Equestria Inside a Strange Castle.
"Finally!" Returning to the castle was the Twilight from another world. She made it back here as soon as possible, almost running out of breath. Her body was fizzling, showing that she couldn't stay here forever. However, once she re-entered the castle, the fizzling halted, giving her extra time.
Twilight took some time to relax for a moment before she heads back out there. She had just run into the Ruler of Equestria plus four individuals who are related to Prisma. However, her eyes turned to meet with the door on the side. It was wide open, showing the other universe.
"The door's open...Don't tell me somepony already went through!" A prolonged gasp left her mouth. "Oooh! messed up again! It's never this consistent though! Which universe is on the other side, anyway?" She quickly galloped over, making sure to stop right in front of the door.
Lo and behold, this castle was in between Universe 1 and Universe 20. The door on the left side showed the universe she just returned from and the door on the right side revealed the other that Celestia's group has gone through.
Universe 20.
In this universe that had its own story to tell, Chrysalis had been spotted in the streets of Canterlot. But in this universe, Changelings were still seen as a threat and the reactions that the Changeling Queen received were telling of that. Chrysalis was simply curious, wanting to see what kind of books were in this universe, only to be met with ponies screaming in fear when seeing her.
"H-Hold on! It's not what it looks like!" Chrysalis frantically tried explaining to them, but all she received were screams. of those who were absolutely terrified of her, despite her shiny new form.
Chrysalis just couldn't explain herself at all and unfortunately, Luna was elsewhere in the city to really back her up. Soon, many ponies and even Pokemon distanced themselves from Chrysalis. Except for the Canterlot Guards. They stuck around, holding up their spears at the Changeling Queen. All it took was Chrysalis looking at them to make them flinch. Clearly, the fear of Changelings was at a certain level where even guards are greatly intimidated.
"No way...Chrysalis?!" Showing up here via teleportation was this universe's Princess Celestia. Young and quite the celebrity. Much like how she was shocked to see her older self from another universe, seeing Chrysalis caught her by surprise. "How'd you get so tall?! You were like my height when I last saw you! And how are you back?!"
"I'm not your Chrysalis though!" Chrysalis bellowed. "I'm not even from here!"
"Whatever! You still made a huge mistake showing up here. I beat you before and I can do it again. I know what you can do and it doesn't matter if you look older."
With the young princess here, the ponies soon staved away any fears they had. They had high hopes and immediately started cheering for her. Celestia would look back at all of her subjects, waving at them and taking in the publicity as always. Even when facing something that was seen as a threat, she still took the time to show off.
"Oh, it's that kind of scenario.." Chrysalis uttered, realizing what was going on.
"You're a bigger target now, so this'll be easier than before! Light, use Dazzling Gleam!" Celestia exclaimed while also building up magic around her horn. She also had the capability of casting spells after all. She was an alicorn at the end of the day.
"Kir...Lia!" Starting off strong, Kirlia used Dazzling Gleam, generating a beautiful shimmer of light in her arms before pulling them back. Rainbow rays came flying out at high speeds, prompting Chrysalis to sway her body to the rift. She just barely avoided these Dazzling Gleams which would then enter the skies, fizzling out later.
There was a second one incoming in the form of Celestia's beam, which Chrysalis also managed to avoid by ducking her head. The beam went over her, joining the Dazzling Gleam in the sky.
"Ah! Little juvenile delinquent!" Chrysalis snarled, looking back at the young Celestia. Obviously, this did not sit well with her. In response, right as another Dazzling Gleam approached her, she would launch her Poke Ball out with magic. Out of it emerged her partner Ribombee.
"Ribombee!" Upon arriving, Ribombee would counter the Dazzling Gleam with her own. Another Dazzling Gleam was unleashed, causing a clash. With both attacks pressed against each other, they reached a stalemate.
"What? No Zorua this time? Wouldn't that be a bit better against Light? Not that she'd lose at all..."
