The Piebald diaries

Celestias guards came to town asking if we've seen her sister. My gut told me to tell them no, but I had a feeling the word of a teenage colt wouldn't be enough for them, so I ran for Twilights house tree. They had Lunas chariot hidden away in the Everfree forest, so they probalby wouldn't find it, but still. When I told Twilight, Lunas guards pleaded with her not to tell, and that she would know everything once Princess Luna had awoken. She had been asleep for three days now, but her wounds had been healing, the guards told me. They thanked me for my help and asked me to tell them anything else that would help. I swore that I would do what I could. After I left, Scootaloo confronted me again about why I was there. She doesn't believe me when I tell her that I'm just making sure the princess has everything she needs to recover. She demanded to know why or else she would break up with me. I didn't, I COULDN'T tell her, so she broke up with me. It hurt, but I had to do it. The princess matters more than any relationship I have going on right now. I'm sure I'll feel more pain later, but right now? Right now I have my duty for my princess.

Winter has begun in Ponyville, and with it came Princess Lunas awakening. She told us about how she found out what her sister had been doing for the past 1000 years. A few hundred years after she had banished Luna to the moon for trying to usurp the thrown, Celestia had begun to ensure that would never happen again. She instigated a war between the griffons and dragons, ensuring that the griffins would never become a threat and sent somepony to kill anypony who got used to the truth. Each one of the Twilights best friends was there, and they were all as shocked as I was, especially Twilight, who had been the personal student to the princess. She began to cry and would have continued if Fluttershy hadn't gone into labor at that very second. It was... messy. I was told to find any old sheets that I saw lying around. Big Mac was right next to her the whole time, helping her get through it. Twilight used all of her knowledge on the topic and Rainbow Dash fainted... twice. By the end of it, Princess Luna decided to give up Twilights bed. I admit that I saw somethings that I really wish I hadn't, but their child was beautiful. It was a small mare, apple red with Fluttershys pink hair. She was a pegasus. When I asked what they were going to name her, they both looked at each other and then their new mare and said simultaneously "Apple Blossom". They both smiled as they felt what I think was a surge of pride and happiness. With all the worries we've had, the new life brought in a tree seemed like the last great victory in a coming storm.

I don't have long! Celestias guards have found us! Spike is outside holding them off, but we are unsure of how long he can do it. The guards demanded entrance after they heard Luna yell in her sleep. Spike slipped out to explain the situation, but they didn't believe him. He may be twice as big as he used to be, but that won't mean much against the might of Celestias army. So unless he can find something to hoard fast, we're sunk. We are currently walking in a tunnel beneath Twilights home. It had been only a few days since Lunas recovery, and I was happy to see her back on her hooves once again. Twilight, Big Mac and all the others are with us. I'm only with them because I happened to be visiting the princess at the time. I hear banging on the door and yelling to bust it down. I also see what looks like tears on Raritys face. Twilight says that we're not moving fast enough, and Big Mac agrees apparently, so he handed his sister Apple Blossom and placed Fluttershy on his back. We all started running for what seems like miles. I think it was, because by the time we were outside, Ponyville was so small. The only reason I was able to tell where we were was because I saw a huge purple dragon being attacked by a swarm of dots of what I assumed was Celestias pegasus squadrons. I didn't think he had hoarded anything, but I just occured to me: Rarity. I might get more philosophical than I'd like, but he grew because the more he thought about what he wanted to do most, the more he got it, and the more he got it, the more he wanted it. And what he wanted to do most of all at this very second was to protect Rarity. I don't consider myself a sensitive colt, but I shed a tear when it dawned on me. I looked over to Twilight and Rarity and found out that they were weeping. We were all crying at least a little bit. Even Big Macintosh and Princess Luna. Things changed today, and I don't think they will ever return to the way they were.

It's been over a year since we fled from Ponyville. I turned 17 as we traveled. We've been doing our best to rally support, but it's been slow going with out us showing the Princess to tell her story. But that's about to change. There was a unicorn named FancyPants that gave us a chance. He met us in an ally, saying that if we can get enough ponies to believe our story, he'll back us. I don't know who he is, but Rarity trusts him, and if she trusts him then so do I. He gave us an abandoned warhouse to tell our story and started to use underground channels to spread the word. I'm not sure what kind of ponies he attracted to show up to our "sermon" for like of a better term, but if we can get enough ponies to believe us, it will go a long way to bringing Celestia to justice. I'm the one they use as a scout for guards, since Princess Celestia doesn't really know who I am in the least. That will also help. I find myself wondering what Scootaloo is doing and how she's doing. I know we'll ever get back together, but, strangely, I'm alright with that. Besides, even if we did find each other, I might only get her caught in the cross fire. Rainbow Dash decided to be the one to teach Apple Blossom how to fly, but it's been slow going. Maybe she's shy like her mother, or maybe she's just too young. I dunno. Hopefully, by the end of the night, we'll have more support. FancyPants said he wouldn't protect us if all we did was get caught. I don't blame him. He's got a lot riding on this.

