Chapters “Luna what do you have to say about this,” the mistress, Winterbottom scowled, pointing at the large smashed vase.
“I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention when I ran past the vase,” Luna spoke, without a hint of remorse in her voice. She could see through the corner of her eye, Celestia, standing with the rest of the ponies shrinking into herself. Luna cringed. She knew that she was going to get harsh talking from Celestia, and an even harsher punishment from Mistress Winterbottom.
******
“I can’t believe you! You know this is the third time you broke a vase,’ Celestia said, counting her bits. She gave it to the pony behind the counter, collecting the precious cargo.
“It’s not my fault they put the vase in the way,” Luna replied. “What about Candace, last week she broke the vase and she didn’t get in trouble. It is not fair,” the young alicorn complained. Luna flew playfully over her sister, but Celestia gave her sister a stern looked at her sternly, causing her muscles to freeze. Luna thought to herself that she was going to get Candace. But Luna also thought to herself that it was going to take a long shot to get forgiven by Celestia, but that didn’t matter now. She had more important things to think about.
******
Celestia, Luna, and Candace poked their heads around the corner. Today was the day. Tonight, was the night. The grand escape. Luna was sorely disappointed that she couldn’t get Candace back, but it didn’t matter. They were finally going to leave.
“Are you sure this is a smart idea?” Candace whispered with fear injected into it. Luna rolled her eyes. Celestia just chuckled.
“Don’t worry Candace. I and Luna know exactly where to go. If that doesn’t work, we always have a plan B,” Celestia said enthusiastically. Candace shuddered but Luna had to smirk. She was so posh and always worried about where she stays. When Candace finds out about the barn they picked, she surely would run back to the orphanage in a heartbeat.
The three alicorns raced to the gates. Celestia went to an odd-looking stone and using her magic lifted the stone to retrieve some keys. Luna’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How did you get them?” she asked her older sister. Celestia laughed and explained how Mistress Winterbottom dropped the spare one, earlier the day. Celestia said that she was excited as tonight was also the night that they planned to leave the orphanage. Candace stood with her mouth open, while Luna looked at her sister in a different light. CREAK! The old rusty gate swung open and freedom was theirs.
“Hey! Where in tarnation do you think you're going?” Granny Pie shouted. The youngsters cringed. They were caught. Granny Pie trotted up to them and handed Candace a map. All three ponies crowded around the map.
“What this for?” Candace questioned, gesturing to the map. Granny Pie smiled at them. She knew it was time to tell the girls the truth.
“That’s the way to the palace in Canterlot. It's about time you girls learned the truth, but first, we have to run. To the barn where you girls will be staying. I already prepared it.” Granny Pie reared up and the ponies galloped away to the barn. Candace, Celestia, and Luna each gave each other quizzical looks. What did they have to do with the royal family? What did they have to do with the palace in Canterlot? Each pony kept the questions to themselves but knew there was more to the story than told.
Reaching the barn outside the skirts of town, every pony was out of breath. Candance had a look of disgust but knew it was the only place safe for now. Luna rushed in a hurry, and the other ponies, suspecting something she knew rushed in as well. Celestia and Luna got to fixing up the place and getting some beanbags they had bought and stored in the barn. After the place was fixed up, the young ponies sat on the beanbags, while Granny Pie took her place in front of them.
"Girls, what I'm about to tell you will shock you. You are not proper ponies," Granny Pie started. Celestia just laughed. Candance snorted in laughter, while Luna was rolling on the floor crying from laughter. Granny Pie stood still. She knew that this reaction was to come forth. After some minutes, the young alicorns noticed Granny Pie's expression and immediately regained their composure.
"Thank you, girls. Now where was I, oh yes," Granny Pie continued. "You girls are all related, Celestia and Luna being sisters, with you Candance, being their cousin. All your parents died during the war that broke out. Celestia and Luna, your father was a very strong man being the leader, with your father Candance, being second in charge." Celestia opened her mouth but Granny Pie immediately cut her off.
"And yes, you are part of the royal family," Granny Pie quickly added. The young ponies gawked. They were part of the royal family, in Canterlot! How come no one ever told them. Celestia realized that their escape meant much more with Luna and Candance contemplating the same thing. Granny Pie smiled. They were ready.
******
"Wait, do you mean we are princesses and that we were in an orphanage nearly our whole lives!?" Luna questioned. Granny Pie just stared with wide eyes at her. Luna's whole body was shaking in excitement. Celestia noticed Granny Pie's composure and immediately went to drag Luna away, who had frozen in the spot.
