Equestria And The Wonderbeasts!

Luna hummed as she walked through the streets of Ponyville. Her mind filled with countless questions. Questions that she had no answers for. ’This is most troubling. I have never encountered anything like what I saw that night. I worry what it would mean. Both for Equestria, and for her.’ the disguised alicorn thought to herself before sighing. ’I’ll think more on this later. For now, I must get some supplies for my house.’

With that in mind, Luna continued on towards the marketplace of Ponyville. She saw tons of ponies going about their business, not bothered by her presence at all. “Morning ma’am, what can I help ya with?” A carrot vendor asked her with a smile as Luna approached the stall.

“Yes, I would like some carrots please.” Luna said, a bit nervous since she still isn’t used to interacting with other ponies.

“Not a problem ma’am, how many?” She asked as she got a bag ready.

“Four please.” she said then grabbed her bit pouch to pay.

She nodded and put four carrots into the bag before she held it out. “That will be eight bits please.”

Luna nodded as she gave the mare eight bits while grabbing the bag of carrots. “There you go.”

“Thank you ma’am, are you new to town?” She asked with a smile.

Luna nodded her head. “Yes, I am.”

“What else are ya lookin for? Maybe I can point ya to it.” The carrot vendor suggested.

“Well, I do need some more food as well as some books. I sadly do not know where the local library is.” Luna said while rubbing the back of her head.

The vendor smiled at her. “No worries miss, we got a whole marketplace as well as the general store along this street, and the library is a large tree down the other way.” She explained.

Luna smiled a bit in gratitude. “Thank you. I’ve been wondering where the library was for a while now. There are some books that I need.”

The vendor giggled a bit. “Yes, because the building looks like a tree most out of towners walk right past it without noticing.”

“I can tell. Thank you for the directions Ms.” Luna said.

“Carrot Top, and it is nice to help you.” She said with a smile.

“Nice to meet you Miss Carrot Top, I am L-Sunny, Sunny Smiles.” Luna said, catching herself before she could say her real name.

Carrot Top smiled more and held a hoof out. “Well, I hope you enjoy our small town, Miss Smiles.”

Luna shook the mares hoof. “Thank you Miss Top, and I hope your day goes well.” after that, Luna made her way further into the marketplace, feeling a bit more at ease after her small conversation with the carrot stall owner. ’Maybe coming to Ponyville was a good idea after all.’

She soon approached a couple of more vendors all selling different things. “Muffin?” Someone asked her from the left while holding out a muffin. She was a gray pegasus mare with blond mane, crossed eyes, and a sweet smile.

Luna was a bit surprised by the sudden offer but accepted the muffin. “Er, thank you Ms.”

“You’re welcome miss, my name is Ditzy Doo, but most call me Muffins, Bubbles or Derpy.” She said while still smiling.

Luna raised an eyebrow at such odd nicknames, though she could understand the Derpy nickname due to the mare's eyes but the others were quite odd. “Those are some…interesting nicknames.”

“Thanks, my friends gave them to me.” She said before she turned to pick something up and Luna could see the mare’s Cutie Mark was of seven bubbles.

’Strange. I have never seen a Cutie Mark like that before.’ Luna thought to herself.

The mare stood back up with a basket of muffins. “Have a nice day ma’am, I gotta get to my job.” She then trotted off.

“Oh, fare well then.” Luna said as she left before she went back to her shopping trip. It took her about half an hour to get all the things she needed from the marketplace before she began to make her way towards the library which took her a while but thanks to Carrot Tops directions and description of it, she managed to find it. “Huh, it really is a tree. Wonder how such a thing could happen.”

Walking up to the building, she attempted to open it but found the door locked which confused her so she knocked on the door. Luna waited for a few moments before she tried to listen through the door.

A few seconds later, she heard footsteps before the door unlocked and opened, revealing Spike. “Oh, sorry about that. I’m guessing you are here for the library right?”

