Who Rules?: Shattered Hearts

Who Rules: Shattered Hearts

by Nom deCheval

Chapter Eleven

“It’s time.”

Cadance looked up at the mare walking beside her, an eyebrow raising on her face. “What do you mean, Fantasia?”

“For you to become my lover, of course,” she answered easily. “I told you it would happen when I thought it was time, and it is now time.”

Cadance’s jaw dropped, and her body tensed. “I--I...” She shook her head quickly, taking a deep breath and relaxing. “Of course. Thank you for that honor.”

Their path was to take them to the throne room, where Fantasia intended to receive more “gifts” from the adoring ponies of Canterlot. Cadance suddenly wondered if they were going to put on a show for the visiting ponies themselves. The empty hallways echoed with the click of their hooves with every step.

“What led to this decision, if I may ask?” Cadance ventured.

“Of course you may, Cadance. You may ask me anything, as long as you are respectful,” Coldheart replied, looking down at the mare with a wry smile. “You seem to be very interested in me, sexually, and if I am going to educate you properly, I feel that I must carry that education through to its logical conclusion.”

“I thought the logical conclusion was for me to become more like you?” Cadance asked.

“It is.” She turned back to look down the hall.

“Then, wouldn’t it make sense for me to be the one to initiate any amorous overture?” she asked.

Coldheart laughed. “Are you proposing that I let you control our first sexual encounter?”

“I am,” Cadance answered. “How will you know what I am capable of and what needs to be done unless you let me take the first step?”

“Hmmmm.” Coldheart stopped walking. Cadance came to a stop almost immediately afterwards. “I must say, you continue to intrigue me, Cadance. Of course, I should expect no less from somepony who is, by all counts, another version of myself.”

“And I would love the opportunity to show you what I am capable of,” she answered.

Eyeing Cadance with a glint in her eye, Coldheart let half of her mouth curl into a smile. “Oh, I think I know what you are capable of, but let’s go and see how talented you’ve become.” She turned and started walking towards another section of the castle.

“Now?” Cadance moved to catch up.

“You peaked my interest,” she said, turning to look at her once again, “and once I want something, I get it.”

“Yes,” Cadance said softly, “I’ve noticed.”

“I also have excellent hearing, by the way,” she replied. “And this was your idea. So, I expect you to impress me.”

Impress me. The words lingered in Cadance’s mind, bouncing around as she came to grip with the many permutations that implied. Disappointment could be dangerous, but then again, success might be doubly so. She had never been so worried about sex in her life.

Before she knew it, they were standing at the doorway to the royal quarters that Coldheart now claimed as her own. With a flick of her magic, the doors swung open and Coldheart walked confidently inside, turning in the center of the room to face Cadance, who remained a few steps behind her.

“Well, my new lover,” Coldheart smiled, “impress me.”

Staring at the mare, Cadance paused. She took another deep breath, slowly letting it out while never losing visual contact with Coldheart’s draconian eyes. She stepped forward, closing the gap between them, keeping her gaze connected.

“First off, then,” Cadance said, “you need to relax. You are a powerful mare under a great deal of stress. Let me remove some of that.”

Her horn coming to life, Cadance gently removed the crown from Coldheart’s head, waiting to see the Empress’ response. A slight smile from Coldheart reciprocated one from Cadance, and she removed the rest of the Empress’ regalia.

Walking over to the large bed, Cadance gestured to it with a single wing. “Please, lie down on your stomach.”

“My stomach?” Coldheart asked, crawling onto the bed. “Why?”

“Because I can’t massage you properly when you are on your side or back,” Cadance answered.

“I prefer a more direct approach to sex, Cadance,” Coldheart stated bluntly.

“Let me try,” Cadance bowed her head, still looking into the Empress’ eyes, “please.”

Her eyes ranged across all of Cadance’s body before Coldheart replied. “Very well. If I tire of it though, I will tell you.”

“Thank you, Fantasia,” Cadance stated.

The larger mare lay down on her stomach, letting her forelegs curl up under her chest and extending out her hind legs. Cautiously, Cadance climbed onto the bed, moving up behind her, positioning herself almost against the mare’s flank. She swallowed hard and licked her lips quickly.

“If you would,” she said easily, “please extend out your wings.”

Without a word, Coldheart complied, letting the wings fan out to cover the bed in a slightly different shade of pink. Leaning forward, Cadance let her hooves come down gently, landing directly between Coldheart’s wings. Slowly, she let her hooves apply pressure on the flesh, kneading the knotted muscles with a delicate firmness.

“You are good at that,” Coldheart said softly, “but I’ve had excellent masseuses in the past.”

“Give it a moment, Fantasia,” Cadance answered back with equal softness. She let her hooves trace down along Coldheart’s spine, carefully pressing against the flesh in small, easy circles. When she finally reached the mare’s croup, her horn flared, creating a pink glow around her hooves.

“Mmmm,” Coldheart moaned. “That does feel nice.”

“Shhh,” Cadance replied. “Just enjoy.”

A wave of relief washed over Cadance, bringing a genuine smile to her face. There was no way that she could use any form of love magic on Coldheart, but she could use regular magic.

“I’m using my magic to stimulate your flesh. It’s gentle and safe, but as you can see, it adds another level to the massage,” she explained, feeling disclosure a better approach with the Empress. “I’m going to begin on your wings now.”

Her hooves moved up and began to press into the joint where the wings joined the shoulder, touching the tender spot where they met. Another soft groan from Coldheart told her enough to continue.

Working her way up one wing, Cadance massaged the shaft of the appendage, slowly increasing the intensity of the magic surrounding her hooves. A ruffle of feathers caused her to smile to broaden, her own wings flinching in response. She shifted to the other wing, eliciting the same response.

Bringing her hooves back down, she let them trace along either side of Coldheart’s body until they reached her cutie marks. Pressing a little harder, she massaged the heavy muscle that powered the mare’s rear legs, slowly shifting until she made it to her buttocks. With a very firm pressure, she worked that muscle group, loosening the tension that seemed to be pooling there. She brought her hooves back up, curling them around the spot where the tail met the body.

“Lower,” Coldheart spoke, not with a command but a request.

With a deep breath, Cadance let her hooves travel downwards, until she was running them along the inner crease of Coldheart’s ass, pulling the cheeks apart to reveal what lay inside.

An easy move of her head brought her mouth up higher, biting down gently on the base of Coldheart’s tail as her hooves began to slowly pull apart and release the mare’s buttocks. And then she held them open and apart, leaving them there. Sliding her mouth down, she let her tongue slip out and trace the inner section of Coldheart’s ass, until her tongue found the outside of her tailhole.

A seductive purr from Coldheart matched Cadance’s actions, as she slowly began to lick and press her tongue against the mare’s butt. Her hoof made its way across the top of Coldheart’s marehood, teasing the flesh with the most gentle of touch.

“Harder,” Coldheart explained, and Cadance complied, adding more pressure with her hoof as she kept it along either edge of her vagina. Her tongue plunged inside Coldheart’s tailhole, driving in with slippery firmness. Coldheart shifted slightly, grinding back very subtly, but Cadance was good enough to notice.

Her hoof slipped between Coldheart’s lower lips, parting them easily and sliding along the damp opening until she found her clit. Rock hard and somewhat large, Cadance let her hoof linger on the rigid nub, circling it and massaging the flesh all around it. Her tongue, still deep inside Coldheart’s anus, slipped out as she huskily spoke, “Turn over.”

A glance over her shoulder accompanied by a raised eyebrow caused Cadance to hesitate, wondering if that sounded too much like a command rather than a request. There wasn’t enough time to worry, as Coldheart easily rolled onto her back, her wings still extended to either side of her body.

Climbing up, Cadance turned around and positioned herself over the other mare, receiving an unusual response.

“And just what do you think that you are doing?” Coldheart asked. “This is about my pleasure. It is always about my pleasure.”

“Just...” Cadance considered her words, “just let it happen. I will pleasure you, and if you get the desire to reciprocate, that opportunity is there.”

Not waiting for a response, Cadance lowered her head between Coldheart’s legs, her tongue now playing around the mare’s pussy. Nipping at the lips with her teeth, pulling them apart, Cadance licked and tasted the corners of Coldheart’s open sex.

Slowly and deliberately, her tongue moved further inside, pressing against the flesh until she finally drove it deep inside her cunt with a single thrust. Coldheart allowed a deep groan to come out, and Cadance pressed the issue, flicking her tongue back and forth while inside the mare, tickling the inner walls of her vagina. Moving her hips in a small circle, Coldheart began to get in rhythm with the other alicorn.

Pulling her tongue out, Cadance pressed her lips over Coldheart’s engorged clit, sucking gently. And then after a moment, she increased that pressure and began to wash her tongue back and forth across the sensitive spot. She was rewarded by feeling Coldheart’s hooves grasping her flank and pulling.

Sliding backwards, Cadance was careful not to be too presumptive, but brought her own pussy within reach of Coldheart’s mouth. When she felt a pair of lips kissing her marehood, she smiled and redoubled her efforts. She could feel Coldheart tasting her sex, teasing her flesh, and then all but copying the actions that Cadance was performing on her cunt.

