CoRoNa

CoRoNa
03

...

Elusive stood before his mother, Trixie Whitemane. The mare was staring at a letter from Princess Celestia.

“No Mother. This is no joke.” Elusive smiled. “Princess Celestia is offering you a position as a teacher at the School for Gifted Unicorns.”

“I... I'm no teacher though.” She looked at her son. “I don't know what to do, or how I would even start.”

“Just come and see the Princess. She'll explain everything. If you want, I'll take you to the castle. I have permission to use the teleport platform to come and go.”

Trixie read the letter of invitation to teach one final time. “Certainly. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Shall we go?”

Elusive smiled and stepped next to Trixie. With a flash of light, their surroundings changed to that of a white marble chamber. Waiting for the pair was a pony that caught Trixie off guard. “Twilight Sparkle?”

“Corona Twilight actually. We met when Elusive started school, five years ago and again three years ago when Mother placed the protection spell on your home. I've changed my mane and tail sense then.”

“Of course Princess. My apologies, you just remind me of somepony I knew years ago.”

Corona smiled knowingly at the pair. “Come along now. Mother awaits.”

...

Elsewhere in Canterlot.

“They are beginning to awaken Mistress.” A cloaked pony bowed to another cloaked pony.

“Finally. Maybe we can do now what we failed to eleven years ago.” The smaller of the two spoke, a soft emotionless voice spoke. “That buck up... Resurrecting that feeble little Blackthorn of all creatures rather than our God.”

“Well, it was entertaining to watch, to say the least.” The first chuckled. “I especially love what it did to the Elements of Kindness and Laughter.”

The smaller pony spun around, light flashing from within the hood. The first pony was lifted off the ground, a sickly green flow wrapping around his neck.

The larger Unicorn struggled. Unable to breath as his life was slowly being choked from him. He kicked and thrashed till everything started going dark, his body going limp, only twitching occasionally. His eyes bulged, the irises down to pinpricks and the whites starting to turn red.

But before darkness and death could claim the pony, the magic ended and he dropped to the stone floor.

“Do NOT think this is funny Pokey Pierce. You were to watch the situation.”

Pierce gasped for air, laying on the floor. It took him a few minutes, hos horn glowing as he healed himself. Finally he stood up and rubbed his still sore throat and neck. “Yea? But I got KILLED on this mission!!! Or had you forgotten that? Being eaten alive is VERY unpleasant.” He didn't even look like Pokey Pierce at all. His coat olive green, with a red mane and tail. Somehow, his own safety pin cutie mark rested on his hindquarters. “I know damn well the situation wasn't funny.”

“I saved your brain and transplanted it into this body. Be glad I did that for you.” The smaller Unicorn's blood red horn was sticking through her hood, having burned through. “As for the Element of Kindness, 'MY' Master has told me he has yet to find it. For all we know, it may not even be reborn in this generation. How many hundred years must we wait before all six Elements are awake and active again?”

“Well... Last time was 374 years ago, but they were all killed by that demon from hell.” Pierce shrugged. “Lucky for Equestria we sent it back.”

“We summoned that demon in the first place...” The mare scowled, her red muzzle showing from under the hood. “How many times are we going to screw up, trying to resurrect the true God of Equestria?”

“Don't ask me. Now, I have business I need to take care of. I 'may' have found another Element. I need to go check it out.” He paused and glanced at the smaller form. “Oh yes, one more question.”

“What is it?”

“Mistress, are we CERTAIN we found our God's resting place this time?”

“As certain as with Discord, The Nightmare Moon Essence, Ba'al, and Blackthorn...”

“Okay... So... Our chances are improving. The more of these weak creatures we release and see defeated, the more likely we'll find our God.” He clopped his forehooves on the stone floor excitedly. “I can't wait to finally meet him.” With that, the olive coated and pimento maned pony left the dark, candle lit chamber.

The small Unicorn pulled back her hood, revealing her blood red mane that matched her coat. Her sickly green dragon slit eyes turned back to a small bowl filled with water. Images of Princess Corona and Elusive were visible to those with the magic. “A Princess and a Pauper. Amusing that one so poor can represent Generosity.” Blood Rain grinned, her dragon teeth glinting in the candle light.

