//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Great Conspiracy // by YoungQuillMaster //------------------------------// “And as you see here, your majesties, in all honesty, both provinces that say they have a right to this parcel of land are actually both, in some regard, telling the truth.” The pony continued her monologue while using her magic to levitate a small stick, which she used to point out the area of contention. “Cloudsdale claimed the land back during the time of the initial formation of Equestria and later resigned rights to all lands to the east of the river to the Central Province. After Discord’s reign, however, the river forked in this area, causing slight contention as to who the real owner are. Cloudsdale states their right is that it is now to the west of the main river while as the Central Province believes since both branches of the river count as the river, thus making any land to the east of any part of it rightfully their due to the contract made between them and Cloudsdale.” The pony continued, her tone droning on and on as the explanation of the situation came to a close. “Both parties have agreed to release all claims to said piece of land and to allow you to choose who shall be declared its proper owner.” Celestia nodded while Luna simply stared off into space, a quill twirling in her magic. “Very well, thank you for telling us the specifics.” Celestia said to the pony with a nod, “We’ll deliver our decision later on when we have had a time to truly consider all factors in this situation.” Celestia finished. The pony nodded with a smile while stowing away her stand with the map into her bags. “Thank you, your majesties. That is all we ask you do.” The pony said as she headed towards the gigantic, wooden, double doors and went out into the hall, walking away calmly as the doors shut behind her. “The world will never know how grateful I am that that is over with.” Luna commented as she planted her quill back into its fountain with a groan. “Believe me that I gain no pleasure from it either,” Celestia replied, “But it’s what is necessary after such a dramatic event as Discord coming into power.” Luna looked at her sister with a tired expression. “They said we would be more of a symbolic form of leadership.” Luna reminisced, “Now look at us, ruling over the land entirely. Ponies make journey worth several days just to complain about the conditions of where they live.” She groaned as she levitated a scroll over to her line of sight. “Seriously, complaining on how the apple trees are not doing as well and that certain deposits of water are now undrinkable. These are the type of things you’d expect after a being of pure chaos takes over, and yet these ponies act like it’s something unthinkable.” “Indeed, ponies can be fickle at times, but really, what can we expect.” Celestia said. “Once we get farther into this, namely when all the effects of Discord’s reign are minimal, there won’t be so many complaints on living conditions.” “Famous last words, sister, famous last words.” Luna commented. “Oh, here’s an interesting one. A pony out west complains that the dust storms are getting more and more violent. It’s almost as if Discord destroyed a mountainous dune of sand or something…” Luna commented with a groan. “I sometimes think ponies think Discord never happened and that it’s really weird certain things are changed, like this one pony who noticed their flower are planted upside down and wants an investigation launched to find, and I quote ‘The mischievous hooligan pulling such dastardly deeds on a poor old widow.’” “I believe the ponies are merely turning a blind eye to Discord’s time in power simply because it causes so much pain to think about it, and so they just believe somepony else did whatever is happening to them.” Celestia replied. “Maybe it’s better if ponies forget all about Discord… there is no lesson to learn except to be prepared. Such lesson can be taught without constantly reminding ponies of one of our darkest moments.” “Maybe, but these ponies can really nag sometimes.” Luna grumbled. “I wonder if princesses get vacations… I definitely could use one. Maybe a nice rest at the Manehattan waterfront would do nicely.” Luna pondered. “Unfortunately, to leave this castle we’d actually need permissions and be on official business.” Celestia stated, shooting down Luna’s idea before it could take flight. “Maybe we could say there were reports about strange occurrences in the sand and that the water was reported to contain some odd substance. Most everypony would believe it, and those that didn’t could be shooed away by the guard.” Luna offered, causing Celestia to chuckle while she rolled her eyes. “Luna, I want to get away as much as you do, but there is simply too much to be done to simply drop it all and go on a venture of pure pleasure.” Celestia stated as she picked up a stack of scrolls and began to read through them. Luna groaned, slamming her head into the table. “Keep that up and the guard will come in asking why he’s hearing odd thumping noises only to see you bruised cranium.” Luna gave her a sideways glance before starring back at the wooden grain before her eyes. “Maybe then they’ll take me to bed rest and give me a break from all this.” Luna said in a tired tone as she knocked her head against the table a few more times. “I’d be willing to share my cloud cake with you if it