Chapters To Canterlot we go
Lyra closed her saddlebag and levitated it onto her. It was light blue, and she had used it for many years. She hadn't packed much for the trip; a book to read during the train ride, her lyre, toiletries, and a small journal in which she recorded her dreams. She trotted out of her room and into Bon Bon's to check on how she was doing.
Bon Bon sat in the middle of the floor, a few items scattered around her. She stared at her saddlebag.
"What's wrong?" Lyra asked.
Bon Bon sighed. "Lyra, is it really necessary to see the princess?" Bon Bon asked, looking at Lyra.
"Of course it is!" Lyra said, "The princess is over a thousand years old, and I can assure you she's faced many villains, and there is a chance she has encountered the villain the ponies in my dream were talking about." Bon Bon shrugged and placed her manebrush into her saddlebag, and closed it.
"Mind levitating these items back into the drawer over there?" Bon Bon pointed to a drawer her small dresser that was open. Lyra nodded, and quickly put the items away. She levitated the saddlebag onto Bon Bon's back.
"Thanks," Bon Bon said.
"No problem!" Lyra replied cheerfully. "Now let's go!" And Lyra ran out of the apartment.
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Like usual, the streets of Ponyville weren't crowded. A few clusters of ponies near one shop, a lone mare or stallion walking down the road, minding his or her own business. Since Lyra and Bon Bon lived downtown, they were a bit far from the train station, which was near the center of Ponyville. Lyra swiftly trotted down the street, excitement running through her. Bon Bon, on the other hoof, trailed behind Lyra by a few feet.
"Hey!"
"Berry Punch! Colgate!" Lyra greeted the two. "How are you?"
"Fine!" Replied Colgate. "Where are you two off to?"
"Canterlot, actually." Lyra said as Bon Bon came to stand next to her. "You know how I've been having those weird dreams?"
Berry Punch and Colgate nodded.
"Well, I'm going to ask the princess about them." Lyra finished.
"How exciting!" Berry Punch said.
"Yeah!" Lyra agreed. "Hey, wanna come with?"
"Sure!" Colgate said, her eyes lighting up. "But we need to pack, and you'll miss your train...." Lyra giggled.
"No need to pack! We'll only be there a few days! Come on!" Lyra nudged her friend.
"Alright! I haven't been to Canterlot for a long time!" Berry Punch said excitedly. And the three went off.
Bon Bon stood there and watched them for a minute, before sighing loudly and going to catch up to them.
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All ponies going on board of train seventy-two to Canterlot, please begin boarding. Thank you.
The four mares rushed up to the train station, and weaved their way through the crowd to the entrance of the train. The walked in.
"Let's get our own cart," Bon Bon suggested. The others nodded, and began to trot down the first cart. They walked to the back, to the second to last cart, which was all alone.
"How long is the ride?" Berry asked, sitting down next to a window.
"About three hours," Lyra replied. "Good thing I brought a book!" Lyra magically opened one of her saddlebag packs and levitated out a small Daring Do book. She sat down next to Berry and began reading. Bon Bon lay down on a seat in the back row, stretching out so she took up the entire seat. Her head hurt a little, and she ached for a good nap. Sighing softly, she rested her head on her hooves and began to doze. Colgate sat across from Lyra and Berry, who sat near the front of the cart (which had about eight rows of seats).
"How do you think the princess will react when you tell her about your dreams?" Colgate asked.
"I'm not sure," Lyra replied, "but I hope she'll give me an explanation for the dreams."
"What if she doesn't know?" Berry asked.
"I doubt that," Lyra replied. "but there is still a chance..." her voice trailed off and she gulped. Colgate looked out the window, and rested her head on the back of the chair. There was silence for a long time, until finally a voice came over the intercom.
Welcome aboard train seventy-two, going to Canterlot! The approximate time it will take for this trip is three hours. If you have brought a suitcase on board, then we have taken it and put it in the suitcase luggage area, near the front of the train. Once we stop in Canterlot, you may exit the train and then go to the luggage claim area at the train station. There is a cart that is being used as a cafe, and it will open in about an hour or so. We will announce this when it is time. We hope you enjoy your train ride from Ponyville to Canterlot.
