Pony of the Twelve Signs

After everypony was sitting comfortably Zacora spoke up.

"Now that you have your apple's and have gotten comfortable I'll continue. Now the three unicorn leaders swore to bring down the menace the plagued their country. The pact they made reads something like this, 'We as brothers and sisters in race will uphold our duty to the land we sow and expel all outside evils, will be always faithful to our allies, and to uphold this code to our dying days'. That duty is bound in every unicorn today as the Unicorn Creed." Zacora paused. "I'm going to skip ahead a little while. After 21 long years of recruitment and liberating city after city they had reached the capital city where the evil queens influence was greatest. The army tired from years of fighting readied itself for one last fight, but as the army was about to push the walls the Queen; now known as Chrysalis, made an announcement. 'Before we fight in our final stands let me invite you for a meeting of the minds courtesy of me and in my castle halls.'. Though it was not in their best interests the three consented to Chrysalis's idea and wanting to meet their opponent face to face once again they left without the army knowing. While in the throne room Chrysalis talked big plans of a future of peace and prosperity between the two groups but as with the Queenly guise she had turned into for the meeting the three saw through the lies. After negotiations failed Chrysalis ordered the three captured but after much fighting where Chysalis's gaurd was obliterated and Retainer Golden Hill had lost his life. In a feat of magic only 2 Unicorns have ever attempted Lord Silva cast a spell of banishing, that propelled Chrysalis and all her minions out of the empire but the cost was too great and even as the army stormed the city Lord Silva had died the strain of that much magic being expelled was too much. Now with the empire cleansed and harmony restored the Great Queen Moonbeam while using a public display of magic was given the gift of flight becoming the first Alicorn. That's what the legend says. now that I am done, get some rest!"

At this point only Shining Armor, Twilight, and Luster were still awake. Zacora dropped down to stump from her staff and lay down and drifted off to sleep. Luster and Shiny were once again looking at the stars. Twilight snuggled up a little closer to her brother as she fell asleep.

"Some story huh?" Shining Armor broke the silence.

"It makes you wonder if you'll ever have to stand up for your home and defend it like they did." Luster replied.

"I don't know about you but I've had to do that more than once."

"So I have heard I was referring to myself."

"You're a good pony Luster. Though we have had our arguments and our disagreements I would stand with you in battle."

"Your not half bad yourself I think I just misunderstood you before."

"Yea, well goodnight Luster."

"Goodnight Shiny"

They both laughed at the nickname then they both closed their eyes and fell asleep.

•••

Luster was awoken by something soft landing on his face. He opened one eye to see what it was just in time to see a snowflake land on his nose. But Luster had felt snow before and this wasn't cold. He stood up and saw he was the only one awake he stared in wonder at the magical snow. After a little bit he heard a yawn from behind him.

"Luster why is it so cold?" Luster heard Twilight's voice behind him.

Luster turned around to see her shivering and using her magic to brush away the snow.

"Oh wait is that me? Sorry." Luster said apologetically finally noticing he was causing the snow. Luster took a deep breath and willed the magic to stop. "All better?"

"Yeah, but even though it was cold it was beautiful in a way." Twilight responded.

"What was dear?" Rarity's voice came from an improvised lean-to.

"Luster made snow." Twilight said with a smile that was soon erased when a snowball came and hit her in the head.

"You betcha he did!" Laughed Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow did you throw that one?" Twilight scolded but before Rainbow Dash could answer they were both hit by snowballs.

"What d'ya'll mean by she threw that one?" shouted Applejack from behind the stump.

Luster and Shining Armor were pegged by a couple snowballs that was followed by a loud "Yipee!!!" since Shining Armor was sleeping when he was hit and he woke up jumped to his hooves and shouted "Snowball fight!!!" and the fight ensued.

Almost immediately teams were formed Shining Armor, Luster, and Twilight against Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack with Pinkie Pie blasting both sides and Fluttershy cowering in the middle and Spike behind the stump.

In the fight Rainbow Dash was the first to strike hitting Luster square in the face but she was shut down immediately by Shining Armor and Twilight's retaliation. Rarity made a comeback with a barrage of snowballs that would have devastated Twilight and Luster's offense if it wasn't for Pinkie who suddenly appeared with skis and used them as a sort of shield as she rocketed snowballs toward Shining Armor and Applejack. Shining Armor ducked in time to dodge the one coming toward him but Applejack who was not as quick lost her hat to the projectile.

This was abruptly stopped when a snowball came flying toward Luster who promptly melted the snowball and by accidentally applying too much heat melted the whole clearing ending the fun.

With a lack of snow Pinkie Pie lost control of the skis and tumbled into the bushes laughing the whole way down.

"Awwww, why'd you have to ruin the fun?" said Pinkie Pie from the bushes.

"Is it safe now?" asked Fluttershy who was peeking out from under her hooves.

"All things aside. That was sooooo awesome!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted gleefully.

"Oh and not to mention made our manes frizzy." Rarity remarked inciting some laughter.

"I know you girls are having fun now but where did Zacora slink off to?" Twilight spoke up while looking around.

"Now that I think about it where did she go?" Applejack repeated.

This put the whole clearing in a hustle calling out for Zacora and looking around for her with no avail.

"Everypony gather to the stump!" Shining Armor called out and after everypony had gathered he continued. "Now we are lost in the woods, have no guide, and we are out of food. Also we have water, balloons, and a couple Pegasi."

"What do you need Captain?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I need you and Fluttershy to fly up and see in what direction Ponyville is in!" Shining Armor commanded.

"On it!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Will do." Fluttershy confirmed.

"Now Rarity and Pinkie Pie i would like you guys to take Spike back to Ponyville with Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and let the mayor and Celestia know where we are."

"Okie Doki Loki!" shouted Pinkie Pie.

"Will do, Oh Spiiiiike your coming home with me tonight!" Rarity confirmed.

"Yes Rarity." Spike said in a slightly infatuated tone.

"Ok now that that is cleared up... Rainbow! How's the sky look?" Shining Armor asked.

"Just peachy I can lead them back to Ponyville no problem."

After a few short goodbyes the group was on the way home all except for Luster, Twilight, Applejack, and Shining Armor.

"Great. Luster, Applejack, Twily; we are going to look for Zacora."