Chapter Five

Dash awoke with a pounding headache; she looked around with bleary eyes and found herself in a small room, she was resting on a bed that although it wasn’t a cloud was surprisingly comfortable. Dash only had a few seconds to wonder where she was and how she got here before there was a knock on the door. The two quiet taps were enough to snap Dash out of her recollections.

“Come in.” Dash called out uncertainly. A yellow unicorn with a well mannered blue mane stepped into the room; he was looking at a chart that he held in front of his face with magic while a tiny half smile played across his face. “Who are you?” Dash asked confused, the unicorn smiled.

“I’m Doctor Ginger Root.” The Doctor said his smile seemed to calm Dash and she suspected that he was using some kind of mind spell to produce the affect.

“Why do I need a doctor?” Dash asked him, the unicorn shrugged while keeping his smile firmly in place.

“Well fainting usually isn’t a good sign and Twilight wanted me to make sure there wasn’t anything seriously wrong with you.”

Ginger Root said with a tiny grin.

“Well there isn’t and you can wipe that smile off of your face you jerk!” Dash said angrily.

“Twilight I’d say that that’s your queue.” Ginger Root said over his shoulder, the door opened once again and a purple unicorn entered the room. It looked like Twilight to Dash, but there was something different about her. She moved with confidence her every motion was controlled and more noticeably she’d thinned out and had the layer of fat that Dash had always noticed replaced by solid muscle she also looked subtly older. Around her swirled a grey cloak which seemed to blow slightly even in a room with no breeze.

“Dr. Ginger Root, I think you have other patients to see to.” Twilight told him with a slight smile, the yellow unicorn returned the half smile and stepped out of the room leaving the two ponies alone with each other. The silence stretched for a few seconds before Twilight rushed forwards and threw her forelegs around Dash in a suffocating hug.

“I’ve missed you Dash.” Twilight whispered to the cyan pegasus who was looking at Twilight in confusion.

“I’ve missed you to Twilight, but why are you being so clingy it’s only been a day since I last saw you?” Dash asked Twilight

who chuckled darkly with another half smile on her face.

“Oh right, sorry Dash I forgot you don’t know about the time dilation…” Twilight said blushing as she released her friend from the hug.

“Time what now?” Dash asked her.

“Time dilation, time passes differently here then it does in Equestria, for every day there a year to two years passes here.I’v been here two and a half years.” Twilight told her friend who gasped.

“So that’s why you look older!” Dash exclaimed.

“That and other things…” Twilight trailed off a small smile on her face. “Look Dash now that you’re here you aren’t allowed to leave so there are some things that I need to explain to you and the others.” Twilight told Dash gesturing with a hoof for the pegasus to follow her. Dash shakily got off of the bed and followed the purple unicorn towards the exit. She walked out the door and into a long hallway, the floors were stone but for some reason they were worm under her hooves.

“Twilight where are we?” Dash asked.

“Hmm…oh! Sorry Dash I was thinking, this is the Fourth Army’s HQ.” Twilight said as she deftly maneuvered herself and Dash through a sudden rush of earth ponies wearing crimson armor. Instead of follow along on the floor Dash leapt into the air and hovered in place above Twilight’s head.

“So who are these guys, they don’t look like the royal guards, but those are the only ponies who I’ve ever heard of wearing armor?” Dash asked loudly getting a couple of chuckles from the crimson ponies as they passed. “And why does everypony keep on chuckling or half smiling at me!” Dash exclaimed in anger.

“Because you’re new, you’ll get used to it.” Twilight told her with that same half smile spreading across her face. Eventually Twilight led Dash to a small room in the center of the room was a large round table, seated around it were Spike, Pinkie, and a blue unicorn who Dash didn’t recogniz

“Ah sleeping beauty arises at last from her slumber and we can begin.” The blue unicorn began, Dash didn’t know why, but the voice was familiar and she wanted to buck her in the face.

“Trixie can you please hold this off till later…” Twilight began but was cut off by Dash.

“I knew I recognized you from somewhere, what’s the hurry street performer?” Dash asked the blue unicorn who blew a strand of her silver mane out of her face.

