The Dark Truth

by KWave

3

**Canterlot**

After Twilight and her friends got off the train, they immediately ran to the castle.

Once they got past the guards, they saw Princess Luna, Princess Celestia and Discord sitting around.

“Glad you could make it Twilight.” Said Celestia

“What is wrong Princess Celestia?” asked Twilight

“A threat has returned from Tartarus and is causing a rampage.” Said Celestia

The mane 6 was shocked after hearing what Princess Celestia said.

“But how could that happen. Aint Tartarus supposed to be a place where no pony could escape?” asked Applejack

“We don’t know he escaped, but he was able to bypass the security and make it back to Equestria.” Said Princess Luna

“What should we do?” asked Twilight

“Twilight. It is absolutely important to figure out the contents of that chest and soon. Until then, Discord has volunteered to hold this threat off.” Said Celestia

“Really?” asked Pinkie Pie

Discord then came out of Pinkie Pie’s ear and responded.

“Without Equestria, I can’t have my fun.” Said Discord

He then disappeared and reappeared next to Celestia and Luna.

“We believe this creature is in the Everfree Forest, so we have given Discord the co-ordinates.” Said Luna

Discord walks out of the room. But Fluttershy stops him in the hallway.

“What is it Fluttershy?” asked Discord

“I was just wondering something… Years ago, you hated the idea of working with anypony in Equestria But now, you are working with Celestia to save it. Why this change of heart?” asked Fluttershy

Discord let out a deep sigh.

“Well Fluttershy, after I returned for the 2nd time, I began to realize the importance of friendship from my time with you. At first, I only pretended to be your friend. But after you took that away, I began to realize the importance of a friend, and I decided to change.” Said Discord

“I see. Well, hope you come back.” Said Fluttershy

Discord then smiled.

“Thanks Fluttershy, you’re a great friend.” Said Discord

He then teleported away.

**Hours Later**

Twilight and her friends returned to Ponyville and decided to relax in Twilight’s tree house while they collected their thoughts.

“So that conversation with Celestia was basically a waste of time.” Said Rarity

“Seems like it.” Said Rainbow Dash

Twilight then slammed the door open with a scared look on her face, resulting in her friends getting up.

“Darling, what’s wrong?” asked Rarity

“THE CHEST! IT’S GONE!” shouted Twilight

“What! How could that be!” shouted Applejack

“I don’t know!”

“Dang! That creature must have planned this to happen, just so he could steal the box!” shouted Applejack

“Then let’s go find this person.” Said Rainbow Dash

Everyone left the tree house but saw Zecora in front of them kneeling over in pain.

“Zecora!” shouted Twilight as she ran over to the gray Zebra

“I.I’m fine.” Said Zecora with a mystical voice

“What happened?” asked Rarity

“P.Pony stole ya chest. But I was able to get it back before he escaped.”

Zecora then handed the chest back to Twilight and collapsed.

“Quick, somepony get her a doctor.” Said Applejack

Applejack and Twilight carried Zecora to the Ponyville Hospital

**Ponyville Hospital**

In the waiting room, Zecora was laying down on a hospital bed strapped to a life support system and covered in bandages, surrounded by Twilight and her friends.

“Hey Zecora, how are you feeling?” asked Twilight

Zecora opened her eyes a bit and responded with a weak tone in her voice.

“Fine, I am. Hurt, oh yes. But I am sure I will pull through, I just need a few days to recover.”

“You said earlier that you saw the creature trying to steal the chest. Do you think you could give us a description of what it looked like?” asked Rarity

“Certainly. The creature was as tall as me, but he wore a brown cloak around his body and had a horn coming out of his head. When I attacked him, he dashed out of the way and managed to get behind me before I could finish my attack. It was like I was moving as slow as a tree.”

“Thank you Zecora. Go ahead and get some sleep.” Said Twilight

Zecora smiled and went back to sleep.

The Mane 6 left the hospital and went back to Twilight’s house to discuss the incident.

“So based on Zecoras description, we know that the creature is male, and might be a Unicorn based on the horn.” Said Twilight

“But there’s something I don’t understand. How was this creature able to out speed Zecora? No pony can do that.” Said Applejack

“This is so stressful!” shouted Twilight

“This stupid box has caused me so much stress, and now this creature from Tartarus is going to try and ruin Ponyville!” shouted Twilight

Twilight vented for a few minutes before she calmed down.

“I am sorry girls, I am just under a lot of stress lately.”

“It’s okay Twilight, we all get stressed out from time to time. It’s how we handle it that can make it a problem.” Said Rarity.

“Thanks Rarity.”

“Maybe this threat is King Sombra? He was destroyed when he tried to take over the Crystal Empire a few months ago.” asked Pinkie Pie

“Maybe it could be Queen Chrysalis? She did get blown back by the power of Cadences magic and she might have an ability to use time?” asked Rarity

“Maybe it could the return of Nightmare Moon, except in a different body. I mean that did happen to Rarity once before.” Said Rainbow Dash

“All seem like great theories, but it’s getting late. We should get some rest and continue this tomorrow.” Said Applejack

“Good idea. Goodnight everyone.” Said Twilight

Everyone left the tree house to get some sleep.

**Canterlot**

“Princess Celestia, Cadence has arrived.” Said the guard pony

“Bring her in.” said Celestia

Princess Cadence walked into the throne room and the guard pony closed the door behind her.

“Greetings Princess Celestia and Luna.” Said Cadence

“Hello Cadence. I think you know why I invited you here.” Said Celestia

“Agreed. Let’s work this out. However, there is a problem I wish to address first.” Said Cadence

“Celestia. Is something wrong with you?”

“Cadence, there is nothing wrong with me. I’m the same princess I have always been for millennia….” Said Celestia

“Then why did you get overpowered by Chrysalis so easily? If you were able to imprison Luna in the moon, why did you lose the match?”

Celestia was silent for a few minutes before lowering her head.

“Truth is Cadence, you are right. Something is wrong with me. I have ruled Equestria for over 1500 years. Alicorn magic only works for over 1000 years. If an Alicorn goes over 1000 years, their powers will slowly weaken. Raising the sun and moon is the most I can do with my magic now.” Said Celestia

After hearing that, Luna realizes something.

“This is my fault.” Said Luna

“If I didn’t let my hatred and jealousies control me, this issue wouldn’t have happened.”

“Luna, this is not your fault. If anything, this is my fault for not finding a successor until now.” Said Celestia

“But the question is, who could succeed you Celestia?” asked Cadence

“I’m not too sure myself. But maybe there’s a reason that we have two new alicorns.” Said Celestia

***The next day***

“Spike, take a letter.” Said Twilight

Spike pulls out a scroll and begins to write.

“Dear Princess Celestia, in this crisis I would like to request more information on Star Swirl the Bearded. Perhaps his spells could provide insight into solving this crisis.”

Spike finishes writing the letter and sends it off to Princess Celestia.

A few minutes later, Spike gets a response.

“Dear Twilight, I have received your letter and I will respond to your request. I don’t understand why you want information on Star Swirl, but if you must, I will send you all the books I have on the person. It should be there in a few hours.” Said Spike

“That’s good. Maybe his spells can help defeat this threat.” Said Twilight

“But what could be in the box?”

“Who knows Spike, who knows?”