Chapter Twelve: New Beginnings

Talon sighs as he looks over the tables within the hangar, seeing all of the instrument clusters laid out on the surfaces. Some are open to let the moisture dry out, while others are too far gone and needing to be replaced entirely. He takes a draw off of his cigarette and exhales a stream of smoke, shaking his head.

"Ya know boss, I reckon that these fine colts in here ought to have the old girl back up and flight ready for our grand performance, ya hear?" The bronze coated earth stallion comments, chewing on a sprig of wheat grass within his maw. "Why, we've seen this machine survive far worse, a simple bath isn't going to be too big of a problem to fix. I trained all of em youngins myself."

The pilot looks away from the parts to the stallion and nods, exhaling another stream of smoke. "It's not that simple Sledge. You and I both know all of this is delicate electrical equipment. I don't think even sunny butt could voodoo her way out of this one." He retorts coldly. "You and the team are just going to have to fly this one without me. There's no way Luna and I can put on a show with this bird." He says, motioning his hand with the still burning cigarette in it to the war machine. Looking at the aircraft, the forward section of the fuselage is opened in some areas, the nose panels removed exposing the bare, bent framework. Several sections are missing as both Earth ponies and Thestral Lunar Stallions are hard at work repairing the mighty war bird for it's flight next sunset.

Sledge Hammer sighs and shakes his head, striking a wooden match against a wall, then raising his own cigar to his lips. The olive coat stallion quietly puffs on his cigar in thought, before taking a deep draw and releasing a plume of smoke. "You need to have faith Talon. I've seen both you and this machine get out of some tougher scrapes than that splash down. We've flown together for years, and been in every engagement our princesses have called us to fight in, both of us surviving side by side. Trust me my friend, we'll have this big gal back up and flight ready in no time. She's tougher than an old boiled owl. I should know, been helpin you keep her up for years."

Talon nods, before putting out the cigarette in the sand bowl near the tool box. "Remind me again why you quit this full time to fly?"

With a harsh cough the stallion smiles, then gives the pilot a good whump in the side with his fore hoof. "Because, you crazy son of a gun. Some pony needs ta watch your back up in the sky, like you've been watchin ours." The earthen pony snickers, then takes another long draw before releasing another plume of smoke from his maw. "Now go on, scoot and spend some time with your family. We all missed you two while you were off saving the world elsewhere. Don't you worry none, I'll be sure she's right as rain before the show. Bank on it brother."

The pilot nods and gives Sledge, his wing-pony a friendly pat on the side before turning to walk out. All around him, ponies and palace staff are placing tables and decorations for the Grand Galloping Gala, while a section of the converted ballroom turned hangar was being used for repairs. The entire palace is a buzz, with incoming flights coming in throughout the day and night from the Crystal Empire, Las Pegasus and the newly built airbase in Baltimare. As he nearly reaches the doors, the earthen stallion calls out to him.

"Oh and Talon?" The pilot stops and turns, looking at Sledge. "Your sweet little ones missed you something fierce amigo. Princess Stardust was askin about her pop pop just before you fell outta the sky. Be sure you let that little treasure know that ole Boss Hog will make sure her pa fly's right, ya hear?"

With a nod, Talon smiles and turns back on his heels again, bound for Celestia's chambers, to go and finally see his beloved twins, wanting to be the first one they see when they awaken in just a few minutes with the sunrise.

"Pray tell, mother...why thy ruse? Doth thou have any incline as to what hellish nightmares mine flame and I hath endured? Was it really needed to test Nightie so quickly like that?" Luna asks staring ahead at the Goddess before her, the all mother simply stirring her coffee with an amused smile upon her muzzle, completely ignoring the night alicorn's clearly obvious irritation.

"I already told you, my silly daughter. I have no intention of explaining myself again. I did what needed to be done, because it simply needed to be. I've been watching very closely for quite some time now, and with great interest. Never once in creation has some pony so evil had the capacity to change to something so good. Without my intervention even so! I'm still amazed at just what the power of love can do, if I say so myself." The red maned beauty replies, a small smile upon her muzzle as she stares at the swirling liquid in the cup. "Don't worry, my precious little one. Everything will become quite clear very, very soon."

The dark alicorn only quirks an eyebrow, clearly not amused. "And why did thou remove mine gift from mine husband? That star was meant for him, and only him. Thou hath no rights or claim to it, and no reason to remove it from his form. Even if it does contain the soul and essence of Nightmare, thou knows she shan't survive without her energy source nearby. Thou created her when thou cast thy dark energies away to regain thy purity, yet you made her so that she may only survive when she hath a heart to feed off of."

The cream colored alicorn smiles and nods. "I can't say."

"Thou refuses, more like it." Luna retorts bitterly, her anger nearly reaching the boiling point. "Thou knoweth that errant storm swept mine love and I away to dangerous skies, even allowed us to be put through Tatarus for a time, forcing us away from our children, and then that foalish dream?! Mother! Thou art mad!"

"It had to be done, Luna." She replies cryptically, now locking her deep emerald orbs upon the night alicorn. "Don't question my motives, I knew full well what was happening, and it was the path chosen for you. You both did exemplary. Had you of been in any real danger, I myself would have intervened and put a stop to it, just as I did with Discord. I placed those challenges for you, because I knew you could overcome them. What's more, I knew you both had the strength to undo the damage my sister had allowed for her charges. Make no mistake, your trials and tribulations were both deliberate and intended, and played out exactly as they were foretold. You ran your course, and now you must both complete the task I have set before you." The all mother alights her horn, the cup carried to her lips in her soft, silver laden magic. Taking a small sip, she smiles. "I had almost forgotten just how delicious these concoctions your sister created were."

"Coffee." Luna corrects sharply, while she puffs out her cheeks in irritation, her fore legs crossed upon her barrel as she leans back in her seat. "And it was mine creation, mother. Tia had made Tea."

"Oh? Did she now? I could have sworn it was her idea to boil, then filter the liquid from the ground beans from that plant to make it taste better. Your idea was to simply allow the beans to soak in water, and dry them out in cakes to eat. How many different attempts did you make on that recipe? I'm afraid I lost count after the ten thousandth one." She muses, smiling gently at the midnight alicorn.

"Eleven thousand, one hundred and thirteen." She replies, her cheeks flushing red. "And please don't remind me of those failures, I still get sick when I think of some of them." Luna rises to her hooves, turning away quickly and huffing in annoyance, shooing a lock of sapphire mane from her muzzle. With a sigh she shakes her head. "Mother...you had no right to do any of this. You should have left our lives be in this case. Whatever it was Nightie was to become, you were wrong for ending her in such a way." She says as she's walking out, her hoof steps heavy from fatigue.

The all mother quietly sips her drink, rolling the bauble around in her magic as she stares into the flickering mist lazily circling the star. A soft, knowing smile crosses her lips as she sees the energy continuing to fade within it, being starved without it's fuel source close by. "Oh Luna...you should know this is far from over...in time you'll come to understand why I did what needed to be."

Luna's hooves quietly clack against the marble floors of the grand halls, leading to the solar wing of the palace. As she rounds a corner she sees her flame up ahead just a short distance, increasing her speed to reach him. Her hoof steps echo into the air as she trots, rapidly catching up. With a tired huff, she ducks her head under his arm and nuzzles deeply into his side.

"How'd things go with your mom?" He asks, taking pause to stroke her mane and back. "You get any of the answers you were after?"

"Neigh, mine love." Luna sighs with irritation. She looks up, locking her jade eyes with his. "Nor would she explain why she felt the need to remove your bauble from you. All she stated was that she had some featherbrained reason, and wouldn't go into detail."

Talon stood uneasy for a moment, his hand drifting up around the collar of his uniform jacket, absently searching for the bauble without thought. Having of worn this gift from Luna for years, he felt naked without it, a sense of loss overtaking him when the Goddess had forcefully removed it from his neck. It was as if a part of his very soul was being torn in two from its being taken.

The midnight alicorn notices his hand, her eyes seeing his appear staring off for a moment. She lets out a soft discontented sigh under her breath and nuzzles his chest lovingly. "It is alright mine love, I am sure mother had her reasons...I give thee mine word, I shalt delve into this matter deeply, even if I must take back that which is yours by force if I must."

He silently nods, his eyes still staring off into space as the thoughts of all they have endured race through his mind. The unwelcoming other world, Baol, the demons keep that held his greatest enemy ever faced, thoughts of Jason and his Nightmare, even a stray thought of wondering if Chris and that immature excuse for a Sunny Butt knock off had patched things up. His thoughts are pulled away when he feels Luna's hoof pressing into him, shaking him back to reality.

"Mine flame, Tia shall be raising the sun any moment, if we wish to be the ones to awaken our children, we must go now." She calmly states, her eyes displaying her deep concern for her lover. "I have missed our children so...I want to see them."

The pilot nods again and smiles, the two turning and resuming their course down the hall to reach Celestia's chambers. As they round the corner a short distance away, they find Princess Celestia already waiting for them just outside her doors. The white alicorn stands with a smile, her form adorning her favorite fluffy, white robe embroidered with her cutie mark on the pockets.

"Good morning you two...how are you feeling?" She asks, stepping to them and brushing past the guards. She walks in a circle around them as the pair comes to a stop, her soft, magenta eyes tracing them over. "It looks like you're alright...mother was always very thorough with her healing magic."

Talon sighs, shaking his head. "We're patched up and physically fine, but I'm still exhausted. That doctor of yours seen the need to use me as a pin cushion after your mom left, and Angel and I haven't really had much of a moment to rest all night."

The midnight alicorn nods tiredly, her own eyes betraying her own exhaustion. "Mine flame is correct, Tia. After we were released from the palace infirmary, it would seem every pony felt the insatiable desire to speak with us. Mine love had gone to check on our machine, whilst I had to speak with mother about her game. Thou has no idea what we hath been through these past moonrises." She sighs and brushes away a lock of her mane from her muzzle and eyes again, letting out an annoyed grumble. "We have not even had a moment to bathe yet, as thou can see." She groans out, lifting an open wing and displaying the dirt and scorching from their battles, the sand from the beach, and patches of blackened sulfur staining her coat and feathers.

Celestia quirks an eyebrow, looking over Luna carefully. "Your magic must be very drained for you to slip into this form, lulu. Would you two rather rest for now, and come see the twins after you've had a few hours’ sleep? I would be delighted to watch them for a while longer."

"Absolutely not!" The pilot and alicorn say in unison, extreme tension in both of their voices. Celestia slinks back slightly with an amused smile. The pilot clears his throat, looking at Luna for a moment, then back to the elder white alicorn.

"They've waited long enough. We have waited long enough. I don't give a damn how tired I am, there is no force on this planet that's keeping me from them a moment longer." He says with absolution, grinning.

Luna smiles, nodding happily. "Mine husband is right, mine sister. We wish to see them with all due haste." Hearing this, Celestia's smile only grows, as her heart swells within her barrel.

"Well then, let's not delay any further!" She jubilantly says, stepping forwards and embracing the pair within her forelegs. " You two can tell me all about what happened over breakfast. They're still asleep, so go on in and wake them up after I raise the sun." She states, turning away and pushing the door open with her fore hoof.

The three enter the room silently, the chambers illuminated only by faint candle light. The sound of water pouring into the bath is heard, the water quietly filling the royal washroom, made ready for the twin fillies morning ritual. Luna's heart nearly stops within her chest as she turns, seeing their children. The twins, Stardust Kiss and Moonlight Way lay together, both resting peacefully and close together under the covers of the large, ornate bed. Stardust Kiss holds her sister snugly, a wing draped over the smaller indigo filly, carefree, warm expressions upon their muzzles as they slumber.

Celestia quietly exits to the balcony, opening the doors silently and stepping out. Luna and Talon both look at each other for a moment, before the midnight alicorn leans against her love and wraps a wing around him in a comforting embrace. His hand comes to the side of her delicate throat and gives her a gentle stroke, before he moves away and comes to a seat on the edge of the bedside.

The midnight alicorn follows closely, coming to a rest on her rump and propping her fore hooves upon the plush mattress. Light begins to filter through the windows as dawn comes over the horizon, the warm, gentle rays of Celestia's sun bringing a soft illumination into the chambers, giving the sleeping children a near angelic appearance as they dream sweet dreams in peace.

The pair wait in silence, only sounds of the fillies quiet snores and occasional ear flicks are heard, several minutes passing before the rays of the morning sun reach the four posted bed and bathe the twins in a gentle glow, causing them to stir and slowly awaken. Luna watches intently, her eyes watering and tearing up as she sees the happiest sight ever before her. Her greatest treasures, her absolute most important aspect of her life.

Moonlight way is the first to slowly open her eyes, sitting up slowly and pushing her sisters wing off of her. She rises to her rump, yawning a cute, small yawn as she rubs her eyes with her fore hooves, tiredly looking around. She has not noticed her parents yet. Stardust grumbles, her heat source and snuggle companion removed from her, as the blasted rays of the morning sun threaten to rip her from the sweet embrace of rest. The black alicorn filly re-positions her wing over her eyes, and groans, letting out a loud, discontented snort.

Seeing and hearing this, Talon can't help but let out a small, subtle chuckle as he reaches forward with his left hand, gently running his fingers through her mane under her small feathery wing, giving a soft scratch to her scalp to awaken her. Moonlight hears the sound, her head snapping to the direction, before her eyes go wide with excitement and realization. Her parents have returned home.

Under the gloom and gentle glow of the moonlight, the black alicorn slowly stirs, her ears swiveling lazily as the world around her comes into focus. Sounds reach her sensitive ears unfamiliar to her, the call of a strange bird, the sounds of crickets quietly playing a midnight serenade, the sounds of running water flowing serenely through a stream nearby. The sweet scent of the freshest grass she has ever smelled dances in her nose, with even sweeter scents upon the light breeze in the cool evening air.

Nightmare inhales a deep breath, her mind hazily processing all of the new sensations, the dampness of the dew upon her silken coat, the warm breath cascading from her maw to her fore hooves, and the dull prickly feeling within her right wing from laying upon it with all of her weight. She allows herself a gentle smile as her eyes remain closed, enjoying the sounds of the world around her. It's when she hears a soft, melodic giggle ring into her ears, she opens her eyes groggily and tries to move, the world quickly now coming into focus.

Her eyes flutter open, the dark alicorn's teal orbs zeroing in on the sound quickly, nearly causing her to jump straight out of her fur. Resting on her belly with her long, spindly legs tucked under herself, lay the cream colored terror Nightie feared more than anything. She shoots up in absolute shock, breathing hard with her heart thundering within her barrel, threatening to burst out of it and keep running after it escapes her form.

The cream colored Goddess only giggles louder in her joy, seeing the sight she exactly expected. reaching up slowly with her fore hoof, she covers her maw and blushes with her amusement. "I see you're just as jumpy as ever. And you looked so endearing sleeping so peacefully, Obsolescence." After a moment of reigning in her light hearted mirth, she smiles serenely and focuses her vibrant emerald eyes upon the black alicorn mare before her, returning her foreleg under herself. "You can calm down, you will not be harmed here." Her smile widens as she speaks softly, the melody of her voice both soothing and as gentle as the softest breath of wind in all of creation. "Do you know where you are?"

Nightie looks around for a moment, before her ears droop. She lowers her head as she comes to a rest upon her rump, letting out a defeated sigh. "The night side of the Garden of Eden, the place of honor for only those worthy of your highest praise and glory in Heofon." She answers, her voice a shaken, haunted whisper. Her teal draconic orbs tear up, a small droplet that shimmers like a diamond rolling down her cheek and dropping to the ground. "Even groveling upon my knees, I don't belong in the presence of this place."

The all mother nods, a gentle, serene smile still upon her features. "You're almost right, this is the very place you named. You do rest within the most secluded and sacred of all within my garden, all of which perhaps a small hoof full of souls have graced over the ages of time." She responds. "But it is my right to name whom shall be worthy of it."

Nightie shakes her head slowly, her wings twitching as she fights back the sobs wracking her body. Her chest heaves as a wave of bitter remorse and despair crash throughout her heart and mind, twisting and rending her soul in pure sorrow. "So this is the end for me after all I see..." She whispers.

The cream colored alicorn flicks her ears attentively, still watching the smaller black alicorn before her in amusement. She silently draws a breath within her, before she rises to her hooves, her wings slowly spreading open. She moves quietly, her steps not making a single sound as they pass over the damp, plush, green grass, taking a seat beside Nightmare as she extends and drapes her right wing carefully and lovingly over her. "I can recall a time when all you wished to do was burn this heavenly place to ash, if only to watch the fires within your own soul consume it for the sake of removing it from every pony else." She comments.

Nightmare freezes and tenses under the gentle wing encircling her, desperately fighting the urge to leap unto the all mothers chest and cry her heart out. She wished and begged for forgiveness, wanting so badly to end the centuries of bitter hatred, if only to finally find peace within her death. She remains silent, her eyes focused forward to the ground, unable to help stop the tears blurring her vision as she continues to fight back the trembling within herself.

"Come with me, Obsolescence. Let us take a walk together. It's been a very long time since I myself have been here, and a stroll would do us both some good." She quietly states, once again rising to her hooves. She retracts her wings and holds them erect upon her form, the wings flight surfaces leaving a small ethereal trail in their wake as she slowly steps forward. As she walks, Nightie feels compelled, almost willed into following the crimson maned Goddess before her, even against her protesting mind.

The two walk in comforting silence side by side, Nightie timidly stepping and glancing about as she moves, taking in all of the new sights and sounds laid before her in utter disbelief. As they round a corner around a large white barked tree with leaves and flowers that illuminated with iridescent hues with an other-worldly gentle blue glow about the foliage, The black alicorn looks back, seeing their every step had created a trail of hoof prints within the grass that seemed to glow with gentle starlight, the tracks dimming out after a short distance and following them.

"That was a very brave and noble thing you did within my test. You performed and exceeded my very best expectations of you throughout your trials and tribulations. I'm very proud of you, Obsolescence." The cream colored alicorn states, before coming to a stop by an apple tree. She glances up and rears upon her hind legs, grasping a branch within her maw. With a gentle shake of her head, two large, golden apples fall from the trees branches, both coming to a stop midair before the pair. The all mother returns to her hooves and takes them within her magic, holding out one for Nightie, the other she claims for herself. "Eat, you require sustenance, my daughter."

Nightie obeys, grasping the fruit within her fore hooves. She comes to a rest upon her haunches, bringing the apple to her maw. She bites in, the dark alicorn's razor sharp teeth effortlessly breaking through the skin of the golden apple, the sweet, heavenly nectar that is the apples life giving liquid dribbling out and into her mouth, some upon her lips and bare hooves. As if of their own violation, the nightmare alicorn's eyes close as she savors the sweet taste of the fruit for the very first time in her life, relishing and reveling in the indescribable feeling and flavor of it. She eats in silence, waiting and listening for the all mother to continue speaking.

The all mother quietly consumes the apple, core and all as she chews thoughtfully, her eyes remaining focused on Nightmare. Drawing in a gentle breath, she finally speaks. "You evolved beyond your station, Obsolescence. You exceeded my expectations in every way, and performed exemplary. So it is because you have indeed changed with the power of love...I have decided to make you an offer. Free will is the greatest gift I could have ever conceived for creation, and it is today that you have the right to make a choice."

She pauses for a moment, a soft, gentle smile crossing her muzzle. "You have not only saved countless lives...but placed your own life at risk to save a world, fought against my very own sister Macha...and above all else, you fell in love. All of which I had foreseen, but never truly believed would come. I am very happy to see that you did so well, my precious treasure."

Nightie speaks, finishing her apple finally. Her belly feels warmed and genial, for the first time in her years, she felt satisfied, and content with everything. Looking upon the Goddess with some hope within her, she swallows hard and finds her voice. "I did...what I had believed would be the right thing to do, even knowing full well it was the Goddess of destruction." Nightie looks up. "But the love I feel within my heart has always been there for him, Morrigan. Perhaps....perhaps it stared as curious wonder, and had grown into a content infatuation...but from the moment I had seen him within my dreams I had known he was the harmony that would break the chains binding my heart."

The all mother smiles serenely, her eyes drifting to the heavens above for a moment, gazing at the stars shimmering peacefully overhead. "It's been thousands of eons since I had heard anyone speak my name, Obsolescence. The only others being Nehimane and Macha. It's comforting to me to hear it every now and then." With a soft sigh, the cream colored alicorn turns her gaze upon the Nightmare alicorn once more.

