On the first floor of Wonderveil Palace, the usually quiet halls hummed with tense anticipation. In the centre of the great lobby floated a white orb, suspended a metre above the floor. Soft pure light wrapped around it, as if it were woven from radiance itself. Upon its surface, a glowing projection showed a fierce battle unfolding in another realm — Princess Elowen, Princess Celestia, and Alice locked in deadly combat. Every swing of a blade, every burst of power, every movement was clear to see.
Knights stood guard throughout the palace, patrolling every corridor to ensure no one entered unauthorised. Thankfully, before the battle began, all servants, staff, and royal pets had been sent home; only the knights remained. Several paused before the orb, watching with deep concern.
"I never thought Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia would exile themselves with Alice to another dimension — just to keep us safe," one said, gripping his sword hilt tight.
Another nodded gravely. "Alice is no ordinary woman. She is a witch who can twist memories and slip into nightmares. Her power is terrible."
"True," said a third, never taking his eyes from the orb. "If they fought here, all Wonderveil would have been destroyed."
"I pray they win this war," a younger knight whispered. "I never guessed Princess Celestia possessed such power. She never showed it before."
"Perhaps she hid it on purpose," another replied. "Had the enemy known before she mastered it… they would have hunted her down. Light magic is the only force that can stand against Alice's darkness. She was right to be so careful. No wonder Princess Elowen has always protected her sister."
All nodded in agreement, their gaze fixed on the orb. Seeing their princesses fight for their home filled them with renewed fire. One knight clenched his fist.
"Princess Elowen… Princess Celestia… end this quickly. Defeat Alice."
"Yes!"
"We believe in you!"
Before they knew it, their voices rose as one, taken up by every knight in the hall.
"Princess Elowen!"
"Princess Celestia!"
The chant echoed down every corridor. Though the two princesses could not hear them, their knights stood with them in spirit.
In the realm of white…
Elowen and Celestia heard nothing of those cheers. Their entire world narrowed to one enemy: Alice.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Steel met dark magic, the sound ringing through the empty void. Elowen gripped her blade of light, striking again and again to slice through every shadow‑sphere Alice hurled at them.
Slash! Slash!
Each swing carved a line of pure radiance that severed the dark magic before it could reach them.
At her side, Celestia raised both hands.
"Light Arrow!"
Dozens of white shafts shot toward Alice like a storm of heavenly fire. Alice leaped back, the arrows missing her by mere inches — yet she did not flinch. Instead, a cruel smile curved her lips.
"Dark Hand."
Shadow swirled around her palm. Long, writhing limbs of black rose from the realm's floor, coiling like living serpents before surging straight for Celestia.
Celestia lifted her hands.
"Holy Light!"
Beams of pure brilliance struck the shadow‑hands.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Each one shattered into wisps of smoke and vanished. But Alice summoned more, endlessly — and Celestia struck them down, one by one.
The battle raged harder still. Neither side would yield. The crash of magic, the ring of steel, and the roar of power filled the entire white realm. Elowen and Celestia stood back‑to‑back, guarding one another, while Alice hunted for any opening to strike them down. The fight that would decide the fate of Wonderveil was far from over
Within the white realm, the air grew taut with tension. Elowen and Celestia shared a look. Not a word needed to be spoken — each already knew the other's mind. They nodded in perfect unison. Then… they charged toward Alice at exactly the same moment, moving as if every step had been planned from the start.
Alice's eyes widened. "Why are you both coming straight for me?!"
She raised both hands, dark aura swirling around her.
"Dark Sphere!"
Dozens of black orbs burst into being all around her, then shot toward the two princesses. But Elowen moved to the fore.
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Her sword of light blurred, slicing every sphere clean in two as easily as cutting paper. Behind her, Celestia lifted her hands.
"Holy Light!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Beams of pure brilliance shattered any orbs that slipped past Elowen. Explosions tore through the void as waves of light and shadow clashed endlessly.
Alice gritted her teeth, fury blazing in her gaze. "Arghhh!" She poured more power into the attack, summoning sphere after sphere — yet Elowen and Celestia never faltered. They pressed on, closer, faster. Unease pricked at her.
"Why… why do you not turn on one another?"
Elowen gave a soft, steady smile. "Because we are sisters."
Celestia nodded. "Yes. We will never be enemies. We protect each other, always."
