Dear Princess Celestia,
There are some things you probably should have told me, about the West, and dragons, and the nature of magic. I mean, here I am, the element of magic itself, and I’m totally caught flat-hoofed by certain fundamental concepts. I know you didn’t tell me because you didn’t want me to interfere with destiny. And I know I’ve tried to do that before and it didn’t work out so well… so I’ll forgive you for keeping me in the dark, again. Let me tell you what happened.
Scootaloo was out on a scouting mission when I asked Rainbow Dash to fetch her and her friends. Pinkie was putting up decorations; streamers, balloons, and her party cannon were at the ready... Where she got them, I still have no idea. That’s her special magic that defies analysis; it has no structure but it seems to provide certain predictable outcomes. Certain unpredictable outcomes as well.
Apple Bloom responded to my summons, and I heard clanging in the forecastle from where Sweetie Belle still pounded on her blacksmithing project. I had certainly never seen her apply herself to anything difficult for so long, and until Scootaloo returned I would have no immediate need of her, so I let her continue. Apple Bloom looked at me with that sorrowful air she and Sweetie had been cultivating of late. Most understandable, that. I nodded to her and told her I had something to ask her and her friends, together.
As I saw the rainbow and fire contrails returning, I heard the hissing sound of metal being quenched, and then the sounds of tools being hung, the fire being doused and finally a rasping as rough edges were finished. Sweetie Belle came down for the forecastle just as Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were coming in for a landing. With her magic, she carried before her a dark object.
As she approached me, I could see that she was carrying a black breast plate made for a pony. It was an extremely ambitious first project indeed. A red gem glittered at the center of the breast, and as she came closer, Apple Bloom gasped. Upon her flank was a cutie mark; a blood red heart emblazoned with a hammer and tongs! Sweetie Belle was destined to be a master smith? In a million years, I could never have guessed such a possibility.
Still grave, she curtsied to me and the breastplate was floated before my eyes. It was fine work indeed, the red gem round and well protected in a recessed setting. Otherwise plain and unadorned, it was made of two plates, shaped and annealed in a thickening down the center line, except where the setting was. “Congratulations, Sweetie Belle, on your mark and your master piece.” She nodded.
“Allow me to present it to you, your highness. It may be useful to you.” She was grim as ever. I should have expected her to exult at her blossoming, but the events of the past month had robbed her of her family, her childhood and her joy. I took the breastplate gravely and thanked her for the magnificent gift. She moved to help me put it on, with silk ties across my back securing it to the front of my body. It was lined with cotton padding and it fit like a glove, not restricting my movements at all and only weighing a few pounds. A prodigy indeed as our Sweetie Belle, and we would need her skills greatly. The blood red gem glittered in the sun.
“Where did you get this stone, dear one?”
She seemed pale and worn out from the work she had been doing as she looked at me and said, “It is a bloodstone, highness.” Then she held up her left foreleg to show the gash she had cut into herself.
“A bloodstone!? Such magic is forbidden! It is dangerous! Sweetie, you could have died, the magic could have consumed you and left nothing but this stone! And where did you find such knowledge? I don’t think I was discussing the dark arts in our practical colonization classes, and such books are under seal in the library!” I was horrified.
“Forgive me highness; I did not know such spells were forbidden. I’ve had training in applied phlebomancy.” That was quite a mouthful for a filly who two months ago had been caught stealing one of Granny Smith’s apple pies. “I was taught the technique in a dream.” She had a faraway look in her eyes.
“A dream?” I looked down at the glittering, illicit thing that adorned my breast. Now that the deed was done, the bloodstone was not itself inimical. In fact, it was a quite powerful charm, which acted as a magic capacitor. I could charge it with my own magic for later use, or if not filled, it could absorb a certain amount of hostile magic directed against me, which I could then use for my own purposes. The making of it was, however, immensely dangerous.
“Sweetie Bell, this is an amazing gift, but I instruct you never again to create a bloodstone, with your blood or anypony else's, no matter what your dreams tell you. All it would have taken would have been a stray spell while your blood was flowing into the setting, and you would have been lost to us forever. We need you very badly. I need you to stay alive and help us build our new nation. Do you understand me? I care deeply for you; Rarity was one of the greatest friends I ever knew.” She cried a little and nodded. I nuzzled her as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom looked on with worry on their faces. Then I backed off as her friends descended on her with a mixture of concern and excitement at her cutie mark, and I wondered at the author of such a specific dream.
