As we settled into our routines, I saw an unfortunate change over the months. It was easy to see that Luna was feeling a strain from her duties. I could only assume there were a lot of rough nights.

I could tell Celestia was feeling stretched thin as well. Even with me helping she was dealing with an influx of work. And Luna’s attitude toward her didn't help matters.

I should have spoken up sooner, but my own schedule between Canterlot and Ponyville kept me occupied.

I finally mentioned Luna to Celestia one day.

”She gets like that sometimes. She'll spring back before long.”

”Uh-huh...and how is it living in the State of Denial? Sunny weather?”

”Don't worry Shade. She'll be fine.”

She pulled out a scroll and passed it to me.

”On a more serious note, I got this from Cadance today.”

I opened the scroll and began reading.

Dear Celestia,

While everyone here is doing well, I fear there may be trouble ahoof. Shining Armor has discovered signs of strange magic near the borders of the kingdom. I can only imagine what that could mean for us.

I know that you have a pony in your employ that is considered to be quite knowledgeable on most subjects and a quick read. I was wondering if we could borrow them to see if they might help us figure out what we're dealing with here in the Empire.

Your niece,
Cadance

I looked up from the scroll, Luna fading from my mind.

“She wants me?”

Celestia nodded.

“Your reputation has reached the Crystal Empire.”

“Does she know anything about me?”

“No. I think that’s best left for you to decide. Tell her as much or as little as you feel necessary. Remember that she’s different now. Thorax changed her perception of changelings for the better.”

I nodded. That was true. It would be interesting to see what happened.

A sigh escaped me.

“I can’t imagine this will be a quick trip. I’d better get in touch with Rarity.”

“Take the train back today. You’ll probably need a day to prepare for the journey anyway. And leave for the Empire the day after tomorrow.”

My brow arched.

“That much of a delay? It sounds like they could use me immediately.”

Celestia grinned. It was an impish grin too.

“Do you really want to go away without spending one or two more nights at home? You don’t know how long you’ll be gone after all.”

I got the drift and couldn’t help but smile.

“Fair point.”

————————

I hopped off the train and nearly ran into Starlight. I skidded to a halt.

“Sorry Starlight! I didn’t see you there!”

She brushed some dust out of her mane and smiled.

“It’s alright. I didn’t know you’d be in town today!”

“Change of plans for me actually. I’m heading towards the Crystal Empire in a couple days.”

“Oh wow! What for?”

“Not entirely sure. But Cadance requested me.”

“You’ll probably meet my friend Sunburst! He’s Flurry Heart’s crystaler.”

“I look forward to meeting him. Where are you off to?”

“Canterlot. I’m actually heading for the castle.”

That caught me off guard.

“Why?”

She seemed a little hesitant.

“Well...the map...called me there.”

It took a second for my mind to click. Once I realized what was happening I groaned.

“Damn my attention span.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Just...good luck Starlight.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“You know something.”

“Just...tread lightly. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

That didn’t seem to comfort her at all.

“I’d...better get on the train then. Good luck in the Empire.”

“Thanks.”

I trotted towards town. I didn’t envy that mare one bit. If the map had deemed it enough of a problem, I only had myself to blame. Why couldn’t I have made more time for the two of them?

I shook my head. No time for sulking about the past. I had preparations to make and a special somepony to see.

As I passed buildings I made mental notes of where I needed to get supplies. From what I'd heard I was going someplace cold.

The boutique came into view before long and my pace quickened. I opened the door, a smile forming as I spotted Rarity.

She didn't see me yet, but she knew somepony had walked in.

”Be with you in just a moment! This hemline is being particularly stubborn.”

I chuckled.

”Sounds a little like a mare I know.”

Her ears perked up and she spun around.

”Shade! What are you doing back so soon?”

I raced over to her and gave her a kiss. She sighed as our lips pressed together. When I pulled away she seemed a bit frazzled.

”Well! That only answers half of my question.”

I sighed.

” It's good and bad news.”

That got her attention.

”What's wrong?”

”Nothing! But...Cadance has requested me to help with a problem in the Crystal Empire.”

”Really? I'm surprised she didn't ask for Twilight!”

”Apparently she needs my particular skills.”

”Well that's wonderful! Isn't it?”

I nodded.

”It's a great opportunity, but...”

Rarity's eyes dimmed a little as she connected the dots.

