Days of Old

by lavendernoodle

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sad
Length: 5017

Equestria was not always candy-colored and bright.

Equestria was not always candy-colored and bright.

Celestia was always thought to be a hero. One that struggled with her past, because of relationships and love. Nopony knows that her family had it much, much worse.

Cover Art: http://akili-amethyst.deviantart.com/art/Stained-Glass-Sisters-290645898

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2016-06-01 21:40:01 UTC

Days of Old

Queen Lauren, the ruler of all, was pacing. The rulers of Ezicaea, King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia, were dead. The attacks on Ezicaea and all of it's mighty cities would not cease until she decided who would be chosen to lead the battles.

Lauren truly cared about Ezicaea, and had taken her Alicorn form to visit Ezicaea during the time of it's War of the Frozen.

But she was worried. There weren't really any good candidates for the position, not even the King and Queen's son, Prince Sombra, who was captured by the Sorcerers. Lauren couldn't think straight.

She paced quickly to the balcony of her room in the Canterlot Castle. The Royal Advisors had told her not to leave her room until she had reached a decision (which Lauren thought was a bit bossy), but the Queen needed fresh air. Besides, Canterlot was temporarily enclosed within a magic shield-bubble.

The Queen placed her elbows over the balcony and sighed. She closed her eyes, bathing in the pink sunlight shining onto her white coat. It felt warm and soothing. Her ears twitched.

That usually meant that someone was praying to her. Lauren found the ear twitching of her Alicorn-Goddess-form extremely embarrassing. Not only was constant ear twitching embarrassing enough, but Lauren sometimes felt guilty about having millions of ponies and other creatures praying to her. It made her feel ashamed, even though when she apologized for it, the ponies told her that there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Lauren closed her eyes tighter, concentrating. Somewhere, birds were chirping and ponies were chatting. It was actually very quiet, but ther Queen still couldn’t focus. She ran inside and shut the door to the balcony. Lauren pushed her face inside a pillow.

Finally, the voices came. “Queen Lauren, in all of your infinite wisdom, hear our prayer. We wish for a child, but we are an infertile couple. Please, Queen Lauren, we wish for nothing more but for the child, and us, to have healthy, natural lives. Amen.”

A married couple, Sweet Snow and Comet Rivet, the Queen’s brain told her, receiving information from the Royal Prayer Processor. Farmers, from Dodge City. Sweet Snow is infertile.

I could have guessed that on my own, Lauren responded.

An idea popped into Lauren’s head so quickly, and it was such a good idea, that Lauren got chills and jolted upright. She promptly grabbed her quill and parchment off her nightstand. “I won’t just give you a child,” the Queen said, to no one in particular, “I’ll do you one better.”

Satisfied, Lauren put down the image of two white fillies with flowing pink and turquoise manes.

The small, wooden home of the Rivets’ was filled with screams that morning. Comet Rivet was alarmed when he awoke to find his wife screaming so loud that she couldn’t speak to tell him what was wrong. Luckily. Dodge City was a small town, even with many spread out farms, so a nurse was able to arrive right away.

“One more push, Sweetie! She’ll almost there!” The nurse chimed, as Comet River held his wife’s hoof tentatively. He was ultimately surprised to find that the foal was coming today of all days, but definitely less surprised than when she had announced that she was pregnant. She hadn’t even waited, for one day she awoke and her belly was round and swollen. When Sweetie had told the doctor, he said that it was strangely large for a pregnant belly, but she just laughed.

It hadn’t been more than a week. Part of Comet wanted to believe that Queen Lauren had answered their prayers, and even though he and the rest of Ezicaea believed the same things as he, no one had ever received recognition from the Goddess. Comet had even heard rumors of ponies praying to King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia’s holy spirits, for Queen Lauren hadn’t stopped the war as they pleaded.

“There! There she is!” the nurse cried, and lifted up a crying foal with a white body and a couple of turquoise fluffs atop its head. Comet said nothing, and reached out to hold his daughter when Sweet Snow started to scream again, and he gasped.

“It’s alright,” the nurse said. “She’s just going through afterbirth, gettin’ the rest out. It’ll be over soon-” The nurse froze as she looked down again.

“B-But Blueberry,” Comet stuttered, “there’s s-something else coming out.”

“Yes, well, back to pushin’ then. Come on, Sweetie!”

Comet went back to hoof-holding.

