> Ancient Elements > by Akataja > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- There weren’t so many ponies in the old castle for century’s. Dozens of unicorns were gathered in the old rotten halls, some were wearing suits and sunglasses and other pony’s used magical artifact to scan the surroundings. Two Pegasus were taking measurements at a still smoking hole in the roof, they didnt talk about why they were here, they weren’t paid for talking and thinking, they just had to take measurements and tell no pony about what they saw here. Even Princess Celestia was here, with a serious worried look on her face and with her was the young Princess of Love, Mi Amore Cadenza. All this happend arround the still stoned elements of harmony. Cadence just entered the room, even when she was young, she was an alicorn and the guards made room for her when she walked by. "What is this about aunt?" she asked, it was still strange to call Celestia an aunt, but she had to promise. "I Just came back from sitting Twily and received your message. Are you serious about this? The elements of harmony? I Thought we wanted to let them rest... forever!" she flapped her wings and one of the Guards fell on his hind, because he was scared of an angry alicorn. "how is she?" Asked Celestia back, still looking at the stone on top of the springwell. “who?” “Twilight sparkle, you said you just visited her?” “what? Ehm... well...she does good, I like her and her family... today it was our first time alone, she was very scared and worried, so I showed her the sunshine chant... I think she liked it.” Cadence had to giggle, because she remembered the time when she saw the little dance the first time, that made her instantly sad, and than angry “oh no! No! I Tell you she isn't one of the elements!” Princess Celestia just sighed “Who do you want to tell that? Is it me, or you?” Cadence didn’t answered, she tried to dodge Celestias eyes. “Just a few weeks ago she had this big outbreak of friendship magic... and you remember her first outbreak five years ago?” Cadence had to though how she waked up in that dark cave five years ago, all alone and confused. Celestia came to save her and told her what she missed in her over thousand years of sleep. She never thought she could overcome what she has experienced. “All our friends...” Cadence said wile the guards watched at her “all of them...” she had to shake this off “yes I remind it! And I remember all the cruel things we had to experience, all the things we lost and all the pain!” she yelled at Celestia without noticing “did you forget it? You forget the blood? The death? I did not!” Celestia stomped with her hoof an the whole castle was shaking, every guard was taking cover, soldiers with years of experience and training were hiding behind rocks and walls, but the nearly filly like cadence stand her ground. Celestia yelled in her royal tone “I did not! I did not forget them! But I had to walk to its end!” “Of corse you did! You had to! Because you and Luna were always the perfect pair of princess, right?” Cadence yelled with tears in her eyes, but covered her mouth instantly with her hooves. Celestia looked to the ground, her eyes closed “I... I am sorry...” Cadence looked to the side, outside the window to the moon “i already forget what you had to do with her...” “I... I lost them too” Celestia said in a normal tone “I lost even you... or not?” Cadence didn't answered, it was true, there was a time when she and Celestia were real good friends, there was a time when she trusted Celestia the most and would be proud to be her niece. She pushed this thoughts away with a head shaking and looked to the stoned elements. The pink Alicorn princess calmed a bit down when she asked “alright... so why you tell me to come here? We can yell at each other in the palace too.” “First tell me about Twilight Sparkle... She is the element of Magic, you could feel it too, don’t you?”Celestia asked as if nothing happened. Cadence sighed “Yes... yes she is. But this proves nothing, it isn’t the first one of the element appeared after the last coming.” “Yes, but look, one of the elements react just a few hours ago.” Celestia pointed at the hole in the roof “it send out pure friendship magic to ponyville.” “So its a second one? Who cares?” “You should care, because you know which element reacted, don’t you? You could feel it, don’t lie to me!” Cadence slowly turned her head back to the white Alicorn Princess “The Element of Kindness.” The younger princess put her hoof on the cold stone “but its gone now... I cant feel it at all.” “So as am I.” Celestia said and walked to her side “This time the elements don't just show of them self, to recognize us that they still exist... this time they are coming back! All of them! Magic, Kindness, Loyality, Honestly, Generosity...and Laugther.” “i know...” cadence had to face the truth “i knew since I awoke in the ruins of my lost kingdom... but I don't want to do this again!” “You don't have to.” Celestia put a hoof an Cadences shoulder- “But then... why did you call me?” “Because the new Elements will need our help... maybe we aren’t the main characters of the next story... but we have to help them and that means to face our past.” “Do I really have to? I... I try to forget about all this... I want a new life, a normal life, I want to finish school and live on my own, with a family, a husband and children... And I want the love back!” Cadence was really scared, she had to suffer a lot in her past, but than she looked at Princess Celestia, the Princess of the sun had to suffer more and was still doing this “I just cant, Tia.” Celestia heard that name, she looked in Cadences eyes “we booth now, that nopony can stop what will happen, because we weren't able to stop it back then. The Elements react on they own!” Cadence nod, Celestia was right.”You said you like Twilight.” “Yes, yes I do... she remind me a lot of a pony I really liked... back in the good days...” “And back in this days” Celestia said with a light smile “Did not you have the desire, for somepony to help you? An experienced pony, that lived through all this and stand at your side, when you need help the most?” Cadence looked again at the moon, after a wile she turned back to Celestia “alright... but I will also need help,”she smiled at Celestia “aunty Tia.” Celestia giggled “you are still the little princess I knew.” She walked over to her an booth touched with they horns, when the magic flowed between them booth had to remember what happened, far more than just thousand years ago. > Chapter one: a Unicorn and a Pegasus > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia remembered the town she was born and raised. Sunspeek was a town built on a mountain, it was hard to reach without wings or magic. The entire top of the mountain was covered with buildings, made of glass and stone and some crystals. About 70% of the ponies were Unicorns, the rest of the citizens were