The princesses made preparations for Chrysalis' release. Or at least when it comes to Celestia and Luna. As for Twilight and the rest of her friends; they were informed of the matter at hand, and they had been completely happy to help, if not for one thing in particular. Cadance had strictly forbidden not to be helped in this. At first Twilight, her sister-in-law, was worried about this. Considering all the times Chrysalis had assaulted Cadance. Kidnap her who knows how, whether with or without the use of force when her wedding was.

After what happened when they kidnapped her again but with her husband and her daughter. Not to mention the amount of extra ponies that will result as collateral damage with all this. Furthermore, at this point whether the bearers liked it or not, it seemed like this would be a job that Cadance would accomplish. Maybe they just doubted her because they didn't want anything bad to happen to her. They didn't want her to be hurt, or at worst killed. Celestia insisted a little one last time the night before they went for the statue of Chrysalis.

And it failed, unfortunately for her. Cadance seemed determined to take care of this very personally. Celestia couldn't do anything to stop it. In some ways, Cadance deserved this. A way to "punch" Chrysalis or at least try to get some pride back. Luna on her side. She didn't distrust Cadance. If anything, she seemed proud of herself that she wanted to confront the person who had kidnapped her twice in a row.

“I can really help you!” Luna said, walking Cadance to her bedroom. “You can wait a few months, I will put you on an arduous and intensive training regimen and I assure you quick results!” She seemed excited, in any case it was not surprising.

Celestia was the face of Equestria and almost the global public figure. While Luna, she was a military figure. She was a good way to maintain a constant balance. It was not unusual for the two princesses. Luna was the strongest. And certainly her physique showed it even though her figure was curvy. Her great height, added to her muscular body and quite well endowed with curves, literally gave her a very imposing figure compared to any other pony. Cadance on the other hand, although grateful, only had a few requests.

“It would really sound like a good idea, aunt.” Cadance said with a tone of voice that showed tiredness. “But…with all the paperwork and meetings and meetings, I don't know if I have enough time.”

“That may be true. In any case…” Luna commented, but then stopped. Just as if she was making sure that no one was following or spying on them, she checked the hallways and even the windows to make sure there weren’t anyone around. “I'll tell you a couple of secrets.” Having said that and after entering Cadance's bedroom.

The room that had always been hers, even back in the days when she lived with her aunt Celestia. Although her room consisted of a number of unnecessary luxuries in the eyes of her aunts; Cadance had managed to get hold of a collection of various books, some other gadgets. Such as a photo album, some souvenirs that her friends and classmates from the university and academy had given her, and stuffed animals. As childish as it sounded, Cadance had a particular taste for stuffed animals. Unfortunately her collection had been significantly reduced when she had decided to give her stuffed animals to her daughter Flurry

The only stuffed animal that she kept was a stuffed animal that Celestia had given her when she was only ten years old. It consisted of a replica of herself, in fact, if she looked at herself and compared her stuffed animal, the only difference was that she was anthropomorphic, while the stuffed animal represented her as a feral horse. A demonstration of Celestia's skill was the fact that she guessed or predicted that Cutie Mark would have Cadance, since she was even an exact replica of her.

The stuffed animal was always next to a huge queen-size bed. Of large purple and pink covers. White pillows and a small set of curtains covering the bed. These more than anything served to prevent the sunlight from bothering her in the morning. Well, it just so happened that her Aunt had placed her in a room that perfectly gave her sunlight since the sun rose. In Cadance's youth this was annoying. Even with black curtains on the windows, light came in partially, so she decided to put curtains around her bed.

Besides all that. There was a dressing table especially for getting ready, also having a full-length mirror next to it. A door that seemed to lead to the bathroom and a work table, which curiously, still had papers, pens, inkwells and even a piece of work that said, ‘Accounting project’ while just below it had scribbles that said, ‘Fuck it!’. Before Luna saw it, Cadance took that job away as soon as possible, just smiling innocently.

“Then tell me, auntie, what was that you wanted to tell me about?” Cadance asked, smiling nervously, Luna did not pay attention to her, in fact she was amused by her niece's sudden action and attitude. “It’s not like you to be so…so secretive.”

“It's simple in fact, as you know. Even though I sleep while I ‘work’ on taking care of each pony's dreams, my body and mind feel tired.” Luna responded, sighing a little. “Well, even if my mind and body "rest" I am putting effort into my subconscious. Now. I managed to discover a couple of spells that could help you.”

Using her magic, she took some blank papers, a pen and an inkwell and began to write without even seeing the paper. The words were coming out with such speed and fluidity, despite not even looking at the strokes of her hand. Luna was far better at this than Cadance thought, though this made the younger alicorn hold back a small giggle when she thought back to how badly her aunt struggles with text messages. Within less than a minute, the princess finished what she had.

