Twilight has been called to Canterlot to observe a dark magic that will throw Equestria out of balance. Something is attacking Crystal Empire from the Frozen North. And a certain pony seeks redemption in the Badlands.
Twilight has been called to Canterlot to observe a dark magic that will throw Equestria out of balance. Something is attacking the Crystal Empire from the Frozen North. And a certain pony seeks redemption in the Badlands. All the ponies will face trials which they have never faced before.
“We should turn back now,” Crystal Glow urged as they dwelled in the entrance of the cave. “These skeletons are unnerving.”
“It is quite unsettling,” Thunder Mistral agreed with questioning eyes.
Crystal Glow hoped that the corpses would be enough for them to go back to Canterlot. He had his time in the Royal Guards and was one of the oldest members of the Guards. “I wonder what happened to these ponies.”
“But we must keep going,” Thunder Mistral insisted.
“And why is that?” Crystal Glow asked. “Clashfoot, what do you think?”
Clashfoot was waiting for Crystal Glow to include him in the conversation for better or worse. He too had second thoughts of traveling onwards. “Princess Celestia’s orders were to find anything unusual. This is very unusual to me.”
“Ponies die in caves, Clashfoot. It is very unfortunate but not unusual. These poor ponies might have starved or froze to death,” Thunder Mistral inquired with his voice echoing off the cave walls. “We press forward.”
“We’ve been on our hooves for hours now and it is getting dark. We must rest,” Crystal Glow pleaded.
Thunder Mistral glanced around the cave with Crystal Glow’s thoughts. “I’m sorry to disappoint you but I want to get this charade over with and we are almost done. Might as well finish our instructions quickly.”
Clashfoot could see Crystal Glow’s blood run cold. Clashfoot knows that Crystal Glow has had a number of years in the Royal Guards under his belt and had seen a plethora amount of things in his years and would not been easily disgruntled. This made Clashfoot’s stomach twist and turn at the thought. The two guards shook underneath there extra cloaks but it wasn’t from the cold. There was a nervous tension among the caves and Thunder Mistral was oblivious to it.
Clashfoot looked into Cyrstal Glow’s eyes, as to tell him that he understood the uneasiness that he shared with him. He had been a part of the Royal Guards for only a few years now and most of his duties was to keep watch around the castle in Canterlot. Ever since Princess Celestia had told him that he would venture into the Frozen North, he’d been suffering from a sick gut. Princess Celestia telling them that that no pony was to know about it made him even more nervous. Once he and the other two started their journey, the sickness resided.
Until tonight.
They had already ventured into three caves to find anything queer and nothing was out of the normal for a cave. There was something about this cave’s darkness that made his coat tingle underneath. They had spent about a week travelling across the Frozen North, avoiding the hostile Minotaurs that inhabited the area. The cold winds pierced their eyes and muzzles throughout their journey and the thick snow made it troublesome to trot for the traveling ponies. The further they dwelled into the Frozen North, the further they were away from Celestia’s realm and the reality did not settle well for Clashfoot or Crystal Glow. The two ponies would love to turn back to Celestia’s protection, however, when the commander is stubborn to get the job done no matter what, the two ponies would not get what they want.
And this was a very stubborn commander.
Thunder Mistral meant well and was good-natured but pride was his only vice. He was an ambitious new commander of the Royal Guards and was eager to do his first assignment as a new commander. His appearance was more impressive than Crystal Glow and Clashfoot, with a sleek white coat and a flowing orange mane and also boasted a muscular frame compared to his other two companions. He was a promising young colt among the Royal Guards and had won favor of Princess Celestia, which is why she trusted him to such an important task and he dutifully accepted the request. Even if the orders were vague. They were never told what they were looking for, just to report anything unusual in the Frozen North.
“Celestia said to report anything that was unusual and we have come across something that is very much indeed unusual if not downright disturbing,” Crystal Glow said. “If we turn back now, the Princess will understand our reason. She is an understanding pony sir. We shouldn’t bring any more trouble on us.”
Thunder Mistral was not paying attention to him as he studied the interior of the cave. Clashfoot watched his commander in interest. “I do not want to come across as a coward Crystal Glow. And I definitely do not want to waste Celestia’s time which we will be doing if we turn back with nothing important report.”
“This is important enough to be reported,” Crystal Glow argued.
“Then we have different definitions of important then,” Thunder Mistral countered. “And last time I checked, I’m the one who is in charge.”
Crystal Glow did not dare challenge his leader as he grew in frustration. Thunder Mistral snorted in the small victory. Thunder gave a quick glance to Clashfoot. “What do you think of the bodies?”
“They are rotted and old. Seven total. All of them are stallions, no mares. No blood that I can see. If some creature killed them, I doubt it is still here. These ponies most likely died of natural causes but it doesn’t hurt to be cautious.”
“Agreed, but these ponies death should not scare us. These poor ponies most likely got lost and in a last desperation, they trotted to this cave. And this is where they met their demise.” Thunder kept his gaze on Clashfoot. “What do you think killed them?”
Clashfoot searched for a reasonable answer in his head. “The cold killed them,” uncertainty filled his words. “I have no doubt about it. My only question is what the ponies were doing here. Ponies never enter the Frozen North unless dire need or in our case, strict instructions from the Princess herself. I don’t think these ponies were just travelling along, especially in such perilous conditions. They were looking for something. Something that cost their lives. I guess that is what we are doing.”
