Chapters The Power Ponies and the Legend of the Two Sisters
There are many myths and legends in the land known as Equestria. Some more believable, some less. Some more known, and some less. However, there is one story that is considered a classic, that most everypony hears at least once in their life: The Legend of the Two Sisters.
The legend speaks of two sisters from long ago, both alicorns. One of the sun and the day, the other of the moon and the night. They once ruled Equestria, until the younger one, the one of the moon, became jealous that nopony cared for her night like they cared for her sister's day. She became corrupted by a dark being, that fed off of her hate. The corrupted sister would not lower the moon in the sky to make way for the sun, and the older one came to see why.
A battle ensued. The corrupted sister against her older one, who was ashamed that she had not been there in her sister's time of need. Eventually, the older sister had no choice but to use the mystical objects known as the Elements of Harmony. She used them against her corrupted sister to try and purify her, she she was instead banished to the moon. The older sister, filled with grief, used the power of the Elements to seal herself away in the sun. However, the Elements left a prophecy: that in a thousand years, the stars would aid in the escape of the corrupted sister, and would release the older one. They would return to Equestria on the longest day of the thousand year. And after that, it was unknown what would happen.
There once was a young mare who wished to fly to the moon. This is not her story. This is the story of a young mare on the Maretropolis weather team, who also had that same wish, but did not enact upon it. She was a light blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, and had a cutie mark of a storm cloud with a lightning bolt. To most everypony, she was know as Rainbow Storm. A rare few knew her as Rainbow Dash.
"Storm's in position!" called Lightning Dust, the assistant weather manager, to the weather ponies still in the sky. "Everypony out of the way!"
Storm flashed a smile down to her friend, and slipped her goggles down over her eyes. She raised her hoof as a warning sign, and paused to wait as everypony landed safely on the ground. She lowered her hoof, and then turned around and bucked the storm cloud next to her. A bolt of lightning whizzed out of it, and it another cloud. However, instead of dissipating, it bounced off of that cloud, and continued bouncing off cloud after cloud.
Perfect. thought Storm as each cloud touched became a storm cloud. I'd like to see any other weather team go as efficiently as us!
The lightning bolt bounced back to the original cloud it came from, and was absorbed into it. Storm pulled off her goggles, and landed on the ground next to Lightning. It began to rain, and Storm smiled.
"Nice job, Storm." said Lightning. "I've still never seen another long as talented as you with lightning."
"Hey, you did a good job, too!" said Storm, throwing a hoof around her friend. "You got everything perfectly in place, and made sure all the clouds were the right kind."
Lightning smiled. "Thanks. I'd like to see anypony else beat our record!"
"Storm completed in ten minutes! The only place that cloud beat us is the Everfree Forest!" Storm and Lightning hoof-bumped. "Now, my speedy friend, want to go grab some coffee to celebrate our fantastic job?"
"Yeah! And maybe some-"
Lightning was cut off as a large explosion came from a nearby building.
"Run." she and Storm said at the same time.
Both pegasi instantly flew away from the falling debris as fast as they could. However, they were not particularly that panicked. It was one of the many things one had to get used to if they chose to live in Maretropolis: villains were everywhere. However, they weren't just at the mercy of these thieves and crooks - they had a team to protect their city.
"Matterhorn!" called out a voice with a country accent. "Two below!"
"On it, Mare-velous!" called back another voice.
Lightning and Storm both ducked down as an ice beam flew over them and stopped the debris from falling on them. They then looked up at the unicorn and Earth pony who had just saved them. They were the Power Ponies: Mistress Mare-velous and the Masked Matterhorn.
"You think it's Mane-iac?" whispered Storm to Lightning.
"Looks like it." she whispered back.
"You two!" yelled Mare-velous at them. "Get outta here and get to safety!"
Storm and Lightning nodded, and started to fly away, again, when a long strand of green mane shot out in front of them. A shining golden lasso zipped forward and yanked the strand out of the way, and they bolted once more. However, one strand broke free, and grabbed Lightning's back hooves.
"Whoa!" she cried as she was yanked back. "Hey! Storm!"
"Lightning!" cried Storm, instantly turning around and flying back towards her friend.
