She was wishing she stayed in the cottage. She was wishing she was with Twilight and her aunts. Selene was wishing she stayed in the sea with her family. Her whole body was shaking as she could feel the train stopping and starting a couple of times before she felt the box move. She heard more whispers from the ponies around her as the box was tossed around. Waiting she felt the box stopping for good before the top was ripped off. Glancing up she noticed different unicorns were staring at her before she felt something piercing her ear. Her eyes looked towards the right noticing a yellow tag hanging from her ear as she was pushed into a tank. Selene’s spell faded as she looked around noticing other animals in cages. Eggs in clear boxes as ponies in suits walked through pointing out to different cages and boxes. One was shouting while others were writing down numbers and moving the boxes in order. A tall light grey unicorn stallion with a blond and white mane walked up to the tank and smiled. He pointed towards her as the others were talking. Glancing up she moved to the top of the tank noticing a netting was stretched across the top keeping her in.

“Place her last. The buyer will be late and said he would pay any price for her” the pony in the suit spoke causing the others to nod. It was a slow-moving process causing Selene to curl up on the bottom watching. She could not tell if her aunt’s sun or moon was in the sky as the windows were darkened. She could only watch as the animals in front of her were marched out one by one causing her heart to beat faster and faster. The only time she was able to relax was when the ponies would call for light outs. Closing her eyes she allowed herself to fall into a light sleep. She didn’t have any pleasant dreams only nightmares.

Selene was sitting in her tank looking at the animals around her. they were lying on the cages lifeless as the ponies walked around with a mask on. Her body shivered as she could feel something staring at her from the shadows. Looking around she couldn’t see anything but a pair of blue eyes in the shadows. Placing a hoof on the glass. Selene woke up to a loud tapping noise on the tank. It was another pony shouting at her. She was in a different area than before. Looking around she noticed she wasn’t in a tank anymore but in a small greenhouse. Her eyes glanced up and noticed the window sitting above her as she was lying on a flat rock. Sitting up she noticed her mane was braided with crystals in them as her hooves were covered in silver bands. Moving her hoof up she could feel a tag hanging from it.

“Your awake” A voice broke the silence in the room causing her to turn around. She noticed Blueblood was walking towards her with a smile on his face. Selene stayed silent as her eyes watched the unicorn move closer to her.

“Oh, you want to stay silent. That’s okay you don’t need to respond. You were worth a lot of bits my dear. I wish to enjoy you so much” he moved closer towards her causing her heartbeat in her chest. She could feel him move close to her as he ran his hoof along her legs a creepy smile formed on his muzzle. “Sadly our time would be short. You are to be sent over to my dear cousin’s place. You would look stunning there” he moved closer to her causing her to move away from him watching in silence “You will be moved in a couple of hours” he huffed leaving Selene along in the garden. She laid out on her stomach as she moved her tail. She rested her head on her hooves as she let out a small yawn. Her body was forcing her to sleep but all she did was close her eyes for a light nap. It wasn’t a long nap. Her eyes snapped open after hearing a clicking sound. Sitting up she noticed ponies were around her as a silver collar with a red ruby sitting in the middle was placed around her neck.

“Oh don’t worry my dear that ruby will change.” Blueblood walked out as the ponies wrapped a blanket around Selene before placing her in a small tank like box “That collar is specially made for you and will keep you bound to my cousin’s place. I hope she enjoys you. I know my aunt would love you as well but I don’t think Aunt Celestia would want another pet. She already has Philomena” he sighed as Selene looked up towards him “None the less enjoy the trip” he smiled before her tank was wrapped up in a heavy blanket. Selene’s mind was racing as she wrapped her hooves around her head. She could feel the tank moving as the water was sloshing back and forth. She wanted to count the seconds but how could see when all she saw was darkness. It scared her, it frightened her. She wanted to scream but who would hear her? letting her sight out she could feel the tank stopping now and then as she could see the blanket around the tank moving. Her eyes glanced down and noticed the wooden planks of a train change into a smooth blue texture floor as she could feel the tank move. Watching the ground was the only thing she could think of at the moment. Her eyes did catch a glimmer of hope as she noticed a small yellow Pegasus filly running under the tank looking up at her. Selene looked down towards her and mouthed the word “help” hoping the filly noticed. It wasn’t long till the ponies removed the blanket around the tank allowing her to see a large crystal garden. A large pond sat in the middle of a group of crystal flowers as some birds flew around. Her eyes moved around noticing the ponies pulling her from the tank placing her on a rock. Selene sighed as she watched the ponies disappear with the tank. Her eyes looked up towards the area glancing towards the door. She started to move towards it till her ears caught the sound of hoof steps moving towards the door. Selene placed herself into a bush listening to the whispers of the ponies.

“What did those ponies bring?”

“I heard it was a gift for Princess Cadence tonight”

“Oh from whom I wonder sent it?”

