Chrysalis is looking for revenge, and has teamed up with The Shade. Can Equestria defeat her?
An ancient evil returns from its slumber and seeks revenge on Equestria's once powerful ruler... Can Princess Luna, Celestia and the mane 6 defeat this newfound evil? With the aid of and unlikely ally, Betrayal, Romance and despair are in store!
Chrysalis groaned as she attempted to rise from the cold stone floor she lay on. She pulled one of her aching legs under her and pushed her body upwards. Her knees buckled and she fell face-first. She hissed as her face slammed into the mossy stones. A metallic taste filled her mouth; she spat and gasped for air as she tried to regain her breath. Damp air filled her lungs as she attempted to gain her footing once again. Her joints creaked at the movements. She managed to keep all four legs straight until she regained her balance, and when she felt she had enough strength, she began to explore and examine her surroundings. She squinted as she tried to see her way around, it was night, obviously, and nearly pitch black. Owls hooted in the distance, and an array of crickets chirped in unison. The force of Shining Armour re-rising his shield must have blown her back to the Everfree forest and knocked her out cold. Chrysalis frowned. She thought it strange that she survived; anyone else would have blacked out and never woken up. Never to see the light of Equestria again. It was strange for her, she felt as if something had intention to save her, a feeling she had never experienced before. She managed to adjust her eyes to the darkness just enough to get a good look at where she was. She stood in the middle of a large stone room, with an opening on each wall. She estimated that it had been at least a whole day since the wedding. At least Shining Armour and Princess Cadence wouldn't be in canterlot anymore. A cold breeze crept through cracks in the stonewalls. She started to wonder where she was. As she slowly wandered around her stone prison, she felt attracted to the darkest corner of the room. Like something was calling out to her, reeling her in. She noticed a flicker of blue light in the corner of the room but thought nothing of it. “Firefliesss!” Chrysalis scoffed. There was a piercing hiss as a stream of mist flowed from the corner. The stream thrashed and curled, and in less than a second Chrysalis was shot across the room. She hit the wall with a ‘thud’ and was again, knocked out.
Chrysalis awoke again, in more pain than before. It was almost unbearable, and a familiar taste filled her mouth. The stones on this side of the room were cold to the touch, she felt like her face was burning. She reluctantly rose to her hooves and instantly cowered in fear. The blue mist had spread, covering half the wall. "What magic iss this!" She hissed as her legs became frozen in place, and gasped as she noticed the mist reaching out to her. It was almost touching the tip of her horn when it stopped, and retreated back to the corner. This was her chance; she should get out before any more damage is done to her, Permanently. But she felt it calling, keeping her there. Chrysalis knew that being here was dangerous, but she was intrigued, and she could not see an immediate exit from her stone prison. She cautiously approached the moss-covered corner and noticed a short marble pedestal, holding a shattered crown. It glowed a deep blue as she came closer. She noticed a deep humming noise, which grew louder and deeper as she came near. Cautiously, she tapped the crown with the tip of her horn. She reeled back in fear, as the crown seemed to explode, spreading the blue mist everywhere. Her face flashed a horrified expression as it started speaking to her. “Welcome… to my prison…” it whispered, echoing in her ears. “Who-who are you? What are you?” Chrysalis murmured questioningly. “I am many things… but at the same time… nothing,“ it replied eerily.“A rift... What could have been... I have been studying you… I sense great power and potential in you… I also sense… anger” “What do you want from me?” Chrysalis questioned sternly. “I wish only to… help you,” it whispered. “I too have reasons for revenge… on canterlot… and Equestria.” “You know of what happened?” Chrysalis groaned. “I know everything…” The strange mist wrapped an arm-like tendril around Chrysalis, stopping her from fleeing if she chose so. But Chrysalis wasn't going anywhere. An opportunity had been presented to her, and opportunity for revenge. “Tell me, if I do choose to accept your help, how will you help me get revenge?” she questioned. “I can offer you great power… nearly unlimited, and unmatched. But in return… you must lend your... soul, to me… and do as I wish…” it offered. Chrysalis thought on what it meant by, “lending her soul.” She knew it was risky, but no great feat is achieved without a few risks. “Deal.” Chrysalis pronounced. The blue mist almost seemed to smile. It possessed her body, covering every inch of her dark, scale like skin. Her eyes grew a deep blue yet seemed empty. There was instant regret and her voice quivered as she shouted in pain and screamed, “Wait!”
“Did you hear that sister?” Luna questioned her sister, lowering her paintbrush and twitching her ears. Celestia squinted her eyes and tried to concentrate. Luna hummed a short tune and returned to her painting. A moon surrounded by six stars, representing the elements of harmony. Luna designed much of the paintings around canterlot tower; even some of the famous stained glass windows in the halls of canterlot were inspired by Luna’s designs. Celestia walked out to her balcony and looked across Equestria. Everything seemed normal, pegasi flying as usual. Birds in trees and a dull roar of voices coming from canterlot town. But as she shifted her attention towards Everfree Forest, the sight horrified her. There was a blinding blue beam of light that shot up to the sky, coming from the centre of the forest. As she continued her fixated gaze on the beam, it started to arch down, towards canterlot! She panicked, as she stumbled across the room she yelled for the guards and ran to Luna. Her sister was her main priority. “What troubles you, sister?” Luna worried, as Celestia burst through the doors. “I fear we are under attack, Luna.” Celestia replied, urging her to roll up her newly finished painting and retreat to a safer place. “Will shining armours shield not protect the castle?” Luna wondered, with a tone of concern. Everything was happening too fast. Celestia’s heart was racing and adrenaline rushed through her. “I fear not sister, this attack is of great magic.” She took another quick glance out Luna’s bedside window, before returning to her sister and guards. She estimated that there was about 1 minute before the beam hit canterlot tower. The guards escorted the Princesses down the curling stairs and returned to defending the royal castle. The beam crackled as it shot down through the sky. Sparks flickered as the beam widened. It struck the purple shield with a deep ‘BOOM’. Celestia approached a large metal door, with dozens of poles and gears. With a wave of her horn, the gears twisted and spun as they became engulfed in a dull, blue light. The poles locking the door retracted and the door slowly creaked open.
Walls shook and cracked underground in the princess’s safe room. The shield started to crack as the beam widened to a pillar. Dust fell from the dome of the shield, before shattering and sending shards of purple glass flying. The beam continued speeding towards the castle, until luckily, a stray, flying shard of the shield reflected the beam off to the right. It barely grazed Princess Celestia’s balcony and plummeted down to the Canterlot royal garden. It shot past various plants and statues. The beam passed, and clipped the grasping claw of the statue of Discord, entity of chaos. The beam continued through the garden, passing statues of alicorns and ponies. It ended up in a room opposite to the entrance of Canterlot castle. The room lit up to reveal mossy and damp stones, as if the room had not been entered in years. In the middle of the room stood a statue of an alicorn. The moss-covered stones became stained with scorch marks as the blinding beam flew past them. It shot directly into the heart of the bowing alicorn statue, which stood on a podium. The statue stood proudly yet hung it head, as if it were facing death. The beam thinned as it loss strength and left a black mark on the statues chest. Dust rested as everything settled down, birds returned to their trees and tunes. Water from the lake calmed and animals came out from their hiding spots. The black mark left on the statue's chest seemed to seep inside the stone and soon disappeared. But a few moments later, there was a loud ‘CRACK’ and the black mark was larger than before. The earth shook as cracks formed in the statue's stone face. They spread out from the black mark on its chest and soon covered its whole body. Shards fell from the cracks and revealed scorched black fur. Steam seeped out from the missing pieces and filled the room. The pieces of stone grinded against each other as a hoof slowly moved from its podium.
