Stem was walking toward the gate at a slow measured pace, unaware of the approaching guard. Stonewall continued her swift approach.

“Sergeant." Stonewall called once she was a few meters away.

Stem stopped, turning his body in full to notice, "Ah, Stonewall. You need something?"

"We need to talk somewhere private." She said

He frowned, then looked over to a small meeting room in the castle to the side, then stepped into it, appearing to cast a spell on the room. Stonewall entered and cast a spell as well, the walls glowing briefly after she closed the door.

"What was this I was told about someone spying on the Princess?" Stonewall asked.

"You weren't told, unless this isn't the only disguise you have," Stonewall said simply, pausing only a fraction of a second before saying, "but you are correct. You and the Princess have been under observation by one who is very similar to the princess in magic, so much so I almost could not tell the difference."

"The Princess told me." She said. "I am not sure what you mean by disguises though."

He raised a brow, stating, "I was told what I needed to know by Celestia, Miss Twilight, and I do not approve of deception. Regardless, I have blocked the spying in her room, and will continue to block their vision of us while on the move."

"I really don't know what you are talking about. I was assigned by Captain Stalwart to protect his wife. " Twilight frowned. she was deeply concerned about how readily Celestia shared this supposedly secret information about other worlds. Did she really want to keep it secret or is she only not telling certain ponies…

"Suit yourself, my assignment isn't related to you, but Dawn." Stem shrugged, sounding a bit colder, "Now, what else are you wanting to know?"

Stem looked at her expectantly, having a stance that betrayed his self confidence and no nonsense manner.

"I wanted to know what you could tell me about it."

"A spell involving long range visual observation was in place on yourself and Princess Dawn since I was assigned to you both." He said.

"Me?" She asked, surprised.

"You as well, yes." He confirmed.

She blinked. "Any idea why?"

"I do not know, other than it originates to the northeast."

"Any estimation where?"

"It is hard to say. Could be Fillydelphia, Manehattan, or any of the other cities in that corner of Equestria."

"I see." She nodded, pausing briefly before asking, "anything else to report?"

"Not until I know more." He replied.

She nodded. "Keep me and the Princess posted. I'll be in Manehatten tomarrow so I'll need to be kept up to date via messages."

He nodded, "fire transport acceptable?"

"Yes, I’ll send word of my general location, we aren't going to be in the original location due to another spying incident."

He blinked, "Perhaps you are not aware. My accuracy is excellent. I can always place a scroll in a target's saddlebags. I fail to see what your general location has to do with it."

"It's not based on location?" She blinked.

"It's more tied to a specific object in most cases, though some are able to tie it to a particular creature." He explained. "My version of the spell, for efficiency, focuses on the saddlebag, and that is how I relayed Princess Celestia's messages to Dawn consistently when she asked me to."

"Wait... those come from you, not the Princess?" She asked staring at him in bewilderment.

"She levitates them to me to send on her behalf once they are complete when she chooses to." He said.

Twilight blinked looking dumbfounded

"What is it?" He asked.

"She doesn't send her own messages to a fellow Princess?"

"She does sometimes. I... hadn't thought to question it." he admitted.

Twilight blinked at him as if the gears on her head has just came to a screeching halt.

He looked at her and offered, "I can ask next chance I get, for the next time Princess Dawn returns to Canterlot."

"Yeah... wait you're not going with her?"

"Of course I am..." he said, looking at her confused. "That’s why i will ask next time she returns, as that is when I will as well." He responded, as if it were obvious, but without malice

Stone blinked several times. "Right...right of course." She said as if the gears were slowly starting to work again.

"Is there any other business you wish to discuss?"

"No. Was just concerned is all."

He nodded, "Then I shall attend to Princess Dawn's task."

Twilight nodded back and turned to head for the door.

He did likewise before turning back, asking out of concern, "Did you wish to know the counterspell, or do you know it already?"

"Right... yes, that would be rather useful." Stonewall said, needing to keep her ruse up that she was from this world.

He instructed her in the four main components of the spell that were in the formula. He explained it concisely but with the higher level jargon that would typically be reserved for scholars. Twilight easily followed along but was surprised, as most of the royal guard knew only the basics.

"Any questions?" He asked, his longer than average but slender hornn starting to glow as he dismantled his spell for the room.

"No, I got it." Stonewall said as her horn flashed, the room doing likewise.

He blinked at the brightness then winced, "I do not appreciate such surprises... but you do appear to have learned." He stated. "Farewell, until tomorrow."

She stopped and looked back at him blinking confused. "Surprises? And learned?"

He sighed, turning to her. "The sudden brightness of light from your spell was the surprise, and you've learned the spell, clearly." He said, once again without sounding hurtful, but impatient and drained.

"I haven't even tried your spell yet, and if that small flash bothers your eyes I'd recommend seeing a doctor about your eyes, as they might be a bit oversensitive." Stonewall said, sounding like a doctor near the end.

