37: Silly Dreams
THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE, FOURTH EQUESTRIA
"If I may have your attention," Celestia began atop the balcony of the Crystal Palace. The Crystal Ponies below looked up at her expectantly. "I would like to clear up some of the questions I'm sure you have about what has just happened. To be brief, Chrysalis used my guise to enter the Crystal Empire, and the form of Eugene Fitzherbert to frame him for the attempted theft of the Crystal Heart. Somehow, she was tied to Sombra, and the two of them stole the Alicorn Amulet. I think they had meant to divert suspicion and to farm hate for the windigos by accusing Rapunzel and Eugene of having malicious intentions for the Empire."
"In fact, that was falsehood," Luna picked up. "Not only were Rapunzel and Eugene innocent of crimes, but they acted with valor during the invasion and art responsible for the safe return of the Crystal Heart, as well as the protection of Cadance and Shining Armor from Sombra. We knowest not where Sombra and Chrysalis may be, but we do knowest that he hast the Alicorn Amulet and is still a threat."
Luna and Celestia looked back to where Cadance, Shining Armor, Rapunzel, and Eugene stood behind them. The four nodded, giving the two of them the go-ahead to explain the plan the six had agreed on.
"Sombra is not a new threat to us," Celestia went on. "Luna and I have defeated him before with the Elements of Harmony, and even now, the two of us combined have more power than he does. That is why we have decided, until we know further where he is and what he plans to do, that Luna will relocate."
"Celestia shalt stay in Canterlot and continue her duties," Luna added. "However, I shalt relocate to the Crystal Empire, here, and raiseth the moon from this land. This way, I shalt be able to contact my sister if Sombra doth return, and she couldst arrive immediately to help me counteract him. Cadance and Shining Armor hath agreed to this plan."
A great cheering went up from the ponies below.
"Are you certain you're ready to be away from home for so long?" Celestia asked Luna softly.
"All Equestria is my home," Luna replied.
"Welcome to the family, Luna," Shining Armor said with a grin.
Fields of Gold, Magnet Bolt, and Artemis waited patiently in the atrium until Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Rapunzel, and Eugene came down to find them. "We wanted to talk to Rapunzel and Eugene," Fields of Gold began, shuffling her front hoof nervously and looking at the ground.
"Sure," Rapunzel replied, and she and Eugene stepped forward to meet the trio.
"We've come to represent everypony in the Crystal Empire," Artemis said, "and offer an apology. We suspected you when we shouldn't have, and we made you feel unwelcome here."
"Don't beat yourself up," Eugene replied. "Chrysalis was the one who spread rumors to begin with."
"But we bought into them, and we spread them," Magnet Bolt admitted. "Chrysalis may have wanted that, but she didn't make us do it."
"I spread a lot of distrust in particular," Fields of Gold said softly. "I…I never really got over Sombra's takeover of the Empire. I was one of those he worked hardest in the crystal mines. When I thought that somepony could have the slightest chance of putting me back in that situation, I panicked. But no matter what happened to me, that's no excuse. You were innocent, and I blamed you for horrible crimes."
"Don't write off what happened to you," Rapunzel begged. "Please. I understand why you would have been afraid. Even just seeing Sombra for that little while, I get it. I don't know what it's like to have to serve under him for a whole year or more, but my imagination tells me it must be absolutely horrible. I might have been afraid of me too."
"We just wanted to say we're sorry," Magnet Bolt concluded, "and offer you a second chance to be welcomed to the Crystal Empire."
"Apology accepted," Rapunzel replied happily. "Don't worry about it so much! We're fine! And we're glad you're fine now that Sombra's gone."
"What if he comes back?" Fields of Gold squeaked.
"Luna will scare him off," Eugene answered.
"Fear not," Luna confirmed. "I shalt not let thy Empire fall into the wrong hooves."
"Thank you," Fields of Gold replied.
Celestia, Luna, Rapunzel, Eugene, Cadance, and Shining Armor gathered around the royal dining table. Cadance, again, was eating more than her fair share of crystal berry tarts, but the kitchen had a large stock, so no harm was done.
