The train was speeding along to Canterlot so we could join 'Tia and shore up our defenses, when my musing were interrupted, “Hey, uh, Pally? If you have the time, I need help with something.” echoed in my mind, I drew out a long suffering sigh, attracting the attention of everypony in the train cabin.

“Something's come up I’ll meet you there,” I said as I gave Twilight and Theia a kiss on the forehead.

I opened a portal and walked through it.

Seconds later another portal opened where Palutena had left, everyone tensed up, but they relaxed as I stepped back through, I took my seat and sighed rubbing my eyes, thankfully I wasn’t gone too long.

After thirty minutes of almost complete silence, as we travelled we reached the station, we got up and ready to depart. As soon as the door opened, a group of Day and Night guard salute as we approached, the day guard unicorn stallion looked familiar to me, while the Thestral mare who stood by his side was new to me, so I leaned in to inspect the unicorn stallion, much to his apparent discomfort, a small smile appeared on my lips as I recognised him, “Shining Armor, come here and give your sister a hug,” I said picking him up as he sputtered, The night guards and the rest of the day guard looked on confused, as Shining Armor protested,

“Your highness this is hardly appropriate! I am on duty!” Shining Armor complained as I placed him down in front of Twilight and Theia,

“Nonsense Shining,” I said as I heard the chuckles of the guards behind me.

“Hi BBBFF!” Twilight said as she smiled and hugged Shining,

“Twilight~ not in front of my subordinates” he complained as Twilight wrapped him in a hug.
He spotted Theia and looked at her getting an oddly familiar feeling,

“Excuse me miss have we met before?” he asked

“It’s me Spike, well I am called Theia now,” Theia explained to him.

“Spike!” Shining exclaimed

“Theia, “ Theia corrected,

“Not that it isn’t fun to see Captain Armor squirm, I am Captain Umbral Shadow, your Highness, Princess Celestia and Luna sent us to provide you and the element bearers with an escort” Umbral said as a closed top royal carriage rolled forward, the Elements got on with Twilight and Theia trailing behind, with Shining Armor being carried inside, as I climbed in after them.

The ride to the palace was largely uneventful, Rarity’s focus had switched to Theia and Twilight, when I may or may not have mentioned they required whole new wardrobes and shoes. Needless to say Rainbow got her reprieve from being interrogated.

“It's a shame you were already an adult when I adopted Twilight and Theia,” I commented idly, to Shining Armor, who frowned,

“I wouldn't mind, having parents again I mean. even if I'm an adult, I still want that,” he responded

“I’ll see what I can do Shining,” I said with a warm smile, I want to expand my family even more, I thought to myself.

After we reached the palace gates we moved out of the carriage and then were guided to the throne room. When I enter I see a sea of nobles were all surrounding Celestia, as she was having trouble placating them, so I decided to help. Sighing I whispered to the girls, “stay here. Actually you can go shopping," I said as I gave each of them a purse of bits each, "don’t spend your allowance all on food. Captain Dash, You'll be in charge. keep them safe,” as I finished my order, Rainbow saluted and guided them out of the room. Once they were gone I turn around and I walked through the crowd with ease and walked past the guards protecting Celestia, one of the noble shouted,

“How come you let that lowly commoner through!?” He demanded as I continued onwards ignoring him the other nobles who by the looks of it knew who I was looked at him as if he were suicidally stupid, I walked up to Celestia who beamed at me, I planted a long kiss on her lips as I caressed her face as she caressed my pregnant belly,

“Guards aren’t you going to stop that fiendish peasant? She just assaulted the Princess! Defiled her!?” The noble shouted

The guards however, remained stoic and stone faced though I noticed some had small smiles on their lips. The noble continued to rant that is until the noble’s face contorted in horror when Celestia said “Welcome back my love,” after I broke the kiss off, I turned my head around to face him,

“It was 'Tia who did the defiling, by the way,” I said with a smirk, Celestia had an embarrassed blush adorning her face but she smiled sheepishly,

“Yeah,” Celestia added slightly embarrassed,

The guards now all had wide grins on their faces as the announcer called, “presenting Princess Palutena, goddess of balance, craftsmanship and wisdom and the fiancé of Princess Celestia ‘Sol invictus’ Everfree goddess of the sun and the solar diarch of Equestria!”

