Balance of the World

Chapters

Chapter 1: Years of the Past ( new edit, spaced abit better)
Chapter 2: The Crimson Graves
Chapter 3: Home?
Chapter 4: Dream or Nightmare?
Chapter 5: The Family
Chapter 6: The Task

Chapter 1: Years of the Past ( new edit, spaced abit better)

Chapter 1
Years of the past

A chill wind blow though a small town named “Ponyville”, the fall season was soon a pond the ponies who lived in this town and like years past, everypony was getting ready for the annual “Nightmare Night” festival. Not much has changed over the years; buildings looking warn from age, the school bell still rings loud for the whole town to hear, and the library still looking as grand as ever. Twilight sparkle still lived there, her book collection now bigger than ever, thanks in part to the princesses allowing her to now move many new books from the archive in Canterlot to Ponyville. Twilight was cleaning up the library as she has done for many years ever since spike moved out. It was a few years ago the baby dragon hit a growth sport, growing a bit taller than Twilight herself, his scales became shiner, the spikes down his spine a little sharper, and his voice deepen. It was at around this time Rarity started to look at him in a different light, no longer has a baby dragon, but as an equal. Over the following mouths she stopped by Twilight’s place to see him, though she told Twilight she just wanted to read more. Twilight was always a little slow on the up take when it came to love, so it was not surprising what happened next, though the way it happened no pony saw coming.
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It was summer time, and Spike was just finishing up placing the newly returned book onto the selves. Ever since his growth spurt, it has been much easier for him to done his job, being taller and slicker, he is able to move a bit faster, this pleased Twilight very much, it let her do twice as much in a day then before. The door soon opened and Rarity walked into the library as she has done for the past few months. It was a bit late in the afternoon, the time she normally comes around. Rarity has spent every lunch break during the day at the library and every day she got to know spike a little better.

“Welcome Rarity, come to read another book on your break?” Twilight said as he walked in from another room when she heard the door open and saw her friend standing by a nearby bookshelf. Rarity looked a little pale today, she came her with and plan and stayed up the night before planning it out, which was rare for this pony when it comes to this kind of thing.

“Not exactly Twilight” Rarity said her face turning a slight shade of red. Twilight raised an eye brow noticing rarity’s pale fur.

“Are you ok Rarity?” Twilight asked walking over to her friend, she could tell something was on her mind, but did not know what, she never really could read Rarity’s mind even after years of friendship. Rarity looked down at her hooves trying to avoid Twilight’s eyes

” yes I am fine dear, but I find myself in a strange predicament” Rarity looked over at spike, eyeing his scales and the newer body.

At first rarity but had a crush on Spike, mostly due to the fact his scales now reminded her of the prettiest gems she had ever seen. She knew it was a bit shallow of her, just to like him for his scales, but seeming as she did not want to hurt his feelings she decided to get to know him more. In the beginning she told herself she was just going this in hopes of maybe one day spike started to shed, she could get the old scales. She had many ideas about what to do with them and the business it would bring, so she started to chat up the dragon many months ago. Twilight at first wondered why she was doing this, but she trusted her friend and was just happy to not only get too she her more and read together, but also see that spike was happy. Over the time rarity got to know spike better and was become less for her to try and get the scales and more about just spending time with him. It was a few weeks ago that she realized that she started to fall madly in love with him. Rarity has spent many years of her life looking for that “perfect “colt, she would have never guessed he was there the whole time, let alone a dragon. She panicked for a time, thinking about how big of a scandal it would be, how her friends would react, even how Twilight felt, in the end she decided to do one thing that she would have never done, never even crossed her mind in the many years of her dating life, but she had to go for it.

Twilight put her hoof around rarity’s shoulder” what is it rarity? You know you can tell me anything” she said with a smile.
Rarity blushed and looked up at Twilight, she knew from years of friendship with Twilight that this was the right way to do things. “ok, but can you promise me that after everything is said, no matter what you will still be my friend and not think any different of me?” Rarity said with sadness in her voice.

Twilight was a little afraid of what was on her mind after she heard what came out of her mouth, what could possibility she have on her mind that she would think that,” ok Rarity I promises, I even pinkie pie promises, that no matter what I won’t think any different of you and we will still be friends.”

Rarity sighed with a bit of relief knowing that Twilight was telling the trust, and also knew what happens if a pinkie promises is broken.

”Ok Twilight” Rarity said stepping back a bit and bowing her head as if she was talking to princess Celestia herself. Twilight raised her eye brow again at what Rarity was doing, it was so strange for someone to bow to her, let alone to anypony other than the princesses.

With slightly weak voice Rarity asked the question that has been bothering her all night and hoped for a happy reply” I would like your permission, Twilight Sparkle, to take Spike out on a date.”

As soon as the words hit Twilights ears she fell to the ground in pure shock, Spike finally looked over from the sound and saw Twilight on the ground and rarity bowing her head, he was not even paying much attain to them in the first place but wish he did after seeing this. ”wait. What?!” Twilight yelled a bit, in all her years this was the last thing she had every thought of happening.

Rarity blush's a deep red, still bowing as twilight stood back up and tried to make since of what just happened. What seemed to be a long time passed as Rarity waited for Twilight’s reply, in that time Twilight gathered her thoughts and looked over at Spike who was still confused.

”Stand up Rarity” Twilight said with a kind voice. Rarity nervously stood to her feet, looking Twilight in the eyes. Twilight sighed a bit “ I have a few questions, before anything else happens” Twilight now knew why Rarity asked her to promise to still be her friend, this kind of thing can end a friendship if it was for any other pony, but twilight know Rarity was not joking and that’s what scared her a bit.

” First of all, is this for real? I mean your feelings? It’s not a joke is it? You really care about him? Do you really love him?”
Rarity blushed a bit” yes Twilight this is for real! I really do care about him, and I really do love him with all my heart, this is not just a passing thing! I have felt this way for many mouths now. He is on my mind all the time.”

Twilight had a bit of sadness in her eyes” so the whole time you came here was just to see him, and not to read?”
Rarity frowned a bit, but a little surprised she was upset that she was not there to read. “ well at first I came here, I admit it was purely selfish, I only really wanted to see if I can get his scales after he shed for a dress.”

Rarity looked at the ground again knowing how it sounded, Twilight just stood there and waited to hear her out. Spikes ears Twitched at the words scales, are they talking about me? No it couldn’t be. Spike thought to himself as he got closer.

” But after I got to know him better, I found myself no longer wanting to try and get his scales, but I just wanted to know more about him, and in time I just wanted to see him, I am so sorry twilight for making you thinking I was only here to read and did not tell you’re the truth about my first plan in the beginning.” Rarity started to cry a bit

” But I fell so deeply in love, I could not bear to tell you the truth even when my plans change, I thought you would not let me see him, afraid I would hurt him!”

Twilight rubbed Rarity’s back a bit” its ok Rarity, yes I am hurt a bit knowing what your plans where to begin with, a bit I can tell you really mean what you say” Twilight looked over at Spike and waved him over. Spike carefully walked over next to Twilight. Rarity looked up at Spike and turned her head away to hide her bright red face.

” Yes Twilight? Is everything ok?” Spike wondered looking at Rarity knowing she was crying but why he had no clue. Twilight sighed a bit, she know Spike’s feelings for Rarity and knew if she told Rarity no and he found out, he would never forgive her, and she knew Rarity very well and that her feelings where true, but she still was not a fan of the idea of Spike, who is like a brother to her, dating one of friends, let alone anypony, she hoped he would find a dragon for his own, but was also
scared to lose him if he did, at least this way she knew he would be in good hooves.

With a heavy sigh Twilight looked at Rarity” I give you my permission, but only on one condition.”
Rarity started to jump for joy, though Spike was still confused,” the first one will and if there are any more will be supervised, I know this is not normal, but I feel as it needs to be, as this is a special case.”

Rarity hugged Twilight tightly” oh thank you, thank you!” Rarity said, as Spike turned to Twilight

” Did I miss something?” the purple dragon asked.

” Well Spike it seems today your dreams have come true, you will being going on a date with Rarity” spike near passed out as soon as he heard, he turned to Rarity who was blushing a bit

” Rarity is this true?!” she nodded as Spike ran up and hugged her” so you really care about me? like more as friends?” spike asked letting go of Rarity.

” Yes Spike, it seems as Rarity now finally shares your feelings and has falling in love with you” Twilight said with a small giggle.