“Tia… Did you feel that?” Luna quietly asked her sister, as they both exited their safe room. “I think it was-“ “I felt it too Luna, but do not jump to conclusions. Something is going on, and I fear we are being deceived.” She assured the guards she was fine as she passed them, and began to exit the tower. Celestia cautiously entered canterlot garden, with Luna close behind her. She noticed a thick fog appearing, which was unusual, especially since the weather pegasi had just been through the garden the day before, and cleared any clouds or mist falling onto the garden. Blades of grass crushed beneath Celestia’s steps. As she entered further into the garden the fog started to thin, and everything was more visible. But what Celestia saw horrified her.
He was back. Everyone was in danger now; she barely managed to stop him before. If he has managed to break free from his stone prison, that means his power has already surpassed Princess Celestia and Luna’s combined. She feared even the Elements of Harmony could not stop him now. She had to stop him. While she still had a chance.
“What... I’m - I’m free!” Discord shouted. He fell to his knees and gasped for breath. “But how? How long has it been? Ha-ha! It seems not even the “almighty” Elements of harmony can stop me!” He mocked. Discord rose to his feet and stretched his limbs. He cracked the bones in his claws and sighed. He filled his lungs with damp air. He choked in disgust, but was grateful. “Oh what mischief I shall wreak! The ponies of Equestria haven’t even begun to see what chaos I have up my sleeves! Speaking metaphorically, of course.” He clicked his fingers and began to levitate off the ground. “Prepare yourself, Equest-“ His sentence was cut short as stone chains erupted from the ground. They wrapped around Discords feet and pulled him to the ground. “What? What magic is this? Show yourself!” Discord looked around for whoever had used this strange magic on him. footsteps approached as thick mist appeared around him. “What was that about, wreaking chaos upon Equestria?” a voice spoke as it approached him. “Now you wouldn’t do that, would you Discord?” “No... this is impossible! You can't be here!” Discord shouted at the figure appearing from the mist. “It seems not, but seeing as I am here now, lets have a little talk, shall we?” The figure was an alicorn with dusty black fur. Small chips of stone covered his body, which he occasionally shook off. He released the stone chains yet Discord stood still, he was frozen in fear, as if he had just seen a ghost. “What happened? Why am I free?” The alicorn asked Discord sternly. “I don’t know, I was turned to stone as well, by the elements of harmony. but I was freed by the same magic as you were!” he replied. “Elements of harmony?” The alicorn asked. “Right, I forgot. Celestia created them, to stop me, But you have to believe me, I had no part in whatever happened to us.” Discord pleaded. “You expect me to believe that? After everything you did to me? After everything you did to Equestria?" The alicorn shouted. "I should kill you now. After what you did to me, you left me there. I had to watch you wipe out my people. My family." Discord grinned at the memories. Good times. He chuckled. "I know you Discord; I know what you can do. Fortunately for you, I also know what you can’t do. Your magic is not strong enough to have caused this. Think of this as a trial. Help me, and i wont kill you. But if you dare cross me.” The alicorn said. “Oh, I wont!” Discord grinned. “Now tell me, where is Celestia? I must speak to her.” The alicorn asked. At that moment Celestia and her sister appeared from the mist. Celestia had seen Discord and shot a beam of magic towards him. With extreme speed, the alicorn teleported in front of him, taking the blow. He shrugged it off, and it didn’t even leave a scratch. “Wha-?” Celestia gasped “I knew it! Merc’!” Princess Luna shouted in glee. She galloped over to him and hugged him tightly.
Princess Celestia kneeled. She was lost for words, this was impossible. She didn't know what she found stranger, the fact that Prince Mercury had returned, or the fact that he had just defended Discord, the monster that turned him to stone. “Prince Mercury... Why did you defend Discord?” “He is of no threat right now, Celestia. It is good to see you, and you, Luna!” Mercury replied to her, as he returned Luna’s hug. “I can’t believe this… I - we thought we would never see you again!” Luna exclaimed, as she returned to Celestia. “Mercury how is it possible that you, and Discord are free? Mine and Luna’s magic powers combined were no match for the stone spell that was placed upon you.” Celestia asked, still keeping a watchful eye on Discord as he leaned against a statue, not speaking a word. “There was an extreme amount of magic, focused into a single stream. Yet I do not know who, or what could possess such power.” Prince Mercury replied. “I do.” Discord remarked as he approached the circle or alicorns. Hands open as so they would not suspect an attack. “I have seen this kind of magic before, experienced it. During the war.”
An eerie silence hung in the air. Mercury's eyes were fixated on Discord, as he stared blankly at the ground.
“Come everyone, it is not wise to speak of such events out in the open.” Remarked Celestia, breaking the tension. “I shall gather Twilight and her friends to my quarters, she will be ecstatic to meet you, Mercury.” “Not so much me though, I suspect.” Discord quietly chuckled.
“This is amazing!” Twilight gasped, circling Mercury. “A stallion alicorn!” “A handsome one, at that!” Rarity exclaimed. Luna glared at her and shuffled closer to Mercury. “YOU are Prince Eternal Mercury! The rightful ruler of Equestria!” Gasped Twilight. “Princess Celestia has rarely spoken of you!” Celestia lowered her head as Mercury turned to her. “Do not regret, Celestia. Those were dark times, no one should have to remember them.” Prince Mercury said in a forgiving tone. Celestia slightly smiled but returned back to her straight face. “Well, meetin’ new friends is fun an all, but what is he doing here?” Applejack asked, staring down Discord as he floated in the corner of the room. “Oh, did no one inform you? I am good now! According to Prince Mercury.” Discord smiled. “Discord is helping us figure out what magic freed them both and destroyed Shining Armours shield, or so he says he is.” Celestia remarked. He merely shrugged and continued circling the room. “I fear that I may know the origin of this evil magic. Celestia, sit down, I shall tell you all a tale.” Prince Mercury announced. “A few years before Discords reign, I was working on a spell. It was supposed to enhance mine, and every other alicorns magical abilities, enabling us to take better care of Equestria. But when I tested out the spell on myself, my magic abilities were drastically reduced, and I was left weak. Then a strange mist appeared to me, it had absorbed my magic and fled. I thought that was the end of it. That it would not get past the castles gates. I thought wrong. Celestia briefly informed me of what happened Luna. And I am sorry, for I fear what I let escape, possessed you and turned you into the being that was Nightmare Moon.” Luna stifled a cry and closed her eyes. “I tried to tell you Tia, for so long I felt like the lesser sister. I was filled with anger and contempt, but you just told me to think nothing of it. I was so angry! Then one night something came into my room, it just took control of me, and I let it. For once I felt powerful, like I could do something! I’m sorry Tia, I… wanted to be Nightmare Moon.” Luna cried as she tried to finish her sentence. Crystal blue tear drops fell onto her sky bly coat. “Oh Lu-Lu! I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you! Please forgive me.” Celestia cried as she wiped away her sisters tears. “Ugh, these nicknames make me sick. Can you not simply use your given names?” Discord pleaded. “Thank you Luna, and we all forgive you. From what I gather, it seems that this being requires a host, and when found, it greatly enhances the hosts magic abilities.” Mercury stated.
“Well I think that’s enough storytelling!” Twilight said. “If all this about ‘the shade’ is true, that would mean that it has already found a host. But who would bear such anger to attract it?” Mercury wondered, as he turned to Celestia “Chrysalis.” Celestia stated. “That would give reason for the attack on Canterlot too. Destroying Shining Armours shield could be the first step in her plan for a fully-fledged attack on Equestria. And with her new magic, i fear its possible... she could win.”
“But she has lost the element of surprise, and has only managed to take out the shield. She would be regaining her strength somewhere, plotting an attack.” Mercury added. “In the meantime, we should prepare. If this gets out of hand, there could be a war.” “Should I call upon Shining Armour, sister?” Luna asked Celestia.
Twilight frantically paced back and forth in her room. Everybody had been given rooms in Canterlot tower for the time being until Mercury or Celestia called for them. “I don’t know what to do spike! I’m getting too anxious.” Twilight said to Spike. “Don’t worry about it Twilight! I’m sure it’s not as bad as it seems.” Spike calmly replied. “Bad? This is terrible Spike! Chrysalis is stronger and she wants revenge on all of us! I can’t handle this, I need some fresh air.” Twilight stated as she exited to Canterlot town. “Well count me out, I’m going to sleep this one off.” Spike said. “We can get some Gems for you to snack on.” Twilight called in a singsongy voice. Spike stumbled as he ran out the door.
