Alicorn: The Lost Princess

Celestia marched home after the easy battle. In the time between her visit from the Great One and the battle, she had really racked her brain. Coming to terms with her biological parents being Alicorns and apparently abandoning her was a lot to take in.

But, in looking to her adoptive family, she found solace. If it were necessary for her to be raised an Earth Pony for her to have the compassion and knowledge it took to wield the alicorn power… that was how it was meant to be. And if she hadn’t been given up she would have missed out on such a wonderful family life.

Celestia was often a glass-half-full pony. Accepting her fate was simple for her… and it was driven by the love of her family. If, as an Alicorn, she could save even one pony it would be worth it. She knew what it was like to lose some pony she loved. She would never wish that pain on anypony else.

Her mother waited for her, with her niece, Apple Jack. “Celestia!” They both shouted in unison. Shocked by her new wings and horn. “You- you’ve changed?” Apple Jack said. She was young, barely in maturity. Brave, and strong, despite having just recently lost her father.

Celestia stretched her wings. “I suppose I have.”

Applesauce rose to meet them, older in years, it was more difficult to stand. “Suppose I always knew something was special ‘bout ya’” she smiled proudly.

Apple Jack turned toward her grandmother “Granny? You knew?”

The old mare laughed “just an expression, Apple Jack.” Her voice was old. Now scratchy on their ears.

Celestia sighed. “I know it’s gonna be… hard.” She started. “But I have to find the others.”

“The other… horned, winged ponies?” Apple Jack asked.

Celestia laughed at her niece. “They’re…” she thought for a moment “we’re… called Alicorns.”

Apple Jack stomped her hoof, young, but hard-headed. “You ain’t going alone.”

Celestia held up one hoof to calm her. “I have to. There’s one of us in each tribe, it’s up to me to find the others and stop this war before it does irreversible damage.”

Granny Smith held Apple Jack back. She seemed so wise in that moment. “We have to let her go. You’ll have your chance to fight, Apple Jack.”

Apple Jack relented her protective behavior. And the three mares embraced. Wrapped in the new white, feathery wings.

Twilight began to panic. Despite being warned vaguely by what must’ve been The Great One’s spirit, she could have never expected a full metamorphosis. Spike held up his hands attempting to calm her.

She bent the wings and stretched them out straight. “Spike!” She exclaimed, spinning around trying to get a good look at herself.

As she shouted she could see, in the distance, the glow of the guards patrolling the street in front of their house. They fell silent. “We have to run.” Spike whispered. “Who knows what they would do to you if they saw… the wings.” Twilight scooped him up and retreated back into the house.

As the sky twinkled, Cadence returned home. Back through her bedroom window and down the steps toward the living room.

“She’s just so different, we had always known she’d have a hard time making friends.” Her father said monotonously.

Her mother huffed out a sigh. “I just want her to be happy.” She repeated. It was like this, this was a frequent conversation they had had.

“She’s gonna be alright, dear.” Her father said.

Cadence burst into the room, large now, no longer small and timid looking. Her parents shook in fear, screaming at the intrusion. They took one look at her, and could hardly contain their fear.

A moment of peace came, as they stood still and silent. Slowly, her mother approached her. “Cadence?” A mother could recognize their child in a crowd of a million faces. “What has happened to you?”

The captain scampered into the king’s meeting chamber. His discomfort and fear clearly evident on his face. He bowed until all four of his joints were against the floor, in a more groveling position than a bow.

“Speak!” The king shouted urgently.

The captain began to stammer. “The Ponyville battalion was defeated before any invasion” he blurted.

The king’s eyes burned with rage. “How is this possible? The Earth Pony militia could never defeat us?!” He screamed. He trotted down the steps over to where the captain cowered before him. “Tell me how!”

The captain hid his face for fear of being struck. “The fable Alicorn has returned.” He reported.

The king stomped his hoof into the ground with full force, inches away from the guard’s head. “You take me a fool?” He yodeled in rage. “That supposed oracle is dead, her prophecy is worthless!” The guard began to shake. He had nothing else to add to his report so he did not bother to speak up again. The king stared off into the distance, “call for a public meeting. I have an announcement for my kingdom.”

Twilight burst through the back door and threw the curtain closed. At that same moment, her brother, Shining Armor entered in through the front door. They locked eyes, and when he realized she had wings, he did a double take.

“No time to explain. We have to go.” Shining began to speak, to tell her what he had just seen moments prior, but she wouldn’t let him get a word in edgewise. “Mom and Dad, pack a bag.”

Her parents stared at her in awe, shock and pride filled them. Pausing, until she rushed them into their room.

Once packed, Twilight Sparkle and Shining Armor pooled their magic and teleported them out to the no-pony’s-land miles from Canterlot.

“Do you care to explain?” Her mother said finally, as Twilight caught her breath.

“I saw a spirit… of the oracle mare.” She confessed. Her family listened with confusion and disbelief. “I didn’t believe it at first, but now… I know what I have to do… I have to find three other Alicorns to stop the unicorn king.”

At first, her parents began to laugh. She and Spike stayed silent, sharing a look of disappointment. It was then that they realized she was serious.

Shining Armor swallowed awkwardly as he pushed gently past his hysterical parents. “I know somebody who can help… or rather I know where to find an Alicorn.”