Prologue: A Story for a Young Filly

The Gift of Life Prologue

Here is the song Celestia sings in this prologue. A beautiful piece of work done by PonyPhonic. I recommend everyone listen to. I was nearly in tears :'(

~~~

Beautiful music filled the halls of Canterlot Castle, waking a young unicorn filly from the safety and comfort of her bed. She opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling, before rolling over in her bed to look over at her door. Behind that door was where the source of music came from. Its sorrowful notes gripped the young filly’s heart with an unparalleled sadness that she had never felt before. She took a deep breath, and pulled the covers away from her body so she could clamber down onto the smooth marble tile that covered her floor.

She started to gather a stack of books underneath the doorknob. Being that the filly still only came up to a full grown pony’s knees, she had many troubles reaching her own doorknob, and usually had a maid with her at all times to help her get around the castle.

"I wish I could use my magic," the unicorn filly grumbled, stacking more books to make a staircase to the doorknob. "But no, I can only use it at my daily practices."

When the stack of books was high enough, she climbed to the top and turned the doorknob. The filly hopped off of the stack before the door could smash into the stack of books she made, and send her falling to the floor. She clumsily rolled to a stop and picked herself up, listening to some more of the beautiful music. She set off down the hall.

The little unicorn followed the source of music through corridor after corridor. As she was rounding a corner, the familiar shadow of her foalsitter appeared, and she quickly took shelter behind one of the many expensive vases that decorated the castle halls. The unicorn filly watched as the young alicorn made her way by the vase, and when the coast was clear, she hopped back into clear few and continued on her way.

Finally the filly came to a pair of massive double doors. One of the doors was slightly cracked open. The filly pushed the door open slightly and entered the massive and lavish room only to find the bed that was normally occupied at this time of night to be empty. She then heard some more of the song that was echoing through the castle. The filly turned towards the source and saw a large and regal pony staring up at the moon that was drenching her in its gloomy light.

♫ “May all your dreams be sweet tonight
Safe upon your bed of moonlight
And know not of pain, sadness, or care
When I dream, I’ll fly away and meet you there
Sleep…” ♫

Tears flowed freely down Princess Celestia’s face as she stared up at the outline of a pony that had stared down over Equestria for a thousand years. No, it was not a pony. It was her…

Princess Celestia jumped when she felt a soft nudge brush up against one of her pale and slender legs. Her nerves were calmed instantly when she saw it was her little unicorn student, Twilight Sparkle. She gave a sigh and stared back at the moon. This was no way that her student should see her mentor.

“Princess Celestia, why are you crying?” asked the filly in her little voice.

Celestia looked back down at the little filly and forced a sad smile. Twilight looked back up at Celestia with big and innocent eyes that were filled with genuine compassion. Celestia gave another small sigh and lay down next to the unicorn filly, extending her wing so she could place it around the filly when she shivered as a gentle breeze picked up.

“You know, you should be in bed young filly,” Celestia said.

“I know Princess. It’s just that I woke up to some beautiful music and wanted to investigate,” the filly said.

“Oh, I’m sorry Twilight. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“But Princess, your music is so beautiful. Why haven’t I heard you sing that before?”

“It’s…” The Princess hesitated. Should she tell this young filly about the story of her childhood? Perhaps she should know. It is only a matter of time before she finds out anyway. The thousandth Summer Sun Celebration is drawing near and her sister will be released…

The princess’s thoughts were stopped short when there was a sudden thud as one of her doors to her bed chambers was pushed open and the sound of galloping hooves came to a stop behind her. Celestia turned to see that it was Princess Cadence who had rushed into her chambers.

“Auntie! Twilight has gone missing! She is not in her bed and I… Oh.” Cadence had stopped short when Celestia had lifted her wing to reveal Twilight staring back at her. Cadence looked between the Twilight and Celestia a few times before opening her mouth.

“Shouldn’t Twilight be in bed, Auntie?” Cadence asked.

“That is my fault, Cadence," Celestia said, rolling her eyes, "I accidentally woke Twilight with one of my songs, so she came here to investigate. I was about to tell her the story behind the song. Would you like to join us?”

“Uh… Sure. Of course, Auntie.”

Cadence trotted over to the other side of Celestia and lay down as well, allowing the princess to extend both of her wings and shelter the two ponies from the cold air. She then looked back up at the moon as another tear managed to slip down her face.

“Cadance, have you ever heard me sing the song about the two sisters; about the one sister who fell from grace while the other did nothing to stop her?” Celestia asked.

Cadance nodded and looked at her aunt with a quizzical expression. Celestia took a glance at first Twilight, who was still looking up at her, and then over to Cadence.

“Well, I thought up that song in dedication to my sister that I lost a thousand years ago.”

“Wait, you had a sister?” Cadence asked with disbelief in her voice.

“Yes, I am the sister in the song who is depicted as not saving the other from her fall. Her name was Luna. She used to have power and control over the moon and together we ruled over Equestria. That is, until the day that I lost her.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, Princess, how did you lose your sister?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

Princess Celestia looked across the city of Canterlot, now breathing in the silent night. She felt a brief sense of serenity, before she felt a nudge against her neck. It was Candece. Celestia realized she had started crying again, and she cleared her throat.

“Back about one thousand years ago there used to be a city called Everfree, and it was the capital of Equestria…”

Chapter 1: Luna

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The Gift of Life
Chapter 1: Luna

“Celestia… Celestiaaaa?” echoed a rather shrill voice down one of the halls of Everfree Castle. Princess Celestia looked up from her hiding spot with her large eyes through the thin darkness that surrounded her. She giggled when she heard the mare's footsteps making their way through the corridors.

Celestia was regularly playing hide and go seek with Meadow Free, as it usually meant she could get out of doing distasteful things for a while longer. Even if it was a relatively simple game the sheer size of Everfree Castle made finding a white filly alicorn all the more difficult for an earth pony maid. The games could last for hours upon hours until finally Celestia would cramp up and try to find a new spot to hide in if it only meant she could stretch her legs. She heard hoofsteps approach.

“Celestiaaaaa! We really need to get moving today. It is a big day for your whole family” said Meadow Free. Her hoofsteps were growing closer.

Celestia wrinkled nose from the dust inside the ancient vase. It smelled of musk and the old ponies on the High Unicorn Council, and she held her hooves up to her nose when more dust started to tickle the inside of her nostril. The added contact, however, only spurred the irritation onwards, and in no time Celestia opened her mouth wide and sneezed.

“AHHCHOO! Aww, ewwww,” Celestia's voice echoed loudly inside of the vase.

The lid to the vase opened up and Celestia looked straight up at the face of a castle maid. The maid wore a small smile of amusement, and said, “Oh look at you, Celestia. You sneezed, and got boogers all over your hooves and your chin. Come on, bath time, let’s go.”

“Aw, come on Miss Meadow Free! Can we play some more at least?” Celestia whined, lifting herself up to peer out of vase. Mucus stained her hooves and her cheeks, and Celestia winced when some of the mucus slid under her hooves when they were propped up on the edge of the vase's lid. "I don't want to take a bath yet."

“We are already behind schedule young filly," Meadow Free said. "Your father wants you ready and looking as nice as you can. You know how the press can be.”

Celestia looked at her hooves and allowed herself to be picked up and put on top of Meadow Free’s back. She rode on top of Meadow Free as they made their way back to Celestia's room.

"Aren't you excited?" Meadow Free asked, a little squeal present in her voice. "Your sister is supposed to arrive today."

Celestia smiled a small, genuine smile, and lightly bit down on Meadow Free's mane.

"Just imagine," Meadow Free continued, ignoring Celestia as she bit her hair more, "another alicorn princess running around the castle, causing trouble and creating a huge ruckus amongst the guards. Oh, I wonder what she'll look like, or what she'll grow up to be. What will her cutie mark look like?"

"And I'll have another friend to play with!" Celestia squeed.

"Yes, and all the more reason to make a good first impression. You're coat is practically as dark as your father's now with your shenanigans from today."

Celestia giggled, and stopped playing with Meadow Free's hair, and said, "I guess you're right. I do need a bath."

Meadow Free stopped, and looked back and Celestia with a sly smile.

"What?" She asked sarcastically. "Princess Celestia actually agrees with me that she needs a bath? This is going down into the history books."

Celestia giggled, and her and Meadow Free fell silent for a time as they both continued their way back to Celestia's room.

"Meadow Free?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, Celestia?"

"Why does the press need to be present when my sister is born?"

Meadow Free sighed, and she slowed her walk before she spoke, "It's the unfortunate backlash of being part of royalty, Celestia. Alicorns are scarce, and for one to be born is perhaps something a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most ponies. The only alicorns to exist in history are your parents, so the citizens of Equestria are genuinely interested in there now being a fourth alicorn coming into existence."

"But wouldn't watching my sister be boring?" Celestia asked. "I heard from my mother that when I was born, all I did was eat, sleep, and poop."

Meadow Free giggled, and said, "Yes, yes, well, the press aren't entirely interested in actually watching your sister, per say. They are more interested in your parents, and probably how they came to creating your sister."

The pair reached Celestia’s personal bathroom shortly and Meadow Free gently set Celestia down on a towel that was already laid out. The filly looked up at her personal maid and smiled.

"You're very pretty, Meadow Free," Celestia said.

Meadow Free was small for an earth pony with a light and very soft green coat. Her hair was white and very curly while there were strands of a pale grey randomly twirling through her mane and tail. She had a floppy ear as well from when she a blood clotting problem in her ear from when she was a filly about Celestia’s age. On Meadow Free’s flank there were three yellow flowers arranged in a triangle pattern.

"Oh, stop flattering me, you silly filly." Meadow Free said, blushing. “Alright, so let’s get the water turned on…”

Meadow Free twisted a knob and water started to fill the tub very slowly. The maid turned back to look at Celestia and gave another smile of amusement. She sat down on her haunches and looked at the little filly alicorn in front of her.

"You're a very pretty pony, too," Meadow Free said.

"Not as pretty as you!" Celestia replied.

“Maybe right now, but we'll fix that,” Meadow Free turned back to the bath tub and turned the water off, checking the temperature to make sure she was satisfied with it. When she was satisfied she turned back to Celestia, picked her up, and plopped her in the water with a chuckle. Celestia glared at her.

“You are so cute when you’re angry.” Meadow Free chuckled.

“I am not!” Celestia pouted.

Meadow Free reached over to the shampoo and soap and set them on the ground next to her. She then picked up a bucket next to the bath tub and collected water to be used to pour over Celestia. Celestia closed her eyes as she felt the water run down her face.

“Do you have a sister Miss Meadow Free?” Celestia asked.

“It just so happens that I do.” Meadow Free finished pouring the water over Celestia, and grabbed the shampoo bottle, squeezing its contents onto a brush and started to scrub Celestia's back. “Her name is Justice Free. She works as a detective for Everfree’s police force. She looks very similar to me except that her hair is straight and black instead of white and grey like mine is.”

“Are you the older sister?”

“Actually, no. I am the younger sister between the two of us. She is a few years older than I am. That never stopped her from playing with me however. I remember when she used to tie a really large sheet around her neck, and pulled me throughout our entire house. I would be laughing and screaming whenever we pulled around a corner really fast on our wooden floors. I always asked for more when we were done. Always.”

Meadow Free poured some more water over Celestia to rinse her body off, before grabbing some of the conditioner for her pink and brightly colored mane. While Meadow Free was applying the conditioner, Celestia asked, “Miss Meadow Free, do you know my sister’s name?”

“I’m afraid I do not, Celestia. Your mother and father didn’t want anypony knowing what her name was going to be before she was born. Knowing your parents, it is probably something really pretty and appropriate.” Meadow Free replied as she nodded at Celestia’s flank.

Because Celestia was born an alicorn, she already had a cutie mark on her flank. When an alicorn is born they are given power over a cosmological force that their parents used to have control over. In this case Celestia was born with powers over the sun and could raise and lower the sun at will when she had received the proper training. Until then, every day Celestia had to relinquish some of her energy so that her parents may raise and lower the sun for her.

When Meadow Free had finished scrubbing out the remainder of the conditioner from Celestia’s mane and tail, she rinsed her body one more time, and then took her out of the water to dry. Celestia was dried fast due to her small stature, and in no time was the little princess sitting in front of her maid getting groomed. Celestia watched as slowly her mane and tail were groomed until they were wavy and flawless and beautiful.

When Meadow Free started to groom and shine Celestia’s coat, the filly asked “Miss Meadow Free?”

“Yes Celestia?”

“Do you think I will make a good sister?”

Without so much as pausing Celestia’s grooming, the maid replied “I have no doubt you will make a great sister.”

~~~

A set of slow and steady hoofsteps filled the halls of Everfree castle, while being accompanied by a set of faster and lighter hoofsteps. The two sounds bounced off of the walls in a disorganized fashion, and penetrated the stillness of the air that had befallen the castle. A well-groomed and pretty Celestia followed alongside her maid at a brisk trot, while the maid kept her own walk at a slow enough pace for Celestia to keep pace. The two rounded a corner and started to walk down another hall.

“Alright Celestia, we are almost there. Just one more corner.” Meadow Free said.

Celestia slowed her trot to a walk, and Meadow Free slowly came to a stop in front of Celestia and gave her a quizzical look.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"I'm a little nervous," Celestia said quietly.

"Aw, how could you be nervous?" Meadow Free asked as she lay herself down in front of Celestia.

"Do you think my sister will like me? Or think I am a good sister? What if she is scared of me?"

"Don't be silly, Celesita. I'm sure your sister will love you."

"But, at all of the parties my mother has taken me to become friends with other foals, all of the other foals would always stare at me strangely. I think they were afraid of me."

Meadow Free leaned forward to nuzzle Celestia on the cheek, and said, "That's because they don't know how wonderful of a filly you are. Your sister will be new to the world, and I bet she will be curious to know what kind of a sister you are."

Celestia returned the nuzzle and smiled.

"Good," Meadow Free said, rising to her hooves, "let's resume our trek."

The two rounded the corner at the end of the castle hall, and the Celestia saw her father standing outside of the room where her mother was staying. Celestia saw that her father was dashing and handsome. His coat was the color of a shimmering sapphire while his wings, when extended fully, were three times the size as any pegasus’s wings. His mane and tail were waves of deep purple hair that could flow just enough in the wind to have any mare falling head over hooves for him. He was adorned in a heavy chest plate of dulled steel with an orb of swirling, purple energy fixed in the center. His horn was the same length of any other unicorn’s horned and was always kept very sharp. On his flank was a cutie mark of a twinkling star with a few dots swirling around it. He extended his wings slightly when he saw Celestia and Meadow Free and beckoned them over.

When the two ponies approached, King Sol folded his wings back up again and lowered his head until the two ponies had finally reached them. Before Celestia could greet her father, Sol held a hoof to his lips. “Shhh, your sister was born just a little over an hour ago. She is sleeping right now.”

“Is it okay if I go in, Daddy?” Celestia asked, looking up at her enormous father.

Sol lowered his head again to rub his neck against his daughter’s, and then kissed her gently on the forehead before responding, “Of course you may. Here, let’s go in together. Your mother is so excited for you to see your sister.”

“What is her name?”

Her father held up a hoof and waved it back and forth lazily, and said, “I think your mother wants to tell you that.” He then looked over to a guard who had taken up post on one side of the door. “Stand guard and make sure nopony is allowed in besides High General Bright.”

“Yes sir!” the guard replied.

After Sol had given the guard a gentle pat on the back, Celestia, Sol, and Meadow Free all entered the birthing room together, and gently let the door shut behind them. When Celestia turned to look at the bed where her mother was laying, she was surprised to see how worn out her mother looked. Her mother’s coat was still the shimmering and gentle color of a morning sunrise although it was noticeably dampened and dirtied from sweat. Her mane was also a mess of tangles from the usual straight and flowing purple and deep orange hair she usually had. Her mother’s hooves faded to the same color orange as the roots of her hair and her tail had the same color palette as her mane. Her wings were also large, not near as large as her husband’s, and were the same color of her body except for the tips which were orange. Her horn was three times the length of any unicorn’s horn and was also regularly sharpened. On her flank was a swirling spiral galaxy. Her bright orange eyes were focused entirely on the mass of towels she was holding in her hooves. She still looked more beautiful than ever.

Celestia and Sol approached the bed, Sol keeping his eyes entirely focused on the mass of towels as well. When the two reached the edge of the bed, Celestia’s father reached down and picked her up so she could get on top of the bed. When she was safely on the bed, Celestia slowly sat down on her haunches and looked at Galactica smiling face. It was a face filled with joy and satisfaction. Just by looking at her mother, Celestia couldn’t help herself begin to grow a smile as well.

Queen Galactica turned her head so she could look at Celestia with her soft eyes. “Hi Celestia. Would you like to meet your sister?”

Princess Celestia looked over at the towels that were in her mother’s hooves, and then looked back at her mother’s face. She gave a nod. Her eyes started to widen as her mother turned the towels around to reveal the face of a dark blue alicorn filly. Her eyes were closed, and she had her mouth open in a cute yet comical fashion, allowing her to give a slight snore. Celestia got to her hooves, and took a few steps forward until her face was close to her sister’s.

The blue alicorn yawned and started to stir. Taken aback by the sudden motion, Celestia jumped back a little and crouched down to make herself look small. She was still looking at her sister when the little filly slowly opened her eyes, and stared back at Celestia. There came a deep and gentle chuckle from her father that was standing next to her.

“Looks like the new kid is awake. She nearly startled Celestia off of the bed.” Sol chuckled as he placed his head next to Celestia. Celestia stood back up as Galactica turned the filly back towards her and gazed upon her new daughter again with pride.

“She is so beautiful, wouldn’t you agree Celestia?” Galactica gently asked.

Celestia carefully walked along her mother’s side and sat down when she could have a good look of the alicorn filly. She gazed a little longer at her, and slowly formed a smile on her lips. “Yes, she is beautiful mother.” she said as she poked herself under Galactica’s foreleg and nuzzled against her side so she could be closer to her sister.

“Mother?”

“Yes, Celestia?”

“What is her name?”

Galactica turned her head and smiled warmly at her daughter before turning back to look at the delicate alicorn filly that lay resting in her hooves.

“Her name is Luna.”

Chapter 2: A Ride Through the Orchard

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The Gift of Life Chapter 2

It was a beautiful day out in the Everfree Gardens. The massive willow trees that filled the statuary were blowing gracefully in the wind, while flowers from cherry blossom trees fell delicately onto the grass near the Equestrian Fountain. Many species of bird such as song sparrows and macaws were flying from tree to tree, singing their beautiful songs of courtship and gentle conversation. An eagle sat perched at the top of the great fountain that sat in the very middle of the gardens, and was watching a family of alicorns spend an afternoon on a picnic blanket. One of the smaller alicorns caught its gaze, and it left its perch to fly off into the deep blue sky.

Celestia watched as the magnificent creature departed from the castle gardens. The way it spread its massive wings and took flight made made Celestia pout in longing. She looked back at her wings and gave them a little flutter, shuddering when the air from her wings brushed against her coat. Celestia looked back at the eagle, and as the last trace of the eagle finally vanished into the horizon, she turned back to her parents and saw that her father was gazing at her.

“She sure was a majestic bird, wouldn’t you agree?” Sol asked.

Celestia’s eyes drifted away from her father’s back to the point where she last saw the eagle. She slowly nodded her head, and turned back to her father.

“You would like to be able to fly as well, wouldn’t you?”

“Yes!" Celestia shouted, "I want to be able to jump into the air and take off around the castle. I want to experience falling through the air only to save myself at the last second before I hit the ground! I wish my wings would be ready faster, Daddy.” Celestia pouted a little as she looked at her father.

She heard her mother give a small chuckle, and her father smiled at her, and said, “Patience is a trait we all must learn, Celestia. One day you will be able to fly, and you will find it is worth the wait. Waiting a few years for your wings is only a small fraction of the price for being able to use them for as long as you live.”

Celestia forced a small smile at her father, but it waned when she looked back at her wings again. She still wanted to fly. She still wanted to feel the wind on her face from soaring through the air faster than she ever could gallop on land. She wanted to see the world from a birds eye few; to see all the ponies look like they were ants crawling across the landscape.

King Sol leaned his head close to Celestia’s, and the smile across his face had grown even wider, and he said, “But I could take you for a ride on my back. We could soar over Everfree and look down at all of the ponies. They look like ants!”

Celestia's eyes light up, and she started bouncing up and down.

“You would?" she asked, "You would, you would, you would!? Oh, please can you take me Daddy?”

She saw her father look over at her mother for an approving glance. Galactica merely shrugged, and mouthed ‘you be careful’ to him, before looking back at Luna, who was sticking her tongue out at her mother. Sol turned back to Celestia with his large grin still going strong.

“Only if you promise to give Daddy a kiss on the cheek.” he said.

Celestia bounded up to her father and gave him a huge kiss on the cheek, before hopping onto his back and securing her hooves around his thick neck as best she could. She could see his massive wings extending to their full length and lift into the air.

“Hold on tight!” Sol exclaimed, and he gave a single powerful flap of his wings and lifted both him and Celestia high into the air. Celestia looked down, and she saw the ground shrinking as the two alicorns quickly gained altitude. In a mere matter of seconds King Sol had risen to the top of the Tower of the Stars, the highest tower of Everfree Castle. The little filly squealed in excitement.

Sol circled around the tower a few times, letting himself glide around to give Celestia a magnificent view of the Castle and its gardens.

“Look! Can you see your mother and Luna over there?” Sol asked.

Celestia looked down towards the pink tops of the cherry blossoms, and she saw the figure of a pale orange alicorn and the tiny spot of a little blue filly crawling across the picnic blanket.

“I see them! I see them!” Celestia exclaimed.

Sol leaned into a dive towards the ground, tucking his wings close to his body and building up speed. Celestia gripped his neck tightly and shut her eyes, squealing louder as the two of them picked up speed. When Celestia thought they were going to hit the ground, she felt her father open his wings and catch enough air to send the two of them back up to fly over the trees. The little princess opened her eyes to gaze behind her, and she saw that the force from the wind behind her father was enough to leave a trail of cherry blossom flowers in their wake.

She was screaming in absolute delight while her father soared over the forest. He zipped over the tops of trees, and left ripples in one of the lakes when he flew close enough. Celestia lifted her face above her father's mane, squealing from the feeling of the wind blasting against her face and whipping her mane back and forth. After a few more minutes of the rush from the amount of speed her father was using, she felt him slow down to a glide as they started to near the city of Everfree.

Celestia's mouth was agape from the stunning beauty that could be seen from so far away. A massive and dense forest surrounded the entire city, shadowing over the smaller buildings that were built on the city limits. As the city grew closer to center the buildings became larger and larger, some becoming four or five stories tall. All of the roofs were made of clay tiles and shone a brilliant red in the sun light, like a beacon against the green that surrounded the city.

At the center of the city was the most beautiful building Celestia had ever seen. Everfree Castle was enormous and towered over all of the other buildings that surrounded it. Its white walls shined in the sunlight, and acted as a lighthouse for all traveling creatures that were looking for a place to stay, or were lost in the large Everfree Forest. Massive windows could be seen from all angles and at the keep in the center were the largest stain glass windows that anypony had ever seen.

Sol flew over the city slowly, gazing down at its citizens with a smile before he started to make his way back up to the top of the Tower of the Stars. As the two approached, for the first time Celestia noticed engravings carved on the side of the castle. Many looked like just vines or celestial bodies, but when Sol started to ascend The Tower of the Stars, Celestia noticed that there were drawings lining the whole tower from top to bottom.

“Daddy, why are there so many carvings of ponies on the Tower of the Stars?” she asked.

“Those carvings depict the story of your mother and I, and how we founded Equestria," Sol said, hovering in place next to a carving that had two aliorns standing over a gathering of ponies. "There is a drawing for every year since the first year when Equestria was founded.”

“So that means…”

“Yes, there are over seven thousand carvings on The Tower of the Stars. Every year a pegasus flies to the last carving and puts in a new one next to it.”

Celestia gave one last look of The Tower of the Stars before Sol flew over the clay tile roof at the top, and then made his descent back to Galactica and Luna.

King Sol landed on the ground gently and dropped to his stomach, allowing for Celestia to safely hop off of his back. Upon touching the ground again, Celestia stumbled and nearly fell over. She had never been flying before, and the weightlessness caused her to lose her sense balance for the time being. Once she steadied herself she quickly looked over at her mother and gave her a beaming smile.

Galatica gave Celestia a knowing smile and asked, “I take it you had fun?”

“Yes!" Celestia said excitedly. "Daddy took me all the way up to the top of the Tower of the Stars, and then just dived straight down…” Celestia made a whooshing sound and brought her hooves down. “…and then he zoomed past you two and over the tops of the cherry blossom trees. We had a trail of flowers behind us! It was so pretty! And then he took us around the forest and over lakes until we returned back to the city. And I saw Everfree mother! It is so beautiful. The castle really does look like a lighthou…”

The princess was cut short when she heard the sound of hoofsteps behind her on the grass. She turned, and saw a massive Zebra donned in in a heavy black chest plate with a cape and a helmet with a crest made from the horse hair of his own mane. He had gold bracelets around his legs, and piercing yellow eyes that frightened Celestia. She knew that on his flank was the picture of a spear.

King Sol spoke up. “Ah, High General Bright. It’s good to see you, my friend. What brings you out here?”

Bright spoke in a gentle but commanding voice, “It’s good to see you too, my friend. I am sorry to interrupt your day with your family, but the need is urgent. The National Socialist Pony Worker’s Party is continuing to give us trouble in the court for want of secession from the state. We need both you and the Queen present to restore order to the court.”

Celestia heard her father sigh, and gazed up at him. He looked at her back. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I need to go and help solve a problem in court with Mother. I’ll be back to play some more with you soon, I promise.”

He leaned down, and kissed Celestia on the forehead, before departing with High General Bright. Celestia turned to her mother, who was setting Luna down next to her sister, and Galactica asked, “Do you think you could watch Luna until Meadow Free and Regality come?”

“Of course! Don’t worry Mother!” Celestia replied.

“That’s my little filly. I’ll be back with Daddy soon, don’t you worry.”

And with that, Queen Galactica departed, leaving Celestia alone with her sister. The little white filly turned and sat on her haunches to stare at the little blue ball that was curled up on the picnic blanket. Like Celestia, Luna didn’t have the flowing manes like their parents did, but instead had a light blue mane that only curled slightly at the tips. On her flank was a picture of a crescent moon to symbolize her future role in raising and lowering the moon alongside her sister's raising and lowering the sun.

Luna started to stir, and Celestia felt the heat of the sun strangely intensify. She had only known her sister for two days, and the only time she had been with her sister was when her parents were around. Celestia glanced around in every direction except directly at Luna, and she started to envision quizzical looks from other foals. Luna gave a large yawn, and Celestia watched as she rolled onto her back and looked up at her sister.

“Um… hi.” Celestia managed to squeak.

Without uttering a noise Luna rolled back onto her hooves and stared at her sister. When Celestia opened her mouth to speak, no words came out, and the blue filly cocked her heard and blinked. Celestia sighed and sat down on her stomach.

“Ugh," Celestia groaned, "I’m sorry, Luna. I’m not really used to playing with other foals. Even with foals my age. I always get shunned at parties and stuff because I’m so different. I think the ponies are afraid of me.”

Celestia watched as her sister turned around and started prodding around the ground for something. Instead of trying to figure out what it is, Celestia continued speaking, “But you’re not like them, are you? You’re an alicorn, like me. You will understand the awkwardness that I have to go through when I try to play with other ponies. I feel like such an outsider just because of having wings and a horn. I bet you don’t even know what I’m saying, huh?”

Luna turned around with a dandelion in her mouth. She carefully got onto her tiny hooves, and slowly waddled over to where Celestia was laying and placed the flower at her hooves, before sitting back down and staring at her sister. Celestia looked at the dandelion, stunned, and then turned to look at Luna.

“Is this dandelion for me?” Celestia asked.

Luna didn’t respond, and instead cocked her head again and buzzed her lips. Celestia felt joy overcoming her. Her sister liked her. She had given her a dandelion. Even if the flower was technically a weed, it was still a show of appreciation towards her and Celestia wasn’t going to let it just pass by. Celestia got to her hooves, and leaned down to kiss her little sister on the forehead.

“Hey, I have an idea. A friend of mine told me that this was fun.” Celestia said as she turned and started using her magic to tie two corners of the picnic blanket around her neck. She looked back at her sister and gave a bright smile.

“Alright Luna, hold on tight!”

Luna made a squeal, and with a jolt as Celestia darted forward, the two sisters were off towards the cherry blossom trees. Celestia was barreling straight towards a jagged path that was naturally grown from the rows of trees, Luna was laughing in delight behind her. The soft grass gave padding for Luna, so even if Celestia ran over a rock, the little filly couldn’t feel a thing.

Celestia rounded one of the trees quickly, allowing for Luna to drift across the grass, and jerked forward as she took off towards another row of trees. She galloped as fast as she could pull her sister, and soon they were at the other end of the cherry tree orchard. Celestia came to a stop and through gasps of air she asked “Ready to head back?”

“Dahaah!” Her little sister squealed.

Celestia smiled and wheeled about. She pawed at the ground and licked her lips before she took off again down between the cherry blossom trees. As she galloped past she could see flowers from the trees falling around them. Soon Celestia was slowing her pace until the two fillies were moving at a slow trot. She glanced back at her sister.

“I thought we should slow down and take a good look at the trees.” she said.

Luna made a little grunt and looked around her. Celestia could tell she was in awe from all of pretty flowers floating around the pair. A flower drifted down and landed on Luna’s nose. The filly princess looked at it for a second, crossing her eyes to see before she opened her mouth and chomped down on the flower when it fell off of her nose. Celestia giggled.

“Hey, I think I see Meadow Free and Regality. Come on, sister!” Celestia exclaimed as she spotted two ponies at the top of the hill next to the Equestrian Fountain.

Celestia broke into another gallop with Luna still sitting on the blanket. Soon the two fillies stopped at their maids hoofs and Celestia looked up with a smile.

“I took your advice Meadow Free!” Celestia said.

Meadow Free chuckled, “I can see that you did.” The mare lay down on her stomach and looked at Luna. “And how did this little filly like the ride?”

Luna threw her arms into the air and made a high pitched squeal, followed by a giggle, from excitement. Meadow Free laughed.

Another pony joined Meadow Free next to Luna. No, it wasn’t a pony, it was a Night Guard. Night Guards were a separate species from regular ponies that normally lived in Equestria. They all had dark coats that usually varied in shades of grey. They had thick and heavy hooves, and their entire race had yellow eyes similar to that of a snake. The pegasi variants of the Night Guards had bat-like wings while the unicorns had horns similar to that of the unicorn pony species. They all had black and straight manes and tails. They lived in a nation that was to the east of Equestria and bordered the Tramplevanian Alps.

This particular Night Guard was a pegasi, and she wore her hair tied back in a ponytail. She smiled, and said in a very quiet and soothing voice, “Aw, she is so pretty.” She nuzzled Luna’s cheek, and then turned to look at Celestia.

“Oh, hello there. My name is Regality. I will be your sister’s maid just like Meadow Free here is yours!” she said as she gave Celestia a big smile.

Celestia beamed and bounded up to her sister’s maid. “Hi! I’m Celestia. Well, I’m Princess Celestia, but I like being called just Celestia. It doesn’t seem right for a friend to call me that.”

“Oh ho, I’m a friend?” Regality asked.

“Of course. You have to be friends with Luna if you’re her maid, right?”

“Well, I guess you could say that.”

“Then that makes you my friend! Any friend of Luna’s is my friend too!”

Regality chuckled and leaned her head down to give Celestia a nudge on her cheek. “Well, I am honored to call you my friend as well.”

Celestia hopped away and untied the blanket from around her neck. She then turned and jumped onto Meadow Free’s back. “So, how are you getting along with Luna?” she asked.

“She is so fun," Celestia said, "When I was talking about my experiences with other foals she found a dandelion and gave it to me to feel all better!”

Meadow Free looked over at Luna and smiled. “How generous of her,” She said as Celestia started to nuzzle her face into Meadow Free’s mane.

“Meadow Free, do you think we could show Regality the cherry blossom trees?” Celestia asked.

“Of course, Celestia. Would you like to lead the way?”

The little white filly squealed, and quickly hopped off of her maid’s back and started racing down towards the orchard. She paused for a bit to let Regality and Meadow Free to catch up with Luna sitting on Regality’s back.

“Come on, you guys are so slow!” Celestia playfully whined before she took off again into the cherry blossom orchard.

Meadow Free and Regality chuckled and trotted after the little princess, while Luna was squealing with delight on Regality’s back.

Chapter 3: The Royal Babysitter

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The Gift of Life Chapter 3

One year later…

“Now, Celestia, are you sure you can watch Luna while Meadow Free and Regality finish up running some errands in another part of the castle?” Queen Galactica said, staring into a mirror as she applied eyeliner. A note lie next to her that indicated that King Sol was off on a diplomatic mission to the Griffon Kingdoms to secure a much needed trade route through their mountains, so the Queen was left to running Equestria on her own.

“Don’t worry, Mother!" Celestia exclaimed. "I can take care of my little sister just fine.”

Celestia stood straight at attention behind her mother with a face set with determination. Galactica whirled around, and giggled at the sight of her daughter. She bent her head down, and kissed Celestia on the cheek.

“Oh who am I kidding?" Galactica said. "I have the most responsible daughter in the world. To tell the truth, I would trust you to guard a post over some of these Royal Guards walking around the palace.”

Celestia beamed, and nuzzled her mother against one of her front legs. She had grown over the past year. It was not by much, but there was a slight difference in her height as the tip of her horn now reached just above Galactica’s knee.

“Hm, we should give you a royal title for this job you are to undertake," Galactica mused, looking at Celestia. "Looking after a royal princess filly is no easy task you know.”

“But aren’t I already a princess?” Celestia asked.

“True, that you are. However, this is a different job from being a princess. You are like a babysitter. You are to babysit the filly, Princess Luna!”

Celestia hopped in place, and her wings fluttered against her sides, and she said, "Oh! This is like a real job! What will my title be? What is it going to be!

“How would you like to be called The Royal Babysitter?” said as she sat down on her stomach.

Celestia hopped in place once again, smiling, and said, “Yes! I like that title.”

“It’s settled then," Galactica declared, smiling, "I, Queen Galactica, Queen of Equestria, Defender of Beauty and Justice, Mother to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, do hereby dub thee, Princess Celestia, Princess of Equestria and Assaulter of the Royal Jar, Sister to Princess Luna, and Daughter of Queen Galatica and King Sol, the Royal Babysitter for the regal Princess Luna!”

Galactica brought her horn down to touch each of Celestia's shoulders. Celestia was grinning ear to ear at her mother, and each time her mother's horn touched one of her shoulders, her wings fluttered more. Once her mother had finished, Celestia dashed forward and hugged her mother’s neck tightly.

“Thank you!”

Galactica smiled down at her daughter, and said, “Don’t you have a royal title to live up to?”

Celestia quickly backed away from her mother, and stood at attention before giving her a salute. “Yes ma’am! You can count on me!”

And then she was off towards her and her sister’s bed chambers. Queen Galactica looked on as her daughter ran off down the hall out of her room with a proud smile on her face.

~~~

Princess Celestia was running through the halls of Everfree Castle at top speed, her mane whipping through the air and her metal shoes clacking loudly on the floor.

"I have a royal duty," Celestia said to herself as she rounded a corner, "and it is up to me to keep my sister happy and entertained. This is so exciting! I can't wait to get more jobs like this.

The princess was about to round another corner, when she collided with another pony that was much larger than she was. She fell back onto her haunches. and brought both of her front hooves up to her nose when her nose started to feel very hot. Her eyes began to water, and she looked up to see who she ran into.

The stoic face of General Reaper was looking down at Celestia. General Reaper was a massive, white pegasi who carried a whole display of battle scars lining his coat. Both his mane and tail were very straight and very black and his wings looked to be battered and torn to the point where he should not be able to fly. He was garbed in full armor, including his spiked wing armor, except for his helmet which was missing so you could see his multi colored eyes. One eye was orange while the other was a dull bluish grey.

“Are you alright, Princess?” General Reaper asked in a gruff voice as he extended his hoof out to help Celestia up.

Celestia shied away from his hoof, and looked away. Reaper was an unsociable individual, and he mainly kept to himself. Celestia had heard rumors that he hardly slept or ate, and that he had died back in one of the many battles he had fought, and the only thing remaining was an emotionless shell of a ponies. Some ponies liked to joke that he was part of the walking dead.

Celestia finally gingerly took his hoof, and allowed herself to be helped up. Once she was standing on her hooves with one hoof still pressed against her nose, she said, “I’m sorry, General Reaper.”

“It’s alright,” General Reaper replied, “Where are you headed to?”

“I-I’m going to my bed chambers. I’m supposed to be Luna’s babysitter.” Celestia said as looked down at her hooves.

Celestia heard a snort, and looked up to see that General Reaper was now talking to one of the other guards that were following him. The other pony nodded, and then trotted away with his fellow guard, leaving Celestia alone in the hall with General Reaper.

“Come on, I’ll escort you to your bedroom.” General Reaper said once the two guards had turned around the corner in the direction Celestia had come from. Celestia nodded, and started trotting alongside the giant pegasi in order to keep up with his quick pace. With every step he took, she had to take two lest she fall behind.

After walking a short distance, General Reaper noticed the difference of sounds in their hoofsteps and looked down. When he saw that Celestia was straining to keep up, he quickly slowed his pace down to a reasonable one for her, and said, “I apologize, princess. I am not quite used to walking with a filly.”

Celestia looked up at the general, and mumbled a quiet “Thank you” to him. He seemed to have noticed the thanks, however, and looked down at Celestia. There was no change in his expression, but she noticed that there was a gentle flash in his eyes. Before Celestia had a chance to look more at his eyes, General Reaper turned his head back up, and took her around another corner to her bedroom.

A few more minutes of silence followed as the princess and the General walked. The only thing that could be heard was the pair’s hoofsteps as they traversed the castle. Finally, the two ponies rounded the last corner, and up ahead was the door to Celestia’s and Luna’s chambers. Celestia turned to General Reaper.

“General Reaper?”

“Yes, Princess?”

“I-Is it true that you are not really here? That you are just dead?”

The two stopped in front of the door to the bedroom. General Reaper stood staring at the door, although Celestia could tell that his thoughts was elsewhere. The edges of his mouth curled into a frown. Before Celestia could ask the general what was wrong, he quickly turned to his princess and gave a salute.

“Here we are, your majesty. I must take my leave.” he said, before turning and marching away.

Celestia watched as the general marched away, her face filled with perplexity. She stared in the direction that she and Reaper had come, and watched as Reaper turned a corner. The door behind Celestia opened, and Regality poked her head out through the crack.

“Oh! Hello there Celestia," Regality said as she opened the door and ushered the princess through. "Your mother said you were going to be stopping by soon.”

The royal pony sister’s room was located in the furthest eastern part of the castle and could overlook the entire Eastern District of Everfree. The Eastern District was the market district of Everfree, and was constantly bustling with activity from visitors of all parts of Equestria and beyond. Even late into the evenings, there were always ponies in the central market square trading their goods and wares to any passerbyers who might take interest.

Celestia slowly made her way to the middle of the room while Regaility closed the door behind them. Her and her sister’s room was very large and rectangular in shape, while a balcony was connected to the outside of the room and was semicircular in shape. Toys, books, games, coloring utensils, and paper littered the floor through the whole room, while small paintings and portraits decorated the walls around the room. A beautiful chandelier dangled from the ceiling of the room, and, during the night, brightened the room sufficiently to make sure that every corner of the room was lit. In one corner of the room were two beds that were large enough to fit two full grown ponies on while in another corner sat a crib. A sleeping blue filly lie inside the crib and was quietly snoring away peacefully as Celestia strode up the wooden bars.

“So, I heard you are now the new Royal Babysitter.” Regality said as she walked over next to Celestia, and watched Luna with some of the gentlest yellow eyes Celestia had ever seen.

Celestia couldn’t help but stare at the beautifully accented jawline of Regality's face. Ponies secretly feared the Night Guard because of their outlandish and slightly intimidating forms, but Celestia saw that Regality would be held as a beautiful mare among her species. She was slender and graceful when she walked, and spoke with a calm and flowing accent from her homeland.

“Yes. Mother gave me the title of the Royal Babysitter, and crowned me the same way I have seen her knight someone. I’m so happy to be Luna’s babysitter! I’ll play with her and feed her and teach her how to be a princess. It will be so much fun!” Celestia said, her voice squeaking as she continued to talk to Regality.

Regality smiled and gestured towards the filly in the crib, and said, “Shhh, I think she is waking up.”

When Celestia turned her head back to look at Luna, her eyes met with her sister’s. They stared at each other, until Luna broke off and gave a big, squeaky yawn, and fluttered her tiny wings. She stood up on her hooves, and then looked over at Regality, who reached into the crib and pulled the tiny blue princess out to set her on the floor next to her sister.

“Okay, I need to head off to another part of the castle and help Meadow Free set up the decorations for the upcoming Grand Galloping Gala. You have everything under control, right Celestia?” Regality said as she started walking over towards the door.

“Of course, Regality! You can count on me,” Celestia said.

“Alright, behave you two.” Regality said, shutting the door behind her and leaving Celestia alone with her sister. The older sister turned to the younger with a great smile upon her face.

“Hey Luna! Guess what?” she asked.

Luna cocked her head, and gave her wings another flutter. Celestia rolled her eyes, and fluttered her wings in return to her sister. Luna threw her arms open wide and smiled.

“Mother made me the Royal Babysitter today!" Celestia exclaimed. "I can now take care of you without the help of Regality or Meadow Free!”

Luna gave a bright smile, and sat down on her haunches. Celestia's smiled fell slightly when Luna didn't respond to her exclamation, but soon returned when her sister bounded forward and nuzzled Celestia on the leg. Celestia nuzzled her sister on the nose in returned, and then turned to look at the list Regality had left on the side of the crib for Celestia.

Hello Celestia, this is a list of things that need to be throughout the day for Luna. I’m sure you know the general time when each of these items falls into place. I trust you will do a great job!

1st. Feed Luna lunch. She enjoys eating a couple carrots or an apple along with her enriched bottle of milk.
2nd. Today is Luna’s bath day. Now that you have started taking a bath yourself, I trust you know how to clean your sister.
3rd. It would be a good idea to play with your sister on the balcony today. The skies are clear and it is warm outside.
4th. If you think she needs assistance using the bathroom, please help her. She is already going on her own, but you can never be too careful.
5th. Try to get her to speak a little. We can’t have her be a mute when she grows up. It’s important.

Meadow Free and I should be back before dinner is ready. Until then, good luck!

-Regality

Celestia turned to the counter that was placed up against one of the far walls of the room, and saw that Regality had already brought up Luna’s bottle and a couple carrots, and had them laying in a bed of ice. She looked over at Luna, and set the note down onto the ground.

“Hey Luna, are you hungry?" Celestia asked, "I know you just woke up, but it is almost past two o’clock now.”

Luna looked at her sister, and then over at the food on the counter, and then back at her sister. Before Celestia could ask if Luna wanted the food, she was nearly knocked over as Luna rushed towards the counter at a full gallop. She skidded to a stop at the bottom of the counter, and tried to jump and reach to get her food to no avail. She turned back to her sister and gave a barely audible whimper.

“You know, there has to be a better way of saying yes than that.” Celestia mumbled to herself as she started to trot over to Luna. When she reached the counter, she jumped into the air, and with a couple of flutters with her wings she was able to jump higher than normal and grabbed Luna’s lunch. She then gracefully set back down and gave the bottle to Luna..

Upon receiving the bottle of milk, Luna grinned at her sister, and then rolled onto her back with the bottle in her mouth. Celestia smiled, and set the carrots on a plate next to her sister, and then proceeded to walk over to one of the enormous windows that overlooked their balcony and the Eastern District. She saw pegasi and griffons flying in and out of the central market square, either delivering supplies or mail to their respective owners.

After staring out of the window for a few more minutes, Celestia turned back to her sister, and saw that she had finished drinking her milk and was now eating the last of her carrots. She over to Luna, and stopped next to her with another smile on her face.

“Hey Luna, would you like to take a bath?” Celestia said.

Luna’s eyes dilated. Celestia's smile faltered, and her eyes darted side to side, following the movements of Luna's eyes. Trying to recover from her mistake, Celestia pounced at Luna, but she was too late. Luna had already taken off towards the other side of the room, and dived behind a bunch of pillows that were piled high on her future bed. Celestia gave a huff and galloped over to the bed.

“Will you please be a good sister?” Celestia pleaded as she made a jump onto the bed.

Before her body could land on the pile of pillows, Luna bolted out from under her hiding place, and made a gallop for the door that had been left partially left open by Regality for Celestia. Celestia’s eyes widened, and she quickly made a dash after her sister, but she was too late again. Before she had made it half way across the room, Luna had already managed to open the door enough and slip out and down the hall. Celestia pushed open the door, and watched as her sister disappeared around a corner. She sighed before dashing back into the room to get a few things.

She was going Luna-hunting.

~~~

When Celestia walked back out of her and her sister’s room, she was carrying a large butterfly net, a pair of binoculars, and a small bag of candy. Her face was set with a serious look of determination as she started trotting through the halls trying to figure out where her sister went off to.

"She could not have gotten far," Celestia mumbled to herself as she checked behind a vase. "How fast can that little filly gallop?"

Celestia rounded one of the corners of the halls, and spotted a maid who was busy cleaning one of the vases. She galloped up to her, and dropped the butterfly net from her mouth.

“Excuse me, Miss?" Celestia asked with large, round eyes. "Did you see Luna pass by you here?”

The maid turned to Celestia, and said, “Oh, hello Princess. No, I’m sorry. I did not see your sister pass through here. Would you like some help finding her?”

“No, it’s okay," Celestia said, dejected. "Thank you, though.”

The princess left the maid and continued on down the hall, building a mental layout of the castle. The hall she was currently walking down led to the library, the throne room, and the guest bedrooms.

"Luna must have gone down the other section of the castle," Celestia mused, "the section with the kitchens, Mother and Daddy's bedroom, and the soldiers rooms."

Celestia turned, and galloped on down a hall that connected the two sections of the keep, and made her way towards the kitchens first.

"There are always ponies coming in and out of the kitchens, someone must have seen her."

Celestia turned the last corner that lead to the kitchens, and she froze in place. Luna was sitting underneath a cart that was carrying a tray of food off towards the guest quarters of the castle. She waved at Celestia, stuck out her tongue, and then vanished under the cart as the cart passed behind wall. Celestia bounded up to the wall, and peered around the corner, watching as the cart took her sister further and further away from her grasp.

Once the cart turned another corner Celestia continued to follow the cart as it snaked its way along the large corridors of the castle. Finally, they came to a stop in front of one of the doors to a guest bedroom. Celestia quickly hid behind a plant that was close to the door, and watched as the serving pony gave a knock on the door and politely waited for an answer. After a few moments, the door opened.

“Oh, hello there," came an elderly voice from inside the room. "I see you brought the food already.”

“Indeed it has, Mr. Starswirl. Here at the castle, the royal cooks pride themselves at being quick without losing quality.” the serving pony said in reply.

“I do not doubt you. Well, let’s wheel this cart in so you may be on your way.” Starswirl the Bearded chuckled.

As the pony pushed the cart into the room, Celestia made her move and quickly swept in behind them, and then hid behind another plant once she successfully entered the room. She parted the leaves a bit, and saw that the room she was in was very spacious and had a perfect view of Everfree City’s Northern District. The Northern District was the wealthy district of the city, and held some of the most elegant and beautiful buildings in all of Equestria. It was there that the Everfree Willow had been planted and grew to be larger than some of the buildings that surrounded it.

Celestia watched as the serving pony left the cart next to the dinner table that was placed in the center of the room, and then turned and left the room, closing the door behind him. She saw Luna was still hiding under the cart, and as she was about to make her move she saw Star Swirl the Bearded move into view. He was not very large for a pony, although unicorns were not large in general. He had a coat that was a dark grey color, while his mane and tail consisted of brittle, white hair. He also had a very long beard that almost dragged along the ground that was white as well. He was wearing his signature hat that rang with the bells that were attached to the brim.

Starswirl sat on one of the pillows that surrounded the table, and levitated the tray over to him with his magic. Seeing that the elderly unicorn was occupied, Celestia started to sneak her way over to Luna. She hid behind every plant and piece of furniture she could so as not to be detected. Luna peeked out from under the cart, and started glancing around the room frantically when she saw Celestia approaching. Celestia got within pouncing range of Luna.

“I’ve got you now!” she yelled as she dove from her hiding spot behind a couch directly at Luna. Luna let out a yelp, and dashed away from the butterfly net as it came down on the ground next to the cart. Celestia growled and chased after her sister, both sisters zooming around the room, slamming into furniture and knocking plants over in the process.

Suddenly, the two sisters were caught in a white magical aura. Celestia turned her head and saw Starswirl the Bearded was looking back at her with a stern expression on his face. Slowly he brought Celestia and Luna closer to him until they were both hovering in the air half a meter from his face. He narrowed his eyes.

“Now what do you two young fillies think you are doing disturbing an old stallion from his food like that?” he asked.

Celestia smiled nervously, and said, “Well, I was trying to catch my sister. Today is her bath day and she is refusing to cooperate.”

Starswirl's face broke into a smile, and he chuckled, “Shouldn’t that be Regality’s job?”

“Oh, I was made the Royal Babysitter for my sister!" Celestia beamed, her smiled becoming genuine. "Regality is helping set up decorations for the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“And you were hoping to catch your sister with this?” Starswirl said as he gestured to the butterfly net that was lying on the floor.

Celestia blushed a little. “Well…”

Starswirl held a hoof to his mouth, and said “Say no more. I understand,” before he placed both sisters onto the floor. He then levitated the butterfly net up to him and examined it.

“Luna, you are going to go back to your room with your sister to take a bath," Starswirl instructed.

Luna cocked her head at Starswirl, and flicked her tail behind her. Starswirl faced her with a sly smile etched across his face.

“And your sister is going to give you a ride back.” he said as he levitated the net between the two fillies.

The two sisters looked at each other, and slowly they both smiled. Starswirl levitated Luna into the butterfly net, and then allowed for Celestia’s magic to take hold of the handle. Celestia hopped in place, smiling at the unicorn.

“Thank you Starswirl the Bearded!” she said.

“It was my pleasure, young one. Take care of your sister now.”

Celestia nodded, and then left the room with her sister, taking them both back to give Luna a bath.

~~~

Both Celestia and Luna walked out of their steam filled bathroom with their heads held high. Celestia had successfully given her sister a bath, while Luna was now freshly cleaned and surprisingly well groomed, thanks to Celestia’s diligence. The two looked at each other for a moment and then smiled.

“So, shall we go outside? It’s a beautiful day.” Celestia asked her sister.

Luna looked over out of the large windows to the balcony, her wings opening up from her sides. After a few seconds, she broke into a gallop over to the door. Celestia followed her sister close behind, and upon reaching the door, the two sisters pushed it open and clambered outside. The fresh air and the warm rays of the sun suddenly consumed Celestia, and she paused her advance further onto balcony to look over the Northern District. She heard the sounds of the market square, and she could see the masses of ponies as they squeezed themselves through the massive throng that occupied the market.

“’Tia!”

Celestia snapped from her stupor and looked over towards the source of the noise. Her sister was staring at her.

“’Tia!” Luna said again.

The older filly blinked and stared at her sister some more. “D-did you just say my name?”

Luna fluttered her wings and with a big smile on her face, and she said “’Tia!” again. The surprised look on Celestia’s face soon started to morph into a large smile. She bounded over to her sister, and tackled her to give her a big hug.

“Luna, you talked!” she cried out. Celestia rolled with her sister into a pyramid of blocks, causing them to topple over and for the two princesses to burst into giggles. After wrestling with each for a bit longer, the two fillies finally got to their hooves and looked at each with giant smiles.

Oh, Luna," Celestia exclaimed, touching Luna on the nose, "I can't tell you how happy I am right now. You know how long Regality and I have been trying to get you to speak?"

Luna blushed, and rubbed one of her forelegs against the other. Celestia glanced back through their windows at the doors, a smile forming across her lips.

“Hey Luna,” Celestia said.

“Y-yes ‘Tia?” Luna replied

“I have an idea, follow me.”

~~~

It was nearing dinner time in Everfree Castle as an earth pony and a Night Guard traversed the halls back to the royal princess sister’s room. Both Meadow Free and Regality were tired out from getting the majority of the decorations for Everfree’s upcoming Grand Galloping Gala, and felt relieved to finally be able to get back to their jobs as caring for the two princesses as they rounded the last corner to the princesses’ room.

“I wonder how Celestia fared taking care of Luna?” Meadow Free asked aloud.

Regality turned towards Meadfow Free, and said, “I’m sure she did alright. It’s Luna that I’m worried about. She can be quite a handful, especially now since she figured out what the word “bath” meant.”

Meadow Free chuckled. “I’m sure you’re right. Celestia already acts years beyond her age, and wishes to get more and more involved with royal duties. She is so excited for when she can start raising and lowering the sun on her own.”

The two maids reached the room and Regality pushed open one of the doors, and Meadow Free continued, “Besides, both Celestia and Luna get along exceedingly well with each other.”

Meadow Free and Regality stopped and stared in awe at the room they just walked into. The room was almost entirely clean with nothing on the floor except for the center of the room. A giant fortress made of pillows, boxes, and blankets towered higher than the two maids. At the top of the tower stood Celestia, wearing a hat made out of tin foil.

“Luna! Ready the catapult!” Celestia ordered down to her sister, who was readily waiting behind the fortress.

Meadow Free looked over at Regality who was as equally wide eyed as herself, and asked, “Catapu…?”

Meadow Free was cut off suddenly by a loud THUNK. Flying through the air directly at the two maids was an assortment of plushies, clothing, and paper balls. The two maids screamed out loud, and bolted out of the room before the barrage of projectiles could hit either of them. Once safe behind the door they both looked at each other.

“This means war.” they said in unison, gasping for breath.

Together they pushed both doors open, and charged the fortress. Celestia gave a yelp, and then yelled out a retreat as she jumped from the fortress to avoid being caught by the two maids who plowed directly through the center of Celestia’s and Luna’s creation. The two fillies were running towards the balcony, but they were easily overtaken by the two fully grown mares, and were soon subjugated to a round of tickles and funny face wars.

Celestia tried to fight back as Meadow Free plowed her muzzle onto her belly, buzzing her lips and sending Celestia into a fit of giggles. She eventually pushed against Meadow Free's cheek with her foreleg, and pounced onto the maid, biting at her hair. Meadow Free bucked Celestia off of her onto the bed and pounced on top of her, resuming her tickling onslaught.

After all the giggles from all of the ponies subsided Meadow Free looked over at Celestia, and said “So, I take it you had a fun day babysitting your sister?” she asked.

Celestia jumped onto her hooves and fluttered her little wings, beaming, “Yes! It was so fun. I fed her lunch, and then chased her around the castle trying to give her a bath, and then we both met Starswirl the Bearded, and then we came back to the room and built that castle to battle you!” Her excitement influenced Luna, as the younger filly started to grow a large smile on her face as hopped up to her sister fluttering her wings too.

“’Tia!” Luna exclaimed.

“Oh, and Luna said her first word too.” Celestia said as she was grinning with pride when she looked at her sister.

Both Meadow Free and Regality looked at each with surprised smiles, and then returned their gazes back to the two fillies.

“This is going to be a fantastic story to tell your parents over dinner," Meadow Free said, turning around. "Come on, it should be ready at any moment!”

Upon hearing the word “dinner,” the two fillies quickly exited the room, and galloped towards the dining hall while the two mares followed closely behind them.

Chapter 4: Vision

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The Gift of Life Chapter 4

Three years later…

“Ugh, I’m so bored” Celestia complained as she was scooting back and forth across her and Luna’s room.

Luna looked over at her sister from a pyramid of blocks she was building using her magic, and said, “I don’t know what we should do, ‘Tia. Rainy days are not really that fun.”

Both Celestia and Luna turned to look outside for the fourth time in ten minutes. The rain outside was bashing loudly against the windows, and flooding over the eaves of the roof to create mini waterfalls all along their view of the Eastern District. It was nearly impossible to make out the relatively empty central market square through the dense sheets of rain. Celestia let out another groan.

“Well, we need to find something to do or I think I’m going to die.” Celestia said as she rolled over onto her back and swayed her legs in the air.

Luna went back to stacking blocks with her magic, and Celestia saw that her face was scrunched up in a cute expression hinting that she was thinking. Celestia could usually come up with ideas on what the two of them could do, but today all of her plans had been useless due to the rain. She crisscrossed her hooves back and forth in the air out of frustration, and then rolled back onto her hooves and looked at her sister.

Luna had barely grown over the last three years. She was still slightly smaller than Celestia, however, as fillies did not start to hit their growth spurts until around eight or nine years old. Her sister’s magical abilities had grown significantly during those three years, though. She was almost as proficient in levitation magic and energy creation as Celestia was, although she still had difficulty controlling more complicated spells.

Luna ran out of blocks, and sat on her haunches looking over at her sister with a very similar bored expression. Celestia frowned, and started to walk around the out edges of their room, bobbing her head back and forth as her eyes dashed around the room.

"Ugh, going outside is completely out of the question," Celestia said, glaring out of the window at the rain pattering outside, "Mother and Daddy are too occupied with the Day Court to have time for us at the moment, and Meadow Free and Regality are gone for vacation. I never knew how difficult it is to find something fun to do!"

Celestia stomped around the room some more, but she stopped in her tracks when she passed by her and her sister's closet. She looked up as a wicked smile crept across her face.

“What is it ‘Tia?” Luna asked, watching her sister pace around the room the entire time.

“I just thought of what we should do!” Celestia exclaimed.

“It’s not charades again is it? I’m not very good at that game…” Luna said, looking down at her hooves.

“No, no. You know that large door over in Mother and Father’s study?”

“That door is off-limits, ‘Tia.”

Celestia groaned, and asked, “But why is it off-limits? Don’t you want to find out?”

“Yes, but…”

“But you think we should ask Mother or Father?" Celestia asked, waving her hoof dismissively. "You know they won’t give us an answer. They will just say we are too young to understand what is down there. You know it’s true.”

“So you are suggesting that we explore what is behind the door?”

“That is exactly what I’m suggesting, Luna.”

“But ‘Tia," Luna began, striding up to Celestia, "Mother and Father don’t let anyone past that door for a reason! We should just ask them.”

“No, Luna. We can’t just ask them. Come on, aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to know what Mom and Dad are keeping secret from us?”

“Well, I do but…”

“But nothing! Let’s go!” Celestia grabbed one of Luna's hooves, and gave a few tugs in the direction of the door.

