~~~~~Twilight City~~~~~

Twilight Sparkle had entered the home of Filthy Rich, just a few minutes ago.

Lady Twilight Shadow exited the home not long after that, silent and terrible in her majesty. The crowd of well-dressed onlookers bowed their heads to her as she passed. Respect. Fear. They had all learned the lesson, provided by the now dead Filthy Rich. Play nice. Or else. There were no cheers this time, no acclamations. The powerful rarely liked being reminded that there was always someone stronger than they were.

The crowd parted before her advance like the water giving way to a ship. Captain Winterlight joined Twilight a few moments later, a broad smile plastered onto her face. "Do not look so smug, Captain." Twilight said with a soft sort of testiness. "Today will not be without consequences." They continued walking silently together, when a wail went up from the Rich estate. The sound of sadness and despair, of loss and anguish. All around Twilight, the crowd looked towards the house with varying degrees of horror and stoic resolve.

The Captain nodded once as the sound slowly died down into what surely were sobs of grief. "It is my duty to ensure those consequences are minimal. Do not fear, my Queen." She grinned toothily, her teeth bright against the dark flight suit. "I will handle the public, and ensure the correct story is told." Twilight arched an eyebrow at the Captain, who simply smiled back at her.

Twilight shook her shadowy mane and smirked slightly. "You do that, Captain." there was a brief pause before Twilight spoke again. "One more thing. I think it is past time we became a bit more... proactive in regards to handling these problems. Do you have any suggestions on how we might accomplish that?" Logical. Reason. Never mind that she'd just snapped a pony’s neck. Deal with your emotions later. She scolded herself. She had to ensure this never happened again.

Winterlight nodded once. "With your permission, my Queen. I already have several possible plans already in place." There was a satisfied sort of smile there. "They will all prove useful in ensuring the common pony is protected, and the elites well controlled." The two figures exited the wealthy district together, back into the bustling city streets filled with workers and construction.

Twilight mulled this information over for a short time. "Very well. I'd like you to present those plans to me this evening. We'll discuss which ones will be the most effective." Twilights hooves kept that slow, deliberate pace. "Furthermore, I want you to put together a plan for how quickly we can assemble an effective military force." she smiled as Winterlight's steps came to an abrupt halt, continuing to walk heedless of her Captain's sudden shock. "The enemies of Equestria will not remain dormant forever, Captain." Twilight said softly as the distance widened between them. "I will be in my library. I shall see you after dinner, tonight."

Captain Winterlight, commander of the Shadowbolts watcher her Queen march through the crowds. As heedless of any obstruction as the tides of the ocean, or the storms of Cloudsdale. Her citizens gave way for her - bowing, doffing hats and smiling in satisfaction. They called her Lady for now, but Winterlight knew she was witnessing ascension to something far greater. War. Winterlight's mind exulted in the word, grasped onto it. Oh, her Queen had not said the word of course - but that was a mere detail.

So Captain Winterlight flared out her wings and shot into the air, her mind racing with the possibilities. I will need to accelerate recruitment! We will need engineers, blacksmiths, and more! Oh glorious Night, you have not abandoned us! Tremble, powers of the world! The Nightmare shall rise again!

~~~~~~Six Hours Later~~~~~~

"Open the gates! The Crystal Princess approaches!"

The grand gates of Canterlot were thrown open by two enrobed unicorns standing to each side of it. A shower of sparkles and light poured through the gates, followed by the sound of stomping hooves. Bugles and horns let loose a thundering reveille as the glittering armor of the Emerald Guard shone in the rays of the slowly setting sun. The sound of five hundred sets of hooves marching in near-perfect synchronization was deafening, but it still couldn't overwhelm the torrent of cheers that greeted them.

For nestled among the ranks, six of the Emerald Guard were pulling along a delicate looking cart. Upon which, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and her husband, Prince Shining Armor sat and waved to the ponies of Canterlot. Since their marriage nearly a year ago, the two had become the most potent symbol of romance to many in Equestria.

