Everfree Village

Back in the humans' cave, the group had made it to the gem chamber after several minutes of walking. Barbara placed the torch in a small pool to douse the flames, allowing the brilliant light of the gem to glow till it lit the room on its own. This time, instead of the deer being the only to show, a single representative of each clan appeared. Upon seeing the bear, Barbara ran up and hugged the ethereal looking spirit.

"My child, I am sorry I could not be there last time you came. I hope you were not too disappointed."

Rohan knelt before the leader of his clan: A wolf two or three times the size of a dire wolf in the forest. It's cool, sharp eyes gazed down at him for but a moment before his tail gave a small wag.

"I have seen your deeds, my warrior. To fight such a beast while protecting your pack is no small feat, I am impressed. I know that my descendants adore you as well, you have proven to be a fine member of my clan."

He couldn't help grin at that, but the last two clans did not hold their silence as they stepped towards the ponies in the room. While the deer was as tall as Celestia, the ancient turtle next to him was easily the size of a boulder. The deer was the first to speak between them.

"Alicorn, marked by the sister of the sun and bearer the element of magic, we thank you for protecting our children during a dire hour."

It was directed at the barely conscious Twilight, who was being pressed more firmly against the fighter when he knelt. She took the opportunity to nuzzle at him a little. "Mmm, you smell like Fluttershy," she murmured.

Her distraction lasted only for a moment, before she came to. "Oh. Sorry!"

Maybe she put a hoof in the wrong place, or kicked a little, or smacked Rohan in the face with a wing in her urgent struggle to free herself, but the mare ended up panting and standing upright, even if she was a bit unsteady.

"Yes! That's me! Alicorn and all that!" she said manically to hide her obvious, blushing embarrassment. "I guess you're the forest spirits? How come I haven't read anything about you?! Princess Celestia never mentioned anything like it!"

It seemed like the alicorn would take it as a personal affront, the way her nose wrinkled.

Rainbow Dash couldn't help but snicker at Rohan's expression, then wrapped a wing around Twilight's withers to steady her.

"So does this mean you're feeling better? You had Spits pretty worried."

Then her brows furrowed and she looked up at the translucent deer shape, looking mildly indignant.

"Hey, wait a minute, we Wonderbolts were the real heroes here! If we hadn't distracted half of those Rocs they'd have overrun the village AND stopped Twi from casting her spells!"

Staring stubbornly at the large spirit, she failed to notice either Twilight's horror or Barbara's fury at her blatant disrespect. "Rainbow dash! I-" The deer held out a hoof to stop the woman staring down at the pegasus.

"I do not deny your help, blue one. Indeed your teamwork helped to keep the battle from becoming chaotic and saved many lives. But this is not the time for bickering over who has earned what praise."

All the clan's eyes found themselves on Twilight as they all moved to stand before her. Rather than the deer, this time it was the turtle that spoke.

"You are not the appointed ones, yet maybe you can help, Element Bearers." For such a large creature, it was a little shocking to hear her speak with the soft voice of an elderly woman. "Your influence yet grows within Equestria, and our children need more aid than we had anticipated. Through them, we were able to glimpse at your home, and now know we have slumbered for many more years than we thought. Please, aid our appointed ones in their quest to help the humans."

"Looked through them-?" Twilight began, but then remembered her friend. "It's okay, Rainbow Dash. I know how much you helped. Thanks."

She had meant to be a bit more quiet, but the cave made her voice echo deceptively and the alicorn blushed a bit. "Ugh," she groaned and rubbed her head with a hoof. "What was that magic?! I never felt anything like it before. It was kinda like the Elements, but... different." The pony looked at the assorted spirits. "Was that you?"

As if by magic, a parchment and a quill appeared as the Princess started taking notes. "I have to write it down while I still remember it. What do you call this kind of magic? Where does it come from?" It seemed that in her desire to learn and catalogue, Twilight completely forgot the spirits' request. "Can you use magic yourselves, or do you just channel it through others?"

