"Thank you for coming on such short notice," greeted Princess Luna. Her fellow princess, Cadance of the Crystal Empire, had arrived on a pegasus-pulled chariot. Just the night before, Luna had asked in a letter for guidance from her.

"I know those bugs have been pressing hard on the border," said Cadance. "I'm not sure how good a comfort I'll be, Auntie Luna, but whatever you may need, just ask."

"It's not the front I'm worried about," said Luna. "Please, come inside." She waved a wing as she led Cadance into Canterlot Castle, to her chambers. As Luna entered, she nodded to the guards outside her door, ordering, "Dismissed." Once Cadance was inside, Luna shut the door, collapsing onto her side.

"Luna, what's wrong!" Frantically, Cadance tried to help Luna up, but she protested,

"No, no, I just…" Luna paused, then shook her head, locking eyes with Cadance. "I am too scared to sleep."

'The Princess of the Night, afraid of dreams?' thought Cadance. The idea was nearly laughable, but Luna's sullen eyes, baring into Cadance's meeting gaze, betrayed no humour. Cadence wanted to ask how that could possibly be, but she did not want an answer.

Luna gave it anyway, "I am scared that the one who wakes up will not be me."

"You can't be talking about Nightmare Moon," pleaded Cadance. "You are strong, Luna, you will not succumb to the darkness's allure."

"But I am not stronger than Celestia," said Luna, "and she is wavering."

Cadance's complexion could not decide which expression of surprise, fear, or worry to settle upon, and stood there with her muzzle half agape. "What-"

"She is going to sacrifice her soul for her ponies," warned Luna, "She loses herself in her dreams, and what's left has already promised the Nightmare would be her end."

"These are dangerous words you speak," protested Cadance. She trod backwards, fear having become the dominant emotion reflected in her eyes. Suddenly, a sharp flash erupted behind her, and Cadance nearly shrieked.

"Sister! She's here-" As Cadance turned to the booming voice behind her, the cheery face of Princess Celestia tilted quizzically back at her. "Princess Cadance! I was not expecting you here as well," noted Celestia, before quickly turning to Luna. "Now sister, stop sitting on the floor, and come greet Velvet!"

"Celestia, I-" Luna tried to speak to her sister, but Celestia disappeared as quickly as she arrived, "- I have told you not to teleport to my chambers."

After a moment, Cadance locked eyes with Luna, asking, "You sure that's the same pony we've been talking about?"

"Ask Pinkie Pie about forced smiles," responded Luna.

"Did she mention Velvet, as in, rightful queen of the Jelzek dynasty of Olenia?" questioned Cadance, changing the subject.

"Indeed, Cadance," confirmed Luna, respecting her wish to cease dwelling on the previous matter. "Despite the… setback with Blueblood, she's finally flying in, safe and sound."

'She was on that ship, then,' thought Cadance. "Well, let us join your sister in greeting her, Auntie Luna." This time, after dragging Luna up, Cadance took the lead. Though it had been many months since her last visit, Cadance was swift in her routing through the castle. Soon, both found their way onto the grand terrace that Princess Celestia watched from.

Cadance followed Celestia's gaze to an approaching chariot much like the one she had arrived in. A pegasus guardsmare, who had been flying in formation beside it, flew forwards in advance, announcing,

"Coming before you today is Velvet, eldest child of the late Aldar II of the Royal House Jelzek of Olenia. With her are the brave souls who helped bring her here, hailing from four different lands."

'Four?' Luna and Cadance met each other's gaze, neither understanding the choice words. Once the chariot landed, the answer became clear. Six individuals sat inside, two deer, two ponies, and, to the surprise of many- yet not Celestia- two changelings.

It was obvious which deer was Queen Velvet. It wasn't that the other wasn't graceful or pretty, in fact, Velvet was much more disheveled, but there was no faking or mistaking her sharp, ice-blue antlers that caught rays of light in a way that Cadance knew well.

'Reminds me of home, of my Crystal Ponies,' thought Cadance, 'I wonder if she's ever been called a Crystal Deer? No, that would be silly, her coat doesn't shine.'

Cadance could hear one of the ponies from the chariot, a cerulean pegasus mare with a white mane, "Gosh, they make it sound like we're all great heroes, you lot were already in allied skies by the time I joined the formation. Of course, I won't protest meeting the Princesses."

"I feel like a drop in the ocean myself," remarked the other pony, a dark orange thestral stallion. "I finally earned my ace wings, but Zero-Two got more kills than my whole squadron." As the two finally leapt from the chariot, the stallion looked back at the Changelings behind him, asking, "Oi, Hartling, you get any? Nah, as if the bug would splatter his own."

"He was busy getting our asses into Equestrian skies," retorted the smaller of the changelings. "I got three, if you care."

"Oh simmer down, you foals," muttered the pegasus.

Cadance stopped paying attention to the others as Celestia trotted to Velvet, saying, "I am so sorry that I could not make it to Vanhoover, but I trust it was calmer getting here than the first part of your journey."

"Other than the rain," quipped Velvet. "I can barely recall the last time I was presentable."

"I will try to remember to remind the drivers to stay above the clouds next time." Celestia looked over the other assorted passengers. "I am afraid I do not recognize most of your entourage."

"They seem to be collecting like stray cats," laughed Velvet. Celestia laughed with her, and turned to the pilot doe, asking,

"Let's start with you, what would your name be?"

"Nolla Kakkonen, Your Majesty," she responded, bowing her head.

"Are you toying with me?" Celestia tilted her head.

"Did I mishear you, Your Majesty?" asked Nolla, "My Equestrian is not the best, but my name, minun nimeni, that's what you asked for, wasn't it? My name is Nolla Kakkonen."

"Are those not numbers?" asked Celestia, turning towards Velvet.

"It's the best she has," responded Velvet. Celestia paused, politely nodded, and moved to the thestral.

"Captain Crimson Pomelo," he said, pre-empting Princess Celestia's next question. The latter only shook her head, moving now to the pegasus.

"Well, there's at least one familiar face," said Celestia. "Night Glider, isn't it?"

"You remember correctly, Your Majesty," responded Night Glider. "Even if you didn't, I would change my name to rectify it."

"Err… thank you," said Celestia. 'Quite a fan she is,' she thought, 'Didn't she come to Equestria after the schism of Starlight's Town?' She moved, finally, to the Changelings. "And you must be the family Thorax's resistance has told us about, Chalcone and Keratin, yes?"

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," answered the larger of the two Changelings. "Phyllodon Hartling, my enemies call me Sky Terror, but you don't need to anymore."

The younger Changeling added, "VOPS knew about the mission. They allowed Generaladmiral Mimic to personally see to me and my father. Her sick sense of pride allowed Hartling to fly away with me and Queen Velvet, but my fathers is on death's row, unless Mimic already executed his entire ship."

"I am sorry, little one," said Celestia. "Even more sorry that words are all I have to give." She stepped back, waving a wing as she called to the whole group, "Come now, I am sure most of you wish to wash up before we dine."

Author's Note

Writing this chapter made me realize the Olenians have an ace with no name, seriously, Nolla Kakkonen just translates to Zero Two, I think I might need to give her one hell of a backstory.