The fact that they both so clearly adored one another was a nice bonus. Although that didn't stop the massive underground fiction business from pairing either of them, or sometimes both, with all number of other famous individuals. (Fleur De Lis was very popular, as was Daring Do for some reason.)

The impromptu parade proceeded up the Solar Way, past Equestrian Square and up towards the royal palace. Flowers were thrown to the Princess, who caught them and laid them alongside the carriage as they went. By the time the carriage reached the castle, it was practically a parade float from the Summer Sun Celebration.

Shining Armor sighed a little, eyeballing the troops around him with a judgmental eye as they marched into formation on the main palace lawn. Heh, the gardeners are going to murder me later. he thought with a trace of humor. A white coated stallion in resplendent golden armor marched out of the front doors to the castle. A stiff gold and steel plate bore an emblem of a lance with a fluttering pennant on his chest, and his bright green eyes warmed at the sight of Shining Armor.

The two marched to the middle of the garden and snappily saluted one another. "Prince Armor. Welcome back to Canterlot." his opposite spoke in a stiff, formal tone that belied the grin on his face. "I see you've brought us a few guests." there was a small amount of humor - and exasperation - in his voice that told Shining that accommodations hadn't been easy to make.

Shining Armor just grinned. "A pleasure to see you too, Captain Lancelot. Requesting permission to bivouac the troops, Sir." Shining took a bit of the sting of their sudden intrusion by addressing the Captain as his superior officer. It was enough to coax an even broader grin out of the new Captain of the Royal Guard.

Captain Lancelot grinned. "Granted. South barracks is all yours, Prince Armor." He chuckled brightly. "Princess Celestia requests the presence of both you and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza at your earliest convenience." Then he paused, and winked. "And if you can drag yourself away from the politics, me and the boys'll be playing cards till dawn. You know where to find us." he whispered conspiratorially to Shining Armor, who couldn't help but laugh a little.

Shining turned to the assembled troops, pleased to see they were still as organized as when he'd turned away. "Alright! You heard the Captain. South barracks, as we discussed. Sergeants, lead them out! Dismissed!" The crystal pony soldiers saluted as one, and then began marching back out the gates of the castle in a loose formation - many of them getting together to chat amiably. Shining had to grin. Good. They're not so stiff that they can't relax a little. They're gonna need that.

Commander Lancelot sidled up to Shiny with a slight smile. "Good looking kids you got there, Shiny." He paused and spoke a bit softly. "You didn't just bring them down here to light a fire under the politician’s flanks, Shiny. What gives?" There was a gentle worry in that question, as Lancelot dropped the formalities of their posts.