Pegasus. The only Earthponys around there were some merchants. Celestia also remembered the day after her 18th birthday, she was all excited and run through the streets of Sunspeek, her destiny was the royal observatory of Queen Solar. Solar was a beautiful Alicornmare, all powerful and impressive, she had the power to move the sun and was the most skilled magician in this time, with even more knowledge than her husband king Arthemis or the royal first Wizzard Professor Starswirl. Celestia was always looking up to her, she was fascinated by her and the sun. Back then Celestia was just one of many magical students under Professor Starswirl, nothing special about her white fur and the pink mane, she not even had her cutie mark. She always tried to come out of her sisters' shadow. Luna was younger than Celestia, but the 14 years old filly was already a member of the MoonGuard, the air force of Equestria under the eyes of King Arthemis. Lulu was one of the fastest Pegasus in Sunspeek, a true wonder, even when she was just a Pegasus, the unicorns of the city respected her. Celestia had to be honest, she was a bit envy, her sister could go to the palace every day and see the royal couple whenever she wanted and she had her moon-shaped cutie mark since her 5th birthday when she was flying for the first time at the moon's light. But Celestia loved her sister like nopony else because she was any family she had. Their parents died soon after Lulu's birth and the two sisters had to stand for each other. Celestia was still envy, but she was also proud of her sister and a bit sad, she was so miserable as a big sister. But today should anything change, she was 18 now and wanted to show her whole class how much she learned about magic. The great hall was filled with Unicorns, including Professor Starswirl and Queen Solar. It was the day of the great final exam and Celestia was number eight this day, she was nervous to perform in front such a great crowd, she was never the best wizard but today she wanted to shine. That’s why she picked this difficult spell. She cleared her throat in front of anypony and spoke clear and loud “I will show you the spell... of the Suncrystal.” The word made the crowd gasp, this spell was very difficult and nothing for beginners and students. It was designed to create a little crystal, which included some suns power. “Are you sure about that, child?” asked Starswirl, he seemed very worried. “Yes I am, Sir Starswil, professor, Sir.” Answered the white unicorn. Celestia was always a little bit clumsy and not the so called star of her class, some ponies even thought that she came only so far, because Professor Starswirl has sexual preferences for white mares. Celestia knew about these rumors and wanted to prove they wrong. There was no chance that this could go wrong because her great role model Queen Solar was watching and it was the best chance to prove her worth. It was a shame that her sister was not here to watch her, but Lulu was part of King Arthemis personal guard, so she had no time. The only important thing now was for Celestia to succeed, so she concentrated and used the magic of her glowing horn, she wanted to ignore the nicknames the other student were shouting to her. “Clumlestia.” “Celoosia.” “Fake Unicorn.” That wasn’t fair, maybe she was bad at magic, but nopony worked harder than her, that was the reason that Professor Starswirl helped her through the exams because he knew that she was reading every book out of the library twice, because she used all her spare time on learning. Her knowledge about magic was average, but her practical skills were very low. But today it had to change, today was the day her hard work would pay off and her whole life would change in a magical matter. When she gathered her magic, the spell started to work and the suncrystal appeared slowly, anything worked fine and Celestia could already see her new life! For 15 seconds, after that, she lost control and the gathered magic exploded, she blew up the whole hall. The golden crystal broke and the flames came out with a huge explosion. Celestia transformed one of the oldest and most important buildings of Sunspeek into a smoking hole in the ground. Nopony was harmed, thanks to Solar's protection spell, but Celestia failed again. It was a big epic fail, far too much for an adult mare, it was the last drop, that made the barrel overflow. It was the end of the line and she was lost, the city rules were clear, a unicorn had to use its magic for the towns good and contribute, but Celestia was not able to do this. She had to go. She was a burden for the city and she blew up the queen's favorite workshop, she was not able to control her magic. There were only two possibilities: offering her horn and her magic, to find a job she could do without magic or leaving the town. Of curse, she could handle a hornless job, but she loved to do magic and she could not life without her magic. It was the one thing she inherited from her parents and whenever she tried a spell, she had the feeling of being home, the feeling that this was just the right thing to do. Normally the whole process could take years, but Celestia did not want to be a burden for the town, and so she left Sunspeek on her own. It was at sunset when she walked over the magical bridge and looked behind her, she could see the guards and Queen Solar, some students were there too. They said nothing, sure, they made a lot of fun of her, but none of them wanted to banish her from the city and into the wild. The moment she left the bridge and all of her hooves touched the ground outside of Sunspeek, the magical bridge vanished and a huge abyss separated her from her hometown. She was sad and wanted to cry, but maybe this was the best she could do, she doesn’t want to bring more shame on her families’ name or “LULU!” Celestia gasped when her sister flew out of the city and dashed next to her to the ground, she was that fast, that she drew a light blue shade behind her, the color of her mane. She was wearing the chest plate that any of the moonguards had to wear. “What are you doing Tia!?” gasped the dark unicorn “you get yourself banished just because a little fail?” “It was a big fail.” Said Celestia calm “Pffff, so what? Let me speak to King Arthemis and shove your flank back at home!” “No, Lulu!” Celestia yelled at her little sister, it was hard to fight the tears and stay calm at the same time. “What!?” Luna was really surprised. “Don’t you see it?” she wasn’t able to hold the tears any longer “I am the big sister! I should help you! Not this way around.... I am a total failure and just a burden to you.” “But... but you are my whole family... we are sisters... I love you, Tia.” “I know and I love you too.” She hugged her sister. Now booth sisters had to cry, Luna could feel her sisters fur on her body, she was all soft a warm and her breath was stroking over Lunas back, she could feel the warm air to the root of her sensitive