Chapter 11

Twilight had savored the privacy on the train, knowing how much attention she would get upon arrival to Canterlot. A crowd and chariot were waiting, so with a couple of waves she was whisked away to Canterlot castle proper, and escorted to a room to put her luggage aside. She was to speak with Celestia once she had arrived and settled. Stifling a yawn, the young alicorn carefully dressed, adjusted her tiara already in place, then followed two Solar guards to Celestia's private quarters.

She heard the din outside of the castle - preparations for the Armoring event in full swing. Caterers, families of the new soldiers sightseeing, musicians, Wonderbolts. Celestia wanted this to be a formal showcase, not a military formal. The arena in Canterlot would be filled to capacity to see this event, one that Twilight herself only recalled one other time. She had attended her brother's initiation, which was a much more subdued ceremony than this. Her curiosity grew as she entered her teacher's room, where Celestia had been patiently waiting.

"Twilight Sparkle, I would hope your journey was uneventful?"

"Almost all of Canterlot turned out for my arrival," Twilight noted with some reservation. "I get a lot of that in Ponyville, too. It's overwhelming."

"It is something that only time can really help. Hopefully this little meeting will aid you in how you will handle this post."

"That was something else I was wondering, Princess...."

"You don't have to address me as 'princess' anymore, you know," Celestia playfully reminded her student.

Twilight's ears drooped. "Habit."

"Please come with me, Twilight. This meeting will be private, and hopefully brief."

The two quietly began their walk through the halls of Canterlot castle. Celestia watched her student, guessing at the thousands of questions burdening her. The Sun Princess decided it would be more interesting to test her student even before the new alicorn's test truly began.

"Have you considered what duties you would be undertaking as a princess?" She asked her student nonchalantly.

"Magic can be a great benefit, but as we have seen with beings like Discord, Nightmare Moon, the Changeling Queen, and Trixie with the Alicorn Amulet, it can be dangerous in the wrong hooves. I would like to establish a Counsulate of Magic, based here in Canterlot. This council would be made to help monitor magic usage, determining possible threats in the mystical side of things to Equestria."

Celestia nodded, impressed. "Tempering magic usage is a slippery slope, Twilight... but it is something that has been on the minds of many ponies. Perhaps this council could be a central knowledge base for magicians?"

"That was part of it," Twilight agreed. "I would like to have Zecora as a member of this council."

"Zecora's knowledge of herbalism and alchemy would be welcome knowledge to all of Equestria," Celestia admitted. "Some of her secrets are things lost to Equestria at large. Did you have anyone else specifically in mind for this 'council'?"

"I would like to speak to some of your current students to see if anyone would like it as an independent study. A student representative on the Council would be a unique perspective."

"You will have access to my current students and all the records you will need to make an informed decision. Would you like to talk to whom we are meeting about this?"

"You haven't even told me who we're going to meet."

"He's someone you've met before, but he might be a little more civil to you now."

Twilight puzzled the comment as they descended a lonely staircase deeper into the castle. The ruckus of the ceremonies faded, unable to penetrate the stone that surrounded them now. Celestia noted her student's unease. She restarted the conversation.

"Have you ever wondered why you had an alicorn for a foalsitter?" Celestia finally asked.

Twilight blinked. "I never thought of Cadence as an alicorn. She was a big sister when my parents or my brother weren't around. I thought it was a lesson in humility for Cadance, but it looks like it was for something... else."

This brought a smile to the Sun Princess' face. "It's something that few ponies can do, Twilight Sparkle. Many feel insignificant and powerless in the presence of an alicorn, but you have been around them so much you understand."

"I still feel that way even now," Twilight shyly admitted. "Ponies only see you and Luna as moving the sun and moon - something nopony could ever hope to achieve with their magic or talents. All life on Equestria depends on you."

"Yet you speak to me as a teacher and not a goddess. And that is something I deeply treasure."

"You'll be my teacher no matter what I become."

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Twilight could sense they were outside of any main castle traffic. No one around, and their hoofsteps rang against unpainted walls. No other sound followed them, torchlight their only guide to a single iron door, where a Solar Guard unicorn stood. He saluted crisply.