Spike eagerly looked around for a stall that selled gems. He anxiously rubbed his claws together in excitement. But the further he got into town, the less excited he seem. As usual, Canterlot square was crowded with ponies, but today was different. “Doesn’t everybody seem a bit quiet to you, Twilight?” Spike quietly asked. Twilight looked at him in a questioning way. “What do you mean Spike?” “I mean, nothing's… Happening! Usually there’s an argument or something happening in the street but today everyone is just… the same.” Spike said. “Everyone has that same look on their face. That smile. It’s creeping me out!” “Just don’t worry about it Spike, I’m sure its just your imagination. Look, over there Spike, a stall that sells gems! Tell me which one you want and I’ll buy it for you, my treat.” Twilight offered. Spike frowned and continued rubbing his hands. “Gee, thanks Twilight, they sure do look tasty! But I don’t know. The stall owner is looking at me funny.” “Nonsense Spike, how about I go over there and buy what you want, you just wait here.” Twilight said as she made her way over to the gem stand. “Hi there, I would like to purchase this Ruby please, is this enough?” She asked as she handed over a dozen bits.
“Yessss, gem is that much bitsss.” The stall owner hissed. A bead of sweat ran down Twilights face, she tried desperately to keep a straight face. She blinked twice, thanked the store owner, and rushed back to Spike. “I think you’re right Spike, something weird is going on, and i don't like it. I think we should tell the others about this.” Twilight told Spike as they hurried home.
“Have you girls noticed anything… strange, happening in Canterlot?” Twilight asked her friends. The six friends sat in their weekly spa as they spoke of what they have done the past week in Canterlot. As usual, Fluttershy didn’t get out much this week; she sat at home and attended to Angel. Whereas Applejack took this stay at Canterlot as a chance to sell as many 'Sweet Apple Acres Apples' as possible. Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat and repeated. “Girls? Notice anything strange? Nothing?” Rarity adjusted her eyelashes and focused her attention toward Twilight. “Why, not at all dear. Why do you ask?” Rarity replied. “Its just, me and spike have been noticing some strange thing in canterlot, we were just wondering if you had seen anything.” “Oh, I’m sure its nothing Twilight. Maybe everybody is just tired.” Fluttershy whispered. “Or maybe they’re planning a surprise party! And they all have to keep it super super secret!” Pinkie Pie added, devouring a cupcake that she had somehow managed to sneak in. Twilight cleansed her mind and forgot about it, she was sure it was probably nothing to worry about anyway.
was it?
Luna was painting a portrait of Mercury as he studied. Yet much to Luna’s frustration, he couldn’t keep still. He had so much to learn and catch up on, So much had happened in the near 2000 years he was a statue. “stay still, I’m painting your mane.” She asked. “Sorry Luna, There is just so much to learn! I have missed so much and I want to catch up on as much as I can, I will only be a second.” He replied
By the time Mercury had finished reading almost every book in Celestia’s library, it was almost midnight. Luna had dozed asleep and Mercury carried her to her quarters. Her stayed with her for a while, until he was sure she was asleep. He was about to crawl back into bed, until Princess Celestia entered her chambers and whispered if she could speak to Mercury. He quietly exited the room into the hall with Celestia.
“Prince Mercury, I know you and Luna are happy to be together again, but please, be careful.” Celestia said to Mercury. “Luna was devastated when she lost you last time, when we lost you. She is my sister and I do not want to see her heartbroken again.” Merucy smiled and nodded. He gently closed the door behind him but left it a crack open. “I know, Celestia, and I don’t want her to be heartbroken either.” Mercury said. “But I love Luna deeply, and believe me, if I could, I would spend every hour of the rest of my life with her. No matter what, I will not leave her. Not again.” Mercury though he almost saw a tear roll down Celestia's cheek. Celestia nodded walked back to her room. A draft came in from an open window in Luna’s room and blew out the flame. Mercury flicked his horn as he entered the room again, and re-lit the flame. He closed the open window, and softly grunted as he fell into his silk-sheeted bed. Luna opened her eyes and turned he head towards Mercury. “That was beautiful Merc’,” she whispered. “I love you too.”
“Princess Celestia? May I ask you something?” Twilight asked her mentor. “Why of course Twilight, Fire away!” She replied as she lowered her teacup. “I can’t help but ask, what happened to Prince Mercury?” Twilight wondered. “Pages even remotely relating to him have been torn from the books of Canterlot’s library.” Celestia flinched at the question. She gulped down her mouthful of tea and gently placed the jewel encrusted cup on her table. “Ah. I knew you would ask this sooner or later Twilight, but I did not expect it to be as daunting as this. Very well, sit down Twilight.” Celestia asked. Twilight grasped her teacup and sat on her cushion.
“It was nearly 2000 years ago… The Alicorns ruled and were a thriving race. Prince Eternal Mercury, Bender of the Elements was soon to be crowned king of Equestria, and all was peaceful, until… Discord.”
“Discord?!” Twilight wondered.
“Yes, Discord. He overtook our beautiful city, and turned it into a burning and hated place. He toyed and killed the Ponies of Equestria. Pegasi, Unicorn, Earth ponies, he didn't care. And when he got bored, he turned on us. Millions of our people died, he caused droughts and killed the land. But during his rage and chaos, he did not notice. Two sisters escaped from the burning tower of canterlot, two sisters. Me, and Luna. With our power combined, we restored life to the land, and then, we came for him. Never letting him stop, we chased him across the land. And when we finally cornered him… We turned him to stone. But the alicorns are a peaceful race. Doing that to someone almost destroyed us. So we vowed to never use such power like that again, and with that, we split our magic and formed the elements of harmony.” Celestia said as she occasionally wiped a tear from her eye.
“Thank you Celestia, I know that must have been hard for you, but you have not yet explained, how did mercury survive?” Twilight asked. Celestia sighed.
“Mercury was the first to go, before Discord could rule Equestria, he had to take out Prince Mercury. He was often regarded as Equestria’s most powerful alicorn, so it only makes sense that Discord would feel the need to take him out first.” Celestia replied, recalling her memories. “Before he went insane, Discord was once a citizen of Equestria. He was one of the Ten Senn’s, a group of ten survivors of a species, Discord, being the last living draconequus. The Ten Senn’s served the king and were treated like royalty, but Discord was always left out. The people of Equestria whispered as he passed them in the streets. They would call him such terrible things. “Beast”, “Crazy”, but worst of all, “Monster.” People only saw the dark in him. I only saw the dark in him. There was once a time where he loved me. But all I saw was a monster, and so, he became one. Discord left Canterlot, and when he returned, he was different. Being a Senn, he had constant access to the royal chambers. Discord entered Mercury’s chambers, and turned him to stone. In cold blood. Then everything started to fall apart. Instead of turning rest of the alicorns to stone, he just killed them. And if you ask me, I think he enjoyed it.”
Twilights face was as pale as the moon. She knew Discord could be dangerous, but murderous?
“Thank you, Princess Celestia, but I fear that I may regret asking you.” Twilight said, as she stared into the bottom of her empty tea cup.
“I am sorry Twilight, I know that it is hard to believe, But Discord is more dangerous than he seems. Despite what he says, I want you to avoid him.”
Twilight left without a word and left Celestia alone in her chambers. Celestia began to sob as memories of her friends and families dying before her eyes flooded back into her mind. “Its my fault” She whispered.
Discord hummed as he searched through his chambers, if you could even call it a chamber. More like a dungeon, a prison, imprisoning him for all his past sins. Still, he was not complaining. He was happy to be even allowed in the castle. As he rushed through each book given to him, he noticed a pattern forming in them. Everfree forest has been a large source of magic ever since Nightmare Moon was defeated, but never before. It had attracted all sorts of dark magic and beasts from the night. Sightings of changelings, low humming heard from below, could Everfree forest possibly be the Changeling hive? He presumed that The Shade has resided in the everfree forest up until Chrysalis had stumbled upon it.
