Fears of Bygone Eras

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 8

Prologue

“So, this is how it goes, huh? All that work was for nothing. All that strain and death and blood and it lead to what? Some happy ending this is. Guess there isn’t really anything to do about it now, though, is there. I mean, we’ve already managed to destroy the world. It isn’t like there is anything else I can do to make things worse. I probably just bit myself in the tail, didn’t I?”

…

“I… I really can’t do that. That doesn’t sound like me. It never did, didn’t it? Why is that voice mine and why is it not at the same time? What the heck am I even doing, thinking that it was all for nothing. This was the best option, we knew it from the beginning. My blood brother, my sister, my pack, everyone made this sacrifice knowing full well what would happen. We did everything we could to make this option not be the only option, but we failed.”

“Guess that’s what I’ve always been, and that isn’t going to change. I failed to save so many, and I failed to kill those who were bringing harm. I was trained to kill, trained to fight, trained to hunt, and I’ve done nothing but prove I’ve gotten nowhere in life. I’m still the same blind pup I was when I was exiled, when I chose to spare instead of kill. Perhaps being stuck in the void of times is exactly the right place for me.”

…

“Wait… what is that?”

“H-h-h-hello?”

“Hey! Can you hear me! I… I recognize your voice but I can’t remember your name. I’m Silvia, who are you?”

“I-I-I don’t know… I’m too scared to think right now. I don’t know how I got here. What am I doing here? The darkness is scary. I want my mommy back! Give her back to me!”

“A child? Here? No, she sounds to old but… Okay, listen up, I think I see you from where I am right now. I don’t know where your mommy is, but I can promise to keep you safe from the darkness for as long as necessary. I give you my promise. Do you see me? The big furry creature in the void?”

“Y-y-yes. I-I-I think, but you look just as scary as everything else here. Your eyes, your teeth, and there is something else about you that terrifies me. I… I know you! I don’t know who you are, but I do at the same time. Are you the reason mommy isn’t here? Did you do something to her Silvia? Is it that magic I see around you.”

“So I never turned back when I died. Listen, Rana, can I call you that for now? I know I must look like something out of your nightmares, but I promise you I have no intention of harming you. My fur will keep you warm and comfy, and I’ll hold you for as long as we drift. Understand.”

“O-okay. I’m coming over.”

…

“Yes, that’s it, a little closer. A little closer. I think I can…”

“S-s-s-silvia, why are you staring at me? You look so angry when your staring. Is there anything I can do to help you or-”

“You’re… just a light! Not a wolf, not a pony, not a dragon or paradox, just a light!”

“Silvia, why do you look so angry? Do you… not actually like me? Silvia?”

…

“Forgive me, Rana. That was wrong, but you see I’m not exactly in a better position myself. All things considering, I just met the last moments of my life.”

“You’re dead? But then how can I be here? Am I dead? No, that would mean I could never join mommy again, or see my sister! I don’t want that, I really don’t want that!”

“I don’t know if you’re dead, Rana. This isn’t just the plane of death we are in after all, and truthfully no one else should be here, but it’s nice to not be alone. Come closer, I hold you while you cry… there. Light or not, you can cuddle up in my fur anytime you want. Tell me, Rana, you want to hear a story? We’ve got all the time in the world, and nothing else to do.”

“Sure. What kind of story is it? Is it a happy story.”

“I… guess you could say it’s a happy story. It may not seem like the best result, but the stories are never truly happily ever after. That’s what I always believed, because there will always be someone who disagree with actions, or the telling of it, or believe those who were wrong were right.”

“Well… could you tell me it, the story? I still want to know how it goes. I like stories.”

“I’m sure you do, and I would be more than happy to. Not long ago, in a kingdom much like the one we lived in, was a princess. The princess, being royalty, was to be given everything, as was the wish of her mother. Whatever toy she wanted, whatever skill she wanted to learn, she would be allowed it, and no one ever would tell her she was wrong. In the eyes of the nobility, common folk, and others low or high, the princess was always right, and she never knew wrong.”

“That’s… that sounds wonderful.”

“It does, doesn’t it? I sometimes wish of the world where I too was given all I wanted, but as I’ve come to learn there is no true happiness in that. The princess learn that same thing too, later in life, for when she truly wanted to challenge herself no one would let her. They saw her as perfect, but she saw herself as the most imperfect being that was ever born.”

“What did she do? Did she change their minds? Did she show them how she truly felt?”

“No, she didn’t. The princess had gotten to the point where she believed even telling them to not treat her as perfect would be useless. Nonetheless she was fed up with that life and with everything she had been given. So, she ran away, and by doing so lived a happy life traveling the world. She made friends and lost some, saved the world, and finally found a way to challenge herself. It was only when the princess knew true challenge did she grow, and she had finally obtained it.”

“That’s a nice story. I’m glad the princess got a happy ending. She deserved it.”

“Yes. I too believe that the path she would have gone if she stayed would only lead her people to ruin, but was it really the right choice?”

“What do you mean?”

“There is actually more to the story, telling about how in the princess’ absence her mother was left alone with nothing to hold on to. When her mother died, the kingdom fell to pieces, and with no heir to the throne it would fade into history and never be remembered.”

“What? That’s terrible! Why would that happen? Couldn’t the queen have just had another heir?”

“You see what I meant earlier about different ideas? It may seem rational to do just that, but imagine suddenly losing the most important person in your life? Could you just replace them?”

“No.”

“Exactly. As sad as it is, with every ending that seems happy there is always something that could have been better. That story is no different.”

…

“Silvia?”

“What is it Rana?”

“Would you be my mommy till I leave?”

“Why would you want that? I never really saw myself as a motherly figure, or someone who would even have children.”

“It’s just, I’ve gone so long in my life without anyone besides her, and it’s scary being away from her hooves. So please, Silvia, will you be my mommy till I find my way back to her.”

“Heh, you’re a strange one, that’s for sure. If it makes you feel happy, than yes, I would gladly watch you in her stead. Just never forget that she is the reason you exist, alright?”

“Right, and my name isn’t Rana.”

“You wanna tell me it then? What is your name, little light.”

“Luminous.”

…

“L-l-luminous?”

“That is my name, Luminous Oracle.”

…

“Silvia?”

“Oh no, if she is here then... what the heck actually happened to Equestria?”

Vaatidj presents

Fears of Bygone Eras

Author's Note

And so, it begins...

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two ruling sisters. Each sister governed a celestial body, with the eldest raising the sun, and the younger the moon. When an event caused the two sisters a thousand years of separation, the eldest sought out a pupil to save her sister from the nightmarish influence that had taken her. That pupil not only succeeded, but later joined the two as one of the four alicorns of Equestria, governing peace and promoting friendship to lands far and wide.

In time, the sisters realized that the pupil had far surpassed them. With each year they slowly but steadily grew weaker, while the young alicorn seemed to only become stronger. In time, the princess realized that they were no longer the protectors or rulers that Equestria needed. So they gave the throne to the young alicorn, and disappeared into the lands. Not one day since the passing of the crown to Queen Twilight has any true knowledge of the old rulers whereabouts been recovered. All that is known is a prophecy given to the new queen in the last dream the youngest sister visited her in.

“A time will come when that which should be impossible occurs. In those days, look back to us, and you’re heart will show the way.”

“Wait, four?” A pegasus asked, her flank leaving the ground as the carriage went over another root. Her pitch black coat would have hidden her in it’s shadow if it wasn’t for her red eyes and wild mustard yellow mane. “Celestia, Luna, Twilight… hm, I can’t think of another.”

“I’m not surprised you wouldn’t know, considering the crystal empires current... attitude,” The earth pony across from her explained. He bent down to help her back onto her hooves. “Empress Flurry Heart is one as well, as was her mother but she, like the ruling sisters disappeared.”

The pegasus looked back to the book in her hooves, unsure of what to make of this revelation. It was strange how the author had decided to write it, shaping each new part of Equestria’s history as if it were a folktale. She didn’t have this kind of reading back home, though that was mainly due to being in one of the most remote edges of the continent. All the reading she was used to was from other lands, places like the Dragonlands or Yakyakistan where her mother worked. Charms, culture, art, her mother’s line of work allowed her to value that stuff on a daily basis, while she was at home frolicking in acres of grassy fields and played with butterflies.

Yet here she was, on her journey east to meet a friend she hadn’t met in… how long has it been? Time had always been a bit funny to her, and she didn’t really know if it was right to say fifteen years or seventeen. She would have to ask, though losing track of the years as young as herself really shouldn’t happen. A nineteen year old mare should be the last one to have a memory that bad, but time and place was never her strong suit. She was more like the wingmare helping her friend work up the nerve to go and ask the stallion of her dreams out.

She had to giggle to herself at that thought.

“So, first time to Canterlot, right?” The stallion asked, a wide smile on his face.

“Yeah, guess it is,” The mare responded. She held the book tight to her chest. “I stayed put for so many years out of fear of screwing something up, but it’s time! I’m ready to leave home and journey out into the unknown!”

“Allow me to be your first friend on this expedition of yours then,” He bowed courteously, causing the mare to roll her eyes. She could tell he was simply trying to impress her, work his way up to asking her out only to learn that the pony in front of him was not one for romance. “The name’s Wood Roast. I run a pizza establishment in Ponyville Commons. I get off before you, but would you mind telling me your name Ms…”

“Luminous Oracle,” She dipped her head to the stallion, giving a smile that sent the poor guy into a furious blush. “I… live kinda out in the middle of nowhere, I guess you can say. Mother does odd jobs as a guard for hire or something around the world so she is one of the few… ponies that I have any contact with. Everyone else I knew has kinda, sorta, left.”

“I-I’m sorry to hear that,” Wood Roast responded, looking away with shame. “I apologize if I’m being more… forward than your used to. If you want, I'll stop talking. Sounds hard being so alone.”

Luminous had to give the stallion credit, he at least genuinely seemed to care about her. So many times she had gotten letters from her old friends in Canterlot and Ponyville saying how much ponies could be “sleazebags”. Ponies who only act nice because they thought you looked cute and didn’t really care. Those were not the kind of individuals she wanted them to associate with. Yet something about him told Luminous that he was not one of these ponies.

“No, you’re good. Truth be told it feels good to get that off my chest,” Luminous explained. “My mother wasn’t really a very protective pony. Don’t get me wrong, if a manticore came at me she would rip it’s neck out or throw it miles away,” Hearing that description made Wood Roast shiver. He didn’t want to know what would happen if somepony ever tried to date her. “Though she would always inch me towards leaving home, doing my own thing, but I was just so happy that I didn’t want to go. I already miss it all, especially the butterflies that would swarm me in the dead of night.”

“I take it you are a big fan of nature,” Wood Roast said. Luminous looked out the wagon at the forest and trees passing by.

“Guess you can say that,” She answered. “I see pictures of cities and towns and none of them hold the same beauty nature does. What wow factor can you get for grey marble and stone? What beauty can you extract from an environment so… so…”

Wood Roast quickly realized what she was trying to say. “Congested?”

“I’ve never heard of the word before but, yeah, congested sounds about right,” Luminous nodded happily. Seeing the mare smile made Wood Roast’s heart flutter. “Too many ponies around to enjoy what beauty there is. If it wasn’t for my friend, I don’t think I would have even wanted to leave.”

“But here you are, off to Canterlot of all places, meaning that you must care about her a lot,” Wood replied.

Luminous nodded, thinking back on the fun times she had had with those who she considered her best friends. Of all of them, the two that she always thought back to were Thunder Shield, her old coltfriend, and Psyche. Nopony knew the mare’s last name; she had just appeared in the woods one day. A blind pony, who refused to take off that blindfold from around her eyes despite not needing it in the first place. She also seemed to have a hard time with emotions, unable to understand happiness or grief even after explaining it so many times.

“I do care for her, though I’ll admit on more than one occasion I’ve worried about her,” Luminous finally responded, closing her eyes as she remembered the form of her dear friend: a brilliant gold coat, green eyes, and a teal mane and tail which dragged across the floor. “I’ve always wondered how she gets around, not being able to see anything.”

“Ah, blind is she?” Wood asked, earning a nod from Luminous once again. “She sounds like a strong pony, though I would worry too when if I were to find out such a thing,” A whistle sounded from the front of the carriage. “Already?”

Luminous tilted her head in confusion. “What’s going on?”

“The whistle means the next stop is here, which means that we are already closing in on Ponyville Commons,” Wood Roast explained. Luminous leaned out the back of the carriage, spotting a large structure in the distance. She had no idea what it was, but from the shape to the almost crystalline look of it, this was no normal building. “Hard to believe that some years ago this place was just a little town next to the Everfree. You taking the train or the carriage to Canterlot?”

“The carriage, that’s what I planned around,” Luminous responded, taking out a small bag of bits. “Besides I’m...never mind. I’ll try and stop in for a slice on my way home. How does that sound?”

“Always happy for more customers,” Wood Roast replied. With those words, the ride fell quiet.

As much fun as Luminous had with her time talking to Wood Roast about this and that, it was nice to have the carriage all to herself. Western Equestria, despite being settled, wasn’t really a place many ponies were focusing on at the moment. The quiet days Luminous would spend at home doing whatever she wanted was some of the best days of her life. Baking with her mom, writing to friends in far off places, flying as high as the sky would let her. She couldn’t imagine doing the same things in a place like Manehattan or Canterlot. There was probably some rules against it and she’d end up in jail for having too much fun.

Luminous thought back to what she had read in the book earlier that day, about the sudden disappearance of the royal sisters. No text she read had any mention of their great deeds before Queen Twilight is first mentioned, no tell of the great things they did for Equestria their supposed thousand-year rule. It seemed like Queen Twilight and her companions were the greater heroes according to the exploits listed. Luminous couldn’t help but wonder if, when she got to Canterlot, telling the queen this would be a good idea or not.

Heck, she didn’t know anything about the equestrian royalty, and she was a citizen for goodness sake! News that took a day or less to arrive in Ponyville or Vanhoover would take three times as long to reach the frontier, perhaps longer. When Queen Twilight was crowned they had found out a full week late for reasons nopony knew. It was probably the one downside Luminous could think about home, asides for the loneliness, but more times than not she didn’t really care for it anyways. There always seemed to be so much bad happening in the rest of the world she was glad not to be a part of it.

Some of it is to be expected though. Her mother had told her about the trouble going on with other countries, some of which across the Pegacific Sea (a name that might be changed if things papers are to be believed). The Crystal Empire blamed Equestria for the disappearance of Empress Mi Amore Cadenza and Emperor Shining Armor, though considering a similar incident happening here with the former rulers, it wasn’t likely that wasn’t the case. Rising tensions between the reviving griffon empire and Dragonlands was another thing happening, though Luminous suspected it was just two headstrong factions after each others necks.

No, the real juicy information was the stuff that was right at home. The upcoming festival of the two sisters was an event that pony, dragon, griffon, and changeling alike was looking forward to. To many, it seemed like the one time of the year where no hostility was present between nations, but nothing could be further from the truth. For the first time since Acting Empress Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire took her mother and father’s seat, the mare would be coming to Equestria. Many believed that letting someone who was considered a danger to Equestrian society into such an event was blasphemous. A country founded on the idea of companionship and love allowing a leader so hellbent on crushing it. To say that Queen Twilight was receiving criticism for the act was accurate.

Luminous sighed. “Why are ponies so obsessed with ruling each other?”

Where Wood was some time ago a newspaper now sat, probably left behind by the stallion in his hurry back to his restaurant. Luminous had been staring at it for who knows how long, and as she did the sudden change in sunlight more than took notice. With yet another sigh, she looked outside to she that what she believed was correct. What was once a sunny day suddenly turned into black night. She couldn’t tell if she was in a grassy field or a thick forest, but either way it didn’t matter. She knew in a matter of seconds the night would fade back to day, as it always did.

“At least you were boring this time,” Luminous said to no one.

Just as suspected, the sudden night faded back into day. If she had been seven, maybe eight, it would have scared, but not anymore. She knew for a fact that she was the only pony seeing what was happening in those few moments. It was more than just the world turning to night, but she was too far from society for that to be noticeable. Those first few nights, when her mind suddenly caught this strange phenomenon, were the worst days of her childhood, but now she was more interested in what differences she could perceive in those cases. Perhaps it was different flowers blooming, or creatures long extinct showing up.

“Well, no use crying over spilled milk,” She told herself, smiling. “Just means no waking up in the middle of the night thinking “is that what it means” or something like that. Better getting that out of the way now than when I’m shopping with Psyche. Last time that happened I almost got kicked out.”

Luminous shivered as she remembered the scary mare who ran the local general store back home. Never again would she make the mistakes she made back then. Never again.

“Last stop, Canterlot! Everypony off!” The Carriage driver called from the front seat, many hours later. “Last stop, Canterlot! Thank you for riding with the Equestria Carriage Service! Have a nice day!”

Grabbing her suitcase, Luminous shouted a thank you from where she sat and jumped out of the carriage. Ever since her little reality bending experience earlier, nothing really noticeable had happened. The sun was starting to set over the horizon now, the sky radiating pink. She could hear a train pull into the nearby station, through a wall broke her line of vision from it. As she tried to lift her suitcase into the air, she noticed that it suddenly felt a lot heavier than it had earlier. With a sigh Luminous set it on the ground nearby and opened it up, noting just how much she had stuffed it.

“How did these get in here?” Luminous said, noticing that lots of gemstones had been unknowingly mixed in with her belongings. “Very funny Glyph. Very, very funny.”

“You need help there Ms?” Someone asked from behind the pegasus, tapping her on the shoulder.

Luminous froze at the touch, knowing straight away that wasn’t a hoof that had just hit her skin. Slowly looking behind her, a wave of fear hit her as she saw what could only be described as the most terrifying thing in her life. Right there, standing with its arms crossed, was a dragon easily twice her size. It’s purple scales seemed to shine against the fading sun’s rays, long white claws at the end of it’s fingers. Luminous felt her heart beating so quickly that it might explode, having no idea what to say in front of something so much bigger than herself.

“Um, Ms?”

“Dragon!” Luminous suddenly shouted, a surge of strength allowing her to pick up her suitcase with her hooves.

Strength that she then used to deck the dragon over the head with said suitcase, sending him sideways a good few feet. All of Luminous’ stuff, along with the gemstones, flew out at the impact covering the ground, the pegasus getting hit with a bottle of shampoo. A nearby couple, who had witnessed the entire thing unfold, quickly left the scene. It took Luminous a few minutes to piece together what she had done, and more so realize the mistake she had made.

She had just smacked a dragon, an actual fire breathing dragon, in the face!

“Oh god I’m so so sorry,” Luminous apologized, covering her head in fear. “I swear I didn’t mean to do it. It was just reflex and you scared me. Please don’t call the guards or-”

“Relax, you’re fine,” The dragon said. Luminous looked up to see that the dragon currently had on of the gemstones from her suitcase in his claw. Without a second thought, or even considering that it was the pegasi's, he bit it in half and started chewing. “Silvia was right about your strength though. I just never thought you would actually be strong enough to move me.”

“What can I say. When your mom is of a nearly extinct race of warriors and tribes, you tend to be a little stronger than you look,” Luminous responded. The dragon’s words finished settling in her head, and she quickly realized something. “Wait, you know my mom?”

“Helped a friend of mine from the Dragonlands. Had the pleasure of meeting her a few weeks back,” The dragon explained, a goofy smile on his face as he swallowed the rest of the gem. Luminous, even though she knew about dragon’s appetite for crystals, was surprised that his stomach could handle such a thing. “She told me you would be here, so I decided to say hello. Didn’t realize that the “cute little muffin” she mentioned was a pony.”

“Yep, that sounds like her,” Luminous muttered, rolling her eyes. “How did you even know it was me, considering you didn’t-” She stopped, a realization suddenly hit her. “It was the gems, wasn’t it?”

“If I remember correctly,” Spike coughed as he prepared to imitate Silvia. “Her words were something along the lines of “She has no idea who you are so expect to be either suplexed or punched five feet into the air if you meet her”,” Luminous blushed. That definitely sounded like her mom. “The gems were just an added bonus. Anyways, name’s Spike. Friendship adviser and… yeah, friendship adviser.”

Luminous giggled to herself, shaking her head at the dragon’s actions.

“Luminous Oracle,” The pegasus replied, reaching her hoof out. As Spike grabbed it, she flinched a little out of fear once again, though kept her cool long enough for a firm handshake. “Sorry to ask, but would you mind… you know?”

“I guess I am part of the reason your stuff is everywhere, isn’t it?” Spike asked, looking around at the collection of books, clothes, gemstones, and hygiene products scattered around the ground. “Well can’t really say no then, right?”

“Don’t think the Queen would be too happy if you did,” Luminous jokes. Spike looked away and nodded. Unknown to the mare, what she had just said was all too true.

Without a word, the two got to work, picking up everything that Luminous had brought with her and sorting it back to how she had it before. Having no need for the gemstones, and having a feeling her mom put it in there specifically for the dragon, she gave Spike the go ahead to take them for himself. The look on his face when she said that was like a foal on Hearth’s Warming Eve opening presents. What she didn’t notice, however, was the dragon looking at her with avid curiosity, or more specifically to her flank.

At that moment, he realized that the pony he was talking to, a nineteen year old mare, still had no clue as to her special talent.

Chapter 2

An excerpt from A History of Equestrian Military: Chapter 14.1 - The Slaughter of the Red Ridge

In the years since Tholak, the fifteenth dragon lord of the Dragonlands, denounced the newly formed country of Equestria, much tension had arisen between the two nations. The Equestrian public’s opinion has turned in favor of war, with the pegasus strongly supporting such an action. This outcry only continued as news spread of draconic forces arming up for what seemed to many as an inevitable invasion. It grew once again when a pony family that had been living near dragon territory were taken into custody by soldiers and accused of infiltration. Equestria denied the action, but one month later had received a declaration for war.

Equestria, still young and dealing with severe problems of segregation among the three tribes, were not prepared when it came. Princess Platinum, then ruler of the throne, did what she could to request soldiers from the pegasi and earth ponies. The pegasi, knowing well what kind of foes the dragons were, not only agreed to this, but petitioned a draft. That draft was turned down when the earth ponies declined the offer, the AAL1 going into effect for the first time since its approval mere weeks earlier. While unicorns and pegasi forces bolstered the forts on the edge of draconic territory, they were still under armed and under manned for the impending attack.

Merely a week after the declaration of war, Dragon Lord Tholak marched on Fort Hail, located in an area known today as the Red Ridge. Compared to the dozens that occupied the fort, the Dragon Lord’s army had what is estimated to be around four hundred soldiers. The battle quickly turned into a slaughter, with the draconic forces quickly overwhelming Equestria. Those who surrendered were killed without hesitation, though a few were taken as prisoners and was never heard from again. In the end, the entire contingency of Equestria’s forces were defeated with the dragons suffering minimal casualties. This event has hence been called the Slaughter of the Red Ridge, and would be the only battle with Princess Platinum on the throne.

1 The Absolute Agreement Law (AAL) was a law past in Equestria’s early years, stating that any law, act, or stature present to Equestria acquired the agreement of all three tribes to pass. This law would later be discarded with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s rise to the throne at the end of the War of the Red North.

The following material was long deemed unallowed in all Equestrian educational material. That changed with Queen Twilight’s rise to the throne.

As Luminous waited for her tea, she had decided to read a little from another one of the books she had brought from home. Having been home schooled, she sometimes found herself looking at things other foals or mares would think of as boring. While she typically agreed, military had been one of Luminous’ biggest interests since she was little. She wanted to protect her mom just as much as her mom protected her. The problem with most textbooks, however, was that they were severely behind the times. Go back only a good three or four years and most textbooks would look completely different to now, especially concerning history.

The previous rulers, for how much they were held in high regard, had covered up the more blood parts of Equestria’s history. Despite being a land founded on harmony, it was still subject to the horrors that every other country had seen. Battles won and lost, but the specifics of some wars were always glossed over. Now, with educators having free reign over what parts of these battles and wars they could explain, many of those asking “how” could finally get answers. Luminous was one such individual.

“So your friend is a sculptor?” Spike asked. When they had finished picking up the dragon had offered a quick meal in apologies, and Luminous wasn’t one to complain. “That’s… pretty amazing. It’s hard to think that somepony unable to see could do such a thing, but you probably know her better than I do, huh?”

“Honestly, you’re guess would be just as good as mine,” Luminous responded. “Psyche is many things, a mystery one of them. I feel like every time I see her do something impossible, that little part of my brain that controls logic gets a little upset.”

“That’s a feeling I can relate to,” Spike said, laughing. “She sounds like a good pony, though.”

“Yeah,” Luminous closed her eyes as she thought of her dear friend. “Not the most emotional pony, but I don’t think I could have asked for anyone to call my best friend.”

The conversation was stopped as the waitress arrived with their drinks. In front of the pegasus now sat a cup of darjeeling tea a personal favorite of both her mother and herself. Looking to Spike, she saw a simple glass of orange juice in front of him. Lifting the cup to her mouth, she let the tea’s flavor hit her tongue, wincing as she realized it was still hot. Putting it back down to cool, Luminous looked to the waitress.

“Are you two ready for dinner?” She asked. Luminous looked to Spike, who in turn motioned for her to go first.

“Yes, I think we’re ready,” Luminous responded. “I’ll have egg drop soup, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“I’ll have an italian sub,” Spike told the waitress. “Don’t worry, I’m aware that all the meat is fake. I’ve lived in Equestria more than long enough to know that.”

“A regular like you doesn’t even have to ask at this point,” The waitress told the dragon. “I’ll take your menus and be back with your food in a few minutes.”

Handing the menus to the waitress, Luminous’ attention was drawn to the noise outside the shop. In the past few minutes the city streets had turned from relatively lifeless to full of energy, foals and elders alike making their way further into the city. Even though she knew she wouldn’t find her friend among the crowd, Luminous tried her best to look at every face she could in hopes of seeing her. As expected, however, when she started counting the same pony twice, she had no luck.

“Is it really that time of the day?” Spike asked himself. His question catching Luminous’ attention.

“Is something happening today? I thought that the festival of the two sisters wasn’t for another week or two,” Luminous asked. Spike nodded, pointing at the castle in the distance.

“Queen Twilight is going to make an announcement today at sunset, though it seems really early still,” Spike explained. “Well, not too early, but the Queen is the kind of pony who likes to do things on the dot.”

Luminous nodded her head as she turned her attention back to the window. In truth, she didn’t really know much about the Queen, once again due to where she spent most of her life before this point. When one rules Equestria, they don’t tend to visit some of the more secluded areas of their country, and the last time Luminous could even think she might have been there was when she was four years old. She remembered none of it, but according to her mother a sudden illness caused the queen to leave. That was back when Twilight was only recently crowned as well. Her sixth year of rule if Luminous remembered correctly.

It was than Luminous noticed an incredibly long, teal tail standing out at the back of the ground. Doing her best to get a better look at the pony in question, her mouth dropped open at what she saw. A pony with a cutie mark for sculpting, teal mane and tail, golden fur, and most importantly of all, a blindfold around her eyes. Luminous was, just like she had so many times before, been proven wrong at what her friend Luminous could and couldn’t do. The biggest thing, however, was just the fact she was here in the first place.

“So, I wouldn’t expect you to go to the speech considering your regions unfamil- Luminous?” Spike’s train of thought was cut off as he realized the mare who had been there a few seconds ago was now gone, replaced by a sticky note. Reading the note, he sighed. “Why does it always seem to be me?

She looked to her left, though she knew she wouldn’t see anything, she never did. Still, where her ears caught sound, her eyes seemed to follow behind. No one would see it, which was a good thing, but she couldn’t tell just how close she was from the pony next to her. She was taken unaware as she accidentally bumped into a shape next in front of her, a pony’s rear end if her skin felt it right. She fell to the ground, and by the sound of it so did the pony in front of her.

“Hey, watch where you’re going lady?” The stallion she had bumped into shouted. “How about using your eyes?”

“Don’t work, no reason to,” Psyche said, pointing to her eyes. If she could see, she would notice the stallion suddenly trying to find the words to apologize. She was already gone by the time he knew what to say. “Wonder why he was… mad? I think he was mad. This is why I don’t leave the house.”

Psyche shook her head, not needing to think about that right now. Today Queen Twilight would be revealing this year’s location for the festival of the two sisters. Most years, Psyche didn’t really care for what the princess had to say, and she didn’t get the same awe out of seeing the princess do to her lack of eyesight. This year was different, however, as two very specific things were happening at the festival. The first, and arguably less important in the face of most ponies, was that she was featuring her art during the festival.

The bigger one, and the one ponies saw as more important, was her best friend coming to visit. Psyche didn’t have too many friends, never really thinking she could remember what a pony act or sounded like long enough to make them feel distinct. One pony, however, was different in that regard, Luminous. Perhaps it was just that fact Luminous was one of the first ponies that she had actually had the pleasure of meeting. She was the first distinct voice that Psyche could not forget, one that, despite not being able to see, she had tried so many times to put a face to.

Psyche’s train of thought was interrupted as something tackled her to the ground, her lips connecting with marble streets. The pony responsible for tackling her hugged her neck tightly, their grip loose enough were she could breath but tight enough to keep her from moving. Psyche’s attempts to break free were paused as she heard a pony giggling, unable to tell if it was someone nearby or the one on top of her right now. What she could tell, was that the voice belonged to a very specific pony, one who she had been thinking of minutes earlier.

“Luminous, though I’m sure whatever your laughing at is funny, would you please get this pony off of me?” Psyche asked. “It seems that I am in danger of being strangled.”

“Never change Psyche,” Luminous said, nuzzling the back of her mane. “You do realize this pony “strangling” you is the same pony you’re talking to right?”

“I fail to see why you would greet a friend with such a violent action,” Psyche replied bluntly, Luminous only giggling more and squeezing the mare harder. “You haven’t been possessed again, have you?”

Luminous couldn’t help but roll her eyes; her friend had barely changed from the last time they had seen each other. To say Psyche had no understanding of emotions or friendly communication was an under exaggeration. The pegasus wasn’t sure how exactly, but she assumed that it might be because Psyche didn’t really have anyone growing up. As far as anyone knew the earth pony didn’t have any living family, and combined with her blindness her understanding of how ponies typically interact was very limited. Luminous couldn’t help but love her for it, though, seeing it less as a mental problem and more as what made Psyche so like and, in some ways, adorable.

“I request air,” Psyche said. Luminous finally let go at the request, Psyche taking a giant breath in as she felt her lungs start working again. The two got up from the ground, Psyche looking were she assumed Luminous to be, only to have her head moved in the opposite direction. “This would be where I say thank you, right?”

“Yep, though remember that there is a difference between hugging and choking in the future,” Luminous told her friend. “I didn’t think you would be out today? I was expecting to, you know, have to search the city top to bottom to find you.”

“Other than the fact I require subsidence, I must know where the festival is for my display,” Psyche explained as the two worked their way down the street. “If I’m correct, the right action would be for you to come join me that day.”

“I definitely plan on it, though I’ll have to decline if it is in a city like Manehattan or Los Pegasus,” Luminous said. “I know you don’t care, but at least Canterlot has some color and plant life. I feel like there is something natural about this place, or at the very least something more natural than dull brick and bland stone.”

Psyche couldn’t tell, but she was smiling. Though she had no idea what it was she felt deep inside of her, hearing her best friend’s voice brought a joy she didn’t - couldn’t - understand. Luminous was one of only two ponies to ever make her feel some sort of emotion, whether it be joy or sorrow, anger or continent. It had been years since the two actually had seen each other, but to reunited and notice that feeling again after all this time, it was something that she remembered Silvia referring to as “bliss”. It was a word she was unfamiliar with, and though she knew Luminous didn’t have the largest vocabulary, had to see if she knew.

“Luminous, do you know what bliss means?” Psyche asked.

“No, but the word feels right for this situation,” Luminous explained, giving a smile to the blind mare next to her.

As horns sounded in the distance, they stopped in the back of the crowd of ponies gathered in the streets. They were still some distance from the castle, but Luminous could make out a figure on the balcony. She knew it wasn’t the queen, as they had no horn or wings, and seemed significantly older than she believed Queen Twilight to be. When the horns died down, all the commotion in the streets too, everyone’s gaze fixed on that single pony on the balcony. Psyche could barely hear the pony clear her throat.

“It’s time,” She said. “Who is one the balcony?”

“An earth pony. Mare, old, never seen her in any of the papers,” Luminous replied.

“Good evening, citizens of Equestria!” The mare shouted, her voice just clear enough for Luminous to hear over the few whispering ponies around her. “Thank you for taking time out of your day to listen to our Queen’s semi-annual State of Harmony address. We ask that you please refrain from taking pictures during her majesty’s words. You will have time after.”

A single camera flash went off, and Luminous swear that she saw the mare shoot a stink eye at whoever had done it. It was only for a split second, however, as she immediately returned to her cheery tone from earlier. With a quick glance behind her and a nod, she continued.

“So please, welcome our fair rules and honored matriarch of Equestria, former bearer of the Element of Magic and the first pony to hold the position of queen. Citizens of Equestria, Queen Twilight Sparkle!”

As soon as the queen’s name was said, many ponies put their hooves to their chests with a smile. There was no clapping, no screams of joy or anything of the sort as Queen Twilight came out onto the balcony, and for the first time in years, Luminous finally got to see what she actually looked like. An alicorn, tall and proud, hair waving in the wind. She wore a silver chest piece embedded with purple gems, a larger one in the shape of a star on her chest. Unlike some of the gasps in the crowd, Luminous felt nothing special about the pony in front of her. It’s as if the way she looked made too much sense, that she had expected it.

Then, she heard something completely unexpected from the crowd. A song she had never heard in her life, with a choir of anywhere between hundreds or thousands of ponies, was sung.

We stand under the distant sky

But rise up to the Sun.

She takes our hooves into her warmth

And shows us all the way.

Her hoof brings us together,

And brings back the harmony

That long ago was broken when

All were our enemies.

Oh grand Equestria sun,

Oh grand Equestrian moon,

Oh grand Equestrian love and hope

Joined all in tune.

And now Equestria’s compass

Turns towards the company,

That we have all found in each other

That long ago saw us free!

No, Luminous did know this song, it was Equestria’s national anthem, but not how she remembered it. Yet that also wasn’t right, because this is how it should be, as it was changed when Queen Twilight took the throne. Her brain stopped for a second as that thought hit her, breaking all logic that she had known up to that point. Somehow she knew the song, but she had never heard of it, never seen it in a book, and by that means she shouldn’t know it changed. The crowd was on the second verse now, one that had received far less changes than the first.

Luminous looked to the queen, but when she looked up she saw no one. She took a step back, noticing how rapid the sunset had turned to night, almost unnaturally so. The same thing that happened in the carriage was happening again, but this time she was afraid. Not only was no one in the balcony, but no one was in the streets as well. All the singing had seized, as no voice carried it any longer. She took another step back, and as she did something caught her attention.

In the distance, Luminous could make out a form, falling from one of the castle towers. She was a pegasus, much like her, but something was off about it all. By all means she should be able to pull back up, stop her descent. It was only a few seconds later that Luminous noticed something, something she by all means couldn’t see but somehow knew was their. The pegasus had a broken wing, that much was clear, but they were clutching something in their hooves.

A foal! She had a foal in her hooves!

“No, no no no no,” Luminous said, having completely forgotten what she was seeing was not real. Her legs didn’t want to move, a feeling of fear coursing through her. “Somepony, anypony! Help me! I’m gonna die!”

“Thank you, my little ponies.”