"I'm sure you have many questions about what has happened," Celestia began. "Most likely, about the light power that you exhibited against Sombra."
"I had been wondering," Rapunzel admitted.
"There are many things of wonder in the cosmic order," Celestia explained. "I'm sure you know that all magic is split between light and darkness. While Luna and I each are skilled in both, Luna is primarily a wielder of darkness, and I a wielder of light. A lot of Dark magic is presumed automatically to be evil. You would have noticed that Sombra was able to produce a great amount of Dark magic."
"This is news to me," Eugene said, "but go on anyway."
"There are women in the multiverse who, by design of the goddesses, are pure of heart, aligned with light, and born into royalty or nobility, so as to lead their kingdoms into great ages," Celestia continued. "There are always seven who, when put together, can touch the very hubs of the multiverse. Who they are can change at any time, if one dies in her timeline or becomes impure or corrupted. The honor then transfers to another 'candidate.' But all of these princesses have the ability to access strong powers of light. Cadance, Rapunzel, I believe you two to be two of these princesses. Not of the seven, but of the others."
"Hast thou never wished true ill on a foe?" Luna asked.
"The only time I've ever wanted to hurt anypony was to protect others," Cadance admitted.
"Even when my…when Gothel came back," Rapunzel added, "I didn't want anything bad to happen to her. Maybe I should."
"It is obvious that thou both art pure," Luna stated, "and that thou both know very well the powers of light."
"That makes sense," Rapunzel said. "After all, I think I first got my healing powers from a flower that they say grew from a sundrop."
"Aha! Light!" Luna affirmed.
"Does this mean that we can use the powers we found in that last battle whenever we wish?" Cadance asked.
"Yes," Celestia confirmed. "They will not be as effective against other light powers, and do not be mistaken—not all wielders of light are good. That, I know from experience. There are those who will abuse the light and use it to impose restrictions on others in the name of 'betterment.' And if you use your powers to harm others pettily instead of to defend yourself and others, there is a risk that you will corrupt, but that does not necessarily mean a negative outcome either. The corrupted find ways to do good, and they find love."
"I can't see myself using my powers to hurt anyone," Rapunzel stated. "I mean, if I have to hurt someone like Sombra to stop him from killing everypony else, I will."
"You need not defend your intentions to me," Celestia replied. "I trust you. And I will no matter what. Your friends from Equestria who travel on the Starlight gave you quite the endorsement in their letter home—you and Eugene both."
"That reminds me of something," Cadance interrupted. "When Rapunzel talked about Sombra killing other ponies, I mean. There was something that Chrysalis told us when she was disguised as you. I'm not sure if it was a lie she made up, or if it was something she really knew from history. And I think I have to know the truth about it."
"Do ask," Luna encouraged.
"She said that Sombra had killed the last Crystal Princess," Cadance stated. "She mentioned a brother, too. She said that they were good friends of yours. Well, of hers, but she was trying to be you at the time."
There was silence around the table for a long time before Celestia said, "It is true. Before you, the Crystal Princess was a young mare named Sirius. She was infamous throughout Equestria for being brutally honest, so much that she offended others, but they always realized she was right in the end. She had a brother, Polaris. He used to brood a lot because he was insecure, but he eventually learned to laugh at himself and became one of the most pleasant ponies I've ever met. This was a thousand years ago, before the royal families of Canterlot and the Empire were linked by blood. Sirius and Polaris were very good friends to Luna and myself. I recall in particular that Polaris and I enjoyed making each other smile."
"Did you love him?" Shining Armor asked.