“What is this?” Cadance asked, looking at the paper. Examining the sigils and markings, she somewhat knew what it was, but wasn’t certain. “This is a spell scroll?”

“Correct. The first spell is to end fatigue. You see, as you know, even when I do my duty, I end up tired and it's like I haven't slept at all. So, this first spell…” Luna handed the first scroll to Cadance. “It will cancel the effects of physical and mental fatigue, it will correctly restore her body. You could say that sleeping will actually accomplish her goal. Now…” Using her magic while she made a gesture with her hand. “You could call me a cheater...but this is between you and me.”

Luna playfully winked at Cadance, and she knew. While Celestia preferred to speak her mind directly and honestly, Luna was a little more subtle in her approach to some things. For the alicorn of dreams, she preferred to wait and listen, to observe and then plan for every possibility. Writing out another scroll, she handed it to Cadance. Clearly, the discussion she had observed had given her more than a little insight of the situation, and wanted her niece to be especially prepared for it.

“The reason why I am strong is that while it is true that a dream can last mere seconds, but in your subconscious, it can become hours; even days.” Luna explained, handing it over to Cadance. “Having said that, the spell is dangerous in theory but very useful in cases like the one I will explain to you...if you decide to train or exercise in your dreams, this spell will make you have the effects of that training in your body instantly.”

“Really?” Cadance's surprise was instantly marked upon hearing that. Taking both scrolls in her hands, she looked at her aunt without knowing what to say to her. “And do they work?” Letting out a moderately loud laugh, Luna simply walked to her side.

“Just try it for a few weeks. I'm sure you could even give your husband a surprise.” Luna commented, still giggling a little. “Before I go, dear Niece...I wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it about?” Cadance asked, watching as Luna was partially walking towards the door. “I’m sorry, but I have to put together my plans.”

“That’s what I wanted to ask. What do you plan to do with Chrysalis?” Luna questioned, carefully observing the pink Alicorn. “I can understand if you do it because you want to get some revenge. But we don't want your actions to go off the right path because you have a momentary relief like me…”

“I see.” Cadance nodded, understanding what her aunt was referring to. “I understand, but don't worry, I will be completely careful.”

“I hope so.” Luna sighed, knowing her niece couldn’t be swayed from whatever she was planning. “I would hate for something bad to happen to you. Rest, you will need strength for tomorrow, and remember everything Thorax and Pharynx told you.”

“I understand.” Cadance agreed. “I will do it, trust my auntie.” Without further ado, Luna left the room, leaving her alone.

After a long time, her room was still just as she remembered it. Of course it looked clean, it was very possible that Celestia asked some of the maids to come and do the cleaning gradually. Or in her case, it was Celestia herself who came to clean her room as a hobby. But thinking this upset Cadance, quickly afraid that they might find her ‘Treasure’ she quickly approached her bed afraid that they had found it. Making sure everything was in her place, she put one of her hands under the first and second mattress that made her bed. At first there was panic, since she couldn't find him.

Afraid of having to explain to her aunt the origin of such a thing, she continued searching under the mattress until she, out of sheer desperation, ended up using her magic to lift the top mattress. And there she was. Right where her hands couldn't reach, right in the middle of the mattress. Sighing in relief and using her magic to rearrange her bed. I look at his treasure. It was no news that Cadance had a great fanaticism for books. Not to mention, she had first place academically in her years at the Canterlot Academy. However, this particular book had many functions that only she knew about.

Relieved and with her heart slowing down after finding her book, she looked at her old companion. A book of golden embroidery that represented various solar and nocturnal symbols, printed in pink with the symbol of her cutie mark right in the center. There were two locks, an invisible magic lock that would only react and be activated or deactivated according to Cadance's magic, and finally a small copper lock that served only as an additional half decoration, since anyone with a little strength could break that lock. Still, that lock was still intact and the key. He was clearly still at Cadance's side.

“It's been a long time since I had you in my hands…” Cadance almost cooed, rubbing her hands over the smooth cover of this book. “It seems like the perfect chance to finally use you.” Taking a seat on the edge of the bed, she released the magic seal, causing a small magic bubble around the book to disappear in a puff of wispy smoke. “Just as I remember it.”

Her magic then opened the copper lock. The first page contained Cadance's name, a hand-drawn sketch of her cutie mark, and some magical formulas for some spells and potions. The book itself consisted of a number of highly researched spells in different books, spells that had been of interest to Cadance. Not only spells, but also potions with different effects. Not only that, she had a wide variation of photographs, many of which were of her looking at herself with different ponies. Friends from primary school, secondary school, high school, and university. Among them were even some stallions that had been with her. Of course all that before Shining Armor and her met again.