We had three hours at most. “Girls, I want you to wear the Elements of Kindness, Generosity and Honesty. Let us see if they accept you. Nopony else among these other ponies have such a tight bond of friendship, and now that the others are lost to us,” they looked at the deck, “perhaps destiny has another plan for the Elements, and for you.” The crusaders looked at one another uncomfortably.
Rainbow Dash and Pinkie approached with their elements already worn, and with Honesty, Kindness and Generosity at hoof. Dash placed Kindness on Scootaloo’s neck and Honesty on Apple Blooms’, while Pinkie clasped Generosity around the neck of the softly sobbing Sweetie Belle and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek. Then we all backed away and looked at each other.
Rainbow Dash was the first to break the silence. “Now what?” I didn’t know. This was unprecedented. I was hoping that there would be some sort of sudden flux of magical energy that would bind us all together, but maybe that would have to wait for the right moment. Were they wearing the wrong Elements?
“Perhaps if you swapped…” They exchanged Elements six times until all combinations were attempted, but to no avail. They returned to their initial configuration and looked about glumly.
“Maybe it’s because there just isn’t an immediate need. When we first joined with the elements, it was because we were facing Nightmare Moon. Perhaps when the dragon king gets here, the Elements will recognize the need.”
Scootaloo spoke for everyone when she said, “But what it they don’t, your highness?” I merely kept silent and scanned the northern sky. I looked to Rainbow Dash.
She got that ‘I have an idea’ look. “How about a sonic rainboom? Maybe that’ll shake things up!” She grinned at me, obviously looking forward to the opportunity to show off.
“Go for it Dashie! It can’t hurt!” And she was off. A few minutes later a boom filled the sky with a glorious light show, and the children oooed and ahhed, but there was no magical pattern unlocked. She landed, sweaty and dejected. “Nice try, and it was pretty as usual. Go clean off quick before the dragons arrive.” She went to a washtub near the stern and lathered up.
Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were discussing something in low tones. Apple Bloom looked shyly at me and then returned her attention to the others. They said something that sounded like it may have been a solemn oath and held hooves for a moment. That was it; they returned their attention to me.
“What are you three conspiring about?” They looked at each other and then Apple Bloom said “We were just saying how much we missed Babs, your highness.” That would be Babs Seed, the fourth member of the CMC who lived in Manehattan, and presumably was no more.
“I’m very sorry for your losses. But now we have to think about the future, and our independence. I suspect that the dragon king can be trusted, but he is a king, and sometimes leaders must decisions that appear unfair for what they understand to be the good of their people. He may try to seize the elements.”
Scootaloo looked outraged. “Then he’d be a thief! The elements are not his, they belong to ponykind! We’d fight him, your highness!”
I shook my head. “Scootaloo, he’s a king and we are not his people. If he thinks we cannot use the elements, he may rationalize that they would be better used by his people. He may feel that they will not fall into the wrong claws. And I do not think it would be wise for us to resist. We are not strong now, so we must be wise.”
Apple Bloom looked at me with wide eyes. “You sure do think about things a lot your highness!”
Sweetie Belle had returned to her brown study but looked up briefly to speak. “Could you not fight them yourself your highness?”
“Only as a last resort. We need friends here, perhaps more than we need the elements. And if it is their destiny to become tools in the arsenal of the dragon king in his wars against… his enemies… then nothing I could do would stop that from happening.”
Rainbow Dash was drying herself off with a towel when she looked up sharply. Her eyes were very sharp, particularly for things seen aloft. “Company!”
Two dozen dragons approached from the north, glittering in resplendent gemstone scales. They were all of a size with Snargle. The last four pulled a large chariot in which Snargle and the dragon who was presumably Dakroon Veigh stood. The king’s scales glittered jet black and he was taller and wider than the others, though still not so large as to threaten to capsize the ship. Every colt and filly not on nursery duty filled the deck to witness the spectacle. The sea ponies poked their heads out of the water to watch them approach the ship, just as the sun kissed the sea.
