CHAPTER THIRTEEN: WE ARE ONE

October 11

"I still know how to use my 'official voice.' Long years of running errands for the Princess," said Twilight. Rainbow Dash laughed, but her heart wasn't in it, and Twilight put a hoof on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be over in a few minutes. Luna is just and she'll see you've done nothing wrong."

"Are you coming with me?"

"I need to find Princess Celestia and let her know about all this. When the trial's over, just wait for me in the foyer." Twilight pulled Rainbow into a quick hug. "You'll be fine."

"If you say so."

---

The middle-aged mare at the reception desk smiled at Twilight with the sort of sympathetic matronly smile that always accompanies bad news, as if such smiles and soothing tones make such news any easier to bear. "I am sorry to report that Her Majesty is away on official business. Please wait in the foyer or you can leave your contact information with me and I will inform you, via owl, when she has returned."

"Do you know when she'll be back? I'm Twilight Sparkle, her student." Her lover. I have important news for her."

"Princess Luna was to handle her official duties in her absence; unfortunately, the emergency was such that Princess Luna was also called away. Temporary governance of the kingdom was left in the hooves of Commander Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. Beyond that I cannot tell you."

Upon seeing Twilight's crestfallen face, she said kindly, "I shouldn't be worried, dear. The Princess is never late to her engagements. Short-tempered, perhaps, but never late."

Which left Twilight with no other option but to sit on the cold stone bench beside the gilded doors and wait.

She hated to wait. Waiting meant wasted time; wasted time meant time that could be used for studying or reading or spell practice or friendship studies; and once wasted, that time was lost forever. The only thing worse than lost time was being late. To Twilight, 'tardy' was a more vile word than the foulest obscenity.

Waiting wasn't so bad as long as there were friends with whom she could laugh and converse and pass the time. Books were the next best thing. At the moment, she had neither, and had only her thoughts and worries to keep her company.

The news of Princess Luna's absence was troubling. Was there a threat great enough to require the presence of both Princesses? She was left second-guessing herself. Princess Luna, for all she knew, had not returned to Canterlot either. Maybe Rainbow Dash was likewise waiting for her trial to begin. Twilight missed Celestia so much that it was causing a dull ache deep in her chest, and hearing her brother's and Cadance's names made that ache unbearable.

Minutes passed. Then half-hours. She tucked her legs in and wrapped her tail around herself, protecting what warmth she could, and let out a deep sigh. It was not exactly comfortable in the vaulted foyer. The circular fire grates roared merrily, but most of the heat wafted up to the ceilings and the stone sucked away what meager body heat she imparted to it. However, even without Celestia's presence, this place represented safety to Twilight. The whole Palace was a second home to her; if she couldn't feel safe here, where could she? Its thick stone walls had stood for the better part of a millennium. The vigilance of the guards was unceasing. Within this bastion of light, nothing would harm her.

She never intended to fall asleep, though.

Sleep, considering the amount of adrenaline coursing through her veins, should have been impossible. Maybe it was the fact that, for over five days now, Twilight had barely slept. Fluttershy's sleep problems- nighttime shrieking, sleepwalking, and muttering strange phrases, to name a few- hadn't rubbed off on Twilight, but it was two days since her Pegasus friend had decided to sleep in her own cottage and ever since then, sleep was elusive. The thoughts swarming through her brain gnawed at her like venomous ants.

Miracles can be worked with enough coffee and a tad of makeup to hide the dark circles. She hid the fatigue well, although insomnia cannot be delayed indefinitely, and it catches up in its own good time. Taken together, the sounds of wind howling at the stained glass windows and the fires' crackling produced a susurrant rhythm. The fatigue and mental stress suddenly hit her like an oncoming train and the security of the Palace broke down the last psychological barriers. It would have made no difference if the bench had been lined with nails. For an unknown amount of time, Twilight Sparkle was dead to the world, and slept right through a sudden commotion at the door. The hall rang with voices and the echo of hooves.