"What I offer you, is very simple. A clean slate, a fresh start, but...there's a catch." She speaks candidly, coming to a rest upon her own haunches. "Obsolescence...you may retake your mantle as the Queen of the Darkness once more, returning to your station to ferry the souls of the damned to the hell-fires of Tatarus, and to continue to strike fear upon the wicked, to help them change their ways so that they do not go to the place of fire and shadow. You will be granted eternal youth and life once more...but you must never see, or even think of the children, Luna or the human forever more. You will never know love again, for all of eternity and the grand expanse of time, until which I deem it ready to close the gates forever and seal the flames and wicked into the chasm of the abyss, and release you from that post of eternal damnation."

Nighties ears droop, her expression appearing deflated and crestfallen as she feels her heart being crushed within her barrel. She grits her teeth and squeezes her eyes shut, tears streaming down her cheeks, desperately wishing to escape this cold and silent fate. The all mother takes pause, and smiles once more.

"Or... your second option...you may return to the world you once knew. You may love, you may be with your herd that you have found and come to adore. You shall help raise the two gifts I have given to Equestria, to teach them of honor, life and light. But...you shall not be granted eternity as so. Your life will be bound to the human, your heart and soul to him. Though you may walk freely among them, you will grow old...and you will die, just as he does. Though you shall have a long life, you will eventually come to see me again, where I shall judge you according to your works. You will share in his pain, you will feel his every ache and sorrow. When he bleeds, your blood shall also be spilled upon the soil below your hooves. You will be the death of him. The source of your life, will be his vital energy that keeps breath within him. Your mantle, shall be that of his reaper. Your final task will be to ferry him to the gates of Heofon, where he will take his place in Neamh, and find his final rest for his valor. It is up to you, if you shall be joining him and Luna when they pass." She finishes.

The nightmare alicorn perks up her ears. "What do you mean...when Luminescence passes? You have stolen her divinity from her? She is no longer immortal?" She asks, her eyes locking onto the emerald orbs of the Goddess.

Morrigan, the All Mother takes a breath again and nods, exhaling gently. "Luna had known as part of her wish, to return life to the human, she would have to share her divinity with him. Half of her soul, to make him whole. She had chosen to lead a mortal life herself, where she would also grow old with him, though they shall age slowly, they will eventually find each other in the grave together, where they both shall find glory in Neamh as a loving pair. Their children shall live on, to take the charges of the Night for their mother. Moonlight Way shall guide and carry the midnight magic and all of which is the realm of the night. Stardust Kiss...shall have the gift of the tapestry which is the heavens jewels, as well as her power to watch and protect those who have innocence within their hearts, and the mantle of being the guardian of dreams."

Nightie contemplates for a moment, before a smile crosses her lips and continues to grow. Her heart picks up its pace as it quickens within her breast, hope once more filling her. Her wings tense as she licks her lips and draws a breath, knowing what was her hearts fondest fancy. "I know my desire then, I have made my choice, Morrigan."

The cream colored Goddess raises an eyebrow with an amused grin, nodding and listening. She watches as the alicorn before her titters quietly for a moment, before a look of resolution comes to the Nightmares features.

"I choose...a mortal life." Nightie whispers, smiling serenely. Tears mat her fur upon her cheeks as she sniffles quietly, her eyes glistening under the starlight as her draconic teal orbs flicker. Nodding slowly and closing her eyes, she breathes deep the wind of Eden. "I wish to live in the Light. I want to be there for the treasures, I want to protect my family...I wish to serve my master in every way that I can, and to adore as well as be loved and adored. I want to do good, and bring justice to Equestria without harming innocence. Mother...I choose a mortal life."

With a soft, gentle smile, the goddess drapes her large elegant wings around the black alicorn, embracing her with all of her love and kindness. Morrigan's eyes close as she happily holds the alicorn before her. "Well then..."

Celestia smiles serenely as she watches at the foot of her bed, her heart finally at peace this sunrise. With the light of the dawn, a family once torn apart was reunited. Her ears pick up the hushed cries of joy, the subtle sounds of tears falling to the plush fabric of the beds comforter. Her gaze softens as she sees the children dive into the loving arms of their parents, the midnight alicorn and pilot holding the fillies for dear life as if they were afraid they would disappear the moment they let go. Her ears swivel as she hears the air foil over the wing beats of the fillies, their small feathery wings flapping aimlessly and expressing their sheer joy and excitement.

"What do you think we should do?" Twilight whispers, leaning in close to the regal white alicorn. "Should we let them be for a while, or bring them downstairs to breakfast?"

Celestia thinks quietly for a moment, a content smile still upon her muzzle. With a quiet breath, she answers, her eyes remaining fixed upon the joyous reunion. "Have breakfast brought here, Twilight. I think this is too precious of a moment to interrupt...also summon Dusty to join us. This is her family too...it's only fitting she be here for this as well."

With a nod and a soft smile of her own, the lavender alicorn rises to her own hooves and quietly steps out, walking around the bedside and to the door as she makes her way to the grand halls. Before she exits, she looks back and sees the midnight alicorn embrace the twins within her fore legs, wrapping her smaller wings around them. The primaries of her wings barely touch together now, the smaller stature of Luna more obvious now because of her form change. Twilight giggles quietly, before turning once more and exiting the room.

"Why were you gone so long papa? Why didn't you call us?" Stardust Kiss sobs out, her snout buried in the pilots torn flight jacket. She breathes deep the heavy scent of sulfur, smoke, ash and salt, her tears only matting the dirt more upon her muzzle from the pilot. He lets out a soft sigh and runs his fingers through her mane, gently stroking away the pain in the fillies heart.

"We...we didn't want to go anywhere, Star." He responds quietly, continuing his ministrations throughout her mane. "Mama and I had to go take care of some things. But it's over now. We're home, and we won't be going anywhere ever again without telling you first."
She sniffles, wrapping her fore hooves even tighter around her father and refusing to let go. Luna coos out softly, nuzzling the black alicorn's neck gently with her muzzle, before returning her own full attention back on the indigo filly within her own embrace. The midnight alicorn glances to the pilot, worry and heartache clearly written all over her features.

Celestia clears her throat, stepping to the bedside and close to the family. "I'll be sure they don't, you two. They're home now, just as I promised...now why don't you two let your parents get cleaned up, so we can all have breakfast together. Twilight will have your favorite brought up to my chambers so we can all enjoy a quiet meal together." She says quietly, her voice even and gentle. "I'll even have their garments brought here as well, so they won't be far away."

"That...won't be necessary, Celestia." Talon responds, turning to look at her. "These two have waited long enough. I've been in this uniform a while, I think I can wait a bit longer."

She holds up her hoof, glancing to Luna, then looking back at the human pilot. "I insist. I mean no offence, commander. But you two both smell like a dragons wings after playing hoof ball with a sulfur golem. Breakfast would be far more enjoyable for all of us once you are both back to normal. I'm sure the twins here are willing to let their parents bathe for a few minutes, now that they can see they're home?"

The twin fillies take pause for a moment, sniffling softly and nodding slowly, their eyes glued to the regal alicorn. Celestia smiles and nods to the royal couple, watching as the fillies climb down from the bed and hop onto the plush carpet of the chambers. The door to the room opens, a disheveled looking blue maned Earthen mare stepping in. Dusty's robe sash trails on the ground as she quickly steps to the twins and alicorn's, the mare quickly scooping up the fillies in her warm and welcoming embrace and holding them tightly.

"Good morning, Dusty." Celestia greets her warmly. "I see Twilight didn't bother to tell you that you could take your time getting here?"

She responds with a cheerful nod, smiling enthusiastically. "Princess Twilight had just mentioned that the twins were awake, and that I should get over here to start their morning routine. I wouldn't miss this for all of Equestria." She says with a grin, snuggling the now happy fillies. She takes pause and sniffs the air for a moment, then looks to the pilot and night princess. "Tough night?" She questions, seeing they have yet to have a moment to care for themselves.

Talon and Luna look at each other, before the regal midnight alicorn clears her throat, running her own hoof through her dirt and blood caked mane. "You have no idea." She deadpanned.

"So what do you think happened to them?" Dusty whispers to Twilight, leaning over to speak in a low voice as not to get the fillies attention. "They were gone for months...but the engineers say the data logs from the aircraft couldn't have been more than a couple of weeks at the most."

Letting out a quiet sigh, Twilight looks up from her book, her ears swiveling as she listens to the muffled sounds of the washroom. Her eyes trace forward, seeing Celestia playing games with the twins and distracting them with breakfast. She turns to the Earthen mare and shrugs, then turns her attention back on the twins. "I have no idea, to be honest...the injuries they sustained were far more than the crash could have done. I mean...did you see their jackets and the pilots chest and shoulder? Those rips and that smell says they were in some serious trouble."

"I know what you mean. And all of that blood in Luna's mane...It didn't smell like her own. Whatever happened, I'll bet it was some pretty crazy stuff." Dusty replies quietly. "I've got Stark on the data retrieval from the on board computers from the commanders machine." She licks her lips and draws a soft breath. "No promises since most of the electronics were fried in the crash...but he thinks he can get the video from the forward camera at a minimum. It would at least help explain what happened after that storm."

"And I have every engineer and technician from here to Las Pegasus working on fixing the machine. The Gala is tomorrow...I don't think any pony is going to be thrilled about us canceling the entire air show. Especially after we've had half the nation on a search that we suddenly called off." The lavender alicorn whispers. "Don't we have a backup aircraft for instances like this where one is down for repairs?"

Dusty shakes her head, her own gaze focused on the twins still distracted and playing with the regal white alicorn. She stifles a giggle as Celestia suddenly makes a crudely aircraft shaped waffle dripping with syrup start to fly slowly above the table, Moonlight Way excitedly chomping at it in an attempt to catch and eat it. "I'm...I'm afraid not for this type of aircraft. They're so expensive to build that we only made a hoof full of these. They're not like the air wing we deployed to the Crystal Empire, these cost over seventeen million bits a piece just to frame up. Don't get me started on their maintenance costs. The closest one we could use as a filler is docked on the new carrier in Horseshoe Bay, and even then the ship and all aircraft are still in moth balls until next spring's launch. We'd never have it flight ready in time, even if we started last month."

Twilight takes pause for a moment, still intently listening in on the sounds of running water from the washroom. She thinks for a moment, then nods. "I had almost forgotten about that project since the storm...they've been working on that for over a year now. Is it really ready to launch?"

"That's what they're saying. I still can't believe that Celestia and Princess Cadence had both commissioned a whole fleet of these. Yes, it's provided a huge break for the economy and we've never seen so much progress...but we already have the ERAF. Is it really necessary for us to have total superiority over the oceans too?" The Earthen mare asks, smiling as the filly finally catches her prey, only for Celestia to dice several more smaller waffle aircraft in her magic, now three more flying about to entertain the children.

"I know what you mean." Twilight responds with a low groan. "I do agree to a point, but if we as Equestria continue building our own military like we have been, I imagine it won't be long before places like Griffonia or the Zebradic nations begin to get the wrong idea. Let alone Saddle Arabia. Those ponies always take things out of context and way too far. Still...the idea of a Navy comparable to the one Talon keeps talking about is sure going to be something else. I can only imagine how much more secure our borders will be from things like another Changeling attack with that kind of firepower at our hooves. If we had even half of what we do today, that war wouldn't have even happened. We could have struck out against the parasite from a safe distance, and lost no pony from the fighting."

The two sit in silence for a moment, memories of the war flooding their minds, sending an icy chill down the lengths of their spines. Those were dark and terrible days, filled with uncertainty. It's not every day you escape death, especially on that grand of a scale. Twilight lets out a wistful sigh, and turns to Dusty. "How much have the engineers completed repair wise? You were down there before coming here, right?"

"Not before you snapped into my chambers with that teleportation trick of yours I wasn't. You really need to learn how to knock, you know. I could have been busy with something..." She blushes, trailing off. She inhales sharply and clears her mind for a brief moment, then responds. "The last I had seen before I went to bed after visiting Luna and Talon in the medical wing, was some of the guards helping wheel in the replacement engines. They had both of the engines out, and had removed that bent wing to replace it. I have to say though...I don't know how much more that machine can take. You of all ponies should know this, but the metals in that airframe can only take so many flight hours before they're no longer useable...even if the all mother fixed it all over again, this years show will probably be the last one before we have to do a serious overhaul of it. That's saying it's even fixable to begin with."

"Yeah...the last time we seen an aircraft go for a swim was when my brother Shiny tried to fly one. If Cadence wasn't there to watch, we would have probably had more of an issue. Now that machine is sitting as a display piece at the aviation museum because it can't fly anymore." Twilight comments with a irritation laced heavily in her voice. "If my brother was meant to fly, He would have been born a pegasus, not an accident prone nerd who wrecks multi-million bit machines while over the radio he tells his co-pilot to hold his cider and watch this."

Luna stands under the shower, the multiple heads cascading water over her as if it were rain. She hums a soft melody while she relaxes, a warm smile upon her lips while the pilot carefully works on her extended right wing. With a happy sigh, the realization finally hits her. They're home, finally home, and safe at last.

"Christ, angel...I can't believe your wings got this bad over that short of a time. How the hell could you stand it?" Talon asks, plucking out another damaged feather and casting it aside. He runs his fingers through each of her primaries and secondary flight feathers, removing nits and debris, shaking his head in disbelief. "I'm surprised you haven't gone absolutely bat shit like last time we ignored wing care for just a couple of days."

She takes pause for a moment, turning her head to look at him. She lowers her muzzle a bit and opens one of her eyes, trying to avoid some of the water rushing over her from the rain shower. "Mine love, with all that we hath endured over these recent days, I can assure you that the parasites and itchy wings were hardly my top concern. Had we of not been forced into those dreadful dungeons by that foal, I wouldn't have had to endure this at all. Even Elysium was not so dirty as that wretched place. And that planet was nothing but dirt!" She comments, irritation creeping into her tone. "I'm just glad it's all over now..." She finishes, then winces as the pilot plucks an especially bothersome feather.

"No kidding." He sighs out, finishing with the wing finally. "There, all done. That's two full scrubs, preening and your mane and tail washed and conditioned. Anything else? ...I know it's our first shower back home honey...but I really don't think it would be nice of us to use half the hot water in Canterlot this morning."

Luna snickers, then nods. "Were it possible, yes, mine flame. But Tia hath every faucet within her washroom enchanted with a phoenix pinion. It would be nigh impossible for us to do so, even if we had used it for several moonrises straight." She smiles. "Have thou finished cleaning thyself?" She asks. The pilot nods, turning off the water.

As the pilot begins to dry off, the midnight alicorn gives a sinister grin to her husband, right before she plays a trick she pulls at random. Shaking out from horn to tail, she flings water droplets in every which direction, giving the human an impromptu shower once more. She giggles musically as he protests, shielding himself with the towel. After a few moments, she finishes, the two laughing for the reprieve. It's good to be home.

"I'll take it you're feeling better then." He questions, sighing as he runs a dry towel over the alicorn, helping her finish drying off and smoothing over the fluffed areas of her fur. She gives a happy nod, raising her head quickly to steal a small kiss as a thank you, before the two exit the large shower. The pilot looks around the washroom as he sets down the towels onto a bar to dry. "Sheesh...I thought our bathroom was big. Sunny Butt could play baseball in here if she wanted." He notes, while beginning to put on his fresh uniform.

The night princess takes a seat at the vanity, lifting a brush off of the countertop within her magic, and brushes out her dark blue silken mane. "It wouldn't surprise me if that was Tia's intention. Though I believe it's just so she can turn around without knocking over half of the items upon her washrooms surfaces, Talon. Mine sister has a massive flank, after all, and she was known for constantly toppling over any glass bottles, soap trays or such within our old castle before mine banishment."

The two freeze in place as they hear a shout from the other side of the door. 'I heard that Lulu! My flank isn't that big!' Their eyes meet at that moment, as the two burst into laughter. 'And for the record, you knocked over more when you tried to fly indoors!' After a few minutes, they quell their mirth, finishing getting dressed. The fighter pilot, in his freshly pressed, and proud uniform, the American flag in clear display upon his arm. The princess of the Night in her formal regalia and silver, high polished cross, with the onyx bands polished to brilliant luster. As she sets down her brush upon the vanity, she inspects herself, a soft, gentle smile coming to her lips as she eyes the somewhat tarnished, yet perfectly intact wedding band she proudly wears upon her horn, as well as the well-worn band of Lunar steel upon her left fore leg above her pastern, loosely around her fetlock joint.

The door to the washroom opens, the couple finally coming to sit down at the small table where the others are gathered. Twilight and Dusty smile as they greet the royal couple, the former maid having of already prepared dishes for them. As they take seats upon the cushions, they hear the telltale sounds of an engine’s roar just outside, the windows of the balcony doors gently rattling in place.

Talon looks to Celestia, picking up his fork to dig in. "...why are we sending up aircraft now?" He asks, glancing at the analog clock on the nearby nightstand close to the elder alicorn's bed. "Do you need us to head down to the flight line?" Luna looks up from her dish as well, her eyes flicking to her children, then to Celestia as she holds her first bite of breakfast within her magic.

She clears her throat, the sun princess smiling gently. "Not this time, commander. The flights this morning are escort fighters that were already scheduled. Since tomorrow is the Grand Galloping Gala, Princess Cadenza and Prince Shining Armor are being flown in this afternoon. They're being sent to escort the air wing from the Crystal Empire for tomorrows display. You two on the other hoof, are not going anywhere."

She pauses, nuzzling the fillies beside her with her muzzle. "I promised these two you wouldn't be going anywhere, and your machine is in no condition to fly. Your place is here, and the only thing you will be doing today is resting, and telling us all about your ordeal. I want details."

Luna chokes on her food for a moment, coughing and sputtering for a moment as her eyes go wide, her pupils shrinking to pinpricks. "What?! The gala is tomorrow?! How is this possible?!" She shrieks out, dumbfounded. "We were only on Elysium for several days! And stuck with that tyrant with the stick in her plot for perhaps a single moonrise! Tia, thou fibs!"

Celestia, Twilight and Dusty all fall silent, looking to each other out of confusion. The elder while alicorn pauses for a moment, then clears her throat. "Lulu...what day do you think it is? What is today's date?"

Luna and Talon both look to one another now, in absolute confusion. "Tia...The Canterlot fair was but perhaps two weeks ago. Today's date is Dé Domhnaigh Aibreán Ochtú." She glances to Talon again, who seems to nod in agreement. "It's the eighth day of the fourth month, Two thousand fifteen after the defeat of Discord. Every pony knows that."

Celestia blanches, shaking her head solemnly. "No...no it is not, you two...You've both been gone for seven months, twelve days. It's Samhain Fiche, lulu. This is the eleventh month, and the twentieth day...Hearts-warming day is next month, as well as the beginning of winter. The harvest season has already passed, and the weather teams are due to begin work on winter in just three weeks...You two have been missing for a very long...long time."

The pilot and alicorn both drop their utensils, in complete shock, the night princess close to the verge of tears. 'How has so much time passed...How long did our children suffer?' The twins immediately notice their mothers sudden mood change, leaping from their cushions and clinging to her for dear life with open hooves. Luna begins to sniffle, tears rolling down her cheeks and matting her fur, hearing this unsettling news. "Mine angels...I am so sorry..." She whispers, choking back sobs of sorrow.

"Seven months..." Talon whispers, still in disbelief. "How...just..." The three mares also rise from their positions, wings and fore legs extended as the comfort the distressed couple. Celestia wraps her large, elegant wings around the group.

"It's alright now...you're home safe. That's all that matters now...We all missed you dearly, these two especially." She murmurs, holding the twins, Luna and pilot within her gentle loving embrace. The realization hits home within the pilots mind, understanding in numb shock just how long they have been gone. Time was displaced somehow...and he missed so much time with his children. He himself begins to weep, unable to hold back the sadness of it.

It had taken nearly a full half hour to calm the grieving couple, both of them brought to tears of sorrow knowing the pain their children must have felt. The fillies themselves crying and sobbing, joyful to finally be reunited with their parents. After they had all calmed down, they had begun to explain everything, every last detail of their journey through hell. Baol, Elysium, Nehimane, the fight against the fire demon, even the mirror world of Equestria where they were nearly killed. They all listened as Luna and Talon explained every detail, Celestia unable to comprehend the nightmare they endured.

