THE FINAL COUNTDOWN: 10

It was another beautiful night in Equestria as expected of Princess Luna. However on this particular night bore a special occasion. An equestrian grand ball was being held in Canterlot, much to many others surprise. However it wasn't the Grand Galloping Gala; not as prestigious in that sense. It was more of a private gathering between nobles and delegates, and it was the presence of a now familiar newcomer which troubled Princess Celestia. She never enjoyed having this little individual present at social gatherings of such high standard. Yes, at one point Princess Celestia had acquired herself a little juggernaut of a creature. A young alicorn filly whom was lost without her guidance, or so she believed. Of course Princess Celestia would fabricate a side story for this alicorn, seeing as news of a stray roaming about couldn't really be a good thing on most terms. But Princess Celestia was starting to wonder if it could ever be a good thing, seeing as she was now dealing with the drama which came with her decisions.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood atop a large grand staircase leading down into the dining hall of Canterlot Castle. They weren't dressed for the occasion but many of the other nobles and visitors seemed to care little if at all due to the Princesses' naturally apparent grace. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna each wore welcoming smiles as they were constantly approached by their present citizens and prestigious guests; but on the inside they were frowning, heavily. Princess Celestia in particular couldn't seem to take her eyes off a certain young mare in the distance. This mare was currently munching on snacks alone at a table. She wore a beautifully sewn cloak as well. Of course Princess Celestia knew that this mare's talents were broad in range and only grew more efficient with each passing day. But as she blocked out the words and constant adoration of her guests, she wanted nothing more than to make her way over to that mare, as if a protective mother not wanting her child to be hounded by persistent individuals who may want to use her. Her brows furrowed as she huffed a bit beneath her breath, remaining stuck in place at that position in order to tend to those who kept approaching her. Her sister Luna was stuck in pretty much the same exact scenario. Princess Celestia was then suddenly torn away from her current thought process by a guest whom practically demanded her attention. She glanced down at him. "Y-Yes yes, you must forgive me. I just seem to be a little, distracted, tonight."

Princess Luna didn't fail to notice her sister's angst or displeasure in the current situation. It was in that moment she to eyed the young mare at the lone table. And as she looked in that direction, she saw the mare was soon being approached by the delegates of Saddle Arabia, much to her displeasure as well. Princess Luna's brows furrowed then to, as she glared a bit in the mare's direction muttering to herself. Put on a good show little one.

The young mare currently kicked her hind legs back and forth while her rump was seated in a pretty large wooden chair in comparison to her size. She possessed a certain appealing aura about her, one which drew other ponies to her. As she sat there munching on wheat crackers; her eyes widened as she turned her head slightly over and back to get a good look at the two ponies whom were approaching her. She gulped down from chewing her cracker and then blinked a bit, eyeing them up and down for a moment before baring a soft smile. "Why; hello there. I reckon there's something I can help ya with Sir & Madam?" She giggled softly beneath her breath as she closed her eyes soon afterwords, still continuing to wear that welcoming and pleased smile. Her wings were hidden for obvious reasons; but with such mastery over the illusion school, it was unsurprising how talented she was. However, the pursuit of knowledge was always one of her more favored beliefs.

The mare delegate only blushed lightly before looking to her fellow companion and letting off a sigh of adoration. "Oh isn't she adorable love? She is well spoken for her age as well. The rumors we've heard may be true it seems." The mare bowed her head before the child. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance little- Eula was it? We have heard many things about the strange new pony who has taken residence in Canterlot, and has earned herself even a seat among the house of nobles. A designer? A caretaker? An athlete? As well as educated? And obviously very sweet. It seems that those unbelievable stories may just be true after all. But what has me most curious, are your origins." She paused before raising a brow at the little mare with a quirky smile. "Where does a mare of such unquestionable talent come from? A mysterious foreigner perhaps?"

Eula just blinked before masterfully and swiftly using telekinetic magic to face her chair towards them to look the mare in the eyes as she spoke to her. She closed her eyes halfway with a dazed expression as if she were lost in deep thought; before acknowledging the two again with a smile. "It's a mystery darling! It wouldn't be any fun if I told ya everything now would it? But to give ya a hint~" She raised a brow at the mare and leaned in closer. "I'm not from around here yep yep!" She then manifested a cupcake before nibbling at it elegantly and closing her eyes, chuckling softly beneath her breath. She cocked her head to the right, "So, is there anything I can help ya folks with while I'm available? I am quite busy yep yep; and have a lot of studying to do later. The world will not change itself ya know."

