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// Chapter 11 Risen 
// Story: Light and Shadow 
// by oop 
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	“The barrier’s fallen!”
“What happened?”
“My magic’s back!”
“Stop them!”
“Push forward! Stop the grays!”
“Now’s our chance!”
These and other such calls to arms flooded the hall as the magic flooded back to the horns of the unicorns and they began fighting back against Discord’s hypnotized ponies. It was very quickly becoming a one sided battle as every overcome pony of Discord’s was freed from hypnosis and joined the opposite ranks.
A tremendous shattering sound came from the stage as the second dome shot into powder in the air. Luna, eyes glowing like twin suns, began launching wave after wave of magic toward the gray ponies, changing them back to their true selves like a wave.
“This is for Shadow!” she shouted triumphantly, flying out over the crowd for a better aim.
Twilight shook her head, slightly dazed by the sudden development. “This has been simultaneously the most horrifying and exciting four hours of my life…” she said through the haze of her mind.
“I’m amazed she has enough control to simply dispel them…” said Celestia, slightly more within her senses “When she fines Discord, he’s as good as dead…”
Twilight looked back to where Luna had forced the gray ponies into a retreat, a few managing to split away and return to the group cheering her forward. “I’m afraid you might be right…” she said.
High above the ongoing battle, in the tower of Prince Shadow, Lightning stared out the window with a stunned silence. She hadn’t gotten a great view of the shooting star, but the huge smoking crater was in plain sight. A warm feeling of excitement pushed its way to the front of her mind, causing the gray of her fur to lessen slightly. The old Lightning was starting to push to the surface, stimulated by wonder alone.
“I suppose you do think that was quite a magnificent scene,” came Discord’s voice from behind her “I’m in no position to disagree, it was a fantastic little bit of chaos.”
“The unicorns will still be able to do their magic again…” said Lightning, suddenly not sure whether this was good or bad “They’re going to try and stop you…”
“Oh I doubt that,” said Discord, his eyes rolling about in his skull “I’ve convinced half of them to completely comply with my whims, and the other half are too hopeless to continue. After all, their prince is dead.”
“He isn’t dead though,” said Lightning, forces of light and darkness clashing in her mind “I talked to him myself, he could show himself anytime. Far from crushing hope, he could rally the forces.”
“Oh he is now,” said Discord with an evil leer, hoping to squelch that little spark that was burning away at his enchantment “You do know who moved that star? Who got himself killed in a pointless endeavor?”
Lightning’s pupils shrank, gray falling off her like sand “What did you say…?” she asked.
“I said that your precious ‘brother’ got himself killed cracking down my barrier,” said Discord, utterly convinced he was dragging her back into his control “A true idiot to the last. I’m not sure if he was crushed by the boulder or incinerated, but either works for me. Hey! Where are you going?”
Lightning had jumped away from the window and ran like a mad pony for the door. She practically flew down the steps, smacking the head of some poor guard who was just coming around and knocking him out again. Ponies were quick to jump out of her way as she bolted down the hall, running pell-mell for the courtyard.
Discord was waiting for her as she ran over the main gate toward the gardens “Now really,” he said, beginning only now to feel he had lost control of the situation “What do you expect to find there? Some singed bone? A mutilated body?”
“I’m going to find Shadow,” said Lightning determinedly. As she ran faster the gray of her coat floated off her like a storm cloud.
By the time Lightning had made it to the smoking crater her coat and mane had fully fallen back to their usual red and blue. The clouds overhead, that had managed to close the gap where the dome had been, seemed to open up with pounding rain perfectly on cue.
“You did this…” said Lightning slowly, her tears beginning to mingle with the rain “You did this…you killed him!”
“Oh my dear, don’t be so quick to anger,” said Discord, trying to talk her into another opportunity to put her under his spell “He killed himself. Prince Shadow foolishly attempted to be the hero and this mess here is the consequence.”
“It’s your fault!” Lightning snapped, leaping toward Discord with a fire in her eyes “You’ll pay for this! You hear me? You’re going to wish you’d never tried anything like this!”
