Fire and Reign

Chapters

I Wrote This Letter
Fire
Rain
Sunny Days
Lonely Times
See You Again

I Wrote This Letter

Dear Princess Celestia,

Twilight wrote on a parchment as she had a hundred times before. She wrote it without even thinking about the words. It was simply the next step in writing a letter. Paper, ink, quill, write 'Dear Princess Celestia,'. But this was no ordinary letter. Nor was it a friendship report. She looked down at the three words on the paper. They looked back at her from the paper.

Dear Princess Celestia,

"Hmm. It seems too formal." She thought to herself. She was about to crumple it up and start over. But she decided to save paper and use it as a rough draft page. She made it a point to conserve and recycle. She did live in a tree after all. She put a simple line through the original greeting and began again.

My dearest Celestia,

"Hmm. No. That's not quite it either." She tried saying the greeting aloud. "My dearest Celestia..." she sighed, "I sound like her mom writing to her. 'My love'? 'My Sweet'? ARG! I can never find the words." She pouted. She looked out the window at the night sky. The stars twinkled against the black backdrop. The moon was a sliver of a crescent tonight, barely there at all. It was all it could do to hold back the pitch darkness of the midnight hours. Twilight's candle was halfway burned, the melted wax pooled around it's bronze base. She watched the flame lazily dance about the end of the wick. It was as though she was looking toward the flame for inspiration. A simple, little flame.

Dear Celestia,
You are the light of my heart. You set my soul aflame with passion and desire.

"A fine start." She decided. Starting was always the hardest part. So many times had she started a letter. So many times had she started the letter she had always tried to write. Where she would finally confess her true feeling to Celestia. But every time before, she would reach 'Dear Princess Celestia' and get no further. So she would end up leaving it aside to be used as a friendship report.

"Not this time. Not tonight." Twilight said with renewed resolve. She would not leave this night behind with this letter unwritten. She recalled seeing Princess Celestia nearly lost to her at the Canterlot Wedding. The moment when she was struck down by Queen Chrysalis replayed again and again in her mind. It haunted her thoughts and dreams. She had nearly lost her and she hadn't told her anything. A tear escaped the corner of Twilight's eye at the memory, her chest ached. "No!" She would write this tonight, and get it delivered to her without delay. And she had a fine start. And that was the hardest part, after all.

She forced the tears back, taking up her quill again. She poured out her heart onto the parchment. Everything she felt about the Princess, and what she meant to Twilight. She stopped thinking with her head at last, and thought with her heart. The quill moved on it's own, the words flowed effortlessly now. Soon it was finished. Everything she had wanted to tell her written out neatly and clearly, without fear of misspeaking, or stuttering nervously. Perfect. She went back and read it over.

... and that is why your the most beautiful...
is why your the most
your

Twilight shoehorned an apostrophe and an E before the 'the'. She abhorred grammatical errors. There. Now it was perfect. She went back to the top. It was a mess of greetings that were lined out. That wouldn't do. She carefully cut off the extraneous text with some scissors and laid the remainder flat. She was no artist like Rarity, but this was her finest work of art. Pure emotion, set to paper. She rolled it and sealed it. She placed it in her bag. She would send it first thing in the morning.

Twilight turned to blow out the candle. There was nothing left of it. It had burned out some time ago. She had finished her letter by the wee light of the early dawn. Twilight yawned as she tried to rise from her chair. her body and mind were suddenly very sluggish. She could not believe she had stayed up all night trying to write that. It was too late to go to bed now. She would just have to try to get an early night tonight. She made her way downstairs to put on some coffee. She got the feeling she would be needing it today.
____________________________________________________________________________

Twilight watched the sparse islands of foam swirl around on her coffee in her mug. Her mind began to whirl with conceptual thermodynamics of the convection currents of the hot coffee, and fluid dynamics of the motion of the swirling liquid in little whirlpools and eddies. She was enjoying the second wind the caffeine had gifted her.

She was back in her comfort zone of science and reason, rational thought, as apposed to waxing poetic from the heart. She eyed her bag on the floor beside her, awaiting Spike to wake up so that she could 'deliver' it at last. She was nervous about it yes, but she had made a promise to herself to do this and she was going to keep it.

"Spike!" Twilight called up the stairs. "Spike, wake up!" She was anxious to send it off and be done with it. Spike used to have a real problem waking up on time. But he had been much better about it in the past year. In fact, he had been really good about his punctuality. It wasn't like him to just sleep in like this, especially on a weekday!

"Spike!" she called out again, making her way back upstairs to his room. She pushed his door open. "Spike?" All she heard was a labored groan from under his blanket. She pulled it back, revealing and ill dragon beneath. He moaned up at her. "Are you alright Spike? I mean you're looking a little greener around the gills than usual."

"Uhhggg, I think I'm dying..." Spike said melodramatically.

"You're not dying." Twilight assured him, feeling his forehead. "You do feel warm though." she re-situated him in his bed. "I'll run downstairs and make you some soup. Sound good?" Spike only answered with a vaguely affirmative groan.

A short time later, Twilight returned with a bowl of soup. She helped him sit up and fed him a small spoonful at a time, until he had his fill. "I want you to take it easy today." Twilight told him, "I'll take care of your chores until you get well. So you just stay here in bed." he nodded in acknowledgement. "Buuut... there is just one thing I need to ask of you." She held out the sealed letter in front of him, "Would you be able to send this to the Princess? It's important."

Spike tried to take a deep breath to blow magical green flames and send the letter off. Instead, all that came out was a small puff of superfluous smoke. "Sorry Twi," he said with a raspy edge to his voice, "I don't think I'll be able to until I get better."

"That's okay Spike. You just stay here and rest. I can take it to Celestia myself."

Fire

Twilight boarded the train to Canterlot. It was the off season for tourism and the train was nearly vacant. There were only two cars attached to the locomotive. Twilight was in one by herself. Though the doorway, she saw a Pegasus mother with her daughter. The train whistle sounded as it pulled away from the station.

She watched as Ponyville drifted away behind her. She felt herself getting nervous about delivering the letter. She ran her hoof over her bag containing the letter. She opened the bag and pulled out a book she had brought to read. It was no short trip, and she was never without something to read in such times. She didn't even look at which title she grabbed. She opened to a random page and tried to read to take her mind off her building anxiety.

She had reread the same paragraph about six or seven times. She saw the text, she recognized the combinations of letters as words. But whatever message the author was trying to relay in that passage was lost on her. Every time her eyes ran along each sentence, all she could think about was the contents of her letter she was carrying. The printed words in the book transformed in her mind into the heartfelt scrawling of her quill.

For the first time in as long as she could remember, she could not read a book. It did no good for her worries. Her mind kept racing with what she had written. Did she say the right things in it? Did she say it the right way? She had reread it twice before she sealed it. Each time she tried to think of a better way to write it. But it was exactly what she wanted to say. It was just the way she wanted to say it.

The train continued smoothly along the tracks, in the vast plains at the foot of the Canterlot plateau. It would start its ascent upwards within the hour. Twilight took this time to get up and move her legs a bit. She paced along the length of the car. She needed to get her mind off things. She needed a distraction. She walked through the doorway into the next car.

The Pegasus mare was sitting with her daughter, reading to her from an old, bound notebook. It was blue with eight tile squares on the front and back in a two by four arrangement like a panel door.

“… and that’s how he stopped all the cybermares.” The grey mare finished as Twilight approached them. The little filly seemed pleased with the ending .

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” Twilight said, once she was in conversation range. The grey mare looked up and sweeped her blond mane out of her face.

“Oh, no it’s okay. I was just reading a little story for Dinky here.” She said motioning to the filly in her lap. The filly, unlike her Pegasus mother was a unicorn. Her blond mane was a bit paler, and her coat a darker shade of grey with the slightest tint of lilac.

“We’re going to see The Doctor.” Dinky said gleefully.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Are you not well?” Twilight asked, noticing the mare’s eye patch.

