Prelude - Celestria's History
A cloaked pony stand in front of you offering you a dream. A gemed triangular bottle holding something white with it. Thick with an unnatural glow to it's contents. The strange accent of the strange pony's voice rang into the air towards you as she placed the potion out stretching her hoof in your direction. The room you two were in was bleak. A makeshift place that was made of blue like stone just to accommodate a pony. The furniture alone consisted of two long seats with a smaller table in the middle of them. You hardly call it a dining set. Place right in front of what looked like a lazily dug out hole in the cave looking room meant to be a fireplace. It was a sad looking place, yet here you had a seat with a strange mysterious pony in front of you.
"If you want to know how things came to be. Take a swig of this and see our history. Born with a purpose this potion was made. Blessed by Princess Luna, to bring us aid." Her snout stood out from her coat as well as her hooves. Glimpses of stripes could be caught along her flowing large black draping clothing. She spoke in a sort of riddle as she addresses you nodding her head to the potion one last time determined to make you drink it.
"There are a lot of questions from you, I understand. Yet you must be patience and see how this to the end. One sip is all it takes, then all the answers will set in place." Cried out the pony almost begging you to drink from the flask. With a little hesitation You could feel the cold bottle come into place within your limbs. With one last glimpse Zecora shows her face dropping her hood with her forelegs as you take the potion from her. One side of her face was scarred. A blinded eye with a cut across her lids looking rather old. The zebra smiles at you knowing this had to be done even with your stare, she didn't seem to mind. The silent introduction now placed aside as her purpose rang clear. To teach you of the past. Feeling like enough was said and explained. The only way to continue was to take a drink. The final answers laying in the effects of the potion. Bottoms up! You could feel the cold bottle tilt up against your lips as you drink the potion. The contents quickly flowing pass your lips as you set the bottle down staring at Zecora. In a flash your eyes lose their sight and it feels like your mind is pulled into another dimension entirely. Losing grip on reality as your vision seemed to stir you away from your present position.
Case file 3 - Declaration of Celestria.
The blinding passes only to form a new sight before you. The throne room of old. In front of you laid the two thrones of the princesses of the land. One with two shades of blue decor and the other draped with orange and yellow. Two sets of steps leading up to each individual throne. Gazing in awe at the old castle's interior you hear a voice call out to you.
"Not another step." Princess Luna? the voice rang out as the familiar black and blue pony came from behind her throne. Her expression stern. Deadly serious about something at at her hooves. Luna gave you a glare as she stood in front of her throne looking quite dominate letting it all sink in before speaking out once more.
"Did you really think I would sit idly by while they all basked in your 'precious' light?" Luna called out her voice rising in volume as she made her way in front of what looked to be a podium made of stone.
"There can be only one Princess in Equestria! And that Princess! Will be-!" Luna continued her aggressive chat with you. Her front legs rising up above the podium. In a quick stomping motion Luna cracks the podium into pieces her legs cutting through it like it was just paper. Bits of stone flying about as Luna's eyes glowed bright Yelling out "-MEEE!" Her mouth opening wide shouting out that last statement making a point of what she wanted. Luna bringing her head back up stood proud in an intimidating posture as the sudden strike to the throneroom ventured further back. The cracks trailing up the wall behind her up high into the rafters breaking out the large glass window that hovered over the two thrones. The sun was shone brightly glaring down into the darkened room lighting it up. Luna outstretched her forelegs and began to hover up in place. The image of her raising the moon by her very will and power was emphasized, as it looked like she was really carrying the moon in her hooves. The planetary movement blocked out the sun. Luna setting her moon in the light blocking the sky and turning it into a permanent night. Luna curled into herself as a strange magic began to engulf her body. A miasma that covered her entire body bringing her out of view glowing brightly for a second and then the swarm faded away. Luna taking on more black in a slender form her mane donned a helmet of some kind. Looking much like a dark version of her older sister Celestia. Luna set herself down. Keeping her stare firm and steadying herself for the one she was truly addressing. Her teeth coming out in a snarl as she leaned her head down and shot out a magic beam from her horn aimed at the ground. The solid blue beam hitting the ground next to a white hoof.
Princes Celestia was here? Celestia looked down at the singed marking by her hoof and smiled. Celestia didn't seem worried at the violent threat her sister had just committed to.
"Luna will you hurt me?." Celestia told her sister. Giving her a warning in a singsong tone. Fully knowing how this affected her sister's emotions using them to her advantage. The white sun goddess found this all to be cute. A rather bold tantrum that was beginning to get annoying.
"Lower the moon. You will obey me." She said in an equally intimidating gesture to her sister. A command that she stood firmly against without having to show any sort of power behind it. She was in control not Luna. Luna knew it herself. Her face began to drop. Feeling a bead of sweat fall along her cheek staring at her sister daring not to take another shot at her. Hoping to resolve this without pain or anger. Yet the moon princess knew it had gotten out of hand. At this point she had to stand and fight.
"Don't call us Luna!" Luna cried out feeling as if the way Celestia called out her very name hurt her even further in her heart. She didn't know what else to say after. A thought of even changing her name meant she had to leave everything behind her. Everything was shattering in her world, yet she could think of one thing that kept her head calm even after a bad day. She spoke out mentioning her relaxing thought placing it into two simple words as she replied to her dear sister. Her mind traveled back to when Luna was once feeling out of place and depressed. She would look up at her beautiful sky seeing the stars dim along her darkened embrace. The tiny blue filly would count out how many stars were wished upon by ponies around the land. Those ponies spent their time under her moonlit sky. Now in hopes of a better ruling over their land.
"My name is Starlight Wish." Luna said bringing a hoof up to her chest feeling at ease with her new transformation now. She inhaled and had readied herself to face her evil sister. "I have but one thing to do, dear sister. And that is to stop you!" Said Starlight as she leaned forward shooting another beam at her sister. Celestia's head moved to the side letting the beam pass her neck. It was close but a small amount of smoke began fluttering into the air at how close it grazed the white Alicorn. A hideous black marking ruined her perfect white coat. Celestia laughed at the effort her poor struggling sister was going through. So predictable she was holding her powers back so that Celestia would not get hurt. Another beam shot out and another from the angry black Alicorn as shots fired at the evil white goddess. Yet everything began to miss not hitting it's mark. Luna completely in hopes that her sister would submit already as Celestia gave out an evil laugh that rang across the room taunting her sister to commit the deed to hurt her.
"Is your aim off Luna?" Celestia continuing to laugh as her sister continued her fruitless effort. Grunting as her head stayed bowed shooting off bright beams of blue one after another. Starlight's frustration grew as one beam finally hit it's mark. A shower of her blue magic hitting Celestia right in her chest forcing the white Alicorn to scream out in surprise. Luna's magic sent Celestia tossed back across the room. Celestia's white slim body failing about as she tumbled hard along the ground from the recoil of the hit. Starlight stopped in place her assault ending as she gasped out in horror of what she had just done to her precious sister. Celestia stood up one weary leg after another glaring at her sister in a very angry expression. It Luna was ready to fight than Celestia would give her no mercy.
