Family Secretsby MyLittleChangelingChaptersPrologue: Pages of a BookChapter 1: Yin and YangChapter 2: Memories, Sweet and SourPrologue: Pages of a BookFamily Secrets - Prologue: Pages of a Book Miss Phoenix trotted briskly to her desk, beckoning us impatiently to follow suit. She quickly levitated a small chunk of white chalk up to the blackboard, and used her years of experience to swiftly write the objectives on the board. Her hooves clicked loudly against the wooden desk. “Alright, class, listen closely. Today we will be learning about ...” Miss Phoenix paused to glance at the board. “... The First War of the Nations!” The class erupted into groans and wails. This was the ancient story of our founding: the oldest, dustiest book on the shelf, and as boring as you could get. Miss Phoenix silenced the class with a promise that there would be extra homework on Equestria’s history for anypony not silent in the next 10 seconds, before proceeding with our lesson. “Open your textbooks at Chapter 5, entitled ‘The First War of the Nations: an overview’, and begin reading. I think you covered the first four chapters last year with Mr Pie, and I will NOT be going over them for anypony who has forgotten them. And do try to take in at least some of the information, or you’ll be helpless tomorrow when we analyse it.” Her tone was so commanding that we all buried our noses into the textbooks and began without an ounce of complaint. Chapter 5 – The First War of the Nations: an overview The First War of the Nations, the war that set the foundations for today’s Equestria, was caused when the three great nations first formed, and the regular ponies resisted. We will need to understand the origin of the Benders, to understand the war. The Equestria of one century ago was ruled by two alicorn princesses capable of controlling the Sun and Moon’s path across the sky, including the ascent and descent each morning and evening. They were the supreme authority over ponies, and were know as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna (these mares still live today – as is the nature of alicorns). Papers written at the time confirm it was on an expedition to the Everfree Forest on the outskirts of Ponyville that an ancient relic was discovered, releasing the Elements of Life. The Elements of Harmony, six leaders named Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, were called upon to test the three ‘bendable elements’: fire, earth and air. The two unicorns found they could bend fire, the pegusi air, and the earth ponies earth. Thus our three nations were founded. Everypony was summoned to their town centres to be tested (this was called the ‘Bender Test’) to find all the benders in Equestria. The first benders of Equestria wanted to remodel our world to suit benders, yet the ‘regular’ ponies found this ignorant and unnecessary. War broke out, with both sides fighting for the right to own wherever they lived as a ‘bender’ or ‘regular’ area. WN1 was led by the first six benders, and backed by each pony that had passed the ‘Bender Test’. After many a ‘battle’, so they were, had been fought, and the conviction that had driven the armies wore down, a peace treaty was formed. The treaty, now in possession of The National Museum of Equestria in Canterlot, read as follows – For the better interests of the citizens of Equestria, three nations will exist from this day forth. They will be based around the three great cities: Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale, and be designed to fit the needs of benders and regulars alike. Benders must live in their own nation, so as to be cared and trained correctly. In the rare occurrence that a pony bends a different element to that of its nation, they must be moved to the according nation immediately. Regular and bender ponies must treat each other equally and with respect, and no longer shall this war continue. Signed Equestria And The Princesses Celestia and Luna Many additional clauses have been added and changed since the creation of that document, but the above is the phrasing of the original. What has changed in today’s Equestria? Is the treaty still applicable? The Pegusi proceeded to leave Equestria after the Second War of the Nations, but that is covered later in this book. The bell rattled feebly in the corridor, and Miss Phoenix looked up from the books she had been marking to calmly instruct us. “Close your books, class, and stand behind your desks. You may leave when I call your name.” The class giggled and shouted, creating a general buzz that washed over the room as we shoved books into our bags. “Well, since none of you seem to feel like leaving- wait, Katya appears ready. Class, I suggest you follow her example. Katya, you can go.” I should probably tell you now that my name is Katya. As Miss Phoenix meant me, I slunk embarrassed to the door and with a burst of magic, flung it open so I could disappear behind. My accident-prone best friend crashed into me as I navigated the crowded halls. “Sorry Katya, didn’t see you there!” Lofty picked herself