Cadance was working with great care, trying her best not to actually bring Coldheart to a quick orgasm, but to let her linger on the cusp of release until it was almost too much to bear.

“Fantasia,” she began, “if you will allow me to channel some of my love energy into you, I might be able to enhance what--”

Swept up and off of the mare beneath her, Cadance was suddenly thrown across the room, slamming into a wall with frightening force. Sliding down and impacting the ground, she shook her head, doing her best to clear her thoughts and refocus her vision.

When it cleared, she saw Coldheart looming over her prone body.

“NEVER ask that of me,” she growled. “I control all of the love in our relationship. It is all about me, is that clear?”

With a slight squint, Cadance answered, “What? Our magic doesn’t work on each other, remember? I can’t control your love. It was just to enhance the moment, not control any emotion.”

“I cannot believe that I even considered letting you attempt what you did. From here on, I will decide the when, why, and how of our relationship.”

Slowly, Cadance regained her hooves. Looking up at the other mare, she shook her head. “I wish that you had allowed yourself to have a true relationship in the past, Fantasia. Found your own Shining Armor. Because if you had...” Her voice trailed off. She looked deeper into Coldheart’s eyes, seeing something that she hadn’t noticed before.

“You...did, didn’t you?” Cadance asked. “There was somepony. Somepony special to you, and something happened.”

A corona of power surrounded Coldheart, her body trembling as she spoke. “I believe we are done here, Cadance. You will not see me again for a full day. Do not make any attempt to alter that.”

She turned and took one step before Cadance rushed up to her side, her eyes soft with concern. “Wait. Please, Fantasia, wait.”

The mare stopped in mid tracks.

“Who was it?” Cadance asked. “What happened? If you expect me to be more like you I will have to know what you have gone through.” She moved around, standing before the Empress. “Talk to me. Please.”

There was a long silence. A shadow fell over Coldheart’s face.

“His name is unimportant. I will not speak it,” she said.

“Okay. You don’t have to,” Cadance answered.

“He was the most magnificent stallion that I had ever seen. From the first moment that I laid eyes upon him, I knew that he would be mine,” she said. “For days I pursued him, all but throwing myself at him. Showering him with affection. Flirting. Overt passes. Anything that I could think of.”

The pause made Cadance speak. “And?”

A deep pink flame grew from Coldheart’s eyes. “And I believe that we are done.”

“He rejected you, didn’t he?” She asked bluntly.

“Not exactly. I remember every word that he spoke. I remember the syllables and the inflections. It is burned into my mind. He told me, ‘I can never love somepony like you.’”

Cadance gasped, her hoof moving up to her mouth.

“My mother told me that it was a good thing. That I would grow from it. She was right.” Coldheart stepped back away from Cadance, turning her back to the mare and walking over near the bed once more.

“It was at that moment that I decided that if I could not inspire love, I would force it. I would make everypony love me,” Coldheart growled. “I sought out the magic that would give me that strength, and I reveled in it. He was the first to succumb to me, crying and weeping as I left him unrequited. He took his own life to please me. I laughed.”

Cadance walked over towards Coldheart. “Fantasia, that’s...horrible. Knowing this, though, we can work through it. I know that Celestia and Luna will be able to restore you, given time.”

She turned, an eyebrow raised. “What? Why would I want that? I am the ultimate power on two worlds now. My life is perfect.”

“No, we--” Cadance was cut off.

“There is no ‘we,’ Cadance. There is me, and there is everypony else. They either supplicate themselves or they perish.” She smiled. “Or sometimes both. I love who and what I am. In time, you will see that. Or, perhaps, I will just have to find another world, and another Cadance to train.” Her eyes lit up. “I do like that idea, actually. Thank you, Cadance, I now have long-term plans. Conquer this world, and then find a way to another one.”

“No,” Cadance whispered.

“In time, I will rule everything, everywhere,” she said. “How delightful.”

Cadance’s jaw dropped open.

“Do not fear,” Coldheart continued. “Unless you do something foolish that would cause me to utterly destroy you--such as mentioning this conversation to anypony, ever--you will always be my favorite Cadance.”

She wanted to say something, but the conversation was suddenly interrupted by a strong wind outside the balcony.

* * * * * * *

“‘This is what’s best for you, Spike.’ ‘We need you to do this, Spike.’ ‘We’re counting on you, Spike,’” he mumbled as he kicked a spot on the floor. “Sounds like a bunch of lip service to me. I have actual, physical experience with fighting against Coldheart’s goons. I could be a benefit to them.”

His voice sounded hollow in the room. He looked out the window, seeing ponies wandering through the streets. It was a short walk to the door, and soon enough he was out wandering through Ponyville.

“I mean, look at this place. Everypony is gone. It’s just me and a claw-full of others left here. They could be handling this. It’s not like it has to be me. There might not be anything to do!”

He wandered mindlessly, letting his legs take him to wherever they might go. Soon enough he had wandered from the Carousel Boutique back to his home, The Golden Oaks Library. He smiled seeing the familiar tree.

“Yeah, they need me! This is New Spike! The tough, rough, ready-to-rumble Spike! I don’t know why they can’t see that. Just look at me!”

His claws went to his hips, his chest thrust out with pride.

He felt it before he saw or heard anything. Something inside him simply knew what was happening. His eyes moved around, a tingling sensation running over his skin. His eyes welled as he first caught sight of them, his breath and heart racing.

Thirteen figures cresting a hill.

* * * * * * *

She was working on clearing the streets of Canterlot. It had been some time since the battle, but the debris and destruction were still everywhere. Still, she was doing her best to clear more and more every day. Long hours and hard work, but anything that she could do to make her beloved Empress happy.

A rush of wind caught her ear, causing her to twist her head up to see the cause. The figure flashed by quickly, flying low over the street, clearly in view of everypony--and they all turned to look.

Her heart swelled, seeing the figure flying above her, not really understanding why. She looked again at the rubble, seeing it in a different way. She still wanted it cleared and gone, not to make her Empress happy, but because it was the right thing to do.

Camillia looked up at the front of her tea shop filled with something she hadn’t had in days: hope.

She flew in a crooked path, wanting to be seen. Wanting to be noticed. Wanting this to be obvious as she worked her way up to the castle itself. A couple of loops around the castle finally showed her where she needed to be, and with a powerful beat off her wings she stopped, hovering outside the window.

Inside, Cadance--dressed in odd black leggings with mane and tail pulled back tightly--was speaking with Coldheart. She let her wings beat several times, her gaze focused on Coldheart, as she waited for their response.

Cadance turned to look outside the window, her heart suddenly growing at what she saw. Coldheart turned with disdain, her eyes narrowing at the visage awaiting her.

Shimmering golden armor seemed to be hovering around Celestia, her golden horn glowing with the intensity of the sun itself, the white of her coat luminous behind it all. She was a beacon to the city and everypony who looked at her.

“Empress,” Celestia spoke with authority in every word, “would you care to step outside?”

“Princess Celestia!” Cadance said with awe.

Slowly turning to look at her, Coldheart glared at the princess.

“I mean,” Cadance replied with a smile, “are you going to go get her?”

Coldheart’s head spun back around to lock eyes with Celestia.

“You were a fool to come here, Celestia,” she spat. “I rule Canterlot! I rule Equestria! You are nothing but a forgotten piece of history now! I will make you kneel before me and praise my name!”

Banking off to her left, Celestia flew from view. A burst of magic shattered the doors to the balcony, and Coldheart flew out in a rage. She turned to follow the glowing figure of Celestia as she soared on a twisting path through the streets, heading towards the city gates. Bursts of magic shot past Celestia, missing her narrowly as she maneuvered strategically.

And then, Celestia turned and stopped. Landing at the entrance to the city. She turned around to see Coldheart landing across from her some distance away.

“Finished running, Celestia?” Coldheart asked easily. “I’m surprised you even showed your face after your last humiliation.”

“I wasn’t running,” she answered with a smile, “and you don’t know me well enough to call me Celestia. Princess will do, or Your Majesty if you prefer.”

The laugh that came from Coldheart was genuinely chilling. “I will call you whatever I like. You are in no position to say otherwise. Though, I do admire your audacity. It will amuse me when I stare at your head.”

“This is not your world, Empress. You have no true authority here. It’s time you learned that,” Celestia answered.

“Burn,” Coldheart replied, a coruscant of deep pink power pulsing out and surrounding Celestia. The Sun Goddess stood still, the energy washing over her and obscuring her from view. In a moment it was past, and Celestia still stood, her body seemingly untouched, the armor that floated around her pulsing.

“Impressive,” Coldheart said with a smirk. “I didn’t think that you had such resilience. We’ll try this another way, then.” She stopped and stared at Celestia, her eyes turning solid pink. “Love me.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” Celestia answered, “but that didn’t work the first time, and it won’t work now.”

“Oh, I know,” Coldheart said. She took a half step backwards. “But then, I wasn’t talking to you.”

