Sunlight sighed happily as she laid there in bliss.
Dust had just left her room as their talk about what Sunlight truly was and it went better than anything she had ever experienced in her life. She finally had someone else in her life that wasn't her mother or Vanilla that accepted her for who she was and Sunlight could not be happier about it.
She laid up and trotted over to her mirror. She was still in her halfbreed form and was smiling. It felt like she hadn’t smiled in a long time prior to her ‘incident’ with Sweetie Belle. Thinking of which, Sunlight wondered if Sweetie was having a good time or not with her new coltfriend…
Canterlot Castle
By all accounts Sweetie Belle was not having a great time. She was trying to be fast as possible in this heavy armor. It was so noisy and cramped and- OW!
There went another one of her mane’s strands. She rubbed her helmeted head and hoped this would all be over soon. As she was trotting all over the castle trying to find Sunlight’s room, she passed a sandy blonde mare who looked to be a maid for the castle.
As the two passed one another, Sweetie could have sworn she saw something in the maid’s eyes that… reflected an odd color. Sweetie just shrugged it off and kept on her search for Sunlight.
Sunlight’s room.
Sunlight giggled to herself and her reflection in the mirror a light knocking came from her door. She assumed her Alicorn form and trotted over to her door, opening it slowly.
“Hello?”
Her own mother was standing right there with a smile on her face as always.
“Hello my little Princess~” She hugged her daughter and nuzzled her. “How are you faring right now?”
Sunlight hugged her mother back.
“I’m doing fine Mother, a friend of mine helped me feel better.”
Celestia’s smile brighten. “That’s wonderful to hear Sunlight. Do you mind if I come in to talk about it? I am quite curious to hear about this new friend of yours.”*
Sunlight nodded quickly and led her mother into the room and sat down on her bed and awaited her mother to join her. Celestia took a seat of her own and looked to her daughter.
“Now then, tell me about this new friend of yours.”*
“Her name is Dusty Handmaiden! She works here as a maid inside the castle.”
Celestia tapped her hoof. “I normally know all of the maids and butlers by name but I have never heard of her before…”
“Maybe she’s new?” Sunlight suggested to her confused mother. Celestia nodded and agreed with her daughter.
“Perhaps, I have to look into it later but right now please tell me about your day with this “Dusty Handmaiden.”
“Well, It all started with… Um… Mom?”
“Yes Sunlight?”
“Do you hear that buzzing sound?”
“Buzzing?” Celestia tried to hear what her daughter was hearing but no such noise reached her ears. “I don’t hear anything like that. It must be some bees who snuck into the castle.”
Sunlight was about to retort that but she instantly felt weak. “Ma?”
“Sunlight? Whats the matter?” Celestia was starting to get more worried for her daughter’s safety and health.
“I don’t know...I feel really weird…” Sunlight rubbed her eyes, feeling a bit tired now.
Celestia chuckled, relieved that it was just her lack of sleep catching up with her. “Alright dear, I think it’s time you had a little nap.”
“But mom, I still want to tell you about my day with Dust….”
“You can tell me when you wake up. But now you must rest and regain your energy.” Sunlight slowly nodded and climbed under her covers to start sleeping. “Good night, Sunlight.” She leaned down and kissed her daughter’s forehead light and trotted out of the room. She turned to Vanilla who always seemed to be on guard when Sunlight was in her room. “Make sure no one disturbs her, she needs her sleep.”
“Yes Princess.”
Celestia nodded and trotted down the hallways of her enormous castle. She felt a bit more at ease knowing her little Sunlight was becoming much better since her heart was broken by Sweetie Belle. Unlike most of the maids or other servants in the castle that blamed the mare for Sunlight’s emotional pain, Celestia mostly blamed herself for what had happened.
She remember that she promised that she would always be at Sunlight’s side to protect her. It seems that she had failed in her promise to her one and only daughter. With a heavy sigh she trotted into her chambers and was surprised to see Luna there.
“Luna? What brings you here?”
“Sister, have you forgotten that it is almost time to lower the sun? I’ve been waiting on you since I awoke.” Luna was always one to get her royal duties done and done well.
“Forgive me Luna, I was simply checking on Sunlight before she took a nap.” She trotted out to the balcony and prepared to lower her sun.
Luna merely rolled her eyes and got into her position to raise her lovely moon up into the night sky. “I do not understand why she must take up so much of your time when you could be doing your duties.”
Celestia giggled and looked down at her sister. “When you have children of your own you’ll come to understand what I am more concerned about in life.”
“If you insist, sister…” The two powerful Alicorns lit their horns with their magic and moved the two celestial bodies to their now designated spots in the sky. After this was done, Celestia trotted over to her bed and pulled out one of her favorite novels.
“Did you hear what happened earlier today, sister?” Luna asked, standing in front of the bed and facing Celestia.
“No I did not.” She said, still looking into her book.
