//------------------------------// // In the Beginning // Story: The Truth of Chaos // by dissidant1 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle had never before doubted Princess Celestia's power. Raising the sun and the moon alone for one-thousand years as well as protecting all of Equestria is something nopony else could do. However, when Celestia was brought to her knees at the hooves of Chrysalis, these fears began to surface in her heart. "Twilie!" Shining Armor's voice broke Twilight from her thoughts and brought her immeasurable joy. "Hey BBBFF!" Shining Armor and Cadence had been called home from their honeymoon by an urgent request from Celestia. Though this worried Twilight greatly, seeing her brother and former foal-sitter gave her more happiness than she could bear. "Where's Cadence?" Twilight asked, not seeing her anywhere at the station. "She went ahead and took an earlier train while I wrapped up our business at the hotel. She should be waiting at your place by now. Unfortunately, I don't have time to tell you about it. I have to hoof it quick to Canterlot. Urgent requests from the Princess don't come along often. It has me a little worried." "I am too. I'm sure everything is fine. I mean, it's the Princess after all." "Yeah. You're probably right...still, I should hurry. It was good seeing you. Love you sis. Keep Cadence company for me. I should be back before you know it." With that, Shining Armor boarded and the train took off. Twilight stood on the platform, more concerned than she led her brother to believe. Celestia is the most powerful pony in Equestria, yet she was defeated so easily. Even with the strength of Shining Armor's and Cadence' love, it is unthinkable that Celestia could fall to someone like Queen Chrysalis. Something is wrong and this urgent request for her brother is just further proof of that. "Maybe Cadence will know more," Twilight thought as she began home. _____________________ As Twilight arrived home, Cadence met her at the door with a hop and she knew what was coming. "Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" Their laughter filled the afternoon air as they hugged and made it into the treehouse. "Where's Spike?" Twilight asked not seeing her faithful assistant anywhere. "Oh, he was on his way to Rarity's when I arrived, so I told him I would just wait for you here. I have so much to tell you. It has been just wonderful being together with Shining Armor. This urgent summons may not make me happy, but it has been a beautiful honeymoon." "That's great Cadence. I know that he has been happy too. I want to hear about everything, but I have to ask. Do you know why he was summoned?" "I don't. The letter was addressed as confidential for Shining Armor. He couldn't tell me why, but regardless we had to return. I understand. Being head of Canterlot royal security is a demanding job and duty calls." "Cadence, this has me more than a little worried. I'm toying with some ideas and I'm sure I'm just overthinking things, but I was wondering if you could tell me everything you know about Celestia." "Oh.....Twilight, I think this is something you should ask the Princess about directly." "I don't want her to know how worried I am. And if my theories turn out to have merit, I want to be able to help. But to do that, I need to know everything about her. Please Sis....." ".....Okay Twilight. But I have to warn you. It is not a happy story." _____________________ One-thousand years ago, the three tribes of ponies were constantly in conflict with each other. As you can probably guess, interbreeding was absolutely forbidden between the tribes. One day, a very powerful unicorn colt named Genesis met and fell in love with a beautiful pegasus mare named Gaia. They lived a simple life secluded in what would become the Everfree Forest so they would never be persecuted for their love. They wanted for nothing. As long as they had each other, that was all they needed and soon enough, their family began to grow. Gaia became pregnant and soon gave birth to a daughter. She was a unicorn with a pure white coat and a multi-colored mane. They could only think of one name to represent something so beautiful. They chose Celestia. Time passed and Gaia gave birth to another fillie. A jet-black pegasus as beautiful as the night sky. For her they chose the name Luna. Genesis and Gaia loved their children with all their hearts and strove to keep them hidden from the conflicts that plagued the pony world. Fate shone though once more as they were blessed with another daughter. But she was somehow different from Celestia and Luna. She had a cerulean coat and a mane of deep violet. She was every bit as beautiful as her sisters but she had no wings and no horn. She was an earth pony.Her name was Serenity. Genesis and Gaia viewed all their daughters as miracles and loved no one less than the others, but sometimes they did wonder how the world would greet them. They had done the unthinkable in loving each other and having a family, but they would do anything and everything to keep it safe. A scant fifteen years passed. Genesis had used his magic to keep an eye on the relations between the three tribes and things had only gotten worse. The land had been engulfed in a endless winter. Though he did not know the cause, he worried for the safety of his family. Food was becoming scarce and Genesis never had a bite before his family. Their well-being was all that mattered to him. "Gaia, I found a couple of mushrooms. Divide them among you and the girls. I'll be fine for now." Genesis had to venture out into the frigid air every day in search of food. He used his magic to try and grow what food he could, but the land was just not producing.There was no answer. Genesis became worried. The girls were still abed, but Gaia was usually awake before him. "Gaia?" He entered the kitchen and what he saw horrified him beyond all reason. His beloved, lying motionless on the floor. "GAIA! Gaia, wake up. Talk to me!" He screamed. "Girls! Girls, wake up! Celestia!" Genesis saw his daughters enter the room. "Celestia, quickly. Gather some snow and heat it up. Go!" "What's wrong with Mother?" Celestia asked, her and her sisters rushing to their parents side. "Celestia! Now!" Genesis screamed, instantly regretting his tone, but he had no time or mind for anything but Gaia. "Luna, Serenity, help get her to the bedroom." He could see the tears in their eyes. He couldn't tell them to be strong for her with stinging in his own, but for everypony's sake he had to keep it together. "Father, I have the water." Celestia entered, obviously fighting her own tears. "Girls. Wait outside." Celestia, who had never in her life raised her voice to her father, yelled, "No Father! We are staying with you and Mother. What's wrong with her?!" "Girls, Celestia. Go now. I will not say it again." Celestia had never seen her father like this. He needed to be alone with their mother and he needed her to calm her sisters. With great reluctance, she took her sisters into the hallway. ________________________ What seemed like an eternity passed before Genesis came out of the room. "Girls. Your mother is very sick. Malnutrition has given her a high fever. She's starved girls." The looks of pain and horror that appeared on his daughters' faces were almost enough to break him. "She is going to be okay girls. I promise. Go in and be with her." "Father....." Celestia could think of no words to comfort her father. She gently nuzzled her father's neck before joining Luna and Serenity at her mother's bedside. Genesis sat, completely drained. The spell he used to try and break Gaia's fever took everything he had. All he could do was wait. His beloved wife's life was in his hooves, and there was nothing more he could do. He had never felt more useless. ________________________ "Father! Father! Wake up!" Serenity's innocent voice roused the sleeping Genesis. He did not even remember falling asleep. "Mother's awake!" Genesis all but galloped to the bedroom. "Hello sweetheart." Her voice sounded so weak. So fragile. "How are you feeling?" "Honey, listen. I'm sorry. All the food you've gathered. I was sneaking it into the girls' shares. I wanted to make sure they got enough. I guess I overdid it." "Oh my darling. It's okay. Your heart is just too big. Don't worry. I'm gonna fix this. I'm gonna make you better." "Genesis..... I love you so much. Tell the girls I love them." "They're all here Gaia. You can tell them yourself." "Tell the....." "Gaia? Gaia! Gaia, no! Wake up! Don't leave us! Don't leave me! Please, no!" Genesis brought forth all the magic he could. "Celestia! Help me! Help her! We can't let her die!" The room was filled with a brilliant light. The two unicorns gave every ounce of magic they had, but she was gone.