She sighs. "Well...that explains why mother had taken your lunar charm, Talon. That also explains why she was so insistent on healing you herself, rather than allowing your injuries to mend naturally. When you were so severely injured by the demonic alicorn, everything Obsolescence was had poisoned your soul. She had given you the armor of Darkness, and her blood mixing with your own would have killed you in time." She finishes. "You're both very lucky she was here to help. None of our finest doctors in all of Equestria could have undone that."

"You can't be serious." He scoffs. "Nightie saved us in there, Sunny Butt. Just like she bailed us out when I had to deal with that tyrant knock off of you. Say what you will, but after her actions, she'll never be considered evil in my book."

Luna nods in agreement. "Tis true, Tia. I had seen for myself. Obsolescence has indeed turned a new leaf, as it were, and her sacrificing herself to save us in mothers test was proof enough. Her evil has long since left her nature, and I believe she is redeemed in every sense. I do not think for even a moment her blood would have poisoned mine husband, especially to ferry him unto Heofon."

Twilight clears her throat, gaining the attention of the table. "None of that matters now. The all mother has clearly made her judgment, and we have absolutely no say so in this. The only thing we can do now is move forward, and hope that she has some explanation she's willing to give while she's here. I do admit...I never in all of my years imagined Nightmare Moon was any form of a heroine, even when she did save you two in Horseshoe Bay five years ago. An anti-hero perhaps...My question though, is how is it possible so much time passed here, but so little for you two? The engineers did say there was at most two weeks’ worth of data on your machines computers, but the way you two described events, it really sounds like you were constantly in conflict."

Celestia nods in agreement now, her eyes turning to the couple. "Twilight is right. Regardless, time has indeed passed, and the Gala is tomorrow. Cadence and Shining Armor will be here within several hours, and we have you two home safe and sound. I'll go and speak with mother while you two rest with your children...I believe you absolutely need the time to heal and be a family again. Twilight and I will manage everything, for now, please take time for yourselves."

"Tia, mine flame and I must still help with the air show tomorrow eve. Even if we hath just returned, it is still our duty, as our subjects have traveled from all over our kingdom to join the event. Thou said it thyself, we cannot simply cancel it this year, for the state of Equestria's economy." Luna speaks up. "Even if mine war machine is crippled like a lame pegasus, we must still perform. Tis our duty not only as the diarchy of Equestria, but as a promise to mine treasures."

Talon looks down at the black alicorn filly resting in a curled ball upon his lap, taking pause of stroking her mane gently. She looks up at her father, her sapphire eyes sparkling as she smiles gently. "Papa, Are you and mama going to go away again in the birdie?" He sighs and shakes his head, smiling down at her.

"No, I promise we won't go anywhere, Star. And if you would rather mama and I don't fly...we won't." He whispers. "But I'll never leave you again. Never ever." He adds, scratching gently under her chin.

The filly smiles dazedly, letting out a happy sigh as her ears fold back. Her wings twitch gently at her sides, before she opens her eyes again and looks up, then to her sister. The fillies’ eyes meet as they silently communicate, before Stardust Kiss returns her gaze to the pilot. "You can make the birdie dance, papa. We wanna watch you and mama's show!"

Her hoof steps echo through the near empty halls of the palace, the earthen mare humming a soft melody as she makes her way to her private chambers. It's been an eventful morning for the former maid, her life finally put back in order. Her friends, the royal couple she had secretly seen as family, were home. Reunited with their children once more in a heart rending, tearful reunion long overdue. Her duty was finally over, and she could return to the sense of normalcy that she had been accustomed to for years.

Dusty knew now, that the twins she had come to cherish and adore, the charges that she had forged a deep connection to, would now be in the proper care of their mother. A small sense of loss filled her heart, knowing that the joys of awakening the treasured fillies and routines had drawn to a close. She approaches her door, and lets out a soft sigh as she reaches for the handle. It's been a long several weeks, carefully finishing the dresses her and the pilot had worked on together, all the while balancing her own duties and helping with children. She was tired, outright exhausted...but happy. Dusty had stayed awake all night, unable to sleep, thinking of the night princess and her flame, both sick with worry, and relief of knowing their state now.

The mare enters her bed chambers, closing the door behind her as she walks in. To her left of the foyer, the small dining table, still covered with sewing supplies and materials, small bits of metal and thread bobbins. Beside the table, stood three ponyquins, completed gala dresses resting upon their forms, silently waiting to be gifted to their owners for the special event in just another moonrise. She smiles as she looks upon her completed work, thoughts of how happy Luna and the twins will be in their specially made hoof and hand stitched ensembles, feelings of true love and light woven into every stitch by herself and the pilot.

A glimmer of light catches her eye as she passes by the dresses, a small reflection of light shining in the darkness of the bedroom. Curiously, the earthen mare steps forward, her course now changed for its source. Her eyes begin to adjust to the shadows of the room as she steps in deeper into the chambers, reaching the edge of her bed finally. She turns on a light within the room, finding an unexpected sight, a black, heart shaped box, bearing the crest of the solar princess upon it in the center. Attached to the box was a deep blue silk ribbon, with a small piece of parchment folded and tucked under the bow.

Dusty,
Enclosed within this parcel, is a gift requested by the commander for your hard work. I'm very sorry to have kept this in secrecy for so long, but I'm quite sure you will find it within yourself to overlook my silence. Thank you, for helping with my sisters precious children, and performing above and beyond the call of duty with precision and gentle care. Please accept this formal invitation for the Grand Galloping Gala, as well as all future social engagements for the palace. Feel free to try on your gift.
Your dearest friend,
Celestia.

Dusty stands confused for a moment, before taking a seat upon the bed and lifting the package onto her lap. The mare studies it carefully, licking her lips in anticipation. She traces the smooth lines of the ribbon with her fore hoof, before carefully pulling at the ends of the bow through the knot, unshackling the parcel from it's bonds. The silken ribbon falls away onto the floor as she carefully opens the lid of the box, bracing herself for whatever explosive surprise the sun princess may have left within. She winces as she quickly pulls the lid off now, her ears pinned against her skull while she waits for the gag to detonate in her face. ...nothing happens. Dusty slowly opens her eyes, looking down into the gift box.

Within the box was a folded garment that left the mare awestruck, as well as a carefully laid golden laced parchment, and a smaller oval shaped, cherry wood box. Dusty licks her lips as she reaches into the parcel with her fore hoof, grasping the smaller mystery box first. She eyes it curiously, using the edge of her hoof to open it and undo the clasp. The lid opens, revealing a finely made charm crafted out of Lunar steel and Sapphire. 'This...this is the same symbol Miss Luna and Talon wear...The symbol of their faith.' She thinks, taking the charm out of the box. She inspects it with a sense of wonder, the silver laden chain shining in the rays of light in the room. Her eyes fall upon the silver cross, studded with small flecks of sapphire stones and diamonds, the reflections casting a prism effect as it dances in the light.

She smiles and slips the necklace and charm over her head, the necklace fitting perfectly, the cross resting right above her heart within her barrel. Setting down the small wooden box, she grasps the ticket next and reads it, her smile growing even more as she sees it's an official invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala, signed by Celestia herself. Dusty lets a small squeal of delight escape her throat as she sets it down next, her hooves now eagerly digging into the box for the final item. Her hooves find their way under the bottom fold of the fabric, the mares eyes widening with surprise. Dusty rises to her rear hooves, steadying herself carefully as she balances, holding up the full length of the stunning dress so she could see it. The dress was made of fog silk, imported all the way from the Crystal Empire.

Dusty studied it as she wobbled in place, twirling on her hind legs and laying the dress down upon the surface of the bed. She falls to her fore hooves now, standing in shocked silence as she stares in wonder. The garment was as black as the night, but semi see through and light. The stitching and seams were laced in threads of enchanted ice, sparkling and glittering softly as she moved to inspect it. A blue sash of ice silk was woven around the midsection, the crest of the Lunar Goddess embroidered at the ends of the ribbon. She stares absolutely speechless at it, the thoughts finally hitting home. With a sharp breath she gives a giddy squeal of excitement, unable to contain her joy.

Within the chambers of the Lunar princess, a soft, shallow breathing can be heard, the gloom and darkness of the room masking what slumbers within. The bed is soft...she does not wish to awaken. The air is cool, and fresh, the breeze from the opened window allowing in the sweet scents of the autumn wind, the soft melody of the city. The mare in the darkness lets out a soft murmur as she dreams peacefully, rolling over on the cloud like softness of the inviting bed.

A low pitched whistling in the distance causes her ears to twitch unconsciously. This continues for a few minutes, before the whistle turns into a deafening howl that rattles the windows and picture frames upon the nightstands and walls. The alicorn mare shoots up in pure fright, an absolute blind panic and surprise overtaking her as she flails aimlessly, her wings snapping open and flapping haphazardly, knocking over the lamps, clock, picture frame and brushes upon the nightstands. She breathes hard, her heart thundering within her as she kicks wildly, becoming quickly tangled in the sheets and comforter, then rolling off of the edge of the bed and landing with a sickening crack as the back of her head slams to the floor.

Nightie opens her teal eyes, blinking with shock as she stares up at the ceiling of the dimly lit chambers, her mind struggling to put logic to her new situation. She pants raggedly as her eyes dart around the room, desperately trying to make sense of it. Pain sears in her skull as her brain rings and rattles around, her neck at an incredibly uncomfortable angle.

The nightmare alicorn fruitlessly tries to kick her way out of her blanket cocoon, quickly running out of breath and stopping within moments. Her forelegs are pinned against her barrel, her right hind leg extended painfully and slightly twisted, still touching the top of the plush mattress as she lays inverted. Nighties ear flicks in irritation as she struggles, helplessly caught in the comforter, trapped and absolutely confused.

The roar of the fighter aircraft outside the balcony quiets down as it takes to the heavens, a soft, thunderous rumble left in it's wake as it moves into the distance. Her breathing calms down as she rests, still upside down with her head upon the plush peacock blue carpet. Her ethereal mane flows freely, cascading around and spread around her, rippling softly in the cosmic breeze, casting a soft light upon the shadows of the floor.

"Ouch..." She whispers and winces, her eyes closing as she remains motionless for a moment to think. Her breathing slows as she begins to register her surroundings, her ears ticking with slow twitches as she takes in the sounds, her nostrils flared as she identifies the scents of the room, the heavy scent of the blanket being fuel, exhaust, and that sweet musk she knew all too well. "H...how...?" She asks, twisting again in place to work herself free of her bindings.

"...just be a moment, mine love. Dost thou need anything?" The nightmare alicorn's eyes shoot open in fright as she hears a familiar voice echoing in the halls, coming closer to the door with the clip clop of hooves. The door opens slowly, the wood creaking upon it's hinges as light begins to flood the room.

"Papa! Will you pick me up and carry me? I want to snuggle!" More sounds of hoof steps, these ones lighter and seemingly dancing in the hallway as they clack quietly against the floor with a gentle echo. Nightie hears a happy sigh and the subtle sound of joints popping and fabric rustling. Her ears swivel and focus woodenly as she quietly gasps, desperately trying to free herself now.

The soft harmonic melody of Luna's humming reaches the black alicorn's ears next, as she makes her way to the closet within the royal couples chambers. The midnight princess canters happily, opening the door of the small whicker armoire positioned beside the dresser and large walk in closet, using her magic to open the drawers within to retrieve a long wool scarf. She smiles as she wraps it around her delicate throat, tying it in a loose knot. Luna walks to the vanity, inspecting it in the mirror briefly to make sure she covered herself correctly, her eyes falling straight to her cross charm the pilot fashioned for her their official wedding night five years ago, the black steel cut directly from the war machines old wing aileron, just for her.

"Angel, I'll take the kids down to the garden. I'll meet you down there." Talon calls out, the sounds of two happy fillies giggling and chattering to each other as they're being carried. It's not every day they get to enjoy a piggy back ride and being cradled together.

"I shalt see thou shortly then, mine flame!" The alicorn calls out in reply to her husband, turning away and walking to the washroom within the chambers. She still has not noticed the nightmare alicorn laying at the awkward angle on the other side of the bed, Nighties mane flowing freely and billowing under the bed skirt, a small tuft of her wispy mane reaching clear to the other side. Luna flicks her magic, closing the door to the chambers as she enters the washroom, also closing that door behind her.

Sounds of boot steps and giggles echo in the halls begin to fade as the pilot walks away, bound for the gardens to play with the treasured fillies. Silence overcomes the air briefly, Nightie beginning to panic as she attempts in vain to free herself again. With the searing headache and constant discomfort to her wings, neck and back, she's unable to use magic to free herself, her horn not responding to her thoughts. She struggles as she hears a toilet flush, then the sounds of running water just beyond the washroom door.

The washroom door opens, Luna flicking her magic to turn off the light as she exits. She begins to correct her course for the exit of her chambers, quietly singing a lullaby to herself. As she steps, she hears the sound of glass breaking beneath her fore hoof, causing her to freeze in place for a moment. Luna looks down and raises her foreleg, seeing a now broken picture frame upon the carpet. 'What in Heofon's name...?' She thinks, her eyes now catching the other objects scattered upon the floor, following the trail to the nightstand. She sees her bed now in disarray, the comforter tangled and lumped at the opposing edge.

Her ears swivel as she now notices the soft sound of strained breathing, the midnight alicorn narrowing her eyes as she walks carefully around the bed, her horn alighting with a primed attack spell. When she comes into view of the pony the breath belongs to, she stands dumbfounded. There, upon the floor, wrapped up in what could only be described as a mind boggling scene, was Nightmare Moon herself. Her jaw drops in absolute shock as her horn quickly shorts out.

Nightie rolls her eyes to the side, blushing profusely in shocked silence as Luna stares at her, completely helpless. She swallows hard, refusing to meet the midnight alicorn's gaze out of embarrassment. There's an awkward silence that overcomes the room, Nightie remaining completely still, her only movements the rise and fall of her chest as she breathes.

"Ob...solescence..." Luna whispers, standing frozen in place. "How art thou here?" Luna asks, bewildered at the sight. Nightie only pins her ears back in response, still silent and blushing even brighter now.

With a gentle sigh, the night princess alights her horn and gingerly takes the comforter to her bed within her magical grasp. In the soft, ambient glow of her gentle magic, the nightmare alicorn is released from her bonds and slumps to the floor, Luna returning the bed to its made setting. Her horn dims as she steps forward, extending her fore hoof out to help Nightie back to her hooves. "I can't help thee, if thou dost not speak, Obsolescence."

Nightie looks away, her blush showing through her black fur brightly, her ears pinned flat back against her skull as she sulks. She lies upon her belly silently and paws at the plush carpet with her fore hooves, unable to think of a response. Luna carefully studies her, walking closer and helping the nightmare alicorn up. Her eyes trace Nighties form, seeing faint scars running the length of her barrel and throat, with thin, spider web like scars formed under her wing and down her side. Luna chews on her cheek within her maw in thought, remembering these injuries from the dream only hours ago.

The night princess probes the black alicorn with her gentle magic, giving a subtle nudge to Nightmare's aura to check for life energy. A realization quickly dawns upon her when she senses and tastes the ambient flavor of the ki. It's a heavy mixture of the baubles Lunar magic, and her flames life energy. She pushes her senses further, feeling the soft pulses of Nighties heartbeat. Her eyes widen with genuine surprise. "Obsolescence...thou art a mortal? But...how?"

"Morrigan has granted me life, Luminescence...just as she has granted you mortality for sparing the life of our mate, so long ago." Nightie whispers in reply, wobbling in place as she tries to adjust to all of the new sensations around and within her. The air feels cool to her, her source of warmth removed. Her mind is quickly processing the scents of the world around her, the alicorn greedily taking air into her new lungs, soft breaths through her maw allowing her to taste the air and its subtle nuances. She sighs and loosens her wings upon her sides, giving a gentle shake to them as she turns her head to face Luna. "Please...I mean no harm to you, or this herd. I only wish to live peacefully, and to be granted the joys of a family. I wish to serve as your beta mare, and to devote myself to our master."

Luna nods slowly, carefully considering everything. She knows Nightmare did indeed earn her redemption. The Goddess of Death was redeemed by the all mother, her soul now pure and her mantle removed. The midnight alicorn purses her lips forward for a moment, then turns her jade orbs upon Nightie, giving her full attention now. "Thou hath earned it...but the decision is not mine choice, Obsolescence. Thou art correct, mine love is mine master, and I shalt be the one to serve him. Thou however, must be accepted by him as such. Now is not the time to bring thee to his attention."

"What in bucking hell do you mean?!" Nightmare grits her teeth, her eyes narrowed dangerously. "After all we have endured, and my sacrifices, you're going to make me wait another few years?! How in the absolute BUCK is that fair?!" She nearly shouts, her temper quickly flaring. Her wings snap open of their own violation, tipping the black alicorn off balance and sending her to the bed top.

Luna holds up her fore hoof, smiling sweetly. "Obsolescence, thou forgets who is the alpha mare in this herd. I was here first, and those art mine children that I conceived and carried within mine womb. I have the right to withhold thee for however long I wish..." She trails off, a smug grin now forming upon her muzzle. "And I hath never stated it would be years, now did I?" She says darkly, eyeing the nightmare before her struggling to rise again to her hooves.

Before Nightie can speak, Luna lowers her muzzle to within inches from Nighties own, a cruel, sardonic grin overtaking and twisting her features. Luna's eyes flicker violently to draconic slits with a hint of malice, her words dripping with pure venom.

"If the date is truly as mine sister speaks, then tomorrow eve is mine sixth year of being a wedded mare. It is also the night of the Grand Galloping Gala. " Luna states darkly, bringing her crushing hoof down upon Nighties side, pinning the weakened mare to the bed. "Thou forgets half of thy energy that gives thee life is from mine own soul, therefore...thou belongs to me as well. Thou art no longer a poison within mine mind, and I can take mine revenge upon thee now." Nightie swallows hard the lump building within her throat, fear overtaking her mind for the first time in her history, her heart beginning to race in fright. "So...I know exactly what I shalt do to thee." Luna finishes, the grin upon her muzzle becoming darker and more sinister within the shadows of the room. The air temperature begins to plummet around them, ice forming in a thin sheet of frost along the bed posts, nightstand surfaces and walls. Nightmare lets out a violent shiver as the cold sends chills down her spine, her breath being released as steam in rabid puffs.

"Luminescence...please...I don't wish to die..." Nightmare pleads quietly, her mind unable to communicate with her horn still, the mare of darkness unable to use magic now to defend herself. "Please!"

Luna narrows her eyes more, her muzzle now bumping against Nightie's as she gets in closer, trying to strike fear into her heart. "Oh no...what I have planned for thou is a fate far worse than death." She smiles sadistically. She stares into the teal orbs of the nightmare alicorn, waiting for the right moment. With a quick flick of her neck, she backs off slightly and licks the black alicorn's nose and lips, surprising the terrified mare into a state of absolute shock. Luna gives a soft laugh, releasing her magic and returning the air to normal. The forming frost and ice quickly vanish as she backs up more. "I'll present you as a gift for him."

Nightie sits up in shocked silence, her eyes as wide as dinner plates. Her maw hangs agape as she's stunned, the words dead in her throat as her brain desperately tries to make sense of her new situation. Luna gives a soft grin. "Thou hath a new body of thy own, and Tis' clear that thou has no idea how to yet control it. I'm simply giving thee time to adjust so that thou may give a proper introduction as mine gift to mine love, and not embarrass thyself by falling every which way."

Nightie blinks in astonishment, nodding slowly in understanding. "Then...you will let me out? Then I may join you and our treasures?" She quietly asks, once more rising unsteadily to her hooves. Her body still feels unbalanced, so many sensations registering all at once. The plush feel of the carpet beneath her hooves, the sounds of the gentle ticking of the clocks, her mind unable to process it all.

"Any idea what's taking her so long?" The pilot asks, turning to the elder white alicorn. "Luna did mention she had to use the bathroom...but she's been in there for half an hour already." He glances at the door again, then back to Celestia.

The white alicorn sighs, her gaze upon the fillies being tended to and played with by the element bearers. She stifles a giggle as Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus attempts to do a midair trick with the indigo filly, only for the little one to crash the pair into the nearby pond. Her ears twitch as she hears the elder pegasus laughing, and now splashing water to the soaking wet filly.

