Chapters Long ago before hearths warming eve lived a small race of alicorns, they were extremely powerful, wise and lived much longer than most ponies. with their power they controlled the workings of the solar system around them and the earth they lived apon. there were certain families of alicorn's that controlled different elements of the earth around them, some controlled the weather, another controlled volcano's and the workings of the earths plates and another controlled the ways of bee and butterfly pollination and the producing of fruit and honey.
They were not gods by any means however and only did there part to keep the world in check, they were still flawed and did not control the universe itself or create it.
A certain family was the ruling family as they controlled the sun, the moon and the stars. the female alicorn was the keeper of the sun and the aura controller, keeping the worlds magnetic atmosphere in check, as well as controlling the sun. her name was Luciana Shining Light. The male alicorn was the bringer of the moon and the tiny stars, also controlling comet rotations and meteors, his name was Astro Star Slash.
The couple lived happily in the castle in a beautiful enchanted forest, in which some of the other alicorns lived. most alicorns however lived in their own kingdoms and places around the globe, such as the crystal alicorns in the far north and the honey kingdom filled with pegasi able to pollinate in the west. Every alicorn knew each other and as such the world was united for a long time.
Luciana and Astro were gifted with a little filly, she had a light pink flowing mane and an enticing white coat, they named her after the heavens above them, a beautiful star to shine their lives and bring joy. Five years later they were gifted by another filly, a tiny one colored with the shades of night, she was named luna. She would become a symbol of hope amid the darkest times.
As the young fillies grew up their parents taught them all sorts of magic, as well as prepared them to take over the their jobs as bringer of the night and day. The sisters lives were filled with joy and love, every day they would explore the forest around them, sometimes joining their parents on diplomatic trips throughout the land.
~~~
"Luciana?"
Luciana snapped out of what she was thinking and glanced round at the stallions voice she had just heard. It was her husband Astro.
"Oh yes"
"Are you okay, you seem out of sorts"
"Oh yes i'm fine i was just daydreaming"
She wasn't fine, she was just informed by one of her soldiers that an impending attack by the chaos bringers will be ariving within three days and had yet to have informed Astro about it. She was racking her mind of a way to tell Astro but came to a realisation that he must know.
"There is something i must tell you dear husband" said Luciana releasing her smile into a stern face
Astro stopped smiling as well as he saw her face, he knew there was a problem
"And what might that be?"
"i have just been informed that an impending attack is about to threaten our land we hold dear"
Astro stood up straight and began to quickly walk out of the throne room and said
"I must alert the the kingdom to evacuate and to alert all the soldiers we have to interc- before he could finish however Luciana used used her magic to shut the doors tight, they gave off a loud bang that startled the the alicorn. Astro turned around confused, Luciana was still sat down looking through the window of the throne room.
"L-Luciana?"
"it is not just a simple attack" she said, her voice was sharp and stern, just like the way she would speak to her daughters when they have misbehave "it has come to my attention that we are about to be attacked by... The Chaos Bringers"
Astro was frozen still hanging on the words of her dear wives words, he had remembered the last time he had met one of the chaos bringers, it was a single draconequus. he had lost his brother to the beast while destroying it at the same time. Luciana knew this and this was the reason she did not tell him until now but she knew he must be told. Luciana stood up and walked towards Astro, she could see that he was tearing up so she hugged him.
Astro came to his senses and hugged back
"dont worry luciana i knew this would happen eventually, but i quite hopped that our daughters would be old enough when the time came" Astro said with a lump in his throat
"I have not told Celestia or Luna yet they are too young, i do not want them exposed to this so i have told them to stay in the library for enough time so we can deal with this. Luciana said
"i asume you Celestia gave you a little grief" Astro chuckled as he said it
Luciana only smiled at her husband, she saw he was holding back tears but also had a confident look on.
Luciana and Astro stopped hugging and both sat down at the window both knowing that they have not got long to prepare for the attack
"i have notified the other alicorns around the forest and the surrounding regions, they should be joining us at the castle withing a matter of hours " Luciana said
~~~
"So why do you think mummy told us to stay in here" luna said, she was stood on top of a ladder getting a book from the bookshelf which read "the tale of the littlest pony" "She looked really worried"
"oh it's probably nothing" shouted a fillies voice from down below, it was Celestia she was sat down at a table reading a book which read" Spells for beginners" "She has probably forgot to tell our tutor to come again, you now how forgetful she can be and told us to stay in here so she could find us again" Celestia was always trying to solve mysterys of her own ever since she met an author.
"oh well i don't like her" Luna said as she jumped off the ladder and began to desend quite quickly, loosing her balance but immediately corrected herself then landed "she's always making us do boring stuff like study and stuff"
Luna walked over to the table where Celestia was sitting and sat on a chair, she opened the book and began to read. Celestia was not reading the book, however she was deep in thought she knew what she just told her sister was not the truth, but said it just to not get her worried. In fact Celestia felt there was something wrong with her mother and the land, she felt it in her gut but dismised it thinking that it was nothing. Her father always told her to go with what he called a gut instinct, but this time if felt as if it was a dangerous matter and if she said anything her parents would be mad at her. she didn't want to make her parents upset
Celestia closes her book an stood up "i'm just going to get a snack i will be back in a little while" she said with a cheerful tone
"But mummy said to stay in here" Luna said as she looked away from her book
"Don't worry, i won't be gone for long" Celestia said as she opened the door
"oh, can you please get me a cookie" Luna said smiling her hardest in hope she would say yes
Celestia only nodded as she left the library, her mind racking about what was troubling her mother. Instead of going to the kitchens, she instead walked to the throne room as that was where she just saw her father go a few moments ago. Celestia tip toed her way to the door of the throne room, trying her best to make the least noise as possible. She then put her ear to the door hoping she would hear something, but all she could hear were mumbles and a few faint words like "Attack" and something about cake ringers.
Cake ringers? she said to her self as she pulled her head back in confusion. what are cake ringers? are they something to do with weddings? like if the cake would have the ring inside of it? Celestia snapped out of her daydream and put her head back up to the door. Only silence, she worked up the courage to knock on the door
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Enter!" were the only words she heard, she pushed on the door which slid open with ease, she then popped her head in with the biggest grin on her face as to not be scolded by her mother for leaving the library. She saw her two parents by the window looking at her, she saw there the are around her fathers eyes were red, he was obviously crying but did not want to mention it.
