Cataclysm: They've Returned

It was a beautiful sunny day in Equestria. Twilight was sitting at the train station with her friends as they awaited their trains. “Are ya sure ya don’t wanna come along with one of us Twi?.” Applejack wondered.

“You’re more than welcome to come along with me Darling, I’m sure Celestia would love your help in planning her sister’s wedding.” Rarity chimed.

“Yeah you must be so excited to meet Princess Luna’s special somepony” Fluttershy smiled.

“I am and I will meet him when we all arrive at the castle on Sunday,” Twilight announced as a familiar colorful train pulled up. An earth pony jumped out and blew his whistle.

“All ponies heading for Las Pegasus and Canterlot all aboard!”. The pony blew his whistle and jumped back onto the train.

“That’s us,” Rainbow Dash said fluttering above her friends.

“I do hope Luna likes the wedding dress I made for her. It took me weeks to sew.” Rarity said floating a bright blue dress bag in the air with her magic.

“I know she will Rarity,” Twilight hugged her with one hoof, “Just like I know Rainbow Dash will blow away the other fliers in the golden wings race.”

“I have no doubts!” Rainbow Dash proudly claimed.

“Thank ya again for castin your walkin on clouds spell Twi, so I can cheer her on.” Applejack hugged Twilight as she, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash boarded the train. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy waved as the train pulled off.

“HE’S HERE!” Pinkie called bouncing high in the air and pointing her hooves. Twilight looked and coming up the road was Cheese Sandwich. Twilight knew who it was by the sombrero on his head and the rubber chicken on his back. “Hello Pinkie Pie” he greeted as they hugged.

“I bet you two are super excited to be planning the biggest birthday party of the year” Fluttershy stated.

“Of course we are!” Pinkie hopped up, “after all it is for none other than Sapphire Shores!. I knew I couldn't possible plan the party alone, so I called in the help of my special somepony!”.

“I’m sure Sapphire Shores will love it Pinkie. Rainbow’s party was a blast”. Twilight said as another trained stopped with a loud gasp in front of them.

“What I don't understand though is if Sapphire Shores lives in Canterlot then why is she having the party in manehatten?” Fluttershy Pondered.

“That’s where her family is from. She was born in Manehatten” Twilight informed.

“Now where are our mini planners?” Pinkie asked looking around for the three fillies she and her friends always watched.

“We’re comin!” Applebloom called as she and her two best friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo galloped up to Pinkie.

“Are you guys ready to attend the best party ever?!” Pinkie shouted in excitement. The three fillies cheered back. Pinkie hugged her friends and she, Cheese Sandwich, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders boarded the train and waved as it pulled off. Spike was pacing impatiently. “Where’s our train already?!” he shouted.

“Calm down Spike I’m sure the train to Foal Mountain will be here soon,” Twilight said trying to calm him down.

“He’s just eager to get there and see the gem paths that line the forest. The rarest gems seem to appear there and I promised him he’d get to gather some as snacks while I visit the animal center there” Fluttershy explained.

“So many snacks” Spike drooled and twilight and Fluttershy giggled. A few minutes later a small red colored train pulled up.

“That’s our train,” Fluttershy said as Angel hopped on her back.

“Bye, Twilight!” Spike ran onto the train as Fluttershy followed. Twilight waved and the ponies pulling the train galloped off full speed. Twilight trotted home. She knew since her friends were all off in other places she had until Sunday to study all she wanted. She noticed as she trotted along that the sky was getting dark. She didn’t see any pegasi in the sky setting the clouds up. She could also see they were blacker than usual and seemed to have a green fade to them at the bottom. When she heard thunder she trotted faster and got home before the downpour started.

Rarity smiled wide as the train pulled into Canterlot. As she stepped out she was greeted by two of Celestia’s guards. “Miss Rarity the princesses have been expecting you,” one of them said and they headed toward the castle. Rarity swore the castle looked even more beautiful every time she saw it. “Hello Rarity, it's so nice to see you again” Celestia greeted with her warming smile.

“It is a pleasure as always to see you Princess Celestia” Rarity bowed.

