Darkness. All he could see in almost every direction was darkness and shadows, the liquid blackness threatening to swallow everything as it encroached further towards him. Sucking in a much needed breathe, the creature set off at a run again, rushing towards the tiny spec of light that was quickly being overcome by the ever present darkness.
He feared the dark, more than any sane rational creature should have done, an abject terror gripping his very soul as he was taken out of the light, but it was not the darkness that was his greatest fear. No, that honour fell to the shadows. He didn’t know what would happen if the shadows caught him, the liquid darkness washing over him and smothering him completely, and he didn’t have any desire to find out.
Why fight against me? You have no need to fear for yourself, A deep foreboding voice told him while he still ran from the rushing black liquid that began to pick up speed. Before he lost hope he finally saw it. Light breaking through the darkness and he let loose a short laugh.
“Well this has been lovely but I’m afraid I must take my leave now. Arrivederci!” He shouted before jumping through the strange pool of light.
***
Discord screamed as he awoke from the nightmare, or at least, he tried to scream. It was hard to make any sort of vocalisation of sound when your mouth and vocal cords had been turned to stone, even worse when you were in a ridiculous pose. He was the avatar of chaos, and here he was stuck cowering like a little filly. It was almost too much to bare. Almost.
Even Discord knew when there were times for pranks and times for being serious. Those times were few and far between, and he usually ignored the anyway, but there were times when even chaos had to help bring about order. This was one of those times. He knew what was coming, what would happen when his dream became a reality, and only he could warn the ponies in time. He may not have liked them for what they did to him, stone was not a fun state to be in, but even he wouldn’t wish what was coming for them.
Straining with everything he got, Discord sought to make even the tiniest bit of headway, the smallest crack in his stone prison as he had done when he had first broken out, but it was no use. The spell was too new, and the elements were still in the hooves of Twilight Sparkle and her insufferable pony friends, meaning he was as powerless as ever to stop the oncoming storm, a passenger in his own body, unable to move, unable to warn them of the shadows.
Brilliant. Just brilliant, He thought to himself, before retreating into his mind. If he had to stay silent to what would come next, he did not want to watch it either.
***
Near the Everfree Forest Fluttershy was tending her to the animals while waiting for Angel Bunny. The bunny had always been her companion, ever since she had fallen from Cloudsdale and found that life on the surface was much more enticing for her. It was true he could be a little frustrating at times, but sometimes severity was the price you had to pay for having such a cute little bunny.
Humming to herself, Fluttershy scattered some bird seed into the chicken coop as she trotted past, sighing to herself as she watched the chickens begin to pester each other over who got which bits, pushing those who were not strong enough to fight back out of the way to wait until the stronger ones had gotten their fill.
“Oh, um, why don’t you all just eat slower, and maybe you could all eat at the same time?” Fluttershy suggested softly, looking down at the chickens. “You don’t need to fight.”
A few of the chickens stopped and looked at Fluttershy, their big eyes staring straight at her while they cocked their heads to the side, before going back to eating.
“Now wait just a minute,” Fluttershy said, her voice rising in volume slightly. “I raised you all to be nice chickens, so you are going to let everyone get their fill. Do you understand?” Maybe that Iron Will seminare hadn’t been that bad after all.
The result on the chickens was instantaneous, and they all sprang back from the food suddenly, as if they were shocked that the meek yellow Pegasus could act forcefully when she wanted to. Slowly, they began to advance towards the food again, pecking at the seed with less gusto than before, and making sure that none of their number were excluded from the feeding time.
Nodding, Fluttershy continued on her rounds, making sure that all the little critters that called her house their home were looked after, fed and happy in general. Smiling, she turned and began trotting towards her cottage, thoughts of her own breakfast now swimming into her mind. She always made sure that her animal friends came first, feeding them before she fed herself. In fact, the only exception to that was Angel, the cute white bunny usually eating his breakfast at the same time as her.
Suddenly, there was a flash of light above the Everfree forest, the sudden illumination startling Fluttershy and sending her diving for cover, squeaking slightly as she did so. Thunder always came after a flash of lightning, and Fluttershy had always hated thunder, something that was unusual for a Pegasus, but then again, she was afraid of heights and flying, so who was to say what was usual for her.
