A Chancellor’s Revelation
“Even though time heals all wounds, I still remind myself of what I had lost since my fillyhood. My family, my former fillyhood home, my sister, and a community all taken away by the bandits. You have two sisters that care for you, look after you, and keep you going. My only wish to you Man’s Cub, is now for you to grow up with more happiness on your face than you realize. Never forget this tale.”
Wanda Young looked to her side where her two sisters Princess Cadance and Sunset Shimmer sat, alongside her cat Abigail Albright. She looked back up at Chancellor Cinch and looked like she was about to cry.
“It’s okay, smallfry,” Queen Novo said. “If you wish to cry into me or your Aunt Luna…”
“No,” Wanda replied. “I’m only sad because I now feel sorry for Miss Cinch.”
“Then if you wish to cry, Man’s Cub,” Cinch said with a solemn tone. “Then I’m ready.”
The tears from Wanda’s eyes ran down her cheek. She jumped right into Cinch and cried right into her chest.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through all that,” Wanda cried. “I wish your sister survived that bad moment and was still alive.”
Cinch stroked Wanda on her head as she softly said “I know.”
Nearby, Princess Cadance, Sunset Shimmer and Abigail Albright just watched on as Wanda cried right into Cinch’s chest.
“I didn’t know that Cinch had a bigger sister like you, Cadance,” Sunset said. “Like I am to Wanda.”
“Cinch told me the same story back when I was a filly,” Cadance replied. “Back before I met you and Wanda. Ever since then, I made a promise to always be there for any little sister or brother that Princess Celestia chooses to adopt. And since you and Wanda are now in my life, let’s say I’ll always be there for my sisters, no matter what happens.”
Sunset Shimmer smiled as she reached out and gave Princess Cadance a big hug. The older sister looked down at her younger sister and held her close with a smile on her face. But as they embraced each other, they heard the sound of someone saying “Sister.” Sunset and Cadance looked to their left to see Abigail Albright looking up at them.
“Sister,” Abigail said.
“Okay Abigail,” Sunset said. “Come join us.”
Abigail meowed with excitement as she jumped in between Sunset and Cadance before pushing herself up to the top, allowing the two sisters to cuddle the little kitten.
“You know, I feel like saying this,” Cadance said. “But it does feel like Abigail is our youngest sister.”
“I know,” Sunset replied. “Had Wanda not rushed in to save her from those crows, I don’t know what would have been of Abigail.”
As Sunset, Cadance and Abigail snuggled together, Prince Blueblood looked on with a smile on his face, and a tear flowing down his cheek. He wiped the tear off with his hoof and cleared his throat.
“You know what is the one thing that I’m envious of Wanda, Sunset and Cadance over?” Prince Blueblood asked.
“That’s a question that I do not know the answer of, young stallion,” King Myrrh said as he stroked his beard in a curious tone. “But I’m willing to hear it.”
“It’s easy,” Prince Blueblood replied. “I never had a single brother or sister.”
“Not a single brother or sister?” Bright Mac said. “Why is that?”
“My mother died when I was born in this world, and my dad died more than a year ago,” Prince Blueblood said. “As a result, I never had a single brother or sister.”
“I pity you, Prince Blueblood,” Queen Novo said in a sad tone. “If I had one wish for you, it would be to have a brother or sister to keep you smiling.”
“I never thought I would say this,” Prince Blueblood said as his tone was a bit positive. “But I appreciate that complement.”
Queen Novo said nothing, but nodded with a smile.
Later on, Wanda Young, Sunset Shimmer and Abigail Albright were fast asleep in bed without a care in the world. At the doorway, Princess Celestia and Chancellor Abacus Cinch looked at the younglings with a slight smile on their faces.
“Those two are fortunate to have a mother like you to look after them,” Chancellor Cinch said. “:Well , them and the kitten.”
“And yet, at the same time,” Princess Celestia said as her tone became a bit depressed. “I do worry for them, especially ever since this castle was invaded by the Windigo’s Guild and the Changelings. And there’s also the fact that ponies are starting to leave Canterlot.”
Chancellor Cinch put her hoof on Celestia’s shoulder and said with a calm tone “It’s going to be alright. You will be there for those two, like you were with me after I lost my sister Fizzie. And you will always be there for your people. Never forget that.”
Celestia let out a sigh and said “I will try, even in these trying times.”
