5 days later

“Chamberlin get papers filed by the end of today.” Celestia ordered her second advisor.

“Princess Celestia!” Clear Ray shouted.

“Clear Ray! That is not how my student speaks.” Celestia strictly barked. Celestia had grown colder and isolated since her sister departed.

“I’m sorry Princess Celestia, but a pegasus pony named Alicia is at the palace door, begging to see you or anybody that can get the message across to you.” Clear Ray said.

“Please, Clear Ray. She could be a spy or a thief waiting to strike when she gets in the palace. She could be the cause of the downfall of Equestria when she comes in here and destroys every pony within and killing everypony in a heartbeat just like Sombra to the entirety of the Crystal Empire!” Celestia shrieked. Clear Ray took a few steps back from his hysterical teacher.

“Alright Princess. I will tell her to leave.” Clear Ray stuttered. He turned to go to the main entrance when he heard a

“Clear Ray. I’m sorry, I just got a little out of hoof. I’m just scared something might happen. Like my sister…” Celestia whispered the last part so quietly, that nopony could even hear it. Clear Ray could’ve sworn he saw Celestia’s tear splash, drenching her blanched cheeks but he dare not recognize it. “Go check on the mare, she was she has to say. It’s probably nothing more than a fan trying to visit.”  

“Okay princess. Your majesty, is there something wrong?” Clear Ray asked reluctantly.

“No Clear Ray, why do you ask?” Celestia pretended to look confused.

“Nothing…” He turned to front door, leaving a broken princess behind him.

“Excuse me,” Clear called to the guards. He turned to see the pegasus pony push through the crowd of guards trying to hold her back from entering the castle.

“Let me pass! I need to see the princess!” Alicia hollered.

“What is the meaning of this?” Clear Ray shouted. The guards stopped struggling to keep her back and Alicia ceased to move. The castle guards spread out to create a pathway from Clear Ray to Alicia.

“Why do you want to see the princess?” Clear Ray asked. He almost blushed when he spoke. Who was this beautiful pony? Her eyes were like twinklings stars, blue with so much compassion and love in them.

“I uh- am Alici and I uh,” Alicia and looked at the muscular stallion in front of her. His red mane so neatly combed it looked vibrant against his silver fur. His horn was shaped so perfectly… Shut up! I need to stay focused! The princess!

“I need to talk in private with Princess Celestia!” Alicia exclaimed.

“It will have to wait. I am Clear Ray, the princess’s student. You can talk to me privately.”

“Alright.” Alicia agreed.

“Guards leave us!” Clear ordered. The guards left.

“So what is so important.” Clear stated. Alicia looked around before speaking to see if somepony was watching them. Nothing.

“Just kidding. I just wanted to meet up with royalty.” Alicia fake smiled.

“Are you serious?” Clear Ray shouted.

“I can pay you for it!” Alicia pressed.

“GET OUT!” Clear Ray ordered. Alicia smiled.

“Now I can trust you.” The mare was actually quite the clever one. Even Clear was impressed. “It works everytime. Offer money and they go loco.”

“Just tell me why you’re here.” Clear Ray groaned.

“Okay okay jeez, I know where the missing princess is.” Alicia stared him dead in the eye. Clear’s eyes widened in shock.

“How? She’s been gone for 5 months already! Nopony even noticed except the guards, Celestia and I!” Clear shouted.

“I helped her. She would’ve died out in the hot sun. unless she was hydrated enough.” Alicia said and cracked a grin at the memories.

“Where is she?”

“Saddle Arabia.”

“Saddle Arabia? Why?” Clear asked.

“She lied to me and said she was on orders for her sister. I helped her get into the palace, but I spied on her while she talked to the emperor and empress. She said she didn’t live in Equestria anymore and explained to them why she wasn’t living there anymore. She said that Celestia banished her and she’s not herself. I didn’t believe most of it. I like her and all, but I thought she went insane!” Alicia explained.

“No she’s right. Celestia hasn’t been herself after she came back from the Crystal Empire. I thought I was the only pony who thought it so I kept quiet.” Clear said. “I’m worried. Luna’s still gone and Celestia isn’t herself. What is happening?” Clear walked over to the window and sighed. Alicia followed him and put a hoof on his shoulder.

