The train eventually arrived in Canterlot 8 hours later, after numerous purchases for strawberry shortcakes for Violet to enjoy along with lunch. Once arrived, Dawn led the way out, waiting at the end of the platform to ensure everyone stayed together before leading the way to the castle.

Twilight got off the train with Chrysalis behind her and a very happy Violet on her back.

“Lead the way.” Twilight said, smiling at her guide.

"Try not to get lost, or lose Violet in the mix of it all." Dawn nodded, chuckling at the end as she led them on to the castle.

Dawn led them through the city, gradually upward through the idyllic city of Canterlot. It was busy but not crowded, and the familiar castle loomed ahead. The path was clear and wide in the event of carriages and floats and the like for parades, and Dawn led up to the front gates.

Dawn nodded at the pair of guards politely, who were at their post on each side of the gate. They looked a little relaxed, if attentive before, then noticed Dawn approaching and shifted to more rigid ‘at attention’ stance.

"Good day princesses, Celestia's been expecting you both.” The left one said.

“Dinner was delayed for your arrival and will be starting in thirty minutes." The right one added.

"Good. I'll head in and get someone who's available to let them know we'll be along presently. If I could request my old room and one across from it, if they're available, for when we spend the night, that would be marvelous."

"Already done ma'am." The left guard nodded, "The rooms were both made ready before you arrived. We were told to instruct you to join them when you were ready or in 30 minutes, whichever was sooner."

"Thank you sir." She smiled politely nodding.

"Good to see you again Blue. Keep up the good work." Stalwart said, nodding as he passed with a small smile, which the guard returned.

Once they were out of earshot, Twilight dropped her respectful demeanor for a smirk. "Seems someone knows a bit about being a Princess after all."

"What do you mean?" Dawn blinked, turning to face Twilight as she walked on.

"The way you spoke to the guard. Properly formal."

“I-” Dawn hesitated, surprised as she didn’t think it was out of the norm for her, “it's just basic customer service type stuff being said as far as I know. I tend to be formal naturally when on business, that's all.”

"And that is very princess like." Twilight pointed out.

Dawn hummed, not sure what to think of the response, "Then perhaps it's simply innate? I'm not sure."

Dawn led the way along some of the hallways and corridors that had once confused her so long ago, toward a tower where a long series of spiral stairs was ahead and she and stalwart slowly started climbing.

"Where are we going?" Twilight asked.

"To their dining chamber,” Dawn explained, looking back, “I figured we’d want to take care of this early on since they delayed their dinner for us. It's just up this tower. Why?"

"They have a dining room in a tower?" Twilight followed up, surprised.

"I don't get it either, but the window has a spectacular view and a small balcony, so-” She chuckled then looked ahead as she more quietly replied, “I don't know, I really don't."

Twilight tried not to laugh as they continued to climb the stairs and then commented near the top of the five stories, "It'd be nice if we had elevators though."

"Yeah, I can imagine."

"Just weird as we don't have it like that back home."

"Trust me, I get it.” Dawn commented, briefly holding up a hoof to gesture and gradually growing quiet as they reached the top, “I mean, unless they fly to the room and just like the view, or have some sort of bird instincts to stay up high, it doesn’t make sense. Anyway, we’re here now."

A single guard stood at a door that was a couple extra heads higher and wider than the other doors so far along the hallways. He looked to them expectantly. Twilight nodded and her expression cleared as she prepared herself for the meeting ahead, subtly pulling out her regalia from the pocket dimension and donning it. Dawn gave a nod to the guard as well, and the guard nodded in turn. He opened the door, moving aside with it and gesturing with his own foreleg for them to go inside.

Dawn still led the way, her husband at her side and Twilight and Chrysalis following and looking around the room while the guard closed the door behind them and his hoofsteps echoed down the tower.

Celestia and Luna sat at a round table in the middle of the round room, sitting on amply sized and filled cushions on a patterned rug. There were enough cushions for everyone present, and the room only held a pair of larger cushions that could pass for beanbags and several small bookshelves Dawn’s own height.

Dawn nodded politely to the princesses as her husband bowed. Stalwart then moved to sit on Celestia’s right while Dawn sat to his right, almost across from Luna, allowing the three guests to take the seats between herself and Luna.

“We're glad you could make it on such short notice." Celestia said, nodding once courteously, her eyes on the trio even as they gave her small bows as well.

"It was no trouble Princess Celestia." Twilight said as they completed their bow.

It was then that Dawn noticed the items Twilight had put on, and a small smile crossed her face as she wished she had brought her own or had some made. Twilight’s regalia looked much like a standard set of hoofbands, a dark gold harness, and the Element of Magic tiara on her head.

"First,” Celestia said, looking everyone in the room for a second each before speaking in a relaxed voice, “let us settle the matter of food for everypony. Dawn, I take it you'd enjoy some grilled cheese or some good soup?"

"Very much so!" she replied eagerly.

“Hayburger for me would be quite fine Princess.” Stalwart said when Celestia looked in his direction.

"And what about everypony else?" Celestia asked, turning to face the rest.

"Barbequed vegetable kebob." Twilight replied.

"That is what I will take as well." Chrysalis said.