For a long time, Fluttershy quaked underneath the bridge that spanned the small brook outside her cottage, until finally, she poked her head out, wondering why there had been no sign of the thunder.
Crawling out, Fluttershy set off at a gallop towards Ponyville. Twilight would want to hear about this, and out of all the ponies in Ponyville, she would be the only one to have answers.
***
“So wait… you saw a bright light near the Everfree and no thunder or anything followed it?” Twilight Sparkle said to the frightened pegasus who nodded.
“Strange,” Twilight mused, her horn igniting and a book floating over to her. “I didn’t see anything. Are you sure there was a flash?”
“Oh yes, there was definitely a flash, and then there wasn’t any thunder, so I thought that I would come and ask you what it was,” Fluttershy nodded.
“Hmm, lightning flashes and no thunder?” Twilight clarified, flipping through the book titled ‘Weather Phenomenons of the Everfree Forest’.
Twilight began to skim through the book, flipping through the pages so quickly that Fluttershy didn’t know how she could even see the title of the page, let alone read it, but then again, this was Twilight Sparkle she was talking about. If there was any way to maximise the amount of reading a pony could do in a short amount of time, this would be it.
Sighing, Twilight closed the book, looking at Fluttershy with a shake of her head.
“I’m sorry Fluttershy, but there’s nothing described in here that’s anything like what you’re describing,” She said apologetically. “I suppose it’s possible that it’s something new, it is the Everfree after all, but if it is new, then I don’t know it it’s dangerous or not.”
“Oh,” Fluttershy said softly. “I guess I can’t ask you to know what it is if its never happened before.”
“Wait,” Twilight called as Fluttershy walked towards the door. “I could always ask the Princesses if you’re worried. I’m sure Celestia or Luna will have some idea.”
“Oh no, don’t trouble them,” Fluttershy shook her head.
“If you’re worried Fluttershy, I am sure Celestia would rather be troubled,” Twilight pointed out.
“Oh, ok. As long as it’s no trouble,” Fluttershy smiled.
“Not at all,” Twilight replied. “Spike! take a letter please.”
A few seconds later, the small purple dragon ran down the stairs, skidding to a halt just beside Twilight, quill and scroll in hand.
“Yes Twilight?” He asked, his quill poised to scribe the letter that Twilight would dictate to him.
Dear Princess Celestia
It has come to my attention, or rather that of Fluttershy’s attention, that an odd occurrence has taken place over the Everfree Forest. Little over an hour ago a bright flash of light appeared over the Everfree Forest. At first it was thought to be lightning, but couldn’t have been due to the fact it wasn’t followed by thunder like it would normally. Obviously this is a new occurrence that I have neither seen nor heard of, and would like to know if you have any ideas as to what this could be. Due to the danger the Everfree Forest can present, I believed it would be best to bring this to your attention.
Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle
“Should I send it?” Spike asked as he finished the letter, looking up at Twilight expectedly. Twilight nodded causing the young drake to take a deep breath, before shooting out a green flame which engulfed the scroll and sent the ashes out an open window.
“Now we wait,” twilight smiled, looking at Spike. “I don’t suppose there are any of your hay fries left Spike? Fluttershy didn’t have breakfast before she came here.”
“You had the last of them, but I can whip up some more quickly,” Spike smiled, before dashing out of the room and into the kitchen.
“Oh, don’t...worry,” Fluttershy called out as Spike ran off, but let the comment fade as she realised Spike hadn’t heard her. Her stomach would be grateful anyway, and she did have to admit that Spike’s cooking was good.
A loud burp was suddenly heard from the kitchen, and a second later Spike ran out clutching a scroll bearing the seal of Princess Celestia. Allowing Twilight to take it in her magic, Spike dashed back to the kitchen, busying himself with preparing the food for Fluttershy.
My faithful Student
Neither Luna not I have ever heard of such an occurrence, even over a place such as the Everfree Forest. I fear however, we may have a larger problem right here in Canterlot, and I would ask you to gather the other element bearers and meet Luna and I as soon as possible. Your elements will be prepared for you when you arrive.