"Sorry about that Granny Pie, she tends to do that when she gets excited or angry, you must have noticed it once at least, that time when we threw her that big birthday party and how she was frozen for like 5 minutes until Celestia went up to her and using her magic lifted her and shake her about," Candance laughed. Everyone just looked at her with the most unsatisfied looks. Granny Pie, coughed and continued.
"Well, let me continue. Candance, you are Princess of the Crystal Empire, and you have the power of love. That's why your cutie mark is a crystal heart and we have seen plenty of times when you used your magic. Celestia and Luna, you both are Princesses of Canterlot. Celestia, you are the princess of the sun, raising it and lowering it, while you Luna, are the princess of the moon, and all have seen you both perform your duties wonderfully."
The three alicorns blushed. They had never received much attention before in their lives and this was a wonderful thing for them to have and witness. Granny Pie continued her story of the girl's history.
"There was a war between the Zebra Empire and Equestrians. Your fathers immediately went to the battlefields to fight, but sadly, both died, saving Equestria. Your mothers were left all alone to take over the kingdoms. The Canterlot castle wasn't the same without your father Celestia and Luna and Candance, all the residents of the Crystal Empire missed your father very much as well. Both lone queens had to do their duties and look after their young children. They both agreed to take you three to an orphanage, but as they were traveling, Candace's mother felt very ill. Celestia and Luna's mother continued taking all of you girls only to collapse on the front steps. I saw her. She was all disheveled and thin. I took you, girls, in and looked after you until now."
The silence around the room was hard to contain. All three alicorns, couldn't keep in their tears. Candance squared her shoulders and walked to an old crate and stood on it. The other ponies look with surprised and wet eyes. Candance faced them and started.
"We escaped this orphanage for a reason, to leave and be free. Now that reason has increased to something more. We are princesses and we need to go help our kingdoms. It is our responsibility. Who's with me!?" Celestia, Luna, and Candance placed their hooves together and promised to continue the journey to help their kingdoms. Granny Pie started to cry a bit. She had known these ponies since they were small. She was proud that they had finally chosen to leave and fulfill their destiny. They had realized who they are.
“Open up! Royal guards of Canterlot and the Crystal Empire!” The ponies stopped and stood still. Granny Pie gestured with her head for the girls to find someplace to hide. Celestia jumped into one of the barrels. Candace hid behind some crates and managed to squeeze in one while Luna used an invisibility spell and flew to the top of the barn and hanged onto the wood holding it. Granny Pie trotted up to the barn door and opened it.
“Hello, my fair lady,” one of the guards said to Granny Pie. “We have been told that Princess Celestia and Princess Luna of Canterlot are here in this orphanage and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire. Some ponies in the village nearby said that they saw them running in here. Do you know where they are?” the second guard added. Granny Pie started to shake a bit and sweat was falling down her forehead. The guards, noticing Granny Pie’s composure immediately stepped back to give her air. She shook herself and responded calmly.
“I’m sorry but I don’t know where they went, if you want you can search the area here.” Celestia, Luna, and Candace from their hiding spots shook in fear. What if they would get caught? What would happen to them? The guards nodded to each other and began searching. One looked at the crates and barrels, while the other took the roof for his pleasure. Luna held her breath. The dust was making her nose itchy. The guard flew past her without suspecting a thing.
“Come on, they aren’t here. Sorry for wasting your time ma’am.” The guards trotted out of the barn and continued their way. Granny Pie waited for a couple of minutes until they were out of hearing what was going to happen and well into the town again. Granny Pie stomped her hoof on the ground. Candace poked her head out of the crate and squeezed herself out. Her coat was all messy, but using her magic, it was back to normal. Celestia wriggled out of the barrel causing it to fall on the floor with the contexts being rolled out, banging into Granny Pie.
“ACHOO!” Luna fell on the floorboards. The invisibility spell had wearied out and Luna was covered in dust. She sneezed again loudly causing her to fly to the other end of the barn. Celestia and Candace snorted but went to help Luna. Granny Pie knew it was time for them to go.
“Luna, do you know where Starswirl the bearded is?” Granny Pie questioned.
“Yeah, I do. He has these really weird dreams, but I know where he lives. Why did you ask?” Luna replied. Granny Pie sighed and told them that Starswirl will help them escape.
“I wish I could accompany you, but I have to go now. You’re on your own, good luck,” and with that she galloped away, tears streaming from her eyes. The ponies started at the trail behind her, tears welling in their eyes. Someone who has looked after them ever since they were small was going to leave them forever. Luna looked around and motioned with her head for them to follow her.
