//------------------------------// // Ch VII - Wondering // Story: Stargazers // by Astarea //------------------------------// Stargazers Chapter VII - Wondering A dark wisp of smoke flew through the night sky above Canterlot, observing the city below and probing at the minds of sleeping ponies. Wherever it found a weakness, it struck, sowing a seed that would later mature into a fully grown nightmare. Sinister laughter reverberated through the desolate night sky as Nightmare Moon built her power slowly, but surely, retreating each sunrise to safety deep within the unknowing Princess of the Night. Luna woke with a start, breathing labored breaths and perspiring heavily. ‘It was just a nightmare, get a hold of yourself. You've seen far more putrid things throughout your life.’ - She admonished herself – ‘How can you protect your ponies if you’re having problems keeping your own nightmares at bay… Great, and now you’re speaking to yourself again!’ Her train of thought was broken as a soft lavender wing covered her side and suddenly the nightmare didn't seem scary at all. Twilight’s presence had a calming effect on her, even back when she had just returned from her banishment, and ever since they shared their souls the bond between them proved to be very beneficial. Recently they even started finishing each other’s sentences without knowing! Luna gently moved the wing back, intent on taking a quick shower to rid herself of the remnants of the nightmare and more importantly, of sweat. She trotted to the on suite bathroom, turned on the shower and stood underneath. The steady flow of hot water washed away the blue alicorn’s worries. Additionally, the increasing heat made her turn toward more pleasant thoughts. Ever since she got together with Twilight, the smaller lavender alicorn had been teaching her about everything and anything. Luna especially liked the lessons they had in bed. At this point, Twilight certainly knew Luna’s body better than the blue alicorn herself. For Luna this was a very interesting fact, as her physical construct wasn't always her first priority since she first connected with the moon. Sure, she pampered her mane and brushed her coat regularly, but the things Twilight could to her… Luna shivered pleasantly at the thought. She slowly got out of the shower, planning for a quick “lesson” with Twilight, when the younger pony woke. Stepping through the doors back to her bedroom, she didn't notice the vines creeping from behind her. She also didn't notice the knock-out gas flower until it was too late and unconsciousness took her away. A few hours later Twilight woke alone in bed. Her immediate thoughts of waking alone again roused her panic, which were quickly squashed by feeling the bond. Wherever Luna was, she wasn't in any immediate danger. The lavender alicorn rose from bed, levitated her regalia next to herself and approached the mirror on the far side of the room. She quickly used a spell to wash away any impurities from her mane and coat and brushed her mane into perfection. Turning back to the bed she noticed Luna’s crown and necklace were still on the side table on the blue alicorn’s side of the bed. That was weird, as Luna always dressed when going out. Perhaps she was just visiting Celestia in disguise again; that would explain why she left her regalia behind. Satisfied with her reasoning, Twilight walked out onto the balcony, feeling for some fresh air. When she swung the curtains open, the bizarre sight hit her immediately. Up in the sky, the sun and moon shone together, both near zenith. That worried Twilight. It was one thing for Luna to not dress when going out, but today was her turn to move the moon and sun! What was this, then? The lack of any order in the celestial mechanics was so unlike Luna. Sighing wearily, the lavender alicorn pulled on her magic in order to set the sun and moon into motion. The process didn't look inspiring for the casual onlooker, but in the astral realm vast quantities of magic poured from Twilight out into the world, cascading in streams of blindingly white light. Slowly, the field enveloped the entire sky and with a pull from the bright white dot that was the purple alicorn’s essence, the sky shifted. Opening her eyes back into the normal world, Twilight regarded the sky. The moon was down below the horizon, resting to come out another day, while the sun shone brightly in its correct position. Suddenly, Twilight’s thoughts were interrupted as a green wisp of fire flew to the balcony from Ponyville’s direction and coalesced into a scroll in front of the alicorn’s face. Unfurling the scroll with her magic, Twilight spared it one quick look before hastily galloping out. Back in the room, the scroll fell down unfurled to the ground. An observer would quickly notice the hastily written words on it. Twi, Trouble. Come quick. - Spike Arriving in the middle of Ponyville in a blindingly white flash of teleport, Twilight quickly took in the chaos that had descended upon the small rural town. Everywhere, she saw weird vines, creeping slowly from the direction of the Everfree Forest. Ponies run around in panic, trying all kinds of methods to get rid of the overgrowth and were failing miserably. Twilight noticed Applejack running into the library and decided to follow. Upon entrance, Twilight regarded her best friends. Most of them had very somber faces with the usual exception of Pinkie Pie, who was grinning madly, as expected from her. “Finally! We've been waiting for ages for you! Where have you been, Twilight?” – Rainbow Dash got in her face, demanding answers. “Gosh, Dash. Haven’t you heard of personal space? I would've expected this from Pinkie, not from you.” – Twilight replied defensively. – “As to where I was, I had some business to deal with in Canterlot before I could arrive here.” “Oh, oh! Did you have to repel an invasion of Parasprites? Or did you have to send somebody to the moon? Oh! I know! Did the author lack a way of transitioning from the last scene and decided to use me as a plot device? I love when it happens!” – Pinkie Pie released a stream of words at Twilight, giggling after the last sentence. Her friends decided to ignore the oddity of Pinkie as the author breathed a sigh of relief with the passing of his first “fourth wall” break. Twilight rubbed her