Luminous suddenly found herself brought back to reality, Twilight’s words penetrating the image that her mind had created. Looking around her, Luminous found that everyone was back, a lifeless streets suddenly full of life once again. She looked up to Queen Twilight, and was shocked to see that the queen was looking back at her. She didn’t know how she could tell, but there was something inside of her that said the queen had her eyes on her. The crowd waiting for their Queen to start talking once again, unsure of why she had stopped after those first few words.

“Did something happen?” Psyche asked.

“Huh?” Luminous asked in confusion, her eyes finally tearing away from the queen. She didn’t notice it, but she also felt far more relaxed as her gaze shifted between targets.

“Typically, Queen Twilight doesn’t-”

“Apologies, my little ponies,” Twilight finally said, her voice causing the question in Psyche’s throat to die. “As you all know, two weeks from today, the twenty-fifth annual festival of the two sisters shall be held. That is a day for us to not only grow our bonds and make new ones, but also one of remembrances. That is a day to remember Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who held the crown for many years.”

“As many of you may know, some years ago, they disappeared. No hint as to where they have gone has been found despite our continual search. Celestia was my teacher, and Luna a dear friend,” Luminous could hear the joy fade from Twilight’s voice as she talked about the princesses. “And in a way, I have done them a disservice. One that I plan to correct.”

“Not once since I took my place as ruler has Canterlot ever held the festival, and that is wrong. This was their home, Celestia for a thousand years and her sister, though many less, spent every year I’ve known here in this city. Equestria did not start in Canterlot, but it’s where it grew its strongest. That strength not only came from us, but from their guiding hooves.”

“And so, it is my pleasure to announce that this year's festival of the two sisters shall be held in Canterlot!”

As soon as Twilight finished that sentence, the crowd went crazy. Ponies young and old cheered as Twilight turned to her side and spoke to someone next to her. Psyche, on the other hoof, had all she needed, and without a second thought made her way back down the street. It took Luminous a few seconds, but after noticing her friend leaving she quickly made her way to her friend's side. She could still hear the queen in the background, but her words were drowned out as the two started speaking.

“Not gonna stay?” Luminous asked.

“Got what I came for. Don’t have any reason to be there,” Psyche explained. “That said, I’m done working for the day, so I have nothing else to do. These times trouble me, I don’t know what to do during them.”

“Well, if you were to ask me, I would say we go out, have some tea and-” Luminous stopped her sentence as she realized something. “My meal!”

Chapter 3

An excerpt from Queen Twilight Sparkle on celestial punishment, and how it has changed, in response to it’s sudden abolishment at her reign’s beginning.

“When I was a filly, a unicorn, a simple student of Princess Celestia, I learned of the highest criminal punishment a pony, griffon, or any other race could obtain. This was a punishment that Celestia had called celestial punishment. These ponies, who are convicted of such crimes, do not come around often, but many of our greatest enemies are those who served it. Discord, Tirek, Sombra, and as much as I hate to say it, Princess Luna, are all subjects of these punishments. These are ponies who didn’t just harm a few ponies, but all of Equestria, perhaps even beyond. For many years we saw it as necessary, but times have changed.”

“The form celestial punishment takes is the reason that I have chosen to abolish it, despite having used it myself in some cases. We, as ponies, should decide what the charges of these ponies are, not artifacts. The Elements of Harmony kept us safe for centuries, but who wouldn’t agree that being turned to stone or being banished to the sun is just? While my thoughts as a citizen were that they are necessary, I have come to the conclusion that they fall into the definition of cruel and unusual punishment. Know that those serving it will not suddenly be released, but know that when something like them comes, it will be the people to decide their fate, not stones of a bygone era.”

“I understand the cause for concern and the outcry, but in times ponies will come to understand why I have made this choice. Thank you for your time, and for giving me the opportunity to answer this question.”

“-with that, I bid you all a good night under Luna’s moon,” Twilight stated after two hours of speaking. “Thank you for your time.”

As she said those words, the crowd below her started to disperse, many probably getting ready for a good night's rest. She couldn’t help but smile, thinking of how overjoyed the crowd was as she announced these years location for the festival. It really did make her feel bad, taking this long to hold such an important event in Celestia’s home, as well as what had been her home during her younger years. That wasn’t saying she was old, but with different she looked to back then, it certainly felt like it.

Yet, as much as she smiled, the entire thing speech had felt “off” for some reason. She remembered her eyes landing on a pegasus all the way in the back of the crowd. Her coat a pitch black, looking like an ant from her point of view. She hated how the comparison twisted itself in her mind, making her seem higher than everyone else around her, but there was nothing that felt more accurate. She didn’t know what happened, but suddenly the two had locked eyes, and Twilight felt something that she hadn’t felt since her battle with Chrysalis, Terik, and Cozy Glow: terror.

Not terror of the pony, she knew that much, but rather the terror that pony felt had transferred to her. It was as if she was calling out for help, crying for someone to save her life. Twilight had long ago learned to keep such fear hidden, at least in front of a crowd, but in the moments she locked eyes with the mare, she felt the need to scream herself. Today had been the biggest challenge in keeping that feeling hidden, but she didn’t give in, didn’t show weakness. Once again she has proven to herself that Celestia had made the right choice, that she was the one to be left in charge.

Turning away from the city below, Twilight made her way off the balcony and into the audience chamber. Raven Inkwell, the royal scribe since before she obtained the throne, fell in behind her, not saying a word. As Twilight walked past the throne, her gaze quickly fell on one of the many stained glass windows. On it was her, with the other element bearers, fighting against evil more than two decades ago. Looking at it, that terror she had been holding back finally overwhelmed her, and she fell to the floor crying.

So much time has past, and she barely saw them anymore. They were too busy with everything else going on in life, her most of all. She now understood why Celestia rarely visited her in Ponyville, though she did admit that it didn’t bother her too much after that first week. Thinking about the amount of time that had passed, how much different Ponyville has become in those years, it terrified her. She had done all she could to bury that feeling, but every now and again it surfaced. Today was but another one of those days.

“Is something wrong, your majesty?” Raven asked, rushing to Twilights side.

“I miss them all so much,” Twilight explained. Knowing what was happening, Raven turned to the guards at the audience room door and motioned for them to leave. They knew just as much as Raven did that these moments were ones that privacy was required in. “I want to go back so badly. I want to go back to the days where I had the time to be with the ponies I cared about. I want to go back to when the CMC were still fillies, and not grown ups. I want to be with my friends again!”

“Do you… want me to give you some-”

“No, please!” Twilight said, hugging Raven. “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, your majesty, but what caused such an outburst?” Raven asked. “Did something happen out there? Did the citizens seem upset about-”

“No, they were good,” Twilight explained, finding the strength to stand up by herself. “Everything went right, but I made a last minute change at the beginning,” Raven tilted her head in confusion, knowing that this was very much unlike her majesty. “I decided to… withhold the information regarding Spitfire’s murder, and Shield’s promotion.”

Raven’s eyes went wide, shocked to hear such a thing. Twilight rarely shifted away from the speeches she had prepared, and never did she decide to withhold information within them. Spitfire’s death, whether it be from the queen’s lips or the newspapers, was something that they had already kept hidden for a week. They knew that they had to tell it now, and yet despite all of that her majesty had gone against her word. Raven knew nothing about the pony Twilight had seen, but knew that whatever had done this was something unnatural. Not just because Twilight withheld what she promised to say, but because of how sudden she burst into tears.

“But your majesty, we agreed on sharing it!” Raven reminded the queen. “What in Celestia’s name could have possibly made you go against that?”

Twilight looked away, knowing that she was pointing her hoof at somepony who was probably innocent, but she had to say it. As Raven had said, she made a promise, and the mare had a right to know the truth.

“I… saw somepony in the crowd,” Twilight explained. “I didn’t know her, or at least I don’t remember seeing her before. Our eyes locked, and I felt… or at least I think I felt some for of fear,” Raven opened her mouth, only to be quieted as Twilight continued to speak. “It was fear of her, but rather I could feel her fear. I… I think she was crying out for help, but not through words. It’s hard to explain.”

“Would you… like the royal guard to fetch this pony?” Raven asked. The queen stayed silent, only nodding. “Then I’ll need a description. What did she look like?”

“A coat, pitch black, and a mane as bright as Celestia’s star,” Twilight told the scribe, the latter quickly writing it down on a parchment. “One more thing, though, before you leave.”

Raven gave a smile to her queen, doing all she could to try and cheer her up. “Yes?”

“I received a reply from Ember,” Twilight said. “She said that she has made a last minute guest of honor, though she didn’t say anything more than the fact she wasn’t a dragon.”

The dragonlands was far from the most habitable place to live, but nevertheless a people called it their own. They were the dragons the very region was named after, reptiles who breathed fire and swam in lava. To them, the heat of an active volcano meant absolutely nothing, for one does not fear what can’t harm it. With a feast of gemstones, and a government ruled by the one chosen as strong enough, dragon kind had turned what seemed like an inhospitable land into a home.

Yet Ember, current dragonlord of the the dragonlands, knew that it had become more than just a home of her kind. Along with the phoenix who flew through the sky, dying only to be reborn, one other creature had come to call it “second home”. Though her gaze fell upon the dragons swimming in the lava pool below, her attention was to that of the cloaked beast behind her. A predator, much like her, though instead of scales it was covered in grey fur. If she was anything, she was more like a carnivorous pony, one with paws and claws, teeth ready to tear flesh, and a coat so long Ember had no idea how it could stand the heat. She remembered how much her people tried to shoo it away, but every time it came back, and each time it beat the dragon that had told it to leave.

“You think “her majesty” will be fine with a supposedly extinct race suddenly showing up in two weeks?” Ember asked, less out of concern and more out of curiosity. “No offense, but passing you off as a four-legged, magic chanting diamond dog isn’t exactly going to work.”

“Depends on how much the queen trusts you, or were you bluffing about being her friend?” The creature asked. It stood behind Ember, not because she thought herself unequal in the face of the dragonlord, but because the lower elevation was just slightly cooler.

“Hah, like “Queen” Twilight Sparkle would forgive me if I did that,” Ember laughed. She finally turned to the creature. “Though I would expect her to question your motives. I, for one, welcome a little action after all these years of nothing. Know that even if she doesn’t allow the hunt,” Ember pointed to herself with a smug grin. “I’ll march the entire dragon army in there and demand her to.”

“And I would be powerless to stop you from doing so,” The creature replied, sharing a smile. That smile only stay for a few seconds, however, as a grim look took its place. “If I were to walk into Canterlot, they would rightly think of me as nothing more than a fleshy timberwolf. A time of joy is no place for such wishes like the one I would ask, but there is no other time.”

“Any chance you’ll find these “paradoxes” you mention there?” Ember asked again. “Would definitely help prove your point if such a monster was to show up, would it Silvia?”

The creature, Silvia, looked away, knowing that what Ember asked was not as simple as yes or no. The dragonlord was the only one that she had informed of her plan, of the grief that it would cause Equestria. Even then she had held so much that she was sure even Ember had no idea the scale of her plan. Her thoughts crossed back to the void, the light she had met, and the fate she had seen. She knew what she would ask would not give her much love or fanfare, but it had to be done.

“It would help, but by that time the damage might already be done,” Silvia explained. “One pony, one that Equestria knows and adores, has already met a cruel fate by one’s hands,” Silvia’s eyes fell to her chest, a medallion with a blue glow resting on it. “No one will ever know the killer, but more ponies would have died had I not done anything.”

“There you go again, acting all dark and brooding,” Ember replied, sitting down. Her legs hung limply over the ridge’s edge, that smile unchanging. “This is for the good of the world, right?”

“True,” Silvia nodded. She sighed. “I’m just worried. My broken world with the true one, mixing together. We saw ourselves the threat they pose, and we managed to stop that one without any long lasting harm” Silvia closed her eyes and looked up to the sky. The cloak fell back, revealing the face of a canine creature with a large black nose, pony-like ears, and brown eyes. “Equestria, however, isn’t like everywhere else. A land built on peace and harmony, which hasn’t seen a war since it was first founded.”

“Yeah, you told me about that,” Ember said, bending to rest her arms on her legs. “Dragonlord… Thalok?” She looked to Silvia for confirmation, a shake of the creature’s head telling her she was wrong. “Wait, Tholak,” That time she got a nod. “Yeah, he didn’t sound like the kind of dragon we would allow around here these days. He definitely wouldn’t help our attempts at making peace with the Griffon Empire.”

“It is terrifying what can happen when someone, whether they be dragon or griffon, can do when they actually have an economy,” Silvia replied, echoing her friend’s concerns. “To think I would ever see a day where the griffon empire stood strong, reunited after years of strife and growing in power.”

It was no secret that, at least in Equestria, the Griffon Empire’s revival was a miracle long thought impossible. For decades the griffons were an impoverished people, greedy and rude, but one look at it now would make it seem strange that that was the case some years ago. It had all started with the sudden announcement of a royal heir, a young griffon by the name of Gabriel Derev. He had used what he learned at the Equestrian University of Friendship, or EUF, originally founded by Queen Twilight herself, and applied it to griffon cultural views to rally support. In no time a nation thought dead returned from the grave, and Equestria welcomed it with open hooves. Many a griffon, pony, or changeling agreed he would go down as a hero.

Dragons, however, had been an entirely different case. Due to gem trading between the Crystal Empire and the Dragonlands, the Griffon Empire saw them as an enemy of their closest ally. Empress Flurry Heart was not by any means or tyrant, but when she pointed hooves at Equestria for her parent’s sudden disappearance, the Griffon Empire had defended its allies. Such defense received one of the most unexpected responses anyone had seen from the empire: a declaration of independence from Equestria. When the dragons learned of the Empress’ bold action, they formed an alliance under the pledge that if Equestria or the Griffon Empire attacked one of them, the other would help.

“Yet, if there is any hope, than I must see to it that everyone hears what I have to say,” Silvia said. “Though my allegiance may lie with the Dragonlands, I must see that everyone sees my reasoning,” Silvia felt a tear burn in the volcanic air as her words turned to whispers. “Especially since I know what side you would be on, my sweet little Luminous.”

“Sorry about that Spike,” Luminous called to the dragon, who was still sitting at the table she had left him in. She motioned to Psyche next to her, smiling innocently. “I… managed to find somepony I know.”

“Don’t worry, you at least gave me some notice, which is better than sometimes,” Spike replied. He did his best to not remember all the times that Twilight had suddenly left without telling him. His gaze shifted to the blindfolded mare next to Luminous. “Psyche right? Nice to meet you.”

Psyche didn’t respond to him, instead turning to Luminous. Spike held his hand out, hoping the pony would take it, but she didn’t move.

“Luminous, this Spike you talk about wouldn't happen to be the royal advisor, would he?” Psyche asked. Luminous looked to Spike, and then back to Psyche. She looked back to Spike, the words finally clicking in her head. Her eyes went wide as she looked back to her friend.

“Royal advisor!” Luminous shouted, Psyche nodding mechanically. “Oh sweet Celestia I hit him in the face when we first met and just left him here while I went to find you.”

“You’re not too good at this friendship think as well, are you?” Psyche asked. Luminous gave her friend a look a look of disapproval.

“You’re one to talk,” She replied. Once again, Psyche to her words seriously and nodded. Spike, on the other hoof, was doing his best to hold back his laughter back.

“Don’t worry, Luminous, you’re fine,” Spike told the pegasus, holding in his laughter. “So, Psyche, you going to join us for a little bit?”

“That’s what I was dragged here for,” Psyche nodded. “Luminous wanted to do this, so here I am. I can figure out my exhibit tomorrow.”

The two ponies sat down at the table, Spike finally taking a bite of his sub. While he and Luminous talked, Psyche sat there motionless, her mind entertaining her own thoughts. Multiple times Luminous had to force the mare to talk, knowing that otherwise she wouldn’t. It was ultimately Luminous’ job, or at least she felt like it was, to try and help Psyche understand emotions better. The constant worry of her friend dying alone, with no pony that loves her, made the mare worry in ways that few understood.

“So, if Psyche is a sculptor, and I’m the royal advisor,” Spike chimed in some time later. “What is you profession then? I did notice you don’t have a cutie mark.”

“I don’t have one and never will,” Luminous explained. She pointed to her flank as she continued. “It’s a condition I have, a really rare one at that. It’s called Joal. Apparently it’s an acronym or something but basically I have no special talent.”

Spike remember hearing about the condition from Twilight a few years ago, and as Luminous had explained it was exceptionally rare. A pony’s cutie mark was defined by whatever they are best at, but through history their had been examples of ponies who were genetically unable to have one. As far as Spike knew, Luminous was the first pony he knew to actually have it, though there may have been others he met that he just didn’t realize had it.

“That’s sad to hear,” Spike replied. “Gonna be hard to find a job of getting the backing to start one. Joal isn’t exactly common enough for anypony to bring up in front of her majesty.”

“Not to mention most ponies would rather call “blank flank” and think Luminous a complete idiot instead of only half an idiot,” Psyche responded, receiving a punch in the shoulder from Luminous. “Luminous seems to have had an appropriate response to these words.”

“Oh sure, you understood that much,” Luminous sighed, holding her head in her hooves. “Look, you might think that not having a talent is bad but personally it just allows me to do whatever I want. Nopony is gonna judge me for doing something that seems outside my talent, so it’s perfect for trying new things,” She did her best to hide her disapproval behind a smile. “Ponykind needs to learn how to deal with these situations. I’m still a functioning mare, but everyone who sees I don’t have a cutie mark just assumes I’m some sort of mistake or mental patient.”

Spike was scared to respond, both because he didn’t know what to say and because he didn’t want to offend her. Despite his best attempts to hide it, Luminous recognized the look from many ponies who were afraid of the same thing. Part of her regretted revealing her disorder, but she knew that this was better than being laughed at. She didn’t think Spike would do such a thing, but it was something she had learned to never take a chance at. With a sigh, she took her spoon to her mouth a had another slurp of her soup.

“At least soup doesn’t judge ponies.”

Chapter 4

An excerpt from A History of Equestrian Military Vol 2: Chapter 8 - The First Fall of Sombra

In response to Sombra’s enslavement of the nomadic tribes and murder of the Crystal Empire’s rule, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna finally issued a declaration of war against the king. Not two days after this did the first of Equestria’s forces start their march to the frozen north, though they were ill prepared. Unfamiliar with the frigid climate of the Frozen North, many died before reaching the city from the frost. This culminated in an ambush were Sombra’s army surrounded the invading forces. No record of casualties survived, though judging from messages sent at the time between the princesses and her captains suggest none came back.

Unaware of Equestria’s declaration of war, the Griffon Empire was lead to believe that Sombra had killed an ambassador in the ordeal. With Equestria being the Griffon Empire’s main trade partner (crops has always been a hard commodity), they in turn declared war on the king’s empire. The war quickly turned on the king, with the griffon’s offering substantial intelligence and tactical support for their equestrian allies. While their armed forces were considerably less, the intel Equestria received allowed it to quickly turn the war in their favor. Sometime during the war, Princess Celestia met with Emperor Gilbert Vendel of the griffon’s. This historic meeting was long displayed in the castle’s throne room before the Griffon Empire collapsed.

Manehattan was unusually quiet that night, the star as skyless as it had been for some years now. It wasn’t just Manehattan, though, from the western frontier to the Griffon Empire, ponykind was greeted another starless night. Though Queen Twilight had long ago learned to raise the sun and moon, the stars had forever been one thing that Luna alone could do. The fact that the stars had disappeared, that only the moon shined in the night sky, to many spelled the princess’ fate. Many, however, remained vigilant that Luna and her sister yet lived. It did not seem right that she would disappear, but then again nothing seemed right now.

That night, a single pony walked the streets of Manehattan, the shadows fleeing with each step he took. His red eyes stood out from his black coat, mane, and tail, his horn’s glow a sickening green. He wasn’t happy, constantly mumbling under his breath about one thing or another, though the pony-less street made it sound like he was simply talking. He stopped, allowing the glow of his horn to fade away and with it the light it brought. In that moment, the shadows took it’s chance to close in.

The long silence was broken as whispers scratched at his ears, the shadows getting thicker and thicker as it did. Finally, the unicorn could feel something around his neck, and like a lightning bolt his hooves grabbed it and forced it to the ground in front of him. At the sight, most of the shadow’s seemed to recede, though some stayed in curiosity. The unicorn noticed that the shadow he caught was not only physical, but in a shape closely resembling a timberwolf.

“To think we made it here, only to be followed,” He whispered to himself. The unicorn then crushed the shadow under his hoof, watching it dissipate into nothing. “Last thing we need are anymore problems, considering the barrier is so weak.”

Luminous did not sleep well that night. Too many thoughts and questions had gone through her head as she left the cafe to allow her to rest easily. The way she felt unable to look away from the queen, the pony she swore she saw fall from the tower, it confused her. She had no idea why she could tell the falling pony was holding a filly. It was like she was right there, watching from inches away as it did. For the first time in years questions about that other Equestria she was able to see entered her mind.

She knew it wasn’t her Equestria, or at least how it was in the present, having seen too many odd things to know it was true. Part of her wondered if it was a dream but everything seemed too real for that to be the case. The fact she never saw the sun or moon, that the darkness was almost suffocating, the sounds she hears, it all seemed too real. That feeling only increased as something dawned on her. Another impossibility that seemed to be true, yet one that she knew was correct.

She had been to Canterlot before. Obviously that couldn’t be true, having never even ventured on a carriage until two days ago, but she knew that feeling wasn’t fake. Something about the streets seemed recognizable, finding that she could recall which ones lead were. It made no sense for that to be possible though, because she had never been to Canterlot in her entire life. As her mind went back and forth on that thought, her head starting to ache, and she found herself having to force those ideas out in order for the mental pain to subside.

“Why couldn’t my first trip to Canterlot feel normal?” She asked herself. The clip clop of hooves passed by her as she spoke. Looking up, she found Psyche making her way to the kitchen, remembering that she had to sleep on the couch due to her friend having only one room.

“You and normal never went together Luminous,” Psyche reminded her friend. “These visions of yours, those sudden outbursts you had when you were younger, the monsters that you would talk about in your sleep,” Psyche turned to the entrance, thinking that was where Luminous was currently located. “You called those things wendigos right? Not windigos like from the story of Equestria’s founding, but something different?”

“I… kinda remember that,” Luminous replied. She rarely remembered the dreams she had, though she remembered her mom constantly waking her up in the middle of the night due to screaming and yelling. “Mom would be the one to ask about that. Luna help me if my memory or brain can actually remember something from a week ago.”

“Memory, huh? Guess that’s another thing she’s missing,” Psyche whispered. She shook her head, filing that thought for later. “I believe there is stuff in the fridge in case you're hungry. Might be some old waffle mix but it’s probably expired, though you would still eat it knowing you.”

At the promise of breakfast, Luminous stretched and hopped off the coach. Her back ached a bit, the coach having been rather old and in fairly bad condition, another factor relating to her bad night's sleep. Psyche’s home really wasn’t much, being a living connected to a sole kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. That was all her friend ever deemed as necessary to live, the house being small enough to easily navigate and large enough were she didn’t feel confined. None of her actual work was done at home, but Luminous could spot some of her friends work around the house.

Despite being blind, Psyche’s ability to mold stone into different shapes and forms was inspiring. She could make hundreds upon hundreds of different objects without sight as long as she had previously felt what she was making. Her hooves were what actually took in the details of the objects, being able to memorize every curve and edge, every bump and flat surface, and the length and width. All of that from texture, shape, and the occasional privacy invasion when somepony wanted her to make themselves.

Yet her profession and talent had, as Luminous had learned the other night, caused rumors and horror stories all related to one thing: her blindfold. Seeing as how she was already blind, the idea of Psyche needing the blindfold was deemed strange by many ponies. Luminous herself had never considered it weird, but ponies in Canterlot had come to the conclusion that her eyes were dangerous. In time, the mix of her sculpting talent and the fact she always wore a blindfold had led many to believe that she could turn ponies to stone, even gaining the nickname Medusa.

A name that Psyche had sadly come to believe was perfectly fine, do to a young Luminous having goofed up when they were young. What the pegasus meant to say was that the nicknames used by family and friends are a way of showing how special you are to them. What Psyche had sadly come to understand is, with the exception of the term “blank flank”, nicknames were always used in positive meanings. Thus, when Psyche decided to one day introduce herself as “the Medusa” to a client, she never realized she was insulting herself.

Walking into the kitchen, Luminous found herself met with what could only be described as the smallest room she had ever been in. On her left was a fridge and stove, the latter so spotless that it never seemed like it had been used. To her right was a small square table with two chairs, like the ones she saw young foals use when playing with blocks or drawing. Luminous quickly found herself feeling claustrophobic, quickly reaching towards the single cabinet in the room, grabbing cereal, and backing out.

“So, I’m assuming that you had something planned for today?” Psyche asked as Luminous sat back down on the coach, not only eating cereal straight from the box, but realizing that it was incredibly stale. “I usually sit around when I don’t have a client, but you always want to do something when you visit me.”

“Honestly, visiting was the thing I actually wanted to do this time around,” Luminous replied. “I didn’t think of anything else, and I’m assuming you don’t really have anything planned as well.”

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Psyche and Luminous’ eyes fell upon the door, the former unsure of who it could be. She never invited anypony over, and none of her clients knew where she lived. Luminous, thinking that it must be Spike, got off the couch once again and trotted over to the door. The pony on the other side knocked once again, Luminous putting a smile on her face as she opened the door. What she was greeted with, was the last thing that she had expected.

The pony staring back at her, voice caught in his throat, was a pegasus stallion in royal guard armor. His yellow coat felt felt dull in front of his neon blue mane and tail, eyes a similar color to his mane. The two guards pony behind him looked at the stallion, standing in attention, unable to hear how fast there higher-ups' heart was beating. Luminous was not faring much better, recognizing the pony all too well from her youth. A stallion who had been a friend many years before he left for the great cities of Equestria, and her once upon a time crush.

“Luminous?” He said. “I-Is that you?”

It took Luminous a few more minutes to respond. “Thunder?”

“Look, Thunder, I know you think you’re right, but I assure you you’re not,” Luminous said, as she found herself being escorted to Canterlot Castle surrounded by three guards. “There is absolutely no reason why the Queen would be interested in me. I just got here.”

“Yeah, somehow I’m not believing all of that,” Thunder responded, his face twisted in a scowl. “Honestly Luminous you being here is going to make my job a lot harder than it really has to be.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Luminous asked. “Come on, don’t act like you’re all that mad about seeing me. I told Psyche that I would be coming and-” The gears in her head turned, realizing the mistake she had made. “You were never told, were you?”

“I would have given my ex-marefriend a gift if I she was going to be here but what do you know, she forgot you again,” Thunder said, half acting like he hadn’t heard a word Luminous just said. “Nothing unusual really. How many dates did you forget due to that horrible memory of yours?”

Luminous sighed, knowing that it was not worth apologizing for what she had done. “Still don’t see how this is making your job harder.”

“Let me put it this way, you have no self control or that strength of yours,” Thunder reminded her, booping Luminous’ nose. “That memory of yours is so specific about what it actually wants to keep, and if I heard correctly, you already assaulted the royal advisor,” Luminous winced as he mentioned her incident with Spike. “That, by the way, is not what the Queen wants to see you about. However, expect to be under surveillance for the rest of your stay to make sure other incidents don’t happen.”

“Wait, you can legally make that decision without Queen Twilight’s permission?” Thunder turned to Luminous, answering her question with an annoyed expression. “What? Basic law stuff. Don’t need to read a book to know what corruption is.”

Thunder sighed, knowing that trying to make the mare understand was hopeless. Luminous, for as kind and caring as she was, was by all means an exact opposite of her majesty. Her memory was so bad he sometimes thought she would forget her name. Her body tended to act before her brain did, and it almost always ended in somepony getting hurt. That, combined with being homeschooled by two ponies who were in no way teachers, led to Luminous becoming who she is. In all those years since he last saw her, she had not become any less trouble than she was all those years ago.

“Are your wings doing well?” Luminous asked, doing what she could to change the subject. “I know you said they were paralyzed but I was wondering if you’ve gotten that check out in-” Thunder sighed, doing his best to hold in the anger that was building up inside of him. “-oh, sorry. If you don’t want to talk about it-”

“Luminous, listen,” Thunder told her, stopping to look his ex-marefriend in the eyes. “I know you mean well but, I’ve told you so many times that it can’t be fixed,” Luminous looked away in shame, Thunder doing the same in order to not cry. “Luminous, I’m sorry to ask, but stay quiet till we reach the throne room. It will be easier… on me.”

Fifteen minutes later Luminous found herself being escorted through the castle halls. Just like the rest of the city it was prestene, but was far more spacious than she originally expected. Looking up to the ceiling, she felt like it only got farther away the more she looked at it. Guards, maids, cooks, and many other ponies of different professions wandered from room to room as Thunder personally guided his old friend to the queen. He didn’t mention why, but he had sent the guards previously with him back to guard duty.

Sadly, meeting the Queen was the last thing Luminous had on her mind right now. The stale cereal she had earlier barely qualified as a breakfast, and her stomach ached as she waited for this all to be over. The agonizing wait when she finally got to the throne room door, only to find that the Queen was busy with another pony did not make it any better. Her stomach hadn’t reached the state of growling in disatisfaction, but Thunder could tell from one look that she wasn’t in the best of moods right now.

“So… has Silvia converted you yet or-”

“Oh sweet moon no,” Luminous replied instantly. “The day that I try meat is the day that I die.”

“Oh come on Lumy,” Thunder replied, giving a slight smile as he saw his fellow pegasus pout. “You disappoint me. I figured that your mommy would have made you give it a try, what with her being a wolf and all.”

“She respects that Equestria’s view of meat-eating isn’t like home and knows better than to force such things upon me,” Luminous said, biting the inside of her lips as a form of self control. “Also, really Thunder? Lumy? I thought you said you would stop calling me that after we broke up.”

“Eh, quickly realized it would be a great way to tease you because, no matter your issues, you’re still adorable,” He replied, giving Luminous a kiss on the cheek.

Her eye twitched, teeth biting down even harder as she did all she could to not, as Arcane would put it, “yeet him to the moon and back”. She so wanted to do it right now, all so that she could take that smug look on his face and steal it for herself. Sadly, he was a royal guard, they were in Canterlot Castle, and she was pretty sure laws were more important out here than in the middle of the woods on the frontier. With that in mind, she made a mental note to find some alleyway in Canterlot, lure him there, and only then would she throw him to Griffonstone.

“Five years and absolutely nothing has changed,” She muttered. “Five years and he’s just as much of a jerk as he was back then,” Checking to make sure he was no longer looking at her, she continued. “What in Luna’s name did I ever fined in this sorry excuse for a pegasus?”

“Oh, that reminds me, I actually need to tell you something important,” Thunder said, turning back to face Luminous. “This kinda goes without saying, but since you’ve already technically attacked the royal advisor please do me a favor and keep your hooves off of her majesty.”

“Wow, we’ve really reach that level of distrust already, have we?” Luminous asked. Thunder wasn’t amused at her attempt at a joke. She sighed. “Don’t worry, these dragon chucking hooves will keep themselves firmly below me. I’m smart enough to know what would happen if I launched the princess out the window.”

The door to the throne room opened, a brown unicorn stepping through it as it closed. The look on his face was one that Luminous could only describe as snobbish, head held high in such a way that he breathed of arrogance. No doubt he was one of the Canterlot nobles that Luminous had heard so much about, ponies so self absorbed that they would do anything to get there way. Her attention was shifted as Thunder forced a cough, Luminous turning to see him motioning to the doorway.

“Better get in there,” He said. “Queen Twilight may not be a jerk but we both know there are more important things for her to be doing right now then this.”

With a nod, Luminous walked up to the door and pushed it up, letting out a deep breath as she did. As the doors opened, a sense of familiarity once again washed over her, like she had been in this room a thousand times before. She shook the thought away, walking in as if nothing was wrong. Her eyes landed on the windows lining the sides of the room, the only source of light in the room, but that was not what made them interesting to her. It was the pictures that had been formed out of them, of the deeds of ponies throughout history conquering evil. One in particular caught her interest: a group of six ponies with strange accessories around their necks, casting a rainbow down on an alicorn.

“Excuse me?” A voice called from the far end of the chamber. Looking to see who it was, Luminous found Queen Twilight watching her with a calm smile on her face, Spike right next to her. “Sorry, but I have a feeling you didn’t come here to observe the windows.”

“No, I did not,” Luminous responded, shaking her head. “Her majesty, I presume?”

“Yes, and from what I’ve heard you’ve already met my royal assistant,” Twilight replied, motioning to Spike. The dragon waved to Luminous, who in turn waved back. “Don’t worry, I did not call you here about the… incident you two had yesterday.”

“Yeah, I was already informed of that,” Luminous explained. “I guess, I should probably introduce myself,” Luminous bowed, closing her eyes as she took in the acoustics of the throne room. “Luminous Oracle, a pegasus from the western frontier.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Luminous, and please don’t feel the need to bow,” Twilight told the pegasus. Luminous rose from her bow, meeting the princess’ eyes. “What I called you here to talk about was not exactly something normal, as I’m sure you might have guessed.”

Luminous tilted her head in confusion. “Something not normal?”

Twilight nodded. “Luminous… was it you calling for help from the crowd last night?”

Author's Note

A bit late on the chapter today, but that's what happens when you internet decides to take a five hour break.

Chapter 5

An excerpt Principle Starlight Glimmer from the Equestrian University of Friendship, in a paper about time and alternate Equestrias.

“Though the reasons were not good, I myself have seen what messing with time can do to Equestria. You change one thing and all the sudden the entire world is foreign to you. Nopony knows your name, wars that never existed before suddenly appear, and those who rule are not who you once knew. At the time I didn’t consider just how terrible it would have been if Twilight has not resolved things and showed me what I was doing was wrong. That has given me time to think about what would have happened if I had succeeded, and how much worse things would be in the end.”

“Yet, I’ve come to realize that nothing would have changed, as what was going on almost seemed to be fate by itself. I’m reminded of old papers I found many years ago, about this ‘barrier theory’ that scholars had suggested centuries ago. They asked the question of why, if alternate realities truly did exist, has our Equestria never collided with it. After many years they came up with an idea that was impossible to test, but has been believed ever since. The idea was that, for the longest time, Equestria has been protected by a sort of barrier that kept timeline’s separated. This barrier was the only line of defense we had against time mixing and unnatural occurrences, or paradoxes, from taking place.”

“Having seen it myself, I can confirm that something is indeed keeping our timeline from colliding with others. When me and Queen Twilight fought back then, I had almost ripped apart a spell that I believed had been keeping her safe. Remembering where we had put it after that incident, I decided to check it and see if I could gain anything. What I found wasn’t what I expected, but had indeed provided me with answers I had never imagined having questions for. If these ponies were correct, that spell would have continued to throw Twilight back to me no matter how many times I tried to change the timeline. That all had to do with that one piece of paper that I had half torn apart.”

“Or, perhaps it would be better to say that it was half torn.”

“Luminous… was it you calling for help from the crowd last night?”

Luminous’ heart suddenly skipped a beat, a feeling of fear gripping her as her eyes got wider and wider. The princess had heard her, and that was the reason that she had been called to the throne room. Luminous had no idea how to respond, her heart desperately seeking some way to dodge the question. In the end, however, it failed, and Luminous found herself with only one possible road to go down. With a deep breath in, she prepared herself for whatever reaction Queen Twilight had, and breathed out.

“Yes, I… did call for help,” Luminous said, doing her best to keep her voice strong. “Though the reason behind that call for help is not what you think,” She took another deep breath, finding the courage within her to continue. “Now, I know what I’m gonna say sounds crazy, but the cry for help you heard wasn’t for myself or anypony in the crowd. I had… a vision, of a pony falling from one of the castle towers.”