The pegasus shook her head. "Wait wait wait, did I hear that right? You didn't say help the humans, you said help your 'appointed ones' help the humans." She raised a hoof and rubbed her mane, looking confused. "What appointed ones? Do you mean you want us to help somepony else help the humans? Wouldn't it be better to just help... uh, directly?"

The wolf huffed as Twilight barraged them with questions. While not angry, he looked mildly annoyed. "We gave you aid only because you would not unleash your own potential to stop the winged menaces. Our magic is deep and old, far older than even pony magic, as your leader learned in the past."

Rohan, sensing the confusion, cleared his throat to gain the groups attention. "The appointed ones are called Lodestone and Granite. They were the ones who found us first, though I had not seen much of them since my last hunting trip."

As Rainbow dash spoke, the turtle listened and shut its eyes in thought. "No, your destiny lies elsewhere. Providing our appointed ones aid is the best way to help them realize their destiny. A destiny that they have been secretly searching for, without even knowing it."

For a moment the only sounds were of Twilight's pen scritching across the paper. "Mhm... destiny, not knowing. Lodestone and Granite? Oh, right, I remember them. Why them?"

She didn't seem to mind the spirits' pick, the alicorn was just genuinely curious about it. "What kind of aid should we give them? Right now, it was just some trading and organizing. Can we do more?"

The Princess pranced a bit in place. "Oh, this is so exciting! I can't wait to send a letter to Princess Celestia. I have so many things to ask her!"

At long last the mare happened to spot the mood in the room and her ears, as well as her parchment, lowered. "Oh. Sorry," she said, shame-muzzled. "Okay, destiny, help, appointed ones, got it." The alicorn looked around at the glowing crystals and opened her muzzle to ask another question, but realized it and clamped it shut again.

Dash leaned her head in close to Twilight. "...Hey Twilight?" she whispered, "Who are they? I swear I recognize those names but--" She widened her eyes and snapped her gaze back up to the turtle. "Wait, you mean that dorky fan-colt and the little cow pony that kept fawning over him? What's so special about them?"

Then Dash's face shifted as something seemed to click in her head. "You... you gave Twilight the power to do that... glowy-eye-thing and..." She looked rapidly back and forth between Twilight and the spirits, "Oh... oh my gosh are you..." She cringed and dropped her voice to a whisper, as if afraid to even think her idea too loudly, "Are you more powerful than Princess Celestia?"

"And far more ancient," the wolf spirit said agreeably, "It would also be wise of you not to dismiss the potential of others through so little interaction, young one."

For a moment the pegasus simply sat on her flanks, ears flopped down and stared up at the spirits. The idea of a being both older and more powerful than the seemingly all-powerful Princess Celestia had thrown her for a loop.

They looked amongst each other with a small touch of amusement at their reactions to the spirits. Even the humans had been rather interesting when they first began to guide them. Finally, the deer broke the silence they had held for those moments.

"Element Bearers, you can help them through resources and eventually through greater guidance. We have sensed that the winged-one knows aspects of your world that would be less than kind to the humans, while the spotted one was in search of who she truly is. Through helping the humans, they will realize their greater potential and use that to better shape the world, that is why you must aid them and allow them to grow."

"Okay! Got it!" Twilight said happily, lifting up the parchment and giving it a few more hurried scribbles. "Well, this is certainly interesting. Will you answer a couple more questions?" she asked hopefully.

There was a fresh gleam in her eye. If she wasn't allowed to learn directly from the spirits, Twilight's expression said, she would go scour the libraries for what she wanted. She'd get to the bottom of everything, one way or another.

"If not, I think we should go back and see if... um, Lodestone and Granite, right? See if they are okay and if they need anything. We also have to send the shipment of goods over. Oh, and we need to start thinking about the long term. Will we need some kind of a contract, do you think? For how our peoples interact?" that last part was intended for Barbara, but Twilight was hoping the spirits would offer a bit more guidance.

After a moment, Dash rubbed her forehead with a hoof and took a deep breath, then stood up and looked serious again.