"We are here to see a prisoner," Celestia informed the guard.

The soldier tacitly acknowledged the order. The door rang open, scraping on the stones and bouncing sparks about. Twilight cringed at the grating sound, a hoof leaving the ground when a spark struck her. It didn't burn. Celestia entered without another word, but had to coax Twilight to enter as well. The guard remained at his post, looking slightly worried that Celestia herself had come down here!

"You have faced two of the Family in combat," Celestia continued. "so you do understand how much power an alicorn can wield... and that many ponies will fear you based on your own knowledge."

Twilight sighed, recalling the past few days. "Yeah, I'm seeing that already..."

The Sun princess guided her student to a single chamber, one that had only one outside window. She tapped the lock with her horn, allowing golden magic to unlock and open the cell. Twilight peered inside, expecting some dark horror to be staring back at her.

Instead, her eyes met with a sad, fearful expression- from a muddy yellow alicorn stallion in chains.

"Cepheid....." Twilight breathed.

The stallion did look better than their last encounter. His coat was starting to return to its proper golden shade, his eyes gray but flecked with green. His mane and tail were still white, but faint stripes of yellow and red had started appearing. He cowed slightly at her arrival. "Aye," he replied quietly. "My sisters are right to put me away for what I have done to you... to your home....."

She approached him carefully, despite him being chained in place. "But all you can do down here is reflect on what you did. There are many other things you can do to atone-"

"Isn't taking me from the full force of the blessed sun enough?" He tried to snap, but there was little power to his voice. "Even with the sun waking me each morning, I only feel those rays a couple of hours at a time."

"I've been studying ancient Equestrian history... did the 'Family' consider having an independent council of Magic? Starswirl hinted toward the idea in his spellbook, and 'Hierarchal Histories' makes mention...."

"There was talk of it," the stallion recalled. "At the time the Family could not agree on a means.

"I worked mostly with brother Aphelion on the seasons and the tides, so my strength was understanding the weather. He and I laid a great deal of groundwork for the likes of Commander Hurricane and the Pegasus armies. That's why weather teams are so regimented even to this day."

"While I am in Canterlot," Twilight announced to Cepheid, "I am planning on gathering members to start this Council."

"A council of magicians?" Twilight nodded. "Is that wise? Unicorns in general are very proud creatures....."

"I know. But...in my experiences, I think a governing body on how magic should be used is needed. Dealing with the Lord of Chaos, an evil queen with powerful magic, the younger of the Cosmic Sisters with corrupted powers, and the power of the Alicorn Amulet.."

"That amulet...." the stallion snorted. "This is why I suggest caution. That amulet in the wrong hooves....."

"It almost did when it was found recently. The amulet is now well hidden."

"Star Swirl was full of ideas, but not all of them were good ones....." Cepheid's brusque statement distant, bitter.

Twilight blinked at the revelation, but didn't want to stray from her purpose here. "Still though, to better keep control over such items, I think such a council would be needed. ...would you like to be a part of it?"

"I'm not sure how much use I would be to you for it. But it seems that since the seasons are now assisted by ponies all over Equestria I might need a new purpose."

Twilight smiled at him. "Sometimes," she suggested as she trotted toward the east-facing window, "Destiny can take an interesting turn."

She deliberately stood in the full light pouring in from that window and made sure she was looking into Cepheid's gray green eyes. Finally comfortable in front of a former foe, she spread her wings majestically, arcing them up before stretching them out fully. She left them open as she watched Cepheid bolt to his feet, tripping over the leg irons' chains.

"You're ... you're an alicorn!"

Twilight's smile broadened with pride. "Celestia said it was my destiny...and I achieved it by completing Starswirl's unfinished spell."

"His final spell....." Cepheid pondered that a moment. "If that's true, that you do have quite the destiny... you should be leading that council."

"I'm... still new at all this 'princess' business...."

Cepheid looked her up and down a few times, emboldened somewhat from her hesitation. "I will make you a deal, then.... I will assist in mentoring you for this Council as a figurehead, and when you're ready, I will step down. In return, I want my old quarters back, the Atrium. Tia knows of what I speak ."

