Celestia admired the purple egg sitting comfortably within the bed of flames and ashes. She knew it was getting close to its hatching time, seven hundred or so years having passed already. The mare shook her head, marvelling at how time seemed to fly. It seemed like only yesterday her father had dropped it off with her on that faithful Luna’s Day, and now she was looking forward to what kind of dragonette would hatch. Would it be a boy or a girl? Kind or mean? Smart or stupid?

Of course, given that it was her father’s egg she suspected that he or she would be kind. Added to that was that dragons learned ‘through the shell’ so the mare had taken the time every day for the last seven hundred years to read to him/her in the hopes that he would be intelligent. Still, regardless of anything else, Celestia would love her little brother or sister and do her best to raise him or her.

“Your majesty I hate to interrupt your morning ritual, but there’s a situation developing that we believe you should be aware of,” a familiar voice spoke out from behind her.

Celestia turned away from the egg and her eyes took in the handsome sight of one of her personal guards; Tornado Kicker. Tornado was a black furred pegasus stallion from the Kicker Military Clan, a long time component of her guard.

“It’s fine Tornado,” Celestia said with a small shrug. “My brother or sister has probably grown tired of my voice as it is.”

“I’m not sure if that’s possible your Majesty,” Tornado replied with a small wink. Celestia smiled, she’d always enjoyed having him in her ranks. It was refreshing to have somepony who was enough of a stallion to flirt with her. The blue eyed stallion grinned a little and then became a bit more sober. “Anyways, we’ve discovered the existence of another alicorn.”

“What?!” Celestia exclaimed, her voice unexpectedly tense. But it’s far too early for Luna’s return! she thought to herself frantically, her mind racing a mile a minute. Aloud she added. “Is it my sister?”

Tornado shook his head as he began to lead her towards... one of the hangers. “No Ma’am. It’s just a filly,” he replied.

“A filly? How young is she?” Celestia asked.

“Ten years old your Majesty,” Tornado answered. “And no, we have no idea how we were unaware of her existence until now.”

Celestia closed her eyes for a moment and let out a long sigh. “How did we find out about her?”

“Her father passed away recently and she was put up for adoption,” Tornado told her as they neared the hanger. “Apparently the adoption service decided that her ‘condition’ was important enough to call the guard and following Procedure 1029 we have brought her here.”

“Ah... yes,” Celestia said with a small nod.

Procedure 1029 had been designed to make sure that any foal or filly with an extraordinary ability was brought to her, mostly to ensure that they didn’t cause any damage with said ability.

Over the years she had trained seven Alpha+ unicorn mages found in the outskirts of Equestria thereby saving them and everypony around them from dangerous surges. She’d also managed to find ten pegasi who had gone onto become either Wonderbolts or Royal Guards, of which Tornado was one who had been aptly named as it turned out. Finally, and most surprisingly she’d uncovered an earth pony who had somehow discovered the secrets of Chaos Magic.

Still, in all her years she had never dreamed that there would be another alicorn uncovered... this promised to be interesting.

“What condition is the poor dear in?” Celestia asked, her mind turning maternal.

“Well, her father died two days ago and she was just ‘abducted’ by four armoured guard ponies and whisked away to a strange and unfamiliar city far away from anypony she knows and is about to meet a ‘goddess’. You tell me,” Tornado replied snarkily.

Celestia looked at him dryly. “Thank you Tornado,” she said flatly.

“You’re welcome your Majesty,” he replied with a small chuckle. “Honestly though, she seems better then you’d expect.”

“How so?” Celestia asked.

“She’s dry eyed for the most part, I guess her father had cancer of some kind so his death wasn’t exactly unexpected,” Tornado answered. “According to the adoption service she explained to them that she’d come to terms with it.”

Celestia frowned. “I highly doubt that a ten year old is beyond the grief of losing her father,” she said.

“Oh I’m sure,” Tornado agreed with a small nod. “But she’s good at hiding it apparently, though she has been heard crying at night so...”

“I see,” Celestia said with a small nod as they entered into the hanger. “And when is she expected to get here?”

“Within the next few minutes,” the guard answered. “They sent a dispatch flyer to make sure that you were prepared.”

Celestia smiled internally, good, her guard were very considerate of her.

“Hmm...” Celestia hummed. “What is this filly’s name?”

“Mi Amore Cadenza,” Tornado answered. “Apparently her family is distantly related to some form of nobility.”

“Thank you Tornado,” Celestia said, her mind already spinning into action. “I’ll have to reward you for your splendid job handling this.”

“Just spending time near you is reward enough for me,” he replied without a trace of irony, though he smiled a little slyly.

“Even so I feel there must be something I can do,” Celestia mused as she shot him a raised eyebrow. “I’ll think on it.”

Any further conversation was interrupted by the sight of a sky carriage descending towards the metal hanger. It was a sleek steel design, it’s underside a light blue interspaced with spots of white. Pulling it were three armoured pegasi, though the Queen barely paid them any mind. Instead her gaze was ensnared by the young pink filly riding in the seat behind them.