"Oh sister. You give me no choice. You will pay for this!" Celestia called out to Starlight who was afraid to hit her sister again. Celestia smiled at this chance of a lifetime. Relishing in the fact that soon she would be the only princess of the land. The only authority to control the ponies within it. Her land. Her rule. The sheer jolt of pain Starlight felt from even causing her pain by that first bolt was emotionally agonizing. She held herself back returning her blue magic from her horn the growing feeling of withdrawal increasing within her. Celestia's horn grew a yellow hue and the floor began to part. Releasing a monument out that looked much like a planet with displaying crystals surrounding it. Her horn continued to glow as Celestia pulled the pieces one by one out. Star's desperate actions made her scared at what Celestia might do. Even standing there as she knew the conflict would soon come to an end. She believed in Celestia's potential to turn away and do the right thing.
"You won't.....you can't!" Starlight said in a scared tone shooting a beam out. Only to hit the stone monument. Again her aim was completely off once more. She panicked and left with no other options then to flee. Starlight flew upwards shooting a hole into the ceiling to escape flying as fast as she could. Flying pass bits and pieces of the broken stone and glass. Starlight rushed outwards escaping the castle walls.
Celestia began to cackle like the tyrant she was as the gems flew around her. Swirling into a dark shadowy static blaze. Her magic glowing brightly as the gems suddenly stopped in place shooting light into the largest of the six. The dark shadowy bolt of magic flew fast out of the break in the ceiling following Starlight. The ever closing stream of shadow was closing in on it's designated target. Star looked over her shoulder in a fright. Flying fast with all her might and then. The stream overcame her.
"Please no." Starlight whispered to herself as she felt her body become a part of the deadly evil beam. Taking her away from the land she had loved so much. The bolt headed towards the moon. Bursting the glowing night orb in it's wake. Leaving a bright very large star in it's wake imitating the moon's glow.
Celestia looked up at her work and sneered. A lovely show and a fine retaliation. She would not be stopped now. Celestia poured her magic into removing the blue star turning it back into daylight as a royal guard came through the room.
"Your majesty! Is everything alright? We heard explosions and-"
"Everything is alright Captain. A threat gone pass." Celestia began not even turning to address one of her guard. "Tell the men to round up every subject. I have a declaration to announce." Celestia ordered her guard bowed motioning to leave Celestia to do her bidding. As your sight began to fade out. Losing position of her and everything else as color began to fade away into that blinding white light once again.
As the surroundings began to fade back sending your mind back in it's proper place Zecora spoke out. Her voice reaching your ears as the last few seconds of the mind melding magic effect ended bringing her form back in sight.
"Starlight Wish had brought hope into our hearts, but through all the fighting that is not where it all starts. So much had been done at that time, but declaring Imperial rule was Celestia's biggest crime. Seems to me you have learned much from your moment. Your mind has gather knowledge from all of our torment. Though sadly everything does not end there, so further back we must go and see how Harmony fares." The words made no sense, yet Zecora motioned down to your hoof. Where the potion laid into your grasp. Would you dare to take another sip? As instructed the sickly potion finds it's way once more across your lips. A slight heat overwhelmed your entire body and you felt that same uneasing white blinding light overtake everything in front of you. Letting a new setting and memory take place. Bracing yourself for more of the truth you stand and listen keeping attention to the events that unfold.
Case file 2 - The Disappearance of Harmony
The new environment looked to be a peaceful village in the middle of the land of Equestria. A clear stone path lead to a highly designed white mansion that laid in the middle. The large doors was it's best and biggest feature large enough that it could easily match the drawbridge to Canterlot. In front of your eyes you could see two familiar ponies. The princesses of Equestria themselves. Celestia and Luna who had saddlebags and were making their way to the doors. Without no one to tend to the doors themselves the doors slowly opened making way for the two sisters revealing what was inside. What looked to be a mansion was actually a humble throne room meant to hold something vast. Hold a prestigious being of influence. In the middle of the large shell of a mansion was a large silver crystal being. Was this Harmony? Zecora didn't mention that it was a being of some sort. You mind racked in what new thoughts began to fill your. It wasn't the idea of Harmony and peace. It was a dragon named Harmony?! He was, or is, a crystal serpentine dragon of some sort. The lights coming into contact with him made him look to be shining of different colors at multiple angles. He looked brilliant curled up along his tail. His smaller limbs slowly raised himself up off of the ground to stand on four legs. He spoke in a clear soothing tone that held command of the air. Celestia and Luna came forward to address the dragon. Celestia looked to be ready for a struggle of some sorts. As Luna looked to be troubled. Her expression filled with anxiety. Luna was having second thoughts about what was about to take place.
"Such an honor. How may I help the princesses of Equestria?" His mighty jaws moved about in a steady pace as Harmony called out to the pair of mares standing before him.
"Cut the formalities." Celestia told Harmony being quite rude off the bat. Wanting to provoke the celestial being in front of them. "For trying to undermine my rule of Equestria. You are hereby found guilty!" Celestia said once more acting as if the dragon had done a heinous crime against her.
The gentle dragon bowed his head. His eyes closed as he waved a small limb about in the air making a large stone basin of water appear before the two sisters. The water inside overflowed like a tears in their wake. Quickly flooding the room and their hooves and claws. The water flowing out in a strange stream like growth heading out of the door.
"Please take a drink. The waters will calm your nerves." While this gesture looked to be something small and dramatic Celestia grinned evilly. Her horn glowing as she had about enough of playing with her target. The yellow aura lifting the saddlebag's flap as more of Celestia's magic lifted out several gems into the air. Luna reluctantly did her part taking out the other three gems with her own blue hue of magic.
"I have foreseen this."Harmony told the girls laying back down onto his stomach accepting his fate as the gems began to swirl around the two sisters leaving them in a vast magical glow.
"With this, I will end you." Celestia said her goal within sight as Harmony became an easy target for the two. Luna questioned her sister mentally eying her from the corners of her sockets. The mentioning of herself this whole time as if Luna wasn't there. Like her younger sister was nowhere to be found. The while Alicorn was focused on making Harmony pay that to her. Luna never existed. Luna returned to the task at hand still believing in her sister to be doing what was right.
"I beg of you. Don't do this." Harmony said closing his eyes his head laying down on the floor in complete surrender. It was too late the gems emanating a blot of wicked shadow magic to arch up and hit Harmony right in his midsection. The old dragon didn't even groan out at what looked to be a lightning strike hitting him solidly. Frying his body. His form beginning to drift in color. It's beautiful sheen no where to be found as his scales and claws all became a dark solid stone. The memory ended there as the event was over in a seconds with the last view of Harmony in stone. Celestia standing over her prize with an evil expression filling her lips and eyes. You could feel yourself involuntarily shifting in place moving away from the scene. That same annoying blasted light blinding your eyes as Zecora and the bleak dark room shifted back into view.