Alice bit her lip. "Impossible… it cannot be…"
Elowen suddenly surged forward, raising her blade high and striking. Alice darted aside — the sword cut only empty air. She let out a breath of relief — but before she could smile, a voice came from directly behind her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Alice spun around. "What?!"
Celestia stood there. She was trapped between them. She tried to leap away — but it was too late.
"This ends now," Elowen said. She stepped forward and drove her sword of light straight into Alice's gut.
Sssk!
"Arghhhhhh!!" Alice screamed, her body convulsing as the blade burned her from within. She reached for the hilt — the moment her skin touched the metal…
Ssshh…
White smoke curled from her hand. Her flesh blistered as if seared by fire.
"Let… let me go…" She writhed, weeping in agony.
Elowen looked at her calmly. "Everything you have done to Wonderveil… ends here."
Celestia raised both hands. Light brighter than anything before gathered at her fingertips.
"Goodbye, Alice. Light Beam!"
A blinding column of white fire tore through the witch's chest. Alice's eyes went wide. She looked at Elowen, then Celestia, her lips moving soundlessly. "Impossible…"
Her form began to crack. Little by little, her skin turned to black dust. Her limbs dissolved and drifted away. In moments, nothing remained of Alice but ash scattered on the wind. The darkness that had filled the realm vanished with her. Silence fell over the white expanse.
Elowen and Celestia looked at one another — then smiled. Before they knew it, they were holding each other tight.
"Elowen… we did it." Celestia's voice shook with joy, tears spilling down her cheeks.
Elowen hugged her back. "Yes. At last. We defeated her… together." She stroked Celestia's hair gently.
Celestia wiped her eyes and smiled. "I'm so happy. This is the first time I've fought beside you."
Elowen pulled back slightly. "Thank you — for turning back time to save me."
Celestia smiled softly. "You're my sister. Of course I would. You deserve a second chance."
Elowen's smile was warm and true. "Now… how do we get home?"
Celestia lifted her pocket watch. "On my count… three… two… one."
The watch blazed. A flood of pure white light wrapped around them both, filling the entire realm. They closed their eyes.
When they opened them again… they stood in the great hall of Wonderveil Palace. The knights who had watched the battle through the glowing orb stared in stunned silence. The orb had vanished — and in its place stood Princess Elowen and Princess Celestia, alive and whole.
"Your Highness!!" Several rushed forward at once. "Are you unharmed? Thank the heavens… thank the heavens you are safe!" One knight wept openly. "We thought… we thought we had lost you."
Elowen raised a hand. "Please, be calm." The hall fell quiet. "Thank you — for standing firm through this war. I will not forget your loyalty. And thank you for keeping our disappearance a secret. You have done your duty well."
"It is our duty, Princess," one replied. "We would not cause the people fear. Even Ashveil and Charles knew nothing of the truth."
Elowen smiled with pride. "You made the right choice. Now — I wish to speak to the people of Wonderveil. Is that understood?"
"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!"
Cheers rang through the palace.
"LONG LIVE PRINCESS ELOWEN!"
"LONG LIVE PRINCESS CELESTIA!"
"LONG LIVE WONDERVEL!"
Celestia touched her sister's shoulder. "So… will you be Queen?"
Elowen met her gaze with quiet certainty. "I will. I hope you do not mind."
Celestia shook her head, smiling. "Never. You are the one who belongs there — far more than I ever could."
With that, Elowen, Celestia and the knights set out. Though snow still covered the streets of Wonderveil, they walked toward the great hall where all the people had taken shelter. This was not merely a day of victory — it was the dawn of a new age.
High upon a snow‑capped mountain… Vaelrith hung his head, resting. A knight rode up to him.
"Vaelrith! The Princesses have returned!"
The dragon lifted his head, eyes bright with hope. "They succeeded?"
"Alice is defeated."
Vaelrith let out a long breath, a small smile touching his muzzle. "I never thought… all this time they were only pretending to be at odds. Clever — very clever." Elowen had told him the whole plan beforehand. Now he knew their ruse had not only trapped Alice, but also exposed the traitors hiding within Wonderveil itself. He looked up at the sky, bright once more.
"Wonderveil… at last, you are safe."
Out in the courtyard, snow still drifted softly, though the storm had long passed. Pale winter sunlight glinted off the white expanse, turning the whole grounds to glitter. Laughter rang through the chill air as children played heedless of the cold, rolling snowballs and tossing them back and forth.
