Chapter 1 - Reason [Edited]

Princess Cadence sighed, another day in the Crystal Empire gone by, the issues of the crystal ponies appeased for now. “Oh! This is not what I was expecting when Celestia said I was to rule my own a kingdom.,” she groaned in her frustration looking to a guard, who noticed her distress, but stayed put.

“Is that all of the ponies who needed my attention?” She asked, another sigh escaping her lips. The two Crystal guards nodded, as their simple answer was quick to make the alicorn princess perk up.

“Good, you two are dismissed for the rest of the day.” she spoke softly as she got off the now warm seat of the throne. She trotted down the crystal halls, each step echoing as they hit off of the crystal. Each guard she passed by bowed briefly as she passed by until she turned a corner to find a white stallion, clad in the special crystalline armor, shining in contrast to his solid white coat and blue streaked mane.

“Shining!” Cadence quickly called out, her heart a flutter as she made her way. Her small announcement of joy made Shining Armor snap to attention, looking to the side and smiling warmly.

“Cady!” He said as they approached one another sharing a nuzzle and a kiss. “So, how was the usual?” He asked.

“Again, the usual… So Shiny, why are you here now? Are you still training the recruits?” Her brow raising up a bit in wonder.

“I went easy on them, they are new… but we work double tomorrow.” He said confidently, but still glanced at the crystal door before them, imagining his recruits going through their drills. “Also, First Aid just arrived.” He divulged, a frown now adorning his face. Cadence notices his worry and quickly assures him.

“Shiny, this is just about the crystal ponies, I mean; they were just reintroduced to this world. They are susceptible to the pathogens that have evolved during the thousand years of their absence. We need to immunize them,” She spoke softly, kissing her husband to calm him further and to avoid the bad news.

“What do you mean there’s nothing else you can do doctor?” Cadence worried as a chill of fear reached her spine. It was all she could do to hold back tears.

“I’m sorry princess. Even with all my medical knowledge as a graduate from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, I have never seen these symptoms,” First Aid, a unicorn who had been recently employed for the purpose of helping Princess Cadence, showed defeat.

“But, there must be something, you missed...” Worry ebbing her tone, her voice filled with fear.

“I’m sorry Princess. I have never seen this before. You lack sleep or experience insomnia? Declining Magical Proficiency? Lack of strength? Bone decay at a slow rate? All of these I could fix individually, but together…I’m not sure. For all we know it might even be a new type of disease.” First Aid spoke, concerned. The brown unicorn packed up his things.

“I am sorry Princess Cadence… I do not know of this sickness. If anything maybe your aunt, Princess Celestia, knows something about this?” He suggested, bowing formally.

The pink alicorn addressed the doctor again.“Thank you for your time First Aid” as the unicorn left the room. Cadence collapsed onto her seat, her tears finally streaming out Pain hurt her heart as the familiar sensations of dread and loss returned.

“Oh just like my wedding…” She said, looking at a mirror mounted into the wall. She glanced at her less than appealing appearance now, as the tears ruined her make-up. She sobbed deeply as voice echoed in her mind.

“Oh Princess, you knew I’d be victorious.” The voice had at the least two tones, yet a buzzing could be heard as she cries in front of the mirror. An image of the voice’s owner appearing on it as if taunting her.

“You may be here for a while. This is the last time you’ll see your loved ones and that husband of yours. Oh he’s such a lovely source of food. I might just keep him if I can.,” the voice continued taunting Cadence.

“You leave him alone! I know my Shiny, he’ll see through your disguise!” the Princess retorted

“Really? What if I told you-…” Crysalis spoke, stepping aside to show a crystal with an image of Shining armor in a hypnotic trance, “I’ve already taken him as mine?…” She grinned further as her horn glowed with magic, casting it around the cavern, toppling the passage and trapping the Princess of Love before her wedding.

“You won’t succeed you vile monster” Cadance’s voice rang out after the Queen of the Changelings. The retort only made the Queen laugh harder.

“If ever I were to be defeated, princess, I’d still win… I’d still win…” her voice started to fade as Cadence’s crying figure returned on the mirror. Cadence sighed once more, the tears finally stopped along with her memory of that day as her horn illuminated with a magical aura. With a flash, her visage had returned to pristine condition.

“I need to ask my aunt…” Worry trailing her voice as she exited her chambers.

A white carriage, pulled by two of Canterlot’s Solar Pegasi Guards, flew along the evening sky towards the capital. Swiftly, and without trouble, they landed by the courtyard of the castle. Princess Celestia was present for the arrival, with a warm smile, though her eyes showed concern.

When the door did open, Princess Cadence disembarked from the carriage and was greeted by the sun princess. Celestia was quick, softly hugging her niece. Celestia’s ever flowing mane, for the first time, stopped as she held Cadence within her hooves.
“Auntie Celestia, I’m fine…” Cadence answers back to her softly, returning the hug.

“I know, but your letter spoke of some illness you had no luck in finding.” She softly said and with the same motherly tone as they made their way inside.

“It did sound gloomy in my letter though, I did have to lie to Shiny about leaving.” Cadence said, concern evident in her tone.

“You need not worry about it. I will speak on your behalf to your husband, embarking to the castle on such short notice.” Celestia answered as they moved through the corridors. All the guards stationed there bowed with respect to the two princesses and quickly returned to their duties.

After some time, Celestia excused herself from her day court. Luna woke up by this time to prepare in the evening, as her night court will begin shortly. The two princesses, moved through the castle as they arrived at the archives, the large gold and black doors with the symbol of both Celestia’s and Luna’s Mark adorn it.

“I know there had been this occurrence, but I cannot remember so. It has been quite some time since I had to remember some things from the past. I have lived long enough to forget about some minor details.” Celestia said, opening the door to the archives filled with bookshelves upon bookshelves of book, tomes, tablets, scrolls and tapestries, all pertaining to the history of Equestria since its founding until the present.

“Well, I do hope we do find something that may tell me what to do… ” She paused as Cadence went into a coughing fit in seconds, attracting a few guards to approach and for Celestia to show concern.

“Princess, are you in need of aid?” One of the guards spoke out as they neared.

“No, no, I am fine.” Cadence said as she coughed one last time. as if finally dislodging that invisible pill in her throat. “I just swallowed by accident.” She spoke, trying to dissuade the guards.

“It is alright my little ponies, I am here. If we need anything I will surely call for you.” Celestia spoke “Return to your posts, please.” She asked kindly, making most of the guards nod and salute as the guards left them.

Once they were out of sight, Celestia frowned. “Can you go on with this? I am sure we can provide you with a room where you can rest?” Celestia continued, but with Cadence’s own raised hoof she stopped her from further asking.

“I am fine auntie, truly I am. I just need to know about this and any cure for it…” She spoke with a weary and out of breath tone. She inhaled deeply, somehow regaining strength. “I must know and I can plan something out for Shiny and my kingdom if and when we do.” She spoke out to her aunt with a renewed confidence.

Celestia took her time to smile as she saw how determined and how much Cadence has matured. “Then, let us go… I’m sure Book Shelf can help us.” She said with her own degree of confidence.

“But there are too many Bookshelves here!” Cadence complained, not getting the hint as a green coated elder unicorn with grey mane, tail and beard popped out from an aisle.

“Yes? Who called my name?"

Author's Note

Okay, I am trying this story again, though taking a different route and some consideration and some attention as the first one was my own venting during my writer's block.

Edit: And after some time, I had some help with editing this chapter, the rest will take long as is the story as well.