Princess Celestia
Twilight frowned a little at what the scroll told her. The only thing that could be a problem in Canterlot is that Discord broke free but that was impossible as nothing chaotic was happening here in Ponyville which is where he would definitely head to first to get revenge on the last element bearers who imprisoned him once again.
Peering over Twilight’s shoulder, Fluttershy quickly read the letter, her face falling to match Twilights.
“You don’t think it’s...him...do you?” She asked.
“I don’t know,” Twilight shook her head. “But we need to get the girls together, I’ll get Applejack and Rarity if you get Pinkie and rainbow. Meet at the train station, there should be a train leaving for the capital in half an hour. “Spike! Do you want to come with us?”
“Where are you going?” The dragon asked, poking his head round the door frame, not quite managing to obscure the pink frilly apron he wore.
“We need to get Applejack and Rarity so...” Twilight began, but Spike was already on her back, his apron discarded in his mad dash to get to Twilight.
“Come on Twilight, show me the meaning of haste,” Spike proclaimed, digging his feet into Twilight’s side.
“Hey! That hurt,” Twilight complained, looking round at Spike.
“Hehe, sorry,” spike said, blushing slightly as he scratched the back of his neck.
“Come on Romareo, let’s go find Rarity,” Twilight chuckled, before cantering out of the library, followed quickly by Fluttershy, before the two split up, looking for the remaining members of their group.
***
“Ugh, I thought Twilight said this was important,” Rainbow groaned. “The train’s going to leave in a few minutes, and she’s still not here.”
“Maybe something terrible happened, like maybe she was going to Sweet Apple Acres and she was all like ‘lalalala’, and then she tripped, and now she’s injured and can’t get up, and we’re all here waiting for her, while she’s out there waiting for us,” Pinkie Pie said quickly, bouncing up and down in worry.
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going to happen,” Rainbow Dash replied exasperatedly. “Besides, she has Spike with her, he’d get help.”
“We’re here,” Rarity said in a sing song voice as she walked onto the platform, Twilight, Spike and Applejack following behind her. “Dreadfully sorry we’re late dears. I had just had a fabulous idea for an ensemble, and had to finish my plan before I got here.”
“Yeah, and almost made us miss the train,” Applejack muttered.
“Come now Applejack, the train hasn’t left yet,” Rarity chided. “Look, there are some free seats just inside.”
Trotting forward, Rarity boarded the train as Twilight levitated out a few gold bits to the conductor, the pony smiling and passing her the seven tickets for their journey, before the rest of the mane six made their way inside. Spike still sitting on Twilight’s back, had a happy smile playing out across his face.
“What’s got you so happy Spike?” Rainbow asked as she sat down on one of the benches.
“He’s just been with Rarity, three guesses what lover boy here is thinkin’ about,” Applejack laughed.
“Like that’s a big shock AJ,” Rainbow said as he rolled her eyes. The moment Spike first met Rarity to him it seemed like love at first sight but no matter what he did Rarity just seemed to ignore him, actually she was trying to get his attention, but this didn’t stop the young drake from trying. Spike just huffed a little at this, turning his attention to the window as the train began to move out of the station.
Soon they were moving at a decent pace across the countryside, the lush scenery of Equestria speeding past the window as the train wound it’s way up the mountains towards the capital. Twilight and the others were all engrossed in conversation, catching up on anything they may have missed since the last time they had spoken.
Spike watched them and sighed, before turning his attention back to the outside world. It always seemed to be the same when it came to these adventures, Twilight and her friends being called in to help the crown, while he just tagged along when it was convenient for them. This time though it would be different, and no matter what the task was, Spike would insist on going with them. He wasn’t a baby anymore, and was getting sick of being treated like one.
Eventually, the train pulled into the station at canterlot, allowing Twilight and the others to disembark, stepping out onto the platform and looking around.
“Oh I do so love Canterlot,” Rarity smiled, looking around with a smile.“Such poise, such refinement. Other than Ponyville, there is no place I would rather be.”
“Come on girls, we need to get to the palace right away. Princess Celestia really sounded like she needed us from the way the letter sounded.” Twilight told them.
