It wasn't long after the Hollow Shade ponies minds were cleared that the guards threw their weapons and armor into piles to return to their loved ones. Dark Feather went silent as he made his way to the chapel, he had a lot to take in all he believed where lies spawned by fear his ancesters created after Queen Ryugu's rule ended. after which the ponies of Hollow Shades believed all Alicorns were evil, when in reality, despite how powerful they are, Alicorns are simply more easily taken by corruption then the three races as their Emotions can overtake and re-manifest themselves as a twisted version of their being.

Nightquill was immediately brought to the care of the Crystal Empire medical ponies, he was in the worst shape of the group and needed time to heal, Sunbeam never leaving his side since.

"they see the truth now, I recommend you bring some ponies here to help them recover." Nyx said as she sheathed the sword of wisdom.

Celestia nodded, her shoulder now fully healed as she stood by Luna. "I will have it done this instant."

Nyx nodded, she began to look around the town, ponies who once looked at her with anger and hate was replaced with wonder and awe. many of them commented on her beauty, Indeed some stallions began to attempt to flirt with her, it was cute even after she told them she was really still a filly and they apologized embarrassed, and some uncomfortable when they realized they were trying to ask a child out on a date. though some were in trouble when their marefriends immediately thumped them for their lack of commitment in sight of a beautiful Alicorn.

Her encounters made Nyx wondered why there were no Alicorn Stallions? surely there had to be one or two, Celestia and Luna had to come from somewhere unless they just spawned like characters in a video game.

Still, are there Alicorn Stallions? Equestria is a Matriarchal society, true. but they had to be coming from somewhere, after all Twilight said you need a mare AND stallion to make a baby pony. so where are those Alicorn stallions? it began to drive Nyx's mind to crawl in her skull like a beetle in a glass jar. eventually Nyx's mind went to one of her Grandmother's Adult Pony novels she read when she was Nightmare Moon, where a Princess Alicorn kept the stallions she found desirable in a chamber as her personal Harem.

Nyx's mind went to places no filly's mind should. Did Celestia and Luna have a Harem of stallion Alicorns!? is that were all Alicorns that keep popping up come from? then her mind went from inappropriate, to downright imaginative directions, what if there was an Alicorn Queen? similar to a termite! a Massive alicorn pony forever pregnant and giving birth to Alicorn babies, after all Ponies are mammals and don't lay eggs.... OR the Alicorns the queen gives birth to begin as eggs! Nyx's mind continued to wonder as she day dreamed of a massive Alicorn pony laying magical eggs with baby Alicorns ready to hatch when the time is right.

Eventually she found herself with Celestia and Luna, she stared at them, her mind still conjuring the goddess queen, giving birth to Celestia and Luna before sending them forth to Equestria.

Celestia looked up and smiled. "Oh hello Nyx, I figured you've removed your helmet by now?"

"Huh?" Nyx said as she was brought out of her imagination.

"your helmet." Celestia giggled. "you haven't taken it off yet."

Nyx stood there dumb as a brick for a moment before realizing she hasn't took her helmet off all day, it was little wonder stallions kept making moves on her, they thought she was a fully grown pony.

"OH! the helmet." Nyx said as she took it off, returning to her tiny size. "I've been thinking of removing it for a bit. it's nice armor but I could really use a rest."

"I would not blame you, Nyx." Luna said as she drank some tea. "the Armor is beautiful but you've worn it since you left Saddle Tor. and, if I'm honest. you can use a bath."

"Wha?" Nyx said as she turned away and gave herself a sniff, she reeled from the rank of her fur, the smell of sweat, blood, and dirt was not a pleasant one. "Blech! wow I DO stink!"

Twilight trotted up behind Nyx and gave her a towel she was out of her armor and her coat was shiny and clean, she looked as she did before they left ponyville. "the ponies of Hollow Shades are offering there services to us. I think they're sorry for their actions and are trying to make up for it. theres some showers in the southern side of town."

"Thanks, I cannot wait to get this armor off." nyx said as she galloped down the street, pausing when she saw Nightquill and Broadsword talking.

"Hello little Crusader." Broadsword said.

