Chapter Three:
Visions And Nightmares
Two weeks past since all of Fluttershy's friends and Princess Celestia came to visit Petunia. Fluttershy's cottage was full of life in the plants do to Petunia's unique ability. Petunia was also in full health and more open to the yellow mare that nursed her to health and Big Mac who came in when he could to see Petunia if she did not beg to go and see him at Sweet Apple Acres, which was about every day. Fluttershy and Big Mac had eventually decided to take turns watching over the alicorn filly and today was Big Mac's turn.
After Fluttershy fed all the animals she went into the kitchen to start cooking breakfast for her and Petunia before leaving to Sweet Apple Acres. While Fluttershy was in the kitchen cooking their breakfast Petunia was sitting patiently at the table as she played with Blizzard, the ferret who had become her pet after the first weak of Petunia living with Fluttershy.
"Breakfast is ready." Came Fluttershy's voice from the kitchen. Petunia held her hoof out to Blizzard and he climbed up her foreleg to her shoulder as Fluttershy came out with bowls for the two and sat them on the table then went back into the kitchen and quickly returned with two glasses and a pitcher of juice. Fluttershy then sat next to Petunia and the two began to eat their breakfast.
"Are you excited to see Big Mac?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia perked right up even more then she already was and smiled as her caretaker.
"Yes!" She squeaked. Fluttershy let out a giggle to Petunia's joy, then resumed eating her breakfast. Petunia was already half done with hers. She was so happy to see Big Mac again that she was in a hurry to get going. Not to mention the Apples' were setting up the farm for a fall celebration prior to the running of the leaves event coming up.
They finished their breakfast and Fluttershy gathered the dishes and carried them out into the kitchen. Petunia looked over to Blizzard on her shoulder and frowned him staring at one of the windows to the side of the cottage. She followed his gaze and saw a flash of pink and lavender outside as well as a bit a white. Petunia jumped out of her seat and ran up to the window, but when she got there she saw nothing but the Everfree on her right at the back of the cottage and Sweet Apple Acres in the distance to her left.
Fluttershy soon came out and saw Petunia at the window. She trotted over next to the white filly and looked out the window to find nothing out of the ordinary. After a minute she looked down to the filly with a bit of concern in her eyes.
"Is everything okay sweetie?" She asked. Petunia never turned her gaze from the window when she answered.
"I saw something outside." She said. Fluttershy took another look out the window and saw a few birds fly over the trees.
"Was it a bird?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia shook her head.
"It was purple and pink and there was something white, too." Petunia replied.
The first thing that came to Fluttershy's mind was Twilight and Rarity or Celestia, but Petunia also said pink. Twilight had no pink color in her coat and the stripe in her mane was not enough to be noticed in a quick glance. Celestia had a bit of pink in her mane but Petunia never said anything about other colors. So, what could have been out there that was pink, purple and white?
Fluttershy looked back down at Petunia, who was still focusing her gaze outside to find whatever it was that was out there.
"Well, should we go Petunia?" Fluttershy asked. Petunia finally broke her gaze from the window and smiled at the yellow mare as though nothing happened.
Petunia ran past Fluttershy up the stairs and a few minutes later returned with saddlebags upon her back and an eager grin on her face. Fluttershy smiled as she saw Petunia with Blizzard running up onto her back, then lead them out the front door. They trotted down the road for Sweet Apple Acres, Petunia showed a broad smile on her face while Fluttershy kept on looking around for anything that might have been following them.
They arrived at the large farmland and found several ponies setting up gazebos and tables around the barn. Most of the apple trees were covered with apples about ready to be harvested for the winter season soon approaching. Applejack was carrying a tray of lemonade out to all the ponies who were there to help while Applebloom was with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle running around doing what ever they could do. Big Mac had yet to be seen, which made Petunia a little upset.
Fluttershy walked with Petunia up to Applejack who took notice of their arrival and smiled as she set the tray down on a nearby table and greeted them warmly.
"Well, howdy Fluttershy, hey there Petunia." Petunia shied behind Fluttershy, but not as badly as she did on their first meeting.
"H-hi... Applejack." She replied. Fluttershy smiled. She was happy that Petunia was opening up to her friends.