“Apparently there was a Changeling that escaped when it was found out. Sister, I know why you are hesitant to take the actions but we must make it known that we will no longer tolerate their spy games.”
Celestia sighed and closed her book. “I was just getting to the good part...” She looked at her sister. “Yes Luna, I know we must do what we must but we should not do it with spears and daggers in our hooves.”
“You only say this because of Sunlight and your so called ‘Husband’.”
That comment phased Celestia but she kept up her poker face. “I say this is because I do not want a war on our hooves. Imagine what that could bring upon Equestria if we went to war with the changelings.”
“But Sister, we must show the-” Luna was about to go on as the door opened up, Dust peaked in her head.
“I hope I’m not interrupting something important.”
Celestia shook her head. “You were not. Is there something you would like to tell us?” Luna huffed and and did not looked pleased that she was so rudely interrupted.
Dust nodded and fully trotted into the room. “Princesses, I was asked to fetch you because a guard just returned from a patrol wounded and wanted to tell you that it was a Changeling ambush. They are coming in from the front.”
“Why would they do this? Changelings are known for their stealth not their brawn.” Celestia was largely confused by this information and tried to ponder what might be going on.
“It doesn’t matter now. Now we must prepare for their invasion,” Luna said trotting out of the room. “I will inform the public while you amass the guards.”
Celestia nodded and trotted out of the room with her sister leaving Dust alone. Dust looked worried for the moment then calmed and smiled that her leaders had everything planned out. Then another thought passed her mind as she remembered something that made her face turn to one of dread and worry.
”Sunlight...!” With that, she dashed out of the room.
Sunlight’s room
Sunlight was awaken by the sounds of many hooves trotting through the hallways outside. She got out of her bed, shifted into an alicorn, and peeked outside to see what was going on. All the servants seemed to be getting escorted out of the castle by some of the guards.
“What’s going on with everypony?” As she asked this, Vanilla and a white mare trotted up in full armor. “Vanilla? What is going on with everypony? Is something bad happening?”
“Sunlight, there is an army approaching Canterlot as we speak. We must get you out with the rest of the ponies.”
“What about my mother? Is she safe?”
“Celestia is helping the guards get into position to help ward of the army as we escape. She’ll be joining us very soon.”
Sunlight nodded and followed Vanilla to where they needed to go to leave the threatened castle.
Medical ward.
The wounded guard cringed as he was laid down on the bed by the nurses. After that, the nurses left for him to get some rest. Sometime later after the nurses left, the guard woke back up and slowly laid up in his bed. He turned his head and activated his green magic to slide open the windows of the ward. Suddenly after all of the windows were open, warrior changelings climbed through the window and huddled around the wounded guard. The guard himself smirked and looked to the changelings around him.
“You remember your missions?”
They nodded.
“Good. Tonight the changeling hive will grow stronger then ever before in our small history.” The guard got out of his bed and shifted his form entirely. It seems to be a much older and stronger male changeling. His right eye had a magical scar burned over it. “Tonight, I, General Chale, will succeed where the might of Queen Chrysalis had failed us all! Tonight I will not simply give my suggestions to anyone and be burned for it! Tonight I lead the charge into Canterlot when their backs are turned!”
“Tonight! All of Equestria’s love will make us stronger and in turn we will rise! Go, my brothers and sisters! For the glory of our hive and the future of all changelings in Equestria!” The Changelings stomped their hooves for their general and started to breach the castle from the Medical ward, trapping nurses, guards, and doctors in their green goo as they went.
General Chale smirked. “All according to the plan so far.” He turned to one of the changelings at his side. “Is she ready to play her part?”
The changeling nodded.
“Good, I’ll send her in right away.” He lifted his hoof to look at the red crystal inside his gauntlet which glowed with dark magic. “Time for the show to begin!”
Canterlot gates
Celestia watched as all of the guards amass at the gates to defend their homes and loved ones from the approaching Changeling hoard. She was worried about her subjects and castle works and hoped they would get out safely.
Suddenly she felt a cold and dark energy flow through her that made her shiver. She noticed this happened to the rest of the guards who could feel magical energies. She had an idea of what could have possibly done such a thing but it would be impossible for it to be a real thre-
The horns sounded. Celestia had been told that it was to warn everyone that the army was approaching but… something seemed off. The guard on the watch out was telling them he only saw one changeling coming straight this way. As he was telling more information to the rest, a dark crystal shot through the tower and soon made it collapse slowly, thankfully not harming anyone around it.
Celestia’s eyes widen as she saw the crystal and tinier ones form around it. Her bodyguards were trying to get her to move away from the scene but she had to know if he had returned.
But what caught Celestia by surprised was not the dreaded lord of the north. It was a changeling wearing similar armor but in the normal changeling fashion. The being swirled with dark magic, glowing a hideous purple and with green energy surrounding it. It stood on the gates, and then Celestia got a much better look at the changeling… and her eyes widen in disbelief and fear.
