Togli’s feelings and Katine’s angry side

When Twinkle Star, Aline and Yuuro entered the castle, everything was quiet. Too quiet. Yuuro was sure Katine was in the throne room, and if Stanno really was going to talk to her, that’s where he would head to first. However, the door to the throne room was closed and there was no sound coming from the other side. Was Stanno really in there?
“I suppose we can’t go in there?” Aline whispered.
“Yeah, sure.” Twinkle Star answered sarcastically.
“Really?”
“No, idiot, of course we can’t. First of all, you never enter a throne room unasked for, and second, we got no business there anyway. It’s Stanno’s fight. If he’s going to fight for the girl he loves, he has to do it himself. We can’t help him with that, right Yuuro?”
Yuuro agreed with Twinkle Star. “Yes. The only one able to stand up to her is Stanno, and he needs to do it alone.”

Twinkle Star, knowing there was nothing to do for her here anyway, headed towards the stairs. Aline followed her, but Twinkle Star suddenly realised she was leaving Yuuro behind.
“Do you want to come along with us, upstairs?” she asked him. He thought for a while, then shook his head.
“I’m sorry, I can’t. Dad is waiting on me. I have to help him out. See you soon!” He answered, and then turned around and disappeared in one of the rooms on the other side. Twinkle Star and Aline walked up the stairs, and they slowly walked towards Twinkle Star and Aline’s room, trying not to disturb anyone or wake Togli. When they entered their room, they noticed Regala was gone.
“Where do you think she went?” Aline asked Twinkle Star, as she closed the door behind her. Twinkle Star shrugged.
“I don’t know. Maybe she wanted some fresh air as well, or something. Can’t blame her.” Twinkle Star answered.
“What do you think Katine will do? Will she get angry with Stanno? Will she accept it?” Aline asked.
“I don’t know, Aline. It’s a complicated situation. She will not accept the betrayal of her son, I think. He went with a waitress for a year, she won’t like that. However… Now that Togli turns out to be royal, what can she do but accept? If she cares so much about status and what others think, she better not reject a child from the old royal house of the Friendship Lands.”
“Yeah… you’re right. And I’m sure your mother wouldn’t accept it if she rejected Togli, either. I’m sure the good bonds are gone if she does that.” Aline told Twinkle Star, who agreed.
“It’s complicated, that’s all I know. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Nothing happened that evening except a waitress who came by to tell them the drink that evening was off, without giving a reason. Twinkle Star and Aline were anxious to know what had happened, but they knew better than to sneak around trying to find out anything. Stanno, or someone, would come to them when they knew more. So all they could do was sit around and wait. Somewhere in the evening, Stelline and Crystal joined them, and Twinkle Star informed them of the situation. Stelline confirmed she could enter Togli’s mind, but she hadn’t done it that often and Togli had to cooperate fully and she had to allow Stelline in her mind; She didn’t want to break in and she wasn’t even sure if she could do it if Togli didn’t really want it because of natural resistance. Stelline and Crystal left late, and when they were gone Twinkle Star and Aline went to bed, both not really being able to sleep. But they wouldn’t find out anything until the morning anyway, so they both fell asleep after a while, only to wake up by a soft knock on the door the next morning.

Yet another waitress informed them that breakfast was being served, when Twinkle Star opened the door, her head still half asleep. She and Aline refreshed and went downstairs, facing their third day in Kin, though it felt as if they had been there for a month. The first thing Twinkle Star noticed when she entered the dining room, was that neither Katine nor Stanno were there. Yuuro was there, though, as were all the other family members. Even Regala was there, sitting next to Regina, looking obviously better than the night before, and happier then ever. Twinkle Star and Aline sat down with Yuuro, only to find out he didn’t know anything either. He hadn’t seen his mother nor his brother since last evening. When Twinkle Star and Aline went back upstairs to prepare for today’s activities, a journey to a small village north of Kise which was supposed to be the oldest village of the country, they were surprised to see Togli waiting at their door.

