Author's Note
Still working on the story. But I wanted to get it out there. Just to see the reaction.
As alway, I am looking for a good editor.
Thank you and enjoy.
Ponyville and Everfree
Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her friends, were the keeper of the Elements of Harmony. Until they were forced to return them to the Tree of Harmony. The tree in return gave the ponies a locked box.
The keys to unlocking the box were hidden, and were only found in time to save all of Equestria. However the ponies that open the box were not the friends of Twilight, but the young Cutie Mark Crusaders, Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo.
This is start of their new adventures.
***
Princess Luna sat alone in the royal train car. She need time to think about what was going to happen.
With the reinstatement of the Everfree kingdom, under the rule of Princess Twilight Sparkle, this made Equestria a divided nation. However, mostly for personal reasons, nether Luna, nor Celestia want to rule over the south lands.
In truth, Luna did not want to return to the Castle of the Two Sisters. Because that had been the last battle ground between her and Celestia. And, part of Luna wanted to forget the past so badly. She would take the lessons learn with her but, the return visit was not going to be comfortable.
The last time Luna had even seen the castle was when the plunder seed had captured her, and Celestia. Rapping the two of them in some form of vine, at the base of the Tree of Harmony. Princess Luna was never so happy to see Twilight and her friends in all her life, as when they freed her and Celestia for the vines.
Then there was the mater of the voice, that sounded like Prince Everfree. How Princess Luna had come to hate that name, and the thought of Prince Everfree all together. The bone chilling part was that after being freed for the plunder seed vines, Luna could have sworn she had heard Prince Everfree from somewhere deep inside the forest.
Looking out the train car window, Luna’s mind drifted back a thousand years ago. After the loss of the Cristal Empire and the defeat of Discord. Prince Everfree, an earth pony ruler, he had offered a celebration drink to the two victories sisters. Of the three cups, two of them had a love poison inside.
Prince Everfree’s plan was to poison Celestia and Luna. Then the two of them would be his loving slaves, and he would rule all Equestria.
However a the mare that was serving the drinks made a mistake and gave Prince Everfree one of the poisoned cups. He and Luna fell in love to he exclusion of every other pony and there own duties.
The only way to brake the spell was to keep Prince Everfree and Princess Luna apart. Princess Celestia did this by banishing Prince Everfree as a sprit into deepest part of the surrounding forest.
Now a forest spirit, Prince Everfree could haunt the ponies that live in and around the forest. He wisped each day into Luna’s ear that Celestia was out shining her. That all the ponies had all but forgotten about Luna. That they never look out upon her wonderful night sky.
Thought Luna wished that she could place all the blame at Prince Everfree feet. She knew full and well that she did not have to hear what he said. As much as Princess Luna wished it, she would always be linked to the Nightmare Moon.
The train slowly pull into the Ponyville station. Luna smiled as she saw her sister, Princess Celestia waiting for her.
The two Royal Guard Bat Ponies exited the train first, then Luna walked out onto the rail way plat form. The two sisters nuzzled each other. Celestia asking. “How was your trip?”
Luna replied. “It gave me time to think. That was the goal after all.”
Princess Celestia smile. “And, what are you conclusions?”
The two of them started to walk to a waiting carriage. Princess Luna eyes grew sad. “I feel scared mostly. The past is a hard thing to confront. However, the past can only hurt me if I forget the lesson that it has given me. I will not repeat the same mistakes. Also, this is a time for Princess Twilight to shine, I will be happy to stand back and let her glow.”
***
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!” Said Princess Twilight Sparkle.
Spike rolled his eyes. “What wrong, your highness?”
“My crown! What did I do with my crown?” Twilight was freaking out, again.
“You mean the one on top of your head?” Asked Spike.
Twilight levitated the crown form on top of her head. “Yes! Oh. -- Right where it should be. Right?”
Spike shook his head. “Twilight. It is not healthy for you to act this way. You have known Princess Celestia most of your life. You grew up with Princess Cadance. And, Princess Luna likes you a lot.”
Twilight hung her head down. “I know Spike.” She then place the crown back on her head. “I have not been sleeping very well the past few weeks. I thought it was just the excitement at first, but now I think I starting to hear things.”
“What sort of things?” Asked Spike, a tone of censures in his voice.
Closing her eyes, Twilight try to recall the voice. “It is hard to say. Something about a prince and a return to power. Now that I think of it, there is also a feeling of anger around me, every time I hear the voice.”
Spike rub his chin. “Well, Princess Luna know all about dreams. So, maybe she can help you.”
“NO!” shouted Twilight. Making Spike jump. “Sorry, Spike. I am starting to get jumpy for some reason. I don’t want to brother Luna over something simple like lack of sleep.”
***
“Why don’t you get a move on you dummy horn head!” Shouted Big McIntosh at the royal guards. The carriage that Princess Celestia and Luna had been riding in had hit a bump in the road and lost a wheel. Now, the royal guards were trying to put the lost wheel back on.
The royal sisters and four winded guards had flew ahead, leaving the remainder of the guards behind to fix the carriage. As they try to fix the carriage, Big McIntosh had come up form behind with a wagon full of pies. He was heading to the castle, when he had to stop for the broken down carriage.
