Celestia woke up somewhat dazed.

"Take it easy now." Sapphire advised her gently. "You spent a lot of energy, it is normal to feel a little weak. Just relax and don't worry."

"How was the tournament?"

"Wonderful!" Pyro said ."I knew it would work. You should have seem their faces when Solar Flare appeared." He chuckled.

Jasmine approached, a potion floated beside her.

"I think what they did was crazy." Turned to Sapphire. "I thought you said you would not interfere. But now it's done." She placed the drink in front of Celestia. "Drink. It will help you to recover." She turned back to Sapphire. "We leave in two hours, if it is well for your Company, Lady Sky."

"Two hours then." Sapphire nodded. "I will gather the others. As for you, young Princess, rest. You did well, but the battle is just beginning."

Meanwhile, Luna was not far off, with Ice and Flame.

"I think safer to wait our departure." Ice commented. "Your sister didn't seems to be very fine and I think one of you has to be there, right?"

Luna had to agree, though she could not endure the long wait. But then what was wrong with Celestia? Well, she might have exaggerated in the training, but doesn't appear in the Tournament... Had something fishy there.

She went to meet her sister.

"How are you feeling?"She asked gently.

"Just a little tired. I will be fine."

Luna nodded and went away when Celestia called her back.

"But I wanted to talk to you, sister. You did well taking care of everything by yourself today. Just like when I was poisoned. You are a great leader, Luna. If something happens to me, I know this place will survive, and will be in competent hooves. If something happens, I want you to remember what is most important, little sister. Keep the flame alive."

"I'm not so competent as well. Reckless, when I attacked the troll and it almost led to my ruin. If something will happen to one of us, is more likely to be me. But if that happens, don't despair, Celestia. you are the true queen and they need you."

"It will not work." The two murmured to themselves, at the same time, then looked at each other in surprise. But there was no discussion, they understood what had been planned from the beginning.

"Sapphire Sky was right. Neither of us can do it alone." Luna muttered.

"And they guaranteed that none of us had to try." Celestia nodded.

"Were you there so, weren't you? The mysterious pony? Solar Flare?"

"I don't know what they did. I was not conscious during the battle. My energy yes, but if I was really there? I don't know. I prefer to believe I wasn't."

"They tricked us!" Luna hit a hoof on the ground in frustration.

"It was for our good. I think. If we had known this before, we would never let each other go, because we care so much for each other. Because we know, deep down, that we work separate but only together we are complete."

"Separated you were trained to work together." Sapphire entered. "But you should just know when you two were ready to accept that you would not do it separated.

Celestia showed a natural control over the light. The light removes darkness, but never all. Luna, on the other hand, showed an excellent contole of darkness and above all resistance to them, keep mind clear, pure heart, it is not as the cold darkness that covers this world, a lighted darkness for the light pure hope, like the darkness of night. You two are like the sun and moon, and that's something undeniable now."

- MLP - MLP -

"Like us, isn't it?" Luna interrupted.

"Exactly!" Celestia smiled. "You were veryyoung at the time, but that's what Mom always told me. Which while we remained together we would be safe, wherever we were, and there would always be a little piece of home with us. I didn't understand when she said that one day we would face one fate she wanted to be able to avoid. Guess I'm beginning to understand."

"It'll be okay." Luna said. "Continue."

- MLP - MLP -

The two realized the Sapphire's look and could hardly believe it, all the confusion, all the training, concern for the tournament, what they least expected had happened, they had won their Cutie Marks! They didn't know when, but somewhere in that little phase of personal knowledge, had happened. It was not something that occurred frequently. Not all ponies had the opportunity to discover your true talents in the situation of war and isolation, everyone did everything to survive there.

They really were like the sun and the moon, there was no discussing the words of Sapphire. But it made Luna a little nervous. The prophecy, something about a eclipse... She didn't like how the words sounded even more sinister and disturbing in her mind than whem Sapphire told them. She wondered for a moment if she should tell Celestia about it but thought it was better not, at least not while they were with Sapphire.

"There was a change in plans. We leave in ten minutes. Seems that there is another storm on the way." Sapphire finally warned ."So, decided your fate, Princess?"

The sisters looked at each other for a moment, they knew the answer.

"We're getting out of here. Face Nightmare. Liberate our land or die trying." Celestia stood determined.

"Did not makes sense to survive without living." Luna added.