The mare followed her gaze along with the question, remembering she was wearing the eye patch. “Oh, this thing you mean? No I don’t really need it. It just helps for when I’m trying to read.” She said, lifting the patch, revealing that her eyes didn't exactly… work as a team.

“Oh is he a pediatrician then?” Twilight asked, looking at Dinky.

“Oh, no he’s not that kind of doctor. The mare said, “He’s just, The Doctor.”

“We’re going to Canterlot on the train to see him because I can’t fly.” Dinky said.

“Ah. So just a social call then. Is he your very special somepony?” Twilight said with a smile.

She blushed, “I like to think so. But I just don’t think he realizes it yet.”

Now that, Twilight could relate to. “I guess I’m going to Canterlot for the same reason then. I’m going to help my very special somepony realize it too.”

They chatted a while longer. But the lack of sleep from last night was starting to catch up with her. She settled down in a seat a few rows away from them and rested her eyes a moment. She clutched her bag tightly in her hooves before finally relaxing as sleep finally took her.
____________________________________________________________________________________

Nearly an hour later, Canterlot appeared from around the mountain corner as the train rounded the cliff-side pass. Twilight was still sound asleep. A loud noise rattled the train windows, stirring her slightly. It wasn't all that loud in the train’s cab, though. It was loud noise, but distant. Twilight was about to doze back off. A second, louder roar shook the frame of the train much more violently, throwing Twilight from her seat.

Adrenaline flooded Twilight’s body as she jumped to her feet. She moved to look out the window. But before she could get a chance to look outside, something slammed into the side of the train throwing her against the far wall as the train went up, nearly tilting over. The frame of the train twisted and squealed as it fell back onto the tracks throwing a shower of sparks.
Twilight was flung to the floor once more. She lost her bag in the commotion. For a brief moment, she looked everywhere around her in a panic as she search for it. She couldn't find it. It would have to wait. There were bigger problems.

She looked back to the window. The train continued forward along the cliff’s path, the engine struggling to drag the damaged cars. Sparks continues to fly from the grinding wheels. She got up into the window looking down the steep cliff side. A large, dark red shape flew up the side of the cliff from the valley floor. It let out a terrible battle roar as its wings occluded her entire view from the train. Its large claws latched onto the train cutting into the metal skin like paper.

“Dragon!” Twilight shouted. She let out a reflex magic kinetic strike into its general area. It blew a hole through the roof and the dragon took off, not out of fear or pain, but most likely, Twilight figured, from surprise. It would be back soon though. She looked around for her bag again when a second, unseen dragon slammed into the rear car. The scream of a little filly rang out.

“Help!” The grey mare yelled out. Twilight ran to the back car, the dragon was peeling open the aft half like a sardine can. Dinky was huddled in the corner, her mother cowering over her, covering her protectively with her wing. The dragon saw them and reared up, taking a deep breath. Twilight dove into a slide, getting between them and the dragon just in time to raise a shield against the gout of flames.

She saved them… for the moment anyway. The old wooden frame of the train was turned into a speeding inferno. “Move forward! GO!” She commanded, as the others scurried into the forward car. She turned back to the dragon. It brought its claws back to take a swipe at her as she focused another kinetic attack. She fired the spell at him but it was just a glancing blow off his shoulder, throwing him off balance.

He tumbled off the side of the train, trying to grab at it to correct his balance. He fell, pulling the car with him. Twilight felt weightless as she fell with the car off the tracks. The dragon let go, flying away. The car rolled over the side of the cliff, still attached to the other two speeding cars. Twilight's fall was stopped by the door at the bottom of the wreckage. A mere pane of glass on the trains back door was all that was between her and plummeting to her death.

Flames roared all around her. The glass beneath her was breaking. She scrambled to climb up the seats like a ladder. The floor was quickly being ground away as it was dragged along the cliff side. Great chucks were torn from the car as it careened off rocks. Flames were disintegrating the ceiling. She jumped from chair to chair, she would have to time this perfectly. She braced her legs against the last chair and aimed for the front doorway. The had been smashed from its hinges. She watched the sky flying across above her.

She made the final jump, the doorway came at her. She flew through the doorway as the train car finally broke free, falling away around her. Time slowed down as Twilight flew up through the air. She watched as she and the front car moved at high speed over the ground. From her perspective, it was as though she and the train were not moving at all. And it was the land itself flying beneath them at terrible speeds.

Twilight had misjudged the arc of her jump. She realized she wasn't going to make it to the train car. The ground was coming up toward her quick. She couldn't use her teleport spell, she didn't have time. She couldn't even think. Her mind froze. She watched her death approach.

A grey blur burst from the car, slamming into her. Twilight felt the wind knocked from her as watched the ground fly away from under them. There were dragons about. Flying wasn't safe. Together they quickly turned and flew back to the train, down into the huge hole in the roof of the front car. The grey Pegasus let Twilight go once they were back inside the train. Little Dinky was clutching Twilight’s bag.

“You saved our lives.” Her mom said.

“You saved mine.” Twilight answered.

“I saved your bag!” Dinky said, holding it up proudly.

“Yes, you did. This is very important to me. It has a letter that I need to deliver to the Princess to tell her-“

SLAM

The train engine was struck by another dragon. It began falling over away from the edge of the cliff, and up into the mountainside, pulling the car over with it sliding to a halt on its side. The whole train fell onto its side, sliding along beside the track until it ground to a final halt. Twilight climbed up out through the empty window frame on the now up-facing side of the train.

“Is everypony okay?” Twilight asked, helping Dinky and her mom up out of the smoldering wreckage. They both just nodded at her. Twilight ran along the top of the sideways car to the silenced engine. The engineer climbed out looking about as bad as the five miles of track behind them.

“I’m alright.” He groaned. “I’ll make it.”

Another roar echoed above them. Twilight looked to the sky as another dragon flew passed them. She followed it with her eyes toward Canterlot. The train had wrecked just outside the gates of the city limits. The station wasn't far beyond. But none of that mattered. The skies above Canterlot were filled with dragons swarming above the city.

Twilight turned back to the group. “Can you three walk?” the others nodded. “Head back in the other direction. Get away from the city. The further the better.” She looked back at the city under siege. “It’s not safe here.”

Dinky’s mom stepped forward, watching the city under attack. “What are you going to do?”

“I need to deliver this.” Twilight said, strapping the bag tightly to her side. “And then... I’m going to save the bucking day!”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight galloped into the city, down the streets, ducking in and out of allies, between buildings. Taking cover whenever danger was near, and always watching the skies. Always watching the skies. She neared the castle. It had taken some damage, but the attacks did not seem very organized and were more or less random.

The residents were most likely taking shelter in their basements. Most of the stone buildings were intact. Though some of the wooden buildings were still burning. She could hear more roars in the distance. It sounded like they were regrouping for another assault.

She got to the castles main doors. No doubt they would be on full lock down, barred and barricaded from the inside. Twilight teleported inside and in a flash she was in the main entry hall, and surrounded by guards with spears aimed at her.

“AT EASE!” A voice commanded from behind the ranks. The spears lifted up and away from the terrified unicorn. The line of guards parted letting the Captain through. “Twily?!” Shining Armor said incredulously. “What are you doing here? The city is under attack, it’s not safe here!”

“Shining!” She ran up to hug him reflexively. He hugged her quickly and pushed her away, cutting it short.

“I’m sorry sis, but we don’t have time to catch up. I have a city to defend.” He put his helmet on, completing his armor ensemble. “I’m taking a detachment to meet up with Cadence at her villa where she is taking shelter. These bastards may have sucker punched us with a surprise attack, but together she and I will repel these invaders!” he growled through his teeth.

“Where is the princess?” Twilight asked.

“She is in a secure location that I'm afraid I cannot disclose for the safety of the kingdom and-“

“Your highness I really must insist you return to your bunker!” an adviser squawked, jogging alongside Celestia’s long stride.