"Still a bit shah, eh?" Applejack observed. "Well, ah recon yer here to stay with Big Macintosh?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Is he here?" Petunia asked, her shy side almost completely nonexistent.
"He left earlier t' get some supplies," she explained, "ah recon he should be back any minute now. Why don't y'all make yerselves at home." She reached back for the tray of lemonade and held it up to them. "Some refreshments?"
"Oh, thank you AJ." Fluttershy said as she reached down for a glass. Petunia also reached for a glass before a voice came from behind.
"Why don't you levitate the glass with your magic?" All three turned to find the lavender alicorn, Twilight Sparkle trotting up to them with a warm smile on her face.
"Howdy Twi!" Applejack chimed.
"Hello, Twilight." Fluttershy added. Petunia ducked her head at the princess as she came up.
"Hey girls," she replied, "hey Petunia."
"H-hi, Princess Twilight." Petunia replied.
"Petunia, would you like to learn how to levitate objects?" Twilight asked. Petunia looked uncertain. "Don't worry, it's not hard at all. It's basic unicorn magic." Petunia looked up at Fluttershy for conformation.
"Twilight would know sweetie." She said with a smile.
"Yeah she would," Applejack add, "Twilight here is the best pony ah've ever seen."
"Well, I'm not the best..." Twilight said with a sheepish smile.
"Are ya kiddin'?" Applejack countered. "Yer saved the town from that ursa three years ago just by usin' yer magic!"
"You did?!" Petunia asked, her shy side completely gone and replaced with curious excitement.
"It was just a baby." Twilight explained. "An ursa minor that was cranky because somepony woke it up. So, I just gave it some milk and rocked it to sleep back in its cave."
"Best display of magic ah ever did see." Applejack stated.
"Anyway," Twilight smiled at Petunia, "would you like to learn levitation? It's very easy and it will help me find out how well you've been recovering." Petunia looked up at Fluttershy, who smiled and nodded her head.
"Go ahead, Petunia." She said. "It'll be okay."
"I say go fer it." Applejack added. "It ain't right fer a unicorn, or alicorn fer that matter, to not use even simple magic."
Petunia looked up at the three mares, who all smiled at her encouragingly for her to give it a try. She gave an audible gulp then took in a deep breath before nodding her head and turn to Twilight to wait for instruction. Twilight smiled and stepped up and sat down on her haunches beside Petunia.
"Okay, it's very simple." Twilight began to explain the process as she took a glass into her magic, held it up then placed it back on the tray. Petunia watched with fascination as Twilight showed and explained how to levitate objects then felt nervous when it was her turn to try.
Petunia stepped up and began to use her magic. Her horn began to glow a deep dark purple and she suddenly felt cold as visions of that crystal palace that was the first thing she ever saw and the desire to claim that palace. She quickly let go of her magic with a squeal and dropped to the ground curled up and trembling.
Fluttershy was the first and most swift to act as she was almost instantly at Petunia's side, comforting her. Petunia did nothing for a minute before she reached up and embraced Fluttershy tightly with quiet sobs as Fluttershy rubbed her back and whispered 'it's okay' repeatedly.
"What's wrong?" Applejack asked.
"I don't know." Fluttershy answered as she held Petunia close. "She's never behaved like this before."
"What's goin' on?" Came the voice of a familiar stallion. Petunia looked up to find Big Mac walking up with saddlebags full of items for the festival. She hopped from Fluttershy and ran right up and jumped into the stallion's forelegs. Big Mac hugged the filly in his forelegs and looked up at the three mares looking for an answer. Fluttershy looked highly concerned while Twilight and Applejack looked confused and concerned. Fluttershy walked up and placed a hoof on Petunia's shoulder. Petunia looked up at the yellow mare with tears and fear in her eyes.
"Are you okay sweetie?" She asked. Petunia did not answer. She just curled back up against Big Mac, who held her against him.
It was not long at all before Petunia had cried herself to sleep in Big Mac's forelegs. The three mares, especially Fluttershy, watched as the little filly slept peacefully as if nothing had happened. Big Mac silently motioned for his sister to take his saddlebags, which she did, then he smiled at Fluttershy, who smiled at him and her charge. Then he began to carry her off toward the barn leaving the three mares behind.