- MLP - MLP -

"That's what I keep telling you!" Luna protested. "If they aren't only silly stories like Felix said, why would you never believe me?"

"I would like to finish the story before you start accusing me, asking questions or having crazy ideas. Can I?" The truth was that Celestia had no idea the answer and wanted time to think about the events of that afternoon before making a decision of what would happen to them next. It was what her father always told her: Stories not only help you pass the time, they are a way for you to reflect, or to calm down... They can serve many things whenever you need them.

Unfortunately she and her sister had different views about the stories. In addition to Luna being so persistent and adventurous as her mother.

- MLP - MLP -

"I don't think we can both just disappear like that. Abandon the kingdom." Celestia changed her mind.

"Illusion can take care of everything. We left a message for him." Luna decided. "Don't worry Celestia, I've planned everything."

"You planned?" Celestia was surprised.

"Well, it was more Flame and Ice's idea." She admitted. "I probably would have gone long time ago if they were not around."

Always impatient, always reckless. Celestia thought.

Luna had no way of knowing that her sister was thinking, but shivered as the prophecy came to her mind. She wished she could forget it permanently. This was no time for this, she had an adventure ahead and maybe she would never come back.

"Well, then we are ready to go!"

- MLP - MLP -

Luna laughed. Celestia turned to her, confused.

"What's so funny?"

"I don't know... That sounds so Percy Jackson. A mission, a prophecy, maybe we never come back alive but the fate of the world depends on our success... Got it?" She laughed again. "Just missed you saying that there are gods ponies too..."

Celestia rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Okay. I will get a quick snack for us while you calm down. I countinue as I get back."

Unfortunately her sister was right. That made her hesitate a bit on her confidence. That was real or just a story? It was impossible to separate reality from fantasy, truth from lie, when words were of her mother. But what had happened earlier seemed so real.

Like Luna, not her sister, the true Princess Luna, she didn't like to think about it, she wanted to forget everything. But unlike the pony princess, she could.

She took off her earring for a moment, looked at it and then put it back.

But not yet.

- MLP - MLP -

They had been walking for a few hours when they finally reached the ice limit.

The ice did not really harm the dragon ponies, and cold still lingered because of darkness, but it was still a different cold without any snow and wind, it definitely made it easier to walk.

Without snow, the sleds had to be abandoned, the supplies were quickly bundled the best possible way and they left again.

Celestia had never walked so much. But as much as she could go flying with Luna to the nearest town, they were the only ones who knew the land, they were the expedition guides. She said nothing to the others, but after a while she just could not take it anymore to keep standing.

"There should be a town here?" She asked, analyzing her map.

"An ancient unicorn village." Luna replied. "But no more."

Celestia looked at the map again, then she realized. The attack... She never imagined she would happen to be there. She was sure they had... No, she wasn't sure. Luna said she had planned everything.

"Ruined? Those nightmares?" Flame Storm asked.

Celestia nodded silently.

"Well, then they have no reason to go back there." Jasmine replied. "We will surely can stop there for now."

But both Princess hesitated while the others followed to the village.

"Are you two coming?" Ice called.

He and Flame were the ones who kept a rebellious and upbeat attitude no matter who or what situation.

The two exchanged a look, Luna gave a reassuring smile to her sister.

"We can do this." She assured.

Celestia did not argue. did not want to talk about her views at that time, but knew something was going to happen there and doubted that it could be something good.

They stopped in the village square, which seemed cleaner than the rest of the city. Celestia wasn't feeling well. Looking around she could almost see the black fire consuming the city. She could hear screams and see shadows moving...

"Keep calm, Celestia. Be afraid so only strengthens them." She muttered. Then a fire was lit, the heat and the light seemed to do her good.

The group who was patrolling the city returned. It had been a quick search and Celestia wondered if things had gone wrong.

"There should not be a group watching the city? I'm not sure we'll be safe here for long." She commented to Jasmine.

"In normal circumstances yes, but there's something protecting the city."

"Powerful magic." Sapphire nodded. "What exactly happened to this place? From what I hear, the nightmares do not usually cause this kind of destruction."

"It was Nightmare herself who destroyed the village. wasn't a simple attack, it was an ambush."

"For your parents, I imagine. So you two has to be careful or she can set one for you two too."

"She already has done it. And we are heading straight to her." Luna said, approaching. "Not that we have any choice." She added. "But what the attack has to do with protecting the city?"