“I must be dreaming” Spike said as he pinched his cheek.

A sudden pain ran though his cheek and he could not have had it any other way” no it’s really happening, I am going on a date with Rarity…wait? Supervised? Twilight you can’t be for real?” spike looked over at twilight with a sad look” I am not a bay anymore, why can’t it just be use two like normal ponies?”

twilight looked at spike with a stern face” it’s my condition, take it or leave it!” she yelled a bit. Spike just nodded, it was better than nothing. Twilight did have one more question for the white pony

” why did you ask methe way you did? With a bowed like you did? You could have easily just asked spike?”

Rarity now wiping her eyes from the tears” well my dear, see as how you are only like a sister to him, but also a mother, I believe its tradition for the colt to ask the parents permission to date one of their offspring and seeing as how I took it as my role to ask, it felt only right”

Twilight giggled a bit, Rarity has always been a huge fan of the old school dating, but this was a bit to old school, but that was rarity for you” it a bit old fashion, but I guess it does suit you” she said with a smiling hugging her friend.

Over the next few months, Rarity and Spike went on many dates. The first few, Twilight tagged along, though this did annoy spike and at some point Rarity very much, but they were both glade just to be together finally. Eventually, Twilight stopped tagging along and Rarity and spike where able to have dates just between them. At first every pony in Ponyville talked about the pony dating a dragon, it even started a scandal for Rarity, she lost some of her business as somepony's thought it was wrong. This did not bother rarity at all, she was finally happy and so was spike. Over time everypony just got use to it, and even called rarity a brave pony for being so different, she even got even more business for lots of ponies thinking she was a rebel, or being ahead of her time, and even princess Celestia wrote a letter to all of equestrian, saying how true love comes in different forums and how they were an example of how love can even cross species. At first even her other friends though it was strange, Applejack even went as far as calling it wrong on so many different levels, but they were her friends and where just happy to see she finally found love. Over time spike asked for rarity’s hand in marriage, giving her a rare gem as a ring. Of course rarity said yes and they had a big wedding, much like twilights brother had, even princess Celestia was there, to marry them. After the wedding, Spike soon moved into Rarity’s house, helping her with finding gems and making dresses. Twilight was said the day he left, but knew he was not far away.

Twilight headed upstairs to clean her room bit, it was not really that messy but it has been a slow day and she had nothing better to do. While putting some notes away she started to read them. There in the middle was an old list of supplies for a wedding. Twilight smiled, knowing what this was. The note was quickly written and only lists a few things.” White dresses, apples, send out in invites” twilight read aloud, this was the list for Fluttershy's and big mac's wedding that took place 2 years ago. All her friends knew Fluffershy liked big mac, and big mac liked her, it was not surprise when they started dating. Heck I think applejack was even happier than they were. Twilight thought to herself as she put the note into a nearby album. The wedding was very small other than the whole apple family being there, again princess Celestia held the wedding, it seems she does that for all her friends. Fluffershy moved out of her house and closer to the farm. They had a small house on the edge of sweet apple Acers that she shared with big mac. The house was built by the whole apple family and they even added another building not too far from the house that fluttery turned into an animal hospital. Big mac still worked on the farm and fluttery was happy to be running her own animal hospital.

"I should visit them sometime," twilight thought as she placed the rest of the notes into the desk.

Time passed as twilight cleaned her room. The sun started to set and she found herself looking though an old album with pictures of her friends. The book was pretty heavy with memories. She turned the pages remembering the good times when two ticket stubs fell out and landing on your lap. They were for the wonder bolts show last year. Twilight giggled a bit as she looked over the tickets. On them they read “this Sunday, one day only the wonderbolts! Featuring Rainbow dash! The caption! Alongside her loving partners and mates Spit Fire and Soarin’ !”

Twilight could not help but smile, not only did 3 years ago did rainbow dash join the wonders bolts, the following year she was the caption and the next year she was the owner. Rainbow dash ended up not only being the best flier, but she actually was a very good boss, who surprised everypony, but not as much as when she came to visit last year. Rainbow never really went into the details, but at some point both spit fire and Soarin’ fell in love with her, this would have normally broken up a team if she only picked one to be with.

All rainbows’ friend knew she swung both ways even before rainbow came out 4 years ago. What surprised everypony but her friends is when rainbow picked both of them to date? At first spit and Soarin’ fought with each other over who loved her more and vice versa, but in a rare moment in rainbow’s life, she explained to both of them, that she loved them equally and if they could not get along she would leave the wonderbolts, which surprised her friends that she would even consider that. In time spit and Soarin go along and even at times seem to team up against Rainbow to get her to go on a double date with them. At time son pasted, there love grow stronger, and rainbow married both of them in cloud city, and again princess Celestia did the wedding.

Twilight closed the album and put it on her desk.

” A lot sure has changed, I think the only ones not married besides me are applejack and pinkie pie, but that’s not surprising” Twilight said as she walked back down stairs

” Pinkie has her party business to run and applejack runs the farm now since granny smith passed away, the only one not doing anything new is me”

Twilight smiled a bit but had deeply sad eyes, she was happy her friends where still close to her, but they all have their own lives and I am still here doing the something day after day, I need a change” twilight said grading a coat

” tonight! I find something to do! Something new to change my life!” she said as she shut the door behind her and headed into town.

Chapter 2: The Crimson Graves

Chapter 2:
The Crimson Graves

The sky around Ponyville had gotten dark. It was a clear night, many if not all the stars where out, along with the brightest full moon Twilight has ever seen. As Twilight walked through town she looked around. All the shops were closed, and everypony in their homes either finishing up dinner or just plan heading to bed. Not much happened at night, even over the years, the night has been very quiet. Princess Luna has made sure that every night since her return was just was beautiful as the next, and in time many ponies came to love the night and not fear her anymore. Twilight has had many talks with the night princess and her sister, helping them with problems they had between each other, effectively improving their relationship and in return be come very close with both of them. It would be sometime before they would visit her again, and this got twilight thinking as she neared the edge of town.

“The next time they come over, I really should throw a small party, thanking them for the friendship over the years.” Twilight giggled as she exited the town and headed for the Everfree Forest.

Normally she would avoid heading into the forest at night, but Twilight felt she needed to try something new. Twilight had learned a new spell for defending herself and wanted to try it out. As Twilight walked deeper into the forest a strange sense of calm hit her. Even though the Everfree Forest was normally quiet and calm, this was different.

As the wind blow through the trees, all that could be heard was the sound of the wind, and even that was quite. It was as if every creature in the forest was scared and hiding. Twilight walked towards Zecora's place, picking up a bit of speed, and hoped she was home. Zecora’s hut came into view just as a pack of timber wolves appeared in front of Twilight.

Twilight stopped right in front of them, less than a few feet away. The pack looked at her with hungry eyes. Twilight started to light up her horn, readying the spell she just learned and knew this was a great time to test out, and if it failed, she would just teleport back home.

The wolves slowly approached Twilight, bearing their teeth when they stopped and sniffed the air. Twilight was a bit puzzled as she saw them slowly backed away, tails between their legs. The timber wolves howled and run away, clearing growling at the missed easy meal. Twilight now knew something was defiantly wrong. Timber wolves never run away, let alone if they thought it would be an easy meal. Something clearly scared them, so bad in fact to run instead of eat.

Twilight pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she made a mad dash for Zecora’s door. Twilight hit the door with a loud thud bouncing back onto the ground. She looked up and noticed a sign on the door.

“Away, Will return another day.” The sign read

Twilight turned a bit pale. “Of all the times for her to be gone, tonight had to be it!” Twilight yelled, now more scared than ever. She was hoping Zecora would be home and she could stay the night, but it seems Twilight was out of luck and at all times

Twilight started to light up her horn for the teleporting spell to head home when she heard a faint sound from behind Zecora’s hut. “That sounds like crying?” Twilight questioned as she walked behind the hut and headed for the sound.

Twilight hopped it was another pony so at least she would not be lone, and maybe they knew what was going on. Twilight has never went pasted the hut before, she never really had a reason before, so this part of the forest was unknown to her. The crying seemed to get louder as Twilight exited the forest into a clearing.

There as Twilight stepped out of the forest, what she saw shocked her and raised many questions. In front of her, all though out the clearing laid a mass graveyard. It looked very old and had to have more than a hundred graves. Twilight slowly walked through the graveyard as a thick fog covered the ground, but never rose above half the grave stones. How did she not know of this? For so many years nothing, not even in the Canterlot archives did Twilight ever find anything about a graveyard, let alone one this big?