Chancellor Cinch took off her glasses and wiped them with a cleaning cloth. She placed them back on and said “Back when the world was introduced to the Man’s Cub, I was critical of her. My fear was that she would be Equestria’s own demise with the magic she possesses. But the more I look at her, the more I see my former self. Back when I had Fizzie with me. It’s like my own past was trying to remind me to remember about the good times I had with Fizzie.”
Celestia turned to face Cinch with a slight smile on her face. She nodded to her former adopted daughter and said “Then it’s a sign that the Cinch I knew back then is starting to grow back.”
“Maybe so,” Cinch said with a smirk on her face. “On a side note, how’s the development of the Ground Bridge Magic?”
“It will take some time to get it working,” Princess Celestia said. “Even back then, I still couldn’t figure out how Ground Bridge Magic worked. And it’s also a very risky task.”
“Take your time on this,” Cinch said with a nod. “Any and all magic can be dangerous in the wrong hooves. But in the meantime, I bid you goodnight.”
Celestia nodded as Cinch turned around and walked down the hallway towards the staircase. As Celestia turned her head away from Cinch towards Wanda, Sunset and Abigail sleeping in bed, Luna and Cadance walked up to the elder Alicorn from the opposite side of the hallway.
“You look a bit worried, sister,” Luna said.
“I still remember the day when I saw the Ursa Major strike Fizzlepop Berrytwist and sent her flying down that waterfall,” Princess Celestia said. “And I fear that the same thing will happen one day where I lose another daughter to that same incident.”
“That was where you went nuts and brought down the bandits, once and for all,” Luna replied. “Considering what they did with that Ursa Major, I think it was justified.”
“That’s why I fear what may happen with Sunset Shimmer or even Wanda Young,” Celestia said with a sigh. “What would happen if either the Windigo’s Guild, or the Changelings, or even another group were to do the same thing to either?”
“That’s why I’m here,” Cadance said as she stepped forward. “I’m not just concerned for Wanda, Sunset or even Abigail, I’m also concerned for Twilight Sparkle.”
“Cadance, no,” Celestia said with a big of shock in her tone.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Princess Cadance said. “But considering the fact that both the Windigo’s Guild and the Changelings were able to invade the castle, I would be willing to put my own life on the line to protect my younger sisters. And both you and Aunt Luna.”
Celestia and Luna were at a total shock. They tried to speak, but nothing came out of their mouths.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Princess Cadance said. “But what happens if you both were to die? What happens to Equestria? To Wanda and Sunset? Or even Twilight? I don’t want to lose you both to the worst case scenario, and neither would the ponies of Equestria.”
Celestia let out a sigh and said “You’re right. I do worry for others more than my own well-being.”
“Maybe tomorrow,” Princess Luna said. “We can think of some way to keep them safe and content, until the Ground Bridge Magic is ready. That way, Wanda, Sunset, Twilight and the others can see their friends in La Maresa again.”
“True,” Celestia said as she let out a long yawn. “But in the meantime, I’m off for bed.”
Later that night, we see Chancellor Cinch walk down the streets of Canterlot City by herself. Her mind had been focused on the moon with the image of the monster-like pony embedded on the surface. She came to a slow stop and pulled out the horn of Fizzlepop Berrytwist with her magic, looking down at it with a depressed sigh.
“All those years,” Cinch said to herself. “All those years I looked back at. The day when you were taken away from me by that Ursa Major. So much was lost since you became my sister, since Princess Celestia took me in after I lost my own family. Perhaps I have been too attuned to this kind of fate that I took it out on Celestia’s human daughter.”
Cinch closed her eyes as she placed the horn back into her pocket before walking down the streets once more. But in an instant, something caught her eye in the nearby alley. A shadow, perhaps?
“Who’s there?” Cinch said as she turned her head towards the alleyway.
The shadow stood there, completely motionless. Cinch looked right at it, not taking her eyes off.
“I warned you,” Cinch said as her horn lit up. “Whoever you are, show yourself if you know what’s good for you.”
Cinch took a few steps forward towards the shadow as the light on her horn grew bright. But as she approached, the shadow turned out to be nothing more than some trash bags, piled on high. The glow on Cinch’s horn disappeared as she breathed a sigh of relief.
