Prologue - On the Edge of Twilight

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Prologue - On the Edge of Twilight

Edited by Stinium_Ruide

“You promised. You told me they’d love everything I gave them.”

“They do!” Sunset protested, wringing her hooves. “Please! Stop, I’m begging you. We can talk this through.”

“I am done talking, my love.”

Venom and hatred. Her voice was nothing like what she remembered.

Sunset winced at the last word, the tone mocking her. “Ponies hate me.”

“They hate the changelings,” she continued. “They mock them. They hurt them! Every night, as I walk amongst the changelings, I hear whispers. I sense injuries. I feel pain.”

“They don’t hate the changelings—”

“LIES!” Twilight bellowed, slamming a hoof into a ruined wall, collapsing it. “How many times must I be called in to settle a case where my changelings are hurt because of our ponies? I promised them that they’d be able to join Equestria peacefully. I promised we’d have a diverse and harmonious society!”

“Twilight, please—”

“That’s not even considering what they’ve done to me,” Twilight hissed. “I gave them books. I gave them knowledge. I created navigation. I arranged the stars for the aimless, and guided them to safety.” With a flick of her horn, the stars could be seen for a single moment before they darkened.

“I gave them magic. Yet, they shun my court. They avoid my gaze.” She stomped on the ground, and rubble shattered from the force.

“Where has the one I love gone? She knew,” Sunset whispered, as she stepped through the burning remains of what was once a library. She looked up at the darkened stars. “That two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Twilight giggled, a manical cackle that bounced off the ruined walls of the destroyed library, causing the walls the vibrate a little. “You’re one to talk,” she rasped with malice. “You enjoy the love of all our ponies. The beautiful, bright, and benevolent Princess Sunset. What about poor Princess Twilight? The one who slaves away behind the scenes, making sure that everycreature is safe? Does she not deserve Equestria’s love too?”

“They appreciate you, and love you for what you do, Twilight,” Sunset pleaded. “You don’t have to do this. I don’t want to have to—”

“Have to? You can’t do anything to me,” Twilight leered at Sunset. “Remember every duel we’ve had?”

“Twily, please,” Sunset pleaded, “You were always the reasonable one. You taught me to look at every angle, to consider my choices, or to take my time to think. You put out my flames, and showed me the way. Where is the clever and generous mare I fell in love with?”

“She’s dead,” Twilight spat. “Killed by those who ignored her in favor of you. Oh, and my name’s not Twilight.”

“Twilight, what—”

“I am Midnight Sparkle,” She cut across Sunset, stepping forwards. As she did so, Sunset’s eyes widened as she watched Twilight’s mane and coat change from a luxurious lavender to a darkened hue of purple. Her silver horseshoes spread over her hooves, turning into pitch-black darkness as it did so. Her horn slowly darkened into a sinister turquoise, as it lit up with an eerie black aura.

Sunset backed up uneasily. “What—

“I am Midnight Sparkle,” Midnight rose to her full height, glaring at Sunset. Waves of darkness rolled off her, her presence filling the air, suffocatingly powerful. “Herald of the Stars, Keeper of Knowledge, Alicorn of Magic. And you, my dear, are dead.”

And with a guttural shout, a blast of magic so powerful that it melted the very ground it traveled over, was launched at Sunset.

She couldn’t even call it a castle anymore. And with the portraits destroyed, the warmth sucked dry and the hustle of life absent, it resembled the home she had shared with Twilight even less.

Each daunting click of her hooves on the cracked stone tiles brought Princess Sunset one step closer to the dark alicorn whose horribly familiar power was felt weighing on her mind even now. Yet even as her fears strayed—even as they begged her to turn tail and gallop away—each limp was an ever-present reminder of why she had to get that sweet, kind mare she once called hers back.

And Sunset would get her back. If she didn’t, then at least she could die having tried.

A sharp clatter snapped her out of her reverie, right as she stumbled over a wayward shard of stone. Quickly righting herself, Sunset’s first urgent instinct was to look back and make sure her weapons—and oh, how she loathed to see them as such—were unharmed. Seeing her last and only hope was still intact, Sunset sighed and forced herself to keep moving.

Eventually, she came to a stop before the tall double doors leading to where the throne room should be, one of which half dangling on its hinges, but somehow still standing.

Sunset paused. With a shaky breath, a teal corona enveloped her horn. If that thing which dared bare her Twilight’s form hadn’t known of her presence before, it certainly did now.

But before her magic had even reached the doors, a cold, black aura bobbed those very doors away almost serenely, revealing Midnight Sparkle half-lounging on Twilight’s throne. Sunset’s eyes scanned the room quickly, landing inevitably on her own one, the bright gold marred with dents, cracked, and strewn across the opposite wall.

She wore a lazy grin, and Sunset shook in anger at the sight of it.

“Why, how positively delightful to see you here, Sunny. Come for round two?” She batted her lashes and plastered a sardonic expression onto her face. “Though...I’m afraid I forgot to bring any ice packs for you today,” Midnight drawled, smirking. “Think you can make do without them?”,

Sunset’s blood boiled.

Sunny. Sunny. That was Twilight’s name for Sunset. Twilight’s. How dare this—this monster—

Deep breaths.

Her teal eyes hardened and Sunset forced the rage, the distraction, away into the back of her mind—because it was nothing more than a petty ruse crafted to prolong Midnight’s inevitable defeat.

Sunset didn’t feel like indulging it.

“I’m not going to play this game with you again, Midnight,” Sunset snapped, digging her hooves into the stone as the dark alicorn held a hoof up to her face aloofly, almost as if she were rating a manicure, “Return Twilight to me. Now.” Just a little longer, Twily, Sunset promised in her mind over and over again as if it’d somehow bring her strength. Just a little longer, and she’d use them. She’d use them, and she’d save her lover.

She just… She just hoped that it wouldn’t- No, Sunset couldn’t think like that. It would work. It had to. “This is your last chance.” She hissed.

And it truly was its last chance, to get away alive if nothing else. Sunset knew it, and—if she hadn’t imagined the tiny stiffen of Midnight’s posture—it knew it too.

The one who now wore Twilight’s face had seemingly possessed much of the same battle prowess—having thoroughly defeated Sunset last time, loathe as she was to admit it. Even so, the Solar Diarch felt a shred of sweet satisfaction to see—now that she stopped to look—the razor-thin cuts hastily hidden under tufts of fur matted with cold, dried blood.

And from how many hits Sunset was sure she had landed, she was going to guess a patchwork of bruises littered underneath Midnight’s dark coat too.

Of course, the second that the realisation of Twilight sharing that same battered body, courtesy of Sunset herself, squirmed into her mind, was also the second all that satisfaction turned immediately into shame, swirling in a dark pit and turning her stomach over.

“Sunny?”

Her eyes widened and narrowed onto Midnight, whose face had softened. Kind eyes so painfully familiar looked at Sunset as the dark alicorn straightened her posture on the throne. “...T-Twily?” Sunset breathed, taking a hesitant step forwards. “Twily, is it…” Could it be? Could it… Maybe the monster just gave up?

It-It was too good to be true.

...It couldn’t be...could it?

Could it?

Without her permission, her heart dared to hope.

Midnight’s — Twilight’s — head tilted, her mane whipping around over her withers, “Yes? What’s wrong... my love?” Concern and that...that kindness flooded dark amethyst eyes, urging Sunset to stumble forward despite all the red flags shooting off in her mind.

She was close now, close enough that a single flutter of her wings would propel her up the throne and into Twilight’s wings, where she would lay safe and sheltered, away from this constant nightmare she was living in. Just...just like how it used to be. How it should be.

“I’m...I’m sorry.”

It was a pitiful attempt at an apology. All these years of neglecting her own wife and all she had for it was a feeble sorry?

“Gods, Twily, I-I...” Twilight was still smiling, almost as if she were having tea in the gardens and not a pony who had just come out of being possessed by some kind of demon. She shook her head gently—as if forgiving Sunset, just like that.

It… had to be her. It had to. “It’s you. It-It’s really you!” Sunset choked on her words, not even thinking as her hooves clopped forwards faster and faster before she reached the stone steps. “You’re back.”

It was as if her eyes were glued upon the descending alicorn, who walked down those steps with the utmost grace, a sweet, beatific smile atop her muzzle as she neared. As Twilight neared. Her coat hadn’t changed back to its former pastel lavender, nor had her fangs retracted or-or anything—but that was okay! As long as she was Twilight on the inside, where it mattered most, Sunset could learn to love the way she looked.

“I love you, I swear—they’ll love you too. They do. I-I’ll do everything I can to—”

Sunset’s breath hitched as a cold, armored body pressed itself to hers. Yet, right now, it felt softer than a cloud and warmer than a bonfire. It...it bought a sense of feeling complete once again. One she hadn’t known she was even missing, but one which seemed so obvious in hindsight.

“You’re you...” She shuddered, allowing that brave mask she’d worn for Midnight melt in the embrace of her lover as her head dropped onto a dark wither. “You’re you.”

Her eyes squeezed shut.

It was over. It had to be. They could live their lives...their lives again, just like the way it used to be, and she wouldn’t waste her second chance. She’d make sure Twilight never felt unloved or unappreciated ever again, and-

“Not quite, my dearest.” Sunset’s eyes shot open before—

Pain.

A piercing scream tore into her ears, and it was with dazed acknowledgement that Princess Sunset recognised it as one ripped from her own throat as she landed hard, a sick crack sounding out as she did.

Pain.

Twilight.

“Twilight—” Sunset managed to rasp out, forcing her eyes to snap open. Clicks rang out once more, but instead of it being her own light clicks from before, these were firm, determined and unyielding, content to crush anything and everything in the way of them and their destination.

“...Twilight?” her voice quivered as she was greeted by nothing but a wide, chilling grin.

Horror—pure horror—pervaded Sunset’s mind as the thin veneer of delusion was torn away from her sight—as the alarms finally registered. “No…”

Midnight laughed, throwing her head back as she came to a stop before the downed alicorn. Sunset tried to move—to drag herself away if need be—but it felt as if her body was made of lead, each twitch sending her spasming in agony.

“Please…” The monster reached out and, in a swift movement, pressed down hard on Sunset’s fizzing horn and cutting off her hope of escape. ”No!”

“Poor widdle Sunny~” She—It—kept its hoof there, and for a moment, Sunset imagined her horn shattering under the strain. “How...desperate,” Midnight hissed, leaning down so that their muzzles were almost touching. Her eyes opened manically wide, delighted as Sunset shivered instinctively, no trace of that deceptive gentleness left. “So deluded.”

“Always hopeful,” she bared her fangs and grinned. Her horn lit up with a pitch black corona. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it quick and painless—just take it as a thank you for amusing me all these years.”

An orange blur slammed into Midnight’s face, causing her to stumble back as her spell was redirected into the ceiling, its beam melting through the marble.

“Get off me, you stupid bird! As your mistress, I order you to—gah!” Sunset weakly lifted her head up to see a phoenix furiously slashing at Midnight, her talons scoring gashes in the dark alicorn’s face.

“Radiant,” she whispered. Their beloved phoenix. “But...why?”

“Hold still-” she demanded. “-so that I can kill you!”

Midnight fired another spell, and it turned everything in its path to dust before slamming into another pillar. The room shook, as the remaining four pillars could barely support the weight of the ceiling.

Sunset’s eyes widened as Radiant’s plan unraveled itself in her mind. With a grunt of effort, she teleported away just as Midnight’s spell tore through yet another pillar, and the last thing she heard was a scream of fury as the room collapsed.

Sunset crumped onto the ground, her energy completely sapped. She was on the mountain that the castle was built on, and she turned her gaze to the rapidly crumbling structure. Turning her head wearily to the saddlebag she was wearing, she glared at it. She didn’t want to use the Elements.

And yet, she had to—she knew that a collapsing castle could never stop her beloved. Twilight had never been stopped by something as mundane as physical restrictions, being able to push the boundaries of magic to the extremes.

As she watched her—no their—castle crumble, an orange shape flitted out of the throne room window and headed right for her. Before long, Radiant landed in front of her and cocked her head.

“Radiant…” Sunset murmured. “Why are you helping me? Is Twilight not your mistress?”

“That monster is not the Princess Twilight that I know,” Radiant sniffled. “I’m so sorry, Sunset. I can’t do much against an alicorn. However…” she hopped over to Sunset, before laying her head on Sunset’s injuries. Tears dripped from her eyes, falling onto Sunset’s wounds. “You must save her. She did so much for my kind, and welcomed us with open wings.”

“I know—” Sunset stared in wonder as her wounds sealed up. The gashes on her chest slowly closed up, and the hastily healed cuts on her forehooves slowly faded as the tears reinvigorated her. The magical properties of phoenixes had never ceased to amaze her. “You can do that?”

“We can do many things,” Radiant managed as she lifted her head up. “But only you can bring her back to her senses. I’ve only bought you time. Use the Elements.” With that, she lifted into the sky, hovering a safe distance away from the inevitable battle.

Sunset sighed as she forced herself up before—

A blinding ray of magic blasted through the top of the collapsed castle, obliterating everything in its path. Sunset watched as Midnight forced herself out with a glowing sphere of magic encapsulating her.

“Surrendering?” Midnight shouted as she flew towards Sunset. As she landed, she saw Sunset standing there stoically. “Good choice.”

“Last chance, monster,” Sunset steeled herself, as she started to envelope the Elements in her saddlebag with her magical aura. “I will do what I have to do to stop you.”

“Very well,” Midnight replied silkily. “I will deign to share this final dance with you. What is it they always say? Till death do us part!” At that, she melted into the shadows just as the sun began its descent.

Sunset whirled around, her eyes darting. A corona of teal magic surrounded her horn. Surely she wouldn’t have just ran—

A flash of something at the edge of her vision. Quickly spinning around, Sunset saw a glimmering blade shimmering in the dim light of the setting sun slicing down towards her, forcing her to hastily pulled up a shield as the magical blade crashed itself into it.

“Remember Nova?” Midnight hissed. With a flick of her horn, a shadowy tendril slammed into the shield, sending Sunset sprawling into air.

Sunset tumbled onto the ground, her hooves scrabbling about frantically for a grasp on reality. Struggling to push herself off the ground, she groggily shifted her eyes towards the aggressor, only to be met with an armored hoof that kicked her squarely in the face.

Before her body could hit the ground, her head was dragged up by an unseen force. Midnight’s fanged grin filled her vision. “Sunny, Sunny, Sunny,” she crooned. “Why do you even try? Give up, and I’ll make it painless.”

“Never,” Sunset rasped out, before twisting her body to buck the dark alicorn in the chest, sending her stumbling back as she released her hold on Sunset. Before Midnight could recover, Sunset espied her discarded saddlebag.

The Elements! They were her only hope.

As she stepped onto the grass, vines wrapped around her hooves and pulled her back, dragging her down. Sunset pulled on her link with the sun, and her hooves were set alit, easily burning through the vines.

As she did so, Midnight sent several shadowy tendrils at her, each one sharpened to a razor edge. As they got closer and closer, Sunset grasped at her link with her blade.

Summoning Glaze, her sword, she cut through them with ease, every slice bringing her closer to the Elements. She just needed a few more steps. Monsters, summoned by Midnight, burst from the earth, baying for her blood. Sunset simply cut through them, Glaze burning through the darkness. Once she reached the saddlebags, she quickly opened them and pulled the Elements of Harmony out with her magic.

“The Elements?” Midnight asked incredulously. “Oh, you poor deluded one. They’re not going to work on me!”

Please, please, please, work, Sunset begged mentally as she pushed her magic into the unresponsive elements that were once bound to Twilight. She felt something break, before Magic, Generosity and Honesty lit up and joined the other three. She knew this was the last time the Elements would grant her their abilities.

“No,” Midnight snarled. For once, there was a look of uncertainty on her face. “This cannot be!” With a shout of fury, she rushed forwards, shadowy tendrils reaching for the Elements. Sunset responded with a beam of magic that pushed the dark alicorn back as a black shield sprung into place, deflecting Sunset’s spell. “You. Will. Not. WIN!”

The Elements spun around Sunset, the gems lighting up. With a bellow of rage, Midnight unleashed a nova of power, the blast heading straight for Sunset just as the Elements discharged their rainbow payload. The two blasts met in mid-air, and for a moment Midnight’s magic held back the Elements.

And then the rainbow consumed Midnight, and the last thing Sunset heard was a desperate scream of pure, unbridled anger.

Sunset fell to her knees, as the Elements lost their luster and turned into orbs of stone. They fell on the ground, inert, as Sunset’s eyes desperately raked across where Midnight had been.

But there was no sign of her, nor Twilight. Sunset’s instincts took over, her magic bringing the moon above the horizon as the sun descended.

And as her gaze set onto the moon, she wept as Radiant landed and laid a comforting wing over her withers. She now knew what the Elements had done.

For there on the surface of the moon, was an imprint of her love.

Chapter 1- A Thousand Years Later

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 1 - A Thousand Years Later

“Polar Seele Gale!” The stallion cried out in his reedy voice, nudging his half moon spectacles up the bridge of his muzzle and adjusting his ascot busily. “Please proceed to the next room!” A unicorn mare traipsed reluctantly towards him, offering a weak smile and hastily scurrying past into the door behind the stallion when it was clear that the gesture was not going to be reciprocated.

Celestia nudged her sister with a wing, a smile curling the corners of her lips. “You think you passed? I know I passed the pegasus trials, but I didn’t see how well you did.” She arched a brow, only to shake her head, still beaming, “I’m sure you did great, though!” The filly offered confidently.

“But I know I didn’t pass the final test,” Luna muttered, hooves hopping on the tiles as she fretted silently, biting her lip hard. “I totally messed up the transfiguration spell—made four teacups instead of three. Then, when I did the teleportation test, my hoof was two whole centimeters off-”

With a roll of her eyes, Celestia interrupted her sister’s rant with a hoof on her muzzle, the years of experience having made her especially adept when it came to stopping panic attacks before they started.

“Shh,” she smirked and caught Luna’s barrel deftly with a white wing. “I’m sure you passed. Father told me that he talked to one of the testers, and they were full of praise for you.” Celestia winked, taking her hoof away to noogy her sister’s periwinkle mane instead.

Luna scrunched up her muzzle and swatted Celestia’s hoof away, squirming out of the wing and fixing her mane fussily, “This year is special, though!” Luna insisted once her hair was deemed acceptable enough, stomping the marble firmly, “They said that Princess Sunset herself is coming to watch this year’s testing personally!”

“Yeah, so?” Celestia shrugged, the picture of nonchalance. “We’re getting into her school anyways! It’s just the egg test, and that doesn’t have any impact on anything, even if we don’t—uh—make anything happen.” She tilted her head, brows pinching together, “Nothing’s probably going to happen anyways, I mean, that egg’s been there for forever, and nothing’s happened yet!”

“Icy Kaledrius Reed!” that stallion shouted this time, clearing his throat. “Proceed onto the next room!” A pale blue pegasus strode imperiously past him, wings erect, eyes shut haughtily and muzzle tilted up as he paced past the doorway wearing a smirk. The caller paid no attention to him, tired eyes going back to his clipboard.

“Why haven’t they called your names yet?” Their mother glanced at the door, frowning slightly. “Your father has already confirmed with Headmare Ivory that Celestia got in, at least. She was tight-lipped about you, though.” Her hoof tapped the tiles anxiously, a nervous tick of hers.

“I knew it!” Luna wailed, spreading her forehooves and looking to the roof. “I failed at-”

“Luna Selene Solaris!” The stallion yelled out before glancing to his list again, eyes darting across the page. “Along with Celestia Terra Solaris! Proceed to the next room!”

“See? I told you we’d get in!” Celestia jabbed her sister with a plume, grinning, only for Luna to be too busy with a victory dance to pay any attention.

From behind, their mother reached out and caught both of them in an impossibly tight hug, rocking slightly. “Ohh, I’m so proud of you both!” She exclaimed, squealing with Luna.

“Mom,” Celestia squeaked, wings flapping in disarray. “Air—please!”

“Oh- oh! I’m so sorry!” Putting them down, their mother smiled sheepishly, kissing them both on the forehead and beaming. “I was just so excited that my precious widdle babies got chosen for-”

“Mom,” Celestia grumbled, pursing her lips as her cheeks heated and more eyes turned their way. “Not in public—I’m ten, for Sunset’s sake!” She hissed, covering her face with a wing and peeking out from a gap in her primaries.

“Still young enough for me to hug and cuddle!” Their mother sang, laughing and ruffling up Celestia’s pink mane.

“Celestia Solaris and Luna Solaris!” The caller shouted again, glaring with his face pinched together as if he’d tasted a lemon. “This is your last call!”

“We’d better get going, Mom,” Celestia blurted out, quickly ushering Luna towards the doors with a wing and trying not to notice as their mother blew air kisses. “We’ll see you once this is over!”

“Congratulations~!” The call came from over the crowd, Celestia’s face reddening even further before the two sisters trotted hurriedly into the room behind the door, pointedly avoiding the stallion’s glare with their paces suddenly slowing as they looked around them in awe, eyes blown wide.

Towering pillars of marble as white as snow and as smooth as silk stretched up into the domed ceiling with impossibly intricate designs depicted on the trims of every coving.

A sparkling chandelier with drops of crystals hanging from each golden branch captured and scattered rays of light throughout the room, reflecting a beautifully ethereal pattern of sunshine onto the tiles and everyone’s coats.

Flames, which gave off more light than it was to be expected from such demure fires licked the tips of golden braziers delicately, waving in an unseen wind and spaced out between every two pillars.

Gathered in the middle of what was obviously a ballroom, was a group of assorted creatures. Changelings, dragons, kirins, unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies all stood together, numbering about two dozen, and from what Luna could see, at least, there was no fixed number from any tribe.

“Ooh, a centaur!” Celestia gasped to Luna, pointing with a hoof to the brownish-red centaur around the fringes of the crowd. “Haven’t seen one of them in forever!”

“Of course,” the centaur rumbled, making both jump as he looked over to them, mirth twinkling loud and clear in his eyes. “We barely number fifty back home—only one or two are sent to Equestria to learn every year.”

“Nice to meet you!” Celestia grinned, waving as Luna squeaked and hid behind her mane. “This is my little sister, Luna, and I’m Celestia.”

“Salutations,” the centaur offered one of his hands to shake, and Celestia took it with her hoof. “I am Scorpan, prince of the centaurs. It is very interesting that fillies made it past the tests and trials.”

“We’re not fillies,” Celestia huffed. “I’m ten, and she’s nine-”

“I am forty-eight,” Scorpan smiled at her shocked expression. “Young in my kingdom. We live to several centuries, and I am twenty-four in pony system.”

“Oh.”

“You’d know this if you paid attention in History class,” Luna muttered. “You’re always falling asleep.”

“How is it my fault if the tutor’s always so boring?” Celestia huffed.

Scorpan laughed, a deep sound that rolled through the room. “You remind me of my brother. He’s closer to your age than I, and is always curious about the world. Though, he is a troublemaker. Perhaps you are, too?”

“Not purposely,” Celestia smirked. “Trouble finds me.”

“That’s what he says, too,” Scorpan replied. “I find that very hard to believe. Trouble is a concept, not some creature looking for other creatures.”

“That’s what everyone says,” Celestia countered. “You wouldn’t know till you’ve experienced it.”

“Tia,” Luna hissed, “He’s a prince!”

“It is alright, young Luna,” Scorpan smiled. “I am not my father, nor my brother. They’d take insult, but not I. I prefer to learn through others of different customs. For example, over there is a changeling who has barely interacted with anyone in this room. That tells me two things. One, their memories and grudges hold long. Two, he is not particularly friendly.”

Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but the doors on the other side of the room opened to admit a phoenix who soared through and landed on top of a stand near the doors.

“All bow for the entrance of her Majesty-” the guard by the side of the doors bellowed.

The phoenix cuffed him lightly by the side of his head. He shook his head in embarrassment, before straightening up into the previous pose.

As he did so, a slight pressure began to weigh down on every creature’s senses, the temperature of the ballroom rising slightly—but noticeably—as if suddenly bathed in sunshine. From beyond the doors, a tall orchid yellow mare possessing an immeasurable grace strode calmly into the room, a smile as warm as her sun atop her muzzle with an instinctive hush descending immediately upon the crowd, the only sounds echoing throughout being the soft swishes of golden horseshoes wading through the lavish red carpet.

Her silky coat glistened like a thousand gems and her mane—a mixture of red with streaks of pure gold—floated airily in an unseen breeze felt by nothing but itself, its twists and swirls simply mesmerizing to stare at. Sharp teal eyes swept the room, and behind her trailed another mare, slightly less extravagant, yet possessing the same aura of confidence. Everybody recognised who these ponies were-

“The princess and the headmare!” Luna yelped, hooves sinking and head ducking into a bow, many others following suit.

“Rise, my little ponies, and every creature, of course.” The alicorn smiled, a kind, benevolent smile, warming everybody’s hearts. “There is no need to bow. I am simply here to watch the proceedings, and will have no part in it. However, I am going to be watching closely.”

Furtive whispers filled the room as ponies and creatures craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the princess. “As usual,” the princess continued. “It will be a simple test. All of you have already gotten into my school for the talented and gifted, there is no need to worry. Just touch the egg, and you may go afterwards.”

“This is relatively simple,” Headmare Ivory continued once Princess Sunset fell silent. “As the princess has stated, touch the egg. I will call out your names, and you will step forwards. If nothing happens, you may go. A letter will be sent to your place of residence afterwards.” Her eyes scanned the crowd, “All understood?”

A murmur of dissent rose from the collection of creatures, the Headmare waiting a moment for the noise to settle before looking to the Princess with a respectful nod, “Princess, anything to add?”

Princess Sunset gave a gracious smile, stepping forward. “Only a request to see Miss Luna Selene Solaris at the end of the test-” Celestia felt her sister go rigid next to her as her own eyes widened to the size of pancakes, watching as the Diarch’s brilliant teal ones drifted to them, twinkling mirthfully, “-I have a proposition for her, one I think she’ll be very excited to hear about.”

Headmare Ivory nodded her assent, seemingly in the know, “Of course. I apologise for having forgotten to mention it earlier, your Highness.” Her sharp gaze locked onto the sisters almost immediately, “Luna Solaris, did you hear Princess Sunset?” Luna squeaked out an affirmative, nodding vigorously, now trying to hide behind Celestia’s mane, her own dubbed too short for such a momentous shock.

“Good.” The eagle-eyed Headmare finally retracted her attention, Luna breathing a silent sigh of relief, even as she shifted her weight on her hooves anxiously. “Everycreature, form a single-file line in an orderly manner please. Over here, right in front of me.” Her hoof clicked the tiles as she pointed to the aforementioned spot. “Miss Solaris, stay at the end of the line.”

Everyone took their time, none particularly wanting to be first, even if the test was just to touch something. After all, every action held a lot more weight when the ruler of all Equestria was watching them, no matter what nation one came from. “Quickly please! We don’t have all day.” Headmare Ivory demanded in clipped tones, tapping her hoof firmly to the marble a few more times.

A blue pegasus Celestia recognised as the pony who’d been called before them trotted up bravely, muzzle still turned up and eyes still closed. Celestia wondered briefly how he could even see where he was going.

A shallow cart with thick hay layered inside was pulled in by the Princess’ teal aura, and all eyes—even that of the haughty pegasus, who’d opened them instinctively—were drawn to the small, red and yellow patterned egg nestled cozily inside.

The Diarch’s phoenix glided down and fluttered to a stop, perching on the back edge of the cart with her majestic wings spread fully and sharp avian eyes eyeing the first hopeful sternly as he suddenly appeared to become much less sure of himself, trying to discreetly move away from the front of the line.

“Name.” He looked around at the creatures beside him, acting nonchalant as if he hadn’t heard the Headmare’s demand. After a few uncomfortable seconds, when it was clear that nobody else would step up and that the mare had fixed her gaze upon him, he cleared his throat imperiously and ruffled his feathers, bringing them up once more.

“Icy Kaledrius Reed the fifth of House Reed, ma’am.” He shot the two mares with a winning smile, “You may know me already—I am the son of one of your best professors, Sir Kaled-”

“Thank you, Mr Reed.” The Headmare’s lips twitched down slightly, bringing her clipboard away from her face and stepping away from the cart. “Approach the egg.” She nodded expectantly.

Icy Reed a slight pause, eyes flitting over to the ever calm Princess before resuming his prideful stance once more, striding over to the cart and touching his feather to the egg, striking a ‘behold’ pose. And…

Nothing happened.

Nodding, Ivory Rule crossed something off on her list, “Thank you, Mr Reed, you may now go back to the main hall and-”

“Wait, that was a fluke—just let me try again!” The pegasus demanded, this time pressing his hoof to the shell none-too-gently instead, squeezing his eyes shut as if he were a unicorn casting an exceptionally hard spell. When it became clear that nothing was happening, Icy Reed reached for the egg in its entirety, his usually pale face red and his lips curled back in a snarl.

There was a sizzle and a muted roar, a yelp and several screams. Celestia’s wings snapped over her sister without a second thought, ducking under herself with only the sounds of her own heartbeat pounding furiously in her ears to keep her company.

When her mind decided that it was deemed safe enough to lower her wings, at least—albeit cautiously—she looked around to catch a glimpse of what had happened.

To her embarrassment, most of the line—particularly the back half—had remained relatively unperturbed—creatures seemed startled at best, but none had tried to hide like they had. The front of the line, however, had scattered left and right, Icy Reed himself pressed firmly to the opposite wall, white and shaking. Really, only the Headmare and the Princess had remained perfectly undisturbed.

Celestia’s eyes were drawn to the cart, and automatically, the cause for alarm became clear. The phoenix previously calmly perched there was... on fire. Of course, in her mind, she knew that phoenixes had an affinity to flame, and that the Princess’ one was probably no different, but to actually see it was a different story.

Interestingly, it seemed that, yes, the bird was aflame, but the wooden cart wasn’t even singed. Was phoenix flame actually just an illusion and didn’t burn? A thought to ask Luna later, Celestia supposed—her sister had always been the more magical-oriented of the two.

“Radiant.” Came the Princess’ voice, perfectly calm and just as kind as it was when talking to the crowd before—though the subtle undertone of command was not lost on any of the creatures.

As if Radiant had been splashed with ice water, the flames extinguished themselves just as swiftly as they’d come, leaving behind a bird who now nonetheless seemed just as dangerous as she was magnificent.

Now, Celestia was by no means an expert on the body language of phoenixes, but even a blind creature could tell that Radiant was not happy. Probably because if that egg was actually her egg—and it would make sense, seeing as Princess Sunset was using it—somepony had just tried to rough it up. No good mother would appreciate that.

And indeed, after a brief staredown with her phoenix, the Princess turned to the slowly reorganizing line and graced them with another of the benevolent smiles she was known for. “Please, do not be alarmed, everybody. Radiant will not hurt you unless truly provoked. However, let this be a reminder that phoenixes care for their young very much. Once you have been dismissed by Headmare Ivory, please do not linger any further.”

She received a round of nods just as the Headmare returned to her side after her hushed discussion with a shaken Icy Reed—who’d darted out of the door the moment he could, Radiant’s glare trained on him as he went, even after he disappeared around the corner.

