Shining Armor and Cadance returned to Canterlot just before sundown. Wintra, Twilight, and Coltyn filled them in on why they were called back.

“You had to deal with that bug, again?” Shining Armor fumed.

“Shining, please,” Cadance soothed, trying to calm her enraged husband.

“We didn’t want to, but she caught us before we could leave the caves,” Wintra explained.

“Please don’t be upset,” Twilight pleaded. “She didn’t give us a choice.”

“Well at least you’re both safe,” Shining snorted. “So who caused this whole mess?”

“The two ponies involved are Prince Blueblood and Upper Crust,” Coltyn answered.

Both Shining Armor and Cadance looked surprised. “Are you sure?” Cadance asked, having known both of the accused from social gatherings.

Wintra nodded. “The prince had his name on a contract and Upper Crust was caught red hoofed.”

“Well, even though I would like to banish them from Equestria,” Shining Armor sighed, “we should hear what they have to say to defend themselves.”

“We’ll deal with that in the morning,” Wintra stated. “Let’s get some sleep so we can deal with this with clear minds.”

The others nodded as they returned to their rooms.

The next morning they all gathered with Princess Celestia to hear the sentencing. Prince Blueblood and Upper Crust were brought in; special magic dampeners were attached to their horns. The prince refused to make eye contact with any of the royals while Upper Crust looked angry and irritated.

“You both are here for acts of treason,” Princess Celestia began, “what do you have to say to defend yourselves?”

“You don’t have any evidence against me,” Upper Crust exclaimed. “I was at the wrong place!”

“Don’t give them that,” Blueblood sneered.

“What do you know of any of this?” Upper Crust demanded.

“Plenty,” Blueblood spat. “I didn’t recognize you when that griffon confronted me and wove those tales. But I now know that it was you. You turned me against my own blood and convinced me that it was all to ‘Save Equestria’. I’ve lost everything because of you!”

The others were surprised at Blueblood’s sudden defense.

“Speculation won’t get you anywhere,” Upper Crust scoffed. “Besides he used his magic on me.” She pointed an accusing hoof at Coltyn.

“You resisted,” Coltyn responded flatly.

“You hexed me with your dark magic!” Upper Crust exclaimed.

“A simple compulsion enchantment hardly qualifies as a hex,” Coltyn retorted.

“Not to mention that you’ve had a grudge against Princess Wintra since your foalhood,” Blueblood snarled. “Stooping to use an enemy of the land to get your petty revenge; that is wicked.”

“Too bad there’s not a changeling here to back your claims,” Upper Crust frowned sarcastically.

“Actually,” Celestia drawled, as on cue the doors opened revealing two ponies nopony present recognized. After the doors closed they dropped their disguises, revealing themselves as the queen of the changelings and one of her drones.

Twilight shrunk behind her teacher while all others turned to Celestia. Upper Crust was shocked at the changeling’s arrival while Blueblood smirked at his small victory.

“Have you lost your senses, Princess?” Shining Armor roared.

“After reading the reports from Twilight and Princess Wintra on what transpired,” Celestia responded calmly, “I wanted to hear from the source.”

“I’ve missed you too,” the queen teased Shining Armor. Cadance stared daggers at her causing the queen to roll her eyes. “I’m only here to settle a little debt and I’ll be gone, Princess.”

Cadance and Shining Armor stared at the two changelings like a predator waiting to pounce.

“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Queen Chrysalis,” Celestia nodded. “So how were you involved?”

“This mare offered a satchel of fire rubies if I allowed one of my drones to, as she put it, ‘aid in disposing of an annoying windigo and a nopony,’” pointing toward Coltyn and Wintra. “She even had a few on hoof as a good faith payment. But after the job was done the griffon gave my drone a small purse of coins. Needless to say we are not happy.”

“She… she’s lying!” Upper Crust exclaimed.

“Oh?” Chrysalis questioned. “Shall I have them cast truth spells on me? Take a truth potion? It will all turn the same tale; you betraying the very ponies who would lay down their lives for you.”

Upper Crust was finally silent, not wanting to dig a deeper grave for herself.

“Why fire rubies?” Coltyn asked curiously.