“You can't lay claim to the ‘sol invictus’ title anymore my love for I hath conquered thee,” I muttered into her ear before nibbling on it. Which caused Celestia to titter as she blushed. She playfully swatted my arm, “ Oh behave, dear love, we aren't going to give them a show,” Celestia chided me half heartedly which also caused me to giggle.

To be honest I really need the attention pally is giving me right now, I was almost on the brink of teleporting this foals to the dragon lands Celestia thought to herself.

The irate noble blanched.

“How are you holding up my love?” I asked Celestia with concern,

“I am okay Pally, I was just explaining things to the nobles and they are being stubborn,” Celestia complained, leaning into embrace me which I reciprocated.

“Do you want me to take over for you?” I asked sweetly, many nobles who had been there to witness my less than stellar, first day court, paled and stampeded out of the room. Leaving that mouthy noble, left. He was shaking like a leaf as he looked around for the other nobles, but not finding them he ran away as well.

“Thank you dear,” Celestia thanked me with a kiss.

She pulled away, “now let's talk about this assassination attempt on your life, Pally.” Celestia said with a frown on her face, I sighed and hugged her tighter.

“I am fine, they weren't even a threat outside of that orichalcum weapon,” I started to explain, there was uncomfortable shuffling amongst the guard, “all I actually know is that it was Griffin mercenaries, attacking me and that they had no memories of their benefactor, only that a substantial reward was awaiting them for my death and that benefactor also supplied the weapon,” I continued to explain as she laid her head against my chest.

“Palu… did I ever tell you that your breasts make a wonderful pillow?” Celestia asked abruptly, though she had a drowsy quality to her voice.

“Poor 'Tia, you must have worn yourself out with worry.” I shook my head in wry amusement.

I was silent as Celestia fell asleep in my arms, I sighed and teleported to her room with her. When we got there I laid her down in bed and joined her, I moved close to her moving her head back to my chest and holding her.

Rarity pov

“Theia, darling we must do something about your lack of feminine attire,” I said as she lead the young dragoness down to the local shops.

“Hmm isn't what I'm wearing fine?” Theia asked, causing me to look aghast at such a suggestion.

“Theia, that may be fine to wear at home behind closed doors, but a lady must present herself properly in public.” I continued to lecture as Theia looked to Twilight for help, in response Twilight shrugged. Theia groaned and turned around in defeat. A store came into view “That sign has more lace, frills and bows on it than anything I have scene, even when i was helping you Rarity.”
I tittered at Theia’s comment, as I made my way towards it.
Sensing the impending danger Theia did a heel turn and tried to escape only for me to catch her, in my magic. Dragging Theia inside, as Twilight gave her a sympathetic smile and followed behind them.

Inside the room was filled with dresses, blouses, skirts, shirts and pants. They were all hung on metal racks or placed on ponniquins. Theia looked around overwhelmed by choice, “come on Theia, we need to get you some new pretty clothes,” I said as I got behind her and started pushing her to the changing room.

I started gathering various outfits and clothes and I then pushed them inside the dressing room.

“Try those on darling, don't worry if they are too small I can resize them for you,” I reassured Theia.

After a few moments, Theia opened the curtain. She was wearing a simple pastel green dress with spaghetti string straps.

“It looks good on you Theia,” Twilight complimented her, while I looked her over, “this will work for casual outings, okay put it back on the hangar and then put it to one side.” I ordered, sending her back in.

This process repeated itself, until she had a full wardrobe.

I was relaxing on my side stroking and caressing Celestia gently Crescent had returned from her refresh and was now joining me in comforting our mare, Galaxy-eye was welcomed to join in, however she stated that she wasn't one for overt physical affection and rejected the offer.

“Crescent, I was attacked earlier today…” I trailer off

“Oh? Really? Who was it?” her curiosity piqued

“I don't know much except that they brought this along,” I said as I digistructed the javelin away from anything or anyone important, Crescent lazily followed my extended arm towards what I was holding, when her eyes met the javelin head she screeched and jumped away from it waking Celestia up, “mmmn? What?” She asked.