"Talon, now you know lulu has never been fast with doing any activity; she did have a lot to eat this morning, so I would imagine she may be nursing a sour stomach again. Unless...of course there isn't something you're telling me and you two will be welcoming more of these blessings into our family." She causally murmurs, her magenta orbs flicking to the pilot with a wry grin. "Of course, since I am still your herd mate, I fully expect us to have some fun with that. ...you don't think I'll gain as much weight as lulu did, do you?"

He face palms, shaking his head. "You know that was just a quick get out of dodge deal, sunny butt. I already told you that there's no chance in hell of us doing that." He deadpans. "Besides, Nightie's been taken captive by your mom for reasons I can't even begin to understand. We don't have to keep that up."

"Now where's the fun in that?" She replies with a hint of sarcasm. "The whole of Equestria knows about it, just imagine the heresy of lulu being the only mother around the palace." She presses further. Celestia has every intention of dragging out her joke further, just to see what could happen. "And you know Twilight has always been fascinated with you. I'm sure she's even looking forward to it."

The pilot turns to look at the alicorn with a raised eyebrow, before grumbling under his breath. The solar princess only grins wider. "I'm sorry, what was that?" She asks.

"I need an adult." He groans out, another heavy face palm.

"I am an adult." Celestia quips, her Cheshire grin only widening.

The pilot qwerks an eyebrow at this, only shaking his head. Talon glances back to the door, then up to the balcony above where Luna's chambers are. With a sigh, he turns back to Celestia. "I'm going to go check on her, and make sure she's alright. Would you mind keeping an eye on the twins for a few minutes?" He asks.

Celestia gives a curt nod, still smiling. "I don't mind at all. Just please hurry back, commander. I know they both missed you very much, and they, myself included would like to spend as much time as we can with you. Perhaps later this evening we can all go have a look in on the engineers as well, to check progress on your machine."

He rises to his feet, turning to walk back into the palace from the table and chairs in the gardens. As he reaches the door, he's stopped by a white unicorn with a deep purple mane and tail. She quietly clears her throat, gaining his attention. "Darling, wherever are you off to? Is there something I can help with, dear?" Rarity asks.

He continues walking his course bound and set, some worry upon his features. "Just to go check on Luna, Rares. She's been in the room for a good while now, I just want to make sure she's alright." He responds, not stopping. The unicorn quickly turns on her hind hooves, cantering quickly to his side, a warm smile upon her lips.

"Then if you wouldn't mind, I shall like to join you. It's been so long since you two have been gone, Talon dear. I know I for one am glad to have you back. I was just curious..." She speaks, keeping pace right by his side. She turns her head and looks up at him as she trots, her shorter legs having minor difficulty maintaining her speed and matching his foot falls. "The Gala is tomorrow night, You wouldn't have already had an outfit in mind for the event, now would you? I did bring some materials with me just in case..."

Talon shakes his head, his eyes focused forward as he picks up his pace, trying to escape further questions from the element of generosity. "I'll just wear my formal uniform for it, ma'am. That worked out just fine at the previous ones." He replies, trying to evade yet another interruption. "Trust me, if all else fails, I don't mind just going in my standard uniform."

Her hoof steps clack loudly in the near empty palace halls as she trots, still looking up at him. "But I insist! I'm very sure I could come up with a magnificent ensemble again this year, deadlines are nothing to me, and I still have your measurements from when you came to get your uniforms adjusted before the Canterlot fair. It wouldn't be a problem at all, darling."

The pilot sighs and comes to a stop, turning to face the white unicorn. She too skids to a stop on her hooves, then repositions herself in front of the pilot. Talon kneels down to meet her gaze, giving her a gentle scratch behind her left ear. Rarity leans into it, a dopey, relaxed smile upon her muzzle.

"I appreciate the thought, but as it is we have a lot on our plate, and neither of us can afford to spare any time for the moment. Sunny butt already told me you're busy enough as is helping your friends get the hanger ready for the event tomorrow. I can't ask you to work more on my account." He breathes out, bringing his hand down now to scratch under the mares chin. She tips her muzzle up, gladly receiving the affection and friendly care. "I am very grateful you're thinking about that though. As always, you live up to your name and title." He finishes, removing his hand and giving her a friendly pat on the side. "Thanks anyway."

She frowns slightly at the enjoyable scratching ending so abruptly, eyeing the human pilot. "I simply must insist. Why, I even have time to put together another glamorous dress for the wonderful princess, commander. It wouldn't be even a slight problem. I have more than enough materials to even do dresses for your darling children!"

"Got that covered." He groans out. "Dusty and I took care of those before the storm hit, and I still need to meet with her and finish up Luna's tonight." He comments, rising to his feet again and continuing his gait. "Don't breathe a word about that by the way, it's a secret surprise for angel. I just hope I have enough time to finish it off."

"I wouldn't dream of it dear!" She responds, trotting quickly to follow the pilot once again. "If you like, I'll happily look over these dresses you have in mind, If you already have the base, I'm sure I could easily complete the final touches for you in minutes. It wouldn't be a problem at all."

The pilot rolls his eyes, nodding. "Sure...we'll do that later." He grumbles. Thinking quickly, a grin comes to his face. "Oh hey, I heard Fury was looking for you. Why don't you go see what he needed. I think I seen him and the others out by the west gate."

Rarity stops in her tracks, a light blush coloring her muzzle, her eyes pinpricks. "D...Dark Fury was looking for me?" She shakes her head rapidly, then gallops back to the pilot's side. "Well...I'm...I'm sure whatever it is isn't important. I simply must see these creations of yours first."

The two round a corner, his eyes catching the aforementioned Thestral guard himself, Dark Fury. The pilot blinks in surprise of his dumb luck, grinning wide and thanking God for all it was worth. "Oh now how about that." He laughs. "Hey, Fury!"

The Lunar elite stallion turns his head after hearing his name called, seeing the pilot and unicorn. The guard bows respectfully, and locks his gaze on the pilots emerald eyes. "Da, comrade commander! Is good to see you! Comrade princess said you and your vife vere safe and sound. How glad I am, da?" He calls out, quickly trotting to the pilot and unicorn. Rarity has a shocked blush coloring her muzzle, her eyes averting away from the Thestral. "Ah, and you have ze beautiful lady Rarity vith you. Princess Luna must smile upon me zis day!" He bows again, then takes the unicorns fore hoof into his own, giving it a warm, sloppy stalliongrad kiss in greetings.

"Eh heh...Hello, Dark Fury." She grumbles out, desperately holding back and straining to hide her disgust. "My my...how wonderful it is to see...you." She comments. She still has not forgotten the night so long ago where she was trapped in his bed under his heavy body, forced to endure a full night of fury farts and snores. Her eye twitches as he kisses her hoof, an ice cold shiver running the length of her spine.

"Such a beautiful mare, yes? I am blessed to see you this day. How may I help both of you, comrade prince?" Dark Fury jubilantly chimes out, the welcomed sight of the pilot, his longtime friend being safe, causing him to completely forget the stoic nature of his guard status. His bat like leathery wings twitch with minor tremors, the excitement apparent in his features.

Talon clears his throat, and scoots by the love struck guard. "I'm just heading to go see Luna. But...I think Rares here could use some help with the hanger for tomorrow. Think you can stay on her wing?"

"Da, I vould be delighted to! But go get eyes checked, comrade, lady Rarity is a unicorn, not a pegasus! She has no vings, yes?" The guard looks over the unicorn, then back to the pilot.

"Oh no, I couldn't dream of troubling you, Captain Fury, I'm having no..." She trails off, watching the pilot quickly jog away from the couple in the hall, the man rounding the corner again down another corridor and leaving her to her fate. "...problems." She groans out.

"Da! It's no trouble, devotchka! Fury is at your service, yes? Come! Let us go to ze banshees room, I insist zat we have perfect for comrades and gala!" The husky stallion rumbles out in his rich Slavic accent. Rarity yelps as she's dragged off by the stallion to the ballroom, him not noticing her discomfort. "And ven ve are finished, I make you hot borscht to keep healthy! Is cold outside for pretty mare, borscht vill put weight on you, make strong like Ursa Major! Ha!"

Dusty smiles with joy as she's exiting her chambers, looking down at her barrel and admiring the craftsmanship of the fine silver cross. The earthen mare lets out a giddy squeal of delight as she sees the prism of light reflect from the stones vibrantly, her never owning anything so personal, and yet so touching and beautiful. She turns and grasps the door handle with her hoof, pulling back on it as she exits and closes the door.

The familiar sound of boots contacting the ground in a rapid stride catches her sensitive ears, her cheeks quickly flushing and becoming hot. 'Oh sweet Celestia! He's coming this way?!?! What on Equestria do I say to him?' She nervously titters, the clacking of the pilot’s boots approaching quickly. She turns, her cheeks as red as a strawberry as she see him rounding the corner quickly.

Talon continues forward, his destination in mind and his only thoughts on Luna as he makes way for his chambers further ahead in the Lunar wing. He looks lost in thought as he's walking, his eyes not noticing the earthen mare. As he continues, Dusty steps in front of him, blocking his way. Talon comes to a small skid on his heels, coming to an abrupt stop and nearly bumping into her.

"Commander" She softly calls out, her eyes averted to the marble floors. "I wanted to...I wanted to thank you. For this." She coughs as she points her right fore hoof to the cross, her blush deepening. "I never knew you had felt that way...but with Celestia hoofing this gift from you to me I..."

"Uh, dusty...are you feeling alright?" Talon inquires, his eyebrow cocked. He tries to side step around her, glancing ahead down the corridor. He can see the large, ornate wooden double doors to Luna's chambers, almost mocking him in his attempt to reach the Lunar Goddess."

The mare murmurs quietly for a moment, before glancing up, seeing the pilot looking from her, to behind her, then back to her again. Dusty paws the ground with her hoof for a moment, before she inhales sharply, and nods. "I'm...never better, Talon. I've never been better. You have no idea what this means, and I happily accept." She speaks softly under her breath, just barely audible to the human pilot. Looking into his eyes as she has his attention once more, she nods with a small, slow motion of her head. "Thank you for giving me this chance!"

"Uh...alright?" He responds. "Dusty, have you seen Luna?" He asks, completely missing the mares intentions.

"Miss Luna?" She asks, both of her brows raised. Dusty Shine shakes her head slowly. "N--no, I haven't seen her, Talon. But if you like, I can go to the control center and check the cameras for her."

Talon shakes his head. "No need, she's probably still in the room. If it's alright, mind if we catch up later? I'd like to finish off the dresses before tomorrow’s Gala. I'm pretty sure we should be able to get it done with just one more late night."

"The dresses? ...Oh! I already completed all of them for you. They're hanging in my chambers now, and ready for Miss Luna and the precious twins, even my own dress is complete, thanks to you. You're welcome in my room anytime you like...since I'm in your herd now."

Talon blinks in surprise. "Oh good, you...wait, herd?"

"Yes" Dusty blushes and exclaims. "I'm really grateful...I mean, you know I love the twins, and that Miss Luna is my very best friend, but having you both as my special someponies...I'm...wow!" She quickly blurts out, her resolve and confidence rebounding and restored. Before the pilot can react, she lunges forward, rearing up on her hind legs and wraps her hooves around him, squeezing the air from his lungs. The blue maned Earth pony holds the embrace tightly with all of her strength, nuzzling affectionately into his chest. Talon stands in absolute confusion as she does, before she tips her muzzle up and presses her rear hooves at a tilt, planting an affectionate, but timid lick upon his cheek.

She quickly lets go and side steps him, trotting merrily away. "Thanks again, Talon! I promise I won't let you down!" She calls out, cantering away quickly to the control center with an obvious bounce of joy in her step. The pilot remains motionless for a moment, staring ahead at the door to his chambers, his eyebrow twitching and his jaw dropped.

"...what the fuck just happened?" He sighs out, feeling one hell of a migraine coming on.

"Luminescence, as you can clearly see, I am a grown mare and fully capable of walking. Now step aside and let me go to my master!" She says through clenched teeth, trying to move past the smaller alicorn before her. "I'll be perfectly fine!"

Luna opens her mouth to speak, right as the door to the chambers begins to open. In a snap decision and panic, Luna quickly rams into Nightie and tackles her to the ground, alighting her horn and throwing the blanket over the stunned nightmare. The door swings wider as she leaps from her position, planting her rump on the undercover alicorn and wrapping an energy whip around Nighties muzzle with her horn, silencing the surprised Nightmare Moon.

"Luna?" Talon calls out, looking around the chambers. "Angel are you....angel?" He asks, seeing Luna grinning wide at him from sitting on a mound of ruffled blankets, her chest heaving, her iris's pinpricks.

"Hello, mine flame!" Luna exclaims, shifting her weight on top of the blanket mound, her rump pinning the nightmare alicorn's head to the plush peacock carpet. Nightie growls as Luna tightens her magic noose around the black alicorn's muzzle. Luna bucks her hips and shifts her weight in her flanks to suppress the struggling alicorn.

"..." Talon stands in the foyer of the chambers, completely confused. He looks over the situation, seeing the alicorn shifting around subtly, his eyebrows raised with concern.

Luna begins to sweat for a moment, small beads forming around the base of her horn and around her neck. "Yes, mine love?" She asks, before quickly lifting her rump and thumping down hard. The blanket pile suddenly jerks and stops movement, the lunar princess letting out a small grunt of satisfaction.

"...What the fuck are you doing?" He asks, stepping slowly to the bed. He looks around on the ground, seeing the lamp knocked over, broken glass and various brushes, the clock and broken picture frame upon the floor.

"Everything is fine!" She chimes out, her horn glowing dimly. "Please return to the gardens, mine husband. I shall be along soon."

Talon continues forward to the alicorn, coming to the edge of the bed. "Luna...what's going on? Are you alright?" He asks, his eyes glancing down to his chest. The bauble is missing, he has no way of telling the midnight alicorn's mood or thought without the telltale color shifts of the star. "Is there something you would like to tell me?"

"Neigh, mine flame." She quickly blurts out, her horn flashing brightly for a moment. Talon stops short of the bed, bumping into a shimmering starlight shield. "Now please return to the gardens, I'm simply tidying our chambers, and I shalt be down with haste."

The pilot places his palm from his right hand upon the field, the area around his touch flickering violently, creating a soft crackle of static noise from it. "Angel..." He breathes out, narrowing his eyes with frustration. "You're hiding something."

"Mine love, if thou loves and trusts me, than please obey my wishes." She responds, her breathing rate increased. The blanket begins to shift slightly, as she slams her rump down again. A low groan is heard, the night princess sweating a bit more. "This is our first day back from that insanity, and I simply need to busy mine self with this task to return to mine routine. I promise thou that I hide nothing that shalt endanger our marriage."

Talon stares at her for several intense, quiet moments, before shaking his head while holding a tight frown. He says nothing as he releases his hand from the field, turning away. He turns to the door again, walking over the broken glass, the sound of the glass cracking and breaking more beneath his boot step. With a sigh he reaches the chamber door, not bothering to look at her before he exits. Talon pulls the door closed quickly, the heavy wooden partition clacking against the door frame with a clatter and shutting with a dull thump.

Luna perks up her ears, hearing the echo of his footsteps echo further and further away, before disappearing entirely into the distance. She lets out a huff of relief, before a pained groan reaches her ears. Her eyes shoot wide open with realization as she rises to her hooves, removing her weight off of the nightmare below.

The blanket moves slowly, the night princess dimming down her horn and lowering her head, grasping the comforter within her maw and dragging it off. Nightie remains on her side, slowly moving with a dazed, pained look upon her features, her eyes lidded and showing little life.

"Oh get up Obsolescence, mine flanks are not that heavy." Luna groans out, face hoofing in annoyance. "There is no way in Heofon the great Nightmare Moon was brought down by a rump to the head."

Nightie only moans in pain quietly, whimpering in her spot as she struggles to rise back to her hooves, her brain attempting to reboot itself.

Talon returns to the gardens, a twinge of annoyance on his features as he finds his way back to his chair. He has a confused, cold look upon his face, the pilot lost in thought. The white alicorn looks at him, raising her eyebrows with concern.

"Talon, is something wrong?" She asks, leaning over to him. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."

He sighs and shakes his head. "I don't know, Celestia...I honestly don't know anymore. I found Luna...and she's acting strange." He responds. "She put up a field to block me from coming near her...she's never done that."

Celestia sighs, draping a wing around him and giving the pilot a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure whatever it is lulu is doing in there, commander, is probably something simple. Most likely she's just doing another feather brained scheme again to make you some crazy, half-baked gift. Your anniversary is tomorrow."

He nods in understanding. She licks her lips and smiles, leaning into him as she tightens her wing around the man. "Remember last year when she snuck around the palace, trying to be as secretive as possible, but cracked and blabbed everything when you and I were just asking if she wanted to join us for our game night? It's probably the same thing. I can sense her emotions right now, very deeply. Whatever she has in mind, the whispers I'm feeling through our connection are love, and the urge to give you a grand gift. I don't think it's anything to concern yourself with."

The pilot thinks carefully for a moment, remembering the incident quite clearly. Luna was many, many things. A liar was clearly not one of them. He could tell she was for sure hiding something, very poorly at that. But the words echo in his mind. ' I promise thou that I hide nothing that shalt endanger our marriage.' He sighs and nods again. "Alright Celestia...I'll bite on this. You're probably right."

"Of course I'm right." She gently laughs out. "Have I ever steered you wrong before?" The human pilot turns his head, giving her a dark 'are you fucking serious' look. She rolls her eyes, then smirks. "You're never going to let that one time go, are you..."

"You convinced me into following through with your antics that it would be perfectly normal for you and I to participate in the running of the leaves, sunny butt." He deadpans. "And that it would be fine for me to ride on your back like you were a horse, when you were actually just setting up one of your tabloid pranks so you could be called the banshee princess for a month."

"Ah, yes, I remember the headlines well." She quips. "Prince crashes into low tree limbs by Celestial Banshee, Prince caught piloting experimental alicorn aircraft. Botches test with muzzle plant." She chews on her inner cheek within her maw, stifling the giggle. "In my defense, I didn't think you would not think to duck your head before you got a ringer of a hit."

"You turned into that tree and you know it." He grunts in response. "Remind me again why I even help you with your weird fantasy of being ridden?"

"Because you're the only pony on this planet who wouldn't fawn and pass out at the request. That, and I do enjoy our evening strolls together when we can." She responds. "If you like, after the twins go to sleep we could go for a ride together. It could be fun. I think lulu would benefit from the time alone as well, so she can work on your surprise without us snooping."

"...can we please use a saddle this time? Your ass may have some give, but you've got a bony back from hell. With the way you trot, I don't think I'll be walking right for a while, considering it's been a good while since Luna took care of things..." Talon questions, considering the thought of how relaxing a midnight stroll with the elder white alicorn could be. It would help get his mind off of recent events, and grant his alicorn the time she needs for whatever she's doing.

She grins. "That would explain why you've been a tad on edge lately. Don't worry though, I'm sure since you two will be sleeping in your own bed again, she'll probably be a bit more willing. If all else fails, my offer still stands." She whispers, her muzzle colored slightly.

"..." He face palms hard again, scooting away from the sun princess. "I'm...I'm good, thanks." He groans out.

He scoots away from Celestia, getting up and stretching. The sun is approaching the horizon overhead, nightfall coming in just a couple of hours. 'where has the day gone...' Talon asks himself. The sound of giggles reaches his ears, the pilot turning his head. A smile crosses his lips as he watches the orange, Stetson wearing Earth pony, Applejack giving the twin fillies a show as she wrestles with the cyan pegasus. The twins cheer jubilantly as the cow-pony pins the rainbow maned mare to the ground.

"And then what happened papa?" Stardust asks, her forelegs wrapped tightly around the plush war machine, the black alicorn lying on her side in the plush comfortable bed. Moonlight Way is resting in the opposing bed, her gaze lidded as she stares up at the slowly spinning fan blades swirling above.

The pilot clears his throat and leans forward in his seat, propping his chin in his palm, his arm and elbow resting upon his knee. "It was the greatest Naval engagement in American history, it was also the most tragic. This group of people on my old world, who called themselves the Japanese had launched a sneak attack on a Navy base called Pearl Harbor. They came in the early hours, just after the sun had risen with nearly four hundred fighter aircraft, and they did a lot of damage. It's because of that attack that my country had entered into the Second World War."

