A new crisis

Chapter 5

First Blood

Firebolt and Arrowhead were flying northwards. The two Allicorn teenagers had just recently reformed their bodies, and returned to their former homeland. Their parents had ordered them to help rebuild the kingdom, but that was way to boring for the two energetic youngsters. Instead, they had snuck out and took flight to the north. Back in the day, there had been so many Ponies there. They wanted to have some fun, and they wanted to see what this new age was like. The two siblings had no idea, how long they had been sealed, but it felt good for them to stretch their wings.

Even so, Firebolt had to admit, they were not completly up to snuff again. She in particular had yet to regenerate most of her magical energy. Her brother on the other hoof, did not have that problem. Firebolt wondered, if Arrowhead had maybe stolen some of her energy? It was possible, and a prank she would not put past him. While her red coat and orange tail cut through the air at a moderate speed, he was almost as fast as before. Quite some distance ahead, her senses picked something up, that she had not believed possible.

"Hey big brother, maybe we should head back afterall. I sense a really big magic ahead of us.", she warned him.

"The bigger, the better! I want to have some fun! Come on, since when are you such an Earthpony?", he taunted her.

Even after all this time, Arrowhead still knew where to press, to get his sister upset. Earthponies usually had no means of defense against them, so they usually ran once they saw the pair. Which was also the reason why his sister reacted so badly, when he called her one.

"Fine! Let's see what it is, and have some fun with it. But afterwards we go home, ok?"

"Yeah, yeah sis. I wouldn't want dad to find out about this anyway."

Just as back in the days, Arrowhead closed in on his sister so she could land on his back. He had always been the faster one of them, even so he was only two years older then her. On these kind of outings, he would carry her to their destination, since she would be too tired on arrival otherwise. They passed a town, that looked like it was inhabited by mostly Earthponies. Ignoring it, he flew farther north, until he spotted a gigantic forest.

Lunas ears perked up. Something had just entered the range of her magical senses, and it was nothing good. One glance at her granddaughter, who had stopped talking to the fillie Apple Fritter and her friend, told her that she was feeling it aswell. Twilight on the other hoof seemed not to feel anything at all. She was still talking to some elderly Earthpony mare, who seemed to be Apple Fritters grandmother. Nodding to her granddaughter, Luna went over to one of the Enforcers.

"You stay close to Twilight Sparkle. I don't want her to follow us, nor that she is harmed in any way, understood?", she whispered into his ear.

The yellow coated Allicorn stallion nodded in agreement. "As you wish mother."

With a strong flap of their wings, Stardancer and Luna lifted off, flying back into the direction of the Everfree forest. As Twilight noticed this, she turned to one of the Enforcers and asked him about it. His anwer however, just infuriated her.

"I don't know Twilight. Mother has ordered us to keep you from following her, and to keep you safe. That's all I know.", he said in an appologetic tone.

Twilight was angry. Why had Luna left her behind? Did she forget something in the garden, that she needed? Was she maybe chickening out? No, that was just not like the Luna she knew. Once the ruler of the night had given her word, only her death would keep her from keeping it. But what could it possibly....

It was then that Twilight also picked up what Luna had felt. Two magical auras, both flying, were approaching the garden from the south east. Appleloosa lay there, but there lived barely any Unicorns, last time she had been there. And not a single Pegasi who would be able to carry them.... This left only one conclusion. These two presences, were Alicorns.... But... something just didn't feel right. They were so weak. Both of them together barely had the same raw magical power as herself. Could they be... kids? Or maybe they were injured scouts, that Luna had sent out? In any way, she had to trust that Luna was knowing what she was doing. Turning back to Applebloom, Twilight continued to explain everything to the elderly mare, whom she still remembered as a filly. No matter how much she concentrated on the conversation however, her thoughts went back to Luna all the time. If it were just some kids from the garden, or the messanger she had wanted to send out, then why did Luna order her guards to keep her safe?

Luna and Stardancer had sped up, as soon as they were clear of Ponyville, not to cause any major damage. Soon after their targets came into sight. An Alicorn colt, carrying an Alicorn filly on his back. Stopping in mid air, Luna and her granddaughter approached the pair carefully. She could not sense a spark in them, so they were definitly not from the garden. They had flown over her refuge a moment ago, to intercept them. She had to prevent word of her refuge to reach the Alicorns of old at all costs.

"Hey there! So what do you two do here? Where are your parents?", Luna asked the two, trying not to sound agressive.

"Fellow Alicorns? I didn't know the king had already sent scouts out. Damn, please don't tell our dad. We just wanted to have some fun.", the filly pleaded, turning to Luna.