"Alright... okay. What do you want me to do?" Her ears drooped a little lower and she glanced at Twilight before continuing. "I mean, I'm pretty awesome no doubt about that, but I'm no alicorn Princess... I'm not even the Captain of the Wonderbolts. What did you want me to do about all this?"

"You and the other element bearers can aid both the humans and our appointed ones in their endeavors. Exactly how you wish to contribute is not for us to say, but for you to decide. We merely guide others onto the path of their greatest potential."

At this, they finally backed up and looked to the humans in the group. As the two clan members neared their respective human, the symbols and markings of magic on Rohan and Barbara began to glow.

"It seems that you two have only just scratched the surface of your potential though. Reluctance, self-doubt, fear, these things will hinder your path moving forward. Never forget that."

As the two nodded, all four of the clan leaders backed away and headed towards the crystal in the middle of the room. While three of them began to disappear, the deer stayed for just a moment longer. "If you ever get the chance, tell the Two Sisters that we would like to see them once again. It has been too long and I am certain that much has transpired between them since we last spoke."

"Oh, like you wouldn't believe!" Twilight said. "Princess Celestia had to banish Princess Luna to the moon when she was taken over by Nightmare Moon! There'll be so much to catch up on!"

She almost sounded gleeful telling them all this news about their once-pupils. "I'll send my letter today, I promise, and tell them all about this!"

There was an unspoken hope that Twilight Sparkle would be allowed to join that meeting, if only to make notes and learn some of her mentor's history.

"Okay, I think I feel well enough to fly back home. I'll send Lodestone and Granite this way when I get there. Are you staying a bit longer, Rainbow Dash - just to make sure everything is okay?" Dash thought about it for a moment, then she remembered she was in trouble with her Captain and sighed. "No, Spitfire'll want to debrief after such a major outing... and I did tell Lodestone I'd help out with the shipment so I can see him strut his stuff."

She flew up and hovered in front of Barbara, looking apologetic. "Sorry, Chief. I think I'll have to take the tour some other time. If all goes well I should be back later today though!"

Once the last spirit faded the light started to disappear from the room. As if by magic, the torch relit itself so they wouldn't be left blind in a dark room.

"Maybe if you can get things here faster than anticipated. I'm sure you can probably convince your captain to give you heavy lifting as a punishment so she can say you've done some muscle and endurance training, right?" It was a solid plan in the woman's mind. If Dash was really pushed hard, then it certainly shouldn't be an issue for a military mare.

"Well," Twilight said happily, "that was interesting. Want me to have a talk with Spitfire, Rainbow Dash? I'm sure she'll listen to me..." The Wonderbolts captain hadn't in the past, not really, but there was a first for everything, wasn't there? Twilight patted her friend with an absent-minded wing, then followed the humans out of the cave. "Okay, so I have to make sure I don't forget anything for my letter to Princess Celestia..." she muttered, mainly to herself as she started scribbling on her parchment again. "Then she'll probably want to meet. Hmm, are we going to need Cadence? An entirely new people, living in Everfree... would we need Cadence in on this?"

Her voice faded to incoherent mumbling to herself as the alicorn started to make plans. She wasn't really watching where she was going with her nose in the paper, trusting her peripheral vision and the humans to guide her. The pegasus kept a wing on her friend's withers to guide her left and right as the group made their way through the tunnel.

"I appreciate it Twi, but I definitely bucked up this time. Breaking formation might be forgiven but ignoring her shouting to halt?" She shook her head sadly. "No, Spitfire's gonna chew my flanks big time for this." Her gaze met Twilight's and she smiled nervously. "Though... I wouldn't exactly complain if you tried anyways."

Barbara kept looking back at Dash any chance she got. She half-wondered if there was anything she could really do to help, though she knew she couldn't. Breaking orders that came from a more experienced warrior could have meant death in most battles.

"Would it be possible that I spend another day in Ponyville? I want to let Fluttershy know that I got through the battle fine and that most of the village was saved."

Rohan was standing on the other side of the two ponies. While they might have thought it addressed to Barbara, a glance would tell them that he was asking for their help to get back to Ponyville.