"Hello tia" Luciana said as she opened her wing showing to go into her embrace
Celestia walked fully into the throne room and walked straight up to her mother and father
"Hello mother, hello father" Celestia said as she climbed in her embrace
"didn't i tell you to stay with your sister" Luciana said with a smile but a stern voice
Celestia looked at both her parents"well yes but... you looked worried before and i wanted to see if everything's okay" she said with a smile
"Everything's fine darling" Astro said with a parted smile also joining in on the embrace
"Are you sure, because before i came in i heard something about an attack and i was worried, does this mean somepony is going to hurt us- Luciana interupted her daughter by pushing her mouth ever so slightly shut with her hoof.
"Shushhh! don't worry nopony is going to hurt us" Luciana asured
Celestia was tearing up thinking the worse might happen to her and her family
"we promise nopony is going to hurt you or your sister" Astro said looking at her daughter intently "me and your mother were just talking about safety precautions for our friends in the honey kingdom, they were worried about something small. As were you little filly you don't need to worry about us we are fine"
"o-oh okay" Celestia said as she wiped the tears out of her eyes. Celestia put her head into her mothers chest as it felt better when she was upset to do this
Luciana looked up to Astro they both knew of the impending doom of there kingdom but did not want to scare there daughter
"i love you mummy" Celestia said breaking out of the shell in which she would try to be confident, but it wore off as she cried in her mothers arms.
"I love you too"
It was the hour of dawn for the third time since they had got the unfortunate news, as Luciana raised the sun she could see all of her most precious land around her. The forest was just waking up after the rest of the night, she was happy to see her kingdom was still intact and the castles around her were still standing. During the night Astro summoned their freinds and alicorns of the land to help fight the chaotic menaces about to invade. His closest friend and what he would close to be called a "Brother" was next to him and Luciana, his name was Untamed Darkness he was almost the same color as Astro but a slightly lighter shade of purple, he also had a dark green mane that was flowing in the wind.
The alicorns job was to keep the nocturnal animals of the night safe, as he and Astro would be up at the same time they would converse a lot and the two became inseparable.
"Astro" Untamed Darkness said worryngly
"Yes my friend" Astro said as he smiled at him, easing Untamed's worry
"If we don't make it... what will happen to the ponies we protect" he said turning back to Lucaina's sun rising in the distance
"Don't worry" Astro said as he put a hoof on Untamed's shoulder "we will... i know we will"
Untamed felt a little better knowing his best friend would be with him through the whole time, Untamed was a strong and independent alicorn but was prone to worry a lot and Astro always comforted him when he was. Astro knew however it would be a very slim chance that any of them survived.
As Luciana brought the sun up further the alicorns could see clearer into the distance, what they could see was not cheering, a dark shadow in the distance could be seen getting closer and closer by the second. Everypony knew what it was, it was the chaos bringers and there wasn't just one or two of them, closer inspection could reveal hundreds of draconequus could be seen, shaping the world around them and only leaving chaos in their wake.
Luciana walked forward and turned around with a confident and stern look on her face "It is time" Shouted Luciana so all the alicorns could hear her voice "Now is the time we stand, for it is with out might, our strength and our courage, we will be victorious."
The alicorns around cheered for their ruler, all of them brave but scared at the same time, but still wanting to do their duty.
"We fight for freedom, we fight for our pony subjects, we fight for the children, but most inportantly WE. FIGHT. FOR. EQUESTRIA!!"
The alicorns cheer for the second time chanting her last words over and over until they all swoop up into the air and fly directly for the enemy. before setting off Astro and Luciana kiss one more time and a tear rolls down each of their eyes, they share a moment in embrace knowing it could be their last. The couple fly up and fly with the other alicorns and Untamed Darkness was by their side.
~~~~
The battle raged on for what seemed like days, destruction and mayhem littering the outskirts of the land. The moon rose and lowered each night, the sun rose and lowered each night, over and over and over like a clock in the sky. Until nothing rose at all.
Weeks past and little Celestia and Luna's parents never came back, the little fillies were scared, ocasional rubles and cracks resounding from far away and stark blackness, the only thing outside. Celestia was angry at her parents, they promised that nothing was wrong, that she would be safe, that they all were safe. But she was sad as well sad that her mother and father were gone and had to go fight somepony, she knew this because she caught eye of her perents and the other alicorns racing off to what seemed like monsters and then ran back inside scared and crying.
Luna was tight in Celestias arms not letting go they were both crying, Celestia knew the truth of where they went but did not want to tell her sister that. Luna was crying because her parents had gone away with out any explanation and just cried and cried in Celestias arms. The girls stayed in the castle not wantig to leave as it was too scary for two young fillies to face alone, the girls were eating what was left in the kichens, which was still a lot and were sleeping in the library, they were both so comfy in their, that they made makeshift beds out of there own bed sheets.
"C-celly" Luna managed to pip out
"yes sis" said Celestia
"y-you can let go of me now"
"oh sorry" celestia let go of luna and smiled not only did it make luna feel better but it also made Celestia feel better as well
"its okay" luna said as she smiled back both unsure what to do next until they heard a loud CRASH!!
Both filles latched on to each other as fast as they could when Luna said
"i think we should keep hugging don't you"
"agreed" Celestia answerd
Luna always liked hugging Celestia, she was always so warm and her head rested snuggley into her neck but she never wanted to do it for too long incase she didn't want to hug anymore.
"wha-what do you think it was" Luna chirped out as the two stopped shaking
"i-i dunno" Celestia replied "its probably just the floor boards"
Luna looked up at celestia confused and was about to speak before the door to the library opened slowly and creaked a little, to two focused their eyes at the door, growing wide in response until something flew in putting out the candles covering the room giving it light. Luna screamed out.
"Luna" said Celestia trying to shout over the screaming luna
"LUNA!" shouted Celestia as she put her hoof in Lunas mouth to stop her screaming, they could barely see each other in the dark but could sense each others presence.
"its okay" Celestia said calmly, she then concentrated some magic into her horn and it began to glow bright gold, it was the illumination spell her father taught her. The area around them became light again, she wasn't as strong yet to cover the whole room but it still provided the light they wanted "see"
"Oh" luna said, she felt a little stupid for screaming like that.