"And what kind of fun were you looking for?", Stardancer asked, faking interest, since she could already guess what it was.

"We just wanted to see what this big magical presence was, and maybe have some fun with it. No harm done, right? We just wanted to ruff them up a bit.", the colt said hopefully.

"I fear, I can't let you do that.", Luna sighed.

"And why not? It's not like they are of our kin!", the colt reprimanded her, as if that was something every foal knew.

"This is my home, and I will not let you harm my children. I am verry sorry you two, but that means I can't let you return home either.", Luna added, taking a more threatening stance. She pittied those two. They were not corrupted just yet, but their ideals were just like the ones Nightmare Moon had held high.

"Your... home? So you are no scouts send by king Lunaris?", the filly asked, a little fear creeping into her voice, as she spread her wings and started to fly for herself.

"Isn't it obvious Bolt? They are ascended Alicorns! They are not natural like us! Come on, we'll show them the difference!"

"But...."

"No buts! Do you want to go down without a fight?", the colt screamed, as he charged at Stardancer, who flew closest to him.

Luna looked the filly directly into the eyes, and shook her head gently, while Stardancer playing with the colt.

"We don't have to fight. It is true that I won't let you return home, but I never intended to kill the two of you. Just surrender, and I will escort you to my home. There you two will stay until all of this is over.", Luna tried to convince her.

Firebolt thought for a moment. Her brother was fighting with all he got, but that light brown mare simply seemed to play with him. What chance did they have to actually win this fight, and return with usefull information? But getting taken prisoner, didn't sound too good either.... Making up her mind, she charged at Luna, who had not let her guard down for a single second.

Stardancer had to admit, that this colt was strong. Also did he clearly have some fighting experience, but was never really trained at it. His attacks were uncoordinated and slow, compared to her stepsister, Shooting Star, with whom she used to sparr. Already thinking, she would win this battle easily, Stardancer missed a faint of her opponent, and his hit connected with her muzzle. The force was incrideble, and unusual for a kid his age. Stardancer was knocked out of the sky, crashing into some of the trees below, just to shoot right up again. This time her face was a grimace of anger, instead of her usual calmness.

"So you wanna play for real punk? Think you can play with the big kids? Let's see!", she shouted at him, as her speed increased more and more, until she finally broke the soundbarrier.

Arrowhead had been sure that his hit would cause some major damage on his opponent, but he had been wrong. But how could this be? His parents always had told him, that ascended Alicorns were nothing more then weak scum. How could it be then, that he was in a pinch now? He could not even see her anymore, while she circled him. Arrowhead could neither see his sister, who had started her fight with the other mare, nor the ground beneath him. All he did see, was a tornado around him, that was light brown.

Suddenly a hoof struck him from behing, and he was knocked forwards, just to be hit on his jaw. Where ever he was kicked, knocked or thrown with magic, another punch or kick awaited him. There was just no evading the blows that rained down on him. Finally, as his skin broke, and blood whirled around him due to the wind, Arrowhead lost his conciousness. The moment before the darkness enveloped him, he was sure he would never wake up again. The tornado disappeared, and a gentle pair of light brown hooves closed around the fainted colt. Stardancer had lost her temper. One of the few things, she had actually inherited from her mother, except the green eyes and light brown coat. Gently embracing the colt, she spared a look over her shoulder to her mother. She didn't have to worry. Luna would finish soon aswell, and so Stardancer made her way to the garden. For the first time in a verry long time there would be a prisoner in the garden....

Luna performed some light acrobatics in the air, to dodge her opponents magical bolts and fire spells. It was fairly easy to do so, but the spells themself were not to be taken lightly. Just at the beginning of the quarrel, she had been hit by a firebolt that, had she not reacted with a shield spell of her own, might aswell have killed her. He heat that it had produced when it exploded, had been enough to burn some patches of her coat even through her shield. Contrary to the colt the filly seemed to avoid any physical confrontation with her. Maybe she was just not that strong in that aspect, but her magic surely was nothing to be taken lightly....

Firebolt saw how her brother was defeated. She had known it was a bad idea to come here, but he hadn't listend to her. Now both of them would be killed or taken prisoner.... What a disgrace for her family.... The other mare had left, holding her brother, so if she could just get rid of her opponent, she could escape and fly back to get her parents. They would surely bring some of the soldiers aswell, and burn this whole place to the ground... But for that to happen, she first had to get rid of her opponent. Firebolt knew that she didn't have to win. Making the dark blue mare unable to follow her would be enough. Forming a quick plan in her mind, she got to work.