"So you two have worked something out?" Celestia inquired as she finally entered the cell. "I didn't feel any magic cast in here, so it looks like a civil meeting happened."

"A council of magic is something I can assist while this one gets used to her wings. I just want the Atrium."

"That can be arranged," Cepheid's sister promised. "Twilight's destiny is directly tied to magic, and this very well could be a necessary step forward."

The stallion looked back to Twilight. "You have a strong future, Twilight Sparkle. Let the path lead you, do not force it." He lowered his head in shame. "Force makes one do terrible things......"

His next thought faded as the chains dropped from his legs. He hesitated, noting the spell was purple and not golden. Stepping away from the irons, he raised his head in Twilight's direction. "You're quite forgiving for someone who faced me in such a terrible state. You forgive Prince Hellstorm?"

"Just as I forgave Nightmare Moon and forgave the pony who tried to harness the Alicorn Amulet. Like them, You weren't thinking straight."

"As the former Element of Loyalty, I do not deserve any more than what I have now," he solemnly replied. "It's all such an evil dream... but it happened... it was real... what I have done..."

Again Twilight silenced the despondent alicorn- this time with an embrace. Not just a forehoof over his shoulder, but even bringing her wings forward and draping them across his back like a pair of giant, feathery gloves. He visibly relaxed, letting his head sink into the feathers as a gift of a new pillow. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Celestia and Luna forgave you. That was all I needed to know."

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

The train to Canterlot the following morning filled to capacity with many from Ponyville and had quite a few from south of the area. Normally, all of Twilight's friends would be chatting up the morning as they boarded, their subdued reactions to each other lost to the rest of the train. Rarity hadn't slept, her invite from Macey Sacks in her saddlebag. Applejack was still a little grouchy, but Applebloom and Granny Smith got one small smile out of her before boarding. Rainbow Dash almost missed the train herself; she was the last to board, looking like she had just fallen off a cloud to fly there. Pinkie Pie wasn't bouncing, trying to keep composed and help poor Mr. Cake with all the treats they had been up most of the night preparing. Fluttershy boarded with her "escort", which turned a few heads and only made her shyer for the trip. Their train car was crowded enough with so many others on board, so sitting together would have taken some persuasion from the other passengers.

As they pondered the day and the ceremony to come, each of them overheard other ponies talking about Twilight. Applejack even heard a couple of ponies wondering if she was already there. The farmpony sighed, hearing the faint *clink* of the Zap apple jam jars she had with her.

Rarity frantically sketched away, trying to get a few more designs in place for her seminar. Purchasing some of the materials in Canterlot would be necessary; was she to do an actual demonstration? Would the students even listen to her, now that Hoity Toity had been scorned from his interactions with Twilight? It was a wonder she slept at all before this morning. Spike and Sweetie Belle had been such dears to help her bring her luggage to the station.

Rainbow Dash decided on an extra nap for the trip, finding a corner bench to prop up her saddlebags to lean on while she dozed. She noticed a sleeve from her Wonderbolt uniform poking out from her hasty packing. Rolling her eyes to herself, she crammed the suit deep into her bag and placed two Daring Do books on top.

Fluttershy sat close to the window, effectively using Wild Card as a shield from the rest of the train car. He glanced down to her, making sure his crazed eyes were now a more "natural" shade of dark gray to match his mane. "Everything's going to be just fine," he reassured her. To anyone else, these words would be a taunt.

"A-are you sure?" she whispered back.

"Everypony on this train is thinking about the Ceremonies," he told the pegasus. "your friends seem concerned about other things."

Fluttershy took a short breath. "Are you reading their minds?"

"That's against the rules," he huffed. "Just look at them! None of them are even talking to each other, much less anypony else."

"Are they worried about today...?"

Another glance in their direction by the disguised draconoequus didn't require telepathy. "They're more worried about what has led to this day, and not so much the day itself. Once we get to Canterlot and the ceremonies are underway - oh, there will be smiles and laughter!"

Fluttershy turned back to the window. Wild Card sighed and stayed close.