The seminar was more successful than we could have hoped, but not for the reasons we all thought. The princess told her story to almost a thousand ponies. About what Celestia had done and had tried to do to her. They didn't believe us. At least, not until the guards came. They came in the traditional golden armor and demanded our arrest. I was kept behind the scenes so they wouldn't find me. I understand why, but I'm getting tired of running. At an rate. After they demanded our surrender, the crowd turned on them. I'm pretty sure they would killed them had Princess Luna not stopped them. I guess she wants to end his with as little bloodshed as possible. I don't blame her. After we tied the soldiers up, Luna told all of the ponies who had sided with us to try to rally support, but quietly. She finished by saying that she was not interested in a full blown war. I hope that's possible. With all the hay that's going to be flying in the future, I really hope we're able to bring Celestia to justice without a prolonged conflict... I guess the tutoring that Twilight's been giving me has sunk into the way I write. Applejack recommended that we take shelter in Appaloosa. She has family there, she said. Weirdly enough, Rainbow Dash seemed especially receptive to this idea. I wonder why.

We've made it to Appaloosa. I admit that when I got here, we all dog tired. AJ was right, though. They treated us like family there, and the respite was well needed. We do have to work for our keep though. Not a problem for me, seeing as how Big Mac taught me how to work a farm pretty well. I'm almost as big as he is now. We've been here for three days now. Apple Blossom has begun to try to fly for real now. Rainbow Dash won't leave it alone in the least. She's been particularly interesting lately. Not that I'm attracted to her, but she's just been contributing more. For example, the other day she flew over to the Buffalo tribe with Luna to tell them of our "plight" as she put it. Last night at supper, Braeburn, AJs cousin, finally asked us why we, ALL of us, was here. Applejack explained what the situation was and what happened between the royal sisters. Braeburn was shocked speechless. The rest of our dinner was quiet. It wasn't until morning when he told us that we had to leave town before we got anypony hurt. I guess, since he was sheriff now, the safety of his town was his highest priority. I couldn't blame him for wanting to protect his own. Rainbow Dash finally returned with Luna and said that the Buffalo would side with us. A little good news in a sea of doubt, I guess. He laso decided to let Fluttershy stay for the duration of the conflict. She and Big Mac had a fight about that, well as much of a fight that Fluttershy could get into. All Big Mac wanted to do was protect her, and I can relate. I, too have something that I'm here to protect. We hardly had anything to pack, except some books and some food that Braeburn gave us. He was also able to reserve us a private train cart, which was nice. It's where I'm writing from now, waiting for it to depart to a small, kind of obscure train stop. Then I saw something wierd. As everypony entered the train, Rainbow Dash took longer to say goodbye to Braeburn. We were all watching them, even Princess Luna, who had, for some reason or another, decided to sit next to me. Then we were shocked... Braeburn and Rainbow KISSED!!!! We all had no idea what had just happened. After that we all looked at her until AJ finally asked her "What in tarnation was that?" to which Rainbow answered "We've been doing long distance since that family reunion you invite us to a few years ago. Deal with it." She sat down next to Twilight and proceeded to fall asleep. We were all dumbfounded (another Twilight word) as she did it. AJ was just shocked. No other word for it.

I am currently writing out of boredom now. Everypony else is asleep. Big Mac was sitting alone, half-awake half asleep. Twilight is KOed with a book on her face. AJ is mumbling something in her sleep resembling "No, Braeburn, Don't! She ain't the right mare fer ya!" I laughed because I find it amusing. Rarity is also asleep. I think she's having a nightmare because I can hear her whispering Spike. Spike was in love with her, but since he was dragon and not a pony, I kind of wondered how that would work. Would Twilight have been able to figure something out? I vaguely remember her saying something about Star Swirl the bearded dabbling in transmutation. Her book on obscure unicorn history was one of the books she was able to bring with her. Pinkie Pie was snoring. I've slept through worse, though. In fact, I had been asleep only a few minutes ago. I woke up. And then I go to the princess, who is asleep on my shoulder. I think I'm blushing. She's the most beautiful mare I've ever seen. Her eyes were like the full moon reflecting in a pure, untampered pond. Her mane was as though somepony had placed the night sky in it. Her coat reminds me of sapphires of the highest caliber. I wonder if she would have gone evil if she had simply had somepony to love. I notice that she's shivering so I very carefully reach for a blanket above our heads. I tuck her in as well as I can and she smiles slightly and cuddles up more to my shoulder. I think my heart may have just exploded. I'm happy that everypony is asleep because my face is probably the most vibrant shade of red to than has ever existed. I think I should maybe put up my pencil and journal before anypony, and by that I mean Luna, wakes up. I know this moment has to end sooner or later, so I smile content and bask in my good fortune.

