Chapters Chapter 1
Celestia
Twilight stood there, in the chrystal grave, rooted to the spot. She would die soon, and now this? Did fate really have no mercy on her? The last pony she had wanted to meet, so close to her end, was Celestia....
Turning around, to face her former mentor she glared at her. Celestia however did not look threatening or intimidating in any way, which suprised Twilight in many ways. The princesses eyes were red, and the furr beneath her eyes was almost gone from constant crying. The feathers on her wings were ruffled, and she looked untidy all over.
It took her a moment, to compose herself and say what she wanted to say, without letting her pitty for the princess seep into her voice.
"You lost the right to call me that, sixty four years ago Celestia. What do you want now?"
"I wanted to talk to you, for a verry long time now Twilight... but I was unable to find you anywhere. Something hid you from me verry well, and I can only assume that it was Discord."
"And if it was him? He has stayed by my side since that day, and what have you done? You went ahead and started a war with CADENCE! You OWN niece... What in the wide world of Equestria, were you thinking?"
"I... I was confused... at the time. As soon as I realized what I was doing, I called all my forces back to Equestria... But Cadence won't agree to a peacetreaty just yet...."
"Can you blame her? She has lost her faith in you, and so have I."
"Please... Twilight..... don't say that..."
The princess took a step closer to Twilight, who let her horn glow in return.
"I lost my faith and my trust in you the day you refused to even try and help Pinkie Pie. You didn't even TRY to help her. What right do you think you have to be in here, in their final resting place?"
Celestia took a few steps backwards, until she stood just outside the grave. The last thing she wanted, was to provoke Twilight even more. She had come here to talk to her... To try to set things right, but it felt more and more like a futile attempt to her.
"I was... verry impressed by that book you wrote about the war. It was you, right? I mean Midnight Glow is the name you now go by.... isn't it?"
"Yes it is. And somepony had to tell everypony else the truth about what had happend. They deserved to see your true colors!"
"I.. I mean... yes you are porpably right.... I had a verry long time to think about all of it, and I am glad you published the book."
"Then we agree on something atleast."
Twilight did not let her guard down. She had come here to die peacefully, and this confrontation was ruining everything.
"How did you even know I was here?"
"Oh Twilight.... You may be able to change your name, appearance and even your cutiemark, but you can never disguise your magical aura. I have indeed felt you here several times before, but you were always gone before I could come here."
"For a good reason. Everytime I came here in the past, it was to burry one of my friends. But what do you care? For you we have been nothing but chesspieces that could be replaced if we are broken. Aren't you happy? When I die you can finally look for the new beares of the elements of harmony! Isn't that what you always wanted?"
"That's enough Twilight!"
A purple claw pressed Princess Celestia aside, until she was completly out of view. A much older Spike, now the size of princess Celestia herself, entered the chrystal grave. Twilight was taken aback. So much indeed, that her horn stopped glowing and she took a trembling step forward. Tears formed in the corners of her eyes. Spike had been one of many she had left behind when she had gone into hiding, and there had been not a single day on which she did not regret it.
"S... Spike? Is that really you?"
"Yes it's me Twilight, and I am quite mad at you, you know that?"
"I... I am terribly sorry Spike... By the time I realized I had left you behind... Discords magic wouldn't have worked on you..."
"So you left me behind by myself. A baby dragon of just fifteen years....."
His face that had shown nothing but anger so far softend, and a smile played around his mouth.
"But I understand why you did it Twilight... I just wish we could have been able to meet again sooner..."
The two long seperated siblings embraced each other in tears, while Twilight could not stop apologizing.
"But how..."
Clestie stuck her head through the door, and mustered a weak smile.
"The princess took me in, after you were nowhere to be found. I've been trying to find you ever since. It was me who found this place. I smelled you here, and so Celestia set heaven and hell in motion to excavate it. But as it turned out, the smell I had picked up was several months old...."
Twilight shot a glare in Celestias direction, who immideatly pulled her head back out of the grave. She was sure that the princess had not done this out of kindness. She knew that Spike was able to find her everywhere, magical disguise or not. Taking a few steps back from her adopted little brother, Twilights horn glowed once again.
"I guess.... if you already know who I am, then I have no use for this anymore...."
A lavender glow of light enveloped Twilight, changing her coat back to her original color, her eyes turned from red to lavender once again and her starshaped cutiemark replaced the fake one. She had grown accustomed to having the jewel of her element on her flank, so it felt a little uncomfortable looking down on herself, with her original coloration once again. Her mane however, stayed in several shades of grey....
"So you finally stop hiding big sis? I have never asked anything of you, and you owe me for leaving me behind, so please do me the favor and listen to what princess Celestia has to say. I swear it won't take long."
Relucantly, Twilight let the glow around her horn fade away, and sat on her haunches.
"Ok Spike. I owe you atleast that much."
She said with a stern look on her face.
"But I can't promise anything. I will listen to what she has to say, and that's it. If I don't like what she says, I will kick both of you out of here, so I can finally lay down and sleep."
Slowly, and with her head hanging down, Celestia trotted back into the grave and sat down a few hooves opposite Twilight.
"So? Times wasting, I'm not getting any younger you know."
Celestia ignored the bitterness in her students voice. Yes she considered Twilight still her student and somehow even close to being her daughter.... She wanted to come clean with everything that had happend, and throwing accusations at each other was not the way to do it. Spike and Solar had shown her that over and over again, over the last sixty-four years.
"First of all.... Let me say I am sorry Twilight. I was thinking of the greater good back then and lost sight of what was right in front of me because of it. After being exposed by your book, most ponies have grown verry cold towards me. And even if it is in my full authority, I did not forbid it, or stop teachers have their students read it during their history lessons. I was tempted to do just that, but I stopped myself everytime. I am ashamed of what I did, and how I reacted. I have lived for a verry long time, and so I have dulled myself towards others.... I was afraid of getting hurt when they died, and I was cursed to live on. I was sure you would understand that one day, but I was wrong. Not in assuming that you would understand my actions, but in thinking I was right in the first place! My own sister has abandoned me. The only pony I thought I would love forever. But then you came along Twilight. You got under that thick shell I had build up around my emotions. And what you accomplished by that, was that I came to love you just as much as I do my sister. She has refused to talk to me, even so I try almost daily by now to get her to talk to me. I will continue to try until I suceed. Luna and I have all the time we need, while you and me, might only have tonight left to talk about everything."
"So you finally admit that it was wrong of you to let Pinkie die?"
"I don't."
"But you just said...."
"I don't, because Pinkamena Diana Pie, is not dead."
Twilight was shocked and looked at the princess in disbelief. She herself had confirmed that Pinkies heart had stopped beating, and her breathing had ceased....
"What kind of trick is this? Her corpse is conservated in chrystal, right behind me!"
She said, pointing a hoof over her shoulder for emphasis. Celestia however, shook her head.
"The ponies in these chrystals are not dead. They are in stasis. It is a side effect I learned off just recently. When one uses an element of harmony, without this..."
She pointed a hoof at her own necklance.
"... then they go into a stasis after their death. Their souls are trapped in their bodies while they await their reawakening. I don't know exactly how it works myself, since Solar has just recenty revealed this information to me, but it seems it was a precaution built into the elements. The bearers would never really die in other words. But it works only once. After they have awoken, they will have to use the elements without the stone again, to have the same effect."
"So... your telling me they are not dead? They are just in some sort of... magicly induced stasis?"
"That is correct. Their bodies were returned to the state they had, the last time they used the elements of harmony, since that was the last record the elements had about their physical state. Have you never noticed the coloration of the chrystal cocoons they are in?"
Twilight looked over her shoulder, and instantly saw what her former mentor ment. All the chrystals were exactly the same color as the gems on their respective element of harmony....
"But.... how? When will they awake?"
"That is something, that can only happen if I touch the cocoons with the Alicorn stone. It will destroy them, and awake the ponies inside."
"But..."
Twilight looked to one of the chrystal surfaces that refelcted her own image.
"I will still be old if you awake them now..... Please... do it anyway. Princess, they deserve to live their lifes to the fullest, not to be trapped in there for all eternity."
The princess smiled weakly again.
"Twilight Sparkle... As much as I want to fulfill your wish, I can not. The elements power only works if they are complete, and as long as you are still alive, I am unable to awaken them."
Twilight looked over her shoulder again, at the peacefull expressions on her friends faces, then at the princess who was watching her cautiosly. She sighed. If she wanted to help her friends, there was no other way. She thought she had lost all her faith in princess Celestia, but now she realized that this was not the case. The sincerity in her words made her believe every word of it. Even more, she was finally at peace with what had happend so long ago. Her mentor, Princess Celestia, had learned her lesson. She could not help herself but chuckle at the thought that she had taught Celestia a lesson...
With a quick flash of her horn, she levitated a dagger from her saddlebags. She had brought it, to end her life anyway. Discord had told her she would live on for atleast another month, but she had decided that this day, the anniversty of their victory over Chrysalis, was the right time for her to go.... Celestia never saw it coming. Twilight placed the blade against her own back, directly behind her heart.... and let it slip into herself.
She heard Spike and Celestia scream in terror, and the blood seep from her body, as everything around her disappeared into blackness....
Spike held the lifeless body of Twilight Sparkle in his arms, crying uncontrolably over her death. He knew that she might live once again, but the chances for that were slim. That much the princess had not told her, and he knew it. Soon he felt that a strong heat started to course through her body. Quickly stepping back, he watched as Twilight aged backwards, until she looked the same as the day he had last seen her before all of this...
When the chrystal began to envelop her, Spike watched the blood that had spurted out of her wound disappear, and merge with the chrystal itself. His big sister, was now dead.... or was she in stasis? He didn't know for sure. The details the Princess had given him were vague at best....
An hour later
Celestia herself had checked the door to the chrystal grave, ensuring that Twilights cutiemark had indeed appeared on it, before she moved close to the six chrystals that lay before her. For the verry first time in over fifteen hundred years, she took off her necklance, and began to touch the cocoons with it one after another. Soon they began to glow intheir respective colors and melted away. Now lay, on six pedastals Solar had informed her were made of the same material as the elements themself, six ponies that slowly began to breath. None of them however, woke up.
"Spike! Call the guards! We need them to bring the six to the palace!"
"Right away your majesty!"
Celestia watched the dragon run off as fast as he could, as she walked over to Pinkie Pie, and stroke her mane verry carefully. I am so sorry Pinkamena...."
Tears coursed down her face once again, and onto Pinkies coat, as she slowly began to open her eyes.
"Hey there princess! Why so sad? Come'on turn that sad frown upside down!"
Celestia embraced the bearer of the element of laughter and could not stop sobbing...
"Hey what's up? Why are the others all here? Are we having a sleepover? And... where are we? Ehm... princess?"
The pink party pony asked, but got only more tears as an answer.
Two day later
Twilight stirred in her bed. She hurt all over, and something was amiss. She could smell something she had not smelt in a long time, and heard things she had never thought she'd hear ever again. As she opend her eyes, she looked into the bright grinning face of Rainbow Dash, whose face was only inches away from hers. It was only due to the selfcontrol she had learned in her later years, that she did not jump in suprise.
"Hey there! And I thought I was the sleepy head!"
"R....Rainbow???"
Everything came back to her. The chrystal grave, the talk with the princess and her suicide.... She could have sworn that she had died... Most likely that was even true, but the elements of harmony had somehow trapped her soul and performed this awesome feat of magic... Even she, with her extensive knowledge of magic, would not have anticipated this....
"Is she awake? Oh darling you look horendus!"
"Rarity, stop fussin around, will ya? She just came back from tha dead... Who would not look a little shaken?"
"Ehm.... uh... I... I am glad you woke up Twilight... We were starting to get worried."
But before she was able to look amazed at all her friends, they were all caught in one of Pinkies enormous bearhugs. They stayed like that for a while, each smiling that they were all reunited in life, rather then death.
Celestia came into the room, and saw the six ponies she had almost lost forever. As they noticed her, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash took up position in front of Twilights bed. They had not yet forgotten what had happend all those years ago, neither had they forgotten their friends and family they had to leave behind when they had went into hiding....
A bright flame began to envelop Celestia, and she changed into Solar Flare. A thing that happend more often recently, then she wanted to admit to herself.
"Please do not fear me my little Ponies. I know I might look alot like my sister, but I am nowhere close Nightmare Moon."
Solar adressed the group of gathered ponies. For the last two days nopony but royal servants had attended them. They were allowed to leave their room, but not without an escort of atleast three royal guards each. They felt like prisoners. Even Pinkie and Fluttershy looked wearily at Solar.
"It's ok girls. Solar Flare is alright. She is the princesses alter ego, like Lunas was Nightmare Moon."
Explained Twilight, as she got up and walked over to stand directly in front of Solar Flare. Her eyes looked verry much like those of Nightmare Moon, but instead of disgust and anger, she only saw honest concern in them.
"I am glad to finally meet you in person Twilight Sparkle. Writing letters while Celestia was asleep was not really a substitude for the real thing."
"Yeah... I'm glad to meet you aswell. But how come you are in front now? I thought you didn't want to do that ever again?"
"True.... and as happy as I am to finally meet you, if it had been my choice alone, none of you would be here right now."
"Whaddya mean by that?"
Applejack inquired.
"Celestia used the Alicorn stone.... AGAINST my advice. She did it when I was sleeping. As a result, all of you are now free of your cocoons, and can live a normal life... however... the result was a two bladed sword, as I warned Celestia it would be. She is too ashamed to face the six of you, so I took over to make things quicker. We don't have the time to dilly dally right now, or for lengthy apologies."
