Two Weeks Later - (Week 46)

“This nursery is where the baby thestrals will stay the first few days.” The hospital attendant gestured to a large window showing off the room beyond. “It may look well-lit in there, but it’s pitch-black inside. The nurses will be wearing darkvision goggles so as not to disturb the infants.”

Apogee nodded. “What about the actual delivery rooms?”

“Also dark,” the attendant said.

Apogee chirruped. “Excellent…”

The window was too low for Gleaming’s liking, but she was able to duck down for a look. Far as she could tell, everything inside was either clear plastic or painted dark blue. “Three days, right? That’s the ideal time to let them adjust?”

“Preferably,” said Apogee. “Light won’t hurt the babies, but they’ll be calmer if left in the dark for a few days. Let them adjust to a few things at a time, as it were.”

“She’s right,” the hospital attendant said. “Newborn thestrals are either cranky nightmares, or adorable sweethearts. We’ll have more sweethearts if we let them acclimate.”

The new maternity wing in Crystal Empire Central Hospital was all ready to go. It looked like your typical hospital area, although where the colors in most hospitals were bright and glaring, here they were dark and subdued. It was comprised of several floors dedicated to various aspects of the B.R.E.A.S.T.S program, including genetic testing, ultrasounds, laboratories, delivery, research, and check-ups. The smell of new plastic and fresh paint permeated everything as the attendant showed Gleaming and Apogee around.

“Very impressive,” said Gleaming as she straightened back up. “This is even more than—GAH!”

Her horn sank into the ceiling with a CRUNCH!

“Sonnuva…” Gleaming wrenched her horn free in a shower of plaster. “Okay, the ceilings could be higher, but it’s good otherwise!”

Apogee hid her smile with a hoof. “How many times is that now?”

“Four,” said the attendant with a grin. “Along with having to teleport through every doorway.”

Gleaming repaired the damage with a quick spell. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. The big, pregnant princess is starting to get too large to comfortably move around. I’m starting to see why Celestia and Luna prefer outdoor events.”

Apogee couldn’t help but stare. A small part of her always looked forward to her meetings with Gleaming, to see just how much she’d changed and/or grown. She swore Gleaming was at least an inch taller since their last weekly meeting, maybe more! She was having to hunch down and waddle everywhere in these low hallways, causing her pregnant belly to skid along within its maternity brace. “You’re certainly approaching their realm of size.”

“Would you like to see the gardens instead?” the attendant offered. “I know we only just started, but...”

Gleaming sighed. “I think that’s probably best. As long as you two don’t mind, though. It’s pretty foggy out.”

Fog was one of the few weather variations the Empire got. It only happened every so often, but when it did, there were plenty of advisories alerting the local pegasi. After all, fog was nothing more than a ground-level cloud.

The attendant, who was a pegasus, looked to Apogee. “I noticed you teleported with the Princess. Do you have a pegasus poncho with you?”

Apogee patted her right saddlebag. “Right here.”

The attendant smiled. “Then right this way.”

They navigated a few twists and turns to one of the hospital’s side entrances. The attendant disappeared into one of the employee rooms, and Apogee pulled out her poncho—a military-green garment of enchanted plastic. It crinkled as she slipped it on with practiced ease, soon covered from nose to tail (save her leathery wings).

“Good ol’ standard issue,” Gleaming said.

Apogee made a face. “Ugh, everything they give us is always this ugly shade of green.”

Gleaming laughed. “At least it—” She suddenly fidgeted in place. “Ergh, darn it all—looks good on you!”

Apogee blinked. “Erm, thanks...” She looked on as Gleaming squirmed, fidgeting like a great fecund wall of white and blue muscle. “Are… you okay?”

“It’s this—gah—stupid itching!” She swayed back and forth, her boulder of a belly shifting in the brace. “It’s been all over since I woke up, first in my legs, then in my chest, then my head and neck, and now it’s in my back and rear! It’s driving me nuts!”

It was a good thing Apogee was standing in front of Gleaming and not to her side. She would’ve been checked into the wall. “Have you seen someone about it?”

Gleaming forced herself to stay still. “My doctor’s… rggggh... waiting up in the Research Wing. Apparently this is NORMAL because my powers aren’t making a peep, but damn if it isn’t annoying!”

Just then, the attendant returned wearing red poncho of her own. “Oh, Second Lieutenant! That green goes well with your colors!”

Apogee’s muzzle scrunched up. “Thanks.”

The attendant opened the double doors to reveal a wall of soupy fog. You could see a few dozen feet or so in front of you, but beyond that was nothing but grey. It almost looked like they were in someone’s memory.

The attendant and Apogee trotted outside. Gleaming ducked down to avoid banging her head, thankful that she could squeeze through here without the aid of magic. She’d had start regularly teleporting through many doorways now, to the great amusement of many—

Gleaming suddenly felt like she was wading through molasses.

“Whoa…” Gleaming tried to take a step forward, only to almost trip over her own hooves. “Uh… Apogee?!”

Apogee looked back. “Hmm?”

“I think I—nnngh!” Gleaming forced herself through the fog at a normal trot, but she had to put in four times the effort. “Have a problem.”

Apogee did a double take. “You... don’t have a cloudwalking spell on, do you?”

Gleaming shook her head, surprised to find even that took effort. “Yeesh, talk about a workout! I might not even need to go to the gym today!”

Apogee felt a thrill race through her. She could see Gleaming was managing to muscle through the fog, but... “Can you try something for me?”

Gleaming raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Apogee rolled back the sleeve of her poncho. She threw a few jabs to her right, a few holes appearing in the fog like they’d been sculpted out of snow. “Try that.”

Gleaming clucked her tongue. Without a word she mimicked Apogee…

Her hoof sank into something soft.

“Holy…” Gleaming poked at the fog. It was spongy and resistant, but also malleable. She punched a few holes to create a smiley face. “No wonder I felt heavy in the shower this morning...”

“Is something wrong?” the attendant said, approaching them.

Apogee gave the attendant a quick glance. “Ah, with all due respect, General, I don’t think you’re equipped to be outside right now.”

Gleaming sucked on her teeth. “No, I don’t believe I am. I’m sorry, Miss Skystone, but I’m afraid Second Lieutenant Apogee will have to oversee the rest of the tour. If you’ll excuse me...”

