Prologue

Equestrian Mewsings: Prologue

-o-o-o-o-o-

Why?

Why did it have to happen?

Why did it have to be them?

Just... Why?

The priest was giving them their last rites, but I could only stare unhearing at the two coffins suspended next to eachother over where their final resting place would be, and the granite headstone behind them.

It was two weeks ago, and the worst of the grief had already passed, but I'd still cried when the service started. These renewed tears had long since stopped, their salty trails frozen as they ran down my face. Now I just felt a dull numbness creeping over me as the cold finally started to sink in through my jacket.

"Elsa," Someone to my left said, "It's time."

I nodded, and they began to lower the caskets.

It was a small service, just my parents' friends and the Priest. My grandparents had all passed before I'd been born and I had no siblings, aunts or uncles. Once they were lowered all the way the others all took a small handful of soil and tossed it down before leaving for the warmth of their cars. I was the last to do so, the thin coating of snow crunching beneath my boots as I trod the path out of the cemetery.

It was going to be a long drive home.

-o-o-o-o-o-

It was well into the night by the time I pulled into my apartment's assigned parking spot with a sigh. I just sat there for a while, letting the engine idle as I did my best to simply not think, just glad the mammoth blizzard hitting the country hadn't decided to travel this far south yet as that would have made the funeral and my trip both significantly more complicated. I'd almost managed it, my nearly cleared mind giving me an almost surreal awareness of everything outside my car, but my efforts to push that state further were interrupted by my phone starting to vibrate inside the center-console's storage compartment. I ignored it, trying to get back to that almost Zen state I'd nearly gotten to, but the low buzzing persisted long after it should have automatically sent the caller to voicemail. Slightly curious but more annoyed I opened the compartment to turn it off, but before I could I notice the Caller ID and that rather than a call they're requesting Facetime.

"Arceus?" I mutterer, confused. I don't really have any friends outside of the internet or my co-workers, and I'm not close enough to any of them to warrant them changing their ID-Name or image to the God-Pokémon on my phone as a prank. Still, I slide the answer dial to deny the request. I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment.

My phone keeps vibrating in my hand and the slider shoots back to its initial position as soon as I take my thumb off the screen.

Great, my phone's been hacked, I think. More annoyed than I was before I try a few more times with the same results before simply opting to hold down the power button and cut whoever this was off that way but nothing happens.

Come to think of it, I remember turning this off before the service.

Even more confused now I just set it on the dash and let it vibrate, not really sure what to do before the illusion of choice is taken from me by the slider moving to "Answer" on its own.

[Hello Elsa Keyes. I apologize for the intrusion and understand that this isn't the best of times, however my window of opportunity is limited.]

I gulped, wide eyed, as Arceus stared out of the screen at me. He blinked in return. I could make out the fine fur covering his face and subtle motion of breathing. I knew that CG had gotten to the point where the hyper-realistic image could have been a prank, except for one thing.

I'd felt, rather than heard, when he spoke.

"Wha... What do you mean?" I asked after the moment passed a little too long and started becoming uncomfortable.

[I know that you are aware of and understand the basics of Multiverse Theory, and that you are a fan of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic franchise. What you don't know is that one of the many versions of Discord decided some time ago that to relieve boredom during his imprisonment he would drop into my own prison from time to time to pester me. During one such time, he 'requested permission' to use the forms of my creations as part of a scheme should he escape only to be re-imprisoned]

"That was polite of him..." I say, still slightly disbelieving at the conversation I'm having.

[Indeed, it was.] Arceus projected, narrowing his eyes. I wince at the decidedly un-happy feel to the message, [I gave permission on the condition that none of my own creations were actually involved, however that does not mean that I do not feel compassion for their fate. The ones he's chosen are unknowing of his machinations, and innocent of the crimes committed against myself and my creations.]

I stay quiet, as I feel he's collecting his thoughts to continue. [Discord's presence in my prison has weakened my bonds. Not enough where I am able to escape, but enough where I am able with effort to stretch my mind across other worlds, but not my own. Through this I have been searching for a candidate to... keep an eye on things in his world for me once he makes his move. That time has come, and the reverberations of his escape across the connection to my prison have temporarily weakened it enough where I can send my chosen to Equestria. However, even as we speak those ripples are fading, and my power to act weakens. You are my ideal candidate, though there are others I can contact should you refuse.]

"Why Me." I ask with a gulp, my heart starting to pound in my chest.