"Did you fight the bad guys in that battle too, papa?" Stardust asks, a wide smile upon her muzzle. "I bet you and the other ponies had scared all of the meanies away!"

He sighs, and shakes his head. "That was a long time before I was born, Star. The calendar year was nineteen forty one. I was born in nineteen eighty. Your great grandpa was in that fight though. He wasn't a Naval Aviator like me. Your grand pop had a really cool job though."

Moonlight Way turns over in her bed on her side, looking at her father. "Was he an American like us?" She asks, curious.

"Well technically, we are citizens of Equestria since we're not on Earth. It's a very different, far off place..." He trails off for a moment, his thoughts of his once home. A small twinge of sadness settles over his heart, the human missing portions of his past life. "But if we were there, yes, you would be a part of the United States, just like all of my family was since the revolutionary war in the late seventeen hundreds. Your grandpa was a very brave, honorable man. He was my hero that inspired me to join the Navy after a very bad thing happened on Earth."

"So what did he do for his job? Was he really famous?" The indigo filly asks, yawning as sleep slowly creeps on her. "Was he a prince like you too?"

He laughs. "No, it's pretty safe to say I'm the first prince in our bloodline, honey. Your grandpa worked on a really big ship called a battleship. Its name was the U.S. S. Nevada. His job was the weapons systems operator. It's thanks to your grandpa and other men like him they were able to defend the ship and the harbor. I remember the stories he told me when I was growing up...He was really something special. He alone shot down twelve Japanese planes that day all by himself."

"Do we have any big battleships like that in our Navy?" Stardust asks now, her wings bobbing with excitement. "Can we go see them?!"

Talon leans back in his chair and smiles, nodding. "Your mom and auntie Celestia actually commissioned a whole fleet that we started building just after you two were born. As a matter of fact, the first ships will be launched out to sea next spring, from what auntie Twilight was telling me. They're even naming some of the ships after ones on Earth. Now that's really cool." His eyes drift to the open doors of the balcony, looking off to the speck that is Horseshoe Bay, the sun nearly to the horizon and ready to set very soon. He looks back to his daughters and grins. "And yes...I promise I'll take you there as soon as we can go. I want to go see them too."

Moonlight way grumbles as she tries to find a comfortable position in her bed, letting out a defeated huff. She turns to her sister and pouts, the black alicorn filly only rolling her eyes and lifting her own covers, knowing exactly what her sister wanted. Moonlight quickly grasps the overstuffed plush of her mother within her maw, climbing quickly out of her spot and bounding across the gap to Stardust's bed. She shimmies in a warm, cozy spot by her sister, and lets out a happy sigh as she rests her head upon the pillow, her wings nestling close to her sides.

"Papa, are those battleships like the one you were on when you and mama met?" Stardust asks, letting out her own yawn. "Did mama say it was row...row-man-tic, and that's where you two said you loved each other?"

He laughs at the question, shaking his head. Talon is genuinely happy to be spending time with them like this. "I think you're just a silly pony, honey." He sighs and smiles, reaching over and giving her a pat on the head after a friendly scratching to her scalp. "No, I was on what's called an aircraft carrier, an even bigger ship. Your mom and I had met right here at the palace a long time ago, actually."

Talon glances out of the balcony doors again, his eyes seeing the sun finally dipping below the horizon, nightfall settling over the lands. He waits a few moments, then glances back at the chambers doors, a sliver of anger creeping into his thoughts. 'Damnit angel...what the fuck is so God damned important that you'd miss putting our children to bed with me?' He thinks, his jaw tensing as he turns his head again, watching the moon begin to come over the horizon now. He sits in absolute disbelief of Luna's actions tonight, the sense of anger continuing to increase. The pilot hears the sleepy voices of the fillies calling out to him softly, bringing his attention back to them.

"Papa...where's mom?" Moonlight Way asks, her eyes showing sadness. "Isn't she going to come sing to us tonight?"

Stardust nods slowly, laying her head down upon the pillow and draping her small feathery wing over her sister. "You and mama aren't leaving again, are you?"

Talon tries to keep calm, restraining himself for all it's worth from getting up and cuddling the fillies first, then storming the palace to find the missing alicorn, only to drag her back to these chambers by her tail root. He quietly huffs, shaking his head. "No...I promise both of you I'll never leave your side again. Mama and I are not going anywhere. She's just...busy. You know how busy she can be some nights. I'd sing to you myself, but I don't think you want me to hurt your ears with how bad I sound at it." He comments. "I love you both...my daughters. You don't have to worry, I'll always be here for you. Your mom and I will never, ever abandon you."

Stardust yawns again, nuzzling the top of the smaller alicorn's head with her muzzle as she pulls Moonlight Way tightly to her barrel, to comfort the distressed sibling. "Papa...will you stay in here with us until we fall asleep?"

He smiles gently. "Yes. I will." The pilot rises to his feet, walking to the balcony and closing the doors, pulling the drapes shut after. The room is cast into darkness, the only light within being the gentle glow of enchanted crystals upon the nightstand between the two beds, casting a flickering star field upon the walls and ceiling. He makes his way back to the chair, his boots barely making a sound against the plush amber carpet within the chambers.

The fillies both close their eyes, sounds of their hushed, steady breaths slowly filling the air as they begin to fall into their slumbers, the rhythmic sound being music to the pilot's ears. He smiles in the darkness as the minutes tick away, amazed at how quickly the children find peaceful rest. 'Don't ever worry, you two...I'll always be on your wings. Always.' Talon whispers under his breath, quietly getting up from his seat. He bends down over the bed, placing a soft, gentle kiss on each of their cheeks, before turning to exit the room. As he's closing the door, once in the hall, he hears the quiet clacking of hoof steps approaching. His anger quickly reaches the boiling point as he closes the partition, not turning to greet the mare now standing still behind him.

"Luna..." He growls out. "I don't know what the fuck your problem is today, but you serious..." He stops as he turns, his eyes going wide as he sees the cream soda fur of her fore legs, his eyes tracing their length to a cream colored barrel, and crimson locks of a long mane draped over the sides. "ly..." He trails off, blinking in surprise.

Morrigan, the all mother simply smiles gently to him, her vibrant emerald orbs gazing at him in amusement. "Seriously what, my child?" She quietly breathes out, her features betraying her enjoyment of catching him off guard.

He swallows hard as his eyes meet the taller alicorn's own, the absolute shock rendering the words dead in his throat. Images flash in his mind as he looks at her, his thoughts playing tricks and deceiving him for a split second as he sees flashes of the fire demon from Baol before him. The humans pulse begins to skyrocket for a moment as absolute terror washes over him from the memory, Talon frozen with horror.

Her soft smile falls into a small frown, the ancient Goddess effortlessly seeing his every thought as she stares into his eyes, her own heart feeling his fear, the emotions so powerful. Her horn alights with a very soft ethereal light, shimmering sparkles trailing off of the tip as she bends down her long, elegant neck and touches her horn to his forehead. She whispers a spell within her heavenly language, washing away the memories and pain from his mind, quelling the fear within moments and slowing his heart back to normal. "Shh..." She whispers, now audible to the human’s ears. "It's alright...you're safe now. I won't harm you, my child."

Talon stands dumbfounded with confusion, an eerie calm washing over him as his mind recollects itself. He blinks in a daze, before turning again to look at her as she backs away. Morrigan once more gives him a gentle smile, her pristine, soft white, flat teeth being shown to him as she turns her ears outward and back, the alicorn mare giving him a welcoming nicker as she nods her head with a long, gentle motion.

"I was hopeful to say goodnight to my granddaughters before they had fallen into their dream worlds...children are so precious at that age." Morrigan sighs wistfully, before returning her gaze to the still shocked into silence pilot. "Mr. Talon...we need to talk." She quietly states, alighting her horn once more.

From within the depths of her crimson ribbons, she withdraws the bauble gifted to him by Luna, the star floating within the orb lazily, it's soft glow shimmering and twinkling beautifully as the glass of the bauble comes into contact with his skin. She binds the necklace once more to him, the star now casing off a warm light as it returns to its owner.

Talon looks down at the necklace now resting once more upon his breastbone, back to the all mother, then back to the orb once more, before wordlessly mouthing words, unable to speak within her presence. The mare simply smiles sweetly, before drawing a breath to speak.

"This is absolutely ridiculous, Luminescence." Nightie growls. "Sneaking me around corridors and corners, when Morrigan had already released me." The black alicorn fumes, wobbling upon her spindly legs.

"Obsolescence, I hath made mine decision, and that is final." The midnight alicorn groans out, her ears flicking with irritation. "Thou knows Tis not the right moment to present thee, and we must find thou chambers to rest before the gala."

The pair around the corner, unawares of the Goddess and human in the hall just ahead around the next bend in the maze of halls within the Lunar wing. Nightie sulks, her head lowered as she follows the night princess closely, heaving a tired sigh, wishing she had seen something, anything interesting along the way. Thus far the path has been clear, devoid of any staff or guards, since the entire palace is busy with preparing the hanger to be once more a ball room, while other members help with the arriving flights from all over Equestria, still waiting for the air wing from the Crystal Empire to touch down with the royal couple.

"When I have my full power back, you will pay dearly for this." The nightmare alicorn mumbles under her breath, looking away. The two continue to walk forward slowly, Luna stopping short suddenly to a screeching halt. Nightie isn't paying attention, and bumps muzzle first into Luna's rear. She goes cross eyed at the scent, the smaller azure alicorn's silken tail ribbons draped along her snout. Luna quickly turns and arcs her neck back, glaring at the nightmare with an angry blush, before Nightie quickly backs away in confusion.

"Luminescence, why the hell did you--mmmph!" She's stopped short as Luna jams her smaller hoof into Nightmare's maw, silencing the protesting Nightmare Moon.

"Shh!" Luna hastily scolds, her ears swiveled backward and listening to the conversation between the two voices up ahead.

'So let me get this straight...' The voice of the pilot echoes off of the walls of the empty hallowed halls. Luna leans forward and listens intently, taking a tentative step to peer around the corner. She watches as her husband folds his arms, his posture rigid and defensive. Luna creeps forward more and spots the All Mother standing before him, her flank turned to the two hidden alicorn's. One of Morrigan's ears swivels backward for a moment, seeming to focus directly upon the corner. Luna jerks back quickly, listening intently to them while hidden.

Talon heaves a sigh. "You seriously expect me to defend a mare you won't even tell me the name of, and rescue two more mares at the same time...while believing literally everyone and everything is my enemy. You want me to believe all this, just like that?" He asks, perking an eyebrow. "No offense ma'am...but what the fuck are you smoking?"

Morrigan closes her eyes and nods happily. "Yes, I do, my child. But as you can plainly see, I am not smoking anywhere upon my form. That's more of my daughter Celestia's thing." She chimes out with a soft giggle. “I never stated that it was a right now mission."

The pilot rolls his eyes, his hand rising to his head as he massages his right temple. "Look...I know I owe you my life. You did bring me back from the dead. But with all due respect, I have no intention of leaving Luna or the twins anytime soon. Especially alone, where I have to protect three that angel will think I'm doing something stupid with. She's already falsely accused me a few times now."

The cream soda colored alicorn smiles with a wide, warm smile, again nodding happily. "Yes, I'm afraid my lovely daughter, little Luna, was always one to jump to conclusions quickly. I can assure you however, Mr. Talon, this is a mission of the utmost importance. It is the path I have laid before you in your lifetime."

"Eh...to hell with it, I won't argue." He huffs in annoyance. "Fine, fine...when is this mission, and how soon do you need me underway?”

She smiles cryptically. "You will know when the time is right. Of that I can absolutely promise. And you should know that as long as you hold true to your faith...you shall prevail." She gestures to him with her foreleg, her soft, gentle hoof pawing his chest, glancing the silver cross under his uniform shirt.

Talon shakes his head, running his free hand through his hair. "Alright...You have my word then. I'll do this mission for you. If I've got Luna or Nightie by my side, I can't lose." He responds. The pilot looks up at the Goddess, his eyes meeting her gaze. " Speaking of her...I'm asking you, please release her. I know you think she's bad and all, but I've fought by her side before. Nightmare Moon is not the evil villain you think. I know she's changed from her past, and I'm begging you, let her go."

The goddess turns her muzzle up with a wide grin now, her emerald eyes focused sharply upon the human. "I will do with her as I see fit. When I feel she has learned her lesson, and she will...I will cast my judgment then, and only then. After all..." She flicks her gaze to the side, glancing at the corner behind her. "It would be such a shame if some troublesome fillies had tried to force my hoof before the time was right." Morrigan responds, the message clear, yet encrypted. She hears the faint sound of two hard swallows in the distance, her grin turning from smug to victorious.

The pilot cocks his head to the side, not understanding the hint. "Um...what?"

Morrigan clears her throat, turning her full attention back to him now. "Mr. Talon...I believe you have matters to attend to with my little Celly, and managing your preparations for tomorrow's festivities. I implore you now, go meet with Celestia, and then after you have cleared your mind with a relaxing stroll through the palace maze with her, meet with your rather adorable friend Mrs. Shine. You must spend the night within her chambers, to allow little Luna the time she has been granted. Engaging this matter further would be...unwise."

Talon balls his fists up, keeping his fury just under the breaking point. He stares her down, her own illustrious emerald orbs boring into his own. She alights her horn, flashing him a warning glance. He sighs and salutes, then turns and walks away the opposite direction, now bound for the royal gardens near the Solar wing without a word.

Morrigan remains in place, watching him until he disappears from view. She waits a few more moments, before shifting her gaze back, both ears now turned rearward. Licking her lips, she inhales a gentle breath and speaks up. "I also believe that's a suggestion two troublesome daughters of mine should take into account, and should be returning to their chambers to manage their own affairs." The sound of hooves quickly scuffling against the floor quickly reaches her ears, leaving the Goddess with a satisfied smile. 'It's good to be the Queen, sometimes.'

The fighter pilot reaches the gates of the garden, seeing the doors already open, the elder white alicorn resting upon her rump and gazing at the moon, high in the sky. Shaking his head, he buttons up his jacket, exhaling the smoke from his cigarette, then casting the depleted filter into a small, empty rubbish bin at the door. "I thought sunny butts preferred the daytime." He calls out, getting the alicorn's attention.

Celestia gives a gentle laugh, turning her attention to him. "That's still princess sunny butt to you, commander." She replies with a sheepish smile. The pilot walks up to her, the alicorn wrapping her left wing around him in a friendly embrace. "The palace certainly is lively this time of year...It's nice to get some peace and quiet again."

The pilot glances at the night skies, not seeing or hearing any flights or fighters in the air. "That it is, just like every year..." He responds. "Has Cadence and Shining Armor arrived yet?" He turns his eyes to the white alicorn, who shakes her head.

She lets out a small huff, and smiles, still looking to the heavens above. "Just Cadence this year. Shining Armor is busy with very important matters within the Crystal Empire, and expressed he couldn't make it. Princess Cadence will be staying with us here in Canterlot for a full two weeks by herself. She should be in her old chambers right now, likely unpacking."

Talon nods in understanding. "Hoof ball season?"

Celestia grins. "Would that stallion be doing anything else than having several of the vacationing guards he once captained have a giant macho party, all the while getting intoxicated, over stuffed with treats, and leaving a nightmare for the palace maids this time of year?"

He smirks. "Can't say I blame the guy, lucky ass hat."

"That...he is. I won't deny that." She giggles out, raising a hoof to her maw to stifle the snicker. She sighs happily, tightening her wing around him. "I'm very glad to have you two home, Talon. I had seen the footage recovered from your machine...that was a very brave thing you and Nightie did on that strange world. I'm so proud of you."

"All in a day's work." He replies, giving the elder white alicorn a pat on the side. "It's pretty late, shouldn't you be heading to bed now, Celestia?" He asks.

"And miss our routine that only you and I can share? The heresy." She muses. "I'd rather eat bacon."

He nods. "Hey...bacon is some serious stuff. I'd do some pretty crazy things for some real bacon these days."

"I know you would. So as my gift to you as a welcome home, we had just rushed a chef from Zebradica here, just for your benefit. At the Grand Galloping Gala, you'll have all kinds of dishes made that should give you a taste of what you miss so. Just please...restrict your consumption of such to after the air show, and in Luna's study. I still have a hard time picturing you consuming that." She sighs. "Your machine is in process of repairs as we speak. Thankfully, it wasn't a total loss. It's believed the aircraft should be show ready by the dawn."

"Always a good thing, and agreed." He nods again. "Alright then...what's the plan?" Talon watches as Celestia retracts her wing, then lowers herself to her belly upon the soft, cool grass. He throws one of his legs over her back, understanding the signal, then comes to a rest.

Grasping two solid clumps of her mane within his hands, he gives a gentle tug to let her know he's ready, the alicorn mare rising to her hooves again. She lets out a happy whinny, then breaks into a brisk trot, entering the maze nearby. Sounds of her hooves beating the ground echo into the still night air, Celestia bolting like a bullet as she gallops at full bore.

“Listen up, maggots!” Shouts an intimidating earth pony, his voice echoing through the hangar that housed the Banshee and shocking the repair team into attention. A motley crew of thirty ponies of varying races and backgrounds, each hold their own specialty. None, however, have the tenacity and sheer force of will that their superior has. The stallion in question, a young earth pony from a southern mining town, going by the name Sledgehammer.

He stands at the head of the hangar, staring at the ruined aircraft whilst his team rushes to attention. It doesn't take long, and thirty seconds later they stand at the ready. Sledge looks them over for a few seconds before letting out a sigh. Next to him stands a rolling tool cabinet, he opens it and pulls out a light brown cigar as well as a box of matches and a guillotine. He snips the end off the cigar and lights it, puffing a few times before looking back to the crew.

“In less than twenty four hours this aircraft needs to be on the tarmac and ready to fly.” He says, pointing at a clock on the far hangar wall. “Y’all have twenty to get her ready.” His team begins to speak up. “Ah ain’t finished.” His tone is that of a scolding father, stunning all of the repair crew into silence. Silently he opens a drawer on the cabinet beside him, revealing five bottles of scotch. “Ah got this scotch when it was twelve years old, ah haven’t opened a single bottle in eight. That is twenty year old scotch. We get try and get this done, we’ll crack ‘em open and celebrate. Sound good?!”

“Yes, sir!” Responds the team, he lets out a puff of white smoke and nods.

“Get to it then! Beg, borrow, steal! Whatever it takes, get the plane out of the hangar!” Sledge puffs on his cigar again before trotting towards a tool cabinet. The repair team goes into overdrive, each member grabbing their tools and opening the stores of spare parts. The hangar erupts into a wondrous symphony of pneumatic drills, screw guns, rivet guns and welding torches. Sledge opens his tool cabinet and takes his own contribution to the effort from within, a large wrench. One end is splotched with an eerie green stain, he smiles at it for a moment before going off to work on the aircraft.

Over the hours that follow, each stallion proves his worth. Better still, the aircraft begins to take shape, and as the early evening hours turn to just two hours before the dawn; it’s looking as if the team will do it. Sledge is drenched in sweat and on his third cigar of the job; the hangar reeks of oil, acetylene, and hydraulic fluid. Impressed by the feat, Sledge takes a moment to look over the aircraft. They had needed to neglect the weapon’s systems, which wasn’t anything major considering it was only flying in an air show.

The wings had needed to be replaced; in fact, he and two of his subordinates had ‘borrowed’ them directly from the manufacturer. The tires had been cannibalized from a decommissioned F-18, and the paint was still drying, but soon it would be ready to fly.

“Save for the fact that the thing appears to have been assembled in a scrap yard, the banshee almost looks back to its old self.” Sledge lets out a sigh of satisfaction as he sees the last of his team step away from the aircraft; he puffs on his cigar as he looks over the work. “Hayseed!” He calls out, one of the tired looking repair ponies steps forwards. “Got one more job for you.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Head on over to the mess tent, get thirty glasses.” Sledge orders, the pony perks up and smiles. “Then head on into my office and grab the cigar box beneath my desk, should have more than enough for all of us.”

“Yes, sir!” The stallion salutes before rushing off; Sledge lets out a laugh and turns to the rest of his team.

“You done me proud boys, take this drink, smoke a cigar, then hit the showers. You all smell like shit.”

