//------------------------------// // Chapter 15 // Story: Time Heals All Wounds // by Brony4Ever1992 //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle couldn't get to Canterlot quick enough. She got a letter that Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine where both missing. It came from the palace, but was written by Moon Dancer. Spike coughed the letter up and Twilight was horrified. Twilight, Sunset and Spike raced to the home of Moon Dancer where Moon Dancer let them in. Minuette was also there. "Please tell me you've heard something!" requested Twilight frantic. Minuette sadly shook her head. "No pony can find them anywhere." revealed Moon Dancer worried. Twilight began to panic. "It's okay Twilight. We'll fine them." said Spike. "When was the last time you saw them?" asked Sunset. "We split up after the play." answered Minuette depressed. "We went in pairs because we though it'd keep us safe." added Moon Dancer flatly. "I doubt they'd run off." mused Sunset. "It was Starlight! It has to be!" declared Twilight panicked. "We don't know that for sure." noted Spike. "Who else could it be?" asked Twilight. No pony had an answer. "We'll go looking for them." said Sunset. "Are you sure we'll be okay?" asked Minuette worried. "If this is the Equalists, they only attack at night." answered Sunset. The others agreed to search. "Spike, stay here in case any new information comes out." said Sunset. The baby dragon proudly puffed out his chest and saluted. "Can do!" declared Spike. "Twilight will be with me and Moon Dancer will team with Minuette." said Sunset. The four began their search. "I hope Starlight hasn't hurt them." thought Sunset concerned. The four spanned out and began looking. Moon Dancer and Minuette went downtown and looked there. Twilight and Sunset began their search at Restaurant Row, but found no sign of their friends there. They continued their search across Canterlot, but continued having no luck. As the places to search started to dwindle, Twilight was getting more and more anxious. Something Sunset was well aware of. "It feels like we've already searched half of Canterlot." noted Twilight frantic. "Yeah." muttered Sunset. "What do we do?! Where do we search now?!" asked Twilight horrified. "Twilight, you need to stay calm." said Sunset. "It's not your friends who are missing!" snapped Twilight. Twilight quickly covered her mouth with her front leg. "Sunset, I'm so sorry." said twilight guilty. "It's fine. I know the stress you're under." replied Sunset calmly. "Well, I'm glad something is working out." sighed Twilight. "Hey, things will be fine." said Sunset. "How can you say that with everything going on?" asked Twilight grumpy. "I'm being optimistic." answered Sunset nonchalant. "Sorry, I'm not feeling it." replied Twilight. Sunset thought for a minute. "Hey, think back to Sombra." said Sunset. Twilight cringed at this. "I know it's hard...but we beat him." noted Sunset. "And?" asked Twilight. "He conquered a large part of Equestria and laid siege to Canterlot, but we still won." answered Sunset. "With our help." noted Twilight sadly. "But, we're not helping Starlight." replied Sunset. "So she's more powerful than Sombra." said Twilight, feeling worse. "Starlight hasn't had anywhere near the success that Sombra did." noted Sunset. "Yet." said Twilight flatly. Sunset Shimmer sighed. "This keeps getting worse." thought Sunset worried. "Sunset..." began Twilight nervously. "Go ahead." said Sunset encouraging. "Do...you think Starlight is here?" asked Twilight worried. "No pony has seen here." answered Sunset. "There are spells to alter how you look." countered Twilight. "I seriously doubt Starlight Glimmer is in Canterlot. "Do you think her followers are?" asked Twilight. Sunset took a deep breath. "It's likely they've entered the city and left already." answered Sunset honestly. "Do you think they took Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine?" asked Twilight uneasy. Sunset struggled to answer. "You do." said Twilight horrified. "It was most likely the Equalists." relented Sunset. Twilight began having a full blown panic attack. "It's okay Twilight! Just breath!" declared Sunset. Twilight was far too stressed out to listen. "We'll rescue them and every pony else!" vowed Sunset. "What...about...Starlight?" asked Twilight worried. "We'll kick her flank." answered Sunset confident. This managed to help Twilight relax a bit more. "Where to look next?" asked Sunset. "We've looked everywhere." answered Twilight sadly. 'Let's see if the others had any luck." proposed Sunset. Twilight got up and began walking. "Sounds good." sighed Twilight. "Stay strong." said Sunset. Sunset let out a soft sigh. "Celestia help us." thought Sunset concerned. Meanwhile, the four girls weren't the only ones searching. As Lemon Hearts worked planning events for the palace, this meant that the palace was involved too. Squadrons of royal guards where also searching for Lemon Hearts as well as Twinkleshine. Princess Luna asked for a private meeting with her sister and Princess Celestia agreed. Ravens Inkwell left to announce the delay of day court while the sisters talked in the throne room. "I am so glad you are agreed to this." said Luna relieved. "Yes, but there is something we must discuss before the missing unicorns." replied Celestia. "What is that?" asked Luna curious. "You...and this while Tantabus situation." answered Celestia worried. "It is fine." said Luna dismissive. "No it isn't! You where giving yourself a nightmare because of something that happened moons ago!" cried Celestia worried. "I appreciate