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

Lapis awoke to the sting of a brilliant sun on a clear day. A "perfect" day for his sister's armoring ceremonies. His morning would also be quite busy, orchestrating the escape of two prisoners, armoring one of them along with hopefully two others, getting more intel from Canterlot and after the sun sets, completing the enchantments on the necklaces Night Ash commissioned for him in the Crystal Empire. He gave his wings a lazy stretch open, wincing slightly at the mended tear from the whip he would show Strife. So much to do today! He was thankful any sleep an alicorn needed was luxury at best.

He was surprised to find Slurry heading for his chambers as he emerged. "Master Lapis, I know I should have asked sooner, but will I be one who will be in your Phalanx?"

"Hatchet made several armors, Slurry, Your participation is optional, but your strength and purpose in combat would be most welcome. I trust you have a small... objection to some of what the armor does?"

"More what it might do to me... or Sandstone."

This pleased the alicorn that his solitary pegasus may yet have a friend. "I will be monitoring the ceremony personally. Unlike my sister Luna, I am willing to explain what will happen to increase his chances of succeeding. You fear the rampage he will be on once armored?"

"And what of my 'rampage'?"

"I would think you more offended with the physical change of pegasi wings to something more like ours."

"Was that your idea?" She growled.

"Not in spite of you, Slurry. When the Phalanx armors were devised over a millenia ago, we chose several night predator tendencies to enhance a soldier's ability in combat where most ponies fear to tread. A bat's wings are silent and more durable than a feathered wing; while the nocturnal owl's feathered wings make no sound, the leathered wing continues to do so despite damage." He demonstrated by spreading his damaged wing and flapping it a few times.

"I want Hatchet to customize my armor."

"How so?"

"If the Phalanx armor is going to be my regular armor, I want the wing-shields added."

"That might hamper your flight movements in the new armor, and it would take time."

Slurry frowned. "I don't make many requests, Lapis."

"And your primary request will be resolved somewhat outside of the armors." The Shadow of the Moon closed his eyes and allowed one of the six trapped shadows to escape. "Show her," he ordered.

The shadow appeared before her and changed into a small pegasus pony, then a frog, then a bird, then a tiny version of her, back to a tiny version of Lapis. She flinched as it closed on her. "What IS that?"

"One of many Gifted Shadows that I once bore during my time with the Family. Stripped from me by them, stolen by the unicorn mage Sombra, who rots in Tarterus under a devil's whip, I took them back. This one is 'deception', one who changes its form at will. His gift will be yours, a necklace that will enhance your armor."

She gave him a very skeptical look. "Imagine walking into a village fully armored with none the wiser.... Summerstorm."

An expectant glance to the shadow made it instantly popped into a silhouette bearing that name. "It's not a complete cure," Lapis apologized. "But your loyalty deserves a gift. You said you wanted to be cured, so I will let you be anypony at all."

"It's not permanent," she groused.

"But it will be effortless. And not so limiting."

"....fine. I would still like the wing-shields taken off my other gear to be added to my Phalanx armor."

"Done."

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

Rainbow Dash nearly flew out a window of the train once it stopped in Canterlot. Saddlebags barely secured, she rocketed over the growing crowds to find her way to the Wonderbolt locker rooms. She knew she wouldn't be first in line, but at least anyone in front of her didn't have much of a chance once she was suited up!

Dodging banners and the occasional balloon, Dash zipped past a couple of guards by the Wonderbolt locker room areas, halted quickly by a sheath of magic.

"Sorry, you still need to check in." The unicorn guard announced flatly as he placed the pegasus in front of him.

"Aw come ON, you know why I'm here!!"

The guard gathered a clipboard. "A lot of pegasi have already been through. Name?"

"Rain. Bow. Dash!! I'm sure you've heard of me!"

The guard didn't even look up from his clipboard. "Coming from?"

"Ponyville!"

"Are you carrying any memorabilia for the purpose of autographs?"

"No sir." The only autograph she wanted was Spitfire's on a Wonderbolt contract!

"All right then. Destination?"

"Wonderbolt locker rooms for tryouts!" Dash's exasperation was only mounting.

