Replacement

by Sliver Swirl

Rating: everyone
Tags: Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Princess Celestia, Alternate Universe, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Princess Luna, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 3631

Princess Twilight has put to sleep, by the one she once trusted above all. While she sleeps, a civil war erupts and the only way to stop it is to find a Replacement for Twilight.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to MLP but Storyline is mine.

Princess Twilight has been put to sleep, by Princess Celestia. Celestia has lied and claimed Twilight has been practicing Disharmony and she had no choice but to act.

Equestria is on the edge of ruin, without it's newest Princess. Allies are lost and thise who remain protest the return of their beloved Princess.

Princess Celestia has no choice, she must find a replacement for Twilight to keep the peace. But when Celestia discovered that Twilight is in danger she must team up with Princess Cadance.

This team challenges of its own, when Princess Cadance hates Celestia for actions towards Twilight.

Can they protect Twilight? Or is somepony else protecting her, from the greatest threat there is Princess Celestia.

Published 2017-07-23 01:50:10 UTC
Last updated 2017-07-23 01:50:10 UTC

Stars that shine, to replace those who she the brightest.

Princess Celestia paced through the throne room. Tap, tap, tap, was the only sound that could be heard throughout the entire throne room. The guards were use to their Princess's behavior and ignored her.

Celestia finally stopped her pacing and sat on her giant golden throne. She remembered when Twilight was a small filly and Celestia use to spend many days pacing in throne room, worried that she would fail the young filly. She missed those days when Twilight was her family, and would always trust her and do as she said.

Twilight was usually the reason she was pacing and today was no different. She was like a daughter to Celestia but like all of Celestia's family she was constantly causing problems. Since Twilight's slumber....banishment the citizens of Equestria and it's allies were rioting.

At the beginning, it was just a few ponies. Who believed that Twilight deserved a proper trial instead of trusting her word; that Twilight had been led astray by Disharmony.

More ponies joined the protests and began rioting. Celestia tried her best to ease their fears, but nothing would work. Celestia had been forced to turn to her fellow Princesses for council. Which also had not ended well, Luna was enterally grateful to Twilight and valued her deeply as a friend. She then turned to Princess Cadance to use her magic to calm and sooth the crowds. But she also refused, Cadance had loved Twilight as much as Celestia and refused to turn on her.

The next day, Cadance joined the protesting for a trial for Twilight. Celestia was running out of options, talking had failed so now she began to take action.

She had an interview with Equestria Daily, where she stated that she deeply regretted her actions and the spell she used would last a thousand years. Celestia then said she would find a representative for Twilight, which made it seem she was still here. Celestia then promised to hand Twilight over to the best mages.

The protesting calmed down after that and many volunteered to help break the Alicorn's spell. Cadance herself volunteered, promising to free her sister. Celestia had put her top guards for Twilight's safety and her own. When Twilight woke she would tell all of Celestia's betrayal to herself and her secret duty.

Fortunately, she had many years for Twilight would not wake for a thousand years unless another Alicorn woke her. Which would never happen.

Celestia left the throne room, and walked down the halls, she was going to visit Twilight and Cadance. The halls had many memories and when she walked through, the memories hit one by one. Celestia had once walked these hall with Twilight, who would ask her a thousand questions with an unstoppable curiosity. Twilight had cried in these halls, she had smiled and once she had even called Celestia her mum.

Tears filled Celestia's eyes, why did Twilight try go against destiny. Why had she tried to destory Harmony. Why couldn't she stay as a protector of Harmony for the rest of her life? Why was Celestia feeling so conflicted, she had done her duty, hadnt she? The duty that caused her to sacrifice and sacrifice for the greater good. Why did she always have to suffer for the greater good?

Compose yourself, she said to herself. Celestia had been strong for a thousand years without her sister. She couldn’t break down just because she had lost her student and daughter. Equestria needed her to be strong, now that it had lost its newest Princess.

She took a deep breath as she arrived at Twilight's old room. Celestia knocked and waited, and waited. Until she heard hooves click on the other side. She saw her niece appear her hair sticking out, her crown wasn't on her head like usual and she had bags under her eyes.

"Welcome and thank you for com-" Cadance looked up and looked her in the eye. "Oh, it's you. Come to finish the job." Cadance said bitterly.

Celestia would have hanged her head in shame but she was the immortal ruler of Equestria. She wouldn't lower her head for anyone. "Hello Cadance, how is Twilight?" she said warmly, hiding the pain she felt on the inside.

"She is much better, now that you aren't poisoning her."

Celestia grimaced slightly and hoped that Cadance did not notice. "I would like a moment alone with Twilight."