"Harmony had helped the land grow and find balance. He was truly a wonderful being not selfish in his talents. Many ponies had mourned the loss. Yet one became greedy abusing this cost." Zecora spoke out as you felt your sitting self shift back in view of the room and everything else in the present. The striped mare continuing her rhyme like a chat of speech. Explaining more of the events and what followed in the past. Nothing had changed or moved and it all felt like it did as reality sunk into your head. Zecora could understand what you had witnessed. Smiling widely as she knew the lesson was taking affect. "Are you starting to see why this started the war? Balance and harmony are what we struggle for. From beginning, with the source, we shall see, how Celestia's overwhelming reign came to be." Zecora began once more the lesson still taking place as the scarred zebra waved her hoof over the potion waiting for her student to take her last vision. With no more hesitation and a heavy sigh you take once last drink and fall into that same tunnel of shifting blindness.
Case file 1 Origin of Discord
The blindness you felt four other times was beginning to feel comforting. The sudden sense of yourself not being where you're suppose to be with your body had faded from the constant use of the potion. As you feel fine right in this moment. The next thing coming into view was almost shocking. As the new event started to take place you find yourself in a large almost black like cavern. A grove that looked to be filled with an unnaturally light wisps of shadow. The darkness looking much like mists of ink floating about. Yet shapes and colors were still easily visible.
"The tree of Discord." Luna said who trotted along her sister's side standing in place in a plain shudder of the fear. In front of them laid a very large strange tree in it's frightful glory. It's branches curling once or twice and then breaking off into another direction entirely looking much like a bush of vines with a very thick stem. It's truck was laid in with what looked to be like a black sickly bark that seemed to ooze out the black shadows in the cavern. The patterns upon it's surface almost seemed to be shifting as if reacting to the presences of the two princesses watching them closely. From the edges of several branches five corners were lit up with pulsating dark gems with weird patterns placed on them. the patterns themselves were shifting in their dark essences. Like liquid from a lava lamp each one looked highly unstable.
On the bark of the tree laid Celestia's and Luna's mark. Barely visible as the shifting shadows covered bits and pieces of the faded glow of their cutie marks causing it to blend into the greedy mist that seemed to eat even the image of those marks up. Celestia hovered along the tree's base where the vine's branches opened up like a gaping maw ready to consume the slender pony. It revealed within the back of it's mouth was a mark of a star. Another pony's mark. Without a thought more Celestia brought her horn to a glow and activated the center of the mouth.
"Are you sure?" Luna said with a heavy uncertainty.
"I have finally found the means to stop Harmony from overruling us. To maintain our place in our kingdom for our land." Celestia began to explain making it sound much like an obsession then a will of the people. "With these elements we will never be challenged again. Such power! For as long as this tree holds power so will it continue bringing power to these gems." Celestia finished her little rant as the marking of the starburst opened up revealing a crimson gem of the same shape that hovered to Celestia's side. Luna had stayed on the ground witnessing Celestia spin those gems around her very self. Yet she almost seemed to miss the mists start to grow heavy around the slender goddess. Even the branches, the teeth, of the tree began coming down to Celestia's body as she hovered there. The vision began to fade with the cavern shifting out of place. Luna's face was the last thing you could see as even her blue shaped face and mane twirled out of proportion.
"So I see you have finally seen the truth. That Celestia is nothing but a power hungry brute! Peace we will finally have when her rein ends. I tell you this because you were once my friend." Zecora told you as she brought a hoof up to your shoulder. You scoff in her face and stamp your hoof twice. From the door behind Zecora comes two royal guard dressed in purple like armor. From the days of old Guards wore helmets with brush like decor on their heads much like Spartan ponies, but now the guard literally had was looked like axe blades on their helms. The guards take hold of the Zebra who gasped out in surprise.
"What is the meaning of this? So...you too have fell? I shall warn you now Twilight Sparkle that your life will be cursed by a zebra's spell!" Zecora said grunting out as she was dragged out with the guard forcing her to leave. You could hear your voice trailing out to the door. Your hoof coming up brushing your long mane back across your shoulder as you laid back along your stone seating crossing your legs.
"Take her to the dungeon. She can be a fun little toy for us in the future." You said with a grin. Zecora shouting out more rhymes and grunts as she had to be subdued by the guards several blows were echoed into the hallway back into your room as you could hear it one by one. Yet none of them phased you. You place your hoof along your right eye where it use to hold and house your good functioning eyeball. The hoof slid further down across your face feeling the soft coat rubbing your chin as you think about your next plan.
"Thank you for the lesson. 'Friend.' "
Author's Note
Tell me what you think of the idea of my story. This was inspired by the MLP comic issue 17 - 20. I felt that it could have taken more of a higher quality in the story alone so here's my go at alternate universe action and adventure story telling. I plan on making this a long term story with many chapters. Let me know so that I can continue it or cancel it.
It was tough times for the land of Celestria as war takes place back and forth along the Empire of the Sun against the ponies who continue to resist in Princess Celestia's rule. The Princess herself had even taking a new form along to mark her strength as the singular Princess, no Queen of the land. Giving her multi colored mane flame like qualities that was a symbol for stamping out any and all traitors of the land. Any who doubted her rule or resisted her order was sent to a grave fate. Rebels often deemed worthless and evil by the very sun herself. Met with grim fates. Scaring majority of her subjects to respect Celestia. Queen Celestia Had an iron grip over the once lovely land of Equestria. Now deemed Celestria by law. Mentioning of the old land's name was considered taboo and could land people in jail if caught by authorities. The law instating that calling the land Equestria gave insight to rebellion and was a sign of being a rebel. Factions broke out splitting the land into combat zones as the crowds themselves refused to let go of the old ways. Races refusing on taking sides with the ponies making sure that they would survive this seemingly huge scale war that ravaged the land.
Down in Ponyville the small little town was out of the way of the major cities and sights. Leaving it seemingly alone and barren. The once cheerful town had turned up as a ghost town leaving little to imagine what had took place before the Queen's rule of the land. Through the misty fog of the night on the eve of the Summer Sun. A dark deary band was moving upon the abandoned village. Several figures appearing out of the fog making their way inside of the small town. Making their way to the center of it all. In the middle of the spread out crowd of a formation was a golden chariot being pulled by two hefty looking ponies draped in heavy armor that made them look menacing. Stallions. No Horses that were covered head to hoof in thick armor only their eyes and ears were revealed as plates of complicated armor covered the rest of their hulking form. In the glorious looking chariot was the Queen herself in her all her blazing glory. She was smiling as her caravan of guards were toiling away pulling her along scanning the area for the Queen's safety. Several guards laden with much lesser armor than Celestia's soldiers wearing light plates along their chests and a simple helmet not adorned with anything like royal guards wore. Two colts there were clearly identified through their coats and manes hanging out of their armor. They were scouts coming to report to their commander about the state of the area. Celestia's troops stopped in place as they saw the oncoming pair of their own men coming before the Queen.
