//------------------------------// // Chapter 17: Secrets of the two Sisters // Story: Zaps Apple // by Electuroo //------------------------------// Zaps Apple Chapter 17: Secrets of the two Sisters “That’s when Soulful and Fancy Pants found me and helped me find you girls and Big Mac.” I finished my story and picked up my donut in my hooves, dipped it in the hot chocolate and took a bite out it, feeling a little better. Fancy Pants sighed sadly. “It’s a shame you had to go through all that Zaps, this city is normally such a wonderful place but I suppose no place is perfect. I beg of you not to judge this town too harshly or dwell on what has happened, see instead how we are all now having a good time.” Fancy Pants put his hoof out to everypony gathered around the table as they all enjoyed their hot chocolate and donuts. Soulful looked like he was thinking about something. “Fancy Pants, why don't we write about what happened to Zaps, without naming him of course. An article about such events might get some heads turning and help clean up some of those snobby nobles’ acts.” Fancy Pants was rubbing his hoof against his snout. “It sounds like a reasonable idea, Soulful Haiku, but I would still advise against it. Such things have repercussions that could put both of us in more than a tad of bother.” Scootaloo jumped up onto her chair “ You can’t publish such a terrible story. It doesn’t matter why you say you want to do it. How would you like it, buster, if somepony came along and published your worst day ever for the whole of Equestria to see?” Big Macintosh nodded once in agreement. “Eeyup.” Soulful gulped loudly. Fancy Pants put a hoof to Soulful. “She is right, dear Soulful, instead I would like you to write a letter to the Canterlot Cliff Restaurant, demanding an apology for what the stallion at the door did to Zaps. Nopony should be treated like that, especially not a lost child.” “Ok! You brought up a valid point, I won’t write the story.” He turned to Fancy Pants. “I will begin writing a letter to the restaurant immediately.” “Good!” Scootaloo poked him and went back to happily eating her donut, as if nothing happened. The girls and I were laughing at what Scootaloo had done to Soulful. “Remind me never to upset that filly.” I heard him whisper to Fancy Pants. “Don’t worry, I will.” Fancy Pants chuckled. We all joined in laughing. The owner Joe watched with a smile at how happy his customers were. I guess having Fancy Pants here was also a boost for him as his presence in the shop seemed to encourage a small group of other ponies to come in and buy some of Joe’s freshly baked donuts. After finishing our donuts and hot chocolates we left the shop and actually made our way to the palace this time. The sun was shining again and I was on Big Mac's back as we walked up the wide, paved road leading to the palace gates. This time I wasn't going to get lost. I small detachment of royal guard ponies marched up to us, and addressed big Mac. “We have been sent by the Princesses to escort you all to the palace.” They turned to Fancy Pants and Soulful. “You are also asked to come as well.” Soulful face showed a sudden expression of surprise. “Wh-what? Wh-why?” “The Princesses wish to personally thank you both, for helping in the search of Zaps Apple, sir,” the guard explained to them. Fancy Pants stepped up to the guards. “ As grateful as we are for the invitation, there is still a large amount of unfinished work Soulful and I have to complete. Please send my regards to the princesses and my regret that we cannot make it at this time.” Fancy Pants turned to Soulful. “However we will come by the castle in due time, once we have finished.” “Very well, sir, I will relay the message for you,” The pegasus guard replied. Soulful pulled out a quill and gave it to me. “Here, take this Zaps, a little gift. I hope we meet again.” I took it with my front hooves with a smile. “Thank you, Soulful, I hope we do too!” “Yeah! It’s been great meeting you Fancy Pants! I will say hi to Rarity for you!” Sweetie Belle hugged Fancy Pants. He hugged her back. “Please do, young one. We had better be off, Soulful.” Soulful and Fancy Pants waved their goodbyes as they left. We returned it, waving back. “Goodbye!” The girls and I called out. Along with Big Macintosh, we followed the guards up to the Canterlot Palace, without any problems this time. I was glad that I got to ride on Big Macintosh, it was a steep hill up to