//------------------------------// // The Secret Village of Twilight // Story: Kung-Fu Equestria 3 // by Lady Umbra //------------------------------// The masters and changelings watched as Luna looked through all the scrolls in the Jade Palace library. One by one, she would pick one up, read, and then toss it away, with growing frustration. Twilight tried her best to catch the scrolls and sort them back where they belonged, but her movements were dispassionate, and she was more focused on Luna's search. “Tirek... Tirek! Where is it? There's so much wisdom in here, yet I can't find anything!” Luna grumbled before looking upward. “Seriously Tia? You couldn’t find a simple way of organizing your scrolls?" “Pony Master need relax!” Tak shouted. Roar grunted in agreement. Luna growled at the small changelings retort before she found a jade encased scroll. “Yes!” Luna called out, gliding down to the others. “Behold! All the answers shall be found within!” "Wait for it..." Rainbow Dash said, her eyes narrowed and her mind wise to Celestia's tricks. Indeed, when Luna opened the scroll... there was nothing written within. "Seriously, Tia?!" Luna boomed. "Another blank scroll?!" Rainbow, Rarity, and Applejack slammed their palms against their foreheads. Luna nearly threw the scroll in frustration, before she noticed a spot of writing in the far corner. “No wait..” Luna said, unrolling the scroll further. “Oh okay, here we go." The others crowded behind Luna, trying to read Celestia's carefully written text. Long ago, I had a brother. “You guys had a brother?” Pinkie asked, her party cannon halfway out of her hair before Luna stopped her. “We most certainly did not!” Luna said before unrolling the scroll further. “Oh, 'in arms.' In arms. Sorry, she says, Brother in arms.” “Can’t you just unroll it all at once?” Applejack asked. Luna rolled her eyes, and continued to read. I was an ambitious young warrior back then......leading a great army. And fighting by my side was Tirek; my closest friend. One day, we were ambushed. I was badly wounded. My friend carried me for days... looking for help. Until we came to a secret village, high in the mountains. An ancient place of healing. A Place where my sun touched last. The village of Twilight. “Twilight Village?” Twilight uttered, glancing at Shining Armor, who nodded in awe. Yes, Twilight Village. The ponies living there used the power of chi to heal me. They taught me how to give chi. But Tirek wanted the power all to himself. He saw that what could be given could also be taken. I had to stop him. Our battle shook the Earth. Until, finally, I banished Tirek to the spirit realm. Should he ever return to the mortal realm, he can only be stopped......by a true master of chi. “True master of chi...?” Twilight muttered, before looking to Luna. "Like you... right?" “Me?” Luna blinked, utterly surprised. “I can barely make a flower bloom! I'd need at least a hundred more years….and a cave!” “We need a chee master now, though,” Pinkie said before tilting her head. “What is Chee anyway? Is it like Cheese?" "It's more than cheese, Master Pie," Luna said gravely. "It is the life blood of the universe. And Tirek will no doubt continue to steal it until he has consumed it all." “Cheese and crackers!" Pinkie gasped. "And I thought I was a glutton!" As the others discussed the difference between cheese and chi, Twilight snuck off from Luna and the others, taking another look at the scroll. Her eyes were drawn to the ancient unicorns that could teach chi. One of the unicorns... he looked so much like her father. She glanced at Shining. And my brother, she couldn't help but think. “We have to find a way to stop him.” Pinkie said to the others. "From consuming all the chi and the cheese!" "But what if he's too strong?" Fluttershy wondered before shuddering. "What if he's already got the chi of someone like Discord?" "Whatever he's got," Rainbow Dash growled. "We have to fight." "I may have a way to help," Shining noted, catching his sister's attention. "That's our village. That means I can teach you." Twilight's eyes shined with hope. "You can do this?" Shining smirked. "I mean, I was raised in Twilight Village, right?" he noted. “That must be why the universe sent you here!” Twilight exclaimed in glee. “Perfect! Okay, so what do I have to do?” “First, you’ll have to come home with me.” Shining said. “What?” Spike yelped. “To the secret village?” Twilight asked “Yes. You must rediscover your roots, little sis.” Shining said, placing a hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “Only then can you learn how to master Chi.” Spike pulled Twilight away. “Twilight, Are you sure about this?” he asked nervously. “For all we know he could be another hostile changeling." His eyes narrowed. "Remember what happened with Queen Arachne?” Twilight smiled, resting her hands on her adopted brother's shoulders. "Spike. I understand your concern." She looked up at her brother with familiarity. "But trust me on this. He's no changeling." "Plus, I believe Twilight should go as well," Luna agreed, reclaiming the scroll from the unicorn. “Spike, you heard what Luna said Celestia said.” Twilight said before he could protest. “This guy can only be stopped by a master of chi, and I can only master chi by knowing who I really am.” Reluctantly Spike lowered his head in understanding. "I'll pack your lunch for the road," he mumbled, heading to the door. "As well as a few books.” A few hours later, Twilight and Shining trekked towards the village borders. Twilight paused, noticing a pack at the entrance to the Jade Dragon, though it lacked a certain dragon. Before Twilight could try to call out to him, another voice spoke over her. "Twilight, wait!" Shining and Twilight spun to find Urtica coming to a stop before them. “Urtica?” Twilight asked. “Take me with you” Urtica asked, gazing up at the white unicorn. "You know Thorax. I need to see him!" Shining nodded. "Just know," he asked. "I want the location of our village to be shared with only a select few.” "I’ve already talked this over with Tai Lung” Urtica said, turning her gaze towards the palace. The snow leopard was watching her, his eyes saddened, but understanding. "Twilight and I will be the only ones that know, and we'll take the secret to our graves." Urtica promised. “Do you really think Twilight can master cheese in time?” Pinkie Pie asked in concern. "Chi, Pinkie," Applejack chastised. “It does not matter," Luna responded with a smile. "It only matters what the universe thinks.” Pinkie followed Luna's gaze to the stars before sighing. "Well, that's a no," she decided. Applejack gave Pinkie a dope slap to the back of the head, while Luna just sighed. “Sorry” Pinkie apologized. “Master Luna," Fluttershy ventured timidly. "What should we do?” Luna hummed, turning to Fluttershy and causing the yellow pegasus to shrink down. “You are going to find out where Tirek is.” Luna instructed. “Follow the trail of those jade creatures, but do not engage. For every foe he faces, Tirek becomes stronger.” “Why me?” Fluttershy asked in slight fear. “Is it because I asked?” “No, it is because your hearing is far superior to the others.” Luna responded before pointing off in the distance “Now go!” Despite Luna's words, Applejack couldn’t help but snicker. “Should've kept your snout shut, Sugarcube,” she giggled. Fluttershy frowned, but before she could speak... “And take Applejack with you,” Luna added. "Wha?" Applejack stammered. "Is it cuz I..." “Yes.” "Aw, apple fudge," Applejack groaned. Fluttershy kept her snicker hidden, and together, the pegasus and the earth pony raced after the jade creatures. Luna watched them go before turning to her son, who's eyes had not left his mate. “Worry not, my son,” Luna said, placing a hand on the leopard's shoulder. “She can more than take care of herself.” “Yes, Brother King” Tak shouted. Roar nearly knocked him to the ground with a pat on the back. “Sister Queen strong. She return home” “You’re right,” Tai Lung said with a smile. “But part of me wanted to meet her brother.” A few days later, Urtica, Twilight and Shining sat on a mountainside, eating soup for lunch. Ponyville behind them, and the hidden village not far away. “So..." Shining asked with a raised eyebrow. "The Changeling Queen wed a snow leopard?” He stirred the soup pot with an intrigued look. “That’s got to be an interesting story.” “Well... Tai Lung,” Urtica began, a green blush growing on her cheeks. “He’s the son of Master Luna Solaris,” She smiled nostalgically. “He saved me from a pony who was going to kill me. I accompanied him, and we’ve been together ever since” “Love at first sight,” Shining mused with a chuckle. "She's gonna love that..." "She?" Twilight asked. "You'll see when we get there," he promised, handing out bowls of soup. "What about you, Twily? Anypony special in your life?” “Well...” Twilight thought, her own glow forming on her cheeks. “I wouldn’t exactly call her somepony 'special.' But she has a certain... charm about her.” Urtica’s horn glowed as her smile widened. Closing