Better

Everfree Forest. Who wouldn't have thought that vile creatures such as Changelings came from here.

Then again, why didn't anyone find these creatures here, even after thousands of years? Are they so skillful in blending into the society that everypony took them for granted? Or is it that ponies just cared too much for their lives to index the wildlife inside this place?

The whole hive must be in these parts! Ponyville is in more danger than ever!

Normally, we would've taken a company of soldiers to besiege them, just in case the situation gets out of hand. Even though Mother is excessively capable of wiping them out herself, it is considered a standard operating procedure. Even the griffons and dragons do it.

But this, this is neither war nor is it for security. This is a family matter.

Yet the thought of that is what I find unusually hard to accept. I have so many more unanswered questions that I want Mother to answer.

Why must you be so closed?

"I'm nervous Tia. I know that we've fought each other before, but it has never pleased me. I never thought that I'd have to fight another sibling again."

"Calm your mind Luna. This is for the best of our interests."

"I know what it's for. But does saving a country really warrants this much sacrifice? I'd be glad to offer my life to serve Equestria. But my sister's life. Is it really the price a ruler must pay?"

"I'm afraid so. We don't have much choice to make here."

"How could you say that!? It is a question of family!"

"I don't like it any more than you do, Luna. And I probably hate this idea more than you do. But it needs to be done."

We continued looking for Gaea. It has been a long day of search in the Everfree, and I'm tired of looking. Mother is patrolling the skies above us.

"Hey Luna, can I ask you a question?"

"What is it sister?"

"How are you so composed?"

"How do you mean?"

"You didn't cry as much as I did when you... you know... these last few days, we didn't have such a happy time."

"I ponder about it as well. Maybe I've had enough sorrow back at the Moon to not feel any more these days. You know how I am. I'm virtually stuck in my own world. Nothing mattered until something happens. And even if it did, I sometimes couldn't care less. Maybe that's how I became so... cold-hearted and selfish."

"No you're not. I know that you do care for us. But I never really understood how you managed to hide your emotions so well."

"I know for one that I share Mother's traits: a war horse."

"Luna."

"Yes Tia?"

"I... I love you with all my heart. I'll protect you from harm, even if I have to sacrifice my life."

"Tia... I... love you too."

I hugged her. We were both tired but that gave us a moment of peace.

"Come sister, let us find Gaea."

"Yes."

"The old castle."

"Such a nostalgia." Tia said, a tinge of sentimentality in her voice.

"Indeed."

We trekked on for another half an hour. We sensed the presence of another being around these parts. Maybe she's hiding here. But why?

"Why would she run here?" Tia asked.

"Maybe it's because Gaea is too ashamed to come back."

"I get that, but she should've been back at her colony. Unless this is where it is."

"Look. Over there, it's her. I'll go get Mother. Don't do anything yet."

I flew as fast as I could. Mother had surveyed the skies bordering the ridges. I know that leaving her alone is a bad idea. I can feel it. I wished I hadn't volunteered and had forced her to go instead.

Mother, where are you?

"Luna! Have you found her?"

"Come quick! We found her at the old ruins!"

"Lead the way!"

We flew back to the ruins as fast as we could.

The flight seemed longer. I don't know why, and I couldn't explain it rationally, but it just feels longer. If I timed the flight I took to arrive to Mother, I'd say it would be about 20 seconds. What was 20 seconds is now growing to be a minute, and it threatens to become longer.

I have an unusually queasy feeling in my stomach. My mind is going crazy, my body is trying to thrash forward. I need to get to her, damn it! Let me go! I need to get to my sister! MOVE IT! MOVE FASTER!

Oh... no...

I'm used to hearing haunting noises of ghosts and phantoms; souls crossing over from this world to the other. I wasn't scared a bit. It became background noise to me.

But what I hear now is the scariest thing of all: Tia screaming.

"Aaaahhhh!!!"

"TIA!!!"

"Stand back, or I'll rip her wings out!"

Tia is pinned to the ground! She-She's bl-bleeding so badly! He-Her ho-horn is b-broken!

T-T-Tia! Ho-ho-hold on! I-

"You thought that I hadn't noticed you!? You should've cast a disable spell before leaving."

"Let her go, Gaea!" M-Mother yelled.

"No, Mother. Not until this mare here hands me over the throne!"

"Please, I beg you. I mean you no more harm. I'm sorry for what I've done."

"You should be, Mother. You knew that it was my duty, my destiny. I was destined to rule Equestria. But you were too selfish to let go. Father was ready to hand it over but you thought I was unfit! How dare you interfere with my destiny!"

"I know I made a mistake."

"What are you talking about?" I asked. I had to.

"T-Te-Tell u-us th-the t-t-truth... P-P-Plea-Please..." Tia murmured weakly.