“Miss Dash I regret to inform you that the Trixie you knew is long buried, I can kill you without any struggle, I choose not to because my partner Twilight whishes you to be kept alive because you are her friend. Do Not make the mistake of believing that I don’t have the power to end you because I do, now if we’re done I think we should see what Twilight wants to talk about.” Trixie told Dash, her voice remained almost emotionless, although there was a cutting undercurrent of annoyance that permeated through her speech. Twilight groaned slightly and grabbed a cup of coffee from the table in her magic.

“Did you have to do that Trixie?” Twilight asked her partner in annoyance.

“Yes.” Trixie replied with a grin, Twilight groaned again, sat down next to Spike, and nodded for Dash to sit next to her. Dash took the seat still glaring at Trixie who looked at her impassively.

“Alright we all already know each other so now it’s time to explain things.” Twilight began “This is country is known as the Great Empire of Stallionda, it is ruled over by an alicorn named Cosmosmia. The population of this country exceeds Equestria by several million almost all of whom are either soldiers fighting to protect it or workers working to keep it moving. The empire is surrounded on all sides by beings that would see it destroyed, in fact the only ones who don’t are the dragons who consider themselves separate from the problems of this world so long as nopony disturbs them.” Dash shivered a little but Twilight didn’t seem to notice.

“Because of these problems life here is hard and dangerous especially for those who live outside the cities with their tall walls. Which is why there are armies to protect the borders and we do our best to keep order among the common folk in the hope that we can prevent any unnecessary casualties. All of that being said you need to keep in mind that this isn’t Equestria, we cannot shoot weaponized friendship at things and expect them to leave or be defeated, problems here are solved with the sharp end of a sword.” Twilight paused long enough for what she’d said to sink in.

“The ponies in the clearing where you came through last night where rebels, they are nothing but heartless ponies who believe that Cosmosmia is a tyrant. In a certain terrible sense they are right. Cosmosmia has for example never held elections, she has never once offered any other pony the power to rule in her place exempting her sister who is long gone, furthermore she has no pity for those who have failed her. So in a way she is a tyrant, but she is a tyrant without whom ponykind on this plane would have long since disappeared.” Twilight spike solemnly and Dash shivered again at the look on Twilight’s face. It was serious and deadly yet its eyes held the same glint in them that the old Twilight had had when she was talking about science. Then Pinkie cleared her throat.

“Twilight, how long has it been since you had a party?” The pink pony asked, her voice was just as deadly serious as Twilight’s had been.

“Around two and a half years.” Twilight said with a shrug, Pinkie nodded and scratched her chin in thought for a few seconds.

“Would you say that your defeat of those rebels would be a good enough excuse for throwing a huge party?” Pinkie asked Twilight who looked at Trixie.

“It might, Commander Star is always looking for ways to boost moral higher, although if we can somehow boost it any higher I think the army might go into battle singing about smiling.” Trixie said with a tiny smile.

“Hmm…Pinkie we’re going to the Commander’s office to get this sorted out, Spike would you and Dash like to come?” Twilight asked them.

“Sure Twilight I’d like to meet your boss.” Spike said with a grin, Dash thought about it but then her stomach growled and she grinned a sheepish grin.

“Sorry Twilight nature calls.” Dash told her, Twilight smiled back.

“Don’t worry, Trixie can show you to the dining hall and keep you company.” Twilight told her, Dash groaned and Trixie shot Twilight a little glare but Twilight was already walking out the door followed by Spike and Pinkie.

“So food?” Dash asked looking at Trixie.

***

“Commander Star I’d like you to meet Pinkie Pie.” Twilight said introducing her commander to the pink pony who was bouncing in place.

“Hi there it’s super awesome to meet you Commander Blue Starshock, so I was just wondering if I could hold a party for Twilight if you didn’t mind to much or anything I mean I’m sure you’re busy and everything but I’m sure it would probably boost moral so what do you think?” Pinkie asked the Commander who stared at her for several seconds.

“How did you know my first name?” Commander Star asked, she told almost nopony her first name.

“I don’t know it just matched you.” Pinkie said while she continued to bounce.

“Right…well anyways it’s an honor to meet one of Twilight’s friends from her old home.” Commander Star said before looking behind her at Stronghoof and Stonewall who shrugged. “So what was that about having a party?”

“Well Twilight says that she hasn’t had one in two and a half years, now I’m not saying that you’re a bad leader Commander, but what kind of heartless pony doesn’t throw parties?” Pinkie asked looking at Commander Star with one eye held wide. Twilight felt like she was either going to faint, or start smashing her head into a nearby wall, whichever came first.