'Fruit salad." Violet said

Celestia nodded, "Very well."

“I would recommend extra strawberries for her as well.” Dawn added.

“Is that so?” Celestia asked before turning to the filly and seeing the wide grin on their face. “I think we can manage that.”

Violet grinned even more between the two princesses, causing the smiles to grow on most present, their eagerness clear

Celestia’s horn glowed as she contacted the staff, while her darker sister took up the mantle of continuing the discussion. Unlike Celestia, Luna’s speech was more formal sounding and stiff, much like Dawn had been with the guards prior.

"How has your stay in our Equestria been thus far?" Luna asked Twilight, hooves held together as she leaned on the table slightly.

"It has gone well, Dawn is a most generous host."

"I am glad.” Celestia smiled, glancing over in her direction, “Her kindness is becoming well known in Equestria."

“I can see why myself.” Twilight nodded, “I don't doubt Dawn is getting well known."

"And what of you Dawn? What have your thoughts of having these guests been?" Luna asked.

"Rather lovely honestly. They're considerate so far, and Violet is still an adorable foal, even if she's far more intelligent than I would have expected." Dawn chuckled.

The foal smiled widely at this, still being in the disguise. Violet looking like herself only as a full pony, and Chrysalis as a curvy white unicorn with a black mane and a green heart as a cutie mark.

The glow around Celestia’s horn faded, and her gaze more fully focused on the group.

"Once the food arrives, you may lower your illusions if you wish.” She instructed, “At that point, I'll wish to speak candidly to you about your intents and goals while in Equestria. For now however," She paused, smiling mischievously, "What are your impressions of Equestria so far, or of Dawn for that matter?"

Dawn looked over to Celestia in surprise, then back to Twilight, eyes open and her mouth in a small ‘o’ as she listened anxiously, sitting stiffly in her seat.

"Well,” Twilight said, leaning back as her eyes unfocused before refocusing as she spoke again. “I have to say from what we have learned, your Equestria is very peaceful and calm. At least, Van Hoover is overall, didn't check into crime rates, but if a criminal wants to try something then they'd regret it." Twilight paused before shrugging "As for Dawn, as I said she is a most generous host and very good with my daughter."

"Good to hear.” Celestia eyed her with a smile, ignoring the stifled chuckling of Luna and Stalwart, “I've had to tell her, despite her repeated worries, she'll be an excellent mother."

Celestia was about to reply when a knock on the door stopped her. Her horn glowed, making the doors do likewise and opened with a quiet creak. A large cart on wheels stood in the doorway with everyone’s food on it covered in metallic domes. Celestia levitated the dishes over to the table, setting it down in front of each respective pony, and put the domes back before closing the door for their privacy.

"From what I've seen I have to agree, though I know very well the worry if a new mother." Twilight chuckled

Celestia nodded, ignoring her food briefly to oversee her guests and speak as Luna, Dawn and Stalwart dug in readily.

"I have already spoken to our best magical scholars, including one that I know of in the Crystal Empire. I'm being told that we have no way of creating a way back home for you shy of Starswirl the Bearded coming back and offering help directly." Celestia said, "I had hoped we could find some kind of solution of our own, but it does not appear possible at this point in time."

"You said that you have no way to determine the amount of time it would take for your world to find you and bring you home as we recall, correct?" Luna asked after she finished her first bite of her food

Dawn slowed down her eating pace, looking between them as she realized that the conversation was turning to serious matters. She had expected the lightheartedness to continue until the food was finished, but now she realized she was wrong as the tone of the room turned more solemn.

"No, I don’t.” Twilight replied. “The thing about this is there is always a time dilation involved. What is a day for you could be 6 months back home and vice versa. We are monitoring all radio frequencies with hope of picking up a transmission, but if they end up in the middle of a population zone then all bets are off on covering it up, as your level of technology is decades behind us. That also is probably the issue as well, our device is based off technology and magic together."

"Well,” Celestia considered, not having eaten any of her food yet as she thought, “then there's not much that can be done other than prepare, in the event it does happen. On the other hoof, what does that mean for you and your family?" Celestia asked, briefly pausing before adding, "What sort of plans would you want to establish while here, and what will your cover stories be?"

"Our plans are to lay low, and try to have as little impact here as possible. As for a cover story, I mostly just hold up at Dawn's place during the day, and Chrysalis and Violet can shapeshift. Chrysalis has a lot of experience infiltrating, so not much worry for her." Twilight replied with a casual shrug before getting another mouthful of her meal.

The two larger alicorns narrowed their brows briefly, their horns glowing as they looked at each other, appearing to have a private discussion before Celestia turned toward them again.

"What infiltration would be attempted? You mentioned ponies and changelings coexisting as I recall, but in that event, why would infiltrations be necessary any longer?"

"Because she is half a century older than me?" Twilight replied with a slightly sarcastic tone, as if it were obvious. "And a changeling’s nature is to adapt and infiltrate. Infiltration is just the easiest way to describe her disguising and creating a detailed cover story they would hold up to all but the absolute heaviest of scrutiny, mixed with a lot of leg work. Not to mention the changeling infiltrators act as Equestria’s intelligence officers."