up and self-consciously pushed the cloak she was wearing further along, so that it fully covered her flank. Wrong move - Lofty never cared whether anypony teased her about having a blank flank. “Lofty,” I asked carefully, “what’s with the new outfit?” Lofty looked guilty, trying to avoid my eyes. “Come on Lofty, I’m your best friend, remember?” I pleaded, as I carefully removed the cloak from behind. Lofty shifted around, still trying to hide her flank, but not before I glimpsed exactly what she was trying to conceal. The cloak fell to the floor, and I gasped. Lofty froze, then with a small squeak braced herself for my reaction. “Lofty! You got your cutie mark!” I cried. Lofty sullenly accepted her predicted fate with a sigh. “Yes. It’s terrible, isn’t?”she moped. I let out a small whimper. Why was Lofty being so sad about the situation? Then it dawned on me. “Did you think I wouldn’t want to be friends anymore?” It seemed that I had guessed correctly, as Lofty jumped in surprise, like I had given her an electric shock. “It’s ... it’s not just about my cutie mark. It’s because I ... I can bend now, and I figured you wouldn’t want to hang out anymore if you couldn’t bend, but I could.” I released the breath I didn’t even realise I’d been holding. “Lo-fty! I’ll never stop being your friend. Why would I? And as for bending, that’s awesome! When did it happen? Which element is it? Fire or earth? Or can you bend air? Oh Lofty, this is amazing!” Lofty smiled in relief and answered my frantic questions. “Umm ... well, I was having an extra bending lesson and-” Oh yes. The extra lessons. Lofty’s family were wealthy and lived in the upper part of Canterlot, our home city. Her parents were desperate for Lofty to become a bender, and had paid for Lofty to attend the best school in Canterlot. Since that clearly didn’t help Lofty, they applied for extra lessons, meaning Lofty was stuck with eight different bending sessions a day. Anyway, she continued: “-I was just feeling mad that I my extra training wasn’t getting me anywhere. Then just as I was doing one of the routines, I felt a tingly feeling in my hooves, and the fire moved exactly like it was meant to!” My best friend moved around so I could see her flank. “I guess that’s when my cutie mark appeared.” she whispered. I took a closer look at what I had only caught a glimpse of before. Where I was used to seeing Lofty’s tan coat move seamlessly towards her wavy ginger tail, a single, seemingly flickering flame now broke the smooth flow. Chapter 1: Yin and YangFamily Secrets – Chapter 1 Walking through the front door, it only took me a second to realise something was wrong. Dad was home, and he was not happy. My little sister Panda Bear was upstairs, hiding under her bed while Mum tried to keep Dad occupied so he wouldn’t come looking for us. I was still in my uniform, a constrictive white shirt with the school emblem emblazoned on, a grey pleated skirt, and a set of plain black horseshoes. I knew Dad would get even angrier if I wasn’t ready for my bending sessions after school, but it would be hard to get past my arguing parents to the stairs without being noticed. Panda’s small moans drifted down from her room, and I knew she was upset. I made a dash for the stairs, no longer caring if Dad saw me. His head whipped around at the sound of my hooves, and his voice thundered towards me. “KATYA! Where are you?” “Dad?!” I squeaked. Oops. He’d seen me. “Katya! Do as your father says, please ...” My mother’s weak voice drifted into my ears, and all plans of escape dissolved. “Yes Father?” I smiled innocently at Dad as I strolled into the kitchen where my parents stood, my mother cowering in my father’s massive shadow. This had worked well in the past, when Dad had been cross. I wasn’t sure if it would work on a hurricane force Dad, though. “I’m tightening the discipline around here. If your mother was in control of things-” he threw an indescribably angry glare at the quivering figure that crouched behind him “-none of these atrocities would have happened. You and that thing you call a sister will not be so pampered. Expect changes around here. Changes!” I backed away slowly, making for the door but never losing eye contact with the monster currently giving me a look that could burn holes in me, if that was possible, which with Dad I was never sure. I was inching ever closer to my goal, as Panda’s moans grew ever louder, until finally I turned and bolted, severing the invisible bonds with Dad to gallop to her aid. - “Panda, Panda, shhhhh now, I’m here! I’m here!” I whispered as I ran into her room. “Why are Mummy and Daddy shouting?” she sobbed. “Make them stop, make them stop!” I didn’t say a word, and instead pulled Panda into a big hug. “Make them stop ...” she whispered into my arms. “Make them stop ...” We clung to each other in silence until the raised voices subsided, and I glanced at the clock. “Oh hay! I’m late for bending practise ...” “Kata, Daddy will be cross if you aren’t ready!” As if he wasn’t already. I rushed into my room with Panda at my side. I