"Sir! Area is secured! No sign of enemy activity." Said the one dark blue coated scout saluting while addressing Celestia. His reward was a white Queen who frowned looking at the new recruit as if something about him disgusted her.
"Fool!" Cried out Celestia which made the colt cower in fear at her boom of a voice. "What is a soldier of the advance party doing reporting to the the High Commander of the Royal Army? Aren't you of General Sparkle's unit? Why not relay the report to her?"
"Yes, Sir! I was told to-"
"And you would follow an order that would disrespect your Queen?!" Celestia cut in raising her voice at the new soldier who seemed to swallow hard. "General Sparkle didn't order you to do so did she? You're here to impress me? Aren't you? Coming into my army and demanding some type of recognition for your 'valiant' efforts? Hm?"
"Sir. I was....I was. Yes Sir! It's all true."
"Captain Armor?" Celestia called out in a soft tone yet her eyes staring at the poor colt who was struck silent. "It seems we have a disobedient soldier. Punish him accordingly."
As the order had been carried out a blaze of blue spiked out from Celestia's side acting like a giant magical needle stabbing the poor colt through his chest. The new recruit looked down at his chest his hooves instinctively coming up attempting to do something about it yet the wound had only made his body shake with fear and growing weakness as he quaked in place slowly losing life. With his last gasp and shudder Shining retracted his spell and bowed his head to his Queen.
"Let nothing stand in the way of my reunion with my 'dear' sister." Queen Celestia had stated addressing her captain without even looking towards his way he listened. Captain Shining Armor of the Royal Guard was in charge of Celestia's personal guards and security of her capital city of Canterlot. He listened intently turning his head to the Queen aware that he would soon receive orders of some kind. His right eye was covered with an eyepatch an old scar was scratched along the edges of the appendage that shown great damage had been done to his eye that made him lose it at one point in his life. Shining was wearing just a chestplate with no helm equipped and his expression was solid having no truth to his own code anymore all that was in his life was obeying and protecting his Queen.
"Take your platoon and secure the outskirts of Ponyville."
"Your majesty. It is unwise to send majority of your troops just to secure an area so far from you." said her captain wanting only to protect her.
"Is my precious Captain that worried about me?" Celestia addressed her sweet caring guardsman. Shining lowered his head low his right foreleg sliding far in front of him in an uncomfortable position to bring his nose to the ground that it looked like he was kissing it.
"Such loyalty. You need not worry. I will not be without my own protection." Celestia assured him reaching down at her golden neck piece that had sockets with 6 gems of distinct chaotic colors. Each gem flickered in what seemed to be stone like eyes glaring out at everypony around them. Five gems were lined up along the body of the necklace as the center piece of a star gem hung below them glowing brightly as if hungering for something.
"The Elements of Discord! Your Majesty if I had known you planned to use them I would have brought more guards."
"The Elements will not consume me. They have been useful for dealing with powers that would rival my own. This time my sister shall see the full potential of the Elements at my control." Seeing Celestia so sure of herself made her Captain think twice about trying to refuse to leave her side. As annoying as it was for Celestia it was a useful trait of her captain to possess such dedication to his job. Captain Armor rose up and gave a smaller bow with his head heading off as ordered moving the opposite direction from where her unit had came from securing the way back. The caption shouting out orders with a booming voice rounding up his troops to return into the fog. Melding with the foggy air and out of sight. With Armor's unit moving back Celestia had only her two personal large guards heavily armored along with her chariot.
"Forward let us see what General Sparkle is up to." The two guards pulled forward as always without a drop of sweat or show of any type of strain on their massive bodies. The lone chariot holding the Queen moved forward towards the center of the ghost town. In no time at all the fog made way for several loosely geared soldiers moving around a large like building where the ponies of Ponyville would gather and hold meetings. They were General Sparkle's troops. Purposely geared to have less of an effect on battle mostly acting as Celestia's first line of defense. The soldiers glanced at the oncoming chariot getting out of the way one after another tending to their duties of gathering kindle for torches or examining the perimeter. Celestia's Chariot parked in front of the tall looking dusty building. Two guards posted by the steps of it's entrance bowed their heads greeting the Queen.
"Your Majesty." They both called out opening the door to the command center of their little operation. The blazing Alicorn hovered up into the air with a flap of her wings over her chariot making her way along the steps and headed inside. The room of the large building was rather big. A ball room type of building meant for big celebrations. Celestia could think back about the days of celebrating the coming of the Summer sun to mark the new seasons. Ponies laughed and rejoiced at such time honored occasions even to just staying up late to watch the new sun take place with Celestia's magic, yet here she was on a bad omen. Heeding the prophecies feeling the change and shift in the night winds and skies. Starlight Wish was to come back on this very night. One thousand years after their little plight.
"General Sparkle!" Celestia commanded surprised to see her faithful apprentice had not shown her face yet. The familiar purple mare was looking over a hologram like image that displayed the area of ponyville. Twilight was moving small conjured balls around placing strategic points for a solid defense in the Queen's arrival. The crystal light like table was being projected by a round sort of wheel like crystal that was placed along the floor on it's side and hummed with a certain type of enchantment making the image possible to play with it's light like features it had casted out.
"Your Majesty." Sparkle called out her focus still on the last moving purple ball that represented her troops moving into position. Finally turning towards her Queen and bowing her head.
"Twilight! I should pluck out your other eye for this disrespect." The Queen feeling disrespected as Twilight was the only pony in the room that had not lowered her head to acknowledge their High Commander. Being late on the uptake was enough to upset Celestia.
"How goes preparations?" Celestia began shoving the issue away after seeing Twilight busy at work. Staring at the table in which Twilight had mounted up several well thought out planned positions along the building in hidden reserves and defensive positions.
"Everything is set up for your final confrontation with Starlight Wish. 'On the longest day of the thousandth night. The Stars will aid in her arrival and she will rein night eternal.' " The general had mentioned. Telling Celestia of the folklore that had spread among the common ponies of the land.
"Yes yes! I've heard the tale over and again thanks to your warnings. I see your lessons was time well spent. All the history lessons and strategic maneuvers. Oh! I don't even see a flaw in your defensive lines." Celestia brought her hoof up to her chin examining how Twilight had her troops moved in various points on the light generated map of Ponyville.
"There are some flaws but with the resources at hand this is the best we can settle with."