He frowned and walked along at a brisk pace toward the gate out of the palace. He was not one for lengthened conversations and his patience had worn out. Sgt. Stem proceeded on to his task set out by him to recenter himself in his quiet mental solitude, preferring to focus on puzzles of interest to him instead of confusing conversation.

"Strange pony...." Stonewall said as she watched him go before heading back towards the room.

Dawn and Storm were passed out against Chrysalis, heads close together in a way that might remind some of a pair of siblings, if Dawn weren't pregnant, but they slept soundly nonetheless.

Twilight teleported into the room due to the lock and reverted to herself. She then climbed into the bed, pulling the mares close and a smiling while Chrysalis draped herself over her mate.

Dawn let out a small whimper at the shift then sighed as she felt more body heat which she nestled into without complaint.

Twilight smiled and allowed sleep to claim her

The next morning Dawn yawned as she woke, snuggling into any body heat she could find, which happened to be Storm's. Storm stirred at the movement, shifting slightly to get comfortable herself before groaning and clutching at her head.

Twilight's eyes opened at the groan and she looked around the room without lifting her head. She noticed the queen laying on all three of them, and was surprisingly light for her size, but she was used to the queen always being that way.

Storm stirred more, starting to wake and move out from under Chrysalis, intent on the bathroom. She got up under the watch of Twilight. Twilight decided to untangle herself as well and began brewing some tea.

"Hangovers are the worst..." Storm complained as she returned.

"I remember when I was like that." Twilight said. The bedroom Door was closed, so as not to disturb the others.

Storm shook her head slowly then asked, "So what'd i miss."

"Not a lot. We all had a massive orgy. Any soreness you feel is probably from that since we didn't want you to feel left out."

"Suuuure." Storm snorted, only just noticing some general soreness, but doubted that happened at all. She looked around, then got some bread in the toaster.

"Want me to make something?" Twilight offered.

"If you want to, I won't say no."

Twilight nodded and went to the small kitchen. Storm followed, grabbing her comb and began brushing her mane as Twilight began to pull things out to cook.

Storm groomed as Twilight cooked, Dawn soon stirring under Chrysalis.

'Good morning daughter.' The queen said.

'Morning mom.' She said cheerfully, if slowly.

Chrysalis nuzzled Dawn, trying to help her wake. Dawn smiled, feeling her foals shift inside her.

'They feel so heavy.'

'I'd hope so." She chuckled, moving off of Dawn.

'I'll be glad when the back pain is over...' she sighed, 'and this spying issue isn't encouraging either.'

'No it isn't, but we will find a way to counter it.' The queen said. 'As for the back pain, be thankful. Due to Twilight's legs being how they are her body made up all the discomfort she was missing in other places.

'Oh...' Dawn realized, not realizing at that moment her troubles would be compared to Twilight, yet knew she would be after it was mentioned.

"What's wrong?" Chrysalis asked concerned

"Nothing." Dawn said, shaking her head. She cleared her mind of any further complaints she otherwise would have had, heading to the bathroom herself.

'Tell me.' She said. 'I felt your emotions and know you were upset.'

'Mom... to be honest, I didn't appreciate being told it could just be worse... I may not have Twilight's issues, but that doesn't diminish that it isn't easy, does it?' Dawn asked gently, her feeling of hurt coming across, if gently.

'I…’ the queen winced, ‘didn't mean it like that… I meant it to lighten the mood… I am sorry.'

'And you are forgiven mom.' Dawn said gently, letting that wash over her. 'Just letting you know how it came across. You weren't wrong… I'm sure it was difficult for Twilight, just wasn't ready to be compared this morning it seems… I love you.' She repeated and emphasized the emotion to her, as if trying to reinforce how the queen was forgiven.

'I just found it amusing how Twilight is so strong of will yet she was complaining constantly about having to pee every few minutes and about having a sore back....' she said. Even with being forgiven she felt bad still. 'I won't bring up Twilight's pregnancy again.'

'Mom.' she said more sternly, but still full of love, 'you most definitely can if you bring up that sort of thing.' She chuckled, 'I'm just fortunate I got to skip those moments and get to rest often.'

'I suppose....' she said the negative feeling going away somewhat.

Dawn smiled as she finished, coming down the hall and going up to Chrysalis with a bigger smile. She climbed into bed and looked at her mischeviously, 'I see, you prefer I show you just how much I mean what I say.'

Without warning she hugged her mother and kissed her cheek tightly, holding tight and practically pushed down into the bed to keep her close

Chrysalis blinked and the link was filled with her surprise. She slowly smiled, hugging Dawn back and nuzzling her.

Dawn continued her little fight for reassurance as she tried to show her strength in the process, playfully wrestling at the same time as her affections were taking place before she laughed and rolled off to Chrysalis' back, holding her more gently.

She smiled and nuzzled her daughter. 'My little Dawn.'

