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Chapter One3,768 words
Chapter Two2,680 words
Chapter Three2,598 words
Chapter Four4,342 words

Chapter Three

Equestria: Near Canterlot

Elsa examined the beautiful new gloves she was wearing. The gloves were a violet that matched her cloak and fit her hands perfectly. Rarity had even stitched the hand and cuff designs from Elsa’s old glove in a blue thread that shimmered in the light. Elsa marveled at how the little pony had created them so quickly with her magic. Elsa wished her own magic could create such beauty.

“Do you like them, darling?” Rarity asked.

Elsa looked up. Rarity was sitting on the padded seat across from her. She was twisting her hooves a little nervously in her lap, anticipating Elsa’s reply.

Elsa smiled kindly at the pony. “I love them. They’re perfect.”

Pinkie Pie bounced on the cushion beside Elsa. She had been jumping up and down for nearly all the train ride. “Of course she loves them. They make her snow stop falling from the ceiling so much. Which I don’t know about you, but I think is really cool.” She stopped jumping. “Ha! Cool! Get it?”

She pressed her grinning pink face into Elsa’s. Elsa grimaced.

“Knock it off, Pinkie,” Rainbowdash grumped from the seat across the aisle. “We don’t need anypony hearing about her freaky snow stuff.”

Applejack nudged her, “Aw, calm down. Ain’t nopony in this car but us.”

Rainbowdash shrugged away from her friend’s touch and turned to look out the window. Elsa frowned at the pegasus’s attitude. Despite her obvious distrust for Elsa, Rainbow had managed to keep other ponies from entering the train car when they boarded. Rainbow had told anypony who dared to enter their car that there was a snake in the cabin, or that she had just seen a ghost, or that Applejack got horrible motion sickness from trains. (Applejack wasn’t happy about that last tale.) Still, Elsa had appreciated the gesture. And when she had tried to express this to Rainbow, the pony’s reply had been, “Whatever. The less ponies gawking at us, the better.”

At least Rainbowdash spoke to her. The little dragon refused to. He sat beside the pegasus and stared blankly at the floor.

“There it is!” Pinkie shouted, startling Elsa. Pinkie Pie leaned across the seat to press her face to the glass, laying across Elsa’s lap.

Elsa craned her head to see over the pony’s poofy mane. The city sat balanced on a mountain side next to flowing waterfalls. Her eyes danced over the swirling spires and charming towers. She had never seen a kingdom so large and yet, so inviting. It was difficult to tell where the castle even began. It blended seamlessly with the beauty of the city. She thought of Arendelle and of Anna. Elsa supposed that Anna wanted their castle to feel a lot like Canterlot. For every day before the coronation, the castle had felt cold and empty. She sighed and wished for the hundredth time she hadn’t been so angry with her sister.

Minutes passed and they waited in anxious silence for the train to arrive at the station. Now that they were so close to seeing the Princess, Elsa was feeling nervous. When they left Ponyville, Spike had sent a letter to Celestia explaining what had happened. Elsa didn’t try to rationalize how the baby dragon was able to mail letters in such an absurd way. Like most of what she had seen today, Elsa simply accepted it as the nature of magic in this world.

Celestia’s reply came swiftly in a burp of flame from the dragon’s mouth. It was a single sheet of parchment explaining that they were right to come to her at once, and a carriage escort would be waiting for them at the station. It didn’t reveal how the Princess felt about Elsa being in Equestria and Twilight’s disappearance. On the train Applejack had explained that Twilight was her star pupil. The Princess was about to give Twilight some sort of test before she had disappeared. It was why Twilight had been practicing her magic in the first place. Elsa imagined the Princess would treat her with the same hostility that Rainbowdash and Spike held for her. Worse, what if Celestia blamed her for Twilight’s disappearance?

The train stopped, ending Elsa’s brooding thoughts. The ponies, dragon, and human exited the train with little fanfare and stepped into the carriage that awaited them. Several ponies in gleaming golden armor surrounded the vehicle protectively. Elsa supposed that superficially the royal escort was there to make her feel safe in such a foreign kingdom. She wondered if they were there to intimidate her as well, a sign of the Princess’s power.

Elsa curled her gloved hands into fists. She would not enter the castle shaking like a leaf. Celestia wasn’t the only royalty here. If the Princess dared to punish her for a crime she didn’t mean to commit—well, then she’d escape. Elsa would find her own way home from this place. She closed her eyes and repeated her calming mantra. She couldn’t risk letting her emotions get out of control now.