“You know Commander that’s actually a good idea moral has been a little down lately.” Stronghoof volunteered from behind Commander Star who turned to look at him. “It has Ma’am with the upcoming diamond dog raid moral has been in steady decline, you know how much the men hat tunnel fighting.” Stronghoof said defending himself, next to him Stonewall nodded.

“Hmm…I’m not against it, I’ve just never considered it before, and my Mother has been looking for an excuse to visit lately…sure why not just let me send some letters.” Commander Star said after a few seconds.

“Yay!” Pinkie cried before she jumped over the desk and gave Commander Star a hug, and then she back flipped back to where she’d been standing.

“So who’s the dragon Twilight?” Commander Star asked the mage shifting her gaze from the pony who had hugged her to the small dragon standing nervously next to Twilight.

“I’m Spike, Twilight hatched me from my egg and I’ve been her assistant/brother since she was eight.” Spike told Commander Star speaking up, Commander Star nodded thoughtfully.

“I take it that your parents had no objections to this, otherwise you most likely wouldn’t be here and neither would Twilight.” Commander Star said.

“To be honest I never actually found who my parents were, all I know is that Celestia gave Twilight my egg.” Spike told the Commander with a shrug.

“Hmm…no matter, so young dragon are you dangerous?” Commander Star asked peering at the dragon; Twilight stepped in front of him.

“Commander the only things in danger of being around Spike are gemstones, please don’t look at him like that.” Twilight told Commander Star who raised her eyebrow slightly.

“As you wish Twilight, it’s just rare you see a dragon walking around and even rarer when that dragon doesn’t feel like decapitating you before eating you whole.” Commander Star said with a wry smile which Twilight returned.

“As I said he’s no threat and probably won’t be till he’s older, right now he’s only fourteen.” Twilight replied.

“Actually Twilight I’m twelve.” Spike told her.

“Oh right, I was adding my two years here to the occasion.” Twilight said rubbing her neck with a hoof, Spike shrugged. Twilight was particularly proud with how well her dragon was taking all the changes in his life.

“So now that introductions are out of the way let’s talk about this party!” Pinkie said with a large smile.

***

“So what did you mean when you called Twilight your partner…” Dash asked Trixie around the lip of her mug of cider.

“Strictly plutonic unless she says otherwise.” Trixie answered with a small smile, Dash was really starting to get annoyed by the fact that nopony in the castle seemed to be able to actually fully smile, but then she thought about the words that Trixie had just told her.

“Wait you want to fuck her?” Dash asked in confusion “I thought you hated her.”

“Well I did before I came here, then I realized that I was being stupid.” Trixie replied half smile firmly in place.

“Trixie we’ve never been friends, hell the first thing that came to me when I heard you voice as I walked into the room earlier was the urgent need to buck you in the face. So I’ll say this only once, Don’t Hurt Twilight!” Dash said her voice was quiet and calm but Trixie could tell that it was full of unresolved anger.

“I would never dream of it Dash, Twilight is my partner if I hurt her she’d be replaced with somepony far less competent, besides the fact that I’d take an arrow to the eye for her.” Trixie said then spotted a gray pegasus shooting her an annoyed look “No offense of course Deadeye.” Trixie called and the familiar looking pegasus shook her head and went back to eating her food.

“Was that Ditzy Doo?” Dash asked in confusion.

Trixie smiled a sly half smile at Dash and said. “No that was Deadeye Doo the best shot in the entirety of the Fourth Army.”

“Wait what?” Dash sputtered in confusion, Trixie explained how everything used to be connected and how some families existed in both realms.

“…Or at least that’s how it was explained to me.” Trixie said with a slight grin.

“Seriously does nopony just grin or smile, or am I crazy?” Dash asked the blue unicorn.

Trixie shrugged and gave her a half smile. “It could just be you.” Dash was interrupted form her need to smash her head into the table by the unexpected arrival of a black maned pegasus.

“Who’s the hot little butch?” The pegasus asked Trixie moving his eyes over Dash with interest.

“I’m someone who can beat the shit out of you.” Dash replied with a wide grin.

“So Trixie you’re replacing Twilight already, and with an obvious butch to? Huh I figured that it’d be something more exotic.” The infuriating pegasus asked Trixie while he ran his hoof through his mane.

