Darkness.

The world was darkness.

At least, until the newly-awakened being within it snapped its fingers, illuminating its vicinity with ethereal light. The world soon shrank to a cave filled with glittering crystals. Colossal tree roots snaked their way down into the depths of the cave, their owners residing much further above ground. The pungent smell of soil diffused throughout the confined area, inescapable.

Smiling, the draconequus examined his surroundings. The freshly broken cocoon at his feet caught his attention. Next time, I’ll buy a bigger bed, he thought, turning his attention instead to the obelisks that lit the cave.

As he stared at the giant crystals, stray thoughts began to cross his mind. Why were they there? What did they represent? Though he had no memory of how he’d even ended up in his current situation, the crystals’ familiarity would not leave him.

One for each colour of the rainbow…

With a loud guffaw, the draconequus proceeded to tear each crystal from the Earth’s foundations. The cave quaked with the sheer output of power as its supporting pillars were torn from each of their embedments. Were it not for the trunk-thick roots interwoven with the soil walls, the entire cave would have collapsed.

In theory, anyway. But what was theory to the Lord of Chaos?

As each spectrum crystal rotated around the draconequus, they slowly grew and changed, creaking and groaning while the warped magic twisted them into shape. The red crystal was the first to complete its transformation. As it snaked its way around the draconequus’ head, it let out a loud hiss. A tongue of flame shot out of its new mouth, singeing the draconequus’ eyebrows.

“Now that’s not very nice, Scarlet. Say you’re sorry!”

The newly-formed crystal dragon hissed once more, before coming to rest on his shoulder. As it did, the other colours began to catch up. A lithe, green dragon was the next to emerge complete. Larger than the red one, it screeched at the lack of space inside the cavern. As it waved its crystalline wings around, the draconequus realised his dilemma.

“Whoopsie. Better fix that before I become one with my creations.”

He spread his arms wide; the cave walls quaked, eliciting a loud groan from the Earth as he literally created more space. Where before it had been barely large enough to contain himself and the crystals, it now resembled an enormous cavern.

“Oh calm down, Verdant,” the draconequus said as the green dragon raged, “you can fly now. Don’t ever say I do nothing for you.”

The dragon roared and took flight, even as its brethren continued to grow. Sunset was next to join the weyr, belching the largest fireball the draconequus had ever seen. Saffron joined the others, a behemoth of a creature who almost necessitated further expansion of the cave. Azure followed, a runt of a lizard that would have been unremarkable, save for its gigantic wingspan. Midnight gave its final creak of creation and swished its indigo neck back and forth, its elongated head almost touching the cave’s ceiling.

The draconequus gazed at his prismatic dragons, pleased with the outcome of his experiment. As they twisted and coiled around each other, growling and fighting for non-existent territory, he let out a loud, shrill whistle. The dragons froze in place. With a smirk, he examined his handiwork.

“Gorgeous, simply divine!” he said, running a claw along Azure’s wings. “But of course, how could you not be? I made you, after all.”

He jumped up onto Saffron’s back, stroking its magnificent golden scales. “Why, just look at this expert craftsmanship!” With a pop, he appeared between the frozen jaws of Sunset. “Such elegance! Such finesse! Such—ouch!” He recoiled in surprise, having caught his paw on the edge of one of Sunset’s teeth. “Oh, you’re going to cause such a sensation when I unleash you all. I can’t wait!”

He snapped his fingers once more and the dragons returned to life; seemingly unaware of their temporary paralysis, they continued to bite and snarl at each other. With a shrug, the draconequus turned away from the cacophony and checked out the remains of his cocoon. Brimming with ideas, he began to alter the cocoon. It floated in midair horizontally, expanding much like the room had before. The split in the middle widened, revealing a rather accommodating gap to sit in. Splintered fragments on the ground re-attached themselves to the rear, erecting an ornamental pillar.

“Hmmm. Almost there, but something’s missing…”

An Earth-shattering roar from Saffron drew his attention. He turned to reprimand the yellow dragon, but had barely opened his mouth before he was engulfed in a searing, orange fireball. Scarlet—still perched on the draconequus’ shoulder—screeched his displeasure at the larger wyrm and took off, leaving a charred figure standing alone with a single talon still raised. With a single blink, he vigorously shook the soot from his body and placed his hands on his hips.

“Now, children, you can tear at each other all you like, but you play nice with your father. Understand?” He frowned as they continued to fight among themselves.

“I said, play nice!”

The draconequus swelled to three times his regular size. Each of the dragons froze in mid-fight, many sets of gaping jaws now focused on him, silent. “There, that’s better. Settle down—we’re about to have some real fun!”