Suddenly there was a rumbling noise that died down quickly to a low hum, and the train began to move forward slowly, then fast. They went past the suburb area of Ponyville; a few schools, a couple of houses and stores, and a little pond. Then suddenly all of Ponyville was in the distance, and they were on their way to Canterlot.
Seeking Answers
"Bon Bon," Lyra said, nudging her friend, who was asleep on a chair. "Wake up! We arrived in Canterlot, and we can't waste any time." Lyra nudged her friend harder. Bon Bon groaned and opened her eyes.
"Fine, fine," Bon Bon said, getting up and yawning.
"How exciting!" Berry Punch said, looking out the window. "It's so sophisticated here."
"No duh!" Colgate said, playfully nudging her friend. "Canterlot is very uptight."
Lyra trotted over to them. "We need to get going. Come on!" They exited the train, and began to walk towards the castle.
"What if the guards don't let us in?" Bon Bon asked.
"Yeah, what if we need to like, schedule an appointment?" Colgate added.
"I'm sure that wont happen," Lyra replied. "If I give the guards a valid reason, they'll let me in."
The rest of the walk was in silence, but they finally reached the entrance to the castle. Two guard stallions stood on either side of the door, in full armor holding spears. They stopped them.
"You are not allowed to see the princess," The guard on he left said.
"This is urgent! I'm seeking an answer and the only pony I think will be able to answer is the princess!" Lyra said.
"And what is the problem you are seeking an answer for?" The guard on the right asked.
"I think a new evil is rising," Lyra said. "I'm afraid it will come soon."
The guards consulted, then let Lyra and her friends in. The foyer was grand, with marble floors and a beautiful rug. There was a staircase leading up.
"Remember when we went to the Grand Galloping Gala?" Bon Bon said, smiling.
"Haha, yeah." Lyra replied.
"What was it like? We didn't go." Colgate chirped.
"Well," Bon Bon began as they trotted up the stairs. "It was normal at first, but then everything went crazy when these ponies began destroying the place!"
"Yeah! And do you remember that yellow pegasus who let the animals in?" Lyra said.
"I do!" Bon Bon replied, memories flooding back to her. "And she screamed something like "You're going to love me" or something."
"Yeah, that was when we ran out." Lyra said. "We haven't been inside the palace since."
"Sounds like it was a big event," Berry said. "I wish I was there. I would have loved to see that."
"Well," Lyra said, as they trotted into the room which the gala had been held, "it wasn't too fun when we were there. I was almost trampled by a kangaroo!"
Colgate laughed. "Wow, what a night it was."
"Indeed," Bon Bon said. They were now at the door to the throne room. Two guards stood on either side, in armor and holding spears.
"What is your purpose to see the Princess?" The guard on the right asked. Lyra said her excuse she had used to get into the castle at the entrance.
"Very well, you may enter." The doors open, and Lyra trotted in. Her friends were about to follow when the doors slammed shut.
"Why cant we go in with her?" Colgate asked.
"You must wait here." The guard on the left said.
Berry sighed loudly. "Well, this is just great." She grumbled.
"Don't feel too bad," Bon Bon said. "I'm sure it wont be long."
"Besides," Colgate added. "It's mainly about Lyra."
Lyra heard the doors slam shut behind her, and she jumped. She turned around, and sighed.
"Looks like I'll be all alone for this one," she grumbled.
"Hello, Lyra."
Lyra looked up and saw Princess Celestia. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. The Princess of Equestria, right in front of her! She almost fainted. But no, she stood her ground. She bowed low, then spoke.
"Nice to see you, Princess Celestia," Lyra said, smiling. "I have come to see you to seek an answer."
Princess Celestia nodded. "Come, let us walk and talk." The Princess said, smiling. Lyra walked next to the Princess. They walked down a very wide hallway with many paintings and windows.
"Talk to me," Princess Celestia said as they walked down the hallway.
"Well," Lyra began. "For weeks I have been having strange dreams. I'm in this void and ponies call out to me, but I never see them. After the first few nights I began to record them in a journal," Lyra stopped walking and magically opened one of her saddlebag packs and levitated out the journal. She opened it, revealing all the dates she had written down, and what the dream was like. The Princess magically took it from Lyra, and levitated in front of her so she could read it. Lyra continued.
