Chapter 1 – Twilight Sparkle:
Why does my house seem so disorganized? I know I did not go to sleep with it in this state.
I rub my eyes and try to remember. Oh yes, there was that terrible storm last night. The one the Pegasus ponies of Cloudsdale had to let loose because a certain gray Pegasus accidentally programmed it into the cloud machines. How she ever managed to get a job in weather control, I will never know. Either way, Rainbow Dash saved us all. No pony could have flown out so fast and warned all of Ponyville as quick as she did.
“Oooh…. What happened?” That was Spike, starting to wake up.
“We managed to survive the storm. We best go outside and see what the damage is.” I say, getting out of bed. I don’t bother going to the window of my loft. It’s better to go outside and see the damage for myself.
Spike follows me sleepily down the stairs. Apparently the storm must have shaken the house something terrible because my library is a total disaster. Not one book is on the shelf, they have all hit the floor. I use my magic to move the books aside, careful not to step on any of the covers or open pages. “Guess I’ll have to sort this all out later…” I hear Spike grumble.
“Oh hush. This is the last of our worries. I think we best go see Applejack, her farm must be suffering the worst right now.” I now open the door with my magic and step outside.
I expected to see a ruined Ponyville, with roof tiles and straw and clay everywhere and ruined plants and trees.
Instead, everything is beautiful and perfect. That is, if Ponyville were a gigantic flower garden.
“What the…? Is this Ponyville?” Spike was peeking out from behind me as I gawked in the doorway.
“Spike, I don’t think we’re in Equestria anymore.”
I suddenly feel like we’re being watched. I look around but no pony is around besides Spike.
“Where are we Twilight?” he asked, coming outside now looking around.
Apparently I was right, because as he came forward, a tiny voice yelled out: “A dragon! Run!” and a swarm of tiny winged creatures flew off into the flowers and sealed them up.
“Huh? What was that all about? I didn’t know anypony was there!” Spike said. I come out next to him now.
“Neither did I, Spike. Let’s try talking to them.” I lean in close to a sealed up flower. It was royal purple in color, like Rarity’s beautiful mane. “Hello?” I say as gently as I can muster. “My name is Twilight Sparkle, and Spike is my friend. We won’t hurt you.”
The flower starts moving like somepony squirming around inside. I can make out the tiny hooves pressing the petals, and even what appear to be antennas. A muffled tiny voice then asks “are you going to kill us?”
I am appalled by the question. “No pony is going to kill you. I just want to know where I am and if I’m still in Equestria.”
The flower opens up. The tiniest pony I’ve ever seen flies out. She had dragonfly wings, curly antennas and huge eyes. Her body was yellow, as was her mane and tail. “My name is Zipzee, and you’re in Breezie Blossom. You’re as big as the king…” She looked past me and then flew over me towards the library.
“Breezie Blossom? I have never heard of it… Even in books.” I whisper this to Spike who shrugs.
A purple pony flies up to me now. “We’re the Breezies of Breezie Blossom. And you’re in the Land of Oz. My name is Tiddleywink. You don’t seem like you’re related to the king in anyway, so maybe you’re a good pony!”
“What king? Where is Oz?” I ask, the panic in my voice is getting harder to hide.
Zipzee returns. “Well Twilight Sparkle, it seems you did us a huge favor! You killed King Sombra!”
“What?!”
“Hey Breezies!” Zipzee was now calling out to the rest of the garden. Tiny heads of a variety of colors popped out of flowers, which started to reopen. I must admit, this world was beautiful, but what exactly did I do? “This is Twilight Sparkle and she’s killed King Sombra! At last we are free!”
Tiny cheers rise up and they begin singing. I go over to my house where Zipzee was earlier along with Spike. I gasp. Sure enough, a pair of grey legs wearing silver shoes was sticking out from under. How in the world did that happen? I didn’t mean to kill anypony! I hurry back to Zipzee. “But I didn’t mean to kill anypony!”
