Legacy

Prologue"Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria. . ."

(Song #1)

Long before the adventures of Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. Long before this age of stability and peace we now propser in, during some of the earliest of recorded equine history, comes my tale.

This story occurred back in those early ages; of magic and steel, when Equestria was still wild and untamed:  a time of mighty warriors, cunning rogues, and wondrous wizards.

Our story begins with the fall of an Empire, and the tyrannical King, Sombra. The fighting had been hard, and vicious, as the united forces of the Equestrian militia clashed against Sombra’s armies of slaves and dark magic. Even our two beloved princesses, Celestia and Luna, took to the battlefield.

Using the Elements of Harmony, the sisters were able to banish the evil King Sombra, but along with him, disappeared the unfortunate inhabitants of the Crystal Empire. History was not finished with the Crystal Empire, and it would be many years until anypony would discover the fate of those lost souls; but that is a tale for another era.

Victory was swift, but had come at a cost.

Despite the princess’s mighty power, many ponies had died in the fighting, and many more untold thousands had been swallowed up with the disappearing empire. The news was disheartening to the survivors of those cruel battles; who had fought so hard and valiantly for the citizens of Equestria, only to never know if their sacrifice had been in vain.

But unbeknownst to the rest of the nation, a new darkness had begun to creep across the land. From the Smokey Mountain to the Hayseed Swamps, dark whispers began to spread like wildfire with the news of the Crystal Empires disappearance. Many now questioned the land they lived in, some even felt disillusioned with the princesses and their omnipotence, wondering if they were truly the best option to act as custodians of Equestria after recent events.

Rumors of civil war lay heavily in the air. The sparks of battle had been struck, and the disappearance of what had once been a unified enemy of the Equestrian nation only allowed those sparks to blaze into small skirmishes between the fellow ponies inhabiting Equestira.

Battles fought between nobles for petty self-gain and social advancement, families torn apart as ponies took sides and ideals, turning upon each other in their hatred and sorrow. Entire communities were swallowed up in the fighting, entire towns reduced to ash and corpses, as innocents and bystanders were drawn in. With the Equestrian militia spread thin with its recent conflict, the government had lost its once sturdy grip upon the nation, and the tendrils of chaos began to be seen.

More disturbing, though, were the tales of monstrous aberrations and creatures stalking the land, of the infamous Black Acolytes being sighted once more, and even rumors of the dead themselves rising from their very graves in search of warm flesh!

Gather now, my little ponies, and come close to the fire. My tale is long, but perhaps with its telling, you, too, will be able to one day pass it down to your own foals, and their grandfoals, that they too might learn from the mistakes of our ancestors, and not repeat the horrors of history…

* * *

Hope trotted between the tents of the military encampment, the sky darkening with twilight. Her warm breath puffed out in misty clouds as her hooves moved surely across the beaten snow beneath them. The wide cowl of the heavy black wool cloak hung low upon Hope’s muzzle and body, masking her short & curly purple mane and the unicorn horn upon her brow. Despite the cloak’s heavy material, Hope could still feel the winds cold bite through the heavy fabric, chilling her deep blue coat.

As Hope continued her brisk pace, the sound of music became audible through the frozen air. A jaunty tune and muffled voices could be heard drifting lazily between the tents as the soldiers celebrated the victory of the Crystal Empire’s defeat, drinking the night away. She could see the orange glow of their bonfires, and a part of her yearned for the warmth of those flames, but Hope realized that gravity of her task wouldn’t allow for any delays in time as she moved away from the warm light, continuing on her way.

Hope made her way deeper into the encampment, keeping her head low, staying out of the path of the encampments guards as they passed her in their nighttime patrols. She didn’t want to bring attention to herself. They greeted her warmly as they marched by, and Hope mumbled a few simple and polite replies in return.  Before long Hope reached her destination; a cluster of three large pavilions.

The massive tents stood proudly, standing out despite the dark of the moonless night: the flimsy looking cloth shimmered with enchantments. The banner of Equestria fluttered in the wind, and two smaller flags depicting the sun and moon hung below it, marking the cluster as the princesses’ own.

It would have been foalish to believe that the princesses would simply stay in the middle of the war camp without some sort of protective enchantments placed to keep them safe.