"Very well.” Celestia replied after another moment of silence and consideration, almost as if her gaze would have burned the food in front of her in its intensity. “I'm not sure I would truly recommend secluding yourself, but it is your choice. As long as Princess Dawn is willing, then that will be your continued arrangement."

"Actually," Dawn paused from her meal, looking over to them with an added degree of interest, "They brought up a few things I was curious about as well, either due to misunderstandings or just ignorance on the subject I wanted to look into."

"Oh?" Celestia asked, fork hovering above her food in surprise at the interjection. A brief glance to Twilight and a similar look of attention to Dawn confirmed this was unexpected to her other guests as well.

"Violet brought up something I hadn't considered, and took for granted for you both when I first learned about it as something only you two would-” Dawn paused, realizing she spoke quickly as she closed her eyes for a second and raised a hoof, letting out a deep breath and starting anew. “I’m sorry, I'm rambling. What I meant to ask is this. Violet asked me if I was immortal, simply because I'm an alicorn. Is... is that true?"

A quiet settled over the room briefly, where the only sound was of the others eating, Celestia and Dawn looking at each other, Dawn with her right hoof holding her left foreleg, and Celestia with a small smile before she spoke.

"You are, yes.” Celestia confirmed after a couple of seconds. “I had hoped to relay that to you at a later point, when you had begun your royal tasks after the birth of your foal."

"Ah." Dawn said, gaze going down to the table and her food, a very faint wisp of steam almost seeming to drift out of one ear as she considered what she just learned. She held her spoon in the bowl, having frozen her eating entirely.

"What will be required for you, Twilight,” Luna asked after a tactful pause, “in order to make your stay comfortable?"

"So far, we have had what we need. Everything else is wants, but is outside your ability to provide."

Luna nodded, going back to eating her food as Celestia decided to speak up again.

"What have you noticed that’s different between your home and here so far?"

"Well, as I said technology is behind us and, well, no changelings as far as I've seen. Granted, wouldn't be able to tell with them disguised in the first place, so no changelings walking in the open, and from what Chrysalis has heard, sentiments towards them is rather hostile."

"There are only a few versions of our history we know of that seem to view changelings in a positive light by ponies.” Celestia admitted, “Our own still remember the invasion of our Chrysalis several years ago in Equestria, and have heard of her attempt in the Crystal Empire."

"Ours did as well for the most part, until Tirek attacked."

"Oh?” Celestia asked as soon as she finished her mouthful of food, looked at her with concerned eyes, “You had to deal with him as well?"

"Yes. Lost a lot of good people in that week…"

"Our twilight defeated Tirek with the help of her friends without any loss of life.” Celestia replied, sounding more confused than she looked, “What happened?"

"Fort Zander happened." Twilight replied. "It was an army base meant to be a fall back point for key government officials should Canterlot fall. As such it was heavily armed. It was abandoned as the fall back point later due to a town being built around it during construction. That town is exactly why what happened, happened.

“As soon as Tirek was spotted by the Fort, they evacuated the town into its underground bunkers while the soldiers stayed topside to try and hold off Tirek. They were firing so many ordinance that the ponies underground could not just hear but feel the detonations. The entire town was leveled and somehow,” Twilight paused, looking past Celestia as if recounting seeing it, or its report. “no clue how, but they cracked Tirek's shield and hurt him. It didn't stop him, just pissed him off, and in response? He leveled the fort with the soldiers fighting him every step. He decided to not risk another crack in his shield by eliminating the army when he found them, and draining the survivors."

"But,” Celestia started to say slowly, she and her sister clearly stunned, luna looking more horrified at the sound of the news, “what of the elements of harmony or your friends?"

"Safely evacuated to the Ruins and the Castle of the Two Sisters in the everfree, along with the rest of Ponyville." Twilight said, noting Dawn’s similar look of concern and attention fully on herself.

Celestia narrowed her eyes with a considering frown, nodding as she tried to piece together the differences, realizing a number of things must have been changed.

"Before you ask,” Twilight said, raising a hoof briefly before letting it rest where it had been before, “I was deep in the everfree overseeing some recruits’ survival training, and was out of contact. The EoH wouldn't have been usable."

"We do not judge your circumstances," Luna interjected, raising both hooves as well for a second, "perhaps we take certain events for granted. In our world, Twilight and her friends embodied the Elements of Harmony, and in spite of being drained, had summoned enough power to drain him of all the magic he stole and sealed him back away."

"The way they describe it I would almost tease that they went super saiyan but no one gets the reference." Dawn chuckled nervously.

"Ah, I just put 7 Anti-Tank rounds in his head from half a mile out." Twilight replied calmly

"That-” Dawn said, her movements frozen as she realized her attempt at levity was completely unsuccessful before continuing, “I was about to ask if it was excessive but after seeing what magic can do... yeah, that might work."

"He had all the magic of Equestria, except for a third of its population, all three Alicorn Princess’ and Chrysalis’ magic there along with what remained of the hive." Twilight explained. "It took all 7 rounds to bring him down and he still stood there for a minute before the full effect hit him."

"I only heard what happened second-hoof.” Dawn said, hoping to placate her guest, feeling a sense of dread that she might have insulted this Twilight, “I was in Equestria after that had happened, at least from what I gathered."