Celestia couldn't prevent a single tear from escaping. "Yes," she answered. "But it was a thousand years ago, and he is long gone from this world. Sombra made sure of that. We had suspicions that somepony would come from outside to attack us, but the way it happened…Sombra approaching with the Alicorn Amulet…it was a surprise none of us could see coming. Sirius and Polaris were caught off guard. They thought they could fend him off, so they stood between him and the Crystal Heart. He killed them both gruesomely in front of their subjects before he took the Heart for himself. And while I do believe that the Amulet came from elsewhere…and that perhaps it's even possible that Sombra was only somepony else's pawn…it couldn't have been anypony like Rapunzel or Eugene. That Amulet could only have come from somepony with great power and great evil intent that couldn't be easily hidden. Somepony like that is not found on average. I would never put up a guard against all strangers in a search for that one. That one is the kind that I would know if I saw him or her. It is possible that it's only speculation anyway. Sombra could have made the Amulet himself."
"Wait a minute," Shining Armor interrupted. "Why do you say you thought somepony was going to attack you? Was there a threat back then?"
"Thou shalt not pester my sister with such private questions!" Luna belted, making everypony at the table cringe.
"No, no, Luna," Celestia reassured. "It is all right. The thing is, a lot of that is…buried in the past. I prefer, many times, to just let it stay that way."
Rapunzel, Eugene, Cadance, and Shining Armor knew not to press any further about Sirius, Polaris, or the Alicorn Amulet that day.
Celestia eventually had to return to Canterlot. Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor, Rapunzel, and Eugene saw her to the train station, thanking her warmly for all she'd done.
When the five returned to the Crystal Palace, they split up. Rapunzel and Eugene went back out on the town, received by a much friendlier atmosphere. They re-entered the dance hall, pulling Magnet Bolt, Artemis, and Fields of Gold into a great dance. Meanwhile, Cadance and Shining Armor stayed back at the Crystal Palace to show Luna the ropes, so to speak.
"So, essentially, if you know all that…" Cadance told Luna, "…you could potentially just rule the Empire."
"I thank thee for thy help," Luna replied. "Though it dost not pass me that thou hast some sort of pressing thought."
"It's nothing," Cadance said quickly.
"Art thou jealous that I am taking over thy post?" Luna inquired. "For that is not true! I shalt split diplomatic duties with thee, and not interfere with thy interactions with thy subjects! That is not to mention that thou art still needed for the Crystal Heart!"
"That isn't a problem at all," Shining Armor said quickly. "We love having you here!" The joyous looks on his and Cadance's faces proved this true.
"Hmmm," Luna thought out loud. "Thou speakest true, yet I suspecteth thou hast the SAME thought, both of thee. My curiosity shalt not be satisfied until I heareth thy thought!"
"It's really nothing," Cadance insisted, but it was very clear to Luna she was lying. Luna raised a brow. "We don't want to be selfish, you see," Cadance added, intimidated by Luna's stare.
Suddenly it struck Luna. "There is something thou wantest," she said, "but thou wantest not to ask it of me because thou fearest it wilt be a betrayal towards me. Fear not. I shalt not be offended."
"It's just a silly dream," Shining Armor said. "We couldn't actually ask it of you. Not really. It wouldn't be practical."
"I beg thee, think of thy current guests, the royalty of Corona! Dost Rapunzel in particular not speak oft of dreams? I seem to recall this from a certain song Pinkie Pie hath sung in a tavern. Like everypony else, thou hast a dream! Would they not encourage thee to pursue thy dream regardless of how 'silly' it may be? Tell me thy dream! I insist!"
Cadance and Shining Armor thought it over, exchanging looks. Shining Armor nodded. Then they turned back to face Luna.
"The thing is," Cadance said, "it came as a surprise to us when you and Celestia showed Twilight and her friends the way to travel worlds. We looked out at the sky every night, wondering what it was like outside of this world. But at the same time, we knew we couldn't ever find out, so we fixed our plans to here. We've been working on settling in here permanently. Making this our home, even starting a family. But then some things happened. First, we found out that the Starlight really isn't the only boat crossing worlds. Rapunzel and Eugene found a way. Maybe that means we could also find a way. They could even help us. But that still didn't change that we had a responsibility to live up to. An Empire to rule. Even though the Crystal Heart will be in my power no matter where I am. But now…you're in a position where you could, if you wanted, rule the Empire on your own as a regent. That would mean that we wouldn't have to be here. It would mean…well, it would mean we could be free to see what was out there, for real. But that would not be practical. It wouldn't be fair to our subjects, and it wouldn't be fair to you. It—"
"Silence," Luna commanded.