her eyes, an emerald flame engulfed her, and the changeling used her abilities to turn into Rainbow Dash. “Seems like somepony has a little crush,” Urtica noted. “Urtica!!” Twilight yelpled, nearly spilling her soup as her entire face went bright red. Shining chuckled at the pair. “It doesn’t matter who you like, Twilight,” Shining assured his sister. “So long as they make you happy.” After lunch, the three continued their journey, traversing through dangerous parts of many mountains. Finally, they stopped at an ice wall. “Here we are,” Shining said with a smile However Urtica frowned slightly. Her horn glowed as did her eyes. She unfurled her wings, but they shriveled in the wind. “How do you expect us to get up there? There’s a anti-magic barrier near the top and my wings work in this cold.” “A changeling’s bug-like wings are extremely fragile in cold environments,” Twilight agreed. “No need to worry,” Shining said. "We're expected." Grinning, he put his fingers to his lips and letting out a loud whistle. Without warning the snow covered ground lifted the trio like an elevator. In fact, it was an elevator; a wooden platform being raised by a series of ropes. When the three reach the top, only a snowy fog awaited them. Leaving the platform they continue to walk up the mountain. “This is the secret village of Twilight?” Urtica asked with a look of concern. “No wonder you keep it a secret. If I lived here, I wouldn't tell anyone either.” “Urtica!” Twilight whispered, elbowing the changeling. “Looks can be deceiving,” Shining replied, placing his foot at the base of a set of stairs. “Please tell me I can just teleport to the top,” Twilight pleaded, but Shining just laughed. “And ruin the appeal?” Shining asked. With a groan, Twilight followed Shining and Urtica up the staircase. Once again, though, it didn't take long for her to get winded. “Dear Faust," Shining resisted laughing. "It’s like being with mom again.” “Shut up!” Twilight whined before the fog cleared... and her eyes widened. A sunlit village full of trees awaited them. People walked to and fro between elaborate houses. Twilight gazed in awe; not just at the unicorns, but the multi-colored creatures that walked alongside them like neighbors or friends. Some looked like adults while others were younger. Twilight noticed that each of the non-unicorns had curved horns and colorful wings. She also took notice that some had different colored eyes. “Welcome home, Twilight,” Shining declared, before they heard a scream. All three looked up just in time to see a blur of green and black slam into the ground. One of the creatures rose up before them, holding a green dragon in a choke hold. “Spike?” Twilight stammered before realizing his face was turning blue. “Spike!" She turned her horn on the one strangling him. "Let him go!” "Pharynx!" Shining barked, causing the creature to let the dragon go. Spike coughed, accepting Twilight's hand up. “Thanks Twi," he gasped. “Spike, what are you doing here?” Twilight asked, tending to his neck. “Sorry Twilight” Spike apologized before looking towards Shining. “But I wanted to make sure you were okay.” “I’m sorry Spike, but this is suppose to be a secretvillage!” Shining said sternly. "You can’t be here!" “Trust me, I can keep a secret,” Spike said, dusting off his clothes. “I raised Twilight as my sister for almost twenty years before I finally told her she was adopted.” Shining raised his eyebrows, staring at Twilight. "Seriously?" “Yeah, though I kinda knew about it for…” Twilight said, waving a hand between her and her adoptive brother. “...Obvious reasons.” Silence reigned between everyone before Shining sighed in defeat. “Very well. I mean you’re already here so... might as well let you stay.” “Sorry about that Drake” The creature - Pharynx - said. “I’m responsible for taking out any outsiders.” “Your brother said to capture,” Shining noted irritably. “I was only going to choke him until he passed out!” Pharynx protested, before sniffing the air. “Spicy mustard and sweet custard…” the creature gasped, and immediately ran off into the village. “What was that about?” Urtica asked, turning her gaze towards the now smiling unicorn. “Shining Armor?” “Just wait,” Shining said, unable to hide his giddy excitement. Within minutes, the dark creature was bringing back another one of the colorful creatures. Instead of dark green this one was a lighter shade of green and had a large pair of orange horns and a pair of purple eyes. He wore black skin tight gloves, a dark green long