wings and had to do a little flap with them while she was listening to her big sister's heart beat. She couldn’t remember her mother or father, but she was always thinking that a mother's love had to feel exactly like that. The dark Pegasus was never a big fan of showing emotions and talking about these things, so she could never talk about her sister, how much she loved her, what she means to her and that she was way more than just family, she was her best - and maybe only - friend. Luna was very popular, the youngest member of the moonguard, with the best grades at flyschool and she was a regular visitor at the royal couple's side. It looked like she had a lot of friends, but that wasn’t true. She had a lot of fans, but no friends. Her Sister Tia was the only person she could talk to, the only person she could trust. She wanted to beg her sister not to go, but she had too much pride, it was hard enough to cry in front of her. “So... so it is enough, right?” Luna asked and wiped a tear from her eye with her wing. “We stop that whole nonsense about you leaf.” “I am Sorry Lulu.” She wiped one of her tears away “but that is not possible... I have to find my way... iˋll be back, I promise.” She gave her sister a gentle kiss on her forehead “you have so many things here... the moonguard, your fans... the king needs you. When I come back, I will be a good citizen, like you and from this moment on, you will have the big sister you earned.” She turned around and lost a tear “and now go.” “But... Tia... I...” Luna did not know what to say. “NO!” Celestia stomped on the ground “Now go back! You have a life back there... me not.” Celestia did not look back when she stormed away. She could hear her sister's wings flapping away, she was alone. She was all alone now, no friends and no family, but this was how it should be, right? Of curse her heart hurt, tears were flowing and her whole body was shaking in fear. Where should she go? Bamm! Something hit her from the side while she was running. It was Luna, she dashed to her and hugged her sister tight. “Luna!?” Celestia was surprised “I can't come back.” She tried to hide her tearful face. “You don't have to.” Lulu let go of her and took a step back, so her sister could see she wasn't wearing her plate anymore “I will come with you.” “What? But Luna what about-“ Luna put her hoof on Celestia's mouth “without you, there is nothing for me in that town.” She said crying “I just want to be at your side! You are the only sister I need and I want!” Celestia hugged her sister, there was nothing she could say and there was nothing that needed to say. It was silent around the two of them, the two mares were lighted by the moon. It was the first time since her early fillyhood that Luna was so emotional and it was good, it was like she lost a heavyweight. She was surrounded by her sister's warmth and she could smell her light scent, it smelled a lot like paper and ink, Luna imagined the smell of her mother like that, because she was also reading a lot like Tia. Luna hugged her big sister with her wings and Celestia could smell that light scent of sweat and metal, lulu smelled a little big like her father and her strong wings had the same feeling like her dads. It was a nice moment for the mares. After a while, they walked the path for about an hour and took a rest at the edge of a deep forest. Luna collected some firewood and Celestia used a simple fire spell to ignite the campfire. They talked about what would happen next, Luna was known as a fearless all-star, but she was scared about the future. “Where should we go? Where can we go!?” asked the Pegasus filly and cuddled closer to her sister. “I don't know... there is an Earthponys-village just a few days from here.” She gently nuzzled Luna's ear. “But the Earthponies hate us! I see it every time when they came to trade.” “We could talk to them?” “I don’t think this could work... is there no other place? A place with unicorns? Or maybe one of the cloud city’s?” “I can’t walk on clouds... silly filly.” She whirled her sister's blue mane with her hoof and Luna giggled “And the next city of unicorns is far away... well... unless....” “Unless what?” Luna asked curiously, she did not know about any other city near to Sunspeek. “There is a legend.” “Another fairy tale from your books?” Luna sighed. “A legend!” “What’s the difference?” “A Legend is based on real happenings... I speak about a hidden village here in this wood.” “A hidden village of Ninjas???” Luna's wings spread, she loved any action novels and story’s about fighting and stuff, she was fascinated by story’s about GryphinNinjas “Jutsu of the hidden fire!” she put her hoof in front of her mouth and blew a little "ha! you see! Fireball Jutsu!" “Ehm.... no....” Celestia blushed a little, she knew these novels and loved them too, but she was way to old for this kind of games, or not? “meet...” Luna put down her hoof to cool down her chakra “don't tease the magical fox beast inside of me.” “It's a hidden village of banished unicorns!” Celestia had to fight the urge to talk about the novel, but it had too many pictures for a mare of her age... or not? “What? That sounds like something you just came up with it.” “I read about it! Queen Solar and King Arthemis had to banish a clan of Battleunicorn” “Battleunicorns!?” Luna interrupted her sister, her wings did a little flap “you mean unicorns that were trained to use the magic for the battlefields? Warlocks and Necromancer and such stuff!?” Celestia had to sigh “yes... but using magic in combat against a huge number of enemies is very difficult, the most unicorns need all the potential to make it and can't learn anything else. The Battleunicorns of Sunspeek were real mighty wizards with huge power, but they were also brutal and cold. Some of them grind they horns to blades, so they could impale the enemy in close combat. They were wearing plates made of iron and had long wild manes. They protected the city against monsters and ponies... But they were banished.” “Why? They sound real awesome! I want a blade shaped horn too! Or maybe a horn-shaped blade?” “They tried to conquer Sunspeek and kill the royal couple... but they had no chance against the combined force of moon and sun and they lost the great battle and were banished. This battle forged this great canyon around Sunspeek and thanks to the canyon the city had enough protection and Sunspeek did not need any Battleunicorn anymore. The legend says that they walked into this forest, the Everfreeforest.” “And nopony can find the village?” “It's hard so sense magic in there, the Everfreeforest has its very own magic.” Booth mares shrieked around when they heard something behind them and someone came out of the bushes. “It's simple when you are used to it.” spoke a deep voice. It was a stallion with a black long thick mane and dark gray fur. His green eyes were glowing in the fire's light and his plate armor seemed heavy and massive. He was