The Return of the Ursa Minor

by MyMindrigUniverse

Chapter Two: Distant Tremors And Unexpected Friends

Starlight's journey back from the train station went anything but unnoticed as she slowly trotted through Town Square. She felt the gazes of all ponies, near and far, look upon her as she approached the Ponyville bridge.

Some tried to hide they're obvious curiosity, while others, Derpy Hooves especially, made no move to obscure they're long term glances. Most eyes following her until she had trotted out of sight.

Twilight's word or not, I guess I should have expected this reaction out of everypony. Starlight thought.

"I should have taken a more private path back to Twilight's castle" She whispered to herself, as anguish slowly started to take form across her face with each and every step she took closer to the Town Hall Plaza, the most crowded and noisy area in all of Ponyville. Especially at this time of the day.

Calm down Starlight. You already resolved yourself back at the train station that you are ready for this. Starlight assured herself, wiping the despaired look off her face, (replacing it with a look of pure confidence, a face only rivaled by Rainbow Dash) as she remembered she was being watched.

Yeah! You are completely and without a doubt able to overlook an entire city ag-

"Oh Starlight, there you are!" Came the shrilled voice of Mayor Mare standing at the entrance of the Town Hall building.

Caught of guard, Starlight's confident grin and posture were replaced with a small shriek and jolt. Crap! I really am not ready am I? She realize, as the mayor wandered over smiling as if she didn't notice Starlight's reaction to being called upon.

" You are just in time," Mayor Mare said as she stopped inches away from Glimmer. " I was told by Princess Twilight minutes before she left for the station that you will be taking her place as temporary overseer of her castle and anypony, should a problem arise."

Mayor Mares grin widened at that last bit. Starlight might have taken offense if it wasn't quickly followed by. "But more importantly, I was told by The Princess that you would need to hurry over to her castle before her guests became "rambunctious."

"Yes I received a letter after they departed, I was on my way now before you...stopped me"

"Oh, good then. But I have another reason for stopping you on your way," Mayor placed her hoof on Starlight's shoulders, toothy grin finally disappearing and replaced with a face of assurance. " Although you may feel such massive pressure right now. Know that, no matter what looks anypony gives you, they are 100% willing to trust you."

" Thanks Ms. Mare...but I am only to guide everypony if a problem shall arise. You are still the pony in charge."

"Of course I am," Her wide grin returning. " I'm just saying... in case of emergency"

Glimmer wanted to confront her about her odd behavior. But before words could form, Mayor was off, practically galloping back into the Town hall building.

What is with her and Twilight, they act as if they know something is going to happen, but what could it-

Her thoughts were interrupted once again, as her body suddenly began to vibrate and she felt the ground begin to faintly shake. Everypony must have felt it too, as many stopped in mid-trot to question whatever was causing this. Some ponies even beginning to panic as they feared the source of this phenomenon.

However, the shaking had begun to subside, completely ending almost as sudden as it began. Those that were panicking had stopped to make certain of this fact before all heads had turned in Starlight's direction, eyes hungry for an explanation.

Her voice caught in her throat as she tried to come up with an explanation. I don't even know what that was, how can they expect me to answer. It....must have been a creature, a monster, but I don't want to cause panic. Starlight's mind reeled as she thought of the best possible explanation. But before she could answer, another had beaten her to the punch.

"Everypony!" Came the very recognizable voice of Mayor Mare, and with her voice all attention was drawn to her as she appeared from behind Starlight. " Do not fret, for there is no threat upon us, it was just simply Vinyl playing music a little too loud, in fact I-er have just returned from her home, um, asking her to turn it down. Everypony may now return to their daily life."

Despite it's absurdity, at least to Starlight, everypony looked at one another before smiles returned to their faces, as if this was an actual valid reason with merit, before they all continued their day.

And, like the sudden shaking, Ms. Mare had left just as quickly as she appeared, but not before glancing back at Starlight. Her face practically saying, You only have a few hours.

Annoyed and frustrated, Glimmer had continued her trot back to Twilight's Castle, although this anger was slightly do to her horrid handling of the situation, it was more so because of the Mayor's suspicious actions.