"Yeah.” Twilight replied quietly, almost sounding wistful, “I only learned of the casualties later as well as the fact Ponyville had been razed to the ground and most of Canterlot was an inferno, along with most other major cities."

Dawn, Celestia, Luna, and Stalwart all dropped their jaws at the idea of the place being razed to the ground, compound for the latter three that she said it happened as if she were unaffected.

"What?" Twilight asked, still holding the illusion over herself.

"I think,” Dawn started to say, hesitating as she realized she was the first to react, , “ none of us had quite seen that level of devastation, or loss of life, right?"

"More a thought of what in the world had gone so poorly in your world that would necessitate it." Celestia denied with a shake of her head.

"What?" Twilight replied with a sharp tone and a glare.

"Forgive me,” Celestia said with another shake of her head, “it is clear our worlds are quite different, and it is possible there are far more things we are taking for granted. I believe this would be a good time to conclude. What questions might you have?"

"Nothing." Twilight replied, her voice cold as ice as she finished her meal.

To Dawn, it felt like the room’s temperature had dropped, and there was a stiffness to the air, and she was simply glad that she had finished her meal and didn’t have to move. She wasn’t sure what the right move was, and she decided the best thing to do was to stay still and do nothing, even as she watched Celestia and Luna stand up.

"Very well. You may stay and finish your meals if you wish, but sadly we have duties needing attended. Please feel free to let Dawn know any other questions you may have." Celestia said as she went to the balcony to the South.

Luna had followed her sister, pausing at the door and her horn glowed, causing a very faint glow to Dawn’s own horn.

‘We are sorry this went so poorly. Allow me to speak to her and keep me posted.’ Luna conveyed.

‘Of course.’ Dawn replied through the spell. She would have said more, but Luna ended the spell and the two sisters took to flight to their respective rooms.

Twilight didn't say a word as they left and focused on her meal. Dawn simply sighed, feeling quite saddened and defeated. There was some resentment toward the two rulers, feeling as if a manager at a prior job just dropped a giant task that they should have been responsible for at her hooves. It was aggravating in its own right.

"Well,” Dawn managed to say, “that was not what I expected. I'm sorry Twilight. If I had realized, I would have done things quite differently."

Stalwart quietly got up, patted his wife’s shoulder, and stepped out of the room, trotting down the stairs to address a concern of his own. Twilight didn't answer as she ate.

"It is alright Dawn,” Chrysalis sighed. “we do not blame you. Just what Celestia said is an insult to everything Twilight has worked towards and done her entire life, as well as insulting those who gave their lives so others could live."

"Which doesn’t excuse their running away from what was said, and even made things worse.” Dawn nodded in agreement, and glad that they understood her position, “If it's any consolation, I still want to support you how I can, even if I might not fully comprehend what you both have been through."

"Thank you Dawn, it is much appreciated." Twilight said, some of the previous edge to her voice missing.

"Well,” Dawn smiled gently to show her own appreciation yet unable to fully stop her empathy at sharing the insult given to her guest, “if you ever need to talk to anyone about things, let me know. No one should suffer their burdens alone. I mean, that’s not to say you're alone, I just... you know I hope."

"It is ok Dawn, we understand." Chrysalis chuckled, recognizing the mare’s emotions messing with their ability to speak.

Dawn nodded, waiting as the others finished their food. She looked over to the foal, only to see Violet sitting between her two parents with her ears drooped, clearly recognizing what had happened. Dawn paused as she noticed this, then started to grin with a mischievous idea that hit her mind.

"You know, I seem to recall the cooks here being very good with deserts. What would you say to a little fun raid to get some from them?" She asked, looking Twilight in the eye and once they looked, glanced over to Violet, trying to hint at violet needing cheered up.

Twilight eyed her and then glanced at Violet before looking back. "Always good for her to practice her infiltration." Twilight said casually.

"What do you say Violet,” Dawn asked, starting to get up and flapped her wings twice for a stretch, “up for a little mission?"

"Yes!" She proclaimed as she got climbed on the table and ran over to Dawn, jumping on her back.

"So,” Dawn asked after a small laugh at their exuberance, “what’s your cover story?"

"Uh.....I'm the daughter of one of the servants."

"No one's called a servant here.” Dawn shook her head. “What if you were a visitor from school nearby and I was giving you a tour of the castle?"

"Oh.” Violet said, her snout scrunching up briefly in confusion, “Then what are they called?"

"Guards mostly, otherwise they’re workers. Servants has a bit of a negative connotation, like a feeling of inferiority or that their job is somehow less important when it isn’t. They hate being called that by some of the nobles."

"That's what they are though." Violet blinked, a single crease along her snout still visible.

"Even if that’s the case,” Dawn said, trying not to sigh as she reminded herself the foal had much to learn. “inspiring confidence or happiness in others involves not doing things to make them feel unwanted or unappreciated. To call them servants makes them feel like their work is an expectation, whereas calling them workers shows a need for them to be here, that they don't have to, and thus appreciated for the work they do. It has a lot to do with context."

"The servants back home get annoyed anytime they are called something other than servants." Violet said with a blink, but the crease no longer visible on her snout.

