‘I really don’t want to head back there. Jeez Aunt Celestia is a bit tightly wound. I did not need to see what she wanted to do to the Discord Shadows. The worse part was what she did with the crystals.’ Cadance shuddered at the thought and continued on her way. ‘Still this was lucky that Aunt Luna found out where these ponies are at. Let’s see I can make it to Dodge Junction without much problem.’

With a burst of magic she teleported out of the sky and reappeared a few minutes out of Dodge Junction and glided around the area. An hourglass and seven bubbles would be somewhere apparently with cherries. She hadn’t been around the area due to the princess training and then the imprisonment by Chrysalis. It had not been the easiest time during Canterlot this particular year. It got even weirder after a particular bundle of joy appeared in her life. The honeymoon had been a surprise as had the night after.

‘Enough of that!’ Cadance shook her thoughts and the blush away from her head focusing back on the city before her. Another flourish of magic bursted out of her horn as a wave of magic pulsed from her and every living being in the city. The tug of familiarity came from the train station forcing her to make a dive for the now departing train leaving a few passersby curious about the what the pink alicorn princess was doing. She barely managed to reach the Caboose and used her magic to keep her hooves attached to the roof.

Earlier that day…

“Come along Ditzy let’s go get those cherries. I’ve been craving them for a while.” A brown coated stallion with a brown mane walked down the dusty streets of the city while the flap of pegasi wings glided after him. The gray pegasus with blond mane kept pace with him. Her unique eyesight kept watch over both the streets and the stallion allowing her to see the danger he wasn’t paying attention to.

“Time Turner! Keep your eyes on the street!” She dove down and slammed into his size pushing him into a water trough as a carriage rolled past them too far to even come close to hitting him. They were both drenched but refreshed.

“Thanks Ditzy but I’m pretty sure I was paying attention to what was going on. So… Shall we get up now?” Turner looked down at the young mare who clung to his side. When she noticed what had happened she instantly lost control of her wings and fell out of the trough hiding her blush in a cloud of dust while he pulled himself out and shook the water off. With a little shake she shook the blush off.

“Sorry Doc I thought it was closer. I just don’t know what went wrong…” She looked down and away from him. Instead of speaking her just walked over to her and gave her a one hoof hug breaking out her blush once again.

“Hey don’t worry about it. Let’s just continue enjoying our day. We’re friends and friends always do wild thing right?” Turner laughed out loud and started moving forward leaving a blushing Ditzy behind.

“Yeah… friends.” Her wings drooped slightly while she followed after him keeping the fake smile on her muzzle. It was still early and she had all day to get through his thick skull. Hopefully it would work.

The day passed quickly as the pair managed to find the cherry groves and the mare in charge working with her staff on the cherry bucking. Turner and Ditzy were seen within seconds of entering the grove and brought before the boss. Cherry Jubilee studied the two before noticing Turner.

“Ah well landsakes Turner is that you?” Her eyes widened at the sight ordering them both to be released from her guards grasp.

“Hello Cherry just came to get the best cherries this side of Equestria, of course. That’s usually what you get into Dodge.” He worked his shoulder back into place while Ditzy moved her wings to regain the feeling she lost when she was captured.

“The best, huh? If I didn’t know any better I say you with flattering me just to get a discount on cherries. Still I do know you have those weird cravings for random fruits every other weeks. Still how long has it been since you came to see me?” She craned her neck forward looking forward to the answer while he focused his thoughts bring his hoof to his lips.

“ Three months, twelve days. eight hours, forty-six minutes, fifty-one seconds. That’s how long it’s been since I’ve been in Dodge.” He smile smugly at his own impeccable sense of timing leaving the other ponies around him stunned that he even thought the exact time to the second. Cherry also looked annoyed at his over inflated guess of time but calmed herself. He was always this eccentric and she had gotten used to it the first time he came to get cherries.

“Anyways care to tell me who this mare is? I don’t remember you keeping company any of the times you came out. So who is this?” Cherry stared at the pegasus more in curiosity than in jealousy. Turner was never one to have a feminine element attached to him.