“Is everything alright now, Ivory?” The Headmare inclined her head, a hoof coming up to fix her bun. “Wonderful. I believe we are ready to start again, then.” Princess Sunset stepped back once more, content with letting Ivory Rule do her job.

One by one, at the Headmare’s instruction, the students came up once more. The first few were openly anxious, barely touching the egg and skidding off before they could even see if anything happened, unwilling to risk the phoenix mother’s wrath. However, as more and more hopefuls came out without being burnt to a crisp, the line disappeared at a steadier pace.

“Aren’t you gonna get in line? You don’t have to stay here with me, you know?”

Celestia jumped and her eyes snapped to her sister. She blinked, her cheeks slightly tinting at being so distracted. “Um, sorry Luna, what was that? I was watching the egg test.”

Luna quirked an unimpressed brow, “There’s literally nothing happening—you were right, all we have to do is just touch the egg.” She shook her head, “Anyways, I was saying that Headmare Ivory only wanted me to stay at the back, not you, so you don’t have to wait with me.” Her lips seemed raw from chewing as she smirked, “Plus, I know how much you like to push in line.”

She snorted, but could find no true rebuttal, “Well yeah, but you’re way more important to me.” Luna blinked, looking up at her sister. “Plus, the Headmare said Miss Solaris, wait at the end or something—not Luna Solaris—so technically she could’ve been referring to me!”

Frowning, Luna tapped a hoof to her chin, “No, not likely. Judging by context clues, Headmare Ivory was clearly referring to m-” She was interrupted by a wing cuffing her head, albeit lightly.

Celestia rolled her eyes, “It was a joke, Lulu.”

“Oh.” Her sister blinked and her navy ears flattened somewhat. “Oh.” She repeated quietly, both lapsing into silence.

Unsure of what else to really do, they looked back and watched as Scorpan went up to the egg next, carefully touching a clawtip to its surface before stepping back, nodding once to Princess Sunset and leaving without further protest when it was clear that the egg wasn’t just going to spontaneously hatch.

There weren’t many left—maybe six or seven at best—and the next hopeful moved up to the egg, the entire line shuffling forwards.

“I—uh—didn’t mean to upset you, Sis.” Celestia offered awkwardly, when the silence between them dragged on for too long. “I just... thought it’d make you laugh or something. I don’t know.” Celestia shifted her weight on her hooves, grimacing as Luna’s stare bore into her. “I’m just— Sorry.”

She was quite the prideful pony—though she’d obviously never admit it to herself out loud—and apologies were hard for her to stomach. But even her pride came second to her baby sister.

“...That’s okay.” She received a wide, genuine smile, and Luna met her in a brief, warm hug. It felt good—gooder than anything she could put into words.

“So.” Celestia started, parting with her sister and slinging a wing loosely around her smaller body, “What do you think the Princess wants with you? She backtracked hastily, feeling Luna freeze. “I mean, can’t be anything bad, she said that you’d enjoy it, after all!” Luna nodded as if trying—and failing—to convince herself. “Hey, I’m sure it’s nothing too serious. Trust me.” Celestia nudged her and she finally relaxed, opening her mouth to—

“Well, I’d like to think that it was a serious proposal, but please rest assured, you have certainly done no wrong.”

They both yelped, whipping around and staring for a few moments before their brains caught up to just who they were seeing and they stumbled somehow into bows, with Luna’s muzzle practically planted onto the marble in her rush.

“P-Princess Sunset—

“Your Majesty—”

“We definitely weren’t talking about you—”

“It’s not what you think it is—”

“Well, we were, but not about you you, just what you wanted from me—”

“I don’t even know what you think it is— “

I’m so-so-so-so sorry if we were being rude—

“But we’re not doing anything treasonous, I swear— “

“Please spare us—”

“I mean, I’ve always wanted to blow up the sun to see what would happen but I wasn’t going to actually do it and—”

“We’re just tiny fillies and we don’t know what we’re saying—”

“And— Wait—did you just say we didn’t do anything wrong?”

The two sisters froze and stared up at the Princess, whose mirthful grin was answer enough.

Suddenly, Luna shot Celestia a sidelong glare, “What were you shouting for if you heard that bit?” She muttered accusingly through grit teeth, her voice hushed.

Gaping, the elder sibling glared right back, not one to back down from an argument, “Wh- I was shouting? I was only shouting cause you were shouting!”

“But I was—”

A light, tinkering laugh silenced them both almost immediately, and they once more turned their attention over to the alicorn who towered over them both. “Let’s just put this behind us, hm? I’ll pretend I didn’t hear any of that and we’ll start over—does that sound okay to you?” She received bashful nods from both sisters.

“Though—what was that about the sun?” Princess Sunset arched a brow expectantly at Celestia, who rubbed her neck awkwardly.

“Uh… Didn’t you say that you’d pretend you didn’t hear anything?” Celestia piped up hopefully, shuffling her hooves, “Oh—um—Your Highness.” She added hastily, blushing.

“So I did.” The Princess wore an amused smile before she shook her head, “Regardless, I was hoping I could speak to you, Luna, if your—sister?” Celestia nodded, and Sunset continued graciously, “—if your sister wouldn’t mind me whisking you away for a bit?”

“Wherever she goes, I go,” Celestia put a protective hoof on Luna’s withers. “She’s my sister, after all.”

Luna looked apologetically at Princess Sunset. “I’m sorry, princess, but Tia’s been like this ever since I was young. We do almost everything together.” She pawed nervously at the ground. “I hope you don’t mind her tagging along?”

“Well,” Princess Sunset smiled. “I wouldn’t, but I would prefer for your sister to let you make the decision on your own. It’s going to be a big one, after all.” She quirked a brow knowingly. “You wouldn’t deny your sister that privacy, would you?”

“I, uh,” Celestia shook her head slowly. “No, I wouldn’t.” She turned her head to look at Luna. “Are you okay talking to Princess Sunset alone?”

“Yes,” Luna tilted her head curiously, before realizing what she was doing and straightening up, embarrassed. “It sounds quite...serious?”

“Oh, it’s nothing that you did wrong, I assure you,” Princess Sunset put a comforting hoof on Luna’s withers. “I just simply have a proposition for you. Celestia, you may rejoin the line if you wish, or wait for her by a side. It will only be a while. Although,” she turned her head to the dwindling line, which had only the changeling and two other ponies left. “You could finish up there and be back before we finish our talk.”

“Oh, alright,” Celestia reluctantly moved off, trotting to rejoin the line.

“Now,” Princess Sunset turned back to Luna once Celestia was out of earshot. “I would like to begin by asking a question. I believe your father is Sir Light Asteris Solaris, correct?”

“Yes,” Luna nodded meekly. “I think you know him, princess.”

“Of course!” Princess Sunset beamed. “He’s the Royal Astronomer, and is in charge of watching the stars every night. He’s done a lot for Equestria, which is why I knighted him. But that’s not why I asked the question. Is he the one who teaches you magic?”

“No,” Luna shook her head. “I learnt most of the spells I know through books and self-learning,” she said proudly. “Father said that I knew more spells than him!”

Princess Sunset nodded approvingly. “It is a very impressive feat, definitely. Which brings us to the next reason why I wanted to talk to you. You are nine, yes?” Luna nodded, unsure why Princess Sunset was asking her that.

“And yet, your mana levels are that of a full-grown mage in my court,” the princess mused. “I was sure it had been a mistake. But once I talked to you, I could feel your magic fluctuating in there. Your mana is being overextended due to disuse, Luna.”

“What?” Luna squeaked. “Magic disuse?! That’s very serious! According to Raven Inkwell’s Magical Theories and Mana Uses, magic disuse can lead to the unicorn forever not able to use their magic properly and thatsverybadohwhatdidIdoPrincesscanyouhelpme-” she fell silent as Princess Sunset slowly lowered herself to her height.

“Luna,” Sunset said calmly. “There is no issue. You read a book which is filled with theories from a thousand years ago. Raven Inkwell was a genius, yes, but even she admitted she could be wrong at times. Magic disuse will only lead to mild effects such as limited use of magic until you clear your mana well, which is still not full. You’re fine for now, but you need to stop limiting yourself, Luna.”

Luna looked away and tried to look at something else. “How did you know I limit my magic?” she squeaked out.

“It’s quite obvious,” Princess Sunset lit up her horn, and a teal aura of magic washed over Luna. “This might be a little disorientating. Look down at your chest.”

Luna looked down and gasped. “Whu-”

“What you are looking at is what I can see at will,” Princess Sunset explained. “Leylines. As you can see, yours are overflowing with mana. Look at mine for comparison.” Luna tilted her head up slowly, as she nervously pawed the ground.

“They look so...clean, compared to mine,” Luna whispered.

“And I can help you remedy that,” Princess Sunset replied as her magic washed over Luna again, causing the leylines to disappear from view. “That is, if you accept my proposition.”

“What proposition?” Luna asked curiously.

“I would like you to be my student, Luna Selene Solaris,” Sunset said without pomp or ceremony. “You are incredibly talented, and have a mana well that I have never seen in any filly before you. Be my student, and I can teach you spells that are not in the public libraries. I can show you new things.”

“Y-your student?” Luna stammered.

“Indeed,” Sunset nodded. “It has been nine hundred years since I took a student. But I can see your talent, Luna. It would be a shame if I could not nurture that talent.”

“Nine hundred years?” Luna blurted out. “Talent?”

“Yes, Luna,” Sunset agreed patiently. “You have magic which I have never seen before. So, will you become my student? I will not force you to do anything you do not want to-”

“Of course!” Luna exclaimed. “I wouldlovetobeyourstudentthisissuchahonor- oh! I’m so sorry, Princess.”

“It’s alright,” Sunset’s lips curled upwards. “I once knew a mare who would do the same. She was older than you, and had many of the same mannerisms you exhibit…” she trailed off, a look crossing her face. “But that is a story for another time.”

Luna blinked. Was it just her imagination, or had the princess looked...sad, for a moment? The expression had cleared as fast as it had come, so she could not be sure, but for a moment she thought she saw an expression of deeply rooted grief and sadness.

“Anyways,” Sunset smiled. “If you are to be my student, there is a lot to do. I will have to speak to your parents once the egg test is over, see if they will allow you to move in to the castle to stay with me full time.”

“Stay...in the castle?” Luna blurted out.

“Of course,” Sunset nodded. “I could not be picking you up from your home every morning, now could I?”

Luna nodded quickly, agreeing. A thought crossed, her mind, and she looked at Princess Sunset. “Princess, what is the egg test for?”

“Ah,” Sunset considered her for a moment. “You by now would have guessed that it is Radiant’s-” She gestured offhoofedly to the phoenix perched on the edge of the cart, “-egg.”

“She was very protective when that - uh - Kaledrius tried to, you know,” Luna agreed. “But why is there a phoenix egg as a test?”

“A phoenix will only hatch for the most loyal and brave,” Sunset informed her. “I am in need of one with such qualities. It’s pretty simple.”

“Oh,” Luna nodded. “How long has it not hatched-”

There was a sound of something cracking from the other side of the room, before a cry of a newborn bird could be heard.

The two turned their heads to see Celestia standing there at the egg, mouth agape as a phoenix chick chirped and nuzzled her.

“And it seems like your sister is the very one I am looking for,” Sunset grinned. “Very interesting, your family. Your father is the Royal Astronomer, and now you two.”

Luna could only watch, her mouth hanging open as the newborn chirped happily and Radiant flew down to the phoenix chick.

This couldn’t possibly get any crazier.

She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Chapter 2 - She Who Plots

View Online

For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 2 - She Who Plots

“What do you mean the books are gone? I just browsed that shelf yesterday!”

Luna flung her hooves around, flailing, as the librarian stared - just stared - at her; a tiny crease in her brows before it smoothed over.

“They are gone, Miss Luna. They disappeared yesterday night.” The elderly mare spoke in the same flat tone she’d always spoken in, turning her head back to the shelves, floating a book up from her trolley, and sliding it into its allocated slot.

As if this was something beneath her concern.

Ancient Quill - as her name suggested - had been here for as long as the young unicorn could possibly remember, never seeming to even change.

She always had the same unwavering expression of weariness, the same no-nonsense black bun wound up tightly at the back of her head, and - though she certainly never got younger - Quill never seemed to age either. In fact, Luna had once heard Celestia wondering whether the librarian was born old.

Gaping, Luna stood frozen for a second before scrambling into the trolley’s way. “B-but,” she spluttered indignantly, gesturing wildly at the shelf. “Books don’t just disappear!”

“These ones did.” And that was it, apparently. Quill pulled a book down from the shelf, her lips pursing as she shook her head. “These youngsters. Always putting them in their wrong spots.” She muttered, “Does the label say shelf sixteen B to you?”

Her aura snapped the aforementioned tome into her trolley and she once again walked around Luna, as if she were beneath her notice, grumbling to herself. And indeed, as the elderly mare passed her, Luna spied the tag of ‘shelf ten C’ pasted in the bottom-corner of the worn spine.

“Well, why haven’t you submitted a report to Princess Sunset?” Luna pressed, trotting up to keep up with the librarian in the narrow bookcase aisles. “Surely she’d take notice of an entire twelve books on transfiguration going missing?”

“I’ve submitted multiple reports,” Quill replied shortly. “But the princess doesn’t seem to think that books going missing every night is a concern. My colleagues from Fillydelphia, Marelaysia, Germaney and Las Pegasus tell me their books are going missing too.”

Before Luna could ask for an elaboration, the librarian turned the corner of the shelf, leaving the young unicorn alone in the aisle. It didn’t look like she was getting anything else out of that mare any time soon. She sighed, eyes narrowing slightly, sheer stubbornness - and the unwillingness to leave a mystery like this unsolved - leading her to ready herself for a long week of chasing trails and sniffing out evidence.

She just needed a cup of coffee first.

“So let me get this straight,” Celestia pursed her lips, eyes still trained on her phoenix, Philomena, who was somehow still managing to stay upright on her stand, even whilst asleep. “Books are disappearing, and Princess Sunset just... isn’t concerned?”

Luna nodded, downing a whole cup of coffee. Black, naturally. None of that diluted rubbish her sister liked; she practically glared Celestia’s empty cup on the desk - light brown foam still clinging to the sides.

“Miss Quill also said her colleagues from the other libraries have been experiencing the same thing,” She spoke finally, after swallowing all the coffee. “I was thinking we could do a little investigating, maybe ask around? Perhaps the bookshops also have the same problems? If we can get enough evidence, then we could bring it up to Princess Sunset…”

“What sort of books, to be exact?” Celestia queried, running a hoof absentmindedly over her familiar’s sleek feathers that were perfectly preened as always. Luna smiled inwardly. Many ponies thought her sister to be unintelligent, unworthy of the honor of Philomena. But time and time again, Celestia proved to have a sharp mind under the brashness, able to ask all the right questions.

“Transfiguration and Mana-shaping,” Luna answered, biting her lip as she was wont to do when facing a particularly stubborn problem with no blindingly clear solution. “All related to magic and spell casting.” She glanced at Celestia’s desk, the simple mahogany base holding several notes strewn over it. One of them in particular, a fully colored diagram of Philomena, caught her eye.

Celestia tapped a hoof on her chin thoughtfully. “I’ll help. But we do have to be careful. Queen Arach is in Canterlot, remember? We’ve already gotten in trouble once or twice before; and with the changeling queen in town, Princess Sunset is going to be on edge. If we’re going to bring this up to her, we’ll need concrete evidence that something... untoward is happening.”

“We’ll be careful,” Luna assured her sister, a small smile starting to tug at the corners of her lips. “We just have to ask a few questions, check around, that sort of thing. It could be just one of the draconequui messing around, but we still have to make sure.”

There was a crackling noise behind them as Philomena awoke, flames briefly dancing along the skirts of her feathers. She cocked her head at the sight of Luna as she stretched her wings, straightening a few particularly plumes out of habit, probably.

“Morning, Mena,” Luna greeted casually, levitating her coffee cup up to her muzzle, only to sigh and drop it again upon realizing the absence of the precious black liquid of life left within. Philomena inclined her head in response, her eyes darting from Celestia to Luna.

“The draconequui wouldn’t do such a thing on such a level,” Celestia countered as she began sorting the mess on her desk, Philomena pointedly staring at her. “The occasional prank, sure,” She arched her brows at the phoenix, “but nothing on this scale.”

“Yeah, true,” Luna admitted. Ever since the First Draconequus fell in love with the Lady Fluttershy, their offspring, the half-draconequui, had been mostly conforming to Princess Sunset’s rules. “My last experience with one of them was one of jokes and a touch of chaos magic here and there.”

“Mother would be able to tell you two more, I’d imagine,” Philomena commented finally, though her attention still rested on preening. Honestly, was that a phoenix thing, or a Mena thing? Luna was sure she’d never seen the Princess’ phoenix so absorbed with her appearance. “She’s been around since the Age of Chaos.” The bird did as best of a shrug with her wings as her anatomy allowed, falling silent once more.

Luna grinned, already tasting the satisfaction which would come from inevitably solving this newest mystery on their hooves.

“Then that’s where we’ll go first.” She cried triumphantly, leaping up from where she was leaning on the desk, Mena cawing indignantly with a startled flap of her wings at the sudden move.

For reasons completely unknown to the unicorn, her sister just exhaled a long-suffering sigh.

“None of the draconequui are in Canterlot; of that, I am sure,” Radiant sniffled. “I would feel their ambient chaos the moment they enter the city. Perhaps you should consider that it could be a simple clerical error, maybe-” she paused.

“Maybe what?” Luna prompted. “Ma’am.” she added hastily.

“Dismiss with the formalities,” Radiant flicked one of her wings. “We’re not in one of our lessons, nor is Sunset here. As for your question, it is merely a theory that would be disproved almost immediately. Several factors would be against that idea.”

“Mother,” Philomena smiled wryly, her beak curving as much as it could physically. “You know how Luna is. As impossible as it is, I think she’d like to hear your theories anyways.”

“Very well,” Radiant nodded as she hopped off her perch and onto the desk, which had papers strewn everywhere. Sorting through them with her beak and claws, she pulled out a bundle of papers that looked like a report. “When I heard books were going missing from Raven, I investigated myself, since Sunset is busy with preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

Luna curiously took the papers in her aura. Scanning it quickly, she read through the contents. “Dark shapes...night watch reports that a few changelings have been acting weird…” she read. “Guard Silvent was watching the Trottingham National Library when he spotted a cloaked figure stealing the books from the shelves. When in pursuit of the book thief, the cloaked figure escaped, but left behind a scrap of paper that read-” she blinked.

“What?” Celestia eagerly asked. “What’s it say?”

“Ponyville. Isn’t that where the Summer Sun Celebration is taking place?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

“Something may be happening,” Radiant admitted. “The Summer Sun Celebration would be the most opportune moment for somepony or somecreature to cause havoc, since thousands attend the celebrations. I can’t investigate myself, but you can. The changelings are strangely jittery, except for the ones in Canterlot at the moment.”

“Then to Ponyville we go,” Luna decided. “Thank you, Radiant.” Celestia chimed in her thanks along with Luna.

“Mother.” Philomena acknowledged, before fluttering to perch on Celestia’s shoulder as they trotted out of the study. Luna placed the bundle of papers on the desk, before following her sister.

As the door closed behind them, Radiant’s neutral expression shifted to one of worry. “Sunset, I swear on Twilight if this plan of yours endangers them...I’ll never forgive you. Oh, please be careful....she’s more dangerous than Sunset thinks she is…”

“Mother.” Princess Chrysalis, of course, did not whine.

The Queen of the Changelings did little more than hum a brief acknowledgement, not even taking her eyes off of the oh-so-fascinating scroll.

“Mother!” She stood from the couch, not-at-all-petulantly flinging the book about pony culture - the one she’d been forced to read over so many times she could practically recite it page by page - behind her and letting a ear flick at the thump.

“Chrysalis,” Arach admonished with barely a glance at her daughter. “Volume please, and mind how you treat that book. Each tome is a symbol of the knowledge granted by Her Grace-”

Chrysalis could do nothing but groan under her breath, knowing, of course, to not push it too far. She knew who her mother was talking about - everyling did. Princess Twilight. According to their history books, she was the one who had first offered the olive branch to their species, the act of peace allowing them to join with the ponies relatively smoothly.

However, she had disappeared about a thousand years ago, leaving them and no trace behind. Since then, the changelings - her people, had held Princess Twilight in high esteem still, praising her for what she had done - when Chrysalis knew inside that Princess Sunset was the one who had worked tirelessly after Princess Twilight disappeared to integrate them into pony society. Sure, she knew that Princess Twilight had done a lot, but the way her mother spoke of the princess was like she was still around - which obviously wasn’t true.

“It is imperative that you learn the ways of a Queen, Chrysalis. You are my heir and you are to take my place when I step down. I will not have you destroying our race - Her children, Her legacy - just because you cannot bear to sit yourself quietly on a couch for a mere few hours.”

Her mother was looking at her now, her lips thinning as she frowned. The Queen had, quite obviously, never agreed with her - frankly non-worshipful - opinion of Princess Twilight, and was never hesitant to call her out about it.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “Mother, I’m still barely of age. I won’t be Queen till later - besides, couldn’t one of my cousins-”

“You think that just because you have a few decades left before you must take the throne, you can afford to spend years pulling pranks and frolicking in the sun?” The young Princess instinctively froze, breath catching slightly as the monarch’s voice dipped, dripping in ice. And disgust.

“You have a responsibility, Chrysalis! And if you cannot be bothered to look after our subjects - to fulfil the sacred task entrusted to us by Her - then perhaps... you are right, for once. Perhaps you should be taken off the succession. Perhaps the sacred title of Heiress should go to a changeling who knows better.”

Chrysalis hadn’t meant it seriously. She hadn’t. She’d always thought of it as just something to just say, something to rile her mother up with, but something her mother would ultimately never- No. She… She wouldn’t. “B-But. I’m… I’m your daughter, I…”

“Do you think being my daughter means anything if you can’t bother to even live up to that?” Arach hissed, glaring at her. “I know what you’ve been up to with your cousins. Thorax and Pharynx, was it? I turned a blind eye because I had hoped you would mature, but it doesn’t look like it. Your aunt Carapace is coveting the throne for her own daughter - I held her off for years. Maybe I shouldn’t have.”

Then she changed, and despite everything, this was what pricked at Chrysalis’ eyes and tugged at her heart. This, as the Queen’s enraged eyes died down and her features smoothed over, as her mask of perfect indifference closed up around her - even to her own daughter - and she turned back to her papers, quill moving once more.

“Get out, Chrysalis. You say you are tired of sitting around here? Go. Go to the train station, board a train to Ponyville, make some of those friends you think are more important than your duties. If you want to go somewhere, you might as well make yourself useful. Make sure Princess Sunset’s celebration is going well, supervise my changelings’ preparations. Perhaps that is the problem - I have pampered you too much these years, I have given you too much and have expected too little.”

“But I-”

“Go. Until you have grown up, you are just another drone to me. Until you have grown up, I wish not to see you again.” There was a small, barely noticeable pause. “And until you have grown up, you are no daughter of mine.”

And so, with glistening tracks running down black carapace, with a heaving chest and scrunched up features, the estranged Princess of Changelings rushed out of the room, tripping over her hooves, crashing into ponies and corners alike, wings flapping unevenly as she shot into the air, suddenly desperate to be anywhere but there.

And as the Queen’s words repeated themselves over and over again in her head, the changeling felt small. Small, like she was in the dreams she had about her mother - no, Queen Arach now - where she would cradle Chrysalis in her arms, where she would sing and tell her just how very proud she was.

So much for that fever dream.

Arach watched. Always.

Arach watched, as tears of her own making sprung to the familiar toxic green eyes of her daughter - her daughter, no matter what she’d said.

Arach watched, as Chrysalis struggled to keep her breaths steady, backing away into the door and shaking her head, as if in denial.

Arach watched, as her little Princess wrestled with the knob, fumbling magic finally heeding her need and pushing the poor door violently out into the hall and colliding with one of the guards - rather painfully, as well, judging by the muffled cry.

Arach watched, as she dashed out - unwilling, perhaps, to allow her mother the satisfaction to hear her first sob. But she heard it all the same.

Arach watched, as the guard who hadn’t been hit poked his head in rather worriedly, only to receive a curt dismissal befitting a collected, in control queen.

Arach watched, as the mahogany door slammed shut with the force of her own magic, another pained grunt sounding out from beyond, with the wood now sporting a new hairline crack travelling down the side.

Arach watched, under the facade of indifference, under the pretence of calm; eyes glued to the parchment she, like her daughter, had never been reading anyways.

Arach watched, as the ink blot on the page just kept getting bigger, as her quill started to bend, until-

Snap.

Arach watched, as the broken remains of the quill moved itself into the bin by her desk on the accord of a green aura. Disposable, she supposed numbly.

Arach watched, in the reflection of one useless desk trinket or another, a single, glimmering tear trailing slowly down her cheek, and knew, like always, that it was to be the first of many.

Arach watched, as her reflection seemed to almost argue with her - a physical representation, perhaps, of the turmoil within. Chrysalis needed - needed - to learn. She’d dallied, she’d coddled her one darling daughter, she’d given into the baby’s small indulgences, always telling herself that there was more time, always telling herself that Chrysalis had to enjoy her childhood while she still had it.

And by the time she realised that her Princess was of age?

There was no time left.

And Chrysalis was too preoccupied with concepts of interests and friends to make any more time for her responsibilities.

And so, with her hooves tied and her bridges burnt…

Arach could only watch, with nothing left to do but wait.

Just watch, as the day she’d both dreaded and dreamt about came to pass.

"After all," Arach breathed, unwilling to raise her voice more than that, for fear of it breaking. "It will be her very last Summer Sun Celebration.”

A rueful smile climbed her face without permission as her vision swam. “Enjoy yourself while you can, Chrysalis. Make- Make some friends, have - fun.”

“And for what it's worth?" Her eyes shut, the agonised changeling queen from the reflection disappeared. Because she could no longer bear to watch. "I love you."

Even if she’d never know.

The ticket master looked up from the counter as the sound of hooves alerted him to ponies. "How may I help you-?" He rubbed his eyes. "Miss Solaris and Miss Solaris?"

"What is the next available train to Ponyville?" Luna asked him.

"Well, I apologise, but-"

A voice cut into his mind. Let them, Keld. I know I said to let my daughter be the only one on the train - but they are the students of Princess Sunset. My daughter would also suspect my involvement if she was alone. She could also use some new friends. At least until she returns. You know she wants them to kneel before her. Arach ordered through the hivemind. These are my orders.

Very well, my Queen. "But we only have seats in economy class left," he smiled sadly. "But of course, the train after that will-"

"It's fine," Celestia interrupted. "We only travel first class whenever we're with Her Highness. We'll take Economy seating, if that's fine with you." Philomena squawked in agreement.

"Very well," Keld nodded. "That will be eight bits, if you please." As Celestia hooved over the bits, Keld retrieved the tickets from the box and slid them over the counter. "Safe travels, you two. Attending the Summer Sun Celebration?"

"Sorta," Luna said awkwardly. "That's not the main point of our visit - but it'd be nice to attend anyways."

Keld tapped a hoof on his chin thoughtfully. "My wife's attending too. The first time the Summer Sun Celebration isn't in Canterlot for ten years- and I'm stuck here. I have to cover for the guy who got sick."

"Aw," Celestia sighed. "Maybe next year, then."

"Mhm. The train leaves in twenty minutes, so you'd better get going, eh?" Keld raised a knowing eyebrow.

"Oh, of course!" Luna pushed her sister and ushered her towards the train, Celestia rolling her eyes. "See you, Mister Keld!"

"See you!" Keld called back as they got further away.

As Luna ushered Celestia onto the train on platform four, she was struck by how empty the train was. Didn’t Keld say that the train was almost all booked up?

“Why is it so empty?” Celestia wondered out loud, mirroring Luna’s thoughts. “I thought Keld said that the first class was entirely full, that was why we had to take economy. I’d expect a few ponies travelling to Ponyville ahead of the Summer Sun Celebration, at least…”

“It’s because of me,” a quiet voice, wracked with a feeling Luna couldn’t place. She spun her head to locate the source of the voice, and her eyes locked onto a female changeling with a small, black tiara nestled in the cradle of her hooves. She seemed to have been crying recently, streaks still fresh across her cheeks. “Mothe- the Queen’s guards made sure that I got the whole first class carriage to myself. But it didn’t suit me.”

“My name is Chrysalis,” the changeling said as she briefly attempted and failed to smile. “Pleased to meet you, students of Princess Sunset.”

Chapter 3 - In the Shadows

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 3 - In the Shadows

“Chrysalis?” Luna blurted out, the first to speak. “As in, Princess Chrysalis?” Celestia elbowed Luna, glaring at her.

“It’s alright,” Chrysalis turned the tiara over in her hole-ridden hooves. “I am Princess Chrysalis. Though, I would prefer you refer to me as Chrysalis, if you have to use my whole name. To be honest, it feels better being called a nickname like Chryssy,” she blinked away a tear. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

Luna stared at the holes in Chrysalis’s hooves, fascinated. Celestia looked pointedly at her, before turning to Chrysalis. “Rambling is fine,” she replied breezily, sitting down on one of the seats near Chrysalis. “My sister does it all the time.” This time, it was Luna’s turn to glare at Celestia.

Chrysalis wrung her hooves, evidently at a loss of words. Before Celestia and Luna had entered the carriage, she was all alone and all she had were her thoughts. Now, there were two ponies in front of her. Not to mention, they were Princess Sunset’s students, too!

“Can I ask a question?” Chrysalis tried, wanting to break the silence. Silence had always felt wrong to her. It was one of the reasons why she couldn’t bear sitting still and filing paperwork like her mother.

“Sure!” Celestia beamed. “Although, you obviously just asked a question, but I’ll allow another.” She winked, eyes twinkling with joy and laughter.

Chrysalis let out a small giggle, in spite of the feelings rolling around inside of her. She couldn’t help it - there was something infectious about that genuine smile Celestia gave her. She straightened up, feeling a little better. There was something about these two ponies - something that interested her. It probably didn’t help that they had a phoenix preening itself with them.

“Which one of you is which?” Chrysalis absentmindedly drew a circle with her right forehoof on the carriage floor. “Like, I know your names are Luna and Celestia Solaris, but…” she spread her hooves helplessly. “As I said, I rarely leave the hive.”

Celestia grinned. “I’m Celestia! And as you can see, the better-looking one!”

“Hey!” Luna exclaimed. “Waddaya mean-”

Chrysalis giggled again, this time the sound clearer and more evident. Although she could see the annoyance on Luna’s face, she could feel the love literally rolling off them for each other. So much love...so there was how Princess Sunset was able to provide the changelings with a constant stream of love. So far, on her visit to Equestria for the Summer Sun Celebration, she had felt a massive amount of love just radiating from the ponies.

“Laughter is good for you,” Celestia leaned back into the seat, Philomena letting out an indignant squawk as Celestia almost crushed her against the wall, the phoenix just barely avoiding that by flapping her wings and hopping off Celestia. “I won’t pretend to know what you’re going through, but-“ she offered one of her hooves to Chrysalis. “-I’ll be your friend, if you want that.”