The mare looked to her stallion companion for a moment before there was a lengthy silence between them. The mare seemed hesitant but then let off a light sigh and just nodded plainly before looking to the younger mare and smiling a bit. "Yes, in actuality there is something you can help us with. We didn't really come here to simply ask questions little Eula. We actually came to see what you were like, and from what we've heard in rumors you are not living with anypony nor are you housed under a specific name. We were curious, would you like to come with us? We would love to take you back to Saddle Arabia, I'm sure your talents would be of much more use there."

The stallion nodded as well before regarding the child with an accepting smile. "Yes; with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna watching over Canterlot and the entirety of this region, I see little reason for such a talented child to be wasting away here in such a manner. In Saddle Arabia you can truly make a difference, an impact."

Eula blinked a bit; as if confused by their request. "Ya want me to go to a different land with you?"

The stallion and mare nodded.

The mare continued with a smile, "Why yes Ms.Eula; we would like, no, we would LOVE for you to-"

"Why forgive me for the intrusion but Lady Eula still has quite a bit to learn about these lands before she can venture off on such a quest."

The two delegates' eyes widened before they turned to regard who'd spoken.

The mare gasped; "P-Princess Celestia! Why, we didn't expect you to make your way all the way over here personally. What a surprise."

Princess Celestia chuckled a bit as she practically strode over to the younger mare's side. "Yes, I was planning to introduce Lady Eula personally. But it seems these days she's caught the attention of quite a few prestigious individuals herself. Of course she is far too young to be accepting such offers though, don't you believe so?"

The mare blinked a bit as if confused before raising a brow. "W-Well I don't believe so Princess Celestia; it's not as if she wouldn't be taken care of."

Princess Celestia closed her eyes with a smile. "She is taken care of quite fine here though, is she not? All I'm saying is perhaps it is too soon for her."

The mare frowned a bit before striding up to Princess Celestia. "That is not what I am implying Princess. All I'm saying is perhaps the child can make her own decisions about where she does and doesn't want to go. Perhaps a new experience would be best for her. She could be royalty in the lands of Saddle Arabia."

This caused Princess Celestia's brow to twitch a bit as her nose wrinkled up, "She has far more status here than you know."

The mare delegate groaned as it was apparent both of them were getting quite annoyed, "Well Princess Celestia~ It suuuure doesn't look like it!"

Princess Celestia gasped, "She's present here at a party is she not? What's it matter to you what she does with her life anyhow my dear comrade?"

The mare struck back, "What's it matter to YOU Princess Celestia?"

Princess Celestia flinched for a moment, before drawing back and remaining silent for a moment. A crimson blush appeared on her cheeks due to embarrassment.

The mare delegate blinked a bit, before suddenly appearing quite ashamed. "F-Forgive me Princess Celestia I didn't mean to cause offe-"

She raised a hoof interrupting her for a moment. "No no it's fine." She sighed, "I- I have said quite a lot as well and started it, I didn't mean to-"

"Princess Celestia!"

Princess Celestia's eyes widened as she glanced back and noticed a stream of nobles making their way towards her. Her expression sunk not long afterwords in the form of a heavy sigh as she just shook her head and frowned; "Well, it seems my night is far from over." She then looked back to Lady Eula, whom seemed lost in her own little world with dazed eyes now that all the attention had been drawn from her. Such a cold blank look caused the Princess's heart to ache. Yucca.....

Hours later, Lady Eula would be sitting on the railing of a porch overlooking Canterlot City from the throne room. She had a cold stare as she looked upon the many delegates and nobles departing from the castle, like small figures she could crush with ease. She didn't say anything, and only remained silent to herself in thought.

"Yucca?"

Lady Eula glanced back at the individual who'd called out to her to where she saw Princess Celestia approaching her somewhat cautiously. It hurt her a bit to see her approach in such a manner, as if she were a wild animal that needed tending to, or a weapon that was about to go off. Her eyes saddened somewhat but she kept her overall demeanor the same as she continued sitting and looking down ahead. "Yes Auntie? You don't need to talk to me like that you know."

Princess Celestia chuckled somewhat nervously, "F-Forgive me, it must've become a habit."

The word habit struck a cord with Yucca as she glared back at the Princess, wondering what use of such a word implied about what Princess Celestia was always thinking about her. For now she brushed it off and continued to look back down towards the departing nobles and delegates. "Auntie Celestia, why do I have to hurt others?"

Princess Celestia frowned somewhat again before wearing a firm expression. "So you can protect many more."

Princess Yucca's expression twisted into one of conflict as she appeared heavily distraught. "Then why're you so scared of me?"