Her mane was multi colored, most of them different hues of pink while a pair of bright, intelligent eyes took in everything in front of them. As the carriage neared Celestia could make out the horn as well as the slight wings that sprouted from her back.

Beneath the curiosity Celestia’s old age saw something else. She looked... afraid. And why shouldn’t she be? For all she knew she was about to be sentenced to death or some such... though Celestia frankly had no idea why foals and fillies would think such things.

The carriage came to a smooth halt on the metal floor and one of the guards unstrapped himself from the harness and walked around to the side and opened the door to the carriage.

“Come along little one, it’s time to meet the Queen,” the guard said in a gentle tone. The little filly stayed frozen there in the carriage, her eyes staring at Celestia fearfully. Celestia sighed internally, that was the problem with being viewed as a Goddess... ponies feared you.

“It’s quite alright little one,” Celestia said as she stepped forwards. “I am Queen Celestia and I’m overjoyed to meet you.”

The filly continued to stare at her with fear.

“Come now, you aren’t just going to sit in that seat all day are you?” Celestia asked as she took another step forwards. Tornado, when was the last time she ate? she suddenly sent a probe into the stallion’s mind.

Five hours ago your Majesty, the team flew through the night, he answered, long used to such a communication.

Meanwhile, young Cadenza continued to look apprehensive, unsure of what to say or do. She was from a border town where Celestia was practically worshiped and as such was overwhelmed with a bad case of ‘the nerves’.

Celestia gave Tornado a mental rebuff. They flew through the night without stopping for her to eat breakfast?

I would have forbade it personally, Tornado told her. But as it stands, yes, yes they did.

A small sigh worked its way out of Celestia as her horn began to glow faintly, causing Cadenza’s eyes to widen in fear... and then suddenly widen in surprise as a large cinnamon roll, dripping with white cream cheese icing appeared on a plate floating in front of the Queen.

“If you come out of the carriage I promise you can have this cinnamon roll,” Celestia told her sweetly.

Cadenza stared at the cinnamon roll for a moment, her mouth beginning to water before her eyes turned up towards Celestia. “Really?” she asked in a small tone.

“Really,” Celestia answered with a smile and a nod.

Slowly, as if her every movement was being judged, Cadenza got out of the carriage and began to walk towards her. Celestia continued to smile encouragingly as the filly cautiously approached. As she drew within a foot of Celestia the elder alicorn’s smile grew even bigger.

“There now, that wasn’t so bad; was it little one?” she asked, an unexpected note of tenderness leaking into her voice.

“I... no,” Cadenza said softly, to Celestia’s ears even in its nervous tone, young Cadenza had a beautiful voice.

“It was still brave of you though,” Celestia added, her smile somehow becoming even warmer. “And do you know what bravery deserves?”

“A... reward?” Cadenza asked, her eyes hopeful.

“Of course,” Celestia answered with a wide smile. “Now are you capable of lifting this plate and pulling off chunks or shall I do it for you?”

“I umm... I can do it,” Cadenza replied as her horn began to glow faintly and her magic touched against Celestia’s.

The elder alicorn’s eyes widened imperceptibly at the touch. There was great strength hidden there, enough for Cadenza to be an Alpha+ level magic user. She wasn’t as strong as Celestia of course, nor Luna... but even if she wasn’t an alicorn Celestia would have seen her eventually, one way or another.

As the thoughts drifted through Celestia’s head she relinquished control of the plate and it floated down to hover next to Cadenza who quickly used her magic to tear off a chunk of the roll and plop it in her mouth. Celestia wished she had a camera to capture the look of rapture that followed the moment the pastry came into contact with Cadenza’s tonge. The surprise and pleasure were so intense that she dropped the plate and the cinnamon roll. Luckily Celestia’s magic caught it before it could hit the ground.

Cadenza blushed furiously, white icing coating her lips.

“I-I’m sorry my-my Queen,” she stuttered. “It’s just-that-that’s the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted and-and-”

“Shush little one,” Celestia told her as she bent down to wrap her wings around the poor little filly and pulled her into a hug. Cadenza froze and stayed frozen in her grasp. “Little one, you may hug me back,” Celestia whispered. “I won’t judge you and I know what it’s like to lose those you love.”

The filly was stiff in her grasp for another second before she buried herself in the majestic white fur and began to weep softly. Celestia held onto her, making comforting sounds while she mentally commanded Tornado.

Get the guest room put together for her, the unused one in my suite, she told him. Then tell Iron Talon to get to work on the best breakfast he’s ever made. Finally, cancel my appointments for the day.

Aye Ma’am, the pegasus said, snapping her a salute, not bothering to tell her that it wasn’t his job to do any of that. He’d see that it was done.

Meanwhile, the young filly was still crying and Celestia scooped her up in her magic, which she hardly noticed, and held her close to her chest as she began to walk towards her suite. Cadenza didn’t stop crying until Celestia lay down on her large bed and the filly felt the unfamiliar feeling of soft clean sheets on her fur. She looked up from Celestia’s chest, snot and tears running down her face.

“Is-is this real life?” she asked in a broken tone.

“Why yes, I do believe it was last time I checked,” Celestia answered her with a smile as she used a magic propelled handkerchief to wipe away the accumulated filth from her face.