the palace, and I was exhausted from getting lost around the city. As we arrived at the palace and entered the hall, we found Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Night Spark waiting for us. “Oh my stars look at the state of you.” Rarity ran up to me as I climbed off Big Macintosh. “Just look at the mess your fur and mane are in. What in Celestia's name happened to you?” I looked down, rubbing my hoof on the polished floor. “I got very lost and the rude ponies didn't want to help me. Not until Soulful Haiku and Fancy Pants found me.” “Fancy Pants!? You ran into Fancy Pants!? Oh my goodness Zaps, I am so glad you ran into somepony like him. He is a real gentlecolt here in Canterlot.” Rarity looked really surprised. “We sure did sis! He even asked me to say hi to you too!” Sweetie Belle was beaming and bouncing up and down in excitement. “Thank you Sweetie. It is a pleasure to know he still keeps in touch.” Rarity raised her head, looking at Big Macintosh, then at me. “You two can't possibly meet the princesses in that state, look at you, damp, messy, you look as if you two have been in some dirty alley.” Big Macintosh looked like he was about to have a go at her, but Night Spark spoke up. “I will take them both to the private baths here in the palace, why don't the rest of you go and freshen up for the meeting with Princess Luna and Celestia.” Rainbow Dash stepped up to him and whispered something to him with a smirk, I wasn't sure what she said but if I were to guess, I‘d say it was about saving Rarity from Big Macintosh. “Big Mac do we have to?” I looked up at him. “Eeyup.” Big Mac replied and we followed Night Spark up the steps. Pinkie Pie called out to us from behind Scootaloo and the others. “Be back soon! I’ve got a party to plan! There is some mega cheering up needed!” Pinkie Pie zipped right past us and disappeared down the corridoor. Night Spark blinked a few times. “What in Luna's name did I just witness?” Luna's POV I had watched the young ponies walk under guard escort into the palace, at that moment I had finally seen, with my very own two eyes, the young colt called Zaps. The name was new but the colt was the same, and it made my heart race and my stomach twist, I had saved him from the darkness without a second thought but now... “Luna I just received word from our guards, they have arrived safely.” I had been staring out the window for over ten minutes, silent, absorbed in my own thoughts when my sister called out my name and broke me from my trance. “Luna you had no idea it would be...” Tia paused, looked over towards the guards in the room and, turning back to me whispered... “Him.” I lowered my head with a heavy sigh.” Indeed... But are you sure that is right for him to be adopted into the Apple family?” I knew the answer already but it was still hard to come to terms with. Celestia leaned her head against my own. “Yes Luna I am sure. You and I both know that we cannot reveal to them what we know about that colt, it is for the best.” Celestia led me out of the throne room and down the hall past the huge stained glass windows documenting the history of our land. After a brief glance down the hall my sister used her magic to open up the wall, revealing a secret room inside the palace. We stepped inside and entered the small room, lit only by the light coming through the stained glass windows, each forming a part of the triangular ceiling. Depicted on the windows were three scenes from long ago. The first was an image of peace, laughter and happiness between ponies. The second picture represented love between two ponies. The third, final, picture was one of desolation, destruction and defeat, at a price. The days we had so long tried to move on from. In the centre of the room, on a polished marble column, sat a shining crystal on top of a red cushion. “Is that the cutie mark of...” I saw her tears and dared not speak the words. I hugged her as she broke down into tears. “Sister, just let it out,” I whispered and she continue to sob silently into me as we embraced. As I stared sadly at that crystal, I felt myself fade into another world, a world I had long since left behind. Celestia released me and stepping back, used a silk cloth to wipe her tears away. “Luna?” I pulled at the long dress I had been forced to wear but my sister put her hoof firmly against mine, shaking it. “Nighty, you’re fine., relax. After all, you're not the one who’s getting married