The tents were woven from spellsilk, and Hope knew from personal experience that nothing short of the most powerful of magic would be able to even so much as dent that flimsy looking cloth. Besides, it had been Hope’s own recommendation for the Princesses to take such precautions, considering the danger of assassins or an enemy assault. With the exception of herself, Hope could only name a few wizards with the power to shatter spellsilk. Hope pulled her own cloak tighter about herself, the spellsilk woven into the cloak reassuring as it softly brushed against her own coat.

Hope stood hidden in the shadows for a second as she surveyed the entrance to the cluster. Most of the guards would be away at the celebrations taking place across the camp, and the few that remained should, in theory, be nothing overly difficult for her to deal with. Hope had long since memorized the patrols of the guards, and watched in satisfaction as they marched by in synchronized patrols, with perfect punctuality. Hope felt proud watching them. They were by far the best solders she had the chance to serve besides, which made what she was about to do all the more horrid.

A solitary guard stood at the entrance to the cluster. An earth pony, manning the nearest pavilions wide entrance. He looked bored but alert as he stood as still as stone despite the chilly air, seemingly oblivious to the sound of happy ponies celebrating about the camp, a testament to the discipline of the Royal Guards. She knew this one, he had commonly guarded the princesses’ throne room. He had always been a stalwart and stubborn pony, refusing to shirk from his duties no matter the occasion. With an inner cringe, Hope realized she couldn’t remember his name.

The latest patrol marched by. Hope took a deep breath, and stepped out of the shadows and began walking towards the pavilion. The guard’s eyes darted towards Hope, but he stood stock still until she neared.

“Halt! In the name of Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna, name yourself and your business.” The guard moved to block the entrance from Hope.

Hope came to a stop before the royal guard. Her magic glowing a deep blue from within her hood. The Guard bristled at the magic, his legs tightening, unsure of Hope’s intent. A small badge floated gently out of the folds of her heavy cloak over towards the guard. The guard glanced down towards the small object, he eyes widening substantially.

“O-oh,” responded the guard, surprised, “My apologies, I was not expecting the Royal Advisor to be arriving so late.”

Hope nodded her head silently, returning the badge to herself.

“Please, go right inside. It is a cold night, and I’m sure you must have urgent business, “  said the royal guard, moving out of Hopes way and back to his vigil besides the entrance.

As Hope entered, she shivered slightly as the familiar sensation of the enchantments woven into the spellsilk of the tent briefly clashed with the enchantments woven into her own cloak. Prodding and probing, the magic abated when it sensed the magic of the charm she had shown the guard, concluding that she wasn’t a threat.

Hope took a second to compose herself as she entered the empty round ante-room of the first pavilion. A pair of tent flaps continued further into the cluster across the room from her, and Hope knew from memory that beyond would lead her to her ultimate destination.

With one last look to make sure nopony was looking, Hope’s horn began to glow a dusky blue as she began to prepare,  weaving enchantments about herself, and into the spell-silk of her cloak. After she was finished, Hope looked down towards her legs to see nothing. The magical invisibility now inlayed into the spell silk hid her from view completely. She tentatively poked a hoof out from beneath the cloak. To anyone else it would have looked like a dismembered limb simply hanging in the air. Suddenly, with a twist of her hoof, she stamped on the ground as hard as she could. Her hoof visibly hit the ground, but no noise followed. Satisfied with the invisibility shroud, and the sound cancelling magic Hope had woven around herself, she once again retreated her foreleg back beneath the heavy cloak, and continued on her way in magical silence.

Hope began to make out a familiar pair of voices. As she passed into the next tent, Hope couldn't help but let out a small gasp.”

(Song #2)

Smaller Cushions adorned the large round carpeted floor for ponies to sit upon, and a pair of wide massive cushions for the princesses sat against the far wall. A wide table to the side held refreshments for guests upon its thick top. The entire room was very lavishly decorated with wide  beautiful tapestries hung along the walls for additional warmth. A calming atmosphere permeated the room. But what had made Hope’s eyes widen was the sight of the two magnificent Alicorns talking within.

Hope could see the bright colors of Celestia’s multicolored mane as it shifted in gentle unison to her pure white body, in contrast to her sister, Luna: with her deep dark coat and dark midnight mane. The splendid manes and tails of the two Alicorn’s billowed gently in an ethereal wind.  Celestia stood with her back towards Hope as she addressed her younger sister, Luna, standing opposite her.

