Chapter 21

Sisters Against Parents

Discord followed the Princesses outlines as they disappeared into the Everfree Foest. Behind him the fighting had stopped. Noble Heart and Snap Shot lied beaten on the ground as the King and Queen waited for further instructions on what to do with them. Discord approached the two weakened stallions with his clawed hand glowing bright yellow.

“You won’t win Discord!” said Noble Heart bravely. “The Princesses will stop you!”

“We’ll see about that,” said Discord smiling nastily down at him.

“Do you really think this can solve anything?”

“Erasing you and the Alicorns sounds like a good start. No, wait. Why should I when you will tear each other apart.”

And with his talon edging forward he touched Noble Hearts snout and the transformation on the two stallions began.

“Well?” he said to his first two puppets that were still waiting for orders. “What are you waiting for? They couldn’t have gotten far! After them!”

Inside the Everfree, Celestia and Luna were moving as quietly as possible in order to avoid detection from any of Discords minions. It was as if the whole forest was watching their every move. The trees creaked eerily as the two ventured further into the unknown. They had to stop several times when the sounds of the forest made them feel as if something out of sight was watching them. They tried to think of how they were going to fight back and more importantly, how were they going to break Discords hold on their parents.

“We need a plan of action!” said Luna at last. “Celestia, tell me that you have something in mind.”

“I… I…” but try as she might, Celestia didn’t have the slightest clue of how they were going to prevail this time.

Last time when it was Black Wood who had hunted them, all they did was outrun him and allow the maze to take care of him. This time they were they were being pursued in a newly grown forest that possibly all obeyed Discord. It was a difficult situation, but they had to figure out something and fast. If they didn’t then who knows what the Master of Chaos would do to the kingdom or has already begun to do with all five Alicorns out of his way. Starting to get a little paranoid about troublesome thoughts, Celestia opted to fly up through the tree’s canopy to see if the sky was still pink and not any other color. She was in luck, the sky was still in the bizarrely colored overcast and nothing else out of the ordinary had occurred yet. As she continued to scan their surroundings, she spotted something that made her heart sink to the bottom of her stomach. The King and Queen were hovering a few yards behind them. Celestia dove back under the canopy as they gave up on their current position.

“Luna, we have to move!” said Celestia frantically. “They’re getting close and we need to loose them!”

“Ok, give me a moment!” said Luna looking around for a possible hiding spot. “I think I see a cave up ahead! Follow me!”

The two galloped off not wanting to look back incase their sudden break for a temporary sanctuary alerted their pursuers. Inside the cave they backed up until they were sure that they were out of sight. As much as they wanted to use a light spell, they couldn’t afford to give themselves away. They staid silent as the chirps from outside had suddenly died out and nothing but their breathing was heard. Their bodies tensed as they listened for any signs of movement outside the caves mouth. Their ears twitched as the sounds of footsteps drew close. But it wasn’t the King or Queen. These footsteps were heavy, followed by a low growl and a putrid smell that filled their nostrils. They waited as the things outside the cave began to sniff the air in search for their prey. Celestia and Luna held their breaths as the monstrosities came closer. They were about to back further into the cave when one of the things howled and the foot steps ran away after what ever had caught their attention.

“Do think it’s safe?” asked Luna.

“I don’t know. Maybe,” said Celestia. “Perhaps we should try a light spell.”

“I wouldn’t do that!” warned a soft female voice from behind them.

Celestia and Luna jumped. They had no idea that someone else was with them.

“Sorry, but we need to see who we’re talking too,” said Celestia trying to see who ever they were looking at in the darkness.

“Shhh!” hissed the voice. “Do you want them to come back? Hurry, follow me your highnesses!”

“How do you know it’s us?” asked Celestia.

“Who else would venture this deep into the forest now at days?” replied the soft voice. “Come on, if you don’t want him to find you, follow me!”

The two sisters obeyed the unknown guide as she led them to the very back of the cave where they saw the same herd of deer form before. Taking refuge with them were bears, otters, birds and what appeared to be every other creature of the forest.

“What are all of you doing down here?” asked Luna in amazement that the cave was big enough to support this much wildlife.

“We’re hiding of course!” said the doe matter-of-factly. “The forest isn’t safe anymore! It has changed and not for the best in some parts!”

“It’s true, said an elderly voice form the crowd of deer. Crocs have changed form along with the wolves! They’re something else now. Something horrible!”

“It was him!” proclaimed another. “I know it was! Remember what he did to me? The Same thing must have happened to them as well!”

“Everyone remain calm!” ordered the doe. “The Princesses are here now!”

Celestia and Luna didn’t know what to say. All around them the animals of the forest were giving them pleading looks. What were they supposed to do when their own parents were under Discords control and what if he decided to turn their kingdom into his personal playground once more? They knew that the royal guard would put up a good fight but how long they would last was unclear. The thought of what would happen to their friends crept into their minds. Flashes of their friends being used as puppets to do Discords bidding was unpleasant and they tried to keep such images out of their heads. Another howl was heard somewhere in the distance.

“This isn’t good,” said one of the stags. “They’re getting closer!”