The carriage stopped at the castle entrance, and the group followed two guards inside. Elsa took in the gorgeous halls as they walked. Eventually the armored ponies stopped and motioned for the group to continue through the open doorway. Elsa’s shoes sank into the luxurious magenta carpet. They were in what could only be the throne room. Brightly colored glass planes adorned the walls, and the ceiling soared skyward above them. None of these things captured Elsa’s attention as much as the two ponies at the end of the hall.

One was a coal-colored mare with a shimmering blue mane. She regarded the human coolly. Elsa didn’t know who this moon-mare was, but the new pony had to be royalty of some sort from the crown on her head. The taller pony could only be Celestia. She smiled at Elsa warmly, but Elsa didn’t smile back.

“Welcome to Equestria,” Celestia said. Her voice sounded regal, yet kind and gentle. “I wish that we could’ve met under much better circumstances.”

Elsa curtsied. She was a guest in a new land, after all. “As do I, Princess.”

The alicorn smiled at the ponies and dragon who knelt before her. “I’m glad to see that you’re all here. There are pressing matters at hand.” Her golden aura surrounded a book next to her. She held it in front of Spike. “Was this the spell Twilight cast?”

“Y-yeah. Arcaneum Winter.”

Celestia examined the pages herself. “This is just as we feared, Luna.” The princesses shared a knowing glance.

Luna explained, “Starswirl the Bearded’s magic works in mysterious and often unpredictable ways. He created this spell for skilled unicorns to summon winter without the aid of the pegasi tribe. But in order for the spell to work. . . the winter weather had to come from somewhere else.”

“What do you mean?” Elsa asked.

“Starswirl the Bearded was very interested in other worlds,” Celestia said with a sigh. “He often used his magic to try to connect with them. He was very experimental with his spell craft. When Twilight summoned a winter storm, she must have accidently summoned you because of your abilities. The spell was using your magic.”

Elsa examined her gloved hands. The spell brought her here because of her powers?

“But where’s Twilight?” Rainbow Dash practically shouted.

“Yes, where is she, the poor dear?” Rarity chimed in. The other ponies nodded emphatically. Spike held his tail in his claws.

“We believe Twilight switched places with Elsa,” Luna said. “She is in Arendelle.”

Elsa’s heart sank, and she heard gasps around her from the little ponies. A talking, colored pony in her kingdom? That couldn’t be good.

“Well, how do we get her back?” Applejack asked, stamping a hoof.

“And how do we get Elsa home?” Pinkie asked.

Celestia sighed, “Twilight is the one who caused the switch to happen using her own magic. She must be the one to reverse it.”

The ponies and dragon began talking over one another.

“You can’t be serious!” shouted Rainbowdash.

Fluttershy touched a hoof to her mouth, horrified. “But Twilight is there all alone.”

“We can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Applejack said.

“You must send us to Arendelle!” Rarity said. “Can’t your magic do that?”

“Yeah! Send us there,” Spike pleaded. “Please.”

Luna shook her head sadly. “We have no way to send you to Arendelle. Or to send Elsa back. There is no spell for this. I’m sorry, but we all must have faith in Twilight.”

The ponies looked at one another sadly. Spike turned and hugged Fluttershy. Elsa took a shaky breath. So she was stuck here with no way to get home. Not unless that Twilight Sparkle figured out how to switch them back. What if Twilight couldn’t do it? What if she never got to see Anna again? Snow began to fall from the ceiling as Elsa blinked back tears.

The two princesses looked at each other and then at Elsa.

“Elsa,” Celestia said softly. “We believe that you and Twilight Sparkle changed places for a reason. Destiny brought you here.”

Elsa glanced up at the Princess sharply. “Destiny?”

“Yes. Right now, Equestria needs you. All of you.” She nodded at the ponies and Spike. “The Crystal Empire has returned.”

Elsa turned to the ponies for an explanation, but they seemed just as confused as she was.

“What’s that?” Rainbow asked.

“Yeah,” Pinkie added. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a Crystal Empire.”

Celestia turned and levitated a crystal that was next to the throne. “Few remember it ever existed at all. Even my knowledge of the Empire is limited.”

She set the crystal on the floor at Elsa’s feet and let loose a beam of magic upon it. A map of light radiated from the stone, and Elsa stumbled back. She stared aghast at the map. The empire in detailed glory lay before her. The ponies and dragon stepped closer to examine the image. They could make out tiny windows and miniature flowers. Then a blast of blue light rocketed upward from the center, forming a tall crystal castle. Elsa looked at Celestia with a newfound wonder. What else was this creature capable of?