“Except our lives won’t be lost,” Thunder assured.
Clashfoot gave Thunder a weak smile. “Let’s hope not sir.”
The two ponies turned to Crystal Glow who was shivering vigorously. His eyes were staring blankly at nothing. Clashfoot trotted by his side. “You must keep warm, Crystal. You’ll never survive the trip if you shiver like that.” Crystal Glow did not reciprocate the statement, in fact, he did not give any indication that the stallion had spoken to him. “Crystal?” Nothing.
“Speak colt!” Thunder Mistral ordered. Crystal Glow finally budged as he slowly turned his head to a worried face of Clashfoot. He turned his muzzle back to Thunder Mistral as if he was a great annoyance to him. “What’s wrong with you?” Thunder pushed, but Crystal did not answer. “Enough of this nonsense. Let’s keep going.”
Clashfoot nodded. “I agree. I want to get out of this forsaken cave as quickly as possible.” The two ponies started to make their way into the cave. Crystal Glow continued his sedated state of mind.
Thunder Mistral quickly noticed this. “Crystal. I said let’s go.” Slowly but surely, the ever growing dense pony complied very hesitantly. Thunder Mistral gave Clashfoot a non-assuring glance. Clashfoot knew something was taking a hold of the pony. He wanted to turn back more than ever, but there was no convincing Thunder Mistral otherwise. “Clashfoot, lead us.”
Clashfoot went in front, the shimmer on his armoring slowly faded away as the darkness deepened. He carried the lantern with his muzzle, the light showing off the cave walls and the stalagmites growing from the ground and stalactites hanging from the cave ceilings. Thunder kept muttering things to himself but Clashfoot could not hear him, and he did not care to know.
Clashfoot slowed his pace for he thought his ears deceived him. He only heard the hooves of two ponies, including himself. He turned around to face Thunder Mistral.
“Why are we stopping?”
“We lost Crystal Glow,” Clashfoot asked himself. Fear at this point made him trembled. “Where did he go?”
Thunder Mistral turned around to see the other pony not there.
Somewhere in the distance in the cave, something growled.
Clashfoot pulled out his sword from his sheath. “Did you hear that, Thunder?”
Thunder paused for a moment, staring in the shadows of the caves, his face stern. Something dark wrapped around Thunder’s senses. Whatever Clashfoot and Crystal Glow felt, he now felt it. He could not explain it but he felt it. “There is something wrong here,” Thunder muttered.
Clashfoot gave Thunder a wary look.
“Can you feel it?” Thunder asked.
Clashfoot could feel it. Never in his life has he met so much fear. “We should turn back,” Clashfoot suggested. “We have to look for Crystal Glow.” For the first time, Thunder agreed with the pony.
“I’ll give the commands here,” he says disdainfully as he looked into Clashfoot’s skittish eyes. The look on the stallion’s eyes troubled Thunder. The fear was genuine. “Let’s turn back. We will tell the Princess what we have experienced here.”
“Agreed. Lead on, captain.”
The two ponies quickly made haste to the entrance of the cave. Both of them were filled with fear. Even the self-proclaimed fearless leader felt his bones chilled. The tunnels were the same, but to them, it interior felt different. Clashfoot was convinced that they were going the wrong way but followed his leader anyway. The light from outside started to shine through the cave. Thunder stopped in his tracks with Clashfoot stopping in front of him.
The blood from Thunder’s face ran cold immediately. With a few confusing moments passed, Clashfoot finally realized what had Thunder startled. His heart stopped as he lost in breath in his discovery. The light from outside shined on the cave grounds to show everything was exactly how it had been. Except for one thing.
The corpses were gone. All of them.
“Where are the bodies?” Clashfoot barely breathed out.
“Something is wrong here. We have to get out of here, now.”
“What about Crystal?” Clashfoot bellowed.
“Do you want to go after him?” All Clashfoot could do was stare his leader in the eyes discontent. Clashfoot damned his cowardice. Thunder knew he wouldn’t go after him. Not in that cave. Clashfoot looked down in defeat. Thunder held his muzzle high in victory. “We will now leave.”
Clashfoot reluctantly obeyed.
Thunder looked at him with disapproval. “It is unfortunate that we lost Crystal Glow but we must make it back to Canterlot and I will not risk our lives rescuing an old pony that was not suited for this journey in the first place.”
Clashfoot turned away with nothing to say. There was no need to argue with Thunder Mistral. The stallion was right. They needed to make it back to Princess Celestia. The cold winds blasted onto them, nearly knocked them over. Clashfoot almost forgot how thick the snow was on the ground as his hooves shuffled in it.
Clashfoot thought he heard a voice in the distance. “Crystal, is that you?” There was no answer.
Thunder gave it a try. “Crystal?” Nothing.
Thunder saw movement in the corner of his eyes. There was something gliding along the shadows. There was a silhouette of a pony, it quickly shifted away. Noises of something scurrying along the snow was heard. Clashfoot tried to call out for Crystal Glow again or warn Thunder Mistral about the thing he saw in the shadows.
“Crystal, where are you?” Thunder Mistral broke the deathly silence. Thunder and Crystal faced away from each other and started to circle worryingly in the snow. “Answer me!” Clashfoot steps became weak and unsteady.