“Togli…” Twinkle Star said softly, and Togli looked up.
“Oh, Twinkle Star! Am I glad to see you!” She said. “Can I talk to you? I… Well, Stanno… You know, I need someone to talk to, I need some advice…” Togli looked a lot better than yesterday, too, but she still looked a little scared and confused.
“Yeah, sure! Come in!” Twinkle Star said, and the three of them entered the little room, which was now full of fresh morning air because of the open window. The view looked over the city and disappeared somewhere on the endless empty plains.
“Stanno talked to his mother yesterday.” Togli said when they were all in the room and the door was shut.
“Yeah, we know. Yuuro convinced him to do it.” Twinkle Star replied.
“Yes, he told me that too. Yuuro’s an amazing kid. Love means so much to him. Anyway… Stanno… The conversation did not go very well.” Togli told Twinkle Star and Aline.
“What happened?” Aline asked, and Togli answered: “Well… he told her he had found the woman who he wanted to grow old with. Katine became excited, hoping it was one of you guys. But when he told her it was me, she totally freaked out. She asked him why, how long, all that stuff, and she exploded with anger when he told her he had loved me for over a year. Just a waitress, she kept yelling. She told him no, she would not allow it. What would the children be like, she asked. Then he told her I was pregnant, so she would find out soon, and she froze. A disgrace, she said. Children born without a marriage? They wouldn’t even be royal, she said, because they probably wouldn’t have any powers anyway, as I don’t have them, and Stanno, well, he’s a boy, so of course he doesn’t have much either. When Stanno told him that whatever she would do, he would not leave me nor marry another woman some day, she got furious and threw him out of her room, telling him that if that was the case, then he didn’t have to come back to him either.”

“That… that’s horrible.” Aline said softly.
“Yeah, it is,” Twinkle Star agreed. “Who would say such a thing anyway? To your own child? How did Stanno react?”
“Well, he was horribly upset, of course. But he’s determined. He told me this morning he has thought about it all night, but he would not leave me, even if it meant he would never become king. He told me he could never do it anyway, rule Kin without being with me. He proposed to leave Kin with you. Maybe we couldn’t stay at your castle, but he was sure we could at least stay until the baby is born.”
 “Oh, but of course you can stay! I’m sure my mother would agree. However… You don’t seem too convinced about it all, right Togli?” Twinke star asked, noticing Togli didn’t seem the least exited about leaving Kin forever. She was right.
“No, I’m not.” Togli said while shaking her head. “Stanno belongs here. Kin needs him. Everyone is looking forward to the day he becomes king, because everybody knows he is kind, and he cares for the ponies instead of  his own appearance. He can’t leave them, and I know deep in his heart he knows it is wrong. He belongs here, Twinkle Star. Stanno is the true heir of Kin, and no one else.”

The true heir… Those three words stayed in Twinkle Star’s head a little longer than the others. The true heir… Yes, Stanno truly was the true heir of Kin. She didn’t know why, but she could see it, she could feel it. If she only could find out what it was, then she would know how she could find the true heir of the Friendship Lands. But she didn’t know. It weren’t strong powers, nor was it wisdom, nor was it things he said or did. It was something deep within, something that made Stanno different from all the others.
“He belongs here, Twinkle Star.” Togli said again.
“Yeah… yes, I know he does. He is the future king, no one else. And you’re the one he loves, and you are carrying his child. You both belong here. But Katine doesn’t see it, does she? How do you want to solve that?”
“I guess we’ll have to talk to her again. But I’m coming with him this time. And… I wanted to ask, Twinkle Star, could you come, too? I… well, I think it is good if someone of the Friendship Lands, my family, would be there. And we thrust you, Twinkle Star. You know so much.”

Twinkle Star was flattered. She knew so much? Yeah, right. But of course she would help them out.
“I’ll be there, Togli. You can count on me. I may not know katine that well, but I know the truth and I know you two belong to each other. If you want me to be there, I will.”
“Oh, thank you Twinkle Star! Thank you so much! You have no idea what that means to me and Stanno!” Togli said happily.
“When are we going?” “I suggest we go right now, before the trip to the old village. There’s no point in waiting, is there?”
This surprised Twinkle Star a bit, but when she thought about it, it made sense. Why wait? There was nothing to wait for. “Allright. Let’s go.”

They said goodbye to Aline, who was a bit upset about not being able to come, even though she understood there was no point for her to come. But she was curious, and she as well hoped furiously Katine would begin to realise her son was not worthless, nor was Togli. Togli and Twinkle Star walked to another corridor, where Togli went in a room to get Stanno. Not much later both of them returned. Stanno looked awful; It was obvious he had cried, and he looked really tired. But he was determined to make his mother understand, even though he was worried about Togli. He didn’t want her to be there, but she insisted on coming. She wanted to tell Katine the truth just as much as he. They walked down the stairs and walked towards the throne room. Twinkle Star was in fact a bit nervous about it all. She didn’t know Katine that well.

