Past is Present

Chapter 3

Celestia's Visitation

Princess Celestia sighed as the balloon drifted out of sight. Her sister Luna joined her side. "Is something troubling you, sister?" she asked.

"I know the time is approaching to tell her, I am just not sure I am ready to answer her questions yet. Our world is not the world she thought, and once she knows, it never can be again." Celestia's head bowed with the weight of her future task.

"She has proven herself able to handle even the most trying situations. Time and again she has had her perceptions of the world challenged and each time she has been able to adapt. We cannot hide the past from her forever."

"I know, sister," Celestia sighed. "I just wish we could have protected her for a little longer."

"Perhaps knowing the story will be the best protection we can offer her. The thousand years are over, they have been over, we need to prepare her in case-"

"We do not even know the entire story." Celestia interjected.

"This is true, my sister. But what we do know, what we have known ever since the test, is who she is. And it is time she knew as well."

"I know you are right. She will have questions. Let us be prepared to answer them upon their return." Celestia gave her sister a soft nuzzle and slowly walked to her room.

"It is the right thing I will do," she said looking at her reflection in the mirror. "But it is such a heavy burden for one so young." She turned away towards the bed and then suddenly turned back again. Something about her reflection caught her attention. It was her in shape and form and yet, it was not. She looked closely and moved her head this way and that, the reflection followed her movements exactly. Yet... no, it was not her. She lowered her horn to the mirror, the tip glowed menancingly. "Reveal yourself." she ordered. The white alicorn in the mirror followed her motions exactly. Celestia stood staring threatingly at her own reflection. Then the reflection raised her head and smiled coyly.

"I see you've found me out." The reflection said and the image of the beautiful white mare melted into the insect-like face of Queen Chrysalis.

"What business do you have with me?" Celestia demanded, keeping her horn trained on the image.

"Oh me?" The changeling replied. "Oh I have much business with you. But that will have to wait until another day. I bring a message for you and your sister. Tomorrow the Master will return to claim his throne." The image cackled and faded away leaving Celestia once again staring at her own face. Suddenly she heard a scream and a buzzing like the wings of a large insect.

"Luna" She whispered. There was a loud crash. "Luna!" She galloped out the door into the main hall where she heard more crashes and shouts, light flashed from under the door of her sister's chamber. Celestia's horn glowed as she forced open the door. There was her sister with a changeling holding tight to her neck and two more flying around her head. She whipped her glowing horn about menacingly sending blasts at her persistent opponents. On the floor at Celestia's feet, in the midst of a shattered porcelain vase, lay a stunned changeling.

"Get thy hooves off from my mane!" Princess Luna growled, throwing her neck with such force that the changing lost his grip and crashed into the vanity mirror, smashing it to pieces. "I believe that is seven years bad luck for you." She smiled wryly. Then she spotted Celestia at the doorway. "Sister watch out!" she cried. Princess Celestia barely had time to see the changeling duo dive at her from both sides when a double blast from Luna's horn sent them flying against the wall. They were only stunned for a moment and then the four were up again ready to launch a full frontal assault on the deep blue alicorn. Luna spread her wings. "How dare you." She admonished. "How dare you enter my sanctum. How dare you attack my dear sister? How dare you!" She gave her wings a mighty flap, knocking the changelings back. Another flap of her wings sent them into the wall.

"Sister!" Celestia cried. Luna's head snapped in the direction of her sister's voice. Suddenly she heard a snap from above. She looked up just in time to see the chandelier falling straight down upon her. Suddenly, it stopped dead in midair. Celestia tossed aside. The changeling hanging onto the severed chain from which the chandelier had previously dangled chattered an unintelligible curse before he he was hit with a blast from Celestia's horn, sending him to join his brethren. Celestia joined her sister. Their horns and eyes glowed menacingly. "Go." Celestia commanded. "Go and tell your Queen we are ready for her." The changeling were beside themselves and crashed into each other as they hurried to exit the room through the broken window. Celestia sighed with relief. "Well at least they are gone for now. Sister?" Celestia looked down at her sister to see her slump to the ground. A pair of red marks glowed menacingly from Luna's neck. "Sister!"