“Guards! I need to speak with Prince Mercury.” Discord shouted, clasping torn pages from books.
“Hrm. Odd.” Mercury frowned as he looked upon Canterlot. “The ponies of Equestria has been acting weird lately, I had better have a look around.” Prince Mercury left his chambers and continued down the winding stairs leading to the hall. Guards gave him peculiar looks as he passed them. “How isss your day going, Prince Eternal Mercury?” A guard that had been hidden from Mercury’s sight cheerfully asked. Surprised, Mercury thanked him, and stated that he did not need to call him by his full name. The guard smiled and nodded his head, yet Mercury noticed that his eyes gave off a strange glow. They gleamed in the sun, yet were strangely eerie. “May I have a word with you?” Mercury cautiously asked, slowly approaching the guard. The guard smiled, and replied with a nod. Creepily, the guard kept a straight face with the same smile on it. He never flinched. Mercury motioned for him to come up the stairs with him. The guard slowly creeped out from behind the pillar. Just before they climbed the stairs, Discord greeted Mercury holding a dozen torn pages.
“Prince Mercury, I think I know whe-“ Discord froze as he noticed the cheerful guard standing behind Mercury. “Mercury, I ask that you step away from the guard.” Mercury held a confused look on his face. “This guard? May I ask why, Discord?” Discord dropped the pages he had and held up his hands in a defensive stance, magic at ready. “Whoever you think that is, you are wrong. Now please, step away from him.” Discords claws sparkled with flames as he began stare down the smiling guard. “Why, you don’t mean-“ Mercury’s mind clicked and he instantly put up a defensive shield around Discord and himself. “Changeling.” He said. “I should have known. A fight is the last thing we need, he may call others, if there is any. But knowing changelings, there most certainly will be.” “We need to contain him, any ideas?” Discord asked. “I can warp him to my quarters and we can deal with him there,” Mercury said, as he charged magic in his horn. “But who knows what he will do in the seconds that we are absent.” “We will have to be quick then, on my mark. Three, Two, One!” Discords shouted, as Mercury warped the Changeling to his room. The two rushed to Mercury’s quarters only to find an empty room. “The window,” Discord stated. “He must have flown out as soon as he got here.” “This is bad.” Mercury said. “Changelings, in canterlot. Who knows how long they have been here, and how many there are. We must warn the others.”
“If they have not already been taken.” Discord murmured.
“I do not want any of you to panic, but it seems Changelings have infiltrated Canterlot.” Mercury addressed to everyone. "Also, on a side note, i seem to be out of reading material. Perchance i could glance upon some of your coveted spell books of old, Celestia?" Discord interjected. Mercury mumbled in annoyance and sent him off. “I want you all to be on the look out for strange behavior. Don’t take any chances, if someone is not acting like usual, confront him or her.” “Oh my…” Fluttershy whimpered. Rainbow Dash put a hoof over her shoulder and assured her. “Its not like any of us will get taken! We are the elements of harmony, together nothing can stop us!” Rainbow Dash said. Princess Celestia frowned and turned towards her balcony. “To think…” She said. “We let them get in without a fight, without acknowledgement! Who knows how long they have been here, listening to our plans.” Celestia sighed. “They could be anyone of us, so please, all of you, be careful.” Mercury said to everyone. Celestia smiled as she escorted all of them to the door and asked to left alone with Princess Luna.
“Tia…” Luna asked, with a somber tone in her voice. “You would try and stop me wouldn't you? If you though I was a changeling.” Celestia frowned and walked over to her distraught sister. “It's just, if you were a changeling, I don’t think I would be able to bring myself to stop you. I have lost you once, I cant bear the thought of loosing you again.” She sobbed. Celestia put a hoof around her sister and tried to comfort her. “It is okay sister. Our love for each other is far too strong. A changeling would never be able to break into that bond.” Celestia replied. "But that bond has been broken before!" Luna suddenly shouted. Celestia blinked at Luna's sudden outburst. "You know I am so sorry don't you Tia?" Luna cried. Her sapphire eyes stared deep into Celestia's. "If I had known what I was doing! I would... I would never had done what i did!" Celestia stroked her mane and softly shushed her.
"Shh... It's okay, Luna. That's all in the past. I am the one who should be sorry... it was my egocentricity that made you feel the way you did. For that.. i am sorry." Celestia whispered. She ran her hoof through Luna's flowing mane as she softy sang a Lullaby.
"Once did a pony who shown like the sun, Look out on her kingdom and sigh.
She smiled and said "surely there is no pony, so lovely and beloved as I.
So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory, that long was the shadow she cast.
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved, and grew only darker as days and nights passed.
Lullay moon princess goodnight sister mine, Rest now in moonlights' embrace.
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth.
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space.
Carry the peace, and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind.
“Too think! More of those ghastly bugs, in Canterlot!” Rarity groaned. “We barely managed to survive last time we had to fight them.” Fluttershy whimpered. “I don’t want to have to fight any pony again.” She said to her friends. “Ah its okay sugarcube. If we all stick together, we’ll never be beaten! Just like Dashie said, we have the power of the Elements of Harmony in us!” Applejack said to Fluttershy, trying to calm her nerves. All while Twilight Sparkle glared at each of her friends. She trusted them all, with her life. But like Mercury said, she couldn’t take any chances. She was looking for anything unusual about her friends. A peculiar twitch, a change in voice height, fidgeting, and of course, an unnecessarily amount of smiling. Which would be hard to tell with Pinkie Pie, as, she was always smiling. “But if there is more people, doesn’t that mean more people in party’s?!” Pinkie Pie cheered. “And more people in parties is great! I know people always say that three’s a crowd but that’s silly, the more the merrier! And with more people that means more cupcakes to bake, and more cupcakes to bake mea-“ Pinkie Pie ranted. This was going to be tough, Twilight thought to herself.
“I can already feel my power growing…” Chrysalis hissed, as she stretched her dull green wings and groaned as she cracked her joints. “It feelsss so good to be… Whole…” She smiled. Her dry, split fur had grown into an even coat. Her eyes gave off a more luscious glow and her mane was rich and flowing. She would almost be beautiful if not for her poisonous smile. Her horn oozed with magic, hard feats seemed easy since accepting the Shades offer. She strutted down the richly decorated hallway with a dozen changelings perched either side. they bowed as she walked past them, She had made a makeshift castle with what magic she felt she could spare. As she plotted her next move, She giggled as she imagined how everyone would react when she executed her plan. “Soon.” She whispered.
Discord asked. “Who can tell me the best way to defeat a changeling?” Much to everyone’s dismay, Discord had volunteered to train everyone for when Chrysalis decided to attack. Discord had been taught an ancient technique as part of the Ten Senn’s. Everyone mumbled and chattered while he tried to educate them. All 6 ponies were there, minus Twilight. Celestia had sent her on an errand. Discord frowned and took a deep breath. “Keep calm Discord, they will take a while to warm up to you.” He said to himself. Pinkie Pie snickered as Rainbow Dash passed a sheet of paper towards her. Within seconds she burst out in a laughing fit and was rolling on the floor. Rainbow Dash wiped a tear from her eye as she helped Pinkie up. Pinkie squealed as Discord used his magic to snatch the sheet from her hooves. He growled as he read it. It was a poorly drawn picture of him which said, ‘Stinky dragon breath.’
“Really?” He asked.
“OKAY, I AM ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE, SO LISTEN UP!” Discord shouted, as he burnt the paper with a click of his fingers. Everybody’s eyes widened as they all sat down. Celestia heard the shouting and approached her balcony. “I have had more training in fighting than all of you combined! So when I ask you a question, you answer!” Fluttershy whimpered at the thundering sound of Discords loud voice, but remembered what iron will taught her, and she stood up.