She marched confidently out into the entryway, donned in her battle armor. Twilight had seen the Princess in her armor before, but it was beautiful, golden, ornate armor with jewels. It was for show, and parades and celebrations. This armor, however, was not beautiful. It was reinforced steel plating with sharp spikes and edges. It was marred with dents and scratches from ancient battles of years long gone by. She put on her helmet, never letting her eyes off the main door. And her eyes. Her eyes burned with the fury of a thousand suns. Her voice boomed.

“I WILL NOT SIT IDLY BY IN SOME BUNKER WHILE MY CITY BURNS AND MY CITIZENS ARE KILLED BY THESE REPTILES!” She pulled a great sword from the display rack with her magic, sliding into her sheath.

“Princess!” Twilight called out, trying for her attention. Celestia looked at her. The fire in her eyes faded for a moment.

“Twilight, what are you doing here? The city is under attack. It’s not safe here for you!” the Princess said in her normal, calm voice.

“I came to give you my letter!” Twilight said as she struggled to open her bag.

“I’m afraid your friendship report will have to wait, my faithful student...” The fire returned to her eyes. “I HAVE A CITY TO DEFEND!”

“But it’s not a-” Twilight was cut off as the princess deftly removed the barricade and threw open the doors.

“Your highness,” Shining tried pleading, “You can’t go out there. The city is swarming with dragons! You’ll be killed!”

She turned and looked at him. “Then try to stop me.” She dared, her eyes burning brightly.

Shining swallowed hard and stepped away. With a mighty flap of her strong wings, Celestia blasted off into the sky. Her drawn sword caught the light of the sun as she charged into battle. Her voice thundered, "FOR EQUESTRIA!"

"Dammit." Shining swore. "We need to get to Cadence so we can cast the shield spell to repel these dragons out of the city!" Shining looked at Twilight. "You stay here... As for the rest of you, MOVE OUT! Double Time it!" The guards began to trot out of the castle. "Twilight, I need you to stay behind and re-barricade the door. And keep out of trouble." Shining and the others marched off. "Eyes on the skies boys!" He closed the doors behind him with his magic.Twilight huffed, re-bracing the door.

"Like hell I'm staying here." She felt at the letter in her bag. She teleported back outside. Shining's detail was already out of sight, but it would be some time before they reached Cadence's villa way up in the palisades. Twilight strained her ears against the din of the battle in the city streets. There. Twilight heard Celestia's royal Canterlot voice to the south! She galloped in that direction.
_____________________________________________________

She turn a corner carefully, following the noise. Just up ahead, Celestia flew to the ground for a hard landing. Her armored hooves impacted the cobble stone with terrible force, cracking the ground. If it had hurt her at all, she appeared unphased. A dragon that had been following her flew over her position, moving into a hover before her. He drew back, preparing to unleash a torrent of flame. Celestia beat him to the punch, shouting at him.

"JOOR ZAH FRUL!" Her spell slammed into the dragon, knocking it from the air. It crashed into the ground in a heap, struggling to orientate itself. Celestia moved faster than Twilight had ever seen, closing the distance and beating the dragon about the head in a flurry of attacks before sinking the blade home, stilling his struggles.

"Princess!" Twilight called out. Celestia turned to her. Her beautiful white fur and armor was marred with blood from battle.

"Twilight. I told you it was not safe here. You-" Celestia's eyes faded slightly as she looked at the blood on herself, "you are not meant to see me like this. Nopony should."

"Princess! I need to give you this!" Twilight struggled to open her bag, tied so tightly to her.

"It can wait! We must defend Equestria." The fire returned to her eyes, as an eerie grin crept across her face. "Ride out with me."

"What?" Twilight asked, confused.

"Ride out with me!" Celestia repeated, her voice tainted with the blood lust of battle, "Let us beat back these demons. We shall make them rue the day they chose to cross Equestria!" Twilight was unsure what to think. But she knew three things. She loved Celestia. Canterlot needed to be saved. And the Princess just gave her an order.

"Then I am with you!" Twilight answered.

"You will need this." Celestia said. Her magic rending the scales of the dragon skin, fashioning them into small garments with ease and precision that would make Rarity jealous. Soon Twilight was outfitted in lightweight Dragon scale armor. Twilight felt strange wearing the skin of an animal. After all, she had a sick baby dragon of her own waiting for her back home.

Celestia pulled one of the teeth from the dragons head, giving it to Twilight. "Go for the throat." Celestia instructed, "Just under the chin before they attack. It's one of their few weak spots." Twilight nodded, holding the makeshift dagger with her own magic. Celestia turned away to check down another main street. Twilight took a few practice swings with her enamel sword. She turned to follow Celestia.

Another dragon swooped down behind her. Twilight was able to pull up a quick shield deflecting its first swipe of its claws as she tumbled away from it reach. The second swipe came faster. Twilight just barely got away as its claws swept past her face. Her cheek burned where one of the claws just barely caught her, leaving her with a bleeding cut. It lunged forward for another attack. Twilight turned to run but only saw a white blur flash over her.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!"

Celestia's hooves came down on the dragons head with a sickening crunch as bone broke and sinew snapped, leaving the dragon a limp mess on the ground. "Rule number one when fighting dragons, always watch the skies." Celestia said. Twilight nodded. Celestia put a hoof to Twilight's cheek, examining her cut.

"You're injured. Let me see to that." Celestia leaned in and kissed Twilight's cut cheek as her horn glowed. Twilight could feel the magic as the small cut closed. Twilight looked at Celestia with amazement. "I used to be a field medic way back in the Great Alicorn War." Celestia said with a wink.

Twilight was shaken from the bliss she felt from the kiss. Not the magic in it. Just the kiss itself. "Alicorn war?"

"A story for another time, my dear."

Celestia kept close to Twilight now. She would not risk another sneak attack to separate them. They moved along the streets, keeping close to the buildings. Celestia's initial flight aside, flying wouldn't have been wise. Dragons were masters of the skies, Alicorn superpowers non-withstanding.

At the far end of the ruined market square, a bigger dragon was perched on top of a bell tower. It would occasionally flick the bell with the sharp tip of its tail, garnering a dull ring from it. It seemed quite amused with itself. Twilight followed Celestia into the open courtyard, tempting it to come down to them on the street level.

"Be ready for anything." Celestia whispered to Twilight.

It watched them approach, tapping the bell a couple more times, louder. It was taunting them. It was... no. It was trying to... keep their attention. Twilight tried to warn her. "Princ-"

A cadre of dragons swooped in, landing in a ring, surrounding them. Twilight brought up a shield. It was all she could do. She couldn't hit all of them with her magic in time. Likewise, Celestia took a defensive stance, bringing her sword to bear. There was no way out.

"Princess, before we die, I just want you to know that I love-"

The elder dragon swooped in from the clock tower for the kill. His age and experience would let him brush off magic attacks. It was an innate ability of an elder dragon. It also meant that he could cut right through shielding wards. His hardened scales would deflect Celestia's steel sword like a toothpick. His claws and teeth would kill them instantly. Celestia watched death approach. She moved in front of Twilight.

Her long years flashed before her eyes.

She hadn't the time in that split-second to shed a tear to mourn her life.

Here it came.

This was it.

This was the end.

"Not yet!" was all Celestia could get out...

... before a blast of magic swept across the plaza, blasting the dragons from it. Nay, the whole city, a radiating ward without equal erupting from the palisades, sending the invading dragons hurtling all the way back to Draconia.

"Shining..." Twilight realized, "he got to Cadence! They used their shield spell together. They saved Canterlot!" Twilight yelled excitedly.

Celestia wiped the tear from her face before Twilight could see. "Twilight, what was it you were going to say before?"

"Hmm?" Twilight was caught a bit off guard. "Oh, I uh, I wanted you to know that- I love- this... armor you made for me. It's really very comfortable."

"Oh. Well it's nothing, really. Just a quick something in the field." Celestia said humbly as she scanned the skies still. "I just don't understand what would drive Draconia to an unprovoked attack upon Equestria." Celestia said, "It doesn't make any sense."