"Very well. The Captain of my guard, your brother, is defending the boarders of the town. Make sure nothing intervenes." Said the flaming Queen who looked upon the stage of where Starlight would arrive. The very same stage Celestia herself had used time and again to raise the new summer sun in a display of power and hope for the land. An evil grin came curling along her lips as Sparkle seemed to be watching her with a silent flat expression. There was no love or respect in her glare on thoughts and plans. Her job continuing as planned as Twilight only did what she was told to do at a reasonable amount of her skill.
"Shining Armor is here?" Twilight said her expression finally changing in a somewhat worry.
"Is something wrong? He would never deny me safety of any kind no matter where I went. These days you cannot trust a pony without a blasting gem at your side." Celestia indicated smiling ever more noticing her apprentice's troubled ideals affecting her usual poise. Twilight had learned how to conserve herself in the presence of her mentor. After all these years she's had ways to hide her expressions and reactions. Her eyepatch serving as one reminder of what happens when she let her emotions go out of control. The Queen finding it a displeasure and a rude remark on the way she ruled her kingdom. So the Queen in turn took Twilight's good eye as a reminder that to deny one side of good or evil is to never see life in it's entirety. The purple mare inhaled deeply and exhaled. Holding back her feelings of her brother being nearby. Knowing her dedicated brother. He may even endanger himself just to keep their Queen safe if the risk ever arose to their heads.
"Concerned about something my dear apprentice?" Celestia asked her whited out eye testing the courage of the smaller mare who she held the conversation with.
"My concern, your Majesty, is on my men. I sent a couple ahead to help escort you to the command center." Twilight said quickly making the excuse hiding her emotions back with a cold stern look. "I've been told you killed one and frighten the other off to defect without permission." Said the cold general, who her hate, boiled with rage within her strong mind. As if sensing that same emotion Celestia smiled testing Twilight's endurance once more.
"My! Word seems to spread fast to your ears, General Sparkle." Said the taunting Alicorn.
"Knowledge is power and essential to the battlefield, your Majesty." Twilight told her in reply bowing her head as she addressed her teacher.
"I'll need ponies who can take orders. Fluently and without question. Dedicated to their task. Your 'escort' had hesitated by my mere presence and even lied in his Queen's face. He could barely attend to his task properly. There will be no room for weakness in my army. Do I make myself clear?" Celestia said the room falling utterly quiet. As if a ghost had just passed by and spooked everypony. The rage of the blazing Queen of the skies was something they truly feared for their lives.
"Yes. Your Majesty." Twilight said almost in a robotic tone. Taking down a mental note. She wanted to speak out and complain about the lack of resources given to her troops. The small amounts of rations and armor. The recruitment of only brand new soldiers for Twilight to command. All while Celestia kept her best troops away from Twilight's grasp. The Queen was mad with power and therefore paranoid. That somepony may try to rise up against her. Yet little could even match her raw might in a fair match. The way she ruled and held herself had given her every advantage she could get while making sure any type of vantage for her enemies would stray out of their reach. Twilight returning her attention to her interactive map of Ponyville. Celestia roamed forward gazing at the stage. Passing by Twilight's table her hooves clomping forward with graceful powerful steps. The thought in her head of how she might greet her sister. Of the words Starlight might speak before coming to an end. That expression that would forever be pinned to her face as Celestia would do the act of finishing her off once and for all. Celestia was savoring the thought. Lost in what she take as memories as she stood in front of the balcony. Looking up at it as if she was just part of the crowd of viewers that had watched her so many times raise the new sun for the solstice. One of Twilight's troops rushed into the room galloping his way to General Twilight and whispering into her ear as to not alert the other ponies. General Sparkle holding her stone expression as she cleared her throat.
"Your Highness? We've encounter an enemy assault in the front boarders of the town." Twilight said conjuring up a triangle to mark the enemy as she played with her table more. "It's a small band shouldn't be too much of a threat-" Just then several more guards came running in through the door. The soldiers coming in chains as each one were yelling out. "Enemy assault!" "Ambush!" "Attack on the front lines!" Each one reporting in on several attacks that were surrounding Ponyville. The loud commotion even began alerting the Queen. Twilight working her hooves marking seven more enemy positions with her recon troops asking for directions. Twilight trying compensate for the additional ambushes covering her forces.
"General Sparkle! What is going on?"
"Multiple ambushes covering the edges of the town! I can't seem to relay my orders fast enough to counterattack." Twilight's mind wracking away as she pointed at reporting soldiers and gave out orders quickly. Glimpses of her brother ending up in a big brawl was scaring her.
"Tell the troops to hold the line! Expect heavy resistance!" The soldiers turning to exit to find their squads and do as ordered. All of twilight's spheres that were marking friendly squads were backtracking form their positions. Heading towards the center of town gathering at the command center. This frustrated the General as she growled finding her newly recruited troops to be dangerously bothersome not being able to fight as they had needed to before orders were carried out to their ears.
"Oh no! The attacks are demoralizing my troops. They're retreating to the safe zone!"
"Why are they fleeing towards us General?" Celestia asked not wanting to get her hooves dirty before her sister's arrival. Though it came into mind that her cowardly troops were bringing the fight closer and closer to them.
"Get those men back out there and tell them to secure a parameter like they were ordered to!" Twilight shouted at the closest troop as both of her legs were moving about arranging the pieces back into place hoping they would stay put.
"At this rate our safe zone will diminish into a complete combat zone." Sparkle said looking to the Queen's back who was still entranced with the stage before her.
"Your Majesty, this isn't a safe area to be." Twilight told her Queen her mind racing giving the only reply that was driven by her duty.
"It's as safe as it will be. You have already forgotten that I brought my own guards along?" Celestia's horn glowed a bright yellow slamming open the doors to the the command center. Revealing her two large guards still waiting by chariot. The flaming Queen turned around and gave them an order. "Aid the frontline and end this ridiculous squabble." Her voice booming out to the entrance at her menacing looking guards.
"I've....I've never seen troops like that before." Twilight said gasping at the colossal pair. With a foggy exhale of heat the two juggernaut horses dropped their carriage and proceeded out as commanded. Twilight looked back at her mentor who had turned her back on Twilight staring at the balcony yet again. Clearly not as affected by the rebellion attack as her general was. Twilight could feel her anger just rising to a high level. Celestia had kept secrets from her before, but these new brands of soldiers meant she had more tricks up her sleeves than Twilight had normally assumed. Her hate for her teacher was as blazing as the fire that adorned her Queen's mane and tail. Wishing deep inside that those very same flames would burn her alive.
"Yeeeeee-haw, y'all!" Cried out an orange mare sporting a cowboy hat. She ducked for cover behind a tree and felt it's bark splinter into the air as a magic blast hit it's base. Just barely missing applejack in her swift movement. The orange mare smiled. Talking out into the dark wilderness as she made her move.