Twilight looked around as she got closer to the crying. In front of a statue of two ponies intertwined around what looked like the world sat a pony, clearly crying. As Twilight got closer she could make out what the pony looked like. There crying sat a white colt, no older then Twilight herself. He had semi-short blonde hair and tail. Twilight got a little closer and she could make out his cutie mark, one she had never seen before. There on his flank was a yin-yang, the small circle’s inside of the symbol where clearly a sun and moon. The symbol was also inside of a bigger circle and in a cross pattern at each tip was one symbol of the elements, earth, wind, fire and water. Twilight walked up to the strange pony, not wanting to scare him of pry, she had to know why he was crying and alone in this graveyard.

“Um… Are you ok?” Twilight said, now right next to the pony

He looked up and Twilight saw even though his bloodshot and puff eyes, they were the most beautiful shade of blue ever, even better the Princess Luna’s eyes. The pony whipped his eyes

He stood up, slightly taller than Twilight he turned to her and with a kind and gentle voice he smiled “yes I will be. It’s always sad when some pony loses a close friend.”

Twilight was a bit awestruck at eh kindness in his voice, it was more kind then Fluttershy’s. Twilight nodded

“Yes it is. May I ask how long ago did they pass?”

The colt turned to the grave “a few days ago.” He said with a tear running down his cheek. He quickly turned back to Twilight

“What are you doing here anyway?” he asked as he walked around twilight looking at her, almost as if he was studying her

“Well I was heading to my friend Zecora’s house when I heard a crying, she was not home so I wanted to make sure some pony was not hurt” Twilight quickly said. She felt no need to go into much more details then this.

“Ah, I know Zecora. She is a close friend” he said smiling

“Really? She never said she knew…” Twilight realized she did not know his name, let alone tell him hers. If Rarity was hear she would kick my flank for my lack of manners.

“How rude of me, my name is Twilight, Twilight Sparkle and you are?” she said holding out a hoof

The white colt smiled, “so you’re Twilight Sparkle? Zecora talked a lot about you. My name is Balance, it’s nice to meet you” balance said shacking Twilights hoof

“Balance? Zecora never said anything about a pony named Balance before?” Twilight said raising an eye brow

“We knew each other when we were younger; I had only just come to visit her again.” Balance replied quickly, blushing a bit

Twilight has had many talks with Zecora about her past and she saw Balance blush a bit so twilight just assumed he was an ex-lover. Twilight looked around “so how do you know of this graveyard? Even I did not know of it” she said a bit smug in her knowledge

“That’s not surprising, the fog around here is enchanted, hiding it from even the princess’s, you may know this graveyard by its name ‘The Crimson Graves’.”
Twilight stepped a bit and almost fell to the ground “The Crimson Graves’!? But that’s just a myth right?”

Balance smiled and looked up at the sky “tell me Twilight what you know of this place?”

Twilight thought hard, it’s been a long time since she read about it, “Well from what I read, The Crimson Graves it the also known as the moving graveyard. Very few ponies have seen it and it’s never in the same place twice. They say it is also the place where all alicorns a buried, Princess Luna told me about it one night long ago”

“Correct Twilight, but there is more” balance said walking down a row of graves as Twilight followed.

“Yes it is true that most if not all the graves here are of passed alicorns. While most believe they are immortal, in fact they just have a long life span. This is a holy place that good and evil alicorns are buried, there magic runs deep in the ground under us long after their body are gone. The fog in fact is a result of this long with it moving. Only alicorns can find this place or very close friends of one and only when one of them are about to pass.”

Twilight stopped in her tracks “does this mean one of the princesses are about to die?!” Twilights face now full of fear. Balance saw this turned to her

“No Twilight, they are both fine, it’s not there time” balance smiled

“But how could you know that?! It’s impossible to know when any pony will die, let alone an alicorn!” Twilight say angrily

“My family is well the caretaker of this place, since before your time. They were blessed with the ability to know the life span of alicorns and we are sent to them in their final days to make sure the one that loves them most can bring them here to rest in peace” balance said frowning. “After my parents passed it now my job to watch over this place and with it I have the ability as well”

“So you are like a grim reaper for alicorns?” Twilight said backing away a little. This was getting to be a bit much for her to take in

“You could say that, but fear not Twilight, we do not take the souls of the falling like the reapers, and we just watch the graves and deliver the new. We have no power over life or death, just watchers” balance said trying to make Twilight feel less scared

They soon reached two grave stones, it seemed like they were newer then the others. Balance waved twilight over to the graves. “Read.” He said smiling a bit

Twilight walked up to the graves and read them both. The graves where writing in old equestrian, but Twilight could read most of it “ here lies the beloved king and queen, loving rulers and even more loving parents of the next to rule Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, maybe there souls forever watch over this land and there loved children”

“Wait those are…!” twilight yelled but before she could finish balance stepped in

“Yes its Princess Celestia and Luna’s parents. To my count I heard that both Celestia and Luna where the ones to bury them hear. I can sense some fear in you Twilight, I can only assume that they both have never talked about this?”

Twilight nodded, she had never asked the princesses about their parents, but not felt she might have to, if balance was telling the truth then it raised many questions.

“Twilight, this graveyard moves, and in a few months it will be gone. I heard you are close friends with the princesses, and how you tend to over think things, I suggest you go talking to them before anything else. If I say anymore I fear you might not believe me. It’s not by chance you came here; one does not simply find this place by accident. It’s getting late you should go” balance said the tone in his voice seemed to change in the pass few minutes from kind and caring to a darker tone, more stein then before it gave Twilight small chills, the fog soon started to get thicker

“Ok but I will return, I have many more questions!” twilight yelled as she turned her back and started to walk away, she though she heard Balance say something she turned around to answer him, but when she turned around, he was gone, so was the graveyard. Twilight stood in an empty clearing, nothing for miles. Twilight could see the sun rising over the now empty hills and she wonder how long she was gone it only felt like an hour had passed, but it truth it was much longer.

Twilight walked back into town. Many of the shops where opening for the day as Twilight strolled passed them. She soon ran into Rainbow dash that was flying overhead. She landed in front of Twilight with a thud.

“Morning Twi! You were gone for a long time I was worried” Rainbow said walking up to Twilight, it seem like she was checking to see if Twilight was hurt. “You seem fine.” She said smiling relived Twilight seemed unhurt

Twilight on the other hand was a little confused “I was only gone for an hour? Or well its seems all night really” Twilight thought it must have been because of the enchanted graveyard

Rainbow was not a little more worried “Um Twi? I saw you enter the Everfree forest that night, but just thought you were going to see Zecora. That was almost a week ago!”

Twilight just dropped to the floor “A WEEK! no that’s not possible!” it could not have been a whole week she was not even hungry, a little tired but other than that she felt fine

“yeah, everypony was looking for you after you did not retune for two days, when we got to Zecora hut and saw her note, we all assumed you went on a trip with her” Rainbow frowned a little

Twilight remand silent, Zecora has been gone for a week? But that’s not right, even if Twilight was gone, she knew Zecora was never gone that long, this scared her deeply and before she could say anything rainbow butted in

“Well I am just glade you ok, but you should return home quickly both the princesses at your house worried, they have been for a few days, waiting for you to return” she said before flying off

Twilight realized that before going to go find Zecora, she needed to talk to the Princesses, if they really have been worried its only right she go see them, besides, with their help maybe she can find Zecora faster. Twilight quickly headed home, hoping only the princesses would believe her story.

Chapter 3: Home?

Chapter 3:
Home?

The door the tree house busted open with aloud bangs. The sun and moon princesses setting at a nearby table drinking tea, dropping their cups on the ground breaking them as the purple unicorn come rushing.

“Princess! Princess!” Twilight scream running into her own house. Both Luna and Celestia jump from the table and tackle Twilight to the ground, both hugging her, deeply missing there friend.