Pushing her eyes past Coldheart, Celestia saw them coming. Hundreds--thousands--of ponies, rushing to the defense of their Empress, coming to attack their Princess.

“Using my own ponies against me?” Celestia asked. “I thought you were more powerful than that.”

“I am,” she answered. “I just want to see you suffer. To see you fighting your own subjects while I watch. Then, I will break you.”

“I see,” Celestia frowned. “That would sadden me greatly. I have no desire to hurt anypony, let alone my own subjects.” She let the smile slowly grow back. “It’s a good thing that I didn’t come alone, then, isn’t it?”

Form nowhere they appeared. Flowing into the city in a wave of charcoal, changelings swarmed into Canterlot--this time invited by Celestia.

They moved over the ground, through the air, and climbing across walls, seeking out the ponies that were rich with love energy. Intently avoiding the two powerful alicorns, leaving a large berth for the two of them to act.

“Changelings?” Coldheart glanced at them rushing past. “You intend to use creatures powered by love against me? Are you that stupid?”

“No,” Celestia shook her head. “Not at all. I realize that you will be able to stop them...if I give you time.”

“You cannot defeat me, Celestia. I was going to draw this out to give me some entertainment, but since you are being such an annoyance, I think that I will have to crush you quickly,” Coldheart’s voice turned icy as she stepped towards the goddess.

“You’re right,” Celestia answered. “I can’t defeat you. Not alone.”

A streak of black descended, striking Coldheart’s back, driving her into the stone. A cloud of dust flew into the air, rising from the crater that resulted from the impact.

Luna stood over Coldheart, her eyes narrow slits, her fangs bared in a sharp sneer. “Get up!” she hissed. “Get up so I can knock you down again!”

“Well,” Coldheart said from the ground, “let’s do this, then.”

* * * * * * *

The sight of Coldheart flying out after Celestia brought a moment of pause to Cadance. Her heart fluttered, unsure if her aunt had the strength to withstand the power that Coldheart possessed. She unfurled her wings and rushed to the window, only to be stopped by a single word.

“Cady!” the voice shouted.

She spun around, already knowing the voice, her face suddenly bright. Tears welled as she rushed over into the stallion’s embrace.

“Shining Armor,” she cried. “Oh, thank Celestia. I was afraid that I would never see you again.”

“I never gave up hope,” he answered. “I knew that we would have this moment.”

“But...” she pulled back, staring into her husband’s eyes, “How did you get here? What’s going on?”

“Precious,” a far too familiar voice said. “I’m excited just to be here.”

Cadance looked past Shining Armor at Chrysalis, her eyes narrowing. “I should have known.”

“It’s okay, babe,” Shining Armor replied. “This is all part of Princess Celestia’s plan.”

“I swear,” Cadance snarled, “if either of you even go near the word ‘threesome’ I’m gonna scream.”

“Ooh,” Chrysalis purred, “it might be fun to hear you scream in a threesome.”

“Chrysalis!” Shining Armor snapped. He then turned back to his wife. “It’s nothing like that. Well, not exactly, anyway.”

“Not exactly?” Cadance raised an eyebrow.

“Just hear me out...” Shining Armor detailed the plan to his wife.

* * * * * * *

A burst of magic sent Luna flying backwards. Catching the air with her wings, she steadied herself and stared down at Coldheart, keeping the Empress between herself and her sister.

“It is good to see both of you here,” Coldheart commented, glancing at either pony. “I was wondering where the two of you had gotten to.” She ruffled her wings, clearing the dust from them. “Now,” her eyes darkened, “which of you wants to suffer first?”

“Like I made your dragon-pony suffer?” Luna replied.

Coldheart focused on Luna, her full face falling into shadow. “Thank you for volunteering.”

A lance of sunlight glanced off of Coldheart, striking her from behind.

“I’ll be with you momentarily, Celestia,” Coldheart replied in an off-hoof manner. At which point she felt Celestia slam into her body.

“I know that you are almost immune to magic, Empress,” Celestia commented as her body pressed against Coldheart. “We planned on this becoming physical. Though Luna tells me that you aren’t too fond of that.”

A swipe of her wing threw Celestia backwards, tossing her off of Coldheart’s back.

“It isn’t that I’m not fond of it,” she barked, “it is that you are beneath me. You do not deserve that luxury.” Landing in front of Coldheart, Luna reared up, prepared to slam her hooves down--only to find herself suspended by a magical field. “However, if you feel that I am somehow incapable of a physical display,” her fangs seemed to grow, “I will be happy to prove you both incorrect.”

With a toss of her head, Coldheart threw Luna into Celestia. Catching her sister in a glow of magic, Celestia lowered her to the ground quickly, until they stood side-by-side. Across from them was Coldheart, who raised her head up, spread her wings, and waited, staring at the sisters with contempt. She raised a hoof up and gestured to them to come towards her.

Looking at her sister, Celestia nodded, receiving a reciprocal response from Luna. Banking right, Luna moved at a full gallop, even as Celestia raced to the left. They met at either side of Coldheart, both of them raising a hoof up to strike against the pink mare.

Fire trailed out behind Celestia’s hoof as it arced up towards Coldheart’s muzzle. Luna’s hoof was taking a downward arc, echoes of starlight following it towards Coldheart’s face.

With a speed and grace that belied her size, Coldheart pulled her head to the side, letting the two sister’s hooves meet with with explosive results. The impact sent all three mares backwards, knocking two of them to the ground.

Standing above them, Coldheart looked down at Celestia as she spoke. “You’re horn looks different, Goddess. It’s metallic now. Did I cause something to break the first time we met? And how were you able to create that thing?”

“Can you feel them slipping away, Empress?” Celestia asked, ignoring the other mare’s question. “All the ponies of Canterlot are being lost to you. Their forced love is draining away.”

“No matter,” she replied, “I can restore their love at a whim.”

Luna provided no quip as she raised back up and rushed the Empress, lowering her horn in an attempt to impale herself into the other’s side. Coldheart lowered her own head and met the charge, locking horns with the snarling predator. Luna’s eye twitched, magic sparking from her horn and arcing over to Coldheart’s as she tried to press her advantage.

She felt her hoof slide backwards. Pushing forward, Coldheart slowly and deliberately began to move Luna onto her heels. Luna growled, digging in her hooves; Coldheart laughed and continued to move the Night Goddess at will.

Celestia’s arrival broke up the test of strength, as she drove her own horn between the two. Glowing solid white, the horn caused both Coldheart and Luna to pull back in shock.

She turned to Coldheart and took a step forward, eyes igniting flame as she did. Luna stepped up beside her, her own eyes turning to the deep dark of night. Nodding, Coldheart lunged forward, engaging the two sister’s at once.

The walls of Canterlot were meant to keep out an army. The city itself built into the side of a mountain, meant to be an eternal beacon for the ponies of the world. None of it was prepared for the force that was unleashed near the gates that afternoon.

The ground beneath their hooves cracked and crumbled, turning solid stone to dust in a matter of minutes.

Outside the city, an army waited for a signal from Celestia or Luna to come inside for the final battle, each one ready to fight and die for their country and their princesses. Neither mare sent any such signal. This fight was beyond the mortal ponies of Equestria. Today, it would be won or lost by the players already in motion. They watched in awe as these three beings of almost untold power fought without quarter.

Buildings nearby began to crack, their windows long shattered by the force of the blows being exchanged. The changelings and ponies that were still struggling moved away, fleeing from something they couldn’t truly comprehend.

There was a collective gasp from the army outside when they saw the blow that laid low both of their goddesses. Both of Coldheart’s hooves struck solidly to the head, one hitting Luna and the other Celestia, driving both of them down with a sickening sound.

“You have fought valiantly,” Coldheart said, her breath slightly quickened. “Now, if you simply submit and agree to worship me, it will make things much easier on both yourselves, and all of your former subjects.”

Her head still facing the ground, Luna began to laugh. Softly at first, but the volume growing increasingly louder. Celestia stared up at Coldheart, the armor that was protecting her shattered and lying in pieces around her, bruises already forming on her flesh and blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes fixed on the other mare’s--and a broad smile growing larger on her face.

“You’re beaten,” Coldheart sneered. “I could snuff out your lives in a moment. Why are the two of you acting that way?”

“Because, Empress,” Celestia answered calmly, “we know something that you do not.”

“And what is that?” She rose up, flaring out her wings and staring down her muzzle at fallen goddess.

“We were the distraction.”

The impact struck Coldheart like nothing she had ever felt before, and for the first time in centuries, the Empress screamed in pain.

Chrysalis stood behind Coldheart, digging her hooves--currently transformed into sword-like appendages--into the gap immediately beneath the wings of the alicorn, striking delicate nerve endings with precision and extreme force.

“Mmmmm,” Chrysalis hummed. “You scream beautifully. Let’s see how long you can continue it before you fall.”

A burst of power from Coldheart backed the changeling away, but did not throw her far. She spun around to face Chrysalis, snarling.

“You?!” She growled, and then began laughing. “This is your great plan, Celestia? You are throwing a creature that derives its strength from LOVE at me? Truly?”