made sure she had sat down on my bed before frantically changing into my bending clothes. Panda, having seemingly forgotten our parents’ argument, was bouncing on my bed and chattering happily to me. “Hey Kata! Guess what, guess what? I got my cutie mark, I got my cutie mark, I got my cutie mark ...” she chanted again and again. “That’s lovely, Panda Bear, but I have to ... wait, what? You got your cutie mark? Today?” I asked, confused. “Let me see ...” Panda obliged, and stuck her flank up for me to see. “Ta-dah!” she said proudly, waiting for me to praise her. However, all I could do was stare in amazement. “You ... you ... you got your cutie mark?! ...” I stuttered. There, stubbornly yet cleanly imprinted into her very skin, was Panda’s cutie mark. “What ... what is it?” I managed to regain some composure as I asked Panda. I guess the question seems a little dumb, but Panda was waving around in a sort of victory dance, making it hard to see. “It’s a bending cutie mark, silly! Daddy was so surprised when he found out, he rushed straight home and went into the dining room to talk to Mummy about it! They ended up talking really loudly, though ...” Panda trailed off, and looked at the floor. “Why did he shout at Mummy, Kata? Why wasn’t he pleased I could bend?” I was stunned. So that was why Dad was home! I hated him for ruining Panda’s big moment. At least one of his daughters could bend, for Equestria’s sakes! At least Mum seemed pleased with it, I guess. “I don’t know, Panda. I think Dad is pleased with you, in his own way. Maybe he was so happy he was shouting in joy?” I told Panda, eventually answering her questions, however flakily. “Here, can I see your cutie mark again? Just keep it still this time, OK?” Panda nodded, seemingly satisfied with my lies. She raised her flank once more and tried her hardest to steady it. After getting a good look, I realised what it was. A black-and-white circle, the symbol of peace, Equestria’s saviour symbol, the yin and yang sign, was neatly breaking Panda’s smooth flow of white fur. I thought I knew why Dad was upset. I mean, he’s wanted me to bend first since we were little fillies – it’s just another one of his peculiarities. But this wasn’t even a bending cutie mark. It didn’t add up. What could Dad possibly be mad about? I guess that’s what he is though, mad. Of course he wouldn’t be happy about anything. Suddenly I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was fed up of being part of Dad’s firing line, one of his punch bags. I decided to do something unthinkable, irrational and completely crazy. Hey, maybe I was a little like Dad after all. I was going to run away. - I planned quickly and carefully. I would tell Mum I was going to the market after bending so I would be home late. I would pack my saddlebags upstairs, and levitate them through the window and into our front garden before I left – if Mum saw me with saddlebags, she would smell a rat. I would have to go to bending; my teacher would be round here in seconds if I didn’t turn up. I would really go to the market: I couldn’t steal supplies from home, Dad watches the cupboards like a hawk. I would only bring a cloak clothes wise, I needed to keep warm if this was going to work. I knew enough about my family tree to know who would take me in and keep me safe from Dad. They lived a day’s journey away, though, so I would head for the Canterlot Castle ruins: there would be enough rubble to sleep rough until I could get to my relatives’. Tomorrow, I would head straight there and figure out how to sort out this mess. I was in the middle of packing my saddlebags when Panda came in. “Kata, Mummy wanted me to tell you-” She stopped when she saw the saddlebags. “You’re not going to ... But you wouldn’t ... Kata?” Panda’s voice began to waver. “Don’t Kata, don’t! Don’t leave me here!” I sighed. I hadn’t wanted Panda to find out like this. “Panda, you don’t understand. You have to stay here. I would take you if I could but this is not something I can do with you. Please, Panda, stay with Mum and keep her safe from Dad.” Panda’s upper lip trembled, but she nodded solemnly. “Panda ... I love you. Stay alive, and I will come back for you.” Chapter 2: Memories, Sweet and SourFamily Secrets – Chapter 2: Memories, Sweet and Sour I looked up at the grim structure before me, and shivered. The once great Canterlot Castle crumbled around me, and sleeping rough under one of the fallen arches didn’t seem such a good idea in practise. I couldn’t go back now – Dad would have my head if I went anywhere near the front door, so I gathered all the courage I possessed and trotted briskly into the dilapidated castle. Mutated statues watched with empty eyes as my hooves clicked uncomfortably loud against the old paths. My own eyes searched hungrily for a sheltered alcove or hollow space to spend the night, but found nothing. It was only on reaching the heart of the ruins that I found a chamber still intact. Against all odds, this small hall had survived the tirades of the Second War of the Nations, when the pegusi bombed