Luminous closed her eyes in anticipation for the reaction to come. She more than expected laughter or groans or anything that signaled that the queen didn’t believe her, but it never came. Hearing somepony whispering, Luminous opened her eyes to see Twilight talking to an older pony next to her. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, but she knew that it had to do with her. Whether it was good or not, she didn’t know, but she knew she was going to find out as the queen turned back to her.

“Luminous, would you mind describing what you saw in this vision?” Twilight asked.

Luminous once again found her heart stop for a second, a sneeze escaping her as she did. Of every response she could think of, as few as they were, that was not one that she had expected. It didn’t answer whether Queen Twilight thought she was sane or not, but she wouldn’t waste the opportunity. Perhaps the alicorn knew something about these visions, and if she could help then it would be foolish to refuse.

“It’s not the first one I’ve had, but it was the first time I had seen anypony in them,” Luminous responded. “It was much the same as every other vision I’ve had, actually. It was always night out, though the moon was never in the sky. I was typically the only pony around no matter how far I traveled, and after a little bit I would return to reality,” Luminous paused, allowing her words to sink in. “That… wasn’t what happened this time, however. I remember looking at the castle and seeing a pony, a pegasus, falling from one of the towers. I was all the way in the back of the crowd, but somehow I knew her wing was broken or… something like that?”

Twilight frowned, noticing the look of confusion on Luminous’ face. “You don’t know.”

“My memory was never good but I can’t remember what was wrong,” Luminous explained, closing her eyes. She allowed yesterday’s events to play out in her head, staying silent for a moment before speaking again. “Something was wrong with her wings, and she couldn’t fly. However, the part that worried me the most was the foal she was carrying with her.”

“What?!” Twilight said, shooting out of her seat, catching everypony in the throne room off guard. Noticing the odd look Raven was giving her, she sat back down a forced a cough. “Sorry. What happened next, was the foal okay.”

“I don’t know,” Luminous replied, shaking her head in grief. “I couldn’t see them over the castle walls, but I felt terror from one of the ponies. That’s why I called out for help,” Luminous looked Twilight dead in the eyes. “That was when I looked at you and… well I’m not really sure what happened then. That’s the part I don’t understand the most.”

“I see,” Twilight said, looking to Raven to see that she had gotten everything down. Smiling that it was word for word, she looked back to Luminous. “I’m sorry for you to had witnessed something so terrible. I wish I could give some information but this is the first I’ve heard of anypony having visions like this,” Twilight could help but feel guilty as she saw the sorrow on Luminous’ face. “However, what you saw is something I think is necessary to look into. How long did you plan on staying in Canterlot?”

“Long enough for me and an old friend to see the festival,” Luminous replied, doing her best to smile. “Why do you want to know, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“I know that sharing something like that probably was difficult,” Twilight said, getting up and walking towards Luminous. “In truth, it sounds a lot like hallucinations or a nightmare, but I’ve learned better than to judge when ponies come to me with these things. Besides,” Twilight sat down an inch from Luminous, a smile on her face. The pegasi had her jaw hanging loosely as her heartbeat quickened. “I didn’t just hear your cry for help. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, but I felt your fear.”

Luminous found herself unable to look away from Twilight, shocked that the queen actually believed what she had said. Twilight had felt her emotions somehow? It didn’t sound possible, but at the moment she didn’t know what actually was. The constant feeling of familiarity that she had from the city and castle, the strange vision she had, and now this. Twilight reached a hoof out, her target being Luminous’ shoulder. The queen wanted to do everything she could to comfort this mare, knowing that there was something strange about her. Luminous followed Twilight’s hoof as it reached her shoulder…

… and went right through her. A sudden feeling of anxiety overwhelmed Luminous, her heart racing hand brain hammering at the sight. She stood up, checking the area Twilight had attempted to touch, noticing it was still solid. Not noticing what had happened from her point of view, Twilight got up and tried to hug the pegasus. As she did, she finally realized why Luminous reacted in the way she did, her hooves going straight through the mare’s neck and wrapping herself instead. Just like before, Luminous felt for her neck, finding it still solid despite what had just happened.

“What… what the-” Luminous attempted to say, finding herself to confused to understand what was actually going on. “Your hooves just… what the heck is going on?”

“Luminous please calm down,” Twilight requested, once again reaching her hoof out. “I’m sure that is an explanation for whatever just happened. Just stay calm.”

“She can’t touch me, she can’t touch me,” Luminous said, her brain finding itself stuck in a loop. “She can’t touch me she can’t touch me she can’t… what can’t she touch me?” Noticing Twilight once again reach out for her, she panicked. “Stay away!”

Luminous tried to push the queen away as Twilight once again tried to give her a hug, but neither were successful. Twilight, in an attempt to out maneuver Luminous, launched herself toward the pegasus, Luminous’ attempt to stop her being unsuccessful as the queen once again phased through her. At that moment, Luminous’ stopped working, looking down at her hooves. She clapped them together, not noticing that the queen’s tail was sticking out of her stomach. She brought her hooves to her face, feeling her skin against them, all logic leaving her mind.

“Your highness, are you alright?” Raven called as she and Spike made there way to Twilight’s side. Spike helped Twilight to her hooves, noticing that she had that look on her face for when the impossible happened. “What happened? It looked almost as if you-”

“Raven,” Twilight said, interrupting the mare. She motioned to Luminous, allowing the royal scribe’s vision to fall on the pegasus. “I think she is the one who needs help right now.”

Spike was looked to Raven, the mare nodding to him in return. He gave Twilight a reaffirming smile before turning to Luminous. The immediate detail that fell upon him was how Twilight’s tail went through her body as if she was a ghost. He closed his eyes and shook his head, only to find that nothing had changed when he opened them up again. Deciding it was best to not ask questions, ones that Luminous no doubt couldn’t answer, he reached his hand out to her shoulder.

“Luminous?” He called to her. He heard the mare sniffle, gaze still on her hooves. “Luminous, everything is going to be alright?”

“How is this alright?” She asked, turning to Spike. Tears stained her fur, and she had to force her voice to say anything. “I’m… I’m so scared. What is happening to me? For Luna’s sake what is happening to me?!”

Luminous took Spike in her hooves, squeezing him heard enough that the dragon thought he heard something pop. Though she cried softly, her eyes were so full of tears that her vision was blurred. Spike, not knowing what else he could do, hugged the pegasus back, her grip on him getting easier as he did. Luminous, despite how scared and confused she was, felt happy to just feel somepony else. It was reassuring in its own way, her face doing all it could to try and smile.

“I’m alive… I’m alive.”

“Luminous has been given a guest room, as you commanded,” Thunder told Queen Twilight as he returned from dropping the mare off. He bit his lip as he readied himself to ask her majesty a question. “Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Queen Twilight, but did you really phase through Luminous?”

Twilight nodded, remembering how much Luminous had cried before falling asleep in Spike’s embrace. The look the mare had as she slept was not one of content or happiness, having curled up in a ball still crying. Luminous’ terror once again seemed to transfer to Twilight, the alicorn having grown more and more concerned each moment that she looked to the mare’s sleeping form. Feeling a tear of her own going down the side of her face, she took a deep breath in, knowing that she had to stay strong in front of those around her.

“You heard correct, both Raven and Spike are my witnesses, if you don’t believe me,” Twilight replied, her attempts to force a smile failing.

“No, I believe you, your majesty,” Thunder said, letting out a sigh. “I should have known that this was going to happen, with you two finally meeting each other.”

“You know something about this?” Twilight asked. She knew very little about Thunder and Luminous’ relationship, but she could tell the two had been close a long time ago. “Would you please share with us, Captain Thunder? Anything we could do to help her would be welcomed.”

“I want to, trust me, but I promised Silvia I wouldn’t say anything,” Thunder replied. Twilight tilted her head, not recognizing the name he just mentioned. “Just trust me when I say that you two need to be careful around each other. Luminous herself isn’t dangerous, but this meeting just made things a whole lot more complicated.”

“And I assume that this complication has to do with the recent death of a certain pegasus?”

All attention shifted as a new voice suddenly sounded throughout the throne room. Turning around, Thunder found himself standing before a griffon and golden armor, feathers an unnatural red. Behind him were two guards, both looking more experienced than any member of the equestrian royal guard. The red griffon took his helmet off and bowed to Twilight, a calming smile on his face. Twilight smiled back, the face of Griffon Emperor Gabriel doing much to ease her worry.

“Forgive me for not knocking or announcing myself, but word upon entering the castle was that some strange mare had sent the queen into a frenzy,” Gabriel explained, caring his helmet with a talon. As he reached Thunder, he held out a claw. “Thunder Shield, the “flightless gale”, if I remember correctly. An honor to meet the new captain, though I’m sorry for the loss.”

“Thank you, your highness,” Thunder said, his expression unchanging. “It's a pleasure to finally talk with you, though I just wish it was at happier times.”

“Spitfire was indeed special to you, if Silvia is to be believed,” Gabriel responded, getting a nod for the captain of the guard. “Know that which ever one it was, we griffons will keep our eyes out for any suspicious figures in our territory. Just because you lost her doesn’t mean you shouldn’t-”

“Now isn’t the time,” Thunder said, motioning to Twilight with his head. “Either way, thank you.”

Gabriel nodded to the captain before signalling his company to leave. With a bow, the griffon soldiers escorting him turned and made their way to the door. Thunder looked to the queen, the latter nodding to the captain’s wordless question. With a bow to the Griffon Emperor, he, Raven, and Spike all departed, knowing that Twilight would want to talk with him in private. When all but the two rulers had left the room, Gabriel finally spoke.

“So, the Crystal Empire has accepted,” Gabriel stated, his earlier joy having turned into a scowl. Twilight only nodded in response. “Then we can all put confirm her motives. Flurry Heart has not come to the festival since she has taken the throne, and she plans your assassination.”

“Yes, it seems that way,” Twilight again nodded. “Everything about the world feels so wrong now. I remember back when my friends could still make it to the consul of friendship, nothing like this would happen,” Twilight closed her eyes, thoughts turning to the friends she hadn’t seen in months. “So much more has changed than I like to admit at times.”

“It definitely feels different, doesn’t it?” Gabriel asked, following Twilight in reflecting on the past. “Celestia and Luna always seemed to know the future was bright, that Equestria would stand, but now…” His expression continued to darken. “Now we find ourselves facing firsts that had not occurred since they took the throne. Like the spirit guiding us to that bright future has suddenly left us.”

“That’s… definitely one way of putting it,” Twilight said. She opened her eyes again. “I know this is a different topic but, Gabriel, you seem to know this Silvia I heard Thunder mention. Who is she?”

“You mean, you haven’t heard of her?” Gabriel asked in shock. Twilight shook her head. “Even if she has never stepped foot in any of Equestria’s larger settlements, that’s quite a shock. She’s become somewhat of a legend to the rest of the world. ”

“Really now?” Twilight asked back. Gabriel rolled his eyes, not really shocked that someone like the queen didn’t know. She was probably to stuffed in books when not helping ponies with problems to care at all. “Well, I guess I’ll have to thank her if I ever get the chance. Though, I have to ask, who is this pony?”

“Well, first of all, she is not a pony,” Gabriel explained. “Truth be told, we don’t know what she is, and she isn’t telling us. She not a changeling, griffon, dragon, or hippogriff. If I had to give a description, she’s like an intelligent, flesh and blood timberwolf,” Gabriel’s eyes went wide as he said those words. “Also, don’t ever call her a timberwolf… or a diamond dog. Last time a griffon did she started using this strange magic that-” A chill went up his spine at the memory. “Actually I don’t want to talk about it. Long story short she isn’t actually from Equestria.”

That last bit of information hooked Twilight instantly. “Wait, so she’s from a completely undiscovered land?”

“No, Queen Twilight,” Gabriel explained. “I meant that she is not from our Equestria.

Chapter 6

Hey mom,

I’m sorry, I really am, but I’ve decided that it was time to go off on my own. I know you’re not going to be happy, but I had to make this choice for myself. I’m nineteen! All my friends are in Canterlot or Ponyville or somewhere else in Equestria. I enjoy our little adventures together, but I miss them, and if I don’t leave soon I might forget them too. I can barely remember Psyche’s face anymore, and I can’t recall Thunder’s voice. You must understand that these were my foalhood friends, and if I forget them I… I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself because I don’t know what I needed to forgive in the first place.

I know you’re upset, but every time you leave you are gone for a little longer. You told me that one day I would have to make my own adventure, like the ponies and wolves from your stories. That time has to be now. I’ve already sent word to Psyche that I will be coming to Canterlot, and the Festival of the Two Sister’s will be coming up soon too! What better for a first adventure, right? I mean, I may not be working for the Crystal Empire of Griffon Empire, but small steps first as you always said.

Do me a favor, and don’t worry. I’ll be fine.
Your daughter by bond, Luminous Oracle.

Luminous groaned as she returned to the waking world, pulling the comforter closer to her face. Her blankets had been wrapped around her, ends being pulled out as she tried her best to turn into a ball. Not recognizing the covers in her hooves, she bit down, only for the horrible taste to completely wake her. Eyes wide open, she pushed every blanket on her off the bed before trying to spit the taste out. It didn’t work, and she relaxed on the bed, doing her best to remember what happened and why she was here.

Looking around, she was definitely not in Psyche’s house, though the fact she had a bed to herself was enough of a hint in itself. The walls were grey, with an end table next to her bed and another next to a window. That window seemed to be the only source of light, but it was more than enough to fill the room with the sun shining right through it. It finally hit her where she currently was: Canterlot Castle. She facehoofed as she remembered that, along with Thunder escorting her, meeting Queen Twilight and…

Her body went cold, a response which she tried to tell herself was due to the nonexistent breeze in the room. In fear she decided to hug herself, hoping to feel the keratin of her hooves against her fur. A sigh of relief escaped her as that feeling surfaced, but her body stayed tense as she remembered Queen Twilight’s attempts to comfort her. She could touch Spike, Thunder, herself, but her entire body phased right through the alicorn like it didn’t exist. Like she didn’t exist. She shook her head as her mind went down that road, knowing nothing good would come for it.

Her thoughts turned to her mother’s stories of another Equestria, the one which she had apparently grown up in. Luminous never understood what she meant by “another Equestria”, but every time her mom told one of those stories she found herself drawn in. One particular story stuck with her in this instance, the first one that she remembered hearing about a princess that abandoned her kingdom for a happier life. The first time she was told it, she was happy for what the princess had done, forging a path that she was happy with. That was before her mom had revealed the repercussions of those actions, and how the kingdom fell into ruin and the princess’ sister went made with rage. In time the princess, so overcome with guilt and seeing her people suffering, did what she thought was best and put her sister to rest. The princess then left, the kingdom too far gone to be saved and herself in no position to call herself a leader.

Compared to the Equestrian folktales and storybooks she obtained from travelers and the like, her mother’s stories had always been more down to earth and somber. Though her mother was a genuinely happy individual, she disagreed about many things in life, the biggest being the constant “happily ever afters” in modern folktales. Luminous knew about things most foals didn’t understand at a younger age, such as death and depression. She had thought about those very things before leaving home, but she knew that it was the right thing. Besides, she didn’t have a kingdom to protect, only herself.

That was back then, however, and she was starting to think she had been wrong to come here. Ever since she left home everything had been off, especially since she arrived in Canterlot yesterday. The vision, this uncomfortable sense that she had somehow been here before, and now her meeting with Queen Twilight. She was starting to think it was a big mistake, that this had been the worst decision of her entire life. Keeping memories meant nothing if doing it caused her, and it only felt like it would get worse.

Her attention was drawn away as she heard somepony knock on the door. She sat there for a few seconds before the pony on the other side knocked again. Luminous finally got up, making note that she would have to make the bed later, and went to the door. Opening it, she was surprised to find Psyche in front of her, face as stoic as ever with that small old blindfold over her eyes. Luminous sighed, thankful that she didn’t have to face Twilight so soon.

“You left so I decided to follow,” Psyche told her. “They told me you were crying and went to a guest room. What is crying? You never told me.”

“It’s… better off you don’t know that one,” Luminous told her, looking away in embarrassment. “How did you get in the castle? I doubt they let anypony in here.”

“You enter it by walking, like any other place,” Psyche said in a matter-of-fact-way. “Somepony told me I shouldn’t be here, but you were here so I assumed it was “lying”.”

Luminous quietly laughed, shaking her head with the slightest of smiles. “Of course you did,” She looked to her friend, an old habit returning to her memory as she touched the blindfold. “I… I need to look at them right now.”

Luminous slowly lifted the blindfold of Psyche’s face, the earth pony getting unusually tense as she did. After a minute to let her friend relax, she completely removed it, meeting eyes that she had not seen in years. Psyche’s iris’ seemed to blend into the white of her eyes, pupil’s drifting towards the floor as the earth pony did an uncharacteristically frantic search of herself. That search stopped when Luminous hugged her, feeling the fabric of the blindfold in the hooves of her friend.

“You did this when you wanted to talk alone, where no pony could see us,” Psyche said. “I’m assuming that still applies, right?”

Luminous stepped back from her hug, resting her forehooves on Psyche’s shoulders. She nodded, a response that her friend couldn’t see, but one the earth pony knew had been her answer.

Silvia’s eyes were closed, ears flicking an every direction possible as she stood outside the entrance to a nearby cave. Behind her was Ember, as before, but she was also joined by two other dragons that she had deemed smart enough for the task at hand. The medallion around Silvia’s neck glowed blue, illuminating the entrance. Though she didn’t use her eyes, she was looking for something. Something that told her this was the right place. Something that told her whatever was inside wasn’t just dangerous, but was what she was looking for. Though she wanted to panic with each second that passed by, she kept calm.

A faint noise caught her ear, quiet enough were she was the only one that could hear it. Her ears stopped in the direction of the sound, a low hum reverberating from her throat. It was a spell she had been taught what felt like centuries ago, one of the few memories she still had of her people. In the same way unicorns channeled magic through their horns, her people carried magic through voice and song. The specific spell was a simple chant of boosting her hearing. It was something not natural in modern Equestria, in a land where her people were extinct and absent from history books. Though, it seemed less like they went extinct and that some foul magic wrapped their body and trapped their intelligence.

With her hearing temporary enhanced, she focus on the noise she heard, one which still continued on from the depths of the cave. A single word could describe what she heard, one that had hurt her heart more times than she wished to admit: crying. Her medallion had been right, and what it led her to was crying. It could be a foal, a pup, or any number of things ripped from the place it had long known as home. Any other soul would race to comfort what it was.

Silvia, however, only saw danger at the creatures act. That’s what she believed it to be, though their had been times she was proven wrong. Wrong or not the same ending would have to play out, and she would rather not feel guilt than be overtaken by it. So many stories had been told to her of those who, newly blessed and still inexperienced, died from mistaking a child for a beast. If it wasn’t for her own experiences, she would have seen those stories as a scary story to try and out those unfit for the job. The job of hunting a paradox. Hunt anomalies.

Silvia, opened her eyes, mentally prepared for whatever was to come, and turned to Ember. She motioned towards the cave with her head and stomping with a hind leg, which she had taught the dragon meant “behind me”. Her kind, though they could speak, had no spoken language, but rather one of motion, expression, and body language. It had taken time for the dragonlord to figure out the basics, but Silvia had deemed it necessary. While her Equish was better than some “foreigners”, a mistake in her field of work could be fatal.

Spoken commands, in her work, was a mistake.

“Keep your mouth shut and follow behind her,” Ember told the two dragons beside her. “Don’t ask why. Just be prepared in case this thing spots you, and don’t even try to trash talk or taunt it.”

With a nod of understanding, Ember turned to Silvia, who had already started making her way down the tunnel. They walked as quietly as they could, Silvia’s medallion as the only source of light (dragon fire had been deemed too loud). Every once in a while one of the dragons would kick a loose rock, but Silvia knew nothing could be done. Dragons weren’t the most subtle of creatures, and their body structure wasn’t built for stalking. Right now, she would forgive Ember for wanting to get her people involved with her fight, but she would need to talk later about bringing others along.

The crying got louder and louder, and as Luminous got closer she willed the medallion to turn off. One of the dragons gasped at the sudden darkness, Silvia looking at him with her eyes half closed. No translation was needed for the dragon to know what she said. His gaze quickly fell upon something up ahead, a strange… glow, for lack of a better term. Not far away was a large chamber, at its center the darkness seemed to be stronger. Specs of white, like ash from a burning log, gave the concentrated darkness a sort of form. A form, Ember noticed that looked very familiar to a pony.

Silvia sighed internally, a quick observation about the form telling her what it was in front of her. This was not a paradox, but something much worse. The noise she had heard, though initially seemed to be from the thing in front of her, had no true source. It echoes around the room, the cry unnatural, like a record broken and repeating the same notes over and over again. Even then, the figure was still, not sign of movement that indicating that it was truly crying. It was a lure, one that she had seen time and time again, and it meant one thing.

Ember watched as Silvia folded one ear against her head while the other stayed up, the right side of her lips in a snarl. It meant two things, depending on the situation, but both gave the same general idea: “get back” or, the one Ember believed it to be “Unborn”. She spread her wings, stopping the dragons behind her from moving any further. They were not prepared for this, and she wasn’t either.

With another hum, on which continually seemed to go up and down an octave, she stalked the target in front of her. Body low to the ground, she bared her teeth, which flowed with a magic of similar color to her medallion. As she got closer, the creature’s fake crying only got louder in her ears, as if it was trying to overwhelm her. She stopped, her wish to take it down without notice dying as the form got wider, a maw of sharp white teeth facing her. She watched the head, knowing that, alone, she had only one chance to kill this thing. As a white orb appeared on its head, she took that chance.

The creature’s maw stretched outward, Silvia dodging to the right as the boneless creature did it’s best to chomp her head off. The thing screeched in failure, Silvia leaping at it’s head with zero hesitation and wrapping her teeth around its neck. It wailed even louder as she crouched down, Ember doing all she could to block the sound out. As Silvia’s teeth sunk further and further in, the wails changed, and a voice rang out.

“Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!” It chanted, yet despite sounding like a cry for help, the voice giggled. “She’s alive! Kill her! She’s still-”

As Silvia’s teeth met, the creature was silenced. The orb slowly cracked before, piece by piece, falling to the ground, the form dissipating in turn. All that was left was an orb of light, one which Silvia took in her paws and drew close to her amulet. It started to glow brighter and brighter, before covering the wolf and the creature’s remains in a strange multi-colored prison. A prison that Ember realized was made up of various shards of colored glass, like that found in Equestria’s throne room.

“Thy false soul, and thy soul’s false land,” Silvia said. “Return to beyond time’s shell, and out of the creator’s canon, so one day it will tell another true history,” The orb of light grew dimmer and dimmer, some form of magic breaking it apart. “Her law-” Silvia smashed it apart, the cave returning to darkness and her temporary prison dissipating. “-is for her believers.”

Silence followed her words, the only sound being the slight whistle of the wind outside. Ember had seen Silvia deal with a paradox before, but she had never seen anything like that. It was stunning, if a little overly dramatic with the speech, but with all the tac and practicality Silvia put into her movements dramatization wasn’t knew. She was a mother after all, and even if the life stories she shared were true, she knew what a foal or pup couldn’t handle. That dramatization affected her speech, which affected her voice, which in turn altered the way her magic was materialized.

Silvia shook her head, knowing that thinking about it for too long was a really bad idea.

“You can speak now,” Silvia told the dragons, looking at where the creature had been. “It’s been erased again.”

Ember’s eyes widened. “Again?

“Unborn. I mentioned them to you, but didn’t give specifics,” Silvia said, walking over to the dragon lord. “Ponies whose existence never saw the light of day. Those planned for life but never saw it. It’s like a paradox, but they exist in no timeline whatsoever,” Silvia looked back. “Erased, somehow clinging on to what little existence they have, only to be erased again by those like me,” Silvia looked back to Ember, a fire in her eyes. “You’ve now seen the true danger of my cause. You truly want to support me?”

Ember didn’t hesitant. She nodded with a smile, ready to fight by Silvia’s side.

“Luminous, have you been a ghost this entire time?”

Luminous sighed, holding her head in her hooves after explaining for the third time in a row what had happened earlier that day. It was almost painful how little Psyche actually understood what had happened, but it made her happy. She couldn’t stop herself from giggling a little despite the fact she was holding her head. Looking at her friend in the eyes, something that she was one of very few to ever have the privilege of (or perhaps the only one, she didn’t remember), she immediately felt a calming sensation going over her.

“Think of it like I have an invisibility potion that only worked on the queen,” Luminous said, trying to be as straightforward as possible. “Like a “spook the princess” potion, but I never put it on, and I’m not dead.”

Psyche stayed silent for a moment. “Sounds like you’ve got a problem.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying for the past half hour!” Luminous exclaimed, her voice hinting both agony and silent laughter. “I don’t know what it means, and I need somepony who might understand,” She frowned. No second emotion could be found in her face or voice as she spoke. “I’m scared, Psyche. What the heck is going on with me? This shouldn’t be happening.”

“No, it should happen, consider you and-”

Psyche stopped, Luminous hearing enough of what she said for her eyes to wide, mouthing hanging open. She almost didn’t want to ask, noticing how Psyche was… trying her best to look away from her. Her head was indeed not facing her, but her eyes were shifted in the wrong direction. Luminous didn’t really think about it, to stuck on the words she had just heard.

“Should have happened?” Luminous said. The words did sting a little, though she knew Psyche lacked the ability to truly insult her. “What? Psyche, what do me and Twilight have in common.”

“I can’t say more,” She replied. “Silvia said I couldn’t tell you. I just made a mistake.”

Luminous opened her mouth to reply, but was stopped as she heard somepony knock on her door once again. “Miss Oracle, the queen has asked me to take you to her.”

Luminous’ heart skipped a beat, looking to Psyche for help. The earth pony nodded, her head hanging afterwards, as if she was actually disappointed in what she had done. Deciding to go with what Psyche suggested, Luminous moved to the door. Opening it she saw a guard standing there waiting for her. With a nod of her own, she shut the door behind her and followed the guard down the hall.

Only for a sudden, loud thud to draw her attention back to the door.

“Miss Oracle?”

She shook her head. “Right, sorry.”

“You idiot! You absolute imbecile!” Psyche cried out mere moments after Luminous had left, hitting her head against the door knob. “You had one job! Silvia gave you one job and you screwed it up! You can’t do anything right. Ah!” On the verge of crying, she fell to the floor. Her hoof reached for the spot that in her head that had been rammed with. She visibly shook. “Y-y-you h-hurt your true self, and… a-and now you… you do…”

Her words trailed off into sobs and wails, her brain reminding her that, with every emotion she couldn’t feel, there was one that she could. One that she had felt at some point every day of her life.

Chapter 7

An excerpt from A history of Equestrian Military: Chapter 14.2 - Platinum’s Successor

After severe backlash from the populace and drama among the tribes, Princess Platinum announced that she would soon step down from the throne. Though she announced a successor, none were told who they were. No correlation was held, the new princess wishing to remain secretive until she had dealt with the war finding itself on Equestria’s shoulders. Despite outcry from the public to see who this new ruler was, those wishes never came.

Dragonlord Tholak didn’t immediately move out after his victory at Red Ridge, but his next target was the Earth Pony settlement of Vanhoover. The new leader of Equestria, having intercepted this message, overruled their refusal to send troops by implementing the Required Draft Act, or RDA*, stating that the deployment of units and drafting of civilians was automatic in case of invasion. While concern swept the populace as the new Equestrian ruler signed it without the AAL, civilians were evacuated and soldiers took up defense inside Vanhoover. A move that halted the incoming draconic forces.

Though the Equestrian forces received casualties, the number of deaths on the invading forces side were easily double. A retreat was ordered, and Tholak’s forces were pushed out of the settlement. When news of it arrived in Canterlot, opinions of the new unknown princess drastically changed. The three tribes now fully supported her, and with her acceptance in the public’s eyes, revealed herself. Very little information during most of the war, until Tholak’s death, was kept, and even less about the second ruler of Equestria. The only thing we know is her name and tribe: Aurora. A pauper pegasus who somehow rose to fortune and nobility in the time between the nation’s founding and her declaration is not princess, but queen of Equestria.

The only other pony to take the title of queen instead of princess is Queen Twilight Sparkle, fifth ruler of Equestria.

*The RDA is still in effect today, though it’s power for automatic drafting has been taken away.

Luminous took a deep breath in, exhaled, and then repeated the former action. Her fear of whatever the queen wanted to see her for was consuming her. Part of her believed that everything would be fine, but every moment that belief got smaller and smaller. This was the queen of Equestria! Despite how she had reacted earlier, Luminous had no idea if what she had seen earlier was the real Twilight or not. That thought alone was enough to make her consider running away, but she had forgotten where the castle entrance was.

“Remember what mom said,” She mumbled, closing her eyes. She allowed the sound of the guard’s armor to guide her. “Smile when you wish to frown, laugh when you wish to… cry? Yeah, that’s it. Did I really almost forget something that simple?”

“We’re here, oof!” The guard said, Luminous accidentally running into his rear. She opened her eyes to see him staring discontently at her. “We ask that you don’t approach her majesty, in case whatever this is you did is harmful.”

Luminous couldn’t help but feel a little hurt by those words, though she knew it was just ponies reacting to something they didn’t know. She nodded, reminding herself that it would also be important to keep Twilight from trying to hug her again. Turning to face the door, Luminous let loose another long held breath. The guards words had done nothing to stop her from worrying over what would happen there. She felt some comfort in knowing that this wasn’t the throne room, or at least she assumed that it was a different hallway she was in currently.

The guard forced a cough, tapping a hoof on the door to tell Luminous to head in. Seeing the increasing frustration on his face, she decided it would be better to do as he said. Opening the door, the first thing that went through her head was a wave of comfort. Before her was no throne or interrogation room, but a dining room. A long white cloth went down the middle of the table, a silver candelabra dead center. Potted plants sat on end tables and counters around the edges of the room, and strangest of all a wine barrel was sticking half out of the wall. She couldn’t see it from her angle, but on the opposite side of the barrel, facing away from her, was words reading “Sweet Apple Acres”.

That only kept her attention for a few seconds before looking to the table, and her mouth watered at what she was. On the plate in right in front of her was spanish rice, a personal favorite of hers, with biscuits and mashed potatoes right next to them. It was a spread that her mother had made on special occasions only, as the rice in particular was hard to get. She didn’t remember why, but she didn’t really care. She would have immediately stuffed her face if she hadn’t noticed the two figures staring at her from across the room.

The first she recognized instantly, being Queen Twilight Sparkle herself. The other one, however, was not a pony at all, but rather a well dressed Griffon. Wearing a custom made suit, the griffon’s feather colors were different from what mom had told her. While most had brown feathers, his were a blood red, though the standard white feathers on their heads was present. Similar to the queen, he seemed to have a regal air to him, though while she couldn’t tell what Twilight was thinking she somehow saw him as being more… welcoming.

“Luminous Oracle, thank you for joining us,” Twilight said with a smile. Her gaze shifted from the pegasus to the griffon next to her. “I’m sure your mother, Silvia, has told you about Emperor Gabriel Derev of the Griffon Empire.”

“It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Luminous,” Gabriel said, tipping his head to the young pony. Luminous couldn’t stop her mouth from hanging open. “I must say, you are in every way as wonderful as Silvia said you were.”

“R-r-really?” Luminous asked, the emperor nodding in response. She did her best to hide her surprise at a foreign ruler being in front of her, sitting down. She reached for her fork as she continued to speak. “Were you two waiting on me to start eating?”

“You, and one other,” Twilight said, ending her answer with a sigh. “She should be here-”

The door flew open from behind Luminous, the sound scaring Luminous enough to send the fork in her hoof flying into the air. She watched in fear, part of her knowing it would somehow land behind her. What happened instead, was a pink aura grasped it mid-ascent, holding it stationary in the air. It than floated back down, landing silent where it had been before. Luminous felt scared once again, looking behind her to see who it was that had just entered.

It was an alicorn, and an extremely angry looking one at that. That look contrasted from her fur and mane color, the former an extremely light pink while the latter was a darker pink with a light blue streak. Her eyes showed a mare who had no wish to be here, like she was being forced to by some cosmic being. At first, Luminous thought that the alicorn’s expression was directed at her, but she was staring straight across the table. Straight at Twilight, who did her best to smile.

“Sorry I’m late,” She greeted, her voice full of venom, all of which were directed towards the alicorn across from her. “Moral judgement questioned if I she really be sitting down with the alicorn responsible for my parents sudden disappearance.”

“Please Flurry, this isn’t the time for this stuff,” Gabriel said, watching as the new arrival took a seat right next to Luminous, as far from the queen as possible. “Things have already been pretty exciting today and it would be nice to keep things calm for once, right Luminous?”

Flurry looked to the pegasus, the latter’s ears flattening at the look she was getting. She had heard the name before, and recently at that, but she couldn’t remember where. Though, considering that the alicorn looked like she wanted to kill her, perhaps that was for the best. Flurry looked to Twilight, her expression suddenly changing from fury to intrigued. She pointed to the pegasus, who mistook the alicorn’s language and hoof bumped it out of fear of what would happen if she didn’t.

“Luminous Oracle, this is my niece and the Empress of the Crystal Empire, Flurry Heart,” Twilight said, doing her best to be as friendly as possible. “Flurry Heart, this is Luminous Oracle. Gabriel thought that she should join us for lunch, if you don’t mind.”

Flurry’s eyes locked back on to Luminous, Luminous looking away and to her plate. “Your that she-devils daughter? Pfft,” She said, loud enough for only Luminous to hear her. “Looks like a waste to me.”

“Okay, let's try to change the topic,” Gabriel said, clapping his talons together. “Luminous, since you are the expected guest of honor,” He shot a quick glare at Flurry. “I have to ask, how did you end up in Silvia’s care?”

She opened her mouth to speak, but found that she couldn’t say a word. Closing her mouth, Luminous tried to remember that day, but she couldn’t. She knew that Silvia wasn’t her birth parent, that was obvious enough, but there was nothing before her. Her oldest memories, or at least the ones that had stayed with her, were of the forest adventures the two would go on. Those were the days that her mom had been home more often, but as the years went on she was around less and less. Some days, it reminded her of when all her friends left for the rest of the world. Most days, she felt abandoned, using nature as her only means to escape that very feeling.

“I… guess I was too young,” Luminous replied, finding that as the only real possibility. She smiled, closing her eyes as she lost herself in the memories. “She didn’t give me my name, I know that much. The Oracle’s where are supposedly a dead family from old Equestrian nobility that faded from history. That’s all I know though, and that’s okay,” A tear went down her face. “Those early years were so wonderful. My memory may have been bad but she was always there, and so was Psyche and Arcane and-”

“Spike told me about Psyche but who is this Arcane?” Twilight interrupted.

“A unicorn that helped mom as a babysitter whenever she had to leave the house,” Luminous said, the memories calming herself down where Flurry’s mimicking and glares didn’t seem to bother her. “He was not the best socially, kind of a loner if you asked me. He was studying something before moving away, though I don’t remember where or what it was?”

“Wow, Silvia knows how to pick em,” Flurry said, not even trying to hide her sarcasm.

“Actually, he was pretty good at the job,” Luminous replied. “I mean, most of the fun we had was to get me to stop bothering him, but he still did it. I mean, he was visiting the day before I got here. That means he cared even if his mouth could never say it… or looked like he did for that matter.”

“That’s one way to interpret that,” Twilight responded, put her hoof to her muzzle as she thought. “Maybe he’ll be up during the festival? I know ponies that I haven’t seen in a long time that will be coming up around then.”