"Sorry," Cadance nearly whispered.
"Thou truly art pure," Luna replied. "Thou worriest about me and thy subjects when in truth, I can standeth in as thy regent and it wouldst not be a hindrance to me, or even a frustration. Thy subjects wouldst always cherish thy memory, and thou wouldst always be Crystal Prince and Princess. They wouldst be happy if thou found a way to achieve thy dream, and enchanted that their royalty didst explore the possibility of diplomacy amongst stars. Now, thou hast no reason to worry. Thou hast a chance. Go now to the dance hall. Find Rapunzel and Eugene. Asketh them about the vessel that takes them between worlds, and if it can be duplicated. Then, once you have thy transport, make thy farewell, and leave. Thou will regret it if thou dost not. I knowest it is frightening; was I not the truest of nightmares? Yet I knowest dreams equally well. If thou hast a chance to make thy dream come true…thou MUST taketh it. It is, in the end, thy choice. But did it fall to me, I wouldst not hesitate. And, as one who hast traveled the stars…what awaits thee shalt not disappoint."
"Really?" Cadance asked.
"You're sure?" Shining Armor added.
Sensing that she had won them over, Luna barked, happily, "GO!"
Cadance and Shining Armor had a hard time finding their friends when they first entered the dance hall. Every single pony inside was dancing. They split into pairs, but switched partners often, rocking to the swing beat played by the orchestra, which seemed to be purposely making the music faster and more intense, as though to challenge the dancers.
"You don't think…" Cadance said, almost laughing.
"Oh, I do!" Shining Armor replied.
In order to make their way to the center of the hall, they had to dance. They assimilated into the crowd, two-stepping, bobbing to the beat, breaking out a complex step every now and again. When they finally made it to the center, they found a bit of a clearing had formed around four ponies. Rapunzel and Magnet Bolt danced with each other, matching the music, in fact outdoing it, with their quick steps and twists. Eugene and Fields of Gold mirrored them nearby. No doubt Rapunzel and Eugene had started the dance craze and sucked the entire hall in.
Cadance and Shining Armor stepped onto the floor. "Mind if we cut in?" Cadance called.
"No problem!" Rapunzel yelled back. Magnet Bolt and Fields of Gold happily slid back into the crowd, and Cadance took Magnet Bolt's place while Shining Armor took Fields of Gold's. The four of them danced until the orchestra, having been outdone, had to admit defeat and end the piece. In that silence, a great whooping and cheering went up from the entire hall.
"Do you have this effect whenever you dance?" Shining Armor asked.
"Well, she does, anyway," Eugene admitted.
"Anyway, we wanted to talk to you about something," said Shining Armor. "Can we go somewhere quieter?"
"Sure!" Rapunzel nearly bounded out of the hall, with Eugene, Shining Armor, and Cadance close behind. The orchestra started up a second piece.
Just outside the dance hall, the four friends turned a corner and stopped in an alley with little traffic and noise. "So, what did you want to talk about?" Rapunzel asked.
"Well, you might think we're a bit silly," Shining Armor began. "But…ever since you showed up here, we've been seriously thinking about traveling the cosmos in a ship like yours."
"And now that Luna's here to protect the Empire from Sombra," Cadance added, "she knows enough to stand in as our regent. We don't have to stay in the Empire. We wanted to know if you knew of any other ships like yours, or how to make them. We want to travel too!"
"Well," Rapunzel said, sending a wink toward Eugene, "our ship runs on Dark Matter. You only need one crystal of it, and you can build the rest of the ship out of ordinary materials. The thing is, we don't know where to find another crystal. But if you could, you COULD make your own ship…I guess." She was on the verge of laughing.