I don't know what's going on, but I better meet these "four very good friends", maybe they can help me figure out what Twi and the mayor are hiding.

Twenty Minutes Later

Starlight finally found herself at the huge crystallized gates of Twilight's Castle. She let out a sigh of relief at the fact she didn't face any other problem on the walk here after the sudden shaking. But she was suddenly filled with a different type of anxiety as she wondered who these "four friends" could be.

It can't possibly be Sunburst, he is still busy practically raising a princess alongside Cadence and Shining Armor. And Trixie.... can barely put on a stable performance, let alone help run a Town.

She admitted to herself that she did like surprises, and she was also curious on who else, other than Twlight and The Elements, she could consider a friend in Ponyville.

So for the first time today, she looked forward to what was to come as she opened the huge door, with momentary struggle, and entered the castle.

While slowly moving to the Map Room, Starlight heard a familiar voice, and as she realized who it came from, her pace had slowed just outside of the room, in reaction to her shock.

"We are here because we are both the Princesses who govern all of Equestria. We have actual experience ruling over many ponies. You two are just former would-be villains who tried to overthrow the Kingdom." Came the slightly accented voice of none other than Princess Luna herself.

"Would-be? Tried? I'm sorry, I know I am over three thousand years old and my memory isn't what it used to be, but I am fairly certain I actually succeeded in overthrowing your Kingdom at one point. I can even recall ruling it for a time! Unless this is all a lie conjured up by my own brain to boost my ego, don't think I have no experience at forcing others to do what I tell them." Responded a deep and easily recognizable voice.

"Discord. Ruling a kingdom isn't as simple as forcing others to abide by your will, it takes more than that to keep a Kingdom stable." Came a soft yet powerful voice. "In fact, it was that very way of governing everypony that led to our rebellion in the first place." The same voice added with a hint of wit.

"Well Princess Celestia." Venom seeping into the Draconequu's words. " Avoiding the obvious fact your sister tried to do the very same thing as I," He paused to allow the sisters expected reaction to pass by before continuing. "At least I have even the slightest bit of experience at any form of ruling. This one on the otherhand, hasn't done much of anything other than trick other ponies into believing she is 'Grand and Amazing' or whatever." Discord said pointing to his left.

"It's 'Great and Powerful' you dumb dragon!" This voice threw Starlight off completely as she realized it's source. " Also, despite appearances, I do have experience with this type of work." The shrill voice announced with a hint of pride.

"First, don't compare me to those over sized half-wits, I am the greatest and most powerful Draconequus, the only Draconequus, but still greatest, to have ever lived. Second, Trixie. Ordering around two bumbling idiots barely above the age of eleven does not count." Discord said with a grin plastered on his goat face.

"That's not what I meant!" Trixie said as a face of annoyance reappeared, but then quickly vanished and replaced with a look of smug pride. "As a young filly I was elected Student President of my school, my entire school." She said as she placed a hoof to her chest.

The Draconequus laughed aloud while even the sisters across the table could barely hold in a smile.

Blushing the blue pony said, " Well it doesn't even matter anyways, I am not here because of my leadership skills, I am hear be-

"Hold that thought." Discord said raising from Twilight's Throne. " I sense the presence of a certain insecure pony at the other end of that door."

Before Starlight could react to the reveal of her eavesdropping. The door suddenly opened and she was now face to face with her "helpers", still shocked, not at her being caught, but the simple fact of who they were.

Even though she heard them speak from the other side, it was still astonishing to see these four in one room.

Trixie sat at Rainbow Dash's Throne with both hooves resting on the map, a look of embarrassed anger was replaced with gleeful excitement as she looked upon Starlight. At the same time, both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna sat on Pinkie Pie and Rarities Thrones, and as they realized who stood at the door, they quickly jumped out of their temporary seats and stood behind the table with a fixed expression of indifference, followed by small, calm smiles. Finally, Discord himself was the one who opened the door and now rested in a mocking version of the royal bow at her presence. While at the same time Discord was also sitting calmly at Twilight's throne.

" Oh don't be shy," said both Discords. " I must admit that this is quite the gathering, but we won't bite." As the two finished, the sisters approached Starlight as she entered the room hesitantly, and as she did so, the Discord by the door vanished.