"Anything else we should know?"

"This.... is...... annoying!"

"I get that a lot. Proceed."

Dash blew past the guards again and nearly crashed into a crowd of over two dozen pegasi, some already in gear, standing outside of Spitfire's locker room area. She landed, recognizing way too many ponies from Academy. Star Hunter, Midnight Strike, Thunderlane, Lightning Bolt, Cloudchaser (or was it Flitter?) and a bunch of hopefuls who had flown in from Cloudsdale. She paced around the back of the crowd, wondering if Spitfire had spoken to anyone yet. What little she could hear from the group over the rest of the festival, Spitfire was in the building, as was Soarin and maybe Fleetfoot or Misty. No one knew if there'd be spots open for extras or if a formal tryout would even be happening at the event. The buzz erupted in a minor roar as Spitfire poked her head out the door. Dash was airborne to get a look at the Captain, who was partially into her Wonderbolt uniform. She emotionlessly scanned the crowd as frantic waves of hooves and wings desperately called to attention.

"NO ONE REMEMBERS ACADEMY!?" She barked.

The entire group snapped to attention. "YES MA'AM!"

"That's better." She trotted out the door and walked around the crowd a few times. Rainbow Dash was in the last row, standing at attention but feeling her saddlebags slipping. If she moved, she'd hear about it; if she didn't move, her bags would spill open.....

Thankfully the bags remained intact until Spitfire had completed her rounds. "I'm guessing you all want a tryout today?"

"YES MA'AM!"

"Flying with the Wonderbolts on the second-most important event outside of the Grand Galloping Gala itself?"

"YES MA'AM!"

She looked the group over, skeptical. "All you wanna-bes and never wills that came here but weren't at Academy, DISMISSED! You didn't get into Academy, what makes you think I'm gonna give you a Wonderbolt uniform today?"

Several pegasi departed without a word. Spitfire took another lap around the remaining arrivals. "So for those of you pastel pansies don't want to soil your spiffy new outfits, you might want to step back. Otherwise you'll be following me inside. This is 'make your papa proud' time if you got the wings for it!"

"I LOVE MY PAPA~!!!" Cloudchaser exclaimed.

"Good, go sit with him!" Spitfire ordered. The pegasus departed.

The Wonderbolt captain gave the group one more walkthrough. The handful that remained dismissed at a glance until only three pegasi remained. She paused in front of Rainbow Dash, Star Hunter and Thunderlane. The two stallions straightened as they were scrutinized. "So we have a night flyer," she said to Star Hunter, "and loverboy here," she added to Thunderlane, "who want tryouts today? I think I'd rather watch you two squaring off in a preliminary race. Since I'm the only one around here who's earned her stripes, I'll be overseeing you two in action."

Rainbow Dash noted the stripes in her mane and tail, but had to stop pondering as Spitfire walked right up to her. "As for you...."

"YES MA'AM!"

"I'll be paying more attention to their speed and technique, so I'm going to need someone to evaluate. There'll be a seat right next to me with a clipboard - where you can write anything you want about these two."

"Anything... I want...?"

"Anything pertaining to the race."

"Can I wear my gear?"

"I'll even give you time to suit up!"

"I'M IN!" Dash launched inside, books tumbling out of her saddlebags.

"DASH!"

The rainbow-maned pegasus hurtled back out. "Yeah?"

"One more thing. You'll need to signal the start, should be a whistle over there."

"Bonus?"

"Bonus. Now SUIT UP!"

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

~~I wish you were here to see this, Morning Star! Half of Equestria came to Canterlot for Armoring day!~~

Aurora was on her balcony watching thousands of ponies crowding through the streets below. ~~Anypony who is anypony will be at this event! Dignitaries from all over Equestria will be in attendance! I've seen ponies from the Crystal Empire! City ponies from Manehatten and Seaddle! It wasn't this busy for the Wedding!~~

~~Any sign of the new princess?~~ Morning Star queried.