After giving a little bit of resistance, Luna finally relented and allowed her sister to pull her towards their door and out into the hallway. After letting the door shut behind them, Celestia smiled a reassuring smile over at her sister, and then started trotting off down the hallway, meekly being followed by Luna.

~~~

The two princesses stood staring at the two doors in front of them that led to their parents’ study. The doors were made of the finest cherry blossom wood, and had ornate decorations of vines, birds and stars decorated all over it. The names of King Sol and Queen Galactica were carved intricately onto each of the doors. Celestia looked over at her sister, and saw that her entire body was shaking ever so slightly..

“C’mon Luna. We won’t get in trouble. What’s the worst that could happen?” Celestia asked her sister with a big grin.

Luna heaved a sigh, and stepped forward with Celestia as they braced their shoulders against one of the doors.

“Okay, on the count of three, we’ll open the door.” Celestia said. Luna nodded.

“One… Two… Thre-!”

The two fillies stumbled inside as the door to their parent’s study opened for them. They groaned, and Celestia looked up to see that it was one of the maids who had opened the door for them. She was a pale, old mare with red hair that was tied back in a bun. She was carrying a feather duster in her mouth. She looked back down at the two fillies surprised, and the feather duster dropped onto the floor.

“H-hello princesses," she said, helping Celestia and Luna to their hooves, "is there anything I can do for you?”

“Oh, uh, no… We were…” Celestia’s stuttered, her eyes glancing everywhere around her except at the maid in front of her.

“…Looking for a book on magic!" Luna quickly chimed in. "We were going to borrow one so we could, maybe, learn a new spell together, since it is a rainy day.”

Celestia nodded her head quickly, and added, “Yes! A book on magic.”

Both sisters held giant grins. The maid raised her eyebrow, and slowly bent down to pick up the feather duster.

“Okay then, you two behave in there, I just dusted.” The maid said skillfully with the duster in her mouth as she left.

Once the door was closed, the two sisters let out a sigh of relief. Celestia looked over at Luna and smiled.

“That was a very good save back there, sister." she said, patting Luna's back with her wing. "I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Luna looked at her sister with a guilty expression, and said, “I didn’t know what to do! I was scared of getting in trouble. I shouldn’t have done that, ‘Tia.”

“Oh don’t worry, Luna.” Celestia told her sister as she extended her hooves out and gave Luna a hug.

After a few moments the two fillies broke from the hug, and turned to the far wall of the study. There was a large and plain wooden door hidden behind a few stacks of papers and books. Celestia slowly started to advance to the door with Luna trailing very closely behind her sister, almost using Celestia’s tail for cover. Upon reaching the door, Celestia started pushing the stacks of books and paper out of the way, leaving enough room for the two fillies to make their way to the door. Celestia used her magic to push the door open.

As the door creaked open, the two sisters were staring down a dark stairwell that descended into the castle’s depths. The scent of musty air filled Celestia’s nostrils, and she noticeably cringed for a moment. Light dust particles could be seen floating out of the stairwell in the rays of light that started to pierce down to try to reach past the door. Celestia looked back at Luna.

“Are you ready, Luna?” she asked.

“N-no…”

“Alright, let’s go.”

Celestia started to descend the staircase with Luna following very closely behind her. She could feel her tail being used as an eye shield by Luna, and Celestia smiled a little and rolled her eyes as they continued their descent all the way to the bottom. It was very dark, as no sunlight could reach past the eerie darkness that filled the room the two sisters had entered. Celestia tried squinting through the darkness to no avail, so instead she powered up her horn, building up enough energy to illuminate the space around the Luna and herself with a dull light.

Dust particles floated around Celestia as she walked forward towards the center of the room. She had spotted a few candles on the far side of the room, and was making her way towards them with Luna in tow behind her. The walk to the candles seemed to last longer than it should have, and upon reaching the far end of the room, Celestia looked behind her. The distance to walk from one side of the room to the other had doubled in size, and now justified the amount of time it had taken to cross the floor. Celestia’s hairs stood on end, and she could hear a whimper from behind her.

“Don’t worry, Luna," Celestia said in a low whisper, "We’ll just explore for a few more minutes and leave, okay?”

Celestia could feel a nod of ascent from her tail, and then proceeded to light the candles. As she touched the energy from her horn to the wick of the candle, the entire room suddenly lit up with a menacing red glow from a succession of candles all lighting up simultaneously along the walls. Celestia yelped, and jumped back, almost tripping over Luna in the process.

As she turned to leave, her eyes caught sight of something on a table in the corner of the room. Celestia stopped herself, and started to walk slowly over to the table, gazing at a pair of orbs. One orb was glowing with a swirling mass of green energy that was twisting to and fro whiles the other orb was glowing with a much calmer and serene mass of orange energy.

“Um, ‘Tia? I think we should leave now.” Luna quietly whimpered from behind Celestia. Luna was still hiding behind her as the pair approached the table.

Celestia ignored her, and walked up to the table, lifting herself up and placing her hoofs on top of the wooden slab. She shifted her gaze between each of the glowing orbs.

“Luna, what do you think they are?” Celestia asked.

“I don’t know, ‘Tia, but we should leave. I’m getting scared.” Luna replied as Celestia felt her sister hide her face behind her own tail. Celestia turned towards Luna.

“Oh come on, Luna. Take a look at these orbs. They are so beautiful.”

Luna hesitated for a moment, but she finally came out from behind Celestia and lifted her hooves onto the table as well. Celestia turned her gaze back to the orbs, and then stopped when her eyes were being held on the orange orb. She felt a sense of connection and magic with the orb as she couldn’t pull her eyes away. She could feel energy washing over her body, embedding itself in every inch of her being. Suddenly she felt as if the very essence of herself was pulled from her body…

~~~

Celestia could see Everfree Castle in the distance. The sky was beautiful and the sun was shining across the land for all to see. Birds were chirping from the forest as they wove their musical notes into songs that blissfully filled the still air. She saw that there were pegasi that were entering and exiting the city at regular intervals, carrying supplies for the market and the castle to and fro. She gazed up along the Tower of the Stars until her eyes rested on the top where she could see the flag of Equestria hanging limply.

Suddenly, the sky darkened. In the direction towards the nation of Eternal Valley, Celestia saw the sky turn red and black. Thunder clouds formed in the distance and unleashed powerful volleys of lightning against the earth. The sky over Eternal Valley twisted and turned with malice as the thunder clouds started to make their way towards the city of Everfree. Celestia felt the hairs of her coat stand on end.

There was a crack that ran up the length of the Tower of the Stars. It ran along the entire length of the spire until the weight from the building was too great, causing it to come crumbling down on top of the castle. This collapse was soon followed by others, with entire sections of the city exploding or collapsing into heaps of smoldering debris. Celestia watched in horror as her precious home died right before her eyes.

A flag made from the hide of a dark blue pony rose over the rubble of Everfree Castle.

Celestia saw a black alicorn mare rise over the entire city of Everfree, along with the moon ascending and blocking out the sun. The alicorn had a mane and tail that flowed freely and beautifully on its own. She was adorned in some light armor, and she had wings that looked similar to that of a crow’s. She opened her eyes to reveal turquoise irises in the shape of a snake’s.

She heard the deep rumble of a wicked, male chuckle.

“I can see you”

~~~

Celestia screamed as she felt herself being yanked back violently from the swirling orange orb that lay upon the table. She stared horrified at the object that had just stolen her mind, while tears welled up in her eyes. What had she just seen? Why was Everfree destroyed? Where did that flag come from? Who was that mare? What had seen her? What did all of this mean?

Celestia had not even noticed that she had started crying until she heard the soft humming of her mother as she held her daughter protectively in her hooves. She looked up at her mother and saw that her eyes were closed while a smile was placed upon her face. She hummed a lullaby quiet enough so that Celestia couldn’t make out which one it was, but loud enough that it started to soothe the frightened filly.

She continued to cry for a few more minutes, however, until her mother had finished the song and opened her eyes. Celestia looked up at her mother and gave a small whimper.

“Mother I… I-I’m so sorry," Ceelstia said, "I was just curious and wanted to know what was down here. I brought Luna along against her-“

Queen Galactica quieted Celestia by holding a hoof up to her daughter’s lips. She then drifted her gaze over to the right. Celestia followed her gaze until her eyes were resting on Luna, who was huddled up next to their father, protected by one of his massive wings that extended over her body.

“What you did is partly our fault, Celestia," Galactica said, "We knew you were curious about what we were hiding down here beneath our study, yet we didn’t think that it would extend beyond constant questions about the door. We felt as though you would wait until we deemed you were ready to understand what it is we are keeping hidden. We should have known better. You have always been the adventurous type, and it was only a matter of time before you decided to take gaining the knowledge of our secret into your own hooves.”

Galactica looked over at Sol for a moment. Celestia saw a whole conversation being held just by looking one another in the eyes. At last Sol finally nodded his head, and looked down at Luna who was nestled up next to him. Celestia took some time to look at Luna and saw that she was staring at Celestia with a pained expression.

“I could feel when you interacted with the orb over there.” Galactica said, and gestured her head over towards the two orbs that were sitting on the table. Celestia didn’t look.

“You see, I have a faint connection with the orb, and so it allows me to know when the power within it has been tampered with. However, there is nopony in Equestria that can harness the power of the orb unless they know how to wield the magic inside of it. The magic of both orbs are unique and unlike any other magic anypony will have ever experienced.”

Celestia stared at her mother as she continued on.

“The orb you tapped into contains magic from the sun itself. The orb next to it contains magic from the moon. There is only one way that you were able to connect with the orange orb: you have successfully established you connection to the sun. Celestia, that means that you can now raise and set the sun on your own now!” Galactica finished, gazing at Celestia with a smile.

Celestia started to smile back at her mother, except for Galactica’s smile quickly dissolved. The light in her eyes were replaced with worry.

“Celestia, when I burst into the room in response to the orb alerting me, you were screaming and convulsing violently while your gaze was fixed upon the orange orb. I know that the orbs grant insight to whomever can control them. Is that what happened to you? What did you see?” Galactica asked.

“I…” Celestia paused. Should she tell her parents what it is that she saw? Her mother is being constantly bombarded with the daily court sessions for Equestria’s citizens, and was already becoming worn down with the constant bickering of the province of Germaney and how it wanted to secede from the rest of the nation. Her father was busy dealing with both the griffons to the north and the deer who lived across the massive body of water called the Eternal Sea. He was trying to establish more trading routes as well as potential allies. They both were too busy to have time to deal with something that might not even be in the near future. Perhaps when times were not so tense, would she tell her parents of what she saw.

“I-I didn’t see anything, Mother," Celestia lied as she looked up at her Galactica. "It was just me connecting to the orb. Something must have happened that caused it to react the way it did.”

Galactica looked at her daughter for a few moments with a stern eye.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Yes, I am sure,” Celestia replied with an uneasy smile.

“Well, alright then. In that case, we now must talk about your punishment.”

“Punishment! But why?” Celestia groaned, and looked up at her mother with very large eyes.

“Oh, Celestia, don’t do that," Galactica said sternly. Celestia looked over at her father, but he only shook his head and looked away. She glanced back at Galactica skiddishly. "You know full well you were not allowed down here. It is only fair that you be reprimanded for your actions.”

“What about Luna?"Celestia asked. "She won’t be punished will she? I pressured her into coming.”

“Well, no. She is free to go.”

Upon hearing that, Luna’s ears perked up, and she sat up under her father’s wing.

“But I helped us get into your study!" Luna protested, stomping a hoof on the ground. "I lied to one of the maids who was finished cleaning.”

“Luna! Celestia shouted, staring at her sister. "You could have gotten out of this free, you know. Why did you say you helped?”

“I thought that if you were in trouble I should be in trouble too.” Luna replied, wincing.

“Oh, come on, Luna.” Celestia said as she placed a hoof against her forehead. Luna pouted at her sister.

“Well, looks like I’m punishing you both then,” Galactica said with a chuckle. “You two are required to help out in the Royal Kitchens for the next week. You will get up at the times the cooks wake up, and you are allowed to leave when the first shift of cooks are officially finished for the day. Does that sound fair, Sol?”

Sol looked over at his Galactica, and said, “I believe it is a fair punishment.”

Celestia and Luna both looked at each other, and slowly grew smiles on their faces. Together the fist bumped each other and squeed in excitement. The Royal Kitchens was home to the Royal Cookie Jar.

Chapter 5: Quest for the Snicker Doodles

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The Gift of Life Chapter 5

The next day…

The sound of an alarm clock buzzing loudly woke Celestia from her peaceful night of sleep. She rolled over in her bed, and met with the familiar eyes of Luna, who lay in the bed next to her. The two sisters then turned to look up at the alarm clock that sat buzzing on top of the desk between them. Luna rolled back over in her bed, and Celestia let out an irritated groan.

“Why do we have to get up so early?" she asked, groaning. "I don’t even have to raise the sun for another two hours!”

Celestia reached over to the alarm clock and smashed her hoof down on top of the button to make it stop its horrible buzzing. She looked back over to her sister, and saw that Luna had resumed the regular breathing intervals one would have as if they were asleep. Celestia let out another groan, and slowly got from her bed before walking around to her sisters bed. She leaned over Luna slightly.

“Luna, you’re going to need to wake up," Celestia said. "It was your choice to share the punishment, you know.”

“Mmmph.” came a grunt from Luna. Celestia snorted.

“Hey, get out of bed.”

“No.”

“Don’t make me drag you out of there.”

Luna curled up and hugged her pillow tight. Celestia frowned, and she began to walk around Luna's bed again until she reached the bed's foot, and grabbed the sheets up in her mouth. She looked back up at her sister, and saw that she had not moved an inch. Celestia started to walk backwards, pulling the sheets of Luna’s bed with her. Luna's eyes shot open.

“Hey! What are yo-“ Luna started to say , but she was pulled from her bed by the bed sheets that she had tangled herself in during the night.

Celestia dropped the bed sheets from her mouth and looked at her sister. Luna rolled out of her uncomfortable landing, and got to her hooves and glared at her Celestia in return.

“Right, now that I got you out of bed, we need to start getting over to the kitchens.” Celestia said.

“Can’t I just go back to bed and do this another day, ‘Tia?” Luna asked.

“No. Mother said that we have to work in the kitchens for the next week.”

“I’m supposed to sleep through the day anyway…” Luna grumbled to herself just loud enough for Celestia to hear. Celestia ignored her, and turned to start leaving for the door. Luna slowly started to follow her sister to the door, stifling a yawn along the way.

Their walk through the halls was relatively uneventful, and the castle felt dead as Celestia's and Luna's hoofsteps echoed noisily against the castle walls. Each door they passed was locked, and when Celestia and Luna gazed outside, they saw that the moon had just begun to sink below the Eternal Valley.

"Ugh, the entire castle is still asleep," Luna complained. "Are you sure we are supposed to be up this early, 'Tia?"

"It does seem odd that not even the kitchen staff are wandering through the halls," Celestia observed, looking behind her.

Upon turning the corner towards the kitchens, Celestia and Luna spotted that the door to the kitchens was closed. The two princesses looked around them before walking up to the door and giving it a knock. There was no answer. Celestia put her ear up to the door, but no sound of pots and pans clanging or water running seeped through the door and into her ears.

“Are we… early?” Celestia asked aloud as she turned towards her sister.

“That you are, little fillies!” came a boisterous and jolly voice to the right of Celestia and Luna. They both turned towards the voice.

Cantering towards them was a rather jovial looking antelope. He had a pair of very large horns and a powerful, rippling body of muscle. Veins were popping out of his neck, and the massive clops of his hooves echoed off of the walls of the castle louder than Celestia's and Luna's hoofsteps combined. Celestia knew this antelope was the head chef in the royal kitchens. His name was Sprinkles.

“You silly fillies are precisely forty two minutes and 16 seconds early. Many workers don’t even show up until thirty minutes from now!” Sprinkles said with a large, joyful grin on his face.

“We… I," Celestia stuttered, her cheeks reddening, "You mean we could have slept in for another hour?”

“Why yes. I bet you were just so excited to get started today that both of you woke up bright and early!”

Celestia sat back onto her haunches and groaned.

~~~

The remaining forty minutes went by agonizingly slow for Celestia. She sat outside of the door to the kitchens after the antelope chef had entered, and while her sister decided to go back to sleep curled up next to her. There wasn’t much to do to pass the time besides stare at the engravings of vines up on the high ceilings above her. However, vines only had so much power to keep her occupied for more than three minutes, and she soon found herself staring ahead of her waiting for the minutes to creep on by.

She was about to scream out in frustration until she heard a set of hoofsteps behind her. She whirled around to see who was approaching, causing Luna to stir and look over to the source of the hoofsteps as well. An earth pony mare with a light blue coat and a frizzy white mane and tail approached Celestia and Luna. She had an apron slung over her back along with a pair of glasses dangling from around her neck. She stopped when she was in front of the two princesses.

“So you’re the two princesses who will be helping us out in the kitchens today, eh?” the mare said with an accent hinting that she had been raised in Manehatten.

“Yes, that is us. Unfortunately…” Celestia grumbled in reply.

“Oh, it’s not going to be that bad. Trust me. With the crazy head chef we got in there, along with a singing pelican, most days can be pretty interesting. I’m Blue Bell by the way.”

“Hi, Blue Bell, I’m Celestia, and this is Luna.” Celestia said as she looked over at Luna. She saw that her sister was huddled against the floor and staring up at the mare with big eyes, and added, “She’s a bit shy.”

Blue Bell giggled, and said, “I can see that. Well, I guess it is okay for you two to enter the kitchens now. Follow me.”

Celestia got to her hooves and followed closely behind Blue Bell, and she felt that Luna was using her tail as a shield again as they passed through the door. Celestia had been in the kitchens numerous times, mostly to visit with Meadow Free for a snack. They were fairly large and spacious, allowing for the ponies who worked plenty of space to move around carrying trays, plates, and platters full of food for all of the guests and employees within the castle. Everything in the kitchens was made of wood besides the counters that were used for cooking food, which were made of granite instead. There was a huge center counter filled with stoves, ovens, grills, and a griddle so that the chefs may be able to cook an assortment of food for large parties hosted by the King and Queen. At the far end of the kitchen there was an enormous brick oven that was used to cook a newly discovered food from Manehatten. They called it “pizza,” and Celestia had yet to try it.

Blue Bell guided the fillies along the right side of the center counter, and strode over towards Sprinkles, who had just finished arranging all of the knives in sequential order from biggest to smallest. The massive antelope turned towards the three ponies with a giant goofy grin on his face.

“Hello ladies! Are you here for your first assignment already?” Sprinkles asked in a high pitched voice.

“Yes we are, Sprinkles," Blue Bell said, and gestured to Celestia and Luna behind her. "I was wondering if you would mind giving the job of cooking the King and Queen’s breakfast over to these two fillies here. I’ll be sure to watch over them and make sure there are no accidents.”

“Oh of course," Sprinkles said, happily clopping his hooves together, "That’s so sweet, the two daughters making their parents breakfast. Alright, today I was planning on making Sol a simple omelet of fresh red and yellow bell peppers mixed in with some pepper jack cheese and green chilies. Make sure he gets a glass for freshly squeezed orange juice and a cup of coffee.

“Now, being that Galactica has decided to go on that diet of hers again, I’m thinking that a simple salad of lettuce, celery, and carrots would do. No dressing. Make sure to give her a glass of water with her coffee. I don’t know why she stresses about her flank so much, Alicorns are naturally oh so, so, so beautiful.”

Blue Bell rolled her eyes and turned to Celestia and Luna, and said “Okay, did you two get all of that?”

The two princesses nodded their heads in unison.

“The ingredients for everything are located in the pantry over there across the center counter," Blue Bell said, pointing at the pantry in question. "Celestia, I’d like for you to make the omelet for your father. Luna, you can make the salad for your mother. Come ask me if either of you need any help.”

And with that, Celestia and Luna sped off towards the pantry to gather the ingredients. They noticed that the kitchen had started to fill up with ponies of all colors, a zebra, and a pelican as they ran around the counter, and opened the door to the pantry together. They were not too enthusiastic about making their parents breakfast, however. Celestia shut the door quickly behind she and Luna, and together they started to scan the shelves for their prey.

The Royal Cookie Jar was missing from the pantry. Celestia and Luna searched high and low for the magical jar that held the delicious wonders that had filled their dreams the night before. There was creak as the pantry door opened, and Blue Bell popped her head in.

“Oh, and Sprinkles and I took the liberty of hiding the cookie jar," Blue Bell said with a wink "We figured you two might make that priority over your other tasks.” She closed the pantry behind her. Celestia and Luna groaned together before they started looking for the ingredients to make their parents’ breakfasts.

“Okay Luna, we’re going to need to think of a plan to find the cookie jar," Celestia said, picking up a red bell pepper, "They have obviously moved it out of the pantry since it wouldn’t have constant supervision, but it still has to be somewhere in the kitchen. Did you see it as you were walking in?”

“No, ‘Tia, I didn’t.” Luna replied.

“When we walk back into the kitchen, keep an eye out for the cookie jar. It has to be somewhere and there are not many places to hide it.”

Celestia and Luna nodded at each other, and, with all of the ingredients gathered, both walked back out of the pantry and over to a cleared section of counter space on the other side of the center counter. Celestia looked every which way, scanning over the counters and on top of boxes of goods or stacked pans. It was difficult to make everything out as the kitchen was now bustling with activity, and ponies were moving every which way to get their food orders out to the guests and the mess hall for the military barracks. Celestia reached her counter space, and piled it high with the ingredients for Sol's breakfast.

Blue Bell had gotten the two fillies stools, allowing for Celestia and Luna to reach the top of the counters without straining themselves. They both climbed the stools, and Celestia glanced over at Luna.

“Did you see the cookie jar, Luna?” she asked.

“No, I didn’t see anything," Luna replied. "What about you?”

“What. I wouldn’t be asking if I had seen it!”

“Oh. Sorry.”

The two princesses faced forward, and got started on prepping breakfast for their parents. Celestia took a clean knife from the knife block and began dicing up red and yellow bell peppers, and then moved them over into a bowl that had been stationed at her space. Next, she took the green chilies, and sliced them up very finely as well to be added to the bell peppers. Lastly, Celestia took a cheese grater, and began tediously slicing down the pepper jack cheese into very finely grated strips. Once she was completed with that, she tossed the cheese into the bowl with the rest of the ingredients and started mixing everything by shaking the bowl back and forth.

Once Celestia was satisfied, she placed the bowl down and began cracking two eggs into a much smaller bowl that she had also been provided. She threw the egg shells into the waist bin beneath her station, and then took a fork and began whisking the eggs into a batter. Once finished, she gathered up all of her materials and moved across the lane to the stoves.

There was already a frying pan in place where she was to begin cooking, so Celestia slowly pour the egg batter into the pan, and waited a few seconds before adding in the mixed ingredients into the sizzling eggs. She set both of the bowls down on the counter next to the stove, and took a spatula to begin gently prodding at the sizzling omelet. After she deemed that the omelet was ready, Celestia flipped one half over onto the other and began gently pressing down on the omelet to give it a nice brown coating on one side. She then flipped the omelet over and proceeded to do the same on the other side, before scooping it off of the pan, and slipping it onto a plate that Blue Bell had given her as she was passing by. Lastly, Celestia put a metal cover over the plate to preserve the heat within the omelet.

Before Celestia took the plate over to a cart that was carrying her parents’ breakfast, she took another look around the kitchen. She saw that there were ponies still moving this way and that in a haste to get their orders done and ready to be sent to the guests. There was the head chef throwing out orders now that he had no reason to cook, since the two princesses took that job. Then something caught her eye, and her mouth opened a little. Sitting at the top of the giant ice maker in the corner of the kitchen was the Royal Cookie Jar.

Celestia picked up the plate, and carried it over to the cart in a rush. Luna had already finished their mother’s breakfast, and was waiting patiently for her sister to arrive. Celestia placed the plate on the cart, and then motioned for her sister to come closer as a maid wheeled the cart off towards the direction of the Sol and Galactica's study.

“I found where the cookie jar is," Celestia said, nodding her head in the direction of the cookie jar. "Look! It’s on top of the ice maker.”.

“How are we going to get it?" Luna asked in a hushed whisper. "It’s in plain sight. We would be seen.”

“I’ll think of a plan while we do our next task.” Celestia quickly said as Blue Bell approached the two fillies.

“I see you two fillies finished with your first task.” Blue Bell said as she strolled up to the two sisters.

“Yes we did!" Celestia said. Luna meekly smiled and inched closer to Celestia. "Just like how Sprinkles wanted.”

“Well, Sprinkles has another task for you fillies," Blue Bell began, glancing over at the antelope, "Being that you have finished making breakfast, and all of the ponies here are finishing up with their orders, you are to begin clean up duty.”

Blue Bell smiled, and she she nodded her head over to a closet that had a few brooms, a few mops, and a pale in it. She turned back towards the princesses and cringed slightly when Celestia and Luna were looking up at her with disappointed expressions. She put on another happy smile, and added, “Once you two are done helping out with cleaning the kitchen how about it’s time to take a break for breakfast yourselves? You two must be hungry.”

Celestia felt her stomach growl, and she smiled sheepishly before she stood at attention and gave Blue Bell a salute. Luna quickly dashed up next to her sister and did the same.

“Yes ma’am! We’ll get right now that.” Celestia said.

Blue Bell smiled, and turned away. Celestia looked over at Luna.

“Okay, while we are cleaning," Celestia whispered, leading Luna over to the closet, "look for anything that can be used to make a crossbow, a grappling hook, and a cushion. Go!”

~~~

By the time Celestia and Luna had finished helping clean the kitchen, they had managed to gather a large spatula, a few rubber bands, a stirring rod, fishing line, a fork with bent teeth, and a few towels. They carried their supplies over to a counter station where two bowls of cereal had been prepared for the princesses. While Luna began eating her cereal, Celestia got to work on making the crossbow.

She first laid the spatula out on the counter, and then laid the stirring rod perpendicular to the spatula on the space that divided the handle from the flat metal part. She cut some of the fishing line, and used it to tie the rod and the spatula together. Next, she took the rubber band and cut it at a point. She then took both ends and attached them onto either end of the stirring rod, before pulling the rubber band back to the end of the spatula to make it taut. Lastly, she tied the rest of the fishing line to the end of the fork, and then tied the other end of the fishing line to the handle of the spatula. She looked at Luna once she had finished.

“Okay, Luna," Celestia begain, smiling, "I’m going to need you to go and spill some water at the bottom of the ice maker. Say that it was an accident, and then use these towels to start soaking up the water, placing them all along the edges of the ice maker," Celestia pointed at the freezer, and countinued, "Once that is done, I will position myself next to the center counter, and hopefully fire this grappling hook onto the jar and pull it down. Once that happens, I’m going to need you to catch the jar with your levitation magic, and use it to gently place the jar onto the floor. Then, we’ll take the Royal Cookie Jar off to the pantry and reap the spoils!”

Luna grinned and clapped her hooves together, and said, “That’s a good plan, ‘Tia!”

“Let’s get to it.”

Celestia quickly ate through her bowl of cereal, and then hopped down and trotted over to position herself next to the center counter. She watched as Luna filled a pitcher of water, and started levitating it, walking past the ice maker. She was sloshing the water back and forth, causing some of it to spill out onto the ground. She quickly apologized to one of the ponies walking by, and put the pitcher down, using the towels that she had been carrying on her back to place around the ice maker.

Celestia briefly looked around her for a moment, and then levitated the crossbow up and aimed it at the pitcher. She pulled the fork back and back until the rubber band could not stretch anymore. She then aimed a little higher, and let the fork go, watching as it made a small ark and connected one of the teeth with the back of the lid. Celestia gave a small hoof pump, and then pulled on the fishing line, causing the cookie jar to slip off of the edge of the freezer and start falling to the ground. A blue hue formed around the jar as Luna caught it with her magic, and she strained as she let the jar gently fall onto the towels. Celestia bounded over and picked the up onto her back ,and both fillies started to make their way towards the pantry.

“And where do you two think you’re going?” came Blue Bell’s voice from behind them. Celestia and Luna stopped and turned.

“Uh… Um…" Celestia said, a huge stretched across her face. Luna had the same smile as her sister, and Celestia added, "Well, you see, we were on our way to store away the contents within this jar to the pantry.”

“Uh huh. And what would the contents of that jar be?” Blue Bell asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Um… Peanut butter?”

“Are you sure they aren’t cookies?”

“Yes! I’m sure.” Celestia exclaimed, stomping her hoof.

“Mind if I take a look?”

“No, you can’t see! It’s top secret peanut butter.”

Blue Bell stepped forward, and took the lid off of the jar, revealing the many assorted cookies that lay within. She looked down at the two princesses and raised an eyebrow.

“Peanut butter huh?” she said.

“There are peanut butter cookies in there!” Celestia protested.

“C’mon, give me that.” Blue Bell said as she reached down and took the cookie jar off of Celestia’s back. Celestia sat back on her haunches and crossed her forelegs while forming a pout on her face.

“And we were so close too.” she mumbled.

Blue Bell carried the jar over to the center counter and set it down.

“Okay, Sprinkles has another job for you two," Blue Bell said, turning back to Celestia and Luna, "Queen Chrysalis is going to be visiting Everfree for the next few days on a diplomatic relations mission with the Night Guard nation. Your mother has asked Sprinkles to decide who he should send to be her personal stewardesses while she is here, and he has decided to send us three. She’ll be arriving within the hour, so we should get the royal guest quarters ready.”

Celestia and Luna looked at each other with wide eyes. They smiled at each other, and together they began to flutter their wings as they looked back at Blue Bell. Blue Bell giggled slightly.

“Why is Sprinkles sending us two?” Celestia asked.

“I think he receive some advising from your mother on whom to send," blue Bell replied, "I think she wants you two to get acquainted with her being that the Flutterponies are Equestria’s closest allies.”

The two sisters both nodded and then left the kitchens to prepare the room that Queen Chrysalis will be staying.

~~~

In no time, Celestia, Luna, and Blue Bell had the Royal Guest Quarters perfectly ready for Queen Chrysalis. The large bed had been remade with the finest silk sheets provided, while the pillows were stuffed with freshly made cotton. The carpet had been cleaned and groomed to give it an almost unnaturally soft touch for any pony who had the pleasure to walk on it. The curtains had been cleaned, the windows washed, the bathroom shined, and the chandelier was glistening from the afternoon sunlight. The three ponies were all waiting outside of the room when the Chrysalis finally rounded the corner to her quarters.

She was stunningly beautiful. Chrysalis had a gorgeous white coat that was groomed to perfection, and was hued at the tips with a very gentle, yet dark shade of red. The mixture of colors accented the delicate curves of her slim body, which strode down the hall with unmatched graced. She had beautiful and straight dark, red hair to go along with her hooves that also matched her striking red eyes. A very thin and long horn protruded from her forehead. However, with the combination of her eyes, her body, and massive horn her true beauty lay with her wings. They were a pair of massive and colorful butterfly wings that she held slightly spread open so everypony could see their splendor.

Chrysalis was flanked by two other Flutterponies who had white coats as well. One looked to be just as handsome as his queen, with his darker butterfly wings and blue hued eyes and hooves. He was wearing a very thin piece of chest armor, and he was carrying a pair of saddlebags on his back. The other pony was more intimidating. His wings were the color of blood red, and hued along the edges with black. His hooves were also tinted black and he had a very long and flowing mane and tail. He wore armor that was just as thin as the other Flutterpony, but he wore it across his chest, on his back, up his neck, and he wore a helmet that covered all of the features of his face. The eyes were replaced by two rubies.

“Hello there Celestia, Luna, Blue Bell. How are all of you doing this day?” Queen Chrysalis asked. When she spoke it sounded as if she was singing instead of talking. Celestia mouth hung open.

“It has been a beautiful day, your majesty," Blue Bell said, bowing before Chrysalis, "We have prepared your quarters for you, if you would like to take a look.”

Queen Chrysalis entered the room, and started to pace very slowly along the outer edges until she stopped to look out on the Northern District of Everfree. The other five ponies had filed in after the queen, and had all taken up equal space from each other all in the center of the room. Chrysalis turned back to them.

“Updraft, Blackheart, you are both dismissed,” she said.

“Yes, your grace,” The unmasked flutterpony said, unmistakably Updraft. The two Flutterponies filed out and left to join the Royal Everfree Guard in the barracks. Chrysalis turned to look at Blue Bell.

“Blue Bell, do you think you could bring me some mint tea?" Chrysalis asked, a gentle smile spreading across her lips, "It’s been a long journey, and I need to unknot my joints.”

“Of course, your majesty.” Blue Bell said with a bow before leaving. The door gently clicked behind her, and Chrysalis looked at both Celestia and Luna.

“So, I hear you two are going to be helping Blue Bell take care of me while I am staying here in Everfree,” Chrysalis said as she levitated three pillows from under the coffee table placed up against the windows. As she sat down on her pillow, her wings glistened in the sunlight and filled the room with a multitude of colors.

Celestia sat down on the cushion she had been provided, and said, “I… Uh… W-we… Yes. Sorry, your majesty. Your wings, they are so beautiful.”

Chrysalis looked back at her wings, and then back to the two speechless princesses, and giggled, “Thank you, Celestia. You don’t have to call me your majesty. Just Chrysalis is fine. We are in your home after all. Perhaps it should be me who is calling you ‘your majesty’.”

Celestia smiled at Chrysalis, and said,“No please, I like being called just Celestia. All of the royal formalities really get under my skin sometimes. I wish I could be a normal pony some days so I wouldn’t have ponies falling over to get me a tissue when I sneeze.”

“I think we all want a break from royalty sometimes. It’s always nice to meet with another pony who is your equal.” Chrysalis mused, and looked over at Luna, who was trying to make herself look very small when the queen looked at her. “And you are very lucky to have a sister who can be called your equal. I envy you, Celestia.”

Chrysalis lowered her head until it was level with Luna’s, and she gave the little filly a smile, and said “Hi Luna. Hey. There is no need to be afraid. Here, you want to see something interesting?”

Chrysalis lifted her head up, and then positioned her wings into as much of a fan as she could muster behind her, surrounding the two fillies with a full spectrum of colors. Her horn then lit up with a brilliant red hue, and something behind her flashed. She smiled, and then pushed her wings down, taking away the array of colors so that they could be replaced by a swarm of butterflies that were unleashed behind her. Celestia stared in awe of the spectacle before she looked over at her sister. A smile grew on Luna's face to match the large one that was implanted on Celestia's face.

Celestia, Luna, and Chrysalis watched the butterflies roam around the entire room free until there was a knock on the door. Chrysalis used her magic to open the door for Blue Bell, who had a cart with a pot of tea and four cups on it.

“Ah, Blue Bell," Chrysalis said, while she was looking at Luna who was entranced by the various, colorful butterflies that filled the room. "I am glad you came. I was just showing Luna here a magic trick.”

Blue Bell wheeled the cart over to the coffee table, and began placing the tea and cups, and said, “I’m glad you managed to get her to smile. She really is quite a timid filly.”

Chrysalis smiled. “Oh yes, I can tell. Hey Luna, do you want to see another magic trick?”

Luna looked over at the regal queen. “Yes!”

~~~

It was approaching dinner time by the time Celestia, Luna, and Blue Bell had left Chrysalis’s quarters. During their time spent with the Flutterpony Queen, she had shown all three of the ponies various magic tricks she could do, whether it be a simple light show or something a little complex like changing a flower to a dove. Both Celestia and Luna had been so enthralled with the queen and her magic, that they eventually ended up calling her Auntie Chrysalis, which Chrysalis took to the new nickname well. Both fillies left the queen by giving her a hug, and then closing the door behind them.

They were heading back to the kitchens now so that they may be able to get their assignments on what dinner they are to prepare for their most esteemed guest. Luna was skipping along at a pace that matched with both Celestia’s and Blue Bell’s walk. Celestia turned to look up at the Blue Bell.

“Blue Bell, do you like Auntie Chrysalis?” she asked.

Blue Bell giggled, and said, “Oh yes, of course I like her. Not only is she fun and endearing, but she is also loyal and reliable. When there was a drought here in Equestria a few years back, and there were massive food shortages all over Equestria, it was the Flutterponies who provided relief to the Equestrians. It was also the Flutterponies who got the griffons on good standing with Equestria. The Eternal Valley has done so much to help Equestria under Queen Chrysalis’s rule.”

Celestia looked ahead as they all approached the door to the kitchens. Blue Bell went in first, opening the door for the two princesses. As they walked in, Sprinkles strode up alongside of the ponies, and looked over at Blue Bell.

“Hey there everypony! Did you have a fun time with Queen Chrysalis?” he asked.

“Oh yes, the two princesses had a wonderful time," Blue Bell replied. "The queen really is a delightful pony.”

“Well, then that calls for Ms. Chrysalis to have a magnificent dinner tonight. I have planned to make her stuffed grape leaves with…”

Celestia's gaze drifted to over where the Royal Cookie Jar sat. It had not moved from the spot where Blue Bell had placed it earlier. It was now much easier to get to, and if both she and Luna made a good enough plan they might be able to steal the jar to the pantry and get some of the snicker doodles that she had been craving all day. She looked over at Luna.

“Luna," Celestia whispered, "the cookie jar hasn’t moved since Blue Bell had placed it earlier today. Do you see?”

Luna’s gaze moved over to where the cookie jar was, and she nodded her head.

“Let’s try to get a work station with Blue Bell set up over near the cookie jar. I’ll try to think of a plan until then of what to do next.” Celestia said followed by a nod of ascent by Luna.

The two princesses turned back to face Blue Bell quickly as she turned towards them once she and Sprinkles had finished speaking.

“Okay, Celestia and Luna," Blue Bell said. "We’re going to need to get a work station and a few supplies before we begin. Luna, how about you go find us a place while Celestia and I head over to the pantry to get a few things?”

Both princesses nodded, and Luna went off to find a station while Celestia and Blue Bell headed over to the pantry. When they both entered the pantry, Blue Bell listed off a long list of supplies that both she and Celestia needed to gather for Chrysalis’s meal tonight, and they set off to work gathering everything on the list.

By the time they had finished, Celestia had gathered some carrots, cucumbers, and a bag of rice, and was carrying them back to the work station Luna had found. Celestia noticed that Luna had taken a station that was just two spaces over from where the Royal Cookie Jar was being kept, and she gave a wink at her sister. Blue Bell then came from the pantry with her supplies, and together she and Celestia lay everything out on the counter.

“Okay, Celestia, can you go over and get a frying pan ready to cook these grape leaves?" Blue Bell asked, organizing the supplies on the counter. "Make sure to put a little slice of butter into the pan so that the leaves won’t stick.”

“Yes Ms. Blue Bell!” Celestia replied. She then trotted over to the stove across from their work station, and placed a pan on top of one of the burners, turning it on and coating it with a thin slice of butter. She turned, and saw that Luna was coming over her way.

“Luna," Celestia began, giving Luna a fishing line, "take this fishing line, and tie it to one of the stoves over there past the cookie jar. Then come back over here, and keep an eye on the pan for me, while also pulling the line outwards on my signal. I’ll catch it on my back ,and then take it into the pantry where we’ll eat all the cookies we want later.”

Luna nodded, and quickly hurried with the fishing line over to one of the stoves just like Celestia said. She tied the line, made sure it was tight, and then came rushing back over, hopping onto the stool Celestia had been using.

“Okay, ‘Tia, we are ready!” Luna declared.

Celestia dashed over to position herself under the jar, and then looked over at Luna and nodded her head. Luna pulled the fishing line out, and watched as the cookie jar fell down onto Celestia’s back. There was a loud thud, and then a groan of pain. Celestia was lying on her stomach with her legs spread out, and her head was wobbling back and forth. Blue Bell rushed over to help Celestia and upon seeing her advance, Celestia quickly pushed the cookie jar under the counter out of sight.

“Oh my, Celestia, are you alright?” Blue Bell asked with concern marking her face.

“Yes, I’m fine, Blue Bell," Celestia said, glancing at Luna and nodding her head towards the butter. Luna quickly hid the butter out of sight, "I just slipped when I went to go get some… uh… butter!”

“I thought we had plenty of butter…” Blue Bell started to say as she turned to look over where Luna was. She stopped when she saw that the butter was missing. She raised an eyebrow and turned back to Celestia.

“I guess we ran out. Well, alright then.” Blue Bell said, and then turned to get back to work.

Celestia watched Blue Bell for a few seconds before getting to her hooves, grabbing the cookie jar, and then scurrying over towards the pantry. She quickly stashed the cookies away in a hidden spot, and then dashed back out of the pantry and back over to Luna, and relieved her of her task of watching the pan.

Soon, Blue Bell had finished rolling up the stuffed grape leaves with all of the ingredients, and brought them over to the pan. She started laying the grape leaves into the pan one at a time, each one sizzling from contact on the hot, buttery pan. She then turned the rolled grape leaves over once she deemed them ready on each side they were rolled from. Soon, Blue Bell was scooping each of the grape leaves out of the pan, and laying them neatly on a plate that had been brought by Luna. As a finishing touch Blue Bell added a sweet smelling sauce over the grape leaves and placed a roll of sweet bread on the plate. She covered the top and then placed it on the cart to be wheeled to Chrysalis’s room.

“Okay, I trust you two will deliver this important package to her majesty?” Blue Bell asked the two filles.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other, turned to face the blue mare, and gave a salute. “You can count on us, ma’am!” They said in unison.

~~~

Once Chrysalis’s dinner had been safely delivered to her, and the two princesses had arrived back in the kitchen, both Luna and Celestia quickly ran over to the pantry. It was almost time for dinner for the both of them, and they were hoping to sneak a quick, sugary treat before departing the kitchens to dine with their parents. Celestia quietly shut the pantry door behind them and then retrieved the cookie jar from its hiding spot.

“Are you ready for this Luna?" Celestia asked, salivating. "After a whole day of trying to nab the Royal Cookie Jar and it is finally ours!”

“Oh yay!" Luna exclaimed, fluttering her wings in anticipation. "I can’t wait to have one of the peanut butter cookies. Open it, open it!”

Celestia opened the cookie jar, and paled. All of the cookies had been replaced with branches of cauliflower. Luna looked inside and stuck out her tongue.

“Ewwww, cauliflower.” Luna said.

“W-where are the cookies?” Celestia asked herself.

The door to the pantry opened, and both Blue Bell and Sprinkles stuck their heads in.

“We knew you would try to grab those cookies first chance you got, so we hid the jar again. Good luck finding it, you silly fillies!” Sprinkles said. Blue Bell stuck out her tongue and then they both closed the pantry behind them.

Celestia and Luna fell onto their backs and groaned.

This was going to be a long week.

~~~

Chapter 6: It's all a Hoax

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The Gift of Life Chapter 6

Three weeks later…

Celestia was roaming through the statue gardens during the early morning. She took her time to breathe in the crisp, fresh air as she weaved herself in between the many statues dedicated to historical ponies over the years. She passed next to a statue dedicated to Arion and stopped, staring up at the enormous statue that had been crafted with extreme precision. She observed the cuts made to show his rippling and lean muscles, his long flowing mane, and the regal armor worn by an Equestrian General.

Arion had been the High General for the Equestrian military over two hundred years ago during the time of the great Pony and Hippalectryon War. The war lasted for three years, and was fought over the southern boundaries of Equestria, devastating the landscape for many decades to come. Crops would not grow, and many of the ponies that lived in those regions became refugees, having to move to cities that were already overcrowded. Celestia remembered that the Hippalectryons were a mysterious race that combined the body of a horse and the body of a rooster together. At the end of war, the entire race had mysteriously vanished, leaving behind all of their cities and their holdings to the Equestrians as they moved south across the sea.

Arion had never lost a battle himself during the whole length of the war. He led the forces he commanded to victory after victory, pushing the Hippalectryons back to their lands and their capital city of Stableside. Arion himself captured the commander of their army. Many ponies believed he was immortal by the time the war had ended.

Celestia was snapped out of her stupor by whistling. She turned towards the sound and saw that one of the unicorn guards was making his rounds on the castle grounds through the statue gardens. He was walking her way, and when he saw Celestia he quickly stopped and gave her a salute.

“Good morning, Princess.” the guard said.

“Good morning," Celestia replied. "Please, you don’t have to salute.”

“I apologize.” The guard said with a bow. He then turned and resumed his patrol, walking down an aisle of statues.

Celestia rolled her eyes, and then looked up at the head of Arion. She peeked back over at the guard and saw that he was still walking down the row. She looked back up, and then jumped into the air, flapping her wings and landing on top of the statue. She quickly balanced herself and watched as the guard was moving through the statue garden. Celestia then turned and gazed at the next statue in the row. She jumped.

The princess continued jumping from statue to statue, making sure that she didn’t lose her balance. She was quickly gaining on the guard. He suddenly stopped, and turned as the sound from Celestia’s metal shoes became louder and louder as she approached. The guard’s mouth dropped open when he saw the princess was hopping from statue to statue over him. He turned and watched, his teeth visibly grinding together in his mouth..

“Princess Celestia!" the guard shouted. "You should come down from there!”

Celestia looked down at the guard as she soared over him, and then continued on her way down the row of statues. The guard quickly gave chase to the princess, galloping after her as she was hopping from statue to statue quickly and gracefully.

“Princess! Please come down! Your mother and father would not want you to be hurt!”

Celestia spotted a flash of movement out of the corner of her eye and suddenly slipped, falling back to the ground and landing with a thud on her side. She cried out in pain and started gently massaging her front leg. The guard came rushing over to Celestia, dropping his spear and kneeling down to take a look at Celestia’s injury.

“I warned you about hopping on those statues, Princess," the guard said. "Oh ponyfeathers, you’re injured. Your parents are not going to like this.”

He turned looked at Celestia. Celestia’s eyes shifted from his, to behind him, and then back to him.

“Please, go get someone to help. I’ll be fine.” She said, whimpering a little and tears forming in her eyes.

“Okay Princess. Sit tight. I’ll get Meadow Free. She shouldn’t be too far from here.”

“Please don’t be long!”

The guard got up, turned around, only to fall flat on his face as he took a step forward. Celestia’s expression turned from a face filled with pain to a small grin, to a smile, and then to laughter as the guard groaned from the impact. Luna peeked her head out from behind one of the statues and giggled a little before running off down the rows of statues. Celestia quickly got up and followed after her sister.

~~~

Celestia and Luna ran through the statue garden then up over a bridge that crossed a shallow creek to the cherry blossom orchard. Both of the fillies stopped once they reached the Equestrian Fountain to catch their breath. Celestia looked over at her sister and smiled.

“That was wonderfully executed, Luna!" Celestia said. Luna looked up at her and smiled. "The way you placed that fishing line was excellent. Good job little sister.”

“Thank you, ’Tia," Luna replied, "but it was your whole idea! You were the one who did a good job here.”

Celestia brought her sister close and gave her a hug. Luna happily welcomed the embrace and hugged her sister back, giving her wings a little flutter in approval. Celestia, their parents, Regality, and Meadow Free were the only ponies that Luna was truly willing to interact with. She was still just as shy as when she was a new born foal as she is now when it comes to meeting new ponies. Sometimes her shyness will even go as far as refusing to talk to somepony. Celestia broke the embrace and looked at Luna.

“So, who should we prank next?” Celestia asked.

Luna sat on her haunches and held a hoof up to her chin as she thought. Celestia sat down as well, but instead of thinking she began to listen to the sounds of the water crashing in the fountain. It was a constant and unchanging sound that beat within the cherry blossom orchards of the Everfree Gardens. She enjoyed every minute she could listen to the water’s steady rhythm, and took this time as her sister thought to hear its music.

Her enjoyment was ended shortly, however, as Luna suddenly bounced in place and smiled at her.

“We should pull a prank on Father!” Luna shouted in glee.

“Luna, you’re a genius!" Celestia exclaimed. "Father is going to have a meeting with the Lord Regent from the Night Guard Nation. We could prank him in front of one of his friends!”

“Do you have an idea how we should do this?” Luna asked.

“In fact I do. You know how Father likes to have tea when he at his meetings?”

“No, I didn’t know that," Luna said, scraping one of her hooves against the grass.

“Well, he does. Anyways, I was thinking that we grab some of the poison joke from here in the gardens and use some of the nectar in it to pour into his tea. One flower should have enough nectar to make him grow horns or make his coat all fluffy or something.”

Luna’s eyes lit up and she started to prance around Celestia.

“This is going to be so great! Father will never know what hit him!” she exclaimed.

~~~

The two princesses were cantering through Everfree Castle’s halls on their way towards the Royal Kitchens with a bag full of poison joke that they had carefully picked. Instead of risking exposure to the pranking plant, the two princesses used their magic to pick a few of the flowers and placed them into a bag. The bag was sealed tightly just in case any of the flowers managed to slip out of the bag and onto Celestia and Luna.

As they rounded the last corner to the kitchens, the doors suddenly opened and a dark brown pony was pushing a cart in the direction towards the dining hall where King Sol chose to hold the majority of his meetings. Celestia and Luna looked at each other for a brief moment, and then sped after the pony and his cart. Once they caught up to the pony Celestia spread her wings and prodded the pony’s back leg with her nose. He stopped and looked behind him.

“Excuse me, sir, but would it be alright if Luna and I take Father’s tea to him, today?” Celestia asked. She crossed one front hoof over the other and stared at the pony with big eyes.

“Well, alright, princess. Your father is in the dining hall as usual.” the dark pony said as he stepped back from the cart. He gave both Celestia and Luna a bow before turning and proceeding back into the kitchens. Celestia looked at her little sister with a smile.

“That was too easy" she said. "Come on, let’s coat his cup with the poison joke.”

Luna took out one of the flowers, and allowed Celestia’s magic to take hold of it. The older sister held the flower over her father’s cup, and began to squeeze the nectar out. A tiny drop fell out of the plant and landed in the middle of the cup. She quickly put the flower back in the bag and told Luna to drop it off in a nearby by trash bin that they come along.

Once Luna had successfully disposed the bag the two princesses began to move the cart down the corridor towards the dining hall. They didn’t run into any ponies on their way to the hall, and walked on in relative silence, keeping down their snickering from thoughts of pranking their royal father. They couldn’t wait to see what effects the poison joke would have on him, nor could they wait to see the look on his face.

As they reached the dining hall, one of the guards standing watch opened a massive door to allow the two princesses through along with the cart they were pushing along. They could hear voices at the end of the end of the room, and looked to see that their father was talking to not only the Lord Regent of the Night Guard Nation--Lord Regent Outcry if Celestia remembered correctly--but also to another Night Guard that was garbed in the famed Night Guard Ceremonial Armor.

Lord Regent Outcry was very large, even for a Night Guard pony. When he was standing on all four hooves he was almost as tall as King Sol, and was just as wide, rippling with muscle. Other than that, Outcry looked like any other Night Guard. He had a dark grey coat, black, bat-like wings, a long, black tail, and yellow eyes that looked like they belonged to a snake. He wore that standard armor of a Night Guard--dark purple and polished steel body armor and helm.

The other Night Guard was much smaller in height and in muscle mass. He, too, had a dark grey coat, black bat-like wings, a long black tail, and yellow eyes that looked as if they belonged to a snake. The only difference was that this Night Guard had an eye patch over his left eye, and was wracked with body scars. He stood at full attention next to the Lord Regent as the two leaders spoke.

“…and as a token of good faith," Lord Regent Outcry said, "along with a pledge of loyalty to Equestria, and its citizens that the Night Guard Nation shall remain allies forever as long as both you, King Sol, and your lovely wife Queen Galactica sit upon your nation’s throne I present to you my finest warrior, Static." He gestured towards. "He was taken from one of the fighting pits in our capital city and trained for the roll of being a leader and a soldier. I trust you will put him to good use.”

“I accept your generous offer, Outcry," King Sol said with a smile. "There recently has been a spot open for a roll as a general for the Royal Earth Pony Battalion. I will be arranging his promo-“ He stopped as he heard the door to the dining hall close and saw a cart roll up towards the three ponies. Celestia and Luna popped their heads from around the back of the cart and smiled at their father.

“Girls! I didn’t know you were going to be bringing me my tea today.” Sol exclaimed.

“Yes, Daddy!" Celestia exclaimed. "We saw the cart and figured it was heading towards your meeting. We wanted to deliver it to you ourselves.”

Luna was staring at the two Night Guards in the room, her eyes transfixed on the more haggard one in particular. His eyes darted to meet hers and she squeaked, quickly hiding behind her sister.

“That was very thoughtful of both of you.” Sol said, and he looked over at Lord Regent Outcry and asked, “Would it be okay if my daughters sat in on this meeting?”

“Of course, I don’t mind at all.” Outcry said with a wave of his hoof.

Sol turned back to look at his daughters, and asked, “So, how would you girls like to sit in on one of Daddy’s meetings?”

Both Celestia and Luna looked at each other with a smile on their faces. They then both nodded at their father in unison, who smiled and looked back at Outcry and Static.

“As I was saying…” He continued. Celestia listened closely to what her father had to say as she started pouring tea for all three ponies, while Luna snuggled up next to her father and stared at Outcry.

“…I will be arranging for Static’s inauguration into the Equestrian military, and also for his promotion, very soon. Our own General Felix is retiring from the Royal Earth Pony Battalion next week and we have been looking for a replacement without any luck. If Static really is all he is cut out to be like you say, then I have complete faith that he will make for a great general.”

“Permission to speak, sir.” said Static. His voice was calm and serene and deep.

King Sol levitated the cups of tea to the two Night Guards, who both accepted the tea graciously and used their two front hooves to hold the cup, before he took his cup giving pause before taking a sip.

“You do not require my permission to speak," Sol said calmly. "As far as I can see at this moment, you are as much an equal as I.”

“As you wish.” Static said with a bow. “As Lord Regent Outcry had already explained earlier, I did come from the illegal fighting pits located in Dusthaven. I have been trained in seven different forms of hoof to hoof combat, in the use of swords, halberds, and spears, and in the use of javelins. When I was taken in by the Night Guard military I went through extensive and intense tactical training for the use of ground troops. It is an honor for me to be promoted to General so that I may use these skills in order to protect Equestria.”

Celestia watched as her father continued to take sips of the tea with no effects of the poison joke. She was getting more and more worried that both her and Luna’s prank wasn’t going to work. She strode up behind Luna, and tapped her on her shoulder, motioning for her to come back with her. Luna got up and followed Celestia.

“The poison joke isn’t working," Celestia whispered, looking over at her father. "Look, nothing has changed! He isn’t affected at all by it!”

“Maybe it takes a while for the effects to take place, ‘Tia.” Luna whispered back.

“It shouldn’t be taking this long. I coated the bottom of his cup with a full drop of nectar. That should be powerful enough if he ingests it!”

They both glanced at their father as he continued to talk to Lord Regent Outcry and Static.

“I’m going to go and inspect that tea cup.” Celestia said.

“’Tia, wait a…” Luna started to say, but was cut short as Celestia got to her hooves and made her way over to where her father had just set down his cup. How could her father not be experiencing any side effects of drink nectar from poison joke? Did he use some kind of spell to protect himself against the flower? Or were alicorns immune to the nectar?

“Excuse me, Daddy?”Celestia asked as she sat down next to her father.

“Yes, Celestia?” He replied.

“Could I have some tea?”

“I thought you didn’t like tea?”

“That’s because I never tried it.”

Sol chuckled as he levitated the tea pot over to the cup and started to pour. “I see that you have become wise at such a young age. Very well, here you go.”

Celestia took the cup and slowly started to back pedal towards Luna. She sat down on her haunches and looked over at her sister.

“Let’s see if alicorns really are immune to poison joke.” She said.

Luna opened her mouth, but Celestia took a huge gulp of the tea. The elder sister was about to go and finish the rest of the tea in the cup when she suddenly stopped. Using her magic she slowly set the tea cup onto the floor. Luna looked at her sister with a face full of worry.

“Um, ‘Tia, are you alright?” she asked.

“That was perhaps the worst thing I have ever tasted.” Celestia managed to say before she started clawing at her tongue to get the taste off. She looked over and saw that the tea had come with a bowl of sugar cubes.

Celestia was about to move to grab the sugar cubes when suddenly she hiccupped. There was a bubble floating in front of her face that immediately popped when it touched her horn. She hiccupped again with two more bubbles appearing before her face. She looked at Luna and saw that her sister was smiling.

“’Tia, your hiccups are making bubbles.” she said, giggling as her sister hiccupped again. Celestia frowned and looked at her father.

Sol was looking back at her with a face full of amusement. Both the Lord Regent Outcry and Static had stopped their conversation as well to gaze at her. Celestia’s face turned a bright crimson, and she held her hooves up to cover her cheeks. She hiccupped again, allowing another bubble to escape from her mouth and float up above her.

“She is just the cutest thing, don’t you think Outcry?” Sol asked.

“I agree, Sol. Say, how does she do that trick anyways?” Outcry replied.

“Yeah Celestia, how are you doing that?” her father glanced at her, barely able to contain his chuckles.

Celestia hiccupped again, and she heard a squeal of laughter come from her sister. She peeked from behind her hooves and saw that even Static had a smile on his face. She could not take any more of this. There was only option that an eight year old princess of Equestria could do at this moment. Celestia got to her hooves and ran out of the room, sobbing the whole way.

Sol looked over at his friend and sighed, and said, “I guess I had better go talk to her. I am sorry, Outcry. Would we be able to continue this discussion at a later date?”

“Don’t worry about it, Sol. I think we have everything covered. Static and I shall retire to our rooms. Go comfort your daughter,” Outcry said.

“Thank you,” Sol said, and looked down at Luna. “Come on, Luna. Let’s go find your sister.”

~~~

When Celestia heard the door to her and Luna’s room open she curled into a tighter ball on her bed. She didn’t want to talk to anypony right now. She felt like she was content with just lying on her bed and soaking her pillow with more tears while other ponies laughed at her misfortunes. The poison joke nectar had been intended to be used on her father, not herself. What back fired? Why was he not affected?

She felt a nudge on her on back, and tightened further into a ball before letting out another sob. Maybe they would leave her alone if she ignored them for long enough.

“’Tia?”

It was Luna. She couldn’t ignore her sister. Celestia turned over to look at her sister, flinching as she saw her father standing behind Luna.

“’Tia, are you okay?” Luna asked, cocking her head and shuffling her wings against her body.

Celestia shook her head and then laid it down on her hooves. Luna made a pouty face, and then jumped up on the bed next to her sister, lying next to her and also putting her head on her hooves. Their father gave a brief smile, and then lay down on this stomach next to Celestia’s bed.

“Celestia, what is the matter?” Sol asked.

“My poison joke prank backfired.” Celestia mumbled, some bubbles escaping from her mouth. She shut her eyes and hid her face with her hooves.

“Do you know why the poison joke didn’t work on me?” Sol asked, but when he got no answer from his daughter he gave a sigh and continued. “There is a spell your mother and I know that is used to detect foreign substances within our drinks that could be potentially harmful to us. If we sense anything then we suppress the toxin so that we do not ingest it.”

Celestia looked up from her hooves. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Sol’s face remained straight even when bubbles were coming from Celestia’s mouth, and he said, “Because I wanted to turn the little prank on you. I didn’t know you would take it so hard. Usually you are very good with jokes, Celestia.”

“I embarrassed myself in front of the Lord Regent from the Night Guard Nation! It was supposed to be used on you, not me. I bet he thinks I’m stupid now, right?”

Sol chuckled, and said “Celestia, he doesn’t think of anything of the sort. Don’t worry.” Sol laid his head on the bed in front of Celestia’s and gave his daughter a big smile. When Celestia refused to smile back he pushed his head forward and bumped noses with her. “Cheer up, Celestia. Where is my little Sunshine today?”

She giggled at the pet name her father sometimes gave her. She bumped noses back with him, and then blew bubbles in his face. Sol pulled his face back and snorted with a sudden gleam forming in his eye that she recognized. Celestia tried to run away, but she was too late as her father pulled her back to him and then started buzzing his lips on her tummy. She began laughing hysterically.

Celestia could hear giggling coming from the right of her and watched as Sol stopped tickling her and looked over at Luna.

“It’s your turn now!” Sol exclaimed, reaching over and tickling Luna now.

“I’ll save you, Luna!” Celestia yelled, jumping onto the back of her father and holding on tight. Sol let out a playful pained grunt and fell on to his back, landing on top of Celestia.

“Luna! Help! Daddy’s fat neck has trapped me!”

Luna peered over the bed at her father and her sister and then started back pedaling until she had plenty of room for a running start. She built up as much speed as she could, and then leapt from the bed, landing right on top of her father’s stomach. Sol let out a grunt and lifted his neck from the impact, allowing Celestia to escape, and then also jump on top of her father’s stomach.

“Tickle him!” she yelled.

Celestia and Luna both began buzzing their lips on Sol’s stomach, causing him to laugh loudly and convulse from the tingling sensation.

After a few more minutes of torturing their father, Celestia and Luna rolled onto their backs next to him, lying on top of his massive wings that lay sprawled out on the floor. Celestia giggled and then looked up at her father who happened to be looking down at her at the same time with a smile on his face.

“I love you Daddy, you always make me feel better.” she said.