“Ah yes, Where are my manners? This is my friend Ditzy Doo. She works as the mailmare for all of Ponyville. Right now, we are here for cherries. It’s the craving I tell you I can’t control it any longer. Still glad that pears aren’t on that list. I hate pears… probably. Anyways I’m looking for a particular cherry. Yellow ones if you have it. Need some tart and some sweet. Maybe look for a watermelon next.” He rambled on looking around every tree for the delectable cherries he wanted for some reason beyond his own understanding.

“Yeah... Don’t worry darlin’ I got some yellow cherries ready for sale a bit farther off. Hold your horses and calm down already.” Cherry held her hoof to his chest to calm him down only to notice that Ditzy’s feathers started to ruffle at the touch.

“C’mon Doc let’s get those cherries then. You have wanted them for quite a while right.” She grabbed his hoof in hers and led him away from that cherry mare. She managed a glare before leading Turner away getting a nervous look from Cherry.

As they trotted towards the main stall Cherry kept quiet as she went off behind the stall to sell her product. Three bags were sold, two red and one yellow, leaving the pair ready to go. With a quick goodbye they left the compound with Cherry making sure to give Turner space so as not to get into an unnecessary fight. Turner was nice and all to her but he was one of the densest stallions to ever gallop that particular side of Equestria she had ever met. No amount of flirting was getting through that. She held sympathy for the gray pegasus mare. They were gonna need it.

“Let’s hurry Ditzy the train might take us a bit to get back. No time like the present to get back and enjoy the spoils of war. Allons-y!” He jumped up the stairs like a possessed pony and made a graceful gait over to the now open train cars. Ditzy flapped calmly at his side before landing and trotting in with him. She was exhausted from making sure that other mare wasn’t gonna get in her way. She was gonna confess tonight and nothing would stop her. They took their seats and calmly talked about their day. Turner hadn’t even noticed any of Cherry’s advances and Ditzy didn’t remind him of it during the trip either.

“We got a pretty good deal didn’t we. Now we can also make some of your world class muffins when we get back.” Turner was looking out the window when he asked. She was blushing even more at the thought.

‘World Class… They aren’t that great… but he said it with a straight face. Maybe…’ She was staring. Her eyes shined in pure elation which luckily he didn’t notice. What he did notice though shocked her.

“Are you alright Ditzy? You seem so red now. Did you catch anything while we were out there,” He placed her forehead against hers checking the temperature. She was highly flustered and with a slight sigh she fainted in her chair when he let go. “Uh… Ditzy are you alright?”

He poked her shoulder shaking her slightly to raise her from her stupor but she stayed in her seat unconscious. It was a bit weird to him but Ditzy did have a long day. She was glaring at Cherry a whole lot and for the life of him he couldn’t figure out why she was doing so. He never even saw what Cherry did to deserve that kind of attention. Cherry’s slight hoof touches were also weird but she was always affectionate. ‘Friends sure are over emotional huh, Turner.’ He settled in as well when the thump of hooves hitting the roof of the train car.

“Great Wickering Stallions! What was that?” He looked outside trying to see if he could even see what hit them.

Cadance had managed to trot slowly across the roof looking for the point her magic was leading her to. After all the time watching Celestia fight she felt something was off. She couldn’t place her hoof on it but something wrong was happening.

‘Did I forget anything before I left? What did Aunt Luna say… That they could hide in my… Oh horseapples…’ Cadance looked down at her shadow noticing it was looking around independently of her actions.

The shadow began to raise itself from the roof taking a much larger shape. It looked almost exactly like Discord. The strangest thing though was that part of the body looked mechanical yet still made of shadows. It was staring at her amused at the predicament then it spoke…’They can speak!’