"Manehatten reports that seventy-five percent of the fires are contained. They are using the police force's two airships as converted water tankers for the moment, until more resources arrive from Baltimare." This was a deep, authoritative stallion's voice.

"Has Princess Luna returned?" A mare now spoke. "I lost track of her when the fourth dragon entered the fray."

A second mare, her voice soft and musical, joined in. "She is currently in Night Court, as of five minutes ago, and unhurt, although in a very touchy mood. I offered to calm her magically but she would have none of it and rushed to her appointment."

"Luna was always the superior combatant," said the first mare, somewhat ruefully. "Her ice spells were magical perfection. I would hate to be on the receiving end of her temper in Court tonight, however. That dragon can attest to its ferocity. Or it would, if it still lived."

"Are you unhurt as well, Princess?"

"I suppose a burnt cloak and armor are the least of my worries… the tail will likewise heal in time." She laughed tersely. "The magnificent Princess Celestia with half of her tail missing. Let the ponyrazzi form their own interpretation, I suppose."

"They'll see that their Princesses put their lives on the line to defend Equestria," the stallion argued. "Doing what is right and necessary. I'd like to see them defend a city from four dragons without a single pony's life lost. Fifty of the best guards couldn't have done it better."

"Right now, what is right and necessary is getting out of this armor. The dragonfire was not kind to it. Shining Armor, would you be so kind as to send the royal armorer to my chambers? I'm afraid the breastplate will need repair. Also, inform the mayor of Manehatten and the chief of police that our airship fleet is at their disposal for as long as is necessary. Send two with medical supplies and what security we can spare. Where there is chaos, looting follows close on its heels."

"At once, Your Highness."

Shining Armor's iron-clad hooves receded across the room and nopony noticed the unicorn curled up in the corner. The two alicorns stood near one of the braziers, where the chill of the stone chamber was tempered, and conversed in low tones.

"I think you underestimate your own skills," soothed Cadance. "I could never hope to master such magic. To think about all those poor ponies in Manehatten that would have roasted to death if you hadn't reached the city in time. And if the scouts hadn't called in the dragon sighting…" She blinked back a tear. "Where did they come from?"

"They were adult blood dragons from the southern Badlands. A mated pair and two adolescents, all come into their full fire. As to why they chose to bring their fire on Manehatten, we shall never know. I must be losing my touch if I let that smaller wyrm graze me with his tail." She gestured to the deep gouges in the golden plate armor where the dragon's spikes had nearly reached the padding, and if not for her quick reflexes, might have impaled her chest. "Luna had the worst of it. The female must have been eighty feet long at least, and vicious, especially when her mate was killed."

Cadance touched the elder Princess's shoulder. Her eyes, full of care and adoration, glistened like polished amethysts. "Equestria is blessed to have such powerful and caring rulers. Both of you, Auntie. The ponies of this kingdom don't know how lucky they are." Celestia blushed from the other mare's praise and finally let a smile reach her muzzle.

"It is a blessing Twilight is not here to see her Princess in such a state. I would never hear the end of it."

"I miss her," said Cadance tenderly. "Shining Armor and I haven't seen her since the wedding. We were discussing a trip to Ponyville for their Running of the Leaves festival. A sort of family reunion, and it would be a surprise. I hope this unusual weather hasn't changed Ponyville's plans."

Celestia clapped a hoof to her forehead. "Some teacher I am… with the annual peace summit in the Griffon Kingdom and now with the dragon situation, Twilight's letters were pushed completely out of my mind. Knowing her, she is frantic and afraid her Princess has forgotten her. We both know how stressed our dear Twilight can become when faced with uncertainty."

"If you wish, I can conclude the rest of the evening's business while you retire. Do you need anything brought up to your chambers?"

"My butler will bring me a pot of tea, I suppose. That's all I need. Thank you, dear Cadance." The two ponies embraced as only close friends could and were interrupted by another set of hooves on the stone.

