Chapter 27:

'Unexpected Arrival'

Twilight Sparkle and Dusk opened the doors to the throne room and began walking in side by side as everypony present turned and stared at them. Some were giving them warm smiles, while others merely stared at them with mixed expressions. There were Celestial and Lunar guards lined up on one side of the throne room, while Dusk's guards were lined up on the other, no doubt for security in the event that something were to happen.

A long table was set up in the middle of the throne room that expanded all the way from near the throne room doors to near the bottom of the podium where the throne itself sat.

There was a large number of chairs set all around the table, Celestia and Luna were already seated, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were all just standing behind the chairs that were next to them on their left. Shining Armor and Princess Cadence were at their right, joined by Sky Shadow, Burning Mace and Black Lance.

As Twilight looked around, she noticed that two others were not present. "Um, where's Spike and Magister Freed?"

Celestia faced her and said, "Magister Freed and Spike are currently in the library."

"So...they won't be attending the banquet then?" Twilight asked in a slightly upset tone.

Luna spoke next. "Magister Freed said he wished to search up on some things in the library and asked the young dragon to assist him. I'm sorry to say, they won't be attending the banquet."

Before Twilight could reply, Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Hey relax Twilight, all of us are here!"

Deciding the cyan Pegasus brought up a good point, Twilight smiled and nodded. "Yeah I guess you're right." In the end, all of her friends were here, and it wasn't as if Spike was far, he was just a good ten minute walk away. Though, she suddenly remembered that there was still one Pony who wasn't present. Starlight. Her smile lowered as she recalled her last conversation with the Earth Pony, and it made her heart ache when she remembered the hurt look on his face when she told him about her marriage.

"Twilight?" Cadence said, getting the younger Alicorn's attention. "Something wrong?"

Shaking her head, Twilight said, "Nothing, just thinking." She looked around and asked, "So, when will everything be ready?"

Rarity answered her. "They said royal the chefs are just about finished with all of the food and they will be here in a few minutes."

"Well ah hope they hurry it up 'cause ah'm starvin' here, haven't had anything to eat all day." Applejack replied.

As her friends started conversing amongst themselves, Twilight turned to Dusk and said, "So, Dusk, could you-"

Dusk interrupted her. "Once the banquet is over and done with, we will speak after. Until then, join your friends." He said before making his way towards his Magisters.

Twilight wanted to let out a frustrated growl, Dusk had once again managed to avoid conversing with her, she refrained from saying anything however, no willing to do or say anything she might regret.

She decided to make her way to the throne rooms outside balcony and sat in silence as she looked up at the starry night sky. She let out a sad sigh as she recalled everything that happened ever since she and her friends first encountered the officers of the Iron Empire.

But despite all of these events, the one thing that continued to haunt her mind, was Starlight.

"Starlight."

Starlight faced her and returned her smile. "Hey Twilight, how are you feeling?" He asked with a hint of concern in his voice.

"I'm feeling...fine. Why wouldn't I be?" Twilight replied.

The smile on the red Pony's face faded as he got to his hoofs and approached her. "Spike told me what happened back in Canterlot, about how you were attacked and how the Elements were stolen. The Stallions that he told me about...was it the same Stallions back at the Everfree Forest?"

Twilight cast a quick glance towards Spike before replying. "Yes it was..." She said, which caused Starlight to frown a little. "But don't worry, they didn't hurt me. The worst thing I got was a headache, that's it, you don't have to worry about me Starlight, I'm perfectly fine."

Starlight nodded before sitting back down next to Spike. "I understand. I just...I just wish I was there when it all happened. If I was...I...I could have...I could have..." He stopped and looked at the floor, clenching his eyes shut in order to stop the tears that were threatening to show. "I could have done something to stop them!"

Twilight exchanged a quick worried look with Spike before slowly walking over to the red Pony. She sat down next to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder. "It's ok Starlight. Not even Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were able to do much yesterday, besides, it's a good thing you weren't there, you would have been hurt."

Facing her again, Starlight said, "What about Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the three of them were foalnapped and I-"

"Don't!" Twilight said out loud, silencing Starlight. "You weren't there when that happened so don't you dare try and blame yourself for that!" She said, her tone still slightly loud.

Starlight looked back at the floor and sighed. Twilight noticed he was still blaming himself and continued. "Stop taking the blame for something that clearly wasn't your fault Starlight. The situation at Canterlot was far more serious than you think, and Blitz Bolt foalnapping the fillies was definitely not your fault because you weren't there at the time. There was no way you could have known what was going on."