A shadow emerged from the snow and stood in front of Thunder Mistral. It was one of the corpse that laid in the entrance of the cave. The undead body was somehow taller than the commander. The smell confirmed for Thunder Mistral that this pony standing in front of him was indeed dead. “What do you want?” Thunder Mistral barely squealed. Clashfoot heard Thunder, never hearing such fear come from his voice. The carcass slightly slid to his left, glaring at Thunder. The wind had stopped. The carcass slowly pulled out his own dilapidated sword. A small chuckled escaped Thunder as he saw the sword. In the back of his mind, he knew that his broken down sword was still deadly. Thunder lifted his weapon above his head. Both of their swords met in the air.
Clashfoot watched in admiration for his captain. Thunder pushed off the living corpse off of him. The dead stopped. The other corpses stepped into sight to meet Clashfoot’s gaze. All seven of them circled Clashfoot and Thunder Mistral. Any confidence that Thunder had was now swept away with hopelessness. Both ponies raised their swords and met with the enemies weapons. Thunder held his ground boldly. Clashfoot held on for a few blows but then fell on the ground. One of the corpse’s blade came down upon Clashfoot but he defended the blow with his trusty sword. He bucked the corpse away and quickly stumbled to his feet.
Thunder Mistral defended blow by blow and fell back.
Clashfoot sword kept meeting with the dead’s blows. Clashfoot wanted to run but he couldn’t leave his commander behind.
Thunder was now panting, becoming exhausted in his efforts. His visible breath was rapidly escaping his mouth. Thunder raised his sword again but he miscalculated the corpse’s move. The corpse struck his hoof. The young commander yelled in anguish. A stream of blood started to make its way out of his hoof. All four of the commander’s legs knelt to the ground. In one last effort, he raised his sword to the corpse. The carcass lazily knocked it out of his hooves. Thunder looked above him, his eyes knowing what was going to happen next. The living dead raised his sword above Thunder. Clashfoot dared not to look and continued his own fight against the dead. He knew his commander’s fate.
Clashfoot’s courage failed him. He fled. He had to hurry to make it out alive. Clashfoot clumsily tripped over his hooves and fell in the snow. Clashfoot quickly got to his hooves.
Clashfoot looked above him. Crystal Glow stood over him.
His appearance was exactly the same as it was early. Crystal blankly stared into Clashfoot’s eyes with no emotion. He held a knife in his hooves, pointed right at Clashfoot.
Teary-eyed, the ill-fated pony closed his eyes and knew there was nothing he could do. He gave up. He would not get out of this alive.
A new day had come, and the Apple family were wide awake early in the morning. Waking up in the morning was nothing new to the family. Farm work was a routine in their lives and required to get up in such hours. However, they were up early headed to Ponyville to hear Mayor Mare give an announcement. Apple Bloom knew the nature of Ponyville, and big announcements did not stay secret and she most likely already knew what Mayor Mare had to say because of her older sister, Applejack. Especially because it regarded Applejack’s very good friend, Twilight Sparkle.
Apple Bloom thought it out in her head what exactly was important enough to call the ponies of Ponyville together and be told all at once. It had to be something Applejack had mention during their dinner over the past few days. The only thing worth mentioning that came to her mind was that Twilight was invited to Canterlot by Princess Celestia once again. On normal circumstances, this is not worth celebrating for this was not Twilight’s first visit to Canterlot on royal business. In fact, Twilight was Celestia’s prized pupil. However, this was not a normal circumstance. This would be Twilight’s first trip to Canterlot as an alicorn and princess. Apple Bloom figured it was worth the celebration.
Ponies crowded the town square eager to hear what Mayor Mare had to say. The Apple family shuffled their way near the front of the stage which they found Mayor Mare wearing a grin on stage with Twilight by her side. Twilight was modest and gracious as usual, but a bit embarrassed about the newly found fame that became a perk alongside being a princess. She was not used to being called Princess Twilight Sparkle. She preferred just Twilight Sparkle.
Apple Bloom tried to be excited but her true feelings told her otherwise. She was happy for her sister’s friend to be a princess but such news did not intrigue her. She wouldn’t have even been there if it wasn’t for Applejack being as stubborn as she was. According to Applejack, it would be rude of Apple Bloom to skip out on an important occasion.
Mayor Mare began her speech, but Apple Bloom did not pay any attention to it. She just knew that words were said and at one point, Twilight began to speak. Instead of listening to the speech, Apple Bloom was daydreaming about the other members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and other ways they could get their cutie marks. Apple Bloom was able to catch that the assembly was indeed to celebrate Twilight’s accomplishments and her recent invitation to Canterlot. After a few moments passed, the ponies in the crowd began to applaud Twilight, even her sister, who already knew that she was called by Celestia.
Applejack leaned close to her younger sister. “Do you know why we came here?” Apple Bloom realized that the speeches were over, and all the other ponies were making their way out of the square.
The young filly gave the question very little thought. “Cause it’s the right thing to do.”
“Skimming the surface,” she said with a smirk. “That not the only reason why we are here. Twi’s has given a lot since she’s been in Ponyville. Saved the town a couple times too. Like I said, Twi’s has given a lot to us, it’s about time we gave something back to her. But you are right, it is the right thing to do and we should always be there for friends.” Apple Bloom was haphazardly listening to her older sister. Applejack noticed this. “No matter how boring or pointless it may seem to be,” Applejack said accusingly.