The two smiled and laughed at what just happened
"Don't worry sis il always be here to help" Celestia said comforting luna
both had just forgotten that somthing had just flew in before they heard a small chirp behind them. the two jumped and turned around to see a small bird standing there watching them, Luna was suddenly overcame with joy as she rushed over and picked up the tiny bird in her hooves
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh" Luna said repetedly " your the cutest little thing" Luna was squealing in so much happiness it was like that she had forgotten how to be sad.
"oh wow its a baby phoenix" Celestia said as she walked up to the baby and petted it as well not as exited as luna to see it though.
"ooooh its sooo cute, can we keep her celly?, can we? can we?" Luna was looking at Celestia with her puppy dog eyes, eyes that had yet to say no to
"oh okay" Celestia said in a cheesy grin
"really" said luna squealing at the same time
"she must have lost her parents, she must be awlfully lonely "
"shes just like us then"
Celestia cringed for a moment inside holding back a few tears by petting the bird on the head, the bird chirped in response
"oh she likes you celly" luna said grining at celestia
Luna was nuzzling the phoenix as she felt a tingle in the corner of her eye, she looked around to see a bright light coming from outside the Library
"Celly look"
"NOW" shouted a grey unicorn "Try with all your might my friends" The unicorn was instructing the hundred of ponies he could find that were very gifted in the art of magic, the unicorn had a blue colored cape which had symbols and markings of the moon and stars and also a pointed hat with small bells on the side. The unicorns were not doing some simple spell, but because of the unfortunate fate of their protectors the alicorns there was no way the sun or the moon would appear. So they were doing just that, the unicorns were putting in all of their energy together just to bring up the sun, it was a struggling task to comprehend.
Soon after some ponies began to faint from exhaustion but did actually manage to bring up the sun, it rose slowly, the land began be covered in a beautiful light, shining on the faces of all the ponies around. The unicorns felt a little more powerful as the sun warmed their tired faces, the sun was high in the sky. The ponies around them cheered nudging the unicorns on as well as the grey unicorns words which made them further go. Until the sun stopped, the unicorns, they were tired some fainted while some fell to the ground.
The ponies that watched had gone to their aid but the grey unicorn went to one unicorn inperticular, she was his student under him. He lifted her up, she was still dazed after the feat her and the other ponies had done, they had finally rased the sun after weeks of the cold inky darkness
"Are you well miss clever" said the unicorn with a smile
"Ugh yes i think so" said the unicorn her green colored mane was a mess, it was sticking out everywhere "how did i do Star Swirl?"
"you were magnificent clover, i am very proud of you. I knew i was right in picking you as a student"
"thank you, but it was not only me it was every other pony as well" clover said as she smiled and looked down at the ground which had started to sparkle as the sun shun on the frost on the grass
"Nonsense" Star swirl said as he lifted her head up with his hoof "they could not do it without you"
Star swirl was like a father to clover, he brought her in from the cold as an orphan alone in the winter cold and raised her as his own. also keeping her as a student under him as he sensed great power within her. before either of them could reply to one another they were interrupted by a familiar voice coming from the sky
"CLOVER! said the voice swooping down to them it was a pegasus "CLOVER THE CLEVER!!" The pegasus swooped past them and landed in a pile of dirt, it was Private pansy one of clovers closest friends. the two ducked out of the way of her and watched as she sprung up a spew of smokey dirt, Star swirl was not very fond of her but was nice to her anyway because of clover
"Pansy?" said clover confusingly "whats wrong"
"Oh um" Pansy said as she got up from the floor, wiping the dirt of her amour and her bight white mane and her light blue fur "i was just trying to tell you to clear out of my path, because i kind of lost control of my flying"
Private pansy was the subordinate of commander Hurricane the leader of the pegasus pony tribe, also one of clovers close friends. Pansy was not the best flyer, neither was she a good solider but hurricane still believed in her as she thought she had great potential.
Clover and Star swirl looked at each other and rolled their eyes both knowing this wasn't new
"oh pansy" Clover said in a sadistic tone
Private pansy giggled a little before turning to star swirl and said "oh there is one thing"
"and what might that be" star swirl said in a stern voice and face showing no emotion
"i was told to inform you that unfortunately it is true that all our alicorns are gone"
Star swirl looked down in despair wanting to believe it was not true
"but i do have some good news if that would help" said pansy cautiously not wanting to upset the unicorn more
"which is" clover said filling in for her mentor, knowing he could be hurting inside
"well... for what i know after the alicorns unfortunate... defeat, also took away all the chaos bringers which means that the war is over" pansy smiled a little knowing it wasn't the best good news but it was something.
"thank you for letting us know pansy" clover said "we will notify the princess as soon as possible
star swirl looked up still with a tear in his eye and said "Well what are you waiting for? GO!" Star swirl shouted at pansy causing her to flinch
"o-oh okay" wimpered private pansy as she flew up quickly back the clouds.
star swirl realised he shouted at her and put his head down and walked back towards the castle. Clover was shocked at her mentor calling pansy back but the pegasus still flew away anyway, with anger on her face he caught up to star swirl and said
"and what was that about" she said angrily " You didn't have to speak to her like that"
Star Swirl brought his head up and said "Don't you understand, our rulers the alicorns they are all DEAD!!" star swirl put a lot of emphisis in that word attracting some ears of other ponies "without them nothing will live, the sun will not rise, the flowers will not grow. you realise they cannot do that on their own"
"we can though" argued clover "you saw us before, we raised the sun"
"but how long will it be until you all are unable to hold yourself, it took a lot of magic to even touch the sun let alone move it. But you wouldn't understand because you are just an intelligent little foal!"
Clover was shocked at her mentor for saying that to her, clover teared up and began to cry. She ran into the castle in tears the only way to go from where she was standing, Star swirl realised what he said and went in after her and immediately apologiesed
"i am very sorry clover i did not mean what i said" star swirl said calmly like he was never upset
"Then why did you say it" clover sobbed as she turned to face star swirl, tears rolling down her face and red around the eyes
"i was angry about this whole situation, it has been very stressful for us all this past few weeks and i am very sorry, do you accept my apologie" Star swirl said as he was tearing up to, holding a hoof to shake.