“Starswirl the bearded lives right there,” Luna pointed with her hoof to an odd-looking hunt just at the corner of the town. Celestia looked around and spotted a guard.
“Hide!” she whisper-shouted and dragged Candace and Luna into the barn again. Candace was about to object when she immediately felt a hoof in her mouth. She shot Celestia a death stare, but she seemed more interested outside. Once the guard left, they immediately ran to the hut.
“What do we have here?” the old wizard questioned. When he turned around, he gasped in shock.
“The three princesses! I can’t believe your alive!” Starswirl exclaimed. Celestia and Candace nodded while Luna had already ventured off in search of something. Celestia coughed loud enough for her sister to hear, but otherwise, Luna didn’t hear, or she was ignoring her older sister.
“Excuse me for my sister’s behavior but…” Celestia started.
“But we need your help,” Candace added. “You see, we escaped from the orphanage and Granny Pie knows where we are and what we want to do. She told us in the barn about who we are and that added more reason to why we have to leave this place.” Starswirl pawed at the ground trying to choose the right words. Luna’s voice shattered the silence.
“I know where you need to go. Luna here showed it to me when she saw one of my dreams. She changed it to show that you girls need my help. This book has a spell that I can do to transfer you to the Evergreen forest. It’s the least I can do for you girls.” Starswirl explained. The three alicorns nodded their heads. Starswirl got a book stand and placed the book on top. He then opened a page and told the girls to stand in front of him. Saying some rhyme or something, the young ponies were covered in a purple cloud, then “BOOM!” they were gone.
"AAH," Candace screamed. THUD! She fell on the ground rather hard. She got up and dusted herself. She looked around. Luna was lying a few meters away from her trying to get up. Candace rushed to her side.
"Thanks," Luna said, with Cadance nodding her head in reply.
"Let's go find your sister," Cadance said, but it wasn't long before they heard a long cry.
"HELP!!!!" Celestia screamed. Cadence and Luna looked at each other and ran to find her. They stopped in front of a large beech tree. She was hanging precariously from a branch that didn't seem like it could hold her weight anymore. Just when Cadance and Luna came closer to her, the branch broke, and down came Celestia tumbling. All seemed lost, but a strange dark figure appeared out of nowhere and caught Celestia just before she fell to the ground. Luna rushed to her sister.
"Oh, my Celestia, are you alright?" she asked, holding onto her sister tight. Celestia smiled and hugged her younger sister back.
"I'm fine Luna. Cadence, don't start tearing up, I'm perfectly fine," Celestia reassured the girls. She then turned to the strange creature that saved her life.
"Thank you for saving me. I and my sister and cousin do not know how to repay you, but please, let down your coat so that we can see who you are." The creature hesitated, but then took off the black cloak. The girls gasped. What was this creature?
******
The creature looked like a mixture of things. The stranger looked like a lion, griffon, yak, bull, snake, pony, and whatever he was.
"My name is Discord, king of all havoc. Well, I haven't been creating havoc since there are no places to go and have some fun with them and just play around you know," he said, winking playfully. Cadance knew that there was something fishy going on, and it wasn't the fact the Discord had managed to create some fish floating around Celestia who was giggling like a young pony. She drew Luna aside and told her what she thought.
"I don't trust him. He seems so strange, and he also said that he was the king of havoc and disorder. I have no idea how Celestia became so caught up in his weird character. Just look at her! She's acting ridiculous," Cadance said, pointing a hoof in her direction. Luna followed the direction of her sister and seemed to be dreaming. There were 2 of her! But how were there 2 of her sisters?! Celestia noticed her sister's look and laughed. The image form of her turned back to Discord and the 2 cracked up laughing. Luna looked at Cadance.
"I guess you're right. This has never happened to Celestia before. Even if the cutest hottest stallion walked past her, she wouldn't even care and here she is laughing and making googly eyes with a completely random stranger!" They both looked at them again and they seemed deep in conversation. Cadence and Luna gave each other puzzled looks.
******
"Wasn't this a wonderful idea Discord? You get to come with us and help us find our way to Canterlot!" Celestia said excitedly. Discord walked past her and looked at her lovingly.
"Yes, it is a very wonderful idea Cel Cel," Discord replied. Cadence and Luna gagged. It was a horrible idea. They couldn't believe that Celestia had wanted Discord to come. Out of all people! Well, he did save her life but it still wasn't right for them to do that. They just meet! Discord turned around and made a face at them. Cadence fumed and Luna stamped her hoof.
"Celestia, can I have a word?" Luna questioned her sister. Celestia turned around impatient. She turned to Discord and said a few words and walked up to her sister.