"What's going on Solar? What happend?"
"Your awakening broke the Alicorn stone, Twilight.... I surely must not explain to you what that means."
"No... you don't mean..."
"Yes. They are free. All of them, and they won't listen to a word I say. I can kind of understand that, because, by Alicorn standarts, I have grown soft. They are currently rebuilding my long lost kingdom in the lands beyond Equestria...."
"What's she talking about Twilight, dear?"
Twilight turned to her friends.
"The Alicorn stone... the seventh element of harmony... It contained the souls of all corrupted Alicorns there ever were. Now that they are free...."
Her head jerked back to Solar.
"What about hosts? How many ponies did they currupt?"
"None as far as I know. When I fused with Celestia, I needed a host, because the elements of harmony were still supressing me. They don't have that problem. They could reform their former bodies with ease.... I fear for all of Celestias subjects. If they are anything like I remember them, then Equestria is facing an enemy even Discord would not be able to defeat."
"Oh...my..."
Fluttershy commented as she tried to hide behind Rarity. The big Alicorn started to freighten her a little.
"But.... but... The elements... They could..."
Solar shook her head.
"The Alicorn stone was part of the elements of harmony. I myself have forged it so verry long ago."
"But... I thought..."
"That I was corrupted? That's true. But I was able to see the evil of my ways before I was sealed. It's something I never told Celestia, but I switched sides about halfway through the civil war. That's another reason they won't listen to me. They consider me a traitor...."
"So the elements won't work this time?"
Twilight asked in shock.
"I am afraid not. The Alicorn stone was forged by me, by using a piece of my own soul and forcing it to take physical shape. That amount of magic is beyond any living being right now. It took myself and twenty other naturally born or ascended Alicorns to perform that spell, and even then two of us died in the process."
"But can't you make Twilight an Alicorn again? Then you were two already."
Rainbow Dash interjected.
Again, Solar shook her head.
"She would be an artificial Alicon. What we need, are natural Alicorns."
"Whats the difference?"
Pinkie Pie inquired.
"Simply put Pinkie Pie, a natural Alicorn is like....."
Twilight thought for a moment, tapping her chin with a hoof.
"An artifical Alicorn is like a muffin, while a natural Alicorn is like a reeeeeaaaalllly big cake. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Oh! So you say that when the princess were to make you an Alicorn like before you would be nothing more then a slightly stronger Unicorn with wings, while when you ascend naturally, your power would grow way more so you can do much stronger magic?"
Six hooves hit their respective faces, as everypony in the room except Pinkie facehoofed hard.
"Pinkie... you understood that all along?"
"Nah... just a hunch!"
She smiled brightly, while the others wondered why they hadn't expected that from their friend. Pinkie had done such things in the past....
"So what do you say, Twilight Sparkle? Will you ascend the natural way this time? Same goes for the rest of you. I can assist you in the process. But beware. There are sideeffects other then getting bigger and stronger. You will loose your normal special talents and will be linked to a part of nature instead. Also you will have to deal with verry strong moodswings. If you give in to them you turn into something like Nightmare Moon, and let me tell you that it is verry hard to regain control over your senses, once you are corrupted."
The six friends looked at each other for a moment, before Rainbow Dash broke the silence.
"I say we do it! It was our fault in a way that this happend, and besides, it's not the first time we had to fight for Equestria."
"I agree with Rainbow Dash. If somepony endangers the lives of my grandchildren, then it is so on!"
"What is so bad about them?"
Fluttershy asked. Solar gave her a suprised look, before she explained.
"A corrupted Alicorn does not see any other creature, except fellow Alicorns, as a form of life. They will kill, hurt and torture them just for fun. I used to be one of them,and I am ashamed of my actions, while I was not in control."
Fluttershy nodded, agreeing to the subject.
Applejack was a little hesitant at first, but seeing that all her friends had accepted, she looked at Twilight, who gave her a slight nod.
"A'right then! Let's sho'em what we're made of, right girls?"
A collective cheer whent through the room as Pinkie Pie also shouted out her agreement.
"I have to warn you though... Ascending naturally, is verry painfull and can not be reverted. You will become relativly immortal, but will also have to deal with the moodswings and sometimes ridicously strong emotions. Are you still sure you want to do this?"
All six of them nodded, their faces wearing a conform look of determination. Fluttershy and Pinkie had nopony to protect, but Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack and Twilight could not stop to think about their families. They would protect them, no matter what the cost might be.....
First in line was Twilight. She had been an Alicorn before, and had the magical potential to proove it. It had been discord who had transformed her back, but she had trained her magic ever since.... She was strong enough to ascend on her own, even so she had never wanted to do it... It would mean she would outlive little Dawn.... But she had to do it to keep her safe.
Soon after the purple flames that had began to burn away her coat had gone out, Twilight stood in front of her friends, as big as Solar flare, and with a pair of beautiful purple feathered wings.
Rarity needed some assistance from Solar and Twilight to ascend but managed to do it eventually. All through the procedure, she kept her mouth and eyes shut tight. When she was done, her cutiemark of three diamonds had been replaced with a single emerald gemstone.
Fluttershy was hesitant, and screamed a little when the yellow and pink flames enveloped her, but she endured it just fine. The only one that collapsed, was Pinkie Pie. The hyperactive pony fell unconciuss right after her wings and horn had grown. Applejack was a little suspicious because of that. She and Pinkie were the only earthponies in their group and she didn't really fancy passing out.
"Whatever is the matter Applejack?"
Rarity asked as she levitated the unconciouss Pinkie Pie onto Twilights bed. It was unusual hard for her to do so, since she practicly burst with magical energy. She feared, were she to put only a little more energy into the spell, she would crush Pinkie Pie.
"Ah... don't know. Shoot, this feels not raght somehow all of a sudden."
"I will not force you to do anything fair Applejack. But please note that I chose you six, because I trust you completly. If you were not pure of heart, the elements of harmony would not have chosen you. If you do not want to do this, then we will have to find another way to raise our numbers, but please know this: The Apple family is still tending to Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. If the Alicorn nation rises once again, they also will suffer under their iron hoof."
That was all Applejack needed to hear. Even so she was still a little scared, and did not know the Apples that were now tending her farm, they were still family, and for them she would do everything.
Soon after, all six of them where Alicorns, and the room was now a little too small for the six of them. Rainbow Dash was marveling at her newfound speed, and did not make things easier on the others, with her flying around the room.
"Twilight... It is done. Now... I have a mission for you. Ponykind must be united, if we are to even stand the slightest chance against my former subjects. Don't forget that each and every one of them is atleast as stron as any of you are now. The battle that we are about to face, will be a hard one. I won't lie to you. There is a high possibility that we will all be killed in this upcoming conflict. They are thousands and we are only seven. That is why I want you, Twilight to enter the garden of shadows on a diplomatic mission. Applejack, Rarity I want you to go to the Chrystal empire and try to convince Cadence to give me an audience."
"Why us? She was Twilights old foalsitter?"
"Because I want to show her that I made others into full Alicorns. That should convince her that I mean it. I may be stronger then you individually right now, but were I to face even two of you, I would be defeated. I want her to know that Celestia does no longer fear treatchery from those closest to her. Also, extend my greetings to Diamond."
"Will do Solar Flare."
Applejack said, as she and Rarity left the room.
"Oh and Twilight...."
Solar stopped Twilight, as she wanted to leave aswell.
"Yes Solar? What is it?"
"You might run into somepony you remember in the garden. Luna is verry strong, never forget that. She has the same potential as me. She may have considered you a friend once, but only heaven knows what these last years have done to her. I have faith in her, but be on your guard!"
"I will. What will happen to Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rainbow, while we are gone?"
"I will teach them personally in the use of magic. Applejack will most likely recieve some lessons from Rarity during their outing to the chrystal empire, but I want you to teach her, once they return."
"Why? Rarity is verry capable."
"I want you to teach her, because amongst all your friends, you are the one who knows the most about magic. And now be on your way. Every second we waste, is a second we can not afford...."
Chapter 3
Luna
Twilight felt as small stone fragments cut her skin, as she was sliding through the stone floor. On top of her was Luna, pinning her down. Her eyes were glowing, and she wore an expression of righteous furry on her face. Twilight did not understand it one bit. She had thought that Luna would like to see her. Afterall, she considered the former princess a friend of sorts. But she had to act now, before she was seriously hurt. Laying on her back, with the angry Alicorn on top of her, she kicked upwards into her belly, sending her flying. The other mare, however was not impressed in the slightest. As she rose up into the air, she spread her wings and took flight. Twilight herself lifted off after her, curious to find out what this was all about. Stardancer briefly flew up the other mare, obviously in an attempt to stop her, but was knocked back to the ground in an instant.
Shooting magical bolts at each other, the two Alicorns rose up higher and higher, until they almost reached the barriers edge. There, they encircled each other, waiting for an opening. It was hard on Twilight, who had just recently learned how to fly, while her opponent was way more experienced. But.... something was more then off. Was this really Luna? She would never have expected to be attacked the moment the former princess saw her. But then she noticed what had bothered her from the beginning. Up here, the sunlight was not blocked that much, so she could see the other mare more clearly now. That was by now means princess Luna. She was smaller, had a full moon as a cutiemark and violet eyes, instead of green ones.
"Who are you, and why are you attacking me?" , Twilight demanded.
"That is none of your buisness!" , the other mare shouted, chargring at her.
Twilight lowered her head, and gave her wings a hard flap. Like a bullet she shot down towards the ground once again, when she felt that her tail was being grabbed with magic. It felt like her whole spine was being overstretched, the moment she went from almost sonic speed to zero. Spinning around, she used her own magic to cancel out the spell that held her, but was to late. Already she could feel herself being thrown straight downwards, with an incridable force. At the speed she was going now, she was unable to stop herself from falling. Since she had turned in mid air, her wings were now facing the ground. If she hit it from this height, at this speed... then even her new Alicorn body would not survive.
Twilight turned her head to look at the ground rushing up to meet her, as she felt herself being enveloped by magic once again. This time however, it was not the dark purple one that had sent her flying in the first place, but a pale white magic. The ground was still coming up to meet her, but at a much more moderate speed. Also was her direction changed and she headed to where the statue of Moonsinger had once stood. There, in front of the ruble, stood Stardancer together with another Alicorn. This one was definitly Luna. She could see the former princesses cutiemark of a cresent moon, surrounded by two dark clouds.
As she was gently put on the ground in front of Luna, the former princess looked into the sky angrily.
"Come down here young lady! You have some explaining to do!" , she shouted with the royal Canterlot voice.
The "other" Luna shot down from the sky, landing right beside Twilight, giving her an annoyed glare. What suprised Twilight the most was, that she had not lost her glasses during their shot but, quite intense fight.
"What do you have to say for your self Star?", Luna asked furious.
"I... I didn't want her to take you away." , the "other" Luna said, hanging her head.
Luna adressed Twilight next, her expression becoming more gentle.
"I am sorry for the trouble my daughter has given you Twilight Sparkle. She is quite protective of me, even so I have told her more then once that there is no reason for that." , she clarified.
"Your daughter?" , Twilight asked shocked.
Luna nodded.
"Yes. Shooting Star is my biological daughter."
Luna turned back to her daughter, giving her a look of disapproval.
"You are grounded young lady. Oh, and don't think this is over yet. Your father will hear about this." , Luna said, pointing a hoof into the direction Twilight and Stardancer had come from.
Giving Twilight an angry glare, Shooting Star shot off into the direction her mother had indicated....
"I am truly sorry Twilight. Star is not a bad girl. But being a born Alicorn is not easy on her. She fears that I might go into another war, if Celestia would ask me to. But I must say, I am quite suprised to see you as a full Alicorn."
"Well princess....", Twilight started to say, but Luna raised a hoof to stop her.
"Please don't call me princess. I stepped down sixty four years ago. Luna will be sufficent. So, why are you here Twilight? I can only assume that my daughter was not too far off in her assumption, seeing that you are a full Alicorn now."
"Well... Luna... That is actually the reason I am here. But don't get me wrong please. I also wanted to see you, I just never had the guts to come here, since I was in hiding." , Twilight explained hastefully.
Luna looked downcast, and gestured for Stardancer to leave the two of them alone for the time being. Afterwards she teleported both of them into a small office, that Twilight assumed was hers.
"Twilight.... I am glad to see you, really I am, and you could have come here any time in the past. There would have always been a place for you and your friends here. As a matter of fact, the garden of shadows has become kind of a refuge for ponies that were disappointed in my dearest sister." , Luna explained, taking a seat behind a large wooden desk.
"Well... I never thought of that if I am honest, but Luna, please listen to what I have to say, before you judge my presence here." , Twilight asked the former princess.
Luna just nodded and gestured to a chair standing in front of her desk. Twilight guessed that this was where her students usually sat.
"Ok, let me start at the beginning. Yes it is true. I was in hiding from your sister, and so were my friends. I even made Discord change me back into a Unicorn, for the sake of hiding. I died some days ago, but the elements of harmony safed my life. So they did for all my friends. Celestia has then used the Alicorn stone to break the chrystal cocoons that had formed around us. This however has caused a...." , Twilight was interrupted by Lunas eyes beginning to glow.
"Let me guess.... It broke." , Luna stated, failing to keep the anger out of her voice.
"Y...Yes." , Twilight answered, a little intimidated.
"I did some research on the elements of harmony, and that stone in particular myself. I knew this day might come...." , Luna sighed as her eyes returned to normal.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you even know what the Alicorn stone was? It was a container, that held all the corrupted Alicorns of old. Their magic, their knowledge.... simply all of it. I assume the only way Celestia was able to break the stasis you were put in, was to use that kind of force. She may have had the best of intentions but, this was just foalish. I can only guess she did it to win your trust back Twilight Sparkle...." , Luna explained, burrying her face in her hooves.