"I don't know what to tell you. First I've heard of something like that.” Dawn admitted before turning to Twilight, “Any idea why Twilight?"

"They take pride in their work because no castle runs without servants and they know that.” Twilight shrugged, “’Worker’ makes them sound like a part timer who doesn't care what job they have."

"Well, I'll have to remember that if I get to come and visit.” Dawn said before returning her attention to Violet, “So, what kind of foal should you be, hm?"

"Mmmmm…" Violet hummed as she thought, the crease returning and no sooner than Dawn noticed its return, in a dark green flash she was an orange earth pony filly with a bright pink messy mane.

"And who are you little one?" Dawn asked with a giggle at the adorable vibrancy of colors chosen.

"Surehoof." She said with a very slight Canterlot accent.

"Nice to meet you Surehoof.” Dawn said with a nod, turning to leave the room with a slow walk, unused to a foal riding on her back and wanting to be careful, “Now, off to raid the kitchen, or we could just ask the cooks nicely." Dawn finished with a chuckle

"Raiding sounds funner." Violet said, tucking her legs under herself like a cat would as Dawn walked.

Dawn laughed quietly before saying, "Then we'll have to be sneaky."

"That's what I’m good at!" Violet said cheerfully.

Dawn subtly cast her telephone spell to contact the kitchen, wanting them to have a few sweets, several including strawberries, ready and waiting as if about to go out to other residents to play along with the ruse. She received a response confirming the request along with a small giggle at the end while her spell finished.

She walked along the hall, doing her best not to clap her hooves against the ground, and in turn being quite quiet, barely audible to herself. She walked down the halls with familiarity and soon enough came to a set of doors with a circular glass window in the middle.

"What do you see my assistant?" Dawn asked as she slowed, finishing their careful approach.

Surehoof climbed up onto Dawn's head and looked through the small window, keeping her head low and ears flat against her head.

There was a long metal island counter in the middle of the room, separating where the servers worked and the various cooking stations along the wall. Counters to the sides with refrigerators and freezers for various items that might be needed lined the two sides that the filly could see, but their prize laid on the counter in the middle serving island, close to the edge.

Several desserts were lying in sight, a pair of strawberry shortcakes with a light pink-colored icing, a slice of strawberry pie with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a third one of a strawberry cake slice.

"Any good loot to take?" Dawn asked, not able to see at the same time and encouraging the filly to describe the situation as a part of the training.

"I don't know… something seems off." Surehoof replied, examining closely. “Not a single one of them is looking at the serving counter."

The one turned from the fridge and went over to the counter with a bowl of sprinkles, looking over the deserts and contemplating whether they needed any, before sprinkling a few on the ice cream. They set the topping down on the cooled countertop to the side and visibly waved their hoof in the air as they seemed to count each dessert before nodding and turning away to put the sprinkles away, saying something to a nearby chef who ended up laughing, the laugh being audible through the doors.

"Hmm" Surehoof hummed, assessing the activities inside with some scratching to her chin with a tiny hoof. "If those were just made then I'd estimate we have about 10 minutes at the most, and being generous before a server arrives to pick them up. That's only if they just now placed them down. It’s unknown how long they have actually been sitting then, so to be safe drop that down to... I'd say… 3 minutes."

The workers seemed to have a large pile of dishes that were being washed and half of them moved to get them cleaned, three on scrubbing, one on rinsing, and one drying with a hose that seemed to blow air based on how some of their manes moved.

"It may be possible to grab all of them if we can ensure the cooks are distracted by something…” Surehoof said, continuing to rub her chin with her hoof. “May be able to crank up one of the ovens so the flames grow larger than expected. That has about a 19% chance of resulting in minor injuries, but most likely will just burn the food and create a lot of smoke. Second option is turning on the water, full blast with the sprayer unmanned so it goes wild. 15% chance of injury by slipping on the floor, but definitely would get their attention and also avoid loss of food in theory. I'm thinking option two." Violet finished and moved down below the window to look at Dawn expectantly.

"Well, I don't like the idea of causing harm, but if we're wanting a surprise maneuver,” Dawn said, more comically exaggerating her thinking motions to fit the foal’s excitement. “I suppose option two it is. Are you ready?"

"2 minutes remaining at best." Surehoof said as she got down into Dawn's back and hung on.

"Very well." Dawn said, raising her wings slightly to act as rail guards for her little charge, “Operation begins in three… two… one…”

Dawn’s horn lit as she turned on the water and unhooked the spray-nozzle from its position. Its initial twist sprayed the one at the station the most before splattering the three scrubbers. They yelped in surprise and moved to try and grab it with their hooves or mouths, it continuing its wild dance unabated.

Dawn moved into the kitchen quickly to stand in the doorway where they could now hear the muffled cries from the workers more clearly. She ignored it and levitated four of the six items, all of the strawberry ones, ignoring the chocolate and velvet cake slices that were to the side, and floated them out of the door and started trotting softly back the way they came, dishes floating behind her.

Surehoof continued to smile as she had watched the mayhem and now the spoils of their raid floating behind them caused her to grip the mane of her mount all the tighter.