“I want to know what it is”

“What are you all doing?” a sweet voice caught Selene’s ears causing her to poke her head up.

“Princess! We were just looking for the merpony”

“Yeah we heard it was being brought today”

“A merpony?” Cadence walked in as she noticed Selene quickly moving towards the small pond slipping into the water. Her eyes caught the sight of a tag and collar attached to the merpony.

“Guard tells me everything. Oh and please send a letter to my aunts inviting them tonight along with Twilight and her friends, please. I want this room sealed off till the party” Cadence turned around as she felt her blood boil. Her wings shifted at her sides as she moved through the castle huffing as she heard where and who she came from.

As Selene was resting in the only water source Princess Celestia was standing on her balcony overlooking Equestria. She sighed as her eyes glanced towards Trottingham as her eyes looked past the city towards the water. Her wings were draped at her side as she felt her family slipping through her hooves again. She turned her head glancing towards her student. Twilight had her mane draped over her face hiding the bags she was carrying. Her hooves sported bruises she received when she and Discord got into a fight three days ago. She was shocked her student was able to put up a hoof fight with the spirit of chaos. Celestia sighed as she moved towards her student pulling her into a hug.

“Do you hate me for bring you back here Twilight?” Celestia spoke up as she looked down towards her.

“No” Twilight’s voice was horse as she glanced up towards her teacher.

“Twilight tell me what is wrong. You never told me what you been feeling. Luna is worried as you haven’t slept in days” Celestia used her wing to lift Twilight’s head.

“I….Did I mess up Princess? She was taken from in front of us. I didn’t move when Spike was yelling at us. I was too angry at Discord and we attacked each other” Twilight had tears in her eyes as Celestia leaned down and nuzzled her.

“You did not mess up Twilight. Listen back when I was younger I had an older sister Aurora and an older brother named Nico. Nico loved to play pranks and be the life of any party. However, after Aurora’s disappearance, my mother started to grow sick. Now my brother was like you and loved to study magic. One day I found his books were left open to a page talking about a stone that could heal any sickness. I last heard he went north past the crystal empire and that was the last we saw of him. When my father’s guards got up to his camp they found it scattered to the snow and the only living creature around was Discord curled up in the blanket my brother took with him. Thinking Discord had something to do with him disappearing brought him back to the castle and ran many tests on him while he slept. Now, this is where it gets interesting Twilight. You see all the tests came back positive saying that Nico was Discord. He also confirmed it when he woke up”

“But Princess” Celestia placed a wing towards Twilight’s muzzle.

“Yes, Discord was sane at the time Twilight. He had his mind intact fully. It wasn’t till my mother and father passed that made him break down. the magic started out eating away at him slowly till he went mad. He did everything the history books said. But when he saw Aurora his mind starting coming back Twilight. You see Nico may have loved to play pranks but he was very protective of his family. He was captain of my father’s guard and had earned every medal that you could think of. You know there was a time I didn’t have my cutie mark and I thought I could be like my father and tame the animals of the Everfree.” Celestia had a smile as she looked towards her student.

“What happened?”

“I lost. I was pinned against a tree and my brother came in swinging his sword and shield. He was able to push them back allowing me to escape. He had to fight his way out of the forest and he took the blame from me when we got home.” Celestia smiled as she looked towards Twilight “Better?”

“Yes. He just overprotective?” Twilight looked up as Celestia nodded. Twilight glanced down her ears flattened against her head “I feel bad now” she sighed as Celestia puller her in tighter as she nuzzled her student.

“Twilight let this be a lesson. Discord may be getting his memories and mind back in order. So he will start to be protective over Selene” Celestia looked down at her as Twilight nodded.

“For right now I have two options for you. One stay here while emotions calm down or go stay with your brother. I heard Cadence was throwing a party tonight. She invited me and Luna but neither of us feels like celebrating” Celestia smiled as Twilight nodded again.

“I’ll go to the empire. I think the distance might be better for us in the long run” Twilight stood up as Celestia held her wing out.

“Take the carriage Twilight. It gives the guards some training” The solar alicorn smiled as she winked towards the purple pony. Twilight blush and nodded as she walked out of the room. One of the guards bowed before walking with her down the hall. Twilight sighed as she pushed her mane down a bit as she noticed one of the other guards running past her. The guard was silent as they walked out of the castle towards the garden. A large purple and gold carriage was waiting for her as the other guards bowed towards her.

“Will you require us to wait Twilight?” the guard spoke up as the unicorn shook her head. She climbed up into the carriage taking up a seat on one of the sides her eyes glancing towards her hooves. The door was shut behind her before the knock was heard. Twilight could feel the carriage take off causing her heart to pound a bit as her mind started listing off teleportation spells and different wing spells that would help if she fell out of the carriage. As she was on her twenty spell she noticed the carriage shifted a bit as Princess Luna and Celestia teleported into the carriage.