A few moments later, another white foal was alive, but this one had pink fluff. Sweet Snow had passed out, and Blueberry was explaining some things about foal-raising, but Comet wasn’t listening. He had helped raise his fair number of siblings in his life, and he just couldn’t look away from his daughters. Sitting in their homemade crib, they looked so small and fragile.

“Comet? Comet, are you listenin’?” the blue nurse asked.

“No,” Comet said, without looking up.

“Well, if you think you’re so fine and dandy, why don’t you and Sweetie come on down to the hospital if you ever need some help, ok sugarcube?” Blueberry’s sentence started out stern, but she too caught glimpse of the fillies, and her tone instantly softened.

“Miss Blueberry, I do not understand how there were two fillies in there.”

      Blueberry paused. “I'm not either, but I can assure you that that won't be an issue to their health or anythin’ like that.” The nurse chuckled. “I do wonder what one would call such a thing.”

     “Twins.”

      The outburst started the blue mare. “Now, how did you come up with that?”

      Comet looked startled as well. “I...I am not sure.”

     “Well, congratulations Mr. Rivet, for your wife has given birth to the first twins in history, none the less, possible twin gifts from Fausticorn. Now, y'all stay safe, ok?”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you so much.”

“Just doin’ mah job, honey.” Blueberry grabbed her saddlebags and began her long walk back to the hospital.

Sweet Snow stayed asleep for a couple more hours, so Comet had some alone time with his daughters. He didn’t really know what else to do, so he just watched. The fillies didn’t do much. Once in awhile, though, one would yawn and Comet prepared himself, but then the filly rolled right back to sleep. Comet sighed and smiled.

“Crystal! Get yer fat bottom outta bed right now!”

Crystal rolled over. Of course, her bratty sister was waking her up for morning chores. Oh Faust, can’t I get one day of rest? Crystal asked herself every morning, but to no avail.

“Sunny, what have I told you? I’m the older twin, remember? I get to boss you, and Ma and Pa get to boss both of us, but you certainly don’t get to boss around anypony. Especially not me!”

Sunny stuck out her tongue and galloped away. Crystal pulled the quilt back over her head.

A few minutes later, Crystal heard footsteps. “Sunny, I said--”

“You missed the sunrise, Crysi.” It was Pa.

Crystal lowered her quilt-defenses. “Sorry, Pa. I thought you were Sunny, and you know how she is…”

Pa shook his head. “I know that she gets on your nerves once in awhile, and I know you think that just because you are older that you get to boss her around...but you’re only older by a few seconds, and you need to let me and Ma be the parents, ok? Why don’t you get up and get started on your chores?”

“Yes, Pa.” Crystal stood up and stretched.

The sun was still low in the horizons, coating the fields in a watermelon glow. Sunny was already standing in the carrot field, her eyes closed, her body still. Sunny had once told Crystal that she was “absorbing the sunlight.” Crystal didn’t really understand it, but Sunny said, “Sleeping doesn’t do it for me sometimes, Crysi. I need to recharge.”

Crystal and Sunny began their chores. Feeding the animals, tending to the crops. After a bit, Ma called everypony in for breakfast. Pa was sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper. “I wish this gol-darn war would just end already.”

Ma didn’t look up from her oatmeal. “I know, Hon.”

Pa set down his cup softly. “I’m gonna join the Royal Guard.”

Crystal’s bowl flew off the table. Ma and Sunny raised their heads. “What are you talkin’ about, Comet?” Ma asked.

“Ma, I have to. I need to protect this family. Every day, this magic forcefield is gettin’ weaker. One day, it’s gonna break and all of the dragons and horrible monsters will come in and…”

“Pa…” Sunny began, “Dodge City is hundreds of miles from any coast off of Ezicaea. If anything...comes here to attack...well, they won’t reach us. I promise, you don’t have to do that.”

Comet chuckled. “That’s not really how things work, Honey. It’s gonna be ok, and I’ll earn more money for the farm and things will work out.”

Ma stood, her white braid swinging around her shoulders. “No, Pa. I can’t allow it.”

“It’s not your right to authorize me, Ma.” Pa stood, and walked off.

Crystal had never been in a big wagon train before, or to a big city. The ride wasn’t extravagant, but when the buildings of Canterlot came into view, Crystal's breath was stolen. There were white buildings with gold and violet accents that seemed to be miles high. Ponies milled about all around. Small shops on carts filled the sidewalks.

Sunny, Ma, and Pa said nothing throughout the whole ride. When they stepped off the train, Ma wrapped a shawl around the girls’ shoulders.