happened.” She offered her sister, who shook her head with a smile. “I doubt injured ponies get cake.” Celestia countered. She put one scroll away and took out another, reading over it with sleepy eyes. “Besides, if I wanted I could ask for another piece in an instant.” “And then you’d be breaking rations.” Luna returned. “Yet another rule you’d doubtlessly want to keep by.” Luna said while smacking head a few more times in the table. “Ugh… why does being a princess have to be such a boring day job?” “Because it’s a job, which implies work, which usually mean entertainment at all hours unless you have the absolute perfect job that you can’t wait to get back to each day.” Celestia replied. “Now come on, I think we can knockout another case of scrolls by lunchtime, and if we do, we can take a nice relaxing walk in the courtyard, maybe even have a nice visit to the forest if we’re lucky enough and have sufficient time.” Luna just groaned as she raised her head and began reading another scroll. “Why can’t we have some of the servants or even a guard to sort these out?” Luna asked as she slammed one of said scroll onto the table before her. “Because they are all busy preparing the last few things about the castle, and even if they were available, they wouldn’t know what we would consider important and rubbish, so we are the only ones suitable for the job.” Celestia replied as she put another scroll into the unimportant box. Luna once again groaned and levitated her scroll back to her line of sight; the hours ticking by slowly as lunchtime approached as scroll by scroll were sifted through, removing the requests that were not worth attention from the ones that were of actual concern. Luna stuffed another scroll in the unworthy of attention section and took out another one, which, unlike the other she had read through, actually caught her attention. “Sister, how does a nice cruise to relieve the nerves sound?” Luna asked, lowering the scroll to look at her sister who sat in her seat on the other side of the table. “We’ve been over this before, Luna; we can’t do something like that at a time like this. We’re needed here in Equestria and we can’t break away at any time unless it’s official business.” Celestia replied, trying to remain calm. “But this is official business, and it might not even have anything to do with Discord.” Luna stated. “Take a look at this.” She pressed while levitating the scroll over to Celestia, who lazily grasped it in her grip and began reading over it her expression shifting to one of intrigue. “Indeed, this is interesting news… and I do believe we can pull away to investigate personally.” Celestia replied, a smile spreading across her snout. “After lunch then?” Luna asked, taking out another scroll, quickly skimming over it before tossing it into a box of the messages of little importance. “Indeed, I believe we shall, after all,” Celestia set the scroll in an empty box before taking another scroll from another box, doing the same motions as she had with all its previous compatriots. “This is matter of the utmost importance and must be dealt with before another day passes.” “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Luna replied, placing a scroll into the section of scrolls that would need to be looked over later. “Though, it would be best to finish this job before then so we can properly enjoy ourselves while investigating such weird occurrences.” Celestia stated as she took a new scroll out and scanned it quickly. “Of course, Celestia, it would be best not to let it pile up on us…” Luna commented, “No matter how much of a boar it is.” Luna finished with a groan while tossing one of the scrolls into the furnace. “Losing a cat is no reason to ask the princesses for help. It probably just wanted better food.” She said while rubbing her temples as a headache started to come on. Celestia grinned at her while placing a scroll into the file to be reviewed later. The two sisters walked onto the boat, their guards forming a wall around them, discouraging any hopefuls that wished to present their request or complaint in person. The ship was well kept, the deck almost shining in the noonday sun. “Your majesties,” One of their advisors said as he approached them, “Might I ask why you require to leave the capital so promptly and need this boat as well. There is much work to be done, and though I realize that it really must be a strain on the nerves, we must all do our parts.” “We know this, good stallion, and that is why we must go.” Celestia replied with an expression as cold as stone. “One of our notices gave us a cause for intrigue, and slight concern, such that we know have resolved to find it out.” She levitated the scroll over to the advisor, who took it with weary eyes before reading over its contents. He shut the scroll once finished and approached the princesses, who had moved away since he began reading. “Forgive me, your highnesses, I now know the truth and see you indeed looking out for the best interests of your kingdom. I thank you for keeping my advice in mind.” The advisor said, bowing before his princesses. “It is good that you showed concern for our motives,” Luna stated, “It would not do to have an advisor who cowers to give advice.” The advisor nodded and trotted away to attend to another matter. “Well handled, sister, maybe this shall translate to our card games.” Celestia commented in a