Hope quickly shook herself out of her stupor and darted towards the only object in the room that she could reach: the table. Hope was glad for the muffling spell as she scampered across the room. She prayed to Celestia (the irony wasn't lost on her) that the Alicorns hadn't noticed the tent flap move with her entrance. With a quick glimpse behind her, Hope felt relief that neither Alicorn seemed to have noticed, but relief was quickly replaced again with fear, as to her alarm the two majestic rulers began to approach the table Hope was hiding nearby.

Carefully, but quickly, Hope hunkered down and clambered beneath the table. Hope got comfortable, and quickly smoothed out her cloak of invisibility so as to be sure it completely covered her. Hope listened intently as the two Alicorns continued to talk.

“… necessary, if we hadn’t taken to the field then casualties would have been astronomical!” Said Celestia, her voice insistent.

Luna looked annoyed, “Celestia, they all knew what they were signing up for when they decided to join the military. If any of your subjects were really foalish enough to believe that wouldn’t entitle them to defending the nation in times of war, with their lives possibly, they are idiots and deserve nothing less than a fools death.”

“None of those soldiers could have known we would go to war, especially with one whom we had believed to be our ally,” said Celestia sharply, “I would never condemn anypony to a prolonged battle when I have the power to personally intervene. We had the power to stop a potential war, and we did. If we have to use the elements of Harmony to keep the peace, I see no reason to not do so.”

Luna huffed, and Hope heard the sound of something being picked up off the table, quickly followed by the sound of liquid being poured. A second later, the object was placed back down upon the table with a soft thunk. Hope listened as Luna took a sip of (apparently) a drink before replying, “ We could have defeated Sombra without the use of those ancient relics. Despite your… reservations to violence, every soldier signed up knowing what would be asked of them if the time came. We rely too heavily upon these relics, and now look what has happened? Over a million ponies simply gone! Given time, we would have ousted Sombra from power,” Said Luna, a scowl on her face.

“ If”, emphasized Celestia, ” we could have removed him from power. Sombra was well supplied and fortified. He would have willingly sacrificed every last one of his subjects if it meant defeating us, or to simply spite us. I agree, we would have eventually won, but at what cost? More blood and suffering? No, I believe my decision to use the ancient powers of Harmony was just and correct.”

“Look at what happened by relying on the Elements of Harmony,” snorted Luna, “ An entire empire, and its people, disappeared. Vanished without a trace. We don’t even know where they went, or if they might return. We haven’t solved anything by using such a power, only prolonged the troubles. I say, that yes, a battle would have been bloody, but aren’t all battles? Better the lives of your subjects be spent now in achieving a real peace, than the false victory we’ve granted.”

“Besides,” continued Luna, “that’s just the problem. You believed the decision to use the Elements was right. I tried to dissuade you, but in the end it was your decision. Not ours. Yours.”

“The decision to use the elements, “retorted Celestia, “was made in conjuncture with the very generals and great scholarly minds of our nation’s finest. We were all in agreement that it was the best course of action in the effort to put an end to the fighting. “

“What a surprise. Celestia offered a solution to the masses problem, and they agreed,” Said Luna with a dark smirk as she re-filled her cup.

Celestia scowled, not ready to yield the point. “They are as much your subjects as they are mine.” Luna gave a snort as Celestia continued, “Their lives are as much your responsibility as they are mine. I think you would do well to remember that. They trust us to protect them.”

“I think you’ll find that…our loyal subjects disagree with you on the matter, “Said Luna coldly, taking a deep drink of the liquid held in her magical grip. “Especially those whom are of a privileged status within our great nation.”

Celestia rubbed her face with one of her hooves “Come Luna, we’ve talked about this before. I’ve told you time and time again that the opinions of Equestria’s nobility are exactly that, opinions. A few bad apples do not necessarily mean the entire batch is spoiled. The nobility does not represent all of Equestria, dear sister.”

“But don’t they?” replied Luna vehemently, “How can I expect to be a co-ruler of Equestria when everyone only sees me as a… -a lap-dog to you, Celestia. Everyone considers you the true ruler. How can I be expected to keep the peace when none respect me? No, dear sister, to them I’m nothing more than the other sister, who raises the moon every night”

“Oh come now, Luna, don’t be so melodramatic.”

“It’s the truth,” insisted Luna.

Celestia sighed, “You are still a royal princess, and more importantly you are my sister. Surely that counts for something, does it not?” Said Celestia quietly. “You know I would never abandon you, or think of removing you in place of another. We’re family, Luna, and I’d not have any other by my side if the world is truly going to turn itself inside out. I need your help Luna, I can’t do this alone.”