FLASH!

The attendant looked at the spot where Gleaming had just been. “Did I miss something?”

Apogee made a soft chirp. “Let’s just hope the General’s colors go with green, as well.”

A young mare in a doctor’s coat looked over the collection of readings she’d just taken. “Well, Gleaming, I’ve got good news, and I’ve got meh news.”

Gleaming dismissed the anti-scanning forcefield around her barrel. “Meh news, huh? Is that Talia-speak for ‘stuff you already knew’?”

Talia swatted her with the papers. “Smart-ass. There’s nothing to be alarmed about, but there are a few things worth noting.”

Carefully, Gleaming eased up off the extra-large exam bed while keeping her head down. The ceiling here in Talia’s lab was also low, so much so it felt like being in a burrow. “Such as?”

Talia didn’t reply, as she’d gone back to flipping through the pages. “...ambrosiac saturation forty-eight percent… immune system metamorphosing… record-setting circulatory readings… digestive system fully omnivorous, bmi optimal...”

Gleaming said nothing as she watched Talia for a few moments, the doctor checking and triple-checking while jotting things down. She soon realized she’d zoned out and looked up into Gleaming’s warm eyes.

“Same old Talia,” Gleaming said with a smile. “Or should I say, same young?”

Talia was quiet. She turned to her reflection in the window, still not quite recognizing the pony that’d leapt out of her memories. A straight blonde mane the color of goldenrods. Sharp blue eyes and a fuzzy cerulean coat. A fair face with rosy cheeks. A strong frame with motherly hips, and a full, silky voice that held your attention captive. She’d been aware most ponies shrunk with age, but she hadn’t been prepared for the four and a half inches she’d got back.

“I used to be a relic on my way out,” Talia muttered. “Now I look barely old enough to drink! Grandkids didn’t even recognize me at first, y’know. Only one that did was Rosetta. Smiled and laughed soon as she saw me, she did…”

Gleaming patted her shoulder. “Baby Eventide’s gonna love you. You’re gonna be a great Crystaller, I know it.”

Talia rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t get all sappy on me. Why’d you get up, anyways? You’re stressing your vertebrae hunched over like that! Lay back down before you slip a disc, ya twit.”

Gleaming snickered. “Yes, Doctor.” She clambered back on the bed, laying on her in her usual side-sploot. Her gargantuan belly loomed over Talia like a white fertile hill, so warm she could feel the heat radiating off it.

Talia cleared her throat and turned back to the papers before her. “The meh news is that I’m not seeing any bone or muscle structure that indicates wings. I didn’t really expect to, but it never hurts to check. In both previous cases of ascended alicorns, the extra appendages happened by some kind of extraplanar translocative metaphysical reaction, so that’s likely what’ll happen with you.”

Some of those words almost sounded like another language. “Extraplanar—wait, you mean the floaty-starry place Twily and Cady got sent to?”

Talia nodded. “I interviewed Princess Celestia about it once before. She hasn’t been able to glean much, but from what she has, it’s a place only alicorns can go. Also seems whatever triggers the ascendant’s translocation is related to their domain somehow.”

Gleaming needed a moment to translate that. “So whatever ports me to Wingsville will have something to do with Life... and whatever it is, it’ll likely be big.”

“Which I’m not sure how to feel about,” Talia rested a hoof on Gleaming’s belly. “You’ve already demonstrated abilities far beyond our capabilities, yet all of that’s chump change for you? Just where do your limits lie?”

Gleaming glanced at her taut, titanic barrel. Four of the babies were asleep at the moment, but the other two wiggling and exploring with curious hooves. “I’m... not sure that’s the right way to look at it. Cady’s or Twily’s powers weren’t what made them ascend, it was their ideals.”

Talia frowned. “What do you mean?”

Gleaming thought on how best to put this. “Cady believes everyone deserves a chance to be loved, which made her risk everything for a hateful, lonely, wrathful stranger, and that wound up being the trigger. Twily believes we can do anything if we all work together, and because of that, she and her friends have done the impossible. It took her longer than it did for Cady, but I’d argue that’s because her ascension didn’t just change her, it also affected her friends.”

That last part made Talia pause. “Speaking of your sister and company’s accomplishments… you do realize those six might be the most powerful beings alive, right? Not ‘cause they wield the Elements of Harmony, but because they can peacefully—damn near effortlessly—turn anyone over to their side! Have you ever stopped to think about dangerous an ability that is?”

Gleaming’s face grew stoic. “I’m aware of the potential threat that is Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends, yes. The scenario you’re suggesting, along with any other of fellow royals being corrupted, is one of many contingencies anticipated by our countermeasure strategists—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Talia said. “Ease off the public relations, Skippy. I just wanted to make sure you’re not turning a blind eye, that’s all.”

Gleaming relented. “Sorry. We—the other royals and Twily’s friends—are aware of how powerful we all are. But also, we know what things can cause madness in ponies like us, and we work together to prevent them. Twily and her friends are actually the least at risk because they’ve seen so many different ways it can happen.”

Talia snorted. “The old, ‘knowing is half the battle’, adage. The rule of engagement so fundamental, we even teach it to children.”

Gleaming couldn’t argue with that one. “The point is Twily and her friends have a bond deeper than even Cady can sense. Even if one of them were to go evil, the others would snap them out of it quicker than you can say ‘Rainbow Power’. Combine that with their families and tons of other friends, they’re the least of our worries.”

Talia bounced her hoof on the floor, her eyes drifting from side to side. “Fair enough, I suppose… but going back to ‘Wingsville’, as you put it, if ideals really are the last puzzle piece, what does that mean for you? How far are you gonna have to go to prove your beliefs?”

Gleaming’s ears drooped. “I hate to say it, but something tells me we won’t know until after the fact.”

“Oof…” Talia ran a hoof through her mane. “That’s the way things like this tend to go, doesn’t it? Hindsight is twenty-twenty, and all that… well, I suppose it’s better than nothing, so I guess we’ll just have to see. Let’s get back to why you’re here, shall we? You wanna know what’s causin’ your itching, I assume?”

Gleaming sat up straighter. “Do you know?”

Talia showed the report she was looking at to Gleaming. “This gobbledegook won’t make much sense, but take a look anyways. The left column is the averages for a unicorn mare in your age range, the middle readings are yours, and the ones on the right are the averages of the other princesses.”