"Weren't you listening?! I'm not from this universe. But that doesn't mean I'm just a target for you. You should learn to respect your elders."
"I'm on top of the world. Everyone old respects me!" The Young Princess grinned. Go, Light! Use Mystical Fire!"
"Lia!" Continuing the attack, Kirlia lunged in with fire around her arms, ready to get up close and personal with them.
"Ribombee! Use Psychic!"
"Ri!" Quickly retaliating, Ribombee enveloped the Psychic-Fairy-Type in a mental aura, holding her in place. Kirlia's movements were promptly stopped as she was then pushed back by Ribombee's mind.
"K-Kirlia!" The Emotion Pokemon cried out, hurling through the air at high speeds. However, she would quickly recover herself thanks to Celestia's magic. A magic pillow materialized with her, softening the crash and saving Kirlia.
"Lunge off and use Mystical Fire again!"
"Kir!" By leaping off the pillow, Kirlia would go in for a second Mystical Fire. But this time, she was going to make sure it was going to land and deal super-effective damage. She zoomed through the air, gaining plenty of speed as the flames trailed out of her hands.
"Quick, Ribombee! Psychic, once more!"
"Ri...!" Once more, Ribombee's mental abilities would exude as she held her arms out a second time. But this time, the Young Princess was ready.
"Nope!" Young Celestia shut that down instantly by using her magic in this battle. Affecting Kirlia, she made the Emotion Pokemon vanish, evading the Psychic hold. Ribombee gasped, losing sight of her fellow Fairy-Type. At that moment, Kirlia reappeared in a golden flash, finally getting close to Ribombee.
"B-Bombee!" Ribombee took the attack directly. The magical flames crashed into her, dealing super-effective damage once they blew up. The Bee Fly Pokemon went flying, having the flames trail out of her body. Cheers could be heard after Kirlia landed a hit. Even if Ribombee crashed into somepony's cart with food inside, it didn't matter. All that fallen food was nothing to the fame of the Princess.
"Our illustrious princess is once again tackling the Changeling." Commentating over this battle was a floating orb of magic, exuding sound waves. Even during something like this which was seen as serious, Young Celestia needed publicity around her at all times. "This time, it appears to be the Changeling Princess Chrysalis but she seems to have undergone a growth spurt and shiny new appearance."
"I'm sorry what? Princess?" Chrysalis shook her head. Did she hear that correctly? She was considered a princess in this world. And considering that the Changelings still had a bad reputation and Celestia mentioned how Chrysalis used to be her height, it was clear as day what was going on.
"I don't know what Pokemon this is but it sure is tough for its size."
"You're one to talk with a Kirlia." Chrysalis pointed out. While Ribombee was smaller, Kirlia was still a small Pokemon overall. But that was a testament to how any Pokemon, no matter the size, can be a force to be reckoned with
"She's dainty, not fragile! Mystical Fire again!"
"Reflect it with Psychic, Ribombee!"
"Ribom!" Ribombee used Psychic once more, holding her arm out to catch the Mystical Flames. The flames came flying in, only to be held in place. Ribombee put a ton of effort into this one, making sure she would return this attack to Kirlia. The flames would furiously flare, trying to push through Ribombee's Psychic hold. Kirlia could also be seen struggling with this.
"Kirlia...!" Kirlia groaned as she could feel her body being slowly pushed back. The flames she generated were starting to burn the ground below. The crowd was even starting to get worried.
"Oh, no way! Light's struggling this much?! That's not supposed to happen!" Young Celestia couldn't believe her eyes at all. This was the first time she's seen her partner struggle this much. "You're not making Kirlia look good in front of everypony!"
"As if I care! More, Ribombee!"
"Riiii!" With a surprisingly bellowing roar, Rimbombee's Psychic was elevated, prompting it to push the flames back. Kirlia gasped, unable to keep the flames from coming back.