“Right, the old counsel of friendship,” Gabriel continued, nodding his head with a smile. “I remember being lucky enough to meet some of them during the earlier years of my rule. The modern heroes of Equestria, wielder of the elements of harmony,” The griffon’s pride suddenly turned gloomy. “Though, that was so long ago now. It’s hard to think Applejack is already in her fifties.”

Twilight’s eyes fell on her hooves, Gabriel’s words rendering that terror she felt yesterday night. Pinkie’s daughters were all grown up, Rainbow Dash was retired, Applejack’s medical problems due to her livelihood. Those were the ones that immediately came to her attention, but it was nothing compared to Fluttershy, who disappeared a decade ago similarly to the princesses. The only one who hadn’t had any major changes to her life was Rarity, but it did nothing to stop her from feeling a little upset of how distant they have become.

She started to wonder how long this meeting would dinner would be, a part of her wishing for it to be over.

Psyche wandered through the halls, finding that she was tripping over her hooves as she did. Her head was crying in pain, the right side badly swollen but hidden under her blindfold. Her emotional surge had ended sometime ago, and just like before her brain had shut of all ability to feel it. Save for the pain that is, which kept her on the verge of tears as she made her way down the hall. She wanted to go home, but the bump she had created made that an arduous process.

“You need to learn to control yourself,” She immediately recognized the voice as Thunder, who had unknowingly trotted up to her and taken a look at her face. “Yeesh, I haven’t seen you hurt yourself this badly in a while. Well, your not bleeding, which is good.”

“I’m fine,” Psyche stated, trying to find Thunder’s chest so she could nudge him aside. After a minute, and a group of guards walking past them in confusion, she gave up. “I request you get your hooves off of me, Lieutenant Shield.”

“Not a lieutenant anymore, Psyche, and please don’t call me by title,” He explained as he backed off. As soon as his hooves left contact with Psyche’s body she started moving again. “How did it happen? You haven’t had an outburst since… well…”

“The night I came to Equestria,” Psyche said.

Her memory reminded her how badly she had harmed herself that night. That was the night she found out she couldn’t feel emotions anymore, except for the very one that had triggered the following outburst: self-disappointment. A horrible, horrible case of hating herself, and that was all she could ever feel now. She didn’t understand why she felt disappointed in what happened, because she succeeded in her goal. Was losing the ability to feel anything really that bad? If that was only the second time in the past fifteen years it had occurred, so it couldn’t be that bad.

No, not anymore. Not after the mistake she had made, nearly telling Luminous things that Silvia wished to keep away from her daughter. The mare was to live a normal life, or at least as normal as possible, and live happily while she did what had to be done. Thunder, Arcane, everyone who knew of the threats now posed to Equestrian society was to do their best to keep Luminous out for as long as possible. The only one who could say it’s time was the wolf, the last of her kind, and the one who deemed herself enough of a monster to do what must be done for the moment. Psyche had been given an order, something she could understand, and she had broken it.

“Situations might be taking a turn for the worst,” She told Thunder, her voice as monotone as possible. “Twilight and Luminous now know each other exist, an absolute last on Silvia’s hopes. Things are uncertain.”

“Yeah, but it was going to happen eventually,” Thunder reminded Psyche. “Fate forces those of similar belief together, and it’s as unavoidable as anything else. Despite the differences, we know that those two were going to be impossible to keep apart for long, just like you and…”

He stopped, watching as a patrol went by him. They saluted him, gave a clean report, and with his leave went back to business. He didn’t pick the conversation back up when they left, knowing that Psyche understood what he was talking about. He knew that she hadn’t had an attack when the unnamed event occured, but it was better safe than sorry. Nopony could know what had happened, and this Equestria didn’t have laws distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary acts. He couldn’t save her forever, but he would for as long as possible.

“You should check on Luminous,” Psyche said. “The relationship between you two was happy when I left.”

Thunder could only chuckle in response. “Oh boy. If you’re confusing our breakup with joy, then I’m sorry.”

“You… weren’t happy?” Psyche asked, tilting her head. Silvia had said Luminous did it when she asked questions, so she thought it was right to do it as well.

“One thing you need to know about having an ex, Psyche,” Thunder told her. “They don’t understand, or perhaps Luminous’ brain is not big enough, to know what the phrase ‘it’s you, not me’ means.”

Flurry Heart had retired after an hour of arguing, insulting, and praising, though that last one only applied to Equestrian cuisine. Twilight was in too much of a slump at that point, lost in the memories of her days before the throne, to do anything about it. Gabriel ended up taking the most action in defending her, and Luminous quickly left after eating. The alicorn understood the pegasi’s action, probably feeling awkward surrounded with a bunch of rulers. Twilight felt stupid, not thinking about that fact, though Flurry Heart’s arrival was extremely last minute.

No doubt she was scooping out the castle, if she really was planning assassination.

“When did I become so concerned over my own life?” Twilight asked herself. She had barely touched her plate in the past half hour or so.

“Thinking about Flurry Heart?” Gabriel asked, cleaning his beak. Twilight nodded, her eyes closing as her head bobbed downward. “Twilight, the only advice I can give you is this: whatever your thinking about right now, stop it.”

“What?” Twilight asked, looking to Gabriel in surprise. “But how? You expect me to just forget about-”

“Not forget, just stop letting it consume you,” He explained, knowing exactly where Twilight was going with her words. “The act of remembering history, as I’ve been so wisely told, is a balancing act. Embrace it too deeply, and it’s impossible to move forward, but forget and you will make the same mistakes over and over,” He put one of his claws to his heart. “You know the story of my empire’s fall, right? The story of the Golden Idol or Boreas.”

“The pride of the Griffon, stolen by Arimapsi,” Twilight said. “Yes, I do. It’s a wonder that you were accepted as emperor, seeing as it is supposedly still lost today.”

“I didn’t rise out of simple heritage or idol, you know that,” Gabriel continued. “No, the true obstacle was the past. Many had forgotten the glory of the Griffon Empire, and many who did held the idea of the idol too close to their hearts. I proved myself a ruler because I knew how to make a change, and I rekindled the balance in our culture and history. That’s how I did it, and I did it without a magical artifact or idol,” He grabbed his helmet from the nearby seat. “I choose the color of gold not as a symbol of wealth and our greedy past, but because it represents the griffon spirit. For years we were lost, like an ancient golden artifact, but rediscovered we now are, and we shine as brightly as the day we left.”

“You certainly are special when it comes to your kind,” Twilight commented. “You are one of the few griffons, even today, that understand that there is more to life than money,” Gabriel smiled, hearing what was commonly considered a slight weakness to his peers be considered a worthy trait by a fellow ruler. “I see what you mean too, and I’ll do my best to try and not lose myself to heavily in the past from now on.”

“Not before researching a certain someone's family ties, however,” Gabriel joked, happy to see that he has managed to raise the princess’ spirits. “That is the question now, isn’t it? Is Luminous truly of an old noble house? One that has vanished from Equestria in the centuries.”

For the first time since they had started eating, Twilight managed to smile. “I guess there is only one way to find out.”

A lone pony struggled through the Bone Dry Desert, having been abandoned by his caravan on their travel to Kludgetown. His body was weak, no food or water on his person, and nothing keeping him from baking in the desert sun. He knew the area well enough to know that water was an impossibility, as no oasis or river ran through the desert. He was all but dead, and yet he struggled on in hopes of somehow making his destination. His mind was filled with one sole thought: survive.

He collapsed, his body too exhausted to move on, and the thought of defeat passing through him for a second. Then, as if by some miracle, he made out the shadow of a figure walking. It wasn’t a pony, but he would take his chances, believing he was saved. With a sudden surge of strength, and a determined mind, he ran as fast as he could towards the target. As he got closer, he made out multiple things about whoever it was, from the creature being bipedal to what seemed like a cane in his hands. The creature noticed the pony running towards him, and latter felt further relief as he saw them start a light jog towards him.

As the pony finally closed in, he finally found out what was standing before him: a dragon. The dragon’s body was slim, though cleary he had plenty of muscle on him. Yellow scales covered his body, his eyes ruby red. What the pony had thought to be a cane he could now see as a staff, it’s body made of purple crystal with a giant red ruby in its center. As they reached with a few yards of each other, the pony once again collapsed.

“Sir, are you alright?” The dragon said as he kneeled down to watch the collapsed figure before him. The pony not noticing the strange politeness he was being treated with.

“Please, tell me you have food, or water, or anything!” The pony pleaded, his voice showing far more panic than the dragon in front of him. “I was abandoned on my way to Kludgetown by my associates.”

“Kludgetown?” The dragon asked, the pony noticing more figures slowly appearing in the distance. “Why are you going to a place like that?”

“I’m a merchant,” The pony explained. More figures seemed to keep appearing, a horde of individuals similar in shape to the dragon making themselves known. “We had a trade deal to finalize and… I mean you must understand that now I just want to get somewhere that I’m safe!”

“Safe? Well I’m sorry to tell you but I don’t think you’ll be seeing your merchant buddies again,” The dragon said, standing up and walking past the pony. “Also, I wouldn’t exactly recommend being in Kludgetown right now. It’s in no shape to take in ponies.”

“W-w-what?” The pony said, looking behind him to see the dragon still smiling. In seconds, that smile quickly started to seem less wonderful to the pony. “But I have to get there! My life is on the line!”

“Indeed it is, though I see no interest in helping somepony today,” The dragon said, turning around and motion the pony to look in front of them. “Besides, I already have enough mouths to feed.”

Following the dragon’s hand, the pony looked forward and found himself frozen in fear. Rows of dragons marched forward, none of which looked particularly friendly. Covered in steel, with spears, swords, and shields gripped in their claws, they marched forward. They stopped, feet from the weak pony, standing in attention. Some even saluting. It was at that moment the pony realized that those he had met were not here to save him.

“You ponies are too trust,” The dragon said, walking back towards the pony. He placed a foot on the pony’s head, muzzle being filled with scorching hot sand. “I thought a thousand years would change that, make you see the truth I showed you all so long ago,” He stomped down, causing the merchant to swallow some of the sand in their mouth and choke. The dragon’s foot redirected the pressure it was placing on the unfortunate soul below it from the head to neck, making the pony gasp for air. “Your friends didn’t seem to figure it out when we met them, and you are making the same mistake. I shall see that this changes.”

“I will say, it is a miracle that the tribes have survived each other all these years, and I do give props for that,” The dragon said, not watching as he applied more and more pressure to the merchants neck. “Though you are still ponies, and you are all hopelessly idiotic. A unicorn, I assume your companion, has magic, but refuses to even harm me? He is scared of hurting my feelings by such an action? Such naive and braindead thinking is intolerable!”

A snap sounded from under him. The dragon looked down, noting how the pony had stopped all signs of movement. He spat on the corpse, upset that they didn’t even try to fight against him. A thousand years dead, and nothing has changed when he and his army suddenly finds themselves alive. He was uncertain of why such a miracle had been given to him, but now he knew. How easily he torched that sorry excuse for a town, raided that wagon, and fooled the worthless garbage under him now made it clear.

“Soldiers, hear me!” He called out, kicking the body as he walked to his men. “As we know, a thousand years ago we died from a race inferior to us. May I remind you that it was not through their superior strategy that they won, but rather from a leader who alone became exceptional. They had a leader willing to pay the price of victory, and secure it through blood,” He stopped short, turning to walk parallel to the row of soldiers in front of him; dragons who had fought alongside him back then, just as they were now. “Yet how did they treat someone who fought war? How did the alicorns obtain their power? Casting that very leader out and taking her throne in the name of harmony!

“Just like many of you, I respect that mare alone. She is a pony worthy of leadership far more than the worthless “demi-gods” who defeated us. These alicorns have done a disservice to Equestria, and we now march on their lands not with the goal of crushing them, but liberating them! That is the goal of not just I, Tholak, but of all dragonkind!” As he spoke those words, watching as his men cheered for him. A figure cut through the lines, making their way towards the. “Though as you all know, that cause is not just us. No doubt Equestria burned every file they could to hide her existence, but when a leader is betrayed by her people, what should she do?”

Tholak’s hand, palm open, stretched down to a pony, one clad in armor similar to that of the rest of his soldiers. Her black coat made her look like a specter; a fallen soldier of another era. Her mane and tail were nearly non existent, cutie mark covered by armor, but any who had seen it saw the scar. A scar that made it unidentifiable. Tholak smiled at the mare, but she did not smile back. He nodded, and she turned around. All attention fell to her, many eagerly awaiting what she was saying.

“My allies, soldiers, companions!” She shouted, voice low and powerful. More than a few felt a shiver go up their spines as she spoke with fury. “What we will do this year shall be forever engraved in Equestria’s history, but not because of them!” Her throat burned as she blurted her words out, but it felt wonderful to do so. “You all know who I mean. These alicorns have ruled over Equestria and made them imbeciles. I shall not remind you that peace is not a lifestyle, it’s a gift. A gift for those who fight, and did these alicorns - “children” of the creator, Faust - ever fight fair?”

“No!”

“Correct! You know just as much as I do that these years of peace were not won fairly or equally. Each victory we have discovered in these past weeks from Discord to Sombra to modern day were not won with military. They were one with gifts! Gifts of a goddess who shelter them, but allow the rest of the world to fall apart. These elements of harmony have given no true relief, no earned peace, nothing! We know this! We were its first victims, a ruler who was cast out for choosing the harder choice, and a people who have become nothing more than braindead idiots in the centuries to pass!”

She paused for a moment, allowing her heart rate to settle. As she continued to speak, walking the line in front of not just Tholak’s, but her soldiers, she did so calmly.

“To those of you who ask what divine being wished to give us a second chance, I ask you to think of something else. How glorious is this opportunity?” She requested. “We know the canon, the heart that kept these alicorns safe, and how it can be destroyed. That means this is our opportunity, one an era in the making! Celestia and Luna, by all accounts, are gone and but one alicorn still rests on the throne. If we are to liberate my people, if we are to restore yours to the great empire it was so long ago, then we will march! No, not just march, we shall fight! Fight for a future where peace has true meaning, where immortals don’t rule! This is the promise Tholak has given you, but I share it.

“I, Aurora Oracle, the true queen of Equestria, fight for you!”

Chapter 9

Here stands Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, and Cozy Glow.

Let there actions and fate show that friendship is greater than any power.

Arcane spat on the plaque, noting how those words that were meant to be so empowering could be taken so wrongfully. He couldn’t help but think that Twilight was better than this, but she never even thought about the altered meaning of those words. Equestria had always been that way, so overcome by the singular cause of harmony that they were ignorant. Arcane personally found wonder and intrigue at the thought, especially since such a straightforward nation was now the leading superpower of the world. With the same, straightforward purpose for so long, he had to ask himself: how long would it continue this way?

There had been those who had tried to change it, but all of them had failed in one way or another. In all those cases, though, it was probably for the best that they had, and what stood in front of him was a prime example of this. Three individuals, all messed up in there own ways, teaming up to take Equestria all because the same pony managed to get on their bad side. There was more to it, obviously, but at the end of the day their final reason was the one remember by Equestria, and the one history books would right about in the future.

Of course, that would only happen if they stayed where they currently were. Arcane’s horn lit up, aiming it at the large, bug-like pony. More specifically, the area were her hip connected to Tireks torso, the only place where she was actually connected to the base in any way. Checking around him to make sure no guards, or at least no Equestrian ones, were watching, he used his magic as a makeshift saw. In no time, he removed the two from each other, and focus his magic instead on keeping Chrysalis floating, so she didn’t smash to pieces on the ground.

All that that left him with now was the incredibly difficult challenge of getting her out of Canterlot, undetected, and figure out a spell that would reverse the enchantment placed on her.

“I see things are going quite well over here,” Arcane looked behind him as he set Chrysalis on the ground, watching as Flurry Heart landed not far behind him. “You weren’t joking when you said you could get past the guards with ease.”

“I take a lot of personal pride in my ability to fool and trick ponies,” Arcane replied with a bow. “How has it been dealing with Twilight? Still want to go through with this?”

“Oh, I never planned to stop,” Flurry Heart answered, her face turning from playful to calculated. “As far as I know, Twilight is still somehow behind my parents disappearance, death, I don’t know. Point is, she’s expecting me,” She looked to Chrysalis, who she could almost feel looking back. “I don’t think she would be expecting the Changeling Queen so soon, though.”

“Yeah, well she wasn’t expecting me either,” Arcane responded. “One of her greatest enemies, comfortably dead, only for another version of the same pony to come back for her.”

Flurry Heart smiled as she heard this, that small voice she associated with her parents words of wisdom blocked from her mind. This was the reason she had come here, allowed her citizens to enjoy the Festival of the Two Sisters. It was a celebration for Celestia and Luna, who gave the throne to Twilight and disappeared, and many years later her own parents did the same. To her, there was no other option, Twilight was the one responsible. She just had to keep playing her part as the discontent leader till the fair ended.

“Well, Arcane “Sombra” Glyph,” Flurry Heart said. “I leave you to your duties. For the Crystal Heart, and the glory of the Crystal Empire.”

As the Empress took off, she heard Arcane’s response. “Don’t shout victory just yet.”

Twilight watched as ponies went by, some greeting her while others were too excited by the fair to take notice. She couldn’t help but giggle as she watched foals dragging their parents to the nearest cotton candy stand, or couples bickering about what to do. For the first time in two weeks, her memories of her friends were not painful, but joyous. Remembering all the good times at the earlier festivals made her feel ready to cry. Not cry of sadness though, no, that was not something she would allow the public to see, especially during the festival.

“Heh, every year it seems to only get bigger,” Gabriel commented, laying down on the top of the event stage sipping a soda. “You ponies never stop surprising me with what you can do.”

Twilight smiled at those words, a part of brain wondering if he had said those exact same words before. The stage had been the meeting spot for all the leaders for a good many years now, and it allowed both the citizens to meet with them and for news between leaders to spread as well. Currently, only Twilight, Thorax, and Gabriel were at the stage, as Ember hadn’t arrived just yet and Flurry had left for some reason. She claimed it was important, but Twilight knew given the smile on her niece’s face that it wasn’t a good thing.

She was wrong about one thing though, and that was that Flurry wanted to kill her. If she had planned it, she would have done it a week or so ago, before the event happened. Now, here she was, surrounded by a sea of ponies and watched by her own guard. She immediately knew she would have to apologize to the Crystal Empress for her behavior, and that it would only worsen relationships between the two nations. Nonetheless, apologizing was the right thing to do in this situation, and there was no other option available to her.

“Well, looks like the late party has finally arrived,” Gabriel said, noticing Ember making her way out of the crowd. Twilight’s eyes, however, feel on the creature next to the dragonlord everyone was staring at. “And this is certainly a surprise for the century. Silvia Holveneart, in Canterlot!”

“Hey Twilight, sorry I’m late,” Ember said, literally dragging Silvia by the tail as she looked around in awe and excitement. “Had to drag my guest past every stuffed animal stand that we passed by on the way here… and pay for one.”

“Ifs sfo nife an’ sqoofy,” Silvia mumbled to herself, a plush of a timberwolf in her maw. Looking behind her, her she was shocked to see Twilight. She used her paws to remove the plushy from her mouth. “Ahem. It’s a pleasure to meet you, your highness.”

“Um, same,” Twilight replied, having not prepared herself well enough for this. She looked to Gabriel. “You weren’t kidding about the flesh and bones timberwolf. She’s Luminous’ mom?”

“Luminous!” Silvia said, darting over to the queen with her tail wag fiercely, her eyes sparkling. “You mean my daughter finally left home, and you met her!” Twilight nodded her head, and watched as the creature she had painted as being cold and cruel bounced around. “She did it, she did it, my daughter finally did it! You have no idea how proud I am of her right now!”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure we can tell,” Ember replied with an eye roll, making her way over to Twilight and shaking the alicorn’s hoof. “Just so you know, I’ve never seen her like this before.”

“Well, at least she seems happy about it all,” Twilight said, holding back the laughter in her throat. She then turned her attention to Silvia, who was making her way up the stage. “It’s a pleasure to meet the mother of such a wonderful, if not mystery, pony. What brings you to Canterlot? I assume it’s more than the festivities.”

Silvia’s smile disappeared, her face turning more stern in an instant. “Yes, sadly, though I do hope to enjoy the festivities to their fullest before the end of the day,” She let out a sigh. “Queen Twilight, I come to you today asking a favor and giving a warning. Though, I would prefer to talk about this in a bit more secret from the crowd.”

Twilight nodded, looking at the sea of colors that was her citizens. She motioned Silvia to follow her moving to the back of the stage, the wolf doing as she said. The two disappeared backstage, Twilight uses her magic to grab two stools from the far corner. She looked to Silvia for confirmation that this was enough, getting a nod in reply. The two sat down, Twilight motioning for her to speak.

“So, I’m gonna go out here and assume a certain birdy told you that I’m not exactly from here,” Silvia started. Twilight nodded hesitantly. “Queen Twilight, I’m here today to warn you about ponies and other individuals like myself. Ponies who are out of time, or from place out of here,” An thought came to Silvia’s mind. “Just to make sure, is your canon safe.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide, having not expected the wolf to know about such a thing. Taking a deep breath, Twilight took her front hooves and pushed them into her chest. A few moments later, they came out with a strange, crystalline object in their hands. It was completely solid though looked transparent, pulsating like a heart and in similar shape to one to. Silvia smiled, exhaling in relief as Twilight handed it to her.

“I was worried that, with how much time has already gone out of sync, it might have been destroyed,” She explained. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the heat emanating from the pulsing crystal. “I’m glad to see I was wrong.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“You mean you don’t know the canon’s second purpose?” Silvia asked back, being answered with a head shake. “This is gonna be weird to explain, but essentially the canon has two purposes. The first, the one you are probably most familiar with, is that it’s the source of an alicorn’s immortality, magic, and strength. If it broke, you would be just a normal pony. However, it also serves as an energy source for the Bygone Barrier, which is meant to keep time flowing straight. If a canon was broken, it was getting weaker, and a new one is not able to repair it.”

“I’m sorry, what did you just say?” Twilight replied, her head spinning from what she had just been told. “I knew about it’s immortality properties, but time’s flow? Bygone Barrier? I’ve never heard of these things,” Her face turned serious. “What does this have to do with anything?”

Silvia wasn’t surprised that Twilight was doubting her, because she barely believed everything at first herself. She had to stay focused, though, because this wasn’t a time where she could second guess her words. She knew what she had to say, and that keeping those words to herself was not an option. Equestria wasn’t prepared in the same way she was, but she would make sure they were.

“My being here, is due to the Bygone Barrier unwinding,” Silvia explained, handing Twilight’s canon back to her. The alicorn proceeded to once again place it inside of her chest. “I am a thing that is not suppose to be in this timeline, what we call in my Equestria a paradox. I failed to protect that Equestria, and despite everything I fought for,” Silvia opened her mouth to speak, but stopped. Her mind brought the image of a cliff to her mind, and try as she might she couldn’t get the image out of her head. “I was only able to save a few ponies. Not every paradox is evil, but they are dangerous, and left unchecked they can destroy everything you love, and the peace you have worked so hard for.

“I come here today, because I’ve already dealt with one such incident with an unborn, a special type of paradox. They are ponies who never got the chance to exist, but they are just one of many kinds of paradoxes. There are the outsiders, ponies or individuals like me from alternate universes, who don’t exist in this one, or the splintered, fragments of soul who were robbed of life by a change in the timeline. The point is, we need to prepare Equestria for dealing with these threats when they show up. That’s why I would like to ask for permission to-”

Silvia was caught off guard by a boom in the distance, and the sounds of ponies scream in fear. She looked back to the main stage, before looking back to Twilight. The alicorn nodded, and the two got up and rushed to meet with Ember, Thorax, and Gabriel, who were following the crowds gaze to the lower city. Smoke was rising in the distance, but the distant screams got quieter as the seconds passed. Flurry Heart landed next to Twilight, looking around in confusion.

“Anyone here knows what's going on?” Flurry asked. “Aunt Twilight?”

“I don’t know,” Twilight responded with a shake. “Silvia and I were backstage when it happened.”

“Your majesty!” Twilight looked to see a pegasus guard flying towards her. As he landed on the stage, Thunder rushed forward and to his side. He was unharmed, but on the verge of hyperventilating. “Your majesty, we have an army of dragons outside the wall, being led by a pony and someone calling himself the “true dragonlord”.”

“Take a deep breath soldier. We need you to speak clearly,” Thunder ordered. After allowing the soldier a few breaths to calm himself down, he spoke again. “Now, give us a report. What happened.”

“They were asking for the Queen,” The guard said. “The pony, specifically. She wanted to talk with you, your majesty, but we denied her because of the forces with her. Then, she ordered a round of fire blasts on the wall,” His eyes turned to Thunder. “Casualties were… minimal.”

Twilight looked to Flurry, who shrugged, and then to the Dragonlord “Ember, you know anything about this?”

“If I did I would have sent you a letter beforehand,” Ember answered. “None of my kin reject my rule as far as I know.”

Twilight thought over her options, knowing exactly why the guard had come for her. She was a little upset that they didn’t seek her out before denying this force, but what was done was done. That also meant there was only one option she could take, having already seen what denying them would lead to. She looked around to the other leaders and then sighed as she closed her eyes. There was no other choice; she would talk, and hope for a peaceful resolution.

“I want you all to brace yourselves, and be prepared to evacuate the city if things turn ugly,” Twilight explained. She turned to the wolf. “Silvia, I’m sorry but I need you to get out of the city as soon as possible. Something tells me your warning and this attack aren’t just coincidences. I have something I need you to do, if you don’t mind your daughter getting involved.”

“Your majesty,” Silvia said, narrowing her eyes. “She’s been a part of this ever since you two met,” Twilight felt a shiver go down her spine, but thought nothing of it. “What do you need me to do?”

“For now, just head to Silver Shoals,” Twilight explained, before turning to Gabriel. “Gabriel, you find Luminous Oracle,” She walked up to the griffon ruler, turning herself in just a way where the only other individual who could see what was happening was Flurry and Silver. They watched as she teleported an empty bag in front of her, took her canon out of her chest, and placed it inside. “It’s safer with you two than it is with me.”

“Your assuming you can’t persuade them?” Gabriel asked.

“No,” Twilight said, hanging her head. “I have a feeling that they aren’t going to walk away. Now get going.”

Silvia and Gabriel looked at each other, and nodded. As the two headed off into the crowd, the griffon flying above it, Twilight turned to Thunder and Ember. Both of them saluted, the former helping the guard up while the other turn and flew off. With a deep breath in and out, Twilight extended her wings and took off, noting how the sun was starting to set. She had no idea what was going to happen, but she would be fighting without her friends for the first time. It was uncomfortable, but this wasn’t just for them, it was for everypony.

“Thunder? Thunder?!” Luminous shouted out, pushing past pony after pony. Thunder had left her the moment smoke appeared in the distance, leaving her confused and alone. “Psyche, Arcane, anyone?”

She was lost, having not paid any attention to where she was going during her argument with Thunder. That alone had distracted her enough to not notice the pillar of smoke off in the distance. Having no idea what to do, she picked a direction and went straight forward, not listening to those yelling at her for shoving them away. She only stopped when she came face to face with a wall, allowing her fear to overwhelm her.

“What am I gonna do?” She asked herself as she turned around and leaned against the wall, her back sliding down it and landing her in a sitting position. “I don’t even know where Psyche is right now. What am I-” She stopped herself as she noticed a figure in the sky flying at her. It wasn’t until he was about to land that Luminous figured out it was Gabriel. “Emper-”

“No time, come with me,” He said, grabbing Luminous’ hoof and nearly dragging her through the crowd.

Aurora was starting to get suspicious as she looked at the gate in front of her. She could easily have flown over it, but knew that she was already making a bad first impression. Part of her wondered if Queen Twilight had decided to flee, but she knew that was against an alicorn’s nature. They were willing to put their bodies on the line for ponies with what looked on the outside to be courage. That courage, however, was as fake as there perfect rule, merely a byproduct of the fact nopony knew what an alicorn’s canon was.

Her ears suddenly caught the sound of wings not far away, looking up to the sky. Aurora, Tholak, and their army watched as a pony as tall as a standard dragon touched down in front of them. She heard some whispers and gasps from her ranks, no doubt coming from the fact they had never gotten the chance to see an alicorn before. Aurora, on the other hoof, was only thinking about how under prepared the pony in front of her was, not wearing any armor. Tholak dropped into a battle stance, Aurora using her wing to tell him she would take care of it.

“You wanted me,” The alicorn said, her voice carrying all the way to the back lines of Aurora’s forces. “Explain why you’ve attacked my ponies, now.”

“I’m sure you already know the answer to that question,” Aurora said, stepping forward. “I was refused entry to the city, and therefore entry to greet you,” As she said that, she could hear bowstrings drawing from the guard towers. “I would prefer for this to end with as little bloodshed as possible. Order your ponies to stand down.”

Twilight hid her surprise, not expecting the pegasus to hear their bowstrings from where she stood. Deciding it best to comply, she extended her right wing. Aurora could hear the stress on the enemy’s bows lessen, and she allowed herself to smile triumphantly. She may not have won yet, but she was going to show the alicorn in front of her she was not to be underestimated.

“Now that both of our forces are not aiming at each other's throats, allow me to get to the chase,” Aurora said, her smile fading the more she talked. “Alicorn, one thousand years ago your kin robbed me of the throne and authority of Equestria, which had been given to me by none other than Lady Platinum herself,” She continued to close the distance between herself and Twilight. “For those thousand years, Equestria’s hardships have been solved not by the populace, but you. I’ve heard of Discord, Sombra, and Tirek, and in the end it was not the ponies who brought the peace through hardship, but you. Equestria wasn’t found through the use of magic relics or the heroic few. Despite the stories, it was the tribes who decided to join together, and we three were meant to be the true rulers of Equestria.

“So, alicorn, I give you two options,” A sole archer aimed at Twilight. “I know how to kill you; I know of the canon and its immortal properties. I refuse to let a ‘higher race’ rule ponies any longer. So, I ask that you submit your life,” Aurora closed her eyes. “Though my soldiers thirst for battle, I would prefer to not get civilians involved in such matters. However,” One by one, more archers took aim at the alicorn, Aurora stepping to the side to not obstruct their aim. “If you refuse, I, Aurora Oracle, will have no choice but to cover Canterlot’s streets in blood.”

The seconds after those words felt like an eternity, Aurora waiting patiently for Twilight’s response. She looked back up to the guard towers above the main entrance noticing that they were once again aiming down at her army. Yet, none of them were aimed in her direction, as if these ponies were too scared to hurt their own. It made her sick, how afraid they were to hurt her, even after declaring her attempt to kill their ruler. That was something she would immediately need to correct.

“There is no convincing you to stand down?” Twilight asked. “I’m sure we can work this out without death.”

“And where is the glory, or victory, in standing down?” Aurora shot back. “We pegasi were a warrior tribe, you should be ashamed in wearing our wings and saying such,” Aurora turned her back to Twilight, walking towards her men. “Though, if you wish to try for a peaceful resolution-” She raised a wing, covered in armor with five feather-shaped blades fashioned onto it. “-then see your ponies die.”

“Fire!” Twilight shouted, teleporting behind the city’s walls. Aurora dropped her wing, and arrows flew from free from dragon and pony alike.

Chapter 10

The following is an excerpt from an old tribal text from the pegasi before Equestria’s founding.

We are the pegasi: conquerors, warriors, tacticians, and so so much more. Our first war led us to conquer the sky, bringing the very weather and clouds under our control. For our victory, the creator reward us with the knowledge of the wingblade, so that we no longer needed to use the weapons of the earth. No doubt the creator saw our conquest as right, and her gift showed that she supported our rule of the sky. We declared to her that we would one day conquer the heavens too, so that we could thank her for what she had done for us. So says we: pegasi.

Aurora walked slowly as she glanced at the city around her, feeling guilt and pain at the sights around her. She knew what would happen when she gave the order, and that innocents would die no matter what happened. In a better time, that never would have happened, because the alicorns never would have ruled. That didn’t stop her from hating herself as she saw a mare’s face eternally frozen in fear, or a soldier crying out in pride at its country before dying. She, too, would die for these ponies, but she never had the chance to a thousand years ago.

The worst part about it all was how pitifully easy it was to break through the initial line of defense. It was horrible, watching the dragons so easily overwhelm earth ponies and pegasi alike, the unicorns fairing only slightly better. She knew that she could not allow these beasts to live, at least not when they proved such a severe threat to her vision. It was a necessary evil for now, though, and a sin that she would gladly have recorded in history. She was a pegasus, after all, and they were warriors.

It had not taken long for the guard to go from hesitating to kill her to rushing at her in rage. It was at that point that she had learned that not only had Equestria’s military suffered under alicorn rule, but that her kin had forgotten their gifted weapon: the wingblades. Just as the unicorns had their magic, pegasi had used their own magic to be able to fly with steel. What came from that was not only a weapon that only the pegasi could use, but a fighting style fit only for a tribe that conquered the sky.

A thousand years ago, the pegasi would have seen it dishonorable to not use earth pony or unicorn weapons. The irondance style, as they called it, was not just a battle technique, but a dance form as well. You were required to learn it, as to perform and irondance was a show of honor and strength. She could understand the more tribal aspects of it disappearing, as those ways had been abandoned long ago by now. That, however, was not the problem; it was the fact they had forgotten it entirely which disappointed her.

That only showed more as she fought Twilight’s forces, noting the lack of knowledge on what she saw as an important part of pegasi culture. A sword swing dodged, and she could cut into the neck with a matter of seconds. A spear thrust blocked with her wing, the plating stopping any possible damage to her body as she closed in and once again place her wingblades into their neck. It was unbelievable, dishonorable, and was a distinct lack of respect for who she was, and who her kin were. That thought only made her fight harder, and each kill all the easier as she found her caused justified.

“Remember, civilian casualties to a minimum!” She shouted to the troops around her as she slash a unicorns front leg, promptly finishing them with a jab through the eye. “Kill all who oppose you, but if they flee and you kill them, I’ll personally end you!”

She looked ahead, her eye catching on one pony in particular. A yellow pegasi, wielding another spear, though somehow she could tell he wasn’t as inexperienced as those around him. She slowly made her way towards him, watching as he struck one dragon effortlessly through the chest. Another rushed him from behind, but as they swung down he kicked their arm with his hindleg, disarming his opponent effortlessly. Pulling his bloody spear out of the first dragon’s body, he thrusted it upwards into the second dragon’s skull, exiting through the top of their head. Yanking it out once again, he turned to Aurora, who was smiling.

“You dishonor your heritage, but at least you have skill,” She told him, dropping into a battle stance of her own. Her wings formed a shield in front of her, her right leg back. “Tell me, who is the warrior that stands in front of me.”

“Major Thunder Shield,” He replied, pointing the spear at her. “I take it you aren’t exactly from this time. Nopony in this timeline still uses those.”

“Timeline? So you mean you’re not even of Equestria?” Aurora asked, a wicked smile dawning her face. “Color me intrigued, but I can already tell you who's going to win this.”

“Same,” Thunder replied. “So I’ll let you have the first strike. Come at me!”

Aurora couldn’t refuse, the attempted ego blow doing nothing to her as her wings drop from a shield stance and instead spread out. With a single flap, and a single step, she shot into the air, doing a black flip before aiming towards Thunder with her wings forward like an arrow. Thunder used the neck of the spear to block the attack, only to notice too late the only one of the wings had actually landed on his weapon. With a single swipe, Aurora aerial rolled, the blades on her other wing slicing through the wooden body of the spear, causing the tip to fall to the floor. Her smile only grew as she kicked Thunder in the face, using the momentum to propel herself backwards and landing on the ground.