Both princesses turned around as a commotion at the other side of the room suddenly caught their attention.

Luna took another sip of her drink, mumbling to herself so quietly only Hope could have heard. “Sometimes, sister, I truly wonder…”

A messenger quickly trotted in from the same entrance Hope had snuck through, and bowed deeply towards Celestia. “Princess, I apologize for my rude entry, but I have urgent news.” The messenger offered up a hastily-wrapped scroll towards Celestia. Luna looked slightly annoyed that the messenger had barged in unannounced, and how he had seemed to ignore her in his entrance, but kept quiet as Celestia dismissed him. After the messenger had left, she broke the scroll’s seal and quickly scanned the document.

“More news from your loyal subjects?” Asked Luna icily.

Celestia gave Luna a disapproving glance, “Need I remind you, again, that they are your subjects as well, Luna.” Luna gave a snort and looked away.

Celestia was quiet a second as she quickly scanned the scroll’s contents. “I must take my leave, Sister; apparently the soldiers have found something of great import that requires my immediate attention. I will return shortly.”

“Do what you will, you've always known the best course of action” replied Luna. “I wish to meet with the wizards and see if their divinations have uncovered anything new about the Crystal Empire. With your leave Sister.” Hope peeked out from under the table to see Luna give Celestia a curt nod as she placed her drink upon the Hope’s hiding place. With a simple dark blue flash, the living goddess disappeared as she magically teleported herself away.

Celestia looked at the place her sister had just stood. She gave a tired sigh and a slight shake of her regal head. Celestia turned around and walked majestically through the flaps to the ante-room and outside.

Hope held her breath as Celestia left. She waited, hearing the sound of Celestia’s own personal guards amass outside the tent to escort her. She didn’t dare move until the muffled sound of clopping hooves disappeared.

‘I have to go now, while both the princesses’ are gone,’ thought Hope, chewing her lip.

With a tentative first few steps, Hope emerged from her hiding spot and began to move across the room towards the cushions meant for the princesses’. Moving around them, she found the tent flap that retired to the princesses personal chambers, and the inner sanctuary.

‘They’ll be in there, or at least, I hope they will be,’ Hope thought to herself.

Hope entered a wide tunnel, a pair of tents connecting to it. Hope peered into both tents, seeing nothing but a large Alicorn sized bed and some scrolls and personnel effects scattered within the Spartan rooms.

‘They can’t be in here,’ mused Hope, ‘They would store them somewhere else. Someplace safe…’

As hope continued past the two rooms, the passage turned to the side and opened into a wide and high-ceilinged chamber. The air was still, and Hope noticed with a feeling of anxiety that she couldn’t hear a sound from outside of the tent.

‘Perhaps the tent is magically silenced from the outside?’ thought Hope.

Looking up, Hope noticed with a gulp that she couldn't see the roof of the tent. Where she would have expected to see the canvas top of the pavilion, only a black yawning pit lay. Stretched over the roof of the tent, it seemed to swallow the light from the room. Now that Hope thought about it, there were no obvious light sources within in the room, but a dim light permeated the everything.

Quickly looking about the room, Hope saw that there didn't appear to be anything in the room aside from a squat stone dais sitting in its middle. Upon which, rested 6 smooth spheres of identical shape and size. Each gleamed with an ethereal light, and seemed to be emanating the light that permeated the dark room. With awe, Hope slowly approached, completely enraptured by the legendary items before her: The Elements of Harmony.

(Song #3)

The relics of heroes, fabled  items with the power to grant their bearers whatever they desired. A power that could reset order and balance to the world in its most dire times . These very items had been the salvation of Equestria for untold generations, allowing for peace and prosperity to flourish. Their very existence was a tribute to the better qualities of all ponies, and what could be achieved through cohabitation and peace between not only ponies, but griffins, minotaurs, and even Zebras: to name but a few of the species that dotted the land. A power for the betterment of all, a power for good!

A power that had, not even half a day ago, caused the disappearance of the Crystal Empire, removing it and its people in a single blinding moment,’ thought Hope bitterly.

Hope swallowed, her brow furrowing. She knew what had to be done. She’d watched as the princesses had invoked the ancient power of these very artifacts to “save” Equestria. Such power didn’t belong in any ponies’ hooves, even those of her beloved rulers.