Clover looked at him realizing that everything was stressful and had the right to be angry, clover then pushed his hoof away and hugged him instead
"i- i know star swirl i didn't mean to make you angry, im sorry too" clover said still with a lump in her throat
"No clover it is i who should be the sorry one, i should not have taken my anger out on you. it was no way for a father to treat his daughter"
Clover froze as it was the first time she heard him say that, she looked at him and smiled, he also smiled back. clover was so overcome with joy that she squeezed him even tighter. the unicorn was not used to being hugged before but he let her, he could tell she needed it.
"What is all the comotion down here" a female but elegent voice said from above
the two looked up the candle covered stairs to find a light purple unicorn with a white curling mane, she had a regal cape covered in gems at the side and was colored dark purple. she also had a crown that somepony from royalty would wear
"Princess Platinum!" the two said in unison
"Clover the Clever and Star Swirl the bearded the last time i remember this was a castle not a shouting hall" Princess Platinum said as she walked down the steps
the two bowed at the princess and rose again "Sorry princess" said clover as she faced the princess "we were coming here to tell you something important which ended up into an argument"
"What could possibly be so important that you had to bicker about it ,and in my castle" Princess Platinum said feeling slightly curious about it
"Well" said Star Swirl "we have just been informed that no alicorns have yet to have been found and we fear the worse"
"Hmmm i see why you were troubled, but for what i over heard it was nothing to do with that" Princess Platinum explained
"We have been very stressed these past couple of weeks and we mistakenly took our anger out on each other" Clover said regretingly "we shall now leave you be princess"
The two start to walk out before being called back
"Wait!" Princess Platinum said, the two unicorns turn around
"Miss clover i have known you and Mr Star swirl for a long time now and i have considered you two to be my closest friends. why else would i a point you clover as my adviser, i listen to every word you say and i trust your judgement. And star swirl i a pointed you as our conjourer because you trust you to use your special magic to help us when we are in need"
"No offence princess but is there a point to this" star swirl pointed out
"i also believe that family should never fight about something so friviless as this, family should stick together" as though blocking out his comment
Princess platinum walked closer to the two unicorns "and i consider you two as family"
the two smile at her knowing she is a great leader and a great friend as well
"as long as you don't make too much noise" Princess Platinum added with a smirk, all three of them giggle together the first time since the alicorns had gone
As Celestia walked out of the library and onto the balcony, she was blinded by the sheer bightness of what was in front of her/ Celestia put her hoof up to block light out. Luna and the phoenix had followed, luna doing the same, soon celestia got used to the light she put her hoof down and saw it was the sun rising steadely and shakely. she whisperd "Mother" under her breath and smiled, it then faded when she saw the land around them. Celestia and luna gasped at the ruins; Trees broken and fallen over, debris all over and the smaller castles around them half destroyed. Even part of their castle had crumbled around them but they didn't seem to notice
"Celly" Luna said as she got the courage to speak "Whats happened"
Celestia was speechless for a few seconds until she answered "i-i don't know"
"where do you think mummy and daddy are? they must be somewhere the suns coming up"
Celestia had the thought that her parents had perished due to the fact of all the destruction, and the fact that a couple of days earlier she over heard them talking about an attack. Could this have been the attack? where was all the other ponies? she soon put that idea to one side because she did not want to believe that her parents were... gone. Also she didn't want to tell poor luna that as well.
"they must be missing" Celestia said as she faced luna who was still looking over at the ruins, the phoenix snuggled in her mane and looking too. "how about we go looking for them"
luna looked at celestia who was smiling, but she could tell that was the smile she put on when she was hiding something form her. Luna cocked an eyebrow and elbow "well shouldn't we stay here incase mummy and daddy come looking for us"
"Dont worry sister" celestia said as she wraped a hoof round her sister " were going to look for them, they must be lost because they haven't found there way back" Celestia giggled a little
"well okay" Luna said with some doubt in her voice "mummy is always forgetting stuff"
"yes she is" Celestia said the two giggling about it "and haven't you always wanted to go traveling on an adventure to a mysterious land"
Celestia came close to lunas head and pointed out in front and waved her hoof from side to side while saying it. Luna lit up thinking she could see the world and all the joys it would offer,
"ooooh okay, i'l go get our saddle bags and put some food in them for the journey" Luna said happily as she zoomed off into the castle.
Celestia waved and smiled at her as she went, it soon faded and she looked forward at all the destruction
"Don't worry mother i'l protect her" Celestia said, she put her head down and a tear ran down, off her nose and onto the floor.
Luna soon returned beaming and saw celestia crying it died down, she went up to her "Celly whats wrong" she said in her sympatetic voice
Celestia faced luna tears rolling down her eyes "i-it's just" she manged to say before luna hugged her and let go again.
"don't worry sis we'll find them, as long as were together we can do anything. remember mean chef" luna said smiling
Celestia smiled back and wiped her tears, remembering the chef incident was when celestia and luna once had a chef who was really boring, so they played a prank on him by making him trip, going head first into an apple juice barrel causing him to slip about everywhere when he got out. He also made a bag of flower fall on him while covered in juice.
"yeah" celestia said the both giggling at the thought.
Luna used her magic to placed the saddle bags on celestias back, it was full of food and some equipment like; a map each, rope and some books on basic magic
Celestia noticed the book and said "why are you bringing that"
"oh" luna said "i want to teach myself some magic so i can show daddy how well i'm doing"
"oh" Celestia said interested "i could help if you like"
"oh will you, thanks celly" luna smiled and the two left the ruined castle and went west to leave the forest
~~~~
The sun was just about to go down and it was getting dark, Celestia didn't like staying out in the dark for too long but luna did, but neither of them liked being cold
"how long have we been traveling sis" Said luna tiredly
Celestia was started using her illumination spell as the canopy of trees were blocking out the lowering sun she was very tired and wanted to rest
"um- i think about six hours" Celestia said
"Celly" luna said sounding scared, her voice livened celestia up and straightend up "whats that"
Luna pointed at what seemed to have been a large tree, with a door and windows around it, there were lights coming from it and there was movement inside
"i- i think somepony lives there" Answered celestia curious as well
the two soon ducked behind a bush, as they saw a figure come out of the door and tend to what seemed like flowers and gone back in.