We've been on the run for the past month since we left Appeloosa. Fancypants sent us a message via messenger bird saying that he has made contact with the Buffalo and the others followers of Luna. I wouldv'e killed to have seen his face upon meeting the buffulo. Seriously. Before I go on, I want to say what happened when Luna woke up on my shoulder When she woke up, first she looked around and then noticed her on my shoulder. She blushed and her face turned purple (red and blue makes purple, I guess) and sat straight up. Big Mac was the only one who saw us together like that. I couldn’t get a good read on his expression, but he looked like he was trying to keep a bad poker face. As we exited the train, I swore I saw the Princess smiling wryly. Sweet mother of Celestia, I hope it was about earlier. Soon after we left the train, we went to get some lunch at the train station. We were all starving, even Rarity, who tried to act "like a lady" and deny it. Then we all heard her stomach growl and all laughed. Maybe it was because we were all so emotionally strung out from being on the run for over a year, but it was the first real laugh any of us had shared in a long while. It felt good. It really did. As we ate some wild fruits, we discussed our next move and decided on taking a route through the mountains. Rarity adamantly opposed it, but we all saw that coming from a mile away. To avoid suspicion, we've decided to split up into separate groups to help avoid detection. Big Mac is kind of unknown, so unless they were briefed in depth, Celestias guards won't really know what their looking at if they do see him. The teams are Twilight, Rainbow, AJ, and Big Mac and the two guards, and then Me, Luna (YES!!!!!), and Rarity. I hope I'll be able to help Rarity with Spike. He meant more to her than anypony else. Both teams are to take a different route to a town called Foalboken. It's not a big town, and ponies usually say that town is a myth. It isn't, it just isn't well known. At any rate, we're camping in the woods now. I offered to take first watch, so that Luna and Rarity could sleep more. It's what I was just doing. Also, we got lost a couple times. Anyway, As I was watching out, Luna flew into the tree I was watching in. I did my best not to look into her eyes, because if I did, my poker face would surely melt away from gazing upon the stars in her eyes. We spoke for what seemed like only a few minutes, though in truth it was a few hours, about what we'll do after this whole thing is over. I talked about acting as a scout for her army. I can't go back to the farm life, I think. Once I get acclimated to a certain way of living I can't ever go back fully to the way things were. It's one of the reasons I never stopped working with Big Mac. She asked if I had a special somepony to come back home. I told her about Scootaloo and me and what happened. She apologized and said it was her fault. I told her not to worry about it and that I've been currently considering other... prospects. Even though the only source of light was coming from the moon, I would have sworn I saw her blushing. I then changed the topic to something less interesting and there we sat until morning. I am dog-tired right now, so I think I'll go to sleep for the next little while.

I awoke that morning with a start. I sleep like a rock, but if something disturbs me, I wake up surprisingly easy. I saw Rarity scrambling around the camp, making what looked like a black utility suit. It looked like it had a whole lot of compartment meant for something small, but a lot of that something. Then I see her levitate a few large clusters of gem stones of various colors. Then it finally hit me: She was going to war. I startled her as I asked her what she was doing. All she tells me is that she's going to take care of some business in another town. I point out the razor blade jewels and she obviously lies through her teeth when she answers that they're for an ensemble she's making. I ask her why she's going alone and she lies still, stating that the client needs to be met alone. I decide to drop it, but make one last request: that she write an entry of it in my journal. She sighs and takes it from my saddle bag. As she walks away, all business, she tells me something that I don't think I'll ever forget. Something that I think she knows more than any other pony in Equestria. She told me not to give up on the princess, because Spike didn't give up on her. No matter what.

