(Luna’s POV)

At first, I thought my hoof swatted a fly. However, a fly isn’t supposed to crunch and crumble like a piece of paper. And I didn’t feel Emmit’s presence immediately either. Nor did my hooves or wings find him when they searched for him. My first thought, after spotting the piece of parchment, was that he must have gone out and left a note for me. After sitting up in the bed and grabbing the paper, my magic drew back the curtains slightly, off to my right, to read what he wrote. Only to find that it wasn’t from him but from Twilight Sparkle.

(*)

Princess Luna,

As you read this letter you have noticed that Emmit isn’t there with you. That’s because he’s here with me in Ponyville. Another Equestria is doomed moment happened between me and a mare named Starlight Glimmer. It involved time travel and Emmit was involved as well, which is why he’s with me in my castle. I’ll explain in detail when you arrive, but to put it simply: Starlight Glimmer went back in time to keep my friends and I from getting our cutie marks together. That, in turn, created alternate timelines. For unknown reasons, Emmit wasn’t affected by the timelines, so he went through each one while I attempted to stop Starlight Glimmer. He is safe and unharmed...for once...and requests your presence.

P.S. He told me about his mother’s soul. Because of that and other things, I’m not sure how much he doesn’t want me to tell my friends about the incident. He’s now resting from the ordeal while my friends and I talk about what to do with Starlight now.

Your Friend,

Twilight

(*)

Time travel? Emmit wasn’t affected? At least Twilight said he was alright. I definitely needed answers. Even though I was still recovering from my estrus with Emmit over the past three days, and even though I was still tired, Emmit needed me more right now. After quickly getting everything together, I was downstairs in the lobby in a flash. The morning train was leaving soon and I had to be on it.

^_^

(Emmit’s POV, around dinnertime hours later)

“Emmit,” came the soft voice of my mother. The light from the bedside table was bright enough to shine through the thin bed sheet that I pulled over my head. I felt the weight of her body when she sat on the bed.

“No mommy,” grumbling from under the covers trying to block out the light, “I don’t want to get up. It’s Saturday.”

There was a pause while she just looked down at me. She was wearing that yellow dress again, but why was her hair pink? The covers weren’t that thick that I couldn’t see a diffused image.

“But if you don’t get up you’ll miss the wonderful meal,” she said through her voice was changing. Strange yes, but to something just as soothing. As if peace was a blanket that she was spreading with her words. It didn’t sound like mom anymore but was just as loving and motherly.

I thought my stomach was a traitor for wanting me to get up as it grumbled out its complaint.

The giggle that hit my ears I recognized. The hand, or what I thought was a hand, that rubbed my head was instead a hoof. It was Fluttershy, but how did she get here? I didn’t know our worlds were connected.

I pulled back the covers to tell her that I wanted to sleep in. When that happened the figurative fog of my half-asleep half-dreaming state started to part. My room started fading away to see crystal walls, floor, and ceiling for the guest room that I found. Fluttershy was laying on the bed next to me, with me in my human form, rubbing a hoof on my head. And smiling to me as she laid her head on the pillow next to mine. “Fluttershy?” I asked now fully awake taking one glance around the room.

She giggled cutely at me before leaning over giving me a light kiss on my cheek. “Your dinner will get cold.”

As my body stretched under the covers it popped a couple of sore joints. I chuckled at her when she winced at me. “Don’t worry I won’t fall apart.”

She smiled and shook her head, “No, but you will go hungry unless you get up.”

“I really don’t wanna,” giving her a smirk I took a hand from under the covers to pull her into me. She “eeped”, but giggled curling her body against mine. “I’m too comfortable with my new teddy bear.”

“You were dreaming weren’t you?” she asked curiously as she laid her head on my neck. It was nice to feel her gentle breath against my skin. My arms wrapped around her, she did feel like a teddy bear. As far as the calming effect was concerned. Something I wanted for just a couple of minutes.

“Yes, it was one of those times when I hung between fully awake and fully asleep.”

“What was it about?” she whispered to me kissing my neck lightly then humming very softly.

“It was...the day,” my voice broke because of the raw emotions flooding me, “she was...killed.” My arms gripped her a little tighter. Her wing that covered me, her light kisses, and her soft beautiful humming were calming me. It washed over me like another blanket. “It was a Saturday and I wanted to sleep in.” My voice steadied as I held her. “It was lunchtime. I eventually got up and ate. Later that day she was going to prepare a special dinner for us, but she needed a few things from the store. She asked me to go, but no...no I wanted to stay. It was Saturday, my day to goof off.”

“Emmit,” she cooed at me softly hoping to calm me down from the self-loathing that I was building myself up to. “Emmit...listen. You were just a foal then. You can’t blame yourself for that. She would want you safe, as all mothers do, and if you went with her you might have been killed with her. Would she want that?”

“No,” my response was soft and filled with sadness. I’ve already cried already, many times over the years. And even again recently because of what those shadow ponies did. So, I cried again. Softly and quietly.

“There now,” she whispered lightly kissing my cheek again laying her head back onto my neck, “Feel better?”

“Yeah,” I said quietly, “More stable at least. Thank you.” I let her go as she pulled back now looking at me.

“Good now get up and come to dinner,” she said it gently, but firmly at the same time. I think only she could pull that off. She’d make an excellent mother someday.

I gave out another stretch, “Alright, alright. I’ll take a shower first.” And for some reason, right now, I wanted to stay in my human form. But I had no clue where my clothes were. After thinking back, my mind realized that they were back in Canterlot where I left them. So, human form was out. Besides, with Starlight now being reformed now probably isn’t the time to spring another form on her.

