Chapter 1: A Troubling Prelude
Is this some sort of cruel twist of fate? Am I truly destined for such torment? Is that how this is ... Celestia?
In a remote village, hidden away in the nooks of the Equestrian mountains, Princess Celestia touched down at the center of it, escorted by her personal guard. She smiled, casually trotting forward as many of the citizens looked upon her in expected awe. Many of them bowed as she trotted down the dirt path before them, and made way for an orphanage deeper into the village. Princess Celestia glanced back at her guards, still with a soft radiant smile. "My dear guards, has the carriage already been set? This one is a bit younger after all."
The guards saluted, as one motioned behind him. "Yes Ma'am! It has been readied and prepared for our journey back."
Princess Celestia closed her eyes, nodding to them before proceeding forward again. "I can always rely on you, thank you."
Was this the sadistic plan you had all along? Are you so cruel that you would even subject me to this torment?
As Princess Celestia arrived at the orphanage, it was a well kept place, and looked more to be a luxurious cabin inn. She always enjoyed the natural fragrance of wildwood that seemed to be found here. As she took a second to get a casual whiff and exhale, she made her way through the front doors, only to be greeted by the uproar and cheers of foals and colts, as well as hoof stomps all around. Princess Celestia felt flattered by the adoration, as she chuckled in embarrassment. "Why hello to you too children, it's so good to see you all again. I do hope all has been well. Though I expect no less from your esteemed headmistress." She looked towards a mare in the background.
The headmistress of the orphanage was a bit older and more frail, as she bowed her head to the princess. "Why yes Princess Celestia, thanks to your generous donations, we never have any issue keeping life as comfortable as possible for the children here. We thank you again for your generosity, and it is always a welcome sight to see you again." Her, as well as all the children of the orphanage bowed then, before rising up after a brief moment. The headmistress continued, in fair curiosity. "But if I may Princess? What does bring you back here?"
Princess Celestia felt a bit aloof from the question, as she expected it'd be a bit obvious but she recovered, and responded promptly anyhow. "A-Ah yes, well I am here to discuss the status of Marigold, Headmistress. I was hoping you could update me with some news?"
There was a deep and ominous silence at the mention of the name, Marigold, as even the children fell quiet.
Now it was the Headmistress who seemed aloof, but also attempted to do her best to aid the Princess. "Right this way Princess Celestia." She motioned with her hoof, as Princess Celestia soon trailed behind her, the children all frantically stalking them as they proceeded further into the orphanage. The Headmistress seemed quite troubled. "As you know, Marigold is quite talented, but complicated."
And deep within the bowels of a deep hidden away cavern, Queen Chrysalis herself trotted frantically throughout its stone halls.
A voice echoed deep within the caves, childishly giddy. "Mooomma, ready or not, here I cooooome~."
As Queen Chrysalis looked back, sweating frantically, she ended up bumping into stray diamond dogs with an abrupt "Oof!"
One of the diamond dogs rubbed his head and looked at her grumpily. "Hey! Watch where you're going! Uuuh... whatever you are!"
Queen Chrysalis still trembled as she gritted her teeth. "I do not have time for this you fools! We need to run now!"
The second of the diamond dogs glanced at his pal, before looking inquisitevely at Chrysalis. "Run? What'chu talkin bout?"
And deeper into the cavern, the sound of merry humming echoed, becoming more apparent as seconds drew on.
Princess Celestia nodded to the Headmistress in acknowledgement. "Yes Headmistress. Throughout Equestria's history there have been ponies who've possessed unquestionably great potential. It is nothing to be ashamed of, tempering such magical power takes the work of professionals. Even Princess Twilight was such a pony at one point. Had I not stumbled upon her entrance exam, there is a likely chance her untapped potential could've gone unchecked, and resulted in devastating consequences." She looked ahead seriously, "Which is why I don't take such cases lightly. It is better ponies like Marigold are mentored properly under a strict magical regime. A young and powerful unicorn can be a dangerous thing, in the rare occasions they go rogue and use their potential to do harm." She closed her eyes and smiled, "Which is why I can assure you that she'll be surrounded by ponies just like her, and grow to find her destiny in a well structured manner."