As the engineers clear out, a team of maids and palace staff swarm the ballroom turned hanger, mop buckets, dusters, tables, chairs, and all sorts of catering supplies in tow as they furiously proceed into clearing away the messes left behind, preparing the area for the Grand Galloping Gala just hours away. Velvet ropes are brought in, a path cleared for the proud war machine to exit and re-enter for the flight demonstration made. With a determined nod, the maids all smile, cheerfully getting to work for the grandest celebration of the year, the wedding anniversary of the midnight Goddess, and the Gala.

Talon sighs as he steps out of the small shower within the Earthen mare's chambers, drying himself off with the comically small towel in the washroom. He grunts as he steps into the main room, the cold night air chilling him, and causing a shiver.

Dusty looks up at him from the table, tipping her glasses down the bridge of her snout. "Did you enjoy your shower, Commander?" She asks, musing a small smile as she looks him over. She eyes him carefully, recording what she sees to memory subtly.

"I did. Remind me to have some of my towels made for you. These things must be a pain in the ass for you to use." He comments, folding the small hoof towel and draping it over a chair back. He comes to a rest and sits upon the chair now, finally catching the mare blushing and staring. "Dusty...if I'm bothering you, I don't mind just sleeping in the study. I know how bad these scars trouble you." He says, motioning to his chest and shoulder.

She shakes her head, glancing away and down to her cup of coffee, murmuring softly. "No...you're fine. I already told you that you're more than welcome here, Talon. " Dusty speaks just above a gentle whisper. "I'm honored that you're here...I didn't think it would be so soon, but I don't mind." The mare adds, her muzzle flushing hot with a furious blush.

"Thanks for being a good friend." He breathes out, smiling. "I'm going to have a last smoke before getting some rack time. Thanks for letting me crash on your sofa for the night." The pilot gets up from the chair, looking for his uniform jacket with his cigarettes and lighter in it. Dusty clears her throat and pushes the nearly empty pack to him across the table, a small smile upon her muzzle.

"Considering your current attire, you're welcome to have your fire stick in here, Talon. It's not your usual sand bowl, but a small saucer with water in it should work just as well." She speaks up, leaning back in her own chair. The blue maned earthen mare smiles as he lights the cigarette, watching intently as he exhales a stream of smoke from his nostrils with curious wonder. She had been around the pilot for ages, and has long since learned to ignore the offensive odor produced by the fire tubes. Since she was settling in herself as a herd member now, she smiled at the thought of even perhaps one day trying one herself.

He notices her staring off into space at him, the mare seemingly lost in thought. With a quick, rapid motion of his free hand, he surprises the mare with a light tap to her snout, pulling her from the daydream. "And where were you just now?" He asks, grinning.

"Oh..Just...thinking." She admonishes, blushing slightly more. "Ahem...um...so did you like the dresses? I was really happy to finish them for you, Talon."

"They look great." He responds, glancing at the three matching garments resting upon the ponyquin stands. "I'm pretty sure they'll be a big hit at the gala." Reaching down to the table surface, he lifts his cup to his lips, finishing the last gulps of coffee within the mug. He gives a satisfied sigh of relief, inhaling another drag afterwards.

The earthen mare watches him intently, her thoughts trailing off to curiosity of what may happen as they sleep. The gala, the air show, everything all racing circles within her mind. She smiles in a daze, her own cheeks flushed and hot as she considers the future.

Talon eyes her, his nose picking up a familiar scent he knew all too well within the air. 'Ah, hell...I know what that is. ...fucking space ponies.' He thinks, his brain connecting the dots as he studies the mare, the scent of her arousal becoming more evident by the second. His eyes drift down to the bauble, seeing the amethyst mist still swirling lazily around the slowly spinning star, the light within showing him that his princess is sleeping peacefully, likely dreaming of warm, far off places of tranquility. Flicking his gaze back up to the mare, he sees Dusty fidgeting in her seat, lost in thought. Talon puts out the cigarette at the halfway point, the ember hissing faintly as it dies out into the water. "Goodnight Dusty." Yawning as he gets up and walks to the sofa, laying down upon the plush, comfortable cushions and velvety material.

"Oh...?" She whispers, noticing him walk away. "Talon...Um, you're welcome to...sleep in..." She breathes out quietly, embarrassment creeping within her voice now. "Um...you're welcome to sleep in my bed...with me."

"Nope, I'm good." He calls out, giving her a thumbs up as he extends his arm above the arm of the sofa back. "Night, Dusty."

She gives a small frown, before rising to her hooves and walking to her bed chambers door. Her untied sash of her black robe drags upon the floors surface as her bare hooves make their way, the mare feeling somewhat disappointed. 'Easy girl...it'll happen eventually...he won't leave me a virgin forever.' She curses within her thoughts, sulking to the bedroom. The door closes with a quiet click as she seals the room, making her way to the bed for some much needed rest.

The sun rises on time, Celestia placing some extra effort into creating a stunning dawn on the day of her precious sister and husband’s anniversary. Rays of golden light explode over the horizon and mountain tops, the skies clear and the weather warm and serene. Another perfect autumn day, to start off the festive events.

The elder white alicorn sits upon her cushion, sipping a cup of steaming hot coffee, slowly enjoying the mind awakening elixir so meticulously created just for her. Her eyes trace the morning papers laid out upon her desk, a smile crossing her muzzle as she comes across another poorly taken picture of a white and black blur in the night, the reporter claiming it to be the newest top secret machine created for the ERAF.

Twilight shakes her head as she stands by the desk, her own eyes reading the headlines and article. "Celestia..." She breathes out, glancing at the alicorn with a towel wrapped around her drying mane. "Don't tell me you went out for another ride again with Talon. You know how much those ponies of the tabloids love to make up crazy, feather-brained ideas."

She giggles softly, not looking at the lavender alicorn beside her. "Oh...let them have their fun, Twilight. It's perfectly harmless, and we were galloping at full sprint. There isn't a camera made that can actually get a clear photo of me enjoying one of my favorite guilty pleasures."

"I still don't get why you have this kick of being ridden like a horse...you're the harbinger of the Sun, the Sovereign of Light. ...You're not supposed to be ridden like a pet." The younger alicorn princess grumbles.

"You're just jealous because you're too short to enjoy the freedom of it." Celestia prods, grinning. "It's actually very liberating to have a close enough bond with any pony like that. I know I enjoy myself, the wind in my mane, the feeling of being held, and for once in my life, having some pony guide me, instead of me guiding them."

"Riiight." Twilight sneaks. "And all you're missing now is the halter and saddle."

"I prefer bareback." Celestia shoots back, her grin darkening as she narrows her gaze to the young alicorn mare. The two stare one another down for a moment, before they break and reduce the standoff into a fit of giggles. The sun princess relents, and wipes a tear from her eye with her hoof. "I'm so glad they're back home, safe and sound."

The lavender alicorn comes to a seat upon her haunches, taking her own cup of morning coffee within her telekinesis. "I am pretty curious...what's in the box?" She inquires, raising her left foreleg and pointing to a long, thin parcel leaning against the walls corner near the foyer of the chambers. "You've had that sitting up here for the last three weeks, and you haven't even opened it yet."

Tipping her muzzle up with a sly smile, Celestia looks away, hiding the devious mischief she's planning. "Oh...just a surprise I have in store for one of the Gala's guests this evening. I'm sure he'll be positively flattered that his recent books have had my attention."

She cocks an eyebrow, looking over the large, cylindrical shape of the brown cardboard tube. Twilight Sparkle's mind races, attempting to---and failing to connect what a book and a large cardboard tube could possibly have in common. After several moments of processing, she gives a defeated huff and shakes her head, ignoring the problem for now, as the answer will make itself shown at the gala later this evening.

The hours pass quickly throughout the day, the pilot having yet to have seen his alicorn anywhere within the palace. He had tried to enter the chambers he had shared with her, only to be instantly teleported away to the solar wing the moment he had grasped the handle of the ornate heavy oak doors. After three attempts, he had given up, knowing that eventually Luna would make herself available.

Talon sits in the study within the Lunar wing, his twin fillies quietly resting and enjoying reading the latest Daring Do novel with Rainbow Dash, the cyan pegasus from Ponyville. As he himself is going over paperwork, he hears a knock at the door, looking up from the stack to the door. "Enter." He calls out. The door opens, revealing Dusty Shine.

The earthen mare steps in, carrying the pilot's worn, tan canvas satchel upon her back, each of the pouches holding cleaned and pressed articles of the pilot's flight suit and uniform. "Commander, she speaks up, a soft, gentle smile upon her muzzle. "I took the liberty to have your dress uniform and flight suit ready for this evenings events. I hope you don't mind."

He sighs, setting down the quill onto the desk's wooden surface, nodding. "Thanks. Luna's not exactly letting me into the bedroom, so it's not as if I could get them myself...what the hell is she doing in there anyway?" He asks. This catches the attention of the twins, who also look up at the mare, waiting to hear the reasons why they have not seen their mother since yesterday morning.

"I'm...not sure, myself." She clears her throat, her gaze flicking down. "I couldn't get into the chambers either. When I knocked on the door, all Miss Luna had done was crack open the door a bit. She seemed...angry. I can't explain it. When I came asking for the change of clothes for you, she just zapped them out through the crack, and closed the door back up. She's acting very strange..."

"Strange doesn't even begin to cover it." He grumbles out, desperately holding back his own rage. This didn't make even a little bit of sense. Something happened, and whatever the hell it was, he could tell it was connected between the mother, and the chain of events that lead to them world hopping. He rises to his feet, pushing back the chair with his legs. "Dusty, I have a favor to ask."

"Anything." She quickly blurts out, taking a small, determined step forward.

He ignores her forwardness, gritting his teeth. "I need the dresses we worked on brought here. All three of them. The gala is in a few hours, and I still need to get the preflight checks done on our bird. I don't have time for this shit anymore."

She furiously nods, setting down the saddlebags from her back upon the floor. "I'll do it right away then." He nods in response, letting out a strained, controlled breath as he returns to his sitting position. As she turns to exit and opens the door, she's greeted by a pink furred mare holding up her hoof to knock.

"Oh? Oh! Wow, that worked out nice! Hello Dusty!" The pink alicorn chimes out musically. "And my favorite troublemakers are here too! Perfect!"

Dusty steps aside, allowing the Crystal princess passage into the study, then herself trotting into the hall without a word. Cadence turns her head, looking at the solemn expressions upon the earthen mare's and pilot's faces, cocking an eyebrow. "Did I come at a bad time?"

The twins quickly bound to their hooves, the fillies rushing over and giving the pink princess excited, warm, loving nuzzles and hugs, their wings beating feverishly as they greet their 'aunt' Cadence. Talon shakes his head, still focused on the stack of papers. "No, everything is just fine." He breathes out. "I heard you came alone this year. Must be pretty important for your husband to miss this."

Cadence shakes her head, grinning. "If by important you mean he'd rather watch hoof ball and avoid being flown around by the best fighter pilots in the CERAF, then yes." She admits, grinning sheepishly. "You know my shiny can be so macho, yet such a mare sometimes. Don't worry, I'll be sure to get him back, good, when I return home."

The human pilot leans back in his own chair, lighting a cigarette and grinning. "Let me guess. Itching powder?"

"I'm thinking his mane would look so cute bubblegum pink to go with his sugar green coat." Cadence counters, her own grin darkening, the words laced with ice. "Trust me, this is the last Gala he's ever going to miss."

"Pictures. I so demand pictures." He quips, smiling as he exhales a stream of smoke, flicking the ashes into a sand bowl. He looks her over, his eyebrows raised. "No armor, no regalia, no crown. You're acting like this is some kind of vacation, princess."

"That's because it is." She shoots back, stepping to the edge of the desk. "Speaking of, auntie Tia told me that you've got that maid in your herd now? What exactly did I miss while you and auntie Lulu were out saving the galaxy?"

"When you figure that out, let me know. I'm just as lost on it as you are." He responds with a low groan. "But if she's saying it, that means that either Luna approved of it herself, or this is all one big misunderstanding. Who the hell am I to make that call?"

"Good point." Cadence answers, nodding. The door once again opens, Dusty stepping back in with her own personal saddlebags upon her sides now, the gray leather satchel embroidered with her cutie marks upon the flaps. With a happy smile, she sets the bags down, opening the flaps with her maw and revealing the folded dresses within.

"Candy, Dusty...if you wouldn't mind, get the twins ready and in their dresses, then you yourselves do what you need to so you're ready for the gala yourself." He speaks to them, rising from the chair once more, and digging through the bag for Luna's dress. He takes it within his arms, the mares within the room almost able to feel the cold, deeply angered emotion radiating from him. "I've got something I need to do, then I'll be getting ready for the show. I'll meet you at the hanger later."

Without another word, he exits the study, bound for Luna's chambers.

Nightie finishes her meal, finally feeling satisfied once more, the feeling of hunger abated. "I can see why you always took time to do this, Luminescence. Eating really is a pleasure unto itself." She comments, wiping away the juices of the fruits and cabbage she had just consumed. "Now that we've done this however, I think we're good and ready. So how about stepping aside, and letting me go meet our master now?"

Luna shakes her head, sleep deprivation apparent within her eyes. "Obsolescence...we've been over this. Thou can wait a few more hours. For all of the bucking trouble I've had to go through just to keep this up, it'll be worth it." She sighs out.

"That's if you still even have a relationship left, you foalish twit." Nightmare fires back, her voice dripping with venom. "Do you really think he would be even remotely willing to forgive you after your treatment of him within the last several hours? Rather than just getting out of my damned way, YOU feel the need to do some elaborate, half stepped plan for a pointless surprise, are avoiding OUR CHILDREN, and as I can feel through the connection, are pissing off master to NO END." She grits out through clenched teeth, the black alicorn's wings deploying open with a snap. "Do you have even the slightest idea of how angry he is? Not even the parasite had pushed him this far."

The midnight princess glares, bucking up with blistering cold rage. "The ONLY reason I'm doing this is for YOU, Obsolescence. Were it not for mine mother telling me this was how events hath be, I would have dragged thou by thy tail root into the gardens yesterday, just so I wouldn't have to deal with this absurd pony show!" She retaliates. "Doth thou have any incline of how much this crushes mine heart, not being able to spend time with mine treasures because I was volun-TOLD to train thou?!"

"Morrigan has shown that she is one for long, drawn out surprises, that never justify the ends. You were given free will, just as I, we could have easily ignored and disobeyed this meaningless gesture. Thanks to your nit-witted ideas of this, I've been shoved into broom closets, had blankets thrown over my head, SAT ON BY A TWIT and humiliated before our master. You, Luna, are an IDIOT." Nightmare growls out, head butting against the smaller, azure alicorn. Their horns spark off in contact with one another, dark blue arcs of electricity dancing off of their visages as their powers clash.

There's a knock at the door, both mares darting their eyes to the oak partitions. "What is it?!" Luna calls out, rage laced heavily in her voice. The pony at the door is silent for a moment, a muffled huff is heard before the pony on the other side speaks. At the sound of the voice, Luna's eyes go wide, her iris's dilate to pinpricks. Nightie only gives a dark, sardonic grin at the voice.

"Angel..." Talon responds, standing at the door within the hallway. He sighs again, shaking his head, collecting his thoughts and wording. "Look...I don't know what the hell is going on. Sunny butt told me...you're doing some kind of project, and I can respect that." He breathes out, thinking. "The.." He clears his throat, re-wording. "Our daughters...they miss you. I miss you. And...look, this is just fucked up. You didn't follow through, and they missed you last night, we've always put them to bed together as a team, and you work your space pony voodoo to sing them to sleep. Do you have any idea how sad they were that you were not there? I have no idea what the fuck you have in your mind that is so God damned important, but I hope whatever it is, is worth it to you."

He drops the bag at the doorway threshold, the bag and contents letting out a light thump and crinkle as it impacts the floor. "Whenever the fuck you pull your head out of your plot, there's something for you here." Luna steps slowly to the door from within the chambers, her features twisted with horror and sadness, tears welling up within her eyes. He continues. "Luna...I love you, I always have, and always will. If it's something you need help with, Just for the love of God woman, tell me! I'm sure we can face it down together! I've been by your side for six years now...and I'll remain as long as you need me...so just..."

Luna opens the door, tears streaming down her muzzle as she looks up at him. Her makeup runs down the flow of tears, discoloring her fur, her mane is unkempt and un-brushed, her feathers upon her wings disheveled and ruffed. Talon looks at her, the words dead in his throat as she sniffles and stares up at him.

"Don't go..." She whispers out. "Please, mine love...don't let me go." Luna takes a step forward, the door closing behind her. Talon stares at her, his face betraying the confusion of seeing her state. He remains motionless as the alicorn slowly steps to him, her wings unfolding very gently as she takes him within her feathered embrace. Tense moments pass, before he wraps his arms around her and returns the embrace.

"Angel..." He breathes out. "What the fuck is going on...whatever this is, let me help you. Please..." The alicorn only responds by nuzzling deeper into him, tightening her wings hold upon her love.

"Mine flame...I hath never led thou astray before...please, just trust me for a little longer." She whispers out, choking back the urge to crumble and tell him everything right now. "It's...it really is just..."

He backs away, pushing her rearward with his arms, before silencing her with a finger to her lips. "I trust you." He speaks softly, kneeling down to her. "Whatever this is, I get that you need to do this solo. But if you need help, just ask. I'll gladly back you up. Who, or whatever this is, I know we can take it out if we work together." The pilot reaches to the side, grasping the strap of the sack containing the dress. "When you're ready, this is for you. You don't need to worry about being in the bird with me for the show, you can just do this, and spend time with Star and Moonlight. I don't mind."

Luna looks down at the opened bag, seeing the deep blue and black silken dress folded neatly, the sashes and ribbons decorated with the finely cut steel replicas of her cutie marks glittering in the light. The breath catches in her throat as she's rendered speechless, in absolute disbelief of the dress she's dreamed about wearing now being complete. "Mine husband..." she whispers hauntedly.

The pilot rises to his feet, turning away without another word. He takes a few steps, before speaking up. "I need to get ready for the show...the guests are arriving, and the flight demo teams are already staging on the sidelines and auxiliary runways. I'll be waiting for you at the flight line. Don't worry about the girls, Candy and Dusty are taking care of them right now, and I've already fed them both."

Luna nods in understanding, watching as he walks away. She remains motionless in the hall until he disappears from view. Nightie opens the door now once she feels the pilot has gone away far enough to be out of his view. Luna turns back to the room, quietly contemplating just what to do. As Luna re-enters the chambers, Nightmare alights her horn, holding the smaller alicorn's flight suit within her power.

The night princess looks up at the flight jacket, Nightie giving her a soft, understanding smile and nod. Luna gasps, unable to process. "Luminescence...Luna. Your time is now. I understand, and I can feel the love for you within master's heart. Now don't just stand there you foalish mare...go bathe and get yourself ready to put on a hell of a show."

With a giddy squeak, Luna sets down the dress and bag upon the bed's surface, cantering happily to the washroom of the chambers to take a quick bath, her head and ears held high, a happy smile upon her muzzle.

Nightie looks at the dress within the bag, using her magic to pull it out and lay it flat upon the large, plush comforter. As she's eyeing it, she feels a presence drawing closer, the sound of wind chimes echoing in the still air. Her ears turn rearward, swiveling as she tracks the noises.

"I believe you should be getting ready too, Obsolescence." The cream soda colored alicorn comments, a warm, loving smile upon her features. "Little Luna isn't the only one who has a wonderful show to do this evening."

Nightie turns her head, looking to Morrigan, then rolls her eyes.

Princess Celestia smiles, standing at the podium set up close to the flight line. She glances around, her eyes scanning over the massive crowd gathered this evening for the gala and air show, in absolute disbelief. It's almost as if half of Canterlot is present just to watch the air show alone. She grins even wider, looking at her younger sister in amazement. Luna smiles with pride back to the elder white alicorn, puffing out her chest with glee as she adorns her flight jacket, now cleaned perfectly and seamlessly repaired by the lady Rarity just for this occasion.

The wind blows quietly over the mass of ponies, and as the sun sets they cannot take their eyes off of Celestia, the solar Princess’ mane alone was as radiant as any beautiful flower or wondrous sunset. She, like her sister, is more than ready to get the ceremony underway. As Celestia approaches the podium, a voice calls out over the crowd.

“ATTEN-HUT!” The pilots and guards present snap into rigid postures.