With that, Twilight set off at a run, leaving the train station behind as she hurried through the busy streets of Canterlot, the others following behind her, ignoring the looks they got from the upper-class ponies who called Canterlot their home.
“Ruffians,” A pair of ponies snorted derisively, before turning their noses up and continuing to walk down the street.
“I don’t see what they’re complaining about. After all we do save them on a daily basis.” Rainbow said as she saw one pair actually glared at them.
“Oh Rainbow don’t pay them any attention. If anything I do believe they find it… uncommon for a commoner to be here. Not that there is anything different between us and them, but they see it that way.” Rarity told her. A few moments later and the group arrived at the entrance to Canterlot Castle.
“Halt. State your...oh. Ms. Sparkle, I’m sorry for keeping you. Princess Celestia told us of your impending arrival. Do you need a guide?” One of the guards at the gate asked.
“No thank you Sergeant Strong Shield. I’m sure I can find my own way from here,” She smiled, before moving through the gates.
“You know that guy?” Rainbow asked as they reached the main doors and went inside the castle.
“I did live here once Rainbow,” Twilight explained. “I made it my mission to learn the names of all the staff in the castle.”
“Your mission?” Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow sceptically.
“Well fine, it was more like a paper on the demographic of those who worked in the castle. We were told to question a small sample group, but...” Twilight trailed off.
“But you ended up asking everyone,” Applejack finished with a smirk. “Trust Twi to make sure everything is done as thoroughly as possible.”
“And you remember all of them?” Fluttershy asked.
“When have you ever known me forget something like a name?” Twilight asked with a grin.
“Well there was that one time when...” Pinkie began, only to have a hoof stuffed in her mouth by Twilight in a bid to silence her.
“He he. So like I was saying, to the throne room.” Twilight laughed nervously, before reaching a door and pushing it open.
Behind the door was a long room, several stained glass windows dominating both sides, depicting scenes of particular importance to Equestria. This room showed history itself, and depicted everything from the first fall of Discord and the banishment of Nightmare moon, to the defeat of Queen Chrysalis and the saving of the Crystal Empire. The closer they got to the throne, the more recent the events were, until the last few were just plain, waiting for worthy deeds to take place and be commemorated forever in the glass.
While the glass pictures were indeed a spectacle they were nothing compared to who was waiting for them in the center of the room. A tall white pony with majestic eagle-like wings and a very large pointed horn. On her head there was a golden crown perfectly laid over her horn. Her hooves were also covered by golden decorated horseshoes and her neck and an elaborate necklace.
Beside her sat a slightly smaller pony, her coat being a glorious midnight blue, and her own ethereal mane blowing in the same breeze as her sisters. Princess Luna looked every bit as regal as her older sister, and together, they represented the Diarchy of the oldest country on the planet.
“Princess Celestia. Princess Luna,” Twilight said, bowing slightly, the rest of the group following suite.
“Rise my faithful ponies,” Celestia smiled, getting up from her throne.
“Thank you for coming here on such short notice,” Luna added.
“No problem princess,” Applejack smiled.
“What seems to be the problem anyway? You said in your letter that there was a large problem in Canterlot. It’s not...him, is it?” Twilight asked nervously.
“I believe it would be best if we showed you instead,” Celestia replied, before leading the group down a small corridor.
***
Twilight just stared at the sight before her. Normally anypony would worry about a statue having a few cracks in it but this one made her nearly have a heart attack. The statue was actually a prison that kept Discord at bay, and the fact that it was cracking so soon after he had been resealed into it spoke of power unlike anything he had displayed when he had first broken out.
“How is this possible?” Twilight asked, taking an uneasy step back.
“We do not know, but we do know that it only happened recently, within the night at the latest,” Luna replied, looking at the statue. “He is radiating intense emotion within his prison, but it is not something I have ever felt from Discord, or any Draconequus for that matter.”
“Can’t you just compare it to the emotions of a Pony or a Griffon?” Rarity asked in confusion.
“Draconequi are creatures comprised of chaos. They do not feel emotion in the same way we do,” Luna explained.
