Chapter 4

Celestia lay in her bed reading one of her many, many trashy romance novels when suddenly a spark of magic shot into existence above her head and dropped a letter onto her chest. Celestia put down her book and slowly rose the letter till it was eyelevel, she wasn’t due for a friendship report for another few days and Twilight didn’t send things this early. Then she cought sight of the seal affixed to the front of the letter and she gasped as her eyes widened.

“Luna I need you!” Celestia called to her sister who was looking up at the stars from the outside balcony.

“What is it Tia?” Luna asked as she stepped back inside, she shook her mane to displace the snow that had fallen on her during her bout of stargazing before walking closer to her sister.

“I got mail…” Celestia said her voice trailing off as she floated the letter over to her sister to see.
“Another friendship rep…” Luna stopped talking once she saw the seal. “Open it Tia we haven’t heard from Cosmo since, well since before my banishment.” Luna said excitedly.

“Yes I thought you’d be eager to hear from her you two were always close if my memory serves me right.” Celestia said with a tiny grin she missed her other sisters but Luna had always been better at making friends among immortals, it might have had something to do with the fact that Celestia was seen as the favorite daughter along with being the oldest…Celestia quickly opened the letter and Luna crowded in behind her to read at the same time.

Dear Loving Sister Celestia

This is your sister Cosmosmia as you could probably guess from the royal seal…I’m writing this as a confession and I would like to say ahead of time that I under no terms wanted this to happen and if I’d known about it I would have done something before it was too late. Why am I apologizing I hear you ask. Two years ago, I believe one of your days, my adopted daughter Commander Blue Star’s soldiers found a unicorn wandering alone in an abandoned castle in the middle of the Everlost Forest. They brought her before my daughter after they witnessed her kill a chimera with a single shot of magical fire, as is procedure she was pressed into the army if for no other reason than for the safety of herself and others. As it turns out this unicorn’s name is Twilight Sparkle,…

There was more but Celestia stopped reading, Luna who was a few seconds behind her suddenly gasped.

“Tia Twilight…” Luna began, Celestia only nodded numbly before turning her gaze back to the letter.

…as I said I was not aware of her arrival at this point in time she is currently serving under my daughter in her prestigious Fourth Army as a battle mage. I’m told she has adjusted very well to her new environment and was even put through training by Grand Master Thunderhead who you’ll remember me detailing in my last letter. On a lighter note I’d like to say hi to my other sister Luna, remember Lulu I’m always thinking about you in my heart, oh and Tia how’s my old flame doing? I hope he hasn’t caused you too much mischief.

As always your loving sister Cosmosmia

Celestia and Luna exchanged glances, a tear rolled down Celestia’s cheek and Luna pulled her into a tight hug. The white alicorn returned it and they stayed like that for an hour till they’d both run out of tears to shed. After what felt like an eternity Celestia released her sister from her grip wiped the last tear from her face and sighed. Luna patted her on the back and sat waiting to see what her sister would do. After a few minutes of silent determination Celestia made up her mind.

“Luna I’m going to write a letter to Spike telling him to organize the other Elements and bring them here on the train, once they get here I’ll explain the situation.” Celestia told her sister, her voice was firm with conviction.

“Sister please tell me that you aren’t going after her!” Luna exclaimed Celestia shook her head.

“No Luna I’m not risking the safety of the realm for my own selfish reasons, I’m assuming at least Spike will want to join her and I should be able to point him in the direction of the next appropriate rift.” Celestia said shaking her head sadly. “Cosmo is a good leader and I’m sure Twilight has been well looked after despite being in an army. I just thought that I’d have more time to spend with her, damnit Luna I was supposed to have at least eighty more years with her!” Celestia said angrily, Luna just nodded. She understood her sister’s grief at the loss of her student. Such was the eventual fate as an immortal, but to have the time stolen right out from under your hooves was truly a crime against reckoning.

“It isn’t her fault Tia you know that.” Luna said forcing her sister to meet her eyes, the spark of anger went out of Celestia’s eyes.

“I know Luna I don’t blame her, it’s just unfair.” Celestia said quietly, Luna gave her one last hug before she left her sister to write the letter.

