(Cover not mine) Estella Crystarma and the Stolen Crown

Estella Crystarma and the Stolen Crown

It was a beautiful day in Dynastia. Estella Crystarma was packing her magic bag of supplies (Wand, water bottle, magical necklace, sword, bandages, et cetera) to prepare for an early morning ride on her alicorn, Veritiey. Although at first sight Estella's bag may seem like a simple, ordinary backpack, it was enchanted. It had been given to her by her mother on her eleventh birthday. It had been passed down for generations in the Crystarma family. The day Estella received the magical bag, she was thrilled, and her mind whirled with excitement. Visions of many soon to be adventures in the forest danced in her mind, with the magical bag always at her side. Suddenly, Estella's mind was brought back to the present. She quickly tossed the rest of her supplies in her bag. She was so immersed in her thoughts that it didn't occur to her that her mother might be worried if she left without a note till she was already finished packing. Estella quickly tore a scrap of paper from an old, dusty, notebook and hastily scribbled a note to her mother.

She grabbed the door handle and rushed out to the stables. Suddenly she bumped into something. She quickly apologized and looked up. Standing there was... an old lady? She was wearing an old dusty, ragged, tunic with a hood, and a worn shawl draped over her t shoulders. She reached her hands behind her neck, and unclasped a necklace with a key on it. She reached out a hand, and offered Estella the necklace. Estella quickly backed up, unsure of the woman's intentions. Should she take the necklace? Why was the woman offering it?

"Take the necklace. I promise you won't regret it. I am a Druid prophetess and I received a vision at 12:03 this morning warning me of your impending death this very day. The necklace will protect you. You only need to say gacia and the necklace will activate. But, use it wisely, young one. It will only work once. After you use it, it will vaporize." the haggard old woman croaked. Estella, still unsure, reached out a trembling hand and took the necklace.

She sprinted to the stables as fast as her legs would carry her. When she reached her alicorn's stall, Estella reached up to pet Diana's soft neck and offer the snowy white creature a treat. It was a delicate pink cupcake, covered with creamy pink frosting and topped with a fresh juicy strawberry. Diana greedily chomped the whole cupcake in one bite. Tossed her purple, silver streaked mane in delight. Then looked at Estella expectantly.

"No, that's enough cupcakes for you," Estella said, waving her finger. Estella tried to mount Diana. But Diana stubbornly stomped her hoof.

"Fine, you can have one more cupcake, but that's all, okay?"

Diana nodded eagerly. Estella reached in her bag for some more cupcakes, and took out a large tray of pink cupcakes. Before Estella could take one and put the rest back, Diana snatched the tray from Estella, with her teeth, and devoured all the cupcakes, spitting out the tray.

"Oh, you cheeky little alicorn," Estella said, laughing.

Quickly, Estella jumped up to hop on Diana's back, before the alicorn could protest. Picking up speed, Estella and Diana rushed out of the stables into the courtyard. Diana flapped her wings gracefully and launched herself into the sky.

As Estella peered through the wispy clouds to the village down below, she saw a man carrying a tray of milk bottles, and a woman walking down the street carrying a basket of juicy red apples. There were bustling shops brimming with customers, lemonade stands with eager children rushing to get a treat, and beautiful displays of floral arrangements tempting passerbys. There was even a cake pop stand on the corner of the street, with colorful pastries and exciting flavors. Estella's attention was suddenly caught by a fawn dancing with its mother on the edge of the forest. She brushed her brunette curls out of her soft honey-brown eyes. There was still a bit of a chilly spring breeze in the air. Estella pulled her enchanted hoodie closer against the soft wind. Today her hoodie was a sparkly electric purple, because she felt like it. Then, out of the corner of her eye, Estella spotted a band of black pegasi. One of them had the Queen's crown on his head. That's suspicious. I better use my enchanted invisibility hoodie, or else they'll see me. She flew swiftly after them. But then one of the pegasi spotted Diana. Oh no, I forgot my hoodie doesn't affect Diana! Estella thought in frustration. But before the pegasus that spotted Diana could alert the others, Estella took out her enchanted bow, and quickly shot him down. The pegasus stopped mid-air with a look of confusion on his face, then tumbled silently to the ground. Suddenly, Estella heard the muffled voice of one of the pegasi. "Lord Rainier, why are we bringing the crown to our queen, when we could keep it for ourselves?" shouted a pegasus from the rear ranks of the formation.