Cadenza sniffled once more but a small smile appeared on her face as well. “It’s just... this shouldn’t be happening.”

“Whyever not?” Celestia inquired with a raised eyebrow as her kerchief continued its work.

“Well... you’re the Queen aren’t you?” Cadenza asked. “Doesn’t that mean that you should hate me?”

“I am indeed the Queen,” Celestia answered. “Though I do not see a reason to hate you anywhere.”

“But... I’m an- ali-alico-alicorn,” Cadenza stuttered out. “That... that means that you’ll hate me and try to kill me because I-I- I’m a threat to your power.”

Celestia stared at her for a moment before her voice lowered. “Little one, I need you to tell me exactly who told you that,” she said softly though there was a small hint of anger in the very back of her throat.

“My... my father,” Cadenza answered softly. “He... he told me all my life that I had to keep my wings hidden or else ponies would think I was a freak... and then they’d chase me out into the woods. Or if you saw me that you’d want to k-ki-kill me.”

“Oh you poor little filly,” Celestia said, reaching out and dragging Cadenza to her chest once more. “I would never hurt any of my little ponies, you most especially,” she added in a soft voice.

“Re-really?” Cadenza asked her uncertainly.

“Really,” Celestia answered, leaning down and bestowing a light kiss on her forehead.

Cadenza froze again, but this time it was in complete surprise... the almost unconditional love that was flowing off of Celestia was...almost overpowering for the young filly... yet she basked in it like a flower in the sun

Celestia nuzzled the young filly for a bit longer before she withdrew her muzzle. As she did so, she noticed that a light pink glow was emitting from the filly’s coat.

“Are you alright dear?” she asked her. “You’re... glowing pink.”

Cadenza looked down and saw that she was indeed glowing. “Oh... that just happens when I sense lots of love.”

“You can sense love?” Celestia asked, her interest peaked.

“I... um yes,” Cadenza answered with a swift yet uncertain nod. “It’s... my... thing.”

“I see,” Celestia said, nodding a tiny bit.

“It’s not... weird is it?” Cadenza asked worriedly.

“Not at all, I personally find it rather adorable,” Celestia replied with a gentle smile as she bent down to give the filly another kiss. “Now then, I feel like it’s time you tell me your name. We skipped that part.”

“Oh dear,” Cadenza replied as a hot blush rolled across her face. “I... I hadn’t realized. That was quite rude of me.”

“Think nothing of it,” Celestia told her kindly. “Now go on.”

“I’m... my name is... Mi Amore Cadenza... but... my friends call me Cadence,” she said quietly. “I... you are my friend right?”

“Of course,” Celestia replied, nodding her stately head. “So long as you wish me to be.”

Cadence smiled, she sensed truth in the words. There was a sudden knock on the door and the elder alicorn looked away from the younger one for a moment.

“Yes?” she called.

“Your ‘best breakfast ever made’ is here,” Tornado’s slightly muffled voice came from the other side of it.

“Oh, bring it in then Tornado,” Celestia replied.

Cadence looked up at her in confusion as the door opened and Tornado entered the room empty hooved. Thankfully following behind the pegasus, who had removed his golden helmet, was a white unicorn carrying a large golden platter piled high with the most delectable things she’d ever seen draped lavishly across it. There were pancakes and waffles, eggs and omelettes, tarts and sweet rolls.

The filly stared dumbstruck at the platter, her mouth moving up and down though no words were coming out.

“It would seem Iron Talon has outdone himself again,” Celestia observed as she used her magic to take the platter as well as the stand out of the unicorn’s ‘hooves’. “Thank you, Bell Hop, you can go.”

The unicorn gave her a small bow before departing leaving Tornado standing there with a small smile on his face.

“And for me your Majesty?” he asked her.

“I believe you know how to guard the door,” Celestia answered with a small smile.

“Aye Ma’am,” he replied before giving Cadence a smile and walking out the door again.

“He... loves you,” Cadence said with a small frown.

“I know,” Celestia stated with a small sigh. “And I love him as well.”

Cadence frowned as she looked at Celestia, her head tilted slightly to the side.

“You do... but it’s... different,” she replied, her brows furrowing in confusion. “With him it’s like... you’re his entire world. With you it’s like... it’s like.... like you love him but not... argg.... this is hard.”

Celestia looked down at the filly with a small frown. “As are most things,” she told Cadence. “As for my love... as an immortal there are certain levels of it that I can afford to give things.”

“I... don’t understand,” Cadence said, her brows furrowing yet again. “Love is love and if you love someone then they should love you right back... right?”

Celestia just sighed. “I will explain it to you later little one, for now, our breakfast is getting cold,” she said with a small chuckle.

Cadence’s eyes widened as she realized that and Celestia was then treated to the sight of a filly eating her own body weight in breakfast. Then as Celestia finished a honey bun the little filly let out a yawn and her eyes closed as she lay down beside the alicorn. Celestia looked down at Cadence with an odd expression on her face. It was a mixture of a motherly concern and ... nostalgia.

Author's Notes:

So, here's your second chapter boys and girls. I hope you like it.