“Well,well, if it isn’t my old friend Love Doctor C. Now what would the renowned princess of the Crystal Empire be doing up here on the roof of the train. Couldn’t pay the ticket even though you are royalty, eh? My what a chaotic solution I couldn’t be prouder of you than I can now. Truly a chaotic lineage to the end. Now what are you doing her dear princess.” The shadow spoke strangely. It had the same inflection and demeanor as a normal rant from Discord but there was something there. The hair of the back of her neck bristled uncomfortably from his words leaving her perplexed.

‘Horseapples, Horseapples, HORSEAPPLES!’ Cadance decided to glare back without speaking. There was too little left for chance and nothing would be solved if she made it easier for the shadow to find the ponies she needed. It looked around in thought though the amusement on its face was only temporary leaving a scowl looking back into Cadance’s eyes. The talons on its claws got longer as it stepped forward each time tearing through more of the ceiling.

“Where. Are. THEY.” It was only a few steps away which forced Cadance to flinch back with every word. With each flinch she managed to peek what was coming up behind her.

‘A tunnel… Yes!’ She kept up her glare and started to channel magic through her horn. The shadow just laughed at her. It’s merriment caused it to lose focus when a small boulder was flung at its head causing it to partially fall off the train. It’s claws dug into the side as it attempted to cling on to the speeding car while Cadance took her chance and galloped to the next connecting car.

“I’LL END YOU!!” The shadow roared as it tore a section of the car off the train showing the ponies inside the horrifying visage of an enraged Discord like creature chasing after a pony on the roof. The security ponies in the room quietly closed their eyes and kept muttering to themselves that it was all a bad dream and nothing more.

The tearing of metal screamed out leaving dozens of ponies confused and terrified when they saw the monstrous Discord looking creature walking along the roof. Cadance for her part started to pick up the metal being torn off keeping it out of sight from the monster. She only had one chance and she still had to find the right ponies. Any of the shadows that had some intelligence behind it were much more dangerous than the ones below the tree. It was mocking her more with each step.

‘A Pink princess only to be used as a javelin.’

‘What in Tartarus are you even good for but sitting around.’

‘Perhaps your child will be…’

The shadow was cut off as a large slab of metal flew directly through the back of its head pinning it to the roof. It struggled to get loose as the tunnel got closer. Another burst of magic removed it and grabbed the pierced head shoving it far out from the roof as the tunnel passed by. Cadance lowered her telekinetic grip as she slid the body against the walls of the tunnel slowly grinding it up and down the rock wall. If it did scream she couldn’t hear it over the scrapping of what she thought sounded like bones being snapped clean off. With her anger fully dissipated she threw the last fragments of the shadow off the train.

“Nopony messes with my child,” Cadance said to no one in particular as she jumped down into the newly opened car surprising many of the passengers. “Hello everypony I truly am sorry for causing you much inconvenience but there was a monster attacking the train which I had to deal with. I’m so glad everypony is ok I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to any of you.”

She quickly took on the somber look whenever something went wrong. She needed the ponies to calm down and the best way she had was to pull out the sympathy card so panic would lower to something more manageable. After the ponies finished assuring her that everything was fine she couldn’t stop her eyes from scanning the interior for the ponies in question. They weren’t in that section.

“Excuse me, Princess Cadenza.” A Stallion wearing a conductor’s hat came up near her.

“Please my good pony. You may call me Cadance. No need to worry about formalities after that happened. What can I help you with?” She smiled radiantly at the stallion as he was seemingly stunned by the sight trying his best to speak again he only mumbled to himself before shaking his head and blurting out the words.

“What brings you to this particular train… Cadance… Celestia that was hard to do. Also what are we going to do about the train cars?” The stallion was a bit put off by the damage but he also knew he was dealing with a princess and didn’t want to appear ungrateful.

“When you reach Ponyville I’ll have Princess Celestia deal with the train reparations. Do not worry about the damages we shall handle it, “ She winced inwardly because she was using her aunt’s name but she didn’t have any other choice. It would take too long to get anything from the Crystal Empire and it was her turn next when she got back to the castle. “As for why I’m here I am actually looking for two ponies in particular. One has an hourglass cutie mark and is a stallion. The other has Seven bubbles as hers and I think I was told she was a pegasus. Have you seen them?”