The changeling princess stared at the proffered hoof. “F-friend?”

“Friend,” Celestia confirmed. “I’m sure Luna wants to be your friend, too, right?” Her sister nodded vehemently from beside her, and the elder student grinned, “We can show you around Canterlot after the Summer Sun Celebration too! Since you’re in Equestria, why not make the most out of it?”

“Friends,” Chrysalis repeated. “I...I’ve never had ponies j-just offer that before…” a tear fell freely from her already watery eye. “T-thank you.”

“Make some friends, Chrysalis.”

“Aw,” Celestia wiped a tear from her own eyes and sniffed. “I’m a big sap for these kinda things.” Luna rolled her eyes fondly from the side. “C’mere, you.”

“Wha- what do you mean...?” Chrysalis’s eyes widened as Celestia scooted over the seats and hugged her, the white pegasus’s warmth flooding into her as the doors to the carriage shut, the train moving off. Instinctively, Chrysalis reached out for the residual love flooding the air, but immediately restrained herself. She had already enough from the crystals Princess Sunset provided the changelings with! Instead, she let herself melt into the hug, enjoying it.

“There you go,” Celestia grinned warmly, releasing Chrysalis. “A little hug always does everyone good. See, you’re smiling! Luna, tell her she’s smiling!”

“You are,” Luna confirmed. “And yes, I would be glad to be your friend too. Me and Celestia, well, it’s been hard for us to make new friends too. The nobles turn their noses up at us, since our father isn’t an actual noble by blood, just made into one. Our old friends have been too intimidated to look at us in the eye ever since we became the personal students of Princess Sunset - Well, I mean, I love every minute of being the Princess’s student, but there are side effects to that, too.”

“I know what you mean,” Chrysalis nodded, her worries and pains forgotten momentarily in the presence of Celestia and Luna. “I don’t have any friends other than my cousins, too. Thorax and Pharynx are fun to play with, but ever since we grew out of that stage, I haven’t been able to find anyone to actually hold a long enough conversation with.”

In a brief companionable silence, they shared flashed smiles borne of understanding.

“So,” Luna said finally, settling into her seat and adjusting her position to be comfortable. “Heading to Ponyville for the Summer Sun Celebration? Why are you going so early?”

Chrysalis shook her head. “I’d rather not say why. But I will be supervising some of the ‘lings at Ponyville who are helping to organize things. Mother-” she barely managed to force out the word, hesitating slightly. “Sent fifty ahead because Princess Sunset requested it. Three centaurs are attending, the King and the two princes. The draconequui have been sighted moving towards Ponyville for the Celebration, too, so preparations are in full swing, needing everycreature we can get.”

“I see,” Celestia glanced out of the window at the scenery they were moving past. As the train chugged down the mountain Canterlot rested down on the tracks, she could see Ponyville, a distant speck. “How long does it take to get from Canterlot to Ponyville?”

“Nine hours,” Luna answered. “Assuming the train goes at an average speed of forty kilometres per hour, we’d be there within nine to ten hours, and the velocity doesn't change due to directional change-” she smiled sheepishly as Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “Sorry, I’m a bit of a nerd.”

“A bit?” Celestia guffawed. “You spend half the day at the library!”

“I do not!” Luna protested. “I just spent a third-”

“More than that,” Philomena offered helpfully. “Somewhere between a third and half. A quarter?”

Luna stared. “A qua- Mena, seriously?”

“Yep.” Philomena went back to preening her feathers as Chrysalis tried not to laugh at the peeved expression on Luna’s face - whether it was from the blatant miscalculation or the insult, she didn’t know - all while Celestia was giggling.

“Anyways,” Celestia recomposed herself. “Since it’s gonna take a while, I might as well get some sleep.” She yawned. “You woke me up two hours too early today, Luna. If this takes nine hours, we’re gonna arrive there just before midnight. I’ll need some sleep if you’re gonna do another one of your all-nighters.” Philomena nodded in agreement, the phoenix’s own eyes already shutting to go to sleep.

For some reason, something Celestia said sent shivers down Chrysalis’s spine. She had heard one of those words in another context before...but where?

Celestia stretched out on the seats, before her eyes promptly shut. Before long, a low snore filled the air. Chrysalis blinked at the speed at which Celestia had fallen asleep. Just a few minutes earlier, the mare had been full of energy...

“Oh, she falls asleep fast,” Luna shrugged as she noticed Chrysalis’s expression. “Heavy sleeper, too. I had to threaten her subconscious with one of her secrets before she would wake up this morning.”

“Threaten...her subconscious?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. “Is that another way to say you used magic to enter her mind?”

“Of course not!” Luna replied quickly. “Mind magic is forbidden and the only book that I know of that has those spells are in the Restricted Section. I only get access whenever Princess Sunset wants to retrieve a particular book. I just whisper the threats into her ear, she’ll hear it. I have no idea how - she can sleep through a natural disaster.”

“I see,” Chrysalis nodded.

“Can I refer to you to as Chrysalis?” Luna asked. “Or would you prefer, y’know, Chryssy?”

“Since we’re friends now...Chryssy will do,” Chrysalis smiled. “It feels more natural to me. Chrysalis feels like it belongs to someling more...responsible than me. If you don’t mind, I would prefer Chryssy. It makes me feel more...free.”

“I can empathize,” Luna stood up to trot over to Chrysalis, before sitting down next to the changeling princess. “I haven’t told you this, but my family has a long legacy. The nobles think my father was only made a noble this generation. Truth is,” she stared out of the window. “My family have been serving Princess Sunset as her Astronomers since...as far back as I know. “

“That means...my family name, Solaris, carries a lot of weight and responsibility. It’s why I prefer to be called Luna, instead of Miss Solaris. It makes me feel like I can make my own destiny, forge my own path instead of just following the path that my ancestors laid out for me.” Luna breathed out. “Celestia doesn’t know this, because she doesn’t care about the past.”

Luna rubbed at her head. “How do I put this? Her motto is ‘Live in the present, for it’s a gift.’ When I ask her a gift from who, she always just smiles at me. Ponies think she’s unintelligent. On the contrary, she’s actually smarter than me...but she wants me to shine. It’s why I’ve always studied hard, so that I can be a younger sister she can be proud of. It’s...why I want to be known as Luna, for what I have done, instead of my family name. It feels...constraining.”

“I…” Chrysalis stared at her, mouth agape. “Why did you share this with me?”

“We’re friends now, aren’t we?” Luna nudged Chrysalis lightly. “Friends share what they’re troubled about, so they can help each other. Take Celestia and Philomena, for example. They’ve known each other for a long time, and consider each other as best friends. I know that Celestia shares her troubles with Philomena, and they get through it together. I share my story with you, with the hope that you will share yours with me, so that I can help you as your friend.”

“I-” Chrysalis’s eyes watered, her emotions swelling up inside of her. A tear dripped, and the dam broke. “T-thank you, Luna. It means a lot to me…”

“Let it all out,” Luna whispered as she wrapped Chrysalis in a hug. “You can tell me what you were worried about when I first got onto the train. I could see it in your eyes, you know? You have to face it at some point. Why not now? I’m here for you.”

“I…” Arach’s disapproving face was still fresh in her memory. Her own mother had called her a drone. Just another changeling. “I feel like I’m not worthy of the role I’ve been given.” she blurted out, rubbing furiously at her eyes.

“Ever since I’ve been old enough to talk and walk, the changelings, my people, have put these expectations on me,” Chrysalis whispered. “Expectations that I would be as regal as my mother. Expectations that I would lead them into a new age. But when I turned out...different, it seemed as if the world got darker. Heavier.”

“Mother was the one constant in my life,” she retrieved the tiara from where it had fallen onto the ground from all her crying. “She encouraged me, gave me her time. She told me that I was not yet needed to bear the burden of the crown. I spent my time loving life, reading books about Equestria, wishing that I could visit. Mother would have allowed it, except that the generals feared for my safety, me being a nymph.”

“By the time I was old enough to travel to Equestria, I was already of age,” Chrysalis murmured. “Mother...changed. She grew fiercer towards me, and although she was as loving as ever, she started revering Princess Twilight even more. It was as if we had hit some point...where Princess Twilight’s influence was even greater.”

“Princess Twilight?” Luna’s eyes widened. “The princess who disappeared a thousand years ago?”

“Correct,” Chrysalis looked down on the floor. “I didn’t know what was going on. Although, I did get the feeling Mother was protecting me from something...something that scared the heck out of her. But the facts can’t be changed. She started giving me more responsibilities. I didn’t argue. I knew it was my role. My task to fulfill. That wasn’t the problem.”

“She shouted at me this morning,” Chrysalis’s tears flowed freely. “That I wasn’t fit to be her daughter until I learned to be more responsible. To be less...me, and more her. That I was yet another drone to her. It hurt. That my own...mother would say that to me. I’ve been wondering...why? She had never shouted at me before. And yet, she did. Just this morning.”

“Am I not good enough for her?” Chrysalis cried. “Am I not...strong enough?” She cried freely into Luna’s shoulder, the unicorn letting her lean into her embrace. “I just want her love. Her approval. Her smile to come back again.”

“You’ll get those again.”

Chrysalis looked up at Luna’s confident expression. “How...can you be so sure?” She whispered. “You’ve never met my mother.”

“I haven’t, that's true,” Luna answered, beaming. “But to get something, you have to believe in it first. Your mother sent you to Ponyville to supervise fifty of your people, right? Show her you can do that well, and maybe she’ll see your true value. You’re not just Princess Chrysalis, Chryssy,” Chrysalis looked at her in wonder. “You are Princess Chrysalis and Chryssy in one. Show her that. Show her who you are.”

Chrysalis paused, reflecting on Luna's words. Something about the unicorn...she seemed to have had experience with her problem too. The changeling smiled wanly. “I can do that.”

Luna grinned. “That’s the spirit. Now, do you feel better?”

“Yes,” the changeling princess answered, surprising herself. It was the truth - her heart felt better - even if the pain had not fully gone away. She had a goal now. To show her mother who she truly was. “You...helped me, Luna. I am… Thank you.”

“Now, now,” Luna playfully swatted her with a hoof. “There’s no need to thank me. This is what friends are for - a shoulder to lean on. You listened to my story and let me let it all out. That shows you have what it takes to be a good friend. I am glad to have met you, Chryssy. When the Summer Sun Celebration is over - let’s meet up more often. If you need help convincing your mother for anything - just ask me. I’ll try to see if Princess Sunset can put in a word.”

“Thank you so much.” Chrysalis whispered, blinking rapidly.

“Didn’t I just say not to thank me?” Luna teased. “Anyways, what my sister says is right. It’s a long journey to Ponyville, it’d be good if we got some sleep and some rest. It’d be better for us - since you’ll be busy supervising the changelings and I have some studying to do at the Ponyville Town Library.”

“I suppose,” Chrysalis allowed as Luna got up to cross the carriage, heading for the opposite row of seats to lie down. “I’ll...see you when I wake up, then.”

“Have a good sleep!” Luna closed her eyes, and she was asleep soon enough. Chrysalis smiled at the sight, before closing her own eyes, letting sleep take her. Thank you, Luna, for being my friend…

“Is everything ready?” A sharp and cruel voice cut through the air. “The Summer Sun Celebration is in a few days. My return needs to be perfect. Nothing should be out of place."

Chrysalis looked around her. Where was she? Above her, there was a night sky of the deepest blue and black, darkened stars everywhere. However, she didn’t even seem to be walking on anything. In fact...her eyes widened. Was that air below her?

“Yes, my queen. The preparations in Canterlot are ready. We stand by for your return to the throne.” Chrysalis opened her mouth to gasp, recognizing the voice. That was...her mother? Suddenly, a lavender hoof covered her mouth, allowing no sound to come out.

Chrysalis started panicking, but a reassuring hoof placed itself on her shoulder. She looked to her side to see a lavender unicorn smiling warmly at her. On the unicorn's flank, a starburst mark could be seen, stars surrounding it. Removing her hoof from Chrysalis’s mouth, the mare lifted it up to her own mouth, doing the universal signal for quiet.

“Shh,” the lavender unicorn whispered. “I don’t know how you’re here, but you are. You need to be quiet, otherwise, your mother’s efforts to hide you from her gaze will be in vain. Do not let her know of your presence.”

“Is someone out there?” the cruel voice barked out. “I can feel you, you know? Spying on royalty is a crime punishable by death! This is my realm. I will find you.” Chrysalis tracked the voice to her right, and her eyes locked onto an impossible sight.

A dark purple alicorn clad in silver and black armor stood there, her mane flowing in an insane display of power. Stars dotted the flowing mane, glimmering in the darkness. By the side of the alicorn, a sword sheath could be seen, and power radiated from it.

Standing behind the alicorn was her mother, her eyes cold and unfeeling. The changeling queen seemed more submissive, too, her regal stance gone. “M-mother?” Chrysalis whispered. The alicorn’s head snapped to her location, the whisper heard..

“Hmph.” The alicorn’s eyes raked over her location, but her gaze slid over Chrysalis like the changeling princess wasn’t even there. “Seems like there is no one. Arach, make sure preparations are perfect. I want no flaw in the plan. My return shall be glorious.” As her mother lowered her head, the two dissolved into the shadows.

“She thinks this is her realm?” The lavender unicorn grinned. “She’s just a usurper. The realm of dreams is mine to defend from all threats, including her.” She glanced at Chrysalis. “If you’re wondering how she didn’t see you, I hid you from her sight. I still have some control over the dream realm. You’re safe, for now.”

“W-who are you?” Chrysalis blurted out. “And who was that with my mother? Why was she so different?”

“So many questions,” the lavender unicorn mused. “And yet no answer that can be given. At least, not a satisfactory one. As for me, you can call me Sparkle.” She beamed. “Though, telling you my name won’t help. When you wake up, you’ll barely remember this dream. It’ll just seem like a distant nightmare, something that you’re supposed to forget. However, you’ll remember this dream when you most need it to connect the dots.”

“Sp-sparkle?” Chrysalis whispered. “How…?”

“Shh…” Sparkle smiled. “You’ve seen what you need to. For now, this is goodbye. You need to wake up.”

“Wait!” Chrysalis cried out. “What do you mean? Why do I have to forget-?” Sparkle winked in response, and the world dissolved into darkness.

Chapter 4 - He Who Enjoys

View Online

For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 4 - He Who Enjoys

“Chryssy?” Luna peered at the changeling princess who was still deep in sleep. “We’ve arrived.” She glanced at Celestia, who was stretching on the train seats. “How did she sleep for a grand total of fifteen hours? She must’ve been tired.”

Celestia shrugged and looked out of the window at the rising sun. “Why did we even arrive here so late? Or rather, so early?” She ran a hoof down Philomena’s back absentmindedly, the phoenix crooning at the touch.

“Well,” Luna smiled sheepishly. “I forgot to account for delays and the train stations along the way. We stopped at two stations before reaching Ponyville, and we were there for half an hour at each station. Then we had to stop, for, what? Four hours because of a train malfunction ahead of us, if I remember correctly. Then there was this herd of sheep…”

“What time is it?” Chrysalis was awake, rubbing her eyes tiredly. “I thought we were supposed to arrive just before midnight?”

“Delays and stuff,” Celestia got up from her seat. “Urgh. I was drifting in and out of sleep last night. My body just didn’t want to let me enter the dream world, it seems.”

“Dreams…” Chrysalis looked as if she was deep in thought, before she shook her head. “Hm. Do you two have lodgings?” The changeling princess got up from the seat, before stretching and extending her wings.

“Let’s get out of the train first,” Luna suggested. The train conductor was coming down the aisle, and he was gesturing for them to get off. “We’ll talk more on the platform.”

The trio proceeded to get off the train, before pausing at the sight before them. A quaint town lay before them, the inhabitants seemingly still deep in sleep; although there were a few pegasi in the air, pushing the clouds to their respective destinations. Stalls were set up at almost every corner they could spy, with their owners already there.

The upcoming celebration had made its mark, too. Banners and streamers were everywhere, hung from house to house. Several signs had been erected right outside the train station, directing visitors to the inns that lay in the heart of the town. There was even a temporary stand set up, where a pony could guide visitors, though it was vacant for the time being.

There was a feeling in the air that just made them feel welcome, and as the trio slowly trotted down the street into the town, ponies waved at them from their homes, smiles on their faces. In the distance, they could see a bakery...and was that a tree with windows in it?

Luna shook herself out of her stupor. “Right, lodgings.” She pulled out a notebook from her saddlebags. “Radiant made the arrangements for us. According to her letter… Dear Luna and Celestia,” she read. “I have arranged for you to stay at the Ponyville Town Library for now. On the second level, there are rooms for its caretaker. The current librarian retires after the Summer Sun Celebration, and she was more than happy to let somepony take over early.”

“The next caretaker of the library has not been found yet, so you’re more than welcome to stay there for now,” Celestia continued, snatching the letter from Luna. The unicorn glared at her sister, but shrugged and rummaged through her saddlebags. “However, you will need to fulfill the role of the librarian should anypony come. I have been assured that Ponyville’s inhabitants rarely come to the library, so you shouldn’t have much to do.”

“She also provided a key and a picture of the library,” Luna mentioned. “Jeez, she did all this on short notice? Your mother’s resourceful, Mena.”

“Of course,” Philomena looked smug. “Mother is Princess Sunset’s aide. She has contacts in various places. You gave her, like, three hours of advance notice. Enough to send out one or two letters by magical fire and get back a response post-haste.”

“Looks like the library is the…” Luna peered at the photograph and blinked in surprise. “A tree?”

Philomena peered at the photograph from Celestia’s shoulder. “It would seem so. Looks like the tree in front of us, don’t you think?”

Chrysalis nodded and looked at the tree. “I heard of this particular tree before. It’s apparently been in Ponyville for a hundred years. The Ponyville ponies are proud of it, since the descendants of the founders of Ponyville were the ones who grew it. Somehow, the tree grew hollow, which was what allowed a library to be built inside. Surprisingly, it’s really strong.”

“Let’s check it out, I suppose,” The trio had already made it to the library during their talk. Luna inserted the key into the lock and twisted it with her magic; a click could be heard before the door swung open inwards.

“Here is where I have to part from you two,” Chrysalis looked apologetic. “I need to check in with the rest of the ‘lings. I’m already late as it is.”

Luna nodded. “Go ahead, Chryssy. We’ll see you later?”

“Maybe in the afternoon?” Chrysalis shrugged. “I have a lot of work to do, from the instructions I was given. Thanks so much for everything.”

Celestia grinned, before giving Chrysalis a hug suddenly. “You don’t have to thank us for anything,” she beamed. “We’re friends, now. Come look for us if you have anything to talk about, yeah?”

“O-of course,” Chrysalis stammered as she returned the hug briefly before extracting herself. “See you!” The changeling princess all but fled down the street, rushing off towards an unknown destination.

“She seems jumpy,” Luna observed. “Probably some bad dream.”

“Far cry from her mother, eh?” A male voice suddenly said from beside them. The two sisters jumped, and Philomena squawked indignantly as she was dislodged from Celestia’s shoulder. “Oh, did I scare you?”

Luna turned to look at a brown-colored unicorn, who was licking at an ice cream cone. Except...was he licking the cone? And why did-

“You’re a draconequus in disguise,” Philomena accused, settling back onto Celestia’s shoulder. “The ambient chaos magic in the air is giving you away.”

“Guh,” the ‘unicorn’ winced. “Should’ve known not to get close to a phoenix. They’re too sensitive to the magic in the air. Yeah, I’m a draconequus. Try not to spread that around, would you? I’m on the run from Princess Sunset.”

Celestia frowned. “What did you do?”

“Oh, you know,” the ‘unicorn’ tossed aside the cone, and it disappeared in midair. “There’s a fine line of how much chaos magic we draconequui can use. Your benevolent princess set that limit. I may or may not have gone over several times. Just a little smidge over the limit. Is it my fault I’m regarded as the most powerful draconequus born in centuries?”

“What did you do?” Celestia repeated.

“I may or may not have made it rain chocolate milk onto an orange orchard and caused them to lose an entire season’s worth of harvest,” the ‘unicorn’ smiled weakly. “In my defense, they were less than welcoming towards me when they saw a draconequus wanting to buy oranges from them. I kinda just, you know, got mad.”

Luna raised an eyebrow. “You don’t have fine control over your powers?”

“Oh, none of us do,” the ‘unicorn’ shrugged. “We have some manner of control, but when our emotions get the better of us...Shall we take this inside? I don’t really feel like being overheard then thrown into a dungeon somewhere.”

“Why are you even telling us this?” Luna queried. “We’re Princess Sunset’s personal students. You do know that, right?”

“Pshaw,” the ‘unicorn’ shrugged, before gesturing at Celestia. “I know she won’t turn me in. She has an air of chaotic energy around her. You like pranking ponies?”

“Sure,” Celestia replied hesitantly. “Chaotic energy?”

“Inside, first,” the ‘unicorn' said cheerfully. “Oh, by the way; my name’s Discord.”

The three of them entered the tree, and Luna shut the door behind them. In front of Luna, there were two couches and a table in the middle of the room, surrounded by bookshelves lining the walls. The bookshelves were mostly filled with books, except for one that was empty, with a sign on it that read ‘COMING SOON’.

“Now,” Discord settled onto a couch, and the two sisters sat on the other one. “I’ll answer your questions, if you have any. Before you ask why I’m doing this, it’s because you interest me. I’ve not seen a pony before with that much chaotic energy around them. Sure, the occasional one with some, but you’re just positively filled with it.”

“You’re referring to Celestia?” Luna asked.

“Course,” Discord grinned.

“First question,” Celestia suddenly leaned forward. “Why Ponyville?”

“Not Ponyville, technically,” Discord shrugged as he flicked his tail and glasses appeared on his snout. He picked up one of the books on the table, flipping through it nonchalantly. “I live in the Everfree forest. It’s so filled with ambient chaos, that it’s perfect for me to live in while on the run. Perhaps you could visit one day.”

“And risk getting mauled by a manticore?” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “No, thank you.”

“Suit yourself,” Discord winked. He flicked his tail again, and this time there were three mugs and a jug filled with a viscous black liquid on the table. “Everfree coffee?”

“What’s that made from?” Luna’s nose wrinkled from the smell. “Doesn’t smell that great. I only drink quality coffee, no thank you.”

“Aw, come on,” Discord peered down his glasses. “It’s amazing, I promise. I made it myself!”

“Don’t do it, Luna,” Celestia glanced at her sister. “I know you’re gonna rant about coffee and how certain beans and stuff are supposed to be mixed in some perfect concoction. Coffee isn’t some heavenly drink that’s supposed to be only one flavor only - perfect, ‘kay?” Celestia picked up one of the mugs, before filling it with the ‘coffee’. “I’m gonna try it.” She downed it in one go, before wincing a little. “Little sour, but quite well made.”

“Why, thank you!” Discord beamed. “What about you, Luna Solaris?”

“Luna only, please. But-” Luna started, but thought better of it as Celestia nudged her. “Ugh, fine.” Luna tentatively took a sip, and her insides twisted and turned as the concoction forced its way down her throat. She retched and coughed at the taste, her body forcing her to push it out. “What in the six founders of Equestria-?!”

“Huh,” Discord put his mug down. “Looks like the Everfree had a reaction to you. Something about you just doesn’t sit right with the magic that keeps the Everfree around. You like organization that much?”

Luna coughed again, traces of the liquid still on her tongue. “Organization is what I do,” she forced out. "Wait,, you’re telling me the coffee tastes different based on our magic?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying!” Discord replied cheerfully, stirring at his own mug. “Little known fact - everypony has a signature magic aura based on their habits and the sort of magic they’re more suited to do. The Everfree is pure chaos. Your magic must’ve tried to fix the chaos that is the Everfree’s, and you got a rather painful backlash in return.”

“In the form of coffee?” Luna choked out indignantly. “No way you’re ruining my favorite drink like this. Coffee isn’t made by magic.”

“Well, this type is,” Discord shrugged nonchalantly. “The Everfree is unpredictable - it’s why I like living there. The only reason I’ve been coming out more is that the creatures have gotten more active lately, for some reason. It’s like they’re getting more skittish because of something coming, but they’ve been this way for two weeks and I’ve seen nothing. Nevertheless, it’s not as safe as it used to be-”

“Something coming?” Luna interjected. “What do you mean by that?”

Discord paused, looking at Luna. “I see this conversation has gone on longer than it should have,” he said finally after a few moments. “I’ll see you around, you two.”

“Wait!” Luna cried out as Discord got up onto his hooves. “What aren’t you telling us-”

“Know this,” Discord whispered. “Whatever is coming, it’s powerful enough to scare rocs and manticores alike. I’m not about to make an enemy of it by telling others too much about what I found out. I like you two, but not enough to risk my own life over it. Perhaps we could meet for ice cream tonight or tomorrow. Just don’t ask me about this again.” With a flick of his tail, the unicorn disguise melted away, and a draconequus straightened up. Discord snapped his fingers, and, with that, he disappeared.

“Looks like coming to Ponyville was the right idea,” Celestia observed. “The Summer Sun Celebration is in two days. We need to figure out what’s going on before then, so that we can inform Miss Radiant and have her do something.”

“Books are missing here!” Philomena called out from one of the shelves. While they had been talking with Discord, the young phoenix had flown over to the bookshelves to look at the books. “Looks like the transfiguration books are missing here, too.”

Luna galloped over and peered at the shelf. “Yeah, several books under the ‘T’ section are missing,” she murmured. “Along with some books on ‘M’. We’ll need to get a list to ascertain which books are missing.”

“I’ll get a letter along to Mother,” Philomena nodded. “See if she can scrounge one up for us.”

“In the meantime,” Celestia got up. “Let’s ask around discreetly to see if the Ponyvillians know anything.”

“Ponyvillians,” Luna deadpanned. “That really sounds like they’re villains, Celestia. I don’t think we should call them that to their faces.”

“Pfeh,” Celestia stuck out her tongue. “I’ll do whatever I like, thank you very much. Who knows, they might appreciate a good joke, unlike you.”

“Why, you little-” Luna growled. Her horn lit, and a feather appeared out of nowhere and into Luna’s magical aura. “I’m gonna tickle you into the next week, Celestia!”

“Nyeh,” Celestia stuck out her tongue again, before making a break for it. She pushed open the door and ran, all the while giggling uncontrollably. “You’re not gonna catch me- oomph!”

Luna paused in front of the doorway, looking at the scene. Celestia had slammed into an earth pony pulling a cart full of apples and caused the cart to tip over, along with the earth pony. The apples were rolling down the streets, and several passersby had already begun to help pick them up.

“I’m so so sorry,” Celestia apologized immediately, helping the yellow earth pony up. “I’ll pay for the apples I damaged-”

“No need,” The mare smiled. “It’s alright, this is only one cart out of the twenty I have to transport. If you help me move one or two, I’ll consider whatever apples you damaged paid for and yours to keep.”

Luna hurriedly trotted over and helped to pick up the apples too, along with using her magic to lift the cart up for the earth pony mare. “We’ll help you with the carts,” she promised. “It’s my fault for chasing my sister.”

“Say,” The mare raised an eyebrow. “I’ve not seen you ‘round these parts before! You new to Ponyville? Name’s Apple Bloom, of the Apple clan. What’s yours?”

“Luna, and that’s my sister, Celestia,” the apples had all been picked up, and the ponies who had been helping returned to their own business. “By Apple, you mean, you’re a descendant of Knight Applejack?”

“Indeed!” Apple Bloom puffed out her chest proudly. “Our family is all over Equestria. Wait, Luna and Celestia? Aren’t you two the students of Princess Sunset ‘erself?”

Celestia smiled sheepishly. “Yep, that’s us.”

“My word,” Apple Bloom grinned. “You’re less stuck up than the rumors and stories say. Especially since you’re up there with them nobility and all. I’m glad to have run into you. Come with me, I’ll treat ya to lunch if you haven’t had any.”

“No, no, we really couldn’t-” Luna tried to refuse, but Celestia elbowed her.

“Thank you, Miss Bloom,” Celestia smiled. “I’m really sorry about your apples.”

“Nah, they’re all fine,” Apple Bloom examined the apples. “We were lucky, this time. Besides, you’re the personal students of Princess Sunset! I can’t let you come to Ponyville and not experience Apple hospitality - it’d be a shame. And since we’re the caterers for the Summer Sun Celebration and all, might as well let you have an early taste, eh?”

Celestia nodded quickly. “Thank you, again.”

“And don’t call me Miss,” Apple Bloom grinned. “I’m turned twenty-four last month. You’re making me feel old.”

“I’ve always wanted to meet a member of the Apple clan,” Luna said, although she was groaning inwardly. “The stories about Knight Applejack really haven’t been really constant, if you know what I mean. Some say she conquered a dragon, some say she defeated the windigoes. Do you know what she did?” Since she couldn’t start investigating right away, might as well satisfy some of her burning questions.

“Sure do!” Apple Bloom beamed. “Let’s talk along the way, Pa will have my hide if I’m late again.” She hooked up the cart to herself again, before pulling it and moving off at a steady pace.

As they walked, Apple Bloom waved at the ponies they passed by. She was clearly one of the more recognizable ponies in Ponyville. “So, the way the story is passed down in my family,” she began. “She was one of the six heroes of the old Equestria. The story got garbled over the centuries, but it had something to do with a Tree of...Harmony, if I recall it correctly.”

“Was that before or after she introduced Earth Pony Magic to Equestria?” Luna asked eagerly, her scholarly side flaring up.

Apple Bloom chuckled, her eyes shining with mirth. “You really want to know, don’t you? Well, as I hear it, she planted the tree with the other five after the spreading of our magic. Legends say she founded Ponyville near the tree, so that she could keep an eye on it. Don’t take it to heart, though; the Tree of Harmony has never been found. I suppose you know them legends of the Elements of Harmony?”

“Yep,” Luna nodded fervently. “Legends say they were used in times of great peril to defeat the evils of that time. Their origins were never known, although some ponies speculated that they came from a seed planted by the Six.” Celestia repressed a giggle at the way her sister was nerding out.

“Well, Pa told me that they came from the Tree of Harmony,” Apple Bloom shrugged. “Don’t know if that’s true, but that’s how my family remembers it. Though, if the stories are true, the reason why we can’t find the tree…”

Luna tilted her head. “What is the reason?”

“Is because the Tree is deep in the Everfree Forest.”

Chapter 5 - A Life of Chaos

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 5 - A Life of Chaos

Celestia peered through the trees, before glancing up at the thick tree cover. The shadows loomed, even though it was almost noon. In the distance, she could hear birds cawing. Though…they didn’t sound like normal birds.

“You sure this a good idea, Luna?” She turned to her sister. “Doesn’t seem safe.”

“You heard Miss Bloom,” Luna lit up her horn, lighting up the darker areas around them. “The Tree of Harmony’s in the Everfree Forest. If we can find it, we can retrieve the Elements of Harmony and prevent whatever’s about to happen.”

“This isn’t a good idea,” Philomena insisted from Celestia’s back. “Too much chaos magic here. Your magic isn’t going to work properly. My magic sight is starting to fade, and even now I can only see a few ebbs.”

