Lost in the Past
Wanda Young flew out of control through a wormhole, holding onto Abigail as tight as possible. The poor kid looked like she was having a panic attack.
“What’s going on, Abby?” Wanda cried. “Where are we going?”
“Scary,” Abigail cried.
“I know it’s scary,” Wanda cried. “I just wanna know if we’re going to be alright in La Maresa.”
But as Wanda flew through the wormhole, images of Canterlot before her time began to fly past her, as if the city was shrinking down. But Wanda and Abigail’s eyes were shut tight, paying no attention to their surroundings.
“Is this what the Pony of Shadows meant when he said we were going to be all alone?” Wanda Cried.
“Alone,” Abigail cried.
“Maybe….” Wanda cried. “Maybe this is my fate.”
Wanda and Abigail held each other as they dove deeper into the wormhole, all while the images of Canterlot shrunk down more and more until it was only a single, small castle.
On the other side, a portal of some sort opened up in the middle of a forest, where Wanda and Abigail emerged before landing right on the grass. The duo kept their eyes shut for a bit before opening them, noticing their surroundings.
“Abby,” Wanda said. “We…we’ve made it.”
Wanda released her grip on Abigail as she got up. Abigail walked up to Wanda, who observed her surroundings.
“Where?” Wanda asked. “Where…are we?”
“Alone,” Abigail said.
“You’re right,” Wanda said as a tear began to form from her right eye. “Where is everyone?”
Wanda immediately turned to her right and cupped her hands to her mouth.
“MOMMY?” Wanda shouted. “AUNT WOONA? BIG SIS? SUNSET? TWILIGHT? STARLIGHT? SUNBURST? MOONDANCER? DANGED SPELL? GOLDEN LACE? Miss…Cinch?”
Wanda fell down onto her knees as tears poured from her eyes. She struggled to try to get up, only to fall back down.
“So…this is it,” Wanda cried. “We’re…..all alone.”
Wanda slowly got up and slumped towards a nearby tree stump. She sat down, still forming tears from her eyes, as Abigail walked up to the man’s cub.
“Our worst…nightmare…has become….reality,” Wanda said, struggling to not choke up. “And now…we’re…ALL ALONE!”
And with that, Wanda broke down into tears, crying loudly into the night.
“THIS ISN’T FAIR, ABBY!” Wanda cried. “NOW WE ARE ALL ALONE! WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS?”
Abigail looked up at Wanda, who bawled her eyes out. Tears fell from the eyes of the kitty cat as she struggled to hold them in.
“WAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Abigail cried.
“ABBY, I WANNA BE HOME AGAIN!” Wanda cried. “I WANNA SEE OUR FRIENDS AGAIN! I WANNA SEE MOMMY AND AUNT WOONA AGAIN! I EVEN WANNA SEE MISS CINCH AGAIN!”
Wanda’s crying filled the skies above her as the moon, bright as ever, shone a light down on the poor man’s cub and her cat companion. But as Wanda and Abigail were crying, their ears picked up the sound of someone else crying as well.
“Wha..” Wanda cried. “What’s going on?”
Wanda slowly got up and started to calm down a bit. Her ears picked up the crying sound nearby. Wanda reached down and picked up Abigail.
“Abby,” Wanda said, still with tears flowing down. “It appears we’re not alone. Let’s go see who that is.”
Wanda held onto Abigail Albright as she walked through the forest, their eyes still watery. The sound of crying began to pick up more and more as Wanda walked through.
“There,” Wanda said as she wiped tears from her left cheek. “Looks like I’m not the only one who’s alone.”
Wanda walked through the forest with Abigail in her right arm, inching closer and closer to the crying. When they looked over some bushes, they saw a unicorn filly crying on a stone dug into the dirt. The filly had a blue coat, light purple fur around her hooves, a navy blue and teal curly mane, and no cutie mark.
“Who is that?” Wanda said as her crying calmed down. “I never seen a pony like that before.”
“Poor filly,” Abigail said.
“Let’s go find out,” Wanda said, releasing Abigail from her right arm.
Wanda and Abigail ran up to the filly, who cried right into the stone.
“Excuse me,” Wanda said. “Are you all alone like I am?”
“Yes,” the filly said. “I’m all alone, like you…whoever you are.”