Twilight knew it to be true. Everything made sense now, and she could only pitty her former mentor... But it was her fault aswell. Had she spoken to Celestia earlier, like Discord had wanted her to time and time again, then this could have been avoided.
An awkward silence fell over them, that seemed to last for an eternity, until Luna broke it with a stern face.
"So... My sister wants the garden of shadows to assist her to whipe the Alicorns of old from the face of this world? Is that it? Is that the reason she sent you here?" , Luna inquired, with a tear in her eye.
"Yes... That is why I was sent here. But Luna, you have to believe me. Over the last sixty four years I would have really loved to come and see you! It is just that I.... was too much of a coward..." , she said, hanging her head.
"Twilight.... I will do it, if you answer one question honestly, and do me a personal favor. Do you think you can do that?" , Luna asked softly, raising Twilights chin with one of her hooves.
Twilight nodded.
"Ok... As for my question. Do you honestly believe this is the right course of action? I mean without the Alicorn stone, we can not seal them again, and to make a new one is a verry risky and difficult task. What would be, if those Alicorns simply wanted to live peacefully, and that we leave them alone? Would you still suggest we throw the first punch?" , Luna inquired.
"No. If they don't pose a threat to Equestria, then we should establish peacefull relationships with them. I have not spoken to Celestia about this yet, but I think she would agree."
"Good. Then we can agree there. I know where their kingdom was so long ago, since I myself have done excavations there. I will sent a messanger there to see what the situation is. If they seriously intend on waging war against Equestria, then the garden of shadows has no other choice then to act. Now to that favor you will have to do me. Twilight Sparkle, I consider you one of my closest friends, even so we have not seen each other in such a long time. The favor I ask of you is simply this: One way or another. If there is a conflict, or not, I want you and your family to move to the garden. Do you think you can do that? Ofcourse your friends are also invited to come." , Luna said, with a hopefull look on her face.
Twilight thought for a moment. She could not verry well make that decission for all of her relatives and friends. She would have to talk to them....
Luna watched as Twilight tapped her chin with her hoof. It made her smiling inside. She knew that what she was asking of Twilight was no small feat, but so was what she was asking of her. Celestia still knew where to press to make her soft... Had she sent anypony else, either her guards at the edge of the forest would have taken them out, or she would have refused right away. Twilight however had freed her from Nightmare Moon twice, and had not rested until she had been able to relate to her former subjects. The mare in front of her, was her friend.... Maybe the only one she had. Ofcourse there were her two biological children, and her granddaughter, but those did not count for her. They were family, and even so she got along with most of them, she felt uncomfortable being herself around them. Twilight Sparkle was a different story entirely. She had always accepted her, just the way she was. Also Luna wanted to know that she was safe, was there to be another conflict. She had seen Moonsinger die, and she did not want to relive that with Twilight.
"I am not sure I can convince my whole family to move here. ", Twilight finally broke the silence.
"I mean, especially my oldest daughter would be verry hard to convince. She and I have never gotten along verry well, and I am sure she would just love to deny that request, just to make things harder on me. However, I can say that I will gladly accept your offer. In Equestria, except of my family, there is barely anypony left that would keep me there. But Luna, I have a condition of my own. I will only accept, if you extend that invatation to Spike and Discord. They are also part of my family and I will not leave them behind." , Twilight added.
"As for Spike, I had already assumed you would bring him, but Discord.... Are you sure of that? I founded the garden for the children that lost their parents, due to his meddling. He will have to work more then hard, to win their trust.", Luna said doubtfully.
"Then I guess we have a stalemate?"
"No... No not at all. I mean.... he can come if he wishes too, but I will keep a vigilant eye on him. One wrong move, and I have to throw him out. It is not that I don't trust your judgement Twilight, but I also have to consider how my children feel about him." , Luna clarified.
Within the hour, Twilight made arangements for some of Lunas children to get her belongings. The former princess of the night, maybe hoping Twililght might show up one day, also had a house prepared for her. As Twilight saw it for the first time, her muzzle dropped. It was less of a house, but a small estate, with servants and everything. Along the path, that led to the front door, stood several statues, that showed herself and the other bearers of the elements of harmony. Also she saw that a fountain was set up in the backyard, with another statue on it. This one however, showed Luna herself. The water of the fountain, came from the eyes of the statue, that pictured Luna sitting on her haunches.
Twilight was in awe of so much luxery.
"Luna... I can't possibly accept this! This... villa is ment for royalty or some pony of status, but I am neither."
"That may be true for Equestria, but this is the garden of shadows. Status and royalty have no meaning here. The only place they do, is the school you visited earlier. I make sure to have a modicum of discipline there. In the garden of shadows, a pony lives in a house that is either given to them, like in your case, or they built themself. And don't you worry about money either. Money has no value here. We do own quite some, but that is mostly only used when we need something that we can't produce inside the garden. Then one of my children ventures out and buys it." , Luna explained.
"But... how does your economy work then, if there is no money?", Twilight wanted to know, as they walked through the second floor of her would-be new home.
"That is fairly easy. We trade. For example: I teach what I know about Alicorn magic to young Unicorns that want to ascend one day. In return I recieve food and other supplies from their parents. They also trade these for the materials they need to grow crops and so on. It works pretty well, so you don't have to worry about anything. I am sure there will be a job for you at the school, if you wish to teach."
"I think I would like that. I am pretty well read, so I think there are quite some things I could teach those young ones." , Twilight said, already sorting out topics she would cover in her first class.
"Actually I was hoping you would teach them on Equestrian history.... I was away for a thousand years, and most of my children lack in that respect. Out of that lack of knowledge grows petty hatred, as you saw with Star earlier... I want that to stop. I have long since forgiven Celestia, but I have kept her out of here, for her own safety. About a quarter of our population are either naturally ascended, or born Alicorns. Was she to set foot in here, I don't know if I could control them. The only thing to fight that ignorance, is wisdom. Would you do that for me Twilight?" ,Luna asked pleadingly.
"Ofcourse Luna. Sounds like I have some lecturing to do here." , Twilight responded smiling.
It was a joke between the two friends, from that one time Luna had come to Ponyville on nightmare night. Twilight had lectured Luna back then, on how to relate to her subjects. As the two of them entered one of the many bedrooms, Twilight came to a sudden stop. This was the only room she had seen, that was furnished. At the far end stood a big canopy bed, and behind it, hang.....
"Luna is this...." , Twilight asked, pointing at the banner that hang behind the bed.
"Yep. This is my bedchamber. I don't think I told you yet, but I sometimes stay here. I hope don't mind. I built this house after I came back from the war. Moonsingers death and everything.... I just needed to take my mind of off things for a while." , Luna explained, her head hanging.
"I don't mind at all Luna. But, when you are here, please let me know. Seeing how big this villa actually is, I can't help but think that we might actually be in here for weeks and still miss each other." . Twilight laughed.
Lunas expression lit up as her friend put a wing around her. She just knew it had been a good idea to invite Twilight to stay in the garden. Even if there might be another conflict ahead of her, she did not fear it. She felt strange, standing this close to Twilight. As long as the lavender Alicorn was by her side, Luna felt she could face anything.
In Hoofington
Radiance could not believe it. Several strange ponies had shown up, and were slowly emptying her mothers house. She had ofcourse protested against this, as had the rest of her family, but one of them had just hooved her a letter, and continued his work.
My dear family,
I love all of you, and I want you to know that. These ponies, are part of the children of the night, I told all of you about. They have my permission to take my belongings with them, since I will move to the garden of shadows. They simply do me a favor. As for the rest of you, and my house, I hereby extend an invitation to all of you. Luna, former princess of Equestria, has invited all of you to live in her refuge. If you decide to come, I would be verry pleased. Please accompany the children of the night back to the garden, should you choose to come. Don't worry about your belongings. If you simply tell them where you live, they will get them for you. As for those of you who decide not to come, I can only say this to you:
Please reconsider. There might be another conflict coming our way, and the garden of shadows will be the safest place to be if that is the case. If you still don't want to come, please splitt all my wealth between those who don't want to come, and make sure you spend them wisely. I suggest you barricade yourself somewhere, and don't come out until everything is over....
Twilight Sparkle
Radiance thought for quite a while. She had already discussed the matter with the rest of the family, and the outcome had been like she had predicted. Her husband, daughter and granddaughter would go with her to the garden. The other had vehemently refused to leave their homes, and were already planning out what they would do with the money her mother had left for them. It was hard for her to admit, but she and her descanents were most likely the only ones who really cared about her mother. Twilight had always been pretty strickt with all of them, but Radiance knew why she was like that. She had always guessed that her mother was hiding something. Some years back, she had done some research on her mother, but had been unable to find any mentioning of her, until the day she was first seen in Van Hoover. There she had been researching for her book about the war, that had made her rich. At the time however, her mother had already been about twenty years old, so Radiance had known that there was something in her past that she hadn't wanted to share with the rest of them. Even a fake name had been within her theory, but she had never anticipated what princess Celestia had told them earlier..... Her mother... a national hero... Radiance had always been proud of her, but now she was so even more.
Rainbow Dash was taking care of Applejack and Pinkie, back at Canterlot castle. Discord was also with her, carefully whiping sweat from Pinkies brow. The transformation had caused some side effects inside Pinkies psyche, that they both hoped would be resolved shortly. Applejack on the other hoof, was simply resting. The day had taken alot out of her, and she was still a little airsick.
"So... Rainbow Dash, what do you think about Celestias change of heart?" , Discord broke the silence.
"I don't know. I mean making all of us Alicorns, and removing your bracelet surely is a step into the right direction, but I don't trust her yet. That's why I asked you to teach me magic, instead of her." , Rainbow explained.
"I can understand that. She does seem to really mean it though. I am the spirit of chaos. I would feel it if she was lying to me. Also her remorse is genuine. Believe me, I checked." , the draconus added.
"So... you mean she has really changed?" , Rainbow asked him, a tint of hope in her voice.
"I didn't say that. All I said is that she really is regretting everything that has happend in the past, and that she is being completly honest with us. She is not hiding a single thing." , Discord clarified his earlier statement.
He himself was not to sure what to make of the whole situation. Celestia had welcomed him at the palace when he had turned up here a few hours ago. She had even, without him asking her to, immideatly removed his bracelet. In that instant, he could have banished her to the sun, but he did not. The feelings he felt emmiting from her, were just too convincing. He really wanted to believe that Celestia had changed, since he knew, better then anypony, how hard everything had been on her. If she did change, he thought to himself, it would be better for not only her subjects, but for her own well being aswell.....
Rainbow watched Discord, as he got lost in his own thoughts. She was not too sure what to think right now. Pinkie had awoken earlier, with her mane flat and an insane glint in her eyes. It had remembered her too much of the time they were hiding in the dungeons. Soon after her mane had become poofy once again, and she had fainted.... Discord said that there were two souls fighting inside her, for reign over her body. It was a sideeffect of the ascendtion.....
Inside Pinkies mind
Pinkie was running through the darkness, once again being an Earthpony. Where was she? What was she doing here? All around her, she could hear laughter, but it made her shiver. It was not the good kind of laughter. She felt as if thousands of ponies laughed at her, not with her.
"What's the matter Pinkie Pie? I thought you liked laughter.... Too bad you can't protect your friends just by laughing..." , a cold voice spoke from the darkness.
"I CAN protect my friends if I have too! No meanie mean meanie pants will hurt my friends!" , she retorted.
"But it has happend before, hasn't it? Remember that your laughter hurt Twilight.... It was your jokes that hurt her. All that is in your head are cakes and parties. How can you possibly hope to protect anypony?" , the voice laughed at her.
"I am not only thinking about that! Show yourself you big meanie!" , Pinkie challenged the voice.
"Do you really want that Pinkie? You can just embrace the darkness and accept defeat. If I show myself however, it will hurt you verry badly." , the voice said patronizingly.
"I said show yourself!" , Pinkie scremed angrily.
Out of the darkness, came a perfect copy of herself, with flat mane and tail. Pinkie remembered this.... This was how she was before she got her cutiemark. Before she could say anything to her doppelganger however, she jumped her, and began to chocke Pinkie. Trying to fight back, Pinkie began to chocke her doppelganger, fighting for her verry existance.
"Don....'t fight it Pinkie... You know I am the stronger one of us." , her image taunted her.
"You are the one that got us killed!" , Pinkie reprimanded.
The two mares fought like this for a while, before Pinkies hooves dropped to the ground, releasing her grip on Pinkamenas throat.
Chapter 4
Cadence&Diamond
Rarity was angry. For two hours now they left her and Fluttershy waiting. After finally reaching the borders of the Chrystal Empire, a patrol made of Ponies and Changelings had approached the pair. They had surrendered immideatly, not to provoke them, but since then they sat here in this interrogation room. Not a single Pony, or Changeling for that matter, had come to speak to them, even so she had made it perfectly clear that they were here on royal buisness. They had not even tried to silence them, since that would not work to well on full Alicorns anyway, but it was still frustrating for Rarity.
"Ehm.... Rarity... maybe... uhm... you should calm down...." , Fluttershy said, while Rarity paced the room.
"I can't! This treatment is more then respectless! We have a ceasfire with them, and we come with peacefull intentions. Treating us like this is against all rules of politeness!" , Rarity growled through her teeth.
The white Alicorn turned towards the mirror on the far end of the room. She was pretty sure it was a two way mirror, like in some of the novels she had read in her later years.