"Hah! These Uni's are slow! They also have terrible-" Applejack held onto her gemmed staff. The gem tip glowing as AJ held it like a rifle to her side. The strangely shaped staff was thin along it's upper body but the lower half was stretched out. Looking more like the buttstock to a weapon ponies never even knew existed. AJ swung her body out from her safe cover and brought her legs out swinging her staff around and letting the glowing gem burst forth in a type of blast that flew out and hit it's mark with a colorful effect.
"-aim!" AJ yelled out enjoying herself as the gem held it's glowing effect and shot out a couple more bursts AJ moving her head and legs with the held staff. Shooting away at whatever she could see. The dark night lighting up in burst of wand blasts and beams of magic.
"Come on Y'all!" AJ said addressing the deep brushes she was well hidden in as she ran forward. Seconds later her force shown itself of colorful Earth ponies charging forward running at great speeds. Several of them swinging from the trees or jumping out of them. While others shrugged off the minor vegetation at their lower halves. The amazing display of Earth ponies hopping out of nowhere and running forward showering soldiers of golden armor down one after another. The royal troops retaliating with the best of their abilities swinging their heads around and letting the axe blades on their helmets emit their own harmful blasts. Only to be fired upon overwelmed by sheer numbers of the blitzkreig brought along with AJ. Captain Armor had his head down shooting his own magenta magic out as best as he could. Only to see a running AJ galloping towards him staff in her mouth as she overcame his final stand with surprising strength. AJ's magical staff clocking him square along his jaw dropping the unicorn to the ground. AJ finishing off her assault slamming her buttstock into Armor's defeated face. Knocking him out for a bit.
When Captain Armor awoke he had found himself surrounded by different color earth ponies. Each one sporting shabby clothing and holding a staff along their backs in case of attack. He was still on the ground and it was just moments after the attack had finished. Aj tugged on the white stallion's blue mane and tossed him back onto the ground so that he was facing her. The solid thud throwing up dirt into the air. As the captain groaned out from the force gifting him a little more pain.
"Filthy Earthens!" He spat out in angry as he was defeated and now being humiliated.
"Ey! Now why'd ya have ta go and call us names. Abby?" AJ said politely as a small yellow filly carrying a wand on her back smacked the captain right where AJ had focused her blows. The pain searing along Armor's face as he scowled keeping his mouth shut as to avoid another. The tiny filly was wrapped up tightly with long pieces of brown fabric. From her legs to mouth and forehead. Everything was covered.
"Ah don't know Jacky. Can Ah give 'im another?" Abby said in the same Southern drawl AJ had. Drawing her hood like part of her clothing off. Showing a red mane and a bow holding her long little mane together.
"Hold off fer a bit, Sugarcube. He might start to like it if ya do it too much. And Ah couldn't stand ta see such a handsome uni get hurt like that." Jacky said in the afterglow of her small victory. Her forces moving forward pressing on the attack. Making Abby roll her eyes and tuck her head back into her ninja hoodie covering her face.
"Yer such a liar Jacky." Abby called out which made Jacky only smile bigger. Huffing out at the denial of a chance to set her frustration upon. As they were talking a bruised blue colt came forward galloping fast to Jacky's side. Breaking through the thinned out crowd and drawing everypony's attention. His staff had gone missing so he had no choice but to retreat with no way of fighting back. Jacky crossing both of legs across one another waiting for him to come and talk before her to report in.
"What's the matter slick? Came ta enjoy the show?" Assumed Jacky lightening up the mood with a joke as she prepared for some bad news. Which was common on the battlefield. Though she felt like she had every advantage. Cocky in her win against Celestia finest guards.
"Two royal troops are tearing through our ranks! We can't stop them!"
"What do ya mean two?! Just two?" Jacky said standing up now alert about the new threat. Jacky's sister Abby rushed back into the wilderness moving quite quickly for such a small pony. Hidden out of sight as she jumped into the thick brush.
"Blasting wands don't affect them and their hide is just too thick we can't knock em out!" Cried out the wounded soldier.
"That's impossible! There' nothing that can-..... Damn Unis ahn their magic. Hold ranks! Push forward and keep em busy until reinforcements arrive." Jacky growled finding that the fun little event was soon turning into a headsplitter for her brain. This new type of trooper meant there were things here they hadn't prepared for. Though they heavily lacked the resources. Jacky's troops drew forward grabbing their staffs off of their backs and rushing forward in more of a display of Earthen strength and speed coming into a clearing as they passed a couple of buildings marking the edge of Ponyville. Jacky ran along the side of the building seeing her soldiers who came forward just before her turn into a corner. Only for a second later to get tossed out like rag dolls from something that sounded huge and heavy. The sounds of wands going off left and right as more of her troops were shouting out or yelling in pain. Turning along the corner of the building Jacky saw it. A huge mechanical looking horse. No! It was a horse dressed up in enchanted armor covered form head to hoof. His armor reflecting any magic hitting him. The enemy even shunning off several Earthens that decided close combat was the answer. The armor defended thier normally rock shattering blows off as well as the horse whipped it's head left and right knocking three more soldiers away with and even bigger display of strength. One Earthen getting his hooves to actually touch and hit the monster. A loud clang sounding out into the air. Unphased was the enemy as he stomped on the poor rebel like he was just a fly. The gruesome scene forced Jacky to restrain herself with everything she had just not to vomit on the spot. Like steam from a train the beast exhaled a foggy cloud of heat turning it's attention to Jacky. Jacky retaliating aiming her staff into her forelegs and firing off only to watch the bursts fly off of the huge being to no affect. The massive creature charging towards his assailant making Jacky tumble to the side narrowly avoiding being caught by the large horse crashing into an old abandoned house. The strong royal guard waving it's head free and pulled itself out. Jacky aiming once more taking this time shooting off as much of her magic as she could. Again to no effect watching as the large horse drew it's front legs up and smashed the ground in a powerful wave tossing Jacky back high into the air. Rolling along the dirt as her staff and hat fled from her side. Jacky bruised and tired feeling her body ache. Her legs worn out as the beast huffed out in it's nightmarish appeal. Lifting one leg up above Jacky's head ready to crush his opponent for the kill.
"Dang....so this is how it ends?" Jacky said with a smile. Sad that her rebellion had ended so quickly. Though hoping she paved the way for more to come. Just as she expected that heavy looking hoof to flatten her face into a pulp she saw a very large burst of magic hit the stallion on it's side. Knocking the beast to lose his stance. The blast was huge that it almost blinded Jacky. She covered her eyes letting them recover from the intense magic she had witnessed. Her cheeks feeling the heat so very close to her it felt like she was almost burning if not for the sweat rolling along her coat. Jacky could feel her eyes trying to focus as she saw her forces move forward charging. Her ears ringing as a result of the blasting magic being so close to her face. The large soldier slain laying along it's side as a heavy red stallion of her own unit stood over her mounting what looked like a gemmed log at his side. The cannon firing off an arc of large magic having it boom out loudly within seconds as Big Mac lifted up his wooden plate mask and looked down to her sister.
