//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty Four // Story: Mare In The Everfree Forest // by MoonLily //------------------------------// Panic was sitting on his face as his eyes were sitting on me. I felt myself getting pulled into his hooves causing my ears to sit up. His hug was cold and not warm as it normally was. I tilted my head up as I could see him staring down at me. “Hi” “Are you okay? I felt your magic acting weird as I was heading home for the winter” “I am fine” “Good, now Order this is unexpected” I glanced back over to the creature who was glaring at him. “Apparently Discord’s magic is heavily concentrated in a few areas. I was working here since Sombra decided to use some of his magic. Thought I would stop by and say hello to the princesses to try to find out where his magic is. I also thought I would tell some old wise tales about the forest and the creatures to the newer ponies of this land. Never thought I would see an original alicorn still walking on this land” his voice was cold as he tossed in some emotion to make it sound believable. “No pony wanted to learn more water and air tricks from me.  So I still have my knowledge and I haven’t turned to dust. I just stopped to check in on my dear granddaughter.” a growl escaped his lips as I felt his hooves tighten on me. “Grandfather I am just fine.” “then why was your” “I got hit by some of Sombra’s magic that was hiding in a crystal. It was my fault for not being careful” I rubbed my head “It's why I have a headache” “I am glad it's nothing serious. You have the princesses and Order to help you here. As I said I am on my way home for the winter. I will see you around springtime” “You live in the frozen north what's the difference?” “The winter in the north is not as harsh. besides it's nice to just relax in your own home for the winter and holidays” I could see his smile as he looked down at me. “I took care of the crops. nothing needed to be pulled or cut down” I was trying to change the subject. “Good it means that the roots are alive and healthy” he used his wing patting my head. “Well, I need to get the supplies home. and you might want to head out before the winter storm comes” “True, I will see you in the spring” He sang out as he flew out of the castle. I sat in the doorway watching him fly into the distance. I stayed silent before getting up and walking to the crates. “Silvc?” “That hug was cold. it's normally warm and comforting but it was cold and hollow, just caught me off guard” I started packing the crates till I was stopped. “Mother I will take care of the crates. Why not relax after all of that” “I am fine on packing these,” I noticed him staring at me worriedly. “fine,” I noticed the others were all talking to each other as CrystalSnow was over at Order whispering into his ear. I could see his eyes widening as a smile formed on his lips while returning to Discord. “Crystal so help me if you told him what you told the others I will rip that Ruby out of the wall” He disappeared from sight as I shook my head. “We need to head to ponyvile” The train ride was silent as I was lying on a bench by myself. the others decided to talk alone as I was busy staring up at the train ceiling. As I was lying there I heard and felt a crack in my chest causing me to sit up. I looked around thinking the bench I was on was about to break on me, till I found it stable. I laid back down staring at the ceiling. “Mom is worried for sister” “Dad wants to make her a weapon” “I think the thief is following her” “Do you think we should watch her?” “what are you lovelies doing?” I noticed Selene had walked into the room they were in. “Watching Sister and making bets” “Yeah they are making beats on me” I groaned as I was hearing the stars talking. “Where am I?” my ears went up as I heard a new voice. a voice that sounded familiar causing me to get off the bench. I looked around noticing no pony had been added to the car. “You okay?” I glanced at Discord who was hiding on the luggage rack. “Just hearing voices” "Wait don’t do that I am attached to my daughter!” that voice again. That voice was my mother and it was panicking. I took a step forward as I felt a stabbing pain in my chest causing me to go down. I let out a scream as the pain went to my horn. it felt as if my horn was splitting in half. I noticed the pain went away as Discord was floating above me. “I told you!” “What are you trying to do kill me by a Voodoo Doll!” I was panting as I could see the group staring at me. “No why mother?” “I could have spared you the trouble. I have already tried that and it didn’t work. I did a few other things like that. I’ve fed myself to a polar bear, a brow bear, a tiger, a black bear, jump off a mountain, thrown myself down a gorge, fall from off the clouds of cloudsdale, a manticore twice, a Gorgan, suicide three times, a robbery went bad, assassins, three wars, my grandfather, Necro’s father set me on fire, fae posion that is the worst thing to go through, drinking arsenic, rat poison, chlorine overdose, and the last one I am not mentioning it involves a forced act” My eyes caught them staring in horror. “Look I was young and felt alone. No family and every pony I know around me was dying and leaving me here” A hoof sat on my shoulder causing me to glance up at Luna who was staring down at me. I felt myself being pulled closer to her. I hugged her before jumping onto a nearby bench. “You still owe me a dinner” “I know have you paid that beat you and Necro made?” I smiled at her. I heard her cursing as Jr was laughing. “I think it would be best to have some drinks at the castle. The guard might drain Canterlot bars” I could see his smile on the muzzle. “Oh, I am not feeling good.”I could only shake my head as I leaned into Luna. I let out another yawn as I fell into the darkness. I was standing around on the sun kicking some of the flames. I looked around as I moved along the surface. I noticed ponies moving along the surface staring at me through the flames. I blinked as I walked up to a golden collum home with open air doors and windows. I could hear banging causing me to follow it. I noticed the others were staring at me causing me to be nervous. Till I crashed into something. Shaking my head I looked up and noticed a tall pony with black fur and a white mane. their eyes were a light purple. “Hi?” I waved my hoof as I watched the pony lean its head down staring at me. “So this is the one my siblings are talking about” I watched as he walked around me. I blinked as I looked at them. “Can I help you” I turned to face them as I started to back up. “Wanted to know why my parents are letting a tainted to enter their castles. You should be tossed into the void where you can be eaten by the black holes. Do you some good” I heard them huff as I moved my ears. “Tainted? So you know what I am?” “Every sister and brother I have knows what you are!” I was backing up as I looked at him. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I watched others stand in front. “Mother and father have not told the stolen what she is” I heard them hiss. I noticed the larger pony blink. “This is the stolen one? Then why is everyone calling her tainted one? If she is the stolen one then call her the stolen one! It’s only fair and it lets others know what is going on” I heard them shout till I hear hooves behind me. “What is going on?” “Novai was being mean to sister” “I came to see why a tainted was walking in father’s castle! you know the rules! no one told me she was the stolen sister till you three stepped in” I watched as they started to fight. “Alright enough” I looked up at the alicorn as he sighed. “Get the word out that if they see a tainted one ask for their name. normally she is with either me or your mother okay. you all should know her name by now. Now off with you all, I think your mother needs your help tonight” I watched as he waved his wing. I watched as they all flew off. “Your siblings are protective since you were stolen. Come with me I have something for you” I turned and followed Solis. “I wanted to say sorry. I didn’t think this was the real sun or moon till the princesses told me. I thought I was going insane a bit and kept it hidden” I rubbed my head as I heard him chuckle. “thought that might be the case” I stopped and watched as he pulled on a silver-hilted handle bringing up a black blade sword with a white star diamond in the middle to hear the hilt. I watched as he held it out to me. I simply blinked and grabbed it with my hoof before falling forward. “Forgot you don’t know how to use your magic.” I sat up and rubbed my muzzle. “I have magic here?” “Of course its stored in your bracelets at the moment. It's called liquid night or pure darkness. only me, your mother, your siblings, and Luna have this ability” “SOLIS RETURN HER!” I could hear Selene shouting through the sky causing him to huff. I watched as he held the sword up causing it to melt and moved into my bracelets. “I guess the princesses are looking for you” “I guess” I groaned as I closed my eyes.