“Twilight, your safe! Don’t even do that again, you had us both worried!” the night princess said, letting Twilight stand up

“Yes, my sister is right; you scared the living hell out of us!” Celestia yelled in yet a kindly voice. Twilight looked down and away in shock, she never heard the princess curse before so she knew she had worried them more then it seemed

“Sorry my Princesses, I did not mean to be gone this long, but I have to tell you want happened” Twilight said looking back up at both of her worried friends. Luna and Celestia pulled up a chair and sat down next to Twilight as she explained everything. Twilight went into great detail about the Everfree forest, about Zecora and about the Crimson Graves and the pony she met. As soon as Twilight mentioned the graveyard did both Princesses’ face turn sour and scared, they knew far more then Twilight about the graves, but what worried them the most was the pony she talked about. After Twilight told the story did she wait for the Princesses reply, and the first to speak was Celestia

“Twilight, this news scares both of us, we both have sensed an unbalance in this world for some time and I am afraid this of all things is the worst possible event to happen!” Celestia turned quickly to Luna and back to Twilight.

“I need to head back to Canterlot right away. I will put the request in to find your friend Zecora right away, but I fear life for all of us just got harder. Luna please fills in the rest for Twilight, you know better than I about the graves!” Celestia said as her horn light up and she teleported back to Canterlot leaving Luna and Twilight alone with only Twilight being confused

“Sorry about that Twilight, but my sister is right. There is much to plan and I can see on your face the confusion, let me explain” Luna said standing up and weakly smiling at Twilight. Twilight sat still as she lessoned to Luna, worried more now about how Celestia acted.

“From what the pony you called “Balance” said are true, but there is more to the story. For starters, even though the graves do move, they never stay for more than one day in any giving place and if Balance said he and the graves would stay for the time he said, I fear is the unbalance we both felt” Luna said with a deep frown on her face.

“But if they move, then why is staying in one place longer than a day a back thing?” Twilight questioned as she thought it over. “Wouldn’t it be nice for both of you to visit your parent’s grave?” Twilight put a hoof in her mouth when the words came out, knowing she should not pry into their past

“It’s ok Twilight” Luna said easing Twilights nerves a bit before going on.

“ but that’s not a good thing, the real reason the graves move is because of the built up magical energy in the ground, if it stays in one place for more than a day, the ground itself and slowly all the land around it becomes tainted. Tainted to the point that not even the elements of harmony, my power and sisters could ever cure it!” a tear ran down Luna’s cheek.

Twilight walked over to Luna and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “They why don’t we ask Balance? I am sure he could help” Twilight smiled a bit before she noticed Luna turn to her with a look in her eyes that scared her to the core. It was a look of horror mixed with sadness and pure worry

“Twilight, that is the second part that troubles us, one the graves has no keeper, let alone a family watching over it, then it was our parents time to come, we got no warning, no pony ever showed!” Twilight’s face just dropped at what she just heard, not able to fully put together the princesses words, lone handle what she had seen, she knew Luna would never lie to her and this is what scared her the most

“But I saw the graves! How did they get there? Was it all a lie!?” Twilight panicked a little before Luna spoke up again

“when the light of our parents past and both Celestia and I watched as our parents bodies lay there, the room lit up, and soon we found ourselves and our parents bodies in the graveyard with two fresh graves dug in front of us, with a note written on a sign” Luna said clearly recalling the note from memory

“I am sorry for your loss little ones, your parents did such good in this world and I hope they will in the next. This is the way of your kind as I am sure you both know, and as such I hope you and your sister understand what needs to be done. Place your parent’s bodies in the graves. I promise that I will care for them both as they have cared for you. In time you both will come to terms of this and for now I understand your pain. There is a balance in this world; both you and your sister will now fill. One day it will be your time here, and I only hope you have some pony to help bury you. Worry not young ones, the day will come before we finally meet face to face, and you will see your parents again, but for the time being, rule over this land with love and kindness, as your parents once did.”

Luna smiled a bit remembering for the first time in a long time, the lovely meaning behind those words. Twilight looked around a bit remembering something Balance said.

“He told me you are both fine, and one does not fine this place by accident. So was that what he meant? Are the graves staying there what made me come?” twilight said rambling a bit. Luna looked over at Twilight and put on a small smile

“Yes we are both fine, but if he was telling the truth and you were in fact supposed to find the graves, I fear for your safety as does my sister. We both want you to promise us that you will not go to the graves, don’t even go into the forest. Please for us we both agree it’s for your safety” Luna said giving Twilight a quick hug as she nodded in arrogance. After hearing all of this, Twilight wanted not more adventure and nothing more to do with the graves, it scared her and she would rather not face it again.

“But what about Zecora? Even if she does return, how will we know? She lives right by the graves!” Twilight looked deeply into Luna’s eye filled with concern about her friend

“Fear not Twilight, both Celestia and I will find her, you just need to be safe” Luna smiled as twilight nodded to her words. Twilight felt a lot better hearing Luna say that.

“Now Twilight, I should head back, we will sent a letter on updates” Luna said walking to the door “and Twilight, welcome home.” She said before flying away.

Twilight closed the door and sighed a little, “well this was been strange” she told herself before laying on the couch and falling deeply asleep.

Chapter 4: Dream or Nightmare?

Chapter 4:
Dream or Nightmare?

A few months have passed since Zecora had gone missing. While princesses Luna and Celestia used everything in their power to fine the zebra, it was if she just vanished. Twilight sat at her desk looking over a letter she had just reserved from Princess Luna and Celestia. A few days ago after another failed search, Twilight upon returning home decided after all the information she had gathered over the past few months that the only place left to look was the Crimson graves.
Twilight knew off the warning of the princesses and this leads her to write a letter requesting assents as to help her with the search of the graves. If twilight was going to go back to the graves, she did not want to worry her friends and the princesses.

Dear Twilight Sparkle,

Upon reviewing your request and do to the nature of this search both my sister and I have granted your request, a pony most suited to this kind of area with be there tomorrow to help
Your mentor,
Princess Celestia

Twilight waiting already with her saddlebags packed by her front door. She did not know of any pony who could really help her, but anypony the princesses sent would be more then versed in what she may need. Suddenly a knock at her door drew Twilight from her thoughts as she went to open the door.
There in her doorway stood Princess Luna, but only princess Luna, no guards, no escort, just her friend.

“Princess Luna?! What are you doing here?” Twilight stepped back stunned a bit.

“Good After-Noon, Twilight, I am guessing you are ready to go?” Luna asked, she was wearing an old saddle bag herself full of supplies

“Go? You mean to the graves?!” Twilight said in more of a yell then she wanted to.

“Yes Twilight. Both my sister and I thought it be best if I come along as your guard, seeing as how I do know more about the graves” Luna said with a smile.

Twilight grabbed her bag and locked the door behind her. Both Luna and Twilight slowly but steadily walked to the Everfree forest. After a bit of quite Twilight had a question bugging her and she just had to ask

“Um, Luna? How do you know so much about the graves when other ponies don’t?”
Luna smiled a bit along with a sigh “you see Twilight, being the princess of the night, I am charge of many things, and one of which is passing along story’s in such a way they either become legends or campfire tales. Bending the story just enough to make it believable and yet few ponies dare seek the truth”

Twilight smiled at her past memories of such tales, when a scary realization hit her

“wait, so every story, every tale is true?” twilight’s face turned a bit pale, remembering a few that scared her, and yet to overcome the fear she just told herself they were fake tales

“Yes Twilight, though most monster in tale just want to be left alone and are in fact really kind” Luna smiled

“Well then on another day, I we will have to sit down for a longer talk, but we are here” Twilight said with a little sigh
While talking and lost in memories both Luna and Twilight had not only walked straight though the Everfree forest but soon found them a little past Zecora’s house. A thick walk of fog was now in front of them. While before when Twilight had first found the graves, the only fog was on the ground of the graves, but now it seemed to not only raise above the trees, but in fact it covered the whole clearing like a barrier

“Well this is new, but I guess it’s been a few months, and maybe there are getting ready to move?” Twilight said wishing it was true, until Luna spoke up

“Sorry Twilight, but I know this barrier spell quit well and our fears just came true. This spell is for a space merger, it seems not only do the graves plan to stay, but are now making their own realm inside ours” Luna said with a smile hint of fear in her voice, but she hide it well form Twilight

“Well then I guess we have no choice but to enter and talk to Balance” Twilight said with a sigh and she and Luna walked into the thick fog.

Upon entering the fog, Luna and Twilight where greeted with a strange sight. On the boarder of the fog where doors, each label with a letter and a number. The doors where made of a red oak with marble door knobs. The graveyard seemed smaller; now looking as it only went as far as the fog, unlike the other time where it seemed to go on forever.