wearing a helmet that looked like a crown and from his forehead sprout a horn, a blade-shaped horn! The two mares were back on their hooves with one jump and glared at him, Celestia's horn was glowing and Lunas Wings were spread and ready to take up the fight. “Who are you?” asked Celestia ready to use her magic, but unsure what would happen. The Stallion let out a charming giggle and smiled at the two mares “slow down lady's I won't harm you... at least not as long as you don't want it.” he winked at Luna and the dark Pegasus blushed “I came by and saw your fire... and I had to listen to your little story... it was so... enchanting. But I am so rude right now, please have mercy.” he bowed his head to the ground, the tip of his horn was nearly touching the grass “I am the third son of King Jupiter, my name is Prince Sombra.” > Chapter two: Prince Sombra > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Celestia never had the chance to spend much time with her father, she never had a coltfriend and the only stallion in her circle of acquaintances was the professor. She was smart and read all about reproducing, so she knew what Mother Nature want her to do with stallions, but she never had it on her mind when she saw a male. She had to think about this now and a lot of other things when she walked through the woods together with her sister and prince Sombra. But why did they do this? When Sombra appeared the first time, Both mares were ready to fight the unknown unicorn. It seemed like he had an advantage in size, experience, and knowledge of the battlefield, but the two sisters would never surrender. The black stallion did not start a fight. He smiled at them and Tia had to look at his eyes, they were green and remind her of a deep forest, it calmed her down. His deep voice made her knees a little bit shaky and when he winked at her, it felt like her face was on fire. She never had such feelings, what was that? Some kind of magic? Mind control? But his horn was not glowing and she could not sense any magic. What kind of witchcraft did he use to make a mare feel so strange, just by looking at her? “I am not your enemy.” His light smile made the mare's heart beat a little bit faster “I want to help you because it is my duty as a prince.” He took Tia's hoof and she had to gasp, his touch almost took her breath away “And in this case, it is a huge pleasure too.” When he plant a kiss on her hoof she almost fainted. “It is nice to meet not one but two beautiful mares.” He also kissed Lulu's hoof, Tia did not know what her little sister felt about that, but her wings did a little flap. “Please allow me to lead you to my village. I don't know what my ancestors did with your town and your royal couple, but I can confirm you, that this is all in the past, we could never hurt such marvelous mares like you. Just look at this pure white fur and this magical pink of your mane. Oh! And this mystical black coat and the majestic wings! You two earned nothing else but the treatment for princesses and such.” he winked again and Tia led out a little gasp “So please allow me to escort you.” he bowed down his head, his horn nearly touched the ground. Tia shook her head to clear her mind “Why should we trust you?” “I think we should risk it, Tia.” Lulu seemed certain like always “I mean, we are two and he is alone, we can handle him.” And so Lulu and Tia were walking through the wood together with a stranger. The prince walked between the two mares. Luna explained to him why they had to leave the town. “This seems like a cruel law.” Prince Sombra said with his charming little smile “I could never banish a beautiful strong Mare like your sister.” he gently rubbed his flank at Tia's. Normally she would punch his face at this moment, but somehow it was not awful, it felt somehow good. “I mean you did not create this crystal, but your magic destroyed a big building, a building designed and build to hold powerful magic! I am really impressed about that! In our village, we would not banish you, but work with your marvelous skills! You could be one of our high rated wizards!” “Oh no!” Tia had to hide her blushing face behind her mane “I am really not good with magic, professor Starswirl said I need more control.” “Starswirl? This stallion is a ninny!” He had to snap. “You knew him?” “Maybe we live in a hidden village, but we stay up to date. Starswirl is talented with magic and witchcraft and has a lot of wisdom about the theoretical application of the mystical arts! But he has a huge lack of instincts and practical experience, otherwise, he had noticed your natural talent.” He looked at her at she could see in his green eyes, somehow she believed in his words. They arrived at a huge tree, surrounded by some stones and a little altar with a single glowing candle. Tia saw the old characters that were graved into the stone “are these dragon cravings?” She asked curiously “I never saw such old ones, are these for real?” “So you noticed them? The ancestors of our friends used this characters and language a long long time ago.” Sombra did not look at the stones. Tia looked at the stones, she was all absorbed by this characters, her eyes were glued to it. “It is about the time before the time! Before the sun's light fell this lands and dragons were the guardians of the world, but they had to bow and retreat when the power of light forged the new life.” The white mare was excited and clapped her hooves together. "It is also about the Power of sun and moon, and the force of chaos and a think called the elements of harmony?" “You can read that?” Sombra seemed confused, his jaw went down for a second. He wanted to ask something else, but Luna interrupted. “Yes, yes” Lulu frowned “these are really fascinating stones and this is a pretty tree. But you promised us a hidden village full of dragons and griffin ninjas!” Sombra shook his head and but his charming smile back in his face “You are right, this is not the time for history. With the right spell you can enter the village from a lot of places, but here is the official entrance, watch for it.” He raised his head and his horn begun to glow in a light green, when he bowed his head down it seemed like his blade-shaped horn cut through the air and opened a new passage of pure light. "It's a magical portal!” Tia gasped “Your village is hidden in a similar dimension!” “Now please enter.” said Sombra “be my guest.” Tia was holding back, this was fascinated, but she was also in fear, she did not know what was behind this portal. “Lulu? Maybe we should wait a bit.” Sombra walked past Tia “You don't have to be afraid.” he jumped through the portal. “Common Tia, this is a real adventure!” Lulu was smiling excitedly “we can't miss that!” she jumped after Sombra and Tia had to follow her, the portal closed behind them. They were still in the same forest, the same trees and rocks and even the same smell, but anything had changed. Tia could now see all the houses