sleeve tunic with lighter green over his chest, three diamonds lay over his chest one being bigger than the others, four more smaller diamonds adorn his collar, and a pair of black pants cover his lower body, a pair of green hair clips were attached to strands of hair on both sides. “Urtica?” the creature said with a widening smile. “Please tell me it’s really you.” “Who..Who are you” Urtica stammered, not knowing the creature in front of her. The creature in front of the Changeling Queen merely smiled as he spoke. “My Darling dear your brother’s here,” the creature sang. Utrica’s eyes to grow wide. “My love protects you there’s no need to fear, I’m so sorry it all went wrong let me sing you a little song.” “T... Thorax?” Urtica whispered, almost breaking down into tears “Hello, little sister” Pharynx said, joining the two changelings. His attire was similar to Thorax’s only the diamonds were round and his clothes were a maroon and light blue. Red clips adorned his hair in the same manner of Thorax’s. “It has been a long time, hasn’t it?” “P-Pharynx?” Urtica said, embracing both of them with tears pouring from her eyes. “Brothers! I’ve missed you both so much!” Spike and the two unicorns glanced at each other, before they left the siblings to have their reunion. Pulling herself from her older brothers, Uritca couldn’t help but gaze at how much her brothers had changed. “What happened to you two?” Urtica asked, staring at their colors. “Changelings aren’t this... colorful.” "We've been reformed," Thorax said to Urtica. "Instead of taking love, we give it freely." "How?" Urtica asked. "How were you able to do that?" “Well...” A voice called up behind the trio. “I may have had a hand in that.” Looking past her brothers, Urtica was met with the sight of another changeling. This one had a predominantly bright pink shell, with shades of blue and yellow. Bright blue eyes sparkled with both mischief and kindness, and sunlight golden wings caught the light as she glided over to them. She wore a sleeveless bright pink and red two piece robes that exposed her stomach, while also allowing her to show off her legs. “Urtica, this is Antenna,” Thorax said, pushing his sister towards her. “The Queen of the Nearctica hive,” Thorax than stepped next to Antenna, who entwined an arm around his shoulder before curtsying to Urtica, offering her hand. "A pleasure to meet you," Antenna greeted. “It’s nice to meet you too,” Urtica said, shaking the queen's hand. "I'm Urtica..." She paused, noticing a ring on Antenna's hand. Urtica then noticed one of Thrax’s hand as well. “She’s also my mate,” Thorax said before taking Urtica’s hand in his. “Is that the ring father gave mother?” With a sheepish blush on her face, Urtica smiled. “I... also married my mate,” Urtica said, images of Tai filling her head. “Mother performed the vows herself.” “Our mother?” Pharynx asked in disbelief. “Queen Chrysalis; our mother?” Antenna clapped her hands in glee. "Oh, I knew it," she said happily. "Love truly does conquer all!" “It was her final act as queen of the hive,” Urtica said with a sad tone in her voice. “Before she died.” Antenna's happiness faded. She placed a hand over her mouth. “Oh, my dear... I’m so sorry for your loss.” “Thank you,” Urtica said. Wiping her eyes, she turned her gaze to the other changelings. “There’s so many changelings here." She gazed at Antenna in intrigue. "How many are yours?” Antenna smiled. “All of them,” Antenna said proudly. "I know I don't look it," she added with a chuckle before turning to Thorax. “Probably why one royal was all we needed.” “You had a royal with my brother?” Urtica asked. “We did,” Thorax said before motioning for one of the changelings to approach. “Would you like to meet her?” “Her?” Urtica asked as Thorax and Antenna knelt down and picked up a light blue changeling with blue eyes, she had a light green sundress on with a pair of black shoes on. “Sis..." Thorax said. "Meet Ocellus” Antenna said, smiling happily at her daughter. "Ocellus..." "Meet your Aunt Urtica," Thorax finished, as he and his queen exchanged grins. The little changeling waved at Urtica. Urtica found herself almost unable to speak as she saw a sparkle in her eyes. “She has father's eyes,” Urtica said before noticing a white spot on her palm. “And mother’s birthmark!” “Thorax has said she helps him remember both of them,” Antenna said with a smile. She lifted an arm to Urtica. "Please, join us, my sister." A mischevious sparkle came into her eyes. "Tell us all about this mate of yours."