Gleaming wasn’t sure if she was reading Equuish or Chineighse. “Uhhh...”

“The itching is your musculoskeletal system switching over to an alicorn’s,” Talia translated. “Your bones are becoming many times tougher and stronger than an earth pony’s, exponentially more magically conductive, and have gained the lightness and hollowness of a pegasus. And that’s not even touching on what’s happening to your muscles—”

“Hold up,” Gleaming said. “Did you just say my bones are hollow?!”

Talia chuckled. She went over to her desk a moment, retrieving a magical x-ray she’d just taken. She pinned it up on a panel backlit by glowing crystal. “Notice how your almost all your bones are see-through, but the ones around your lower back and rear aren’t? The see-through ones are hollow.”

Gleaming’s tailbone suddenly felt VERY itchy. “Holy…”

“I had to take this at the strongest intensity, by the way. Just like with your sister.” Talia trotted back over and now started examining Gleaming’s belly. “Once all your bones and muscles have metamorphosed, the itching should die down. Another hour or two, I’m guessing… cripes, you’re gettin’ big. You really do have six healthy babies in there, yessir...”

Gleaming couldn’t help but laugh. “Is it weird that I keep going through all these crazy changes, yet I’m most concerned about them?”

“It’d be weirder if you weren’t, honey.” Talia summoned a cloth tape to measure Gleaming’s waistline. “But if I can ease some of your worries, I’ll certainly try. You’ve set several pregnancy records with this little adventure, including, but not limited to, largest recorded uterus in a unicorn, longest gestation of sextuplets, most consistent vitals in multiples, most breast tissue gained, and most milk expressed in a session. As for the foals themselves, each one of ‘em is near the ideal size and weight from the looks of the scans. Save your two special fillies, of course.”

Gleaming felt a warm glow in her chest. “Oh, I can feel I’ve got two big, healthy girls in there. Am I still on track for fifty-two weeks, then?”

“Long as your vitals stay good,” Talia said while poking and prodding. “Remember, the determining factor isn’t the kiddos, it’s you. So long as your body keeps thriving, they’ll come out when they’re ready to come out. Just don’t get complacent now, you hear me?”

Gleaming looked very thoughtful at this. “One of my former superiors used to say something. ‘Never act like victory is assured, even when it probably is.”

“Smart pony,” Talia said. “Now, back to your bones and muscles. You see all those zeroes at the bottom of the readings? Those are measurements of magical reactions in the other tribes. Cavus tempulari in particular determines… well, a lot of things, but it only returns positive when there’s weather-influencing magic in your bones. That’s why you got held up by the fog.”

Gleaming blinked several times. “But… haven’t I had alicorn magic for months? I should’ve been getting bogged down before this, shouldn’t I?”

“Your bones weren’t hollow before this, silly filly. Unicorn—” Talia was cut off by a STRONG kick smacking her hoof away. “Erm... I may have woken up Reidy.”

Gleaming grunted. “A light sleeper, that one.”

“Sorry, baby.” Talia rubbed the spot with a bit of aloe. “I’m sure you learned this in school, but the arcana systems of the three tribes are different. Unicorn arcana systems have almost no connection to our muscles and bones, where earth pony and pegasi arcana systems do. That’s actually an argument why certain parts of unicorn anatomy hold a charge even when excised, now that I think of it...”

Gleaming did recall Talia saying something about that. “So now that my muscles and bones have alicorn-ed, more of my earth pony and pegasi traits can manifest?”

“I’m thinking so,” said Talia. “You’re still technically a unicorn, but not for much longer. Once you hit fifty point-one percent alicorn saturation, I’ve a feeling these changes are gonna start happening faster. Another week or so, methinks.”

Gleaming looked back at the x-ray. “How much faster?”

Talia shrugged. “We may as well take bets on it. I’ve been taking DNA samples to try and learn more, but science and magic don’t always play nice. I’ve even been comparing your genetic code to your sister’s and father’s to see if I can connect point A to point B. Wound up with bupkis.”

Gleaming grit her teeth. “Okay, well, so I’m hearing the itching is just something I’m gonna have to deal with for a little longer, so I guess that’s that. Anything else we should go over while I’m here?”

Talia flipped through her readings one more time. “How’s your healing practice coming?”

“I could always use more,” Gleaming said right away. “The only thing the infirmary on the base gets is minor stuff. Cuts, bruises, exhaustion, concussions, maybe a few fractures, but that’s it. Why?”

Talia folded her hooves. “I’m thinking it’s time to cut your teeth on more serious cases. Problem is, I’m not sure how to go about it without causing an uproar. I could have a word with the chief physician here and have you look at some patients they’re struggling with, but I wanted your input first.”

Gleaming winced. “How serious are we talking?”

Talia shook her head. “Remember, the whole reason we’re skulking around is so you can develop your powers safely. I’m not a fan of it either, but you’ll help more ponies in the long run if we take this slow. Don’t wanna go diving into the deep end when you’re still figuring out how to swim, you feel me?”

Gleaming did. Unknown boundaries of stamina aside, the fear of losing a loved one made ponies do crazy things. She didn’t want to put anyone in that situation. “The worst thing I’ve healed so far was with Spike. I was fine afterwards, but… yeah, if we’re gradually ramping things up, hospitals might be a little too much.”

Talia looked past Gleaming to a spot on the wall. “There’s… one other idea I had, in that case. A patient I know of, nothing life threatening, but serious enough that… w-well, they’ve got a long road ahead of ‘em without help. We can even examine ‘em without causing a ruckus, so, u-um… I-I think it’d be a good benchmark for your abilities.”

The tremor in Talia’s voice wasn’t lost on Gleaming. “Do I know them?”

Talia gulped. She looked down at the floor a moment, her blonde mane falling over her face like a veil. “U-Um…”

Gleaming furrowed her brow, but remained silent. She watched and waited while stroking her tight womb with more aloe, paying special attention to her plum-sized navel.

Talia cursed. “Damn hormones and emotions on a hair trigger. Was more mellow when I was old… now I’m shaking like a damn leaf!”