"Get out of there, Light! Quick! Teleport!"
"Lia!" By the skin of her teeth, Kirlia managed to teleport away from the flames, barely avoiding them as they flew by. She teleported elsewhere, losing her balance since it was a hasty teleportation. Kirlia shook her head, perplexed by how strong Ribombee was. Young Celestia had an equal reaction as she couldn't believe her eyes. So far, she wasn't really winning the crowd over like she always does.
"Hmph. As to be expected. I'm older than you, therefore, I'm better." Chrysalis proudly said. "And I'm way older than the pony you battled back in the stadium."
"Mmmrgh...!" Young Celestia puffed her cheeks as her face was turning red out of irritation. "This is bogus...Alternate universe or not, I'm not gonna lose. I never lose and I can't lose!"
"I'll entertain you with a Pokemon Battle." Chrysalis shrugged. "I was hoping to avoid this, but I haven't had a good Pokemon Battle in a while. And I'm feeling the urge to taint your image. No one attacks the Changeling Queen and expects to just get away from it." The eyes of Chrysalis would flash as she was getting into this battle. This was clearly not coming to an end with mere talking At least, not from these two as their battle would continue.
Elsewhere in the city, Celestia and Gardevoir were trying to find the Young Princess, hoping that they could explain things to her about Chrysalis. But it was far too late. The battle between the two of them started a while ago and it was about to ramp up.
Speaking of ramping up, a rainbow flash could be seen in the distance, moving past the tall buildings and reaching the skies. That was obviously a Dazzling Gleam and it could have been from either one of them.
"Sister!" Luna spoke, flying alongside her big sister. "Do you think it could be someone from another world showing up here and launching an attack?!"
"Not at all. It's Chrysalis. My younger self from this world went straight for her Changelings still have a bad image in this universe, I'm afraid." Celestia explained. "I don't want Chrysalis to get hurt but my other self could also find herself getting hurt in the long run."
The two alicorns approached the scene of the battle, hoping that it wasn't too late to stop it even though it looked like it was spiralling out of control already. Back at the scene, Ribombee could be seen zipping around, evading incoming Dazzling Gleams from Kirlia.
Rainbows flew everywhere, smashing into the buildings and breaking through windows. Even the orbs in the air were knocked down by these frantic beams. After evading them, Ribombee got in close, using her own Dazzling Gleam. This time, it was used to blind the opposing Fairy-Type. Kirlia shrieked after being blinded but would soon receive damage as Ribombee crashed into the Emotion Pokemon with her Rainbow Sphere.
This went from a battle that the Young Princess could easily deal with to a full-blown Pokemon Battle that might go beyond just one Pokemon each. Leaving the castle and viewing this rumble as the other Twilight from another Universe. She showed up to witness this battle, seeing the familiar face of Chrysalis duking it out with the familiar face of Celestia, but far younger.
"I can do this.!" Young Celestia held her breath. "All I need is one more direct Mystical Fire and I can win this! Mystical Fire!"
"Dazzling Gleam!"
Both attacks were unleashed at the same time. A stream of rainbows against a stream of flames, prepared to clash in the middle of the street. However, that would not come to pass and there would be no impact whatsoever.
"Gardevoir!" Putting a stop this was Gardevoir, who descended from above, holding both her arms out. With her Psychic might, she intercepted both attacks, holding them in place. Her eyes flashed a beautiful blue as both Mystical Fire and Dazzling Gleam were held in place, surprising Ribombee and Kirlia. Gardevoir then crushed both attacks, causing Dazzling Gleam to shrink into nothing while Mystical Fire was dispersed.
"Alright. I think that's enough." Celestia would soon descend. "This battle doesn't need to extend at all."
"Huh?! But she's a changeling!" The young alicorn aimed her hoof at the Changeling Queen.
"And my friend," Celestia added. "I should've told you earlier but I came to this universe with her. She is not the same Chrysalis that you have in this universe, I can guarantee that."