temple with a hoof as she felt a headache incoming. “No, Pinkie. I had to assure at least about three quarters of the population of Canterlot that, no, this was not another crisis and, yes, they can go back to their daily lives. Plus Luna vanished and I had to sign like a dozen documents before I could even get out of the palace! Speaking of my moon, is she here, visiting Sunny? Where is Sunny anyway?” – Twilight replied. “I’m very sorry, darling, I was first here and I didn't see her. Although it took me some time to arrive as these dreadful, awful vines kept getting in my way!” – Rarity replied. “Yea, sugarcube, wha’ in tarnation are those? Th’ damned things keep stranglin’ mah trees and Ah don’t like that at all!” – Applejack added. “That’s what I want to know too! The only thing I know is that Spike sent me a letter about trouble and I just arrived.” – Twilight defended herself. – “I find it very disturbing that both Sunny and Luna vanished at the same time as that unexpected sky show happened. I’m glad I can move both the sun and the moon, otherwise the panic would be more widespread. Even now I fear that there will be tons of nobles complaining about that in court tomorrow!” “Um… I might know what happened” – Fluttershy admitted. – “You see… Yesterday I heard Discord laughing and when I asked him… he told me that his prank was finally coming to fruition tomorrow.” Everypony that was gathered facehooved at the thought. Although Discord was seemingly reformed, he was a massive pain in the flank to be near. With a quick thought, Twilight decided on something. “I know what to do, girls. If this is chaotic magic… well, let’s just say I have an ace in my sleeve!” – She said. “But Twilight, you don’t have sleeves!” – Spike reminded. The group exited the building and followed Twilight to the Town Square. Standing in front of the fountain, Twilight channeled massive amounts of magic, so much in fact, that it entered the visible spectrum. Slowly the gathered magic changed shape and coalesced into a dome above the group. Pushing more and more into the spell, Twilight made the dome bigger and bigger. Whenever the shield touched a vine, it vanished in a flash, leaving behind no evidence of its earlier existence. Finally, the entirety of Ponyvile and Sweet Apple Acres was enveloped by the purifying orderly magic. Dozens of ponies stopped what they were doing and surrounded the group in the center of town, gawking at the amazing display of magic. When the shield was done, they all looked to the fourth Princess of Equestria and as if on cue, bowed deeply. Twilight facehooved and decided to address the crowd. “Please, everypony. Do not bow and scrape before me. I am still the same Twilight Sparkle that lived in the library not so long ago. If it makes you feel better, I still have my flaws!” A few ponies in the crowd blanched at the thoughts of a neurotic with the ability to move the sun and moon, but wisely decided to say nothing. Slowly, but surely, ponies got back to their hooves and a whisper broke out. “We know that, Princess Twilight. But you have saved our town enough times that this is the least we can do to honor you.” – Mayor Mare explained. “Sigh. Very well. But please, my little ponies, you can go back to your regular schedules as I deal with the culprit of this… mess.” – Twilight said with resignation. Ponies started to leave the Town Square by one or in groups and soon only a small number of them remained, possibly ones that didn't have better things to do. Satisfied with the lack of a big audience, Twilight once again gathered her magic and summoned Discord. The draconequus appeared in a bed, covered with a quilt with Fluttershy’s outlines on it and wearing pajamas and a night cap also adorned with the yellow pony. Discord ostensibly yawned and looked around. He snapped his claws, getting rid of the bed and his pajamas. “Why, if it isn't a bunch of my favorite ponies!” – He exclaimed, conjuring a book for Twilight, a magnificent bouquet of flowers for Rarity, an apple for Applejack, party streamers for Pinkie Pie, a Wonderbolt plush for Rainbow Dash and a koala for Fluttershy. Reluctantly, the ponies accepted the gifts, which suddenly changed into glasses of chocolate milk. Twilight decided that enough is enough. “That’s it Discord. Thank you for the present and the refreshment but I didn't summon you here to partake in an exchange of pleasantries. Now, if you’re done horsing around, can you please tell me why in Tartarus did you conjure these vines? And where is Celestia and Luna?” – Twilight demanded. “Ah, ah, ah. That would be telling. Now, do you wish the longer version where you can learn some history… or do you want to ruin this story and just skip to the end?” “As much as I’d love to learn something, can you please just skip it?” “I’m afraid that would give the author too much negative feedback. If you want to get an explanation, you should ask your zebra friend, Zecora.” – Discord said. – “In fact, here she comes!” And indeed, right that moment, Zecora exited the forest, pulling a cart filled with all her belongings in tow. The group quickly trotted to the newly arrived zebra, asking if she was okay and if she needed help. It quickly turned out that Zecora did, in fact, have a potion that could show the past to a pony. She explained that in order for the potion to work, it had to be charged with alicorn magic. Intrigued by the prospect of time-traveling again, Twilight agreed and charged her magic at the potion. Unseen by all, Discord snapped his fingers and some of his magic entered the potion. Twilight drunk the white potion and with a flash, vanished. The bottle with the potion fell down on the ground, suddenly no longer white, but gold. All around, Discord’s cackling could be heard. Twilight awoke in a cave with a massive headache. Stumbling to her legs, she noticed that something was different about her. She was taller and her mane swayed in an ethereal wind of pure magic. That was new. Taking a look around the cave, she noticed a weird glowing tree, with several colorful gems embedded in it. The tree felt familiar. A soft gasp drew her gaze from the tree to the entrance of the cave. There, in all their splendor, stood younger Celestia and Luna, gawking at Twilight with wonder. “Who art thou?” – asked both sisters.