Dawn winced slightly as the grip almost hurt, but the foal loosened their grip almost immediately after and continued floating the desserts out down the halls before a couple minutes later, the tower stairs were in sight up ahead.

"That was awesome!!" Surehoof said excitedly, jumping up in the air and landing back on Dawn’s back.

“Now now Surehoof.” Dawn tutted, “We aren't Scott free yet, but we're almost there."

“Oh.” Surehoof gasped, shoving a hoof in her mouth to keep quiet, trying to stay still, her form quivering on Dawn’s back in excitement, especially as she watched the food float behind her, just out of reach to munch on one along the way.

Dawn chuckled quietly as she trotted quickly up the stairs, and soon enough reached the door. She quietly opened the door with her magic, walked in, and closed it behind them when the treats floated inside themselves.

"Mission success!" Dawn said cheerfully, though looking at the table now cluttered with various pieces of what looked like a gun of some kind as well as bottles that, based on the smell, were chemical in nature.

"Oh?” Twilight asked as she looked up from those pieces, “Pulled off a flawless heist?"

Dawn smiled, noticing how Twilight sounded much more cheerful than she had been. She was about to reply when a tiny foreleg came into view, waving.

"Well Surehoof? Care to tell her in detail?" Dawn asked, setting the food down on the other side of the table, away from the chemicals.

"We managed to plan out how to distract them with the dishwasher! Sprayed everypony by turning it on full blast. It kept the cooks distracted while we slipped in and grabbed the deserts!" The disguised filly said happily, eliciting an energetic laugh from Dawn.

"Come now Surehoof, you have a desert to eat, unless you wish to leave an offering to your mother first."

"No, that's alright. Me and Chrysalis can pick something up later." Twilight chuckled. "You two enjoy."

Dawn smiled and sat down carefully with the foal on her back, "I think I'll have a bit of this cake here. What about you Violet, where you starting for dessert?"

"Pie." She said quickly dropping her disguise and hopping down onto the cushion Stalwart had sat on.

"Dig in kiddo." Dawn said, floating the pie into place in front of the filly. The plate barely landed when Violet nearly dove onto the pie muzzle first, digging in with obvious relish and making Dawn chuckle again at their antics.

"Well, once we're done here, I can show you to our temporary rooms until we return back home. I sadly am not strong enough for teleportation magic even just for myself, either that or I don't have a knack for it or understand it well enough.” Dawn admitted, then rephrased again to keep it simple, “I just don't know why I can't really."

"You should be strong enough.” Twilight said, blinking skeptically at the princess, “at least in theory as an alicorn."

"Perhaps there's a mental roadblock then?” Dawn asked, thinking and looking up from her cheesecake. “Something that's causing me to not comprehend it or fear trying it? I try to get the courage to try the spell sometimes, but the spell seems to sizzle near the end."

"Perhaps.” Twilight nodded, “Bending space and time to your will is not something easy. Took me six months of rigorous study and practice before I achieved it, and it was done out of desperation and wasn't done so well. Took a bit of time to refine it and get it down properly."

"If you could go over the books I have trying to teach these advanced spells and help me out, it'd be really appreciated.” Dawn returned the nod, “I struggle a great deal with learning without a teacher who says it out loud and demonstrates or explains. Just reading it doesn’t help somehow."

"Not a problem.” Twilight shrugged slightly, “Honestly surprised you don't have a tutor since magic is still new to you. I had daily lessons with Celestia ‘till I was 15, and then I had a strong enough grasp on magic I could do independent studies."

"I've been nearly entirely on my own after a few weeks in magic kindergarten.” Dawn shook her head, “I really need a tutor in some ways, but I'm proud of the progress I've made intuitively and with study. I just need someone to be available for it."

"You what?" Twilight stared at her dumbfounded.

"What?” Dawn asked, her tone being a bit more defensive as she looked at Twilight concerned, only looking away for a second to Chrysalis for insight and returned to meet Twilight’s gaze.

"You have been left on your own to learn magic with the barest amount of basic knowledge?" Twilight asked, staring openly.

"I-” Dawn sat there, stunned and worried about what this discovery meant before hesitantly answering, “Yes, why?"

"You are extremely lucky nothing went wrong... to practice magic without proper training... it’s a miracle no one was injured or something destroyed! Magic is one of the most volatile things there is if control is lost."

Dawn nodded, thinking about what could have gone wrong, yet nothing had. She took a deep breath and let it out before replying.

"It makes me wonder. I've had times where it didn't do anything, but the only times it'd backfired was when I tried to fix Nightfall’s Mirror of Worlds, as my magical power wasn’t enough and it ruined the enchantment entirely, backfiring and sending me into a coma, and the other time was when I deliberately shattered my horn by preparing all out magic beam kind of spell and deliberately didn't let that stored energy out, and like a kettle of boiling water, after a while it exploded." She said, shivering slightly at the memory.

"You are lucky you weren't killed." Twilight said. "When I tried to use more magic then I could control as a filly, I lost control and had a magic surge. I turned several people into inanimate objects, including my parents, and turned a baby dragon into a full-grown dragon with the mind of a baby dragon in the middle of Canterlot Castle. If not for Celestia stepping in, who knows what else would have happened!"