We had cleared a space for them amidships and the first eight dragons landed, flaring their wings and setting up a sparkling perimeter for the chariot. The four remaining dragons brought the chariot in slowly, landing with hardly a bump. Snargle leapt over the high sides of the chariot and held open a door on the side. Dakroon Veigh stepped down, his eyes glittering like diamond chips. A golden diadem sat upon his brow and at its center a magnificent ruby of at least a hundred carats.
The king approached me, moving like silk in the wind. His scales made no noise and his feet crossed the wooden deck without the slightest scuff. Had I closed my eyes, I would not have known he was there. The other dragons stood on guard, but appeared to be pleasant, making eye contact with the fascinated children periodically.
Snargle hastened to the king’s side. “Your majesty, I have the great honor of presenting to you her highness, Twilight Sparkle, princess of Canterlot, hero of Equestria, the Element of Magic. Your highness, I present my king, Dakroon Veigh, first of his name.”
I spoke. “We greet your majesty. Welcome aboard our Ark in the name of the ponies of Equestria!” I made a leg and bowed my head, slightly flaring my wings as I had been taught was proper for a princess greeting someone of higher rank.
“We greet you and thank you, our royal sister. Arise. Will you not introduce us to your fellow Elements of Harmony?” His voice was like honey poured over gravel and he smelled of lavender with a slight coppery aftertaste, if that makes any sense. No, these dragons were nothing like the ones I had known in the East, and I’m sure Spike would have agreed.
“Nothing would please us more, your majesty. May I introduce Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty.” I gestured to my right, and Rainbow made a passable curtsy, looking at the king wide eyed.
“Your majesty, it is wonderful to meet you.” She smiled and meant it. Dakroon Veigh exuded a sense of peace and self confidence that was incredibly reassuring.
“Loyalty, to a ruler, is the most valuable of virtues. Glad we are to see you here, Rainbow Dash. We have never seen wings with such exquisite aerodynamics.” Dashie blushed and spluttered. He knew how to pay a compliment, this king.
I gestured to my left. “This is Pinkie Pie, your highness, the Element of Laughter.” Pinkie Pie bowed low, “Your majesty, welcome aboard!” Then she stepped out of the way and fired her party cannon in the air. At this point she had the full attention of the dragon guards, but Scargle waved them off as confetti and streamers descended up him and the king.
“A salute!! Ah ha ha ha! Now THAT is the way to greet a king! Pinkie Pie, you will be most welcome at my court.” His smile was unfeigned and a little toothy, but Pinkie could handle that.
I stepped out of the way so that he could see the fillies. “And your majesty, may I introduce Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, the bearers of Generosity, Kindness and Honesty.” The three curtsied prettily and intoned, “Your majesty” in unison.
Dakroon Veigh bowed in return. “Arise, children. You bear heavy burdens for ones so young.” He eyed me as he spoke.
Scootaloo spoke, “They are borne gladly, your majesty.” The king seemed pleased by Scootaloo’s boldness, and nodded to her.
“You all will be welcome at our court in high Vanash Ritoor. Now your highness, we have the pleasure of introducing our sons. You’ve already met Sanarr Cargool.” Snargle bowed deeply and gave me a slightly sardonic look as he snargled quietly. I almost giggled but controlled myself. I would deal with that rouge later. “And Sanaar, go get that other lout, will you?”
“Yes father.” Snargle, or Prince Sanarr went to the chariot and opened the side door. “Wake up Dyas Coorrad! We are here, little brother” he said in a sing-song voice.
“Excuse me, but I was having a particularly good dream. Nice confetti, by the way. The look suits you.” More confetti rained from the empty sky above Sanaar’s head. That voice. It couldn’t be.
“Get up, you ridiculous thing, we’re having an audience with her highness, Twilight Sparkle!” Prince Sanarr brushed colored paper bits off his head and face, seemingly used to being outraged by his brother. His half brother, I would assume.
An elongated equine head with mismatched horns and huge yellow eyes emerged atop a long serpentine body, balanced, or rather, further misbalanced by mismatched arms and wings.
“Discord?” The world seemed to spin about me but I regained my balance. “What are you doing here?”