[Many reasons, but most important is that the structure of your mind is ideal to take the form of my preferred choice of guardian Pokémon to watch over Equestria in this instance: Mew]

Only slightly weirded out that he had apparently been rifling through my mind, I already see a problem. "That would make me psychic, right? Like, a really Powerful Psychic, without any prior experience?"

[Yes, you would be psychic] he replied, and I could feel the amusement in his voice. [Though you need not worry about what you are, as it has been taken into account. Should you agree there will be no time for you to ease into your new powers, so instead I will put locks on them to start, and gift you the understanding and ability to control them so that you are not overwhelmed by the minds of everything around you when you release them on your own. It will still take a period for you to adjust fully however.]

There's silence in my head as I mull that over before asking my next question. "What's the catch?"

[Only that once in Equestria, you will never be able to return,] Arceus closes his eyes.

"Can I sleep on this?" I finally ask when the silence starts dragging into uncomfortable territory again.

[Certainly,] I feel his approval, [This is literally a life-changing decision, and I would not expect you to make it lightly. However, remember that my power is limited, and my window of opportunity grows shorter by the minute. Should you not have decided by this time tomorrow, I will be forced to contact my next candidate.]

"Thank you." I say before the call cuts. I stare blankly at the now black screen for a minute and realize in the back of my mind that it was actually off this entire time, but that as much as what I just experienced was a hallucination, it was also very much real. I should have been freaked out by that. I should be panicking about schizophrenia or any number of other mental disorders, but I wasn't. If anything, I was more freaked out that I wasn't freaked out, and even that was easily brushed off as an overreaction.

Maybe that had something to do with what he meant about my mind being compatible with suddenly turning into one of the most powerful Psychic type Pokémon in the Pokémon Universe...?

I sigh and turn the key off, pulling it out of the ignition before stepping out of my car into the cold air of nighttime in January outside and heading into my apartment building.

I'd had a long, trying day following a long, trying week of finalizing my parents' funeral arrangements, only to have Psychic Facetime Calls added on top of all of it. Right now, I just want to go to bed...

-o-o-o-o-o-

I can't sleep...

Why can't I sleep?

I've been lying in my bed for the last three hours, tossing and turning, but sleep has thus far escaped me in spite of how exhausted I am.

My thoughts keep going back to Arceus and the offer he made me.

Would it be worth it? Go to Equestria? Simply drop everything about my life here on Earth and start over fresh in a new world, essentially reborn as a new species entirely? Sure, I didn't have much holding me here. My parents are gone and I don't have any other family to speak of. I haven't had any friends, or even a boyfriend, since Highschool and everyone else went off to college while I tried to make it on my own in the private sector, but I also hate my boss and I'm pretty sure she equally hates me...

Was that really enough to just give up everything instead of keeping on pushing forward and making the best of my life, though...?

My thoughts kept chasing themselves around my head even as I tried clearing them so that I could finally rest, but they refused, and rest eluded me.

What if it isn't about pros and cons, though? I ask myself after a while.

Well, Then I guess it's more about what I want, than about what I'd be leaving behind.

That just sounds selfish, though, right?

If I go, and Can't come back, none of this would even matter anymore. I'd just be one more missing persons case...

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'll literally never have this chance again.

I sigh again as I sit up in my bed, rubbing the heals of my palms against my eyes before staring at the wall of my bedroom as the first smile I'd had in two weeks started stretching across my face.

I knew what I wanted to do.

Concentrating in a way I hadn't known how to yesterday, I clear my mind of all other distractions and project.

[Arceus, I've decided. I'll do it.]

[Than you, Elsa Keyes] I felt in reply as the world fell away, and then I knew no more.

First Impressions

Chapter 1: First Impressions

-o-o-o-o-o-

I am dreaming.

But I am not...

Not really.

I know I am asleep, and the images, experiences and feelings flashing in front of me are memories, but they are not my own. They are of other Mew, across space and time. As they pass I automatically compartmentalize them as they integrate with my mind, and fragments of their collective experience becomes my own. It's not everything, but I know it will be enough. As my experience grows, I become aware of the barriers within my mind Arceus promised to place to keep me from being overwhelmed by my new powers and start to break them down.

As they do I become more... aware...

More... More.

It's somewhat hard to adequately describe, even if just to myself. Like I have been living all my life with blinders and earmuffs and suddenly they are taken away and for the first time I can see and hear the world around me. Even as I dream, I am aware of the world beyond me. I'm curled up on top of something hard, but I am not overly uncomfortable. I feel a myriad of other minds around me through the ambient Psychic Field. Most are simple; insects appearing to my mind's eye as tiny spots of light radiating outward, sending ripples across the surface of the vast lake of latent psychic potential surrounding me. The minds of larger animals glow softly to my senses, their ripples telling me they are just shy of full sapience, and two particularly strong minds below and in front of me seem intent on waking me for some reason or another, becoming more agitated the longer I ignore them. The near sapience of the animals is odd, going off of my gifted experience, but not totally unexpected given that I am in Equestria now...