Dawn giggled, feeling comforted by them, 'And what am I supposed to call you?' she asked before immediately thinking of silly name after silly name, including 'High queen mother Chryssa-liph-olis!' She paused, realizing that she could probably hear those names before saying intentionally, 'I am silly, just for fully disclosure.' she teased, making herself the butt of that joke, knowing she'd otherwise just confuse her queen mother.

She stopped and blinked at her, confusion still ensuing. 'Where did those names come from?'

‘Just mixing and matching things as they pop into my head.' Dawn shrugged.

Chrysalis blinked again at her, then chuckled out loud before nuzzling her. 'I believe Twilight is making breakfast.' She said, moving to get out of bed.

Dawn nodded, yawning before going to the dining room as a firm knock on the door.

"Sergeant Stem requesting entry." Stem said as everyone donned their disguises.

Dawn approached the door as her usual princess self, Glory just behind her as Stone continued cooking.

"Come in Stem.” Dawn said as she opened the door, “What's up?"

"The ceiling and clouds." He said dryly, without any smile.

"Not literally Stem." She clarified, "I assume you're here to report?"

"I secured the train as you requested, but the one leaving for Van Hoover leaves in one hour. Manehattan express has scheduled repairs and will leave in three hours."

Stonewall looked up at that with annoyance. She hated delays like that.

"I see. Have you eaten or slept since we talked?" Dawn asked.

"I have. I am here to escort you and block the spell observing you. Stonewall can use it as well for their ride."

Stonewall nodded.

'That will be a problem. I don't think Twilight has worked out how to use the spell yet as we don't have spying spells back home.' The queen said she stood stoically in her disguise.

'Instruct Meadow. She can use the same spells, and has the talent I'm sure. I'll take him for a walk to buy you time.' She said in the link.

"Stem, I was planning on stretching out my legs with a walk before breakfast. Would you accompany me?"

"Of course." He said simply, stepping aside to make room.

"I will make ready for departure Princess." Glory said.

"Thank you Glory." She said, stepping out with Stem. "Stem, how did you first learn of our observer?"

"I sensed active magic surrounding you and Stonewall. I analyzed it and constructed an area of effect counterspell based on it."

"I can’t say I've looked into counterspells before," Dawn admitted, "how do you figure out how to make a counterspell if you haven't encountered the spell itself?"

While Dawn held Stem off with the walk, the queen approached Twilight and proposed the idea of teaching Meadow. Meadow told Twilight she would try, and the queen started to be a proxy to what Stem began to explain.

Stem explained in depth how he detected the spell, then began explaining he knew how to scan spells present and create an inverse version of that specific spell. It was very technical and left her head spinning, all the while hoping Chrysalis or a drone was noting what she was being told before getting confirmation they were paying attention.

"You certainly know far more on magic than I do.” Dawn said, shaking her head, “I wish to learn this spell, and then another variant of it." She said, going to another unoccupied room. "Now tell me step by step what to do, as simply as a foal would understand where able. My lessons were pieced together from experimentation more than proper teaching."

He sighed, "And here I thought you quite capable for your reintroduction of tandem casting pr-"

"I am." She said, cutting him off sternly. "But as I said, my lessons were pieced together and given by someone who was deliberately trying to build me up to be his new body to take over for his own purposes. You mention technicalities I barely understand right now and require education. Now Sergeant, I understand you are exceptional in your skills, and will recognize you as my better in many ways because of it, but I will not tolerate a condescending attitude and will inform Celestia of how you are handling my education if it continues."

"Fine." He said coldly before explaining slowly

This was also relayed to Meadow with each step.

When he finished, Dawn sighed in relief at her understanding, "Thank you. That was a relief. And Stem?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for being proactive about this. I can tell you have a love for spells, but please be mindful that some of us aren’t as knowledgeable as you in magic-"

"I'm quite aware, and have added it to our lessons." He said factually.

Dawn froze, feeling a cold anger burn briefly before nodding, "I hunger, let’s return and get my food before we go board.

The table was already set, and her guards were waiting for her.

'Does Meadow think she can do it' she asked, saying out loud "Thank you, but I should eat on the move, I don’t want to be late."

"Yes princess." Glory said summoning to-go plates for herself and the Princess, then gathered plasticware while moving to her side.

'Yes, she said she could do it, she thinks. We will know more later.'

"Thank you all. Stone, I hope you both have luck catching Flare. Be safe." She said patting Twilight on the shoulder, hoping her concern showed through the façade.

Stone nodded and saluted. Dawn accepted her meal from Glory, then after getting her saddlebags and ensuring they were adequately packed, left the room. Glory stayed at her right flank as they departed.

Dawn ate as they walked, feeling her gravid belly hang and how it almost hurt while it pulled at her body. She inwardly sighed, saying in the link, 'and I already miss Twilight and Lapdog.'