***
“So what do ya think the princess wants to talk to us about Spike?” AJ asked Spike as the six of them walked towards Celestia’s bedroom.
“
I think it might be about Twilight.” Spike said scratching his chin in worry, he hadn’t seen her in two days, when he’d woken up her bed had been oddly empty and he’d been searching for her everywhere

“Whatever it’s about this is going to be awesome I can’t wait to see what’s in Celestia’s bedroom!” Dash said excitedly receiving an odd look from her friends. “I mean can you imagine all the cool stuff she must have in there she must have awesome toys!” Dash said receiving even more odd looks from her friends. “I mean the kind you play with…” Dash said but her friends kept on staring at her. “…shut up all of you.” Dash said before Spike knocked on the door to the Princess’s room.

“Come in.” Celestia answered calmly, but Spike could tell something was wrong just from the way Celestia spoke those two words. The six of them entered the room silently with Spike leading the way followed by Pinkie and Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity were next and Applejack brought up the rear. They found Celestia sitting at a table slowly sipping a cup of tea; Spike swept his gaze over Celestia and didn’t like what he saw. The ruler’s normally flowing hair fell around her shoulders in messy clumps, her eyes were red and puffy and her coat was in terrible condition.

“Princess…” Spike began before he was cut off by a wave of Celestia’s hoof; the dragon fell silent with a nod.

“My little ponies, it brings me great sadness to inform you that your friend Twilight Sparkle is no longer of this world.” Celestia said sadly, the five ponies and one dragon standing in front of her gasped in shock.

“I knew I shouldn’t have let her go to that ruin alone!” Spike exclaimed angrily at himself, Celestia shot him a questioning look. “Yesterday she went off to survey a ruin that you mentioned in passing, I tried to convince her to take somepony with her but she wouldn’t listen to me!” Spike said Celestia nodded.

“Be that as it may, I believe I miss…” She was cut off by a cry of grief as the baby dragon began to cry.

“And now she’s dead and it’s all my fault!” Spike yelled falling to the floor.

“If I may interje…” Celestia began again but now Pinkie was crying to.

“Twilight’s dead no no no no no no no!” At this point Celestia rolled her eyes catching Rarity and Applejack off guard.

“Don’t you dare roll your eyes at our grief you ruffian!” Rarity said as she went to wrap Spike in a hug.

“I was simply trying to sa…”

“What in tarnation is so important ya prissy princess!” Applejack said in anger.

“Applejack, Rarity I think Celestia is trying to say some…” Fluttershy began until she was cut off by Rarity.

“Darling I believe that the Princess should kindly shut her jaws before I buck her in the face for her insensitivity!” Rarity said turning to Celestia “How dare you mock us I’ll have you know…”

“Enough!” Celestia roared at them unexpectedly “I’m willing to forgive all of you for your impudent outbursts and threats because as I was trying to tell you I misspoke!”

The assembled ponies and dragon looked at the white alicorn whose hair was on fire and promptly shut up. “Thank you.” Celestia told them in exasperation. “Anyways as I was saying my wording was incorrect and evidentially led you to the wrong conclusion. When I said that Twilight Sparkle is no longer of this world I meant she no longer resides on this plane of existence, she isn’t dead…” Celestia told them, Spike perked up immediately, especially when he noticed whose legs were encircling him.

“Well why didn’t ya say so Princess?” Applejack asked her in confusion, Celestia stared at her flatly. “Oh right…” Applejack said trailing off.

“Anyways Twilight isn’t dead but she is similarly out of my reach, although not yours.” Celestia said looking each one of her guests in the eye to make sure they understood the impact of what she’d said.

“What do you mean Princess, how can she be out of your reach but within ours?” Dash asked hovering a few inches off the ground.

“Because I can’t leave without there being dire consequences for all of Equestria, and as much as I love Twilight I can’t let the realm parish in pursuit of her.” Celestia said sadly.