The castle was even more breathtaking. Larger than any place Crystal had seen before, it had been one of the greatest symbols of wealth in all of the world. Ponies and other creatures envied it’s treasures for eons. But now, it was just a bunch of empty halls.

They didn’t get to go inside, of course. There were plenty of guards outside, yelling at people on where to go, reminding them that Earth Pony peasants were not allowed in, not even in the outside gardens which Crystal admired from afar.

Ma kissed Pa goodbye, and sobbed. Sunny did the same. When Crystal kissed Pa on the forehead, he whispered, “Stay strong for them.” Crystal held in her tears.

She had always been good at concealing her emotions.

The cold was becoming worse. Food was getting scarcer, so there was less to sell. Sunny and Crystal were tired and hungry. Ma was getting sick. Pa hadn’t sent a letter, and it had been over a year. Crystal was becoming worried.

Crystal often awoke to snow thudding its way off the roof. Sunny was still curled up next to her, which didn’t happen often. Crystal pulled herself out of bed.

She was just about to grab the plow when she heard yelling. “CRYSTAL!”

Crystal ran to the bedroom, where she saw Sunny holding Ma’s hoof. Ma was screaming, and Sunny had a look of fear upon her face. “There’s something coming out of Ma’s....um...you-know-what…!”

The front door slammed open, and the Dodge City nurse, Blueberry, walked in. “Ok, sugarcubes, step back. I’m here to help.”

Crystal stepped to the other side of Ma, while Blueberry slipped her head underneath the covers. “What happened to her?” Sunny cried.

“Well…” Blueberry said, “I’m afraid she was pregnant again. Your little sister is almost here…”

A few minutes later, Ma was asleep, and Sunny was wide eyed as she held the filly, with a baby blue mane and navy body. Blueberry was having Crystal sign some papers. “So, what will you name her?”

Crystal chuckled. “Won’t Ma name her?”

The nurse shifted her gaze to Ma, and then leaned in close to Crystal. “Hon, I hate to say this but…”

Crystal raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“She’s dead, Hon. The labor killed her.”

Crystal felt lightheaded. “Are...are you serious?” Blueberry nodded.

“I’m so sorry, sugarcube.”

Crystal sighed, and turned to look at Sunny. “What would you name her, Sunny?”

Without hesitation, Sunny said, “Midnight Snowflake.”

“Um, ok then.” Blueberry wrote it down.

The blizzards were getting worse. Rain, hail, snow, and sleet fell day and night. Crystal sat quietly at the table and watched. Sunny watched the baby, who was ultimately starving. Their hearts fell together for the sister who would never know her parents, and might just die after a few days.

Sunny raised her head. “What do you suppose we do?”

Crystal sighed and lowered her head to the table. “I really don’t know.”

Sunny gulped. “Do...do you think somepony could help us?”

“What do you mean?”

Sunny stood as Midnight started to cry in agony once more. “Ponies around here are kind. Surely there’s a family around here somewhere who can help?”

Crystal shook her head again. “I presume that they’re in the same boat as us, Sunny.”

“What about in a big city?”

Crystal raised an eyebrow at her sister. “What?”

“Well, like you said, ponies around here are sad and cold and starving like us, but those ponies in the big cities like Canterlot don’t have it that rough, right? They’ve got money, and food, and somepony must be willing to help three starving fillies.” Sunny gasped with delight. “It’s got to work!”

Crystal stood, and took her crying filly sister from Sunny’s arms. “How do you suppose we get there? We have no money to buy train tickets. I don’t think even we could survive the mere walk to the train station, none the less all the way to Canterlot.”

Sunny plopped down on the floor. “I hadn’t really thought of that.” She looked up with an angry face. “Can’t you try to be more optimistic? I sure know that we are most likely going to die out here, but…” She sighed. “I don’t want to, Crystal. I want Midnight to live, and us too. Truthfully, I want everypony to get through this Faust-forsaken winter.”

Crystal placed Midnight in her crib. “I know. But there’s no way.”

Sunny sat on her knees, closed her eyes, and placed her hooves together. “Queen Lauren, in all of your infinite wisdom, hear our prayer. We wish to escape this winter that you have brought upon us, and for all ponies in this great land of Ezicaea to live. Amen.”

No snow fell off the roof that morning. Sunny was already awake, trying to make the filly stop crying. Crystal felt that there was no reason to push herself from her bed.

And so it went all morning, all afternoon. Crystal watched the sun begin to set through her window. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door.

Sunny went to open it, and there was a stallion there. “Are you Sunny Skies?”

