„And this is the reason why it would be appropriate to increase the taxes for the inhabitants of Trottingham by 0.7%.“ The snow-white Noblepony explained. „I would also suggest, confiscating 5% of the wheat they produce every year.“ He stomped on the ground with his left front hoof to strengthen his exclamation. "May we hear the decision?“

After thousands of years of listening to complaining nobles, Celestia has developed a habit to, at any given time, have a warm smile on her lips. Even if Sir Hoofenstein would suggest something utterly ridiculous like confiscating 5% of the wheat of some farmers.

The white noble waited patiently for the princess to consider his proposal. He wore a black top hat above his perfectly combed blue mane, and the mane went down the left side of his face so the top hat wouldn’t flatten it. His white coat, which adorned his appearance, was groomed beyond comparison of the common ponies he so despised.

Princess Celestia let out a long “hmm”. Even if, his proposal were entirely incomprehensible, she still needed to at least look as if she would think about this, even though the decision was long made. Finally the serene alicorn looked into the eyes of the white noblepony and asked: “Sir Hoofenstein, why do you think it would be necessary to up the Taxes for the citizens of Trottingham by 0.7%, even though they have the highest tax rates in all of Equestria? On top of that, you also suggest confiscating 5% of their wheat. Tell me, who would get the sway over said wheat?”

“Why, the nobility of Trottingham of course.” The white unicorn said, like it would be the most obvious thing in the world. Celestia nodded once, to show him that she understood what he said, but couldn't hold back an eyebrow that began to crook.

“And for what reason does the nobility need these wheat crops so badly?”

“They are farming on our land, so, for us nobles, it would be justified to receive a part of their harvest.” He explained again.

“That is why they pay taxes. If we take even more than we do now, this could be called exploitation. My subjects shouldn’t pay even more than they already do, and that is why it is decided that your Proposal is declined.” Celestia stated with finality.

Everypony in the throne hall could feel the anger boiling in Sir Hoofenstein. His expression was perfectly capable of showing the burning fury inside. ‘How could she deny me of my fair share of the harvest?’

Celestia looked in the eyes of the livid noble. “Is there a problem with my decision?” Her voice having a foreboding undertone.

The noblepony, grinding with his teeth, just looked away from her and showed a sudden interest in the windows adorning the castle. “No, your majesty.” He turned around and walked with a heightened head towards the gates. Not once did he turn around to look one last time at the princess. This was his way to show that he was not pleased with her decision.

After he left the hall Celestia let out a long withheld sigh. This was something she certainly didn’t need today since there are things on her mind that are of greater importance. She closed her eyes, and after some time her horn glowed in a vibrant yellow. Out of nowhere a little stone materialized itself in front of Celestia. It was as wide and long as one of her hooves. One would think it was just a normal stone, but on top of the stone was something written.

Celestia looked at the writing on the stone for the apparently millionth time. “1001” was the only thing written on it. It didn’t seem special since there are many stones with seemingly important inscriptions. What makes this stone different from all the other ones? The difference was that Celestia knows the … person… that made this stone, even if she wishes she wouldn’t remember the day he gave it to her since it was the worst day of her life.

She always felt confused by the inscription. Those four digits could mean so many different things. Did the 1001 just mean 1001 things? Could there be 1001 reasons? Is it a code? It is impossible to make accurate assumptions on the stone since there is too little information written on it. The most credible theory was 1001 years, and that was exactly why she was so nervous today because this day marks 1001 years since she received the stone. Even if it truly means 1001 years, what would happen today? Would he come back? That would be the worst case scenario. She can not afford to let her kingdom get destroyed… not again.

It was always strange thinking back to that day since it seems more like a dream, but the consequences seemed more like a nightmare, literally speaking. Why did he do it? How could he consider himself not evil and at the same time kill innocent ponies and why on top of that was it Equestria that had to be in his path and not any other world he visited?

Celestia was brought out of her deep thinking by one of her guards. “Your majesty, you have one more visitor.”