“A pegasi fights with their body!” She exclaimed. She took notice of a dragon rushing towards Thunder. With another strong kick, she shot pass Thunder and landed her wing in the dragon’s stomach. After pulling it out, she turned back to her opponent. “A pegasi fights with honor!”

“Yet you would kill your own soldier?” Thunder asked.

Aurora let out a sharp breath, shaking her wing in an attempt to get some of the blood off of it. “We don’t steal kills either.”

Thunder took the sword from the dragon he had killed earlier to arm himself, Aurora wasting no time in once again closing the gap between them. She thrusted towards his forward, and he ducked, going for the neck as he did. Aurora, knowing she couldn’t block it in time, jumped back to avoid a slash to her neck. Instead of dashing in once again, she instead used her wings to block her face and body, sidestepping her way over. Thunder readied himself, now understanding that she was faster than him.

As she came within a foot of Thunder, she brought the wing blocking her face downward. Thunder moved the side, watching the other wing as Aurora extended it sliced horizontally, which he ducked in turn. Sadly, Aurora had played him into exactly where she wanted, flipping backwards and hitting Thunder’s muzzle with her hind legs. The blow sent him flying upwards, Aurora not wasting her time as she aimed her wing at his neck, and thrusted forward.

Her fatal blow was blocked as another figured pushed it away, allowing Thunder to hit the ground mostly unharmed. Aurora did not recover in time to see who or what had stopped her, receiving a claw swipe to her right eye. She staggered backwards, clutching her wounded eye in her hooves. As she removed her hooves, she was met with her own blood covering the bottom of them. Looking forward to seeing what was responsible, she was met with a wolf helping Thunder up from the ground.

“Thanks Silvia,” Thunder said, getting back on his own hooves. “I was almost a goner there.”

“You got cocky,” Silvia stated matter-of-factly. “Never, and I mean never let your opponent move first unless you have a death wish,” She brought her paw across his face. “Now get out of here, I’ll join once I’ve dealt with the stranded here. I won’t have you dying in Canterlot.”

“You expect me to leave Canterlot when it’s endanger of falling to the enemy?”

“Canterlot is already theirs!” Silvia spat back. “You want to try and save your life, or keep Twilight’s image alive, we need your help protecting Luminous and Gabriel.”

Thunder gritted his teeth, looking to Silvia, and then to Aurora behind them, who was busy trying to stop the bleeding with a bandage wrap. He looked around, taking in just how bad everything was around him. The bloods were stained red from dragon and pony alike, but their was far more bodies on the latter side. His own soldiers were dying, and he was their superiors. He had failed in his duty as their officer, he had failed to protect Equestria.

“Thunder!” Silvia called out, waking Thunder from his stupor. “Get going, now!”

He didn’t have the will to argue with her, his breathes heavy with regret. He barely managed to nod to Silvia, his hooves hesitant to move. He took one step towards the road out of town, and stopped, thinking he could hear a scream from somewhere nearby. He shook his head thinking it was just his imagination, and ran away from the city bleeding around him, closing his eyes so he didn’t have to see the blood. Silvia gave him a silent prayer, before turning to Aurora. The pony had bandaged herself up, now half blind on one side of her eye, but fury was emanating from every part of her body.

“Queen Aurora Oracle,” Silvia said, turning her body to face the pegasus. “I want to congratulate you on your victory today. Equestria is yours, and it only took the murder of your own ponies to win,” She narrowed her eyes. “You must be absolutely ashamed of yourself.”

“I take no pride in my actions, only sorrow,” Aurora answered, her voice abnormally soft. “Sorrow at what I’ve had to do to my future army. I’ve humiliated them, but for the reformation to come, it will be a necessity,” Aurora mimicked Silvia, narrowing her still working eye. “Yet, you know just as much as I do that I haven’t won yet. Where is it?”

“Truth be told,” Silvia replied, smiling. “Queen Twilight didn’t tell me.”

Aurora was snarling at that point, rushing at Silvia with a thousand years of pent up rage. “Lies!”

“Ros-” Silvia watched as a wingblade came rushing for her, aimed right at her face. “-sors!”

She jumped to the side, a transparent blue doppelganger mirroring her actions as she did. Aurora’s eyes went wide, having never seen a creature such as Silvia able to use it’s own form of magic. That disbelief gave Silvia the perfect opening, her copy mimicking her movements perfectly. Aurora only had time to block the real Silvia, though she could feel the copies teeth sink into her neck. She turned her body to slice it, the copy turning into mist as soon as her wing made contact. As she turned back to the real Silvia, however, she found the wolf holding the tip of her wing in her mouth.

“Let… go!” She ordered, only to scream when Silvia pulled it out of its socket. “What… what in the creator’s name are you?”

“Oh, little old me?” Silvia ask rhetorically, her fur suddenly changing from grey to pitch black, eyes glowing red. “I’m your worst nightmare.”

Aurora held her fear internal, trying her best to not give the beast what she wanted. That lasted as long as it took for Silvia’s paw managed to effortlessly snap her left wing in two. Once again, the pegasus let out a scream of pain, on the verge of tears. Looking around, she watched as Tholak approached them from far away, and used the bloodstone staff to club Silvia in the head. The wolf hit the floor, her body returning to normal as Tholak hugged a crying Aurora. Looking ahead to see a large number of dragons coming forward from the upper city, Silvia gave Tholak one glare before fleeing.

Satisfied that his to-be-wife was safe, Tholak turned his attention to comforting the mare in front of him. “There there, you have nothing to worry about,” He held her in his embrace, letting her cry. “We’ll have the castle staff fix you up. We beat them, Aurora. We’ve won, Canterlot is ours, and the alicorn is restrained. All we need to do now is-”

“N-n-not yet,” Aurora said, her crying turning to heavy breathing. She looked up to Tholak’s serpentine eyes, her face no less angry as before. “The canon isn’t in her, I’m certain of it. That… thing, it knows where it is. It knows where the alicorn has hidden it.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to hold off on planning our wedding,” Tholak said, turning to some of his men. “Get the new queen to the infirmary, and clean up the streets. You three, we’re heading out.”

“Honey,” Aurora called out, Tholak looking to see the battered form of his fiance smiling. “Thanks. Do me a favor, and rip that monster in half.”

“I already planned on it,” Tholak said, taking off into the sky.

Aurora allowed herself to collapse on the ground, looking to her wing in fear, fury, and confusion. That beast, Silvia as Thunder had called it, had just harmed one of the things most important to her. Nopony broke her wing, not unless they had a deathwish, and that Silvia had just asked for one. She wanted to be the one to pay her back, but she knew there was more important things right now. Canterlot was now her, the citizens still alive were scared, and she had a lot of things to fix up.

As her soldiers picked her up and carried her off towards the castle, she once again looked at the mess the battle had left. So many bodies, so many dead, so many good ponies who would have made for good soldiers with the right training. There was no lying when she said she felt sorrow, having to do such a horrible act to take her throne back. Silvia wasn’t worth her time, not with so much needing to be reconstructed. Only one more pony, at least for the time, was necessary to die for the future she wished. The alicorn, Twilight Sparkle, would know her sorrow for making her do this.

Thunder collapsed in the grass, his mind racing as he tried his best to wipe the images he had seen out of his mind. He turned on his back, looking back to Canterlot, shrouded in twilight, the pink sky darkening the castle. It looked so peaceful from the outside, as there were no screams, no smoke, no sound of metal against metal. It didn’t change anything, not to Thunder. He knew exactly what was behind those walls.

He forced himself to look away, and turning back onto his belly and standing up. He took off his helmet, staring at blood stains on it, all from his failure to save his kingdom. He tossed it aside, and then proceeded to take off the rest of his armor as well. There was no reason to wear it, no country he could fight for. Even if Luminous somehow held the key to saving the kingdom, he doubted that it would be enough.

“Major Shield, correct?” Thunder looked behind him, watching as Flurry Heart landed, Arcane jumping off her back. “Glad to a soldier still alive.”

“Yeah… alive,” Thunder replied, looking away.

“Most of the populace had been evacuated before the assault, sent through the old mines in the mountain,” Arcane explained. “Though, considering we’re dealing with the second queen of Equestria, it’s very likely she already planned around that.”

“Yet they are still alive, as far as we know,” Flurry Heart said, walking up to Thunder and kneeling down to head height. “Many pony’s lives were saved,” Her next words were nothing more than mutters. “But that Aurora mare is gonna kill her before Chrysalis or I can.”

“Not enough,” Thunder muttered, just loud enough for the ponies in front of him to hear. “Not enough lives, not enough soldiers… not enough for me to blame. What kind of officer am I?”

At that moment, Silvia joined them, breathing heavily from her sprint away from the capital. Her eyes immediately fell to the alicorn next to her, the two trading expressions of distaste to each other. A low growl escaped the wolf’s throat, though she managed to keep it mostly subdued.

“Look, I would love to know what you’re doing here with Thunder, but we have bigger things to focus on,” Silvia reminded them. “Canterlot is gone, but Equestria is still ours. We need to protect Twilight’s canon, and my daughter, until we find a way to stop Aurora. That means we move, now! We head to Silver Shoals.”

She looked to Thunder, who gave a hesitant nod. Silvia then turned her attention to Arcane, who smiled and nodded back. With that, she took the lead, Thunder following right behind her while Arcane lagged behind at a walk. Flurry Heart looked to Canterlot, shook her head, and rushed to Arcane’s side, returning to a steady walk as she did.

“What did you due with her?” Flurry Heart asked.

“Set a portal glyph on the statue,” Arcane explained. “When I need to, I can simply open a portal and grab her from there. It’s too dangerous carrying around a giant statue with an army around.”

“You want to help these ponies?” Flurry asked, her gaze shifting to Silvia. “And the wolf?”

“Trust me, your safest with them, and I know Silvia is counting on me to keep you in line” Arcane answered once again. “Just play along, don’t say anything out of the ordinary, and you’ll be fine.”

“Okay, we’re miles away from Canterlot,” Luminous said, confused and oblivious as to why she and Gabriel were running from Equestria. “Can you please tell me what’s going on?”

“Not far enough where I’m comfortable with the idea,” Gabriel said, turning around to face the pegasus. “I seriously can’t believe you never learned how to fly.”

“I mean, my mom is a wolf and the only other pegasus I know is… paralyzed, I think,” Luminous shook her head, not wanting to get distracted. “Point is, I didn’t have the teachers around me to do it, and being homeschooled I never went to flight school.”

“Still can’t believe Silvia taught you all on her own,” Gabriel replied. He looked up to the sky, tapping a hindleg as he thought to himself. “Give me a second to look at something.”

Before Luminous could replied, he took off into the air, the sudden gust causing the pegasus to fall into a sitting position. Maneuvering his way through the tree branches, he managed to break into the open airspace above the treeline. His fears were recognized as his eyes made out the unmistakable forms of dragons around Canterlot Castle. The queen knew she had no chance - that Equestria had no chance - against a military invasion. For everything Equestria was known for, an incredible army was the least of them. It had always fallen on the heroic few.

Gabriel knew that he was now one of those heroic few, as Twilight had trusted him for a reason. He made crossed his heart, offering a silent prayer that everypony and everycreature still in the capital was alright. With his heart satisfied, or unsatisfied depending on how one thought about it, he made his way back into the safety of the trees below. As he landed, he noticed Luminous giving looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

“So?”

“Canterlot was just invaded by an army of dragons,” Gabriel said bluntly.

Luminous eyes widened, her tone turning just as blunt as the griffon’s. “What?”

“Look, Queen Twilight asked me to get you out of the city, she clearly cares a lot about you,” Gabriel explained. “Besides, she gave me this,” He swung the bag around and opened it up, allowing Luminous a glance at the canon. “I’ve never seen this before, but Twilight pulled it out of her chest somehow. Whatever it is, it must be important.”

“It… kinda looks like a heart,” Luminous said, walking closer to get a better look at it. “Wait, out of her chest?”

“I’m as confused about it as you are, but we have somewhere we need to head,” Gabriel reminded the pegasus, closing the bag. “Something is in Silver Shoals. Something important.”

Chapter 11

The resort town of Silver Shoals, at the time of the Canterlot Invasion.

The whistling of tea on the stove, a kettle letting smoke out into the evening air. This was the sound of peace that filled one tiny home in Silver Shoals. A home owned by a white pegasus with pink mane and tail, happily chopping vegetables and humming a tune. Hearing the kettle whistling, she turned around and turned off the stove, removing it from the heat as she did so. Now, all she had to do was wait for her sister to get back from the diner and they would be able to do the same thing they had done for the past thirty or so years of their life: afternoon tea.

“She should be back any minute now,” The pegasus replied. She took a seat on a nearby stool listening for the door. “Any minute now,” A minute passed, the door hadn’t opened. The pegasus frowned. “For goodness sake, where are you Morning Brew? The sun is about to set.”

At that moment, the door finally decided to open, a smile re-materializing on the pegasi’s face in response. She looked back real quickly to make sure she had indeed turn the stove all the way off, before rushing out of the kitchen. Turning into her small living room, one large enough for guests though small enough where it felt big with just two ponies in it, her eyes met that of her sister. Morning Brew, a unicorn, with a dark blue coat and pitch black mane, was too occupied with the notepad in her hoof to react to her sister’s leaping hug.

“Urk! Sis please!” Brew pleaded as she was tackled to the ground, her sister giggling the entire time. “Sunny, please give me some warning before you aha… haha,” Her words were cut off she started to get tickled horrible. “S-s-s-sis please this is, heh, n-no t-ti-time for, ha ha ah ha. Sunnyside stop, please!”

“No, I don’t think so,” Sunnyside replied, continuing her assault on her sister. Brew did everything she could to get her older sister off her, batting her hooves at the pegasus. “This is for leaving me alone for two hours too many! Behold my ultimate attack,” Sunnyside tickled her sister even harder, using a wing to close the door so nopony heard her sisters loud laughter.

“Okay, okay, I-I’m sorry-y-he-he,” Brew said, finally manage to kick her sister off of her. “Why… must you do this to me… when you know it’s my weakness?”

“For the exact reason you just said,” Sunny replied, leaning in once again to ruffle Brew’s mane. Satisfied with her torture, the pegasus headed off to the kitchen to grab the kettle and tea cups. “Tea water is ready. You want to do it on the patio today, or is there someplace special you-”

“It was a busy lunch today,” Brew interrupted, her words seeming unrelated, but Sunny knew what it meant. She went to the bathroom mirror to fix her mane, noting how badly her sister had ruffled it up. “Patio, in other words. Kinda surprised that it was so busy though, seeing how the festival of the two sisters was today.”

Sunnyside smiled, her sister unable to see it but she could certainly feel it. It had been many years since the two had gone to the festival, not because they couldn’t, but rather because they had no need to. They had a restaurant they wanted to run, and that rarely gave anypony days off, even on the weekends. They were happy with that, and they were happy with how the past years had worked out. All that matters to them was getting to see the princ- no, the queen one time. They got that chance to, and here they were, satisfied with their little home in a cozy little town.

As Sunny grabbed a bag of green tea, her sister came out and levitated the kettle and a tea cup over to her. She poured herself a cup, before levitating it back over to Sunny pouring a cup for her as well. The two smiled at each other, Brew levitating a tea bag of her own over to her cup. Sunny took the kettle as Brew’s telekinetic hold on it dissipated, letting her set it gently back onto the counter. Satisfied, she followed her sister out to the patio, the two sitting at the lawn chairs placed at the far end of it.

The day had been a peaceful one, not that it was ever not peaceful in this town. Sunnyside and Morning Brew had not come here to open up a breakfast place, but one thing led to another and they soon found themselves handling one of the best restaurants in Silver Shoals. It was just the two of them, and it was a wonderful life.

“So, did you hear?” Morning Brew asked. “Flurry Heart is apparently in Canterlot for the festival!”

“Really, now that’s a surprise,” Sunny replied. “You think that the two of them are finally on each other’s good side again?”

The two looked at each other silently, before laughing at just how impossible that even seemed. Empress Flurry Heart and Queen Twilight hadn’t been on good terms since the empress was still a foal. The two had been up each other’s throats for years, or more exactly Flurry Heart had. Queen Twilight had tried to do everything to make the Empress understand, but it didn’t work. Nonetheless, all the bickering that had occurred between the two leaders was something the sister’s had quite enjoyed.

“What a day that would be,” Brew replied, smiling. That smile suddenly faded as she heard something, looking off into the distance. She looked to her sister, seeing a similar look on her face. “Sis… don’t tell me-”

“It could just be nothing,” Sunnyside replied. “It… could mean absolutely nothing… right, sis?”

Hours later, the woods outside of the city of Canterlot

Night had fallen over Equestria, the sound of crickets and peeper frogs filled the countryside. A griffon and a pony, both of which having just fled from an invaded capital, slept under the trees of a small forest. Gabriel had taken to the trees, finding the branches far more comfortable than the ground below. Luminous, however, with her lack of knowledge on flying had no choice but to use the ground as her bed. It had made for a long night, and horrible one to try and sleep in.

She had no idea what she had just been roped into, or why she of all ponies was a part of it. Canterlot, apparently taken over by somepony with an army of dragons behind them, and all of it happened without nopony telling her. She knew that Gabriel had said Twilight was fine, but it was impossible for her to stop worrying. Canterlot now belonged to somepony else, and who knows what they could be doing to the queen, or former queen she guessed it was now. That fact concerned her, more than she felt that she should, considering her very brief history with the ruler.

The air suddenly felt thicker around her, it’s cold grip causing her to huddle up closer to the tree. There was barely any difference in the lighting, but she knew she was having another vision again. It only now occurred to her that this, possibly, was the Equestria her mom had always talked to her about, the one she grew up in, but that didn’t seem possible. The sun had appeared in her mother's stories, the ones that her father had told her. Besides, it was possible that this was at all real, right? It was fake, but yet it felt so real.

Luminous heard something behind her, a sound akin to that of her mom’s paws on grass. She dared to look behind the tree, and instantly froze in fear at the sight in front of her. Before her, was a wolf, it’s coat as pitch black as the night surrounding it. The only reason she even knew the wolf was the glowing yellow eyes that almost blinded her. Luminous, however, did not find that as terrifying as what was in the wolf’s jaws. The sight of it briefly turned her breath ragged, and the wolf stopped and turned to her, giving a full view as to what it was carrying.

A foal, eyes unmoving and stomach still, hung limply from the jaws of the beast in front of her. Blood soaked the wolf’s teeth in the same way that it did the foal’s back, turning what should be a pure orange coat a crimson red. Luminous darted back behind the tree, hoping that somehow the wolf would just forget about her. She heard something fall to the ground, and that same sound of paws getting closer. She could hear the wolf coming closer, a low rumble emanating from its throat. As it poked its head around the tree, Luminous’ reflexes kicked in.

She punched the predator right in the head, sending it crumbling to the ground in pain. She could see it saying words, but they were muddy, like Luminous was underwater. Luminous could see the anger in the wolf’s eyes, whatever words it was trying to say being directed at her. It got up and walked towards the pegasus, Luminous backing away as she realized she had made a mistake. She looked away, not willing to look at the wolf in the face.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” She replied, covering her head. “I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“Luminous, you okay down there?” Gabriel asked from the branches above her. Luminous looked up to him, blinked and then looked back where the wolf had been. They were gone, the vision ended yet again. “Luminous.”

“Sorry Gabriel, give me a second,” Luminous called to him, sitting down and looking around her. The wolf was gone, the foal, of course the other Equestria they had spawned in. She started to worry that her earlier thoughts, about the identity of the other Equestria, were right. “I’m… I’m not exactly sure what to make of what just happened.”

“You mean you yelling at… nothing?” Gabriel replied. “You sure know how to wake a griffon up.”

“No, it wasn’t just nothing,” Luminous shook her head. Gabriel glided to the ground and landed next to her, his face showing a great concern for the mare. “I… I saw a vision again, of a different Equestria.”

“A different Equestria? Like the one your mom says she’s from?” The griffon emperor asked.

“Maybe, maybe not, I’m not sure,” Luminous answered, turning away from Gabriel. She was concerned about how he might react, but she already mentioned it, so there was no getting out of this conversation. “It’s not comfortable going there though. Last time I saw a mare fall from a tower to her death with a newborn in her hooves,” Gabriel took a few steps back at hearing that. “As far as I know, though, it’s all just a figment of my mind.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that,” Gabriel replied. His choice of words and the sigh that followed them got Luminous’ attention. “I’ve been told not to tell you anything, but I think we’re at a point where you at least need to hear some of it,” Luminous turned around, curious. Gabriel swung the bag to be in front of him, exhaling. “Luminous, though I can’t tell you what your mother has shown me, I can tell you that she is definitely not from this Equestria. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if these visions are somehow related to her Equestria, or Broken Equestria as she so wonderfully calls it.”

“You aren’t the first pony who has tried to tell me that it’s real, but I’m still sceptical,” Luminous replied. “I mean, I’m not exactly your typical pegasi, seeing how I have joal. It’s entirely possible, with how unknown the disability is, that it somehow messes with my mind.”

“I don’t think the mind has the ability to make you go through somepony else's body,” Gabriel said, putting a claw on the pegasi’s shoulder. Luminous opened her mouth, but the griffon beat her to it. “Queen Twilight told me about what happened between the two of you. Again, I can’t say what, but this isn’t the first time I’ve seen a pony, griffon, or other creatures have the same thing happen to them.”

Their talk was interrupted by the call of what sounded like an eagle above them. Looking up, Luminous was surprised to see what seemed at first like a ball of green fire above the tree. As it broke through the lower branches, the pegasus and griffon saw that said fireball was actually a bird made of fire. Luminous could feel something off about the heat the fire was giving off, but didn’t think much about it, too consumed by awe at what was in front of her.

“A phoenix?” Gabriel said. “But, it can’t be. Phoenix should be red, why is this one- hey!”

“Wait I… I think I recognize it for some reason,” Luminous replied, feeling a slight headache. She shook her head, though quickly realized that only made it feel worse. “It’s like that feeling I had the day I met Twilight. I could be wrong but…” She looked to the Phoenix. “Philo… Philomena?”

The phoenix took off as quickly as it had arrived, and that feeling inside Luminous told her to chase it. Without giving Gabriel a warning, Luminous rushed off, doing her best to keep up as the green phoenix. It would take her where she needed to go, show her what she had to do, something within her said that. Somepony was out there that some deep buried part of her memory didn’t remember, and everything was telling her the phoenix knew where they would be.

Gabriel just shook his head at everything he had gotten himself into.

Once again, Silvia’s medallion was glowing bright blue, brightening the camp that her group had made for the night. It was nowhere near as bright as the unborn she had dealt with two weeks ago, though she had expected as such. The closer the paradox, the brighter it was, and that never really helped when it’s scan radiance could detect them from miles away. Normally wolves didn’t need something like this anyway, as paradoxes had a unique sense of smell. A smell that Silvia’s nose was unable to pick up due to her nose never working when it wanted to.

“You gonna go after it?” Arcane asked. His lap was currently being occupied by a sleeping empress, snoozing away peacefully.

“No, could take me days,” She said, noticing the glow getting slightly duller and duller as the seconds passed by. “We only have a few hours to rest before we have to move again. The sooner we get to Silver Shoals the better,” Silvia closed her eyes. “And the sooner I know my daughter is safe.”

“Speaking of Luminous,” Thunder replied. He was wide awake, or at least he said he was, too afraid to shut his eyes. “Silvia, do you think that it’s time to-”

“I kept the truth from her for long enough,” Silvia said, nodding her head. She couldn’t help but smile, despite the situation she was currently in. “I got to give her a normal life, one which I knew would be shattered the moment she knew the truth,” She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. “I guess I should have known her meeting Twilight was a risky move, but a splintered and their true self are hard to keep separated forever.”

Silvia looked back down at the medallion, noticing how the glow was too dim for the light to be useful. She stood up, placing it down next to Thunder and giving him a look that read “don’t touch it”. He didn’t need to be told that, but it made her feel a little more comfortable as she walked off. It was too dangerous to light a fire since they were being tracked, but it was also important to know how far away their pursuers might actually be. They were already in danger, but they had Flurry Heart with them, and Silvia felt it was dangerous to let Aurora know another one existed.

That night was quiet, just how Silvia liked it. It was nice to be able to hear her paws against the ground, and the wind against her fur. She was reminded of that night, nineteen years ago, the day she first arrived in this Equestria, or True Equestria as she had heard a certain pony call it. That day she found a young filly Luminous snuggling next to her, out in the middle of nowhere. That day when she became a mother, and her fate was sealed.

She looked ahead, seeing yellow eyes through the bushes. The wolf watches as a timberwolf came out of the brush, staring at her with teeth bare. Silvia stood their, unmoved by the beasts nature to intimidate her, as it had no need to. Inside those predatory eyes she saw something: a glimmer of intelligence, lost to time. Silvia had to hold back the tears that wanted to make their way down her face, knowing full well what she was looking at. Her eyes stayed on the timberwolf, who didn’t move from its place despite looking like it was ready to maul her.

“A thousand years cursed,” She told it. “Become but beasts, primal, instinctive. Such a cruel fate, and yet it’s part of you, True Equestria,” The timberwolf finally decided to lung at her, only for its body to phase through her like she was a cloud. “So, fate brought three of them together, and now it brings you to me… or rather myself to I,” Her resolved lowered just enough for a single tear to swell up in the corner of her eye. “Arcane, I know you followed me. Just do it already.”

Before the timberwolf knew what was happening, a blast of magic landed at its feet. It fled in fear, though whether it was from that slight intelligence or simply instinct Silvia didn’t know. Turning around, she was surprised to find that she had guessed the wrong pony, being greeted by a formerly sleeping Flurry Heart. The two stared at each other in silence, a look of discontent on both faces.

“What’s your goal, following me out here?” Silvia asked. She watched Flurry open her mouth, but anticipated the young alicorn’s response. “And don’t you dare say it’s for the queen.”

“Well, you aren’t wrong, but you also aren’t right,” Flurry said, deciding to amuse the wolf. “Let’s just say that I’m not going to let this invader kill my aunt,” She could see Silvia was doubting her words, but this was close to the truth as the wolf would get. “Though… what was that thing that she pulled out of her chest? The crystal she gave to the griffon?”

Silvia wasn’t sure how to answer that question, partly because there was both good and bad consequences of her doing so. She had no idea what Flurry’s true intentions were, and if telling the empress would endanger Equestria in anyway. At the same time, if Flurry didn’t know what an alicorn canon is, than it would be dangerous to herself. The wolf bit her lip, knowing that if they somehow failed to protect Twilight’s, Flurry might be the only hope of keeping the timeline from completely unraveling. She had to know, no matter how much danger it put herself in, Silvia had to explain.

“It’s called an alicorn’s canon, it’s your heart in a sense,” Silvia explained. “Destroy it, and an alicorn loses their immortality. I hope you understand the danger of letting ponies know you can be killed, right?”

“Even if I didn’t I would take the necessary steps to make sure it stayed hush,” Flurry Heart said. She did a slight bow before wandering off, a smile creeping onto her face. Checking to make sure she wasn’t being followed, she decided to entertain herself. “So Arcane was telling the truth, this thing is the source of my immortality. Oh this is perfect. That means I won’t even need that poison. All I have to do is wait for the perfect opportunity once we find the griffon emperor to smash it without any sort of suspicion falling on me. From their, all I have to do is kill Twilight and…

“… wait, that wouldn’t work. If I destroyed it now, this alicorn hating pony that just took over Canterlot would kill her, wouldn’t she? So, I need to protect it for long enough so that Twilight is once again in a position of power. Sadly that means that using Chrysalis is once again my only option, as the backlash from killing her directly would be a horrible idea,” Her smile twisted the further she walked, a low chuckle emanating from her throat. “Oh yeah, it’s all coming together.”

Chapter 12

It had been a painful sleep, and one that Aurora was all too familiar with. She had been in battle plenty of times before, her fur covering most of the scars on her, and that which didn’t was usually covered by armor. A small scrape there, an arrow grazing her here, nothing really out of the ordinary. Yet this night hadn’t been painful simply because of the physical injuries or because she could now see out of only one eye. She had Equestria, had taken back Canterlot, and the alicorn was imprisoned somewhere below the castle, where she would kill it after destroy it’s canon. By all means, she had won.

Yet the excruciating pain that came from her broken wing, the small field of vision, it made her feel like she had lost more than anything. That creature, that wolf, with a paw that looked like it couldn’t even break a frail stick, somehow cracked not only her wing, but the blade that was attached to it. That creature was the obstacle standing in her way, not the alicorn. It was the wolf that had crushed her attempts at truly wrestling control of the city, stealing the canon from the alicorn’s chest. All she could hope was that hope that Tholak would come out on top.

What a perfect final duty to her, before she offed the only other thing she was scared of. A relationship formed from nothing more than necessity to her, but did the dragon really fall in love with her? No. It was more likely that he had planned to kill her, a threat to dragon society, and a threat to his standing with his men. What else would such a war crazy imbecile do, especially when those he trained started taking orders better from a pony than himself. It would be far easier to pretend to fall in love, use that to get close, and then kill her. Too bad she had also the same exact idea, or he might actually have gotten away with it.

The door opened at the far end of the castle infirmary, Aurora awake but her eyes were not open. All she heard were the hoof steps and metal sliding across metal; clearly a member of the castles medical staff. That was, if they actually were here to help her instead of try to kill her when she’s down. Either option would be smart, but considering she didn’t feel anything enter her back in the next few minutes, she decided to take her chances and see who was their.

She winced as she turned her body, accidentally rolling on her injured wing as she did so. A gasp came from the pony who had entered the room, and they muttered instructions that were too quiet for her here. Looking to see who it was, she saw a pink unicorn with a blue mane above her, rolling her back onto her side. No words were spoken between the two as the mare tended to Aurora’s wing. The pegasus did everything she could to hold in the pain.

“Does it hurt to much, my lady?” The unicorn asked. “I-I mean, you are the pony who just-”

“Yes and yes,” Aurora answered, letting out a sigh. “If you wish to leave this to somepony else or leave the castle staff, you have my wish. I know that I have not made the best first impression.”

“Bad first impression or not, you would have nopony else to take care of you. I’m the only medic in the castle, considering the military barely takes action,” The unicorn explained. She heard the injured mare groan, one she associated more with disappointment than pain. “Oh, speaking of which, Doctor Cross at your service, your,” Doctor Cross found herself unsure how to phrase her words “… majesty.”

“Aurora Oracle, and I’m not ‘your majesty’ just yet. No crown sits on my head,” She told the doctor before whispering. “And it is still very much alive,” She turned her head to face the unicorn, finding it uncomfortable but feeling it was more polite. “You’re really all the castle has.”

“We have experts come from the local hospital if anything serious happens, but since Queen Twilight took over that hasn’t really been necessary,” Doctor Cross explained. She forced a smile, but Aurora saw right through her. This unicorn was unhappy about certain things as she was. “No great evil trying to take Equestria, no invading forces until, well, now obviously. Besides, my family has served Equestria’s royalty for as far back as we know.”

“Well, you’re family has done a great service to the nation, Lady Cross,” Aurora said. Her smile was genuine. “Will it heal?”

“With proper care, rest, and the such, your wing will be good as new,” Cross replied. “I’m sure you probably know, but there is nothing I can do for your eye. What event caused such an injury? It surely wasn’t a pony?”

“A beast that had found its way into the city during the battle,” Aurora half lied. “An intelligent one at that. Caught me off guard while battling a soldier, and it cost me.”

“Well I would feel sorry for that creature, knowing that it just got on the new queen’s bad side,” The unicorn joked as she finished, managing to get a light chuckle out of Aurora. The pegasus heard the door open once again, watching as a yellow and red dragoness walked through the doors. “Hello, is something the matter?”

“I’m here to speak with Aurora, in private if you wouldn’t mind,” The dragoness asked, putting on a light smile.

Doctor Cross nodded her head to the dragoness, turned around and bowed to Oracle, and then left with her tools. Aurora rolled onto her back, being careful to not put too much pressure on her broken wing. The dragoness continued her way towards Aurora’s bed, sitting down on the bed across from her. She sat down and remained silent, waiting for Cross to leave in case she used the information she had against them. The dragoness doubted that it would happen, but it was always good to be cautious.

“What do you got for me Topaz?” Aurora asked.

“We had an attempted entry by a unicorn not long after you fell asleep, tried to free the alicorn, Twilight Sparkle,” The dragoness, Topaz asked, crossing her legs. “We’ve used the debilitating coating and locked her up in the prison, though we decided it was best to ask for your advice.”

“She’s trying to protect what she knows is right, let her go,” Aurora explained. “Somepony like that shouldn’t be in jail, and as I said before: the only pony to go under the axe for now on is the alicorn.”

“Everyone remembers what you said, but I would herald caution in your decisions,” Topaz said. “We both know that there will be those who try to stop you, and they have good reason for wanting to. Change isn’t something they want, and some are afraid of power,” She opened her mouth, closed it, but choose to continue with her train of thought. “That’s why I warned you about Tholak’s intention. That’s why… I’m gonna murder him for you.”

“So you’ve finally decided your own loyalty?” Aurora asked, receiving a reluctant nod from the dragoness. “And you would choose me, a pony, and the leader that once tried to wipe your entire race out, over your own flesh and blood.”

“Tholak may be my brother by blood, but a brother he is certainly not,” Topaz said. “At least, not anymore. It seems like ever since he took up the position of dragonlord he’s become more of a blood crazy lunatic than an actual loving individual.”

Topaz could have continued, but she didn’t want to, and Aurora wasn’t going to push her to do so. She had no brother to call her own, and thus didn’t know how to react to the news present to her. Either way, she was happy to know the dragoness wasn’t gonna be an enemy. The more friends she had, the more powerful she was, and the better Equestria would be off.

“Well, siblings or not, I’m glad to have you on my side,” Aurora replied, smiling. “Though, you don’t have to kill him for me. Whether you hate him or not, you’re going to hesitate to kill your own, and it could cost you,” Topaz didn’t respond, so the pegasus decided to change the topic. “So, Tambier’s formula actually work? The maniac actually found a way to disable pony magic?”

The change in topic got a similar smile out of Topaz. “It surprised me just as much as it does you. Figured he was all talk for the longest time, but what do you know, he did it! Just coat it on the horn for a unicorn, wings for a pegasi, or hooves for an earth pony, and it disables all pony magic,” Topaz let out a sigh. “Although, we wouldn’t need to play this gambit if you hadn’t been so uptight about testing it.”

“A pegasus takes pride in her wings and I wasn’t about to let you try and harm them,” Aurora boasted, though her pride quickly dropped as she looked to her broken wing. “Though, I guess I won’t be flying for a long time, or even able to fight properly.”

Topaz merely shrugged in response, knowing anything she would say in response would only anger the pegasus. “Well, I can’t stay for much longer. We have a lot of things to do, such as repairs and getting the castle staff prepared for you,” Topaz got up and started making her way to the door, stopping as she remembered something. “Oh, your highness, about the coating. Tambier informed me that the alicorn is showing slight resistance to the coating, and that her body will quickly become immune to it. He estimates five days before needing to reapply, and also estimated the time will be a day shorter each time. Unicorn resistance or something like that.”

“So we have… five plus four plus three is twelve… than three more is fifteen. Tholak has fifteen days to destroy the canon,” Aurora mumbled. She ground her teeth, unhappy at how little time he had to fulfill his duty. “Thanks for informing me Topaz. Creator be with you.”