"Last night however, I had another dream. But in this one I saw ponies. I was in a field with a river cutting through it, and a very large group of ponies were walking on the other side of the river. I saw a little filly ask her mother why they were running, and her mother replied because of a villain. She didn't name the villain though. When I called out to them, they didn't replied. It was like I wasn't there at all. Since you're over a thousand years old, I thought you would know." Lyra finished.
Silence.
The Princess gave Lyra back the book, and Lyra levitated it into her saddlebag and closed it. The Princess thought.
"I...I don't think I know," the Princess confessed. Lyra's heart sunk. She had gone to Canterlot for nothing.
"I've seen many villains in my life, from when I was a filly to now," the Princess continued. "But I don't think I've seen that villain...I mean, I don't remember hearing about a village being destroyed and ponies fleeing to a new spot. I think that was before I was born."
"Oh," Lyra said, disappointment in her voice. "well."
"Don't worry," Princess Celestia said. "I'm sure the dreams will go away soon."
Their heads spun in the direction of the window, and when they looked out they saw that two buildings had collapsed, and ponies were panicking and screaming.
And this is where is all began.
"Who are you?" Celestia asked, stomping her hoof.
The strange mare chuckled darkly. "Ah, no wonder you wouldn't know me," she said. "I'm from before you are born. Ninety seven years before you were born, to be exact." She landed on the golden rail of the balcony. "My name is Caprica." Caprica said. "Long ago, forty three years before you were born I believe, I attacked Equestria with an army of dragons, timberwolves, and evil, cold, pegasi and unicorns. I was incredibly powerful, and almost destroyed Equestria and took over. However, your father, Kal, sacrificed himself to save Equestria. He sealed me away in a cave, and I was stuck there until now," Caprica grinned. "You have no power to stop me."
"Celestia!" Celestia turned around and saw Cadence, Luna, and Twilight run to her.
"Who is that?" Luna said.
"Caprica," Caprica said flatly. "Who are you guys?"
"What do you want with us?!" Cadence shouted, ignoring Caprica's question. Caprica sighed.
"I want to take over Equestria, and destroy you guys in the process. I want to finish something I started long ago," Caprica said. "All of Equestria is under attack."
"You wont get past us!" Twilight Sparkle said, stamping her hoof. Caprica chuckled.
"Oh really?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Suddenly she shot a beam of magic at Twilight, knocking the newest princess down,making her cry out, eyes wide.
"What did you do to her?!" Cadence cried.
"It just bruised her, don't worry." Caprica said. "But I can do much worse. You've no idea." She grinned, then unfolded her wings, and quickly flew off into the distance.
"What will we do?" Luna asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
"We must combine our powers to stop this," Celestia replied. "Caprica has more power than us, but we at least have to try." Cadence helped Twilight up, and the two nodded in agreement.
"Let us go," Luna said. And the four princesses flew off.
"Hurry up!" Lyra shouted. The four had fled from the castle, and were rushing down the streets of Canterlot. Fires were all around them, and pegasi and unicorns clad in black armor leaped at them. Lyra had a scratch on her cheek, and a large bruise on her left flank, right above her cutie mark. Bon Bon had four cuts and scratches on her legs, Colgate had a sprained left hoof and many bruises, while Berry Punch had some cuts and bruises over her body.
"Where are we even going?" Berry panted.
"Safety," Lyra replied as her friends caught up.
"The castle was completely safe!" Colgate snapped. "Why did we leave?"
Lyra didn't answer. They continued on, Colgate grumbling to herself.
"Girls!"
The four looked and saw Princess Cadence standing there.
"Princess!" Bon Bon gasped.
"Girls, duck into the nearest building. Us and the other Princesses will try to stop this all." Cadence instructed. The four nodded, and ran into a nearby shop. It was small and it had no enemy pony, so they were safe. Through the window they saw Cadence fly off.
"Now what?" Berry asked, her voice trembling.
"Princess Cadence said she and the other princesses will try to fix things," Lyra said. "So we have to wait."
And so they did, but they were all very worried.
"Everypony inside a building?" Luna asked as Twilight, the last princess to arrive, arrived at the largest balcony. The balcony overlooked all of Manehatten, which was up in flames and had dead bodies scattered around, as well as evil ponies running around.