With her warm smile back on her lips, she looked to her guard. “Send him in, please.“ This would be the last visitor for day court since it was almost dusk. The last time he showed up, he introduced himself during day-court, and the possibility that this visitor could be him, was well aware to Celestia. She just hoped that her worries were not true.

She tried to calm herself down. The stone was probably just a reminder he gave her, so she does not forget her defeat at that day, and on top of that, it was over 1000 years ago since he was here. He could not possibly survive 1000 years, traveling through every world, if he did the same to every other world he visited. There were bound to be stronger worlds, which were better prepared for his arrival than Equestria at that time. The chances were to slim for him to win a war with over 200 different worlds.

“Presenting the traveler, Oran” The guard shouted with duty in his voice.

Wait did she just hear that correctly? Did he just say Oran? If this really was him, then Equestria would have a big problem at its' hoof. If it really was him, she had to be strong for her subjects. This time, they won't underestimate him. This time, they will take him seriously, and will do everything in their power to stop him, but Celestia just sighed in the end. ‘ Calm down Celestia, that probably is not him. That’s just somepony with the same strange name.’

The gates began to open. ‘I am overthinking this. It probably is just some farmer that wants some kind of loan. Nothing special.’ When the gates fully opened she nearly fell out of her throne if it wouldn’t be for her hard earned control over her emotions. ‘Why would he be here? Could nopony best him in those other worlds?’

Standing between the gates was a biped creature, which was about 18 hoofstrides (1 hoofstride = 10 cm) tall and had a black unkempt mane on his head. It was only possible to see his right blue eye because his left one was hidden beneath a black eyepatch. Sprouting down from his chin was a semi-long black beard, which hid the neck of the creature. His arms were folded behind his back and he started walking to the throne. The black leather boots made a loud “thump” every time he took a step towards her. A sound like two chains grinding on each other always followed behind the thumb. This sound was caused by the metal on his long black leather coat. He looked exactly like 1000 years ago.

“Long time no see Celestia. How has court bee-” He got interrupted.

“What do you want here? Was what you did a millennium ago not enough?” Celestia interrupted him. “Why are you back here? Do you want to seed more chaos and destruction?” Her guards became tense and wanted to subdue him, but they could not move. It was as if they were frozen in space. Oran continued walking to the throne and continued talking.

“Celestia you know that I do not wish to destroy your world. You know exactly what I want, and I will continue searching for it. Who knows, maybe I will find it this time in your world.” He said the last part of the sentence with a grin.

Celestia calmed down and lowered her head to the floor. She let out an audible sigh and looked him in the eye. “We can not give it to you. We are not able to, and we do not want to.” She shook her head. “Why did you even come back? Look at me! I may have gotten stronger in the last thousand years, but it is still not enough… not enough for what you want.” She just continued looking at the floor. This was jus too much. Why did he have to come back?

Oran looked at her for a long time. After some time, he also released a sigh. “I know that you alone have not the ability to grant my wish, but I did not come to this world expecting it.” He turned around, so his back was shown to Celestia. “You are not alone, and you know that. Gather your soldiers, your enemies, your friends and your allies. Exactly like last time, you have five years. Make the most out of it.” With that said he just vanished, like he was never there to begin with.

Finally being able to move one of her guards rushed to the princess and asked:” Your highness, are you alright? Did he harm you in any way?” Celestia just looked at the floor with a sad expression.

“No, he did nothing to me.” After some quiet seconds, she shook her head and looked at one of her guards, a gentle smile plastered on her lips. “Day court is closed for the day. Do also cancel night court, my sister won’t be able to hold it tonight.” This said, Celestia rose from her throne and walked out of the hall, her guards opening the gates for her. With a quick trot, she made her way to her sisters’ quarters.

Princess Luna was not even up for five minutes, and she already thought that this would be a fantastic night. She also had a lovely dream. Of course, being the Princess Of The Night she had power over the dreams of other ponies, but her own dreams were still out of her grasp. A pleasant dream was not common for her, even less a pleasant dream that she remembered after waking up.