"Now, just what in the hay was that all about?" Applejack asked.
"Something happened when she tried to use her magic." Twilight observed, earning a look of concern from Fluttershy.
"What happened?" She asked, her voice overflowing with concern.
"I don't know, Fluttershy," Twilight answered.
"Twilight, if you know anything about Petunia, please tell me..."
"What about Petunia?" Came a filly's voice that got everypony's attention. The Cutie Mark Crusaders standing by the three older mares, each with a mixed look of excitement and curiosity.
"Is Petunia here?" Applebloom asked.
"Yeah, she's here." Applejack answered.
"Where is she?" Scootaloo asked.
"Big Mac took her inside to sleep girls." Twilight answered. This earned confused expressions from the three fillies. "... she was really tired and fell asleep after she tried to use a levitation spell." Twilight partially lied. Fluttershy looked at the alicorn with appreciation for not telling the whole story. The three fillies let out a deep 'aww' as each of them let their heads drop.
"Don't none y'all fret nothin', " Applejack said, "y'all will see her later after she gets some rest and during the celebration." The three fillies perked up then bounced off, excited to see the white alicorn. Wen the Cutie Mark Crusaders were gone the three mares looked at each other.
"Twilight, what's wrong with Petunia?" Fluttershy asked.
"She's fine Flu-"
"Twilight..."
The two stared into each others eyes for a minute in awkward silence, neither on saying anything to the other before Twilight let out a sigh.
"Okay, I felt something when she started to use her magic, and the aura of magic coming from her horn... it reminded me of..." she trailed off.
"... of what?" Fluttershy asked. "Reminded you of what, Twilight?" The concern in her voice rising. Twilight looked around at everypony else around them.
"Why don't you meet me at the library? I'll explain when there's not so many ears around." Fluttershy stared at Twilight for a minute before nodding her approval.
"Let me go and tell Big Mac I'm leaving." Fluttershy said as she started to walk off.
"Don't you worry about that, ah'll tell him what's goin' on." Applejack said as she placed a hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder.
"I should at least tell Petunia goodbye first." Fluttershy said.
"I'm all fer that, Fluttershy, but she's asleep. Do ya wanna wake her up right now?" Applejack asked. Fluttershy pondered the question for a minute then looked up at the barn to find Big Mac coming up to them with a smile on his face.
"Is she okay?" Fluttershy asked.
"Eeyup," Big Mac said with a nod of his head, "ah think even when she's asleep she knows where she is because she put up a fuss unless I put her in my room."
"She's asleep in yer room?" Applejack asked.
"Eeyup, she wouldn't sleep quietly any other way." He said before turning to Fluttershy. "Don't worry Fluttershy, I'll take care of her."
"Thank you Big Mac." She replied as she nuzzled him. He wrapped a hoof over her shoulders and the two remained there for a minute. Both Twilight and Applejack looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Fluttershy pulled away from Big Mac and smiled up at the red stallion. "I'll be back tomorrow for the celebration."
"And, we'll be here waiting with Petunia for ya." Applejack said. Fluttershy smiled at her friend then said her goodbyes and trotted off with Twilight toward Ponyville.
~~)oOo(~~
Petunia slept for an hour after Fluttershy left with Twilight and immediately searched for Big Mac after waking up and spent the entire day with him. The Cutie Mark Crusaders tried a few times to get the white alicorn to spend time with them and, although she did talk to them a little, she refused to leave Big Mac's side.
Now the day was out and all the Apples' and Petunia were all inside. Granny Smith and Applejack were cooking in the kitchen while Applebloom, Big Mac and Petunia were dancing to country music in the living room. Petunia had proven to be a pretty clumsy dancer, but the fact that they were having fun was good enough for the three.
The music ended and all three collapsed to the floor laughing. Petunia crawled over into Big Mac's forelegs like she did when they first met over two weeks ago and nuzzled his chest.
"Well, shoot," came Applejack's voice and they looked up to find her standing under the doorframe to the living room with a smile. "Ah think yer niece loves our big brother Applebloom."
"Mah niece?" Applebloom asked. Applejack gestured to the white alicorn on Big Mac's forelegs with a smile. Applebloom looked at Petunia and a grin formed on her face as Petunia looked up at Big Mac, who just smiled at her.
