//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Quite the Shocker // Story: A Wedding In Canterlot // by ThePrinceOfTheNorth //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Quite The Shocker Winter was making his way to the Canterlot Royal Archives, which dated back to even before the Equestrian Unification. He had decided to do a background check on everypony who would be attending Fate and Elegance's wedding. He nearly walked right into Celestia, as they were both preoccupied in thought. Winter managed to see her and rolled out of the path of the alicorn, who just continued walking, seeming very distant. She had been this way ever since she'd taken Chryalis to her chambers after the council session a week earlier. Winter could, in fact, look into one's memories and sense their emotions, but he would not dare do so on one of his friends, as that intrusion would be unforgivable. Winter entered the Royal Archives and set to work at finding the census records of everypony that was to attend the wedding. He had soon finished the noble ponies and move on to the princes and princesses, but he found something amiss. While he knew there were only three princes, himself included, and four princesses. For some reason, there were two more documents on the table, but these folders was old, and bore the stains of time. I opened the first and was rather shocked. The first was of a changeling queen, but lacked any information besides the date of death. This date startled him, as it was the very same day that Celestia had banished Nightmare Moon. Winter, already confused, opened the next folder to be blown away. It was Princess Platinum! There were census sheets that could only be a few months old in the folder. This made no sense. Princess Platinum had died over six thousand years ago of unknown causes... Winter paused his train of thought for a moment, a realization coming to him. Princess Platinum had died over six thousand years ago of unknown causes since her body was never found. Winter realized this could only mean one thing, and he didn't think it would be accepted well by Celestia or Luna, so he decided to pusue Princess Platinum first. That meant he didn't have to look very far... ~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia made sure nopony was looking before teleporting to Chrysalis' hive to determine the situation. What she found shocked her to the core. The hive was filled with empty husks, carapaces of one living changelings littered the halls. Celestia closed her eyes in sorrow, cursing herself for not having helped Chrysalis sooner. She set aside her grief and began searching through the dead hive for her prize, which she found in the throne room. A young, badly scarred Changeling Queen sat on the throne in the foaltal position, slowly rocking back and forth, death's cold embrace slowly creepin in on her. She had once been beautiful, but fate seemed to not take kindly to that beauty, as she was missing an eye and had long scars down one of her legs. She heard Celestia's hoofbeats approaching before weakly calling out "Mommy, is that you?" Celestia lowered herself beside the dying changeling and gave her some of her own love, bringing the little changeling back from the tendrils of death, "No, but I was sent by her, my little changeling." The changeling looked up into Celestia's magenta eyes, which looked sad. She felt Celestia's emotions. Sadness, regret, pity and sympathy were among the strongest the Princess was feeling. Celestia used her magic to place the changeling on her back before opening a portal to her private chambers, where Winter was about to make a shocking discovery... ~~~~~~~~~~ Winter reached the door to Platinum's old quarters. Nopony had set hoof within since her mysterious disappearance, and most believed the room was haunted by her restless spirit. Winter knew better. He could sense something alive behind the door, the privacy spells doing little to hide the signature of a living being behind the door, be it an ancient being of great power. Winter realized that this power felt somewhat familliar, but he could not place it. His concentration was unterrupted as the doorhandle began to turn, seemingly of it's own accord, but once again...Winter knew better... ~~~~~~~~~~ Celestia came through the portal, the weak changeling still on her back. She gingerly used her magic to place the young queen on the bed before going to the door. "Guard," she said. Her two guards snapped to attention. "Find Queen Chrysalis and tell her I have an important message for her, and to come here." "Yes, your highness," saluted on of the guards before he dashed off. "Will that be all, maam," the other guard asked. "Yes, thank you," Celestia replied as she closed the door. ~~~~~~~~~~ "Thou hath done WHAT!?" Winter stood his ground as Luna, his dear wife, used the Royal Canterlot Voice on him, even though she knew he wouldn't even flinch. Still, it was a good way to release her anger at him. "Luna, I believe you are missing the point," Winter said, "Princess Platinum is alive and in this castle." Luna realized she had completely forgotten about that in her anger over the fact that he'd not shown up for the wedding rehearsal. "Did thou see her?" "No, I did not," Winter said, "I thought I could use a little help, in case she's hostile." Luna knew Princess Platinum had been a strong Princess in her time, and could rival the best unicorns of today. Luna slowly nodded. "We shall go with thou on thy quest." "Good," Winter said as began to walk, Luna close behind, "And Luna, you're talking like a Ponissance pony again."