//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 - Shadow of The Past // Story: Lord of The Ponies: Fellowship of the Helmet // by Laurenfaustsloyalfan //------------------------------// The party was thrown into pure chaos. Most of the ponies were stamping their hooves on the ground, cheering for the greatest magic trick that they had ever seen. A few were still staring at the stage, mouths open and eyes wide. Some (mostly the distant Sparkle family) were searching — through the crowd, behind the stage, around the line of trees that circled the party ground, anywhere – hoping they could discover Velvet’s secret hiding place. But the unicorn was too clever for that. When she had created that brilliant flash outside, another flash had transpired at the exact same time elsewhere; inside Golden Oaks to be exact. Velvet, still huge and winged, appeared inside her small house, just as planned. Laughing proudly of her work, she took the Helmet off and her body returned to normal size. She placed the headwear inside her personal saddlebag and walked in the front room. “I had no idea you were so skilled with optical illusions,” a voice said, startling her. Velvet whipped around, horn glowing, only to be greeted by the sight of Celestia. The smaller pony put a hoof to her chest and took a few deep breaths. “We’ve been friends for a long time, Celestia. And in all those years, how many times have I asked you to not do that?” “I’ve lost count,” Celestia joked. “But I’m not here to scare you. This Helmet of yours…” she trailed off, scanning the room for the Helmet. “Oh come on, Celestia, it was just a joke” She kept her smile while Celestia gazed at her, straight-faced. “I have seen my fair share of magical helmets in my day, Velvet and none of them should be used in the way you used yours tonight.” Celestia spoke, a tone of warning creeping into her voice. “It was just a bit of fun!” Velvet said, but then saw Celestia’s face. “Oh you’re probably right, as usual.” She could never win Celestia when it really came down to it. Using her basic levitation, Velvet packed a few more things into her saddlebags. “You will keep an eye on my daughter, I trust.” “Both my eye, if I can spare them.” she reassured her. “She is inheriting everything.” Velvet told her matter-of-factly as she continued packing her things. “And this Helmet of yours? I trust she will be receiving that as well.” “Yes yes, it’s in a bag over there beside the mantlepiece.” Celestia went to check, but saw nothing there. “No wait, it’s... Here in my saddle bag” Velvet giggled quietly to herself, no humor in the laugh. She lifted it up with her magic, staring at it. “Isn’t that odd now?” She couldn’t take her eyes off of it. “Yes, after all why not? Why shouldn’t I keep it?” She began whispering to herself. “I think you should leave the Helmet behind, Velvet.” Celestia cautiously said. “Is that so hard?” Velvet quickly turned to her. “Well, no... And yes.” She turned back to the Helmet. “Now that it comes to it, I don’t feel like parting with it. It’s mine, I found it, it came to me!” Her voice raised in anger “There’s no need to get angry.” Celestia gently said, trying calm her friend. “Well if I’m angry it’s your fault!” Velvet hissed as her eyes stayed on the Helmet. “It’s mine... My own, my precious...” Velvet said, purring at her obsession. Celestia’s eyes widened at those words. “Precious? It’s been called that, but not by you.” “Bah! What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?!” Velvet started moving away, tensing up more. “You have had that Helmet in your possession for sixty years. I have become concerned, old friend.” Celestia took a step closer, wings spreading menacingly. “I think the time has come for you to part with it.” Velvet paused for a brief moment before she spat out her next words. “Y-you want it for yourself!” “VELVET SPARKLE!” Velvet jumped back a bit, startled to hear Celestia raise her voice. “Do not assume that I come here just to show off a few simple tricks!” The lights seemed to dim as her wings spread open fully and her tone lowered. Velvet backed up against the wall, terrified by her friend. “I am not trying to rob you!” Slowly, the lights came back on at full brightness and the intimidation in the alicorn’s normal voice returned. “I only want to help.” Celestia said softly. Velvet lowered back down to four hooves and slowly trotted over to Celestia to hug her, letting loose a few tears. Celestia embraced her and lowered down to her. “Almost seventy years we’ve been friends. In that time, have I ever done anything to make you question my trustworthiness?” Velvet was still crying. She didn’t speak, but shook her head. “Then trust me now as you always have. Let it go.”Celestia said, stroking Velvet’s mane softly. Velvet nodded and put on a serious face once again. “I know you’re correct, Celestia. This Helmet has done enough for me.” She placed the Helmet down. “It belongs to Twilight now.” She got her things quickly and made for