the castle. Tattered banners still clung half heartedly to the smooth stone, and a worn velvet carpet led to a grand platform at the end. I walked slowly to this platform, my head pounding as I tried to absorb the melancholy beauty of the place. It took overturned golden chair lying forgotten in a corner for my brain to make the connection that had been there all along. This was the throne room, where the princesses Celestia and Luna sat as they ruled over my ancestors’ Equestria. This was where Princess Twilight Sparkle was coroneted, after taking her alicorn form. This was where Princess Cadence and Shining Armour were wed, where Queen Chrysalis tried to take over. This was where it all broke down, where Equestria became nothing. This was where we all turned against each other, where Princess Twilight and Cadence were murdered and Luna and Celestia fled. This was where friends became foes, allies enemies and where equality had no place. This was the scene of our darkest hour, our greatest mistake, where our peace was torn to shreds. This was where our new age was born ... Now I remembered what I had known all along, and the place lost its serenity. I could feel the ghost of every presence, every injustice served, and it crushed me. I saw everything, every foul deed; every step evil took to victory, every day growing further from the good this place was supposed to hold. I galloped wildly to the balcony I was sure awaited me, and dropped panting to the ground. The moments of fear and panic subsided, and I raised my head slowly upwards. A pallet of deep blues and blacks, swirling whites and twinkling yellows smiled at me, and the beauty of the night sky hypnotized my body. A glowing orb hung comfortingly in the middle of it all, and I relaxed. In a trance, I curled up and cradled my head in my forelegs. I was asleep in seconds. - The sun’s rays spread slowly around me, gently poking and prodding their way to me, until I basked in a pool of warmth. My eyelids fluttered open, and I found the sky to have redecorated itself overnight. A blend of candyfloss pinks, lilacs and a soft baby blue undertone replaced the darkness of the previous night and calmed me. I lay peacefully in the dawn light, until yesterday’s memories flooded back. My body convulsed in horror, and I stood too quickly, dizzy but eager to be moving. I slung my saddlebags deftly onto my back, smoothed the creases from where I’d slept in my cloak, and set off. I knew exactly where I needed to be, but lacked in map reading and wandered lost around the outskirts of Canterlot. The sun had risen high in the sky by now, and pulsated above me, everything becoming blisteringly hot. My legs dragged beneath me as I was reduced to an almost crawling state by the noon sun. It must have been pure luck that I looked up when I did, or I would never have seen the street sign. Fortunately, I was more than able to understand the sign pointing down Aura Lane, and turned down to find myself looking at a younger me, riding gleefully on a smiling grey pony’s back – my mother. - “Faster, Mummy, faster!” she cried, mane whipping around her face as the mare beneath her laughed, something that to the tiny filly, seemed like the gentle tinkling of a wind chime on a breezy day. The filly was an unforgettable one, on account of her mane and soft, downy fur. Strands of hair, only comparable to the rich oranges and maple reds of autumn leaves in colouring, hung loosely down in no apparent shape, much unlike any other pony in Canterlot. Her coat, a tawny amber and gold mixture, framed the thick black eyelashes that separated her eyes from her fur. Her hazel eyes completed her majestic appearance, but the oblivious filly only yelled louder in response to her mother cantering faster and faster, yet still slow enough for the filly to hang on. - The world around me began to refocus, and I groaned. Fainting wasn’t good in any situation, but of course I had to hit my head when I fell to add to everything. The nausea faded as fast as it had come, and anger flooded through me, replacing the emptiness. I was no longer the careless child I once was, and I grit my teeth as my anger turned to steely determination. Maybe I still wanted to be that filly, but I couldn’t. Things had changed, and it was time I changed with it. Raising my penknife slowly and determinedly to my head, the blade took one clean sweep to achieve my aim. Amber locks fell to the ground either side of me, and in the side of the blade I saw my face. For the first time in years, I smiled at my reflection. A short maned, hazel eyed mare smiled back. Content with my appearance, I surveyed the street and racked my brains in an attempt to match one of these houses with the image carved in my memory. I stumbled along the uneven cobblestone, staring intensely at each house that lined the road. Reaching the end of the street without success, I sat defeated on the grass. As I stared glassy eyed at my last hope, I was ready to admit defeat ... as a lopsided, teetering cottage began to take shape before me. Each squashed feature slowly slotted into place, and I looked on in awe as my saviour appeared.