"Anyhow, supper's ready you three." Applejack said. The three got to their hooves and followed her into the dinning room and sat down at the table, Petunia beside Big Mac, Applebloom next to Petunia and Applejack sat next to Granny Smith on the other side of Big Mac.
The table was loaded with home cooked apple based goods that smelled delicious and could make ones mouth water on sight. The five ate their dinner with laughter and joy for the next half an hour until Applebloom passed out in her seat and Petunia was obviously tired.
"Aww, look at them two all tuckered out." Applejack mused.
"Eeyup." Big Mac agreed.
"I'm not... tired..." Petunia yawned. Both Big Mac and Applejack chuckled as they got up from the table. Big Mac lifted Petunia onto his back while Applejack did the same with their sleeping sister.
"Ah'll be back fer yer when ah get Applebloom tucked in, Granny Smith." Applejack said before carrying her sister up stairs with Big Mac behind her. Granny Smith merely snorted having fallen asleep two or three times already at the dinner table. At the top of the stairs Applejack entered the first room to the right with Big Mac behind her. Applejack laid Applebloom on her bed and pulled the blankets over her then turned to her older brother, who came up and started to lay Petunia on the extra bed that had been placed in the room not to long ago only to half the little filly start fussing and complaining.
"No..." Petunia mumbled. Applejack looked up at her with a smile while Big Mac smiled at his sister.
"Ah'll take her to my room." He said earning a happy hum from the alicorn on his back as they started to leave the room, quietly closing the door behind them. Big Mac walked down the hall to his room and reached his hoof up to open the door when he felt a hoof on his shoulder. He looked back to find his sister smiling up at him and the filly on his back.
"G'night Petunia," she said in a hushed tone. Petunia let out a tired 'good night' to the farm mare then Applejack turned to Big Mac. "G'night big brother."
"G'night AJ." He replied, then walked in the room and closed the door.
He carried Petunia over to the large bed and sat her down on top of the blankets. She sat there with heavy eyes as he walked over to the closet, pulled out an extra blanket and pillow and brought them over to the bed. The pillow was large enough to act as a full mattress for Petunia. He repositioned his pillow and added the extra bedding for his guest, who was sitting at the end of the bed watching him. One everything was set he untied the bow in her mane, tucked Petunia in under the extra blanket, then climbed in under his own and laid his head on his pillow. Before long both were deep in sleep, ready for the fall celebration tomorrow.
~~)oOo(~~
Petunia found herself in an field with crystals protruding from the ground here and there as she stared at a palace made of crystal. Her original desires to claim that palace were there, but faint, almost none existent. She tried to move, but her body was rooted in place. She did notice, however, she was taller then she used to be. Almost as tall as Princess Celestia, even.
In the distance she saw somepony coming her way. It was a brown unicorn stallion with deep brown mane and tail and saddlebags on his sides. As he approached she noted the hint of fear in his expression. When he was in front of her he had to look up to meet her gaze and bowed respectfully.
"My lady," he said, "as a humble servant of our King, I come before you at your request."
"You have served well, Blackstar Globe." She said against her will, her voice was matured, deep and full of wisdom. 'What's going on' was the only thought she had as theses events passed before her eyes. "Now I must ask you one final task that will coast."
"Anything." He said without hesitation. Her head turned back to her side to find a saddlebag that opened under a deep purple magical aura and an old worn book levitated out of it. The book levitated over to the unicorn as he lifted his head from the ground to look up at it curiously.
"A ritual must be performed to bring back the King," she explained, "but life must be given for him to appear." Blackstar visibly flinched at this. "This book contains all the information you need to perform the ritual." He took the book into his magic and flipped through the pages briefly and showed a look of awe as he skimmed the pages. "The ritual must be performed here at the end of the month, or the King will never return and the empire will forever be lost to the crystal tyrants." He looked up from the book at her.
"I understand, my lady Arbmos." He said. "I will fulfill my duty to our King and return all to the way things were a thousand years ago."
"Good," she replied, "the fait of the empire lies in your hoof now, Blackstar Globe."