Shining Armor shook his head faintly. "I don't know all the details yet, Lance. Bring extra cider to the card game, I'll fill you in as soon as I can slip away." He blew out his cheeks. "It may be that we're going to be seeing some action soon."

~~~~Earlier that day~~~~

Twilight Shadow slowly paced into the hallowed halls of her private library, surrounded by books both ancient and new. Each replete with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages, each of them ready to give that knowledge forth to another generation of readers. For them to take and build upon it so that one day they might pass that knowledge on to the next generation, and ever on down the line through history.

Yet Twilight knew there would be no books in here for her tonight. No tomes of wisdom that might enlighten her on the subject she most cared about. No words of wisdom from ancient sages which could salve the wound in her own soul. It'd had to be done, of course. She knew that logically, even intellectually there was no punishing a man like Filthy Rich in the traditional courts. Wealth, status, and political power precluded such things except in the most dire of circumstances.

Twilight's hooves carried her past the stacks to a familiar basket bed. There, a little purple dragon lay sleeping under his patchwork red and white blanket that Twilight had hoof stitched for him once upon a time. She gently lifted one edge of the blanket and tucked it a little closer to him. She could not bring herself to wake him up, even though she had done so many times before. She could only lay there, inches away from contact and watch him sleep peacefully.

What could she tell him? Spike loved her, but he had honor and code all his own. How would he react to know his closest friend, his mother in all but name was a killer? Twilight didn't know. She didn't even know how she could tell him without breaking down. So she sat there in silence, just watching him sleep as she had so often done when he was freshly hatched.

She didn't know how long she sat there. She watched the sun slowly setting towards the horizon in silence, trying to process everything that had happened that morning. What had she been thinking? Why had she acted so decisively? Was that what it meant to be a leader?

She hardly noticed anything that was going on around her, until she felt a soft cloth touching under her eyes brushing away unfelt tears.. Twilight would have jumped, if she wasn't able to nearly instantly see the concerned eyes of the little purple dragon. He put a clawed paw against her lips and shook his head, tossing his blanket over her shoulders a moment later. Twilight felt her mouth open a little as Spike gently pushed his way into her forehooves and hugged her tightly. "Spike..." She gently spoke and hugged her little dragon friend tightly. "I'm.." She couldn't bring herself to finish it, couldn't bring herself to speak.

Spikes voice came out a few moments later, gently muffled by her fur. "You're a good pony, Twilight Sparkle." He said firmly. "And I don't care who says otherwise." Twilight could feel a sharp claw poking into her chest. "That includes you. So shut up and hug me and tell me we're going to go somewhere special for dinner. Someplace with gemstones."

Twilight felt her jaw drop halfway to the floor, and then burst into laughter - as bright as the sunset framed in the window. So she did just as he demanded. She hugged him tightly to her body. "Yes, Spike - We're going to go have dinner with Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie. And I'm sure Pinkie knows a place we can get you something shiny." She couldn't keep the smile off her face. "And... thank you Spike. For always knowing just what to do."

Spike chuckled brightly and pushed away to grin toothily at her. "Of course! I'm your Number One Assistant, after all!"

~~~~~~~~~

Although Princess Mi Amore Cadenza (Nee Cadence) had often been a well-known sight around Canterlot Castle, she rarely attended to important matters of state. Her luncheons and suppers with Princess Celestia during her youth, and later with Princess Luna, had almost always been strictly along social lines. Princess Cadence was far more often concerned with assisting the average citizen and slowly growing her own personal magic power.

This evening promised to be a far more serious affair. True, it was impossible to keep the love and ease the three Princesses felt around one another out of the conversation. But tonight, the subject of the Shadow was the table conversation - Its importance so great that Shining Armor was being provided unprecedented access to the sister’s private dining chambers.

Celestia and Luna were waiting for the married couple, and warm embraces and greetings were quickly exchanged. The table was set with steaming silver platters and well-worn crockery. Shining couldn't help but grin. The Princesses insisted on using the very same plates and cups they had been using for countless centuries, and heaven help the chef who thought they could dictate otherwise.

So four figures sat down at the table - and their thoughts were all on a single individual. "Tell me, aunt Celestia." began Cadence, dispensing with the formalities right off the bat. "I need to know if you are absolutely certain that there is nothing wrong with Twilight." Cadence's voice was almost desperate for confirmation of this.

Celestia paused, a sprig of broccoli half between her mouth and the plate and she sighed, eating the morsel quickly. "I wish I could say yes to that, Cadence. But in truth I harbor enough doubts." Celestia shook her head with a sad smile. "To all appearances, and to everything my closest spies can determine, she is as self-sacrificing as I could possibly hope for. Her popularity is nearly on par with my own, amongst her own ponies. Yet I cannot deny the presence of Captain Winterlight leaves a nagging doubt as to what may be really going on in that city."

Luna nodded shortly, biting through a bit of asparagus with vigor. "We must not allow our love for Twilight to blind us. We must be prepared for anything, including the unthinkable." She gently tapped the table with her hoof. "This is why we are now all here."

Shining Armor cut in, stabbing a levitating fork towards the two princesses. "Yeah, I'd really like to know why we just marched an army up the streets of Canterlot. I'd also like to know just what the buck you mean by 'The Unthinkable', Luna. All due respect, but this is my little sister we're discussing here." Shining fought to keep his anger down, but all of this high-and-mighty talk was beginning to annoy him.