the door. “It’s late, the road is long. Yes… it is time.” She opened the door and was about to leave when Celestia spoke up again. “Velvet... you still have the Helmet in your bag.” Velvet stopped in her tracks and turned back to Celestia. With a burst of magic, she lifted the Helmet from her bag and up into the air. She began staring at it again as her magic slowly faded off the Helmet and it dropped to floor. She quickly turned and trotted off a few steps, and then stopped again. Celestia followed her and Velvet turned to her again, smiling sadly. “I’ve thought up an ending for my book: ‘And she lived happily ever after... Till the end of her days.’” She nodded. Celesta hugged her one more time. “And I’m sure you will, my dear friend.” She smiled gently at her. And Velvet smiled back. “Goodbye, Celestia.” A tear went down her cheek. “Goodbye, dear Velvet.” Celestia blinked back tears. “Until we meet again.” Velvet turned again and went trotting off, singing softly. Celestia’s smile faded away as she looked back at Golden Oaks. She opened the door and stared warily at the Helmet lying on the floor. She gingerly went to touch it with her hoof, but before she could even feel the metal, she saw a flash of a great blue eye, ringed in purple and black flame. She pulled back with a sharp intake of breath. She laid down before the dying fire, thinking back to what Velvet said. Her strange, compulsive words echoed in Celestia’s head: “It’s mine... My own... My precious...” Celestia didn’t know what to make of these events, all this seemed to be happening so suddenly. It was as though she was trying to piece together riddles in the dark. “Riddles in the dark...” she whispered to herself. At that moment, Twilight came in, opening the door quickly and calling out to Velvet. She entered the library only to find the Helmet laying on the floor. “My precious.” Celestia whispered to herself as Twilight picked up the Helmet with a bit of magic and began looking at it. Twilight looked from the Helmet to the nearly empty house to Celestia, and then back to the Helmet. “She’s gone hasn’t she? She talked for so long about leaving. I didn’t think she’d really do it.” She moved up next to Celesti, who remained silent, staring at the fire. “Celestia?” Twilight muttered, hoping for a good explanation. Celestia whipped her head around to look at the unicorn. Her eyes landed on the Helmet. “Velvet’s helmet.” She smiled oddly. “She’s gone to stay with the dragons. She’s left you Golden Oaks, along with all her possessions.” She explained as she quickly put the Helmet into a bag and sealed it. “The Helmet is yours now.” Celestia lifted it to the unicorn. Twilight didn’t know what to say; it was all so sudden for her. She took it slowly, wrapping her magic around it deliberately. “Put it somewhere out of sight.” Celestia muttered as she quickly got up and gathered her things. Twilight followed her around. “Where are you going?” Twilight asked, worried. “There are questions. Questions that need answering.” Celestia made for the door, already sounding desperate. “But you’ve only just arrived! I don’t understand.” Her ears went low again, she looked sad. Celestia turned to her and shook her head. “Neither do I.” She stepped closer to Twilight and brought her in close for a hug. “Keep it secret... Keep it safe.” And with that, Celestia left the library. ---------------------------------------- Meanwhile in the Badlands... Cockatrices were torturing a foul creature, her screams of pain reaching throughout the entire tower. Through her pain she managed to only mutter two words. “PONYVILLE!” She uttered before screaming in pain again. “SPARKLE!” She spoke again. Moments later, the doors to the black tower opened and the nine windigoes galloped out, spreading cold despair in their wake. ------------------------------------- Celestia galloped up to the hill and abruptly stopped, looking at the dark machinations going on in the Badlands past the Macintosh Hills. Her eyes widened, and she turned and increased her pace into Canterlot. She galloped in quickly made her way to the royal library and was led deep into the archives. She surrounded herself in documents and papers and began to read, finding nothing. She had almost given up when she found one record of Starswirl the Bearded. Her face grew concerned as she read it carefully but quickly. The first year of The Stellar Republic, in the Age of the Dragon. Here follows the account of Starswirl the Bearded, High Leader of Canterlot and the finding of the Helmet of Power. It is come to me, the one Helmet. It shall be an heirloom of my kingdom; all those who follow in my bloodline will be bound to its fate for I will risk no hurt to the Helmet. It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain. The markings upon the Helmet begin to fade. The writing, which at first was as clear as blue flame, has all but disappeared, a secret now that only a full moons light can tell. -------------------------------------- Meanwhile