“My…,” Wanda said, hesitantly. “My name is Wanda. And this is my companion, Abigail.”
Hearing Wanda’s voice, the filly turned towards the man’s cub. One look at her and the filly looked curious despite her tears.
“I have never seen anyone like you before,” the filly said as tears continued to pour from her eyes.
“What’s…what’s your name?” Wanda asked. “My name is….Wanda Young.”
The filly slowly pointed to her chest and said “Misty…..Misty Brightdawn.”
“Misty Brightdawn?” Wanda asked. “Are you…by any chance…a descendant of Sombra Brightdawn?”
“Sombra?” Misty said. “Sombra’s my brother…. AND HE AND MOMMY ARE GONE!”
With that, Misty broke down into tears once more, crying back onto the rock. Wanda looked down at Abigail, struggling to hold back their tears.
“Abby…,” Wanda said. “I think I know…where we are…”
“You…do?” Abigail asked.
“We’re….in the past,” Wanda said. “And…WE DON’T HAVE MOMMY OR ANYONE ELSE WITH US!”
With that, Wanda placed her face onto a surface of the large stone next to Misty Brightdawn before crying right into the stone.
“I don’t want to be stuck in the past,” Wanda cried. “I want to be back home with everyone else.”
Abigail just looked at the two girls crying on the rock. Though she tried to resist, tears flowed from Abigail’s eyes as if she were to break down crying.
“Wanda….Misty…sad,” Abigail cried.
Suddenly, Abigail’s ears picked up the sound of hooves walking through the grass. She ran up to Wanda and rubbed her shoulder with her paw, catching her attention.
“Abby,” Wanda cried. “What’s going on?”
“Other ponies,” Abigail said, pointing to a spot behind Wanda.
Wanda turned around and noticed two alicorns walking on by, talking with each other. The one tall pony had a white coat with a pinkish mane, while the other, shorter pony had a blue-purplish coat with a light blue mane.
“Who are they?” Wanda said, observing the two alicorns.
But Wanda’s eye caught something on the two alicorns. The tall pony had a familiar sun cutie mark on her hip, while the shorter pony had a familiar moon cutie mark on her hip.
“I know who they are,” Wanda said, excited. “They’re mommy and Aunt Woona. Only it’s them in the past.”
Wanda immediately tapped Misty on the shoulder, catching the filly’s attention.
“Misty,” Wanda said. “Do you know Princess Celestia and Princess Luna?
“Yes,” Misty said as a few more tears fell from her cheek. “They’re friends with mommy and brother Sombra. I often call them Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna.”
“Then come on,” Wanda said. “Maybe if we can get their attention, they could help us. It’s worth a shot.”
“Wait,” Misty said. “Aunt Celestia and Aunt Luna are here already?”
“Yeah,” Wanda said. “Follow me.”
Wanda took off towards the Past Celestia and Luna, leaving Abigail and Misty behind.
“Follow Wanda,” Abigail said.
“Alright,” Misty said, reluctantly. “I’ll do this.
Immediately, Misty ran off towards Wanda with Abigail right behind her, following Celestia and Luna towards a small castle. But right behind them, a shadowy figure took notice of Wanda and Abigail.
“Strange,” the shadowy figure said. “I have never seen those two before. Where did they come from and why are they here? Maybe I’ll get my answer when I possess either one of those younglings, or I finally get my hooves on Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. After all, I, the Pony of Shadows, banished Starswirl the Bearded and his friends to another dimension. Two alicorns, a filly, a cat, and whoever that is will be a breeze to beat.”
With a sinister laugh, the Pony of Shadows hid into the grass before following Wanda, Misty and Abigail through the night.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, Past Celestia and Past Luna were squabbling at each other, as if they were deeply disturbed. Behind a bush, Wanda, Abigail and Misty watch on, though Wanda looked worried.
“What’s going on?” Wanda asked.
“Honestly, I’m not so sure,” Misty said. “Something that has to do with Starswirl the Bearded and the pillars of Equestria going missing.”
“But they look like they’re yelling at each other,” Wanda said.
“Maybe they’re stressed out over them going missing?” Misty asked.
“Sounds like it,” Wanda replied.
But Wanda, Abigail and Misty observed Past Celestia and Past Luna, the two alicorns were arguing with each other in an almost heated confrontation.