“I was just showing Crescent the orichalcum javelin that was meant for me, as she has the most experience with it.” I explained, Celestia rolled her eyes in response,

“put it away dear,”

“Okay,” I replied and sent it back to my inventory.

Crescent returned to bed grumbling after her fur stopped doing an impression of a scared cat. Me and Celestia gave Crescent kiss when she got in range.

“Sorry Crescent,” I apologized,

“how is that metal even here!?” She asked pouting at me.

“I don't know, but it's been here a long time based on Celestia's and most ponies reaction to it,” I replied,

“What next!? Is eridium just going to rain down on the planet!” Crescent complained in exasperation.

“Wait! She didn't….” I was cut off by explosions and screams in the distance, I turned to Crescent who now had a sheepish look on her face, you just had to say it!” I groaned, “what else could possibly go wrong!?” As soon as the sentence left my mouth a guard burst in,

“the ambassador for the Griffon kingdom has arrived seeking an audience with Princess Celestia.”

“Fuck…” came my eloquent reply.

Celestia got up groaned, “Okay, tell them I’ll be there to meet them shortly.”

The guard bowed and left closing the doors as he exited the room.

Once he was out of earshot, “Don't worry me and Crescent will be beside you and I’ll be using light to hide us.”

“Thank you, Pally, Crescent.” She replied giving us a kiss each before making herself look presentable.

As we reached the throne room, I silenced our footsteps and bent the light around us. Once inside Celestia sat down on her throne, and motioned the guard to let the ambassador, needless to say I was shocked to see Gilda walking in before half bowing, Gilda of all people an ambassador!? “Greetings your highness, I am Princess Gilda of Griffinstone,” well that explains that attitude, “I have come to give you our kingdom’s, deepest condolences to you for the recent loss of your fiancé,” she said, Celestia raised an eyebrow.

“Thank you,” Celestia said slowly.

“I have come to strengthen ties between our nation's in these trying times,” she continued, I had enough of this farce I dropped my cloak and left Crescent hidden, I clicked my fingers freezing her in place her eyes widened,

“I was informed that you were dead!?” Gilda screeched, I give her a deadpan,

“News of my demise has been greatly exaggerated,” I said, “you will co-operate, Gilda, and I hope for your sake you weren't involved with the attempt on my life.”

“What attempt on your life? I was just told, you died!” She squawked and puffed up in fear.

After an hour of talking with Gilda, I had a rough idea of what might have happened. Somebody with connections, if not outright power. Sent a group of mercenaries to kill me or at least try to, the fact that they were all Griffins means he was expecting me or Celestia, by informing Gilda erroneously of my demise. With her uncanny knowledge of the event to spark a diplomatic incident, likely a war with the Griffin's, who would in turn ask other world leaders to ally with them, in the belief that they hadn't started it, and we’d all be dancing to his tune. After the discovery, I apologised to Gilda, for the rough treatment and healed her. Now Luna, Celestia and myself sat together alone in Celestia's personal office, which I had no idea she had hidden away, to discuss a course of action.

“Who would benefit from a world war?” Luna thinking outloud,

“It could be anyone, someone with a vendetta against Equestria, or business people looking to profiteer from a war. or a group who wants to take over the world. It might be one of the gods or goddesses not affiliated with a country. Or maybe someone who hates me personally,” I suggested

“but how do we proceed?” Celestia asked, at each of us in turn.

“I say we take the Griffin king up on his offer, we visit them once we are ready and wait to see who does what. It is obvious that whoever’s doing this, they are trying to divide us up, but why?” I replied exasperatedly.

“I will get my best infiltration teams on standby ready to monitor the other world powers.” Luna said as she got up,

“For now all we can do is rest and recoup for the night,” Celestia said exiting her office Luna bid us goodnight as we headed for bed, we both got under the covers and snuggled up together.

“Good night my love,” I said and kissed her.

“Good night my dearest,” Celestia replied before wrapping her wings around me, I closed my eyes preparing for a kinky wet dream, Hang on this isn't my dream! Aw hell!

Author's Notes:

Next chapter is the next Palutena's guidance, so get those questions flowing here