“Oh, y-yes. I’m sorry, did I come at a bad time?” She asked him.

“No, well, I’m not exactly sure myself but you can come into the library. Sorry if the door was locked, the place kinda serves as a home to me and my sister.” Spike said as he let Luna in.

“I see.” Luna slowly walked inside and looked around. “D-do you have any books on psychology? The newer the better.”

“Psychology huh? I think we have some. Let me check.” Spike said before he walked over to a bookshelf and looked through it. “Hmm, Physics, Phenomena Unexplained, ah! Psychology!” he then started pulling out a few books and brought them over to her. “Is this enough?”

Luna looked through the books and smiled before she asked. “Do you have any books on dreams as well?”

“Dreams? Uh, sure.” Spike said before walking to another shelf and looked through for a few seconds before pulling out a book and handed it to her. “This is the only one we have about it. Sorry but there hasn’t been much research done about dreams.”

“I see, thank you.” Luna said with a soft smile as she put the book in her bag.

“You’re welcome. Is there anything else you need?” Spike asked her.

“I believe that is it, when do I need to return the books?” She asked as she checked her bag.

“About a week from now. But you can always renew your checkout to extend the time you’re borrowing them.” Spike explained.

“Thank you young drake.” She said before she offered him some bits.

“Oh, you don’t need to do that. The books are free so you don’t really need to give me bits. Well, unless you return the book late. Then you’d have to pay the late fee.” Spike said.

“I see, you are most kind.” Luna said as she returned her bits.

Spike chuckles a bit. “Well I was raised to be kind to others if I want to be treated the same. “But anyways, is that all you need?”

“I believe so, thank you for your help. I hope the rest of your day goes well.” She starts to turn to leave.

“Same to you.” he said as she walked out the door, sighing a bit in content.

’That went better than expected. I guess it’s time to head on back home now.’ she thought to herself before remembering she still needed to speak with Celestia. ’Right..I’ll just teleport back instead of walking. That way I can get this out of the way and put my mind at ease if Tia has heard of something like this before.’ she then lit her horn and teleported back home.

Once she reappeared in the living room of her home, she began putting away her items in the fridge while placing the books on the table. Once that was done, she sighed before making the mirror appear while removing her disguise. She channeled her magic into it and waited for her sister to answer.

After a few moments the reflection changed to show Celestia. “Luna, it's lovely to hear from you so soon. How are you?”

“I am doing well sister. Well, mostly well.” Luna said and Celestia gained a worried look.

“What's wrong? Did something happen?” Celestia asked before she gasped. “Do I need to send some guards there?”

“No, well, at least I don’t think so.” Luna said before sighing. “It’s concerning Kipo.”

“Kipo? Tell me what happened.” Celestia said as she moved to a large pillow.

“Well, it started after I had went to our old castle last night…”

“Disrespectful, no good vandals.” Luna grumbled as she entered the house. She had just returned from her and her sisters old castle to get some things that might have survived the sands of time only to see that it was even worse shape than the last time she was there. She thought it had crumbled while she was gone but found evidence of others being there, and based on the decorations she had found, it didn’t take a genius to figure out that a party was held there which could have led to more of the castle falling apart. Luckily she didn’t see any bodies so that means that there were no casualties.

“Hmph, if I find out who it was that caused such damage to my old home, I’ll surely punish them.” she said before sighing. “I should calm down. It’s no use getting upset over something like that. Especially tonight.”

Indeed, tonight was a special night. Tonight was the night she dream walked. She was nervous since it’s been a long time since the last time she has dream walked but she believes it’s best to do so if she wants to help ponies through their dreams. ’However, this would be a test to see if I haven’t gotten rusty during my time on the moon. So I’ll visit a pony's dream and not interact with it.’ she thought as she walked into her room and laid down in her bed.

She closed her eyes while at the same time focusing her magic. This was always the tricky part, keeping her magic going while falling asleep was always the most frustrating part but thanks to her years of practice, she had learned how to keep her magic going until she falls asleep.