Gleaming pursed her lips. “Talia—”

“Gleaming.” Talia looked up, eyes glinting. “The first year of life is crucial for a foal’s development. My granddaughter and grandson-in-law have done all they can, but there are some things we don’t have substitutes for. I know it’s selfish to ask—”

“Oh, for pony’s sake,” Gleaming said. “I already told you I was sorry I couldn’t do more, remember? If you think I’m ready to try and heal Rosetta, let’s teleport right now. Where do they live?”

You could’ve pushed Talia over with a breeze. “O-Oh…”

Meanwhile, at the train station-

“TWILIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT!” Pinkie Pie zoomed from the train car to catch Twilight in the mother of all glomps. “I missed you soooooooo much! How are you? Do you want a cupcake? Did you like your Hearth’s Warming presents? I brought your favorite shampoo! Do you know where I can—”

“NOW!” yelled Twilight.

“COUNTER-GLOMP!” A poncho-wearing pegasus emerged from the fog, snatching Pinkie in a blur of color as Twilight teleported to safety.

“DASHIIIIIEEEEEEEE-HEE-HEE-HEE!" Pinkie squealed as they disappeared into the fog. The duo was soon nothing than a pair of laughing voices doing loop-de-loops high above.

Twilight smoothed the wrinkles out of her own poncho. “Phew…”

“I suppose that’s one way to curb her enthusiasm,” said Rarity, trotting out and stretching her limbs. “Though I wonder, if Rainbow’s dealing with Pinkie… how are you going to deal with us?”

Twilight hesitated. “What—”

“DARLING!” Rarity glomped her in a fabulous leap, followed immediately by Applejack and Fluttershy.

Twilight burst out laughing. “Girls!” She hugged them back from beneath the pony pile. “I missed you, too!”

Meanwhile, Spike, who’d been watching from the safety of a nearby bench, wiped his brow with a sigh. For once, he’d managed to avoid getting smothered—

“SPIKEYYYYYYYYY!"

Spike paled. He looked up...

GLOMP!

The last to get off was Maud. She took a deep breath of the crisp northern air, wincing slightly as the wind hit her newly-pierced ears. She took a moment to feel her saddlebags for the little box containing the Tears of Laughter. “I wasn’t aware tacklehugs were the traditional Crystal Empire greeting.”

Twilight giggled. “Welcome back, Maud! Wow, those are nice earrings!”

Maud swivelled her ears forward. The earrings were pink and shaped like little balloons. “They’re not gneiss. They’re rose agate.”

“Is that the poncho I made you?” Rarity said, looking Twilight over. “It looks small on you.”

Twilight blushed. “I, uh… might be having a bit of a growth spurt…”

Rarity took a moment to note the height difference between them. They’d all known Twilight had been getting steadily taller since ascending, but it seemed her growth had sped up since leaving. “So you are. It seems some adjustments are in order!”

“Is it just you greeting us?” Fluttershy looked around. “I’d hoped Cadance and your sister would come!”

Twilight shook her head. “They had to work. Don’t worry, we’ll have plenty of time tonight.”

“For the zappin’, you mean?” Applejack said. “Maud wants to head out tomorrow morning.”

Twilight nodded. “As soon as Cadance is free.”

“How’s everything going?” Fluttershy asked. “Your letters only said Gleaming’s been doing well. I hope that’s still true.”

Twilight smiled as the attendants brought out everyone’s luggage. “Trust me, Fluttershy, it’ll be better if I show you.”

Talia’s granddaughter was a pale yellow unicorn named Summer Song. She and her husband Malachite lived in a suburb of the North Residential District called Lasthaven, named for it being the northernmost township in the city. The outside of their home was decorated with crystal sculptures in the yard, the house itself was a light purple, and the front door was painted with a green laurel wreath.

It seemed like a quaint, peaceful home to Gleaming, perfect for starting a family... but more importantly, the ceilings inside were nice and high.

“Ahh…” Gleaming stood to her full height in the living room, her fluffy zepplin of a belly moving with her. Her bulging muscles supported the great weight with ease—which was good, as even with her growing taller, her paunch was so wide and low-hanging it remained inches from the floor. “Man, if I’d had to sit all hunched down and cramped while you explained everything to your family, I’d have gone nuts!”

Talia’s eyes lingered on Rosetta’s parents going off to fetch their baby daughter. “I’d think you’d be used to it. I know you’ve been growing faster lately, but still, you were a big stallion.”

Gleaming laughed. “How much longer has my horn gotten?”

“...Touche.”

The living room was a modest affair. There were no ceiling lights, but several crystal lamps were in the corners, lit to compensate for the dreary fog outside. A mint-green rug covered the floor, the walls were a light brown, and family pictures were everywhere. Most of them showed a family of four, but the ones with Rosetta made them five. Pictures of extended family were also about, Gleaming spying one of Talia and Rosetta in a heart-shaped frame.

But what also caught Gleaming’s eye was the emblem above the hearth. It was the same laurel wreath as on the front door, down to the last detail.

“House Apollo,” Gleaming noted. “One of the older Canterlot families.”

Talia looked over her shoulder. “I’m surprised you’ve even heard of us. We don’t got the wealth or fame of some houses, and we’ve never been very big. About all we can claim is that we’ve been around a while.”

Gleaming shrugged. “Nothing wrong with that. You’re the matriarch, I assume?”

“Hay, no!” Talia said, turning to her. “My daughter Panny’s been in charge for years. She’s even thinking about passing the reins to one of her kids, last I heard.”

Gleaming frowned. “You sound like you were never—ahhh, you said you don’t like being in charge, riiiiight...”

Talia cracked her neck. “That, and I can’t stand family drama. There was a brief stint where I handled things after my mom died, but once Panny was ready, I stepped down in a heartbeat. She’s a better leader than I’ll ever be.”

There was the sound of hoofsteps as Summer Song and Malachite came back with a prancing, laughing thirteen month-old filly. Rosetta had grown quite a bit since the last time Gleaming had saw her, her little blonde mane bobbing back and forth as she giggled and burbled.

“Hey, cutie-patootie!” She waved to get Rosetta’s attention. “It’s Great-Gran!”

Rosetta gasped. “Way-Am!” She leapt into Talia’s lap. “Way-Am! Way-Am!”

Talia hugged her with a chuckle. “Close enough.”

Gleaming did a double-take. “She can talk?”

Malachite nodded. “She started not long after we began working with that Canterlot group. I don’t want to think how far behind she’d be if we hadn’t tested her hearing at birth...”