Apple Bloom huffed in annoyance. “I know, I know. It just seems kind of repetitive. Don’t you think?”
The older mare looked into her sister eyes. The look in her indicated that she understood what exactly the young filly was feeling and those same feelings will pass with age. “You are still young. You’ll understand one day.”
Big Mac and Granny Smith trotted back to their home, Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack decided she would take her younger sister to Sugarcube Corner for breakfast. Applejack pace was brisk but Apple Bloom was able to keep up with her. Apple Bloom was distracted, deep in thought.
Applejack sensed this. “What are you thinking about little sis?”
The question took Apple Bloom off guard because she did not know what she was really thinking about either. “I’m not sure. I guess I’m just scared.”
“Scared? Scared of what?”
“I don’t know. I guess the future.”
Applejack was a bit taken back at her sister’s response. “The future? Why are you scared of that?”
“Well yeah. The future is kind of a scary thing.”
“Mind me asking why?”
Apple Bloom didn’t want to respond, afraid that Applejack would think she was being ridiculous. “I feel like I have a lot to live up to.”
“Why is that, sugarcube?” Applejack pried.
“You’re a hard working pretty mare, you represent an Element of Harmony, and you helped Twilight save Ponyville a couple times.”
Applejack chuckled softly. “Let me tell you something. Opportunities came to me and I took them. Simple as that. It is what you do with those opportunities that make you who you are. Your time will come, sugarcube. You are still just a little filly. You don’t want to be thinking about such a silly thing at your age.”
Apple Bloom gave her sister a reassuring smile. “Okay. I just don’t want to let you down, sis. And I don’t even have my cutie mark yet.” The smile quickly faded away.
Applejack was uncertain how to respond to Apple Bloom. “All I can tell you is to keep moving. Take it one step at a time. No matter what you do, I will always love you.”
Apple Bloom did not say anything to her sister as she quickly nuzzled against Applejack’s side. It was enough to let Applejack know that she had chosen the right words.
That was when Rainbow Dash appeared from the sky above the two sisters. “What’s up AJ?” she said as her hooves touched the ground. “So you brought Apple Bloom to join us for breakfast huh?”
“Sure did,” Applejack said with a bright smile. “I do like spending quality time with my sister as much as I do my friends.” So much pride filled her words. She smirked, “Probably more.”
Rainbow Dash quickly made her way to the door of the Sugarcube Corner and held the door for the two mares. Applejack gave Rainbow a confused face. “What? Can’t I be nice and let my two friends go first.”
“Well aren’t you sweet,” Applejack jokingly mocked as she entered the café.
They found Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and even Sweetie Belle with her older sister Rarity at a table in the corner of the café. Twilight and Pinkie sat against the walls. Fluttershy sat next to Twilight and Rarity next to Pinkie. Sweetie Belle obviously sat next to Rarity. They were already engaged in conversation, giggles travelled around the table. Apple Bloom was excited to see another Cutie Mark Crusader for her to hang out with.
The three mares picked their seats on the edge of the table. Apple Bloom made sure she sat next to Sweetie Belle. They immediately began in conversation about their next adventures for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. The other ponies talked about Twilight’s visit to Canterlot. Apple Bloom casually listened to their conversation.
“Soooo, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie blurted. “Why is the town making a big deal about you going off the Canterlot to see the Princess? Not that I’m glad because I’m very proud of you and it is totally awesome that you are a princess and everything…”
“Calm down, Pinkie,” Rarity hushed the party pony. “But I am wondering the same thing, darling. I am proud of you, but it does seem redundant.”
A gleeful look came upon Twilight’s face. “Well it is my first assignment as a Princess so…”
“An assignment?” Applejack asked.
“Yes, an assignment,” Twilight confirmed.
Applejack quickly became excited for her friend. “Well heck, what kind of an assignment?”
“I would like to know too since I am going to Canterlot with you.”
Apple Bloom leaned close to Sweetie Belle. “Rarity is going to Canterlot with Twilight?” she whispered.
“Fashion reasons.”
“Oh.”
Twilight unexpectedly was taken back at Applejack’s intrusive behavior, even though Applejack did not mean it and was being genuine. Twilight did not want to tell the group something, Apple Bloom could tell. Twilight’s eyes went back and forth, debated how much should she give to her friends. This put the little filly unease. Not enough that bothered her.
The other ponies waited in anticipation as Twilight finally spoke, “Well I can’t tell too much about it. Princess Celestia did seem very keen on keeping this a secret but you guys are the Elements of Harmony. But still. Just know that Princess wants me to observe something. That is all I can say.”
“Ooo!” Pinkie Pie gasped.
“Well we won’t ask any more information from you,” Fluttershy softly assured.
“We just hope it is nothing dangerous,” Applejack said.
“I wouldn’t think so,” Twilight said sardonically. “I would bet it is probably nothing.”
Trixie
Trixie always liked the spotlight shined on her. That is why she loathed Twilight and her friends.
She wasn’t always in Ponyville. Trixie travelled across Equestria showing off her abilities with magic. A travelling entertain is what most called her. The Great and Powerful Trixie is what she called herself. She never did stay in one location for long. The blue unicorn was ran out of Dodge Junction because the earth ponies that lived there did not take too kindly to unicorns like herself. The lack of business made her stay troublesome in Fillydelphia and Manehattan.