Soon, she felt herself leave the waking world and enter the dreamscape, making her open her eyes and smile upon seeing the familiar space. She had always found the dreamscape so fascinating and beautiful at the same time. ’It doesn’t look any different from the last time I was here.’ she thought happily before using her magic to search the dreamscape for a dream she can enter until she got an idea. “Hmm, perhaps Kipo would be the best candidate. I have wondered what she dreams about.”

With her mind made up, she focused her mind on Kipo and soon enough, a door appeared before her. She tilted her head at the door's design. It was completely magenta save for the purple pair of cat-like eyes on it. It slit pupils staring at her, almost as if they were judging her. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen such a unique dream door.” she commented before walking towards it and opened it, revealing a bright white light that momentarily blinded her but she continued forwards until she entered.

When the light faded, she saw that she was in the old castle which was filled with monster ponies of various shapes, sizes and species. Each one of them was dancing to the beat of music she’s never heard before. “Well, it seems I have found the culprits.”

Luna looked around and saw a being like Kipo but older and male playing a strange instrument on stage along with Full Moon and a dragoness which was a surprise to her. “Another human? Could it be that there are humans somewhere in Equus?” Luna wondered as she listened to them play.

At the end of the song, a pony wearing a strange suit that covered their entire body along with a strange helmet activated the stage fireworks for extra flare and that made the crowd cheer loudly, nearly making the old castle shake as they did. “Hope about a hoof for our guest musicians!” the strange pony said in an unknown tone of voice and the crowd either stomped or clapped their hooves in response, still cheering.

“Thank you, thank you!” The human male said bowing. “I am happy you enjoyed it.” Then the curtains closed.

“How interesting. Todays forms of entertainment certainly have improved.” Luna commented before shaking her head. “But still, is this a dream? If so, it is quite odd as dreams usually focus on the dreamer. So where is Kipo?”

Luna decided to take to the air to search for her but didn’t see any signs of her. Though she did see a giant ape but paid no mind to it. Her search didn’t take long before the music cut off and the pony in the helmet spoke. “You didn’t think it was over did you? Well get ready everyone for this next song is sung by Kipo Shy!”

This made Luna look back at the stage just as the curtains opened, revealing a nervous looking Kipo. Raising an eyebrow, she wondered what she was doing before she began to sing. Luna watched with a smile as Kipo sang while the rest of the monster ponies began dancing to it, causing her to giggle a little. “Well, at least I found her. But still, this dream is odd since it didn’t immediately start with her and instead started with others.”

Deciding to think on it later, she decided to simply land and enjoy the show until it was over. However, in the middle of the song, she noticed that Kipo had a faint glow around her which seemed to affect the monster ponies as they danced even more. Deciding to get a closer look, Luna teleported up to Kipo to observe the glow. While it was a dream or whatever, she couldn’t exactly tell what it was but had a feeling it was something magic related. “Does young Kipo have magic of her own? Maybe that is why she was able to see through my disguise when I first arrived in Ponyville. I’ll have to ask her when I get a chance.”

Like before, she decided to think on it later and teleported back to where she was previously. ’Thank mother that teleporting in dreams pose no risk of accidentally teleporting into someone or something otherwise things would have been messy.’

“I’m sorry Luna but is that what you wanted to talk to me about? A strange dream and the fact that Kipo has magic?” Celestia asked her sister who shook her head.

“No, sorry, I was just telling the story from beginning to end but I can skip to the thing that’s concerning me.” Luna said.

“If that is what you want, sister, you are the one telling the story.” Celestia said with a smile. “Though it is nice to know young Kipo wishes to be a singer.”

Luna giggles a bit. “Yes, though I believe she did so because the other human and Sir Full Moon did so.”

“Ah yes the other human, we must ask her about that some day.” Celestia said with a thoughtful expression.