Luna only seemed bemused at his wrath, but sobered from it quickly. "Prince Armor, we must be practical. If your sister is actively consorting with Captain Winterlight..." She frowned mightily. "Whom you ought to remember from your military history classes as being a very, very dangerous pegasi indeed." Luna sucked in a patient breath as Shining blushed, and then continued speaking. "Then we must presume that this Shadow has twisted the thoughts of our young ward. If we cannot find a means to purify her of it...." Luna let the statement hang in the air, her head hung low. "We must be ready for the worst. No matter how painful the thought may be to us all."

Shining stared at Luna in shock, and Celestia rapped the table with her hoof. "Peace, Prince Armor. I have no intention of giving up on Twilight. Not without a fight." There was a fierce look on her face - as stern as any of them had ever seen it. "I will not allow this darkness to rob me of another that I love. Not this time."

Shining Armor swallowed his objections and nodded once - anything to calm that look of ancient and grim determination from Celestia's face. Cadence spoke up softly. "Then I see no other choice. I will have to travel to this town at the first opportunity." Three heads swiveled to look at her in astonishment, and Cadence smiled slightly. "Twilight is my ward, even moreso than yours aunt Celestia. She has been since she was a mere four years old. I have cared for her as though she were my own daughter. I have watched her grow into a beautiful mare, and face down the challenges even some of us would have blanched at." And now Cadence's voice took on that same grim tone as Celestia's. "I was not there for her that night, when she needed me the most. And for that, I owe her a debt I may never be able to repay. I will go to her, Celestia. And you will not stop me."

Celestia opened her mouth in protest, until Luna shook her head with a soft smile before speaking. "I agree, Celestia. Of all of us - and yes, even you Prince Armor - Twilight trusts Cadence the most." She paused at Celestia's glare, and chuckled. "Dear sister, I love you so. But Twilight is... occasionally intimidated by you. With us, Twilight sees only the crown sometimes." Luna's hoof gently touched the ebony stone that graced her head. "But never with Cadence. She will always be her foalsitter, her closest confidant." And then Luna smirked. "And before you speak another word, Prince Armor - you will be accompanying Cadence regardless. "

Shining lifted his hooves and smiled a little. A smile that quickly faded as Celestia spoke again. "Either way, we will not be remaining in Canterlot ourselves. Luna and I will be traveling to try and uncover what we believe might be an answer to this whole dilemma." Cadence looked astonished, and Shining narrowed his eyes a little. Celestia smiled softly. "As soon as you have concluded your meeting with Twilight, we will need you to return here - until we can return."

Shining Armors voice came slowly, softly. "And what do you need us here for, Celestia?" He almost didn't want to ask the question. Yet he knew that the answer would be vital. "And where in Equestria are you going that you won’t be back soon?"

Celestia smiled softly, confidently. "As to the second of your questions - Our research has provided us with what we..." She nodded to Luna, who nodded in response. "Believe may represent our best hope for drawing this 'Shadow' out of Twilight. like poison from a wound." Celestia gestured westward. "Somewhere in the Kingdoms of the Ki-Lin."

Celestia's voice slowly became somber, her eyes serious. "As to the first question." She paused.. "Forgive me, Shining Armor. But I must be formal for this. Even though nopony else will hear me say it, all of the Guard Commanders will be issued orders to this extent." She sat up straight, and for a moment her voice was as regal and calm as it had ever been on the throne. "Prince Armor. Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Until such time as my sister and I can return to Canterlot, you are hereby ordered to hold this city against all threats - internal, or external - with whatever means you deem to be necessary. "

Cadence and Shining both looked at each other - only the reinforcement of their long association preventing them from descending into pure panic at those phrases. Cadence broke the silence first. "Princess Celestia..." She whispered softly. "Why in the name of the moon would you need to give us those orders?"