Blitz Bolt, the name of the one who foalnapped the fillies. Starlight swore he would never forget that name. He then recalled the events that took place just outside the Everfree Forest, causing him to let out a sad sigh. "Twilight...I'm useless. I couldn't even stop those Stallions back at the Everfree Forest, back when we first met them."

"We didn't expect any of that to happen at the time Starlight..."

Twilight shook her head as she remembered that conversation she had with him, how he was beating himself up and blaming himself and wishing he was there to protect her. She didn't understand if he was trying to prove something to her, if he was trying to prove to her that he wasn't as useless as he thought he was. Even though she made herself clear when she said he wasn't useless, he still continued to beat himself up over everything that happened. She really felt sorry for the Earth Pony, wishing there was something she could do to make him stop beating himself up. As she was deep in thought, she remembered her last conversation with him when he woke up...

"Twilight...?"

Twilight threw her forelegs around him and hugged him tightly. "I was so worried about you!"

Starlight was surprised by this action and decided to return it by placing his own forelegs around her. "I...I'm sorry..."

Slowly pulling back, Twilight looked into his eyes with a confused expression and said, "What are you sorry for?"

"Because of me..." He stopped for a moment when he noticed her crown sitting on the small desk next to the bed. He then turned his attention towards the other five mares that were standing not far behind her, giving him a look of concern. He noticed they still had their Elements aswell. "Because of me...we nearly lost the Elements."

Once more, Twilight threw her forelegs around him, pulling him into a tight hug. "I don't care about that! I'm just glad you're okay!"

She was not lying, she was really glad that he was okay. If he had died back then, Twilight would have broken down in tears. If anything she started blaming herself for Starlight's injuries. She blamed herself for not being able to stop Metal Wing, she believed that if her magic were more powerful, she probably could have ended everything right there. But then, she started asking herself, could she actually bring herself to take a life, even if it was somepony like Metal Wing?

As she thought about Starlight again, she suddenly became curious when she remembered something he was trying to say to her.

"I guess I should just be lucky that I'm still alive."

"Yes, and that's all that matters." Twilight replied softly as she placed a hoof on his shoulder, causing the red Pony to blush.

Facing her again, Starlight noticed that their faces were just inches away from each other. He could see right into her beautiful violet coloured eyes, and he could tell that there was still a look of worry in them.

Leaning forward, Starlight decided to tell her something he'd been wanting to tell her for a while now. "Twilight?"

"Yes?" She replied softly.

He leaned in closer. "I...Twilight I...I l-"

The conversation back then was cut off when Dusk had showed up. Twilight was really curious now, what was it that Starlight was going to say to her?

Hearing the muffled voices from inside the throne room, Twilight decided to head back inside, making a mental note to go and see Starlight again and hopefully find out what it was that he wanted to say to her.

As she walked back into the throne room, she noticed that the castle maids and chefs were present and were currently placing various dishes and cloches all on the table.

Before she could walk any further, a voice caught her attention. "Twilight Sparkle..."

She turned to the source of the voice and was surprised by who was standing in front her. Magister Burning Mace. "I noticed that you were sitting out on the balcony by yourself, is something troubling you?"

Burning Mace was the last Pony Twilight expected to speak to her, she was so surprised in fact, that she was unable to reply. Burning Mace looked at the floor for a moment before continuing. "I understand that you are slightly surprised that I am suddenly speaking to you, and I don't really blame you if you don't wish to speak to me. I admit, I have been rather harsh as of late."

That was an understatement. Twilight Sparkle didn't say that however and merely nodded at the Magister's words.

"If you can spare a moment, I'd actually like to speak with you in private Princess. I'd like to think that everything I said about you was wrong, if you have the time that is." Burning Mace said.

Twilight couldn't see his expression due to his manticore looking helmet but she could tell by his sincere tone that he really wanted to make up for his harsh attitude earlier. She gave him a warm smile and said, "Of course, lead the way Magister."

Burning Mace nodded and opened the throne room doors with his magic, he exited, followed by Twilight, who closed the doors on her way out.

Shining Armor and Cadence exchanged looks as they saw the two leave, wondering what it was that Burning Mace wanted to speak to her about.

They weren't the only ones who noticed the two leave however, Dusk, Black Lance and Sky Shadow were looking at each other aswell, the three of them, aswell Shining Armor and Cadence, knew that Burning Mace detested the Princesses. They couldn't help but be suspicious of his sudden change of heart, if that was the only way of putting it.