“Stun them.” She pronounced. “The best way to defeat a changeling is to stun them.” She repeated. Rarity smiled and quietly applauded her. “Good, Fluttershy. Thank you.” Discord said politely. “I know this may be boring for some of you.” He said, glancing in Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie’s direction. “But please, try and pay attention. You may never know if this training will come in handy if Chrysalis does indeed, attempt to attack.” Applejack punched Rainbow Dash in the arm and whispered in her ear.
"I’m sorry I suppose…” Rainbow Dash mumbled. Applejack hit her harder and Rainbow hissed at her. “I’m sorry, ok? I was just having a bit of fun.” She repeated. “Me too.” Pinkie frowned. Discord smiled as he regained his sense of humour. “I forgive you, but Rainbow Dash, that drawing was disastrous! I expected better from you! I am much more handsome than that!” He chuckled. Everybody laughed as Discord continued with his lesson, under the watchful eye of Princess Celestia from her balcony. She even smiled a bit.
“Hrm.” Chrysalis hummed. “Too bright, darker!” A changeling approached in front of her and changed its form to that of a pony. “Hmm, better, but too short. Next!” Chrysalis walked down from her throne and circled a crouching pony. She was chained to the ground and hung her head; her mane was bruised and dirty, covered with specks of blood. “Her coat is much darker, try and imitate it from this angle.” Chrysalis said, as she spun the pony around at the flick of her horn. The pony grunted and fell to the ground, her chains tangled around her hooves. The changelings cleared their throats and changed in cue. Chrysalis picked the most perfectly imitating one and sent him to canterlot. “Do you see that dear? We have already infiltrated Canterlot, now we are infiltrating your precious group of friends! There is no way you can defeat us!” Chrysalis laughed. The pony just sat and laughed. Chrysalis scoffed and stormed back to her throne. “Please take her to the dungeon, minions.” She asked. “I am sick of seeing that grin on her face.”
“Hello Twilight dear! It is so good to see you again, how was your ‘errand’?” Rarity asked, as Twilight Sparkle entered her boutique. Rarity was fashioning armour designs on Mercury’s request, which Rarity was more than happy to accept. “Hi Rarity, thank you for asking but there’s not much to tell, just a basic delivery to the Unicorns in the east.” “Oh well that all sounds interesting,” Rarity said, rolling her eyes. “Would you like to sit down? Princess Celestia sent me some lovely chamomile tea, and I would like to show you some armour designs Mercury had me draft.” Twilight took a seat and looked over the pages of drafts Rarity had drawn. “Rarity, you do know armour is not supposed to have, pink flowers on it?” Twilight giggled. “And these colours will provide no environmental camouflage at all! We can’t go to battle in these, we will be dead in seconds!” “But Twilight!.” Rarity whined. “Pink is in season! If I want to go to war, as you call it, I want to do it looking utterly fabulous!” Twilight smiled. The thought that Rarity could still keep a sense of style and cool headedness while Canterlot was being infiltrated around them, kept her positive. “Rarity, would you mind changing the tone of my armour? I hate it when my colours are wrong.” Twilight smiled. “Of course dear, darker or lighter?” Rarity asked, pulling out a purple pen. “Darker. Definitely darker.”
“I fear Chrysalis is planning to strike soon. I do hope Mercury has arranged everything needed in time.” Celestia said to her sister. “Do not fear, sister. I trust Mercury with my life, as should you. He will not let us down.” Luna grinned, she walked over to the balcony Celestia was looking out. Equestria seemed darker since the Changelings began infiltrating. Guards were constantly on patrol looking for them each day, but there still always seemed to be more than the last day. Changelings that had been captured are reluctant to reveal anything about Chrysalis’s plans, either that, or they simply do not know. Chrysalis is the kind who only reveals information to her most trusted minions, not the ones that are sent out on petty infiltration missions. No, the ones she trusts would be saved for missions of much more importance. Like a giant game of chess, move your bishop too early, are you are sure to lose.
Let the pawns take the fall.
“And what of Discord, do you trust him?” Luna asked her sister. “There was once a time when I trusted him, even called him a friend. But that time is not now. You stay away from him Luna!” Celestia replied sternly. “He is savage… a monster.” “Celestia!” Luna objected. She stared at Celestia, and was about to scold her until she noticed a tear rolling down her cheek. “its my fault.” She sniffled. “Its my fault he killed us all.” Luna nudged her with her nose. “Its okay,” She whispered. “Its okay.”
“Ahh, fresh air!” Chrysalis yawned, stretching. She hissed as the sun glared in her eyes. She covered her face with here wings until she was in the forest clearing. “Do we have everything prepared?” Chrysalis asked a Changeling that was following. “Yess my queen. The prisonerss are locked away and the soldierss are ready for your order.” Chrysalis nodded and looked ahead. A thick fog was falling upon Canterlot in the distance, and Chrysalis smiled upon the sight. “SOLDIERS! PREPARE YOURSELF, AT DAWN WE FIGHT.” Chrysalis shouted to the army behind her. Chrysalis smiled and whispered to herself. “At dawn, we fight. But for once…
The thunderous sound of marching echoed through the halls of canterlot. Vases shook and rumbled upon their marble pedestals. Luna's stain glass windows began to vibrate, and eventually they all shattered, one, by one. Cracks formed in the walls of Canterlot tower. Dried paint and dust fell from the arched ceilings. Terrified by the oncoming army, the inhabitants of Canterlot began to panic, and started to cause stampedes. “Everybody to the main hall! We are about to be under attack!” Guards shouted out to the frantic ponies. The sight from her balcony horrified Celestia. Upon the horizon, an army of changelings was headed straight through the main gates of Canterlot. They came flooding from the Everfree forest, it is a mystery how no one ever noticed that many changelings, crowded in the forest. Their heavy hooves crushed the paved footpaths and cut down anyone in their path. They stood in formation, in the middle of the Canterlot courtyard. There was a deep, guttural humming coming from the courtyard. It was an eerie sight, They stood as still as statues. And ironically, they were surrounded by them. Chrysalis smiled as she floated before her army. The sight of Canterlot in ruins had made her day, she had been waiting so long for this moment. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. She was giddy with excitement, she materialised a small looking glass and gazed upon the havoc she was wreaking. She giggled a little as she heard the screams come from Canterlot. "How exciting!" she laughed.
A stray Changeling struck down Mercury as he attempted to exit the dungeon. A few nights after he realised that the Changelings had invaded Canterlot, he had sent a small group of guards to go out and search for one. They had managed to find a few dozen, although some escaped. He had learnt what he could from the only willing changeling, but his research was cut short by all the commotion above him. He struck the changeling down only to be piled on by several more. In one swift movement, he surrounded himself with a ring of fire, incinerating the rogue Changelings. Mercury noticed discord descending from a nearby spiral staircase. Surprisingly, Changelings pain no attention to him. They flew past him as if he were invisible. He would occasionally protect himself with a small shield, but only to stop the Changelings that had been defeated by Mercury as the were sent flying in his direction. Like a magical umbrella. “They are attacking!” Mercury shouted out to Discord. But Discord did not hear him, he was channelling his magic. A small red orb began to form in-between his hands, it spiralled and hummed. Discord glared at Mercury and silently glanced over to a nearby door, then returned to channeling. Mercury nodded and galloped towards the bolted doors. His horn began to glow as he attempted to loosen each bolt locking the giant doors. His temples bulged as he strained to open the door. Each bolt required immense strength to open. "Why did i ever lock this door!" Mercury groaned. Metal gears and bolts creaked and ground against each other. The Senn Door was bolted shut and drenched with magic when Discord ruled. It was the only entrance into the Senn's chambers, up until Celestia regained the throne. Mercury gave one last push and the final bolt locking the door twisted out. Mercury grinned as the doors creaked open. Mercury and Discord both exited the towering doors of Canterlot castle only to be met with the hundreds of screaming ponies, and Changelings that attempted to slay them.
