Chapters Chapter 1: Two Months Later
It has been a full two months since we were born and the two princesses brought us to their awesome castle in Canterlot. So far my sister,Yin, and I have been living the dream here. In the mornings, Princess Twilight teaches us academics and book work. After that, we go to lessons on ruling kindly and compassionately with Princess Cadence. Then, we have lunch and recess. At recess, Discord teaches us to "have fun" as he calls it. Princess Celestia calls it wreaking havoc, though. Our favorite part of the day, or mine at least, is our magic lessons. There is something weird about it, though. When our magic lessons come, unlike most of the day, we are separated. Yin learns about the sun and how to move it with Princess Celestia,while I,on the other hand, learn about the moon and how to paint the stars in the sky with Princess Luna.
"Um, Princess Luna?" I ask one day when my curiosity gets the better of me.
"Yes,what is the matter?" she replies with a stern look, as if realizing that I had been doodling pictures of the stars in my notebook instead of paying attention.
I stare down at my book, "Why do I learn about the moon, when Yin gets to learn about the sun, did I do something wrong?"
Princess Luna's expression softens, "No,Yang, you have done no wrong, it is just that one day, you will be entrusted with raising the moon, and your sister will be responsible for raising the sun, it is a team effort that you will both need to do," She smiles, almost like she has said this to herself over and over. I nod my head and continue my note-taking on dreams and how to enter them. Soon, though my thoughts wander again, and I start asking myself countless and countless questions, when out of nowhere...
Do they love her more than me?
No, of course not, I think. They love us exactly the same, after all, we're both alicorns, right? Why would they love her more than me? No, Mom and Dad have said it countless times, along with all four princesses, that we are loved equally, I remind myself. I stare at my notebook, but, then why do I feel this way?
Princess Luna turns around, "Alright that is enough for today," she motions towards the window, "tomorrow, you will start your flying lessons with Rainbow Dash." My spirits are instantly lifted. Rainbow Dash is the fastest flyer I've ever seen!
Whenever she and the Element bearers come to visit Princess Twilight from Ponyville, she's always zipping around and telling us that one day, we'll get to learn to fly as fast as her "Maaaybe not that fast, but pretty fast," she'd always say. I grab my books and bolt out the door. At the same time, my sister runs from the door on the opposite side of the hall.
"Did you hear, did you here, DID YOU HEAR?!," I shout, fluttering my wings.
"Yes, yes YES! we're gonna learn to fly!!!!!" She shrieks back.
"FROM RAINBOW DASH!!!!!" We scream in unison, knocking over the guard escorting us to our room. We zoom down the hallway, leaving the princesses shaking their heads in our wake.
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The door to our room slams open. We immediately throw our books into our desks and jump onto each other's beds. We jump across to our own beds and hoof-five each other on the way. Our parents, entering just in time to see our little escapade, scold us.
"How many times have we told you not to do that?" Mom sighs, exasperated. "You'd think that you two would learn by now," I see a small grin creep up onto her face. "Come on, it's time for dinner," she intertwines our wings with hers, and we all canter to the dining hall.
Dinner was delicious, I think as we canter back to our room. The food here is great. We make it to our room, and our parents bring us to our beds. "Goodnight, my Yin," Mom nuzzles Yin on the forehead. Dad nuzzles my forehead "Goodnight, my Yang," his deep voice rumbles against my ears. Our parents turn on the nightlight, and leave our room. My thoughts from today ooze back, each fighting for my attention. I squeeze my eyes shut, willing them to leave as one would try to get poison to exit through a wound.
I'm thankful to here my sister's voice, "I can't wait to learn to fly tomorrow," she whispers.
"Neither can I," I whisper back.
~~~~~~~~~
My dreams offer no relief. I'm all alone in a room, and darkness is floating in from all directions. This isn't a nice darkness, though. This isn't the comforting darkness that night brings to help you sleep. No, this darkness is accompanied by a sense of menace, a sense of impending doom, like it wants to hurt something.