“Look,” Past Celestia yelled. “I’m still upset over what Aunt Icelina did to our mother and left Everfree City in ruins, back when we were fillies.”
“Then why aren’t you addressing the disappearance of Starswirl the Bearded and the Pillars of Equestria?,” Past Luna yelled.
“I have,” Past Celestia said. “I still miss all of them. Rockhoof, Mistmane, Somnambula, Flash Magnus, and Mage Meadowbrook. I even miss their companion Stygian.”
“This castle is all we have left,” Past Luna said. “Maybe you should start showing the ponies of our new kingdom some appreciation.”
Past Celestia let out a sigh and said “How can I? How can I show them that I am fit to be a leader? It’s not just due to the fact that we lost Starswirl the Bearded recently, or we lost our mother Queen Eternia. I still remember what happened to Queen Pailionoidea of the Changeling Kingdom, King Neptune and Queen Athena of the Hippogriff Kingdom, and even King Glacieous of Winteris. I’ve also become worried for Princess Amore Brightdawn.”
“I know,” Past Luna said, still stressed out. “Princess Chrysalis shut herself and her kingdom out from the outside world after her mother was killed. Princess Crystal Snow did the same thing once Everfree City was left to ruins. At least Princess Novo was with us when she lost her parents, and Starswirl was able to take her in until she was ready to lead.”
“And now he’s gone,” Past Celestia said. “How long until the Hippogriffs wind up the same as the changelings and the ice ponies?”
“At this point,” Past Luna said, “There is a part of me that wants to do what Chrysalis and Crystal Snow did. Close off all access between all of the kingdoms because of what happened.”
“Well I don’t want that,” Past Celestia said. “I’ve still been in contact with Princess Novo, and yet I don’t even know how to ask for her help, now that Starswirl is gone.”
“You don’t need to remind me about this,” Past Luna yelled, stomping her hoof on the ground.
But as Past Celestia and Past Luna argued with each other, Wanda, Abigail and Misty looked worried for the two alicorns.
“I don’t like where this is going,” Wanda said.
“What would they say if I told them that my mommy and big brother are gone?” Misty asked.
Wanda pulled herself out of the bush and said “Well I’m not going to let past mommy and past Woona tear each other apart.”
“Wanda, wait,” Misty yelled.
But Wanda paid no attention to her new friend. As Past Celestia and Past Luna continued to argue, Wanda and Abigail ran up to the two alicorns and got in between them.
“That’s enough you two,” Wanda yelled. “Stop fighting, please.”
Past Celestia and Past Luna came to a stop as they turned towards Wanda and Abigail, confused by their presence.
“Wha…what in the world?” Past Luna said. “Is this…a human?”
“Mother told us about these creatures,” Past Celestia said as she began to calm down. “They say humans become ponies when they leave their world. But I never expected one to remain human.”
“I…I don’t truly know why I’m a human and not a pony,” Wanda said. “But…I saw you both arguing, and I didn’t want you to tear each other apart. So please, stop fighting, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.”
Wanda got down on her knees and broke down crying, leaving both Past Celestia and Past Luna confused.
“How is it you know who we are?” Past Celestia asked. “We don’t even know you.”
“Because…..I’m from…the future,” Wanda cried. “And during…that time….you….Princess Celestia… adopted me….and became….my mommy..”
As Wanda cried on the ground, Past Celestia looked down at the Man’s Cub. She reached over and placed her hoof on Wanda’s cheek and lifted her face to her.
“How can I be your mommy,” Past Celestia said. “When I don’t even know how to run a kingdom?”
“Wait a minute,” Past Luna said. “She claimed to be from the future. And she also claimed she adopted you. The big question is how did she get into the past?”
“I don’t know,” Past Celestia said. “But she looks really sad now. Maybe it was our squabbling.”
“You’re right,” Past Luna said. “Once she’s calmed down, she can explain everything to us.”
As Past Celestia wrapped her arm around Wanda in comfort, Misty ran up to the two alicorns, catching their attention.
“Aunt Celestia, Aunt Luna,” Misty yelled.
“Misty?” Past Luna said. “What are you doing here? Where are Princess Amore and your brother Sombra Brightdawn?”
Misty came to a stop before turning her head away.