Talia gave Rosetta an eskimo kiss. “You’ve got smarty-smart parents, don’t you? Yes, you do! You’ve got smarty-smart parents that knew to screen you! Yes, yes, yes!”

Gleaming squinted at Rosetta. Already her Lifesense was whispering about the child’s ailment—the nerves responsible for carrying sound just… didn’t work. They were supposed to have a thin coating on them, one that allowed signals to travel back and forth, but said coating had never formed. The nerves may as well have been made of rubber.

Talia sat Rosetta on her lap. “I swear, Summy, she gets cuter every time I see her. How can she be so cute and still be related to me? Cripes, how can YOU be so cute and be related to me? Where’d all these good looks come from?!”

Summer Song rolled her eyes. “You might want to look in a mirror, Gran. What I don’t get is how you stayed single long as you did looking like that. How were you not beating stallions off with a stick?”

Talia gave her a tired look. “Be happy you never met your great-grandparents.”

Rosetta noticed Gleaming was staring. It was doubtful she remembered their last meeting, but either way, she laughed and stared right back at the pretty stranger.

Gleaming cleared her throat. “I’m picking up the problem, Talia. It’s just like you described.”

Talia nodded. “Demyelination, right? It’s a small miracle she ain’t had any vertigo.”

Summer Song craned her neck up at Gleaming. “Do… you think you can heal her, Princess?”

Gleaming didn’t answer right away. She stared at Rosetta a little longer, her inner spark beating like a second heart. The rhythm was like the measure of a song, one that Gleaming didn’t play, but guide, monitoring the tempo and keep in time. Said rhythm was strangely different right now for some reason, but that was adjusted easily enough.

“I’ll do everything I can,” Gleaming said to her and Malachite. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll certainly try.”

“This isn’t Gleaming’s first time restoring nerves,” Talia added. “Granted, we’re not sure how much hearing Rosy will have, but we can’t make things any worse.”

Malachite chewed on his lip. “It’s painless, right?”

Gleaming opened her mouth, but then something occurred to her. “The healing is, yes. But considering she’s never heard anything before, when she suddenly starts experiencing this strange new thing...”

Talia nodded. “Yeah, she’s gonna lose it. Ain’t no way around it, I’m afraid.”

Malachite gestured for them all to wait. He disappeared a moment down the hall a moment, then returned with a bag full of bulky earplugs.

“Summy snores,” he explained as he passed them out.

Summer Song elbowed him. “Mally!”

Talia bit back a laugh. “Panny’s daughter, you are.”

There was a minute of preparing while they all got ready. Gleaming put her back to the hearth so she wasn’t in the way, but her height and width still made her the center of attention. It was a challenge not to knock anything over with her wrecking ball of a womb, although not that she’d likely do that much damage—her snow-white coat was soft and fluffy like heather, and even though it was stretched thin around her belly, her thick, supple skin beneath was nearly as soft.

Rosetta rocked back and forth in Talia’s lap while watching them all, alternating between saying “Muh-ma”, “Da-da”, and “Way-Am”. Gleaming’s world was muffled as she put in her earplugs, then with one last glance between the adults, she willed her spark forth.

It wasn’t as flashy as with Spike. The power of life suffused her with a familiar warmth, and the magenta strands crept up and around her horn in a lazy spiral. They snaked towards Rosetta with the speed of a snail, who cooed at the bright lights, reaching out to touch one as they enveloped her.

Malachite and Summer Song held their breath.They whimpered slightly as little Rosetta became enshrouded in Gleaming’s magic, the glittering strands swirled around her head like a veil. Talia betrayed nothing as she watched the power seep into Rosetta’s ears, her eyes glued to Gleaming’s every move.

Gleaming guided her magic to Rosetta’s inert nerves. She kept her spark pulsing in the usual rhythm, ignoring its strange insistence to switch to another beat. Her power infused Rosetta’s hearing in seconds, yet while something usually happened immediately… everything stayed the same. Gleaming made sure she was doing everything the same as usual, but even with the nerves completely saturated, nothing happened.

Gleaming clenched her jaw. Was it because Rosetta’s cell tissue was missing? From what Gleaming understood of her power, growing new cell tissue should be doable, but how? Did it required her power to be wielded differently, like perhaps pulsing in a different—

Gleaming wanted to facehoof. “I’m an idiot.”

It was a good thing everypony was wearing earplugs, as that’s not a great thing to say while performing an operation. Fortunately, even if any of them could read lips, they were all strangely preoccupied with something behind Gleaming.

Gleaming concentrated again and looked inward, coaxing her magic to pulse in the way it wanted. It reverted to a fast, punchy beat, and as Gleaming watched and guided...

Rosetta squeaked. Something in her head was itching, tickling inside her skull! She squirmed in Talia’s arms, but her great-grandmother held her still. The itching grew greater, more insistent, morphing into a flickering, fuzzy feeling Rosetta had never known. She tried making those weird throat vibrations that everyone liked, but when she did that, the fuzziness grew even stronger! She yelped as the fuzziness then turned into a terrifying crackling, building and building more and more between her ears, and she clutched her head and thrashed until—

Pop!

“—AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

The earplugs didn’t help much. Rosetta screamed, screamed, screamed… and then just for the heck of it, she screamed some more. Her wails rent the air like screeching metal, and the shrieks just kept on coming, terrified of this foreign thing called sound.

Gleaming opened her eyes to find Summer Song, Malachite, and Talia watching with bated breath.

Gleaming smiled.

Summer Song and Malachite gasped. They fought back tears as they rushed to Rosetta, putting earplugs in her ears and trying to still her thrashing. She kept bawling regardless, but then again, how could she not?

“Phew…” Gleaming wiped her brow. She felt out her magic reserves to see how much had been drained. “Not bad, not bad. Could probably do a couple hours of stuff like that…”

It wasn’t long until Rosetta passed out from screaming so much. A quick check by Talia assured them she was fine, though, so Gleaming took the lull to excuse herself. Malachite took Rosetta upstairs while Summer Song and Talia saw Gleaming off, exchanging thank-you’s and promises to visit soon.

“E-Erm, Princess?” said Summer Song.

Gleaming paused. “Yes?”

Summer Song started to say something, but then wet her lips and turned to Talia. “Was that normal what happened? While she was healing Rosy?”