Discord’s eyes suddenly focused on something over Lightning’s head. “Oh dear…” he said, sounding suddenly afraid.
“When I’m through with you you’ll remember Canterlot as your last mistake!” Lightning screamed “They won’t even be able to recognize you! I’m going to…”
“Hey, Lightning,” came a familiar voice from behind “Could you move a little to the left? You’re blocking my crosshairs.”
“Not now Shadow,” said Lightning “I’m trying to avenge your death. Now Discord, you’re going…down…” she swiveled around “Shadow…?”
Shadow was flying right behind her, holding a chunk of space rock in both hooves. His coat was striped with burns in a few places and there was one solid black stripe along his mane. His wings looked sparser; some of the feathers having floated off, but this wasn’t the most spectacular difference. The image of a flaming meteorite could be seen emblazoned on his flank. He had earned his mark.
“How many times to I have to kill the same damned pegasus?” Discord said, rage building. He had to twist out of the way as Shadow hurled the chunk of space rock his direction.
“It’s over Discord,” said Shadow, red eyes narrowing with anger far beyond his few years “This is your final opportunity, and I mean it this time. Go, and never come back.”
Discord glared right back, rage of equal level fueling his determination to end this pegasus right here. “I’m going to shut that impudent mouth of yours once and for all!” he said in a rage, steam pouring out of his nostrils.
“Suit yourself,” said Shadow, stepping forward to attack, but was stopped by Lightning moving in front of him. 
“Let me do this Shadow,” said Lightning quickly “I had a plan before you got here, just stand back okay bro?”
“What? But!” Shadow stammered.
Lightning didn’t respond, but took a small chunk of stone out of seemingly nowhere. The moment the rain touched it a blue glow emanated from somewhere deep within. She gave a careful toss and it landed directly at Discord’s feet. He glared down at the stone, wondering what trickery this was.
“And what, pray tell, is this?” he asked, staring down at the stone.
“Piece of the statue from the garden,” said Lightning smugly “We’ll see how you like that!”
Shadow gasped, knowing what would happen before it actually did. Before Discord had the chance to leap out of the way the grass around his feet grew faster than strangle vines, covering him almost instantly in a small dome of plant matter. His screams could be heard inside the now egg-shaped sphere as some blue light glowed inside it, the darkened outline of Discord could be seen writhing against the light.
“You saved a piece…?” asked Shadow, desperate to avert his eyes “I didn’t see you grab it.”
“I found it in my hair…” said Lightning “I’ve been holding onto it since them… just in case… I think it was water activated…”
Shadow’s ears flattened against his head as Discord shrieked again, higher pitched this time. “What do you think is happening to him in there?” he asked “If he can’t escape like we did… will he…?”
Lightning didn’t answer, so they stood silently, unable to stop staring at the sphere. The rain fell down and the wind roared angrily, but still they stood and watched, unmoving, as the form of the draconequis shrank down against the bright blue light. Even as Discord ceased to be visible and the blue light began to fade, they watched, too stunned to do otherwise.
Shadow felt a weight around his shoulders as Lightning pulled him into a hug. He smiled and quickly returned it. Now it was over… though it had only been a few hours. It had felt like weeks. They were able to think positively about returning home again at long last.
Home… Lightning would be going home soon… But what about him? Now that Discord’s chaotic influence was over would he still have to stay in Canterlot? Rebuilding would have to be done, and he didn’t want to be a part of that. No use worrying about it now though, for now Lightning was here, Discord was defeated, and they could make the most of that.
The dark shape of a hooded pony observed this scene from the shadow of the castle, invisible unless he was to be specifically looked for. This had not gone according to plan at all; his influence had somehow managed to slip. He wasn’t angry however; he didn’t feel such base emotions anymore. And even if he could, he doubted very much that he would go to the trouble of it. The situation was jeopardized yes, but this had been accounted for. Discord’s incompetence was not unsalvageable.
“I do suppose that it is time for the queen to be informed. She won’t be happy to hear this, but it will be hers to deal with. Discord, you are a fool and you always have been…”
The empty space by the castle was again empty. There was no teleportation, no chaotic movement, no fast travel; he simply was no longer there. No one had seen him, and now no one would.