"Begging your pardon, Your Majesty." The receptionist bowed low. "Before you retire to your chambers for the evening, I wished to pass along the message that a Twilight Sparkle, of Ponyville, is here for an audience with you."

"Twilight?" exclaimed the Princess, making the poor pony nearly jump out of her coat. "When did she arrive?"

"Nearly an hour ago. Why- there she is, on the bench! I wondered why I didn't hear a peep out of her." She gestured to where Twilight lay, tucked into a compact ball with her tail wrapped around her hooves. Her muzzle was likewise concealed by the tail which fluttered with each breath.

The Princess smiled at her assistant and her voice was warm and grateful. "Thank you."

They stepped quietly up to Twilight's sleeping form. Cadance let out a soft "aww" at the sight of her former foalsitting charge, curled up like a contented cat with the faintest grin frozen on her lips. "Perhaps we can wake her gently?"

There was no need to rouse Twilight from her nap. Guard shifts at the Palace were in four-hour increments, so that every post was occupied by a fresh and alert pony, and sunset marked the transfer between Celestia's and Luna's forces throughout the entire complex. Due to the confusion caused by the recently arrived alicorns, a random selection of armored stallions manned the posts. Shining Armor was in the process of remedying the situation and at that precise moment, four earth ponies in black armor burst through the doors on the way to the throne room. The crash of the great oaken door dragged Twilight out of the deep fathoms of dreamless sleep.

Whatever she expected to see, it certainly wasn't Celestia and Cadance standing four feet away. "Ughhh…" She blearily opened her eyes and, realizing who she was staring at, jumped to her hooves.

"Princess! I'm so sorry! I only meant to sit down and wait for you and then I lay down on the bench and-" She noticed Cadance and gasped. "I should have written you a letter letting you know I was coming."

As they did many times in the past, Twilight and Cadance greeted each other with the dance each knew by heart: "Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Cadance pulled her into a loving hug. "I missed you so much, Twilight. Shining Armor and I were just talking about you yesterday."

"Is my brother here too?"

"Shining went to fetch the royal armorer and to supervise the changing of the guard. I'm sure he will return soon."

"I am afraid your letters would not have reached me in any case," put in Celestia. "Until this afternoon, I was again in Saddle Arabia to meet with their Emir for a trade summit. They have prospered, apparently, and wish to open ancient caravan routes through the Badlands to our Equestrian ports. A grand idea, but at a horrid time. The dragons are stirring again beyond our southern borders. Not to mention that many ponies seem to be abandoning the roads as of late, dragons or no dragons."

Twilight heard and understood Celestia's words, even as she began to notice the battered state of her Princess, and put two and two together. She let out a strangled wheezing noise. "Were you- attacked? By a dragon?!"

"Maybe it's best to just tell her?" said Cadance, with the tiniest hint of a laugh.

It always amazed me how such a sweet pony- my niece, no less- can be so trying upon my patience. With a deadpan stare at the younger alicorn, Celestia replied, "Manehatten was attacked this afternoon by dragons."

"Are you hurt? I should have been there to help you!" Twilight's hooves prodded at the rent breastplate and the white cloak covered in a patchwork of rips and burn marks, coming quite close to Celestia in the process. "Surely I could have helped!"

Celestia smiled down at her and laughed, a soft melodious laugh that turned Twilight's knees to jelly; her sweet breath was in her face and, in remembrance of their night together, Twilight blushed scarlet. "You are skilled with magic, my student, but four adult dragons are a bit beyond your ability. Luna and I together were barely enough to bring them down."

"I still should have come with you," pleaded Twilight. "To- finish them off, maybe."

The Princess of Love watched the two reunited ponies closely. She, who knew love like Celestia knew the rays of her own sun, caught the telltale signs in an instant. The shyness and cautious caresses and what a less dignified pony might call 'bedroom eyes' revealed two ponies only beginning to understand the feelings in their hearts. The fact that both were mares, or that one was royalty and the other was not, was irrelevant.