"Yes, I made a final check and there is no good pony out on the streets," Twilight confirmed.
"Very well," Luna spoke. "are we all ready?"
"I'm ready," Twilight said, closing her eyes, standing next to Cadence.
"As am I," Cadence replied, preparing herself.
"Let us begin," Celestia said.
A faint glow appeared on all their horns, as they began to channel a powerful magic. It increased into a bright beam of light, as they all tried their best to pour their magic into the same spell. Caprica saw this, and tensed up. Suddenly a blinding beam of light appeared, and she closed her eyes and grit her teeth. It was about a minute before she opened them again, and when she did, nothing had changed. A deep laugh emitted from her throat.
"Even the princesses can't eat me!" She cried. "I am a god!" She dove down and crashed into a window of a shop. Ignoring the cuts on her wings, and lunged at the nearest pony, a light blue unicorn with a white and darker blue mane. The mare's eyes were wide with fear, and in one quick movement Caprica snapped her neck. The unicorn fell dead to the ground, eyes dull. Around her, three other ponies, one a unicorn, stood there, speechless. Caprica roared with laughter as she screamed the same thing over and over again.
"I AM A GOD!"
Author's Note
RIP Colgate.
"Bon Bon," Lyra said to Bon Bon. "stay here with Berry Punch. I'll be back as soon as I can," Lyra turned to Caprica.
"So you think you're all godlike?" Lyra taunted. "Well, try and catch me!" Lyra bolted out of the shop, and to the castle. Caprica sped after her, shooting bolts of magic. Lyra was nimble so she dodged them. She barged into the castle, and Caprica blasted a huge hole in the castle. Caprica screamed in frustration. Lyra rushed up the stairs to the balcony. The princesses lay there.
Dead.
Lyra's eyes widened. Grief washed over her, but she shook her head. She levitated Princess Celestia's crown off and put it on herself.
"I have you!" Caprica said, flying onto the balcony. Lyra spotted the shop she had been in, and closed her eyes. She teleported off the balcony to there.
"Lyra!" Bon Bon's voice was relieved. "I'm losing Berry Punch," tears threatened to fall. Lyra opened her eyes and rushed to her friend. The cloth was soaked with blood, which was still flowing. Berry's breathing was labored.
"Lyra?" Berry rasped. "Is that you?"
"Sh, don't talk. Save your strength," Lyra murmured. She turned to Bon Bon. "Caprica should be here any second. I know what do to. Bon Bon," Lyra put her hooves on Bon Bon's cheeks. "It has been a blessing knowing you. I will always be with you, even if it doesn't seem like I am there."
"Wait, Lyra. You're not going to...." her voice trailed off. Lyra turned to Berry Punch.
"The same for you, Berry. It might not seem like I am there, but I always will be." Lyra stood up. "I'm putting an end to this violence and chaos that is all over Equestria." As if on queue, Caprica appeared.
"I finally have you," Caprica snarled.
"Caprica," Lyra said. "you have met your final match." Bon Bon watched, eyes wide. Berry wheezed, and lifted her head to watch. Caprica laughed.
"My final match? More like your final match," Caprica said. Lyra didn't replied.
"here it goes," she thought. She closed her eyes, and using all her strength, a bright light formed at the tip of her horn. For some reason, Caprica couldn't move. She watched in horror. Bon Bon watched, tears running down her eyes, and Berry Punch used all her strength to keep her head up. The light grew brighter and brighter, bigger and bigger.
In the blink of an eye the world was gone.
Author's Note
No, the world doesn't disappear forever.
Rain poured down steadily, causing everypony to rush into the nearest building. At the doorway of Sugarcube Corner, two mares stood side by side. One a light blue unicorn with blue eyes, and half of her mane and tail was white, the other was dark blue. Her cutie mark was an hour glass. The other mare was light purple, with a slightly darker purple mane and tail, and her eyes were very light purple. Her cutie mark was a bunch of grapes and a strawberry.
"Drats!" The blue unicorn said in annoyance. She stomped her hoof. "why did the pegasi have to schedule for a storm just now?"
"Calm down, Colgate," the other mare said. "sometimes the pegasi schedule random storms."