"There's something you're not telling," Shining Armor figured out.
"Well, you see, there's a certain detail that Rapunzel and I have talked about," Eugene replied. "Like she said, you COULD make your own ship, IF you had a Dark Matter crystal. But it looks like the only one you know of is with us."
"Are you saying…?" Cadance asked with realization.
"Maybe," Rapunzel answered. "Maybe we're saying that our ship can hold four, and that you've been such wonderful friends, Eugene and I have actually talked about how we wanted to spend more time with you. But it really depends on what you want to do. We don't want to insist you come with us if you don't want—"
"WE'D LOVE TO!" Cadance and Shining Armor burst out. All four laughed.
"You seriously wouldn't mind taking us?" Shining Armor asked for confirmation.
"It's kind of a 'the more, the merrier' type situation," Eugene clarified.
"When were you thinking of leaving?" Cadance asked.
"Whenever you're ready," Rapunzel said, "since you're coming with us. I mean, the Crystal Heart will still work even when you're away, right?"
"Right," Cadance said with a nod.
"Then it's settled!" Rapunzel said.
"We'll have to pack our things," Cadance realized.
"Oh…" Eugene realized. "There's something extra you…might want to pack."
"What?"
"Well, you see, when we came here, we weren't exactly…like this. We looked a little different. And we were wearing different clothes. Well, right now we're not wearing any. And that's kind of the thing. When we leave, we'll probably change back into what we were, and because Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and your sister changed shape too, you probably will. And the thing is, it's a little more awkward to have a lot of naked humans standing around a ship than naked ponies."
"So you're saying we should make some kind of garment," Cadance clarified.
"It might be nice," Eugene answered.
"Well, we can do that," Cadance said. "Any guesses as to how big we'll be?"
"We can guess," Rapunzel admitted, "but we won't know for sure. You should probably bring something roomy in case."
"No problem," Cadance said. "I just…I still can't believe this is happening. Will you show us your world?"
"Of course!" Rapunzel replied. "I can't believe you're actually coming with us! This is going to be the best adventure ever!"
"…and so we're going to use the power of the Dark Matter to explore the other worlds," Cadance finished announcing from the balcony. "But we will return, and as long as the Crystal Heart is here, we will never truly be gone. I hope we can bring back knowledge of new places and new friends that will only help Equestria to grow!"
And the Crystal Ponies cheered. They knew that their prince and princess had to do what they had to do, and the idea of interdimensional travel excited them all. Reporters wrote it up right away, right down to the mention of the "Dark Matter."
After all loose ends were tied, Cadance, Shining Armor, Rapunzel, and Eugene walked out of the Empire's borders, toward the ship.
"So," Shining Armor said, "where do we go first?"
THE FROZEN NORTH, FOURTH EQUESTRIA
A purple unicorn with a long, black mane and tail; piercing green eyes; and a Cutie Mark that resembled a mirror with an ornately carved frame and the emblem of flames within the glass crossed the snow toward the two she was told she would find frozen in ice. With the stallion, she had no business. It was the Changeling she wanted.
She touched her horn to the frozen Changeling. Slowly, the ice melted away from the top down. Chrysalis gasped upon her freedom.
"I was told you had failed to secure two of the princesses," the purple unicorn stated simply.
"It was not my fault!" Chrysalis defended as the last of the ice turned to water around her hooves. "I was…taken by surprise!"
"I do not blame you, nor does my mistress," the purple unicorn replied, just as calmly. "For one such as yourself, it must have come as a shock to face not one but two of the princesses and their consorts."
"What do you mean, for one such as I?" Chrysalis retorted.
"One who is not yet versed in the workings of the cosmos," the unicorn answered. "That is why I was sent. Your potential is quite promising, and your aim to contain the princesses admirable. My mistress thought it fitting that you become my apprentice, and I could not but agree. After all…I do now lack a huntsman. He, unlike you, too easily fell prey to pity, and showed mercy when it was best he did not. You lack mercy. I could see you becoming something great indeed under my tutelage."