After morphing into my Ninetales form, Fluttershy got off the bed, so I could throw off the covers. She just smiled at me when my body rolled out of the bed to stand on the floor. “Now go on and get ready before dinner gets cold,” she admonished softly, kissed my muzzle, and headed out the door.

^_^

It wasn’t surprising to me to see Starlight in the dining room with the rest of the girls. Her dining room was relatively small in comparison to the one in Canterlot. It had a round table that was large enough for all of us. Made out of crystal of course. Off to the side of the room, behind Twilight, was the door leading to the kitchen. Starlight was between Twilight and Pinkie. I took my spot between Fluttershy and AJ.

“Well look who’s finally awake,” AJ teased at me with a grin while finishing off her apple tart dessert.

“Yeah,” Rainbow echoed with a snicker while sitting next to Pinkie, “I think he sleeps longer than me.”

“Well it’s perfectly understandable,” Rarity came to my defense with a slight huff and a smile, “The poor dear’s been through a lot lately.”

“Thanks, Rarity,” I said as she thanked me with an “Mhmm” and a nod. Fluttershy motioned to the plate in front of me and a wink. My eyes spotted a nicely cooked fish on my plate. Oh, how my mouth was watering. Leaning over I gave her a quick peck on her cheek thanking her quietly. “I’m assuming that Luna isn’t here yet?”

“Not yet,” Twilight responded as she nibbled on her dessert, “She should be here around midnight or so after the last train comes in.”

Nothing was said for a few minutes while finishing my fish. Everypony was eating their desert with the tension a little thick in the air. That is until Rainbow spoke up.

After quickly finishing her desert Rainbow pushed it away with a slight huff, “Alright, in nopony will ask, then I will.”

“Rainbow,” Twilight quietly tried to admonish, but Rainbow ignored it.

Rainbow looked over to me after putting her hooves onto the table, staring at me with knowing eyes. “Which one of us was your favorite?”

That shocked me into part choking and part spit-taking the water I was drinking. “W-what?” The glass was put back down onto the table as I looked over to her with an incredulous look.

Rainbow rolled her eyes at me, “Which one of us was your favorite? Twilight told us about the show for foals you watched.”

“Twilight?” I asked her slowly.

“You never said I couldn’t tell my friends,” she said simply while sipping on her water.

“I can’t believe...”

“We’re waiting,” Rainbow complained. She was staring right into my eyes. As was the rest of the girls when I looked around.

“Alright, alright,” sighing I sat back down in defeat. Apparently, there was no way out of it. “All you girls are special in your own rights. Pinkie always tries to make ponies smile, Rarity is always generous and never afraid to ‘be a lady’ as she puts it while using her skill to run a business, AJ is a truthful hard worker and runs her own business, Rainbow has her sonic rainboom which drives people wild, Twilight is knowledgeable and wants to make friends, Fluttershy is kind and sweet. All of you are a testament to your Elements.”

“Thanks, sugarcube,” AJ smile then nodded to me with a smirk, “But you didn’t answer her question, Emmit.”

“I know,” I said with a sigh, “Just know that I like all your girls. But yes I do have a couple of favorites.” All of them looked at me expectantly, except for Starlight which was looking rather glum. And yes I knew that I was stalling for time, but that nothing could ultimately stop me from telling them. “They are Fluttershy and Rarity.”

“Aw,” Rainbow sat back down in her seat looking defeated.

“Don’t worry Dashie,” Pinkie tried telling her, “You’re still awesome.”

“Shoot, it’s alright,” AJ nodded to me with a smile, “I’m happy that others can see what being honest and a good work ethic will do for somepony.”

“You’re right AJ,” I said with a smile, “Even though it started out as a show meant for children. It’s the lessons that each of you learned that has spread across our world. To not only kids but adults as well. Many people across my world love all you girls.”

“What about me?” Starlight asked hesitantly with sad eyes at me.

I looked over her trying to be gentle in what I said, “Your character is coming along nicely, but I can’t tell you the future Starlight. Just try your best to make friends and you can make a positive difference in this world alright?”

She gave me a soft smile, “Alright.”

It was quiet for a few minutes while I began to eat my dinner. That is until Fluttershy used her hoof to move my head toward her and ask, “So, what is it about Rarity and I that makes us your favorites?” It was the look in her eyes that held my focus. It wasn’t “the stare” as she is famous for. It was the other look that women are known for. A combination of puppy eyes and womanly charm that draws out the will of any man and proceeds to crush it under her gaze.

Oh crap, not that question. No...don't...give...in.

The other girls were also curious. I knew because I took a quick look around to try to break myself from her spell. It seemed to work until my eyes met hers again.

Crap. And lost all will of my own.

After a sigh of defeat, I gave in, “Alright I’ll tell you.” Fluttershy smiled up at me expectantly. “Fluttershy is kind, gentle, loving, and has a natural beauty to her. Yet at the same time, through all that timid shyness is the courage to stare down a fully grown dragon.” Fluttershy was blushing and hiding behind her mane, but with a wide smile on her face. Turning to Rarity I smiled at her, “Rarity strives to be a lady, and encourages other mares to do the same. Not afraid to tell others how ladies are to be treated. I remember the episode where you were ponynapped by the diamond dogs.” I quickly laughed at the memory, “And clever enough to have them digging for her. Clever enough to have them eating out of her hooves.”

There were a few giggles around the room when I said it. “I’ll admit,” Rainbow smirked over at Rarity, “That was pretty cool.”

