“I want her found now!” screams Celestia, as loud as she can without using the Royal Canterlot Voice. If she thought it would help, if it could find her, she would, but her little ponies are already searching as best they can.
The Royal Guard is stretched thin as it is, dispatched into six separate teams to search Canterlot and then the surrounding area. Celestia had even commissioned the weather team to do flyovers before the wind had gotten to be too much.
“We must find her,” Celestia says, fretfully. She knows it's happening again, that it’s time. But oh, she’s not ready. She’s never ready. “Is there anypony else…?” Her assistant, Sunshine Parade, shakes her head. Her soft pink and orange streaked curls have come undone from the delicate ponytail she’d worn earlier, loosened by stress and the long hours that they’ve been waiting.
“I’m sorry, Princess,” she says. “But the weather is preventing any pony else joining the search. Only the guard and her family are still out searching.”
Celestia wants to scream in frustration but instead she resumes her pacing of the throne room. It’s all her fault. She should have seen the signs, she should have known. No, she did know. The magic that Sandmares wield is volatile, powerful and dangerous. It shortens their life spans and drains their sanity. Just because Glory has lived longer than other Sandmares, it doesn’t mean she’s exempt from the effect on her mind.
Celestia does nothing but pace for the next hour, listening to the wind pick up. Glory has vanished in the middle of a giant storm and by the time any pony realised she was gone, it was too late to stop it. They need the rain and the weather ponies held off on the winds for as long as they could. As it is, they have already postponed the thunder and lightning.
She fears that when Sunshine Parade races back into the throne room to announce that Glory has been found, it’s already too late.
Celestia rushes to the infirmary as quickly as she can, Sunshine Parade close on her heels. When she enters the infirmary there are medical ponies rushing about everywhere – no pony even notices the princess come in.
A guard sees her and hurries up to her. “Princess! We found her in a ditch outside of Canterlot twenty minutes ago.”
“How is she?” asks Celestia anxiously. The guard shakes his head. His name is Silver Strike, she thinks.
“Not well, I’m afraid. She was very weak when we found her. She looks like she’s taken a fall,” Silver Strike says carefully and Celestia knows immediately that he’s not telling her the harsh truth that she already suspects. Glory must be in bad shape for that many ponies rushing around.
“Will they let me see her?” Celestia asks, unable to keep back the impatience in her voice. There’s a bed surrounded by a curtain, no doubt containing Celestia’s friend. She wants to see Glory, needs to see her...but she knows the answer before the guard even shakes his head.
“I’m sorry, your highness. They’re trying their best to save her. But her prognosis is…it’s not good.” His face is tense, unhappy at having to give such terrible news to his monarch. They’d all hoped Glory would be found, alive and well, but as time passed and the storm began to rage, ponies stopped searching for Glory and they started searching for a body.
Celestia breathes deeply, trying to stop the well of tears threatening to rise up. The castle has some of the best physicians and healer ponies around. Glory will be fine. If she repeats it enough, it might come true.
But she knew this was coming. Luna is immortal – stepping into the dream world never took such a physical toll on her. These ponies are mortal unicorns. The magic shortens their life spans; Celestia has known this ever since Galaxy died long before her time. Glory has held on longer than most Sandmares ever do but Celestia fears that time has finally run out.
“Why did she leave in such a bad storm?” whispers Sunshine Parade, ears flicking in distress. “She must have known it was dangerous!”
“She had a foal recently,” says Celestia, never taking her eyes off the hospital bed. “I’m afraid she’s been suffering from depression ever since.” The guard nods.
“My wife had that, after our little one,” he says sympathetically. “Can be mighty hard to deal with, without help.”
But she had help, Celestia wants to yell. She had me. She should have come to me. But she can’t say any of that because Glory didn’t ask for help and Celestia hadn’t noticed. So Celestia’s brave friend had suffered alone, unable to tell anypony.
Celestia should have noticed. Noticed that something was different, that Glory was missing her spark, the strong leadership that everypony looked up to. But Celestia had dismissed it as a part of what all Sandmares go through. Even that is her fault.