“Quick mom! “Came the voice of the same fawn from their last encounter. “Take the Princesses to our discovery! I think they need to see it!”

“Not now Abby!” hushed the doe patiently.

“But mom,” pleaded the fawn her ears lowering. “They must see it! It was glowing when I went back to it! What if it’s still doing it?”

“Abby!” Started the Doe sounding stern. “What did I tell you about staying here where it’s safe!?”

More howls where heard from outside the cave. This time, they sounded closer than ever. The doe was about to tell her daughter to stay quiet when Celestia was hit with the realization of what was being told to them. What if…

“Little one!” Celestia started up in urgency. “You said something you found was glowing right?”

“Celei,” Luna began to say as the howling sounded like it was coming from outside the cave entrance. “I don’t think now is the best time for…”

“Can you tell us what it looked like?” continued Celestia ignoring her little sister.

“Yeah,” said the fawn sounding excited that one of the Princesses wanted to hear about her find. “It was a big tree! When a couple others and myself approached it, we could see something on its branches!”

“Where was it?” Celestia pressed on.

“Celei,” said Luna through gritted teeth as she glared down the cave.

Her horn began to glow and the bears and other predators inside the cave bared their teeth at the wolves just out of sight.

“If you’re planning something, get a move on! Those things will be in here any second!”

"Alright!” said Celestia feeling rushed. “Do you remember where you found it?”

“Of course!” chimed the fawn excitedly. “It was down a cliff not far from here! All you have to do is keep going beyond the cave once your outside until the forest opens up! The cliff will be right there!”

The bears began to growl and Luna saw what looked like glowing yellow eyes looking directly at them. She shot a spell at the thing that immediately retreated yelping in fear.

“Celestia!” shouted Luna spreading her wings.

“I’m coming!” answered Celestia dashing over to her side.

“Ready?” asked Luna.

“As I’ll ever be!” Celestia replied, making her horn glow as well. “We have to draw their attention back on us!”

“That shouldn’t be hard,” said Luna. “Where do we go after that? To Scorpan’s hide out?”

“No, we can’t put him into harms way! I have an idea but you must follow me once we’re out of here!”

“Right, I hear you!” said Luna and together they kicked off the rocky floor and swooped down the cave until they saw the entrance.

They could see massive wooden creatures ahead. Their yellow eyes narrowed as they drew closer. The wooden canines yelped as they shot their magic down the tunnel. They caught a quick glimpse of retreating wooden bodies before they swooped high above the canopy and soared off into the distance. They could hear the Timber Wolves howls as they began to chase them from the forest below. Celestia and Luna wanted to get the wooden monsters as far away from the cave as possible so the animals taking refuge inside wouldn’t be in danger. They didn’t have to wait long for that to happen. As quickly as the Timber Wolvers started to track them, they suddenly gave up the chase and scattered. The sounds of howling died out and the only thing the two sisters heard was the wind blowing past their ears.

“What happened?” asked Luna looking down for any signs of the beasts between the gaps in the canopies.

“I don’t know, but we have to keep moving!” replied Celestia, not wanting to stop for anything until they reached their destination.

“I think we should land!” suggested Luna. “I think we lost them!”

“No!” Celestia said as Luna made to lower herself back to the forest grounds. “We have to keep moving!”

“Why?” Questioned Luna flying back up. “Did we do all of that just to lose the wolves?”

“Yes! Well, that and we need to find what that fawn said she and her friends found!”

“What? How come?” said Luna raising an eyebrow. “What can be more important than finding a way to save our parents and the kingdom from Discord?”

“I think they might have found The Tree of Harmony!”

“The what?”

It was clear to Celestia that Luna didn’t have the slightest idea of what she was talking about. Now wasn’t the time to explain. That would have to wait until they too had found it. She had to be sure that the tree was real. If it was responsible for putting up a fight for this long against the Defiler and Discord’s magic, it could be just what they needed.

“You’re going to have to trust me on this Luna,” said Celestia sticking on course. “I know it sounds like a long shot, but after seeing what Discord can do, it might be our best chance!”

Luna stared at her big sister. She wanted to object to her, but she had a point. Discord was a strong foe and if his magic continues to grow, their combined powers wouldn’t be enough. She looked ahead of them in deep thought. Finally she turned to face Celestia again.

“Alright, I trust you Celei. Where too now?”

Relieved that she had persuaded her little sister in going along with her plan, she picked up the pace.

“We just need to keep going straight! I think I see a break in the forest up ahead!”

The two flapped their wings as fast as they could to carry them the rest of the way. In the distance there was indeed a canyon. Celestia’s heart skipped a beat as a flicker of light came from bellow the cliff.

“Did you see that?” Celestia called back in surprise. “Over there! I thought I saw something! Luna?”

Looking back, Celestia saw that Luna had begun to slow down. Her gaze wasn’t focused on the horizon. It was on what was behind them. Her mouth fell open and a cold sweat ran down her face.

“Oh no,” Celestia moaned as she too saw what had distracted her little sister. “We’ve got to hurry! Quick, this way!”

Luna turned her head away from the two approaching Alicorns behind them. Determined to carry out the orders their puppeteer had given them.