"Come on! I know you observe us! We could have broken out of here a hundred times already! We need to speak with Princess Cadence and Queen Diamond!" , Rarity shouted towards her own reflection.
Her outburst however, was only met with silence. Even more frustrated then before, Rarity used her magic to get something from her saddlebags. If they didn't want to talk, then she would just have to busy herself otherwise. Fluttershy seemed to be satisfied with napping, which was one more thing she did not understand. Was she so sure, Cadence would not try to hurt them, just because she was Twilights former foalsitter? Opening the book she had gotten from the royal Canterlot Library, prior to her departure, she began to read another story of Sherlock Hooves.
Inside Pinkies mind
Pinkamena was laughing hard, as her counterpart dropped her hooves to the ground. Finally that hyperactive degenerate had seen that there was no winning against her. But.... then why was there a smile on her counterparts face? Why did her eyes not show the defeat, Pinkamena was so desperate to see there?
"Why are you smiling? You are about to whiped out! I will finally become the permanent ruling persona in this body!" , Pinkamina shouted.
"No silly! We both will." , Pinkie responded cheerfully, before wrapping her forelegs around her image, capturing her in an enormous Pinkie Pie bear hug.
Suprised Pinkamina let go as her own spectral body began to fuse, with that of Pinkie Pie.
"What... What are you doing? Let go of me, you stupid bitch!" , she screamed, as she tried to escape from Pinkie.
"No you silly-billy. This is how it has to be. I realized how pointless fighting another side of me really is.That is what you are afterall. You are me, before I was all smiles and sunshine. I must accept that side of myself, or I will never be truly happy." , Pinkie said softly, while her head fused with that of Pinkamina.
Discord jumped a little, as Pinkie Pie suddenly opend her eyes, and jumped to her hooves on top of the bed. This kind of recovery was a little sudden, even for the spirit of chaos.
"Oh! Hi there Dissy! Did you miss me? Huh,huh,huh?" , she said, tilting her head a little more to the right with each word, until it was coiled liked a spring.
"Ehm... Yeah...." , the draconus responded, still a little stunned.
"I would reeeeaaaalllllyyyyy like to catch up with you, buuuuuuut I have to get to Princess Celestia right away!" , the pink Alicorn said, before shooting off, right through a wall, instead of the door....
Celestia stood in her private study, reading some documents Solar Flare had written down some time ago. They were instructions on the use, of the elements of harmony, and the forging of a soulstone. The last such stone, had been destroyed, when she had freed the bearers of the elements of harmony. The reason she had to read all this, were several drawings, that Solar Flare had not been able to relay to her in their mental conversations. The ritual-circle and the runes embedded in it, were more complex then anything she had ever seen. She was just about to check out another scroll, to compare her notes from her conversation with Solar, with what she was reading here, when her mental passanger suddenly called out.
"Watch out!" , she heard.
Celestia was barely able to jump to the side, as the doors to her private study were destroyed in a shower of wood and splinters. A pink bullet shot through them, and right through the desk she had just been sitting at. All her papers and notes went flying, while a pink Alicorn with blue eyes extracted herself from the wreckage.
"P.... Pinkie Pie? What is the meaning of this? I... I ... Please atleast knock the next time.", Celestia stammered, not really knowing what to say.
"Sorry there princess! I'm not yet used to this... strength. But we have more important matters to deal with!" , the pink partyalicorn said, picking up a piece of clean parchement, and a quill. After writing something down, by hoof, since she seemed yet to be unable to use any magic, she held it out to Celestia to sign it.
Celestia took the piece of parchment from Pinkies hooves with her magic, and examined it. Sweat started to form on her brow. How could she have forgotten something THIS important??? Without further delay, Celestia signed the letter, and sent it directly to Cadence, with her magic. Usually that kind of magic use was against their ceasfire, but the royal postal service was just not fast enough for this. This message had to be relayed immideatly... But how did Pinkie Pie even know she forgot it? Was it that Pinkie sense, that Twilight mentioned in one of reports, when she had still recieved a weeky report on her students studies?
Cadence walked down a hallways, towards the courtyard of her castle. Diamond was already waiting for her there, and she didn't want to keep her waiting for too long. Just as she turned a corner, that would have led her to the double doors that led outside, something materialied in front of her and fell on her muzzle. Utterly suprised to see Celestias seal on a scroll, she picked it up with her magic. Silently swearing under her breath, Cadence opend the letter. If this was not important, she would chew her aunt out on the next time they met for negotiations. This was against everything they had......
But all anger vanished, as the only piece of writing, that was definitly her aunts, was the signitare. The rest looked like it was written by a three year old, and she had a hard time making out the words.
Heya Cadence!
I was dead, can you believe it? Well now I'm an Alicorn, but that doesn't matter. Celestia has forgotten to tell you something reaaaaaaaaalllllyyyyyy super-duper important! Rarity and Fluttershy are on their way to you! According to paragraph four of your ceasfire, embassadors have to be announced by mail, so that's what I'm doing now! When we see each other that sooooo calls for an Alicorn party!
Yours
Pinkie Diana Pie
Celestia
She read the letter several times before she understood the implications. Could it really be that this letter had been written by Pinkie Pie? Last thing she had heard, the pink partypony had died after attacking a few Changelings. But... then again... she did write that she had been dead.... But nopony could return from the dead, could they? No matter what she had to get to the bottom of this. As she stepped into the courtyard, the letter still in her magic, Diamond had already set up the barbeque and was roasting some vegetables.
"Dear, we need to talk." , Cadence said, as she approached her lover.
"What is it Cadence? One of my drones stepping out of line again? I swear if it's that G'zal again, then I'll...." , Diamond swore as she approached the Alicorn.
A few years back, Cadence had begun to use a permanent illusion spell on herself, that gave her back, the appearance she had lost due to her change. In her magic, her lover held a single piece of parchement, that she levitated over to her.
Quickly reading the letter, Diamonds muzzle dropped.
"Didn't you say that Pinkie Pie was dead? How can she write you a letter then?" , Diamond asked a little suspicious.
"I don't know, but if it's true what is written there, then we have to get to the outpost on the border to Equestria as fast as we can. If it is a joke from Celestia, I assure you she will regret it the next time we negotiate." , Cadence tried to convince the Changeling queen.
After thinking about it for a moment, Diamond nodded. Giving her lover a passionate kiss, she spoke softly.
"If you say we have to go, then we have to go. Let's see what this is all about."
Cadence used her magic to put out the fire of the barbeque, and the both of them flew off into the direction of Equestria. Both of them had not been there since Celestia had withdrawn her troops, almost thrity years ago, and the memories they both linked with it were not pleasant. Visions of burning villages, and dying soldiers haunted both of them up to the present day. Both of them knew, that both sides had made mistakes during the war, and that both sides were atleast epually guilty of warcrimes. That however did not change the fact that they had not forgotten, who had started that conflict in the first place.....
Three hours later
Rarity was almost done with her book, while Fluttershy was still nibbling on the food their captors had brought them some time ago. It was nothing she would have usually eaten, but it served her hunger. The simple salad was not fresh, but it had filled her stomach. It had been much better then what she was used to, while in Changeling custody.
She had just read the last page of her book, and wanted to reach into her saddlebags for the next one, when she heard a commotion outside. Somepony was shouting at somepony else, and seemed pretty angry. The voice, she did not know, but it seemed more then clear, that it was chewing out their Changeling and Pony guards.
"Why didn't you inform me right away? Are you even aware of the consequences this might have????" , the voice shouted.
Another voice, much more quiet, answered the angry one, but Rarity couldn't understand what it was saying.
"What? I don't care if you thought they might be spies! Two Alicorns for goodness sake! If they had wanted too, they could have blasted all of you away. Isn't it proove enough of their peacefull intention that they did not do so? And to think that they actually wanted to speak with us, didn't give you the feeling you should inform us right away???", the voice continued to shout.
Rarity saw thought the time right, to "escape" this room and make a the first step here. Sure, she was angry that she had been treated like a common criminal, and that they had let them wait for five hours, but she was on a diplomatic mission. Lashing out at her would-to-be negotiation partner was not the right approach. With a quick flash of her horn, the door to the room unlocked, and swung open. It may have been a security lock, but with her eye for detail, it was easy to unlock it. Stepping into the corridor, she saw a Changeling queen towering over several Changelings and Ponies. Next to her, stood Princess Cadence, and equal expression of anger on her face.
Adressing the Princess, she stepped between the two parties and spread her wings to shield the intimidated group from view.
"My my.... It sure is good to see you again Princess Cadanece. May I ask who your friend is? She seems to have quite the temper. Let me assure you, that my friend and I are not about to hold our treatment against any of you. It was just to be expected." , Rarity said, while keeping one eye on Diamond, who had stepped back from her.
Fluttershy joined the group, and greeted the two represantives of the Chrystal Empire in an equally polite manner. Cadence however looked at them suspiciously.
"What are you two doing here? You are supposed to be dead.", she stated coldly.
"Oh, that's a long story darling. Let's just say, it has something to do with us being the bearers of the elements of harmony. So.... who was your friend again?" , Rarity inquired.
"My name is Diamond. I am the acting queen in the Chrystal Empires hive, and I'd also like to know how it comes that I speak with two dead ponies." , Diamond introduced herself.
Her tone was not quite hostile, but far from friendly. Cadence looked the two over. If it came to a fight, Diamond and her would most likely loose. She was still only three quarters of an Alicorn, while her lover was just barely as strong as herself. Even all the soldiers stationed here, would not be able to stop the two if they decided to go on a rampage, that she felt without a doubt. Was Celestia trying to intimidate her? What was the meaning of this? Were these really Rarity and Fluttershy?
"If you really are who you claim to be, then you should know a few things, I only told the real Rarity and Fluttershy. Can you name them?" , Cadence wanted to know.
The two Alicorns looked at each other and sighed.
"If you really want me too darling, but I only hope that you don't mind your soldiers to hear it.... Well where to start....? Ah! First of all, when I was preparing your hair for the games inspector back then, you told me that you enjoyed intercourse with your husband, but he never made you cum. Also during the same occausion you asked me if I had ever tried getting involved with another mare...." , Rarity started to count the things Cadence had told her, of which she was sure the Princess had never spoken to anypony else of.
Cadence began to blush hard while Rarity told all these emberassing things they had spoken of. Diamond on the other hoof started to laugh uncontrollably, stomping a hoof for emphasis.
"You... You....You asked THAT while you got your hair done?" , Diamond pressed out, while bending forward and hitting the tiles with her frontlegs. It was almost too much for her to take.
"Stop! Please stop.... I am convinced...." , Cadence said, her coat turning a deeper shade of pink, as she looked at Fluttershy.
"Ehm... I.... I... I don't know....if I shoud....*eeep*. ", Fluttershy stammered, but Cadence gestured for her to go on and spill it. As much emberassment as she had suffered already, she might aswell become a complete laughingstock.
"Ehm... you asked about sex with.... animals... And if I had.... ever tried it...." , Fluttershy stated, blushing and hiding her face under one of her wings.
This statement, made all the Changelings and Ponies in attendance drop their muzzle.
"You asked WHAT???????" , Diamond asked shocked.
"I was.... curious.... And since Fluttershy knows so many animals, and had them live with her.... I thought....." , Cadence stammered, before Diamond broke out in renewed laughter.
Cadence was convinced. These two had to be the real Fluttershy and Rarity. But if that was true....
"What about Twilight? Is she a full Alicorn now too? If so, why didn't she come here?" , Cadence inquired a little sad.
"Twilight.... ehm... she is on a mission to talk to Princess Luna....", Fluttershy explained.
"Aunt Luna? Whyever would aunt Celestia.... No... No.... No no no no no.... NO! Don't tell me that... the magic I've been feeling for the last few days.... Has something happend?" , Cadence paniced.
"I hate to say it you majesty, but yes. Our ressurection caused all of this. Princess Celestia had only the best of intentions, I assure you, but the result was bad. We were ressurected by the elements of harmony, and made young again, after our deaths. The downside there was, that we were surrounded by chrystal cocoons. Alive, but in a stasis. The princess broke the stasis, so we can live our lives normally again, but for that she had to use the Alicornstone." , Rarity explained.
"Don't tell me it broke! Please, for the love of queenjelly, tell me your joking!" , Diamond shouted, while shaking Rarity.
"No... ehm... we are sorry... to cause so much... trouble." , Fluttershy said, looking as if she shrank with every word.
Cadence stepped forward, stopping Diamond from seriously harming Rarity, and adressing the both of them.
"You have nothing to apologize for. It was my aunt that used the stone, not you. I am sure she did not know that this might happen, or she would not have done it. I trust in her judgement atleast that much. But tell me, why has she sent you two here then? I can already imagine, but I want to hear it from your own muzzles." , she said.
Rarity, after having regained some of her composure, looked Cadence right in the eye.
"Princess Celestia is proposing her surrender, should the Chrystal Empire agree to help Equestria overcome this crisis. We were sent here to deliver that message, and to show you that she no longer fears treachery from those closest to her. If I may also add my personal opinion on the matter, so I may say that it is time you two finally forgave each other. Celestia has changed, and misses you a great deal, I am sure. And you referring to her as "aunt" still shows me you see her as part of your family, even after all that has happend. Don't you think it's time you two sat down, not as rulers of two different nations, but as two siblings?" , Rarity stated sternly, making Cadence flich a little.
