Hello everypony! I'm back with another spectacular chapter! This is the start of a three part special event that I'm doing for you guys (Authora doesn't know about it yet)! I realized some context was needed for the end of the last chapter, so I decided to give it to you guys from the eyes of Prince Astro himself! Part one is the context on the mysterious locket and is the setting for the first real problem Equestria had for thousands of years. Part two is the first battle against Tirek. And part three is the official coronation of the royal siblings, the original battle with Darkstar, and the following celebrations. It should give any info that I haven't already explained. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy these extra chapters! They were actually ideas my brother came up with for his OC's backstory (Yes, Astro was his idea) but he was never able to write them so I decided to adopt his character into my story. Sorry if I'm just blabbering now, here's that extra chapter I promised, and remember, if you like it make sure to pound that follow/watch button to stay posted on the newest chapters!
Equestria, a place where everypony lives in peace and harmony. HA! If only…
We once lived peacefully, but that all came to an end when darkness fell upon the land. It came in the form of a monster, one that came from the frozen north to drain the magic and life from the land. His name… is Tirek. By the time my parents, Queen Galaxia and King Cosmo, discovered him, Northern Equestria was nothing but a barren desert. In a brave attempt to stop him, my parents left to face him in battle.
That was a month ago…
My sister, Solaria, and I had begun to fear that they would never come back. At least, until Solaria found an ancient scroll that led us to the location of a powerful artifact that might be able to defeat Tirek. Together we left at dawn, when our younger sister, Luna, had gone to sleep. It took a week of traveling across Equestria for us to make it to the Valley of Dreams, and form there, the obsidian Castle of Dreams…
I snapped awake, on the verge of crying out. I could still feel the icy grip of a nightmare. After a few moments, I was able to settle my racing heartbeat enough to survey my surroundings. I was laying in a grassy clearing squished between two mountains. In front of me stood the ancient, black castle. A young mare (DawnfrostFlitter/Dawnfrost Flitter: By this I mean a teenager) sat at a small campfire nearby. She was a white alicorn with a soft pink mane that draped across her face, hiding one of her vibrant, magenta-colored eyes.
"Good evening Astro," She smiled faintly, "I thought you'd never wake up! I was half tempted to go in without my baby brother."
"Hey! Don't you dare call me your 'baby brother' again! You know that I'm only a day younger than you!" I yowled, "And you wouldn't dare go in alone because you're terrified of the dark! Isn't that right Aria?" She gave me a you-had-better-run-before-I-get-up-and-turn-you-into-a-mouse look. "I'm just kidding! 'Twas just a joke! Seriously Aria, you really need to get a better sense of humor."
Before I could even blink, I felt the blast launch me into the air and sent me crashing to the ground, hard. Upon impact, I could feel the snap in my right wing before pain like liquid lava poured through my body. By some miracle, I managed to keep myself from making a sound, but I knew right away that something was broken. Standing, I pinned my wings to my flanks to keep the pain at a minimum.
Solaria rushed over to me, speaking quickly and sounding worried, "Astro! Are you okay? I didn't mean to-"
"To what? To hit me? To break my wing? Seriously, what did you think was going to happen?" I couldn't keep the anger out of my voice, "You're an alicorn for pony's sake! You should be able to keep your magic under control!" I stormed off towards the castle's doors. Solaria quickly followed. When we reached the base of the enormous obsidian barriers, they silently glided open to reveal nothing but darkness.
"That's not creepy at all," Solaria remarked sarcastically while I ignored her and stepped inside. I didn't get very far before I was met by thin air and fell (It was at this moment that I regretted teasing Solaria). I landed softly in a hallway made completely out of a gray stone that seemed to glow faintly. There was nothing but darkness where the roof should be.
"Hello?" I called out, "Anypony there?" My voice echoed down the hall.
"Hi!" Said a cheery voice behind me. I nearly jumped out of my horse shoes in terror. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. My name's Opal Mist, but you can call me Misty! What's your name?"
"I'm Astro," I turned around to see a white pegasus with a light gray mane. "Nice to meet you."
"It's my pleasure! So, what brings you here?" Misty smiled.
I hesitated before answering, "My home is under attack and I can to get help."
"So you're here for the Locket," She said distantly.
"Yes," I replied, "Could you help me find it?"
"Sure," Misty beamed, "Follow me." She turned and turned and led me down the hall. After walking for what felt like forever, we came to a door.
"Welcome to your first test!" Misty exclaimed, "This door is locked and you have to open it!"
"That sounds easy enough," I said, stepping in front of the door. Placing my horn on the knob, I cast a spell to unlock it. Nothing happened at all. In fact, a quick glance at the doorknob told me that there wasn't even a lock. I tried opening the door and was surprised when it wouldn't budge.
"What in Equestria…" I mumbled. Then an idea came to me. I raised a fore-hoof and knocked on the door. It opened silently to reveal another long hallway.