“Oh, yes,” Chrysalis purred. “I think it’s a wonderful plan myself.”

“Do you? You might feel differently...now!” A pink energy surrounded Chrysalis and Coldheart, several trails of energy tying them together.

Dropping her head down slightly, Chrysalis’ mane fell across half of her face, hiding her in a teal veil. “That tickles,” she said mockingly.

“What?” Coldheart reared back, staring at the changeling--and noticing two figures standing behind her at some distance.

Standing face to face, their horns touching tenderly, Shining Armor and Cadance seemed to be in a euphoric state, energy welling off of them in a constant flow.

“There is nothing more powerful than true love,” Chrysalis stated, absorbing the ambient energy. “And I feel very, very powerful right now.”

Rearing back, she slammed forward, driving her hooves directly at Coldheart’s chest. The Empress created a shield of pink magic to deflect the attack, only to see it shatter and have the hooves glance off of her flesh as she moved aside.

“Hmm,” Coldheart looked at Chrysalis and nodded. “A challenge.” She smiled and rolled her neck. “This day is becoming more and more interesting all the time.”

Another pair of hooves struck against her, driving into her back. Wincing, she turned to see Luna, a smile on her bruised face. “Do not count us out of this,” Luna explained. “You are outnumbered, Coldheart.”

“But not out-powered!” Spinning around, a sweep of her wing buffeted both mares, knocking Luna and Chrysalis to the ground. Luna tumbled, growling, while Chrysalis almost instantly righted herself and launched back into the attack.

The battle was joined, Coldheart launching herself to meet Chrysalis directly. The air itself shuddered at their impact, the sound of thunder echoing across the city. Ponies and changelings ran, unsure of what the outcome of this would do to them and their surroundings. The army outside the walls turned to protectors, guiding those fleeing to safety.

It was only a matter of moments before Luna and Celestia joined the fray once again. Hooves slammed. Wings buffeted. Spells sung. The destruction was omnipresent. The ground wanted to surrender to the onslaught, fearing that it would not be able to survive.

The combatants would not relent.

“I grow weary of this,” Coldheart commented with labored breath, deflecting one of Luna’s hooves.

“Then surrender!” Celestia advised.

“Or don’t,” Chrysalis suggested, a burst of magic dispelling as it neared Coldheart. “I’m enjoying this, personally.”

“There is no need to surrender,” Coldheart stated. “I will win, eventually. I simply wish to accelerate that inevitability.”

Her horn sprang to life, her eyes glowing solid pink, her body wreathed in power.

“We will not fall to your love spell, villain!” Luna spat.

“Oh, this is no love spell,” she explained. “Quite the opposite, actually.”

It sounded as though the world broke. A crunch and crumble of earth and stone felt as much as heard. All eyes turned towards the source.

A nine-story building rose from its foundation, lifting into the sky in a cocoon of pink magic. It shot skyward, rising a hundred meters above the ground in a second of time, and then hovering for a moment, finally shifting through the sky to rest directly above Cadance and Shining Armor. The couple, awash in their own glow of magic, eyes closed, were oblivious.

The glow disappeared. The building fell.

“NO!!” Luna and Celestia screamed and moved as one, a newfound energy propelling them beneath the falling structure of stone and wood. Their horns lit, a spell projecting around themselves and the two lovers, one from each Luna and Celestia.

A wall of dust moved along the ground, hiding the destruction only hinted at by the overwhelming din that muffled any screams that may have come from the living. Coldheart and Chrysalis were washed by the dust and debris that forced itself from the impact zone.

Chrysalis threw up a limb to shield her face, while Coldheart simply stood her ground. As the material settled, Chrysalis coughed slightly, clearing her lungs as she stared towards where the building fell.

Stone and wood littered the ground, a pile of rubble with a hole in the middle of it. Standing in the middle of that hole were Shining Armor and Cadance, each of them dazed and staggering. Celestia and Luna lay beside them, unconscious.

“Impressive,” Chrysalis hissed as she turned to face Coldheart. “I suppose this is where you drain me of my strength like a coward?”

“No,” Coldheart narrowed her eyes, “this is where I beat you to death for your insolence in causing me pain. I will crack your shell and step on your side until your life oozes from you.”

“Well, perhaps this will be worth it after all,” Chrysalis stated with a sneer. “Since I intend to break your neck before then.”

She leapt at Coldheart, bringing her hooves down towards her muzzle. Standing still, Coldheart let them strike her, barely moving her head at all. She reciprocated, smashing her hoof into Chrysalis face, causing green spittle to fly out to the side.

They stood, exchanging blows again and again. Neither daring to move or give ground, two titans in a test of strength and will. While behind them, two others regained their senses.

“Oh no,” Cadance gasped, seeing her fallen aunts. “Oh, no, no, no.”

“Cadance!” Shining Armor grabbed her, pulling her around to stare into her eyes. “We have to go back to strengthening Chrysalis. She can’t last this way.” He gestured to the fight that continued.

“Y--you’re right. Let’s get closer,” she said, turning to run towards them. Shining Armor moved to her side. “Do you feel okay? Are you strong enough to go on?”

“I’m fine, Cady,” he answered. “I may not have your strength, but I’m not going to give up.”

She smiled, his confidence contagious. If short lived.

Before they got close enough, Coldheart acted. In a swift action, she moved forward, grasping Chrysalis by the neck and flying up holding the mare. Using all of her might, she shifted her weight and flew into the ground, slamming the changeling into the stone. All the air expelled from Chrysalis, her body going momentarily limp.

And then Coldheart picked her up and slammed her down again. And again. And again. Until finally, a loud crack sounded from Chrysalis, and her body went limp.

Slowly pulling back, Coldheart stood, rising to her hooves and staring down at the unmoving form of the Changeling Queen. She shifted her view to Celestia and Luna, neither of them moving, and then returned to the view of the broken changeling. Her chest rose and fell heavily, her coat soiled with dirt and blood, her mane disheveled and unkempt--and a smile growing on her face.

“That. Was. GLORIOUS!!” she shouted. “I have NEVER been so challenged. I take back my threat, Chysalis. You get to live, as do the two others. I will see you all brought to health so that I can beat you down again.”

She didn’t see him running at her, and barely felt it when his hoof slammed into the side of her face, even though it did twist her head to the side.

“Why?! Won’t?! You?! Fall?!” Shining Armor punctuated every word with another hoof striking against the side of Coldheart’s face. And then he couldn’t move, his body held still in a field of magic as he floated in front of the Empress. His hooves went to his throat, trying to free his cutoff airway.

“Because,” she said coldly, “I’m better than you. I’m better than everypony.” She looked over to Cadance, who stopped a dozen steps away. “I assume that this is the oft-spoken-of Shining Armor? Excellent. That means his training can begin immediately.”

“No,” Cadance shook her head.

“I do not blame you for your insolence,” Coldheart stated, her breath slowly returning to normal, “but I will have to punish you for it.”

“No,” Cadance repeated.

“Still, think of this as a lesson learned. You are mine. Your world is mine. Your goddesses are defeated and your champion is crushed,” Coldheart explained. “There is no pony to save you.”

“Ahem,” somepony cleared his voice behind her.

Turning her head, Coldheart spied a small, green and purple dragon with three deep slashes over one eye. She raised an eyebrow at him. Tossing Shining Armor to the ground at Cadance’s hooves, his body suddenly gasping for air, she turned to face the dragon directly.

“And just who are you?” she asked.

“Name’s Spike!” he puffed out his chest. “And I’m here to tell you that you just lost!”

She blinked several times. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me, you pink nightmare!” He pointed out his claw. “It’s over! You’re done!”

She bent down, bringing her head near Spike’s face. “I want you to know that I have slain dragons, and then eaten them raw for pleasure. And I do not mean children such as you--and I am slightly hungry.”

“Yeah, well,” he swallowed hard, “th--that’s not scaring me. I--I’m tough!”

“Then I suppose I’ll have to tenderize you first,” she replied.

“Oh...oh yeah!” he replied nervously. “Well, then I suppose that I’ll have to...to do this!” A gout of flame puffed from his mouth, covering the mare’s face for a brief second. When it vanished, it left no mark at all.

“I do believe you are the stupidest creature I have ever met,” Coldheart stated.

“Actually,” a familiar voice said, “he’s the most brave little dragon I could ever hope to meet. He gave us a chance to get into position.”

Coldheart’s head lifted up, staring at a unicorn with a white coat and blond mane. And beside her was a gathering of a dozen others, a mixture of ponies, griffins, and a changeling.

“Trueblood?” Her voice raised up an octave. “What--or I suppose more importantly--how are you here?”

“To stop you, Fantasia,” she said. “Finally.”

“I commend your confidence, child,” she said, “but condemn your foolishness. You cannot stop me. Not even with your friends.”

“Try us,” she said.

“I’ll do better than that,” she said, her eyes turning solid pink. “Love me.”

She watched the ponies around Trueblood, waiting for them to come to her in adoration--and nothing happened.

“Die!” Coldheart shouted, a bolt of energy lancing from her horn towards Trueblood--only to fade less than a quarter of the way there. “What is happening?! I will destroy all of you!”

