It had been a day since the truth as to Twilight's heritage had been revealed and Celestia, possibly under Radiance's influence, had awoken her bloodlust state, and said state was currently riling up, or at least trying to, all of Equestria against them. Fortunately, Sombra, Cadence, and Twilight had sent out messages to the closest cities to them, letting them know of the truth, and those cities and towns had quickly allied with them, and Radiance was not happy.

"Traitors, the lot of them!" she yelled as she sat with her, or, rather, Celestia's, generals in the war room, the table they sat around having a holographic projection of Equestria and the Crystal Empire, the latter and it's allies territory colored red, and the former and it's allies green. "When we retake the cites, I want a purge of the citizens!"

The generals, numbering three, looked at each other worriedly, as the princess they knew was nothing like this. "Uh, Ma'am," one of them, an earth pony stallion with lime green skin and a teal mane and tail, said. "Why? I mean, yeah they sided with the enemy, but I don't think that's worth killing them all. Who knows, there might be some ponies loyal to you in those cities."

"Nonsense," Radiance growled in Celestia's voice. "They are all traitors, and they deserve to die like the pigs they are!"

"Right," the second, a unicorn mare with skin and a black mane and tail with a streak of silver highlights. "Well, um, the griffons have gone fifty-fifty, as well as the buffalo and minotaurs. The changelings, as far as we know, are entirely with the Empire, as well as some dragons."

"Stupid beasts," Radiance muttered. "Then have messages sent to every town that is smart enough to stay with me that the guard contingents are to prepare defenses."

"Yes, your Highness," the mare said before rushing out.

"As for you two," she said to the first and second stallion, the former being a pegasus with white skin and a gray mane and tail. "Prepare the local guard, and make sure only those willing to kill are the ones that ship out. Now!"

The two rushed out, nearly tripping on each other, leaving Radiance alone. She lit her horn, the color being a bright blue, and lowered the illusion spell she put on herself, laughing as she did so. Her mane became a bright blue, and her eyes took on a darker shade of red, and her skin became gray.

"Oh, Celestia," she mused to herself, "If only you had the guts to remove the vermin you call family, this wouldn't have happened, and I'd still have puppet control over the Empire."

Back in the Empire, Luna, having woken up not an hour ago, had been dragged to the tailor's part of the palace, and was currently being fitted for her maid outfit.

"Is this really necessary?" she asked Cadence.

"Nope," she said. "Me and Sombra just like the idea of seeing you in a maid outfit." She giggled. "Plus, we both think you look sexy in an outfit like that." This caused Luna to blush.

"I am beginning to wish I hadn't asked for you three to punish me," she said, keeping her arms straight for her measurements.

"Oh, don't worry, Luna," Cadence said. "We won't try anything." Possibly.

"I thank you Cadence," Luna said. "How much longer?"

"Only another thirty minutes," the tailor, a light red unicorn mare. "Then, you'll have your new outfit with Miss Rarity helping me with making it."

"Well, at least it should be modest."

Cadence giggled. "Maybe, maybe not. Back in the day, Sombra and I had a thing for short skirts and low neck lines."

"Joy," Luna said sarcastically.

"Don't worry we won't do anything he first week. Pinkie promise."

"Well, at least I can be grateful for that."

"And. . . done," the tailor said. "You can relax now."

With that, Luna lowered her arms, and went to sit down next to Cadence.

"So, how exactly is Twilight Sparkle," Luna asked.

Cadence sighed. "Even with our memories back, it's still going to take some time for Twilight and I to adjust, Twily especially." She then chuckled a little. "Fortunately, Sombra and I know five ponies who we know will brighten up Twily's day."

"I assume they aren't the other Elements?" Luna said.

"No, they aren't," Cadence said.

"Well, let us hope that they do indeed help Twilight Sparkle, then."

Back in Twilight's personal room, which had been hidden when Sombra had banished the Empire so Celestia, or Radiance, Twilight was no longer sure as to who was in control then, couldn't take control of it, said lavender mare was currently going over the small book collection she had there, with Spike and Pinkie helping her.