"Get back!" called Matterhorn to Storm. "We're going to deal with her!"
"Oh, Power Ponies!" said Mane-iac in a joyful voice, just as Storm stopped flying towards her and hovered nervously in the air. "Guess your luck finally ran out! See, I've finally caught a civilian! And I know how you don't want me to hurt any civilians!"
"Let her go!" snapped Mare-velous, stepping forward with her rope hovering in the air next to her. "You're fighting us, remember?"
Storm nervously looked over at Lightning, who was struggling to break free. She then looked up at the storm clouds in the sky, and zipped up towards them.
"I really don't feel like fighting you right now." said Mane-iac, clutching Lightning like a prize. "That's not the mane thing I have planned today!"
"Your pun is terrible!" yelled Lightning angrily, though someone could tell that she was scared.
Mare-velous quickly zipped her rope forward to grab Lightning, but Mane-iac blocked it with some of her other hair. Matterhorn had a hoof to her head, and was trying to think of a plan.
"Now why don't you Power Ponies run along and-" started Mane-iac, when a bolt of lightning suddenly zoomed past her. "What the hay?!?"
All four ponies looked up to see Storm next to one of the clouds, already kicking it, again. The second bolt hit Mane-iac's piece of mane that was holding Lightning, who quickly flew up to join Storm.
"Thanks." she whispered.
"No problem." said Storm. "You would have done the same for me."
"Who do you two think you are?!?" yelled Mane-iac angrily. "You two aren't Power Ponies! You're just civilians!" she stretched her mane up towards them. "But if you want to pretend you're them, then you'd better fight like you mean it!"
"That'll be enough, Mane-iac!" yelled Matterhorn, blasting off a beam and freezing part of her mane.
Mane-iac quickly broke through the ice, but kept her attention on Lightning and Storm. Both automatically turned around to buck the storm cloud, as Mane-iac's mane zipped towards them. At that moment, Mare-velous's lasso zipped up to grab Mane-iac's mane, and Matterhorn blasted off a beam of magic. And everything hit everything else when Storm and Lightning kicked the cloud, and they were both zapped by the lightning in it.
"No!" cried Mare-velous and Matterhorn at the same time, as Lightning and Storm both fainted out of the air, Storm's lightning bolt necklace shining in the rain.
The Power Ponies and the Legend of the Two Sisters
The Headquarters of the Power Ponies
"Gyah..." muttered Rainbow Storm, feeling very dizzy and rather jittery. "What happened?"
"You're awake!" said an unfamiliar voice, causing Storm to open her eyes.
She was lying on a soft bed in a dimly-lit room, which had the smell of a hospital room. She looked up to see a small purple dragon holding a clipboard standing in front of her, and her mouth dropped open.
"Are you a dragon?" she asked.
"Yep." said the dragon, writing something on the clipboard. "Funny, most ponies would freak out if they saw a dragon."
"We live in a city filled with villains that have insane super powers. A dragon is nothing."
"Fair enough."
Storm carefully sat up, and put a hoof to her forehead. She had a splitting headache, and was aching all over. It then occurred to her that she had no clue where she was, and she moved her hoof down.
"Uh... Where am I?" asked Storm. "And what happened?"
"You were struck by lightning." said the dragon calmly. "And you're in the medical facility of the Power Ponies's headquarters."
"Power Ponies?!?" cried Storm. "Oh my gosh, I remember! Where's Lightning Dust?!?"
"Relax, she's fine." he pointed over at a bed on the other side of Storm. "She's still unconscious, which is odd considering that you took most of the electricity from the shock."
"Wait, I've gotten struck by lightning before. And I've never had to get medical attention before!"
"Well... Uh..." the dragon seemed a bit nervous. "The thing is... You weren't exactly just hit by lightning." Storm raised an eyebrow. "You got hit by lightning, a beam of Sn- Matterhorn's magic, the magic from Ja- Mare-velous's rope, and some of Mane-iac's magical mane. All of that added up to a pretty nasty shock."
The only response that Storm had was, "Oh."
"Yeah..." the dragon smiled. "But you're perfectly fine. You friend is okay, but we're still waiting on her to wake up so we can do a final check-up. Speaking of, I should probably tell Sn- Matterhorn and Mare-velous that you're awake. I'll be back in just a second."