Twilight gave the warrior an appraising look, but she wasn't really sizing him up. She was focusing inward. "I guess I can teleport us both back - though it will give me a headache..."

Not one to shy away from a magical challenge, the alicorn grinned fiercely. "What the hay, let's do it! It'll be faster than flying anyway!"

She turned to Dash and gave her a very obvious wink. "I'll put in a good word with Spitfire, don't worry."

"Well... good luck, I guess."

Since Twilight seemed to be finished with her notes for now, Dash leapt into the air and hovered casually nearby.

"Just be prepared for her to insist you return to Ponyville... even if the village obviously needs our help."

She swooped forward and bumped Barbara's shoulder with a hoof.

"You gonna come back to Ponyville with Rohan too? Or do you need to stay here and help after the fight, y'know, do... Chief-y stuff?"

"I have to stay for at least a while, Dash. Make sure my people know it's safe, help clean up, prepare them for the shipment and our new lives. Buuuut, that doesn't mean I can't be convinced to spend some time with you tonight." With a smirk, she turned her head and kissed Dash's cheek since the mare was so close to her already. "I enjoyed having you with me in bed."

"Oh, m-my..." Twilight said quietly, blushing. She knew, but it was still something to see. "Okay. So... I'll go have a chat with Spitfire and then I'll come find you, okay?"

As soon as the group was outside the Princess took to hovering in the air, like Rainbow Dash had been doing all the time. "Try not to get into too much trouble!" she said with a gleeful wink and flew off in search of the other Wonderbolts. They shouldn't be too hard to find. Then it would be time to see how much Princess Twilight's word meant with their Captain...

Twilight flew over the humans busily tidying up the village toward the two Wonderbolts and Spitfire immediately rounded on her. "Princess? Where is Dash!? I ordered her to stay by your side at all times!"

The alicorn landed and raised a hoof in a calming gesture. "Spitfire, please relax... these humans are friends. I left Dash with Barbara, we've been apart for less than a minute."

The pegasus sighed, looking annoyed, but then she nodded, "Alright, fine." Twilight shuffled her wings nervously and opened her mouth to respond, but Spitfire interrupted her, "No, Princess, I will not go easy on her just because she's your friend."

"But she-"

"She knows better than to break formation, especially during an active engagement."

"Active?" Twilight furrowed her brows, "I thought the Rocs were, uh..."

"They were on the ground but not unconscious and we didn't know if that was all of them. Disregarding orders could result in somepony's death." Spitfire lowered her goggles and met Twilight's eye. "We are not some ragtag group of trick flyers, Twilight. We are effectively the Royal Guard of the skies, appointed by Princess Celestia herself. We have extremely strict rules for extremely good reasons."

Twilight balked slightly, sounding not at all like a Princess, "But... isn't there anything I can do?"

"Oh, of course," Spitfire sat and tapped her hoof as she listed the options, "You could remove her from the Wonderbolts, you could make her the new Wonderbolts Captain, or you could simply order me to ignore her subordinance and make every other Wonderbolt resent her unfair privileges." Her gaze turned cold, "Any of those sound like good options to you?"

Twilight sighed and lowered her gaze, "No..."

Spitfire visibly relaxed, "Thank the wind, I was a little worried you would do that. I'm glad you understand those are all bad ideas."

"Yes, well... much as I love her, I don't think she's ready for your responsibility." Twilight sighed again, "Alright, fine... lets go find Barbara and see if we can help repairs or injuries a bit before we return to Ponyville."

Spitfire nodded, slipped her goggles back on, then she and Thunderlane flew attentively on either side of Twilight as she returned to the Chief of the humans.

Rohan left the woman and pegasus to watch over the rocs and make sure that they stayed unconscious. If they were to wake, his job would be to call for others to either help knock them back out or to kill them. As he stared at the beasts, he felt saddened that he had to think that way, especially now that he knew there was one who may be able to talk to them. Feeling the feather on his ear, he smiled sadly at what could have been if the Rocs had never been enemies to begin with.