“One thing is certain however. The power Discord is putting into escaping from his prison is beyond what my sister and I thought possible. We always knew he was powerful, but this is something even we never predicted,” Celestia continued.
“What do you think is causing it?” Twilight asked.
“I do not know,” Celestia shook her head. “But after deliberation with Luna, we have come to the conclusion that it must have been a recent event which stirred him, waking him from the slumber he should experience within the stone.”
“What about the flash of light?” Fluttershy asked, before realising that everypony was looking at her and shying away.”Umm, sorry, but it seemed important.”
“Do not be sorry Fluttershy,” Luna smiled softly. “It is possible that your flash of light has something to do with this, which is why my sister and I have decided that you shall investigate this disturbance.”
“You brought us all the way up here to tell us to go back?” Rainbow deadpanned.
“I am sorry Rainbow, but you had to see the magnitude of this problem first hoof to know what the consequences of failure could be,” Celestia apologised. “Go now, I have ordered a pair of chariots be prepared for your return trip.”
“We won’t fail you princess,” Twilight assured her. “Let’s go girls, Spike, you stay here at the castle and...”
“Not this time,” Spike cut in, standing in front of the door and looking at Twilight, his arms crossing. “You always do this to me, leaving me behind and treating me like a baby. Well I’m not a baby, I’m nine, and a Dragon at that. I deserve to come with you guys.”
“But Spikey-wikey, the Everfree Forest is too dangerous for a creature of your ‘size’,” Rarity reasoned.
“Oh come on, the crusaders survived in the forest before, and so have I,” Spike retorted. “I just want to come with you guys for once.”
“Fine, you can come this time Spike, but you’ve got to promise to stay on my back the whole time,” Twilight relented.
“Works for me,” Spike smiled, before clambering onto Twilight’s back and leaning back.
Giggling at Spikes antics, the girls made their way out onto the balcony of the castle where two chariots were already waiting for them, the Pegasi who would be pulling them harnessed in and ready to go. With a final wave to the princesses, they sped off towards the Everfree Forest.
“Do you think they will be able to handle what they find there?” Luna asked.
“If they find anything Luna, we do not know if there is anything there yet,” Celestia corrected her sister. “But yes I do. Twilight and her friends are some of the most capable ponies I have ever known, and if anypony can lead them to success, it will be Twilight. Is that not why we have begun moving towards preparing her for her final test?”
“I hope you are right sister,” Luna said wistfully, before turning and walking back inside the palace.
Author's Note
Hello and welcome to a story that spawned off from my childhood memories of building these amazing characters. I only hope you all enjoy this story as much as I do writing it with Fenrisian Brony. Rahk on everypony.
Six months. That was how long it was since the day the Elements Of Harmony left to investigate the strange light in the Everfree Forest. Since then nopony has heard from them or even seen them at all. It was around this time that Celestia began to worry and ordered the guards on high alert in case any sightings of the Elements were reported, but there was nothing, and no sign of any of the six ponies was found. Everypony that knew them feared the worst and were worried sick, and Celestia was no different. As those six days passed, Celestia paced back and forth in her royal chamber as she tried yet again to think of something to get them back. She considered using an old artifact from her early years as a princess but felt that she would be breaking a promise that she made Starswirl to never go through the mirror ever again.
“Princess?” A guard asked her during one of her walks as she was looking truly somber.
“Yes?” She asked in a voice that lingered with sadness.
“Our squadron returned from the badlands and… they’ve found nothing. I’m sorry to report this your highness,” the guard said as he removed his helmet. Celestia sighed as she turned to her throne and sat down on it.
“Very well. This leaves me with no choice. I want you to gather our best scouts and Shining Armor. I must show the Captain something I swore I would never go near again, and send out the scouts to look for the ponies on my list,” Celestia said as she and the guard left the throne room but as they did Celestia could’ve sworn she heard a deep, dark laugh echoing in the shadows.
“What the buck… damnit! Note to self, never buy a map from a Saddle Arab,” a tawny griffoness growled as she stared at a map. The griffoness kept looking at the map in the light of her camp fire but it still didn’t make any sense. She followed the path just like it said but according to it Ponyville should be right where she is. Instead, she found herself on the edge of a cliff. But what she never realized was that she had the map upside down.