Luna and the Alicorn filly encircled each other, while rising higher and higher into the air. Soon they would break through the lower atmosphere, but Luna intended to end the fight before it came to that. Trying to get close enough for her magical grip to work, Luna was suprised by a quick flash of red light, and the filly disappearing.

"A teleportation? At that young age?", Luna muttered to herself, before she felt a small burst of magic, right behind her.

It had worked. Firebolt had lured the adult mare high into the clouds, and teleported behind her. She was by no means perfect in using this spell, but it had worked. Preparing another one of her firespells, she would end this fight in her favor. The feathers on the mares wings would burn away from the heat, and she would fall to the ground. It may not kill her, but it would maker her unable to fly after her. Just as she was sure of her victory, Firebolt felt herself being enveloped in flames herself. Her own fire spell fizzled away, as the pain of burning flesh coursed through her body.

Luna had turned around, just in time to see the foal being hit by a fire spell, but she had not been the caster. She would never have used such a dangerous spell against a mere filly.... The caster of the spell, was not far away however. Coming through the clouds, flying past the falling foal, was her daughter. Ignoring Shooting Star for the moment, Luna shook her head to get rid of the shock, and dived after the foal. She caught it in her magical grip and levitated her close to her own face. The injuries were bad, but she could see that her daughter had not used her full power. Had she done so, there would be nothing but ash left of this foal. This however did not change the fact, that her daughter had attacked a foal with a potential lethal spell. Flying back up to her, she thrust the foal into Stars hooves.

"You are in quite some trouble young lady, but that can wait until I get back home. Take her and let Stitch tend to her. I make you personally responsable for her recovery and safety.", Luna shouted furiously.

"But.. but mother... you were in danger and...", Star stammered.

"I know, and I appreciate it that you wanted to help me, but the way you did it was too much. And now go, or she will not make it.", Luna said, her voice loosing some of her angry tone, as she saw the crestfallen expression on her daughters face.

Before Star flew off into the direction of the garden, Luna put a hoof on her daughters shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.

"You know I love you Star, but you must learn to control yourself.", she whispered and made her way back to Ponyville.

Cadence, Diamond, Rarity and Fluttershy were flying southwards to Canterlot. The two full Alicorns had to slow down quite a bit to match the pairs speed. Rarity had taken position to Cadences right, while Fluttershy flew to Diamonds left. They had decided upon this formation, to make sure that Diamond and Cadence could not be flanked. It had been three days since Rarity and Fluttershy had arrived in the Chrystal Empire, and they did not know if there already were some Alicorns roaming the land. Their worries however, had been unjustified. Their flight went without any incident, and they arrived at Canterlot castle only a few hours after they had departed from the Empire.

Landing in the castles courtyard, they witnessed a strange sight. Discord, the spirit of chaos, was teaching Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack how to use magic. Appereantly all three of them had prefered to take lessons from him, rather then Celestia. As the four landed, Pinkoe rushed up to Cadence, and hugged her tightly.

"I am glad to see you are well too, Pinkie.", she said stroking her mane.

After greeting the rest of the friends, a familiar white Alicorn with a pastel mane stepped into the courtyard. Celestia bowed in front of her niece, like a lowly servant. Struggling free from Pinkie Pie, Cadence approached her aunt. She could not bear to see her like this. Raising Celestia up with her magic, she embraced her aunt in tears.

"Oh Celestia... It's good to see you."

"I... I am glad to see you aswell your highness.", Clestia replied, trying not to look at Cadence.

Cadence put her hooves on her aunts shoulders, keeping her at legs length.

"Don't give me that aunt. I have never had any intention of taking your kingdom from you in the past, and I surely do not intend to do so now."

"But... the surrender..."

"I am here, because you honestly asked for my help Celestia. You are still part of my family, no matter what has happend. All I ask for, is that we can get back to peacefull relationships once this is all over. Can we agree there?", Cadence offered smiling.

"But... But... I did so many horrible things... I have to be punished for it somehow....", Celestia stammered.

Diamond could feel that the white Alicorn was being completly honest. There were no hidden thoughts, no anger, no slyness.... Only honest regrett. Stepping forward, she adressed Celestia.

"I think... you have punished yourself enough Celestia. You look horrible, and all emotions I sense in you are of regrettful nature. I don't say that I trust you completly yet, but I can accept that you are sorry for waging war against us. I will never forget my drones that were killed in that conflict, but I wouldn't be any better then my mother, were I not to forgive you.", Diamond tried to reassure her.

Celestias eyes began to water, as she, honestly happy to see the both of them this time, hugged Cadence and Diamond. She knew she had a long way to go with the both of them, but atleast this was a step into the right direction.