which were built in the trees, all the bridges between them and the locals. The two sisters from Sunspeek were surrounded by a lot of unicorns in plate armor and flying Kirins. It was the first time Tia saw real Kirin, but she recognized them from her books. They were half pony and half dragon. Kirins were walking on four hooves and had a mane and face like ponies, but instead of a coat they had scales and the tail was very long, like a snake and they also had antlers. But the most obviously were the flames that cover them and the ability of free flying without wings, they walked through the air. Tia counted at least 20 Kirins and 30 Unicorns and all oft them seemed ready to battle. “Are you still sure we could handle them?” She asked her sister. “Calm down everybody.” told prince Sombra “these are my guests, Celestia from the grand magical academy and her sister Luna, from the Moon Guards. I want to introduce them to my father.” The Unicorns and Kirins were whispering and mumbling to each other in different languages, too quite to understand all of it, but Tia was sure she could hear something about enemies, traitors and death sentence. “I think I can open the portal,” Tia whispered to her sister, she was not sure if she could really open the portal or just make a new explosion, but she had to try “so let us jump through it when I count to three.” But there was no need for that, the Kirins and Unicorns put down the magic and they flames, opening a path for the prince and the two mares at his side. “Please understand them,” said Sombra while taking the lead “visitors are quite rare for us and my people are easily scared.” He leads them to the palace of the hidden village. The palace was forged into a huge black tree and it had easily the size of Sunspeek's palace. On the way, Lulu and Tia could see more Kirins and Unicorns. All Unicorns had blade shaped horns like Sombra, some of them were even wearing sheaths on it. They could see mares and stallion and foals, these Battleunicorns seemed to have families like any pony else. The flames of the Kirin did not hurt any of the unicorns, even when the foals were playing together, but some Kirin used they flames to enlighten torches and campfires. Tia made a little mental note, that it seemed like the Kirin had full control about the fire, they could use it like they want. The inside of the castle was lighted by torches and candles, Tia could not see any magical crystals or flee flowing sources of light she knew from Sunspeek. “Are you sure your father want to meet us?” She asked Sombra while he guided them through the long floors. “Of curse” he answered with his charming smile “visitors are so rare and he will be amazed by you two. Please just trust me.” And when Tia lost herself again in his deep green eyes she really trusted him. The throne room was big. Tia's and Lulu's house would fit inside this single room. In the middle stood a giant throne and it was surrounded by tribunes. Tia saw 10 Kirins and 10 Unicorns at each side of the throne “These are my father's counselors, each of them is very wise and has knowledge of history, magic, and tactic.” When the three of them stood right in front of the door the torches start to flicker. It became really cold around them and Tia could feel a huge source of magic, by far not as big as the royal couple, but equal to professor Starswirl, but this magic was cold and scary. Black clouds came from the ground, surrounding them, floating through the whole room and scary glowing green eyes appeared out of nowhere. A loud voice was shouting “I am king Jupiter!”  The dark clouds were gathering and falling down like a bomb, an explosion of smoke filled the room and it took a while till Tia could see something. The black smoke was still there, floating like fog, but now she could see three new unicorns. All three had deep black coats, heavy plates, blade shaped Hornes and green eyes, like prince Sombra. But all of them seemed older and way scarier. The biggest and oldest was sitting on the throne, his mane was already slightly gray and half his face was covered by scars, it looked like he was wounded by a huge amount of fire. His plates had goldenly engraved and he was wearing horns around his neck. The other two Unicorns stood left and right of the throne, one of them had a light red in his mane and some rubies on his silver plate, the other was wearing a blue cape and had a sword at his side. Sombra was clearing his throat “Allow me to introduce you to my family, my two elder brothers Mars and Saturn” he pointed at the two younger stallions “and my father, King Jupiter.” Sombra bowed down and Tia and Lulu did the same. King Jupiter was huge, at least three times of the size of a normal pony. He was looking at the two young mares. Tia had a lot of fear, she was expecting a lot of cruel things and was sure that it was a huge mistake coming to this place. This cold aura of the king and his other two sons was fighting her like nothing else she ever had to feel. Tia could sense the magic around them, the counselors and the king were using magic to communicate without words, but why? Maybe because it was faster? Maybe because they want to intimidate the young unicorn mare? Maybe because they don't want her to hear them? Tia tried to understand them, but she was to frighten to concentrated. Finally, after a few minutes, which felt like hours, the loud voice of the king was audible again “Prince Sombra told us about you, and the way your own folks treated you. Be my guests.” A few Kirin mares came from the side, they flames did not burn when they were at Tia's side, but made a fine warm feeling. “You can stay in the palace and look through the village as much as you want if you want to leaf the town talk to prince Sombra.” “We will show you your new rooms.” said one of the Kirin mares with a soft tune. Tia was some kind of relieved, it seemed like her magical instincts were wrong and it was not the first time that happened. Maybe she was just too exhausted by the day and the epic fail she delivered at the exam, she could not trust her magic. But it seemed like she could trust the Prince. He was escorting them to they rooms. Tia looked with bright eyes at her room, it has a big soft bed, a wide window with balcony and a lot of decorations, that seemed to grow out of the tree the palace was forced into. It looked so peacefully and natural and she could feel all kind of different magic around her, good warm magic. But the most impressive thing was the bookshelf, full of books and covering a whole wall. “This is the library guest room.” Sombra explained “I think this would be the best room for a smart mare like you.” he smiled at her “I already told the servants to bring you something to eat and prepare a nice bath and if you need something else, please just call me.” He smiled at her and bow his head. “This...” She was looking for the right words “This is just like a dream.” Tia was looking around, she had to think about how Lulu's room had to be “How do we deserve this?” “Because here in the hidden village we can see your potential and want to give you a fair chance, it's our way through life.” he smiled at her and came closer. Tia was not going back, even when he was so close to her “and besides that, a pretty smart mare like you, just deserve the treatment of a princess.” he came real close, she could feel his breath on her neck. And before she could say anything he planted a kiss on her lips. It was Celestia's first kiss and she never felt something like this in her live. Her heart was beating fast and her mind became numb, she did not know why, but she wanted to enjoy this moment, anything seemed so perfect. She found a new home, maybe even a new destiny and this handsome stallion, a prince, kissing her. Live seemed to become better.  