"Who are you?" Chrysalis asked, suspicious.
"An Overtaker," the unicorn replied, "but more than that, a traveler of worlds, and an experienced collector of princesses of light."
"I had meant your name!"
The unicorn gave a sly smile. "You, Chrysalis, may address me as Grimhilde." Grimhilde looked toward Sombra. "He was an ally of yours."
"An undesirable one."
"You would prefer he remain in his current state?"
"Yes."
"Then you alone shall follow me," Grimhilde commanded.
"If you can show me how to capture these…princesses," Chrysalis hissed, "I will follow you as far as it takes."
In a whirl of magic, Grimhilde and Chrysalis were gone, leaving only the frozen Sombra to sparkle under the winter sun.
PONYVILLE, FOURTH EQUESTRIA
The news of Cadance and Shining Armor's cosmic departure eventually reached Ponyville. When the newspaper reached Zecora's door, the zebra gasped, making a connection.
Most inhabitants of Ponyville were out doing their everyday business when Zecora ran into the center of town, dragging a cart filled with gleaming crystals. "This!" she cried, anxious to share her epiphany. "This is Dark Matter! It is what powers the ability to cross between worlds!"
Some ignored her. Some laughed her off as crazy. But most crowded around Zecora and her cart.
"I had found it on the ground, fallen from the sky," Zecora explained. "I had always known it was magical and that it had come from somewhere beyond. The news from the Crystal Empire is only proof!"
"So what are you going to do with it?" Bon Bon asked, stepping forward.
"Is it not obvious?" Zecora asked. "We must take this opportunity to experiment, to learn, to travel!"
"Why aren't you keeping this a secret like most of your other tricks?" The voice belonged to a sea-foam-green colored pegasus with a short-cropped golden mane and a white lightning bolt of a Cutie Mark.
"This is knowledge that does not concern me alone, Lightning Dust," Zecora replied. "Now that so many of our own are traveling, soon, more from beyond will reach us! Is it not important that we reach outside the knowledge of this small town and think about what awaits us beyond the stars?"
"YEAH!" Lyra practically screamed. Then a thought occurred to her. "Hey, Zecora…any chance you're going to sell any of that to a high enough bidder?"
"I do not believe this Dark Matter should be sold," Zecora replied. "I believe it should be shared. I wish to have some for myself, but those who believe that it is important to investigate may take their share. Be warned, though: I do not know how dangerous it truly is."
"Danger?" Lightning Dust scoffed. "Sounds like my kind of scene. I'll take one of those crystals."
"Then you shall have one." Zecora carried one to her. "But use it wisely."
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" a light blue pegasus with a soft yellow mane and twin lightning bolts for a Cutie Mark interrupted, stepping between Zecora and Lightning Dust.
"Sassy!" Lightning Dust groaned. "Get out of my way!"
"Dusty's not really the 'use it wisely' type," the pegasus continued.
"That remains to be seen, Sassaflash," Zecora replied. "She must discover for herself what it means. I cannot deny it to her if she wishes for it."
Sassaflash backed down, and Lightning Dust walked away with the coveted crystal.
"I'll take one!" Lyra said excitedly.
"Why not?" Bon Bon added.
Zecora handed them a Dark Matter crystal. "Anypony else?"
The others all shuddered at the thought. They wanted to keep believing that the world was a small and sheltered place. They didn't much feel like finding out what was out there. One by one, they returned to business.
"Are you going to start building a ship to fly out of here?" Lyra asked Zecora excitedly.
"Yes," Zecora answered. "I will not simply accept what I see as all there is. I must expand my knowledge. And you?"
"You know I want to know!" Lyra squealed.
"And wherever Lyra goes," Bon Bon insisted, "I'm along for the ride."
Sassaflash and Lightning Dust walked back to Sassaflash's home. The two were cousins who'd grown up in Cloudsdale together; Sassaflash had moved to Ponyville while Lightning Dust had remained in Cloudsdale, and the two visited each other often, despite the fact that they were as opposite as night and day. "Dusty," Sassaflash whimpered, "what are you planning to do?"