“Well, don’t feel bad at all! King Sombra was pure evil! You’re our hero!” Spike and I suddenly get crowned in flower chains and the Breezies fly around us in admiration.
Spike didn’t seem to mind the attention, the big baby dragon that he was. But I minded. I just stole the life of somepony. What would Princess Celestia say when she found out, if I did somehow find my way back to Equestria ever again… I couldn’t bear to think of it.
There was a saying I once read in a book. It went “Speak of the devil”. I could safely use that saying now. Speak of the devil, Princess Celestia appeared before my eyes, in a brilliance of golden sparkles. She looked at me. The Breezies swarmed around her giggling all happy. Did she know them? Did she learn what happened so soon? What silly questions. Of course Princess Celestia would know them. She was so knowledgeable, so wise and so powerful. Mysterious, yes, but everything she did was for the good of all ponies.
“Greetings, strange little pony. My little Breezie friends tell me you have killed the evil tyrant King Sombra. Is this true?”
This is very strange. Princess Celestia didn’t know who I was? This did not make any sense! She is looking at me expectantly. I best answer.
“I – I didn’t mean to kill anypony! Please forgive me!” I cry out, tears falling from my eyes.
Celestia, to my surprise, smiled. “Do not cry. I am not mad. Evil Ozians always get what they deserve in the end. I am Celestia, the Good Witch of the North. You are in Breezie Blossom, as I’m sure you have learned. This is in the eastern part of Oz. Not quite my territory but the Breezies know me quite well. What sort of Witch are you?”
“I’m not a Witch.” I say. Spike jumps up onto my back. “My name is Twilight Sparkle and this is Spike. We just want to go home back to Equestria.”
“Where is this Equestria? I assume it is in the sky since that is where you apparently came from, but I do not know of that name on any star chart.”
I suddenly motion for Spike to get down. I knew a panic attack was coming. “What do you mean it’s not on a star chart?! It must be somewhere! I don’t know how I got here, other than a very violent storm!!” The rant went on and on. I didn’t mean to let that happen, but I couldn’t contain it inside of me either. I only stop when the stress makes me faint.
I hear voices before I open my eyes. “So that pony killed King Sombra?” it was a different voice, but it sounded so familiar.
“Yes, that is correct, my sister.” that was Celestia’s voice. Sister? That would have to make it Princess Luna.
“She doesn’t look like any impressive Witch to me. Either way, we have more important business to deal with! The Alicorn Amulet!” That got me sitting up right away. I was right. It was indeed Luna. “Oh she awakens.”
“Twilight Sparkle from the Star of Equestria, this is my sister, Luna the Witch of the East. She was imprisoned by King Sombra for many years but now that he has died, she is free. Thank you for that.”
“The Alicorn Amulet is very powerful! It corrupts the user!” I am remembering my experience when Trixie wore that amulet. How had it ended up here?
“No pony knows what it does, how can you say that so sure?” Luna asked, lowering her eyes at me distrustfully.
I try to phrase my words carefully. “There was one in the Star of Equestria.” I say, but not really believing this myself.
“Hmph. I think this is just to get your hooves on the amulet for yourself.” Luna said, walking past me. Apparently, they removed Sombra’s body from under the house. He was not impressive looking in death. His mane was short and black. He wore a regal red cape, and his horn was red. His body was grey. Who knew what his cutie mark was. Around his neck was indeed the Alicorn Amulet.
Luna now tried to touch the amulet with her horn. If this amulet worked the same way as it did when Trixie had it, then it would never open to anypony again because only Sombra would be able to unlock it. This is confirmed correct when the amulet would not come off no matter what Luna did. “Drats, he has cursed it!”
“The amulet does not contain all of his powers.” Celestia says, joining us looking over Sombra’s dead body. “The shoes have the most power.” She removes them with her magic, which was golden colored and she places them into a satchel. “We shall safeguard them until we decide what to do with them next.”