whisper. Luna looked at her with a smirk. “I still intend to beat you in case you’ve forgotten.” Luna replied, “And one day I shall turn the table on you and claim victory without using illegal methods, unlike a certain pony I know.” “You’ve yet to conclusively prove I’ve cheated at any time. When and if you can, please tell me.” Celestia replied. “Maybe I will during this trip, but I certainly won’t tell you how so that you can improve you cheating methods.” Luna shot back. Celestia smiled as she turned around to face the crowd of ponies held back by the guards. As the ship moved from the dock, both princesses waved at their subjects until the ship was well out of sight of the ponies. “Well, we’ve made it this far. I guess we can say that it is time to let our nerves have a break from all of that and focus on what we’re doing.” Celestia said calmly. “To pass the time until we arrive,” their advisor said as he walked up beside them, “I suggest you finish another box of requests and complaints to save time later on.” With that, a pony that had been walking up behind him dropped a rather large crate filled with scrolls. “You brought them along…” Celestia said in a breath. The advisor nodded as he used his magic to pry open the box with a crowbar. “You went to the trouble of insuring those papers got aboard.” “Of course, your majesties, I’d wouldn’t be much of help to you all if I’d let you waste time away from the castle on nothing useful. Instead, I brought along these papers to help pass time and get ahead in the work that has piled on top of us.” Celestia looked at Luna, who smiled awkwardly. “Thank you, good sir, have them taken to our quarters, we’ll attend to them promptly.” Celestia managed to say. The advisor nodded, relenting on the boxes lid, and motioned for the bulking pony to pick it up again before directing him to the room. The advisor eventually was out of sight and hearing range. “So much for a relaxing time at sea to refresh the nerves,” Luna grumbled, “Now we’re stuck doing the same old thing in a different setting; so much better if I do say so myself.” Luna finished with a sarcastic smile. “Don’t blame me, Luna; we both know he won’t let us out of sight for a moment.” Celestia said, “And if he did he’d have the papers sent to us with a guard who’d make sure we’d look through them.” Both princesses shook their heads before finally walking towards the stairs that led to their room. “Well, this has been a fun time to get away from it all.” Luna commented while taking a drink from her glass while reading yet another scroll. “Indeed, such a refreshing time to be out at sea and reading up on complaints that barely ever rise to the level beyond something that could be dealt with by a few concerned ponies.” Celestia affirmed sarcastically. “Well at least we have the gentle sway of the waves to keep us company, right?” Luna replied with a smile and a swirl of her glass. “Nothing like a sunny day at sea spent in a dry, hot room doing paperwork.” Luna continued. “Maybe if we had another box we’d being having more fun.” “Don’t tempt fate, sister,” Celestia warned, “We’ve done enough of that by thinking this trip to be an escape from all of this, and yet here we are on a delightful cruise, spending our time with our good friends, friendly mister scroll,” She punctuated by tossing a scroll into one of the boxes. “And ever delightful misses box.” Both princesses shared in a short laugh before returning to their task until the sound of hoofsteps echoing down from above caught their attention. “My ladies,” Their advisor began as he entered the room, “We have arrived, and as predicted, a ship is coming to block our path. I believe the scrolls may wait until this matter is resolved.” He stated; gaining the small smile of Luna, which was hidden due to her being seated facing away from the door. “Of course, Starswirl, we’ll be up with all swiftness.” Celestia replied, the elderly sage nodding as he ascended the stairs back to the deck. “Wow, Starswirl was your first royal advisor?” Twilight asked, leaning closer in great interest, almost spilling her drink as she did. The story had been going on for nigh onto a few hours, Luna giving details of everything she could recollect from those years gone by. “Yes, he was, though his tales of not being one for friendship we proven to be quite true over and over. His stringent management of our time made Equestria rise faster than anticipated but killed any free time my sister and I had hoped to have for the first three years of our time on the throne.” Luna said as memories flooding over her as her eyes grew distant, “He always looked after our best interests as well as those of our kingdom, a set of qualities rarely joined into one pony.” “Artemis and Solaris’ first advisor was much the same I’d suppose.” Dusk commented, “She certainly was a master practitioner of magic.” “Indeed, no doubt she would have been if I had known her personally, and yet I have trouble remembering her name.” Luna commented. “Her name was,” Dusk began, only to have Luna lift her hoof for silence. “That is a matter for another time, for now I should continue with my tale...” Luna interjected, “Let me see, where were we? Oh yes, we had just spotted their boat.” “Your highnesses! The boat we are approaching is almost an exact replica of ours with very minor changes to certain aspects.” The watch pony called down from her