"Should we go see who that is" Luna said still watching the door
"No! we can't" celestia snapped "what if he tries to hurt us"
"He wouldn't hurt a little filly like me" luna said putting her best puppy dog eyes on " i dunno about you though, he will probably think your fat and kick you out"
"Hey" said celestia defensively "im not fat"
"have you seen the amount of cake you eat" luna said looking straight at her plot
"how do you know that" celestia said confused
"i'v seen you scoff your face, that and your plot is getting... bigger" luna giggled and jumped out of the bush towards the house
Celestia was flabbergasted at her sister for saying that and went into a sulk, not realizing her sister had left. When she saw her walking to the door she ran after her. Celestia found her self inches away from luna as she knocked on the door of the house, grabbing her at the same time she pulled her into the bush at the side of the house with her. Putting her hoof onto the fillies mouth, she struggled until the door to the house opened. The two fell silent as a cloaked figure popped its head out, it moved its head around surveying it's surroundings. As soon as the figure seemed happy that no one was their, he shut the door.
Luna broke away from her sisters clutches and jumped out of the bush, twigs and dirt still caught in her mane.
"Why did you do that sis" Luna whispered angrily
"You don't know who that is, for all we know he could have made all that mess" Celestia said pointing to the door and where their castle was residing.
"well... neither do you, plus i'm hungry. He could have some food in there that he would want to share with some very hungry little fillies who are looking for their parents" luna said sweetly with her puppy dog eyes back on again
Celestia still couldn't resist those eyes of her, it was like they were hypnotic. Before long it overtook her and she gave in
"oh fine" Celestia sighed "but boost me up to that window first"
"Why"
"i wanna see if his house is crazy or not" Celestia said with a determined look
"No way!" luna shouted "you boost me up, your way too heavy, im only tiny."
Celestia scowled at her sister who was already smirking her self. Celestia sighed and said "get on my back then"
Celestia stood by the window as luna jumped on top of her trying to regain balance, she then stood up on her hind legs and placed them on the window ledge. Unfortuately she was still to small.
"lift your fat rump i can't see anything" Luna said while giggling a little
Celestia did just that straining to lift her rump further up so luna could reach, and she could, "i seriously need to get some more exercise" Celestia thought intently looking at her own raised rump
"ah thats better" luna said
As luna looked in, she could see very odd masks on the wall, all covered in markings and symbols that luna couldn't understand, odd styled decorations covering the room and in the middle was a large pot with a shimmering flame underneath. Inside the pot was a greenish liquid that was seeming to be cooked under the fire "Wow!" luna whispered to herself, but celestia still catching that she said something
"What- What is it, whats wrong"
she was immediately cut off by luna shushing her, Luna saw the figure still in the cloak walking over to the "stew" and pour some powder into it. The figure then pulled down it's hood, which revealed some kind of striped black and white pony. The striped pony took hold of a wooden laydal next to the pot, dipped it into it and sipped it.
"Well" Celestia strained "whats happening"
Luna looked down and said "there's some wired black and white pony in their, he looks fine to me" Luna looked back up to suddenly notice the pony had moved to the windowsill and was now looking with it's bright yellow eyes directly at Luna. Luna jumped away screaming and fell on top of Celestia, both collapsing to the floor.
"well that wasn't your best plan" celestia made out, blowing a her hair that had landed on her face
Luna giggled "sorry" she got off her sister and looked up to see the figure had walked out of the house and was towering right in front of them
"Oh um hi" Luna said as she gave a wave to the new pony, Celestia stayed quiet she wasn't very comfortable meeting new strangers, she would normally hide behind one of her parents legs when meeting somepony new. This time though she couldn't do anything so she stood close to her sister in silence.
"You little ones should not be out all alone at night" the pony said in a gruff voice "you could give your selves a terrible fright"
"we-were sorry" luna piped out "but were looking for our parents, have you seen them"
"isn't it too late for you two to be out at this time" the pony said "especially for you little tykes"
"Zerant what are you doing ou- " a female voice said as another figure stepped out from the house, it was another striped pony. "Oh what do we have here"
The new pony looked at the two fillies when the stallion spoke "it seems these two are lost, and are out here with jack frost"
"oh well we can't have that now can we" the striped mare said as she trotted over and picked up the two fillies. Luna was smiling and Celestia was still silent for this, yet weary of the two new seemingly nice stripped ponies. The mare placed the two fillies on a makeshift couch that seemed to have been made from wood with amazingly comfy cushions.
"you two just stay here i'l go get something to warm you up" the mare said as she smiled and walked out of the room closing the door behind her. The room inside was quite large filled with unusual decorations, Celestia was admiring the interior with a glint in her eye. Never had she saw something like this, it scared her a little. She noticed the male stripped pony, whose name was apparently Zerant was using some sort of ladle to stir the contents of a stew. It was green and made the two fillies feel queesy.
Zerant looked up to find the two ponies staring at her, they quickly looked away once he did "Don't you know it's rude to stare, or is there a question you do bare"
Celestia finally found the courage to speak to this new pony "um w-why are two ponies so striped"
"Oh your so sweet" the two jumped as they heard the female pony "we are not ponies, we are zebra. We come from a land far away from your Equestria"
"you're zebra" luna said sounding the name confusingly "i'v never met somepony like you before"
"Well hello to you too, my name is Varna and this"-she places a hoof on the other zebra's shoulder - " is my husband Zerant"
"it is a pleasure to meet you on this fine night" Zeran said bowing with honor "apologies for giving you such a fright"
"Oh it's okay" luna said laughing "right celly" Luna looked at Celestia who was deep in thought, not listening to the conversation. Luna nudged her to get her attention. Celestia sprang her head round and back to the zebra
"Oh yes!, of course" Celestia said not knowing what had been said but answered with the first thing in the mind.
The two zebra looked at each other giving each a disconsering look for the white filly
"Are you feeling well?..." Verna said slightly drifting off into thought that she had not asked these two little ones their name "which reminds me what are your name?