"I'm still not sure if all this world-traveling stuff is real," Lightning Dust admitted, "but if it is, I want in. I'm building a ship, Sassy."
"But why?"
"Because they cheated me out of what was mine at the Wonderbolts Academy," Lightning Dust growled—not entirely a true statement, given that she had been stripped of her honors there due to reckless behavior that had almost hurt and even killed others. "I'm a laughingstock on this world."
"Well, so was Trixie, and now she's—"
"Have you seen Trixie lately?"
Sassaflash had to admit, "No…"
"There are more traveling than just Rainbow Dash, her stupid friends, and the Crystal Prince and Princess," Lightning Dust insisted. "Everypony on this planet thinks I'm some kind of evil freak. But out there, there has to be at least ONE place where they'll give me what I deserve."
THE SPACE BETWEEN
The small boat sailed through the stars. Inside, it was decorated sparsely. It had originally contained just one mattress, but a second had been added. Spare clothing, rations, and other useful things Rapunzel and Eugene had brought were littered across the floor. One segment of the boat was partitioned off by a curtain. It was indeed big enough to comfortably suit four roommates instead of merely two.
Cadance and Shining Armor had undergone transformations just as Rapunzel and Eugene had. While the latter put on the clothing they'd worn before entering the atmosphere of Equestria, Cadance and Shining Armor had to don the one-size garments they'd fashioned: roomy, nightgown-like pieces that draped and billowed. Shining Armor's was bright maroon while Cadance's was a soft blue. As it turned out, Shining Armor was the tallest onboard, with a toned, muscled human body that reflected his pony build. Cadance was about the height of Eugene, with an hourglassish figure.
"So I was thinking," Rapunzel proposed, "first, we could go back to Corona. There, we could not only show you where we came from, but also, we could get you fitted for more clothes for those bodies."
"I like that plan," Shining Armor replied.
"After that," Rapunzel said, "who knows? We can go anywhere!"
"Excuse me," Cadance said, looking rather uncomfortable, "where can I…use bathroom facilities? I'm feeling a little seasick."
"Oh!" Rapunzel answered. "We keep a washbasin, a chamber pot, and a water pitcher behind the curtain. Then we…well…I told Eugene it probably wasn't a good idea, but—"
"We throw the waste overboard," Eugene simplified. "It's not like there's anybody else OUT there, right?"
"There's at least the Starlight," Shining Armor reminded him. "But the odds are low that it would hit."
Cadance rushed behind the curtain, drawing it behind her, kneeling over the chamber pot to vomit. She breathed in and out slowly, trying to quell her nausea.
Then she felt the kick.
Surprised, she stood straight up. Slowly, she drew back the curtain. Rapunzel, Eugene, and Shining Armor all saw the shock in her eyes.
"Cadance?" Shining Armor asked. "What's wrong?"
"I…" Cadance couldn't figure out how to put it. "I'm not seasick."
"Well, that figures," Eugene said, "because we're technically not even on a sea."
Cadance swallowed hard, looking up to meet her husband and her new friends in the eyes. She finally found enough courage to say it outright. "I…I think I'm pregnant."
At first, she was met with silence. Then, Eugene, stunned, said, "What?"
"I…felt something move," Cadance admitted, placing her hand on her stomach. "Here. You see, Shining Armor and I were trying for a foal before you came along and we changed our plans. I didn't think…"
"What a time to find THAT out," Eugene remarked.
"Cadance," Shining Armor asked, concerned, "do you want to go back? Things could get dangerous—"
Cadance shook her head. "No. If I'm right, and I'm sure I am, I want to take him or her with us. Shining Armor, I want our child to be born knowing there's more out there than just our kingdom. I think…I think we can go on this adventure together. If things really do get dangerous, I may want to turn back. Will that be an inconvenience?"
"Not at all," Rapunzel assured Cadance. "We'll bring you home anytime. You and…" Rapunzel cracked a wide smile. "Your little one!"