“There is a reason that they’re shaped like hearts. They’re nothing compared to the real thing but they do satisfy the hunger,” Chrysalis explained, thoughtlessly licking her lips.

Celestia pondered this information before speaking. “It seems that you are quite in debt to the Queen,” she pinned Upper Crust with a cold look, “therefore, after you are branded for your treasonous acts you will work to pay back this debt threefold.” So saying, she commanded the guards keeping Upper Crust contained to leave with their prisoner. She studied Blueblood for a long moment, though he kept his eyes downcast, shame and fear evident in every line of his body. “While I understand, and accept your desire to protect our home, you have participated in treachery and conspiracy against our royal Heir. Your loyalties are in question. Would you submit to a small test?”

Blueblood blinked. “What-“ he cleared his throat and tried again, “what manner of test, your Majesty?”

Turning to the Changeling Queen, Celestia considered her for a moment, and then asked, “Can you reveal somepony’s deepest love without harming them?”

Chrysalis smiled. “Of course I can. Even feeding is not harmful unless it is excessive. I’m afraid I have never had a voluntary meal before…” she trailed off, noticing how uncomfortable Twilight suddenly looked. “Well, in any case, I can reveal the deepest heart of anypony, and refrain from feeding, though doing so would get unbearable for me if you ask it of me too often.”

Celestia nodded. Returning her imperious stare to Blueblood, she asked, “You have a choice. If you cooperate with our experiment, you may redeem yourself. If you do not, you will share your co-conspirator’s punishment.”

Looking nervously at the Changeling Queen, Blueblood gulped audibly, then nodded. “Yes, your Majesty.” Visibly bracing himself, he crossed the room to place himself before Chrysalis, and closed his eyes. When the Queen changed form, a gasp echoed through the hall. Celestia looked nonplussed as she met the eyes of… herself. A long moment of silence prompted Blueblood to open his eyes, and then hang his head in embarrassment.

Celestia studied the young stallion, and then asked him, “Can you explain this?”

Blueblood blushed, the reddening of his face all the more pronounced under his carefully groomed white fur. He lifted eyes shining with moisture to meet Celestia’s. “My mother died when I was a foal, your Majesty. I don’t really remember her, but…“ He glanced at the twin Princesses, and hung his head. “After you chose my father, you cared for me, as a mother. I was afraid when you found your other daughter that you would forget me. And when that mare approached me, and told me that you had been bewitched, and that Wintra was a windigo in disguise… I feared that when the trick was revealed, that it would break your heart. I wanted to protect you, and Equestria, from an imposter. I didn’t know then that I had always had two sisters.” He averted his eyes again, and said softly, “Whatever punishment you give me, I will accept.”

Silence followed his confession, and he waited for the judgment of the only mother he’d ever really known.

Celestia considered for a long moment, before she said simply, “We will discuss this further before any sentence is imposed.” Turning back to Queen Chrysalis, “After that, perhaps we may devise an arrangement that would benefit both our lands.”

“We shall see,” Chrysalis offered, donning her disguise and leaving with her drone.

Shining Armor waited for the door to close behind the changelings before he turned to Celestia, frowning darkly. “You’re not actually thinking of allying with the changelings, are you?” he asked worried.

“They managed to infiltrate our land and didn’t even raise suspicion until it was too late. I’d rather have them as allies then as enemies,” Celestia explained. “Wouldn’t you agree?” she asked Coltyn.

“I do admit that their natural shifting and ability to infiltrate are valuable. I still question how loyal they can be and wouldn’t give them too many secrets,” Coltyn clarified.

“I will continue talks with the changeling queen,” Celestia declared. “I will keep you all informed of what becomes of it.”

Princess Celestia took her leave as the others followed. Coltyn retired to his office to catch up on the work that had piled up.

*****

The next day Wintra invited Coltyn to join her, Twilight, and Spike on their trip to Ponyville. None of the backed up work needed his immediate attention and he agreed to join them.

Upon reaching Ponyville, the four walked over to Twilight’s home. Twilight walked in front and opened the door.

“SURPRISE!!!” shouted a large group of ponies.

The library had been decorated with a banner saying ‘Welcome Back’, steamers and balloons placed strategically, and everypony donning a party hat.

