Thank for all your encouragement. The reviews were very respectful and friendly. Here is chapter 3. Please enjoy.
3. Circles of Light
The ponies raced to Canterlot, where Princess Celestia lived. The guards sent them straight to the Princess' elegantly decorated bedroom. On the ceiling, was a beautifully painted sun smiling down on them and the walls sparkled and glittered. Normally, her room felt warm and welcoming.
However, today the room felt dark and sad. They noticed even the sun on the ceiling wasn't smiling. At the sight of Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle felt frightened. Their beautiful Princess was lying quietly in her bed. She was looking very pale and fragile. The poison was already working in her body, and she was struggling to move. Her cutie mark was fading, and her mane had stopped wiggling and floating.
Who could have done such a mean thing?
"There is something you need to know," Princess Celestia whispered. "It was my distant cousin, Queen Chrysalis, who poisoned me. This poison will cause my entire body to become frozen. I will not be able to move. Then she will take over and rule the land. She is so desperate to be the queen that she will do anything. So please, please be very careful."
The ponies explained what Zecora said they needed to do. Princess Celestia smiled at their courage and bravery. What would she do without friends like these? She pointed to a box under her bed. It contained the magic mirror. This mirror was shaped like a hairbrush with a long golden handle.
Quickly the ponies did as Zecora had instructed. In an instant, they felt themselves swirling around. They twisted and flipped through circles of colour and light. Fluttershy shut her eyes tightly with fear. Her light pink mane flapped wildly around her. She could hear the others whooping with laughter, twirling and giggling. They sounded like they were enjoying themselves, and she wished she could join in but this was worse than a scary rollercoaster ride.
"That was fun!" said Pinkie Pie hopping around with excitement, once they had landed. "Let's do it again."
"Look at my violet mane! It is absolutely ruined! How will I ever fix it?" exclaimed Rarity catching a glimpse of herself in a mirror hanging up.
"Where are we?" asked Fluttershy. "Can I open my eyes?"
"We must be in the old woman's house that Zecora told us about."
answered Apple Jack, looking around the small room. "It doesn't look like anyone is home."
"They have to be home!" Twilight Sparkle shouted in panic.
The other five ponies stared at her in surprise. It was very rare that Twilight Sparkle shouted. Rainbow Dash walked over and put her hoof on Twilight Sparkle's shoulder. Her rose coloured eyes were full of concern for her friend.
"Let's look around. If she isn't here, then there must be some clues or something to help us find the ingredients. Zecora did say she owned the Tannery. If she isn't here, then we need to go to the Tannery."
TBC