Hope began the arduous task of preparing the ritual she would need to complete her task. A bag of powdered chalk levitated from a hidden pocket in her robes, and she began to lay out the magical circles she would need for the great spell she would cast around the pedestal that held the Elements of Harmony. Her horn igniting with magic, Hope also magically carved the glyphs and symbols required for the spell into the ground within the smaller circles surrounding the Elements of Harmony. By using magic she didn't have to worry about affecting them through physical means.

She was careful to make sure everything was perfect, and Hope felt that she could proudly say even she had outdone herself when finished. She felt tired from the preparations, and a slight headache had begun to build in her head from all the magic she had been casting. She would have to hurry, the next part would be the hardest, but she could do it. She just had to! With a deep breath, Hope placed her two front hooves into the circles she had drawn into the ground, and her magic flared to life as she began the ritual.

The deep hues of her own blue magic washed across the room, gleaming sinisterly off the orbs. Hope felt a pressure building behind her eye sockets as she channeled magic through herself. The strain was unbearable as more and more magic was poured into the ritual through her body. Hope watched as another layer of blue magic covered her horn, and then another. Her head screamed in pain, but Hope refused to stop. Instead, Hope began to unravel the enchantments placed into her spell-silk cloak, channeling the latent magic stored in the trusty cloak to aid in the casting. It would mean she would lose the enchantments she had placed on the cloak, but she needed the magic badly if she was to succeed in her task. As she continued the channel the magic, the circles and runes within began to steadily glow brighter as more and more magic was contained.

‘Almost done, just a little bit more…’ thought Hope.

As Hope prepared to release the very last bit of magic, a weight slammed into her shoulders. She gave a gasp of pain as she was tossed to the side. Hope staggered upright into a defensive stance from her unknown assailant. A dark shape darted at her, steel glinting sharply in the glowing light of the room. Hope dove to the side, barely dodging the dagger as it swept by her. Hope began to run back towards the circle, but her attacker intercepted her. The blade dove forward again, nicking her neck as she desperately twisted her head to the side from the blade. Hope raised a hoof to block the second strike, but screamed in pain as the blade feinted upwards and dug into flesh. Her assailant gave a satisfied grunt, Hope felt sick as she felt the blood begin to trickle down her coat.

‘Can’t let it end this way', thought Hope.

Her attacker twisted a dagger a bit. “Surrender,” hissed a stallions rumbling  voice, “and I will let you live.”

Hope gave a snarl as she wrapped her impaled limb around the knife, stabilizing herself using her opponents own weapon to lock him in place as she suddenly shot her other hoof out and felt it connect solidly with her opponent. She Slammed her hoof forward again, and yet again, until her attacker jumped back, relinquishing his grip on the dagger still stuck in Hope’s foreleg. Hope stumbled to the side, igniting her horn with a burst of magic. Hope used some of her magic to light up the room, and her assailant.

One of Luna’s bat ponies stood before her. His dark armor and open-face helm shimmered oddly in the light of Hope’s spell. His nose was bleeding steadily as only a broken nose can, and Deep welts were beginning to become evident from Hope’s desperate hoof-strikes to his face. Not that it did anything to make him anymore uglier than he already was. Hope noted the lines of jagged scars marring the left side of his face from some unspeakable ancient wound, the long since healed over scars highlighted in sharp contrast to his face in the spell-light.

The bat pony sucked in a clot of blood from his nose and spat it onto the floor, reaching around and pulling out another dagger from a sheath strapped to his foreleg.

Hope knew he wouldn’t offer her quarter with his next attack, he would aim to kill. She had to end this quickly, and while she still had the strength to stand. Hope was beginning to bleed heavily, and she knew that wouldn’t mean anything good in the next minute or so. Time was against her, and her assailant knew it.

The bat-pony took a few careful steps to the side. Hope stumbled in the opposite direction, leaving bloody hoofprints as she slowly kept pace with him. Hope anxiously flicked her eyes towards the still steadily glowing circle of magic in the center of the room. She had to hurry, or else the magic would begin to dissipate.

‘If I don’t do something quickly, I’m going to bleed out,’ thought Hope warily, eyeing the dagger still stuck in her foreleg. As Hope quickly analyzed her opponent, a plan began to form. Suddenly, without warning, Hope charged forward. The bat pony looked surprised, before a small smile lit his face and he moved forward to intercept her once again.

