//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Heart Divided // by pchn00 //------------------------------// Prologue Princess Celestia sat calmly on her throne as she went through the petitioners of the day court. In the past it was by far her favorite part of ruling, but of late she was finding herself with less and less patience for the problems of her little ponies. She cared for them as strongly as ever, but for the first time in a very long time the Princess was dealing with numerous personal problems of her own. Her mother's return from over a millenia of banishment nearly six years ago now heralded a new age of darkness and woe for Equestria. Only through the actions of a few brave ponies was Queen Galaxia defeated, dethroned, and ultimately slain. So very much had been lost in those dark times. Hundreds of her subjects missing or confirmed dead. Her own sister was forced to sacrifice the bulk of her power reducing herself to an ordinary unicorn during the efforts to return Celestia to the throne. And now, her dear sister was refusing to speak to her. After Celestia's harsh words for the mare who'd dealt the death blow to her mother, Luna has barely said more than five words to her in the past eleven months. As if that weren't bad enough, Twilight Sparkle was likewise distancing herself. Not quite so overtly as Luna, but it was a noticeable change. The friendship reports Celestia had come to so enjoy reading had stopped. Their only contact was if Celestia initiated it, and then it was only as long as necessary. Then there was the night pony tribe. For nearly two thousand years they'd served as the night time guardians of Canterlot, seeing to the castle defenses while Celestia's day guards slept. The otherworldly ponies had always held Luna in an almost deific regard after she rescued them from the hideous shadow plane they called home. That regard and near worship had transferred to Luna's own 'faithful student'. The mare who'd struck down their mother. Jubilant Surprise. When word began to circulate that the hero of Canterlot had vanished and worse it had been Celestia's FAULT she'd left, the night pony herd had left in the night without a word to anypony. Shifting her eyes along the lines of waiting petitioners, the glossy black carapace of a changeling was easy to spot. The ponies gave the insect like creature a wide berth, and the changeling itself seemed more than a little uncomfortable. Yet another problem Jubilant had created for Celestia to deal with. A faint frown crossed the Princess' muzzle at that. Problem wasn't a fair way to think of the changeling swarm that was now living openly in Equestria. In exchange for Chrysalis and the changelings' assistance against Galaxia, Jubilant had promised the Queen her subjects would never go hungry again. Going so far as to willingly volunteer herself as a food source. All well and good save she up and left Equestria. It had been with some surprise that Celestia found more than a few volunteers to 'donate' to the changelings food stores of raw emotion. Changeling districts in the occasional small towns in Equestria were becoming more common. The largest of which was located in Ponyville. Queen Chrysalis herself had established the new hive there and the bulk of Equestria's changeling citizens originated from there. More and more however were spreading out once it became clear that too heavy a changeling population in one place severely taxed the pony citizens ability to keep them nourished. It wasn't a one sided relationship either. The incredibly industrious changelings had been invaluable assistance in rebuilding the shattered kingdom. More than one Equestian home or building sported glossy green walls or windows, some transparent and some opaque. The last of her many headaches was leaning on the balcony overlooking the gardens. Discord, free from his chaotic magic for the first time since coming to Equestria seemed at a bit of a loss as to what to do with himself most of the time. Slowly he was absorbing Equestrian magic as any human who came to the magic rich land did, but it was a far cry from his old level of power. Watching the young man leaning on the rail in the obnoxious purple pin-stripe suit he always insisted on wearing threatened to tug the corner's of Celestia's mouth upward. More and more she was recalling the romance that had been blossoming between herself and the young knight from a foreign world before the spell to magically accelerate his acclimation to Equestria had gone wrong and left him an insane monster. Her potential suitor seemed to vary wildly in his moods regarding her however. At times he was all smiles and laughter, seemingly delighted at the sensation of a clear mind. At others he was