That thought draws me up short.

I'm in Equestria.

I blink my eyes open and push the psychic impressions of Past Mew fully to my subconscious and take my first good look around. Manicured trees, fresh cut grass, expertly tended flowerbeds, bushes and shrubbery threaded through with brick pathways greet me. There are various statuary scattered about the space as well, but before I can get a better look my appraisal is interrupted by a jaw-cracking yawn, stretching my forepaws over my head to shake off some my prolonged inactivity.

"Ok, that's cute as Tartarus, but you still need to get down from there you silly cat." I hear one of the Guard-ponies below me say. "We just got this statue back and the Princess doesn't want to risk anything else happing to it."

I blink a few times again, tilting my head curiously at the guard and his partner, both Earth Ponies, then notice that the stone horns on either side of me are oddly mismatched. Looking further I realize Arceus apparently dropped me off on top of Discord's petrified head.

Well played, Arceus. Well played.

"Come on now. Get off of there." The second guard says, making shoeing motions at me like I'm some sort of animal.

Well, I suppose to them I do look like one

Feeling somewhat mischievous, and seeing no reason to stay perched on the petrified Chaos Spirit, I jump down onto the head of the first guard. He lets out a startled "Hey!" as I begin climbing around on my new perch so I can get a better look at the crest on the helmet. I can feel his frustration mounting, and his partner is less than pleased too, but I ignore it as I run my pink paws through the blue strands.

Pink Paws.

It's not unexpected, but it's still a little unbelievable all things considered.

I giggle to myself and absently hop off of the guardspony when I sense the second making to grab me. I land on his head instead, and apply a slight layer of psychic force to make his back slick so I can slide the rest of the way.

I'm still giggling, rolling around in the grass as they collect themselves. From what I can sense of their surface thoughts, they're annoyed, but resigned. They aren't allowed to interfere with the ecology of the Gardens unless the creatures that inhabit it start to get out of hand, and so far I'm just playing around.

I stop my rolling when they start to loom over me with far too serious expressions for such a glorious day to be alive. So I jump up and boop them on their noses before running off a ways. Looking behind me, I wave my tail at them teasingly, to which they roll their eyes, but give chase. I can sense their trepidation still. I'm going to have to remedy that if this is going to be any fun so I "Mew" at them as I dart a couple more feet forward. I didn't really say anything, but the noise gets their attention more than me wagging my tail did, and they pick up the pace a bit.

The next while is spent in this way, with them chasing me as I run around and explore the Royal Gardens, climbing over and under everything I can easily jump to or squeeze through in our game of keep-away. Sometimes I'll double back and boop one or both of them again only to dart off before they can return the favor. Eventually I even sense that they're starting to enjoy the chase, but before I can turn things up another notch we're interrupted by a most melodious giggle as I'm scampering across a retaining wall.

"While I'm glad you two seem to be having fun, I think Captain Shining Armor might have a few things to say unless you return to your posts soon." Says the Sun like presence I can sense a ways off to my left, causing me to pause, stand on my hind legs and turn to face it. I hadn't given it any mind earlier since, while powerful, the being was giving off less mental noise than even the colony of Ants tucked under the rose bush next to me, which, in hindsight should have been a clue.

There in a clear sunny patch is the Big Princess herself, Celestia, in all her pale pink glory. I do the first thing that comes to mind.

[Hi Hi!] I call with an accompanying "ME~W!", waiving one of my paws in greeting to Equestria's nominal Ruler. Both guards give off startled yelps of surprise and shake out of their sudden rigor at their Princess's admonishment. Mission accomplished.

With a smile that stretches my whole face I float off of the wall, earning even more shock from the guards and a raised eyebrow from the Princess.

[I know who you are, but you don't know me. I am Elsa Keyes. It's nice to make your acquaintance Princess Celestia.] I call with an airborne bow, completely forgoing verbal communication this time and simply projecting my thoughts to wash outwards from me into the Psychic Field.

"Indeed, it is nice to make your, Acquaintance, Elsa Keyes." The princess returns with a slight nod, never breaking eye-contact. Trying to get a mental read on her is impossible for some reason. What I would normally sense as her surface thoughts is completely blank meaning any deeper understanding of her words beyond audio and visual queues is entirely hidden from me. My smile dims slightly as my confusion mounts, considering such occlusion should have, according to my gifted experience, prevented her from picking up my own projection.