A moment later, another pony appeared. The image was not clear, but it was female, a filly, baring a red coat and blond mane.

“I wonder who this one might be.”

...

Trixie walked between Princess Celestia and Elusive, taking in the beauty that was the school for gifted Unicorns.

Corona followed along behind the trio, a smile on her lips. (Elusive is going to get to keep attending school with me. I'm so happy. He speaks highly of his mother, how smart and talented she is.) She was positively giddy. (For Elusive to compliment another pony about their magic, that's something indeed, even if this is his mother.)

“Corona dear?” Celestia paused and glanced back. “Are you alright?”

Elusive chuckled. “You've got a goofy grin plastered on your face.”

Corona blushed and hid her face under her mane. “Elusive...” She whined a little, but still smiled.

“Now now, Elusive. This is Princess Corona. She does not get goofy faces...” Trixie started.

Celestia giggled. “Oh, she most certainly does, but they're all so priceless.”

“Mother.” Corona huffed a little. “You said you wouldn't tease me like that anymore.”

“I'm sorry dear.” She stifled a few more giggles as best she could. “But you are simply adorable.”

“Princess Celestia is right Princess Corona.” Trixie nodded. “But, if I'm going to be the new illusions teacher, I will have to see you as a student, not as a Princess.” She lowered her head, narrowed her eyes, and grinned a little darkly. “Do you think you have what it takes to learn what I have to teach?”

“Of course Dame. Whitemane.” Corona had regained her composure instantly.

Trixie winced a little at that title. “That title makes me feel old...”

“Distinguished more accurately.” Celestia had the exact same pose and expression as her daughter.

“Quite distinguished indeed.” Elusive imitated the pair.

Celestia returned to her poised, but relaxed appearance. “Come along now. I will show you your new classroom. You may take the rest of the week to get accustomed to the layout, or make any minor changes as needed.”

“Thank you Princess Celestia.” Trixie was indeed very grateful.

“Mother, Elusive and I have today off from classes. He said he wanted to show me something.”

“Something?”

Elusive nodded. “It is perfectly safe. It's just outside Canterlot City.”

“Ah, I see.” Celestia nodded. “My daughter is old enough to make little day trips. I'll assign a Guard to escort you. Standard royal protocol.”

“Thank you Mother.” Corona smiled.

Elusive bowed to Princess Celestia and hugged his mother. “We'll be back later. Love you Mom.” He kissed her cheek before galloping off, Corona flying along behind him.

Celestia turned back to the classroom tower. “You are blessed to have such a good son. Smart, talented, kind and I've seen him take time out to help his fellow classmates without even even worrying about getting anything back in return.”

Trixie nodded. She was very proud of her son. Now, if only he would earn his cutie mark.

...

“Where are we going?” Corona asked Elusive as they and their unarmored escort followed at a polite distance.”

Elusive glanced at Corona, especially the simple dress she wore to hide her wings and cutie mark. “For starters, it's one of my favorite places, besides school.” They reached the city gates and their escort coughed to get their attention.

“Princess, are you certain you wish to do this?” The Pegasus asked. “This will be the first time you have ever left Canterlot.”

Corona giggled. “Oh Freedom. You're such a worrier. This is Equestria. Nothing bad ever happens in Equestria.”

The guard snorted lightly. “Very well, but know I will be nearby to guard you at all times.”

“Thank you Freedom. You are a good protector.” Corona nudged Elusive. “Shall we?”

“Let's.” The colt replied.

...

“Canterlot Golden Acres?” Corona looked up at the sign. “Isn't this were we get most of our apples?”

Elusive nodded. “Indeed it is.” He looked out over the hills, all covered with apple trees. “To think, this orchard is only ten years old, but look at those trees.” The trees were large and full of large, sweet and juicy apples.

“Only ten? I thought it was always here.”

“Well, the family that runs this had other family members that ran another orchard to the south.” Elusive replied. “But that was destroyed in a fire.”