“Agreed, if they are stronger than the amulet.” Luna said. I don’t say anything. Neither does Spike, who was playing with some Breezies in a pond. Let him enjoy himself now. I had that strange feeling we won’t be having much fun down the road.
Celestia now looked at me. The look in her eyes are the same as they always were to me: understanding, wisdom and compassion. Luna was as I remembered her: slightly grumpy, impatient and a heavy guard to protect her emotions. Part of me wondered if I would see anypony else who reminded me so strongly of Equestria.
Sadly, my hopes are granted true and yet so terribly ruined at the same time. There is a familiar eerie circle of green fire. It exploded in a column up into the sky and from it, emerged Queen Chrysalis.
She looked the same as ever: tall, gangly, holes in her legs. A Changeling and never to be trusted. She didn’t speak but went over to Sombra and narrowed her eyes. “Who killed my half-brother? Who killed King Sombra?” she turned to me, lowering her twisted horn towards my face. “Was it you?!”
“No, no please! It was an accident!” I cry out backing away. Celestia and Luna spread their wings and fly over to my sides. Celestia spreads her wing over me. The Breezies fly away into their flowers and Spike runs over to me. I bend down and embrace him. Celestia’s wing still covers me.
“Well, my little pony, I can cause accidents too!”
Luna now speaks up. “Aren’t you forgetting the silver shoes?” Why on earth would Luna mention these supposed talismans to the evil queen? It made no sense.
“Ah yes! His slippers! I am the only one left in the family who knows how to use them!” She turns away to find the shoes.
I turn to Celestia. “Who is that?”
“That is Chrysalis, the Wicked Witch of the West. Her home is in Changeling Country. She is far more wicked than Sombra ever was.” I gulp. Great, and since she was mad to boot, I knew I would have to face the punishments of my unintended crime.
“Where are the shoes? Who removed them?!” Chrysalis glared at me.
“We have placed them in the satchel.” Celestia says, pointing to it with her horn. “Luna and I planned to safeguard them, but you may as well have them. We want no trouble here.”
Chrysalis ripped open the bag with vigor. But she gasps and turns the bag upside down. “They’re gone!! Somepony stole them!!”
Now Celestia takes me by total surprise when she laughs. “Oh, I suppose they found a new bearer.” She removes her wing off of my shoulder and I look at my hooves.
The silver shoes were on my hooves.
“Give me back my shoes. Give them back, now!” Chrysalis roars at me, right at my face. Yuck, her breath stank of cheese.
“If I were Twilight Sparkle, I would keep tight inside of them. For their magic is very great.” Luna said smugly. Ugh, don’t egg on Chrysalis! That just makes this all worse!
“You two Witches stay out of this! Or I’ll destroy you as well!” Chrysalis said, her horn glowing green.
“Oh, horseradish! You have no power here. Be gone, before somepony else drops a house on you next.” Celestia said, waving her hoof.
That struck fear into Chrysalis. She looked at the sky nervously. “Very well, I’ll have to bide my time. But as for you, lady, don’t think I forgave you! I’ll fix you elsewhere! I’ll get you my pretty! And your little dragon too!” she then stepped back and the green fire engulfed her, and she disappeared.
Oh sweet Faust what in the world have I gotten myself into?
“Well, what do we do now, sister? She cannot stay in Breezie Blossom forever.” Luna said. No I certainly don’t want to live in Breezie Blossom forever. But who knew what Chrysalis was planning on doing to me once I left here?
“No, she certainly cannot stay here. I think she has to go to Paradise Estate and meet the great and powerful Wizard. Or Megan. Depends on who’s around and in the mood to help.”
Okay, a Wizard sounds promising. Based on today’s events, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wizard was Star Swirl the Bearded himself. Now that would be interesting! Megan… that name doesn’t sound impressive. Either way, Paradise Estate is what they think is best, so Spike and I will have to head there. “Okay, how do we get to Paradise Estate?”