“For a moment,” Cinch said as she took out a handkerchief with her magic and wiped the sweat off her forehead. “I thought it was a member of the Windigo’s Guild, or one of Queen Chrysalis’s changeling spies. Guess the events of the Grand Gallopin Gala have been getting to me.”
“And judging by your attitude, you haven’t changed much Abby.” Those words caught Abacus Cinch by surprise as she stuffed her handkerchief back into her shirt. Her horn lit up once more as she looked around in the empty alley.
“Who’s there?” Abacus Cinch said. “I know not of any pony who would call me Abby.”
“Not even your long lost sister?” Cinch raised her head up and looked down to see another shadow approach her. It stepped out of the shadows, revealing to be a unicorn with a dark orchid coat, a mohawk-shaped moderate rose mane, and a broken horn on top. Cinch’s face turned into complete disbelief at the presence of the unicorn in front.
“Fizzie?” Cinch said. “Is it you?”
“If it wasn’t me,” Fizzlepop Berrytwist said. “I would be either a member of the Windigo’s Guild or a Changeling, like you said.”
Tears flowed from Abacus Cinch’s eyes as a smile formed on her face. She ran up to her older sister and gave her a big hug.
“I don’t know what to say,” Cinch cried. “I thought you were gone forever.”
Fizzlepop just laughed and said “I think we should discuss this at your place.”
Cinch got up and said “Oh, right. How uncouth of me. Then we shall.”
Cinch brushed her dress off and walked down the street with Fizzlepop Berrytwist following from behind. Though Cinch felt a surge of happiness in her body, there was a bit of unease from Fizzlepop Berrytwist.
Later at the top of the night at Cinch’s manor, the chancellor had poured tea into two separate cups. Next to each cup were flat crumpets topped with zapp apple jam. Cinch took a seat as Fizzlepop Berrytwist took a sip of tea. Cinch was excited, but also nervous at the same.
“So,” Cinch said. “I always wondered since seeing your face again. How did you survive the waterfall plunge? No pony could have done that.”
Fizzie put her cup down and said “Even I couldn’t figure out how I survived that. But what I can tell you was that as I was struggling to keep afloat, some figure pulled me out and got me to shore. An older being of some sort.”
“Who is this older being?” Cinch said as she sipped some tea. “I’m lucky that whoever did this had a good heart of some sort.”
“Well I can’t tell you who he is,” Fizzie said before turning her head a bit. “I made a promise to not tell anyone about the one who saved me, nor his occupation. Had it not been for him, I wouldn’t be here.”
“I…see,” Cinch said. “But what matters to me is that you’re alive and well.”
“I appreciate it,” Fizzie said before taking a bite of crumpet.
Cinch looked up at Fizzie’s broken horn. She reached into her pocket with her magic and pulled out the broken tip of Fizzie’ horn before placing it on the table.
“Fizzie,” Cinch said. “Ever since that horrible incident, I had held onto your broken piece of your horn. I believe that this belongs to you, now.”
Fizzie looked down at her horn and touched it with her hoof. Though she cracked a smile at it, she looked up at Cinch with a slight tear from her eye.
“I appreciate it,” Fizzie said. “But I’m afraid that horn piece would no longer fit on my broken horn. After all, this individual promised me to grow my horn to its former self. And besides, this is why I’m still a blank flank.”
“Well I hope whoever he is,” Cinch said. “Does fulfill his promise of restoring your horn. And besides, I hope you do get your cutie mark.”
“That I hope he does and I hope I do get that cutie mark,” Fizzie said before taking a sip of tea. “But you’re wondering why I’m here. Why did I choose to come back to check up on my younger sister.”
“That is something I was intending on asking, Fizzie,” Cinch said.
Fizzie got out of her chair and walked up to Cinch. The unicorn with the broken horn cleared her throat and said “I overheard what happened here in Canterlot regarding the Windigo’s Guild and the Changelings. News travels far and wide across the world. Then I thought about you, and the fact that you’re Chancellor of Equestria.”
“So in other words,” Cinch said. “You were concerned about my well-being.”
“You could say that,” Fizzie replied. “I didn’t get the news about it until recently. But my rescuer did say I could come down here to check up on you. And I’m glad you are still here.”
Cinch breathed a sigh of relief as she said “And I’m glad you are still alive.”
“By the way,” Fizzie said with a smirk. “Did I ever tell you that I wanted to go see the world? To not be bound by the ways of being a princess?”