"Forgive me if this question seems insensitive, but what manner of creature might you be?" she asks, sounding genuinely curious.

[I'm a Mew,] I project, flipping over and curling my tail down so it's between us as I mull over what I should tell at mental speeds that would have been astonishing to the old me. Finally, and in hardly any time at all, I settle on part of the truth so quickly even I hardly register the pause, [a Guardian Being, sent here in response to the machinations of Discord in another world during his brief period of Freedom.]

Celestia and the guards all tense at my remark, but I quickly shake my head and flip back upright, my tail now hanging limply below me and ears lying flat. [I'm only to keep an eye on things, look for others from beyond this world and offer aid if I believe it necessary.]

They relax, but only slightly, and the guards take up position on either side of the clearing to our sides. Smart, but unnecessary. I still settle to the ground, curling my tail around to hold its tip in my paws to convey that I'm non-threatening. Princess Celestia says nothing for a moment, but her horn lights with a golden glow, floating a second cup from the tea service next to her.

"Cream or sugar?" She asks as she lifts the pot and pours a cup.

[It would depend on the blend] I answer, tilting my head in curiosity, [and even then, some are better with neither but rather a squeeze of lemon. Though to tell the truth I prefer Coffee.]

The princess grins in response, taking a lemon slice from the service and giving it a slight squeeze into the cup before floating it over to me. Before it crosses half way I gently reach out with my own Psychic Telekinesis and bring it the rest of the way myself, idly floating upward again as I take in the aroma. The guards tense when I drift closer to the Princess, but apparently something in my answer reassured her enough to accept the olive branch in my words.

Celestia continues the conversation as I take my first sip, "And what will you do should you find anyone else from beyond Equis? Would you try to return them to their home?"

[No.] I sigh as I take another sip. It was very good tea. [When I accepted this calling, it was made clear that my journey here would be very much one-way, and I lack the ability to provide the same for others on my own. Instead my vigilance must be put towards helping them should I believe they need it. Otherwise I'll leave them to their own devices as they make their own way in their new lives here.]

"I'm sorry," she says, looking and sounding genuinely sympathetic, but I wave away her concern with a smile.

[Que sera, sera, Princess.] I project the meaning of the words along with the words themselves, earning my own sunny smile from the Sun Princess. We sip at our tea in silence for a while longer, simply enjoying the day pass. I catch from the Guards thoughts that today is one of her rare days off, and that they're glad she seems to be relaxing.

Celestia eventually breaks the silence with another question, "And what of yourself, in the here and now? Where will you stay? What will you do for yourself?"

The silence is suddenly awkward as I contemplate the dregs at the bottom of my cup. A million options fly through my head in seconds, many drawing on the gifted experiences of my Mew forebearers, but they each have their drawbacks and some are more unlikely than others. Finally, I settle on working through the most likely and most beneficial to my needs.

[I believe it would be best if I found somewhere in or around Canterlot to stay. My kind are largely nomadic, and adults such as myself can use our powers to easily survive in a wide range of environments and ecosystems, but the nature of my task means it would be beneficial to have a central location to return to when not searching -]

I feel two powerful presences approaching from a distance. One is frustrated, but his thoughts are tightly controlled, likely thanks to the cotton candy like presence next to him trying to calm him down. She's more powerful than him, but less so than Celestia. I casually sip down the last of my tea as I project, [Look alive gentlemen. Your Captain approaches.]

The two guards snap to attention and Celestia raises an eyebrow questioningly at me as Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza round the corner behind me. I wink in return and she turns to address the newcomers.

"Captain Armor. Cadance. How kind of you to join me today." She says, drawing the approaching pair up short.

Cadance is the first to recover and reply, "Hello Auntie. We weren't expecting to find you here."

Celestia laughs lightly as Shining Armor shakes off his surprise. "If I'm not mistaken, you were looking for Private Blue Shield and Sargant Red Hoof when my niece joined you, Captain Armor?"

"Yes Princess." Shining snaps to attention, but eyes the guards in question.

"No worries then." Celestia continues, pouring herself another cup of tea, "They encountered my guest and I in the gardens and took it upon themselves to ensure we would not be otherwise disturbed."

A blatant lie, but I'm not about to call the Princess out on it. Instead I float around and give the pair a short bow.

[Greetings Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Captain Shining Armor. My name is Elsa Keyes.] They hide their surprise well, but I feel them mentally flinch at my projection anyway.

