Sisters

Sisters

A New Threat

Written by Dragon Genesis

Edited by TheGreatEater

The group sat inside on of the more private studies of the castle, Chrystal being the center of attention.  She was an alicorn Princess that was supposed to be dead for over four thousand years so it was only right that they focus on her.

Chrystal shifted nervously as all attention was on her.  The start of the changeling race, the bane of many foal hood nightmares, the haunting reminder that you can't trust everything you see.  Within four thousand years she did more damage secretly then any would have ever thought.

Her race started wars, battles, assassinations, brutal murders, slaughters.  Sometimes to benefit from the love and sympathy that was given off in the aftermath, sometimes for revenge, and sometimes, and most twisted, just for her own personal entertainment of watching ponies and other races suffer.  Chrysalis was dark, evil, deceiving.  Completely different from Chrystal, but part of her nonetheless.

She now sat here, explaining her past to the elements as well as filling them all in on her last four thousand years, including her influence in wars, assassinations, and slaughters all over the world.  It was actually her who had blown apart one of the tallest buildings in Equestria.  A tower whose name she forgot in Manehatten.  It still haunts her.  Ponies screaming in pain as they threw themselves out the windows to end their suffering.  And Chrysalis enjoyed every second of it.

"I hope you understand all of this haunts me to no end," said Chrystal, examining her hooves as though some ancient secret that had nothing to do with murder was hidden in them. "All of the things done were not of my free will.  All I could do was sit back and watch as she murdered thousands."

"So, every large scale slaughter, assassination, and war started because of changelings?" Asked Celestia, staring at her in shock.  Chrystal nodded.

"Yup.  Find the most vulnerable and unstable target and set them off.  It was a sure fire way to start a bloody war," said Chrystal, shivering at a memory of her murdering a gryphon family in a way to start a civil war.  She knew that Celestia was aware of how most of the wars started giving her the knowledge of what she did.

"But why?  What was her gain from this?" Asked Twilight.  Chrystal laughed.

"Gain?  Out of the four hundred plus slaughters and assassinations was there a gain.  Out of the thirty wars in the past four thousand years, only two had a gain.  The rest was pure enjoyment in watching everyone kill each other," said the white alicorn, placing her head in her hooves, "And out of the three million that fell to my hooves, only one did she ever regret killing only because she wanted to give him everlasting torture."

"The older, the more evil," concluded Luna.  Chrystal nodded.

"Exactly!  Which is why I'm glad I got her purged from me.  Which I can't thank you girls enough for.  She was an absolute bitch," said Chrystal.  Celestia nodded.

"I had first hoof experience with her so I can't agree more on how glad I am that she's gone," said the solar goddess.

"I'm just glad I'm not the only young sibling anymore," said Luna.  The three sisters broke out in laughter, the elements just watching.  Twilight, however, found herself watching Chrystal.  It wasn't that she didn't trust her  it was more of the fact that she was...interested in the mare.

"Oh!" Said Chrystal, as if remembering something, "Where is mother?  I never got to see her during the invasion," The six elements stared at her in confusion while Celestia and Luna froze.

"Chrystal, how much of Equestria's history are you aware of?" Asked Celestia slowly.

"Wars and political incidents.  If it didn't make world news, I probably don't know it. That, or I just didn't learn about it in general because I was leading some sort of campaign," said Chrystal.  Celestia and Luna glanced at each other before standing.

"Follow us," said Luna, starting towards the balcony.  Chrystal cocked her head before following.  The three sisters took flight and angled toward the gardens, Chrystal following behind with a quizzical look on her face.

The three flew down into the gardens, settling upon the lush green grass, Chrystal wobbling a bit as she got used to her wings....again.  Celestia and Luna then led her through a small labyrinth, statues of ponies that Chrystal had no memory of but guessed were important littered the small alcoves.  Finally, however, they came to a large clearing in the center.

A large statue of Faust adorned its middle, the alicorn standing tall with a smile that could melt away the ice of the coldest regions of the planet.  The statue was dirty and worn with age, possibly having been moved at one point.

"Inside are the ashes of Mother, preserved in an urn to survive the millennia.  She was killed during Discord's initial uprising and the fall of Equestria," said Celestia, watching Chrystal slowly approach the statue.