"well my name is Celestia and this is my sister, Luna" Celestia said getting more confidence in talking to the mare standing in front of her, Luna gave a slight smile and a cute wave
Suddenly a light tap on the window could be heard by the door, everypony looked around to see the baby phoenix tapping on the glass, looking tried
"PHILAMENA" The two alicorns screamed in unison, the two fillies ran to open past the two confused zebra the door but they were to short. They had decided while on their journey that they would call their pet phoenix by that name, as they had read it in a fairy tale book and the little bird seemed to have liked it also. Celestia used her magic to try to open the door but she was having trouble, Verna giggled and went up to the window and opened it. The tiny phoenix flew in and perched itself on a high shelf, The two fillies looked at Verna and blushed, embarased by their little endevor the two blushed and Luna jumped off of Celestias back.
All of them burst out in laughter at what had just happened. After the brief fun Celestia said "Zerant can i ask you a question?"
"An answer you seek, will soon come form my cheek" Zerant said smiling
"that's a yes" Venra said translating for her in within the humor
"Why are you always speaking in rhyme?
"that my little pink friend, we shall save for another story"
"Make sure you take care of your sister out there Celestia" Venrra said as she placed the two saddlebags on both Luna and Celestia
"Don't worry i will" Celestia said in a cheerful voice
"Hey! Luna debated " i can look after my self too ya know"
Celestia chuckled as she thought of how brave her sister was, even though their parents were missing she still had hope in her eyes and Celestia admired that foalish beauty "And who was the one who got her head stuck in the sweet jar, and cried until mother helped you get it off?"
Luna nervously giggled at the thought knowing she couldn't escape from this. Venrra laughed at the two "Now iv packed you some food for the journey, and a map of the everfree so you can find your way to the north, there should be more ponies there to help you. Tell me again why did you two decide to go off on your own adventure"
Celestia had told her a fib, the two zebra were too nice and would have not let them go if they told them they were missing and try to help. The couple were nice enough to let the fillies stay for the night and give them supper and Celestia did not want to impose anymore.
"Well we wanted to show them we can look after ourselves" Luna piped out startling Celestia as she was about to answer. Luna was also in on the lie but didn't really like to, to such nice zebra.
Venrra looked at the two fillies, both shifting from one hoof to the other grinning from ear to ear. She knew there was something wrong but didn't want to say anything. Venrra knew about the war between the alicorns and the Chaos bringers but couldn't bring her self to tell the poor little fillies, Her husband knew this too but he also didn't want to hurt their already crumbling hearts.
"Right..." she said spreading out the word as if suspisious
The door connecting the bedrooms to the living room swung open and Zeran walked out, Venrra focused her attention on him as he walked out. The two sisters were relived that she stopped questioning them. Zerran walked up to them with a small brown box decorated with small rubies on the rim "For a journey as perilous as yours" Zerran said "you may want to take this, while your outdoors"
Celestia and Luna looked at the box in awe wondering what secrets it holds "whats inside it" Celestia said still looking at the box
"you will know when the time is right, but only use it in times of fight." Zerran said proudly "for as long as you have hope, there would be no reason to mope"
Celestia and Luna looked at the Zebra in confusion, both wondering what he meant. "so we can't open it until we really need to?" Luna said still a little confused.
"That is right my dear, but it is time for you two to get out of here"
"Oh yes" Celestia said realizing she and her sister needed to leave "Thank you both for your hospitality"
"Thank you for the soup it was really tasty" Luna said as she smiled
The two Alicorns bowed to the couple and walked out our the door " It was our pleasure, you were very nice guests" Venrra said pulling them into a hug
"Don't worry about us" luna said nicely "once we find our parents we will come visit you again and have more fun"
Celestia cringed a little once she heard that, although she had in her heart that her parents were just missing and forget their way home. Another part of her was saying that wasn't true. Luna walked up to Zerran and hugged his leg "Thanks again Zerran, are you two going to be allright"
Zerran looked down and hugged her back "The pleasure is all mine, but don't worry about us we will be just fine"
Luna giggled at his words "Zerran you never told us why your always rhyming all the time"
"do not make too much of a fuss, but mabey for the next time you see us" Zerran said smiling at her
Venrra looked at Celestia and whispered "i think hes just showing off" Celestia and Venrra giggled while luna and Zerran looked in confusion.
~~~~
As they made their goodbyes Zerran placed the box into Lunas saddlebag and waved them off, Luna and Celestia waving and shouting goodbyes in the distance with the little phoenix resting in Luna's mane. Venrra looked at Zerran and said "Do you think we should have told them, about their parents and the war i mean"
Zerran looked back at Venrra "I believe this is something they must learn on their own" Zerran said " soon enough they wont bear to be alone"
Venrra placed her head on Zerran's shoulder "I hope your right dear, i really do"
~~~~
Luna was looking at the box intently, holding it up with her magic. "So tia what do you think is inside this thing" Luna said cautiously. Celestia looked around from her point in front and stopped, making Luna crash into Celestias flank.
"Lulu Zerran said not to open it until the time is right" Celestia said factually
Luna pressed lifted her hoof to her head and sat down "ow, i know, i know don't nag me about it" Luna looked up to see Celestia looking around her and quickly checking the map, holding it up with her magic. The two ponies walked themselves into a clearing, the trees around them were circling then in an oval pattern, there was a small clear blue lake in the middle of it all. The sun was shinning down brightly onto it giving it a small silver glimmer. The two fillies admired the scenery around them in awe.
"Wow!" is the only thing that left there lips as they saw what was before them. Celestia walked up to the lake slowly, once looking at her reflection she smiled at it softly. Soon Luna followed looking into the reflection and smiling at Celestia's own reflection and then hers. Celestia placed her foreleg around Luna, Luna simultaneously placing her head on Celestias's shoulder. Both sighed in content
Philimena flew out of Luna's mane and landed on the ground letting out a small tried chirp, with eyes still a little closed. The two alicorn's looked at her "Aw did you have a nice sleep" Celestia said smiling. The phoenix looked at them and gave a small nod, before waking up properly by shaking her head which caused Luna to give off a slight giggle. Phililmena waddled over to the lake the two were looking at and looked at her own reflection, cocking her head. The fillies followed suit giggling at the little birds confusion.
Suddenly the water erupted and something green jumped out onto Celestias face, causing the two to fall on their backs and squeal a little. Celestia looked in horror as she opened her eyes to see a small green slimy creature cling to her face, She let out a terrified scream, which caused Luna to wince and cover her ears. Celestia got up and started running around repetitively screaming "get it off, get it off" as she did.