“The orchard in... Pony...ville...” Her eyes glazed over suddenly.

Elusive winced and glanced back at Freedom.

Freedom approached and frowned. “Another one of her odd fainting spells?”

The Unicorn colt nodded. “She'll be alright. I've seen this happen numerous times...” And each and every one scared the daylights out of him. He was able to hide his fear quite well though, knowing that she was never hurt.

“Sweet Apple Acres... Applejack...” Corona whispered, tears falling freely. Even though she was crying, she was smiling, remembering happy memories.

Elusive's mind flashed a few times. An orange and blond pony wearing a strange hat. An orchard. Her family. “Could it be?” He gasped. “Freedom, please wait here with Corona.”

“Princess Corona to you colt.”

He ignored Freedom and rushed through the gates.

Freedom didn't care for Elusive much at all. He was far too friendly with the Princess, treating her like a friend rather than royalty, or even, how dare he, an equal. To make Freedom dislike Elusive more, he was a commoner. A lowly commoner who needed to one day learn his place.

Corona snapped out of her trance. “Oh my... Elusive, I...” She looked to where Elusive had been, then around for him. She spotted Freedom at her side. “Where is Elusive?”

“He ran off someplace.” He snorted, an annoyed tone in his voice. “Oh, there he is.” He pointed a hoof toward the incoming Unicorn and a red coated Earth Pony. She looked maybe a little younger than Elusive.

As the pair approached, Corona noticed some odd features about this Pony. Her red coat sported pale blond stripes, and her short spiky mane was the reverse, blond with some red stripes. Her tail even looked a little odd for an Earth Pony.

“Corona, are you alright?” Elusive was relieved that his friend had recovered.

“I... I'm fine. I had another... fainting spell.” She glanced at the Earth Pony. She was built like an Earth Pony, mostly, but she was a little light of build for her age. Then she remembered something from her studies of other cultures. This filly most likely had zebra heritage. “Who's your friend?”

“This is Honey Crisp. She's the daughter of Apple Cider, the owner of this orchard.”

Honey Crisp grinned. “Howdy Princess.” She bowed with practised perfection and grace. “Welcome to Canterlot Golden Acres.” She then looked at the Princess, a little concerned. “Lucy here told me that ya'll fainted or sumpthin like that.”

“Lucy?” Corona giggled as Elusive blushed.

“Crisp, how may times...” Elusive glared.

“Ah know, but Ah just love seein' yer expression.” She winked at the Princess. “Lucy here talks about ya all th' time Princess. Ah never thought Ah'd get t' meet ya.”

A large, red coated stallion trotted up. “Honey Crisp. Are you going to keep the young Princess standing out in this heat all day? She just fainted after all.”

“She seems fine t' me Pa.” The striped pony replied, casting a glance at the much larger pony.

“Well, why don't you take them inside for some apple juice... NOT the cider this time.”

“Ah know Pa. Ya'll tanned my hide first an last time Ah got into yer cider.” Honey Crisp smirked. “Ah learned mah lesson.” She then nodded her head toward the farm house. “Ya'll come in. We got the best apples and apple products in all Equestria.”

Corona smiled. “I know. The royal chefs order all apples from here.” She smiled as she followed the half zebra. “If you don't mind my asking, are you half zebra?”

“Yep. Ma died foalin' me though. Shame really. Pa always said she was the nicest pony he ever did meet. Always talked in rhyme and was really good at makin' all sorts ah herbal medicines.”

Zecora.

Corona gasped and stopped in mid step. Again her eyes glazed over.

“That's enough of this.” Freedom stomped his hoof. “Twice in a day? I'm taking the Princess home, now.”

Honey Crisp raised her eyebrow and looked at the large Pegasus. “Ya'll plannin on carryin her on yer back the whole way? She can lay on mah bed till she wakes.”

“No, I will be bringing her home, now.” He stepped forward, towering over all three young ponies.

Corona shook her head and glanced at how close Freedom was too her. “Freedom, no. I will not be going back. Rather, you are to return to the castle and tell Mother the following. Honesty lives. She will know what that means.”