"Cadance…" Shining Armor stepped forward to take Cadance's new, human hands in his own. "I can't believe it!"
"Are you happy?" Cadance asked.
"Am I ever!" Shining Armor replied, beaming. "We actually have a foal! You're happy, right?"
"More than I even expected to be," Cadance replied.
"Soooo," Rapunzel teased, "have you thought of names yet?"
Eugene sighed. "Just so you know, as soon as we have more than four people officially on this trip, we're going to have to get a bigger boat."
Chapter 37:
· Luna staying on as regent worked out REALLY well for me. Again, having her and Celestia show up to run out Sombra was something I completely bullshitted, but I had always intended to get Cadance and Shiny out on the boat, and transplanting Luna actually tied up enough loose ends for me to do that.
· I'm having Fields be the most traumatized because that's how she acts in the episode.
· Celestia and Luna repeat a lot of stuff you already know. But Cadance, Shiny, Zel, and Eugene don't know it. So we have to go over it again.
· "I've got a dream, I've got a dream…" So you know, Luna canonically has the power to enter sleep-dreams, which is where part of her monologue stems from.
· And so I'm building the SECOND major heroic faction (if you don't count Celestia and Luna in the past) to start world-hopping!
· Enter Grimhilde (the evil queen from Disney's Snow White). Yup, you have to go with it that she's automatically an Overtaker, even though she hasn't shown up for any of the meetings. I wanted that to be kind of a surprise. Her "mistress" is Maleficent (and I couldn't find any way to word it that didn't sound like an innuendo, so sue me). Her past with traveling worlds and experience with princesses of light is stuff I've given her…stuff that's gonna come to light eventually. Oh, and I think everyone assumed she killed Humbert after he didn't kill Snow White. That's universal fanon, right?
· Grimhilde's Cutie Mark was also a struggle to pick between the mirror and the golden heart with the dagger through it she used as a lock on the box for Snow White's heart. The mirror is not only more iconic, but also an indication of something I want to build up involving Grimhilde's very essence.
· Goodbye, Sombra, until whenever I decide I need you later! Seriously, I have no idea, but I don't want him dead because he could make for fun crossovers.
· So…I'm not sure if it's in character for Zecora to just dump interdimensional magic on the ground and be all HERE TAKE IT, but there are some residents of Ponyville I need to be traveling, and soon. That includes Lightning Dust because I have a cool idea for her.
· I made Lightning Dust the cousin of background pony Sassaflash because they look somewhat similar (lightning Cutie Marks, tealish coloring, yellowish manes) and also because I recently obtained several blind bag pony toys, including Sassaflash, and her toy incarnation looks SO much like Lightning Dust that there HAD to be a connection in my mind. (This blind bag pony toy buyout may or may not have been a quest to obtain Electric Sky because she looks like Megavolt in glitter drag. If it was, it failed.)
· In the ep "Wonderbolts Academy," Dusty was given top rank at said flight Academy, but stripped of it in the end after her techniques ended up getting Rainbow Dash hurt. And yes, she DID almost kill Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie, but she didn't have intent to murder—she wanted to take the quick way out of cloud-clearing by making a giant dangerous tornado, and the five of them happened to be in a hot air balloon that was passing at the time and that Dusty should have checked for before making something like a tornado. That was essentially the moment Dusty was disgraced, because basically, after watching Dusty's tornado creation almost murder five innocents, Spitfire was sick of her shit.
· PREGNANT CADANCE! This is something I had planned for a while, but didn't know I was going to introduce this early. I decided to make it this early because of…reasons. Basically, I found a popular fan theory (Skyla), and it made me want to have the kid be of an older generation than I had originally envisioned (I wanted the kid to be, like, ten or so years down the line). Now you can all go back and check over the other chapters in this interlude to see how many times I subtly referenced Cadance having an upset stomach or crystal berry cravings. MWAHAHA.
· Why end on that line? Because this group might pick up a fifth WAY before the kid is born.