"Hello broadsword, uhm I'm gonna take a shower, which means I need to take off the armor." Nyx began as she looked around. "I know these ponies are okay now, but.... I'd feel better if I knew I had somepony keeping watch."

Broadsword stood at attention and bowed. "as you wish, Nightquill and I shall keep watch just beyond the shower room entrance. you'll have your privacy but you'll know we'll be there if you need."

Nyx smiled and nodded, Nightquill followed silent. as the two stood guard beyond the shower house doors, Nyx removed the armor and began to clean herself off. the hot water felt so good on her coat and mane, she felt more then just dried up dirt and blood come out of her fur. there were bits of wood, rocks, a gold Bit coin that SOMEHOW got in her mane, and finally some leaves she didn't know where there.

"Ew! gross! OOH A BIT!" she said as she set the coin down on a stool. she began to wash her mane and rinsed herself of the soap. she shook herself dry before trotting up to a magical blow drier. "Hmmm...."

Nyx inspected the arcane device, eventually she realized to activate it she had to stand on a pad to start the magic that turns it on. as she did so the warm air began to blow on her, it felt nice at first but then the speed increased to the point she was blown off the mat, the machine stopped as soon as she flew off it and she stood up.

POMF!

Nyx's mane and fur poofed out, turning her into a little fluffy black alicorn. Nyx blinked as she felt her fur and mane, she looked into a mirror and squealed. this caused the door to burst open as Broadsword and Nightquill barged in with weapons at the ready.

"DO NOT FEAR, M'Lady! Your Knights Are Here to prot---" Broadsword's words died in his mouth as he looked over at the fluffed up Nyx. "---tect you...."

the two stallions looked at each other then tried hard not to laugh.

"GET OUT!" Nyx shrieked, every towel and wash rag she had at her disposal was thrown at the intruding Knights. "OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT! OUT!

the two knights quickly closed the door and stood guard. trying hard not to fall on thier sides into laughter. Nyx huffed and trotted to a mirror to brush her mane and coat, upon seeing herself, she couldn't help but giggle at how silly she looked.

After brushing her coat and mane back to normal, Nyx looked at the Armor, she never got to appreciate how it looked now that it reformed to fit her. whatever damage it took was now repaired and the armor was like it just left the smith's shop. she put the armor back on, keeping the helmet under her wing. she opened the door and stepped outside, the two stallions trying hard not to laugh too much but she could tell they needed a good laugh.

------

Dark Feather finally emerged from the temple, Sovereign and Revelation flanked behind him though they kept their eyes low. he marched to the town square calling all citizens to the center of town. once he saw everypony was in attendance he began to speak, he still retained his injuries from the fight but now his armor was removed, revealing his Brownish red mane and flying raven cutie mark.

"Ponies of Hollow Shades, in light of recent events, I have decided the town will no longer live in seclusion, we will begin allowing ponies from Centerlot to the town, they will come and go as they please, I also feel it's time we abandoned our views on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. and I fear that some of us," he looked to Revelation before sighing to himself. "have done very horrible crimes to innocent ponies. Crimes which resulted in murder. therefore, I have named my Daughter, Sunbeam as my Successor, as per tradition, as such, because of his inability to accept the crimes he committed, Freefall will be stripped of his rank as leader of the Hunters, and will be sent to the town jail until he either accepts the truth of our crimes, or until Princess Celestia decides what to do with him."

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna approached the stage, Luna kept wide distance from the Hangmares gallows. the two approached as Dark Feather stepped aside.

"We do not ask you bow to us," Celestia began as she looked over the ponies of Hollow Shades. "nor do we ask for your allegiance, we merely wish that you accept our friendship."

the ponies of Hollow shades looked to each other muttering. Celestia and Luna then noticed so many ponies with dark coats, dark manes, and eyes ranging from orange, gold, and red. the inbreeding will need to be dealt with and stopped. they could send some new pony families to the town to help the diversity issues. the Hollow Shade Ponies all finally smiled and one by one began to bow, the royal sisters couldn't help but smile and nod.

Dark Feather also knelt, as Celestia approached. she looked to Sovereign and Revelation who were kneeling, it's Revelation's eyes that gave away his guilt.