She dazzled the citizens in Ponyville with her tricks and theatrics. The Great and Powerful Trixie announced to the town that she was the most magical unicorn all of Equestria, boastfulness and all. The unicorn was very content, even at the expense of other ponies. To her credit, she was oblivious of her boastful ways.
Those six ponies ruined it for her. Twilight and her friends decided that they needed to put the Great and Powerful Trixie in her place. Trixie accepted this as a challenge and a chance to prove herself to the citizens of Ponyville. How could she deny them?
Trixie to this day does not like to remember what happened that night.
Most ponies remembers that night as the night Trixie was found a fraud and the blue unicorn was humiliated. She was not the most magical unicorn in Equestria. Apparently it was Twilight. Trixie did not like this.
She remained in Ponyville for the simple fact she had nowhere else to go. Trixie was able to secure a small house on the outskirts of the town and she was able to befriend a few ponies. Even if it was through pity towards Trixie, but she did not know that and she didn’t need to know that. Certain things were best left unsaid.
She found herself glaring at Twilight and her friends. She noticed those two fillies were also there. They were smiling, laughing and having all around a good time. Twilight of course was the center of attention at the table as usual. The Great and Powerful Trixie blood started to rise, her teeth grinded against each other.
“Um, Trixie?” Roseluck called delicately.
Trixie lifted her head to look at her. “Yes,” she simply replied. Trixie almost forgot she was at the flower shops, her mind escaped her while she envied the alicorn.
Roseluck, Daisy and Lily Valley owned and managed the flower shops in Ponyville. They could always be found at their shops.
“It’s nothing. It was just that you were staring at the Sugarcube Corner or that what it looked like,” Roseluck said.
“Yeah,” Daisy simply agreed.
“It’s nothing,” Trixie denied.
Lyra and Bon Bon came up from behind Trixie. “Is it Twilight again?” Lyra asked as she already knew the answer. The duo saw Trixie stare into Sugarcube Corner and Roseluck breaking her concentration. It was well known Trixie had it out for Twilight for embarrassing her.
“Yes,” Trixie answered.
“Of course it is,” Bon Bon said mockingly.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Trixie angrily asked.
Bon Bon shook her head.
“Because you are always jealous of her,” Daisy answered for Bon Bon.
“That is because Trixie is better than her,” she defended herself.
“See! That is what we are talking about!” Lyra said in frustration.
“Look, we are your friends for a reason. We don’t care if Twilight is better at magic than you. It just doesn’t matter,” Roseluck tried to choose her words wisely.
Roseluck words were not chosen right and her statement stung her inside. Such words would sting a boastful pony. Glory is what ponies like Trixie longed for. Trixie did not wish to ponder on Roseluck’s words, but the current conversation was not letting her do so.
“You are great with magic, I’ll give you that,” Bon Bon started. “But there are certain things you need to let go. This is one of them. You’ll always be miserable if you keep thinking of ways to best Twilight. It just isn’t healthy for anypony to put themselves like that.”
“It is because you think Twilight is better than Trixie isn’t it,” Trixie replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. The ponies knew that Trixie had become vulnerable at this point but still wanted to calm her down. They also knew that Trixie had no love for admitting she is wrong or backing down. “She is an alicorn now. A princess too. Princess Celestia loves her but who cares for Trixie?”
All the ponies shared a bewildered look. “We do. We care for Trixie,” Lyra said calmly.
“Yeah, you don’t have to be so great or powerful for us to care about you,” Lily Valley added.
“Everypony should care about the Great and Powerful Trixie! That is where true glory is,” Trixie said disdainfully.
“Oh my gosh,” Lyra said in frustration. “Who cares about glory?”
“Trixie does,” Trixie quietly said.
“You are our friend and everything but it is stuff like this that you make it really hard for us to be around you,” Lyra said immediately regretting her statement.
It was deadly silent. Nopony dared to utter a word. Lyra’s words were true and even Trixie knew it. She did make it hard for them to be friends with her. All she did was spend her time loathing against Twilight and her friends. Trixie shot her head up and glared back at Sugarcube Corner. “Just look at them, thinking they are better than everypony else,” she said hatefully.
The ponies considered what Trixie had said and Roseluck reluctantly agreed with her. “I know, Trixie. You never see another pony with them, unless it’s Twilight’s assistant Spike.”
“They are pretty exclusive,” Lyra added.
“I see where you guys are coming from but I don’t care,” Daisy said. “As long as they saving Ponyville, they can keep thinking they are all that." “They are the Elements of Harmony, Daisy,” Bon Bon started. “For representing what friendship is supposed to be, you’d think humility would be a huge thing for them.”
“They are humble, except for Rainbow Dash and possibly Applejack,” Lily Valley said. “But the others are very reliable good ponies. Rarity can be dramatic but that does not take away from her generosity.”
“Why does any of this matter,” Lyra said. “They have their set of friends, we have ours. They just happen to be the Elements of Harmony. Who cares?”
“Trixie cares.”
“Should have known better to argue with the Great and Powerful Trixie,” Bon Bon said with a smirk.
“I bet you didn’t take the news too well, huh Trixie.” Roseluck said.
“What news?” Lyra ignorantly asked.
“Twilight visiting Canterlot tomorrow morning. It is her first assignment as royalty,” Bon Bon answered. “There was an assembly this morning about it, at the square.”
“I did not take the news well,” Trixie said sadly.