~Not yet, but I'm sure she's here.~~

~~Master will be asking soon enough about Star Swirl's book~~

~~I couldn't find a copy or the original in the Canterlot Archives! I bet Twilight Suck-Up got to keep the original and everypony in Canterlot is looking at transcribed copies of it.~~

~~Wanna bet bookworm didn't bring it with her?~~

Aurora agreed. ~~The book might be back in Ponyville. Maybe a little "Hit-and-run"...."~~

~~No such thing,~~ Lapis interrupted. ~~If there is no access to the book at this time, we will have to formulate another plan.~~

~~Princess is coming!~~ Aurora quickly disconnected.

Lapis turned to his student. "Let me know immediately if anything comes of her conversation with Celestia." He resumed his walk to the forges.

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

"I'm surprised you haven't joined in the festivites as yet, Aurora."

Princess Celestia saw that one of her curret students had been gazing out the window, watching the event fill the streets. "Even a student needs a day away from her books."

Aurora ducked her head a little in apology. "Sorry, Princess Celestia, was daydreaming before the ceremonies. There’s so much going on today, more than just a militia graduation."

"Indeed it is," Celestia affirmed. "I have spoken with one of the other princesses and she asked me to take time with some of my best students. I needed to talk to you about a new Council that will be established in Canterlot."

"New council?" She queried. "But I don't graduate until winter."

"This council is being established by many unicorns and other magic practitioners," The Sun Princess explained. "I won't be in charge of the council personally, but a former student of mine will be overseeing its establishment with some assistance from others in my Family. We all thought that a student perspective would be welcomed, as new ideas are sometimes some of the best ones."

"Me?" Aurora blinked.

"You have some of the highest scores in the entire school of Gifted Unicorns," Celestia's proud response, "And I would like to consider you among the student candidates once we establish this council."

Aurora's mind raced at the possibilities - both good and bad intentions whirling about in a gray jumble in her mind. "I... I don't know what to say, Princess..."

"I just wanted to make you aware of this opportunity. For now, Please, enjoy today's festivities. Go out there and celebrate with everypony else." They exchanged smiles before Celestia took her leave.

The pink unicorn remained seated, baffled. She was just handed the greatest opportunity since being accepted to the school! She definitely would time to think about it.

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

Fluttershy and Wild Card managed to sidestep much of the crowds to get to the castle proper. The unicorn in disguise kept his friend close, seeing her flinch at all the noise and music. "This is a happy occasion, my dear," He assured her as best he could. "If there were something going on I'm sure we would have sensed it by now."

"But, it's so loud.... and why so much for their military?"

"Celestia does have some unique ideas when it comes to her military academy graduates. This will be much more enjoyable to watch than Luna's. Your poor little heart wouldn't be able to take that."

"Why...?" Fluttershy queried. "I didn't even know Princess Luna had her own guards....I thought those two pegasi who came with her at Nightmare Night were in costume."

"I know that your forte is dealing with creatures of all types, Fluttershy. But what you might see done to other ponies is very startling. She learned that perhaps making them more beastial would be the key. The formula can be ... flawed, at times, but it's a time-honored tradition that she assemble so many and so few actually become soldiers under her."

"What happens to the rest...?" she nervously whispered.

"Many don't even remember what happened after their training. Some are hurt and some are- " Wild Card wasn't about to make her cry! "Some are returned to their families. Not everyone can be in a military."

The two had entered the castle, only passing glances from the guards as they walked. "We will have seats far from the rowdy row of spectators and a wondrous view of how Princess Celestia brings her soldiers into the fold. Luna prefers her ceremony to be a bit more... private."

"So where are we going, then? Isn't the stadium-"

"My dear, I'm taking you someplace you need to visit first. Some other friends of ours made the specific request." He walked the pale yellow pegasus to a small set of double doors. "Please go in. I've other matters to handle. I'll drop by this evening afterwards."

"You're not coming in with me?" Fluttershy sounded disappointed.

"You won't need me in there," he winked. " I will come back later."

Gathering herself, Fluttershy pushed the double doors open. The room itself wasn't very large, only a few tables and some wide open windows. Two tables bumped up against the wall, covered with all sorts of desserts and specialties. The faint scent of apples caught her nose, and two steps in rewarded her with a shower of confetti.