"there are many things we need to talk about." Celetia began. "however, there is the matter of a pony who came here long ago, her name was Star Quill.... she and I were very close friends. I want the truth of what happened."

Revelation looked up at the sun princess. "I-It was me. Princess. Our laws dictated those who try to indoctrinate others, particularly children must be punished.... usually it be lashing but I demanded harsher...." Revelation motioned to the Hangmare's Noose.

Celestia glanced at it and furrowed her brows. she tried hard not to loose her temper then and there, especially with so many watching and she feared she may loose these ponies to fear once again if she had another fit. she looked over to Sovereign.

"You three understand what you did was inexcusable, even in your state of minds, you still Murdered Star Quill through an unjust act. I am afraid I must place the three of you under arrest until situations are stable enough for a proper trial." Celestia said.

Sunbeam approached and bowed. "Princess Celestia?"

Celestia looked at Sunbeam, she wasn't a full grown mare yet, and from her understanding she will soon be of legal age to marry within this year.

"Yes, Sunbeam is it?"

Sunbeam nodded. "Father might have been kinda mean to Nightquill's mom, but he still wasn't happy when they hung her."

Celestia felt a little sickly, nopony should be able to say those words so easilly.

"is this true?" Luna asked looking to Dark Feather.

Revelation and Sovereign looked at Dark Feather, if they heard this before Nyx opened their minds, they would be angry with him.

"I chose Star Quill because I had true feelings for her." Dark Feather said as he looked up at Celestia. "when I heard of the sentence was going to be death, I was angry. I tried to order them to stop, but Revelation ignored my orders. saying if we didn't stop her she'd begin converting Nightquill and Sunbeam until they started a rebellion."

Revelation groaned.

Celestia looked upon the three and sighed. "I want those hanging gallows torn down this instant."

Sunbeam nodded and got some ponies together, they begin to bring the structure down in argueably record time. Celestia looked at the three and ran the information through her mind. she sighed and looked to them, her horn glowed as Revelation had an anti Magic brace put on him, Sovereign was chained and Dark Feather's wings were wrapped up in bonds.

"this information will be brought into consideration at trial. but until then you three and FreeFall will be sent to Canterlot for processing. Murder is a serious crime in Equestria. I hope you understand that."

the three nodded solemnly.

Celestia and Luna moved off the stage, going into a house, Celestia looked around as she sighed and collapsed on the couch. Luna however wasn't sure if they should be in a pony's home without asking.

"Sister, I do not think---"

"just leave me be, Luna. if the owners come in please ask them to give me some time alone." Celestia said as she layed in the couch.

------

Cadance watched as the foals just stared up at her. she loved children but something about the orange, red, and gold eyes glaring at her was making her skin crawl. it was no doubt they were cute, and were only curious about her. but they had very unusual ways to show it. it started out by following her, but then it went to touching and licking. though to be fair she's had accounts of ponies believing the Princesses tasted like certain fruits attaining to their colors. She has been told many believed she probably tasted like strawberries.

"So...." Cadance finally said making a few jump. she couldn't help but giggle and smiled. "is this the first time you saw an Alicorn?"

the foals all nodded. the colts all sat next to fillies, as though they were paired with each other. it was beginning to creep Cadence out more considering what she heard of the village.

"Eheh. I see.... uhm." Cadance looked around, she really hoped she could find somepony to talk to, she found whenever she tried to trot away they'd follow her, eventually she bumped into Nyx, though more like almost ran her over as she wasn't wearing the helmet.

"AAH! Aunt Cadence!" Nyx cried as she got up and saw the Hollow Shade foals stop and look at the two in a heap.

Nightquill trotted up and looked at the scene. "what's going on here?"

"I am not used to Foals with this behavior." Cadance began. "are they all...."

Nightquill answered. "yes, Sunbeam and I were paired together like that when we grew up together."

Cadance looked at him then at the foals they just looked at each other's respective partner. only for an earth pony colt to playfully push his pegasus arranged mate over causing her growl before she began to chase him and pounce on the young colt with an attack of kisses. Cadance couldn't help but to giggle. it was cute if not gross considering she could tell they had genetic relations. though, she tried hard to view it as innocent.