“No True, this is Dash she’s one of Twilight’s old friends, and as I understand it she’s unattached.” Trixie said with a smirk.

“Oh, well that changes things entirely.” True said and then turned to address Dash with a lecherous smile.

“Go away you creep.” Dash said throwing a muffin at him, it bounced off him and landed on the floor.

The pegasus looked at her for a few seconds before he incredulously asked “Do you want us to get ants, because that’s how you get ants?” Dash looked at him completely confused.

“What?” She asked

“I asked if you wanted us to get ants.” True replied quickly grabbing the muffin off of the floor and placing it on the table.

“Why would you care about ants?” Dash asked now getting annoyed.

“Do you know what ants are? They’re tiny little bugs that live in colonies and they get into everything, besides that they’re always trying to eat you!” True exclaimed in annoyance.

“Whatever.” Dash said with a shrug.

“Trixie talk sense into this mare!” True told Trixie angrily, Trixie rolled her eyes. “Fine but when we’re up to our flanks in ants don’t blame me!” True said before flying off angrily.

“You made him do that to me on purpose didn’t you?” Dash asked Trixie with a glare, Trixie shrugged.

“I admit to nothing, although that was quick thinking. True is particular…” Trixie told her with a slight grin.

***

Empress Cosmosmia was holding her normal court when a letter arrived by means of magic and fell onto the ground in front of her. She resisted the urge to pick it up and scan its contents until the absolutely scintillating report on taxes was over and then called for court to be dismissed for the day. Disk and Strings followed her on her way out of the throne room with a deadly grace that could be matched by very few ponies in the land their weapons ready to impale anything stupid enough to attack their empress. They soon returned to Cosmosmia’s room where she quickly opened the letter and began to read aloud to her two companions.

Dear Mother

You will recall that our last correspondence revolved around the unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle. Well last night two of her friends from her old dimension emerged in the middle of a rebel camp that Twilight just happened to be raiding. After a short uneventful battle Twilight brought her friends, one of whom is a BABY DRAGON who she has been raising since he came out of the egg, back to our HQ. I have met the dragon along with a pony going by the name Pinkie Pie, which brings us to the point of this letter. Apparently Pinkie Pie loves throwing huge parties and has asked for my permission to throw a large one in honor of our successful destruction of the rebels. I suspect that there are more reasons than that, but none of them are harmful to the realm. I do not write you for permission because I’ve already granted it and set the party for tomorrow night. I write you to inquire as to whether you could make a guest appearance. I believe it would raise the spirits of the troops to see their Empress walking among them like any other pony. Also it has been a very long time since I saw you in the flesh and well, I miss my mother.

Your loving daughter Commander Blue Star

Ps. I know this goes without saying but bring Disk and Strings, it’s been a long time since I last saw them.

Cosmosmia put the letter down and fell into a thoughtful silence, Strings and Disk exchanged a hidden smile at being recognized in the letter while their mistress thought.

“It has been a long time since I saw my daughter, and it’s been even longer since I got out of this city…” Cosmosmia mused to herself “…and I do want to meet this Twilight Sparkle, so why not. I wonder what I should wear.” Cosmosmia wondered out loud.

“I would suggest the cloak Empress, it’s always a good choice and it compliments your colors perfectly.” Strings put in with small smile.

“Yeah it makes you look awesome your Majesty.” Disk put in with a large grin as she pictured the empress in her cloak.

“That does sound like a good idea, where would I be without you two?” Cosmosmia asked her two guards.

They looked at each other for a second before answering simultaneously. “Dead and ugly Empress!” Cosmosmia rolled her eyes well used to her guards’ breaches of protocol; they were good enough to get away with it. Besides she knew it was true, or at least the first charge, if there was one thing that she could never be it was ugly.

“Right well that’s the last time I ask you two a rhetorical question.” Cosmosmia said with an air of disdain, neither of her guards paid it any attention and took their places behind her while she began her reply.

***

“And this is Angeldust.” Twilight said as she introduced Pinkie to her squad. The pink pony eyed the golden one for a few seconds and silence reigned. Suddenly Pinkie shot forward and stared into Angeldust’s eyes, Angeldust returned her gaze not flinching.

“The wall is strong with you…” Pinkie intoned knowingly.

