“Report.” Celestia said as five guards joined her and Twilight as they looked at the city from the hill in front of the red lake.

“Sector Three is clear of all creatures and we have found no traces of harmful materials that the antacid missed.” One of the guards reported.

“Sectors one, five and seven are the same.” Another said.

“Sector Two is just finishing the antacid process.” The third said.

“Sectors four and five are clear and the antacid process has just begun.” The fourth reported.

“Sector six is clear and awaiting to begin the antacid process.” The last said.

“Dismissed.” Celestia nodded with a smile. They nodded and left the hilltop.

“I’ll go finish off sector six then.” Twilight said.

“Meet me back at your house.” Celestia said. Twilight smirked at the woman and leaped into the air.

-2 Years Later-

“I heard there’s some rumors going around the nobility.” Twilight said as she took a seat next to Celestia. They were in the Canterlot Throne Room awaiting the day court.

“They’re mostly about you, but there are some that we’re trying to make super soldiers like you.” Celestia sighed.

“What kind of rumors about me?” Twilight asked with a light chuckle.

“I don’t see how they haven’t gotten it yet, but apparently they don’t know we’re engaged even though we wear engagement rings and all of Ponyville knows it. It’s a shame the city still isn’t done rebuilding...” Celestia sighed once more.

“What still needs to be done? The city looks complete.” Twilight asked.

“It’s the sewer system. Not only was it completely polluted with acid and some of the toxin, said acid and toxin had degraded it to the point where I’m surprised the city didn’t collapse. We’re almost done rebuilding it now that we’ve purified it though. Once all of this is finally over we can actually have our wedding.” Celestia explained with a smile.

“And what of these more ridiculous rumors?” Twilight asked.

“Well they’re not so ridiculous... Blueblood was a black market dealer and supplier, but he wasn’t the only one. I suspect more of the nobility is on his side, they got him out of prison and he’s disappeared.” Celestia explained with annoyance in her voice.

“Well if anyone tries to do anything wrong, I am the captain of the Elite Guard now. And if these super soldiers in the rumors are supposed to be like me, then they can’t be stronger than I am, let alone the both of us together.” Twilight said as the guards in the room opened the gates, where a crowd of people were waiting.

“Good point. I see lots of angry nobility, you sure you don’t want to sit this one out?” Celestia asked as people started filing in.

“You’re my Fiance, i’m not going to leave you alone in the hell that is politics without someone here who’s not too soft to throw the morons out.” Twilight grinned.
---
“Will everybody please calm down and stop shouting! If you want anything then ask for it in a calm and composed manner!” Celestia called, slipping into he royal canterlot voice. The people, who were screaming at the top of their lungs, all quieted down at the rare use of the voice.

“My home is still in shambles! Why isn’t anyone trying to rebuild it? I’m not the only one either.” Someone said. A large group of the people agreed.

“Thank you for asking, this is a very general problem I see. It is very simple, the sewers are in more need of reconstruction. Without them, the city would literally collapse under it’s own weight. As soon as that’s completed we’ll begin reconstruction of the homes and small businesses outside of the residential district.” Celestia answered. The group of people still looked angry, but at least now they had a valid reason. They left soon after that, their issues resolved for the time being.

All that were left had already had their questions answered and were leaving, which left only noblemen in their place.

“Alright, it’s been a long day... What do you want?” Celestia groaned.

“We’ve heard rumors from a certain small town that the two of you are engaged...” One of them said. The two facepalmed and showed their rings, which were simple golden bands.

“You don’t even try to deny it?” One of them asked.

“Of course not. Why would we?” Celestia asked.

“Because it is a disgrace to the royal line.” Another said. Celestia’s patience just took a dent with that one.

“Really? and why is that?” Celestia asked lowly.

“She’s technically a walking biohazard, she isn’t nobility and she is a woman.” Someone who reminded her of Blueblood said.

“You know anything strong enough to cut my skin deserves to get burned, I don’t give a shit if I’m not nobility and yeah, I’m a woman. Deal with it.” Twilight said with annoyance clearly evident.

“I would have worded it differently but I fully agree with my Fiance, Deal with it. Tell me, what do you find wrong? And by that I mean give me good and valid reasons.” Celestia said.

“She’s just a commoner-” One started, but before he could finish Celestia started laughing.

“Commoner? She single handedly saved Canterlot, she’s the captain of the Elite Guard and if you don’t remember, she is the element of magic and my personal student. There’s nothing common about any of that. Anything else?” Celestia grinned.

“You can’t continue your bloodline if your partner is a woman as well.” Someone said, it was the first time he spoke.