Talia pretended to pout. “Aww, Summy! I was gonna wait til our next appointment to tell her. You’re no fun.”

Gleaming’s heart skipped a beat. “What? Did something weird happen again?”

Summer Song dragged a hoof on the floor. “Your mane and tail got flowy for a bit there. Sparkly, too.”

Talia ruffled Gleaming’s mane with magic. “Not sure how much of a rush it is, but it wouldn’t hurt to write Princess Celestia and Princess Luna for ethereal hair tips.”

Gleaming did a little dance in place. “Eee-hee-hee~!”

CRASH!

…

…

…

“...That was the coat rack, wasn’t it.”

Talia sniggered. “Careful with that thing, Your Gravidness.”

“Oh, shut up.”

Meanwhile, at the castle-

“Are these the papers you wanted?” Thorax asked.

Cadance looked up from her bowl of fruit. “Mmm? Ah! Yesh, ‘ank-oo.”

Thorax let go of the papers as it hovered out of his scaly claws. “Anything else I can do?”

Cadance gave him a knowing look. “Nope. You’ve stalled long enough, mister. Time to get back to your math.”

Thorax wilted. “Aww…”

Steelwing snickered from beside the Crystal Throne. “Even changelings hate long division. Who knew?”

Of all the things Cadance liked about being a princess, holding court was one of her favorites. Sure, she still had to maintain a certain air of professionalism but this was her arena. It was here she could do the most good, and best of all, the Crystal Empire didn’t have the tangled web of alliances and skullduggery that plagued Canterlot.

Cadance patted the spot beside her on the throne. “Here, come sit by me. It’ll help you concentrate.”

Thorax perked up. He clambered up the carpeted steps as fast as his little dragon legs could go, hopping onto the throne and settling down next to Cadance. As soon as he leaned into her warm side, the ambient love flowing into him increased dramatically.

“Ahhhhh…” Thorax flicked his tongue out, his mind clearing. “Thank you, Cadance.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.” Cadance summoned Thorax’s arithmetic homework while looking over the report he’d brought her—an update on the Crystal Empire’s employment effort. “Wow, eighty-four percent of all posted jobs filled? An effort like this should take years, yet we’re doing it in months!”

“But how many of those will stay, I wonder?” Steelwing asked. “Not to be a downer, but you gotta expect some turnover.”

Cadance sipped at her tea. “Celestia’s been helping us pick ponies for the management jobs—”

CRUNCH!

Thorax yelped and poked a hole in his parchment.

“For pony’s sake...” Cadance curled her lip at the remains of her crushed teacup, her tea spattered on the floor. “I liked that one, too.”

Steelwing, who’d nearly jumped in front of her at the noise, looked between the spill and Cadance. “So that’s what those noises inside your apartment have been! I’ve been wondering ever since I started doing shifts.”

Cadance rubbed her temples. “My magic keeps growing stronger and stronger. It was only rising a little with Gleamy’s magic infusions, but then there was the thing on Hearth’s Warming, and now with sustaining Thorax… I’m not used to having this much power.”

Steelwing whistled. “And I thought you were plenty powerful already.”

Cadance barked out a laugh. “My aunts have to conceal their fonts so they can interact with others. So does Twilight, although not as much, it seems. I’ve never had to do anything like that.”

Steelwing watched as the mess was magicked away. “It looks like you might have to start.”

A clock chime signalled the end of recess.

Cadance set the papers aside and sat up straight. “I’ll have to look into it tonight. Now, who’s our next—”

ZRRRRRM!

A swirling circular portal opened a dozen feet before the throne. Cadance’s papers were blown away as sizzling bolts of mana sparking on the opening’s fringe, shadows dancing as the rift’s eerie light cast everything in a sickly glow.

Cadance felt a chill. “Steelwing...”

There was a sound of metal sliding out of its sheath.

The silhouette of a pony became visible, and a bone-thin unicorn stepped through the tear. His beady grey eyes bored into Cadance, every pore of his body dripping with disdain. His greasy black hair was swept back in a widow’s peak, he wore a blood-red vest with a shoulder sash, and a glowing gold medallion emblazoned with the Scholar’s Guild emblem sat at his breast.

“Hello, Princess Cadance,” he said, his curt voice like a blade. “I’m—”

He was cut off by the feel of an actual blade against his throat, and a second blade against his horn.

“—dead if you move,” Steelwing whispered in his ear.

“Stop!” Cadance said quickly. “Stand down, Lieutenant.”

After what seemed like an eternity, Steelwing’s blades eased away. He sheathed his weapons, saluted Cadance, then returned to his post like nothing had happened.

Cadance took a moment to collect herself. “Chancellor Neighsay. What an unexpected surprise! I’d heard rumors you had talents in telemancy, but I’d never seen it myself.”

Neighsay, who appeared no more perturbed than if a fly had landed on him, took a moment to make sure he still had his goatee. “I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. At least your experiences have taught you the importance of proper security.”

Cadance narrowed her eyes. “I’d recommend not dropping in like that again. Not if you want to keep your head.”

Steelwing’s blades shifted ever-so-slightly.

“A miscalculation.” Neighsay looked around the throne room a moment before his eyes fell on Thorax. “Although, on the topic of rumors, I see the ones of you taking a familiar are true. Have you learned nothing from your sister-in-law’s folly? Her savage creature has already gone on rampage once in a populated area. Yours will—”

“Sir Spike is a hero of the Crystal Empire and a member of the royal family," Cadance said in a cool voice. “I’ll not tolerate any disrespect of him. Are we clear?”

Neighsay sneered. “The threat ANY dragon poses is very real. Not all of us share the resiliency of alicorns, and it’s only a matter of time before a dragon-related atrocity takes place on Equestrian soil. What will you do when you speak to the survivors, hmm? Will you tolerate words of disrespect then?”

Cadance wasn’t sure if she wanted to hit him or throw up on him. Neighsay’s surface emotions were like a pond of raw sewage… yet said pond was calm... detached. You’d never know he’d just had a brush with near-death from the way he was acting. Her aunts were treading lightly, but Cadance was still tempted delve into Neighsay’s psyche, see where this derision and vileness—

Thorax yawned.