"Ha ha ha ha! Make sense?" came a familiar, disembodied voice "What fun is there in making sense?"

Celestia looked around her for the source of the voice, "Discord!"

Rain

Discord's ominous laugh came from nowhere, and yet it seemed to come from everywhere.

"Ah, Celestia," Discord said, materializing out of nowhere. "It's so refreshing to see you in this rare form once more." The past millennium of 'benevolent rule' was really just so boring to watch as a statue in your garden."

"DISCORD!" Celestia shouted, "I should have listened to Twilight. It was a mistake letting you free again." She reared up, dashing at him in a flying leap, her massive sword swinging in a great arc through the air! It struck him just above the shoulder, carving through his torso and coming out the other side, slicing him in half in one fell swoop. His two halves fell into a bloody pile on the ground. Celestia touched down on the ground, adding a Draconequus to the dead dragons.

Suddenly his top half sprang to life, "Egad, I have been bisected by the great Celestia! What an end! Goodbye cruel world!" In a snap his two halves vanished and reappeared as a whole once more in his original position. "Well, that escalated quickly don't you think?"

"You sent these dragons to attack Canterlot, burning my city and killing my citizens!" Celestia bellowed. "I'll have your head for it!"

"Tsk tsk, such temper your highness." Discord scolded. "If you would conduct a census, I can assure you that nopony has died here today. I am not a killer. Death is so still, permanent, unchanging. Boring. So un-chaotic." he smiled. "But I see that you, oh benevolent princess, seem to have no problem with muuurder." he emphasized the last word with a low growl.

Celestia looked down at herself. The blood spattered on her armor. She suddenly felt very dirty and ashamed. She had not taken a life in centuries. She looked at Twilight. Wearing the skin of a fallen foe.

"And I see the mentor has taken to teaching her most faithful student the lesson of the day." he said looking at Twilight also. Twilight also felt ashamed, taking off the dragon scale armor, but still keeping her magic ready.

"Your words are as empty as your heart!" Twilight said, "You're just up to your old tricks trying to drive a wedge between friends. Well not this time! I'll always be loyal to the princess!" Twilight's horn glowed brightly, ready to attack Discord.

Celestia watched the gesture, fruitless though it was. But she would never say so. Discord just smiled. "You see Celestia," he started, "You who claims to abhor violence. You, who refused to pick up a weapon for centuries." he looked back to Twilight, "You take those around you, your royal guard, your sister, and even your students. You craft them into your weapons." Twilight listened, slowly lowering her magic. Celestia fumed at Discord, that he would mock her and her student like this. Her anger blazed. "Ah, there's the real princess of Equestria. This is my final victory. I have shown you your true self."

"But why?" Twilight yelled out, looking at all the destruction around them, "Why do this? We had a deal. You promised!"

"Why?!" Discord asked back incredulously. "Excuse me, are you attempting to apply logic to ME? Are you seeking a reason? Who cares!? I can do whatever I want, whenever I want! I'm Discord, the master of chaos! You think you can boss Discord around? You think I'm just going to turn all this back because you say so?" he snapped an inside out umbrella into his hands, pink clouds coalesced in the sky, "Tough cookies my little ponies. It looks like we're in for a big ol' storm of chaos! MUAH HA HA HA!" his eyes glowed green with power as he laughed before vanishing again. Pink clouds filled the sky above them. The chocolate rain began to pour.

Celestia's horn glowed, sending out a pulse. "Twilight, you must get back to Ponyville and gather the others to use the elements again. My spell is still in effect over them so they will remain beyond his reach." she began removing her iron armor. Her once pristine white fur was matted wet and soiled brown with the rain. She put a hoof to her forehead, "Captain Armor, shields!" she said, seemingly to nopony. A moment later a great magical shield formed around Canterlot, Shining Armors signature spell.

Inside, the rain stopped. Twilight watched the chocolate rain stream down the sides of the dome. Celestia addressed twilight once more, "The shield will protect Canterlot from Discord for now, but it won't last long. He'll figure a way around it soon. Time is of the essence!" A chariot arrived in response to Celestia's beckon. "Make haste my student, he will move against Ponyville and the bearers of the elements next."

Twilight got on board and they sped off into the air, bound for her home town. "Shoot!" Twilight cursed, "I forgot to give her my letter..."
_ _ _

"Really Celestia?" an image of Discord's face appeared, shimmering on the skin of the magic shield. "Really? That's your ace in the hole? A magic shield?" Celestia was unmoved. She walked closer to his taunting image. She needed to buy Twilight more time. Discord continued, "You really think you can stop me with this?" he said tapping on the shield like a glass window. "I could come in there at any moment and turn your castle into marshmallow."

Celestia called his bluff. "Then why don't you?"

Discord stared at her a moment. "Hmm. So impulsive you. Even after all this time." he smiled whimsically, "You know if its one thing that being trapped in stone for the last couple of millenniums has taught me its patience." His eyes glowed green again, "My victory is at hand, princess. It is not a matter of if. It is only a matter of time."
_____________________________________________________________________

Twilight held on to the chariot as it tore through the sky. Her pilot Pegasi drivers had difficulty flying through the heavy rain. The chocolate was sticking to their fur and feathers. Her first trip from Canterlot to Ponyville was calm and leisurely. This was an urgent rush. She double checked her bag, feeling at it though the material for the letter, and to ensure it was still securely strapped to her. It was. She was thankful that she had made it water- er liquid proof a while ago. Her mane on the other hand was a sticky mess. She still had the letter, and soon she would be with her friends. This would all be over soon. But as they neared Ponyville, it was as she had feared. Discord had taken up his old reign here as the chaos capital of the world.

She disembarked before they even came to a complete stop. The Pegasi left at once to return to their princess, only to be turned into mice, scurrying away from the relatively giant chariot. As for the chariot itself, it sprouted unwieldy propellers and wings. The flying machine was unstable and came careening toward Twilight, out of control. She dodged it as it came around for another pass. 'Flying machines now,' Twilight thought. 'that's a new one.' It came at her again. She grabbed it with her magic, disabling it. It fell out of the air as it crashed in pieces on the ground.

Twilight made a bee line for her library home. Inside she immediately retrieved her element of harmony from its hidden location in a carved out book. It was the once place nopony would look, an old copy of Equestrian tax code.

As Celestia had said, It was untouched. She put it on right away. She could only hope the others had done the same as soon as things started to go haywire around town. She checked on Spike. Thankfully, he was still sleeping off whatever ailment he had. She heard a knock at the door.

"Twilight open up!" she heard Applejack call out.

"Yeah, we need your hel- Pinkie get over here!" Rainbow Dash yelled. Twilight opened the door. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were glad to see her. Pinkie was laying on the ground a ways away enjoying the chocolate rain. To Twilight's relief, all three of them were wearing their element, though they were also soaked in chocolate milk rain.

"It's good to see you guys too." Twilight said, "But where is Rarity and Fluttershy?"

"We don't know." Applejack said. "We came here to meet up with you, as per to the plan if things with Discord went fubar. But we haven't seen them yet.

"Well, let's go get them!" Twilight said, "Come on Pinkie, there'll be time for that later!"

Pinkie bounced up from the puddle of chocolate rain to her feet, joining the others, "Okie dokie loki."

The group arrived at the Carousel Boutique first. Looking into the window, Rarity was nowhere to be seen. They went inside. Her element was sitting on the small coffee table in her living room. In the center of the necklace was a marshmallow.

"Ooh a marshmallow!" Pinkie said, snatching it up.

help

"Pinkie wait!" Twilight shouted, halting the pink mare "Did you hear that?"

help

Pinkie looked at the marshmallow in her hoof, "It's a talking marshmallow! I bet that means it's twice as tasty!" she said, tossing it to her mouth. Twilight snatched it from its trajectory.

"Pinkie wait!" Twilight said, placing the marshmallow on the floor. She cast her anti-chaos spell on it, and it expanded and morphed back into Rarity.

