The Mystery Element, Illusion

by Nightshade Amberstone

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Anthro, Main 6, Princess Luna
Length: 6122

Follow the story of a young filly that finds that she is not what everyone knows or thinks she is.

Nightshade Amberstone is the new filly in the town of Ponyville. Nobody knows her, and she is constantly being tormented by the prissy filly, Diamond Tiara, and her crony Silver Spoon. It doesn't help that she doesn't have a Cutie Mark to prove that she is a somepony, in fact she doesn't have anything. All she remembers is her name, and the memory of somepony telling her to see Celestia about a missing pony. With the help of Twilight Sparkle and her friends, Nightshade discovers the true illusions hiding her destiny.

Published 2013-07-10 04:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-28 12:21:13 UTC

The "Perfect" School Morning

The morning sun pierced through the thick leaves of the Everfree Forest and slid into the rough hole in the small ,shabby hut that served as a window. The light lit up what was the only room in the hut. A small roughly cut table sat in the middle, while a stone furnace stood, cold and empty, on the other side. By the furnace was a roughly patched, ancient mattress. On the mattress, sleeping under a ragged blanket, lay a filly. She was fast asleep, a small smile on the face. She had a midnight, blue-black coat and a strangely purple-blue mane, like the color you see at twilight in the summer. It had a cyan streak running through it, as if the creator had grown board with it and wanted to make it interesting. Her name was Nightshade Amberstone.

Nightshade had arrived in Ponyville not to long ago, in reality, it had only been about 2 weeks. She was alone and wandering the streets of Ponyville, not knowing why she was there, where her parents were (in fact, she didn't even know if she had parents), or who anypony else was. All she knew was her name and that she had to go see Princess Celestia immediately. The mayor of Ponyville gave her something to eat and told her that the Princess was busy with the summer sun celebration so near. In light of the last celebration being cut short with the arrival of Princess Luna, the celebration would be in Ponyville again, this time, with no interruption. The mayor, being a kind mare, gave Nightshade the small hut in the Everfree Forest and enrolled her in the only school in Ponyville. Nightshade got a small job, by the Mayor's request, at Sweet Apple Acres. In light of all the kindness the Mayor had shown her, Nightshade decided she would wait until the celebration was over, and then see Celestia. But, she soon learned that not everypony was so kind and caring here in Ponyville.

In the distance, a rooster called to announce the sunrise. Nightshade stirred, but then jolted upright. With her eyes wide open, she could tell that was going to be late for school if she lay there any-further. Bounding over the the door, she wrenched it open and galloped toward her outside bathroom. As she washed her face and horn, then started to brush her mane, she stared at her reflection. The bruise under her left eye that Diamond Tiara had given her a few days ago hadn't healed yet. She tried to rub at it to make it less green, but she winced in pain.

I guess that's what I get for annoying Diamond Tiara, she thought. Nightshade now looked at her eyes, which were the only things that she liked about herself. They were a rosy-magenta color with a lavender ring around the iris. She finished her washing and ran back to her hut to fetch her bag.

Moments later, Nightshade dashed down the earthy lane toward her school. It cut right through Ponyville Square. As usual, it was already bustling with life. As she veered around a corner she crashed head long into a purple pony. The books she had been carrying with her magic came crashing down on top of her head.

"Oh my, I'm really sorry! Let me help you, please!" Squeaked Nightshade. She half expected the mare to scold her. As the mare stood up, Nightshade noticed a pair of wings. She gasped. The mare raised a hoof. Nightshade flinched, preparing for a blow onto her head, but there was none.

"Are you alright?", a voice asked. Nightshade looked up, surprised. The mare was holding out a hoof to help her up. Nightshade took it and the mare pulled her up. The mare had a horn and wings, no doubt about that. This was unmistakably the alicorn princess, Twilight Sparkle. Everypony, big and small, always talked about her in hushed tones, as if to preserve her majesty.

