Trixie and Raindrops lead the Elements down a road. Alba and Razzly follow close behind. The princess looks upset. Apple Pie, Apple Bloom and Octavia stay in the back and chat. Rainbow and Helios fly above the others.
‘Why do we have to walk?’ the princess complains.
‘Thanks to your little detour, princess,’ Trixie replies, ‘we are relatively close to our next stop. Besides, I think we can use the exercise to work off all those sweets.’
Alba frowns and kicks at the dirt.
‘Ah, cheer up, sis,’ Helios says. ‘You’ll see your boyfriend again sometime.’
The princess shoots a bolt of magic at her brother. He screams and flies ahead. Alba flies after him, shooting more magic.
‘Alba! Get back here before you hurt somepony!’ Trixie yells.
Raindrops chases after the siblings. Helios pulls some complicated maneuvers to barely avoid getting hit. The weather pony darts above them, gathers a cloud and stomps hard. The burst of lightning startles the royals. Alba is so surprised, she loses control of her wings and falls.
‘Got you!’
An opal aura surrounds the princess, and she is lowered to the ground. Her friends rush over to see her. A trio of ponies, two unicorns and a pegasus, trot up as well.
‘You have to be a little more careful, princess,’ a young amber unicorn mare with a vivid crimson and yellow mane comments.
‘Thank you. I owe you,’ Alba replies.
A older white unicorn mare with a flowing pink mane trots up to Trixie and bows. ‘We did not intend to make such a dramatic introduction, but we could not sit back when we saw the princess in peril.’
‘What about the prince who almost got lightning up his plot?’ Helios asks.
‘He probably had it coming,’ Apple Pie taunts.
‘We are grateful for your assistance, but we really should be going,’ Octavia states.
‘Agreed.’ Trixie nods. ‘It was a pleasure meeting you, Miss...’
‘I am Sunburst Shimmer,’ the white unicorn introduces. ‘These are my daughters Corona and Sunset.’
‘I’m Corona,’ the amber unicorn says. She motions to a light blue pegasus filly with a pink mane. ‘This is Sunset.’
‘Nice to meet you, Miss Shimmer.’ Trixie bows. ‘We really must be going. If you are traveling the same direction as us, you are welcome to join.’
‘We are indeed traveling with you,’ Sunburst replies. ‘We could use your protection. For you see,’ -- she looks at Helios and Alba -- ‘we are your cousins. We are the last Children of Celestia.’
Helios stares blankly. ‘Come again?’
Alba is confused. ‘Our dead aunt? What?’
‘There is a rest stop nearby,’ Sunburst explains. ‘We can tell you more there, but we must hurry. There are those who wish to harm us… and likely you as well.’
Everypony gasps in shock.
‘Dun dun dun!’
Everypony glares at Rainbow.
‘What? I thought it was funny,’ the pegasus defends.
At the nearby rest stop, Trixie, Helios and Alba sit at a table with Sunburst, Corona and Sunset. Apple Pie and Apple Bloom listen in on their conversation. Raindrops, Rainbow and Razzly get snacks from the rest stop’s snack shack. Octavia paces with her mobile out.
‘Right: Sunburst, Corona and Sunset Shimmer,’ Octavia says. ‘Anything you have on them. They claim to be related to the queen. Good luck.’
Octavia joins the others at the table.
‘Tattling on us, are we?’ Trixie asks.
‘Just informing Lyra of our condition. If they are who they say they are, then she should have records on them.’
‘You have reason to doubt us?’ Sunburst asks.
‘As somepony who shouldn’t be alive herself,’ Octavia states, ‘I am more inclined than others to believe you are the children of a princess who died over a thousand years ago.’
Corona rolls her eyes. ‘Grandchildren is more accurate, Miss Dead Pony.’
‘Octavia might be willing to believe you, but I still have my doubts,’ Trixie says. ‘It is hard to imagine Princess Celestia having foals.’
Alba frowns. ‘The records are hidden in the archives, and those were almost lost in the civil war, but it is true. Celestia had a son.’
‘What?!’ Helios snaps his attention to his sister. ‘Why didn’t mom ever tell us this?’