“What a wonderful welcome,” Twilight smiled at her friends.

The girls gathered in a group hug. Twilight was very glad to be surrounded by her friends. Coltyn and Princess Wintra were bemused by the truly tight bond they had. Her friends broke away as Big Macintosh approached Twilight. Twilight’s eyes widened not with joy, but fear. Without a word, she averted her eyes, and spun toward the stairs, racing up to her room.

“What in tarnation was that all about,” Applejack asked. The ponies turned to Coltyn and Wintra for answers.

Coltyn sighed, “She had a run in with the queen of the changelings.”

The girls gasped in disbelief. Big Mac, on the other hoof, approached Coltyn with narrowed eyes.

“Why?” Big Mac snarled, his voice angrier than anypony in the room, including his sister, had ever heard.

“To save me from some griffons who ponynapped me,” Coltyn admitted.

The red stallion snorted hard, blowing his breath out in fury, planting his hind legs and squaring off to Coltyn. He reared up to lash at the silver stallion with his forelegs, but only managed a single blow, punctuated by a sickening crack as Coltyn’s jaw broke, before he was stopped by Princess Wintra. She ignored her own surprise as he was frozen in his enraged rear by her own pale blue magic aura as she stared down the angry stallion.

“She did her duty to protect a Princess of Equestria as well,” Wintra explained. Big Mac raised an eyebrow, and his hooves hit the floor with a resounding double thud as her spell dissipated. “She sacrificed herself to keep us from both being killed by the changeling queen. She offered her love, and when the queen took it, she took on your form. She’s been traumatized by the experience; I’ll have a talk with her, but you should know it will take time to heal.”

Princess Wintra headed upstairs after Twilight as all eyes turned to Big Mac. Big Mac turned to leave. “Where ya’ going?” Applejack asked.

“Home,” he snorted, continuing out the door.

“Sorry about my brother’s behavior,” Applejack apologized. “However I think we’d all like to know what happened.”

Coltyn steadied his breath, repairing the fractures in his jaw, before he told of what he knew happened.

***

Wintra opened the door to Twilight’s room. She was sitting on her bed, head buried with her comforter around her body, crying. She placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder causing her to turn and hug Wintra, sobbing.

“You should talk to Shining Armor when he gets back. You both went through the same thing,” Wintra offered.

“But it’s not!” Twilight choked. “He didn’t know. I knew, and I willingly opened my heart to that monster.” Twilight hugged herself, fresh tears flowing down her cheeks. “I felt so empty.”

“It was torture to know I couldn’t help you. I wanted to rend her apart, but I wouldn’t risk your safety.”

“What do I do? When I looked at Big Mac, it was like the entire room went cold.”

“I think you should tell him everything. What happened and how it felt, because he attacked Coltyn for putting you in danger.”

“But Coltyn had nothing to do with it. Why would Big Mac turn on Coltyn?”

“I’d say because when it comes to it, you were in danger because of him. Big Macintosh cares deeply for you and he should get the whole story from you.”

“I don’t think I can look him in the eye without feeling dirty. It’s just… what she did to me… it feels like I betrayed him.” She looked up, her face twisted with self-loathing and heartbreak. “What if he doesn’t want me anymore?”

“If he loves you, he will help you through this, Twilight. You have to trust him with the truth, or you will drive him away.” Wintra pondered for a moment looking around. Her eyes fell on a desk with an ink well and parchment. “If you can’t say it, write about it. That way you can edit and say exactly what you want to without having to think on the fly.”

Twilight pondered her suggestion before nodding. “Please tell my friends that I just need some time.”

“Of course,” Wintra accepted, turning to leave. “I’m sure if you need anything your friends will help.”

Twilight smiled slightly, moving from her bed to her desk as Wintra headed back downstairs.

***

“… Now we are working on an alliance with the Blackclaw Clan.” Coltyn finished relating his story as Princess Wintra came back downstairs.

“Well that explains a bit but why did she leave at the sight of him?” Rarity asked, worried.

“She will tell you when she is ready,” Wintra explained, trotting across the room to stand beside Coltyn. “However, I think that she’ll need the most reassurance from,” she looked around for Big Mac, “where did he go?”