“No, Fantasia.” Cadance’s voice was steel. Turning to look at the princess, her body a blazing corona of pink magic as she stood over her husband, Coldheart stared. “It’s over. You won’t hurt anypony else.”

The power rose from Cadance in visible waves, cascading into the ether. Coldheart smiled, nodding at the Goddess of Love. The sensation of magic sparking behind her began, but Coldheart kept her eyes on Cadance.

“Do me proud,” she said gently.

Cadance kept her focus, channelling every ounce of power she had into blocking anything magical that might have come from Coldheart. She could see Twilight and the other Elements using their magic, calling forth the power of Friendship, as well as the other group doing something similar. Spike was levitated to safety by Trixie, who stepped behind the other dozen ponies.

Arcing high above them, twin rainbows circled around Coldheart, swirling in tighter and tighter with each pass. Closing her eyes, Coldheart began to laugh, rapidly growing to a maniacal cackle as she reared up on her hind legs, her wings out to the side as she reveled in the moment.

The color became too bright for anypony to look at directly. Cadance turned her head, closing the eye closest to Coldheart, hoping to see what happened with the peripheral vision of her open eye.

Something began to take shape in the light, forming around the Empress, growing with every passing second until it expanded out to meet the tightening rainbow spiral. And with a flash of light, it was over.

Looking directly, Cadance saw what remained. A huge heart, chiseled and clear, with a lone figure floating in the middle of it. She stood still, the magic that she had been channelling receding into her body. For a moment, everything seemed perfectly clear to her. She saw Twilight and the Elements of Harmony walking towards the huge heart with their new companions. Chrysalis lay on the ground, her chest slowly rising and falling as she refused to let the injury take her life. Behind her, she turned to look at Celestia moving to rest beside Luna, who looked up at her wife with the same love that she had always seen them share. And below her was her husband, staring up at her in love and awe.

“Cady?” he whispered. “How did you do that? Where did you get that much power?”

She smiled, a faint trickle of blood starting to flow from her nose. “Where do you think?”

Her eyes rolled back in her head, and her world went black.

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 1-

“Spike? Spike, darling?” Rarity stuck her head inside The Golden Oaks Library, peering about from side to side. “Are you here, Spike?”

“Rarity?” His voice came from the upstairs bedroom. He stuck his head outside the door and looked down at her. “Hi. Uh, what can I do for you?”

“Well,” she stepped in with a flourish, her mane bouncing with every step, “now that everything has gotten back to reasonably close to normal in Ponyville, I felt that it was time for me to properly thank you for all of the efforts and favors that you did for me while I was away gathering Twilight.”

“Oh, you don’t have to, Rarity,” he said. “It was my pleasure. Thanks, anyway!” He turned to go back into the room, but was stopped in his tracks.

“Nonesense!” Rarity floated a large box behind her, covered in shimmering silver paper with a lush purple bow tying it shut. “Now, be a dear and come down here so that I can present this to you.”

“Uh, well, okay,” he said hesitantly. Shutting the door, he ambled down the stairs in a hurry, running up to climb onto the table where Rarity placed the box.

As he came clearly into view, Rarity looked at Spike’s face, turning her own head this way and that to get a better perspective--at least in her mind.

“My oh my, that slash on your face is dreadful.” She shuddered, her mouth twisting up in concern. “Are you in any great pain? Is there anything that I can do?”

“What? About my face? Heck no!” He recoiled from her. “Don’t you touch it! These things are way too cool! I’m trying to make them last longer!”

“But they will leave horrible scars if you don’t treat them properly,” Rarity said.

“I know! Isn’t that awesome?” he beamed.

“Um, well, my first thought would be no, actually,” she said. “Still, I suppose that is a...personal option.”

“Well, I know that they make me look tough!” He puffed out his chest.

“Spike, darling,” Rarity’s eyes softened, “it is not what you have on the outside that makes you who you are. I have never once questioned your heart or your courage. None of us have.”

“So, you don’t like the scars?” Spike asked softly.

“Well, it isn’t my place to decide what works for you, but I personally would not like to have anything like that marring my beauty.” She bat her eyelashes for effect. “I have been told, however, what you went through to get them. So, I suppose in a way they do reflect the real courage inside you.”

“Wow, Rarity, thanks,” he answered, his eyes glazing over a little.

Her magic grabbed the box she brought, edging it a little closer to him. “Here. This isn’t much for both what you did for me in taking care of the boutique and Opal, but also for everything that you did for Ponyville and Equestria while we were gone.”

“What is it?” he asked, craning up to look at the top of the box.

“Open it and see,” she said with a smile.

Pulling on the bow, Spike let the ribbon fall away, and then lifted the lid from the box. He pulled on the side of it to look inside. A dazzling shimmer of light reflected back at him, playing off of thousands of facets of blue. His mouth began to water.

“They’re sapphires. I know that they are some of your favorites,” Rarity explained.

“They look...delicious,” he said in a trance.

“Well, I was saving them for a lovely dress, but I decided that they would be much better served by giving them to you. I think the coming trend is to be a little less flashy, anyway,” she justified.

“Are you sure, Rarity?” he looked over at her. “I don’t want to take anything away from you, ever.”

“Oh, and about that...” She took a couple of steps away from Spike, her back to him. Taking a deep breath she turned back around to look at him softly. “You will always be one of my dearest friends, Spike. I cherish our time together and enjoy your company to no end.” She took another deep breath. “But I find myself being ever closer to Trixie emotionally. I know that those words may seem a little abrupt, but I would be devastated to lose her at this point, no matter the cause.” She stepped closer to the table. “And it would be horrific if I ever thought of you as one of those causes.”

“Uh, well, Rarity, I--”

“I know that this is something cruel to hear from me,” she threw her head to the side, her eyes tense with emotion. “Still, it is better to hear such a thing now, isn’t it? A short pain at such a young age is far, far better than a lingering sense of unrequited emotion.”

“I guess so. It’s just that--”

“Oh, Spike! Please understand,” she pleaded, “mine and Trixie’s love is one that has grown from the most rare seed in the darkest of lands, but that is what makes it oh-so-very special! I am torn constantly by her being away to perform while I yearn to travel to Canterlot to be with the social elite! You must understand my pain and forgive me for yours!”

“Uh, okay,” Spike said with a smile. “It’s okay, Rarity. I mean, I don’t really see what you find attractive in Trixie--or why--but that’s what you want, so I’m okay with it.”

Rarity pulled back, her face twisted. “That’s it? Just an ‘okay’ and a smile? Where is the heartbreak?”

“Oh, uh, well,” he scratched his head, his rear claw scuffing the top of the table, “I guess I just kinda--”

“Spiiiiike?” A young female voice called from upstairs. “Are you coming baaaaack?”

Both Spike and Rarity stared at the door. When he finally turned back to look at the mare, his cheeks were crimson.

Rarity blinked a few times, her jaw hanging down, but slowly it closed and pulled up into a full smile. She stepped forward and kissed the young dragon on the forehead.

“Go get ‘em, tiger,” she whispered with a wink, and then turned to head towards the door.

Spike watched her take a few steps, and then jumped down from the table and rushed up the stairs.

“Oh, and Spike?” Rarity asked, standing in the doorway. He paused, only inches away from the door handle to the bedroom. “If you lay a single claw on Sweetie Belle I will remove each of them personally with a pair of pinking shears--along with anything else that I find sticking out. Are we clear?”

He swallowed and smiled awkwardly. “Y--yeah.” He nodded nervously.

“Good.” She bat her eyelashes again and stepped out of the door. “Ta-ta!”

Wiping his claw across his forehead, Spike opened the door slowly, stepping inside. “Hey. We gotta talk...”

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 2-

Twilight jerked awake at the feel of something touching her.

“Cadance?” she stared open-eyed ahead, hoping to see the princess.

“No, no,” Nurse Redheart said soothing her, taking a step back and removing her mouth from the edge of Twilight’s blanket. “I’m sorry to wake you. I was just trying to cover you up.”

“Oh,” Twilight sank back into her chair, her pulse returning to normal, “thank you. Any change?”

“None, I’m afraid. She’s still unresponsive,” she said. “You should go home, dear. We’ll let you and your brother know if anything changes.”

“When,” Twilight corrected. “When things change. She’s going to wake up.”

“That’s what I meant, of course,” she replied. “But I still think that you would be far more comfortable in your own bed.”

“My own bed is in Ponyville. That’s too far away.” She shook her head. “No, I told Shining Armor that I would be here the whole time he wasn’t until she finally woke up. It’s the least that I can do.”

“Princess Celestia herself has suggested that--”

“Look, I appreciate what you are saying, but I have to be here. I have to. The last time I saw Cadance I...” she trailed off. “I just need to let her know that somepony is here for her.”

With a nod, Nurse Redheart smiled and stepped towards the door. “Just let me know if there is anything that I can get for you.”

“Thank you,” she answered.