To her, love was simply love.

She smiled knowingly."Perhaps I should let you two have some time alone. Twilight, if you are still in Canterlot tomorrow morning, Shining and I would love to take you to breakfast and catch up. I'm sure my husband would love to spend some time with his little sister." After hugging the flustered unicorn once more, Cadance departed, leaving them alone in the hall.

"Let us go to my chamber, Twilight, where we can talk freely. It is a good thing the Palace guards are watchful. Too watchful in this case."

"We shouldn't have to hide," said Twilight, as they ascended the spiral staircase to Celestia's tower. "There's nothing wrong about us being together."

"The kingdom does not look favorably on such unions, be they mare and mare or stallion and stallion. It is a viewpoint born in earlier days when such as ourselves were stigmatized as freaks or undesirables, and even exiled in some cases. Such things only change with time."

The deeply rooted sadness lacing Celestia's voice brought moisture to Twilight's eyes. Just like Rarity told me… Is it so wrong to follow your heart, even when it leads you to unexpected places? "Then we should change them," remarked Twilight, with conviction. Celestia made no comment.

Golden-armored stallions on either side of the hall bowed low. Not until she had entered her anteroom did the Princess relax and attempt to free herself from what remained of the armor. The damaged breastplate fell to the floor with a thunk and she levitated the other pieces onto a nearby wooden rack made for the purpose. "I had Shining Armor send for the armorer, but perhaps he is busy tonight as well. No matter. I have you to help me, Twilight, and your company is infinitely more valuable to me."

As if they had both been awaiting the proper moment, the two mares came together in a passionate kiss. Twilight wrapped her foreleg around Celestia's for support and closeness; as seconds ticked away, that hoof found its way into the alicorn's mane. In Twilight's case, the awkwardness of exactly where her lips should go vanished in an instant. A blissful period of time passed before Celestia pulled away and said, "Somepony obviously missed me."

"It's only been a week but it-"

"-felt like forever," finished Celestia. "It has been the same for me, my love."

My love. Twilight's heart exploded in a shower of rainbows. No longer preoccupied by her marefriend's alluring lips, she realized that half of Celestia's beautiful tail was missing and terminated in a section of scorched and blackened hair. "Your poor tail!"

Celestia finished shrugging out of her battle raiment, leaving only the cloak beneath, which she set on a nearby table along with her crown and shoes. Somepony- a servant or guard- had placed a fresh washbasin of steaming water on the countertop, along with soap and gold embroidered towels, and Twilight did her best to avert her eyes (or at least pretend to) as the Princess washed the dust and smoke of battle from her coat. The regal white fur, matted with moisture, aroused a not-so-innocent but oh-so-delicious thought in her mind; she turned away, her cheeks shooting from lavender to boiling maroon in an instant.

"I suppose it is never an easy thing to stare into the eyes of a fifty-foot blood dragon, even with the powers I possess," said Celestia. "Maybe Equestria's leader is just not as powerful as she once was. I once fought off three dragons without a scratch… although, at the time, I held three of the Elements. My tail is a small sacrifice in exchange for keeping my kingdom safe."

"I'm sure that's not the case," soothed Twilight.

"Do you remember when you wrote me a letter about how the love of your friends, and their grounding influence, were the only things keeping you from overthinking a simple problem and losing your head entirely? Which, if I recall, you did anyway, and I had to undo your- ahem, creative spellwork."

"And you talked some sense into me." Twilight giggled at the awful memory of her deranged self, creating friendship 'problems' because none existed at the time. "I still can't believe I did all that."

"What, then, are my grounding influences? My duties as a ruler. The love of my sister. And, most importantly, your love. Today it was nearly not enough…"

Twilight wasn't sure exactly what her teacher was suggesting. Celestia is never unsure of herself, and never hesitates for a second when there is a decision to be made. So she could do nothing more than hold her hoof, then both hooves, as the Princess began to break down in front of her.