“Darn tootin,” AJ echoed with a smile that reached her twinkling eyes, “Didn’t expect her to walk up to us with carts filled with gems. Then the diamond dogs beggin’ us to take her back.”

“Thank you, Emmit,” Rarity cooed batting her eyes over at me before smiling over to Fluttershy. “And you’re right, she does have a natural beauty. One that, for a while, I was jealous of. I try so hard to be the best mare I can. While she seemed to do it so easily.”

Fluttershy leaned over giving me a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you, Emmit,” she whispered then smiled over to Rarity, “Thank you Rarity, but you are beautiful as well. Being as generous as you are. You always seem so confident all the time. Something that I’m still lacking.”

“So what was it like for you after first showing up here?” Twilight asked, steering the conversation away from embarrassing Fluttershy even more.

I chuckled a little, “Well, after the initial shock of finding out I was in this Ninetale form I was excited. Even after all this, a part of me still thinks it’s unbelievable that I’m actually here. Seeing all of you, watching all the adventures and especially the lessons. Then to be teleported here by the Tree of Harmony itself? Needless to say, I was excited but it didn’t turn out exactly how I expected.”

AJ chuckled with embarrassment before rubbing her neck with a hoof. “Yeah, you’d think we’d learn from the Zecora incident years ago.”

Right then an idea popped into my head that was just too good of an opportunity. I just couldn’t pass this up. “Now don’t you all worry about that,” I said to them with a chuckle before getting off the chair. All eyes watched me as I trotted over to AJ to stand behind her and to one side. My lips pulled back into a mile-wide grin, shining my sharp teeth at AJ. Her eyes showed her uneasiness as I leaned in to speak quietly into her ear. “You are a prey species after all. And I am a predator.” AJ “eeped” when my lips nipped the tip of her ear.

Naturally, AJ gave me a glare after I chuckled trotting over to Rainbow. Looking around the room showed me mixed emotions. Fluttershy was looking a little hot and bothered with her wings slightly out. Rarity was trying to hide it by concentrating on the water she was sipping. Twilight was glaring at me with her tail tapping against her seat. Pinkie was giggling away as always. Rainbow was giving me a look that said she wanted to whisk me away to somewhere private.

Sitting down on the floor next to Rainbow’s chair I looked around while lifting a paw. “Being a prey species,” I continued while gently putting a paw against Rainbow’s back. Right between her wings. Rubbing lightly in small circles. “I should have expected it, but was too excited just to be here and see all of you.”

AJ was still glaring at me when she cleared her throat, “Yes well, all that aside let’s change the subject. What did you find out at Las Pegasus?”

Rainbow’s wings were slowly expanding with her body now a little stiff. Her breathing was deeper and a little quicker as well. My paw paused what it was doing when my ears heard that question. She whined just enough for only me to hear when my paw left her back. There was a pause of silence as I looked past them. Twilight was now looking at me with sorrowful eyes. “It’s confirmed,” I told them quietly, “Empress Blackheart is a combination of two souls. One is evil. Don’t know who it is and don’t care. The other soul...belongs to my mother.” All of them gasped aloud when they heard that. “Sarah Knight.”

“Oh no,” Fluttershy gasped softly putting her hooves to her muzzle.

“The mare I confronted told me that there was a short time that she was fully herself before the bond was complete.” My voice went quiet as all I could do was look off into the distance trying to picture it. “She called out to me and my father wondering where she was.”

“Sugarcube,” was the only quiet whisper she said, which echoed what the others were feeling.

“What can we do?” Fluttershy asked softly.

“We can kick their flanks,” Rainbow growled out with her fur and feathers ruffling.

“Emmit?” Twilight’s quiet question made me look up to her. The room went quiet.

“Mother must be freed,” I told her.

Twilight nodded slowly.

“How are we going to do that?” Pinkie wondered putting a hoof to her chin.

“The Elements of Harmony,” Twilight answered. “However, it’s unknown how the Elements will deal with the two souls. So, it’s unknown what’s going to happen to Emmit’s mother’s soul when it comes in contact with them.”

“Either way,” I looked over at Twilight with a sad, yet firm, look, “At least she’ll be free. More than likely once the body is destroyed the souls will go back to wherever they go to rest.”

“But didn’t we give the Elements back to the tree?”

“Yes Rainbow,” Twilight told her with a patient smile, “But remember, we are still the Elements representatives and used them to defeat Tirek. Thereby we are still able to use them.”

“Yes darling, but we have to find them first,” Rarity spoke up.

“I’ll find them,” I growled out softly, “I don’t care what it takes.” Turning around I started walking out, “I’ll find them if it’s the last thing I do.” Nopony said anything as I walked out of the room. With my mind was reeling again there was no destination in mind. It was one of those times when you just had to get out and walk around. So, that’s what I did.

^_^

(Luna’s POV)

After finally arriving in Ponyville I went to Twilight’s castle as it was the best place to check for Emmit. That and I spotted him from the air in the uppermost balcony. It was just after midnight and so the lights were out in the castle. He was just standing there in his fox form staring off into the distance. Lost in thought. If he saw me he didn’t make any indication while I landed on the balcony.

“Emmit?” I asked while gently putting a wing over his back, “I’m here.” He didn’t say anything, but I could feel him relaxing against me as if he was using me for support. There was also deep emotions in his eyes. Gently my head rested against his neck. “We’ll free your mother Emmit,” I whispered softly, “I promise you that.”

“For so long I wished there was something I could have done to save my mother,” he said at last. His voice was soft, a little over a whisper, and filled with remorse and sadness for his mother. But also hatred and malice toward the shadow ponies. “This time is different,” his voice, although still soft, became firm, “This time I can set my mother free.”