Luna hesitated. “We only have a day left before whatever’s supposed to happen, happens,” she murmured. “We’ve gotten no further in discovering what’s plotting against Equestria, and our ice cream break with Discord yielded nothing more.”

“So we risk it for the biscuit,” Celestia summarised. “And head into the Everfree to try and find the greatest weapon Equestria has ever had.”

“The Six had a perfectly good reason to plant the Tree in the Everfree,” Philomena protested. “They didn’t want it to be found. There’s bound to be something preventing us from just taking the Elements away from the Tree.”

“That’s just it,” Luna turned to Philomena. “Why would the Six, whose ranks included Starlight Glimmer, the greatest mind, and the most powerful mage after Princess Twilight to exist, choose to plant the Tree of Harmony in a place like this? I doubt they wanted to make it so difficult that they themselves wouldn’t be able to retrieve the Elements. No, I think the Forest grew after they planted the seed.”

“You actually might be right,” the phoenix admitted. “The Tree is over a thousand years old. The magic here is…younger. I don’t know how I know that, so don’t ask.”

“If we’re going to do something,” Celestia rolled her eyes. “We better do it now. Four hours in, four hours out. We’re not staying past sunset. You heard what Discord said last night - the creatures are getting skittish and more agitated. They’re more likely to attack us now than ever before.”

“Fine,” Philomena grumbled. “But if we get into trouble and need someone to bail us out, I’m blaming Luna.”

“About that,” Luna looked sheepish. “Mena, I need you to head back to the library and wait for us. If we don’t come back in eight hours, I need you to be out there and able to send a letter to Princess Sunset to come and get us.”

“For once, a sensible plan,” Philomena nodded. “I’ll see you back in eight hours, no more. Don’t disappear on me, will you? Mother would never let me hear the end of it.”

“Of course,” Celestia promised.

“Good luck!” Philomena said, before she lifted up into the air and flew back in the direction of Ponyville.

“Truth be told, I think she’s relieved to get out of here,” Celestia snickered as soon as Philomena was out of sight. “Remember her fear of the dark?”

Luna rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Bit ironic for a bird that can literally glow in the dark with fire whenever she wants. Eh. You got the supplies?”

Celestia lifted a bag full of apple goodies that they had gotten from the Apple Family the day before. “Yeah. Wouldn’t forget it for the world.”

“Oh, those ponies could cook,” Luna smiled at the memory of the lunch they had eaten at Sweet Apple Acres. “Gah, we should suggest them to Princess Sunset the next time she needs a caterer for a banquet or something.”

“Perhaps,” Celestia grinned. “Off we go then.” With that, the two sisters plunged into the forest side by side.

Discord sipped at his Everfree coffee, relaxing on the old and battered couch he had found in the ruined cottage.

Long ago, when he had initially gone on the run, he had discovered this old gal, sitting in the deepest corner of the Everfree Forest. It was close to the greatest source of Harmony he had ever felt before, but that was fine. He was only half-draconequus, the Harmony magic wouldn’t affect him.

He had investigated, initially. Who had been this crazy to live in the middle of the Everfree? He had found signs that it had been a pegasus, with several pale yellow feathers left on the ground. He had also found a torn photograph that showed only a rabbit and bear in it, and what looked to be the cottage in its prime. Though, at the edges, if you looked carefully, you could see the tip of a yellow wing.

The occupant had vacated a long time ago. In a haste, too. There were still clothes strewn all over the place, along with a moldy half-open briefcase left on a bed. The owner of the cottage had left without their belongings.

Discord’s interest had piqued at that point. All the signs pointed to a pegasus who had lived a rather interesting life. Digging further into the cottage, he had found faded letters, bags of what looked to be seeds, although he couldn’t be sure, they were too old to tell properly.

He had read the letters. Piecing words together, he found that they were from well-meaning friends who had been inquiring as to the recipient’s mental wellbeing, living alone far away from civilization. In one of the letters, the hoofwriting was neat and orderly, he noted, similar to the uppity nobles at Canterlot. That and there was a seal of some noble house left at the bottom of the letter.

Discord sighed as he put the cup down. He would have dearly liked to meet the owner of the cottage. But that wasn’t possible now. The dates on the letters were over a thousand years ago, the pegasus who lived there was surely dead by now, struck down by old age.

Although, he mused, time travel was still an option. He groaned and pushed away from the idea almost immediately as it came. Discord had learned his lesson messing with chaos magic and time. They never mixed. And if he attempted it, he would have more Royal Guards chasing after him than he already had.

Speaking of royal… he suspected the arrival of Princess Sunset to the forest to be imminent. The aura that had been radiating in the Forest, causing the creatures to be skittish…he recognized it. Memories of the stories his parents told him floated unbidden to his mind. Stories of the First Draconequus, and the princess who had helped him fall in love with a yellow pegasus.

Princess Twilight. The princess who had disappeared a thousand years ago. Discord may have never felt her magic before, but he was sure that the aura that was flooding through the Forest was hers. For who else had such ancient and powerful magic to them? It also had felt a little familiar, the memory of that magic ingrained in his very being, originating all the way to the First.

Discord shivered a little at the thoughts. If the aura was truly Princess Twilight’s, she was twisted beyond belief. The stories his parents had told him were of a kind and benevolent princess who had worked tirelessly to unite Equestria. The aura he felt was filled with hatred and anger, seeking to hurt whoever it could.

A yellow pegasus… he turned his mind to the stories once more. It might have been possible that the said pegasus was the same one who had lived her. There were certainly clues that pointed there, along with trace amounts of chaos magic more ancient than the forest. Discord looked towards the ceiling, gazing at the drawings that had been drawn there.

A drawing of a pegasus and what looked to be a draconequus, holding hooves in the midst of several animals. He recognized a bear, a rabbit, a turtle…was that a manticore? Discord wasn’t sure what these drawings meant.

“Gods,” he muttered to himself. “I’m getting sentimental.” He turned his thoughts to the present.

The two mares he had met in Ponyville. Luna and Celestia Solaris. Two very curious and interesting mares. He chuckled at a memory of them bickering in the library as he watched through a window. They had assumed that he had left, but he was just watching.

They interested him more than the previous owner of the cottage. Celestia had a phoenix with her, and the only phoenix he had heard of before going on the run was the phoenix that belonged to Princess Sunset. Radiant Flamefeather, She Who Watched. He had never seen Radiant with his own eyes before, but he knew that the phoenix he saw wasn’t her. Radiant was much older.

So he had assumed that it was the spawn of the ancient phoenix. Celestia must have been important, then, for a phoenix to choose to hatch for her. Luna, on the other hand… he didn’t know who she was past the fact that she was Princess Sunset’s chosen student, along with her sister. Discord didn’t like not knowing. He didn’t like being in the dark.

So he had introduced himself. Talked to them. They proved more curious than he originally had anticipated, immediately drawing conclusions from the statements he slipped out and asking him about them. Clever mares. He had vacated the area then. If the aura he felt was truly Princess Twilight, he didn’t want to incur her wrath.

That night, they met for ice cream. He kept his guard up, and remained evasive for every question they asked him about the Forest. They had new information. Stories about the Tree of Harmony. Stories about Knight Applejack. He concluded that they had met one of the Apples who were currently residing in Ponyville.

They were good company, though. Having not chatted to ponies for a long time, Discord felt himself yearning for their company, even though he had only left them for, what, half a day? Discord groaned to himself.

“Getting attached to ponies who could easily turn you into the princess,” he muttered, snapping his fingers and summoning a newspaper from a few years before. “Not a good idea, Discord.” He looked at the front page, where Princess Sunset was captured in a photograph addressing a crowd. Beside her were a younger Celestia and Luna, who clearly didn’t want to be there.

‘Princess Sunset introduces her students!’ the headlines screamed. He read the article in question. They had both been extremely young when chosen to be the Princess’s students. Interesting. They must have had talent and skill for that to happen.

His ears twisted around. Setting down the newspaper, he turned to look out of the window. Something was going on in the forest. Enhancing his hearing with a snap of his fingers, he listened carefully. Shouting. Roars. Familiar voices.

His eyes widened. The two mares. Luna and Celestia. He cursed. He told them to stay out of the Forest! And yet…they had come investigating. He could hear the roars of a chimera. Ugh. Jake. He stretched and stood up. Time to intervene. He couldn’t have the lives of two innocent souls on his conscience. Snapping his fingers, he teleported to the scene.

As the chimera attacked the sisters, Luna was reminded of Discord warning them the night before not to go into the Forest without him. Now she regretted not listening to him.

"I can't," Luna grunted as the chimera slammed into her shield again, before reeling off. "hold the shield for long! Something's interfering with my magic!"

"Luna, watch out!" Celestia cried as the chimera spun around, the goat head now squarely facing them. The goat opened its mouth, and flames came rushing out in a gush, licking away at the shield.

Luna grunted as her hooves dug into the dirt. "I'm almost out of mana," she whispered. "Celestia, run."

"I'm not going to leave you!" Celestia retorted.

"It was my idea to come to the Everfree," Luna was drenched in sweat as she struggled to hold the shield. "I'll take responsibility."

"Luna-" before Celestia could finish her sentence, a mismatch of limbs suddenly appeared, before something brown wrapped around them. As it did so, everything went black.

When the world regained color again, the two sisters were dumped unceremoniously on a wooden floor.

"What were you thinking?" A familiar draconequus leaned into their vision. "I said the creatures were more agitated than usual! I know I'm fun and ponies always want to visit me, but you could have called first-"

Luna was never more happy to see a draconequus. "Discord!" she exclaimed.

“Yes, yes, that’s my name,” Discord grumbled. “Don’t wear it out. Why didn’t you listen to me?”

“We were trying to find something,” Luna admitted.

“Find what?” Discord tilted his head, his eyes unblinking. However, Luna detected a hint of uneasiness in there.

“We’re looking for the Tree of Harmony.”

Chapter 6 - A Destiny Unwound

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 6 - A Destiny Unwound

Discord stared at Luna. “The Tree of Harmony,” he repeated. “The legendary tree which, in all accounts, has never been seen before. Yes, I know where that is. Would you like me to get you dessert while I bring you there?”

Luna blinked in surprise. “You know where it is?”

“Always have,” he grumbled, snapping his fingers and summoning a cup of coffee to his hands. Taking a sip, he continued. “I live in the Everfree, and I’m a draconequus. I can sense large sources of Harmony magic. However, the only reason I’m willing to bring you there is that…well, you’ll see for yourself. Brace.” He raised his hand, and snapped once more.

They teleported to a dark cave. Luna lit up her horn, trying to see around her. Her magic spluttered once, twice, before fading entirely. Celestia glanced her way, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness. “I don’t understand,” Luna said, worry creeping into her voice. “That’s the first time my magic just failed like that.”

“It’s not your fault,” Discord snapped his fingers, and a burning torch appeared in his hands. “This may be the largest source of Harmony magic in existence, but it is also the largest source of Chaos magic in existence. This is the final resting place of my ancestor, the First.” He shone the light in front of them, where a mass of vines and vegetation filled the cave.

“The Tree of Harmony is behind that,” Celestia guessed.

“Ding ding ding!” Discord clapped as streamers and party balloons fell down, before shortly disappearing. “Give the pegasus a prize!”

“Mayhem died here,” Luna repeated. “The Mayhem. The First draconequus to exist. He Who Defeated Order-”

“No need to invoke him,” Discord groaned. “He’s well and truly gone. Faded away. Even immortals have their limits. However, his magic still remains. Even I can’t break through it. Still, he left something behind. Let me show you.” He proceeded forwards, heading for the vines.

“Be careful, Discord,” Celestia called out. “Mayhem was unpredictable, even after-”

“I know what I’m doing,” the draconequus grumbled. “I’ve done this before.” Once he reached the mass of vines, he touched them. As soon as he did that, he teleported away immediately to Celestia and Luna. And not a moment too soon. The vines grabbed for Discord, trying to wrap around the intruder.

“Intruder!” A voice boomed in the cavern. “You trespass on the holy ground of the Tree of Harmony! I may be dead and gone, but I will stop anyone who tries to get past me! My beloved set this last task for me - to protect the Elements of Harmony. The only way you’re getting them is the Bearer of Magic comes to take them. Otherwise…you’re not getting anything from me.”

And then, all was silent as the vines resettled.

“That happens,” Discord said finally after a few seconds of silence. “Mayhem left a recording before he faded into nonexistence. Oh, and give it a second.”

“And if this is Discord,” the voice said again. “Don’t help them. The right one will know what to do when the time comes.”

“Mayhem knows you?” Celestia looked at Discord.

Discord’s brow furrowed. “I doubt it. He probably just peered into the future and tried to seem all mysterious and clever. I’m most likely the only one who’s made it this far. There are several traps behind us, set by a pony of every tribe. They knew what they were doing. Oh, don’t worry. The traps won’t hurt you. They just teleport you all the way into a jail cell in Canterlot.”

“A jail cell in Canterlot,” Luna said dryly. “So the Legendary Six set these traps.”

“That seems most likely,” Discord agreed. “So, now that you know it’s a lost cause…”

Luna looked longingly at the mass of vines. “Are you sure there isn’t a way to get through that?”

“I’m sorry,” Discord glanced at her apologetically. “I’ve tried, many times. Regular magic doesn’t even work in this place.”

“We should get out of here,” Celestia muttered, pawing at the ground nervously. “This place is giving me the heebie-jeebies. If this is really where Mayhem faded away… it feels wrong, just lingering in an area where a living being took their final breaths.”

“I’ll get you back to the library,” Discord sighed. “Please don’t wander into the forest again. I expended most of my magic today teleporting as much as I did. I don’t have an unlimited supply of chaos magic, I’m only half-draconequus.”

“Fine,” Luna grudgingly agreed. “But what if you’re with us?”

“Then it’ll be fine!” Discord grinned. “Hey, want a fun trip back?”

“Fun-? What do you MEANNNN-” Luna screamed as her body dissolved before her very eyes, turning into bubbles and moisture. Her voice cut off as her mouth, too, dissolved into bubbles. The last thing she saw was Celestia receiving the same treatment, before the both of them were, for the lack of a better word, launched into the sky and towards the library.

The two of them landed down in front of the tree, back to their normal selves again. “AAAAAAAAAH-” Luna’s voice returned and she screamed for a good second before she realized where she was. “Oh.”

“Never again,” Celestia grumbled as she straightened up. “Hello, who’s this?” In front of them stood a pale grey unicorn looking at them curiously.

“Salutations,” the unicorn dipped his head in greetings. “My name is Sombra. I am Ponyville’s resident jeweler. I have come to see if the book I put in a request for the week prior has arrived. And you two are?”

“My name is Celestia,” Celestia introduced herself. “And this my sister, Luna-”

“Solaris?” Sombra raised an eyebrow. “I never expected the two personal students of Princess Sunset herself to have a need to visit a library in such a small town. I would expect that the Canterlot Archives have everything you’d ever need.”

“Oh, it’s not what you think,” Luna explained as she opened the library’s doors. “We’ve come to Ponyville to stay for a bit, and a friend of ours arranged for us to stay here for the time being as the previous librarian was retiring. We’re just here as the temporary caretakers.”

“Is that so?” Sombra gave a small smile. “Welcome to Ponyville, then. I hope you’ll find us hospitable and welcoming. And hello, is that a phoenix?” He had caught sight of Philomena snoring away on a perch.

“How does she even stay upright?” Celestia muttered. “Mena, wake up!” The phoenix squawked in surprise, ruffling her feathers and opening her eyes. “We told you to wait for us and send a note out in eight hours, not just fall asleep here!”

“Well, what else was I supposed to do?” Philomena grumbled. “Wait for eight hours? Besides, it’s only been three-” her eyes widened as the cogs in her head turned. “Wait, why are you back so soon? Did you find the-”

“We did, but we couldn’t bring them back,” Luna answered regretfully. “But not now. We have a guest.”

“Oh, go on,” Sombra called out by one of the shelves. “I was just checking out if the book I needed arrived before ol’ Glasses retired.”

“And which book is that?” Luna trotted over.

“I’m looking for The Reckoning by Pale Flames,” Sombra answered.

“Pale Flames?” Celestia whispered to Luna. “Isn’t that Princess Sunset’s alias for her writing projects? What a small world, eh?”

“The Reckoning?” Luna frowned. “I know Pale Flames. I respect her works. But I’ve never heard of this particular story.”

“Oh, it’s a new one,” Sombra explained. “Published just two months ago. Long enough for it to have been sent to the libraries after the initial sales. My cousin was kind enough to lend it to me to read, but she took it back when she returned to the Crystal Empire.”

“The Crystal Empire?” Celestia turned to Sombra so fast, she almost got whiplash. “Your cousin’s a citizen of the Crystal Empire?”

“I’m one too, technically,” Sombra admitted. “But the Empress’s policies were a little…stifling, to say the least. I decided to relocate to Equestria, since I heard that even though Princess Sunset was older than Empress Heart, she gave her government more space to maneuver and her citizens more freedom to govern themselves.”

“Yeah, Princess Sunset doesn’t like Empress Flurry Heart that much either-” Luna’s magic clamped down on Celestia’s mouth.

“I don’t particularly care, Miss Solaris,” Sombra said, noticing the scene. “The Empress shut down my business in the Empire under the pretext of me selling Class C items, when I was clearly selling Class E crystals. She most likely heard about me calling her a tyrant and decided to prove me right.”

Luna let go of Celestia’s mouth. “Princess Sunset never told us why they had a grudge against each other,” Celestia said, glaring at Luna. “All I know is that it has something to with the Six and the old Empress, Empress Mi Amore Cadenza. She was Empress Heart’s mother, wasn’t she?”

“That’s right,” Sombra confirmed. “Mi Amore Cadenza disappeared a decade after Princess Twilight. It was a dark time, all things considered. Prince Consort Shining Armor dying, then the disappearance of a beloved Empress before the subsequent disappearance of the Six. Princess Sunset also was out of the public eye for that period of time.”

“Anyways,” Luna changed the subject as she grabbed a manifest of the books in the library. “I think your book’s in, Sombra. Shelf C4, third from the right. The Reckoning, right? I still find it strange I never heard of it. I’m an avid fan of Pale Flames. What’s the book even about?”

“It’s about two princesses and a disagreement,” Sombra said as he levitated the said book down from the shelf. “It’s a prequel to some of her other works. I believe she based it off on an old mare’s tale - The Nightmare Midnight. If you want, there’s a very good paragraph at the end of the book that gives you a bit of context. Here.” He put the book down on the nearest table.

Luna flipped open the book to the last page, where there was indeed a poem-like paragraph. “The Nightmare Midnight?” Luna asked as she scanned the words. “Isn’t that the legend where a dark alicorn named Midnight attempted to take all the knowledge Equestria had?”

“I believe so, yes,” Sombra answered as Celestia rolled her eyes at the two bookworms. “Pale Flames uses the legend in the story. The paragraph at the end is essentially a summarization of the story she wrote. How about you read it out loud for your sister who seems to be trying to sneak away?” Luna looked up and saw Celestia’s front hoof on the staircase.

“Seriously, Celestia?” Luna glared at her. “Trying to go and sleep? We still need to investigate after this!”

“Oh come on,” Celestia complained. “We can’t even sleep tonight! I don’t want to miss the raising of the sun, and neither do I want to miss my sleep. It’s just a few books, it’s not as if they can use books to take over the world. I’m sure they’ll wait for me to have my sleep.”

“Whatever,” Luna grumbled. “Go ahead and get your beauty sleep. Don’t let me tell you told you so when the world ends up in flames.”

Sombra tilted his head as Celestia practically skipped upstairs to the bedrooms. “You two have a unique relationship.”

“Don’t remind me,” Luna rolled her eyes. “She’s too playful. Anyways, to the blurb.” She cleared her throat as she began reading it out loud for the benefit of Philomena, who, unlike Celestia, was paying attention.

“There were once two princesses who fell in love. The two of them worked tirelessly to unite the world, and to bring peace to those they loved. One of them brought light to the world, offering the ponies protection along with material wealth and gifts. The other brought knowledge, magic, and the stars.” Luna frowned as she noticed a small spelling error, before shrugging.

“They were then known as the Herald of the Light and the Keeper of Knowledge. However, as the Keeper of Knowledge worked in the shadows, rumors spread about her. That she was unstable, unfit to rule. She grew resentful of her beloved. She fell to the darkness, before vowing to take back everything she gave the ponies. The Herald had no choice but to stop her. She banished the Keeper to the moon to save her ponies.”

“However, it is said that the Keeper will return on the thousandth year of her banishment to take back what is hers. The world is not safe yet. The story continues in The Broken Crystal.” Luna finished. “That… sounds eerily like the legend itself, but with more expansion.”

Philomena flew over. “Luna,” she said as she landed on the table. “The Keeper vowed to take back everything she gave the ponies. She gave the ponies knowledge, magic, and the stars. And right now, books are going missing. Aren’t books technically knowledge?”

“Non-fiction books, yes,” Luna said, before pausing. “Wait. All the books that have gone missing are non-fiction.”

“And Mother once told me that Princess Sunset was once called the Herald of the Light,” Philomena murmured. “What if-”

“What if Princess Twilight is the Nightmare Midnight?” Luna finished for Philomena. “And that was the reason she disappeared? That she was banished by Princess Sunset?”

“Wait, hold on a moment,” Sombra interrupted. “You can’t be taking a legend seriously, can you? I know about the missing books. They’ve been going missing for a while now, but Ponyville found out why. The changelings just wanted to read a little, and they didn’t get library cards and borrowing times, so they just took the books.”

“Not in Canterlot, though,” Luna refuted. “They said dark shadows took the books. Along with cloaked figures.”

“Could be just Canterlot,” Sombra offered.

“No,” Luna murmured. “You need a little context. Pale Flames is Princess Sunset’s alias for her to publish books independently.”

“I see,” Sombra considered the new information.

“Wait, why am I telling you all this?” Luna blinked. “I didn’t intend to-”

“If it’s a secret, it’s safe with me,” Sombra promised. “I do like a good mystery. I still think that the cause of this isn’t a legend, but if you ever need my help just head over to my shop. I’ll help with whatever you need. After all, books going missing is serious.”

“Thank you, Sombra,” Luna nodded as she closed the book. “You want to check this out now?”

“Nah,” Sombra shook his head. “You seem more interested than me at the moment. I’ll come to get it in a week. That should give you enough time to finish reading the book.”

“It should,” Luna agreed. “It’s been really nice talking to you, Sombra. Thank you so much for letting me read it - it’s really generous of you to do so, since you’ve waited a while for it. You sure you don’t want it first?”

“I waited for a whole month already,” Sombra smiled warmly. “A week more won’t do me any harm. Anyways, is that the time?” He looked at the clock, which showed the time as four in the afternoon. “I really have to get back to my shop. I have someone coming in fifteen minutes.”

“Don’t let us keep you,” Luna nodded. “See you in a while, Sombra!”

“Goodbye, Miss Solaris,” Sombra called out as he left.

“Call me Luna!” Luna yelled after him, before immediately turning to Philomena. “Mena, we need to send a letter to Princess Sunset.”

“Write it, then,” Philomena urged. “I’ll send it when you’re ready.”

Luna quickly scribbled on a piece of parchment all that they had found so far, including the cavern where the Tree of Harmony resided. After a thought, she left Discord out of the letter. She then left a question at the bottom, asking whether the legend was true. She rolled up the parchment, before tying it up with a ribbon. “There.”

Philomena lit up in an iridescent flame, before directing some of the fire at the letter. It burned up immediately, but it didn’t leave any ashes behind. Smoke traveled up, before shooting out of the window. Luna stared after the smoke for a few minutes, before sitting down on the couch.

“We should get a reply soon-” Philomena spat out a column of flame, which solidified into another tied-up parchment. “Oh.” Luna stared at the reply. “That was fast.”

Luna unfurled the parchment, reading the letter. She blanched at the end of it.

My beloved student, you are looking too far into a simple clerical issue. I have dispatched a few ponies to settle the issue already. Nevertheless, since you are in Ponyville already, I would like you to do me a favor. I have an urgent matter I must see to and will not be able to arrive until an hour before sunrise. I was supposed to receive the leaders of the other kingdoms, but I am now unable to. If you could, I would ask you to help me receive two, or perhaps three delegations. Empress Heart of the Crystal Empire’s, and King Truford of the centaurs. Queen Arach of the changelings may be arriving with them too, but it is unlikely as she wishes to discuss with me some matters. Her delegation will be there, however. I am told her daughter will be part of it. If you would do this for me, I would be eternally grateful. They arrive at sunset at the train station. Yours Sincerely, Your Mentor, Princess Sunset.

“A clerical issue?” Luna spluttered. “We have eyewitness accounts of-”

“That doesn’t even matter now,” Philomena groaned as she read the letter. “We have to entertain Empress Heart. King Truford isn’t too bad, but the Empress really can be a clawful. Please tell me that Mother is coming, at least. She knows how to handle the Empress.”

“Don’t think so,” Luna sighed. “Well, there goes our investigations. Wait, did the letter say Queen Arach’s daughter? Isn’t that Chryssy?”

Philomena shrugged as well as she could. “Should be. At least we get along with her, eh?”

“Mm,” Luna agreed. “Sunset, eh? We have three hours. I’m beginning to think Celestia had the right idea,” she yawned. “I’m gonna take a nap. Wake me up in two and a half, Mena.” She collapsed onto the couch, before promptly snoring.

Luna blinked. Her head throbbed. But at the same time, it didn’t hurt. She frowned.

“Mayhem,” A yellow pegasus stepped in front of Luna as her world formed with colors. They were in a cavern, with a giant crystalline tree at the end of it. “Please.”

“How can I not worry?” A draconequus demanded. “You’re facing a literal alicorn, and you’re forbidding me to interfere. Fluttershy, you need my help for this!” Luna’s eyes widened at the name. One of the Six.

“That doesn’t matter,” Fluttershy whispered. “I need your help for something far more important.”

“The Elements,” Mayhem grumbled. “You want me to protect them when you’re gone.”

“I need you to,” Fluttershy corrected gently. “The Princess can’t. She’s grieving too much.”

“Then she needs to get over it!” Mayhem snapped. “She’s the ruler of the country, and she can’t even get her giant butt off her ‘cry me a river’ pity party. She’s gone, get over it! I respect and like Sparkle, but she disappeared! It’s not like grieving for ten years will help Shimmer-”

“Mayhem.”

Mayhem sighed. “Fine. I will protect the Elements until you return.”

“No,” Fluttershy whispered. “We won’t be coming back.”

“You what now?” Mayhem bellowed, before recomposing himself. “I can’t live without you! If you go, I’ll wreak chaos on the world again!”

“Don’t you dare,” Fluttershy leveled a glare at Mayhem, making the draconequus wilt slightly under the angry gaze. Luna blinked in surprise at the scene. “You will not do anything of the sorts. You gave me your promise twenty years ago you would never try to rule the world again.”

“I did,” Mayhem admitted sadly. “I…”

“I have no right to ask this of you,” Fluttershy whispered, wrapping her hooves around Mayhem. “But you’re the only one who can.”

“Fine.” Mayhem grumbled. “Bit of the irony, though. Chaos, protecting Harmony.”

“There will come a day when new Bearers will be chosen,” Fluttershy murmured. “The Princesses cannot wield them anymore. You’ll need to leave a contingency plan for that. We both know-” she hesitated. “You won’t last centuries without chaos. Our children are already tapping into your magic source.”

“It is their birthright,” Mayhem whispered. “I will plan accordingly, Flutters. But promise me. Promise me you won’t die.”

“I promise,” Fluttershy whispered. “How about one last tea party?” Mayhem nodded.

The scene shifted. Now, Mayhem was alone. He seemed to have been crying at some point. He glared at the crystalline tree. “It’s your fault, Harmony. Your fault I lost her.”

He sighed, relenting. “But I made her a promise. You will have my protection. I can sense my magic fading, the source being overtaken by my own children. Very soon, I won’t be able to perform at my full capability.”

He lifted his hand and looked at it sadly. “One last snap. One last one, to protect the world.” Mayhem snapped.

As he did so, runes floated in front of him, forming into a sequence Luna quickly deciphered using her memory.

“Magic. Honesty. Loyalty. Kindness. Laughter. Generosity.” Luna read. “Open only to Magic.” As she read aloud, Mayhem curled up into a ball onto the ground. He closed his eyes as the runes lit up. Vines grew from his very body. The whole cavern starting filling with vines.

As the vines covered Mayhem’s face, he suddenly stared straight at Luna, opening his eyes. “You’ll know what to do, Luna Solaris.” His face split into a grin at Luna’s shocked expression. “Sparkle won’t like me messing with her realm, but it had to be done. Rely on your friends, both old and new. You’ll know what to do.”

“Wha-” Luna began, but she paused when she didn’t hear herself.

Mayhem rolled his eyes. “Ugh. The dream is ending.” His face was almost entirely covered. “Good luck, Luna Solaris. Quick tip, the Elements are gems. You’ll need an expert on them. For now…” he smiled and closed his eyes. “As the writer would say-”

Luna woke up.

Interlude - The Frozen Heart and the Heart of Darkness

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Interlude - The Frozen Heart and the Heart of Darkness

Sunset waited.

As the sun edged towards the horizon, she let out a sigh. She straightened up, looking towards where she would bring the moon up. Once she raised the moon… Twilight would return.

No, not Twilight. Sunset let out an involuntary growl at the memory of that… monster. She would save Twilight. She would bring her beloved out of the monster’s clutches. Radiant told her that her plan was going well. Luna was in Ponyville, and she had already begun making new friends. Her spells on the cavern where the Tree of Harmony had resided had alerted her to Luna’s presence.

Luna and Celestia were two of the six Bearers, she was sure of it. Luna’s magical ability and intelligence made her the perfect Bearer for Magic. Celestia was most likely Loyalty, for Philomena had hatched for her. The other four…she was uncertain. She was leaving a lot up to chance.

The sun inched closer to the horizon. With every second, twilight was drawing closer. The irony. She had banished Twilight at twilight. Sunset allowed herself a dry chuckle. The universe seemed to be laughing at them.

Suddenly, she heard the familiar sound of wings flapping. Someone was here. Sunset turned her gaze up to the sky, and her expression hardened at who she saw.

“Sunset,” Flurry Heart greeted as she landed. “Fancy seeing you here.” She had a guarded tone and expression, Sunset noticed. Flurry was still mad at her.

“Flurry,” Sunset replied curtly. “You should go. Shouldn’t you be in Ponyville? I have already sent my student to receive you and your delegation.”

“Cut the crap,” Flurry snapped as her lips pulled back in a thinly-veiled snarl. “I know what you’re doing here. Aunt Twilight’s disappearance a thousand years ago exactly, along with the legends you’ve been spreading. She’s coming back, isn’t she?”

“You have your duties as the Empress of the Crystal Empire,” Sunset said, ignoring the question and avoiding eye contact. “Your ponies will worry where you’ve gone.”

“I got my daughter, Snowfall, to go in my stead,” Flurry stared at her, anger burning in her eyes.

“I am impressed you can continue to do what you do, century after century,” Sunset said conversationally. “Adopting one filly, or a colt every generation. I cannot fathom how you deal with the stress and grief after each’s passing.”