Celestia and Luna led me over to a path that was made entirely of yellow bricks. “Very simple. Follow the Yellow Brick Road.” I suddenly wish I had wings like everypony else around here. Flying would be much faster. But what choice do I have? I’m a Unicorn, and that’s that. “Unless you have your broomstick?”
I allow myself to roll my eyes. This is Celestia but not my Celestia. Same with Luna. Chrysalis I could easily mistaken for the one I knew but, I have to follow the same assumption that this isn’t the same Chrysalis. “No, sorry, I left it in Equestria.”
“Well, it’s a very long walk, so I suppose you should get started.” Celestia said, ushering me forward. Spike gets on my back and we look at the Breezies and at the two Witches. Celestia, a Good Witch and Luna a Neutral Witch. “Do not worry, I feel that you are quite capable. I have given you the shoes so that you may have some protection.” So basically, I can thank her for a death wish. I did not want these shoes. They radiated with magic but that would also draw attention to me. Attention I do not really want or need. Celestia then leans forward, and kisses my forehead next to my horn. She does the same to Spike, who had an annoyed look on his face. He ought to be grateful, but the only kisses he enjoys come from those rare one or two from Rarity. “You have my blessing.”
Luna now comes forward and instead of a kiss, she uses her dark blue magic to change a strand of my mane dark blue. Spike is given a dark blue scale above his eye. He groans even more in disgust. Again, only pony who can give him a slight make-over change is Rarity.
“And now you have mine. Now, off you go, to Paradise Estate.” Luna said. The two of them started glowing (Celestia in her golden magic, Luna in her dark blue magic) and they disappeared. The Breezies flew around me and giggled. Zipzee came up to me.
“We’ll see that you get to the border safely! Come on Breezies!” they guided me and Spike along the Yellow Brick Road. Again, they had started singing about the great and powerful Wizard. Who Megan was, they apparently did not know and that bothered me. Spike was finally in a good mood, as he waved goodbye to Zipzee and Tiddleywink, whom he apparently befriended before Chrysalis’s arrival.
Beyond Breeze Blossom, as we stood at the border, all I could see was a yellow brick road, a blue sky, and miles upon miles of grain fields. I took a deep breath and the long trek began…
Chapter 2 – Luna:
Did I ever mention how annoying my sister was?
Yeah, she’s stupidly annoying.
Like, even now, she’s going on and on about the return of the Ozma. Okay, really? Ozma has been gone even longer than Sombra had me imprisoned. In fact, no Ozian remembers her! And, forgive me if I sound the slightest bit annoyed, but this Twilight Sparkle doesn’t exactly fit the image of Ozma.
Ozma is (or rather, was) the true Queen of Oz. She was the most magical and very powerful. Even without shoes or amulets. And let’s face it: Twilight Sparkle is going to probably need more than those silly silver shoes to help her reach Paradise Estate. My sister is very good at leaving out details such as the fact that Twilight has to go cross a dangerous river (the River Crystal) to get there. Apparently dangerous sea serpents live there, so no one bothers to try to cross.
Right now, my sister and I are having lunch back in her area up north – Canterlot. This place is mostly Unicorn dominated, but you do see the other variety of equestrians. I don’t talk much, I want her to get her silly Ozma rant out of the way.
“Luna, if Twilight Sparkle truly is the Ozma, you realize what this will mean, right?” Celestia asked. Her flowing mane covered her one eye. I realize that it was once fully pink but now it is multicolored. I realize that the fashion around Canterlot is largely extravagant. Like giant floppy hats covered in chocolates. Ponies going to spas and coming out with a different coat color.
“Not really. Oz hasn’t had a true leader really when I was imprisoned.”
“Oh, right, the Wizard came only a few decades ago. I best bring you up to speed then. The great and powerful Wizard arrived one day by an amazing contraption, one that only she could have possibly made. It was a huge balloon, full of hot air and attached to it was a basket! And she was riding it! She landed at Paradise Estate…”
“Wait. You mean to tell me that the so called Wizard is a female? …Is she that much greater than we? Wizards are stronger than Witches, after all.” I don’t like the sound of this Wizard. Too few details, too much Canterlot extravagance.