Barbara led dash towards the forge to gather some things to bind the rocs. Once inside, and out of anyone's gaze, she decided to give Dash a proper kiss and let her hands wander through the mare's coat.

"Consider that the start to me paying you back for your help. In fact, if you have something you want to do with me at some point, you name it and we'll do it. No matter what it is, ok? Anything at all."

She rested her head against Dash's own and held her up so that the mare wouldn't have to keep flapping to stay up. It was nice to have someone near like that and she truly meant that she would do anything to pay dash back. Once she was satisfied with hugging, touching, and smooching the blue mare, she gathered up some chains from the forge and began walking towards the birds.

"We always planned to try and catch a few and see if we could get them to be more friendly to us. I guess these chains can finally come in handy for that. Maybe you ponies can figure something out with them to do... what was it you wanted? To control weather in the forest once and for all?"

Barbara had the chains bundled up for the most part, but she wore chains around her wrists that, in her armor, made her look kind of like a bound slave girl.

Rainbow Dash followed her toward the unconscious birds, feeling slightly out of breath after Barbara's efforts. The woman almost seemed desperate for the physical affection and Dash wondered if the Chief might somehow be lonely despite all the humans nearby.

"That's what we pegasi would like, but I'm sure Twilight will just want to study them or something."

She decided not to comment on Barbara's offer and blushed at her not-so-subtle implications, glad her uniform was waterproof. She was about to say more then her ears drooped when she saw the trio approaching them through the air.

"Aaaand from the look on her face I guess she didn't convince Spitfire to go easy... didn't really think she could do it, anyways." Dash flew close and nuzzled Barbara's cheek. "Hopefully I'll be allowed to return with Lodestone later today."

"Like I said, try to convince her that some hard labor would be a good punishment. Might work wonders."

Barbara set about chaining down the birds while Rohan used the spears from the battle as nails. By the time they were done, the birds would be basically chained to the earth so that they couldn't move. Thanks to all the metal pinned into the ground, their lightning would also be ineffective in helping them escape. Once the job was done, both humans moved towards the group of ponies.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to get those birds out of here before they wake and before we tell our people it's safe. Do you have some way to transport them? Maybe magic or... can you carry them somehow?"

Spitfire took up position near Twilight and Dash began to lower her goggles and join formation, but Spitfire waved a wing curtly so she relaxed and remained with Barbara.

Twilight blanched slightly, "Aheh-heh... umm... I could probably move one if I tried, but even if I could move all three, I don't know where I'd put them..."

Spitfire cleared her throat, "Princess Celestia has a way of transporting a threat over extreme distances."

Twilight sighed glumly, "Yes... I'd hoped to avoid asking for her help but I suppose I have no choice." She pulled out the letter she'd been forming and added a few more lines, then rolled it up and sent it off with a flash. Rainbow Dash looked surprised.

"I didn't know you could send letters all the way to Canterlot, Twi!"

The alicorn giggled, "Oh, I only sent it to Owlicious. He'll bring it to Spike and he'll send it to Celestia." She turned to face Barbara, looking a little anxious, "If she takes my letter half as seriously as I expect, she'll probably be here in moments. She can be surprisingly light-hearted and casual, but please show her the utmost respect. She's the oldest, wisest, and most powerful pony in all of Equestria."

"Is she this "sister of the sun" that the spirits have been holding in high regard? If so, she'll see nothing but the highest of respects as a deity of this world."

Rohan nodded his agreement and stood nearby to watch the group of ponies. His curious nature took hold as he looked over each of the ponies' wings, trying to see if they had done a similar ritual to Fluttershy and Dash. With them folded, he had no such luck telling if any of them did, nor did they wear a feather in their manes.

Nearly a minute passed by before the princess of Equestria arrived. To the pair of humans, she appeared every bit the goddess that they had expected and it was immediately apparent she was the one the spirits spoke of. Tall, imposing yet gentle, and practically glowing with a godly light.

The brilliant glow of sunlight around Celestia faded and she hesitated, looking around her in awe. Spitfire immediately took position near her, leaving Thunderlane with Twilight.