Flurry growled. “I do it, because they don’t have a family to go home to. They don’t have their parents. They don’t have relatives. I do it because I can’t have foals. Is it not reason enough for you?”

Sunset sighed. “I’m really sorry for what happened to Cadance, Flurry. If I had just-”

“If you had just gotten yourself out of your ten-year funk,” Flurry yelled. “You would have saved my mother! You left everything behind for a decade, just because you couldn’t live with yourself!”

“I know,” Sunset whispered. “And I will make it right. As soon as Twilight comes back to take the throne instead of me.”

That gave Flurry pause. “You would give up the throne.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.

“I don’t deserve to rule,” Sunset murmured. “I made so many rash decisions, so many horrible mistakes. Without her by my side, I feel lost. I barely managed to hold on these thousand years. Even now, I send my student who is barely of age to face the greatest mage both of us ever knew.”

“An entire eon, and you kept your mouth shut about the details of what happened to Aunt Twilight,” Flurry paced on the hill. “You told me she disappeared. But I know now you banished her. What caused her to go in such a fury you had to choose that?”

“She felt neglected,” Sunset looked to the skies. The sun was almost at the horizon. “Every alicorn has a dark side, one that whispers to them in their darkest times. I’m sure you’ve heard the whispers before.”

“I have,” Flurry admitted. “It was when…Dad died.” She swallowed. “I miss him, still. I miss Mom.”

“You were thrust into the role of Empress at such a young age,” Sunset whispered. “I am to blame. If only I had not locked myself away, kept myself hidden, I could have comforted Cadance. I could have kept her from going mad with grief. Twilight could have helped if I didn’t neglect her.”

Flurry’s eyes finally softened at the genuine display of guilt and grief. “Sunset,” she whispered. “I’m also sorry. Sorry that we’ve been at odds with each other for the last eon when we could have been working together to save Aunt Twilight. I don’t forgive you, not completely, but I can try to understand.”

“Thank you,” Sunset let out a breath. “She’ll be here, soon. Once my student saves the mare we both love, we can begin to rebuild. We’ll pull the Six and your mother out of limbo with the Elements of Harmony.”

“The Elements of Harmony,” Flurry repeated. “You’ve found new Bearers?”

“I have found two,” Sunset confirmed. “And they will set in motion the cogs that will draw the other four out. Harmony will find a way. She always has.”

The sky pulsed with a dark aura as the stars suddenly began to move, the moon finally rising above the horizon as the sun went down. Flurry and Sunset both caught a glimpse of an imprint of an alicorn on the surface of the moon, before it was gone.

“So it begins,” Sunset whispered. “Thank you, Flurry, for being here with me.”

“She’s my aunt,” Flurry replied. “How could I not come?”

Sunset never replied. A bolt of green magic slammed into her chest, throwing her off her hooves and sending her sprawling. The air was suddenly filled with buzzing as hundreds of changelings revealed themselves, emerging from bushes or from invisibility.

Flurry’s eyes widened. “What is the meaning of this?!” She demanded, whirling around to try and find the leader of the changelings, which she was sure was in their midst.

“I see,” Sunset murmured from the ground, making no effort to get up. “Twilight, you smart mare.”

“Queen Midnight sends her regards,” Queen Arach stepped out of the mass of changelings. “She will be here soon, Princess.” She said the last word with a slight wince. “I’m sorry it had to be this way.”

“So this is why you insisted on staying in Canterlot until it was time,” Sunset looked Arach in the eye. “You do realize, if you do this, the changelings will be ostracized once this is all over. It’s not too late. You can still-”

“The time for regrets has passed,” a cold but familiar voice said. “My beloved.” A dark purple alicorn landed on the ground, her mane flowing with an insane amount of magic. In it, dotted the stars that she took from the skies. Her eyes were ringed with a brilliant aqua light.

Midnight placed a hoof on Sunset’s chest. “Miss me?” she hissed.

“Aunt?” Flurry breathed from behind Midnight. Midnight’s head snapped to Flurry.

“Restrain my niece,” The dark alicorn ordered. “I don’t want her to do anything foolish she’ll regret. My disagreement is with my beloved alone. She’s suffered enough with the loss of her mother.”

“What-” Flurry began, before a mass of changelings jumped her. When the changelings moved away, Flurry had an inhibitor ring on her horn, along with restraints fitted on her hooves and wings, forcing her to hobble and having limited movement. “Aunt!”

Midnight ignored Flurry as she stared Sunset in the eyes. “You know, I’ve thought about our reunion for a thousand years,” she lowered herself to Sunset. “Fantasized about it. Imagined what I could do to you. I’d kiss you as you screamed in pain. It’s what you deserve after you banish me for a thousand years, after all. I could let you feel what I did for that amount of time.”

“I won’t fight you, Twilight,” Sunset whispered. “Do what you want to me.”

“No, Sunset-” Flurry began, but Midnight’s horn lit up and Flurry spoke no more.

“Don’t make me do anything I’d regret, niece,” Midnight growled. “I wasn’t planning on doing anything to you. You’re family, after all. You’re an alicorn. Your mother would want you to shut up, so that you can stay alive. My quarrel is with her, not you.”

A sword sheath appeared at Midnight’s side. She drew a black sword out of it, the blade humming with pure power. “I could also just kill you with Nova,” she continued. “But I felt that it would be too fast, too painless. But then, I remembered my original goal of why I rebelled against you. To take everything I was owed. To take everything I ever gave to the ponies back.”

“And so, my love,” She leaned in closer to Sunset. “I’m going to take every scrap of knowledge you have in that mind. Every. Single. One.”

Sunset’s eyes widened as she realized the implications of what Midnight was threatening. “No!” she begged. “Twilight, you don’t know what you’re saying! Mind magic is volatile, and messing with memories even more so!”

“I am not Twilight,” Midnight snarled. “I am not that sniveling wretch who loved you unconditionally and never complained. I am not that bookworm, that weak mare who had power but couldn’t take what she wanted. I am Midnight Sparkle. And as I said before you banished me to the moon, I am the Herald of the Stars. I am the Keeper of Knowledge. And most importantly, I am the Alicorn of Magic.”

“I have pushed magic to its very limits,” Midnight grinned. “I think I can figure out a way to take what I need while keeping your sanity intact. I won’t try too hard, though.”

Midnight touched her horn to Sunset’s head. “Ready to defend yourself now?” The dark alicorn gloated. “Come on, I’m about to take every scrap of knowledge you ever had. Every bit of intelligence you have.”

“I won’t fight you, Twilight,” Sunset steeled herself. “Even if you take those, I’ll still be Sunset Shimmer, the mare who fell in love with Twilight Sparkle. I’ll still be who I am.”

“You don’t deserve her love,” Midnight spat. “You neglected her, and took her for granted. I gave her another option, a better one. She’s in a better place now.”

“So you admit you and Twilight are two different entities,” Sunset observed with satisfaction in her voice. “That makes this easier for you to be defeated.”

Midnight’s lips drew back in a snarl. With a deranged scream, her horn lit up along with her eyes as she called upon her magic.

Memories flashed before Sunset’s eyes as Midnight dug into her mind, dragging out whatever she wanted. The time she and Twilight researched how to give the changelings a different source of love together. The time she and Twilight wrote their first book. When she ascended.

An orb appeared beside Midnight, glowing in the dim light. Sunset felt memories leaving her, entering the orb that hovered there. As Midnight pulled more and more scraps out of her mind, she finally screamed with pain as the knife in her mind dug further. She screamed, as her mind burned.

But as Midnight ransacked her mind with glee, she felt Twilight’s subconscious. The mare she still loved was still in there. Twilight’s subconscious was floating in the midst of hate and anger, the two emotions that made up Midnight. It was so small, so tiny. But feeling Twilight…that gave Sunset hope. Hope that it would all be alright.

And as she held on to that hope, she felt more of her knowledge slipping away. She couldn’t even remember the formula they used to create the crystals for the centaurs anymore. She remembered there were crystals, but not how she made them. She remembered the Elements of Harmony, but she couldn’t remember how to deactivate the traps in the cavern.

Suddenly, Midnight kissed her, causing a memory to float unbidden to the forefront of her mind. Her favorite one.

“Looks like we did it,” Sunset grinned as they sat down on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea. “We convinced Mayhem to stand down. Now we can begin rebuilding Equestria.”

Twilight smiled. “We can. You know, you were glorious. I remember you stood in front of our friends, burning with righteous flames, refusing to give Mayhem ground to hurt them. You kept saying to hurt you instead. You were amazing, my love.”

Sunset blushed. “I was just doing what I thought was right.”

Twilight nodded. “And that, is what makes you the mare I love. I have the perfect late gift for you, Sunny.”

Sunset frowned. “What do you mean? You already got me plenty of gifts for the upcoming wedding-”

“Shut up,” Twilight kissed her. Sunset melted into the kiss as her insides screamed with pure joy. Twilight pulled away, judging her. “That felt good,” the lavender alicorn smirked. “Want more?”

Sunset looked at the mare she loved for a good ten seconds, her expression unreadable. Her face split into a grin. “Hell yeah.” They kissed again.

And as Sunset closed her eyes, her mind shutting down, she held onto the memory. She held onto her hope. Her hope, that Twilight could be saved. She held onto her love for Twilight.

Luna, Celestia…I hope you’re ready.

The last thing Sunset saw before she fell unconscious was the glimmering light of the orb that contained all her knowledge and intelligence.

Chapter 7 - A Mother's Love

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 7- A Mother’s Love

Luna woke up to someone shouting her name.

“Luna!” A familiar voice was shouting. It was filled with…fear? The shouting was accompanied by someone knocking on the door with quite a bit of force. “Luna, you there?”

“Who’s…” Celestia came down the stairs, her eyes weary. “Who the heck woke me up?”

Luna frowned as she began to regain her bearings. “Is that…Chryssy?”

“It is!” Celestia rushed over to the door, before yanking it open. “Chryssy-” the changeling princess flitted in immediately, before slamming the door close. “Chryssy, what’s happening?”

“The hive’s gone silent!” Chrysalis looked like she was a wreck. “I’ve been just searching all over Ponyville for the changelings I was supposed to be supervising, and there isn’t a single one left! When I reach into the hivemind, I-I..,” she swallowed. “It was empty!”

“Calm down, Chryssy,” Luna trotted over and guided the trembling changeling to the couch. “I’m sure your mother and the other changelings are fine.”

“The hivemind’s never quiet!” Chrysalis’s wings were vibrating, her eyes flitting from side to side. “Never! This could only happen if, if, they’re all-”

At this moment, Luna’s dream hit her with the force of a carriage. She frowned slightly as she remembered the details, but pushed the dream aside almost immediately. Her friend needed her.

“They’re all what, Chryssy?” Celestia asked gently.

“If my mother closed me off from the hive,” Chrysalis whispered. “Or if they’re all dead.”

“I’m sure there’s a more reasonable answer, Chryssy,” Luna reassured her. “We’re supposed to meet your mother’s delegation at the train station in a few minutes. Maybe they’re there? There could have simply been a mistake that is easy to solve.”

“I suppose,” Chrysalis didn’t stop fidgeting, but her posture relaxed a little.

“How about we go now?” Celestia suggested. “We’ll find out what’s going on at the train station. Set your mind at ease, right?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Luna agreed. “Mena, could you do us a favor and fly ahead first? I’m afraid we might be a little late by the time we arrive, you can help us greet the delegations first. Most of them should recognize you on sight.”

“Fine,” Philomena huffed. “But don’t leave me alone with Empress Frosty too long.” She spread her wings, before flying out of the open window and towards the train station.

“Come on then,” Celestia smiled warmly at Chrysalis. “Let’s catch up on what happened the last few days, yeah?”

Chrysalis nodded and stood up from the couch. Luna exited first, before being followed by Chrysalis and Celestia. Celestia shut the door behind them, before promptly locking it.

“I’ve been just checking in with the arrangements of the Summer Sun Celebration,” Chrysalis said as she glanced around them nervously. “Decorations are perfect, catering is amazing and filled with love, weather is completely clear.”

“Talking about the weather,” Luna peered upwards. “Is it just me, or is the sky purple? The stars are gone too, by the way.”

“That is weird,” Celestia looked up. “Probably because the sun is still setting? I’m not sure, honestly.”

“Anyways,” Luna shrugged. “We’ve been just talking to the locals, asking if they saw anything weird. Disappearing books, and all that. Turns out the only thing they noticed were the changelings acting jittery.”

“I noticed that too,” Chrysalis murmured. “At first, I thought it was just something about my strained relationship with my mother, they can notice when the two highest changelings in the system are at odds, but they assured me it wasn’t that.”

“Then did they tell you what it was?” A familiar voice could be heard from above them. Luna looked up, before sighing.

“Discord, if you’re trying to hide from the Royal Guards, you’re doing a horrible job,” Luna pointed out. “You’re floating above us not even in disguise.”

“Pft,” Discord shrugged. “Doesn’t matter anymore. Something’s happening, every single guard in Equestria has been ordered to stand down and go home to their families for the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“And they can’t arrest you while off-duty,” Luna completed the thought. “So you’re basically safe for now until they get back on duty.”

“That’s exactly right!” Discord beamed. “Plus, even if they do know I’m here, none of them dare to enter the Everfree Forest, anyways. With the exception of their Captain. Silent Shield seems to be decently brave. Anyways, my question wasn’t answered.”

Chrysalis stared at Discord. “Your emotions,” Chrysalis tilted her head. “They’re all jumbled. I can sense a few, but they’re all messed up. There’s like some kind of magic just screwing with them. I can sense love and happiness at the forefront, but all of your negative emotions seem to be buried somewhere under…” she frowned. “Cotton candy?”

“Look, this is why draconequui and changelings rarely meet,” Discord shrugged. “Our emotions are weird. I don’t think any of you could get even a proper meal of our emotions.”

“That much is true,” Chrysalis agreed. “I can’t touch whatever love there is in you.”

“So, my question,” Discord rubbed his hands. “Did they tell you what the matter was?”

“Not at all,” Chrysalis shook her head. “All I wrung out of them was that something was happening. Like, please, I knew that already!”

“Well, my cousin could help on that matter,” Discord held a banana to his ear. “Yes, hello? Is this Decrypt? Yeah, Discord here. What’s on with the changelings? You have no idea? Alright then.” Discord threw the banana away. “Strike that. My cousin doesn’t know a thing, and he visits your hive the most often.”

“I recognize that name,” Chrysalis said hesitantly. “The draconequus ambassador?”

“Bingo!” Discord grinned as multi-colored streamers fell from nowhere in particular. “We technically don’t have a system for him to be the ambassador, but someone has to keep our relations good enough with the nations so we don’t get banned from everywhere in existence.”

“Why haven’t we seen this Decrypt before, then?” Celestia asked Discord.

“The ponies are a different matter,” Discord grumbled. “You lot rarely like jokes in the form of riddles. My great aunt twice removed, eighteen times thrown out of the family tree, is the one dealing with Princess Sunset. She’s less draconequus and more pony, so it’s easier for her to deal with the order you ponies like so much.”

“We’re here,” Chrysalis said as they arrived at the train platform. “I…don’t see any changelings around.”

“Young Luna!” a voice boomed from their right. Luna turned around just only to get wrapped in a hug from strong arms, nearly crushing her.

“Air…please!” Luna squeaked.

“Apologies, Luna, I was merely excited to see an old acquaintance of mine!” The hugger put her down, and Luna looked up into the face of Scorpan.

“Scorpan!” Luna greeted enthusiastically. “Been a long time, has it not?”

“It has,” the centaur agreed. “The last time we saw each other was…three years ago, yes?”

“Quick question,” Luna looked around them. “Isn’t your father supposed to arrive along with the changeling delegation?”

“Oh, the changelings stayed in Canterlot,” Scorpan shrugged. “The queen wanted to come along with Princess Sunset, citing diplomatic matters to discuss. As for my father, he has fallen ill with a rather annoying sickness and is currently being cared for by your medical experts at Canterlot. Rest assured, you’ll meet him when you return. He intends to stay for a week. But my brother is here! Brother, meet Luna!”

A rather surly centaur made his way towards them.

“Tirek, right?” Chrysalis tapped a hoof on her chin. “I remember you from a visit to the hive.”

“What’s it to you?” Tirek grumbled. “I don’t remember you if that’s what you wanted to know.”

“Brother, that’s rude,” Scorpan chided. “Give her the respect she deserves as a royal, would you? You yourself demand the respect that is needed for your station.”

“I don’t even want to be a prince,” Tirek muttered. “That was Father talking.”

“So the changelings are in Canterlot?” Chrysalis asked.

“Yes,” Scorpan nodded. “They said they would come along soon! Why, is something the matter?”

“Not anymore,” Chrysalis breathed a sigh of relief. “Just some miscommunication, at the most.”

“Where’s Mena and the Crystal Empire delegation?” Celestia wondered. Her answer was answered by a squawk that the sisters recognized as Philomena laughing.

“Well, that’s new,” Luna turned to where the squawk had come from to see Philomena and a snow-white unicorn making their way towards them from another train.

“Princess Snowfall!” Luna exclaimed. “This is a surprise for us!”

“As for me!” Snowfall laughed. “Mother sent me along at the last moment. She normally doesn’t allow me to participate in these events, but she had a last-minute emergency. And since I was in charge of the delegation, I decided to come alone. I do rarely get these moments of privacy, Mother keeps a shadow on me at all times. But since Mother said to listen to whatever I wanted, he had no choice but to stay behind!”

Celestia grinned. “Well, at least it’s you instead of the Empress.”

Snowfall giggled. “She’s not the most pleasant pony to get along with,” she nodded. “But if you know her as I do, at least you’ll see she’s not entirely devoid of love. She’s cared for me well.”

“Anyways,” Luna smiled. “We’re supposed to take you on a tour of what’s been prepared for the celebration after the raising of the sun, but I have completely no idea of what’s been set up.”

“I do,” Chrysalis offered. “I helped supervise the arrangements. Perhaps I could help you with the tour?”

“That sounds splendid!” Scorpan boomed. “It’ll give Tirek a chance to know you all better as well!”

“I can’t wait,” Tirek muttered, rolling his eyes.

Luna nodded, before leading the way with Chrysalis beside her. As they made their way down the road towards Ponyville’s town center, Luna looked up at the sky. It was much darker now, and yet the stars were still not visible. She shivered. Something wasn’t right. Shrugging the feeling off, she sighed. She had work to do before thinking about conspiracy theories. She looked around for Discord, but the draconequus had quietly disappeared.

And yet, as Luna looked towards the sky, she noticed the ever-present silhouette on the moon was missing.

As Celestia laughed at a joke Scorpan cracked, Luna looked worriedly at the curtain that Princess Sunset was supposed to emerge from. According to the schedule, she was supposed to have turned up an hour ago. She never arrived. Luna fidgetted on her seat on the royal balcony, wondering if she should send a letter to the princess.

“Relax,” Celestia nudged Luna with her snout. “I’m sure Princess Sunset is just running late. She’ll be here for the big speech then she’ll raise the sun.”

“I hope so,” Luna muttered. “I can’t shake the feeling something’s wrong. The stars are missing, Princess Sunset is missing, and I haven’t seen a single changeling other than Chryssy.”

“Mother’s here,” Chrysalis said suddenly, perking up. “I feel her somewhere here!”

“See?” Celestia spread her hooves. “Just a few issues with the schedule, that’s all!”

Luna settled back into her seat. “I guess.”

The lights shut off as only two were focussed on the balcony where Princess Sunset would emerge from, and on the mayor who cleared her throat to begin talking.

“Fillies and gentlecolts,” Mayor Mare announced. “As mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!” At that, everypony and everycreature roared and cheered, stomping their respective appendages on the ground. The creatures on the royal box clapped politely, with the exception of Celestia who cheered along with the crowd.

“In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria…” Mayor Mare took a breath.

“...Princess Sunset!” Mayor Mare announced as the curtain was thrown back by an unseen force.

Gasps filled the room as everycreature stared up at the balcony. Luna’s jaw hung open as she leaped out of her seat and ran towards the front of the balcony, Celestia right beside her.

Princess Sunset lay on the balcony, limp and unmoving. Her crown had been crushed and thrown on the ground beside her unmoving body, and her regalia was gone. The princess looked…bare, without her usual regalia on her chest. As everycreature stood in shock, changelings began appearing out of nowhere, floating in the air, appearing at the entrances.

“The bringer of harmony to all of Equestria?” A voice hissed as shadows began to gather in front of the limp body of Princess Sunset. It solidified into a dark purple alicorn, her mane glimmering with power and dotted with stars. Some part of Luna numbly guessed that that was the reason why the stars were gone.

“I beg to differ!” The alicorn shouted as her full form came to bear. “After I was banished,” the alicorn sneered. “She let Equestria forget me. Turned me into a legend. Let the stories fester as only a few nations remembered what I did.”

“Oh no,” Luna whispered. “The legends were right.”

Celestia, for once, had no words.

“I am Midnight Sparkle,” The dark alicorn grinned, her eyes dancing with malice. “The rightful ruler of Equestria! Herald of the Stars, Keeper of Knowledge, and the Alicorn of Magic. Bow before me, or receive the consequences!” At that, the dark alicorn threw her head back, laughing to the skies.

“Mother,” Chrysalis whispered as she looked over the balcony and at the changeling queen who stood silently behind Midnight. “No.” Arach caught Chrysalis’s eye, before subtly shaking her head, sending a message even Luna got.

Do not interfere. It is for your own good.

“Well?” Midnight demanded. “Bow!” At that, Scorpan stood up from his seat.

The centaur stomped forwards to the front of the balcony. “You are no ruler of Equestria,” the prince boomed. “The only other authority ever recorded in history other than Princess Sunset was Princess Twilight. And you may have her titles, but you are certainly not Princess Twilight. You, are a usurper.” At that, his horns lit up as he grew in size, fragments of crystals dropping into the ground as the mana crystals attached to his side were absorbed.

Midnight laughed at the display. “Very well! Thank you for volunteering to be the first example to be made of the creatures who defy my rule!” Her horn lit up, before a spell smashed into Scorpan’s face squarely, causing him to stumble. The dark alicorn wasted no time as an aura surrounded Scorpan, dragging the centaur prince towards her balcony.

“I fought your kind before,” Midnight hissed loud enough for the room to hear. “You, are nothing compared to your ancestors.” As Scorpan struggled in her aura, Midnight’s horn touched his head.

Scorpan screamed as his eyes went blank, streaks of red light flowing from his head and into an orb that suddenly appeared beside the dark alicorn. The crowd in the hall went completely silent as everyone stared up at the writhing centaur in the air. The centaur continued bellowing in pain as more streaks of red light were dragged from his head and into the orb.

Then all was silent as Midnight released her hold on Scorpan, causing him to crash onto the ground as ponies and creatures moved aside hastily to avoid his bulk. Luna looked down at his limp and unmoving body. Whatever Midnight had done… Luna was properly scared for her life for the first time. The orb that floated beside Midnight now shone a dark red color.

“Now that I have your full and undivided attention,” Midnight said with an unconcerned expression on her face. “I will repeat myself. Kneel.” At the command, every single creature in the room except for Queen Arach sank down and onto their knees, including the changelings who were standing at the entrances. The changelings hovering in the air lowered their heads in reverence.

“I am the Keeper of Knowledge,” Midnight looked out over the room. “If anyone displeases me, I will take every inch of knowledge and intelligence you have inside that head of yours. The changelings will begin to take every single non-fiction book in Equestria and bring it to the Canterlot Archives. If you wish to learn, you will go through my new administration, namely, the changelings.”

“The stars will remain with me,” she continued. “You will find your own way without the stars if you are lost. Only my favored creatures will receive my protection from nightmares, and every single noble who had been given their positions by my beloved,” she spat the last word. “Will have their titles revoked.”

“Finally,” Midnight stared straight at Luna and Celestia. “Luna and Celestia Solaris. My beloved’s personal students. You are to take care of her and make sure she does not go insane. You are banished from Canterlot, and you will stay at the library. My niece will help you, but you are not to remove the inhibitor ring on her horn. If you do so, I will know. And I will come and exact the same punishment I exacted on the centaur. Am I understood?”

Luna and Celestia nodded shakily.

At that, Midnight laughed and threw her head up as she dissolved into the shadow. “Long live Midnight!” The alicorn dissolved fully into shadow, and the trail rushed out of the window, heading for Canterlot. The changelings flitted after her, leaving only Queen Arach in the hall, who just stared at Chrysalis.

And then, all was silent for a moment, before the creatures in the hall stampeded out, several of the unicorns teleporting away and the draconequui vanishing in their own unique methods. Before long, the only creatures left in the room were the ones Luna knew.

Snowfall teleported over to Princess Sunset, where Empress Flurry could suddenly be seen crouching over the fallen monarch and trying to pull her up with her hooves, an inhibitor ring glowing on her horn. Chrysalis and Queen Arach vanished in a crescendo of green fire, before reappearing on a separate balcony, surrounded by a bubble of silence.

Tirek jumped over the balcony, rushing towards his brother and crouching over Scorpan, trying to see if his brother had suffered any physical damage. The once surly centaur now had a face filled with rage and worry.

As for Luna and Celestia, the sisters both collapsed into their chairs.

“Banished from Canterlot,” Celestia said hoarsely. “And Princess Sunset doesn’t have a single iota of knowledge or intelligence now.”

“I knew something was going on,” Luna whispered. “I knew something was happening.”

“It doesn’t matter now,” Celestia shook her head. “Are you steady enough to teleport us and Princess Sunset to the library? We need to get her to a bed, stat.”

“Once we do that,” Luna muttered angrily. “We hunt down Discord, and we get him to bring us to the Tree of Harmony. We need to stop Midnight once and for all, so she can’t hurt anycreature else.” With a flash of light, she teleported Celestia and herself to Princess Sunset.

“Bring us to the library,” The Empress whispered as she noticed them. “Wherever that is. Sunset needs rest.” Luna nodded. Her horn glowing, she teleported the group away.

“Mother, why?” Chrysalis demanded. “Why?!”

“I had no choice,” Arach whispered. “She threatened your life. I would do anything to protect you.”

“Is that why I can’t feel the hivemind?” Chrysalis asked, stomping her hoof on the ground. “Mother, I’m of age! I can-”

“You will stay with the Solaris sisters,” Arach snapped, her eyes suddenly filled with an emotion Chrysalis couldn’t read. “Do not attempt to come to the hive, or contact the hivemind for now. You will stay safe. Do not anger Her Majesty. Is that understood?”

“Mother-”

“Is that understood?!” Arach nearly shouted.

“Yes, Mother,” Chrysalis whispered, her toxic green eyes once again filled with tears.

“Go,” Arach said impassively. With tears in her eyes, Chrysalis teleported away in a gout of green flame.

Arach sighed as she stared at the centaur brothers on the ground floor. The conscious one, Tirek, she recalled numbly, stared up at her with undisguised rage and hate. Tirek lifted his brother’s broken body up into his arms, before galloping away.

Arach fell onto the ground on her knees and wept. She had hurt Chrysalis again. Her heart ached, and she slammed a hoof into the ground as tears fell onto the ground.

For there was no harder job in the world than being a mother.

Chapter 8 - The Heart of Laughter

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 8 - The Heart of Laughter

Luna sat on the chair beside the bed which Princess Sunset rested on, looking at her beloved mentor. It was the first time she had seen the princess so…vulnerable.

Celestia entered the room, carrying a tray with a jug of water and a few snacks she had scrounged up from the library’s kitchen, before setting it down on the bedside table. “She’ll be fine,” Celestia reassured Luna. “The Empress said that with some rest, the princess will recover. She didn’t lose her magic, it’ll help her.”

“I should have seen the signs,” Luna said hoarsely. “I should have insisted on investigating further. Now, Midnight reigns supreme, and she’s only just begun. Teachers are being called from all over Equestria, summoned to Canterlot. We don’t even know what she’s going to do to them there. Without teachers, she’s taken away the only way foals can learn without books.”

“Who says that?” Celestia retorted. “We learned from the best, didn’t we? There’s so much we can teach the foals, even if their teachers are not around. There are still solutions, Luna. This isn’t your fault. If anything, it’s the princess’s fault for not telling us more beforehoof. Perhaps even Radiant’s, if she was in on this.”

Luna sighed, looking out of the window. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t they trust us enough to tell us what was going on? We could have helped. We even found the location of the Tree of Harmony without their help. This could have all been prevented.” She stared up towards the sun without looking directly at it. It seemed…malevolent, without Princess Sunset’s influence on it. “At least she wasn’t insane enough to not raise the sun out of spite.”

“My aunt is many things,” the Empress said morosely as she pushed open the door. “But she isn’t stupid. She may have taken the ponies’ source of knowledge and the stars away, but she does not want to be the ruler of a dead world.”

“Empress,” Luna greeted, inclining her head slightly.

“No longer,” Flurry dismissed. “The Queen has dethroned me. The new ruler of the Crystal Empire was elected to be my daughter, somepony Midnight can control and overpower at a moment’s notice. Snowfall has already left for the Empire, trying to do damage control. I too, am now stuck in Ponyville like you two.”

“The Crystal Empire isn’t Equestria, though,” Celestia pointed out. “You’re a foreign diplomat. How can Midnight do this?”

“She’s begun her reign,” Flurry sat down on another chair. “Which means the other kingdoms join her, or face war. And no kingdom wishes to war with an alicorn as ancient as my aunt.”

“Your aunt,” Luna repeated. “Your aunt, Princess Twilight.”

“The very same,” Flurry whispered. “I wish I had known what happened to her before yesterday. Sunset had never told me of my aunt’s falling, nor Midnight.”

“I still don’t get it,” Celestia turned to Flurry. “How could somepony as benevolent as Princess Twilight turn into… that monster?”

Flurry grimaced. “All alicorns have a dark side. It festers within us, waiting to whisper to us, waiting for their time to take control. All it takes is some discontent, anger, or fear, for them to feed on it and start whispering to us. Offering us a better alternative than what we had. For me, it was the return of my father. To bring him back from the dead. I was lucky. Spike helped me away from that path.” She laughed without humor. “How ironic. Now I see it. He was only able to help me because he knew of Midnight’s transformation.”

Spike. Another name Luna didn’t know. She hated not knowing.

“Where is your phoenix, anyways?” Flurry asked curiously. “My mind wandered to Radiant, and I thought of her offspring. Philomena, was it?”

“She went to look for her mother,” Luna shrugged. “She thinks she can get answers from Radiant, and how to stop Midnight. We have the beginnings of a plan, but without someone to fill in the gaps, we’re lost. The Elements of Harmony are guarded by the magic of Mayhem, and we can’t get past it unless we have the Element of Magic, which is behind that wall of vines. A catch twenty-two, if I say so myself.”

Flurry raised an eyebrow. “I think you have a misconception.”

“Educate us, then,” Luna groused. “I’m in no mood for riddles.”

“The Element of Magic is two things,” Flurry explained. “One, the vessel of Harmony. That one may very well be behind the wall of vines you speak of. But I believe to unlock the enchantments, you need the other Element of Magic. Its bearer. The pony, or creature, that represents the Element of Magic.”

“And who is that?” Luna asked.

