//------------------------------// // Chapter Four: Luna, The Ram, And The Eagle // Story: The Return of the Ursa Minor // by MyMindrigUniverse //------------------------------// This chapter will be following Luna and her fight with Aquila and Aries As the clash continued. Luna watched the town. Ponies were running amok, clashing with one another, running over one another. Some even resorted to pushing and stealing from others. It was truly chaos. I bet Discord feels right at home within Ponyville right now...in fact, we may need to make sure he isn't contributing to this madness in any way. Luna mused, nearly blinded by her opponents power. But, as her glare moved through the city, she nearly faltered to the force of Aquila, her surprise was so great. As the site of two very familiar ponies caught her attention. One of swirled hair and a light pink coat, while the other was of a blue body and milk-white mane. Two very familiar ponies indeed. What are those two doing running through this madness. What is there purpose. However, Luna's thought subsided as she noticed another Constellation move at concerning speed toward her duel with the eagle. Fearing a low blow from this interrupter. The Princess jerked her body aside, putting much strain on her body as she did so, and watched as Aquila shot through the sky and into a nearby mountain, shattering the entire top half of the hulking formation, but not without taking a small bit of her flesh as it happened. Without much time to react in pain or laugh at the beast's pathetic crash. Luna turned to see Aries making it's way towards her at top speed, obviously enraged at her humiliating it's comrade. But the princess was already with a plan. She gathered her magic for 5 whole seconds, each moment wishing that the ram would not catch up to her, and released every bit of power she stored. Sending a sizable wave of energy towards the beast, too close and angry to dodge the purple energy. Got you, you hard headed buffoon. Luna triumphantly smiling as the beast noticed the power would cripple him, should the blast be taken head on. Suddenly, Aries vanished after a loud screech was heard all throughout the land and a near invisible force swooped past the creature in need. The blast was late by a mere few inches. The bolt, however, continued and arched towards the ground, destined to decimate at least half of the Everfree Forest. A fool blinded by confidence, I was! Is all that came to mind as she witnessed it nearly touching down. Expecting a boom, Luna shielded her ears with magic. The explosion occured, but not within the Everfree Forest. In fact it barely contacted with the ground. Thanks to an immense poll covered in dark magic springing from within the forest, shooting Luna's gathering of power into the skies, until finally unleashing it's power throughout the night skies. Vaporizing all nearby clouds. Much to the surpirise of the Alicorn. She quickly glanced at the poll after the magic encasing it disseapered. The source of the object was easily identifiable, as it was shamelessly sprayed in black and green panting ( which was done poorly), and in the center of the poll the words, Property of Discord, could be found. Luna shot her head over towards the direction of Ponyville, were she spotted the Draconequus. He could be found chatting with the constellation, Leo The Lion, who looked impatient, and the group leader, the Ursa Major. Who was a few steps above simple irritation. Suddenly, Discord snapped his finger he had hidden behind his back, and the poll disappeared. I will need to thank him for fixing my blunder later. Luna's pride taking quite a blow at the thought. But she suddenly jolted in realization she was still in the middle of a battle. Yet, Aries was gone, and the skies she had decided to fight the eagle were quiet and empty, the bull and dog fighting her sister somewhere off in the distance, and that sly draconequus talking the lion and bear to death. The princess suspected why the sudden silence. That flash and loud screech must have been Aquila. She saved Aries. But why am I not immediately facing danger. Could...I have taken a piece of both of them as they fled. Would explain Discord easily deflecting my power, it must have lost most of it's strength in weakening those two...I must track them. However, a very familiar voice could be heard behind her as it made it's presence known with a cough. Reacting to this, Luna turned, gathering magic power from within. But her power instantly vanished at the site of who stood, or flew, before her. "Careful now, Princess. Wouldn't want to destroy Ponyville as you haphazardly throw another one of those over-sized beams of energy." The Draconequus looked at the Alicorn with a grin as he floated in mid-air. But his size was that of a chicken, very different compared to normal, and to Luna. "Your small." Was all she could say as she was taken aback by this creature. Luna always wondered how such a silly being could very well be above all others in this world when it came to magic. I guess this is the Universe's way of compensating with such immense power. If he was anymore bloodthirsty, we would all probably be dead. The thought sent slight shivers all throughout, as she looked at Discord, who deepened his smile, as if he was waiting for her to pick up on something. And she did. "Your battle," Realization finally coming over the princess. "Tell me you didn't leave everypony there to fend for themselves just to gain a cheap laugh out of my reaction." Her voice half horrified, half angered. "And there be my expected reaction!" Discord shooting his head back as he laughed in maddened joy. "That alone is compensation enough from your sister, for asking me to 'fill you in' or whatever." Before Luna could repeat her question. The God of Chaos responded. "Don't worry, my little pony, I am small because I am Copy Discord. I do small tasks for my original, things he himself can't be there for. But don't worry, the second I return to my original body, he too will have a