“I can ask her when I see her again, I’m curious on how there is another human here. Perhaps they are in a distant land and ponies haven’t encountered them yet?” Luna suggested and Celestia just shrugged.

“Perhaps, now please continue, you have my interest peaked.” Celestia said with a giggle.

Luna nodded. “Of course.”

After Kipo had finished singing, Luna noticed that the human as well as Kipo’s caretakers, the dragoness and two others she couldn’t make out walk towards the stage. Being a bit nosey herself, she decided to follow. ’Perhaps I could learn where this human came from.’ she thought as she followed them backstage, where she could finally make out the two other members of the group.

One was clearly one of the new Element Bearers, Twilight Sparkle, except her body shape was a odd combination of a human and a pony. ’Twilight Sparkle? What has happened to her? Why does she look like that?’ Luna thought in shock before looking at the other, which was Twilight’s dragon assistant, Spine she believed he was called.

The human then began speaking to Kipo, who looked to be a bit shy. “You did good kid, everyone loved it.”

“I-I heard.” Kipo replied, a shy smile on her face. “I-I honestly thought they wouldn’t like it but I’m glad they did.”

“Well you did amazing kid, maybe you can try again later.” the human said with a smile.

Kipo smiled and nodded her head and Luna smiled a bit before Twilight asked the jaguar girl something. “Hey, how did you perform all that glow spell?”

“Spell?” Kipo asked in confusion.

“I think she means what you were doing while you were singing.” the human clarified.

All they got was a confused look. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Huh, must have been this world's musical magic.” Twilight said and wrote down some notes.

“That can’t be right. Musical magic doesn’t really cause such small effects like a glow. It’s always so been so flashy.” Luna said, not believing that theory and noticed the looks Fluttershy and Full Moon were giving each other, almost as if they were thinking the same as her. “Hmm.”

“Well how about we celebrate Kipo’s success of giving the crowd a beautiful song?” Full Moon suggested.

“Sounds good to me.” the human, who Luna would call Bard because of him playing music so well, said before ruffling Kipo’s hair.

Kipo giggles as she playfully swats his hand away but before they can walk over to the snacks table, one of the spider ponies from before crashed into the room, his body layered with multiple cuts and burns. The music stopped as everyone looked at the spider pony who was struggling to get up, “C-cul….cul..” he then coughed up some blood.

“Hey, what is it? Was it a beast of the Everfree?” a snake pony asked him and the spider pony shook his head. “Then what?!”

“Cult-” an arrow pierced through his skull, silencing him. Then bursting into the room was an army of ponies in armor with the symbol of Celestia’s sun adorning them.

“CULTISTS!!” a monster pony shouted and what happened next was complete pandemonium! Monster ponies left and right were trying to find any means of escape except they were all blocked off by the Cultists who began to shoot the monster ponies down with arrows and magic.

Luna was staring at the scene in shock and horror at what she was seeing but shook her head and narrowed her eyes. “Even these blasted Cultists won’t leave her alone in her dreams. Do not worry Kipo, I’ll banish these nightmares from your mind.” with that said, Luna’s horn glowed before she shot at the Cultists to disperse the nightmare. Only to gasp in shock when her magic passed through them. “W-what?! That shouldn’t be possible! All dreams and nightmares are affected by my magic! So how can they be…”

She stopped when she had a thought. A horrible terrible thought. “U-unless….unless this isn’t a dream….” she looked back at Kipo, seeing the girls terrified face. “But a memory…”

Luna looked at her sister who had a shocked and horrified look on her face. “Kipo was attacked by the Cultists at that party!? Oh no…was she hurt?”

“I…” Luna then sighed. “I’m afraid so.”

“This is horrible…what should we do?” Celestia asked Luna.

“I do not know. The best we can do is be there for her as well as try to make sure the Cultists never do something like this again.” Luna said, determination and hate in her voice.