Another snap later, the tree roots lining the walls began to tear themselves from their hosts. Twisting and writhing, they hardened to a dense black material, before looping themselves around each dragon’s neck. The entire spectrum bellowed their collective displeasure as the roots continued to slither towards the newly crafted cocoon-pod. As he jumped into the pod, the roots reached his paw and his claw. Taking them in like reins, the draconequus sucked in a deep breath and belched toward the ceiling.

Such was the force of this expulsion that the soundwaves shot right through the soil, carving out a tunnel to the surface. For the first time, high above them, the six rainbow crystal dragons witness the light of day. Roaring in blind fury, but intrigued by the new escape hole, they rocketed up out of the cave, even as the Earth quaked and the cavern began to collapse upon itself.

The draconequus grasped his reins tightly as the pod shot forward with sanity-defying acceleration. Flying vertically toward the sun, he relished the feel of the wind on his face and the euphoria of freedom, laughing all the while as his dragons embraced the sky for the first time.

“My little ponies, it’s high time I paid you all a visit.”

“Great to see you again, Princess! I missed you so much.”

Cirrus beamed as he landed on the gleaming balcony of the Crystal Palace. Folding in his cornflower-blue wings, he bowed slightly, then embraced his waiting friend eagerly. The pink filly returned the gesture with gusto, her own radiant smile gleaming in the morning sun.

“I missed you too, Cirrus. How’s the cleanup in Cloudsdale going?”

After breaking the hug, he shrugged. “Not so bad. I mean, clouds aren’t exactly the hardest stuff to work with; stratus clouds for the foundations and cumulus clouds for the buildings on top. The builders compact them together by ramming a bunch altogether at a time. They sort of sink into each other, actually. Cume says it ‘increases their density’ or something. Never mind Cloudsdale, though—have you heard from Valencia yet?”

Crystal Princess Aura shook her head. “I haven’t, actually. We should give her more time, though. They must have it so hard, having to replant their crops and rebuild their houses. It certainly sounds more difficult than simply pushing clouds back together.”

She paused, thinking about her Earth pony friend and the devastation that the southern homesteads had suffered. “Oh, no offense, Cirrus. I didn’t mean to word it like that.”

Cirrus smiled. “Of course you didn’t, silly filly,” he said, using her aunt’s pet name for her. Aura giggled. “That reminds me—how’s Clover doing?” He searched over her shoulder for any sign of the royal advisor.

“She’s busy with preparations for the Crystal Fair. I put her in charge of keeping an eye on security. She’s working closely with Mantissia, figuring out how best to ensure that everything goes smoothly.”

Aura sighed, then motioned for Cirrus to follow her inside off the balcony. “I keep telling her that she doesn’t need to worry, but I suppose I can’t blame her. I mean, I shouldn’t really expect everypony to just forget what she did.” Unbidden memories flickered in the back of her mind, memories she tried not to think about. “Mantissia may have sworn an oath of servitude to me, but for some ponies, nothing she ever does will make them forget her past sins.”

Cirrus frowned as he trotted inside after her. “You’re sure that Mantissia can be trusted? Don’t get me wrong, Princess—I want to trust them as much as you do—but I just have this feeling that something’s gonna go wrong at the Crystal Fair. Whether it’s the changelings who do something or an outsider, I dunno. But I can’t ignore my gut.”

The pink princess eyed her friend once more, resolve set in her eyes. “I am the Keeper of the Crystal Heart, Cirrus. I’ve seen the changes they’ve been through over the last month. They can’t hide anything from me. If even a single changeling allowed malice to build in their heart once more, I would know. I would feel it. There’s nothing at all to suggest that Mantissia or her children would betray me.”

Aura paused for a moment, inhaling and exhaling a deep breath. “They know the consequences if they do: eternal banishment from pony society. Even if we assume that their actions now are still completely selfish, the Crystal Heart provides them with more than enough free love to satisfy their urges. They have no reason to risk losing their one and only source of free food.”

Cirrus nodded. “All right, Princess. If you say so.” He laughed. “Hey, why are we talking about this anyway? You promised me a guided tour of the city when I returned. Let’s go!”

The excited colt dashed off, eager to explore the palace. Before he could get very far, a flash blinded him for a few seconds. Blinking rapidly, he came to a halt, the image of the smiling princess before him catching him off-guard.

“Come now, Cirrus, slow down! Take it easy. You’re here for a few days after all. How about we just go for a walk, or something?” Her grin widened mischievously as the glow from her horn faded. “Besides, you owe me some flying lessons first. I’m still having trouble getting used to these.”