“Hey, it’s mom!” said Lightning excitedly, pointing up to the castle where indeed, Luna was descending slowly, her expression that of unparalleled joy as she touched down.
“Shadow…” she said, holding back tears “You’re alive… you brilliant colt you’re alive!”
Shadow jumped into Luna’s embrace, not even caring as some of his burnt fur fell away. “We did it mom!” he said excitedly “We beat Discord! And even cooler thing! I got my cutie mark! See?”
“Now of all times…?” said Luna, intrigued. She looked down at Shadow’s flank and her eyes widened “That shooting star…that was no coincidence…”
“Nope!” said Shadow, practically bouncing in jubilation “You should’ve seen it! I flew up so high I could barely breathe! And it was impossible to fall! And the sky was all dark and the rock was as light as a feather!”
Luna paled, looking close to fainting, but smiled anyway “You are your father’s son…” she said “He earned his just as perilously. Now let’s get you inside, they’re still in the process of helping the last ponies but we should be fine.”
“But what about Discord?” asked Lightning pointing to the grassy sphere “We can’t just leave him here…”
“Discord’s in there…?” said Luna hesitantly, the shock of the even apparently having already maxed out. She walked around the sphere, taking in every detail “My word… you two just can’t resist using archaic magic can you…? The sphere was lifted up in a nimbus of blue magic “I’ll take him inside… Celestia and I will decide what is to be done…”
They returned to the castle, going almost in the exact opposite direction they had to approach Luna’s tower. Shadow watched curiously as a precious few gray ponies struggled against the unicorn guards armed with memory spells to revive them. It looked like the action was well wound down and the usual routine was finally returning. A few ponies gave a glance to the huge grass sphere that Luna carried but no pony questioned it.
As they approached a set of marvelous golden stairs Shadow couldn’t keep quiet anymore “Where are we going?” he asked “It looks like the way to your room…but it’s a different color!”
“Is it Celestia’s room?” asked Lightning, seeming to have pieced it together quite well.
“Indeed,” said Luna “She retired to her quarters the moment Discord’s disturbance was absolutely failed. I didn’t believe it was wise to write it off quite so easily, but it seems that thanks to you it was fine.”
The “Thanks to you” comment seemed to resonate with Lightning, who bounded up the stairs after Luna Pinkie Pie style. This didn’t last long however, as it quickly became apparent that they weren’t going to make it to the top of these stairs any time soon…
Shadow hopped into the air, letting his wings take some of the burden “Why is this staircase so much bigger than the one to your tower?” he asked.
Luna didn’t answer, but they arrived at a large golden door soon after that. Shadow observed that it was a perfect parallel to Luna’s as she called through to the other side “Sister, I must speak with you!”
There was no immediate response, but Shadow thought he heard the words “Is this what I’ve become as a ruler?” come from the other side. Luna called again and the door finally swung open, Celestia’s head emerging from within.
“What is it sister?” she asked “Can you not see that I am ill-disposed as of this time?”
“This is an urgent matter,” said Luna, a little worried to hear her sister speaking so formally “I have Discord with me…”
Celestia’s eyes widened “Come in then,” she said “And those two should come in as well, I have something in here I think they should see.”
Somewhat curious as to what Celestia could possibly need them for, Shadow and Lightning followed Luna wordlessly into the room. It wasn’t layered like Luna’s but it was clearly ornate. Most of the space of the room was taken up by golden statues or gem inlaid weaponry. Unlike Luna’s room, made to inspire, Celestia’s room was clearly built to incite fear.
What caught Shadow’s attention most though was the small gray pony asleep on the yellow bed. The puff of a mane told him it was Vinyl, but there was no other way to tell. Any color she had was turned gray.
“Open the sphere,” said Celestia, seeming to ignore Lightning and Shadow’s shock “I’m sure we can overcome him if things get out of hoof. Questioning is of the utmost importance. I do not believe he would make such an attempt alone.”
“Sister…” said Luna slowly “Is this really the time…?”
“Would you rather we fell prey to the rest of his plan?” Celestia snapped “This is absolutely necessary despite the obvious danger involved. Now open the sphere.”