“Is this what it looked like last time you were here?” Luna asked as she took in the new sight. “It seems more organized then you talked about or I could imagine”

“No this id different. It has changed so much” Twilight said with a little concern in her voice

Luna smiled alit and put her wing around Twilights shoulder to calm her mind

“It’s ok Twilight, they say the graveyard has a mind of its own, maybe it needed a change?” Luna said with a small giggle at Twilight. Twilight nodded and sighed a bit. She knew Luna was right and decided to push it to the back of her mind until later.
Twilight and Luna walked a little bit until they reached a strange building seemly just appearing from the fog. The building was made of the same stone that the tombstones where made from. Giving off a little red hue, it had small windows, enough to let light in, but not big enough to see into. The door was made of a fine wood, with an eerie green color. A few voices could be heard from behind the door. Twilight and Luna got closer as the door opened and out walked a very tired looking zebra, carrying a saddlebag with a cross on it, clearing being a medical bag

“Remember rest is enough, please let her sleep until dusk” Zecora said with a smile as she walked down the small stairs leading from the building to the graves.

Twilight ran up and tackled Zecora nearly throwing her to the ground. “Zecora! You’re ok! I was so worried for you, where have you been for this look?”

Zecora raised an eye brow at the purple unicorn and cleared her voice “I did not think I would be missed this quick, only a few days have I missed” she said hugging the small mare with a kind smile

Luna walked up to Zecora “Miss Zecora, it has not been a few days; it’s been a few months! Twilight has been so worried and my sister and I have been looking for you so long”

“I see. This place really does have its own time, I was warned, but alas I did not obey, for this I am sorry” Zecora said with a small smile and look of shame

“It’s ok, but why where you here?” Twilight asked before the voice form the building cut her off

“Why she was here to care for a very close friend of mine, Twilight. Though I should have at least sent you a note, for that I am sorry” out stepped Balance, wearing a small smile on his face and also looking like he has been very worried

“Now Zecora, thank you for your help. Please head home, you need the rest, if anything happens I will send for you” Balance said waving Zecora off. Zecora smiled and nodded, her cheeks turning a little red as she walked home

Twilight looked over at Zecora and back to Balance

“How could you not tell me she was here?! And how come you lied to me? I talked to Luna and Celestia; there is no pony who watches the graves! WHO ARE YOU REALLY?’ Twilight yelled lighting up here horn, when soundly it failed, only glowing but Twilight felt like her magic was gone. Twilight fell to the ground on her flak with a confused look

“What? My magic….it’s gone!” Twilight looked over, hopping Luna had some magic, but to her horror, Luna’s face told it all. She too no longer had any magic. Balanced laughed a bit, weeping tears of humor from his eyes before he started to explain

“Don’t worry Twilight; your magic’s not gone, just sealed away. I added that after you left, along with the doors. Every door leads to more of the graveyard, this is just the center.” Balance closed the door behind him quickly and nodded to Luna and Twilight to follow him around back. Twilight and Luna looked at each other and followed, there were still so much to know, magic or magic.

“I did not lie to you Twilight, just not explain everything. You see while there has been no real pony to watch the graves, there has never needed any, at least not until recently. You see twilight, I am the graveyard!” Balance said turning around, the sky full of lighten at if to respond to his voice. Twilight started to ask a question, but Balance stopped her

“As you know the ground is full of alicorn magic. Well we just don’t bury alicorns here; with bury every type of creature here, dragons, griffins, and even some parasprits. All that magic and knowledge, well it does not just vanish, it collects, and over time, well bore me. I am the embodiment of the Crimson Graves, with all their power and knowledge of those buried in this place” Balance smiled turning back around waving for them to follow

“But if that’s true, then you must know of the harm you are causing the world, why have you stopped moving? What has changed?” Luna said with venom in her voice

Balance just smiled and replied simply

“Family Luna. I now have a family.”

Twilight and Luna looked at each other and both seemed to have the same thought. Family? But who would be able to hand a place like this, let alone be able to fall in love with a being such as Balance. As Luna was about to ask another question, the air got colder. A strange very small sense filled the air, it was magic, but a magic they both had not seen in a long time. As they rounded the build, both Twilight and Luna stood in horror at what they saw.

There in a newly dug grave, holding a shovel with its magic, was a tall dark mare, snake like eyes, mane made of blue mist, wearing amour of old’ stood before them was none other than nightmare moon. She looked over at Twilight and Luna and with an evil grin jump from the hole, landing in front of them.

“Well this is a surprise. My two most hated ponies in the world, here, and with now magic I can see. Oh I have been planning this for a long time” she said with just pure hate in her voice

Twilight and Luna stood next to each other, closing the eyes. They knew that nightmare moon had her magic, and without theirs, they were doomed. A warm feeling embraced them, very gentle and kind. They both opened their eyes and in shock and so much confusing them, nightmare moon was hugging them, tears forming in her eyes

“I am so sorry for everything I have done in my past, please forgive me” nightmare moon begged

This though Twilight and Luna for a loop, but before they could ask, balance walked up to nightmare moon and gentle pulled her into a loving embrace comforting her, gently combing her mane with his hoof

“Please forgive me, it’s been a long time for her, much has happened, let me explain” balance said smiling, as Twilight and Luna lead into to listen. They both eyed each other with a thin-is going-to-be-good look

“You see when you banished her with the elements of harmony. You kind of killed her, but since she had not body of her own, and still technaly an alicorn she was sent here. But I had not grave for her. She just wonders the field for a few days, when we demand it was nasasrey to do something with her. That’s how we got this body. Born from the ground itself, one of the reasons I look like an earth pony.” Balance smiled as nightmare calm down a bit and looked up at Twilight and Luna

“when I met Balance, I was still full of so much hate for both of you, but, being here for 10,000 years, it gave me time to think” nightmare said smiling a little

“10,000 years!” Both Luna and Twilight screams, while it’s been a long time since the events of that night happened, no way in hell it was that long

“Twilight you know time is different here; in fact I control its passing. It would be boring to just wait for pony’s to die if we followed your time line. With nightmare, I slowed the passing of time here. And in that time, I gave her many things that she needed. That she longed for” Balance said looking back at nightmare that cleared her throat

“he gave me a place with enteral night, a night I was free to control, to craft and most importantly a night I owned by myself, but he gave me more. He found me a realm where not lonely was my night loved, but needed, a realm much like this one, with ponies and everything. In that realm there was not sun, and a damaged moon, I fixed it along with the sky. Everypony was so happy, it was everything I wanted.” Nightmare smiled, a real smile, not just a fake one

“It was everything I ever wanted or needed, after sometime though, I wanted to repay Balance for his kindness. That’s when I moved back here. I decided to help him take care of the graves, whiles it’s been hard work, and I found a new fondness for it. And after that, he became like a father to me” nightmare blushed a bit, clearly she had more than just friendly feelings for him, but at the moment she was just happy to be loved

Both Twilight and Luna could not believe what they just heard. Twilight looked other to Luna and could tell she was not lying. Luna could always tell if nightmare was laying, even when she and she shared the same bod so long ago, Luna just like the lies better, but this time it was all true.

“well, it’s getting late, and Nightmare still has a lot to do before she can head to bed” Balance smiled at nightmare before turning around “ you girls can caught up later, right now I am glad you both came, I need your help with some medicine I got from Zecora”

Nightmare wore a frown on her face as she huffed and walked off into the graveyard, shovel in tow, most likely to dig more graves and or other yard keeping. Twilight both looked at each with emotionless faces, both hoping this was just a strange dream, but alas it was not. Nightmare moon, trying to be friends? Her doing manual labor willingly? Zecora being not only fine, but blissful? There magic no longer working as well? What in hay is going on here? Is the same look and though they both shared as they followed Balance from the back yard to the front door.

“Now please keep your voices down, she is sleeping, even though she is on heavy pain killer’s right, and deep asleep, this medicine tends to burn. Zecora helped me apply it, but it still cased problems. I hope you two can help” Balance whispered to Twilight and Luna. They both nodded. Though they had no idea who or what was behind the door, they trusted Zecora enough to know the being must be hurt bad enough to look pass whatever it was and that was good enough for them to at least see for themselves, and to see what this “ family “ Balance has to put equestrian in danger

Balance places his hoof on the door and slowly and quietly pushed it open. Despite how the outside looked. The inside was quite different. The walled where covered in the same wood as the door. Bookshelves ran along a small hallway, candles hung on the walls, lite by magical blue fire. The floor was made of pinewood, tinted red. The home felt warm and inviting, unlike the dark graveyard surrounding it.