She flapped her wings slightly, barely lifting off the ground before slumping down again. “I never thought learning to fly would be so difficult!”

“Ah, don’t worry so much. You’ll get there, Princess—”

“—And stop calling me that. You’re as much responsible for my new title as Valencia or Clover.”

Aura leaned forward and touched Cirrus’ shoulder, the Crystal Pendant flashing blue as she did so. “You are one of my best friends. I’ll not have you calling me that when you first knew me by my name only.”

“If you say so, Princess Aura.” Cirrus chortled, once again racing past her with his wings outstretched. He smiled to himself, even as he felt her condescending look upon his back.

There it is again. That familiar feeling. I don’t like it.

Far away in the newly christened city of Canterlot, Princess Luna leaned over the edge of her twilit balcony. Below her, the sprawling city glinted in the early light of her sister’s sun. Where once only unicorns roamed, ponies of all races were now welcome. The cleanup and restoration of the city had almost been wrapped up since the changeling invasion three months earlier. Pegasi and Earth ponies had joined with their unicorn brethren willing to lend their aid, erecting new shops and stalls to expand the trade market. With the influx of new materials, an abundance of foodstuffs and the extra helping hooves, the city would not be far off from thriving more than ever before.

Though for all of the positive feelings flowing through the city, relaxation eluded the moon princess. The regalia she wore kept sending her messages; Kindness pinged gently at her leg, while the tiara of Magic periodically sent a pulse through to her mind. The Elements know that something is happening, but I know it is not the changelings this time. So what is it?

Luna brushed a stray lock of her mane from her eyes and sighed. Rubbing her heavy eyelids with her forehoof, she let out a long, throaty yawn. The Elements were indiscriminate and unconscious to her personal well-being and body’s needs. Sometimes they feel more like a curse than a blessing. I just want a good day’s rest for a change—

A faint whoosh heralded the approach of her sister, jerking her from her musings. Celestia descended from the summit of Mount Canterlot, whereupon she raised the sun every morning. Celestia had accepted her ascension to co-ruler of Canterlot much easier than her younger sister. Everypony—and unicorn in particular— eagerly welcomed her dawn, knowing that she could easily shoulder the responsibility herself. Some still found it unbelievable that a single pony could perform a task that had previously required a quarter of the citizens to achieve, working in shifts every day.

There were certainly no complaints.

Landing on the balcony with the grace of a swan, Celestia sidled up to Luna and placed a wing over her. “What ails you, Luna? Do your Elements persist with impairing your slumber?”

Luna leaned in toward Celestia, resting her head against the snow-white alicorn’s chest.

“Y-yes.” Luna nuzzled into the comforting warmth of Celestia’s beating heart. “The tiara is especially cumbersome. I just wonder why it keeps reacting this way. Surely all of the danger perished with the queen’s pledge of allegiance? But it seems not so, for Magic continues to detect a faraway pulse of great power. I do not understand what in this world could be setting it off.”

She yawned once more. “All I know for sure is that I am beyond tired. I should have been asleep five hours ago, yet here I am.”

The elder pony smiled as she brought her wings around to Luna, lightly pulling her out of the embrace. “Don’t think I’m patronising you with this suggestion, but have you tried removing your regalia at all?”

Luna looked her sister in the eye and saw not sarcasm, but genuine curiosity.

“Yes, I’ve tried.” Luna brought a hoof to her forehead, rubbing gently. “Laughter generally lies dormant, but whenever I remove it, it hesitates only a moment or two before re-attaching itself to my leg. Kindness reacts in much the same way, while Magic refuses to even consider leaving its place atop my crown. Though it weighs next to nothing, the burden I bear is great indeed.” She sighed. “I only desire a decent sleep, Celestia. Is that so much to ask?”

Celestia pulled Luna close again. “I’m sorry for what you must endure, sister. Were there a way for me to ease this weight upon your mind, I would gladly share with you.”

She touched her horn to Luna’s, offering some of her power. “Here, this should help with your headache. I’ll take a trip to Cloudsdale and see if I can get them to schedule an overcast day. The shadows might help you drift off better.”

Luna accepted the energy, but shook her head regardless. “I can’t ask you to do that, Celestia. The plants that our Earth ponies grow need as much sun as they can get. Besides, I haven’t even been able to sleep through my own night. No amount of peace or darkness will help me sleep—not when Magic keeps sending me these accursed pulses direct to my brain.”

One final yawn. “I appreciate the generous offer, though. At least your Element serves you well.”

Luna slunk off the balcony, heading for her bedchamber. “Don’t worry about me. Maybe sometime soon I’ll pass out from sheer exhaustion and sleep through Magic’s infernal pestering.” She turned and smiled at Celestia. “And don’t you even think about raising the moon for me. That’s my job and my job alone, understand?”