“A-HEM!” Cadance settled back in her seat. “Your reputation for treading the line is well-deserved, Chancellor. Perhaps one day we can have a debate on the ethics of interspecies rights, but I’ve no interest in listening to diatribe on dragons right now. What brings you to the Crystal Empire?”

Neighsay squinted. A shadow of... something flitted past his face, but it was gone as quick as it’d come. “Straight to it, then. I came to follow up with you now that the Purifiers you requested have finished sweeping your castle for cursed artifacts. I’m concerned there weren’t any Master Purifiers available to help with the search.”

Cadance stared. “How do you—”

“Article 7B of The Dark Magic Nullification Act,” he drawled. “For the purposes of understanding, educating, and assisting in the development of defense against hostile magic, the discovery, documentation, and/or destruction of Class-A cursed artifacts or higher will be reported to both the Mage’s Guild, AND the Scholar’s Guild. Your new Purifier was required by law to report the Class-S he destroyed. Did he not tell you?”

Cadance stomach roiled, but she kept it in check. “I... must’ve missed the memo. If that really is what the law states, then no, we didn’t have a Master Purifier. However, I don’t see why that matters, let alone why it’d merit a visit from the head of the Scholar’s Guild.”

“Forgive me for finding it hard to believe a team of seasoned Purifiers swept this castle nose to tail, yet a greenhorn fresh out of university discovered an S-Class in a few short weeks.” Neighsay spat the word ‘greenhorn’ like it had a foul taste. “If relics of that caliber are still being found, then this building isn’t safe to inhabit until a proper search is done. One that is headed by a Master Purifier, and closes down the castle entirely rather than one wing at a time.”

Cadance noted Neighsay’s odd inflection of ‘greenhorn’, but let it go for now. “Even if the Scholar’s Guild is privy to information about the search, the Mage’s Guild remains the office of record. Our results were validated by Chancellor Frostfire herself, so if you have a problem with how the search was handled, take it up with her.”

“Frostfire,” Neighsay growled through his teeth. “Doesn’t understand the gravitas of the situation. I thought given this is where you live, you might be more invested.”

Cadance rested her chin on her hoof. “I’m not going to shut down a national monument that’s home to over half of the region’s government offices—as well as where I live—for stars knows how long so a Master Purifier and whoever else conducts… the thirty-third search of this place? No, thirty-fourth. It was surprising our new hire found something, yes, but he explained his process to the search team—”

“Perhaps I should put this another way,” Neighsay said, examining his perfectly trimmed fetlocks. “An inexperienced Purifier accidentally stumbling across a dangerous artifact is proof that this place still hides secrets despite our best efforts.”

“He didn’t stumble—”

“And therefore,” Neighsay said in a louder voice. “Continuing operations here is both negligent and foolish! You’re putting lives at risk by continuing to keep this castle open, Princess! What you should do is condemn this place, tear it down, then rebuild it from the ground up!”

Cadance really wished she had one of those squeezable stress balls right now. She’d draw Neighsay’s face on it. “You seriously believed that because I live here, I’d be more receptive to the idea of demolishing this place and rebuilding it? How’d you even come to that conclusion?”

“Oh, please.” Neighsay pointed out the window to the fog beyond. “This place was once home to one of the most vile creatures who ever lived. Even now years after Sombra’s death, we’re still stumbling upon his traps, struggling to understand his spells, underestimating the lengths of his plans to invade Equestria. I’ve read the reports—these crystal ponies—if they’re even ponies at all—were once his slaves! He could have some kind of spell lying in wait that turns them all into monsters… a spell that could be right under your muzzle! All it might take is some poor sap to say the wrong word, press the wrong tile, pull the wrong lever, and Equestria will have an army marching on our northern border!”

Cadance could almost hear the puzzle pieces click into place. “Which is why you’ve been impeding our attempts to modernize the Crystal Empire.”

“How do you know he didn’t alter them?” Neighsay said, whirling on her. “The finest pony minds alive have studied everything in your archives, and not one of them—not even you—dare recreate what Sombra was doing! You can’t even get rid of a curse he placed on you, for pony’s sake! You expect me to take your word the crystal ponies are free of his influence?! If you had a shred of logic in you, you'd realize everything you’ve been doing could be used against us!”

…

…

...

“That ‘logic’ sounds a lot like fear mongering, Chancellor,” Cadance said quietly.

Neighsay raised his chin. “My concerns aren’t unwarranted. You’ve a history of being reckless, and if I’m right, not only have you been arming the enemy, you’ve been putting Equestrians at risk. Your ‘modernization’ is dangerous.”

Another silence fell. The air grew tense as Cadance and Neighsay stared each other down, the only sound the scratching of Thorax’s quill. A bird from outside tweeted as it flew near one of the windows before flapping back off into the mist.

“Are you responsible for chasing Duke Night Light and Duchess Twilight Velvet out of Canterlot?” Cadance asked.

Neighsay got a smirk too large for his face. “What, are the in-laws getting on your nerves already?”

“Careful, my little pony.”

Neighsay sneered. “I can’t speak for why they left, but regardless of the reason, what’s done is done. I for one will sleep better knowing they don’t reside in the capital anymore… you know, the flammable metropolis built on a sheer cliff face?”

Cadance was about ready to test how flammable Neighsay’s robe was. “Is that more 'logic’ at work?”

Neighsay swished his tail. “Goad me all you want. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“I never said you did,” Cadance said. “But barging in here, attempting to undermine the chain of command, hurling accusations with no proof, drawing conclusions borne out of fear, and generally showing contempt towards everything I care about isn’t the way to get on my good side. You’re many things, Chancellor, but I don’t think stupid is one of them. You had to know there’s no way in Tartarus I’m going to shut down this castle, so I’ll ask again—what brings you to the Crystal Empire?”

Thorax scooched closer to Cadance.

“Hmph.” Neighsay scowled and adjusted his sash. “I suppose you were taught to play by a master. I thought if I showed you the danger of this path, you might see reason. We need to study Sombra’s magic further before continuing to bring this city into the modern era, and doing so before that is just asking for problems. Whether you admit it or not, this entire place could be a ticking time bomb.”

Cadance closed her eyes a moment. “And I even might’ve been willing to concede that, had you not opened with antagonizing me. But your motives aren’t benevolent, Neighsay. If you really wanted to give the crystal ponies a chance, you’d have raised these concerns back when the Crystal Empire was annexed, not do what you’ve been doing. I’m not sure you’ll ever see the crystal ponies as equals—you’d likely sooner see this entire city vanish again... just as you’d see the batponies go extinct rather risk them help Luna attempt a coup.”