"That's what annoys me, Berry Punch!" Colgate said. "they could at least tell us. Don't you agree?" Berry Punch sighed.
"Sure..." Berry punch said. "let's run to the nearest shelter and wait out the storm." Colgate nodded, and the two broke into a gallop down the street. Rain whipped across their faces, and lightening flickered nearby. They two rushed into a small little bakery. A cream colored mare with a half pink, half dark blue mane and tail with blue eyes and a cutie mark of three candies sat behind the counter, half asleep. Her head lifted up when she heard hoofsteps.
"Hey Berry, hey Colgate," the mare said. "gee, that storm is really strong." The mare got off the stool she was sitting on. "I'll get you two some towels," she trotted back into the kitchen. As Berry punch went to look at the pastries in the glass cases, Colgate spotted a beautiful lyre sitting on the front desk. She walked over to it an examined it
"I have towels for you two," Bon Bon returned, holding two white towels. Colgate levitated one up and began to dry herself off, while Berry did the same with her hooves. When they were dry, Bon Bon put the towels in the kitchen.
"Bon Bon," Colgate said, pointing to the lyre. "where did you get that?"
"It appeared at my doorstep yesterday," Bon Bon said. "I have no idea how it got there. But it's very beautiful. If only I knew how to play it."
"Oh, interesting," Colgate said.
"You think somepony dropped it?" Berry Punch said, trotting up to them.
"Doubt it," Bon Bon replied. "Nopony claimed it by the end of the day, so I decided to keep it. Actually, sometimes I have dream where I see this unicorn who is light green. Half of her mane and tail is white, the other is light blue. Her eyes are bronze colored and her cutie mark is a lyre. It looks just like the one I have here. She always seems happy to see me and she tries to talk to me. We talk, but it's always a little awkward. Whenever I see her I feel like I know her from somewhere, but at the same time it's like I've never seen her."
"Maybe it's a long lost twin or something," Berry said. Bon Bon rolled her eyes.
"Maybe it's a spirit trying to contact you," Colgate suggested.
"Who knows," Bon Bon shrugged. She took out a plate and put on some cookies and crepes. She put that on the counter.
"Care for some pastries?"
Author's Note
If you don't get it, Lyra reset the universe. Bon Bon sees her in her dreams. Nopony remembers Lyra, they have no idea she ever existed. They also don't know at all about their past lives.
A misty gray fog swirled around Lyra's hooves, sending shivers down her spine. She looked around, in the familiar black void. For months, in her dreams, she has been sent here. Every night the dream differs, but still makes her wonder in the morning when she wakes up.
Lyra began to slowly trot forward, her dark yellow eyes scanning the void for any other pony. She came to a halt suddenly, and shivered again.
"Hello?" Lyra called out, her voice echoing. "Anypony there?" She knew that nopony answered, as this was probably the twenty-third time she dreamed of being in this place and she was the only pony here, but tha didn't stop her from trying. Lyra waited a minute for an answer, but heard none. She sighed softly, and began to trot forward again.
Oof!
Suddenly Lyra tripped and fell face first into...dirt? Lyra scrambled up onto her hooves, and looked around. She found herself standing in a large field, with a large rushing river cutting straight through it. She looked behind her shoulder and saw she had tripped over a rock. Her left front hoof throbbed gently, and Lyra shook it. Suddenly she saw ponies walking along the stream.
The ponies were of all races; some pegasus, some unicorns, some earth ponies. Old ones and young ones, mares and stallions. Lyra's heart drummed in her chest. Finally! Other ponies.
"Hello!" Lyra yelled, running forward. "Where are you ponies heading to?" But to her surprise, the ponies didn't react. They kept on walking forward, to them Lyra wasn't even there.
Lyra stomped her hoof in anger. Why?! She was so close, but she wasn't there. Lyra gave a sigh of defeat.
"Mama," a small earth-pony filly suddenly spoke. She had a tan coat, and light blue mane and tail. Her eyes were pale green, and her cutie mark was a quill. "why are we running away?"
Her mother, a light brown mare with light red mane and tail and hazel eyes, whose cutie mark was an apple, replied, "Because our village was destroyed, and those villains took the life of half our village. And it's not us, t's the remaining survivors."