“Yes.”

“Is that Crystal Seas?”

“Yes.”

“Where are your parents?” the stallion asked. He seemed to be nervous.

“Dead.” Sunny was about to shut the door when:

“Wait!” Sunny opened it. “We’re here to save you.”

Crystal went to the door with the chilling breeze flowing through. “Who?”

“My wife, the rest of the town, and I. We have a wagon train to Canterlot, and we are trying to get everypony out. The blizzards are only getting worse, and they’ll kill us all. Please, we have food, water, and clothes. You must come.”

Sunny aimed a sly smile at Crystal, before grabbing Midnight and pulling the two sisters onto the wagon.

Pulling into Canterlot that time was nothing like before for Crystal. She saw no ponies walking along on the streets, she saw no color or life. Snow came down all around the wagon train.

Crystal, Sunny, and Midnight were placed in a wagon with another family of a mother and her 6 fillies. The fillies ‘oohed’ and ‘awed’ around Midnight all day, wrapping her with blankets and arguing over who got to feed her.

Crystal and Sunny huddled in the corner. Crystal was starving, but whenever she asked for more food, the mare at the front of the wagon scolded her. Crystal felt hopeless. Her parents were dead, she and her sisters would probably die, and there was no place for them in Canterlot.

One morning, the train came to a halt, and the mare began pulling her daughters out of the wagon. Crystal wrapped Midnight in her shawl and helped Sunny down.

They stood in front of the Canterlot Castle once again. Guards were helping ponies get out of their wagons and into the gates. They yelled, “One at a time!” and “No pushing, peasants!” Crystal’s stomach did a flip.

But, she followed suit. She and Sunny were in awe as they passed stain glass, glowing chandeliers and shining decorations.

Groups were pushed into large seminar rooms, where officials told them of where they would be staying, eating, sleeping, milling about. They told of the magic bubble protecting Canterlot and the other major cities from the cold and the danger. They said, “Life shall push forward.”

Even Queen Faust was there. All ponies were shoved through a tight hallway, where they bowed and the Queen would give a short nod. When Crystal and Sunny bowed, the Queen smiled. Sunny smiled for the rest of the day.

Presumed to be part of their family, the two sisters were pushed into the same room as their wagon companions. Crystal sighed, and lay down on the floor, trying to push the coos of the fillies out of her brain. Sunny lay on top of her.

“What will we do now?” Sunny asked.

“I don’t know.”

The days were bleak. Schedules were given out, directing residents all across Canterlot to where they needed to be. Work, school, even the strongest stallions toward the outer edges for a blockade and workforce.

Crystal and Sunny were in the same class. Nopony could focus, including their instructor.

“Let us try to keep our chins up, shall we?” the instructor chimed. “There is no reason for us to interrupt our lessons with the idea that something is going to change.”

One morning, it happened.

The rose-colored barrier was broken. Lauren sent out her troops to attack the creatures. Ezicaea sat in silence and waited.

Class was excused early. Later that night, news was brought in that the troops were killed off, but so were the monsters. The kingdom went into a mixed state of relief and panic.

Crystal was afraid. If her father had not been killed, he surely had now. Midnight and Sunny were asleep as Crystal paced around the room.

“I would like to start off this announcement as quickly as possible.”

Lauren stood above the crowd of ponies. “Our soldiers have been killed. I am afraid that I have lied to you all, though. Not all of the monsters were killed in the battles. The Windigos, magical horses made of ice and wind, have already began to use their magic and freeze part of our kingdom, and that explains this winter that has killed so many ponies. To make life easier, Ezicaea will be downsizing. The kingdom will be split into three tribes, one for the Earth ponies, one for the pegasi, and one for the unicorns.”

A murmur rose above the crowd, but quickly died out. Everypony wanted to hear more.

“I now officially declare that the Ruler of the Earth pony tribe shall be Chancellor Puddinghead. He has been a loyal member of my court for many years, and I trust his judgement. He shall have Smart Cookie as his second in command. As for the Pegasi, Commander Hurricane shall be the Ruler of the Pegasi Tribe. He shall have Private Pansy as his second in command. The Unicorn Tribe will have Prince Sombra’s daughter, Princess Platinum, as their leader and Clover the Clever as their second in command.”

Lauren cleared her throat. “Our tribes shall live together in harmony, and in peace. The Pegasi will control the weather, and the Earth ponies shall provide them with food. The Earth ponies shall also provide food for the Unicorns, who shall bring forth the day and night.”

