Chapter 22

A Fight Unwanted

With the cliff drawing close Celestia saw a flash of light once again. She and Luna where about to land when they looked behind them expecting to see their parents still in hot pursuit but they saw nothing.

“Where did they go?” asked Luna looking at the pink overcast above them.

“I don’t know,” replied Celestia. “Come on, we need to search the canyon before…”

“Look out!”

Luna shoved Celestia out of the way only to be hit by their father who soared off with her as they wrestled in mid air. Celestia took off after them but was stopped by their mother who collided with her and flew off in the opposite direction. The two Alicorns struggled as Celestia tried to free herself from her mother’s grip. Together they shot through the sky like a meteor. She had only felt the queen’s hold on her fade when their bodies broke through the canopy and slam into the forest grounds. Like a rag doll, Celestia skipped across the ground until her last bounce sent her crashing into a tree. Cuts and dirt marks showed on her body as she staid in her crumpled state seeing stars. She could hear distant sounds of hoof steps drawing close. Shakily standing back up, she galloped away! A sharp pain made her wince as she tried to take to the skies once more! Not wanting to risk injuring her wing any further, Celestia continued to run away on foot. She couldn’t be far from the canyon now. It had to be close. Star Bright’s hoof steps died out leaving Celestia alone in the Everfree. She had stopped running but refused to stop. Any minute now she would reach the canyon.

She worried about Luna, but she told herself that her little sister was going to be alright. After all, she has made it out of tough spots before. Maybe Luna had figured out a way to break Discord’s spell over the King and Queen during her clash with their father. At last, Celestia could feel a slight breeze brush her mane and she quickened her pace. At long last, she could see the canyons cliff in the distance. She was about to run again when the sight of a familiar being caught her eye.

“Scorpan!” she gasped.

The bat like monkey creature was crouching near the cliff’s edge. His ears twitched as he picked up her scent. Scorpan stood up to face her.

“Princess, what are you doing all the way out here?” He asked with a frown. “Shouldn’t you and your family be in Ponyville?”

“I guess you already know what’s going on huh?” replied Celestia, her ears lowering in shame.

“Of course,” said Scorpan wearing a look that clearly said, “I told you so.”

When Celestia didn’t reply he went on, unable to hold back his disapproval.

“What a mess!” he growled.

Above them the cluds started to break apart revealing the new color of the sky. The once clear blue sky was now a misty green.

“Didn’t I tell you this would happen? I warned you that Discord would come back, and now he has!”

“Look,” said Celestia trying to keep her voice from cracking.

Having the blame being placed on her was like a thousand knives piercing her flesh.

“We messed up alright? But we are working on a way to fix it!”

“Are you know?” questioned Scorpan. “Care to enlighten me?”

“I don’t think you should be out in the open like this,” said Celestia glancing behind her incase her mother was moving in for another surprise attack. “Luna and I are being chased and…”

“I am no coward your highness!” Scorpan snarled. “I can defend myself from Discords magic!”

“It’s not him we’re being chased by!” Celestia shot back. “Our parents are the ones tracking us and…”

“So, that two faced fiend got to your parents eh?” said Scorpan spitting at the ground. “Leave it to me your highness!”

“What are you going to do?” asked Celestia sounding worried.

“Nothing harmful.” Scorpan reassured her. “I’ve dealt with Discord’s victims before. Just wait here while I…”

From the cover of thick trees came a flash of white light and Scorpan was lifted off his feet. Celestia screamed as his body flew over the cliff and sunk behind it. From the forest came Star Bright, grinning wickedly at her daughter.

“Mom, it’s me!” said Celestia in desperation. “You have to listen! Discord has you and dad under his spell! Let me help you and together we can fight back!”

“Such a pity,” Star Bright said darkly. “I thought you were better than this Celestia! Come now, show me what you’ve got! It will make things a lot more interesting that way!”

“Mom?” Celestia said her eyes starting to water. “Please, let me help you!”

