Everypony gathered around the palace in Canterlot. Whispers could be heard amongst the giant crowd. Just a few months ago they had all come here for the royal wedding of Princess Celestia and Discord. There was much controversy over it. Not many trusted him especially after the incident with Tirek and again at the Gala. They only supported it because they knew their Princess loved him and Fluttershy had been trying to get everypony to see that he was both reformed and greatly sorry as well as regretful over what had happened.
Inside the palace Spike and the girls along with Princess Cadance and Shining Armor made their way to the throne room. The wide doors opened and closed behind them, allowing only them to see their rulers. Princess Luna sat high on her throne next to her guard Dream Shield. They bowed before her, but she raised a hoof not wanting them to.
"Please, that is not necessary." She lowered her hoof as they rose. "We are friends and family. There is no need to be so formal." Getting up she gave them a small smile.
Twilight stepped forward and asked the question they all wanted to know. "Princess Luna, why are we here? We all received a letter saying that it was of the utmost importance." The purple pony looked curiously at her Princess as she used her magic, showing her the letter.
Luna opened her mouth to speak, but was cut off by her elder sister. "No Lulu. Let me, I want to be the one to say it." Princess Celestia walked in with Discord who seemed concerned. With all of them looking to her eager to hear the news she cleared her throat. "Actually there are a few things I called you all here for. I have good news and bad news. But before I share it with you," she nodded to Luna.
A light blue veil of magic formed around Luna's horn. All the doors and windows in the room were shut tight and made sound proof. Everypony was starting to get nervous about the news they were about to hear. How bad was it? What could it be? So many thoughts began to race through their heads.
Celestia looked to Discord as he nodded for her to continue. "Well let's start with the good news. I'm pregnant!" Celestia smiled at them while Discord blushed. "Part of the reason I asked you here was to see if you could help me with our foal. I know many will reject it, that's why I'd like for you to help. I'll also be much weaker and need assistance, protecting Equestria and looking after its people." She stopped talking and gave them all a moment to let it sink in.
Pinkie Pie was the first one to react. She jumped in the air ecstatic about the news. "YIPPEE! THIS IS SO CRAZY! THERE'S GOING TO BE A NEW LITTLE FOAL IN THE WORLD!" She was literally bouncing off the walls with excitement as she rambled on about planning a foal shower.
As for the rest of them they ran over giving her a hug in the excitement. Fluttershy offered a hug to Discord too knowing he probably felt a little left out. The happiness was not yet over as Luna stepped forward announcing her engagement to Dream Shield. There was much excitement and commotion going on.
Twilight came forth and offered a serious, but happy look. "I think I speak for all of us, not only as the Princess of Friendship, but as a friend when I say we're glad to help!" The others nodded and stamped their hooves in agreement. "There's a lot to do, but I'm sure we'll be able to pull it off." She gave a confident smile as she recalled all the other events they've pulled off under very tricky circumstances.
Princesses Luna and Celestia were pleased by this, but stopped smiling. Their happy moment could not last, for with their good news also came bad. Composing themselves everypony now looked to them, unsure of what was to come next.
Discord cleared his throat as he gave them a serious look as well. "Being the spirit of chaos and disharmony I can tell when the balance shifts." He recalled when Twilight was given all the alicorn magic so that they would understand. "Let me tell you, this was a big shift, worse than anything I've felt before. I'm all up for a little chaotic fun and all, but this feels far dark beyond my likings and very malicious. It's a huge concern considering Celestia's... errr... condition." Discord was clearly uneasy about the condition of his wife and unsure about how to go about it.
Rainbowdash just rolled her eyes. "Pfft! Is that all? Whatever it is we can take it! Besides it's probably not even that bad. Lover boy over here is probably feeling a minor change and is over reacting because she's pregnant now." She playfully mocked the draconequus. It was more so just to keep herself and the others from freaking out.
Celestia stepped in, nuzzling Discord to ease him. "That's not all. We've received word of ponies north of here having the love sucked out of them. We suspect Chrysalis is back. More than that there has been sightings of a mysterious fog engulfing the land and leaving it in ruins as is passes through. We've sent ponies out to go check on it, but we haven't heard back from them. We cannot let word of this reach the ponies here, it would be utter chaos. I'm sorry to ask this of you, but above everything else I need you to look into this for me. You need to do so in secret, we must consider the lives of our fellow ponies. Not a word of this leaves this room. The only ones who know are the royal guard and you."
Cadance and Shining looked at each other in horror remembering how Chrysalis almost kept them apart. As for the girls they were a mixture of both scared and angry that somepony was threatening their very way of life. Spike tried his best to look angry like Rainbowdash, but it was clear that he was very much so scared.
Not long after they left the throne room were the announcements made of Luna's engagement and Celestia's pregnancy. While everypony cheered they found it hard to manage a smile knowing the dangers that lurked just around the corner.