Kissed by fire

Joan was left alone for most of the day, thank fully she managed to stave off boredom by organising her thoughts and newly acquired memories. The sun was low over the horizon by the time there was a curt knock at the door.

"Enter" Joan called out from the balcony were she had been meditating.

Much to her surprise it was not one of the alicorn princesses who came to visit her but a very serious looking white unicorn stallion, by the look of his red uniform an officer of the royal guard. He levitated a large box before him, placing in upon the bed before turning to her saying,

"Princess Celestia commands you to were this before I take you to her" his voice left no room for argument, his blatant mistrust and dislike of her was evident but like any good soldier he did not let it come out in his tone.

The box intrigued her however 'something to wear .... Perhaps another pair of shackles' "And who might you be soldier?" she asked walking into the room and over to the bed lifting the lid with her own magic.

"Captain Shining armour of their majesties royal guard" he said with pride

Joan laid out the boxes contents carefully examining each item, a set of four silver shoes, a simple gold trimmed silver necklace and a matching silver circlet decorated with a single ruby.

"What no chains?"  Joan gasped in mock shock and disappointment turning to 'Captain Stone' as she had decided to dub him. He merely gave her an un-amused look before returning to staring at the wall. She began to grudgingly put on the regal attire "this costume is some sort of stratagem I assume care to fill me in Stone?" the Captain gave a brief show of irritation at his newly acquired nick name before answering her.

"The princesses have deemed it appropriate for you to pretend to be a member of the royal family; by the name of Princess Joan should anyone get past me and ask you." the distaste in his voice was palpable.

"I take it you don't approve of this masquerade captain" Joan slipped the necklace over her head and down her long neck

"Royalty is more than silver and gold ma'am" adjusting her circlet Joan checked herself over in the mirror, it was nothing on her old set of barding now that had been a real work of art, interlocking plates of ethereal steel and crimson cloth, she gave a sad sigh lamenting the loss of her old friend.

"Well I have donned my sheep skin, how do I look stone?" Joan asked turning and striking her most regal pose. Shining armour wordlessly gestured to the door, taking the hint she followed him through as they walked down another deserted hallway in silence Joan suddenly had a thought "I don't suppose captain that you know a First Charger Verex...perhaps a relation?" Shining gave her a quizzical sideways look "no ma'am I do not know any...Verex at all"

"No...I don't suppose you would" feeling slightly foalish it hit her , 'they must all be dead by now... it's been such a long time' the sense of loss hit her harder this time she had always avoided becoming too close to the ponies around her, but it seemed the curse of immortality had finally caught  up with her.

"Princess!"  A voice rang out, Shining armour visibly tensed up as a smartly dressed white unicorn came trotting towards them, and "not now blue blood" the captain tried to cut him off but Blue blood was having none of it side stepping the captain and standing before Joan, "Princess Joan allow me to introduce myself I am prince Blue blood, first duke of Canterlot" He announced offering her a extravagant bow, amused by this pompous noble Joan gave the prince a equally exaggerated bow "it's a pleasure to finally meet you my lady it is most unfair that my aunt has kept you all to herself" he continued to gush, seeing Shining armour face Joan decided it would be best to wrap this up "well we have had much to catch up on, your grace I would be most happy for you to give me a tour of this magnificent castle at a later date, for I am afraid I shall be late for another engagement  if I tarry here much longer." and with that she gracefully moved past him heading for a large set of double doors "I will hold you to that my lady" Blue blood shouted after her. 'I don't doubt it' Joan had dealt with her fair share of nobles in her time.

Shining armour fell in step with guiding her wordlessly "I see I'm not the only one here pretending to be royalty around here" at this he let out a small laugh despite himself, pushing through the door Joan was brought into the throne room via a side entrance, she let out a low whistle impressed by the intimidating space, portraits and statues stared down at her as shining armour brought her to before the twin thrones of Equestria both occupied by their respective princess a small group of ponies sat to the side six in total, all turned their heads as they approached

"Ah there you are shining...we expected you sooner" Celestia called out her tone friendly

Bowing low the captain spoke "sorry majesty we ran into prince blue blood on our way here"

"I see...you may leave us now captain" another low bow he made his way back out the door giving the purple unicorn of the group a small wink before disappearing.