near Ponyville, a common earth pony was busy chopping away at some firewood. Suddenly from behind, he felt the air grew cold all around him. When he looked towards the road there was a Windigo, the very ground it stepped on freezing and dying. It fiercely hissed at the earth pony. “Sparkle.... Ponyville...” The pony gulped and was shaking. “Ain’t no Sparkles here, they’re up in the Northside.” The Windigo stomped its foot into the ground and ice sprouted from its hoof. The earth pony shuddered as it turned its great head to look at him. “That-a way.” The Windigo whinnied and galloped in the direction of where the earth pony was pointing, a cold swirl following closely behind. ----------------------------------------------- The Northside of Ponyville was as sleepy as the rest, aside from Sugar Cube Corner, where a party was going on. Twilight Sparkle pranced around Pinkie Pie who was dancing and singing to a song Fluttershy and her animals were playing. Everypony sang along to the bar song: “Hey ho to the Corner I go, To heal my heart and drown my woe. Rain may fall and wind may blow But there still be many miles to go! Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain, And the stream that falls from hill to plain. Better than rain or sunny sky...” Fluttershy stopped the music to give Pinkie her moment to shine, and Pinkie stood up on her two legs and yelled: “Is a packet of sugar inside this Pie!” And everybody cheered as she jumped around the tables, giggling madly. In the far corner of Sugarcube Corner, Applejack sat with elder members of her family and gossiped over mugs of their cider. “There’s been some strange folk crossing Ponyville; dwarves and those of less than savory nature,” one muttered. “War’s brewin’. The mountains are fair teemin’ with goblins.” said the other. Granny Smith, Applejack’s guardian, scoffed at these two, older and supposedly wiser in her years. “Far-off tales and childrens’ stories that’s all that is. Y’all are beginning to sound like that old Velvet Sparkle. Cracked, she was.” She smirked, looking back at Twilight. “Young Ms. Sparkle here, she’s cracking.” She chuckled as Twilight trotted along. “And proud of it! Cheers, Granny.” She sat down and lifted mugs to each pony. “Well it’s none of our concern what happens beyond our borders,” she said as she looked at Twilight with a knowing look. “Keep your muzzle out of trouble and no trouble will come to you.” Twilight nodded, smiling to herself about Granny’s words of questionable wisdom. Applejack threw her foreleg around Twilight and the group shared a drink. After last call, Twilight headed outside with Applejack as Cherry Jubilee, the occasional barmaid, smiled to her. “Night there, AJ.” Applejack could only blush and look away, nodding and trotting off with Twilight. Another pony, less than sober, kneeled down. “Good night, sweet maiden of the golden cider.” He kissed Cherry’s front hoof as she giggled slightly. Applejack frowned at hearing that and muttered to herself. “Now why don’t ya’ll just mind who yer tryin’ to hit on, pardner.” “Don’t worry Applejack, Cherry knows an idiot when she sees one.” Twilight said as she leaned in towards her friend. Applejack stopped in her tracks, a worried look on her face. “Does she?” Once the two said their goodnights and parted ways, Twilight made her way into her darkened library. She slowly trotted into the living room when she suddenly felt a hoof pull her back. It was Celestia, her mane unkempt and messy, and she had a distressed look on her face. “Is it secret? Is it safe?” Twilight quickly lit up some candles and looked into her chest, tossing away useless parchment. As she lifted up her personal bag, Celestia heard something outside, her horn lighting up as if preparing for attack. When Twilight handed her the bag, she immediately took it and put the Helmet out into the full moons light. The bright light of the full moon showered the Helmet, not missing a spot. “What are you doing?” Twilight asked. Celestia saw no changes but handed the Helmet back to Twilight. “What can you see? Can you see anything?” Celestia turned around, taking a moment to calm herself. Twilight moved around the Helmet, looking into it. “Nothing... There’s nothing” Celestia closed her eyes and breathed, relieved. “Wait.” Twilight muttered as the Helmet glowed slightly. Celestia stopped right there, her eyes going wide. She turned around to see markings began to form in a light blue around the Helmet. “There are markings. It’s some form of Derpish. I can’t read it.” Twilight furrowed her brow as she gazed at the Helmet. Celestia sighed, her fears confirmed. “There are few who can. The language is that of The Badlands, which I will not utter here.” Twilight’s eyes shot to Celestia at these words. “The Badlands!” Her ears drooped down. “In the common tongue it says: ‘One Helmet to rule them all... One Helmet to find them... One Helmet to bring them all... And in the darkness, bind them!” The two shared a silence as Celestia sat down and Twilight hurried to make tea for them both. She gingerly left the Helmet on the table, the front facing Celestia who stared into its depths as she began to speak again. “This is the one Helmet. Forged by the dark empress Nightmare Moon in the fires of Mount Smooze. Taken by Starswirl the Bearded from the head of Nightmare Moon herself.” Twilight looked down into her cup. “Velvet found it... in Trixie’s cave.” Celestia nodded.