Also, the dusk looked beautiful. Its’ pinkish shine was exceptionally bright and in unison with the many nearly transparent clouds at the horizon, it just looked as if it was painted. On top of that it was Friday. This means that the chef will cook her favorite dish, a lettuce-daisy-tulip combination salad with exceptional dressing. Apart from that, the most ponies came on Fridays to her night court. On most days, the night court is boring since there are nearly no visitors, maybe three to five, but Fridays they were way more numerous.

Only having five ponies per night in night court meant that she only could waste about two hours of time, and with the remaining eight, she had nothing planned. She mostly read during the remaining time, but this night reading would be cut short to two hours at most. Oh she loved Fridays and surely nothing could ruin it.
And exactly when she thought that, a knock was heard on her door. ‘Who could that be?’ She happily skipped her way to her door and used her magic to open the now night-blue shining door, just to see Celestia in front of her. “Oh good evening Tia, how has day court been?” She exclaimed with a smile on her face.

“Not so well. Say Luna, can I come in? I want to speak with you about something.”

“But of course.” Luna made way for Celestia.

“Thank you.” Celestia walked into her sisters’ room and closed the door behind her. Her room was painted in a dark blue color, with many stars decorating the walls. Luna walked to her balcony and turned to Celestia.

“Sister could you wait a moment? I need to raise the moon.” Celestia just nodded and Luna began channeling her energy. It was always a good feeling to raise her moon, like visiting an old friend. Luna always emanated an unreal amount of power while raising her moon. Being at the peak of her concentration, Luna finally raised the Moon above the Horizon to its proper place in the night-sky.

Slightly panting, Luna turned to her sister and walked to her bed. “So, what do you want to talk about Tia?” Luna climbed onto it and made a motion to her sister to follow her lead. Hesitantly, Celestia sat down. She let out a sigh, which she didn’t know was in her.

“I’ve got bad news Luna.”

“What kind of bad news?” Of course, just when Celestia wanted to tell her, she got interrupted. She released another sigh. “Come on, the news can’t be that bad.” Luna let out a small giggle and looked to her not-giggling sister. “Right?”

“I am afraid they are, Luna.”

“Did some noble propose a raise of taxes again?”

“No, I mean yes, but that’s not what I meant. I mean bad news as in really bad.”

“Oh come on, it surely is nothing we can’t handle. Tell me, what is so bad that it makes you so serious?”

Celestia looked back at the floor. After some time, she raised her head and looked her sister in the eyes. “Oran is back.”

Luna just looked at Celestia with the same cheerful smile she had previously. She did not respond at all to what Celestia just exclaimed. Suddenly she closed her eyes and began laughing.

“Ahahahahahaha. Really?” Luna looked at Celestia, who just sat dumbfounded on Lunas’ bed. “Ok then let’s go deal with him.” Luna stood up from her bed and moved to her balcony. Celestia who finally regained her composure ran after Luna and stopped her.

“Are you mad? You know how powerful he is. Why do you want to go to him right now?” Luna turned around to look at Celestia.

“Well why not? You know that nothing can win against me in my own dreams.” Celestia just stood dumbfounded there. After some time, she shook her head and looked Luna in the eye.

“This is no dream, Luna. This is real.” Luna just continued looking at Celestia with her happy smile.

“Of course this is a dream. Why else would you come into my quarters and tell me something ridiculous as, Oran has returned.”

“Stop fooling around Luna, we really-“

“This MUST be a dream. You can’t just come in here and tell me, that the reason I was a millennium in the moon just seemed to come back one year after my return. After one Thousand years how could I possibly have that much bad luck that not just any ancient evil, not just something arguably funny like Discord, but the lone reason why I had to spent an eternity in the moon just happens to come back, right when I came back myself.” She exclaimed rather furiously in one breath. After some time the fury turned to a sad expression and finally to tears. “You just can’t…”

Celestia put her wings around Luna, so both stood there intertwined in a hug. Luna began leaning her head on her sisters’ neck. “Why does it have to be us? Can’t he just go to any other dimension? Why us?”