Even ones like Glory, who have friends and family and three beautiful little foals, suffer from those feelings. Loneliness. Confusion. Hopelessness.
Somehow when the Sandmares were created with Luna’s powers, a remnant of Luna’s feelings remained. The Sandmares have no idea that these feelings aren’t truly their own.
And Celestia is too much of a coward to tell them the truth.
They wait for at least half an hour, while the storm continues to batter the castle windows. Sunshine Parade and Silver Strike wait by their Princess, as she stays frozen a few feet from Glory’s bed.
But finally, the end comes.
A doctor walks up to Celestia, his face grave. “Princess? She’s asking for you. You should make it quick…she hasn’t got much time.” Celestia bears this news as best she can. Glory needs her: this is no time for tears.
A nurse pulls back the curtain for Celestia and the goddess nearly gasps as she sees the tiny, battered figure in the bed.
Glory cracks open her eyes, just enough for Celestia to see a glimmer of indigo underneath her lashes.
“Princess?” she croaks. Celestia rushes forward to stand where Glory can see her.
“I’m here,” she says soothingly. “It’s all right, I’m here now.” Glory holds out a trembling hoof for Celestia to take. The mare is cold and far too thin. Her ribs are visible underneath her powder blue coat, the glittering white hair limp and stuck to Glory’s neck.
“The bell,” says Glory, her voice barely above a whisper. “What about the bell?”
“It’s alright,” says Celestia, trying to stop the desperate break in her voice. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I never finished it!” Glory insists. Her breathing is raspy, chest struggling to rise and fall. Glory has barely minutes left on this planet.
“That doesn’t matter!” says Celestia forcefully, voice rising in the quiet of the ward. She wants to drop her head onto Glory’s chest and weep but she can’t. “Glory, what have you done? You should have come to me…you could have…”
Glory only smiles sadly and Celestia knows in that moment exactly how badly she’s failed.
It doesn’t take long before Glory’s hoof is limp in Celestia’s. Celestia stares at Glory’s lifeless eyes until the nurse pulls a sheet over the body and Glory is gone from sight.
“Princess?” asks Sunshine, timidly. Celestia turns her head to see her assistant, Silver Strike and the doctor all looking at her. Sunshine looks scared, the guard and doctor stoic, waiting for orders. It’s enough to remind her of where she is and that this is no place to mourn.
“I’m fine,” Celestia assures them, voice steady. It takes everything she has but she manages to pull her head upright, once again trying to project an aura of a calm, confident ruler. “I will need to discuss the funeral arrangements with Glory’s family. Of course, we must offer any financial support they may need. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be in my rooms.”
Celestia maintains a steady, graceful walk until the doors to the infirmary close behind her. Then she has to teleport to her chambers before she completely breaks down.
When Shadow wakes up the next morning, there’s a mare beside her bed. Shadow can only blink in confusion, unsure if she’s still dreaming. But the mare stays, solid and real. She hasn’t said anything, just watching Shadow quietly with her dark green eyes. Something about the mare seems familiar but Shadow can’t quite put her hoof on it.
But then the mare moves her head and there’s the faintest jingle from her indigo mane. Shadow looks up to see several small bells resting behind her ear.
“Kimono?” Shadow asks, now entirely sure that she’s dreaming. But the mare simply smiles sadly.
“Now I know you really have been seeing my sister,” she says, quietly. “Celestia warned me you’d been visited by her...but I didn’t really believe.”
Shadow can’t help but gawp at the violet mare before her. Kimono’s sister! She can’t help but flick her eyes over her guest, wondering what similarities there are between the two. She should have asked Celestia for a picture of her predecessor. The only identifying piece of information she had for Kimono was the small bells that Celestia had said she’d worn.
“You’re...you’re her sister?” she says, breathlessly. She struggles to pull herself up into a sitting position. The other unicorn inclines her head.