your concern, but I am alright now." said Luna. "Why did you not tell me?" asked Celestia hurt. Luna felt guilt rising up. "I...didn't want to bother you with my problems." answered Luna flushed. Celestia looked her sister dead in the eyes. "You will never be a bother to me." said Celestia softly. Luna got misty eyed at this. "Is Woona getting emotional?" asked Celestia teasing. Luna rubbed the tears from her eyes. "Oh Tia. I love you so much." said Luna. The two shared a hug. "Now, I can only hope we can find those two." said Celestia worried. "Now they are coming after palace workers. That is a troubling sign." mused Luna concerned. "It's not just that. Both Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine went to my School for Gifted Unicorns. This is personal." revealed Celestia. "Sister..." began Luna. "It's fine. I am okay." said Celestia. "Then, can we get to the main reason I asked to talk?" asked Luna. "Yes. Go right ahead." answered Celestia. "I'm worried about Twilight." revealed Luna. Celestia was caught totally off guard by this. "What do you mean?" asked Celestia. "It seems she is suffering from the same guilt I am." answered Luna. "How can you be sure?" asked Celestia, trying to stay calm. "We talked yesterday and it was clear from the way she was speaking." answered Luna. Luna winced. "Actually, she requested I not tell you this." admitted Luna. "I'm glad you did." said Celestia firmly. Luna nodded her head in agreement. "I just hope Twilight can forgive me for this betrayal of her trust." said Luna guilty. "What did you talk about exactly?" asked Celestia. "She came under the guise of wanting to help, but I already saw her guilt in her dreams." answered Luna. "How bad is it?" asked Celestia worried. "Not as bad as myself." answered Luna. Celestia let out a sigh of relief. "But, now two of her friends are missing which means it will likely get worse." warned Luna. "I know." replied Celestia hurting. Celestia let out a worried sigh. "Like yourself, I have had nay foals of of my own. And Twilight has become something of a surrogate daughter to me." confessed Celestia. "I didn't know." said Luna surprised. "I watched her grow from entering my school until right this moment. I have seen her greatest highs and her deepest lows. But, I never though it would end up this bad." explained Celestia. 'Even when she under the command of Sombra?" asked Luna worried. "Not even then." answered Celestia solemn. Luna gulped and stepped up to her sister. "Fear not. I am certain we can save Twilight once more." said Luna. "I pray you are right." replied Celestia. Suddenly, a royal guard entered. "Your majesties!" exclaimed Spearhead. Spearhead bowed before the two princesses. "At ease." said Celestia. Spearhead stood back up. "What do you have to report?" asked Luna. "We have scoured the city high and low. Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine are not in Canterlot." answered Spearhead solemnly. Both princesses were hit hard by this. "Clearly...this is not the outcome we hoped for." began Celestia. "It's safe to say Starlight Glimmer got her damned hooves on them." added Luna. "Under no circumstance is Twilight Sparkle to know about this." ordered Celestia. Spearhead gulped nervously. "What is it?" asked Luna. "Twilight is in Canterlot searching for them as we speak." answered Spearhead. "HOW DOTH THAT HAPPEN?!" asked Luna in her Royal Canterlot voice. "Please calm down." requested Celestia. "One of her other friends must have told her." answered Spearhead shaking. "Then there's nothing we can do now." sighed Luna. "For now, do not tell Twilight Starlight Glimmer had likely captured her friends." ordered Celestia. "Sister, she can easily put it together." noted Luna. 'We can try and plant doubt to ease her mind." said Celestia. "Doesn't that seem dishonest?" asked Luna uncomfortable. "It might be, but it's to give Twilight piece of mind." answered Celestia. "Then I am on board." replied Luna. "Good." sighed Celestia. The Princess of the Sun turned her attention back to Spearhead. "You are dismissed." said Celestia. "Yes, your majesty." replied Spearhead. Spearhead saluted and left. He would continue to serve his role at the palace until his shift ended and it was time for him to go home. By now, it was night and darkness enveloped Canterlot. But, Spearhead felt safe as he walked. His was a member of the royal guard and felt safe. As he got closer to his home, Spearhead heard movement which put him on the defense. To his shock, Lemon Hearts staggered out of an alleyway. She was bruised and dirty. "I don't believe it!" cried Spearhead shocked. "We...managed...to...escape." said Lemon Hearts strained. Spearhead rushed over to her. "It's okay." said Spearhead reassuring. Spearhead looked around. "I don't see Twinkleshine." noted Spearhead. "She's back there...she's hurt pretty bad." said Lemon Hearts. " I need to get help." mused Spearhead. "No!" cried Lemon Hearts. Spearhead was surprised by this. "She's bleeding and will die if you go." revealed Lemon Hearts. "I'll help you." replied Spearhead urgently. Spearhead headed down the alley with Lemon Hearts behind him. However, what Spearhead saw caused his heart to skip a beat. "There is no pony here." said Spearhead horrified. Before he could react, Spearhead was electrocuted and collapsed. "How pitiful." cooed "Lemon Hearts" disgusted. Dropping the charade, Starlight Glimmer reverted to her true form. "I heard the royal guard where a joke and this proves it." said Starlight. Starlight merely shrugged and lit up her horn. "Now then..." began Starlight menacingly.