"Congratulations! You passed!" Misty cheered, "Sadly, this is as far as I can go. Somepony else will take you further."
"Thank you Misty," I bowed my head gratefully, "Goodbye."
"You're welcome," She smiled, "It was nice meeting you. Goodbye Prince Astro." I stepped through the door which closed behind me.
"Howdy," said a heavily accented voice, "Ah see ya passed the first test."
"That is correct," I replied, " I'm Astro."
"Nice ta meet ya, muh name's Barley Harvest and ah'll be yer guide," Barley said as he stepped into view. He was a tall, yellow-colored stallion with a black mane. "This'a way."
We walked for an eternity until at long last, we stepped into a large chamber. In the center stood three pedestals, the first held a multi-colored rose, the second held an obsidian sword, and the third held a heart-shaped locket.
"Ah reckon this'll be yer second test," Barley explained, "these are artifacts of power an' all three'll help be able ta save yer home, but ya only get one choice. So choose wisely."
"Got it," I replied and trotted over to the pedestals. The pillars were labelled, there was The Rose of Power, The Sword of Conquest, and the Rainbow of Harmony. I was just about to take the Rainbow when I remembered that this was a test. It was this thought that made me turn to face Barley and say, "The best choice is no choice because to take one is to show favor of one power over another and such would upset the balance of Harmony and Chaos."
"That'd be correct," Barley replied, "Ya passed the second test. Ah'm afraid this'd be as far as ah can take ya. 'Twas nice meetin' ya Prince Astro."
"Thank you for your help," I responded, "Goodbye Barley." Then I stepped through the door that had opened in the back of the chamber.
"Are you kidding me? Another hallway?" I yelled in frustration.
"Hiya!" Said a soft voice, "I'm Sellia Moon (pronounced See-lee-uh)."
"Hello, I'm Astro," I replied as Sellia trotted towards me She was a light green unicorn with a darker green mane.
"Good job on the first two tests," Sellia nodded, "but don't think the final test will be so easy."
"Final test?" I asked.
"That's right," She smiled, "Follow me!" She turned and raced down the hall, leaving me struggling to catch up. "Catch me if you can!" Sellia shouted before turning down another hall. I focused on catching up, but Sellia was fast for an average unicorn and she kept making sudden turns that forced me to slow down.
Eventually, I decided there was only one way to catch her. I had to fly (I know that sounds stupid but it was true), so I spread my wings and, ignoring the pain, took off. I slowly began to gain speed as pain as fierce as fire shot through my wing.
"Gotcha!" I cried as I landed on top of Sellia. She wriggled away and stood.
"About time!" She huffed sarcastically, "You passed the final test."
"I did?" I said, feeling like I missed something.
"Yes silly," Sellia remarked, "And that means that means I must say goodbye. It was nice meeting you, I had a lot of fun."
"So did I," I smiled, "Goodbye Sellia."
"Goodbye Prince Astro," She said, smiling back, "And good luck defeating Tirek."
"Wait, how did-" I started before noticing that she had vanished. I just sighed and stepped through another magic doorway.
I had entered a chamber with a small stone walkway leading to a platform surrounded by what appeared to be a bottomless pit. In the center of the platform was a stone pedestal.
"Welcome young Prince," a powerful voice boomed, "to my chamber."
"How do you know me?" I demanded.
"I know a lot, little one," the voice continued, "for your parents are mere children compared to me! I have lived countless millenia!"
"Who are you?" I asked, fear tingling it's way down my spine.
"Who am I? Who am I?" The voice burst in outrage, "Foolish child, I am only the most powerful unicorn to ever live! I am Starswirl the Bearded!" The entire chamber shook to his voice before an explosion of light blinded me. I rubbed my eye with a fore-hoof and blinked the tears away.
On the walkway stood a tall stallion. He wore a blue cloak and hat covered in yellow stars and had a gray, unruly beard.
"How?" I gaped at the careless use of powerful magic.
"That was nothing, so quit you boggling," Starswirl declared.
"Sorry," I shook my head to calm myself.
"So," Starswirl began, "You passed all three tests." He said it in a way that I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be a question or not.
"Y-yes," I stammered.
"What did you learn from these tests?" He asked.
"The first one taught me that it is better to lead with kindness than it is to rule by fear and oppression. The second showed that choosing one source of power to rule with upsets the balance of Harmony and Chaos," I said quickly, "And the third explained that a true leader is willing to take punishment for the good of their followers."
"Good," Starswirl nodded, "Unfortunately, I cannot let you have the Rainbow Locket."
"What! Why?" I asked in shock.
"Another has already received the Locket," Starswirl sighed, "And I see darkness consuming your future…"
That's all for this chapter!
So remember to let me know what you think, and I'll see y'all on the brighter side of everything!
In Loving Memory of
Jason "Starfox" Devani
I'll never forget you bro...