Celestia just stood there, taking in all the sadness Luna felt. “Luna, I promise you that something like your banishment will never happen again. We just have to be strong, if not for us, then for our subjects.”

Luna broke the embrace slowly and looked to the floor. Then she put her hoof to her eyes and cleaned them off any moisture still left in them. With a determined stare, she now looked her sister in the eyes. “Yes, tis no time to linger in sadness. Please Tia, tell us what happened today.”

Celestia was proud of the resolution that was shown in her sisters’ eyes. With a strong nod, she started explaining what happened today in day court.

“Spike, bring me the second edition of superstitious sphere spells and please hurry.” The lavender unicorn named Twilight Sparkle rushed from her table with her quill and parchment to her telescope. With one eye closed, she looked into the telescope and swirled it around like Rainbow Dash with a lobster pinched to her muzzle.

“Right on it, Twilight.” Her number one assistant, Spike ran to the bookcase which would probably contain said book and moved the ladder attached to the bookcase to the left so that it now was right beneath the book. He climbed on it and looked for it.

“Where is it, where is it? Ah here it is, I’ve got it Twi-umph.” With an audible thump, he landed on the wooden floor, belly first. The reason why was, of course Twilight. Time was of the essence. She needed that book, stat. So when Twilight heard Spike exclaim that he found it, she instantly grabbed it with her magic and tugged on it. Exactly a half second later she realized that it would take nearly three seconds for the book to fly to her via levitation, and since time was so very fundamental right now she decided to teleport the book straight in front of her with the quintuple amount of magical energy exertion, but with spare time of nearly three seconds.

“Thanks, Spike.” she exclaimed while looking through her book. “No, no, this neither. URGH!” she threw her brand new book right on the floor. “This is the last time, I buy a book for its’ alliteration. Put this back into the shelf Spike!” Just when Spike got up from the floor, he was immediately thrown back by the book Twilight threw at him.

With a groan, Spike took the book and made his way back up to the top of the shelf. “I’m getting underpaid for this.” Realizing that he didn’t get paid at all he just shook his head to banish the depressing thought from his head. Twilight needs him right now and he wants to be as helpful as possible, even though it was such a hassle to help her while she has one of her episodes… again.

“Spike, go down to the basement and fetch me the possibly now existing new results from my Atmospheredisruptiondetector!” There she goes again, this time even forgetting to add ‘please’ to her order. Why did she even have such a machine in her basement?

“Alright.” He uttered this like a father to his hyperactive kid after an hourlong trip to some campsite near Canterlot after getting asked for the hundredth time ‘Are we there yet?’ As he reached the basement door, he heard the sound of mechanical work behind it. Really, why did she have to wake him from his well earned sleep this night?

Motivated like a near-dead squirrel in a desert, he walked to the device with its’ so easily memorable name. He looked down on the new sheet of paper and was immediately confused because he was so confident that the machine would print out the desirable results they both so longed for, two minutes after he looked at them the last time. Seriously, why does he even bother coming down here?

He grabbed the sheets of paper with their trailblazing results of nothing and walked with half-closed eyes back to Twilight to bring her the rejuvenating report that precisely nothing has changed in the last two minutes, what a surprise.

“Spike, why did you take so long? You know exactly that a magical disruption in the atmosphere of Equus could mean bad things, like interdimensional invasion or displacement of the powers of nature.” Spike just yawned and looked her in the eyes.

“Twilight, if it would be either of the two, don’t you think, that in this case, the princesses wouldn’t have contacted us by now? I mean really, interdimensional invasion? Shouldn’t we see lots of spaceships flying around if that is what’s happening?” He yawned again.

Just when Twilight wanted to make a retort, she got interrupted by a sudden belch from Spike, accompanied with green smoke. Suddenly the green smoke transformed into a scroll with the seal of the princess. Twilight quickly grabbed the parchment with her magic and levitated it to her.