Storm nodded as the dragon walked out of room. She looked over at Lightning, who was still lying unconscious.
"You're okay, right, Lightning?" asked Storm nervously out loud. "Come on... I got most of the zap, right?" she couldn't help but smile. "I thought you were the toughest pegasus around!" her smiled faded away. "Are you okay?"
The door swung open, and dragon came back in with two ponies following. Storm looked over at them, and realized that they looked very familiar. She then pictured them with their outfits on, and a suddenly realization came to her.
"You're the Power Ponies?" she asked.
"Yup." said Mare-velous. "Ah reckon it is a bit odd for ya see us without our outfits, huh?'
"Reeeeally odd."
"We're so sorry!" cried Matterhorn suddenly. "We didn't mean to hurt you! We always try to make sure that the civilians are out of the way and don't get hurt, but I blasted a beam right at you ! We're so, so sorry!"
"Bet'cha saved my flank, anyways." said Storm with a small smirk. "It's probably my fault for not just flying off like you said I should. But I didn't want to leave my friend behind."
"Aw, that makes sense, sugarcube." said Mare-velous. "Like how me an' Matterhorn wouldn't ever ditch each other if we need help."
"Personas..." muttered the dragon.
"Did ya say something?"
"Nothing."
"Anyways," said Matterhorn a bit nervously. "We just need to do some tests to make sure that you're all injury-free and everything!"
"Hold up." said Storm. "I'm just wondering: why didn't you bring me and Lightning to a regular hospital? Why'd you bring us to your base?"
"They did." said the dragon. "But all the tech kept acting up and they couldn't do anything. We think it's because of your necklace."
"My necklace?" Storm looked down to see that she was still wearing her lightning bolt necklace, which was perfectly intact. "Couldn't you just take it off."
"Ah can't even take it off with Allie." said Mare-velous, to which Storm raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Mah lasso."
"What do you mean you can't take it off?"
"Every time somepony tries to take your necklace off, they get an electric shock." said Matterhorn. "We're tried to take it off with unicorn magic, but that still yielded the same result. And like Mare-velous said, she can't even get it off with Allie."
Storm looked down at her necklace, again, and then grabbed it in her hoof and pulled it off over her head.
"Then how come-" started, before several lightning bolts flew out of her necklace, causing everyone to duck in surprise. "What the heck?!?"
"Maybe you should put it back on..." said the dragon nervously.
Another bolt came out, and Storm quickly put it back on. Her necklace glowed softly, and then faded back to normal.
"What just happened?" asked Storm nervously.
"Curious..." said Matterhorn, looking closely at Storm's necklace without touching it. "Where did you get this necklace?"
"It was a gift from my friend, Fluttershy."
"Did she get it from some place special?"
"Nope. She just saw it in a mall and brought it for me 'cause she thought I'd like it."
"Hm... Maybe- no..." she started to pace around the room. "Unless- no, no..." her eyes widened. "But..."
"Mind tellin' us what yer thinkin'?" asked Mare-velous.
"Well... If my hunch is correct... Then Miss Storm here got super powers from the combined magics and the lightning bolt that struck her."
The response was three looks of complete shock, the greatest one from Storm.
"Someone else with powers?" asked Mare-velous in shock. "Ya can't be serious!"
"Mare-velous, she isn't a rouge one!" said Matterhorn.
"Uh, what are they talking about?" whispered Storm to the dragon.
"I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you..." he replied.
"Oh... Okay..."
"Dash..." whispered a voice from behind her.
Storm quickly whipped around, and saw that Lightning had opened her eyes. She quickly ran over to her friend, and smiled.
"Lightning!" she said happily. "You're awake!"
"Dash..." whispered Lightning. "I saw something..."
"What do you mean?" Storm's smile faded. "Lightning, are you okay?"
"Like a vision or something... It had the moon and the sun and the Two Sisters from the old legend..."
"You mean the corrupted sister and the Elements of Harmony?"
"It's going to be the thousandth year soon..." Lightning closed her eyes. "Dash, they're coming back..."