Big McIntosh unhitched himself form his wagon. He then walked over to the carriage and using just one leg he lifted the carriage up. “You just pick it up like this. You lazy horn head you should use your backs more often that always relining on that useless magic.”
An earth pony guard place the wheel back on the carriage. Big McIntosh went on with his rant. “You should be far stronger than this. You are an earth pony. Where is your pride?”
“Look pal!” Started the earth pony guard as he tightened the wheel back in place. But, he was stop by one of the other ponies guard. “You are on duty. Don’t disgrace yourself over him.”
As Big McIntosh placed the carriage back down, he almost drop to he knees. As if he were in pain. When he came back up, he looked around as if he were lost.
Big McIntosh then looked at the anger faces of the royal guards. Mac smile. “I sorry. I just had a lot on my plate the past few weeks. And, I have not sleep in two days. I lost my temper, and that was wrong.”
“Well, we all have lost our temper over something small at lest once.” Said the earth pony guard. The others grumbled in a agreement. Soon both carriage and pie wagon were on the move once more.
Big McIntosh walked slowly behind the carriage. His eye were burning, and his back was tight. He felt the need for sleep taking over once more, as he closed his big green eyes.
When Big McIntosh’s eye lids reopen his eyes had turn deep blue.
***
“Look up in the sky!” said Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “Scootaloo, we have all seen Rainbow Dash before. I know you like her a lot, but she is not the end all be all of pony kind.”
Just then Princess Celestia and Princess Luna landed with their royal guards. Just in front of the castle. Where Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were studying.
Scootaloo retorted. “Does that look like Rainbow Dash to you, Sweetie Belle?”
Princess Cadance and Shining Armor walked outside to great the royal sisters. The four of them were smiling and making quick small talk with form inside the castle could be hear Princess Twilight Sparkle. “OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! SPIKE! WHERE IS MY CROWN?!”
***
Princess Luna eye’s glowed as they looked into Twilight’s eyes. Princess Luna ended her spell cast. “You have been under a lot of stress this past month. And, you need to get some more sleep. I am a little worried about you.”
Princess Twilight shook off the spell. “I can’t believe I fell a sleep standing up like that.”
Spike put his claw on Twilights side. “I only walked away for a moment.”
Scootaloo then said. “I got scared when you took off running and fell down the stairs.”
Sweetie Bell agreed. “You started calling out for Spike and looking for your crown.”
Shining Armor added. “The crown that was on your head. My LSBFF, why did you not tell me you were having trouble sleeping? I know some healing spells that could help.”
Twilight slowly shook her head. “It just seem so unimportant. I did not want to disappoint every pony.”
Princess Luna, her voice with a worried tone, said. “Princess Twilight. Have you been hearing a voice in your sleep?” Twilight nodded.
Luna then turned to Celestia “Sister, can you see into the forest?”
Celestia smile. “I sure he is gone. It has been along time.”
Luna lower her head. “I sure you are right, but just to be safe.”
Celestia face now took on a worried look also. “You are still afraid of him, my sister.” Now, Luna nodded her head. Celestia went to a window. “I will look out for him. You best explain to the others what we are talking about.”
As Luna told the other ponies about Prince Everfree, Big McIntosh lessoned as the door way. He had dropped off the pies in the kitchen and was having a little look around the castle.
His transformed blue eyes glowed. “Look like your going to get a little rest tonight my big friend. I have leave you and pretended to be a captive.” With that Big McIntosh eye’s closed. When they reopen they were his own green eyes, and they looked very sleepy.
***
Zecora smiled.
“Now try to fill the room.
With the sweet smell, Apple Bloom.”
Apple Bloom slowly added more green water to the test tube. Soon the smell of mint started to fill the air. “I did it!” smiled Apple Bloom.
“Now before you forget.
To your notebook very quick.”
“Right.” said Apple Bloom as she took up a pencil and wrote down the amount of green water it took to fill the room with a sent of mint. “So, that what position mixing is all about. Testing mixtures and then writing down what happen?”
“The different between work and play around
Is that you must always write it down.”
Zecora then went to her book shelf. She pull out an older book and then open it to show Apple Bloom what was written inside.
“The words I go to all the time.
Was my mother wrote the lines.”
Apple Bloom eye went wide. “It just like my family farm. Handed down form generation to generation.”
Zecora smiled with pride.
“Our little Apple Bloom she grows wise.
Her mind is as big as the skies.”
There was a knock at the door of Zecora house. “Oh!” Said Apple Bloom. “That must be Applejack. She was to come and get me when it was time to go to the castle.”
Giggling, Zecora said
“This is just a guess.
How do we test?”
Apple Bloom held her head up high. “I have a theory that my sister is at the door. To prove it, I have to open the door to see if I am right. Then I write down if I am right or wrong.”
Together Zecora and Apple Bloom open the front door to find Applejack standing outside. “Hay Zecora. Apple Bloom ready to go?”
Apple Bloom smile. “I just have to write one more thing down in my notebook and I will be ready.” Then she went to write down the results of the door test in her notebook.