“Screw it. Damn ponies always conning poor souls.” She hissed as she crumpled up the map in her talons and tossed it off the edge. As she walked back over to her campfire, she watched as a midnight black pegasus wearing shining gold armor flew over to her.
Crap. She thought as the guard landed.
“Are you Gilda the griffoness?” He asked her.
“So what if I am?”
“I need you to come with me.”
“For what? I haven’t done anything wrong since I-”
“Let me rephrase that. You are coming with me,” The pegasus said as he placed a hoof on her only to have it grabbed and then slammed into a rock.
“Listen bozo. I came here to apologize to a pegasus I insulted and fix a rocky friendship which I need now more than ever so stay out of my-”
“Let me rephrase that one more time. You’re coming with me because Princess Celestia requests an audience with you.” The guard interrupted.
“She wants an audience? With me?” She asked letting go of the ponies hoof and watching as he got back to his hooves.
“Yes. Now if you refuse to come I will drag you to her in chains.” He warned as he pulled out a set of hoofcuffs big enough to wrap around her talons.
“Alright. But why?” She asked.
“She needs to show you and five others something. Now hurry, there’s no time to waste,” He said as he flew off.
“What could the princess want with a griffon like me? I bet Rainbow Crash and her lame friends said something that got me in trouble with her,” Gilda growled as she flared her wings, before taking to the sky after the pony guard.
“Stupid runt. Thinking he could make a fool out of-” A red teenage dragon grumbled before slamming his fist into a boulder, cracking it in two. “I’ll show him. No dragon makes a fool out of Garble and gets away with it. I’ll show him just what happens when you mess with the best,”
Garble grumbled as he trudged through the lava pits as he contemplated the little purple dragon that humiliated him and his friends in one move. He even had to hide behind ponies, ancestor forsaken ponies, who fight his own fights! Yet he made a laughingstock of him and his friends. Everywhere he went, he was called a ‘weakling’ and ‘hatchling’ for that. Even since then, Garble would beat down any dragon that called him a name. But he also had a strange feeling within him that only appeared after Spork or whatever the runt called himself left with the ponies. Was it possible he was feeling-
“HEY HATCHLING!” And now that feeling is gone. He turned and saw a dark brown dragon snickering at him.
“What do you want?” He growled.
“Just wanted to ask… how’d it feel to lose to a baby?!” The dragon asked before breaking down into a laughing fit. Something inside Garble, though it happened many a time before, snapped as he heard the laughing dragon and just like the others his eyes suddenly only saw red and he knew no more but what was happening in the real world was that he was beating the dragon within an inch of his life and then trying to drown him in the lava pits with just his one claw. After a minute, he came back to the real world and saw what he was doing. He threw the dragon back out and watched as he spat up hot lava.
“WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” The dragon roared.
“I-I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to-”
“GET AWAY FROM ME PSYCHO!” As he roared this the brown dragon flapped open his wings and flew away to wherever he lived. Garble could only stare in disbelief before he felt an unwanted sensation on his shoulder. He felt the armored feeling of a hoof touching him.
“Are you Garble from The Fire Heart Clan?” A voice asked. Garble turned his head and saw an armored pegasus.
“I am. What do you want?” He asked.
“Princess Celestia requests an audience with you,” The guard explained.
“About what?” He asked.
“She needs to show you and five others something. If you don’t agree I’ll-” The guard began. Garble simply glared at the pegasus and growled.
“You’ll what?” He growled.
“I will put you in chains and drag you to her myself. Do you want to ask anymore dumb questions?”
“I’d like to see you try and put those chains on me,” Garble growled as he extended his claws. The pegasus sighed and waved his hoof. Garble barely had time to raise an eye scale when he felt something peck his neck. He looked down and saw a small needle sticking out and soon felt really light headed.
“W-What did you-” Garble began. But then, he felt his knees turn into jelly, making him fall onto his scaly stomach. A few seconds after that, the loud sounds of snoring was heard.