The dragoness bowed, smiling pleasantly as she did, before turning and opening the door. With a few more steps, she allowed the to-be-ruler to rest, and left the castle infirmary.

“She’s doing okay?” Cross asked. Topaz nearly jumped as she heard the Doctor’s voice, but managed to keep herself in check.

“Yeah, just resting up,” The dragoness replied. “Thank you for being willing to stay. I know we didn’t exactly make a good first impression.”

“Well, thank you. Her majesty actually said the exact same thing earlier,” Cross said, holding back the urge to giggle. “Let’s just say that my loyalty is to Equestria, not royalty.”

“I…” Topaz found herself unable to retort, knowing that she was very much the same. She was loyal to her people, sure, but in no way was she loyal to those that ruled above her, or even her own family. “I understand that feeling.”

Psyche could hear the dragons in front of her whimpering in fear. She had no idea what she had done wrong, or why they were so scared of her. Besides, she was just one, blind earth pony with no battle experience, they should be scared of her. Yet, that was before they had made on crucial mistake. A mistake that had caused them to scream in terror and fear her for no reason at all. That mistake? They had removed her blindfold, and she had locked eyes with the very dragon to do so.

She took a step forward, the whimpers breaking into screams as the dragons ran from as far away as they could from her. She grabbed her blindfold and tied it around her eyes once again, letting out a sigh. She moved for the door, only to run into a piece of stone that was not there before. She moved to the side of the stone and continued to the door, which she closed without a sound. Hoping that nopony else would bother her, she started to consider where her newest work was to be placed, or if she should sell it off to some of the nobles who stayed in the city during the attack.

Cross cleared Aurora from the infirmary the following morning, though it hadn’t been without the two butting heads or instructions. Much to her disappointment, Aurora had found that ponykind hadn’t found a way to instantly fix bones in the past thousand years. She had to begrudgingly go along with the fact that she could not fly or use her blades for a decent amount of time. Outside of that, the to-be-queen had also refused her doctor’s request to cover up her now missing right eye. While Cross saw it as a health hazard, Aurora saw it as a battle scar. It was a reminder that she had let her guard down against the wolf, and knowing what they did would remind her not to underestimate them if they cross paths again.

That, however, was not her current issue, but rather the fact the unicorn who had infiltrated the castle yesterday had refused to leave her cell. According to the prison guards, who had shown great disdain for her, the mare the dragons had imprisoned was a mare by the name of Rarity. A hero of Equestria, and the owner of one of the largest fashion establishments in the country. Not a combination she had expected, but putting citizens in harm's way seemed like something an alicorn would do. Nonetheless it sounded like the mare had some guts, considering she demanded for Aurora personally, and had used lots of colorful words to tell her to turn herself in.

The current predicament is one that she had seen before, back before the union of the three tribes. She had two choices that didn’t involve submitting to Rarity’s request, and both had high risk to them. The easier and safer for the short-term option was to kill the unicorn, which would keep her from possibly attempting a coup in the future, but she knew that was a bad idea. Tyrants were formed in blood and skulls, and she wished to be no tyrant, ruling with fear and executing all that opposed her. That would also contradict what she had told Topaz late last night.

Her other option wasn’t better, but it was the one she would try and follow through with. Rarity’s was a hero of Equestria in the eyes of the public, and it was because of her that Equestria still stood. If she let her go, it could put her own life in danger, but would win her some favor with the citizenry. It wouldn’t be much, but showing kindness, generosity, and honor would be the only way to one day win her ponies to her side. That would mean running the risk of a pony who could possibly outmatch being free, meeting with nobles, and showing that she cared for Equestria.

Having made her way down into the dungeons, lead by two ponies guards, as well as Topaz in case they tried to attack her, she was lead to the unicorn’s cell. Aurora looked at Rarity, who immediately looked back at her the moment the two came into view of each other. A white unicorn, horn covered in that transparent mixture that Tambier had created to disable the alicorn’s magic. She was wearing a rather thick fur coat despite the humidity, her gaze one that breathed discontent. Aurora didn’t let the look discourage her, only straightening herself up more. Despite apparently being in her late forties, Aurora was surprised to see little to no wrinkles.

“As you requested, Ms Rarity,” The guards said.

“Thank you, dears,” Rarity replied with a nod. Aurora was a little surprised at the mare’s voice, thinking it sounded more like that of a noble lady than that of a seamstress from a small town. “Now, if you would please leave us so that we can chat?”

The guards bowed in respect to the mare and took their leave, no back talking to be found as she did. Aurora looked to Topaz, the look being all the dragoness needed to know she was to follow. Topaz turned and walked just far enough out of sight to make sure Rarity couldn’t see her, Aurora watching her to try and give the impression she was making sure she left. After a few seconds Aurora turned back to Rarity, her smile contradicting the grimace on the unicorn. Aurora took a deep breath in.

“I figured you would take the option to leave. They did tell you there was no crime to what you did right?” Aurora asked.

“Yes, they did, but I’m not leaving here till my friend is free,” Rarity exclaimed, ending her statement with a stomp of her hoof. “And you turn yourself in.”

“Not an option, not after what I had to do to get here,” Aurora replied. She sat on the ground, only to jump in shock as her butt touched water. She groaned at the sight, taking notice of how horribly kept this place was. “Yet, at the same time I’m not gonna execute a hero of Equestria. So, as I said you are free.”

Aurora grabbed the keys off of a nearby hook and unlocked Rarity’s cell. She forced it open, taking note of the rust and wear on the bar door and making a mental note to fix it up. Despite opening it, Rarity still didn’t take a step out of the cell, instead trying to ignite her horn. What she was met with was a headache, as all the magic she tried to force into her horn rebound back into her head. The unicorn fell to the floor, the headache seeming to have no intention of leaving. After several minutes of agony, Rarity found herself able to stand again, though her thoughts ended up going to her now wet coat.

“Aww, and I just purchased this a week ago,” Rarity pouted. She finally stepping out of the cell for the soul purpose of batting Aurora’s muzzle. The pegasus remained unmoved, though it took her entire being to not cross her eyes to focus on where she had been hit. “This is all your fault, you… you… imbecile!”

Rarity moved back into her cell removing the key and throwing it back to Aurora, who got hit in the head. She then closed the door, looking to the ceiling with a “hump”.

“Look, I know that what I did was horrible, but you of all ponies must know that sacrifice has to be made for the greater good,” Aurora told Rarity, a hint of desperation in her voice. “The alicorns, no matter what good they have done, has been holding Equestria back, and you want to know how I know this?” Rarity only responded by turning further away from Aurora. “We’re still using weapons from a thousand years ago, a thousand years! Our military, is far as I’ve seen, has been reduced to a laughing stock, and that’s just at first glance. The alicorn’s power has made us lazy, ill-equipped, and under prepared for any possible threats that has used that time to actually advance.”

“And what makes you such an expert on this? And is it worth the price you have decided to pay?” Rarity retired. “How many young stallions and mares did you kill in order to make Equestria better? Was it worth it?”

“The sacrifice is never equal to the goal, but we all must learn that this is the price to pay for safety, happiness, and the option to live,” Aurora responded, unshaken. “A thousand years ago, I was given the throne by none other the Princess Platinum, a unicorn! She believed that I would lead Equestria to better days, but the alicorns decided that I was unworthy,” Her voice got more stressed as she talked, veins starting to show in her neck. “They have the right to deny the leader Equestria wanted? The ponies want?! They exiled me, and I was forced to work with my enemy in a gambit to get it back, one that they thought had failed for a thousand years!”

She started to pace as she continued to speak. “I stand now not because of some higher villain, but because death wished me to win - Equestria wished for me to win. You know that the alicorns have blinded ponies, that it is the ponies who must take Equestria’s government. To live forever is to be stuck in a single moment of history, and to those individuals change is a worm! You want those who see innovators and inventors as worms to rule?”

“My dear Twilight is not a worm!” Rarity shouted, her voice overpowering Aurora’s and causing the invader to take a step back. “You want to know who the blind one is? It’s you! The one so stuck up in the past you aren’t able to see the advancements that truly matter. Medicine, education, economics, harmony. These are the powers of Equestria, the ones that you are unable to see you blood bathing barbarian!”

Aurora did all she could to hold in the anger at Rarity’s name calling. “That matters none if we can’t defend ourselves from invaders and criminals!”

“Rarity, do as she says.”

Aurora looked a few cells down, recognizing the voice from before the invasion. There, sitting in a cell, the anti-magic substance soaked into her horn, wings, and hooves, was the alicorn. Aurora snarled at the sight of her, her eyes landing on its chest. Rarity, for the first time since she was down here, looked genuinely shocked. She rushed to the bars, laying her eyes on Twilight, who was so restricted by the substance on her body she could barely move.

“Twilight, you… you don’t expect me to leave you with somepony like this, do you?” Rarity asked.

“Rarity,” Twilight muttered. Her voice was weak, and she had to strain it in order to get those around her to hear. “I… appreciate what you have done, but you have other things to worry about; things that are more important than me. You have a business, and a mom and dad who needs you in their age.”

“You can’t be serious,” Rarity said to herself. She looked to Aurora, hating that she would have to ask for the pegasus’ kindness, but her concern for her friend was greater than that hate. “Please, open it. I need to see her.”

Aurora looked to the alicorn, and sighed. “If it gets you out.”

Grabbing the key from off the floor, she once again opened Rarity’s cell. The former element of generosity didn’t wait for Aurora to get out of the way, pushing her aside as she ran to her old friend. Aurora watched from a distance, uninterested in what was being said but keeping an eye on the two’s facial expressions. She couldn’t read the alicorn, though that may have been due to the substance restricting her (she would have to talk with Tambier about how much he actually used), but Rarity’s expression continued to change. One moment she was smiling, the next she was one the verge of tears, but those tears never actually came. At the end of it all, the two hugged, Rarity whispering words that Aurora knew well were “be safe”. With that, the two separated, and a defeated looking Rarity walked to Aurora.

“Don’t think this will be the last you hear from me,” She whispered. “I will not see what you have planned for Equestria.”

Aurora smiled. “You’ll come around in time, I’m sure of it.”

As Rarity left, Aurora gave a glance to alicorn, noticing a smile on its face. Though she didn’t speak a word, Aurora knew well what that smile meant: she lost. She was unable to convince an innocent pony to leave their own cell, and the only reason she left was due to the creature she would kill. Her breath echoed through the prison hall, that smile being added to the number of reasons she would kill the alicorn.

“Don’t you dare think you’ve won the war,” Aurora barked, turning away so she didn’t have to see the smile. “Your days away from death.”

Chapter 13

“Okay Luminous, one more story. You want one that you haven’t heard before? I know you like the story of the princess, but it’s important to hear new ones every once in a while. Let me think… ah, how about a story from my tribe? I haven’t shared too many of them, though that is half due to our pack having no written language, but I think I know this one will enough to tell it in words. Sounds good? Alright, this is the creation of the Wisewolves. My kind, my people.”

“Ahem!”

“Once upon the darkness, the first born slogged. His heart heavy, mind filled with uncertainty to see who he was. They, born in a land of prey, were a smart predator, and one who thought outside of the noses lure. He walked for a meaning, for with knowledge of himself he was more than the bear, and had more purpose than an animal. Yet, he was alone in the world, the one and only, such why he is the first born. He was to be the first and only, but two thought him to be greater.”

“These two are the Huntal, the prey that showed us how to hunt. They taught the first born of those who would harm the land he walked, and how to fend for himself. Though they found he had no one to fend for, but himself, and were saddened. So they, with their power, granted him a second to fight for, and the capability to love. The Huntal left them, the first born teaching the new Wisewolf, the second born, what he was taught. In time, they would give birth to those like us, or I in this case, the Wisewolves that would carry their lessons, and the Huntal’s teachings.”

“That is our cause for hunting, for killing, and for protecting. The Huntal made us a people, and what they made for is we pass on. Even you, Luminous, my daughter, might one day wish to hunt like I, to protect those you love. The first born slogged through darkness to do as such, and thus it is only in kind that we must follow his teachings. So live for the first born, and those you cherise, and all will be taught.”

“That is our will, that is our way.”

Four days had passed, and news had finally made its way throughout the rest of Equestria. Ponyville was the first to learn of the news, and it soon made its way to Cloudsdale, from which word only spread faster and faster. In only two days, half of Equestria had heard the news, all shocked at the idea that Twilight Sparkle, former element of magic and queen of Equestria, had lost. Yet, they hadn’t lost hope, knowing that this isn’t the first time that it looked like everything was lost. Equestria still believed that Twilight would win back the throne, and that this Aurora, whoever they were, would fall like all the others.

The news had reached Silver Shoals three days later, though life continued on like normal in the resort town. On the fourth day, as the sun rose, a small breakfast place by the water’s edge sat ready to open. This was Up at Sunrise, the establishment that Sunnyside and her sister had owned and worked for the past twenty years. It wasn’t the busiest place in the town, but it had more than enough business to be considered well known. Anyone who had visited it would mention the food, service, and experience, but being in a rather wealthy town made it feel slightly outcasted by some of the larger restaurants around.

Sunny and Brew had set up for the day rather early, both being unable to get any real sleep after hearing the news. Sunny specifically found her thoughts wandering to Twilight, her brain entering a state of panic that she had not had in years. It took all her will to focus on what was more important, that being the fact she would open in an hour. Tables were washed and set, menus ready, Brew had her daily coffee before heading into the kitchen, and all they had to do was wait. This meant that, despite her wish to focus on her work, she had plenty of time to drift into worry and fear.

“Come on, everything will be okay,” Sunny told herself. “Twilight is a strong mare, and she’ll win in the end. She did all those years ago, she can do it now.”

Those words did little to ease her heart. In fact, it only made her worry more, a question she never wanted to think coming to her head. Would this be when Queen Twilight truly lost? It was something that she felt was impossible, but Sunny felt something about this new villain was different. She shook her head for what had to be the tenth time in the past half an hour in an attempt to get those thoughts out of her head. Her sister seemed so calm about it all, why was she so afraid of that fact?

A caw came from outside the window, and Sunny looked outside to find something that finally soothed her heart. Philomena, a strange phoenix with green flames instead of the red and orange that she was familiar with. She walked outside, holding a hoof out for Philomena to land on and rest her wings. It warmed her heart to see the phoenix again, having seen it leave for weeks only to come back at the most unexpected moment. It made her smile, and she knew it would make someone else smile as well.

“Welcome home Philomena,” Sunny said, a smile on her face and a heart filled with warmth. “Had a fun adventure?” The phoenix nodded, before turning behind her to the distance. “Hm? What is it?”

Sunny followed Philomena’s gaze down the shoreline, noticing two figures running towards her. The first was a griffon, one she recognized from papers as none other as Emperor Gabriel, but the second she was unfamiliar with. A pegasus with a coat as black as night and mane and tail as yellow as the sun, doing all she could to keep pace with the griffon next to her. It didn’t take long for said pegasus to collapse from exhaustion, Gabriel turning around as he heard the collapse.

“Oh no,” Sunny muttered, turning to the phoenix. “You grab Brew, I’ll help his highness.”

The phoenix didn’t nod, but Sunny knew she would follow the command. Opening the door to let Philomena in, the phoenix took off in search of the unicorn. Knowing she could trust the phoenix to find Brew, Sunny let go of the door and rushed to Gabriel’s side. Said griffon was surprised when he saw the pegasus running to him, not recognizing her, but didn’t let that distract him from what was happening in front of him. Taking Luminous’ hoof, he slung the pegasus onto his back, keeping quiet about how heavy she was in case she was conscious.

“Your highness, is everything all right?” Sunny said as he reach the griffon. He opened his mouth to speak, but took another moment to reconsider the words he would use.

“Mostly,” He answered. His gaze shifted back and forth between Sunny and the exhausted Luminous on his back. “The mare took off after your phoenix four days ago for no reason. Honestly, I figured she would give up after losing sight, but that phoenix seemed to actually want us to chase her.”

“That’s Philomena for you. She surprises me to this day, and is much smarter than I give her credit for,” Sunny said with a chuckle. It took her a minute to realize she had not introduced herself. “Oh, um, forgive me for not introducing myself your highness. The name is Sunnyside, co-owner of Up at Sunrise.”

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Gabriel replied. He couldn’t help but find the mare adorable. “You wouldn’t happen to be located nearby, would you? I think a certain somepony needs a break.”

“Ah, of course,” Sunny replied. “Technically we aren’t open yet but-”

“Sunny, how many times have I told you,” All attention shifted to Brew, who looked like she was about to explode from sheer anxiety. Philomena was asleep in her mane, something that Gabriel had to keep himself from laughing at. “Remember what nearly happened that last time we let Philomena near gas? If you have something to tell me please just tell me your-” Brew’s eyes finally caught the griffon emperor and unconscious mare on his back, eyes going wide at the realization of what was going on. “O-oh!”

“Your highness, this is my sister Morning Brew. Morning Brew, this is Emperor Gabriel… correct?” Sunny asked, Gabriel nodding in reassurance. “Come with us. We have an hour before opening, so she can rest in one of the booths.”

Sometime later, Luminous was sleeping comfortably in a booth on the far side of the restaurant. Her once troubled expression lessening as she rested, in time turning into a small smile. Gabriel was nearly as tired as the pegasus next to him, though the stress and anxiety of his early years as emperor he made him far more use to sleepless days. Morning Brew had gotten the emperor a cup of coffee, having noticed the bags which had formed from keeping up with Luminous. Sunny, meanwhile, kept an eye on Luminous, a sense of familiarity entering her mind.

“A friend of yours?” Sunny asked as refilled Gabriel’s cup.

“The daughter of a friend,” Gabriel replied, mouthing a silent “thank you” as Sunny finished refilling it. He immediately lifted it to his beak, take a small sip before setting it back down. “I’m sure the news has gotten out about what happened in Canterlot.”

“Yes, it’s horrible what happened, and on the Festival of the Two Sisters no less,” Sunny said. “Your majesty, is the queen… she’s still alive so.”

Gabriel’s eyes turned to the bag at his side, sighing. “I hope so, considering everything we’ve gone through to get here,” He took another sip. “To think that phoenix would lead us all the way to Silver Shoals,” His gaze turned to Philomena, who was sleeping on the top of a cabinet. “Is she a rare breed? I’ve never seen a phoenix with green fire before.”

“Your guess would be as good as mine,” Sunny replied. “You see, my sister used to have a phoenix by the same name, but they disappeared some time ago. Two years after we moved in here...” Sunny looked to the phoenix, looking like she was on the edge of crying. “I don’t know why, but I just knew it was her. She’s not the same Philomena from before moving, but I just sort of… knew it was her.”

“You aren’t the only pony to recognize the name, though it’s probably more of mystery with her,” Gabriel told the pegasus, his eyes falling onto Luminous’ sleeping form. “She seems like such a clawfull, with all the strange things that happen around her, but considering her mother, that’s to be expected.”

Sunny couldn’t help but laugh, not noticing how Gabriel’s attention had been drawn to the door. “I’m guessing that this mare must be quiet wealthy, considering she knows the emperor of the griffon emperor.”

The door to the restaurant opened, Sunny turning around in surprise to see a timber wolf-like creature with fur and flesh being the one to do so. “Lumy-bean!”

Sunny stumbled back as Silvia, eyes pinned on her daughter, ran to the booth. Using the tables to shorten her route, she pounced on her daughter, wrapping her in a hug. Sunny looked confused fear at the beast in front of her, though upon seeing that it was snuggling Luminous instead of eating her, she figured out it wasn’t evil. It was only then that the nickname the wolf had used clicked in her mind: Lumy-bean. She looked to Gabriel, who was looking back with the smuggest grin she had ever seen in her life.

“Uhm,” Luminous groaned as her mother’s hug woke her up, though it took several minutes for her eyes to open, her mother’s fur being the first thing they caught. “Ma… mom?”

“You have no idea how worried I was,” Silvia responded, nearly crying. “Canterlot is taken, I don’t see you for four whole days after, and I had no clue if Gabriel even found you.”

It was only upon hearing her mother’s voice that Luminous, having somehow remembered what Arcane had told her, started to panic. Flurry, Arcane, and Thunder look in awe at Luminous doing everything she could to escape her mother's grasp. Managing to get her head out of the wolf’s fur, Luminous’ eyes immediately fell on Arcane, who was giving her a grin that was impossibly large for the unicorn. Luminous should have known that he wasn’t messing with her.

“Oh no you don’t,” Silvia said as Luminous nearly wiggled free, ending the hug to allow her daughter to breath before instantly hugging her again. “Your mother is going to hug you and you are going to like it!”

“You… aren’t, mad?” Luminous asked, surprised at the fact her mother wasn’t barking her up a tree. “I… I thought you would be upset because I left home without telling you.”

“Oh sweetie, I’ve been trying to get you to do that for a long time,” Silvia explained, laughing. “Besides, knowing you’re alive is enough for me.”

Sunny’s attention turned from Silvia and Luminous to the entrance, noticing that even more ponies had arrived in the time she had last looked. The first, and second most shocking discovery was that Empress Flurry Heart was there, a permanent look of disinterest etched onto her face. Next to her were two others, one clearly a guard if the other was to say anything, while the other black stallion sent a shiver down her spine. She looked between the two groups, and despite knowing that this was royalty she would be yelling at, it felt necessary.

“Okay, I’m sorry to break up the reunion, because I’m happy to see your okay, but you all realize we aren’t open yet!” She yelled, her voice powerful enough to even spook Flurry a little. Just a little though, and totally not to the point were she nearly squeaked like a filly. “I had only allowed these two in because Luminous was collapsed and Gabriel is royalty, but we aren’t open yet and I therefore must ask you to leave!” She took a deep breath in… and exhaled, glad to have gotten that out. “Though, if you need a place to stay for the night, I can figure something out.”

After a few minutes involving Silvia, Flurry Heart, and Gabriel arranging an agreement with Sunnyside for their living conditions, the group separated for the day. Gabriel handed the canon to Silvia, convinced that it was far safer in her paws. With the time given, Luminous and Silvia decided to hang out by the water, catching up for the first time in a few months. In those first few minutes, Luminous had felt the happiest and safest she had been since leaving home.

“Oh Lumy, I thought you had learned your mistakes from last time Arcane messed with you,” Silvia said, giggling as Luminous finished explain the events in the spa. “What did he do again? Oh yeah, fooled you into thinking hot chocolate was made of tar.”

“That happened?” Luminous asked, unable to recall anything like that every happening. Silvia just laughed. “Mom, really. Please tell me I didn’t do that.”

“Nah, that wasn’t the last time he messed with you, but it’s the most memorable,” Silvia replied, ruffling her daughter’s mane. She let out a sigh. Though she was happy, she knew that sooner or later she would have to bring up paradoxes. There didn’t seem to be an appropriate time for everything, so she might as well go for now. “Luminous, I hate to change the mood, but…”

Hearing her mother trail up, Luminous turned around to see that she had stopped walking. “Yeah?”

“Sorry, it’s just not something I was really prepared for trying to explain to you again,” Silvia explained. “You know how you’ve had visions since you were young? About me being from another Equestria?” Luminous nodded. Silvia took another deep breath in, let it out, and continued. “Well, Luminous, there are somethings that I’ve been purposely avoiding to tell you, all in a hope to give you at least some semblance of a normal life.”

“Did something happen to change that?’ Luminous asked, noticing the rather grim expression that was now painted on her mother’s face. “I… I do know there is something you aren’t telling me. Psyche brought up that you had something to tell me,” She bit her lip as she was forced to bring back an awkward memory. “It was… after my first encounter with Queen Twilight.”

“One of you tried to touch each other, didn’t you?” Silvia predicted. Judging by her daughter’s suddenly shocked expression, she was right on the money. “Don’t worry, that’s supposed to happen. You and Twilight, how do I put this, have a connection that… causes you two to be unable to physically interact with each other,” Silvia drew one more deep breath in to prepare herself for what she was about to say. “In a more straightforward manner… you and Twilight are the same pony.”

Luminous raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Look I know it’s crazy, but if you want to know how I know this, it’s because you aren’t the only pony who is like this,” Silvia explained. “Thunder, Psyche, Arcane, and myself have all had the same thing happen, though with different ponies or… creatures, in my case,” The hard part was over, at least Silvia felt like it was. Now, she just had to say the truth. “Luminous… you are also from my Equestria. In fact, you’re the reason that its broken.”

Luminous wasn’t processing anything her mother was saying, not because it didn’t make sense, but because she didn’t know what to start making sense of. Her mouth opened and closed several times, various sounds that she had tried to form into words coming out. So, with no other words or sentences available to her, she decided to go for the tried and true response to strange situations.

“Again, what?” Luminous asked, her pupils nearly overtaking her irises. “Okay, okay, and how do you think that explains anything?!” Silvia winced at the harsh tone her daughter had taken, her eyes fixed on her daughter but head turned to the side. “Look mom, I trust you. You taught me, you cared for me, I don’t think I couldn’t trust what you’re saying, but you expect me to take that and be like “oh yeah, that makes perfect sense” when it gives me literally nothing?! This is the explanation Psyche was denying me.”

“It’s complicated, Luminous, okay?” Silvia said, taking a few steps back, having to manually calm her breathing in order to keep from panicking. “Alternate realities aren’t something you can explain in a sentence, nor are paradoxes or anomalies or the… everything is complicated!”

Luminous took a step back this time, seeing how much her mother was struggling to convey what was in her head. In the same way she had struggled to respond to her mother's attempt at explaining everything, Silvia was doing the exact same opening and closing thing with her jaw. The reactions separated when Silvia’s muzzle shaped into a snarl, eyes closed and tears rolling down her face. It was too much for her to handle; every repressed feelings from back than coming back in a flurry of self hate and terror.

Then, it became too much to hold in.

“We’re responsible! We’re the reason everything is happening! Your lack of cutie mark, Psyche’s vision, the invasion a few days ago, we’re the cause of this! You, me, and everypony from your foalhood are from another universe! Another… another,” She fell to the sand below her, crying into the sand. Silvia could see anymore, the water in her eyes so blurry that she couldn’t even see her daughter walking towards her. “It was unstable… our Equestria was unstable and you tried to fix it. You… you and Psyche killed everypony, even me. My tribe, I killed my own brothers and sisters because… I don’t even know why! I sacrificed myself for… for something that was suppose to get you out of our Equestria… but I failed.”

Silvia couldn’t see her daughter, but she could feel her hooves around her.

“So, let me get this straight,” Gabriel said, he and Thunder stopping in the middle of the street. “That pegasus that Luminous saw plummeting back in Canterlot, that was her mother?”

“Y… yeah,” Thunder replied, his nod as hesitant as his words. “We don’t know what it was to this day, but something had convinced Princess Coral Oracle, Luminous’ mother, that the only way to stabilize our world was to kill both herself and Luminous,” He closed his eyes. “She didn’t realize what was happening until it was too late to open her wings, so she used her body to shield Luminous. She blamed herself for that for the longest time, and I think that was why she left Canterlot’s walls so many years later.”

“I-” Gabriel’s words were caught in his throat, wanting to give condolences to the mare but not knowing the words to say. Instead, he simply hung his head. “I can’t imagine how that must have affected her.”

“That’s where she gets the story from you know,” Thunder said, turning to face the direction they had come from. “Silvia’s story the imperfect princess is based off of that. It’s how she shoulders her burdens, turning the horrible things in life into tales and stories, most of which she has told Luminous.”

“Then, if Luminous is also from another dimension, just like you and Silvia,” Gabriel swallowed, hesitant to know the truth that had been itching him for so long. “Does that mean, all of you are paradoxes?”

“A paradox: something that doesn’t belong in a certain place, time, or environment,” Arcane said from the nearby peer, Flurry Heart watching Luminous and Silvia from a distance with a popsicle in her mouth. “It’s the perfect descriptions for ponies like us. Notice Luminous’ lack of a cutie mark? When crossing dimensions, all paradoxes lose something, and that was hers. Silvia lost her sense of smell, and therefore has no sense of taste as well. I… I lost the ability to die, or at least die completely,” Arcane looked at one of his front hooves, Flurry Heart noticing that a large chunk was taken out of it. “Doesn’t sound bad, until I found out I can’t heal back. Dice me up, and would still be alive… or as alive as a pony could be chopped into a thousand tiny bits.”

“You didn’t have that back in the garden,” Flurry Heart remembered. “Your hoof was still full then.”

“Yeah, this is slightly different,” Arcane explained. Much to Flurry’s dismay, he then proceeded to effortlessly rip of another part of his hoof and held it up to her. There was no bleeding where he had ripped it from, an endless void seeming to be under his skin. “For now, let's call these missing parts of our personalities, beings, and so forth… Affects. Uncreative, but it serves its purpose,” He placed the piece of his hoof on the sand, and a pentagram suddenly took shape in the center of it. “However, there is another way we are changed, these much more positive. Strange powers, things we can do that shouldn’t be possible.”

“Anomalies than,” Flurry Heart said, getting a look that said “really?” from the unicorn next to her. “What? Coming up with terms for things are fun.”

“Well, it’s fitting, so we’ll keep it,” Arcane explained, standing back up. “An anomaly, contrary to an affect, does not show up right away. A paradox has to spend a lengthy amount of time in another dimension for it to, but they are all different,” He raised his hoof into the air, and where he had placed the piece of his hoof a dark portal formed. A portal which led right back to the garden’s of Canterlot castle. He allowed Flurry Heart to examine it for a moment before lowering his hoof and closing it. “When I rip a piece of my body off, for instance, I can make a portal. Activating that portal is the only way for those parts of my body to return to me. If another pony tried to do the same thing with me, I would bleed like anyone else.”

Flurry was stunned at what she was hearing. “That’s… interesting,” She shifted her attention back to the wolf and her daughter, who had fallen asleep on each other.

“Trust me, it’s only going to get weirder from here.”

Author's Note

I haven't really been talking down here during these chapters, but as we close in on the final chapter (which is four chapters away now) I want to real quickly say thanks to those of you who have enjoy the story. I know there isn't a lot of you, and that this story isn't exactly my most popular one, but it means a lot that the reception I have seen has been rather positive.

Of course, if you have any feedback or criticism to share with me, please do. I may have already finished writing this story, but I can still fix up what I can and take that into working on my next fic, which I've already started working on. So, please, give me feedback and tell me what I need to improve and what I'm doing right. Negative and positive criticism are both welcome here.

With that, see you all next chapter!

Chapter 14

Medusa. That was what her soldiers had referred to the pony as, and apparently what the citizens referred to them as well. A sculpture how had moved to the city some years ago, her craft only limited to what she could touch. Yet, as she had been informed in her investigation, many of the ponies didn’t believe that all of her works were carved from stone. It was well known that she was blind, and many ponies thought that something was hidden behind her eyes. Why else would she need a blindfold? Considering what her soldiers had told her: those eyes were the very reason she had been named as such.

Despite the fact that she had been warned not to approach for her own safety (though certain citizens encouraged her), such a pony existing intrigued her. The biggest thing was the threat such a power could cause, petrifaction being a death sentence as far she knew. At the same time she couldn’t help but want to test it’s abilities, but that was assuming that she wasn’t being tricked. Even with the clear fear she had seen in her soldiers eyes, it was possible that it was the rumors that had scared them more than anything.

So, having decided to take a visit to said pony, Psyche found herself looking at what seemed rather run down house. Not run down to the point of unlivable, but it was clear that no care was taken in trying to fix it up at any point. She prepared herself to look away if she felt anything wrong with her body, and knocked on the door. Seconds passed, and she knocked again. A few more seconds and the door opened just enough for her to see the pony inside. A yellow earth pony, eyes grey. No words were exchanged between the two for several minutes, Aurora feeling disappointed as she felt nothing wrong with her, despite looking so clearly into the pony’s eyes.

“Are you still there?” Psyche finally asked. “Or… are you-”

“Yes, I’m very much still here,” Aurora said with a nod. Psyche opened the door up completely, allowing Aurora to get a good glance at her. “What, did you really expect me to just leave? That isn’t exactly hospitable, is it?”

“I don’t have my blindfold on, so I assumed that-” Psyche grabbed Aurora’s hoof unexpectedly, and started pulling her towards her. “You’re not stone. My power only works on myself and normal ponies, which means you aren’t from around here, are you.”

“What are you talking about, I was the second ruler of Equestria!” Aurora boasted.

Without any warning, Psyche pulled the pegasus inside and closed the door. Aurora opened her mouth to request an explanation for her actions, but all she got out was a “he” before Psyche’s hoof connected with the side of her mouth. That hoof was then joined by another, as the earth pony indulge herself in invading the queen’s personal space. Her hooves searched Aurora, who stood there in a mixture of confusion and shock at her host’s lack of hospitality.

“Um… what are you doing?” She asked.

“Getting a feel for your structure. You came because you wanted to commission a statue, right?” Psyche asked, her head tilted up to the ceiling. “If you can’t see, you gotta memorize the feeling of every curve, every muscle, every hair to make a perfect-”

“Actually, that’s not why I’m here,” Aurora said, pushing Psyche away. “I’m here because of the rumors. Though, guessing by the fact I’m still moving, they aren’t true, are they?”

Psyche looked off to the statue of Fluttershy in the corner of her living room, the same one she had brought to the festival a few days ago. She didn’t need sight to tell where it was, somehow always knowing where it was. “No, they are real. Very, very real.”

Luminous was silent, still trying to take in or process everything that had been told to mere hours earlier. Her supposedly also being from this other Equestria, one that she had destroyed in an attempt to save. It was just her or Silvia as well. Arcane, Psyche, Thunder, almost everypony she had known for the better part of her life. It was the reason she saw visions, why she could get a cutie mark, and so much more that she probably didn’t even know. She had to trust her mother, who she had trust time and time before. Yet… none of it seemed exactly right.

Yes, her being a paradox, a pony not from this time or universe, could make sense. At the same time, how could she throw everything she had ever thought about herself out the window? It wasn’t that simple, her mom knew that. Silvia had given her some space to clear her head after seeing her daughter’s reaction to the entire thing. Luminous could see that her mom was stuck to her story, and the tears weren’t fake. Deep in her heart she knew what she had been told was the truth, but that didn’t make it any less believable.

She looked around her for something, anything, to distract her from the thoughts in her head. She was currently in Sunny’s house, though at that point in time nopony was currently home. The silence born from that would have led to boredom had her mind not been racing. Nothing could pull her thoughts away, even as her stomach reminded her of how hungry she was. Finally, she burst.

“I can’t take it!’ She shouted, getting to her hooves only to fall over right after. “There is more to it, there has to be! What else am I not being told?”

She didn’t receive an answer, but she knew that she didn’t need one. Deny it all she liked, everything she had just heard was the truth, and if it was, then she was a murderer. Everyone she knew, everyone she loved, dying for what she had for some reason thought was the greater good. That didn’t explain why she had no memory of it, or why she had become a foal when she arrived in this Equestria, or so many other things. The worst part of it was, she didn’t think she would get any answers. She didn’t even know if her mom even understood all the things that had happened to her.

The door opened, Luminous looking up to see Gabriel staring entering the building.

“I’m guessing your mom told you,” He said. His response was a sigh. Not a nod, a “yes”, or a question, just a sigh and a look of utter exhaustion. “I would blame your tired expression on nearly two and a half days of chasing a green phoenix, but I just got done getting schooled by your ex-coltfriend.”

“I’m, ugh,” Luminous rubbed her head, having finally realized just how much of a headache she was having. “How are you still alive after listening to his whiny self.”

“I know you two have a history, and not a really good one. Only dated for about a year before you two got sick of each other, correct?” He asked. He got a nod, one which Luminous instantly regrets as her head broke into a world of pain. “Personally, I don’t think you really have any right to say that considering how much it sounds like he has gone through.”