"There was a moment during the battle when my magic nearly failed me. As a unicorn, I am sure you know the feeling. You cast a spell- a spell you know by heart, one that you have performed hundreds of times before and you place faith into- and at the moment it takes form and life from your horn, something happens that shakes that faith. Faith is the only thing powering the spell and the spell is the only thing between you and a fiery death. I admit, I am a stranger to this feeling, Twilight." She took a calming breath and finished, "Battles like that balance on the edge of a knife. Slip but an inch to the side and you fall."

She took Twilight's smaller hoof between her own and gave it a soft squeeze. Then, as if a ray of sunlight pierced a cloudbank over her, she appeared to shake off the helpless feelings that had taken root in her soul. "I suppose we all have doubts," she said finally. "Alicorns are not accustomed to thinking about death. Or failure, for that matter."

"But you're immortal, right?"

"Our blood grants us exceptionally long life. My longest-lived ancestor saw his five thousandth year without incident. We can, however, die, and death claimed many of us long ago. We can be killed just like any other pony. Whether from grief or from blades or from dark sorcery, we died all the same. Thousands of us."

The thought of the Princess being killed, by a dragon or otherwise, made Twilight snuggle closer to Celestia's snowy white chest. "I won't let that happen."

"Let us forget about the awful day I have endured." Celestia shook her mane and crossed to the patio door, staring out at the impossibly cold winter evening and the stars shining above the Crystal Mountains. The suite's thick glass windows, double-paned and in stout golden frames, could not completely block the drafts and wailing gusts of wind. Inside was a cozy seventy-seven degrees; outside was a frigid minus two. "It is far too cold outside to sit and watch the stars as we did that night, but… I have a better idea." Golden light shimmered up and down the length of her slender horn and as Twilight watched, it coalesced into a single beam that shot into the vaulted fireplace and caught the logs already arranged there. They blazed into life within seconds. Without breaking her concentration, she levitated one of the couches into the room's center. "Sit with me, Twilight, and tell me all about your day."

As she nestled into the center of the couch, Twilight's cheeks burnt like a fiery steam furnace and she felt light-headed. "I'm not sure where to start, honestly."

"How have things been since our last time together?"

Crazy? Horrifying?

Weird?

"It's been, well-" and here, the concrete foundation underneath her voice cracked and foundered under all the built-up stress and uncertainty of the past days. With a shuddering gasp she continued. "I know I'll sound like a complete foal and after you put your life on the line to defend Manehatten, I can't even complain."

"No concern is ever too small, Twilight." The pair cuddled closer. "I sent for a pot of my special tea to warm you up and to help us unwind. We both know Marelot is an unwise choice for certain unicorns."

"That's not fair! I didn't know that it would make me-" she spluttered, searching for the correct word, and Celestia tipped her an enormous wink. She further teased Twilight by sticking out her tongue and breaking into very un-Princess-like giggles. Twilight, of course, could never stay upset and soon joined in. Their intimate position made them quickly forget exactly what they were laughing about and turned their minds to other pursuits. More physical ones.

"Mmmm," murmured Celestia. Twilight kissed her with the urgency of somepony starved of affection for months. The kiss took the alicorn off guard, but in seconds they were locking lips in earnest and making soft sounds of pleasure. Celestia, for her part, was fast becoming turned on by Twilight's kisses; although sloppy and unpracticed, they dripped with passion. Regions of their mouths previously unexplored became very much explored. Twilight loved the way it felt when her lover's tongue pushed against her own, and this oral wrestling match mirrored the frenzied grasp of hooves desperate for a bit of the other's body to caress.

"I love you," whispered Twilight. "I'm not afraid to say it. I'd shout it from the tower in an instant." She shifted her attention to Celestia's silky neck, and the effect was immediate.