"She's been dead for over three thousand years and I never knew.  I was too busy running love gathering in the Gryphon Empire, thinking Equestria was done for,"  said the alicorn,falling onto her haunches before the statue, "And all because I was so fucking stupid and let loose that parasite."

"You couldn't have known," said Celestia, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

"But I should have.  If I just listened when mother told me not to open it, if I didn't give into curiosity and greed we wouldn't be here in this situation, mother would still be here, you two wouldn't have grown up thinking your sister died.  This is all my fault," Tears started to fall from her eyes, "I'm supposed to be there and protect you and I failed that as my duty as your older sister!  Why am I even allowed one this planet after what I have done?!" She cried out, falling forward and shoving her head in her hooves.

"Because you are still needed to help fix what you created.  Help clear the names of all the changelings who turned back into ponies just now," said Luna, placing a hoof on her shoulder.

"Those ponies died years ago.  The changelings of today were pure changelings.  They died today once the elements broke the curse," said Chrystal darkly.  Luna backed away slightly.

"Then at least fight to make things right," started Celestia, "Fight to wash away your sins with the deeds of good you can accomplish.  Don't give up and leave us so soon after returning," said the solar goddess.  The teal maned alicorn let out a sob and leaned against her sisters.  She could sense that they had company not far off, but she didn't care.

"I will make this right," said the alicorn softly, "For all of those who fell to my hooves, for my mother, I will make this right.  I will do anything I need to do to make sure of it," said Chrystal as she slowly stood.  She winced slightly, pain still coursing through her body from the blast of the elements.  She turned towards her sisters and the elements.

