Three years.

A blink in the eye of an alicorn. So why did the clock seem to slow, as if stalled by a discordian paw?

A star-filled sky did not supply the answers to an exiled alicorn lost to legend. Lapis Umbral, the Shadow of the Moon.

He had been watching Canterlot as sweeping changes had been done. A new guard structure, a relaunch of Luna's guard complement, the release and capture (then re-release?!) of Discord, the swarming hive of the Changelings, even the return of the majestic Crystal Empire. Canterlot, and most of Equestria, had weathered this onslaught, but the black and gray alicorn still had strong unease.

He'd sensed something like discordian magic a day or two ago, a spark of confusion that settled, then pulsed, then faded. "With Discord loose," he mused, "what nonsense is he up to...."

"Master Lapis....?"

The alicorn slowly turned from the window to see one of his students, Night Ash, standing politely just outside his room. "Did you sense that, coming from the northeast? it was strange magic....."

"Those foals in Canterlot released Discord recently- I wonder if he is indeed up to something. I've been waiting for the dancing buffalo and chocolate rain, I found that especially clever."

"It faded fairly quickly," she 'observed' despite her blindness. "since it faded, and not just 'stop', are you sure it was Discord?"

Lapis needed a moment to think about that. "Discord doesn't tend to let his magic fade, you're right. He's work was sudden, I recall our difficulties - "

A piercing scream from the library startled them both. The two galloped to Librem Noctem, horns aglow and ready to attack. They arrived to--- nothing.

There was no combat, no blood. No one in the library but Morning Star, her eyes riveted to a scrying sphere her teacher had given her as a gift for her recruiting efforts. Ears flat, nostrils flared and a stare of death told the alicorn more than he needed to ask. He walked to her carefully, expecting an outburst.

"FAVORITISM!!" She screamed like an angry teenager, shaking the sphere. "HOW DARE CELESTIA!! WHY!? HOW!?!"

Her protest halted abruptly as different magic gathered the scryer from her. "Morning Star!" Lapis ordered. "I thought you had left all of this business with my sisters behind!"

"They...." she knew she wasn't allowed to cry, not in front of her teacher. "They did something to one of my former classmates! see for yourself! I almost broke that when I saw .... "

Curious to the usually unflappable unicorn's frustrations, he pulled the crystal closer to his face. He spotted Celestia immediately, standing with five other ponies and a tiny dragon. All focused their attention to a lavender unicorn whose expressions of reverence to Celestia were unmistakeable. He then saw his sister- an alicorn! - bowing to a common unicorn, the others following suit.

The other five ponies were adorned with the Elements of Harmony. Mares, all of them, wearing a gemstone that belonged to the Alicorn family. Solaris' stone soiled by a shy, pastel-colored pegasus; Aphelion's beacon of truth adorning an apple farmer! Cepheid's Ruby of loyalty around the neck of a multi-colored pegasus, Luna's amethyst of generosity thankfully decorating a beautiful blue-white unicorn. He scoured for his Element, but the necklace of a bright pink earth pony wore a slightly different stone. Had it changed? Evolved? Frowning, he glanced to the purple unicorn, who looked around a moment in confusion, ruffling her wings-

Her wings?

"See!" Morning Star demanded. "See what they've done!"

Lapis wasn't listening. He was trembling, not in fear, but a rage unfelt in a thousand years. Many others, including the rest of Wildforce, had been peeking into the library to see what the commotion had been about. They saw their master's wings uncurling slowly and deliberately, head lowering. All the while the trembling intensified.

"Leave me," Umbral growled.

"Scatter!!!" Dustmite shouted. Everyone in the hall fell over each other in a panic. Morning Star decided to teleport elsewhere.

"How.....dare...she...." Umbral rumbled. His wings arced.