Dawn blinked, swallowed, and took a deep breath, a proper fear and respect for magic coming over her as that settled in.

"I... see... well, I can be glad nothing's backfired absolutely... I just... what does that mean for my ability to use magic then if I’ve avoided that so far?"

"Either you have good instincts, or the luck of the devil. My money is on both."

Dawn laughed nervously and shook her head, feeling quite embarrassed at the perceived complement, but blushed and looked away.

"Ok, so on the part of training you physically,” Twilight said, mentally noting that discovery, “I'll be giving you some basic training in magic it seems, so as to make sure you get the basics down and can then branch out on your own."

"Sounds good,” Dawn nodded, “though I’ll need to teach what I do know so we can skip unnecessary things and be able to replicate results later, like with the telephone spell I seem to have down pat."

"Yeah, I planned to run you through basic tests so I know what you do and don't know."

"Sounds like a plan. Violet, how's the food?"

The pie and half the pancakes were gone as she looked up with the fork in her mouth.

"Wot?" She asked around the fork.

Dawn laughed appreciatively at the gluttony Violet had toward the deserts, at least when it came to strawberries. "Nevermind, you answered my question."

"Oh kw" She said and held the plate up to Dawn

"No no, you enjoy the spoils dear. I'm feeling pretty full right now anyway." Dawn shook her head, trying to be nice to the foal and the foal wasn’t about to argue. Dawn let out a small wistful sigh before asking, "So, what will you two want to be up to tonight? More foalsitting on my part or perhaps a walk of the town?"

"Walk around town, I want to see all that hasn't ‘gone wrong’ with this world." Twilight said.

"That's fine then, would you like me to accompany you or no?"

"That would be fine." Twilight said.

"All right, then I will." Dawn replied, then noticed Stalwart starting to come into the room, a scowl across his face.

"What's wrong Stalwart?" Dawn asked

"We'll talk about it later."

"Something to do with us?" Twilight asked, letting her curiosity show.

"Some. If I say much I think I'll explode with anger. Just... saying something so rude and then dropping the problem square on my wife's shoulders..." He let out a loud grunt of exasperation before saying, "this isn't like them. I don't get it!"

Dawn quietly said, "Perhaps, despite their saying they would not judge, they still did..."

"Ah yes....that." Twilight said coldly.

Stalwart narrowed his eyes before shaking his head and headed back to the door, "I'll see you in our room when you're ready Dawn. I'm too angry to think straight right now."

Twilight watched him go with a calculated gaze.

"I think he may have spoken to his superiors and didn't like the answers." Twilight said looking at the now closed door.

"Yeah, I think he did talk to them. He's learned how capable I am, but we both hate problems being dumped on us, and is more prone to handling it head on... I appreciate what he does most of the time, and the intent is nearly always appreciated."

"I trust, if need be, I'll hear about what you two speak of if it concerns us?" Twilight nodded and now looked at Dawn.

"Absolutely. I typically hate keeping secrets, and frankly, you deserve to know what's going on. All I ask is a similar level of transparency, you know?"

"As best as I can give you and if it concerns you or this world yes." Twilight nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad.” Dawn smiled gently, “it's kinda funny, just how much i've been taking for granted until your arrival..."

"What do you mean?"

"My training, magical and physical, being a proper leader... they're so hooves off it just makes me remember how things were back home and seems to be similar for you as well. I rather miss that level of direction in some ways. I like my freedom to pursue things as I wish, but... I don't know whether to be concerned about the direction this world is going in or not."

"Ah....well......no comment." Twilight said

"I understand, we've prodded that subject enough for now." Dawn nodded, and once received a nod in turn, stretched and stood up looking over to Violet, "So, kiddo, how were the deserts? Good spoils?"

"Good!" She said happily, the plates lying ahead of her having been licked clean.

"I figured as much.” Dawn laughed, “Let's go get some walking in. I've sat around too much as it is."

She buzzed up onto Dawn's back and became Surehoof again. Dawn chuckled, feeling quite happy to have her on her back

"Twilight? Is this a decent time to go ahead and have that walk or no?"

Twilight reassembled the rifle and gave it a test fire without any ammo in it before it vanished.

"Yes now is a good time."

Dawn nodded, opening the door and stepping toward it to walk down the stairs ahead of them. The two adults followed as Surehoof stood on Dawn's back to watch over her head.

Dawn lead them through the halls again to the outdoors, sighing contentedly as the moonlight was bright and cast everything in a softer shade. She walked to the gate and waited.

"Well, I'll take your lead Twilight, go where your heart wishes."

Twilight nodded and began to walk. Dawn followed just behind Twilight and to the side, admiring how much she and Chrysalis seem to hold themselves together in a stressful place, not to mention the illusions being so thorough.

They soon arrived outside large gated mansion near the castle and Twilight sat on her haunches looking at it. Dawn blinked, looking at it.

"What's this?" Dawn asked

"Remember the war with Tirek and the lives it cost?" Twilight said after a sigh. Dawn nodded and she continued, "This mansion was destroyed when Canterlot fell. The owner donated it to the army, and in its place is a wall carved with the names and ranks of every soldier and guard who died among a garden that remains mostly untamed."