My lips met his neck in a soft kiss. “We will Emmit,” my voice was soft and reassuring, “We will. Because I love you, Emmit. Both my sister and I do. And we will do whatever we can to do just that.”

That’s when he slowly turned his head resting his cheek against mine, “I love you both as well. I can’t do this without you or without Twilight and the rest of the girls.”

Hugging him tighter with my wing I rubbed my cheek gently against his, “You’ll always have my sister and I Emmit. Always.” His head nodded against mine with a sniff as his body shook slightly with sadness and remorse.

“I still remember the way she looked, her smile, and her laugh,” he said after a few minutes where I just held him. “Sometimes it fades with time, but right now I can still remember her as if it happened yesterday.” He moved back and I moved back with him until there was enough room for him to put up an image of his mother. As Emmit stood now she would come up to his chest. Light-toned skin with a long blond mane with loving green eyes. He looked up to his mother with a light chuckle, “Leave it to my dad to find the best cook and marry her.” That brought a smile to my face, hearing the mirth in his voice. “My dad couldn’t do squat in the kitchen,” he laughed, “but give my dad a fire and he could grill like no tomorrow.”

“Tell me more about your mother,” I requested softly, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

He took a calming breath before continuing, “She’s actually a lot like both you and Tia. She had Tia’s soft motherly side while having your temper. She was also afraid of spiders.”

“Found that out the hard way?” looked up to him with a smirk with mirth in my eyes.

He cringed at a memory, “My butt was sore for about two days.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “It was funny at the time.”

“Like the prank, you two pulled on me?” He cringed once more when he looked at me as I gave him a smirk.

“Um...yeah.” The figure of her mother disappeared as he turned looking out toward the stars again. “Why is it now? Now that my dad and I had finally gotten comfortable with her loss, does this happen?”

I was silent for a couple of minutes, not really knowing what to say. Then gently put my head against his neck I whispered, “Why don’t you get some sleep? You’ll have pleasant dreams tonight and then tomorrow, after we talk with Twilight, we’ll be on our way to Canterlot.”

“Stay with me?” his voice was soft as if he was a little foal again. It was the voice of a broken heart.

“Always.”

^_^

The next morning Emmit, Twilight, and I were in her “map room,” I believe she calls it, to discuss what happened to her and Emmit. She had taken her seat, I had taken the next one over, while Emmit was sitting between us.

“This all started,” Twilight began with a long sigh, “All six of us was summoned by the map to an area not far from Manehattan at the bottom of the Crystal Mountains. It was a village started and controlled by Starlight Glimmer. She had taken away everypony’s cutie marks and replaced them with an equal sign. It was supposed to bring peace by making everypony equal. But it was under the false pretense that cutie marks had made them unequal, which causes division among ponies. That idea started when she was a filly and lost a friend right after he got his cutie mark. He moved away and never got back in contact with her.” She paused before continuing, “Making a long story short, she tried to convince us of the same thing by taking away our cutie marks. Thank the Tree or Harmony we were able to get our cutie marks back because of the other residents. She was chased away and into the mountains. Until yesterday where she returned with a scroll from Starswirl the Bearded, which combined with the map allowed her to time travel anywhere, and anytime.”

“By my moon,” my voice was soft in shock as the implications hit me.

“As you would say Luna, ‘Indeed.’ She went back in time to when Rainbow Dash first did her Sonic Rainboom and stopped it.” Twilight continued, but I didn’t hear any animosity in her voice. Emmit was quietly listening. “She tried it many times and each one was worse. Sombra returned to wage war against Equestria, next was Chrysalis taking over, and then was Nightmare Moon doing the same. That’s when I saw Emmit.”

“I was taken prisoner by the royal guards in the Sombra timeline and taken to Canterlot,” Emmit spoke up. “Brought before Tia where she was going to invade my head, so to speak, in order to find out everything I knew about Sombra. He was using predators in the war,” he added when I looked to him with shock and confusion. “I was able to gain control over her, so she wouldn’t mind rape me and that’s when everything changed. It was the Chrysalis timeline and the throne room was filled with Changelings. I fought about twenty...I think...before they launched me through a portal, which so happens to lead to your old castle in the forest.” He continued after I nodded, “I was captured again and then was set free at the next timeline change. Just to be noticed by Nightmare’s guards.”

“From there,” Twilight continued again, “we worked through Daybreaker’s timeline.”

“Daybreaker?”

“Celestia’s evil counterpart,” Emmit mentioned.

“Then it was Tirek again, Discord, then Flim and Flam were plowing over Ponyville, and the last was just a vast wasteland. That was the first time that Starlight had seen Emmit. I finally started to get through to her when she took me back in time to when she lost her friend. After that, I finally talked her into stopping and surrendering. She was too powerful for me to stop by force.”

My mind had to spend a couple of minutes just to process everything that they had said. “What happened to the scroll?” I asked softly after a deep breath.

“Not sure honestly,” Twilight rubbed a foreleg, “We saw it get pulled up into one of the timeshift bubbles and disappear. More than likely never to be seen again and hopefully lost to everypony. Though technically that’s not a guarantee.”

“That’s quite a report Miss Sparkle,” I said at last after she finished. “Just proves there are many artifacts from the bygone era that are not only still around but could still pose a threat.”

“Is there any way to track them down?” Twilight’s concern was valid as she asked me.