"Oh, thank heavens!" Rarity exclaimed, "That was simply awful, being all sticky and sugary and fattening! Oh and being almost eaten was not good either." she said looking at Pinkie who just shrugged apologetically.

"Rarity!" Twilight said, hugging her, "It's so good to have you back! Now grab your element and lets go get Fluttershy!"
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia walked to the center of the hedge maze in her castle garden. Certainly she could have simply flown to the center. But there was a certain calming therapy to the ritual of walking through the maze. Even still, she had memorized the path long ago. She arrived in the center with ease. She sat and looked at the empty pedestal where Discord's stone form once stood.

"Looking for someone?" a voice said, as Discord materialized, sitting on the pedestal. "Did you miss me? Is that why you brought me back?" Celestia looked away. The chocolate rain continued to run down the outside of the magic shield around the city. "I told you this insipid shield would not keep me out." She looked back at him. "So tell me," he said, "Did you miss me?"

"I miss who you once were." She said with a sad tone. "I thought you could be reformed. Be who you used to be before you turned into..."

"A monster?" Discord finished. Celestia felt a tear roll down her cheek. "Have you ever considered, Tia, that all of this, all of it... is your fault?" Celestia turned to answer but the pedestal was empty once more, and she was alone in the garden. She did not like being alone.
______________________________________________________________________________________

In Ponyville, the five friends arrived at Fluttershy's cottage. The tree in her front yard threw an apple at them. Applejack took exception to that.

"Why I oughta-"

"Applejack, focus." Twilight said. "We still need to get Fluttershy and her element." They opened the door to her cottage, finding it vacant of all except Angel, her pet bunny. He had Fluttershy's Element of Kindness necklace and ran out the door with it. He ran out to the tree, jumping up and down. The tree threw another apple at the group.

"Why in all the- that tree nearly hit me!" Rainbow Dash yelled, about ready to fly over and bash the arboreal offender.

"Rainbow Dash, wait!" Twilight said, grabbing her tail with her magic, "Angel is trying to tell us something." The rabbit jumped up and down, pointing furiously at the necklace, and then to the tree. Twilight approached the tree, casting her anti-chaos spell on it. Its leaves and limbs shrank down to the form of the yellow Pegasus.

"Oh. my." was all poor Fluttershy could get out after the experience.

"Fluttershy! Are you okay?" Twilight asked.

"Oh yes, I'm fine." she answered.

"So what was it like being a tree?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh, it was like living the dream." Fluttershy said immediately.

"Wait, what?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Oh, I meant it was awful. Just awful." Fluttershy corrected. Angel handed her the necklace. She put it on, completing the six. "That big dumb meany broke his promise. We were friends! Well no more!"

"We need to get back to Canterlot and fight Discord." Twilight said.

"Oh ho ho, this is juicy!"

Twilight heard a voice come from her bag.

"The fire of my heart. The flame of my soul? Twilight you never struck me as the poetic romantic type." Discord's voice said from within.

Twilight scrambled to open her bag strapped to her. In a flash it vanished. Discord appeared up ahead in the clearing, with her bag in hand. Next to him appeared a giant Blendtek wood chipper. He held the bag over it. "Oh we can't be letting this seeing the light of day. Or rather, the day Princess!" he taunted. "Will it blend? That is the question!"

"Give it back!" Twilight demanded.

A bright flash of light appeared. Princess Celestia had arrived. "Twilight!" she yelled, "I know what he's planning to do. Whatever you do, don't-"

He dropped the bag. Twilight dove after it. She was caught in Celestia's magic, grabbing her and planting her back on safe ground. Her bag and love letter were shredded into a fine mist that snowed all around. Twilight's eyes went pure white, as she levitated into the air. The others joined her, as the Elements of Harmony unleashed upon Discord. As the green magic was expelled from his eyes, he cried out.

"Fluttershy! It... was... Chrys-" was all he got out before he was a stone statue once more. The blast radiated out and fixed everything in Ponyville. Aside from Twilight and the princess, it left the the others unconscious from the experience. Princess Celestia inspected the statue. Satisfied that he was once again no longer a threat she turned to Twilight, hugging her tightly.

"Twilight, what was so important about that letter that you were nearly ready to die for it? What could it possibly say?"

Twilight was in tears. "It was just- It's just that- I- Princess..." Twilight struggled as the memorized words of the letter escaped her. She was so scared of Celestia knowing. But even more afraid of her never knowing. Just as with writing the letter, she tried to speak from the heart, and say what really mattered. She took a deep breath.

"...I love you."

Sunny Days

"I know."

"Um, what?" Twilight asked, surprised.

"I know you love me." Celestia repeated, "Everypony loves their princess. And I love all my subjects as well."

"But Princess, I love you." Twilight emphasized.

"I... know, Twilight." Celestia said with a sigh, she began walking with Twilight away from the others. "You aren't particularly subtle in your affections. I had hoped it was just a young, misguided phase but..." Celestia looked back to her castle, "As Luna tells it, barring any details, your dreams are..." she looked back at Twilight, "quite telling."

Twilight blushed. There were many a nights she dreamed of her mentor. Many a mornings that followed requiring her to change the sheets. "She... she could she... those dreams?" Celestia nodded, "What... what did she tell you about them?"

"She wasn't specific," she answered, "but she said that it was clear to her that you were... oh, how did she put it... romantically inclined towards me." she smiled.

Twilight was silently grateful at Luna's discretion. "So what now?"

"Now... now I return to Canterlot and make sure everything has been set right that was once wrong. I will send for a team to collect Discord and return him to my garden. I need to make sure he wasn't lying when he claimed nopony was injured in the dragon attack."

"I mean, what now between you and me?" Twilight asked again.

"Oh, that 'what now'." she said, hoping to have avoided this talk. "Well let me tell you what now." Celestia looked back at Twilight, "I think you'll find the answer is but a step forward." she said, motioning for her to do so.

Twilight looked at the ground in front of her. It was nothing special, just more grass. She lifted a hoof to take a step forward. In a flash, the ground beneath her hooves became cobblestone as she planted her step. She looked up. Beside her was the Princess. Beyond her was all of Canterlot. She had teleported Twilight with her back to the city. They were in front of Canterlot Castle. The troops who were busy re-opening the great doors. They took notice at her majesty's arrival, taking a knee.

"Carry on." Celestia called out to them, ascending the steps, Twilight close beside her. Celestia's horn glowed. The great doors shuddered as the barricade was disassembled with ease. They creaked open before them as they passed through, and then closing behind them.

"Princess?" Twilight asked.

"Hmm?" was all she said back as they made there way down the hall.

"Princess, you still haven't answered my question." Twilight pressed.

"Quite right." Celestia sighed. She stopped her walk, turning to speak to Twilight directly. The stained glass windows behind her filtered the sunlight pouring though. The different colors danced in Celestia's ethereal mane. The warm happy sight contrasted her somber tone, "Twilight, we can't. I can't. There's just no way." She said, frowning.

"Why not!" Twilight said back, standing firm.

"We just can't. I'm a Princess. The ruler of all of Equestria. I am ever in the spotlight. I can't have it upon you as well."

"I don't care."

"My enemies would use you to get to me." Celestia pleaded.

"I don't care!"

"Your enemies could try to use me to get to you, the Element of Magic!"

"I DON'T CARE!" Twilight shouted, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Twilight! Have you ever considered for a moment that I have wanted to be romantically involved with somepony in the past? Have you ever considered that I have been romantically involved with somepony? My immortality is as much a curse as it is a gift! Do you have even the slightest notion of how hard it is to watch the one you love, the only one you thought you would ever love, slowly age and die by the uncaring hoof of time? Not ONCE, but again and and again through the centuries!?" Celestia turned away to hide her tears, "Do you think I've never considered it again? Or do you not care about that either?" Celestia now leaned down, close to Twilight's face in emphasis, "Tell me Twilight, if you can; What is it exactly you DO care about?"