“Agreed, perhaps I should have one of my S.M.I.L.E. agents keep a closer eye on her…” Celestia said while tapping her chin.

Luna tilted her head. ’S.M.I.L.E?’ she thought in confusion before shaking her head, figuring it would be a later topic.

Celestia then looked back at her sister. “Was there anything else that happened?”

Luna nodded her head. “There was.”

Luna just remained frozen in shock at what she discovered, not even paying attention to Bard, Full Moon and the dragoness fighting against the Cultists while the others remained huddled together. ’W-why didn’t I realize it sooner?! This whole time I was in a memory not a dream!’ Luna thought to herself before she heard someone playing music and looked at Bard just as he finished playing his instrument which caused the dragoness weapons to glow.

“Good thing I remembered how to play that.” he said before Full Moon questioned him.

“Why are your dragon friend’s weapons glowing?” Full Moon asked as he looked at dragoness, who was busy stabbing or burning multiple Cultists.

“I just played a music spell that rallies allies and gives them a small boost to their attack power.” Bard explained.

Full Moon grins. “Thanks! This will make clearing them a lot easier!” He then looked at Fluttershy, Spike, Twilight and Kipo. “Come on, everyone needs to help fight. Even you pup.” But Kipo was frozen, her eyes were wide and filled with terror as flashbacks of her being nearly burned alive flashed before her eyes.

“Did he seriously just ask a child to fight against Cultists?!” Luna exclaimed in shock, not sure if she heard right.

“I-I…I can’t..” she heard Kipo fearfully say, making her look at her.

“How could he expect Kipo to fight against them? She is no fighter.” Luna said, angry at Full Moon for saying such a thing. She continued watching as the fight continued on, monster ponies left and right trying to escape or fighting back against the Cultists, making her grimace at how gruesome some of them were being but she couldn’t really blame them. The Cultists have tormented monster ponies for who knows how long, some of them might have considered this fight a way to get vengeance.

’If only I had known about this, I could have at least helped them or prevented this from happening.’ Luna thought sadly before Bard spoke up again.

“Twilight, got any magic to stop this?” Bard asked as Twilight while his hands got burned from his overheated instrument.

“Stop what exactly?!” Twilight asked as she used her magic to keep any cultist away from Kipo and Spike.

“I don’t know, maybe start teleporting the monster ponies out of here?” Bard suggested as he used his flaming ax to cut one of the cultists.

Twilight nodded and focused her magic on some monster ponies but an arrow nearly hit her in the head.” I-I can’t! There’s too many cultists around and everyone is all over the place! I’ll need someone to protect me while I try to focus!”

“But all of our fighters are already busy!” Spike exclaimed and Luna knew what he said was true as all of their friends were busy fighting. Bard then looked at Kipo and spoke.

“Kipo, we need you to protect Twilight so she can save the others!” He said while blocking a sword with his ax.

Luna’s eyes widened again. “He as well?! Does no one here realize she is a child?!”

“B-but I..I..I-I…” Kipo stammered out.

“Kipo, we need you!” Bard said before kicking a cultist away. Luna watched in worry as Kipo started breathing heavily. “Kipo!” Bard shouted again and Kipo just turned and ran away, disappearing into the crowd of monster ponies.

“Kipo wait!” Fluttershy called out while Luna flew after Kipo, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to see what happened to Kipo’s family and friends but she also wanted to be sure if she didn’t get hurt during this.

She watched as Kipo ran through the crowd of monster ponies and Cultists, fear and panic clear on her face as she struggled to escape. This made Luna wish even more to have been there to prevent this from happening.

Luna started to grow confused as the dream began to lose focus and become blurry all except for herself and Kipo. She wondered what was going on but then remembered something about fear. Of how everything around someone would become blurry when one feels an immense amount of fear, which was probably happening to Kipo right now. Kipo ran towards an open window only for something to hit her arm, making her scream in pain as she fell to the ground while Luna’s eyes widened in panic at the sight of a Cultist rushing over to the down Kipo, who had an arrow in her arm.