“Hey it’s okay. We will sort this out. We find Luna and fix this mess.” Alicia said defiantly.  Clear Ray’s muscles contracted when she put a hoof on his shoulder. Her hoof was warm and lingering there so long. He liked it. He turned to look at her beautiful face and immediately grew shy.

“But we cannot tell the sun princess about what Luna said.” Alicia looked deep into Clear’s eyes telling him it was serious.

“Why?” Clear Ray’s face washed over with confusion.

“Luna said that the princess hasn’t been herself lately. It could stir up trouble.”

“Alright well we better tell the Princess!” Clear walked out, flustered while Alicia had a small loveable grin on her face.

Chapter 6

“Chamberlin please! Let us in!” Celestia’s student shouted at the tall purple Earth Pony stallion blocking the doorway to his teacher.

“No Clear Ray. Princess Celestia is busy at court. Go somewhere else!” Chamberlin stated.

“Please sir, we need to she the princess! It’s important!” Alicia cried.

“Clear Ray, take your strange marefriend here and leave!”

“No! It’s important! It’s about Princess L-!’

“What is so important my faithful student?” Celestia came out from behind Chamberlin.

“Ah, Princess Celestia, it is good to see you,” Chamberlin smiled to his ruler.

“And to you Chamberlin. Clear Ray and um.” Celestia spoke.

“It’s Alicia your highness. Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“So you're the strange mare who has been at my doors.”

“Yes your majesty.”

“Your highness please! We carry valuable information about Princess Luna!” Clear Ray exclaimed. Celestia head snapped.

“What did you say about Princess Luna?” Celestia snapped her, attention focused on them now.

“Can we talk privately?” Alicia looked at Chamberlin who scowled.

“Chamberlin, leave us.” Chamberlin left looking back at Alicia.

“In here.” Celestia motioned for Alicia and Clear to follow her into a room with a purple door. “Begin,”

“Princess Celestia, Alicia tells me that she has come into contact with Princess Luna.” Clear explained. Celestia nodded eager to know more about her missing sister.

Alicia explained how she had found Luna lying on the ground almost dead. She left out the parts of how Princess Luna blamed her sister for banishing her and not being herself.

“Excuse me my subjects, I need a moment.” Celestia said, shakily. Celestia was worried sick since Luna’s disappearance, and she wouldn’t tell a soul. She must stay strong. Equestria could fall if she wasn’t ready! Just like Sombra destroyed the entire Crystal Empire. She cleared her throat shakily and continued.

“Alright. Since I cannot go to Saddle Arabia myself, I am going to send you three to the emperor and empress. Retrieve my sister and be careful.” Celestia warned her faithful student and the blonde pegasus.

“We will princess. Alicia unfold your wings and take off your cloak.” Clear instructed.

“Why?”

“We need to be more careful. Saddle Arabia is an… unpleasant place. Alicia understood, and waited for Clear’s call. He turned her long blonde mane pink and her fur red. He changed her into a bright earth pony. Alicia gasped when she saw she had no wings.

“Can I have my wings back? I love to fly and consider myself extremely lucky to be a pegasus.” Alicia asked politely. Clear Ray cast his purple magic and restored her wings.

Clear Ray enchanted himself to look like a green earth pony with a golden mane with deep emerald streaks.

“The spell should last at least 2 moons.” Clear quickly regretted saying moons. “Before I have to cast the spell again.”

“Hold a minute my loyal student. I said three of you were going.” Celestia interrupted.

“Who else would go your highness?” Alicia asked. Celestia looked at the door.

The princess’s purple advisor walked in. Alicia and Clear groaned.

Chapter 6

“Chamberlin, wear this cloak and pack your things in this saddle bag,” Celestia instructed her stuck-up advisor.

“Yes your majesty,” the violet earth pony smiled up the at the powerful alicorn, but gritted his perfect teeth at Alicia and Clear. They looked at one another and rolled their eyes.

“Please, be careful and bring my sister home.The safety of Equestria matters” Celestia whispered into Clear’s right ear.

He looked up at his teacher and grinned. She was not smiling back.