“As it is with you… Pinkie are you pondering what I’m pondering?” Angeldust asked Pinkie solemnly.

“I think so Angeldust, but where are we going to get that much sugar at this hour?” Pinkie replied her face splitting into a large grin.

“The kitchen is always stocked!” Angeldust replied excitedly doing a back flip and landing on Stardust’s lap. Pinkie did the same but instead of landing on someponies lap she landed on Twilight’s head somehow managing to avoid hurting her with the landing.

“Oh Cosmosmia no, I can’t stand two of you!” Stardust cried in slight fear.

“Don’t worry Star, Pinkie and I’ll make sure that we don’t do anything to you after all I wouldn’t want to lose my marefriend. Come on Pinkie let’s go raid the pantry, then we can create deadly confections to fill with poison!” Angeldust said jumping off of Stardust’s lap.

“We’ll make edible ones to right?” Pinkie asked in concern.

“Of course silly filly what’d be the point otherwise?” Angeldust with a large smile “And we’ll keep everypony guessing which is which! Mwahahahahahaahha!” The two of them left the room laughing, Pinkie happily and Angeldust slightly insanely.

“Well…there goes my remaining sanity…” Aqua said looking up from her book for a few seconds, Stardust was mumbling to herself.

“Can’t take another, love Angel but, must resist urge to kill…” Twilight decided that it was best to leave Stardust to solve the problems racing through her mind without interference.

“So Spike, you’re a dragon right?” Blaze asked the purple dragon who raised his eyebrow at the red unicorn.

“Actually no, I’m a leprechaun with scales.” Spike said with a snigger.

“Now that’s interesting, I could have sworn that for a second there I thought you were being sarcastic…” Blaze said with a smile. “Anyways if you’re a dragon then you can breathe fire right?” Blaze asked.

“Yeah what about it?” Spike asked in confusion.

“Well I want to capture some in these bottles.” Blaze said holding up several glass bottles.

“Ok but why?” Spike asked in confusion.

“Because I’m a pyromancer I can modify dragon fire to do almost anything.” Blaze said with a smile. “Up to and including making the best smores in existence!” Twilight was caught off guard but Aqua seemed to expect it and just turned a page in her book.

“That sounds awesome, so how do we do this?” Spike asked if there was one thing Spike loved it was a good gemstone smore.

“Here just breathe your fire into this.” Blaze said with a large smile as he held up one of the glass bottles. Spike did as directed and soon there were twenty or so bottles filled with eerie green fire that glowed and struggled to get out. “Excellent, this is perfect! Thanks Spike, I’ll make you some smores later, right now I have a demon destroying fire spell to create.” Blaze said leaving the rooms with the bottles placed haphazardly in his saddlebags.

“Isn’t he worried about them breaking?” Twilight asked Aqua relying on her knowledge of her marefriend.

“Those bottles aren’t glass, or they aren’t anymore, the only way to break them is with an incantation that he created. He’s a good glassblower; it comes with the fire magic.” Aqua told her simply before going back to her book with a small smirk playing out over her face. Rainbow Dash and Trixie walked in a few seconds later neither had killed the other yet so Twilight assumed that things had been going alright.

“So Twilight what did you accomplish today?” Trixie asked as she slipped into a seat.

“Well I introduced everypony except you to Commander Star, Pinkie convinced her that she should allow Pinkie to throw party, and then Pinkie left with Angeldust to bake ‘deadly confections’…” Twilight told her, Trixie immediately did a spit take of the tea that she’d poured herself that would’ve drenched Aqua if it wasn’t for Aqua’s magic. Aqua looked up from her book and gave Trixie a slightly annoyed look before sending all the tea back into the glass.

“Sorry Aqua the idea of Pinkie and Angeldust baking together caught me off guard.” Trixie said apologetically, Aqua shrugged and returned to her book.

“So what now?” Dash asked

***

The royal chariot descended from the sky carrying Cosmosmia and her two guards who were as with all social events were dressed in light crimson armor that had been enchanted by Cosmosmia herself. The empress herself was feeling very regal; her dark black cloak whirled around her in the wind magically revealing nothing about her except her face which was mostly covered by the cowl of the cloak. Twilight who was standing at attention with the rest of the soldiers looked at the empress and suppressed a shudder of fear; this is who she’d been fighting for? Then again Luna had taught her not to judge book by

its cover. Once the chariot landed Commander Star walked up to the empress.