Twilight did not answer. She said no words. She simply leaned in and kissed Celestia. If it be a crime to love, she pleaded guilty. If it be a crime to love her princess, she was guilty. If it be a capital crime to kiss the princess, she would happily walk to the gallows for this. one. kiss. Of all the times she had faced death before, she feared not the grave, no. Only the regret. The regret of things left unsaid. Of things left undone. If she had to die tomorrow, hell, she'd die laughing knowing she had done this one thing right. And if this meant her death, she welcomed it if only to save her from the princess's rejection.

But no such thing came. No harsh words. No retreat. Twilight kissed the princess. And she kissed back. The two melted into each other. Celestia had mourned the possibility of their relationship so many times. With each hug of Twilight's that lasted just a little too long. Celestia silently considered their relationship and dismissed it as impossible. 'Never again.' she resolved. She would not be fooled again by love. To love and lose.

Long ago, Luna had consoled her on the matter of love. 'Better to have loved and lost than to have never have loved at all." she would chime.

'Try it some time.' was all Celestia could answer with, as she mourned her latest lost love's grave.

All the jaded feelings melted away in Celestia as she felt Twilight kiss her. For the first time in centuries, Celestia felt something in her heart long absent in the arena of personal, romantic, love...

hope.

She forgot about loss and sorrow. Twilight reminded her what it meant to be in love in the first place. That no matter the cost, in the end... it was worth it.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Some time later -

Twilight and Celestia sat on the picnic blanket. It had been so long since she had dined outside of the castles culinary artists. It had been so long since she had deigned to sample amateur foods. Twilight's selection for their picnic buffet was certainly above average. Celestia could not remember the last time she had eaten hay fries.

The events of the days prior had been a tiring affair. Twilight saving her friend's destinies, becoming an Alicorn, the Princess Coronation. Twilight insisted that she and Celestia take some well deserved time off together to celebrate in their own way. Lately that meant lots of smooches. Today it was smooches and a picnic. Celestia had rarely ever taken such time to herself. But she heeded the new Princess's advice about all work and no play.

Each of them enjoyed the various snacks and playfully fed one another in cute, romantic gestures. Celestia laid down on her side with Twilight beside her. It was such a perfect day, all that Twilight had dreamed for. She turned to Celestia, kissed her and asked, "So Tia, was this your plan all along? For me to become an Alicorn so that you would not have to worry about losing your lover to time?"

Celestia nuzzled her neck, "No, it was not my intention for you to become an Alicorn for that purpose. Not originally anyway." she wrapped her wing over her, "But it is a very pleasant side effect." She smiled, kissing her again. Each of the lovers talked of trivial things, and just generally enjoyed the simple pleasure of each others company.

The sun made its way across the sky as the day went on. It crept closer to the horizon. Twilight frowned. "This day has been so perfect. I just wish it could last forever..."

"Nothing lasts forever my dear." Celestia said, her voice tinged with somberness.

Twilight leaned into her alabaster lover, "Can't it last just a little longer?"

"Twilight, time is something that you and I will have in abundance now. There will be more perfect days for us like this one." she whispered.

"But not just like this one. This one is special." Twilight pouted.

"Yes. It is special." Celestia turned to the setting sun, "Every new day is special. For somepony somewhere."

"Can't this be my special day?" Twilight asked.

Celestia smiled at her, "This one can be you special day, yes."

"Just a little longer?" Twilight whispered, as though afraid that someone might hear the lone pair, out in that warm field. "Please?"

Celestia squinted at the sun as her horn came alight. The sun pulled slightly up away from the horizon and hung there, motionless.

Twilight hugged her tightly, looking around them, trying to remember every detail of the scene. She had a long life ahead of her for sure. But she wanted to remember this moment for all time.
_______________________________________________________

Twilight fell asleep in Celestia's embrace not long after. A deep blue Alicorn flew in from across the field. As Luna was about to speak, Celestia put a hoof to her lips, to shh her, motioning to the sleeping Twilight beside her. Luna nodded, but remained stern, speaking in a hushed tone. "Sister, you must lower the sun so that I may bring forth the night and moon."

Celestia nodded. She carefully disentangled herself from Twilight, leaving her on the soft blanket. They were far from the castle high on the mountainside. So each of the royal sisters flew high into the sky to properly control their heavenly objects. Celestia set the sun as Luna brought forth the moon into the starry night.

Luna bid her sister farewell, "Take care my sister. As always I will guard the night. We will see you in the morn." She flew into the night sky to rule all she surveyed.

Celestia hovered there, high in the dark sky, and whispered to herself, "Until the morn." She glided back to the earth, making her way back to field to pack up the picnic.

A cold chill ran up her neck

The blanket was alone in the field. Twilight was nowhere to be seen. A note was attached to the basket.

We have taken Twilight.
If you want her,
come to the Changeling Hive
alone
and claim her.

- Queen Chrysalis

Lonely Times

Celestia read the note left by the changeling queen. She read it again. As she read it, she felt many things. This could not be happening. She could not believe this was happening. Her shock gave way to rage. Pure. Unadulterated. Fury. She was going to find the ones responsible for this. And she was going to kick their ass! She wanted Twilight back. She would give anything to get her back. She didn't know where she was, save for a vague note, and she was afraid. She was so scared that those changeling fiends had her Twilight and she didn't know what they were going to do to her.

She collapsed on the ground. She was overwhelmed by it all. She had never felt so helpless before, to have lost her love literally right out from under her nose. She cried out across the hills, screaming to the heavens or whoever would listen, that the sky was falling for her and when it hits it was going to be the hell storm of all time. The changelings were truly cunning warriors attacking neither her body or mind.

Her heart. They attacked her heart.

From out of the sky Luna swooped in fast, answering she sisters call, arriving beside her sobbing form. Celestia showed her the note. Luna felt her sister's pain, and shared her anger, "We will enlist all the royal militia for this mission! The Wonderbolts! The other elements! We will-" Celestia cut off her sister.

"We will do no such thing." Celestia said with an eerie calm, "I must do this. Alone. Chrysalis has made this is personal."

"But sister! It is likely a trap!" Luna pleaded.

"Of course it's a trap. But bringing down the blue fury of the Equestrian Army will make them kill her in a panic. I will not risk it. You must stay and tend to the kingdom in my absence."

"What will you do?" Luna asked.

"Spring the trap." Celestia said with flash of her grit teeth.

"But if they take you... if they overpower you... what if-" Luna begged.

"Ah, but you see, sister, they have made a critical error in their strategy." Celestia said, turning in the direction of the hive, "They have taken my Twilight from me. And as a result that makes things simple. Very very simple. Do you know why?" Her eyes became ablaze with the fury of a thousand suns.

"Because now
there is no power
in this world
that can stop me!"

Celestia took the the air, making for the Changeling Hive.
___________________________________________________________________________

In the dark caverns of the hive, Chrysalis looked into Twilight's dull, green eyes. The Queen pulled Twilight's half-limp form into her new, white fur. "Ah, Twilight. You love your princess don't you?"

"Yes Princess." Twilight said in her hypnotized daze.

"How much do you love your princess, Twilight?" Chrysalis asked.

"More than anything." Twilight murmured.

"Yesss," the queen hissed, "Yes, let me feel your love! Think about how much you love... ME." she said in a triumphant tone, adjusting her golden tiara. She was pleased that she had even gotten the ethereal mane right. She was a spitting image of the sun princess now. The crown, she felt, suited her. For by this time tomorrow, she would rule all of Equestria.

"I love you Princess Celestia." Twilight cooed, leaning in and nuzzling against Chrysalis's stolen form. The queen drank deeply of the powerful pony's love, filling her with strength. Strength enough to crush the arrogant princess once and for all.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia scanned the ground as she flew. There was nopony in sight. No changeling kidnappers, no Chrysalis, and no Twilight. From one horizon to the other, the Princess was utterly alone. Her once powerful rage had since given way to despair. She pondered how the kingdom would fair under Luna's rule. She pondered the long term of it, should she fail to rescue Twilight, should she fall, should she never return to the ivory city of Canterlot.