Luna sighed, he horn glowing as the sphere dropped to the floor and started to dissolve. “Oh my!” she said, shocked by what was inside.
“Good gracious!” said Celestia.
“Knew it!” said Lightning with a smirk.
Tiny and fragile looking, Discord, shrunk down to the size of a child, was chewing on his own tail. The lake’s magic had somehow held on to Lightning’s wish and transferred it to the lord of chaos. What it came down to was, the tiny, almost cute, draconequis was the fiend that had terrorized the castle only hours ago.
“Dear god…” said Celestia “I…I don’t know what to do with this!”
“My thoughts precisely…” said Luna, examining the infant Discord “It’s not as if we can question him now. I doubt he has any memories at all now, he’s the equivalent of a newborn!”
“All the same…” said Celestia, sighing in resignation “There may be some hint… If we can’t get any information from…this…”
“We’ve given him enough chances,” said Luna “Perhaps it’s time we returned him to the eternal herd…”
“Indeed,” said Celestia “I think the…queen… would know how to best sentence his retribution…” she shuddered visibly at this, the idea of this queen seemingly something to be feared.
“Oh my gosh!” Lightning’s voice shattered the stoic silence into a million glass fragments “Just look at the little guy! He’s so cute!” she drawled the last word, making it sound like “Cyoot!”
“Cute…?” said Shadow, raising an eyebrow “Lightning, he’s a hundred monsters shoved together. Cute?”
“But look at his chubby little cheeks!” said Lightning with a smile. The tiny Discord responded with a very childish giggle and clapped his mismatched hands.
“He doesn’t have any memory…” said Luna, half to herself “If raised in the correct setting he could be a totally different person…”
“Don’t get too attached Lightning,” said Celestia “We’ll be sending him away as soon as is conveniently possible. It’s a pity we didn’t get any information from him, but he must face retribution for his crimes.”
“Retribution?” said Lightning “But look at him, he couldn’t hurt a fly!”
“It’s true he has no memory, Celestia,” said Luna “If we were to send him on to the queen he would be facing punishment for a crime he doesn’t know he even committed.”
“It would be for the better…” said Celestia firmly.
“Would you quit your yapping?” exclaimed Vinyl, sitting up on the bed “I’m trying to get some quality shuteye here and you idiots won’t shut up!”
Shadow took a quick step back; this grayed out Vinyl quite frankly scared him. “Why didn’t you just use a memory spell on her?” he said angrily “She should be back to normal by now!”
“A memory spell won’t work,” said Celestia “I tried, believe me, but she simply doesn’t have any memories to bring her back, she’s too young. It would take some sort of spectacular trauma to free her from the curse.”
“Idea!” Lightning suddenly shouted “What if Discord could prove he’s good? Come on Discord, change Vinyl back, please?”
Lightning quickly snatched Discord by the scruff and carried him over to the golden bed He stared into Vinyl’s grayed out eyes for barely a moment before reaching out and poking her snout. He gave a bubbly laugh as the gray fell off her in chunks, Vinyl slipping out of what looked like gray body armor.
“Ugh…what happened?” Vinyl groaned, looking weak and dizzy “Where am I? Is the party over? How much punch did I drink…?”
Shadow could’ve hugged her, but he didn’t “Vinyl!” He exclaimed “You have no idea how good it is to see you again!”
“Gosh where was I?” asked Vinyl, holding her head like she had some sort of splitting headache “I remember Discord was being a jerk but… I don’t know what happened after that…”
“Well Discord saved you!” said Lightning with a smile “See, Celestia? Can Discord stay now?”
Luna looked to Celestia expectantly, prompting a long sigh “Not in the castle,” Celestia said “We can send him to someone who can raise him properly. Fluttershy showed merit in reforming him, I can’t think of a better pony for the job.”
“And Ponyville’s all secluded and stuff!” said Lightning “It’s perfect! Thank you so much auntie!”
“Auntie?” queried Celestia.