“Hmm… well that explains why Twilight would always get so worried when she didn’t write ya a letter in time, although ah never would’ve guessed that you were in love.” Applejack said thinking about it for a second, Celestia wondered if it was just the day she was having, or whether some culling was needed to raise Equestrian intelligence. She decided that it was just the day she’d been having, or the night rather, it was around midnight at this point.

“It’s the love of a mother for her missing daughter.” Celestia told Applejack whose face turned crimson. “Although when you get home would mind reminding Big Macintosh to drop by latter this week, it’s been a while and I miss his strapping muscles…” Applejack’s jaw dropped to the floor and Celestia silently collected the dropped loot with a little grin, after all if others were going to have fun right now she was entitled to a little fun as well.

“So darling you were just telling us how to see Twilight again yes?” Rarity said rapidly returning Celestia’s attention to the matter at hoof.

“Thank you Rarity I was sidetracked, Twilight is in another plane of existence, now for a verity of reasons that I have neither the time nor the patience to explain it’s a one way trip. Twilight is not capable of returning but I can tell you the location of the next rift that should send you to that world. As I said it will be a one way trip so I’d advice caution before you agree to it.” Celestia told them, she was met by silence and then.

“I’m going after her.” Spike said quietly “She’s there in the first place because of me so it’s my responsibility to find her.” The dragon’s voice was calm and lined with a surprising amount of steel for someone his age.

“I’m going to.” Dash said confidently “I’m the Element of Loyalty and I don’t have anything back here except for the Wonder Bolts, and if Twilight’s in danger then I’m going to help her!” Her voice cracked slightly but her face was hardened with resolve.

“Ah would love ta, but I’ve got the farm…” Applejack said with a sigh.

“As would I. However that would leave my sister all alone with my parents, and I wouldn’t wish that tacky fate on anypony.” Rarity said with a matching sigh.

“Well I’m going this is going to be super duper fun!” Pinkie said bouncing excitedly. “I just need to say goodbye to my sister first, she’ll understand, oh and I should probably tell the Cakes.” Pinkie told them, and then she hopped out onto the balcony before pulling out an odd machine and flying off.

“Well she’ll certainly turn some heads…” Celestia said with a small grin.

“What about you Fluttershy?” Spike asked.

“No, without me the animals would all starve or be worried sick.” Fluttershy told them softly while hiding her face under her bang. “I’m sorry.” She squeaked.

“It’s fine Shy we understand.” Dash said giving her a comforting pat on the back.

***

Octavia and Vinyl were just about to start when suddenly there was a loud clatter outside on the streets and they heard lots of ponies yelling loudly. They were readying their bodies when the door burst open. Octavia and Vinyl looked up in surprise to find Octavia’s sister walking into the room.

“Pinkie why are you here, and have you never heard of knocking?” Octavia asked her sister in annoyance.

“Sorry Tavi, I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything.” Pinkie said Vinyl looked at Octavia and rolled her eyes.

“Nothing to important Tavi and I were just working on matching our harmony right Tavi.” Vinyl asked the gray earth pony who nodded.

“So Pinkie what brings you to my apartment?” Octavia asked, a frown of concern on her face Pinkie only showed up if it was an emergency.

“Tavi I’m leaving, most likely forever.” Pinkie said with solemnity that shocked Octavia.

“Wait you’re leaving forever, but Pinkie you can’t just leave me alone here!” Octavia protested, Pinkie rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her sister.

“Tavi I’m sorry but this is really really important to your older sister and I have to do this. Besides you aren’t all alone, is she Vinyl?” Pinkie asked the blue maned unicorn.

“Of course she isn’t!” Scratch replied joining the hug.

“Alright Tavi I have to go and tell the cakes, I’ll miss you but remember I’ll be with you forever!” Pinkie said giving her sister one last squeeze before she ran out of the apartment. Vinyl broke the embrace with a slightly sad smile and handed Octavia her cello.

“Want to keep working on that harmony?” Vinyl asked Octavia who shook her head.

“I believe we should work on a slightly different kind of harmony. It’ll take my mind off the fact that I’ve just lost the last of my family besides you.” Octavia said with a sad smile leaning over to kiss Vinyl.

“Can we at least leave the recording studio first?” Vinyl asked once the kiss was over.