Lightning slipped back into unconsciousness, and Storm continued to stare at her nervously. The dragon walked up to her, and gently tapped Storm's shoulder.
"What did she say?" he asked.
"She said that she had a vision." said Storm softly, not noticing that Mare-velous and Matterhorn had stopped talking. "And that the Two Sisters of legend were going to return soon."
"WHAT?!?" cried Matterhorn. "Oh no, no, no! I've got to go check something!"
She sprinted out of the room, with Mare-velous and the dragon following her. Storm started to follow them, but briefly glanced back at Lightning.
Lightning... she thought. I hope that you're okay... But why didn't you call me Storm?
The Power Ponies and the Legend of the Two Sisters
On a rock farm not that far off from Maretropolis, four Earth pony sisters were standing outside. Three of them had coats and manes of various shades of gray, but the fourth sister was bright pink.
"Diane, you're sure you want to work for this employer?" asked Maud, her voice filled with worry, as opposed to her usual monotone. "You've never wanted to work for somepony else before."
"I'm sure, Maud!" said the peppy pink Earth pony, making sure her saddlebag was on tightly. "Besides, if it doesn't work out I can just run on back home!"
"Diane, you can't let anypony know about that!" cried Limestone. "You don't know how they would react to it!"
Diane nodded, her poofy mane bobbing as she moved. "I know, Limey! I'll keep a secret! Plus, nopony'll be fast enough to know about it anyways!"
Her three sisters rolled their eyes or sighed at the bad jokes. Diane couldn't help but grin.
"Welp, I'd better get going!" said Diane. "I've got to meet my new employer in ten minutes!"
"Don't let anypony see you..." said Marble softly.
"Aye-aye! Bye, girls! Be back if I've forgotten anything or if this job turns out to be a flop!"
Diane zipped off, leaving a pink streak behind her. Within seconds, she had made it to Maretropolis, and was casually walking through the streets.
"Ms. Rarity!" called Coco from downstairs. "I've finished my work for today!"
"Excellent, Coco!" called back Rarity. "Now go home and take a nice, long break!"
"Thank you!"
Rarity couldn't help but smile as her fashion partner exited the building. It was wonderful to have Coco working for her! Though, it was much easier to do everything with her special little gift...
Time for today's practice before the new worker shows up! thought Rarity. Though I do hope that Ms. Pie isn't nosy or anything...
Using her magic, Rarity pulled out an outfit from her saddlebags, along with several gemstones. She quickly put the outfit on, and the gems automatically floated over and onto her mane. She nodded in satisfaction, and then concentrated on the gemstones on the legs of her outfit. They glowed a soft pink, and a needle and thread in matching color appeared in the air.
Alright, that's the basic...
In a brief flash of light, the needle and thread changed to a bolt of fabric. Rarity nodded, and the fabric changed into an dress. It then changed into a full outfit, and then an outfit with several pieces.
You can do this next part, Rarity...
Rarity gritted her teeth in concentration, and a second outfit appeared. A third one popped into existence, before all three vanished, and Rarity collapsed on the ground in exhaustion.
So close! One day I'll be able to do that third ensemble... But until then, I will keep practicing!
She quickly took off her outfit, and tucked back in her saddlebags. A knock sounded from downstairs, and Rarity quickly walked towards the stairs.
"Angel!" called a soft voice. "I'm back!"
The door to a tiny apartment room opened, and a buttercream pegasus walked in. A bunny hopped over to her, and tapped his foot in irritation.
"Angel, I know that you don't care for the big city." said Fluttershy. "But it's best that I'm here in case... It happens..."
She shuddered, and Angel automatically hugged her leg. She smiled, and gently patted Angel.
"Thank you. Now, would you like a tasty salad for dinner?"
Angel bounced up and down happily, and Fluttershy walked over to her fridge. She opened it up, and pulled out a salad that she had made earlier, and set it on the table. She grabbed two bowl, and split the salad into both of them. One she gave the Angel, and the other for herself.
"You know, Angel, I heard the most awful news!" said Fluttershy. "Apparently two civilians got injured by Mane-iac!"
Angel frowned, and tapped his foot with nervousness.
"I know! It scares me, too! But the Power Ponies were there to make sure nothing more happened."