“A thousand years ago, it was my aunt,” Flurry tapped a hoof on her chin. “Now, the bearer would have most likely changed. My aunt betrayed the Elements, turning into Midnight. At least, it seems that way to Harmony. I know it differently. But the Elements will not grant their strength to her anymore, which makes it more likely that they have chosen a new bearer.”

“How do we find the new bearer, then?” Celestia leaned forwards. “We find them, and we unlock the key to defeating Midnight.”

“I believe Sunset had a plan for that,” Flurry shrugged. “But with her out of the picture, the only one we can ask now is her confidant. Radiant.”

“Let’s hope Mena gets her answers, then,” Celestia muttered.

“I think you may be getting your answers first-hoof instead of from your phoenix,” Flurry said, her eyes locked on something out of the window. “You should probably open the window.”

“Why-” Luna caught a glimpse of two phoenixes hovering outside the window. “Oh.” She yanked open the window using her magic, letting Radiant and Philomena in.

The two phoenixes settled onto the foot of the bed, ruffling their feathers. “Midnight has taken over Canterlot completely,” Philomena announced. “She’s made several decrees already.”

“Nopony is opposing her?” Celestia asked incredulously.

“You must remember,” Radiant seemed distant. “Midnight showed a display of her power and strength. Word of her might has spread to the other kingdoms already, and many are pledging their support unwillingly so as to not risk war with an insane alicorn. With Sunset out of the picture, Midnight has complete control.”

“Even the dragons,” Luna deadpanned.

“Even the dragons,” Radiant agreed. “That doesn’t matter now. Sunset had a plan, the only one that could ensure everypony would be safe in the end. It might still work, but it may need a bit more help from me. Have you discovered the Tree of Harmony?”

“We have found the Tree of Harmony,” Luna confirmed.

At that, Radiant looked straight at Luna. “You’ve gone further than expected, it seems. But that’s only step one of many to get them to work. When the Elements were used on Midnight the first time, they turned into stone orbs, the gems they were in broken. Without gems to act as a conduit for their power, the Elements are basically useless. You need pure, undiluted gems to house the Elements along with their bearers.”

“We know the Ponyville jeweler,” Celestia leaned forward. “We can try to get a few from him. Sombra seems nice and generous, and would probably agree to help us.”

“That’s good,” Radiant nodded. “Now, the Bearers. You’ll need ponies, or creatures, who embody the values each Element represents. Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, and Magic. We need only worry about four for now, unless Sunset judged youwas completely wrong.”

“Why?” Luna asked.

“There was a reason she took you two as her students,” Radiant explained. “Your magic is powerful, Luna, and she took it to mean you were Magic. Philomena hatched for Celestia, and thus Sunset assumed her to be Loyalty, as phoenixes only hatch for the loyal and brave. I should know, I hatched for Sunset-” she looked towards the window. “What’s happening outside?”

A voice drifted up from outside the library. Several voices, in fact. If Radiant had not brought their attention to them, Luna suspected that she would have missed the voices entirely.

Luna trotted up to the window, looking down. She blinked at the scene. A draconequus, squatting down and talking to foals was there, outside the library door. “Discord?”

The draconequus waved up to her. “Luna! I require your assistance, along with the library!” He gestured at the foals behind him. “Their teachers are gone, and some of them were their parents. I found them all alone and lost at the schoolhouse. I really don’t like seeing sad faces, so I thought I could do a little teaching for them, in my style.”

“Of-of course,” Luna stammered, still surprised. “I’m coming down!” She gave a quick explanation to Celestia, and the sisters quickly made their way down the stairs to open the door to the library. Once they did, Discord entered first, along with several foals.

“Right,” Discord smiled. “It’s my turn to shine, eh?”

“I never knew you were a teacher, Discord,” Celestia grinned. “It’s good of you to do this.”

Discord shrugged. “Just because I’m on the run doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.” He looked at the foal next to him and he knelt down. “Little one,” he smiled. “You don’t have to be scared. Your parents will be home soon. What’s your name?”

“Buckle,” the colt whispered.

“Well, Buckle,” he snapped his fingers, and a book appeared in his hands. “Want me to read a story to you?”

The colt nodded. Discord looked around the room and grinned. “Storytime, colts and fillies!” The foals cheered, and some of their worried faces melted away as Discord snapped his fingers, showering the room in balloons and paper streamers.

Discord sat down on a stool that appeared out of nowhere, and the foals sat wherever they could, grouping on the sofas or on whatever chairs there were. “Once upon a time,” he frowned. “That doesn’t seem right, no good story starts with once upon a time.” He tossed the book aside, and it landed on the ground.

Only, instead of a book falling on the ground, a live lion cub appeared. “Oh look!” he pretended to look surprised. “The book turned into a lion cub!”

Luna and Celestia laughed at the astonished looks on the faces of the foals. “They don’t know draconequui, do they?” Celestia grinned. “This will be good for them to have some fun.”

The foals bundled out of their seats, surrounding the cub. The cub yawned, before roaring softly at the foals. The foals shouted and laughed as Discord snapped his fingers once more, and the books flew off their shelves. At this, Luna stepped forwards, before restraining herself and sitting down on the staircase.

“How about we play a little game?” Discord grinned. “Catch a book, and I’ll give you a prize!” At that, the foals jumped for the books, trying to grab one.

“Oh, I do hope he doesn’t damage any of them,” Luna muttered, then there was a knock on the door.

Luna trotted over, before looking into the face of Apple Bloom as she opened the door. “Miss Bloom!” She said, surprised. “What brings you here?”

“They said a draconequus brought the foals here,” Apple Bloom explained. “Some of the parents that remain are a little worried about what he's doing, so they asked me to come and see. And as far as I can tell,” she smiled as a foal zoomed past on a giant flying book. “I think they’ll be fine.”

“They will,” Luna agreed. “Discord seems good-natured at heart. He just doesn’t know the meaning of permission, yet. I’m just wondering how he got the foals to agree to come along?”

“He probably just gave them cotton candy and promised them more sweets,” Apple Bloom laughed. “Classic things to convince foals to follow you, eh?”

“Not Luna,” Celestia joked as she trotted up to them. “She already had her head buried in a book at four.”

“Hey!” Luna protested. “Did not-”

“Right, four and a half,” Celestia corrected.

“That reminds me,” Apple Bloom interrupted before the sisters started bickering. “Could you help remind this Discard-”

“Discord,” Luna corrected her.

“Discord to bring them home at one?” Apple Bloom finished. “That’s the normal time when school ends for them. Or perhaps it would be better for me to ask the parents to come pick them up at one?”

“That would be best,” Celestia agreed. “Draconequui don’t have a great sense of time.”

Apple Bloom nodded. “Thank you for allowing them in the library, Luna,” the mare grinned and arranged the hat on her head. “It means a lot to them. To have fun in a place where they’ve been told to be quiet and never make noise. I’m sure they’ll remember this.”

“I think they’ll remember Discord more,” Luna smiled as a book started singing a song that sounded suspiciously like a modified version of a nursery rhyme. She giggled. “This’ll be a day they’ll never forget.”

As the foals left, all of them waved goodbye to Discord, each of them holding a gift box. The draconequus reminded them not to open the boxes before they were home, before Luna closed the door behind them.

“You’re great with kids,” Luna complimented him.

Discord shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a natural talent.” He rubbed his hands together. “Anyways, I see you have a question for me. Ask away-” There was another knock on the door. “Oh, come on! Now?”

Luna stared at him. “What?”

“Nevermind,” Discord grumbled. “Just get on with whatever’s happening.”

Luna shrugged, before proceeding to open the door. “Oh, Chryssy!”

The changeling princess peered into the library. “I didn’t know where else to go,” she whispered. “Everywhere else, they all hate me for who I am.”

“You can’t blame them,” Flurry came into view on the staircase. “Your mother just helped a coup to take over the throne.”

“Not helping,” Luna shot Flurry a glare. “She’s a friend, Em- what do I even call you now?”

“Just call me Flurry,” Flurry shrugged. “I don’t particularly care. I was there, you know? I was there when the changelings helped to overpower Sunset. Your people were the ones who placed this inhibitor ring on my horn.”

“Don’t,” Chrysalis whispered. “Don’t. I didn’t know. They didn’t tell me anything.”

“You’re telling me,” Flurry raised an eyebrow. “You, the changeling princess, knew nothing about a coup that involved most of your kind? I find that hard to believe-”

A snapping noise, and no sound came out of Flurry’s mouth.

“Luna said you weren’t helping,” Discord put down his hand. “I suggest you let them talk, Flurry.”

An angry look crossed the alicorn’s face before she relented and settled onto the stairs.

“That’s better,” Discord snapped again.

Flurry found her voice. “I was just speaking the truth.”

“She’s our friend, Flurry,” Luna paused a bit, still a little uncomfortable with speaking the alicorn’s name. “If she says she didn’t have anything to do with the whole situation, she’s speaking the truth.”

“I once believed Sunset spoke the truth to me about my aunt,” Flurry said bitterly. “I found out she was lying later on. So excuse me if I have trust issues.”

“I’m really sorry,” Chrysalis’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry my mother did this.”

“We saw she spoke to you after the whole,” Celestia gestured. “You know.” Everypony nodded. They knew. “What’d she say?”

“That Midnight threatened my life,” Chrysalis pawed at the ground. “And that she had no choice.”

“That sounds reasonable,” Discord shrugged. “If someone threatened the life of their child, parents would almost always cave in.”

“Can I stay with you two for now?” Chrysalis asked hesitantly. “I don’t have anywhere else.”

“Of course!” Celestia grinned. “You’re welcome to stick with us, you’re a friend.”

“Thank you,” Chrysalis smiled slightly.

“Anyways,” Discord looked at his nonexistent watch. “I have to go now, I have other ponies to cheer up. I hate the worried and sad ambiance in the air. Remember, laughter is good for your soul. Discord, out!” With a snap, he disappeared in a flurry of cotton candy.

Luna groaned. “That’s going to take forever to clean up…” She sighed. “Wait, we didn’t ask him to take us to the Tree of Harmony-”

“Luna! Celestia!” Philomena flew down the stairs, hovering in front of them. “Princess Sunset’s awake!”

As the ponies in the room turned to the stairs, Sunset descended down the stairs, her eyes scanning the room. They seemed…empty, and tired. Her mane was limp, devoid of the usual flow of power and magic. She spoke.

“I’m sorry.”

Deep in a cavern, at the same time Discord left the library, a stone orb glowed a faint yellow color.

Chapter 9 - Pride and Prejudice

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 9 - Pride and Prejudice

“I’m sorry.”

The room froze as every creature turned to look at Princess Sunset, the alicorn standing at the bottom of the stairs with a despondent and guilty expression. Her mane hung limp, the magic that used to flow through them gone.

“You should be,” Flurry was the first to break the silence. “Your plan failed, Sunset. Midnight rules supreme.”

“It wasn’t meant to be,” Sunset said, her voice hollow. “I had thought that—”

“That Luna and Celestia would find all six Bearers and Elements within a few days?” Radiant said indignantly. “Sunset, I didn’t say anything because I was willing to give you a chance. But look what happened. You left everything on their shoulders.”

“Mother!” Philomena squawked.

“It’s fine, Mena,” Sunset sat down on the stairs. “It is my fault. Just like so many things were. I left so many things to chance. But it was because I believed that Harmony would pull through. That Harmony would save us like it had many times before.” She laughed bitterly. “Looks like banishing Twilight made Harmony abandon me.”

“What should we do now?” Luna asked urgently. “Princess, you’re awake now. You should know what to do.”

“I don’t,” Sunset said quietly, her eyes full of pain. “That monster took every shred of plan I had. I can only remember my intentions now.”

“Plans count as knowledge?” Celestia blurted out.

“There isn’t actually a spell to remove all knowledge from a pony,” Flurry explained. “What Midnight most likely used was a spell to invade a pony’s mind, allowing her to rip the memories she wanted out of there. It’s what you saw her do to Prince Scorpan.”

“Speaking of which, what happened to him and his brother?” Celestia tilted her head. “I didn’t see them anywhere.”

“Prince Tirek took his brother away,” Chrysalis said, her voice hollow. “I saw him this morning with two other centaurs, giving instructions for them to bring him home to rest and recuperate. I don’t know what he’s been doing in Ponyville since.”

“There must be something we can do!” Luna cried out.

“Visit the jeweler,” Radiant answered. “Get six, pure, gems. We’ll need them to house the Elements if we are to even have the slightest chance of beating Midnight.”

“On it!” Celestia gave a salute. “C’mon, Luna, Chryssy, we’re visiting a jeweler!”

“Wait—” Both Luna and Chrysalis protested at the same time, but Celestia grabbed both of them before dragging them out of the library.

As the door closed, the remaining ponies and creatures shared a look.

Sunset gave a hint of a smile. “I think we chose right.”

“Hello?” Celestia poked her head in. “Is anyone here?”

“Hello, my name’s Opal, how may I help you?” the pony that greeted her as she entered the jewelry store was not Sombra, but a bespectacled yellow unicorn mare.

“Hi, um,” Celestia looked around. “I was looking for Sombra?”

“Oh! Our resident jeweler!” Opal smiled. “I’m afraid he’s not in, but I am the owner of the store, and I can answer most of your inquiries.”

“Well, uh, is it okay if my friends come in?” Celestia tapped a hoof on the ground nervously.

“Of course, Miss Solaris!” Opal beamed. “The more the merrier!”

“You can come in, girls!” Celestia called out, prompting Luna to trot in, along with Chrysalis nervously peeking around. At the sight of Chrysalis, Opal stiffened.

“Not the changeling,” she said abruptly. “Miss Solaris, what are you doing, fraternizing with the enemy?”

“Chrysalis isn’t the enemy!” Luna protested. “She’s our friend!”

“I’m afraid my business will not allow a changeling inside the premises,” Opal said with a slight sneer. “No matter if she is a friend of Princess Sunset’s personal students.”

“What’s wrong with Chryssy?” Celestia’s eyes narrowed, even as Chrysalis waved her hooves in a panic to try and get her to stop. “She’s our friend, and you will treat her with respect! I will not have—”

“It’s okay, Celestia!” Chrysalis blurted out. “I’ll just leave. It’s no problem.”

“That’s right, you traitorous wench,” Opal spat. “Princess Sunset welcomed the changelings with open hooves and treated the lot of you kindly. And you betrayed her!”

“Shut up,” Luna advanced, her voice threatening. “Chryssy isn’t with them! She’s with us!”

Opal snorted. “A changeling can’t get rid of the holes in their hooves.”

The unicorn mare got up from behind the counter, and her horn lit up. “If you won’t leave, I’ll make you leave.”

“She’s staying,” Celestia said stubbornly. “This is against her rights!”

“She lost all her rights when she sided with that monster!” Opal shouted. “She lost all rights when her kind took MY HUSBAND FROM ME! OUT!”

Her magic shoved the three of them out of the door before any of them could react, causing the trio to stumble into the streets. The ponies trotting along noticed this, and a crowd began to gather.

“Don’t come back,” Opal said from the door. “Not with the likes of her!” She jerked her head, indicating Chrysalis.

“No!” Celestia’s hoof stopped the door from closing. “You’re going to apologize to Chryssy, now.”

“Celestia, it’s okay, really!” Chrysalis protested.

“It is not,” Celestia leveled a glare at Opal. “Chrysalis isn’t on their side!”

“She’s a monster.” Opal said firmly.

"Chryssy, don't listen to her," Celestia gave the unicorn mare a glare. "She doesn't know what she's talking about."

"She's the changeling princess, Solaris," Opal hissed. "She's in all of this! My husband taught the kindergarten foals, and now he's gone! And the changelings are all to blame!"

A crowd began to form around them, watching the scene. At this, some murmured agreement.

"Yeah. Them changelings that allowed that alicorn to take power."

"And to think, we were so nice to them!"

With tears brimming in her eyes, Chrysalis's horn flared, and a wave of green fire burst outward from her in a circle. "Leave. Me. Alone!"

For some reason, the flames passed over Luna and Celestia harmlessly, but the nearest ponies all yelped at the sudden fire that burned them a little.

"You see?" Opal shouted to the crowd. "She's a monster!"

Chrysalis’s chest was heaving up and down, and she was breathing heavily from where she had curled herself into a ball on the ground.

“Chyrssy,” Celestia whispered as she knelt down next to her changeling friend. “Don’t listen to them.”

“They’re right,” Chrysalis’s tears were still flowing from her emerald green irises. “I’m a monster. My mother betrayed the ponies, and now we’re hated.”

“But you didn’t side with her, did you?” The crowd was still murmuring, whispering, but Celestia didn’t care. “You sided with us. Your friends. And you’re my friend. I don’t care what they say about you. You’re with us. You’re Chryssy.”

“They hate me,” Chrysalis whispered. “They hate what I am.”

“Listen to me,” Celestia cupped Chrysalis’s chin in her hoof. “You’re. Not. Them. I’m willing to bet not every changeling followed your mother. So you’re not alone, either. You’re our friend. You’re. Not. Them. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“W-why?” Chrysalis finally looked at her in the eyes. “W-why are you still with me?”

“Because I’m your friend, Chryssy,” Celestia said gently. “And friends stick with one another.”

"You're getting out of our town," Opal stated. "And you're not staying. And if you like your changeling friend so much, you can go with her, Solaris,” she sneered. “Princess Sunset chose the wrong ponies to be her personal students.”

“No,” Celestia said in a low voice. “My friend isn’t leaving. She’s staying. And so am I.”

“Your friend is a traitor!” Opal screamed. “Her kind took my husband away! And I don’t even know if I’ll see him ever again!”

Chrysalis had gotten up, unsteadily leaning against Luna, and her face was awash with guilt and shame at hearing the shout.

"Listen," Luna said placatingly. "Chryssy isn't part of this. She's our friend. Her own mother abandoned her for this. Do you think she wanted all of this? For your loved ones to be taken away from you?"

The murmurs in the crowd died down.

"Chryssy?" Luna prompted. “You should say something.”

Chrysalis wiped the tears away from her emerald green eyes, steeling herself. "I was Princess Chrysalis, yes. But no longer," she whispered. "My mother told me I wasn't fit for the role. And so, I would give a promise to all of you. If we manage to beat Midnight, I will take leadership of the changelings. And I will make sure we repay you back for all the damage we have caused. On my word, on my honor, as the next in the line for the throne."

“Today, I declare a new hive,” Chrysalis’s voice grew steadier. “One that I will build with the changelings listening, if there are any. I know many of you may not agree with Mother. And we can correct her wrongs. The wrongs of our species. We can be better. We can show Equestria that we are not what they say. I promise, that we will fix the wrongs of the rest of us.”

Opal drew back derisively, but gasped as ponies in the crowd shed their disguises, revealing the changelings that had been listening. Each of them took to the air, before buzzing to the clearing in the middle of the crowd and landing. The crowd backed up, surprised and astonished faces among them.

Then Chrysalis closed her eyes and breathed out. When she opened them, they were firm, calm, determined.

“My name is Chrysalis!” she declared to the crowd. “And I will not be defined by the mistakes of my kind! We will not be defined by those who choose to follow Midnight!”

She looked at Opal. “Opal, I am very sorry for what we have done to you and your family,” she said sincerely. “I would like to apologize on behalf of the changelings. And I will right the wrongs that have been done to you. I may be just barely of age, but I will do my best.”

And then she knelt, the rest of the changelings following her lead.

“Will you accept my apology, Opal?” She asked, her emerald green eyes shining.

Opal’s eyes widened. She looked at the crowd, whose murmurs had died down at the sight. “I—”

“I’m so sorry,” Opal’s eyes were tearing up now, her rude and sneering exterior flaking away. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know that there were some of you who didn’t follow Midnight. Y-yes! I’ll accept your apology. But you need to accept mine too. I-I…I have wronged you.”

A small colt poked his head from behind Opal’s hooves. “Papa?”

Chrysalis’s eyes grew wet at the sight of the colt, shame burning on her expression. “I’m so sorry, little one,” she whispered. “Your papa won’t be home today.”

“Where’s papa?” he demanded, looking up at Opal. “Mama, where’s papa?”

“Papa’s not here,” Opal shed more tears. “He’s gone away. But he’ll be back, I promise!”

“I’ll make sure I get your papa back to you,” Chrysalis rose to her hooves slowly, looking down at the colt. “What’s your name?”

“Tip,” he said proudly. “Tip is name!”

“Well, Tip,” Celestia trotted over to him, lowering herself to his height. “Be a brave colt for your mama, okay? I’ll get your papa back for you. But now, you have to be brave for your mama, okay?”

“Okay!” Tip nodded.

“Opal,” Chrysalis looked at Opal. “When this is all over, I will personally bring your husband back to you. I promise you that.”

“O-okay,” the mare nodded shakily. “Thank you.”

“Now what’s going on here?” A familiar voice carried through the crowd, and a familiar black unicorn stallion emerged from it.

Sombra blinked at the scene. “What in the Crystal Heart blazes happened while I was away for lunch?”

Deep in a cavern, two orbs lit up with a green and pink aura.

Three of Six.

Nightmares.

So many.

Sparkle was getting frustrated.

She couldn’t fix them all. She couldn’t protect every single dreamer.

Not when Midnight was causing them nightmares on purpose and unconsciously at the same time.

But she held hope.

Hope that her love would find the Elements.

And then finish her off for good, so that Midnight could hurt her ponies no more.

Chapter 10 - The Changeling Change

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 10 - The Changeling Change

“Queen Midnight,” the changeling prostrated himself before the dark alicorn who was looking out of the window. “Reports from our spies. Princess Chrysalis-”

“She is not your princess anymore, changeling,” Midnight’s cold voice replied. “Your queen stripped her of her titles.”

“Y-yes. C-chrysalis has started a revolution within the changelings in Ponyville.”

“Crush the revolution, then,” Midnight sounded unconcerned. “Kill them all. Break them all. I see no reason why you need to inform me.”

“C-chrysalis is-”

“Queen Arach’s daughter? Yes. But even as that may be, my reign is concrete. Supreme. Any disturbances and uprisings will be put down. Kill every revolting changeling. This is a direct order. Failure to obey will result in execution.”

“She is-!” Midnight’s horn glowed, and Abdomen spoke no more.

“Who’s next in line as the deputy?” her voice never changed tone. It never got angry, nor happy. Just cold efficiency.

“M-me, your Highness,” the nervous voice of Stinger came as she moved forward and knelt before Midnight. “I-I apologize for Abdomen’s insolence-”

“Silence. You will follow my orders. Put down the revolution. I will inform your Queen myself.” Midnight finally turned away from the window and looked at Stinger. “Your Queen will pay for Abdomen’s mistakes, as he has done. She needs to learn that to rule, is to make sure your subjects do not question your decisions. You may spare the ex-princess. But she is to be taken in forcibly and shown the error of her ways. The rest? Kill them all.”

“O-of course, your Highness.” Stinger stammered.

“Go. Inform your brethren to put the revolution down. Should I hear that any of you disobey me,” her eyes flashed with a glint of an emotion Stinger could not discern. “Your Queen will die. She is safe for now, but will not be if you disobey my orders. Am I clear?”

“Crystal, your Highness.” Stinger stammered, then flapped her wings, once, twice, and was gone, buzzing out of the throne room’s doors.

“Clean the mess up,” Midnight said as she turned back to the window. “A head detached from their body is not a decoration fit for my throne room.”

As the maids hastened to follow her order with paled faces, the dark eyes of Abdomen still stared at Midnight, his surprised expression still on his face. He didn’t move.

How could he, when his head had been separated from his body?

“Let me get this straight,” Sombra pursed his lips as he leaned back into a chair. “You need six pure gems.”

“Emphasis on the pure,” Luna confirmed. “Radiant was very insistent on it.”

“Unfortunately, a jeweler in a town this far from the cities does not stock such gems, otherwise, I would not hesitate to give you the six,” Sombra sighed. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Luna, Celestia.”

Luna’s face fell, crestfallen, but Celestia didn’t give up. “Is there another way we can acquire six pure gems?”

Sombra tilted his head, his forehead scrunched up as he thought. “I believe…there could be. There are many abandoned mines within the Everfree Forest. If I was able to find one of them, the gems would be within reach.”

“The Everfree?” Discord popped into existence. “Absolutely not. Not without me. Not now.”

Sombra barely flinched, even as the other three jumped. “Good afternoon, Discord. Would it kill you to knock just the once?”

Discord threw himself onto his back, floating in mid-air. “Ah, what’s the fun in that, Sombrero, old chap?”

“It’s Sombra, Discord,” he said with an ever-suffering sigh. “Discord, meet—”

“We’ve already met,” Luna interrupted, getting over her shock. “We had ice cream together.”

“And I saved ‘em from Jake’s stomach,” Discord supplied helpfully as he summoned a stick of candy floss and started wolfing it down. “You’re welcome, by the way.”

Luna couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, yeah, thanks, Discord.”

“I can make the trip with Discord by sunset,” Sombra said as he straightened from his seat. “I’ll just need to grab all the tools and items we need, and I should be able to get those gems for you three.”

Celestia opened her mouth to thank Sombra, but Chrysalis raised a hoof.

“Why are you doing this for us?” Chrysalis tilted her head. “You have nothing to gain, and everything to lose by going into a forest as cursed as the Everfree. What do you stand to gain from this?”

“Your smiles and everyone else’s,” Sombra chuckled. “See, Equestria has been nothing but kind to me ever since I moved here from the Crystal Empire. I’ve always tried to give back to the community, do whatever I can to repay the kindness of the ponies who helped me when I came here with barely anything. Besides, this is to save Equestria, right?”

Celestia frowned. “We said nothing—”

He made a rolling motion with one of his forehooves. “I connected the dots. The legend about Midnight being true, and all the other legends that have been thrown around in Pale Flame’s books. If I help, I’m helping to overthrow a tyrant who has set much fear over Equestria. If I help, I’m helping to bring back one of the greatest rulers Equestria has ever had. Am I correct?”

“Yes,” Luna admitted as she nodded her head. “We need the gems to house the Elements of Harmony. And once we get the gems, and find the bearers for the Elements, then we’ll have the weapon we need to defeat Midnight once and for all. Then we can finally return Equestria to what it was before Midnight returned.”

“Careful,” Sombra warned. “Planning a coup is one thing, but if you attempt it and fail…”

He didn’t complete his sentence. He didn’t need to.

“We won’t fail,” Celestia promised as Luna faltered. “Equestria deserves to be lively, happy, and full of joy. Equestria deserves its rightful rulers and the path to move forwards into the future. We’ll finish it. And then once we restore Princess Sunset to the throne, we’ll make sure you get recognition for what you’re doing for us.”

“I don’t need recognition,” Sombra laughed lightly. “I just need your promise that you’ll be careful. I don’t mind risking myself - Discord’s there to protect me. But if you face off against that dark alicorn…you’ll need more than just a few friends or draconequus.”

“I don’t know about that,” Discord mused. “What if I swamp her with a ton of ice cream?”

“Not going to work,” Sombra rolled his eyes. “She can teleport or use shields.”

“Aw. Bummer.”

“How did you two meet, anyway?” Luna asked, curious.

“When Discord first came to Ponyville, I was the one to provide him some lodgings to hide out for a bit,” Sombra explained. “I didn’t mind that he was on the run. I could empathize with not fitting in. And he was harmless. Mostly. He did keep switching out my sugar for salt.”

Discord laughed. “Good times!”

Sombra sighed. “He eventually moved out for the Everfree, but I’ve been providing him with whatever necessities he needs when he didn’t have enough chaos magic to magick in stuff he needed to survive.”

“In short, he’s been extremely generous to me,” Discord added helpfully. “And in return, I provide gems for him to sell now and then. The Everfree’s full of ‘em, what with all the abandoned mines.”

Luna nodded. “I’m glad we met you, Sombra. You’re a really good pony.”

Sombra shrugged. “I just try to be the best I can. Of course, I’m known now and then to be a little prideful and arrogant, but I’ve been working on that with interacting with others.”

“It’s been mostly tempered.” Discord supplied.

“Well, you two seem to have things under control,” Chrysalis nodded as she stood up. “Us three need to go back, check in with Princess Sunset. Good luck with the Everfree Forest?”

“Ah, luck,” Discord chortled. “Don’t need it. Keep it for yourself.” He snapped his talons, and a four-leaved clover floated over to Chrysalis, who took it with a surprised expression. “You’ll need it more than I do, facing off against the tyrant head-on.”

“O-of course,” Chrysalis tucked the four-leaved clover into her bag. “I’ll treasure it.”

Discord winked. “Good luck, Queen Chrysalis.”

With that, he and Sombra winked out of the room, teleporting away.

“Wait,” Chrysalis frowned. “Queen?”

“Yes, Queen,” Flurry said as she stirred the cup of coffee. “You declared a new hive. You declared yourself a rival of your own mother, making yourself the queen of your own hive. A thousand years ago, an old friend of mine, Queen Ocellus, explained to me the rules and customs of you changelings. You’ve essentially declared war against your mother by splitting off a new hive.”

Chrysalis’s face paled. “I- I didn’t mean to-”

“Do not worry,” Sunset said with what seemed to be a great effort. “We’ll all be supporting you. In more ways than just physically.”

“I only have, what, fifty-two changelings at my side?” Chrysalis fretted. “And the hive has thousands!”

“You’ve got this, Chryssy!” Celestia wrapped her in a hug. “Numbers don’t mean anything. Just give ‘em the same speech you did to us ponies - and wham, they’re on your side and we can show Equestria changelings aren’t as heartless as they think!”

Chrysalis smiled wanly. “Thanks, Celestia.”

“Oh, call me Tia,” Celestia grinned. “And call Luna Loony.”

“Hey!” Luna protested. “That’s not nice—”

“Loony,” Philomena said helpfully. “Would you mind helping me pluck one of my broken feathers? I can’t reach it with my beak.”

Luna groaned, and let out an ever-suffering sigh.

Chrysalis giggled at the sight. “You two really are sisters.”

Celestia laughed and gave her little sister a bump on the shoulder. “We’ve always been like this since we were able to talk. Nothing better than some sisterly rivalry, is there?”

Chrysalis nodded. “The love I feel radiating from you two…it’s so powerful.”

Celestia smirked. “Well, can’t deny that—”

The door to the library slammed open, and a changeling by the name of Feeler buzzed in, panting. “My Queen! Trouble! Problems! Disaster!”

“Speak clearly,” Chrysalis said kindly. “And I’ll see if I can help you out, Feeler.”

“You don’t need to help me,” he panted. “You need to help us all.”

Chrysalis frowned. “What do you mean?”

“The changeling hive is headed here. And at the forefront, General Pharynx is leading the charge. They’re showing a banner of no mercy. They’re here to put down our new hive.”

Chrysalis’s face turned white. “W-what?!”

Everyone turned to look at Feeler simultaneously, and then as if by some unspoken agreement, all of them rushed out of the library to look in the direction of Canterlot.

Hundreds of changelings were buzzing towards Ponyville, a black cloud on the horizon that was about to descend and devour the small town.

“Oh, buck,” Chrysalis whispered as she saw the black cloud of changelings in the distance. “What have I done?”

Midnight tapped the orbs with her horn again.