“Well hello, Twilight! It’s great to see you too!” He grinned his saucy snaggletooth grin as he slithered up to face me. Sanarr punched him and he turned and rubbed his shoulder, scowling only slightly. “I guess Fluttershy never did tell you! I asked her to keep it a secret, that I was a Prince of Dragonkind. This is great!” Music played from an unseen orchestra as he scanned the crowded deck. “Hi Dashie! Hello Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow Dash nodded reservedly, but Pinkie pronked and smiled back at him.
Then he looked at me. “Where’s Fluttershy? Where are Rarity and Applejack? Are they on some secret mission some place? He wiggled his eyebrows and they briefly flew up off his head. “And how is mom?”
“Mom!?”
“Yes, Princess Celestia. Mommy dearest who grounded me for a thousand years because I wouldn’t eat my vegetables. Of course, they’re on a different ship, right?”
I almost fell down. Celestia was Discord’s mother?! This was too much to process right now. Then Discord, or Dyas Coorrad apparently, caught a glimpse of Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. “Hi Crusaders! Say, why are you wearing the Elements? Scootaloo, you’re a good kid but you aren’t the Element of Kindness. Where is she?” The smile left his face as the crusaders looked at each other shame facedly.
“Twilight, where is she? Where are all the others?” The music stopped, and I never imagined that Discord could sound and look so serious.
“Discord.” My world was crashing down around me; it was like losing them all over again, having to tell him. “Oh Discord, they’re all gone. We’re all that’s left.”
“Gone… where?” His voice cracked.
“Where the good ponies go.” Tears welled up in my eyes. The king and crown prince of dragons were solemn and still. Dashie and Pinkie Pie looked like they could break down any minute and you could have heard a pin drop. I reached out to Discord.
He backed away. “No. You are lying. Why are you lying to me? Do you still hate me? Tell me that you are just being cruel and lying. Please. Please!”
“I wish I was! Oh honey, I wish I was.” I called Discord honey? I was definitely cracking up. And then I was captured in an iron grip. I could feel rather than see the king reach towards his son, but Discord’s hold on me slacked, until it felt more like I was holding him up. Great salt tears rained down on my head as sobs wracked the length of his body.
“My only true friend. And momma. And I never said goodbye. I never told her I loved her, not since I grew up. And I really did, you know. I remember when I was just a little dragoneqqus and she’d take me flying,” he was gasping for air, his voice haggard and torn, “she’d take me to this mountain and said this was where she would build her castle but she had to go there to stay because the ponies of the East needed her. And I needed to stay with my dad, at least half the time.” I patted his sinuous flank; it was surprising soft and warm.
“Anyway, when I was older I started to be a bully just because I had the most magic of anyone. I pushed the dragonettes around in school and went outside the borders and got the humans stirred up. Finally when dad sent me to live with her, she had to punish me, her and Aunt Luna, because I hurt some ponies with one of my pranks when I turned their house upside down. And then I got mad and fought back, and they turned me to stone with the elements. Luna wanted to let me off easy, but mom said I needed to learn my lesson if it took a thousand years. And then, well, I guess they fought over it. There were some other issues too, and mom took Luna’s element and sent her to the moon for a thousand years too. And then she was all alone.”
He was stroking my mane gently with his lion paw. “Sometimes she’d come into the garden and speak with me, to keep me from being too lonely. She’d read to me, give me my lessons, tell me stories of what the silly ponies were up to in Canterlot. I was just too wild, too dangerous, didn’t care about other ponies or dragons. Mom was right. She was always right. It was a bit annoying sometimes.” I nodded. He sounded like he was getting a grip on himself at last.
“And Fluttershy. She knew how to make you feel worthy of being liked. Oh, and a temper! So fierce. I would trust her with all of my secrets. You could tell her anything and she’d never, ever even think of using it to hurt you. Oh Twilight, what am I going to do?” He released me and I backed away to look up into his strange, now bloodshot yellow orbs.
“You can be my friend, Dyas Coorrad. And we can miss them together.”
He managed a weak smile. “Thank you Twilight Sparkle. I would like that a lot.” His brother came and took him by the arm and they walked to stand beside their father. I was dripping wet from mane to tail, and quickly cast a drying spell while the ponies around me sniffled and shuffled their feet uncomfortably.
Dakroon Veigh stood and said nothing. He seemed somewhat diminished, smaller, and his eyes glittered less, but it was probably just the fading sunlight. He turned and looked into the sunset, and a terribly sorrowful sigh escaped him as he just stood, watching it sink into the sea. We all stood and waited as he said his final goodbye to his love.