Twilight and Luna’s jaw dropped. This is not what they expected. It was like a cabin, a royal cabin none the less. They were expecting a dungeon like home, especially since Nightmare moon lived here, full of hate this place lacked. The only emotion they could think of was love. The whole house felt like pure love. Balance smiled and turned to them shutting the door.

“I know, not what you’re where expecting. But what can I say. I always liked the cabin style you ponies had and since it always seems gloomy outside, this was a nice change of pace”

Twilight and Luna just nodded in silence, not believing their eyes. If this was a dream, this just more or less proved it, how could this be real? It was like a nightmare and yet a loving dream all in one. They just followed balance as he walked down the hallway.

Along the way, they passed a door with Luna’s cutie mark on the door. Twilight and Luna looked at it as they walked passed it

“That’s my cutie mark! I am guessing that must be Nightmare moons room right?” Luna smiled a little

“Why yes it is Luna. She stays here most of her time now. Even though she does return to her kingdom now and then on weekends. She seems to spend most of her time here. I think it’s because she’s bored at the other place. Royal duties do weight on the mind. Taken care of the graveyard at first was my idea. But now she seems to enjoy it, though she still hates digging, but its part of the job” Balance laughed a little, remember how Nightmare was when she first started the job

“Now that I think about it. It does seem to give her time to think of things, I guess mostly new laws and such. But who really knows” Balance smiled as she continued to walk down the hallway passing a few different doors, until they reached the end of the hallway, a door standing in front of them.

The door had a strange mark on it, where Nightmare moons mark was. This was the cutie mark of Balance, but it was bright green, the bottom of the mark seemed to ooze and a green flame wrapped around the outside of the mark.

“Well this is our rooms” Balance said with a smile on his face as her slowly opened the door. Revealing to Twilight and Luna something that scared them more then Nightmare moon. To them this just becomes a worst nightmare then they ever thought.

Chapter 5: The Family

Chapter 5
The Family

The room was completely different from the others. The walls where made of a red stone that seemed to flow like water. Shining bright with a crimsons hue, pulsating and moving as if alive. The floor was made of black gem stone. It had a black shine to it like obsidian, but it was soft to the touch. Along the walls where more bookless, some full of books, others with pictures of different creatures. Some ponies, other dragons and still others of an unknown type. There was a bed off to the side of the room. The frame was made of red wood. A simple design but still very pretty. The top of the bed frame was shaped into waves, with a grave in the middle. Along the side of the bed on the lower frame had a flame design, chasing towards the end of the bed frame, which was a carved with a layout of the whole graveyard and the background was clearly the ever free forest.

In the middle of the room was a fireplace made of the same stone as the floor. Warmly lite with a green fire. Two arm chairs sat to the side and in the middle was a rug made of silk. It was a dark blue with a red trim. On top of the rug was a blanket, blended into a makeshift bed. A black lump lay atop of it. Slowly moving, clearly breathing, slowly and slight painful moans can be heard coming from it.

Twilight and Luna stepped closer, gaining a better view of what it really was. Bug light wings laid spread out around the blanket. A crooked horn was seeming coming from the head. Twilight and Luna stopped dead in their tracks. As they fully saw what the creature really was and they could not believe who it was.

“Queen Chrysalis!” they both yelled, quite loudly in fact. Balance moved quickly behind them and covered their mouths with his hooves

“Sash, I thought I told you to be quite, you don’t want to wake her.” Balance said with clear concern in his voice.

“But do you know who this is? What she is?” twilight began to explain, but was cut off by Balance

“Yes Twilight, I know who she is and what she is. And yes I know all about what happened in Canterlot years ago. But I don’t care, I never did. I accept who she is, no disguises, no love spells. We are a family and I need your help” Balance said point to Chrysalis’s body. There on her side was wrapped in bandages, green blood bled though the wraps, and from the amount of blood it was a bad injury.

“What happened?” Luna asked walking abet closer. The whole wedding thing never really bothered Luna, she often found a little funny that her sister got beating buy a bug and does remind her of it quite often. While Celestia was still sour over the even and the changelings, Luna always found them quite fascinating

“Before you came here Twilight, Chrysalis had found her way into my graves. I am not sure why she was near Ponyville but when I found her she was so skinny most likely do to not feeding or unable to feed. The wound on her side was quite bad. If I would have to guess she got it from a wild creature of some kind, maybe a dragon even.” Balance said as he walked over to a nearby table and grabbed a small jar of blue cream

“As I walked over to her I could tell something was wrong and not just physically either. She kept repeating over and over again “there all gone. I could not save them, not even one. It’s my entire fault.”

As Balance walked back to Twilight and Luna with jar in hoof he showed a sad expression on his face

“From what little I gathered I guess her hive was on the brink of starvation and I think it was attacked but that’s only a guess. Lucky Nightmare was with me at the time, she helped me move her into this house, though back then it was more of a small cave. While I know many things, healing magic and medicine is abetted lacking. I sent for Zecora as soon as I could, as she was the only ponies I knew who would not hold a grudge against changings”

“But her wounds should have healed by then right? I mean, couldn’t you just move her ahead in time or something? “Twilight questions slowly looking Chrysalis up and down, not sure why Balance never did that

“It was not that simple, I tried, trust me. Time would not move for her. While I could move time around her, she did not. It was very strange as that never happened before, but seeing as she was in dire need I did not question it much. Even the graves still have a mind of their own. “Balance said with a small giggle. Remember how everything came to be, it seems fate still had a few tricks up its sleeve.

“How long has she been out? I mean if I remember right changelings need to feed on love and if she really was in such a state them I am guessing she did not have long to live, so why does she look like she is at least well fed?” Luna asked. It was a great question. Even though Chrysalis was badly hurt she did look in fact well fed and not a starving creature as balance had said

“To answer your first question she has been like this for three mounts your time and bout here at least 6”

“That’s not possible! 6 mouths! She should be dead, and not to mention Zecora has only been gone for two” Twilight yelled, while quietly it was still a yell

“Well you see Twilight, I knew Changelings fed on love and I also knew that they heal while feeding, so when I found her the first thing I did was tried and get her to fed hoping that would heal her. At first she did not want to feed, probably still morning the loss of her hive, she most likely wanted to die. “Balance laughed abet “it’s ironic where she ending up. A graveyard of all places. But to continue and before you ask about how I even got her to feed I will tell you.” Balance said eyeing Twilight. She was in fact going to ask and it still scared her a little how balance kept answering her questions even before she asked them

“As you both know, the place is brimming with magic. While it does have the magic from everything buried here, it also has their memories, there experiences in life and most of all, every emotion they have ever felt while they were alive “balance said smiling a little

Twilight and Luna looked at each other with a dumbfounded look on their faces. This was more than they could ever guess. The graves and Balance himself seemed to break every law OD reality they knew. While Twilight was intrigued a little as she always liked learning and this place and him where alone worth at least six or more books worth of study, Luna seemed a little more worried. She knew many things and more than any pony knew about the graves. But this. It reminded her of an old pony tail she knew from her parents but that was impossible. It was just a tale after all. She was going to have to do some research later on this, but it still did not answer how Chrysalis was being fed

“Using a… well a curse really. I enchanted her. I made is so she could draw on the feelings of love that filled this land. Normally if a pony had this curse. It would drive them crazy. Always feeling the love and happiness of the falling. They would become addicted to this place, never moving, never leaving, while they did feel happiness, they would end up starving. A changeling on the other hand would never need to feed again. She being the Queen, she would have more control over how much to draw in and how to not over feed.”

“Wait. So you cursed her? But won’t she grow stronger the more she fed? How could you do that? With the love of Shining Armor alone, she was able to beat my sister. With this much love, she would become stronger then the elements and both my sister and is magic together!” Luna said glowing abet. This was something she was afraid of. If Chrysalis was to leave she would sully get revenge on all of Equestria.

“Normally yes. But like I said “Curse” as in it has a draw back. While yes she can draw power from this land and if she left. More than likely she could kill you all. But if you remember Luna, the extra love she fed on did double her power for every pony she fed on. This is not the case. The curse prevents her from going pass her limit in power. As is most likely at strong as you or your sister, but she can never go past that power. Even if she tried. While I am sure that upset her a bit, I did give her some good news before she passed out” balance said with a smile

Luna and Twilight sighed a little. Content in the fact that if she wanted to get revenge, the elements and the princess teamed up it would be more than a match for her.

