Chapters "Bye, Princess!!" All six ponies waved as I was lifted into the air by my golden chariot. "Good bye! I will return soon, before I leave for my own kingdom and after I visit my mother and father!" The six Ponyville ponies kept waving even as I turned to face the backs of the two Chariot-Guards. They flew in unison at a rhythmic pace. I sighed, my rainbow colored mane flowing gently in the caressing wind. It cushioned my delicate face. The chariot's gleaming gold interior cast ribbons of sunlight onto my ebony coat. I opened my silver eyes, gazing out past the Guards. I imagined my return to Canterlot. I couldn't wait to see my mother. She would throw a huge celebration from dawn tomorrow to dusk seven days away. My life was perfect. At least, before I saw the ruined city. As Court Jester, Captain Crown, and I broke through the clouds, mist instantly shrouded our vision. We could see nothing. "Strange," I murmured aloud. Court Jester glanced back at me. "Are you alright, Miss Akkadia? I can't see a thing in this here fog." I shook my head. "Yes, of course. Thank you, Court Jester." I could see a tower of Canterlot in the distance as the fog thinned and subsided. We began our descent down. Finally, we halted in the courtyard of the castle. But... I could see no castle. So I decided to get rid of the mist myself. My long silver horn began to glow. A silver cloud of light erupted from the glittering horn. The fog faded instantly, but only to reveal a shocking sight. "Mother!" I screeched.
A Strong Mind Makes a Strong Heart
"What happened?!" I wailed. The castle lay in ruin. For as far as I could see, destruction spread across the kingdom. Blackened houses were dusted with tiny flakes of permeating charcoal. It filled the air, making I and my Guards sneeze uncontrollably. I climbed out of the chariot and cantered to the large pile of stone, marble, gold, silver, and ivory. I felt like I needed to search for something... I began to push aside chunks of expensive building material and other valuable items. I pawed furiously through the dusty belongings before I struck something I recognized instantly. "Mother..." I whimpered before murmuring an inaudible sentence. I stuck my ink colored muzzle into the hole I had made and pulled out a silver chained. A large diamond charm hung at the end of the necklace. I slowly slipped it over my head. "Aunt Celestia gave Mum this when she was just a filly." A sigh escaped my parted lips. Where is my family? Where is everypony else? What happened to Canterlot? A zillion questions zipped through my mind. I carefully picked my way through the rubbish, tail dragging. I reboarded the chariot and gave Court Jester and Captain Crown a curt, tense nod. They knew exactly where to go. We ascended into the sky. Twilight had fallen. Colors were painted across the sky in an airbrushy manner. It was absolutely stunning. "We are approaching the designated destination, Madame," Captain Crown announced. "Ponyville," Court Jester added.
My Guards flew faster than usual down to Ponyville. Could they see something I could not? We alighted near the small cottage of Fluttershy. I stepped elegantly out into the soft, lush grass. A wonderful fragrance greeted me. It had a tint of warmth to it... Cupcakes!! To be precise, Pinkamena Diana Pie's famous Sweetheart Cakes. My silver gaze fastened onto the door of the cottage. I spread my black wings before lifting into the air. I flapped once, twice, three times and I was there, at the door. I grinned and raised a wing to knock on the stiff cedar wood. I heard hoofsteps clattering inside. The door opened and a fresh wave of warmth and scent cascaded over me. "Well, hello there, P-Princess," Apple Jack stammered. "We wasn't, uh, expectin' ya back so s-soon. Did ya need sumpin' or sumpin'?" I stared at her for a moment. "Why, yes. Apple Jack... Canterlot is gone." The Earth pony's eyes widened. "Yer bluffin' me!" she sputtered. "No, I'm quite serious, my dear. I need your help to find out what happened.... I need all of you. The Elements of Harmony will be used, I'm sure." The golden mare nodded tersely. "I'll get 'em, Princess." She wheeled around and disappeared inside for a moment. Just seconds later, all six ponies appeared in the doorway. "Let's go!" I used my magic to make the chariot larger and climbed in. The others bounced in after me. I gave Captain Crown and Court Jester the command. We began the short flight back to Canterl- I mean, to what was left of Canterlot.
Twilight, Apple Jack, Pinkie, Rainbow, Spike, Rarity, and Fluttershy all just stared at the remains of Canterlot. "What in the name of Celestia happened here?" Rarity asked to no one. But I replied, "I've no idea. We must find the cause of this awful disaster." Twilight Sparkle nodded. "By the looks of it, I think I know who did this." All of us began to press her for the answer, but did not bother her much. Our efforts were unsuccessful. Twilight kept it to herself. We returned to the chariot and Twilight guided the Guards in a direction north to Canterlot. My puzzled expression transformed into dread. We were headed to none other than Tailstralia - Trixie's home! Trixie, the evil unicorn who never thought anything but the best of herself. I felt a small trickle of unease as we flew down. I suddenly spotted Trixie. The other ponies gasped and began murmuring quietly. Then, Discord materialized out of nowhere to stand with her. Next, the Diamond Dogs. A few more of Equestria's worst villains joined them. "Halt!" I ordered the Guards. They pulled back and raised us up, into the cover of a fluffy cloud. I and the others could hear the villains' voices drifting up through the sky. "I can't believe we pulled that off!" Trixie chuckled. "Yes, destroying Canterlot was the absolute best thing we've ever done!" Discord added. All the evil creatures laughed menacingly. "We must beware," a new voice spoke up. A zebra stepped out of the crowd. It was- "Zecora!" Rainbow Dash gasped. I inhaled sharply. The female zebra had a defiant gleam in her eyes. "The ponies of Ponyville will be coming soon, beware, beware, all you fools!" Trixie snickered. "We can win a fightcome against those weaklings!" she sneered. Zecora just smiled before turning and glancing at the sky. Suddenly, words appeared in my mind. They said: I am spying for you, that is much true. You must come save me, before they find out. If they do see, I will try to shout! "Zecora is spying for us!" I breathed. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy pumped their hooves in the air. "Now, let us go to the Island of Hooves. We can stay there for now." And so, we headed toward the island... When, out of nowhere, horrible bloody images of my parents flashed through my mind. I pressed my hooves over my head before my back leg slipped and down I fell...