Prologue: Pages of a BookFamily Secrets - Prologue: Pages of a Book Miss Phoenix trotted briskly to her desk, beckoning us impatiently to follow suit. She quickly levitated a small chunk of white chalk up to the blackboard, and used her years of experience to swiftly write the objectives on the board. Her hooves clicked loudly against the wooden desk. “Alright, class, listen closely. Today we will be learning about ...” Miss Phoenix paused to glance at the board. “... The First War of the Nations!” The class erupted into groans and wails. This was the ancient story of our founding: the oldest, dustiest book on the shelf, and as boring as you could get. Miss Phoenix silenced the class with a promise that there would be extra homework on Equestria’s history for anypony not silent in the next 10 seconds, before proceeding with our lesson. “Open your textbooks at Chapter 5, entitled ‘The First War of the Nations: an overview’, and begin reading. I think you covered the first four chapters last year with Mr Pie, and I will NOT be going over them for anypony who has forgotten them. And do try to take in at least some of the information, or you’ll be helpless tomorrow when we analyse it.” Her tone was so commanding that we all buried our noses into the textbooks and began without an ounce of complaint. Chapter 5 – The First War of the Nations: an overview The First War of the Nations, the war that set the foundations for today’s Equestria, was caused when the three great nations first formed, and the regular ponies resisted. We will need to understand the origin of the Benders, to understand the war. The Equestria of one century ago was ruled by two alicorn princesses capable of controlling the Sun and Moon’s path across the sky, including the ascent and descent each morning and evening. They were the supreme authority over ponies, and were know as Princess Celestia and Princess Luna (these mares still live today – as is the nature of alicorns). Papers written at the time confirm it was on an expedition to the Everfree Forest on the outskirts of Ponyville that an ancient relic was discovered, releasing the Elements of Life. The Elements of Harmony, six leaders named Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, were called upon to test the three ‘bendable elements’: fire, earth and air. The two unicorns found they could bend fire, the pegusi air, and the earth ponies earth. Thus our three nations were founded. Everypony was summoned to their town centres to be tested (this was called the ‘Bender Test’) to find all the benders in Equestria. The first benders of Equestria wanted to remodel our world to suit benders, yet the ‘regular’ ponies found this ignorant and unnecessary. War broke out, with both sides fighting for the right to own wherever they lived as a ‘bender’ or ‘regular’ area. WN1 was led by the first six benders, and backed by each pony that had passed the ‘Bender Test’. After many a ‘battle’, so they were, had been fought, and the conviction that had driven the armies wore down, a peace treaty was formed. The treaty, now in possession of The National Museum of Equestria in Canterlot, read as follows – For the better interests of the citizens of Equestria, three nations will exist from this day forth. They will be based around the three great cities: Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale, and be designed to fit the needs of benders and regulars alike. Benders must live in their own nation, so as to be cared and trained correctly. In the rare occurrence that a pony bends a different element to that of its nation, they must be moved to the according nation immediately. Regular and bender ponies must treat each other equally and with respect, and no longer shall this war continue. Signed Equestria And The Princesses Celestia and Luna Many additional clauses have been added and changed since the creation of that document, but the above is the phrasing of the original. What has changed in today’s Equestria? Is the treaty still applicable? The Pegusi proceeded to leave Equestria after the Second War of the Nations, but that is covered later in this book. The bell rattled feebly in the corridor, and Miss Phoenix looked up from the books she had been marking to calmly instruct us. “Close your books, class, and stand behind your desks. You may leave when I call your name.” The class giggled and shouted, creating a general buzz that washed over the room as we shoved books into our bags. “Well, since none of you seem to feel like leaving- wait, Katya appears ready. Class, I suggest you follow her example. Katya, you can go.” I should probably tell you now that my name is Katya. As Miss Phoenix meant me, I slunk embarrassed to the door and with a burst of magic, flung it open so I could disappear behind. My accident-prone best friend crashed into me as I navigated the crowded halls. “Sorry Katya, didn’t see you there!” Lofty picked herself up and self-consciously pushed the cloak she was wearing further