"HOW DARE THEY~!!!" He erupted, shouting in the Royal Canterlot voice, shaking the entire compound. Magic exploded all around him, the scryer smashed unceremoniously against a far wall. "THEY HAVE NO RIGHT TO CREATE AN ALICORN! THEY HAVE NO PRIDE FOR ROYALTY!!"

The angry tirade continued in ancient Equestrian, a thousand angry epithets shaking the compound in a violent sonic earthquake. Untamed energies blasted through the facility, tearing the spike from the top of their complex and roaring like a new volcano. His eyes had turned solid blue, his entire coat turning black in his fury. The wild magic washed over the entire complex in a cold wave, shattering furniture, scattering books and scolls, and sundering his galactic clock. Everyone - even the earth ponies - could feel the magic pouring out of Lapis Umbral and washing through the entire complex in a flood of rage.

"AN ARMY OF CURSES TO SUN AND MOON FOR THIS TRAVESTY! ALICORNS TO RULE, THE OTHERS TO SERVE! THIS IS EQUESTRIA'S BALANCE! BY WHAT RIGHT DO THE ELEMENTS HAVE TO GRACE COMMONERS WITH OUR POWERS! WE, WHO MOVE THE VERY HEAVENS ABOVE! WE, WHO SET THE SEASONS AND RAISE THE TIDES! WE ARE DESTINED TO RULE EQUESTRIA, WE DO NOT WELCOME AN OUTSIDER WHO HAD NOT SEEN THE KINGDOM ESTABLISHED!! SISTERS, HEAR OUR PARENTS WEEP AT YOUR DESPERATION!!!"

Outside was no less chaotic, his magics spawning dozens of storms in the valley. Rain and wind, hail and lightning. The clouds above were solid black, seen only in the arcs of lightning that clawed at the ground and shattered some of the other steep mountains. None inside had ever seen such a demonstration! This fury was truly untamed, many of the inhabitants trembling in time with the facility.

The doors to the Libram Noctem slammed shut and locked in place. The storm would continue to rage, though Umbral himself had ceased his verbal vitriol.

---------------------------------------

Twilight was finally getting a moment of peace after gaining her wings. It had been a whirlwind few days - her coronation, honors for her brother and parents, visiting with the nobility and guard corps, and so many other princess-oriented duties had worn her out. Her friends had given her a wonderful welcome home with the "Alicorn Party~!!!" Pinkie had threatened, all of Ponyville in attendance. She was finally getting back to the library after thanking all of them and seeing them get back to the routine. She walked in to see Celestia and Luna awaiting her.

"So how are you adjusting, Twilight?" Celestia asked proudly.

"Princesses, while I don't think I could be any more grateful for such a gift and privilege...." she tenatively began.

"You are no different from before, Twilight," Celestia suggested. "There is nothing different about you than your wings."

"I know, it's just..... I saw the looks on their faces...."

The images flashed through Twilight's mind in snapshots - Applejack was impressed but constantly stood nearby holding her hat against her chest with a hoof; Rainbow Dash and Rarity looking more at the wings than to Twilight herself when they talked; Fluttershy congratulating Twilight but saying so little else; and Pinkie Pie - only Pinkie Pie - acting no different, bouncing around Twilight trying to make up a new song for her. "I don't think my friends think the same way.... are you sure?"

"As was explained, tis been centuries since alicorns have been seen in numbers," Luna replied. "They know little else than us, and perhaps Cadance, and even she was seldom seen outside of Canterlot."

"And now that she is ruling the Crystal Kingdom with your brother, you would have been seen as royalty by association," Celestia finished. Twilight just sighed and fussed with the new wings, still not quite used to moving them around. Her horn glimmered, bringing a pale yellow dress shirt for her to pull over them. "As you're getting used to this, so will those around you. Give yourself, and the others, time. Friendship got you this far, it will continue to do so."

Twilight hung her head. "I hope so....."

"Tis a heavy weight on your heart, Twilight Sparkle," Luna observed. "Thy time in thy new status will blossom, as will your friendships renew."