post in the crow’s nest. Celestia and Luna looked at each other with wonder before continuing to walk towards the front of the boat. “Captain,” Celestia called out behind her, “Bring the ship into a right turn; we’ll pull in beside them.” She ordered. The captain nodded and began to turn the wheel, their ship immediately responding. Celestia gazed in wonder as the other ship did the same. “We need to talk to them,” Celestia told her sister; “I suppose it’s time to use the Royal Canterlot voice.” Luna nodded in agreement, and both ponies drew in a breath as their horns began to glow. Luna hesitated, a put a hoof on Celestia’s back. “Sister, do you feel it?” Luna asked, gazing towards the other ship. “I sense a large magical energy between us… perhaps a shield of sorts.” Celestia closed her eyes and began to feel for such energies, and quickly found what her sister was talking about. “What in the world?” Celestia said in a breath. “Are they raising a shield?” Celestia asked as she focused on the power. “I don’t know, but I believe it would be wise to forcefully lower it.” Luna suggested. “Who knows what it really is. If any pony comes after us and doesn’t sense it may run the risk of hitting it and being destroyed.” “I believe you are right, sister. Let us combine our power and remove this obstacle for the safety of all ponykind.” Celestia agreed as she relit her horn and put more power into her spell, causing sparks to flash and shoot from it. Luna quickly followed her example and reached out to the wall of magical energy. The wall began to spark and crackle as the colors of the sister’s magic latched onto it and began leeching the magic from it. The wall shone brighter and brighter as it seemed to resist being torn down by the sisters. Ponies on both sides of the ship look on in awe of the spectacle as the wall began to fall. As the wall continued to weaken, sections of the wall began to fall, as if piece of magic became solid and fall off, causing gigantic waves to slap against the hull of the ship. Celestia and Luna continued to focus, the signs of strain showing plainly on their faces as beads of sweat began to form on their foreheads with eyes closed against the mental strain. “I feel it beginning to give.” Celestia grunted to Luna. Luna opened her eyes through the strain, looking up at the crumbling wall, as piece by piece it crumbled. “Aye, it’s giving in, we’ll have it soon enough.” Luna replied. “It… it is worth it for the sake of our ponies.” Celestia nodded with her teeth gritted. “Just a little bit more. Come on…. come on.” Celestia urged on as the wall continued to disintegrate. “Almost have you, just a bit more.” Suddenly there was a mighty boom, as if the sound of shattering glass. Both sisters looked up and saw the wall giving way completely. The two royals released their magical hold with a sigh as they watched the magical shards crash into the sea and promptly melt away. “Well, I’d say we’ve finished it off.” Luna commented. “Do you think it’ll come back?” She asked she looked towards the water where it had been a few seconds ago. “We’ll just have to wait and see if it does.” Celestia replied before turning towards the helm. “Sail closer to the other ship.” She ordered, “Let’s see who’s been blocking our way for all these years.” The captain nodded before turning the wheel and pointing the ship towards their target. “Sister, I feel a massive force of magic again…” Luna cautioned. “Is it the wall?” Celestia asked looking towards her little sister. Luna shook her head, a look of bewilderment across her face. “What is it then?” She pressed. “I-I’m not entirely sure. It’s… it’s like your magical aura… but on the other ship.” Luna said. “Almost as if you’re over there, yet still over here, and not only that but… I can also feel my own power there as well.” Celestia looked at Luna in concern. “I can’t explain this… it… it doesn’t make any sense at all.” Celestia sent here senses out, and sure enough, she too sensed the power Luna referred to, and it indeed did feel like her own and her sister’s power on that ship. “What should we do, sister? This is far too strange for my liking.” “We proceed with caution,” Celestia replied with a deep breath, “But we cannot back down now after coming this far. We must find out what was been the cause of all this.” “Of course… but what do we do when we find out what it is?” Luna asked, still looking quite unsure. “Whatever it is, it is as strong as we are.” “We’ll figure that out when we cross that bridge, but for now we must keep our composure. Whatever it is, being as powerful as you say, is cause for us to remain calm lest we incur its wrath and need face it in combat.” Celestia replied soberly. Luna took a few deep breaths, and then put on her best poker face, which wasn‘t actually the best, no, that would be Celestia’s, whose face remained as calm and composed as before though her emotions inside her swirled around like a storm. The two ships slowly came side by side, the ponies on either side attempting to remain as calm as possible. The planks on either ship extended and landed right beside each other. Celestia watched as two ponies walked across, clad in royal regalia. Celestia looked to Luna, and gave a nod. The four ponies met together on the deck of the sister’s ship. “We are princes Artemis and Solaris,” The one, presumably Artemis, stated with pride, “We are here to