He gripped the rail and turned to me. “Twilight Sparkle, princess, you have our deep condolences for the tragedies that have befallen your people. We truly share your grief. But we are rulers, you and I, and the needs of nations do not cease to weigh on our minds because of weights on our hearts. We invite you and your folk to settle in Vanash Ritoor, in the valley of the Aahrn river beneath our mountain keep. It is unsettled and fertile. You could build a village there and lead your pony-folk under our protection and laws.”
“Great king, your offer is most generous.” It was most generous. “But we are a free folk. We have our own laws. We have come to settle in wilderness along the coastline 3 days travel hence, near your kingdom surely and happy for an ally, but not within it. You don’t plant a great tree in a flower pot, your majesty.”
“You do in a nursery, your highness. The wilds are unsafe. Man marauds there, and worse than even he. Look at you, three full grown ponies and a shipload of colts and fillies. Yes, the ponies are a powerfully magic race. The most magically gifted of all, but you are not ready for this challenge. And you do not control the Elements of Harmony. Those children are not the Elements. Wearing an Element does not make you an Element. We should know.” The ruby glinted amidst golden filigree. “We would not imprison you, but should you choose to live in the wilderness, you must give us the Elements of Harmony to hold in safety until such time as you may reclaim them and use them in power, should you survive that long.” His look was very serious.
“We must confer with our council, your majesty.” He nodded assent and the six of us backed away from the king and his sons. I whispered, “Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, this would be a really good time to become attuned to the Elements of Harmony.” They all shrugged. “Then I can see no alternative. In our present condition, without the Elements, we could not hope to accomplish anything. We’d fall to the first naga or rakshasa that came upon us. All this would have been for nothing.”
Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash nodded their assent and I went to turn, but then Scootaloo spoke. “Your highness, there is another option.” I couldn’t for the life of me imagine what it was.
“Speak, by all means, I’m open to anything at this point!”
The crusaders looked at each other solemnly and Apple Bloom said, “You could trade us for them.”
“What? Wait, what do you mean?” I was perplexed. Sweetie Belle finally spoke.
“Send us to Elysium and bring back Fluttershy, Applejack and Rarity. Then you’ll have your Elements of Harmony and you can deal on an equal basis with the dragons. Besides, without Babs, the CMC will never be whole.”
I blinked twice. I could not form words. Dashie was making gulping noises and Pinkie Pie was shaking her head almost spastically, saying “No, no, no, no, no!”
Finally I could get some control over my tongue. “Girls, that is incredibly brave and noble of you, but the answer is no. En-oh. Never. Ever. Now, we’re going to go with these nice dragons and you’re going to grow up and do important things and lead interesting lives and get married and have kids and be safe until we are ready to proceed with our journey and found a new pony nation. But what you suggested will NOT be happening.”
Apple Bloom spoke once more. “We’re sorry your highness. Cutie Mark Crusaders! In the spirit of love…”
Scootaloo chimed in, “We have one thing to give.”
Sweetie Belle chanted, “We surrender our lives…”
And the three finished together, “SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE!”
Then Sweetie Belle dipped her head and a bright bolt of purple magic leaped from her horn to the bloodstone on the breastplate, and all hell broke loose.
I wanted a magic pattern. Well now there was a magic pattern! Purple and white sheets of wild magic surrounded us like a cyclone, and all the elements joined their magic simultaneously. We were all lifted into the air and I could feel the magic flowing through my body, unbidden, in thick waves.
Dashie screamed over the mystical howling that had sprung up, “Scootaloo! Nooo!” Pinkie was screaming at me, “Twilight Sparkle you stop this at once!” And I was screaming, “It isn’t me! It isn’t me!” I saw the Crusader’s bodies float into the points of the circle that formed when Harmony was invoked. Their eyes glowed white hot as surging power rippled their manes and tails. I was looking straight at Sweetie Belle, and she smiled for the first time since losing her big sister.
Then she was gone, and I was looking at a very surprised Rarity as we dropped to the deck. I screamed, and then darkness took me.