Lightning was too busy playing with Discord’s tail to elaborate, and Shadow just shrugged. “I think it’s time for the little ones to go to bed.” Said Luna “Come on Shadow, Lightning, Vinyl, let’s go.”
“For the first time ever that actually doesn’t sound bad…” said Vinyl.
The next day would find Lightning walking out to the front hall with a huge smile on her face. Luna trotted next to her, levitated a small red wagon laden with suitcases. Saber was waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs, an exasperated expression on his face.
“You made the papers this time…” he said, pulling Lightning into a hug “You scare me you know that? You’ve got nine lives on you yet…”
“Saber, stop!” Lightning squealed, detaching herself from the hug “Everyone’s watching…”
Saber let out a chuckle “You go on vacation with what you can pack into your saddlebags and you’re coming home with luggage,” he said “You’ve got some good friends sis. Where is the new prince of Canterlot anyway?”
“I’m not sure…” said Luna, casting her gaze around the hall “I would’ve thought he would want to come down and see her off… I guess he and Vinyl are occupied with other things.”
“It’s okay,” said Lightning, smiling at a joke that Luna and Saber apparently couldn’t see “I bet they’re playing Fighting is Magic up in the tower. Come on big bro, let’s get going!”
“You seem awfully eager to leave,” said Saber, grunting a little as she tried and failed to pull the wagon that Luna had set on the ground “Trying to get away from something?”
“Just the upper crust,” said Lightning, sticking her tongue out as the wagon finally started to budge “All these snooty rich ponies are completely annoying!”
Saber took the wagon himself, pulling it away from the stairs easily “My word this is heavy…” he said “You didn’t skimp on the souvenirs did you?”
“Luna is a very generous princess,” said Lightning “Thanks again for letting me stay!”
“Any time,” said Luna with a kind smile “Perhaps Shadow will come see you soon. I’m sure I could arrange that in the near future.”
“I think I need a break from the craziness,” said Lightning, pushing on the back of the wagon to try and make Saber walk “Come on bro! We’ll miss the train!”
Deciding not to argue with her this time, Saber bowed in Luna’s direction “I take my leave your highness.”
“Come on Saber!” Lightning urged.
“Alright, goodbye!” said Luna with a laugh.
Saber and Lightning exited the castle at Light’s urgings, very quickly. “You know I was thinking we could stop somewhere and get something to eat,” said Saber “But I guess you’re in a real hurry to get out of Canterlot.”
“Yeah…” said Lightning, staring at one of her suitcases with a thoughtful expression “But I suppose one stop can’t hurt…”
“Well you know this place better than I do now,” said Saber with a laugh “Any requests?”
“Canterlot pastry Shoppe!” said Lightning immediately “Great doughnuts and there’s never anyone there!”
“Well lead the way!” said Saber.
Lightning found her heart sinking as she saw the banner hanging over the store. “Canterlot Pastry Shoppe, haven for the prince!” it read in huge red lettering. Shadow had told her this part of his escapade but she was surprised at Joe for milking the idea the way he did. What was even more of a shock to her was the fact it was actually working.
The store was cram-packed with customers of all shapes, sizes and species. There were plenty of unicorns of course but also pegasi and even a few buffalo were sitting around the classic diner tables. Joe quickly waved at the two from the counter.
“Well if it isn’t one of those clever kids responsible for my recent business boom!” he said excitedly “It’s good to see ya again Lightnin!”
“Thanks Joe…” said Lightning awkwardly.
“Pity Shadow ain’t here,” Joe continued “I owe him a bit of a debt of honor as well. Anyway I think y’all have earned a dozen on the house anyway eh? Whatcha hankerin for?”
“Made a lot of friends didn’t you…?” said Saber, a little intimidated now by his sister’s sheer connectivity.
Lightning took it completely in stride, ordering everything for them (which turned out to be well over a dozen, but Joe still gave it away) and almost at once proceeded to slip a few bags into her luggage, “Gotta have enough for the trip home,” she explained as Saber gave her a quizzical look.
As they sat down Saber couldn’t help but overhear some of the conversation at a nearby table. Two buffalo in the dressings of natives were talking rather animatedly to one another.