“I’m Wisteria,” she says. “I was only ten when my sister died. I’m sure Celestia has told you.” Shadow recalls standing at Kimono’s grave, the haunted look on her mentor’s face as she’d recalled Kimono’s death. Celestia had explained about letting a small filly shout at her...this quiet, dignified mare had done that? Wisteria catches her look and chuckles.
“I get that expression a lot when I say I shouted at the princess,” she says ruefully. “But I did and I don’t regret it. I was a late surprise to my parents. Kimono had already long been taken to live at the palace for her training but she came to visit us whenever she could. I adored my sister and when I was old enough, my parents explained why she didn’t live with us. It was a big secret to keep but in my eyes, it only made Kimono more amazing. I thought I had the best sister in the world.”
“You did,” Shadow says, softly. She can see how hard telling this story is on Wisteria. There’s the faintest shimmer to her eyes, the raspiness of her voice hinting to tears. Finding out that your sister is the Sandmare and idolising her as some incredible, powerful figure...but in the end, Kimono was like all Sandmares. Only mortal.
“And then we got the news,” Wisteria continues. “We had a messenger come to our house...that was the worst day of my life, when the guard turned up on our doorstep and told us Kimono was dead. We went to the castle and watched her be buried, watched the casket be buried. Celestia refused to let us see her...whatever was left of her. She never told us the full details of how she died but I can guess.”
“Grogar would have…” Shadow lets her voice trail off. She doesn’t need to say it. Wisteria must have already imagined it a thousand times. But the older mare nods.
“Torn her apart,” she says flatly. “Yes, I know. I’m glad I never saw her like that. My last memory of her was her alive and smiling. I was furious at Celestia for so long but now I know that she made the right decision. I couldn’t bear remembering my sister as a body.”
She falls silent, bowing her head. Shadow looks down at her hooves, trying to give the mare as much privacy as possible. She doesn’t need to look to know that tears are dripping steadily down Wisteria’s face and onto the crisp hospital sheets.
How much had it taken for her to come here? And why? What could possibly have brought this mare back to Canterlot after twenty years? From the sounds of it, Wisteria had only ever been here once, for Kimono’s funeral. She doesn’t blame the poor mare for not wanting to return.
“What did she look like?” Shadow asks, unable to help herself. But she’s desperate to know more about the mare that has been trying so desperately to help her. They have so little time in her dreams and all of that is spent giving Shadow the information she needs for the upcoming battle.
Wisteria sniffles and rubs a foreleg across her damp eyes. “She was beautiful,” she recalls. “I used to think my sister was some sort of goddess. She was elegant and kind. She had a wonderful smile. We have similar eyes, I’ve been told. Family always commented on our green eyes! But she was a light pink and her horn was longer.” Shadow nods slowly, trying to picture Kimono in her mind.
“But,” Wisteria says. “I didn’t come here for Kimono. I came here for you.”
“For me?” Shadow asks, in surprise. But Wisteria merely smiles.
“I’m sure the princess will tell you soon enough,” she says, mysteriously. She looks over her shoulder, through the gap in the curtains of Shadow’s bed. “Actually, it looks like you’ll find out now.”
And sure enough, Ivory Thorn clatters through the curtains and gestures at Shadow to get out of bed.
“You’ve been summoned,” she says briskly. With a curious look thrown back at Wisteria, Shadow eases herself out of bed.
“Will I see you again soon?” she asks. She has so many more questions about Kimono that she longs to ask
“Very soon,” Wisteria promises, unfolding herself from the stiff bedside chair. “And don’t worry, we’ll be able to talk all about Kimono. I want to hear about my sister...even if she’s only alive in a dream.” With that, she vanishes back through the white curtains, leaving Ivory and Shadow alone.
“Come on, up,” Ivory instructs, levitating a robe onto Shadow’s bed. “Put this on. We only have a short amount of time before Nurse Needles wants you back in this bed.”
“Where are we going?” Shadow asks curiously, carefully easing herself out of bed. Luckily she’s not attached to an IV anymore but she’s still very stiff from lying in bed for several days. She manages to slip the robe on without too much difficulty, using her magic to tie it under her barrel. Ivory tugs open the curtains and gestures for Shadow to step through.