"Miss. Keyes will be staying as a guest in the palace for the time being." Princess Celestia picks up after my introduction, and I carefully school my reaction to seem as though this isn't news to me. "She is a long way from home, and as she has explained to me the nature of her mission to our lands, our hospitality would be most beneficial to her."

"And what might that be?" Shining asks suspiciously, his eyes narrowing at me. I flip upside down and blow a raspberry at him in reply, earning a giggle from both princesses.

"She is here looking for others from her land brought here by Discord." Celestia answers, "Wherever they may be, they will be unable to return home thanks to him, so she was sent here to ensure they are able to adjust to life here in Equestria."

"And how long will you be staying in Equestria?" Cadance asks with a smile, lightly raising a hoof up to me. She's offering to shake in greeting, but being in a mischievous mood, I sniff it a couple times before butting my head under her fetlock like the cat I now am.

[Indefinitely.] I reply, startling myself when I start to purr as Cadance starts scratching her hoof behind my ears, but otherwise maintaining control of my reaction to the absolutely divine sensation. [My own means of coming to Equestria has left me equally stranded. The only practical distinction is that I volunteered, while anyone else likely doesn't know why or how they have come here.]

Cadance frowns and withdraws her hoof, causing me to let out a plaintive mew and look up at her. "That's so sad."

[It is what it is, Princess Cadenza,] I say with a smile. [and it is my honor to be here.]

"Cadance, please." Her smile is strained, and her thoughts are turning over what I and Celestia have told her. Shining Armor is still frowning suspiciously at me, but willing to give me the benefit of the doubt if Cadance is.

[As you wish, Princess Cadenza.] I return with a cheeky grin, getting an eye roll from her for my trouble and a chuckle out of Celestia.

Finishing her tea before teleporting the service and all the scattered cups... somewhere... I still can't get a read on her, but it isn't as disturbing as it was before, Celestia cuts in. "Well, as lovely as it has been and would be to sit out here for the rest of the day, I need to stretch my legs."

"Auntie?" Cadance says. Celestia stands, shaking out her legs and unfurling her wings, giving them a few short flaps before folding them back against her sides.

"Captain Armor, You and your Stallions may return to your posts." Shining Armor, Red Hoof and Blue Shield snap to attention with a crisp "yes ma'am" before marching off at the dismissal. The two Junior guards are relieved to be getting off without reprisal and Shining Armor is resigned to letting me stay despite his suspicions.

"Would you like me to help with anything Princess Celestia?" Cadance asks. She's trying to hide the surreptitious glances she's shooting at the retreating Captain, and her scattered surface thoughts are firmly on... I quickly try to block out my reading on her and suppress my blush as best I can, thankful that my pink fur naturally does most of the work for me. I'm going to have to get a handle on that aspect of my powers. Things could quickly get awkward otherwise. Thankfully, Celestia picking up the conversation offers a suitable distraction.

"Go be with your beau Cadance." She says with a chuckle, "I was just going to show Miss. Keyes around the palace and arrange a room for her to stay."

Cadance grins, and I have to work harder to block out her surface thoughts, before she scampers off in the direction the Guardsponies left in.

"Is something the matter?" Celestia asks me after Cadance rounds a hedge corner out of sight. For the first time since we met I'm grateful that I can't read her surface thoughts.

[Full disclosure.] I start. I can tell my projection is somewhat flat and lacking inflection, but I don't really care at the moment since I'm still trying to beat my blush down. [I'm very, Very powerfully psychic.]

"Oh?" Her tone is guarded, and I see the serene mask snap firmly into place.

[It's considered extremely rude to go actively rifling through the thoughts and memories of others without due cause, and while attacking other beings psychically to defend myself is allowed in the event of clear and present violent conflict, irreversibly screwing with the minds of others is forbidden] It isn't, strictly speaking, but I still find the thought of doing so repulsive, [however I am still able to pick up unguarded surface thoughts without trying to unless the individual is trained, has taught themselves, or is naturally predisposed to guarding their thoughts from others.]

Her guarded mask is still in place, but I can see her body language subtly starting to relax. Good. [Think of it like sitting in a noisy dining hall. You can try blocking out the conversations going on around you, but unless the other tables are being deliberately quiet, you're still going to pick up on things without trying.]

"Have you been able to... sense, anything from me, or Cadance?" she asks. Her tone is casual, but her mask is still guarded.

[You're a total blank.] I tell her, turning and floating further upward to look the Princess in the eye. [I can sense that you're phenomenally powerful, but you're very... quiet, otherwise.]

She nods. "And Cadance?"

