Kissed by fire

After a extensive meeting with both Captain Daybreak and Doctor Frostbite Celestia had decided the best course of action would be for Joan to moved to Canterlot were both Luna and Celestia could keep an eye on the mysterious alicorn. So under the cover of darkness she was covertly transferred to the royal carriage still sedated before Celestia once more departed from stalwart keep.

It was about midday and the royal carriage was well underway to Canterlot, golden rays shone through the open windows in this light Celestia realised that Joan was a lot less imposing, her coat had lost that unnervingly black hue in favour of a lighter shade. her eyes especially where no longer burning with intensity, even with the short time Celestia had been watching Joan sleep she had noticed her mane and tail had grown a little adding to the softening effect . Joan's golden eyes opened to fix the sun goddess with a questioning stare of molten gold.

Celestia couldn't help but feel trapped in the carriage, it had been designed and built with Alicorns in mind but even so the space was a little too enclosed for two ponies of their size and power.

Joan's silent stare was not helping her nerves it being akin to a manticore seizing up its prey. To diffuse the situation Celestia had the perfect solution.

"ah your awake good" she magically pulled out a large platter from behind her "you must be hungry" the platter was filled with a large assortment of cakes and sweet treats, having a royal sweet tooth meant that the servants knew to always keep the royal desert cart well stocked with fresh goodies from all over Equestria. She set the tray between them and motioned with a hoof

"Please help yourself" she encouraged, Joan perked up at the tantalising smell of the deserts and struggled into a sitting position as Celestia helped herself to a sticky apple turnover. Joan after a paused and reached out a hoof for a chocolate muffin after several failed attempts at coaxing it into her hoof she let out a snort of frustration, Celestia took pity on her and whispered  "its easier if you use your magic dear"  kind heartedly , the black alicorn looked at her with  confusion "how?"  her voice was not what Celestia was expecting it was too gentle for her intimidating exterior the word itself baffled Celestia she quickly recovered

"Just focus with your horn , the rest should come naturally to you" she said simply with a kind smile

Joan glared down at the muffin that had dared defy her and reached out with her horn, something seemed to click into place the world was brought into focus as she felt the raw power of her mind confidently she instinctively grabbed the muffin in a black aura and levitated before her she opened her mouth to claim her prize when.

Celestia nearly choked on her apple turnover when Joan opened her mouth to reveal d two long sharp fangs nestled in amongst her normal pony teeth not unlike nightmare moon, Celestia passed the moment off pretending something had gotten stuck in her throat. To get the image of the other alicorn's maw out of her mind she restarted the conversation.

"So do you have a name my friend?"   Joan disengaged from her muffin and gave Celestia another calculated look her eyes seemed to glaze over

"At the hospital you called me Joan, is this not my name?"

"It's what the nurses named you, can you not remember what yours is?"

"I can only remember the fire" her voice had gained an edge of steel "twisting, dancing, biting, burning... beautiful" she muttered to herself ,

Officially disturbed by Joan's muttering Celestia made a coughing noise to break her trance like state.

"...it sounds wrong, but it will do" she continued as though nothing had happened glancing out of the window she carried on "and you my gracious host, what is your name and where are we headed?"

Finally with a normal conversation going Celestia relaxed into her seat "My name is princess Celestia of Equestria and we are on our way to my palace at Canterlot" Joan raised her eyebrows "royalty hum... should I be bowing?"

"Please there's no need for that" Celestia laughed raising a hoof "we will arrive at Canterlot in about a day or so" the black alicorn l flashed a small fanged smile "thank you Celestia"  lowering her head in a small nod at which point Celestia became acutely aware of how long and sharp Joan's horn truly was. They carried on talking for the next few hours, well Celestia talked Joan lay back and listened as she enthusiastically brought her up to speed on the basics she would need to know before touching down in Canterlot and out of the shadows.