“That will be all.”

Years passed. The Windigos kept spreading their horrible frost all over the Tribes’ homes. The Earth ponies and Pegasi were freezing. The Earth ponies could not grow their food, so the Pegasi, Unicorns, and the Earth ponies were starving. The Unicorns magic was powerless against the storm.

To Crystal and her sisters, it seemed that the angrier the Tribes became, the worse the blizzard grew. The sisters tried their best to grow crops, but like all the other Earth ponies, it was no use.

When the news came of the Tribes’ leaders coming together and defeating the Windigos, the newly named “Equestria” breathed a sigh of relief. The ponies were told that it would take a couple years for the cold to melt away.

Even though the Tribes were united, the Rulers were having a hard time changing their old way of leadership. The Unicorns raised the sun and the moon, the Pegasi controlled the weather, and the Earth ponies grew crops. Old towns, like Crystal’s home of Dodge City, and even the enormous Canterlot, were rebuilt. Ponies were having a hard time getting used to living with other ponies of different races.

One morning, Crystal and Sunny were plowing a field back in Dodge City. They weren’t sure where their old farm was, but they picked out a spot that seemed familiar.

Crystal used to enjoy Dodge City, but for the short time that she had lived in Canterlot, she loved it. Crystal thought that Sunny didn’t really care, but on that morning Crystal asked, “Do you miss Canterlot?”

Sunny shrugged. “I guess.”

Crystal looked at Midnight, who was chasing a butterfly. “I miss it. There is so much opportunity there. Just imagine, we could go there and change the government so we could be the new rulers of Equestria.”

Sunny laughed.

Crystal threw down her plow. “I am sick of this. Let’s go to Canterlot and fix this mess.”

Sunny cocked her head. “What?”

“The leaders of Equestria are idiots. Even simple farmers like us are better suited to rule this land. Let’s go to Equestria and fix this mess!”

“There it is! Canterlot Castle!”

Sunny and Midnight cheered. Crystal sighed with relief. Her hoofs were red hot while the rest of her felt frozen.

“And that is why I believe that my sisters and I should rule Equestria.”

Crystal stood tall while Lauren said nothing. Crystal gulped.

“That is quite an interesting statement.” The queen placed a hoof on her chin. “Simple, young, Earth pony mares as yourself ruling Equestria.”

“I agree with you.”

Crystal smiled. “Really?”

“Yes. I know that the current leaders aren’t exactly keen on changing their leadership styles. I have seen that you and your sisters are qualified.” The queen used her magic to open a door, and an old unicorn entered. “This is Starswirl the Bearded.”

Starswirl was tall and grim looking. He frightened Crystal a little. Lauren went on, “Starswirl is the most gifted unicorn known to this day. He is a spell writer and mentor.”

“I know, “ Crystal whispered. “He mentored Clover the Clever.”

Starswirl nodded. “Clover the Clever was a hero.”

“Starswirl will be mentoring you and your sisters,” Lauren continued.

Crystal gasped. “Really?”

Lauren nodded. “Indeed.”

Crystal turned to the queen. “I cannot express how grateful my sisters and I are. I can assure you that you would not be disappointed.”

Princess Chrysalis, Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna were the rulers of Equestria. Chrysalis ruled the land, while Celestia raised and set the Sun and Moon. Chrysalis was not used to being an Alicorn. Using her magic gave her a headache, and she had a hard time memorizing spells. As for using her wings, Chrysalis felt like a clumsy foal.

Most evenings, Chrysalis went out to the Canterlot Gardens. There were flowers, animals, and beautiful statues.

One always grabbed her attention. Chrysalis couldn’t really put her hoof on exactly what it was, but the creature seemed to have the head of a strange pony, a deer antler, a goat horn, a fang, a lion arm, a claw of an eagle, a leg of a lizard, and a leg of a goat. It captivated Chrysalis.

One evening, Chrysalis was incredibly tired and fell asleep by the pedestal the statue was sitting on.

When she awoke, the statue was gone. Shouldn’t it be day by now? What is Celestia doing? Chrysalis wondered.

Something tapped her on the shoulder. “Huh?” Chrysalis rubbed her eyes.

“My dear, you seem exhausted. It must be so tiring ruling Equestria, isn’t it?”

Chrysalis stood up. “Who’s there?”

The creature came out of the shadows. Chrysalis let out a little yelp. “Who are you?”

“I am Discord,” the creature said. “I’m here to help you.”

“What?”