"Take that!" one boy called, hurling a snowball straight at his friend's shoulder.
Puff!
"Hey!" The boy ducked to scoop up more snow. "My turn now!" He threw it back. The first dodged, laughing.
"Ah! Missed!"
"Get back here!"
"Run!"
They raced around the hall, leaving tracks deep in the fresh snow.
Then the joy died in an instant. One child caught sight of knights approaching with two women every soul in Wonderveil knew. His eyes went wide.
"Princess… Princess Elowen…"
His friend turned. "And Princess Celestia!"
They stopped at once, standing straight and bowing deeply. "Your Highness…"
Elowen smiled gently. "It is all right. I am not angry." She held out a hand. "Please, lift your heads." Slowly they looked up, and meeting her soft smile, their cheeks flushed pink.
"She's so pretty…"
"Yes… she really is."
One whispered, "Why can't I grow up faster?"
The other nudged him. "Shhh!"
Elowen only smiled.
Then a cry went up from someone stepping out of the hall. "Princess Elowen! Princess Celestia!" The shout spread like wildfire. "Everyone — they have returned!"
"Is it true?"
"Where?"
"There!"
People poured out until the quiet yard swarmed with folk rushing toward them. Knights quickly formed a line to hold them back.
"Make way for their Highnesses!"
"Stand back!"
Yet voices rose all the louder.
"Princess Elowen — praise the heavens you are safe!"
"Forgive us for ever doubting you!"
"Princess Celestia — you look more beautiful than ever!"
"We were so afraid!"
"We thought…"
Many could not finish, choked with emotion.
Celestia gave them a warm smile. "Thank you for trusting us. It is over now. You are all safe."
At those words, tears of relief flowed freely. At last they truly believed Wonderveil's nightmare had ended.
Inside the hall, the commotion drew Nyx, Ashveil and Charles. They exchanged looks.
"That is… the people…"
"It cannot be…"
They hurried out. Nyx moved fastest, slipping through legs like the blue tom‑cat he was.
"Excuse me! Coming through! Nyx coming through!"
In moments he stood before them, eyes glistening. "I… I thought you…"
Celestia knelt and wrapped her arms around him. "I am sorry we made you afraid."
Nyx pressed his head against Celestia's shoulder. "I was so scared I'd lost you."
Celestia smiled softly. "Nyx… I also ask forgiveness for sending you away."
Nyx shook his head. "It is all right. I deserved it once, when I turned Charles away. All is well now."
Not far off, Charles pushed through the crowd. "Pardon! Let me pass!"
He stood before Celestia at last. Their eyes met, and both froze. Then Celestia smiled first. "Charles."
He let out a breath he seemed to have held for days. "Your Highness… I feared for you so."
Celestia turned to Elowen. "May I borrow Charles for a moment?" Before Elowen could answer, she drew him aside.
Elowen shook her head, smiling. "Sister…"
A hand pulled at her arm from behind. She turned. "Ashveil?"
He said nothing — only pulled her close, holding her as if he would never let go. Days of fear broke at last. "Elowen… I was terrified I had lost you."
Elowen held him back. "I am sorry. I am here now."
Ashveil breathed deep. "I would have waited however long it took. As long as you came home."
Onlookers smiled and whispered. "Look at them… they belong together." Knights stepped back, giving them space.
Elowen looked straight into his eyes. "Ashveil — I have decided. I will be Queen of Wonderveil."
Ashveil did not hesitate. "It is the right choice. I will stand by you always — as your servant… or as the one who loves you."
Elowen smiled. "The coronation will be held once winter passes. Will you wait a little longer?"
He brushed her cheek gently. "I told you before — I will wait however long it takes. For you, always."
Tears pricked Elowen's eyes. "Thank you… for never leaving me."
Ashveil leaned closer, and kissed her softly beneath the falling snow.
For a heartbeat, all was still. Then the crowd roared.
"LONG LIVE QUEEN ELOWEN!"
"LONG LIVE PRINCESS CELESTIA!"
"LONG LIVE WONDERVEL!"
Beneath a sky brightening once more, the sisters had saved their realm. War was done. Treason was undone. And for the first time in so long… Wonderveil was filled again with peace, hope, and smiles.