“But... I cannot leave you alone. I have my orders.”

“And I just gave you MY orders.” Corona had a dead serious look on her face. “Do I have to repeat myself? “

“Of course not Princess.” He stepped back, bowing his head. “Once I deliver this message, I will return.” With that said, his wings spread wide and he took to he sky, flying as fast as his strong wings could carry him.

Corona sighed. “Sorry about that. Freedom is a little too serious at times.” She smiled at Elusive and Honey Crisp. “In the meantime, why don't you tell us what you know about Zecora.”

Honey Crisp stared at Corona, her eyes wide. “How ya'll know that name? Ah never told ya. Heck, Pa ain't never told anypony but me that she was mah mom.”

Elusive glanced at Corona. “I think we should tell her.”

“I think so too.” The Princess agreed.

“Tell me what?” She asked as she followed the pair toward the house. “What's goin' on here?”

Once inside, the trio entered the living room and took seats.

Corona took a moment to steady her nerves. “I remember your mother. Zecora, a Zebra from a far away land. Speaking in rhymes and riddles.” Her eyes glazed slightly. “Wisest pony I remember, though I've never met her.” Her voice seemed to change a little as she spoke of the Enchantress.

Honey Crisp listened, all her attention focused on the pony. When Corona finished her tale of Zecora, the farm mare whispered. “T... Twilight...” She suddenly spoke up. “No way... Mah dreams... Ah always thought they was just that... Ah can remember mah Ma's face clearly, thought I ain't never met her.”

“I'm the same.” Elusive smiled. “Do you remember a name... Rarity?”

“Ah course Ah do. But...”

Corona spoke, cutting Honey Crisp off. “And Applejack?”

Honey Crisp gritted her teeth and squeezed he eyes shut. “Dagnamit. How ya'll know mah dreams?”

“I was Twilight Sparkle, the lavender Unicorn. Elusive, he was Rarity.”

“Ya'll was a mare?” She burst out laughing. “Oh Lucy, that's just TOO funny.”

“Hence one of the reasons I don't like being called Lucy...” Elusive muttered.

The smaller mare quickly regained composure and looked serious again. “Seriously? Both ah ya have memories of yer past life? An mah dreams are the same? Memories?”

The pair nodded.

Corona looked into Honey Crisps dark green eyes. “We've much to remember of course. All we remember are bits and pieces of our previous life.”

“Ah see.” Honey Crisp gave an odd look at the Princess. “Not meanin' to sound rude Princess, but are ya'll still some bookworm?”

“I do not live in a library.” Corona laughed freely. “You know what? I like you. I know we just met, but I feel like I've known you for a long time.”

“Well, if these dreams ARE memories, not quite sayin' they are, but IF they are, then Ah guess we knew each other long time ago.” Honey Crisp glanced toward the kitchen. “Hang on a sec, Ah promised ya'll some apple juice.” She rose and trotted into the kitchen. “Keep chatterin'. Ah can hear ya.” She called out as the sounds of clinking glasses was heard.

Elusive glanced toward the kitchen. “I've know Honey Crisp for a while, and I've had my suspicions. I couldn't verify if she was like us, connected from our past life.” He looked back to Corona. “Somehow, it seems that you're the key to us connecting to these dreams. These memories.”

“But... Why me?” Corona asked.

“Maybe because she's a Princess an all.” Honey walked back in, gliding smoothly while balancing a tray with three drinks on her back..

Corona took the tray with the bright red magic and set it down gently on the coffee table. “I guess that's one explanation.” She smiled and sipped at her juice. “Oh, this is good. What apples were used?”

Honey smirked, balancing her glass on one hoof. “Oh, here we use some of the lightly bruised apples to make juice. Why waste, and the bruising seems to make the apples sweeter.” She took a sip without making use of a straw.

Elusive seemed used to this display of balance and agility. Corona on the other hoof was impressed. “You're pretty well coordinated. Balance, poise, grace.”