"And I know just where to start."

~~~~~~

The group now sat in a large meeting room, Chrystal being the center of attention.  The former changeling queen gave a quick look over the attending ponies.  Her sisters, the six elements, a few war generals, and two ponies she would like to have confronted under better circumstances who were staring at her, trying to find out if she was real.

"Alright.  Now, the reason I came to this castle had a few meanings.  One was to remove my curse, another to destroy the changeling existence that I so foolishly created, and the third was to give off a warning that we may be heading into war with foes many of us wish stayed gone," said Chrystal.

"And just who exactly are these foes?" Asked a grey Pegasus.  Chrystal did not know his name but could tell by his ranking and uniform he controlled the air forces of Celestia's army.  Chrystal looked around a second time before dropping the bomb.

"Nightmare Moon and King Sombra,"  There was a sudden influx in volume as the commanders and leaders started shouting at her.

"Lies!"

"They are dead!"

"Impossible!"

"Unless you have forgotten, I am proof that a race thought to never feel kindness and pain does, if only a spec.  I say nothing is impossible," said Chrystal glaring at the ponies in the room.  They shrank back.  However, Twilight decided it was time to answer her questions.

"Princess, the elements destroyed the nightmare when we freed Luna, how is it she is back when Luna is right here?" Asked the mare, gesturing to the shocked indigo alicorn.  "Besides, the blast from the Crystal Heart should have killed Sombra."

"Twilight, I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I know very well that the Crystal Heart does not kill.  I did create the damn thing, after all," said Chrystal.  She looked back over the room, "As for Nightmare Moon, she is much younger than Chrysalis, so much more powerful and durable.  The elements removed her, yes, but just slapped her on the moon.  With how unfamiliar you six are with protective and sealing wards, she was able to break free and walk freely among us with ease once she recovered."

"And to help take revenge on Equestria she called upon Sombra," finished Celestia.  Chrystal nodded.

"Correct.  But they wanted more.  Nightmare Moon knew what Chrysalis was and thought it would be best to try and recruit her.  Of course, she did not know of her weakening power so she didn't know it was I who refused the offer.  I told that how much I would love to watch Equestria burn, I only work alone.

"They, however, made the mistake of sharing the slight details of their plan to me.  I can tell you entry points, targets of interest, and the main method," said Chrystal.  She sat back down once she was finished and let them mull it over.

Chrystal watched as the ponies talked and discussed, her own sisters conversing privately.  She hated how they got to meet each other properly for the first time in four thousand years and they spent it on military speak.

But we can't really help it, can we? thought the alicorn.  Oh well, I will have time for all of that later.

She averted her attention to a mare she only observed through another's eyes, Twilight Sparkle.  She knew a small chunk on her rise to power and of her history since Chrysalis kept tabs on her after the invasion.  In a sense, the two had a good share in common, despite Chrystal's inability to pursue her passions for a large amount of time.  Both shared a large amount of curiosity, loving to explore and learn as much as they could, Chrystal was just a bit more adventurous in that regard.  Plus, there was the factor of something that the eldest alicorn saw dwindling, books.  Each of them loved the prospect of sitting down just to read, cutting off from the world.

You and I are one in the same Sparkle.  If only I got to know you in better circumstances. thought Chrystal with a small smile at that moment, one of the generals sighed and stood, grabbing the rooms attention.

"I'm still weary on this whole situation.  Madam, Princess, whoever you are, how much can we trust your war knowledge?" Asked the grey earth pony.  Chrystal chuckled.

"General, I, in theory, led wars, raids, invasions, and slaughters for the past four thousand years.  My war knowledge is much, much more than anyone in this room, even my sisters.  The only thing you have to worry about is if my explanation is simple enough for the ponies in this room," said the alicorn.

"Are you saying we are bad at our job, ma'am?"

"Considering I was able to sneak in, act as an horrible copy of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and nearly succeed in an invasion that was literally pulled out of my ass last second, yes.  I am saying you are very horrible at your job," said the alicorn with a smirk.  This was received with a growl as the current captain stood.

"How dare you judge our security?!" Shouted the unicorn.  Her smirk swapped for a scowl as she stood, glaring at the members of the meeting, making them shrink back.

"And how dare you talk down to a princess?  Let alone one that gives life!" Said Chrystal, stamping down her hoof.  "The only reason I'm cooperating with the guard is because I sadly can't go in this alone.  Now, you should trust my knowledge, shut up, and listen to what I say," When she received no complaints she sighed and walked over to the wall where the map of Equus hung, Equestria, of course, being the largest country on it.

She pointed to just between the badlands and Equestrian border, "This is where I last saw them, just after my meeting with them. Now, if I remember correctly," she moved her hoof down to the far ends of the badlands, just north of the small Zebra nation that was located on the continent, "They should be traveling here first before hitting three other ancient sights."

"And what are at these sites?" Asked the general coldly. Chrystal glared at him before speaking.

"They had enough sense not to tell me.  All I know is that it gives them enough confidence to walk into enemy territory by themselves. Needless to say, I'm very wary of them until I can figure out what their purpose is."

"And what, might I ask, are we supposed to do with these?" Asked the captain.  Celestia watched with a slight smirk as she watched her sister's eye twitch dangerously, looking like she was ready to leap over the table and beat the stallion.

"We beat them there, figure out what their purpose is, and stop them from advancing from there. I would think it to be very, very common sense," replied the elder alicorn.  The generals and captains spoke before the Captain of the Guard spoke up.

"I'm afraid we cannot conduct searches and raids that far out and weaken our defensive support here in Canterlot. Your proposals are denied," Oh Faust help the poor fool.  Chrystal jumped over the table, a feat considering she had hardly had control of her own body once again for very long, and tackled the Captain, causing the surrounding guards to direct spears and magic at her.

"We are not dealing with a race so old that their abilities have been weakened because the parasite that created them is too old for this shit!  We are dealing with a still very young dark parasite, and a King of Shadows who have proven themselves mighty foes to all of us alone.  They are now working as a team and you are proposing we sit here and wait it out while they gather items to make themselves stronger?  Are you trying to turn the city red with your own blood?!" The captain shaked in fear as the white, ancient alicorn glared at him.  She snarled and stepped back.

"If you foals are too incompetent to do anything logical besides sit here with a death wish, I will go raiding these ruins myself.  Those who want to join me, you are more than welcome to, though I do prefer not having to foalsit,"  There was silence as her proposal was processed.  She then glanced behind her at the six elements and her sisters, finding eight hooves raised in the air, two alicorns grinning at her.  Grinning back, she spoke.

"Well, things sure just got a lot more interesting."