Angel suddenly jumped over to the counter, and grabbed a newspaper. He gave it to Fluttershy, who gasped in surprise.
"Rainbow Dash got hurt by her?!?" she cried. "Oh, I just can't believe that! The Mane-iac is just so awful, and mean, and-" Fluttershy placed a hoof over her mouth and stopped talking. "Don't get angry, don't get upset..." she whispered to herself. "Don't get angry, don't get upset..." she took a deep breath. "Okay... I'm good. Oh, poor Rainbow Dash! I hope she's okay!"
In her secret lair, Mane-iac let out a cackle of glee. Not only had she gotten away from the Power Ponies, but she had also done some serious damage! Her favorite part was hurting those two civilians, as the Power Ponies normally managed to keep her away from all of them.
"Perhaps it's time I got the final piece of my Hairspray Ray of Doom!" cried Mane-iac out loud. "And I'll show those Power Ponies who's the mane villain in this city!"
She threw back her head, and let out another cackle. It was great to be evil.
"Dash!" cried Lightning, as Mane-iac grabbed her leg and yanked her backwards.
"Lightning!" cried Storm, flying towards her friend, before getting knocked out by the Mane-iac's mane.
"No!" Lightning tried to get away from Mane-iac, to no avail. "No, Dash, no!"
There was a sudden flash of light, and everything around Lightning vanished. She was left floating in something that looked like a cosmic void. She looked around frantically, and in confusion.
"Wh-what just happened?!?" cried Lightning.
Relax, young pegasus. said a kind voice. You are unconscious, and not in the waking world.
"Wait a second... It's you! This has happened before! You said that your were the sister in the legend, the one who banished herself!"
Indeed I am. Though, I do hope that my sister does not mind that I am using her dream power.
"I need to wake up!" yelled Lightning. "I need to make sure that Storm is okay!"
She is fine. I managed to wake you up for long enough that you could warn her. However, you did not manage to stay awake long enough to give her the full message, but that is because I am weak.
"But that means that the corrupted sister is going to come back! Nopony will be safe!"
I know. That is why I needed to warn somepony. You see, my sister will return and continue her plan to make the night eternal. However, until somepony finds and uses the Elements of Harmony, I will remain in the sun.
"Where are the Elements?"
Our old castle. I believe it is now located in some place called the Everfree Forest.
"The Everfree Forest? That's only about a mile away from Maretropolis!"
Is that where you are?
"Yes, I live in Maretropolis!"
Then perhaps you can help more than just giving a warning to others. You see, my sister knows that only the Elements can stop her, so she will try and destroy them. I need somepony to hold her off while someone goes to locate them.
"Do you mean me?"
You are the only pony I can contact.
"But I'm just a fast-flier! And even then, I'm not all that fast!"
I will give you some of my power.
"Th-the power of an alicorn?!?"
Indeed. Young pegasus, what is your cutie mark?
"Uh, a lightning bolt and three stars."
Then I will give you power to boost your abilities. Your speed and stamina will be increased, and you will have some control over light.
"Light? Why light?"
Your stars.
"Oh."
Now please hold still: I am going to give you my power.
Lightning Dust nodded, and closed her eyes as she felt magic rush into her.
Don't worry, Storm. she thought. I'll be there to help. I'll be a superhero to protect you, so you don't need to protect me.
The Power Ponies and the Legend of the Two Sisters
Rainbow Storm looked around the large area that was the base of the Power Ponies in awe. There was training equipment, strange devices, and many books all neatly organized. Matterhorn was currently looking at the screen of a large computer, examining two images of the night sky.
"The stars moved!" she cried suddenly. "They've moving !"
"Sugarcube, stars don't move." said Mare-velous.
"Look at the pictures!" she pointed up at the screen. "One week ago, the stars were far enough away from the moon that you could clearly see each one. But now, they're partially next to it! Do you realize what this means?!?"
"That science is wrong?" asked Storm.
"What? No! It means that the legend is true! 'The stars will aid in her escape'! And they're moving closer to the moon to set the corrupted sister free!"
"Wait, so Lightning wasn't just saying that because she was delirious?" Storm's eyes widened. "Then somepony needs to stop the corrupted sister!"