Spike bounded down the stairs, seeing the princesses talking. "Twilight, you're home!" He slid to a stop in front of her and bowed.

"Spike....."

"What? you're a princess now-"

"I'm still Twilight Sparkle."

"PRINCESS Twilight Sparkle!" Spike corrected and bowed again.

"UNGH~!!!" Twilight stormed upstairs to her room and magicked the door shut. Celestia and Luna exchanged concerned glances.

Spike looked up from his bow. "Was it something I said?"

"Spike," Celestia asked gently, "Please treat Twilight as if she was still a unicorn. It will mean a lot to her."

"Oh," Spike deflated a little. "I thought she LIKED becoming a princess."

"Just give her time," Celestia whispered. "Please contact me if she needs to talk. Right now, Luna and I must return to Canterlot for a meeting regarding our militia."

------------------------------

Canterlot was finally calming down after the huge celebration of Princess Twilight's coronation. Her parents were being constantly hounded with questions from the populace, and even Shining Armor was being further distracted by many asking him about his little sister.

"It hasn't been this crazy since the wedding," he remarked to his bride. Cadance offered a faint smile of encouragement as he continued to answer questions as best he could. She knew it would be difficult on his family for the first few months, but as things return to normal in Canterlot, so too will they all through Equestria. She loved her new post in the Crystal Kingdom and while it kept her away from Canterlot, the talk now was to help strengthen both communications and travel to the mystical land, especially with the Equestria games coming up.

"Fillies and gentlecolts," she interrupted the interrogation, "you'll have to excuse us both, as we have an urgent meeting with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna."

Without so much as a complaint, the rabble backed away. Shining Armor offered them a slightly embarrassed salute and apology before trotting to Cadance's side. "Thanks, Cadance, I was running out of answers."

"Sudden celebrity can do that," she reassured. "We have a little time yet, but I didn't want to rush to the meeting."

"So not so 'urgent'?" The white unicorn suggested with a wink.

"'Urgent' is a nice way of saying 'we have other things to attend to than to answer questions.' It's not rude, it's just more polite."

-------------------------------------------------------

"Nope, h'ain't seen Twilight all day."

Minty thanked Applejack and turned back to her shopping. AJ had more questions about Twilight than sales, and that was honestly (pun fully intended) bothering her. Good for Twilight and all, but more ponies were curious than hungry. She wondered if Spike had been hounded with questions all morning, waking him up too early.

"Applejack~~!!!"

The pink puff of happiness known as Pinkie Pie bounced up to her counter, dropping six bits. "Some of your best! Going to bring Twilight lunch today!"

"Awful nice of ya, Pinkie, tell 'er I said hello," AJ said flatly as she placed a half-dozen of her best apples on the table. "She could at least send Spike over here to buy somethin."

"She's been inside her library all day because there's a buncha ponies outside her door!" Pinkie cheerfully replied. "She's got even MORE friends now! We should have a party for her!"

"We'd done that already, I don't think the Town Hall could take havin another round of the whole town and a buncha guests in there. It'd be a heck of a turnout, tho." Applejack's ears were drooping. More gab about Twilight....

"...aren't you happy for her?" Pinkie had finally stopped bouncing enough to see the farmpony frowning.

"Ah can't say I ain't jealous," Applejack sighed, "but more people askin me about her than askin her themselves just gets kinda old."

"but she hasn't changed!!" Pinkie exclaimed.

o/` True true friends stay by each others' side
helping each other, taking turns as a guide
True true friends help out each other out to see the light
-and that's why she's STILL MY FRIEND. o/`

AJ's head tilted at the song, she should be used to this.

o/`Twlight got made into a princess
I'm sure she's learning as much as she can,
and I'm sure she's trying at her hardest,
but this is what I understand

o/` She's a true true friend but for us this time
we gotta step back cause her future's on the line
True true friends know when things aren't like before
Cause now she's AN ALICORN o/`

Rarity trotted up when she saw Pinkie's histrionics. "Really, Pinkie, Twilight has new duties now...."