"Yeah, I'll let you in here over my dead body."

"Cadance, this is not a request. Now move." Celestia commanded, flaring her wings. Cadance looked like she wanted to agrue, but backed down.

"I will have everypony out for a lunch break in five minutes. I suggest you wait out here." Cadance said, she then slammed the door in Celestia face. Celestia stood there and waited.

Until a group of ponies walked out, a majority of them giving her dirty looks, as they passed her. Celestia ignored them, she wasn't going to break down and admit she hated herself for what she had done. She had to be strong, she had too.

"The room is all yours, if I even find a hair out of place on her head....."

"You don't have to worry, my niece. I won't do anything."

Cadance nodded her head, but still give her a warning look as she walked pass. Celestia then shooed her guards away, she wanted privacy. Once everypony had left, Celestia let out a sigh.

She walked into the room and saw the bed. Twilight was laying there hooked up to a heart monitor, she looked as if she sleeping. Before Celestia could start crying and apologising, she noticed something. Twilight magic was sparking, it was building up.

When Twilight was a young filly, she had many meditation and magical exercises that she had to do daily. Celestia had discovered that missing even one day, could cause Twilight's magic to overload. It was unlike anything Celestia had ever seen, Twilight needed to train constantly to control her magic.

Celestia felt like a fool, Twilight had to train constantly to control her Unicorn magic. Twilight now had all three ponies magic, she would need even more training to control her new gifts. Now she couldn't because Celestia's stupid mistake.

Twilight need the magic to have outlet while she was in her coma. If Twilight did not have an outlet, she would go mad. Celestia had to fix this.

She knew only one way, but it would make Twilight hate her even more then she already did. Celestia had to be strong, she would help Twilight even if the cost was her relationship with her.

Celestia stroked Twilight's mane and planted a kiss on her forehead. "I will protect you, I promise" Celestia whispered, making sure the world knew of her promise. She then walked out of the room and left to find the only pony who could help her. A certain Princess who was eating in the dining room.

"Why should I help you?" Cadance asked her Aunt.

"You would not be helping me, but Twilight."

Cadance weighted her options, she would not give in. "If you truly want to help, you would release her."

Her Aunt shook her head, "I can't."

"It is not that you can't, you just won't. You're just scared that she will hate you, that she will despise you for your actions."

"I cannot release her, Cadance. If you will not help me then Twilight will be doomed and it will be your fault."

"I will help you, but on a single condition. This Unicorn or Pegasus or Earth pony will be bonded to Twilight not you or me or Luna. This means no interferring with her and I want her have Twilight's best interests at heart. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes. Let us begin."

Cadance left with her Aunt, they had a long night ahead of them. They would be choosing the perfect pony to help Twilight and represent her.

When the night was over, they had found her. A unicorn by the name of Starlight Glimmer, she was the one who would save Twilight.

Starlight entered Canterlot Castle, she had been summoned by not only one but two princesses. She walked towards the throne room knowing that she would be able to find one of the Princesses holding court.

Starlight arrived only to find that, there were several guards blocking the doors with their wings. She flashed a piece of paper, and the guards lowered their wings and allowed her entry.

The throne room was a large room, but there were no decorations or furniture beside a large golden throne, cushions and banners. The cushions and banners were a deep shade of purple, with the symbol of Equestria. The symbol of Equestria was the two regal Alicorns, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

Starlight noticed the Princess sitting on her golden throne, looking regal and perfect, she had to talk to the Princess. As she began to make her way, she noticed the long que to get to the Princess. It was going to be a long morning.

After waiting many hours, it was finally her turn to speak with the Princess. She approached the throne, but the Princess payed her no attention. This frusrated Starlight, the Princess asked her to come and all that had happened so far was Starlight waiting for hours. Be calm, be calm, deal with the Princess today take over cutie marks tomorrow.

Starlight waited patiently, and dipped into a bow. Until the Princess, noticed her but still continued to read the stupid piece of paper.
"How can I help you my little pony?"

"I don't know, maybe I should be asking you that question. My name is Starlight Glimmer and I was summoned here by you."

Starlight watched as the Princess, lower the documents she was reading and watched Starlight. She wasn't sure if it was good or not that the Princess was watching her so intently. The Alicorn might discover her plans.

"Welcome to Canterlot Castle, Starlight Shimmer." Princess Celestia said, smiling warmly. "You may rise."

Starlight stood up straight, avoiding looking the Princess in the eye. "Let me finish up here, and then we can begin."