'As do I little one.' The queen said as she ate. 'What is your assessment of Stem in light of recent events?'

'He seems reliable, but very focused and socially inept or awkward, in a way that doesn’t care or is unable to. Feels like he takes his duties seriously though. If he’s loyal, then I’d assume some kind of mental hangup or disorder perhaps. You?'

'So far I don't fully trust him yet but I trust your judgment. He may be a victim of this world's lack of research into the sciences of the mind.'

'Possibly. Only other way to check is to forge a link, but he may yet not know I am Legate, and I need to keep that in mind around him.'

'Yes.' Chrysalis agreed.

"I imagine I must secure your home in Van Hoover once we arrive." Stem interjected with his implied question.

"If you wish. If I am giving birth however, there is one place I want to be."

"And that is?" He asked with a raised brow.

"A location I will disclose once we are away from prying ears, Sergeant."

The queen was pleased. 'I still am so happy and honored you wish to birth your foals within the Hive.'

'I can think of no place better. Plenty of help, safety, and the comforts of home all in one. It is where I belong... though, if our spy is an issue, we need an ambush plan if they try to infiltrate the hive. Since the changelings of this world do not have a link, we will use that to our advantage, especially if it is Svik after all." Dawn said as she opened the door to the outside.

'Yes. Anyone who enters the hive will have to get past the entrance guards, and they will know who does and doesn't belong.'

'We have the inhibitor rings at the hive already I'm pretty sure, so we can use those on the intruder once he's subdued, and Stem, so long as he is truly on our side, can help counter them.' Dawn said, thinking about what she knew of Svik. ‘Based on what Meadow said, he's heavily interested in changeling magic, and if he’s like mine, uses his words very carefully. It’s a different world, so that could be different, but we’ll see.’

They walked their way down to the train, arriving mere minutes before it was set to leave. The main cabins, three of them, were nearly full already.

"The trip will take about 20 hours Princess, safe travels." The conductor said before blowing a whistle, to which the train roared to life.

Glory followed Dawn into the royal carriage, having arranged for that part days ago when their tickets would be bought for privacy and safety. 'Yes we do. The Royal Guard always carry three of them on each guard.

'Good. Something tells me Svik will make his move in subtlety and personally. If he's the same pony, he trusts no one, and always only does just enough to mislead to his ends. When it comes to his own goals, no one was allowed to act on his behalf, even when I was willing.'

'Strange pony.' She said.

'A villain who has had little contact with other ponies directly, has had to trust themselves and themselves only?' Dawn asked, 'Mine’d only been around for a millennia already as it was, and his victory over Meadow may have made him overconfident. It's hard to explain without going through interacting with him.'

'I will search your memories later after you have rested.' She said as she took their plates to throw away before taking a seat to wait for the train to start.

The train had already begun to move within minutes of their entry. Dawn moved to sit on a chair, groaning quietly as her belly felt stretched to its limit at the movement. Sergeant Stem cast his anti-spying spell on the cabin, ignoring the pair for the moment.

"Are you alright Princess?" Glory asked

"I will be once these foals are born." Dawn said, "I feel like I'm fit to burst." 'and I can't seem to adjust my body to give them more room either.' She added in the link.

"Are you well?" Stem asked.

"As well as a very pregnant mare can be Sergeant." Dawn replied.

'Sadly that is one thing that cannot seem to be fixed or changed with shapeshifting, as no matter how we adjust our bodies, the discomfort is always there. It's like the unborn little ones are determined to make their mothers as uncomfortable as possible as a preview for what's to come.' the queen said chuckling as she got up and got Dawn some water.

'Or maybe they're just begging for attention, and that's how they get it.' She chuckled internally.

"Then quite well." He nodded.

Dawn looked at the Sergeant then looked out the window to hold her temper. 'I swear I can't tell if he's ignorant or insulting.'

'Maybe both?' The queen added, chuckling as she brought the water. 'And if that's how the get attention, then you will enjoy once they are born.'

Dawn nodded her thanks to Glory, taking the drink and sipping it.

"Have you decided on a name for your foal?" Stem asked.

"I was thinking of waiting until they were born and seeing what color their fur was or we know more about their personality."

Glory went to sit by the door to the rest of the train as she watched. Dawn stayed on her chair at first, Stem going over to Glory.

"I don't believe we've been introduced yet."

"No, we haven’t. I am Corporal Morning Glory." She said politely in a voice that was for her station in terms of authority but also had a hint of sensuality to go along with her curvy body.

He narrowed his eyes for a brief moment before resuming, "And what is your specialty Corporal?"

"Offensive spells mostly related to fire magic." She said. She had studied this world's royal guard and magic systems extensively in order to build her identity.

"Curious..." He replied, seeming to get lost in thought as he then turned to Dawn expectantly.