“And that would be because…” Luminous made circles with her hoof.

“He lost his fillyfriend last month,” Gabriel explained. Any quips that Luminous had prepared vanished as she heard the words. “It wasn’t just anyone too, but Spitfire, the retired captain of the Wonderbolts… and Thunder’s true self. Apparently, even though he was on duty when it happened, he could feel the very moment that she died.”

Though the story did little to change her stance on her ex, Luminous couldn’t find it in herself to say anything. Even if they had disdain for each other, trying to joke or insult him over it wasn’t right. She was better than that, better than him about making light at others misfortunes. Her thoughts instead turned to the one interaction they had during those entire two weeks in Canterlot, and her asking about his wings. She couldn’t help but think that might have struck a nerve for another reason, one unrelated to his inability to fly.

“And, here we are… oh,” The griffon and pegasus looked to the door as Sunny came in, looking in disbelief at them before turning to the pink alicorn behind her. “Empress Flurry Heart, please tell me that I don’t need to explain how hospitality works to you?”

“Sorry, Ms. Sunnyside, but Luminous and I haven’t been able to rest these past few days,” Gabriel replied, giving the mare a bow. “I am surprised to see you home so soon though. It’s only four in the afternoon after all. Shouldn’t you be watching your restaurant?”

“We’re a breakfast and lunch place. We close down before dinner hours start unless it’s the weekends,” Sunny explained. She quickly realized that she was getting off track, and moved out of the doorway to let everyone else in. “Anyways, make yourself at home, I guess. Brew will join us later after she finished closing up.”

In the hours to follow, most of the tension that had been present in the groups were allowed to disappear. For the first time in days, they felt safe, not having to worry about the threat chasing them from Canterlot. Jokes could be shared, stories were told, and Sunny was happy to say that this was the livelist the house had ever been. Of course, some tension still existed, Thunder and Luminous specifically seemed to be aiming to rile the other up.

Flurry, however, found herself keeping her distance from the rest of the group. While there seemed to be some form of trust and friendship between everypony else present, she felt like an outsider. Even more so, the realization that she was dealing with ponies who could do things that nopony else could. It was intriguing, but the idea of these paradoxes and the anomalies they carried with them put her on edge. One wrong move, and her entire plan could go down in flames. One wrong move, and she wouldn’t have her vengeance.

Wishing for further separation, she made her way out to the patio, the conversation inside being muffled as she closed the door. The quiet was a welcome change, one which she made clear by a sigh. She rested her hooves on the fence, looking out onto the water, which seemed to shine in the moonlight. Her peace didn’t last long as the door opened behind her, Silvia walking up next to her. She sighed again, though this time it was in misfortune more than joy.

“You can’t leave a princess alone for a few minutes?” Flurry asked.

“I’m doing you a favor,” Silvia replied, her eyes screaming for the alicorn to shut up. “How many of those ponies in there actually do you think really trust you? I’ll take one, and you know exactly who I’m talking about. Being alone only makes you seem suspicious.”

“Not like hanging out with them would be any better,” Flurry shrugged and rolled her eyes. “Everything I do is suspicious. Besides, I’m only tagging along because I want to anyway. It seems that you all have stakes in this I’m not really aware of.”

“Stop trying to play innocent, I know you want the canon,” Silvia said. Flurry’s body went tense at the wolf’s words. “Let me guess, revenge? Going to destroy it when this is all over and our backs are turned?”

“If you know this, then why haven’t you tried to get rid of me?” Flurry asked. Whatever politeness there was in her voice left the moment she started talking. “Yes, you’re right, I want it to kill that sorry excuse for an aunt. An aunt that I’m certain is the reason my mom and dad have disappeared. If you know that, and the danger there is from having me around, then we haven’t you just gotten rid of me yet.”

“Because I know something you don’t, something that makes you just as valuable as Twilight’s canon,” Silvia told the alicorn, turning just enough where both of her eyes rested on the alicorn. “Our enemy isn’t just a force of dragons from a long forgotten part of history, it’s a queen. A queen who had her nation ripped from her because of you’re kind, a queen blinded by her fear of your kind. Yet for everything she might have learned of our era, she doesn’t know about you,” She pointed a paw at the alicorn. “The Crystal Empire and Equestria were unaware of each other at her time, or perhaps the empire didn’t even exist yet. Either way, she is only aware of the fact that alicorn’s rule Equestria.”

“So you would protect your enemy in order to save, what, that enemy’s enemy?” Flurry questioned. “I still don’t see how you need me around, or what is so important about me-”

“Your canon is what makes you important, not you,” Silvia spat back, getting tired of the questions. “That canon is not just a source of immortality, but the power source of a barrier that keeps your universe from being overwhelmed by outside universes. If it’s too overwhelmed - if the barrier breaks - then that universe is fated for Armageddon, and there is no way to stop it,” Silvia placed a paw on the alicorn’s chest. Flurry, unsure of what to make of the information being thrown at her, could only put her hooves on Silvia’s hoof. “Listen, what I’m about to say might sound wrong, and by no means are you to tell Luminous this, but it’s the truth. I don’t care if Twilight lives or dies.”

“But this barrier you're talking about, if it’s real, would be weaker than,” Flurry said, believing she was getting the idea Silvia was throwing her way.

“As long as we have one canon, one source to power it, one alicorn, that doesn’t matter,” Silvia explained. “The only thing I care about is keeping my daughter alive, you got that? I don’t care who has to die as long as she gets to live, and that means that at least one alicorn needs to exist,” Silvia sighed. “I’m a horrible wolf for thinking this, but I don’t care if it’s you or Twilight. As long as one of you are alive by the end of this, I’m okay. Just don’t tell Luminous about the barrier, or I’ll find some way to permanently scar your body till there isn’t a shed of pink to see!”

The look that Flurry saw in the wolf wasn’t one of desperation, nor was it one of fear. The fact that the wolf had been calm during that entire conversation, only showing anger as she threatened the alicorn, made Flurry uncomfortable. She was serious about all of it. Whether they were the words of a sane creature or not, Flurry had seen the bloodlust deep behind Silvia’s eyes. The eyes of a hunter, a predator, but it was all wrapped around this motherly feeling towards one pony, one that had killed her in a past life: Luminous.

“You’re sure they don’t know about me?” Flurry asked.

Silvia nodded “Yes.”

“Then... I guess I’m safest with you all,” Flurry replied. “But know that I still mean to kill Twilight when this is all done, granted you get that far.”

“Thanks for being reasonable, for once,” Silvia replied, getting an eye roll from the empress in response. “Tell me, I’m not too familiar with this area of Equestria. Are we closer to the Badlands or the Crystal Empire?”

“Badlands,” Flurry said, looking back inside to Sunnyside and Morning Brew, who were talking with everyone else. “One last question. What happens if the canon is destroyed, but the alicorn isn’t killed.”

Silvia opened her mouth to answer, but found nothing. “I… don’t know. Never found out.”

“So, everyone knows the plan?” Silvia asked the others, save Sunnyside and Morning Brew. They had already headed off to bed early in order to be ready to open tomorrow. Gabriel and Flurry Heart got the spare room, due to their shared status of loyalty, while the rest had to take the floor and living room.

“Head out in the morning, head to the Badlands, and convince the Changelings to take us in,” Arcane recited, shrugging. “Not much of a plan if you ask me.”

“To be honest, I don’t have one,” Silvia said, shaking her head. “That said, we need the canon in the hooves, claws, or whoever else we know we can trust. I haven’t seen or heard anything from the dragons since the invasion, so I’m not betting on them, and no offense Gabriel but I don’t exactly trust your people.”

Gabriel flicked his wrist and shrugged. “Eh, can’t exactly blame you for that.”

“Heading to the Crystal Empire would bring us closer to Canterlot before we made significant distant away from it, and with all of that consider, Changelings are our best bet. As for the canon, Gabriel stays in charge of it,” Silvia explained, she turned to Luminous, her expression dropping into a frown. “Lumy, you have nothing to do with what’s going on. You were dragged into all of this just to get you out of the city and to safety. If you want to head home or-”

“I’m staying mom,” Luminous smiled. It wasn’t a strong smile, as she wasn't sure of her own decision, but saying those words had sealed things. “I know your strong but… I don’t think I could take it if you died so far away from me. If you fight, then I fight, no more leaving me.”

Silvia couldn’t help but smile, knowing that Luminous was holding back the fear and confusion of everything that had happened around her. Everyone got up, heading to bed much the same as Sunny and Brew had not long before. Arcane took a spot out on the patio, while Thunder took the couch he was already sitting on. Gabriel and Flurry took to the guest room, the former stopping in front of their host’ door, having thought she heard something, but dismissed it. That had left Silvia and Luminous, both of them thinking the same exact thing.

“Not tired?” Silvia asked, getting a chuckle in response.

“Nope, not at all,” Luminous replied with a shake of her head.

“Come on, let’s head out then,” Her mother said, helping her daughter to her hooves. “I think it’s about time I taught you how to use that “anomaly” of yours, as Arcane called it.”

Brew bit her lip as she heard everything that had happened in the living room. She had been told by, the wolf, Silvia that their business out here was serious, but she hadn’t imagined what she had heard. The entire paradox ordeal, how they were from another time, another Equestria, would have sounded crazy if she hadn’t seen what Discord could do. It was already crazy enough that a wisewolf, a creature she hadn’t seen in forever, was somehow in her living room, but hearing what happened in Canterlot, all the death, it was horrifying. Yet nothing about that was any crazier than hearing that unicorn, Arcane, mention the alicorn canon.

She was unsure of what to do, stuck the choices of staying out of it, or telling them the truth. She had no idea how normal citizens, or even non-alicorns, knew about the canon at all, and she doubt somepony so stuck up like Flurry would tell them. Her gaze turned to her sister, sleeping peacefully in bed. For twenty-five years Morning Brew had ignored what happened to her sister the day they moved here, playing along to stay sane. However, if these ponies, that griffon, and that wolf somehow knew about the canon, she had to take her chance. She turned back towards the kitchen and sighed.

“The gig is up Luna,” She said to herself, briefly turning back to Sunny before opening the door completely. “Just remember, this is for sis.”

Author's Note

What? Sunnyside and Morning Brew are the princesses?

Yep.

We're truly in the home stretch here, and I just wanna quickly tell you when these last three chapters are coming out. Chapter 15 will be out on Wednesday, as usual. Next sunday, however will be both chapters 16 and 17, the last two chapters of this fic. I hope you are all prepared.

That said, please give me your feedback, and I'll see you all on wednesday.

Chapter 15

“There there Twilight, just stay still,” Twilight dared to glance at the emerald dragon talking to her. He wasn’t like the others in a few ways, from his more tribal like clothing to his… mental state? She wasn’t quite sure if he was more of less sane than his cousins. “And.... there we are. Sorry about the restrictions last time, don’t want your last few days alive to be immobile.”

“I… appreciate the thought Tambier,” Twilight said, looking away. She had felt the mixture’s hold on her magic slipping over the past few days, and part of her had hoped they would take notice. Sadly, if Tambier being in front of her was any indication, that hope was dashed away. “You’ve been a lot nicer to me than some of the dragons here.”

“Eh, wouldn’t exactly call this being nice. If you want nice however,” Tambier said, setting the jar down just outside the cell. He could tell the prison was designed for quadrupeds, as he or any other dragon could easily slip through the bars. “Doubt you’ll live long enough to make use of my latest concoction, but just so you know it’s made of a strange stone that I found in old dragon territory, or Badlands as you call it now. Area use to be more mountainous too, but I’m getting off topic.”

“Wait… I think I know the kind of stone you’re talking about,” Twilight replied. “The former queen of the changeling once had a throne that completely disabled all but changeling magic. Even Disc-” She could finish saying her old friends name. Last time she had seen him it was after Fluttershy had vanished, vowing that he wouldn’t return until he found her. “It even stopped chaos magic.”

“Sounds like you have a history with it,” Tambier said, moving out of the cell and closing the door behind him. He looked down the hall, Twilight not able to see who or what he was looking at. “I didn’t expect to see you down here your majes-”

“Tambier, I order you to leave us,” Aurora called from out of Twilight’s view. The moment she did catch view of the long-dead ruler, Twilight couldn't help but smile at the large grimace she wore on her face. “And when I say leave, I mean actually leave!”

Tambier could only sigh, knowing that he didn’t have the leverage of friendship that Topaz had with the pegasus. As he walked away, Twilight could hear him talking to himself. “There goes my test subject.”

Aurora didn’t wait to see if he would follow through with his promise, opening the door to the Twilight’s cell and stepping inside. Slamming the door closed behind her, she kept her gaze on the alicorn, who seemed to smile back as if she knew exactly what was going on. Any sort of restraint that Aurora had was lost upon seeing it, sending a forehoof into Twilight’s stomach. The alicorn keeled over, but somehow managed to keep that smile on her face, much to Aurora’s disappointment.

“You heartless monster!” Aurora shouted, pressing her face up against Twilight’s. “What in the creator’s name did you do to her? What spell is Luminous under that made her follow you?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Twilight replied, only for Aurora to once again jab her hoof into the alicorn’s stomach.

“Don’t you dare play dumb with me. Psyche told me about your meeting with my many times great granddaughter!” Aurora said, a small growl coming up from her voice. “What did you do to her? What sort of witchcraft did you cast to make my own blood follow such a heinous mare as yourself! No Oracle, whether from this universe or not, would do such a thing-”

“What are you…” Twilight took a minute to think about what Aurora had just told her, genuinely shocked. “Oh, Luminous is a paradox. How did I not figure that out earlier?”

Aurora’s entire face spasmed, unable to perceive the fact Twilight wasn’t playing her for a fool. She knew that any attempt to beat the mare would do nothing, both because of Twilight still most likely being immortal and the kind of impression that would give. Nopony was around, as far as she knew, but something told her Tambier wasn’t too far away. If he heard her go off, if she let her attitude get the better of her, that would give a horrible impression. Ponies already didn’t trust her, save for the castle’s medic and Psyche strangely enough, but that was two in a city of thousands.

“Not the point,” Aurora replied. “What the hell did you do to her? What magic did you cast on her to make her want to follow you?”

“Look, Aurora, I’m gonna be completely honest with you here,” Twilight said, trying to calm the mare in any way she possibly could. “I only had one encounter with Luminous, and that was more than two weeks ago now. Do you really think that was enough for me to gauge what kind of pony she is.”

“She was staying at that house, Psyche told me that. She never came home, the last time she saw her was at this festival you were holding, and her mom is a wolf,” It hadn’t taken much for Aurora to get any of that information either, considering how Psyche didn’t seem to take a hint as to why she was asking all of these questions in the first place. “This wolf, is the same creature, that sliced into my eye!”

Twilight’s smile didn’t waiver at any point, only seeming to grow. “And you know what that means?”

It took Aurora less than a minute to realize exactly what it was that Twilight was talking about. Though the queen didn’t mean to use the young pegasus as a tool, it was a leverage that she had just been given, and would take full advantage of. Any anger that Aurora had was replaced by fear. Fear that she might have sent her second most dangerous enemy after the only family she knew she had. It didn’t matter if that family was from an entirely different timeline, universe, or whatever. She ran out of the cell, slamming the door close once again much to Twilight’s disappointment.

“Topaz! Topaz! Topaz where are you?!” Aurora called out as she rushed through the castle, passing many of her own soldiers in doing so. None of them knew what was going on, but seeing their commander in this state was not a good thing. As she reached the dragoness’ bedroom door, she started knocking excessively. “Topaz! Open up! Open up!”

After a minute of knocking, Aurora saw the door knob turn. Topaz opened the door, still largely asleep, and found herself immediately tackled to the ground by the pegasus. That was all it took for her to wake up completely, finding Aurora muttering incoherently into her chest. Getting up, she closed the door, ignoring the pegasus clinging to her, before moving back to her bed and prying said pegasus off her.

“Okay, you’ve woken me up, what is it?” Topaz asked. “It’s, what, ten at night?”

“I’m… sorry. I should have thought about this better,” Aurora said, hanging her head low. “I don’t really trust anyone else here, and ponies don’t seem to fully trust me,” She took a deep breath, but any sense of calm it gave her was destroyed by the panic in her mind. “I’m taking you up on your offer! I need you to get out there and stop Tholak!”

“Oh, um… uh,” Topaz picked at her scales, looking around in a poor attempt to mask her surprise. “What, um… what caused this to happen?”

“You remember how I told you I was an only child, how my mom died trying to give birth to my… my sister?” Aurora asked, looking away. It was rare for the pegasus to look as vulnerable as she was in those moments, but Topaz recognized this reaction from a talked they had before they died one-thousand years ago. “I don’t know how, but I have a grandchild! The Oracle family is still alive, and that alicorn just sent her to her death with the same group that has the canon.”

Topaz didn’t need to hear anything else, getting up and grabbing a strange, glowing green spear from next to her bed. Aurora followed her out of the room, making their way down the hall. No questions needed to be asked, no “why” or “how” as to this grandchild’s existence. Aurora wasn’t one to pull her tail like that, and no matter how this all came to fruition, Topaz saw why her comrade was scared.

“You realize that doing such a thing could set us back now, right?” Topaz asked. “I will admit, I’m confused about you suddenly having living family, but Tholak is after the canon, isn’t he?”

“I know it’s risky, but you must understand what this means to me,” Aurora responded. “That alicorn, knowingly or not, put my own blood in the firing line. That means that if you find her, you will not only find Tholak but the canon as well.”

“Take out three birds with one stone,” Topaz smiled. “Anything you can tell me about her? Looks? Mannerisms? How do you know about her?”

“A pony whose lips were as loose as that dagger blade Tambier accidentally dropped on his foot,” Aurora answered, managing to get a giggle out of the dragon. “I don’t know what she looks like, but her name is Luminous Oracle. She’s… not exactly from Equestria, I guess.”

Even a half lie like that left a bad taste in Aurora’s mouth, but she had to do it. As much as she trusted Topaz, she knew that the dragon already had a thousand questions about the specifics of this sudden family member. Telling her about the entire paradox and alternate Equestria thing would be a mistake, especially since she wasn’t sure how much of that was real to begin with. That wasn’t what mattered though. What mattered, was trying to save the only family she might possibly have.

“Oh, and go alone,” Aurora says, stopping and turning to Topaz. “It’s possible you might encounter the two groups at the same time, right? Would have to play the double agent until you can get Luminous out of there.”

Topaz smiled. “Doesn’t make me feel comfortable, but situations like this never are,” She kneeled down, putting a hand on the Aurora’s shoulder. “Just, promise not to lose your cool, please? Don’t want to clean up your mess once I get back.”

Aurora nodded, a hoof crossing her chest. “Promise.”

Silvia and Luminous opened their eyes, the former’s paws wrapped around the later. The sudden change in temperature, the constant chill that went through her fur, told her she was correct. Moments prior, she was able to see the waterfront through the trees behind Sunnyside and Morning Brew’s home. Now, the only things that they could make out was each other. The house was gone, the moon no longer in the sky, and the darkness was so thick it felt alive. Luminous hated these moments, the ones where her visions felt more like a nightmare than reality, as if she was trapped with nothing but the void around her. Silvia, however, recognized this feeling well, and as such knew exactly where they were.

This was what was left of her, no, their home. Their Equestria, broken, and just as dark and lifeless as it had always been. An Equestria where Celestia and Luna had long ago died, and the nation they birthed fractured between believers of the sun and moon. An Equestria that, in all but Luminous’ mind, was unreachable, stuck in a moment that she knew, but no longer remembered. This was all part of Silvia’s goal: figure out exactly what the rules of Luminous’ “anomaly” are, and the exact limitations that apply to them.

So far she was able to gauge that since telling Luminous to focus on the visions brought them here, it wasn’t just randomly activated. Clearly she didn’t have full control of when it activates all the time, but she could come here whenever she wanted, as long as she could focus on it. The second thing was that coming here didn’t just apply to Luminous, as she was able to visit. That didn’t mean, however, that it was a matter of making physical contact. Many times before she had held Luminous when her anomaly activated against her will. In those instances, however, a key lesson from her training also restated certain things: a paradox’s powers were inconsistent.

Not inconsistent as in they didn’t always have the same general affect, but inconsistent as in they didn’t always follow their own rules. That was applied here in the fact that her vision, which Silvia was beginning to realize was more akin to a time-limited dimensional warp due to how she could actually feel the ground and wind change when it activated. This wasn’t the first inconsistency, as she remembered Luminous sometimes disappearing when it activated. Sometimes, her body was fully pulled through the warp, though sometimes her body would stay afterwards, the only hint that her anomaly was active being words and a complete dissociation of what was going on.

In other words, an anomaly could put a paradox in harm because, just like how it shouldn’t exist, the rules don’t always exist as well. It could make them just as much a danger as a gift, if a rule is broken in the worst situations.

“Everything feels so… different,” Luminous muttered, shifting her mother’s attention back to her. “It’s never been comfortable, but sometimes it’s worse than others. The most consistent thing is that it’s always night.” Her gaze shifted upwards to the dark, moonless sky. Silvia followed her daughters, taken in her birth Equestria for the first time in years. “So… the memories of this Equestria are in their somewhere, but this is the only way for me to access them.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not. It’s too real to just be a memory,” Her mother told her. She tried to remove her paws from Luminous’ shoulders, but found herself half stuck. Her right forepaw remained attached to her daughter, but the left was removed with no effort. “So, when somepony is dragged in with you, they have to keep in contact with-” She looked to her daughter’s face, the confusion evident making it clear what she was saying made no sense. “Sorry, forgot none of this makes any sense to you still.”

A few seconds later, and Luminous winced as she and Silvia were transported out of her warp. That was new to her, considering her mother’s lack of reaction, it must have been normal for manually activating an anomaly... it took Luminous a full minute to realize she had no idea what that meant. In an attempt to distract herself from the larger and confusing words that had entered her mind, she looked around for anything that could start a conversation.

“Hey, um, mom,” Luminous looked to the wolf next to her as she talked. “You’re also from the same Equestria as I am from, right? That means you are a paradox and also have a… I can’t remember what term you used but, you know.”

“Yes, I also have an anomaly,” Silvia replied, chuckling at her daughter’s forgetfulness. “I should note that an anomaly doesn’t manifest right away. It can’t take anywhere from a month to years for a paradox to obtain one, but I’ve never heard of one forming as soon as a paradox forms. If you want to know what I can do however,” The wolf couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Well, let’s just say I can read the memory of any living creature as long as my our heads are in contact with each other.”

“Wow,” Luminous responded, though the look portrayed the excitement in her voice. “That’s… less exciting than I expected it to be, consider what Arcane and I can apparently do.”

“My anomaly isn’t the topic of tonight, though, is it?” Silvia asked, patting Luminous on the head. “Tonight was to see if yours was in some way manually activated, and by the looks of it, concentrating on your experience with these“visions” is indeed a manual activation for it, albeit for a limited time,” The pat turned into a hug, Luminous nearly falling over at the weight her mother was putting on her. “Just keep messing around with it and understand it’s “rules”, and-”

“Ahem!”

Silvia and Luminous turned back to the house, seeing a rather serious Morning Brew watching them from the patio. Brew signalling with her hoof to Silvia, no words exchanged between the two, but the latter knew what was being asked of her. The wolf turned and whispered to her daughter, who in term whispered back. She received a nod, and without another word Luminous left them, heading towards the front yard and the house’s main entrance. That left two creatures, one a unicorn and the other a wisewolf, all alone in the back of the house.

“How much of that did you see?” Silvia asked, shifting slightly into a fighting stance.

“You and your daughter suddenly reappearing does not concern me,” Brew said, her voice sounding drastically different from the happy yet reserved unicorn she had heard. Silvia didn’t know how, but she recognized it from somewhere. “What does concern me, is how much you seem to know about the canon?”

Silvia’s stance only shifted more as that question was tossed her way. Brew teleported out of the patio and into the grass only a paws length away from the wolf. Compared to everypony else she had met, from the festival to meeting Sunny earlier today, Brew was unusually calm about the strange creature in front of her. No fear, no screams, nothing of the sort. She was calm, almost as if she had seen the creature before.

Silvia pulled her lips into a snarl, though it did little to intimidate the pony. “Who are you?”

Brew smiled, sitting on the dirt with her eyes closed. “I could tell you, but since you can apparently read memories…,” She straightened herself. “I think that would be the easiest and more efficient way of doing this.”

Silvia looked for any hint that she was joking, playing coy, or anything of that sort, but found the unicorn deceptively hard to truly read. Looking around her to make sure no one was close by, Silvia took a few steps before sitting down. Brew opened her eyes, her expression still but heart skipping a beat as she saw Silvia’s predatory gaze on her. There was no intent to kill, at least not a big one, but the sight of Silvia’s teeth were more than enough to put her on edge.

“It might sting a little. The mind doesn’t like outsiders glancing at it,” The wolf warned, resting her paws on the unicorn’s shoulders as she leaned in.

Brew’s response was simple. “Just do it.”

Silvia did as asked, resting her head on Morning Brew’s dome and closing her eyes. A minute later, and Brew found herself having to close her own, the “sting” Silvia mentioning feeling more like a javelin to the skull. She could hear whispers, all of which her own voice, in the back of her head. She couldn’t make out what they were saying, and the pain only grew and grew, the metaphorical javelin sliding further and further into her skull. As that pain neared the point of making her wish to scream, however, it suddenly subsided. Silvia gasped as she shot straight up, the unicorn in front of her keeling over, mind fuzzy and thoughts light headed.

“The night shall rule… the spark didn’t… no.” Silvia muttered to herself. She looked to the unicorn lying down in front of her breathing heavily. The wolf offered a paw, Brew finding the strength to grab it and stand up. “That can’t be right. Sitting on the throne, many memories in the castle, with Celestia, a gigantic gap that… it can’t be.”

“An alicorn’s heart is the canon,” Morning Brew said, breathing still heavy but her as strong as before. “When Twilight took over the throne, our duties, our kingdom, we saw a chance to bring our immortality to an end, and live out one last century. We wished to finally die, as all things are suppose to,” Any semblance of joy in her eyes vanished as a tear fell down her face. “We didn’t realize that in doing so, we would become near unrecognizable. Not our citizens, not our oldest friends… not even my sisters pupil knew who we were, and all called us fakes.”

“I’m… I’m sorry, Brew,” Silvia replied, the shock and the amount of memories she had grabbed filling her with worry and fear.

“Please,” Brew said, her eyes unable to meet the wolf in front of her. “Just call me Luna, if you wish.”

No words were exchanged between the two, both sitting still under the moonlight. Luna looked up, her eyes first landing on Silvia, motionless save for the slight movement in her eyes. Looking past the wolf, however, she noticed something moving in the shadows. Three figures, all bipedal, all covered in armor a red glow emanating from one’s staff. Her eyes widened, the eavesdropping earlier filling her in on more than enough on the details to know who this was. That gut feeling was only made more correct as she saw one raised a spear. The moment it left his hand, Luna’s instinct took over.

“Duck!” She shouted, pulling Silvia down to the ground as the spear past over them.

Silvia looked up as it passed over their heads, it being all she needed to be snapped back to reality. She looked behind her, gaze instantly falling on the three dragons, all rushing towards her. Without a second thought, she turned to Luna, any question she had for the unicorn having to wait.

“Get everypony up, including your sister. It’s not safe for you to stay here anymore,” Silvia said. “I think I can hold them off long enough for everypony to get out of here.”

Luna didn’t even attempt to argue, knowing who this figure was just as much as the wolf did. She nodded, getting to her hooves and rushing to the front door much the same as Luminous minutes earlier. Silvia pushed herself up, looking to the trio of dragons that had managed to close the distance between them in a matter of seconds. In the middle was Tholak, the bloodstone scepter painting him and the ground in front of him crimson red. The look in the dragon’s face wasn’t that of anger, but a smile of crazed joy.

“I applaud you for staying ahead of us for so long, and for nearly offing Aurora,” Tholak said, his happiness sounding just as psychotic as the smile he wore. “However, I still have need of her, and that alicorn will be quite a nuisance.”

“If you want the canon, you’re gonna have to kill me for it,” Silvia explained, her backside raised and head nearly touching the ground, ready to pounce.

Tholak only laughed at her, ripping the spear out of one of his own soldier’s hands. “Oh, trust me, I was gonna do that anyways.”

Author's Note

Chapters left: 2

This Sunday will be those final two chapters. I hope to see you all then.

Chapter 16

Any chance ponies had of getting sleep that night was destroyed as Silvia was tossed effortlessly through not just the patio’s screen, but the glass door leading inside. Luna didn’t even have an opportunity to open the door before Silvia’s body hit it. Luminous, who had taken to trying to sleep on the kitchen floor after leaving her mom, was the first one to truly noticed what had happened. What her eyes glimpsed upon from following the shattered glass, was a bloody Silvia on the floor. The wolf’s body, from paws to her ears, were stained red from the glass, and a large gash from something much much worse across her chest.

Thunder, being on the now glass covered couch was the next to wake up, the first thing in his line of sight being the broken glass door in front of him. Turning around, he watched as Luna opened the door, unknowingly pushing an injured Silvia that was blocking it. Her gaze immediately fell down, a gasp escaping her as she caught the mess that had been made. Luminous rushed to her mother, unsure of what to do and to scared to hug her due to the glass.

“Mom?” Luminous called out. Her reply came in the former of Silvia’s eyes opening, gaze directly at her daughter. “Don’t worry mom, everything is going to be okay.”

“What happened?” Thunder asked Luna, or Morning Brew as he knew her as. “Did you do something to her?”

“I don’t know, just get everypony up and out of here,” Luna relayed, making her way over Luminous and over to the bedrooms. “We need to move out before-”

“Before what, my little unicorn?” Everypony froze at the voice, attention turning to the broken door. Tholak stood in front of them, his gaze immediately falling upon the beaten form of Silvia on the ground. “How pathetic. I had assumed she had some skill, considering what she did to Aurora, but it seems she’s all bark and no bite.”

That was all Luminous needed for her to justify her actions. “You monster!”

She rushed at Tholak, doing everything to ignore the pain of the glass under her hooves, but to no avail. Tholak merely kicked her away, sending her straight into the front of the coach. It didn’t stop Luminous from getting right back up and jumping at him, an action that did nothing as he effortlessly grabbed her around the neck midjump. He spat on her, and then threw her to the side, colliding with a stunned Luna who was too shaken to move. Moving out of the doorway, he motioned his soldiers towards the ponies, with one holding Thunder at spearpoint while the other pinned Luminous and Luna to the ground.

“No weapon, no thought, no plan. Typical,” Tholak spat, turning his attention back to Silvia. He carefully stepped through the living room, avoiding the glass as if it were the plague. “That’s how ponies always were. Truthfully, it would have been better for the world if I had just killed you all. Was that display at Canterlot what you call a defense!” He took the scepter in his hand and pressed it against Silvia’s opened wound. She winced at the pain, but kept herself from screaming. “I’m sure all of you know who I am.”

“Dragonlord Tholak,” Luna said. She felt the soldier’s foot press on her neck, but Tholak motioned for him to halt, his attention turned to the unicorn. “Around one thousand years ago, you started a conquest to wipe our kind from the face of the planet. You marched on our lands and killed many innocents, all because you didn’t think we deserved our intelligence, or to live through the windigo’s cold winter.”

Tholak smiled, recognizing the voice almost instantly. “Well, isn’t this a strange sight. The former princess, immortality lost, nothing but a peasant to cast off,” The scepter sunk deeper into the wound, Silvia whimpering at the pain. Luminous looked to Luna, unsure of what to say. “How about a deal than, to extend your miserable lives for a little bit? Hand me the canon, and we’ll leave you all alone. Sounds good doesn’t it.”

“You dare think that I’ll-” Luna’s words stopped as a scream erupted from Silvia, Tholak’s foot placed over her neck.

“P-please, please leave mom out of this,” Luminous pleaded, doing everything she could to get the weight of the dragon off of her.

“Mom? Well that is most certainly interesting,” Tholak smiled slightly as he bent down to look over the wolf. “Well, how about it, little pegasus. You want to save your mom, or are you gonna let me kill her? All I need to do is snap her neck and she’s gone. Just. Like. That.”

“Luminous, you know he’ll kill me either way,” Silvia said, managing to speak through the immense pain. “Don’t worry about me, just get out of here!”

Luminous knew what her mom wanted her to do, even if Silvia herself didn’t want her to choose that option. It should have been as easy as saying no, telling Tholak that he wouldn’t get what he wanted out of her. Yet, that little hope that he had given her, the idea that she could save her mother, slightly empowered her. She would say yes, but her mother’s plea held her back enough to stop her from doing so.

“I… I know mom, but I don’t want you to die,” Luminous explained. “If… if there even a sliver of chance than I’ll… I’ll-”

“Luminous, listen to me,” She told Luminous, her daughter’s eyes unable to meet her mother’s. You’re life, and the protection of the canon, means more than anything to me,” Silvia closed her eyes. “Besides, he’ll kill us if you hand it over, so just do. The. Thing!”

“Um… what’s going on out here?” All attentioned turned to the kitchen as Gabriel, seemingly half awake wandered into the room, the bag with the canon still around his shoulders. “I heard the window break and-” His eyes fell on the dragons, Tholak’s eyes grabbing onto the bag he carried. “Oh no.”

“My dear griffon friend, might I ask what you have in there?” Tholak asked.

“Nothing you’ll have to worry about very soon.”

Before Tholak could question the voice that had spoken to him what they meant, a dark mist enveloped around his legs and threw him across the room. With her mother temporarily out of harm's way, she decided to try what her mom had explained earlier. The dragon standing above her was shocked to see the pegasus suddenly disappear, looking around to see where they had gone. That gave Luna enough of an opening to move out from under the soldier, proceeding to trip him before grabbing his own spear. Luminous appeared behind the dragon holding Thunder hostage, grabbed his tail and threw him back through the window.

Luna wrapped the spear the first soldier’s neck, only for her attempt to choke him be denied by him using his hands to pull her off. Ripping the spear back, the dragon prepared to strike into Luna’s chest. Thunder Shield, no longer at spear point, immediately launched himself at the dragon, knocking him back to the ground. Luna watched as he jumped onto the counter and put a hindleg to a light while flicking a lightswitch with his front. As soon as the bulb turned on, lightning started to visibly course through his body, popping the lightbulb and transferring all the electrical energy to him. The electric current made his body glow bright yellow.

Before the dragon could get firmly back to his feet, Thunder launched himself at the enemy. Tackling him to the ground, the electricity in his body transferred to the dragon, sending one hundred and twenty volts straight into his opponent’s body. The kill was near instant, the glow fading from Thunder’s body with the volts transferred out. He looked to Luna, who was staring at him with a mixture of awe and terror in her eyes. He sighed, knowing he had a lot of explaining to do.

“Short version, my body is a conductor, and I’m pretty sure I might have knocked all power from your house out,” He explained, hoping off of the now fried dragon below him. “Also, don’t touch him, the current will probably kill you too.”

“Noted,” Luna said with a nod. Her attention turned back to the wounded wolf, a certain black pegasus helping her into a sitting position.

“What’s going on out here?” Flurry asked as she and Sunnyside joined with everyone, the latter letting out a gasp at the sight of the dragon dead on the floor, body still twitching from the electricity in him. Flurry ground her teeth at the sight, turning to Gabriel. “Do I want to know?”

“We’ve been found,” Silvia said. Sunny felt like she was about to faint upon seeing the state the wolf was now in. The wolf turned to the white pegasus, giving what smile her face could muster. “If Morning Brew is Luna, then you’re Princess Celestia, am I correct.”