The Princess spoke in quiet tones to her secretary, pointing to the documents. Princess Celestia then turned to the guards, "Please tell Princess Cadance that our guest is here, she should be in Princess Twilight's room."

The Princess then stood up, abandoning her golden seat. "Let us have lunch, Starlight. Follow me please."

Starlight followed the Alicorn, ponies bowing as they passed. She stood a little taller, and acted a little more regal. The Unicorn felt as if the ponies were bowing at her, instead of the Princess. She like this feeling of being in power.

They walked out the door and wandered through the halls, heading towards the dining room. They walked into the Dining room, breaking the silence. "This is the Dining room" the Princess stated, as one of guards following them opened the door.

The Dining room was a medium sized room. It was decorated with a long table that could fit hundreds, the table was covered with a sliver fabric and sliver utensils. The walls were decorated with various artworks and banners, and overall the room was very beautiful Starlight noted.

There was only a single pony sitting at the table, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. The Princess noticed them and glared at Princess Celestia. "Cadance, thank you for coming. This is Starlight Glimmer." The Princess said, stepping aside to let Starlight be seen by Cadenza.

Princess Cadenza stood up and put on a happy warm smile, opposite to the look she showed Princess Celestia. "It is lovely to meet you, my name is Princess Mi Amore Cadenza but everyone calls me Princess Cadance. Please sit, the food will be ready shortly."

Starlight sat next to Princess Cadance while Princess Celestia sat at the head of the table. It was a tense silence, with the animosity between the two Princesses. Starlight felt quite awkward and turned away from the tense atmosphere. She looked towards the walls decorated with artworks. Her favourite so far was a painting of famous mage, Magnus Magnet, an expert in positive and negative magic, and how to tell the difference between the two. Magnus Magnet was a known blank flank throughout a majority of his life, and still lived a happy life. He was an inspiration to Starlight, as he showed Equestria you don't need your cutie mark to be happy.

"Starlight, lunch has been served." Princess Cadance said, breaking Starlight concentration on the painting. She looked at the table, which now had more food then Starlight had ever seen on one table.

Starlight used her magic to place a dish in front of herself, on the dish was cucumber sandwiches, olives and cheese. She began to tuck in, eating the sandwhiches when Princess Cadance cleared her throat.

"You must be wondering why we summoned you?"

Starlight nodded her head, as her mouth was full of food.

"What do you know about the Royalty of Equestria?"

She swallowed her food and began to talk, "There are the Royal Sisters, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia who are both Alicorns. Prince Blueblood, who is a distant relative of Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight who is also a Alicorn and is Princess Celestia's Student and Princess Cadance sister. Princess Cadance is the niece of both Princesses and a Alicorn."

"That is all correct" Starlight smiled "except for one thing Princess Cadance is not an Alicorn."

"What?! What is she?"

"I am a winged unicorn, not an Alicorn."

"A winged unicorn?"

"A winged unicorn is a combination of a unicorn and a pegasus. An Alicorn is created when a new type of magic created, however there are certain requirements, such as you must be an unicorn. A unicorn is not tied to the earth not the sky, it is in between so it can be tied to both. Princess Cadance was born a Pegasus, she wad born tied to the sky and cannot be tied to the Earth like an Alicorn is."

"What is your point?" Starlight asked.

"We can turn you into a pony like me, you would be a Princess."

Starlight was immediately suspicious, nothing was without a catch in this world. What would Starlight have to risk to have the power to do everything she wanted.

"What is the price?"

The Princesses both avoided Starlight's eyes before Princess Cadance spoke, "There is a price, a combination of two races takes the power of an Alicorn. To take a new form you must be bonded to her."

"Her?"

"Princess Twilight, I am bonded to Princess Celestia. A combination is bonded to an Alicorn, if the Alicorn dies there is a chance that you will also."

"Why would I also die?"

"A combination only exists because of the Alicorn magic, without the Alicorn magic neing constantly fueled into your system you won't be able to survive."

Starlight was calculated the risks, if she was bonded to Princess Twilight she would have a chance to manipulate her. She would also have the chance to manipate the other Princesses because of Princess Twilight's connections. If she said no, her plans may never come to friction, but she would have a guranteed chance of living a long life.

"What is your choice?"

"What is the rush?" Starlight ask, shouldn't she be given a chance to think it over. Why would they rush, was there another reason for the spell beside creating a new combination.

"There is chaos, without Twilight. We need a representive for Princess Twilight, this isn't about you transforming. It is about something more." Princess Celestia said.

Starlight was now intrigued, being a representative meant having all of Princess Twilight's power until she woke up. Which could be a thousand years at the rate. She couldn’t pass up this deal.