“Where do you think?” she says with a smirk.
The journey to Celestia’s rooms are mostly silent, as Shadow struggles to keep up with Ivory’s brisk pace. The mare walks like Celestia’s assistant should - that is to say, at a million miles an hour, as one who frequently follows a long-legged goddess might.
Ivory doesn’t follow Shadow in, only holding open the door and ushering her through. When the door has closed behind her, Shadow turns to see Celestia’s usual breakfast nook, which is slightly more occupied than normal.
“Shadow!” Celestia says, warmly. The princess is perched on her cushion, cup of tea on the table in front of her. However, she’s accompanied by two strangers. A unicorn mare and an Earth stallion sit by her, both watching her with an intense focus. Shadow wilts a little as she steps up to the table and the empty cushion waiting for her.
“This is her?” asks the mare, looking giddy with excitement. She’s a rich purple, with tones of red, and wild dark purple curls that fall around her face. She’s tiny and delicate, the kind of elegant frame that most unicorns have. She looks like she’s about to vibrate off her cushion with enthusiasm, grinning widely at Moon Shadow
Her companion, on the other hoof, towers over her. He’s an Earth pony, with a deep blue coat and white mane and tail. He’s all muscles and sinew, built up in a way that Canterlot Nobles aren’t. He must do actual work for a living, Shadow surmises. Unlike the mare he’s quiet and still, eyes flickering over Shadow with concealed interest.
“This is Moon Shadow,” Celestia says softly. “Shadow, come meet our guests.” With a nervy eye on the mare, Shadow carefully settles down on a cushion. It doesn’t help. The mare’s eyes follow her with badly suppressed glee.
Celestia sets down her tea cup and looks at all three of them in turn.
“Moon Shadow, I’d like for you to meet two very important ponies,” she says. “They’re going to help you rebuild the bell to use against Grogar.” Moon Shadow shoots her mentor a startled glance. When exactly did they start talking about Sandmare business in front of other ponies? Celestia notices Shadow’s wide eyed look and chuckles.
“Don’t worry, Moon Shadow. These two ponies are fully aware of Sandmares and their role in Equestria. After all, they are descended from one,” Celestia says, with a knowing smile.
Moon Shadow stares at the ponies across from her with something that feels like shock and…warmth? Sandmares go throughout their lives alone – another isn’t born until after her predecessor dies. Shadow’s connection to Kimono partly stems for them both having to bear the burden alone, never having another pony truly understand what they go through. But these two are descended from a Sandmare – they might have stories and information that wasn’t written in the journals. Shadow wonders which Sandmare it was. Galaxy had a foal, a very long time ago. So did Sparkler and Magic Star.
“This is Crystal Carillon,” Celestia says, gesturing at the purple mare. Carillon waves a hoof excitedly, which Shadow awkwardly returns. “And this is her brother, Cobalt Bell.” Cobalt merely nods at Shadow. Clearly, he has a more laid back temperament than his sister.
“Good to meet you,” says Shadow impatiently. “I’m sorry, I have to know. Which Sandmare was your ancestor?”
Celestia coughs to get Shadow’s attention. ”That is why you are here, Shadow. I could have requested any bell makers in Equestria to help you with your task – there are many talented ones and some of them a great deal closer than Fillydelphia. But I asked these two because they have intimate knowledge of the bell you’re going to be working with.” Shadow openly gawps at the pair, hardly able to believe her ears.
“Wait,” she says, stunned. “So they’re Glory’s great, great, great grandfoals?”
“They are,” Celestia says, with some amusement at Shadow’s shock. “And because of that, they are also fully aware of Sandmares and the role you are about to play. Their family has always been very open with each other about what Glory was. After all, she was an inspiration to not just other Sandmares but the rest of her line, who are extremely proud to have come from such a brave and clever mare.”