When they parted, Celestia don't know what to say, was she in love? Maybe. “P-prince Sombra, I...” she could not speak because he planted his hoof gently on her lips, smiling at her and looking at her with these trusty green eyes. “Just Sombra, that is enough.” he said with his deep voice “anything I want from you is your trust, I am here for you Celestia. One look in your eyes and I saw the pain you had to suffer and I want to take away this pain.” Tia had to blush and smile, she spoke very quietly “Thank you, Sombra.” She looked up in his eyes “And just call me Tia.” He smiled back “Will I see you tonight, to dinner, Tia? Just the two of us?” Tia had to gulp down, anything goes so fast, was this real? “Yes.” It was like the word came out of her mouth before she could think about it. Maybe it was time for her to get a coltfriend? Maybe Sombra was the right one. “I can't wait for it.” He said with a smile “Now I have to look for your sister. The little filly is almost like a little sister to me. Please enjoy your snack and your bath, Tia.” The stallion wanted to leaf the room, but Tia called for him again “Sombra!” She walked behind him “I trust you.” she said with a happy smile and he looked back in her eyes. “This is anything I could ever wish for. I see you tonight.” then he left. Tia counted to ten after the door was closed then she jumped on her new bed and let out a yell of joy! Luna was looking around in her room. It had more space than her last room and she could look through the window and see the palace guards training. It has this big soft bed and a table with a lot of snacks, just for her. She was thinking about what she should do first, eat something? Take a nap? Fly around the village? Challenge the guards for a race? But she was interrupted by prince Sombra when he entered the room. “I hope this room matches your preferences.” She looked at him, with a light honest smile “yes, I think it is pretty cool, could be around thirty percent cooler, but it is good for the moment.” He had to chuckle “Oh Luna, I am so happy that I meet up with you and your sister. I really felt lonely. My brothers are older than me, but they never matched my skills in combat or magic, my father has to look at them all the time and sometimes I think they don't like me, sometimes I think they are very envy.” Luna looked at him “yeah I am sorry about that.” Luna knew this feeling and had to look away, maybe she and Sombra had a few things in common. He stood at her side and looked at her with his calm green eyes. “I knew this feeling, but I also know that Tia loves me and I love her.” “And she has to be a very happy mare with that.” He spoke in a soft manner “You are a really skilled pony Luna, I saw it in the way you move. You told me, that you are a Moonguard, this is impressive. Maybe your sister is envy, because of your youth and your accomplishments, but I understand why she loves you, Luna.” Luna was surprised how close he was to her, she did not notice till now. But somehow it felt good to feel his warm body next to her “you can call me Lulu.” she said, and when he answered her with that name they booth sealed it with Luna's first kiss. Prince Sombra meet up with his father in his room about half an hour later. Sombra was sitting in front of two magical mirrors, that was showing Luna and Celestia, sleeping in they rooms, not aware of they monitoring. “You are full of surprises my son.” the dark fog of King Jupiter was floating around Sombra “How you could watch through these two, how you could analyze them and make such a good plan in such low time and how you wrap those fillies around your hoof.” He put a hoof on his youngest son's shoulder “Your brothers are masters of combat and wizardry, they sword and magic are powerful weapons of mine, but nothing compared to your sharp tongue. Our final victory will be all thanks to you, my son.” Sombra was smirking and his eyes were glowing in a poison like green “Thank you, my King.”                         > Chapter 2.1: The Prince and flying ace > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If Luna had to descriptive the hidden village with one word it would be "Awesome". She never mett unicorns like these locals, they were ready to accept every challenge! And the Kirins? These were freaking good fliers, they run through the air and don't had to care for the wind or such, making races against them was a whole new challenge and Lulu took it. The Kirins were impressed of this black wonder filly. She beat the most Kirins at sprinting and won every time on the long tracks. Racing against the Kirins was finally a challenge and the new level of flight she was looking for. But the best part of all this was prince Sombra. Lulu always thought she would be too young – and too awesome – for a coltfriend, but Sombra was something special. He made her heart beat very fast and gave her that tingly feeling down her spine and to her most delicate place, that small place right between her wings. Every time he was close to her and when he smiled, her wings spread on they own. When he cheered for her, it was like all these cheering around him became silent and she just flew for him. When he told her his stories, about all the enemies he faced and the beasts he had slain, his voice was magical to her, pulling her into a fantastic world of adventures. After her last race against five Kirins through a track with upcoming obstacles from unicorn magic, Lulu got first again, but it was very close, she could feel the flames of the Kirin behind her to her tail. She was all done after that day, she wanted to go back to her room, eat a hayburger and tale a long deep nap, till she saw Sombra. He came to her after she left her fans. For her fans, she was totally fine with having a messy mane and sweat-drenched fur, but Sombra was something else. She tried to fix her mane, put with a very gentle touch he put her hoof down. “No... I like your mane this way.” and he kissed her sweaty cheek. “S-Sombra... I... I just come from a race...” She blushed, why did she blush? She was a rascal bold moon guard! Blushing was