“I can’t believe the day’s almost upon us,” said one “That this is the last long winter we have to live through like we have, relying on the pony folk.”
“I don’t get what you’re so worked up about,” said the other “I don’t put any stock in those old legends and neither should you.”
“Well we’ll know soon enough,” said the first “It’s supposed to be this summer you know, ain’t gonna be long at all before we know for sure. I’m honestly banking on it. It’s only a legend because it’s got the merit to last so long as it has. And you have to admit it was oddly specific…”
“That the summer of this coming year our greatest ancient chief would be born again,” said the second “I don’t think those old elder’s tales are worth anything. If he’s coming back then him come. If he isn’t, I ain’t losing no sleep over it.”
Saber shifted his sword to a more readily reached position. He admitted to being somewhat suspicious of the buffalo and this little bit of intel seemed downright suspicious. He would file a report on this “newborn chief” idea when he got back, but for now it was best to keep his blade at the ready.
“I think it’s about time we got going…” he said to Lightning “Don’t mind packing up the rest do you?”
“Oh…uh…” said Lightning awkwardly “Of course…”
Saber was too busy trying to piece together the meaning of the buffalo’s talk to notice the suspicious nature of his sister. He took the wagon again and followed Lightning out of the store. He gave one more backwards glance to the buffalo, who were still deeply engaged in conversation, then turned away to continue out.
It was something of a boon that the princess had already covered the fare for their return trip. In the wake of the recent excitement tickets to leave Canterlot were as expensive as they had ever been. Even still, the tickets were sold out long before they arrived at the station, the first class seating they had been arranged with worth more than ever.
“I don’t suppose you’ve been keeping up with your practice?” Saber asked as they loaded their luggage onto the train car.
“Of course I have!” said Lightning indignantly “As a matter of fact I’ve come up with some great music while I was here!” she didn’t mention the boon she had received for playing on the streets, afraid Saber might not approve.
“Well that’s a great job,” said Saber with a smile “But I don’t think it’s gonna turn out as your talent. You can’t get much more advanced in music than making it yourself.”
“Shadow got his cutie mark…” said Lightning, sounding depressed “His special talent is moving shooting stars… It’s incredible…”
“Hey, you’ll get there,” said Saber encouragingly “It’s really early to be getting a cutie mark, and you could tell he was going to be an altitude flier. Not to mention I don’t think your talent is going to have to save all of Equestria in a moment of crisis. Or at least I hope not… you actually probably will…”
“Yeah…” said Lightning, stifling a laugh “You’re probably right.”
The train slowly started to shift forward, the sound of a whistle announcing the start of their journey back to Ponyville. Lightning watched out the window as Canterlot slowly shrank away. Saber took out a book on combat strategy and began to read. There was plenty of space in the first class car; it seemed to be made to house four even though they were the only two. It was even more plush than the basic first class which Light and Shadow had snuck into on the way. It all seemed like a distant memory now…
Silence fell into the train car quickly, the sound of tracks beneath muffled by the thick iron walls. When the whistle ceased all sound in the car went with it. Lightning found herself growing bored quickly, looking from Saber’s book to the window repeatedly.
“Oh come on…” she said quietly “We have to be far enough away by now…” she glared up at her luggage, seeming somehow angry at it.
Saber looked up from his book “If you want to get something out of your bag go ahead,” he said “I can get it back up there.”
“It’s not that…” said Lightning, but didn’t elaborate, letting silence creep back into the car.
A loud belch promptly broke the silence, and Lightning let out a grin. “The gig is up,” she said “Come on. Canterlot’s way off in the distance now.”
“What are you…?” Saber began, but quickly stopped as he looked up to where one of the suitcases was shifting on the rack. It rocked back and forth for a moment before dropping right off the rack and landing with a thud on the floor.
“Ouch!” exclaimed the bag “What happened?”
Another bag fell on top of the first, causing two shouts this time. “Is there something alive in there…?” said Saber in amazement.
The zipper on the second bag illuminated with blue light as it slowly opened. A huge poof of mane emerged, followed by the white form of a unicorn. “Tough trip eh?” said Vinyl, holding back a laugh at Saber’s dumbfounded expression. A muffled shouting continued from the first bag, so Vinyl shifted the one she had been stuck in to free the pony trapped in the first.