“Oh my. This is truly dreadful news.” A blue unicorn said as she read the front page of the Equestria Daily newspaper. “Trixie wonders if Twilight is okay wherever she is.” She said as she placed the paper down. Suddenly she felt like a pair of eyes were watching her every step and breath. She looked around the tavern that she was in and saw that several ponies in armor were, indeed, staring in her general direction.
“Trixie Lulamoon, we need you to-” One of the guards began. But before the guard could finish, Trixie used a flash spell, creating a powerful light that blinded nearly everypony in the room. She got off the barstool and ran out the backdoor of the tavern. But just as she opened the door she was met with several spears that were pointed right at her.
“L-look Trixie is v-very sorry about what happened in Ponyville but Trixie doesn’t-”
“Trixie Lulamoon if you would let us finish we are trying to say that your past criminal offenses have been waived, if you will join us to see the princess that is. She has requested your need.”
“W-what? But why would Celestia-”
“She didn’t explain all of the details to us. She just wants your presence at the castle as soon as possible. Now, please come with us,” the guard said gently. Trixie simply nodded as she walked behind the guards and wondered what the princess wanted her for.
The city of Cloudsdale was normally a marvel to beheld by not only the princesses and other earth bound ponies but even the pegasi have been overwhelmed by it’s beauty but today it was empty and void for good reason. Today was the first of the year that the Wonderbolts would be hosting tryouts for their team and only the best of the best could join them every pegasi knew this. One pegasus in particular knew this better than the others because she was kicked off. Not for being horrible, on the contrary she was one of their best fliers, but for endangering her team. Now this mare was on the bottom, wandering the streets of Cloudsdale as she looked for something to eat. Wherever she went, ponies looked down on her, the rumours of her supposed recklessness having been spread around the city like a plague.
“LIGHTNING DUST!” A loud voice called for the teal green pegasus mare. She turned towards her boss in the burger joint.
“Yes Flap Jack?”
“We got an order on table sixty five. Make sure you get there and try not to screw it up this time please?” The pegasus stallion Flap Jack said as he pointed towards the table she was delivering.
She looked at it and realized why her boss said it. The pegasus that was sitting at the table was her normal tormentor ever since she was kicked out. The worst part? The pegasus was also her brother.
Of all the ponies in Equestria, why did it have to be him? She asked herself as she picked up the plate and started her way towards him. This bucking sucks. I could’ve been flying with the Wonderbolts. But no, I had to be a bitch and get booted out. She thought again as she neared her brother.
“Hey dodo what’s up?” The stallion said as he smirked.
“Here’s your order sir. Enjoy,” Lightning said through gritted teeth as she put the plate down a little forcefully.
“Whoa. Somepony’s cranky. Need me to get you the you-know-what sis’?” He asked, making Lightning growl.
“Shut. Up. It isn’t that. It’s just the fact that I’m serving the only pony that I hate besides Rainbow Dash,” she replied. Her brother just chuckled at this.
“Are you seriously angry about that? I figured you would’ve gotten over being-”
“DON’T YOU DARE FINISH THAT SENTENCE!” Lightning roared at him. Everypony in the burger joint turned their heads and stared at Lightning and her brother.
“Lightning, calm down. You don’t want to cause a scene,” he said as he heard the heavy huffing of his sister. Lightning took a deep breath and then put on a smile that even an illusionist would’ve thought was fake.
“I hope you enjoy your meal sir. Have a nice day,” Lightning said as she went back to the kitchen.
“Dang it sis if you’d just listen you’d hear that I’m trying to help you.” Her brother said as he chomped down on his hay burger. Back in the kitchen, Lightning sat in a stool as she silently sobbed to herself.
“I-is it too much to ask f-for a second chance?” Lightning sobbed to herself before she heard metal hooves connecting with the floor.
“Lightning Dust?” A stallion’s voice asked her.
“W-who wants to know?” Lightning asked gingerly as she turned to see a snow white pegasus in gold armor.
“I’m Sergeant Cold Steel. My superiors are looking for you. You’re not in any trouble by no means.” He said as he saw the surprised look on her face. “We just wish to show you something and need your assistance.”
“W-What do you need my help with?” She asked as she wiped the tears out of her eyes.