"I hope I didn't hurt you," said Twilight. "I'm in a bit of a hurry today. I don't think I've ever seen you around here, what's your name?" Nightshade just cast her head down and mumbled her name. "Sorry, I didn't catch that." said Twilight with an apologetic smile.

"My..my name is Nightshade, Nightshade Amberstone. I'm really sorry that I knocked you down, Princess Sparkle. Let me help you." Nightshade pointed her horn at the books and they instantly rose into a neat pile and they floated by Twilight until she held them up with her own magic.

"Well, thank you. I must say that you have extraordinary talent for a unicorn so young." Nightshade blushed, but her face fell when she heard the school bell toll. Before Twilight could ask another question, she dashed off toward school, hoping Ms. Cheerilee wouldn't notice her tardiness. Twilight watched her go and wondered why the filly looked so bruised and fearful as she dashed away toward school, wondering if she could possibly help her. As Nightshade cantered up the steps, her hooves snagged on a trip rope, and she fell, hooves over hooves, in to the classroom. It erupted into gales of laughter as Nightshade stumbled to her feet. And before her stood the two fillies that she was hoping she wouldn't have to see, Diamond Tiara and her best friend and crony, Silver Spoon.

"Have a nice tumble, Blank-flank?!"jeered Diamond Tiara in her snooty high pitched voice. The classroom laughed again.

"Yeah, did ya?" Silver Spoon shot Diamond Tiara a nasty smile. "They should rewrite the rules to say 'Look before you fall!'" The room jeered again.

"You know, guys," said Nightshade standing up, "I used to think that you were jerks, but now," Nightshade let out a mock sigh. "Now I think you both are just a couple of immature school fillies with no brains." The room roared with laughter at this. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon glared.

"You'd best watch it Amberstone or I'll mess up your other eye, too." hissed Diamond Tiara. Nightshade sneered at this.

"I'd like to see you try." She muttered. Diamond Tiara let our a small scream of rage and brought her hoof high up and was bringing it down, but Nightshade blocked it. Then, out of nowhere Sliver Spoon's hooves kicked her in the stomach and Nightshade crumpled. The two fillies kicked her and left her on the floor as they jeered at her. Nightshade got to her feet and made her way to her seat, at the very back of the room where nobody could see her. She let out a small sigh as Ms. Cheerilee came in and told everypony to settle down. Nightshade rested her head on her desk.

This is just perfect. she thought. Just perfect.

Author's Note

Hey guys! This is the first chapter/pilot to the story I'm currently writing. I hope you guys like it! Please comment on it!
I couldn't help putting my self as the main character in it though! >-< LOL

The Meeting with the Elements

As the school bell tolled for the evening, Nightshade hobbled down the steps. Her flank and shoulders still hurt from were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had kicked her. As she walked down the steps, a sniggering from the doorway came from behind her. It was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"She you tomorrow, Blank-flank!", jeered Diamond Tiara. She and Silver Spoon hoof-bumped each other as they pushed roughly passed her. Nightshade winced as Silver Spoon stomped on her hoofs.

"Don't forget to watch where you fall, Stumble-shade!", she jeered at Nightshade. As they walked away, Nightshade looked hopelessly after them. She knew she shouldn't listen to them, but it was hard having no one to listen and make you feel any better about it. Ms. Cheerilee came from the school room. As she locked the door, she noticed Nightshade sitting by herself as usual on the bottom most step, wrapping a bandage around one of her bruised legs. Cheerilee came down the steps and sat down next to the young filly. Out of all the students she had ever taught, Nightshade seemed to posses something the others didn't...a sort of calming wave of energy. The filly seemed to hold some kind of air of majesty around her, but now, seeing Nightshade all bruised up, Ms. Cheerilee couldn't help but feel responsible for not being able to protect her.

"Here, let me help you, Nighty." said Cheerilee. Nighty was the nickname Nightshade had asked Cheerilee to call her. Thank-full for the assistance, Nightshade sat still while Cheerilee help her with the bandage. Nightshade knew she should take something to the teacher, but she didn't know what to say. There really was nothing.