”You don't know how long you'll be gone for.”

I nodded.

”I wish I knew what I was walking into, but it could be really extensive. Or it could be really easy and I'll be back in a couple of days.”

She shook her head.

”You don't believe that, do you?”

I shook my head.

”No. But it was suggested to me that I shouldn't leave without saying a proper goodbye to you.”

Rarity giggled.

”Celestia is giving you advice about your...’personal’ time?”

”You have no idea how nosy those two are when it comes to this subject.”

She pulled me in for another kiss. I couldn't help but smile as she pulled away. She returned the smile.

”Well I'll help you follow her advice. We may have to follow it repeatedly.”

My entire body felt like jelly at that moment. Rarity was moving closer. She was an inch from my face when her eyes narrowed with frustration.

”As soon as I get that hemline down!”

She left me standing there in the middle of the room, confused as to what had just happened.

————————

I laid down in bed, completely exhausted. Not only had I been up half the night with Rarity, but I’d spent the whole next day running from store to store to gather supplies for my assignment. Now that the evening had come, I was ready for some sleep.

When Rarity had seen how tired I was, she’d put on a pouty face.

“I thought you’d still have some energy to work off.”

It pained me to say ‘no’, but my body was aching too much.

So now I was settling in for an early night’s sleep.

I felt myself drift off. For a few moments, I was in the black abyss. Before I knew it though, I was thrown into Luna’s meadow. Literally.

“Ouch! What’s the idea, Luna?”

I looked around the meadow. No Luna.

Where was she?

My eyes drifted to the sky. Plenty of stars twinkling. In fact...more than usual.

Then I saw something...different.

One star looked as if it were bouncing between the others. Rather ungracefully too. Stars were going out, but the pattern was random. Luna usually had a certain flow to her work.

And then the bouncing star came crashing down with a scream.

I felt something squish me into the grass. What was on top of me?!

“Ooohhh...shit! How does Luna do this every night?!”

I turned my head so my mouth wasn’t eating dream-grass.

“Celestia?!”

I glanced out of the corner of my eye to discover that Celestia’s rear end was sitting on my head. And not only that but-

“Is that Luna’s cutie mark?!”

Celestia jumped up.

“Shade! Did I crash into your dream? I’m so sorry!”

I got off the ground, taking a deep breath.

“What are you doing?!”

“Well...it wasn’t my idea!”

I rolled my eyes.

“I have a pretty educated guess in that department. And I don’t know what Starlight has planned for the two of you, but leave me out of it. You’re her problem for now.”

“Well, somepony is a grumpy sleeper.”

I glared at her.

“You’d be grumpy too if you’d just been face-planted to the ground by an ass!”

She frowned and rubbed her rear.

“You should have gotten out of the way. It’s sore now.”

“Out of the way?! You fell into this meadow as fast as I fell into Everfree!!”

Her frown grew sterner.

“Well, it’s not my fault! Starlight swapped our cutie marks and now we have to do each other’s job!”

I put my face in my hooves.

“I told her to tread lightly...”

Celestia gasped.

“What did you say to her?!”

“Nothing! I told her good luck and to be careful. You know why? Because as soon as she said she was heading to the castle I knew who the map was sending her to!”

She scoffed at me.

“Oh don’t scold me like I’m a filly.”

I sighed and sat down.

“I tried to tell you Celestia. I guess my warning came too late though.”

She stood there silently for a minute, looking down and kicking the dream-grass. She finally looked up, her voice a whisper.

“I’m sorry.”

I perked my ears up.

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry. I should have listened to you.”

I nodded.

“I’m sorry too. I should have spoken up sooner. Maybe it wouldn’t have gotten to these extremes.”

I looked up at the stars. A lot of them were twinkling.

“It’s a lively night. You’d better get back up there.”

She looked up at the sky and sighed.

“How does she do it all?”

I chuckled.

“With a lot more grace. You were bouncing around up there like a pinball on a sugar high.”

She glared at me, with a smile, spreading her wings for takeoff.

“By the way. My ass isn’t that heavy.”

I put on a smug grin.

“Still living in Denial?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Good luck in the Empire Shade.”

She took off into the air as the meadow melted away. I waved to her as she disappeared into the dreamscape.

I prayed that Starlight's methods would help those two.

And whatever laid ahead of me in the Empire, I prayed that I'd be able to help half as much.

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