It was Queen Chrysalis that was doing the damage. Her eyes were the same bone chilling Red and Green as King Sombra’s but even worse. She was even more tainted by his brand of magic and seemed to radiate it. Tiny dark crystals formed at her hooves, growing slowly with each passing moment.
“Oh no…”
“Ponies of Equestria!” Chrysalis’ voice sounded distorted and twisted, sounding like a mix of a terrible demon and herself. “Your new master has arrived!”
Canterlot Castle
“Vanilla, I’m getting worried about mother..”
Vanilla looked back to the young princess and smiled kindly to her. “Don’t worry Sunlight, Celestia can handle herself. Right now we need to get out of here while we still have the time to.”
Sunlight nodded and kept behind the two guards that were leading her to the train-station on the other side of town so they could be evacuated with the others.
Sunlight looked at the other guard that joined her and Vanilla. She had a white coat but that’s all she could tell about her thanks to all that heavy armor.
“Um… Miss?” Sunlight spoke up to the mare. “What do you think is going to happen?”
The mare seemed to jump at Sunlight’s voice and didn’t look back at her. ”Well… Uh... I think that everything is going to be okay.” The mare tried to sound tough and gruff to the princess.
“Well… Alright then…” Sunlight looked down, still worried about her home and all the ponies in it.
As they were about to round the corner they heard doors being slammed shut. Vanilla and the mare were quick to hurry to the sound, and feeling like she would get lost again, Sunlight joined them.
They soon arrived at the sight of where the sound came from. Sunlight saw her mother, Luna, and a hoof-full of guards trying to keep the doors closed. The older alicorns were trying to catch their breath.
“Mom! Luna!” Sunlight galloped ahead of the two guards and hugged her mother tightly. “I was so worried…”
Celestia hugged her daughter tightly. “As was I…”
The two embraced, and Sunlight looked up at Luna and then back to her mother. “What happened? Whats going on in the city?”
*Celestia looked up at her sister and Luna nodded to her sister.* Celestia sighed and looked down at her precious daughter. “Sunlight… I… I never really did tell you the truth about your father...”
“Are you sure this is the right time for this Princess?” Vanilla asked, looking down the way they came for any invaders.
“I am sure, Vanilla.” Celestia looked back to her daughter. “Sunlight… The truth is that you never had a father.”
“Wha?”
“The truth is… is that…” Before Celestia could finish, a loud bang came from the door and some of the guards almost lost their grip. Celestia’s horn had activated and she helped keep the door closed. She let go of her daughter and trotted closer to the door to help keep her magical effect on the door constant.
“Mom!”
Celestia turned back to her daughter and smiled weakly. “Don’t worry about me, Sunlight. Just follow your aunt and Vanilla out of here before they catch you.”
Luna looked shocked. “You can’t be serious, sister! I should be here helping you with the invasion.”
Celestia shook her head at her sister. “We can’t have both halves of the kingdom being taken today.” She looked back at Sunlight. “And Sunlight will need you more then I need you right now.”
Luna was going to saying something, but she knew deep down that her older sister was right. She nodded and trotted over to Vanilla.
“Mom, what were you going to say about Dad?”
Celestia sighed. “I’ll tell you when all of this is put back to what it should be. Now please, go with your Aunt.”
“O-… Okay mom…” Sunlight turned around and left her mother and the guards at the door.
Celestia smiled again. “I love you, my daughter...”
The four ponies ventured towards the trains. As they were about to step outside of the castle they heard doors being broken down and sounds of conflict following. Sunlight was about to go and try to help, but Luna stopped her.
“Be smart, Sunlight. Sister wanted us to escape and not be caught by the invaders. Now turn back around and get on the train.”
Suddenly, a changeling rushed past Luna and tackled Sunlight. The halfling yelped as she was tackled to the ground and looked up at the changeling. It seemed to grin evilly as he raised a hoof up to hit Sunlight. Sunlight coward in fear and closed her eyes.
But… the hit never came. Sunlight opened her eye to see Dust standing over the now unconscious Changeling assaulter. Dust turned around and helped Sunlight off of the ground.
“Are you alright?”
Sunlight slowly nodded and stood when she was back on her hooves. Vanilla and the white mare were soon at Sunlight’s side.
“Princess, are you alright?”
“I’m fine Vanilla, thanks to Dust he didn’t get the chance to hurt me.”
Vanilla turned to Dust and smiled. “Guess I was wrong about you before, miss Handmaiden.”
“No offense taken. Now lets get on that train.”
The group, now on the train, looked back as they saw Canterlot being slowly taken over by the horde of black creatures. Sunlight sat down and held herself, hoping her mother was alright… and this was all just one big bad dream. Dust was at Sunlight’s side and hugged the princess tightly. Brushing her mare’s mane and saying,
“It is going to be alright. It will be over sooner than you think, Sunlight.”