"So... What about class?", the draconus standing in the background tried to adress his students, but was completly ignored.

"Ok, fine... Class is over for today. Just don't blame me when you blow something up by accident.", he said, making his way to the royal Canterlot library. There was a book he had wanted to read for the last sixty four years.

Twilight, Luna and Stardancer arrived, together with their escort, at Canterlot castle a shortly before sundown. The stallions of their escort were already rubbing their temples, due to the exposure to sunlight. They were creatures of the night, and were not used to such brightness all the time. As the group passed through the main gates of Canterlot castle, Celestia awaited them already. The Enforceres immideatly took a defensive formation around the three mares, but Luna gestured for them to stand down.

"You must be pretty scared of me little sister, that you bring so many of your strongest children.", Celestia frowned.

"I am not afraid of you Celestia. This is merely a safety messure. I am verry sorry if it sends the wrong message your way. Also I have to appologize for our late arrival. We were delayed a little by... two foals.", Luna explained.

"Two foals?"

"Two Alicorn foals had made their way from their old kingdom to the garden. We took them prisoner, so they can't reveal our existence just yet.", said Stardancer, stepping out from behind an Enforcer.

Celestia almost fainted at her sight. How could this be? She had seen her pierced skull with her own two eyes! She had sensed her aura fade into nothingness... but yet here she stood, as if nothing had happend.

"M...M..Moonsinger? But.... how?", Celestia stammered, looking at Twilight, Luna and Stardancer in turn.

Luna shook her head.

"Sorry Celestia. I didn't know it myself, until I had returned to the garden. This is Stardancer, Moonsingers daughter. I brought her along since she had never left the garden to visit one of your settlements. Her curiosity is tiresome at times. I hope you don't mind, but I promised her she could use the royal library, once we arrived.", Luna explained.

"No... Not at all. You are more then welcome Stardancer. I am sorry for what has happend to your mother. The library, and the research facilities are yours to use. If you have any questions, you can either ask me, or one of the Ponies that work there. They will be more then happy to explain anything to you, that you might not understand."

Luna put one of her hooves to her forehead. She knew Celestia would regret that statement soon. Once Stardancer started to read and research, then was just no stopping her. She herself had been awoken in the middle of the day more then once, when her granddaughter had a question to ask.....

Stepping forward, Luna finally approached her sister. The two siblings had not seen in sixty four years. Inhaling deep, Lunas eyes began to glow and she gave her sister a good punch to the face. Sliding over the ground for a few meters, Celestia looked up, shocked, into the grinning face of her sister.

"NOW I have completly forgiven you . Sorry Celestia, but you had that one coming for quite some time now."

With that, Luna knelt down and embraced her sister. For the second time today, the princess of the sun broke out in tears of joy.

With a cough, Twilight directed Celestias attention to herself.

"Princess... I have agreed to move from Equestria to the garden of shadows. Arangements have already been made, and part of my family will live there aswell. You can't change my decission, but I thought you had a right to know."

Celestia looked at her sister for a moment.

"And what if the elements of harmony are needed? Twilight, Equestria will need you then.", she pleaded.

"No worries big sister. Twilight is free to come and go as she pleases, and so are her family members. I have just invited them to live in my refuge, because I thought it might be a good thing. By the way, no, you can't enter my refuge yet... Things have to be... settled with my children first. But once that is done, you are welcome to come and visit.", Luna cut in, before Celestia could get any wrong ideas.

"But... I can guarentee for Twilights safety, just as much as for the safety of the rest of the elements of harmony.", Celestia said.

"But you can't provide shelter for their families. Which is why I want to invite all of them into my refuge. The garden is big enough, and will maybe be the safest place in the coming conflict. Sure we are... kinda directly on the frontlines, but we have the barrier, and quite some Alicorns amongst us ourself. Trust me sister. I would never try to confine my friend anywhere....", Luna tried to explain, but Celestia waved a hoof.

"It's ok Luna. If Twilight and her friends decide to stay in your realm, rather then in mine, then I will have to accept that. I only ask they help Equestria with the elements should they be needed, and that they maybe visit me from time to time. This castle can get quite lonely, if you are the only occupant. Well there are the servants, but they all bow to me and a good conversation is impossible..."

"I would love to come by sometimes. But I have once condition Princess.", Twilight said with a smirk.

"And that would be Twilight?", Celestia wanted to know. Her tone didn't leave any doubt she'd do almost anything.

"Let's leave all that "Princess" stuff behind us, ok? You call me Twilight, and I call you Celestia. Is that agreeable?"