Dawn was oblivious to this, turning to a book in her saddlebag, reading it at a gentle pace

"How so sir?" She asked showing the proper respect for his rank above her

He shook his head, keeping his attention on Dawn. "Princess."

"What is it Sergeant?" Dawn asked simply.

"We have put off your lessons on proper use of authority for some time. We have twenty hours until we arrive, and can make use of that time beginning our lessons."

Meanwhile, back at the castle, Twilight was having Storm go through some more mental reinforcement. Twilight had some fun with the mare afterward, and then when settling down, asked Meadow to test if she could move Storm’s hoof. The end result was poor. Meadow could barely move them and possibly only due to no resistance, and spooked Storm which then made Meadow guilty since she didn’t like the idea but went along with it anyway.

Storm turned away, starting to pack their belongings and make sure they were ready to depart. Twilight just sat at the window, sipping her drink and watching the occasional patrol.

Meadow sighed, turning around to help Storm in her own way with magic, taking a full ten minutes before realizing she could see the rest of the room to an extent. She hummed a victory tune, having it play from Twilight's horn quietly without intending it. It was different than the louder variety which jostled Twilight's horn and hurt, but was far more subtle and less intrusive due to the lack of effort and overthinking Meadow often did.

Twilight noticed it the sound and felt her horn, realizing that happened without causing the disturbing feelings before, turning to observe Meadow with a small smile at her progress. Meadow continued to work with Storm, humming to another tune, even as her magic stopped playing what she was humming.

Soon enough, it came time to go and Twilight became Stonewall again and went to grab her bags.

Storm took up her saddlebag, Meadow commenting, 'I'll give that spell a try for when we're out of the room.'

'What spell.' Twilight asked simply

'The blocking spell Chryssy taught.'

'Ah.' She said as she headed for the door

Meadow cast the spell, humming out loud to Twilight, "This is a lot easier than I thought it would be."

Magical energy of the barrier could be felt lightly in a ten foot radius of Stone, if someone was attuned and paying attention. Storm was oblivious as she walked alongside of Stone, who made no comment.

Meadow maintained the spell, focusing on it due to the amount of concentration it required.

Stonewall smiled as they reached the train station, finding Glory had gotten them a private car. It wasn't royal car but they'd be alone in it.

Meadow continued to maintain the spell for practice, commenting, 'I don't know how he managed maintaining this spell... it's hard. Good thing I'm not feeling any more tired...'

'Hard to feel tired when you don't have a body.' Twilight comment as she stored her bags above one of the small beds. 'Only have to worry about your magic reserves.’

Meadow let out a quiet sound indicating her confusion at first until she heard the comment about magic reserves. 'How will I know when they're low? When should I know when to stop?'

'That… is a good question.' Twilight said as her disguise faded. 'Normally you feel more and more fatigue as they get lower, but … you don't have a physical form… I guess maybe when it gets harder to do spells.'

'When we get the time, maybe we should find out what I should watch for and figure out how to increase my endurance there… If it's not a problem I mean.'

'Not at all, it’s a good idea. Normally the worst that happens is you suffer burn out, but… that's with your own body. No telling what it would do to us and definitely don't want it happening at a crucial moment.'

'Yeah...' Meadow said, 'I probably should learn how to do other magic too. You could teach me right? Magic is the same anywhere right?'

The train whistle blew as the wheels started to turn, making the familiar screech before they gained purchase and pulled the train toward its end destination.

'I suppose I could. I mean, I taught Dawn some at least some basics.' She said.

'If it's not too much trouble anyway…' Meadow replied quietly, not wanting to be a bother.

Storm set her saddlebag down in one of the storage segments by the door to the outside before settling down on a padded seat, "Not bad quarters here."

"Having connections has its benefits” Twilight smirked.

Storm laughed, "You've made that many? Just how long have you been here?"

"Dawn is a Princess."

Storm shrugged, "Not a big one, most ponies don't know she exists."

"Still royalty."

Storm snorted before smiling, "Well, whatever. I'm ready to get back to work and training."

Twilight smirked at her. "Oh? That eager to be a better pet are you?"

Storm shook her head, confidence coming from her, "I mean knowing how to better fight and get those guys."

Twilight laughed. "Why not both? It's a whole day back to Manehatten."

"I can do that. As long as I get to practice more." Storm nodded.

"Oh you will get plenty of practice is both regards." Twilight smirked as she stood.

Storm stretched, fully wanting to get limbered up as she was itching for some more physical combat practice, hoping that's what she had in mind.

Twilight lunged at her without warning as she stretched.

Storm dodged to the side, sliding across the carpet a small way before lunging back at Twilight from the side, knowing she would be dodged from the previous fights.

Twilight grabbed Storm's foreleg instead and turned to use Storm's momentum to throw her.

Storm smiled, holding on and using that momentum to pull at Twilight in turn to throw her off balance. She succeeded for the most part, though throwing a 600 pound half metal being off balance was no easy task.