"Hmph. I almost got carried away." Chrysalis looked away. "Putting in that much effort against a child...But she is a strong Trainer."
"I would've won! You just caught me by surprise!" She stuck her tongue out at the Changeling Queen, downgrading her strength. "But, I did overreact, I guess...I just didn't want any Changelings causing trouble for my subjects a second time. I always beat one bad group and that's it. They never make a comeback."
"I pray this universe's version of me didn't have to listen to all of this..." Chrysalis groaned.
"At least you only slightly damaged the town." Luna would also descend, drawing attention to herself. "Any longer and...well, actually, judging by the crowd, I doubt any of them would care."
But while Celestia and Chrysalis looked back at Luna with casual looks in their eyes, Young Celestia had a different reaction. It was much larger than what the crowd had and they were rather shocked to see Luna. Celestia expected something like this to happen, but she was too late to do something about it. This world's Celestia lost her Luna and was all alone, taking the helm at such a young age. And now, Universe 1's Luna was present for everyone to see.
"Big sister, Luna? Is that you...?" She uttered her lips were trembling. She couldn't believe her eyes. The big sister she once had in her life was here once again in Canterlot. But it wasn't her Luna. She immediately dismissed the Pokemon Battle she just had and everything surrounding Chrysalis to immediately bolt over to the taller alicorn.
"Big sister?" Luna wasn't aware that she was the big sister in this world.
"Luna!" With the happiest smile on her face, even more-so than what she does, she lunged at her sister, tackling her with her hug. But she wasn't strong enough to knock her to the ground. "You're back! You're really back! Oh, I knew you'd show up! All of that was just one big bluff! It wasn't funny but still!"
"I-I'm sorry, what?" Luna hadn't been filled in with the information about her other self from this world. She looked back at her big sister, wanting answers. And judging by the look on Celestia's face, she was going to get those answers but they would be directed towards the Young Celestia.
"This is a weird day but it's also the best! I was getting a bit heated because of Chrysalis but everything's A-Okay now!" The Young Princess looked back at her older self with that bright grin.
"I'm glad you're happy but, I didn't want to have to mention this." Celestia sighed. "That is Luna, without a doubt. Although, you'll notice she's a bit shorter than what you might think."
"I'm still growing!" Luna grizzled her teeth.
"She is...What's up with that?"
"It's very obvious. But...This isn't your Luna. It's my Luna, I'm afraid." Celestia laid the truth out directly. "Just like how I showed up here with my Chrysalis, this is my little sister, Luna. In my universe, I am the older sibling as opposed to the little one.
"Ooh...So, she's not really back." The young alicorn pulled back. She should have figured it out based on the height difference. The Luna she knew was the same height as Universe 1's Celestia. "M-My bad. I got excited there."
"It's alright." Celestia would comfort her younger self. "I can understand where you're coming. I'd do the same in your position."
"I really miss my Luna." Thinking about her now just brought the Young Celestia's spirits down. Never before have the crowd seen their princess so saddened. The billboards, posters and everything else showed her in a positive and happy light. Not this.
"What happened exactly? What caused your Luna to disappear?" Celestia questioned, hoping that she could maybe find a solution to this. If there was one.
"I don't want to get into it but...I can show you the room where it happened."
Canterlot Castle.
It was back to Canterlot Castle. It was also the place where this universe's Luna disappeared, leaving Celestia on her own. Past the luxurious throne room that was more like a throne room, the Young Princess led them all to a room that was at the very top of the castle.
A vast chamber with crumbling stone walls and fallen debris scattered across the floor, hinting at its former grandeur. Patches of sunlight filter through the cracks, casting eerie shadows. Dust motes dance in the beams of sunlight that filter through the broken windows.
The room was dominated by a massive marble table with a map of the kingdom still intact, stained with burnt edges. In the centre was a massive spire that was surrounded by an unknown material, being the most notable thing in this ruined chamber.