“They’re….they’re gone,” Misty said.
“Oh no,” Past Celestia said. “Now even the Crystal Empire has fallen. First Queen Papilionoidea, then King Neptune and Queen Athena, then King Glacieous, and now Princess Amore. What is happening to all of us?”
“I don’t know,” Past Luna said as tears began to form from her eyes. “In fact….now I’m not so sure on what to do when we are all drifting apart.”
“Oh Luna,” Past Celestia said. “I wish Starswirl was here to help us.”
“Your precious Starswirl will never see you again. In fact, I now intend on making sure you don’t see each other again.”
Past Celestia and Past Luna turned forward to see a shadowy, pony-like figure standing in front of them. Abigail hissed right at the figure as Misty hid behind Past Celestia. Wanda looked up at the shadow and freaked out.
“P…..pppp…..Pony of…Shadows,” Wanda said, frozen in fear.
“Well well well,” The Pony of Shadows chuckled. “For one not a part of this world, you know who I am, like you know who Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are. Tell me, where do you come from?”
But before Wanda could answer, Past Celestia glared down at the Pony of Shadows, holding her close.
“You stay away from her, this instant,” Past Celestia said. “I don’t know who she is, but I’m not letting you get a hold of her.”
“Oh you misunderstand me,” The Pony of Shadows laughed. “Why do I want to take just one when I can have you all?”
The laugh of the Pony of Shadows was enough to disturb Past Celestia, Past Luna, Wanda Young, Abigail Albright and Misty Brightdawn. Celestia immediately got on her four hooves and lifted Wanda into the air before placing her on her back with Abigail jumping up right behind the Man’s Cub.
“Luna, grab Misty and get her to safety,” Past Celestia said. “I’ll keep an eye on this little one.”
“Gotcha,” Luna said before she picked up Misty with her magic and placed the little filly on her back.
As soon as the Pony of Shadows ran towards the group, Past Celestia and Past Luna ran away from the monster and from the castle, with Wanda and Abigail on Past Celestia’s back, and Misty Brightdawn on Past Luna’s back. But while the alicorns rode as fast as she could, Wanda buried her face in Celestia’s mane with her eyes closed.
“Please get the Pony of Shadows away,” Wanda cried. “I don’t want him to leave me by myself.”
“Little one?” Past Celestia asked. “What is your name?”
“Wanda,” Wanda cried. “Wanda Young.”
“That is a nice name, Wanda,” Past Celestia said as she ran through the forest.
“But how did you get here?” Past Luna asked.
“I…I’m not so sure,” Wanda cried. “One moment…I was with you both…and my friends….involving the ground bridge portal….Next thing I knew…I was pulled in….and sent here.”
“Ground bridge portal?” Past Luna said, confused. “What does she mean by that?”
“I think she means the one that Starswirl left us that leads to the Golden Land,” Past Celestia said, her hooves continuing to gallop through the grass. “But we don’t know how to recreate the ground bridge portal.”
“What’s a ground bridge portal?” Misty asked.
“A means of creating a permanent portal between two parts of the world,” Past Luna said. “Starswirl promised to teach us the secrets of the portal. But he disappeared when we needed him the most.”
But as the two alicorns continued to run as fast as possible, the Pony of Shadows slithered by through the ground before popping up in front of them, causing the alicorns to come to a stop while Wanda, Abigail and Misty just looked at him in pure fear.
“Did you mention…Starswirl?” The Pony of Shadows gloated. “Because it was I who banished Starswirl the Bearded. All so I could get a hold of you both.”
Past Celestia charged up the horn in her magic and fired a shot at the Pony of Shadows, who allowed the magical shot to hit him and disappear, entirely.
“Hahahahaha,” The Pony of Shadows laughed. “You see now? Your magic has no effect on me, nor would physical attacks. Whereas I can harm all five of you in just one single thought.”
Past Celestia and Past Luna turned tail and ran off in the opposite direction with Wanda, Abigail and Misty holding onto their respective alicorns. But the Pony of Shadows only laughed before he blended into the ground and slithered forward.
“Why isn’t our magic working?” Past Celestia asked.
“That’s the least of our worries,” Past Luna said. “We need to stay ahead of that creep.”
“Right,” Past Celestia said. “As long as we keep moving, we’ll stay ahead of the Pony of Shadows.”