As she was reorganizing a bookshelf, Twilight saw a small glint come off one of the spines.

"No, I don't."

Middle shelf, left side. Golden spine. Seriously, Twilight, why? Even a particular mercenary, who I will not name, would know which book I'm talking about.

"Fine," Twilight said, rolling her eyes as the other two snickered. She reached for the book, and was surprised to see that, on the cover, it had a picture of her and five other ponies, all of them in a park, smiles on their faces.

The one closest to her had yellow hair and a similar tail, with alabaster white skin and purple eyes wearing a bright, pink short sleeved shirt, and had an arm around Twilight. She looked a lot like Pinkie, except for the wings.

The one on Twilight's right in the photo was a unicorn stallion with green skin and black hair and tail with streaks of blue. He wore a sleeveless shirt, showing off his muscular arms and his cutie mark, a simple pick ax, and a small smile on his face, his red eyes having a small glint of cockiness.

Directly behind was Twilight was another pegasus, this one a stallion, with pink skin and bright red hair and tail, a laugh on his face. He wore a deep red shirt and a pair of black shorts.

To his left was a unicorn mare with blue skin and bright red hair and tail, her green eyes sparkling, She wore a work-out shirt and pants, her cutie mark being a lightning bolt.

The last one was an earth pony stallion with black skin and white hair and tail, his eyes being steel gray. His shirt was orange and hid his cutie mark, and his knee length shorts were red in color.

Under the six of them was a note.

To Twilight.

From your friends.

Twilight dropped the book, tears coming out of her eyes as she began to remember her first group of friends, the ones the war had taken away from her.

"Twilight, what's wrong?" Spike asked as he came over to Twilight, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"The book," Pinkie said as she picked it up. "Hm, if I had to guess, I'd say the five other ponies in the picture were ponies that were Twilight's closest friends from here in the Empire, and the memories of them are just now coming to her. Am I right, author?"

Bingo. And also, three. . . two. . . and (imagine spinning my arms around in front of me to the left and pointing at the door to Twilight's room.) a one.

"Your highness," a guard on the other side of the door said, "five guests to see you."

Before Twilight could say anything, Spike, him being a prince due to him technically being Twilight's brother, said, "Let them in," figuring they must be important.

The door opened, and five ponies walked in. The same five as the ones in the picture.

Twilight looked at them, and her face instantly brightened. "TWILIGHT!!" the five yelled in joy as they hugged their old friend, laughing as they embraced. "We thought you were dead," the white pegasus said.

"Me too, Surprise. Me too," Twilight said.(1)

She then remembered the others. "Oh, I guess I should introduce you guys to me little brother and my mare friend." She got up, and  said, "Guys, this is my adoptive brother, Spike," she said, gesturing to Spike, "and Pinkie, my marefriend."

"Helloooo," Pinkie said.

"Spike, Pinkie, this is Breaker," the unicorn that had the pick ax cutie mark, "Doughnut," the pink stallion(2), "Flitter," the unicorn mare that had the lightning cutie mark, "one of my oldest friends, and a member of the guard, Lone Shadow," the black stallion, who gave a nod, "and Surprise." Twilight got a little quieter. "My old marefriend."

"Well, shit," Spike said, as well as Pinkie.

"Meh, it's alright," Surprise said, shrugging. "Her dad told us about the whole memory thing, and I can't really blame her." She chuckled. "Besides, Twily and I always entertained the thought of a herd."

"And there it is," Lone said, with a small smile and a shake of his head. "Blunt as always, Surprise."

"Definitely an ironic name, given her attitude," Flitter said.

"So," Doughnut said. "If she wants to be that way, I say let her!"

"Doughnut, we know that!" Breaker said. "I swear you can be annoying sometimes!"

"That only proves my point," Doughnut said in singsong.

"Right, regardless," Twilight said, "yeah, Pinkie, me and Surprise used to date, and-"

"It's alright, Twilight, I'm willing to try out being in a herd if you're interested in it," Pinkie said with her usual smile. "It sounds fun."

"Really?" Twilight said.