“NO!” Luna cried out as the Cultist continued running at Kipo before knocking her back to a wall.

“Not so fast freak. You’re not going anywhere.” the Cultist said as he approached Kipo, putting away the bow and pulling out a sword.

“N-no! Leave me alone! P-please!” Kipo begged, trying to back away from the Cultist but the wall behind her prevented her from doing so. Kipo tried running to the side only for the Cultist to step on her tail, making her scream in pain and also keeping her from running away.

“No where to go now freak.” the Cultist said mockingly.

“N-no! Stop! Please!” Kipo begged again as she tried crawling away, her claws leaving scratch marks in the ground. “L-leave me alone!”

The Cultist just chuckles as he raises his blade. “Say goodbye to the world of the living. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure the rest of your kind, even your vampony freak of a mother all join you soon enough.”

That seemed to make something within Kipo snap as she began growling lowly. “I…said…” the Cutlist grew confused before Kipo spun around and shot her fist at him. “LEAVE ME ALONE!!” her arm suddenly shifted into its Mega Paw form, much to the shock of the Cultist before he was launched high into the air from the blow.

“H-how was she capable of doing that? Did…did her family and that bard know she could do that?” Luna asked herself, in shock at what she just witnessed.

Kipo continued growling before shaking her head and jumped out the window. Luna spread her wings and flew after her only to stop when she saw everything starting to fade. “Is she beginning to wake up? No, that can’t be right. It’s not time for her to wake up.”

She watched as the memory faded away before feeling something trying to shove her out of Kipo’s mind, forcing her to fight against the unknown force. “W-what is this?! What’s going on!?” she questioned as she looked around before hearing a loud roar. She turned quickly only to catch a glimpse of something before she was shoved out with Kipo’s dream door slamming shut behind her.

Luna stared at the door from the ground, eyes wide in shock as confusion clouded her mind. “What just…happened?”

Celestia stared at her sister in shock. Something forcing Luna, who can enter ones dreams whenever she chooses so long as they are asleep, out of Kipo’s dreamscape. “That…has never happened…are you hurt?”

“No, was just shocked at what has happened and what I had seen before I was thrown out.” Luna said and Celestia sighed in relief.

“Good. Luna, you need to be careful. Whatever that was, it could be dangerous.” Celestia said with a serious frown.

“Perhaps, but perhaps not. We can’t really tell unless we learn more about it.” Luna said, and Celestia knew she was thinking of going back into Kipo’s dreamspace to learn more about the strange phenomenon in her mind.

“Luna…y-you won’t take no for an answer will you? You are going into her dreams again no matter what I say.” Celestia said with a small frown.

“I’m afraid not sister, we need to know what this thing is. But I am not a fool who would blindly rush in without a plan. I’m going to prepare myself first, learn some spells, prepare some mental defenses in case it attacks my own mind, all of it. So you have nothing to fear.” Luna said this with a reassuring smile.

Celestia smiled softly before nodding her head. “As long as you take every possible precaution, I just got you back. I don't wanna lose you again.”

Luna smiled at that. “I know, and I promise, I’ll be careful.”

“Good, now is there anything else you want to talk about? I could use a good distraction from my paperwork.” Celestia said with a tired sigh.

“Maybe you can tell me what’s been happening with you?” Luna suggested.

“Mostly the same as every other day, taking care of royal business, smiling for hours while they take pictures of me at events, and doing my best to keep everypony happy.” Celestia said before she frowned and lifted a piece of paper in front of her with her magic. “But I did get this report of a violent fight that happened in a small town on the edge of Equestria.”

This piqued Luna’s interest a bit. “A fight? What do you mean?”

“The report is a bit vague as they only found the result of the fight…although from what I'm reading it almost sounds like a wild animal attack. There was blood everywhere, cracks in the stone walls and floor, even a metal beam dented…but no bodies were found.” Celestia said with a worried frown.

