Chapter 9: Old Friends.
Alex stepped off the train and made her way to the castle. She was greeted by Celestia and Luna and the three friends walked to the Statue Garden.
"Did you bring it?" asked Celestia.
"Of course," replied Alex, holding up the statue.
Celestia blinked in confusion. "I uh, thought it would be a bit bigger," she said staring in disbelief.
Alex laughed. "I just shrunk it so it would travel easier," she explained as she set it down in its place and returned it to its true size.
Celestia chuckled. "I see. You are most inventive, my friend and have quite a sense of humor. Come, we have much to talk about." She led the way back to the castle.
In a private chamber the three friends talked of things long passed.
"So, it was you who freed Nightmare Moon and brought the prophecy to fulfillment," said Celestia.
"Yes. It was necessary to bring the Age of Unity into being." Alex nodded.
"I always thought of the Age of Unity as only being me and Luna reunited. I can see now that it is so much more. Things that have long been forgotten are now being brought back to light and Humania will one day preside over the world as in days of old," said Celestia.
"Yes. Men shall once again take their rightful place as the Stewards of the world. It is the will of the Creator," Luna stated.
"I just hope we remember that we are but stewards and all we own is merely lent to us," said Alex.
"I have no doubt that King Greg and yourself will never forget that. Take courage in that. The rest is in the Creator's hands. Now, I must know, how did you see both mine and Luna's pain from so far away?" asked Celestia.
"I am blessed with the gift of Far Sight. I can see many things far away and deeply buried. When I looked upon the moon I saw a lonely, hurting pony, who had believed the lies of the Evil One and let his servants take control. When I looked towards Canterlot, I saw the elder sister, who's heart was bleeding and broken, though others knew it not. I could not stand by and watch you two be forever separated, so I did all in my power to reunite you. I took a risk freeing Nightmare Moon, but in my heart I knew that Twilight and her friends would prevail and Luna would be truly free and your broken hearts restored," replied Alex.
"You were right, my friend and you did the right thing. Now I must tell you, on that fateful night when I beheld the moon, I heard a faint voice on the wind from the west across the sea, towards Humania. And that voice sang of sympathy and friendship from far away and gave us some comfort in our sorrow," said Celestia rubbing her nose against Luna's.
"Thank you, my friend. I'm just glad all worked out in the end." Alex smiled happily.
"I'll never forget the first time I heard your voice. I was heartbroken for my sister's sorrow when I heard her song and then to hear yours… It was comforting to know I was loved, despite the things I had done," said Luna.
"I'll never forget the sound of your voice. It sounded as though you had seen right to my heart and felt with me. I didn't fully understand at the time, but now that I've met you in person, I can see that you are blessed with a kind and sensitive spirit. You suffer when you see others suffer and you're driven by an intense desire to do all in your power to alleviate that suffering. It is what makes you a fine ruler. Happy is be the land graced by the rule of Alex Castaway, Princess of Compassion and Mercy," said Celestia.
"It's not anything I've done, but what the Creator saw fit to bless me with." Alex blushed a little.
Celestia soon had to return to her duties, but just as she stood to leave there was a huge earthquake! The ground shook and rumbled. Alex stumbled into the throne room following Celestia and Luna as they stumbled, trying to keep their balance as the earthquake continued. Alex lost her balance and fell on her side, as did Luna, knocking over her sister.
"Alex! What is happening!" Celestia shouted over the racket.
"I'm not sure! I think our lands being reunited may have broken the Spell of Binding in the Everfree Forest, where the Great Worm was imprisoned!" Alex shouted.
"Why!" Luna shouted.
Just then the shaking and quaking stopped. Everypony carefully got to their feet.
"Princess Celestia! Princess Luna! Are you two alright?" asked Gray Sentinel, Captain of the Royal Guard now that Shining Armor was tending the Crystal Empire.
"Yes, we're fine. Thank you, Gray Sentinel," said Princess Celestia.
Gray Sentinel bowed and returned to his post. Just then Zacora came running into the throne room at full gallop. "Oh, dear Princess! Much trouble is brewing! From the Everfree Forest great danger is spewing!" she paused to catch her breath.
"Zacora, my friend! Calm down, catch your breath. Now, tell us what has happened," said Alex looking concerned.
"Oh, Princess Alex, great woe is there, for the Great Worm has escaped his lair. In the ages long ago, in the dawn of time, the Evil One sought to make all things die. So he conjured the creature and turned it loose, upon all who opposed him, like a terrible noose. But Four Wizards of mighty power, imprisoned the Great Worm under a tower, of rock in the center of the Everfree Forest, and there he would stay 'til the time now before us. Now to truly unite all the lands, Four Wizards must rise up and battle again. Two human, two pony, and all pure of heart, united in friendship, will conquer the dark. Now you three know what you must do. King Greg of the humans shall help you. A message to his court I have sent, he will meet you tonight and set all things right. Now farewell, my friends, for I must now go, and protect Ponyville from this terrible foe." Zacora then turned and ran and full gallop out the door.
"So, it begins. The true test of our friendship and love," murmured Celestia.