When I came to, Fluttershy was patting me on my cheeks, trying to revive me. Rarity was doing the same with Pinkie Pie, and a confused AJ was holding Dashie as she cried her heart out. “What in tarnation? I was getting ready for the big apple bucking contest and suddenly I’m on board a ship and Rainbow Dash is hysterical and these dragons and… What. Is. Going. On? Where is Apple Bloom?”
Fluttershy looked up at her. “Oh I don’t know. I was giving this wonderful critter tea party and the next thing I know I’m laying face down and I can hear Twilight screaming like she’s a soul caught in Tartarus. Are you OK dear?”
No. I was not OK.
Rarity was the last to speak. “I know I saw Sweetie Belle here. I distinctly remember seeing her face for a split second before I saw Twilight. Twilight, where is she my dear? Sweetie Belle? Darling sister?!”
Oh, oh, oh, oh…
Discord stepped forward and took Flutters by the shoulders. “Is that really you, Fluttershy? I thought I lost you!” FOOMPH! She was caught in a hug that would resound through the ages. Fresh buckets of tears salted the gangway.
Applejack and Rarity both approached me as Pinkie and Dashie looked at me in utter shock. “Sugar cube, what just happened?”
“Were we dead? Was that Elysium?” Rarity seemed to be putting it together the fastest. “Applejack, that battle, I remember looking up at the sky, seeing Spike, oh so tall he was, and then everything getting dark... and I was suddenly in this beautiful field.”
“Me too, Rarity. There I was bucking away at those crawly things and the next thing I know I’m in the nicest apple orchard you ever did see. Twilight, where are Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?”
Discord called out, “And Scootaloo, ask her where Scootaloo is too!” He went back to suffocating Fluttershy. Thanks, pal.
I got to my feet, and breathed a few times to try to get some measure of composure back. “Girls, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo… they exchanged themselves for you.”
I expected Rarity to faint, but this was seriously the worst possible thing, and there were no dramatics as her eyes bore into mine. “Exchanged? How? Why?” Applejack looked hard at me as Fluttershy came to join us, only slightly mauled and disheveled. Rarity continued, “We were dead. And they exchanged themselves for us so that means they are…”
“Dead,” I said, with a voice as cold and dry as the grave. Rarity and Applejack went to lunge at me, but fortunately Pinkie Pie and Dashie grabbed them from behind and wrestled with them until they both broke down crying. Fluttershy just stared at me, hooves covering her mouth.
Dakroon Veigh came to my rescue at last, his guards satisfied that the wild magic had passed. “Elements of Harmony, we are Dakroon Veigh, king of Vanash Ritoor and all dragonkind. What happened here was not of your princess’ doing. This was the work of destiny. Do not blame her. Your heroic children sacrificed themselves so that Harmony may again bless the race of equines. In recognition of their nobility, we cede to you a strip of land on our south coast that borders the wilderness. It is not a rich land, but it will be large enough for your population to grow, and when you are ready, you will have wilds to tame and build your nation to size suitable for the needs of your folk.”
“We will furthermore grant you, in perpetuity, a detachment of twenty of my best flame lancers to provide you with defense and for any other duties which you may see fit for them to undertake save to make war upon us, of course. Assignment to this detachment will be a high honor, and the first commander will be Sanaar Cargool.” That worthy dragon bowed. “Our only stipulations are that citizens of Vanash Ritoor be given freedom of travel within your principality, and that the ceded region be named ‘the Crusader Coast’ in honor of Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Naturally you can name your nation anything you would like, but the region shall be named after those children.”
Rarity and Applejack continued to cry themselves sick, Dashie still looked like she was about to throw up, Pinkie Pie was holding her head in her hooves and Fluttershy had absolutely no idea what was going on, only that something bad had happened. But there would never be a deal as good as this again.
“Your majesty, in the name of the ponies of Equestria, we thank you for your most generous and honorable offer. We agree to all terms unequivocally, and wish to proclaim the establishment of the Principality of Celestiana. We only wish that we could be in a more celebratory mood, but our first official act as Princess of Celestiana is to declare a week of mourning for the fillies who sacrificed everything for us.” The moon was rising and painted the tableau with gentle silvery light. “May the ponies of Celestiana and the dragons of Vanash Ritoor be forever friends and allies!”