"YOU MADE IT~!!" Pinkie cheered, hugging her shy friend. "Applejack and I found out we were brought here not just to see the shiny shiny new armors - cause they're REALLY shiny, just like Shining Armor's - but we're gonna have a big little surprise!! party for Twilight after the ceremonies are over! Just the six of us! It's gonna be so! much!! Fun!!! Oh, it's just six of us because Mr. Cake was going to be here too! But apparently he was really really tired so they found him someplace to rest and helped me get all the treats up here! All the soliders are gonna miss out and so is Mr. Cake is going to be soooo unhappy....."

Applejack looked up from securing a tablecloth. "Pinkie an' I thought we'd be up here sellin treats and makin some money, but the guards brought us up here," the farmpony replied with a hint of frustration. "But ah guess a party for a good friend couldn't hurt."

"Is she going to have time? There's so many dignataries here...."

"Yeah, about that... who was that unicorn you're hobnobbin with? Never seen him in Ponyville before."

"Oh, Wild Card? He's a....friend."

"ooOOooo," Pinkie leaned in even closer, "you found that one special pony?? What's he like? Does he like parties? He can come with you if you want him to."

"No no, he's just a ... friend.. "

"No pushin buttons, Pinkie," Applejack chided the party pony. "Just hopin Twilight actually shows up for this little shindig, hate to miss out on seein her and puttin bits in the coffers."

"She wouldn't miss a party we're throwing for her, would she?" A concerned Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, that's the best part!! It's a - shhhhh - surprise.... don't tell anyone..... " Pinkie bounced off, trying to make up another song for Twilight.

Fluttershy glanced over at Applejack, whose expression didn't suggest a festive mood. "It'll be quiet up here til the ceremonies. Me 'n Pinkie'll walk ya'll down."

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

Twilight hurried back to her new quarters so she could get properly prepared for the ceremonies. She expected to be on the main balcony with Princess Celestia, Princess Luna and -

"Twily~!!"

The alicorn wheeled, only to be nearly tackled by her brother, Prince Shining Armor. The familiar embrace (complete with hoof-noogie) halted only by Princess Cadance clearing her throat. Armor backed up next to his wife sheepishly. "She's family, how am I not supposed to greet her like that?"

"This is a formal occasion," she replied mock-officially, "we do not engage in such common gestures." She and Twilight locked eyes, then hurried up to each other.

"o/` Sunshine, Sunshine
Ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves
And do a little Shake! o/`"

The two princesses embraced, confusing Shining Armor. "But you just said-"

"Security measure," Cadance interrupted. "But I'm so glad you're here, Twilight."

"I've already been so busy," Twilight replied excitedly. "Princess Celestia is already allowing me to set up a new Council! I've talked with her and-"

"A new Council?" Cadance beamed. "And you said you were worried about a Princess’ duties."

Twilight's ears flopped a little in embarrassment. "Well, I don't know all the protocols for setting one up. And even then, being new I don't know if anyone would listen to me."

"You've saved Equestria how many times?" Shining Armor rhetorically queried.

"More than you have," she smugly replied, "But you've got Cadance on your side."

"I'm gonna fix that soon enough," her brother promised. "Then Cadance and I can be as revered as the Elements are, right Twily?"

"I don't know if you'd want that," she replied honestly. "I've barely been able to leave my library to get anything done."

The royal couple looked at each other. "Twily, you should have had Spike send a note to Princess Celestia."

"I don't want it to be a royal decree," she said sadly. "Much of what I say there is taken like that. I don't want that part of all this."

"You're not the only one trying to get used to all this," Shining Armor told his little sister. "Cadance has been saving my flank from the ponyrazzi for the last month both here and in the Crystal Empire."

"The only time any of my friends can visit me is after dark," she sighed. "I can't walk through Ponyville without ponies bowing, scraping, SINGING!"

"I know it's overwhelming," Cadance told Twilight, "for all of you - not just you. Shining Armor, your parents... so much has happened since the wedding. Even if you hadn't become an alicorn, this would have been inevitable."

"Mom and Dad have been pretty much speechless for most of this," Shining Armor added.