Luna soon came to her senses and stood up, looking at Celestia who was running around screaming. She then saw there was a small creature hanging on for dear life onto her sisters face, it was a frog. Luna just stood there watching until she let succumbed her laughter, falling on the ground unable to control her laughter.
Celestia ran around scared until she triped over a small rock landing face first onto the grass, The frog was still clinging on and celestia was still whimpering "get it off" but quieter. Luna quickly stopped laughing and came to her sisters aid, lifting the little frog off her head and placing it down on the floor. Celestia looked up to see Luna grinning at her, she frowned and slowly got up wiping the dirt of her self "It wasn't funny" Celestia said girlishly.
"you scared that poor frog half to death" Luna said petting the little thing in her foreleg, shaking a little "he said he wasn't very happy about that"
"Well he shouldn't have scared me so-" Celestia paused as she took in most of what Luna said "Wait said? its a frog it cant talk" Celestia said factually and confused
"I can talk to most animals if they let me" Luna said nicely petting the calmed frog in her hooves
Celestia felt even more confused, Since when did her little sister learn to talk to animals? She then remembered that luna was still a little filly and was probably imagined it until luna said
"Untamed Darkness taught me how to do it, but it only works if the animal allows me to talk to it"
Fathers friend Celestia thought, He could speak to all animals mabey it wasn't her sisters imagination.
"Well tell him that it wasn't nice to scare me like that" Celestia said crossing her forelegs and looking away
Luna focused on the frog intently, Her horn sparked for a moment and then stopped "He says that hes sorry about that, he didn't see us because of the sun light and is very sorry"
The frog put its head down and nodded weakly, Celestia looked around to see this and nodded back "Oh i guess its fine" she said
the frog perked up and looked at luna communicating with her via her magic, luna soon answered "it was very nice to meet you too" Luna placed the frog down and it hopped gleefully back into the water, Luna waving goodbye as it vanished into the water.
"Wow Luna you surprise me all the time" Celestia said looking at the confused philamena who was still looking at the water, completely oblivious to what just happened
"Thanks tia" Luna siad giggling
The two suddenly stopped as they heard a noise in the bushes that surround the area, It was a grumble noise like what somepony would make if they were angry but it was a louder deeper sound
"Tia What was that" Luna said looking around trying to figure where it was coming from. Celestia was also searching for the source.
Another louder grumble noise came from the bushes right in front of them, Both fillies could now tell where the sound came from and started walking towards it "Hello is anypony there" Celestia asked but got no answer.
The two were now inches away from the bush and the noise grew even louder, Celestia placed her wing in front of her sister to stop her walking any closer. Which caused a small confused face from her, then realizing her sister was protecting her she nodded. Celestia moved closer to the bush nearly able to touch it with her hoof, she was sweating as she did so almost afraid to do so. Thinking if she did move the bush to take a look at the source, the creature behind it could attack.
Celestia shook her head and drowned out the thoughts, hoping it would be just a wounded animal in need of help. She then found the courage to quickly push the bush out of the way, she cringed and closed one eye as she did. Realizing the noise had gone she looked to see nothing but grass and branches around her. "thats odd" she thought, still rummaging through the bush.
Luna was watching her sister looking through the bush, also a little curious into why her sister could not find the source of the nose. Luna sat her down and cocked her head "Tia it was probably the wind" she shouted to her sister. Luna suddenly felt a tingle in her muzzle but shrugged it off, still looking at her sisters rump peeking out of the foliage
"Boo" a voice whispered right into Luna's ear which caused her to make her eyes go wide and jump flaring her wings, squealing a little and facing what was behind her. It was nothing except philimena catching up to her, flying into her mane once again.
"Lulu" Celestia shouted worryingly pushing her self out of the bush as fast as she could and turning around, horn lit in case of trouble. Her horn went back to normal and saw Luna looking away from her "Luna whats wrong" she asked confused, still bits of branch in her mane.
Luna turned around and faced Celestia "i dont know" luna said her voice nasally "i thought i heard something"
Celestia then grew a massive grin on her face at what she saw and broke down in laughter
"What" luna said cocking her head "whats so-" Luna trailed off as she began to realize what her voice was off, she then felt her muzzle and felt a round object there. Luna panicked, her sister still laughing. She quickly ran to the lake and looked at her reflection, there she saw a large red object on the end of her nose, she gaped her mouth open in shock. She then began to try and pull it off but to no avail, The red nose was stuck on her.
Luna faced Celestia angrily who was still laughing "its not funny" she said "its stuck on i cant get it off" this made Celestia laugh even more, which made Luna even more angry. Making her face go a deeper shade of blue than it normally was. Before Luna could reply however Celestia's laughter was joined by another, it sounded like a colt. The laughter was coming from behind Luna, this caused Celestia to stop and look behind Luna. Luna too turned around slowly and a little scared, but once she did the two fillies set eyes on a strange creature on its back and laughing hysterically.
"HAHAHAHAHA" The creature laughed rolling around, clutching its stomach "You should see the look on your face, its hilarious"
The two fillies looked at this odd creature intently. Luna was looking at it just in anger while Celestia was studying the creature. A small body of dark brown fur, as she led her eyes further to his head it seemed like another ponies head but oddly different in shape. It had a quiff of pure white hair flailing about as he was laughing and confusingly it had some sort of antler and blue goat horn sticking out of its head, this made celestia even more confused as she looked at the creature.
"Stop laughing" Luna said still nasally speaking "This is serious" Luna stomped her hoof and tears started to well up in her eyes, however Celestia's attention was still on the creature
The creatures laughing died down and began to rise up onto its hooves, thats what Celestia thought until she noticed it only had one hoof on its back left leg. The other legs however were different its front right leg was some kind of paw and the front left leg was that of a birds claw. The back left leg was a lizards.
"oh wow you guys are fun" The creature said wiping a tear from is eye, then standing up on its hind legs towering now just above their heads "oh i didn't mean to make you cry, here" he said clicking his claw fingers, In a flash the red nose on Luna's muzzle was gone.
Luna felt her muzzle and smiled cheerfully, Celestia was still staring at the creature thinking how in the world he had just done that without a horn for magic and the fact he seemed to be made of different animal parts.