“It was one of those statements you made to me before I lost you,” Cinch replied. “How is the world so far?”
Fizzie looked outside the window and said “Both beautiful and ugly at the same time. Beautiful because there are wonderful people out there. And ugly because there are dangers going on out there, beyond the Windigo’s Guild and the Changelings. There are others out there that could prove worse than what you had to put up with.”
“Such as this Storm King we’ve been hearing about,” Cinch asked.
Fizzlepop turned towards Cinch, smiled and said “You could say that. In fact, I bet there are monsters who are even worse than this Storm King.”
“Deeply noted,” Cinch said. “But that being said, it’s great to see your face again.”
And with that, Abacus Cinch and Fizzlepop Berrytwist reached over and gave each other a hug, all while tears of joy flowed from their respective eyes. They looked each other in the eye before nuzzling each other with their warm cheeks.
“Will I ever see you again?” Cinch asked.
“If your heart believes so, then yes,” Fizzlepop replied. “I will return. But I will say this, I am proud of you for looking after our mother after I was gone, and the fact that you’ve been helping raise her new daughters. Maybe one day, I would be happy to meet them.”
“And I would be honored to introduce them to you, Fizzie,” Cinch said as she gave Fizzlepop Berrytwist a hug.
Sometime later, Chancellor Cinch had changed into a nightgown and had placed the horn of Fizzlepop Berrytwist on a fancy nightstand right next to her glasses. She sat down on the bed and looked down at the broken horn, now with a smile on her face.
“Goodnight, Fizzie,” Cinch said as she lied down on the bed. “I hope your journey leads you to your own destiny.”
With that, Cinch closed her eyes and went to sleep.
But outside of the vicinity of Canterlot Castle, Fizzlepop Berrytwist looked on from a perch with a solemn look on her face. Though she tried to regain her composure, she felt troubled on the inside, as if there was a guilty conscience looming over her.
“Abby,” Fizzlepop said. “If only you knew the truth of who saved me. The very being who you and the rest of Equestria calls a monster is the one who has been raising me this whole time: The Storm King himself.”
“Well now. No need to be formal to your sister, Tempest Shadow.”
Fizzlepop turned to a nearby tree and said “You’ve been standing there for a long time, have you Storm King?”
A shadow emerged from behind the tree, revealing itself to be a light grey-white, slightly bulky satyr decked out in dark, navy blue armor. He carried a staff with a light blue jewel embedded atop. The being known as the Storm King approached Fizzlepop Berrytwist, towering over the unicorn with the broken horn.
“You know, had I taken your sister Abacus Cinch away from Princess Celestia when she least expected it,” The Storm King said. “You would have felt more complete. In fact, I bet you and her would have been a great duo in our conquest of the whole world.”
“But it’s not right,” Fizzlepop said. “Had I done so, I would have broken Princess Celestia’s heart ever further, and have her live out these many years without daughters to look after.”
The Storm King just shook his head as he said “Siblings will always be siblings. But enough said.” He then used his staff to vault himself up on the tree, catching Fizzlepop’s attention.
“I take it we’re about ready to disembark,” Fizzlepop said.
“We are, Tempest, ” The Storm King replied. “There’s a kingdom of dragons that I have always wanted to crash. I’ll need you for the job at hand.”
“And I assume you have no intention of taking over Equestria,” Fizzlepop replied.
“Oh it’s not just your word,” The Storm King replied. “Let’s say it’s not in my best interest to rule Equestria from the throne of Canterlot. After all, there are bigger fish to fry.”
Fizzlepop Berrytwist cracked a smile and said “Good. Because you promised to grant me a new horn, and you said you wouldn’t invade Equestria.”
The Storm King laughed and said “So I did. Now come. We have much work to do.”
With that, Fizzlepop Berrytwist ran off from the cliff and far away from the city of Canterlot. The Storm King remained perched atop the tree, looking towards the city limits.
“Besides,” The Storm King said to himself. “Magistrate Creme Dream told me not to invade until the time is right. So until then, I will abide by her will.”
And with that, The Storm King leaped off the tree and followed Fizzlepop Berrytwist, or rather Tempest Shadow, into the night, as the moon with the pony-like monster embedded on its surface gazed over the land of Equestria.
To Be Continued in
Arc 2: School Blues
Another Day at School