The white alicorn clears her throat, her horn alight to enhance her voice magically so she can speak to every pony gathered around. Her gaze shifts momentarily to the flight line, eying all those of the first combat division that had lined up to take part in the night’s grand air show. Returning her view back to the gathering of ponies, she nods and takes a breath.

"Mares and gentle colts, wonderful subjects of our great nation." She begins. "Thank you, for coming this evening to our annual Grand Galloping Gala. It is a pleasure and a privilege to see so many of your joyous faces gathered here tonight, even if it is just for the free food and wonderful cake." The crowd laughs at her light joke, a few cheers heard a short distance away. She grins, and speaks again.

"It is with a light and happy heart, I am able to say that this is both a wonderful and splendid occasion, where we all, myself included, get to enjoy the rare treat of a special air display An air display carried out by Equestria's most finely trained pilots.” She looks towards the pilots gathered with a light smile. “I would like to thank our fine mares and stallions in uniform personally. I especially look forward to seeing the wonderful show you'll be putting on for every pony this fine evening. An evening that happens to host our fifth annual Royal Air Force air show.”

“I would especially like to thank the couple who made all of this possible this evening, my sister and her husband." As Celestia looks towards her sister the midnight alicorn bows her head slightly, a wide, toothy smile crosses her muzzle as she returns her gaze to the crowd and waves with a fore leg. Talon also nods, watching from his position next to the war machines forward landing gear. He stands stoically, his stance rigid and at attention, just as he would be back on Earth for this very same practice.

Repairing the aircraft in such a short amount of time had been a nigh impossible task, but with the ‘never say die’ attitude of the ground crew and motivation in the form of forty-eight hour liberty passes to the stallions who could procure the most parts, the war bird had been reborn. As a phoenix rose from the ashes, so too did the mighty aircraft. Talon looks at it now, a small grin crossing his lips for a moment. Unaware of his admiration for the work, Celestia continued her speech.

"Five years ago, we held our very first air show a full year after the end of the war, as a celebration for our freedom and prosperity not only for our country but for the entirety of the international community.” Celestia pauses, her expression softening a bit. “Tonight marks a special occasion, however. Tonight, we celebrate not only for our heroes, but we also honor and remember the proud mares and stallions that have made the ultimate sacrifice in order to ensure a peaceful future. Tonight, we also pay homage to those unsung heroes who every day, place their lives on the line to guarantee that our children can live and grow in a comforting, free existence..."

The crowd listens attentively, the area near silent enough for any pony to hear a pin drop. Celestia licks her lips and inhales, her jovial features softening further as she smiles. Her gaze shifts to Morrigan, the all mother smiles slightly in return. "It is also tonight, that we honor and thank the birthplace of our freedom, a far off land from which a unique hero came to us. It was through his own form of magic that we today enjoy a freedom that would otherwise have been snuffed out by the armies of tyranny and oppression. From his bravery, and example we learned to stand against the blackened hearts of our adversaries."

"It was through his wisdom and patience, our great nation has become the strong, unified world power that it is today... What's more...it is thanks to his kindness and caring heart that today we have two lovely young princesses to help shape Equestria's ever brightening future. So without further delay, every pony please rise and remove your hats, as we show respect for the prince, as is custom before every display." Celestia finishes. She steps away from the podium, her silken silver laden dress shimmering as it waivers in the cool evening breeze.

Luna, Twilight and Morrigan all stand beside the sun princess, their eyes all moving to the twin flags flying high above the palace grounds. She watches with a warm, large smile as the midnight alicorn slowly opens and spreads her wings, Luna's horn alighting with soft, gentle magic as she inhales a deep breath. Luna's jade eyes watch the banner she's come to love with all of her heart, flying proudly in the calm breeze.

“Company! PRESENT ARMS!” Shouts the voice of one of the pilots, the military personnel present snap into salutes. Their gaze all turns to the proudly waving red, white, and blue banner. The human pilot unable to help smiling with pride as he hears his alicorn begin her song, the most beautiful and enchanting rendition he's ever heard of his country’s national anthem.

Standing beside Dusty Shine, all three wearing their beautifully made Gala dresses, Stardust Kiss and Moonlight Way hold a hoof over their hearts, wide, jovial smiles as their wings bob lazily upon their backs. Dusty Shine, the Earthen mare, for the second time this evening is in tears of joy, her heart swelling with so much pride, knowing that now she too can hold that flag as special. Tonight, she has a new family, a herd of her own, her hearts fondest wish. Tonight, she can finally relax, and enjoy her days as being a part of the fillies lives as their herd mate.

"Ooh say...can you see? By the dawns early light~ What so proudly...we hailed...at the Twilight's last gleaming..." She begins, her eyes closing as she begins to sing with all of her love. As she draws her next breath, Celestia joins her in sync, the white alicorn alighting her horn and matching her sisters melody.

"Who's broad stripes and bright stars? Through the perilous fight~Oh the Ramparts...we watched, were so gallantly streaming." Luna's eyes meet with Celestia's, both mares smiling as they both pour their souls into this performance. Unexpectedly now, Twilight takes her place beside Celestia, the young alicorn princess alighting her own horn, matching the pair with her very best, having of spent months practicing in secret just for this.

"And the rock~ets red glare! The bombs bursting in air!" The three hold the note, their attention turning to the crowd. Every pony is dead silent, watching the trio sing with absolute respect for the miracle of harmony. Some are in tears from the sheer beauty of it, while others stand silently watching the banner flutter in the breeze. The amount of effort being poured into each and every note is astonishing, and it is effort well spent.

As the three inhale for the next notes, Morrigan herself joins, completing the harmony. Now, all four Goddesses sing for the gathering, wide, loving smiles upon their muzzles as they carry each and every note perfectly. "Gave proof...through the night, that our flag was still there. Oh say does that star-spangled...ban~er yeeeet waaaave.....O’er the land of the free....and the home, of the brave!"

The four alicorn's complete the song, the crowd going wild. Cheers and whistles, loud shouts of joy and praise are heard from every direction, every mare, stallion, filly and colt moved to tears by the performance treated to them tonight by their princesses. Several of the pilots begin chanting ‘U-S-A’, and soon others are joining with them.

Watching from high above the grounds on Luna's balcony, Nightie herself smiles a wide, gentle smile, the entire time quietly mouthing the words to a song she herself had no idea she even knew. She feels a warm drop of liquid land upon her muzzle, noting she herself even beginning to tear up at the beauty of the performance. She nods slowly and whispers "Well done...well done."

Luna turns quickly and trots down the stage steps, rushing to her treasured children and new herd mate, Dusty. Giving them a warm and loving embrace, she kisses her children upon the cheeks, and grins. "Ok you two, when Auntie Tia says so, you can go on stage and say your lines!" She breathes out happily. The fillies excitedly nod as they watch their mother quickly take to wing, leaping into the air and flying to her flames side.

The pilots of all six aircraft climb up the side steps of their respective machines, air crews clearing the area as the pilots begin to strap themselves into the cockpits. The midnight alicorn quickly reaches the war bird, landing upon the leading edge of the canard, and gingerly stepping into the co-pilots seat of the restored war machine. Her gaze flicks up to her balcony in the distance, seeing the black alicorn, the former Nightmare resting quietly and watching everything in secrecy.

'Mine flame is in for one interesting surprise...' She muses in her thoughts, smiling knowingly and enjoying the thought of the big reveal during the Gala. At first, she was skeptical of the idea, her mother allowing Nightmare Moon a body of her own, a new beginning. But over the past several hours of ducking around corners, hiding in ancient passages, and the conversations...she's come to enjoy the black alicorn's company. Luna knew deep down, this was the right choice, Nightie having of long since earned her redemption after protecting the pilot in Baol. She returns her attention back to the task of buckling herself into the co-pilots position, using her magic to levitate her headset to her ears so she can speak with her husband in flight.

"Ready, angel?" Talon asks, placing on his own flight helmet as he begins to switch on the aircrafts new computers. "You sure you're up for this? I don't mind if you want to just watch this year.” He comments.

Luna smiles excitedly and places a gentle hoof upon the pilots shoulder. "Neigh, mine flame. I have looked forward to this for a very long time. We're putting on this show for our herd...so I wish to be right here to give them one." She responds, releasing the communications button with her other hoof. They turn their attention back to the stage in the field, safely away from the flight line, as they hear the magically enhanced voices of the fillies speaking in unison, getting every ponies attention.

”Tal, don’t go overboard". A familiar voice crackles over the radio. ”She may look pretty, but she’s bein’ held together by duct tape, crazy glue, and prayer to the almighty.”

Stardust and Moonlight smile wide, happy, Innocent smiles as they rest high up on Celestia and Morrigan's backs, held in place by carefully positioned wings to balance out each fillies position. The crimson maned Goddess smiles a serene, calm smile of her own, eying the black alicorn filly upon her own back with curious wonder.

"Ok birdies! Start your engines!" They say together, the crowd cheering more as they hear the command. In the distance, sounds of twelve pulse detonation engines all roar to life, the high pitched whines of six separate banshees cries echoing out as the powerful machines all awaken, their canopies closing slowly. One by one starting with the legendary war machine itself, their lights all activate, each aircraft slowly creeping forward in a line and taking to the taxiway. The engines whine and howl, scream and skree as the machines prepare to take to the skies, kicking off the first ever night air show in Equestria's vast history.

'Canterlot control to First Combat division, you are cleared on runway one for launch. All aircraft enter staging order and begin takeoff procedures. Good hunting gentle colts. Give em' one hell of a show.' A mares voice chimes in over the radio to the aircraft. Two by two the aircraft taxi out, wingtip to wingtip, all six of them in three rows.

The gathering of nobles and palace staff, the princesses and Goddess all watch with awe and curious wonder as the deadly war machines all slowly roll to the runway, their lights flickering and flashing brightly, the crowd beginning to cheer louder as the engines of the aircraft wind up for the takeoff. Minutes pass, the first two machines finally staged at the end of the landing strip.

Celestia smiles as she sees the tell-tale signs she's been waiting for, her sensitive eyes spotting the faint glow building at the aft of the twin machines. Her ears perk straight up and rigid as she hears the screaming of the fighter jets, a bold, beautiful azure flame billowing out and focusing into four tight, needlepoint cones worthy of hells fury. The machines rocket down the straight away, followed quickly without pause by the next two, and then the last. In rapid succession, all six aircraft take to the skies over Canterlot, the final pair spreading its wings and taking to flight before the first pairs of war machines could even retract their landing gear completely. She smiles wide with joy as she watches the well-practiced maneuver, all six machines forming an echelon formation, with Talon and Princess Luna's aircraft in the center.

Their afterburners glow brightly into the night, all of the machines climbing higher and higher above the castle grounds, rolling and turning in perfect unison as they spiral towards the heavens. From the ground ponies begin to cheer wildly, clip-clopping their hooves as the war machines branch off from each other, pulling tight, sharp turns away and forming a star burst with the smoke trails. The machines all pull into dives, coming closer and closer together as they follow the same pillar of smoke down, dropping just a thousand feet above the castles towers. The white alicorn counts the seconds in her mind, having of memorized the complete display from all of the practices before the pilot and her sisters disappearance. 'That's it you two...remember the routine...' Celestia whispers to herself with a broad smile.

They pull up again right above the crowd, turning hard at exactly the right moment, each aircraft leveling out and beginning to roll in opposite directions from each other. They fly apart in another low level rose formation, disappearing from sight quickly. Seconds pass, before the gathering spots four of the stealth war machines fly back above the palace together in a diamond formation. The two outer aircraft are flying correctly, their wingtips no more than a foot apart, the lead and aft aircraft fly inverted in the flyby of the diamond, before each machine begins quarter turns above the spectators.

The twins cheer out in glee, seeing the aircraft seemingly dance in the skies, twisting and turning, rolling and diving as a group. The diamond formation of the four aircraft level out with canopies up, before pulling into a gentle climb and rolling in a loop above the ponies watching. Celestia grins, knowing just what the next trick would be. No pony else however, noticed that two of the six were not present.

'Three...two...one...' She counts, her ears pinning flat against her skull as she prepares for the surprise for the crowd. From both sides of the runway, two of the F/A-37's drop down a hundred feet above the ground, going full afterburner above the runway and giving the spectators a very close up flyby. Right as it appears they're about to crash head on into one another, both machines blade themselves with their opened wings down, flying mere feet from one another and crossing paths, belly to belly.

As they pull into the climb above the crowd again, they release smoke from their aft sections, twin blue ribbons of the enchanted display smoke glowing lacing the night sky, the war machines climbing and spiraling together as they come close again. The diamond pattern of the other four turns in unison, rejoining the pair quickly as they change formation, returning to the echelon again for the crowd.

"I had no idea this display would be so fun!" Morrigan comments, the cream colored Goddess smiling as her emerald orbs trace the movements. "I really must come and visit more often with you, Celly."

"Yes, you should, mother." Celestia responds, not taking her eyes off of the display. The fighters change direction again, a high stacking of wing to wing turn to face the palace. One by one they turn and roll to the left, pulling away and following the previous aircraft in its turn. "I'm very pleased the commander’s machine was able to be repaired for this demonstration. It just wouldn't have been the same without him."

"And little Luna as well." Morrigan replies. "Is this the only performance this evening?" She asks, eyeing the machines as they continue to perform tricks, each aircraft now flying on it's own out of formation, passing over the crowd incredibly close, while others seem to chase each other in a chaotic and beautiful dance of cat and mouse.

"Far from it." Dusty Shine comments, smiling sheepishly. She clears her throat and looks up at the significantly taller cream colored alicorn, blushing slightly. "I'm sorry...I couldn't help but to answer. We have several more displays to watch from other demonstration teams, including the Wonder bolts this evening. We were only hosting a total of three, but with Princess Luna needing to change into her dress for the Gala, Our wonderful organizer seen the need to add a couple more. The total length of the show will be about two hours."

Morrigan opens her mouth to speak, when she feels the filly perched up upon her back seem to excitedly bob in place. The goddesses ears perk up for a moment, right before she herself is surprised by a sneak up flyby from Talon and the night princess. The war bird rockets past the stands just below supersonic, the canards and wings closed tight as the afterburners behind the aircraft steak out a full length trailing behind it. The fillies cheer loudly, Morrigan having to step around in place to keep the small black alicorn balanced on her back. She grins, looking back down to the earthen mare. "I'm looking forward to it!"

The air show has drawn to a close, all aircraft safely tucked into their display areas, the mighty war machine now carefully rolled behind the brush blue velvet ropes within the grand ballroom. Celestia smiles as she glances around the gardens and opened doors of the grand dance hall, seeing all of the guests enjoying themselves. The music is perfect, finely played by the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra.

Octavia Melody leads the group in their blissfully beautiful songs. The catering and food set up along the rows of tables for the guests smells enchanting, even the stars above in the heavens glisten brighter, and more radiantly brilliant than ever before. She gives a nod of satisfaction as her gaze turns to her sister and husband, letting out a happy breath. 'This is so wonderful...thank you, mother.'

Talon and Luna smile as they dance together to the soft music playing within the grand ballroom of the palace. The night is just beginning to wind down in the event, the couple enjoying a romantic evening together after the air display for the nobility and guests of the Grand Galloping Gala. Luna lets out a wistful sigh as she gazes lovingly at her flame, relishing in the close contact of being held so close by him in their dance.

The alicorn is standing on her hind legs, reared up and resting her forelegs around the pilot’s neck and shoulders. Her lidded gaze staring intently and longingly into his eyes as a soft smile is upon her features. “Mine flame…thank you for everything…this night is perfect.” She whispers to him. She continues stepping carefully as they dance to the soft music. With her every move, her dress gleams and sparkles, shimmers and shines beautifully, as if she were wearing a piece of her jeweled tapestry upon her form. All, including Celestia stare in wonder and awe of her grace and elegance, mesmerized by the beauty, and craftsmanship of the garment her husband created for her.

“Well this is our now sixth year anniversary of being married, angel. I wanted to make it special for you.” He replies gently. “You mean the world to me, Luna. And after everything we’ve been through…I wanted you to know that.” He breathes out. “I’m just happy we managed to make it back to our own world not only in one piece, and before the gala…but with our bird to boot.”

Luna let out a melodic giggle. “Yes…though…not all in one piece.” She whispers. “You set me free of Obsolescence mine love…because of you, my soul is entirely in the light now…my mind and soul restored, and my own once more.”

Talon lets out a soft chuckle. “I think that was more you than anything else, angel. …I just wish there was a way we could get here to enjoy this…I really wanted her to share in this night with us. After her actions in Baol…she deserves it.”

Luna nods, a cryptic smile with her still half lidded gaze. “Be careful what thou wishes for, mine love…thou might just get it.” She muses happily. The pair hears the musical giggles of the fillies and turn to look. In their view, Dusty Shine is tending to them a short distance away, the three ponies all dancing near the nose landing gear of the aircraft, the proud war machine on display in the center of the ballroom safely behind dark blue velvet ropes. It’s polished black steel body and wings gleaming in the moonlight pouring in from the windows. Luna lets out a soft giggle and smiles with joy, enjoying the sight. “We really do have our own herd now…mine flame. I’m glad thou were so willing to accept fair Dusty into our family.”

“Don’t get any funny ideas angel. I only accepted because she did so well caring for the twins while we were stuck in that hellish place.” He sighs out, turning to face his alicorn. “Besides…you know how much she loves the girls. I just figured it would be a good way to say thank you.”

Nightie stands before the mirror, nervously shuffling her fore hooves as she stares intently at her own reflection. Her chest heaves with a heavy sigh, her wings twitching nervously under the newly created dress for the Gala. ‘I can’t do this…I can’t do this.’ She thinks to herself, chewing on her cheek within her maw.

“Nightie…calm yourself, my daughter. You look ravishingly beautiful. It’s just a dance. You’ve seen many of these over the years. Nothing to be nervous about.” Morrigan speaks softly, a soft serene smile upon her features as she rests upon the nearby bed within the pilot and midnight alicorn's chambers. “You’ll do just fine.”

Nightmare turns to face the cream colored alicorn, letting out a nervous titter. “I have seen these through Luminescence’s …”She corrects herself. “Luna’s eyes…mother. You forget that to this world, I am seen as nothing more than a monster, a creature of Nightmares…not a mare in a herd, or a friend.”

The all mother sighs quietly, a serene smile still upon her relaxed features. “All shall be well, my daughter. I have given you life…a body all of your own for as long as the expanse of time shall allow. Have faith when I say that you will find them most accepting of you. Though you started out as little more than the discharge of my own Dark essence…you have evolved beyond your station, and learned of compassion, love, and life. You found light even within the Dark. You have earned your redemption. Take your prize, my gift to you, Nightie.”

Morrigan rises to her hooves and approaches the smaller black alicorn and embraces her gently. The hug feels as soft and as warm as the autumn sun, and as welcoming and safe as the grassy knolls of Heofon. “Now. Take a deep breath, and get out there into the party. This is your night too, my sweet little girl.” The all mother leans down and plants a gentle kiss upon Nightmares forehead, above the base of her horn.

Nightmare lets a soft, small smile cross her muzzle at this, and lets out a quiet sigh. “I hope you are right…” She breathes out, then turns her attention to the door to exit the chambers. She pauses as she reaches the doors, turning her head to give one last look to the all mother. "Mother...are you sure..." She blinks with confusion, seeing the cream colored alicorn gone, only a few shimmering sparkle motes left in her place, the nightmare alicorn now alone once more. With a heavy sigh she turns back to the door again, taking a deep breath and alighting her horn to grasp the door handles. 'Here we go...'

The heavy ornate doors to Luna and the pilots chambers open, Nightie being greeted by the Lunar Stallions standing guard just outside. She nervously chews on her inner cheek within her maw as she eyes them, quirking an eyebrow as she watches them give her a slight bow, the two Thestral pegasi moving their weapons to allow her passage into the grand halls of the palace. She takes a timid step forward into the halls, exiting the chambers, and now bound for the hangar and gardens, the grand room where the Gala is being hosted.

Her walk is quiet, her only company the soft clip clop of her glass slippered hooves clacking softly against the polished marble surface of the empty halls. The black alicorn's head hangs low as she walks, her heart pounding within her barrel, threatening to burst forth from it at any moment without notice. She tries so desperately to calm her nerves, focusing on each step with all of her will. The faint music of the Canterlot Symphony Orchestra catches her sensitive ears as she walks, the melodies drawing her like a moth to the flame.