"Villains?" Lyra thought. "What villains are they talking about?"
"Oh," the filly said sadly. "Where are we going?"
Her mother sighed softly. "I don't know," she replied, "but it will be somewhere far away."
Lyra had had enough. She ran up to them, yelling, "What villains?! Who are you ponies?! Answer me!" She screamed. But the herd of ponies didn't reply, didn't even look in her direction. Suddenly Lyra tripped on a rock, and water rushed into her mouth as she went under.
Lyra paddled to the surface, where she coughed and sputtered and gulped in air. The water was freezing, and she was being swept away fast. She was getting farther and farther away from the herd of ponies.
"No!" She cried, slamming into a rock. "No-" and she went under again, being pushed around my the current. She hit another rock, and everything went black.
Lyra fluttered opened her eyes to see faint sunlight filtering through the window. She rolled onto her back and groaned. It was another one of those dreams! She was glad she was in her warm dry bed though, and not being swept away by that river. Lyra sighed and got out of bed. Her room was small but cozy. It had a white carpet floor, a bookshelf, a small window, and a small bed with light red blanket and white pillows. She yawned and exited her room.
She lived in a small apartment in downtown Ponyville with her best friend Bon Bon. The two had known each other since they were fillies, and were friends through thick and thin. Lyra's room exited into the main room, and on the other side was Bon Bon's room. Her door was still closed, so Lyra knew she was still asleep.
The main room had hardwood floor, two windows, two small gray couches and a coffee table in between, and near the center of the room was a small wooden table with one chair at each end, and two chairs on either side(for guests, obviously). Against the wall near Lyra's room was a larger bookshelf, and left of the entrance door, a little near Bon Bon's room, was the kitchen. The kitchen had a fridge, stove and oven and microwave, and a sink and cabinets. Finally, a few feet from the door to Lyra's room on the other side, the one without the bookshelf, was the bathroom, which had a separate bathtub and shower, sink and mirror, and a toilet. The apartment was nice and cozy.
Lyra trotted to the kitchen, and levitated a small cup with her magic. She opened the fridge and took out some cider she and Bon Bon had bought from Applejack, and poured herself a cup of it She placed the cider in the fridge, closed the door, and sipped from her cup, still levitating it.
As she drank the cider, she thought about her dreams. She wondered what they were about. Every time it was the void, with voices calling out to her, saying "Save us" and "Help...please..." but tonight she had seen actual ponies, and they had mentioned a villain.
"But who is the villain?" Lyra thought in frustration.
"Lyra?" A sleepy voice asked. Lyra turned her head and saw Bon Bon standing in her doorway. "Why are you up so early?" She yawned. Lyra blinked.
"What time is it?" Lyra asked.
"'Bout a quarter to ten," Bon Bon replied, trotting up to her friend.
"That's not early for me, you sleep late," Lyra said, smiling. Bon Bon shrugged.
"Did you have another-" Bon Bon began.
"Yes," Lyra cut her off. "But this time I actually saw ponies." She placed down her cider on the counter top. "They mentioned a villain, but they didn't say it's name or what it looked like." Bon Bon nodded as she rummaged through the fridge and took out an apple. Closing the fridge she bit into it.
"What do you think?" Bon Bon said with her mouth full. Lyra shrugged.
"I've been having these dreams for weeks, and I've confronted every pony in Ponyville about them, and they know nothing!" Lyra said, sighing.
"So what will you do?" Bon Bon asked, taking another bite. "See the Princess or something?" she said with sarcasm.
Lyra's eyes lit up. "That's it!" She said excitedly. "The Princess is over a thousand years old, so she must have heard about these ponies!"
"I didn't really mean it-" Bon Bon said. Lyra ignored her.
"Pack your bags, Bon Bon!" Lyra said, smiling, "we're going to Canterlot!"
"Oh," Lyra said, disappointment in her voice. "well."
"Don't worry," Princess Celestia said. "I'm sure the dreams will go away soon."
CRASH!!! BOOM!!!!
Their heads spun in the direction of the window, and when they looked out they saw that two buildings had collapsed, and ponies were panicking and screaming.
"Princess!" A guard called, running up to them. "We are under attack!" He panted.
"By whom?" Princess Celestia demanded.