"A sacrifice of magical blood... Great protection. I waited to find something here, but I do not know exactly what."

"Any valuable thing would have been destroyed." Celestia replied, wondering what it could be.

"I do not think it was here during the attack. Not even sure if it would be helpful. This kind of thing is always unpredictable."

Everything went well during dinner. It wasn't exactly a picnic, but it was good, at least for one night, to rest without having to worry about the possibility of an attack. Even if the reason were bad memories and more dangers ahead.

They were all asleep except for Luna, who walked calmly through the city. The view wasn't the best, even somewhat nostalgic, but she was sure she had seen something.

So there it was again, a shadow quickly dodging through debris, carrying a small reddish light.

She followed in the same direction, no idea what it could be. The pursuit led her to a house that seemed almost entirely and, strangest of all, covered with flowers.

"Hello! Is anyone there?" She asked, carefully entering.

"G-go away!" A young vacilant voice ordered.

Luna lit her horn and approached the stairs, where the voice seemed to come.

"I'm not leaving and I will not hurt you." Luna said calmly. "You can come out. Don't be afraid!"

But there was no answer, Luna approached the closet door and opened it cautiously with her magic.

Huddled in the back of the closet was her mysterious shadow, a small light pink unicorn filly, with fire-red made in a braid and bright green eyes. Her horn glowed with a clear redish light.

Luna smiled.

"Who are you, little one?"

"Lily Hearts." She muttered low, still looked scared.

"Are you lost? Where are your parents?"

"They are dead." Lily muttered, avoiding the princess gaze and trying to hold back tears at the memory of her parents' death.

"I'm sorry." Luna murmured, gently placing a wing around her, who seemed not to care, finally letting the tears fall. Luna realized she was shaking. "Come on, Lily, we have a warm place and food. Guess that will do you good." She offered, trying to contain her own bad memories about her parents' death.

Lily allowed Luna to drive her to the small encampment of the travelers. When they arrived, they found Sapphire Sky awake.

"Oh, Princess Luna, is you!" She seemed relieved. "And who is this?"

"Lady Sapphire, this is Lily Hearts, she lives in the village. Lily, this is the Queen Sapphire Sky, from the kingdom of the Fire Mountains, far beyond these lands."

"Princess Luna!" Lily looked at her surprised, then turned away and bowed. "I'm sorry Your Majesty, I..."

"It's alright." Luna interrupted holding a laugh. "No need for that. Guess we're not much different situation now."

"How did you survive?" Sapphire asked Lily.

"My mother hid me. When I leave, I was alone. I passed unnoticed I think because I wasn't scared or fighting."

"And you has lived here alone since then?" Luna asked, surprised.

"I tried to leave, but the nightmares haunted me. Was so I found that they could no longer enter the city. I stayed here ever since. Came out only a few times to get food."

"You're very brave for such a small pony." Sapphire said. "Come near to the fire. You should eat and try to get some rest."

Lily nodded and approached, layd down near the fire and was soon asleep. Luna watched her for a while, then turned to Sapphire.

"I want to show you something." Luna led Sapphire to the house where Lily had been hidden. "Look! Flowers everywhere, especially lilies, especially fire."

"You don't think she did it, do you?"

"I don't know. But this is the only place where the flowers grow. Coincidentally the same where she was hiding. Maybe not just by luck that this village was the largest supplier of food to all others, which was strange since usually only Earth Ponies grow crops."

"Better not commenting on anything with anyone when all wake up. Whether it was Lily and she knows she has this power, we let her resolve to speak."

The two returned to the others.

"What do we do?" Luna asked Sapphire. "We can not leave her here."

"We can not take it with us. It'll be dangerous!"

"Maybe we can have someone accompany her back to the Circle of Hope. I'm sure she she'll be safe there."

"It looks exactly like what my sister would say. Usually she's right. But we see it tomorrow. Meanwhile we let her rest. It's amazing that such a small pony has survived so long here alone, ventured with Nightmares, the only survivor of a terrible massacre..."

"It is a very special pony. Maybe she can be our lucky starlet. You'll see, young lady, that fate surprises us when we least expect."

"I just hope they are not more bad surprises." Luna muttered.

"You know, after the storm always comes the calm. We has to struggle to find ours. And at least you still have your sister. I have seen wars... Many do not even have that chance to have someone."

"I know. Thank Lady Sapphire."

"It was nothing. Goodnight, Princess."

"Sweet dreams, Your Majesty."