The door closed softly and Twilight looked over at the bed and the figure sleeping in it. Since that day against Coldheart, Cadance hadn’t woken up. No pony could figure out what was wrong with her. There was no sign of physical trauma, and her vital signs remained strong, but she remained in a deep sleep.

Celestia said that she was healing herself, and there was nothing that anypony could do but wait. Luna said that either she wasn’t dreaming, or that they were somehow shut off to her, so there was no way to know anything from that perspective.

Twilight had her own theory. In that battle Cadance had pushed so hard that she expelled all of the magic she had left inside her for one single moment. Now, she was trying to find that magic again, and she knew what that meant: she needed love. That’s why she was here. If Shining Armor couldn’t be here--and with everything that was going on in trying to get Canterlot back in one piece, it was tough to say the least--she would be. She would make sure Cadance felt loved.

Standing from the chair, she stretched out, doing the best to work the kinks out of her neck and legs. Not that long ago, when Trixie was recovering from being dead, Celestia was able to place her in an opulent suite. Now, with the city in such bad shape, all that she could do was put her in a single large room. At least there was a window.

She let her magic pull open the window, hoping to get rid of a little of the stuffiness of the room. Stepping up to it, she peered outside. The late air was crisp and clean, and even in the depth of the night she could hear the sounds of ponies working hard on the reconstruction project.

Celestia and Luna had invested themselves completely into this, spending virtually every hour of every day going over plans and organizing ways to speed the process along. At their current best estimate, it was going to take four years to rebuild--and most likely longer. She shuddered at the thought--and at the breeze that blew in past her, rustling the drapes.

“Hnnn,” a voice groaned behind her. For a moment Twilight didn’t respond, her mind still taking in what happened. A flash of light later she was standing beside the bed, staring down at Cadance.

“Cadance?” she whispered. “Cadance?”

The mare’s only response was to roll over on her side, away from the window. Twilight trembled, dancing in place, uncertain what to do. One teleportation spell later and she was standing at the nurse’s station.

“Nurse! Nurse!”

“Yes? What is it?” she answered, responding to the sudden arrival.

“She moved! She made a sound and rolled onto her side!” Twilight pointed back towards Cadance’s room. “She moved!”

Before waiting for a response, Twilight was back at Cadance’s bedside.

“Cadance?” Twilight said softly. “Cadance, can you hear me?”

“Rhm dar mnngha,” Cadance mumbled. Twilight’s eyes became saucers, and she suddenly wished she had paid more attention to Princess Celestia’s lessons in speaking unconscious.

“Cadance, can you wake up? Can you hear me?” Twilight did her best to stay calm, but her hooves were almost vibrating against the floor.

“Sllppng,” she said.

The door to the room opened up, Nurse Redheart rushing inside. “I’ve called the doctor. He’ll be here as soon as he can.”

“She said ‘sleeping,’” Twilight almost exploded. “I know I heard her say that!”

The nurse leaned over and looked at Cadance’s face. She pulled a small pen-shaped object from her coat with her mouth and a small light flickered to life. She shined it in the mare’s face.

Cadance recoiled, turning away from the light. She flopped to her other side, bringing her face in line with Twilight’s. As she opened her eyes, she was greeted with the biggest smile she had ever seen on a mare.

“Twilight?” she asked weakly.

“Cadance!” Twilight shouted, and then sat back on her haunches, her front hooves clapping excitedly.

“What are you so excited...” She couldn’t continue talking, her mind catching up with events. She bolted upright in bed. “Fantasia! What happened to Fantasia? Where’s Shining Armor? Is he all right? Where are Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna? What’s happening?”

“Calm down, calm down,” Nurse Redheart moved up to put her hooves on Cadance’s shoulders, trying to ease the mare back down into bed. “You’ve been asleep for over a week now. You’re probably very dehydrated and need to take it easy.”

“Easy? Answer my questions!” Cadance urged.

“Cadance,” Twilight said calmly, “everything is fine. Everypony is fine. Coldheart is gone. Shining Armor has been here every day spending time with you. I’ve just been filling in for him when he couldn’t be here.”

“Canterlot is safe?” she asked.

“Pretty beat up, but yes, it’s safe. Thanks to you,” she said.

It took a second, but Twilight saw Cadance’s shoulders relax, even though she refused to sit back. The nurse obviously saw it, too.

“Rest. Stay in bed. I’m going to get you some water,” she instructed. Cadance nodded in agreement and the nurse left the room.

“Thank you for staying with me,” Cadance said.

“I wanted to,” Twilight replied. “It was the least that I could do.”

“Still...thank you,” she stated. After a pause she continued. “I...I heard that I wasn’t exactly your favorite pony anymore.”

“What?!” Twilight’s eyes bulged. “No! That was never true! I was here because I thought you needed somepony who loved you nearby. Somepony to help you recharge your magic after what you did to Coldheart.”

“So, you’re not mad at me? After...what happened?” she asked.

“I...” she hesitated. “I won’t lie. I was devastated, but not any more. I still love you, but, well, I met somepony. She’s somepony special.”

“Oh, so that’s what I’m seeing around you. I was afraid that was all about me, still,” Cadance laughed.

“Well, I’m sure some of it is for you. Like I said, that’s why I’m here, but, yeah, I’m sure a lot of it is about Trueblood,” Twilight said.

Cadance laid back, relaxing in the bed, staring up at Twilight with a smile. “Tell me about her.”

Twilight stood up and moved up towards Cadance. “I’d like that...”

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 3-

She knocked on the doors three times. Each solid and direct. She could feel the eyes staring down at her from above, a mixture of anticipation and anger raining down. Luna kept her eyes on the door, refusing to give the mare any satisfaction.

This trip had been different. Not the type of thing that she expected, but surprisingly easy. Welcoming, even.

The great brass doors groaned, pulling inward to allow a gap between them. As they cleared each other, Luna could already spy the figure of an ombre pony standing beyond them, smiling.

“Luna! Dear cousin, it is good to see you,” Selene stated. “I must admit that I am a little surprised by the visit, though. I’m not ready to go on vacation just yet.”

“I know, Selene, but I was due a visit nonetheless,” Luna replied.

“Well, your visit has certainly agitated Tisiphone. I could here her grumble all the way across the courtyard.” Selene glanced up at the deep red erinyes, a nod sent to her subtly.

“Yes, well, I think she stays in a perpetual state of anger,” Luna said.

“And you are always so kind and giving,” Selene replied.

Closing her eyes, Luna took a deep breath. She opened them again and smiled at the ruler of Tartarus. “Forgive me, Selene. I have had a difficult time of late, and my judgment of others may be slightly harsh. May I come in?”

“Of course! I told you that you and my sister are always welcome,” she said, gesturing into the city of brass. “But tell me, why have you come?”

Luna walked inside the walls, keeping her eyes on Selene and away from the dead that shared the space. Her steps brought her up to look the mare directly in the eye.

“Selene,” she said softly, “I have news of Endymion...”

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 4-

“Sparky!”

A flash of magic brought Trueblood across the room and into Twilight’s embrace. They kissed immediately, passion taking over in a heartbeat. The kiss lingered for a moment, drawing the attention of everypony nearby in the room, despite their better efforts.

As they pulled apart, they both noticed the sudden increase in activity around them, but they chose to ignore it.

“I knew you were coming, but you didn’t say that it was going to be today,” Trueblood said. “Not that I’m not happy with the surprise.”

Looking around the room, Twilight was having trouble taking in everything that was happening.

“I know,” Trueblood said. “It’s kinda crazy around here. Who would have thought that Canterlot would end up being such a busy place?”

“You should have stuck around my world a little longer,” she stifled a giggle, “it’s just as busy, if not worse.”

“Yeah, but you guys are used to it. This is something no pony has ever seen. We’re trying to turn what was once the most feared place in the world into the most welcome,” she sighed. “Not easy.”

“You can do it,” Twilight answered.

“So, how long do you get to stay?” Trueblood asked, turning and walking down the corridor.

“Three days,” she answered. “Four if I want to get into trouble.”

“Well, I’m trying my best to lose the reputation of a troublemaker,” she laughed, “so I’ll try to give you three full days.”

Twilight had walked these halls many times, mostly on her own world, but at least once here as well. The hallway led directly to the Throne Room--Coldheart’s trophy room. She shuddered involuntarily.

“Don’t worry,” Trueblood pulled her marefriend tight. “I’m taking you here to show how quickly things are changing.”

Nodding, Twilight stayed close. She saw the doors to the room and remembered the shadows that fed them before. Stepping inside, it was all a distant memory. Light flooded the room, invading from huge glass that opened through the ceiling. The walls were clean and white, increasing the light in the room even more. In the center of the room, directly beneath the glass ceiling, was a massive round table, fit to sit dozens of ponies.

“This...is amazing!” Twilight spun around, looking at the new space in a new light.

“Thanks. Most of it was my idea, but I had some help,” she said.

“What happened to the...the...” Twilight pointed to the empty wall that once held the source of one of her new nightmares.

“They’ve been taken down and placed in a safe location,” Trueblood answered. “We’ve got plans to create a memorial to the fallen--a mausoleum--to give them the place of honor that they so richly deserve.”