"Yep."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"Because I didn't say it," Surprise said, getting laughs from the group.

"Yeah, I guess not," Twilight said. "So, uh, what have you guys been doing?"

"Not much," Breaker said, shrugging. "I've mostly been working in the mines, Flitter's been training for the next games, Lone's been getting a squad together for the coming war, Doughnut's been doing his cleaning service, and Surprise has been working on the party for you coming back."

"Uh, Breaker, I told you not to say anything!"

"Well, it's too late, now isn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess it is," Surprise said, giggling. "Come on, Twily. Our usual restaurant is still open, and it's time we went there, only with two new ponies, or, rather one dragon and pony, this time."

Twilight smiled. "Sure."

"Actually," Breaker said, "add another pony there. I me a mare earlier, and I sorta asked her out there on a date."

"Really?" Doughnut said. "So did I."

"Who," Flitter said.

"You'll see," Breaker said cryptically.

Thirty minutes later, the group eight was standing in front of a diner akin to ones in the griffon kingdom, which was to say they had meat products.

"So, Break, who's the lucky mare?" Lone asked.

"That is a surprise with a lower case 's'," Breaker said.

"Same here," Doughnut said. "But I am pretty certain you guys are gonna like her."

"Why's that," Twilight said.

"Well, can't say the same for Breaker, but for me," Doughnut said, "she's kind, a little shy, a little introverted."

It was here that the two mares Breaker and Doughnut, respectively, were dating came into view.

"Oh, fuck me," Spike said as he saw them.

"Hey, sweetie," Breaker, who didn't hear Spike, said, walking up to Applejack and gave her a small peck on the nose. "How are you?"

"Hey, Break," Applejack said. "Ah'm doin' fine. " It was then she saw Twilight. "Oh, hey, Twi."

"Wait, you two know each other?" Breaker said.

"Yeah," Twilight said, crossing her arms. "We used to be friends, and, unfortunately, both of us are Elements, and I don't know a spell to break her connection with it."

"Why?"

"Long story," Spike said. "Best if we don't touch on it." His eyes widened. "Wait a minute. With how Doughnut described her, does that mean Doughnut's dating Fluttershy?"

Doughnut gasped as he and Fluttershy were holding hands. "How'd you know?"

"Logical guess."

"Right," Doughnut said.

"Great, two of you," Twilight said sarcastically.

"Twi, whatever's goin' on with us," Applejack said, "can ya put is 'side least for now?"

"I guess, if only because of Breaker and Doughnut," Twilight said.

"Thanks, Twily," Breaker said.

"Can we just go in now," the lavender alicorn said.

"Sure," Flitter said.

With that, the ten of them entered the restaurant and sat down at a booth close to the entrance. It wasn't that crowded, so they were able to get there quickly. The diner itself had a home-kind of theme, and the seats were a mix of polished wood, leather, and cushions to help drive that point home. "Nice place," Applejack said as they sat down.

"That's why it was our usual hangout back in the day," Lone said as the owner, an earth pony with beige skin, white hair and a white tail, walked over.

"Ah, my favorite customers," he said. "Hello, Princess Twilight. It is good that you have returned to your rightful place."

"Thanks, Hot Stove," Twilight said. "I'll take my usual."

"Same with the rest of us," Breaker said. He turned to face Applejack and added, "What do you want, sweetie?"

"Uh, what do ya got that doesn't have meat in it," Applejack asked Stove.

"Salads of various kinds, various sandwiches, just about anything those Equestrians have to eat."

"In that case, I'll take an apple salad."

"And I'l take a daisy sandwich, if it isn't too much trouble," Fluttershy said.

"Not at all," Stove said, letting out a hearty laugh. "That's a simple meal compared to the collective one I fix the others." With that, he left and made his way to the kitchen.

"So," Lone said as he leaned back. "How exactly did you guys meet?"

"Well, I was on my way to the palace," Breaker said, "and I was passing by the park when I saw Applejack sitting on a bench. I walked up and asked why she was there."