Moon Shadow sits back on her haunches in shock. Descended from Glory…the mare who put Grogar away the first time! The mare alone who noticed the vanishing bodies, the increasing signs of dark magic making its way into Equestria. The mare who singlehoofedly constructed a plan and went to Celestia, determined that Grogar’s undead army never set foot on Equine soil. The mare who used her family’s bell founding knowledge to make a bell with magic, both dark and dream, and mixed it with stone taken from Tambelon itself in order to create a bell that would ring out soundly, for all to hear…and banish Tambelon back to the darkness, making it a prison for Grogar.
“It’s so good to finally meet another Sandmare!” Crystal Carillon bursts out, like it’s been a struggle to keep it in. “We’ve always wondered about the other Sandmares, the ones that came after Glory but obviously Celestia couldn’t tell us. But now we get to meet you! And work with you on our ancestor’s unfinished bell!” Her eyes widen with happiness, a grin stretched from ear to ear. Cobalt puts a hoof on his sister’s shoulder. Carillon instantly settles back, letting out a breath like her brother has just told her it’s ok to calm down.
“Excuse my sister,” he says, in a deep, throaty voice. “She’s easily excitable. But it means a lot to us to finally meet you, miss.”
“Oh, just call me Shadow,” Moon Shadow says, in embarrassment. She’s not quite sure how she feels about these ponies staring at her with awe and excitement. Even with the title of lady, ponies aren’t all that pleased to meet her. They take one look at her dirty hooves and the mane falling in her eyes and her oversized rear and decide that clearly this isn’t a mare worth knowing. But even Cobalt is giving her this look that she isn’t sure she deserves.
“I’m sorry to add extra work onto you, Moon Shadow,” Celestia says, her violet eyes grave. “I am cutting down your hours in the dreamworld for the time being; otherwise we will never be done in time for the Summer Sun celebration.”
“But what about the nightmares?” Shadow protests. No doubt as they get closer and Grogar grows stronger, the terrifying nightmares will increase. It’s been a hard enough battle to keep them in check and now she’s been unconscious for two days, unable to do her duties... “There are still shadows out there!” Celestia holds up a golden clad hoof.
“I know. It pains me to do so but in the meantime I’m afraid it’s what we must do. There’s simply not enough time in the day – or night in your case – to have lessons with Wisteria, mend the bell, sleep, eat and patrol the dreamworld. The nightmares are a minor concern for the time being, as are the shadows. There’s never been any sign of them attacking any pony other than you. I am certain that they are just scouts to deliver information back to Grogar.”
“Wisteria...Wisteria is going to teach me?” Shadow asks, gobsmacked. That explains Wisteria’s sudden return, perhaps the only thing that could have persuaded her. A chance to protect another Sandmare.
Celestia nods, the same mournful expression appearing on her beautiful face again. “She will. I’m afraid that she is still resentful of me and I’m afraid that I don’t blame her. However, she doesn’t wish you any harm and will do everything in her power to prevent what happened to Kimono from happening to any other pony. So yes, she will teach you.”
Moon Shadow claps her hooves on the table in her excitement. She’s going to learn defensive magic, like Kimono! Maybe Wisteria even knows how to replicate making her sister’s tiny bells. Shadow could make some and give them to her mother and friends. As many ponies as she can. With what’s coming, it might mean the difference between life and death.
“When do we start?” Shadow asks, eagerly. Carillon beams at her.
“Right away!” she says. “We rushed right down from Fillydelphia on the next train when we heard you needed our help. We don’t have a whole lot of time and bell founding is hard work.”
“Is that what you do?” asks Shadow curiously. “Make bells?” Crystal Carillon nods proudly.
“Special bells!” she says. “Bells like Glory made! Cobalt makes the bell and the ringer and I design them and infuse them with magic. So really, we’re the best ponies for this job.”
“You’re in the best hooves,” Celestia agrees, with a gentle dip of her head. Both Carillon and her brother look pleased with this praise from the princess. “Glory’s family has bell founding knowledge that goes back almost as far as the creation of the three tribes. Carillon and Cobalt have almost revolutionized the process by imbuing the bells with magic.”