‘Probably because she believed her nephew and his family killed in the civil war,’ Sunburst replies. ‘My great-grandfather did not fall so easily. Instead, he used the attack on his home to take our family underground, out of the public spotlight. My grandmother, my mother and I, we all did our best to keep ourselves hidden.’
‘Then why emerge now?’ Trixie asks.
Sunburst frowns. ‘Five years ago, our home was attacked. My husband was killed protecting us. We escaped and went even deeper into hiding, but this last year, our pursuers have been extremely aggressive. We have not had time to settle for more than a few days before we have to leave. Needless to say, it has been hard on my foals.’
‘I would imagine. But why come to us? Why not head straight to Canterlot?’
‘We were, but we heard you were in the area and wanted to warn you as well. The group after us is targeting you as well.’
‘How do you know that?’
Sunburst nods to Corona. The young mare looks at Helios and Alba and says, ‘The night they attacked our home, I heard them talking about how they wouldn’t have to target Full Moon anymore.’
Helios leaps up. ‘They were after Full Moon!’
‘Calm down, Helios,’ Trixie soothes. ‘She is safe in the other Equestria.’ She turns to Sunburst. ‘Unfortunately, Canterlot is in the opposite direction of our next destination. We are expected in the Griffin Empire.’
‘They’re the ones who killed our father and are chasing us,’ Corona snarls.
‘Settle down, Corona,’ Sunburst huffs. ‘We don’t know who is after us. You are too quick to jump to conclusions. You have to learn to be more patient.’
‘There were claw marks on his body. No other creature could have done it.’
‘Actually, there are several clawed creatures that live in Equestria alone,’ Sunset speaks up. ‘Countless more in other nations.’
‘Sunset… I know what I sa-’
‘She’s right,’ Alba agrees. ‘They are all listed in the creature compendiums in the royal library.’
‘You get to read at the royal library?’ Sunset gapes.
Sunburst laughs. ‘Sunset is a bit of a bookworm. She always reads every book she can find on our travels.’
Alba nods. ‘I’ve read almost all the books in the library. I plan to be as great as Twilight Sparkle when I grow up.’
Sunset tilts her head. ‘Who?’
A dark blue aura surrounds Alba and holds her back before she can attack the other filly. Helios laughs nervously. ‘You’ll have to ask our mom, uh, your cousin, whatever, about her when you get to Canterlot. … Just not our dad. He’s a little touchy on the subject.’
Sunburst looks around. ‘Can we get going? I am a little nervous staying in one spot for so long.’
Octavia scans the area. ‘I agree. The sooner we reach the port, the better. I want to be on the ship as soon as possible.’
‘We’re going on a boat?!’ Alba and Corona exclaim.
The princess frowns and looks sick. The unicorn claps giddily.
‘A ship?’ Sunburst asks.
Trixie stands. ‘Airship, actually. Duke Blueblood and Ambassador Gilda are meeting us.’
‘Yes!’ the princess cheers.
‘Flying...’ Corona groans.
‘What’s wrong with flying?’ Sunset growls.
‘We should be going now!’ Octavia hisses. ‘I’m getting a bad feeling about this place.’ She starts rallying the others. ‘Apple Pie, I want you in the back. Send shockwaves behind us to trip up any followers. Apple Bloom, stay close to Razzly and Sunset. Raindrops, Rainbow, Helios, take to the sky. Watch for anything in all directions. I’ll lead with Trixie. Alba, stay with Sunburst and Corona. Have a shield spell ready. Let’s move!’
‘Why are we taking orders from her?’ Corona scoffs.
Octavia marches over to the young mare. ‘You know those things that destroyed Ponyville before you were a speck of DNA in your father’s sack? I killed ten of them before I got a better weapon than just my blade. We follow my orders until I say it is safe.’
‘Don’t worry, Corona,’ Sunburst assures. ‘Everything is going to be fine.’
The group forms up as Octavia directed. The assassin takes the lead.
‘Do you really think something is going to happen?’ Trixie asks.
‘Do you think something won’t happen?’
The group travels in silence for several minutes.