“I don’t need help dear.” Star Bright said her eyes flashing grey. “Now, do as I say and fight back!”

Star Bright was about to cast her spell at her daughter when from behind Celestia a dark shape darted past her and a second later, Star Bright was launched back into the forest. Celestia hurried after the two disappearing fighters. She heard loud popping sounds followed by branches snapping and trees breaking. She was about to head in after them when a loud roar made her dive just in time as Scorpan flew passed her with something clutched tight in his arms. Star Bright shrieked as she struggled to break free from the gentle giant holding her captive!

“Unhand me at once beast!” Star Bright demanded. “I command you to release your queen!”

“No can do your majesty!” said Scorpan just as loud. “Princess, hurry! I don’t know how long I can keep her from escaping!”

“What am I supposed to do!?” Celestia moaned looking at Scorpans winced face as her mother kicked him in his gut for a third time.

“Use that horn of yours!” Scorpan groaned. “If you act now you might be able to break the spell before it’s too late!”

Celestia hurried over to the struggling pair, her mothers eyes darted from her captive to her approaching daughter. With her horn glowing, Celestia pointed the tip at her mother. Star Bright tried to move away, but it was no use. With one last effort Scorpan held the Queen still and the tip of Celestia’s horn touched her in the forehead. There was blinding flash of white light and Star Bright’s colors started to return to normal. Scorpan let the Queen go allowing her to sink to the ground where Celestia caught her.

“Mom, are you alright?!”

“C- Celestia?” Star Bright asked weakly. “Is that you?”

“Yes, everything will be fine now!”

“Oh, Celestia, I’m sorry! So sorry!” Star Bright said pulling away from her daughter to look up at her. “We tried to stop him! Discords magic is far beyond anything your father and I have ever encountered!”

Celestia couldn’t bear to see her mother in this state. Her eyes had shrunk in fear and her age was starting to show more than ever. She didn’t know what was worse. The fact that her mother was in such a weakened state or she looked like a defeated mare that didn’t know what to do.

“It’s alright mom!” said Celestia smiling at her. “Just stay here while I go find Luna! She can’t have gone too fare!”

“Celestia…” Began Star Bright but she couldn’t bring herself to move.

Celestia had already galloped off. Scorpan saw the Queen sway dangerously and reached out to steady her.

“Scorpan?” Star Bright said placing her a hoof over her head as if she had a sudden headache.

“It’s me your highness,” said Scorpan gently. “Don’t worry. Your daughters will put an end to Discord’s game!”

“Ha! And what makes you think my husband and I won’t do everything we can to help them?” Star Bright said humorously.

Even as she said it, the Queen felt her eyes closing on her. She felt so weak, so tired. Scorpan didn’t object to her, but he didn’t like how she kept nodding her head and her breathing was becoming slower by the second. For a second he thought he saw her legs shake a little as she fought to remain standing. Wishing the two sisters would hurry up he was about to suggest that the two of them head after Celestia. They hadn’t taken more than two steps when a scream came from the forest. Loud pops and crashes shortly followed and then, silence. The two of them waited in held breaths ready to take action at the slightest hint of a glowing horn.

Suddenly, Luna’s body came hurdling out of the Everfree! She hit the ground sliding to a stop, beaten and out of breath! Cuts and bruises from her fight were perfectly visible. Celestia wasn’t far behind. Both her and Night Shade came out locked in combat. Their horns came in contact so much that they looked like dueling knights. However, in Celestia’s case, she was defending herself as her father sent blow after blow at her.

“Dad, you have to stop!” Pleaded Celestia as their horns connected for the umpteenth time. “Please! Let us help you!”

“I told you already Celestia!” said Night Shade pushing his daughter backwards. “I don’t need your help! Now do as I say, and stand down!”