Storm used the slowdown of holding onto Twilight's heavy frame to come to a stop and while pulling, aimed a kick at their flank like a good bucking, balanced on a forelimb and a rear limb.

Twilight stumbled, and though she had the advantages of her augments auto-balancing, she was now facing the wrong way.

Storm let go of Twilight and whirled around to kick out at Twilight again, when she was stopped by a semitransparent dark green wall of magic that was between her and Twilight. She froze, unsure what trickery this was. Twilight never used magic like that in mid battle.

"Eh?" Twilight blinked in confusion.

Storm dropped down and stood ready, but the wall disappeared, as did the glow from Twilight's horn.

"Why'd you use magic?" Storm asked.

"I… didn’t. We hadn't gotten to the point of me throwing curve balls."

"Oh. I'm sorry…" Meadow's voice said in the room, "was I not supposed to help?"

Twilight blinked. "Bwah?"

"I did it…" Meadow's voice said again, "Sorry…"

"The hay... Meadow, when the hay'd you learn to talk?"

"I’m curious as well."

"I… don't know." Meadow admitted, "I just am…"

Twilight's horn glowed very faintly but didn't have any sensation to it when she spoke.

"I see… so… how are you feeling?"

"Pretty good, I was just worried you were going to get hurt, so I … well…" She hesitated, feeling bad about interrupting their training.

"It’s fine Meadow. That’s actually very interesting."

"Why do you say that?" she asked naïvely.

"You just put up a shield."

"I… I did?" Meadow asked in surprise, "I was trying to grab her hoof."

"Same thing."

"Why is it interesting?" She asked, clueless.

"You just blocked an attack on me."

"I… guess I did." Meadow said slowly, still not seeing what the importance was.

"Why did you do it?"

"I don't know… I just, I felt like I had to do something and it… happened."

"Lapdog, hit me." Twilight said.

Storm frowned, but tried to throw a punch right at Twilight's midsection. Almost by reflex, Meadow threw up another thin mostly transparent shield that looked like a rectangle right where the punch was being thrown, disappearing as she pulled her hoof back.

"Hm, interesting."

"I… I don't know how I'm doing this." Meadow said, her voice a little shaky. "Is it bad?"

"Not at all. It’s very useful."

"You sure?" She asked again.

"She said it's useful green." Storm snorted with a smirk, "Means I can't touch her anymore, as if she had enough advantages as it is."

"Oh don’t worry Lapdog, you can touch me all you want when we aren’t sparing." Twilight smirked.

Storm rolled her eyes and gave Twilight a punch on the shoulder. Meadow failed to block it, thinking it was a playful kind of punch before wincing.

"Hey, that kinda stung." Meadow commented.

"Why didn't you block it then." Storm taunted.

Twilight chuckled and ruffled Storm’s mane and mentally did with Meadow as well.

Meadow smiled appreciatively, looking at Storm and knowing they were getting petted the same, feeling happy to her host.

Storm chuckled and looked away before saying, "So what's this mean then?"

"It means this." Twilight said before grabbing Storm and moving to throw her. They were in the middle of sparing after all.

Storm yelped, not expecting that after the petting she received. She landed on the other side of the car and Twilight went after her. She groaned, rolling over to try and dodge to the side.

Twilight was fast and gave her an uppercut, not enough to really hurt her of course, but enough so that she felt it.

Storm grunted and swung with her forelimb in hopes that she would get something on Twilight, barely glad she didn't get her tongue chewed clean off with the punch just then.

She connected with fur, but it was a glancing blow that made Twilight jump back.

Storm pushed onward, continuing to make every attempt to have her pressured, wearing herself out due to the degree of movement she had to do to make it be that way.

Twilight either dodged, blocked or barrier’d Storm's attacks, but she was slowly being pushed back.

Storm panted as she continued, not giving any quarter as she drove Twilight toward the wall of the cabin.

Twilight soon hit the wall and then suddenly dropped down and lunged forward, putting her shoulder into Storm as she out her arms around the pegasus and pushed , lifting Storm off her hooves as she ran back the way they come.

They jumped and landed in the bed, Stone pinning Storm as she straddled her and pinned her arms above her head.

"I win." Twilight smirked down at her.

Storm nodded panting, "Y-you got me...."

"You know, if you were a stallion, I'd probably claim my prize in a very enjoyable way." She said, thinking about the spell she had been taught from Dawns book.

Storm blushed deeply, unaware that Meadow did know that spell even though Twilight didn’t.

'I-Is that a cue for me to make you a stallion?' Meadow asked with a small blush.

'Huh?' Twilight said in her head.

'You said if you were a stallion, you'd claim her as your prize… so I was asking if you did want to be a stallion, just for a bit.' Meadow said.

Twilight blinked confused. 'I said if she was a stallion I'd claim her in a very fun way.'

'... So make her a stallion then?' Meadow asked, realizing she misheard.