Applejack took off her hat. “Thank you for looking after my sister. I hope she not to much trouble.”
Zecora laughed.
“Apple Bloom is a joy of time.
She helps me keep my magic prime.”
“If you say so, Zecora.” Applejack returned her hat to her head and said to Apple Bloom. “You ready to go? Make sure you say thank you to Zecora.”
Apple Bloom smile at Zecora.
“Thank for the hour past
I had a real fun blast.”
Zecora laughed hard.
“Now my Apple Bloom grow clever.
Soon she will bet my rimes forever.”
Just then, form outside of Zacora’s home, the magic totem guard let out a cry, then a strange heath beat sound.. The two ponies and zebra looked around. Applejack asked, “What is that about?”
Zacora replied.
“By the beating of the drums.
Something wicked this way comes.”
***
Princess Celestia walked in the place that was between the world of ponies and the world of sprits. She went to the place where she had impressed Prince Everfree. To her shock, she found him still there, his hooves embedded in a stone. Prince Everfree looked at Princess Celestia, his eyes sad and near tears. “Oh, Celestia! By your power free me form this curse that you put me under.”
Princess Celestia slowly walked around the stone. “You should have been freed years ago. Once you learned you lesson.”
Still pleading, Prince Everfree said. “What can I say, I am a slow learner. Maybe you can just let me go?”
Princess Celestia shook her head. “I can not. For the only way to free yourself form the stone is to learn to let go of your ambitions for power over others.”
“Are you saying that I am trapped inside this stone forever?” Prince Everfree said with a half fear and shock tone in his voice.
Opening her wings, Princes Celestia repeated herself. “Let go of your ambitions to rule over others and you will be free. That is the only way to free yourself.” With that she took to the sky.
Once Princes Everfree was sure that Princess Celestia was gone, he walk out of the stone. “Fool! I never wanted to rule over others. I always want to ensure my tribes safety, by them having power over the other tribes.”
***
Apple Bloom found her friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in the castle’s library. Apple Bloom asked. “What happen to Twilight? She always with us for Twilight time.”
Sweetie Belle reported what happen. “Twilight has been over working, getting ready for the castle reopening, that she fell asleep standing up.”
“That right.” Said Scootaloo, who took over the story. “Then when she hear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna talking to Princess Cadance and Shining Armor. Well, Twilight had a freak out and fell down the main stairs.”
Worried Apple Bloom asked. “Is Twilight hurt badly?”
Sweetie Belle shook her head. “No. Twilight has a few bumps and cuts, but she seem alright. The more alarming part is that there maybe a ghost that been haunting every pony.”
Apple Bloom cocked her head. “A ghost?”
Scootaloo explained. “Not a ghost, but a forest sprit. You remember the love poison we gave your brother and Miss Cheerilee? And that we got the poison form a book about hart and hooves day? And the Prince and Princess in the story? Well, it turns out that Luna was the Princess in the story. And the prince was a stallion name Prince Everfree. Now, Prince Everfree is stuck to a rock in the forest, but seem to have the power to talk to ponies in there sleep.”
Apple Bloom thought about what Scootaloo had just said. Then she got out her notebook. Asking, “Could your repeat that? The different between work and play around. Is that you must always write it down.”
***
Big McIntosh was trapped. He know he was asleep, but he also knew he was trapped. “Let me go!” He demanded. As he looked down at his feet, to fined they were somehow inside a stone.
Prince Everfree sat down in front of Big McIntosh. “If only I could. But, only one of us can use that fine body of yours at one time. And, I need you to say put until our work is done. But, you have my word, once we are free of the sisters and their tyrannical rule over earth ponies. You can have your body back most of the time.”
Still struggling Big McIntosh asked. “What are you talking about?’
“What I am talking about Big Mac, is ending the rule of the Alicorn.” Said Prince Everfree. “You have worked hard all your life. Only to have to give away half your earning to a government run by Alicorn and unicorns. We earth ponies do almost all the labor and get so little reward.
“The Pegasus talk about protection from invaders, and controlling the weather. But, I say we can protect ourselves, and the weather can control itself.
“Unicorns talk about magic and health. But, I say the earth is self is magic and if a pony live right he will be healthy.
“Then there are the all powerful Alicorns who say they rise and lower the sun and moon. If that were true, why did the sun and moon go though the sky before there were Alicorns. It is in the histories. Also why do they were shoes? You are an earth pony, you know almost all our magic comes from the earth itself. You can feel it in your feet. Why would you cut yourself off from that magic by wearing shoes?
“Big Mac, I am sorry, but for the good of earth pony kind. I have to take over, or the Pegasus, Unicorns and Alicorns will keep our kind in bondage forever. I will make it up to you. I will make Cheerilee my queen, and then you can have all the foals you want with her. I will teach them how to be good ponies, and how to rule over Equestria wisely.”
The only thing Big McIntosh could think of was kicking the horse apples out of Prince Everfree. His feet begin to crack the stone open.
Princess Everfree looked down at the stone. “We are going to have to do something about that.”