My blush comes back full force. I know it must be visible through my fur, and I start twisting my tail in circles below me as I avert my eyes.

[Let's just say that Shining Armor is a very lucky stallion, and if she has her way, he's about to get even luckier...]

Celestia laughs. Not a giggle. Not a chuckle, or the polite laughter you give for a particularly bad joke that you can't call the teller out on.

No, The Big Princess lets out a full-bore belly laugh, and after a few moments of continued embarrassment I can't help but join her.

Settling In

Chapter 2: Settling In

-o-o-o-o-o-

"Down this hallway and to the left are the kitchens, and up those stairs further down is the private quarters of the palace, including my own."

I've been following Princess Celestia for most of the afternoon as she gave me what could only be the most comprehensive tour of Canterlot Palace in its history, as well as an impromptu briefing on recent events, including Princess Luna's return and Discord's escape and subsequent re-imprisonment. I technically didn't need either event explained to me but the information on events in Canterlot would be useful, and in that time the sun has gotten low on the horizon. I've also been introduced to Celestia's primary administrative staff, Kibitz and Raven Inkwell, as well as a plethora of other auxiliary personnel. In fact, the only pony we encountered while wandering the halls that Celestia hadn't introduced me to was a rather gaunt, pale grey stallion with a slick dark mane and a goatee she told me was named Neighsay once we had passed out of earshot of him.

Her reason for doing so was no mystery to me, as I'd been able to glean an abundance of other information from the surface thoughts of every encounter. The Chancellor of the EEA's distain for anything non-pony was blared across the Psychic waters the instant he laid eyes on me, but he only muttered a polite "Princess" as he walked past, his thoughts betraying his assumption that I was some exotic new pet the Princess had picked up somewhere.

I did the perfectly mature thing and stuck my tongue out at the back of his head the moment I was no longer in danger of being seen by him.

The encounter with the maid Pine Fresh shortly after was much more enjoyable, and I'd been able to subtly inform the princess that she should be expecting an application for maternal leave from the mare in about nine moons, but that she didn't yet know she was expecting twins. The smile on the Princess' face at that news would have outshone her own sun were its brightness a manifestation.

Between meeting and greeting the staff and dignitaries wandering the halls, or brief explanations on the history of the locations and artworks I was being shown or recent events, we chatted more casually and I came to know a great deal about the Princess that had never been covered in the show while she learned more about me without giving away that before today I'd been a completely different species or that I knew a great deal more about the goings on in Ponyville over the last year than I should have. As time wore on, however, the strain of being connected to so many other minds began to wear on me, and my gifted experience could only do so much to help me alleviate the strain.

"Is something the matter? You've been rather quiet for the last hour." Princess Celestia asks me, shaking me out of my thoughts. There's a subtle hint of concern in her voice, but she betrays no other hint of worry.

[Sorry,] I weakly project, rubbing my temples slowly with the pads of my paws to ward off the headache I was trying to distract myself from. [I'm still unused to the full breadth of my powers while around so many sophonts. The 'noise' has given me a headache, and I can only reduce my sensory range so far without cutting myself off from the rest of my powers.] To emphasize my point, I flip upside down and swing a long loop around her head, earning me a chuckle.

"My apologies then," she smiles apologetically to me, the expression reaching her eyes. We make our way to the kitchens and my stomach growls like a wounded animal as soon as the smell of sugar and dough hits my nose through the doors. Celestia chuckles as she opens them but stops as soon as she looks inside, her expression morphing into a calm mask. I float over her shoulder and peer in to see what put her guard up.

The kitchens are a long room with cupboards and counters lining all the walls and an island stretching through the middle. There are four large ovens set into the far walls and no less than six range tops spread around the space. This late in the evening the room is moderately staffed with various chefs and assistants, their thoughts centered around preparing dinner for the denizens of the palace. Celestia's attention isn't directed to any of them though. Instead she's looking at the large dark blue mare sitting at the island with an entire pot of coffee and several thick texts next to her. It takes me a moment to recognize Princess Luna, more through the power radiating off of her than her appearance, as her mane hasn't quite become the full starry mass it is in the show. After a moment of study, I see a few wispy tresses starting to develop even as I watch.

Her thoughts are just as guarded as her Sister's, but even without pressing on them I can sense a fragility to her mental barriers, like obsidian spiderwebbed with cracks. The feel of her aura is also odd, seemingly comprised of two parts blending together. The core of her aura I sense is like a Super Wolf Moon, powerful and dominating as it watches the world from above, but spreading outward, mingling and mixing more fully with the Psychic Field than any pony I've encountered before now are tendrils of power that I can only describe as "Dream".