“She must be, who else would have such a simple invention of transportation? As good as wings! And, like most newcomers to Oz, she is destined to do great things.” Celestia said. As far as I’m concerned, this is a bucket of horseradish. A hot air balloon doesn’t sound all that great to me. It must mean this Wizard had no wings.
“Well, either way, the Wizard is not from Oz and since she somehow knew how to come here, she must know the way out.”
That sounds strange. One minute, Twilight Sparkle is our new Ozma, now she’s leaving. “Sister, if Twilight Sparkle is indeed the Ozma, then why have her sent away?”
“Again, do you know what it means if the Ozma returns? What it means for us?”
“Not really, Celestia.” I say this, watching her closely.
“Ozma rules all. We are going to be eliminated. There were no known Witches before or during the time of Ozma. As far as records show, during the rule of Ozma, it is true that Oz was forever safe and she was very powerful with magic. But, there were no schools, no great cities like Canterlot. No books. It was all too simple. She kept the power and knowledge to herself. It was only when the equestrians went to Paradise Estate did they find a variety of useful tools and books.”
Her words chill me to the bone. I shiver without meaning too. Twilight Sparkle arrived in a library, and I did search it after she left. It was full of knowledge and notions of institutions far greater than what we had in Oz before my imprisonment and based on what I see now, still greater than what is here. Suddenly, Celestia does not seem all that annoying.
“I plan to personally see that Twilight Sparkle safely leaves Oz. We shall not kill her, for that is not our way. But, she must leave before she learns that she is the Ozma. And then the Wizard shall decide who the true leader of Oz is.”
I suddenly feel angry. I can read the words behind what she is saying. “You mean you plan to take control of Oz and seal it off so no more Ozmas can fall in and kill you. This is not the first time you spoke of taking control of Oz, sister! You only want the Wizard to back you up.”
Celestia sips her tea slowly, with her eyes shut. She put down her tea cup. “You are hasty in what you say. We both will rule. You are my sister, and we have been apart too long.”
I relax. At least if she is decided to rule Oz, we should at least rule together.
Chapter 3 – Twilight Sparkle:
The Yellow Brick Road seems to go on forever. I’m aware of how silly that sounds, because nothing lasts forever. I suddenly find myself pondering a strange question as Spike and I walk along the yellow road. What if Princess Celestia, my Princess Celestia, died? What would happen to Equestria? Even if she is an alicorn at least over 1,000 years old, she must still die one day, as will Luna. Cadance. My brother. My parents. My friends. I involuntarily shudder. I must focus on returning to Equestria first. No pony is going to die so long as I can prevent it.
“Ugh, how long can a road go?” Spike groans. I look at him. I must be strong in every way, especially in my willpower, for his sake.
“I suppose as far as Paradise Estates. So, what did you think of our time in Oz so far?”
“Well, considering the fact that you’re here and you fought off Nightmare Moon, helped fight and reform Discord, helped your brother and Cadance repel Queen Chrysalis, and you helped fight off King Sombra and restore the Crystal Heart… I’d have to say, this isn’t too bad.”
Just then, we nearly trip over our own hooves (and Spike’s feet). The Yellow Brick Road has split into two paths. We were in the heart of an apple orchard now, beyond the original grain fields. “Celestia said follow the Yellow Brick Road…. But which way?”
A scarecrow was before us at the fork in the path, its hooves hanging limply at the sides. Its head was also limp, almost as if the scarecrow appeared asleep. I walk towards the path to the right, and pause trying to catch a glimpse of the distance. Spike gets on my back and joins me in searching. A voice, a voice so familiar, I nearly cried, then spoke up. “Ah hear that’s a good way to go.”
“Applejack?” I say aloud before I can stop myself.
The voice spoke again. “Of course, you can always take the path to the left, sugar cube.”
“That was Applejack!” Spike said and jumped down. We looked around but the only thing around was…
“That scarecrow was not positioned like that when we first got here.” I say suspiciously.