"I do hope we can convince them it won't be necessary, maybe if we separated them---"

"Oh no you don't want to do that!" Nightquill said as he motioned the foals to go play, they did so each sticking with their partner. "trust me if you seporate them they will throw a fit until they are reunited!"

"but we can't let it continue." Cadence said as she watched the foals play, they kept with their assigned pairs but still played together as a whole, each pair working as a tag team.

"I know, it will be up to us to ensure they stop the cycle here. but for them. the dye is already cast and dried." Nightquill said.

"so, were you arranged with anyone?" Cadance asked.

Nightquill looked up at her and smiled. "would you like to meet her?"

------

Twilight looked up at the Statue of the pagasus Knight, now she had time to spend time near it she could feel the energy seething from it. she also felt the energy was beginning to ebb.

Shining Armor trot up beside her looking at the statue. "I never knew the legends were true." he said as he wrapped a blanket around Twilight.

Twilight pulled the blanket around her, she was naked, choosing to remove her armor for a while, it was nice but the mountain air was cold. as they looked up the sky seemed to darken yet it was only half past six.

"it's magic must be failing." Shining said as he noticed the sky, occasionally it would flash with blood red.

"I don't understand it." Twilight said as she looked up at the statue. "Nyx brought the barrier down, there's nothing here to drain the statue's magic seal anymore."

Shining looked it over rubbing his chin. "what created the spell anyway?"

"the first crusader used his remaining life essence into the spell that locked Ryugu in the pocket dimension." she said as she wrapped the blanket around her tighter and shivered when the cold wind blew on her. "if the barrier's failing then the only way to restore it is to duplicate the original spell, but I don't think anypony would like to have their souls used to create the spell again. I wouldn't even know HOW to perform it."

Shining Armor moved to hold Twilight, keeping his sister warm as best he can. "I still can't believe Nyx is our next Crusader. in a way, I can't help be happy. she's gone through so much bad stuff, a lot of ponies still don't trust her. I used to be one of them.... but.... but now she gets to really show the pony she really is."

"Yeah..." Twilight said before turning on her brother and slapping him. "AND THAT IS FOR TRAINING MY DAUGHTER WITHOUT TELLING ME!" she snapped then hugged him. "But I'm glad you did."

Shining moaned and wobbled before rubbing his nose. "Ow. Did you need to slap me, Twiley!?" he whined

"Yes! yes I did!" she giggled.

Shining Armor sighed and hugged her. they then hear Sunbeam order all ponies to go inside. as they go up to the young Unicorn, she is now wearing armor similar to her fathers, only hers is smaller to fit.

"What's going on?" Shining Armor asked. "does your town normally have a curfew?"

"I'm afraid we do. your welcome to stay with Nightquill and I. your men will have to stay in the barracks."

Shining Armor nodded and went to round up his men, Twilight trotted back to Sunbeam's house, it was really her fathers but since he was going to Canterlot prison it was her home now, she had no intention on changing much.

"I am sorry but Hollow Shades has a curfew at Seven PM. your welcome to stay the night, my brother and I however need to be left in private."

"Sunbeam, you aren't going to ask him to..."

Sunbeam smiled. "he's the only stallion I got to know when we grew up, and Freefall was never really nice to me. I know you ponies find it wrong but to us it's all we know. I know it doesn't make it right but see it from my point of view."

Sunbeam opened the door to her home, Twilight saw Nyx, Celestia, Luna, and Cadance has already been brought inside. Broadsword and Nightquill were sitting at the visitor table eating. she motions twilight to the kitchen and closed the door.

"when two foals are arranged to marry they are paired together when they are old enough for school. it's to form a bond." Sunbeam said as she brought out food and began to prepare a meal, Twilight notices her mannerisms are very... housewife-ish. "when Nightquill and I were paired together we lived together, it helps when it's the same house otherwise separate families will have a room set up."

Twilight just listened. though she was visibly uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry sunbeam, it just... doesn't feel right."

"I understand. but because we lived in forced isolation for so long we had no choice. have you ever thought your brother---"

"WHAT!?" Twilight's ears perked. "I'D NEVER DO THAT WITH SHINING!"