laugh at your naivety. Hope it doesn't hinder his battle though." Ignoring her embarrassment, as well as the Draconequus and his jokes, Luna found herself worried. " My sister has something to say, is she in need of help, did my opponents unfairly join her duel? What could it be? Tell me!" "Actually, it is due to your sudden departure. I believe she called it 'impatient to no end.' If you had stayed a mere few seconds later, you would have known that Princess Celestia has ordered the two side-ponies of this epic battle to travel within that forest, you almost destroyed a few minutes ago, if I may add, with the purpose of finding the cause of this invasion," The little Discord was now mocking as he said. "A task almost torn apart by you." Even though she was a ruler of Equestria, she could not stop her face from turning purple, as she felt a grander dose of embarrassment and guilt flow throughout her body, and all these negative emotions were plastered throughout her face. Noticing the face and taking surprising pity on the Alicorn, Discord softly assured, as his expression became calm, "Don't worry, it was a mistake, we all make them, I be a grand example of making a few. But look at me now. Better then ever, a purpose and everything. So don't look so glum, and find those two little troublemakers and make them pay. Or give them a beating, whichever works." Before Luna could reply, 'Copy Discord', vanished. He is right. Track these two and finish them... Luna's head suddenly shot up in realization. No, just postpone any advancement upon the city. Sister must not blame them for their rage, she suspects something out of the control of the Constellations, maybe that they be manipulated by some unknown creature...However, she is risking the lives of many by doing so. But I think she understands this greater than anypony. Although Discord's words were heartfelt and meant to inspire. The Princess of the Night could not stop herself from feeling slightly guilty at the thought she almost made her sisters burden unbearable by her hotheaded behavior at the face of danger. She couldn't brush it off as a simple mistake. She has lead thousands of ponies into battle before. Defended fortresses with excellent fortifying and strategic skills. Could she truly be so rusty and out of practice. The thought only held onto her mind for a few seconds before being replaced with determination and a sense of further redemption. Well, I guess it's time I go and gain back that experience. And just like that, she was was gone. Off in search of the two wounded Constellations. Now, were would a overgrown, wounded eagle carrying a overgrown, wounded sheep with horns, be hiding in this vast forest. The Princess noticed she was now beginning to move further and further from Ponyville, ponies and houses, mere dots at this point. She assured herself that her sister and Discord were able enough to defend the city while she was absent and was now using every bit of magical power she had in search for the two run-away Constellations. Shortly after her wide search began, she suddenly picked up the presence of two ponies traveling within the Everfree Forest, two ponies she found out to be Starlight and Trixie. So they entered the forest safely, Luna relaxed at the thought of their safety. Anywhere was better than Ponyville right now. Even that cursed place. Good luck, friends. After around 10 minutes of constant searching she picked up something. Feeling the sensation flow throughout her body and finally a path was visible to her. A stream of blue magic was now leading her somewhere. Somewhere closer to Ponyville. And just like that. She moved at top speed, following the magic's lead and found herself near the mountain she had Aquila destroy. The thought of that moment brought a stinging pain to a place just under her wing. The wound that was received as she barely dodged the eagle. She wasn't expecting the birds speed, even with the knowledge of it's famed swiftness. Another sign of her past arrogance. I will have to make up for that mistake now. She thought, descending quickly towards the end of the magic's trail and into a crevice, created by the early attack on the mountain. A small twinkle was seen at the center of the crumbled rocks, and that was all it took for the princess to bolt towards the formation, and in what appeared to be hesitation from the small light, it was replaced with a ferocious ascension towards Luna. It started to slowly grow in size and shape. Turning into the familiar figures that of Aquila the Eagle and Aries the Ram, determination across the features of both beasts face. The same determination seen on one that is troubled by the possibility of death. As the three were about to collide, Luna could not help but think, They hid from me by becoming small and staying near. Smart. Commending their tactics. Luna smiled as she felt the combined powers of the two suddenly hit her. Thankful for their wounds and lack of fully powered magic, she was able to stand as an equal to two Constellations, maybe more as she felt herself winning the duel. But, a new found force was felt upon the Princess of the Night, as she witnessed a thin line of energy hit her opponents. There was a slight reaction of pain, before the two beings began to mix into one entity, and a sudden increase of power was obvious. She reacted in stunned surprise and felt herself instantly begin to crack under the immense power they...it, now held. A few seconds of this pressure and she began to lose control, before she was sent back, hundreds of meters away by this newly formed Constellation, this fusion. Something had changed them, and a enormous sense of fear entered her as she saw the same weird energy descend upon positions no more than a few hundred feet away from each other and her. Screams of pain and agony could be heard by the Constellations throughout Ponyville before vicious roars replaced it. What is happening. Was all Luna could think of as her opponent sped towards her. Ready to kill. END OF CHAPTER FOUR