“For sixty years, the Helmet lay quiet in Velvet’s keeping... prolonging her life, delaying old age.” Celestia looked at Twilight. “But no longer, Twilight. Evil is stirring in The Badlands. The Helmet has awoken. It has heard its master’s call.” “But she was destroyed. Nightmare Moon was destroyed.” Suddenly, they both heard whispers of ancient Derpish coming from the Helmet. Celestia looked at Twilight as the unicorn stared at the Helmet in shock. “No, Twilight, the spirit of Nightmare Moon endured. Her life force is bound to the Helmet, and the Helmet survived. Nightmare Moon has returned. Her beasts have multiplied. Her fortress in The Badlands has been rebuilt. Nightmare Moon needs only this Helmet to cover all the lands in a second darkness... She is seeking it. Seeking it, and all her thought is bent on it. The Helmet yearns above all else to return to the head of its master. They are one... the Helmet and the dark empress.” Celestia looked almost scared. “Twilight... She must never find it.” Twilight nodded and lifted the Helmet. “Alright. We put it away. We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again.” She trotted into the other room and slowly stopped. “No one else knows it’s here... do they Celestia?” Celestia sighed to herself. “There is one other who knew that Velvet had the Helmet.” Twilight's eyes widened at this news as Celestia continued. “I looked everywhere for the creature Trixie. But the enemy found her first. I don’t know how long they tortured her. But amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words” The torture chamber’s occupant was screaming with terror and pain. Her voice pierced the air around her as her blue hooves flailed about from the horrific methods she was being interrogated with. The lunar guards didn’t give a single care as to how much pain her body could take. They would kill her if they had to. They didn’t have to though, for she gave them the information they wanted in two words. “PONYVILLE! SPARKLE!” Twilight’s eyes widened and tears ran down her cheek. “Ponyville. Sparkle. But that would lead them here!” “Take it, Celestia!” Twilight floated the Helmet to her, but Celestia stepped back. “Take it!” she yelled again. “I cannot take this Helmet, Twilight.” She took another step back. “I’m giving it to you!” She brought it closer but was pushed slightly back by Celestia’s magic. “Don’t tempt me Twilight!” She raised her voice. “I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe.” Twilight lowered the Helmet back to her own body, as Celestia continued in a softer voice, “Understand, Twilight... I would use this Helmet with a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.” “But it cannot stay in Ponyville!” Twilight whimpered. “Of course not!” Twilight bowed her head and lowered the Helmet further. “What must I do?” “You must leave. And leave quickly.” Celestia quickly found some saddle bags and levitated them to her. “Where? Where do I go?” She asked, packing clothes and food into her bags. “Get out of Ponyville. Make for Dodge Junction.” Celestia explained as she handed Twilight supplies. “Dodge Junction.” Twilight repeated, packing as quickly as she could. “What about you?” Twilight asked as she was scurrying around the library, gathering things. “I’ll be waiting for you, at the inn of the Dancing Dragon” Celestia answered, getting her own things ready. “And the Helmet will be safe there?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know, Twilight. I don’t have any answers. I must see the head of my order, she is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Twilight. She will know what to do. You must leave the name of Sparkle behind you. That name is not safe outside of Ponyville. Travel only by day, and stay off the road.” She gave Twilight her last bag. “I can cut across country easily enough.” Twilight put the bag on her back and stored the Helmet in it. Celestia stopped for a moment and smiled down at her. “Oh, Twilight. Young ponies have such great spirits. You can go on a dozen adventures with them and yet after a hundred years, they can still surprise you.” They smiled at each other warmly, until Celestia heard something by the bushes that alarmed her. “Get down” She told Twilight. Twilight immediately ducked and Celestia moved towards the bushes. Her horn started glowing, levitating a book to her as she got at the window. The bushes moved a bit and Celestia dropped the book. “Ow!” a voice yelped. Celestia frowned and enveloped an orange pony with her magic and threw her onto the table. “Confound