***
“So how long till Pinkie gets back do you think?” Dash asked Celestia who was now drinking a cup of steaming coffee; the heat didn’t seem to bother her Dash guessed that was part of the whole goddess of the sun thing.

“Well judging by the fact that I received a report a few minutes ago when I called for my coffee that said something about an odd steam powered machine landing in the middle of a street before taking off five minutes later and was last seen heading towards Ponyville I can safely say I have no idea.” Celestia said with a slight smile, it may have been one in the morning but reading the urgent missive from a guard about pink alien ponies had lightened her mood considerably.

“Ah just thought of somethin that’s been bothering me.” Applejack said suddenly.

“What is it darling?” Rarity asked from where she was critically looking over Celestia’s choice of books.

“Who the in the buck is Pinkie’s sister?” Applejack asked, the others turned to stare at her, she’d asked a question that neither of them had thought of but was now painfully obvious. Well they all stared at her except Celestia.

“Her sister is Octavia the cello player.” Celestia said with a small smile as all the ponies in the room turned to stare at her. “What she never told you?” Celestia asked enjoying their looks as they shook their heads. “They both left the rock farm together, but Pinkie ended up in Ponyville and Octavia ended up in Canterlot.”

“But darling surely you jest, no offense to Pinkie but she’s so uncouth sometimes, there’s no possible way she could be related to that well mannered mare.” Rarity said not believing, Celestia chuckled.

“So does everypony, but it’s true or may I be struck down where I stand.” Celestia said with a chuckle, thunder suddenly boomed ominously from outside. The other ponies in the room jumped away except for Dash who’d lost her fear of lightning long ago, Celestia just chuckled again. “Luna can you stop that it’s annoying.” Celestia called and received a loud laugh from the balcony in return. The other ponies in the room went back to where they’d been standing or sitting.

***

“I’ll miss all of you so much and I’m sorry that this is so sudden…” Pinkie told the Cakes sadly.

“It’s alright dear; if you say that a friend is in danger then it’s your duty to help her.” Mrs. Cake said wiping a solitary tear from her eye.

“You two grow up big and strong now without your Auntie Pinkie here to watch over you, and don’t give my replacement any trouble!” Pinkie told Pound and Pumpkin who giggled at her and nodded. “Well I’ve got to go, thanks again for everything you two have done for me.” Pinkie said pulling both adult Cakes into a quick hug before running out the door and back to her chopper.

“I hope that that girl knows what she’s doing…” Mr. Cake said rubbing his chin.

“She’ll be fine, have you ever seen anything legitimately hurt her?” Mrs. Cake asked her husband who shook his head. “Exactly, now let’s get these two to bed; we’ll need to be well rested if we’re going to find a replacement for Pinkie.”

“As if anypony ever could…”

***
A sudden commotion outside on the balcony alerted them to Pinkie’s return, Dash nudged Spike, who had fallen asleep on Celestia’s bed once his adrenaline wore off, awake. He rubbed his eyes and stretched before he blew out a small stream of smoke that had built up while he’d been asleep.

“I’m awake I’m awake.” Spike said with a yawn.

“Okay doki I’m ready to go!” Pinkie said excitedly as she bounced into the room she was met by the others who all turned to look at Celestia expectantly.

“Say your goodbyes, when your done I’ll take you to the spot where the current natural riff is, be careful when you reach the other side, you never know what’s lurking on the other side of a rift.” Spike, Pinkie, and Dash nodded to Celestia before they turned back to their friends.

“I’ll miss ya Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said with a sad smile as she pulled her rival into a hug. “Be careful now ya hear!”

“I will be AJ, besides whoever heard of something being able to hurt me?” Dash asked with a sad smile before she turned to Fluttershy who started to cry.

“It’s alright Shy, you know I’ll be fine!” Dash said pulling the yellow mare into her forelegs in a deep hug.

“I, I know Dash, just try not to get hurt too much.” Fluttershy told her with a sad smile. Spike meanwhile had decided to start with Rarity.