What would she do if her son would stand up to her again? And what help could she be?  Without knocking, Stanno opened the door. Katine was on her throne, talking to someone Twinkle Star had never seen before.
“I will not leave, mother!” Stanno said, without waiting for the other person to leave. Katine looked at her son angry, and nodded to the other pony that she had to go. When she was gone, Katine said: “How DARE you enter my room like this!”
“I don’t care, mother. I am here to tell you the truth, and that is that I will not leave, and Togli will stay here with me.” Stanno said firmly to his mother.
“Impossible, and you know it. Think of the shame you would bring on the family! Marrying a waitress!” Katine yelled.
“Excuse me!” Twinkle Star yelled back, furious for the lack of respect Katine showed for Togli. She would not allow anyone to talk about Togli like that.
“Do you know what you are saying? A waitress? This girl is the daughter of my mothers sister, meaning she is a princess of the Friendship Lands! How can she be a disgrace to your family!”
“The Friendship Lands are no longer what they used to be, and you know it! They are no longer better or stronger than us! I want my son to marry someone equal to him, not some low princess, who doesn’t even have any royal powers left!” Katine said, and something broke in Twinkle Star when Katine said this. She no longer cared for Katine. Togli was not low, nor did it matter who Stanno would marry, except the one he chose out of love. Without really noticing it herself, Twinkle Star made the barrier that stopped her powers disappear. The aura of her powers filled the room, and Twinkle Star focused them on Katine, who was obviously shocked by the exposure of such powers. Twinkle Star’s mind became completely white. She could not think anymore, and it was as if someone else spoke through her.
“Togli is not low, nor is my family weak! Maybe our country is smaller, maybe my family has lost most of it’s members, but our spirit remains, and our subjects believe in us, which is something no one does with you! You don’t even see who your son really is, nor do you wish to accept him as your heir, while he has more right to the throne than you! All you care about is what others think, while deep in your heart you know others can only think of you positively when you respect anyone in your country, no matter strong or weak, rich or poor!

Togli here never chose to lose her powers. She is a member of my family just as much as Stelline or my mother. She loves your son, and she is carrying his child! How can you not accept that? You are not only his queen, you are also his mother! How can you not wish your son’s happiness!!!” Twinkle Star yelled, and Katine was now almost hiding herself in her throne.
Twinkle Star’s powers had ensnared her. Katine didn’t speak or move. She was at the mercy of Twinkle Star now, who didn’t realise she was holding such a strong power over Katine.
“Twinkle Star, stop that!” A voice suddenly yelled, and a pony jumped in front of Twinkle Star. It took a while for Twinkle Star to come to her senses, and to realise her mother was standing in front of her now, protecting Katine with a barrier of her own powers, which was barely holding up.
“What do you think you were doing, Twinkle Star!” Regina yelled, while Twinkle Star felt her powers flowing back to herself.
“I… I…” She didn’t know what to say. She was way too confused herself.
“Pull yourself together. Nothing gives you the right to use your powers like that! Has my story of Reine not been enough of a warning?” Regina yelled furiously at her daughter.

Reine… No, it couldn’t be. I didn’t… Had she really used the same kind of power? Twinkle Star suddenly got scared of herself. She couldn’t be like that. 
“Regina…” Katine said softly, while she got out of her throne.
“Katine, are you all right?”
“Yes, I…” Katine looked at her son and Togli, who were standing in a corner together now.
“I am sorry, Stanno.” Katine whispered softly, and everyone, including Regina, looked at her surprised.
“What? What do you mean, mother?” Stanno asked.
“I’m sorry for behaving like that. I should have considered you, and your feelings. I… I don’t know what powers this young lady here has, but she showed me your dreams and your wishes. She showed me what truly was in your heart, Stanno. She showed me the future you wanted. You, Togli, your baby… and me as it’s grandmother. She showed me something which I had long forgotten. She showed me love, Stanno. I am sorry. Of course you can marry Togli, if that is what you truly wish.”

Twinkle Star was shocked. She did what? She had no recollection of doing something like that. All she knew is that she got angry with Katine, and she wanted to make her realise she was wrong. But how could she show her Stanno’s true wish? She didn’t even knew them. But she was relieved now. For some reason she could convince Katine of the truth, and that was all she really cared about now.