“Of course, Luna.” Celestia offered a short, respectful bow. “I pray to Mother that you sleep well this day.”

As Luna’s lithe midnight-blue form disappeared into her personal grotto, Celestia shifted her gaze to stare out west. Luna may be feeling it worse, but I can feel it too. Something wicked exists in the world, and we’d better be ready for it when it strikes.

Celestia abandoned the balcony, leaving Luna to her solitude. She flew down across the gardens, where she witnessed her niece and her brand new nephew-in-law partaking in breakfast together. A warm smile crossed her face as she thought of the Duke and Duchess. Platinum, while previously eager to ascend the throne after her father Levitatus stepped down, had accepted the technicality of Celestia and Luna’s direct relation to her father as reason to succeed him in her place.

The Duke has to be the luckiest stallion in the world, Celestia thought. Not only had he not been punished for his secret liaisons with the former princess, but he had been accepted as her coltfriend and hailed as a hero to the ponies of Canterlot. A former royal guard, Edge Stalwart was completely devoted to his new bride and fully compliant with Levitatus’ decision to declare his sisters as rulers in his bride’s place.

To their great surprise, Celestia had offered the Duke and Duchess a place at her and Luna’s sides, allowing them to retain their royal lineage should either sister pass. Celestia had felt particularly old after the fight with Mantissia, but something about raising the sun just felt… invigorating.

I can only hope that Luna experiences the same sensation when she raises the moon. I don’t understand why the ponies of the world show her such little appreciation. I’ll have to hold a summit sometime to rectify that.

Valencia panted as she carried two final buckets of water from her homestead’s nearby stream. While the sunrise was nice, she had worked all through the night and was practically dead on her hooves. After pouring the final bucket over her carrot crop, she wiped a slick of built-up sweat from her brow. Celestia’s sun rose quickly over the horizon, bathing the land in its gentle morning glow. Valencia smiled, enjoying dawn’s gentle kiss before electing to turn in for the day.

Most ponies on the various farmsteads had almost completed the restoration process. Trees were growing well, crops were once again flourishing and only a few houses remained slightly damaged. Valencia had taken special care with her carrots and orange trees. Oddly, though she was not a nocturnal pony by nature, she found the night strangely comforting. It never seemed as dark anymore—not since her coat now possessed a faint glimmer of its own. Not only did her self-producing light aid her night vision, but ever since Luna had taken control of the night, the stars seemed more abundant and bright.

It was better to work in the cold, too. Just as her sister had taken beatiful charge of the night, Celestia seemed to have some effect on the sun since assuming stewardship over its cycle. The sun burned hotter and brighter than ever before; while this was fantastic news for the trees and crops, the ponies weren’t quite so thankful. Mercifully, the temperature seemed only a few degrees hotter on a regular basis, though random heat waves had occurred in the past while Celestia initially adjusted to her chosen task.

“Good morning, Valencia! Come on in, we’ll take it from here.”

Valencia lifted her head and saw her cousin Mulberry waving her home. Other ponies had also arisen and were leaving their houses. Grateful for her cousin’s words, Valencia trotted back home, two empty buckets in tow.

“Morning, Mulberry. What’s for breakfast?”

“Well—” a hint of slyness permeated her voice “—I thought since we finished fixing up the house yesterday, we all deserved a treat. Go on in and see for yourself.” The dark, curly-haired mare grinned broadly. “Trust me, you’ll love it.”

“I don’t doubt that for a minute, cuz. I’ll be sure to thank you when I wake up this evening.”

Valencia grinned and hugged Mulberry. “Y’all have a good day, now. There’s only a few small pests you gotta watch out for, like locusts and that. Shouldn’t be too much for you to handle, yeah?”

“Good morning, Valencia,” Mulberry pressed. “Go eat your surprise and pass out already!” They locked eyes for a moment, then simultaneously chortled.

“Righto, cuz. Have a good day then.”

Valencia turned and walked to the kitchen as the front door closed. A delicious scent filled her nostrils. Oh, she didn’t—

Mulberry grinned to herself as her cousin’s cry of “Crystal carrots!” rolled over the land. If everypony on the farm didn’t hear that, I’ll eat my mane.

A loud boom in the distance abruptly stole her attention. Concern replaced her momentary jubilation as other ponies around her looked to the west in tandem. While they all stared, Mulberry shuddered, the shadow of foreboding descending upon her heart.

That can’t be anything good… Next Chapter: Act One Chapter Two: Accents and Assumptions Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 6 Minutes