There were some calls of “Hear, hear!” from within the draconic ranks but from the pony side it was still mostly sobbing. Then Applejack pointed. “Well will you just look at that moon?” I turned to look.
Then the moon burst open with a million silver beams. The music of flutes and pipes played all through the air as all assembled forgot themselves to gape at the spectacle. And from the moon we could see something moving. Coming closer.
A chariot, pulled by four black pegasi. And standing tall within was Princess Luna.
Constellations shimmered through her mane and tail, streams of interstellar gasses flickered across her form, and her lovely face was split in two with a delighted smile. “BEHOLD!” Her voice rocked the ship and caused ripples to fan out for miles on the calm sea. “CHILDREN OF EQUESTRIA, DRAGONS OF THE WEST, BEHOLD! A NEW AGE OF MAGIC IS AT HOOF!”
The chariot stopped just off the port side. “THE ELEMENTS OF LOVE!” Scootaloo floated out of the chariot to land, quite confused, on the deck. “COURAGE! WITHOUT IT, LOVE FAILS THE TEST!” A silver necklace with a fiery red ruby appeared around her neck.
“SACRIFICE!” Sweetie Belle followed suit. “WITHOUT IT, LOVE IS MEANINGLESS!” A silver breastplate glowed into being, a black opal in the form of a heart on her breast.
Apple Bloom came out third. “DEVOTION! WITHOUT IT, LOVE IS EMPTY!” Silver bracers formed on her forelegs, emeralds studding the length.
And finally a fourth form emerged to be deposited between the other three. “AND FAITH! WITHOUT IT, LOVE DIES!” A silver filigree with diamonds appeared on the brow of Babs Seed, who looked about in bewilderment and wonder.
The Crusaders squealed and threw themselves on Babs as Luna looked on indulgently. Rarity and Applejack shook themselves free and then threw themselves onto the pile. Fluttershy was holding Discord’s claw as he looked at Luna in wonder. Rainbow Dash flew in and tackled Scootaloo, giving her playful nuggies. Pinkie Pie fired off the party cannon.
Luna threw back her head. “HUZZAH!” The dragons all cried “HUZZAH!” in unison.
I approached Princess Luna. “Luna? I thought you were dead.”
She grinned at me. “There seems to be a lot of that going around.”
I looked up at the moon. “Banished again?”
“It was the last thing my dear sister did. I didn’t know she was planning it. She waited until we were in the umbra of the meteor storm so that Unslaad Yol could not see before she banished me. Now I have to wait another thousand years before I can return. At least this time I won’t spend it plotting revenge.”
“Just showing fillies how to cast illicit spells and establish dangerous harmonic resonances.” She shrugged, guilty as charged. “How is it that you are here now?” Typical me, always asking too many questions.
“I came bearing the Elements of Love. Destiny was apparently all in favor of the transaction. However, I cannot linger, the trip is very tiring, not only for myself but also for my friends here.” One of the black pegasi gave me a somewhat frightening smile, but I returned with one of my own, after all it’s been a pretty good night, all things taken into consideration.
Dakroon Veigh approached. “Your royal highness.”
“Oh Dakroon, just for once can you drop the formalities?”
“Just for you, Luna. Is Celestia…”
“She is with the sun now, my brother. She will not be visiting, unfortunately. I am sorry. But know that when the sun kisses your cheek, that is her blessing on you.”
Dakroon seemed somewhat mollified. “In a thousand years then, Luna. May they pass swiftly.”
“Not too swiftly, for you have much preparation to make.”
Discord ran over to the railing as well. “Auntie Luna!”
“Hello nephew. Have you grown up yet?”
“Well sort of. A little I guess.” He grinned insolently.
“I suppose that is the best that could be hoped for. You all have my love, but I must go now. And you do have some work to do. You must find Babs’ ship, the Manehattan Ark; it is in trouble.”
Babs’ ship? So that’s where she came from!
Luna took off while we all waved. “Look for me in your dreams my friends. The good ones this time!” Her laughter trailed off like silver bells as she returned to her exile.
And after all that, a new great magic, the interplay of destinies, the foundation of nations, I heard Apple Bloom explain, "I can't believe it! I'm the Element of Devotion and STILL no cutie mark!"
We have to time to lose. We must find the Manehattan Ark! We'll celebrate properly later.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle,
First Princess of Celestiana