Celestia sipped her tea thoughtfully. This was big. Very big. Tomorrow was a big day. Luna’s birthday. All of a sudden, a scroll appeared. Was it one of Twilights friendship reports? Celestia’s horn glowed, and she picked up the scroll.

Dear Celestia, it read. Strange. Twilight always puts ‘Princess’ before Celestia. Celestia read on.

I have found a most interesting spell. I myself have tried it, and it is very useful. It works best in high places. I think with your level of magic you should go to the highest mountain in Equestria. Here are instructions:

Shadow and light

expand my sight.

Open a door

To a time before

Guardians of the dream world,

I call you to my side.

Reveal my spirit,

my protector and guide.

Show me the power, beauty, and grace

In the radiant eyes if my guardian's face.

What a strange spell, Celestia thought. But she trusted Twilight. She folded the scroll and tucked it into her shoe. This was going to be a light, quick trip. She then disappeared in a bright flash of light. Then, faraway, near the border, on the very top of freezing Mount. Nevermare, stood Celestia. She pulled out the scroll, and recited the words, her horn glowing. She disappeared in a flash of light.

Luna waited. And waited. And waited.She thought her sister would at least come to her on Her birthday, but no. Not a word. She didn’t even show. So Luna cried. She walked over to where she saw Celestia last, but didn’t see her. Luna searched the whole castle. Pacing in the throne room, Luna had ordered a search. This was just perfect. Celestia gone on her birthday. Just then, the guards fell over. Luna looked up. A figure walked in. It was a mare, unicorn. She was as tall as Celestia. The unicorn had curved ears and horn, and had a very unkempt mane. Her eyes were closed, and her head was lowered. Luna stepped forward.

The unicorn raised her head, eyes flashing. “Hello, dear Luna.”
The whole palace was silent as a scream shook it, and Canterlot faded to grey.

Celestia fell over in exhaustion. That spell had taken up a lot of her magic. Facing the border, she got up. She turned around, and choked on her breath. Equestria, or what was left of Equestria, was in ruin. Countless fires dotted the land, most of the major cities were in ruin, and countless changelings and black-coated pegasi flew around in the air. Smoke was coming from everywhere, especially from the blackened, charred ruins of Ponyville. Or, where Ponyville was. A black pegasus spotted her, and raced towards her with some others. Celestia ran down the mountain, into a cave. She bumped into something. A spot of light appeared, from a unicorn.

“Hello?” Celestia said, and the light grew bigger. There was a mare, dressed in armour. She was light blue, with violet eyes and a lighter blue mane and tail with white stripes. Two stallions stood behind her, an earth pony and a pegasus. They had the same symbol on their armour that the mare had.

“Oh my Luna..” The mare whispered. “It can’t be...Celestia.”
Realization dropped like a stone in Celestia stomach. She had been gone a long time.
The mare peered over Celestia’s shoulder. “We best be going. Follow us.” The mare and stallions walked away, and the alicorn followed. What? Celestia had expected the mare to say ‘Princess,’ or ‘Your Highness’. The mare and guards trudged quickly down the slope and too a forest.
“How come they didn’t see us?” The Princess asked.
“Simple perception filter. They can see us, but they don’t want to. Empress cast it on all soldiers, unless we fight.” The mare stopped at a tree and turned to Celestia. “Oh, and by the way, my name is Trixie.”

Trixie kicked the tree, and a spot in the ground opened up, big enough for a pony. The two stallions jumped in. Trixie turned to Celestia. “Jump in!” she yelled as she jumped into the hole. Celestia peered into the hole, and jumped in.

20 Years, Celestia

by StarSwirl12

The Spell