It had been quite a while since someone had actually lectured her. Moreover, was the proposition made by Rarity, in Celestias name, was... almost too good to be true. But if her aunt really had changed... then maybe... She wanted to believe it. Other then the clever strategist, that would have overrun her empire, had Diamond not been there to match her, she also remembered the love she felt for Celestia. Cadence remembered all the good times they had shared in the past, and how Celestia had taught her much of the magic she knew, after turning her into an Alicorn.
Tears began to form in her eyes, as she nodded.
"But forget the surrender part, Rarity.... I don't want to rule Equestria, and I never have. How would Applejack put it? If family calls, you don't ask, you just go.", Cadence stated in tears.
Diamond was in utter shock.
"Don't I get a say in this? Cadence, this could be a trap!" , she tried to convince her lover.
"Diamond, she is my aunt. Had she wanted to kill me, she had more then one chance on the battlefield. Even today, if she would choose to attack us again, we would be hard pressed just to defend ourself. No, I believe these two. It is up to you, if your Changelings will once again fight, side by side with my Ponies, but I would really appreciate it if they did."
Diamond sighed.
"I gues.... It's no use to try and convince you differently. This could have been such a nice day... Ah well... I won't let you go alone, but be assured, that I will keep my eyes on Celestia!"
The citizens of Ponyville were in awe to see, for the second time, a large group of Ponies emerge from the Everfree forest, in just a few days time. But this group, was different from the last. Twenty fully grown Alicorns, in full barding, were escorting three Alicorn mares. Two of the guards carried a banner with them, that flattered in the wind. It was dark blue, with a cresent moon on it. The symbol of the garden of shadows, they all knew so well.
The guards stationed at Ponyville were alarmed at such a force, but the group of Ponies stayed peacefull. One of them, a light brown mare, marveled at everthing she saw. As a little Earthpony filly, and her Pegasus friend bumped into her while playing, the gathered citizens gasped. The inhabitants of the garden of shadows were not seen in town often, and if they were they barely spoke to anypony. They scared the citizens, and there were some rumors about their violence going around, so the guards of Ponyville were ready to jump should anything happen.
Stardancer had never left the forest further then a few steps. Seeing a daylight Pony settlement for the verry first time, made her curious. How did they live? What were those golden round objects she saw on some shopcounters? And... most of all.... why were they looking all at her in fear? Suddenly, something bumped into her flank, almost tipping her over since she had been distracted. Looking down, Stardancer saw two young foals. One greycoated Pegasus colt, and a blue emerald coated Earthpony filly. The filly had obviously, while playing chase, run into her. Since she wore her usual barding, the little one had a small wound on her forehead, from the impact. Sparing a quick glance to the Ponies around her, she saw that they were all verry tense.
Leaning down, Stardancer gently nudged the filly and used her magic to heal the crying foals wound.
"Hello there, little one." , she said in a soft tone.
The filly stopped to cry in an instant. She obviously had never seen an Alicorn, other then Princess Celestia. As the filly looked up at her, her eyes widend in awe. The colt tried to step in front of his friend, but the filly pushed him aside.
"Are you a princess?" , the filly finally asked.
"No, I'm not. I'm Stardancer, from the garden of shadows. Pleased to meet you, little one."
"My name is not "little one". I'm Apple Fritter.", the filly pouted.
Twilight was a little worried, when she saw how the Ponies around her looked at Stardancer and the two foals. One wrong move, she knew, and they would be faced with an angry mob. The light brown mare however, did not seem to bother with the frightend stares at all. Instead she healed the small cut on the fillies forehead, and spoke to her as if a group of twenty three Alicorns was the most normal thing in the world. Well... for her it most likely was, Twilight thought.
"Well then, Apple Fritter, nice to meet you. How is your forehead?" , Stardancer asked, and could hear a collective sigh of relief from the crowd, that was slowly spreading again.
Luna was proud of her granddaughter. She had ordered the Enforcers to stand down, unless she ordered them to act. Had she not done so, this situation could have ended more then ugly. Sure, they also knew that this had been no attack, but Luna was not so sure about their temper. The only reason she had taken Alicorns with her, was that they did not have to relay on their magical spark. The other reason was, that she wanted to be safe. She had forgiven Celestia years ago, but that did not mean that she trusted her yet. Even more was she wondering, how Celestia would react, when she learned that Twilight was now residing in the garden of shadows permanently....
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?"
Breaking Diamond - The dead fighting
Chapter 6
Breaking Diamond - The dead fighting
Luna, Celestia and Twilight stood on a balcony of Canterlot castle. Luna and her guards had arrived the previous day, and had more then enough time to rest. Now it was finally time to prepare for the crisis at hoof. The three of them looked over Canterlot, and were all lost in their own thoughts. Cadence, Diamond and Stardancer were the only ones still missing. Without them it wouldn't make much sense to start the meeting. Just as Twilight grew impatient, and wanted to go and look for the three of them, Diamond came litteraly flying onto the balcony, hitting her back on the reeling. She quickly recovered however, and shot a quick glance over to the three stunned Alicorns.
"A little help maybe?" , she asked sarcasticly, before taking flight to avoid being hit by a charging Stardancer.
The light brown Alicorns face showed an expression of utter rage and determination. Before any of them could do anything, she had already spread her wings and charged after Diamond. The two of them seemed equally matched, but that was not the point. Why was Stardancer attacking Diamond? The three just couldn't make any sense of it all. Luna was first to snap out of it. She had to deal with Stardancer and Shooting Star ever since they were little, and knew that they were prone to loose their temper once in a while.
Spreading her wings she flew after them and tackled Stardancer to the ground. Her granddaughter was not pleased in the slightest, and tried to wiggle her way out from under Lunas hooves, before she locked eyes with her grandmother. The stare the midnight blue Alicorn gave her, made Stardancer calm down in an instant. From experience she knew better ten to challenge Luna when she was actually angry.
"Care to explain?" , Luna asked, trying to keep the anger out of her voice.
"My mother! She killed my mother!" , Stardancer screamed defiantly.
"That was not me, but MY mother. I have tried to explain that to you, but you just wouldn't listen." , Diamond added, as she joined the two.
"That's true Stardancer. Moonsinger was killed by Chrysalis. Diamond here actually helped us in that war. She went against her own mother for what was right.", Luna elaborated.
"LIES! Changelings never to something, unless they would gain something from it! She is no different!" , Stardancer tried to defend herself.
"True. I had my own motivations to help the Ponies, beside that I was sorry for them. But let me tell you this: I got what I wanted and made it my top priority to help Equestria. I even endangered my newly formed hive just to help you Ponies. Had the situation arisen, I would have fought Chrysalis one on one, if it ment to defend even one of you. The Changelings you know, young one, are my mothers Changelings. My hive is much more peacefull and trustworthy. Besides, your mother was one of my friends." , Diamond explained, sitting down so she would be on eyelevel with Stardancer.
"I don't hold it against you, that you attacked me on sight, but you must understand that I am on your side, and that I could have defeated you any time I liked."
"AS IF!"
"Believe it or not, but I was holding back, out of respect for your mother." , Diamond said with a distant look in her eyes.
After a few more minutes, Stardancer finally calmed down enough so Luna could release her. She still didn't want anything to do with Diamond, but was willing to work together with her, if she had to. Her grandmother had been verry persistent at that.
Finally the meeting could begin, after Cadence also arrived in the throne room. Appereantly Diamond had gone ahead to inform the others that she would be late, before she ran into Stardancer.
"The most important thing we have to worry about for now, are our frontlines." , Celestia said, pointing at a map that was spead out on the floor.
"Yes. The garden will be the main line of defense against the Alicorns of old, should they really attack us." , Stardancer deducted.
"I don't doubt they will. We have to of their children in our custody. If they want them back without a fight, fine, but I doubt it." , Luna explained.
"Then I guess we have to evacuate all Ponies from farther south to a place behind the garden of shadows." , Twilight added.
"Correct. Appleloosa and the mining camps close to the buffalo tribes land will have to be evacuated. Speaking of the buffalos, we have to get them somewhere safe aswell." , Cadence said.
Celestia shook her head.
"I have already sent a messenger there before I gathered all of you, but they are unwilling to leave their homeland. We can't put our lines that far south, or we will be directly on the Alicorns borders, and we can't force them to leave." , Celestia said sadly.
"Then we are just going to let them die?" , Diamond inquired.
"We can't order them to leave, and Equestria is a free country. If they were to seek our help, then we would not abandon them if at all possible, but as it stands now, they are on their own.", Celestia added.
"Then I'll go and try to convince them!" , Diamond shouted.
"I will go and evacuate Appleloosa and go talk with them when I'm done there." , she added.
"Are you sure you want to go there? That it awefully close to enemy terretory." , Cadence asked worried.
Diamond nodded.
"Yes I am sure. We Changelings can only feed on Ponies so my mother had peacefull relationships with them. I am sure they still remember me."
"Then I will go to the garden and prepare our defenses.", Stardancer said, a determined look on her face. It was obvious that she still didn't trust the Changeling queen entirely.
"Ok. That's settled then. Diamond will evacuate the Ponies from the south, and Stardancer will organize the defenses in the garden. Stardancer, when you head through Ponyville you should pick up Spike. He can send messages directly to Celestia, and we will need a quick and reliable way to communicate." , Twilight summed up the meeting.
"I will go and see that the refugees have a place to stay in the neaby towns. Ponyville, Hoofington and Muzzleton should have enough room to house the Ponies from the south." , Cadence said.
With that they went to their appointed tasks. Twilight would try and find some kind of weakness in their enemy, together with Solar Flare, while Luna was to travel to the Chrystal Empire and take charge there. At first she objected the idea, but Cadence gave her a letter that explained the situation. Should anypony try to stop her this would officially mark her as her appointed second in command. Diamond did the same, so Luna would be able to mobilize her Changelings.
******
The mare lay half burried in hot sand. She did not know where she was, or how she got here. All she knew was that she obviously had layn here for quite a while. Her head felt as if it was ready to splitt, and her body felt weak because of that. She just could not remember how she got here. The last thing she did remember was that she had struggled to be pulled somewhere... But where? There had been others... Others that she did not like....
But there was an even more pressing question, that tormented her mind.
"Who.... am I?" , she stuttered as she struggled to her hooves.
The light was way to bright for her, and she began shielding her eyes with a wing. Her headache instantly got less painfull. When she closed her eyes, the complete darkness felt like an old friend that was welcoming her back in his embrace. As she opend them again, see a settlement in the distance.
"Apple... loosa?" , she wondered.
The mare did not know how she knew that name, or if she had been here before. All she knew was that she wanted to get out of this burning light that hurt her eyes. Using her magic to clean the last of the sand that clung to her coat, she started to trott towards Appleloosa at a slow but steady pace. Visions of blood and violence plagued her mind all the while, but she kept her vibrant green eyes fixated on her destination.
******
Stardancer landed in front of the tree that was the Ponyville library and knocked on it's door. A purple and green dragon about her own size opend the door.
"Oh ehm... Aren't you that Alicorn that was with Twilight and the Princess the other day? Is there anything I can do for you?" , Spike asked, taking off his blue apron and hanging it on a hook by the door.
"Are you Spike? Former Assistant to Twilight Sparkle?" , Stardancer asked, some of her rage from before still showing in her voice.
"Ehm.. yes? Even so I wouldn't say "former", since I never really... HEY!" , Spike started, but was interrupted by Stardancer enveloping him in her magic and levitating him to her side, as she galloped towards the Everfree forest. The surrounding Ponies were a little shocked at the display, but none of them dared to stand in the way of an Alicorn.
"I am sorry for my actions, but there is no time to loose." , she explained to the struggeling dragon.
"What's the matter? Put me down? Where are you taking me and why?" , Spike demanded.
"The garden of shadows. I need you to relay messages for me, since the garden will be our first and final line of defense in a potentially gruesome conflict. Also, Twilight Sparkle wanted me to give you this." , she added as she levitated a purple feather over to him, with a note attached to it.
"Dear Spike,
please make haste and follow Stardancer to the garden of shadows. The situation is more dire then you can imagine. No time for questions.
With Love
Twilight Sparkle"
******
"They WHAT?" , Twilight exclaimed, unable to believe what she had just heard.
"Alicorns that die will be drawn to the Alicorn stone. I took this precaution so their corruption would never reach Elysium." , Solar repeated.
"But that would mean...."
"Yes. Even so I am not certain of this, but there is a possiblity that we might see my sister again. Nightmare might have been trapped in the stone again, before it broke. If that is true, she is most likely verry eager to get to Luna."
"But that is horrible! We have to warn her!" , Twilight exclaimed.
"Why do you think I made her go to the Chrystal Empire? To be as far away as she could be ofcourse. Luna is strong, but so is Nightmare, and I don't know which of them would win if they were to clash. That is why Celestia and I have decided to handle Nightmare personally, should she really show up again.", she added.
"But... Well... I guess I can't talk you out of it... But please... What was that about "the Source" again? I didn't fully understand."