I shook my head in answer, “I’m afraid not, so don’t worry about it at this point. Either they will turn up or they won’t.” Standing from the seat I stood next to Emmit, “Once again, thank you for what you’ve done. We will leave Starlight in your capable hooves, but for now, Emmit and I will take our leave back to Canterlot.”

Twilight stood with a nod, “Alright Princess,” she yawned, “have a good night.”

Emmit chuckled while booping her nose lightly, “Somepony’s sleepy.”

“Am,” her body betrayed her with another yawn, “not. Now run along because as Rarity always says, ‘It’s not nice to keep a lady waiting.’”

“Indeed,” with a giggle, I nipped at Emmit’s ears then started walking out the door, “Come along Emmit, our private chariot awaits us.”

^_^

(Emmit’s POV, Just before sunrise, Celestia’s room)

I didn’t get a chance to get any sleep on the ride to Canterlot. And with the amount of time we’ve already spent together, Luna told me to go ahead and sleep with Tia for the four hours before sunrise. Tia had immediately clung to me when I climbed into bed with her. Luna went off to finish her night by nightmare watching.

I was out like a light and dead to the world when consciousness brought me out of the narthex of sleep by Tia’s soft kisses. A great way to wake up in my opinion. Still groggy from the little hours of sleep, my eyes slowly opened and tried to focus on her face just inches away. “Morning,” my voice slurred from sleep I gave her a half-hearted tired smile.

“Morning Emmit,” she cooed softly with a light giggle, “Back from Las Pegasus so soon?”

My inner ass decided to rear its ugly head with a smirk and a sarcastic, “No, I’m just a figment of your imagination. I’m still there rutting her silly.”

Her face scrunched up in a half amused and half upset look. Then with a roll of her eyes, she booped me on my nose lightly with a hoof. “So, what brought you back so early?”

“What I call a Twilight Sparkle event.” I had to chuckle at her when she looked to me with confusion on her face. “Long story short. A mare by the name of Starlight Glimmer, who Twilight and the girls met before at a village nearly a year ago, got a hold of an old scroll of Starswirl’s. That scroll combined with her castle’s map allowed this mare to go back in time to any time and any place in Equestrian history.” She listened to me with a look of horror and shock on her face. “She went back in time to prevent Rainbow from doing her first Sonic Rainboom, which was how the other girls got their cutie marks at the same time. Initially, it was only just to break up their friendship. However, it also altered the timeline. The first one was with Sombra taking over, then Chrysalis, then Nightmare Moon, then Daybreaker, Tirek, Discord, Flim and Flam, and then finally to a wasteland without any sun or moon.”

“By the sun,” she whispered softly. I could see the gears turning in her head as she tried to process what I just told her. “Who’s Daybreaker?”

“Nightmare Moon is to Luna,” I told her, “As Daybreaker is to you.”

Her voice was almost too soft when she spoke next, “I turned into a type of Nightmare Moon?”

I ran a paw through her mane and rubbed her head gently, “During one timeline, yes, but don’t worry none. Twilight was able to get Starlight to stop and surrender, so to speak.”

She relaxed under my touch with a long sigh to settle her nerves. “And the scroll?”

Shrugging I pulled her closer against me, “Gone. Disappeared through the time portal to who knows where.” She relaxes into me with a soft content sigh. “So, what’s on your schedule for today?”

“Council meeting,” she groans out in frustration.

“Sounds like you need me to come with you,” I told her with a light nip on her ear.

“I do,” she said with a nod, “and I think I’ll need you in your human form.”

“Why? Not that I’m complaining any.”

“So you can use your fingers on me to calm me down if they ruffle my fur and feathers,” she said with a bit of frustration in her voice.

I smirked while rolling out of bed and onto the floor, then morphing into my human form. Her eyes roamed over my naked form with a wide smile, “But what am I going to wear?”

“Your clothes are in the corner,” she cooed at me with a wide smile. And sure enough, there in the corner was the clothes Rarity made for me. “I also had the castle’s dressmaker make a formal suit for based off of Rarity’s measurements.”

I bowed to her with a smile, “Why thank you m’lady.” My goal was to walk over and get dressed, however, before I could her magic grabbed my hand.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” There was a teasing sultry tone to her voice. Not to mention the wiggle of her eyebrows and the grin on her face. “You’re going to help me get ready. Then I’m going to watch you get dressed.”

With a grin of my own, I walked around the bed to the other side as she rolled over. Leaning down my lips met hers. “As you wish my bright sunshine,” I whispered before getting her ready for the meeting.

^_^

“All rise,” we heard muffled from the other side of the double doors, “for Princess Celestia.” Both guards, on either side of the doors, opened the large decorated wooden doors for us. It was the same room that Blueblood’s trial was in. And it was already filled with nobles from all over Equestria. The shuffling sound we heard, right before the doors opened, was the ponies standing in reference to their princess.

Tia was in her regalia while I was in a basic suit and tie setup in my human form. She walked in first while I trailed behind her as she walked her way to her seat. Once she sat down, in a chair that resembled her throne, my place was to stand to one side just behind her. Rather, that’s what I thought would be my best place. That way they wouldn’t think that I was trying to take over, but that she was still in charge.

With her magic, she raised a gavel and banged it twice, “Good morning everypony, this council is now in session.” There was some “morning”, “good morning”, and “your highness” as they all sat back down again. I watched as she picked up a piece of parchment with her magic and studied it, “First order of business.” I was close enough to read everything around her and was curious as to why something like this would come up. It was obvious, to me at least, she thought the same because she tilted her head and asked, “Zoning?”

A pony that I recognized as Jet Set stood and bowed his head, “Yes your highness,” with his upper-class drawl at that. “As you are aware, there are no current zoning regulations regarding businesses and or personal homes.”