investigate persistent reports of ships blocking ours as they came this way.” “We are here for the same reason,” Celestia stated, “We are princesses Celestia and Luna, rulers of Equestria, the lands to the east of these waters.” Both Solaris and Artemis looked at each other and then back to the sisters with curiosity. “We are also rulers of Equestria, though we must say Equestria lies to the west, not the east.” Artemis replied. “I believe we should meet in a more private forum.” “Indeed,” Celestia replied, “Perhaps we should. Please, follow me to the meeting room, we can discuss all in private in there as much as it pleases you.” Celestia said as she turned towards the direction of said room and began to walk. Luna quickly trotted up beside her, matching her sister’s pace step for step when she reached her. “What do you make of this pair?” Luna asked. “The only thing that would make them more suspicious ponies would be if they were also princes of the moon and sun.” “Indeed, they are quite odd.” Celestia agreed, “But we still must keep our composure near them. There is no telling what their limits are.” She stated as they drew closer to the door. Celestia used her magic and swung it open, allowing the princes to enter first before following and closing the door behind her. Artemis and Solaris sat at one end of the table while Celestia and Luna took a seat on the other side. The four ponies sat in silence for a few seconds, fully expecting the other to begin the exchange. “So who actually met the princes?” Dusk asked as he took his fork to cut another bite from his cake. “I suppose that would make some sense in a way, but I wonder why you didn’t her or why I wasn’t told by anypony.” “I’ll explain that once I get there.” Luna said before taking a sip of her tea. “Now,” she continued while setting the cup down, “As you can guess, we four started talking at length and began finding similarities between our two sides, soon arriving at the conclusion that our sides of the world were reflections of each other in certain respects. That is when it happened…” Luna and Celestia sat listening as Solaris continued his story of how he and his brother vanquished their spirit of chaos, nodding as he went, realizing the details being very much similar to their version of things. “Then she started laughing as the elements began to glow,” he explained, “And when the rainbow hit her, she turned to stone, frozen in her position of laughter. We took her statue and put it on display at our castle in the Everfree where it still resides.” Solaris finished, motioning for the sisters to tell their version. “Well,” Celestia began, “Much like you did; we took the elements from the tree and confronted Discord at his throne. He, like yours…” Celestia was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a door slamming open. The four ponies turned and saw the two advisors making a hurried entrance to stand by their leaders. “You majesties,” the brother’s advisor began, “We must leave at once and return to Equestria.” She explained frantically. “We also need to return to our Equestria post haste.” Starswirl stated with the same urgency. Everypony in the room stood up at once and looked at their advisors. “What’s wrong, have you received a message recently? What did it say?” Celestia and Artemis asked their advisors. Both advisors shook their heads, still keeping an air of haste about them. “It is our belief that the balance of our worlds has been disrupted quite significantly.” Starswirl explained. Celestia and Luna looked at each other with questioning glances before returning their gazes to their advisor. “We believe that since the meeting of our two ships the world has begun to suffer in a substantial manner.” The female advisor continued. “We need to sail away from this ship, replace the wall, and sail back to our port.” “Why? These ponies mean no ill intent; in fact they are quite the opposite.” Solaris observed. “In fact, I believe we all are working towards the same goals.” He continued. “Wouldn’t it be wise to join together in an alliance with such a powerful and very understanding nation?” “No, it would not be wise to do any such thing.” Starswirl interjected. “Especially since all ponies from either side need to stay on their side if they are to survive.” “What are you saying, Starswirl?” Celestia asked her trusted advisor, “Can’t our two nations join together to make a strong bond? It would benefit both our halves greatly.” “No it would not.” The brother’s advisor replied, “We have discovered that objects on either side are beginning to suffer because of the lack of balance.” She explained. “How can you tell if we haven’t received a message yet?” Artemis asked. “If we have had no contact with them it very well could mean that they are in trouble or just don’t find it necessary to send a message every five minutes.” “The effects of the imbalance haven’t extended to far, thankfully.” Starswirl stated. “If you wish prove, come to the top deck and see.” The six ponies galloped outside and looked over the side of their ships and saw what their counselors were meaning. All over the surface of the water were dead fishes, sharks, dolphins, and a variety of other sea creatures. “W-what is happening here?” Luna asked as she looked over the spectacle. “Why are all these animals… dead? Is there something in the water causing this?” “No, your highness, the water is