"The source is what anchors us Alicorns in this world. As I've already told you, we are not of this plain of existance. Almost two hundred thousand years ago, there were no Ponies in this world, nor were there any other intelligent beings. We Alicorns are something like the royal guard is to the royal palace back in Elysium. It is a purely spiritual plain. But there are also good and evil there. Some of those evil spirits came to this plain and started corrupting what little life there was. The grand council decided that we were to act against that, and so we Alicorns were sent to this world to fight them. To anchor ourself here, the source was created. It is a gigantic Chrystal that is burried miles beneath my former kingdom. After we had defeated the spirits that had aimed to corrupt this world, it was decided that we were to stay here and keep watch over this world. For many, many years we did just that. We saw how the first Ponies were created by the maker, who is the creator of us all, and we watched over their well being. What we had not anticipated however, was that one of the spirits we had been sent here to defeat, had survived the war. It corrupted the source, to which we are all connected. That brought with it the emotional imbalance that we full Alicorns suffer from. It also brought with it the first corruptions. We, who had been sent here to protect this world, had become it's greatest threat. The maker and the council sent more Alicorns to fight us, but they either died trying or joined our ranks. It was not until I had to face one of my old servants in battle, that I finally snapped out of it and saw the evil in my ways. Sadly, it was not until I had stomped her head into the bloody dirt that I realized what I had done. Northwind had not only been my servant, but she had also been my friend. For her to fight me with all she had, I knew I must had turned into something despicable.... It was indeed her brother who later saved me. He was an agent in my palace, and spied on me for the rebels. When he saw that my own husband and sister were trying to kill me, and heard that I was shouting at them that we had to change our ways.... That I even went so far as to demand the destruction of the source so we could all face judgment in Elysium.... He rescued me and brought me to the rebells." Solar explained in great length.
"That is quite the story.... And quite much to take in... But atleast you saw that you were wrong and did everything to set things right again." , Twilight tried to console the now crying Alicorn.
"No. It does not lessen my sins. If I ever return to Elysium, I will face the punishment the creator sees fit for me. I am not afraid of it. I know that I, and all of my former subjects, deserve it." , she added.
Twilight could see that Solar tried to sound as resolute as possible, but the shaking of her body gave her fear away. Whatever punishment awaited her, it must be something truly horrible to make this mighty mare tremble like a little filly that is afraid of the boogymare.
******
Diamond landed in Appleloosas townsquare, or atleast what was left of it. The buildings were all but destroyed, while the ground consisted of a mixture of sand and blood. She could feel the lingering emotions in the air, that spoke to her like the ghosts of the dead. It was a sad and horrible story of tremendous pain, chilling fear and .... death. The Ponies here had obviously tried to defend themself against what ever had attacked them, but had not the slightest chance. Anger rose in her. She had not seen such carnage since the war over sixty years ago, and even then it had been from battles, not a meaningless slaughter like this. Even the war with Celestia had never produced carnage on THIS scale.
She wanted to know who did this, and followed a bloodtrail that ran down one of the sidestreets. Diamond could feel a powerfull magical aura coming from that direction, so she knew she was on the right track. Pausing for a second, she took a deep breath, and regretted it instantly. The stench of blood in the air was almost enough to make even her stomach turn. As she stepped out of the alley between two buildings, she could see the owner of the presence she felt. It was an Alicorn mare with pure white coat and a green mane. A red stripe ran through it, and her cutiemark was a blood red tornado.
"Where are they?", the mare asked, without turning to Diamond.
"Who?"
"My children. Speak now, abomination, and I might let you live."
"I don't know what you are...." , but then Diamond remembered. Luna had mentioned something about to Alicorn Foals.
"Wait a second... Do you mean a colt and a filly?"
"So you do know where they are." , the mare stated.
"Well not exactly. But tell me, why did you do this?"
"They could not tell me what I wanted. So where are my children? Tell me." , the mare demanded.
"You did all this, just because they didn't tell you what they didn't know? I think it is best you leave now, before I loose my temper. Your children are safe. If you leave now I will arrange that they are brougt back to you saf...." , Diamond tried to negotiate, but was interrupted by the mares face suddenly being only inches from her own. Her deep blue eyes were draconian in shape and seemed to stare into her verry soul.
"Garden of shadows.... Tell me creature.... Where is that?"
Diamond took a step backwards, only to collide with an Alicorn stallion that had suddenly appeared right behind her. His red eyes had the same shape as the mares, and they looked down on her like she was an insect he was about to crush. Try as she might, she could not stop shaking. The mare had just read her mind, and this stallion seemed atleast equally capable. The sheer amount of magic needed for that, was something that frightend her quite a bit. With a quick teleportation she found herself back in townsquare. Before she could lift off and try an escape however, she felt as if she had held her face right in front of a train as a telekinetic blow hit her.
******
The mare had almost reached the city. From within she could feel magic. Strong magic. Magic meant to hurt somepony. Was there a fight going on? She didn't know, and was not eager to find out. Her strength had started to come back to her, and the visions in head had intensified. She saw the moon... She saw a purple Unicorn with two toned mane and tail.... She saw a midnight blue Alicorn with green eyes, just like hers. She saw a forest and ruins. She saw a Zebra.....
From the town, she could now hear screams. Three different voices, that much she could make out. Two were female and one was male. One of the female voices screamed in pain, while the other two screamed in rage.
******
Diamond struggled not to be caught off guard again. These two were certainly stronger then her, but she was faster then them, and she tried to use that to her advantage. The only problem was, that her magical blows did nothing to them. Their fur got only slightly burned, when she hit one of them. Theirs on the other hoof, had already created painfull cracks in er chitine armor.
"Ok, if magic doesn't work, then hoof to hoof it is." , she thought to herself, turning around mid flight and dodging the magical projectiles that flew at her.
With faster then a speeding bullet Diamond rammed her shoulder into the black stallion who plummeted to the ground with her. On impact they created a small crated, with her towering above him. She took some pleasure from the mixture of pain and confusion on his face. He had clearly not seen that one coming. Diamond could not enjoy this for long however, as she was yanked off of him by her tail and thrown into the ruins of a nearby building. The force was enough to throw her right through it, and she could barely breath by the time she came out on the other side. Rolling a few times, Diamond lay on her side, breathing hard. Her white mane was now red in places, and one of the spliters of wood from the building had pierced one of her eyes. She tried to struggle to her hooves, not whilling to admit defeat, when a pair of hooves crushed her hips. Diamond crashed to the ground again, screaming at levels of pain, she had never imagined possible.
"Is this the end then?" , she thought to herself as the Alicorn mare stood over her.
******
The mare entered the town and stood in the shadow of a building. It felt as if she had done something simliar before.... Hiding in the shadows seemed natural to her. Shaking her head, she looked at three figures standing not too far away from herself. One was lying on the ground, while the two others seemed to try to interrogate her. As the mare saw the face of the beaten up figure on the ground, a new flash of pain ran through her head. It all came back to her.... But how it was at all possible that she was now standing here, could wait. She had to act.
******
Diamond looked up at the mare that towered above her defiantly. She was not going to spill the beans. The garden was not ready yet to deal with an attack, and even if she died here, her hive would live. Just as the mares horn lit up in a reddish glow once again, as she tried to read Diamonds mind, something rammed into her and tackled her off of Diamond. All the Changeling queen could see through her foggy vision was a streak of brown, and something yellow pass over her as the stallion groaned in pain.
"Stardancer?" , she asked, her voice weak and barely above a whisper.
"Stardancer? No not really my friend. I don't remember you being so weak. Not eaten well enough lately?" , the brown and blond blob teased her.
Diamond tried to make sense of it all, until she recognized the voice. Rubbing at her remaining eye with a hoof she tried to clear her vision enough to see a light brown Alicorn mare, dark brown ears, a blonde mane and tail, and a cresent moon with two clouds as a cutie mark. She stood in front of her, her wings extended protectivly, her head lowered and ready to charge. As Diamond turned her head to see what had happend to the stallion, she saw him lying in the dirt with a twisted neck.
"I think the reunion celebration can wait. Before that, I think I have something else to do." , Moonsinger said as she charged at the still suprised Alicorn mare who had hurt her friend.
Chapter 7
The Creator
Moonsinger charged towards the mare, who was quick to recover from the initial shock of her arrival. Already she could see that she would not reach her in time. With a powerfull flap of her wings the white and green mare took flight, to dodge Moonsingers attack.
Storm Breeze could not believe it. Another Alicorn was attacking her, and a pretty powerfull and skilled one at that. The abomination and the vermin in this town had been no real challenge for her, nor her husband, despite them having barely seen any actual combat. She tried to outfly her, but was immideatly caught by a shield spell that manifested directly in front of her. Storm flew into it, unable to stop herself at such speeds. That one mistake was enough for the other mare to catch up to her. A hoof slammed right into her flank, shattering the shield and knocking the air out of her lungs.
Moonsinger had created a shield to stop the escaping Alicorn mare. It was a desperate attempt to stop her, but it had worked. Her opponent was now plummeting to the ground, not even screaming. Her training kicked in, and Moonsinger angled herself to face the ground, giving her wings a flap with all her might. Instantly breaking the sound barrier, she chased her target.
******
Diamond could still not believe her good eye. It definitly was Moonsinger. But how could that be? She herself had carried her corpse back to the garden of shadows, before returning to the Chrystal Empire. No matter how it was possible, she sure was thankfull for it. Had her old friend not shown up when she did, she would have died for sure. The pain in her lower body was still a problem, but it was already healing. Her Changeling physique was already kicking in. The rearranging flesh and chitine, was pretty uncomfortable, but she needed more Energy, if she wanted to get out of here. Usually she would wait for Moonsinger to finish the fight, an drag her away from here, but she wasn't taking that chance. Diamond could already tell that Moonsinger was lost in the fight. She would go all out and blast everything to bits if whatever came into her way. Moonsinger would never hurt her on purpose, but she was really into it by now. She was in the Zone, and that was when her old friend became something frightening.
******
Storm Breeze caught herself mid-fall, stabalizing herself in mid-air. She had been in only two actual battles against the rebels back then, but she had never fought against somepony who was actually trained in battle. Just as she tried to focus her vision, and find her opponent, another hoof slammed into her face with immense force. It broke her jaw, and didn't loose contact with her face, until she crashed into the ground. The impact created a strong shockwave, strong enough to throw destroy some nearby buildings, and blow their remains into all directions.
Moonsinger was panting, her hoof still in the Alicorns face. Her opponent was not fighting back at all. Either she was that weak, or actually scared of her. The later seemed to be the case, seeing as how she had tried to flee from her. Moonsinger was about tho deliver the final blow, when everything around her stopped. She was unable to move a single muscle, and even the dust particles in the air seemed to stand still. There was not a single sound. At first Moonsinger thought it was her opponents doing, but she aswell seemed to be frozen in time itself. It was then, that Moonsinger heard the soft and gentle female voice, from all directions.
"You really intend to kill Storm Breeze, my little Pony?"
"Who... Who are you?" , Moonsinger stammered.
"I am the creator. It is from me you all come, and to me to whom all of you return after death, but you have yet to answer my question."
"No. I don't want to kill her, but they killed all the citizens..."
"You are assuming, my dear Moonsinger. Storm Breeze merely was looking for her children, who are being held captive by your mother. I ask you, what you would do, would somepony hold your daughter captive."
"I... I would...."
"Maybe you will listen to somepony, who you know, instead of an entitiy you have never heard anything about..."
Suddenly, as if stepping out of a thick mist, a grey coated Earthpony stallion with hazel colored eyes faded into view.
"It has been a long time, Cherry." , Bright Light said with a smile.
Moonsinger could not believe her eyes. What was her husband doing here? Why was he not in the garden?
"I died in the battle for Canterlot, Cherry. Our daughter grew up without either of her parents. Some parents we are, aren't we? We put her through the same thing we had to endure all those years ago." , he said with a smile.
"But... how can you be here then?"
"The creator has asked me to come and speak to you. I had hoped to meet you in Elysium, but I soon found out your soul was trapped in the Artifact known as the Alicorn Stone. When it broke you were pulled towards their old kingdom, but you struggled against their will and so your reformed body plummeted into the Palimino desert."
"But why are you here?"
"You are doing something, that you should not. The creator is a kind Pony. Yet she wants those who have gone against her laws to be brough before her, to face her judgment. Storm Breeze however, is not one of them. Her corruption was forced on her. The crimes she has commited are minor, and she does not deserve to be curshed beneath your hooves. The creator wants to judge her aswell, but not in the same manner as the others. The stallion you killed, was her husband. He has already faced his sentence, and so will you the next time you die. I am sorry Cherry Scotch, but you are a criminal in the councils eyes. The creator is much more leniant, but the council will have all Alicorns in this world punished, once they come to Elysium. The creator has long been overruled, and her powers are weakening. That is why she wants to help you. There are problems in Elysium aswell, and the creator will need your help to sort them out. The Alicorns there are loyal to the council, since they think they only relay her orders. They are wrong, and the council prevents her from contacing them. Once the roubles in the mortal world are sorted out, and you have destroyed "the Source", all of you will loose your anchor in the mortal world. You will instantly be transported to Elysium as if you had died. The creator will do her best to hold her protective hoof over you, but you shall not commit any more crimes. Take Storm Breeze prisoner, if you have to, and reunite her with her children. Maybe that will earn you some points, not only with the council, but with her aswell." , Bright Light explained.
Moonsinger would have loved to interrupt him, but some power held her muzzle shut. She simply nodded. It was alot to take in, that was for sure, but she also knew that Bright would never lie to her. He had done so once in his lifetime, and the result had not been pretty when she had found out.
"I must be on my way then. The creators interference in this world will already not go unnoticed. Please be safe Cherry... I love you...." , Bright whispered, before everything started moving again, and Moonsinger felt a single tear roll down her cheek.
The mare held her hooves up in front of her face, shivering like a frightend little filly.
"I am sorry. Your name is Storm Breeze, isn't it?" , Moonsinger asked, much more calm now.
The mare nodded, her face still hidden behind her hooves.
"I am sorry about your husband, but I thought I wouldn't stand a chance against the both of you. If you give up now, I promise I wiill reunite you with your children."