To my dear most faithful student Twilight Sparkle,

I feel very sorry to have to write this letter to you at this late time, but something happened in Canterlot and it would be exceptionally desirable to have you and your friends as company to tomorrows’ evening dinner.

For now, there is no need to worry yourself over anything, and it would be helpful if you would get enough sleep, so you are at your best condition when we speak tomorrow about a task, I have for you and your friends.

My scientists have also told me about a magical disruption in the atmosphere, and since I am quite aware of your capabilities, I already am sure that this is no news for you, but rest assured, there is no need to worry over this event.

Hopefully we will see each other at tomorrows’ evening dinner. Till then Farewell my most faithful student.

Empress of the Sun,
Princess Celestia

Her eyes darted over the parchment and after she finished reading it, she let out a sigh. “Spike, I’m going to bed. I let Owlioucious clean the library.” She walked over to the door that leads to their bedchamber, and then turned around to face Spike. “You should go to bed too, mister. You were up long enough.”

‘Really? You wake ME up from MY sleep and then YOU tell me that I should not be awake at this hour?’ he wanted to say this so badly, but his desire for immediate sleep dramatically outweighed his urge to retort now. He just sighed again, walked to his sleeping-basket and just thought the thought which he thought the most this fantastic night. ‘I’m getting underpaid for this.’

“Spike… Spiiikeeeeee~~~” Spike turned around in his basket. This was way too early to wake up. His inner clock told him, it was ‘half-past-I-still-want-to-sleep’. The strong argument that his blanket threw in with its’ fluffiness also spoke against waking up now. One last wiggle and he was comfortable again on his basket, facing away from this dreadful monster that wanted to wake him at this ungodly hour.

“Oh Spike, come on, wake up… I made something for you.” Suddenly the air around spikes nose was filled with a scent that could only be described as the luxury shampoo of the most beautiful angels that fly above the mortal plane of existence. Only one thing in this whole wide world would smell this good, Ruby-Sapphire-Pancake-Soup.

Faster than a rabbit on steroids being chased by timberwolves, he bolted upright and looked to the source of the smell. There it was, atop of Twilights back, the soup of which was spoken. Something tasting so marvelous that spike gave it its’ own name. “The Taste Of Thorough Divinity”.

“Spike, I just wanted to tell you that I am very sorry for how I acted around you yesterday. I was just so tense, because of yesterdays’ event. Can you forgive me?” She looked at Spike with sad puppy-eyes. Spike, who was fighting the urge to kneel before the soup and pray to it, looked at Twilight and just realized what she said.

“Oh Twilight. I know that you didn’t mean to act as you did and it is not the first time, so I’m slowly getting used to it.” Twilights’ eyes began to get teary. Spike just noticing how that sounded spoke up again:” Oh no, that’s not what I meant. I wanted to say that there is nothing to forgive. You are still the same old Twilight I learned to love.”

Twilights’ expression changed from sadness to happiness in an instant, and she began hugging spike, who returned the hug gladly. They stood there for around 30 seconds and parted hesitantly after it. “Spike, I still want to make it up to you. I made your favorite soup.” She levitated the soup from her back into Spikes waiting arms.

While Spike was busy burning his digestive organs with boiling soup, Twilight walked to the door of the tree-library. “Spike I’m off to gather the girls so we can go to Canterlot this afternoon. I’ll be back later. Could you watch the library for me, please?” She looked back at Spike.

Spike just looked up from his soup to Twilight. “Sure thing, Twi. See ya later.” With this said, he began facing his soup again and continued his quest to devour it. Twilight just shook her head and walked out of the Library.

It was midwinter in Ponyville. No matter where you looked, there was always snow somewhere in said field of vision. The snow gave the town a white shimmer that would pull every visitor into a stasis of awe and inspiration.

Ponies were walking everywhere with the strangest winter attires. The only one that was not walking with any winter clothes was Twilight. Normally she would also wear said clothes, but she also found a new spell some time ago, that would provide a pony if used correctly, immunity to coldness of any kind till -30°C (-22°F). If said spell was performed by the most magical gifted unicorn in all of equestrian, it would be of course, seem natural that the spell would work perfectly.