" It is truly a pleasure to actually get to talk with you at last Starlight Glimmer." Celestia said, as a excited smile surprisingly appeared upon the Elder Princess's face.

Rolling her eyes, Luna added. " You wouldn't believe the look upon my sister's face as she heard that Twilight was giving her pupil such a huge roll while she left. She was very proud of you...and so was Twilight." Celestia shot Luna an irritated glance.

" T-Thank you, I'm so glad that you are the four that she asked to help." Starlight managed to say, surprise still fresh upon her mind and face.

"Why of course, " Discord said, now directly behind Starlight. " If you were paying attention. We all, or most of us anyways, have great 'leadership skills'. However, me being here isn't because I want to help, but because I was asked by my dear Fluttershy to help guide you with my immense wisdom...." His face contorted into a deep frown as he paused. "Also, I was assigned a friendship lesson by her royalness herself that stated I was to help a 'true friend' in need, and I could either go to the Dragon Lands with Fluttershy, or help you, and seeing how I truly hate dragons more than anything in this world, I decided to pick you as my...friend in need. " He added.

" Yes well, our reason for being here is similar, however without the assignment." The two Princesses smirked as they looked over at Discord, who growled in annoyance to Luna's remark.

Finally recovering from her initial reaction, Starlight spoke. " Wait. So I understand why you three can help, and I am greatly thankful. But, " She glanced behind her, over to Trixie, who was now next to Discord. " Why are you here, how are you here? I thought you said you were going to be at Manehattan performing your biggest gig yet."

" Which was obviously a lie. " Trixie said in a sing-song voice as she passed Discord and hugged her best friend. " I wanted to surprise you, and with that look on your face, I think I succeeded." She said smiling.

"Oh I don't know about that," Discord interrupted, rolling his eyes." I mean I'm surprised Starlight over here didn't suspect anything the second you announced, you of all ponies was able to land a gig in Manehattan."

"Yes, well imagine me being equally surprised Twilight would ever consider you a worthy adviser to Starlight... Even more so to the fact you agreed." Trixie retorted.

" How cute, now try answering that very question for me. Why are you hear?" Discord said in his most serious tone all evening.

"Yeah, I don't mean to offend you. But you...kinda aren't fit to advise anypony on how to rule a town." Starlight found herself admitting.

Looking aghast, Trixie responded, " Well of course I am not, if I was allowed to finish my reason earlier, you would know." Annoyance showing itself as she talked.

She trotted over to the table and climbed on top of it, as she did this, all in the room turned to her, giving the performing pony their full, curious, attention.

Trixie cleared her throat, and dimmed the room with her magic before speaking in a loud, dramatic voice.

" I, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL TRIXIE, HAS BEEN ASKED BY RECURRING RIVAL AND CURRENT PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP, TWILIGHT SPARKLE, TO JOIN STARLIGHT GLIMMER'S TEMPORARY TEAM OF ADVISERS WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING- "

She paused as she jumped off the table and landed on her hind-legs and raised her two front hooves in the air, with a huge grin across her face .

"MORAL SUPPORT!!!"

Awkward silence followed the grand announcement before Discord sighed in disappointment, "Tis' truly a dark day when I am forced to work with such pathetic creatures such as you Trixie. "

"Shut it!" Trixie shouted as she returned to all fours.

"No need to be rude Discord." Celestia said as she moved in between the two. " There is wisdom in Twilight appointing a close friend to Starlight's side....especially if anything were to happen." As Celestia said that last bit, everyponies faces were replaced with seriousness and slight worry. Although, Discord's face of misery was due to Trixie, rather than any conjectured threat.

Starlight's mind clicked at those words, as memory of Twilight and Mayor Mare's actions returned to her.

"Wait, why is are some ponies acting so strange?" She asked, gaining everyponies attention. "Twilight and Ms. Mare both seemed like they knew something might happen while The Princess of Friendship left with her friends to the Dragon Lands. I wanted to find out the source for their actions, but it seems you four are also in on this secret!" Her voice started to once again, rise in volume. While at the same time she could feel her temper beginning to spark from within.