“Zoning regulations could inhibit free market enterprise Mister Jet Set,” Tia countered expertly, “Especially if the wrong pony was in charge and only accepts those who they favor. So, what exactly are you proposing?”

“To put it simply your highness the new zoning restrictions would control businesses and housing close to the castle. For safety concerns,” he added at the end. My mind was already thinking of the corruption possibilities behind this and the possible benefit toward the ponies on the council. “Only reputable ponies with strong verified businesses would be allowed within a certain distance to the castle. What if a citizen from another country was a plant in order to get close to the castle? It would give them the opportunity to study the castle and its defenses.”

For the protection of the princesses. Yeah, I didn’t believe that for a second. Gently I laid a hand on her shoulder and leaned in to whisper. She turned her ear to listen as I whispered, “Everything in our government had multiple purposes to each law. It may do exactly what he says, but it would also put the nobles in charge of who resides around you wouldn’t it? Who’s in charge of the zoning? One of the nobles maybe? Reputable businesses? Only businesses controlled by nobles?”

“Excellent points,” she whispered back before turning to address Jet Set again. “Your effort to protect us is admirable Mister Jet Set. However, there is one major flaw.”

“That is your highness?” he asked curiously.

“Corruption,” she explained, “If you insist on pushing this through then you leave me no choice but to insist on a committee being in charge of the zoning and not one pony. And that committee would have to include ponies from all walks of life, not only in chosen occupation but also in various income ranges. Such would keep the zoning from being regulated by one pony which would invite corruption.”

Crossing my arms, a smirk slowly spread across my face while looking at Jet Set. Got you on that one. For one brief moment, our eyes met. In his eyes, I saw the defeat in them. “Perhaps it’s best if this bill was postponed for more study,” he offered though clearly not happy about it.

“Very well Mister Jet Set,” she acknowledged, “Onto the next order of business.” Picking up the same parchment from before she read the next item on the short list. “Funding for Canterlot Park,” putting the paper down she eyed a pony that was standing up that I didn’t recognize, “Miss High Class is the final bill ready for me?”

I didn’t recognize the mare, but she was dressed in a very expensive dress with a body similar to Sassy Saddles and Luna. Light red coat with a light blue mane and tail she carried with her an air of superiority that rubbed me the wrong way. She stood up holding the papers in her magical grasp, “Yes your highness, however, there has been an addition to the bill.”

Tia nodded while the mare floated the complicated bill toward her before Tia took it in her magical grasp halfway to her chair. Meanwhile, I watched the others as Tia read over the bill. The council seemed to wait patiently. Except for two ponies up higher in the stands. After watching them carefully, I noticed that the stallion and the mare, both of which I didn’t know, was secretly conversing with one another. Or trying to be secretive about it. I didn’t keep my eyes on them but pretended to be looking around the room. Their lips were moving slightly, but enough for me to make out a part of their conversation. It was something about the addition to the bill. And they appeared to be concerned about it.

Leaning down I whispered to Tia, “You read the addition to the bill? There are two ponies up in the cheap seats on the right that’s deeply concerned about it.”

She raised an eyebrow at me before watching them for a few seconds then quickly turning the page to read the addition to the bill. After gently placing my hand on her head just behind her ears, I felt her tense up. “It’s an attempt to push through another bill,” she whispered to me with a tense voice, “a bill that would make any and all of my rulings...null and void leaving them in charge.”

“An underhanded…or underhoofed...tactic the people of my world use all the time to sneak through controversial bills for their benefit,” I whispered in return. She was practically growling. “Deep breath,” I whispered, “Deep breath.” She took one and seemed to calm down to at least a simmer.

“Miss High Class, Mister Quick Quill, and Missus Scribble,” her voice cut through the silence like a knife, “Come stand before me. The rest of the council is dismissed for the day.” One by one they filed out of the room, which took a few minutes. Each one a little whiter going out than when they came in. My eyes met Fancy Pants’ for a minute and smiled before leaving. Only those three remained. As Miss High Class came down I didn’t detect any hesitation or fear, so she might not have been aware, but only a pawn in this. Bribed with money or votes. The other two, though seemingly calm, seemed to be ready to wet themselves as they approached.

“I need to know only one thing,” Tia said quietly with heat in her voice, “Who?”

“Your Highness?” Miss Class asked with genuine curiosity in her voice.

“Who authored and put forth the addition to this bill?” she asked, eyeing between the three.

“I don’t know who authored it,” Class began, “however, it was these two which promised me votes for another bill of mine if I put the addition into this one.”

The other two were beginning to fidget under Celestia’s hard gaze.

“So, you have no idea what the addition was?”

“No your highness,” she offered.

Tia nodded to her slowly, “Very well then, you are dismissed, but know that I’ll be scrutinizing everything you put forth from now on. So, be careful on future bills is that understood?”

She gulped slightly, “Yes your highness,” she whispered then left us.

Tia eyed the other two. “Now then,” her voice hardened while I gently rubbed her head to help steady herself, “Who wanted you to put this in this bill? And I want a direct answer.” They were silent. “Now,” she whispered it with a soft growl to her voice.

It only took a hard look at the mare before she cracked, “It was Blueblood. He was the one.”

“Hush!” the stallion tried to silence her.

“Tartarus no!” she spat back at him, “I won’t wind up like him or you.” Then turned back to Celestia, “He told us to put the bill through. Promised complete political control over Equestria if it passed and promised us riches and property.”