"They're no less proud of either of you for where you are today," Candance finished. "It's a life-changer, but it will be worth it in the long run."

She saw that Twilight was still not convinced. "We've got a surprise for you after the Ceremonies today. I promise it will help you through all of this. I know there's a lot going on today, but tonight will be a lot more comfortable than all this. I promise, No crowds, no ponyrazzi."

Twilight relaxed only briefly. "Waiiiit a minute....This isn't some special 'Royalty Hazing Ritual' all princes and princesses go through, is it?" She mostly asked her brother. "You told me stories when you first joined the Solar Guard...."

"Yeah, but that's the Solar guard stuff," Shining Armor reminded her. "It got worse until I was promoted to Captain. I've never had to clean so much peanut butter and chewing gum out of my gear!"

Twilight giggled at the image. Her brother's frustration played into a smirk. "So once I was officially Catpain, I made THEM scrub all that peanut butter and chewing gum out of my gear!" The three of them laughed at the thought.

"Oh, before I forget, Twilight...." Cadance gathered a scroll from a small saddlebag that blended into her gown. "I got something from a courier before I came to Canterlot that raised some questions."

"It's your favorite kind of thing, Twily... something you'll have to figure out!" Shining Armor smirked before the scroll in question swatted him. He "snatched" the scroll from Cadance with his magic and dangled it over Twilight's horn. "Look, HOMEWORK!"

Cadance "Gathered" the scroll from her husband. "She has more important duties before she starts reading this!"

The magical tug-of-war between the couple stalled as a purple glow interrupted the blending pale blue and paler purple auras. "How would you know about homework?" Twilight scolded her brother. "I saw you run off so many times to go spar with your classmates, leaving all your studies behind, it's a wonder you had the grades for Academy."

"Mom and Dad never found out, did they?"

"If they did," Twilight's sly response, "They never said anything." She opened the scroll to peruse. Her expression went from smug confidence to confusion of the jumble of words at the top. "'Unicorn Zebra'.... I've never seen one... 'Farasipunda', that's a place if I recall right.... 'silver', 'gray diamonds', 'elements'... well yes, the last two ARE elements, Silver and purified carbon....." She decided to come back to that as she read the rest of the notation, a summary of a guard report from a weather pony also speaking of a brown and green unicorn zebra being rude and used air magic to move snow away from the tracks. "...'in violation of weather code 235-sb, forbidding citizens from obstructing or manipulating sanctioned weather.' “

Twilight thought the whole thing over. "Regular zebras are rare enough, but a unicorn zebra? Is that even possible?"

"Is any of that ringing familiar, Twilight?" Cadance asked.

She looked up from the scroll. "I don't suppose either of you have ever met a Unicorn Zebra before, have you?"

Shining Armor gave it some thought. "There were zebras that invaded Canterlot three years ago..."

"'Farasipunda' is a lead I can research." Twilight rolled the scroll up and tucked it under her wing. "I'll look into it after your.... 'surprise' tonight."

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

Gallant Lionheart volunteered one last sweep of the dungeons before the ceremonies. He didn't have the training armor or his old armor handy, so trotting downstairs wasn't so noisy. No other guards were about save one at the entryway, who let him in to do one last lap before heading to the Phalanx ceremony.

He stopped briefly at Cepheid's cell, to discover the alicorn gone. ~~Strife, did you hear other activity down here this morning?~~

~~Princess Celestia was down here earlier with Twilight Sparkle,~~ the earth pony mentally snarled. ~~They were talking to Cepheid, and an hour later guards took him away. "Good behavior" or "Family favor"?~~

~~Actually, this is a good thing. You and Cloud Slayer will have even less of an issue leaving here.~~

~~Can we leave NOW?~~ Cloud Slayer interjected.

~~No. You must not attempt so until the ceremony is underway. When you hear the roar of the crowds, THEN you can open the envelopes. I have an envelope of my own to open.~~ He did a cursory jog through the area before heading upstairs to his quarters.

He hastily opened the letter as he prepared himself for the ceremony. He read it once with a proud smile, then magicked the parchment over a candle to erase itself from existence.

------------------------------------------------\