"Yeah Luna, what is it?" Celestia asked impatiently. Luna gulped and looked at Cadance. Cadance nodded and Luna started.
"I don't think we can trust Discord. You and I both know what discord means and he doesn't seem very trustworthy. When we were walking a couple of minutes ago, he turned and made face at me and Cadance which annoyed us to a far extent! We should leave him to go; he might cause problems." Luna replied. Cadance came to Luna and Celestia and smiled at Luna. Celestia fumed. How dare they talk about her love in front of her like that! Celestia turned her back at them.
"I don't care about what you say. I love Discord and he loves me and you can't make us be apart." Celestia stuck her nose in the air and walked away proud. When she saw Discord, she ran up to him and they continued walking. This went on for Cadance and Luna for a couple of days, but then something changed everything.
*****
"Discord! Discord where are you!?" Celestia shouted. She ran up to her sister and Cadance, a worried look on her face.
"Have you seen Discord? He seemed to have disappeared after he told me he had some errands to run last night. He didn't return yet and I'm worried." Her face was etched with worry and tiredness. Cadence and Luna shook their heads. Celestia sighed and turned to leave. Sure enough, Discord was there with another pony! Celestia couldn't believe it. Discord saw her and immediately tried to leave quickly, but Celestia caught up and they started fighting.
*****
Luna paced up and down. Cadance sat on a log. Celestia and Discord have been fighting for hours already. Weren't they finish fighting yet? Just then Celestia ran to her sister and cousin and began to cry. Cadance stood up and immediately put her wing around Celestia reassuringly. Celestia spilled the whole story. Luna was fuming with anger. How can someone break her sister's heart like that?
"Celestia, I'm sorry to hear that that had happened," Luna said. Celestia looked up at her and they embraced. Cadance smiled and said," Let's go," which they all did with pleasure.
Celestia, Luna, and Cadance trotted along silently. The wind was calming as it travelled through the trees. The birds chirped and it was a warm, sunny afternoon. The three young alicorns stopped. They heard a noise. Suddenly a green, smelly gas came coming out of nowhere.
"What's that awful smell?" Celestia questioned. Cadence and Luna shrugged but then they came face to face with what was causing it. Timberwolves!
"RUN!" they all screamed. The Timberwolves howled and chased after them. Luna saw a low tree branch and held onto it. When one of them came closer, she let go of it. The wolf ran into it and fell as one big pile of twigs. Luna smirked and continued running. Cadance ran for her life, but the Timberwolves managed to keep up with her. In front of her was a giant rock cliff that was too steep to climb or fly! Cadance turned around in horror. The Timberwolf's mouth drooling all over and coming closer to Cadance. She was trapped. Just then when hope seemed on the line, Celestia burst some magic and the Timberwolf fell into pieces of wood and twigs.
"Come on!" Celestia shouted and flew off. Cadance shook herself and took off to the sky. She flew until she bumped into Celestia and the two fell into the forest. Luna was flying underneath them and squealed when she saw them falling. She got caught in the ball and they all screamed as they fell into the dark unknown forest.
"Uh, what happened?" Cadence groaned. She stood up and brushed herself off and looked around. Where was she? She wasn't in the same forest, or was she? Cadance looked around and saw Luna and Celestia covered in leaves, twigs, and mud. She cringed. Luna and Celestia got up and cleaned themselves. Luna was infuriated.
"CADENCE! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DID YOU BUMP INTO ME AND CELESTIA LIKE THAT?" Luna screamed at Cadance. Cadence shrunk into herself as Luna towered above her.
"I-I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I didn't mean to do that. I just got scared and I didn't see Celestia in front of me," Cadance apologized. Luna looked at her and her face seemed distorted.
"A MISTAKE? A MISTAKE? YOUR HOPELESS CADENCE! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU!" Luna shouted at Cadance and walking up to her. Cadance walked back and bumped into Celestia who stood still and looked at her sister.
"Luna, don't talk to Cadance like this. She is older than you thought and you have to respect her,' Celestia said defending Cadance. Luna looked at her sister.
"I can't believe you. You want to stick up for someone like Cadance that nearly killed us all?" Luna questioned. Celestia looked at her sister still, her face in an angry way.
"Luna! I don't care. That isn't the way to talk to her or me as a matter of fact," Celestia responded. Cadence, who was still cowering in front of Celestia stood up and faced Luna and Celestia.
"Luna's right. I could have killed you both. I guess it would be best if I leave you both alone and never return." Cadance turned around and ran in the opposite direction, tears streaming from her eyes. Luna looked at Cadance and immediately regretted everything she just said. Celestia stood shocked. She turned to Luna and fumed with anger.