The stallion stepped back and thought about all the tickets he had punched. ‘There were those two trouble making mares though it was a blue unicorn with an hourglass cutie mark. The other was a darker pink color with berries as her mark. They had nearly drained all the liquor on the train already. There were also the twin pegasi who were relaxing nearby but that’s not who she is looking for… Wait I remember’

“Yes actually the two you are speaking of are actually in the next car in front of us. The one that still has it’s roof.” He spoke kindly after being so lost in thought.

If you please, lead the way my good stallion.” She smiled warmly letting the conductor be the final say on the matter.

During the skirmish…

“Ditzy are you ok? There’s something wrong here and I really need you to be up… now-ish would be good.” Turner sighed at the still dazed Pegasus. She was smiling goofily though so it probably wasn’t that bad. Still those sounds had caused his mane to prickle after every single one. He knew the sounds because he heard it every time he cut through some brass he was using to create another watch. It was worse though than that sound. It wasn’t followed by the screaming he had heard.

“MUFFINS!” Ditzy sprung up and looked around wildly. She looked into Turner’s eyes again noticing the concern. She felt bad that she had caused that look to appear on his face. She only wanted to see him smile. Then she was back into shock because of his next actions.

“Ditzy there you are I was worried that you would be out longer.” He picked her up off the ground and sat her directly next to him. Thankfully she was in better control and kept her wings from having a mind of their own.

“I’m fine T-t-turner. I just… Got a little dizzy since we’ve had an exciting day for… cherries right? “ She smiled and, as best as she could, focused her eyes on his. She wanted to be taken seriously and wanted to avoid being sent back to her happy place where Turner was… She stopped her thoughts and her smile turned sheepish.

“Well I’m glad you are fine. Looks like there’s been an incident. If I didn’t know any better it sounded like there was a monster attack. Thankfully it seems to have been dealt with now but we should remain wary.” Turner didn’t notice the blush on Ditzy’s muzzle. She sighed both in relief and frustration.

‘There’s no way a stallion’s head is this dense is there? Maybe I should be aggressive then? Wait… what if it drives him off?’ Ditzy stared out the window noticing that they were already further away from Dodge Junction before looking back to Turner. “Do you know what happened?”

Turner looked around and to Ditzy it looked as though he was thinking up an idea, or whatever he called it when he brought lots of ideas together. She remained quiet for a bit longer letting him think through all the angles.

“No idea honestly. My best guess is that a monster attacked us then somepony dealt with it before it got any farther.” He shrugged nonchalantly and sat back in his seat. Ditzy on the other hand was clearly agitated by her flaring wings.

“Monsters... “ Her eyes darted around though much more wildly than any other pony’s eyes. She was about to dart behind cover when she felt a comforting hoof tap her shoulder.

“Worry not. We are together and I doubt anything could take us on.” Turner said without the slightest hint of realizing his own phrasing.

‘Together… We’re together~! Yay!’ Ditzy kept her composure while her mind was doing somersaults and aerial loops through cloud nine. ‘Maybe he meant that more as friends... ‘ The clouds darkened slightly but she pushed them back and thought it was finally time to say something.

Without warning a pink alicorn trotted up and took a seat in front of them. Their eyes opened wide and their jaws dropped at the sight. She looked worn down as well. Neither said anything as she seemed lost in thought scrutinizing the pair intensely. She also seemed to be looking at their cutie marks causing them to scrunch up tighter and smaller.

“Apologies I’ve just been looking for you two all day. You both are really hard to find when you’re needed, you know that?” Cadance’s voice seemed tired and harsh. She knew she had had a tough day but she couldn’t hide the worry in her tone. The other two heard a different tone altogether.

“You were looking for us your majesty?” Turner spoke first making sure Ditzy was slightly behind his shoulder. She held on tightly not out of fear but from the joy he was taking care of her.