The creature looked at Celestia and cocked his head, snaping his claws in front of her face "uh hey pinky are you still with us" he chuckled
Celestia broke out of her day dream, shaking her head "uh yes i'm fine but what- how did- who" Celestia was stumbling for words until the right ones came "Just who are you" she said bluntly
The creature smiled "I'm Discord hi" he gave out his paw for them to shake, which Luna hesitated and then preceded to shake "whats your names?" he asked nicely
"i'm Celestia and this is Luna" Celestia said proudly
"how did you do that" Luna said curiously "with my muzzle"
"what you mean, this" He said smiling and clicking his claws again. Luna was expecting the red nose to be on her again, she looked down but there was nothing there. She looked back at discord who was holding back laughter and looking behind her, she looked around and saw Celestia with the same red nose she had. Causing both Discord and Luna to giggle.
Celestia looked down at her muzzle and saw the same red thing "Ah what did you do" she said panicked
Clicking his claws again, the nose disappeared. Celestia felt her muzzle and sighed happily "how did you do that" she said looking intently at Discord
"well it just sort of happens" he said looking at his paw "i just think of it and it just happens" He laughed
Luna and Celestia looked at each other in confusion, wondering where he came from and what in Equestria he is. Luna then looked at him "So what are you, you look really weird"
"Luna" Celestia snapped "thats not very nice to say" she eyed luna intently and looked back at discord "im sorry she can be a little blunt sometimes"
Luna gasped and looked at her sister in shock, she then looked away. Discord giggle at the scene "It's okay" he said "i'm a Draconequus, at least that's what mother said"
"so what can drac-drano" Luna was having trouble pronouncing it until Celestia helped "Draconequus"
Luna smiled at her sister "yeah that, what can they do. or is it just silly jokes" she said sternly
Discord giggled again and turned around, facing the lake "watch" He then focused closing his eyes and holding his arms up. The lake then began to shine a bright light, Causing the two fillies to cover their eyes from it. The light soon died down and the fillies could now look, the lake was now a light brown color and small bubbles rising to its surface. Discord breathed out and looked at the two fillies with a massive grin "So what do you think" The two fillies were still looking at the lake now changed color and were shocked.
"what did you do" Celestia said still gawking at the now brown liquid
"Go over and find out" he said grinning still
The two fillies walked over to the lake and tried to look at their reflection, Al they saw was outlines of their shadows and warmth coming from it. The last time they checked the water wasn't warm and were now confused, they looked at discord in worry. He gave them a small smile and joined them "don't worry" he said creating three glasses out of nowhere, dipping them in the liquid and showing them to the ponies. "it's good" he then took a sip of the liquid and smiled.
The girls looked at each other and back at the glasses, picking it up with their magic and placing it near their mouth "careful" he said "its a bit hot"
At the same time the girls took a sip of the liquid, their eyes widening as they did. It was warm and sweet, something they have never tasted before. They liked it, in fact they loved it. Discord saw they liked it and hopped on the spot "do do ya like it" he said cheerfully
The girls stopped drinking and looked at discord "Its amazing" they said in unison "what is this stuff" Celestia said licking he lips
"well i call it Coco" He said "silly name i know but i can't think of anything else"
Luna finished off her Coco and smiled "so what else can you do"
"i'm not sure yet" he said looking down "My parents told me i can do lots of things when i grow up"
"I have never seen magic like this" Celestia said looking at his two horns "its amazing"
Discord blushed and smiled at Celestia "Thank you" Discord then realized something, where were these two fillies parents. They seemed to be out here alone "Do you have parents?" he asked still looking around
Celestia and Luna looked at each other nervously, then looking back "We are looking for ours" Celestia said in a dull tone
"What really" Discord said curiously, seeming more interested "So am i"
"your parents are lost too, what are you doing out here on your own" Celestia said
"Im searching for them just like you" he said happily
Celestia thought about how they were in the same predicament, mabey there was a connection in why his and her own parents were missing and why the land was in ruins. She thought mabey it wouldn't hurt to bring him along and help him too, but she also realized that his parents could be not very nice towards the filli- she was then cut off thinking by her sister
"why don't you come with us" Luna piped out
Celestia looked at Luna and was just about to say something but were brought into an embrace by Discord who was now hugging them "Oh really thank you, thank you, thank you" he said quickly "i promise i wont get in the way"
Suddenly the glasses of coco and the Lake shone in a bright light just like before, and soon enough it was back to its normal liquid water. "Aww" luna moaned "What happened?"
Discord stopped the embrace looked "oh, sometimes i cant hold the magic for something that big"
Celestia smiled at discord "Would you excuse us for a second"
"Oh okay, il be just over there" Discord said pointing at the water, and then skipping away
Celestia gave Luna a stern look of annoyance, in which luna replied with a confused "What?"
"Luna, we don't even know him"Celestia exclaimed "we can't just trust him just like that. Hasn't mother and father taught you not to trust strangers?"
Luna did know this very well, but something inside her made her feel this draconequus could be trusted "Yeah tia i know, but we haven't seen anypony else since those two nice zebras" They looked at discord who was throwing pebbles into the water, with a smile on his face.
Celestia sighed "okay, he can come with us" Luna smiled at celestia as she called discord back to them "So discord do you know where we are?"
"Well i was actually gonna ask you the same thing because i haven't a clue where we are myself, sorry" Discord said sincerely
Celestia sighed, thinking they were never going to find civilisation. Celestia then remembered the map the zebra couple had given them and pulled it out of her saddlebags.
"What have ya got there?" Discord said looking over celestia
"It's a map of the land, a nice couple gave it to us a while back" Celestia answered
She looked over the map with her two companions peering at it too, and found where exactly they were. A spring just outside of the Everfree forest "See!" She said pointing to the map "were here, and the place we need to get to is..." She followed the map north of where they were and the closest know place of civilisation called Canterton "There!"
Luna and Discord looked at each other in disbelief, as it was a very long way away from where they are now "Wow" discord breathed "That's a long way"
Celestia placed the map back in her saddlebag and answered "Yep it is, so we better get moving then. It could take us at least a few days"
"What!" Luna moaned "that's soooo far away and i'm really tired from walking"
"Well it's the only way we are going to get there" Celestia replied
"Actually!" interrupted, and walking in front of the two fillies "i think i have just the way we can get there a lot quicker"
"How?" the two alicorn's answered in unison
Discord only grinned and said "oh you'll find out"