But the Pony of Shadows moved through the ground faster than the Alicorns could run. Once again, it popped out in front of the group, causing the Alicorns to come to a stop while Wanda and Misty stared at the creature in fear.
“Not only did I banish Starswirl the Bearded,” The Pony of Shadows bragged, “I also vanquished his companions as well, especially Stygian. Now he’s dead.”
Without a second thought, Past Celestia and Past Luna turned to the left and ran away with Wanda and Abigail holding onto Celestia while Misty held onto Luna. The Pony of Shadows only laughed at their retreat.
“Run all you like,” the Pony of Shadows said. “For soon, you will be mine.”
With that, the Pony of Shadows blended into the ground and pursued after the alicorns once more.
“Wanda, was it?” Past Celestia yelled. “Are you okay?”
“NO!” Wanda cried. “I don’t want it to get near me.”
“I won’t let that happen,” Past Celestia said.
“I don’t think running is a good idea, anymore,” Past Luna said, extending her wings out. “I suggest we take to the skies.”
“Good idea, sister,” Past Celestia said, extending her wings out. “If it will get us away from the Pony of Shadows, then I’m all for it.”
Wanda and Abigail held onto Past Celestia as the alicorn flapped her wings and took to the sky. As Misty Brightdawn held on, Past Luna flew off after Past Celestia, leaving the Pony of Shadows to emerge from the ground, still smirking.
“You can run and hide all you want,” The Pony of Shadows said. “But you can never escape my grasp.”
The Pony of Shadows opened its mouth wide, generating a black energy ball. He fired it off at mach speed, right at the ascending alicorns. Wanda looked down and saw the energy ball come at them.
“LOOK OUT!” Wanda yelled. “HE’S GONNA HIT US!”
Past Celestia and Past Luna saw the energy ball dash towards them, forcing the duo to pivot away from the sphere of dark magic. But the Pony of Shadows looked up and gloated even more.
“Oh no you don’t,” The Pony of Shadows blinked.
In an instant, the energy ball detonated, creating an explosion powerful enough to hit both alicorns, knocking them from the sky. Wanda and Abigail held onto Past Celestia while Misty held onto Past Luna, all as the two alicorns fell uncontrollable towards the forest.
“Hold on,” Past Celestia yelled. “WE’RE GONNA CRASH!”
The Alicorns landed through the leaves of the trees, crashing through a number of branches. Wanda and Abigail hid their faces in Celestia’s mane while Misty hid her face in Luna’s mane. Debris from the trees spread everywhere, covering the group in small branches and leaves as they fell dowards screaming. With a loud thud, the group landed in the bushes, while the Pony of Shadows laughed from afar.
“See how futile it is to get away from the likes of me?” The Pony of Shadows laughed. “No one can escape the Shade of Hate.”
The Pony of Shadows ran up to the group as Wanda, Abigail and Misty pulled themselves out of the bushes. They had some minor bruises on their arms and legs, along with leaves and small branches in their hair and mane. Past Celestia and Past Luna pulled themselves out, also looking as badly hurt as the younglings.
“Is everyone okay?” Past Celestia asked.
“I’m fine,” Wanda said, pulling the debris from her hair. “But I don’t know if it will last.”
Past Celestia looked in front of her, where the Pony of Shadows walked towards the entire group, laughing out loud.
“Nowhere to run and no place to hide,” The Pony of Shadows gloated. “Face it. You’ve only sealed your doom the moment I laid my eyes on you.”
Wanda held onto Past Celestia while Abigail hissed at the Pony of Shadows.
“Don’t come near me,” Wanda cried. “I don’t want to be left alone for the rest of my life.”
“Alone?” The Pony of Shadows said as he came to a stop. “What a novel idea. Perhaps the biggest fear of a pony, or someone like you, is how they are isolated from all of society. Well, what’s left of society.”
“You stay away, this instant,” Past Celestia yelled as she held Wanda tight.
“Oh I would love to make sure that little child is left all alone,” The Pony of Shadows laughed. “But we all know it will be inevitable. Instead, I have a deeper interest in Princess Luna.”
“What do you mean by that?” Past Celestia yelled.