“You stupid ma-”

“GUARDS,” Celestia’s voice shot out like lightning making the stallion freeze instantly, plus he was put into her magical grasp, “Put him into chains, but if he wants to give us Blueblood then-”

“He’s in hiding,” the mare offered quickly, “I can tell you where he is.”

Celestia nodded to her then looked to the stallion, “Then it’s too late for him. Put him into the dungeons where he will be tried later for his attempt at a political coup.” The guards saluted and immediately took the stallion into a firm magical grasp taking him away to the dungeons. Now leaving only the mare. “Now Missus Scribble-”

“I’m sorry your highness,” she went right to bowing her head to the floor and groveling, “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I have a husband and two foals and-”

Tia held up a hoof, “I know you do. And even though I do forgive you, there is a punishment.” She gulped, but bravely looked up. And the look in her eyes told me that she feared the worst. “I don’t want to ruin your family,” Tia began firmly, “However, I can’t trust you in the council either. So, I won’t arrest you if you tell us everything you know about what Blueblood has been doing and where he is. And I’ll let you off with just being banned from serving on any council, especially this one. In other words, you’ll have to get a regular job and work hard. Hopefully, this will give you a better appreciation for your family. And especially what might have been.”

The mare started crying softly but nodded slowly. “You’re...r-right your h-highness. Family is more important. Thank you for your mercy.”

Tia nodded to her, “Now then, take a minute to compose yourself and then tell me about Blueblood.”

^_^

(Hours later)

Hours later, and with the information that Miss Scribble provided, I was with the captain of the guard in my fox form ready to storm the house. Oddly enough, we weren’t far from the castle. Not that I was surprised any. This obviously wasn’t a house that he could afford, no matter what he was making. Especially so soon after his sentence. So, what’s the angle? The captain and four of the best guards were with me as we watched the house to make sure that Blueblood was actually there.

The captain and I were laying on the roof of the house across the street. “You know I didn’t think that Blueblood would take it this far,” I mentioned quietly while watching the house.

This captain wasn’t one I was familiar with. He was an earth stallion with a light brown coat with a white mane and tail. “Neither did I,” he agreed casually with a nod, “I didn’t think he’d have the balls to try to usurp the throne.”

“He’s full of surprises, but hopefully our showing up will be one he doesn’t see.” He agreed as we waited.

Being close to winter the days weren’t hot, but a gentle breeze blowing across the rooftops giving us a slight chill. “The one thing that I hate about a job like this,” the captain, who was the earth stallion that Shining Armor met before, complained softly, “is the waiting.”

My head rested on my crossed front paws when I chuckled in response. “An action pony are you?” I asked just as softly while eyeing the house across the street.

“Yeah,” he sighed with a nod, “And the only thing I can think of is that Blueblood must be getting help from the other nobles. Because I don’t recognize this house at all. I don’t think it’s one of the nobles houses.”

“You have a pony looking into the house’s history and ownership?” I wondered while my eyes scanned around the area.

And right on cue was the sudden voice coming from the small communications orb that was around the pony’s right ear. “Captain,” came a young mare’s voice, “I have the report on the house in question.”

“Go ahead,” he responded as my ear turned toward him. I love movable ears.

“You are correct that the house isn’t owned by any of the Equestrian nobles,” she began explaining, “As a matter of fact we couldn’t find her name on record anywhere in Equestria, much less here in Canterlot.”

“What’s the name?” he asked curiously.

“Name registered is Lady Doe,” she responded.

I scoffed and shook my head slightly when hearing it. “Thank you, Corporal, that’ll be all,” he said before the orb went quiet where he then looked over to me. “Know the name?”

I shook my head again with a chuckle, “No, but it’s similar to a name we give a female person that we can’t identify back home. Jane Doe. Here it’s apparently Lady Doe. This mare wants to remain anonymous. And because your government doesn’t require hardly any documentation to own a place, it’s easy to create a fake name.”

“The princesses don’t want to inhibit the freedom of her ponies,” he countered.

“And while that’s true,” I agreed with a nod in his direction, “it doesn’t help in situations like this where anypony can put a fake name on the purchase documentation and get away with it because there’s no referencing to a national identification card system. Such as what we have in my home world.”

“How does that work?” he wondered.

“Well-”

“Captain,” came one of the fellow guard’s voice into the communication orb, “Subject sighted.” We both eyed the street as the stallion spoke through the orb. “Blueblood is walking beside a light coated unicorn mare on the west side of the street heading south toward the house.”

“Good eye lieutenant,” the captain whispered as we both zeroed in on him. “All right everypony listen up,” he spoke up as the tension just skyrocketed, “Major, you know what to do in order to plant the bug on him.”

“Aye sir,” came a mare’s voice over the orb then a mare walked out from a nearby store. I recognized her as the unicorn major that just spoke, but she was dressed in a very expensive dress. And started walking right up to Blueblood and the other mare. We couldn’t hear what was being said, but she played up her role as pleased to see him, heartbroken at his hardship, and then rubbed herself against him in order to plant the bug in his mane. We thought that in his mane would be best instead of his clothes. As she left them, turned a corner and disappeared, I could only imagine that gag reflex that she was going through.

“Ugh,” her voice and a gagging sound came through the orb, “You owe me for that captain. I feel dirty now.”

We just smirked, “Understood Major, we’ll talk terms later. Good job.” Blueblood and the mare beside him walked on as their voices started coming through the orb.

“I think you’ve proven that you still have some ponies that still support you,” the mare said conspiratorially as they approached the gate to the house.

“Of course I do,” Blueblood’s arrogant voice came through while apparently opening the gate to the house. “I can still pull on a few hooves that owe me a few favors.” With the gate open they both walked through as it shut behind them.