NO. She mustn't entertain such thoughts. She mustn't fear. For fear is the mind killer. The dealer of a thousand deaths for the coward. But she could not stay the thoughts from her mind for long. She passed beyond the final borders of her kingdom, beyond the furthest reaches of the Equestrian Weather Patrol. Into the wilds of the beyond.

These were unfriendly skies. Luna's night was occluded by a grey blanket of overcast. The air became filled with a light mist, dampening her majestic mane into a dull pink that fell plastered to her neck, devoid of its magical luster. She felt lonely. It was a hard loneliness. Complete loneliness. In all the years that she missed her sister in her banishment, she could always look to the moon and feel her presence. Even sequestered in her personal chambers, her personal guards were always but a door away. For centuries, somepony, anypony was nearby. As much as the thought she had longed for time away, she had never really ever been alone.

so alone

She could not see any sign of civilization. Not a speck of light from a home on the ground. Not even a single star in the blotted sky to call a friend. But she pressed on, true to her heading. Following the signal that she knew would lead her to her love. It was but a whisper of a feeling, at the edge of her senses. But she could feel it, and she held on to it with every last scrap of hope she could muster.

Her flight was swift. She did not expend excess energy in a dead sprint. She needed to save it for the battle to come. But still, her cruising speed was impressive. A simple question repeated in her mind.

"How could they have covered all this ground so quickly? And without my notice? And for Luna to have seen nothing as well?" It vexed her terribly. But one thing was clear... she would get her revenge, and her answers.
______________________________________________________________________________

Luna, if I do not return in a days time, it falls to you to Shepard the Sun along with the Moon.

She didn't say the words at her departure. But each of the sisters understood what needed to be done. The ponies needed the sun to live their lives. Harmony needed to be maintained.

Celestia pressed on as the glow on the east horizon wavered dimly. She could not help her with her magic here. "You can so it, dear sister. Please believe that you can!" Celestia whispered to herself. A sliver of white peeked above the horizon. Dawn. The light ushered forth, revealing the jagged skyline of the Changeling Hive. Great spires of black, porous resin pointing skywards. Celestia swooped in low.
_____

Inside her massive chambers, Queen Chrysalis held Twilight close. She continued whispering in her ear, feeding off the love Twilight exuded in return. After days of feasting, the Queen was positively brimming with power. The anticipation of destroying the pony princess was delicious. She savored every moment.

She beamed with pride in herself. She had always been such a lateral thinker. Plans within plans. As assured as she was, she did not place all her confidence in the fate of Equestria is hijacking one simple wedding. No. Nor would this be a simple foalnapping either. She went over the plans in her mind again and again.

When the Princess sends the entire Equestrian army, she would be ready. Her own forces outnumbered the paltry ponies five to one. And she had the means to readily make more in the hives warrens. An entire legion of eggs at the ready. Her scouts scanned the horizons at all times for the approaching enemy troops.

Her ransom letter demanded the Princess come alone. But surely the winsome ruler would see the obvious trap for what it was. There was simply no way she would be foolish enough to-

CHRYSALIS!!!

YOU AND I HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS!!!

The Royal Canterlot Voice boomed from outside shaking the very ground! Brilliant white magic glowed, permeating her vaulted chamber walls, shattering them into a thousand pieces, sending them flying outwards.
_____

The royal Sun Princess, ruler of Equestria, burst into the great hall through the gaping hole. Bits of structure continued to fall around her. The solid floor had been constructed so long ago that the hive had no name for the generation. Great deep cracks spidered out from under where her hooves impacted with terrible force. It would have shattered an ordinary pony's legs. But this was no ordinary pony.

Chrysalis hesitated a moment, expecting the onslaught of foot soldiers to come storming in behind her, a flood of Pegasi guards. Nothing. She couldn't have... she DID! The Princess actually came alone! Celestia stared at her, sitting there with her Twilight in her hooves. It sickened Celestia to see the vile queen disguised as her. The princess took a step forward, the another. Her senses were on full alert, her magic charged and ready.

With each calculated step she closed the distance to her target. A low hum emanated from numerous holes in the walls, slowly growing louder, closer. Celestia realized at once what it was, and it showed on her face.

Chrysalis peeled back her disguise, revealing her true form, poor Twilight was too far gone to even notice. Her fangs gleamed in a wicked grin, "Foalish pony, did you really think it would be that easy?" A hurricane of changelings began to pour into the room.

"You know,
for a minute there?
Yeah,
I kinda did."

Author's Note

to be concluded!

See You Again

From the day she was born, Twilight knew she would die alone. She faced down battle after battle with a sense of bravery that only immortals dare possess. For she knew that so long as somepony was by her side, death would look past her. When the moment finally comes, she will have somepony near when she has to fall. But her grim prediction will not have been wrong. Because the one beside her will not be her very special somepony. And thus, her prophesy shall be fulfilled.

Celestia watched as the swarming horde poured in from the numerous tunnels in the walls. Dozens of black bodies flew and buzzed around her in a wide circle, growing thicker by the second as more and more joined the fray. Celestia stood her ground unmoved. The circle slowed in its rotation until it came to a standstill. Bluish-green glowing eyes peered at her from all direction. Others hovered, buzzing loudly above the ones standing on the floor. There was only a small gap where she could still see Chrysalis sitting confidently on her throne, Twilight, limp in her arms. Celestia turned in a slow circle, addressing the noisy swarm. Her powerful voice cut through the din.

"I am Princess Celestia of Equestria. I have ruled for longer than these mountains have stood. I defeated Nightmare Moon. I defeated Discord, Lord of Chaos. I beat back the fire nations of Draconia. I am known throughout the land and all through time. You share the collective history of your species in your hive-mind. Look me up!" the changelings looked at one another hesitantly.

"And ask yourselves this, 'Do I feel lucky?' And maybe, instead, do the smart thing, and let someone else go first."

The noisy swarm calmed to a silence and slowly backed away from her. Chrysalis screamed out.

"Whoever kills the pony princess shall be my new mate!" To a changeling, such a prospect is greater than the threat of death. It was all it took to send them into a frenzy.

The world went into slow motion. The circle of changelings around her collapsed inwards on her. She took a deep breath, focusing her will.

"YOL TOOR SHUL"

A blast of the fury of a thousand suns burst out from around her. Her eyes glowed brightly. The wave of fire exploded outward, incinerating the closest attackers into ash. The next wave behind them were fatally burned, and thrown backwards into the rest of the mob. They were accompanied by the charred remnants of their brethren showering onto the survivors.

Celestia's eyes quickly returned to normal. Her normally ethereal mane hung limply at her side, a dull pink. She could not feel her connection to the sun here, in this place. She did not have the limitless power of a goddess.

But they didn't know that.

And watching a fiery holocaust incinerate most of your allies would make you think twice about another direct assault. She hadn't the power for another magic gout like that right away. But it sent the message she intended. 'Don't buck with me.'

"What are you waiting for?" Chrysalis hissed, "Kill her!"

Celestia dropped into a defensive stance raising her hoof. She looked about herself, keeping one eye on her polished, golden hoof, granting her a view behind her. A pair of changelings tried to ambush her from the rear. They were met with a powerful buck from her hind legs. A few thought they were smart, dropping in from above. Celestia flexed her wings into a powerful flare, bringing each leading edge up as sharp and ridged as a sword's edge.

"Any between me and that unicorn dies!" Celestia shouted, marching toward Chrysalis. Her hooves sent shock waves through the ground as she closed the distance. Others continued to try their luck. Celestia's magic burned on fumes. It drew on a painful new source.

Hate

Her hatred made her powerful. Her magic was tainted with darkness as she continued to spout flame and other elemental attacks. They were like animals to her. And she slaughtered them like animals. She hated them!

The handful remaining were not so eager to embrace death and held back. Celestia stood mere feet away from the queen.