Princess Celestia flinched yet again, as she shook her head. "I...I am not afraid of you. It's just that-"

Princess Yucca glanced back at her, obviously still hurt. "You're scared of me. You can't hide it." She paused, "So, if I'm a protector, why am I so scary?"

Princess Celestia found herself silent with Yucca's pleading stare, and desperate to answer her. But no words came, and she was feeling more and more troubled by that fact as she just stood there staring back at her waiting for some piece of advice or something to naturally flow from her lips. But there was nothing.

"Because, you are still dangerous. I was once a protector to, but any can plunge into the depths of despair if given the right motivations."

Princess Celestia's eyes immediately snapped wide as she glanced back at the one who'd spoken. "L-LUNA!"

Princess Luna didn't hesitate to continue however. "Child or not, you've been selected for a role to play Yucca. As I raise the moon and my sister raises the sun, you protect the sanctity of harmony from the background. We don't have to like what we do, but we must make the best of it without over-thinking things. Trust me, for nopony knows better than I what such desires can do to you. We alicorns are not meant to carve out our own paths as we see fit. We have been given far too much responsibility, far too much power, for such a convenient choice. But that doesn't stop us from having a guide to help us along the way." She paused before glaring a bit at the smaller alicorn still disguised. "You are an alicorn like it or not. And your destiny has been bared upon your flank." She raised a brow, "There is no choice now."

Princess Yucca looked forward again before appearing displeased with that answer for obvious reasons. "Why can't I be like Princess Twi-"

Princess Celestia uttered unquestioningly, "Because Twilight's role is far different from yours. You are not one in the same Yucca."

And Princess Yucca's face scrunched up in that moment as she started to tremble, struck by such words as she closed her eyes tight, sobbing to herself openly. She appeared far more vulnerable than Princess Celestia had seen her in some time, and she only sat there, unable to hold back her weak defenseless state.

Princess Celestia's eyes widened yet again almost in shock of this display, as it caused her to immediately glare back at Princess Luna.

Princess Luna flinched in surprise, as if astonished her sister would direct the blame in her direction. It caused Luna to glare back in suit.

Princess Celestia huffed, before sighing heavily and approaching Princess Yucca and wrapping a hoof around her. She turned the younger mare towards her to face her as she placed a hoof atop her head. "Yucca, why don't you go head on over to the Crystal Empire now. We've talked about this enough for tonight. Besides, now would be a wise time to start your studies in the arts of shadow magic. Despite how hesitant I am for you to explore such a school; only by knowing of it intimately can you counter it, and we never know when another Sombra might show up someday. While you're over there, ensure not to draw too much attention to yourself from Princess Cadence."

Princess Yucca sniffled, feeling like an absolute child due to her current pitiful display. She only muttered, "O-Okaaay...I, I got it. You don't need to worry."

Princess Celestia sighed yet again as she pat the mare's head. "I'm beginning to question that."

Princess Yucca hopped from the ledge sluggishly, and lowered her head, still sniffling and giving off light wheezes as she proceeded back into the castle and away from both princesses. She then put on that cold expression again with dried tears as she shook her head, concentrating yet again. "Focus Yucca, now's not the time for weakness." And with that the young mare disappeared with use of a relocation spell in a spew of purple mist and dust.

As both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia were alone, there was only a lengthy awkward silence between them.

Princess Celestia was the first to break the silence as she faced away from Luna, only gritting her teeth angrily as she practically trembled with innate rage. However she calmed herself as she exhaled, before touching a hoof to her forehead, then turning towards Luna. "What were you thinking sister!? Why would you go and hurt her like that!?"

Princess Luna scoffed before rolling her eyes and raising a brow at Celestia. "Hurt? She was bound to get hurt anyhow due to your clueless reaction sister. I only decided to spare her any more lies and deceit and tell her the truth for once. Sugarcoating the situation and pretending she isn't what she is won't help anypony, especially not us."

Princess Celestia shook her head, almost baffled by Luna's words. "The truth? Luna what you said was far from the truth. She is not some hopeless little filly shackled by her destiny. S-She has choice, we all do." Princess Celestia's tone suggested she didn't even believe her own words. "She's....She's got a say in the matter."