“We see greatness in you Blueblood,” the mare told him as they walked up the cobblestone path, “Which is why the shadow organization is lending you the use of this house.”

The captain and I looked at each other in shock at what we heard. Arrogance was in the mare’s voice, as was a warning as well. Which Blueblood wouldn’t catch in a million years. Or at least he didn’t seem to.

“You worry too much my good mare,” Blueblood scoffed at the idea of failing as he opened the door and stepping inside. “With the new magic you’ve given me, soon the council will be in control over Equestria.”

“And we will control the council Blueblood,” the door shut behind her as she gave him another warning, “Don’t you ever forget that.”

It was time for me to move in. So, with a nod to each other the captain hooved another orb over to me. After putting it into my ear I started making my way across the street by a long jump and a single dash. On my way over to the roof across the street, I hear from the orb, “The fox is entering the hen house.” I couldn’t help but chuckle while landing on the roof. Seeing how it’s both literal and figurative at the same time. The roof was your typical box gable roof that wasn’t that steep due to the second floor and balconies that almost surrounded the house. “A hunting I will go,” I started to softly sing into the orb while quietly opening one of the windows of a dormer, “A hunting I will go. Hi ho, Blueball’s derriere a hunting I will go.” And quietly slipped inside while listening to the chuckles and or groans from the orb.

I even heard a soft, “I thought he had better taste,” from the orb in a tone of voice telling me that it wasn’t meant to be heard.

The room appeared to be some type of storage room. Like an attic that would normally be filled with knickknacks. However, this room was a small one. Barely ten by fifteen feet with only a couple of file cabinets. “I do,” whispering back into the orb while quietly opening a drawer to peer inside, “which is why I have Celestia and Luna.” Papers of various kinds. Anywhere from letters to notarized itineraries. Well, this is interesting. “Captain,” speaking business again, “Might send somepony in to take a look and confiscate what’s in here. Two file cabinets filled with papers of all kinds.”

“Got it,” he responded quickly, “Lieutenant if you would.”

“Aye sir,” I heard through the orb while tiptoeing my way over to the doorway putting an ear against it. Listening. The two have been quiet after entering the house, so I was listening for hoofsteps. A few seconds later I heard the lieutenant entering the house from behind me going over to the drawers.

Nothing. Only the quiet work of the lieutenant. Quietly as I could the door opened with my own telekinesis and poked my head outside the door. While the storage room was a basic wall to wall bare wood. The rest of the hallway outside was red carpet floored, fancy wallpapered, and high gloss finished wood interior. Though completely empty. “Hallway’s clear,” I reported into the orb, “I’m going recon.”

With the storage room at the end of the hall, there was only one way to go. In front of the storage room door was a stairway leading downward. My ears were constantly searching for any sound. Like two radars constantly circling. I love my fox form sometimes. Due to the carpeted floor, my walk was deathly silent down the hallway. Fitting considering I’m a predator. Had to clear the top floor first. There were four additional rooms upstairs, including the bathroom. One by one I checked each by putting an ear to each. One by one I cleared them after checking each one with a quick look.

“Upstairs clear,” I whispered while tiptoeing back down the hallway, “Which means they’re downstairs.”

“Understood,” the captain responded with worry in his voice, “Be careful. I don’t like the silence.”

“Yeah,” I agreed now approaching the stairs to head down, “I don’t each either. Got the papers yet?”

“Yeah got them,” he responded happily.

“Good,” replying while slinking my way down, “Then be ready, they could be onto us.” For some reason, the Mission Impossible theme song started playing in my head. A door was at the bottom of the stairs, so once again I put an ear to it.

Nothing. Deciding on a different tactic, I used my ability to produce a body double. After closing my eyes and opening the door I saw through its eyes as it walked through the door. Downstairs was lavishly designed interior that one would expect to see in an expensive townhouse in the center of Canterlot near the castle. A large open foyer with a chandelier overhead that was nothing but expensive jewels. Carpet floor, fancy wallpaper, and with the chandelier lighting the area it looked every bit the expensive house. Plants lining the walls between doors with a fireplace on the back wall complete with bookshelves and chairs.

And quiet. My body double looked around at the other doors. Only to find one that wasn’t lit from the inside. “I’m downstairs,” I whispered into the orb, “And only one room is dark. I’m going to approach it with a body double.”

“Be careful,” the captain replied, “we’ll be on standby outside.”

Without saying another word I tiptoed my way over to the door on the other side of the foyer. It just didn’t feel right. It was too quiet. While tiptoeing across the floor I felt like there was a standoff between me and the two on the other side of the door. Waiting to see which one would flinch first. Or between two sharpshooters in the old west, waiting to see which one would draw first.

About five feet or so from the door I put up my shield around the double. Just before the door exploded in a shower of splintered wood and dark magic. The force pushed my double back, sliding across the floor to a stop halfway across the room. “Captain now,” I whispered into the orb while my double-faced off against both the shadow mare and Blueblood. In my head, the music changed to the Duel of Fates Suite from Star Wars. Shadow magic aura was oozing from both of them like mist or a fog. Blueblood had turned. He was now one of the shadow ponies. And thus a traitor of Equestria.

Beside my double both the major and the lieutenant, both appeared beside me via teleportation magic as both sides squared off with one another. “We’re taking you in Blueballs,” the major called out then eyed the mare, “and you too.”

“Try it,” the mare growled out then both her and Blueblood launched themselves at us.

Next Chapter: Chapter Sixteen: Things Go South Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 6 Minutes