"Hand her over, or I swear to you that every one of you will die here tonight." the princess growled. All she got back was a confident smile. A murmur of a giggle that erupted into full on evil laughter.

Chrysalis cackled, "You don't really think our queen would leave the fate of Equestria in some final showdown with you do you?" she laughed as her form melted away, revealing another, changeling minion in her place. Twilight beside her flashed green, revealing another changeling minion. 'Chrysalis' continued. "Our spy has been in you Twilight's place in Canterlot many days. A final battle here? No, you need an ace in the hole. Ours is Twilight. Your precious Twilight!" the changeling laughed. The one beside it changed back into Twilight, as did the queen impostor. As did all the others remaining in the room.

"Please don't kill us Princess, we love you!" They all said in unison, mocking Celestia in Twilight's voice. Celestia called forth her magic. She would incinerate this whole room for besmirching her Twilight in such a way. But her magic failed her. Hatred is a strong source of power, but it is self destructive. It burned everything, even the user. Celestia looked at all the copies of her love around her. She could feel her heart ripping in half. Her anger burned away into despair.

She had to get away. She had to get away. She had to get away as tears poured down her cheeks. She flew out of the broken hole in the structure. She took to the sky outside as fast as she could. She had failed. She had failed. The words repeated over and over in her head. She had failed to save Twilight. She had given in to anger and hatred. It left her feeling sick and twisted inside.

Queen Chrysalis looked on. Feed on love, she did. But other emotions she could feel as well. Celestia was ready. She was ready to be broken completely. To be given hope, only to have it shattered one final time. She would kill her heart.

"CELESTIA!" the true Queen yelled out from the clifftop above the palace. Celestia halted her flee and turned. Below her, Chrysalis held Twilight in her arms. "I believe THIS is what you are searching for!" Celestia swooped into a sharp dive. "Here is the pony you have saved." Chrysalis took Twilight's head into her hooves and gave her a light kiss on the forehead. Then she gave it a violent twist before casting her over the edge of the cliff.

A lot of things went through Twilight's mind as she fell.

Celestia flew faster than she had ever before, catching Twilight just before she hit the jagged rocks below. Twilight's eyes could barely focus as she looked up at the princess. Her princess.

"Tia... I- I can't feel..." her face grimaced in pain.

Celestia's tears fell freely onto Twilight's matted fur. "Shhh, Twilight. It'll be okay. Everything is going to be okay. I have you now."

Twilight's eyes glazed over a bit. "I- I love... I love..." Twilight's eyelids slowly closed as her last breath wheezed out from her broken body. Celestia could feel the life leave her small purple form. She collapsed, clutching her tightly to her chest, weeping openly into her lavender fur. As the princess bawled out, it echoed across the hills as the whole of the changeling empire looked on at the broken spirit.

"Twilight! Wake up!" Celestia begged, "Please wake up!" She shook her. "You're not dead! PLEEEASE!" Celestia screamed.

Chrysalis looked on with her changeling empire. The anguish of the immortal was delicious! This was her final victory, to break the princess. She was in such a state of despair that she had lost the will to live. She would be easy prey now to-

A grey Pegasus punched through the overcast cover. The small hole broke through the dark, cloudy skies. A single beam of sunlight fell upon the princess. Her dull pink mane came to life around her. It flow with renewed color in the solar wind. Her tear filled eyes shot open. She looked up at the top of the cliff at the one who orchestrated this fate. The beautiful colors burned away as her mane turned to flames, rolling and boiling along her neck. Her eyes were devoid of soul, glowing pure white. Chrysalis had not anticipated this contingency. She watched her well laid plans fall to pieces, "Oh."

In the dark lands to the far west, there is a cursed place. It was once the home to a great empire of a long forgotten race. But they came to a terrible end when a good mare went to war. And on that day, it is said, the sun rose twice, leveling mountains and laying waste to the entire region. There is naught left there now but the scorched earth of furious revenge and the forsaken souls that haunt it.

Celestia was utterly exhausted. Solar powered she may be. But sunlight was no food for the soul. She began the long walk back to Canterlot. She carried Twilight- no, it was not Twilight anymore. She carried Twilight's body on her back. She hated everything that happened. She hated the changelings. But more than anything, she hated herself. She hated herself for failing to save Twilight. She hated herself for letting herself fall in love again, just to have her heart broken. She hated herself for giving into hate. She just hated.

She marched on, stopping neither for food, drink or rest. Perhaps this was her hell. To march forever on, the body of her beloved upon her back, weighing heavily upon her body and soul. After what felt like an eternity, the city came into view. Celestia walked through the green pastures of the city's west. Where she and Twilight had watched their last sunset together.

'No- wait, that was a changeling at that point.' Celestia cursed herself. Perhaps that hurt more than all. She did not know when they had taken her. She did not know how long she had been giving her love to some impostor!

Luna sensed her sister's return. She flew out to meet her in the field. "Sister you have retur-" she looked at Twilight's still form on her back. Celestia's sullen, bloodshot eyes said more than any words could have. Luna shuddered and shrank away, aghast. "Oh, oh no! Oh sister we didn't- we're so so sorry." Luna teared up, "We'll- we will make the preparations." she cried as she flew back to the city ahead of Celestia's slow, steady march.

Celestia walked through the gates of the city. The streets had lined with the citizens of the kingdom. Celestia's gaze wavered from side to side as she walked past. None would dare meet her eyes. All bowed to the ground in reverence.

And fear. Fear of what they might see in her eyes that had turned the Princess of the night a whiter shade of pale.

Celestia walked through the street. The whole city was silent. The usually bustling capital was eerily still, save for the rhythmic clop of the princess's hooves. One in front of the other. As she made her way to the castle. Inside, even the guards, who were regularly accustomed to the royal presence, shied away.

At the end of the hallway, Luna stood by, waiting by the staircase that led down to the royal catacombs. Luna's eyes were on the floor as her sister drew near. Twilight's final resting place would be among the greatest ponies in the history of Equestria. Her name would be remembered for all time. Celestia froze in her tracks as she remembered asking Twilight to first ride out with her. To charge forward into the unknown. To run.

When you run with the Princess, it feels like it will never end.
But however hard you try, you can't run forever.
Everypony knows that everypony dies.
And nopony knows it like Celestia
But I do think that all the skies in all the worlds might just turn dark
if she ever, for one moment, accepts it.

Celestia turned and ran away from Luna. She ran through the hallways of the castle. Luna chased after her. She ran into her personal study, which held some of the oldest texts in the world. She carefully laid Twilight down on the soft reading sofa, and then scrambled through dusty, ancient scrolls. Luna burst into the room after her.

"Celestia what are you doing?" Luna asked with deep concern. Celestia ignored her, flipping through several books. "What are you planning?" Celestia finally pulled out the spell she had sought after, laying it open on the reading table. Luna recognized the seal. "Sister, you can not use that! That spell is unnatural! Your life will be forfeit!"

"Then it is forfeit." Celestia's horn flared to life.

I've seen fire and I've seen rain.
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend.
But I always thought that I'd see you again.

Twilight opened her eyes and looked up at Celestia. She was crying. Why was she crying. Twilight could only feel joy. Joy in seeing her love again. She reached up to hug her. Celestia wrapped her hooves around her, pulling her close. "Oof, I'm right here princess." Twilight managed to get out as she was squeezed, "I'm not going anywhere." Celestia just hugged harder. Twilight wrapper her hooves around her to run them through her soft feathery-

"Princess! Your wings!" Twilight yelped, feeling at her bare back. "What happened?"

Celestia dried her eyes for a moment. "Oh, Twilight. It's simple really. I just saved your life."

"But your wings! What does this mean!" Twilight pleaded.

"I made a choice. A choice to spend my life with you. I choose a mortal life." Celestia said with a soft smile. Twilight began to cry.

"We were supposed to be together forever!" she shouted, crying into Celestia's shoulder.

"No Twilight. We were meant to get just the same as anypony else." She held her close, kissing her tenderly. "We get a lifetime."

The End