Princess Luna frowned. "You must stop allowing your emotions to cloud your judgement sister. She is not Twilight, and you need to stop growing close to her as such." Princess Luna touched her forehead now as she shook her head with a sigh. "Oh I knew this would happen. That is your problem, you've grown too close to her and stopped realizing just what it is we're dealing with here. There's no time for regrets sister. She has already taken a life as is, her innocence is shattered, there's no preserving it now. You made the decision to go through with this, and I supported it, but we cannot stray from it now that she has managed to spend a significant amount of time involved with our lives. If you'd kept your resolve about what she was doing, she wouldn't be questioning whether what she does is right or wrong. YOU are her role-model sister, what is she supposed to think if even the very path you guided her on you yourself start to question and resent? What sort of message is that supposed to send?"

Princess Celestia's nose scrunched up as she swiped a hoof. "She was planning to leave Canterlot sister!"

Princess Luna snapped, "YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT CELESTIA!"

Princess Celestia flinched.

Princess Luna huffed and continued. "Princess Yucca is offered opportunities all the time, she is used to this sort of thing. Besides she knows she must put on a show for the delegates and nobles who approach her, it is what she's meant to do. Granted she has been drawing too much attention to herself as of late but her hobbies do not define who she is. The mark on her flank does. So you need to stop worrying about isolating her and start worrying about getting her in the right mindset." Princess Luna's brows furrowed as her eyes saddened. "For both of our sakes." She paused, "We cannot deter Yucca from this path she's already started. You and I both know she is perfect for the role, even though I needed some convincing in the beginning as well, I now see just how successful it was Celestia. Yucca is able to rid the world of villains whom are untouchable to us, ones who would go around this world and commit heinous and grim crimes against the innocent. At times, diplomacy is not an option; I see that now. It is best if such individuals sometimes, disappear. Whether it comes at the hooves of a child or adult matters little, if it is all she knows, then she can learn the true value behind it."

Princess Celestia was silent for some time as she muttered. "When did we ever sound so cruel sister?"

Princess Luna muttered undoubtedly, "When we decided that monsters such as Sombra were not fit to trot upon these lands. One life for a thousand. One life for peace. One life for countless others. One's misery and despair, for endless happiness and sanctity. It is a trade-off for the greater good Celestia. Imprisoning them would be foolish. Tirek escaped and nearly vanquished us all, yet due to his relations and involvement with us, he is protected by such petty morale guidelines. If that is cruelty, then I have no words."

Princess Celestia glanced back at her sister, almost in dismay. "Are you really with me on this?"

Princess Luna nodded. "Of course. Because you are my precious older sibling, and your words are wise, proud, and true. As your sister, when you are crumbling and breaking down, I will be the one to put the pieces together for you, build you back up. As I will do with Yucca, should it ever come to that."

Princess Celestia suddenly bared a hesitant but true smile in regards to her sister. "Thank you Luna....I needed that."

Princess Luna only continued to give her sister a blank and almost expectant stare. "Don't mention it sister. It is only a fraction of what I must repay you for, for saving me from the depths of despair when I needed you most. You never gave up on me, despite having the simplest solution before you the entire time. I thank you for that."

Princess Celestia's smile widened, before she embraced her sister in a silent hug. They remained there in the midnight, for a moment. A single moment in time.

Princess Yucca trotted alone with her hood raised, along the streets of Canterlot. She was heading towards the train station. She was still disguised as a unicorn, and appeared to be in deep thought, still with dazed eyes as if unable to concentrate on anything besides the thoughts which flowed through her mind.

"E-Excuse me! Miss!"

Princess Yucca's eyes widened as she glanced over at the individual calling out to her. It was a slightly bigger mare, which caused her to glance up with a curious expression. To her surprise, the mare was also cloaked and hooded, as if disguising her appearance. "Hm?"

The anonymous individual chuckled. "E-Erhm sorry, I was just curious. Uhm, you're Princess Eula correct? Otherwise known as the Unicorn of Many Talents?"

Princess Yucca frowned, as if not wanting to deal with this. She muttered, looking ahead and at the ground. "Yes. But the name does not ring true Miss. It is only a sham."

The anonymous individual sighed. "Aw, I'm disappointed to hear that."

Princess Yucca nodded before continuing on ahead. "Yea....."

And as she trotted away, the anonymous mare kept her eyes on her, turning around for a moment and stepping into the lamp light. She pulled out a small checklist before using magic to levitate a pen and write upon it, Lady Eula. And beneath that, she had a small checklist which had marks besides certain bullet points; categorizing physical features of the mare. The mare lowered her hood, revealing a deeply curious Princess Twilight Sparkle. She closed her eyes halfway before glancing back at the departing unicorn. A small smile crept onto her face, a smile of exhaustion and relief as she muttered quietly to herself. "Have I finally found you?" Next Chapter: The Final Countdown: 9 Estimated time remaining: 18 Minutes