"I don't think the others like me that much...." she said at last. The sigh that Cheerilee gave in response told Nightshade that the teacher had noticed. As Cheerilee finished wrapping the bandage, she looked at the young filly. In glow of the dying sun, the filly looked beautiful. Her coat looked like the night sky had come down into a being to grace the small form of the pony. Her mane and tail, even with the odd cyan streak, looked like a painting....like it wasn't real. To Cheerilee, it looked almost magical. As the two sat there, it took not to long for them to notice the unexpected visitor walking up to the school house. With her horn a blaze with the glow of her purple magic, and majestic wings folded neatly to her side, Twilight came to a halt in front of the two.

"Princess," said Cheerilee with a bow. "What have we done to earn this most wonderful surprise?" Nightshade, instead of bowing, fell back into the shadows to hid her new bruises from the princess, and try to prevent awkward question. But, it was no use. Twilight had noticed the new bruises, and of course the white bandage couldn't hide well in the shadows. Her lips pursed in displeasure, but only Nightshade noticed, for it was gone in a second. Instead, a warm smile broke across her face as she beckoned to Nightshade to come out of the shadows and join the conversation.

"Actually, Ms. Cheerilee, I'm here to talk to Nightshade. There is much I would like to discuss with her." Twilight wrapped a wing around Nightshade. This made her have a feeling that she had never felt, or couldn't remember feeling. It made her feel so warm and safe. But she couldn't put it into words. Cheerilee look puzzled, but she knew not to argue with the wishes of a princess.

"Very well. See you tomorrow, Nighty. Have a good evening, Princess." After Cheerilee said this Twilight looked up at Cheerilee, for her eyes had been fixed on the filly under her wing.

"Nightshade will not be attending school for a couple of days, as she will be going to the royal palace in Canterlot with myself and my friends." Cheerilee nodded and said goodbye to Nightshade and telling her to have a good time. As Cheerilee walked down the road toward her home, Twilight lead Nightshade in the other direction. She still hadn't let go of the filly. But, Nightshade didn't notice...nor did she really care. At the moment, she suddenly remembered something....as if it can from a different life. She remembered why she felt so good when she was being held by a protective wing.

"Mommy, what's my special talent?" the foal looked up into a face it knew well. The face was that of her mothers. She smiled at the foal and nuzzled her affectionately.

"What do you mean, my little princess?" Her voice was like music to the foal's eyes.

"Well, Tia has the day-time and she has to raise the sun and set it. Lunny-moony has to raise and set the moon and stars and she has the night-sky to look after. You and daddy, do something...but what about me? What do I have?!" The mare chuckled as the foal pouted. She wrapped a wing around the tiny little body and brought it close to her. The foal snuggled close ,and her little eyes close in content.

"Well, you know darling, the thing you must learn is that there are so many illusions clouding your future and destiny. But, you, you have the ability to cloud the future and past for everyone, including you own family. You are my little illusionist, Nighty." But by this time, the foal was fast a sleep. The mare chuckled and kissed her forehead.

"Good night, my little princess."

"Nightshade? Nightshade!" Twilight looked at the filly as her eyes focused again.

"Yeah? Sorry..I-I must have dosed off." Twilight laughed.

"Well, we're here." The form of Twilight's library and home loomed out of the darkness. Nightshade was confused.

"Why here?"

"Well, I have some friends I would like you to meet." As they went inside, Nightshade looked around. The five most well know ponies were standing there, waiting for her and Twilight to arrive. The brave and loyal Rainbow Dash with her rainbow mane and cyan coat. Scootaloo and the other fillies of the Rainbow Dash Fan-club always talked about her. Then, next to her, in her customary hat, was the honest Applejack. Applebloom always said how cool and kind her sister was, and just by the feeling of friendliness coming off of Applejack, Nightshade had to agree. Then, looking immaculate and beautiful, was Rarity. Her purple mane was done up in her customary way and her coat has sleek and shiny. Nightshade knew her generosity first hand. The clothing she had came from Rarity by donation. Then, slightly hidden in the back was the shy and kind Fluttershy. Nightshade had helped her with her animals when one or more ran out of the doorway. Lastly, bouncing up and down as she normally was, Pinkie Pie. She was the joy of the whole town with her wild and fun parties and her personality was absolutely amusing.