“Hey! You didn’t speak in the third person!” Lyra said happily not noticing Trixie’s sadness.
Bon Bon came by Trixie’s side and gently put one of her forelegs upon Trixie’s neck. “Don’t worry about it okay,” Bon Bon said softly.
“Twilight has everything, though.”
“You’ll have your chance to prove yourself great. Everypony does,” Bon Bon comforted.
A single tear escaped the blue unicorn’s eye as she looked down, embarrassed by her sudden act of weakness. “One can only dream of one.”
Sonata Dusk Sonata touched the pendant that wrapped around her neck with her hoof. “It’s like you never had that thing around your neck before?” Adagio retorted.
Sonata’s hoof left the red stone. The red pendant has always been there before. The beauty of it was remarkable. She couldn’t remember the last time she did not have on. The thought only was enough to frighten the Siren.
The time has finally come, the thought has lingered around her head since yesterday and continued to linger. “It has been so long,” Sonata said sincerely. Her words gained glares from Adagio and Aria, the two Sirens that traveled along with her. The three Sirens had always used their pendants for petty gain. Manipulating other ponies for food, shelter and other necessities, nothing more. Sonata was happy with that. She had second thoughts on this situation.
Aria turned away from Sonata and continued through the Macintosh Hills. “I really do wonder about Sonata. You use that thing all the time.” Adagio joined Aria up the hills. Sonata hesitantly followed her the other Sirens.
Nothing else was said about Sonata’s comment. The three Sirens became very familiar with the land of Equestria and Equestria was very familiar with them. Ponies rumored about three Sirens, appearing to be ponies, causing troublesome mischief. However, none of them have ever had the pleasure of meeting one much less knowing the name of just one of the Sirens. Their deeds and actions were folklore but their image was anything but. Common travelers most had mistaken them for. As Sonata observed, nopony actually knows what a Siren looked like. They could only speculate it was some hideous creature. Sonata was comfortable with that idea.
Adagio and Aria continued to lead Sonata forward. Aria sighed heavily. “Do you know how far this place is?” she asked lazily. “Out of all the years we spend wreaking havoc among Equestria and we never bothered to even step a hoof in the Badlands.”
“It’s called the Badlands for a reason,” Adagio deadpanned.
“So why go there now?” Sonata asked out of sweet ignorance. Sonata was met with an all too familiar set of glares from Adagio and Aria. She knew why, she was not that dense in the head. She just did not want to believe that is where they had to go. Sonata wished there was no future to worry about and that she was just a normal pony. This was wishful thinking. Sonata was always a wishful thinker. It was better than what Adagio and Aria thought went around her head, nothing.
Sonata knew they could never fight against the Orb. It was too powerful. Adagio would have never agreed to serve anyone, but this was a special case. Sonata gave her leader credit, she rather join the side that will inevitable win, than lose an inevitable fight. Not even the Sirens could manipulate the power the Orb contained. The Orb would simply use them for its own will until it was reconnected with its master, King Sombra. Sonata never thought they would actually one day have to serve him. After his woeful defeat at the Crystal Empire, his physical body was never seen again, or the Orb for that matter. The naïve Siren always thought they would continue their old Siren ways and continue to get want they want by singing. It was an easy lifestyle.
Somewhere far north, the Orb was being called. The Sirens were being called. The stage was being set and two of the three Sirens knew they had to act or be a part of the destruction. The ponies of Equestria were clueless what great trouble they were in. The stage was being set. In the end, all Adagio wanted a piece of Equestria, and that was a promise that was made. Parts of Equestria would be the Sirens to rule, serving under King Sombra of course. Better to serve him than to be killed by him.
Sonata was confused.
Then again, Sonata would sometimes think about the day they would rule Equestria. Everything would be nice for them. No more wandering, no more going into hiding, and no more hiding what she truly was. What she truly was had become trivial for her. Sonata became too familiar with her pony form and it no longer bothered her. Sonata would most likely keep her pony body. But everything else would be a dream. She would be a graceful ruler and everypony would love and adore her. Some would even die for her. That is how it always played out in her head. It was a nice picture that would every now and then give her a smile.
Adagio stopped and glanced around the surroundings of the Macintosh Hills. Red rocks and steep hills were the images that came to ponies’ minds when thinking about the Macintosh Hills and such images were very accurate. Ponies normally did not wander in the Hills because of the dangerous nature of it. Rock falls were common and fatalities were usually a result of the disaster. The changelings’ hives in the Badlands were also a reason for ponies steering clear of the Hills. However, it was the changelings were the only reason why they were in the Badlands in the first place.
“We are almost there,” Adagio said. Her glance fell on Sonata. “When we get there, do not talk. We do not want to screw this up.”
“Yeah, Sonata,” Aria began but her expression was soft. She slowly came to Sonata’s side and put a hoof around Sonata’s neck. Aria signed heavily and looked up to Sonata. “We’ve been wandering accomplishing nothing for too long. This is our chance to finally become the rightful rulers of Equestria and we need to be careful with this situation.”
“But he will be the true ruler, not us,” Sonata said.
Aria grimaced. She took her hoof off of Sonata and slowly stepped closer to Adagio. “We have already discussed this. This is what we have to do. It is the only option we have.” The two Sirens turned away from Sonata and continued their walk. Sonata reluctantly followed, a few feet behind them.