Storm Breeze moved her hooves aside and looked into her attackers face. The brown mares face was covered with tears, and there was nothing left of the murderous fury she had seen in it earlier. She had hated Bladestorm, and she was not sorry for his fate. All she cared about, were her children. If surrendering to this mare ment she would see them again, and survive this day, then this was the logical option to take. She nodded her agreement. She was not willing to fight for a loosing cause. They had been defeated thousands of years ago, and Storm Breeze had no doubt they would be again. She wanted her children to grow up this time, and not be sealed away for all eternity.
******
Diamond finished her "meal". It tasted bad, and was somethings she had only ever heard about. She had never done it before, but consuming the last thoughts of a dying Pony had been the only possible way for her to heal fast enough to get out of Moonsingers way. The last emotions and thoughts, and even flashing memories of the dying Alicorn stallion would surely hurt to digest, but atleast she was completly healed now.... Diamond just hoped she would never have to do something like this again. It was mutulating and disrespecting a dying individual, and she hated herself for having done so. Farther down the road, she could see Moonsinger standing beside the white Alicorn mare she had fought earlier. Her friend had put a silencing spell on her horn and bound her wings. It looked like they had just made another prisoner....
Should she try to resist, Diamond would be sure to return the favor from earlier.
******
Stardancer was organizing their troops and rerouting some supplies to the cities on the southern edge of the garden. They would need their full potential there. If there was a conflict, then they had to be prepared. That was when she recieved a magical letter through the dragon by her side. The enchantment Celestia had placed on him was easy enough to replicate, if one knew what to do. So she had enchanted some parchements, so he would be able to recieve them when they were burned by a simple fire spell. Acting as a mailbox was certainly not entertaining for the little guy, and Stardancer was sorry for the discomfort, but it was necessary.
What the report said on the other hoof, was more then disturbing. One of the southern guards reported a massive surge of magical energy from the direction of Appleloosa. Also three immense magical auras were approaching from that direction. That could mean only one thing. The attack she was anticipating, was coming their was sooner then she had expected. With an irritated grunt, she made her way to the southern lines. If the attack was really starting, she wanted to know what their opponents were capable off. But there was something else that bothered her...
"If these really are scouts or an advance party, then what happend to Diamond?", she wondered.
******
Moonsinger was approaching the edge of the Everfree forest, Diamond and her prisoners some way behind her. As she set a hoof into the forest, a macial blast hit right in front of it. From the shadows she could sense several of her brothers and sisters. She had her reasons for going ahead of Diamond and Storm Breeze.
"Halt!" , a male voice commanded.
"Is this the kind of reception one is to expect if one returns home?" , Moonsinger asked with a snort.
"You are none of us. No patrol was sent to the south. The only one we are expecting, is the Changeling queen Diamond." , a female added.
Moonsinger had anticipated this, and had kind of anticipated this kind of reception. She was enjoying a little sarcasm, after being in that cursed Stone for that long. After her battle with Storm Breeze even that had come back to her,even so she wished she could forget it. Spreading her wings, she stepped further into the forest. Her Enforcers obviously needed a lesson.
Another blast came out of the darkness, but hit her face this time. She smirked. The one who had fired it, was surely a pretty young Unicorn, since it had not hurt her much.
"Enforcer! State your name!" , she belowed. Sure, ranks were not really important in the garden, but if this was one of the Enforcers, he or she would be forced to answer. Even if it was out of courtesy alone.
"I'm Coldwing." , came a shaking female voice.
Moonsinger sighed. This bunch were mere recruits she guessed. For what it was worth, she actually recognized the name. Coldwing was Frostmanes daughter.
******
Stardance was observing the intruder from a safe vantage point. What she saw displeased her more then she could express. Stepping out of the darkness, into the clearing the intruder had just stepped into, she fought hard to supress her rage.
"That is not funny in the least Diamond. Now drop the act, or do you want to continue where we left off this morning?" , she threatend, only to be met with a puzzled look.
"Mhmm... like a mirror. You sure have grown. I'm suprised you chose to ascent. Mothers idea?" , the other brown Alicorn asked, eyeing her up and down.
"I said drop the act! Impersonating my dead mother is not the best way to earn any points with me!" , she screamed, just as she saw two other figures step into the clearing. One of them being the Changeling queen.
"I am pretty sure I have taught you better then scream at your mother, Stardancer.", Moonsinger said with a frown.
"Mother... but.... b...but... HOW?!?" , she asked, as she jumped onto her, wrapping her wings around her mother.
Monnsinger returned the embrace. She had missed Stardancer verry much. Only now could she relate to just how much her mother must have missed her, during her thousand year exile....
******
Luna had arrived at the Chrystal Empire with only a few difficulties. The guards at the border had tried to stop her, and she had to ruff them up a bit until they were willing to listen to her, but now they heeded her every word. The generals in the capital had not been too fond of her giving them orders, but they had, in the end, accepted that she had cut ties with Equestria long ago. The Changelings amongst them were pretty quick to believe her. They had a mental link to their queen afterall, and they were already preparing to move out. From the last conflict, Luna knew that these drones were weaker then Chrysalises drones, but they sure were nummerous. From the reports she was being flooded with, over two million of them lived scattered all over the Chrystal Empire, that had a population of ten million Ponies of it's own.
******
Twilight and Solar Flare were going through some ancient texts. The realization that she and her friends would have to leave this world, would they win this war was something that weight heavy on her mind.
"I am verry sorry I have not told you this beforehoof Twilight." , Solar appologized for the uptenth time.
"It's ok Solar... Some of these texts are talking about a reversion process. If we can just recreate it, then we could stay here in this world."
"This ritual is dangerous, and could kill you and all participants. Also... it was not created to revert a Pony who has willingly ascended. It was created to revert those who have been forced to do so. The freedom fighters never really completed it.", Solar explained, hating to destroy the other Alicorns hopes.
"But couldn't we just... you know... get rid of the rest of them, and keep the source? That way it would still anchor us here."
"The possibility of your corruption would always loom over you."
"What will happen to us if we go to Elysium?"
"Basicly it is not that much different from this world. The only thing you, and all other Alicorns in this world, will have to fear are the gates. Stepping through them will cleanse you. You will be cleansed of all negative emotions, and all negative desires. The problem is, that these have to go somewhere. So basicly you will be splitt in two. The Twilight Sparkle that only consists of positive emotions, will be allowed into Elysium. The other one will be thrown into what you know as the everlasting Tarterus...." , Solar explained.
"That sounds kinda forcefull. What if I don't want to be splitt like that?"
"You have no choice. And believe me Twilight. It is not bad. I have done it countless times before I got corrupted. After stepping through, you will feel extremly relaxed, because you suddenly don't have to worry about anything."
"If you say so... I just don't feel comfortable to have some part of me being ripped away."
"Don't worry. It will not change who you are. Your personality will stay unstouched. Those who are evil to the bone, can never cross the gate."
******
Chapter 2
Awkward moments
Twilight, Applejack and Rarity stood in the courtyard of Canterlot castle, stretching their wings. The problem was, none of them knew how to use them. For Applejack, the problem was doubled, since most of her senses were playing tricks on her ever since she had been transformed. She felt the magic around her, and could even see strands of it run through each and every thing around her. Rarity had told her, that this was perfectly normal, even so she had never seen them so clearly.
Twilight was first to try and lift off. She was sucessfull, or so it seemed. She rose into the air several hooves, before she lost control over her wings and crashed right to the floor again. Rainbow Dash, who had been watching the whole scene, fell over laughing, while holding her belly.
"Verry funny Rainbow. A little help?" , Twilight snorted as Applejack and Rarity helped her back to her hooves.
"Sorry Twi... It's just..... hahahahaha. You fly worse then Scootaloo on her first try."
"Rainbow Dash! Are ya comin' or not? We could really need some advice here!"
Rainbow Dash took her sweet time, calming down she soared out of the window she had been watching from and landed right between her friends.
"Sorry guys. It's practicly easy to fly. You will not be able to fly as well as me right away, but you should be able to get where you want to go."
With that, she took position in front of the three other Alicorns and spread her wings.
"At first, spread your wings like this and make sure they are not tilted into any direction. They have to be straight for lift off. It is verry important that you shift your weight to your hindquarters once you are in the air. Keep your wings straight and make sure they dont adapt the same angle of your body. They must be level with the horizon. Ok now, try to hover, but carefull. I have already noticed that these Alicorn wings are quite different."
The three friends looked at each other and Rainbow Dash in turn, before all three of them spread their wings and flapped them once, just like Rainbow had told them. However, Rarity was the only one who was able to accomplish the task. She still remembered her temporary wings, from when she had joined the best young flyers competition, so she already knew the basics.
Twilight, upon giving her wings a quick flap, shot into the air like a bullet. screaming while she shot up through the clouds towards the sun. Applejack had her wings not angled correctly, and shot straight forward after giving her wings an equally hard flap. Rainbow had to decide in the split of a second, after who of her friends she would fly first. She decided for Applejack and shot off into the direction the orange Alicorn had shot off to. Instantly breaking the sound barrier, creating a Sonic Rainboom that made many of the trees in the courtyard shake, she cought up with her friend in less then a second. After she had grabbed Applejack with her mind, doing so instinctivly, she changed her direction and flew after Twilight.
Twilight had already left the highest clouds behind her, and still she did not slow down. She could feel as her lungs began to burn with a lack of oxygen in the air that became thinner and thinner, the higher she flew. In the distance, she saw a Rainbow streak coming towards her. But her friend would not come in time, that much she knew. With all her willpower, she shifted her weight forward, so her nose pointed slightly downwards. With another hard flap of her wings, Twilight shot downwards in a uncomfortable angle. She could feel heat building on her coat as she reentered the lower atmosphere, but there were no flames, like she had anticipated. She could see Equestria pass below her. Van Hoover, Manehatten, Baltimare, Phillydelphia.... Hoofington.... Twilight shifted her weight again, so her hindlegs were now beneath her, flapping her wings for the third time.
She came to a hovering halt, and began to flap her wings more gently. She had finally figured out how to fly. It had almost killed her, but she had finally managed it. It was all about force control and shifting once weight, which was pretty much like using magic. From behind her, she heard three loud bangs and turned around. Before her head was fully turned, she could already hear Rainbow Dashs voice right beside herself.
"Wow! Twilight! That-was-so-awesome! ", Rainbow said, while levitating Applejack at her side.
Applejack looked kind of sick. She was by far not used to this kind of speed, nor the height they were at. The whriling colors of magic that surrounded her, also didn't help. Twilight noticed that her friend was able to use basic magic, and also gave a loud cheer, just before she noticed Applejack who was a little green around the muzzle.
"Applejack, you okay?" , she asked concerned.
"Yeah... Just lemme.... catch mah...." , but Applejack began to throw up in Rainbows gentle cyan colored magical grip.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. AJ! Bleh.... That's disgusting! ", Rainbow shouted, attempting a landing with her friend in tow.
Twilight on her part, used her magic to catch Applejacks puke, and threw it way past Hoofingtons city limits. The town had been her home for the last fifty years, and she could not help but remove it. From her vantage point she could see the four story building she had bought, many years ago with her late husband. A few tears formed in her eyes. She had outlived her stallion, and would now also outlive the rest of her family. Discord should have taken care of everything concerning her death by now, so there was really no point in.... She whiped her tears from her eyes, ignoring the consequences. She had never wanted her family to know who she really was, but right now she wanted to see them again. She landed in a side street near her home, and used her newfound Alicorn magic to change back into Midnight Glow.
Midnight slowly approached her house. The building was build of grey stone, and had a red tilted roof. As she knocked on the door, an ornage coated Earthpony mare with blue mane and tail opend the door. She wore a black hat and dress. She did not look her in the eye, but Glow knew who it was. It was her granddaughter Evening Shine.
"Hey Shine. Mind letting me in? I think I forgot my keys." , she said, attempting to walk past her granddaughter.
At the sound of her voice, Evening Shines head jerked up, her ears that had been laying on her head just moments before, perked up. With wide green eyes, she stared at her grandmother, tears streaming down her face. The mare staggered slightly and a stallion from the back, who Midnight identified as her granddaughter husband, ran to her side to help her steady herself.
"What's wrong darling? Who is....it?" , the pink stallion with red mane said, before his eyes also shot open so wide, they could be mistaken for saucers.
"Come on you guys. Are you really that suprised to see me? I mean, this IS my house." , Midnight chuckled.
Then it struck her. Just earlier she had thought about Discord having taken care of her burial... She pushed past the two stunned ponies, into a room full of shocked ponies. All her sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren were there, and looked at her in stunned suprise. The only pony that was missing, was her butler, but she knew where she would find him. In the middle of the room, stood a black coffin whichs lid stood open. Inside was....
"Discord, come on. I don't want you to scare everypony." , she said softly, as she approached her own coffin.
The "corpse", opend one eye and looked at her curiously.
"Oh, so we can stop pretending now?" , it said in her own voice, making some of her relatives in attendance faint.
With a flash of light, her doppelganger changed to his original form, and the draconus stretched as he adressed the stunned ponies around him.
"Hello there! Discord is my name, bringing chaos is my game! But I won't explain you anything. I think our freshly revived here, owes all of us, me included, quite the explanation." , he said, bowing to the crowd.
"G...Granny.... Is that really you?" , one of her grandsons approached her carefully.
"Yes it is Bolt. ", she said sighing.
"And I think Discord here is right. I owe all of you an explanation." , she added, nodding to Discord who summoned a chair for her to sit down.
"What is the meaning of this?" Her oldest daughter asked her.
"That coffin cost a small fortune, and now you just show up here as if nothing happend!" , she added.
Midnight Glow sighed again, and Discord summoned a cup of tea for her. After taking a sip of it, she looked at her oldest daughter. They had never gotten along verry good, and she could only imagine that she was already thinking about selling her house, and all of her belongings.