'I don't know....I'm sort of not in the mood now.' Twilight said as she started to get off of Storm.

'Sorry...' Meadow frowned, disappointed.

"Where are you going?" Storm asked, grabbing at Twilight and pulling her in with a playful grin.

"Make some lunch." She said simply. "I'm hungry."

Storm frowned, getting up before grumbling in frustration, "Way to tease a mare."

With that, she walked off to go get them food, thinking that some quesadillas sounded good right then.

Twilight just shrugged and went to read as she waited.

Storm soon returned with quesadillas with a slightly spicy sauce over the top with shredded lettuce and a sprinkling of parmesean cheese and apple juice to drink. Twilight looked up from her book and froze.

"What is that?" She asked a very slight tremor in her voice.

Storm looked at her confused, "A quesadilla... why?"

"Out, out! Get it out!" She said, pushing further into her seat, away from the plate.

Storm looked at her concerned and then carried it away to the kitchen, genuinely confused by her reaction. Meadow was alarmed by Twilight’s reaction but also didn't understand.

Twilight took a couple of deep breaths and relaxed once the food was out of sight

Storm finished off her meal in the kitchen as she made a trio peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Twilight, considering what else would go with it and why Twilight had that reaction.

Twilight paced the room, no longer in the mood to read.

Storm soon returned, bearing the food on a plate.

Twilight took it on her magic and ate as she paced.

"You ok?" Storm asked, concerned.

"Just burning off adrenaline."

Storm eyed her but didn’t ask. It was something she never expected, but if Twilight wanted to tell her, she'd know

Twilight finished her meal and set the plate to the side as she walked.

Storm took the plate back before coming back and going to a window to watch the scenery.

After a bit, Twilight finally stopped pacing and sighed.

"Feeling better?" Storm asked.

"Yes, sorry, just… I… really don't like quesadillas."

"I can tell, and I'm not gonna ask." She said before hopping down from the window, "More time for Daring Doo or something."

"Yeah. Reading sounds good…" Twilight nodded as she pulled out two books from her pocket dimension and held them out for Storm to pick one.

Twilight always carried the complete Daring Doo series from back home with her, which meant Storm had a lot of adventures she'd never read before.

Storm smirked and looked to the one she hadn't read before about the strange pyramid like temple where Daring Doo appeared to have a sidekick that was blue-furred.

Twilight took the other one and went to sit on the couch and patted the space beside her.

Storm went over to the space, intent on laying against her anyway as she read. She climbed up, twirled around like a dog would once, before flopping down against Twilight's side.

Twilight smiled and placed a wing around Storm, trapping her as she opened her book.

Storm nestled in, rather enjoying the entrapment under this strong pony as she read.

Meadow looked between the books, curious at something new, and started to read intently.

Storm smiled as she learned of the plot of the book, feeling like she was with her mother growing up when she had curled up and read a different series about adventuring mice fighting off foxes and wolves and the like. Those weren’t great stories, but it was good on the action and adventure at least.

Twilight enjoyed this series a lot, though she enjoyed it more when it was Chrysalis she was sitting beside as she read.

Meadow continued to read, the actions of those in the novel seeming to be almost alive around her from their imagination. Storm read on obliviously and let the time pass as she read without interruption.

After a while Twilight finished her book. She had always been a fast reader.

Meadow sighed happily as she commented, 'That was a pretty good book.'

'Yes. My favorite series.'

'Reminds me a lot of Indianna Jones, what I got to hear of him anyway.' She replied.

'Who?'

'Human explorer, had a whip he would use to get out of trouble and disarm enemies, went for relics in caves and jungles and stuff.'

'Minus the whip and replace with a hat and you have Daring Do.'

'Oh, he had a hat too, forgot to mention that. Still, I get why people like it.' She said, looking over to Storm. 'She looks cute while she's reading, even if she is a little intimidating when she fights.'

Twilight chuckled softly. ‘Oh she's isn't so bad, once you show her her place. Then she becomes an obedient lapdog.'

Meadow hummed, scratching an itch on their back along the spine in a hard to reach spot, 'I see what you mean...'

The pair read for a little while before Storm fell asleep, Twilight joining her after a little bit of exercise.

Meadow watched over them, and as she did, the familiar dark room of her own in Twilight's mind became her world again. She knew who she wanted to see this time… the part of Twilight that knows magic, so she can learn what it was she did, and learn magic from her.

The issue was finding out where they were, who it was that would know the new magic.

Meadow walked around, deciding she would test visiting Lust and promise a visit if she could be told where to go.

As she walked the halls, she turned a corner and spotted a tall dark purple alicorn whose eyes were pure red. Their mane and tail were blowing in an unfelt wind, both of which so black not even light seemed to escape it. She looked somewhat like Twilight, only darker… and larger… and now that she looked, their star in their mark was red with a black outline. She was staring at Meadow with an entirely blank expression, as if emotion wasn't something that had never crossed their face before.