Her hooves lead her to the towering double doors of the staircase, the designated entrance of tonight's gathering. Nightie takes a moment to glance herself over one last time in the polished mirror hanging on the wall just before the doors in the hall, her eyes tracing the beauty of the intricately designed dress, given to her by the all mother. She gasps quietly seeing herself for the first time, in her own body, as herself.

A soft smile crosses her muzzle as she takes in the sight, her velvet black fur and pristine mane brushed to perfection, the ethereal banner no longer a chaotic dance of the cosmos, but of a peaceful, calm night’s sky on Earth. Her teeth no longer the high polished razors they once were, but normal, soft white, flat teeth. Her breath stolen from within her as she sees her eyes, no longer the cold, glaring evil of her teal draconic orbs, but somehow softer, reflecting the vibrancy of life, and the love long since lost, and now found within her heart.

She smiles gently, nodding to herself slowly as she turns her attention back to the gala, her silken, see through white dress shimmering and lazily waving in an unseen breeze as she turns, her magic slowly willing the doors open. She dims her horn and steps through, taking her place before the ponies below upon the floor and in the gardens, holding a baited breath. Her eyes catch the pilot and midnight alicorn just finishing their dance together, Luna lowering herself back to her hooves. She catches the smile upon the night princesses lips, seeing that her once host has caught her presence.

Curiously, Nightie tilts her head slightly as she sees Luna whisper something to the human pilot of her affections, her master. The music stops, the pilot turning his gaze to the top of the stairs. Her heart skips a beat within her barrel as their eyes meet, the pilot reaching out his hand for her, beckoning the nightmare alicorn to come to him. Nightmare's breath catches in her throat. 'Master...' She whispers to herself, a soft, almost hidden blush coloring her velvet muzzle. She takes a soft breath, and begins her slow gate down the grand marble steps, her hooves finding their way down the blue plush carpet to her herd.

Talon eyes her, a warm, inviting smile crossing his features as he watches the black alicorn descend the grand staircase of the ballroom, seeing her elegant white flowing dress trailing gracefully with her every movement. Luna nickers softly and bumps his side with her muzzle, a soft giggle escaping the midnight alicorn's throat. "Mine flame...Go greet her. This is her night just as much as it is ours." Luna coos softly to him. "I give thee permission...one dance, mine love. Then thou art mine for the remainder of mine night."

The pilot nods, understanding his wife's instructions. His eyes never leaving the black alicorn's soft teal orbs. The orchestra takes notice of the new guest, a new, unique song playing softly to welcome her. As the song begins, the midnight alicorn makes her way to the stage, having planned this all out previously for her flame as a gift. Clearing her throat and alighting her horn, Luna begins her song in her enchanted voice, the melody echoing within the hearts of all listening. Her dedication to her flame, her new friend and herd mate, Nightie.

~*~'When the Earth Collides, two hearts, two souls, one mind. One love of Human kind...in Heaven's name, no time for fear or blame. Inside, we are the same'~*~

Nightmare finds her way to the pilot, her blush still coloring her muzzle as she stares at him. As she's about to speak, she finds her voice lost, unable to utter a sound. Her mind blank as she finally looks at the pilot through her own eyes, clear, and her own. Her heart races within her, the alicorn's mind a fog, feeling to her as if she's dreaming.

"You look beautiful." Talon says quietly, holding out his hand, trying to comfort the black alicorn before him. She nervously nickers, shuffling her fore hooves slowly as she does, finally finding her voice.

Nightie places a fore hoof in his hand, nodding slowly, her eyes trained on her hoof being grasped gently by the pilot. "Thank you..." She murmurs quietly. "Master...may I.." She begins, being silenced by the pilot placing a finger to her lips.

"Just Talon, Nightie. Just Talon." He says with a warm smile. He inhales softly, a warm, comforting smile still upon his features. "Would you like to dance?" He asks. She in return nods quickly, her hoof being released from the pilot’s hand, the pair finding their way to the dance floor. She rears up on her hind legs slowly, gently placing her forelegs around his shoulders and neck, the nightmare alicorn dancing with the human pilot as if she were a natural, her body finding the right movements, as if she had always known.

~*~'We feel it all. The rise and fall. We drift inside each other, and all we have is one another. You'll find that we can never fall. ~*~

Looking away, Celestia finally spots the unicorn guest she was hopeful to see. A dark grin crosses her features as she walks up to him, seeing the unicorn sitting alone at a table, drinking deep from a tall glass of punch.

"Mr. Scribe...how wonderful it is that you were able to attend." She speaks softly out to Zamariac, hiding her intended prank behind her calm, regal mask, the unicorn with the blond billowing mane suspecting nothing.

"Well blimey! Greetings, your majesty!" The red unicorn greets her. "How may I be of service to the crown this evening?"

Celestia muses a smile, nodding. "Actually, I had something I wanted to share with you, as a thank you for your latest work. It was quite amusing, that story...to run from the sun, I believe the title was? I had such a much needed laugh. Would you mind following me to my study? I have some pony I'd love for you to meet."

The stallion unicorn nods with a dopey grin. "Why, I'd be delighted to, your majesty! Please lead the way!" He says, rising to his hooves. He follows the white alicorn to the exit leading to the stairs, bound for the solar wing.

The gala is already in full swing, with the royal couples enjoying the festivities and numerous nobles socializing, it would be hard to find a pony not enjoying themselves. Hard, but not impossible. Sitting by himself at an empty table is an earth pony in full dress uniform, his normally unkempt mane has been combed into a proper flat top. He absent mindedly puffs on a nearly gone cigar as he watches the crowd enjoying the festivities. Being an ol’ country stallion, he was not one for massive parties.

Sledge taps the ash off of his cigar into an empty wine glass, silently observing Talon and his growing herd. He couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous, as he himself had very little in the way of a social life. That thought leads him to lean back in his chair and take a larger puff on the cigar. He swirls the smoke around his mouth a moment before exhaling, sending a large cloud of white smoke towards the ceiling. His thoughts turn to his career as a fighter pilot, sure it’s interesting and fast paced, but if he became a bomber pilot he’d be on the ground more often.

Maybe he just isn’t meant for a social life, that thought sends his mind racing with what he could be meant for. He imagines himself wearing an olive drab uniform, adorned with medals and ribbons and on the collar would be four stars. The thought of perhaps being a general gives him a reason to smile and he takes another puff on his cigar. It’s almost as if he is in his own world, even as the party rages on around him. He has found the lone rock in the sea of ponies that surrounds him, and he’s unsure if he wants to leave.

Sledge looks behind him, out a window with a view of the tarmac. He sees a hangar, Hangar 5B, which seems to call to him. He knows his aircraft is stored there, and it wouldn’t be unacceptable to leave in order to help patrol the airspace. Sledge stuffs his finished cigar into the glass he’d turned into an ashtray, then stands and straightens his uniform. He can hear the tense roll of drums in his head, and he quietly hums to himself as he walks through the crowd of ponies towards the exit.

Upon reaching the door, he steps out into the hallway and gives a nod to the guards standing by the door. They nod back and let him pass without so much as a word. His expression becomes one of stoic contemplation; his steps fall in line as if he’s marching in a line. His aspirations of command evaporate as he does this, who was he kidding? He’s a soldier, a cog in the war machine, and he couldn’t be happier with it. Sledge pulls a cigar from his jacket’s inside pocket and bites the cap off, then takes his lighter from his breast pocket.

The stallion pauses and looks at the lighter, noting the engraving in the metal. He smiles as he sees the familiar insignia of his squadron, an angry boar wearing a metal helmet. Sledge flicks the wheel and brings it up to the foot of the cigar, then puffs a few times until it’s lit. He slips the lighter back into his pocket and takes up his walking again, his destination now the control room. He wants to clear it with the controller on duty before he takes off for his patrol, even if it is just a formality.

His hoofs clip against the marble floor, echoing through the near deserted hallways. Sledge lets out a rather large puff of smoke as he passes by a few portraits of the princesses and Talon with his twins. He pauses as he sees them and lets out a soft sigh, then puffs his cigar again and continues down the hallway. The pensive, almost angry, expression he wears wards off the few maids and guards from speaking to him. They appear happy enough, which only causes the scowl on his face to grow.

After a few more minutes of walking, he comes across the door to the control room. It’s slightly ajar, but he pays it no mind. Sledge walks up to it and begins pushing the door inwards, he can hear a noise. Something that shouldn’t be in a control room but is. He stops and listens further, and it becomes clear that the noise is in fact sobbing. A mare sobbing, to be precise. He pushes the door open further, but stops himself as he hears a voice.

“Can’t you just be happy for me? You and I both knew this was coming, but now I’ve found myself!” Says a male voice, he recognizes it from somewhere. He then remembered that it was a voice he often heard in the background of the radio chatter. Fancy Pants was the name behind the voice, a stallion Sledge was not a big fan of to begin with. “Agh, this is just like you.”

“Just like me!?” Says a ragged mare’s voice, Sledge recognizes it as Fleur de Lis. At this point his better judgment tells him to leave, but his curiosity quickly beats his better judgment to a bloody pulp. “You not only cheat on me, but you do it with a STALLION and you expect me NOT to be upset!?” Sledge takes another puff on his cigar, exhaling through the crack in the door. The ponies inside don’t seem to notice. His thoughts race with the implications of what he was hearing. Fancy Pants... A colt-cuddler? Sledge could make a fortune selling that story to the media.

“You’re just upset because aside from me you can’t get anyone!” says Fancy Pants. “Face it, Fleur. You’re washed up, and no one can stand your attitude!” Sledge’s eye twitches as those words are processed in his brain, and he can feel his anger rising as he hears loud sobs arise after the words undoubtedly cut into Fleur. Sledge contemplates bursting into the room and smashing Fancy Pant’s face into paste, but this time Better Judgment wins out over rage.

“W-Why are you saying these things to me? Is this your victory lap? Just bucking go away!” Fleur declares angrily, Sledge hears some pony slam something down in the room and decides to enter before things get out of control. He pushes the door open with all the intensity of an officer, prepared to deal with two ponies. To his surprise, however, he finds the room only houses one.

Fleur de Lis sits before a radar console with teary, red eyes. A radio headset is rested on the counter before her, and she reclines back in her seat with a sad expression. Sledge clears his throat, snapping her attention towards him.

“Ah’m sorry, is this a bad time?” He asks, Fleur looks at him silently. “Ah was jus’ gonna ask if’n it was alright to take a patrol.” Fleur sits up in her seat and quietly brushes a lock of mane from her face, then looks at the radar scope.

“The screen’s clear, so, I can’t authorize it.” Fleur says, sighing and leaning forwards. Sledge just shrugs and enters the control room, he closes the door behind him and approaches the radar console. Fleur watches him take a puff on his cigar and lets out a cough when he exhales. The stallion picks up the radio headset and pushes the transmit button. “What are you doing-”

“Hey, Fancy Ass!” He says loudly into the radio. “Yeah, you! The colt who needs a donut to sit on!” Fleur attempts to take the radio from him, only for Sledge to swipe her hooves away.

“Who is this?” Asks an annoyed, familiar tone from a speaker on the wall.

“Yer mother!” Sledge says forcefully. “It don’ matter who ah am, just that ya hear me loud’n clear. Y’all is gonna apologize ta this fine young and nice lookin’ mare or ah’ll bomb your pounded ass back ta the stone age.” Fleur looks at him with an almost grateful expression, as if some part of her is made to feel better by hearing her ex threatened.

“I’m sorry…” Comes the tire response from the other end of the radio before it goes dead, Sledge nods in satisfaction and sets the headset back on the console. He looks at Fleur and gives a small smile.

“Sorry, Miss Fleur. Stallion’s like ‘im really piss meh off.” He says as he turns to leave. “Y’all have a nice night.” Fleur watches him go towards the door, and for a reason unknown to her, raises her hoof.

“Wait!” Sledge turns and looks at her with a raised eyebrow. “I was going to go to the gala later, but now I could really use an open bar… Wanna, I don’t know… Come with?” Sledge stares at her for a moment, his face unreadable, before he slowly nods.

“Sure, ma’am.” He smiles and opens the door for her. “I didn’ know they had an open bar at the gala.” Fleur stands up and walks out into the hallway, flicking the lights to the control room off. The two of them begin walking back to the gala, passing by the same portraits as before. Sledge takes a puff on his cigar and exhales it towards one of Talon, a smile gracing his lips.

“So, why were you so eager to leave?” Fleur asks, shaking Sledge’s attention towards her. He shrugs and takes another drag, then exhales in the opposite direction.

“Ah don’ like parties, ah don’ got no one ta go with.” He says simply as they pass a few chatting guards. “Mos’ fighter pilots don’ have that problem, but as y’all know, ah deal with maintenance AND flight.”

“So you’re a workaholic.” Fleur says flatly, Sledge shrugs again.

“Nah, I jus’ don’ see no reason to go an’ talk ta other ponies.” He puffs on his cigar again, exhaling after swirling the smoke in his cheeks. “Ah’d go out more often if’n ah had ponies ta go with. What about you?”

“What about me?” Asks Fleur, somewhat taken aback by the question.

“Y’all was in the control room while this whole deal is goin’ on, ya obviously avoidin’ somethin’.” Sledge taps the ash of his cigar into a plant as they walk by, giving Fleur a moment to compose her thoughts.

“I guess we’re in the same boat, it’s just a lot of the ponies there don’t like me.” She replies with a sigh. “I tend to make them upset.”

“Ah heard about you through the grapevine. Always seemed ya got a bad rep.” Sledge says honestly. “Ah don’ know ya much as a pony, but as a controller, ya seem pretty even toned. Heck, yer a better controller than Dust Off.”

“Dusty Shine.” Fleur corrected.

“Ah know what I dun said.” Sledge says firmly. “Dust Off, as in five times she almost slammed me inta the ground, which would mean I’d need a Dust Off. Her voice annoys meh too.” He takes another puff on his cigar. “Don’ tell ‘er ah said that.”

“It’s alright…” Fleur smiles as they get closer to the sound of party music and chatter. “She can be a bit annoying sometimes, but she’s alright… I probably am a bit harsh with her.” Sledge shrugs and adjusts his uniform. “Her voice can grate sometimes.” Fleur smiles as her mind takes her away from thoughts about Fancy Pants and towards thoughts of Sledgehammer. She can tell he’s even tempered from their exchanges over the radio, he also has a sense of humor, and just now he’s demonstrated he doesn’t have a problem speaking his mind.

Sledge waves at the guards, who appear surprised he’s returned. One of them pulls a wallet from his armor and slips his partner a couple bits as both Fleur and Sledge walk past. The doors close behind them and leave them staring at the crowd of ponies dancing on the floor. Fleur looks around before pointing towards a table which seemed to be serving as the bar.

“There it is.” She says, a smile creeping onto her face. “Let’s go.” Sledge nods as she begins pushing through the crowd and begins following behind her. The ponies part as she struts forth, some of them whispering as she and Sledge pass by. The stallion has a smile growing on his face as he sees the annoyance on some of the nobles. Not many would know it, but he was more of a republican than a monarchist, and it gave him great pleasure to see the nobles upset.

Fleur and Sledge finally arrive at the table of booze, and the unicorn uses her magic to levitate a bottle of wine along with a glass. She pours herself a drink and takes a dainty sip, Sledge is far less subtle. He picks up a bottle of whiskey and sets his cigar down, then pops the top and takes a few gulps. The crowd around them gasps, but he ignores them and continues drinking. Fleur seems to grow bolder as she drinks more wine, and after ten minutes she ditches the wine glass. The two of them stand there, guzzling down whiskey and wine as if it’s nothing but water. As they do, they come up on numerous odd conversational topics.

“S-So, in order ta be a model ya had ta pass a ‘Jiggle test’?” Sledge asks, his speech somewhat slurred. Fleur nods as she takes a glug from her second bottle of wine. “The hell is a jiggle test?”

“That’shh where they have a sshtallion shlap a mare’sh rump and they judge how jiggly it ish” Fleur’s response is far more slurred and she seems to be far more happy than Sledge. The two have gathered quite the crowd, even some of the more important guests such as Talon and his wife seem to be taking notice. “Really, thoshe jerksh shhould be shubjected to their own dang testsh... “ Fleur takes another gulp from the bottle, then realizes it is now empty. “Bartender! More wine!”

“Yeah! More whiskey too!” Sledge says loudly, the room seems to be staring at them but they don’t seem to give a damn. The bartending pony doesn’t want to give Fleur another bottle, but the unicorn uses her magic to wrench it from his hooves and pull the cork. “Ya know… Ah bet them dickheads know as much about jiggle as they do about fornicating. Jack and shiet!” Fleur nods enthusiastically.

“You know… You’re not sho bad for a fly-colt…?” She says, leaning against Sledge for support. The stallion looks at her for a moment, then takes a gulp of whiskey. “I sshhould probably go home… I feel great!”

“Where’s your house?” Sledge asks, picking up his cigar and taking a final puff before chucking it over his head and somehow landing it in a punchbowl.

“Down town…” Fleur replies after watching the stogie land in the bowl. “Nice tossh.”

“Thanks…” Sledge helps steady the unicorn on her hooves. “Mah apartment is jus’ outside the castle. Wanna head there instead?” Fleur looks at him for a moment, then pokes his chest with her hoof.

“You’re trying to be naughty, aren't you?” Sledge raises an eyebrow. “That’sh okay… Let’shh go.” She tosses her wine bottle on the floor, causing it to shatter, before climbing over Sledge’s back. “Onwardsh… To poor descisionshh!” Sledge shrugs and adjusts the mare, surprised by her forwardness, before tossing his whiskey bottle aside. It somehow hit an ice sculpture next to the punch bowl, shattering it and making a mess on the floor. Sledge chuckles and leaves, giving a mock salute to the two guards outside the door.

Nightie, Luna, the pilot, Twilight, Cadence and Dusty all stand dumbfounded as they watch the display, simply shaking their heads in absolute disbelief. "Well...That works...I think?" Talon speaks up, watching the mare and stallion exit out of the gala. It's when they hear a shrill scream next, that they all whip their heads around, jaws now dropping at this new sight.

A tall, red, unicorn stallion sprints through the opened doors, a look of absolute terror upon his features, eyes wide with pinpricks for iris's as he gallops for his life. Trailing behind him with a sound akin to the quiet roar of a propeller aircraft, was a long, black cylindrical blur chasing, and quickly gaining on him. The unicorn crashes into guests and tables, overturning chairs in his wake as he sprints like a Thestral straight out of hell, clearing out of the ballroom, the cylinder in tow. He disappears from view quickly, every pony in shocked silence. Several seconds after he exited the main gates, a loud, surprised yelp rings into the night air.

Celestia slowly walks back into the gala, a wide, satisfied smile upon her features as she desperately holds back the giggles. Luna rushes to her. "Mine sister, what insanity hath thou caused now?!"

Celestia laughs musically. "Oh, nothing. I just figured I'd give my favorite author fan service, to show him just how spot on his books are. It never hurts when your own creation decided to show you some love, now does it?” She cryptically responds. Luna cocks her head in question, desperately trying to connect the dots.

It's then, Twilight finally puts the puzzle together within her head. With a shocked blush, she cries out. "Celestia!!!" Quickly face hoofing.

Author's Notes:

And here we are! The Redemption of the Goddess arc FINALLY complete after weeks and weeks of working, editing, and tweaking. I can't thank every pony enough for being so patient with this update, and I thank you for enjoying the story so far. I hope you loved this chapter, as New Beginnings returns to it's normal insanity and whacky antics, the next chapter called Autumn Heat due to be released soon, with our full cast finally on stage. Like it, love it? Leave your thoughts below! I put a lot of hard work into this one, to give you one hell of a show!

Credit to Zamariac for his special guest cameo at the end, I'm especially looking forward to his review of this.

Airshow and Fleur scenes collaborated and helped streamlined by My good friend Sledgehammer. Be sure to go show him some love?

Finally, I would like to thank my editors, Kim especially. I'm grateful for all of the support and hard work from every pony that helped make this final arc a reality in the main story, and look forward to delivering more of this exciting tale leading to the upcoming book in the trilogy, The Heart of Darkness.

For those curious how the airshow anthem sounded, here's what I had envisioned. Please give it a listen~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIVfmosVJJI

Nightie