“While under normal circumstances that’d be a good reason, but I’ve only been around for just over a thousand years. My parents lived to be Twenty-three thousand years old, give or take, and they’re still around. They may not be on this planet any longer but they’re still there.” Celestia retorted.

“Personally, I’d love to have a child. At the very least we could adopt one or two of the children that were orphaned by the incident... there are hundreds of them.” Twilight said.

“Agreed, now unless you have something of importance I suggest you leave.” Celestia said.

“You can’t just humiliate the Nobility like this...” One of them growled, but the last to speak smacked him on the back of the head.

“You’re a moron, she’s Royalty, that’s above our heads. Just leave it as that and keep your mouth shut.” He said.

“What is your name?” Celestia asked the man, asking him to stay a bit longer when the others left.

“Blue Blade, I am Blueblood’s brother.” He said.

“Wow, exact opposites if you ask me.” Twilight said.

“I know. Now that those morons are gone I can say what I came here to say.” Blue Blade said.

“Oh? What is that?” Celestia asked.

“My Brother? he wasn’t just a black market dealer, he’s one of the heads of the Discordant. And he can’t be in a good mood after two years in jail.” He said.

“Discordant? You mean that secret underground anti-me organization I’m not supposed to know about?” Celestia asked.

“That’s the one. Don’t worry though, the only reason I know this is because he’s too cocky and he spilled everything to me. Or at least everything he could remember while drunk. Apparently they’re trying to create super soldiers like Twilight.” Blue Blade explained.

“We heard rumors of that.” Twilight said.

“That’s not all... They’re going to make them like you the same way you became like you.” Blue Blade said.

“Wait... what?” Twilight asked.

“He was rather incoherent and someone came and picked him up before he finished, but what I got out of it is something that makes me sick I’m related to him. He and his followers are the ones who modified and ‘weaponized’ the cure to turn the old plague into the toxin. They were planning on using it to eliminate you and your sister, but found it created Twilight.” He explained.

“If they’re going to attempt something like that again, they do realize the ratio is ridiculously small, right? There were tens of thousands of people in Canterlot and I’m the only one who came out like that.” Twilight said, getting angry.

“In his words, ‘Trottingham’s bigger.’” Blue Blade said.

“... Do you know anything else?” Twilight asked lowly.

“All I know is that the Discordant somehow got some of the toxin, but they’re going to wait until next year to use it. I have no idea where they are, but their main base of operations is somewhere outside the borders of Equestria.” Blue Blade said.

“Damn it! I can’t find them if they’re not in my country... We shall prepare then and hope we can prevent it when they make their move... Thank you Blue Blade. I’m going to give you a room at the palace and an armed guard at all times for your troubles.” Celestia said, penning something down on a notepad on the arm of her throne.

“The room is appreciated, but I don’t see why armed guards are necessary.” Blue Blade said.

“You just gave away their plans and all the information you knew about them. They have eyes and ears everywhere they do, and even if they don’t know you ratted them out yet, then when we begin to prepare they’ll suspect Blueblood of tattling. Then they’ll find out about you and you’ll be in danger.” Celestia explained. She glanced at her Fiance, who was seething in a barely hidden rage, and looked back at the man in front of her.

“Thank you.” He said with a bow of his head. She nodded at him, silently dismissing him, as she looked back at Twilight. He quickly left and she stood Twilight up and led her to their chambers.

“I can’t believe those fucking cultists did that... And the only thing I can’t believe even roe is that they’re going to do it again and there’s nothing we can fucking do about it until they make their goddamn move!” Twilight seethed as she finally let her anger get the best of her.

“Calm down love... We’ll add extra training to our troops’ routines and dispatch extra men to Trottingham for now. We’ll do what we can when we can.” Celestia said. Twilight’s arms rattled as they shook with anger. She clenched her fists and took in deep, shaky breaths for a few moments until her anger subsided enough to stop swearing.

“I’ll go there myself and prepare for the worst. I’ll set up some hidden fallout shelters, Get barrier spells ready and get used to the area. If we can’t stop them before it happens I’m going to make sure there’s as little casualties as possible.” Twilight growled.

“Once we think the attack will come we’ll have the city evacuate.” Celestia assured her.

“No, if we jsut evacuate the city then the Discordant will just target another populated city... I’ll get as many people to move as possible, or to go visit friends and family out of town when it’s around the time.” Twilight sighed, falling onto the bed.

“No matter what happens, I’ll be there. People besides me will survive, and we will not let this dragon out longer than it needs to be.” She continued, exhaustion seeping into her voice.

“Agreed... You’re exhausted, get some sleep. I’ll join you in a moment. I need to dispatch Blue Blade’s guard detail.” Celestia said. Twilight sighed in resignation and pulled her armor off.