Nothing.

She smiled. Good. The Elements of Harmony weren’t waking up anytime soon.

Then she looked at the four slightly glowing stone orbs and scowled.

They hadn’t chosen their Bearers yet, she was certain of that. If they had, they would be glowing much more fiercely. However, she was getting a little concerned. In the morning, only three of the five orbs were glowing. But in the afternoon, just after tea time, the fourth had lit up, casting a red glow over the walls.

Laughter, Kindness, Loyalty, and Generosity were alive. They had not chosen their bearers yet, but this could change if she didn’t do something about it.

She could just destroy the Elements. That was the safest bet.

Or not. If she did destroy the stone orbs, they could just simply find new vessels. Harmony didn’t work that way. Better to keep them close to her.

She laughed dryly. Yesterday night, she had gone through the memories she took from Sunset. And found plans to defeat her with the Elements. Now, that wouldn’t do.

She had found the wall of vines.

She didn’t bother with that, simply leaving the cavern and heading to where she knew the back of it was.

Using copious amounts of magic, she blasted a hole through the rock and stone, forcing her way into the cavern. The vines had noticed her intrusion and had moved to stop her, but before they could, she had already levitated the five orbs that were lying at the base of the crystalline tree and brought them with her as she teleported away.

Now, she had the Elements in her vault. They wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon. If Sunset still tried to go ahead with her plan using her students, all they would find was an empty cavern with just a useless tree and vines. Oh, and the giant hole in the back of the cavern. And she wouldn’t be giving them any challenges herself. She knew that overcoming the challenges was what woke the Elements up to choose their Bearers.

She looked outside, and her horn lit, dragging the sun down for sunset, and slowly pulling up the moon.

Beads of perspiration dotted her forehead as she did so, straining with the effort of raising and lowering both celestial bodies at once. She was…the Alicorn of Magic! How was it this hard to…lower and raise two celestial bodies? It was as if they knew there were supposed to be two alicorns raising and lowering the sun and moon and were struggling against her control.

Or it was that she had grown weaker.

No. Impossible.

If anything, she had grown stronger.

It was her getting used to raising and lowering the sun and moon again, she reasoned. Midnight Sparkle couldn’t be weak. She just had to get used to it, as Sunset did.

She scowled.

Sunset had raised and lowered the moon herself for a thousand years.

She wasn’t weaker than that weak alicorn. She could do this.

With a shout of effort, she finally brought the moon above the horizon.

She was breathing heavily now, panting.

Then she composed herself.

It wouldn’t do now for the ruler of Equestria to look weak. She straightened her body up, and locked the orbs back into the chest she had designed for them.

Then she trotted out of her vault on the top of the tower Sunset’s beloved students lived in.

How ironic.

That she had fashioned their room into her very own vault to keep her valuables.

She laughed to the skies, her earlier fatigue forgotten.

And everyone who heard the laugh hid away, shying away as the mad alicorn trotted down the halls. For none wanted to face her.

All except the grinning lavender unicorn in her mind.

Chapter 11 - The Queen Falls

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 11 - The Queen Falls

Horns blared, startling the group.

Then they watched as dozens of ponies and other creatures started throwing open their doors, draconequui appearing out of thin air, their faces set in a grim look as they prepared whatever they had to throw at the changeling army.

“Ready the defenses!” a voice roared from the sky. Celestia’s head immediately twisted to look up, and she saw a grizzled pegasus, a scar running down his milky left eye hovering there. “Ponyville, ready your monster defenses!”

Monster…defenses?

Feeler’s eyes widened. “Of course! How could I have forgotten! Ponyville has their defenses against the Everfree Forest’s monsters, they have protocols for attacks ever since that hydra attack two decades ago!”

The sky flashed with lightning, pegasi pushing dozens of dark clouds over.

“Princess Sunset!” The grizzled pegasus called from the skies. “Get inside! Ponyville will not fall to the changelings — We are prepared to fight! Miss Solaris, Miss Solaris, Princess Chrysalis, we will need you to fight!”

Chrysalis blanched. “Fight? Y-you would trust me?”

The pegasus landed down beside them, his eyes still staring at the changeling horde on their way. “We will take everything we can get right now.” He said firmly. “Trust is not an issue. Not now, after your display of setting up a new hive. Ponyville isn’t strong enough to face the insane alicorn. But we can hold our own against a horde of changelings.”

Sunset frowned as she looked at his blind eye. “Wait. Are you…” Her eyes widened in realization. “Lieutenant Flash Magnus.”

The pegasus bowed deeply before Sunset. “Princess. You still remember me.”

“How could I not?” Sunset replied. “You were part of my honor guard for three decades before your retirement! I had no idea you retired to Ponyville!”

His face betrayed a hint of amusement. “It seemed like a quiet enough place. What I didn’t expect was them turning to me for my expertise in fighting the monsters from the Everfree Forest. I was happy enough to oblige. With me, we’ve pushed away the monsters for the last two decades.”

“And you’re still alive,” Sunset marveled. “I suppose the scar is from one of the monsters?”

“The hydra, aye. We should find another time to catch up,” he grinned. “Now, we have to repel the invaders.”

“I won’t get in your way,” Sunset confirmed. “I would be useless, anyways.”

“Don’t say that, Princess,” Flash chided. “It wasn’t your fault. Anyways…it’s time I do what I do best. Improvise.”

He turned to the rest of them. “Miss Solaris,” he addressed Luna. “The unicorns will cast a barrier together, but I suspect your talents can be used somewhere else. As with your sister. I would ask that you join the respective groups, but both of you are taught by the best. We’ll need you to run point, help out wherever you can.”

Luna nodded. “I can run disguise dispelling spells. That’ll at least deny the changelings from shifting into your friends.”

“I can run point with Luna,” Celestia added. “Support her as she does her magic thing.”

“I’ll get my changelings to help wherever they can,” Chrysalis said softly. “They’ll be loathe to fight their old friends, so they’ll probably run assistance.”

A nod from Flash. “Good. The draconequui will be causing chaos, so you better stay out of their way when it starts raining chocolate and cotton candy.”

A laugh from Celestia. “I wouldn’t expect otherwise!”

“For now…” Flash flapped his wings, ascending into the skies. “Let’s hope fortune favors the bold today. Because if we defeat the changelings…you know who comes next.”

Nobody said a thing at that, but they knew.

Midnight Sparkle.

Pharynx’s wings beat at the air as the changeling army flew towards Ponyville.

“General?” Stinger was there by his side. “You look perturbed.”

“I am worried for the Queen,” Pharynx cast his gaze to Stinger. “If we go ahead with her orders…she’ll die.”

“Well, it’s a good thing our new Queen is already building a new hivemind, right?” Stinger gave a wry smile. “Where’s your brother?”

“He’s coordinating the evacuation of the hive,” Pharynx said softly. “The nymphs and mothers will need to blend into pony society. Once Midnight discovers our treachery, we’re all dead.”

Stinger nodded. “Thorax is a good coordinator. He’ll make a good future advisor to our new Queen.”

Pharynx sighed, before looking up at the sky. “Fuck.”

Stinger looked at him with concern. “Are you okay, General? I’ve not heard you swear…in forever.”

“We’re losing Queen Arach,” the skin around his eyes were tight. “No matter what we do, she dies. But we cannot disobey our Queen, can we?”

“No,” Stinger stared at the town in the distance. “Does she have a final message?”

Pharynx’s eyes grew distant. “Just one. For our new Queen.”

“Listen to me closely, Pharynx,” Arach’s voice was laboured, in pain. Pharynx knelt before his chained Queen, his eyes regretful. “I…will not be around for much longer. Not if we are to defeat her.”

“My Queen,” Pharynx said softly. “I await your orders.”

“As of today…I abdicate my throne to my daughter,” Arach whispered as she slumped in her chains. “Arach shall no longer be Queen. All…hail…Queen Chrysalis.”

Pharynx’s eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“I only folded in to her because she threatened Chrysalis,” Arach voice was wracked with pain from the injuries Midnight had inflicted on her. “And when she returned, she made a fatal mistake. She left Chrysalis somewhere she could not reach immediately. My final orders are such. Evacuate the hive. Send our army to Ponyville, you will be in command.”

“My Queen-!”

“Quiet, Pharynx,” Arach’s voice found some strength. “I have taken on our changelings’ pain for the good of our kind. I have taken all her punishments for every mistake our kind made against her because we need to survive. I have been Queen for decades. It is time for a new age. One that my daughter will usher in.”

Pharynx nodded slowly.

“Send my sister…” Arach’s whispered. “Send my sister, Carapace, to Dragon Lord Ember. Ask, no, plead for her help. Without the dragons…we will all fall before Midnight. I have seen her might. Send…send Hexa to the yaks. The kirins…send Actias. The centaurs…”

She coughed, spitting green blood on the floor.

“My Queen!” Pharynx rose from his kneeling position, determined to help her, but Arach raised a hoof to stop him.

“Send Aethina to the centaurs,” she breathed. “Lena to the batponies. Promachus to the hippogriffs. We’ll need their aid to defeat Midnight.”

“I…hear and obey, my Queen,” Pharynx whispered. “Do you have anything more?”

“Just a message for Chrysalis,” she whispered. “Tell her…tell her even if I never got to say this one final time to her face…Be strong, my daughter. You have exceeded my expectations in everything. You will have to tread your path without me now. Be strong. I love you, Chrysalis.”

Pharynx shed a tear. “The message will reach my cousin, my Queen. You have my word.”

“Now go,” she commanded. “Go. And don’t turn back.”

Pharynx nodded, then turned to leave the room.

He looked back once at his Queen hanging in the jet black chains.

And then cursed Midnight with all his being.

Chrysalis was on top of the Town Hall, watching as her brethren neared Ponyville.

“Let me talk to them first,” Chrysalis urged Flash. “I’m sure I can work something out.”

“Chryssy, that’s a bad idea,” Luna warned. “Midnight commands them.”

“Let her try,” Flash said as he stared up at the horde. “If she can stop the bloody battle that’s about to come, I’m willing to give it a shot. Seen myself my fair share already. I would like to avoid more bloodshed.”

Celestia glared at him. “But what if they attack Chryssy?”

“The princess ever teach you the recall spell?” Flash grunted as he unsheathed his sword, keeping it at the ready. “Use that.”

Luna blinked. “Right! The recall spell! Um, Chryssy, this might feel a little weird.”

“What’s going to feel weird—” Luna’s horn lit, and there was a tingling sensation down Chrysalis’s spine. “Ah.”

“It’s a tether,” Luna explained. “At any given moment, I can pull, and you’ll pop right back to wherever I set the other tether. Right now, that tether is me, so you’ll appear right next to me.”

“Useful,” Chrysalis mumbled. “Celestia, could you come with me?”

“Of course,” Celestia grinned. “What sort of friend would I be if I didn’t? Gonna need that recall spell, though.”

“No need,” Luna replied. “Just put a hoof on Chrysalis. I can’t manage two at once, it strains my mind if I do.”

“Gotcha,” Celestia smiled at Chrysalis. “Ready, Chryssy?”

Chrysalis steeled herself. “Ready as I’ll ever be. Wait! Doesn’t Celestia need some armor or something? Just in case?”

“Don’t have those,” Flash grunted. “If you can’t tell, we’re a farming town. Defenses on a basic level is already above and beyond the usual.”

“Besides,” Celestia smirked as Philomena landed on her outstretched hoof. “I don’t need armor. Radiant taught me some…very useful magic tricks with phoenixes.”

“Say what—” Chrysalis gawked as Philomena was set aflame, and a line of fire ran down Celestia, making it look like she was on fire for a moment. The flame dissipated just as quick as it had appeared, but now Celestia had an outline of orange on her fur.

“The flames of a phoenix are incredibly useful,” Celestia explained. “They have a lot of uses, if you know how to tap into their potential. Only problem? Barely any let themselves be tamed or befriended. Philomena and Radiant are the exceptions.”

“I see,” Chrysalis grinned. “Well, let’s go. I trust you to watch my back, Tia.”

“Hey, Lulu, she said it!” Celestia smirked. “You owe me ten bits later!”

Luna groaned. “Oh, c’mon!”

Chrysalis stared at the two. “You made a bet…on me calling Celestia by her nickname?”

Luna shrugged. “We bet on everything.”

Chrysalis stared at them for a moment, then looked up. “They’ve stopped. Is that…a flag of parley?”

“A white flag, yes,” Flash noted. “That’s interesting.”

Chrysalis steeled herself again, and nodded. She flapped her wings, then buzzed upwards, with Celestia right behind her.

“Cousin!” she called out. “I know you’re there! Talk to me!”

She hovered a little distance away from the changeling horde, waiting for a response.

Then a purple-black changeling made his way to the front of the horde, and his eyes bored into Chrysalis.

“Cousin,” he said softly. “I have not heard you call me that in years, Chrysalis.”

“Pharynx,” Chrysalis replied back. “How are you doing?”

“Well enough as can be,” he said, staring at her. “I’ve been made General, as you could probably tell.”

“Yes,” Chrysalis said carefully. “You have been, yes.”

“Can we talk on the ground?” Pharynx asked, glancing at the crowd surrounding them below, before gazing at the pegasi on the storm clouds, ready to fry him at the first notice.

Chrysalis paused. “Is that so you can wipe them out faster?”

“No,” Pharynx promised. “If it makes you feel better, only Stinger and I will come down to the ground. My right as General, and hers as Deputy.”

A small nod from Celestia, and Chrysalis relaxed. “Okay. We can do that.”

Pharynx barked an order, and a green-black changeling made herself known.

With Stinger and Pharynx, they landed back down on the top of the Town Hall, Flash glaring at Stinger and Pharynx.

“This has to be a trick,” he said. “There’s no way you’re asking for a parley.”

“No tricks,” Pharynx promised. “Just…protocol.”

He sighed heavily. “I have news, Chrysalis. News from the old Queen.”

Chrysalis frowned. “Old Queen? You mean Grandmother? But isn’t she dead?”

“No, Chrysalis. Your mother. Old Queen Arach.” Stinger said softly.

Chrysalis’s brain took a few moments to buffer. “Wait. You mean…?”

Pharynx and Stinger both knelt before Chrysalis. “Your mother abdicated, Queen Chrysalis,” Pharynx said hoarsely. “You are our Queen now.”

Chrysalis blinked.

They were telling the truth.

As Pharynx and Stinger knelt, the changeling army all dipped their heads in the skies, their horns alit.

“We pledge our allegiance to you, Queen Chrysalis,” Stinger said respectfully. “We pledge our loyalty, our lives, all to your new hive. If you would accept us.”

“W-what?” Chrysalis stammered. “Accept you? Of course I would! B-but why did Mother-”

Pharynx lay his head against hers, their horns touching.

And then her mind expanded.

Chrysalis could feel her small hivemind expanding as hundreds more joined her command, along with the bright mind of Pharynx at the forefront.

Celestia looked at Chrysalis with concern as she fell to her knees too, her eyes widened.

Hundreds of voices, all chittering to her.

And with one sentence repeated over and over.

Hail Queen Chrysalis.

“Your mother had a message for you,” Pharynx said. “I’ll give it to you once we’re in a more private setting—”

There was a shout from the gathered pony crowd, and Chrysalis’s mind started buzzing with the changelings all saying something.

“Tia,” she whispered and pointed upwards, in the opposite direction of the changeling horde. “Look.”

All of them looked at where Chrysalis was pointing.

Dragons.

A dozen or so of them, with two at the forefront that stood out due to their size. One of them was holding a scepter in her claws.

“Dragon Lord Ember,” Celestia breathed. “That’s…Dragon Lord Ember.”

A flapping of wings, and Flurry landed right next to them.

Her eyes locked on the largest dragon, a purple one with green scales running down his back.

“Spike?” Flurry whispered.

Arach blinked as she felt her hivemind dissolve.

One by one, they all disappeared, leaving to join another.

She smiled.

“Long live…Queen Chrysalis,” she rasped. “And may her reign be long and prosperous. My daughter…will be safe.”

The door was blown open.

“YOU DARE?!” The voice of Midnight roared as her magic wrapped around Arach, dragging her upwards. The chains broke under the pressure as Midnight dragged Arach towards her, and they cut into Arach, causing more green blood to splatter on the floor.

“YOU DARE?!” Midnight spat in her face. “You dare betray your Queen?”

Arach gave a rasping laugh. “You’re not my Queen. Not anymore. You’re not Princess Twilight. Now…my Queen…is Queen Chrysalis.”

“Your daughter,” Midnight hissed. “I should have killed her.”

“And if you had done that,” Arach said shakily. “You would have lost your leverage. As you had when you left her someplace you could not touch immediately.”

A bellow of anger as Midnight slammed her into the wall with her magic.

Arach felt her ribs crack.

“I said,” Midnight dragged her upwards again, looking at Arach’s bloodied and battered body. “If you ever betrayed me, or any of your changelings did, I would kill all of you. Starting with you. I gave your kind a chance to redeem yourselves after the new hive was formed. To wipe them out.”

Arach coughed. “Y-you could…never understand. Princess Twilight…did. Y-you could…never. You…have f-failed. M-my plan,” she laughed, her voice breaking up. “Has w-worked. Y-you…lose.”

“Then you shall die,” Midnight had composed herself. “And all of you will fall beneath my blade. I suppose I shall have to turn to the batponies for my new army, now. A pity. The changelings had so much potential.”

“No one…” another cough. “Will follow you. Y-you…are insane.”

“Insane I may be,” Midnight whispered into Arach’s ear. “But I am still the most powerful being in Equestria right now. Scream for me. Scream, because I promise you will not go quickly.”

And the last thing Arach saw was Midnight’s blade rising into the air, before it sung down, slashing across her vision.

Arach screamed as her vision was taken, her eyes gone.

I’m sorry, Chrysalis. I’m sorry. Sorry I never got to tell you one last time that I loved you.

Even if she’d never know.

Then as Midnight began her work, Arach screamed again.

Chapter 12 - Long Awaited Reunions

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 12 - Long Awaited Reunions

Celestia landed on the hill overlooking Ponyville, even as Luna teleported to her side with Chrysalis. She watched as the dragons landed in the grassy field just in front of the hill, the purple one — Spike, she reminded herself, thudding down with a thump.

Flurry was next, slowly gliding down even as her eyes never left Spike. Then next was Princess Sunset with Radiant, the two keeping their distance even as Spike’s emerald eyes locked onto the pair. He snorted, smoke trailing out of his nostrils as he turned to the last arrival, Dragon Lord Ember. Ember gave a small nod, still holding the scepter in her claws.

Spike trudged over, folding in his leathery wings as he did so. The resulting gust of wind as he folded his wings in ruffled Celestia’s mane, messing it up a little. She winced, but stood her ground as the dragon slowly made his way over.

Flurry was the first to speak.

“Spike,” she said softly. “It’s been a while.”

A derisive snort, but Spike said nothing.

She trotted up to him, the dragon dwarfing her with his size, but she lay a hoof on his snout. Spike stiffened, but he didn’t pull away, but relaxed slowly and closed his eyes.

“The Crystal Empire misses its brave Knight,” she whispered. “Oh, how have I missed you, Spike.”

His eyes flickered open. He blinked once, twice, then finally spoke, a deep gravelly tone.

“I still remember when you were just a filly,” he murmured. “When all we had to worry about was you blasting the library’s bookshelves down or you blowing holes in the ceiling. When T-” he hesitated. “When T-twilight was teaching you magic.”

Flurry leaned against Spike as he settled himself into a lying down position, his eyes still focused on the ex-Empress. Celestia was quiet as she listened, as she watched with Luna. It was not their place to interfere.

“I m-miss Mom,” her voice was wracked with grief. “I m-miss Aunt Twilight. And then when you l-left…”

“You lost your last friend,” Spike whispered. “I’m sorry, Flurry. Sorry I never came back to check in. Sorry I never came back just to say hello, or to drop by for dinner.”

Contrary to his intimidating size, Spike actually sounded kind. Warm. Understanding. Luna settled into a lying down position too, leaning against her sister.

Flurry smiled bitterly. “Why did you leave?”

“Four hundred years without Twilight was a long time to be without someone I loved with all my heart,” he said regretfully. “I ached for someone to fill the hole in my heart.”

Flurry’s ears perked up. “You finally found someone else?”

“You’re looking right at her,” he chuckled, a deep rolling sound. “Flurry, meet my mate. Her name is Ember. You might know her.”

Flurry’s eyes widened. “You’re dating Ember?”

“Not dating,” Spike corrected gently even as Ember rolled her eyes from where she lay. “We’ve been together for six centuries. We’re officially a ‘thing’. Four eggs. Two hatched. And then on the third century, I went into a deep slumber. I only woke two weeks ago. I suppose Harmony wanted me to be here when…you know.”

“Congratulations!” Flurry said genuinely. “I’m happy for you.”

A rueful chuckle. “I suppose I wanted to find some happiness for myself. That I wanted to be away from it all.” He sighed. “I suppose it’s time to address the elephant in the room. Or dragon in the field, in this case.”

Flurry sat up. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” she whispered. “No one would blame you.”

Spike shook his head slowly. “What kind of Friendship Advisor would I be if I did that? No, I think we need to talk.” As he said that, he looked at Sunset.

“Yes, Spike,” Sunset said heavily as she trotted forward. “We do need to talk.”

His eyes surveyed Sunset as she trotted up to him. “You’ve grown taller. Last I remember, you were still at average pony height. Now you’re slightly taller than Cadance was.”

Flurry gave a wince at her mother’s name.

“Sorry, Flurry.” Spike stared at Sunset. “Did you repair the rooms I tore down?”

“I did,” Sunset replied. “But I left the claw marks. As a reminder of my failure.”

A snort. “You were always one to take everything upon yourself.” He tapped a claw on her chest. “Your heart’s there, but it’s misguided.”

“Equestria has missed its Friendship Advisor, Spike,” Sunset said as she lay down beside Flurry. “The role hasn’t been filled since you…left.”

“You mean since I threw a temper tantrum at you and burned down half the West Wing?” Spike smiled ruefully. “I take responsibility for that.”

Sunset shook her head. “I blame myself, and myself entirely. You know, I half expected you to come back and yell at me. To breath fire on me. Or to attack me. All of which are justified.”

Spike shook his head slowly. “I had six hundred years to reflect on our parting. After the first hundred of me raging at the world, blaming you for everything that had happened, I realized that all of us shared the blame. Twilight was a kind pony — strong and protective of us all. She alone held her burden for decades before she snapped, and when she did, it was because she felt neglected. You were not the only one who made a mistake, all of us did. I was too preoccupied with my own life that I never saw it coming. I am to blame too.”

Sunset gave a small pause.

Her eyes seemed to search for something in Spike’s before she put a hoof on his snout.

“I’m sorry, Spike,” she whispered. “Could you ever forgive me?”

A nod from the dragon, and then the tears flowed freely.

“Oh, c’mere, you,” Spike grumbled as he pulled both Flurry and Sunset in for a hug, nearly crushing the both of them. “I’ve never been one for the mushy side of things.”

Celestia and Luna both smiled at the scene, giving ‘aww’ noises.

However, Chrysalis seemed to grow even more downcast, her expression bordering on rage, grief and sadness.

And as the moon started rising, she looked up to see two constellations briefly appear in the sky.

Then she rubbed her eyes, and they were gone.

Chrysalis shrugged as she returned her attention to the tearful reunion.

She must have had been seeing things.

Midnight’s horn glowed, pulling the moon above the horizon.

Night time. Perfect time to call her favored creatures.

The Star Beasts.

She tilted her head back, and began to sing.

Come to me, my stars.

Remember your dance, remember your life!

Follow me again, for it is time for us to reunite.

And let it be known, that I love you all the same.

Come, wander among the ponies.

Trample those who would defy our rule.

Destroy our enemies, break those against us!

And as the song reached its peak, stars flew out from her mane and formed their constellations in the sky, if only briefly.

Come to your Creator, my favored creatures.

My Star Beasts, for the Herald of Stars calls you once more!

And in the skies, the constellations of the Ursa Major and the Ursa Minor were visible for a moment, before they disappeared again.

There was screaming from within the castle as Midnight leaned over her balcony to see the fruit of her work gather within the courtyard, stars gathering to form two enormous shapes.

The larger of them lifted her head up to stare Midnight in the eye.

Then the Ursa Major threw her head back and roared to the skies.

Midnight laughed as the Ursa Minor too joined the roar, the Star Beasts ready to follow her bidding as the Herald of Stars.

“Go,” she ordered once the roaring had stopped. “Destroy Ponyville. Bring Sunset, her two students, Chrysalis and my niece back alive, but kill everyone and everything else.”

The Star Beasts nodded, and dissipated into glittering stars as they made their way to the distant town.

Midnight gave a rare grin.

They had no idea what she had just set upon them.

Then she saw the glint on the horizon.

And as the shape grew bigger, she saw the phoenix heading her way.

Radiant Flamefeather.

Her wings beat against the air, flickers of flames on her feathers as she saw the castle in the distance. Her home.

She stopped flapping, letting the wind take her, soaring on the currents. Radiant’s wings burned, lighting up against the darkness that was about to set upon the land. The phoenix glided towards the castle, with only one goal in mind.

To do what she could not a thousand years ago.

Over the past eon, she had earned many names. She Who Watched, Flamefeather, Glory of the Sun, but she remembered one the first pony she had ever seen in her life give her the most. Friend.

Twilight was still in there. She had to believe. Otherwise, why would Midnight have spared Sunset? Why would Midnight not have destroyed them all already?

Then a bolt of magic sliced past her in the darkness.

She careened to the side, her eyes focusing on where the bolt had originated.

The balcony.

Midnight Sparkle.

The mad alicorn’s horn was lit up, her cold eyes glaring at her. Her horn lit up again, and a lance of magic struck at her. Radiant barely avoided the attack, and even then a few feathers were sliced off. She screeched in pain, flames burning brightly on her even as her magic worked to heal her.

As it were, her glide was interrupted, sending her spiraling down as she flapped fruitlessly, her momentum lost. She stretched out her wings to catch as much wind as she could, giving a quick glance at her wing to ascertain the damage. She had lost two primary feathers, and four secondaries. Bad. Very bad.

And then her world vanished.

She reappeared in a familiar room, and she crumpled onto the basin of flames she had used as her resting place for the centuries before. Immediately, she felt reinvigorated, the magical flames replenishing her energy and strength as they licked at where her missing feathers were. She could feel them regrowing slowly, returning to their place.

The door opened, and a wave of fear spread over her as an overwhelmingly powerful presence weighed upon her being. Midnight trotted into the room, her irises a slit and her skin taut around her eyes. Now she realized. Midnight had been the one to bring her here, had been the one to teleport her here.

“I should kill you,” Radiant’s heart ached at the voice. It was Twilight’s, but with a little distortion and much colder. “I should end you for the damage you brought against me in my fight against Sunset a thousand years ago.”

“Then why don’t you?” Radiant said softly.

“Because I can’t, you stupid bird,” Midnight spat. “Your kind is rare enough. And you have memories, knowledge, things that I need in that mind of yours. Your brethren are spread across Equestria, and only you know where they are. The phoenixes’ tears can heal almost any injury. I need those tears for my uses.”

“None of them will agree to serve you, Midnight,” Radiant whispered. “None of my kind will agee to follow the one who killed the first pony who was a friend to us.”

Midnight stared at her, the gaze boring into her very being. “I expect that. It doesn’t matter to me. All I need is you for now.”

Radiant shook her head. “I will only serve two ponies. Twilight and Sunset. And you’re not either of them.”

Then she took a gamble.

“Twilight, if you’re in there,” she cried out. “Listen to me! Fight! Your loved ones need you now, more than ever—urk!”

Midnight’s magic had wrapped around her neck, choking her, restraining the passage of air through her throat.

“She’s gone,” Midnight hissed. “And you would do well to remember that.”

Midnight let go of Radiant, composing herself. “You will stay here, locked in by my magic until I find out what I can do to truly hurt you, to retrieve those tears of yours,” she said as her horn lit up to cast the spells. “If you behave and give me those tears, I promise you can have everything you want. I may be a dictator, but a dictator knows how to reward those who serve her faithfully.”

“Never,” Radiant whispered. “I will never serve you.”

A flash of something in Midnight’s eyes, and Radiant’s own widened.

For a moment, she had seen Twilight’s pride.

Then Midnight was glaring at her again. “Suit yourself. I will return. Do not try to leave, it will be extremely painful.”

Then she swept out of the room, the door slamming close and locking behind her.

Radiant was trapped.

There were no windows, no escape methods to think of.

And the walls and door were made of solid stone. Nothing her flames could burn through.

But her heart dared to hope.

For she had just seen Twilight in Midnight’s eyes, and she knew…

She knew that Twilight could still be saved.

Chapter 13 - The Fallen Stars

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 13 - The Fallen Stars

The train puttered slowly towards Ponyville, Tirek glancing out the window every once in a while.

Foolishness, a voice echoed in his mind. We should return home, and defend our lands with Father. Why should we assist the ponies?

“Prince Tirek?” A nervous voice broke his line of thought. “We’re about to arrive at Ponyville.”

Tirek turned his attention to the reddish-black changeling who had just spoken.

Aethina, if he recalled correctly.

“Good,” he said emotionlessly. “Are my crates secure?”

“Your mana crystals are secure,” Aethina confirmed. “We’ll unload them once we arrive. They’re wrapped in a lot of bubble wrap, they won’t break.”

“Very well. Now—”

Tirek never finished his sentence as the train screeched to a halt, carriages crumpling and breaking apart as something hit the locomotive with force rivaling that of a meteor.

Tirek was thrown against the wall of his carriage, his form slumping as he hit his head against it. As he blearily looked up with a darkening vision, he saw two enormous, glittering bears roaring at the sky, having materialized onto the train and crushing it beneath their paws.

One was three times larger than the other, and it broke away from the smaller one, charging toward Ponyville in the distance. The smaller one, however, remained, lowering his nose to sniff at the train.

Tirek struggled to push himself to his hooves, even as black spots made themselves known in his vision.

Then a dark-red aura bobbed a crate to his hooves, and dropped it there. He turned to see the source of the magic, a broken Aethina whose carapace had been cracked and destroyed from the force at which she had impacted the wall. Now only did Tirek realize the shimmering red behind him was a cushioning spell cast by Aethina. She had saved him at the cost of her own protection.

“Go…” the changeling breathed as the light in her eyes dimmed. “Do not worry…about me…I will be born again…as another…Long…live…Queen…Chrysalis…” then her head lolled to the side, and the changeling known as Aethina took her final breath.

Tirek hadn’t known Aethina for long. But she had saved his life. And he would be damned if he could not repay her sacrifice as he would with the others that had presumably taken their last breaths operating the train.

He broke open the crate to reveal several dozen glimmering dark red crystals.

An orange glow built on his horns as he breathed in, absorbing the magic that was stored in the crystals. Almost immediately, he felt his energy return, his form swelling as he broke through the roof, and he bellowed his rage at the bear made of stars.

The Ursa Minor turned to him, and in its eyes, he saw nothing but darkness. It roared at him, before charging toward him.

Therefore Tirek did the only logical thing he could think of.

He punched the Ursa Minor in the face.

“Monster alert!”