Neighsay’s eyes flashed. “Those creatures’ very essence is bound to their 'Dark Lady'! Should she fall again, we’ll be fighting both Nightmare Moon and an entire army of darkness! I’m just ensuring the safety of Equestria’s citizens!”

“The safety of the three tribes, you mean,” Cadance said, folding her arms. “If you had your way, the sub-races would be banished or culled. Does that include alicorns, too?”

Neighsay didn’t say a word.

Cadance withheld her sigh. “Sombra had neither the time nor the resources to do anything like you’re suggesting. Even if he did, we’d have found evidence similar to the traces of magic we found in me. I’ve confirmed he didn’t do anything to the crystal ponies’ souls myself, and the magic he infected the city with was long since cleansed by the Crystal Heart. Yes, this castle might still hold secrets, but if you think those secrets can be found simply by saying a word or pulling a lever, you've little faith in our Purifiers.”

Neighsay scoffed. “The same Purifiers that couldn’t even uncover something a stammering fool found in just over a month. Explain that one to me, Princess.”

Cadance narrowed her eyes. “How about you explain something to me, instead? What’s the relationship between you and my archivist?”

Neighsay grit his teeth.

“Answer me, Chancellor.”

Neighsay cringed like he’d downed a shot of whiskey. “We have… history.”

Cadance tilted her head. “What kind of history?”

Neighsay looked like he was going to be sick. He was silent a few seconds longer, then before anyone could react, the medallion on his sash glowed, a swirling portal opened in front of him, and he leapt through it.

“WAIT!” Cadance leapt to her hooves, but the portal had already closed. “DAMN IT! I spent too long grilling him!”

“Can you track him?” Steelwing said, running to her side.

“He shouldn’t have been able to open a portal in here at all!” Cadance’s horn glowed with a scrying spell. “The only useable telemancy in the castle is teleporting, and that’s limited to—what in the… REALLY?! He blocked his magic signature with a scrambler!”

Thorax tugged on Cadance’s tail. “Cadance…”

“Stupid,” Cadance muttered, the air crackling around her. “Stupid, stupid STUPID! We basically had him in custody, and I had to try and get a confession out of him! STUPID!”

Steelwing took a step back. “U-Uh, Your Highness…”

“RGGGGGGGGGGGGH!” Cadance’s eyes glowed. The crystal all around them shook as it reacted to her, the fog outside rumbling with sudden thunder.

Steelwing cursed. He bolted forward, grabbed Thorax, then leapt for cover behind the throne.

Cadance screamed. She fired a house-sized blast of magic towards the wall like a beam cannon, blasting it to pieces and tearing straight through the wall. The sound of cracking crystal and humming mana was deafening as the sizzling power sailed out over the city like a shooting star, rising higher and higher into the sky with no sign of stopping, the beam trail so long it could measure the city’s diameter. Cadance’s rage pierced the weather barrier with dull wumph and kept ascending into the atmosphere, shrinking more and more until it finally disappeared from sight.

“Greh… zeh…” Cadance was panting and snorting like a mustang. Her eyes were pure white now, her voice carrying a faint echo. “That blasted venom… it has to be...”

Steelwing and Thorax poked their heads out. The beam had created an enormous hole in the wall, and a long divot in the floor had been scooped out, as well. Cadance was standing there like a locus of power, a mist swirling around her, pieces of crystal hovering in mid-air, and most startling of all, her mane and tail flowing like Celestia’s and Luna’s, the colors bright and scintillating.

Steelwing’s lips parted. “Princess…”

THOOM! The throne room doors burst open. Rex and several other soldiers poured in and galloped towards Cadance, many of them drawing their weapons and sounding the alert. However, their voices died when they beheld Cadance’s appearance, their steps slowing until they stopped entirely. Some of the soldiers even kneeled.

Cadance fixed her glowing eyes on her troops. “Major Rex.”

Rex flinched at Cadance’s voice. “Y-Your Majesty?”

“Inform Princess Gleaming and Captain Deadeye to go on high alert.” Cadance glared at the spot where Neighsay had been. “Send word to Princess Twilight and Sir Spike that I need to see them immediately. Have the palace guard secure the Duke and Duchess, and send a squad to locate Second Lieutenant Apogee. She may be in danger.”

Rex saluted. “Right away!” She whirled and began meting out the orders.

Steelwing stepped out from the throne with Thorax. “U-Uh, Cadance? Are you okay?”

Cadance didn’t look at them. “Thorax.”

Thorax swayed atop Steelwing’s back. “Hi!”

“You gave the signal something was wrong.” Cadance steadied him with magic. “What did you sense?”

Steelwing did a double-take. “Wait, what?!”

Now Cadance turned to them. “I’m sorry. You’re a terrific soldier, but there are some threats only a fellow empath would recognize. Gleamy and I decided the less ponies that knew, the better.”

Steelwing’s ears drooped, but only for an instant. “...Understood.”

Thorax giggled. “I sensed Mother’s magic! It was really well hidden, but it was waiting for you, just beneath his thoughts! You’d have set it off if I hadn’t stopped you, hehe. Wouldn’t have been good thennnnnnnnn~”

Cadance raised an eyebrow. “I… see. So, it seems Auntie Tia was right, after all. Thank you, Thorax.”

Thorax got a goofy grin. “So… much… love...”

“Princess,” Steelwing cut in. “What’s happened to you? You said you’ve been getting stronger, but this—”

“I don’t lose my temper, often, Steelwing.” Cadance stomped her hoof, and a ripple travelled out that resculpted the floor and wall like new. “Hopefully now, you’ve a better understanding why. You aren’t hurt, are you?”

Steelwing pursed his lips. The air was returning to normal, as were Cadance’s eyes and voice. Her mane and tail, however... “I’m more worried about you.”

Cadance smiled. “And that’s what makes you a good friend. Now, flag down one of the guards and tell them to bring Archivist Sunburst to the throne room. He has some explaining to do.”

Author's Notes:

I figured it was time to post a chapter. Sorry about the cliffhanger, but don't worry, I'll be diving straight into working on the next one.