it Applejack! Have you been eavesdropping?!” Celestia stared down at her, angrily. “Ah guess you could call it that... Ah was just cuttin’ the grass under the window there... If ya’ll follow me.” She gulped, and smiled scared. Twilight let out a sigh of relief and got back up. “A little late for trimming the verge, don’t you think?” Celestia let go of Applejack, still looking mad at her. Applejack looked from side to side. “Ah heard raised voices,” she almost squeaked. “What did you hear? Speak!” Celestia yelled. Applejack flinched. “N-nothin’ important.” She was truly scared now. “That is Ah heard about a helmet and somethin’ ‘bout a dark empress... And somethin’ ‘bout the end of Equestria but... Please Celestia, don’t be turnin’ me into anythin’ unnatural.” She was on the verge of tears. Celestia’s angry look faded away and turned into a big smile as she looked at Twilight.“No... I’ve thought of a better use for you.” Applejack whimpered softly. In a few minutes the group had set out on their quest, Applejack carrying most of the supplies and bags. The entered the clearing where Velvet’s party had been just a few weeks ago and stopped. “Be careful, both of you.” Celestia said, eyeing all sides carefully. “The enemy has many spies in her service. Birds… beasts.” She stopped as did they, looking around. She returned her attention to Twilight and lowered her voice. “Is it safe?” She asked. Twilight looked up at Celestia, feeling the Helmet in her bags. Celestia lowered herself to Twilight, near whispering now. “Never put it on... for the agents of the Dark Empress will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Twilight... the Helmet is trying to get back to its mistress. It wants to be found.” Twilight gulped, a look of fear on her face. Celestia pulled back and galloped off as fast as she could, leaving Twilight and Applejack alone. They trotted on their own for hours, through small towns, through rivers and streams, on hills and plains. At one point, Applejack stopped abruptly, refusing to move. “This is it.” She said, Twilight stopped and turned to her. “This is what?” She asked, Applejack sighed and looked to the ground. “If Ah take one more step, this’ll be the farthest from home, Ah’ve ever been.” Twilight smiled at her and gave her a soft hug. “Come on, Applejack.” Applejack put down her hoof and began trotting again with Twilight. “Remember what my mom always said: It’s a dangerous business, Twilight, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your hooves... there’s no knowing where you’ll be swept off to.” Twilight smiled sadly, but both ponies found newfound courage from her words. At the end of the day, the two stopped in the woods for a bit to get some rest, Applejack was whipping up a meal with some of the apples she brought along, and Twilight sat against a tree reading a book. Suddenly, Twilight heard singing and low growling. “Applejack.” She called out to her. Applejack looked to her with a raised eyebrow. “Dragons!” She said excitedly. They followed the singing and hid behind an old log. They raised their heads so that they could see. On the ground they saw a pack of dragons, burning the ground they stepped on, and if the they looked up, they saw even more flying overhead. “They’re heading to San Palomino Desert... to the white mountains” Twilight explained, Applejack’s smile faded for a moment. “They’re leavin’ Equestria. Never to return. ” She said softly. “I don’t know why... It makes me sad.” Twilight put a leg around her, comforting her. By the time they made their way back, it was already nightfall and they needed to sleep. Twilight was already in her own blankets, Applejack couldn’t stop moving around, wildly uncomfortable. “Every darn spot I lie there’s a dirty root stickin’ into mah back.” She shuffled around some more, getting frustrated. “Just close your eyes and imagine you’re back in your warm bed... with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow.” Twilight said, keeping her eyes closed. Applejack took the advice and closed her eyes for a moment, trying to imagine it, becoming only frustrated again. “It ain’t workin’ Twilight. Ah’ll never be able to sleep out here.” She began moving around again and Twilight smiled before drifting into her sleep. --------------------------------------- Celestia was galloping at full speed towards the mountain of the wise and powerful Chrysalis. Chrysalis had already come out of her tower, smiling at Celestia. “Smoke rises from the mountain of doom. The hour grows late. And Celestia the Pink gallops to Smokey Mountain... seeking my counsel. For that is why you have come, is it not? My old friend” Chrysalis stopped just in front of Celestia. Celestia bowed to her. “Chrysalis” They trotted together in Chrysalis’ gardens. Celestia explained everything that she could as quickly as she could do it. “You are sure of this?” Chrysalis asked, an unimpressed look on her face. “Beyond any doubt.” Celestia confirmed. “So the Helmet of power has