After finishing high school, Cadance left Canterlot to study in the great city of Manehattan. Shining Armor would stay in Canterlot to do his military service and pursue her military career. They didn't see each other for seven years, it was obvious that Cadance would make more friends during that time, and perhaps another boyfriend. Shining Armor had the same case. Of course, once Cadance returned to Canterlot as a complete mare and he as the captain of the current guard. It was obvious that their feelings for each other would emerge when they saw each other.

“How distant those times are…” Cadance said with a smile, looking at a photograph in the middle of the book in which Shining Armor and her were hugging, smiling at the camera. “Such good times…”

Back then Cadance had a ponytail tied in his mane, and Armor didn't have that long mane, it was much shorter and he was much less muscular, almost a weakling. That memory of her made her laugh; she even let out a laugh when she turned to the next one where Blueblood and Shining Armor were fighting. It was a time when that annoying prince was not a thorn in the side like now. An asshole who only thinks about himself now. And that was proven when she turned to another page where both Blueblood and Shining Armor were hugging each other, smiling at the camera like good friends.

What had happened? What could’ve caused such good friends to now be at best distant acquaintances or even just strangers to each other? Questions that could only be answered by one of them. Cadance never dared to ask them what happened. The friendships between stallions and mares were very different, and Cadance knew that. She also had a lot of experience from past relationships, which told her never, never, but never. She had to get involved in the affairs of two studs. They were problems that they had to solve. Or at least that's what she told him on her last date with a zebra in college.

“He was a nice guy.” Cadance nodded, humming a little to herself. “What happened to Zark?" Shrugging his shoulders to continue with his memory book, a sound caught his attention. A series of notifications followed. Surprised, she moved a little and took her cell phone to find out who it was.

"Cadance!” A message from Twilight sprang up. Even without hearing her voice, Cadance could tell her sister-in-law was worried, or maybe upset. “Are you seriously thinking of facing Chrysalis alone?! After everything that happened?! Do you have any idea what she can do? What will you do if you make a wrong step?” Message after message came to the chat, showing that the mare was just clicking away everything that came to mind. “Worse yet, think about what we will have to do as a result of this! Shining and Flurry will be very worried about you!”

“Twilight please! You worry too much.” Cadance responded, taking a deep breath as she replied to the long messages. “I know how to take care of myself, plus, let's be honest, of everyone we know, I would be the option Chrysalis least expects. In any case, I shouldn't even think about failing.” A smile crossed her face as she giggled a little. “Also, I think it should be Chrysalis who should be worried. Every time she's managed to "get me" it's only been because she's caught me off guard.” Content, she wrapped up her series of messages. “Above all, I want to do something different, I'm bored of doing the same thing every day. I feel a new method is needed for better results.”

"But Cadance…” Twilight responded, though she seemed to be taking a few moments to think of her proper response. “I'd really prefer if you let us take charge, even though we don't have the elements, Starlight and I could handle it too.”

“Stop worrying ha ha.” Cadance responded, giggling as she typed her message. “Besides, I think it's fair that I do something at the end of all this. Why don't you better prepare yourself so that you can take the throne soon? A few more years and my aunts retire, I think you should be prepared. It is more difficult to be on the throne than to be next to it.”

“Okay…” Twilight’s message replied. “But seriously, if something happens send me a message or your location and I'll instantly appear there! Seriously!”

“Thanks Twilight.” Cadance replied, humming a little in her message. “I appreciate it, and I’ll let you know if anything happens to me. But for now I think it would be better if you let me sleep.” The next message was not instantaneous, it took a while to arrive, because when Twilight's message replied.

"Sweet Celestia! It's so late!” Twilight’s message sounded like she would if they were speaking in person. “I'm really sorry! You were probably about to sleep!"

Giving her a simple farewell, Cadance smiled calmly, having no further problems with that conversation after all. She was confident that she could do it. She left her cell phone on the nightstand next to her precious book. Using her magic to turn off the lights in her room. She closed the curtains and simply lay on her bed, meditating on everything that had happened so far. She seemed anxious about this, she almost couldn't wait for tomorrow, but she would need to rest to restore her strength after that long day of meetings. It won't have been physical fatigue, but psychological.

---

The following day, Celestia and Luna were making their trip to Tartaras to retrieve Chrysalis. Though she, along with Tirek and Cozy Glow, were imprisoned in stone for their crimes, they were eventually sent down to Tartaras. While they were more than capable of handling this on their own, their guards were insistent on coming, and thus the two princesses were sitting in a carriage as they were approaching their destination. Celestia remained stoic, but Luna was gleefully clicking at her phone.

"Tell me.” Luna asked, not looking up at Celestia. “Will it be okay?"