Celestia continued, “But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic. One thousand years ago, King Sombra, a unicorn whose heart was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire.”

Elsa watched as tiny ponies appeared on the map. They were going about their daily business as much as people would in the streets of Arendelle. Then a multitude of dark crystals emerged from the ground, looming over the houses and trees. The black crystal spread, quickly covering the castle and a phantom of a ghastly unicorn appeared at the top. Elsa cringed at the sight of Sombra. He was a horrible beast with a red spiked horn and flaming eyes.

“He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north. But not before he was able to put a curse upon the Empire. A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air.”

With a rush of light and magic, the map was swept back into the crystal. Celestia levitated the gem into the air and smiled. “If the Empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.” She sent a burst of magic from her horn to the crystal and it shimmered, reflecting beautiful colors throughout the room. “If hatred and fear take hold. . .”

The princess closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they had become green and flaming like Sombra’s. She released what could only be dark magic from her horn, and the crystal turned black. A long shadow appeared on the floor stretching toward Elsa. Ebony crystals erupted from the floor around the human. Elsa’s stomach turned. The Princess knew how to wield dark magic?

Just as quickly as Celestia had caused the crystals to form, she used her magic to destroy them. Elsa breathed a sigh of relief.

“Which is why we need you—all of you to find a way to protect it,” Luna said solemnly.

The ponies and dragon looked at one another with determination. They seemed ready to take up this quest. Elsa didn’t share that feeling.

“You want me to help protect an entire empire?” Elsa asked. She couldn’t help but clutch her gloved fingers nervously.

“This was the test that was meant for Twilight Sparkle,” Celestia explained. “But since she is unable to complete this task, we need you.”

Luna nodded. “My sister and I must remain here to watch over Canterlot. With your abilities, you should be able to give the Empire much needed aide.”

“You mean my powers?” Elsa raised her hands helplessly. “I can barely control them. And this isn’t my world. I just want to go home.”

“Would a princess really turn her back on those in need?” Celestia asked.

Elsa stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Celestia nodded at Pinkie. Pinkie beamed and reached a hoof into her mane. She pulled out a sparkling crown from her hair.

“Where—How did you get that?” Elsa demanded.

Pinkie shrugged. “It fell off your head when you slipped on the ice.”

“Um. We didn’t know if your crown was magical or something,” Fluttershy added. She hid her face in her mane. “So we held onto it until we got to know you better. Please don’t be mad.”

Elsa shook her head. She didn’t feel mad. She felt trapped.

“Princess Elsa,” Luna began.

“Queen,” Elsa said bitterly.

The princesses’ eyes widened, and the ponies glanced at each other nervously. Spike looked sickened. Elsa wondered what was the matter with them. Celestia cleared her throat and began again.

“Queen Elsa,” Celestia said. “I believe that things happen for a reason. It wasn’t just chance Twilight’s spell brought you here. Will you not help us?”

Elsa glanced around the room and saw that all of them were looking at her expectantly. True, this wasn’t her kingdom, but these ponies believed she could help them. She was stranded here until a magical unicorn figured out a way to change places with her again. Shouldn’t she use her time here doing something right for once?

“My powers can be dangerous if. . .if I let my emotions get the best of me,” Elsa said softly. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.”

Celestia smiled kindly. “I don’t think you’ll hurt anypony. Besides, you’ll have your new friends at your side to help you.”

“Friends?” Elsa echoed.

Fluttershy placed a reassuring hoof on Elsa’s leg. “Yes. We’re your friends now. All of us.”

Pinkie Pie beamed at Elsa and waved her crown excitedly. “We sure are! Aren’t we, Dash?”

Rainbow shrugged and dug her hoof into the rug. Rarity nudged her. “Sure,” she finally admitted.

“We’re all here for you, Prin—I mean, Queen Elsa,” Applejack said. “We’ll figure out a way to protect the Crystal Empire together.”

“And. . .you really think Twilight will be able to reverse the spell soon?” Spike asked Celestia.

Celestia nodded. “I know so.”

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Seannetfiction

Seannetfiction #1 · Jul 21st, 2015 · · ·

Always glad to see this story get an update. Hoping we'll get some interactions en route to the Crystal Empire. Curious to see how Anna and Twi get along too

masterblotart