It's decidedly curious. The auras of Ponies in general are alien to my gifted memories, like little islands of light and power entirely independent of the psychic plain. I can only assume that this represents their "Magic", and its effect on the ebb and flow of the psychic waters that surround them is minimal compared to their unguarded thoughts. I can tell that the "Dream" of Luna's aura isn't a psychic or aura manifestation or projection like my own powers, but I know instinctively that if she decided to she could use those tendrils to interact with the Psychic Plain to bypass many of the upper layers of thought entirely and dive straight into the realms of the unconscious and subconscious. It only takes me a moment to realize that this must be how she is able to monitor dreams and assist people with fighting their nightmares.

"Hello Luna." Celestia says quietly. Luna looks up from her study, startled at being addressed. Small smiles come to both sisters as they make eye contact, but the Night Princess quickly notices me, as I've drifted over to one of the dream tendrils and am examining it more closely without actually touching it.

"Good Evening, Sister. Pray tell, what manner of creature is this? It is not one we have seen before in the gardens."

[Good evening to you too, Princess Luna.] I project. To my disappointment, all this earns me is a raised eyebrow, though her critical gaze sharpens significantly.

Celestia nods at me as I turn to face Luna and perform a midair curtsey. "This is Elsa Keyes. She is a Mew; a Guardian Being, come to our world from another. Apparently, some creatures from her world found their way to ours thanks to Discord, and she was tasked to locate and watch over them as they adjust to their new lives here, as none of them have the means to return to their home. While she says her needs are minimal, I have nonetheless offered her a place here at The Palace to rest and set out on her search from."

"And what manner of powers are these of hers, that We can sense the presence of her Dreams yet sleep she does not?" Luna asks. I turn more focus on her, startled, and put a bit more power into my passive scans. This earns me further narrowing of her eyes and sure enough, though I haven't directly interacted with the tendril next to me, I can now feel the subtle sensory 'ping' coming from it that's rebounding off of my own psychic radiance.

"She is powerfully psychic, and unbound by any contract or agency." Celestia says simply, and if it were possible, I would swear the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees. The cooks and assistants who were bustling about preparing for the evening meals all pause for a moment and shoot Luna worried looks reflecting their thoughts before quickly turning back to their tasks and desperately hoping Celestia is able to de escalate the situation. I'm not particularly worried, though getting along with Luna would be preferable to the alternative.

Celestia continues. "She has also explained her code of ethics regarding using her abilities to my satisfaction, and I do not believe her to be a threat to our little ponies while she is here unless she is provoked."

Luna's gaze turns more evaluating as she glances between me and her sister. Apparently coming to a decision, she nods. "Very well, We shall simply have to trust Your judgement on this matter, Sister." She focuses on me again, narrowing her eyes once more, "But be warned, Elsa Keyes, 'Guardian' or no, should you give us reason to Doubt our sister's judgement We will not hesitate to end you."

I'm still not worried by the threat, my gifted memories letting me know I have at least a dozen methods to get away unscathed, and every Ability, Move and Power ever known by a Mew ever to fall back on even if I can't. I'm still confident it won't come to that, though, and instead of making these thoughts known I favor the Night Princess with an equally serious look and project, [Understood.] and like a switch being flipped, the tension leaves the room as Princess Luna sighs and turns her gaze back upon her books.

Celestia joins her, sitting across from her at the central island and quietly placing an order for her and myself with one of the assistants. I lick my lips in anticipation of the apple pie as it's brought to me, the smell alone making my mouth water, but I resist the urge to simply shove my face in and scarf it down like Celestia is doing with her Cake. Instead I use a slight pressure of psychic force to slice it into sixteen pieces, startling the unicorn cook who was about to do the same with her knife, and happily bite into the first piece as I lift it firmly in my psychic grasp. My actions garner some interested attention from the Staff, and a curious glance from Luna, but a moment later she returns her gaze to the text before her.

I'm starting on my third piece when she grumbles, "Fie upon this infernal studying. As fascinating as the modern world is, We would much prefer to experience it for ourselves."

"That may be so, however given your reaction to a vacuum cleaner, this is still for the best, at least until you have a better understanding of what to expect in general." Celestia returns, somehow not a speck of cake having gotten stuck on her coat despite the devastation left on the plate in front of her.

"An Understanding we feel We have already gained, yet still you insist there is more to learn." Luna complained.