“I like that,” Twilight said, coming up to nuzzle Trueblood. She motioned to the table as she spoke next, “What’s the idea behind that?”

“Well...” Trueblood walked up to it, and then teleported herself to the center of the table, staring back at Twilight. “The plan is to bring representatives from all areas of the Empire together here, to talk and to create a world where all ponies can live together in peace and harmony.”

“That sounds amazing!” Twilight’s eyes shimmered. “How many are coming?”

“So far?” Trueblood teleported down to stand next to Twilight again. “None. But I’m not going to give up. Right now the world is still in shock. Some of them don’t believe that Fantasia is gone. They still expect her to show up and crush anypony that dares to step out of line. Others are trying to fill the void that she left with their own, whether for good or bad--mostly bad, unfortunately. Chaos tends to bring out the worst in everypony I’ve discovered.”

“It’s okay,” Twilight soothed her. “It’s not going to happen overnight. Change can be tough, but you’ve got the Elements to support you, right?”

“Actually, I do. They were part of the team that brought all of this together, but, well, keeping them together is proving to be something of a challenge,” she said.

“What? What do you mean?”

“I mean that Ditzy is still here, helping out with pretty much everything, and Husk won’t leave her side, so I’ve got them,” Trueblood began walking to the far windows. “Beyond that, though...well, I had to give room.”

“Room? I don’t understand,” Twilight prodded.

“Bea is from The Crystal Empire. She’s gone back there to try to convince them to join our new group--whatever we end up calling it. She’s not the best idea of a diplomat, but she’s very hard to discourage.”

“Very true,” Twilight agreed.

“Both Gilda and Goldfeather have gone off to find a new place to become the griffin homeland. If they can find anyplace within Equestria that works--and isn’t going to cause a war with the locals--then I’ve already told them that it’s theirs. We’ll see what happens.”

“I wish them luck,” Twilight stated.

“And that just leaves...this.” She stopped at the window, staring out into the new courtyard that had been hastily constructed. “It still needs work, but I wanted it someplace safe, but still close enough to--I don’t know--watch?”

Beyond the windows, in a space surrounded by walls and open to the sky above, resting on a simple floor of stone, was a giant heart, the figure of a rearing alicorn inside. Coldheart’s prison.

Twilight shuddered. “I can’t believe that is made entirely of ice.”

“I can. It’s an external reflection of what was inside her all along,” Trueblood’s voice was distant.

“Aren’t you worried about it melting?” Twilight asked.

“No. Her own heart is keeping it frozen. The only way that she’ll ever be free is if she learns to truly love somepony,” she said. “So, she’s trapped forever.”

Twilight looked over at Trueblood, seeing her eyes welling up. “Hey. Hey, it’s okay. I’m here.” She hugged the mare tightly.

“I know, Sparky,” she answered. “And I’m so happy to see you, but let’s be honest,” she pulled back and looked the other mare in the eye, “this is gonna be tough. We’re not talking long-distance relationship here, were talking beyond-distance relationship.”

“Are you kidding?” Twilight laughed. “After everything that the two of us have been through, you think that a little bit of distance--even if that distance is a theoretical gap in dimensions that created two parallel worlds--is going to be a problem? C’mon! We’ve got this beat!”

“I hope so,” Trueblood said. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, her smile returning. “What am I doing? You just got here! This is a great day! C’mon, I want to show you around and introduce you the ponies that are helping us out. We’ve found a great pony to help out with creating a new image for The Six Kingdoms. Says that she can make, as she calls it, ‘de magicks!’”

“Why does that sound familiar?” Twilight pondered.

“Hey, I just realized,” Trueblood stopped as they were about to exit the room, looking Twilight directly in the eye, raising up her hoof to stroke her mane away from her face, “there was something I was going to tell you.”

“What’s that?” Twilight asked.

There was a moment’s pause, Trueblood locking onto Twilight’s gaze, creating a link between them.

“I love you,” she said.

Twilight’s heart skipped a beat.

“Well, it’s about time that somepony said that to me!” she laughed, throwing her hooves around her marefriend’s neck. She peppered her neck and muzzle with kisses before pulling back, a tear running down her cheek.

“Oh, and I love you, too,” she said.

They kissed again under the light of the sun.

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 5-

“...and twice with the couple from Phillydelphia that came in town for help.” Her eyes were down, fearful of looking directly at him.

“And that’s everypony?” He asked stoically.

“Yes,” her voice was weak. She swallowed hard, waiting for his response.

“Well, I can’t say that I’m thrilled about this,” he said calmly, “but I do understand.”

“What?” Cadance looked up into Shining Armor’s face, her vision blurring from the tears.

“Honey, you have your...responsibilities.” He took a deep breath and placed a hoof over hers. “You’re the Goddess of Love, after all.”

“No, I...I don’t. I mean, it’s not like that,” she said. “I don’t have to do those things. I can stay at hooves length. I mean... I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You only hurt me when you don’t talk to me. When my mind starts racing around and imagining things,” he replied.

They sat, facing each other, on the couch in their own living room. They were one of the lucky few, their home untouched by the recent conflict. Neither battle had come near their home, and they let it remain a haven from the outside world.

For the past hour, they had been sharing. Thoughts. Hopes. Dreams. The past. Everything.

“Can you forgive me?” she asked, the tears starting to flow.

“Of course! Honey, we have what most ponies would call a ‘complicated’ life,” he laughed. “I don’t believe for a moment that you did any of those things out of malice. And, while I don’t really want to think about them, I’m not going to sit here and judge you for them, either.”

“I don’t deserve you,” she sobbed.

He pulled her close, holding her tightly to his chest. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said the same thing in reverse. I don’t understand why you chose me, but I’m never going to let that go. If that’s okay with you.”

“Okay?” She pushed herself back, wiping away tears with a smile. “I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All that time I spent with Coldheart taught me so much.”

He blinked. “Please tell me you mean that in a good way.”

“Oh, yes! Yes, completely!” she laughed. “Every time I looked at her I saw what I could have been. What I might have been if you hadn’t come along. She was so...empty. I was fighting that ever since the...situation...with Twilight. I began to wonder and question who and what I was, so I took that out on myself. I thought if I buried myself in what love was supposed to be that I wouldn’t have time to worry about whether or not it was already there.” She shook her head. “And I was so stupid. Everything I ever needed or wanted was right there--in you.”

She reached up and brushed her hoof against his face.

“I’ve always felt that way about you,” he said. “From the first moment that I saw you.”

“I did, too,” she replied. “I just let a moment with Twilight mess with me. I mean--and don’t take this the wrong way--I’ll always love her, but not like I love you. She’s special to me, and I think I let my own fears of our relationship worm its way in and let her crush on me become something to fester inside me. I feel so bad about hurting her.”

“She seems okay now,” he replied. “She and I had a long talk, you know. She feels bad about hurting you.”

“Yeah, we talked. She’s very much in love with this new mare, Trueblood,” she stated. “I think that it’s good for her.”

“Hey, I want my little sister to be as happy as I am--just not with the same mare that I am,” he teased.

“In an odd way, I think we both need to show a little gratitude towards Chrysalis, too,” Cadance said.

He twisted his head. “You’ve gotta be joking.”

“No, I’m serious. She came to me as this icon of sexuality, this pinnacle of physical pleasure, and was so sure that it would alter my perception.” She shook her head. “She was right, just not in the way that she thought. All that physical skill, and nothing behind it. No emotion. It just made me appreciate you that much more.”

“I felt the same way! She did all these amazing things to me, convinced that I was going to fall down in awe of her, and all it did was make me want to be with you!” he proclaimed.

She raised an eyebrow. “All these amazing things, eh? Like what?”

He gulped. “It..uh..buh...I mean...I didn’t mean amazing-amazing.”

“No, no,” she teased, “you said amazing. So, what did she do? If I can’t top something that a cheese-legged skank like her can do, then I’ll hang up my crown.”

“Honey, it’s nothing like that. I mean, she’s just a manipulative monster that--”

“Spill it, buster!” she glared. “Stop stalling.”

“Uh, okay.” He glanced around, even though he knew that they were the only two ponies in the room, and then leaned over and began to whisper into his wife’s ear. After a minute or so, she pulled back with a surprised look.

“Pegging? Honey, if you like something like that, all you had to do was tell me,” she said with a smile--that quickly turned mischievous. “I can do that all night if you want. I’ll put that bitch to shame!”

“Well, I--”

“Hey! No backtalk mister!” she stood from the couch and walked towards the bedroom. “Your ass is mine! Now get in here!”

Watching her walk into their bedroom, he swallowed hard. Then slowly stood and followed her inside.

“Uh, honey? Is there any way that I can get you to wear those black leggings and pull your mane back, too? That was really sexy.”

* * * * * * *

Epilogue 6-

Business was slow. Very slow.

She knew that the destruction would hurt things, but she wasn’t expecting it to drag on this long. Even with the allowances that the government had put into place, her savings were already taking a severe hit. If things kept going like this, she would be out of business in a matter of weeks. Something had to happen, and soon.