The Headmistress paused before a particular room. "Which is why I trust your judgement fully Princess Celestia." She then opened the door, revealing a nicely kept room filled with posters of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and The Great and Powerful Trixie as well. Scattered about the room were wands, Twilight dolls, golden capes and pointed hats, and a multitude of books on various different schools of magic. "As you read in her file, Marigold is a very huge fan of your protege, Princess Twilight. She has always adored the finer workings of magic, and has been very studious in showtime spells. She always spoke of how she wished to embark on adventures like Princess Twilight and her friends but ... " she frowned in deep worry as she raised a hoof to her muzzle. "There were also many complications with that filly."
Princess Celestia casually picked up one of the dolls, looking it over. "You mentioned she had trouble making friends, yes?"
The Headmistress nodded, "Yes Princess but ... it was a bit more than that. Marigold, being an orphan, suffers much from what many children without parental guidance often do. The lack of somepony who inherently understands them. Many of the children couldn't help but avoid Marigold. Due to her knack for magic, her playing could often be considered roughhousing. It was far too dangerous to allow them to play together." She looked down guiltily, "And even us adults had trouble keeping up with her antics, it was all very very exhausting."
Princess Celestia smiled at her, tilting her head slightly. "Which is why I've reached out to you Headmistress." She looked over the doll for another moment before looking back to her again. "Marigold must learn the importance of control, it is actually quite common."
The Headmistress seemed only more puzzled as she raised a brow at Princess Celestia, inherently confused. "Princess Celestia ... um, I do not mean to question you but, you seem quite knowledgeable on the subject. Might I ask why you decided to return here then?"
Princess Celestia blinked a few times. "Huh? W-Well to see Marigold of course Headmistress. I have yet to meet her."
The Headmistress continued in further confusion. "But you were here just the other day to retrieve her Princess."
Princess Celestia fell silent for quite some time as both she and the Headmistress just stared at one another. "Huh?" She repeated.
Meanwhile, deep in the hidden cavernous depths, Queen Chrysalis gripped one of the diamond dogs. "Did you not hear me fool!?"
The diamond dogs each looked at one another, before looking back to the Queen in utter bewilderment.
Queen Chrysalis snarled. "If we do not run now, we will all be subjected to torture beyond your imagining!"
"Momma. There you are! Found you found you! You run kind of fast! It's soooo cool! Mhm mhm mhm!"
Queen Chrysalis immediately froze, as sweat drizzled down each side of her head. She hesitantly, glanced back.
And suddenly turning the corner from out the shadows was a small golden filly, adorned in both a cape and pointed hat. "Are ya gonna teach me the transform spell!? Are ya!? I haven't even finished reading you all my books yet! And we still need to play Magic Duel!"
Queen Chrysalis shrieked as she trotted back while trembling. "D-Didn't I tell you to go find friends first!? Then your stupid games!"
The diamond dogs only began scratching their heads, as they couldn't make sense of what was happening.
The golden filly scoffed as she gave Queen Chrysalis a bashful wave of the hoof. "But Momma! I found the most important friend!"
Queen Chrysalis nose wrinkled in both disgust, angst, and deep worry. W-What is this pulsating, radiating amount of love!?
The golden filly scrunched up her posture and blew kisses to the Queen as she muttered in delight. "You~"
Queen Chrysalis let off a horrified scream as she turned tail and ran further into the cavernous network! "Eyaaaaaaah!!"
The diamond dogs just stood there quietly, glancing back and forth between the two, lost beyond words.
The golden filly chuckled, "Oh! Okay Momma! 30 more seconds! And I'll catch you one last time okay!" She blinked a few times before staring blankly at the diamond dogs, who stared blankly back at her. Suddenly she gasped in magnificence! "Puppieeeeeeeeees!"
The diamond dogs each looked at one another again. "Did that runt just call us puppies? What does she think this is?"
But then, each of them found themselves practically frozen by gold telekinetic aura, unable to move.
The other diamond dog struggled to budge an inch. "W-What!? What just happened!? I ... I can't move!"
And followed by being frozen, a giant comb soon manifested itself over the two of them.
Each of the diamond dogs looked up in complete horror, realizing a comb so big would practically rip their coats off!
They both looked to the filly in the distance, as one questioned her in panic. "Wait! W-What're you doing!? Are you insane!?"
The filly smiled in adoration. "Momma was nice enough to get me puppies! How can I be so lucky!?"
And as Queen Chrysalis continued to race for the caverns exit, all she heard was the echoed screams of the diamond dogs. Are you such a monster that you would purposely hide such a hindrance!? Celestia! She closed her eyes tight and let loose a scream. "Curse you! Curse you curse you! Curse yoooooooooooou!!!" And she continued to make the most of these few precious seconds to the fullest.