“I love you too, Sunshine.” Sol said. He then looked over at his other daughter and said, “So, who wants to get off of Daddy’s wings so he can teach a new magic trick?”

~~~

Whenever I start writing a chapter I always have a set goal with how many words I want to write. Being that I am trying to keep the chapters shorter so that I can get out content faster to you guys I keep goals of a low word count, usually between 2,500 and 3,000 words. However, many times I can't even keep that goal since I get so carried away with writing which leads on to more days needed to get a chapter out. I hope you guys enjoy them anyways!

More character building, introductions, and history to come! Sorry everyone but there are still quite a few more chapters to go until the real action begins.

Get ready for Chapter 7: The New General and the Young Captain

Chapter 7: The New General and the Young Captain

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The Gift of Life Chapter 7

Nine months later…

“Aw, do I really have to dress up for this party?” Celestia whined while she stamped her hooves against the tile floor of her bathroom.

“Yes Celestia, you have to," Meadow Free said, taking a brush and gently brushing out the knots and tangles from Celestia’s freshly washed hair. "Your mother wants you to look nice tonight when you meet the Everfree nobility and foreign diplomats from our allies. Even Queen Chrysalis is going to be here as well to attend the ceremony.”

“But why do I have to get dressed up? I have met the nobility other times and I wasn’t wearing anything nice. Technically I wasn’t wearing anything at all.”

“Tonight is a special occasion. It’s a formal party recognizing a new general in our military. Everypony is going to be dressed up to show courtesy towards the guest of honor. It’s only polite if you do the same.”

Celestia pouted, flicked her tail in frustration, and she asked, "Who is the new general again?"

"Her name is Forza," Meadow Free said. "Queen Chrysalis offered her as a gesture of friendship towards your parents. I think it might be because she didn't want to be shown up by Lord Regent Outcry when he presented General Static."

“Ow” Celestia flinched when Meadow Free pulled too hard to free a knot from her hair.

“Sorry, Celestia. Your mane and tail have gotten so long. It’s so beautiful, especially with the pink, but it’s getting to be more and more of a pain in the flank to brush.” Meadow Free chuckled as she finished one last sweep through Celestia’s hair with the brush. “Let’s go get your dress on. C’mon.”

Meadow Free and Celestia left the bathroom and walked back out into the main room where they found Regality trying to fit Luna into a custom made black dress for tonight’s party. Her dress was short, thin, and light so that it hung loosely to her body, allowing her send ripples through the fabric every time she took a step. Celestia giggled a little as she watched her sister squirm against Regality’s deft movements to try and fit the dress perfectly to Luna’s small body.

“What are you giggling at, young filly?” Meadow Free asked as she looked down at Celestia with an evil smile.

“Um, do I really have to wear the dress?” Celestia said as she gave Meadow Free a large, false smile.

“Yes.” Meadow Free said as she picked Celestia up and placed her on top of her bed next to her dress. When Celestia looked over at it, she couldn’t help but acknowledge that it was pretty. It was a light and thin yellow dress that was short like her sister’s. It was decorated with beautiful green vines all along the bottom of the dress and felt very soft to the touch from the silk fabric. She sat back on her haunches and allowed Meadow Free to slip the dress over her head and adjust it so that it was as comfortably set on Celestia as possible. With the finishing touch of a white lily pinned to the right side of her head, she was ready to attend the party tonight.

Luna walked up next to her sister, and together they stood ready for inspection by the two maids. Celestia noticed that Regality had pinned a black bow to behind Luna’s head, as well as tied a ribbon to the end of her tail.

“I think they both look absolutely adorable.” said Regality. She had her wings fully extended.

“I agree," Meadow Free said "The family pictures to be taken tonight are going to look fantastic. Let’s go get ready ourselves.” She looked at the two princesses, and said, “You two are free to go play. Just don’t dirty those dresses up.”

“Don’t worry Meadow Free, we’ll be careful.” Celestia said.

“Yeah, don’t worry Miss Meadow Free!” Luna contributed with a large grin.

The two maids walked off together out of Celestia’s and Luna’s room and back to their quarters, leaving the two princesses with a full forty five minutes left to play before they needed to head down to the party. Luna shook her head back and forth, causing the bow to bounce against her ears.

“What should we do, ‘Tia?” Luna asked while continuing to shake her head.

“I’m not sure, Luna," Celestia said, using her back hoof to kick up the end of her dress. "There isn’t much we can do while we are in these uncomfortable things.”

“We could always play Jenga.” Luna suggested, smiling.

“Oh no, we’re not playing that.”

“You just don’t like it because you always lose.”

“Do not. I just think it is a bad game is all.”

Luna raised herself onto her tip-hoofs and whispered in her sister’s ear, “Loser.”

“Fine! You want a game? You got yourself a game. Go get the blocks and prepare to eat your words, little sister.” Celestia said.

~~~

Celestia’s face was set in a hardened frown as she and Luna along with Meadow Free and Regality made their way down to the party in Everfree’s Gardens.

"I don't get," Celestia mumbled, glaring at Luna. "How could I lose Jenga thirty times in a row? How is that even physically possible?"

“Oh come on you two. It was just a game, Celestia.” she said.

“But she beat me thirty times in a row. Thirty times, Regality!” Celestia said, looking forward with a pouty face.

“Well, you’re just going to have to be content with that for tonight," Regality chuckled. "We have a party to attend, and it wouldn’t be fitting for you to be mad at your sister all night over something like this.”

Celestia groaned as they were coming upon the entrance to the party. One of the Royal Guards was standing at attention next to the archway that led to the Everfree Gardens with a wing wrapped around a spear. His golden armor glimmered from the candles that were lined along the walls leading to the gardens. The guard waved the four ponies through and down the stairs into the party.

When they all reached the foot of the stairs they were stopped by a beautiful Flutterpony dressed in a rather seductive and flowing black dress lined with red embroidery. The dress gave a perfect contrast with the Flutterponies white coat and the red brought out the brilliance of both her front hooves and of her wings, which were also both red. The dress was cut up along her back left leg, allowing a glimpse of her slender flank. Her black mane hung loosely on one side of her head and her deep red eyes had a warmness to them that immediately put Celestia at ease.

“Hello, my little princesses," the Flutterpony said. "My name is Forza. Welcome to my party.”

“Hi Forza, my name is Celestia," Celestia said, speaking very quickly. "This is my sister Luna and these are our two friends Meadow Free and Regality. Wow, you look beautiful tonight. Do all Flutterponies look beautiful?” She only broke eye contact to introduce Luna, Meadow Free, and Regality.

Forza gave a reserved and sincere giggle, and said, “Thank you, Celestia, but I must apologize. I do not understand what you mean with that question.”

“You’re beautiful, Auntie Chrysalis is beautiful, even the two boy Flutterponies that were with Auntie Chrysalis a while ago were beautiful. Do all Flutterponies look beautiful?”

“Oh, you mean does my race all look like me?" Forza asked, rolling her eyes slightly. "I guess you could say we all look similar physically at least. We all have wings and long horns, slender bodies, and colored hooves, but my ponies do not believe in physical beauty. Instead, we believe in the beauty of ones actions and perception.”

Meadow Free stepped forward, and asked, “What do you mean by ones actions and perception?”

“Well, it is a bit of a sensitive subject among Flutterponies, but I am willing to share it with all of you if you are genuinely interested.”

“I’d like to hear about the Flutterponies. We don’t learn all too much about your race here in Equestria.” Regality said.

“So would I” Meadow Free agreed.

“Me too!” Celestia added.

Luna nodded her head.

“Alright, I suggest we all gather a couple of drinks and find a table. This might be a long story.” Forza said. She turned around and started to head off to the bar with Regality following closely behind her. Meadow Free looked down at Celestia and Luna.

“Looks like it is up to us to find a table.” she said.

The two princesses went galloping off towards one of the tables that were near where their mother and father were sitting. They both sat on one of the pillows and then turned towards their parents, giving them a wave. Sol and Galactica smiled and waved back towards their daughters just as Meadow Free took a spot next to Celestia. She leaned over towards the two fillies.

“You should go and say hello to your parents," she whispered. "The line at the bar was long. I’m sure Forza and Regality will be a while.”

Celestia and Luna nodded and left the table, heading over towards their parents. They saw that they were both engaged with a conversation with Queen Chrysalis and High General Bright, and chose to quietly take their place between Sol and Galactica.

“Pardon me, your Grace, but I do not see a reason as to why we should send pegasus scouts all the way to Shimmerwood," High General Bright said cooly. "They would need to cross over a huge mountain range and a massive lake to get to the destination. Wouldn’t this be more suitable for one of Red Hoof Assassins?”

“We are stretched thin on forces as it is, general," Chrysalis replied. "The Flutterponies are not a militaristic race, and therefore we do not have a sizable military that is capable to deal with this disturbance. I am merely asking that you lone us some of your pegasi soldiers so that we may investigate why the animals in Shimmerwood have suddenly began to migrate south into our lands.”

“You can’t even spare a few Flutterponies?

“No," Chrysalis said, twirling a strand of her mane around a hoof, "they are all preoccupied trying to lead the animals out of our lands. Trust me, if I had the pony power to spare I would have already sent a few of my Flutterponies north.”

“Alright, you have your pegasi," Bright said, leaning back slightly in his seat. "I will get four of my fastest fliers tomorrow morning and send them over to the Eternal City so that they can meet with Blackheart.”

Chrysalis allowed a beautiful smile to form on her lips, and she said, “Thank you, High General. Your generosity is much appreciated. We should give this discussion pause, however. It seems like we have some little guests with us.”

Everypony turned to look at both Celestia and Luna, causing Luna to squeak and curl up into a ball next to her mother.

“Hi, Mom and Daddy, Luna and I wanted to come by and say hi to you two.” Celestia said as she gave her father a big hug. Luna did the same to her mother, nuzzling against her soft coat.

“Oh? Where is it that you two are heading off to?” Sol asked, returning the hug and looking down at her daughter.

“General Forza promised Luna, Regality, Meadow Free, and I that she would tell us about the Flutterponies," Celestia replied.

“Is that so?” Queen Chrysalis chimed in. “Well, I wouldn’t trust any other pony besides her to tell the story about our race, although it is a bit sensitive. How did you manage to convince her to tell you?”

“I asked her if all Flutterponies were beautiful and she agreed to tell us everything, Auntie Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis’s wings locked together, and her eyes darted off to the side. “Oh, well, I can see Forza and Regality are coming back. Have fun now.”

Celestia and Luna gave their parents one last hug and then galloped back over to the table where Meadow Free was sitting. Meadow Free was twirling her mane with one of her hooves as the two princesses returned to the table, shortly followed by Forza and Regality. The two mares had brought three mango mojitos for the adults and two hard apple ciders for both Celestia and Luna. Once everypony had settled into the table and taken a few sips of their drinks Forza finally spoke up.

“As I mentioned earlier," Forza began, "we Flutterponies don’t see the attractiveness in the physical traits of a prospective mate. The way that our slender bodies, shimmering wings, and brilliantly colored hooves could entrance a pony or a Night Guard doesn’t have the same effect on us. We see deeper than the outermost parts that make up any creature. There is an essence deep inside any being that manifests itself into something so warm and so inviting that we are attracted to it.

After taking another sip of her drink, Forza twirled the straw around the glass before continuing.

“Imagine you have been walking through a dense forest for days now. The forest canopy shields you from the sun that shines overhead that would normally guide your way. Instead, you are forced to adjust to the darkness that the forest brings and follow the path out as best you can. You begin to feel the gloom the lack of light brings; there is a sense of loneliness and disheartenment.

“Then you see there is a light ahead of you. You can’t quite be sure you believe it but you rush towards it anyways. The prospect of feeling the warmth of the sun upon your face again is too much for you to bear and you desire to see the light you have become to rely on again. You put all of your energy into your legs, sprinting towards the finish line to collect your prize. You burst forth from the forest and gasp upon the sight you behold.

Forza lit up her horn, and a ball of light began to float from the tip of her horn to over the center of the table.

“Before you is a valley filled with meadows of colorful flowers. The flowers range from the deepest blues like the great Eternal Sea to the shining yellows and oranges like the sun that looms overhead you. You look up and embrace in the warmth that touches your face and fills your body with new-found optimism. It is what you have been looking for; what you have been desiring.

“You make your descent into the valley, frolicking your way through the flowers and stopping to take a drink from the crisp, cold stream that comes across your path. The cold beverage sliding down your throat and sends sensual tingles down your spine and you shiver. A dragonfly zips past your face and you catch a glimpse of its shimmering blue body as it reflects off the sun light. You feel as if you have found a haven fit for the afterlife. You feel utter happiness and love.

The ball of light dissipated, and Forza glanced around at everypony.

“And that is what we can feel in every one of you and in our race. It is what we seek for our entire lives. There is an unmatched beauty in love, and it is every Flutterpony’s dream to have that level of affection to be displayed towards us. We want to soak in the warmth of another’s affection given to us. We want to feel the tingle of their touch as they hold us. We want to see the years zip by as we live out our undying love.

“But we will not take what love that isn’t rightfully ours, for if we do, how could we say that we have experienced true love? Love isn’t something that can be created and given at will. It needs to develop and be shared. When one pony is ready to share their love, only then will we take it and give in return.”

Forza finished and hung her head. She had a solemn expression etched onto her face as she slowly twirled the straw in her glass again. Regality laid a hoof over Forza’s shoulder and laid her head against the Flutterpony’s.

“You tell this as if you have heard of it from first hoof experience.” she said.

“I knew a mare once," Forza said, taking another sip of her drink before continuing, "It is not common among our species to perform courtship with the same gender but it is not looked down upon either. Love is love, no matter who it comes from. I do not wish to talk about it.”

“It would not be our place to ask.” Meadow Free said, offering a smile for Forza before pointing towards the Equestrian Fountain. “Oh, look. Queen Galactica is taking the podium. Looks like it is time to give the speeches.”

Celestia watched as her mother strode up to the podium with all of the grace that a queen could give. She turned towards the crowd of ponies that had gathered for the party and all fell silent. She cleared her throat and extended her wings out to their full length.

“Good evening, esteemed guests," Galactica said, her voice gentle. "Tonight we have gathered to celebrate another momentous occasion for the Royal Equestrian Military. Just a week ago, our former General Whitetail died from a sudden heart attack, leaving our military without a leader for the Royal Unicorn Army. Luckily, we were approached by the leader of our close allies and good friends, the Flutterponies, and she presented us with one of her own for a replacement as a gesture of good faith and loyalty to our great nation. We quickly accepted, given that she is more than qualified for the job.”

Queen Galactica paused and looked over at Forza with soft eyes, and said, “I’d like to turn over the podium to Queen Chrysalis. I know she wants to say a few words before we introduce you all to the mare of honor.”

Galactica stepped down from the podium and returned to her seat next to her husband, allowing for Queen Chrysalis to take the stage. The beautiful queen held the silence, gazing across all of the ponies who were seated at the tables or making a stop by the bar. She inhaled.

“Good evening allies; friends," Chrysalis said, her voice mesmerizing as it sang across the lawn. "I would like to say that it has been a pleasure attending this party with all of you. It is always wonderful to see such a pleasant group of individuals gathered on such an occasion to revel in the lives that are being had and the times that are being remembered. Never forget moments such as this and never forget the ones that follow. You are all important to someone.”

Chrysalis paused and then looked over at Forza, offering a smile and showing off her wings. “Forza, if you could take the podium please.”

Forza nodded and left the table, slowly walking to the podium with her wings glimmering off of the lamps on the outermost reaches of the party grounds. Every pony in attendance watched as she took the stage, unable to look away from the sheer amount of beauty that was radiating off of the Flutterpony. As she walked onto the stage on one end, Queen Galactica and King Sol stepped onto the stage at the other end. Forza stopped at the podium and took a deep breath.

“Greetings everypony," Forza said, bowing, "I am Forza, member of the Flutterpony race and former Royal Guard to Queen Chrysalis. I am thankful and humbled that you all have decided to attend my party and as a token of my gratitude I’d like to buy you all a round of drinks. No charge.”

There was a cheer from the crowd and a few ponies clopped their hooves in approval. Forza smiled and continued.

“I’d first like to extend my thanks towards my loving and beautiful queen, Queen Chrysalis," Forza extended a hoof towards Chrysalis, and waited for another round of applause to die down. "When I was but a young filly my parents left me alone to live my last wretched moments in one of the many forests that fills our home, the Eternal Valley. They had no way to care for me as they could barely care for themselves. When I thought I was going to die it was she who found me and took me in. She raised me, trained me, fed me, and loved me to become one of her personal Royal Guards. I surpassed all of her expectations thanks to her. If I may say, Chrysalis was more of a mother to me than my own mother ever was."

Queen Chrysalis visibly smiled at Forza, and nodded her head for Forza to continue.

“Now, I’d like to extend my thanks to my new king and queen, King Sol and Queen Galactica. They have gifted upon me a rank that is of no small responsibility. I am to be in control of the entire Royal Unicorn Army. I will need to make decisions, train the troops, and ensure that moral is as high as it could be. I will not say that this is no daunting task, it is, but it is a task I believe I can accomplish with the help of ponies like yourselves. Your leaders have put me into a position of power and I want to extend my condolence to you all: I will not fail any of you.”

There were a few cheers and clops, causing Forza to pause her speech before moving on to its last segment.

“And finally, I’d like to extend my thanks to two wonderful and adorable princesses who have joined us tonight. They each have expressed compassion and interest in matters you would think would be above fillies of their age, and in doing so have shown me that I have become part of a wonderful family here at Everfree Castle. We are all lucky that we can look forward to a long and glorious rule under these two royal sisters. Please give a round of applause for Celestia and Luna!”

A loud cheer erupted and Celestia looked around to see that all of the ponies from the party were all clopping their hooves for both her and her sister. She blushed slightly, and looked down see that Luna was scared out of her mind, huddling up next to her sister and burying her face into Celestia’s wing. Celestia extended a leg around Luna and gave her a comforting hug until the round of applause died down. Forza stepped away from the podium to allow King Sol a chance to speak.

“I’d like to take this time to present the mare of honor with the rank of general," he said "If everypony may rise.”

Everypone rose to their hooves and gave their full attention to the ponies up on stage. King Sol stepped away from the podium and stood in front of Forza with Queen Chrysalis and Queen Galactica flanking him on either side. Forza bowed her head low in respect, and then started up at her king who stood almost a head taller than her.

“Forza, do you take a solemn vow to uphold your duties and defend this nation of Equestria, along with its lands, its cities, and its citizens, with your very life?” Sol asked.

“I do.” Forza responded.

“And do you vow lead your troops in an ethical and timely matter befit for the integrity of this nation?”

“I do.”

“And lastly, do you vow to defend the King and Queen of Equestria with your life when called upon to do so?”

“I do.”

“Then I, King Sol, King of Equestria, Defender of Liberty and Life, Essence of the Stars and Planets, Father to Celestia and Luna, do hereby declare you, Forza, to be a General of the Equestrian Military and are given full command of the Royal Unicorn Army. Does my Royal Lady approve?”

“I do” Queen Galactica said.

King Sol nodded and then levitated a box that had been brought up by one of the many ponies who had been catering for the party. He opened the box, presenting the badge worn by an Equestrian general and also the badge worn by the general for the Royal Unicorn Army. Forza grabbed hold of both badges with her magic and then pinned them to her dress on either side of her neck.

“You are now officially a general of the Equestrian Military. Congratulations, General Forza.” Sol finished.

An enormous cheer erupted from the party goers. Ponies of all colors, sizes, and age clopped their hooves together, stopped their hooves on the ground, or cheered wildly for the new general of their military. Forza stepped for to the podium once again and waited for everypony to quiet down.

“Thank you, everypony," Forza exclaimed. "May the festivities commence!”

~~~

It had been an hour since Forza received her badges to be the general of the RUA and the family pictures had been taken. Celestia was sitting at the table she had first grabbed when the party started. Next to her was Luna, who was curled up into a ball and fast asleep even amongst the noise that the party goers were able to create. They had managed to make a dance floor in the middle of the party area by clearing the space of tables and pillows, and were now dancing to music that was being played surprisingly loud by the live orchestra. Celestia gave a sigh and was about to head back to her room when she was suddenly tapped on the shoulder by another pony.

Celestia turned, and she came face to face with the Captain of the Royal Everfree Guard. He was the youngest pony to ever be accepted to be a Royal Guard captain, taking the position only a month ago at the age of sixteen. Like the rest of the Royal Everfree Guard he had a pale white coat. The only difference was that that was his natural coat color and not a magically enchanted suit of armor to disguise the true color of a Royal Guard. Both his mane and tail were a messy tangle of red and orange that blended very well together and went well with his very dark orange eyes. Instead of the regular armor he always wore he was dressed in a very formal suit fitted to shape to his body and allow his wings as much flexibility as possible.

“Oh, hello Captain Firemane.” Celestia said.

“Hello, princess. You look a little lonely sitting at this table," Firemane said, and he gestured over toward King Sol and Queen Galactica. "Why don’t you join in on the dancing? I can see that your mother and father are having quite a bit of fun.”

Both of her parents were dancing to a quick sort of tune, twisting each other about and sliding around the dance floor as if they both should have had a cutie mark in dancing to reflect their dancing abilities. Celestia grinned as she saw her father swing her mother around and then pull her into a quick peck on the lips. Other ponies had started to form a circle around them, content on watching the king and queen dance.

“I’m not really a good dancer," Celestia said quietly, turning back to look at Firemane. "I never took lessons or cared to try myself. I’m not sure how I’ll do or if I’ll embarrass myself.”

“Is that so?" Firemane asked, grinning. "Well, I could always teach you. I know one or two moves myself.”

“Well, I…” Celestia began.

“No, you’re going to learn. What’s a princess if she doesn’t know how to dance?”

“Alright, fine.”

Celestia got to her hooves slowly and gently, careful not to wake her sister while she slept, and then trotted off with Firemane to the dance floor. When they were at the edge, he turned around and offered a hoof towards the princess.. She took his hoof and he pulled her closer to him, placing one hoof around her neck while she did the same to him.

“Alright, now, just follow what I do," Captain Firemane said, starting to rock back and forth to gently get Celestia to follow his motions. "Try to flow with my movements like how water flows through a curve in a river.”

Celestia started to get the hang of the captain’s rocking, and soon she was swaying with him back and forth without the need for his encouragement anymore. The captain then began to lead Celestia through a series of steps, spinning them ninety degrees and then stepping back a few steps. This continued on and on until Celestia had finally gotten the hang of what the captain had been teaching her. Together they moved fluidly with the beat, rocking along with the way the music flowed and taking repetitive steps as if they were inscribing four circles inside a square.

When the song ended both Celestia and Firemane pulled from the embrace and looked each other. Before Celestia could say anything, however, there was a series of clopping and a few cheers all around the two. When the two ponies looked around, they found that they had been surrounded by the party goers and all of them were congratulating the pair on their performance. Celestia’s cheeks turned a bright red, and her wings clung tightly to her sides.

“That was fantastic, Celestia!" Galactica exclaimed, and Celestia spun around to face her mother. "I had no idea you could dance quite like that.” .

“I uh… You sa… Did you all watch me?” Celestia stuttered.

“Yes, of course. And I must say, you dance better than most full grown mares I know.”

Celestia and Firemane both walked up to Galactica, causing the circle to disperse and allow the party goers to return to dancing to the next quick tune that had come up. She pawed her hoof at the ground, her cheeks still flushed with crimson.

“It was my first time dancing," Celestia said. "You really should be congratulating Captain Firemane, he’s the one who managed to teach me so quickly.”

“I believe it was you who learned so quickly, my lady. I was surprised to find myself sometimes being guided through movements that I have practiced since I was a little colt.” Firemane spoke up, looking at Celestia with a pair of soft eyes. Celestia gazed back. She felt a tingling inside her chest and she smiled

“Thank you, Captain. Your words are kind.” Celestia said softly.

Firemane bowed at that, and then turned to look at Galactica, and said, “Well, I must be taking my leave, my ladies. There are a few things I must attend to with the night watch and I do not wish to leave them waiting any longer than they have to. This was a wonderful party, my queen.”

He then turned and looked at Celestia and gave another deep bow before saying, “And I hope to see you soon, my princess. Perhaps I can show you a few more moves later?”

“If you could please!" Celestia said. "I would love to learn more about how to dance.”

“Since you are just so adorable when you are enthusiastic, I’ll get back to you as quickly as I can when we can have some more dance lessons.” Firemane said with a smile.

Once he had departed, Galactica turned to look at her daughter with a huge smirk on her face, and asked, “He sure is a nice stallion, is he not?”

“Oh yes, he is so nice!" Celestia quickly said. "I was about to go back up to my room with Luna when he showed up.”

Galactica chuckled. “Well, I believe now would be a good time to do that. It is getting a bit late after all and Luna is still fast asleep. Why don’t you take her up to your room?”

“What about Regality?” Celestia asked.

“I think both her and Meadow Free have their hooves tied up at the moment” her mother said as she nodded her head towards a particular section of the dance floor. Celestia noticed that Regality had managed to pull one of the guards from his watch onto the dance floor, while Meadow Free was dancing another very well dressed stallion.

“Oh, well, I guess I’ll take Luna up to bed," Celestia said. "Goodnight Mother!”

“Goodnight Celestia, sleep well.”

~~~

Author's Notes:

Alright, so I was expecting this chapter to turn into some 10,000 word thing being that I intended to give a brief history about the entire Flutterpony race, not just what their values on love are(important to remember, as is probably everything else >.< sorry). The only reason why I didn't is because I realized the day was Sunday and I wanted to get this chapter out by Monday so I wouldn't be keeping you guys waiting too long. I hope you enjoyed it still.

Get ready for the next chapter: Chapter 8: A Personal Summer Solstice

Edit: I also switched out the tragedy tag for the romance tag based upon relevance of this particular story, there are going to be (hopefully) two more parts after this. Remember what tragedy means, it is a composition of a serious or somber theme of a character who has a conflict or downfall!

Chapter 8: A Personal Summer Solstice

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The Gift of Life Chapter 8

One month later…

Princess Celestia was staring off across The Eternal Sea as she sat on one of the many beaches that dotted the beautiful Equestrian coastline. The sun was setting in the far distance and as a result, the colors that reflected off the water were mixes of shimmering orange and the deep blue that was character to the waters that separated the deer and the zebra from the other equine races. The lights sparkling off of the water glistened off of the princess’s eyes and she sighed as she lay down on her stomach on the towel underneath her. She wasn’t looking to dirty herself from the sand and the towel acted as a great median to separate herself from the beach.

She was about to start singing a lullaby when she was jabbed in her stomach by something next to her. Celestia turned to look at whom or what could have possibly disturbed her only to find that there was nothing there.

“Hm, that was weird.”

Suddenly there was another jab at her stomach and she quickly whipped her head back around to see who the perpetrator was and yet again she was met with nothing. She got up from her towel and started slowly shifting around in a circle.

“Who’s there?”

She was jabbed again in the stomach.

“’Tia! Wake up!”

~~~

“Huh! What? Who? Oh…”

Celestia’s eyes shot open and she met the eyes of her sister who was staring at her from the side of her bed. She had a big grin plastered across her face and Celestia looked up at the clock to see what time it was. It was half past five o’clock in the morning. She rolled over in her bed.

“Luna, it is way too early to get up right now.” She groaned.

“But ‘Tia, it’s your birthday today! Mommy and Daddy want to take you someplace. I’m not sure where though. Oh, and happy birthday!” Luna squealed from excitement, hopping around to the other side of the bed.

“How could you possibly be awake at a time like this? I thought we weren’t leaving for another few hours?”

“Well, I thought you would be excited and everything because it’s your birthday. Sorry.” Luna’s face lost its enthusiasm and she gingerly pawed at the floor with one of her hooves.

The older sister sighed and slowly removed the covers from her body and sat up onto her haunches. She looked at her sister and smiled.

“I guess we can play for a while until Meadow Free and Regality get here. Give me a little while to warm up, though. It wouldn’t be right for you to be more excited about my birthday than myself.” She said.

Luna looked up at her sister and smiled before hopping onto the bed and tackling her sister. The two of them rolled around on the bed, giggling and squealing as they each playfully bit each other and slapped at each other with their hooves. Finally they both rolled off of the bed and Luna took off, galloping towards the other side of the room with Celestia close behind her.

The younger filly dove behind a pile of pillows and sheets that had been left in the corner of the room and began grabbing toys with her magic to throw at Celestia. Celestia quickly dodged the onslaught fluffy stuffed animals and spare pillows and took shelter behind one of the dressers that was near Luna’s encampment. She began to pick up the ammunition that her sister had used against her and threw the toys back at her sister, pelting the pillow fort until the fort couldn’t handle further attack. It disintegrated and Luna quickly ran towards the other side of the room.

Celestia gave chase, quickly cornering her sister between the two beds. The little filly tried to jump up on top of her own bed but Celestia was too fast and quickly had her pinned on the ground. She dropped the pillow and began tickling her sister on her tummy all over. She had failed to notice that the door to their room and been opened.

“Celestia, what are you doing to your sister?” came Meadow Free’s voice from behind her.

Celestia quickly turned around and pointed at her sister. “She started it!”

“And I’m going to finish it!”

Meadow Free charged Celestia and her eyes widened. Just like her sister before her, the sun princess tried to jump on top of her own bed but Meadow Free was too fast for her. The maid quickly scooped Celestia up and pinned on top of the bed, tickling her on her tummy all over and taking pleasure in hearing her princess squeal from laughter.

“No! Stop! Hehe, no more!” Celestia squeaked out as Meadow Free finally came to a conclusion on tickling her. She took in big gasps of air, trying to catch her breath as she rolled over and saw that both Regality and Luna had been watching her the whole time. She covered her face with her hooves.

“Happy birthday Celestia!” they all shouted at once. Celestia slowly uncovered her face but it was obvious she was still embarrassed by the crimson tone of her cheeks.

“Thank you everyone.” she said before quickly remembering something. “Oh, oh, Meadow Free! Do you know where my parents are taking me for my birthday? Do you?”

“And where did you hear about that?” Meadow Free asked, raising an eyebrow and turning to look at Luna. The little blue filly blushed and quickly ran to hide behind Regality who only chuckled at her princess’s expense.

“I think your parents would like to tell you themselves. C’mon, let’s get you two cleaned and fed so that we can get moving.”

~~~

The royal convoy of chariots was approaching a city that was floating off of the southern-most coast of Equestria. The beautiful blue water contrasted well with the red bricks of the many buildings all along the edges of the city and allowed for the small gondolas to be visible as they sat at their respectful docks. Celestia watched in awe as the chariots flew over the roof tops, heading straight for an enormous palace with a dome located in the center of the city that towered over all of the other buildings. She looked back at her mother and father.

“I can’t believe we are going to see Voltenice! Are we going to be staying at the Doge’s Palace?” she asked.

“Indeed we are, Celestia. We have quite a few activities planned out for your birthday today, including a tour of the coral reefs looked only a mile away and we will be visiting the Carnival of Voltenice tonight.” her father said, a sly smile protruding from his lips.

“W-we’re really going to the carnival tonight!? I’ve always wanted to see the beautiful lamps that decorate the streets, the wonderful fireworks that go off at all hours of the night, and the creative masks that all the ponies wear. Do I get to wear my own mask?”

“Of course! We have specially made masks for both you and your sister that accurately reflect your cutie marks.”

Celestia squealed with joy. “Luna, isn’t this exciting? We’re going to go to a carnival tonight!”

Luna wasn’t paying attention however as she continued to stare out of the chariot to the buildings that lay below and then the water than ran through the many canals that ran through the city. She had a wide smile on her face and flicked her tail back and forth. Celestia giggled at her sister and then turned back to see as the Doge’s Palace grew larger and larger as they approached.

When the chariots finally touched down on the marble square set directly in front of the palace, the passengers were met with a whole mass of ponies who looked on as their royal leaders stepped off of the modes of transportation. They sent out shouts of greetings and blessings towards the family of alicorns along with endless streams of questions about why they had decided to come and visit Voltenice. Queen Galactica turned to address the crowd and they all immediately fell silent.

“Good afternoon, citizens of this beautiful city. We do not come to Voltenice on a mission of politics or of economic relations. Instead, we come here to seek a day to relax and spend time with our own family. We plan on doing a number of activities and do wish that we may have a minute amount of privacy at the least. It is my two daughters’ first time visiting the city and I wish to leave them with a lasting memory.”

Celestia was surprised to see that all of the ponies within the crowd gave them all a deep bow and then began to disperse, going back to their daily activities with just as much enthusiasm as they had before the alicorns had landed.

“Voltenice has always been one of our most loyal and respectful cities. They feel as though they are treated well so in turn they treat us well.” Sol said, seeming to have sensed Celestia’s confusion.

“That was wonderfully said your majesties.” came the high pitched voice of a pony from behind the alicorn family. They all turned to see that there was a pink Earth Pony standing behind them with a light blue and wavy mane and tail. She had a deeper blue pair of eyes that matched surprisingly well with her mane and tail and Celestia could see that she had the picture of a quill and paper on her flank as a cutie mark.

“Hello, Governor Cherry Blossom. I’m so glad to see you. How are things going with the Earth Pony delegation these days?” Queen Galactica said, smiling at her benefactor.

“It’s as bad as it always is. Earth Ponies from our western regions over by Stalliongrad are complaining that it is too dry for them to grow their crops and wish for some pegasi to spare their time and get some rain cover. If only they knew the amount of money it takes to get clouds over those mountains or from the sea.” she said with a sigh.

Her somber expression didn’t last, however, as she caught site of both Celestia and Luna. “I’m guessing you do not wish to hear about politics anyways so let me show you to your room here in the Doge’s Palace. I am sure you all would enjoy the view.” she said as she spun around and started to head off towards the palace doors.

Sol and Galactica quickly followed in behind Cherry Blossom with the two princesses walking in between their parents. Once they passed through the two massive doors that marked the palace entrance Celestia stared up in awe at the enormous narrow and vaulted ceiling that towered above her. Great chandeliers hung from crossbeams placed on sections to give light to the darker corners of the sections underneath the ceilings.

When Celestia looked down from the ceiling ahead of her was a courtyard that contained a massive fountain almost as large as the one located in the Everfree Gardens. In the center of the fountain were four ponies depicted rearing onto their hind legs, each pointing north, south, east, or west. Water shot out from between them all.

Cherry Blossom led the alicorns from the courtyard to up a flight of stairs and then down an open air hallway to a pair of massive doors. She pulled out a set of keys and unlocked one of the doors, pushing it open to reveal a massive bedroom that was open to the outside and overlooking the largest canal in all of Voltenice. There were three beds all placed up against one side of the room and a beautifully decorated chandelier that would allow light to fill the room during the night. Both Celestia and Luna broke into a run to the balcony that overlooked the Grand Canal.

“Thank you so much for these fabulous accommodations, Governor Cherry Blossom. Do you think you would be able to attend the Carnival of Voltenice with us tonight? It is the least we could do.” Queen Galactica said, watching as her husband strode over to look at the Grand Canal with their daughters.

“I would love to join you four but I really must get back to work with dealing with the Earth Ponies from the western regions. This crisis needs to be fixed before we have a strike breaking out over there.” The governor said.

“Understandable. Well, I won’t hold you from your duties any longer. I hope everything works out.”

“Thank you, your highness. If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask.”

~~~

The sails of a small Ibex Empire junk ship flapped in the gentle breeze. Celestia peered over the edge of the ship, staring down into the deep blue water hoping that some kind of fish might jump out of the water at any moment. The ship gently rocked back and forth and a pair of hoofsteps clopped behind her until father was standing next to her looking out across the Eternal Sea. He took a deep breath of the ocean air.

“I’ve always enjoyed the smell of the ocean. I’ll tell you a secret but you are not allowed to tell your mother.” Sol said, taking a quick glance behind him and then leaning down so he didn’t have to talk so loudly over the ocean waves and the ship creaks. “The ocean smells so clean and inviting that I can never stay away. You know some of those diplomatic missions I go on? Well, sometimes I’m not home in time for dinner because I like to take a break along the coastlines and smell the salty air.”

Celestia snickered and gently punched her dad in his leg. “What will it take for me to stay quiet about this?”

“Oh, you’re not going to blackmail me, are you Celestia?”

Celestia just grinned at her father.

Sol sighed. “Fine, I will allow you free and total access to the Royal Cookie Jar for one whole week. Deal?”

“Deal!” Celestia squealed and jumped to hug her father’s leg who returned the hug by putting his other hoof around his elder daughter.

“Attention ladies and gentlemen! We are now approaching the Great Coral Reef! If you would all move your flanks to the starboard side of the junk ship you will get to catch your first glimpse of the magnificent elkhorn coral.” shouted the captain of the ship.

Celestia and her father walked to the other side of the ship and stood next to a few other ponies who had come along for the voyage. When she peered over the edge of the ship she was amazed to see all of the color that was shining from under the water. There were browns, oranges, reds, yellows, blues, and greens all reflecting the sun’s light from underneath the water, mixing well with the gentle and very clear ocean water.

“Daddy! Look! I can see the elkhorn coral.” Celestia said, pointing to a patch of coral that branched out from the floor into thick and wide pieces, similar to what would be seen on an elk.

“Oh, yes, I see it. Hey, if you look over there past the elkhorn coral you can see a stingray.” Sol said, guiding Celestia’s eyes with his hoof as a pointed to a spot away from the coral. Celestia squinted to try and make out what her father was pointing at. Then she saw it, a massive stingray that was about the size of her was lying against the coral beds.

She squeed in delight as she began to notice all of the other fish that were swimming among the coral reefs. There were striped damselfish, beautiful yellow tang, giant triggerfish, brightly colored angelfish, creative foureye butterflyfish, and the well know and orange clownfish. Celestia was astonished how all of the fish swam together through the coral, either going back to their homes among the beds or looking for possible sources of food.

“How is she liking the coral reefs?” came Celestia’s mother’s voice from behind her.

“Just look at her. She is completely captivated. This was a great idea.” her father said in return.

Celestia didn’t pay attention to her parent’s conversation any further, or notice that her sister had begun to peer over the edge of the ship next to her. She had spotted a whitetip reef shark. She was going to need to remember to thank her parents once they got back to Voltenice.

~~~

Celestia looked at herself in the mirror a few hours after she had returned back to Voltenice with her family and gave time to take appreciation in the mask her mother had given her. She wore a half face mask, allowing for other ponies to see her lips, that was colored in a glistening gold color and richly embroidered with diamonds all along the edges of the mask and around the eyes. The top of the mask had been decorated in a rich array of light purple and pink feathers along the top of the mask that went very well with her wavy mane and purple eyes.

“So, how do you like your mask?” Celestia’s mother asked, stepping into view in the mirror and lowering her head to be level with Celestia’s. Her mother wore a beautifully colored silver mask that glimmered off of the light from the many candles in the room. An enormous imperial topaz shined from the middle of her forehead just below her horn while much smaller topazes lined around the edges of the mask similar to Celestia’s mask. She also had orange feathers that decorated her mask but they were only set in the places where her temples were.

Both ponies wore thin silk dresses that could easily be seen through in any sort of lighting, allowing ponies to catch the silhouette of their slender forms. The dresses were both white and had a very gentle train that flowed loosely over both of their tails. Some embroidery lined along the edges of the dress that matched the colors of the respect ponies’ manes.

“It is so beautiful, mother. How did you make it?” Celestia said, still staring at her mask in the mirror.

“Well, I actually took the time myself to make it, gathering all of the materials from one of the finest shops in Everfree. The jewels come from the Canterlot mines themselves. I hoof sculpted and painted these masks for months. I also made Luna’s and your father’s masks too.”

“Oh, where are Luna and Daddy? I haven’t seen their masks yet.”

Galactica brought her daughter over into the bathroom that they were sharing while they were staying at the Doge’s Palace. Inside Sol was lifting Luna up to a mirror so that she may be able to take a look at herself and the mask that she wore. Celestia could see that Luna wore a similar dress to that of her and her mother’s as it was also very thin and silky with purple amethyst embroidery. Luna must have seen Celestia in the mirror as she quickly turned around in her father’s grip.

Celestia saw that Luna’s mask was painted a very dark blue, darker than her coat and was edged with tiny sapphires as well as larger sapphires that were placed all along placed above her eyes to mimic eyebrows. Purple amethysts shaped in the form of tear drops were placed along both of the cheeks of the mask and a beautiful array of blue and purple feathers decorated the top of the mask.

“’Tia! Look at my mask!” Luna exclaimed, break free of her father and galloping over to her sister to show off her mask.

“Wow, that is really pretty, Luna. Look at mine!” Celestia said back, looking over Luna’s mask. She then turned to see that her father was now looking at the both of them through his mask.

He wore a mask that covered his whole face instead of just half of his face and it was colored a black as dark as a dark night sky. Purple amethysts lined all along the chin of the mask in intricate swirling patterns that drew a pony’s attention to his eyes. He also had blue feathers decorating the top of his mask but they were much shorter than what Celestia, Luna, or Galactica had. To go with the mask he wore a very nice suit along with a dark blue tie to complement his coat.

“Well, it looks as though we are all ready for the Carnival tonight.” Sol said, exiting the bathroom with Galactica and walking out to the balcony with her. Celestia and Luna followed closely behind and together all four of them stared out to the Grand Canal and watched as gondolas with beautiful lanterns glided along the water and fireworks echoed and shone brightly in the sky. Celestia’s face was beaming with excitement for the coming night that she could barely suppress a squeal as her father finally spoke.

“Alright, let’s head on over to the carnival!”

~~~

The alicorn family left the Doge’s palace and started to head over to the Cannaregio Canal where a boat precession was being held to celebrate the start of carnival. As they stepped out onto the streets of the Piazza San Marco they were met by ponies who were dressed in intricate and beautifully flowing traditional wear and gorgeous masks over all colors and designs. They were chatting and idling in the streets, waiting for the signal for the carnival to begin. As the royal family walked past the ponies each one of them gave a slight nod towards their way as an acknowledgement as well as respecting their wishes to not be bothered by royal formalities.

Celestia stared up in awe at the colorful lamps and streamers that decorated the Voltecian streets. The mix of reds and yellows and oranges went well with the brick colored or white plaster buildings that lined their path towards their destination. They passed by booths that were set up for all sorts of games that were traditional to the carnival itself. Celestia could see the games keepers behind their booths, polishing up a ball for a game or setting up some objects that were to be knocked down later when the carnival began.

They passed by open plazas that were squared away specifically for the dancing and music that would be playing nonstop for the entire time the carnival was going on. Tables were set up along the edges of the plaza for those ponies who needed a break for food or beverages or talk amongst themselves. The elder princess occasionally saw a few musicians setting up their instruments, them too wearing decorative masks that were unique to themselves.

Then finally they reached the Cannaregio Canal. It wasn’t quite as wide as the Grand Canal that she could stare out from the balcony at the Doge’s Palace but was still wide enough to allow for four gondolas to glide along together. All four alicorns took up seats along the edge of the canal under one of the lanterns that shone over them. It had gotten plenty dark by the time they reached their destination which would make the boat precession even more of a glorious spectacle.

Celestia was giddy with excitement as she turned to her father. “Daddy, have you ever seen the beginning boat precession.”

“Indeed I have, Celestia. I have seen it more than one occasion to tell the truth and I am always amazed with what these ponies can put together on these gondolas. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.” Sol said, looking down at his daughter.

Celestia turned and looked down towards the direction in which the boat procession was going to come from. She didn’t have to wait long for the first boat to come around the corner and into view of all the ponies watching the parade at the end of the canal. The first boat was beautifully decorated in reds and yellows and had a pony in a golden mask who was pushing it along. He drove the boat up to one of the steps that lined the canal and stepped off the gondola, carrying a large cage with a single dove in it to an outcropping that overlooked the rest of the gondolas that would be passing by.

During the procession there were gondolas dressed in all sorts of colors that ranged from reds, to yellows, to greens, and even to blues. Sometimes the colors were mixed in beautiful patterns on the gondolas that specifically caught the attention of many ponies. Occasionally there would be two or three gondolas gliding side by side and carrying entertaining objects that would entertain the eye with bright, twirling patterns and lights.

On some of the gondolas there were ponies dancing to the music that had started to play at the beginning of the boat procession. Their movements were fluid, their clothing flowing in the wind they managed to kick up under their hooves, and the sparklers they held in their mouths only added to the mesmerizing effect. Celestia stared in utter awe at the performance that was put in place for the beginning of this carnival.

And then came the last boat, decorated in the most beautiful colors and patterns compared to the rest of the gondolas before it. A single lantern was lit up in the front of the boat as a sort of guide while the rest of the boat was impossible to see in the dark. As it drew closer to the pony who had the caged dove she could see that the pony on the outcropping moved down to open the cage and grab the dove in his hooves. Waiting for the pony to finally pass him, he released the dove into the air, watching as the dove flew away over the tops of the roofs.

This signaled for the dark yet beautiful gondola to release a single bottle rocket into the air, quickly being followed by other assortments of fireworks to be launched and create a beautiful display in the night sky. Celestia stared up at the patterns and colors before her, and listened to the sounds of the popping ringing through the city.

“Let the Carnival of Voltenice begin!”

~~~

I do apologize for the amount of time this chapter took to get out. I've had a hectic week and every time I tried to write this chapter I was always met with complications or things I had to do. Also, there is a reason why I even wrote this chapter, and there is a reason why I wrote about their visit to the coral reefs. Remember everything! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

Get ready for the next chapter: Chapter 9: A Rollercoaster Ride

Chapter 9: A Rollercoaster Ride

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The Gift of Life Chapter 9

Seven months later…

The city of Stalliongrad came into the view of Celestia’s vision just as the chariot finally cleared the mountains that separated the eastern part of Equestria from the western provinces of Stalliongrad and Germaney. She could tell they were still about an hour away from the city but that didn’t curb the excitement that had built up in her over the past few days. She couldn’t wait for her mother, Luna, and herself to finally touch down in the square that sat out in front of the biggest tourist attraction in the eastern part of the nation. A giant tower loomed over the city along with a Ferris Wheel and a couple of really large rollercoasters that were built off in the outskirts of the city.

Both she and Luna had been waiting for this day for months since their parents first mentioned about attending the annual Stalliongrad Fair. The fair only lasted for three weeks but during that time tens of thousands of equines would travel to Stalliongrad to participate in the games, go on the rides, eat the food, and watch the fireworks spectacle that happened every day at midnight. It is the second most anticipated event of the year only coming in second to the Winter Solstice Celebration when ponies have the day to spend with their families and exchange gifts.

As the chariot flew closer to the city Celestia turned to look at her sister. “Hey Luna, what ride should we go on first? The Rodeo or the Last Scream?”

Luna looked at her sister and pawed her hoof on the floor of the chariot. “Um, shouldn’t we go on something easy first?”

“Oh, come on Luna. Don’t you want to feel the rush of adrenaline as we make a thirty meter drop to the ground?”

“Maybe not at first…”

“The lines will be too long if we go on all of the easy rides-“

“Hush now, Celestia. We can go on the easy rides first if Luna isn’t feeling up to riding the larger rides. We are going to be here all day after all.” Galactica said, leaning her head down so her eyes were level with the two fillies.

Celestia huffed but nodded her head in acknowledgement. “Okay, fine, let’s go on the smaller rides first.”

“Thank you, ‘Tia.” Luna said, lowering her head.

Celestia frowned and looked at her sister. She sometimes forgot that Luna was not as old as she was nor was she as tall as her older sister. She might not even be able to ride on some of the rides Celestia will be able to go on. The elder sister suddenly felt ashamed of trying to goad her sister into going on rides she might even be afraid of go on. She scooted over to her sister and brought her into a little hug.

The chariot started to make its descent into the city and Celestia saw the large office buildings start to pass them more and more slowly. The guards pulling the chariot gradually slowed their pace to ease the landing on the cobblestone square in front of the fair. Upon landing, the chariot made a complete stop in front of the gates into the fair and slowly the three alicorns exited the chariot as a mob of onlookers watched the family stride up to the gates. Before they could reach the gate, however, they were blocked by a group of photographers and a pony holding a microphone with her magic. She had a tan coat and a deep burgundy mane and tail with a microphone similar to the one she was holding as a cutie mark.

“Hi, Queen Galactica. I am Lillypad and am part of the Equestria Inquirer. I was wondering if you would be interested in answering a few questions.” she said.

Celestia looked to her left and saw that there was another similar group of ponies moving towards them. Lights were flashing and clicks from the cameras could be heard everywhere as more and more ponies converged on their location. Celestia saw that her sister had moved directly under their mother.

“I am sorry but I will not be answering any questions today. Thank you.”

The two guards that had been accompanying the family politely asked for the photographers to move, who graciously complied. Galactica was still receiving an onslaught of questions, however, as she made her way to the gates of the fair. She paid for three tickets to gain entrance and then quickly hurried with her daughters into the crowds of ponies. After walking for a few minutes and finding a table next to a stand that sold elephant ears, Galactica stopped and paid for a quick snack.

“I’m really sorry you two. I should have expected that we would be greeted with such a welcome from the largest city in all of Equestria.” Galactica said.

Celestia smiled at her mother while Luna focused on eating the elephant ear that her mother had bought for her. Celestia couldn’t help but giggle every time she saw her sister’s little wings flutter out of pure ecstasy from eating the cinnamon sugar.

“So, what would you two like to do first?” their mother asked.

“Can we go on that ride where we spin around a lot?” Luna asked, cinnamon sugar coating her face.

“Yes, we can go on the teacup ride, Luna.” Galactica chuckled, levitating a napkin over to Luna’s mouth and cleaning it off.

The three alicorns left the table and headed off in the direction towards the lesser rides that were not so intimidating to look at. Celestia noticed that as they walked along her mother was constantly nodding her head and returning greetings from ponies that walked past them or along with them. She felt a little irritated that they were not being given the same treatment as they had been given back in Voltenice but then she remembered that the culture from Stalliongrad was much different than that from Voltenice. The ponies who lived in this city went on with lives that were very busy and very politically and socially orientated compared to the more traditional life styles of the ponies from Voltenice.

When they reached the teacups ride the line was relatively short so all three of them were able to board the ride within a matter of minutes. Celestia ran after her sister who had hopped through the gate to the ride and jumped into a pink colored cup. She climbed in after her sister, followed closely behind by their mother who shut the door to the teacup behind them. Shortly thereafter a pony went around to all of the teacups to make sure that all of the doors were securely shut.

“’Tia, let’s make this cup spin super-fast!” Luna exclaimed, throwing her hooves into the air.

“Okay, let’s wait for the ride to start.” Celestia said, looking around and seeing that the last teacup had been filled and securely shut. She reached over with her hooves and clamped the wheel of the teacup between her stomach and the tips of her hooves. Luna reached over and did the same.

“Alright, are you ready Luna?” Celestia asked with a smile on her face. The ride started to slowly move.

“Ready!” the little sister replied. Together they both started to pull the wheel in the same direction, causing the teacup to start spinning as the ride was going around and around. The two fillies were able to get the teacup spinning much faster, spinning until the whole world around them was a blur. They could hear their mother giggling from the ride.

Slowly the ride came to a stop and so did their teacup. The door unlocked and Celestia was the first to step out of the teacup, although it was more like she stumbled out and fell right onto her face instead. Next came her mother who was careful not to step on her daughter and stood swaying back and forth. Lastly came Luna who did a similar reenactment of how Celestia got out except she plowed face directly into Celestia’s back and then rolled over to the side.

“Oh, come on you two. Let’s go, we can’t end the day with you two throwing up in a trashcan already.” Galactica said, picking her two daughters up in her magic. Celestia and Luna groaned.

~~~

Half an hour and some bottled waters later, Celestia and Luna were running off down one of the wide streets that led to one of the smaller rollercoasters. The rollercoaster only went around in a circle and had a few ups and down but Celestia knew that Luna wanted to start out on the smaller rides before they moved on to the larger ones on the other side of the park.

Queen Galactica stayed back and ushered her daughters to go onto the ride as she was too big to go on herself. After convincing Luna that their mother would be okay, Celestia and Luna finally got onto the ride. They had managed to get the cart at the head of the rollercoaster and took up both seats that were available. Celestia pulled the lap bar onto them and they both patiently waited for the ride to start.

They didn’t have to wait long. The two fillies heard the ride give a really loud hiss and it began to creep forward, slowly climbing the first small incline. When it reached the top, Celestia threw up her hooves and felt the wind brush against her hooves as the rollercoaster made its small and quick descent and rounded the first bend. It cleared some humps on the other side of the track and then came around another bend to rush up that first hill. This repeated a few more times until the rollercoaster came to a full stop at the gates again.

The two sisters exited the ride and went galloping back to their mother who was eagerly waiting for them at the exit to the ride. They both jumped and hugged their mother’s leg and she smiled.

“I take it you both liked the ride?” she asked.

Both fillies nodded their heads in unison.

“Well, let us go find another ride. Do you want to still do these small rides or are interested in one of the bigger rides, Luna?”

“I think I’m okay with riding one of the bigger rides.” Luna said, glancing over at her sister for a second.

“Woohoo! Let’s go on the Timber Wolf!” Celestia said, pointing to the very large wooden rollercoaster at the far end of the park. It wasn’t nearly as large as some of the other rollercoasters around it but it was still considered to be pretty big compared to the rest of the rides in the park.

“Is that okay with you?” Galactica asked, looking at her younger daughter.

Luna nodded her head and turned to start walking between her mother and her sister. She was still very skittish over all of the ponies in the park. Celestia knew it was common for fillies Luna’s age to be a little shy around other ponies but the meekness her sister expressed all of the time was strange. It took a lot of encouragement for somepony to even convince Luna to say hello to a new pony, although there have been a few exceptions where she did break character and was very friendly.

Celestia was wondering if it had something to do with the way her sister had been sleeping. Ever since her sister was first born she had seen her toss and turn in her sleep and sometimes whimper during the night. Meadow Free, Regality, and her parents would often reassure her that it was the typical Night Terrors that conflicted young ponies when they slept. That answer did very little to ease Celestia, though.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sudden approach of the Timber Wolf. As they crossed under a beam that marked the entrance to the ride there was a whoosh of air and a really loud ricketing sound as the carts from the rollercoaster passed by overhead. Both Celestia and Luna looked up and followed the cart’s path, seeing it rise and fall and spin around in a corkscrew to the ground only to get pulled back up to take another dive down a large drop. Celestia could feel butterflies start to flutter in her stomach.

“That looks like fun!” Luna exclaimed anxiously as she trotted ahead of her mother and sister and led them along to the back of the line.

Luckily the line would only be about a fifteen minute wait, Celestia judged, so she decided to try and steel herself for the upcoming ride. She was glad to see that her sister was now excited about going on this particular ride but now she wasn’t so sure about herself. She had been eager about visiting the fair, and riding all of the rides but now that she was actually here and actually going to go on one of the larger rides at the park she starting to feel like she should opt out.

They were now next in line to get on the cars for the rollercoaster. Celestia started to sweat a little as the ride took off and she turned to look up at her mother.

“Um, maybe I should let you and Luna go first and I’ll wait-“

“Nonsense. You and Luna can take the front car while I’ll take the rear car with this lovely mare here.” Galactica said, smiling at her daughter as she gestured next to her. A turquoise mare with silver hair and a flute for a cutie mark was standing next to the large alicorn with a smile.

“Wait, who is she?” Celestia asked.

“Oh, this is Crystal Flute. I just met her. Hey, look, the cars are pulling up for us to get in.” her mother said, pushing Celestia forward with her sister.

Celestia tried to resist a little at first but eventually she did get into the car and strapped herself in with the lap bar next to her sister. Luna was smiling ear to ear and shaking her hooves in anticipation for the ride to start. Celestia looked forward with a dead stare and tried to think of that one dream where she was on the beach soaking in the sun.

She yelped a little when the car started moving and she slowly hung her head over the edge. There was at least a twenty meter drop below her that was now gradually getting bigger as they started to climb the first hill. Celestia clutched onto the lap bar for dear life and shut her eyes as she saw the top of the hill. She could feel the car start to level out and then edge forward. She could hear her sister squeeing in excitement. She could sense that her mother had put her hooves into the air for the drop.

And then the car dropped. She couldn’t remember if she had ever screamed that loudly before in her life but by the time the car had reached the bottom of the drop Celestia now had her hooves in the air similar to her mother and was now screaming out of pure delight just like her sister. The car was weaving in and out of caves, up and down hills and drops, around that corkscrew, and then the final finale drop before the end of the ride.

All four ponies wobbled out of the car and gave themselves a few seconds to right themselves before continuing on to the exit. After the rickety ride on the wooden rollercoaster, Celestia's legs felt a little like jello.

“So, how did you two like the ride?” Galactica asked, still walking next to Crystal Flute.

“It was so fun! Let’s go on another one!” both fillies shouted at the same time in complete unison. Crystal Flute gave a chuckle and Galactica smiled.

“Well, how about that one over there?” she said, pointing at an even larger rollercoaster that had a few loops and twists located throughout its track. It was called The Night Guard.

“Yes, yes! Let’s go!” Luna exclaimed enthusiastically, hopping forward with her sister quickly following behind her.

~~~

A few hours and six rollercoasters later, the group of ponies, Crystal Flute included, finally came to the largest rollercoaster in the park: The Executioner. Accelerating from zero to a hundred kilometers per hour in two and a half seconds, containing three loops that will take ponies upside down, two corkscrews, a one hundred and twenty meter drop, and to top it all off the cars had no bottom so ponies were strapped into seats while their back hooves dangled over the edge. This ride was arguably the most dangerous and fastest ride in the whole fair.

Celestia and Luna gaped in awe at the rollercoaster as they watched the cars plummet the first drop, ponies screaming and laughing the whole way down. Without giving another second to think about it, both fillies bounded into the line that lay backed up all the way to the entrance of the ride. Celestia guessed that there had to be at least a hundred and thirty ponies waiting in line for the ride.

“I think I’m going to sit this one out” Crystal Flute said, edging herself out of the line.

“Oh come on you wimp. You have gone on all of the other rides with us!” Galactica teased, extending one of her wings and using it to motion for the turquoise mare to join them.

“No no, this ride just looks… Well, let’s just say that I warned you. You might become sick at the end of it all.”

Upon finishing her sentence a pony stumbled down the stairs off of the ride and plopped his face right into a trashcan, emptying the contents of his stomach very audibly. Celestia cringed a bit.

“Ah, well, then I won’t stop you. So, what will you do while waiting for us?” Galactica asked.

“I think I’ll go get some ice cream and maybe visit one of the street performers. That one dance instructor we saw earlier looked pretty handsome.” Crystal Flute smiled.

“Oh fine. Just make sure you come back. I’d be terribly sad if you suddenly vanished.” the Queen giggled.

“Don’t worry, your majesty, I’ll be back waiting for all three of you when you stumble off of the ride.” And with that Crystal Flute turned and trotted off towards the nearest ice cream stand, leaving the three alicorns to begin their long wait in line.

The wait went by excruciatingly slow of Celestia. The line moved at a pace that could match that of a snail. There were times when all three of the alicorns were stuck under the heat of the sun and she had started to sweat slightly by the time they had returned to the shade and started up the stairs where the ride could be boarded. Along the way her mother had been able to strike up some conversation with other ponies who were stuck in the line for the ride with them but she noticed that the way the ponies conversed with her mother was rigid and ordered almost like they were afraid they might offend their queen. Galactica noticed this too and she frowned, lowering her head so she could whisper to her daughters.

“Sometimes being royalty is such a pain in the flank. Any kind of conversation I manage to strike up with these ponies is met with compliments or agreement. It’s like they are afraid that I’ll bite their heads off if they say something I don’t necessarily agree with.” she said.

Luna noticeably flinched but Celestia took no notice of it. “Why did Crystal Flute openly talk with you so easily? I can see that many of the ponies around us stare and only look away when we turn our heads their way.”

“I’m not entirely sure. I guess she understood that I wasn’t trying to test her loyalty.”

All three of them fell silent as they reached the top of the tower that marked the entrance to the ride. Celestia watched as one of the cars pulled in, allowing for the ponies to get off and have the ponies who had been waiting to get on the ride. The cars were three ponies wide and ran seven ponies in length, managing to take twenty one ponies at a time. The alicorn family squeezed themselves into the line that led to the front of the car as the next group of ponies got onto the ride and then watched as the ride launched itself into full speed in a matter of seconds.

“Hm, it looks more intimidating up close” Celestia’s mother mused.

After two more cars passed, they were able to board the ride and pulled the harnesses down tight and securely. A pony walked along each row of the cars and pulled on each of the harnesses to make sure they wouldn’t unlatch during any portion of the ride and then closed any harnesses that were not occupied. The pony then left the platform and signaled another pony who was in a booth to lower the platform.

There was a hiss and Celestia, Luna, and Galactica all waited in anticipation for the ride to start.

“Attention all ladies and gentlecolts. Please keep all hooves and tongues outside of the vehicle at all times and do not attempt to restrain from screaming for mercy at any time during the ride. If you fail to comply with any of these requirements then you will look very sad when we take your picture halfway through the ride. That is all.” the conductor of the ride said over a microphone.

Upon saying the last word, the conductor pressed the button to start the ride and shot the car off to a hundred kilometers per hour. Celestia felt the g-forces push her back against her seat and she let out a scream to match the ones she could hear on either side of her. As the car approached the top of the first drop it managed to slow down only a little bit before it plummeted to the ground and ridiculous speeds. The princess could feel her heart thumping in her chest and her mane and tail rippling in the wind as they reached the bottom and pulled up into a corkscrew.

After the corkscrew the car rose up to take another drop and then looped around twice, giving everypony who was on the ride a clear view of the sky above them before traveling back down to earth in another drop that brought them all very close to a pond that was built under the ride. They were pulled back up into the second corkscrew and then a twist that caused them to build up speed in the drop that fell immediately after it. They traveled one last loop and then pulled back into a straight set of rail that would slow them down enough to dock with the ride entrance and exit.

Celestia stumbled off of the ride when the harnesses were released and quickly ran over to the rail to get some support. She looked back and saw that her mother was carrying Luna on her back who was groaning in agony from another upset stomach that day. She couldn’t suppress the laughter that started to rise in her throat.

“That’s enough rollercoasters for one day I think.” her mother said as she started to ungracefully walk down the flight of stairs to the bottom. Celestia carefully followed after her mother down the stairs, saving herself from falling twice and then propping herself up against the wall of a building. She looked and saw that Crystal Flute was approaching them with a smug smile on her face.

“So, how did you three like The Executioner?” she asked.

“It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had!” Celestia exclaimed.

“How about we go visit the commercial part of the fair?” Galactica suggested, nodding her head back to Luna who was still groaning from an upset stomach.

Crystal Flute nodded and fell in next to Galactica while Celestia walked on the other side of her mother and looked up at Luna. She made a funny face at her sister who only returned the action with a groan and a burp. Celestia giggled and then tuned into the conversation being had between Crystal Flute and her mother.

“Luna looks like she could be sick at any moment. Are you sure she is alright?” asked the turquoise mare.

“Don’t worry about, her. You should have seen us when we went on the teacup ride. None of us could stand up straight for fifteen minutes. She just needs some rest and she should be alright.” Galactica replied, looking back at her younger daughter.