While Rohan knelt to her, Barbara gave a deep bow. "We are pleased to welcome you, Sister of the sun. I apologize that it could not be in a more festive manner." Barbara held her bow, not knowing exactly how the princess would react if she gave only a short bow of greeting.

The Princess turned her gentle gaze onto Barbara. "Oh no, please, you must stand. I should be the one apologizing to you."

Barbara and Rohan slowly straightened and were surprised to see the massive alicorn had bowed to them. There was a moment of stunned silence and Twilight gaped openly in astonishment, then Celestia lifted her head and smiled sadly.

"You may not be my little ponies but you are still inhabitants of Equestria and thus, my subjects. Though the ancient spirits have guided you, I should have noticed when you were thrust across dimensions into this world and sent aid and protection. You have my deepest regret and apologies for each and every life that has been lost due to my negligence."

Both the humans were as stunned as the ponies around Celestia. They had not expected her to apologize or to try and deem herself responsible for the misfortune that had befallen the humans. In that moment, both Rohan and Barbara found themselves at a loss for words, at least until one of the Rocs let out a weak caw.

"I hate to ask this of you, but we have no way to remove these birds from our home safely. The thunder Rocs have plagued us on and off since we arrived to this land and are incredibly dangerous. Only with the help of these ponies did we manage to capture these with minimal losses."

The one that had woken up was still weak from battle and couldn't break the chains that held it. That did not stop it from trying to fire a bolt of lightning, only for it to be drawn to the metal and become grounded.

Celestia rolled her eyes and casually waved her horn at the weakly struggling roc. A bright yellow hemisphere appeared around it and the roc fell suddenly still, the only movement coming from its slowly heaving chest and eyes that cast about wildly in fear and hatred. It's caw had begun to rouse a second roc and Celestia let out a short sigh before encasing it and the still unconscious third roc for good measure.

"That should hold them until sundown at least... I'll decide what to do with them in the meantime."

Her expression grew somber again, "Truly, I am sorry for what your people have suffered in this forest. I know you don't blame me nor did you expect such an apology, but upon my crown, your future shall be brighter."

Finally, her face lifted into the gentle happiness Twilight was used to seeing and she smiled brilliantly at the humans.

"But come, enough melancholy. If my suspicions are correct, one of your spirits is an old friend of mine and I am simply dying to see him again."

She turned toward the small mountain containing the spirit's crystal. She could feel their magic and could probably even teleport directly there, but she kept her gaze on Barbara and waited for her lead.

Twilight bit her lip nervously, worried what might happen if the Chief refused to 'bother' the spirits again so soon, but she held her tongue. She may not trust in Barbara's diplomacy yet but she was sure Celestia could handle even the most blatant disrespect with courtesy and grace.

But the Chief seemed content as she said, "Rohan, go and tell our people that it is safe and that we have guests. They are to be given space and to be treated with the utmost respect, as we have done for Lodestone and Granite."

He nodded and ran towards the path leading to the mines, while Barbara turned her attention back towards the princess.

"Before we go, I must introduce myself properly. I am Barbara, chief of this village. While it is not usual for us to call upon the spirits again so soon... I believe that they will meet your request, given what they had said earlier. This way please."

Barbara was doing her best to keep a more respectful tone with the princess, rather than act as her normal easy-going self. She knew well that her way of life would not befit true royalty and she did not want to cast her people's image in a negative light. As she led her way up the mountain though, a question kept coming to mind.

"If you don't mind me asking, did your sister not also want to see the spirits again? It's my understanding that they aided you both in the past."

"Oh without a doubt," Celestia said pleasantly as she walked beside Barbara, "But my dear sister, as Princess of the Night, goes to sleep not long after I raise the sun."

She gave the Chief a slightly apologetic smile, "She would be thrilled to visit sometime in the night, with your permission. I will also alert her to your people's presence and see if she can guard you against nightmares as she has done for ponykind."

Dash was hovering on Barbara's other side and she nudged her shoulder with a wink and whispered. "Think you can resist joining me in bed long enough to greet Princess Luna?"