As she made her way to Sugarcube Corner, she passed the market place. The first of her friends she wanted to inform was of course Pinkie Pie since she would have the best ability to accumulate all her friends in the fastest time, with her incomprehensible ability to pop up wherever she pleases.

“Howdy, Twi. Whatcha’ doin?” She heard from her right side. There was only one pony in Ponyville with this accent that talked to her this nonchalantly. This was of course one of her best friends, Applejack. “Ya goin’ to Sugarcube Corner?”

“Hey, Applejack and yes I was on my way to Sugarcube Corner to inform Pinkie of something we should be doing today, but since you are here already I can tell it to you right now.” Applejack just smiled.

“And what have ya planned fer today Twilight?”

“I got a letter from Princess Celestia last night, telling me that it is of grave importance that we, as in us six, should go and talk to her this evening while we have dinner with her.”

“Havin dinner wit’ the princess? That sounds mighty important ta me. When do we leave?”

“I think we should leave with the 16:00 afternoon train, so we get to Canterlot at around 17:00 and meet the princess at 19:30.”

Applejack nodded. “Alright, I’ll go round up Fluttershy so she can fly up ta Rainbow Dash and tell her about our evening visit.”

Twilight smiled and nodded. “Great, I’ll go get Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Meet each other at 15:30 at the train station.” She turned around and waved a hoof. Applejack looked at her shop and sighed.

‘And another day without profit.’ Then she began to dismantle her shopping-cart and made her way to Fluttershys’.

Twilight just walked into Sugarcube Corner and looked around in hope to find the bouncing pink mystery. Behind the counter was Ms. Cake, and not being able to find Pinkie on the spot, Twilight decided to ask Ms Cake for directions.

“Oh hello sweetheart what can I get for you today?”

“Hello Ms Cake! I’m not here to buy something. I just wanted to talk to Pinkie. Could you tell me where she is?”

“But of course my dear. Pinkie is in her room upstairs.”

“Thank you Ms Cake.” Twilight waved a hoof and went upstairs to find Pinkie Pie. Just when she rounded the corner to the hallway in which Pinkies’ door was located, she got rammed to the floor by a pink blur that rested right before her now lying form on the floor. The said blur was, of course, non other than Pinkie Pie.

“Oh my gosh, Twilight. Are you alright? I didn’t mean to throw you around like a bouncing ball. I just heard something from the floor beneath me and thought that may be some new pony who wanted to see me and ask me if I wanted to throw them a surprise party, so they don’t feel lonely anymore, but then I thought that this seems silly. Why would somepony who doesn’t know me, know where I live or know that I throw the bestest most superifficestest parties in ALL of Equestria? So I just wanted to stop thinking and ran right into the hallway where I saw you and you were all like BAM and bounce and now I’m here.” Pinkie bounced around Twilight like a filly that just got its’ cuteymark.

Twilight just rubbed her head. “It’s ok Pinkie.” With that said, she stopped rubbing her head and got back up on her hooves. “But something different. I wanted to tell you that the princess wishes to have dinner with us this evening and I wanted to ask you if you would want to ride the train at 16:00 with us.”

“A dinner with the princess? Oh my gosh, of course I will come with you. Let me just pack and then I am ready to go.” Pinkie vanished and reappeared not three seconds later on the same spot. “Done!”

Twilight just shook her head at the event that just transpired. “Pinkie, the train arrives at 16:00 not now. By the way if you are already prepared for the journey, could you tell Rarity the same I just told you? I need to pack myself and give Spike his chores for the day.”

“No problemo, Twilight. I see you at 15:30 at the train station.” With this said, Pinkie transformed back into a pink blur and bolted out of Sugarcube Corner. Twilight, unfazed by this event, just walked back to her library to make everything ready for her journey to Canterlot.

“No staying up past 9, no eating too much ice cream, no building ships out of paper, no raiding the fridge.”