“Yes. I require you for something that affects all of Equestria. If that is a satisfactory answer do you mind coming with me. We’ll make a stop in Ponyville of course but I really need you two to assist me and the other princesses with something.” Cadance spoke candidly with the two offering nothing more than what she needed. Ditzy found her voice.

“I still have to run the mail routes Princess. Also Carrot Top can’t watch Dinky the entire day.” Her concerns were laid bare. Cadance looked directly into the pony’s eyes causing her to flinch.

“Sorry. Don’t worry I’m not mad, Ditzy, was it? I’m tired is all and I really need to get you back to Ponyville where I’ll explain more in detail. Also if you need to finish any affairs as well. I’m not going to do anything to you if you say no.” Cadance soothed her own tones dawn. She had been doing so much fighting today that it had flooded into her normal speech.

“We still need to get to- “ Turner was cut off as Cadance grabbed them and their items with her magic teleporting them to the Ponyville Station. Both ponies looked around flabbergasted at the power behind an alicorn’s magic.

“Thank you Princess. Can you tell us what it is you require?” Turner once again offered his own inquisitive nature once again for the chopping block. Cadance chewed on her tongue looking for the right words.

“Yes. You see there is a horrible incident ready to engulf Ponyville and we require some extra heroics aside from those on the Friendship council. Two of those ponies seem to be you two.” Cadance kept a tight lid on more details letting them flow out as she went through her own mental checklist on what was appropriate to say and what wasn’t.

“Us?”

“Yes Ditzy. You two are needed to save the very fabric of reality and Equestria from falling into the horrid hooves, I guess, of a creature who attacked us earlier. There are more details but that’s for if you accept. It will help keep all the ponies in Ponyville safe and if you need anything else the entire royal family will see to it that you are protected.” Cadance was a bit tired and the moon started to peek out from beyond the horizon. ‘Please accept it.’

“Everypony is in danger…” Ditzy looked scared as her thoughts race millions of hours especially towards Dinky. “Yes. Anything to keep my little muffin safe!” Ditzy grabbed Cadance’s hoof and shook it vigorously. Turner just smiled and nodded. For the first time that day Cadance felt something she hadn’t in a long time. While the two conversed she lit up a spell and hit the two with it. Turner instantly kissed Ditzy who reciprocated. She giggled at the sight as the two pulled away and realized what had happened.

“Uh… “

“Um… I should go ask Carrot Top. Would you come with us Princess? It should make this easier.” Ditzy stayed next to Turner. He was stammering and lost in his blushing. He luckily didn’t stumble while she was nuzzling into his side. For his part he was smiling like a school colt at his own bravado. Something had finally come in to destroy that last bit of doubt clouding his own desire to see Ditzy smile more than she ever had.

The trek to Carrot Top’s came quickly as Dinky ran out of the house before she skid to a halt at the sight of her mom nuzzling Time Turner. With an elated smile she bounced into her mom and was happy once again. Cadance took her turn and addressed Carrot Top on her own.

“Hello Carrot Top I’m Cadance I actually need to borrow these two for a mission to save all of Equestria. If you don’t mind would you watch Dinky for a while longer. I only need them for another day or so.” Cadance bowed before the yellow earth pony who found herself giddily trying to find the right words.

“Yes! I mean… Of course your majesty. Dinky is always a treat.” Carrot Top bowed back clearly flustered and trying desperately not to faint from the sudden interaction.

“Mommy, Do you have to go again?” The soft tones didn’t hide the sadness underlying them. Ditzy had heard it every time she had gone to deliver mail somewhere else in Equestria.

“Yes muffin. I’m apparently going to be a hero now. I’m gonna make sure you are safe as can be so nothing will harm you. I’m gonna be a defender of justice kind of like those power ponies you seem to be reading more often.” Ditzy lightly chuckled when she thought back to all the comics she had found littered across Dinky’s room.

“Really!” Dinky lost her frown and a smile exploded on her muzzle.

“Yup,” Ditzy smiled before lowering her head conspiratorially next to Dinky’s ear. “I’ll also explain how I finally got through that stubborn stallion’s head later.” She winked as Dinky giggled incessantly. She was bouncing around jovially at what the future would bring.