These shadows circle me, whispering all sorts of horrible things;
They don't love you
They love her more
As long as she lives, you'll always be ignored by those sun-loving foals
Suddenly, another pony steps out of the shadows. This pony is as tall as Princess Celestia! Her coat is black, but unlike my color black, her coat is as cold and merciless as the shadows. Her mane and tail are purple, and made of complete magic, but that's not what surprises me the most, though, is her eyes. Her eyes are turquoise, but unlike other ponies, her eyes have slit-like pupils, and the whites aren't even white! They are a lighter version of her irises. I try to run, but my hooves are glued to the ground. The mystery-pony smiles at me, a cold, merciless smile.
Images flash in my mind, ponies dancing in the sun, a younger Princess Celestia reaching a hoof out to me, being stuck in a cold, dark prison wishing for death, a rainbow burning my flesh. Then, it stops. I open my closely shut eyes and realize that her hoof is on my shoulder. When she sees the look of horror on my face, her grin grows wider and she says in a booming voice "This is what will happen if you continue to live in her shadow, Yang, my past is your future."
Chapter 2: A Huge Announcement
"AAAAAH NO, I'M NOT YOU!!!" I wake up with a start when I hear the scream. I sit up in my bed and look to the side. My sister, Yang, is thrashing and kicking in her bed.
"Yang? Yang! WAKE UP!" I shout in a desperate attempt to relieve her from the nightmare. Soon, her eyes shoot open and color rises to her cheeks when she sees me looking at her with concern.
"Have, have you been here this whole time?" she asked, her voice barely perceptible. I slowly nod my head, expecting her to start screaming again. More color rises to her cheeks.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask. She violently shakes her head.
"N-no, i'm fine, let's just get back to sleep," she says with a small smile, obviously trying not to worry me. I trot back to my bed with a feeling of unease, is she really okay?
~~~~~~~~~~~
Morning couldn't come quickly enough. We both jump out of our beds. Yang seems to be better, but I can't help but feeling worried. She's been having horrible dreams like this for a while, but refuses to talk about them. I really hope that she is okay.
She notices me staring and asks "I-is everything alright?" with worry contorting her features.
I nod my head and smile "Of course I'm okay! We're learning to fly today! From RAINBOW DASH!!!!" She takes heart from my enthusiasm and smiles a wide grin.
"Then let's go!" she yells, and we trot down to the courtyard together, just like always.
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"Okay, girls, are you ready to FLY?!" Rainbow Dash shouts the last word, probably to make herself clear.
"MA'AM YES MA'AM" We shout in unison, each with a fore hoof to our head in a salute.
"Good, then let's get down to business, tell me the first three things you need to fly." Rainbow shouts with her coach hat, jacket and whistle on.
"WINGS, HEART, AND DETERMINATION, MA'AM," we yell back, still in a salute.
"Alright, so first you need to float. Flutter your wings like so," she gave a little demonstration, "and don't stop until you are off the ground." Immediately, our wings started to flutter and vibrate. Soon, my hooves started to leave the ground. I look to my left and see my sister doing the same. I get to a certain height and dare to look at Rainbow Dash. She's grinning and nods in approval at the sight of us flying so well. I gently float back down, but I hear a thud. I look towards my sister and realize that she had fallen down to the grass.
"Ow" she mutters as Rainbow and I rush to her side. Rainbow Dash closely inspects her. There is a small gash on her back leg and blood is pouring out of it, coloring the grass red. Rainbow lifted the whimpering Yang onto her back.
"We better get you to the infirmary, Yang, don't worry, it happens to every-pony," she reassures Yang, "except me, of course," she adds. I have a feeling that she would have done a couple of flips right there if there wasn't a bleeding filly on her back. Soon, we walk into the infirmary, where a nurse bandages up her cut.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We're sitting in the infirmary when Princess Twilight walks into the room. "Guess what, girls," she says in a cheery voice, "The Grand Galloping Gala is soon, and you two get to come." I smile, the Grand Galloping Gala would be full of great food, and this year, Discord can come. He tells us about how he can really "liven up" a party. The princess interrupts my thoughts, "and this year, Pinkie Pie is hosting it," at this, we both perk up. Pinkie Pie parties are supposed to be legendary, but we never get to go because we're in Canterlot. Even Rainbow Dash brightens.
"Sweet, and this year I'll really impress the Wonder Bolts at the Gala!" Rainbow Dash exclaims with glee.