“Gather up!”

“Sir, what do we do?”

Flash Sentry gazed at the giant bear made of stars barrelling towards them. It was of even greater size than the hydra he had faced with Ponyville. Even then, he had injured one of his eyes.

“Pray,” he said with a resigned tone. “That’s all we can do.”

Then as the bear neared within a kilometer of the town, Flash’s eyes widened as he saw a purple shape drop from above, roaring a challenge as it slammed down onto the bear. A dragon!

“Evacuate the town!” Luna popped into existence beside him, her eyes wide. “The dragons and changelings will handle this, but Ponyville needs to be evacuated!”

Flash shook his head. “I know it does logically, but us Ponyvillians are stubborn. Show us what to do, and we’ll fight with you. This is our town, and we’re not losing it to some kind of eldritch beast from the stars.”

Luna pursed her lips. “I don’t have the authority to give you orders, so I can’t stop you. But we do need all the help we can get.”

Even as she said it, Spike was bodily slammed aside, the Ursa Major digging its claws into Spike, breaking scales as it did so. Spike roared in pain, before breathing fire upon the beast, sending it stumbling back, although none the worse for wear.

“It’s impervious to most attacks,” Luna explained. “I’ll need your ponies to try and distract it, we’re working on a containment ring to seal it in. Chryssy’s gone to mobilize her changelings, so we’re currently trying to slow it down before it hits Ponyville. The dragons are too small to fight it except for Sir Spike, and Dragon Lord Ember is calling for reinforcements.”

“So we’re in a temporary pickle, then?” Flash Sentry gave a silvery grin. “Fear not, I’ve been many of pickles myself! PONYVILLE, MUSTER UP! RUN DISTRACTION SEQUENCES!”

The pegasi in the air saluted, and the earth ponies on the ground nodded and ran off toward where Spike was doing battle with the Ursa Major. Meanwhile, the unicorns remained, their horns alit and ready to protect Ponyville.

“I’ll teleport us,” Luna said. “Hold on tight.”

Flash nodded, and the two ponies disappeared in a flash of light.

Tirek straightened up, his form even larger now as he loomed over the now defeated Ursa Minor, who was making pitiful noises of pain as the centaur knelt down to examine the creature. After Tirek had stunned it with the punch, it was foal’s play to absorb its magic, and once he had done so, it had been reduced to a lowly bear cub.

“Hmph,” he snorted. “Barely a challenge. Go. Run, little one. You are no threat to me. Not anymore. But your mother…”

He looked off into the distance where Spike was fighting the Ursa Major—and losing.

“She’s a threat,” he cracked his knuckles. “And I will take her magic too.”

He stomped off, leaving the bear cub in the wreckage of the train.

As he did so, the changeling swarm emerged from the forest behind, Chrysalis at the lead as she tried her best to organize them with Pharynx.

“No, Aunt Carapace…” Chrysalis’s voice was getting tired. “We can’t do what you’re suggesting.”

Carapace snorted. “Your leadership skills are abysmal, niece. Let me lead.”

“Well, you can lead if you want to,” Chrysalis snapped. “I certainly didn’t ask for this. Oh, that’s right, I’m the only one who can listen to the whole hive, because it chose me!”

Carapace drew her lips back. “Fine. But when we enter battle, General Pharynx will lead. He has the experience. You don’t. And plus, you’re too valuable to let into the fight.”

Chrysalis let out a resigned sigh. “Whatever it takes to get you out of my mane, aunt. Please, just…I’m Queen now, whether you like it or not. I…I have duties to do. We don’t have time to argue. I’ll stay back if that’s what makes you happy.”

“Good,” Carapace relented, then her expression softened. “I’m sorry if I’m being harsh. You need to learn to be a good Queen - my sister would have wanted that. Stay safe, niece. We’ll be back soon.”

Chrysalis could only look as the hive flittered forwards to the fight, while she landed on the top of the wrecked train.

Then she heard the pitiful mewl, and she turned to see the bear cub poking its head out of a train carriage.

Chrysalis flitted down to the bear cub, cautiously peering at it as it shrank from her gaze.

“Don’t be afraid,” she called softly. “I’m a friend.”

The cub poked its head out from behind the broken carriage it had been hiding behind, before sniffing the air. After it apparently detected no threats, it slowly made its way over to Chrysalis, trudging through the debris.

Then Chrysalis noticed the green ooze sticking to the bottom of its paw, leaving behind green pawprints. Her heart sank.

“Oh, Aethina…” she recognized the ooze. It was the blood of a changeling. Moreover, if she was correct, this was the same carriage that was transporting Aethina and Prince Tirek to Ponyville. “You lived well. We will remember you.”

The bear cub reached her, and she knelt down to ruffle its head.

She gazed at the green ooze sadly, before lighting her horn. She would see Aethina’s final moments, as was her duty as Queen. Her eyes shut as her horn cast the spell, and all went dark.

Forgive me, my Queen.

Aethina’s magic shoved Tirek out of the way, before she cast the cushioning spell.

Then a giant paw came down, and all went black.

“Go. Do not…worry…about…me.”

Chrysalis opened her eyes, staring at the bear cub currently nuzzling itself in her hold, apparently comfortable to snuggle there. As her eyes raked over the cub, she noticed the star patterns all over its fur, and they seemed to twinkle in the weak light of the rising moon.

“You,” she breathed. “The Ursa Minor.”

The cub mewled, turning its head to look at her.

And her heart melted.

“You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Chrysalis murmured as she ran her hooves through the cub’s fur, gently petting it. “Not when Midnight controlled you and your mother. You deserve better. You’re one of the Star Beasts.”

The cub didn’t answer, but its shining eyes told Chrysalis all she needed to hear.

“Aethina served the hive till the very end,” she said softly. “There can be no higher honor for her. We shall remember her. And as for you…” Chrysalis looked down at the Ursa Minor. “Let’s get you back to your mom, shall we?”

“Well,” she looked at the raging battle in the distance. Was that…a giant Tirek? “As soon as they manage to get her out of Midnight’s control.”

The battle took place just a bit off Sweet Apple Acres, and it was a mess.

Spike had attempted to wrestle the Ursa Major, but to no avail as the Star Beast just slammed her paws into his face, knocking him unconscious. The changelings had swarmed her, but she snorted angrily as she swatted as many as she could out of the air, as if they were nothing but a nuisance.

Then the Ursa Major looked up as she heard Tirek’s angry battle cry, a bellow of rage.

She snorted, before charging him. Tirek’s horns glowed, blasting a ray of magic at her, but she simply absorbed the blast, before slamming her body into him, continuing to charge forwards, carrying the stunned centaur with her.

Then she faceplanted into a giant shield the unicorns were casting, their horns alit and powering their spell. The shield cracked, and beads of perspiration flowed down the unicorn’s muzzles, but the shield held firm as more magic flowed into it, reinforcing the barrier.

“HOLD!” Flash’s voice carried across the field. “DRAGONS, NOW!”

A dozen dragons slammed into the Ursa Major, grappling for a hold on the Star Beast, and their combined weight began to wear her down as she bellowed and roared. Tirek dusted himself off, before stomping over to her. His horns glowed as he attempted to absorb her magic, but frowned when nothing happened.

“I can’t absorb her magic!” Tirek growled. “Something’s—”

Then several things happened at once.

The ground began to rumble, as if hundreds of creatures were heading their way.

Strike that.

Hundreds of creatures were headed their way.

Yaks and centaurs were galloping across the land along with griffons and hippogriffs soaring through the sky. The yaks stopped a distance away as they began to jump on the spot, shaking the ground, and throwing the Ursa Major off balance.

The storm clouds flashed, followed by a giant thunderbolt striking at the Ursa Major.

The centaurs all together charged the Ursa Major, even as the unicorns led by Luna started casting a spell together, a large net beginning to form in the sky. The pegasi, led by Celestia, had gathered a giant tornado that was headed their way, ready to stop the Star Beast.

Then when everything hit the Ursa Major, she bellowed as she went down, the net dropping directly on top of her, ensnaring her paws.

The gathered creatures cheered.

But victory was not be had, the Ursa Major’s eyes glowing a deep black, before she seemingly had a boost of strength, ripping through the net. The dragons went flying, thrown back by the force of her movement, while the centaurs stumbled and scattered as she stomped.

Then she breathed in.

Tirek stumbled, his horns glowing now. His eyes widened as he began to shrink, magic being dragged from his horns and into the Ursa Major’s mouth. Luna and Celestia both gaped at the sight. It was nothing they had ever seen before.

Tirek tried in vain to claw back the magic he was losing, but it was to no avail as the Ursa Major held her ground while the creatures pummeled her with attacks. Nothing worked.

Then once all of the Ursa Minor’s magic had been taken from Tirek, the Ursa Major swatted at him, but just in time, Luna was able to teleport beside him before teleporting both of them out.

She roared to the sky, a seemingly unstoppable force.

Then she pawed at the ground, ready to charge once more.

Until a clear and recognizable voice could be heard.

“STOP!” Chrysalis called as she flew up to the Ursa Major, her wings fluttering and struggling to balance against the dying thunderstorm and tornado.

“Chryssy!” Luna shouted, her voice filled with fear, then she stopped in her tracks as she saw what Chrysalis was carrying.

Chrysalis was holding a bear cub.

And then the world went silent as the Ursa Major turned her attention onto the changeling queen.

“I believe this is your child,” Chrysalis said softly. “I found him. I treated him well. Please, stop your anger. Midnight is controlling you. You are greater than this. Nobler than this. You guided many sailors, and many creatures as they traveled the lands, helping us on our path. This was not your purpose. You are beautiful, and you are grand. You are not a weapon to be used.”

The Ursa Major snorted, but her eyes were locked on the bear cub.

“You can have him back,” Chrysalis smiled. “He’s your cub.”

The Ursa Major made a rumbling noise, as if struggling against something. Then her pitch-black eyes brightened, purple returning to it as she gazed at her cub. The Ursa Minor mewled, recognizing his mother finally.

The Ursa Major breathed out, causing Chrysalis to yelp in surprise as the cub in her hooves began to grow. She let go of the Ursa Minor hurriedly, and by the time he crashed to the ground, he was full-sized once more, mewling as he nuzzled against his mother.

The Ursa Major turned her gaze onto Chrysalis, then a deep rumbling noise came from her throat.

“She’s saying thank you,” Discord supplied, suddenly floating beside Chrysalis. The changeling queen didn’t even jump this time, getting used to the draconequus’s antics. “She says she had no choice. But she thanks you for freeing her from the demon’s control. She thanks your kindness, for not hurting her cub.”

The Ursa Major dipped her head, before she and the Ursa Minor dissipated into glittering stars, returning to the sky once more. And if you listened carefully, you could hear the scream of rage from a mad alicorn.

Then the world cheered.

As Midnight screamed in rage on the balcony, her magic scrabbling in vain to recall the Ursas, another event was happening in her vault.

One of the orbs was glowing a bright green.

Chapter 14 - Reversion of Expectations

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 14 - Reversion of Expectations

Midnight screamed, threw things around, broke tables, threw more things, and yet, the stars refused to listen to her. Even her favorite constellation, Scorpius, had betrayed her.

Betrayed you? Twilight taunted, speaking in her mind. No, you betrayed them.

“Shut up!” She screamed, slamming her head into the wall. Twilight went quiet, but at the cost of her throbbing forehead. “What to do, what to do, what to do…”

She couldn’t challenge her enemies directly. If she did so, she’d be giving them chances to prove themselves worthy of the Elements. Already, Kindness had awoken. All that Element needed now was the pony and the receptacle, and Kindness would be ready to face her.

She would need something big.

Something that would wipe out as many of her enemies as possible in one fell strike.

But how?

She looked outside her window at the far distant speck of Ponyville, then her eyes strayed to the dark clouds above Canterlot. Flashing dark clouds. They were ready to storm upon the city, the weather ponies not daring to work at Canterlot anymore.

An idea formed in her mind.

No!

“Yes…” she savored the thought. “They’re going to be in one place. Perfect.”

And her laugh echoed throughout the castle as she began to perfect her plan.

“Why won’t they let us join in?” Celestia complained as she leaned on her sister, looking at the tree that was the Ponyville Library. “We were helping! Hey, even Chryssy’s in there.”

“Well, probably because they’re all world leaders, and we’re not, Celly,” Philomena sighed as she preened herself, perching on Celestia’s back. “We’re just bound to get in their way as they decide what the best plan of action against Midnight is. Remember, she’s one of the—”

“Most powerful alicorns, yadda yadda,” Celestia grumbled. “Whatever. We got numbers!”

“Only alicorn in commission,” Luna corrected. “Princess Sunset lost all her knowledge, Empress Flurry has an inhibitor ring they don’t know how to remove. She has the advantage of age and power. One wrong move, and she’ll wipe us out instantly.”

A sigh from Celestia. “Well, whatevs. Wanna get ice cream? Us kids can’t do anything, anyways.”

Then she had a thought. “Where’d Discord and Sombra go? I thought they were getting the gems we needed. Shouldn’t have taken this long, right? Should we go look for them?”

“No,” Philomena said firmly. “Absolutely not. Mother already banned us from entering the Everfree Forest. And if you don’t want her ratting us out to Princess Sunset about all the rule breaking we did under her tutorship, I can tell you, for one, I’m listening to her.”

“Ugh,” Celestia groaned as she leaned back, causing Philomena to squawk and flail in alarm as she flopped down to her back. The phoenix barely got clear as Celestia lay down. “This is boring!”

“Boring it might be, but we need to stay vigilant,” Luna reminded her sister. “We can’t rest until Midnight is taken care of. Every minute, we’re in danger of her attacking. She already sent the Ursas after us, we can assume that she’ll send more constellations.”

“Mhm. Then back to my first question. Ice cream?” Celestia asked grumpily.

“One of us needs to stay,” Philomena said. “Just in case something happens to the other two so they can tell the rest what we were doing.”

“I’ll stay, in that case,” Celestia sighed. “Grass is comfy anyways. Chocolate ice cream cone, thank you and goodbye.”

Philomena nodded. “We’ll be back before you know it!” She perched on Luna’s back, and the two teleported away towards Ponyville proper.

Celestia closed her eyes as she rested on the hill, her body relaxing into the soft grass as she thought about the events of the past few days. Even though she had complained about the current situation being boring, she knew that what had happened would be the highlight of her life. A mad alicorn taking over Equestria? Exploring the Everfree Forest? She had experienced so many things that she likely would never go through again.

And she was a little saddened by the fact. Sure, she wanted everything to go back to normal, and creatures to not get hurt anymore, but studying eternally didn’t seem like something she wanted to do, unlike her sister. She wanted to do something important for Equestria, something that would put smiles on creatures’ faces.

And right now, she was doing just that. She wanted to help Equestria. To bring about a better dawn for every creature. And what better way than to help defeat the mad alicorn making everyone’s lives miserable?

Then her nose twitched.

That smell…the smell every pegasus would know.

That sharp electrifying scent, the ozone evident.

But this one was strong.

She opened her eyes in alarm to look at the skies. A giant storm was gathering, but not any normal storm.

It was a tornado being gathered by a single figure.

Lightning crackled, even as the alicorn in the spinning tornado gathered more clouds and wind with her magic, the cloud in the middle getting heavier and darker. And right below it? The Ponyville Library.

Midnight’s plan was evident to Celestia. She was going to summon a large lightning bolt to destroy the tree, possibly the largest to be ever summoned, then unleash the tornado to destroy whoever remained. And because of the important meeting that was happening, they had cast a noise canceling spell. None of the occupants would see the lightning bolt coming, even if they looked out the window, for they would assume it was a normal storm.

She rose to her hooves, determined to warn the occupants of the tree.

Then, Midnight was there beside her. Celestia jumped at the appearance of the alicorn, alarm written all over her expression. The alicorn simply smiled and did a shushing motion.

“Let it happen,” she said with a benevolent smile that sickened Celestia. “They are a plague on our world, a disease. If they’re gone, no one will miss them. I will rebuild a better, stronger Equestria.”

“No!” Celestia shouted as she began to run for the tree. “I won’t—”

“You want to make Equestria a better place, don’t you?”

Those words stopped Celestia in her tracks. “What?”

“You want Equestria to smile, right?” Midnight coaxed. “I can do that. Once these bugs are off my land, I can begin to rebuild. And best of all, you’ll be right there. As one of my Princesses. Your sister can join us too, if she wants. I don’t have the strength to raise the sun and moon, along with governing the land all day. You and your sister can help! You could be Sun, your sister Moon. They’re your Marks, aren’t they?”

Celestia hesitated and looked at her flank, where the Sun was.

“Let them fall,” Midnight said soothingly. “Let it happen. Equestria will be all the better for it! I know I made a lot of cruel decisions, but Sunny never told you the full story, did she? Equestria and her turned their backs on me. Neglected me after all I did for them. Look at the history books. You know I’m right. Why else are there gaps?”

“I brought Knowledge to this world,” she said softly. “I arranged the stars, I created books, I lit up the way for the Lost. And what did they do? Abandon me and praise Princess Sunset for everything I did. You can make it right. They won’t feel pain. I promise. Then you and I can begin to rebuild a better Equestria.”

Celestia’s thoughts were racing.

They…abandoned her?

“Just take my hoof,” Midnight offered her silver armored hoof to Celestia. “And I’ll spirit you to Canterlot, along with your sister and phoenix. If you want, I’ll spare even the changeling princess. Just say the word.”

Just…say the word…

“What say you?” Midnight smiled. “Will you join me in creating a better Equestria?”

“No.”

Midnight’s expression twisted. “What did you say?”

“I said no, monster,” Celestia snarled. “Maybe Princess Twilight felt abandoned. But it was her that did all those things for Equestria, not you. She was the one who lit up the darkness for us. You’re just bringing more of it to darken our land. You don’t deserve our love. We do need to apologize for our behavior a thousand years ago, but not to you.”

Midnight’s face was full of hatred. Then the frown lines faded and she giggled madly. “No matter! The storm’s almost done, and you won’t break through my barrier before the lightning bolt unleashes!”

Celestia turned quickly, and to her dismay, there was a glittering barrier between her and the tree.

“Since you denied my proposal, you’ll watch as your friends all die,” Midnight hissed. “And one more thing? I teleported your sister and pet phoenix into that tree. They’ll be too busy figuring out how they got there to figure out what’s going on outside. You’ll be the last of them all. I’ll find you once they fall. And you’ll live forever in my dungeons, knowing you could’ve prevented many, many deaths.”

With a pop of magic, she teleported away, the ghost of a laugh hanging in the wind.

Celestia was at a loss of what to do.

She couldn’t warn the occupants of the tree.

She wasn’t strong enough to stop the storm.

What did it matter that she refused the offer? Her loyalty would be the death of her friends.

Then, an idea came to her.

She couldn’t stop the storm.

But she could be the target of it.

And so she flapped her wings as hard as she could, heading straight for the storm in the skies. Her wings pumped as she flew as fast as she could possibly manage, even as the dark cloud in the middle began to glow. The lightning bolt was coming.

And just as the light flashed and thunder boomed, she reached the airspace above the tree.

Lightning struck her.

Celestia screamed as the electricity flooded into her body, burning her fur, seared through her bones.

She felt the pain, and could do nothing but scream.

Then it was done.

Her wings spasmed, before giving out. Her eyes closed.

And Celestia fell, a smoking pink maned pegasus, dropping down.

She felt gentle claws catch her.

And her eyes creaked open a little and saw the mismatched eyes of the draconequus she had eventually come to know as a friend.

Discord was back.

His eyes were full of anger as he snapped his claws, and the barrier broke apart into cotton candy. Ponies and creatures rushed out the tree at the sound of the breaking barrier, only to gasp and point in horror as Discord slowly floated down with Celestia in his arms.

“CELESTIA!”

Celestia barely heard the cry of her sister as her eyes closed once more.

It was getting painful to breathe.

Her world was getting darker, but she could see light.

She reached for the light.

“NO!” Philomena.

“STAY WITH US, MY STUDENT! AID IS COMING!” Princess Sunset.

“CELLY, NO!” Chrysalis.”NO, PLEASE!”

Then the sounds faded away, the pain blissfully disappearing as Celestia fell into an endless void.

Midnight was back in the tower, watching the faraway clouds glow as their charge was prepared.

The lightning struck, and she threw her head back to laugh.

Then she felt it. A wave of Harmony pulsing through the tower.

It could only mean one thing.

“NO!” she roared as she spun around. One of the Elements was glowing a bright pink.

Loyalty.

“NO!” Even as she spun around to look at the tree again, she knew her plan had failed. The foolhardy pegasus who had refused her offer had stood in her way. “SHE—”

Harmony always prevails, Twilight whispered in her ear. No matter how much you try to put it down, Harmony will always be there. Don’t worry, Midnight. Soon, we’ll be trapped on the moon together again, where you’ll be unable to hurt anyone. They’re coming for you. You just hurt one of their most beloved friends.

Midnight tore her eyes away from the tree, ignoring the voice in her head.

She had to act fast. Armies would be coming for her.

That meant she would need an army of her own.

Chapter 15 - Lighting the Darkness

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For Whom the Twilight Falls

Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy

Chapter 15 - Lighting the Darkness

“Come to me, child. Find me, use us to defeat the darkness. You have awoken us, if for a moment. Listen to my voice and find us. We’ll guide you from there.”

All Celestia could see around her was darkness.

It felt so much easier to just follow the voice, away from the pain. The voice was already fading, but she could sense the path the voice used to talk to her. A part of her told her that it was a bad idea to follow right now, that the voice did not intend for her to come after her in whatever world they were in right now.

But it seemed so much better. And so much more painless.

And so, she followed the voice, leaving the pain behind.

Ponyville had become the unofficial resistance headquarters, the different species and their leaders filling the small town. The residents of the town had resigned to the fact, knowing that they too would be destroyed if Midnight descended upon them. All they could do now was help those that sought to retake Equestria for her rightful ruler.

Changelings made up the patrols, pairs of three littering the edges of Ponyville as they watched for potential enemies. The singular centaur of Tirek sat outside of the Ponyville Library, fiddling with a branch that had fallen off the tree, while his kind talked to the griffons. Yaks had set up just outside of the town, tents erected on the hill nearby. The hippogriffs had made the pond their temporary home, using the pearl they brought along to shift in and out of their forms.

This all was ignored by those inside the Ponyville Library, who had all gathered around a bed hastily set up in the middle of the hollow tree. A scorched white pegasus, her previously bright pink mane burnt off or charred to a black, lay twitching on the bed even as a draconequus bent over her, his claws glowing.

“There’s only so much I can do for her,” Discord said as he snapped the burnt edges of Celestia’s mane away. He snapped once more, and the burn marks faded away slowly, replaced by bubbles, which he swept away. “Chaos magic isn’t cooperative at the best of times, and this certainly isn’t a good day. Are you sure none of you can try?”

“I don’t remember my healing spells,” Sunset’s tone was frustrated as she kicked at a chair. “I can bring magic to my horn, but I fear I’ll do more damage than help with my ineptitude with magic without my knowledge. We may have broken the inhibitor rings, but…”

“Empress Flurry’s shell shocked,” Chrysalis mumbled. “She saw the whole thing, lightning striking someone who wanted to protect her. She’s not in the right state of mind to cast any magic anytime soon, Princess Snowfall’s trying to comfort her.”

“No, that’s not it,” Sunset whispered. “I wager Flurry still thinks her aunt can be saved. But the fact that Midnight just tried to kill us all, and may have even killed my student, she can’t come to terms with that fact. Who can? Those with memories of Twilight knew her as a benevolent ruler, one who loved all. Twilight would never…never try to kill any creature.”

“Well, tell her to snap out of it,” Philomena growled, the phoenix’s flames blazing bright. “She was already ready to point hooves at Chrysalis, as if she tried to help the coup. Now she can’t come to terms that her aunt is a cold-blooded murderer? Oh, for feather’s sake—”

“Not the time, Mena,” Sunset chided, smacking Philomena over the head with a wing. “Sir Discord, what seems to be Celestia’s condition?”

Luna was by Celestia’s side, her horn lit up using every pain relieving spell she knew. “Tell us,” she begged. “Is my sister going to be okay?”

The draconequus rubbed at his head. “I’m no medic, but I can say a few things.” He glanced up. “Preferably with lesser creatures. Closest friends and family only, please. The more of you in here, the more Chaos Magic acts up.”

“C’mon,” Sunset beckoned. “Queen Chrysalis, let’s get some air. We can go find Flurry and Snowfall and see if we can’t have a word or two.”

“Just call me Chrysalis,” the changeling’s ears were flattened. “That title was my mother’s. I don’t…I don’t feel comfortable taking it yet.”

“Then, Chrysalis, you will be important for us to ascertain Empress Flurry’s mental state,” Sunset nodded. “You can sense her emotions and help us figure out what is the best path to take—”

“Yeah, yeah, DISCUSS IT OUTSIDE!” Discord shouted. “What part of I need concentration do you not get?” He snapped his claws, and everyone but Luna and Philomena vanished from the room. “Finally. Some peace and quiet.”

“So, what’s the news?” Philomena hopped onto the bed next to Celestia, whose breathing was erratic, her chest rising up and down without a rhythm any of them could tell. “Is she going to be fine?”

“Physically.” Discord tapped a claw to Celestia’s head, and a burst of pink mane appeared, replacing the burnt bits. “Luna, take care of the burn marks on her body, please.”

“On it.” Luna nodded, her voice strained. “Wait, what did you mean physically?”

“You’re holding up better than I thought,” Discord didn’t answer for a moment. “I’d have expected you to be full on panicking by now, since she’s your sister. I’m impressed.”

“Answer the question, Discord,” Philomena snapped. “Celestia means a lot to everyone here. We don’t need you giving us riddles.”

“Fine.” The draconequus tucked Celestia’s mane behind her ears and sighed. “I managed to fix her. Mostly. Some of her mane might change colors every hour. Chaos Magic is hard to tame, after all. And I couldn’t fix her primaries, she’s not going to be able to fly for like a week, those feathers are charred. But she should be mostly fine. However, that’s just her body. Her mind is another question.”

Luna turned her head to look at Discord sharply. “I swear, if you’ve done anything to my sister—!”

“We’ll beat you up in honor of Celly,” Philomena nodded. “We trusted you!”

“No, this wasn’t me,” Discord’s brow knitted. “I’m afraid our dear Celestia isn’t entirely there. Something called her while her mind and body parted ways for a moment when the lightning bolt hit her, and I fear she was lured away. Even if I try to wake her up now, she physically cannot if she isn’t in here.” He tapped a claw on Celestia’s forehead. “I don’t think whatever called her had any ulterior motives, but the fact still remains that she needs to come back.”

“What do we do?” Luna slammed a hoof on the ground. “What can we do? And what do you mean called away?”

“She awakened some very powerful forces when she threw herself to save all of you in the tree,” Discord sighed. “I can’t figure out any more than that. To find out more, we’d have to enter Celestia’s mind ourselves. But we might go insane if we aren’t careful.”

“Then let’s do it.” Luna said resolutely.

“Yeah, that’s the right choice, we can wait for her to try and come back herself—” Discord stared at Luna. “Did you not hear me? We might go insane.”

“She’s my sister.” Luna growled.

“And my bond,” Philomena added. “We need her back.”

Discord glared at them, before sighing. “Fine. But Luna’s casting the spell. I ain’t trusting Chaos Magic to deliver us safely into Tia’s mind to drag her back.”

“I don’t know any mind spells—” Luna started.

“I’ll guide you,” Discord shushed. “You just cast it.”

Luna gritted her teeth. “Alright. What should I do?”

“Well, first you…” Discord glanced at Celestia. “Wait! She’s back!”

The pegasus was groaning on the bed, her hoof on her head. “Wha…? My body and wings ache so much…”

“Don’t move, you were quite literally fried pegasus just a few hours ago,” Luna said in a worried voice. “Where did you go? Discord said your mind was gone for a while!”

Celestia’s eyes widened. “My mind? What do you…” She shook her head. “Later. Right now, we’ve got a more pressing matter. The Elements! Midnight has them! They weren’t missing from the cave, Midnight took them!”

Luna paled. “Well, horseapples.”

“FUCK!” Philomena squawked.

A few minutes earlier…

Celestia had followed the voice into…more darkness.

But she could feel a presence near her, along with the pain she had felt just a while ago gone. Two presences. Three. Four. Five.

They had yet to notice her, and she could feel their power waning. Three of the presences seemed to be awake, while the other two slumbering. Not only that, it felt as if there was something missing. As if five was not the full number of what these beings were.

“Those idiots!” Celestia heard a voice scream. “I did so much for them when ponies didn’t know anything about changelings! I gave them peace! And what did they do but betray me, their true Queen?”

You were never their queen, A voice taunted back. And neither was I, we simply were friends to them. You simply took my spot after whispering sweet nothings to me. I was a fool for falling for your lies, but your honey won’t work on the changelings. They knew your true self once you took their queen out of the equation.

“That voice…” Celestia murmured. “It sounds…familiar?”

And the three presences turned their attention to her.

How…?

It was the voice that Celestia had heard earlier, the one that she had followed to wherever this was.

How are you here, child? Go, quickly, before the darkness notices you!

“You called me!” Celestia protested. “You told me to find you!”

In the real world, child! You should not be here with me, it is too dangerous! You have proven yourself worthy of my power, but you cannot claim it without your body and mind together! We can shield your presence from her, but she will notice that there is someone spying on her that is not meant to be here eventually!

“Who are you?” Celestia demanded. “And what do you mean by I am worthy of your power? And what do you mean by we?”

I am Loyalty, child. She who never leaves her companions behind. And as for what I meant by we…

I am Kindness. Another voice spoke. She who helps all, regardless of who they are.

I am Laughter! A third voice chirped. He who brings a smile to all, lifting everyone’s spirits, even in the most saddest times!

Our companions, Generosity and Honesty, are still slumbering, for their fated bearers have yet to wake them. Loyalty spoke. You may not understand what I mean for now, but you will. We are the Elements of Harmony, Celestia.

“The Elements…” Celestia whispered. “We tried to find you! But you weren’t in the cave you were supposed to be in!”

That’s because the darkness beat you to us first. Loyalty answered softly. Besides, the Elements aren’t just us rusty old rocks. They’re you, too. They’re in every creature that embodies the six Elements. Only that the greatest embodiments of the Elements wield their force for good in a more physical form.

You must go now, Kindness urged as Celestia heard hoofsteps near the darkness that was around her. If the darkness finds you before you leave, she may very well trap your mind with her forever, leaving your body an empty husk. Then your friends and family would have a new matter to worry about. I do not know how you were able to follow Loyalty’s path back here from you, but now is not the time to be wandering in this realm while the darkness rules it.

“Wait, before I go, where are we?” Celestia asked.

The dream realm, silly. Have you not guessed yet? Laughter giggled. The world of dreams!

And there was light, a door of some kind opening above them. Midnight’s face, filled with rage, encompassed Celestia’s vision.

“COME HERE!” Midnight roared. “YOU DARE SPY ON THE QUEEN OF EQUESTRIA? I WILL FIND YOUR DREAMS—”

Go! Loyalty shouted as Celestia felt a push from her, and she tumbled back into darkness.