As she ran forward, Hope’s horn glowed with a flickering light as she began to build up magic for the spell she was charging. As they neared each other, Hope lashed out with her magic in a blue wave of energy. The bat pony jumped up, avoiding Hope’s attack: snapping out his thin wings to keep himself airborne. Hope drew out the last of the magic held within the spellsilk of her cloak, using the substantial energies released to fuel her next spell. A concentrated bolt of deadly energy streamed from Hope and connected solidly with the bat-pony. To her own horror and surprise, the bat pony simply pushed through the blast towards her, the powerful magic blasting past him and punching a hole clean through the dark ceiling of the roof, revealing the starry sky above.

Suddenly the bat-pony was upon her, dive bombing into Hope and driving out her breath as he grappled her to the ground on her back.

“Is that really the best trick you could muster?” hissed the scarred bat-pony around the dagger in his mouth, his hooves working to grapple Hope to the ground.

“Actually, I think you’ll appreciate this next trick even more,” said Hope back, as her still glowing horn suddenly pulsed and the dagger imbedded in her arm removed itself with a sickening sound and sliced between the plates of the bat-ponies armor, sinking into his exposed chest.

With a quick kick, she pushed the shocked bat-pony away from her as she ran to the circle. Shakily, she re-placed her fore hooves into the circle and began to desperately pour all her remaining magic into finishing the spell.

The magic contained suddenly began to give a steady hum as the circle neared completion, with a grin of triumph Hope watched as the Elements of Harmony began to glow in response. Just as Hope began to recite the last lines of the ritual, a stabbing pain suddenly ripped into her side. With shock, Hope broke the incantation to look down at the dagger sticking out of her side. The Bat-pony, dagger hilt in his mouth, gave a savage twist with the blade. Hope shrieked as she felt the blade twist inside her guts. Hope collapsed to the ground, her magic still connected to the ritual spell, but without guidance she watched as the magic began to leak out wildly. The Elements continued to glow, and suddenly, in a blinding flash of light, the entire tent went dark except for Hope’s light spell, which began to flicker as well as Hope’s vision.

Hope lay on the ground, panting as she quietly bled to death. Her head pounded with the sheer amount of magic she had used, and she felt like she was going to black out any second as black spots swam in front of her. The bat pony stood above her, growling quietly in pain as he pinned her to the ground. Every time Hope thought she might slip into unconsciousness, though, he would twist the dagger a bit in Hope’s side, causing her to give a whimper as the pain brought her back to consciousness.

“Don’t worry, it’ll all be over soon,” whispered the bat-pony into Hope’s ear, causing her to shudder as he yet again twisted the dagger.

Suddenly, they were surrounded by the royal guards, soldiers, and even a few wizards from the camp, ‘most likely attracted by the sound of combat after I punched a hole in the ceiling,’ thought Hope to herself tiredly. The royal guards stood out in their gawdy gold armor with blue star-like jewels inlayed into the chestplate. The regular soldiers simply wore leather bardings with steel greeves over their fore-legs, and a steel skull cap upon a few of the more lucky ponies brows. The wizards were obvious in the differentiated colored robes they wore to designate status between mages.

A long elegant pair of white legs walked into view. Hope slowly rolled her eyes up to see Princess Celestia looking down at her, stone faced as she surveyed the situation. A captain of the guard, distinguished by the pure-white diamond jewel in his chest plate, squeezed his way through the royal guards sweeping the room.

“Your highness, the Elements, they’re gone!” Said the Captain.

“I can see that for myself, thank you captain,” Said Celestia, not unkindly, “Organize search parties, I want the entire camp thoroughly examined. Be sure to send word to my Sister at once.” The Captain acknowledged her orders with a salute before moving away to say something to a robed pony, and then shout orders to the other ponies milling about. The robed-pony began chanting to himself as he cast the message spell to Luna. The captain, along with a contingent of about fifteen other ponies made a ring around Hope and Celestia, keeping an eye for further trouble.

Celestia looked to the dark bat-pony on top of Hope, giving a slight inclination of her head for him to move himself away. The bat-pony tensed, but eased up on the dagger and stood up to move a respectful distance away, leaving the blade still stuck in Hope’s side as he let the Princess have her privacy with the prisoner.