"I was there wonderin' what would happen ta Big Mac' and the others, what with, well, you know, and Breaker here told me that, as long as they didn't do anything, they'd probably be alright. He asked if I wanted to come with him to meet y'all, and ah told him sure, and here we are."

"And what about you, Fluttershy," Pinkie asked. "How'd you and Doughnut meet?"

"Oh, it was amazing," Doughnut said. "I was at the pet shelter, doing assistant work like I do every thursday, when Fluttershy walked in, asking to help. I said sure, we talked, and we connected like that."

"Bullshit," Flitter said. "I was there. You kept on stuttering. I'm the one that got your date up."

"Does it really matter, Flit," Lone said, using the nickname that annoyed the mare heavily. "Same result."

"Oh shut up, Lone," Flitter said with a small laugh.

"So, Lone, what have you been up to," Twilight said.

The stallion shrugged. "Just getting the new recruits ready. I, honestly, hope to see Celestia personally and kick her plot across the planet. I lost my position as guard captain because of her whole mind rape shit. Not kill, just make her wish she was dead."

"Personal reasons too?" Surprise said.

"Yeah," Lone said, getting a tear in his eye. "When Azure Shadow, my mare friend, joined the military, she was at the front lines of the fight in which we, as a nation, thought you had been killed, Twilight. Best I can tell? She tried to take on Celestia and Luna herself, but was killed. Luna's lucky I haven't killed her yet under the orders of your parents, Twily, even if she helped bring you and Queen Cadence back, and restore our memories."

"Makes you wonder," Flitter said a hand on her chin. "Did Celestia do something like that with the ponies that were or are rightfully her subjects?"

"Ah'd say no," Applejack said, "but then I'd be lying if ah said it ain't a distinct possibility with what happened yesterday."

"So , you do tell the truth at times when ponies lives aren't at stake," Twilight said. "It's a bucking miracle."

"Twi, you know that ain't true," Applejack said, but Twilight just ignored her.

Spike leaned over to ehr and said, "Just let it go, AJ. We both know how she can get."

"Right," Applejack said as Stove came back, their meals in tow on a cart, as well as six different drinks. "Sorry, new ponies and new dragon," he said. "I didn't know what you all wanted to drink. We got water, tea, soda, and non-alcoholic cider."

"I'll take that last one," Applejack said.

"I'll have a tea," Fluttershy said.

"Soda," Spike said, raising his hand. "Oh, and I forgot to say earlier that I'll have ham sandwich."

"Right," Stove said as he gave Twilight and the others. "What about you, miss?" he asked Pinkie.

"Oh, I'll have a soda, and do you have anything sweet?"

"No. Sorry."

"Oh, it's alright. I'll just have a ceaser salad."

"Right. I'll be right back," Stove said, returning to the kitchen.

"So, uh, Twi, what is it you're havin'?" Applejack asked, looking at the covered plate in front of Twilight.

"Oh, not much," Twilight said, removing the cover, revealing a steaming steak. "Just an arctic bear steak, cooked to meduim well with some garlic and hot pepper seasoning. My favorite food from here."

"You eat meat?"

"We can't exactly grow food here, Applejack," Surprise said.

"Yeah, dad said that when he told you and the others about when grandpa adopted Chrysalis," Twilight said, picking up a fork and knife from beside the plate and proceeding to cut the steak.

"I can't wait to see Stinger," Lone said. "Been a while. Good thing Changelings can live for a damn long time."

"You're friends with changelings?" Spike said.

"Yeah," Doughnut said. "They're amazing. They can literally be anything within reason. In fact, this one time, the six of us, Stinger, and his brother, Wasp, were visiting Queen Chrysalis' home and we pulled a prank on her that involved Stinger disguising himself as her father."

"Definitely a funny moment," Flitter said.

"Yeah," Twilight said with a smile as she put a piece of the steak in her mouth and began to chew. When she was done, she added, "Until Aunt Chrysalis found out. Then, it was just downright hilarious."

"Not for Stinger," Breaker said, which got the six old friends laughing.

"I'm a little surprised you aren't asking anything, Flutters," Spike said as the laughing died down.

"Oh, it's just because I don't want to intrude."