quiet and withdrawn. Often brooding up in the chambers Celestia had given him. When he wasn't lurking around Canterlot Castle, he could be found down in Ponyville typically in Pinkie Pie's company. The thought of the formerly perpetually cheerful mare chased the smile from Celestia's face. The last time they'd met face to face, Pinkie had some extremely unkind words for Celestia in regards to the treatment of her adopted filly, Jubilant. Finding her mood souring quickly now she finally rose, surprising the current petitioner. "I apologize sincerely but I'm feeling a little under the weather this afternoon. If anypony has a serious emergency you can take it to the proper bureau, otherwise court will resume tomorrow as normal." At the thought of their beloved Princess feeling sick, nearly every pony there tripped over themselves in an effort to clear the castle in the hopes that it would bring about a speedy recovery. When the last had left she slumped down with a low groan. "A little early for it to have been a long day already don't you think?" Discord's jaunty tone brought Celestia's stink-eye to bear on him. "I have a lot on my mind." "She's here again." Celestia didn't have to ask who 'she' was. "I know. I can feel it every time she enters Equestria. Someone with that much magic doesn't come and go without being noticed." "Is today the day?" With a soft grunt Celestia rose and walked to stand beside him. "What day is that?" "The day you apologize to her." Wings flared in outrage and anger flashed across the Princess' face. "I... I have nothing to apologize for! If anything she should apologize to me!" Discord turned to face her, brow quirked. "If Luna's to be believed she did apologize to you. Profusely. After she tried to save your mother no less." This seemed to steal the wind from Celestia's sails and her wings settled at her sides again. She fidgeted uncomfortably staring off into the distant Everfree, where her sharp senses could easily perceive the practically blaring magical light of Jubilant. "It's been a long time since you were in the wrong hasn't it? I don't imagine it feels very good." Celestia narrowed her eyes at Discord before turning away. "I've work to do Discord. Did you still wish to dine together this evening?" Drumming his fingers on the stone railing the former chaos-god likewise stared at the distant point in the Everfree. "...I don't see why not." "Well if it's an inconvenience..." Discord shrugged. "No. I'll see you this evening of course Celestia. Happy to. I won't be about tomorrow however. Popping in on Pinkie Pie." "Well... send her my best." Celestia did her best to ignore Discord's laughter as she ascended the many stairs to her private study. Magically swinging the door open she stepped inside and lit the fire in the hearth, settling behind her desk and shuffling some paperwork with a little sigh. An hour or two passed before hoofsteps outside drew her attention. She caught sight of a brief glimpse of a vivid blue tail which could only belong to her sister. Warring emotions within paralyzed the solar Princess for a moment before she stood, forcing a smile and stepping out after her sister. "Luna?" It was indeed Luna. Celestia still wasn't used to seeing her sister so very small. No larger than any other unicorn mare. Her coloring the same it was millenia ago when she was younger. Luna had stopped on the stairs, gazing back at Celestia from the corner of her eye, not saying anything. Celestia noted the full saddlebags over her sister's back and her fine blades strapped to her flanks. "Luna are you going somewhere?" Luna seemed to consider the question a long moment before answering. "Yes." Celestia waited for her sister to elaborate on her own. When it became obvious she wasn't about to she sighed. "Where are you going Luna?" For a minute Celestia was worried that Luna would ignore the question. But the sudden fire of determination in her sister's eyes was perhaps worse. "I am going to find Jubilant Surprise." "Luna you know that's impossible. With the Elements of Harmony unusable, Discord's magic gone and your own power dwindled nothing can open the path between our world's." Luna's diminished state must make it impossible for her to sense Jubilant's presence when she briefly entered Equestria now and then. Luna simply snorted in response. "We know so little about magic outside of Equestria's borders. Until recently we thought resurrection impossible and yet Discord learned of it through the zebra. I plan to visit them first and see if they have any ideas regarding otherworldly travel." Celestia scuffed a forehoof on the floor in agitation. "I don't understand your fascination with her Luna. She killed our mother!" In a rare role reversal, Luna remained