Pinkie's music became a little more insistent.

o/' "Princess" is just Twilight's title
like her all our destinies are planned
But we gotta still stand up and support her
Because each of us just have to understand

o/` True true friends stay by each others' side
helping each other, taking turns as a guide
True true friends help out each other to see the light
-and that's why she's STILL MY FRIEND. o/`

Rarity's counterpoint disagreed.

o/` Twilight is now seen as Royal
The title "Princess" is added to her name
Her status remains going forward
the world around her changes with her fame

o/` True true friends won't say unkind words
About each other, no matter where they are
True true friends don't show jealousy or scorn
because She's AN ALICORN. o/`

Pinke feverishly rebutted:

o/` Celestia showed us it was her destiny
doesn't make her different from you or you or me!
We just have to get in and really share how much it really means
to see that she has finally realized her dreams!

o/` True true friends stay by each others' side
helping each other, taking turns as a guide
True true friends help out each other to see the light
-and that's why she's STILL MY FRIEND. o/`

"Well of course we're still friends," Rarity affirmed, "but we're required to treat her per her station."

"You don't understand!!!!!" Pinkie shrieked. "She's STILL Twlight Sparkle! she still reads books and makes Spike do chores and lets Owlowlicious help her at night and runs the library and writes letters to Princess Celestia ---"

"An' now Princess Celestia writes her back like they're sisters an' somethin' - she's on their level now."

"No, no, no!!!" Pinkie bounced up and down for emphasis.

"I'm afraid it's something we can't avoid, Pinkie dear," Rarity tried to calm the exciteable pony. "She's a Princess now, so we should give her Princess treatment."

"You can treat her like a princess!" Pinkie snapped. "I'm gonna treat her like TWILIGHT."

Almost mocking Rarity, Pinkie turned up her nose and trotted off.

Rarity blinked. "Well, that escalated quickly."

"Pinkie Pie just doesn't get it - Twilight's a princess, now she's gonna be like my Aunt and Uncle Orange up in Manehatten."

"Or just like Celestia, Luna and Cadance," Rarity added. "Royalty," she dreamily finished.

---------------------------------------

Gallant Lionheart, clad in mere officer armor, heaved a sigh of frustration. He was thankful, deep down, that he even still had a job - a reprimand for his (non)role in the attempted takeover of Canterlot as Shining Armor was promoted to Captain of all the guards. In that time, Shining Armor married into royalty, and had been splitting duties between Canterlot and the Crystal Kingdom. Talk was out that a new captain would be needed. He mentioned as much to Lapis, who told him to wait.

To keep himself visible, the brown unicorn had volunteered for a variety of tasks so he could walk the entire castle grounds. This week was "dungeon duty" off a suggestion from an "ally". There were very few prisoners in Canterlot Castle, making the errand a long but easy one. He was informed by the regular there (Silver Key, a Solar Guard) that only three prisoners were housed there, and one had been recently moved. He made note of the three cell numbers before beginning his indoor patrol.

His first stop would be in the eastern corridor, which held a member of the Royal Family. Celestia and Luna did not speak of him, but the guards whispered his name... Cepheid. Those whispers told that he was incarcerated for treason against the crown. The First Officer wondered why he wasn't banished to the moon over it, a quip he dared not say out loud.

He peered surreptitiously into the cell, spotting a pale yellow alicorn stallion nose-deep in a book. So that is another of the Family, Lionheart thought to himself. He watched as the alicorn would carefully flip pages with magic, still straining a bit from the effort. The alicorn's mane was an odd shade of yellow-green, with a gray-violet stripe in it. His eyes were bronzy, and riveted to the tome. The wings were neatly folded at his sides, a host of feathers scattered on the floor in varying shades of gray, white and yellow.