I'm seeing Twi's point with Fluttershy, Spike deadpanned in his thoughts. "Look, Fluttershy, you need to learn to be more assertive. I myself am beginning to think you're more then an introvert, which is someone who doesn't like social contact but can still function under that kind of pressure," like the author, if Pinkie's right, "but you break down under the slightest attention. You need help. I'm certain Twilight knows a pony who could help. Just try it. You do want to make things up with her, right?"

"Um, yes," Fluttershy squeaked out.

"Then at least ask her for the pony's name and address, and go for one session. You don't have to do more if you don't want to, but do one at least, okay?"

"Okay," Fluttershy said.

Spike smiled. "Alright then. Thanks," he said as Stove returned with the drinks and Spike and Pinkie's food.

"Here you all go. If there's anything wrong, just let me know."

"We will, Stove," Lone said as he took a bite out of his, if any Equestrian born pony could guess, arctic bear ribs. "Doubtful anything's wrong though. If there was, we wouldn't be ordering this stuff."

This got a small chuckle out of the owner. "Thanks, Lone. Oh, and Mister dragon-"

"My name's Spike."

"Right. Mister Spike, since you're a dragon, I put some gem flakes on your meal. I do hope you enjoy it."

"Seriously," Spike said with a disbelieving smile on his face, which got a nod. "Awesome. Thanks," he said before diving in.

"Well, I'll assume he likes it. You all can leave when you're done, just like always," Stove said, going to greet a new group of customers.

"Y'all eat for free?" Applejack said.

"Only because Twilight's a princess. Just the attention Stove gets is enough to make up for it. Plus, even then, if any of us come here, aside from Twi, obviously, we still have to pay," Doughnut said.

"So, like a tab," Pinkie said.

"Of sorts," Surprise confirmed.

"Plus this food is amazing," Spike said, having already finished his sandwich.

"That we already knew, Spike," Breaker said.

"So, Flitter," Pinkie said, "what is it you do, exactly?"

"Well, I was Queen Cadence's physical trainer before yesterday, and I'm hoping it stays that way."

"But you're Twilight's age," Spike said. "Well, were, given the whole reverse aging spell thing. Which reminds me, Twi, we need to see if Luna knows a counter spell for that."

"Asked this morning, Spike. She said she'd look into it during her free time when she wasn't doing what mom and dad say for her punishment." At Applejack and Fluttershy's looks, she added, "We decided that, until my mom and dad decide she's paid off her debt, she'd be their personal maid or servant, depending on what they ask. And before you say anything, yes, I am aware of the more questionable stuff then entails, and yes, they might do that, but no, not unless they are certain Luna is personally okay with it."

"I suppose that's good," Fluttershy said. "Uh, Twilight, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you, chronologically."

"Chronologically, about one thousand and twenty nine years old. The ponies of the crystal empire, even when their bodies aren't messed up by spells, live for about a hundred and fifty, and that's if they aren't the most healthy pony. Healthy, we can live for close to two hundred and fifty. And that's if we don't have strong magic in out system like the royal family, which the life expectancy is about five hundred years."

"Wow," was all Applejack said, her fork in her hand with a piece of lettuce hanging off it. "So, y'all can live for about five hundred years?"

"Yep," Twilight said. "There is the occasional pony, earth, pegasus, or unicorn, that are like that, and they're adopted by my family. Really, just about everypony here at the table is like that, except you and Fluttershy. But with the Elements, maybe not."

It was then a crystal guard rushed into the diner and to the table. "Captain, your highness, King Sombra and Queen Cadence request both of you at the palace."

"Why, private?" Lone asked.

"The delegates from Stalliongrad and Manehatten have arrived."

"Uh, why is that a big deal," Spike said.

"Because, Spike," Lone said. "Those are two of the largest cities on the continent. King Sombra asked for them to send a delegate so they can better decide on who to side with in the coming war. If they aren't satisfied, then we'll lose two valuable allies."

"Then let;s hope they side with us," Twilight said as she and the others got up and left, heading for the palace. Next Chapter: Tour Estimated time remaining: 43 Minutes