"Yup, juuust like last time," Twilight says with a mischievous grin.
"Hey! I so did impress them...they just didn't admit it," Rainbow protests.
Yang giggles "I'll best you'll do just as good as I did today." Rainbow shoots her an angry look, and Princess Twilight and I giggle too.
Rainbow blushes "Ya know, I don't need to teach you two how to fly, now do I?" and immediately, we stop giggling.
Princess Twilight, continues, though "Yup, and you're doing super great," she motions around the infirmary with a smug grin.
Rainbow puffs out her cheeks and leaves with a huff, saying, "Ya know, I don't need this,"
As soon as she leaves, Discord enters "What's wrong with Rainbow Crash?" he says waving off an angry "I heard that!" from outside. Now Yang has really perked up, Discord was one of her favorite people around the castle, and I have to agree; he's the funniest and the most easy-going.
Discord shrugs, "Anyways, I'm so excited to be going to the... what do you call it... Great-Opportunity-to-Have-Fun-With-Upper-Class-Ponies Gala?"
Twilight rolls her eyes, "You better be on your best behavior, Discord."
"Who, me?" he asks looking mildly offended. Suddenly, he dawns a suit and tie, giving her a bow, "I, say, my dear Twilight, I would never do such a thing," he puts on a look of pure innocence. "Seriously, Twilight, I thought you'd trust me more than that."
She puts a hoof to her head "Yeah, okay," she turns to Yang and I, remembering we were still there "Rarity will be sending your dresses over the day before the Gala, it's this Friday, okay?" When we nod, she continues, "now, I really think you should go to bed, you have been in here all day."
Chapter 3: The Grand Galloping Gala
I jump out of my plush bed. Today is the day! The Grand Galloping Gala is today! I hardly contain my excitement as I walk over to my closet and take out my black dress. Mom said Rarity really outdid herself on our dresses. Mine is black with silver swirls to go with my eyes. Yin's, though, was probably made to counter-act mine. Hers is pure white with golden swirls to match the shade of her eyes. We have such a big day ahead of us! First, we eat breakfast with the princesses and Discord like we always do. Then, we meet a bunch of officials, like nobles and ponies like that. Next, we get our dresses on and our hair done. Finally, we get to go to the Gala! Except, there the only fun part might be playing with Discord, because a bunch of rich ponies and officials will be there. Boy, am I lucky to have a twin sister who will be the same age as me there.
I continue staring at the dress made for me, but, why is it so dark and ominous? Why didn't I get the pretty golden one. Is this what they see of me, as silver, always coming in second to gold? Or is it just my eyes? These questions break their way into my skull, but this time I can't get rid of them. I look over at my sister, whose eyes light with confusion when I shoot her the look of loathing I've been suppressing.
WHAT MAKES HER BETTER THAN ME?!
WHY DON'T THEY LOVE ME?!
The thoughts get louder and louder until I urge them away with all my might, hoping that they will leave forever. Then, as quick as they started, the thoughts disappear, as if they were never there.
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Preparing for the Gala wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. We went through everything quickly enough, and these nobles were actually kind of nice, they gave us candy. Right now, though, we are about to enter the Gala. I can hardly contain my excitement, and Yin notices.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She asks, as if suddenly remembering this morning.
"N-nothing's wrong," I say, silently cursing my usual stutter, "I-I'm just so e-excited to be going to the G-Gala, that's a-all."
Her face brightens, "Me too." Princess Celestia looks back at us with a kind smile, then pushes the door open with her magic. The first thought I have when I enter that room is whoa. There are purple and blue streamers hung everywhere, that's obviously the color theme, because the tablecloths are those colors, too. As if that weren't enough, balloons were everywhere! On the chairs, on the tables, there were even some tied onto the chandeliers.
Princess Twilight looks at Princess Cadance and smiles, "Pinkie Pie," they whisper simultaneously.
I grin a little when I here a certain draconequus mutter with a mischievous smile, "Hmm, it seems the 'Wonderbolts' are already here, oh and look, Dashie is going to impress them, I better offer her some...help," and my smile grows wider as I here a shout and Pinkie Pie is flying around with a pair of...blue wings.