“I was worried that you wouldn’t make it in time your Majesty.” Commander Star told the black cloaked figure.

“I find your lack of faith most disturbing Commander.” The Empress said in a low haunting voice.

“And I think it’s time you come inside before you freeze to death, and take off that cowl you look like an evil overlord wannabe.” Commander Star told her mother with smile on her face, Cosmosmia laughed a deep hearty laugh and threw back her cowl. Twilight saw bright blue intelligent eyes looking out of a red furred face, a fluctuating black mane trailed out behind her fluttering in a familiar astral breeze. Now that the empress wasn’t being purposely intimidating Twilight could tell that she was somepony who was intelligent along with having the devotion of a pony who Twilight respected greatly.

They opened the doors to the great hall to find that the magic lanterns had been extinguished. Cosmosmia looked around puzzled when suddenly the lanterns snapped back on and the empress found herself standing in the middle of a long room. Two long tables piled high with food and overflowing with all forms of alcohol took up the middle of the floor. Across the ceiling stretched a large banner with the words Welcome Empress Cosmosmia written upon it. Party streamers decorated the walls and hung down from the ceiling flowing in the breeze of the opened door. Cosmosmia’s eyes had immediately adjusted to the change in brightness while the other’s eyes were still catching up. Hopping up and down in front of her was a small pink earth pony whose mane looked like cotton candy.

“Hi there Empress I’m Pinkie Pie welcome to the party I hope you like it because I spent all day creating it and I only had Angeldust to help me so what do you think, huh, huh, huh?” Pinkie Pie asked still hopping in place with an expectant look on her face not in the least bit afraid of the Empress despite her dark cloak. Yep definitely from my sister’s realm Cosmosmia thought to herself before she smiled down at the pink pony.

“It looks grand Pinkie Pie, truly a wondrous work of party going perfection.” Cosmosmia told the pink pony.

“Then let the party begin!” Pinkie cried while she did a back flip in happiness. Cosmosmia smiled at her the pink pony certainly had energy. A great cheer went up from the soldiers of the army who charged into the room and quickly set about demolishing the food.

“Mother would you like to meet Twilight Sparkle and her friends?” Commander Star asked her mother.

“Indeed I do, didn’t your letter mention something about a dragon?” Cosmosmia asked as she followed her daughter through the crowd of soldiers, Strings and Disk looked like they’d rather join them but restrained themselves and followed their charge through the soldiers. “Don’t worry you two you’ll get plenty of chances to mingle; I just want to check a few things first.” Cosmosmia told her guards sensing their feelings.

“If you wish us to your majesty we will stay by your side all night.” Strings told her.

“Although that would be totally un cool.” Disk said and received and elbow by her partner. Cosmosmia chuckled and turned her attention back to her daughter.

“So daughter, how is your relationship with Commander Stormwing progressing?” Cosmosmia asked getting an uncharacteristic startled squeak out of her daughter.

“How did you know about that…?” Commander Star asked nervously, her mother chuckled.

“Daughter I’m an immortal god empress I know of almost everything that goes on in my domain as is my right and power…besides every time that you battle him I get a long letter detailing his tactical genius, mares only gush about their enemies if they’re sleeping with them.” Cosmosmia said with a slight grin at the deep blush that was over taking her daughters black furred face.

“I wasn’t aware that I gushed.” Commander Star said in embarrassment.

“Hmm… let me see if I can remember one of the letters. Dearest mother Commander Stormwing almost had me today his tactical mastery on the battlefield is matched only by his ability to lead and his tenacity in personal combat. That went on for several paragraphs if I recall correctly.” Cosmosmia said with a grin as her daughter continued to blush.

“What are you going to do about it?” Commander Star asked her voice was full of apprehension.

“Well I was thinking about using it to set up a state sanctioned marriage and buy us a little peace with the griffins.” Cosmosmia said and smiled as she saw her daughter’s shocked expression. “I even sent a letter to Commander Stormwing’s father and inquired into it.”

“Mother he never told his father! What if his father has him killed and charged for treason?” Commander Star asked urgently.