~~Master Lapis, were you aware of yet another alicorn in Canterlot?~~

Lapis paused in his tantrum. ~~I am WELL aware of Twilight Sparkle~~

~~Not her, master... I'm sure the "celebrations" angered you~~

~~but there is yet ANOTHER alicorn? show me~~

Lionheart looked in the cell again, just long enough so that his master could see.

~~Cepheid.... what have they done to him?~~

~~he was charged with treason against the crown,... the name "Prince Hellstorm" came up....~~

Cepheid looked up from his reading. "Is someone there?" he asked quietly. Lionheart slipped away from the cell.

~~Do be careful with this gift,~~ Lapis reminded Lionheart, ~~while the Voice of the Mind is something that few spellcasters know, it does radiate magic. Some with strong magical attunation can "hear" another conversation.~~

Lionheart walked quietly away from the cell. ~~I will be more cautious.~~

~~What other duties are you tasked with?~~

~~I've also taken curfew detail and armor preparations as you requested. I was granted permission to attend the next Militia forum,~~ the unicorn reported. ~~Celestia, Luna, and possibly Cadance will be in attendance, along with Shining Armor~~

~~See if my dear sister Luna is going to have more than glorified chariot stallions.... I will be listening.~~

~~I've another stop to make, Master Lapis.... there are two others being held here.~~

-------------------------------------------------

Twilight had returned to her studies after yet ANOTHER "ooh" and "Ahh" session from some of the Ponyville locals. Despite her insistence - which some called a "Royal decree" - to be treated as herself were falling on deaf ears, she had Spike "screening calls" so she could actually get some work done.

She had returned to Star Swirl's book, looking if any of his spells had been omitted from the Canterlot archives. She could feel in his writings how dedicated he was to his craft, and wondered what he would have accomplished if he indeed had friends like hers. The question faded as the room she was reading in suddenly darkened. Grumbling that some nosy pegasi were peeking in her window from the observatory, she stomped to the window and flung it open-

to a deluge. And laughter.

"Rainbow Dash~!!!" Twilight groused. "You're NOT helping!"

The sky-blue pegasus stifled her giggles and dissipated the rain cloud. "Just thought I'd drop by and see if you wanted to stretch those wings out. see if you can keep up with me?"

"Or are you here because 'Daring-Do and the Timberwolf Torch' just came out?"

"I thought I read that one already...." Dash pretended to think, then grinned. "I'm trying to get permission to write one myself - 'Daring Do and the First Wonderbolt'!"

Twilight already knew where that story was going. "you said something about stretching my wings? Maybe I HAVE been cooped up too long.."

"C'mon Twilight!!" Dash winged backward to give her friend room. "I cleared the whole sky for this!"

Twilight brightened - the sky was a deeper blue than Dash, and the sun shone down as a second invitation. Twilight spread her new-found appendages and followed Rainbow Dash into the sky.

The alicorn still thrilled at being in the air without magic. Levitation just wasn't the same - the concentration and limited movement was nothing compared to this! Her wings threw the air around her and she kept pace with her rainbow-maned friend, who seemed to be holding back just a bit on her speed so that Twilight could keep up. Just before the alicorn could increase her speed a bright flash stopped her in her tracks. Several more followed, along with a ruckus from below.

"Gooooo Twilight~~~!!" They heard Pinkie Pie cheering from the ground, half of Ponyville cheering along. Several other pegasi had gained on the pair, snapping dozens of pictures of the New Princess, guaranteed to sell more papers! Even Featherweight from the school was taking them! Startled and partially blinded from the sudden lights, Twilight's altitude started to drop.

Rainbow swooped under her and caught her with enough time for her to clear her vision and get air under her wings. More flashes followed, more cheers. Twilight's ears flattened and she teleported away. Dash boggled at her friend's reaction... then promptly forgot as she soaked in the adulation for saving a Princess from falling out of the sky.

Dash swooped down and landed next to Pinkie. "Didja have to bring ALL of Ponyville to watch? Not that I mind...." Dash posed for a few remaining shots as the crowd dispersed.