“What? Y’all haven’t heard a scarecrow talk before?” the scarecrow suddenly moved its head right at us and gave a smile. It looked like Applejack in every way, minus the straw stuffing and the stitches holding her body together.
“I… I….”
“Not where we come from!” Spike pipes up, saving me from seeming unable to speak.
“And what sorta place doesn’t have living scarecrows? Oh, ah wouldn’t know. Ah wouldn’t know much of anything really.” the scarecrow mumbled.
“Why? You seem very intelligent.” I say, getting up on two hooves, resting my other two on the fence, so I was closer to her.
“Intelligent? Ah won’t even pretend to know what that means. Ah don’t have a brain! Think the Ozian who stuffed and sewed me would have taken a few extra minutes to add one? Eenope.” the scarecrow said.
This reminded me of when my Applejack was preparing for Nightmare Night last year. She couldn’t think of anything to wear. Rarity laughed at her, and said she could be a scarecrow, since they didn’t have to think. Applejack had accepted that, but because she thought it more fitting for a farmer. How ironic the memory seems now. That here is a scarecrow Applejack, wishing for the ability to think.
“We’re on our way to Paradise Estate, where a Wizard is going to help us return to our home outside of Oz. Perhaps… perhaps you’d like to come? And ask her for a brain?” I venture. I feel a great deal of compassion for the poor, wispy thing. It would be wrong to leave her here. Yet, at the same time, it was also one more friend to look after, since I knew Chrysalis would not spare anypony with me.
“Would ah? Ah’d love to, sugar cube! You can call me Applejack, since ah love bein’ around apples all the time.”
“That works for me.” I say. Applejack then struggles with the ropes that bind her stuffed hooves to the post. “Do you need help?”
“No, no! Ah can do it!” She continued to struggle, until she finally wears herself out. “Okay, maybe ah do.”
My horn glows magenta, and I have my magic work on the knots. Her painted green eyes stare at it with wonder. The first knot falls loose, freeing one hoof. Now, onto the second one.
Spike then yelled out: “RUN!”
I look up, and a green ball of fire is headed right for me. Spike ran in the opposite direction. I scream and quickly dodge off. Applejack screamed too as the fireballs licked at the ground below her. A changeling rises from the fire. He is black and twisted, just like the ones in Equestria. He comes towards me and hisses like a snake. The short clear wings buzz like an insect. “I have found you! That was hardly worth the effort!” he hissed.
“Stay back!” I say, sounding braver than I was feeling.
The changeling just snickered. His horn started to glow green. I now summoned my magic, and my horn started glowing magenta. The changeling then lunged at me, his green magic extending from his horn like a blade. I did not hesitate to make my magic form into a blade. There was a clash, and I’ll never forget how powerful he was. He easily was able to push me down. The flames were still intense, and I could hear Applejack trying to keep herself attached to the post, so she would not fall into the fire. I try to keep calm, attempt to analyze the situation, despite the changeling overpowering me.
“Nothing can stop me! The swarm just fed on all the citizens in Dainty China! We’re overpowered with love!” the changeling is now boasting.
That’s it! I’ll cast a spell similar to what Shining Armor did at his wedding to defeat a whole army of changelings. A love barrier spell. My vision blurred as I summoned up a great burst of magic. This would have been easier if this changeling wasn’t giving me a barrage of attacks. But, I feel my horn spreading the magenta sparkles into the form of a semi-circle, growing larger in size, and the intensity was increasing with every millisecond. And, with a great blast of bright light and power, the changeling was rocketing away into the blue sky.
The fire died down, and I crumpled to the ground, exhausted. Shining Armor also had Cadance to help him. I had no pony really. Regular barriers are easy. But one infused with love was much tougher. Yet I had still been able to do it!
So… why did my powers suddenly frighten me?
Author's Note
Enjoy :) Please tell me what you think! I plan to have the next part up by mid-April.