A small giggle escapes my mouth, meanwhile my sister is cracking up at the Pinkie with wings. Before I join her though, I notice a hooded figure staring in through the door by the snack table. I try to look casual as I trot to the food, never taking my eyes off of the figure. What surprises me the most, is that his (I'm assuming it's a he) eyes are following my every move. Soon, he notices me staring back, and bolts.
Not wanting to lose him, I run to my mom and utter, "I need to use the bathroom!" Then, I run away before she could even nod in reply. I run as fast as my hooves can carry me. The figure in the cloak is fast, and I follow him until we reach outside, that's where I lose him.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" I yell, though nopony is there to here it.
Soon, I hear voices behind me, "Hey! There she is! I told you she was out here!" An exasperated Pinkie runs out here, followed by a confused Applejack. "I told you, I told you, I told you! My Pinkie Sense never lies!" she shouts to Applejack.
"Sugarcube, why in the world are ya out here?" Applejack shakes her head, "Ah thought ya told yer mom you were goin' to the bathroom."
"I-I did," I stammer, "I th-thought that s-somepony was watching me."
"Nonsense!" Pinkie exclaims, "My Pinkie Sense would've known if somepony bad was here," she puts a hoof to her head, "Or maybe some meanie-pants found a way to get past it!" she exclaims.
"Well, anyways, sugarcube, ya can't run off like that, ya could've gotta hurt, ya need ta promise," she stops,"no, ya need ta Pinkie Promise that you will not run off like that again!"
"B-but, what if..." I am cut-off mid-sentence.
"No buts, little missy, now ya have to Pinkie Pie Promise that ya will not run off like that again," Applejack scolds.
I sigh, seeing that there's no way out of this, "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," making the right gestures. Pinkie Pie snaps to the alert, and Applejack seems satisfied. I still can't shake the feeling of being watched off my back, though.
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When my mom, dad, and sister find out about what happened, there are some mixed responses. My mother asks if I'm okay, and tells me that I should never do that again. While my sister is scolding me for lying and not telling her my concerns. My dad, however, tries to get a word or to in, but is mostly cut-off. The rest of the time though, he just shakes his head slowly. Finally, we get to the room my sister and I share and I run under my covers. I can't wait for the night to be over at last.
Chapter 4: Rising Suspicions
I don't get it...what's gotten into her lately? I mean, she's always been a little reclusive, but now she's being an outright loner. She doesn't hang out with other fillies anymore, even me. Lately it seems as if she hates me. That can't be right, although on the morning of the Gala, she shot me a look of pure hatred, what did I do to deserve that? On top of that, there's the nightmares, the tossing and turning, and eventual screaming. Guards rush in every time, but she says that she's okay. What I find to be the worst part of this, is that she won't even talk to me about them, she just brushes off the topic. We talk to each other about everything that's on out minds, so why all the secrets?
I look to the bed next to me. She's tossing and turning again. That's it, I need to tell Princess Luna. She'd do the same for me, and maybe Princess Luna's power to enter dreams can help Yang out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yin, what is the matter?" Princess Luna asks as I approach her after breakfast.
I explain about Yang and her nightmares, all the while Princess Luna's expression becomes more solemn. " and pleeeeeaaaase don't tell her I told you this," I beg.
"If you insist, then I shall tell her that it was not you who informed of her nightmares when I enter her dream tonight," the princess assures me.
"Thanks, Princess Luna!" I shout as I leave the room. Maybe her nightmares will stop, or we'll at least see what they're about so I can help her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't focus for the rest of the day. I can't stop thinking about what her nightmares could be about. I barely acknowledge Princess Celestia when she says, "Alright Yin, tomorrow morning you'll come with me to help me raise the sun," one of her eyebrows raise when she notices my lack of attention, "and maybe you'll get your cutie mark for raising the sun."
This jolts me out of my daze, "My cutie mark?! Really?!"
Princess Celestia smiles, "Maybe, and tomorrow your sister will help raise the moon, so she might be getting hers as well."
My smile widens, "So wait, we might be getting our cutie marks, on the same day?! " This I could hardly believe, not only are we gonna get our cutie marks, but on the same day! My line of sight finds the door. Is Yang just as excited as I am? I see it now, tonight we're going to stay up all night and design our cutie marks. I want my sun to be really swirly and big. I can't wait to hear what she wants hers to look like.