for little fillies! But he made her feel like a little filly and it felt good. “I know, I saw you and I knew you would win.” he smiled at her again, this darn charming smile! It made her heart pound even faster. “I know you maybe don't want to, but maybe you want to follow me to a little” “Yes!” she interrupted him and blushed instantly again “I... I mean... I really want to spend some time with you.” Sombra had no wings, so he could not put a wing around her like most Pegasus did when they had a special somepony, but he had a coat and put it around her. She liked to be under it, she had to walk close to him and feel his warm strong body. She was a bit ashamed because she was so sweaty and smelly, but he seemed to like it. They had a little stroll through the town and laid down next to the lake for a little. She could lean on him and use him as a big warm pillow. She liked that, she doesn't even care for having no food, having Sombra was enough. But then he did something very embarrassing... he put his muzzle under her wing! Maybe he did not know, but touching a Pegasus wing was very intimate! “S-Sombra!” she gasped with the cutest blush on her cheeks “What are you doing there?” her wings slowly spread, even when she doesn't want to. “Oh? I just saw some dislocated feathers here and wanted to clear” he said and proceed. He was preening her! He couldn't do that, especially not in public! But when the warm breath from his muzzle hit her wing she moaned like a little bird and couldn't do otherwise than leaning back. His nose gently stroke over her sensitive feathers, she could feel him licking gently her Wingpitt, it was tickly but also warm and somehow it sends showers up and down her spine. He shoved some feathers back in place and she could feel a little stinging pain when he pulled out a broken one, but when he kissed that place the pain moved on for a much better feeling. “Sombra, my wings are very sensitive.” She said shivering in bliss “Why is it so warm?” “So you want me to stop?” he asked and blew a careful kiss on her wings root. That made her wings spread even more, revealing her total black beauty. She don't wanted him to stop, this was the first time she even felt better than flying. So her answer came from the deepest of her heart “no, noooo” she moaned in a pitched voice. “You want to feel even better?” “that is possible?” “If you trust me...” he took her hoof and walked with her. There was an emptiness inside of Luna she never knew it exist, unless Sombra filled it. It hurt, a lot, maybe Sombra was too much for the young but talented Pegasus filly? No! Lulu was capable of anything any other Mare could do and this was the moment to proof. The place to proof herself was no battlefield this time, it was between soft sheets and pillows and on a mattress. With every move she could smell the scent of hay and a light note of perfume. She could not think of much, just how exciting her last training was and how sweaty and dirty she had to on this day. She had a secret diary in which she often write about this moment and when she did, it was always about flowers and candles and such and she never knew about the stallion. And also she never thought about she could sweat and be dirty like a swine when it happened. All the time she was wondering if she did something wrong? What was he thinking? It sounded like he was enjoying it or at least he was very busy. Does it hurt for him too? At least these stinging pain became less and less. She tried to focus on something else, like the sheets. They had a beautiful moon pattern with stars and even the milky way, Tia would love these details. It was also filled with hay, fresh hay that was exchanged at least every two days, Luna loved the smell of fresh hay, it made the whole thing way more comfortable. It was soft, very soft, nearly as soft as a cloud! The longer it went, the more it felt like being pushed into a cloud, the more it remembered her of being in the sky. The pain slowly vanished, like when he pulled that feather from her and like back then, it was slowly replaced with a better feeling. In the end, Luna had no idea if she had done anything right, she did not much, but he made her feel good, very good. It was like reaching a better score at races or like a whole new level at flying in the air, like she could touch the stars, at least for a short moment. They spend some time together afterward, both dirty now, and both don't care how smelly they were. She really likes Sombra, she trusted him. But she felt also cold when he left the bed. “where are you going?” she looked at him and hoped he would just go to the toilet and then return. “I would love to stay longer at your side, but I promised your sister to show her our training grounds and I hate breaking a promise.” His voice was calm, but his smile still so lovely, enchanting her. “My sister!?” she came back to mind “you will not tell her about us, right?” She doesn't want to make Tia even more envy, she had so much to suffer under her fame in Sunspeek. He chuckled “No, that is why I need to take a shower before I meet with her.” He put his cape aside before he went to the bathroom, this was the first time she saw his flank. She looked up and called for him “Sombra? Maybe this is a weird question... but... your Cutie Mark... what does it mean?” > Chapter 2.2: The prince and the student > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The hidden village was filled with new and unknown knowledge, it was a paradise for Celestia. But not only for all the new things she could learn, also for Prince Sombra. She could not believe it! Her first coltfriend and it was a Prince! She could never have thought of being part of royalty. To be honest she never could have thought of having a coltfriend. She had no idea what to do with him, she was nervous and a bit scared when he picked her up for a walk. Thanks to Sombra there was no reason for being uneasy, he took the lead. She could feel safe at his side, his warm strong shoulder was the perfect place to bed her head and his kisses... oh his kisses! Celestia felt like she became addicted to this soft warm lips and his tongue, the feeling, and the taste was incredible and made her whole body warm and tingly. Especially one part of her body, a very sensitive part she was always worried about, her horn. They went to a public place, it looked a like the place were the magical bow shooters trained in Sunspeek, there were targets and ponies and Kirins which aimed at them. But they did not use bows with icing arrows. The Unicorns used pure magic, concentrated destructive energy, each shoot could split a huge rock, but these were magical targets, made to hold even against this. The Kirins were able to spit fireballs, like dragons. Seeing these majestic creatures in flames soon before they breath becomes fire and flew over the area to hit the target, was beautiful. Tia had read so much about it but never even dreamed of seeing it