Noble Spirit requested that I catalog my quest in his diary. I was honored to oblige the young earthpony. He may have a thought of what I intend to do, but he has no idea of what I really aim to accomplish here. The other night, I noticed something strange: I saw a golden glimmer reflect moonlight. Curious, I followed to see what had been the cause. It had been the exquisite golden armour of the Canterlot Royal Guard. Since I was in black, always in style and as stealthful as can be, I took a moment to listen to what they had to say. I had overheard them speak of a dangerous prisoner captured a few months ago. This piqued my interest, so I stayed. As I listened further, I payed attention to every detail, no matter how minor. For what seemed like an eternity, I heard them speak of naught but crude things like "Play Colt" and "Mares Gone Wild". I was disgusted in every sense of the word and was about to give up and leave. It was then that I heard them say that they had a captured dragon. Was it Spike? My mind raced with thoughts of how this could be! I thought I had seen him fall during our escape. He must be saved! My heart ached as I realized what they must have done to him in there torture chambers. Rage then replaced my hurt. He must be rescued! I stealthfully and gracefully snuck my way back to camp where Spirit and Luna were sleeping, an idea had come to mind. I emptied my purse of all the gems I possessed and began to modify outfit to be both fabulous and functional. I began to sharpen my jewels into an arsenal of lovely death. Spike would be saved this night. And if not, he would, as Celestia as my witness, be avenged one hundred fold! And as that thought entered my mind, I realized that Celestia could no longer be the object of our admiration. I looked at Luna and smiled. She had begged for forgivness after being purged of the evil that had plagued her. Equestrias night time guardian. She tried so hard to make amends over the eight years she had been back. And even though there were still those who feared her, she still strove to protect her subjects. A true princess. And then there was Noble Spirit who, in every sense of the word, deserved his name. The princesses knight in shining armour. He thought I was asleep the whole time on that train, but as he was sleeping, I woke up and saw the princess upon his broad shoulders. They reminded me of Spike and I. He tries so hard to hide his feelings, but fails. It is plain as day how he feels about her.
As I left the encampment in the early morning, before the sun had even arisen, I strode to where I had seen the entrance the night prior. Under normal circumstances, I would be tired beyond compare. But my mission was my strength as I had been Spikes. I saw two guards there, the same crude guards I had seen the other night, evident by the voices. I approached them and as they questioned why I was there, I answered with a ruby to each of their throats. "I'll let myself in, thank you," I uttered as I entered the dungeon to rescue my beloved. All the times I had rejected him, I had secretly been waiting for him to be old enough for me. It was a harsh pain. The age difference AND the fact that he aged much slower than I. It was tantamount to watching a beautiful diamond come close to you, only to be pulled back twice as fast as it had been coming. To having the chest that held the most beautiful jewel ever, but not possessing the key to open it. He was the kindest being in Equestria and treated me like the lady I had so desperately wanted to be. He deserved better than me. But he would never give up. He would wait to the end of time and follow me to the ends of Equestria, even if it meant simply standing by my side. But soon, oh so soon, I would see him again and I would beg for his forgiveness.
Guards came and went, and I did my best to avoid detection by the brutes. The few who did see me met an early fate at the tip of an emerald dagger I had kept in my mouth. Each gem went back into my suit pockets. Such beauty shant be wasted, afterall. Eventually, I had walked into a barracks of royal guards by bad luck... for them. "How quaint," I stated, fully knowing what was about to happen. With but a thought, I sent a vortex of beautiful death flying towards each and everyone of the colts. Saphires became a deeper violet and rubies became a darker shade of scarlet. The few that had managed to fire off their blasts missed extravagantly. I was an unstoppable force of devine death. Eventually, I had passed through the interrogation chambers. Brutal, crude and uncouth, my princess. There were ponies, dragons, and griffons of every race. To my horror, I saw Fancypants. His body was mangled and bloody and broken as though they had tortured him for information until his mind was gone, and then killed him as a mercy. The kindest unicorn in Canterlot, our first ally and the noble who was the savior of my friends from Canterlot elite, and my dear friend, dead at the hands of our princess, the butcher. I wept like a small filly as I saw his coat, covered in crimson blood. I kneeled over his body and cried like a foal. Celestia WILL pay for this! It was at that moment when I heard my salvation. His voice came from the other side of the room and was sweeter to me than the finest honey and more precious than even the largest gems. But when I had turned, it was not the expected scaly face I loved, but a green mane with a purple coat. I simply whispered the word no as I stared for what seemed like aeons at the unicorn trapped there. I wept once more when I heard five words leave his mouth. "Hey, Rarity. I missed you."