Dawn nodded again, not really sure what to say about it. She didn't want to be rude, but she could tell it hurt to see that this world didn't have such a momento to her friends and fallen. It didn’t help that she was trying to stay objective so she wouldn’t be overcome with emotion and empathy.

"250,000. That's how many guards and soldiers died. The EDF was almost completely wiped out. We still have no clue what happened to some of the soldiers as they were never recovered and all but the head of the air force, the navy, my myself, and chrysalis were all that survived of the command staff. The flower garden is meant to represent how they all came from different backgrounds and different lives, all coming together and working as one. We have a tank, or what remains of one, sitting on a pedestal in the middle. It's call sign was Hammer Two, and as Canterlot fell, the crew disobeyed orders to fall back to defend the castle. They cited there were civilians inside Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, despite the fact the school had been evacuated hours ago. Turns out they were right and while they fought Tirek, thirteen foals who had gotten separated from their evacuation group and ran to the only place they knew in the city, escaped out the back along with the head of the school. The tank crew gave their lives so those foals could escape, and the tank represents similar actions taken all across Equestria."

Dawn choked up, trying not to cry at the story, but couldn't help but picture the scene with the things around them. She knew better than to disrespect her memory by speaking up, saying how 'sorry' she was that it happened. it would only diminish the weight of what they did. She then spoke up softly as a better idea came to mind.

"You have a lot of good mares and stallions back home.” She barely managed to say, voice quiet, “I wish I could have met them."

"The best." She said, turning to face the green mare. "It's why I can never forgive your Celestia for what she said. She not only insulted my country, but dishonored the sacrifices these mares and stallions made so the few could escape. They could have easily ran or hid but instead they held the line till there was none of them left. Hell, the last of the command staff was General Sweettop. She was in charge of the Canterlot evacuation and when the evacuation site came under attack she attacked Tirek with just her sidearm. Every one of them died like heroes as far as I'm concerned, and I will never forgive anyone for disrespecting them."

Dawn nodded yet again, keeping her peace as she debated what she could say, if anything. It was painfully clear that the wound ran deep and with good reason, and her empathy was running fully, as if feeling some of the weight on the mare’s shoulders.

Twilight lapsed into solace as she just stared at the house. Dawn moved forward slowly, standing next to her, close, yet giving her space, as if to give in some small way a reminder that she's not alone. She might not know what that degree of loss is like, but she would not stand by and not do something to help. After a while Twilight sighed and got to her hooves

"Shall we continue?"

"After you, Twilight." She said softly, choosing to stand by her opposite to Chrysalis.

Twilight began to walk again, Chrysalis following, Violet having moved onto their back while Dawn and Twilight had the talk before.

Dawn continued to follow, right as a yellow unicorn with a sunflower mark and a blue pegasus were trotting nearby.

"Hi Breezy, Lemon Bloom!" Dawn called out, "what are you two up to?"

Twilight stopped and and looked at the two as Dawn spoke to them

"Well hello there Miss Dawn," Breezy said as he bowed, giving every appearance of being an old mare charmer, in spite of his grey beard stubble and a couple wrinkles present in both ponies. "And Princess Twilight too, a pleasure ta meet ya both."

Twilight gave a small bow back with a smile but didn't say anything.

Lemon smiled gently, "So how have you been dear?"

"Lovely. I am hosting a few guests and we were exploring Canterlot together."

"Work keeping you busy?” Lemon bloom asked.

"Not really, but I've finally started flying lessons in the meantime."

"Oh?" Breezy seemed to ask, turning between them. "I thought we were going to go over that when you were free. Who's yer teacher?"

"I am." Twilight said. "I thought since I know how it feels to go from a unicorn to an Alicorn and try to learn to fly I'd be best suited to help."

"Aye, that is true, that is true.” Breezy nodded, “Still, ya can't blame an old retired Wonderbolt for hoping to have his last student be a princess." He chuckled and gave his best smile, "It's fine though Dawn, you're free to go to who you like."

"Breezy, I'll do what i can to get some lessons from you either way. It’s the distance that's the hardest part for us." Dawn said, trying to stave off what she thought was him feeling hurt at her having gotten another teacher.

Lemon Bloom smiled gently, "That’s kind of you dear, but it's fine. We'll manage. You know, we could always have Storm go and teach you."

"I'm not sure that's wise." Dawn said gently, shaking her head, "We don't get along pretty much ever, especially lately. The plus side is that it would force us to get along, but knowing what I do so far?" She shook her head again, wondering if she turned them down gently enough.

"Well…” Twilight said, pausing in surprise, “a former Wonderbolt definitely could help with pointers, and I do have things to do later, so won't always be able to teach her. So, having a substitute instructor waiting in the wings is definitely a good idea."

"Well, let us know when you need us and we can drop by.” Lemon Bloom chuckled, “After all, there's plenty we can do in Van Hoover right?"

"Right," Breezy said, stepping onward on the path, "nice meeting you again dawn. Don't be a stranger!"

"Don't worry, we will meet again." Twilight smiled, watching them go.

Author's Notes:

And we have arrived in Canterlot and had a lovely chat with the local Royals and now off to explore the city as the Princess of Hope gets a bit of a history lesson.

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