“Yes Twilight, I know that. Could you please just go? You are already late as it is.”

Twilight just sighed. “Oh right!” Twilight bolted to the door, but suddenly stopped. “Oh I nearly forgot.” She levitated a scroll to Spike who took it in his claws. “These are your chores that you need to do for me today. It would be really great from you if you would do everything that I wrote on the list.” She glanced at the Clock, 15:45. Her eyes widened. “Got no time, love you, bye.” And just like that she bolted out of the library.

“Why does she have to make her life so stressful? Well it’s ok if that doesn’t involve me.” Looking down at the parchment in his hand, he began to unfold it, just to reveal a monster of a list. “I should do all of this?” He exclaimed with an uphold claw. The scroll got rolled back up, and Spike stowed it back into a pocket. “I’m getting underpaid for this.”

“So what do ya’ll think wants the princess from us?” asked Applejack while sitting on a green cushion located in a first class room, in the friendship express. There were six cushions placed, in the room in two rows with each one having three. Hers’ was placed from the doorway as the first on the left side. Beside her sat a yellow pegasus with a pink mane, called Fluttershy.

Besides Fluttershy sat an overdressed white unicorn with a perfectly styled purple mane. In front of Applejack sat the cyan pegasus-athlete Rainbow Dash and just like her name suggests, there was a rainbow mane attached to her head. Next to Rainbow Dash sat Twilight and besides her was Pinkie Pie. Pinkie didn’t sit, she just bounced up and down.

“I don’t know, but I bet it is something super fantasteriffic.”

“Maybe she just wants to have a small get-together with six of her most prized subjects. Oh imagine the glamour and the jealous look of the other high-class ponies when they hear about us, having a delightful dinner with Princess Celestia herself.”

“I-I don’t know Rarity. What if it is something really important. L-Like a *gasp* like a dragon.” Fluttershy hid under her cushion.

“Fluttershy, stop being such a scaredypony and mare up. You can’t always run away. I don’t expect you to be as brave and awesome as me, but you really need to stop jumping from your own shadow.”

“But I don’t want to.” Fluttershy hid behind her mane and started shivering. Rolling her eyes, Rainbow Dash took a hold of Fluttershy and pulled her out from under her safe hiding spot that she named “The Cushionfortress”.

“Girls! Whatever it is, that Princess Celestia wants to talk to us about, we will hear it from her this evening while we eat. Until then, we shouldn’t think about it and have a good time in Canterlot.” Twilight said this with a hint of order. The other girls nodded to her and went back to do the things they occupied themselves with, before they got all caught up with talking about their impending talk with the princess.

It was funny that Twilight told them to calm down, even though she was the most nervous one. This whole “Meet me tomorrow in the castle for a talk” just seemed way too weird. Shaking her head, Twilight tried to abort her upsetting though process and just wanted to enjoy the ride, but what was this somber feeling she felt?

“And you are certain, to tell your student about the upcoming war against Oran, dear sister?”

Celestia sighed. “There is no other way, Luna. We need the Elements Of Harmony for this fight, or else we won’t stand the slightest chance.”

“Yes, but do you really want to tell them now, even though we still have a whole of five years to prepare ourselves?” Luna was not sure if it would be the best idea to tell the elements everything right away. They should be able to live their everyday lives for a little longer, and not start preparing for a war with the most powerful creature currently visiting Equestria.

“Luna, I am aware that this is not fair for them, but the needs of the many outweigh the need of the few. I had to realize this, a thousand years ago when I was forced to use the elements against you, even though it was my own fault that they needed to be used in the first place. I will never be able to forgive myself.” Celestia began to tear up.

Looking into the teary eyes of her sister, Luna just felt deep compassion for Celestia. “It wasn’t your fault for what happened to me. The only one at fault was Oran, and you know that.”

“But it is still my fault that you endured the nightmare that made you change this much. If I just wouldn’t have…. If I just had…” she wasn’t able to end her sentence because of her uncontrollable sobbing. Luna seeing this put her wings around Celestia and encased her in a lovely embrace.