“Luna has been waiting to see the dress, come along. She is the castle dressing room” Celestia smiled as she lead the way. Rarity followed Celestia into a room painted in pastel blue and white. With curtains the shade of midnight. It was a beautiful room. In it sat white sofas and a big mirror with Luna and Celestia’s cutie marks at the top. “Sister, Rarity has arrived with your dress” Celestia announced.

Luna walked in with a mare servant behind her. “Hello sister, thou’s help is having no luck finding a mane style for thou’s big day” Luna complained.

“I think I might be able to help Princess Luna, I can try after you see your dress” Rarity offered.

“Thou wouldst be most thankful Rarity” Luna smiled. Rarity helped Luna into her dress. It was a beautiful one. It was midnight blue with star golden lace trimmed around it. The saddle of the dress had golden jewels shining on it that were in the pattern of a big star. Her veil was sheer white with a midnight blue band with a golden star on it. Her shoes followed the same design. Luna looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. “We are very pleased with thy’s work Rarity.”

“I am so glad and honored I could help Princess,” Rarity said sincerely.

“Let's get your dress put up before dinner little sister. Star Hunter has planned to join us this evening” Celestia informed.

Outside the castle, the guards were switching shifts. Star Hunter was happy. Not only did his first month as a guard go well, he would be joining his future wife for dinner tonight. “You did well with the sky search today Star Hunter,” Shining Armor said walking up to him.

“Thanks, Sire” Star Hunter bowed.

“No need to be so formal Star, you’ll be a prince soon” Shining reminded him.

“Right, I keep forgetting the whole prince thing. I just look at it as me marrying the most amazing mare I’ve ever met.”

“It is nice to see a pony not so intimidated by Princess Luna. It can be annoying to see some ponies still see her as Nightmare Moon.” Shining said.

“Nightmare Moon wasn’t Luna. She was a monster created by jealousy from a young mare’s mind. If ponies knew Luna like I do, they’d have no fear for her at all.” Star Hunter prided. Just then, Cloudchaser flew down to them.

“Hey Star, Princess Celestia informed me she wants me to move these really dark clouds. Wanna help?”

“Sure” he agreed and nodded to Shining as he flew up to the clouds with her.

“Let's tackle the really big one. Maybe it’ll break apart the smaller ones” Cloudchaser suggested. Star Hunter nodded. She flew to one end and Star Hunter flew to the other. He pulled as she pushed, but that cloud refused to budge. Star Hunter flew to her side and helped push thinking if they both put their strength on one side it would move, but still the cloud floated in place.

“Well Chaser, let's try bucking it. Maybe if we both kick super hard it’ll move” Star Hunter suggested. cloudchaser shook her head in agreement as they both turned around. They both reared back their hind legs and kicked the cloud full force. When their legs connected with the cloud super bright green lightning erupted from it blinding them and flinging them to the ground. as their sight slowly came back they could hear screaming. Star Hunter shook the cloudiness from his head and his eyes widened in shock. CHANGELINGS! They were everywhere, but something was different about them. The buzzing sound they usually made wasn’t as loud. In fact, hardly any of them were in the air. They were slower than he remembered from their last attack. The biggest difference was their eyes. Instead of the blue color orbs they usually had they were now red and glowing. He watched in shock as changelings started to attack the ponies around. Not by draining their love and emotions, but by actually taking bites out of them. Before he knew it he and Cloudchaser were cornered by three of the savage bug like pony creatures. He could see Cloudchaser starting to panic. Using all the bravery he could conjure he reared his left wing back and knocked them as far as he could and he and Cloudchaser took off running. Star Hunter looked up and saw that the majority of the changelings were piling into the castle.

“Cloudchaser go see if you can help the other pegasi close the gates! I have to help the princesses!” She nodded and flew off as he galloped as fast as he could dodging the buggers when they tried to nip at him. He glided into the castle in search of his bride and her sister. He was almost to the dining hall when he heard the most awful scream. The sound of despair is his bride’s voice sent panic through him and he headed toward the sound. He burst into the dressing room and couldn't believe what his eyes saw. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were held in the air slowly being swallowed by a green orb of magic. Luna caught sight of Star Hunter.

“Star Hunter!” she reached out a hoof as a strong wind took over the room. Fighting throw it he reached for her hoof, but before they touched the bright green glow overtook the room and in a flash the royal sisters were gone.