“A wild animal denting a metal beam? Not likely given how nearly all creatures that are capable of doing so are all in the Everfree while basic animals like bears and such roam the lands of Equestria.” Luna said, having heard that creatures like manticores and Timberwolves and other dangerous beasts live in the Everfree and nowhere else from both her sister and the locals.

“I know that sister, I was talking mostly about all the blood…Luna, according to these reports there is more blood than three ponies have in their whole body.” Celestia said with a sigh. “I don’t know what it could be, and what's even worse is I have a delegate from a far away land in the castle so I need to be as professional as I can be.”

“A delegate? It’s been a while since one appeared. Or have they been constantly bugging you?” Luna asked her.

“This one is new, they are from an island and they are upset that they were attacked on their way to meet me.” Celestia said with a sigh.

“What? They were attacked? By who?” Luna asked in worry, knowing how first impressions are always important when dealing with delegates from other nations. Especially unknown nations.

“He just said…ponies in armor…” Celestia said as her face paled and her eyes widened in dawning horror. “Oh no…the Cultists.”

Luna’s eyes widened as well. “The Cultists attacked them?! Wait, you don’t suppose they were at that party do you? The same one Kipo and the other monster ponies were at?!”

“It is a possibility…he did say he had stopped for some free food before the attack.” Celestia said before groaning. “This just makes it worse.”

Luna became worried, this delegate could be from a powerful nation and might not be so forgiving for such actions against just one of their own. “O-oh dear, maybe I should come back? Help keep the peace?”

“Only if you want to, I have more experience dealing with stressful situations and angry dignitaries. Plus…you seem really happy in Ponyville.” Celestia said, finishing with a soft smile.

Luna rubs the back of her head. “Well….it is certainly better than the castle. I get to experience new things that I haven’t before, meet new ponies, and so much more.” she finished, a small smile of her own.

Celestia smiled sadly. “Then stay, come back to the castle only when you are ready. Your happiness, and mental health are what is important.”

“But, what if you need me? I-I could come back right now.” Luna said, not liking the sad smile her sister had.

Celestia shook her head. “If I need you I can send a dragon fire message, I will just have to be content with seeing you through this mirror.”

“Well….” Luna then had an idea that she hoped would be ok. “I can visit then. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

Celestia’s smile brightened. “Of course you can, you can come and visit any time you want.”

Luna mentally sighed in relief, glad that that idea was able to make Celestia happy. “Well then, I’ll be sure to let you know when I do visit. Or maybe I’ll just surprise you.”

Celestia let out a small laugh. “Both are fine.” She said before she moved the mirror to hide her face, however Luna was able to hear the sound of chewing.

A small smirk formed on her face as she asked, “So Tia, how did you manage to sneak that slice of cake out of the kitchen?” she asked, already knowing what she was eating and the sound of chewing stopped.

“...what cake?” Celestia asked with a mouth full after a moment.

Luna couldn’t help but giggle at her sisters never ending love for cake. “Tia, I know you have cake. It was obvious you had it.”

Celestia lifted her head, frosting covering her muzzle. “Really? I thought I hid the fact I had it so well.”

“You did, until you decided to eat it.” Luna said.

Celestia started to pout cutely. “Oh darn.” She looked down at her nose before licking all the frosting off her face.

Luna giggled a bit at that but then her happy mood was brought down a bit. “Sister…do you think Kipo will be alright? Considering what has happened?”

“I don’t know…thankfully I already suggested a therapist to Fluttershy for her.” Celestia said with a soft sigh.

“Not what I meant.” Luna said.

“You are talking about the arrow that hit her, yes?” Celestia asked in a worried tone. “If she was dreaming then she must have made it home, and Fluttershy has probably already bandaged her up if not taken her to the hospital.”

“Most likely but I’m worried about her safety. Based on the memory, there were hundreds of Cultists raiding the castle. I’m worried that Ponyville is just simply too dangerous for her.” Luna said, worry clear in her voice.