“Well I already received a reply. Empress Cosmosmia I have been aware of my son’s ‘secret’ congress with your daughter for some time and I agree that we can use this to obtain a stronger peace between our two nations on the condition that you make it possible for there to be grandchildren..” Cosmosmia said quoting the letter.

“Grandchildren… how could there be grandchildren?” Commander Star sputtered.

“Daughter I’m a god empress, I have a few spells that can allow him to give you children of either species.” Cosmosmia told her daughter lightly.

“Oh, well, can we discuss this later mother?” Commander Star asked desperately.

“Of course my daughter, now where is this Twilight Sparkle I am eager to meet her?” Cosmosmia asked switching topics with ease.

“We’re approaching her table as we speak mother.” Commander Star told her mother as they made their way towards a small circular table that was just far enough out of the center of the hall to offer privacy but not far enough to make you think that the ponies sitting there were avoiding the rest of the party. Sitting around the table were six ponies and one small purple dragon. As Cosmosmia drew nearer they looked up from their conversation and waited expectantly for the Empress to address them.

“Hello my subjects; which one of you is Twilight Sparkle?” Cosmosmia asked, a purple unicorn wearing a mages cloak stood up.

“That would be me Empress.” The unicorn said, Cosmosmia looked the unicorn over with her magic as well as her eyes and quickly discovered why Celestia had decided to make Twilight her personal student. There was so much magical power bubbling under the surface that it could have filled an ocean.

“I’m honored to meet my sister’s prized student.” Cosmosmia said giving Twilight a small bow, Twilight blushed.

“Empress please you’re embarrassi…wait did you say sister?” Twilight asked turning her inquisitive eye to look at Cosmosmia in interest.

“Did Celestia never tell you?” Cosmosmia asked the unicorn who shook her head. “Celestia and Luna are my older sisters, I had a twin who is long since gone, and there are two other pairs who maintain order in the two dimensions below mine.” Cosmosmia told Twilight who nodded slowly.

“So I guess Celestia wasn’t alone when Luna became Nightmare Moon.” A rainbow maned pegasus said scratching her chin.

“Nightmare Moon?” Cosmosmia asked in confusion, she’d never heard that name before; Celestia certainly hadn’t mentioned it in any of the infrequent letters that they sent each other.

“Nightmare Moon was the persona that Princess Luna took on while under the effects of dark magic. She and Celestia fought a great war before Celestia banished her to the moon for a thousand years.” Twilight told the Empress.

“My sister was sent to the moon! The nerve of Celestia how dare she send innocent Luna to the moon! This is just like her from back during our days with mother, always lording over the rest of us like she was some kind of god!” Cosmosmia said in anger a cloak of anger drew itself around her.

“Empress please calm down, there was no other choice! Princess Luna was infected by evil dark magic; the only cure was the Elements of Harmony and Celestia couldn’t wield them effectively by herself so she sealed her away on the moon. After a thousand years Nightmare Moon returned and my friends and I used the Elements of Harmony to restore her to her normal self. Princess Celestia was very sorry for what she’d been forced to do and they’re friends again!” Twilight told the Empress hurriedly hoping to restore Cosmosmia’s good mood, luckily it worked.

“Hmm…my apologies for my outburst Twilight Sparkle, my sister’s health is a great concern to me, I’ve lost one too many you see.” Cosmosmia told Twilight quietly, the unicorn nodded.

“I understand Empress and I know no disrespect was meant, why don’t we talk about something else?” Twilight asked.

“I think that that would be wise, and it brings me back to another thing I’ve been wondering about. How is my old flame Discord doing?” Cosmosmia asked Twilight’s face grew curious.

“What do you mean your old flame Empress?” Twilight asked cocking her head to the side slightly.

“My old lover, I guess the other expression has fallen out of use in Equestria.” Cosmosmia said with a shrug.

“No it’s not that, what I meant is…uh you aren’t going to like this…” Twilight told the Empress who raised an eyebrow.

“What wouldn’t I like Twilight Sparkle, did something happen to Discord?” Cosmosmia asked worry clouding her eyes.

“Well uh…I kind of turned him into a stone statue…” Twilight said and waited in fear for the reaction of the Empress.

“You turned him into a statue.” Cosmosmia said slowly and flatly.

“Yes.” Twilight said in a small voice.

“Twilight Sparkle you are lucky that I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt and not smiting you as we speak. Now would you kindly explain why my lover is a stone statue?” The Empress’s voice was flat with barely held in anger leaching out towards

Twilight.