Princess Celestia shakes her head, "Now Yin, I don't know if that will be your cutie mark,"
I won't give up that easily, "But Princess Celestia, you said that we are destined to raise the sun and the moon, right?" She nods, and I continue, "then they have to be our cutie marks, there's no other logical explanation!" Princess Celestia smiles, as if remembering somepony else she knew, but I don't care, I dart out the class room to meet Yang.
"Did ya hear?! We're raising the sun and the moon tomorrow! And we might get our cutie marks!" I tell her.
" You mean that you get to raise the sun, right? And I have to raise the moon." She spat out those words with so much bitterness, it surprises me. She looks down and shakes her head, "Look all I want to do is go to bed and sleep, so please l-leave me alone," and she walks off, leaving me in front of our classrooms with my jaw hanging open.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After her outburst, I hardly care when the thrashing starts to come from her bed. When I can't stand it anymore, I get out of bed to start shaking her awake. Once my hoof reaches her back, my eyes widen. I'm no longer in our room. This room is much darker. In the distance, I see Yang with an older pony, and she looked terrified.
This must be her nightmare, but we've never met that pony before. How could Yang know such a tall pony other than the princesses? I run towards the pair, and I'm about to call out to Yang, when figure stops me. It's Princess Luna, her eyes glowing blue, "Do not move any further, Yin." Her voice takes me aback. There's no kindness in it, as before. It's cold and merciless.
"Amazing, isn't it?" This time, it is not the princess that speaks, it's a pony in a black cloak. He trots up to Princess Luna, "Even now, I can still take control of her mind," he chuckles, "just as I'm about to do to your sister and you."
"Who a-are you?" I ask.
He sheds his cloak, I realize that he isn't even a pony, more like a shadow of a pony, "The answer to that is simple, my dear, I am, and always will be your worst nightmare."
"W-what do you want with me?" The question slips from my mouth.
"Simple," he answers, "This time, all of the pieces will be mine, and so will Equestria,"
Pieces?! Is this..this thing...implying that...that...no. I won't let it happen. If he wants to hurt my sister or the princesses, he'll have to go through me first. "There's no way I'll let you hurt anypony!" I yell. "We'll never help you take over Equestria!"
It smiles, "Silly filly, you act as if you have a choice, Nightmare Moon will return, and this time nopony will be able to stop her, I'll control your 'princesses' and you, by using your own shortcomings," his gaze pierces me, "you should know, good and evil is what you're named for."
Chapter 5: The Nightmare Continues
I wake up an hour before dawn. Wow, what a weird dream. Not only was that giant pony (I call her the Nightmare Pony, because she's in my nightmare) there, but so was Princess Luna! I was going to talk to her, but then that strange cloaked pony came and walked away with her. Then, I saw Yin, but she was talking to Princess Luna and the cloaked pony. I look to the side of my bed, and there was Yin, still asleep. I immediately regret my outburst yesterday. My thoughts, however, wander back to my dream. Jeeze, I wish that my dreams could go back to normal.
Then maybe you should do what I say.
I look around frantically. There was that voice again. I wonder if it's the Nightmare Pony or the cloaked pony this time. The fact that I hear voices in my head would freak everypony out. I remember my sister, maybe I should tell her, she's awfully worried. I sigh, forget about dreams, I wish life could go back to normal.
Yin's eyes flutter open, "Hey sis, you look worried, anything I can help with?"
I consider the question a moment, and answer, "Yes, b-but t-there's s-something I n-need to tell you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel so much better after talking to Yin about my dreams. On my way to the sunrise though, I notice something strange. I notice the way way Yin shudders when she sees Princess Luna, and how Princess Luna looks different, like she was angry at something. I don't get it, what could have possibly happened last night?
I'm drawn back to reality when it's time for Yin to raise the sun. She raises her horn and gently floats into the air, I sense her struggling though. I don't know why I can possibly sense her struggling, kind of like how she sensed me struggle with flying. Mom called it intuition , but I don't get why. Anyways, Yin is starting to fall slowly, right as the sun is starting to inch it's way into the sky. She can't do it, and she starts to fall faster. Everything move slowly. I look to my left, and Princess Celestia spreads her wings, and flies to Yin faster than the speed of light! Yin lands on the princess' back and I rush over to see if she's alright.
