Artist’s Description
 
Trotting through the forest with a satchel around his neck and shoulder, Daniel kept up with Annie as she carried a worn out leather back book. She wore a big bright smile on her face as they raced to reach a secluded clearing. Lady had gone with Xhisrc for the day for groceries, leaving the twins to do about as they pleased in hopes that they’d “be good” and watch over the house… Woops.
 
Settling down in the clearing, Annie opened to book to where a red book marker settled in the pages. Daniel kneeled beside her, peeking at the words written down. This spell book was their grandmother’s, given to Annie by Claudis in hopes that she’d one day be as strong as Crystal one day. As Annie read through the page, her tail wagged and fluffed in excitement.
 
“Okay,” She started, “I think we have everything we need! Hand me the bag, Danny!”
 
Hesitantly, Daniel removed the strap, allowing Annie to take it from him and rummage through it’s contents. “I don’t know about this, Annie.. This spell seems a bit extreme..”
 
“What’s so extreme about it? We’re just gonna use it to talk to her.”
 
“I know but..” he paused, watching her set all the collected herbs onto a stone. “What if it doesn’t work..? What if it was just one of her spells that didn’t succeed..?”
 
Annie scoffed, “If it didn’t work, I don’t think she’d have kept it in the book. Come on, don’t chicken out on me now! Don’t you wanna at least see what she looked like?”
 
Thinking it over in his head, Daniel purred a little. Meeting their grandmother was something the twins have dreamed about. Even though she passed hundreds of years ago, they still wished they could have had the chance to see her. Having heard many good things from their mother and grandfather, Crystal sounded like a very sweet, kind mare.
 
“Yes..” he finally sighed, “Okay.. Let’s do it..”
 
“Good!” Annie chirped as she held up a knife. The sudden sight of it made Daniel jump. “Here, you do yours, and I’ll do mine.”
 
Letting out a nervous gulp, Daniel took the knife, watching Annie slice her own palm and letting out a yelp. “I hope this works, or I get your desserts for the next week for making me slice my hand…”
 
“D-don’t be such a baby!”
 
Giving a quick sigh, Daniel held his breath as he drug the knife’s blade against his palm. As blood started to well from their cuts, the twins squeezed their hands into fists over the small pile of herbs. As the blood dripped over the dried leaves and stone, mist began to form, turning into a thick cloud over the grassy surface. Annie’s eyes sparkled, giving her brother a firm nudge with her shoulder. Daniel gave a sigh, getting ready to say the words in the book as Annie pointed at them. In sync, they read them outloud together.
 
“We call to you, that who was taken away  
Return to us so here you may stay;  
Crystal Clear!”
 
The cloud grew larger and larger, small bits of light showing through them. The small bursts of light glowed too bright, causing the twins to shield their eyes. For the moment the area was as quiet as when they arrived. Until they heard the softest voice coming from where the cloud swirled.
 
“What…? Wh-where… where am I…?”
 
Their ears perked as they peeked through half-open eyes to see a tall pale unicorn, knelled in the grass. Dark splotchy marks ran down her back and her dark mane draped down to the grass. Turning her head to look around, her eyes were a soft shade of purple and a small beauty mark rested on her chin. Making one more turn she caught sight of the two fluffy twins. The three stares wide-eyed at each other, maws nearly gaped.
 
“… Greetings, little ones,” she started, “If you don’t mind… Where am I..? I haven’t the foggiest idea how I got here.”
 
Plumage covering their chins, Annie did her best to stutter out the words stuck in her throat. “Y-you’re in.. A-a forest on the outskirts of P-Ponyville..!”
 
“Ponyville?” Crystal tilted her head. “I’m not sure I’m familiar with that place. Do you know where the Ivory Village is..?”
 
Daniel cleared his throat, “The Ivory Villaige isn’t here anymore.. A-at least, it’s not the same as you remember.. It’s name has been changed many times over history..”
 
Crystal’s ears perked, “History? Whatever do you mean, where am I?” Looking a bit alarmed. “And who are you?”
 
“Uhm… My name is Daniel Dasher, Ma’am..”
 
“And I’m Annie,” she squeaked out, “Our mother is Lady!”
 
Crystal’s eyes opened wider, a shine in them as she studied the twins.  
“….. Lady..?” She said quietly, “…. Ladybug..? My little Ladybug..?
 
Annie nodded her head, “Y-yeah! Uhm, this is the future! O-our mom has been alive for hundreds of years!”
 
“She has recently given birth to us,” said Daniel. “So…. that makes you our grandmother..”
 
“We’ve wanted to meet you so badly, you have no idea! W-we brought you back with a sp- EEP!”
 
Annie was quickly silenced as she and Daniel were scooped up in Crystal’s arms. Both were held against her tightly as she nuzzled them. Small cold droplets of tears fell on their faces as she cried softly with a wide smile on her face.
 
“Oh blessed be,” she cried, “I never believed I’d see the day! My dear daughter has birthed two beautiful children! It truly is a miracle to meet you both..~”
 
Annie wagged her tail and curled into their grandmother’s soft fur. She couldn’t help but tear up at this moment. It was nice, calming, relaxing… Until she felt her brother struggle against Crystal’s tight grip.
 
“E-excuse me…” he mumbled against Crystal’s shoulder, “Grandmother.. can you please release us..? It is not that I am not enjoying this moment, but you are…. Quite vulnerable right now, and it is very concerning..! I am not comfortable being in close contact with you while you are like this..!”
 
“Hmm?” Crystal pulled away to look down at herself. In seconds she released thew twins to wrap her arms around her chest, her tail coiling to cover her nether region. “O-Oh! Oh goodness me, this is embarrassing! My apologies, children!”
 
Annie sprung to her hooves, “I know what we can do to fix that!” As she quickly packed up the satchel, placing the book inside. “Come on, Nana! I know where we can go to get you clothes!”
 
Following the eager twins further into the forest, Crystal kept her body covered the best she could. Giving a sniff of the air, she turned to look over her shoulder, her gaze landing on the blood and herb covered stone.
 
“…….. Is that….? No…. It couldn’t be….”
 

 
Time for a Twin’s adventure! Annie has found a spell that brought Crystal back! Time for some family time, because this isn’t over yet!