Sunnyside’s eyes only seemed to grow wider the more things that she heard. “You… you recognize me?” Silvia looked to Luna, the former princess looking to her younger sister. “Luna, you did it! We finally found somepony who knows what-”

“Now is not the time Tia,” Luna responded, motioning to the amount of stares she was receiving from everypony save the wolf. Luna turned to addressed the room. “That goes for explaining our situation as well. Now, any of you know why Tholak is alive?”

“He was the one who captured Canterlot,” Thunder explained. “I failed to stop him, and I failed my troops in preparing them. Forgive me for my diservice la… princesses.”

“If he’s alive, than Aurora is somehow alive too, isn’t she?” Celestia asked Silvia, who smiled and nodded. The pegasus sighed. “None of this makes any sense. How?”

Luminous let out a yelp as the dark cloud settled down next to her, though she relaxed when the form of Arcane materialized from it. She had forgotten he could do that. “We can talk about this later. In case some of you didn’t realize, only one dragon is dead.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Flurry asked the room. “We kill him that’s one of two threats down, right? Get me near him and I’ll incinerate him to nothing but bones.”

“Barring the fact fire spells don’t work on dragons, I need you to do something else Flurry,” Silvia said, getting to her paws despite the look of worry on her daughter’s face. “I don’t want to think worst case, but if it happens, it’s better to send our most valuable asset to safety. You know how important the canon is,” She put the alicorn’s paw in her hoof, a look of desperation on her face. “Get to the Changelings, tell them of our coming.

Flurry caught the wolf as she collapsed to the ground, Luminous making her way to her mother's side slowly. She was breathing rigidly, conscious but not seeming to be completely there. Flurry bit her lip, a large part of her wanting to fight, but she knew why Silvia needed her alive. If Twilight somehow died, she was Equestria’s hope. Whether or not she believed anything about the supposed barrier the wolf said didn’t matter, if she wanted any sort of vengeance, then she needed to live. If the barrier did exist, she wasn’t about to be reckless.

“I can get her to safety, but it will slow me down,” Flurry explained to the room. “As much as I hate to say it, taking Twilight’s canon with me is a bad idea. If he catches me, the Crystal Empire has no ruler, and Equestria is without its queen.”

“And you expect us to just go ahead and trust you?” Thunder asked. He knew there was another reason for it, there always was with Silvia.

“Do you have any other options?” Flurry responded. Thunder mouth opened to answer, but nothing in the end came out of it. She hoisted Silvia onto her back. “Exactly. Now, buy me enough time to get in the air, that’s all I ask for. Something tells me you will be here a little longer than that, but that is the most I need.”

“Promise you’ll keep her safe?” Luminous asked. Flurry nodded, a hint of sympathy in her eyes.

As she made her way to the front door, the rest of the ponies and Gabriel made their way out the two broken glass doors that Tholak and his soldier had been tossed through. Arcane took the lead, keeping his eyes glued on the makeshift entrance their adversary had made. He turned behind him, noting the look of uncertainty on Celestia’s face. He made his way back, putting a hoof on Luminous shoulder. He placed the other hoof over his heart, and then moved it over Luminous’, a motion that Silvia had taught her, meaning “eyes on you.”

“Thanks,” Luminous replied. She moved forward with the others, while Arcane continued back.

Hoping out of the patio, Luminous looked around for any sign of the attackers, her steps followed by Thunder and Gabriel. The ponies couldn’t see anyone nearby, Tholak seemingly having disappeared into the forest. Gabriel, however, took notice of a very faint trail of blood leading over towards nearby bushes. Keeping a claw on the bag in case someone tried to sneak behind and take it from him, he left the two ponies and went to investigate. He placed a claw on the bush to push it aside, only for a hand to grab his own.

“Gotcha.”

Gabriel barely had the time to dodge the spear that came through the bush as he yanked his claws away. Luminous looked back to the griffon, watching as he fell on his back, the other dragon soldier stepping out of the bushes. She rushed into the fray, ramming him in the stomach as he tried to stab downwards with the spear. The blow knocked the spear out of the dragon’s hands, gabriel grabbing it as it got free. Without waiting he got up and launched into the air, landing on his attacker with the spear landing right in his gut. He raised it again, and stuck it straight through the heart, dealing a fatal blow.

While this was happening, Tholak had jumped Thunder, clubbing the pegasus in the face with the scepter. It didn’t phase him for long, however, ducking the next swing and going around the dragonlord’s legs. He reached for the tail the same way Luminous had done earlier, but was outmaneuvered as Tholak turned and dropped his foot on the pegasi’s back. The force caused some pain but Thunder managed to keep standing just long enough for him to once again get hit in the head with the scepter, knocking him unconscious.

“Tholak!” He turned to Luminous, standing tall and proud. Next to her was Gabriel, and Tholak’s eyes drifting hungrily to the bag around his shoulder. “Step away from Thunder. It’s us you want, not him.”

“Your right, but you wouldn’t have to watch me beat him down if you had just handed me the bag,” Tholak replied, holding out a hand. “It’s in there, isn’t it? The item that I had to come all the way over here to grab from your filthy hooves. How about you hand it over and I’ll-”

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” Gabriel replied. He twirled the spear before pointing it at the dragon. “Silvia is a friend of mine, Twilight as well, and these ponies around us are very special individuals, former princesses or otherwise. You say that we’ll be spared, but I know better. Individuals like you…” He dropped into a fighting stance. “... only care about themselves.”

Tholak only smiled. “Now how do you even believe that when we’ve only just now met?”

Luminous didn’t wait for an answer, charging forward and tackling Tholak to the ground. She attempted to punch him, but he blocked her hoof with his hand, tossing her off as he did. It did little to keep Luminous down, landing on her feet and taking his tail in her mouth. Her attempt to fling him away was halted as he did the same thing to her, moving his tail with enough force to throw her away. He got back to his feet and dusted himself off, his gaze turning from Luminous to Gabriel.

The griffon used the spear to vault into the air, opening his wings as he glided at the Tholak. With the spear pointed at this face, the dragon put his hands up in reflex, catching the spear inches before it would have struck him. He winced in pain, one of his hands having caught the spear at it’s tip, the blade cutting into his hand. It did nothing to stop him from ripping the spear away from Gabriel, who had very little time to react before his own weapon was used against him. A slash right along the chest, not deep enough to be dangerous, but hurting enough to make him flinch just enough for Tholak to grab his beak and throw him to the ground.

Luminous had seen all of that occur, a mixture of anger and fear resonating in her chest, heart beating like it would burst at any moment. Without thinking, she once again rushed at Tholak, screaming at the top of her lungs. It did nothing but get her head caught in Tholak’s grasp, and what anger there was in her heart was gone, fear alone remaining. He gave her a smile, one of pure joy and content. One that told her she was a dead mare, a feeling that only elevated when she felt his claws digging into her left eyeball.

“That wolf you called your mother did something horrible to my comrade, to the one I care for most in the world,” Tholak told Luminous, whispering unintelligibly. “I think an eye for an eye is more than a fair exchange.”

Miles away, Twilight screamed out in pain, collapsing on the ground in her cell. Her hooves instinctively moved to her eye, a sharp pain coming from it, as if it was being removed. As the pain turned to numbness, she moved her hoof away, only to search her eye to make sure it was still there. It was, and she sighed in relief, but wondered why she had even though it had fallen out in the first place. She had no idea where the pain came from, why it had hurt so badly, or the terror that now sat deep in her chest. It took her only a minute to realize that she had felt one of those things before, and her heart sank.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Tholak asked, tossing Luminous’ left eye in the palm of his hand as the mare cried. He throws it away, walks up to Luminous, and kicks her to the side to reach Gabriel. “Now then, how about I just take this.”

He grabbed the bag around Gabriel’s shoulder, the griffon grabbing it with his talons as he did. Tholak didn’t bother trying to break Gabriel’s grip, as he was forced to hold his open wound, loosening his grip just enough for Tholak to simply walk away. He opened the bag, squinting his eyes at the bright light, and took out the source of it. His smile nearly overtook his face as he held the canon, licking his lips.

“It’s as disgustingly bright as she said it would be,” Tholak said. With her remaining eye, Luminous looked up in fear, noticing that the crystal was dangerously close to his mouth. “And it is a joy to destroy it.”

Before she could say anything, Tholak opened his mouth, and bit down. Like any other gem that he had, his teeth splintered the canon, cutting it in half and causing the glow to fade. He took the remaining half of it and squeezed it, Luminous able to hear it shatter in fist. Opening it, she was left to look on the remains of what had been their mission, a breeze blowing it out of Tholak’s hand into the night sky, never to be seen again. With his hand free, he picked up the spear and walked to Luminous.

“I gave you a choice, and I would have more than honored it,” Tholak explained, Luminous shuffling her back into the nearest tree. “I gave you the chance to live-” He raised the spear. “- and you choose to die.”

Luminous closed her eyes and waited for the impact, for death to embrace her. Yet, while the sound of the spear sinking into skin did play through her ears, there was no pain. She thought for a second she might be dead, but she could still feel the grass under her, and the bark of the tree against her back. Believe she was saved, she opened her eyes and hoped to see a weapon of some kind sticking through Tholak’s body. The moment she opened her eyes, she regretted it.

Above her was Sunnyside, or Celestia if what she had heard earlier meant anything. Her face was twisted with terror as she stared into Luminous’ eyes, the paradox not wanting to look away from her eyes in fear of what she would see. Yet, she did it anyways, and was greeted by a spear poking through the princess’ body. The white coat had started to turn red from blood, and Luminous could feel herself getting light headed. She thought that the amount of cuts she had gotten would have prepared her for what she saw, but this was worse than any cut she would imagine.

“Tia!”

Her body lurched forward as a magic blast hit Tholak, letting go of the spear and allowing a near dead Celestia to fall on Luminous’ lap. Tholak looked to see where the blast had come from, but was flung backwards as another one hit his stomach. That same dark cloud from earlier surrounded his body, and he started to howl in pain as cuts, bruises, and slashes appeared on his body. All of that while Luna, from a distance, pupils dilated, sent blast after blast into the wounds created. After a time, he fell to the ground, the dark cloud moving away from him and forming once again into Arcane. The dragon was alive, but he doubted he would live long enough to receive health. He looked back to the ponies and griffon, Luna rushing to her sister, and cursed himself.

All that time, trying to convince Celestia and Luna to hide, and he had been made oblivious to what he had allowed. Walking up to Luminous, he saw her missing eye, and the former alicorn bleeding out in front of her. The look on the young pegasi’ face said everything, and just like the mare who had taken the blow for her, was looking ready to pass out. He looked to Gabriel, who despite being on his feet, was clutch a horrible wound.

“You have first aid somewhere?” Arcane asked Luna, the unicorn holding her dying sister in her hooves.

It took Luna a few seconds to respond. “Master bathroom. The mirror is also a cupboard.”

Arcane gave her a nod, but not a thank you, knowing that a simple first aid kit couldn’t save Celestia, nor did he lack any knowledge in healing magic to help her. He walked past Gabriel, who was grabbing Thunder’s unconscious body. The griffon looked to the unicorn, a look of fear on his face. All that Arcane could do was nod, though he knew not what question he was supposed to answer. To both of them, the ones not overcome by fear or the death of a friend, a feeling a shame washed over them. The shame of having failed Twilight, of no doubt leading her to her death.

“Get everypony moving,” He ordered. “Tell Luna we can’t bury her sister, not until we are truly safe from these monsters.”

Chapter 17

History is doomed to repeat itself, that is but fact. That night was one such night, and the day that would follow would be one without smiles. In arriving at Silver Shoals, all chances at protecting the canon vanished within the span of a day. Silvia Holvenart stood no chance against Tholak, nor did any of the others that went against him, save for the rage driven Luna and Arcane. By that time, however, the fate of Equestria’s most recognized hero was sealed as the canon was shattered. In the process, Equestria also lost one of it’s old monarchs, Sunnyside, also known as Princess Celestia.

Though some were wounded, they had no choice but to march. Luna carried her sister, determined to avenge her sister and bury her in the garden of the castle they once called home. Luminous, though conscious, didn’t speak at all in the following hours, her mind eternally frozen with Tholak’s face. As one day turned into two, they crossed the border between Equestria and the Badlands, Thunder finally awake and able to walk on his own. That was the day that Aurora learned the canon had been destroyed, not by report, but by Queen Twilight’s loss of wings.

Aurora watched the former alicorn in front of her squirm in the grasp of the dragons holding her. She couldn’t help but smile at the scene, seeing a being once immortal reduced to the status that so many others held. As two guards fastened her wingblades to her form, she thought about exactly what she should do this. A part of her wanted to revel in this victory, eviscerate the very thing she had long wish to destroy, but that wasn’t her. No matter how much her body or mind wanted to see Twilight diced, she knew that wasn’t her. A simple decapitation was all she needed, and so the public didn’t know the truth, she would kill her in the dungeons.

She looked to the guards, both ponies, and both seemingly ashamed of what they were about to do. Aurora knew they were afraid of her, as were many others, and she was sure the only reason they did this was so she would have to kill them. They were smart, but the fact they still didn’t take what she believed to heart, and that they still respected the alicorns, upset her. With a salute, the guards stood back, Aurora stretching her wings to see if everything was right.

“Well done, you two may leave,” She ordered. There was no “yes ma’am” from them, but she knew true respect would come in time. She looked back to Twilight, who was doing her best to try and look intimidating. “Whatever plan you had, alicorn, it has failed. Anything you want to say, before I cut you down?”

Twilight said nothing, and Aurora didn’t feel like waiting around for last words. She walked towards Twilight, allowing herself to take in how pathetic the all-powerful queen now looked. Where she would once towered over by the pony, she now looked down at. That earth pony strength gone, and the wings she had unjustly earned no longer in existence. As she came within an inch of her prisoner, she opened her wings, crossing them so that one blade was on each side of Twilight’s neck. She was about to cut, when Twilight finally spoke up.

“It’s not over,” She said, the words catching Aurora’s attention enough to not immediately slit the queen’s throat. “Even though I may die, there are ponies out there who will do everything in their power to stop you. Not just ponies, but nations, joining together in friendship to take down that which seeks to harm us all.”

Aurora let the words float for a minute, and then smiled. “Once everypony sees things my way, the true way, those words will be as hollow as wood.”

Aurora didn’t wait for a response. She felt her wings against Twilight’s neck, and sliced.

Gabriel watched as Luminous gasped for air and stop walking. She put her hooves around her neck, water filling her eyes, as something worse than pain took control of her. Thunder looked behind him as he heard her gasp, eyes going wide as she saw the pegasus collapse on the ground. Gabriel caught her before her head hit the rocky terrain of the badlands, noticing that the mare was unconscious and barely breathing. Despite the fact that no cuts or wounds were visible on her, save for the lack of an eye, it was like she had taken a blow strong enough to nearly kill her. Gabriel could only look on in worry.

“Luminous? Luminous?” He called, knowing that his words were useless but still believing they meant something.

“She’ll be fine, Gabriel,” Thunder said, turning the griffon away from the unconscious pegasus. “I’ve seen this before, or have felt it before to be correct. This is what happened when Spitfire was killed, which means…” He didn’t want to say the thought that had come to his mind, but he knew he had no choice. “... Queen Twilight is dead.”

“O-oh,” Gabriel said. Silence followed for several minutes, the only sound being the wind whistling around them. “So, she’ll live, right?”

“I think so, but we need to get her to a doctor just in case,” Thunder explained, picking up Luminous and, with Gabriel’s help, place her over his shoulder.

“Then I guess it’s a good thing the bugs found us first,” Arcane called from the front of the group.

Turning around Thunder and Gabriel made out a half dozen figures flying towards them. The first they instantly recognized as Flurry Heart, given her bright pink mane, but others were new. One thing was certain, they were all changelings, one seemingly bigger than the rest. Thunder didn’t know whether to be happy or scared at that moment, knowing that while Flurry had no doubt arrived before them, he had no idea if the mare on his back would live or not. He didn’t show it, didn’t want to feel it, but for the first time since they had broken up, Thunder felt concerned for Luminous.

Everything about the execution had felt… empty, to Aurora. She had expected relief, or joy, or anything that signified that what she had done was right, but it didn’t come to pass. As she looked at the body in front of her, blood pooling under it, she waited for that feeling to come in. It never did, and all she was left with was a victory that felt more hollow than it should have. One thousand years, and yet the moment she had been waiting for this entire time felt as dead as the pony she had just killed. She took off her wingblades and tossed them to the side.

“What a waste of time this has been.”

Silvia watched the sleeping form of her daughter as a changeling tended to her, hating herself. Watching the pony she had raised for the past fifteen or so years now lying in a hospital bed, a doctor monitoring her breathing, had to be one of the most painful things she had ever felt. Like she had told Flurry, losing Twilight’s canon was something she could allow as long as the empress still breathed, but that was only if Luminous was still alive. She wanted to hug her daughter, but the doctors had told her she shouldn’t move, less the wounds she had garnered herself open up again.

“I’m sorry we didn’t get there in time to help her,” Thorax said, watching the wolves unshifted gaze at her daughter. “I know what it’s like to lose a loved one. No matter what Chrysalis would say, losing a member hive, my family, was like a sibling had died.”

“Don’t blame yourself, King Thorax,” Silvia told the changeling. “You didn’t know anything about this until recently, and even if you did know, we were too far away to save Twilight,” She finally turned to him, through her eyes failed to meet his. “I assume Flurry Heart has told you everything?”

“Yes, and I can see why we have to stop Aurora, even without the justification of her being a usurper,” Thorax replied, walking to her side as the doctor finished tending to the wolf. “You can be assured that, when the time comes, the Changelings will be at your side, but that is all I can promise,” He sighed. “Since the attack, relations with the dragons have dipped in the hive, and this news of them not being associated with Ember won’t do anything. There is also the fact that well… Gabriel and Flurry can not assure it themselves.”

“Why is that?” Silvia asked, one ear folding as she tilted her head.

“Though they support you, Aurora’s forces have been making any trade to Equestria or the kingdoms around it hard,” Thorax explained, sitting down on the bed next to Silvia’s. “Gabriel and Flurry both told me that they want to contact there people, but with trade routes north gone, at least for the time, we can’t send any missives to their kingdoms. It would take establishing trade with Equestria, and that would take time.”

“And the more time we take, the more ponies shift from seeing her as an invader, to a true ruler,” Silvia said, getting a nod from Thorax. “If her beliefs leak into the lives of Equestria, any alicorn put on that throne or so much as exist are targets of her forces. If the citizens believe her, we have all but lost,” A thought came Silvia as she said those words, reminded of what Thorax had said. “King Thorax, you said that only the trade north is gone right? Kludgetown still trades with you?”

“Yes, and we’ve been helping them rebuild after something raided them,” Thorax told Silvia, the changeling taking notice of the smile that was suddenly forming on her face. “Do you… have an idea?”

“Yes, yes I do,” Silvia said, getting out of the bed. She winced at how sour her body was and the pain still present throughout it, yet she managed to keep standing. She motioned for Thorax to follow her, the changeling doing just that. “When I first arrived in this Equestria, I was the only paradox around, but as my work has sent me to the countries around Equestria I’ve met many more. Most I had no choice but to send back to their home, but some have stayed around.”

“Judging by the word “most”, I’m guessing you know a paradox who could help us,” Thorax said, receiving a nod of approval from the wolf. “Who are they?”

“You wouldn’t know them, they aren’t on any known maps,” Silvia explained, Thorax feeling slightly uneased when he heard her say “they”. “I spent time on a pirate crew for a year, one captained by a Ms. Celano, and went about creating a map of the world beyond Griffonstone and the Dragonlands. It was there that we came upon a nation of ponies, as loose of a term as that was,who were very much not from this world,” Silvia closed her eyes, searching her memory for information. “A world at war, a young pony cast out from Equestria due to her talent in dark magic, a nation of necromancers and vampires, doing all they can to fight back those who would oppress them.”

Thorax felt a shiver go up his spine, somehow feeling like he knew who Silvia was talking about, and yet not at the same time. As Silvia opened her eyes, any sorrow present on her face had been washed away, replaced by that of determination. She knew what she had to do, and what needed to be done to keep her daughter safe. A single name, a single nation, all came to mind, one whose location was on no map save for one.

“Rosa Maledicta,” She said. “The Dread League. That’s how we will turn the tides. That’s how we will get Equestria back, and keep the barrier from breaking,” She stopped and turned to Thorax, her confidence contrasting greatly to the fear on his.

Author's Note

Thus ends Fears of Bygone Eras…

… thus makes way for Vessel.

As you can probably guess, this is not the complete end of the story. With Equestria taken over and both Celestia and Twilight dead, there is easily more to be told. That title, Vessel, will be the name of this stories Sequel, which will likely start being released some time next year. I've already started writing it, with three chapters done and the fourth one started, but don't expect it as soon as you may think. Vessel is likely to be longer story and one that will take me longer to write because of that.

Still, I want to thank you all for going so far on this journey with me. It's been a treat to share even this much with you all, and I look forward to whatever comes in the future. I'm looking forward to releasing Vessel, and I hope to see you all then.

Chapter 8

In the two weeks that followed, ponies from all over Equestria received word of this years location for Festival of the Two Sisters. In anticipation for what the event, many came days early so that hotels and inns would still have room. Even compared to the past two and a half decades, this was no doubt the biggest showing in the festival’s existence. Many ponies would open up stalls and show off their talents, while foals enjoyed the rides and sweets available to them. Then, at the end of the day, all would gather as Twilight, along with the leaders of the nations surrounding Equestria, giving her speech commemorating Celestia and Luna’s rule. This, after all, was their festival.

Yet even with the stalls, the rides, the food, and the speech, nothing this year seemed to get ponies more intrigued then the leaders who were showing up to celebrate it. Ever since its founding, the changeling’s King Thorax has been a constant visitor of the fair, showing how strong Equestrian relationships have come between the two hated factions. The hippogriffs, yaks and, since it’s revival, griffons have also become frequent participants. This year, however, would be the first time in two decades that an Empress of the Crystal Empire, as well as her citizens, joined in the festivities. To the public, it was a cause for both excitement and caution, unaware of what Queen Twilight feared the actions meant.

Since that fateful meeting two weeks ago, Luminous Oracle has done everything in her power to avoid the castle. Unaware that, at this very moment, her mother was on her way to Canterlot as a guest of Dragonlord Ember. With the fairground opened, the festival begins. As Psyche sets up her booth like so many others, Luminous takes the time to experience the wonders of Canterlot. Today, her last day before she would head home, she took to visiting the local spa.

“This is perfect,” Arcane said as he slid a little farther into the pool. He wasn’t smiling, he never did, but it was absolute bliss. “Quiet, just myself, and everyone is so busy with the festival I have the entire place to myself.”

He heard the door open, a low groan resonating as he realized how quickly he jinxed himself. He wondered for a second if it was just a member of the staff, though that rational was quickly overturned when he heard the pony enter the water. Though he could open his eyes, he hoped that by keeping them closed that whoever was here with him would leave him be. They started to hum, the echo quickly making it irritating. He opened an eye, and closed it immediately regretting himself.

“Wow, this really is the best,” Luminous said, tilting her head down to make bubbles. “I knew water was nice but I already feel relaxed. Though, should probably take the full time before going to the fa… wait a second.”

Luminous narrowed her eyes at Arcane, who was right across from her. She knew exactly who it was, but knew that he would just ignore her if she yelled from across the pool. Standing up, she waded through the warm spa water and sat down next to her old foalsitter. An innocent smile on her face, she let her body fell limp against the unicorn’s shoulder. His body stiffened, but she only pushed harder into him. She stuck her tongue out, an action he couldn’t see but felt internally. Finally, she booped his muzzle, his eyes flying awake as his hooves reached for where she had booped him.

“Hello!” She said. Arcane looked to her, and shifted his shoulder, causing Luminous to fall face first into the pool. Pull herself up, she shook her head. “Hey!”

“I would prefer to be left alone,” Arcane told her, creating distance between himself and the pegasus. “Why are you here? Figured you would be outside the fairgrounds like everypony else.”

“I like to think I have a little more of a life than that,” Luminous replied, not taking Arcane’s hint and once again moving next to him. “Okay, maybe I don’t have that much of a life, but I’ve never been to a spa before and-”

“Okay okay, you don’t have to explain yourself,” Arcane said. “If want to stay around, than whatever. Surprised to actually see you here in Canterlot,” As Luminous tried to close in on him again, Arcane kicked her away. “Thought you were too scared.”

“Well, had to do it at some point, right?” Luminous replied, floating on her back. A member of the staff walked by the door, which had been left open, looked at her, and rolled their eyes. “Besides, might have forgotten about it if I waited for mom to get back.”

Arcane’s ears twitched at that statement. “Silvia doesn’t know this?” Luminous nodded, and a malicious smile twisted onto his face. “Oh Luminous, I’m sorry to tell you this, but your mother is actually at the festival.”

Unable to tell that Arcane was doing his best to trick her, Luminous felt the water turn ice cold. Her mom, on any other occasion, would be completely and absolutely okay with her going off on her own. Right now, however, having left without telling her, only leaving a note, she would be dead if the two saw each other. She was so certain that her mom wouldn’t come to Canterlot, and now she was wrong.

“Oh no. No no no no no,” Luminous said. “I’m dead. I’m so fricken dead. Mom is gonna kill me, and then probably kill me again somehow,” She swam back over to Arcane and grabbed his shoulders, her mind unable to think of some way to fix this. “What do I do Arcane? Please tell me you got a plan.”

“Nope,” He said, shaking his head. “Guess you’ll just have to face it head on.”

Luminous sat there, mind overloaded with every possible thing that her mother might do to her. She slowly started to sink into the water as her front hooves slid off of Arcane and back in front of her. There was absolutely no other way she could think about this situation. She loved her mother, and her mother loved her back, but Silvia had one rule: always tell her before you do something. She didn’t care what it actually was, even joining in if she thought it would be fun or too dangerous, but never do something big without telling her.

“Oh don’t be like that,” Arcane said, using his magic to grab her mane and pull Luminous’ head out from under the water. “Tell me, do you really think that your mother is going to be here?”

“I don’t know,” Luminous replied. “Wait… wait wait wait wait, that wasn’t true, was it?” Arcane looked away and shrugged his shoulder. “That’s… not comforting.”

“I don’t care, you can figure it out yourself,” Arcane said, once again creating distance between himself and Luminous. “Besides, I got a… date, you could say, with a statue in the castle courtyard.”

Luminous tilted her head. “Huh, didn’t expect you would be into that Arcane.”

“I meant I’m investigating it,” Arcane explained with an eye roll. “You’ve heard of Queen Twilight’s battle with Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, and Cozy Glow, right?” Luminous shook her head. “You disappoint me.”

“Need I remind you that current events aren’t exactly my forte,” Luminous told him, doing her best to look proud. “Even though it was technically twenty-five years ago.”

Arcane swore under his breath, turning around and hoping out of the pool. Having decided that it wasn’t worth his time trying to explain what he was planning to do, he floated a towel over to him and dried himself off. Luminous just watched as he left, leaving the pegasus feeling confused, scared, and unsure of herself. Once again, her thoughts returned to her mother, who for all she knew could possibly be at Canterlot right now. Not that she would like it, considering how much she also hated crowded places.

“Ember! It’s a tiny Twilight plush!” Silvia shouted, grabbing said plush from the vendor and squeezing. “Oh my sweet Huntal it’s adorable! Should I get it for Luminous? She’d like it.”

Ember, for her part, was unsure of exactly what to do in her current situation. While Silvia devolved into ‘mom mode’, she didn’t realize the dozens of ponies surrounding them right now. All eyes were on the wolf, some out of curiosity, while others like the vendor were terrified. No doubt there first thought was of a timberwolf, but having heard her speak no doubt squashed that. The dragonlord had no idea what to think about the situation, one that she thought she was prepared for, but in actuality was not.

Silvia, on the other hand, was having the time of her life. She had reasons for staying away from Equestrian towns and cities outside of her being a predator to ponies, but she could easily forget about that right now. With all of the things she liked about the Griffonstone and the Dragon Lands, no one knew how to have a good time like a pony did. All the food, games, and vendors had caught her eye the moment she walked through the gate. She couldn’t contain herself, thinking of what she could possibly bring back for Luminous.

“Okay, Silvia, I think it’s time to get moving,” Ember finally said after multiple minutes of intense staring at the wolf. “We’re supposed to meet Queen Twilight at the main stage remember.”

“Oh, that’s right!” Silvia said, putting the plush back down and turning to Ember. “You think she would be willing to autograph something for my little Lumi? That would be something worth bringing back.”

“You can ask her after the entire paradox debacle is mentioned,” Ember reminds her. Silvia’s eyes widened, before clearing her head with a shake and forcing a cough. After all of that, Silvia was back to her confident, warrior self. “Alright now let’s get going.”

As they started making their way back through the fairgrounds, Silvia quickly waved back to the vendor. Even though she had to keep her mind on what was going on right now, she would remember to buy a plush for herself later on. Luminous would probably laugh at the idea of someone as tough and powerful as her wanting such a thing, but she wasn’t stone cold. Not entirely, at least, sometimes it was too much fun being a loving mother to act that way.

Her gaze fell on one specific stand as she went by, seeing Psyche talking with one of the Canterlot nobles about a possible sculpture. She had been one of the earliest to set up, knowing exactly where she was going to be. Behind her was multiple sculptures, some of ponies while others were of objects. Most of them were on the small side, though there was one that broke this rule, and it was the statue that Psyche had placed right next to her. The statue of a pegasus, staring forever forward with her hoof to her mouth in shock.

When she finished her arrangements with the noble, she gave a fake smile, one which she had been practicing for Luminous. Her ears went to the right, recognizing the sound of armor approaching her. It was Thunder, no doubt about it, though she would have hated herself if she had gotten it wrong. Thankfully, considering that the armor sound stopped as soon as it reaches her, she was pretty certain she was right.

“So, things seem to be going well for you,” Thunder said, leaning over the earth ponies’ stand. “Manage to pick up a few jobs? Some that will pay well?”

“Perhaps,” Psyche said. “One from Tu de lis, daughter of a supermodel apparently. Another from Blueblood XV, and even one from a seamstress in Ponyville.”

“A Ponyville seamstress? That wouldn’t happen to be a mare named Rarity, would it?” Thunder asked. Psyche nodded. “Wow, I didn’t even know any of the old elements of harmony were here! That’s amazing, but are you sure you want to take on another of them after what-”

“What happened with Fluttershy here was a mistake,” Psyche said, reaching to put her hoof around the statue next to her, only for it to phase through similarly to when Twilight tried to hug Luminous. “She removed the blindfold, not me. Don’t worry though, I’ll keep her safe like you did to Spitfire for so long.”

“Please don’t mention her, at least not right now,” Thunder replied. “Its enough that my girlfriend, let alone my true self, was murdered. You know what I’ve been dealing with, having all these weird new feelings and emotions and… it’s just weird!”

“I haven’t felt anything like that,” Psyche replied. A thought came to her head as she thought about what Thunder told her. “You think that means she is still alive in there?”

“That’s uncomfortable to think about,” Thunder said. His eyes suddenly bulged out. “Wait, you mean that’s actually her? Not the copy you made?”

“Of course it is. Luminous said that ponies are happiest when you take them places, so I’m just doing as she explained,” Psyche explained, doing her best to hug the Fluttershy ‘sculpture’. “Besides, I think she’s happy right now. Luminous is usually correct about those things.”

Thunder sighed. “Honestly, you trust that fish-brained mare too much.”

“Psyche! Thunder!” Both ponies looked to see Luminous rushing towards them carrying a saddlebag full of bits on her person. “Sorry I wasn’t here sooner, decided to drop by the spa and...” Luminous looked to the Fluttershy sculpture, finding herself in awe at how well done it is. “Psyche, this is your work? I know you use to do this stuff when we were younger but, how did you get this good?”

“I practice for hours everyday without stopping, save for eating and other essentials,” Psyche replied. “So, you know, the normal things that ponies do when they want to get better.”

“This pony one is extremely good,” Luminous said, leaning over to get a better look at the one of Fluttershy. “Seriously, it’s almost real its that good.”

“I… guess you’re right,” Thunder said, Luminous’ words hitting a line that was way too close to the truth. “So, considering you weren’t already here, I’m guessing you forgot about the festival.”

“Actually, I went to the spa for the first time,” Luminous responded, giving a mischievous grin to Thunder. “It was really nice, and far more quiet than I expected considering just how many ponies are actually here. Oh, and I got to see Arcane again as well.”

“That stallion who hated you and yet for some reason foalsat you?” Thunder asked.

“He did it because he cared, his brain just doesn’t let him say it,” Luminous told her ex-coltfriend, booping him on the nose. “That’s more than can be said about some ponies. In fact,” She bopped him again. “He knows how to treat a mare better than a certain stallion I know.”

“He’s forty-three, Luminous” Thunder said, looking at Luminous unamused. “If he’s your type, I think we know who the real loser is. Besides, I actually had a girlfriend.”

Psyche watched as the two went back and forth, each doing all they could to get the last word. In time, they wandered off leaving Psyche by herself with nothing to do for the time being. Despite knowing there was plenty of ponies around her, she decided to once again let her hoof phase through the Fluttershy statue. It felt nice, and made her feel alive in a way she had never felt before. In interacting with it, she was able to understand, if only for a few brief seconds, what emotions were. She was able to feel happy.

The march had been long, but their destination was finally within reach. Aurora rested her eyes on the capital city of Canterlot, her old home over a thousand years ago. It hadn’t changed much in those years, though, and she wasn’t too sure if that was a good or bad thing. It was slightly comforting, seeing the yellow and white walls that surrounded it still standing, and Princess Platinum’s castle high and mighty. That didn’t change any of the facts however, and it most certainly did not change what she was here to do.

Despite the large force that she and Tholak had behind them, they had managed to remain unknown for the entire journey. Aurora had been clear about their goal, and that Canterlot would be the only battle necessary to win Equestria back. This is where the alicorn was, the protege of the sisters who had stolen the throne from her. There couldn’t be second guessing, any hesitation. If she was to kill this alicorn and save Equestria from the grasp of an ‘immortal’, there was no other choice.

“You see the mountain right there?” Aurora asked Tholak, motioning with her muzzle to Mount Canterhorn. “I had planned on moving the capital of Equestria away from it. It’s a general breach of security, one that any pony with wings could use. Will set up an archery line at the top.”

“So you plan on forgoing your little speech than?” Tholak questioned back.

“No, I still plan to give her a chance to surrender her life,” Aurora replied wish a shake of her head. “I consider myself noble enough for that. Besides, with the city holding what will be my future subjects, I would like to keep casualties and damage to a minimum,” She gritted her teeth. “Though, I know the likelihood of her surrendering is near non existent.”

“You ask me, those minimal odds for a successful surrender don’t make it worth anything,” Tholak said, pointing his bloodstone scepter, the same one he held a thousand years ago, right at Canterlot castle. “Though, if it was for someone special, I would be willing to give it a try.”

Aurora smiled as she picked up what Tholak meant. “You mean a wedding on top of her majesty's dead body? Oh sweety you wouldn’t know how happy that makes a mare,” With a flap of her wings, Aurora pecked Tholak on the cheek, before landing on the ground again. “We can worry about that after we destroy her canon though.”

“The diamond heart that makes an alicorn live forever,” Tholak replied. “You never did tell me how you found out about it. As soon as Celestia and Luna arrived, you were kicked out.”

“True, but don’t forget,” Aurora said, her smile growing more malevolent as time went on. “This won’t be my first time killing an alicorn. I can’t wait for one more to join their mother.”