for real. A lot of ponies and Kirins were training here, it was a huge place and Tia started to wonder. “Are you preparing for a huge sporty event or such?” “Oh no,” Sombra answered fast “But the life in the hidden woods is tough, we need very good shooters to aware us against the dangers of nature, wild beasts, and natural disasters can hit us any time. That's why our magic is a little bit more, how do I put this... offensive as what you know.” he nods to himself, these were good words “And that's why I brought you here.” He went over to a chest, opened it and get out something that looked like a sheath for a short sword, but then he put it on her horn! “W-what is this Sombra? It... it is cold... and tickles.” She was a bit scared. “This is a magical focus, we use it for our beginners, it will help you to focus your magic at his full potential on one point.” His deep warm voice calmed her heart. “I want you to try it... just once... and if you don't like it, we will put it away forever.” Tia gulped, but nod. He pointed at one of the targets. She could feel that he believed in her and of all ponies in the world she doesn't want to disappoint him. But was she able to do this? She knew how to release this destructive spell, but it was not save. Ever when she tried it blew everywhere, that's why Professor Starswirl forbids her to use this kind of magic. But she trusted Sombra. “Just concentrate on the target and release your power... the focus will do the rest.” And she did, she already saw how her surroundings would burn and could already hear the scolding and see Sombras disappointed sad face in her mind. It was like every time, the magic came from her horn and explode. But this time something new happened, the Focus on her horn starts glowing and the explosion went out as a bundled beam of pure light. It hit the target and broke through it, hitting the target behind and even blew through this and smash in the hill behind it. Two magical, nearly indestructible targets were shattered to pieces and a solid hill had a smoking crater in it. Celestia was afraid. “oh-oh no, I don't wanted to...” she was already stepping back. But then the sheering start, the ponies, and Kirins around her were amazed. Not once somepony sheered for her magic, this was new to her. The clopping of hooves and whistling and “Hurray”-shouting was in the air, they were impressed by Tia's magic. And Prince Sombra? He smiled, he went over to her and put a hoof on her shoulder, looking deep into her eyes “I knew you could do it.” Tia tried it a few more times and every time she was able to hit and destroy her target, no matter how hard it was, in the end, she needed the target plates they used normally only for the royal family, and even they get a little burned. After several hours Tia was way too exhausted and Sombra guided her back. But he took her aside soon they left the place, behind some trees. She knew what would come when he put his strong arm around her and pressed her against that tree. When his body was so close to her and she could feel his strong calm heartbeat, her own heart was beating so fast she was worried it could break through her chest. His lips went over her shoulder and her long white neck and every touch sent waves of pleasure down her spine and then she could feel his hardness, his hard horn touching hers. She was not ready for this, but who was ever ready for his first horn to horn rubbing? She soon starts enjoying, it became all warm and when he started kissing her lips she couldn't suppress her cute little moans. She had to close her eyes when he broke the kiss. She could hear his warm deep voice when he whispered in her ear. “Just lean back my beautiful white Celestia and let me bring the pleasure to you.” Then he kissed her horn, she felt his warm lips and how hot saliva slowly dripped down and the world turned into a swirl of beautiful light and colors. The two unicorns were hidden by bushes and trees when they snuggled together, one deep black and one pure white, a perfect little Yin-Yang thing. Celestia had never experienced something like what just happened to her, total bliss. She put his head to his shoulder and closed her eyes, enjoying his scent, it had something familiar, but also very masculine, musky. There was no word for like ten minutes and it seemed perfect. Tia looked up to Sombra and blushed “Sombra... I... thank you.” He just slowly shake his head “No, I have to thank you.” “Is there something I could do for you? I am not very experienced, but” her word was interrupted by his hoof on her lips, his touch was very gentle. “There are a million things I would love to have from you, but seeing your smile is the only really important.” His charming smile and how he looked into her eyes made her heart melt. “But we have to move on now, my dearest, there is something I have to show you.” She nod and slowly moved up again. She wanted to walk back, but his voice stopped her “My Dearest... your tail.” Tia blushed hard, very hard, when she noticed it, she had risen her tail, all the way and it was not even the season. Was it because of him? She could not go out like this! She looked ashamed away and pointed her hint at him “are... are you sure there is nothing you want from me?” Did she really just said that, offering her virginity like a mare in heat? Was she really ready? When he came over and kissed her flank, just a little warm kiss, she instinctively went a bit down with her upper body and spread her hind legs. “Are you sure?” His warm voice was so close, it was like she could hear it with her heart. “Yes, I am.” She could feel his weight on her back, it was much easier than she imagined. She could feel him and it did not hurt as much as she always feared. He showed her how strong he was and he showed her how a mare had to feel. What happened before was just a foretaste of what happened now to her. She would never forget this moment, no mare did. His musky scent, mixed with her sweat and the smell of the grass and flowers, the warm of the sun on her fur. It was just the two of them here in this little hideout. She lost two things at this moment, her virginity and her heart and it felt good, soooo good... little did she knew how fast good feelings could turn into the deepest pain. After it was done they laid down again, Tia didn't care for such a thing like pain or blood right now, she only cared for Sombra. She was close to him and she felt like she could never move a muscle again. This hard training with the targets and after the training came this here... she was all out and it felt good. And Sombra seemed exhausted too, he was covered in sweat when he held her and she could feel his muscles twitching. He even had put his cape aside, it was the first time Tia could see his cutie mark. She touched it gently and he smiled. She had a question but was afraid to ask, because she was still a blank flank, but she let it out. “Sombra? What does your Cutie Mark mean?”