"Well Joan allow me to introduce you the elements of harmony..."

'Elements of harmony...some sort of choir... no that doesn't make any sense ....ah buck it! I'll find out soon enough'

...Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkamena Diane Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack..."

'Like I'm going to remember any of that'

"...I have asked them here to hear you case and help judge you"

'Buck' Joan just managed not to face hoof before her 'judges'

"Were shall I begin...?" she addressed the two alicorns atop their thrones

"The beginning is traditional Fire Mane" Luna shot at her

un perturbed Joan began her tale...

"Second praetorian Alexa Fire mane of the celestial throne, dubbed 'the queens charger' and member in good standing of the ecclesiarchy at you service ...but you can call me Joan"

Joan gave a bow that would have put blue blood to shame before flashing a fanged smile, all the non alicorns eyes widened in confusion and worry, "What's a praetorian?" the pink earth pony asked titling her head to one side.

This time Joan did face hoof, thankfully Celestia handled the explanations "The Praetorians are the Alicorn warrior class" she said simply "as for the rest... it's not important right now"

"Alicorns have a warrior class?" this time it was the purple unicorn 'something sparkle' Celestia made a silencing motion with her hoof, taking it as her queue Joan continued,

"Centuries ago I was charged by the queen herself with the cleansing of this realm ..." she was interrupted once more by princess Luna this time

"that is a blatant lie, it goes against all the evidence both me and twilight uncovered in the Canterlot archives!"

"You Fire Mane waged your own personal war and harnessed that slaughter to further your own standing!"

"You dare call a praetorian a liar!" the now flaming pitch black alicorn roared back at the night princess.

"ENOUGH!" celestas voice cracked through the air like a whip he windows rattled in there frames and the whole room seemed to shake.

A sullen silence fell on the group, "we could always use a truth spell princess" twilight piped up helpfully, Joan snorted and Luna rolled her eyes, Celestia wearily explained that in fact Alicorns were immune to such low level magic as a lie detector spell. Luna however fixed Joan with a very calculating look unnerving her slightly before saying "There is another way sister" all eyes snapped to Luna at this, Celestia and Luna started to speak in hushed tones.

Joan stared at them with curiosity, then slowly her mind began try and work out what Luna was talking about, only one thing came to mind, her blood seemed to freeze and a small bead of sweat ran down her face "you can't be seriously considering... "She choked out nervously her gut was replaced with gnawing fear as both princesses turned to her with a look of grim determination.

"NO...NO...YOU CANT!"  Before Joan could make a move to flee she was griped my a immensely powerful purple aura, she barely heard the commotion of the elements of harmony being removed from the throne room as she tried to kick bite and stab her way out of Luna's telekinetic grip. The loud clack of doors closing and locking caused to look up whimpering slightly, Celestia moved passed Luna who was now standing before her, both there gazes cold and detached

"don't fight it Fire Mane it will make this easier" Celestia said clinically trying to calm the other alicorn 'Liar!' Joan shouted in her mind, she had known ponies who had taken death rather than this.

Joan had only managed to beat Luna with the element of surprise on her side but against the both of them she was partially hornless for all the good it would do her. Then she felt it Celestia's mind beginning to entwine itself around Jonas like a serpent, her skull seemed to compress onto her brain

"Stop, Daughters of Virtue!"  Joan cried out with her dying strength, it had the desired effect Celestia's mind relinquished its hold even Luna gave a little slack to her bonds "If this must be..." Joan continued "then let me guide you down the right path"

"You would submit your mind willingly?" Luna gasped; Celestia was too stunned for the moment to speak. To willingly give your mind and memories over to another was a supreme show of trust and intimacy.

"I am a Alicorn of the praetorian order and faithful servant of the celestial throne and her daughters ... allow me to prove it" and with that Joan calmed her mind and waited, slowly tenderly the two princesses probed Joan's mind cautiously, until her mind embraced them both and dragged them deep into her memories.