He grabbed Alicia and handed her the saddle bag.

“I don’t carry peasant's things.” He scoffed. Alicia sighed. She opened the pack and Celestia handed her 24 stocks of hay, 17 water bottles, 4 apples and everything else from cloaks to rope. The princess fastened the bag, with her golden magic.

“Put on your black cloaks and head out the back door. Try not to get draw too much attention.” Celestia instructed.

“Your majesty, do I really have to go with these two insolent-” Chamberlin started.

“Yes Chamberlin. You must keep an eye on them.” Celestia paid no attention to Chamberlin’s impatience with Alicia and her student. Chamberlin was beyond annoyed.

“Very well you gloriousness.”

“Let’s go. We don’t have time for this, Luna could be in serious danger and we could be too late.” Clear said, worriedly as he remembered his friend. Alicia flinched. She respected the princess of the night and loved her just as much as Clear, but she was jealous of the way that he talked about Luna. Maybe he cared for her much as he did for herself.

“Come on Chamberlin,” Alicia snarled as she threw the pack at the indigo earth pony.

“Scavenger piece of scum.” Chamberlin retorted.

“What did you say to her?” Clear Ray turned around and caught Chamberlin by the throat.

“I won’t say-it- again!” Chamberlin wheezed.

“Clear STOP!” Alicia cried. Chamberlin may not value her life, but she still valued his. Clear Ray dropped Chamberlin but not before giving him a good buck in the foreleg and a snort in the face. Chamberlin winced at his leg, and spat on the ground.

“I don’t know why Princess Celestia would hire a worthless piece of shit like you.” Clear snarled.

“Clear. Stop. If we fight we may never find Luna.” Alicia put her hand on his shoulder.

Clear Ray once again felt that tingling feeling. Alicia made him feel special. Not just another unicorn- well earth pony for right now.

“Umm… let’s head out!” Clear Ray trotted a little farther than Alicia praying that he didn’t look stupid. Chamberlin limped along while Alicia offered to help him, but immediately declined. The trio then hurried along, jogging with their aching hooves and continued their journey for the long lost princess.

Chapter 7

10 days later

When they arrived in Saddle Arabia the land was desolate and empty. The trade in Ridyahoof was clearly gone, and the laughter seemed to quiet down. The trio walked up to the palace and were greeted by a pair of guards.

“Stop. What is your business?” A brown horse with sliver armor said.

“We need to see the majesties. I am Chamberlin, advisor of Princess Celestia. These two with me are just peasants.” Chamberlin scoffed. Alicia huffed at him while Clear scowled.

“Oh uh alright sir,” The guard seemed suspicious, but let them past anyway. The trio walked into the vast palace with little realization what was about to happen.

“Your majesties, it is my great pleasure to accompany you.” Chamberlin tried a grin.

“Have you come looking for something?” The emperor asked unsurely.

“Yes. In fact, we have come here on the behalf of Princess Celestia looking for the young Princess Luna.” Chamberlain informed. The empress and emperor looked at one another before beginning.

“I’m very sorry, but the Princess Luna left us...a while ago.” The empress said.

Clear looked horrified. They had come this close to recasing the princess of the night, and she had slipped out of their grasp.

“Your majesties, may I ask where did she go?” Clear Ray butted in.

“Quiet fool!” Chamberlin shushed Clear.

“Where did Princess Luna go esteemed majesties?” Chamberlin asked with a grand smile.

“That she wishes to remain silent to all advisors, for she told us herself for no one to speak of it.” The empress was clearly hiding something in her voice. The empress could barely contain herself as she blurted out ”She also told us that Celestia was corrupt, and banished the poor dear!” The empress’s shrill voice was raising.

“Beloved please.” the emperor told his wife. “The princess told ourselves that we must not trust Celestia or anyone who comes from her… palace.” The emperor looked at Chamberlin.

“I wish not to be a nuisance, but Princess Celestia knows highly of the world. She is an incorruptible example of greatness and we all should-”

“Enough advisor. You are here to stay for a few days until, you go back to Equestria.” The emperor interrupted the shallow advisor. The empress motioned for her guards to take the ponies out of the throne room and into the rooms in an east hallway. Alicia took the room on the left, Clear next to her on the right, and Chamberlin across.