"Hey girls! This is the filly I was talking about. Her name's Nightshade." said Twilight, closing the door with her magic.

"How ya doin' kid? Boy, I see Diamond Tiara got you good, huh?" Said Rainbow Dash.

"Well Ah'll be! Why, if Ah was there, ya'll woulda see me ropin' up that snotty lil' nuisance." huffed Applejack in southern drawl. The others laughed.

"Really Applejack. You should learn how to handle it properly. Why I would have dealt with it with much much punishment, and perhaps hard labor." said Rarity in her sophisticated voice. Applejack snorted in response. Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing to give her opinion.

"Well," she said in her song-song voice. "I would've fed her cupcakes until her cutie mark exploded!" she finished with a gleeful smile. Rainbow Dash burst out laughing.

"Pinks, you can't do that! But I'm sure that doesn't stop you!" Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash kept on laughing at this, and soon the others joined in.

"Well, I would've like Diamond Tiara to say hello to a new crocodile adopted. I think Mr. Chompers would have had a lovely time meeting her, but I'm not sure if Diamond Tiara would've." said Fluttershy in her quiet voice. Everyone stopped laughing. Then out of the blue Applejack and Rainbow Dash started snorting with laughter.

"Well, Ah'll be, Fluttershy!" sniggered Applejack. "Ah never new you got in in ya to say or do somethin' like that!" Everyone else laughed, even Nightshade.

"Well, we'd best get on to why I have brought you all here to meet this extraordinary filly." said Twilight. Everyone stopped laughing and became quite serious, though Pinkie Pie kept bouncing. Twilight continued, " Well, I think I know why Nightshade is so special."

"W-what?!" exclaimed Nightshade, looking confused. "I'm not special! I'm just an ordinary filly! I-I don't even know where I came from!" At this Twilight and the other smiled.

"You do know who we are and what we represent, am I right?" Nightshade looked blankly at her. Well, of course she knew who they were. Everypony at school said how they were the Elements of Harmony, but what did this have to do with her? She decided to test her luck.

"Well, yeah. Everypony knows that you guys are the Elements of Harmony. But, what does this ha-" But Twilight raised a hoof to silence her.

"I did more reading on the Elements and the history of Equestria." She said. Rainbow Dash sniggered and Nightshade heard her say something that sounded like "Egghead". Twilight ignored this. "Well, it turns out there was a seventh element." The others looked shocked. But, before any of them could say anything, Twilight continued.

"The seventh element belonged to a sister of Celestia's. Now this sister went missing around the time Princess Luna become Nightmare Moon. Nobody knows what happened to her. So I did more research and found this." She passed around a book with an open picture of a painting of the royal family. As the other five girls saw it, they all gasped and gazed at Nightshade.

"What?" she said. Twilight gave her the book. In the painting was the Queen and King of Equestria (who vanished long ago), a younger Celestia (with a pink mane) and Luna and...Nightshade shook her head, staring disbelieving at the third foal in the painting. A young alicorn foal. She had the same color coat as Nightshade, the same mane and tail with the cyan streak. And, no cutie mark, just like her.

"Th-that's me." Nightshade whispered. "But, that can't be me! I'm not an..." But a memory was rising to the surface of her mind. She remembered fly past the clouds. But she couldn't fly. She had no wings.

"The princess lost her wings when her power of Illusion was broken by Nightmare Moon. The seventh element is called Illusion." Twilight walked slowly over to where the filly was standing, dumb-founded. The others watched quietly, Pinkie Pie still bouncing.