“So, what brought you to the Stalliongrad Fair? Is there some meeting you must attend?”

“Oh no, my husband and I have been thinking of taking our fillies to the fair for a few months now. He wasn’t able to come with us unfortunately due to some more of that business with Germaney.”

“Have they been asking to secede from Equestria again?”

“Yes, this is the third time in fifteen years. They are getting more and more aggressive with each request. I fear if we don’t take action against them soon we might get a revolt starting up in that province.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Hey, look, a magic show. Let’s check it out and get off of the topic of politics, hm?”

Galactica nodded and then led Celestia over with Crystal Flute and together they found a couple of pillows laid out on the ground towards the front right side. As they sat down Celestia caught sight of the magician noticing the Queen and give a lengthy bow to her. Galactica nodded her head in return and then turned back to Crystal Flute to start another conversation Celestia couldn’t hear.

Luna had finally begun to regain her composure and was now sitting upright and laying herself against her mother’s side. Celestia smiled at her sister and leaned forward so that their faces were close.

“How are you feeling, little sister?” she asked.

“Better, ‘Tia.”

“Did you like The Executioner?”

“It would have been fun if I didn’t feel so sick afterwards.”

Celestia opened her mouth but was cut off by the screech of a microphone and turned to look at the front of the stage. She now had a full view of the magician pony and could see that he was rather large for a unicorn and had a dark red coat with a black mane and tail. His eyes were both yellow but she suspected that it was from the use of magic instead of him being born with yellow eyes. He wore a black cape to match the color of his hair.

“Good afternoon Stalliongrad Fair goers! How are you all doing this fine evening?” asked the magician.

There was a cheer that roar up from the crowd. Celestia and Luna clopped their hooves a few times happily.

“That’s good to hear. My name is The Wonderful Blackened Steele but you all may call me Steele if you so wish. How would you all like to know a little bit about me as I get ready for my first act?”

There was another round of applause so Steele cleared his throat and began moving some boxes around.

“Well, I was born off in the coastal city of Fillydelphia to a pair of ponies that I grew very close to and loved.” He shot one of the boxes with his magic which caused it to explode and release some sparkling dust into the air that formed to outline three different ponies in different colors. There was a male red pony, a female blue pony, and a yellow colt.

“They raised me and taught me to be a good unicorn. I always read my books.” He used a blast of magic to change the picture from the ponies to one of the yellow pony reading a book. “I always did well in school.” He used another blast to change the picture to the yellow pony holding a paper with an A+ on it. “And I always respected my elders.” With this blast he changed the picture to that of the yellow pony bowing before an orange alicorn. This earned a few giggles from the audience and the magician glanced over at the Queen and winked.

“I got my cutie mark when I was eight years old.” He used his magic to change the picture to one of the yellow pony performing a levitation spell on multiple books. “I had always been proficient in magic and since the time when I first learned to read I delved into the studies of many forms of the art. It was only a matter of time before I had a cutie mark appear on my flank.”

Steele shot off a few more blasts of magic with his horn to change the picture to a symbol of the Everfree Academy and paused, looking over the captivated crowd of ponies. “I soon applied for the Everfree Academy after I got my cutie mark and was quickly accepted due to my talents and passing the entrance exam. From there I was taught under some of the greatest unicorns of the era, although I didn’t have the pleasure to be one of Starswirl the Bearded’s protégés.”

He shot off some more magic, changing the picture to show the yellow pony walking down a red carpet aisle with a graduation cap on. “I graduated as the tenth of my class and earned a chance to give a speech in front of the whole school. Afterwards I was presented with my diploma and medal for successfully completing the rigorous studies that this school gave.”

The magic then dissipated and the red stallion stepped into the middle of the stage and bowed his head. “And here I am today. Although I had many chances to join the many research teams studying magic or even be one of the professors at the academy, I chose to become a magician for my own reasons. My audiences are great and I can get out and see the world without traveling being so expensive. Any questions?”

“Mr. Steele? Can you do more magic tricks for us?” Luna said from the edge of the crowd. Blackened Steele turned to look at the little princess and smiled.

“Ah, I almost forgot. How rude of me to not recognize our guests of honor. I’d like to offer a humble welcome to my royal majesties over in the corner of the audience.” he said, bowing and raising a hoof in the direction of the alicorns. There was a round of applause that followed and some cheering.

“Hey, I have an idea. How would you ponies like to see your royal queen turned in an animal of your choice? With the queen’s permission of course.” Steele said, side glancing over to the queen with a smirk on his face.

Galactica giggled and nodded her head in ascent. A cheer rose over the crowd and there were a few inaudible shouts being thrown out for what animal she should be turned into. Celestia turned to look at her mother with a quizzical expressions etched on her face.

“Don’t worry, Celestia. I have met Steele once before when he attended the academy. It was me who passed him into the school after all.” her mother said with a reassuring smile.

“A flock of toucans!” somepony shouted from somewhere behind the alicorn family.

“A flock of toucans you say?” Steele asked to confirm. There were shouts of agreement ringing throughout the crowd. Galactica huffed.

“Toucans? I was hoping for something a little more graceful.” she said with a false pouting face.

She rose from her pillow and started to walk onto the stage, standing next to the red stallion. Celestia was surprised to see how large the stallion actually was. He was only half a head shorter than his queen and he was much thicker than her. He turned to look at Galactica, whispered a word into her ear to which she returned with a bright smile and then he turned back to the crowd.

“Ladies and gentlecolts, I present to you your Queen of Equestria, Queen Galactica!” he shouted, raising a hoof up to present her and giving a bright smile. Galactica stood tall and graceful as the crowd cheered and roared in excitement from seeing their queen about to be turned into some toucans.

Steele magicked a drawstring out of nowhere and pulled it down, causing Galactica to be encased in a curtain so no one could see her. “Watch and be amazed everypony as your queen is turned into…” he pulled the string again, raising the curtain and revealing a very large box in place of where the queen was. “…a box? Hold on everypony, let me fix this tiny mistake.”

The crowd chuckled as he pulled the drawstring again, shielding the box from view. When he pulled it again, however, the box was now gone to be replaced with nothing. “Hm, that’s the wrong spell. Oopsie, it appears we are having some technical difficulties with our queen, ladies and gentlecolts. Please stand by.”

As the crowd giggled some more, Blackened Steele closed the curtains again and then hopped inside of them. Galactica suddenly teleported on stage and raised a hoof to her lips, asking the crowd to be quiet. Celestia couldn’t help but start laughing with her sister as Galactica’s horn lit up with an orange hue and she gripped the string with her magic. She pulled the string down, revealing a cyan colored mare with turquoise hair and a magic wand for a cutie mark. She was wearing a black cape.

“Oh who… Hey! Everypony, look, I found the queen!” Steele shouted in his now effeminate voice.

The crowd erupted in laughter to see that Steele had now been turned into a mare. The cyan mare turned to look at the crowd with a puzzled look and then looked down at herself, seeing the change in color of his coat and whispering a little to himself to hear the change in the tone of his voice. He blushed and turned to look at Galactica who was snickering herself.

“Hey! You had something to do with this, didn’t you?” Steele asked in a huff.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Galactica replied, masking her voice with pure innocence.

“Turn me back this instant!”

“Can’t we have a little fun first?”

“What? No! Hey! What are yo-“

Steele wasn’t able to finish his sentence as he was suddenly mauled by Galactica with an array of beauty supplies. He pushed and squirmed against Galactica’s magic while the crowd laughed and hooted on at the spectacle, enthralled over the fact of seeing their queen play with the magician of the show. Both Celestia and Luna were on their sides giggling over seeing their mother on stage.

When the queen had finished her beautification of Blackened Steele she turned him to face the crowd and lifted one of her hooves in his direction.

“So, how well of a job did I do?” she asked.

There were a few whistles and cat calls from the crowd before they all erupted into another round of laughter at Steele’s expense. The former stallion sat upon the stage sulking in his own embarrassment while the queen continued to snicker next to him. After a few more seconds he finally turned to look at the queen.

“Alright, can you change me back to a stallion now?”

“Oh, fine. You look really cute as a mare, though.” Galactica winked.

The crowd snickered a little more and Steele frowned as he was turned back into a stallion again. However, Galactica had forgotten to remove his make-up so there was another roar of laughter from the crowd and the Queen quickly apologized as she removed the make-up. Steele then turned to the crowd with a smile.

“Thank you, everypony! You have been a great audience. I will be having another show in an hour, if you wish to attend!” he said.

The crowd gave a thundering cheer, Celestia and Luna squealing and clopping their hooves in the corner. Their mother exited the stage with Steele followed closely behind her and then stopped in front of the little fillies.

“That was a great show, Mommy!” Luna said, bounding up to her mother an hugging her leg tightly.

“Yes, that was really funny! Did you really turn Steele into a mare?” Celestia asked as she nuzzled her mother on the neck.

“Actually, I only put make-up on him.” Galactica said, glancing over at Steele who nodded his head and then lit his horn up in a red hue. A wave of magic spread over his body and he slowly changed form into that of a Flutterpony with black hooves, a black mane and tail, and blood red butterfly wings that were rimmed along the edges with a black hue. He bowed low to the two princesses and then gave them both a very handsome smile.

“Wait, you’re a Flutterpony!?” Celestia gasped.

“Yes I am, young princess. Changing form is a difficult trick that only members of the Flutterpony race can actually learn, although that kind of magic takes decades of study and practice to learn and perfect. I have practically dedicated my entire life to the study and, as you can see, have become very proficient at this magical art.” he said in the singing voice that was common among the Flutterponies.

“Why would you pose as a regular pony instead of a Flutterpony when on stage?”

“I find that when touring Equestria it is easier to get a larger crowd of ponies if you are a pony yourself. I’m sure the same could be said when a pony tours The Eternal Valley as well. We seem to like to keep within our own ethnic circles yet we call ourselves allies.”

“That we do. Pardon, Blackened Steele, but would you be willing to have dinner with us? You do have an hour break after all.” Queen Galactica asked.

“Yes, of course I would be glad to join your four.” he said, giving Galactica a look and then turning and lowering his head so that it was level with between Celestia and Luna.

“So, where would you two like to go to dinner tonight? I know of an excellent salad and ice cream bar that is just around the corner down the street.”

“Okay, let’s go there.” Celestia said, pulling her head back a little from Steele’s yellow and intimidating eyes. She could have sworn she had seen this Flutterpony before. She recognized the wings and the hooves but she just couldn’t place the eyes. His eyes locked with hers and he slowly blinked, seeming to understand that she seen him at one point in their lives. He smiled faintly enough for her to see and then turned to look at Luna.

“And what about you, little princess?”

“Yes! Let’s go!” she said excitedly, fluttering her wings and then skipping up next to her mother who had already begun to move down the street. Crystal Flute quickly caught up to them. Before Celestia could make her way to her mother, she was stopped to walk behind them with Blackened Steele.

“You’re more perceptive than I realized. I can see that you inherited that trait from your father.” he said.

“How much of that story that you told on stage is true?” Celestia asked, feeling a little nervous walking next to him. She could feel a dark aura emanating from him, like there was a heavy presence that sought the bring suffering to any it comes in contact with.

“Oh, that was all true. I really did attend the Everfree Academy and accomplished everything that I said. I just felt as though there were a few things that I should leave out. Popularity reasons. I’m sure you understand being royalty yourself.”

“I don’t quite follow.”

“You are so naïve, Princess Celestia. One day you will understand. I just hope it will be after you make the right decision.”

~~~

Some more character building for this chapter and I also put a little twist if some of you may have missed it. Oh and some foreshadowing dun dun DUN. I apologize how long this chapter took to get out too but as you know, with this past week and weekend being Halloween weekend I was tied up in partying and scaring the little chitlins that demand candy. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Things also begin to pick up after this chapter so get ready for some more action!

Get ready for Chapter 10: I Believe You Can Fly

Chapter 10: I Believe You Can Fly

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The Gift of Life Chapter 10

Six months later…

“Mmf, no, please stop. I won’t let...”

Celestia’s eyes slowly opened as she heard Luna's whimpers coming from the bed next to her. She looked over at the clock between their beds and groaned inwardly.

This is the second time this week Luna has woken me up with these nightmares, Celestia though as she gazed at her sister. The more and more she gets older, the more frequent these dreams show up. It's like everypony's reassurances that these characteristic filly traits are false. What's more is that these dreams happen more often than what they probably should.

Luna made the same sounds or whimper the same words every time she had a nightmare. She asked asking for whatever it was in her dream to stop doing whatever it is about to do or that she won’t let it do something. Sometimes she cried out or began sobbing as she slept, along with kicking and thrashing as if she was fighting something off. Celestia couldn’t imagine what was going on in Luna's dreams, but she was going to have to wake her up again.

Celestia rolled over in bed and pulled the covers away from her body. She slid out and lazily stumbled over to the other side of her sister’s bed where Luna was facing.

“Luna, come on," Celestia sad, "Time to wake up. You’re having another…”

Celestia stopped in her tracks when Luna suddenly shot straight up in bed and opened her eyes. Her horn lit up and she let out a blast of magic that shot out to the wall across the room, leaving behind a large scorch mark on the wall. Luna blinked.

“Luna, what in the hay was that!?” Celestia exclaimed.

“Oh, ‘Tia! I’m so sorry! My dream, I thought, I was trying to-“ Luna started to stutter.

Celestia shut her sister’s mouth with her magic and then slowly crawled onto the bed, lying down on her stomach next to Luna.

“Luna, are you okay?" she asked. "You were having another nightmare.”

“I… I’m okay, 'Tia. I swear I am okay. It's just a regular nightmare.”

"Luna, I've heard you use that excuse before," Celestia said, glancing over Luna. "I can't ignore it when you're now shooting off dangerous bolts of magical energy from your horn."

"Really, 'T-Tia," Luna said, putting on a false smile. "I'm okay."

“You are not okay, Luna."

“I’m sorry, ‘Tia! I didn’t mean too. It’s just…” Luna trailed off.

“It’s just… what?" Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. "What happened in your dream?”

“I… Tia, it’s not important.”

“Tell me Luna, please. I know you have been having the same nightmare for months now. The things you cry out during the night, the way you toss around in your sleep, it’s all very similar for every bad dream you have.”

“O-okay, ‘Tia.” Luna leaned into Celestia, resting her head against the her sister'sneck. Celestia felt the dampness of her sister’s coat and the unsteady breathing against her side from Luna’s lungs.

“The dreams always start out the same," Luna began. "I am looking into a mirror at an older version of myself. My hair is long and flowing like Mother’s is, and I am much taller and more slender, even more so than our mother is. I just continue to stare back at my reflection, taking in the change that has befallen me.

“Then my reflection starts to change. The color of my coat slowly starts to darken until it becomes blacker than night itself, and my mane and tail start to lose their multicolored hue, now each looking like a cloud of stars in a blue gas. I grow even taller than before and my wings become larger and change shape to look more like I have the wings of a crow. And lastly my eyes change. Instead of being large and white with big round irises I now have eyes that are longer and are similar to a snake’s."

Luna paused, burying her face into Celestia's neck.

“The pony in the mirror starts talking to me, trying to tell me all of these horrible things. She tells me that Mommy and Daddy don’t love me, that you don’t care about me, and that I am the odd pony in the castle. She says that ponies will never come to appreciate me for who I am or what I can be.

“She then tells me that I should hurt all of you for not believing in me. She says she can help me do it, too. I get angry that she tries to tell me these things so I break the mirror. She doesn’t go away, though. She continues to whisper inside of my head as the space around me turns into an overhead view of Everfree. The city starts to crumble and fall to pieces. She says the only way to keep this from happening is to trust in her.”

Luna paused, tears now sliding down her cheeks from remembering all of her nightmares. She gently rubbed her face against her sister. Celestia didn’t notice, however. Her eyes were fixed dead ahead of her and her breath had been caught in her throat. Luna was having nightmares about the same pony that I had seen in my vision over three years ago.

“L-Luna, when did you start having these dreams?” Celestia asked.

“It was a little after we had found those orbs in Mommy’s and Daddy’s study, I think," Luna said. "‘Tia, you’ll always care about me, right? Right?”

Should I tell her sister about my vision I had those years ago? Celestia thought. Those orbs were related somehow, and it was obvious that both of those orbs had affected both my sister and I in some sort of manner. Whether it be good or bad. I'm not sure and I know that it would be best if I tell Luna about the vision I had before my sister’s nightmares had started.

Celestia looked down at her sister with sad eyes. She said, "You're too long to have experienced something as traumatic as this, Luna. You're just a young filly, and you should be filled with joy and happiness. Not..."

Celestia paused, watching as Luna's eyes darted around her face.

“Luna," Celestia continued, smiling down at Luna, "I will always care about you. I promise you that. I will always care about you no matter what.”

Luna returned the smile to her sister and snuggled her head back against her sister’s coat. She lowered her head to rest on top of Luna’s head and sighed.

Maybe I will tell Luna one day, Celestia thought, but not today.

~~~

“Hey Luna, want to learn how to fly?” Celestia asked her sister as they both ate their breakfast with Meadow Free and Regality. The two maids looked at each other for a brief moment, and then looked back at the two sisters as Luna slowly turned her head to Celestia.

“Um… I don’t know Celestia. I don’t think my wings are strong enough.” Luna said, looking back at her wings and giving them a flutter.

“Oh come on, you never know until you give it a try.”

“But I could fall.”

“Regality could help me teach you how to fly,” Celestia said, winking at Regality.

“I…”

“Luna, don’t you want to know how to fly?" Celestia asked, pouting. "You could come and soar through the air with me on those warm days to cool off. We could sit at the top of one of the massive towers and watch the stars at night.”

Luna looked down at her toast and gently nudged it with her fork she had held in her magic. She sighed and took a bite of the toast.

“Fine, you can help teach me. Can we go slowly, though?” Luna asked.

“Of course. We should get started right away after we finish eating.” Celestia said, scarfing down what was left of her own toast and then levitating her plates over to the sink. She rinsed them and then placed them in the larger portion of the sink that was already filled with warm water so the plates could soak.

Shortly thereafter Luna had finished her toast and cleaned her plate off like Celestia had, and together with Meadow Free and Regality, they left the smaller dining hall to head off into the Everfree Gardens. They all walked together in relative silence, only stopping once on their way to usher a greeting to Captain Firemane. He once again apologized to Celestia for not being able to give her the dance lessons that she had been promised, and she told him once again to not worry about it. She understood that he had been very busy for the longest time training the new recruits that were coming in from all over Equestria.

After leaving Captain Firemane, the four ponies only had to walk another minute until they were in the castle gardens. Celestia leapt into the air, spreading her growing wings and then hovering in the air above Meadow Free. Meadow Free tried to look up at the princess but when she lifted her head her face was met with the pink tail of the pale white filly. She attempted to pull away, but Celestia continued to brush her tail on the maid’s nose, tickling it and then finally forcing her to sneeze.

Celestia giggled at the Meadow Free's expense watching as she sniffed and the righted herself and glared at her princess.

“Oh, you’re going to get it now.” she said.

Before Celestia had any time to react, Meadow Free had jumped and tackled her out of the air. Celestia landed on the ground with a thud and gasped as the air was pushed out of her lungs. Before she had any time to recover, however, Meadow Free had already started to tickle her all over her stomach by buzzing her lips on her coat. She giggled and laughed hysterically as both Luna and Regality looked on with a grin.

When Meadow Free finally raised herself up, Celestia was still gasping for breath and giggling.

“And that, my friends, is how you subdue a Celestia.” the maid said as she stood confidently next to Celestia.

“Ha ha, that’s funny.” Celestia managed to pant out sarcastically. Meadow Free smirked.

Celestia slowly got up from off of the ground and walked over to her sister, gently nudging her in the side to lead her to a clear patch of grass next to the Equestrian Fountain. Regality followed closely behind the two while Meadow Free excused herself to go back into the castle and complete some other duties she had been assigned that day.

“Okay, Luna, first I need to ask, are you sure about wanting to learn how to fly today?" Celesita asked. "I know I pushed it on you earlier, but I need to know if you are ready for it.”

Luna nodded her head slowly and looked at Regality. The maid smiled back at her and then quickly spread her wings, showing off their bat-like appearance.

“Okay, so, first thing you are going to want to do is exercise your wings a little bit," Celestia instructed, "Stretch them, flap them a few times, and try to lift yourself high off of the air every time you take a hop. Just do everything that I do.”

Celestia began by spreading her wings out to their full length. They had grown much larger since she had first learned to fly when she was just a little bit older than Luna. They expanded to the full length of her body from the tip of her nose to the very back of her flank. Luna did the same, expanding her much smaller wings in the same fashion. Celestia noticed that Luna’s wings were just a little bit shorter than the length of her body.

Next, Celestia began to rotate and stretch her wings in all different directions, getting them limbered up so that they were nice and loose before she would start flying. After the wing stretches, Celestia began to flap her wings up and down slowly, catching enough air in her wings so that she would have to push them down with more force. Lastly, she began to trot around the fountain, taking a few hops here and there and using her wings to propel herself higher into the air. When she looked back she saw that Luna was following her exactly and could lift herself off of the ground with her wings.

Celestia started to turn the exercises into a game. She gently began to pick up speed around fountain and turned her trots into a full gallop. She always made sure that she was moving only fast enough so that Luna could keep up, if only barely. While galloping, she would still hop high into the air, using her wings to propel herself higher than normal, and every time she looked back she could see that Luna was doing the same.

She took one last hop into the air and didn’t return to the ground. She had flapped her wings more and more so that she rose higher and higher into the air. When she turned back she could see that her sister had done the same.

“Luna! You’re flying! Look!” Celestia exclaimed.

It took a moment Luna to realize that she had even been flying higher into the air. She suddenly stopped her ascent, along with flapping her wings, causing her to lose altitude at an exponential rate. She screamed out and tried flapping her wings again, but she could not get enough air to slow her fall.

“Regality!” Celestia shouted down to the maid.

Regality had already noticed Luna’s descent, however, and was moving in to intercept Luna before she could hit the ground. She took off into the air and shot straight towards the younger princess, grabbing Luna in her hooves and then making an expert landing next to where Celestia had landed only a second before.

“’Tia, ‘Tia, I flew!” Luna squeed happily.

Celestia let out a sigh of relief, and ran over and hugged her sister.

“I’m glad you took falling through the air so well, Luna," Celestia said. "Would you like to try again?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. Let’s skip the exercises this time since your wings should be warmed up enough…”

~~~

After two more hours and watching Luna fall through the air a few more times, Celestia was rejoicing with glee as both her and her sister were soaring through the cherry blossom orchards. It was the later winter months in Equestria, so the leaves and flowers from the trees had completely fallen from the branches, allowing the two fillies to wind their way between the trees. Celestia made sure to take an easier path through the trees, but she still sped along as fast as she could and was surprised when she looked back to see her sister following close behind.

She banked up and broke the tree tops of the cherry blossoms, and then headed back towards Regality who lay basking in the sun to keep herself warm in the cool winter air. Both princesses touched down gracefully next to the fountain and then trotted over to the maid. She had her eyes closed and seemed to be dozing off when Luna rubbed her nose up against the Regality's neck.

“Oh, you two are back. How did you like your flight?” Regality asked.

“It was great, Regality! Do you think you could fly with me and Celestia?” Luna asked, nuzzling her face more against Regality’s grey coat.

“I wish I could, but I need to go and help Meadow Free with errands she still needs to do.”

“Aw, okay.” Luna said, hanging her heard.

“But once I’m done with these errands I promise you a full flight around the whole castle," Regality said, smiling, "How does that sound?”

“You really would? You have a deal!”

Regality gave Luna an affectionate nuzzle, and then trotted back into the castle to hurry off and help Meadow Free. Both Celestia and Luna sat down beside the Equestrian Fountain and stared out across the gardens and then to Western District of Everfree.

“So, what should we do now, ‘Tia?” Luna asked.

“Hm… Hey!" Celestia exclaimed. "Day court started a little while, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Alright, follow my lead and make sure you keep your wings flapping.”

Celestia took off into the air with Luna closely following behind her. They climbed higher and higher into the air and approached a very large window that overlooked the Western District of Everfree. They carefully landed on the ledge that sat next to the window and slowly they scooted closer to the window to peek inside.

“’Tia, why are we outside of the court room?” Luna asked.

“Here’s the plan," Celestia said, smirking. "We’re going to fly directly behind the throne chairs and distract the audience as much as we can. Make funny faces, soar through the air, show them your flank, do anything you can think of that will get their attention.”

“What if we get caught?” Luna asked nervously.

“Then run for it.”

Luna gulped and huddled up as close to Celestia as she could. There was a gust of wind that ruffled the feathers of their wings and billowed their hair through the air. After a few more moments of pause, Celestia lifted off of the ledge and flew straight behind the throne chairs with Luna flying up next to her. She could see that the court room was full of ponies, and there was one particular grey stallion in a formal business attire talking to their parents.

Celestia started making faces towards the audience with Luna quickly following suit. She stuck her tongue out and wagged it, made her eyes larger, waved her hooves around, along with an assortment of other silly mannerisms that started to cause some of the ponies to look on with surprise while others started to snicker.

“Alright, Luna, show them your flank!” Celestia exclaimed.

Both she and her sister turned around and bent over in the air, giving the ponies in the court room a full view. Celestia turned around to look back through the window and saw that both of their parents had caught onto their shenanigans. They were staring at both of their daughters with a pair of stoic faces.

“Uh oh. Luna, run!” Celestia shouted.

There was poof of magic behind them, but Celestia took no time to hesitate. She sped off with Luna following closely behind her and headed off towards to the cherry blossom orchards where she hoped she could escape which ever parent had decided to follow them. Both fillies zipped and wound their way through the trees, taking extreme turns in hopes that they could lose their parental pursuer.

When Celestia looked behind her after a time she saw that neither of her parents were behind her. She slowed her pace to a slow glide and then descended to the ground with a graceful landing, followed shortly be her sister. Luna was panting heavily as she stumbled up next to her sister.

“Do you think we lost them?” Luna asked.

“Yes, I thin-“ Celestia started to say when there was a loud crash from the branches above her. When she looked up she was met with the powerful chest of her father and was pinned down onto the ground all in under a second. She coughed and tucked her legs up against her chest while she tightly folded her wings together.

“Uh, hi Daddy.” Celestia said sheepishly.

“What do you think you two are doing?” Sol asked, raising an eye brow.

“Um…”

“Well?”

“I’m sorry, Daddy.” Celestia whispered, lowering her eyes so she wouldn’t meet her father’s any longer.

“You should be sorry," Sol said sternly, "You rudely interrupted the Day Court by distracting the many ponies that had come to talk to us for the day, and then you go ahead and show off your flank to the entire court. How do you think that looked for a princess of Equestria to show off her flank to all of the ponies in that hall?”

“I…”

“It was buckin’ hilarious is what it was.” King Sol said. He got off of Celestia and then rolled off onto his side, giving off a hearty laugh that echoed off of the trunks of the trees. Celestia slowly got to her hooves, chuckling nervously, while she saw from the corner of her eye that Luna was slowly rising from a patch of grass she had tried hiding in.

“You’re not… mad at us?” Celestia asked.

“Oh no, what you did back there was very funny," Sol replied. "You should have seen the horrified looks on some of the noble pony’s faces. I bet they never knew they had a princess who was capable of doing such an act, let alone two princesses.

“However, I am going to need to set an example of you two in order to appease those stingy nobles. Come on, let’s hurry and walk back to the castle so I can get back to my duties. When we reach the edge of the cherry blossoms I want you two to hang your heads and act like you had just received a severe punishment. Alright?”

Luna zipped over to Celestia and both fillies gave a salute to their father.

“Yes sir!” they shouted in unison.

“Good," Sol said, grinning, "in the meantime, how about you tell me about your adventures today? I see that you were able to teach your little sister how to fly?”

Celestia smiled and gave her father a tight hug around the neck, having to rear high onto her back hooves.

Chapter 11: I Can Hear Life's Heart Beat

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The Gift of Life Chapter 11

Nine months later…

Leaves crunched under the hoofsteps of two alicorns as they made their way along the trails that snaked along the outside of Everfree’s walls. Some hoofsteps would be louder than others as they stepped onto a large maple leaf or a bunching of leaves on one part of the trail. One alicorn stood tall and proud as his dark blue coat soaked in the rays of the sun and kept him warm against the chill autumn air. The other alicorn was smaller than him and had a pale white coat that didn’t help soak in the sun’s warmth as her father’s did. To help her keep warm, she wore a scarf around her neck and hugged her wings tight against her body, walking close to her father’s side so that she could soak in some of his warmth.

The trail that both alicorns walked along ran past a pond that was dark and murky but was teaming with life from the sounds of the croaking frogs that could be heard and from the pair of turtles that swam from one end of the pond to the other. King Sol stopped his walk along the path and directed Celestia through a smaller trail that had been made to get closer to the pond.

Celestia looked up towards the bottom of the tree canopy and she could see the rays of sunlight poking through the shifting yellow and orange leaves as a gentle breeze began to pick up. She could hear the soft sound of the rustling leaves and she took in a large breath of the air around her, enjoying the sting of the cold air. She turned to look up at her father when they had stopped at the edge of the murky pond.

“Celestia, have you ever asked yourself why we are here? Why there is a race known as the Alicorns?” Sol asked, staring off across the lake.

She turned her head and stared off in the same direction as her father, hoping to catch a glimpse of what her father could possibly be looking at. She squinted her eyes and tilted her head a little. She finally gave up and ponded her father’s question. Why were there Alicorns?

“There has to be somepony who controls the celestial bodies, right?” she asked.

“Does there really have to be? Why does there need to be a single force controlling the rise and the fall of something so precious to us ponies as the sun or the moon? Why can there not be a multitude of forces at work continuously rising and setting all of the celestial bodies in the sky without end?”

“Well… I…”

King Sol sat down on a patch of grass next to the pond. Celestia sat down next to him and he extended one wing out over her, shielding her from the cold air. She laid her head down onto the grass and he began to speak again.

“You see, for the millennia that your mother and I have been around equines of all races have relied upon us to give rise to both the sun and the moon every day of their lives. The look to us with unquestioning trust that every day we will have brought up their sun and that every night we will have brought of their moon. Never have I once been challenged as the protector of the cosmos if I am fit to keep my job.

“What if one day your mother or I am unable to keep our jobs? What happens then? Well, that is where you and Luna come in. You two fillies each carry a special bond that not only can you raise and lower your respective celestial bodies but you can also raise and lower the other’s celestial body as well. Together you two would continue to rule over this land as the deities who give the equines of the world their light and their night.

“However, wouldn’t you have expected for there to be some sort of opposition to our absolute rule? Two of the most powerful ponies in the entire world control the very existence of life here in Equestria, as well as life everywhere else around the world. With that much power corruption would seem as if it should be running rampant through our political systems.

“That isn’t the case, though. Ponies see both your mother and I as some of the most benevolent rulers that has graced the soil of this land and have not called into question that one day everything they know could all change. One day our immortal selves may not be here to give them the same ruling hoof as they have known for centuries. Instead they would have to look to both you and your sister.

“Do they think that is truly fair? Are they okay with accepting the way this political and religious system has been set up or will they wish for change when both you and Luna come to take the throne from us? You’d think they would like to have some form of democratic election so that they may put in charge a pony they know that can lead them to the future that they want.

“But no, you are a goddess, Celestia. You are the being that gives these ponies the sun and the warmth that they so desire every day. Without you how would they even begin to survive? Do you know what that kind of loyalty that is? Truly?

“It is fear. The ponies of Equestria fear us alicorns. We may get some fantastic reviews and called the greatest leaders that will have ever been given to the mortal ponies of this world but deep down inside, past all of the smiles and revelry, is that twist of fear that is lying in their heart. ‘What would happen if the mortal ponies were to elect one of us alicorns out of office?’ they wonder.”

He paused and sighed, finally taking his gaze away from directly ahead of him to look at his daughter.

“I want to show you something.”

Her father raised himself to his full height, taking is wing away from her body and allowing the cold air to wash over his daughter. Celestia gave a shiver but she slowly rose to her hooves as well, looking up at her father as he spread his massive wings that were easily three times as long as she was. He leapt into the air and flapped his wings, propelling himself higher into the air. She soon followed, spreading her much smaller wings and taking to the sky.

They both flew above the tree canopy and were washed over by the blinding sun. Celestia blinked for a moment and looked up, seeing that her father had climbed even higher and was head straight for a lone cloud that hung in the sky. She quickly followed him, gently landing on the cloud next to her father. He still had his wings outstretched as he looked over at the castle that they called their home.

“Do you see Everfree Castle over there?” he asked.

“Yes, I see it.”

“That is your home, Celestia. And it shall be your home for however long it remains standing. It is also the seat of power and politics in Equestria. It is there that we conduct the business of managing an entire nation and coordinating a waning economy. Ponies arrive daily either bringing news from our furthest provinces, bearing diplomatic news from our neighbors, or coming with questions or concerns about how we might run this nation better. It is also where we host meetings, conventions, parties, and charities all for the appeasement of our citizens and politicians.

“One day the responsibility of managing all of that as well as sitting atop that throne will be all yours. It will be up to you to make the final decisions for the ponies of Equestria and it will be up to you to understand what it is that they want most. Day after day you will listen to the problems of your subjects and sign the many treaties, bills, initiatives, and grants that will be presented to you on your desk when you think you have retired for the day.”

He paused and then slowly turned in the other direction, extending his wing forward as if he was presenting all of the lands that could be seen up until the distant mountains.

“All of this will be yours one day. Even beyond those mountains lies more of our lands up until the border with the Night Guard Nation.”

He turned back towards Everfree but used his wing to gesture to beyond the walls.

“All of the lands to the south towards the Eternal Sea, to the north to Draken’s Ridge Mountains, and then to the west to the Neighing River that separates the Eternal Valley from Equestria will be yours. Ponies occupy every part of it and it will be up to you to know what is best for them.”

Sol looked down at his daughter and searched her face for something.

“There is one more thing that you must know. However, the only way to understand what I am about to show is you have to experience it yourself. Come.”

He hopped from the cloud and spread his wings, gliding back down to the pond where they had originally been a few minutes before. Celestia quickly followed after him and landed on a soft patch of grass next to her father. She saw that instead of resuming lying down in the grass he had walked up to a tree with a squirrel in it.

“When you rule over this nation you are not only ruling over the equine citizens and guests that inhabit it. You are also ruling over the land itself. Every animal, every tree, every rock, can be affected by a decision you make back in the throne room of the castle. Taking into consideration all mannerisms of life is crucial in being a successful ruler over this magnificent kingdom and to do so, you are going to need to hear what life itself sounds like.”

“How can you hear life? Isn’t life just the concept that is used to explain the fact that we exist right here, right now?” Celestia asked, walking up next to her father to look up at the squirrel.

“Life is more than just a concept, Celestia. Life is an actual, tangible thing that can be reached when brought into the deepest levels of meditation, or Samadhi. You can feel life around you pulse and echo as if it was your own heart beating inside your chest.”

Sol turned from the tree and started to walk back to the path that ran along the walls of Everfree. Celestia quickly followed after him, walking at a brisk pace next to him to keep up with his longer strides. He had his wings loosely hanging against his sides.

“Daddy, where are we going?” she asked, looking around her as the sights of the forest flew by them.

“There is a place I want to show you, Celestia. A place where the air is always calm and the grass is always green. Where animals choose to frolic through without worry of being hunted by the hunters of this forest. Where the energy is strong and sweet.” her father replied.

They walked on for a few more minutes until once again her father directed her through a much smaller trail that wound in between trees, bushes, and large boulders. As they rounded the last corner, they came upon a small meadow of tall grass and brilliant flowers. A few birds flew away at the approach of the two alicorns and a couple of butterflies danced around the warm sunlight that filled the open space.

King Sol slowly walked to the middle of the clearing and sighed, looking up at the sky. His wings sagged along the sides of his body and his mane gently flowed from a sudden, gentle gust of wind. Celestia slowly walked up next to her father and looked up at him.

“Close your eyes, Celestia.”

She closed them.

“Now take a deep breath.”

She took a deep breath.

“Let it out.”

She slowly exhaled.

“Take another deep breath but hold it this time. Relax your muscles and allow your wings to droop against your sides. Yes, like that.”

Celestia slowly began to relax all of her muscles enough so that she was still standing, if only barely. She allowed her wings to droop along the sides of her body like her father had been doing. She started to feel a little light headed.

“Now as you slowly exhale again I want you to slowly set yourself down in the grass.”

She slowly exhaled, allowing herself to be lowered onto the grass with a slowness that she had never felt before. When her stomach finally rested comfortable on top of the soft blades she could feel the strain her muscles had to exert to keep herself standing escape from her body, leaving her feeling like a pile of gelatin.

“Feel the grass as it brushes up against your stomach. It is like your bed back home at the castle, soft and warm and inviting. It calls for you to lie upon its blades and share the warmth of your body with the meager amount of warmth it is able to offer in return. Take its warmth eagerly.”

Celestia could feel the individual blades that brushed up against her stomach. She could feel as they leant her their energy, feeling her body with the warmth she had been lacking from when her and her father had first started this walk through the forest.

“Feel the air as it moves and shifts around you. You can feel the slightest motion, the smallest breeze, as it is continuously flowing around us, cycling through the atmosphere between differences in pressures. The air is heated by the rays of the sun but becomes cooled when the breezes from the heavier, cooler air rush in to fill the lower pressures around us.”

She felt as a gentle breeze picked up around her, rustling her pink mane to flow gently with the wind currents. The rays of the sun warmed her coat and her feathers, filling Celestia with even more of a sense of comfort from her surroundings. She took in a deep breath to feel the rush of cool air that burned her nostrils and filled her lungs. She exhaled gently.

“Now detach yourself from your senses. Close your sense of sight, removing the ability for you to see the world. Plug your sense of smell, removing your ability to inhale all of the world’s purities. Silence your sense of hearing, removing the ability for you to listen to the world change around you. Cover your sense of taste, removing your ability to taste the freshness of the air that swirls around you. And lastly, remove your sense of touch, detaching yourself from the world.”

~~~

Celestia slowly felt her body melt away until all she could feel was the essence of her being. There was no taste, no smell, no sound, no sight, and no touch. All that was left was her perception and her essence, the essence of the sun. Everything fell away and she was left in an empty mesa, a void. Yet, she felt at peace and calm among the nothingness. There were no troubles around her, no future expectations, no politics, no education.

Then suddenly a memory flashed into existence from the deep confines of her mind. She was sitting atop a cloud looking over Everfree. The sun was shining and the city was glimmering beautifully in the sunlight that reflected off of the walls of the castle. Birds flew through the air and the city was bustling with activity like any normal day. All of Celestia’s senses returned to her so she could experience the full force Everfree City in its prime hour.

Then, like before, the skies over to the west of Everfree darkened and turned a deep and menacing red as if fires were raging all throughout the nation of the Eternal Valley. Black clouds filled the skies around Everfree and the city started to crumble. Celestia predicted this would happen but she couldn’t hold back the terrified scream that escaped her lips. She shouted at the city to stop its destruction.

She then heard the laughter. The deep, sadistic laughter that had haunted her thoughts for months to come after her vision those years ago. She could feel her entire body go cold as the laughter slowly died away. Two mismatched red eyes appeared directly in front of her.

“I see you, Celestia. And I know you can see me.” the being said. A smile appeared below the eyes, a single sharp tooth sticking out from the mouth.

“W-who are you?” Celestia asked.

“Who am I? The question is who are you? What are you?” the being asked in return, chuckling once again.

“What are you doing in my mind?”

“Oh, wait, you think we are in the confines of your mind right now? You are sadly mistaken, my little pony. Look around you,” Celestia noticed that she was suddenly floating above the meadow where her and her father had done to meditate. She saw that her father was over Celestia with a look of worry on his face from seeing his daughter’s horn lit in the midst of her meditation. “we are floating in the limbo between the world you live in now and the world… Well, I actually don’t know if there is a world after that one.”

“How are you speaking to me right now?”

“Why, because of the orb you touched of course. What, did you think Alicorns were the only beings that could harness the powers of the Celestial bodies?”

“What…”

“I’ll give you one hint and one hint only: At the end of magic’s lord, will there be a clash of sword upon sword. Each strike paints the picture red, until the king and queen have nothing more to be said.”

The last thing Celestia heard as the space around her faded away were the malevolent chuckles echoing in her head.

~~~

“Celestia. Celestia! Wake up!”

Celestia’s eyes shot open and she immediately shot off a burst of energy directly in front of her, hitting and completely destroying a tree. Timber flew all around the area of the blast and animals all around the area scattered at the sound of the explosion. Celestia’s eyes were wide and she was panting as she looked up at her father who was equally surprised.

“Celestia, are you alright?” her father asked, giving her a genuine look of worry.

“I-I think I am okay.”

“What happened?”

Celestia looked over at her father with tears in her eyes. She had made the decision that she would tell her parents at a later date about vision when she had first encountered the orb. Now that she has had another met with the being from the vision a second time years later it only seemed logical that she should tell her father right here, right now, about both visions she had witnessed. They are too real and too ominous to be left in the dark for much longer. If she didn’t tell her father now there is no telling what may happen in the near or distant future.

“Daddy, I…” Celestia started.

“King Sol!”

Both alicorns turned to see that General Reaper had appeared with two pegasi guards with him. He flew down to the clearing and stood at attention before the king. He gave a salute which was returned by the king himself.

“Yes, what is it, General Reaper?” Sol asked.

“Germaney has threatened to secede again and this time it is serious. They are barring all exports out from their province to the rest of the nation and are refusing the admittance to any politician or military leader into their lands. We require your assistance in assessing the situation and coming up with the proper measures.”

Sol sighed. “Alright, I’ll be over in the hall right away. Action must now be taken if we want for Germaney and its precious minerals to remain ours.” he then turned and looked down at his daughter. “I am sorry, Celestia, but I must go. Will you tell me of this at a later time?”

“Yes, Daddy, of course.” Celestia said, a little downtrodden that her father has to leave.

King Sol gave one last look at his daughter and then took to the air, closely followed by General Reaper and the two pegasi guards. Celestia watched as they flew back to the castle and then sat down on her haunches. Everfree Castle was shimmering beautifully in the sunlight.

~~~

And another short chapter for you guys. However, make sure you read this carefully as it is just jam packed full of important details and such! Character building, foreshadowing, the like. I apologize that the last two chapters have not been quite as long as my previous ones but there is only so much I can write before I start having to drag the chapter on. The next chapter should be much longer than this one!

Get ready for Chapter 12: Welcome to Everfree

Chapter 12: Welcome to Everfree

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The Gift of Life Chapter 12

Two weeks later…

Breathing. Heavy Breathing.

Celestia slowly opened her eyes as she could hear her sister toss and turn in her sleep next to her. Luna gave a few mumbles and a plea before she turned over in her bed and fell quiet, allowing Celestia to close her eyes and maybe go back to sleep. However, just as she could feel sleeps in embrace she heard Luna jerk upright in her bed and let out a very loud scream that pierced her ear drums. The older sister jumped out of bed as quickly as she could, running over to Luna’s bed and shaking her sister awake.

“Luna! Wake up!” Celestia shouted, feeling some relief when her sister slumped back onto the bed and looked at her sister.

“’Tia, I-I’m sorry. It was another nightmare.” Luna said, curling up in a ball and rolling onto her side facing Celestia.

Celestia climbed up onto Luna’s bed and sat next to her sister, nudging the younger’s cheek gently. During these last two weeks it seems as if the frequency of Luna’s nightmares were picking up, starting at about the same she had the vision of Everfree again. She put one wing around Luna and looked down.

“Luna, what happened in your dream?” she asked.

“I… She… The black mare, ‘Tia”

“The one that was giving you the nightmares before?”

“Yeah, that one.”

“What happened?”

“Sh-she continues to tell me things. Awful things. She still tells me that I am not liked and unwanted among the ponies and my own family. She tries to hurt me.”

“Oh, Luna. Have you told Mother or Father yet?” Celestia asked as she lowered her head and nuzzled necks with her sister.

“No, but I have told Regality. I am afraid that they might worry over me instead of worry over Equestria.”

“You silly filly, you should tell them. I’m sure that they would help you. They love you more than all of Equestria.”

“Then why haven’t you told them about your visions?”

Celestia breath caught in her mouth. She wasn’t sure if she heard her sister correctly.

“What?”

“Why have you not told Mommy and Daddy about your visions?”

“I… you… h-how did you know about them?”

“Your face when I first told you about my nightmares gave it away. Also, when we first saw those orbs I saw that you didn’t look away for a long time. I thought you must have seen something.”

Celestia sighed and laid her head down upon Luna’s bed. She might as well tell her sister.

“When I touched that orb a vision was brought to me. I was floating above Everfree on one of its busiest days of the year. Ponies were walking around the entirety of the city and noise could be heard ringing throughout the air from the marketplace. The sun was shining brightly and reflecting off of the castle, causing it to glimmer.

“Suddenly the whole sky would go dark and turn red over the lands of the Eternal Valley. I would watch as Everfree would crumble and fall to pieces, just like you had seen in your dreams. Then, the final spires of the city crumble into rubble..”

Celestia paused and looked at her sister with pangs of depressed emotions. She just couldn’t tell her sister about the black pony in her dreams. She was already visibly terrified of it in her dreams. If she knew it was in Celestia’s visions as well then she might think that it actually existed.

“…and I would see a pair of mismatched red eyes looking at me. The first time all they did was chuckle but when I had a second vision two weeks ago they told me a riddle that was supposed to be a hint for some prophesy.”

“What was the riddle?”

“’At the end of magic’s lord, there will be a clash of sword upon sword. Each strike paints the picture read, until the king and queen have nothing more to be said.’ I recite it every night before I go to sleep.”

Luna laid her head next to her sister’s and pressed her cheek up against her sister’s cheek. “’Tia, what is happening to us? Should we tell our parents?”

“I-I don’t know, Luna. Let us get back to sleep, hm?” Celestia said, giving a yawn.

“Um, ‘Tia?” Luna said as Celestia was raising herself to her hooves.

“Yes?”

“Can you… Can you sleep with me tonight?”

Celestia looked over at her bed and then back at Luna. She knew that she had a chance of becoming harmed if Luna did have another nightmare tonight, whether it just be kicking or a blast of magic. However, her sister looked genuinely afraid for her sister to leave the bed and go sleep in her own. She smiled lightly and sat back down.

“Okay, I’ll sleep with you tonight. Make some room.”

Luna moved over in the bed and curled up at the head with her head lying gently on the pillow. Celestia scooted up next to her sister and levitated her own pillow over and placed it next to Luna’s so she could rest at the head of the bed too. She closed her eyes and gave another yawn.

Just when she was about to fall asleep she felt soft feathers being pressed up against her stomach. She opened one eye and noticed that her sister had scooted from her position on the bed to cuddle up next to Celestia. She smiled a little and then pulled the covers up using her magic to cover their bodies except for their heads.

“Goodnight Luna, sleep tight.”

“Goodnight ‘Tia. Thank you.”

~~~

Celestia looked out over Everfree’s Eastern Commercial District from her balcony. It was a bright and beautiful sunny day so she could make out all of the details of the market. She could see the many ponies walking between market stalls, selling and purchasing their wares so that they could make a living in this enormous city. She could see some of the market performers singing and dancing along the edges of the market, trying to earn a few bits for themselves.

The princess gave a long winded sigh. She had longed to visit the Commercial District for a long time now. She wanted to meet the many ponies that hurried their way between the stalls to make time before work or to get home for dinner. Whether it be the shopkeepers, the customers, or the performers she didn’t care. She would be interacting with the ponies that she would have rule over in the future and it would give her a head start in understanding what it is she had to do to make them happy.

Unfortunately her parents had denied her requests to go to the market place at every turn. They repeatedly told her that the place was too dangerous for a princess as young has her, even when accompanied by some royal guards. When Celestia would ask, they simply told her that the years have grown darker and the ponies were more restless.

She huffed and blew some of her mane from her face as the wind picked up. She really wanted to go, though. Shouldn’t she be allowed to meet the people of her future nation? Shouldn’t she be able to interact and make decisions on how they should be ruled too?

Celestia took her hooves from the balcony rail and turned and looked into her and Luna’s room. Luna was quietly gazing at star charts and memorizing constellations for when she started to take her lessons on how to form and shape the night sky like their father did every night. She was a good student, Celestia noticed. She always studied hard and tried to be the best filly she could be, student, daughter, or otherwise.

She turned to look back out at the Commercial District.

“I’m going to see Everfree today whether my parents like it or not.” Celestia muttered under her breath.

She turned and marched back into her room with a stance full of determination. She trotted over to her clothes closet, earning a curious glance from Luna who looked up from her maps briefly and chewed on her pen. Celestia opened the closet and started shifting through the many dresses she had.

“Are you going somewhere, ‘Tia?” Luna asked, looking back down at her maps.

“In fact I am. I am going to the Commercial District.” Celestia replied, continuing to look through her dresses.

“You’re what?” Luna shot her head back up and stared at her sister.

“You should come with me, Luna. We deserve to get out and meet with the ponies in the market. It is us who will be ruling over them someday, right?”

“’Tia, you know both Mother and Father say that we shouldn’t go to the market unless they come along with us only. It’s dangerous there.”

“Oh, come on, Luna. Do you think the ponies are really going through such unrest right now?”

“Daddy has been very busy negotiating with Germaney lately…”

“And that is Germaney, not here. Besides, as an extra precaution I will be wearing a dress to cover up both my cutie mark and my wings. I’ll look like a regular unicorn!”

“Well, I-I don’t want to go.” Luna glanced at Celestia with a nervous look.

“Don’t you want to have some fun, Luna? We’ll see the performers in the streets, we’ll hear their music, we’ll get acquainted with a few of the shopkeepers.”

“It goes against Mother and Father’s wishes.”

“They’re being over protective.”

“Can I please not go?” Luna laid her head down between her hooves and tightly folded her wings against her sides.

Celestia sighed and brought out a dress from her closet. It was a long and yellow silk dress with some pink embroidery that was simple and perfect for a cool autumn day such as this. She held it in the air with her magic and turned to look at Luna.

“Alright Luna, you don’t have to come with me on this one. Can you do me a favor, though?”

Luna nodded her head, still holding it close to the ground.

“Can you tell no one of where I went? Tell them that I went for a walk through the cherry blossoms if they ask. I’ll be back before it gets dark.”

“Okay, ‘Tia”

Luna slowly lifted her head from between her hooves and went back to studying her maps. Celestia quickly slipped the dress on, fitting perfectly to her slender body and completely concealing her wings and cutie mark from sight. She looked back with approval and then trotted out of the door, making sure to grab a sack of bits, back to the balcony and looked down.

She gracefully hopped from the balcony and used her magic to gently allow her to land on the soft grass. She looked both ways to make sure that none of the guards were making their rounds through this part of the gardens and, upon seeing the coast was clear, she made a dash for the wall that surround the castle.

Celestia hopped up and then used her magic to levitate herself to the top of the wall. She turned and gave one last look at the castle, particularly her room, and then hopped back down on the other side of the castle walls down a rather dirty and deserted alleyway. She had now, for the first time, left the palace without a guard escort or her parents. She smiled at her success and then made her way out of the alleyway.

When she got to the exit of the alley she was met by a wall of ponies going in every direction. The street she was on looked as if it was the main avenue for ponies making their way from the Northern District of Everfree to the Commercial District. She waited for the prime opportunity to step into the crowd and, making sure not to bump into anyone, made her way into the market square. So far so good, nopony has noticed her pink hair or magenta eyes.

Celestia took this time to figure out what she was going to do first. She trotted into the center of the square and took a seat next to the large water fountain that decorated the middle. The fountain was dedicated to High General Bright and reflected him rearing up on his hind legs while he was fully garbed in his armor. Water spouted from his forehead.

In this moment Celestia became lost in all of the sounds of Everfree. She could hear the boisterous chatter among the customers as the ran from shop to shop, buying necessary supplies that they needed for the day or having idle chatter with some of their friends. She heard the music from one of the bards playing over off in a corner of the market, his beautiful music washing over all of the ponies in the market and attracting a few heads. To top it all off the sound of the falling water from the water fountain immersed her in the sound that she had been longing to hear. Celestia gave a heart-felt sigh.

“Excuse me, my fair lady. Is there a particular shop you are looking for?”

Celestia snapped out of her day dream and looked on at a rather handsome looking brown earth pony stallion. He had lighter brown eyes and a darker brown, well-kempt mane and tail as well as a few coins for his cutie mark. He continued to look at Celestia with a quizzical expression.

“Oh, um, no. Thank you, sir.” Celestia quickly managed to say, fumbling with her words as she tried to regain focus.

“Oh, well, you do appear to be lost, if I may say.”

“Sorry, it’s just that it is my first time visiting the market. I have never beheld such wonders before.”

“Ah, that would explain it. Are you new here to Everfree? I am Ledger by the way.”

“Yes, I am, in fact, new to Everfree. My name is Sunny Days.” Celestia smiled at the friendly pony and then shook the hoof that was offered to her.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Sunny Days. Hey, being that you are new in town, would you like me to give you a grand tour of the major points of the city? It would be my honor.”

“That would be wonderful, Ledger. I have never experienced the city myself. This would be a fantastic way to get to know the place.”

Celestia smiled at Ledger again and then followed up alongside him as he made his way over to the source of the music. They walked past a few stalls that were selling a variety of fruit and vegetables. Celestia noticed that one particular stand was drawing a lot of attention from the many colorful signs she had posted along the exterior of the market stall. It looked as though she were selling freshly picked mangoes.

Finally they came upon the source of the music. It was a young colt, perhaps a bit older than Celestia, playing a very finely crafted yayli tanbur. As they both walked by the colt, Ledger through him a few bits for his miraculous playing in which earned him another smile from Celestia. He gave a haughty smile back and then started to make his way away from the market towards a very large building at the end of a wide avenue.

“This here is delegation office building. Although some of the most important meetings are held in the castle such as province boundary disputes and royal hearings, here is where the majority of Equestrian politics take place. Representatives come from all over Equestria come to voice their opinions to their respective pony race leaders.”

Celestia stared up at the massive building. The way it was built would look like a square-ish U if she were to fly above the building. Windows were located all over the building and there was a beautiful, sparkling fountain in the center of the complex. Celestia had to keep herself from gawking at the building and move along with Ledger. She had seen the building almost every day but she had never been this close to it before.

They rounded a corner and took a much smaller street that ran between two rather large and decorative rows of buildings. Flags and banners draped from under the windows of each of the buildings with each one bearing different emblems and colors. Some banners were longer than others while some stood out more. Celestia stared up at each banner as the two ponies walked passed.

“This street I took you down is filled with all of the banks of Equestria. We have Bank of Equestria there, Neighs Fargo there, oh, and that over there is where I personally work. The Royal Bank of Everfree. We manage over a hundred thousand accounts from different ponies, forty thousand of them in Everfree alone.” Ledger said, stopping in front of the building that was ornately decorated with engraved vines and had a huge red banner with an emblem of three white stars on it.

“What is your job here?” Celestia asked, looking over the beautiful artwork of the building.

“I work as one of the bank councilors to help ponies sort out their bank troubles or set up a bank account. It can be quite a stressful job at times when there are a few uncooperative ponies but the pay is very good. Plus, as I am sure you guessed, I have some talent when it comes to handling money.”

Celestia nodded and gave one last look to the banks on either side of her before they both moved on and started to walk towards a bridge that connected the northern and eastern districts. She stared on at sight of the bridge, surprised by large it was compared to seeing it from the castle. As they started to approach and hear the rushing water that ran along between the northern district and the castle they were stopped by a stallion and a mare.

The stallion had a sky blue coat with a silver mane and tail. His eyes were a very soft yellow and on his flank he had a cutie mark of the sign for a bit: a capital C with a line on a horizontal axis through the middle of the letter. The mare that accompanied the stallion was tall and had a slender body similar to Celestia’s, although it wasn’t quite as attractive. She had a light grey coat with a beautiful, wavy, long black mane and tail. Her eyes were a deep blue and on her flank she had the cutie mark of two nail files.

“Hello, Ledger! How do you do this fine day? I see that you got yourself a lovely mare.” the stallion said, carefully looking Celestia over. She slightly blushed at the attention she was getting.

“Good day, Capital Bits. And you too, Amy Joviality. I am doing alright this day but unfortunately she is not my mare. This is her first time visiting Everfree and ever since I first met her in the market square I have been showing her around the Commercial District.” Ledger said in return, glancing over at Celestia.

“My, she is such a lovely mare. And so young. How old would you happen to be miss...?” Amy Joviality asked Celestia.

“Oh my name is Sunny Days. I-I am fifteen, Miss Joviality.” Celestia replied, smiling her beautiful smile at the mare.

“You are young. Shame on you, Ledger. Going after such pretty young mares like this at your age.” Amy Joviality said as she turned to look at the brown stallion.

“What can you say? I do fall for the damsels in distress.” Ledger said, giving the biggest business smile he could offer. Celestia smiled a little nervously.

“Well, we had best be going. Good day to both of you. And good luck, Ledger.” Capital Bits said, nodding at both Ledger and Celestia before smirking at Ledger with the last bit he said. Amy Joviality smiled and waved as they left and both ponies were free to continue on their tour of the city.

They crossed to the other side of the river and then Ledger took Celestia to see the many houses of the rich and famous that were scattered throughout all of the northern district of Everfree. Their first stop was one of the members of the Representative Delegates and Speaker of the Floor for the delegation office building in the Commercial District. His house was massive, raising up to be two stories tall, and had a beautifully red tiled roof at the top. His house was made out of pure white stone and there was a large, black iron gate that barred entrance to anypony looking to speak to the Speaker of the Floor after his work hours.

The next house they visited belonged to the general of the Royal Pegasus Airforce and the head of the Pegasus Senate, General Reaper. Although the house was not quite as big as the Speaker of the Floor’s house, it still stood at two stories tall and boasted a huge front lawn that was decorated with many hedge statures of ponies from all throughout Equestrian history. He had a little fountain that broke the trail from the gate to his front door in half. Celestia was a little confused as to Reaper even owning a house but perhaps he just wanted to spend his huge salary he gets.

Ledger showed Celestia many more houses that ranged from being little, one story cottages on the outskirts of the northern district to some of the massive houses that towered over the inner parts of the district. Some houses had huge gardens that sheltered a whole ecosystem of animals while others had just simple lawns with maybe a tree to add some beauty to it. After another hour of exploring the northern district they finally stopped at the last house that Ledger wanted to show Celestia.

“And here is the house of Star Swirl the Bearded himself. Impressive, if I say so myself.” Ledger said.

Before the two ponies was a massive two story house that sat on the river separating the district and the castle. The house itself looked like its own little castle with three spires rising higher than the rest of the house. Two large willow trees loomed in the front yard of the house and added a gloomy effect to the whole scene. Celestia noticed at all of the windows of Star Swirl’s house slowly changed color at random.

“Wow, this is impressive. I have never seen anything like it.” Celestia gawked.

“It’s a shame he is never home. He likes to spend the majority of his time in Fillydelphia instead of living here. It makes me wonder why he would choose to live in such a polluted environment.”

Celestia turned to look at Ledger. She knew that Star Swirl didn’t enjoy the political side of life and took pleasure in being around the ponies that gave him the most support. In Fillydelphia he was constantly hosting rallies and parties for the ponies of the city, practically giving away all of the money he was earning to donations or the less fortunate.

“Perhaps he enjoys the less political life?” she asked.

“Ah, I don’t know. Let’s move on. There is one last thing I want to show you.”

The two ponies walked to cross the bridge that led from the northern district to the southern district of Everfree. Celestia remembered that this is where many of the middle class or working class ponies in Everfree lived and also bore entrance to the main gate of the castle. Judging from the direction that they were going it looked like Ledger was going to show her the gate.

In a few minutes the two ponies looked upon the massive gate that stood before them. The gate easily stood thirty meters tall and was ornately decorated all over with various vines, trees, and of the King and Queen that the gate protected. It was made entirely out of pure white stone and took up to twenty ponies to open and close the massive gates.

Celestia had seen these gates a few times before but never had she seen them standing still. She felt tiny standing next to the massive stone structure and she folded her wings tight against her body. She was glad so far that nopony had been able to recognize her, even in the massive throngs of ponies that both she and Ledger had to walk through.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Never before in all of Equestrian history has something like this ever been built. We are staring at the greatest feat of stone art work ever created.” Ledger said.

“It really is beautiful. The engravings, the designs, the stone. It is all something you can sit and gaze at for hours.” Celestia said.

“Have I concluded our tour on a very good note?” Ledger asked, turning and throwing another one of his confident smiles at Celestia. The princess meekly smiled back and nodded her head.

“Yes, this was a fantastic conclusion. I really must be getting back to my place now, however. The sun is setting and I am feeling exhausted after an entire day of walking.”

“Where are you staying? I could walk you there and make sure you arrive safely.”

“No no, it is quite alright. I think I know where it is from here. It’s not too far. Thank you for your offer, though.”

“Well, if you insist, my lady. Pardon, but would you be willing to stop for tea sometime tomorrow afternoon? I know of a wonderful place.”

Celestia paused and looked down at her hooves. She couldn’t deny Ledger after he showed her all of Everfree. It wouldn’t be polite of her to refuse him. She was just going to have to sneak out tomorrow and meet him.

“Of course, where shall we meet?” she asked.

“It is called the Apple Honey Distillery. It is only a block away from Star Swirl’s house. You can’t miss it.”

“I will meet you there tomorrow at three o’clock. I hope you have a good day, Ledger!”

“And you as well!”

The two ponies departed and Celestia headed off in the opposite direction of Ledger, hoping that she was heading back the way she came. She continued to walk around the castle walls, following and looking for the specific alley in which she had originally came out of to explore the city. As she continued her walk she glanced up at the sky and saw that sun was getting ready to set on the horizon.

As she continued her walk along the outer walls of the castle the princess started to notice something strange. Instead of the houses improving in quality or the streets becoming cleaner they instead progressively became worse and worse as she walked. Litter started to clutter the streets and the houses started to turn into nothing more than boarded up shacks. The ponies in this part of the city looked like they were unkempt and hungry and were all giving her strange stares as she continued to walk. Celestia felt severely out of place.

As the princess continued her walk she started to get the feeling that she was being followed by somepony. When she turned around she saw that there was a gruff and grey stallion who was walking a few meters behind her, obviously keeping an eye on her movements. Celestia quickened her pace only to find that the pony behind her had quickened his as well. As she continued to move through the dirty buildings she was suddenly stopped by two ponies who blocked her path.

“Well, what do we have 'ere? Ye sure do look out o' place. Are ye lost, little filly?” one of the stallions asked. He was a tall and powerfully pegasus with a sickly green coat and a dark brown mane and tail. His eyes were also brown and his cutie mark was the picture of a hammer.

“Ya, what is such a pretty filly like you doing all the way out here?” the other stallion asked. This stallion was a smaller unicorn with a light tan coat and a dirty grey mane and tail. He also had brown eyes and on his flank was a cutie mark of a pair of scissors.

“I-I… Um, could you please…” Celestia started to say but silenced herself when the two stallions took a step forward. The last stallion, a pegasus finally caught up to the three. He joined the other two stallions and back Celestia into an alley sheltered away from the views of any onlookers who may pass by. His eyes were a deep magenta, giving accent against his grey coat. His cutie mark was that of a plank of wood.

“Could we what? Move out of your way?” the grey pegasus asked, stepping a bit closer.

“But I need to get home.” Celestia said, a little more assertively.

“Not from the way I see it.” said the tan unicorn, lighting up his horn to encompass Celestia’s horn. She tried to resist but noticed that her magic had been subdued. She squealed lightly.

“Oh, what, pretty pony can’t use her horn?” the grey pegasus teased, walking forward more with the green pegasus, backing Celestia into a corner. She had no means to escape unless she ripped her dress and tried to fly from the two pegasi.

“Please, leave me alone. What do you two want?” Celestia asked, pushing herself lower to the ground as the two pegasi were nearly upon her.

“Why, ye o' course. What else could we want?” the green pegasus said, smirking as he stood over Celestia. “Get up.”

If Celestia didn’t have a chance at getting away now then she never would. She pushed herself to her hooves and then attacked the green pegasi, tackling him and biting onto his neck. Before she could throw any more attacks at him, however, the grey pegasus had already kicked Celestia off of him. Before she could raise herself to her hooves again, the green pegasus smacked her back down with one of his powerful hooves.

“Yer lucky ye have a pretty face or I would 'ave hit ye harder.” the green pegasus spat. Celestia groaned as she looked up at both pegasi standing over her.

The grey pegasus kicked Celestia onto her back and then stood over her, laying himself down onto her body and bringing his face close to her face.

“How about we get that pretty dress off of you. It doesn’t compliment you the same way it would if you didn’t have it.” the pegasus sneered before he lifted himself back off of her and then tore the dress off of her. His eyes went wide when he saw Celestia’s wings. The princess whimpered and tucked her hooves closer to her chest.

“What the buck are we doing!? She is one o' tha princesses.” the green pegasus exclaimed. Celestia shut her eyes tight and tried to block out their voices. There was a pause and the air was still.

“I don’t care. Here’s what we’re goin’ to do. We’re goin’ to sell her to the Whinnying Filly who will then sell her onto the black market. She’ll make a fine slave for those crime lords over in Fillydelphia.” The pegasus snickered, slowly turning back to look at Celestia. “But not before we have some fun first.”

He slammed himself back down onto Celestia, knocking the breath from her lungs and forcing her eyes open. She met his dark magenta eyes and whimpered, tears flowing freely from her eyes as she felt his body roughly pressing down upon hers.

“Please, let me go. Please. Pleasepleasepleaseplease no more.” Celestia whined, closing her eyes and turning away from the stallion.

She felt his hoof come slamming down onto her face, keeping it pinned down against the gravel and stone of the alleyway. She cried out from the pain both being exerted on her cheek and on her chest, as well as the other unpleasant feeling that started to come off of the stallion.

How did this happen to her? Why was this happening to her? She never harmed these ponies. She had never wished harm upon these ponies. Yet, even though she was their princess, they wanted to have her for their own and then sell her off so that they could get some money. Was she not another pony just like them?

Suddenly she felt the pegasus on top of her violently fly from her body and smack against the alleyway wall next to her.

“Form a perimeter around the princess! Arrest these ponies! Go!” shouted a familiar and friendly voice. When Celestia opened her eyes she saw that Captain Firemane was standing over her garbed in the full armor of the Captain of the Royal Guard. His pale, white wings were fully extended and his face was contorted into that of anger and disgust.

Those expressions changed drastically, however, as he looked down at Celestia. They were immediately replaced with worry, fear, and even pity.

“Celestia! Are you alright?” Firemane asked, pulling his helmet off and letting it drop to stone floor the alleyway. Instead of responding to Firemane, however, Celestia raised herself up and hugged his leg, crying and soaking his coat with her tears.