“Everypony should get some rest.” Alicia suggested.

“Alicia’s right. Chamberlin, I suggest you don’t run away?”

“Whatever peasant. You may be her highnesses student, but I will treat you no less that an arrogant child!” Chamberlin squawked.

“Whatever priss. Alicia you look tired. Rest your wings and be ready in the morning.” Clear bade her a farewell before disappearing into his own room. Clear Ray laid his throbbing head onto a silk pillow as he quickly fell into the dream world.

Clear....

What? Who’s there? He knew he was dreaming but he had no idea who the voice in his head was.

Clear Ray….

SHOW YOURSELF!

Clear Ray it’s Luna....

Luna is that you?

Yes Clear Ray.

Luna! Are you alright? We’ve been worried sick!

I’m-I’m scared Clear! Luna began to sob through her dream like realm.

Luna! Are you hurt? What’s going on?

I-I...This is the only way I can contact you. I don’t trust anypony anymore!

Luna you can trust me. Where are you?

I left Saddle Arabia, I even went to the Griffonia! Something… Something been following me… ever since I left. It’s been haunting me… Luna was practically weeping confused and lonely as her voice cracked and filled the quiet space.  

Luna! Where are you?

I...I don’t understand! I’m scared!

What? I don’t understand Luna! Luna please come home!

I can’t Clear. Can you help me? Wait… what’s that.. that THING! AH! Luna was voice was cut off as she screamed her light airy scream, and nothing left but Clear Ray. Her shattered voice echoing in his mind.

Luna? LUNA!

Clear Ray woke up with a sudden gasp. Alicia and Chamberlin were standing over his trembling gray body.

“Clear. Clear Ray? Where is Luna?” Alicia shook the unicorn until he woke up.

“Huh? Luna? Were you guys watching me sleep?”

“We heard you screaming for Luna so we got worried. Well one of us did.” Alicia at Chamberlin.

“Well you peasants really are quite bothersome.” He scoffed.

“Stop! I’ve had just enough of you!” Clear struggled to scramble up, but Alicia put a hoof on his chest.

“Oh for the love of Celestia! Will you shut your worthless pegasus mouth?” Chamberlin shouted.

“Shut up you racist mud pony!” Alicia shoved the purple stallion into a nearby closet.

“You stupid, cow faced pegasus!” Chamberlin screeched. An exchange of cursing and swears erupted from the two. Chamberlin had had enough.  He grabbed the terrified mare and slammed her into the ground. She cried out, blood falling from her fragile body. At that moment, Clear’s disguising spell cracked, and was gone. Clear Ray saw what was happening, and stepped out of his daze. He used his purple magic to try to stop the stallion, but the violet pony was to strong for him. Chamberlin pinned Alicia up by the throat and kicked Clear Ray in the gut. He hunched over.

“Now little-!” Chamberlin hollered.“You get outta of here!”

“Let go of me you filth of a pony!” Alicia wheezed.

“You stupid pegasi brute!” He pulled her back by his hooves, and smashed her against the window. . Alicia’s wings were useless for she was unconscious. Tiny pieces of glass cut through her white fur. Her wings were useless.

Clear Ray watched in terror as Alicia plummeted out of the shattered window, and fell to her death. Clear Ray shot out like a bullet, his magic glistening around his horn. He leapt up, throwing the earth pony Chamberlin out of the way, and grabbed Alicia with his magic. The white pegasus pony was knocked out cold, her head hung like a boral stone. Clear Ray grunted and twisted as he was not strong at carrying live objects, much less a whole pony. He hoisted her up with quite some effort, His body aching.

He grabbed the pony in his gentle forelegs, and wrapped her in cloth and poured water onto her face. Chamberlin stood in the corner bewildered. He had just committed a crime of highest order. Of Celestia’s order. He rushed out of the room, terrified about what might happen next.

"I need a medic quick!” Clear screamed to any horse in sight. Guards burst into the room. They had Chamberlin around the neck with a burnt lasso, pinching his flat slab of a neck. The guards hoisted Alicia’s body onto each of their backs and left the terrified student behind them.