//------------------------------// // Enter Illusion // Story: Sins of the Mother // by Chelis //------------------------------// For Prince Illusion, he lived life two weeks at a time. When you were in love with a girl, the times between seeing her and not dragged on forever. On that particular morning, he was rushed to get out the door and to the train that would whisk him away to see his girl. It was the royal train of course, so all he had to do was to give them an hour heads up of where he was going and where he was arriving. Even though she was his and he was hers, every time he came over, when she had, or visits to Canterlot he would still have the butterflies in his stomach and his heart would beat like the rhythm of a fast-paced song. In order to leave the castle, he would have to pass the chambers of his parents. It was a stereotypical love story: two parents hating the living hell out each other, then falling in love once cooler heads prevailed. That puppy love turned into a benevolent son who would one day rule Equestria as firm but fair as his parents. He was to let them know that he was to leave the castle to see his girlfriend, which their response to that always had been "Did you knock her up yet? ". He stopped to hear his parents in a discussion. His mother always loved the moments when she was not in the public eye and could 'let her hair down', which was why she was laying on the couch using her husband's lap as a pillow, her betrothed feeding her grapes from a crystal bowl next to him. "Do we have to discuss this now?" His father complained. "Yes. Our son will find out today that Claire and the others have left to find their parents." "Why didn't we stop them in the first place?" "By the time Shining Armor could relay to us that their son helped them into the Buffer Zone, it was too late to mount a proper search party. Besides, those kids have the same fighting spirits as their parents. If there's anyone who can save them from the horde, it's them." "Yea, because they should be out there without any training or any supplies!" Celestia lifted her upper body up, and Discord merely turned his head. Their son stood in their doorway, his eyes piercing and firey. "I cannot believe you two right now." Illusion sneered as he walked out of his parents sight, towards the castle entrance. "Oh dear, I have to-" "I'll talk to our son," Discord said, moving out of his role as Celestia's pillow and went chasing after his son. *** Prince illusion stammered out of the castle walls and into the city streets, where the city's inhabitants were curious as to why the Prince would be walking down the streets like a commoner. "Son, you need to-" "Go after them?! Yeah, that's what I'm doing. I'm going to walk to the Griffon Kingdom if I have to! " "illusion. . . Illusion. You're making this hard for me, I have to be serious here." His son listened. He knew when his father was serious, it was definitely something to listen to. "I had done that before, go deep into a dangerous land to get your mother out, so I think you should do the same." "I don't believe you are just going to let me risk life and limb." "Really? Just look at yourself, son." Illusion looked towards his chest to see that the clothes he had been wearing had been replaced with a military uniform, his red and green jacket replaced by a green winter cloak. It felt heavier as well, only to discover that he was armed to the teeth with a few pistols, a musket around his shoulder. A sheath was around his waist, but with no weapon. In his father's hand was a golden blade emitting a light, causing Illusion to shield his eyes. "You'll get used to the light. It is your mother's blade. It is the "Light Blade". "And you're just going to give it to me? " "From what I know about what's going on, trust me. " Discord explained the entire situation, from who was invading, what they wanted, and the fates of the Elements of Harmony and their husbands. As he did that, his hands began to dance, as if it was possessed. He stopped when an oval appeared in front of them, on the other side was a forested area. "They are in danger right now. Go get them," Discord said. "You sure mom won't get mad? " "She will be, but she will calm down and know she will see her son again." "Well, I guess this is goodbye, Dad." "This isn't a goodbye, this is a 'see you later.'" "Like you and a cake, Mom." Illusion replied. As father and son shared one last hug, they were joined by the Princess of the Sun. "You be safe, alright Son?" "I thought you would try to stop us?" Illusion asked. "I would, trust me. And once we get back to the castle your father is in big trouble. But, sometimes in life you have to get your hands dirty for the ones you love." "Thanks, Mom," Illusion said as he hugged his parents one last time. "Go get her, tiger." Celestia answered, the tears starting to swell. He walked to the wormhole and looked back. His parents were looking on, with Celestia afraid, worried, but proud. Discord was smug as if he knew the outcome to the adventure his son was to have. With a few steps, he disappeared into the portal. It closed right after he slipped into it, leaving his parents alone. They were surrounded by the population of their subjects who stood and watched that family moment. *** Starburst was the first to notice a few weird things behind the changelings as they waited for opening. Leaves were collapsing under their own weight. The sound of them cracking were heard, but not listened to by the Changelings. That momentary distraction was enough for the changelings to attack. It was short lived by the appearance of a bright ball of light behind them. They turned around to stare at the light, which had turned into a floating sword of sunlight. It took a swing and sliced the first changeling cleanly in half. In a state of panic, one of them charged the blade. It's reward for its bravery was impalement by the mid-air blade. The other one backed away, and into the buzzsaw of Starburst's spinning blades. "You are from the great beyond, right? You have my thanks," the Princess said as she bowed to the sword. The sword's helm began to expand, with a hand forming around it. The hand became a full arm, and the full arm became a body. Starburst became a deathly pale white when the face formed, and the face of Prince illusion formed. "Oh hey! Wh-what brings you to these neck of the woods? Get it? Woods? We are in woods right now? " She said nervously. *** "I'm telling you, we need to go back! " Prism demanded. "You heard her, she can handle them! " Claire replied. The heated debate lasted for minutes, and it wore on everyone else. "I think we should go, she is our friend! " Anthea finally spoke up. "Yea! Let us help her out! " Cotton candy chimed in. "She needs us," Turquoise added. "Eeyup," Golden Delicious finally added. "Fine, let's go get her," Claire sighed, "Knowing her she took all three down and probably found dinner.” As they unslung their muskets and had them armed and in their hands, they were stopped by a familiar voice in the distance. "Its Star! I told them she would kick their ass!" Clare smiled. "But, who she is talking to?" Prism asked. They began to listen and heard her talk more. "Okay, okay, so we fucked up. What were supposed to do, man. . ." "Who is she talking to?!" Prism said. That answer came soon enough when she was being carried by the arm by a familiar face. Everyone's heart dropped, and as for Claire she became deathly white. "Look, look! I'm sorry!" The princess said as she was tossed in front of the semi-circle the group was in. Illusion had no words to say, but his glare was enough to convey his anger.