"Luna! Look what you just did! Now she's gone into the woods and we have no idea where we are! Luna, do you feel proud of yourself now?" Celestia said. Luna started at the ground. Her heartfelt broken and she felt horrible. She couldn't answer her sister. Instead, she turned and ran in the opposite direction, feeling horrible than ever. Celestia stood in the clearing. She was left all alone. The rain started pouring down which totally all matched their moods.
****
Cadance kept on running but stopped when it started raining. She had no idea where she ran and she was cold and frightened. A lone tear swelled in the corner of her eye. She blinked and wiped it away. Now isn't the time to cry. Cadance found shelter under a large beech tree and huddled up against it. She just wished that she didn't mess up like that.
*****
Luna walked into the unknown forest, farther and farther in. She heard some unusual noises and believed that someone was following her. The tree branches were bony and long, and the rain was too much for her. She ran until she found a cave.
"Hello?" Luna called into the cave. No answer came, so she went in but not that far. Thunder roared and she shrieked. She wished that she was with Celestia and Cadance.
*****
"Luna! Cadance! Where are you?" Celestia called out in the raining atmosphere. She shivered as the rain kept on pouring down, harder and harder. She had found a cave, but the fear of anyone being in there and not happy to see her made her change her decision. She found a beech tree but then decided the same so she kept on walking calling Luna's and Cadance's names over and over.
Celestia kept on walking in the rain. At least it died down a bit. The girls should be emerging from their hiding spots and come out soon. Celestia was tired and sore all over and very upset. She tried to keep in her tears. They had so many good times together, and now, it went all down the drain.
*****
Luna looked out and noticed that it had stopped raining. She emerged out of her cave and looked around. The forest looked, different. It didn't look the same. She walked out and was immediately bathed in sunlight. The trees looked more, safe. Luna knew that she had to find Celestia and Cadance. Yes, that was her quest.
Celestia ran and looked around herself. She thought that she saw a horsetail fly by. A purple one! Celestia rounded the corner and bumped into the stranger. The other horse stood up and gasped.
"Luna! Oh, my goodness, Luna, you are alive!" Celestia exclaimed embracing her sister. Luna's eyes swelled with tears. She stepped back from her sister and without her wanting, the tears ran down her cheeks, unable to be stopped.
"Celestia, it's all MY fault in the first place that this happened. If I didn't scowl Cadance, then she never would have run away, and then we never would have separated," Luna explained, hanging her head low in shame. She couldn't look up to her sister after what happened, but what happened next surprised her more than ever.
Cadence swore she heard something. It sounded like... Celestia? Cadence followed the voice, as long as she could hear it, but after a while, it went faint. Cadence strained her ears, but she couldn't detect it. She had followed a path when she bumped into 2 people, she never thought she will see again.
"LUNA! CELESTIA! Oh, you don't know how happy I am to see you too," Cadance squealed. She embraced the two in a huge teddy bear hug. Luna burst into tears. Cadence looked at her.
"What's wrong?" she asked. Luan sniffed and wiped her eyes. She looked at Cadance and repeated what she told Celestia. Cadance looked at Luna and smiled at her.
"Luna, dear. It is okay. You were right about being me a clumsy clot. But this time I was away actually made me think more about my actions and how I need to be more careful," Cadance said. Luna nodded and breathed it. Celestia came forward and embraced them again.
"Let's get going now girls," she said. Luna and Cadance nodded and they set out together.
While our alicorn princesses are running around, trying to reach Canterlot, their "people" are having a hard time. Many kings and queens, princes, and princesses tried to rule, but have trouble doing so. The royal guards have been sent out, by the people, to find their beloved princesses. Yes, you may question: weren't they there when Celestia, Luna, and Cadance ran away? Yes, they were, but they weren't close enough to get them. You could say that these alicorns wanted an adventure. Well, let's dive into what happened.
The three young alicorns trotted along a beaten-out path. So far, they haven't anyone else, other than Discord and those Timberwolves. And they liked to keep it that way. The wind was blowing gently and the sun shone delicately on them. Just as all seemed quiet, the thundering of hooves sounded from the distance.
"Celestia, what is that?" Luna questioned her older sister. Celestia looked at her with a look of confusion on her face.
"I don't know Luna."
Just then a huge group of horses from the military arrived. One of them stepped forward and cleared his throat.
"Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadance I presume?" he asked, without a hint of anything on his face. They all three nodded. The guard nodded and called.
"They're here! They have arrived home!"
The three alicorns gasped! What does he mean by home?