"There was something big that threatened Equestria. And I think everywhere else. I don't know what it was but it was so scary." The Young Princess explained. "I couldn't do anything against it at the time. Even with my magic. I didn't even have Light or any other Pokemon with me. It was just me and my big sister, Luna."
The group then looked at the spire which was half destroyed. Most likely, that spire was involved with that strange entity who tried destroying Equestria. "So your Luna is the one who fought back against it, correct?" Luna asked.
"She did what she could to stop it and she won. But it also took her away. I didn't see it coming at all. All of that energy harmed my sister too, just like how it hurt that thing. So, before she left, she gave me Light as my first Pokemon." It was also revealed that Kirlia was Luna's Pokemon instead before Celesta received her. "Light's the last thing I have from Luna before she disappeared. And being in this room is just a bummer."
"I understand." Celestia slowly nodded. "She made a sacrifice and is now gone. And ever since then, you've been doing things on your own."
"I was next in line to rule but I wasn't expecting to do it at such a young age. I took in all of Luna's lessons and followed what she always did. She never had that much time for me and I wish she did. She was always so busy with work but I still miss her. And I never hated her." The young alicorn wiped her tears thinking about it. "But I have Light and all my Pokemon with me, so I'm not alone anymore. As long as Light's here, then, I'm okay"
"Kirlia." Kirlia would hug her partner, trying to comfort her. As the Emotion Pokemon, it was only natural that Kirlia would be by Celestia's side during this rough time.
"Thanks for showing up here, bigger me." She would look back at Universe 1's Celestia. "I'm glad you showed up here with your Luna. It reminds me of mine. I guess I can be happy knowing Luna's still out there somewhere and there's other universes."
"We'll be out of your mane now It was simply a quick visit and I didn't mean to get your hopes up like this." Celestia apologized. "But I'm glad to have been here, seeing another version of myself. You have it good here. Being a celebrity and everything. But you're still young and have a lot to learn."
"What about you, older me?"
"I never had to face these problems when I was young. I had my parents and my peers to support me. And even though my Luna was gone for thousands of years, I always knew I'd have her back. It's important to cherish those around you and you do seem to do just that"
"Not my parents though. You heard what I said not too long ago. We don't talk uch." She pouted. "I guess I could talk to them again. I can maybe make time. They're still family."
"Chin up, you." Luna went up to the little Celestia. "Whatever world it may be, the Celestia I know always smiles. You're not the first Celestia to experience loss but you have the most years ahead of you."
"Thanks, Luna! And maybe, you can come by and visit this universe again! I mean, you're clearly used to it. You know a lot about other worlds! Which means I get to see you again someday, right?!
"Well, nothing's stopping us from doing so. As soon as we solve the gateway issue, the Universal Alliance will be back in action. And I will make sure that this universe-" Before she could finish up, Celestia, Luna, Chrysalis and Gardevoir all had their bodies glow, emanating a cosmic energy. "Oh!"
"Huh?! What's going on?!" The young princess pulled back, seeing the cosmic energy fly out of their bodies. It soon entered the air as they were also becoming transparent.
"It seems to be the same thing Twilight Moonlight goes through. We must be returning to our universe." Luna observed. "We've certainly been here for a while. Not that long, however."
"Well, this is it Until we meet again me." Celestia bid farewell to her other counterpart. It was certainly a treat meeting her, seeing another Celestia in a different light. It truly was a big multiverse and Celestia wished she could see it all again like old times. After they left, the Young Celestia would slowly wave away. Now, she was alone once more. But she always had her Pokemon with her.
As for what she would do next, as a celebrity, there were plenty of options available that she knows how to tackle since this was how she was raised. However, after meeting with her older self, some things are set to change. She was expecting to see her older self and Luna again someday. Hopefully, it's as soon as she thinks.
As the journey continues.
Chapter 282 End.