"Nightshade," said Twilight carefully. "You are the lost princess." Slowly, Twilight sank into a bow at her hooves, and the other followed suit, all bowing to the lost Princess of Equestria, the Illusionist.

Author's Note

Bwahahahahaha! Take that writers block!! I have defeated you, you jerk!
*notice readers*
hahaha.....*nervouly clears throat* you guys saw nuffin....
ENJOY!

Off to Take a Test, the Wonderful Test of Truth

"No." In the stillness of the library, Nightshades voice range out clearly. The six ponies in front of her jumped. Twilight looked shocked, as did the others.

"I am NOT a princess, let alone the sister of Celestia and Luna! I thought this would be a meeting on you getting me to Canterlot to talk to the Princess?!" Yet, as she said this, Nightshade felt a vague uncertainty on the subject. If she didn't remember anything, could it be possible? Twilight and the others got to their feet.

"But, Nightshade, look at the picture! That's you! It can't be anypony else!" she said. Twilight heaved a sigh. "About Canterlot...I can take you there, but I already told Celestia that we had found her missing sister. She wants to put you through the Test of Truth. She just wants to make sure." Nightshade looked at the other five ponies. They stared at her, Pinkie still of course bouncing. They didn't look as shocked as she did, but they looked baffled at her rejection of being a princess. Nightshade couldn't believe this.

"You guys knew about this!?" she asked, hoping against everything that it wasn't true. They all shook their heads. She felt rage inching into her system.

"You all knew..knew EVERYTHING!?" she demanded. There was a long pause. Then, Applejack broke the silence as she stepped forward.

"We didn' know everythan'. Twi told us you are a princess, but we didn' know 'bout everythan'. Come on, Nightshade, you gotta give it a chance." Applejack looked imploringly at the young filly. Nightshade didn't believe it. This was all a misunderstanding, a-a joke. She couldn't be a princess.

"We're all willing to come with you to the royal palace." said Rainbow Dash. She too looked imploring, but not as much as the others.

"Oh, please, Nightshade." said Fluttershy in her hushed voice. "You've gotta give it a chance."

"Yes, darling!" You simply must!" exclaimed Rarity. Pinkie Pie nodded at this to show her agreement (still bouncing). At this moment, Twilight stepped forward. She put a hoof on the young fillies shoulder. The look in her eyes told Nightshade that she just wanted to help Celestia and Luna get their baby sister back.

"Nightshade, I promise you, if you aren't the missing sister, we'll leave you alone to live in your..umm, house and never bother you with this again. But, please. Just come to Canterlot with us so that be can solve this once and for all!" Nightshade looked at her. How could Twilight possible try to make her believe that she, one of the lowest of ponies, could be a princess, a powerful princess at that. But in the light of all of the imploring faces staring at her, Nightshade knew she had no choice.

"Fine, I'll go. But know this," she snapped, but when she others started to cheer, she added, "But, know this, if you are lying to me about leaving me alone, I swear on Celestia's name, you won't have a moment of peace without misfortune, all of you." They all stared at her, stunned at the harshness in her voice ,but nodded all the same to show their understanding.

"Well, now that this is all settled, we will all meet at the train station in the morning, eight sharp." they all said there goodbyes, but as Nightshade was leaving, Twilight stopped her.

"Would you like to stay her for the night?" she asked. Nightshade, who knew she was to tired to walk home, gave a reluctant nod. Twilight gave her a guest room (were Spike normally slept, but her was off in the Crystal Empire, doing something for Celestia). No sooner had Nightshade laid her head down on the soft pillow had she fallen asleep, not know what the morning would bring.

Then next morning, Twilight came down the spiral stairs to see if her guest was still sleeping. To her surprise, the bed was made and empty. She then smelled something coming from the kitchen. She was confused. The only one, as far as she knew, in this house who could cook was Spike, and he wasn't here. Even so, her stomach growled and she followed her nose to the kitchen. By the stove was Nightshade, humming a song and flipping toasted wheat bread onto a plate. She turned to face Twilight.