Adagio and Aria eyed each other. “She is going to screw this up for us,” Adagio had said multiple times and again was bringing up the conversation. “I just know it. She has become soft over the years. She is too afraid of King Sombra. She does not want to serve him, I can tell. This will not end well for her.”
“I suppose you might be right,” Aria said doubtfully. “She is still Siren, though. Sonata might be dumb, but she is not that dumb. She will doom us.”
“You better be right,” Adagio said.
“I am. You just got to have faith,” Aria assured. Adagio took a quick glance at the other Siren behind them. The sulking Siren stumbled behind them as she looked down at the ground, giving an impression that she was contemplating something.
Adagio did not like this. “I never did like that word, faith.”
Applejack The Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed through the orchards of Sweet Apple Acres. Scootaloo was pulling Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle on a wagon with her scooter. They were reckless going up and down the hills.
The antics that the Crusaders would be pull usually gave Applejack a chuckle. Even if it was troublesome. She couldn’t help but to be happy at the little fillies’ enthusiasm of discovering who they really were and such thoughts would take Applejack back to the days she was a filly herself. Then again, those Crusaders sometimes gave Applejack grief. She loved those three fillies but if wasn’t for the occasional monster attack, the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be the main destructors of Ponyville. Even if it was all accidental.
Applejack continued her apple bucking. She noticed, from a distance, that Scootaloo was losing control of her scooter. The wagon got closer and was coming her way. The screams of the fillies that were riding on the wagon became audible. “Oh horse apples,” Applejack said to herself. Before she knew it, the scooter was a mere few feet in front of her. She quickly jumped out of the way and the Cutie Mark Crusaders hit a nearby tree.
The Crusaders laid on top each of each, dazed. Scootaloo impatiently pushed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo off of her. The fillies quickly got on their hooves and looked over to Applejack with sheepish grins.
Apple Bloom was the first to speak, “Oh, uh, hey Applejack,” she said with the least confidence. Applejack held a stern look. She really did not want to know what they were up to, but that was the formalities of being an older sibling. “What in the hay are you fillies doing?”
By then, Apple Bloom got over the stupor of the stunt that she and her friends had pulled. Sweetie Belle was about the answer. Apple Bloom raised her hoof to cut her off, implying that it should be her to explain, since it was her sister. The younger sister took a deep breathe, “We were trying to get our cutie marks in racing.”
“Racing? Who exactly were you racing against?”
“We thought we should train before we actually-“
“Eh!” Applejack stopped her explanation. “I don’t want to hear it. As long as nopony got hurt, then it is all okay. Just don’t do something like that again.”
Apple Bloom loved that about her. Always concerned about other ponies, in the end, that what really mattered the most for Applejack. Especially if it involved her little sister. Applejack suggested the Cutie Mark Crusaders take a break from crusading and take a lunch break back at the farmhouse. The three fillies that the idea was great, and quickly followed Applejack through the orchards.
“Why can’t you guys try to get a cutie mark in something safer? Like knitting or something,” Applejack asked.
Scootaloo gagged in the thought of knitting as her cutie mark. Apple Bloom spoke for her distraught friend. “Because that is boring. Who wants that as their cutie mark? Not me.” “Or me,” Scootaloo added.
They continued down the orchard together. Applejack caught the Cutie Mark Crusaders watching her with curious eyes. The older mare tried to ignore them but the fillies were persistent. “Okay. What do you want?”
“Well we were just wondering,” Apple Bloom said nonchalant, “you know, the reason why Twilight is going to Canterlot.” Apple Bloom finished the sentence in a hurry, with her eyes pleading.
Applejack snorted. “Why would I know that, sugarcube? Remember what she said back at Sugarcube Corner? She can’t tell us why.”
“Likely story Applejack,” Apple Bloom jested. She looked at her friends with confidence, confidence that she will tell them. The little filly did not notice Applejack’s stare.
“Likely story? You think I’m lying? I’m the Element of Honesty. I’m the worst liar in all of Equestria. You would know if I was lying. You know that, sugarcube.” Sweetie Belle jumped in. “Well we know why she is going is Canterlot,” she said filled with pride that she knew information that one of her sister’s friends did not.
Applejack chortled. “And what would that be? And where did you hear this. If it’s from Pinkie Pie then I already don’t believe it.”
The mention of Pinkie’s name made the Crusaders glance at each other, questioning the credibility of their sources. Nevertheless, they heard more stories from other ponies other than Pinkie.
“Well?” Applejack asked with a smile, as she already won.
Scootaloo spoke up. “We heard there were strange things in White Tail Woods. Changelings, I think. Not a lot of ponies go around White Tail Woods anymore. And it is because of those changelings. That’s why Twilight went to Canterlot, to think of a plan to stop them,” she said happily.
“That’s not what I heard,” Sweetie Belle disagreed with Scootaloo. “I heard something was found in way of north of Equestria.”
“Nuh-uh,” Apple Bloom said.
“Yup. Somewhere around the Crystal Empire.”
“What did they find?” Apple Bloom challenged.
“Well, I’m not sure. Maybe some kind of monster or something like that.”
“It’s all filly talk,” Applejack stopped them. “You guys shouldn’t be believing everything you hear, you know. It is just rumors.”
“There is always some sort of truth to rumors,” Sweetie Belle said defiantly. Applejack gave her a countering look. Sweetie Belle backed down. “Or at least that is what Rarity says,” she said sheepishly.