Apple Pie looks down at Sunset. ‘Are you really our cousins?’
‘Um, not your cousins,’ Sunset replies. ‘We’re related to their mother, not your father.’
‘That means anything we do together is perfectly fine, handsome,’ Corona adds.
‘Y’all want a busted skull?’ Apple Bloom asks. Corona shakes her head. ‘Then keep yer hooves off mah coltfriend.’
Corona nods understandingly, trying not to laugh.
Later in the afternoon, the group arrives at a seaside town. On the ocean, boats use the harbor while airships land on the water. The group waits at an inn near the seafront. Octavia remains on high alert and patrols the lounge while the others rest.
Trixie talks on her mobile. ‘Right. That is too bad. We’ll be waiting for you. Please hurry. Octavia is paranoid, but I think she is justified for once.’ She hangs up and joins Sunburst and Raindrops at a table. ‘Blueblood got delayed with some of his charity work. He’ll be arriving tomorrow at the soonest.’
‘Tell him to pawn it off onto Fancy Pants and or send him instead,’ Octavia grumbles, passing the table. ‘The sooner we are in the air the better.’
‘If it were that simple, do you think he wouldn’t have done that already?’ Trixie shakes her head. ‘We just have to wait here for the night. It is not too long.’
Octavia wanders off. ‘Any time is too long when somepony is out to kill you.’
At another table, Helios and Alba sit with their cousins. Their older siblings and Razzly sit nearby.
‘I still can’t wrap my head around how we could have lost a whole side of our family for a thousand years,’ Helios wonders.
‘Not that surprising,’ Alba replies. ‘There was the civil war, the attack from the Nightmares and countless other threats. A thousand years is a long time. Losing a few ponies is understandable.’
‘But...’
‘Especially if we are trying to stay lost,’ Corona adds. ‘We just lived in our own little corner of the world until five years ago.’
‘Why didn’t you ever try reuniting with us?’ Helios asks. ‘I am sure mom would have welcomed you back.’
Corona rolls her eyes. ‘Right, and have all that royal pomp and attention directed towards us? No thanks. There would have been nuts calling for some “Solar Empire” with us in charge. And could you have seen me as a princess? Ugh. that is the last thing I would want.’
‘Royal library,’ Sunset swoons.
Corona laughs. ‘Okay. There might be some benefits.’
‘Must have really sucked travelling a lot,’ Apple Pie comments.
‘Pfft,’ Rainbow snorts. ‘You get used to it. You just wussed out early while I stayed with mom until I was old enough to live on my own.’
‘Says the mare who was almost fired from her first job, which she got only a year ago.’
‘That paycheque was pink because they wanted me to remember our mother!’
‘We did travel to a lot of interesting places while we were running,’ Corona replies. ‘A couple years ago, we staying in the Crystal Empire for a few months.’
Sunset shimmers. ‘That library was so amazing.’
‘Did you see Aunt Cadance while you were there?’ Alba asks.
‘We weren’t there very long,’ Corona sighs. ‘There weren’t any of the festivals she normally attended. I did see Regent Sombra in the market once.’
Alba giggles. ‘She’s so nice. She always gives me and Helios crystal candy when we see her.’
‘That’s t’ bad ya didn’ see the princess,’ Apple Bloom states. ‘She was so nice when she’d visit Ponyville when Ah was younger. AJ spoke so highly o’ her too.’
‘Did you ever live in Fillydelphia?’ Razzly asks.
Corona shakes her head. ‘I don’t think we ever considered living there.’
‘Oh...’ Razzly frowns. ‘It is a nice city though...’
‘Maybe once Aunt Luna helps stop whoever is chasing us you can show us around,’ Corona replies.
Razzly smiles and nods. The younger ponies continue sharing stories while the adults make plans for the night.
A dark figure sits a desk, tapping a talon on the hardwood surface. A light flashes on the desk, and the figure presses a button.
‘This better be good news, or I’ll have you plucked.’
`We’ve finally caught up to them, but they seem to be with the Elements of Harmony.`
‘And that is a problem how? Doesn’t the old saying go: “killing two birds with one stone”?’