~~~

Celestia rode on the back of Firemane when they entered the throne room of the stressed and worried parents, Sol and Galactica. She continued to cry loudly into Firemane’s mane and her wings hung limply on either side of her while both her coat and her mane were a dirty and disheveled mess. The throne room was completely empty, making it obvious that the day court had been canceled upon the knowledge of Celestia’s disappearance.

As the doors to the throne room opened, both adult alicorns turned and quickly rushed over to Firemane and the two guards that were accompanying the pair. When they arrived, their faces were filled with more anxiety than before and Galactica even seemed to lose some of the color of her mane, turning to a more dull orange and purple. Sol leaned his nose down and gently brushed it up against Celestia damp cheek.

“What happened to her? Where did you find her?” Galactica quickly asked, looking at Firemane.

“We found her in the Southern District of Everfree trapped in a small alleyway being sexually assaulted by three stallions, your majesty. It looked as there was a unicorn that had used a negation spell on Celestia’s horn while one of the pegasi had forced her down onto her back. We managed to arrive at the scene before it could progress any further but…” Firemane trailed off as he heard a few more sobs coming from Celestia. It could be seen, even through the well know stoic face of a Royal Guard, that he was almost as torn as the parents over Celestia’s ordeal.

“Have you apprehended the culprits?” the queen asked with tears flowing down her cheeks, now turning her attention to Celestia and pressing her nose on Celestia’s other damp cheek.

“Yes, we have taken all three of them into custody and they are even now being taken down to the holding cells beneath the castles. All three of the ponies are going to be tried on the grounds of assaulting and conspiring to kidnap a princess, earning them all at least twenty five years in prison. The grey pegasus will be tried for sexual assault on a princess which will earn him another twenty five years at the minimum with no bail.” Firemane said, lowering his head so both parents could comfort their daughter.

“Hey Celestia, it’s okay. You’re back in the castle. Mom and Dad are here.” King Sol said, nuzzling his nose up against Celestia’s neck in an attempt to comfort her.

Upon hearing those words from her father Celestia managed to calm down enough to return comforting gesture. She had wrapped her hooves tighter around Firemane’s neck and finally lifted her head out of his tear soaked mane. Sol grimaced upon seeing her bruised cheeks and blackening eye. Upon further inspection of her body he noticed that she had received a few more bruises to her rib cage and her right wing looked as though some of the feathers had been ripped from it.

Tears welled into his eyes but he refused to shed them to prevent Celestia from crying even further. Both he and his wife had managed to calm their daughter enough to stop shaking and sobbing so much, he wasn’t about to blow their victory there. He smiled at his daughter and kissed her on the cheek.

“Okay, let’s get you to the medical ward and take a look at you.” he said.

All three ponies left the throne room and were met by Meadow Free, Regality, and Luna just outside. Upon seeing her princess, Meadow Free’s mouth dropped and she quickly ran over to her, walking beside the queen. Regality looked cautiously down at Luna and saw that the younger filly had started walking towards her sister with tears that were forming in her eyes. She extended a wing and used it to push Luna along, trailing behind Firemane and Celestia.

“I’m sorry, ‘Tia.” was all Luna had managed to say on their way to the medical ward.

~~~

Alright, a big chapter for you guys. I have just a huge brain blast the last two days and wrote up over 5,000 words in that time. When you get one those brain blasts you just don't stop until you feel drained.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Leave a comment and tell me what you think!

Get ready for Chapter 13: Love is in Bloom

Chapter 13: Love is in Bloom

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The Gift of Life Chapter 13

Two months later…

Celestia stared at the ceiling above her. It had been two o’clock in the morning since she had last checked the clock and she knew that perhaps only another five minutes have gone by. She had been lying awake in bed for over four hours now, Luna sleeping comfortably beside her. She looked down at the filly and nudged her head gently with her nose, making sure not to wake the younger princess up.

Both fillies had been sleeping in the same bed together since the last time Luna had had a nightmare. They both quickly noticed that the frequency of Luna’s nightmares had gone down with her only having one minor dream over the course of two months. It was as if Celestia sleeping with her sister had somehow caused the nightmares to vanish. They decided to sleep more often together if only to give Luna more time to sleep comfortably.

Luna has been more active and outgoing when she is around other ponies as she is getting more sleep. She at least says hi now and she is willing to have longer conversations with their mother and father. It’s as if these nightmares going away from Luna had turned her into a whole new filly. Celestia was both surprised and glad to see that her little sister wasn’t so skittish.

However, there was another reason Celestia continued to sleep with Luna. She felt safer and warmer when she was with her sister. She felt as if Luna’s love and happiness was being directed at herself for just being there to comfort the little filly during the night. She felt like she could be loved by a pony.

Yet, she knew she wasn’t loved by many ponies. That night back in the alleyway she remembered how much the ponies disregarded her status so that they may sate their personal needs. She had been cornered, beaten, and then nearly raped simply because she had been wandering through the wrong part of the city at the wrong time. Those ponies had no sincerity to offer towards her or her want to get home safely after a wonderful tour of the city.

Never did she meet with Ledger the next day like she had said she would. Never did she leave the castle since that fateful day. She had not gone on any of the walks with her father nor had she gone on errands with her mother to visit the magic shops in Everfree. She did not want to leave the safety the castle provided her against the number of ponies out among the city. She felt afraid of the ponies who lie beyond these giant, protective walls.

It was like her father had said. The ponies in Everfree did not truly love her as a princess. They did not truly accept her as somepony who would be ruling them in the years to come after her mother and father. They wanted nothing more than to simply take what they thought was theirs and if that included a princess’s dignity then they would take that too.

She remembered the look on the grey pegasus’s face as he had slammed himself down on top of her chest. How sinister and contorted his face looked as he stared into her eyes with a malicious smile. He had thought he was going to rape a princess and there was nothing she could have done about it. He thought he could take her dignity, her innocence, and her virginity.

She could not go back out into society knowing that something like that could happen again. Never did she want to see her future subjects again. Not after she knew she could not trust a single one.

There was a knock on her and her sister’s door. Celestia peered over Luna’s shoulder and looked at the clock that was on the desk between their beds. The clock read two thirteen. She laid her head back down. Who could possibly be up at this time to see her? Most of the maids had gone to sleep and the guard that stayed outside of their room had never knocked on the door before.

Celestia rose from the bed and started to drag herself over to the door at a slow pace. She didn’t feel like she wanted to walk and she felt very tired from not being able to fall asleep yet. Maybe she would just tell which ever pony was at the door to leave her alone and go back to bed so she could try to get some sleep.

When Celestia opened the door her magenta colored eyes met with the dark orange ones of Captain Firemane. She stared at the pony for a little bit, noticing that the character armor he wore was entirely missing only to be replaced with a dark orange bowtie. He smiled gently and the princess in which she returned the greeting. She started to drift her eyes to the ground and prodded with one of her hooves lightly. She knew she had to say something first.

“Um, h-hello Firemane. What brings you here at this time?” Celestia asked quietly, stepping out of the room and letting the door gently shut behind her.

“Well, I thought you would be up at this hour. I couldn’t sleep myself.” Firemane said as he gestured for Celestia to follow him on a walk through the castle.

“Why is that?” Celestia asked, drifting her head lower as they continued to walk towards the direction of the dining hall.

“Well, I have been thinking about you and… Well, let’s just say that this isn’t the only night I have been kept awake.”

“Oh, um, about that night… I’m really sor-“

“Stop, please. It’s not your fault for what happened to you back then.”

“It is my fault, Fire. I should have listened to my parents and my sister. Did you not see the looks on their faces when we came bursting into the throne room? They were entirely devastated to see one of their daughters so beaten up.”

“Celestia, you just wanted to get out and the city in which you live in. There is nothing wrong with that. You were entirely entitled to see your city.”

“I-I… C-can we talk about something else, please.” Celestia said, gradually getting quieter and slowing her pace.

Firemane frowned and slowed his pace to match hers. He lower his head and used it to raise Celestia’s head up so that they could look at each other in the eyes.

“Well, I didn’t want to come here to talk about that. I’m sorry.” He said, bringing both he and Celestia to a stop in front of one of the doors to the dining hall.

Celestia looked into Firemane’s eyes with a sadness that seemed to drain the color from his own eyes. She tried looking away and then took a step back from him and peeked towards him. “What d-did you come here to talk to me for?”

“Do you remember that promise I made to you a few years ago?

“I… I’m not sure if I remember.” Celestia said as she slowly lowered her head in embarrassment.

Firemane followed her head down and then used his nose to gently lift hers back up so that they were looking into each other’s eyes again. He then motioned for Celestia to follow him to inside the dining room, shutting the door behind them and then walking to the foot of the massive table where there was a rather large, open area that can be used for dancing or playing games. He walked to the center floor and stopped, turning to look at Celestia.

“I promised that I would teach you some more dance moves. I figured that, since both you and I are unable to sleep at this time of night, it would be the perfect time to get our lessons in. What do you think?” he asked.

Celestia looked down at her hooves for a moment, pawing at the ground and trying to hide the blush that had started to form on her cheeks. What exactly was she feeling that was compelling her to act so bashfully around Firemane? He was just any other young stallion she had met through her life. She didn’t understand why she could suddenly become so shy and open to him.

She looked back up and stared into his orange eyes. She felt as if she was getting pulled into the beauty of them as lights danced off of their lenses from the candles that filled the room. What was it about this pony that caused her to become so drawn to his being? What was it about him that caused her to say whatever she wanted whenever she wanted? She almost didn’t notice that he had taken her hoof at brought them both closer together.

She finally brought herself back to reality and looked more steadily at the captain. “Yes, I think having a dance with a pony such as yourself would be the best thing for me right now.” she said, gently flipping her hair out of one of her eyes.

Firemane pulled Celestia to one side, leading her in a walk all the way to the edge of the dance square. He took one step at a time at a slow space so the princess could keep up, never going too slow for her to grow bored and never going too fast for her to stumble over herself. Never did he take his eyes from her.

From the edge of the dance square, the captain led the two in a sweeping arc to the bottom corner of the floor, pausing halfway and twirling Celestia around so that she may lead them to their destination. Celestia became enthralled in the graceful movements of the captain, entertained by the fact that he could lead her through dance moves that she had only seen her parents do at the many parties she had attended. She enjoyed being guided across the floor in a fluid movement that she had trouble understanding how she was able to follow. Her legs side stepped as gracefully as the captain’s did in front of her.

She soon had lost herself in the midst of the dance, forgetting all that was around her and letting her legs separate themselves from her mind. As she was lead in a graceful dance across the floor of the dining hall she was all the while looking into the captains eyes. When she was twirled her eyes turned to stay with his. When she was brought into a sweeping bow she continued to look up at his. And at the same time he had never lost sight at hers.

When Celestia felt as though she was going to be pulled into his embrace the two ponies tripped. Celestia’s hoof had gotten snagged on the carpet, sending both ponies into a tumble across the floor. When the two stopped their brief roll Celestia was lying on her back with her wings completely spread out and her front hooves tucked to her chest. On top of her was Firemane with his hooves planted on either side of her head and he was gently lying on the princess.

When the captain caught onto the predicament the two were in, Celestia noticed that his cheeks turned an adorable shade of red and she blushed herself. She could feel the warmness of her face and she quickly turned her head away to hide the redness that must have been obvious in her cheeks. She felt Firemane quickly rush off of her, coughing gently. She wished he had stayed on top of her at that moment.

“I-I’m sorry, princess. I didn’t mean to… um…” he started but trailed off when he wasn’t sure what to say.

Celestia suddenly became self-conscious of the position she was in and quickly folded her wings back to her body tightly and got to her hooves. She could tell that Firemane had been so embarrassed by their tumble because of the way that his princess had looked after the fall. She was completely spread out in a very intimate position, symbolized by her fully unfolded wings that allowed for their under feathers to be seen closely.

“No, no. I-it is my fault. I, uh, tripped and I took us both down. I didn't mean to… well, have my wings…” Celestia tried to say, hiding her face behind her mane and blushing immensely from how ridiculous she must have looked.

“It’s… uh. I-it’s alright. Um, shall we take a break?” the captain said, quickly changing the subject. It was still obvious that he was embarrassed over seeing his princess sprawled out in such a manner.

Both ponies walked over to the table and sat down on one side if it, taking seats that were separated by a pillow. The two sat together in silence, looking forward out of the window into the darkened sky over Equestia. Celestia slightly fidgeted in her seat over the awkward silence that had suddenly fallen between them. She could feel the uneasiness that had suddenly began to form between them.

That feeling that had formed from the two of them dancing across the floor. The way that Firemane had stared into Celestia’s eyes. The way that he had held her hooves and her back as they glided across the floor at an unnatural ease. She wanted to feel all of that again. She wanted to feel the compassion and love that Firemane had expressed to her from even before they started the dance.

Celestia turned her head to get a glance of Firemane. She had never noticed how handsome the stallion was before. His jaw line was firm and strong, his nose was powerful, his eyes were large and commanding, and his mane had been neatly combed out and pushed to one side. She felt attracted to him like no other pony she had met before. She felt like his presence as one that she wanted to feel as close as possible.

However, there was one trait of Firemane that stood out most to Celestia. He seemed to deeply care about her. Ever since they first met at the party for General Forza, Firemane had treated Celestia with the utmost amount of courtesy and chivalry. She remembered one day only a few months ago where it had been raining. She had been outside taking a walk through the cherry blossom orchards when the first drops started to splash against her nose. Before she even had a chance to turn back around and head home the rain had started to come down in huge droves.

Firemane had spotted Celestia as he was making one of his rounds around the castle and landed next to her. He saw that her mane had been absolutely soaked so, disregarding his own mane, he removed his helmet and placed it on top of Celestia’s head. The helmet may have wobbled as she walked along next to the captain but at least she had been able to stay drier.

“Hey, you’re smiling.”

Celestia started and looked over at Firemane. She noticed that her lips had been curled into a smile.

“Oh, I was just thinking of the time when you placed your helmet on my head to keep my head dry from the rain that one day. I never properly thanked you for that.” she said.

“Hey, it is a guard’s duty to look after a princess and make sure that she is safe and happy.”

“That’s the thing. You go beyond the call of duty when it comes to caring for me. There are some things you do for me that you wouldn’t even do for my father.”

Celestia noticed that his cheeks started to turn red again and she giggle a little. She didn’t know why but just being around Firemane she had started to feel happier. She was smiling, giggling, dancing. She even felt a little warm inside compared to the cold she was feeling as she was lying in her bed only an hour before.

“Fire, there is something I want to tell you.” Celestia said, scooting over to the next pillow that was beside the captain. She turned and looked at him, both of their eyes meeting once again.

“When you saved me back in the city two months ago, there was this unexplainable feeling of relief that had rushed over my body. I felt like I had fallen into the right hooves at the right moment, like I was safe. I felt safe from the mobs of people in the city, from the three colts who were harassing me. I felt like I had been placed into the hooves of a colt who knew how to protect me no matter the circumstance.

“And then when you looked down at me with those eyes full of genuine worry I felt broken. I knew you had been sent to look for me by my parents but to see you in the state of worry that you were I just knew that, given the opportunity and the knowledge, you would have left the castle immediately to go in search of me.

“But it took me to put myself in harm’s way to realize that. I never noticed the hints you had been dropping me all of these years since we first met at that party. You do errands for me, you happily greet me every time we see each other in the halls of the castle, you take time from your day to have a brief conversation with me when I am feeling lonely or bored. You treat me like I am somepony who is uniquely special to you.”

“Princess, I am sorry. I never intended…” Firemane started to say before he was cut off by Celestia bringing a hoof up to his lips.

“Please don’t apologize, Fire. What I am to you is what I should be. If I were to ask you to stop not only would I be doing a disservice to you but I would also not being speaking the truth.” she said, slowly looking away as her cheeks started to flush.

“What are you saying?” he asked, slightly leaning his head in closer towards Celestia’s. The mare met him with her eyes as their noses were only a centimeter apart. They stared at each other for the longest time, searching each other’s eyes for the feelings and the emotions that were being expressed all around them. The air around them felt hot and heavy and their breathing increased. They could feel each other’s breaths as the moment dragged on.

When Celestia opened her mouth to respond nothing escaped her lips. Instead the lips of Firemane’s pressed down upon hers, locking them both in a romantic embrace among the candles of the dining hall. They kissed for a long while, closing their eyes and enjoying the feeling of love that seemed to pass between their tongues every time they touched. When they broke from their deep display of affection it didn’t last long. The two soon returned to kiss each other again and again, building up a sweat from the heat that surrounded them.

Soon they were in a more intimate dance of intense affection from each other. Firemane dragged Celestia along the floor in a less graceful step than before. Both ponies were more interested in feeling the love course through them as they continued to kiss each other in deeper and deeper displays of love. Before long, Firemane had pushed Celestia up against one of the windows of the dining hall, forcing her onto her hind legs and matching her height.

The princess’s wings extended fully out on either side of her exactly like before. She felt herself gasping for air as Firemane finally broke their romantic embrace of their lips to continue his conquest down the length of his neck. This feeling of intense love that was coursing through her body with each of his kisses was nothing like she had ever felt before. She wanted more. She wanted to feel the full intensity of the love that could be had between them.

Moonlight shown down upon the two lovers as they continued their romantic dance against the window of the dining hall. No sound could be heard from the two ponies as the time progressed everywhere around them. Nopony would think to look for them up in one of the windows of their precious castle. The two were safe from any distractions. They were free to show each other how far love would take them.

~~~

Alright a short and straight forward chapter for everyone. Never have I written a romantic story before and I'd like to get some feed back on how I did. I felt the need to put this in because, well, who doesn't like a little side love story? Let's see how this plays out, hmm?

Get ready for Chapter 14: A Night to Remember

Halfway through part one!

Chapter 14: A Night to Remember

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The Gift of Life Chapter 14

One month later…

“You know you’re going to have to tell them eventually.” Meadow Free said as she cleaned one of the large windows that looked out over the eastern district of Everfree. She had noticed that Celestia had walked in the door after being absent for a few abnormal hours of the day. The sun had already set, and all that could be seen outside were the lights emanating from the market beyond the castle walls.

“Don’t worry, Meadow Free, I’ll tell them soon. I’m just not sure how I should break it to them.” Celestia said, snatching a rag from the maid’s grasp and using it to clean the top of the windows.

“I hope you do. The longer you wait the more severe the repercussions can be,” Meadow Free said as she pulled out another rag and started cleaning the bottom of the windows as Celestia cleaned the top.

“And what repercussions might those be?” Celestia stopped cleaning and looked at Meadow Free.

“The relationship that you and Firemane have developed over the past month is entirely unprofessional. You are a princess. He is the Captain of the Royal Guard. Just imagine the sort of tension this will cause in the political system here in Everfree. Rumors will get out, lies will be spread, advances will be made towards you in order to gain the same appreciate that the pony delegates suspect you are giving Firemane.

Meadow Free stopped cleaning and turned to look at Celestia. She maintained a stoic face even when Celestia gave her a nasty side glance.

“Imagine how that would look for your parents. Princess Celestia, their own daughter and heir to their throne, is sneaking off in the later hours of the night to do who knows what with the commander of the guard that is protecting them. Now that I think of it, not only could this be detrimental to the political system, but it might also breed insecurities over the protection of the king and queen. Firemane could be bribed to be a spy or a saboteur.

She turned back to resume cleaning the window.

“But forget what I said about maintaining the stability of this increasingly fragile nation. You are young, Celestia. Only fourteen years of age. Firemane is twenty one. The relationship you two share could only be the passionate love that is commonly shared between two ponies as their hormones are going crazy. It might not be the true love that you think it is.”

Celestia had heard enough of Meadow Free’s speech. She dropped the rag from her magical hold and slightly unfurled her wings, exposing her ruffled feathers.

“You speak as if you know the love that Firemane and I feel coursing through us. What do you know of the relationship we have? Do you mean to say that you understand me? Or understand a pony you hardly know?”

Meadow Free turned to address Celestia’s sudden aggressive behavior by staring the princess directly in the eyes.

“I do not claim to understand you, Celestia, nor do I claim to understand Firemane. I simply know the feeling of finding a first love. There were a few stallions I met when I was your age. All were dashing, handsome, and chivalrous upon first impressions and much fun was had between us. However, as our relationships would drag on, I would soon find myself holding on to a waning emotion that had been eroded away by my former passionate desires.”

Celestia returned the stare.

“This is not the same love you had first experienced when you were my age, Meadow Free. This love I feel for Firemane, it was always there from when I first met him that night at the party. When he first introduced himself I could feel something like butterflies flapping around in my stomach. At first it might have been because he was such a handsome stallion, but when he took me for that first dance, and how the rhythm of our bodies seemed to flow together, my heart was melting for him.”

Celestia brought her wings back to her sides again and gently picked the rag back up.

“Ever since then I have always had this slight tingle in my heart to have him as my own. Each time I met him in the hallways of the castle, his sincere greetings would cause my head to feel lighter than it should have. When he would make his promises to me that I shall have my dance lessons I always felt as if he would stay true to his word. Finally, when the night came for him to make well on his promises, he did not disappoint.

“Yet again I felt as if I was back on that dance floor at the party. Our bodies flowed with such ease and our eyes were locked in what seemed like an eternal trance. It was then I finally began to understand that I truly wanted him to be mine. I gave myself to him and, in turn, he gave himself to me.”

Meadow Free watched on as Celestia finished. She had never heard the princess give a speech with such resolution in her voice. It was as if Celestia knew what she was feeling.

The door opened and Regality walked into the room with Luna riding on her back. The little filly was giggling and had her legs wrapped snuggly around the Night Guard’s neck.

“Hey, you were supposed to help me clean these windows.” Meadow Free smirked, throwing a side glance at Regality.

“Luna here was giving me a lot of trouble. She was supposed to have taken a bath two hours ago and it took an hour and a half of those two hours just to catch her and put her in the tub.” Regality grumbled as Luna slid happily from her back and went rushing over to her older sister.

Both of the mares had finished the last window that needed to be cleaned. Celestia turned to give her sister a hug while Meadow Free trotted over to her friend and gently punched her in the shoulder.

“Excuses, excuses,” Meadow Free said. “So, now that we are finished with our duties for the day, how would you like to hit the castle bar? I heard that they are having quite a few drink specials tonight.”

Celestia’s ears perked up. “Hey, Meadow Free. Is it okay if Luna and I accompany you and Regality?” she asked. “Talking to you again has really been enjoyable. Ever since you have become the head maid for the castle we have been spending less and less time together. Besides, any pony in Equestria, no matter the age, is allowed to drink anything that is alcoholic.”

“I am not sure if Luna should accompany us, Celestia. She is still young and too much alcohol could be hazardous for her at best.” Regality said, a look of concern showing on her face.

“Don’t worry, Regality. I’ll make sure she doesn’t have anything that is too strong for her. We drink hard apple cider all of the time at dinner, perhaps we can limit her to having those?”

“I don’t see why not. C’mon, let’s all go and have a drink.” she said, turning and bumping her flank against Regality’s. She jumped at the contact and then quickly returned the favor, earning a stuck-out tongue from the green mare.

The four ponies left the two princesses’ room and dismissed the guard that was standing at the door. They assumed that they were going to be out for a couple of hours, so they thought it best to allow the guard to go and get some rest instead of guarding an empty room. Once he had left, they all headed up to the top floor of the main castle where the bar was located.

When all four ponies entered, they were met with a huge uproar of laughter, idle chat, and even some singing from the more inebriated ponies of the bar. Celestia felt Luna hug up against her side, and she placed a wing around her little sister to comfort her in the sight of so many ponies. She noticed that the majority of the ponies were the royal guards of the castle or the maids.

As they continued to walk further into the bar the sounds that were so deafening before started to shrink to a small murmur. Celestia had noticed that all of the ponies were now staring at them, whispering amongst themselves at the oddity that lay before them. Never before had they seen their two princess walk into a bar, let alone at this time of night without their parent’s accompanying them. Luna had started to lower her head closer to the ground.

When they reached the bar, the bartender quickly cleared his throat and greeted them with a friendly smile.

“Good evening, my lovely ladies. What shall you all have tonight?” he asked. He was a tall, lavender unicorn with a silver mane and tail. His eyes were a deep grey and he flashed the mares a confident smile.

“Hey there, Martini. How about we all start off with some whiskey shots? What do you all think?” Meadow Free asked, turning to look behind her and noted that she was met with a bunch of nods. “Alright, shots it is. Oh, and could you get a cup of apple cider for Luna, please?”

The bartender levitated some shot glasses down onto the counter and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, filling each of the glasses with a the perfect amount of alcohol. He then put the bottle away and slid each of the glasses back to each mare, along with a mug of apple cider for Luna. Celestia had noticed that the noise of the bar had started to pick up again, putting her a bit at ease. She wouldn’t have been able to bear all the stares as she continued to have fun with Luna, Meadow Free, and Regality.

Celestia turned back and looked down at her shot. She had never tried whiskey before, although she had seen it a few times because of her father. He had always encouraged her not to drink it because of the shear strength behind the alcohol but tonight she was going to defy that suggestion. She held up her glass just as all the other three mares held up theirs’.

“To a wonderful night and two beautiful princesses!” Regality declared. She downed her shot.

She was soon followed by the other three ponies, each one gulping down the shot and setting down the glasses. The alcohol burned Celestia’s throat, but she didn’t care. She enjoyed the taste of the whiskey and she wanted more. Meadow Free ordered another round of shots for all four of them. Celestia could tell this was going to be a long and fun night.

~~~

A cheer roar up through the whole bar as everypony stood around in a large circle that encompassed a single table. All eyes were fixated on two ponies who sat staring at each other. Empty rows of shot glasses lined both sides of the table.

“Yah aren’t gonna beat meh, yah large hoofed bat!” yelled Meadow Free over the roar of the cheering ponies. She clumsily grabbed another shot glass with her mouth and gulped down the straight whiskey inside it.

“We’ll shee about thhat, toofpashte.” Regality yelled back, grabbing another shot glass herself and taking a gulp, shivering from the after taste and then letting it drop onto the table.

Celestia quickly grabbed a rag and stumbled over to Meadow Free, slapping the rag against the maid’s forehead and wiping the beads of sweat from her brow. She glanced over at Luna who had been doing the same to Regality. Both maids were swaying back in forth in their seats almost like they were going to black out. Celetia looked back at Meadow Free.

“Meadow, you hash thish in the bag. Come on, jusht a few more.” she slurred. Celestia felt pretty tipsy herself even though she had only drank a tiny percentage of what both maids had drank.

Celestia’s ears perked up as she heard the crowd of ponies around them start to chant for the two mares to have one more shot. She looked back at Meadow Free and levitated a filled shot glass of whiskey directly in front of her. When she looked over at Luna, she saw her sister had done the same. They both backed away and looked on as both ponies were about to go for another shot. Meadow Free turned to look at the crowd and everypony went silent.

“Gish us a count down! On three!” she shouted.

The crowd took a deep breath and counted.

“One...

“Two...

“Three!”

The two mares each picked up their respective shot glasses and took a huge gulp, letting the glasses clang back onto the table once they were done. They both stared at each other has the seconds dragged on. The crowd’s cheering fell to a whisper as they awaited to see if either mare would come out on top of the other.

Finally Meadow Free’s eyes shut and she went face first against the table, passing out from the amount of alcohol she consumed. Regality hopped up from her seat and together with Luna they both started hopping up and down as cheering rose from the crowd. Some ponies groaned or facehoofed, and then exchanged money or valuables to their glee-filled compartiots. Celestia went up next to Meadow Free and nudged her to see if she was awake. When she was met with a rather loud snore she huffed and lugged the sleeping mare onto her back.

“Hey, Luna! Can I get shome help!?” Celestia yelled over the chatter of the crowd.

The younger princess looked over and rushed to aid her sister. Regality had already been swept up by two handsome looking stallions and was being carried away to another part of the bar. Luna lifted the back end of Meadow Free while Celestia lifted Meadow Free’s shoulders, and together both fillies carried her out of the bar and started to head back to where Meadow Free usually slept.

After making their trek through the castle all the way to the maid quarters, which happened to also be on the top floor of the main castle, the two fillies knocked on the door and politely waited for one of the maids to answer. A pale yellow filly with a curly pink mane and tail answered the door and cringed at the sight of Meadow Free.

“Oh, not again.” she grumbled before she remembered her manners and greeted the two princesses.

“Don’t worry ‘bout it, Mish... Uh, maid pony. She ish fine.” Celestia said, wobbling in place a little and then leading Luna in so they could find the green mare’s cot. Luckily her cot was on the bottom bed of one of the bunks and both fillies were able to lift her into bed.

“Are you two...?” the maid asked, a little surprised at the conditions of both of the princesses.

“SHHHH, don’t tell no pony. We’re fine.” Luna slurred out, raising her two front hooves to her lips. Unfortunately, she forgot to account for the fact that since she had no front hooves to keep her up, and there was nothing to stop her from landing flat on her face. Celestia giggled at her little sister’s misfortune.

“Uh, you two should probably get to bed, your highnesses.” the maid said, holding the door open so the two fillies could step outside.

Celestia turned and gave the maid a salute that resulted in slapping herself right in the forehead. The maid tried to stifle a giggle and quickly wished both princesses a good night before shutting the door. Celestia and Luna looked at each other.

“Sho... What should we do now, Luna?” Celestia asked.

“Should we go to bed like the maid pony asked?” Luna asked in return.

“Nahh, we have plenty of time before we need to sleep. It is... What time is it?”

Celestia started to spin around in a circle to look at a clock only to find none were in the vicinity. She gave a shrug and then headed off in the opposite direction of where their room was. When she looked back to see if her sister was following her, she stopped.

“Luna, aren’t you coming?” Celestia asked.

“Um... Well. We’re going somewhere?” Luna asked in return.

“Yeah, let’sh go explore and see what we can find.”

“Okay. Wait, hold on. Why aren’t we going to bed?”

“I’m... not tired. Are you not tired?”

Luna paused.

“Yes.”

“Then let’s go. Hurry up, slow poke.” Celestia smirked.

Celestia resumed stumbling down the hall. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going, she just wanted to find something to do in the later hours of the evening. She could hear her sister’s rather loud hoofsteps behind her and she was glad that Luna had decided to follow her afterall. The two princesses wandered the castle halls for a little while longer until they came face to face with the doors to the Royal Kitchen.

“And so we meet again, my arch nemesis,” Celestia muttered to herself, walking up to the doors and giving them a push. They didn’t open. She turned to her sister.

“Luna, we... we need to get passhed that door.”

“How are we gonna do that, ‘Tia?”

“I don’t know, I was hoping you would have an idea.”

“What? You usually have all of the ideas.”

Celestia raised a hoof to protest but stopped before any words had escaped her mouth. Her sister was right; she usually did have all of the ideas. She turned back to look at the set of double doors in front of her. An idea suddenly popped into her head and she quickly turned back around to face Luna.

“Okay, I got something. We’re going to need bedsheets, a big and heavy block of wood, and a metal cap. Go!”

~~~

Sprinkles and Bluebell were returning to the Royal Kitchens to make a few last minute rounds to check and see if everything was in stock for making breakfast in the morning. They had been at the castle bar all night to have a couple drinks and unwind after another long day of catering for the many ponies who occupied the castle, both residents and visitors alike. Both equines had been amused upon seeing not only a drinking competition that night but also two royal, very inebriated princesses.

They were walking down a hall that would lead them closer to the kitchens when they suddenly saw both Celestia and Luna. They were running towards them with what looked like a makeshift battering ram made from bedsheets and a block of wood. The two princess turned down a corridor, completely ignoring both the pony and the antelope.

“Was that Celestia and Luna carrying a battering ram?” Bluebell asked aloud.

“Yep!” Sprinkles confirmed in his usual cheery and boisterous voice.

“And did they just turn down the hallway that leads to the kitchens?”

“You betcha!”

They continued to walk for a few seconds more before they came to a complete stop. Sprinkles and Bluebell turned to look at each other with their eyes wide. They looked back ahead of them.

“Oh ponyfeathers,” they exlaimed in unison, “we must protect the Royal Cookie Jar!”

~~~

“Alright, Luna, we’re going to need to build up enough momentum so that we can smash through door to the Royal Kitchens in one push. Just keep running and don’t stop picking up speed. I saw Sprinkles and Bluebell back there!” Celestia shouted over their hoofsteps.

The two fillies continued to pick up speed, now using the weight of the battering ram to propel themselves forward faster than what they could do by themselves. The gap between them and the door was closing fast and Celestia started to brace herself for impact. She helped aim the ram to hit directly between both doors so that when the ram hit, it would effectively push open both doors.

“Hey! Celestia and Luna! Stop!” came a shout from behind them.

The princesses continued on, smashing the ram against the two doors and successfully blasting them open. The impact of the hit caused both Celestia and Luna to trip and tumble to the ground, both fillies rolling across the floor and smashing into two boxes of silverware with a mighty crash. Stars spun in front of Celestia’s eyes and she could hear Luna groan next to her while the incoming hoofsteps from the two cooks grew louder.

“Ugh, Luna, come on. We have to get up and get that cookie jar,” Celestia said, rolling onto her side and shakily getting to her hooves.

Luna had started to do the same thing and so the elder sister made a dash over to the giant freezer box to where the cookie jar was. She hopped into the air and spread her wings, allowing her to reach the top of the freezer box and grab onto the cookie jar. Luna had already reached the bottom of the freezer and had her hooves outstretched to catch the jar. There was a clatter of silverware from the far side of the kitchen. Celestia knew that both of the cooks had now entered the kitchen and were heading towards them.

Celestia dropped the cookie jar and then hopped from the freezer onto a counter next to a window. She quickly fumbled with the window latch and managed to get it open, allowing for the cool night air to rush into the kitchen. She turned back and extended her hooves so that Luna could toss the cookie jar up to her older sister. Once Celestia had hold of the cookie jar she turned and jumped out of the window with the jar securely held in her mouth. She heard a thud, some goans, and then a flap of wings and she knew that her sister had successfully escaped from the clutches of the two cooks.

Both Sprinkles and Bluebell looked on out the open window and watched as both princesses and the cookie jar flew away and banked left to head off towards their own room. Bluebell gave a sigh.

“Sometimes this job is more stressful than it should be,” she said.

“Stressful? I find this fun!” Sprinkles exclaimed, smiling at the smaller pony and then shutting the window.

~~~

Celetia flew downwards and landed as gracefully as she could onto the balcony of her room. As a result, she stumbled a little and smacked her face into the window. She groaned and heard her sister land behind her and snatch the cookie jar off of her back. She slid her face from the window and followed Luna into their room and plopped down on one of the bean bag chairs, which were at the foot of her and her sister’s beds. Luna pulled the other bean bag chair up next to the one her sister had occupied and set the cookie jar between them.

“We were successful, ‘Tia! Let us reap the rewards!” Luna exclaimed as she used her magic to unscrew the top of the jar.

When the top came off both ponies stared in awe at the contents of the jar. Inside were cookies of all different sizes and flavors. There were gingerbread cookies, snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, pumpkin, peanut butter, as well as other cookies that had a variety of nuts and dried fruits in them. The two fillies salivated and used their magic to take one of each of their respective favorite cookie out of the jar, Celestia’s being a snickerdoodle while Luna’s was a pumpkin cookie.

Just as Celestia and Luna had started to eat their third cookie, the door to their room suddenly slammed open. They both froze, turning their heads towards the direction of the door. Underneath the doorway stood their mother. Upon sensing that both of her daughter’s gazes were now on her, she snapped her head to look at them and made to walk over towards them.

Both fillies shrieked, and tried to flee out the door they had come in minutes before. Despite their best efforts, the door would not budge, for magic was wrapped around it. Celestia twisted around and came face to face with her obviously vexed mother. She smiled sheepishly.

“Um, hi, Mother.” she squeaked.

“And what do you two think you are doing?”

“Uh... eating?” Celestia’s smile was faltering.

“I can see that. Where did you two get that cookie jar? You got it from the kitchens which now has two severely damaged doors, didn’t you?”

Celestia was at a loss for words, and her face immediately dropped. Her shoulders slumped. She could hear Luna give a quiet whimper behind her.

“Mother... We... I...” she tried to say as her mother gently set both fillies back onto the floor.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with you two fillies.” Galactica sighed. The two princesses looked up at their mother.

“We’re sorry, Mommy.” Luna said quietly.

“No, Luna, I’m sorry.” Galactica paused and sat down closer to Celestia and Luna. “Things are becoming increasingly stressful around here at the castle and both your father and I are caught right in the middle of it. As both of you know, eastern Equestria has been hit hard with a horrible food shortage because of massive droughts throughout the entire country side. They are our biggest suppliers for our food so we have had to resort to increasing the prices on food.

“This, of course, didn’t go over well with our citizens and it is obvious that unrest is rising in the much larger cities, even here in Everfree. We are trying to find alternative sources of cheap food but there are no options for us to use. The Eternal Valley has been met with similar shortages and the griffons just don’t have enough food to support three nations without having to impose rations on their own citizens.

“In the midst of all of this I just became angry that my two daughters, who are princess, couldn’t behave like how I wanted them to. I was blind to see that all you two were looking to do was to have a little fun, and in doing so, you both have improved the moods of both the ponies in the bar tonight and then Bluebell and Sprinkles who are laughing over their adventure with you two tonight.”

Luna was the first to walk up to their mother and sit next to her, rubbing her cheek upon the large alicorn’s beautifully hued leg. Celestia soon followed, doing the same to her other leg. Galactica extended her wings to cover her daughters with them in a warming hug.

“Tell you what, I’ll forget this whole thing ever happened and allow you two to keep the cookie jar if you tell me how you managed to cause so much damage to two heavy, wooden doors. Deal?”

The two fillies looked at each other and squeed in excitement. Celestia levitated the cookie jar over from where it had been left and placed it between all three of them. Together they shared the cookies as both fillies started to recount their adventure to their mother.

~~~

Here you guys go, Chapter 14. I hope you all enjoyed it as this chapter was intended more for a recap of the previous chapter and comedy. Tell me what you all think!

I'd like to extend a big thank you to Naes1114 for being my editor for this chapter. Without him this thing would have been a real mess.

Get ready for a pick up in the action of the story! Chapter 15: Unrest Shall Follow is next.

Chapter 15: Unrest Shall Follow

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The Gift of Life Chapter 15

Two Years Later...

Celestia sat staring out across the eastern district of Everfree during the early hours of the morning. The moon was still high in the sky, illuminating great sections of the city that would have otherwise remained dark. To the east of the city, however, there was plenty of light radiating from the street lamps and the shops that would still be open at all hours of the night. Everfree was a bustling city, and that meant that even during the waking hours of the morning there would be ponies attending to their shopping needs.

There was the creak of the door behind her, but Celestia didn’t turn around to see who it was. She could recognize his hoofsteps anywhere.

“What are you doing out here in the cold all alone?” Firemane asked, taking a seat next to his marefriend.

“Oh, well, I thought I should just get some fresh air. I’ve been a little stressed recently.” she replied, leaning her head on his shoulder.

“Longer than just recently. Watching the moon at this hour has become a hobby for you over the last few months. The moon isn’t even your priority to watch. What has been keeping you up?”

Celestia sighed and rubbed her cheek on his shoulder.

“Ever since I was inducted onto the council to represent my parents in Equestria’s government, I have been plagued and hounded by the other delegates. They are constantly asking me for advice on certain matters as if I have been a part of the government for years now. I was only recruited four months ago. I hardly know if the decisions I am making in my parents stead are correct half of the time.

She put one of her wings around her coltfriend.

“Cherry Blossom and the Earth Ponies have been the most persistent of the group. As you know, only recently have we been able to lift the bill that declared that everypony would get an equal ration of food because of the drought from two years back. Although ponies can technically buy as much food as they want, the prices are still very high and many of the lower income families are unable to make enough bits to feed themselves at the end of the week.

“What am I supposed to say to them? I’ve been taught to tell them that the food is on its way, but we can only import so much. Luckily, the deer have been supplying both the Eternal Valley and Equestria with food, but they can only give so much food at a time and their shipments can take weeks to cross the Eternal Sea. I’ve asked my parents what to do but they have only told me to keep on reassuring the Earth Ponies.”

Celestia rubbed her nose up against Firemane’s chest.

“You’re stressing over this too much, Celestia.” he said “Food is on the way, we just need some time for it to get here. Hopefully if you continue to reassure them your words will start to sink in.”

“I hope so,” Celestia said quietly. “I’ve been receiving word from Forza that there is much civil unrest in both Fillydelphia and Hoofington. Ponies have been angrily congregating in front of both cities’ capital buildings in peaceful forms of protest demanding that more food be delivered to the cities.

“That isn’t the worst part of it, however. In the recent months, the province of Germaney has stepped out of the hole my father placed it back in a few years ago with the election of its new governor, Adolf Hinney. We have been hearing reports again about the province wanting to secede from the nation for good this time. I have a hearing in the next few days and I’m afraid that that is going to be one of the issues brought to topic.”

Firemane was about to reply to Celestia when there was suddenly a loud crash coming from inside her room. Celestia and Firemane quickly spun around and saw that the whole room had been lit up by a blinding white light.

“Luna! Firemane, come on!” Celestia yelled, quickly getting to her hooves and rushing for the door.

The two ponies burst into the room and saw that Luna had suspended herself in the air, and her horn was fully let up in a fury of blue, magical sparks. She was screaming out a stream of incoherent sentences but Celestia knew exactly what was going on: Luna was having another nightmare. One much darker than any she had had before.

“Firemane, we have to calm Luna down” Celestia yelled over the roar of energy that started to build up in the room.

Another blinding light filled the room and there was a second crash, glass shards flying in every direction as Luna set off a powerful beam of light directly at the windows that looked out over the eastern district. Celestia had to dive out of the way to avoid the beam. Without giving a seconds pause, she got back onto her hooves and rushed towards her sister.

Luna was about to send off another powerful beam of energy when Celestia dove into the air and pulled her sister back to the ground. The trance that had taken over Luna had immediately vanished. The angry expression that had masked Luna’s face had been replaced by one of both surprise and fear.

“‘Tia! I-I-I’m so sorry! I w-was having another nightmare. Sh-she’s...” Luna tried to finished but ended up burying her face into her sister’s chest.

Firemane walked up next to both Celestia and Luna and was about to kneel down next to them when the door to their room burst open. Three pegasus guards came rushing into the room followed by General Reaper. The old general looked over at the destruction caused by the blast of Luna’s magic and then turned his head to look at the three ponies who were huddled up against the two beds.

“What happened here?” Reaper asked in a gruff tone.

Before Firemane could respond to Reaper, both Queen Galactica and King Sol entered the room with two more unicorn guards. They paused when they saw the massive hole where the windows used to be and then turned to look at Firemane. Celestia suddenly felt a slight pang of fear.

“What happened here?” Sol asked.

Luna was still crying into Celestia’s chest so the elder princess spoke up. “Daddy, Luna needs help now. Can we get her to the emergency room?”

Galactica’s eyes widened and she galloped over to her daughters, Sol quickly following behind her. She kneeled down next to them and nuzzled Luna’s face from Celestia’s chest.

“Luna, can you get on Mommy’s back? Please?” Galactica asked.

Luna nodded and allowed for her mother to grip onto her with magic, lifting her onto Galactica’s back. Celestia got to her hooves and was about to start following her mother and Luna when Sol stopped her with an outstretched wing. Firemane was stopped by the other wing.

“Celestia, what is Captain Firemane doing here?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Beads of sweat started to stain Celestia’s forehead and she quickly backed off from her father. “Can we discuss this later, Daddy? Luna is in trouble and she needs help. I’ll tell both you and Mother everything once she is okay. I promise.” she said.

“Alright, but that is a promise. Let’s go. Reaper, try to find a tarp to cover up the window until we get somepony to fix the damage tomorrow.” Sol said as he lowered his wings to allow Celestia and Firemane to pass.

“Yes sir!” General Reaper replied.

~~~

An hour later after Luna had managed to calm down, Celestia, Sol, Galactica, and Firemane all sat around the clinic bed, watching the little, blue princess as she had fallen back to sleep. Celestia heaved a sigh and gently rested her head onto Firemane’s shoulder. She heard the the sound of a throat being cleared and immediately snapped her head back up and looked at her father.

“So, would you mind explaining?” he asked.

“Oh, um... Daddy, Mother, I-I would like to introduce you to my coltfriend, Firemane.” Celestia said, giving a sheepish and false smile.

“Your coltfriend? And how long have you two been in a relationship?” Galactica asked, raising an eyebrow and crossing her hooves.

“Over two years.” Celestia mumbled out.

“Two years? Two years!? You have kept something like this hidden away from us for two years?” King Sol said, his tone increasingly becoming louder.

“Sol, dear, please. Luna is sleeping.” Galactica whispered over to her husband. She then turned back to Celestia. “Do you have any idea what you put at stake by hiding this from us for two years? You allowed for the possibility of rumors to get out that not only were you undermining our authority but that you were also giving special treatment to certain ponies inside of the castle.

“What’s worse is that you failed to tell us when you were elected to be our representative for the council. If this had gotten out many of the delegates would have believed that you were sleeping with certain ponies simply to earn their favor for us. Your error for withholding information could have cost us the very stability of this entire nation, Celestia. What you have is an unprofessional relationship among two professionals.”

Celestia winced and lowered her head away from the stares of her two parents. She couldn’t look at them. She didn’t want to look at them. Everything Meadow Free had told her had been true. She turned to Firemane and saw that he was staring at both of her parents in defiance.

“Pardon me, my king and queen, but may I speak my mind?” he asked.

“You may, Captain.” Sol said.

“I love your daughter. She is perhaps the most wonderful pony I had ever laid my eyes upon. Do you remember when we first met at that part for General Forza those years ago? Do you remember how I asked her for a dance and how we managed to gain attention from all of the ponies, including yourselves, from our spectacle?”

He wrapped one wing around Celestia protectively.

“Ever since I first laid eyes upon Celestia I had always had a desire to be hers. She has a beauty unmatched in both mind and body. Her eyes match the intelligence of her mind, her legs match the deftness of her speech, and her wings match the softness of her emotions. She has a loving and caring spirit, much like you, Queen Galactica.”

He paused and looked down at Celestia. She was smiling back up at him and pressed her cheek onto his chest.

“I have a feeling she thinks the same of me. I believe she was afraid to tell either of you the relationship we have. Being that it is entirely unprofessional, like you said, she felt as though you might order an end to it or remove me from my position. I even had some of the same fears myself, and will accept them if that is your wish.”

Both Galactica’s and Sol’s eyes noticeably softened. Celestia let out a sigh of relief and rubbed her cheek on her coltfriend’s chest happily.

“We do not wish to disperse the relationship that the two of you hold.” Queen Galactica said “We only wish that our daughter would have come forth earlier and told us. However, this can be discussed another time. At the moment we need to know what is happening to Luna and why she blew a massive hole in her room.”

Celestia lifted herself from Firemane’s chest and took a deep breath before she began to recite the memories she had on Luna’s nightmares. She told her parents of the whimpers and moans Luna would cry out in her sleep, and then the similar incident where Luna had let off a bolt of energy to scorch the wall across the room. She told them of the descriptions of the nightmares as best she could that were told to her by Luna. She then finally gave the similar descriptions of her own visions back from when she had touched the orb underneath her parent’s study, although she purposefully left out the riddle the mismatched eyes had given her.

When Celestia had finished her tale both Sol and Galactica looked at each other. They whispered something into each other’s ears for a few minutes, causing Celestia to grow more and more worried over the events both her and Luna had gone through. Finally, both the king and queen turned to look at Firemane and Celestia.

“Why didn’t you tell this to us earlier?” Sol asked.

“I didn’t want to bother you. You both are already under a lot of stress with both Germaney and then the drought.”

Galactica sighed and Sol frowned.

“Celestia, what you have told us is far more important than some petty political dispute.” Sol said. “Those orbs down in our...” he paused, glancing at Firemane. The captain returned a stoic face to the king. Sol continued, “our study are powerful artifacts of the sun and moon themselves. The one you touched is known as the Element of Harmony, representing the harmonious magic that makes up the sun. Harmonious magic is the magic that all ponies can wield, allowing for even regular unicorns to be able to gain possession of the sun.

“The other orb is known as the Element of Chaos, representing the chaotic magic that makes up the moon. Chaotic magic, as far as we know, cannot be used by any being in Equestria and beyond, simply because it is too strange to grasp and control.”

Sol got up from his seat next to the clinic bed and started to pace around the room. Celestia, Firemane, and Galactica all watched him as he mumbled to himself and walked in an almost perfect circle.

“Celestia, would you happen to know who the black mare is? The one who had appeared in your vision and then in Luna’s nightmares?” Galactica asked, turning back to look at her daughter.

“No, I don’t know. All I know is that she is related to the destruction of Everfree somehow. Do you think that what Luna and I are seeing are visions?” Celestia replied, looking back at her mother.

“I have no doubt that it is a foreshadowing of some kind, although I cannot say what of, as not even your mother and I have sufficient knowledge over these elements.” King Sol said. He stopped pacing and looked at Celestia. “I suspect that the mare inside Luna’s mind does, however.”

“What are you suggesting, Sol?” Galactica asked, turning back to look at her husband.

“I am suggesting that we bring Luna before the High Unicorn Council and have them perform their mental interrogation techniques on her.” he said.

“How can you even suggest something like that!?” Galactica said, rising from her seat and walking to step in front of Sol. “This is our daughter we are talking about, Sol! You are saying that we bring her to some of the most powerful ponies in the history of Equestria and then undergo one of the most grueling spells ever to have been created? Are you mad!?”

“Galactica, the magic from the Element of Chaos has bonded with Luna.” he said, staring hard at Galactica. “From what I can see, it is tearing our daughter apart and there must be some way we can stop it. However, we have no means of knowing how to combat whatever it is that has infected her. The only way that we can get any real knowledge is if we speak to the infection itself.”

“How can we even be sure that this will work? Luna is an alicorn. We know from the past that any unicorn that had dared entered one of our minds have lost themselves or have been killed.” Galactica said, tears now starting to form in her eyes.

“Luna is just a filly, dear.” Sol said, wrapping one massive wing around his wife. “She should not have all of the safeguards that are already established in our minds. There is a chance that if we get Starswirl the Bearded to enter her mind we might be able to communicate with the black mare.”

Galactica said nothing for a long while, only looking at Luna as everypony else waited with baited breath over what her decision would be. Luna had managed to sleep through the whole ordeal of Sol’s and Galactica’s argument, and was peacefully snoring as if she had not experienced a nightmare only hours before. Celestia watched as a tear slipped from her mother’s eye and fell down her face.

“Okay, let’s bring Luna before the High Unicorn Council. If it means a chance to save our daughter from an unsightly future from that beast living inside her, then I give my consent to let her go.” Galactica said, immediately turning and leaving the room.

~~~

“You’re going to have to wait outside, Celestia, while the interrogation spell takes place.” Galactica said to her daughter.

Both she and Celestia stood outside the door to the throne chamber, holding it open so the six members of the High Unicorn Council could pass through. They all were grey ponies with white, shaggy manes and tails, and wore intricate robes and hats. The last to pass through was Starswirl the Bearded, giving a quick glance at both Galactica and Celestia before making his way inside.

“I have every right to be with Luna when the spell takes place. Please let me in!” Celestia argued, stamping her hoof against the ground.

“Please, Celestia, I need you to stay outside. In case somepony comes by and tries to gain entrance.” Galactica pleaded.

Celestia replied with a pouting face for her mother, but she begrudgingly allowed for Galactica to close the door on her. She looked back and forth between the guards that stood at attention in front of the massive throne room doors and then turned to leave. She gave her tail a flick when she heard one of the guards clear his throat.

“Uh, Princess, should you not stay at the doors like your mother asked?” he inquired.

“I’m sure you two can handle the job she gave me. I, on the other hand, have my own activities to attend to.” she replied, not even turning to look at the guard.

~~~

A few minutes later Celestia was now cautiously walking along the wall over to the throne room window. Clouds were forming overhead and it looked as if it was going to begin raining soon. She blew some hair from her face as a sudden gust of wind picked up.

“Let’s hope this is over before it starts raining.” she muttered.

She reached the throne room window and charged her horn up to perform an eavesdropping spell she had learned only a few weeks ago. She peered around the corner and gently touched her horn to the window so that she could hear and see the scene taking place inside.

“Why have you not told us of these artifacts you have been keeping in your study?” asked the aging voice of Starswirl the Bearded. He was standing in front of Luna and looking over at both Sol and Galactica, who were standing in front of the massive double doors.

“We deemed it important that we try to keep the knowledge of the artifacts to a minimum.” Sol replied. “If word would have gotten out about the existence of such power, there could have been serious repercussions caused by certain citizens of this nation. It is not that we do not trust any of you, we do, we just believed that the Elements should have been kept a secret.”

“Well, they are known of now, but we promise to keep the knowledge of their existence a secret. All in a agreement?” Starswirl asked, looking around at all of his compatriots. They all nodded in agreement. “Good, where shall we begin?”

“Our daughter has come into contact with one of the Elements,” Galactica said, stepping forward a bit. “specifically the Element of Chaos, and is now plagued with nightmares involving a certain black mare. She haunts her by telling her horrible stories over the potential future of her life, and tormenting her with visions that she will lose her home and everything she has ever loved. These nightmares have persisted for eight years now, but have only been recently brought to our attention when she blasted a hole in her own room this morning.”

“And why were you only informed of this... plague recently?” asked one of the other council members.

“That is a more personal matter that we wish to withhold.” Galactica replied, giving the stallion a hard stare.

“What is it you wish us to do, Your Majesty?” Starswirl asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

“We wish for you to use your interrogation spell on our daughter so that we may discover the identity of the black mare, and so that we may also begin to combat her nightmares.” Sol said, stepping forward to match Galactica.

“You want me to dive into an alicorns mind, battle the mental defenses that are set in place, find the memories of her nightmares, and then communicate with a black mare who was spawned from chaos magic?” Starswirl asked incredulously.

Both the king and queen looked on at Starswirl with a pair of stoic faces. The whole room was silent as everypony awaited for Starswirl’s next words. He coughed.

“You two are serious.” he said. “Well, in that case, I volunteer myself.”

“Are you sure, Starswirl? I am willing to take your place.” said another one of the council members. Starswirl looked over at him.

“And miss the chance of exploring an alicorn’s mind? I’ll take the challenge, Orion. Besides, it was me who created the interrogation spell in the first place.”

He looked down at Luna, who was sitting back and trying to not make eye contact with any of the other ponies in the room. He kneeled down so his face was level with her’s.

“Hey, Luna, remember me? Starswirl the Bearded?” he asked.

“Y-yes. A little.” she replied.

“Would it be okay if I enter your mind? I’m going to try and find the black mare who has been so mean to you.” he said, offering a smile. Luna merely whimpered and nodded her head ascent. “Great, then let’s get started right away. Please, try to relax.”

Celestia watched as Starswirl’s horn lit up in his character faint white hue. His magic spread to Luna’s horn, who did not give any resistance when their magic came in contact with each other. Both ponies shut their eyes and seemed to fall into a deep trance, standing completely motionless in the center of the throne room.