Celestia's regality melted away, revealing only a tired pony. One upon whom a great weight seemed to rest, hunching her shoulders forward. Luna gently placed her hoof on her sisters back and spoke softly. "Because if we fail to find an answer, Princess Cadence..." Luna turned to face the Alicorn of Love, looking her directly in the eye. "It will be you that will need to hold off Twilight until we can return and bring an end to this, once and for all."

~~~~~~~~~

Not so far away in Twilight City, three old friends and one baby dragon sat around a table next to a newly constructed restaurant named "The Flim Flam Fryup". Much to the three friend’s utter astonishment, the twin unicorn brothers - now calling themselves 'Gourmet Chefs Nonpareil' were running a surprisingly successful restaurant. One that they all had to admit served a killer plate of Hay Fries.

For Twilight, it was almost like old times. "And so then Pinkie just leapt up and bucked him right out of the air!" proclaimed Dash, looking cheerful and bright as ever. "Aw man, I wish I coulda seen it!" Dash gently shoved Pinkie in the shoulder. "You never told me you knew how to fight!"

Pinkie giggled brightly. "What, you didn't figure it out after the wedding?" Pinkie winked. "Oh sure, I had my Party Cannon of course, but that thing ain't easy to reload and fire in the middle of a meleè!" She munched a hay fry with obvious relish. "Besides, knowing how to kick flank isn't something a proper pony goes bragging about." Pinkie chuckled again and nudged Twilight in the ribs. "Ain't that right?"

Twilight shook her head bemusedly. "Well, it's good to see you two are adjusting well." She paused, hesitating before speaking softly. "Dash. I..." She sighed. "I wanted to know if you were really okay with being dragged into this." She hooked a hoof at Pinkie, who was smiling slyly. "Her? I'm not so worried about. But..."

Dash gently pressed her hoof to Twilight's smile and shook her head. "Mistress, don't worry about it. I told you, I was gonna stick by you no matter what. That didn't mean 'Only until things got freaky.' Because if i was like that, I'd have bailed on you years ago." Dash grinned brightly, softly. "Sure, things are even freakier than ever. But I've met some good ponies, I've made some new friends of my own. And heck, I can't claim that my life is ever boring now."

Dash grabbed up a hoof full of hayfries, munching on them in her best careless manner and chuckled. "Get that look off your face, Mistress. It doesn't suit you." She gently pushed Twilight's jaw up and closed. Dash whispered softly. "I know today was hard on you. Don't ask how I know that, but I do. But I know you, Twilight." She gently pressed her hoof against Twilight's heart. "I know what’s in here, just as much as anypony can. And what's in here..." Dash emphasized, pushing gently into Twilight's chest. "Is still Twilight Sparkle. My egghead friend who'd take the world on her shoulders, if it meant sparing other ponies the pain."

Pinkie giggled brightly, and shuffled her seat over to hug Twilight around the neck. "I toldja Twi Twi. Can you still laugh?" Pinkie's eyes were wide and serious, but there was a playful smile there. Twilight couldn't help it - she giggled a little at the sincere look on Pinkie's face. Pinkie giggled back, and Dash joined them as Pinkie spoke. "There ain't nothing to be scared of then. So long as you remember how to laugh, you'll always be our Twilight."

Twilight could feel the tears this time, slowly streaming down her cheeks one by one as Spike spoke up brightly. "I toldja, Twilight. Sheesh, are you ever gonna listen to me?" Twilight opened her eyes to see Spike crunching down on a bright blue Sapphire, a cheesy grin all over his face. "I swear, I oughta start charging you every time we do this."

Twilight shook her head and laughed again - this one far brighter and happier than she'd had all day. "Thank you girls. And thank you Spike. Now come on, let's just eat and forget about everything else for a while." She sighed softly. "We won’t have many more chances for things like this soon."

Pinkie nodded solemnly, and so did Dash. Dash spoke up softly, as spike hopped off his chair and waddled his way towards the restroom. "Before that though... Who's next, Mistress?" Dash's voice was soft, low and intense. Pinkie nodded softly, smiling slightly. Both of her friends had predatory, almost hungry looks on their faces.

Twilight smiled softly. "I think we should go apologize to Applejack for what happened with Filthy Rich. Don't you two agree?"

Author's Notes:

Ha HA!

Metahumor!