Celestia giggled and her wings shuffled slightly, apparently having still heard the whisper. "Oh! I saw the feather in the other human's mane but I didn't want to assume... Well, I suppose it's true, then. I'm glad you're enjoying my ponies' ah... company."

Dash averted her eyes, blushing furiously and Celestia giggled again. "Do not be shy on my account, Rainbow Dash! I have been around for a long time after all... certainly I have been around as well." Then to everypony's amazement, the Princess of the Sun swished her tail suggestively and winked at Barbara. "However, I think I shall keep my hooves to myself for now."

Barbara blushed at the idea of a goddess speaking so brazenly. Though it did help to get Barbara to relax some and drop the formality for something more friendly.

"Yeah well, I never would have thought Rohan would go straight for a pony. He's had women who were interested in him, yet he never seemed to want to be with them. Guess this mare must have been something special, like you Dash."

Her signature grin came back as she pulled Dash close for a one armed hug.

"I would love a chance to meet your sister, especially if she can fend off nightmares. My people have trouble resting due to the dangers of the forest, so having knowledge of two goddesses watching over them would surely put them at ease."

As Barbara eyed the princess over, she imagined having to rule over many, many more subjects. Barbara already found it tough to be an effective leader and they numbered in the hundreds, how many thousands must Celestia rule? With that thought, she realized the mare must be at least a little stressed from time to time.

"Oh and Princess, if you ever need to relax, we do actually have a few "entertainment" specialists that live in town. I'm sure that they would make sure you have a wonderful visit. That offer would extend to your sister too, in case her duties become too stressful."

Celestia seemed to ponder this for a moment, then wobbled her head side to side uncertainly.

"I suppose I could try it out, but I suspect those days are long behind me."

As they neared the entrance of the cave, Barbara approached the bin of prepared torches, but Celestia simply walked forward into the darkness and soon her constant radiance became obvious. She wasn't shining, per se, but rather shone on. It was as if sunlight simply ignored the trees and stone above her and flowed down to reflect off her coat and mane. Ironically, the effect was most reminiscent of the way the moon glows in the night sky.

Twilight followed nervously, silently praying nopony would tell her to wait behind and give her mentor some privacy - there was nothing she wanted more than to witness the reunion of these ancient friends. After all, it was her jurisdiction in a way.

She did, however, gesture to the Wonderbolts and explain they should probably stay behind. It took some convincing, but eventually Spitfire relented so long as Rainbow Dash came along as before. Twilight and Dash hurried to catch up to Celestia's glow fading around a bend in the cave.

Once more they proceeded towards the middle of the cavern, only this time the crystal was lit before they had arrived. There, in the middle of the room, sat the leader of the deer clan who was patiently waiting for them. A small smile graced his muzzle as the alicorn stepped into his area.

"You have come sooner than the others had anticipated, though your arrival is most welcome. I see that you have led your world to the era of peace you so desperately sought when you were younger, dear one."

As he neared the princess, his gaze swept over her. She had changed in many ways since he last saw her, yet she was still as familiar as ever. He was, however, shocked that she had almost managed to reach his height.

At the sound of his voice, Celestia stopped dead in her tracks and gasped.

"Oh... Thistlefur!"

Then like an overenthusiastic filly, she rushed forward and threw her forehooves around the spirit's neck before Barbara could do more than widen her eyes in shock, but the ethereal deer smiled warmly and gently nuzzled the alicorn. They embraced for several seconds before Celestia stepped back and dropped heavily to her haunches, her eyes brimming with tears.

"When I received Twilight's letter I'd hoped... oh, but it is you! My goodness it is so good to see you again, Thistlefur! Where is your mate... um, Withersnow I believe? I always admired her gentle beauty and unending joy for the world."

Twilight held Rainbow Dash back and stayed near the entrance of the cave, observing silently, not daring to even look away and take notes, else she risk missing some small gesture between these ancient beings.

His smile shifted to one of nostalgia as he thought about her.