It had been near ten minutes until Galactica’s voice broke the tense silence that had befallen everypony.

“How goes the interrogation? Do any of you know what is going on inside Luna’s mind?” she asked.

“We do not know for sure how the investigation goes, Your Highness,” one of the council ponies said, “but we believe that Starswirl has managed to reach the deeper confines of your daughter’s mind where the memories of her dreams are kept. From there he will just need to break through the last wall, and he should come in contact with the black mare.”

“I do hope this ends quickly. I am beginning to see anguish cover my daughter’s face.” she said aloud.

Another minute passed and Celestia had begun to turn her head to look out over the castle gardens. Her gaze was stopped, however, when she saw movement come from the center of the throne room. She snapped her head back to see that Luna’s eyes were now open and glowing a very bright white. The pressure inside the throne room dropped.

“What is happening?” Sol asked, taking a step towards Luna.

“We... we are not sure! Don’t get any closer!” a council pony warned, charging up his horn.

“This is my domain, whelp!” Luna shouted in a more mature and malevolent voice.

Luna charged her horn and engulfed the magic of Starswirl, snaking her way all the way to his horn. She then let off a powerful bolt of energy into the pony, electrocuting him, before she used a conjured gust of air to blow him back. He smashed against one of the massive stone throne chairs like a simple rag doll, and rolled down to the foot of the stairs.

The pressure in the room returned to normal, and the white that had filled Luna’s eyes had now vanished and left her staggering in place. One of the council ponies rushed over to Starswirl while both Sol and Galactica rushed over to their daughter, picking her up onto Galactica’s back. Celestia saw that the council pony that had rushed to Starswirl was now checking his chest to see if there was still a heartbeat.

“He.. H-he’s dead. S-Starswirl the Bearded is dead.” the pony declared. The rest of the High Unicorn Council stood in utter shock.

Galactica and Sol looked at each other and then back at their daughter who had passed out on Galactica’s back. They then turned back to the pony who was still standing over Starswirl the Bearded’s body.

“This was a mistake.” Sol said, emotion drained from his voice. “This was a grave mistake. Honey, take Luna back to our room, please. I’ll stay here and talk to the High Unicorn Council about what is to be done.”

Galactica left the room at a brisk pace, shortly followed by Celestia who had tears now streaming from her eyes.

“Oh, Luna. My sister... What is happening?” she asked, looking up towards the now darkened sky.

It began to rain.

~~~

Hey everyone! Another chapter out for you guys. I hope you are all enjoying the story thus far. Here is where things really start to pick up so get ready!

Story was edited by whisperingsage, my other valiant editor. Big thanks to him!

I apologize if I become slow on getting new chapters out over the next week, but I have final exams in my classes next week and am helping out with a local play moving props and such. I'll try to get the next chapter out as quickly as possible!

Next chapter is Chapter 16: An Influential Message from Fillydelphia

Chapter 16: An Influential Message from Fillydelphia

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The Gift of Life Chapter 16

Three days later...

“She should be brought to justice for the crimes she has committed! The unicorn of the century now lies dead by her hooves! Don’t you all think there should be a punishment for such an injustice?” shouted an Earth Pony from across the delegation chambers.

A roar of cheers and angry exclamations erupted across the entire congress that had been gathered. The order of the hearing had been disrupted by this pony’s speech against her own sister, causing Celestia to sigh and rub her hooves on her temples. She stared across at the pony who was continuing to shout even as the roar of cheering drowned him out.

“I should hope Fanatic will cease with his incessant preaching,” said Orion, one of the members of the High Unicorn Council. “There is enough civil unrest as is. There is no need to put more kindle to the flame or we shall soon have a bonfire on our hooves.”

Celestia sighed again and lay her head down on her hooves. “Starswirl was loved by many of the ponies who are present today. It doesn’t matter if they are an earth pony, a unicorn, or a pegasus; they all want justice in the same barbaric manner. Blood for blood. An eye for an eye. They don’t even understand the complications that were involved with his death.”

“Nor will they ever.” Orion said as he stood in his seat and cleared his throat. He levitated a mallet and began to slam it on the gavel that was on his desk. “Order in the house! I repeat, order in the house!” he shouted, increasing the volume of his voice.

Everypony that was present quickly silenced their voices upon hearing one of the members of the High Unicorn Council. They sat back into their chairs and directed their full attention at Orion, who merely cast his hard gaze across the room. He then sat back down and shuffled some of the papers he had on his desk before he began to speak.

“We did not come here to discuss the death of our beloved Starswirl the Bearded,” he said, “We did not come here to rant and demand that justice be served to a filly who, as far as we know, was not in control of herself at the time. I would like all of you to keep in mind that she is to be one of the successors to both King Sol and Queen Galactica. I suggest you treat her as such.”

“That is the exact reason why she should be brought to justice,” Fanatic said from across the room. “One of our so called ‘future leaders’ has openly killed the most powerful among us mortal ponies. We should not sit idly by and assume that we have been told adequate details about the story that has been spun. Instead, we should asks ourselves the reason as to why Princess Luna killed Starswirl. Why did she choose to kill somepony as popular and as powerful as he?”

“Mr. Fanatic, if you could please sit down so that we-” Orion started to say, but was cut off by Fanatic.

“No, Orion. This issue needs to be addressed and it needs to be addressed today. Have you forgotten that Starswirl was on the High Unicorn Council with you? Have you no sorrow for your fellow compatriot? Have you no bitterness for the villain who murdered him? How can you continue to lead this congress with such stoicism?”

Celestia ground her teeth, but she remained quiet as Orion replied to Fanatic.

“You are speaking of matters that do not concern you nor do you have any knowledge of. I suggest that you silence your tongue and allow us to proceed to the topics of the day.”

“I believe Starswirl’s death concerns all of us, sir. The unicorn was wise, powerful, and charismatic. He hosted charities for the poor, healed the sick, improved living conditions in Fillydelphia, and created over a hundred new spells over the course of his life. It would be an understatement to say that he was merely a hero of the ponies of Equestria.”

Fanatic hopped up onto the table.

“So, why did Princess Luna kill Starswirl the Bearded?” he asked. “Did she do it out of fear? Out of spite? Did she do it because her parents, King Sol and Queen Galactica, told her to do so? Did that come across any of your minds?”

There was a murmur rising up amongst the ponies of the congress, and Fanatic turned to fix his eyes directly on Celestia. She met his gaze with eyes as cold as ice while the feathers of her wings stood on end. He spoke again, slowly walking towards her.

“The diarchy of Equestria telling their daughter to murder the most influential and powerful mortal pony in existence. Sounds like something out of a suspense novel, doesn’t it? I wouldn’t put it past them. Look at what they did with the drought two years ago. Instead of finding an alternative source of food for us to eat, they instead passed a bill to limit the amount of food everypony was able to purchase.

“Ponies starved, fought, even killed to get enough food to feed their families. The citizens of Equestria began to grow restless as the months dragged on. We never received the increased rations of food we were promised every day.”

Fanatic stopped in the middle of the table and looked to everypony that was staring up at him before continuing.

“There was one pony that was keeping our hopes high through the months, however. Starswirl the Bearded distributed food to the ponies in Fillydelphia with unmatched generosity. As many of us know, in any other city, the richer you were the more rations you could get at the market through bribery. Starswirl prevented that in Fillydelphia, managing to give equal and healthy rations to everypony who came to the market each day.

“He was a hero of the ponies, able to keep everypony’s hopes high through the harshest of months. He received no help from the alicorns that stayed cooped up in their castle, afraid to meet the faces of their increasingly angry citizens. What more of a motive was this to remove him?”

Fanatic turned to look at Celestia again and began to make an even more confident advancement towards her. Murmurs of agreement and surprise began to build up through the delegates of the congress.

“Queen Galactica and King Sol meant to remove Starswirl three days ago. They invited him into the castle, bribed or threatened the other members of the High Unicorn Council, and then had Princess Luna kill him in cold blood in the castle throne room. He didn’t die from some magic accident, a falsity that has been spreading around the tabloids. It was our beloved king and queen, our beloved princesses, who murdered Starswirl the Bearded.”

Another round of cheering erupted from the delegates of the congress. Fanatic stopped directly in front of Celestia, both ponies staring into each other’s eyes with pure hatred. Celestia’s wings were fully extended, making her seem much larger than the earth pony that stood before her.

“You will pay for what you have done, Celestia,” Fanatic said, “You, your mother, your father, and your precious little sister. The ponies of Equestria shall see you hung from the gallows before the year’s end.”

Celestia gave Fanatic one last look and then turned to leave. She could feel his eyes carve into the back of her neck like a knife, but she never turned around to meet his eyes again.

~~~

Celestia stood in front of the doors to her parent’s study. She gazed at the intricate carvings that decorated the door, as she had many times before. It never failed to amaze her the amount of time and effort that probably went into creating these magnificent doors. She took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

The echo of the knocks rang through the halls of the castle, and Celestia waited patiently until the doorknobs clicked and turned. Her father stood at the door and looked down at her. The light that was pouring in from the windows behind him gave a slight shimmer to his hair. She once again reflected how handsome of a stallion her father really was.

“Celestia! What are you doing back from the delegation hearing so soon?” Sol asked.

“The meeting never took place, Daddy,” Celestia replied, looking down and scraping her hoof on the floor.

“Oh, what happened? Come in and we’ll talk about it.”

Celestia walked in after her father and heard the massive door shut behind her. She took a seat over by the far window and looked out over the city of Everfree. She saw that there were ponies walking to and fro along the many streets that snaked their way between houses and shops. Smoke rose from the many chimneys, no doubt filling parts of the city with the sweet smelling smokiness of burning wood.

Her father took a seat next to her and gazed out at the city with her. “So, what is the matter?” he asked.

“There was an earth pony at the delegation today. He managed to bring the whole meeting to a halt so that he could give a speech. All of the ponies cheered to his cause.” Celestia paused and looked at her father.

“What was the speech about?”

“H-he accused us, you, Mother, Luna, and I, of conspiring to kill Starswirl the Bearded. He said that because Starswirl had become such an influential pony among the citizens of Equestria that we felt the need to remove him. He said that we were afraid of the power and charismatic aura Starswirl had, so both you and Mother had Luna kill him and bribed the other members of the High Unicorn Council to remain silent.”

When Celestia had finished there were tears forming on the edges of her eyes. She tried to hold them back in front of her father, but one managed to slide down her cheek and drip down onto the floor. She looked down, hiding the tears that were now streaming down the side of her face.

Celestia heard her father get up and then sit right next to her. He extended one of his massive wings around his daughter and gave her a gentle kiss at the tip of her horn.

“What else did he say?” Sol asked.

“He... Threatened all of us, Daddy,” Celestia replied, “He said that the ponies of Equestria will see us hung by the end of this year.”

Celestia rubbed her face against her father’s coat, soaking his fur with her tears. He hugged his daughter close and gazed out across Everfree again. He spotted a couple of carriages leaving the vicinity of the city and turning different directions towards the cities of Equestria.

“What was the pony’s name?”

“His name was Fanatic,” Celestia said, as she too turned back to gaze out across Everfree again.

~~~

“Sir, there is no sign of Fanatic anywhere within the city,” said a Royal Guard, “We think he may have returned to Fillydelphia.”

“Are you sure you have checked the entire city?” King Sol asked.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Alright, return to your post.” Sol sighed.

The guard gave a salute and quickly left the throne chambers. Sol and Galactica had seated themselves on their throne chairs in front of the window overlooking the city of Everfree while Celestia and Luna took their seats to the right of their mother. Luna stared at the ground while Celestia tried to comfort her sister by putting a wing around her.

“We’re going to need to contact the mayor of Fillydelphia and tell him of Fanatic. I hate to have to do this but the very structure of Equestria is at stake,” Sol said, looking over at Galactica.

“I agree with you, Sol,” Galactica said. “Fanatic is dangerous and charismatic. No doubt that if he returns to Fillydelphia he will begin to rally ponies to his cause. We need to send an emissary as quickly as possible to the city.”

Galactica looked over to her daughters and her eyes immediately softened. “Celestia, could you hurry and get one of our messengers?”

Celestia nodded and then looked at Luna. “I’ll be right back, little sister. Sit tight.”

When Luna didn’t respond, Celestia frowned and got to her hooves. She quickly trotted out of the throne room and turned down the hall that would lead to the barracks. When she reached the door, she gave a knock and waited for somepony to answer. The door opened.

“Hello, Celestia! What brings you to the barracks?” Firemane asked.

Celestia smiled slightly and leaned forward to give Firemane a kiss on the cheek. “We need one of our fastest pegasus messengers,” she said.

“Oh, okay,” Firemane said. He turned back to look inside the barracks. “Cloud Breaker! Get your flank to the throne room immediately!” he ordered before he turned back to Celestia. “You look distressed, is something wrong?”

Celestia paused for a moment and looked down at her hooves. “Could we discuss this later tonight?” she asked.

“Of course, honey,” Firemane said, leaning his head down so he could meet Celestia’s eyes. She looked at him one last time, gave him another quick kiss, and then trotted back to the throne room.

When she entered she saw that Orion was now standing before the two throne chairs. She quickly trotted over next to her sister, noticing that Luna had now slightly glanced up as their parents and Orion were talking.

“Your majesties,” Orion started, “if you could please hear me out for a second. What you are attempting to do right now will not quell the situation. If anything, we might have an even more dire problem on our hooves.”

“The problem is already dire, Orion, but please, speak your mind,” Galactica replied, leaning a bit forward in her chair.

“The pony known as Fanatic is more clever than any of us would think. I was present as he recited his speech in the quorum today. Although he may have looked like another pony who revere Starswirl as his idol, behind his words there was an underlying motive that couldn’t have easily been picked out. I’m not sure if Celestia saw it, but I spotted it as soon he looked at the princess.”

Orion looked over at the two princesses, who were hugging one another. He turned back to look at Sol and Galactica.

“His words were not those of a common conspirator. No, they were well drawn out and even had motivation at their roots. They didn’t seek to plant ideas into the other minds of the ponies present at the congress, they sought to rally the ponies under a cause that had all captivated their hearts.”

Orion started to pace back and forth in front of the throne chairs. Sol and Galactica remained completely silent, watching the elder unicorn walk back and forth.

“By Starswirl’s beard was he successful. The ponies inside the quorum were practically shouting for the removal of you four from the throne. I don’t know if many of them will follow through with what they were chanting inside that room, but if Fanatic is able to lull some of the leaders of Equestria into a near riot, imagine what he can accomplish with the masses?”

“And why would us sending an emissary to Fillydelphia to apprehend the pony be worse off than doing nothing at all?” King Sol asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I never said you should do nothing at all, but Fanatic is a leader, your majesties.” Orion began, “He isn’t the type of leader that the ponies of Equestria are looking for or are in need of right now. No, he is the type of leader who needs the ponies of Equestria. By the looks of his face and the maliciousness of his voice, he has his own agenda and the ponies who will follow him are just a means to an end.

“Fanatic has the charismatic power to lead ponies to their deaths if he has to; ironic considering his name. In that room with all of the other pony delegates, I could feel the dissension and anger in the room caused by one pony’s words. If you were to remove him quickly, the citizens of Equestria would only see his words to be the actual truth rather than the true falsities that they are.”

Queen Galactica and King Sol remained quiet for a few long moments. Neither said a word as they continued to look at Orion. Celestia and Luna looked on as the air felt tense enough to constrict their throats.

“What would you suggest we do, Orion?” Galactica finally said, standing up from her chair with her husband and walking to the foot of the stairs.

“I suggest that you two wait out the initial onslaught of Fanatic’s preaching. I have a feeling that if you ignore him-”

Orion was cut off as the doors to the throne room were suddenly pushed open an a pegasus came galloping forward with two Everfree guards following behind him. He stopped behind Orion, causing the High Unicorn Councilman to move out of the way. The pegasus took a moment to catch his breath.

“You’re from Fillydelphia, aren’t you?” King Sol asked.

“Yes, your majesty. I flew here as quickly as I could. I assure you of that.” the pegasus said, straightening himself out and giving a salute to the king and queen.

“What news do you bring us?” Galactica inquired, raising an eyebrow.

“Riots have broken out in Fillydelphia, your majesty.” the pegasus said, “Ponies are congregating in mass in many parts of the city and are violently threatening to overthrow major buildings of the city. The guards have managed to restrain from using force to keep the ponies back, but there is only a matter of time before the citizens of Fillydelphia grow too restless.”

“How could riots have broken out so quickly?” Sol asked, looking over at Orion. The pony looked dumbfounded at the news. “Do you know who is leading these riots? What are they for?”

“The ponies demand retribution for the death of Starswirl the Bearded. They want Princess Luna dead.”

~~~

Night had fallen upon Everfree. Celestia stared out from the balcony of the highest spire of the castle, the Tower of the Stars. She could see every building from her view, as well as the forest that surrounded the city and then the little cottages beyond. Smoke rose from those cottages as the ponies who lived in them were burning freshly cut wood to keep themselves warm against the chilly night air.

Celestia felt Luna shift her body closer to her to try and keep warm against the cold. She extended a wing around her little sister to shield her from the slight breeze that picked up. She could feel Luna rub her freshly dampened cheeks against her chest and Celestia sighed.

“Everything will be okay, Luna.” Celestia said, looking down at her sister.

“How can you be so sure, ‘Tia?” Luna asked, still staring out across Everfree, “The ponies of Equestria hate me for what I did. I didn’t mean to kill him. I didn’t even know that I had killed him. He entered my mind and was looking into some of my memories trying to find his way around.

“H-he found what he was looking for, b-but the black mare didn’t like his intrusion. She urged me to close all of my mental defenses. S-she told me horrible things and showed me h-horrible visions. I couldn’t bear looking at them. No matter how many times I see Everfree, i-it never gets any easier. I just wanted them to stop.”

Luna looked up at Celestia and put one of her hooves around Celestia’s stomach.

“So... So I relented, ‘Tia. I allowed for the mare to take power over some of my magic, a-and she shielded my mental defenses for me. She sent the b-bolt of electricity from me into him, severing his mind from his body.”

Luna rubbed her face against Celestia’s chest some more and cried silently. Celestia tightened her wing around her sister and then looked back out across the city. She saw the flickering of candlelight in the windows of many of the houses scattered through the city. Tears started to fill her vision and she blinked, causing one of the tears to slide down her cheek and land on top of Luna’s horn.

Celestia heard the sound of hoofsteps walking on stone behind her.

“Knock knock, I brought my two lovely ladies dinner,” Firemane said from behind them.

Celestia turned and gave her coltfriend a sad smile. She saw that his face changed from one of hopeful joy to that of dejected misery, and her smile waned. She turned to look down at Luna as Firemane moved from the door to sit next to Celestia. She heard him set the plates between them, but didn’t take the time to look at the food as she didn’t feel hungry.

“How is she doing?” Firemane asked quietly.

Celestia turned and gave him a stare that caused him to sigh and gaze out over the city. He pushed the food away, noticing that the two princesses were not going to eat, and put his wing around Celestia.

“Your mother and father are still in the throne room conversing with the Everfree delegates over the whereabouts of Fanatic.” Firemane said, “It seems as if they don’t know where he is, but they are all pleading for forgiveness from their majesties. Some are sincere in their apologies, I can tell, but many are doing so out of fear. I can hear the anger and authority present in your parent’s voices, and the delegates must hear it as well.”

“They threatened Luna. I’m surprised that my parents haven’t thrown any of them in the prisons,” Celestia replied, a coldness creeping into her voice. Firemane winced.

“I believe that they wish to do the same,” he said, “but doing so would be folly and only cause more civil unrest. Especially here in Everfree where we need to try out best to keep the ponies happy.”

“You’re right.” Celestia sighed and leaned onto Firemane. She felt her sister’s chest rise and fall in a steady beat, and so she felt the need to rest herself now that her sister was asleep. “Firemane, what is happening to us? What is happening to Equestria?”

“I wish I knew, honey. I really do.” Firemane sighed and laid his head down upon Celestia’s, “For years now this nation has been slowly crumbling. The political and social infrastructures are no longer sturdy. All we need is one small push in the wrong direction and everything we have grown up around with come tumbling down.”

“It doesn’t seem natural, does it?”

“What do you mean?” Firemane turned to look at Celestia.

“Why is it that Equestria was the happiest and most prosperous nation this side of the Eternal Sea for near a thousand years until Luna and I came into contact with those Elements? The nation may have had it’s wars over the years or its disagreements with the neighboring nations, but never have ponies ever become so unhappy that riots start to break out amongst its cities.”

Celestia turned to look back at Firemane.

“When Luna and I touched those Elements, we came upon a vision that showed the destruction of this entire city as well as an evil black mare. Ever since then there have been forces within the nation that are causing civil strife for all of the citizens in Equestia. The drought, Germaney, the Ration Bill, and this latest problem with Starswirl the Bearded. In a matter of a decade Equestria has gone from the most powerful nation to something filled with unrest and discord.”

Celestia’s eyes widened and she looked down.

“What is it?” Firemane asked.

“I need you to promise not to tell my parents anything I am about to tell you,” Celestia said, looking at Firemane almost apologetically.

“Celestia... If what you are going to tell me is important to helping keep Equestria stable, your parents might need to know.”

“They have their hooves full with a riot in Fillydelphia and then severe unrest in both Stalliongrad and Manehatten. They don’t need to have another weight placed upon their shoulders. Please, Firemane.”

Firemane sighed. “Okay, Celestia. I promise not to tell them.”

“During my vision back in the forest when I was with my father, there was an... entity that entered my mind at the time. I could make out what it was, for it only had a pair of red, mismatched eyes and a toothy smile. However, it gave me a riddle that is supposedly a prediction of the future. It says: ‘At the end of magic’s lord, will there be a clash of sword upon sword. Each strike paints the picture red, until the king and queen have nothing more to be said’.”

Firemane slowly looked away to stare out across Everfree again. “You think ‘magic’s lord’ was Starswirl the Beard?”

Celestia’s eyes slowly drifted to look out upon Everfree as well, and then beyond to where she could faintly see the distant lights of Fillydelphia illuminating the night sky. “I know he was.”

~~~

Here you guys go! A quick update chapter to keep the story moving. I might get one more chapter out this week before I go dark on writing until December 9th. Finals and volunteering. (Whatch, I say this but I'll have three chapters out before then.)

Anyways, a big thank you for Naes1114 and whisperingsage for editing!

Next chapter is Chapter 17: The Equestrian Riots

Chapter 17: The Equestrian Riots

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The Gift of Life Chapter 17

Four days later…

A plume of smoke rose from the commercial district of Everfree, shrouding Celestia’s vision of the mountains that guarded the Eternal Valley off in the distance. She could hear the bells ringing throughout the city that one of the buildings was on fire, but she gave no worry. She instead closed the blinds to shield her and Luna’s room from any possibility of watching the scene unfold in the city. She gazed over at Firemane who sat next to Luna, the mare laying on her side and staring forlornly at the floor.

“It’s the second day of the riots and they just keep getting worse,” Celestia said, walking over to sit next to Firemane. He put a wing around Celestia and sighed.

“I need to head back to the barracks and begin organizing the Royal Guards to assist the city watch,” he said. “We’re going to need every pony available if we’re to keep control of the city.”

Celestia nuzzled her nose up against his neck and gave a sigh as well. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”

“I know. I wish I didn’t either,” he said as he gave Celestia a quick kiss and got to his hooves. He looked down at Luna whom he had been comforting, and leaned down to give her a kiss behind her ear. “Everything will be alright, Luna. Your sister will still be here for you.”

Luna looked up at Firemane, but she couldn’t offer him a smile. She turned her head back down to the floor and then huddled her way up against her sister. Celestia offered a wing around her sister and then turned her attention to Firemane. He merely offered her a hopeful smile before turning to leave, closing the door behind him as quietly as he could.

“’Tia, are you going to marry Firemane one day?” Luna asked.

Celestia’s eyes widened. “I...” She stammered, “I… I uh… what?”

“You know, like, having a wedding. With flowers, a bird choir, a chocolate fountain, and two hundred guests?”

“I… don’t know, Luna,” Celestia said with a sigh, “I haven’t given it much thought. I mean, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a pony to love and cherish and hold while being under a love pact.”

Celestia paused and laid her head on the back of Luna’s neck.

“But then I am reminded that I am an alicorn. We do not have the mortal lives like Firemane does. While he would age like the rest of the ponies of Equestria, I would stay young and strong, until he finally died peacefully from old age. I’m not sure how I would be able to handle such a death.”

Celestia touched horns with Luna and turned her sister so that they were staring into each other’s eyes. Luna shied slightly under the intimate contact, but maintained her connection with Celestia.

“The very thought of creating such a powerful and intimate bond with another pony frightens me,” Celestia said gently to her sister. “To be connected so closely to another pony, but then to live your life knowing that you are going to outlive him or her. How could anypony possibly be able to live with that?”

“I-I’m sorry, ‘Tia. I shouldn’t-“ Luna started to say.

“Please don’t be sorry, Luna. Please,” Celestia interrupted. Tears started to well up on the sides of her eyes, but she blinked them away before Luna could catch sight of them.

“Okay,” Luna said. She broke their contact to rub her cheek against Celestia’s.

Just then there was a knock on the door. The two princesses jumped at the noise.

“Come in,” Celestia called over to the door.

The door opened, and Queen Chrysalis walked into Celestia’s and Luna’s room. She quietly shut the door behind her, and strode over to where the two sisters were sitting and took a seat next to them.

“Hi, Auntie Chrysalis,” Celestia greeted with a forced smile. “What are you doing in Everfree? It’s not-“

Chrysalis held a hoof up to her lips to silence Celestia before she could go any further. She gestured her head at Luna. Celestia looked at her sister, and glanced at the curtained window that hid the havoc outside. Sighing, she looked away and nodded at Chrysalis..

“There is no need to talk about such things,” Chrysalis said in her beautiful voice. “I have already been informed by your parents, and have been receiving daily updates ever since everything began. I came to help out.”

“What are you going to help out with?” Celestia asked, shifting her body a little to get a better look at Chrysalis.

“I think your parents would rather explain it to both you and Luna. I came to retrieve you two to see them.”

“They want to see us? Well, I guess we should get ready to go, then.” Celestia said, raising herself to her hooves. Chrysalis remained seated on the floor, however.

“Hold a moment,” she said.

Chrysalis lowered her head so that she could see eye to eye with Luna and charged up her horn in its striking red hue. Luna managed to look at Chrysalis, but her ears remained folded back and she still couldn’t give a smile.

“Hi, Luna. How are you doing today?” Chrysalis asked.

“I… I’m okay, Auntie Chrysalis,” Luna said.

“Are you sure? Can you give me a smile?”

A butterfly flew from behind Chrysalis’s head, and Luna immediately looked up so that she could see it. It floated around the Flutterpony Queen’s horn before it turned down to fly towards Luna. Her ears perked up upon seeing the butterfly fly towards her, and a smile grew upon her face as the insect landed on top of Luna’s nose.

Celestia couldn’t help but smile at the adorable sight she beheld. She walked over to Chrysalis and gave her a nudge with her nose.

“Thank you so much, Auntie,” Celestia whispered. “Luna hasn’t smiled in over a week. She has barely even eaten or slept.”

Chrysalis smiled and then rose to her hooves. “C’mon, Luna. Let’s not keep your parents waiting.”

Luna rose to her hooves, still smiling at the butterfly that hadn’t left her nose. Her wings opened slightly.

“Okay, Auntie Chrysalis,” she said.

~~~

Celestia stared with her mouth agape at her parents.

“Auntie Chrysalis is going to be teaching us Defensive Magic?” she asked.

“Yes, Queen Chrysalis shall be both you and Luna’s personal instructor for Defensive Magic,” King Sol said. “Your mother and I were going wait on introducing you to this form of magic until you two were a bit older, but, given the current circumstances, we decided it is necessary to begin your lessons now.”

“But she has a whole nation to take care of! How can she find time to teach us?” Celestia asked as she turned to face Chrysalis.

“I have left Blackheart and Commander Sunfire in charge of the Eternal Valley while I am away,” Chrysalis said with a smile. “They are both very capable leaders. I am sure there will be no trouble back home.”

Celestia turned to look back at her parents, and she could see out of the corner of her eye that Luna had the same look of surprise on her face as she did.

“When do we start our training?”

“That’s up to Chrysalis,” Queen Galactica said.

“I was hoping that we would be able to start the training immediately.” Chrysalis said. “Although I do have two of my most trusted advisors running the Eternal Valley for me, I would like to get back home as soon as possible.”

“It’s settled then.” Sol said. “Celestia, Luna, can you two hurry down to the practice range? Firemane has pulled all guards in to brief them on what is to be done with the city. There should be nopony there using it.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Celestia said.

Both she and Luna turned to leave when their mother spoke up.

“Luna, I’m glad you’re smiling again,” she said.

Celestia and Luna turned to see that both of their parents were smiling, their eyes twinkling. Celestia smiled back, and then left for the practice range with her sister.

~~~

“What is the first rule of magic?” Queen Chrysalis asked.

“Never use more magic than is necessary,” both Celestia and Luna said in unison.

“Good, this is the most important rule when it comes to using Defensive Magic. Using magic to defend yourself isn’t any more draining than a simple levitation spell, but it is easy to lose track of how much stamina you have.”

Chrysalis walked into the center of the practice range and levitated two practice dummies that had been leaned up against the fence. She placed them on either side of her, and then walked to stand in between both Celestia and Luna.

“First, we should begin with having a proper defensive stance,” Chrysalis started. “This is the very core of all defensive magic. If you do not have a proper defensive stance, you will not be able to channel your magic through your body effectively enough to use your spells to their full potential.”

Chrysalis stepped forward and then turned to face both Celestia and Luna.

“Observe how I position my legs and and my head,” she said. Chrysalis lowered her head so that her horn was pointing at a narrow arc, and spread her legs wide.

“Come and try to knock me over,” Chrysalis said.

Celestia and Luna looked at each other uneasily. Luna shoved her sister into position to charge Chrysalis, only to be pulled by Celestia so that she now was able to charge. The two princesses started to battle over who was going to be the first to charge, earning a frustrated sigh from Chrysalis.

“Are you two actually scared to tackle me?” she taunted. “I have seen you play with your father many times. Come on, who’s first?”

Luna huffed, and was the first to make a running charge for Chrysalis. Upon contact with her, Luna was greeted with what looked like a wall, and Chrysalis remained unfazed by ther tackle.

Celestia ran at Chrysalis next, hoping her larger size would be enough to knock her over. When she slammed into Chrysalis, however, her efforts were met with the same results as Luna’s, and she fell back on her flank.

In one last effort to knock Chrysalis over, both Celestia and Luna made a charge at her side. With their combined weight they were able to cause Chrysalis to sway a little, but they were still forced back onto their flanks and the queen had managed to hold her ground.

“As you can see,” Chrysalis said. “having a good defensive stance will be able to keep you on your hooves against even some of the more powerful spells. Now, I want you two to try.”

Both Celestia and Luna tried to mimic the same stance that Chrysalis had taken, spreading their legs and lowering their heads for focus.

“Okay, hold your stance,” Chrysalis instructed. She relaxed her posture and strode over to Celestia. Celestia watched as she raised her hoof to Celestia’s folded wing and pushed, causing Celestia to stumble and then fall over.

“Again,” Chrysalis said.

As Celestia was getting back to her hooves, Chrysalis walked over to Luna and did the same, resulting in Luna, too, falling over sideways.

“Again,” she said, turning from Luna and walking back to Celestia to test and see if her stance was sturdy enough.

Chrysalis again pushed Celestia’s side, except this time Celestia was able to hold her ground against Chrysalis’ powerful hoof by sliding one leg out to absorb the shock of the push. Chrysalis smiled.

“You’re learning,” she said. She turned to Luna and repeated the same push, also failing to knock Luna over as she absorbed the momentum of Chrysalis’ hoof the same way that Celestia had.

“Alright,” Chrysalis said. “I’m going to show you some of the most basic defensive spells there are. We can practice more defensive stances later when we begin sparring.”

Chrysalis moved to beyond Celestia and Luna so that the two princesses could have a clear view of the dummies in front of them.

“The first is a simple pulse spell,” Queen Chrysalis said. “A pulse spell uses the raw magic that is built up inside of you, and then projects it in the direction you wish it to go from your horn. Observe.”

Chrysalis charged her horn, encasing it in a red hue, and then shot a blast of raw magic towards one of the dummies. The magic connected perfectly with the dummy’s head, burning a hole straight through it. She smiled proudly, and then looked down at Celestia and Luna.

Celestia gaped at what was left of the dummy’s head.

“Auntie Chrysalis, you said that later we were going to be sparring. What if one of us hits the other?” she asked, gesturing towards the burn hole.

“Don’t worry, Celestia,” Chrysalis said. “I will also be teaching you and Luna defensive shield spells that can protect you from the heat energy of magic. You’ll be safe when we begin sparring together.”

Chrysalis walked to stand on the other side of Celestia. “Your turn.”

Celestia was the first to charge up her horn. Her horn lit up in a golden-yellow hue as she started to gather the magic that was inside of her body. When she felt like she had gather enough magic, she expelled the raw energy from her horn directly at the dummy. The dummy exploded in a wave of heat and dust.

“That may have been too much power,” Chrysalis observed. “A little less and you would have done perfectly, Celestia. You only want to use as much magic as you can spare when attacking with raw energy, otherwise you will quickly expend your reserves and leave yourself too exhausted when more complicated spells are called upon you.”

Chrysalis moved to step behind Luna. “Even though you two are alicorns and contain much larger reservoirs of magic compared to unicorns, you still have finite supply of magic before you need to rest and recharge. Luna, why don’t you try hitting the dummy?”

Celestia watched as her sister stuck her tongue out in concentration and charged up her horn, illuminating it in a dark blue hue. Luna then fired off a bolt of the raw magic, missing her target completely and instead striking one of the weapon racks at the far end of the practice range. Celestia cringed at the noise of ten swords or spears all crashing onto the ground at the same time.

“Sorry,” Luna sighed.

“Don’t worry about it, Luna,” Chrysalis said gently. “It was only your first time using a spell that required direct aim instead instead of a mental image. I was surprised that your sister was able to hit the dummy on her first try.”

Celestia was about to give a retort when Chrysalis gently kicked her in the side. She pouted at the Flutterpony Queen, but was met with a sly, beautiful smile.

“Anyways,” Chrysalis started. “let’s try this a few more times, and then I’ll move on to show you two a few more defensive spells.”

~~~

As the hours of practice dragged on into the afternoon, plume upon plume of smoke rose from the city. She could hear the bells off in the distance. She was about to say something to Chrysalis, when Chrysalis turned and looked towards the smoke hanging over the city.

“I... think we should head inside. Come on, Celestia, Luna. Practice is done for the day,” Chrysalis said.

As Celestia and Luna were ushered into the castle by their tutor, Celestia gave one last look at the darkening sky of Everfree. The smoke was forming its own clouds, and the pegasus weather teams were having trouble dispersing the nimbus. She gave a sigh when the massive doors that led to the practice range were shut.

“Alright, you two are free to do whatever you want. I need to go and talk some more with your parents,” Chrysalis said, a little hint of worry in her voice.

“Auntie Chrysalis, is it alright if I accompany you?” Celestia asked.

“I-I don’t see why not,” Chrysalis said, quickly turning away from the two princesses. “This way then. Would you like to come with us, Luna?”

Celestia looked down at Luna.

“I... I...” Luna started to say, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Luna, I thin-” Celestia started.

“No, ‘Tia. I want to come,” Luna interrupted, looking up at her sister. Celestia looked up at Chrysalis, but the Flutterpony managed to keep a stoic face before turning to leave.

The three walked on in silence towards the throne room. As they were passing along the many massive windows that overlooked different parts of the city, they could see towers of smoke rising from different areas of the city, as well as ponies congregating in mass against the guards that were protecting key points of the city. At one point she saw that a small fight had broken out between the two groups, and she quickly turned her head away so she wouldn’t have to witness the outcome.

Celestia turned to look at Luna, and saw that Luna had begun to droop her head. She inched closer to Luna and placed her wing around her as they walked.

Soon, all three ponies had reached the throne room. Chrysalis grabbed hold of one of the doors with her magic and gracefully pushed it open. She allowed for both of the princesses to get inside before she closed it behind them, and then seemingly enchanted the door with a spell Celestia couldn’t quite discern.

“King Sol, Queen Galactica,” Chrysalis called out to the two royalty sitting on the thrones.

“Queen Chrysalis, how fared the training?” King Sol responded.

“Your daughters are exceptional learners,” Chrysalis replied. “We accomplished much today, although there is still plenty that could use work.”

“I’m glad to hear it. What brings you here at this time of day?” Sol asked.

“The riots are getting out of control, Sol,” Chrysalis stated. “I could see multiple fires breaking out as I was training your daughters, as well as being able to hear the shouts from the rioters and the guards alike. Something more needs to be done or you will have a full fledged civil revolt on your hands.”

“And what would you have us do?” Galactica inquired. “We are already stretched thin on resources as is. The majority of the Royal Guard have joined the city watch in an attempt to keep the peace among the city streets. We have expended almost all of our messengers sending them to the cities all over Equestria to gain updates on the riots.”

“Call upon the assistance of your allies,” Chrysalis stepped forward and stood at the foot of the steps up to the throne chairs, “No doubt the Night Guard will quickly come to your aid to keep the peace amongst Equestria. Take advantage of their powerful legions to subdue the masses.”

“Are you suggesting we enact martial law?” Galactica asked, tilting her head a bit.

“If that is required, then yes.” Chrysalis firmly stated, keeping her eyes trained on Sol and Galactica.

“You want us to declare martial law on Equestria?” Sol asked a second time. He turned to look at Galactica.

The entire room remained silent. Her parents looked torn on making a decision.

“Martial law has never before been declared on Equestria,” Sol began, raising himself from his chair and walking over to the window to look out onto Everfree. “In the thousand years that this nation has existed, from the time when the three races first discovered this land to escape the Windigoes, never have the citizens become so disgruntled that we have thought about bringing martial law upon this land.”

He paused and turned to look at Chrysalis.

“You ask much of us, Chrysalis. You ask us to throw away our democracy for a time in order to restore peace to this nation. Is this our only option, or is there another we can use?”

“Perhaps our reign has finally come to an end, Sol,” Galactica said, walking from her chair to stand next to Chrysalis. “Perhaps we have ruled this land long enough. The citizens can look after themselves, and there are much darker things that we should devote our time to.”

“Galactica, the citizens cannot rule this nation by themselves,” Sol said. “Look at how they squabble over lands, ponies, and power. Corruption will run rampant through its political system in a matter of years. Would you be able to watch as our home for a thousand years suddenly crumbled without our rule?”

Galactica opened her mouth to respond to Sol when there was a knock of the throne room door. Sol looked over at Luna and Celestia.

“Could one of you open the door?” he asked.

Celestia trotted over to the door and used her magic to take hold of it. She could feel that Chrysalis’ magic was still present on the door, and upon further inspection she recognized it as a silencing spell. She opened the door to greet the pony who was waiting to enter. It was one of the pegasus messengers.

“Is the king and queen available?” the pegasus asked.

“Yes, this way,” Celestia responded, opening the door wider to allow the pegasus through.

Once he had completely gotten through the door, she closed the door behind him and released her magical grip. The pegasus quickly trotted up to the king and queen, who were now standing next to each other with Chrysalis standing off to the side. He stopped halfway across the room.

“Oh, I hope I wasn’t interrupting something, your majesties.” the pegasus politely said.

“It is of no trouble. What news do you bring?” Sol asked.

The pegasus cleared his throat. “Sir, the largest mass of rioters has congregated in front of the castle gates. Fanatic is at their head and wishes to speak with the entire royal family.”

“Fanatic is here? In the city?” Galactica asked. “What does he want?”

“He will not say, your majesty.”

Galactica turned to look at Sol, who was staring back out across Everfree. Celestia gazed out the window in her father’s direction. She saw the carnage that had spread across the city over the course of two days. Sections of the city laid in ruin from fires that had been started by the rioters, while the streets were littered with debris. Celestia cringed when she though she saw ponies lying amongst the debris.

“This needs to end,” Sol said quietly. “We are going to figure out what it is Fanatic wants. Let’s go.”

He turned and stormed out of the room, throwing the doors to the throne room open with a terrible slam. Galactica, Celestia, and Luna followed after him at a brisk trot.

~~~

Celestia watched as the massive gates to the castle started to open with a horrible groan. Dust fell from the sides of the door, and slowly she could see the crowd of ponies grow larger the more the doors opened. The sounds of angry chanting grew louder. She could feel Luna huddle up next to her.

“Luna, whatever happens, just stay behind mother and father,” Celestia said, putting a wing around her sister. Her legs felt like they were going to collapse under her, and she could feel her heart race inside her chest.

Sol looked at Galactica and nodded. She gave him a look that almost looked pleading, but he ignored it and stepped forward. His enormous wings were spread to their full size as he stopped before the ponies that had gathered before the castle gates.

“Fanatic of Fillydelphia, step forward!” King Sol shouted, enhancing the volume of his voice.

An earth pony stepped forward from the crowd, giving himself noticeably enough room between Sol and himself, so that he may retreat into the crowd of the king decided to attack him. He had a smug smiled adorned on his face. The rest of the ponies behind him fell silent.

“King Sol. Fancy seeing you leave the safety of your castle. The food inside run out yet?” Fanatic asked.

“You came here to address my family, so here we are. What is it you want?” Sol growled, his eyes burning with intense anger.

“Straight to the point? No chit chat about my horrible deeds or misgivings? I was expecting a little more fun from the King of Equestria.” Fanatic smirked.

Sol charged his horn, enveloping it in a dark blue hue. “I suggest you answer my question,” he said.

Fanatic frowned. “A wise suggestion. I guess I might as well state my business. I have come to negotiate an end to the hostilities between us. I realized that my demands were a little... harsh to start off. Perhaps it will be better if we were to discuss terms on more even grounds?”

“Why the sudden change of heart?” Sol asked.

“Can a pony not feel regret for his actions, Sol? I have watched this city become torn apart by my very eyes. No longer do I wish to see the towers of smoke rising all over the city. No longer do I wish to see ponies robbed of their possessions or of their lives. It all started because I spoke out against something I felt was wrong. My charisma pushed the citizens to their limits, and as a result, Everfree is now smoking and ruined.”

Fanatic took a few steps forward.

“I have no doubt that many of the rioters who stand before you now feel the same as I do. Hear us out, Sol and Galactica. Hear out what it is the people demand of you. It is all that we ask for.”

Sol narrowed his eyes, but dissipated the energy that had been encasing his horn. “I, too, wish to see an end to these hostilities. We are more than willing to listen to the terms of the people. We shall discuss this on the morrow.”

Sol then turned to leave the crowd of ponies. The gates to the castle started to close, slowing shrinking the size of the group of ponies who were standing outside of the gates. Celestia strained her ears to get the last audible sounds from the crowd.

“Glad to hear it.” Fanatic said, and Celestia could see a wicked smile spreading across his face as the gates to the castle closed.

~~~

Here you guys go, another chapter out and ready to be read. I more than likely will not be coming out with another chapter for a week or so. I have become drained of writing between finals and volunteering, and I just do not have the drive to write a chapter in a couple of days. I will be taking a small break, but this is not a hiatus! I begin my winter break next week so expect more chapters (hopefully!) more frequently.

A huge thank you to Naes345 and whisperingsage as my editors!

Next chapter is Chapter 18: Ultimatum

Chapter 18: Ultimatum

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The Gift of Life Chapter 18

The next day...

“This meeting has been called to order to discuss the recent ramifications of the death of Star Swirl the Bearded,” Sol declared, raising his voice above the chattering of the rest of the ponies. “Please have a seat.”

All of the ponies in the room of Everfree Castle’s meeting chambers sat in their respective seats. The room grew quiet as everypony looked at Sol who sat at the head of the massive table. Light shimmered off of the polished oak table, causing some of the ponies to squint to see the king. Sol turned to one of the pegasus guards.

“Lower the curtains,” he said.

The pegasus guards started to lower the curtains enough so that light fell below the table, and Sol turned back to look at the delegation of ponies. Celestia sat to the left of Sol, while Luna sat next to Celestia. Their mother sat across from them, and had her attention turned towards Sol. Once the curtains had been lowered, the pegasus guards left the room, leaving only two unicorn guards to stand watch at the doors.

“As I am certain that all of you know,” Sol began, “Starswirl the Bearded has recently been claimed by an untimely death at the hands of a magic attack by my daughter, Princess Luna. His death was unexpected, as his original intent was to assist my daughter with sleeping problems she has developed. This meeting will be to serve as a trial, a fair trial, as is what to be done about Starswirl’s death, along with the chaos that has been caused by the riots.”

A murmur rose among the delegation, but the noise stopped when Fanatic cleared his throat.

“And who will the defendant and the prosecutor be in this trial?” he asked.

“We shall hold an election right now as to who will represent the defense and who will be the prosecution,” Sol replied. “Are there any nominees for the defense of Princess Luna and Family?”

“I nominate myself,” Orion said, raising himself from his seat.

Everypony else remained seated, their gazes locked on Orion, the only pony who stood up. Celestia bit her lip, and turned to look at her father.

“Very well,” Sol sighed, “Orion shall represent the defense of this trial. Who are the nominees for the prosecution?”

A slight whisper rose from among the delegation, and slowly everypony faced Fanatic. Fanatic had kept a stoic expression through the first election, and now he turned to meet the crowd’s gaze. He coughed, but wore a smug expression as he rose from his seat.

“It seems as if the ponies of the delegation nominate me to be the prosecutor against the Royal Family,” he said. “Very well, are all in favor?”

There were a few exclamations from the delegation, while the remainder of the ponies simply nodded their heads. Fanatic threw a smile at Sol, who merely returned it with a look of disdain. Sol stood from his seat.

“It looks as if Fanatic will be representing the prosecution,” Sol said coldly. “The judges shall be the rest of the delegation. You are to use your logic and judgement upon the defendants of this trial. Refrain from using any biased opinions. You are putting the lives of ponies in your hooves.”

Sol sat back down in his seat as Orion and Fanatic raised themselves from their seats. The two ponies walked to the foot of the table, and stopped to exchange a few words between each other. Celestia couldn’t make out what the two ponies were saying, but she saw an obvious tone of disgust on Orion’s voice.

After the two ponies broke from their conversation, Fanatic returned to his seat and Orion strode up to stand next to Sol.

“This trial shall begin with hearing the story of the defense,” he announced. “From there the prosecution shall begin with the first round of questions. Once his time is up, then it shall be me who will ask the next round of questions. Once both sides have asked two rounds of questions, the conclusion arguments shall be announced and judgement shall be made. Is this acceptable for everypony?”

The ponies of the delegation nodded their heads. Orion nodded in return and then turned to Galactica.

“I should like to hear the story from Queen Galactica’s point of view,” he said.

Orion turned and returned to his seat, allowing for Galactica to begin.

“As my husband stated before,” Galactica started, “our daughter has been suffering from terrible nightmares for a time now. We were unsure of the cause of the nightmares, so we took her before the High Unicorn Council with hopes that perhaps they would be able to help us. We knew about the latest interrogation technique that Starswirl had invented, and hoped that perhaps he would be willing to use a less intensive version on our daughter.”

Galactica turned to look at Luna with sad eyes. “We called the council before us, and Starswirl readily volunteered to be the one to dive into our daughter’s mind. He understood the risks he was taking.”

The queen turned to look at the rest of the delegation. “To clarify what I mean by that, the mind of an alicorn is far different than that of any other pony. In our minds, there are many safeguards that are automatically put in place to guard us from becoming influenced or controlled by outside sources. The safeguards of a young alicorn are not fully set in place yet, so we figured that Starswirl would be able to enter Luna’s mind.”

There were a few whispers among the delegation, and Galactica paused to give a sigh.

“We were wrong, however,” Galactica continued, making everypony fall silent. “When Starswirl entered Luna’s mind, he came into contact with what had been giving our daughter nightmares. The...thing trapped him in Luna’s mind and then expelled his magic out of Luna’s body. The result electrocuted Starswirl and killed him.”

A dull chatter rose among the ponies. Celestia glanced at her mother, who hung her head, and then turned to see that Fanatic had risen from his seat. He strode slowly over to the four alicorns, taking the time to allow the whispers among the delegation to die down on their own.

“A touching story, I may say,” Fanatic said with a tinge of sarcasm. “Our poor, adorable princess is plagued by nightmares. She obviously does need help.”

Fanatic stopped next to Galactica, facing away from the table. Galactica glanced towards the prosecutor, eyes filled with malice.

“However, I can’t help but feel that the story is lacking,” Fanatic continued. “What are these nightmares about, exactly?”

“How is this relevant to the trial?” Orion shouted from his seat. He had risen and was now staring directly at Fanatic.

“That information is vital so we know the exact nature of Starswirl’s death,” Fanatic replied with a hint of irritation in his voice.

Orion sat back down, grumbling to himself. Fanatic turned back to look at Galactica.

“So, what are these nightmares about, Queen Galactica?” he asked.

“They... They are-” Galactica started. She stopped, however, when she noticed the look on Luna’s face.

“I-I’ll tell them, Mother,” Luna said quietly. Fanatic raised an eyebrow while Galactica simply nodded her head at Luna. “In my nightmares, there is a black alicorn mare who would appear before me. She would show me terrible scenes of the potential future, as well as try to corrupt my mind into believing that I am not loved by the citizens of Equestria.”

Luna paused, sniffling and looking down at her hooves.

“S-she is the one who had taken control of me at the time. She threw up my defenses and pushed Starswirl out of my mind. She s-said she was protecting me. She said t-that he wanted to hurt me. I didn’t want to be hurt.”

Fanatic walked around the back of Sol’s chair, and turned to face the two princesses. He stayed silent for a time, staring with malicious intent.

“So, you say that there is some entity in your mind that is corrupting your thoughts?” he finally asked.

Luna nodded her head.

“And it was this entity that ultimately killed Starswirl the Bearded?”

Luna nodded her head again.

“No further questions.” Fanatic said, walking back around the table and taking his seat.

As Fanatic passed by Orion, he recieved a sour look. Orion then lifted himself from his seat and walked over to Celestia and Luna, pausing behind them The silence of the room caused the hairs on Celestia neck to stand on end.

“Luna,” Orion started, “would you happen to know of a way to prevent the black alicorn mare from entering your dreams?”

Luna turned around to look at Orion.

“I-I sleep with my sister on most nights,” Luna said. “We don’t know why, but her presence keeps the black mare away.”

“Can you confirm this, Celestia?” Orion asked, turning his head towards Celestia.

“I can,” Celestia said, giving Orion a sideways glance.

“Sol and Galactica, how long has Luna’s condition been going on for?” Orion asked, stepping behind Sol’s chair and standing between the king and queen.

“For... Seven years,” Sol answered hesitantly.

“And why were either you of not told of Luna’s condition before the time of Starswirl’s death?”

“Because our daughters believed we were too preoccupied with running a nation to need to worry of Luna’s sleeping disorder,” Galactica answered.

“Did Luna appear normal to you two during these seven years?”

“Apart from her being exceptionally more timid than most ponies we know of her age,” Galactica replied, giving a slight smile at Orion, “we did not see anything abnormal about her behavior. In fact, she is one of the most kind and humble mares there are. It may just be her mother speaking, but ask any of the judges and I’m sure that if they have met Luna, they will agree with me.”

“Very well,” Orion said as he turned to look at the delegation. “You, would you agree with Queen Galactica that Princess Luna is an exceptionally kind and humble mare?”

The pegasus stallion who Orion pointed to stood from his seat. “I would have to agree with my Queen.”

“What about you?” Orion asked, addressing a unicorn mare.

“She really is an adorable little filly,” she said.

“And you, Ms. Cherry Blossom?” Orion asked the earth pony governor.

Cherry Blossom bit her lip, but eventually relented. “I have no comment on the matter.”

Orion smirked at who Celestia could only guess was Fanatic. Fanatic’s face contorted into a frown.

“No more questions,” Orion concluded.

Fanatic rose from his seat and focused his gaze over towards the doors that marked the entrance to the meeting room. He nodded his head slightly. Before it could be discerned who he was looking at, Fanatic broke contact and strode hastily over towards the head of the table.

“Princess Luna,” Fanatic said aggressively, “what are these visions that the black mare was showing you? What did she say?”

“I-I...” Luna stuttered, staring at Fanatic.

“Tell me!” Fanatic shouted.

“Fanatic!” Orion said, standing up quickly from his seat. “I do not see how these questions are relevant to the trial.”

“These questions are relevant enough, Orion,” Fanatic spat, briefly turning to look at Orion. “Everypony here deserves to know of what is going on inside Princess Luna’s mind. This... entity killed Starswirl the Bearded, and she could very well kill you as well if we do not get more information from her.”

Fanatic turned to look back at Luna.

“So tell me, Princess, what is it that manipulates you? Who is this black mare? What does she tell you?”

Luna whimpered as she faced the onslaught of Fanatic’s questions, and she started to retreat and hug up against Celestia. Celestia extended a wing around her sister and stared at Fanatic coldly. Fanatic stared back her with an expression that was equally as cold, and then gestured his head towards Sol.

Next thing Celestia knew, both of her parents had been trapped in the magical grip of two of the unicorn guards that had been guarding the entrance to the meeting room. There was a scream from one of the delegate members as Celestia returned her gaze to Fanatic. Fanatic had jumped up onto the table and had pulled a jagged dagger from seemingly out of nowhere. Before she had a chance to react, Fanatic had knocked Celestia to side into the chair that was directly next to her, and was standing over Luna.

“You wield a dangerous power, little princess,” Fanatic said coldly. “You are a danger to everypony around you. You threaten the very existence of Equestria.”

Fanatic twisted the dagger in his mouth so the tip was pointing directly at Luna’s throat.

“I’m going to stop you. I’m going to save Equestria. If that means that I’m going to have to lose my life for it, so be it, but I will not sit back and watch as somepony like you walks free while I have to sit behind bars the rest of my life for trying to stop Equestria’s prophesied apocalypse.”

As Fanatic was about to drive his dagger through Luna’s throat, a blast of magical energy made contact with his back left leg, and caused Fanatic to be thrown against the far wall. Celestia came running up to stand over her sister, her horn lit in a deadly yellow hue and her eyes filled with rage.

“Release my parents,” Celestia ordered at the two unicorn guards who still had Sol and Galactica trapped in their magical fields.

The guards immediately dropped their their magical fields and backed away slowly into a corner. Sol and Galactica heavily dropped to the ground, and shook their heads slightly. Once they had regained their composure, they rushed over to Celestia and Luna and quickly dropped onto their knees.

“Luna, are you okay?” Galactica asked hysterically.

Celestia backed away from standing over Luna and brought her attention to Fanatic. Fanatic was letting out screams of agony as he lay against the wall she had managed to toss him against. Celestia could see that he had a massive burn wound on his leg, although she was sure that wasn’t the full extent of his wounds.

A few more guards came rushing into the room, Firemane included, and they quickly rushed over and arrested the two unicorn guards who began to make a run for one of the windows. Firemane came trotting up to Celestia.

“What happened here?” he asked.

“Fanatic tried to assassinate Luna,” Celestia said as she gestured her head over to Fanatic. “I managed to knock him off of her in time, but the damage of the attack has already been done.”

Firemane sighed, and then whistled for a guard to come over to him.

“Take Fanatic and the two unicorns down to the dungeon,” he ordered. “Make sure you place magic dissipating rings on the two unicorns.”

“Yes sir!” the guard said.

Firemane turned back to Celestia.

“Is she alright?” he asked.

Celestia turned to look back at Luna. Luna had risen back onto her hooves and was fully embracing her mother in a hug. Celestia could not see Luna’s face, but she could see the tears that were streaming down her mother’s face.

“I don’t know, Firemane,” Celestia said with a sigh.

~~~

Fanatic stood before King Sol and Queen Galactica in the throne chambers. He wore a collar around his neck with a chain attached, securely held by the pegasus guard that stood next to him. His back left hoof was roughly bandaged, as well as his front right hoof bound up in a sling from being broken when he impacted the wall. Celestia watched on as her father slowly rose from his chair and walked down to the foot of the steps.

“What were you hoping to accomplish with your attack, Fanatic?” Sol asked coldly.

Fanatic spat between Sol’s hooves and stared directly into his eyes.

“Princess Luna is a threat to the world, Sol,” Fanatic stated. “The visions that are in her mind are true, you know it be. These are not some little filly’s nightmares like you are trying to play it to be.”

“Silence. We have been trying to help our daughter the best we can. Do you think we haven’t? Why do you think we brought the best unicorns of our time before us, if not only to help our daughter be rid of the magic that corrupts her mind?”

“This isn’t something that can be diminished or helped! This is not any regular unicorn magic that is festering within her mind. The more you poke and prod at it, the worse it becomes.”

Sol huffed and turned away to look out across Everfree. The sun was setting in the distance, intensifying the red roofs of the buildings.

“You do not know of what you speak,” Sol said. “The power you think you know so well is so far from your grasp. How could you, an earth pony of all ponies, believe to think you understand of powers that not even I, or your Queen, understand?”

“I do not claim to know,” Fanatic said quietly, “but my master does. He knows of the fate that your daughter will bring upon Equestria.”

“Who is your master?” Galactica asked, eying Fanatic curiously.

Fanatic merely stared at Galactica, his eyes scrunched. Sol turned around and walked back up to Fanatic.

“Galactica asked you a question,” he said. “I suggest you answer it.”

“My master does not have a name, Galactica,” Fanatic answered, “nor do I know of what he looks like. He has only visited me during my dreams, and has done so many times.”

Celestia noticeably flinched.

“And you say he is the one who ordered for my daughter’s death?” Sol asked.

Fanatic didn’t respond, and stared at Sol angrily. Sol gestured his head towards the throne room doors, allowing for the pegasus guard to turn and pull Fanatic along with him back to the dungeons. When the two massive doors closed behind them, Sol returned to his seat and sighed.

“What has this nation come to, Galactica?” Sol asked.

“I don’t know, Sol,” Galactica replied. “It seems as if Equestria has practically collapsed within a matter of years.”

“It does,” Sol raised himself from his chair, quickly followed by Galactica, and they both descended the stairs. “Celestia, Luna, could you two come here please?”

Celestia and Luna raised themselves from their chairs. Celestia felt Luna rub her body against her own, and she gently placed a wing around Luna’s body. They stood before their parents.

“How are you two feeling?” Galactica asked.

“I think we are both a little shaken up,” Celestia answered, looking down at Luna.

Galactica frowned and lowered her head to match the height of Celestia’s. “I know. Today has been a rough day for both of you.”

“What happened to the rest of the delegation?” Celestia asked.

“They were all escorted out of the castle safely,” Sol replied. “Many of them seemed shaken up by Fanatic’s attack.”

The doors to the throne room opened, allowing for Queen Chrysalis to enter. She was followed closely by both Meadow Free and Regality, and upon seeing Celestia and Luna, both maids broke into a gallop.

“Luna!” Regality shouted as she embraced the younger princess in a hug. Luna hugged tightly back, and together they shed tears of happiness.

Meadow Free was soon hugging Celestia as well, and then they both looked at Regality and Luna.

“I heard about how you saved your sister from that deranged stallion,” Meadow Free said, leaning her head up against Celestia’s.

“I’m sure my sister would have done the same for me,” Celestia replied, slightly smiling and extending a wing around Meadow Free.

Chrysalis took a moment to behold the sight of the reunion, and then turned to look at Sol and Galactica.

“Good evening,” she greeted.

“Hello, Chrysalis,” Galactica said.

“How are you two doing?”

“Well, I guess you could say we are both a little disturbed by today’s events,” Galactica said as she looked at her husband, “but we are alright.”

Sol continued to watch Celestia and Luna talk with their maids.

“You look more than just a little disturbed,” Chrysalis stated, raising an eyebrow. “You two look visibly shaken. Are you sure you are alright?”

Galactica sighed. “We do not have the time to relax at the moment. Right now our nation needs us to pick up the pieces from the riots, and put in place a secure government for a time. I think, even if the riots are now over and Fanatic in custody, we need to impose martial law on the citizens.”

“You know as well as I do that I would hate to see Equestria befall such a political system, even if temporary,” Chrysalis said sympathetically, “but it is necessary to repair the social structure that had collapsed.”

“I know,” Galactica said quietly, turning to look and see that Regality had tackled Luna and was trying to tickle her stomach. Her lips started to form into a smile.

“What is to become of Fanatic?” Chrysalis asked.

“He is to be executed for treason and attempting to murder a princess tomorrow morning,” Sol replied.

The doors to the throne room opened once again, and everypony within the room turned to see that one of the pegasus messengers had entered the room. He was carrying an envelope in his mouth. He stopped in front of Sol and gave a salute, and then gave Sol the letter. Soll nodded at the pegasus, dismissing him, and then opened the letter. The longer he spent reading the contents of the paper, the more his face started to contort with worry, and even fear.

“W-what does it say, Sol?” Galactica asked.

“Germaney has declared that they will take hostile action against Equestria if Fanatic is executed,” Sol replied.

Celestia’s jaw dropped slightly, and she looked over at Luna. Luna’s ears were folded back and she had bitten her lip, and Celestia turned back towards her parents.

“What are we going to do?” she asked.

“We can only hope that they are bluffing once again,” Sol remarked. “I cannot begin to believe that they have the necessary resources to take hostile action against us. Fanatic must be brought to justice, even if that means that means we will lose what little popularity with Germaney we have left.”