“I don’t see why I had to go in the bag with your speakers…” said a very annoyed Shadow, emerging from the bag and rubbing a steadily swelling bump on his head “It’s your stuff after all…”
“You got more doughnuts,” said Lightning with a smile “Why didn’t you guys come out earlier? We’re a long way from Canterlot now.”
“I was stuck in the luggage rack until stargazer here decided to move his flaming flank,” said Vinyl, rolling her eyes “I almost lost my manna battery with all that moving around, I could hardly breathe in there either.”
“She’s been making puns about my cutie mark all day…” Shadow moaned “It was hard enough breathing in there without having to listen to her…”
“Do I take your breath away star-head?” asked Vinyl with a giggle “Thought you’d be used to an oxygen-free environment by now.”
“Shut up!” Shadow exclaimed “Just shut up!”
“Hold on…” said Saber, holding up a hoof for silence “You three planned all this?”
“Long story…” said Lightning.
“I have time…” said Saber.
“Well I wanted to go back to Ponyville as soon as possible for obvious reasons,” said Shadow “But mom said I still had a lot of stuff to do at the castle so me and Vinyl had to stick around. Well Lightning got all depressed because she was going to be alone…”
“That was you…” said Lightning.
“Nope, it had to be you,” said Shadow, sticking his tongue out “I had Vinyl.”
“I’m with Shadow,” said Vinyl “But that isn’t important. I got this great idea to pack up my speakers and ride along with Lightning in the luggage. Shadow didn’t think it was a good idea, so I just shoved him in with the speakers.”
“I didn’t want to ride with those chunky speakers of yours,” said Shadow, glaring at Vinyl “So I tried to get into another bag but you threw me back in!”
“And the rest is history!” Lightning finished with a smile “They got on the train free and they’re going to stay at Shadow’s house!”
Saber could only stare dumbfounded at the three grinning foals in front of him. They must have thought themselves extraordinarily clever, and he hated to admit that they probably were. Gutsy too, he couldn’t think of anyone else that age willing to sit inside a suitcase for hours let alone against the will of the princess.
“Mom and dad would be proud of you…” said Saber, surrendering reason and starting to read again.
“You bet they would!” said Lightning, pleased with this new development “Come on Shadow, you brought the game colt didn’t you? I’ve got a feeling this is gonna be a long boring trip.”
Hundreds of miles away, in a place as dark as a patch of midnight that had never been swept away, there was a deep dark caver. The forest that housed this cavern was called the Neverspring and it was known for one thing and one thing only, for no pony had ever dared enter it.
Neverspring was the forest that hid the changeling hive.
Setting being well established we can gaze deep into the cavern that is the hive, past the glowing green crystals that line the walls and the patrolling drones and gaze into the throne room of the queen. Chrysalis, in all of her cheese legged glory.
Today Chrysalis had a very special visitor, a cloaked and hooded pony. She had been expecting this guest and was somewhat pleased to see him
“Your presence here confirms the victory of Discord?” Chrysalis cooed softly “My troops are ready to move at your command.”
“Discord has proven himself incompetent of fulfilling his task. Phase two of operation Everfree will be carried out in the B clause.”
“No kidding?” said Chrysalis curiously “But of course you never kid…”
“My hope is that you will have the ability to make up for Discord’s catastrophic failure. My assumption of your ability leaves me unsure of your abilities. I would’ve had more fait if Discord had succeeded…”
“Do not hold me similar to that snake creature…” Chrysalis hissed “You can heavily expect success where he has failed.”
“Unfortunately that’s what he said. My faith in you should not determine the success or failure of this operation; you should do your work quietly and diligently.”
Before Chrysalis could deliver another retort the pony was gone. She cast a green eyed stare about, making absolute certain he had vanished, then stood up from her throne.
“I’m going out for awhile,” she addressed the female changeling standing next to her throne “Abby dear; you’re in charge of the hive while I’m away.”
“Yes mother…” said the changeling with a bow.