"Ya alright Jacky?"
"Ah'm fine Micky." Jacky told him standing up dusting her body off. Watching the dirt and sweat fling off of her hooves. "About time y'all shown up."
"Second one's down. We're moving forward again."
"Ah had it under control." Jacky said smiling again from ear to ear. Relieved so much that she was back in her glorious mood of victory.
"Hey! It takes a lot of magic to charge the cannons. You want em or not?" Micky said looking for an answer from Jacky. Who just shrugged it off like it was nothing. Micky knew his sister was in fact feeling the opposite of what she was showing right now. The orange mare had a habit of lying immensely. Micky knew it. He let her have her moment as that was the way she coped with situations.
"Naaaw! We'll be fine. Sit back and watch."Said Jacky. Micky grumbled at his sister staring at her for denying the truth so obviously. "Hah hah! Ah get your point. Move the cannons up and have everypony support them. Celestia is close. Ah don't want ta see anymore surprises." Jacky told her brother who trotted off carrying his big cannon over his back moving towards the sounds of wands and staffs firing off for dominance of the town.
"Yer welcome." Abby said at Jacky coming up from behind the rest of the unit. Climbing a building with ease as she climbed the waterspout. Crawling quickly onto the roof. Jumping from roof to roof. The wand attached to her back shaking back and forth as she soured the area for anymore of the hulking horses. "Clear!"
"That's mah scout." Jacky said proud to see her sister doing so well in her role as a nimby little Earthen scout. "Cocky little thing musta rushed Micky's unit ta meet with us." Jacky shook her head in awe of her younger sister's efforts. Moving to pick up her hat off of the ground and dusting it off before rushing forward staff in her mouth.
"The time has come." The white Alicorn announced feeling the magic in the air. The thousands of times she had made that very same sun rise. She could feel it. Whether her faithful followers could feel it or not was none of her concern. Even the oncoming sounds of a struggle outside the building didn't make her budge or flinch. The realization that the true threat was looming closer and closer. The very thing that gave these rebels their faith. Their small amount of hope. Their wishes to the stars. In a miasma of blue Starlight Wish made her appearance. Up along that same balcony. Standing tall and proud. Eying her older sister.
"Dear sister." Starlight called out. A cold stare starting their reunion as Celestia sighed out.
"Sister." the Queen called out admiring how cute Starlight looked trying to be tough. Moments after Celestia was corrected as two beams of light blue hit the two closest ponies near to Celestia. The magic so potent Celestia could smell the searing coats off the dead pair. Their bodies singed with a light smoke causing Celestia to frown at the violent deed.
"We will not be so passive this time!" Boomed out Starlight who had a thousand years to think about it. Ready to fight if need be. Showing her own power with a frightening display before the Queen.
"Leave us." Celestia said to every other pony in the room. General Sparkle was stunned at her station. The Queen actually wanted to lose her advantage over her sister. Asking the very troops willing to protect her to just leave? It was unbecoming of her. Though family problems meant different things to different ponies. This could have been the turning point in control for the throne. Twilight opened her lips to interject, weary of her approach.
"But-"
"LEAVE US!" Celestia said the doors opening with a torrent of a strong wind flowing into the room. The normal ponies having to cover their faces. Closing their eyes feeling the force interrupt everything all at once as ponies began to slowly tread outside. Twilight being the last one to the room as the two hateful sisters stared each other down. Twilight hesitantly trotted out her one eye looking at her teacher and then her opponent. Giving her horn a glow and letting the doors close behind her leaving the two great Alicorns alone.
"Thank you Sister. We were worried we may have to put more lives at risks."
"It is not their lives you should be worried about!" Celestia shouted out shooting her own magic at her sister. Luna's horn glowing as a conjured bubble took the blow. The Moon Alicorn lowering her head and letting that same shield burst out in a blue wave towards the Queen. Celestia aimed her horn at the wave and shot a concentrated laser off her horn which extended out into a close flare of yellow. Shattering that wave apart. Celestia cackling like a madpony as the light faded the two powerful beings locked in their struggle.
Right outside of the town's center building Twilight had stepped out into a battlefield. Blasts coming from her front aimed at many things. The hectic blasting of her own forces as they retaliated. Everything had been falling apart. She had to watch as her own troops were being gunned down. Left and right. The Earthens strength, speed, and number taking them apart. One by one every second. It was a lost cause and Twilight thought about something else that could be worth saving if her Queen did not need her aid. Twilight galloped forward towards the enemy. Finding that the wand blasts were drawing closer with more intensity. Several passing by her head as Twilight's horn glowed brightly teleporting her left dodging an incoming blast and then right dodging yet another one. Twilight's haunches launching her purple slim body forward. Landing on top of an Earthen rebel. Her horn teleporting her on the back of another poor soul as her hooves took hold of his muzzle forcing it to turn to one side with a crack of his neck. Twilight's magic was focused her horn never stopped glowing as she continued to move as best as she could. Teleporting out of the way of a close wand blast as she found herself flashed onto a rooftop. Her legs already tired. Though that didn't stop her as she continued onward. Ducking her head as a wand almost hit her in the head. What looked to be like a fully wrapped up filly had swung it's leg at her with a tiny blasting wand in her grasp. Abby had done a full turn in the air. Taking the motion of her swinging foreleg aiming her wand at the enemy general with her wand and letting it loose. Her hind quarters finding ground along the straw rooftop. Ready to fire more. Twilight turning her head and letting her horn conjure up a shield for the small wand blast. Her magic was strong enough to stop this size of a blast easily. Teleporting away form the newly found threat as Abby had taken a good look at the face of her enemy.
Twilight found herself tired. All of the constant magic taking a huge toll on her body and mind. Coming on the outskirts of the town near the forest. She could see it plain at daylight. The one she was looking for. The white stallion laying on the ground as four guards stood watch over him. A captive for the enemy. Twilight sighed out feeling the last bit of her efforts would have to soon come forward. She would have to push herself to exhaustion. The last push of magic and strength she needed to save him. Taking just a few seconds to let her breath catch up with her hurried pace. Lifting up a large rock into her hooves Twilight teleported nearby. Horn aimed at one guard's head as she blasted away the moment she flashed into place. The other three guards panicked in the sudden ambush. Rustling for their blasting staffs. Twilight taking the large sized rock and bashing it into the head of a second guard. Captain Armor seeing her sister for a change jumped onto a third guard leaving the fourth to aim at the purple unicorn. Twilight flashing herself in front of the fourth guard to try to detain him. Right as the guard's shot fired out it hit. Twilight looking down at her chest as she had flashed at the wrong time in the wrong place. Finding her vision losing sight as her body fell to the ground with a low groan of pain flooding her insides. The harmful magic taking her away as she lost conscientiousness. Moments later Twilight could feel her eyes opening as her brother leaned along her stunned body. Helping her up thought. His forehooves took her and brought his lip against hers. Kissing her sleeping lips. Twilight was surprised yet she did not draw back. Taking her brother's tender kiss into her own as their lips wrapped around one another. The fourth guard had a bleeding wound in his chest compliments of her brother's magic.