“It was really Glory’s idea, originally,” Cobalt says. “But Carillon thought that we could do something similar. It was a bit of trial and error but now we have a process even more efficient than Glory’s method.”
“What do you put in the bells?” Shadow asks, looking at Carillon. This mare might not look like much but she must be talented if she can imbue solid objects with magic, a fairly tricky procedure for any normal unicorn.
“Oh, anything really,” Carillon says breezily, as though a complex magical procedure is nothing. “Protection spells, spells for joy...there’s a bell that rings near the Fillydelphia hospital that sends out a calm, peaceful feeling when it rings. It soothes a lot of the patients there.”
“That’s...that’s incredible,” marvels Moon Shadow, and Carillon’s rosy fur deepens in a blush.
“Indeed,” Celestia agrees and Moon Shadow can tell from her tone of voice that this conversation is over. “Moon Shadow should return to bed for the time being and we can start training tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have someone show you two to your quarters. Are you quite comfortable with staying in the castle for the time being?”
Carillon looks like she might faint from excitement and Cobalt merely nods in agreement. Working with these two is going to be interesting, with their personalities being so drastically different. But they clearly work well together and are both strong, competent ponies.With them working on the bell and Wisteria helping train her, Shadow feels more optimistic than she did before. Maybe they stand a chance against Grogar.
“Wonderful,” says Celestia, before turning to Moon Shadow. “Now, back to bed with you. I will come visit you later, before you go to the dreamworld. I’m sure there are some things you wish to discuss with me.”
Doesn’t she just. Shadow’s brain is overflowing with questions, all desperate to be asked. But before she can say anything Celestia rings a bell and a maid trots through the main doors. Clearly Moon Shadow will be escorted back to the infirmary and put to bed with herbal tea and a water bottle.
Shadow sighs and pulls herself to her feet. She smiles at Cobalt and Crystal Carillon, who return it with that overwhelming level of enthusiasm.
“I guess I’ll see you both tomorrow then?” she says, just to confirm. Maybe she won’t be strong enough to cast spells tomorrow but she can’t wait in a hospital bed and do nothing. Even if the twins show her their plans for the bell, she can feel like she’s doing something.
Both of them nod, Cobalt once and Carillon so fast it looks as though her head is blurring.
“We’ll begin your training as soon as you’ve had sufficient rest,” Celestia says, confirming Shadow’s suspicions that she won’t be allowed near a spell until Nurse Needles has given her the all-clear. Even though she knows that she needs more rest and fluids before she’s strong enough to take on a full schedule of training, learning and fighting, Shadow can’t help but feel restless. Just only a few days ago, she felt as though she was drowning under the pressures of saving the world by herself. Now a huge weight has been lifted.
“Thank you, Princess,” Shadow says hesitantly, looking up at the mare that a few weeks ago she wasn’t sure she could trust. “I’ve been feeling so alone and helpless. But now…” Shadow is cut off by Celestia wordlessly pulling her into a hug.
“I know,” Celestia says solemnly. “And I’m sorry. In the past Sandmares have always faced their battles alone. But this is a far greater battle than you should have to face by yourself. You have our full support.” Shadow pulls back and rubs at her face, to try and hide the glassiness of her eyes. She’s not about to cry in front of everypony.
“Thank you,” Shadow says weakly. “I appreciate it.”
“Now, you should get some rest,” Celestia says, gesturing to the door. As if on cue, Ivory Thorn opens it, looking expectant. Apparently, she’s Shadow’s chaperone all the way back down to the hospital wing. Honestly, Shadow should be insulted. What, do they think she’s going to bunk off and...okay, maybe that’s a fair presumption.
“I will,” Shadow promises. “Good night, everypony.”
Ivory Thorn turns to Shadow with a wicked grin, as soon as the door has clicked shut behind them. “Back to the infirmary we go!” she says, looking far too cheerful. “I’ve heard strained peas are on the menu tonight!”
Shadow groans and wonders if it’s too late to make a run for it. Judging by how quickly Ivory catches her in her magic, yes, far far too late.