“The princess requests that you come to the castle immediately.” He said.
“A-Alright. B-But my job-”
“I’ve already explained everything to your boss. He said that you are allowed to come with us,” Cold Steel interrupted. “Now please, come with me.” He said as he exited the room. It took her a minute but Lightning got off the stool and followed the guard.
Come on you stupid piece of junk let me through already. A young girl said to herself as she stared angrily at the stone statue in front of her. It has been a few minutes since she stood at it but she had her patience worn thin. She continued to stare angrily at the stone slab until it finally rippled like water, before becoming smooth once more, and then she smirked a little.
Finally. She thought as she touched the mirror, only to have her hand go through it. She then continued into the mirror and when she was fully inside of the mirror, she felt a wave of tingling surge through her body. A few moments later and she suddenly had hooves and a horn sprouting from her forehead. She soon fell from the portal and landed on the floor with a thud along with the clattering of hooves beneath her.
“This will never feel natural,” she groaned as she struggled to get up.
“Why Sunset? Still used to walking on two feet?” A voice asked. Looking up, the mare saw an alicorn she thought she’d never get to see again.
“Celestia. And here I was hoping I could get out of here without you seeing me but noooo. I had to be caught,” She groaned, pushing herself to her fe...hooves. “So, here to arrest me for my crimes against Equestria?”
“Relax Sunset I’m not here to arrest you but I need your expertise in mirror travel to help me.”
“Help you? The great Celestia needs my help? Give me a good reason I should help you,” Sunset laughed loudly, before sneering at this princess who returned her hard look.
“My student Twilight has gone missing-”
“So what?”
“-along with her friends after I asked them to go to investigate a disturbance in the Everfree and so far they have yet to return., Celestia explained.
“But still, why should I help them? You didn’t care that I left,” Sunset pointed out angrily.
“I did. I felt a piece of me fade away from not stopping you. I know that you are still upset that I made Twilight my new star pupil but that is all in the past. You need to act in the present,” Celestia said as she approached the unicorn. Sunset merely rolled her eyes.
“Okay but I’m not doing this for either of you. I’m doing this to avoid being sentenced,” Sunset said as she followed Celestia.
“Sunset, you won’t be alone when you go to find them. I’ve recruited others to go along with you,” Celestia said.
“And who are the “others”?” Sunset asked.
“You’ll see when they arrive.” Celestia said. As they walked down the corridor, Celestia swore she heard somepony chuckling an evil chuckle. I hope I’m just hearing things.
However in a different dimension deep in the darkest pit in that realm a giant machine was watching with blood red eyes through a glistening pool at the scenes.
“She has recruited them. Just like you predicted my apprentice,” the machine said in a light yet raspy voice to a pair of green eyes.
“Tch like I expected anything else. After six years now she cares about me and the others,” the other being said.
“I know my apprentice. But soon, you’ll be able to collect new ones for me. Go get the others. Tell them we’re about to have company.” The machine ordered.
“Yes master.” The being said as it slowly walked away. The machine sighed as he turned towards a giant building that looked like a face.
“The first part of the prophecy has come to fruition. Again the legends of the matoran seek to betray me. I have unleashed Rahi to frighten them but they have grown braver,” as it said this it pointed to a stone picture of a strange scorpion. “I have unleashed Borohk to destroy their homes but they grew stronger from it,” once more it pointed towards what appeared to be a picture upon which weird beings that seemed to be shaped like orbs were shown.
“Now they have forced my hand. Now I must unleash those who never are supposed to see the light of day.” The machine said as he pulled out three worms from the ground. As the worms wiggled like crazy, the machine waved his hand and dropped them onto the ground. They then moved to three different pillars and crawled into the immobile figures inside. The beasts stirred for a bit before they were freed. The creatures, besides being bizarre looking with their strange bodies and weird spines, were also differently colored, green blue and brown respectively
“I will poison their unity, their duty I must destroy, and their destiny I will shatter.” As the machine said this he soon heard the clattering of metallic hooves from behind him.
“Master. What do you want us to do with these newcomers once they arrive?” A scratchy voice asked.
“Simple,” He said. “Bring them to me.”