~~~

Celestia watched as the sun rose over the horizon in the east. The trees were all painted pink, while the rooftops of Everfree turned to a deeper shade of red. She could hear the first sounds of the early morning echoing off of the walls of the buildings. Merchants were shouting, listing out their wares to ponies who were passing by to their early jobs. Carts were rolling through the streets on their way to deliver merchandise in and out of the city. It seemed like a normal day.

The door to her room slid open behind her.

“A red sun,” Luna observed as she sat down next to Celestia.

“Luna, I’m afraid for today,” Celestia said, staying her gaze on the red rooftops. “This last week has been terrifying. The social structure of Everfree has completely collapsed. Although the riots have ended, I know there is still discontent being sown among the ponies of Equestria.”

Luna laid her head against Celestia’s neck. “Fanatic isn’t the only one who is corrupting everypony, is he, ‘Tia?”

“No, he couldn’t be. There are of course those who support Fanatic, and reiterate his words as criers, but after today their words would mean nothing. There is something else.”

“Do you think that it might be the two eyes you saw in your second vision?”

Celestia shifted a little. “It may be,” she said. “Fanatic said that his master visited him in dreams, but he never was able to see what he looked like. I can’t help that his master is the same being that was in my vision.”

A bell started to ring, marking the turn of the hour. Its low vibration brought an eerie silence to the city. Celestia hairs stood on end as she heard the next gong of the bell.

“‘Tia?” Luna asked.

“Yes, Luna?”

“Do you remember the riddle?”

Celestia looked at Luna quizzically.

“At the end of magic’s lord, will there be a clash of sword upon sword. Each strike paints the picture red, until the king and queen have nothing more to be said,” she said.

Luna raised herself to her hooves and looked towards the market square. Celestia followed her gaze until she saw the execution square. She could see Fanatic was standing with a noose around his neck. Her mother and father were standing on either side of the platform, and there was a hooded pony with his hooves held firmly on the lever that will drop the door underneath of Fanatic.

“What if Fanatic is ‘will there be a clash of sword upon sword’?” Luna asked.

“What do you mean?” Celestia asked, snapping her head to Luna.

“Germaney has practically threatened Equestria with open war if Fanatic dies,” Luna stated, turning to look at Celestia. “The second part of the riddle is supposed to follow quickly after the first, and if Starswirl dying was the first part of the riddle, that means that Fanatic could be the beginning of the second!”

Celestia’s jaw dropped, and she turned to look back at the execution square.

“We need to get to the execution square now,” she said.

The two princesses turned quickly and ran out of their room. They spread their wings together, and Celestia took off first to soar above the halls. Luna quickly followed her, and together they both flew all the way to the entrance to the castle keep. They both landed gracefully in front of guard who watched over the entrance.

The guard allowed them to pass through the smaller door that had been cut out of the massive castle doors. Once they had passed to outside of the castle, Celestia and Luna broke into a gallop towards the massive castle gates.

“Open the gates!” Celestia shouted to one of the guards who kept watch.

The guard quickly started shouting orders to the other guards who managed the gate, and together they opened the gate wide enough for both princesses to squeeze through. Two of the guards followed the princesses through, providing them escort towards their destination.

“Tia, how much longer do we have?” Luna called to her sister.

Celestia used a spell to enhance her hearing, and focused it upon the execution square.

“...pony has been charged with treason, and attempted murder of a princess, and is to be sentenced to death. He...”

“Our father is almost finished with the formalities!” Celestia shouted back at her sister.

Celestia, Luna, and the guards all picked up their pace as they were entering the Northern District of Everfree. Ponies were hastily moving out of their way as the princesses continued to barrel through, and whatever pony that didn’t move out of the way in time found themselves being vaulted over by four different ponies. There were curses of disapproval being thrown at them, but the troop pressed on.

The princesses and the guards were soon converging on the execution square located in the Eastern District of Everfree. The sound of Sol’s voice could be heard over the clop of their hoofsteps.

“If there are no final words, you are hereby sentenced to death.”

Celestia heard the sound of a lever being pulled, and as she rounded the last corner to the execution square, she saw Fanatic’s whole body pull the noose taught.

Without giving a moment’s hesitation, Celestia shot a blast of energy at the rope. The rope was cut and Fanatic’s body tumbled to the ground beneath the platform.

“Celestia! What is the meaning of...” Sol started to say. He was completely ignored, however, as Celestia dove under the platform. She slowly dragged Fanatic’s body out from underneath the platform, and then started to check if there was any sign that he was still alive. There was a crowd of ponies looking on at the scene before them.

After Celestia had checked for a pulse, her heart sank, and she slowly stood up.

“He’s... He’s dead,” Celestia confirmed.

Chapter 19: Rules of Magic

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The Gift of Life Chapter 19

Two days later...

The morning sunrise started to shine through the windows of Everfree Castle’s war room. The sun’s light allowed light to fill every corner. The candles in the room were still smoking from being extinguished, and the scent of candle wick smoke filled the noses of every pony that was present.

Celestia stood at the corner of a massive table that was shaped to extreme detail of Equestria. She could see the many rivers carved into the tables, as well as the mountains that had been built on top of it. There were statuettes of pegasi, earth ponies, and unicorns all grouped up together on specific cities, as well as a miniature trebuchet being present on the city of Stalliongrad. Celestia was in between her mother and her sister, who also stared at the massive table.

All around the table were the four generals of Equestria’s military, as well as Firemane, Sol, and Queen Chrysalis. Static and Reaper stood together at the foot of the table, each stallion intimidating even in the light of the sunrise. Their eyes were hardened from the battle scars that littered their bodies, and the two generals were talking quietly between each other with smiles on their faces. Standing next to Sol at the head of the table was High General Bright, his piercing yellow eyes scanning the minute details of the table. General Forza stood on the side of the table, her usual slender body covered in thin and decorative chain mail body armor.

“It seems as if Germaney stayed true to their threat two days ago,” Bright said. “In the early hours of the evening, a massive army from the province has marched on Stalliongrad, besieging the city and demanding its surrender. I flew pegasi reconnaissance ops during the night to derive an approximation of their size, and of their battle lines.”

Bright paused and walked over to the side of the table next to Forza. He moved a black pegasus statuette and a black earth pony statuette over to the city from the direction of Germany, and moved a black unicorn statuette to stay a little behind the two other statuette.

“The majority of Germaney’s forces are present at the city,” Bright explained, “and have set up an encampment all around the northern side of the city. They have dug trenches, and have built trebuchets and catapults that have already begun their bombardment in the early hours of the morning. The forces look to be made up mostly of pegasi and earth pony soldiers, while the bulk of the unicorn soldiers are watching the rear of their encampment.”

“Do we know how the city is holding up?” Forza asked, glancing at Bright.

“The city has a sizable garrison,” he said, “but it has no walls and very little artillery. Stalliongrad’s troops only has a few days before they have been bogged down enough for Germaney to begin their assault. Lucky for us, if we do not reach there in time, the city is large enough and well-equiped to withhold the attack for a few more days.”

Forza grimaced.

“Let us hope it does not come to that,” Reaper said. “What is our plan of action?”

“Although Stalliongrad has enough time for all three armies to aid them,” Bright stated, “we need to arrive at the front lines as soon as possible. We need a plan that is swift, but also decisive.”

Bright pointed towards the city of Manehatten and then the city of Hoofington.

“Reaper and Static shall lead the attack with the Earth Pony Battalion and Pegasus Air Force,” Bright said, moving across from Bright and Forza and grabbing a stick. “With the swiftness of the pegasi, they can arrive at the front lines in a little less than a day and set up camp on the western side of the city.”

Bright moved a pegasus statuette from Manehatten, and slid it across to stand on the west side of Stalliongrad.

“From there, the pegasi can use skirmish tactics on the lines of Germaney, disrupting the bombardment of the city and hopefully allowing for time for some of the Air Force to reinforce the city. As for the Earth Pony Battalion...”

Bright moved the Earth Pony statuette from Hoofington all the way to the western side of Stalliongrad.

“They will march to the city with all due haste. If they set out tonight, they should reach the city by tomorrow evening to reinforce the pegasi. Once the two armies have united, we make a charge on their encampment in the dead of night.”

Sol stared at the Stalliongrad, gritting his teeth.

“This will not defeat Germaney,” he said. “Upon seeing the pegasus force arrive, Germaney will move its unicorn detachment up to reinforce the front lines. Heavy losses will be taken if we do not have our own unicorn soldiers to support the pegasi and earth ponies. What is to become of the Unicorn Army?”

Forza levitated the stick from Bright and used it to push the unicorn statuette from Hoofington to the mountain pass separating the eastern provinces of Equestria from the west.

“We shall march out with the Earth Pony Battalion and make camp here,” she stated. “However, I will send a large detachment to run with the earth ponies to meet up with the pegasi. With Static’s permission, I should like to have the unicorns that accompany the earth ponies to use a lesser drain spell to replenish their stamina.”

Static nodded towards Forza.

“With that added support,” she continued, “it should be enough to break the lines of Germaney and fully reinforce the city. The army will not be defeated, however, and will more than likely direct their attention somewhere else.”

Forza gestured at the mountain pass.

“That is why there will be a detachment of the Unicorn Army guarding the mountain pass. If Germaney feels the need to make a quick strike deeper in Equestria, the Unicorn Army can hold Germaney off while the rest of the military strikes from behind.”

Sol still stared hard at the city of Stalliongrad with a hardened gaze, grinding his teeth quietly..

“Alright, the plan is a go,” he said finally. “You have your orders Reaper?”

“Yes, your majesty,” Reaper asked.

“You have full control of this operation. The ponies of Stalliongrad are in your hooves.”

“Yes, sir,” Reaper said with a salute.

Static, Reaper, and Bright filed out of the room, leaving the Royal Family, Firemane, Chrysalis, and Forza behind. Forza walked up to Chrysalis and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. Then they both broke into talking in the quiet language of the Flutterponies. It sounded as if the room had suddenly been claimed by a choir of wind blowing through the tall grass.

“How is the investigation coming along?” Sol asked, turning to Firemane.

“No luck, sir,” Firemane said with a sigh. “The guards refuse to speak any further. The most that we have gotten from them is that they were bribed by Fanatic to do a job.”

Sol cursed under his breath. “Okay, continue the investigation, and keep an eye out. We don’t know if anypony else had been bribed by Fanatic. Dismissed.”

Firemane gave a salute, then exited the room.

“Daddy?” Celestia said, looking up at Sol.

“Yes, Celestia?” Sol responded, turning to look at Celestia.

“What about the ponies living in Stalliongrad? Are they getting evacuated?”

“As fast as we can,” Sol said, a false smile forming on his lips. Celestia sighed and gently sat on her haunches.

Forza and Chrysalis stopped talking, and gazed at each other for a long moment. Then Forza kneeled down to allow Chrysalis to tap her horn on each shoulder. Upon the last tap, Forza rose and stared into the eyes of a now teary-eyed Chrysalis.

“Go, my child,” Chrysalis said. “Make the Eternal Valley and Equestria proud.”

Forza nodded, and then quickly left the room. Chrysalis took a moment and looked out the window at the sun, which was just clearing the distant mountains that separated the Eternal Valley from Equestria.

“So, shall we continue our training?” Chrysalis asked, turning to look at Celestia and Luna. “The day is early, and I suspect it would be best if we take to the field before any of the castle guards get to it first.”

Celestia and Luna gave their parents a hug, and then left with Chrysalis towards the practice range. The trio walked on in relative silence, and Celestia gazed up towards Chrysalis. The tears that had clouded Chrysalis’ eyes were now gone, but disappointment still stretched across her face in a frown.

They reached the practice range and found it to be empty, save for the two guards who were tasked with watching over the practice range. Chrysalis walked to the center of the practice range and turned.

“Let’s begin with a little refresher on defensive stances,” she said.

Celestia and Luna spread their legs and lowered their heads, their horns pointing straight out. Chrysalis walked over and attempted to push them over, only for both Celestia and Luna to hold their grounds. Chrysalis smiled.

“Good, you two have learned well,” she said as she walked back to stand in front of Celestia and Luna. “You two may relax. That first stance is meant for when you think speed and agility are going to be the most effective tactic against your opponent. From that stance, you are able to sidestep, or fly, to dodge an attack.”

Chrysalis turned so that her side was facing Celestia and Luna, and then spread her legs and turned her head so that she was look at the two princesses.

“There is another stance I think that is vital for you two to learn,” she stated. “It is more aggressive than the last, but it is invaluable when you are facing multiple opponents. From this position, it is much easier for you to parry magic blows, as well as attack your opponent if you are given a chance.”

Celestia and Luna mimicked Chrysalis’ stance, and she smiled.

“We can test if you truly know how to use that stance later. Right now I don’t think you two are nearly proficient enough in magic to defend yourself against several magical attacks.”

Chrysalis moved from from the center of the practice range, and levitated two practice dummies over to the far side of the range. She enchanted them both so that they were now glowing in a magical, red field.

“Let’s start with some warm up exercises,” Chrysalis instructed. “I have enchanted the training dummies with a spell that will shield them, for a time, against magic attacks. I want you two to use the first attack I taught you on them.”

Celestia was the first to charge up her horn, and she let off three vollies of yellow, magical energy. Each volley struck the dummy across from her with near perfect precision, and Celestia gave a confident smile. Luna charged her horn up next, and shot off three vollies of dark blue energy in faster succession than her sister. Each volley hit true to their intended target, and Luna squeed a little in excitement.

“Excellent work, you two,” Chrysalis exclaimed. “Just fire off a few more shots, and then we’ll move on to the magical attacks I have shown you.”

~~~

During the greater part of two hours, Chrysalis drilled Celestia and Luna on all of the magical attacks they had learned the day before. The two princess were firing off different types of blasts of magical energy until they were panting from exhaustion. They shot off bursts of energy that were coated in flames or super cooled, beams of energy that could be used like precision lasers, and large balls of energy that, upon impact, exploded and caused massive clouds of dust to rise above the practice range.

Celestia and Luna collapsed on the ground, and rolled onto their backs.

“Auntie Chrysalis... can we take a break?” Celestia asked through heavy breaths.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

“Okay, we can take a short break,” she said.

Chrysalis sat down next to the two princesses, and turned her gaze to look up towards the sky. Her eyes moved with the clouds that floated overhead, and her massive butterfly wings slowly opened and closed. Celestia sat up and turned her gaze upwards to follow the clouds with Chrysalis.

“Can I ask you a question, Auntie?” Celestia asked, turning her attention to Chrysalis.

“Of course,” Chrysalis, staying her gaze upward.

“What is your relationship with Forza?”

Chrysalis’ eyes stopped moving and her wings locked together. She turned to look at Celestia.

“W-what is my relationship with Forza?” Chrysalis repeated.

“Well, I...” Celestia stuttered. “You see, I once talked to Forza, back during her party, about the way Flutterponies perceived love. She said she loved you like you were her mother.”

“She is something more to me than a daughter, Celestia,” Chrysalis said. Luna sat up and turned to look at Chrysalis. “When I took her in, when she was just a little filly, there was this bond that formed between us. I gave her everything that a filly ever wanted. I gave her attention, love, and a mother’s affection.

“I always made sure she brushed her teeth at night. I never let her fall behind in her studies. I made sure she interacted and grew up around other Flutterponies who were her age. I watched her grow from an adorable filly to the most beautiful Flutterpony from the Eternal Valley. Yet, when I try to think of her as a daughter, it doesn’t seem right.”

Chrysalis shifted a little and let her wings relax.

“She’s like the brightest star in the night sky. Her presence radiates the love and gratitude for the care I gave her when she was little. She carries herself with such pride to have an adopted mother like me.”

“Why did you allow her to join the Equestrian military?” Celestia asked.

“Because... because she wanted to,” Chrysalis replied. “She was one of our most brilliant of strategists, but she felt that Equestria was in more of a dire need of her services than the Eternal Valley. I allowed her to go because I know your parents, and I have full confidence that Forza will be treated with decency from them. So far I have not been let down.”

Celestia looked away from Chrysalis.

“Do you miss her?”

Chrysalis’ head drooped and she sighed.

“Yes, I miss her deeply,” Chrysalis said. “She writes all of the time, but it’s not the same as being able to see her face. I know she has duties here in Equestria, but I sometimes wish she would come home for a time.”

They both fell into silence, and Celestia stared at the dummies across the practice range. Luna was gazing at the dummies too, and she peered around Celestia to look at Chrysalis.

“Auntie Chrysalis, can you show us how you placed a shield around the dummies?” Luna asked.

“Of course,” Chrysalis replied, and she got back to her hooves and levitated one of the dummies from the edge of the practice range over to them.

Chrysalis placed the dummy on the ground in front of Celestia and Luna and stood next to the dummy, her horn still highlighted in a red hue.

“The spell I used on the dummies was an advanced energy shield spell,” she said. “I don’t expect you two to learn that sort of spell just yet, as it usually takes many years of training for the Royal Guards to perfect the spell. Being that you’re alicorns, I’m sure you will pick up the spell fast, but not before you have had some training with some of the lesser shield spells.”

Chrysalis looked at the dummy that was next to her, and then summoned what looked like a shimmering, red pane of glass that was paper thin.

“This is the first shield you two shall learn,” Chrysalis stated, “All shield strength varies between shield spells, as you can intensify or reduce the power of the shield. However, this spell is the least taxing of all of the forms that I am going to teach you, although it does not protect you well against attacks from multiple sides.”

Chrysalis allowed for the shield to dissipate, and then placed the dummy back at the edge of the practice range.

“Now, I want you to make your own shields,” she instructed. “When summoning a shield, you need to take the energy that is in your body, and then act like you are expelling it out of your body. Be wary, though, for doing so in such a large quantity can tire you. The more magic you feel you are expelling out of your body, the stronger the shield will be.”

Celestia was the first to charge her horn, and quickly a yellow, transparent shield was summoned before her. She concentrated her eyes on the shiel, its flickering becoming less eratic and more stablized.

“Excellent work, Celestia,” Chrysalis said. “Prepare yourself.”

Celestia was barely able to let out a confused grunt before Chrysalis had shot off a blast of her magic, shattering Celestia’s shield and propelling her back a few inches.

“What the hay!” Celestia shouted.

“Your shield was too weak,” Chrysalis stated. “By my standards, that was a weak attack, the kind of attack you would need to defend yourself against if a regular unicorn were to take aim at you from fifty meters away. You need to pour more energy into your shield if you are to defend against the more powerful attacks of a unicorn up close.”

Celestia huffed and sat down on her haunches. Chrysalis turned to look at Luna. Luna audibly gulped and took a step back.

“Your turn,” Chrysalis said, raising an eyebrow.

Luna shut her eyes and started to materialize a shield in front of her. The magic looked to be more opaque than Celestia’s, and Celestia slowly got to her hooves. Chrysalis fired off a bolt of her magic, but it ricocheted off of the shield and flew directly directly back at Chrysalis. She materialized a shield of her own, and when the bolt hit, it traveled around her body and was let loose again to collide with the far end of the practice range.

“It seems as if Luna knows how to use a deflector shield,” Chrysalis observed.

“I’m so sorry, Auntie!” Luna exclaimed, dropping her shield. She ran up to Chrysalis and nuzzled against her shoulder.

“Do not worry, Luna. I should have expected this.”

Chrysalis nuzzled Luna back, then she walked so that she was standing in front of Celestia and Luna.

“There are different variants of the shield spell, and all are effective in their own way,” Chrysalis said. “The one Luna just demonstrated is known as a deflector shield spell. As you could see, when projectiles came in contact with the shield, they were deflected off of the shield in the direction of the opponent. I suspect when I shot my bolt of magic at her, her thoughts came through as wanting to repel my magic.”

Chrysalis summoned a thick shield.

“Your shield responds and changes to your thoughts, just like using magical attacks. Right now I have a simple shield spell that will block projectiles or melee attack upon impact. I am thinking of nothing more than wanting to block an incoming attack. Celestia, fire a bolt of magic at me.”

“I... you... W-what?” Celestia stuttered.

“We’re going to be sparring against each other one of these days,” Chrysalis stated. “You’re going to need to get used to taking shots at me. Now shoot.”

Celestia took a moment to charge her horn, but eventually she fired a bolt of her magic towards Chrysalis. When the magic made contact with the shield, it sent ripples through the shield in all directions.

“As you can see,” Chrysalis began, “the bolt of magic was neither reflected off of the shield, nor was it absorbed into the shield. The energy instead was dissipated, and then expelled out of the edges of the shield as heat energy.”

“Are there any other effects when the magic makes contact with the shield?” Luna inquired.

“When you are using any variation of the shield spell, projectiles that make contact will feel as if you were hit with gusts of wind. The stronger a projectile hits your shield, the more power the ‘gust of wind’ will be. That is why when I broke through Celestia’s shield she was knocked back.”

Celestia blushed slightly and took a step back. Chrysalis changed the state of the shield, making it appear much thicker and less transparent.

“I have changed this shield’s state from being a simple shield to a deflector shield. When something makes contact with the shield, it will be reflected back in the direction it was fired or swung from.”

Chrysalis cast her gaze to the side and locked gazes with one of the idle guards. The guard noticed her eyes were on him, and he immediately straightened his slouched posture. Chrysalis smiled and motioned for him to step forward into the practice range. The guard hesitated, but he eventually stepped into the circle.

“To make this shield, all you need to think is that you want whatever is attacking you to be reflected,” Chrysalis said. She then turned to look at the guard. “Could you fire a bolt of magic at me?”

The guard charged up his horn, then let off a volley of magic at Chrysalis. Her shield deflected the magic back at the guard, and he quickly threw up his own shield to block his magic. Chrysalis looked back at Celestia and Luna.

“This kind of shield uses up more of your stamina since you are essentially using your own magic to direct the attack in another direction.”

“Is it possible to direct the magic to go somewhere else instead of back at the spot where it was fired from?” Luna asked.

“That is the last shield that I will be showing you two,” Chrysalis said.

Chrysalis nodded at the guard, allowing him to go back to the sidelines to watch on as the practice continued. Her horn glowed even brighter as energy pulsed along the shield’s outermost layer.

“This last shield absorbs the energy of attacks used against it,” Chrysalis explained. “It is very similar to a deflector shield, but instead you are imagining that you are taking the energy from anything that makes contact with the shield. Luna, step forward please.”

Luna immediately recoiled. She hesitantly walked to stand away from Celestia, then charged her horn.

“Fire a volley of magical bolts at me,” Chrysalis instructed. “Do not hold back.”

Luna closed her eyes, and after a few seconds of hesitation she expelled three bolts of her magic at Chrysalis. Her shield shimmered as each of the bolts made contact with it, and then she directed her attention over to one of the dummies and fired off a powerful blast of magic. The dummies were engulfed in a small explosion.

“And that is how you use an absorption shield,” Chrysalis said, turning back to Celestia and Luna.

“Woah,” the two princesses said in unison, staring in awe at the cloud of smoke that rose in the corner of the practice range.

“How did you do that?” Celestia asked.

“An absorption shield collects all of the energy of any attack used on it, and then stores that in itself to be used at a later time. Be advised, you are not absorbing the energy of the attacks into your own body to replenish yourself. On the contrary, this shield actually requires the most stamina of you, as you are trying to contain more and more energy in your shield.”

Chrysalis looked back at the dummies.

“The only way to release that energy is to either dissipate your shield, and potentially burn yourself from the heat energy being expelled from the shield, or direct an attack in another direction using the energy that has been collected.”

Celestia and Luna merely stared at Chrysalis with wide eyes. Chrysalis chuckled a little, and then walked over to stand behind them.

“Let’s practice using these shields a little, shall we?” Chrysalis said. “Perhaps by the end of the day we can have our first sparring match.”

~~~

Celestia and Luna stood facing each other in the very edges of the practice range. A gathering of off-duty guards had now congregated around the practice range, passing hard-earned bits between each other as they eyed the Princesses. Chrysalis took one look at the crowd and scowled in disgust, but turned her attention back to the two princesses.

“Remember,” she said, “this duel is just for fun. You are not to use any powerful magical attacks that may seriously injure your opponent. When one of you wishes to surrender, yell that you yield very clearly. I will not be having my two nieces ripping each other to pieces on the training grounds.”

“Of course, Auntie Chrysalis!” both Celestia and Luna exclaimed in unison.

“Good luck, and have fun. On your mark...”

Celestia charged her horn and spread her legs.

“Get set...”

Luna flared her wings and charged her horn as well.

“Go!”

Celestia grinned and immediately fired off a burst of three bolts of magic towards Luna, but Luna quickly threw up a shield to dispel the magic. Celestia’s grin disappeared, and she scraped her hoof against the ground. Luna dissipated her shield and dug her hooves into the dirt as she charged Celestia, letting out a high-pitched battle cry. Celestia deftly dodged her sister, and then lifted herself into the air.

While hovering in the air, Celestia began firing off more volleys of magic at Luna. Luna gasped and managed to summon a shield to block her sister’s attacks, but eventually her shield broke under the onslaught of magical energy and she had to quickly roll out of the way. When Luna came out of her roll, she fired off two bolts of magic, one of which stung Celestia’s wing.

Celestia came plummeting back down to the ground, and slammed against the dirt of the practice range. She groaned, but quickly got back to her hooves and started to circle around Luna. Luna followed Celestia’s movements, shifting her hooves so that she was always pointing her body straight at Celestia. She had a smile stretched across her face and shot some sparks from her horn.

Celestia grunted and fired off two massive balls of magic on either side of her sister, forcing Luna to break her stance and leap backwards. Celestia took this opportunity to fire a powerful beam of energy directly at her sister, in which Luna counter acted with firing her own beam of energy. The two beams locked together, and Celestia and Luna fought against each over who could push the other’s beam back, their muscles straining as they both pushed more magic into their attacks.

Eventually, Luna ceased pouring her magical energy into the beam and instead summoned an absorption shield. She held the shield for a time until she could feel heat radiating from the magic, and then she released the magical energy back in Celestia’s direction. Celestia barely managed to dodge the massive blast, but she was still caught in the sonic wave of the blast and was throw across the practice range like a rag doll.

Celestia groaned again as she laid on the ground, and couldn’t bring herself to get back to her hooves.

“I surrender,” she said weakly.

Luna started to hop around the practice range, shouting in joy. Guards who had been watching the duel grumbled and cheered alike, exchanging their bets. Chrysalis entered the practice range and, after smiling and congratulating Luna, walked over to Celestia.

“Are you okay, Celestia?” Chrysalis asked.

“Just great,” Celestia grumbled as she shakily got to her hooves.

“That was a fantastic duel,” Chrysalis remarked, smiling.

Celestia looked around at all of the guards who were still cheering and grumbling, and then she turned her attention to Luna who was still hopping around with a beaming smile. A small blush started to form on her cheeks. Celestia lowered her head a little as Luna approached.

“That was really fun, ‘Tia!” Luna exclaimed.

“Yeah. It was... It was fun,” Celestia replied, glancing around the practice range again.

“Do you want to duel again?” Luna asked.

“I...” Celestia started. She looked around at all of the guards who were now idly talking to each other. She grimaced and look up at the castle.

“I think I would rather be done for the day,” Celestia said. “Perhaps the next time we practice.”

Luna’s face fell, and Celestia folded her ears back.

“You did give your sister quite a beating, Luna,” Chrysalis said. “We’ll be practicing tomorrow, so I think it would be best if you two rested up.”

Celestia nodded at Chrysalis, and then turned to leave. Neither Luna or Chrysalis noticed the tear that crept down Celestia’s cheek as she walked away.

Chapter 20: A Distress Letter

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The Gift of Life Chapter 20

Ten weeks later...

The sun was shining the last of its light as it slowly set behind the mountains in the west. The trees had turned a soft golden color as they greatly soaked up the last of the light before it became nightfall. Their leaves rustled gently as a small gust of wind picked up, cooling the air significantly and sending the creatures of Everfree Castle’s gardens back to their homes. There was nopony out roaming the castle grounds save for one lone alicorn.

Celestia walked through the cherry blossom orchards at a slow pace. Her head faced her sinking sun off in the distance, the light shining at her through the branches of the trees. Celestia sighed, and sat next to one of the larger trees in the orchard.

“Goodnight, my sun,” Celestia said, a tear falling down her cheek. “It is time to make way for my sister’s night.”

Celestia looked down at her hooves. She noticed the small scrapes and callouses that were littered all around her hooves from the daily magic practices with Queen Chrysalis. She prodded one hoof with another, trying to move her coat to cover up the small deformities. After a while, however, she gave up and went back to look at where the sun had just fallen behind the mountains.

The western mountains were radiating light from the sun, its rays still reflecting off of the snow capped mountains. Celestia gazed at the beauty of the sight, and slowly lowered her head to rest on her hooves. Her ears swiveled around her head, listening for the sounds of the leaves still rustling in the gentle evening breeze.

A twig cracked behind her, and in an instant Celestia was on her hooves to face in intruder, her wings flared and her horn lit up in a yellow hue. She gasped to see Firemane standing in front of her.

“Woah there, Celestia,” Firemane said, taking a step back, “I didn’t mean to intrude. It looks like Queen Chrysalis’ training has really stuck.”

Celestia discharged her horn and folded her wings back up.

“I’m sorry, Firemane,” Celestia said quietly. “I wasn’t expecting anypony else to be out here.”

Firemane walked up to Celestia as she turned to look back at the sun, and he extended a wing around her.

“I thought I might find you out here, actually,” he said. “I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself lately. You seem distant and distracted at times. Is there something troubling you, Celestia?”

“I... Firemane,” Celestia stammered, “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Firemane sighed and kissed the base of Celestia’s jaw.

“Sweetheart, there are times in our lives when we cannot keep our feelings bottled up,” Firemane said. “There is something festering inside of you that gnaws at your inner conscience. You look defeated and distracted. C’mon Celestia, you know you can tell me anything.”

Celestia bit her lip and allowed the tears that had been blurring her vision to fall freely.

“It’s about Luna,” Celestia said, burying her head into Firemane’s neck. “I made a promise to her years ago that I would always be there for her. I am supposed to be her protector. She wants me to save her from the dangers that plague her mind, as well as the dangers that are present in Equestria. How am I supposed to do that when she is more powerful than me? Nearly every time we have dueled over the past ten weeks since we have started our training, Luna has bested me. There have only been a few times I have won, and I suspect that was out of pure dumb luck. How can I protect a little sister that is far superior to me when it comes to defensive magic?”

Celestia cried into Firemane’s chest, soaking his coat with her tears.

“She is depending on me, Firemane,” Celestia sobbed, “How can I keep my promise when she can take care of herself on her own?”

For some time Firemane did not budge as Celestia continued crying into his coat. When her choking ceased and her movements subsided, he lowered both Celestia and himself down so that they were sitting in the grass, and he pulled her to lay closely next to him.

“There is one thing you are forgetting,” Firemane said. Celestia looked up at him, her tears still streaming down her face.

“Luna may have the physical prowess over you, and she may be able to defend herself with her own magic, but that is not the only way to fulfill your promise to her. Your sister is very sensitive, Celestia. The mere thought of ponies disliking her makes her tear up.”

Firemane placed his forehead against the base of her horn.

“You have the ability to use your words and your intellect to help her. You have the charismatic power of your mother, and when the ponies of Equestria start to bring back old resentment for the things they believe your sister has done, be there for Luna when it doesn’t look like anypony else will be. You are your sister’s closest friend, and she needs you to be there for her always, even if that means she is stronger than you physically.

“You are a smart and beautiful mare, Celestia. Always remember that for your sister.”

Fresh tears flowed from Celestia’s eyes, and she pushed Firemane over onto his back, smothering him in a romantic embrace. She kissed him over and over, and he kissed her back with the same intensity. They laid amongst the piles of leaves fallen from the trees, and the last of the light from the sun vanished behind the western mountains.

Pulling away for a moment, she asked, “How did I ever find a stallion like you?” But before Firemane could open his mouth, their passion quickly resumed.

~~~

A bright horn blared through the castle grounds, stirring Celestia and Firemane from their peaceful embrace. They both turned towards the direction of the noise, and they saw the massive doors to the gates of the castle begin to open.

“It looks as though we were successful in our operation,” Firemane exclaimed, a smile forming on his lips.

“What operation?” Celestia asked, glancing at Firemane curiously.

“You’re about to find out. C’mon, let’s go meet your mother and father in the throne room. You’re going to like this.”

Firemane quickly pulled Celestia to her hooves, and together they galloped off towards the castle’s war room.

~~~

Celestia and Firemane made their way to the throne room, shifting past the Everfree Guard and numerous Night Guards that stood at attention all along the way. Firemane had quickly adorned his Captain’s armor before heading to the throne room, and Celestia was now wearing her golden crown and chest piece. The massive throne room doors opened to them when they approached.

“You stand accused of high treason, Adolf Hinney,” Sol’s voice rang out. “How do you plead?”

Celestia and Firemane skirted around the center of the throne room, Celestia eyes wide as she saw who was standing before the throne chairs. She turned to Firemane as they took their seats next to Luna.

“How did you manage to capture the governor of Germaney alive?” she asked in a hushed whisper.

Firemane leaned his head closer to Celestia’s.

“As you know,” he began, “last week we laid siege to the city of Marelin, and began a frantic push to the capitol building of the city. However, the deeper we moved into the city, the more desperate the enemy became. Soon, it was taking us an entire day to move half a mile more into the city while we were taking heavy losses.”

He paused as Adolf Hinney spat at Sol’s hooves, earning him a buck to the face from one of the guards flanking him.

“We came up with a plan to send in a strike team of Night Guards to extract Hinney through a weaker part of the city. As you can see, the plan worked near perfectly.”

“Near perfectly?” Celestia asked.

“We did lose one of the Night Guards it looks like,” Firemane said.

Celestia frowned, but fell quiet as Sol resumed speaking to Hinney.

“It seems as though you plead guilty, then,” Sol said coldly. “The punishment is death. Take him away.”

One of the unicorn guards who flanked Hinney grabbed Hinney’s tail in his magic and dragged him out of the throne room. A number of guards followed them out, and soon only the Royal Family, Firemane, and a few pegasi guards were left in the throne room. Celestia rose from her seat and walked over to Sol.

“Does this mean that the war is over?” she asked.

“Yes, it is over, Celestia.” Sol confirmed with a grim smile.

“You don’t seem happy about it,” Luna observed.

“No, I’m not happy about it. We have lost over eleven thousand ponies these last ten weeks. The majority may have been on the side of Germaney, but Germaney is still a province of Equestria. Too many lives were lost over the dispute of the justice done to one pony.”

Sol sighed and walked to gaze out over Everfree. Galactica soon joined him, and one of Sol’s massive wings extended around her.

“We should not hold this moment in high regard,” he said. “This is not a victory for us. All we have done is prove a point in the worst possible way. We have proven that one pony’s death was justified at the cost of eleven thousand unjustified deaths. This should be a time for mourning all of the ponies that lost their family members on both sides of the conflict, both civilian and military. I will not celebrate.”

Celestia stared at her father with her mouth agape.

“I-I had not realized that lives were lost on such a magnitude,” she said

Celestia’s wings drooped and her legs started to shake. Firemane saw Celestia’s condition, and he quickly braced himself up against her with a wing extended over her back.

“Eleven thousand deaths, Firemane,” Celestia said. “Eleven thousand families who lost their family members in the span of ten weeks. Eleven thousand brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, sons and daughters.”

Firemane kissed Celestia’s cheek and brought her head under his own. Luna looked at them both with sad eyes, her hoof prodding at the floor.

“‘Tia, we tried to save Fanatic,” she said.

Celestia turned away from Luna to look out the window in the throne room. The sky had darkened significantly with the departure of the sun, and the lights from the houses slightly illuminated the night. The moon hung overhead, casting its dull light on the landscape.

“I’d like to go to the Tower of the Stars,” Celestia said.

“Okay, let’s go,” Firemane said. “Are you coming, Luna?”

Luna nodded her head. All three of them turned to depart the throne room, and the massive doors swung open to allow for Forza, Chrysalis, Static, Bright, and Reaper to enter. Celestia bowed her head towards them, and they did the same, and then she headed towards the Tower of the Stars with Luna and Firemane.

When Celestia, Luna, and Firemane reached the top of the Tower of the Stars, they were immediately hit by a rush of cold night air. Celestia shivered a little, but she stepped forward and looked out over the rails. The wind continued to rustle her mane gently in the wind, and she sighed.

“Luna?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, ‘Tia?” Luna replied, looking at Celestia.

“Equestria is a beautiful place, isn’t it?”

“I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen much of it.”

“But from what you can see right now, isn’t Equestria beautiful?”

“Well...” Luna paused as she gazed back out over Everfree and the forest, “I guess it is.”

Celestia took in a deep breath.

“The air is crisp, the sky is cloudless, and the trees are a brilliant green. We live in a beautiful nation; someday we will rule a beautiful nation. We will be the heads of state, making all of the decisions to keep Equestria as beautiful as it can be.”

The wind picked up a bit.

“Yet, I can see the beauty fading. The power that had once burned bright from this nation is nearly snuffed out. The citizens have lost more than they ever have these last few years. They have lost harvests, homes, and loved ones. They have lost more than what should be bearable.”

Celestia sniffed, and leaned her head against Firemane’s neck.

“Grim times fall upon ponies,” Firemane said, stroking the back of Celestia’s head. “The days have been darker in Equestria, but that does not mean that hope has been flushed out of everypony’s spirit. Just today I was staring out towards the Eastern District, and I could see ponies happily purchasing and selling wares.”

“Um, ‘Tia?” Luna quietly asked.

“We are only look upon the safe walls of Everfree,” Celestia said to Firemane. “Many of the refugees Germaney and Stalliongrad go to Manehatten for the city’s massive apartments for living. Many of the military families live in either Hoofington or Derbyshire. We were far away from the war here.”

“‘Tia?” Luna asked again, a little louder.

“But the war has ended,” Firemane protested, “No more ponies are going to be kill-”

“‘Tia!” Luna yelled.

“What is it, Luna?” Celestia asked.

Luna pointed in the direction of the Eternal Valley. Celestia followed her gaze, and slowly all of the hairs along her back stood on end. The entire sky above the Eternal Valley had turned a chaotic mass of red and black powerful storm clouds, and lightning strikes pummeling the expanse of earth beneath. Celestia slowly walked to the end of the spire that faced the west.

“‘Each strike paints the picture red,” she uttered, “until the King and Queen have nothing more to be said.”

Luna was standing next to Celestia, visibly shaking. Celestia stared a while longer, until something far off in the distance caught her eye.

“Is that a... Flutterpony?” Firemane asked incredulously.

The Flutterpony took a few more steps forward, and cautiously glanced behind her. She turned to the city, slumped to her knees, then collapsed onto the ground.

“Oh no,” Celestia said, “Firemane, you need to alert the city guards now. Get help to that Flutterpony. Luna and I will fly out there right now to reach her.”

Firemane quickly disappeared back down into the tower, and Celestia looked over at Luna. Together they took flight towards the Flutterpony, pumping magic into their wings so that they could fly much faster. The distance between the Flutterpony and Celestia and Luna closed rapidly, and they made a hasty descend, leaving craters in the ground where they had landed.

“Are you okay?” Celestia shouted, galloping the rest of the distance to the Flutterpony.

The Flutterpony groaned as she heard the hoofbeats of two incoming ponies. Her wings were battered and torn. Mangled armor lay tattered across her body, blood dripping from the makeshift bandages that the Flutterpony had used to heal her wounds. One of her hooves looked to be twisted in the wrong direction.

“Please help,” the Flutterpony pleaded in a raspy voice.

“What happened to you?” Luna asked as she knelt down to start healing the Flutterpony’s smaller wounds.

A horn sounded from inside Everfree City, and Celestia heard the massive gates scraping against the ground and creaking on its hinges.

“I need... I need to speak with Queen Chrysalis,” the Flutterpony wailed, breaking down into sobs.

Celestia glanced back at the city to see that some guards galloping towards them. She turned back to the Flutterpony.

“It’s going to be alright,” she said. “You’ll see your queen soon.”

~~~

“Where is she?” Chrysalis asked as she stepped into the infirmary.

Galactica nodded her head towards a bed at the far corner of the room. Celestia and Luna stood over the Flutterpony, and were levitating a glass of water to her lips. Chrysalis quickly trotted over to them, and kneeled down next to the bed so she could be at eye level with the Flutterpony.

Chrysalis stared at the Flutterpony’s tattered hooves. Lifting them over the blanket, she said, “Sunfire, are you okay?”

“I am fine,” Sunfire said, wincing as she lifted herself higher in the bed, “but the Eternal Valley is not.”

“What happened?” Chrysalis asked.

“A massive army as rolled forth from Shimmerwood forest, my Queen, headed by a creature I have never seen before. He looked like a dragon, but he had various body parts from other animals as his limbs. He is some sort of chimera.”

Sunfire cough, and tears started to stream from her eyes.

“We tried to stop them,” she said. “Blackheart and I took the Eternal Valley’s army to meet the enemy’s, b-but the chimera used his magic to twist us into horrid beasts. We lost our soft, white fur to be replaced by the black chitin of an insect. Our eyes turned to pale blue. Our wings became ripped and tattered, and our legs now have holes in them.”

Chrysalis’ eyes widened, and her butterfly wings were locked together.

“You look like you have been unscathed by this attack,” Chrysalis said.

“I managed to escape, if only just barely,” Sunfire replied, “The transformation did something to the Flutterponies’ minds, and they all started to attack the Flutterponies who had not been harmed by the chimera’s magic. They hounded me for two days, ravishing my wings so that I could not fly. Eventually they left me alone, but only when Everfree came into view.”

“What happened to Blackheart?” Chrysalis asked quietly.

“He-he’s changed, my Queen.”

Crysalis sighed, but she tried to smile at Sunfire.

“I’m going to fix this, Sunfire,” Chrysalis said. “You should return to sleep. You need your rest.”

Sunfire opened her mouth, but Chrysalis shook her head and rose to her hooves.

“I will not see my nation or my ponies fall victim to such malevolence,” Chrysalis explained. “I am going to return to the Eternal Valley and put a stop to this chimera before he has a chance to move somewhere else.”

Chrysalis made her way to the door, but Sol help his hoof up.

“The Equestrian Military is at your service,” he said. “I will personally venture forth with you and help you reclaim the Eternal Valley. It is the least I can do for all of your help over the past century.”

Celestia’s eyes widened, and she quickly got to her hooves.

“No, Daddy, you can’t go!” she exclaimed, rushing over and hugging Sol’s leg.

“How can you suggest that I don’t go?” Sol asked, bewildered. “Chrysalis has been our ally for centuries. I cannot refuse to send help with her to defeat the enemy who has taken over her lands.”

Celestia hugged Sol’s leg tighter.

“You can’t go,” she pleaded. “Remember that riddle I told you after Fanatic had been killed?”

“I do.”

“The third part has come true tonight. ‘Each strike paints the picture red.’ Look out at the Eternal Valley. A horrible lightning storm has shadowed the entire nation, and you can see that fires run rampant by their red reflection on the base of the clouds. Don’t go, Daddy. I don’t want to lose you.”

Sol sighed, and he gently lowered his head to kiss the base of Celestia’s horn.

“You will not lose me, Celestia,” he said. “I will return to you before the end of the month. I promise. Chrysalis needs our help, and if two of the most powerful ponies in the world go instead of just one, there is a much greater chance that we can succeed against such a powerful force.”

Celestia released her grip on Sol’s leg, but she remained with her head downcast.

“Cheer up, my sweetheart,” Sol said, using his nose to raise Celestia’s face up to look at him. “Perhaps we are going to do battle with the thing that has plagued your thoughts for years. Perhaps then you will be at peace in your mind.”

“I hope you’re right,” Celestia said, half-heartedly rubbing her cheek against Sol’s.

~~~

The sun was rising over the eastern mountains, and Celestia stood atop the Tower of the Stars looking out over the eastern district. The sound of the city gates echoed throughout the empty streets, opening for eight thousand ponies to exit in a massive column. Pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies alike marched towards the Eternal Valley and the thunderstorm that covered it.

At the head of the column, Sol and Chrysalis gave one last look back towards the city at Galactica who stood on one of the gate’s ramparts. Celestia raised her hoof to wave down at them, hoping they would see her too, but neither seemed to notice as they returned their gazes forward. She sat back on her haunches and sighed as the door to the tower opened.

“I haven’t missed Daddy leaving, have I?” Luna asked as she hopped to the railing.

“No, the column only began leaving the city a few minutes ago,” Celestia said.

Celestia and Luna watched silently as the column continued to pour out of the city. Sunlight glimmered off of the golden armor of each soldier, each encompassing a golden river of metal and steel. Their hoofsteps marched in sync with each other, and clopped noisily on the cobblestone streets.

“‘Tia?” Luna asked.

“Yes, Luna?”

“Do you think that the chimera Sunfire spoke of was the same entity that has spoken to you before?”

Celestia stood next to Luna as a breeze started to pick up and rustle both mares’ manes.

“I have a feeling it is,” Celestia said. “This chimera just so happened to have arrived after the war against Germaney with a sky painted red. Unless there is some other... thing that is advancing the entity’s plans, I suspect that Daddy and Chrysalis are walking into a trap.”

“What kind of trap?” Luna asked.

“I don’t know, Luna, but if the last part of the riddle means anything, then I have a pretty good idea. ‘...until the King and Queen have nothing more to be said.’

Luna’s head drooped, and she slowly sat back on her haunches.

“So you think Daddy and Chrysalis could be killed?” she asked.

Celestia bit her lip and sat down with her sister.

“I don’t know, Luna. Both Daddy and Chrysalis are very powerful. For all I know, this entity could be overconfident in his abilities. He might have extended his reach too far.”

Luna continued to keep her eyes downcast, but she moved her head and nuzzled Celestia under her chin. Celestia returned the gesture by rubbing her cheek at the base of Luna’s horn.

“Do you think Daddy and Auntie Chrysalis will come back?” Luna asked.

Celestia paused, and brought Luna into a tighter embrace. Tears started to trickle down her cheeks onto Luna’s head, and they both could hear the sound of the city gates closing.

“Yes, Daddy and Auntie Chrysalis will come back,” Celestia said as the gates thundered shut.

Chapter 21: The Stallion of my Dreams

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The Gift of Life Chapter 21

Six days later...

The ornately decorated doors of Sol and Galactica’s room stood shut before her. Celestia studied the vines and leaves swirling around the door, observing that each vine was given depth by either being carved into the wood or raised into humps. Her head slowly drifted up until she saw the pinnacle of the door, touching the ceiling that sat thirty meters above her. Celestia took a deep breath and knocked.

After a few seconds, one of the doors groaned opened and Galactica poked her head out. Her cheeks were discolored and wet, and dark bags had formed underneath her eyes. She smiled at Celestia.

“Shouldn’t you be asleep?” Galactica asked. “It’s nearly two o’clock in the morning.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, and Galactica drooped her head.

“You can’t sleep either,” she said. “Come in, the castle is cold at night.”

Galactica opened the door further, allowing for Celestia to enter. She shut the door behind them, and then trotted over to her desk. The room was very dimly lit, with only a candle on Galactica’s desk to provide light. Celestia slowly followed her mother, and took a seat on the empty pillow that rested next to Galactica.

Papers law strewn out all over the desk, cluttered in clumps in chaotic organization. There were petitions for new bills, reports on expenditures and surpluses of the castle’s financial status and storage, applications for day court attendance, and six letters with Sol’s handwriting on them. Celestia levitated the latest of the letters over in front of her.

November 11th, 3306

Dear Galactica, Celestia, and Luna,

I have both some good news and some bad news from our siege of the Eternal Valley’s capital city, Ember City. I should give the good news first.

We have successfully captured Ember City, and have driven the corrupted Flutterponies to a camp set up about half a kilometer away from us. We took minimal losses in the attack, only losing fifty ponies in our push for the castle, and now many of them are celebrating with a cup of warm, hard cider for our victory.

However, during our attack, Bright was gravely injured to one of the Flutterponies we have come to calling a “behemoth.” It stands much taller than the other corrupted Flutterponies, and instead of having the typical turquoise insect wings of its smaller counterparts, it has massive dragon wings. We have brought down three of their kind in our assault, but one managed to take out Bright, and now our medics do not believe he will last for much more than two more nights.

So far we have not seen this chimera that Sunfire has mentioned, but if we continue to push the Flutterponies back at our current pace, both Chrysalis and I should return by the end of the month like I promised. Also, every day we pick up more and more refugee Flutterponies who have not been affected by the transformation. They have joined our ranks to help fight.

I miss all of you deeply, and my thoughts go out to each of you every day. Luna, I hope you are still practicing your magic. I have seen you practice with Chrysalis, and I am deeply proud of how strong you are. No doubt one day you will be able to wield power like your father. Celestia, keep studying and having a big heart. You act so much like your mother, and I hope that one day you will become as charismatic and forgiving as your her.

Your loving husband and father,

Sol

Celestia noticed a slip of paper had clung to the back of the letter, and she levitated it closer.

To my dearest Galactica,

I believe we are overdue for an outing strictly for ourselves. Do you remember the first time we met under the stars of the turn of the second century of ponydom? Do you remember how clear the night sky was? Our eyes met under the moonlight, and I could not take my gaze away from the two orbs of light that stared at me back. I felt like I had fallen into a dream of ecstasy, and I took you into my embrace. Let us relive that moment again. Celestia and Luna are old enough to take care of the nation while we are gone. Let us know what it is to be two thousand years younger again.

I’ll love you forever

Celestia put the letter down, and a tear slowly slid down her cheek. The scratching from Galactica’s quill stopped, and she sniffled quietly. Celestia faced her mother.

“I miss him, too,” Celestia said.

“It never gets any easier,” Galactica began. “I have said goodbye to your father countless times as he has left for battle. I... I never know if it will be the last time I see him. I know we have a duty to fulfill with the Flutterponies, but I still wished he allowed Reaper to lead our armies to battle instead of himself.”

Galactica sniffled again, and stared out of the window over her desk.

“The world is a dark place, Celestia. Sol and I have faced down some of the greatest horrors that have ever walked this earth, and sometimes we have only just barely escaped alive. We stopped the tyrannical reign of Grogar the Necromancer, facing down his army of undead thestrals. We defeated Kronos, the Master of the Tartarus who attempted to destroy the world with the demons from his domain. We even vanquished Quetzalcoatl, the Supreme Diety.

“This new enemy that has arisen, however, is different from the others. He is obscure, and has only recently showed himself in a manner that seems so bold it is almost suicide. He managed to turn an entire race into... monsters. I have never heard of such a power existing.”

Galactica hung her head, and Celestia shifted uneasily on her pillow.

“Do you think Daddy will return?” Celestia asked.

Galactica faced Celestia with tears streaming down her face. Celestia bit her lip, and hugged her mother in a tight embrace. They rocked back and forth as the moon streaked across the sky.

~~~

Celestia stumbled through the halls of the castle, staring at her hooves the whole way. Tears dripped from her cheeks, and she tripped over one of her hooves to land face first on the stone tiles of the floor. She moaned quietly, and tried to get back to her hooves only to slip back onto her side. She used her hooves to drag herself a bit further along the floor until she was laying on a balcony, safely out of the view of anypony that might be strolling by.

“Celestia!” somepony called out from behind her.

Celestia laid her head on the floor and covered it with her hooves. Hoofsteps galloped up to her side, and a large thud sounded next to her as the pony laid down. A gentle wing extended over her body.

“Oh, Celestia,” Firemane said quietly.

Firemane pulled Celestia into a tight embrace, and she gratefully accepted by wrapping her hooves around his neck and pressing her cheek against his chest. She cried and cried, soaking both her cheeks and Firemane’s chest with tears, while Firemane gently ran his hoof through Celestia’s mane.

“You are too young to know of such sorrow,” Firemane said quietly.

He held Celestia in his hooves until her sobs subsided, and her breathing returned to normal. Celestia coughed, and she lifted her head to look at Firemane.

“I miss him,” she said. “I want him to come back.”

“If only he could, Celestia,” Firemane replied. “Equestria needs him to be present, but he also has a promise to keep with the Eternal Valley. We both know that Chrysalis can’t take her home back without his help.”

“I know.”

Firemane rocked back and forth with Celestia for a long while, running his hoof through her mane again when she laid her cheek back against his chest.

“I have an idea that might cheer you up,” Firemane said.

“What is that?” Celestia asked.

“How would you like to go on a date? We haven’t been on one in a long while, you know.”

Celestia smiled a little, and rubbed her cheek against Firemane’s chest.

“Yes, I know,” she replied. “What do you have in mind?”

“How about we go to the Prancing Pony? I’ll pay.”

Celestia gasped and looked straight into Firemane’s eyes.

“It’s so expensive!” Celestia exclaimed. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to spend all of your money on me.”

“Don’t worry, Celestia,” Firemane said. “I sit in the castle all day making a hefty salary from being Captain of the Royal Guard, and I don’t have time to spend any of it. The most I pay is my mortgage for my house in the northern district.”

Celestia kissed Firemane quickly on the cheek, and then resumed resting her head on his chest.

“Well, if you insist, then I’ll be sure to wear my best dress.”

“The one that gives me a great view of your flank?”

Eyes snapping open, Celestia glared at Firemane. Yet, looking at his boyish smiled, her resolve caved and she smiled at him back.

“Yes, that one,” she said.

“Great!” Firemane said. “How about we meet up at the castle gates tomorrow at around six o’clock?”

“I’ll meet you there,” Celestia said, kissing the underside of Firemane’s chin.

~~~

Celestia stood in her bathroom looking at herself in the mirror. She was wearing a slim fitting black dress with a cut that rode high enough to see her cutie mark, and she had curled and brushed her mane over to the left side of her head. She had added a little more makeup than she usually wore, and gave her eyes and cheeks more accent. Her shoes clacked noisily on the bathroom tiles as Celestia twisted her body back and forth.

“Meadow Free?” Celestia asked, frowning. “How do I look in this dress?”

Meadow Free poked her head into the bathroom, and she smiled.

“Actually, Celestia,” she said, “I think you have gotten much slimmer since the last time you wore a dress. Remember, you could barely fit in that particular one the last time you wore it?”

Celestia faced Meadow Free and gave her a small smile.

“Sorry, I’m just trying to look my best for Firemane tonight.”

“I know, dear. Come on and show Luna and Regality how you look.”

Meadow Free disappeared around the corner, and Celestia made her way out into her and Luna’s room. Luna trotted up to Celestia and gave her a big hug.

“‘Tia, you look beautiful,” Luna said. “If only I could wear the dresses that you wear, but my flank is a little small.”

Luna made a pouting face, and Celestia turned her head to Meadow Free.

“I thought you said I was not getting fatter!” Celestia said.

Luna snickered as she walked back to Regality, and Meadow Free rolled her eyes.

“Come now, Celestia,” she said, “Don’t you know that stallions like a mare who has some plot to show off?”

Celestia blushed a little, and looked behind her, swishing her tail back and forth. Luna cantered up next to her, and pressed her flank up against Celestia’s.

“Wow, you really do have a little flank,” Celestia said with a giggle.

“That doesn’t mean that the guards still don’t take a look,” Regality said with a sly smile.

Luna’s cheeks turned bright red, and quickly sat down and looked over at Regality.

“Do they really?” she asked.

“As much as they look at Celestia’s,” Regality said as she broke into laughter.

Celestia giggled as she watched Luna’s cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red. She turned to Meadow Free once Regality’s laughter had subsided.

“Okay, well, I should get moving,” Celestia said.

Meadow Free walked up to Celestia and embraced her in a warm hug. Celestia returned the gesture, and kissed Meadow Free’s cheek.

“Have fun, Celestia,” Meadow Free said. “I look forward to hearing everything that will transpire this evening.”

Celestia blushed, and Meadow Free winked at her. Celestia then hugged to Luna and Regality, and made her way out of the room. She trotted at a brisk pace through the castle, directing “thank you’s” at some of the nobles that commented on her appearance. She made a quick stop at the throne room to tell her mother goodbye, and then she made her way out of Everfree Keep’s doors towards the castle gates.

Firemane stood just below one of the ramparts for the gate, and he had a bright smile once he saw Celestia trotting towards him. He was wearing his formal blues of the Everfree Guard, and had tidied his usually messy mane. He bowed deeply.

“Oh, stop it, you,” Celestia said, quickly pushing his head back up with her own.

“You look stunning, Celestia,” Firemane said.

Celestia leaned forward and kissed him directly on his lips, lifting her back leg a little. Firemane’s wings shot out on either side of him to their full length, and he returned Celestia’s kiss.

“Shall we be off?” Firemane asked once they broke from their kiss.

Celestia giggled and sidled up next to Firemane, and they began their trek through the castle gates and into the Commercial District. They took a small detour, and walked slowly through the market square, eyeing each of the shops as they passed by. As they passed by one shop, Celestia stopped and stared at the contents that was being sold by the merchant.

There were red-fire and blue-fire phoenixes inside of the shop, and Celestia broke from Firemane’s side to gaze at each of the phoenixes that were inside large bird cages. One particular red-fire phoenix caught Celestia’s eye, and the bird squawked at her.

“Good evening, My Princess,” the shopkeeper said with a bow, “What brings you to my humble store?”

“You have such beautiful phoenixes, sir,” Celestia said, as she continued to stare at the phoenix that had squawked at her.

“Well, yes, I do pride myself in how well I take care of these magnificent birds, madam,” the shopkeeper replied, following Celestia’s gaze. “Ah, I see you have your eyes set on one bird in particular. She is a crafty one, and enjoys pulling pranks on myself all of the time.”

Firemane gently bumped Celestia with his flank, and when she turned to look at him, he gestured his head towards the phoenix Celestia had been eyeing. Celestia quickly nodded her head up and down, and hugged him tight around his neck. Firemane kissed her at the base of his horn.

“We’ll take her,” Firemane said, gesturing towards the phoenix.

Firemane exchanged his bits with the shopkeeper, and then the shopkeeper handed Celestia the bird cage with the phoenix in it. She placed the bird cage on the ground and stared at the phoenix. The phoenix stared back, and let out another squawk. Celestia grinned widely.

“I think you’ll do just fine,” Celestia said, opening the bird cage.

The phoenix quickly escaped from her cage, but instead of flying away, she perched herself on Celestia’s back and folded her wings tightly against her side. Celestia smiled, and gave Firemane a kiss on his cheek.

“Thank you so, so, so much Firemane,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” Firemane replied, “it was the least I could do. So, what do you plan on naming her?”

Celestia and Firemane resumed their walk through the market square, heading off towards the Northern District. Celestia remained silent for a moment, and gave a quick glance behind her.