Her tone and accent seemed to simply vanish as she spoke again. “Well, we may be farmers, but we are a noble family after all. I had spent a year taking special classes. One never knows if they will be invited to some important social gathering.” She then giggled. “But don'tcha go tellin' nopony Ah'm able to be as hoity toity or dress as fru fru as any other noble. Ah get stared at enough cause ah mah stripes.” She held up a foreleg and smiled. “Ah course, ah love mah stripes, and Ah dun put up with nopony talking dirt 'bout em.”

“Of course not. They are lovely.” Corona wasn't lying. Honey Crisp's stripes and cutie mark were very unique, and stylish.

“Why thank ya Princess.” She tilted her drink back and emptied it in seconds. “Ah, refreshin'.” She grinned at Elusive. “Now, Lucy, ya'll bring the Princess all the way out here, durin' apple buck season. What WERE ya'll thinkin'?”

“I wanted her to meet you.” He replied simply. “Not to help out with kicking apple trees.”

Corona was not at all familiar with, what was the term? Physical Labour? She knew she was strong, being an Alicorn, but she doubted she was stronger than an actual Earth Pony.

Corona's horn suddenly itched a little. She ignored it. “I think, maybe, I should be on my way once Freedom returns. Elusive, if you like, you can stay and help.”

“Corona, I have chosen to devote today to you. Here at Canterlot Golden Orchards, you made a new friend after all.” He grinned.

“You are a terrible liar.” Corona laughed. “But you're right. I would like to learn more about you Honey Crisp. I'd like to be friends with you.”

“Ah'd be lyin' if Ah said I didn't wanna be yer friend too. Heck, Ah dun think Ah've even told a lie in mah life.”

Corona's horn suddenly itched even more, on the point of tingling. She knew when magic was being used, and there was some impressively strong magic at work nearby, and coming closer.

Before any more could be said, the front window burst inward. A dark cloaked pony flew through and landed in the center of the floor. “Magic, Generosity, Honest.” His grinning olive muzzle was clearly visible. “You will be coming with me. Refuse, and I'll kill everypony on this farm.”

The three young ponies rushed to the far side of the room, Honey Crisp and Elusive standing guard before their Princess.

“You will not touch Princess Corona Twilight.” Elusive's horn started glowing brightly.

“Ya'll bust into mah home an' make demands? Ah dun think so buddy.”

“In the name of our God, the Tyrant King, you WILL come with me.” The stallion's horn was surrounded by a black miasma of energy. “Like it, or not.”

Elusive cast a blinding flash at this stranger, blinding him momentarily. “Run.” He spoke calmly.

A moment later, the trio was running from the house and toward the gate.

“Elusive, we can teleport.”

Honey Crisp shook her head. “Ya'll can't just run. He threatened mah Pa and mah three sisters. We can't just run like cowards. Ain't nothin' more important than family. That Ah remember clearly from mah dreams.”

The trio looked back to see the dark pony emerge from the house, his dark magic flowing all over his body. “Run, and all here on this farm will die. I'll stab them over and over till they all die, then I'll mutilate their corpses.”

“Who are you and why are you doing this?” Corona demanded.

“I am the harbinger of the Tyrant King. His cult shall rule all of Equestria upon his return, and the false little Princesses shall suffer as his playthings for all eternity.” His laughing was not that of a sane pony.

Suddenly his laughing ceased and he stared at the trio. “Now, come along, little Elements of Harmony. You are needed for his resurrection.” His magic lashed out, ensnaring the three foals.

Corona's own magic seemed to react on its own, lashing back along the tendrils of darkness with piercing golden flames. The attacking Pony was engulfed and reduced to ashes in a flash.

“Oh Celestia...” Elusive gasped. “You... Corona... You killed... killed him.”

“No... I... I didn't do that. My magic acted on its own.” She stepped back. “I don't know any combat magic.” Corona looked mortified. “I... Oh Mother...”

Honey Crisp was shaken. “Who was that? Why'd he wanna use us to res... whatever. What's this all 'bout some Tyrant? What the hay did ya'll do to him Princess?”

“I think we should speak with Mother.” Corona wanted to cry. Her magic had just killed a pony. She shuddered, feeling sick to her stomach.

...

To Be Continued...