along, so that it fully covered her flank. Wrong move - Lofty never cared whether anypony teased her about having a blank flank. “Lofty,” I asked carefully, “what’s with the new outfit?” Lofty looked guilty, trying to avoid my eyes. “Come on Lofty, I’m your best friend, remember?” I pleaded, as I carefully removed the cloak from behind. Lofty shifted around, still trying to hide her flank, but not before I glimpsed exactly what she was trying to conceal. The cloak fell to the floor, and I gasped. Lofty froze, then with a small squeak braced herself for my reaction. “Lofty! You got your cutie mark!” I cried. Lofty sullenly accepted her predicted fate with a sigh. “Yes. It’s terrible, isn’t?”she moped. I let out a small whimper. Why was Lofty being so sad about the situation? Then it dawned on me. “Did you think I wouldn’t want to be friends anymore?” It seemed that I had guessed correctly, as Lofty jumped in surprise, like I had given her an electric shock. “It’s ... it’s not just about my cutie mark. It’s because I ... I can bend now, and I figured you wouldn’t want to hang out anymore if you couldn’t bend, but I could.” I released the breath I didn’t even realise I’d been holding. “Lo-fty! I’ll never stop being your friend. Why would I? And as for bending, that’s awesome! When did it happen? Which element is it? Fire or earth? Or can you bend air? Oh Lofty, this is amazing!” Lofty smiled in relief and answered my frantic questions. “Umm ... well, I was having an extra bending lesson and-” Oh yes. The extra lessons. Lofty’s family were wealthy and lived in the upper part of Canterlot, our home city. Her parents were desperate for Lofty to become a bender, and had paid for Lofty to attend the best school in Canterlot. Since that clearly didn’t help Lofty, they applied for extra lessons, meaning Lofty was stuck with eight different bending sessions a day. Anyway, she continued: “-I was just feeling mad that I my extra training wasn’t getting me anywhere. Then just as I was doing one of the routines, I felt a tingly feeling in my hooves, and the fire moved exactly like it was meant to!” My best friend moved around so I could see her flank. “I guess that’s when my cutie mark appeared.” she whispered. I took a closer look at what I had only caught a glimpse of before. Where I was used to seeing Lofty’s tan coat move seamlessly towards her wavy ginger tail, a single, seemingly flickering flame now broke the smooth flow.
Chapter 1: Yin and YangFamily Secrets – Chapter 1 Walking through the front door, it only took me a second to realise something was wrong. Dad was home, and he was not happy. My little sister Panda Bear was upstairs, hiding under her bed while Mum tried to keep Dad occupied so he wouldn’t come looking for us. I was still in my uniform, a constrictive white shirt with the school emblem emblazoned on, a grey pleated skirt, and a set of plain black horseshoes. I knew Dad would get even angrier if I wasn’t ready for my bending sessions after school, but it would be hard to get past my arguing parents to the stairs without being noticed. Panda’s small moans drifted down from her room, and I knew she was upset. I made a dash for the stairs, no longer caring if Dad saw me. His head whipped around at the sound of my hooves, and his voice thundered towards me. “KATYA! Where are you?” “Dad?!” I squeaked. Oops. He’d seen me. “Katya! Do as your father says, please ...” My mother’s weak voice drifted into my ears, and all plans of escape dissolved. “Yes Father?” I smiled innocently at Dad as I strolled into the kitchen where my parents stood, my mother cowering in my father’s massive shadow. This had worked well in the past, when Dad had been cross. I wasn’t sure if it would work on a hurricane force Dad, though. “I’m tightening the discipline around here. If your mother was in control of things-” he threw an indescribably angry glare at the quivering figure that crouched behind him “-none of these atrocities would have happened. You and that thing you call a sister will not be so pampered. Expect changes around here. Changes!” I backed away slowly, making for the door but never losing eye contact with the monster currently giving me a look that could burn holes in me, if that was possible, which with Dad I was never sure. I was inching ever closer to my goal, as Panda’s moans grew ever louder, until finally I turned and bolted, severing the invisible bonds with Dad to gallop to her aid. - “Panda, Panda, shhhhh now, I’m here! I’m here!” I whispered as I ran into her room. “Why are Mummy and Daddy shouting?” she sobbed. “Make them stop, make them stop!” I didn’t say a word, and instead pulled Panda into a big hug. “Make them stop ...” she whispered into my arms. “Make them stop ...” We clung to each other in silence until the raised voices subsided, and I glanced at the clock. “Oh hay! I’m late for bending practise ...” “Kata, Daddy will be cross if you aren’t ready!” As if he wasn’t already. I rushed into my room with Panda at my side. I made sure she had sat down on my bed before frantically changing