"We are not sure," the guard said, catching his breath. "but buildings are collapsing and ponies are being injured!"
Princess Celestia frowned.
"Bring me my sister, and the other princesses," Celestia ordered. The guard nodded, then ran off.
"What should I do?" Lyra asked, eyes wide with fear.
"Go see to your friends," Celestia told her. "I will handle this." Lyra nodded, and ran as fast as she could out of the door. There were more guards in the room, talking with one another. Colgate, Berry Punch, and Bon Bon, were all talking softly.
"Lyra!" Colgate exclaimed when she saw her. "Your back! What did the Princess say about your dreams?"
"She said she had no idea, that the villain was from beyond her knowledge." Lyra replied.
"So you didn't get an answer?" Berry asked.
"No answer," Lyra confirmed. Bon Bon wrapped her arm around Lyra.
"Don't worry," Bon Bon comforted her friend. "We've more things to worry about, like this attack."
"Where's the Princess?" Berry asked suddenly.
"I have no idea," Lyra replied. "All we can do is hope the attack stops."
Princess Celestia walked onto the balcony. Buildings were on fire, ponies lay scattered everywhere, some injured, some dead. Ponies screamed and panicked everywhere. In the distance another building fell. Princess Celestia frowned.
"Well well well."
Princess Celestia looked around. "Who's there?" she shouted. "Show yourself!"
"If you say so..."
In front of Celestia a form manifested. It revealed a light gray mare with a flowing black mane and tail. She had piercing icy blue eyes, a unicorn horn and pegasus wings, and her legs were rather long. She smiled, revealing pointed teeth.
"Long time no see, Celestia."
Silence pounded on their ears as the four mares stood in silence. In the distance a light shone, and suddenly a blinding light came across them. It lasted for a minute, and when they opened their eyes nothing had changed.
"It didn't work..." Colgate said in despair.
"It can't be..." Berry Punch said in disbelief.
"We're doomed," Bon Bon said, hanging her head.
Lyra was speechless. Even the princesses, all four of them, couldn't defeat the villain.
"This cant be..." Lyra thought in despair.
Suddenly there was a loud crash, and suddenly the window was broken and there stood a rather tall light gray mare, with piercing icy blue eyes and a flowing black mane. She had a unicorn horn and pegasus wings, which had a few scratches on them from the glass. Suddenly she lunged at Colgate, wrapped her hooves around her neck and twisted. Colgate fell to the ground dead. The evil alicorn began to laugh and screamed "I AM A GOD!" over and over again.
Lyra stared at Colgate's body, lying on the floor. A tear fell down Berry Punch's cheek, while Bon Bon stood there, shaking with fear.
"How dare you!" Berry Punch shrieked. "Why did you have to kill her?!"
"No one can defeat me, Caprica," Caprica spat. "I am more powerful than all the princesses."
Berry Punch's eyes flared up in hatred. She charged at Caprica, but Caprica fired a blast of magic at her. Berry was knocked back, a large, bleeding gash on her shoulder. Blood steadily poured out of it.
"Berry!" Bon Bon gasped. She rushed to her friend and began to help her. She grabbed a rag and placed it over the gash and pressed down.
"Caprica," Lyra said, taking off her saddlebag and trotting forward so she was only a few feet away from the villain. "who exactly are you?"
"I rose long ago, before Celestia and Luna were born, and I have come back to finish a task I started long ago. I will take over Equestria. No pony can stop me," Caprica explained, her blue eyes piercing into Lyra.
"Did you, by any chance, drive ponies out of a village long ago?" Lyra asked.
"I drove many ponies out of their villages, so yes," Caprica said.
"Was one in a field with a river?" Lyra asked, eyes widening.
"One of them, yes," Caprica replied flatly. "Lyra, what is the point of this?"
"How do you know my name?" Lyra asked, but she wasn't too surprised.
"I know the name of every pony in Equestria," Caprica said. "That is Bon Bon," Caprica said, pointing to Bon Bon, who was muttering words to Berry, who was in shock. "who is attending to Berry Punch, and the pony I killed is named Colgate," Caprica turned to Colgate's dead body.
Lyra stared at Caprica. The dreams, the chaos, everything....
She suddenly knew what she had to do.