"We need the Elements of Harmony, they can stop her!"
"The what?" asked Mare-velous.
"It says in the legend that the older sister used the Elements of Harmony to try and cleanse her sister, but they instead banished her to the moon. When the older sister returns, she will need them to use on the corrupted one!"
"Then where are the Elements?" asked Mare-velous. "We can go an' grab 'em before either sister returns and be all set!"
"It doesn't say in the legend!"
"So just ask somepony who would know where they are!"
"This legend is at least a thousand years old! Nopony will know where the Elements are, the best we can get is a hunch!"
"Lightning might know!" said Storm. "She had the vision, after all!"
"Is she awake?" asked Mare-velous.
"Still out cold!" called the dragon from the medical area.
"So what are we going to do?" asked Storm.
"I have a plan." said Matterhorn with a grin.
"Are ya talkin' about that idea you suggested to me earlier?" asked Mare-velous.
"Yes, yes I am. Since Lightning Dust is the only pony who knows where the Elements of Harmony are, all we can do is wait for her to wake up. But meanwhile, we'll need to hold back the corrupted sister so she doesn't hurt anyone. We'll need a whole team."
"I'm confused." stated Storm.
"Well, we're not the only ponies that have superpowers. Remember how I said you weren't a rogue one? We just need to find the rogue ones and have them help out."
"But we ain't gonna force nopony." said Mare-velous. "We're the good guys fer a reason."
"And I know who we're going to ask first." she turned towards Storm. "Rainbow Storm, would you like to join the Power Ponies?"
"Me?" asked Storm.
"Your necklace clearly has some sort of power. We could definitely use your help."
"Er..." Come on, Storm! Do it to protect Lightning! "Yes. I'll join."
Matterhorn smiled. "That's excellent. And since you're now a Power Pony, I can tell your our real names. I'm Snowfall Sparkle, but you may more commonly know me as Twilight Sparkle, inventor of the solar panel."
"You're Twilight Sparkle?!? The famous scientist?!?" cried Storm in surprise. "Oh my gosh, now that I realize it, it's so obvious!"
"That would be because of a spell I use. Unless you know my true name or see my cutie mark, you can't match me and the Masked Matterhorn together. I use the spell on everyone on our team."
"And Ah'm Jacqueline Apple." said Mare-velous. "Not that you'd know me, but it's best if ya know my name."
Storm nodded. "Cool."
"Spike!" called Snowfall. "Could you come out here please!"
"Sure thing!" responded the dragon, running out of the medical area.
"Spike helps us with all the stuff outside of fighting the bad guys. He even made our names and costumes! What do you think for Storm?"
"Hm..." Spike paused to think. "Zapp."
"Zap?" asked Storm.
"No, it's Zapp. Spelled z-a-p-p."
"Why two?"
"It's cooler."
"Can you make her a costume?" asked Snowfall. "We need to go out and talk with a few ponies."
"Sure thing!" Spike smiled. "I'll finish her outfit before you get back! And I'll make sure to keep an eye on Lightning Dust in case she wakes up."
Storm smiled at Spike, who smiled back to her.
"Now let's go find some other ponies to add onto our team!" said Snowfall.
"Who's first?" asked Jacqueline.
"A unicorn who has the Gems of Creation. Her name is Rarity."
Equestria would soon be ready to see their true leader once more. A thousand years under the rule of her foolish sister would be forgotten. The era of the night time would begin. Nightmare Moon would rein supreme.
You ponies shall understand when I return. Resistance will be unnecessary, for they will soon understand.
The stars were so close. It was almost time. Just a little bit longer.
Surely Celestia has tricked them into thinking that I was in the wrong. She will go. She is not needed. The ponies who fight in her name will only receive mild punishments, as they cannot resist the spell of an alicorn.
Nightmare Moon felt an odd sensation within her magic. As if somebody had been stealing it.
Ah, Celestia. Whatever you try to do with that will not work. I will beat you to the ground and destroy the Elements. After I use them to lock you away in the sun. Now, that will be revenge.
If she wasn't still just an imprint of the moon, Nightmare Moon would have throw her head back and cackled. She chose to think that cackle instead.
Ah-ha! AH-HA! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