"If Cadance says she can do it. I trust her.” Celestia commented, speaking calmly as her sister seemed worried. “Besides, I don't want her rubbing it in my face all the time that this was all about ruining her anniversary with Armor."

"Young?” Luna giggled. “You're in your later years, sister."

"We are Alicorns, the fact that Cadance looks much younger than Armor is obvious.” Celestia giggled back, only smirking at her sister. “Furthermore, by the standards of any other unicorn, she looks very young and remains in very good physical shape."

"It was a real shame to find out that he was already in a relationship with our niece.” Luna commented, putting her phone away. “And the fact that you decided that we cannot request more from our concubines or our lovers.”

"We are no longer in that time, dear sister.” Celestia sighed, often thinking of how many times she’s had to remind Luna of this fact. “You can no longer simply ask a maid to be with you to keep you company at night."

"Say it for what Celestia is! We asked to be attended to sexually.” Luna commented, almost sounding a little annoyed as she spoke. “It seems very hypocritical of you to have made that change in laws when you were the one who enjoyed those privileges the most.” Her lips then curled into a wicked smirk. “How many guards and maids did you take to bed until you decided to modify that law? To how many after my exile?

"Luna…" Celestia gasped, blushing a little. “That…that’s not important.”

"What? According to our law. If they are Equestrian citizens, they are OURS, and we do whatever we want.” Luna shrugged her shoulders. “Should I mention that it was you who made that law? Quite greedy if you ask me."

"There's a reason I ended up with her…” Celestia blushed, looking away from her sister for a moment. “Please, we can't do that anymore...so can we please drop it?"

"Oh, fine. I heard one of the guards mention something about a brothel.” Luna commented, still snickering under her breath. “Maybe I'll go there soon. I heard they work at all hours a day. Honestly banishing me was the best option! I mean, there are already ponies that work at night, there are stores, clubs, liquor stores."

"We really need to talk about your extremely high libido..." Celestia sighed, rubbing her temples. “Learning technology must’ve addled your brain.”

"We really need to talk about the fact that you've become such a prude about this.” Luna giggled. “One day I'll see the fertility goddess doing her job like before again."

“Yeah, no.” Celestia sighed again, rubbing her temples harder. "That will never happen again..."

"I know you well enough to know that you will eventually return to that.” Luna chuckled, only bursting into a hearty laugh. “In the meantime I will enjoy the carnal desires that you so want to avoid." This had become a common conversation between the sisters.

Arriving in Tartaras, Celestia and Luna wasted no time. Approaching the combined statue of Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, the sisters only carefully looked the prisoners over. If anyone was looking at them, it would appear as one solid statute of the three of them, but it was more than that. The changeling, centaur, and pegasus were three seperate statues, but because of the ways they stood when imprisoned, moving one out of the other two was nearly impossible.

Thankfully, this wasn’t the first time they had seen such a statue meant to imprison a criminal. Discord being one of the best examples, was able to explain a few things about it. Especially how to select certain parts of the statue to move it in order to seperate the three without freeing them. It was a complicated series of spells and incantations, and thankfully, Discord was in a sharing enough mood to explain it in a way the sisters could understand.

“Looks like they haven’t changed a bit.” Celestia said, raising an eyebrow as she looked at her sister, who simply continued walking without paying attention to Celestia. “It’s been years, and yet Cozy Glow is still a filly.”

“Well, according to Discord, the body remains as is, but their senses remain.” Luna commented, tapping her finger on the stone head of the Chrysalis statue. “Besides, even if she breaks free, she won't have enough strength after several years of imprisonment. Unlike Discord, she doesn't get power from nothing...she needs love...and in Tartarus there is no love nearby that she can absorb.”

“I guess you're right.” Celestia commented, igniting her horn. “Alright, let’s get this over with.” Luna nodded, igniting her own horn as the two prepared to move Chrysalis from the others.

The segments that made up Chrysalis’ body glowed, almost like an outline around her body. Slowly and carefully, the alicorn princesses moved the statue of Chrysalis from Tirek and Cozy. The sections of the body that had to touch against the centaur and pegasus gave off a slight brighter glow. Within a flash of light and warmth, the sections harmlessly passed through the others. The spell Discord had shown them worked, within minutes, Chrysalis was separated from Tirek and Cozy.

“Alright, it worked.” Celestia commented, smiling a little as she looked the others over. “You think there’s a way Discord could show us how to…you know, better arrange them?”

“I mean, that would make storing them a little easier. But that’s going to be an issue for another time.” Luna nodded, giggling a little as she couldn’t resist taking a picture of herself, Celestia, and the still statue Chrysalis. Tapping on her phone, she hummed. “Alright, I just sent the picture to Cadance. She knows we have Chrysalis and are on our way.”

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