"So what's been going on these past years? I understand hat you kicked Mother off the throne about a month ago," said Planethopper.

"Well, I've been trying to changes laws that were made back when Queen Shimmer reigned. I've also been working with Unicornia's Unicorn Ambassadors -"

"Wait!" Gwenavere interrupted. "You went against the Separation Law? Not to communicate with other lands? Or non - Sparkles?"

"Duh Mom! That's why we had to pick up North Star and Gusty at the village," remarked Gwendamere.

Gwenavere gave her son a look. "So I misplaced that in my memory bank. You know where Unicornia is Starhopper? When did you find it?"

"Oh, about six months ago. I was just wandering from the village I stay at down there one day, looking for you two, when I stumbled upon Lady Opal Star, she's a Princess Pony, well, ex-Princess, playing with some of the Baby Unicorns. They invited me to Unicornia, and told me how to make my own house there. Well, I can tell you guys more about li'l ole me later. I've got some questions for you," she answered.

"Like what?" asked her sister.

"Yes, do tell," Gwenavere said.

"Well first, where the heckles were you? Where did you go for seven years?"

All three of the elusive Sparkles exchanged looks, as if they were uneasy about telling.

Finally Planethopper answered after a long silence. "We ah, were hanging around the ruins of Grundleland. Dust and dirt as blown over some of the Smooze, and some tiny plants were growing. Now some trees are actually struggling to live. In a few more years, the last few Grundles could go back to Grundleland."

Starhopper's jaw dropped open to its limit.

"Any other questions?" Gwendamere asked lightly.

Starhopper regained her composure. "Ah, um, yes. Since I'll need help with some of the petitions and meetings and stuff, I thought you two could help. Hoppy, before I had to overthrow Mother, we were both Princesses. Now that I'm Queen, you should be queen too. So I thought when one of us had to go down to the mainland for a diplomatic mission or whatever, the other could hold down the post as Queen."

"Where do I come in?" Gwenavere spoke up patiently.

"Yeah, where does Mom come in?" Gwendamere chimed.

"Well," she paused. "You could be a liaison to the different lands of Ponyland for Star Castle! Yes, that's what you could od Gwenavere. And you and Gwendamere would stay at the palace! I'm sure your old room's been filled, but it was already too small, and there are plenty of guest rooms available! And you could be a great help to our campaign to unite Ponyland as one! Please say you'll help! Puh-lease?"

Gwenavere's expression was blank. "Sure I'd love to help Starhopper, but I'm not so sure that Gwendamere wants to come back up here yet. . ." she said, her voice trailing off.

Gwendamere looked at his mother. "Uh, yea, I'd like to stay down there, after a while. But I just found you. I don't want to leave you now. I want to get to know you more."

Gwenavere sighed. "We can talk about that later."

Now the Gardens was silent. Nobody had anything else to say. But Starhopper could tell that somebody was holding back something.
~*~

"Well, that's a good question. She obviously doesn't live in the palace anymore. I heard somebody say she might be on the Northeast park loop. I don't really know. I've been too tied up with things to investigate that," Starhopper replied.

The parks in Star Castle were pretty dull. No grass, or trees, or flowers. There was no dirt to plant them in. And the only rain they ever got in Star Castle would pool to the small ditches and run-offs to fall down to the mainland. Only a few slides and merry-go-round toys for the Babies.

"Oh, um, about that ah, proposition or whatever to unite Ponyland? I'd love to be a part of it. But I'm not sure if I'm up to that queen time share thingy. I don't know if it would work," Planethopper said, then quickly changed the subject. "Do you think you could tell me more about it? The campaign? What about those other queens and princesses? Who would rule Ponyland?"

"Nobody would rule Ponyland. It would all become free, with no boundaries, the smaller lands only areas," Starhopper said.

"Do you really think it could work though? Really?" she questioned.

"Well, we think it could work. But we'll have to go to Unicornia sometime soon. Some of the Unicorns are getting suspicious. They were uneasy when I arrived, and they are getting even more uneasy," Starhopper answered.

"Then I propose we go tomorrow. It would be best," she said.

Starhopper laid down on her bedpad. "Then I propose we get some sleep. Goodnight Hoppy."

Starhopper blew out the pink night light from their childhood, leaving the two sisters in darkness.
~*~

Instantly, she heard the rushing waters of the indoor waterfall. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness around her, and she saw a figure sitting by the waterfall!

It was an adult Unicorn, just sitting there. Then it sank into her mind.

"Miss Angelina? Is that you?" she called. North Star had not accustomed to calling her "Granny" or anything other name that meant "grandmother." Frankly, North Star thought it was more polite to call her by "Miss Angelina." It just sounded better.

The former Queen looked up. "North Star? What in the world are you doing here?"

North Star trotted up to her. "Oh Miss Angelina it is you! It is you! I have the most wonderful news! Gwendamere found Aunt Planethopper and Gwenavere! They're in the palace right now! Oh, I bet Aunt Planethopper would love to talk to you! Why are you here all alone? I didn't know you knew about this place! I couldn't sleep, or else I'd be in bed right now. Oh shoot I've babbled too long. I should let you talk now."

Angelina just shook her head and disappeared.

"Hmph! Fine, be that way!" North Star exclaimed, sitting down to watch the waterfall.

"May I join you?"

"Ack!" she yelped. And with that and a sploosh she fell in the waterfall's pond.

The water was surprisingly warm to North Star. She had never felt warm water, and she still couldn't understand how there could even be a waterfall at all.

She had fallen into shallow water, and could now see who startled her.

Gwendamere.

"Gwendamere! You fool! Look what you did! I'm all wet!" she shrieked.

He laughed. "Who's the one who jumped? I didn't push you!"

The door opened behind him, and the dim candlelight in the hall cast a silhouette of a Baby Unicorn. Gusty had found the room.

"Wow, this is so cool! Hey Galaxy you didn't tell me about this place!" she cried in awe. She stopped in front of Gwendamere. "Oh, hello Gwendamere. You know, you need a nickname. How about . . . hmm. Get back to me on that. Ah. . ." her voice trailed off.

Gwendamere noticed that North Star was acting wierd. "Hey ah Star Dreamer, I mean North Star, whatever you like being called, what's the matter?"

"Miss Angelina was in here when I came in. I think . . . she might have a plan of some sort. . . but what the plan is. . . I don't know. . ." her words her distant.

Suddenly she bolted up straight. "I think you and your mother are in danger 'Mere!"

This got Gusty's attention. "What in the world are you talking about Galaxy?"

"Ithink I know her plan! If my hunch is correct, of course!"

Gwendamere looked puzzled. "What's your hunch?"

"My hunch is that she has so much hate built up against you two that she would do anything to get back at you! I think she might get you arrested for treason or kidnapping!" She paused. "Well wait. She doesn't have any authority now. Never mind, I jumped to conclusions. . ."

Just then the secret door opened abruptly. In trooped a very angry Angelina flanked by four guardponies.

"There's the boy," Angelina hissed. "take him and his mother away to the prison!"
~*~