"Stars!" Twilight's kisses produced many unladylike sounds from the Princess. As she gave herself over to the feelings, with eyes closed and back arched in pleasure, Celestia began to wonder exactly where her student had learnt these techniques. The truth was that Twilight followed only her instincts. She had one desire, which was to please her lover; exactly how to do this remained a mystery, and much like books on combat magic, texts dealing with romance between ponies were rare. The one in Twilight's library only teased at the subject and actually discouraged love, if one read between the lines. After all, it was the same book she had lent the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Its dire warnings against love, potion-produced or otherwise, hadn't discouraged the three fillies, although this was not a failing of the book.

I wish I had a book that would teach me how to love Celestia the way she loves me. A book that doesn't discuss love like it's dark magic, to fear and control.

The euphoric tightening sensations working their way through her withers were something no book had ever warned her against. She kissed and nuzzled at the Princess's neck, switching often to her lips, and found that her knowledge was sorely lacking.

"What's wrong, love?"

Twilight's voice vibrated with passion and uncertainty. "I- I don't know what to do next."

In the most calming, but deliciously sultry, voice the unicorn had ever heard, Celestia leaned in close and whispered, "Then I will show you."

She was drunk on the scent of sunlight and wildflowers, on her Princess's sweet breath washing across her face, and warmed to her very core by those gleaming eyes. Celestia's mane fell all around them like a silken waterfall. The wind might howl at the window, but was as far from Twilight as if there had been fifty feet of stone to block it. It was locked outside. All of her fears and worries were, likewise, barred out in the cold with the wind. Also chucked from the Princess's tower were the secrets protected within her chest: her fears for her friends and the arrival of Bryn, among other things. Twilight Sparkle was warm and safe for the first time since leaving Canterlot nearly seven days ago.

With excruciating slowness, Celestia lowered her onto the sofa. Her hooves had only the pillows to cling to. All of her was exposed to the Princess, all of her body vulnerable and on display, even the part of her that a mare normally kept concealed behind her tail. "You are beautiful, Twilight. The most beautiful thing my eyes have ever beheld."

"In eighteen hundred years, I'm the prettiest thing you've seen? I'm just a regular old unicorn."

"We both know you are far more. Oh Twilight, the things I want to do to you…" She left the thought unsaid. Her lips (and gentle teeth) did the talking. With the first light nibble on her neck, Twilight let out a moan of such volume that the guards outside could not fail to hear it. She was helpless to move and found the thought an enticing one. After all, why would she want to get free? Especially when the lips making their way down her neck and onto her chest felt so incredible?

Her eyes closed from the sensations. She was now Celestia's, to do with what she would. Celestia kissed her soft abdomen while her hooves held the unicorn close. Then, just when the tension was truly unbearable, she brought her head up to Twilight's and kissed her powerfully as their bodies came together. The alicorn's chest moving against her own was a special kind of amazing, one that made her see stars and fail to notice Celestia's mouth moving back to its previous position.

"Tonight, I will teach you what love truly is."

She kissed a spot just there, and Twilight melted into waves of unadulterated ecstasy. All pleasure before this moment could not be called 'pleasure'. Before the waves pulled her into a warm velvety ocean, she reached out for the life preserver that was her Princess. Celestia's lips only had to shift a little and those waves became a riptide. The riptide pulled her beneath the surface.

As she grew ever closer to her climax, a pulsating glow began at the base of her horn. Everything Twilight knew about magic told her that it never manifested without the will and desire to produce it. If this was true, the magic now issuing from her horn was a violation of magic's cardinal rules, because she was not controlling it or wishing it into existence. It existed of its own volition. Furthermore, its color was not her usual magenta; it was a striking lavender-gold, bright and silvery and comforting. Celestia continued her attention to Twilight's secret place and with each touch the magic glowed with intensifying brilliance.

"Ohhhhh!"

A miniature star erupted into being. For that blissful instant, above Twilight's head was a burst of pure light in periwinkle and pale yellow. The colors of love. Alicorn and unicorn, gold and violet, joined as one.

If friendship is magic, then what is love?