“If I know him, working,” Applejack replied.

Wintra nodded, understanding his intent. “Please let him know that she does love him and she will need him.”

Applejack nodded, turned, and left at a quick trot. The others gave a worried look upstairs before filing out with Coltyn and Wintra leaving last.

***

Applejack found her brother where she expected him to be, harvesting the first apples of the season. “Big Mac,” Applejack called, approaching her brother. He didn’t react, focusing exclusively on his work. “Jonathan Macintosh Apple!” she bellowed, annoyed that he was ignoring her.

He looked up, a bit surprised that she had used his full name, but went right back to loading the last basket into the cart. “Don’t you be ignoring me,” Applejack snapped, getting in his face. “The mare you care for is in trouble and you just stormed out here to work?”

“Nope,” Big Macintosh replied, sighing.

“Then what are you doing?”

“Thinking.”

“Well let me help. Twilight went through a terrible ordeal and she needs you. I honestly think she’ll resist but you have to be strong. She’ll need a shoulder, your shoulder.”

He closed his eyes, raising his head to the sky, sighing before nodding at his sister and giving her a small smile. Shaking his mane, he trotted off toward Ponyville. Applejack did what she needed to; now the rest was up to him.

***

Twilight snorted in frustration, crumpling another piece of parchment, and discarding it into the overflowing bin. Her eyes were red from the tears as she forced herself to recall her encounter. She sighed, setting down her quill, as nothing she wrote seemed to justify her actions. She hung her head as fresh tears stung her eyes; her soft sobs hid the sound of hooves approaching her door.

Big Macintosh took a steady breath before knocking on Twilight’s bedroom door.

“I don’t wish to be disturbed,” Twilight replied to the annoying knock.

“I need to talk to you,” Big Macintosh responded.

“NO!” she shouted, the fear renewing itself. “I don’t want you to see me like this.” Twilight galloped to her bed, wrapping her blanket around her.

“I need to be with you,” Big Mac began, “even if I have to break this door down.”

Twilight covered her body completely before opening the door with her magic. “You shouldn’t be here,” she coldly stated, not looking at him.

“I need to be here, with you.”

“You should hate me for what I did,” Twilight angrily retorted.

“I don’t,” Big Mac began placing a hoof on her shoulder.

Twilight, startled and outraged, turned and knocked his hoof away. The anger and sadness reflected in her bloodshot eyes expressed a wide gamut of emotions.

“I willingly opened myself to that monster! It took your form and drained me of my love! My heart felt so dark and empty; I can’t even begin to explain how invasive that was. It used me for its own pleasure and then discarded me once it was satisfied. I’m filthy and,” Twilight paused, looking him in the eye, “You should hate me!”

Big Mac was processing what she said, but after her rant her strength left her. She ran back to her bed covering herself in shame.

***

Wintra, Coltyn, and Rainbow Dash trotted around town as Rainbow explained the basic weather needs of Ponyville.

“Basically, Sweet Apple Acres needs some rain every week to ensure the best crop yields,” Rainbow Dash explained. “The main town only needs rain every week and a half to two weeks. We also schedule two or three really big storms to replenish the reservoir.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad. I’ll have a better picture once I get reports from the rest of the towns,” Wintra acknowledged.

“That’s, of course, the best of conditions. It doesn’t work out that way usually,” Rainbow clarified, sighing. She hesitated a moment, then said tentatively, “Princess Wintra, I know you were the Captain of the Wonderbolts before you joined the Royal Guard...” Wintra nodded, wondering about the sudden change of topic. “I was hoping you might put in a good word for me.”

Wintra stopped, rubbing her chin, Rainbow and Coltyn turned, looking at her. “Maybe,” Wintra mused, loosening her wings. “But I’ll have to see if you’ve got what it takes.”

“What do you have in mind?” Rainbow asked, confidently.

“Once around the town,” Wintra spread her wings, “GO!”

Wintra took off at full speed. Rainbow wasn’t far behind, having pulled the same trick on her friends before. The two blue streaks sped off leaving Coltyn alone. He shrugged, deciding to put up a finish line to pass the time.