`S-s-si-`
‘I think you can handle the operation. Report back when it is done.’
`But the Elements! They have bodyguards! Not just Trixie!`
‘There is a supply ship in the harbor with enough explosives to level the town. Quite easy to write off as a terrorist attack, wouldn’t you say?’
`I… I understand. We’ll report back when it is done.`
‘Very good.’
The figure presses the button again. It taps its talon once more before pressing the button again.
‘Ms Wagecent, prepare to inform the ambassador to the New Lunar Republic that she might be working overtime real soon.’
The figure cackles as he leans back in his seat.
`Do you want me to include the evil laughter, too?`
The figure squawks and slams a fist into the button.
Trixie gets up from her bed. She checks on Alba and Razzly in a nearby bed. The princess snuggles her friend. Trixie smiles and goes to use the washroom. She returns, drying her hooves. Her horn flashes, and she slams a black-clad, winged figure into a wall.
‘Girls! Get your brothers and get out!’ Trixie shouts. She turns to the figure. ‘I have something to take care of.’
Alba groans as she looks up. ‘What?’
‘Alba! Go!’
The princess squeaks and teleports herself and Razzly away.
‘Now, what to do with you?’
‘It is too late,’ the assassin replies. ‘We have rigged the building to blow no matter what. Even if you stop that, we have failsafes.’
There is a snap as Trixie drops the assassin. ‘Damn. Octavia?’
The pony stands in the doorway. ‘The prince and princess are safe outside. Seeing them flee, the other guests are evacuating as well.’
‘And the bomb?’
‘I can try disarming it, but you and the other unicorns should surround the building with a shield spell.’
Trixie takes a deep breath. ‘Better get started.’
The ponies gallop from the room. Octavia heads down the hall, to the stairs. Trixie heads to a nearby room. She pounds the door.
‘Sunburst! Corona! Sunset!’
There is a crash from just beyond the door.
‘Sunburst!’
Inside the room, another assassin has a firearm aimed at the three ponies. Sunburst stands in front of her daughters, her eyes glowing and mane sparking embers.
‘You’re not going anywhere,’ the assassin threatens. ‘Even if I die, I’ll take you with me.’
‘You will not harm my daughters,’ Sunburst growls.
‘Ha! Unless you get out of here in the next few minutes, this whole place, and possibly the whole block, will be leveled.’
‘Few minutes… Trixie! Get out of here! Protect everypony!’
‘Mom. What are you going to..?’ Sunset asks.
‘I’m sorry, Sunset, Corona...’ Sunburst apologizes. ‘Be strong for me.’
A bright flash emanates from Sunbursts horn. Outside of the inn, a number of ponies appear on the street. A barrier surrounds the inn.
‘Mom! Mom!’ Corona calls.
Trixie looks around. ‘What’s going on? What happened?’
‘I think somepony teleported us all out of the inn,’ Octavia reports. ‘Somepony with a lot of magic.’
‘Where’s Helios and Alba?’
‘It wasn’t us,’ Helios replies.
‘Who’s missing?’
‘MOM!’ Corona screams.
Explosions start filling the inn, with the barrier holding against the blasts. Once the blasts reach an upper floor, the barrier falls and the debris explodes out. The unicorns in the crowd use their magic to shield themselves.
‘Get a head count!’ Trixie orders. ‘Now!’
Octavia, Helios and Apple Pie start polling the ponies. Rainbow and Raindrops fly above, doing their own count.
Sunset tugs her sister’s leg. ‘Corona, where’s mom? Corona.’
‘Those bastards,’ the unicorn seethes, tears streaming down her face. ‘First they take dad, now mom. I’ll never forgive them!’
Corona’s horn bursts with energy, and the unicorn is surrounded by a shell of light. A blood red creature with bat wings and a flaming mane and tail flies from the shell. It looks over the town. It spots a ship in the harbor turning toward the town and gaining speed.
‘You,’ Corona growls. ‘You took my family from me.’
The changed Corona flies out over the water. She starts charging a spell on her horn.
‘I have a message for you and your emperor: don’t mess with Shimmer.’
Corona aims her horn and prepares to fire.