Authors Notes: I'm going to have to make some real big edits to this story to make it readable. Hopefully I will have these done soon. I'll be making my edits as I also write and finish this story. I will also be adding more content in the earlier chapters to flesh out the narrative better. I hope everyone who reads my fics will bear with me. Thank you. :)

Throughout the day, the ponies of ponyville whispered amongst each other. The princesses coming to their little town was a rather large event and the town seemed to be in a good mood, but things had seemed to take a weird turn lately. Much of the commotion centered around the Ponyville General with the guards restricting access inside and many more guards converging on the hospital with urgency. Then, ponies saw Princess Twilight come out of the building with bandages on her hind legs. It was becoming clear something was amiss.

Twilight and her friends made their way from the hospital with down trotted looks withGuards following closely. Twilight seemed to not notice anypony waving at her as she passed them in the streets. The state that they were in was concerning to say the least. Even Pinkie Pie seemed to be subdued.

Twilight was quite depressed by what Ash had said. In her mind she knew what he said had merritt; that their relationship, even though it wasn't really their fault, had become troublesome for everypony. She knew Ash was trying to do the right thing, but she still felt betrayed. In her heart, she felt an emptiness, a void left agape by Ash.

Twilight's friends followed behind her as they all stayed quiet. They would share glances between each other, but not a word was spoken. Every one of them pondered the discussion that had taken place in the hospital.

Rainbow Dash wasn't really prepared for the heaviness of the whole situation. For the past two days, some of the worst things had happened to her friends. It was her belief though that things could have been much worse. She kept thinking about that one pony who died in the clearing. He mentioned that Twilight was the target, not Ash. They had been waiting for her and only found their opportunity when Both Twilight and Ash were alone. If Ash didn't cause any problems, he and Twilight would have never ended up out there, and if they hadn't, The hooded ponies would have likely waited for another opportunity, one that was much more in their favor. Twilight could have died without Ash. The thought sent chills along her spine.

Celestia stared at Twilight with an expressionless gaze. She hid her emotions well yet she could only feel sorrow for her former student's plight. Like a mother looking on from the side lines, Celestia could only watch as the world seemed to crumble around her former protege. Her heart went out for Twilight, only knowing full well the hurt of the loss of love. Seeing Twilight in such a state of depression tormented the Alicorn more deeply that anything she had felt since her sister's bannashment. She knew she would have to talk with Twilight though she wasn't sure if Twilight was in the mood to talk to her. Though Captain Ash did as he thought he should, Celestia had hoped he would have reconsidered.

He is the most capable guard next to Shining armor, but the circumstance was in fact, too dangerous for him to continue performing his duties as Twilight's guard. She also knew his talents would be better used in searching for the general.

Celestia continued to trot for a while until she felt a nudge. Cadence looked to her with expectation. It seemed her niece was motioning to Twilight and she felt reluctant. Celestia look to Twilight as she pondered how she would approach talking to her.

Poor Twilight, no one could have guessed fate would deal such a blow to your happiness. If only I could do something. Celestia Thought to herself. She looked at Cadence with a worried look, something that was mirrored in her expression. Celestia didn't know what she could do, but she knew she had to do something.

Celestia decided it was time to have a discussion, not as Twilights mentor or friend, but as a mother. Celestia felt Twilight could use a mother figure right then.

Celestia closed her eyes and her horn began to glow. Twilight was deep in thought about her sadness when without warning, she was teleported.

Ash trotted slowly and painfully as he left Ponyville General. His armor jostled with each step he took. Ponyville seemed to be calm as if it were business as usual, though Ash could feel ponies staring at him. Shining Armor trotted alongside him as he was escorting Ash to the TownHall. The Day was pretty warm and despite what had happened inside the hospital, Shinning's mood seemed to lighten as he was enjoying the weather. All around him there was an air of calm and peace, yet he knew the dangers were still present all around them.

They had made their way to a bridge that crossed the stream that went through ponyville. Ash trotted to the halfway point of the bridge when Shining stopped Ash.

" Captain, I need to talk to you about something.. I.." Shining Armor struggled to find the right words. Ash turned to Shining with a look of confusion as the Prince's demeanor had changed drastically.

"... I just wanted to thank you for trying to make things right. I know this is hard for you and my sister." Shining had said. Normally talking to guards was easy and he could afford to be frank, yet this discussion, which needed to be had, was more informal. Normally he was very protective of Twilight and did manage to scare off a few stallions who weren't worthy of dating his amazing little sister. Yet, after meeting Ash in person and seeing how everything went down at the hospital, Shining seemed to make some very odd conclusions. Shining paused for a moment before he moved to look over the side of the bridge. He then began to speak,

" When Twilight was old enough to read, Twilight's studying had always taken priority. She's always been this very special unicorn who succeeded at learning and magic. She's always known what she wanted and she's always worked hard to earn those things she desired. Honestly,she makes me look stupid a lot of the times. When she got older, Colts were starting to notice her and I had to keep them away, at least that's what I thought I had to do. I am her older brother after all…" Ash looked at Shining armor with confusion.