“Yes…I see that problem…” Celestia said while rubbing her chin. “I don’t think Fluttershy would be willing to move, and separating her from the other Elements isn't a good idea either.”

“So what can we do? Kipo, as well as Fluttershy, are at great risk. And I doubt the Cultists would care about them being the new Element bearers.” Luna said.

“Yes..” Celestia closed her eyes to think. “They won’t want to move, their status as Element bearers won't protect them, and the Cultists seem willing to attack innocent creatures that are just having a party…”

Luna nodded her head. “Yes…there are no lines that they won’t cross.”

“I can try to make a public announcement, both revealing the Cultists and their activities while calling them out and saying that they are wrong.” Celestia suggested.

Luna shook her head. “It might only upset them and make them believe that you are either not the ‘real’ Celestia or are under some form of mind control.”

Celestia frowned and sighed. “Then the most I can do is try to clear any Cultists out of my guards and then have them try to capture and arrest the Cultists.”

“But how are you going to do that? That would take ages and they could strike again.” Luna said and Celestia sighed.

“I know sister, but I have a limit of what I can do…” She lowered her head.

Luna sighed, unable to think of anything they could do. Then she had a thought. “Sister, remember our conversation before I left for Ponyville? About the thestrals and how I wish to have them be part of my guard? What if I have them help arrest any Cultist as well as protect the Element Bearers here in Ponyville?”

“Yes, I think it is a great idea, though you may have to go speak with them yourself, they do not trust me or my guard…for good reason I see now.” Celestia while looking at the ground at the last part.

“Tia, I’m sure that once we talk to the thestrals that they will see that you don’t have any connection to the Cultists and might trust you.” Luna said, hoping to cheer her sister up.

“I am sure they will Luna, but as long as those monsters are hurting innocent ponies in my name…they are right to fear me.” Celestia said before shaking her head. “Get them to come back and then we shall see about taking the Cultists down.”

Luna nodded her head. “Don’t worry, I will. I will have to plan an appropriate time for me to go to their village.”

Celestia smiled a bit. “Why not invite Kipo and her family along?”

“Are you sure that is wise?” Luna asked her, unsure if she should take Kipo’s family with her on such an important mission.

“You would be there to keep them safe and it would let her meet her soon to be guardians right away.” Celestia said with a smile.

“Well, I suppose, being with me would be the safest for them and they would need to learn about their new guards.” Luna said while looking down in thought.

“It would also give you a chance to bond with them as well.” Celestia said with a smile.

“That is also true. I do wish to know more about young Kipo and her family. Maybe it can give me some insight into what I saw in her dreamspace.” Luna said before there was a commotion coming from Celestia’s side of the mirror, making the solar alicorn sigh.

“I’m sorry sister, but I’m afraid I’ll have to cut this conversation short. It seems I need to take care of something.” Celestia said.

“It’s fine. I understand. It was nice speaking with you and I’ll keep you updated on anything else that happens with Kipo.” Luna said and Celestia nodded her head.

“Please do.” more commotion was heard and Celestia sighed. “I’ll do my best to speak to you later. Goodbye for now sister.”

“Goodbye sister.” Luna said and the connection ended. She sighed before putting the mirror down. She looked at the books and figured she should give them a quick read before planning her trip to the thestral village.

Celestia sighed as she placed the mirror down. ’Poor Kipo, no child should have to go through something like that. Though it is concerning to know about something within her mind as well as her strange violent behavior.’ she thought to herself before she stood up, knowing that she had to go meet with the delegate. However, before she does, she grabs a pen and paper and wrote a message on it before rolling it up and sending it via dragonfire. ’Hopefully Agent Furlong has some spare agents that can watch over the Element Bearers as well as their families.’ with that done, she exited her room and began to make her way to where the commotion was, knowing full well that it was going to be a stressful day.