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// Chapter 14 
// Story: MLP A New Generation 2: The Last of The Alicorns 
// by TwiShine45 
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I was born 1,275 years ago to the most wonderful and amazing parents anypony could ever ask for. My mother was Twilight’s friend, and fashionista to the royals, Rarity. My father was Equestria’s Friendship Ambassador, Spike. They’d only been married for a couple of years before I came along. But, despite the relative shortness of the matrimony, they still loved and cherished me as any parent with 15 years’ experience under their proverbial belts. I grew up in a very nurturing home, with happiness and love being the centerpieces of my parents’ relationship, both with each other and in their dealings with me. True, I wasn’t a perfect filly, but even during the times when I was punished, I’d note their deep love and devotion to me. They sincerely wanted what was best for “their little Crystal.” 

Despite my hybrid nature, I was thoroughly accepted by my fellow school foals. I made a good deal of friends and hold fond memories of each one. My best friend, an Earth Pony filly named Quest Finder, was, as you might have guessed, heavily into adventure. Novels, movies, games, you name it. If it was tabbed under any kind of adventurous category, Quest would throw herself headlong into it. She was especially interested in Equestrian legends, or, more specifically, those of the old royal sisters, Celestia and Luna. These were two ponies who rose and fell the heavenly bodies each day and night. They were joined by The Crystal Family, Princess Cadance, Prince Shining Armor, and little Princess Flurry Heart. This family worked to spread love throughout the kingdom. Finally, there was Twilight herself, and the royal dais was complete. 

Anyway, Quest was really into these legends, and, combined with my parents’ ever present explanations, this was how I learned Equestrian history. So, it was with great devastation that I saw how each pony tribe rewrote it to benefit themselves. Historical revisionism, in any way, is something that I consider one of the greatest sins a pony can commit. History is truth, and we mustn’t tamper with truth, no matter how much we dislike it. Quest taught me this, and we grew extremely close as we bonded over these things. But then…one day…she was diagnosed with a terminal illness…and…well…she died. It was the saddest time of my life to that point, and I still remember the hours I spent wailing in my mother’s embrace. Quest was like a sister to me, and I cherish her memory to this day. 

Life moved forward, however slowly, after that terrible time. Soon enough, I was able to cope with my grief and get my education and social life back on track. I graduated from Canterlot University with a degree in Equestrian history and archaeology. I took the courses in Quest’s memory, because we’d made a pact that we’d become historians together. In a way, it was like she was right by my side, all throughout my collegiate journey. That said, I also knew that she wouldn’t want me to become a recluse, but instead, find love through friendship. Because, as she said, friendship is the ultimate adventure. So, I took her words to heart and, with the help of both my mother and Princess Twilight, was soon able to make wonderful new friends.

Unfortunately, our nation’s happiness wouldn’t last long. See, on my 25th birthday, I was given a job as part of Twilight’s palace staff. Through the years of my youth, I’d watched her and her friends solve every problem Equestria had ever faced. But, as time dictates, ponies pass away. This happened to each of her friends, including my mother. My father lived on, per his dragon heritage, and did his best to console her. But after losing his beloved Rarity, even my own father was unable to shake his grief. So, it was up to us as castle staff to try and make them see that they still had many things and ponies to live for. I remembered Quest’s words about friendship as an adventure and tried to convince Twilight of this. But our leader…wasn’t exactly open to the idea. She’d lash out, not just at me, but at all the staff as well. My father became very distant, and he went about his business as Friendship Ambassador in a daze. 

Then, one day, about a decade after we buried the last of Twilight’s friends, she was unusually late to court. So, I went into her room and saw her sleeping form on the bed. I prodded at her with a hoof, but received no response. This being rather peculiar, I leaned down and listened. There wasn’t even the slightest trace of a heartbeat. I quickly called for the palace guards and medics to come, which they did with record speed. But…by that point, it was too late. Twilight had died in her sleep, and the cause was unclear. Equestria entered a state of mourning the likes of which I’d never seen before. Her special stallion, a Pegasus named Gentle Wind, was absolutely inconsolable. He loved her with a depth that I hadn’t seen since my own parents. The nation was thrown into chaos as time moved forward, seemingly forgetting about the kind and gentle princess.

An investigation was launched by the leaders of the three pony kinds to see what had happened to Twilight. The Crystal Family was heavily involved as well, as Princess Flurry Heart, who by this point was the leader of the Empire, wanted desperately to garner some answers. The investigation came up empty, except for one thing. In Twilight’s room, they found the symbol of an organization…an evil organization run by ponies who work in the shadows to undermine friendship and bring division into Equestria. Their name was Scarlet Wing, and they were no strangers to the Equestrian authorities. Nopony knows who their leader is nor who might or might not be a member. Whatever the case, when the news went public that their symbol had been found at the crime scene, a letter was sent to the palace claiming responsibility for Twilight’s death.

Scarlet Wing became public enemy number one, and everypony tried to locate them. However, there was another issue. The throne of Canterlot remained vacant and each of the pony tribes claimed it. This was Scarlet Wing’s underlying mission all along. Their assassination of Twilight began sowing seeds of mistrust among the ponies of Equestria. Soon, accusations were flying that different pony tribe leaders were secretly the mastermind of Scarlet Wing. Small skirmishes began taking place and, for the first time since before the first Hearth’s Warming, ponies spilled each other’s blood. It was a time of great tension, but we didn’t know what was truly coming. See…Scarlet Wing had weaponized a compound of both biochemistry and magic that fed on everypony’s negative feelings. It was called “Distrust Dust,” and with Twilight not naming an heir before her death, it was the perfect time to attack and claim the throne for themselves.

So, they did, at what was supposed to be a peaceful convention. The pony kinds were tired of their skirmishing, so the leaders got together to try and come to an amiable solution. Unfortunately, Scarlet Wing got wind of this and pumped a lot of the dust through the center’s ventilation system. It fed on the mistrust of the leaders and, before we knew it, war broke out. For 250 years, ponies slaughtered each other, and all were expected to participate. The true Scarlet Wing watched from the shadows, claiming more and more territory as ponies died in droves. Soon enough, they held power over all of Equestria and The Crystal Empire. Then, they began feeding lies through historical revisionism, keeping the pony kinds separated and hateful of each other. 

The only remnants of the old Equestria were myself and what was left of The Crystal Family. We all retreated here, Sunny…to this very castle. Princess Flurry caused a magic tree to grow over the outer shell, to keep any unsavory passer’s by from getting in. Then, we spent well over a millennia shut up in here. We grew our own food, made our own clothes, and told tales of old to each other. Unfortunately, after about 1,100 years, Flurry and her husband died as well, and I was left to care for her daughter, Princess Brilliant Glow. She became the last of the Alicorns…that is, until you showed up. But then, one day, she disappeared, and I haven’t seen her since. 

We now hold a common enemy in Scarlet Wing, Sunny. They must be stopped…and I am asking you and your friends to help in this endeavor.