***

Twilight’s crying tore at Big Macintosh’s heart. He walked up to her, wrapped his forelegs around her, and hugged her.

“Let me go,” Twilight cried, weakly thumping her hooves against him.

But he didn’t, he just pulled her in tighter, arching his neck over hers and holding her as close as he could, his eyes tearing up.

“I’m filth,” she whimpered, “hate me.”

“No,” he replied firmly.

She pulled away, twisting her neck to look at him. “WHY?” she demanded.

He looked at her, his eyes full of pain. “Because I love you,” he replied softly, pulling her back to his chest tightly.

Twilight was shocked hearing those words. She cuddled into his chest, returning his embrace. “I love you,” she replied, feeling the words fill her horribly empty heart.

They held the embrace for what seemed like forever. Twilight gently pushed away when the evening sun shone through her window. “You should probably head back to the farm,” she offered.

He thought about it a moment before responding. “They’ll be fine without me for one night.”

Twilight smiled, nuzzling into his chest. “Thank you.”

***

Coltyn watched as the two came back into view. Wintra still had the lead but Rainbow Dash had closed the gap and was still gaining. He had set up a line to determine a winner, having a feeling they would want to know, but it was going to be close. He cast a spell that slowed the passage of time as they approached the line. The two mares skidded to a halt, panting heavily.

“Who. . . won?” Rainbow asked between breaths.

“Princess Wintra won, but only by a small fraction,” Coltyn acknowledged.

Rainbow scuffed the ground realizing she lost. “Had this been a fair race you’d have won,” Wintra offered, having recovered. “It’s Captain Spitfire’s decision, but I’ll give her your name with my recommendation.”

“Really?” Rainbow’s face lit up. Wintra nodded. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Rainbow repeated, unable to control her excitement.

Wintra rolled her eyes, amused at the young mare’s excitement. “You should get an application to the Academy sometime in the spring. Just fill it out and return it.”

“Don’t worry, I will and I’ll be in a Wonderbolt uniform before you know it,” Rainbow boasted.

“We’ll look forward to it.” Wintra smiled. Coltyn nodded. Wintra sighed, glancing toward the sun as it sank toward the horizon. “If we want to catch the train back to Canterlot we should go.”

“Shouldn’t we check on Twilight?” Coltyn asked, worried.

“When I passed the library I saw her and the red stallion hugging,” Wintra smiled, closing her eyes, “hugs are always good.”

Coltyn nodded as the two headed for the train.

***

Blueblood sat on his bed, confined to his room until a decision was made. He looked up as the door opened to see Celestia. He quickly threw himself to the ground, head bowed.

“I have made my decision,” Celestia stated, walking into the room.

“What is my fate,” he didn’t look up.

“Your intent was good, misguided though it was. If you had brought this to me I would have told you about Princess Wintra.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that you were manipulated. You must be held accountable for your actions but those are not as severe.” She took a steadying breath. “You will pay one satchel of fire rubies as the fine and will perform some community service to give you a feel for the work common ponies have to perform to maintain the higher lifestyle. In addition, you will take the time to get to know your sisters, and help Wintra learn how to find her way around in the social circles she will be expected to understand.” She offered him an ironic smile. “From what I understand, that will take some effort. She’s got some rough edges to smooth out. Spending time with Cadance might help you improve your manners, as well. I know of at least one unicorn you personally owe an apology, for your boorish behavior last spring.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. With your permission, I would like to begin immediately.”

Celestia nodded, and summoned the head of the Royal Household, the palace butler Top Notch. Celestia explained that until further notice Blueblood was his newest employee. With a nod the Royal Butler led Blueblood out to begin his service. Celestia felt that he would learn a lot from the ordeal and will become a better stallion for it.

***

Deep in the frozen north, beyond the Crystal Mountains, far from the last train depot, amidst the vast empty tundra where the windigos ruled, a fell wind began to blow. A dark mark appeared upon the endless white terrain as the skies grew black with clouds. A long forgotten evil stirs from its long slumber as a blizzard begins. The earth quakes as the thick ice of centuries fracture, a stream of black smoke oozes from the crack. The silence shattered by a single sibilant sigh, “Crystals.”