“I think I’ll name her Philomena,” she said.

~~~

“I am Princess Celestia,” Celestia exclaimed, “and I demand that you allow for my phoenix, Philomena, to gain entrance to this establishment.”

“I... But...” the waiter stuttered.

Celestia, Firemane, and Philomena were all standing within the foyer of the Prancing Pony. The waiter stood cowering behind the front podium that held a list of all of the ponies who had arranged for reserved seating, and Celestia glared at him. Firemane stood behind Celestia, both he and Philomena trying to suppress a chuckle.

“Do you have any idea how bad it would look if you refused a princess your service?” Celestia asked in a more reserved tone. “I don’t mean to sound harsh towards you, sir, as this establishment does not allow pets, but Captain Firemane and I have been looking forward to this dinner all day. If you could be so kind to make one exception, I’d be more than happy to write a personal review on the Prancing Pony, for I have no doubt that the service and orderves served here are excellent.”

The waiter opened his mouth again, but when he saw Celestia’s eyebrow rise, he quickly righted himself into perfect posture and motioned for Celestia and Firemane to follow him.

“Right this way, your Majesty,” he said.

Celestia smiled, and together she and Firemane followed the waiter until they were seated at a small table for two next to one of the windows. From their view, Celestia and Firemane could stare out into the street and watch as ponies slowly ambled by in the chilly night air. Philomena hopped off of Celestia’s back, and perched herself on the window sill.

“Did you see the look on the waiter’s face?” Firemane asked, chuckling. “He was scared out of his wits.”

“Was he really?” Celestia asked. “Oh, I should apologize to him for my behavior. I just didn’t want to have to send Philomena home already.”

Philomena purred quietly, and Celestia smiled at the phoenix.

“Don’t worry about it, Celestia,” Firemane said. “He didn’t seem too bothered by it. I mean, it didn’t take him long to crack and allow for Philomena to eat with us.”

Celestia frowned, and opened her menu up in front of her.

“Speaking of eating,” Celestia said, “what is it that phoenixes prefer to eat?”

Celestia angled the menu so that both she and Philomena could read. Philomena gave a quick glance over the appetizers and the side dishes, and then began to quickly flip through the pages until she came upon the fish menu. She used one of her wings to point at a sauteed shrimp platter. Celestia cringed.

“Why would a restaurant such as this serve fish?” she asked.

“I suppose the Prancing Pony caters to the different races that come to Everfree,” Firemane said, looking through his own menu. “I know that griffons have a diet of mostly fish, so I’m assuming that is why they serve fish here.”

“I didn’t think of that,” Celestia said, moving the menu back onto the table and sifting through it’s pages. She came upon one entree, a green salad that was piled high with sauteed red and orange bell peppers, grilled onions, and sprinkled with crushed garlic and basil croutons. She salivated, and closed the menu hastily.

“I know what I’m getting,” Celestia announced excitedly.

“Oh? What would that be?” Firemane asked, closing his menu.

“It’s called ‘The Midnight Fire.’ Look.”

Celestia opened her menu again to the page that her order was on, and levitated it over to Firemane. Firemane found the entree, and smiled. He then flipped the page back and pointed to a certain entree on that page. Celestia levitated the menu back and looked at the picture Firemane had been pointing to.

“It’s called ‘The Lucky Moon,’” he said. “It’s a green salad covered in olives, green peppers, and is all grilled in a special sweet sauce. I’ve had it once before, and it tasted too good to pass up a second time.”

“Ooh,” Celestia cooed, and she looked back at the picture. She smiled and closed the menu.

“Well, I have changed my mind,” she declared. “I will be getting what you are getting.”

“I’m sure you will like it,” Firemane said. “I know how much of a sweet tooth you are.”

“Sweet tooth? Just because I had a little more cake than everyone else last year during my birthday does not make me a sweet tooth.”

“You had several slices of cake,” Firemane chuckled, “and then you personally ate half of that massive cake over the course of a week.”

Celestia blushed, and raised her hooves to cover her cheeks.

“Okay, maybe I have an unhealthy obsession with cake. So what?”

“What surprises me is that you actually slimmed down significantly since then,” Firemane said, leaning forward over the table. “Your legs have become increasingly leaner, your stomach is slimmer, and your face is significantly more narrow. It’s rather becoming.”

Celestia leaned forward over the table, too, and she said, “You flatter me too much, Firemane, but you never talk of yourself. How has work been coming along?”

Firemane looked down at the silverware next to him.

“Well, I have been swamped with work ever since the whole incident with the riots,” he said. “I’m trying my best to manage the damages that are still present in the city, as well as coordinating with ponies from other cities about what to do with the massive influx of refugees from Stalliongrad, Marelin, and Flankfurt.”

Firemane pushed his fork around uselessly on the table. Celestia leaned forward more so that their noses were touching.

“I am sure you are doing a great job,” Celestia said.

“I hope so,” Firemane said. “Helping two hundred thousand ponies find a new, temporary home is no easy feat.”

“I have faith that you are doing what you think is best for all of the ponies.”

She leaned forward and kissed Firemane, who returned the kiss happily. Philomena squawked a cat cawl at both of them, and Celestia extended a wing to cover Philomena’s beak. Philomena released a muffled screech, but remained quiet afterwards. It wasn’t until Celestia and Firemane here somepony clear their throat did they release their kiss.

“Are you two ready to order?” the waiter asked.

~~~

Celestia and Firemane stumbled out of the Prancing Pony, giggling to themselves and leaning against each other for support. They both ambled on down the street. swaying back and forth in a lazy manner. Philomena flew overhead of them, radiating light from her feathers to better illuminate the street.

“I think you had too much to drink,” Firemane said.

“Me?” Celestia asked incredulously. “Look at you! You would be drifting across the street if it wasn’t for me.”

“Oh, horsefeathers. By our powers combined, pushing on each other has managed to keep us... drunkenly steady on this road.”

Celestia giggled, and she rested her head on Firemane’s neck.

“So, where are we off to now, my handsome stallion?” she asked.

“The night is still young,” Firemane said. “I know of a good spot for us to relax a little.”

They turned a corner, and Firemane led Celestia down one of the widest streets in the northern district. They passed by all of the houses of the famous members of Everfree’s royalty, and sometimes were able to catch a glimpse of what each pony did before they went to bed. They came upon some nobles who were simply lying on the couch and reading a book, while they came upon some who dressed in leather clothes, and had one of her maids bent over the coffee table. Celestia resisted at first, but she allowed for Firemane to pull her from the window sill to resume their walk down the street.

Eventually, Celestia, Firemane, and Philomena reached the end of the street, and Firemane directed them into a large park that was filled with leafless trees and tiny hills of soft grass. They walked to the top of one of the hills, and Firemane sat down with Celestia. Together they looked up at the stars that shone overhead, and the crescent moon that was ever so slowly creeping across the night sky.

“The sky is really beautiful tonight,” Firemane said.

“Luna has been taking lessons on how to create the night sky from our father,” Celestia said, directing her gaze towards the clocktower that dominated the southern district’s skyline. “The night sky that you see now is entirely her work. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

“How does she make something like this?” Firemane asked.

“It’s part of the cycle of raising the moon. All she has to do is imagine what the night sky will look like, and then she brings the moon out. You should see the star maps that she draws. Many of them will look the same, but if you have a discerning eye, you can see that each night Luna will change the brightness of some of the stars.”

“I can’t believe so many ponies take the night for granted. To think, Luna pours all of her imagination and artistic abilities into making a beautiful night sky, and yet ponies stay in doors and go to sleep as the sun goes down.”

“I don’t think she minds,” Celestia said, leaning her head against Firemane’s chest. “She seems happier now that she creates night skies.”

“How is Luna doing?” Firemane asked after a pause.

“She hasn’t had a nightmare since the riots,” Celestia said. “I’m not sure what is suppressing them now, but Luna has been able to sleep more peacefully than she ever has, although it still isn’t much.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Celestia and Firemane lay gazing at the night sky a while longer, the swaying of their heads subsiding and their hiccups disappearing, until Firemane shifted a little uneasily next to Celestia. She looked at him, and he beamed at her.

“I have a surprise for you,” Firemane said. “Hurry, hurry. Stand up.”

Celestia quickly rose to her hooves, and Firemane walked around to face her.

“Okay, I need you to stand right here and close your eyes,” he said. “I’ll be right back, don’t you worry.”

Celestia closed her eyes and swiveled her ears to listen directly in front of her. Firemane galloped off loudly, his hooves thudding along on the grass. Some bushes rustled off in the distance, and soon his hoofsteps returned, and stopped directly in front of her. His clothing rustled quietly, and Celestia started to swish her tail back and forth.

“Okay, you can open your eyes now,” Firemane said.

When Celestia opened her eyes, Firemane was kneeling before her with a small box on his nose. Celestia levitated the box from his nose up to her face and slowly opened it. Inside was a golden ring with a large ruby attached to it. Her mouth dropped, and Firemane rose to his hooves.

“I was hoping to do this when your father was here, but tonight is too perfect of a night to miss this chance. Princess Celestia, daughter of King Sol and Queen Galactica, sister to Princess Luna, and Princess of Equestria, will you marry me?” he asked.

Celestia stared at Sol, and a smile slowly spread across her face. She leapt at him and tackled him to the ground, kissing him over and over.

“Yes!” she shouted in between kisses. “Yes, I will marry you Firemane!”

Celestia and Firemane continued to embrace each other in the dull glow of the moonlight, with Philomena watching over them. Everfree City remained quiet as the evening hours dragged on into the morning, giving the two star crossed lovers peace as they made their way back to Firemane’s in the northern district. The moon rose higher into the sky, and they remained unaware of the cracking from the storm clouds that have floated over the Eternal Valley for more than a week. A powerful storm brewed on the edge of a peaceful night, and the intensity of the storm resumed while two red, mismatched eyes cast their gaze over the land of Equestria.

Chapter 22: Despair

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The Gift of Life

Four days later...

Celestia dragged her hooves along the ashen covered grounds of a massive, open field. The sky was dark overhead and tinted red, while bursts of electricity shot through the storm with alarming frequency. Ash fell from the sky, spawning from a burning city off in the distance. Many buildings were alight, and the massive castle spire that sat in the center of the city only stood at half of its original height.

“Ember City,” Celestia muttered to herself.

As she glanced around, bodies of mutated Flutterponies and Equestrian ponies alike lay strewn out across the field. Some had been tossed to the side in massive piles, the corpses burning and leaving a repulsive smell to hang in the air. Others sat impaled on spears sticking out of the ground, the bodies sliding slowing down the shaft as the minutes dragged on. Celestia gagged, and quickly picked up her pace towards the city.

“I need to find out who did this,” Celestia said to herself. “But more importantly, I need to find out where my father is.”

Celestia completed her trek across the reeking battlefield, and she cautiously stepped through the battered gates of Ember City. The heat from the burning buildings was nearly overwhelming, and the sound of the thundering roar of the fire caused Celestia to grit her teeth before pressing forward.

She looked up and down the wide streets of Ember city, but Celestia found no trace of Sol within the streets of the city itself. She looked through burning buildings, and she searched through the many scorched parks that were scattered throughout the city, but all she could find was more death and fire. Finally, she had to give up her search, and she soon found herself at Ember City’s castle gates.

Celestia walked through the gates, and noticed that the gardens behind the castle walls had not escaped the wrath of the fire that consumed the city. Magnificent willow trees that have stood for more than two millennia were now consumed in the inferno. Not even the animals that had inhabited the gardens were spared.

Off to her right, Celestia saw the remnants of the spire’s top as it lay splintered across the gardens, completely obliterating part of the wall that surrounded the castle.

“So much destruction,” Celestia whimpered to herself. “Death on this scale - how can it even be possible?”

“It is possible, my dear,” replied a condescending voice from behind Celestia.

Celestia whirled around towards the source of the voice, and came face-to-face with a creature she had never seen before. He had the body and tail of a snake-like dragon, but he was also made up of a host of other creatures. His arms resembled that of a lion’s paw for his right, and an eagle’s talon for his left. His right leg looked similar to that of some kind of lizard, while his left leg resembled that of a donkey. He had two different wings, one that looked like it belonged to a bat, while the other looked like it belonged to a pegasus. His head resembled a pony’s head, but it was elongated and deformed, and he had the two mismatched eyes that had haunted Celestia ever since she first came into contact with the Element of Harmony.

“You... You’re....” Celestia stuttered, gazing up at the towering monster.

“Hi, my name’s Discord,” he said, sticking his lion’s paw out. “I don’t think we have met properly before.”

Celestia merely stared at him, the expression on her face turning from disbelief to a glare. Discord pulled his paw back, and levitated himself so it was as if he was lying on a sofa.

“Aw, why the long face?” Discord asked. “Don’t you like what I did with the place? It keeps us nice and cozy during those cool, winter nights.”

“What did you do to the Flutterponies?” Celestia asked coldly.

“So quick to place the blame,” Discord said, falling from his invisible sofa. “And so serious. Isn’t what I did here at least a small improvement?”

Celestia stared at him, gritting her teeth together. Discord sighed.

“I only improved their quality of life,” he said, walking up to Celestia and lowering his head so their eyes met. “It was so difficult for them to find love in this world, you know. They would spend, perhaps, centuries looking for the Flutterpony of their dreams. They always craved for love, but they could only find what they craved in one other Flutterpony.”

Discord flicked one nail out of his claw, and used it to drag underneath Celestia’s chin.

“Now, to find love, all they have to do is take it.”

“What do you mean by ‘take it?’” Celestia asked, reeling her head back from Discord’s touch.

“Well,” Discord said, standing straight up and scratching under his chin, “I guess they just need to find a source of love radiating from another equine, and then feed off of it.”

“Like a parasite?” Celestia asked, taking a step back.

“That is such a drab word. I like to think that they are more like needy family members.”

Celestia stared at Discord, and took another step back.

“Where is Queen Chrysalis?” she asked.

Discord began twisting his arms in multiple directions, elongating them and getting them tied into a bowtie. He shrugged his shoulders, and then magically returned his arms to normal.

“As of right now,” he said, “I have no idea where she is. She isn’t too happy, though, and she seems to be very hungry.”

Celestia’s face fell, and tears started to well up in her eyes. She charged her horn and took one more step back.

“Where is my father?” she asked.

Discord drifted his gaze to behind Celestia. Celestia slowly turned around, and let out a sob. A clothesline hung in front of the castle doors, and Sol’s pelt could be seen dangling from the line. Celestia took two steps forward before her face plunged into the cobblestone ground.

“One down, one to go,” Discord said.

~~~

Celestia didn’t realize that she had been screaming until she was sitting straight up in her bed. She shivered, and her coat felt damp. She looked around, and realized that she was still in her room. She heard shuffling under some covers coming from next to her.

“‘Tia, are you okay?” Luna asked.

Celestia was panting, and she quickly hopped out of her bed. Luna watched her in silence, her turquoise eyes glimmering slightly in the darkness of their room. Celestia looked over at the clock that sat between their beds.

“Sorry, Luna,” Celestia said, rubbing her eyes. “Just a bad dream.”

Celestia turned and made her way for the balcony. She heard the covers rustle once more, and then heard the soft clop of Luna’s hoofsteps as she joined Celestia out the door and onto their balcony. Celestia held the door open for Luna, and when the cool night air made contact with her skin, Celestia shuddered.

Luna had taken a seat at the edge of the balcony, and she was gently resting her head on the railing. Celestia closed the door behind them, and walked up next to Luna to take her seat.

“You know,” Celestia said, “you don’t have to be awake with me right now.”

“I know,” Luna said, “but that doesn’t mean that I am not going to. For all of the times you have helped me with my nightmares, ‘Tia, it is only kind of me to do the same.”

Celestia eyed Luna with concern.

“Luna, you should go back to sleep. You get very little of it as is.”

Luna laid her head against Celestia’s neck. Celestia returned the gesture by wrapping a wing around Luna, and resting her head on top of her’s. The sun started to rise over the western mountains, bringing a pink tinge to all of the lands around Everfree. In the distance, the storm that had dominated the Eternal Valley’s skies was still present and more menacing than ever.

“‘Tia, what did you dream about?” Luna asked.

“I-it was only a dream, Luna,” Celestia said.

“‘Tia.”

“It had to be a dream. T-there is no way-”

“‘Tia.”

“I-if it wasn’t a dream, then that would mean... No. No, it was a dream. T-that is the only explanation.”

“‘Tia!” Luna said, raising her voice.

Celestia stopped babbling. Luna was staring up at her with soft eyes, and she gently nudged her nose against Celestia’s neck. A slight breeze started to pick up, and Celestia started to breathe easier as Luna snuggled against her. She kissed the base of Luna’s horn, and slowly a tear slid down Celestia’s cheek.

“Luna, I-” Celestia stuttered, sniffling. “I had a dream with the chimera in it. The one Sunfire spoke of. H-he had those mismatched eyes that I have been haunted by since touching that Element. I heard his voice.”

Celestia paused and coughed.

“I was in the Ember City in the Eternal Valley, and it was burning in a fire that had not spared any section of the city. Buildings were scorched, trees were charred, and not even the animals that inhabited the city could escape the inferno. I made my way throughout the whole city looking for our father, only to find no trace of him.

“I made my way to the castle to check if he was there, and that is where I confronted the chimera. He calls himself Discord, and the description Sunfire gave of him was not an exaggeration. He spoke to me in such a condescending voice, as if everything he was doing was a mere game.”

Celestia paused again and choked, and she shut her eyes as more tears streamed down her face and onto Luna’s mane.

“I-I asked him where Auntie Chrysalis was, and h-he told me that she had succumbed to his magic, and had been transformed into one of the beasts. I-I then a-asked him where D-daddy was...”

As Celestia trailed off, she broke into sobs that racked her body against Luna’s. Luna rubbed her cheek up against Celestia’s neck as tears started to slide down her cheeks. She wrapped her hooves around Celestia’s legs and held it tight.

“We haven’t gotten a letter from Daddy in four days,” Luna whimpered, burying her face into Celestia’s coat.

As the sun rose higher into the sky, there was no sound coming from Everfree City. Birds were not singing, ponies were not audibly advertising their wares to the other ponies walking by to work, and the thudding of wooden swords was absent from the practice range. Luna coughed and took a deep breath as she looked up at Celestia.

“We need to tell Mother,” she said.

Celestia looked up towards the sky, and saw that the day was becoming brighter.

“The day court s-should be started soon,” Celestia said.

Celestia and Luna rose to their hooves, and they quickly made their way out of their room. Celestia had a wing extended around Luna as she led them around the corners of the castle towards the throne room. They passed by guards and maids, each one giving them a questioning look. A few of the ponies tried to reach out to help the princesses along, but Celestia pushed them out of the way.

As Celestia and Luna rounded the last corner to the throne room, a loud bell rang out through the city. It pierced the walls of the castle, and a cold chill ran down the back of Celestia’s spine. It was the same bell that had rung when Sunfire was found outside of Everfree’s gates. A pegasus hastily flew over them, and he pushed open the doors to the throne room. Celestia and Luna entered after him.

The pegasus landed at the base of the throne, and gave a deep bow. Galactica looked down at the pegasus, her eyelids drooping and her cheeks discolored and wet.

“Your Majesty,” he said, “A column of Flutterponies and ponies have arrived at our front gates. Many look to be injured, and General Forza is at its head.”

Galactica perked up, and stood from her throne.

“Forza is at the head of the column?” she asked. “Is there any word of Sol?”

“No, Your Majesty, nopony has spotted King Sol.”

The light that had begun to fill Galactica’s eyes faded, and she slowly sank back into her chair.

“Please bring Forza here as quickly as possible,” Galactica said.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the pegasus said with another bow.

When he left, Celestia and Luna stepped forward. Galactica forced a smile, and rose from her throne again so she could hug her daughters. They returned her hug gratefully, and when they did not let go, Galactica kissed the base of each of their horns.

“What is it that troubles you?” Galactica asked.

“Mother,” Celestia began, “I-I think we should wait until Forza comes in.”

The look on Galactica’s face was grim, and the grip she was holding onto Celestia and Luna loosened. Her gaze turned towards the throne room doors, and after a moment they opened to allow Forza through. Celestia and Luna broke the embrace with Galactica, and stood to the side of her.

As Forza approached Galactica, more tears started to run down Galactica’s cheeks. Forza’s eyes looked hollow and grim, she was missing an ear, her ornate armor was shredded and stained red, and her wings were brutally tattered. She stopped before Galactica, silent and unmoving, and Galactica stared back into Forza’s eyes.

“I have failed you, Queen Galactica,” Forza said quietly.

“What happened to...” Galactica trailed off.

“I watched them,” Forza began. “I watched each of them die before my eyes. I watched as Static was trampled by one of those behemoths, crushed under the weight of the beast’s massive limbs. I watched as Reaper was torn apart by two of those bucking mutants. And I watched as Sol was burned alive under the magic of the chimera. I watched them all Galactica.”

Forza sank to her knees and stared at the floor, and Celestia and Luna stared at Forza with their wings hanging limply at their sides. Galactica opened her mouth, but quickly stopped as Forza began to speak again.

“We were ambushed inside of the city, just when we thought things were safe. Some of those Flutterponies that we had picked up in our march changed into the mutants, and they started slaughtering us in our sleep and opened the gates. The mutants poured in by the thousands, over the walls and through the gates. Our entire army was massacred in under an hour.”

Galactica took a step back, tears falling freely down her face. She shook her head side to side, and shifted her gaze anywhere but in Forza’s direction.

“Are... Are the ponies that came with you all that is left?” she asked. When Forza didn’t answer, Galactica turned and stared out across Everfree.

Celestia’s eyes were still locked on Forza, and slowly she sat back on her haunches. Her hooves began to shake as her eyes began drifting around the room. Luna had laid herself on the ground now, and her hooves were covering her face while her body was racked by her silent sobs. The muscles in Galactica’s wings were clenched tightly together, and she was quietly muttering to herself.

“Where is the chimera now?” Galactica asked.

“He will be here by nightfall,” Forza said, raising her head enough to gaze at Galactica.

The throne room stood still while everypony barely dared to breathe. Galactica turned back to Forza, her gaze hardened and her eyes dark. The atmosphere within the throne room became almost unbearably dense, and Celestia began to inhale deeper breaths while tears clouded her vision. Galactica took a few steps towards Forza.

“Where is Queen Chrysalis?” she asked.

The first sign of sadness glimmered in Forza’s eyes, and slowly tears started to trickle down her cheek and onto the floor. Galactica sighed.

“Please take Forza to the medical ward,” she said to one of the guards. The guard hesitated at first, but upon a second glance from Galactica he trotted up next to Forza. “Also, one... one of you alert Captain Firemane and start the full evacuation of Everfree. We only have seven hours until nightfall, and I want as many ponies out of Everfree as possible.”

“Yes your majesty,” the guard said with a bow. He then helped Forza to her hooves, and escorted her out of the throne room. Galactica turned her attention to Celestia and Luna.

“Celestia, Luna, pack your bags,” Galactica said. “You will be leaving with the evacuation to stay in Hoofington.”

“No!” Luna shouted. Her teeth were grinding together in her mouth while tears slid down her face. She had jumped back onto her hooves and her wings were extended to their full length. “We will not abandon you here. Not after what Discord did to Daddy.”

“Discord?” Galactica asked, raising an eyebrow.

Celestia rose to her hooves and stepped forward in front of Luna. She coughed, and opened her mouth, but only silence to escape her lips. Her hooves continued to tremble under her weight as she searched Galactica’s eyes.

“I-I had a dream last night,” Celestia eventually said, “o-or more of a vision, where I was in Ember City looking for our f-father. I met the chimera, a-and he told me his name was Discord. He told me about what happened to Auntie Chrysalis, and w-what happened to Daddy.”

Galactica frowned, and closed her eyes while she shook her head back and forth. She began pacing in front of Celestia and Luna, the veins from her wing muscles starting to visibly protrude from her skin. Celestia sat back on her haunches, and her eyes drifted to the floor.

“You two still need to leave the city,” Galactica said as tears were streaming down her face. “You are the only successors to the crown, and... a-and I cannot have both of you killed if Discord manages to defeat me.”

“We have as much a right to stand and fight against him as you do,” Luna said, standing next to Celestia. Her entire body was visibly shaking, and she panted as she spoke, “You said yourself that, p-perhaps, the ponies of Equestria do not n-need us anymore. Why don’t we make a stand and fight against Discord? There is a b-better chance we will be victorious if Celestia and I at least help with the defenses and evacuation.”

Galactica stopped her pacing and stared at Luna. Celestia stared, too, and then quickly turned her gaze back to Galactica. Galactica looked at the floor and shut her eyes. Her teeth ground in her mouth, and she stomped heavily on the floor, cracking one of the tiles.

“Okay, Luna,” she said, “you and Celestia may stay.”

Nopony smiled. Galactica sniffled, and then managed to straighten her posture as she strode past Celestia and Luna. Luna had folded her wings back against her side, but she was still audibly panting from her outburst.

“Celestia, Luna,” Galactica said quietly, “please meet with Captain Firemane to organize the defenses and evacuation of Everfree. I have some other matters to attend to.”

Galactica teleported out of the room, and Celestia and Luna stood staring at the throne room doors.

~~~

Celestia looked out across Everfree towards the city gates. Scores of ponies were exiting through the massive gates, and were making their way along the wall of the castle to exit the Everfree forest by its eastern trail. The city remained deathly quiet as the sun slowly moved across the skies overhead.

Ponies were hauling every valuable item they could carry on their backs. Saddle bags and backpacks were filled to the brim with supplies loaded down every pony that crossed through the gates. Some ponies looked behind them at the city, taking in the last of its sight before they made their departure. Somepony flew up behind Celestia, and his armor clanked as he made his landing.

“How goes the evacuation?” Firemane asked.

“Only one fifth of the citizens have been evacuated,” Celestia sighed, and looked up towards the sky. Dark clouds skirted across the sky lazily. “By the time Discord arrives, we will only have evacuated half of the population. Sixty thousand ponies will have to remain trapped inside of the city.”

Firemane shivered, and he asked, “I don’t supposed there is any way for us to speed up the evacuation?”

“No, these ponies are already over burdened with their supplies,” Celestia looked at Firemane, and slightly ruffled the feathers of her wings, “If we push them too hard, they may not have the energy to reach safety before the Flutterpony mutants catch up to them.”

Together, Celestia and Firemane watched as ponies continued to shuffle through the gates. Celestia examined each of their faces, and saw the confusion and sadness present as they looked at each other and the city behind them. She turned, and made her way back across the castle grounds to the keep itself. Firemane quickly followed behind her.

“You should go with them,” Firemane said, quickeninghis trot so that he may walk even with Celestia.

“I will not abandon you,” Celestia said, opening the door to the keep, “and I will not abandon my mother and my sister.”

“You are Equestria’s last hope for the future, Celestia. You should not throw your life away so willingly.”

As Firemane closed the door behind them, Celestia stopped walking, and whirled around to face him.

“How can I be Equestria’s last hope for the future?” she asked.

Firemane bit his lip. He skirted around Celestia, and Celestia followed his movements until they were both perpendicular to the walls.

“You and Luna both. What if you all fail here? What if you can’t stop Discord here at Everfree? The ponies of Equestria can’t lead themselves against a power so strong. Their will and moral have been wavering, and the light of power that had shined so brightly before has nearly faded out. They will merely succumb to the will of Discord if you lose.”

Celestia stared at the floor, and kicked one of her forehooves in front of the other.

“I’m sorry, Firemane,” she said. “We have to try and stop Discord here.”

Celestia leaned forward and planted a kiss on Firemane’s lips. He returned the gesture, but only for a brief moment. He stared into her eyes, and searched her face.

“What about us?” Firemane asked.

When Celestia remained quiet, Firemane’s face fell. He still searched her face more, and the apologetic glint that shimmered in Celestia’s eyes did not ease pain that reflected in his eyes.

“What about what we have, Celestia?” he asked again. “What about the ring? What about our marriage? What about our future?”

Celestia refused to speak, and she averted her gaze when Firemane’s became hardened. He gave her one last look before he said, “Oh,” and turned away and continued to walk down the castle hall.

Celestia raised her hoof up and opened her mouth, but she was interrupted by a flash of light behind her. She turned, and saw that Galactica had teleported herself next to her.

“Hi, Mother,” Celestia said, her eyes drifting to look behind her in Firemane’s direction.

“Hey, Celestia,” Galactica replied, glancing over Celestia. “Where is Firemane going?”

Celestia grimaced, and redirected her eyes back to Galactica.

“H-he wants me to leave with the rest of the ponies who are evacuating.”

“He is worried about you,” Galactica said, walking past Celestia in the same direction as Firemane. Celestia followed next to her, and her hooves slightly dragged along the floor.

“I know,” Celestia said, “but I can’t leave, not with Discord still approaching.”

Galactica and Celestia continued to walk on in silence, and soon they rounded a corner that led to the castle’s war room. The castle felt dark, and when Celestia looked out one of the windows to her right she saw that the clouds that had been covering the Eternal Valley were now making their way towards Everfree. She grimaced, and quickly returned her gaze to the war room door.

Celestia opened the door for Galactica, and then followed in after her. Forza, Luna, Firemane, Sunfire and a few of the castle guards were huddled around a table that sat next to the massive map of Equestria. On the table was a map of Everfree City. Galactica stopped Celestia before they walked any closer to the group.

“I need to speak with you before we proceed any further today,” Galactica said.

Celestia looked at Galactica with a puzzled expression, and took a few steps back. Galactica glanced behind her, and then lowered her head to be level with Celestia’s.

“Do you love your sister?”

Celestia gasped, and said, “Of course I love Luna.”

“And do you always try to do what is best for her?”

“Of course!”

Galactica glanced over at Luna. Celestia followed her gaze.

“What is the matter, Mother?” Celestia asked.

“No matter what happens, Celestia,” Galactica said, “no matter what trials you face, no matter what difficulties you encounter, I want you to promise me one thing, and one thing only.”

Celestia looked at Galactica with big eyes, and Galactica stared back at Celestia. Galactica’s eyes were glazed over and dark, and the soft gaze that was always present had all but vanished. Celestia shivered.

“Promise me that you will always love your sister, no matter what the condition is.”

Celestia’s mouth hung open, but no words escape from her lips. She searched Galactica’s face, and then she directed her focus over to Luna who had begun to point at a specific part of Everfree. Her eyes fell to the floor.

“Of course, Mother,” Celestia said. “I will always love Luna, no matter the circumstance.”

Galactica nodded, and she led the two of them over to the table. Celestia took her spot in between her mother and Luna, and looked over at the object Luna was pointing at.

“We should accumulate the majority of our forces here,” Luna said. “If we were to garrison our walls with mostly unicorn soldiers, and then garrison pegasi soldiers behind the wall, it will be the most effective way to halt the mutant Flutterponies from over taking our walls quickly.”

Luna started moving unicorn soldiers to be set on top of the outer wall of Everfree, and lined them up so that they were evenly spaced on either side of the gate. She then moved pegasi soldiers to stand behind the unicorn soldiers behind the walls. When the last pegasi soldier was moved into place, Luna sniffled and took a deep breath.

“It’s a straightforward plan,” Forza said as she began spreading the soldier statuettes out, “but we are going to need to reinforce other parts of the walls as well. The mutant Flutterponies will try to come from every angle to get into the city. If we garrison the eastern, northern, and southern walls with small enough forces, we should be able to hold out against the onslaught long enough.”

“Long enough for what?” Celestia asked.

“We are collapsing part of the eastern wall as we speak,” Forza said. She looked like a walking skeleton in her shredded armor, and her once beautiful eyes still remained dark and hollow. “We are going to continue the evacuation in another direction while we hold off Discord’s forces.”

Firemane shifted in his spot, and pointed at all of the earth pony statuettes that were staying behind the inner wall.

“What are the earth ponies going to do?” he asked.

“If we lose the outer wall,” Forza said, “all of our forces will retreat to behind the inner wall and repeat our tactics.”

“And if the inner wall is breached?” Galactica asked.

“Let us hope it does not come to that,” Forza said quietly.

“Right, then,” Galactica said, frowning. “Begin garrisoning the walls, and redirect the ponies to exit through the eastern wall so that we may close the gate.”

~~~

Celestia paced back and forth in the safety of her own room. She was alone, but she was growing impatient as the sun continued to become lower in the sky. Occasionally she would stop and perk her ears, but return to her pacing when no sound persisted in the dead silence that followed. Finally, as she was heading for the door to her room, there was a knock from the otherside. Celestia galloped the rest of the distance to the door and opened it.

“Hi, Firemane,” Celestia said, swinging the door wider to let him enter.

“Hey, Celestia,” Firemane said, stepping through the door and giving Celestia a kiss on her cheek. “You wanted to speak to me?”

“Yes, I uh...” Celestia stuttered as she shut the door. “I wanted to talk about us, a-and what may-”

Firemane held a hoof up to Celestia’s lips.

“I should apologize for my behavior earlier,” he said. “How could I have expected you to leave?”

“Firemane...” Celestia started.

“No, you should stay here. I want you to stay here, and I know you want to stay here.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow as Firemane lowered his hoof.

“It’s not because you are a valuable asset to the defense of this city,” Firemane said, “and it’s not because the added magical support of another alicorn could defeat the most deadly enemy Equestria has seen for over a century. It’s because if we do fail, and if we cannot hold Everfree, then I would rather die with you rather than knowing that neither of us will see each other again.”

Celestia leaned forward closer to Firemane, but as their lips were about to touch, Everfree’s horn sounded in the distance. They both paused, and their ears swiveled in the direction in which the sound was emanating from. Some shouts rang out in the city, and the horn sounded a second time.

Celestia and Firemane gazed into each other’s eyes, and they brought their lips together in a desperate embrace. They held each other for a few moments longer, and they cringed when the horn sounded a third time, breaking from their kiss. Celestia swore under her breath.

“And so it begins,” Firemane said.

Celestia and Firemane galloped out of Celestia’s room, and made their way through the castle and out onto the ramparts of the inner wall. Celestia’s blood ran cold when she saw the sea of black bodies making their way over the treetops of the Everfree Forest. The mutant Flutterponies covered the tops of the forest as far as Celestia could see, and far more were lazily floating above canopy. Their blue eyes and wings stood out against their black bodies, and the buzzing that emitted from the Flutterponies that flew was nearly deafening.

Firemane’s mouth hung agape, and he said, “May Sol save us from this horror.”

More horns started to ring out through the city as guards began rushing to the walls to take their positions. The walls were lit up in a multitude of colors from each of the unicorn guards charging their horns, and pegasi guards flew from the castle grounds to land behind the unicorns. Celestia scanned the horde of mutant Flutterponies, but she found no sign of Chrysalis.

The mutant Flutterponies stopped their advance towards the city, just out of range from any magical attacks from the unicorn guards. The buzzing of their wings quieted, only to be replaced by the ominous, uniform thudding of the Flutterponies’ upon the trunks of the trees and the ground. Dread coursed through Celestia’s body.

A flash of light appeared next to Celestia, and Galactica soon stood between her and Firemane.

“How many do you think there are?” Galactica asked. Her wings were already extended, and when she spoke there was an underlying coldness to her voice.

“I-I don’t know, Your Majesty,” Firemane said. “Ten thousand?”

Another flash of light appeared in front of Galactica, Celestia, and Firemane, and Discord’s red eyes floated before them. Red mist trailed from the corners of his eyes, and he released a deep, menacing cackle that sent a cold chill down Celestia’s spine.

“Hello, everyone!” Discord said gleefully, “I seem to have arrived a little earlier than expected. I hope that isn’t an inconvenience.”

A third flash of light emitted next to Firemane, and Luna appeared. She immediately charged her horn, and Celestia glared at the talking illusion.

“Oh, good, the foal arrived,” Discord said sarcastically. “Now that you are all here, there is something I would like to say to all of you.”

Galactica, Celestia, Luna, and Firemane all remained quiet and stared at Discord’s illusion. When there wasn’t a response from anypony, Discord scoffed.

“You are such a drab, serious bunch,” he said. “Very well then, I will make this plain and simple, Galactica. Surrender the Element of Chaos or I will tear your precious Everfree City to the ground, turn your daughters into an ugly wool coat, and then turn you into my personal chocolate milk fountain.”

Celestia’s eyes widened, and Galactica stepped forward and charged her horn.

“I suggest that you return to whatever hole you crawled out of, serpent,” she said.

Discord grinned, and then broke into a fit of laughter.

“I am a draconequus, you silly pony,” Discord said, and coughed as he quickly regained his composure, “But you look to be hell bent on keeping that little Element of yours. Have it your way.”

Discord’s illusion vanished, and Celestia watched as the first of the mutant Flutterponies took to the air and made their way for the gate. Firemane was the first to leave the ramparts, and took flight towards Everfree’s main gate. Galactica was the next to depart, leaving in her wake a flash of light from the teleportation spell. Celestia looked over at Luna.

“Good luck, sister,” Celestia said.

“You, too, ‘Tia.”

Author's Notes:

I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter, as this is the second to last chapter before The Gift of Life is completed. When I finish chapter 23, I will be sure to disclose all information regard part 2 of the Lullaby to the Moon series. If any of you have read my blog post on my user page, you already have a small taste of what I shall be doing.

I will also be adding a character and locations list as an additional chapter after chapter 23. I realize that there are a lot of characters - too many actually - and locations to keep up with in this story, so it might be a good idea to have a little review page to get a refresher for part 2, as many of the locations and some of the characters will be used again.

A huge thank you to both Naes345 and Whisperingsage for the stellar editing. This chapter was a huge mess before they got a hold of it.

Next chapter is Chapter 23: Farewell

Chapter 23: Farewell

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The Gift of Life Chapter 23

Finale...

Balls of green fire rained down upon Everfree like torpedos. Houses were splintered under the assault, while the streets of the city cracked and cratered with each collision. Debris flew in every direction, littering the streets with shards of glass, rocks, and wood, and the entire city was enveloped in a thin cloud of dust. Fires had started to spark in some of the more damaged parts of the city, quickly spreading from building to building as the rain of fire remained unrelenting.

The mutated Flutterponies had taken to cocooning themselves in their own magical energy, and then shooting themselves in any direction into the city, causing as much damage as possible. Their random targets shattered under their explosive impacts, and anypony who was unfortunate to be caught in the blast radius of the Flutterponies’ attacks were left with shrapnel and burns scarring their entire body. Screams of agony rang out at each new collision the Flutterponies made with the city.

Celestia had taken refuge inside a heavily damaged building, and sat panting alongside Luna and a few other members of the Royal Guard. She listened as the first wave of the Flutterpony attack roared on, and she ducked her head below a window sill when a Flutterpony impacted the ground outside of the building, shattering the window. The ruined house groaned from the force of the impact.

A few of the unicorn Royal Guards positioned themselves at the windows of the building and let loose several volleys of magical energy at the Flutterpony. It screamed at the attack, and when Celestia peered back over the windowsill the Flutterpony had collapsed onto the ground and was covered with burn wounds. The building groaned again as another Flutterpony impacted the ground further down the street.

“We need to get out of the building,” one of the guards said, cringing as wood above him audibly splintered.

“Let’s move!” Celestia shouted, and she galloped over to Luna. “C’mon, Luna, we need to get out of here. The building is about to collapse.”

Luna nodded, and together she and Celestia exited the house just as another Flutterpony dive-bombed, snapping the last remnants of the house’s structure and causing it to collapse into a pile of rubble and dust. Celestia and Luna coughed, and dragged themselves to the other side of the street to rest against a lamp post.

“Form spearwall!” a pegasus guard shouted, and quickly the pegasi formed a wall in the middle of the street, while the unicorn lined themselves up behind them. “Behemoth incoming!”

Celestia looked over in the direction of the pegasi spear wall, and in front of them she saw a massive Flutterpony barreling towards them. She rose to her hooves, and quickly pulled Luna with her so that they could reinforce the unicorns in the spear wall. They took their places on the left flank of the wall, and powered up their horns.

“Bring it down!” the pegasus guard shouted again.

On the guard’s order, the unicorn line behind the pegasus spear wall began letting off volleys of magical energy at the behemoth. Celestia and Luna both added their magical attacks to the onslaught of the firing line, but the behemoth merely stumbled over its own hooves before lowering its head to make the final charge, using its momentum to crash into the spear wall.

Pegasus guards flew in all directions when the behemoth broke through the wall. Some guards collided with the buildings on either side, while others were pushed back or trampled underneath the behemoth’s hooves. Celestia and Luna both leapt to their left to avoid the initial impact of the behemoth, and quickly turned back around to face the enemy. Already the other unicorn guards had begun letting off bursts of energy, while the pegasi reformed themselves into a V formation in front of the behemoth.

The massive Flutterpony had multiple spears sticking out of its legs and chest, and it heaved as it made a second desperate charge at the pegasi position. Celestia launched a burst of powerful, heated energy at the behemoth, and made contact with its eye. The behemoth stumbled over its forelegs, and crashed to the ground in a pile of dust. One of the pegasi guards ran up to the behemoth and stabbed it through the throat.

“We need to regroup with Firemane and Galactica further up the street,” a unicorn guard said, already trotting in the intended direction. “We cannot hold the city much longer. We need to fall back behind the second wall and defend the keep.”

Celestia, Luna, and the Royal Guards began to make their way down the street at a brisk trot. The earlier pummeling of the Flutterpony meteors had ceased, and only the sound of crumbling buildings, roaring fires, and bloodcurdling screams echoed through the ruined streets of the city. Celestia gazed into each of the buildings as the group trotted by, and saw that each building had a unique, homey feel to it, even in the apocalyptic state they now rested in. Sections of buildings remained unscathed, and inside furniture was set up to make the inhabitants feel at home.

Celestia stumbled over herself when she heard one of the guards next to her yell, “Brace yourselves!”

Everypony dove out to either side of the street just as seven green meteors collided with the streets and buildings around them. Celestia quickly got back onto her hooves and stood next to Luna with her horn charged. As the smoke from the crater in the road began to clear, Celestia’s jaw dropped.

Standing before her, in the middle of the crater, was Queen Chrysalis. She still stood as tall as a full grown alicorn, but her once beautiful, white fur had been morphed into the black chitin of an insect. Her gorgeous, colorful butterfly wings had been transformed into the tattered wings of a fly. Her flowing red hair was now turquoise, greasy, unkempt, and stuck to her body. She stared directly at Celestia and Luna, and took a few steps forward.

“Hello, Celestia, Luna,” Chrysalis said, her voice echoing off of itself. “What a pleasure it is to find you here in the streets of this decrepit city.”

“Auntie Chrysalis,” Celestia said, taking a step back. Her wings were held open, but her horn slowly discharged itself. “W-what happened.”

“Your father is what happened,” Chrysalis sneered, taking a few more steps towards the princesses. “He drove us on a suicide mission through the Eternal Valley. He slaughtered countless Flutterponies in an attempt to save himself from us.”

A few of the guards lunged at Chrysalis, but she swatted them away with her magic, sending their bodies either into the ground or into the side of the buildings around them. She hissed at the remaining guards as a challenge, but no more attempted to make an attack on Chrysalis. They stood ready, their weapons drawn or horns lit.

“No,” Luna whimpered. “No, that is not true. Daddy was trying to save the Flutterponies. Forza said so herself! He led an army for you to defeat Discord and save your race!”

“Forza has been brainwashed by you ponies,” Chrysalis scoffered, closing her distance quickly to the princesses. “Sol wanted nothing more than to be rid of the Flutterponies and the many debts you all owe to us for our years of assistance. He slaughtered us by the hundreds while he pushed his army further into the Eternal Valley.”

“You accepted our father’s help,” Celestia protested, glancing to either side of her as Chrysalis continued to approach. “You wanted him to help you reclaim your nation. Why do you insist now that it was all some... some huge scheme?”

Chrysalis stopped in front of Celestia and Luna, standing only a meter from the princesses. The guards that had encircled Chrysalis were now slowly closing the gap between themselves and Chrysalis, and Chrysalis charged her horn with a green hue.

“I was blind at the time,” Chrysalis said, her lips contorting into a snarl. “I did not know what Sol’s intentions were. When he offered his help, I was so desperate to try and revert my Flutterponies back to their original form. What a fool I was.”

Celestia and Luna shrank away from Chrysalis when her horn started to grow bright, but before Chrysalis could let off a bolt of magic, she was jabbed in the side by a red burst of energy. Celestia snapped her head towards the direction of the magical blast, and saw Forza galloping towards the group. She immediately took a defensive stance in front of Celestia and Luna, and charged her horn up for another attack.

“Guards! Take Celestia and Luna behind the inner wall,” Forza shouted, letting off another bolt of energy as Chrysalis was trying to get back onto her hooves, “Galactica and Firemane have ordered a full retreat of all remaining pegasi and unicorn forces. Get out of here!”

Celestia and Luna skirted around Forza, and then met up with the remaining guards as they continued down the street. They reached the main avenue that led to the inner wall gates, and Celestia gave one last look behind her. Forza was becoming surrounded by the mutant Flutterponies, and she stood in the center of the circle with Queen Chrysalis, both of their horns fully charged.

Celestia and Luna’s squad made the final gap towards the inner wall gates, and the gates shut behind them once they had successfully galloped through the small opening that had been left for them. Celestia spotted Galactica speaking with Firemane up on the ramparts of the inner wall, and she pulled Luna with her to meet with them.

“Celestia, Luna,” Galactica said, embracing the two princesses in a hug. “I’m so glad you two are safe.”

Celestia and Luna happily returned Galactica’s warm hug, but they were interrupted as another wave of the Flutterpony bombardment rocked the city, further increasing the extensive damage that had been dealt to every district. Galactica pushed Celestia and Luna against the embrasure of the wall.

Celestia’s ears burned as if they were going to burst from the roar of the explosions from the meteor assault, the entire city fell silent. She looked up Galactica, and saw that she was staring at something incredulously. Celestia peered over the embrasure, and saw that Discord himself was casually walking up to the inner wall gates. He paused when he reached the gate, and then knocked on the door, magically amplifying the sound so that everypony inside the inner wall could hear him. When the gates did not open, he looked up at Galactica.

“Are you not going to let me in?” he asked.

Galactica looked at the unicorns that had garrisoned the wall, and gestured towards Discord by nodding her head. The unicorns let off several volleys of magic, but all of the energy stopped and remained suspended in the air. He glanced at each of the bolts of magic, and then snapped his fingers together, repelling the volleys back at their owners. A few of the unicorns guards managed to dodge the attack, but many were shot in their face by their own magic and fell from the wall.

“Is that how you are going to be?” Discord asked, and he snapped his fingers together again, teleporting himself to float in front of Galactica. “You know what? My offer still stands. If you hand over the Element of Chaos now, I will spare your precious city and be on my merry way.”

Galactica’s stare was cold and piercing. Her wings stood fully erect on the side of her body, and slowly her horn was enveloped by her orange magic. Her upper lip curled into a snarl.

“I hope that when I kill you,” she said, “ you will be groveling at my hooves, pleading for me to spare your miserable life.”

Discord scratched under his chin, and said, “I would rather not repeat Sol’s embarrassing behav-”

Discord was stopped short when Galactica released a blast of magical energy directly into his face, propelling him back into the nearest building that was behind him. Everypony fell silent, and only the sound of rustling wooden boards and rubble echoed off of the streets and inner wall when Discord reemerged from the building. He brushed off his shoulder and glared at Galactica.

“So be it,” he said, and he materialized a ball of energy. He threw the ball directly at the inner wall below Galactica, causing the wall to explode and send Celestia hurling back across the castle grounds. She skid to a halt amidst a group of earth pony guards, and she was quickly helped back onto her hooves.

After Celestia composed herself, she witnessed the mutant Flutterponies scaling the inner wall at full strength. Many of the Flutterponies were shot off of the wall in the initial attack, but the guards garrisoning the wall were soon quickly overwhelmed by the swarm that attacked them, and the desperate battle continued on the castle grounds. Galactica teleported herself next to Celestia.

“Celestia,” Galactica said, firing a bolt of her magic at Discord when he materialized in front of her and sending him pummeling into the gates, “find Luna and get inside the castle!”

Celestia opened her mouth, but Galactica had already teleported away. She huffed, and started to look around the castle grounds, spotting Luna a little further off, closer to the gates and battling with two other Flutterponies. She broke into a gallop towards the fray, and she soon found herself running alongside Firemane as he made his way towards Luna, too.

“Luna!” Celestia shouted, releasing a bolt of energy into one of the Flutterponies. “We need to get inside the castle now!”

Luna finished off the second Flutterpony that she was fighting, and then fell in behind Firemane and Celestia as they made their way towards the castle. Screams echoed on either side of them as they pushed their way through the battle towards the castle doors. A Flutterpony jumped in front of Celestia, and lunged at her face with its fangs, but Firemane knocked the Flutterpony to the ground with a powerful charge and brought his hooves down upon its neck. He nodded at both Celestia and Luna, and they resumed their gallop towards the doors.

When they made it inside the castle, Firemane quickly shut the doors behind them. Celestia and Firemane embraced each other, and they kissed while Luna paced back and forth in the hall.

“Let’s get to the top of the Tower of the Stars,” Celestia said, panting.

Luna and Firemane nodded, and together they galloped through the castle towards the tower. The castle started to shake under the beginning of another assault of the Flutterpony bombardment, and Celestia nearly lost her balance when one of the Flutterponies crashed through a wall directly in front of the group.

“Celestia, look out!” Firemane shouted just as the Flutterpony made a lunge for Celestia’s neck.

Celestia dodged the Flutterpony, and she telekinetically grabbed its hooves in her magic and threw it against the wall. A crack echoed from the Flutterpony as it made contact with the wall, and it lay limply on the floor once Celestia had released her magically grip. Celestia stared at the corpse for a second, and then resumed the trek to the tower once Firemane trotted in front of her.

The trio were about to close the final gap to the door to the Tower of the Stars, when an explosion of rock and dust erupted next to them, sending Celestia crashing into a window, cracking the glass. She slumped to the floor, and groaned as she started to pull herself forward from the window frame. Celestia was stopped in her tracks when a very large, black hoof slammed onto the ground in front of her. She looked up, and came face to face with a Flutterpony behemoth.

The behemoth lifted its massive foreleg into the air, but before it could bring its hoof down upon Celestia’s face, a bolt of blue energy ripped into the behemoths leg and sent it off balance. Celestia hopped to her hooves, and began pounding the behemoths face in. She battered the behemoth until the last convulsions from the monster ceased, and the green blood soaked her hooves and under belly. Her lips were curled into a snarl. Celestia panted, and turned to Luna and Firemane, who were staring at her with worried expressions. She looked back to the behemoth.

“I’m...sorry,” Celestia said, trotting past them. “I wasn’t... I... Let’s get to the top of the tower.”

Luna and Firemane fell in behind Celestia, and they started their trek up the long, winding staircase that led to the top of the Tower of the Stars. The tower shook with each impact from the Flutterpony bombardment on the castle. Dust fell from the crevices in between the stone masonry of the tower, and Celestia nearly lost her balance multiple times while ascending the staircase.

Finally, the they reached the top of the tower. Celestia was the first to push open the door and exit the confined stairwell, and her face immediately contorted into a horrified expression. Standing directly in front of her was Discord, and he reached out immediately and grabbed Celestia and Luna by their horns, pulling them further out onto the top of the Tower of the Stars.

Firemane made a leap at Discord, but he was easily cast aside and pushed back down the staircase. Discord closed the door behind him, and magically materialized a chain and padlock to lock the door. He then turned, and shoved both Celestia and Luna’s faces into the stone floor. Celestia attempted to power up her horn, but all that she emitted were a few sparks.

“Ah ah, no magic,” Discord said, grinding Celestia’s head against the stone. “We wouldn’t want you ruining my special plan for your mother now, would we?”

Celestia growled at Discord, and said, “When our mother gets a hold of you, she will obliterate you and wipe all mention of you from history.”

Discord scoffed, and dragged Luna’s face along the ground so that both she and Celestia could clearly look at each other. Luna’s eyes were full of fear, and she was audibly hyperventilating while drifting her eyes to glance at Discord every few seconds. Celestia tried to look at Luna with soft eyes, but Discord started chuckling and Celestia returned to glaring at him.

“I doubt she-” Discord started to say, but he was interrupted by a gust of air and a flash of light behind him. He lowered his head to be level with both Celestia and Luna’s heads, and said, “Ah, that must be her now.”

Discord spun around quickly to face Galactica, eliciting screams of agony from Celestia and Luna as he dragged them both to their hooves by their horns. Galactica’s face was twisted in rage, but her eyes betrayed her as she was glancing between Celestia and Luna with anxiety in her eyes. Her horn was discharged, but her wings stood fully extended from her body.

“Let them go, Discord,” Galactica said coldly, but quickly.

“Why should I do that?” Discord asked, smirking. “From where I am standing, I don’t even see it possible for you to demand anything of me.”

Galactica scowled, and she charged her horn. Discord lifted Celestia and Luna from their hooves, and sent jolts of magical energy through their bodies, causing them to cry out in pain. Galactica’s wings folded slightly, and the cold expression that she had been wearing was replaced with fear and anguish as she lifted her forehoof slightly towards Discord.

“Stop!” Galactica shouted. “Please, stop.”

Discord let go of Celestia and Luna’s horns, allowing for them to tumble painfully onto the ground. They both groaned slightly, and then yelped when Discord grabbed onto their manes and pulled them back onto their hooves. Celestia stared at Galactica, and saw that her mother’s eyes started to water.

“What do you want, Discord?” Galactica asked.

“What I have been asking for since I first knocked on your front gate,” Discord said. “Have you not listened at all? I want the Element of Chaos.”

“Why would you want something like that?” Galactica asked as she glanced between Celestia and Luna.

Discord materialized a cloud behind him and sat down on it, wrapping his arms around Celestia and Luna’s necks and pinning their heads against his chest. Celestia cringed and looked at Luna, who had closed her eyes and was trying to keep herself from touching Discord’s coat.

“Why would I want something like that?” Discord mocked, rolling his eyes. “Don’t you know who I am? The spirit of discord and disharmony.”

Discord created a pink cloud to hover over Galactica, and with a snap of his fingers the cloud began to rain brown liquid on top of Galactica. Galactica became soaked in the liquid, and she sniffed at the air around her as Discord began to snicker.

“Chocolate milk?” Galactica asked coldly. Discord merely laughed more at her question, and so she tried to dispel the cloud with her own magic, only for her efforts to be in vain when the cloud refused to disappear. Discord broke into hysterical laughter, and Galactica glared at him as the chocolate rained around her.

“You know,” Discord began, wiping a tear from his eye and regaining some of his composure, “you ponies really know how to put on a comedic show. So ‘serious,’ so ‘proper.’ You should learn how to lighten up.”

Discord squeezed Celestia and Luna’s faces against his chest, and Luna whimpered slightly upon touching him with her cheek. Galactica’s cold gaze faltered again, and she was staring at Discord with pleading eyes.

“What do you want to use the Element of Chaos for?” she asked.

Discord sat up on his cloud, and returned to holding Celestia and Luna’s manes again. Celestia looked over at Luna, but Luna’s eyes were still closed and her breath was still quick. Galactica slowly side stepped her way out from under the pink cloud, her coat soaked and dirtied from the chocolate milk.

“Can you imagine all of the fun that will be had, Galactica?” Discord said, smiling. “What you experienced just now is part of the fun. Imagine having roads of soap, longer days, and chocolate milk rain seven days a week. You can’t tell me that doesn’t sound like a jolly good time.”

Galactica cringed as glanced up at the pink cloud that floated next to her. The rain continued to fall from the cloud, and a sizable puddle had formed underneath it. She took another step to further her distance from the cloud before turning back to Discord.

“Is this your envisionment of Equestira?” Galactica asked. “Do you really plan to twist the reality that everypony has come to know and accept all because you want to have some fun?”

Discord leaned back on the cloud a bit and scratched underneath his chin. He stared at the cloud for a moment, leaving the top of the Tower of the Stars completely silent. The battle between the ponies and the Flutterponies still raged on the castle grounds as green meteors continued to pelt the castle, sending tremors through the stone to shake the tower.

“What if I were to make that cloud taste like cotton candy?” Discord asked, a quizzical expression still etched on his face.

“Is that all you can think about?” Galactica deadpanned.

“What else is there to think about? Well, besides the Element of Chaos of course. By the way, where is that little orb? I know it was still in your possession today.”

Galactica narrowed her eyes, and took another side step away from the pink cloud. Discord continued to look at Galactica with an eyebrow raised.

“So, where is it?” Discord asked again, more coldly this time.

“It’s not here,” Galactica replied.

“I gathered that much,” Discord said, rolling his eyes. “I no longer feel its presence. I’m usually the first to suggest a game of Hide and Go Seek, but my patience is starting to wear thin with you ponies.”

Galactica remained silent and continued to glare at Discord, causing Discord to start fidgeting his leg. He sat up straight on his cloud and side, dispersing the cloud from under him and tightening his grip on Celestia and Luna’s manes.

“I guess you need a little motivation to answer my question,” Discord shoved Luna’s face into the ground and planted his donkey’s hoof on top of Luna’s cheek. Celestia shrieked, and Galactica audibly gasped. “This is not hard, Galactica. Tell me where the Element of Chaos is or cry-baby here will undergo facial reconstruction.”

Galactica bit her lip, and cringed when she heard Luna yelp as Discord pressed his hoof deeper into Luna’s cheek. She sighed, and looked at Discord as she said, “Okay, please, let her go. Just... give me a second.”

Discord eased his hoof, but he kept it firmly planted on Luna’s cheek. Galactica began pacing back and forth, her wings folded against her sides and her eyes scanning the ground as she walked. The meteors that had been shaking the tower now stopped, and the horrific screams from the castle grounds below had all but ceased.

Discord coughed, and Galactica stopped her pacing and returned her attention to Celestia and Luna.

“Celestia, Luna,” Galactica began, tears welling up in her eyes, “I-I’m sorry that you have had to be put through all of the turmoil over these past years. You... You have both lived perilous lives, in which you have each had to deal with horrors that no other pony could imagine experiencing. You two are strong; perhaps stronger than either Sol or I was during your age.”

“Yawn,” Discord interrupted, “can we get to the part where you tell me where the Element is?”

Galactica ignored him, and said, “There is one thing I want you two do for me.”

Celestia stared at Galactica, and shook her head back and forth as tears started to glide down her face. Galactica looked at Celestia with warmth and compassion and love.

“Find the Element of Harmony,” Galactica said.

Galactica inhaled a deep breath, and tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she charged her horn. Discord opened his mouth, but Galactica released a blinding burst of energy from her body before any words could escape from his lips. Discord threw up his arms to shield his eyes from the blast, but Celestia strained her eyes to look through the blinding light to see that Galactica’s horn was enveloped in a powerful orange hue. The air became lighter, and Celestia looked down at her hooves to see that a second light was being emitted below her. The air began to roar around her, deafening everypony with close proximity of Galactica.

Celestia looked back up at Galactica and opened her mouth, but Galactica shook her head.

“Remember your promise, Celestia,” Galactica’s voice echoed in Celestia’s head, and there was another blinding flash of light as Celestia and Luna were teleported from the Tower of the Stars.

~~~

Celestia blinked as the blinding light started to clear from her eyes, and she collapsed into the dirt ground where she had been teleported to. Looking around, Celestia saw that she was sitting in the middle of a small town. Wooden shacks were built in an unorganized fashion around the town center, and ponies had stopped and began to stare at her as she continued to gaze around her surroundings with a perplexed look. Tears were still streaming down her face, and she pounded the ground once with her hooves.

“No,” Celestia said, looking at the ground. “No, no, no, no, no!”

“‘Tia?” Luna asked, laying in the dirt next to Celestia. “Where are we?”

“I-I don’t-” Celestia started, but she stopped when the words choked up in her throat. She heard Luna whimper next to her, and she laid her head onto the ground and covered her eyes with her own hooves. She hid her face as she began to cry silently, ignoring the low murmur that began to manifest in the crowd of ponies that started to congregate around the princesses.

Celestia saw the blinding flash of light return to her vision, and she saw her mother standing in front of both her and Luna as raw, magical energy surged through her body. Discord stood next to Celestia and Luna, but he was distracted by the flash of light to pay anypony much attention. Galactica’s voice entered Celestia’s head, and she heard the last words her mother said to her, “Remember your promise, Celestia.”

The murmurs that had gripped the crowd soon died out just as quickly as they began, and Celestia heard a pair of gentle hoofsteps stop in front of her. She slid her hooves from her face and looked up to see the soft eyes of a purple unicorn mare looking down at her.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” the unicorn said, “Would... Would you like some help?”

Celestia stared at the unicorn that stood over her, and then she glanced around at all of the ponies that stood encircling her and Luna. They looked to be mostly unicorns and earth ponies, and they all had a ragged, dirty look to them. Each face Celestia gazed at seemed to have a worried expression etched into it, and she returned her attention back to the purple unicorn.

“W-where are we?” Celestia asked.

“You’re in Canterlot, Your Majesty,” the unicorn said, and she whistled towards a light blue stallion. He galloped over and started to help Luna to her hooves. “My name is Moonlight Sonata. Let’s get you indoors.”

~~End Part of 1~~

Author's Notes:

And that concludes Part 1 of the Lullaby to the Moon: The Gift of Life! I hope you all have enjoyed the story, and please, leave me comments/feedback on what you particularly like and/or disliked about the story. Every piece of feedback I get back from you guys helps me out in becoming a better writer!

Now, onto the technical part. I will be going back, reviewing, and editing the first thirteen chapters and the prologue. The writing style I have after chapter 13 is much different than the writing style before, so the sudden switch from new readers who don't know about my sudden inclusion of editors might become perplexed. I've got some work ahead of me, but I have aspirations to have this story featured.

I will also begin working on Part 2 for this series once I have successfully completed editing The Gift of Life. If you haven't already, please check out my user page for a blog post I made about a side project I will be working on alongside Part 2.

As promised, I will upload a character and locations page for this story tomorrow.

Stay tuned for The Lullaby to the Moon Part 2: The Elements

The Gift of Life

by hell00001

Prologue: A Story for a Young Filly

Chapter 1: Luna

Chapter 2: A Ride Through the Orchard

Chapter 3: The Royal Babysitter

Chapter 4: Vision

Chapter 5: Quest for the Snicker Doodles

Chapter 6: It's all a Hoax

Chapter 7: The New General and the Young Captain

Chapter 8: A Personal Summer Solstice

Chapter 9: A Rollercoaster Ride

Chapter 10: I Believe You Can Fly

Chapter 11: I Can Hear Life's Heart Beat

Chapter 12: Welcome to Everfree

Chapter 13: Love is in Bloom

Chapter 14: A Night to Remember

Chapter 15: Unrest Shall Follow

Chapter 16: An Influential Message from Fillydelphia

Chapter 17: The Equestrian Riots

Chapter 18: Ultimatum

Chapter 19: Rules of Magic

Chapter 20: A Distress Letter

Chapter 21: The Stallion of my Dreams

Chapter 22: Despair

Chapter 23: Farewell

Character and Location Chart