She blinked, looking at them with trepidation. "H-hello…"

Meadow was seized in magic and dragged down the hall before the being spoke in a monotone voice. "Creature, what are you doing here?"

Meadow yelped and started to panic, nearly freezing in fear as she said quietly "I-i'm looking for someone to teach me magic..."

"Strange…” It paused, staring impassively, “I can't expel you."

"Twilight rescued me from the bracelet… so now I'm here with her. I found out I can kinda make a shield, but I need more training to protect her." She rambled in a shaky voice, desperate to not be on their bad side.

"You are the other…" the darker Twilight said, still without any additional inflections. A brief pause lapsed and she dropped Meadow. "I must think."

This dark Twilight stepped over Dawn to walk down the hall Meadow had come from, her movements were slow and elegant still, as if she were walking in a park on a beautiful relaxing summer day.

Meadow panted, having been unnerved by the encounter. After she had a small break to calm her nerves, she decided to look for Lust or whoever would be the teaching side. She guessed they might be called anything from teacher to educator or professor.

She found Lust's home right where it had been before thankfully, and was relieved, her nerves still making her shiver as she raised a hoof to knock on the door.

"Coooommmiinnnggg!" the sultry voice called.

Soon, the door opened to reveal the same scantily clad pony, now dressed in black lingerie, a see through nightgown with a garter belt and socks

"Oh it's you! Come in, come in!" She said happily.

"Hi Lust…” Meadow said as she walked in, “I have two favors to ask."

"Name them." She said happily, blinking once in surprise.

"I want to know who the black maned Twilight I met on the way here is, and I want to know who would I go to for learning magic?"

"Black mane? … Oh… What? But…" She started to reply, her face losing its usual enticing look and replacing it with open fear. "You met Reaper? And you're alive!?"

"Is… is that who I met?" She asked, feeling like she was about to shake in fear at the name and the implication of what that meant. "I… I remember they said they couldn't expel me."

Lust’s eyes went wide. She went to the door and locked it, only speaking in a whisper when she returned.

"Yes, that was Reaper. She is… Twilight's darker side let's say… She showed up a few years back… rage and hate sort of became one, along with a few others who showed up, and made her… she became something more when we ascended."

Meadow blinked in confusion, then nodded, deciding it didn’t matter right then.

"I'm sorry if I upset you Lust." She said, reaching to give her a small hug, "So who would I go to for learning how to use magic properly?"

"You didn't, it's just… Reaper doesn't like strangers being here. … She killed the last visitor since they meant to do Twilight harm, and it wasn't pretty. Time… doesn't exactly exist in here like it does outside. You can have a lifetime pass while only a minute passes outside if you want."

"So,” Meadow blinked, “my telling her I intended to learn magic to protect Twilight might have saved my life?"

"Maybe?" She said. "I don't know… she doesn't care about that normally. Luna wished to help Twilight with a nightmare she was having, and she set her on fire as punishment for entering without permission and expelled her. She was unharmed physically, but she felt it."

Meadow left her eyes open in astonishment, "And… I just survived a brush with them?"

"Yes… I think the fact you don't have a body to return to confused her, that's never happened before. … what did she say?"

"She asked me what I was doing here, and then when I said I was wanting someone to teach me magic, she said something about not expelling me. I told her how Twilight rescued me, I found out I could make a shield, but wanted to know how to protect her better. Reaper just looked at me and said I am 'the other' and then they walked off to 'think.' any idea what it meant?"

"No. She doesn't have a home as far as I know, least not one any of us have seen. She just sort of wanders around randomly ‘till she is able to manifest outside by taking over Twilight's body…"

"Wait… she can take over Twilight's body?!" Meadow asked in surprise

"Yes. Sometimes. Rarely. Twilight has to be at an emotionally devastated state, and that is when Reaper takes control to punish those who caused her to be in that state in the most brutal ways possible."

Meadow nodded, giving her a hug. She didn't know why, but she felt like it was necessary. Lust hugged her back.

"I am not sure why she spared you."

"Don't know... perhaps I'm an opposite of her?" she guessed, not sure why she felt like that was appropriate outside of her counterpart. "I don't know, but I want to make it so she doesn't have to interfere again… Mind telling me who I should go to for magic lessons?" Meadow asked, intent on taking a break with Lust to put the events and knowledge behind her for the time being.

"Scholar. She represents Twilight's accumulated scientific knowledge."

Meadow nodded, "Where would I find her after we take a break?"

"In her lab under the Library. She doesn't get out a lot."

"Where's the library?" she asked.

"Up the road a ways by the market. You can't miss it."

Meadow nodded again and hugged Lust, "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but you've been very helpful to me my friend."

Author's Notes:

well well well....Meadow seems to be finding ways to help out.

I have a PATREON with fair rewards. Every bit is greatly appreciated and helps me out.