“Look Rarity this is probably going to be the last time that we’re going to see each other, and I know that you already know that I love you…could I ask you for a kiss?” Spike asked her blushing a little. Rarity looked at the little dragon who she’d known for five years, and then very slowly she bent her head down and pulled Spike into a kiss. The kiss lasted for around a minute and when she released it Spike almost fell over backwards. “You taste like marshmallows.” Spike said dreamily making Rarity blush.

“I’m sorry I waited so long Spike, you’re a good kisser.” Rarity told him truthfully, Applejack raised an eyebrow but Pinkie elbowed her in the side.

“Thanks Rarity, now I wish I didn’t have to leave, but Twilight needs me.” Spike said with a grim smile, before he knew what was happening Rarity pulled him into another enthusiastic lip embrace…

“So what’s new with you girls?” Pinkie asked distracting the staring ponies from the two kissers.

“Oh ya know, I’m losing three of ma best friends after losing one already…” AJ said with a sigh.

“Don’t worry AJ as long as you remember us we’ll be alive, memory is the key.” Pinkie told her with a sad smile, far away in another universe a green AI suddenly twitched.

“Thanks Pinkie, ah don’t know why but ah feel better now.” AJ told her before she cast a disparaging glance over at Spike and Rarity. “Are yall done yet?” AJ asked them in slight annoyance. Spike and Rarity broke apart embarrassedly and nodded. “Good, ah guess it’s time for you three ta get going then.” AJ said sadly the three nodded and exchanged last minute hugs and in one case a last second peck on the cheek before Celestia teleported them away.

Dash looked around the clearing that she Spike and Pinkie had suddenly landed in; it was nondescript and could’ve been anywhere in Everfree or any other forest in Equestria. Suddenly the ground began to sink out from under her and Dash felt herself beginning to fall, thinking quickly she grabbed Pinkie and Spike who were still looking around in confusion. Then blackness swept over them and they began to fall.

***

Dash woke up and immediately wished she hadn’t. She was in what appeared to be the middle of a camp of some kind, apparently they’d interrupted dinner. Staring at her were at least twenty griffins, several diamond dogs, and a multitude of ponies of all breeds. To Dash’s horror there were several dead bodies hanging from nearby spikes and every one of the beings currently starring at her was armed.

“Well what’s this now, hmm it’s not every day that two beautiful little mares fall out of the sky, and they have a dragon.” One unicorn mused to himself. “Alright boys whoever gets to them first van eat, fuck, or sell them!” A great cheer rang up from the assembled camp all of whom charged Dash. Dash shook Pinkie desperately trying to wake her but the pink pony didn’t even twitch, while Dash thought about the irony the rebels drew nearer in fact a large griffin was almost on top of them. Suddenly an arrow flew from the trees and impacted against the griffin’s chest stabbing into his heart, he was dead before her hit the ground.

“For the Empress!” Called an oddly familiar voice, Dash looked around in confusion as arrows and swords flew.

***
Twilight was eager, this was she and Trixie’s first actual op together without being overseen by any of the other mages, the rebels had been causing problems lately and she and Trixie had been sent out to kill them all. Trixie smiled at her as they approached the camp, the thirty ponies that they’d brought with them was probably overkill but Twilight didn’t want to take chances. Twilight returned the smile before pulling her cowl over her head hiding her face from view.

“Twilight I need you over here now!” Deadeye called softly from a tree overlooking the camp. Twilight quickly teleported up to where the pegasus stood on a wide branch and followed Deadeye’s hoof, Twilight saw three beings who were about to have unspeakable horrors inflicted upon them.

“Fire away Deadeye.” Twilight told the pegasus who released her already drawn bow string sending the arrow whistling into a griffin who was just a few steps away from the three. Silence descended on the camp for a few seconds then in a spell modified voice Twilight yelled.

“For the Empress!” Before Twilight jumped down from her tree and into the fray which had begun the second that she’d yelled.

A griffin tried to ram a sword through her throat but Twilight sent him flying into a nearby tree the sword came flying next impaling the soldier on the blade that sank all the way into the tree. A diamond dog charged her, it’s natural claws had been replaced by large blades of metal. Twilight ducked under one swing before she casually sent both clawed hands plunging into the diamond dog’s stomach with a tiny telekinetic manipulation spell. The dog fell screaming as his own claws gored him, an arrow bounced off of Twilight’s cloak but that only attracted her attention to the pegasus.