“What do you think?” Apple Bloom asked carefully. Applejack knew she would be asked that sooner or later and did not want to engage in such tomfoolery. However, she did wonder want could be the possible reason Twilight was to be so hush-hush about the situation. She contemplate whether she should answer or not, and Apple Bloom caught her. “You do have an opinion,” she said with a smirk.
“I think that it is just a normal visit,” Applejack said nervously.
“Remember that thing you were saying about not being able to lie,” Apple Bloom joked.
Applejack glared at her younger sister. “The one thing that isn’t a lie is the fact that you shouldn’t be sticking your head in other ponies’ businesses.”
With that, Applejack ended the conversation as they approached their farmhouse.
Rarity Rarity marveled the fact that she was a bearer of one of the Elements of Harmony: generosity out of all of them nonetheless. A sense of pride would arise from her every time she reminded herself about it but did keep a sense of humility as well.
Even though she had often fantasized about a stallion sweeping her off her hooves, but her heart would always remain loyal to fashion. Born a fashionista, most of her time was spent in Carousel Boutique, experimenting with different fabrics and colors. The place was also her home. Sometimes the Carousel Boutique also served as a safe haven for her friends, a place to relax. This was seldom though
It had been a few hours since the assembly at the square. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had been at the boutique, waiting for Twilight and Pinkie Pie. They were meeting each other again for lunch. Applejack had couldn’t be there because she was busy at Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity was sitting quietly across from Rainbow and Fluttershy as she enjoyed Rainbow retold stories from their past adventures: befriending a sea serpent in the Everfree Forest, defeating a hydra in Froggy Bottom Bogg and Rainbow accomplishing the Sonic Rainboom. Rarity loved the company of her friends and when they retold their stories. It comforted her. It was bliss.
Now this is what true friendship is, she thought to herself.
A knock came from the door. Rarity simply used her magic to open the door to reveal Twilight and Pinkie Pie. “Rarity!” Pinkie said as she gave Rarity a bear hug. Rarity gasped in the lack of breathe caused by Pinkie which caused Pinkie to giggle. She zipped pass Rarity to talk to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash.
Rarity looked up to see a giggling Twilight. Rarity grinned and wrapped her forelegs around Twilight neck. “There is really nopony quite like Pinkie is there,” Twilight said.
“I really do not think so, darling. I guess that what makes her so unique,” she said with a smirk. Rarity let go of Twilight’s neck and motioned for both ponies to enter the boutique. Twilight received the hint as she made her way into Rarity’s home.
“So we leave tomorrow morning, correct?” Rarity asked.
“Yes,” Twilight simply said. The two ponies realized that the others were in another room. Twilight smiled in her observation and she quickly turned to Rarity. “So, are you excited to visit Canterlot?” Twilight asked, as she had a hidden agenda.
Rarity was confused at Twilight’s question. She was very familiar with Canterlot and has been there many times because of clients that lived there. “Yes, I am,” Rarity said with a hint of confusion. “Are you excited to visit Canterlot?” Rarity asked out of curiosity. She felt silly asking for Twilight grew up in Canterlot, but she asked anyway.
Twilight double checked to see if the other ponies were still out of the room. “Do you know why Celestia has called me to Canterlot?”
“I think we have our theories, darling. This is probably your first assignment as Princess Twilight Sparkle,” Rarity said with pride.
The mention of being called Princess Twilight Sparkle caught her off guard. She quickly regained her composure. She smiled. “Yes. This is my first assignment and I’m so excited. I’m little nervous for this observation I’m going to do, but,” Twilight quickly cut herself off with her eyes growing big.
“Observing what?”
Twilight had given too much information than she intended to. “Well, I really shouldn’t tell you.” “Don’t be like that, tell me,” Rarity protested.
“You don’t know what you are asking for, Rarity. This is very important.”
“The way I see it, I’m going with you to Canterlot, so you might as well just tell me,” Rarity countered.
Twilight gave Rarity a careful look. She then swelled with pride. “Okay. But you cannot tell any other pony.”
“My lips are sealed,” Rarity promised.
“Great!” Twilight began. “I wasn’t told much but there was something found in the Frozen North!” she said with excitement. “It some sort of new magic that ponies haven’t discovered yet. Princess Cadence and I have been called to Canterlot to study it to see what we can make of it. The way Celestia sounded in her letter, anypony has never encountered with this magic before. Isn’t that exciting! Just imagine the possibilities.”
Knowledge about magic was not Rarity’s expertise but even she knew the importance of such a discovery. “Wow that is amazing! New magic,” Rarity said in wonder.
“But nopony can know,” Twilight warned. “Just because it is new doesn’t exactly mean we understand it. That is what we are going to try to accomplish tomorrow."
"So you have no idea what exactly this might be?" Rarity asked. Twilight shook her head with disappointment. Rarity gave Twilight a reassuring smile. "Well, I'm sure you will be able to figure it out, you always do."
"Thank Rarity."
"And don't worry about me slipping your secret. And I won't be in your way while we are in Canterlot. I'll be too busy with my own business," she giggled.
"I'm not worried that you will be in the way," Twilight said with a smile. "I think we should get back to the other ponies." And with that, Twilight turned and trotted towards her other friends. Rarity stood behind her and admired the mare. She couldn't stop thinking how one pony could be so deserving to be a princess. And that pony was Twilight.