“I have been to other universes,” The Pony of Shadows explained. “I have seen fights between you and your sister. One of which, you used the Elements of Harmony to banish her to the moon when she became….Nightmare Moon. This was long after my pathetic excuse for a counterpart was sealed away by his Starswirl the Bearded and his Pillars of Equestria.”
“No,” Past Luna cried as Misty held onto her. “I don’t want to be this….Nightmare Moon.”
“Oh but you will,” The Pony of Shadows gloated. “Once I take possession of you, I will force your own sister into banishing you to the moon with the Elements of Harmony. It will cost me my freedom. But Princess Celestia will pay a deeper price when she is all alone….FOREVER!”
“You stay away from my sister,” Past Celesita commanded.
“Who are you to order me, your superior?” The Pony of Shadows bragged. “Your maker? Your…DOOMSDAY?”
The Pony of Shadows kept his focus on Princess Luna and Misty Brightdawn before he darted towards the duo at blinding speed.
“And now,” The Pony of Shadows said, “It is time for Nightmare Moon…TO RISE!”
Past Luna and Misty covered their eyes helplessly as the Pony of Shadows flew towards them with glee. But Past Celestia got up on her four hooves as Wanda released her hold on her.
“I’m sorry,” Past Celestia said. “But I must not let him take my sister.”
“MOMMY, NOOOOO!” Wanda cried.
In a flash, Past Celestia leaped in front of the Pony of Shadows. The shade hit Celestia and entered her body, knocking her down.
“SISTER!” Past Luna yelled.
“Luna….Wanda…Misty,” Past Celestia said as she struggled. “Get…away.”
An aura surrounded Past Celestia as she lifted into the air. She screamed loudly before the aura consumed her in a dark shroud. Past Luna, Wanda, Abigail and Misty stood there in horror, watching as Past Celestia shape shifted into a bigger, more demonic alicorn.
“What have you become?” Luna cried.
When Past Celestia emerged from the shadow, her fur remained a bright white. But her mane was now fiery hot, and she had orange-reddish regalia and dark, orange eyes. She turned towards Past Luna, Wanda, Abigail and Misty, who stood there helplessly.
“How surprising that the eldest of the duo would take the fall for her sister,” The possessed Celestia said. “And in spite of her arrogance, I have become stronger, and far more invincible. Instead of Nightmare Moon…I’m…Daybreaker.”
“D…Daybreaker?” Wanda said as her eyes filled with tears.
“Oh, so you have a soft spot for your precious princess?” Daybreaker said. “So tell me again. Where do you come from?”
Wanda just turned away from Daybreaker, struggling to hold back her tears.
“A resilient one,” Daybreaker said. “I like you. Yesssssss. But it won’t do you any good.”
Daybreaker fired a beam of magic at Wanda, hitting her in the head. Wanda screamed really loud as Daybreaker lifted Wanda off the grass and tapped into her mind.
“What are you doing?” Past Luna yelled.
But before Past Luna could move, Daybreaker thrust her hoof forward, knocking Past Luna, Misty and Abigail down.
“You fiend,” Misty cried. “I already lost my own mommy and brother. Don’t take her sister away or my new friend.”
Daybreaker released her energy beam from Wanda Young, sending her falling to the ground. As Wanda slowly got up, Daybreaker walked up to the Man’s Cub.
“Intriguing,” Daybreaker said. “In the future, Princess Celestia was the one who adopted you, and raised you as if you were a part of the pony herd. And you would earn friends of your own. But thanks to an incident in the future involving the ground bridge portal, you came to our past by accident, and now you are all alone. The funny thing is, my future self was taunting you with claims that you will be left all alone. I find this fascinating, considering your situation, little Wanda Young.”
Wanda slowly backed away from Daybreaker as she laughed at the Man’s Cub. Past Luna immediately got on her four legs and ran in front of Wanda, staring down her possessed sister.
“You release your hold from my sister and leave us alone,” Past Luna yelled.
“Oh, since when are you to command me?” Daybreaker laughed. “That is, unless you can find the Elements of Harmony and defeat me with it. But only if you are willing to banish your own sister…to the moon.”
Past Luna began to weaken in her own resolve as Wanda hid behind her, Misty and Abigail held onto each other, and Daybreaker laughed in the night sky.
To Be Continued in…
Daybreaker and the Elements of Harmony