"You got Twilight to leave the library and get some fresh air! That's more than anypony has been able to do for days and days! Why did she leave? She looked so happy......

"o/` True true friends stay by each others' side
helping each other, taking turns as a guide
True true friends help out each other out to see the light
-and that's why she's STILL MY FRIEND. o/` "

Dash smirked, recalling the tune.

o/` Twilight is still a nerdy bookworm
reading about history and other lands
She needs to come enjoy the weather
that way she will come to understand

That true true friends do as much as they can
Praise and recognition part of the plan
She's my friend but it's so much different than before -
Now that SHE'S AN ALICORN. o/`

Pinkie glared at Rainbow Dash. "You're just as bad as Rarity and Applejack!" she shrieked before galloping off.

"....was it something I sang?"

---------------------------------------------------

Twilight reappeared not at the library- this time she was aiming for Fluttershy's front porch. In her frustration came a slight miscalculation and she appeared directly over the duck pond. Without footing, she unceremoniously splashed in, scattering the waterfowl and alerting their caretaker.

"Oh dear," came Fluttershy's whispery voice. "Twilight, are you all right?"

Twilight dragged herself out of the pond, soaked to the skin and a frog perched on her back. "I was hoping you'd be home, Fluttershy. Do you have a few minutes.... and maybe a towel?"

Fluttershy hurried back inside for towels while the new alicorn shook the loose water out of her coat. She opened her eyes to the curious looks of the local fauna, all the animals Fluttershy cared for. They looked at her, then to each other, as though wondering what they should do in her presence. Twilight hastily folded her wings to her side in a vain attempt to get them to recognize her as a mere unicorn. Even Harry, Fluttershy's bear companion, had stopped what he was doing to look her over. Twilight once again felt a little uncomfortable, ears drooping with her sopping wet mane.

Fluttershy finally returned, burdened with dozens of towels. "I made sure I brought every last one out for you, Twilight - take as many as you need."

Twilight sighed and took the topmost two from the stack. "I didn't need ALL of your towels, Fluttershy. Let's go inside...."

"I was just trying to be helpful..."

The two wandered into the cottage, where Twilight finished drying herself off and helping Fluttershy put the rest of the towels away. "We talked about this, Fluttershy. Just because I have the title 'Princess' doesn't mean you HAVE to treat me like one."

"but I'm not doing anything different..." Fluttershy replied innocently as she added another cushion to Twilight's seat.

Twilight rolled her eyes. "I'm the same Twilight Sparkle that tried to help you with Philomena, remember? The same unicorn who took good care of your animal friends when we were entertaining the Saddle Arabians?"

"but... that was 'then'....."

"'Then' and 'now' aren't so different, Fluttershy....

o/` Even though many call me "Princess"
It's a title I didn't earn alone
if it wasn't for you help and kindness
Ponyville would not have been my home

A true true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help them see
A true true friend helps a friend in need to see the light
That shines from a true true friend. o/`"

Fluttershy lowered her head.

"o/` I was happy when I saw it happen
and I try hard, I really really am
to see you as the Twilight who helped me
tried to get me to understand

That true true friends help their friends in need
and friends share their hearts, and so I see
Your new gifts are a blessing and rewarded rightfully
and I'm proud that I'm still your friend. o/`

"Why do you think that way? if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have learned compassion - and this," Twilight wiggled one wing, "wouldn't have happened."

"I'm sorry....."

"No. I don't want you to be sorry. Just keep being my friend. Please?"

Fluttershy looked up from her long pink hair and could see Twilight looking despondent despite her gentle request. Fluttershy walked slowly up to her friend and embraced her. Relieved, Twilight returned the hug, mindful to not use her wings to further the embrace...

Read more: http://fanbronies.proboards.com/thread/632/wildforce-war-moon-chapter-29?page=2#ixzz3eFJyCQG4