“Cadence found Selene” Luna smiled as she flexed her wings. Twilight looked towards the lunar alicorn her face was full of shock. Her mouth kept opening and closing as if she wanted to say something but it wouldn’t come out. Twilight turned her head towards the window watching the scenery as her mind was rambling about different stuff. It was a silent trip for Twilight as she was busy thinking of things she needed to do before she saw Selene. her eyes were watching the scenery change from forest to a land of snow. Her ears perked up as she moved closer to the door as the carriage settled on the ground in front of the castle. Once the carriage stopped Twilight bolted from the door mumbling as Luna looked towards her sister. Celestia was shaking her head as she exited the carriage with her sister. Cadence was waiting in the throne room talking to a couple of ponies. One was a dark grey Pegasus pony with a white and silver mane pushed back. His blue eyes were following over the papers he had out in front of him. He had a large white collar around his neck as his tail was pulled in close to him. the other pony was white mare wearing a large black cloak her icy blue eyes were staring at the paperwork as well. She had a large book wrapped around her middle as she was whispering something to the pony next to her. Twilight burst into the room as she noticed Cadence.

“Ladybug I knew you were going to be first” Cadence smiled as she looked towards the ponies.

“I will be right back Lord Sea” she smiled as she walked over to Twilight.

“Where is she Cadence” Twilight was panicking as she was moving back and forth. Luna and Celestia walked into the throne room noticing Twilight was packing back and forth. The mare in the cloak nudged the pony next to her pointing towards Twilight’s necklace and then to her hind legs. She started speaking to the pony whispering.

“Krill that shell. It has merpony magic around it”

“I know Skelly I can sense it too. Wait is that a gem in the middle of the shell?” The grey pony whispered as causing Twilight to stop as she turned towards the ponies.

“Isn’t that a gem leading to royalty?”

“She hears us Skelly” The grey pony smiled and walked up towards Twilight “Twilight it is good to see you outside of the classroom” he smiled as Twilight’s ears perked up.

“Professor Cloudy Sea! I didn’t think you would be here” Once she said his name the mare in the cloak started to snicker.

“Oh well, I am here for my expedition. I say that the crystal empire was all grass before Sombra and that this empire had the larges import and export that rivaled both Baltimare and Trottingham” he smiled. Skelly moved closer to Krill as her laughter died down. She leaned in and sniffed Twilight jumping a bit as she pulled Krill away.

“She has Selene’s magic in and around her” Skelly hissed.

“You know Triton wouldn’t let his only daughter come to land Skelly.”

“But that shell” Skelly looked towards him as Krill shook his head as he walked towards Twilight.

“Sorry about that. My friend Skelly is an expert at sniffing out old magic artifacts. She had spent years training and she noticed your shell had magic that is different than a unicorn. May it be from an alicorn?”

“Oh no, this is from a friend of mine” Twilight looked towards the shell smiling as she looked up at Krill.

“Told you!” Skelly was jumping up and down her fins moving under her cloak.

“Skelly…if I wanted a hyper pony I would have brought Edan with me.” he glared towards his friend as Skelly sighed as she settled down.

“Told you what?” Twilight tilted her head.

“That the shell around your neck was from an old source of magic” he snickered as Twilight looked towards his side. Her eyes were glancing over the wings noticing they looked exactly like Selene’s fins.

“Lord Sea, are you a merpony?” Twilight spoke up causing his fins to spring out as Skelly started to laugh.

“How?” he stared at the purple unicorn walking closer “So the princess has taken you out to the Tropics?” he was about to say something else but a cough caused them to stop. Krill looked up noticing Celestia and Luna standing behind her.

“Lord Sea you been a merpony this entire time?” Celestia spoke up causing Skelly to get to her hooves.

“Yes, Princess Celestia. You can call me Krill that is my merpony name. I am a representative for the humpback whales in King Triton’s court. I was in the middle of putting my presentation ready so I could present it to Princess Cadence and Twilight to see if they would help. My friend here is Skelly but she is a Sea reaper turned guard by our old queen Roseate” He smiled as Skelly turned to glare at him.

“Oh thanks give me away” she huffed as she pulled her hood down allowing them to see her black mane and dull white eyes. Twilight was walking around her as Krill looked over at the purple unicorn.

“So Miss Twilight how did you know I was a merpony?”

“Krill the shell” Skelly spoke up as he held his hoof up.

“Well I had a merpony staying with me” she smiled as Skelly moved in and sniffed her shell again.

“She had the princess! Told you Triton didn’t know!” Skelly pointed her hoof at him causing him to roll his eyes.

“I said he knew. He just wouldn’t have left his only daughter on the surface” Krill snapped back as Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Okay, you two” Cadence looked towards them “Since you two are merponies maybe you two can help us” she looked towards Celestia as the solar alicorn nodded.

“Follow us you three. We need to talk about something before the party” Cadence used her wing and pointed towards the door.