All faces, even Discord this time, contorted in a way that proved they had been caught in some act. They all glanced at each other while Starlight stood determined for answers, and after a time all nodded and Princess Celestia came forward.

"You see Starlight, both Luna and I were never meant to help you, but we decided we must, after the events of last night. " Luna joined Celestia's side as her sister continued. " Know that, even though the trip to the Dragon Lands was scheduled to be held today about a moon ago, I didn't learn of who was taking Twilight's place until just yesterday, where she and The Elements privately announced you as temporary overseer of Ponyville..." Celestia's voice caught as her head lowered, where a hint of sadness and guilt could be seen across her face.

Realizing her sister's hesitation, Luna continued. " Nopony thought anything was to happen, Twilight wanted to give you a small test. When suddenly, The Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie, started to shake uncontrollably. Her Pinkie Senses were acting up like never before."

"Pinkie what?" Starlight found herself saying, completely at a lost to the seriousness of such a thing occurring.

" Let me explain this part," Discord interrupted, as he stepped forward. " The odd pink pony that you call friend, is known to be a very perceptive one, she can sense certain things, and her body reacts according to those certain things her mind picked up on, it's something she deemed her 'Pinkie senses."

He stopped momentarily as if to consider something. " Actually, I think may have had a hand in her weird ability. You see, when I ruled Equestria almost two thousand years ago. I would put curses and hexes of misfortune upon anypony I deemed annoying. Something I remember doing to a pony known as, Pumpkin Pie, who always went on about being optimistic since the future may always turn out different from the past, or whatever. " He paused as he tried to hold in a smile. " So being me, I put a spell on him, which would allow him to predict his future. It was an act of showing him his terror filled future...... however he was still optimistic even after he was shown his demise. So he trotted off, jolly as ever. Truly didn't understand that one......" Discord's voice trailed off as he reminisced.

"And that means what exactly?" Starlight was now impatiently irritated.

"Wha- Oh right yes. " He said, as he violently shook his head. " The ability must have passed down from him into the next generation, and so on for two thousand years. Although a tad different. Pinkie can sense any state of chaos or misfortune. While Pumkin could only feel his own demise. "

"So I see," Starlight was now in deep thought of how useful such a ability was, before quickly returning to the problem at hand. " So she 'violently shook', is that really bad?"

"It is." Replied Celestial. " Everypony in Ponyville, us included, know of the accuracy of her senses. She has never been wrong. And completely unstoppable shaking is an indication that something big and horrible is to come."

On queue. Before anypony could reply or interject. A rumbling came, just like earlier that day. But more violently, and more powerful. Then, much to everponies surprise, a violent roar ripped through the sky outside.

"I really hate my powers sometimes." Discord said as he saw 6 ginormous creature appeared from the Everfree Forest.

END OF CHAPTER 2

Author's Note:

Now, I know the first half of this chapter was pretty serious or dull. So I felt I had to make the second part more lighthearted. Starting out of course. And what two better characters to lighten the mood then the "Great and Powerful" Trixie and Discord, Lord of Chaos. I really feel their chemistry was on point in the Season Six finale. Also, throwing in both sister princesses was a must, as I feel that both of them interacting with the two most uncaring of the fact they are in the presence of royalty, would really allow the sisters to lay back a little. Which is always a plus for me. But I promise. they will actually be important in the upcoming events.

P.S: Yes I know Discord could probably just snap his fingers and problem will be solved. But I have a reason for why he can't, and even with the princesses, there is still a huge threat that will take the efforts of everypony involved.

P.P.S: My computer was acting really weird and the space in between each beginning of a new paragraph got totally messed up near the end. It drove me crazy before I gave up and just decided to beg for forgiveness in the Author's notes.....

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

7736482 An upcoming story? Care to tell me more?

[MyMindrigUniverse]

7746591 I frequently mention The Dragon Lands throughout this story and how Twilight along with The Elements are trying to strengthen relations with them since Ember has taken the title Dragon Lord. That's the story I plan to do after this. It may not seem like much, but I have a few twists to make it interesting, those twists setting up a future story bigger than both of these combined. So yeah.

P.S: Have you read my first two chapters so far? What do you think?