Sunbeam giggled. "I'm sorry. but if you were in our possition I'm not sure you'd still say that."

Twilight's jaw went agape, she tried hard to get those thoughts from her mind.

"OH NIIIIIGHTYYY!" Sunbeam sang as she levitated several glasses of tea and some sandwiches.

Twilight watched Sunbeam trot out of the kitchen. when she was well out of the room and out of earshot she gave out a groan of frustration.

"UUUUGH THESE PONIES ARE SO BACKWARDS WEIRD!"

Cadance trotted in and smiled at Twilight.

"My thoughts exactly."

the two giggled and sighed.

"she has a point though, to them it's normal. she can't help how she feels." Cadance said as she sat by Twilight. "NOT to say it's not wrong. hopefully we can put an end of this soon. though Nightquill said separating the little ones now will be bad, and from what I've seen they've already formed bonds. maybe we can still help them, but it's hard to say."

Twilight sighed. "You sound like you got acquainted with her?"

Cadance Nodded. "Yes. and the children too. they seem to be looking at me like I was a being from another world here to whisk them away."

"What's your thoughts on Sunbeam?" Twilight asked.

"I actually think she's very sweet. her father sheltering her did make her kinda.... well she's very under-educated, which normally be understandable for such a small town but Hollow Shades has a very good school if you forgive the 'How Alicorns are bad and we should fear them' lessons." Cadance sighed and continued. "she doesn't know any spells except for basic telekinesis which any unicorn can do without lessons. her growth is stunted and she is very easily excitable. on the other hoof, she can easily rally and gather ponies to guide them. it's her special talent."

"Really? I figured it was because she was a little ray of sunshine?" Twilight said with a giggle.

Cadance laughed and shook her head. "oh she is, but she's a very good leader. turns out her father kept her nearby so she can get used to becoming the next leader of Hollow Shades, which she is now."

Twilight gave a sigh of relief. "OH thank heavens, I was worried he was keeping her on a literal leash and was doing very inappropriate things with her."

Cadance just gaped her mouth open. she blinked and cleared her throat. "Twilight, perhaps you need to find yourself a nice stallion instead of reading your mother's books."

"Wha?" Twilight stammered. "Well Come on, in my defense how could I NOT think that after learning what happens in this town! Besides it's not like she puts a collar on her with a bell."

Cadance couldn't help but try to keep from blushing. "TWILIGHT! I didn't know you were into that stuff!"

Twilight blinked. "What stuff? I----" She then realized what she sounded like she was talking about. "WHAT!? NO I'M NOT INTO THAT!" Twilight was having a hard time to keep her voice down.

"I knew you had a thing for bells, but I didn't know you had a thing for collars too." Cadance tried hard not to laugh.

"I DO NOT HAVE A THING FOR BELLS, COLLARS, STATUES, OR whatever inappropriate thoughts are in your head!" Twilight snapped, her cheeks were bright red.

"are you sure? there's a shop in canterlot that has collars, leashes" Cadance began.

"WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS, ANYMORE!" Twilight shouted

As though cosmic gods heard Twilight's words, the two heard Sunbeam from the living room.

"Are you two coming in here or what? the Sandwiches won't last long!"

"Come on let's go before my aunt Celestia gobbles up everything!" Cadence giggled as she galloped  into the living room.

Twilight sighed in relief, following her aunt and former foalsitter. in the living room Nyx is laying on the floor with Broadsword laying nearby, though he's eating with the others he's keeping close to Nyx in case of a possible attack from enemies only he can perceive (the drapes were looking quite suspicious), Celestia and Luna layed on the couch together as Cadance snuggled up with Shining Armor who just got in, Twilight trotted up and layed next to Nyx, taking a sandwich before she noticed Sunbeam snuggling up against Nightquill. her head laying on his wing as she fell asleep.

"heh, figured she do that." Nightquill said. "she always used my wings as pillows."

Cadance couldn't help but giggle at the sight. "Shame you don't have wings, Shining, I am sure they'd be just as comfortable."

Shining chuckled and nuzzling her. "Yeah but doesn't stop you from using me as a pillow anyways."