"Sunrise, I am verry sorry to disappoint you, with me not being dead. But I can assure you that I will pay you back. If all of you have not wasted what I have safed up over the years, I should still be fairly wealthy." , Glow said slightly angry.
"I made sure that the splitting of your founds, would have taken place after the funeral." , Discord informed her.
A little Pegasus filly came running up to her, after having digested the shock of her great grandmother still being alive.
"Granny!" , she shouted, as she almost tipped the chair over on which she was sitting.
Glow embraced her great granddaughter tightly. From all her relatives, the little one was her favorite by far.
"So, care to explain? What is that creature serving you, and how come you are still alive." , one of her sons in law asked.
"Well... prepared for another shock?" , she asked mischiviously.
Putting her great granddaughter back to the ground, she stood up, handed Discord the cup of tea he had summoned for her, and released the spell she had put onto herself earlier. All ponies in attendance, and Discord, were shocked to find a lavender coated Alicorn standing in the spot, their mother, grandmother or great grandmother had stood just moments ago.
"I must explain to you, my dear relatives, that the stories I have been telling all of you, and that made me rich, were not just stories. You all know the war really happend, but you all thought I knew all of it because of extensive research. Part of that is true, but my name is not Midnight Glow. I am the element of magic amongst the elements of harmony. My real name is.... Twilight Sparkle."
A hoof struck her face, and she looked at her attacker in utter suprise, as she looked into the green eyes of her youngest daughter, who had broken out in tears.
"So you have lied to us, all our lives? How could you? Do you even know how I felt when Green Script informed me of your passing?" , the blue mare shouted at her, with a cracking voice.
"I am terribly sorry Radiance.... I really am... You were never to find out about my past, but things have changed. The thing is... as a matter of fact... I did die. But the elements of harmony saved my life, and I am once more called upon to defend Equestria, together with the other elements."
"The other elements... does that mean..." , Discord asked hopefully.
"Yes. She's propably waiting for you already Discord. Go to her, she's at the palace." , Twilight said with a smile.
With a snap of his fingers, and a giant grin, Discord disappeared. Twilight couldn't help but smile. She knew one of her friends would be verry happy to see him.
"So... let me get this straight... You are THE Twilight Sparkle. THE Princess Twilight Sparkle, that abandoned her subjects and went into hiding?" , her oldest daughter asked, flapping her wings disgusted.
"Yes I am, but all of you know WHY I did it." , she responded, with equal venom in her voice, while Dusk was already climbing on her back, marveling at her great grandmothers wings.
"You hid from Celestia, and I understand why you did it, but you should have told us... And by the way... why did you ascend now? What is that danger you are called to defend us from?" , her middle son asked her.
With a sigh, Twilight settled on the ground, so her great granddaughter could stay on her back. She started to explain everything to her family. How she had escaped the prison, how she had brought her friends one by one into the chrystal grave....
Rainbow Dash stroke her friends back, as she was still throwing up into a stream near the marketplace. Many ponies had been looking at them. Seeing the princess these days was verry rare, but seeing two Alicorns in the middle of town, without any kind of warning, was even more of a suprise. Rainbow Dash did not care about them much. All that mattered to her right now, was that Applejack got better. A yellow Pegasus stallion approached the pair cautiously.
"Excuse me... your highnesses. I presume you are... new princesses? Is there anything I can do to help you? I mean you no offense, but that stream holds our drinking water, so you might please stop poluting it?" , he said with a bow.
Rainbow was taken aback a little, to be adressed as princess.
"No eh... sorry my friend here is just a little airsick. She is not used to being an Alicorn yet. Is there a place where she can get some rest?" , Rainbow asked.
"Well... You could go to Midnight Glows house, but they are holding her funeral right now.... Usually their buttler Green Script always has a room prepared for strangers... But I don't know if they would..." , he stammered, still bowing.
"No problem. Better then nothing I suppose. Can you show us the way?" , she said, while putting Applejack on her back.
After a few minutes the trio arrived in front of a four story building. Rainbow had been here before, when she had visited Twilight. As her friend was nowhere to be seen, she assumed that Twilight had actually went home. It was no suprise the stallion that had approached her, did not recognize Rainbow. She on the other hoof, knew him well. He was a waiter in one of her favorite cafees here in Hoofington, but he would only know her as Ms. Thundercloud. And eldery black coated Pegasus mare, with grey mane and tail. As she knocked on the door, she was not suprised that it was Twilight who opend the door.
"Oh! Rainbow, Applejack. Perfect timing. I think my family could use some confirmation of my story. They don't seem to believe me completly." , Twilight smirked.
"I fear we have no time for that you three. Rarity is already on her way to the Chrystal empire with Fluttershy, and you three have played around enough I think." , came a stern voice from behind Rainbow Dash.
As the the three looked at whom at spoken, they found a not verry amused princess Celestia staring at them. All the ponies in attendance bowed respectfully, except the three Alicorns. They just looked at her in utter suprise and disbelief.
"How..." , Twilight asked suprised.
"It was not to difficult to find you my faithfull student. Your magical aura could be felt all the way to Canterlot, when you used that illusion spell." , Celestia clarified, looking away from them.
She was still not comfortable around them. Celestia knew that she had done the right thing this time, but the consequences were dire. That she had not thought about them beforehoof, made it even harder for her to look at her student.
After a short while, in which the four Alicorns spoke about their tasks once again, it was decided that Applejack and Rainbow Dash were to return to the palace, while Rarity would accomplish her mission with Fluttershy at her side. Twilight was to leave immideatly for the Everfree forest, but princess Celestia promised to stay behind, to explain everything to her family. That was in fact, the only thing that convinced Twilight to go.
Twilight did not quite trust Celestia fully yet, but she had so far done nothing to make her distrust her. She would still keep an eye on her former mentor. After assuring her family, that she would return as soon as she could, and allowing all of them to stay in her house for the time being, Twilight flew off into the direction she had wanted to go in the first place. The second time around, she found it much easier to fly. It actually felt verry good to her, to feel the wind brush through her feathers.
A few minutes later
Hoofington lay not far from Ponyville, and closer even to the Everfree forest. Twilight could not resist. Doing a quick flap of her wings, she shot off into the directon of Ponyville. For only a few seconds did she fly over her former home, to find that not many things had changed. Sweet Apple Acres was still there, and so was her library. As she saw Spike come out of it, wearing a blue apron, she could not resist but land right in front of him.
The dragon was startled at her sudden appearance, and even more so of her change.
"Twilight! Man don't suprise me like this!" , he said, putting his hand on his chest.
"I'm sorry Spike. I was on my way to meet with Luna, and then I thought I might as well fly over Ponyville. That's when I spotted you." , she said, hugging him.
Spike returned the hug, but soon break out of the embrace, looking at his big sister.
"Twilight.... Why are you on your way to the Everfree forest? I mean it's not the safest place these days. The children of the night keep a vigilant watch over the forest these days, and we have suffered some casualties over the last few years." , he inquired.
"What do you mean? I am sure Luna would not hurt anypony, if she didn't have to.", Twilight said frowning.
"I don't think she means to hurt anypony Twilight.... ah well I guess you will see for yourself. You should really get going, ponies are staring at you, and unless you have time to hold a speech, I suggest we catch up later." , spike said, indicating several ponies that came their way. One old mare in particular however, rooted Twilight to the spot She must have been about seventy, but Twilight recognized her imideatly! Her mane still held the slightest streak of red, while it was decorated with the same red ribbon she remembered. Her yellow coat was scarred in places, but it was definitly......
"Applebloom?" , Twilight stammered as she ran up to the mare, whos cutiemark was a single seed from which sprouted a beautifull flower.
"T...Twilight? No... That... can't be you! Where have you been? Where`s Applejack?" , the mare called out as she embraced Twilight, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Applebloom... I am so sorry we left you alone... I promise you, I will come back and talk to you about everything. Applejack is alive and... fairly well." , she said wheeping, before releasing the elderly mare, and flying off into the direction of the Everfree forest, tears streaming from her eyes.
She had been happy to see Spike, but seeing Applebloom, who she only remembered as a filly, was too much for her. As fast as she could she raced through the streets of Ponyville, with her new wings. Not able to take it anymore, she flew upwards, not to see so many familiar faces anymore who had aged so much. Rainbow Dash would have been in awe of her speed, when she been a Pegasus.
At the edge of the Everfree forest, she landed without slowing down a single bit. A giant dustcloud rose up from the place of her impact, while her hooves dug into the ground several hooves into the ground. Once she could see again, she notices that she was burried so deep, that her belly almost touched the ground.
Looking ahead of herself, Twilight could see several pairs of eyes begin to glow in the darkness of the forest. A voice shouted at her from the darkness. She knew that voice but couldn't place a hoof on it right now... It had been so long since she had last heard it....
"You will leave now, or face the consequenses! In the name of our dear mother, we order you to leave the perimeter!"
A male voice cut off the female speaker, before she could shout any more threats.
"Hey, what are you doing? You know our orders!" , the female voice said agressivly.
"And you know the exception of our orders! We are to bring Twilight Sparkle to Luna, should she ever come here!" , the male voice reprimanded.
Twilight felt herself being looked over, as a light brown Alicorn stepped out of the Everyfree forests darkness.
"I will admit, that she looks alot like her, but it can't be Twilight. Twilight is supposed to be a half Alicorn. This one is a full Alicorn." , the Alicorn mare said.
"You can trust me to recognize my sister." , the male voice said, as a white Unicorn stallion, with blue mane stepped into the light.
"Shining Armor?????" , Twilight asked shocked.
"Yep, it's me Twili. So, why are you a full Alicorn?"
"Long story. But right now, I must talk to Luna. By the way, would you introduce me to your friend? I mean she does look kinda familliar." , Twilight responded, trying not to stare at the light brown mare.
"This is Stardancer, Lunas granddaughter." , Shining Armor explained.
"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Sparkle. I believe you knew my mother." , Stardancer clarified.
"Oh! Your mother... Now I remember! Moonsinger! So you're Moonsinger daughter? I must say, you are the mirror image of your mother." , Twilight said shocked.
"I am pleased you might think so. But my mother had a harder time controlling her emotions. She fought to defend Equestria, and died. I just hope I don't ever have to make the same mistakes." , the light brown Alicorn said, letting her head hang.
The two ponies helped Twilight out of the four holes her legs had dug, and ecorted her inside the forest. Once her eyes had adjusted to the eternal darkness inside the forest, she could see thousands of ponies that hid inside the shadows. Had Shining Armor not have been there, she might have been forced into a fight with all those ponies.... From the stories she heard, when she had traveled the land, she knew those ponies were verry strong. Twilight was sure that, she would have died, in trying to defend herself.
As they passed into the barrier, that was the garden, Shining Armor had explained many things to Twilight. He had decided to stay at Lunas side, after she had returned to the garden. She had been mourning Moonsinger, and even so he had only met her briefly, he had come to like her aswell. After a short while, he had discovered, that he did not want to leave the garden ever again. As he had written to Cadence about it, she had informed him, that she had found a new lover. As they both had been unwilling to leave whereever they were, they came to the agreement to dissolve their marriage. Soon after, Shining Armor had married Goldshield, who had stayed with him in the garden. Stardancer, who had been with friends of her during the war, had later then be raised by Luna herself. Bright Light, her father, had died during the fight for Canterlot, so the young foal had nopony else to turn to.
It was Twilights first time in Lunas refuge, and she marveled at the vastness of the land, as she took off with Stardancer. Luna was, as she had informed her, not in Gemini at the time. She was visiting Orion, to teach at the local school for Unicorns, where she was a professor on Alicorn magic and theory. Shining Armor stayed back in Gemini, to make arrangments to help his sister, should Luna agree to help her sister once again.
"But this brings up one question Stardancer. Why did you ascend?" , Twilight wanted to know, while they soared through the sky inside the barrier.
"Luna wanted me to. You will find that there are many Alicorns here. The gift our dear mothers barrier gives each and every one of us, has gotten stronger since she became a full Alicorn. That resulted in many natural ascendions. Not all Unicorns however do so, and mother discourages it, due to the sideeffects. She wanted me to ascend, so I could take her place, should she die one day." , the light brown Alicorn mare explained while flying close to Twilight.
"Die? Isn't she immortal?"
"Yes she is. But my mothers death has shown her, that she is only relativly immortal. A battle, or an accident could still kill her. I want her to be happy, but that fact makes her depressed many times." , Stardancer said depressed.
"I... I understand...."
The two flew the rest of the way without saying another word, until they reached a big city, in whichs center stood a gigantic building. It was build of white marble, and Twilight got the feeling, just by looking at it, that this was a place of learning. In front, stood a statue, that was also made out of white marble. It showed an Alicorn, what looked much like Stardancer.
Landing in front of it, Twilight looked up into the dead Alicorns eyes. Moonsinger had saved her life once, and she had never been able to properly thank her for it. Had she known, at any point, that Moonsinger would run into the trap that had cost her life, she would have turned back immideatly to help her. She would have been there to repay the favor.
Twilights eyes began to water, as a melodical voice could be heard.
"Twilight? Oh my goodness, it IS you!" , a darkblue Alicorn mare said, as she approached Twilight.
Her mane was slightly shorter then what Twilight remembered it too be, and she wore glases on her nose. Her back carried two saddlebags that were filled to the point of bursting, with books and scrolls. As Twilight turned to her, she threw those aside, and ran up to her.
Twilight felt the wind being knocked out of her, as a darkblue bulled hit her, knocking her sprawling right through the statue, destroying it in the process.