"Good morning, highness. Did I wake you?" she asked, her face lighten up by a warm, calming smile. Twilight shook her head, her mouth full of saliva as she stared at the daisy-root and lavender sandwich Nightshade was making.

"Not at all," she said. "And, well, you don't have to call me "Highness", it's a bit embarrassing." she added. Nightshade nodded and motioned her to sit down at the table. Twilight sat, but she looked at the table, confused once more. The table was set for three.

"Who else is coming? Did one of my friends call in or something?" she asked, puzzled. Nightshade let out a tinkling laugh, which made Twilight stare in amazement.

"No, dear Twilight," she said in a sing-song voice, which made Twilight's eyes widen even more. "I have simply added another spot for my other-self. She's out for a morning walk, you see, and she asked me to make breakfast." Twilight didn't understand.

"Your, umm, other-self?" she said, baffled. Before Nightshade could answer, the front door burst open, and in came...Twilight rubbed her eyes, trying to see if she was seeing things. Nightshade walked in, wearing the same expression as she had been the night before, a cold stern stare. Twilight stared, mouth hung open.

"What?" The other-Nightshade asked. When Twilight didn't answer, the other-Nightshade continued. "Have a good night sleep?" The cheerful-Nightshade gave a sigh.

"Your scaring her, Nighty! Now eat your breakfast before it gets cold and then we can get back to normal." Both Nightshades sat down and began to eat. Twilight, still amazed, followed suit. The three sat in silence for a long while, until all the plates were clean. Then two Nightshades lit their horns with magic, and, with Twilight looking at them, mouth hung open, the two ponies merged into one, and floated down into the chair were the cheerful-Nightshade been sitting in. The original Nightshade looked at Twilight, whose mouth was still open, and grinned.

"Sorry, but I couldn't help myself..." she said apologetically. "It's how I get stuff done fast in the mornings sometimes." Twilight, just realizing that her mouth was still open, closed it.

"N-no, no, it's fine." she said, though her voice was still shaky from the event. Nightshade noticed this and frowned. To quickly get over the awkward moment, Twilight cleared her throat.

"So, um, did u sleep well? I hope the bed wasn't to small." Nightshade, who knew when a pony wished to move on from a subject, nodded. "It's actually the best bed I've slept in, ever." Twilight looked at her, but didn't say any thing. She knew the kind of poverty that Nightshade lived in. The day before, she had called on her house to see if she was there, before going to the school house. At first, she looked around to see if she had gotten the address wrong, but, she wasn't mistaken. Twilight couldn't believe that such a kind and, well, well-groomed filly lived out here, in this hut, all by herself.

Nightshade seemed to know what Twilight was thinking. To get out of the situation, she brought up a topic that she really didn't want to discuss.

"Do you really think I'm the lost princess?" Twilight looked up sharply. As she stared at the young filly in front of her, she knew it was a honest question. She knew that Nightshade wanted nothing but the truth, and only the truth, but the truth, as Twilight knew from experience, could be a difficult thing to except, especially when it was an answer that the recipient didn't want to hear.

"Yes," she said at last. Nightshade stared at her. She had known that Twilight felt this way, but she had expected her to hid the fact. "I really think you are, but if not, it won't effect me thinking that you're a very special little pony." Twilight continued earnestly. Nightshade blush. Twilight glanced at the clock.

"We should head to the train station, it's almost 8." she said. Nightshade nodded and the two ponies headed out the door.

I can't believe I'm doing this...