Celestia and Luna continued to sit in silence as the chefs and maids continued to place the dishes on the tables. While they were happy that the banquet was underway, it didn't help enough with the thought of the oncoming war. Soon enough, Ponies would be dying and homes would be getting destroyed, the very thought of these things happening in the future did nothing to help ease their minds.

"Hey Fluttershy, you're still not sulking about losing your Element are you?" Rainbow Dash asked, catching the sister's attention.

Fluttershy looked away from the cyan Pegasus as she approached her. "I..." She stopped, unable to tell them what she really did back in the Everfree Forest.

"Oh cheer up Fluttershy! I'm sure we'll get your Element back eventually! We always win in the end right?!" Pinkie Pie said with her usual cheery smile.

Again, Fluttershy just remained motionless and said nothing.

Celestia and Luna, curiosity piqued, got up from their seats and approached the shy Pegasus. "Fluttershy, if isn't too much trouble, could you perhaps tell us exactly what happened during your search?"

Shining Armor was about to speak up, until Luna raised a hoof, silencing him. "We know Shining Armor. Vanisher was there at the time and he almost killed you..." She turned back to Fluttershy and gave her a sympathetic look. "I understand that Vanisher is a most powerful foe Fluttershy, Celestia and I experienced his power first-hoof for ourselves. The other Element bearers told us how they managed to get theirs back, we would merely like to know how your own search went."

Fluttershy was really hoping they wouldn't come back to this topic. She remembered everything that happened during her search, she couldn't find the confidence however to tell them what she did.

"Vanisher are you okay?"

Vanisher slowly looked up at her before resting his head on the ground again.

She knew how dangerous he was, and she knew he was the enemy. But now that she looked at how weak, injured and defenceless he was right now, she couldn't let him suffer from those injuries, even if the blank expression on his face said otherwise.

"Hold on...hold on Vanisher..." Fluttershy said as she put her small bag down, thankful she still had it. She took out the bandages and walked back over to the silent Unicorn. "I'm here to help...ok?"

Vanisher just looked up at her again before letting his head fall to the ground.

Fluttershy started with the upper parts of his forelegs. She gently wrapped the bandages around his forelegs until she was no longer able to see the cuts. She then moved to his left hind leg, which had a slightly large gash on it. She wasted no time in wrapping this one up, as it looked just as bad as the deep cuts on his chest.

The shy Pegasus gently picked Vanisher up and placed him on his back so she could get a better look at the cuts. She started wrapping the bandages around his chest and the lower part of his neck. The blood was staining the bandages a little so she continued to wrap more around him until she was no longer able to see any blood.

Finally, she moved to his head. She sat down and gently placed his head on her lap as she started wrapping the bandages around the top of his head. Since he already had the wound on his head when he showed up, she made sure to wrap extra bandages around it.

Fluttershy looked up at the Princesses nervously, completely stricken with fear. If she told them that she helped Vanisher, they would most likely be furious with her, and there was a possibility that she would be thrown in the dungeon for helping one of their enemies.

All eyes in the throne room were now suddenly on her, as if she wasn't pressured enough. "I..." Fluttershy tried to speak but couldn't, still too afraid to say what really happened. She could lie, but she would never be able to live with herself if she told a lie to her friends and the Princesses. Shining Armor himself nearly died because of Vanisher, and if she told them what happened, he too would most likely be mad at her.

Her friends and the Princesses noticed the scared expression on her face, and Celestia, being the caring and loving Princess she was known to be, gently placed her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder and said, "There's nothing to be afraid of dear Fluttershy. Whatever it is that happened that has you so nervous, I promise you, none of us will hold anything against you for it. Please, tell us what happened. How did you lose your Element?"

Her calm and caring tone calmed the shy Pegasus down a bit, but despite even that, Fluttershy still couldn't find the confidence to tell them what happened. She had just about given up, until...

"I don't believe that's something you need to worry about anymore, Princess."

That familiar, slightly cold toned voice, forced everypony, even all of the guards in the throne room, to swiftly turn around.

A tall blue Pegasus slowly entered the throne room from the outside balcony that Twilight previous stood on.

Upon identifying him, all of Celestia and Luna's guards swiftly rushed in front of the Princesses and raised their spears at the Pegasus, while Dusk's guards remained where they stood, watching curiously.

Rarity turned to Celestia and said, "P-Princess, perhaps you should tell the guards to stand down. I don't think he-" She stopped when Celestia raised a hoof.

Knowing their guards were most likely about to charge, Celestia turned back to the Pegasus with a confused and curious expression.

"Why are you here, Cloud Hunter?"