same, save for the fact its occupants are now dead or dying.” Starswirl replied. Suddenly, a massive wave sloshed against the side of the ship as a whale bobbed up on both sides of where the wall used to be. “We believe that if we let this continue it will reach the mainland and commence to kill ponies.” Starswirl said solemnly. “So why are we alright? Shouldn’t we be dead if all the fish around us are dead?” Solaris asked as he watched a squid break the surface. “We believe we are only safe at the moment because we are on the same side but that that will change soon enough when the effects of this imbalance become stronger.” The female counselor replied. “So you are suggesting we go our separate ways and raise the shield again. Am I correct?” Artemis asked as he looked away from the spectacle. “Very much so. The faster the better, unless you wish to succumb to the effects as well.” Starswirl nodded. “I’ll tell our captain the plan.” “I’ll tell ours as well. Your highnesses, I suggest you make your goodbyes swift and board our ship.” The female advisor stated simply while walking across the plank. “Very well… we’ll be right over.” Solaris replied before turning back to the sisters. “I suppose that this is it.” He said disheartened. “Yes, I suppose it is.” Luna replied while hanging her head. Celestia put a hoof on her shoulder with a smile and then looked at the brothers. “One day we’ll meet again, I can feel it.” Celestia said. “Until then, Artemis, Solaris; take care of each other, and fair thee well.” The four ponies nodded before the two brothers went back to their ship. The brothers looked back at the sisters and waved a hoof in farewell, the sisters returning the gesture. Their ships soon began sailing farther apart; the sisters looking at the brothers and the other way around as well as the distance grew ever larger. “Are you ready, your highnesses?” Starswirl asked as he walked up beside the two royals. Both of them nodded and lit their horns on and began concentrating making a wall of magic mush like the last on the same echoing pattern that remained faintly. The ponies used their magic and filled it out slowly, making it stronger and more powerful than the last. Finally the wall was completed, shimmering in a slight blue and golden aura before disappearing. “There, it is finished.” Luna said solemnly as she began to turn back towards her room, fully willing to take a long rest while on the return trip to Equestria. “We would do one more thing, to keep other from trying to do the same.” Celestia stated while continuing to pour magic into her horn. Slowly, a wall of water began to rise from the surface of the water while a matching torrent of water began to flow downwards as the level of water began to lower as it was displaced. Eventually, it rose far beyond the clouds and far lower than what could be seen; Luna then lit her horn and placed a regenerating spell on the walls surface, perpetuating its existence. The ponies in Luna’s room looked in awe at the princess as she finished her story with a sigh. The lunar princess looked at the ponies around her with a glare that was a mix between anger, sympathy, understanding, and many other emotions. “I don’t entirely blame you for what you’ve done.” Luna said with her head hanging low in sadness. “I only wish it could be avoided.” “Well, can’t you put the wall back up again?” Twilight asked. “You did it before, just redo it. We’ll leave so you won’t suffer once you finish.” She assured the princess of the moon. Luna shook her head sadly. “I didn’t do it myself last time. Last time we had four powerful alicorns doing it in sync, now we’d only have, at most, two alicorns that both were banished for a thousand years and are still trying to recover their full power after said incident.” Luna explained; sadness etched in her voice. “So… you mean that… until we can get Celestia and her counterpart back to their kingdoms.” Twilight summarized. Luna nodded before looking up at the ponies. ”The world as you all know it is now a ticking time bomb which will go off within a few days.” Luna stated with no attempt to sugarcoat the truth of the situation. “And the only way to stop it is to get our two, lost alicorns and get us all together to recast the spell, otherwise… well, to put it simply, there won’t be an Equestria, much less any part of the world.” Dusk stood up while flipping his hood back up. “Then we best get searching before the world crashes down on our heads,” He stated with stern conviction, “For all ponies, gryphons, zebras, and everything else in the world.” “Yeah,” Rainbow Dash agreed, “Let’s take this fight to the ponies that started it and finish it, once and for all.” “Alright girls, let’s do this.” Twilight stated while standing up, “We only have so much time to find them, let’s not waste any more of it.” The girls gave a shout of agreement as they each got to their hooves. “You with me, guys?” Dusk asked his friends, who gave a very similar response. Dusk looked at Twilight, and both ponies gave a nod. “Alright, everypony,” Both lavender alicorns began, “Let’s go find those ponies, and let’s finish this!” Everypony gave a shout of agreement before charging out of the room. Luna stayed in her room, thinking over the events that had just transpired, the light in her room slowly dimming as time passed. “I sorry,” she murmured into the darkness, “I never wanted to fail.”