I was in a state of pure shock when I saw him like that. My Spikey Waikey, once a magnificent and powerful dragon, now a unicorn. My mind raced at what could have transformed him. He had been captured over a year ago now, but how could this have happened? I had finally asked as I looked into his beautiful emerald eyes. He told me that it was Celestia who did this. After we had left ponyville, Princess Celestia had appeared and used her magic to reduce Spike to his natural size. He told me that he had endured the worst tortures and the harshest punishments but would not break. His dragon scales protected him from the worst of it. Eventually, Celestia addressed this problem. She appeared before him and began speaking of permanent transmutation spells, first pioneered by Star Swirl the bearded over a thousand years ago, and proceeded to turn him from a formidable dragon, to a powerless, and much more easy to torture, unicorn. He had cuts all over his body, from his mane, to his tail. His face had been beaten bloody and it had clotted his fur. He wept as he told me that he had never, not once, stopped thinking of me and my eyes. And how he knew I would save him. Had he not been in such a terrible state, I would have been elated. My Spike, now a handsome Unicorn. He told me that his love for me became his strength, and even when he was turned from dragon to pony, he stood tall, not once surrendering to her. I wept again as the words left his mouth. I told him I would get him out of here, no matter what the cost. And then he told me that the princess was still here, and that it was a trap! As he finished speaking, an explosion blew through the wall next to us. "Miss Rarity," the butcher princess had said expectantly. She had planned this. All of this. Everything that had happened to us. The death of a dear friend, the loss everything we knew. It was all her fault! Righteous fury flowed through my vienes as I brought out every last jewel at my disposal, intent on killing the monster. Using my magic over the gems, I unleashed my fury upon her. She would die this day for what she had done to FancyPants and to Spike!
"Ahhhhhhhh!" I let out a scream, a battle cry as I sent death to the tyrant! I charged at her, a vortex of precious stones surrounding me. She would be eviscerated for her sins! But with every attack, she moved out of the way. "You won't escape me, Celestia!! I shall end you for what you have done!!" I ran at her again and again, but it was all for naught. She unleashed a wave of her own magic at me, slamming me against the prison walls, knocking me out cold and sending me falling to the cold, bloody floor.
I awoke in chains. "I had thought a companion of my ex-pupil would have been smart enough not to fall for such an obvious trap. Apparently, I was wrong." She had said arrogantly. "I would have thought that you would have been happy to see Spike like this. The young dragon would not stop talking about you and your infallible generosity, and that you would come to save him, no matter what." I could only listen as she began to explain her actions. "You think me a monster, don't you?" What I desired to say was 'Really? However did you come by that idea?' but she must have put a magic seal on my mouth, for the words would not be spoken. "I did what I had to in order to protect Equestria. To think my dear sister would think herself infallible after what she had done all those centuries ago. But perhaps she justifies herself by saying she did not harm anypony else in her brief bid for power." She turned around, grabbing what looked like a knife meant for her brutal interrogations. "She is a fool to think our worlds peace did not depend on the bloodshed of others. The near genocide of the griffons as they were about to make war on everypony in Equestria. Pitting the splintered and ununited dragons against them. I stepped in to stop their whole sale slaughter in a bid to end the war that I had caused. But, I suppose as the watchpony of the night, she felt a duty to protect her subjects from the darkness." She walked ever closer to me as I felt my heart beating out of my chest. I had never felt fear like this before. Pure trepidation and horror at what she might do to me replaced the earlier fury that had been coursing through my body. "FancyPants was a friend of mine, but you, of course, had to get him involved. He was a paragon of what the upper classes should be. And in his treason that YOU caused, Rarity, he died, believing that I was better off dead." She took a brief pause and gave an evil smile, "And now? Now you will tell me where my sister and her companions are, or else something might happen to your, now powerless, Spike. I DID turn him into a unicorn for a reason, Miss Rarity. I would imagine that adjusting to life without hands would be difficult, so I gave him magic, which is something that I can, and have in the past, stop cold. Though if you tell me, my little pony, you both will be able to lead a life together in Canterlot. I'll erase your memory of this whole ordeal, and everything could be as it was. Minus Spike being a dragon, of course. Think of it. All your friends back home, living happily ever after, never knowing of the secret atrocities I have committed to protect them all." She lifted the anti-talking spell on me and then finished her speech, "Well? What do you say?"
All I could do was think back at all he have sacrificed. FancyPants could not be brought back to life, but Spike and I, living together happily in Canterlot as a family, truly in love. We could be together now. To have and to hold. A single tear fell from my indigo eyes. I wish I could say that I did not falter, but I cannot for I wanted with all my heart to accept her offer. To say yes and to finally start a life with my noble Spike, but I know that Spike would not want it this way. Too bad for him. I wasn't going to lose him again. As Luna as my witness, I would never let that happen to my dear Spike again! I simply nodded as I looked at my love next lying asleep next to me. "Alright, Princess. We have a deal."
"Excellent," she smiled evilly at me. She was cruel and sinister, but she knew what leverage to use against me. "Now," she said, still holding on to the knife, let’s talk about where we can find my sister, shall w-?" Another blast rocked the building as she heard a familiar voice call out.
"Somepony need a rescue?!"