As the two left Carrot noticed that Ditzy was leaning into Turner. With a wistful smile she led Dinky inside muttering under her breathe ‘finally’ before shutting the door. A few moments later Cadance also talked to the Postmaster. At first Ditzy had asked for the days off due to circumstances beyond her control. When he didn’t accept at first Cadance trotted in instead claiming it to be royal business and if he would rather be in the dungeon’s taking care of the post from there. He happily acquiesced to the suggestion allowing the three to return to the castle. A quick surveyance from Cadance made sure everything was safe before galloping towards the map room. The two looked at the damage around them finally being able to pull out of their love induced atmosphere.

The cracks were covered in burns now while green ash covered portions of the hole. Turner seemed to be examining some of the chairs noticing that they had partially warped most likely from heat. Something had tried to claw its way out. Ditzy looked down only seeing the flash of golden light or blue light. Cadance grasped Turned in her magic and flew down followed closely by Ditzy leaving the three bathed in green light. The moment that Cadance reached the floor she felt reenergized once again.

“Is everything alright down here?” Cadance looked around hesitantly. There were even more bodies all around slowly being reabsorbed back into the tree. Luna was covered head to hoof in shadows which must of meant blood in her mind. Celestia seemed winded as well but her magic was still going strong. Anubis looked even worse than before with the cracks now releasing green fires and sparks.

“No,” Luna and Celestia both muttered together. “Anubis is starting to strain himself from everything he has to accomplish. He can only handle us leaving one more time. Please say you found two more.” Luna managed to draw out her words as the remains of her spear floated up to her.

“Yes here they are. They’ve both agreed to help.” Cadance announced mostly to the green sphere that the two regular ponies saw.

The two ponies were taken aback by the sphere but his appearance quickly pushed away the mistrust. Like the princesses he looked just as tired as them. They quickly galloped around the mirrors looking for their cutie marks which for some reason appeared next to each other. With a quick kiss they stepped in front of the mirrors. They both stopped when they noticed the sight of magic aura around them. Looking towards the Alicorns they noticed Celestia’s horn shining brighter than the others.

“Be safe my little ponies.” Celestia nodded to the two.

With a quick nod back they looked into their mirrors. Turned saw what looked like an old man standing beneath a lamp post in the middle of darkness. Ditzy looked in to see a platform with a strange piece of paper shaped like a little raccoon face. With a deep breath they stepped into the mirror leaving behind another flash of light.

“Here you go Aunt Celestia.” Cadance gave the paper over after crossing off the hourglass mark and the bubbles mark. Celestia nodded as Cadance also relayed the info of the shadow’s and what they could do. While they were exceptionally weak they also took time to deal with and there was little time left.

Celestia unfurled her wings and flew out of the castle at breakneck speeds before teleporting away into the night. Luna stepped into the shield and put Cadance at the front. Cadance was shocked that she was put forward until Luna spoke.

“I have had my fun dear niece. Unlike Tia I would like for you to show me just how strong you have become. It was rough during our battle but we will work together. For now allow me to be defense.” Luna looked proudly at Cadance hoping to see what she could do in a combat situation. The fight against the Tatzlwurm that Luna saw in her dreams was merely the tip of the iceberg.

“As you wish Aunt Luna.” Cadance had hoped not to be out front but the encouraging words of her aunt had left something inside her. She needed to prove herself to be just as strong as the others. ‘Only I haven’t fought anything worthwhile.’

Cadance used her magic to summon a load of crystals from the ground before crushing them into smaller shards which reattached into various weapons such as hand axes, swords, and spears. Each weapon was held in her telekinetic grip and powered up by Anubis.

Author's Notes:

I had trouble with where I wanted this chapter to go. After a few nights of migraines I finally let my mind wander and that led to a completed chapter. Now I'm gonna go finish reading Luv Sic by chaosknight72. I'm looking forward to that being updated again.