“No… Not again…” Mercury whispered. Flashbacks flooded his mind, as he fell to his knees. Discord finally snapped out of his state and lifted Mercury to his feet. “Now is not the time! We must reach Celestia!” Discord shouted, over the screams around them. He spotted the distraught princess atop her balcony, and flew up the tower wall, Mercury close behind. They were spotted by dozens of Changelings, and decided it would be best to hurry. The walls started to crumble as Changelings hauled themselves at the tower in hopes of taking down one of the flying enemies. Mercury quickly protected Celestia with a magic shield as he reached her. Then Mercury panicked as he noticed that Luna was not with her. “Luna!” He gasped as he gallop through Celestia’s chambers. A tear rolled down Celestia’s cheek and she watched her home fall around her. And to make it worse, she was helpless to stop it. Mercury searched through each room in the tower, but Luna was nowhere in sight. He ran to Canterlot Square and avoided the screaming crowds of ponies trying to escape the vicious Changelings. It pained him to have to leave them behind, to the mercy of those beasts.
“We have to take this fight somewhere else! Too many lives are at stake in canterlot!” Discord shouted as he and Celestia got rid of whatever Changelings they could. Princess Celestia nodded and started to circle the courtyard, keeping as many changelings in the middle as she could. Discord started channel his magic again and began to focus what magic he saved up. Mercury felt Discord channelling his magic and made a sharp turn right. He made his way to Rarity’s boutique. He found Rarity and Twilight casually drinking tea. Surprisingly they had not noticed the noise that boomed from outside. Mercury told them that they were under attack, and decided to rush his story as he noticed that he his hoof had started to disappear. “Please, Twilight. You must find Luna, she will know what to do!” He told Twilight, as only his head was visible.
“Get ready!” Discord shouted to Celestia as he released a burst of magic. Purple light surrounded them, as everyone in Canterlot Courtyard was being teleported. Random Changelings that strayed from the main group were incinerated in the blinding light that surrounded them. Mercury was sucked from Rarity’s boutique and was sent through a tunnel of magic. Changelings screamed and writhed as they travelled miles away from Canterlot, away from where more disaster could be caused. Chrysalis floated calmly surrounded by her Changelings.
The ground was singed underneath Celestia’s feet. Her ears rung and she saw double. She managed to track down Mercury and slowly made her way over to him. They were transported to a wide, lush green field, just south of appleloosa. Flower buds were just starting to sprout from the earth, when the Changelings trampled them with no remorse. They were gaining on Celestia and Mercury, and neither of them had enough magic to protect themselves with a shield.
Smoke filled Discords lungs as he woke up. The short blades of grass cut and stung his face, He strained as he attempted to push himself up from the ground. A cherry blossom tree towered above him, its leaves crackling in the wind. A single petal from the tree fell down and landed in front of Discords claw. He clenched his hands and pushed. He locked his knees and managed to stand as he leaned against the tree. He could hear the thundering footsteps of hundreds of changelings in the distance. He cleared his mind and tried to focus. Finding Mercury and Celestia was the most important thing he needed to do right now. He pushed off the tree and started making his way around the army of changelings. If they had not been caught yet, they would at least be near. Circling the group would be the easiest way to find them. Occasionally ducking behind a log or bush when a changeling looked his way. It had taken him almost half an hour to fully circle the group, due to the sheer amount of changelings. He once again leant against the Cherry blossom tree in despair. “What if they were teleported to a different location? There is no way I could take on the whole army of changelings alone.” Discord thought. “What if all hope is lost!” There was a sudden crack in the branches above Discord. A clear blur lowered down through the tree. “Discord.” Mercury nodded, as he released a camouflage spell. Celestia appeared from behind her, looking extremely distraught. “She is worried about Luna, that is all. Nothing harms her.” Mercury told discord, noticing his concern. He then pulled him into the cover of the tree when some Changelings turned. Then they started to spread out across the field. They vaguely heard Chrysalis shouting orders to her army, telling them to spread out and search the area. “What are we to do?” Celestia asked. Mercury placed his camouflage spell on them again and the hid in the shade of the tree. “Now, we wait.”
“How ah’ we supposed to find Luna with all these people running about?!” Applejack asked. Even though most of the Changeling had been teleported, some still remained and chased down the ponies in Canterlot. Although the guards could easily take the rest out, Applejack still kick one or two in the face when she had the chance. Twilight had asked Applejack to help in their search for Luna, and if they could, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Rarity stated that it would be best if she stayed back in her boutique and continued her work on the armour that Mercury requested. They had already searched most of Canterlot Town and begun to search through the rooms of Canterlot tower. While searching through the balcony of one of the top rooms, Rarity saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy circling the tower. She called them in and returned back To Applejack and Twilight. Twilight told them to split up while she went with Applejack to the very top of the tower, to Lunas chambers. Rainbow and Fluttershy went down to the dining chambers of the tower. Rainbows ears popped up as she heard crashes and bangs coming from the tower kitchen. Slowly, she opened the Kitchen door. “And after we add the flower, next goes in the sugar!” Pinkie told the dozen Changelings, listening intently with chef hats on their heads. She smiled and slowly poured a bag of sugar into the bowl. “Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash sighed. “You can’t teach a Changeling how to cook!” The Changelings groaned and frown, as Rainbow pulled Pinkie Pie from her students. “Remember what I taught you!” She cried. “Don’t burn them!” Rainbow Dash grit her teeth as Pinkie Pie writhed in her arms. “Calm down Pinkie! We have to try and find Luna and meet back up with the others!” Pinkie Pie frowned but eventually co-operated with Rainbow.
Is she in there?” Applejack yelled out to Twilight as she exited the room she just searched. Twilight shook her head and shut the door behind her. “I don’t think we will every be able to find her! We should meet back up with the others. I’m beginning to regret splitting up with them!” She replied. Applejack nodded, and they both made their way down the winding staircase. “Crumble, crumble… BOOM!” The stone-wall exploded next to Twilight Sparkle and she was flung down the stairs. Several Changelings flooded in through the hole and lunged at Applejack. She stunned them all in no time, and started to remove the broken bricks the blocked the stairs. She crawled through a crack in the rubble, and galloped down the remainder of the stairs. She found Twilight picking herself off the ground with only a few bruises on her coat. “Ah you alright sugarcube?” Applejack asked twilight. “Ya’ look a bit rough.” “Why thank you dear, but I’m perfectly fine.” Twilight replied in a posh voice, uncanny to Rarity’s. “Uh, now’s not the time to be playing around Twi’, we got work to do!” Applejack said. “Ahem. Sorry Applejack, I think all this is getting to me.” Twilight smiled with a glitter of green in her eye.
“Twilight! Applejack! Have you had any luck?” Fluttershy smiled as she greeted the two. “Fraid’ not honey. You?” Applejack replied. Fluttershy frowned, “No. What if we can’t find her! What will happen to Princess Celestia?!” Fluttershy replied as she started to panic. Rainbow Dash hugged her with her wing and calmed her down. “We should get back to Rarity’s boutique, Princess Luna could be anywhere, but she’s not here.” Rainbow dash suggested. Everybody agreed and they all exited Canterlot tower. A few dozen changelings still surrounded Canterlot town, but luckily the majority of ponies had been evacuated to a safer area. They cautiously evaded the large groups of them and made their way to Rarity’s boutique. Her windows were boarded, and Twilight had to knock on the door in a certain pattern. Twilight hummed as she remembered the pattern. “My little pony, my little pony, ahhhhhh.” Rarity opened the door to a crack as Twilight finished the seven-knock pattern. “Quickly, come in dear! The armour is almost complete.” Rarity ushered the five inside and locked the door behind them. The room was filled with several sets of armour, but what really surprised the ponies, was who sat in the room. “Hello! What did I miss?”