Celestia opens her mouth to reply, but rather than rebuff her sister again she pauses, rubbing a hoof under her chin in apparent thought. "Perhaps you are right." Luna looks up sharply and Celestia continues. "I am still not entirely convinced that you are ready, but in two and a half weeks' time will be Nightmare night. Perhaps it would be in your interest to attend the celebration in Ponyville, and if you feel comfortable with the experience afterward and are able to relate to the Ponies there, I will allow you to retake some of your more public duties."

"Only some?" Luna questioned irritatedly, "and what, pray tell is Nightmare Night? We are unfamiliar with this event, but it sounds an affront to our duty as guardian of Ponies Dreams."

Celestia answered, "For the first, you are still recovering your strength. Better acclimated or not, I won't have you exhausting yourself by taking on more than you are ready for. To the second..."

Here, she hesitated, contemplating the glass of milk tea set before her with the rest of her meal before heaving a sigh. "Nightmare night Began as a... 'celebration'... of Nightmare Moon's banishment." Luna's face twisted in anger, and was about to retort, but Celestia cut her off, talking quickly. "When I first learned of it I tried everything I could to stamp it out. Unfortunately, it has proven as difficult to eradicate as convincing Our Little Ponies that we are not Goddesses was in the olden days." Luna still didn't look happy, but rolled her eyes and nodded in understanding at the analogy before Celestia continued.

"Originally, Ponies would burn effigies of the Nightmare or other offerings at a communal bonfire, thinking it would somehow protect them from the gaze of the Mare in the Moon, which was said to be cursed, along with other, worse, practices and superstitions, before and after the primary offering. For better or worse, while I have been unable to completely eradicate the holiday, I Have managed to tone it down so that today most cities host some sort of carnival featuring night time games and performances, while foals dress in costumes and go from door to door in their neighborhoods requesting candy, half of which is usually left as an offering with an effigy or statue of Nightmare Moon so that she won't 'gobble them up'."

"Still a most appalling tradition" Luna grumbled. "We will have to see about changing it when we visit Ponyville."

Celestia smiled as she stood and said, "I wish you the best of luck doing so. Now, I still have to show Elsa where she will be sleeping before lowering the sun and turning in myself. Good night, little sister "

"Good Night, Celestia. Elsa Keyes" Luna acknowledges as she turns back to her text.

I blink at the abrupt end to the conversation and then blink again when I realize my pie is gone, the taste of apple and cream still lingering on my tongue. I yawn as I float upward to follow Celestia, but on a split-second decision turn to Luna instead and rub my back affectionately under her chin, much to her surprise. [Good night, Moon Princess] I project as I drift to follow the bigger alicorn out the door.

Celestia gives me a sly look and a pleased smile as the doors close behind us, to which I affect an innocent stare. She chuckles before turning towards the access stairway she had shown me earlier and trotting off. I follow at a leisurely glide, and a comfortable silence settles between us as we ascend.

The hallway up the stairs is just as elegantly appointed as the rest of the palace, with alabaster walls and red and gold carpeting; clear testament to Celestia's longtime occupancy of the building. I'd seen subtle signs of Luna's influence starting to creep into other areas, and it was no different here with the drapery cutting the motif with tasteful splashes of blue and silver shades that didn't clash with the rest of the décor. Heavy, dark stained doors line one side of the hall while windows let in the light of the evening on the other, but other than the occasional tapestry or painting there was very little in the way of ornamentation.

Halfway down the hall and across from a door leading outside Celestia stops. "These shall be your rooms." She said, opening the door on the interior wall we were in front of. "Should you need anything, or should they not be to your satisfaction, please let any of the servants know, and if your requests are reasonable, I will see what can be done."

The bedroom was more lavish than anything I'd ever seen in my life, so the chances of me complaining about it were nonexistent. Rust red carpets covered the floor and the walls were covered in white silk with gold leaf patterns embossed on it in real gold. A massive four poster bed made of a white wood and gilded in gold, with crimson curtains lined with gold tassels dominated the wall to the right and to either side of it sat two end tables made of the same wood and gold leaf. Along the opposite wall sat a vanity and a door that exploration showed lead to a private bath. Equally spaced along the far wall from the hall door were three tall windows with the same blue and silver curtains as the hall outside, and under the middle one sat a writing desk with parchment, quills and ink at the ready for the room's occupant should they need them.

Hovering in the middle of the room, I turn to my hostess and bow. [Thank you, Princess.] I project my gratitude along with the statement, earning me a smile.

"I must go set the Sun, now, but I hope you have a pleasant night, Elsa Keyes." She nods and turns to leave the room.

[Good night, Princess Celestia] I reply as she closes the door behind her.