“Because he was threatening Princess Celestia and destroying the realm of Equestria besides the fact that I still haven’t completely healed from the mindrape that I suffered at his hands.” Twilight told the Empress slowly.

“What are you talking about? Discord would never abuse his powers he was always the perfect gentlecolt who looked after his ponies with care.” Cosmosmia asked in confusion.

“Well if he was like that when you know him then something changed, he is absolutely insane and takes pleasure in twisting the minds of innocent ponies.” Twilight told her, Cosmosmia looked slightly angry but she was holding it in well.

“I’ll have to write Celestia about this; it seems that there are a few things that she neglected to tell me about.” Cosmosmia said talking more to herself then any of the ponies around her.

“Empress are you enjoying the party?” Asked Pinkie Pie who had suddenly appeared in front of her and was holding a glass of wine in one hoof.

“As of yet I have yet too.” The Empress said with a small frown forming, Pinkie gasped.

“Angeldust we have a code 69!” Pinkie called Angeldust leapt out of the crowd a determined look set into her golden face.

“Empress if you don’t enjoy this party then I’ve failed, and when Pinkie fails bad things happen, so in the interest of everypony in the empire follow me!” Pinkie said grabbing the Empress’s hoof and leading her away through the crowd with Angeldust hoping beside them. Her two guards exchanged bemused looks and followed the trio leaving Twilight and her friends confused.

“Does this always happen?” Blaze asked looking up from his bottle of dragon’s fire.

“Yep…” Twilight said.

***

Cosmosmia soon found herself having fun despite the grave news that she’d heard earlier, she supposed it was the fine wine that she’d been sipping progressively for an hour, or it might have been the two crazy mares who were dragging her from one event to the next. Between the two of them they were more then capable of keeping anypony, even a goddess, occupied for hours. Suddenly the fur on the back of Cosmosmia’s neck stood on end, it was a sign that something bad was going to happen, Pinkie Pie had started to twitch.

“Twitchy tail, vibrating hoof… Get down Empress!” Pinkie suddenly yelled tackling the Empress to the ground seconds before a magical arrow drilled through the air that had just been occupied by her head and impacted against the far wall with a large explosion.

"Who dares assault me?!" Cosmosmia shouted projecting her voice across the hall, nothing answered her, the room had quieted. Cosmosmia noticed a black clad shape trying to get towards the back door and with a simple spell grabbed the being and brought it to float upside down ten feet from her face. Cosmosmia yanked off the figure’s black hood and found herself looking into the gaze of a diamond dog.

“What a pity it seems that my arrow missed.” The dog said before spitting in Cosmosmia’s direction.

“Why did you fire at me mutt?” Cosmosmia asked the dog who sneered.

“Because I’m trying to take down an empire, what else bitch?” The dog asked sarcasm dripping through his every word. “Or maybe I’m being proactive in defense of my kingdom; whatever reason you decide on I just wanted you to know one thing. No diamond dog will bow to you equine; if you wish to conquer us then you will have to exterminate us to a pup!” The dog howled an eerie howl that was cut off as Cosmosmia threw him to Strings and Disk.

“See that he is restrained, I’ll deal with him later. I apologize Pinkie, but I think it would be best if we ended the party.” Cosmosmia said turning to Pinkie who nodded solemnly

“Of course Empress…” Pinkie said sadly her mane deflating like a balloon, Cosmosmia didn’t know why but she couldn’t stand to see the mare like that.

“For what it’s worth up until he shot at me I was having a great time.” Cosmosmia told the pink pony whose mane immediately reinflated.

“Thank you so much Empress, well I’ve got to go make sure that Twilight is ok!” Pinkie said and began to turn away. Before she could get away Cosmosmia grabbed her with magic.

“I owe you one favor for saving my life Pinkie, ask and you shall receive anything that is in my power to grant.” Cosmosmia told the pink pony who nodded unnaturally serious.

“Thank you Empress, I’ll have to get back to you on that, at the moment the only thing I really want is about to happen anyways so it wouldn’t be worth asking.” Pinkie told the Empress.

“And what would that be Pinkie?” The Empress asked.

“Oh nothing…” Pinkie said with a large grin…

Next Chapter: Chapter 6 Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 58 Minutes