He gave her another bow then placed the book in his own saddlebag and turned back to the palace. She watched him as he slowly disappeared into the distance. When he was out of sight she turned and flew off into the opposite direction and everything faded into darkness.
~~)oOo(~~
She was now flying back toward the crystal palace in the dark of the night. There was a commotion below as guards ran around the city streets barking orders. She looked back at the crystal fields where she felt powerful magic being performed. She flew back toward the source of the energy she felt and landed on a large crystal out of sight and reach to watch as Blackstar Globe was performing the ritual she told him to perform.
Several minutes of watching black shadowy magic fly from the unicorns horn to the growing jagged crystal in front of him before he dropped to the ground and the crystal was as large as a pony. He struggled to his hooves and stared at the crystal before reaching up to it. She heard a voice yell 'stop' and saw the royal guard running up to him. Before Blackstar could get to the crystal the guards grabbed hold of him and the crystal went blank. A few minutes later the guards took him away and she took off after them.
The guards were coming up to the palace entrance and she flew down noticing a cloud of white smoke covering her vision. She landed behind the guards unnoticed and found her height was equal to the other and followed them inside the palace. They marched through the corridors left and right then down a flight of stairs into a dungeon.
"Lock him in cell twenty!" Barked a guard commander.
The order was followed without question or hesitation. Petunia watched as Blackstar was placed inside a cell and the door was closed and locked. He looked up at his captors, his color drained and dull as he looked completely tired and ready to give. Petunia watched Blackstar's saddlebags, along with the old book being placed in a chest and locked with a key.
"You!"
Petunia shot her gaze to the commander, who was focused on her. She assumed a military ready position as though she actually was a guard with a 'yes sir'.
"You're new, aren't you?"
"Yes sir." She replied. He looked her over a few times.
"I need you to stay and keep an eye on the prisoner." He ordered. She saluted him with a 'yes sir' and he nodded his approval before turning to two others and gave them the same instructions. They also saluted him, then he turned to the rest in the hall. "The rest of you return to your posts!" With that the room vibrated as all the guards said 'yes sir' in unison and marched out of the room.
The only ones left were her two pegasi. One male, the other female. The two others positioned themselves on both sides of the cell and Petunia stood staring at Blackstar, who looked back up at her. She closed her eyes and heard the sound of two ponies collapsing to the ground and looked down to see the guards asleep. The cloud of white smoke filled her vision again and she was back to Celestia's height, looking down at the drained Blackstar Globe laying in his cell.
"My lady..." he said weakly, "... forgive me... I've failed..."
"You did your part perfectly, Blackstar Globe." She said. He looked up at her in weak surprise.
"But... I did not..."
"Within the crystal you created is the life force of King Sombra." She interrupted. "And, on the morrow the rebirth of our king will return."
"And... I will not... be there... to witness his glory?" Blackstar struggled. Petunia's head shook.
"I'm afraid not, Blackstar Globe." She said as she turned to the chest the saddlebags and book were locked in. "As I said before, life must be given for him to rise again." A deep purple magical aura surrounded the keyhole and the chest opened as she looked back at him. "In performing the ritual, you not only drained your magic, but you life force, too."
"But... the ritual required.... the touch from one... capable of magic..." He observed. She nodded as the old book levitated from the box in the purple aura. "... then how... will he return... without my touch?"
"You are not the only unicorn around that can give life to the soul within the crystal." She explained. She walked up to his cell and stared down at him. "Now sleep, Blackstar Globe. Your loyalty has served our cause well." He smiled weakly and laid his head down.
"Long live King Sombra." He said as he closed his eyes and drifted off into sleep. A sleep he will never again wake from.
She turned and walked out of the dungeons into the hallways of the palace, keeping her eyes open for any guards that may be around. She walked down the hall and turned her gaze to a large mirror on the wall as she passed. Her reflection was that of a tall, regal, pure white alicorn with red eyes and her mane and tail was smoke like, flowing in the air like a mist. Dawned on her flank was the cutie mark of a two toned crystal. One side of it was dark and jagged, the other was beautiful and welcoming.
She was looking at the spitting image of herself that looked older and she tried to open her mouth to scream, but nothing happened.