"I wish it hadn't come to this. Fine then, I will tell you all that happened."

"Look Mother! I got my cutie mark! It's a cutie mark of... what is that?"

"Oh how wonderful! Let me take a look at it. It... It looks like a cutie mark of... Equestria."

"That's silly! What does it mean?"

"That means, your special talent is this land. You're it's caretaker. You will one day feed it, nurture it, sow seeds in it and build wonders from it."

"Does that mean... I'll become the ruler of Equestria?"

"..."

"Mother?"

"...Yes, you will."

"Gaea, what are you doing with my regalia?"

"Look Mother, I'm the ruler of Equestria!"

"Now dear, don't play with those."

"But it's cool, and nice! It's so shiny! I want one!"

"When your time comes, you will get one, my dear."

"When will that be Mother?"

"I don't know. You just have to be a good little filly and wait for it."

"Mother, those ponies at school bullied me again! Can't I do anything about them?"

"Yes, I suppose."

"Then I'll show them that magic-"

"No, no, Gaea. Your magic is not for hurting other ponies."

"But what else have I got? I'm not as strong as Commander Hurricane!"

"Well, I suppose you can-"

"YES! Thank-"

"Silence! I'm not done talking yet."

"Awww... But Mother-"

"Now I did say you can. But I want you to think : is that fit for a ruler? A ruler who protects her people?"

"...No, but I don't want to be bullied all the time!"

"They might throw rocks or hurtful remarks about you, Gaea, but you mustn't do the same to them. Be patient, and always treat them well. They might just change the second you start doing that."

"I... I'll try, Mother."

"Gaea, I do not want you to use your powers ever again!"

"What is it now Mother? Is it that stallion complaining about his broken leg?"

"Have you no heart? Have you not learned from what I taught you all these centuries?"

"Yes, I have. To rule over a kingdom means to show your subjects that you are boss!"

"I have never said anything like that!"

"Well, Mother, that is what I have learned from our lessons."

"Please, I only ask of you to stop this madness. Think about your subjects. Think about others."

"I'm sorry Mother, but I will soon be the ruler of these lands and I will rule as I see fit!"

"OUT OF THESE LANDS! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU EVER AGAIN!"

"I won't go away, Mother. This is what my destiny is. What my cutie mark tells me."

"I will not let a failure rule over Equestria!"

"What did you call me?"

"You heard me loud and clear, Gaea. No. Failure. Shall. Rule. Over. Equestria!"

"I am not a failure!"

"This land needs to be governed by peace and harmony. You, of all ponies, have not a slightest bit of that in you."

"If you won't hand me over the throne, then I'll take it myself!"

"No."

"Let me go! I said LET ME GO!"

"I'm sorry Gaea, but this is for your own good."

"NOOOO!"

"Now do you understand what she has done?"

"I never meant for you to become corrupted, Gaea. Believe me, I only wanted you to learn what being a mare with great power really means. I was afraid that power may cause you to deviate, thus I ordered you to be patient. But something had corrupted you during those years."

"Yes, there was. It's you!"

"Unhand her, Gaea!" I shouted.

"Look at our dear little pony here. Didn't you try to kill her before? I can get the job done for y-"

"Let go of your sister Gaea." Mother interrupted.

"What? Sister? This pony is my sister?"

"Yes. They both are."

"HAHAHAHA! This makes it so much more fun than I'd imagined!"

What is she doing!? NO DON'T-

AUGHHHH! Her scream! Tia!

"Celestia!"

"Don't worry sister, maybe if you decide to become a Changeling you'll regrow that wing!"

How dare she!

"Damn you!!!"

I'll cut her damned head off! Don't move! Stay still you damned horse!

"Take this!"

Agghh! That was a nasty beam shot. What? She's gon-

"Do you really want me to cut off this precious little head of yours?"

She's too fast! Her blade is stuck in my neck! Luckily I cast an iron skin before fighting her. But my neck is still bleeding. A lot too.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Agh! Sh-She's really going to-

"Stop it!" Mother screamed.

"Hmph. I don't need her anyways. Such weakling."

Gaahh! Ou... Ouch... That kick hurts so much. I think I have a broken bone.

"I'm taking over Canterlot, Mother. This time no one's going to stop me. Not even you."

She's flying away, in the direction of Canterlot.

"Luna, are you alright?"

"I'm alright. I came to battle prepared. Though I am a bit roughed up."

"Come, we need to get back to Canterlot before she gets there!"

"What about Tia? She's hurt!"

"I'll carry her back."

A thought hit my mind.

"No, I think it's best to leave her in Ponyville with Twilight Sparkle, her student. Or rather, her former student."

"Alright."

"L... Luna..." Tia called weakly, eyes filled with tears; her body broken.

"Hold on Tia, you'll be alright. It's my turn to protect you now."