"I accept." Starlight said.

Both Princess stood up, with matching smiles. "Then let us begin."

"Now? What about lunch?"

"Food, can wait. We will begin now, follow us and embrace your destiny." The Unicorn abandoned her seat at the dining table and followed the two Princesses out the door.

Cadance watched from the sidelines, as Celestia prepared the Unicorn to be transformed. Cadance remembered when it was her, being prepared to be combined.

Cadenza was just a small pegasus filly adopted by earth ponies. She was a distant relative of the Princess, which had been discovered when Celestia visited the small village. The Princess had been very lonely when they first met and missed her sister, she wanted a family again. Cadance decided she would transform and be bounded to her Aunt, but there was a cost.

There was no normal life, that Cadance dreamed of. She was destined to live as long as her Aunt did, to forever protect her from harm.

Cadenza didn't know the cost, when she agreed. Starlight didn't either but this time but It was for a good cause. Twilight was the most special and important filly in Cadance's life and she would never abandon her.

"Let us begin." Celestia voice echoed in the small room, in which they had chosen to do the spell in. "Starlight, if you ready step into the circle."

Starlight stepped into the circle of runes that had been drawn on the floor. Cadance forced herself to watch, she would need the guidance of fellow Princess.

Cadance channeled her magic, and brought Twilight into view. She was lying in a hospital bed, she looked to be in pain and her horn was sparking.

Starlight looked scared, when she saw Twilight's horn. She might try to escape Cadance thought, she refused to let Starlight try and stood guard, flaring her wings.

It had began, Cadance noted. As she watched Starlight's body turn white, then screaming began. Her body was being twisted into a new shape, and Cadance tensed. She remembered that pain, the pain of transforming.

She forced herself to remain, yet again remebering how she felt when no one came to rescue. To rescue her from the pain.

"You can look Cadenza, it is finished. You can check on her and I'll escort Twilight to her room."

Cadance nodded and when towards the once unicorn. She checked her over, she had fainted which was unsurprising. Starlight. She was taller then before and had one long horn and no wings. Cadance picked up Starlight using magic and placed her on her back. Cadance was taking her to the clinic, for a full magic scan. To discover what combination she was.

Cadance ran as fast as she could through the halls. She wanted to get the results as quickly as possible. She arrived at the clinic and was seen immediately by the doctor, she had asked for before, predicting Starlight would need to have magical scan
Within fifteen minutes, Starlight was on a table, hooked up to the machine, being examined.

A sheet of paper was printed out and the doctor announced the results. "She has unicorn magic, but there is a second type of magic."

"What is it?" Cadance said eager to know. She had never seen a combination like this.

"It is Earth pony magic. If possible I would to keep her here for a further check up."

"Of course, call me when she awakes and please test how strong both her Unicorn and Earth pony magic is."

"Of course, Princess Cadance."

Cadance left the earth pony with a horn, to rest. She had more important things to do, she had to prepare to train and raise Starlight to hone her new gifts.

Spike sat on the roof of the castle, it was a gift from Princess Luna. It was to be his new home, he could barely stand the library now that Twilight was no longer in it.

He heard hooves come towards his direction, Spike knew it was a guard because of the distinct metal sound of the armor. "Princess Spike, we have news."

He left the ledge and turned towards the guard, he was bowing. "Rise, could you please tell me the news."

The guard rose from his bowing position, and passed a newspaper using his magic.
Spike grabbed it with his claw and read the article on the front cover.

The Newest Lady of Canterlot Castle
Our latest sources have informed us that we have a new member of the Royal family. A new princess, Princess Starlight Glimmer. Princess Starlight, is our second non-alicorn Princess in history. The first non-alicorn Princess, is Princess Spike who has mysteriously disapeared after his coronation following Princess Twilight's slumber. Princess Celestia herself has confirmed that she will be representive for Princess Twilight, replacing Princess Spike. It is rumored that our newest celebrity is distantly related to one of th-

Spike slammed the newspaper shut, how dare they! They had created a new combination. They had forced Twilight to create this!

The guard trembled, and Spike sent him away. He would free Twilight, no matter who had to pay the price. He would become powerful, so that he could free her. Spike calmed himself and sent a letter, he had to prepare himeself. He had to become an adult, and leave behind the pathetic Spikey Wikey to win.

He would be the dragon to protect the Princess, forever.

Author's Note

Hi,
I meant to publish this ages ago, but was never quite hapoy with it. So after editing and rewriting, it's finally finished.

Thank you for reading and tell me if there are any mistakes that you noticed or if anything doesn't make sense.

Hope you enjoyed

Sliver Swirl