The pegasus was draped in a dark cowl and was aiming another arrow at Twilight but Twilight coldly snapped the pony’s bow in half with her mind before using the string and the two halves to strangle the pony. That’s when she noticed who the three beings standing numbly in the center of the clearing were; Twilight’s mind was so shocked she didn’t see the sword coming till it was almost too late. As it was it was only thanks to Trixie’s lightning spell that crashed into the pony holding the sword that Twilight escaped without needing stitches.

“Gape at things after we kill them!” Trixie yelled at her, Twilight shook her head to clear it before she nodded to her partner and turned to kill another pony who was trying to stab her. Twilight sent a small wave of force, roughly the width of the pony’s head, directly into the earth pony’s stomach which burst spewing intestines. All around her the clearing had become a swirling vortex of chaos that would’ve made Discord weep at its beauty. Arrows lashed out and impacted against the enemy ponies who were falling rapidly under the combined force of the Fourth’s detachment. Suddenly a unicorn emerged from the shade and sent a ball of fire hurtling towards Twilight who raised a shield just in time to block it.

“FOOLISH IMPERIAL SCUM YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN STOP THE MIGHTY UNICORN KNOWN AS LARGE HORN THE BLOOD DRINKER? TRULY YOU ARE ALL FOOLS!” The unicorn shouted and Twilight felt like hitting herself in the face, why every rebel mage must talk like that was beyond her!Not feeling like wasting the time to actually talk to the screaming idiot Twilight lowered her shield and sent out several force spells to test the water. They were easily deflected by the mage. Of course the idiot felt like cheering about it.

“YOU THOUGHT THAT THAT WOULD HARM ME? THE EMPRESS MUST BE DOWN TO NOTHING BUT WORMS!” Twilight rolled her eyes and seized the unicorn in her purple magic and lifted him off of the ground. “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO TO ME FROM HERE MAGE? I’M INVINCIBLE YOU FOOLS!” The mage was really starting to annoy Twilight, seriously where did he get the idea that you had to YELL at everyone of your opponents.

“Hey I have a question for you!” Twilight called up at the idiot.

“NO LITTLE ONE I WILL NOT RAVISH YOU NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU BEG!” The mage yelled before Twilight could continue.

“What’s dead, silent, and ugly?” Twilight called up to him.

“I DON’T KNOW A FROG?” The mage asked in confusion Twilight applied magical pressure to the unicorn’s head and slowly increased it, if he could give her a head ache she could return the favor.

“No actually I was thinking you!” Twilight yelled.

“BUT I’M NOT DE-” He got no further because his head was too busy exploding messily. Twilight sighed with relief as the annoying pony was finally silenced and turned to survey the rest of the clearing. The battle was over and her troops were all watching her expectantly, Twilight smiled at them.

“Great job boys and girls, loot to your heart’s content.” Her troops cheered and began to go through the bodies and tents expertly grabbing valuables as they spotted them. It was only at that point that Twilight realized that her voice was still magically modified to sound more imposing.

Twilight chuckled to herself before turning back to the three figures standing in the middle of the clearing apparently in complete shock. Twilight felt a pang of utter joy flow through her; somehow some of her friends had managed to find their way here. Twilight walked up to Dash who was staring at her but with frightened eyes of a pony confronting a monster, Twilight smiled a sad smile, she was expecting that after what Dash had just witnessed.

“I… I don’t know who you are but you saved our lives from those…ponies so I guess you can’t be too bad.” Dash said offering out a hoof hesitantly.

“You’d be very surprised about how bad we can be.” Twilight replied shaking the hoof and getting a tiny internal chuckle out of seeing her friend’s reaction. Then something inside her told her that enough was enough and she slipped back into her normal voice and flipped off her cowl. “Then again Dash we can be surprisingly good to.” Twilight said as a wide grin spread across her face, Dash fainted.

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 Estimated time remaining: 4 Hours, 25 Minutes