"Thanks for the save Twily."
"Ugh! Damn stunning spells!" Twilight groaned out. Feeling her limbs were stiff as boards tense still from the shock of the spell that cleanly hit her.
"Where is the Queen?" The Captain asked looking at Twilight with a matching pair of eyes and eyepatch.
"She ordered us to leave her. Right as Starlight Wish returned."
"Then we must go to her!"
"I know her Armor. She always has something planned. Besides she's much too strong for them. Especially with that necklace of her."
"The elements of Discord?"
"We cannot topple her rule until we find a way. To take away that which she so relies so much upon."
"Cease your petty plans to overthrow the Queen! Can you for once think about how hard my job is enough without you plotting such schemes." Shining Armor laid his head along the back of Twilight's neck begging that his love was good enough to get her sister to just accept where she was and what position she had been blessed with. Her life was good and he could not see a reason as to why Twilight wanted more.
"Mmm! I do not envy the fact. That one day you will have to choose between your duty." Twilight turned toward Shining Armor and nuzzled him softly. Happy to see that he was safe. Letting her lips set along his in another passionate kiss. Breaking the kiss as she finished her statement."-and me."
Jacky's rebels had finally moved forward getting pass the simple blockade guarding the main building. Her forces charging inside flooding the building as the last few royal soldiers fell to the ground. Jacky catching up after a few of her fellow friends and soldiers made their way inside. Starlight Wish was there before them. Her troops in awe of the dark blue beauty that meant the coming of a peaceful rule. The tyrannical Queen was perched up along the balcony as Starlight was on the ground floor. The interior of the building was ripped to shreds. Splinters of wood and dust from the stoneworks were still settling floating about in the air. Several holes had now adorned the place. Showing signs of a great fight taking place between the two sisters. Jacky stepped forth with a line of rebels aiming their staffs at the Queen.
"It's ova! Yer 'Majesty'!" Jacky called out pointing her own blasting staff at the grinning Alicorn. Celestia smiled not saying a word taking a good look at the rebels who dared cross her. Standing by her defiant sister that they had prayed for her very return. Just for a chance to overthrow her rule. Celestia gave out a scheming cackle. Bringing a hoof up to her necklace letting the gems that decorated it glow along her body. Starlight's expression dropping as she realized now that she was a fool for not noticing it earlier.
"Whatever it is yer doing stop and give yerself up Celestia!" Jacky warned the Queen her forces ready to fire at the moment Celestia would send out her magic.
"Such rebellious ponies aren't you? You deserve the same fate as my sister then." Celestia replied charging up her magic for the last and final blow.
"Thou art must go! NOW!" Starlight told the orange mare who was obviously taking the lead. Seeing the sudden flare of several gems made Star remember what she had experience. Attempting to warn the soldiers who had come to her aid. Ready to face the chaos about to come forth alone."We will stop her! Go!"
"Ah ain't going nowhere!"
"Now you shall perish by the power of the Elements of Discord!" Celestia said feeling the magic about to burst when a blue blur rushed into the room. Everypony's eyes unable to make out the quickly moving being as it smashed into the balcony where Celestia stood in. The crash making the Queen lose focus on the magic that had built up. The gems fading to a dim dull color. As the evil Queen took to the air to avoid injury. Jacky shouting out as she saw her chance.
"Fire!" She commanded as her troops blasted a torrent of magic at the Queen who had to hover into the air just to avoid falling. Several blasts hitting her as she conjured up a shield to protect herself. Sending that same shield out along a wall blasting it open and flying out for her escape. The aggressive firing too much for her own good knowing when she should flee.
"Stop fire!" Jacky stated knowing that no pony else would be able to catch the evil Queen except one and she was no match for the elements by her self. Neither did Starlight as she was already drawn to a weakened state thanks to her fight with Celestia. The squad stopped their constant firing. Finding that the fight was now over. The ponies crowding around Starlight praising her. Greeting her back into this world. Starlight was bruised and battered a bit. Though she smiled happy to have met the very ponies who had prayed to the stars for her to save them. One hoof lifting into the air to cover her lips actually ashamed of all the admiration coming her way.
"Alright! Settle down! Out of mah way! Good to see you back in Celestria Princess Luna." Jacky said easily parting the crowd to let herself come face to face with the moon goddess.
"Celestria? What has our sister done these pass centuries?" Starlight asked herself thinking she should have fought this way before. To stop her sister from using that evil magic that was now hung along her neck. The blue blur of a pony came down to the floor in a halting skid. Rainbow Dash making her appearance known as she dusted off her shoulders.
"Am I good? Or am I good?" Rainbow said as she grinned out happy to have saved everypony.
"Well look who decided to join in tha rebellion!" Jacky said as Rainbow came forward. Soldiers letting her get through as part of their thanks for her saving their hides.
"Oh no no no! I ain't a rebel! I did my part relaying messages back and forth like you wanted me to. So I'd like my bits now please?" Rainbow told her huffing out as she just wanted to get paid for doing her part. Pegasi were neutral in the war between the Earthens and Unicorns. Most taking up jobs like Rainbow Dash just to get by in life. The Pegasi taking advantage of their superior flight and speeds to act like smugglers and oddjob takers. Usually for shady business.
"You'll get paid Danny when we're safe ahn sound. Right now we have ta get tha Princess ta a secure locale. As much fun as this place is we can't be too sure about what else creeps around these parts. Thanks fer tha save by tha way."
"We are sorry but who might thou be again?" Starlight asked finding it confusing as these soldiers before her were talking. Wondering who might her new friends be. Abby appearing by Jacky's side and Micky coming to her other. The three siblings standing tall presenting themselves as the leaders of the group. Jacky standing up on her hindlegs as she propped herself on her big brother. Jacky's left hoof petting her younger sister's head. The trio presenting themselves as Jacky grinned out finding an opportunity to show off.
"Mah name is Jacky. Ahn this here. Are your soldiers. We're tha Bad Apple Unit." Jacky said with pride as she savored the glow of her victory and job well done on retrieving the Princess. This historic event marking the way to an even greater rebellion that had been waiting to come for centuries. With somepony to rule them when they take over and an army by that pony's side. The true war was now taking place.
Author's Note
I know a lot of questions to be answered. The next chapter will be explaining a lot of the things going on within the world we've come to know and love. Though it isn't what you'd expect! more surprises to come in the next installment of Legends of Celestria.