been found.” Chrysalis was now amused, and interested. “All these long years, it was in Ponyville. Under my very muzzle” Celestia almost felt silly for not noticing it before. Chrysalis looked to her, scowling at her. “Yet you did not have the wit to see it. Your love of the young ponies leaf has clearly slowed your mind” Chrysalis accused, almost insulting her. “But we still have time. Time enough to counter Nightmare Moon if we act quickly.” Celestia reassured. Chrysalis stopped then and there and looked to Celestia. “Time? What time do you think we have?” They went into Chrysalis’ mountain, sitting and discussing. “Nightmare Moon has regained much of her former strength. She cannot yet take physical form... but her spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within her fortress, the empress of the Badlands sees all. Her gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth and flesh. You know of what I speak, Celestia.” Celestia looked down and closed her eyes, she didn’t want to think of it, but she knew what Chrysalis spoke of. “Her great eye, lidless, wreathed in darkness” Chrysalis smiled. Celestia only felt worse now. “The eye of Nightmare Moon.” Celestia said. Chrysalis continued. “She has gathering all evil to her. Very soon, she’ll have summoned an army... great enough for an assault upon Equestria.” Celestia looked at Chrysalis curious and cautious. “You know this? How?” Even Celestia had no such knowledge of this. Chrysalis smirked at her. “I have seen it.” She gazed over towards a pedestal covered in a cloth. Celestia’s eyes widened and she quickly went over to it. “A palantir is a dangerous tool, Chrysalis.” Chrysalis’ amusement faded and her smile disappeared. “Why? Why should we fear to use it? ” She had such power, why couldn’t she use it? She lifted the cloak and revealed the orb. “They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing-stones. We do not know who else may be watching.” She quickly put her own cloak over it. As she covered it she felt the same jolt as when she touched the very Helmet itself. “The hour is later than you think. Nightmare Moon’s forces are already moving. The Nine have left the frozen outskirts of The Badlands.” Chrysalis smiled smugly. “The Nine?” Celestia took a step closer to Chrysalis. “They crossed the river near Rambling Rock Ridge just after Winter Wrap Up.” “They’ve reached Ponyville?” Celestia could barely believe it. Chrysalis began smiling again. “They will find the Helmet. And kill the one who carries it.” She assured. Celestia could not let that happen. “Twilight!” she whispered as she turned tail to run, but Chrysalis shut the door on her. Chrysalis’s smile widened as all the doors and windows had shut until Celestia and Chrysalis were locked in the room. “You did not seriously think that a young pony could contend with the will of Nightmare Moon? There are none who can. Against the power of The Badlands... there can be no victory. We must join with her, Celestia. We must join with Nightmare Moon. It would be wise, my friend.” Celestia was in a state of shock. Her oldest friend, her fellow sorceress, had turned to the side of evil thanks to Nightmare Moon’s influence. “Tell me... friend... when did Chrysalis the Changeling Queen abandon reason for madness?” Chrysalis’ horn charged up in an aura of green and blasted Celestia with a bolt of energy. The white alicorn was sent sliding on the ground and Chrysalis began to advance on her. Quickly, Celestia powered up her horn and shot Chrysalis with her own energy shot of yellow. The queen changeling flew into a nearby wall cracking it and letting a few loose chunks fall loose from it. When her hooves touched the ground again, Chrysalis regained herself just as Celestia did. The two of them stared each other down with their horns still glowing in their respective colors. Celestia moved first. She shot two blasts at Chrysalis and ran for her at the same time. Chrysalis was swift to counter the blasts, but she did not anticipate Celestia teleporting out of sight. Chrysalis felt a sudden pain as Celestia bucked her back legs into her head. As quickly as she was knocked down, the queen got back up. She and Celestia dodged a few more shots thrown at one another. Then two beams of yellow and green collided in the center of the room. Both alicorns were focusing all their power into defeating the other. But Chrysalis’s superior power accompanied by her madness, the green beam won and blasted Celestia into a wall almost breaking through it. The white and pink alicorn fell on her side with a wounded wing. Chrysalis sauntered up to Celestia, smiling menacingly. “Such a pity, Celestia. Nightmare Moon would have gladly welcomed you into her ranks had you chosen to ally with her. Now your foolish decision to be her enemy will cost you dearly.” Chrysalis’ magic enveloped Celestia and lifted her upwards through her mountain. Celestia was flying up into the air, screaming. Right before she hit the ceiling, all went black.