"I'm fine, no need to worry," She says, though her expression grows solemn at her ever-so blank flank, and she looks at the sun, that is barely hanging in the sky, "I just wish I would've done it better, though."
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The rest of the day goes smoothly, sort of. Princess Luna wasn't at breakfast, or lunch, and at my magic lesson she got angry and yelled, "Look, how do you expect to raise the moon if you don't pay attention!?" Clearly, the stress is getting to her. That's the last time I fall asleep in class. But now, thankfully, it's time for me to raise the moon.
I face my horn up into the sky, and it starts to glow with a comforting black aura. I feel myself being lifted gently into the air like Yin was. I feel the moon, and slightly nudge it forward. I keep doing this, until the moon won't go any farther. I glance upwards, and see the moon right there I had done it!
I float down, but as I hit the ground I see a bright flash of light, and I land somewhere else. I realize that this is the room from my dream, the one where the Nightmare Pony is! I hear the horrible laughter, signaling her appearance, and I have never felt so alone.
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I run as fast as my small legs can carry me, but the laughter comes from everywhere. I don't know what to do, I can't find a door anywhere. I stop and look around, and I find Princess Luna, who's collapsed on the ground.
I shake her desperately, trying to wake her up, meanwhile I can hear the Nightmare Pony getting closer. Finally, Princess Luna's eyes flutter open, "Huh? Where in Equestria could this place be?" she wonders aloud before noticing me, "Yang, what are you doing here? I thought that we were just at you're moon raising!"
"N-no time to e-explain," I try to sound brave, but I know I still sound scared. "W-we need to r-run." As I say this, the Nightmare Pony appears.
For the first time, I see fear in Princess Luna's eyes as she whispers, "I can't believe it's you!"
Princess Luna picks me up onto her back and runs with all her might, trying to get away from the Nightmare Pony. Why is she so scared? Has Princess Luna seen her before? Is the Nightmare Pony real? I look at Princess Luna, who's trying to use a teleportation spell. What has she been hiding?
Right then, the Nightmare Pony appears in front of us, "Welcome back, Luna," She says with a devilish smile. A feeling of dread fills my bones as her horn glows, and everything goes black.
Prolouge:The Birth of (Two) Legends
Somewhere in Equestria:
"Finally, it is time," a hooded figure walked up to a painting depicting Nightmare Moon and Princess Celestia's battle. The figure chuckled coldly, "history is about to repeat itself."
A yellow mare screamed in pain. Finally, after 9 months of waiting, her first child was about to be born. Her husband, a dark blue pegasus with an light blue rock cutiemark, named Moon Stone, reassured his wife, "it will be alright, Dawn, our baby girl is coming, just a little more, push a little harder," he cooed, stroking her orange mane. Soon, the mare let loose another scream, and out came a little filly. She had a coat, mane, and tail whiter than snow, with a single black streak running down her tail. This, however, wasn't what amazed the doctors. The small filly had not only wings, but she also had a horn. The doctors had seen nothing like it! But, before a single word could be uttered, the mare let loose another scream, followed by the arrival of another filly. This filly was also an alicorn, much like her sister, but that was where their similarities ended.
This filly had a dark black coat, mane, and tail, with a streak of white down her tail. This filly was also slightly smaller than her sister. "This is a phenomenon!" The doctors yelled in suprise, "not only one alicorn filly, but two! The princesses must be alerted of this immediatly!"
Dawn Stone, in fear her fillies might be taken away, asked, "may I hold my girls, please?" Her voice was barely a whisper. The befuddled doctor, who had forgotten all about the presence of Moon and Dawn Stone, simply nodded. Dawn allowed herself a small smile, as she used her magic to lift the fillies up and into her hooves.
"You will be Yin," she nuzzled the white filly, "and you, will be yang," Dawn nuzzled the black filly. The two alicorn foals squirmed in their mother's hooves, unaware of the utter evil awaiting their arrival.