With a quick swipe and a lunge forward, he tackled Celestia, pinning her to the ground! Scorpan let out a bull like roar and darted forward! Night Shade shot his magic at the charging beast but was lifted off the ground a second later! Scorpan picked him off of Celestia and threw him away where he landed not too far from Star Bright.

“Your majesty, don’t make this any worse!” Scorpan said standing in front of Celestia like a giant shield.

Night Shade stood back up his horn glowing bright red and ready to fire. Behind him, Star Bright had sunk to the floor. Her vision was growing blurry. Shaking her head, she forced herself back up. Luna was getting up as well and saw what her mother was doing. She had to act fast before, too late. In Night Shade’s distraction, Star Bright had snuck up behind him and wrapped her wings around him holding on tight. Night Shade’s look of surprise never left him as he turned his head to see Star Bright leaning in. The Queen’s horn touched his and all the magic he was building up released with a mighty flash of white light. The shockwave that followed made the two sisters and Scorpan bow their heads in response. Right where the King and Queen stood was cloud of smoke. Luna shot up and hurried over.

“Mom! Dad!” she called out for them as she entered the smoke. Celestia stood up too and passed by Scorpan who stood frozen to the spot. The smoke was beginning to clear. Celestai saw Luna looking around frantically, but their parents were nowhere in sight.

“Oh no,” Celestia said feeling her heart drop. “Please be alright! Please!”

“Mom? Dad?” Luna called out again, but no one answered her.

“Celestia! Did you see where they went?!”

“No, I didn’t!” said Celestia the lump in her throat was threatening to take over.

“They couldn’t have disappeared!” cried Luna looking all around for any signs of them.

Before Celestia could offer words of comfort, she let out a gasp and rushed over to the edge of the canyon’s cliff. Looking down They felt a wave of relief and fear take over. Directly below them, Night Shade and Star Bright laid apart from each other on a lone platform. Their crowns had fallen off their heads and one of their wings stuck out at an awkward angle.

“We have to go down there!” Celestia gasped

As she and Luna spread their wings they ignored the pain that shot through them.

“Wait!” Scorpan called out. “You can’t do that! The rock won’t hold all your weight.

“We can’t just stand here and do nothing!” barked Luna. “Hang on you two! We’re coming!”

Even as she said it, the King and Queen stirred back to consciousness. The rock they were lying on began to crack.

“Don’t move!” shouted Luna.

Night Shade looked at his wife and smiled at her. “Funny meeting you here of all places.” He said.

Star Bright gave him a weak chuckle. “Dear, do you know where we are?”

Groaning in pain, Night Shade rolled over on his stomach and began scanning the area. He gave his wife an understanding look and threw his attention up to where his daughters were calling out to him. Telling him not to move. But he gave them a smile and answered back.

“Celestia, Luna, Listen to me! Do you know where we are?”

“Yeah,” replied Luna, her voice cracking. “You’re in a very bad spot right now and we’re about to save you!”

Night Shade shook his head smiling warmly up at them. “Listen to me you two because there’s very little time!”

“Of course there is!” Luna said. “But you can tell us after we get you two out of there! Celestia, let’s go!”

“No!” Night Shade shouted. “Celestia, do you remember the story I used to tell you two when you were fillies?”

“Of course I do dad!” said Celestia as she and Luna lifted themselves off the ground and began to lower themselves down to them.

“Well, this is the very place it’s based off of!”

“You mean the legend is true?” asked Celestia struggling to stay balanced.

“That’s right,” Night Shade nodded.

The rock gave a violent cracking sound. He and Star Bright felt the platform tilt a little. He looked at his wife who gave him an understanding tearful nod. They looked back up at their daughters. Their injured wings were weighing them down. If they got to them they would all fall. The King and Queen smiled up at them then looked at each other. Knight Shade reached out his hoof for his wife to take. Celestia and Luna felt their stomachs drop. Just as Star Bright’s hoof was inches away from Night Shades, the platform they were on gave way.

“No!” shouted Luna, as she and Celestia dove after the falling King and Queen.