“Shh… everything will be alright. We will tell the elements about our plan, and they will help us through this, and this time we won’t underestimate him. If need be, we will search for even more help. Even if, it means kneeling before Discord, so that he lends us a hoof. We cannot let Equestria get ruined... again.”

Celestia looked into Lunas’ eyes and felt the deep determination in them. Encouraged by her sisters’ gaze, she wiped away her tears and nodded a strong nod towards Luna. Right when Luna went out of the room to deal with some paperwork, a voice from one of Celestias’ guards ringed through the throne hall.

“Twilight Sparkle, together with the Elements Of Harmony requested an audience with you, your majesty.”

Celestia, hearing this, rubbed the last tears out of her eyes and put back the warm smile, which accompanies her appearance at nearly any given time.

“Please let them come in.”

“Yes, your majesty.” The guard moved a hoof into the air to show the guards at the gates to open said gates. After being fully opened, Celestia was greeted with the heart-warming sight of her smiling student and her five friends.

“Princess Celestia!” she ran to her mentor and leaned her head against Celestias' side.

“My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. It has been so long since we last saw each other. I hope Ponyville and your friends are treating you nicely.” Turning her head to the other five smiling ponies in her throne room she said: “Well, I think we should move our meeting to the dining halls. I think that, after your journey to Canterlot, you earned yourself a dinner.”

The gathered ponies nodded and made their way to the dining halls. When they opened the doors and looked at the grand table in the middle of the hall, they saw lots and lots of food of any kind. Not being able to restrain themselves, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie ran to the table and sat down on one cushion.

Rarity just rolled her eyes at their childishness and gracefully made her way to the cushion she chose to sit upon. Fluttershy just flew timidly to the first cushion she saw and sat nervously there, not knowing what to do now. Twilight walked together with the princess to two cushions that were placed side by side and also sat down.

“Please help yourselves to some food, while I explain to you, why I wanted to meet you here at this evening.” Following the order of the princess, the elements began to take their fair share of the variety on the table and began devouring it.

“The reason why I wanted to talk to you all today is of not little importance. In fact, it is something that will decide the future of Equetria.” Everyone at the table stopped eating, except Pinkie Pie.

“An old foe of Equestria that me and my sister fought a thousand years ago, has returned from his travel through the multiverse and plans to declare war on Equestria in five years time, in hope to receive something, he wants more than anything in any world. His name is Oran.” The ponies with their jaw on the floor just listened intently to the words of their wise princess.

“There is more, little ponies. I am also afraid to tell you that he is, without a doubt, the greatest threat Equestria has encountered, yet. What I am telling you is that I need you to prepare yourselves over the next five years to face him in battle so that we might have a chance against him.”

Rainbow Dash looked to the princess. “What’s the big deal? Let’s just zap him with the elements and everything is done for.” Celestia just shook her head.

“I am afraid, this will be not as easy as you think, Rainbow Dash. That is exactly what Luna and I did, when we faced him last time, and it was not successful.”

Now it was Twilights’ turn to ask something. “Then, if the elements didn’t work, how were you able to fend him off?”

Celestia looked down at the table. “We didn’t. He won the fight and left Equus after he didn’t get what he wanted, but he did something bad that I won’t explain to you in this conversation, and now he is back and tries again to get what he wishes for.”

Rarity lifted an eyebrow. “But, what is it that he wants?”

Celestia looked at Rarity with a compassionate gaze. “The thing he wants is to ascend into the next plane of existence.” Rarity was not sure what she could make of this exclamation.

Twilight with widened eyes asked Princess Celestia: “Wait, do you mean…”

“Yes my faithful student, the only thing he wants… is to die.”

Author's Note

So this is it. The first chapter of my first Story. i hope you enjoyed it. If not, tell me why. As a new author i could really need the feedback.

It would be nice if you could point out some errors I made in the story, since I may not be able to spot everything.

Btw english is not my native language.