“So what was the “good news” you told her before she passed out?” Twilight raised an eyebrow

“I told her that if she where it rebuild her hive here. The curse would forever be passed onto her children. Meaning they would never need to feel ever again, for as long as the graves stand, her and her children would never know the feeling for true hunger again” Balance smiled.

“So does that mean? If she does rebuild her hive. She would not need to feed on other ponies? So she would have no reason to take over Equestrian right?” Twilight looked over at Luna who was hoping the something

“Yes. She told me, sometime after she passed out, that after thinking it over. That is all she wanted, was her hive back and not having to worry about feeling them. Though she is still sad at the loss of her old hive.” Balance opened to jar of cream and placed a little on his hoof

“That night you saw me crying Twilight. And the grave I was in front of. I made for her falling hive. The tears where here. I let her channel her emotions of lost though me, it did help her to relax and come to terms of their passing”

“Wait. If she has been asleep this whole time how could she….?” Twilight said before, once again balance cut her off

“I can talk to her though her dreams and telekinesis. One of the many spells I know. While I am sure you, yourself Luna has the power to enter pony’s dreams and talk to them. You are not the first to do so. I am not sure what the spell is called now. But translated it’s called “dream diving” it was used in the pass to help ponies in comas and such talk to their love ones, among other uses.” Balance walked over to the sleeping queen and looked at Twilight and Luna

“Much has happened since we have begun talking. And one thing leads to another. And well, I will have her tell you when she gets better. But now the reason I want you to help me. Normally Nightmare would help. But this will be faster with you two. I need you both to hold her down while I apply the cream. Her body might still be damaged, she is a hoof full and you two holding her down will allow me to apply the rest of her medicine”

Twilight and Luna each placed there hooves on chrysalis’s body and pushed down slightly, enough to hold here in place. Balance removed her bandages to reveal a rather nasty looking wound. Her exoskeleton was broken and you could see the fibers of her muscles. Balance took all the cream in his hoof and rubbed the outside of the wound, and then he jams his hoof into her wound, cutting it a bit on the edge of her exoskeleton. His blood poured into the wound and along with the cream slowly started to heal up and close.

Chrysalis’s body started to shack violently. Twisting in all kind of unnatural ways. Twilight and Luna placed all their weight onto her body, pinning her to the floor as chrysalis let out an unholy howl. This howl was full of pain and sorrow. Twilight and Luna could feel the unwanted emotions being forced into their minds. Feeling as they were about to pass out for the over powering emotions Balance places his hooves around her neck and brings Chrysalis into a deep loving hug. He kisses her on the lips and says to her

“Hush now, little one. I am here, as I have always been and always will be. The lost you have suffered, please no longer feel. It is I would will always love you. And please know, you will never be alone, never again”

Almost instantly, chrysalis stopped shaking and fell limp. Two tears ran from her eyes as she opened them. The powering emotion of pain and sorrow was quickly replaced with warmth. The feeling of pure love now filled the room as Twilight and Luna began to relax.

“My love?” chrysalis asked weakly.

“Yes, Little one?” balance answer in a very feminine tone. This surprised Twilight and Luna a little. They thought Balance was a boy, but he is showing such a feminine aspect they both where no longer sure. The tone in Balance voice was kind and caring. It was kinder then Fluffyshys voice, compared to balance, Fluffershy sounded more like the old Nightmare moon.

“I am sorry to have burdened you for all this time. I am...” chrysalis was about to say more when balance cut in

“Hush now my love. You would never burden me, and you know how I feel. Please do not worry any more. You are going to be fine. In a day or so, you will be up and about.” Balance said kindly

Chrysalis blushed and little and lied her head back down. She looked over to see Twilight and Luna staring at them awakrly in fact.

“What?” chrysalis growled at them?

“It’s nothing. Just you don’t seem like the same pony form all though years ago” Twilight spoke up

“Well time changes everypony, even me. But I did not forget what happened at the wedding all though years ago. I should hate you, but I can’t. Not now at least. I am sorry for what I did to you and your brothers “wife” though” chrysalis said still with some venom in her voice

“Thank you and I am sorry for what happened to your hive after wards. I wish it turned out differently, then nothing this would have happened” Twilight said, starting to cry a little.

“It’s ok, twilight sparkle. While I wish it would have turned out differently as well. If it never happened, then I would not have met my love” Chrysalis said turning to balance and kissed him on the lips

“As I have come to learn, fate has a way of turning things right” chrysalis said with a smile

Twilight smiled back and nodded. Indeed fate was strange. But Twilight would not have it any other way. All her friends where happy and she was glade it turned out this way.

“Well now. Chrysalis, since you are awake, and after we have talked for so long in the depths of your mind. I have a question for you?” balance said as he walked over to a small desk in the corner and pulled out a tiny wooden box and brought it back to chrysalis

“While this is not my tradition, I have come to learn it is very common. Chrysalis, my love. While we have not talked in person for a long time, but though our minds we have bonded. Closer than ever do I know the real you. As you know the real me. I have shown you my past. Who I am and what I always was. You still accepted me, loved me for who I really am. And as you know and can feel. I love you as you are. No false forms. No love spells. Just you. What you are. And who you are. You are the only one I love. And I would like to make us a family. You and me. Chrysalis?” balance asked getting on one knee

“Will you do me the honor of being my wife, my mate and my family?” balance opened to box to reveal a silver banded ring, with a crimson gem in the middle. The gem moved around as is made of liquid; it was in fact made of blood. A gem made of pure blood

Chrysalis broke down in tears and hugged balance tightly

“YES! I will” Chrysalis said bowing her head.

Balance placed the ring on to her horn. The ring let out a small howl and slid right to the bottom of her horn. Balance looked her to Twilight and Luna with a smile

“Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna of Equestria. I would like to introduce you to the new Queen Chrysalis Haka”

Luna and Twilight looked at each other “Haka?”

“Yes, that’s my last name.” Balance said with a smile

Luna knew she had heard that work before. But for the life her she could not remember where. For the time it pushed it to the back of her mind and bowed, along with Twilight as the new couple kissed.

Nightmare moon walked in just as balance and chrysalis ended there kiss

“I see your awake Chrysalis; it’s good to see in the land of the living. While land of the graves” nightmare said with a small giggle, she looked at chrysalis’s ring on her horn

“Wow is that a real blood gem? Those are rare. How did you get one?” nightmare asked as she looked over at balance

“Well nightmare, I gave it to her as a wedding ring. We just got married and she is now my wife. I hope this does not bother you” balance said sheepishly

“Bother me? What bothers me is why did she get s blood gem?! You know I wanted one1” nightmare said jokingly

Balance smiled, and looked at chrysalis, she nodded and balance stood up and walked back to the desk from before and took out another box, this time, the box was abet bigger

“Nightmare moon. For a long time I have knowing you have been alone. While your kingdom loves you and I know you love them. You still long for something missing. After sometime and talking with chrysalis. I have come to ask you a very important thing. Will you. Nightmare moon. Like to become our daughter. To become one of the Haka family? You are everything I could want in a daughter. And I know chrysalis, while she will have her hive, she would like to have you as her daughter as well. To forever be part of a loving family” balance said opening the box.

Inside the box was a necklace, the band made of silver. It was full of gems; all of them blood gems of different sizes

Nightmare fell to the ground on her flank. Tear running down her eyes. After everything that has happened to her. A family was one thing she never thought she would have. A real family.

“Yes, I would love to be part of this family” nightmare smiled as balance placed the necklace around nightmares neck. It morphed around her, and became fused with her armor.

Balance smiled “this blood gem, it is my sign of our family. Made from my blood and crafted from the magic of this place. Nightmare Moon. Welcome to the family, my daughter” he said with a big smile and wrapped his arms around Nightmare moon. Chrysalis smiled and weakly got up and walked over to them, wrapping them in a loving embrace.