into my bending clothes. Panda, having seemingly forgotten our parents’ argument, was bouncing on my bed and chattering happily to me. “Hey Kata! Guess what, guess what? I got my cutie mark, I got my cutie mark, I got my cutie mark ...” she chanted again and again. “That’s lovely, Panda Bear, but I have to ... wait, what? You got your cutie mark? Today?” I asked, confused. “Let me see ...” Panda obliged, and stuck her flank up for me to see. “Ta-dah!” she said proudly, waiting for me to praise her. However, all I could do was stare in amazement. “You ... you ... you got your cutie mark?! ...” I stuttered. There, stubbornly yet cleanly imprinted into her very skin, was Panda’s cutie mark. “What ... what is it?” I managed to regain some composure as I asked Panda. I guess the question seems a little dumb, but Panda was waving around in a sort of victory dance, making it hard to see. “It’s a bending cutie mark, silly! Daddy was so surprised when he found out, he rushed straight home and went into the dining room to talk to Mummy about it! They ended up talking really loudly, though ...” Panda trailed off, and looked at the floor. “Why did he shout at Mummy, Kata? Why wasn’t he pleased I could bend?” I was stunned. So that was why Dad was home! I hated him for ruining Panda’s big moment. At least one of his daughters could bend, for Equestria’s sakes! At least Mum seemed pleased with it, I guess. “I don’t know, Panda. I think Dad is pleased with you, in his own way. Maybe he was so happy he was shouting in joy?” I told Panda, eventually answering her questions, however flakily. “Here, can I see your cutie mark again? Just keep it still this time, OK?” Panda nodded, seemingly satisfied with my lies. She raised her flank once more and tried her hardest to steady it. After getting a good look, I realised what it was. A black-and-white circle, the symbol of peace, Equestria’s saviour symbol, the yin and yang sign, was neatly breaking Panda’s smooth flow of white fur. I thought I knew why Dad was upset. I mean, he’s wanted me to bend first since we were little fillies – it’s just another one of his peculiarities. But this wasn’t even a bending cutie mark. It didn’t add up. What could Dad possibly be mad about? I guess that’s what he is though, mad. Of course he wouldn’t be happy about anything. Suddenly I just couldn’t take it anymore. I was fed up of being part of Dad’s firing line, one of his punch bags. I decided to do something unthinkable, irrational and completely crazy. Hey, maybe I was a little like Dad after all. I was going to run away. - I planned quickly and carefully. I would tell Mum I was going to the market after bending so I would be home late. I would pack my saddlebags upstairs, and levitate them through the window and into our front garden before I left – if Mum saw me with saddlebags, she would smell a rat. I would have to go to bending; my teacher would be round here in seconds if I didn’t turn up. I would really go to the market: I couldn’t steal supplies from home, Dad watches the cupboards like a hawk. I would only bring a cloak clothes wise, I needed to keep warm if this was going to work. I knew enough about my family tree to know who would take me in and keep me safe from Dad. They lived a day’s journey away, though, so I would head for the Canterlot Castle ruins: there would be enough rubble to sleep rough until I could get to my relatives’. Tomorrow, I would head straight there and figure out how to sort out this mess. I was in the middle of packing my saddlebags when Panda came in. “Kata, Mummy wanted me to tell you-” She stopped when she saw the saddlebags. “You’re not going to ... But you wouldn’t ... Kata?” Panda’s voice began to waver. “Don’t Kata, don’t! Don’t leave me here!” I sighed. I hadn’t wanted Panda to find out like this. “Panda, you don’t understand. You have to stay here. I would take you if I could but this is not something I can do with you. Please, Panda, stay with Mum and keep her safe from Dad.” Panda’s upper lip trembled, but she nodded solemnly. “Panda ... I love you. Stay alive, and I will come back for you.”
Chapter 2: Memories, Sweet and SourFamily Secrets – Chapter 2: Memories, Sweet and Sour I looked up at the grim structure before me, and shivered. The once great Canterlot Castle crumbled around me, and sleeping rough under one of the fallen arches didn’t seem such a good idea in practise. I couldn’t go back now – Dad would have my head if I went anywhere near the front door, so I gathered all the courage I possessed and trotted briskly into the dilapidated castle. Mutated statues watched with empty eyes as my hooves clicked uncomfortably loud against the old paths. My own eyes searched hungrily for a sheltered alcove or hollow space to spend the night, but found nothing. It was only on reaching the heart of the ruins that I found a chamber still intact. Against all odds, this small hall had survived the tirades of the Second War of the Nations, when the pegusi bombed the castle. Tattered banners still clung half heartedly to the smooth stone, and