"Now, I'm not exactly sure what my role is anymore…" Shining finished. He looked out on the trickling water. Ash looked on with confusion as he thought carefully about what the prince was saying.

Before Twilight knew it, She had been teleported into her Castle. Her confusion lingered till she turned to see Celestia and Cadence standing behind her. Cadence seemed to be just as jarred. Celestia looked on Twilight with pity yet she had an air of authority about her. Twilight could see that her former mentor had that look she always had when she was about to lecture her. Twilight felt confused by her onset of shame. Maybe it was just a natural reaction to seeing her mentor with that look.

"Twilight.." Celestia uttered. Twilight turned to face her and stood up straight with a look of confusion. She wasn't sure what Celestia was about to say but she felt she might be in some sort of trouble. It wasn't often Celestia made that face or talked to her in that tone.

" Yes Princess?" Twilight asked.

" I need you to understand something. I know you are in a lot of pain right now. I know you're questioning a lot of things, perhaps some decisions you've might have made recently about Ash."

"Princess, I'm sorry, I…" Twilight began to talk but Celestia strode up to her and draped a wing over her.

"It's ok Twilight. You don't need to tell me everything all the time. Relationships can be tricky and sometimes you need to figure things out on your own. I know this particular one has been difficult for you, so all I can offer you some advice and encouragement."

" Twilight we are here for you." Cadence added. Twilight looked to the ground as she sniffled. Her tears began to flow again.

" Why did things have to be this way? Ash is amazing and funny, everything about him makes me happy, but things are so complicated." Twilight blurted out as tears streamed down her face.

" Every pony goes through struggles when it comes to relationships, they are always unique issues too." Cadence said.

" I understand why everypony thinks this was a bad idea, but I know what I feel."

" Ash is a nice stallion, and I know he feels deeply about you." Cadence reflected on what she saw in her crystal ball as she watched Ash from afar. She could tell the two really liked each other. In any normal circumstance, there would have been no reason for them to be unhappy.

" Twilight, we all care for you. We all want the best for you, but things are really complicated. I find it funny that even after your brush with death, you can only think about Ash." Cadence teased.

" Twilight, This Celebration has turned into a mess, but we will continue. However, when this is all over, I want you to talk to Ash."Celestia looked at Twilight with a look of finality. Twilight looked up at Celestia. Twilight wasn't sure she had the strength to do so.

"You're highness…" Ash finally said after a time. There had been silence between them. Shining looked up at him.

" I don't know what to make of any of this, my whole life has been full of ups and downs.I've lost so much for no real good reason. I've struggled with understanding what sort of meaning there could be in everything that has happened to me…" Shinning looked on with his own confusion. Ash looked out over the stream that trickled beneath them.

"Twilight is amazing, she's pulled me out of some very dark places. I'm not sure what my role is in regards to her, but all I know is that Twilight means everything to me. Without actually trying, she's changed so much in my life. She's become such an integral part of who I am in such a short time that without her, my life is and everything I've been through loses its meaning. That being said, I need to protect her from the bad luck that I bring. Like I said, I don't know what my role is in her life." Shining looked at Ash with pity.

Shining had been concerned with Twilight's safety and Ash seemed to be on the same page, but Twilight seemed to be extremely upset over what had occurred in the hospital. As he thought about it, Shining had never seen her defend some stallion so adimitly as Ash, with the exception of himself during his wedding.

" I am thankful for you trying to do the right thing…." Shining finally said after a moment of silence. Ash looked at him with confusion.

" Sir, I don't understand what are you trying to say?" Ash was very confused. Shining looked as if he was in deep thought before he replied.

" It's nothing, Captain. Come on, let's get you to Town Hall. At any rate, We still have a problem to deal with." Shining said to Ash The two began Trotting to Town Hall.

In the streets of Ponyville, a pony with a burnt orange coat trotted through the town. Saddlebags strapped to his sides, he wandered around town visiting shops and just sightseeing in general. He was inconspicuous as he trotted along the streets as he didn't seem to catch anyone's attention. It was his first time being in Ponyville and he was admiring it's quante homey beauty. Ponyville to him was a peaceful town, just like Bridletowne so many years ago.

Cadence and Celestia trotted along with the group as they followed Twilight. Cadence could tell that Twilight was in a lot of pain even though she was quiet.. As Princess of Love, she knew all too well the possibility of how devastating a breakup could feel to a pony. It hurt Cadance to see her own sister in law going through something like this, especially after dealing with almost being assassinated. All Cadence could do was worry for Twilight.