today,” She whispered to me with a soft smile. I despised everything about that dress, the way it covered my light purple fur, how the blue reminded me of the night and darkness, and the ridiculous braides that had been forced into my blue, flowing mane. I would never had worn it, were it not for my sister. “I know, Sunny Day but I hate this thing, it reminds me too much of what we lost coming here,” I whispered, looking cross eyed at my horn with a sigh. Sunny Day smiled and hugged me. “I know, little sister, I know it has been very strange for you, being such a small filly.” “Hey!” I pushed her off me, out of the hug, glaring. “At least you kept your cutie mark!” I muttered under the sound of the music being played by the band. “But I’ve got to admit, this life feels... normal, and I kind of like it.” “So do I.” Sunny Day replied and hugged me again. This time I didn't protest, I just returned it to my big sister. The sound of Harmony Rose laughing made us both jump. “It reminds me of my own two sons, how they get into their little squabbles.” Harmony turned to her fellow rulers. “Today marks a very special day for not only you two, but for me and my children. Today is the day I welcome two new ponies into my family, the day I call you two my daughters, if you allow me too.” I bit my lip, looking up to my sister then back. “I... I would like that Harmony Rose...” The doors opened to the fanfare of trumpets playing as Armour McApple walked down the aisle, accompanied on either side by two guard ponies in golden armour, carrying the flag of the kingdom in their hooves. “I do have one question though. Should it not be me walking down the aisle?” Sunny Day asked and I giggled, turning to the yellow colt beside me who was rolling his eyes at that comment. Harmony Rose shook her head. “No my dear, we wanted to create a place of harmony when our ancestors found this place. Our traditions are very important to us here,” Harmony Rose replied in a formal tone before ascending the stairs to the raised stage with an Earth Pony and Pegasus Pony, the two stallions looked to her with a nod and stepped to the side. Armour McApple walked up and turned to face Sunny Day. Harmony Rose waited for the music to finish and, using her magic to amplify her voice, began speaking to the large group, gathered around the square. “Today marks a grand and great day, not only for us but for our new friends and family, ponies who, only five years ago seeked refuge from the world of chaos beyond the Mist of Misdirection, are now welcomed as part of the harmony within our kingdom. I humbly stand before my son Armour McApple and Sunny Day, the graceful unicorn who won my son's heart, to fulfil my duty to wed this stallion and mare. May the years that follow this day be for you forever joyous and full of love and devotion to one another. Our kingdom is small and little known to the outside world, but we live for a peaceful today and a harmonious tomorrow.” Harmony Rose used her magic to lift a ring to Armour McApple. He took the ring with his mouth placing it on Sunny Day's horn. “The love between these two young souls is powerful and I hope for everlasting joy for you two. If anypony has any reason why these two should not marry, let them speak now!” The request was met with silence. My horn was shimmering from the excitement of seeing my sister's joy. “I present you as mare and husband, you may kiss the...” Harmony didn't get to finish when we all saw Sunny Day launch at Armour McApple giving him a big kiss. “Well that is one way of doing it.” Harmony Rose laughed as the congregation let out a unanimous cheer of approval.. A magical aurora of light shimmered across the square as the cheers continued. Armour and Sunny stood beside each other with a hoof raised waving to everypony with the biggest smiles I had ever seen, I looked to Harmony Rose. She looked back at me. “Does that mean you're my mother now?” “Yes it does, welcome to the family Nighty.” I gave her a hug and my sister smiled as I got Harmony and I embraced. Soon Armour and his brother were joining in with Sunny and together we embraced our ever growing family... “Luna, are you ok?” Celestia asked me as I opened my eyes. I smiled. “I was just remembering a very important day... A day that was...Normal.” I turned and left the room with Celestia. She closed the wall, looking sadly down the hallway. “Sometimes I wish we could have done more.” “You and I both Luna...”