It was mid-afternoon. Nightshade and the others had gotten on the train on time, though Rarity had been late, carting along behind her, a mound of luggage. All the ponies had fallen into their own conversations, but then they all swarmed off into their own corners of the carriage they had all to themselves, thanks to Twilight. Rarity was in the back of the train, wearing an oatmeal face mask. The sun glistened off the wet slices of cucumbers on her eyes. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were fast asleep in opposing seats. Applejack's hat was over her eyes, shielding them from the rays of the evening sun. Fluttershy and Pinkie pie were near the front of the carriage, talking about what they would do first when they got back to Ponyville. And sitting beside Nightshade was Twilight, her head resting on an open leather-bound book, a slight bit of drool leaking out onto the pages. Nightshade chuckled slightly at the sight.

Gazing back out of the window, she glanced at the brightly colored lights that were Canterlot Square. They would be there in 10 minutes time, thought, she chuckled again at the thought, it would take them at least a couple minutes longer to unload all of Rarity's baggage. As they near, the whistling sound of the train jolted the others out of their slumbers and conversations. Twilight's head jerked upright. Wiping away the drool, the glanced cheekily at Nightshade, hoping she hadn't seen. They heard Rarity sigh as she wiped off the mask and disposed of it. Once the train had come to a stop at the station, they all climbed out.

"Ms. Rarity?! Is that you, darling?" The seven companions turned. Coming toward them, flanked by his lovely wife, was Fancypants. The tall, elegant unicorn, bent over Rarity's hoof, and gave it a kiss. Rarity blushed.

"And dearest Princess!" he exclaimed, bowing deeply. "How are you, your majesty?" His wife followed his bow, though she hadn't said anything yet. Twilight blushed at being address so, but she gave a polite nod to Fancypants all the same.

"Very well, thank you. We were just on our way to the castle, actually. Quite important, so if you don't mind..." she implied their rush to the castle, which Fancypants noticed. He nodded, said a few more words to Rarity, and they were just moving past them, when his wife noticed Nightshade, standing in behind Twilight. Her mouth fell open.

"Why, it can't be!?" she exclaimed. "Why, dearest Princess Shade, you have returned to us!" she flung herself at Nightshade's feet, and Fancypants, who had been gazing transfixed at Nightshade as well, gave a gasp of amazement.

"It can't be!" he said. He walked twice around her, and gazed at her eyes. His eyes flooded with tears, and he began to laugh a laugh that sounded of pure joy. "We knew you would come back." he chocked. Then he pulled the astounded filly into a tight hug. Twilight and the others stared, not knowing what to do. Fancypants' wife pulled him away. She gazed at Nightshade.

"Our grandparents told us all about you, and we knew you would return to Equestria to be with your dearest sisters!" said Fancypants. The two unicorns looked intently at the small filly, as if waiting for her to say something. Nightshade didn't know what to say, so she improvised.

"Well, I-I, umm, thank you for your kindness, but we, um, must be going now." she mumbled. The two ponies gave her a smile of content.

"Why of course, Princess." they bowed to her, and went on their way. The seven ponies stared after them. After a long, and quite awkward silence, Applejack spoke.

"Ah think we should be gettin' on, it's almos' dark." The others nodded and made their way toward the castle. At the tall, cast iron gates, two guards met them. When one of them saw Rarity's mound of luggage, he grimaced, for he was on luggage duty that time.The other spoke to Twilight.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia is waiting for you and your friends in the hall."

"Thank you, Dusk Shield." she said. But as they were moving past them, the one called Dusk Shield put out a hoof to stop Nightshade. Twilight looked behind her.

"She's with me! Let her through." But Dusk Shield shook his head.

"I'm sorry, your majesty, but I to have orders. Ms. Nightshade Amberstone must go a different way in. It was given by the Princess." The six inside glanced at one another.

"Fine, so be it." said Twilight. The two guards led them in and closed the door. Then, one of them preceded to handle Rarity's luggage, with great huffing. Nightshade followed the other guard around ontp garden. They walked in silence for quite some time. Looking up at the velvet darkness of Princess Luna's night, she wondered, rather hopelessly, if the others were worried about her safety. Dusk Shield stopped outside of a back door. Nightshade glanced at it.