"Withersnow has passed into the next life. I do not fault her for her decision, but I miss her presence. She had such an amazing talent for bringing out the best in others."

He dared not reminisce about her for too long, lest he become choked up with emotion. He had loved her dearly and her decision not to stay had hit him hard, yet he knew that this was his destiny.

"It appears she was right about you as well. You've grown into a fine mare, Celestia. One radiating grace and power, yet acting with compassion and wisdom. I had not dared to believe I would ever see the day when you would reach these heights. But what of your sister? Did she heed my advice, or did she fall prey to the beasts that whispered to her in the dream realm?"

Celestia's own smile faltered now.

"Alas, she succumbed to the nightmare and I was left with no choice but to banish her to the moon, where she stayed for a thousand years. However, when she finally managed to escape her imprisonment, I had found the successor to the Elements, and just as you predicted, it was successors, plural, which was the key."

She looked over her shoulder and beamed at Twilight and Dash.

"These two and four other friends each worked together to wield the elements in such harmony as I could never achieve and saved Luna from her demons. Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash... You could have imprisoned her again with the elements or even destroyed her but instead you saved her and returned my sister to me. For that, you have my eternal gratitude."

Dash blushed and mumbled something as she rubbed her mane, but Twilight simply smiled faintly and continued watching wide-eyed and fascinated. Celestia turned back, still struggling to contain her tears of happiness.

"Well... I could keep us here all night reminiscing the pains and the joys of my rule, but I think we will have time for that later. What of these humans, Thistlefur? And what of the ponies Twilight mentioned in her letter, Lodestone and Granite?"

She tilted her head and smiled playfully.

"After all this time, have I finally earned a glimpse of your plans or will you 'teach' me as before and as I have taught Twilight, allowing me to work it out myself in time?"

"It is ever my goal to open others to unseen possibilities and allow them to grow naturally. The ponies you have mentioned have a destiny all their own, which they will find through aiding the humans. Yet it is the destiny of humans that worries me."

He looked over to Barbara with a knowing gaze and gave a small sigh.

"We will continue to watch over them from our crystal, yet it is possible that our guidance will not be enough. Your pupil has already begun on the path to bring them towards peace, yet I sense darkness brewing still. Keep careful watch, Celestia, as they will most assuredly need the help of ponies if they are to move forward."

The old alicorn bowed her head and Twilight thought she looked very little like a goddess in that moment. "I hear what you do not say. I will keep an eye on these people but I will guide them indirectly, as you would guide me."

She stood and tenderly nuzzled the deer's neck, wrapping her wings around his shoulders. "I can feel your magic waning, old friend. You've been busy today and cannot remain outside your crystal much longer... but oh there is just so much to share! How long must you rest before I can return? Ooh, a-and Luna will be visiting tonight! Oh, Thistlefur... she has grown so much these past few years, you will be so proud of her."

Celestia leaned back and set a hoof on his cheek, holding his gaze with joy in her eyes. "You don't know how happy I am to have found you again, my friend and mentor."

Slowly his body became more and more see through as he began to fade, yet his smile never wavered as he nuzzled into her hoof. "I will be able to see her tonight, but the crystal will need a few days to recover before we can truly speak. I am proud of the path you walk, dear one, and I will continue to watch over you, as I have done in the past." Then, with a tender kiss on the cheek, his form finally faded away.

Barbara, never having seen that side of him, stared at the princess in awe once more. "You... you knew his true name... even we had not been told... That's... that's amazing!"

Celestia nodded weakly toward the human then sat down again and stared up at the crystal, overwhelmed with emotion and letting the tears flow freely. Twilight popped in beside her and, feeling a little nervous, slowly wrapped a wing around Celestia's withers. She immediately leaned into the hug and bowed her head, her barrel shaking with silent sobs of relief, of joy, and of memory.

Rainbow Dash flew up to Barbara and pulled her away. "Come on," she murmured, "lets give them a little space."

Human and Pony sat holding each other at the entrance to the cave and stared into the darkness, their backs to the two Princesses in the center of the crystalline cave.