“I know that ruling Equestria was your dream, but I also know that it can be incredibly exhausting. However, I am willing to help you.” He snapped and a potion appeared. “I can give you this potion to help with that.”

Chrysalis took a step back. “What does it do?”

“‘Nothing really. It just helps with your adrenaline.” Discord looked at Chrysalis’ swelled stomach. “I can’t say that it won’t have an effect on the foal, though.”

Chrysalis stepped away again. “Is it that obvious?”

Discord nodded. “So...what’ll it be?”

Chrysalis gulped. “I...I’ll take it.”

Chrysalis looked down at her stomach and sighed. Celestia looked at Chrysalis. “How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, Celestia. I just don’t know if this foal will be fine.” Chrysalis put her hoof on her chin.

Celestia asked, “Did you find out who it’s father is?”

Chrysalis shook her head. “I haven’t even...you know, with anypony before. And I can’t get a DNA test until the foal is born.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Celestia said. “No matter what happens, Luna and I will help you take care of it.”

The moon glowed in the night sky. Chrysalis’ chest rose and fell, lifting and dropping the small filly. “Mi Amore Cadenza,” Chrysalis whispered. The tiny alicorn filly quietly slept. “My beautiful daughter.”

Chrysalis carefully picked up Cadence and put her in her crib. Waking up in the middle of the night, going into labor, was not exactly what Chrysalis was expecting. She was exhausted. Walking over to the table, she almost fell. Chrysalis levitated the potion to her mouth and drank.

Suddenly, her body screamed with pain, but Chrysalis held in her screams. It’s just the adrenaline, she told herself. It’ll hurt for a while, but then---

Her thoughts were cut short. Her body was stretched out and it felt as if knives were stabbed through her legs. Some sort of magic pulsed through her veins.

Chrysalis let out a cackle. Flapping her bug-like wings, she flew through the window, into the night.

Celestia didn’t know what to do. The scene was glued into her mind. Her crying niece, wishing for her mother, who had flown away. A spilled potion that changes ponies into strange, bug creatures.

“I can’t raise you by myself,” Celestia said to her niece. “I know I said I could, but I can’t.” Celestia closed her eyes and performed her spell. The filly let out a small yelp of pain as her wings and horn were removed.

Luna walked in and placed a sleeping spell on Cadence. “What now?”

Celestia opened her eyes. “In time, send her to a Canterlot orphanage. She can keep her name since nopony but us know that she is Chrysalis’ daughter, but wipe any memories that she may have. As for now, place a preservation spell on her and place her in the archives.”

“Do you know where she was that morning? Or perhaps why the sun had not risen at that time? Do you have any ideas of whom she may have been with?”

Luna and Celestia sat at the kitchen table. Celestia shook her head. “I have no idea. I slept in that day, which is strange, because the servants said they couldn’t get me to wake up. I don’t think she was with anyone.”

Luna frowned. “The police need to know, but they don’t even know that we don’t know where she was.” Celestia nodded.

The next night, Luna was shocked awake. She sat up quickly as she tried to slow her breathing. It’s just another nightmare, Luna told herself.

“Aren’t nightmares terrible?” a voice asked.

Luna screamed, but a finger was placed on her lips. Luna struggled to get away. “Be quiet now. I’m not going to hurt you.”

The finger went away, and Luna pulled in large breaths of air. A blue spiral appeared in the air. “This is the Nightmares,” the voice continued. “I’ve been collecting them from ponies all across Equestria. I can take yours away, too, if you’d like.”

“Who...are you?” Luna asked.

“I am Discord. The spirit of chaos.”

Luna screamed as the Nightmares flew towards her.

Discord laughed. “Oh, Celestia, your mane!”

Celestia frowned and looked down at her flowing mane, now not only pink, but pink, blue, and green. “I received this flowing mane from banishing my sister to the moon. I think we both know why I had to do that.”

Discord raised an eyebrow. “Do we?”

“Yes. You gave Chrysalis the potion that made her insane, and you poisoned Luna’s mind with horrors beyond imagination.”

“Did I?”

“I have had enough of you, Discord. I know that trapping you in stone did not really help before, but it helped keep you contained since the beginning of time and frankly, I do not know what else to do.”

Before Discord could respond, Celestia called up all of her magical power (including the magic from the Elements of Harmony) and formed it into a rainbow whirlwind.

Discord screamed and then was trapped in stone once again.

Celestia looked at Equestria. The chaos slowly disappeared. Celestia sighed with relief. If only it would be that easy to get my sisters back.