Nightmare moon, sobbed a little, and whispered to them “I love you, mom and dad” the words felt strange to nightmare and felt so right at the same time

Twilight and Luna looked at each other and whispered
“While this is touching, this is dangerous. Two of equestrai’s biggest treats are now a family along with this unknown pony, who I can only guess is just as strong as they are. My sister will not like this. Not at all.” Luna said very concern

“While this is true. It does seem like they are happy. Maybe this is a good thing?” Twilight smiled looking over at the now loving family

“I hope your right twilight. Let’s just try and make sure my sister knows that. She is still abetting sore about what happened at the wedding. And she can hold a grudge for a long time” Luna said very worried

“This is very touching and everything, but Twilight and I need to be getting back. I need to tell my sister that we found Zecora and the events that have happened.” Luna said to balance

“Yes this is true; you have a duty to perform. I ask that if your sister has any questions, please send a massager pony, I will grant safe travel for them if they wish to talk about anything” balance with a smile, as he walked to the door

“I would walk you out, but I think you should know the way. I have linked this door back to the ever free forest. When you leave her, you will be just outside of Ponyville. Thank you for all that you have done, and I hope we can be friends” balance said with a smile

“You’re welcome, and yes I hope we can be friends as well. Good bye balance, and it is nice to see the you and Nightmare moon are finally happy” Twilight said with a smile

Both Luna and Twilight walked through the door. Balance closed it and walked back to his new family, dropping to the floor and sighed

“What’s wrong dad?” nightmare asked, the word “dad” still a little strange to her

“Fate. She is a funny bitch sometimes” Balance said laughing

“I guess she is. Let’s hope this new friendship is worth it my love” Chrysalis said with a smile

“It will little one, I just hope the truth does not hurt damage her too much” balance said, now speaking back in the very female type voice

“Why do you put on this farce Balance, we all know the truth, why not just drop the act and show them who you really are?” a strange voice said from the ceiling

Balance looked over to a flower pot in the corner and spoke to it

“Because my friend, first off, what fun would that is? And second, it’s not there time, there are even something’s you can’t miss with” balance said smiling

The flower pot started to morph, slowly tokening the shape of a strange creature. This creature was made up of many kinds of animals and spoke in a sarcastic tone

“You were always one who could see though my disguises. By the way, comrades on the new wife and daughter, it’s about time you settled down” the creature said smiling

“Well it took one hell of a pony to make it possible discord” balance said smiling at chrysalis.

“Shut up, discord!” chrysalis said with a blush while nightmare laughed at her new mother’s embarrassment

“Well since I am here, we should caught up” discord said floating in the air around the new family, summon a glass of tea from nowhere

“Yes, that would be nice” balance said

The night continued on in the graves. The new family enjoying the stories discord had to tell and sharing news of events pasted it truly was a great night.

Chapter 6: The Task

Chapter 6
The Task

Twilight and Luna where walking home from the Ever Free forest, talking about everything that has happened

“So what is the plan Luna?” Twilight asked as they got closer to Ponyville

“Well Twilight, if What Chrysalis and balance said is true, and then this turned out better than I had hoped. We still need the graves to move though, but other than that it seems like we have nothing to fear.” Luna smiled

“I agree, but we will still have to tell Princess Celestia. I am sure she would be happy to know things will be alright” Twilight said with a blissful smile as they reached Twilights house

“Sure Twilight, I am sure my sister will be happy” Luna said with unease in her voice.

“Well I am off to tell me sister, you have a good night Twilight” Luna smiled and flew back to the castle

Twilight waved goodbye and entered her home for a nice long rest.

Back at the castle, Princess Celestia was sitting a small room filled with maps and charts. The room was dank and dim. It was once the old war room, now long since used. Princess Celestia was writing a letter when a knock came at the door.

“Princess, your sister has returned and would like to meet with her in the private dining room” a guard said though the door

“Thank you” Celestia said back as she walked out of the room, letter in hoof.

The privet dinning was covered in marble walls, two stain glass windows and an old wooden table from there old castle. This is where celestia and Luna ate there meals and had privet meetings for just them. As Celestia walked to the dining hall she hoped the news was not as bad as she thought.

“Welcome sister” Luna said already setting in her chair. Celestia sat down and smiled

“Welcome back Luna, I am glad to see you safe. So how did everything go?”

Luna spent the next few hours explaining everything that happened. Including the news of Chrysalis and Balance getting married

“I see.” Celestia said thinking over everything she had heard. While Luna was quite pleased at the turn of events, celestia however was not

“So sister. I believe this will be good for equestria. I believe they mean no harm and if we can have a treaty between the changelings and us it will surely be beneficial for both parties and since they no longer need to feed on love, they pose no threat to us” Luna said with a smile

“This is true, but one cannot change the past Luna. Even if they have changed, they still attacked two princess and you know the penalty for that is death.” Celestia explained in a cold tone

“But sister! Can we not look past what has happened and move on? I mean even Cadence forgave them. She knew Chrysalis was only doing what was best for her hive.” Luna said pleading with her sister

Celestia sat there for a minute thinking it over

“I will give it some thought Luna that is all I can promise”

“Thank you sister that is all I ask” Luna said with a smile

The rest of the even was filled with random chat and updates on day court. The sun was going down and each sister bid each other a good night. Celestia returned to her bedroom and lied down on her bed before summoning a guard

On of celestia’s guards entered the rooms “yes my princess?”

“I need you to go and summon Shining Armor.” Celestia ordered and the guard nodded and left the room

About 2 minutes later Shining Armor entered the room

“You summoned me Princess?” Shining asked

“Yes. I have been informed that Chrysalis has been found inside of the fog in the Ever Free Forest. I need you and your best Colts to bring her here. She is to face Judgment for the crimes she has done.”

“But Princess? I have to still agree with Cadence. She should be forgiven” Shining said

“Do you question your Princess?” Celestia yelled

“No my Princess” Shining said sadly

“Good. Now make sure to bring her to the Throne room. And her take this” Celestia said handing Shining a small black ring

“Wearing this ring will not only protect your magic while in the fog. It wills also surprises all magic around you. The ring will only work until you return back here. Now leave and be quick” Celestia ordered

Shining left the room quickly. The way Celestia was acting was strange, but he could not question an order. Celestia returned to her bed with a grin on her face, saying to herself

“Soon Chrysalis, you will pay for what you did” Celestia’s eye lite up in a faint red before returning to their normal shade.

“Alright troops, listen up! By orders or Princess Celestia we are here to bring back the changeling Queen known as Chrysalis. We dint know what we will find beyond this veil of fog, let alone what is guarding the Queen now, so watch each other’s backs. If you split off from the team, we will assume you are a changeling and kill on sight” Shining told his small pluton of troops.

All of his troops agreed and slowly entered the fog. It was but a short walk until they found themselves deep in the graves. As they marched forward, shining was thinking about what Celestia said and wondered if his wife would forgive him for what he was about to do.
So they arrived upon Balance’s home, shining told his troops to watch the door. As he entered the home he was shocked at what he found. It was a very cozy home, pictures of balance and Chrysalis covered the walls, painting a very happy family photo. As shining walked closer to the den he know that this was not right and prayed to Celestia that he did not have to do this, to ruin another pony’s happiness, even if it was Chrysalis, but orders where orders.

Lying in the den by a warm fire, slept Chrysalis. Shining slowly crept up upon Chrysalis with the black ring around his horn, Chrysalis slowly woke up.

“Shining? What are you doing here?” Chrysalis asked while wiping her eyes and slowly standing up

A tear ran down Shining’s cheek as he light his horn up

“I am so sorry Chrysalis, I am really am.” Shining Cried as he shot a blot of magic at Chrysalis

“Sorry for wh…?” is all that Chrysalis could say before the blot hit her square in the chest. Chrysalis felt a sharp pain from the shot and a slow numbing from her hooves to her head as she slowly passed out. The last thing Chrysalis saw before her blackout was shining in full blown tears.

Shining lifted Chrysalis up with his magic and walked towards the door, but stopped before he opened it.

“I hate this! So much, but if any good can come of this, then I will make sure it does. Celestia is not herself, this I know, but there is little I can do. From what I heard from Luna and Celestia talking before, Chrysalis has truly changed and found love. Cadence would have my head if I did anything to ruining true love, so I have but one choice and let’s hope it works”

Shining used a little magic and pulled out a scroll and a quill. Writing a note on it and placed it by the door as he left.

The note simple read as followed:

Dear Chrysalis’s mate

I am regretting to inform you that your mate has been taken to Canterlot by order of Princess Celestia. I fear she plans on killing her, please hurry. The Princess is not well and I fear she may live to regret this action if she goes through with it. Please hurry!

Signing,

Shining Armor.