the calm and collected of the two. "No sister, she did not. My mother was a kind unicorn named Gleaming Shield. My mother dropped everything she was doing in her life to take us in and look after us once Galaxia abandoned us to our own devices. MY mother was not the woman you call your mother. And I must say, you do Gleaming a disservice. She was just as much a mother to you as to me. Now if you will excuse me, I have a train to catch. I may send word if I am able Celestia. If not..." Luna shrugged and descended the stairs without another word. "Luna! Luna come back here this instant!" Of course the former Princess of the Night ignored her sister's words. Celestia made no move to stop her as she stepped off the stairs and cantered out of sight. The sensation of a large source of magic vanishing heralded Jubilant's departure from Equestria. Celestia squinted toward the point in the Everfree she knew the woman had occupied. She'd lost track of the number of times she told herself she was going to speak to her. Next time, she promised herself for the hundredth time. *** "Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Oh! Hello Madame Mayor. What brings you by?" Twilight Sparkle smiled to the young changeling working the register. "Good afternoon Bumble. Is Pinkie Pie working today?" The changeling nymph shook her head. "No ma'am. It's just me and the Cake's today. Miss Pinkie said it's somepony special's birthday today." With a slow nod Twilight eyed the confections on display in the case. "It's her filly's birthday." "Oh! I... you mean Commander Jubilant's?" "That's right." Twilight indicated a particularly delectable cookie in the case and laid a pair of bits on the counter. Bumble accepted the money levitating the cookie to Twilight's waiting hooves. "Is she coming home soon?" The changeling tapped her forehooves together timidly. "We never really got a chance to thank her. All this is because of her you know?" The recently appointed Mayor of Ponyville's smile dimmed somewhat, but she caught it quickly and forced it to its previous shine. "I'm sure she'll be home any day now. Ponyville's her home after all. It's not like she'll be gone forever." This seemed to go a long way toward brightening the young changeling's mood. "Oh! Well that's a relief. I'll see you later ma'am!" Smiling all the while Twilight left the newly rebuilt bakery enjoying her treat. She was getting used to forcing a smile twenty-four hours a day. Since her election to mayor the ponies of Ponyville looked to her to set the example for how everypony should be feeling. If she was outwardly happy and positive, this told them that things were going well and THEY should be happy. Lately however she'd been anything but. Rainbow Dash was still refusing to come home. Fluttershy decided to make her stay in the Everfree forest permanent, and Rarity spent more time in Canterlot than in Ponyville. Pinkie Pie and Applejack were still around of course. But Applejack practically ran Sweet Apple Acres all on her own with Big Mac still recovering from that horrible armor he was locked into, and Applebloom was spending more time in Appleloosa. That left Pinkie Pie as the most prominent of her close friends with any sort of free time on her hooves. Pinkie's beautiful manor, a leave over from her time as the wealthiest citizen in Ponyville by way of party planning for Canterlot's elite soon came into view. Where the Rich family's prominent estate once stood was now the sight of Pinkie's home. Trotting up the flower filled lane to the front door, Twilight was unsurprised to find it standing wide open. It was rare that Pinkie had the door shut day or night. The sound of running water drew her attention to the right. Gummy's lagoon was sporting a new addition, a beautiful faux waterfall created a shimmering rainbow as the water ran down the stones to create a noticeable splash at the bottom, only to be magically cycled through the back and to the top once more. The toothless alligator that was one of the Pie family's two pets was sunning himself on a large flat rock this afternoon. Twilight's ears drooped and she sighed seeing the large "Happy Birthday Surprise!" banner hanging over the foyer of the Pie home. Brushing an errant crumb from her muzzle she cleared her throat. "Pinkie? It's Twilight!" In seconds the mare of the house appeared from around the staircase. "Hey Twilight! Here for the party?" The mare's large smile didn't quite reach her eyes. As if that weren't clue enough to her mood her mane and tail were straight as can be. "Well no, I just came by to see how you were doing. You weren't at work after all." Pinkie shrugged casually and went back to the kitchen where Twilight saw a sizable cake in the process of being iced. "Well it's my filly's birthday you know? I have to be here to get the party put together. Besides Bumble's an AWESOME apprentice chef! She's gonna do great. The Cake's love her too." Nodding slowly Twilight eyes the cake, and hefty present pile with a little frown. "Pinkie have you seen Jubilant at all the last year?" There was a small tremble in Pinkie's voice. "No... I haven't. But I get letters sometimes! Echo too of course. We can't really send any back but... but it's her birthday. Surprise would never skip her birthday." Twilight regarded her friend with a sad smile as she went back to decorating the cake. It was a familiar argument. 