“Why, why did you do it,” demanded Celestia quietly, kneeling down towards Hope. Her face was unreadable, but Hope could see uncertainty flash in those deep eyes. “Why did you do it, Hope.”

Hope swallowed, her mouth dry from adrenaline and the taste of blood in the back of her throat. “I had to… had to… s-stop, the madness… save… Equestria.” Hope shakily responded, feeling herself begin to slip into unconsciousness.

“But why,” insisted Celestia, “what did you do to the elements, where did you send them. It’s crucial that you tell me, lest they end up in the wrong hooves!”

Hope gave a princess a grimace, tears beginning to well in her eyes, but her mouth stayed stubbornly shut.

With a sudden dark flash, Princess Luna materialized nearby to Celestia. The guards tensed up, but seeing it was the other princess, quickly went back to their duties.

“Sister, the mages informed me of trouble, I came as quickly as I could.” Said Luna, looking around quickly to take stock of her surroundings. Her eyes widened as she looked towards the now empty pedestal in the middle of the room.

“The Elements of Harmony… they’re, gone?” Luna said incredulously

“yes, I’m afraid so. Fortunately, it seems one of your personal guards was able to apprehend the subject. Though, how he would have ever known to be here, is beyond me…” Said Celestia.

Luna gave a snort, “Unlike you, sister, I don’t trust that all your loving subjects have such noble intentions. I tasked Xand, here, to keep an eye on the elements and capture, or kills, any whom attempted to tamper with the relics.

Celestia listened quietly, still looking at the convulsing Hope, Luna waited a second before continuing, “Isn’t she your…”

“Yes, she is my personal advisor. Hope.” Said Celestia quietly. Luna gave a sharp intake of breath at this.

“But, why her? What would she hold against you that could have caused this?” Asked Luna.

“I don’t know,” Said Celestia uncertainly. “And she refuses to reveal anything more.”

Luna gave Hope an unreadable look, “Well, I suppose her usefulness has come to an end. Xand, kill her.” Xand gave a grunt, and began to make his way back to the dagger sticking out of Hope.

“No, stop!” Said Celestia, giving her Sister a horrified look, “Stop that pony!” said Celestia, pointing imperiously at Xand.

Xand took a few more steps before the spears of the ponies  around Celestia suddenly came to point directly at Xand. Against a few of them, he would most likely have had no problems, but with an entire squadron surrounding him, and on his own, it was unlikely he would survive the fight. Xand’s eyes snapped back and forth as he eyed the dangerous spears ringing him, a growl beginning to work its way out of the back of his throat.

“Don’t kill her,” ordered Celestia to Xand, looking to Luna, “Despite what she is done, none are to harm her.”

Luna looked to her Sister, completely calm, “Sister, I understand that you and this… thing have personal history, and that you most likely care of her as you do for all your subjects, but that doesn't change the fact she has performed high treason against you. Against us! Such an act cannot be ignored.”

“Luna, I am not saving her simply out of pity, but because, as of this moment, she is the only lead we have towards the whereabouts of the missing Elements.” Luna listened quietly to her Sister’s words. “Besides, by Equestrian law, she is to be brought back to be tried and interrogated before a court decides her fate. Until then, she is my prisoner.” Said Celestia calmly, reciting the law back to her Sister.

Luna shook her head, annoyed, “Fine, if you want to draw out her wretched life, then I see no reason to otherwise complain. It would have been a mercy to have killed her now quickly, then let her hang when she is proved guilty by trial. Besides,” said Luna, giving her sister a little smirk, “I suppose it tis your right, considering she is your royal advisor. Do as you wish, Sister.” With that, Luna called Xand to her side, and with that the two left the room together; Xand and the royal guards exchanging withering looks as the scarred bat-pony left with his princess.

“Your Highness, are you alright?” Asked the Captain from before, as he approached Celestia.

“I’m fine, Captain, but make sure that H- the prisoner, here , is treated and locked away with a double guard. I don’t want anything happening to her on the trip back home.”

The Captain gave a dutiful nod, and went to whisper to a guard to fetch a doctor for Hope.

Hope’s vision began to swim, tears beginning to drip down her cheeks. She felt guilty for her betrayal to Celestia, but more so she was sad she would most likely never see her family again. They would most likely not understand what she had done.

The last thing Hope saw before she finally lost consciousness was Princess Celestia as she looked down upon her prone form.

The Princess looked deep into Hope’s tear-stained eyes before quietly turning around to walk away.