~~)oOo(~~
Petunia shot up right in Big Mac's bed with a scream, her body covered in cold sweat. Big Mac woke up from her scream and sat up to find her crying.
"Petunia, what's wrong?!" He asked. She only continued to cry as she jumped up into his forelegs, clinging to him tightly.
"There was a crystal... and I was older... and the unicorn..." she cried in his chest as he wrapped his forelegs around her in comfort.
"Shhh, it's okay." He said. The door swung open and Applejack came in with a look of concern on her face.
"What happened?" She asked. "Is she alright?"
"Just a nightmare." Big Mac replied as he petted the filly in his forelegs. Applejack walked up and sat on the bed next to him and placed a hoof on the crying alicorn.
"It's alright sugar cube." She said sweetly. "We're here for ya. We won't let anythin' bad happen to ya." Petunia sobbed in Big Mac's chest as the two siblings comforted her.
"I'm not Arbmos," she cried, "I'm not... I'm not." The two looked up at each other, both sharing confused and concerned looks on their faces as they let Petunia cry herself back to sleep.
~~)oOo(~~
Hovering outside the window of Big Mac's bedroom was a pure white alicorn with her horn glowing a faint grey, watching the alicorn filly stirring in her sleep. After a few minutes the glow of the alicorns magic vanished and the filly inside woke up screaming, waking up the red stallion she was sleeping with. Soon after the orange mare came in to see what all the commotion was about.
A few minutes later the older alicorn flew away from the farmhouse toward Canterlot, her mane and tail flowing through the wind like smoke as she flew toward the castle in the distance. After several minutes of traveling she was now flying over the sleeping city of Canterlot toward one of the towers of the castle. She saw the Princess of the Night standing on the balcony with her horn glowing and her eyes closed. She landed next to Luna quietly so she would not disturb her as she focused on her magic. Soon enough Luna's magic faded and she turned her gaze to the white alicorn with a glare.
"I do not approve of you disturbing the sleep of my subjects." She said calmly.
"You know that had to be done, Luna." The white alicorn said. "Besides, you know she's not truly one of your subjects."
"She's just a filly." Luna said as she took a step closer to the taller alicorn. "Must she be put through this so soon?"
"Sister." Both Luna and the alicorn turned to face Princess Celestia walking up to them with a serious expression on her face. Luna gave the pure white alicorn one more glare before flying off to tend to her night sky. When Luna was out of sight Celestia walked up beside the other alicorn and they both looked off into the night sky.
"You gave her the vision?" Celestia asked after a long silence.
"Yes," the alicorn answered, "she's seen how it all started." She turned to the high princess, who continued to stare into the night sky. Celestia closed her eyes and let out a long sigh after a minute. "You're still unsure of this, aren't you?" Celestia nodded her head and turned to face the other alicorn.
"Does it really have to be so soon?" Celestia asked. "Luna is right, she's just a filly."
"I'm afraid there's no other way for this." The alicorn answered. "You know what must be done here, Celestia. If the following events do not take place as they should all will fall to pieces." Celestia let her head drop.
"I just wish it could wait until she was older." Celestia said.
"You know as well as I that it must be done this way." The alicorn said. Celestia looked up at her again.
"I know." She said.
"You can still keep an eye on her until it is time." Celestia looked into the red eyes of the alicorn as she looked into hers. "She still needs some time before she's ready for the next stage." They stood there staring into each others eyes for several minutes before the pure white alicorn turned and spread her wings out preparing to take off.
"Arbmos?" The alicorn turned to face Celestia with her wings still outstretched. "Does my sister have any further part in this?" Arbmos stared at Celestia for a minute before answering.
"Her role in this ended when the two of you imprisoned Sombra." There was a hint of remorse in Arbmos' voice as she answered the question. Celestia stared at her for a long minute as though she were trying to read if she was lying or not, but saw no lie in her eye. After a minute she inclined her head. Arbmos returned a nod then turned back around and flew off into the distance.
Celestia watched as Arbmos flew away and saw a purple and pink alicorn as tall as Arbmos join her on her flight. When they were out of sight Celestia turned her gaze toward the direction the small town of Ponyville was located, her thoughts turning to the young filly and the days yet to come.
"Forgive us, Fluttershy. I wish it was different."