"You are to go inside and find the throne room." Nightshade nodded, opened the door and stepped in. She had taken only a few steps, and then stopped. She turned to look at the guard, still standing at the door.

"You're not com-" she began but he shook his head.

"My orders were to lead you here and go back to my post." Dusk Shield stared. "For your sake, I'd find the room as quick as you can." And with that last chilling statement, he closed the door and locked it with a snap. Now completely alone, her heart thumping in her throught, Nightshade stumbled through the darkness. How did they expect her to find the throne room all alone? She'd never been here. To ease her nerves, she began to sing a lullaby, which, until now, she didn't even know she knew.

"Listen to the mockingbird sing. Listen to it's song. It warns you of dangers hidden in a throng.

Listen, my little one, for I too care. Listen to the singing with no despare." Then, she heard it. A soft, musical voice was sounding out of the darkness. It sounded very familiar. She started to follow it, but stopped. She knew something was wrong. The air around her had grown stale. It seemed to dark to be a normal corridor, and it had grown dreadfully cold. The singing had lead her in the wrong direction. She tried to step back, but jumped forward. She felt something sharp stick her side. Yelping in pain, she lit her horn. What Nightshade saw bewildered her even more. A long narrow chmber lined with stikes. She stared moving back but the floor gave way and she fell into the deep abyss.

Falling with a loud thump, she sprang to her hooves. Lighting her horn again, she saw the walls here where covered in spikes, and they were moving closer and closer toward her. She would be crushed! They were now digging their points into her flesh. Not knowing what to do, she called out, knowing nobody would hear.

"HELP! SOMEPONY, PLEASE HELP ME!" But nopony replied. Not knowing what to do, she focused on a thought that she didn't even think was possible, or even sane, before.

I am the lost princess! I can fly away! These traps are just...just illusions. I can control in all! And suddenly, Nightshade felt a hot pain washing from behind her shoulders, as if something was growing out of them.

"These are just ILLUSIONS! Show your true form!" she cried out. She moved her shoulder blades instictively, as if flapping some kind of invisible wings. She shot up into the air, wind rushing in her ears. Looking down, she saw the chamber and the spikes vanish, replaced with the normal palace floor. Suddenly, lights blazed into life around her, lit by an unknown source. Sheilding her eyes, Nightshade saw the Twillight and her friends hurring underneath her. Wait? Underneath...her? They were so small, as though she was looking at them from far away. Glancing around, Nightshade saw a crystal chandelier hanging above her. But that couldn't be! They should be at least some fifty feet above ground! But, she couldn't be so high up, unless....

Looking behind her, she saw to wings sprouting of her shoulders. She tugged on one, and she felt it in her shoulder. They were hers. Natural, like her had had them for ever, but not noticed. She flew back down to the floor, a familiar feeling of adrenalin ruching through her body. Landing lightly down onto the floor, Nightshade stared at Twilight and the others, all gaping at the elegant wings. Then she noticed that she didn't have to look up at them anymore. She had grown taller. But how? It wasn't possible! And from behind Twilight came the two ther princesses. Luna gasped, staring at her. Tears suddenly started flowing from her eyes. She rushed forward and hugged her. Celestia, tears forming in her own, pulled Luna away. Sniffing, Luna wiped her eyes. The two grinned widely at her. It was a grin of pure joy, not unlike Fancypant's.

"Welcome home, little sister." she said warmly. Then, something odd happened. The three princesses bowed to her, and the others followed suit. It couldn't be. Nightshade heard the words resounding in her head. Sister. She was home. She was the lost princess. But if she was, then why didn't she remember? Why didn't she feel happy that she had returened home? Then she thought something horrible. What this really home, or was this all a big, big mistake?

Author's Note

Ahhhh...finally done! How many words does it have..
Last chapter: some thousand words...
Hmm, no bad....let's see now...
This chapter: 3208
*wide eyes*
HOLY CRAP!!! DAAAAAAANG!