"Well you ARE very soft and comfy." Cadance teased.

Twilight giggled as she looked to Nyx who was reading one of the books they brought with them.

"Nyx what are you reading?" Twilight asked trying to look at the title only for Nyx to push it back down.

"Actually I'm writing, I'm reading other books to get references." Nyx said.

"Oh? can you tell me what your writing?" Twilight said with a smile, she liked the idea of Nyx expanding her imagination to writing.

"So what are you Writing?" Twilight asked trying to look at the book.

"I'm writing a theory of where Alicorns come from." nyx said as she wrote her notes.

this got Celestia, Luna, and Cadance's attention. Luna and Celestia looked to each other, not sure whether to tell the filly or not.

"And what would that theory be?" Cadance asked a little curious herself.

Nyx smiled as she held up a crude sketch of a huge Alicorn surrounded by eggs. "I'm not too certain, but considering there are no Stallion Alicorns, I figured Alicorns come from a giant queen Alicorn that lays eggs like a termite kinda. she sends her eggs to Equestria for them to hatch into new Alicorns when Equestria needs them. then they grow up and become princesses. I figured she has to be VERY powerful because she doesn't live in Equestria, she comes from another galaxy!"

everypony just stared at the little black filly as she went back to her work. sketching, writing and reading references. none sat more silent then Celestia and Luna who's mouth were agape, in all their long long lives, they NEVER heard that theory of their manifestation. indeed most theories consist of but not limited to...

Celestia and Luna coming from Space from a distant planet that exploded.

Celestia and Luna coming from the Future to prevent machines from taking over.

Celestia and Luna were once normal unicorns who were turned into alicorns by a nuclear explosion that transformed them.

Celestia and Luna being created in a lab by a mad scientist in an attempt to take over the world only for them to turn on him to save the worked, only to take over equestria for themselves.

Though, most popular theories are that they came from space in some form or another.

But Nyx's theory is probably the most extravagant, if not the most creative one they've heard yet.

"Well, it makes sense to me. they do kinda come from nowhere." Nightquill said as he rubbed his chin. "say you think maybe that's why they live for so long?"

Nyx began to ponder tapping her little hooves together like a mad scientist who discovered a new equation. "YEAH! and maybe why there's no stallions! they don't need them, cuz they don't need to breed, They have an Alicorn Space Mommy!"

"I THINK YOU JUST BLEW LID OFF THIS MYSTERY!" Nightquill declared, by everypony's shock he actually seemed to believe this theory.

"Surely you are NOT believing one bit of this?" Broadsword asked looking at the new Knight as he listened to this new theory.

Twilight raised a brow, her mouth was agape as she watched Nyx.

"Nyx, honey. I don't think that's correct.... What about Cadance? she was a Pegasus before."

"OH that's easy!" Nyx said as she brought up another crudely drawn sketch. "the Alicorn Queen can choose new Alicorns from existing ponies when they do something really amazing!"

Twilight scratched her head trying to make since of this. "But that doesn't make any---

Cadence simply giggled. "oh twilight, it's fine."

Celestia and Luna looked to each other. the two began to laugh. probably the hardest they have for a long time since the past few days.

"Well I must say that is the most unique idea I've heard for our existence." Luna said.

"indeed." Celestia said as she looked to Nyx. "But, why is it we do not remember this Galactic Alicorn Queen that gave birth to us?"

Nyx looked up and chirped. "OH That's Easy! you were eggs, you couldn't have known her cuz you weren't hatched yet!"

the filly immediately return to work as she scribbled and jotted down notes, muttering herself at how awesome a theory this was. Celestia was about to argue against this theory but paused as did Luna.

"oh come on your not going to believe this idea are you?" Twilight said, she wanted to be supportive of Nyx but this was a bit hard to swallow.

"I must admit, there's no evidence to say otherwise." Luna said trying to think back as she could. "in fact, I don't even remember my parents, do you, sister?"

Celestia shook her head. "No, how odd."

Twilight groaned but eventually sighed and smiled. "Well I guess it wouldn't hurt to entertain the idea."

Nyx cheered as she kept working.