'Surprise would never skip Hearth's Warming. My filly would never miss Nightmare Night! You know how she loves Winter Wrap-up!' "Pinkie Pie it's almost been an entire year. I think if Jubilant Surprise wanted to see anypony she'd have done so by now." A rare look of anger flashed across the earth pony's muzzle. "She'll be here Twilight! She wouldn't miss it! She never does!" Twilight hastily raised her hooves patting the air. "Okay, okay Pinkie. Well then what can I do to help?" Smiling softly Pinkie looked thoughtful. "Well you could blow up some balloons and hang them in the dining room. Her lazy uncle was supposed to come help but he has some big dinner date or something with..." An unpleasant look flashed across her face. "...with somepony. So it's just me." Twilight couldn't hide a quick grimace at the mention of her once beloved mentor. Try as she might she couldn't reconcile with the idea of her kind, patient Princess speaking to Jubilant the way she had. But both Luna and Echo had confirmed it, and Jubilant's long absence did so further. "Right. I'll get it looking perfect." "Thanks Twilight! You've... you've been a really good friend to me the last few months. I know everypony has a lot on their hooves but you're the only one of the old gang who really makes time to visit." "What about Fluttershy? You two were close while everything was all mixed up weren't you?" "Well sure. But now that it's calmed down again she sticks to the Everfree almost all the time. She only really came into town for her spa days with Rarity y'know? Now that she's living in Canterlot with Fancy Pants I guess Fluttershy just doesn't see a lot of reason to visit..." Laying a hoof gently on Pinkie's back, Twilight gave her a firm squeeze. "Everypony just needs time Pinkie. It was a horrible five years for all of us. We're all dealing with it in our own way." "A year's an awfully long time if you ask me. But... you're right. I'd be a bad friend if I tried to push them when they weren't ready. I just miss everypony Twilight. Not just Dashie and the gang but... but everypony who's not here anymore. Mayor Mare, Flitter, Caramel..." Twilight hastily cut her off. She of all ponies didn't need a list of the deceased rattled off to her. She'd had to go through that agonizing duty once already. "I understand. Let's just get this party ready hm?" At Pinkie's cheerful nod Twilight breathed a sigh of relief and entered the dining room. Spying the pile of deflated balloons lying next to the dozing beagle that made up the other half of the household critter population, Twilight went to work inflating them. With a somewhat heavy heart she started hanging the balloons from the ceiling as she filled them. She had a feeling this evening wasn't going to be the happy night of revelry Pinkie was expecting. *** It wasn't until the sun had long since set that Pinkie finally agreed to take the decorations down. Echo had arrived not too long after Twilight, the night pony going about the task of party preparation with the same muted sadness as Twilight. Jubilant Surprises' special somepony was now in the kitchen trying to console the softly crying Pinkie. Lyra and Bon-bon had been the only other two guests to show up. Of course living just down the street from Pinkie Pie had made it an easy enough trip to make. Lyra's fiance had already left for home, leaving the pair of unicorns alone to clean up. Neither complained however. The sound of hooves clopping up the front stairs drew everypony's attention, and the four mares rushed out as one to greet who they all hoped would be Jubilant. Luna raised an eyebrow at the incredibly crushed looks on all four ponies' faces as she entered. "I apologize if I am not who you were expecting." Twilight smiled thinly to the former Princess as she levitated the saddlebags from her own back, setting them gently on the floor. "Sorry Princess... er... Luna. We were hoping you were somepony else." Nodding in understanding Luna looked to the disappointed faces one after the other. "I see. I am glad you are here Echo, Miss Heartstrings. I had planned to speak