Camillia sat behind her counter and mixed together another set of flavors, hoping to find something new and exciting to put outside on the board. The bell to the door rang just as she was measuring out a sample, naturally, so she could only answer over her shoulder.

“Hello! Sorry for the delay. I’ll be with you in just a moment!” she said with enthusiasm.

“Oh, please, take your time.”

The voice was calm and smooth, with a tone that would inspire anypony to their fullest. Slowly she turned around, her eyes growing wider with every moment, until she stood there, wordlessly staring straight at the owner of that voice.

A pristine coat of white, pale magenta eyes, and a mane that flowed in the still air with the color of the rising sun. Tall and regal, with full, lovely wings and a horn sculpted seemingly of solid gold.

“Puh...Puh...Puh...” she stammered.

“Good afternoon,” Celestia said with a smile. “You seem to be spilling something.”

Suddenly aware, Camillia took the bag in her mouth and returned it quickly to the counter behind her, painfully aware at how much she lost to the floor. She spun back around to make sure that what she saw wasn’t a figment of her imagination. It wasn’t.

“Your Majesty!” she bowed quickly, her head narrowly missing her own service counter.

“Careful,” Celestia warned.

“Uh...um...thank you. I will be,” she replied. She stood as tall as she could, suddenly ashamed of the stains on her apron. She ran her hoof over it, hoping to knock them off for their impropriety, or at least get rid of the wrinkles. She also brushed back her cream colored mane, hoping to look at least mildly presentable. “To what do I owe this most amazing honor, Your Majesty?”

Celestia smiled, and suddenly much of Camillia’s nervousness vanished. “My niece speaks very highly of your own special house blend of tea. I thought that I would stop by and sample it for myself. May I purchase a cup?”

“Y--yes! Of course!” she spun around, rushing to the back counter. “Please, have a seat, I will bring it right out to you.”

With a barely audible chuckle, Celestia moved over to sit by the window, looking out onto the streets of Canterlot. A small crowd of ponies had already gathered, having seen her walk into the shop, and she nodded at them politely, causing a bit of a stir.

She heard the nervous clatter of a cup on a tray approaching the table, and did her best to add nothing to the mare’s difficulties.

“There you are, Your Majesty,” Camillia said. “This is my own special blend. On the house. Pl--please enjoy.”

“Thank you, Miss...?” she asked.

“Camillia, Your Majesty,” she answered quickly with another bow. “My name is Camillia.”

“Thank you, Camillia,” she answered. The shopkeeper took a few steps away, not returning behind her counter, anxious to see the goddess’ reaction.

With gentle ease, Celestia took hold of the cup with her magic and brought it up to her mouth. She inhaled the aroma of the liquid for a moment, letting it fill her senses before finally bringing it to her lips for a taste.

“Mmmm,” she commented wordlessly, lowering the cup for a moment. She took another short sip and then returned to the cup to the table. “Delicious. My niece was right to send me here.”

Her eyes glazed over. She wanted to blink, but she didn’t dare take the chance that everything would disappear if she did. “Thank you. Thank you so much!” The tears kept her eyes moist enough to avoid blinking for another moment.

“I would like to arrange to get this tea brought to the castle for my own personal supply,” Celestia commented. “Do you think that would be possible?”

Camillia finally blinked. “You...want more?”

“Yes, if that’s all right with you?” Celestia said calmly. “I will insist on paying for it, though.”

“Yes! Of course, Your Majesty! As much as you would like!” she exclaimed.

“Excellent. I’ll have some papers brought around tomorrow. Perhaps you could deliver it yourself? I would be happy to have you show my servants how best to prepare it.”

“I...would be honored, Your Majesty,” she answered.

“Excellent,” she answered. “Well, then I will let you attend to your customers while I finish my tea, then.”

“Customers?” She looked around, noticing that at some point dozens of ponies had worked their way into the shop, and were huddled around the counter. Rushing back behind the counter, she was bombarded with requests for her own special blend.

Calmly, Celestia finished drinking her cup of tea.

* * * * * * * *

Epilogue 7-

“I do not like this,” Luna proclaimed, pacing back and forth. “I do not like it at all!”

“Calm yourself, Luna. We both knew this was coming,” Celestia answered.

“I proclaim that we do not need to follow through with this,” Luna stated. “There is no reason to do this at all.”

“Let me ask you,” Celestia began, “did you promise her this when she agreed to aid us against Coldheart?”

“Well, yes, but--”

“And did she then, in fact, help us in that struggle?” Celestia asked.

“You know very well that she did,” Luna growled, “but she did not defeat Coldheart!”

“Neither did we. Not alone,” Celestia answered. “And you know that we would not have been victorious without her.”

“You don’t know that!” Luna protested.

Celestia raised an eyebrow, staring at her sister.

“Fine, she helped,” Luna grumbled. “But I say that we do not have to do it now! We can wait!”

“We have waited. We’ve put this off far longer than she wanted, I think, and if we do not do it soon then I believe that she will do something rash,” Celestia suggested.

“Let her! It would be an excuse to wipe her from the face of Equestria!” Luna’s fangs bared in a smile.

“And you think Equestria is in the right place for that? That everypony is ready for such a conflict?” Celestia asked.

Luna lost her smile. “No. No, of course not.”

“Then, you know what we--what I--must do,” she answered.

“No!” Luna stomped her hoof, coming to loom over her wife. “I will not allow this! I will not let--”

“You would rather we go back on our word?” Celestia asked.

“You did not make this promise!” Luna proclaimed.

“But you did,” Celestia answered. “It’s the same. Our word is bond.”

“At least let me be the one to go. Let me do this, not you,” Luna suggested.

Celestia shook her head. “She specifically asked for it to be me. I suspect we both know why.”

“This is not right!” Luna stomped her hoof again. “I will not let this happen!”

Walking over to her sister, Celestia placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. She placed her neck over Luna’s, hugging her in place.

“Be strong,” Celestia said. “Our subjects need to see us strong.”

“I do this under protest,” Luna said.

Celestia walked up to the curtains that hid them from view. Her horn glowed, spreading its magic and pulling the fabric to the side. Taking a step beyond them, the ponies gathered outside let out a heartfelt cheer.

Hundreds of ponies stood beneath the balcony, their voices raised to cheer on the rulers of Equestria as they came out to speak on the future. Celestia walked to the edge of the railing, smiling at the throngs who came to hear her speak. Luna walked up beside her, standing just back of the railing to allow Celestia to have the spotlight.

“Mares and gentlecolts,” Celestia said softly, her simple words calming the gathering. “Thank you. In the past weeks we have seen a conflict unlike any that has occurred in over a thousand years. One that tested our courage, our hearts, and our sense of self, but we were not found wanting. In that time, we have discovered not only ourselves, but the existence of a new world. One that is filled with possibilities, and I am glad to say, new friends.”

A cheer rose up, and Celestia let it go for a moment before raising a hoof to calm them.

“I cannot tell you how proud I am of all of you. Time and again you have proven that you are ponies of honor and respect. You withstood a hostile overlord and her dangerous overthrow of our way of life, and in the end, we were victorious. Because of you--and because of the others that stood to defend our country.”

Another cheer rose up, bringing an unbidden smile to Celestia’s face. She turned to look at Luna, seeing that her sister was still remaining stoic. She turned back with a sigh to address the gathering again.

“Special commendations need to be made for many. Firstly, I must thank my sister and love, Princess Luna.” A cheer swelled, calmed instantly by Celestia. “Without her guidance and courage, our defeat would have been assured. Another thanks must go out to my most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Another cheer that Celestia calmed. “She and the other Elements of Harmony once again stood the line to defend Equestria, and provided the final blow against our foe. I must also give my most heartfelt thanks to Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.” A roar broke from the crowd, calmed once more by Celestia. “She stayed here, risking sacrificing herself to do her best to stop the menace that threatened us all. Without her efforts and devotion, none of us would be here today.”

The cheer rose up again, and Celestia let it continue for a moment. As it slowed she could feel Luna tensing up beside her.

“And there is one other. Showing a dedication to life that went far beyond our previous understanding of her, this mare provided us with skills and support that no pony else would have been capable of, and when the time came she courageously stepped into the heart of the battle. She put herself between our foes and the destruction of Equestria. We could not have been victorious without her. To that end, Princess Luna and I have agreed that we could not just let her efforts pass unrewarded, and have taken measures to make Equestria a stronger and safer kingdom.”

Luna bristled, but Celestia ignored her and spoke directly to the crowd.

“To that end, mares and gentlecolts, may I present to you, for the first time,” her wing gestured out to the side of the balcony, where a separate set of curtains were pulled dramatically aside, “Princess Chrysalis of Equestria.”

She walked out, her appearance groomed, with her mane flowing back off of her neck, highlighting a new chest harness that bore the symbol of two green eyes upon it. She walked to the edge of the balcony to look down over it, as Celestia stepped backwards to give her a clear view.

The ponies in the crowd stared up at her in complete silence as she licked her lips in a long, slow motion.

“Now this,” she hummed with a smile, “is absolutely perfect.”

The End.