“I tried to contact you, but there were too many Changelings in the area! And if I used my magic, they would have sensed it and found us.” Rarity explained. Luna sat in the middle of the room, painting patterns on the sets of armour. She was like a child who had been given crayons, besides the fact that the paintings were at an expert level. “Why are you not already with Celestia?” Twilight asked. Luna laid down her paintbrush and cleaned the excess paint. “Rarity and I do not have enough magic to transport such a mass across a far distance, which is why we thought it best to wait for you to arrive.” Luna stated. Twilight nodded and realised that she was right. They could not risk getting caught, and to perform such a spell would exert a massive amount of magic. She asked everybody to gather in a circle. “Rarity and Luna, we will have to form an even triangle between us, or else our magic will clash and become potentially dangerous.” Twilight said. Applejack pushed the sets of armour inside the circle they had formed and returned to her place. Applejack wasn’t very comfortable near extreme magic. Simple things like levitating objects she didn’t mind as much, but this was making her nervous. Luna, Twilight and Rarity closed their eyes and began the spell. A thin line of purple magic formed around the circle, which grew thicker as time went by. Items around the room started to shake and paintings and fabric racks fell of the walls. A purple dome almost completely covered the ponies, Twilight flinched when she realised that she had forgotten something extremely important “Spike!” She gasped, as she dashed out the door. “Twi- wait!” Applejack shouted, she then quickly covered her mouth. Changelings were still in the city; shouting and running around the place were not smart things to do.
“Spike? Spike!” Twilight shouted as she burst through the door. She searched the whole of downstairs before galloping up the stairs. “Spike!” She gasped as she found him asleep in his bed. He groaned and rolled over when Twilight nudged him with her hoof. “Twilight… I’m trying to sleep!” He clasped a sparkling ruby in his claws. Twilights eyes lit up as she saw it, she started tugging at it and Spike instantly sat up in his bed. “Twilight, what are you doing! This is the gem you got me!” Spike questioned. “Yes, yes of course. Sorry, I just wanted you to wake up! We need to get to Rarity’s, Canterlot has been under attack!” She said. “We’re going to Rarity’s?!” Spike cheered, completely oblivious to what Twilight just mentioned. He ran downstairs and grabbed his best bowtie. “Lets go!” He shouted as he excitedly ran out the house.
“H-hi Rarity!” Spike blushed as he entered Rarity’s parlour. Rarity ran over to him and hugged him tightly. She straightened his bowtie. “Thank god you’re alive!” She sobbed. Twilight then told Spike to get inside the circle as she returned to her place. Luna and Rarity nodded to each other and they once again started the spell. The flowing purple dome encased the group and various fabrics started to set alight. Rarity stifled another sobbed as she tried to focus on the spell. The dome became a sphere as it began to levitate on the floor of Rarity’s boutique, carrying them with it. It emitted sounds similar to the flames of a dragon, roaring around them. Fluttershy whimpered as the dome singed her mane. “WHHHOOOOOSSSSHHHHH”
Princess Celestia groaned. “Celestia? What is wrong?” Mercury asked, carrying her before she fell from the tree. “It- Its Luna. She is trying to contact me! I think… I think they are coming here! Yes, they are trying to teleport here!” Celestia said. Celestia’s smile was short lived, she realised that here, in the middle of an army or changelings was probably not the best place to teleport to. “We have to move. They do not know we are cloaked, and when they arrive, they will not have nearly enough magic left to cloak themselves. The changelings will know they are here the instant they arrive. It would be suicide.” Celestia said in dismay. Mercury looked out across the field. “This may sound crazy, but we have to get in front of them all. Before Chrysalis attacked, I had enough time to study a shield spell, similar to you friend shining armour’s. It should be powerful enough to shield us from the Changelings for a short time.” Mercury stated. “Should be? And what if it isn’t?” Discord cursed. “You do realise how risky this is?” Discord hung upside-down from a branch on the tree. He looked out over the field. “There.” He pointed. “We will have the height advantage.” Mercury nodded and helped Celestia to the ground. “Quickly, they’re almost here!” Celestia informed. They hurried through the mass of Changelings, but Mercury’s camouflaged was wearing off, few Changelings noticed strange blurs and informed others. They soon had hundreds following. “WWWWWWWHHHHHHOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHH!” The six ponies screamed as they landed on the hard earth with a thud. Celestia looked down at them speechless. “Luna...” She gasped. “Quickly! Get behind me!” Mercury shouted as he turned to the army of changelings. He bowed his head and squinted as he performed the spell. He groaned as a thick layer of magic surrounded them. Twilight and Rarity help with what little magic they still had, while Luna approached her sister. “Luna… Don’t scare me like that!” Celestia said, as she gently punched her sister. They hugged each other and then both help Mercury finish off the shield. Changelings rammed into the shield with immense speed, Mercury exhaled as he fell to the ground. He sighed and smiled as the shield hummed above him. “We are safe. For now.” He said. “Rarity, have you completed to armour?” She nodded and motioned towards the sets of armour. “Excellent, they look fabulous!” He said. Rarity blushed and twisted her hoof on the ground. Luna growled and galloped over to Mercury. She gave him a kiss and glared at Rarity. She scoffed and returned to the others. “So what do we do about them?” Discord asked, pointing at the oncoming army of Changelings. Chrysalis had been informed of their presence, and was making her way over to their make shift bunker. Discord helped Mercury up as Chrysalis slowly approached the shield. “Well, well. What a fabulous reunion!” She smiled. “To bad you will all soon be dead.” Changelings continued to assault the shield. “You really think you have won this Chrysalis? We may be outnumbered, but we still have enough magic to beat you all!” Mercury argued, although, deep inside, he knew all hope was lost. He walked over to his set of armour and began placing each piece of armour on. His horn began to glow and it seemed like the armour fused with his skin. He inhaled sharply as smoke emitted from the cracks in the armour. Rarity showed everyone to their armour and everyone helped each other put them on.
“I am Prince Eternal Mercury! Bender of the elements!” Mercury bellowed as he lowered the shield. Celestia gasped but Discord held her back. Mercury walked towards Chrysalis, Changelings lunged at him but Chrysalis called them off with her hoof. Mercury grinned as he was face to face with chrysalis. He directed his view to the deep blue crown on her head. He twisted his hoof and Chrysalis’s hoofs were covered in stone chains. He reached for the crown, but was blown back by a burst of powerful magic. Discord groaned as he caught him. His arms were nearly ripped off by the speed he caught him at. He placed Mercury down and cracked his knuckles. He tensed and a clump of dark pink clouds formed over Chrysalis and her army. Rain hissed as it fell from the sky. Chrysalis cackled. “Do you really think a little rain will harm me?” she laughed. Discord smiled and clicked his fingers. A small cup formed in his claw. “Not just rain, Chocolate rain!” He laughed, as he let the rain pour into the cup. He smiled as he began drinking the glass, leaving behind chocolate in the shape of a cup. “The rain is just to loosen things up!” Grinned Mercury, as he pushed himself up from the ground. “This is the main event!” Mercury roared as he slammed his hooves into the ground. Plates of earth rose and cracked as lightning strikes the ground. Mercury galloped into the hundreds of Changelings, His horn glowed a bright red as fire began to cover him. Changelings were burnt and set alight as he rammed into them. Weeds began to tangle around the Changelings legs as Discord thrust his hands into the earth. He pulled and pushed, throwing Changelings around. He quite enjoyed it. Rainbow Dash shot up into the clouds, and prepared for a sonic rainboom. Rarity levitated rocks over to applejack, which she then bucked across the field, crashing into the earth and taking out dozens of Changelings. Celestia used the power of the suns rays, and covered the battlefield. Changelings screamed as the sun burnt their brittle skin. Even more holes formed in their skin. Fluttershy whimpered and closed her eyes. Screams filled her ears and a tear rolled down her cheek. Luna tried her best to comfort her, wrapping her wing around Fluttershy. Behind the writhing battle, Twilight Sparkle sat and grinned. She looked over to Chrysalis, who smiled and nodded towards her. She slowly began to approach applejack from behind. She put on a fake frown when Rarity looked at her, until she returned to gathering boulders. Twilights took a rock from behind and walked up to Applejack. “I hate purple.” She murmured, as she lifted the rock above her head.