with each of you individually about my plans regarding Jubilant Surprise." Faces switched from downcast to optimistically curious almost comically fast. "It is my intention to seek out another path to Jubilant's home world. The journey may be long and dangerous, so I will understand if you do not wish to accompany me. But as Jubilant's mother, special somepony, and best friend I felt you deserved the chance to come with me." Echo and Lyra shared a quick look before seemingly trying to out run the other in an effort to get through the door. "Need to pack! Back in a flash!" Pinkie Pie's ears were perked and a look of cautious optimism was on her face. "But there's no way to get there. Every way we know is gone." Luna inclined her head. "This is true. Every way we KNOW of is gone. That does not mean there are not other paths we can take. What say you madame Mayor? Is my quest impossible?" Shifting uncomfortably at being put on the spot all of a sudden, Twilight frowned thoughtfully. "Not impossible of course. We already know of three ways to travel between dimensions, I can't imagine there aren't more out there we don't know of. I assume you have some kind of plan?" Unable to miss Pinkie's increasing excitement, Luna nodded. "I intend to travel first to Zebrica. If their shamanistic magics hold no answers I will cross the sea to Saddle Arabia and beyond. Someone somewhere must know of the magics we seek. I will travel from on corner of Equus to the next if need be to find a way to reunite Jubilant with her friends and family." It was Pinkie who spoke up now. "But... Surprise isn't foalnapped or anything. She left on her own. She could come back anytime if she wanted to." Twilight was a little surprised to hear the obvious spoken by Pinkie. She'd assumed the earth pony was deluding herself into thinking some evil force kept her filly away. "True enough Pinkie Pie. Consider however the circumstances Jubilant left under. She must be in an indescribable amount of emotional pain. No doubt her own inner demons are what keeps her away. I could hazard a guess at precisely what the problem is but would prefer to hear it from her directly. Remember she is young and prone to reacting rashly when confronted with a difficult problem. What she needs now are her friends and family at her side to give her support." Echo was the first to return, saddle bags secured tightly around her flanks and the twin daggers that comprised her Arm of Harmony, Stinger strapped securely to her forelegs. "I'm ready! Let's hit the road!" Pinkie was already rushing upstairs to pack up herself. Lyra arrived soon with her own bags, and her beautiful rapier Hymn fastened to her side. "So where to?" Twilight watched them all move about excitedly. Part of her screamed to fetch bags of her own and get ready to embark on the possibly very long journey, but she had responsibilities here in Ponyville she couldn't abandon. "We will take the train to Manehattan and from there procure tickets for an air ship to Zebrica. If our search there is fruitless we will travel by boat to the lands of Saddle Arabia. I believe the train to Neighppon runs from there. I do not know how long we will be gone, or how far we will be forced to travel before we find what we seek. Indeed we may never locate a way to cross the border between worlds but that does not mean I will not try." Pinkie soon joined the others with bags of her own. "Well let's get shakin'! Twilight you'll take care of Gummy and Izzy for me right?" Twilight nodded with a soft smile. "Of course I will Pinkie. You girls just be safe. And bring your filly home, alright?" With a smart salute Pinkie trotted outside after the other three. Already they were speaking in excited tones about the places they were about to see. The overall mood was positive however, how could it not be? After a year with only brief letters to ensure them Jubilant was alive and 'well' the idea that they'd soon see her in the flesh was getting them all more than a little excited. "Heeeeeey! I found them!" All four looked up to see a familiar blonde maned, grey coated pegasus approaching from overhead. She was descending rapidly, perhaps a bit more rapidly than she ought to be. The ground bound mares scattered as Ditzy Doo crashed to the ground in the space they'd stood moments ago. Pouding hooves drew their attention away from the recovering pegasus. Ditzy's daughter, Dinky Doo was rushing toward them with the strange brown coated Doctor at her side. Both unicorn mare and earth pony stallion sighed at the sight of Ditzy's newest crash sight. Dinky moved to help her mother to her hooves while the Doctor turned his dazzling smile on the four curious mares. "So! I hear you ladies are looking to do some travelling?"