a worn velvet carpet led to a grand platform at the end. I walked slowly to this platform, my head pounding as I tried to absorb the melancholy beauty of the place. It took overturned golden chair lying forgotten in a corner for my brain to make the connection that had been there all along. This was the throne room, where the princesses Celestia and Luna sat as they ruled over my ancestors’ Equestria. This was where Princess Twilight Sparkle was coroneted, after taking her alicorn form. This was where Princess Cadence and Shining Armour were wed, where Queen Chrysalis tried to take over. This was where it all broke down, where Equestria became nothing. This was where we all turned against each other, where Princess Twilight and Cadence were murdered and Luna and Celestia fled. This was where friends became foes, allies enemies and where equality had no place. This was the scene of our darkest hour, our greatest mistake, where our peace was torn to shreds. This was where our new age was born ... Now I remembered what I had known all along, and the place lost its serenity. I could feel the ghost of every presence, every injustice served, and it crushed me. I saw everything, every foul deed; every step evil took to victory, every day growing further from the good this place was supposed to hold. I galloped wildly to the balcony I was sure awaited me, and dropped panting to the ground. The moments of fear and panic subsided, and I raised my head slowly upwards. A pallet of deep blues and blacks, swirling whites and twinkling yellows smiled at me, and the beauty of the night sky hypnotized my body. A glowing orb hung comfortingly in the middle of it all, and I relaxed. In a trance, I curled up and cradled my head in my forelegs. I was asleep in seconds. - The sun’s rays spread slowly around me, gently poking and prodding their way to me, until I basked in a pool of warmth. My eyelids fluttered open, and I found the sky to have redecorated itself overnight. A blend of candyfloss pinks, lilacs and a soft baby blue undertone replaced the darkness of the previous night and calmed me. I lay peacefully in the dawn light, until yesterday’s memories flooded back. My body convulsed in horror, and I stood too quickly, dizzy but eager to be moving. I slung my saddlebags deftly onto my back, smoothed the creases from where I’d slept in my cloak, and set off. I knew exactly where I needed to be, but lacked in map reading and wandered lost around the outskirts of Canterlot. The sun had risen high in the sky by now, and pulsated above me, everything becoming blisteringly hot. My legs dragged beneath me as I was reduced to an almost crawling state by the noon sun. It must have been pure luck that I looked up when I did, or I would never have seen the street sign. Fortunately, I was more than able to understand the sign pointing down Aura Lane, and turned down to find myself looking at a younger me, riding gleefully on a smiling grey pony’s back – my mother. - “Faster, Mummy, faster!” she cried, mane whipping around her face as the mare beneath her laughed, something that to the tiny filly, seemed like the gentle tinkling of a wind chime on a breezy day. The filly was an unforgettable one, on account of her mane and soft, downy fur. Strands of hair, only comparable to the rich oranges and maple reds of autumn leaves in colouring, hung loosely down in no apparent shape, much unlike any other pony in Canterlot. Her coat, a tawny amber and gold mixture, framed the thick black eyelashes that separated her eyes from her fur. Her hazel eyes completed her majestic appearance, but the oblivious filly only yelled louder in response to her mother cantering faster and faster, yet still slow enough for the filly to hang on. - The world around me began to refocus, and I groaned. Fainting wasn’t good in any situation, but of course I had to hit my head when I fell to add to everything. The nausea faded as fast as it had come, and anger flooded through me, replacing the emptiness. I was no longer the careless child I once was, and I grit my teeth as my anger turned to steely determination. Maybe I still wanted to be that filly, but I couldn’t. Things had changed, and it was time I changed with it. Raising my penknife slowly and determinedly to my head, the blade took one clean sweep to achieve my aim. Amber locks fell to the ground either side of me, and in the side of the blade I saw my face. For the first time in years, I smiled at my reflection. A short maned, hazel eyed mare smiled back. Content with my appearance, I surveyed the street and racked my brains in an attempt to match one of these houses with the image carved in my memory. I stumbled along the uneven cobblestone, staring intensely at each house that lined the road. Reaching the end of the street without success, I sat defeated on the grass. As I stared glassy eyed at my last hope, I was ready to admit defeat ... as a lopsided, teetering cottage began to take shape before me. Each squashed feature slowly slotted into place, and I looked on in awe as my saviour appeared.
