you believe that?"

He almost laughed outright when he saw the joy of impending cake war with worry for the young mare in Celestia's eyes.

"Don't worry, she has guards with her."

That mollified the Princess somewhat and the cake won over. "Good. I wish you spoke with me before making a decision like that, but good. It better be a delicious cake though, Gregory!"

This time he did laugh and patted her again. "It's an Aura cake, so yeah, I think I'm covered."

Celestia snorted, but she couldn't keep a smile from her muzzle even as she rolled her eyes.

"Please be careful, Gregory," Celestia was saying as they stood in the corridor. "Are you sure you will not have breakfast?"

The man shook his head for the fifth or sixth time. "I'll be fine. You know Storm Pop and Aura. They're gonna stuff me regardless and I'd prefer not to explode today."

The Princess could not argue that and simply inclined her head. "I am sending Glory Tail and Pepper Crush with you. Make sure you-" The mare fell silent when Greg put his palm on her nose.

"Hush, it's safe enough. I'll be fine," he repeated.

With a warning glint in her eye, Celestia shook free and frowned at him. "I only just got you back, Gregory, but if you get yourself foalnapped again, I will deport you back to Earth!"

She had picked a weak threat and all it did was make the man chuckle. He put his hand right back against her muzzle. "Yeah, like you can give this up!" He gestured at his body with his other hand. Celestia's frown deepened and Greg took his fingers away a moment before she could nip him.

"Try me!"

Laughing, Greg leaned in and planted a quick kiss on the tip of her muzzle, before peeling away and looking around for the guards who were meant to accompany him. Both the sergeant and the specialist were doing their best to pretend nothing untoward was happening, but light blushes betrayed them however hard they tried to hide under the helmets.

"Well, let's go."

"One more thing," Fire Fly said from behind and the two guards froze mid-step. The Captain wasn't addressing them though. "Gregory, when you see Snow Cover tell him to get his tail right back to the barracks! He was supposed to be on duty this morning!" The unicorn seemed angry and Greg tried to mollify him, if only because he didn't want Aura to be sad when her coltfriend got in trouble.

"He's keeping an eye on Blossom. They sent a letter they were sleeping over, remember?"

Fire Fly just shook his head with a snort. "If I know Snow Cover, that was only half Blossom's idea! More like an excuse to canoodle with that pegasus!"

Gregory caught Celestia's eye and the Princess seemed to be having trouble keeping her face straight. He wondered if she would interfere, but a twinkle in her eye said she'd be looking forward to what happened. Celestia tended to find amusement in the silliest of things.

"Okay, I'll tell him."

"Good," Fire Fly said. "He is to get his tail over here right now and get in uniform!"

Greg just nodded. Having been a part-owner of the legal firm back on Earth, he understood that you had to be firm with underlings sometimes, otherwise the business culture shifted to a free-for-all. Guards needed even more discipline, by all accounts. He raised a hand and twiddled his fingers at Celestia, who inclined her head in return. That smile kept tugging at her mouth when she glanced at the Captain.

Thanks to Fire Fly's apparent foul mood, the other guards were a picture of smart efficiency and the two tasked with accompanying Gregory didn't say a single word as they left the Castle. Once or twice Greg opened his mouth to chat, but thought better of it. He had to admit that he had also been slightly worried the previous night when he and Celestia returned from Saddle Row and found that Blossom still wasn't back. Thankfully her message had arrived, explaining that she would sleep over at Aura's. Star Bright and Snow Cover were still with her and everything was fine, but it was the first night since they found her that the mare hadn't spent in the Canterlot Castle.

On the other hand, the young mare sounded like she was having fun making cakes with her new pegasus friend, so Greg couldn't begrudge her a sleepover. It was perhaps the most normal thing she'd done recently. He idly wondered just how many cakes they'd baked by now. Poor Star Bright, who was probably delegated to holding bowls, mixing and generally staying out of the way. It sounded boring.

Past time he got there and rescued his unicorn friend, then!