“Did you say something twi-?” Applejack asked. She turned and saw Twilight lifting a rock above her head, with a grin on her face. She gasped and jumped to the side as Twilight quickly slammed the rock into the ground. “Twi-, What are ya’ doing!” Applejack asked. “Ahm’ not the enemy here!” Twilight’s mane and fur began to darken. Her legs grew dimples, which turned into pin sized holes. “Twilight? You- you’re a Changeling! Ah’ shoulda’ known!” Applejack gasped. She continued to dodge her attacks, and when she got close enough, Applejack kicked her in the face. Twilight’s helmet came flying off, and the changeling hit the floor with a thud. “Gosh darnit! She was a changeling the whole darn time! But where’s the real Twilight?” Applejack said to herself. Rarity dropped the boulders she was carrying when she saw Applejack kick Twilight in the face. “Applejack! What on earth are you doing to poor Twilight!?” She asked, rushing to Twilights aid. She removed strands of hair from her face, when twilights face became horribly disfigured. Holes littered her legs, and her fur became darker. “Twi- Twilights a changeling?!” Rarity screamed in shock. Applejack pulled her away. “Fraid so hun’. Now come on, we gotta’ keep bucking these rocks!” Applejack smiled. Rarity continued to haul the boulders over the Applejack.
Discord clenched his claw and his horns glowed. He squinted his eyes and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. Changelings covered him and he could barely move his arm. He slowly twisted his hand, and then released his fist. A small blue ball floated in the palm of his hand. The dozens of Changelings surrounding him became frozen in time, and dropped the floor. Discord smiled as his work and clicked his fingers. Celestia and Luna were using their powers over the moon and sun to affect the Changelings balance. It was as if gravity left the changelings and they floated away from the battlefield. Rainbow Dash had finally reappeared, with tremendous speed. She was headed straight for the ground until she sharply rose and a Sonic Rainboom covered the field, the array of seven colours blinded the Changelings below, and the sheer force of it blew the rest back. Chrysalis floated above the battle. Occasionally firing a burst of magic down to stir things up. They had taken out a fair amount of the Changelings, but they still flooded the battle. Every second it seemed like there was more and more. Hope began to dwindle. “I don’t think we can make it!” Cried Applejack. Rarity could no longer find any boulders, and so they both help Pinkie Pie take out as many Changelings as possible. “Don’t worry, I think we will make it.” Rainbow dash smiled as she looked across the field. The was a low hum of hundreds of wings flapping. Hundreds of ponies were approaching from the north. Earth pony’s, Pegasi, and Unicorns all stampeded in from the north. “What did you think me and Fluttershy we doing, flying around canterlot? We had already told all of skydale that we needed aid.” Rainbow Dash said. Gilda soared in from the pack, her claws clasping the backs of Changelings and carrying them off. Even Trixie had been informed. She used what magic she had to create a tornado of magic, carrying Changelings and scattering them. Derpy Hooves dropped explosive packages onto the field, taking out groups of Changelings at I time. She probably didn’t even realise she was doing it. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle came in behind, carrying what seemed to be a Unicorn. “is that.. Twilight!” Spike shouted. The Crusaders gently dropped her to the ground where Fluttershy and Spike tended to her. Her fur was covered in cuts and bruises and her leg seemed to be broken. “We found her in the Everfree forest!” Scootaloo said. “We were trying to get cutie marks in gardening, but we got lost!” Sweetie Belle added. Applejack ran over to her sister and hugged her tightly. “I want you and your friends to go back to the farm!” Applejack said to her. “This is no place for fillies, Grandma smith will take care of y’all” “Eeyup.” Big Mac added, as he came up behind the Crusaders. Applejack nodded to her big brother and the galloped onto the field. The earth seemed to shake when Big Mac slammed down his back hooves into the faces of the Changelings.
Twilight was shocked when she regained consciousness. There was fire and blood all around her, the war was raging. “What… What’s happening?” She murmured. Fluttershy applied water to her wounds. “Please Twilight, don’t get up.” Fluttershy whispered. She bandaged her leg and other cuts. Gently, she helped Twilight to her feet. She asked if she was okay to stand and returned to aid other pony’s that had been injured. “Spike? Spike!” Twilight called. She heard the taps of footsteps behind her and turned to see Spikes face smiling at her. “Thank Celestia you’re okay Twilight!” He said, hugging her leg. Twilight nuzzled his head and pulled him onto her back. “Lets go and see where we can help!” Twilight suggested, wit great enthusiasm. Spike nodded and they entered the battlefield. Discord groaned as a changeling speared him. He pushed himself of the ground and dodged its next attacks. He put both his hangs together and started twisting his palms together. Steam emitted from his fist and when he open his fist, a small blue flame lay inside. He thrust it against the Changeling as it lunged at him, and the changeling was instantly disintegrated. He smiled as the dust blew away, until a dark blue smoke started to surround him. Discords feet were stuck to the ground, with a force almost as powerful as Mercury’s chains. He started tugging, but stopped before he dislocated his knee. A dark shadow floated before him. There was a low hiss as it landed on the ground. “Well, well.” It spoke. “How the mighty hath fallen.” Discord instantly knew the poisonous voice that spoke. Chrysalis. He cleared his throat and spoke clearly. “Do what you will, but know this. You cannot win this, Chrysalis. You may have had a chance, but the with the power of Equestria, we will succeed.” “Oh please, spare me your pathetic speech. This isn’t The Notebook.” She laughed. Discord couldn’t help but clench his teeth brought him to his knees. Gravity was far more intense than usual, and Discord legs felt like they were snapping. “You call yourself the lord of chaos. Oh how you have stooped. You were once respectful.” She spat. “You used to be one of ten Senns!” Discord knew she was attempting to play mind games, but he felt a need to hear her out. “You were once so worthy, but in their eyes, all the saw was a monster.” Discord grinded his teeth. The word cut deep, and his anger was overflowing. Memories flooded his mind. Bad memories. “Shut up.” Discord groaned. “Shut. Up.” He slammed his fist against the ground. “Your mind games are pitiful, tasteless. Have you no sense of chaos?” He smiled. At the least, he could still keep a sense of humour. “I have seen a pigeon cause more chaos when it steals a chip.” Chrysalis gave him a fierce snarl; She slapped him with the base of her hoof. “You could have been important, been king! But no, a monster could never be king. You killed them yet you were still not worthy in the eyes of others. You were not worthy in the eyes of her. All she saw was a monster. She is not worthy of the throne, and neither were you.” This tipped Discord over the edge. Anything else he could handle, but her? Using Celestia against him was a cheap move, but it worked. Discord became enraged, and pulled the earth from beneath him. Slamming his fists into the space where Chrysalis was. She appeared behind him, and Discord swung backwards. The dark mist lifted, and Discord entered the fight again. Slamming through piles of Changelings, he tore up the earth behind him. Almost hitting his allies, he charged through the field.
“Discord!” Mercury shouted in an attempt for his attention. When he continued, Mercury decided he had to be stopped. He slammed his hooves into the earth and chains entangled Discords feet. Discord let out a roar and strained as he pulled against the stone chains. Mercury was shocked to see that the chains were beginning to crack. His horn hummed as he intensified the chains. They covered his legs and lower back. They continued to cover his body until he was fully immobilised. Discord almost shattered his bones as she struggled against his stone prison. “Discord. Calm down.” Mercury said sternly. His eyes glared as he stared through Discord. Discord sensed his anger, and stopped struggling. He took a dozen deep breaths and the chains slid off him. “Terribly sorry.” Discord apologized. “I don’t know what came over me.” He smiled. He stepped out of the bundle of chains as they broke down into dust.
Celestia stretched her wings as sunlight burst onto the field. The clouds had been separated, and allowed sunlight rays to flood onto everyone. The bright glow lit up the field like a parade. The sun burnt the eyes of the Changelings, making them fall on the spot. Yet the Changelings who had found shade fought on, the war still raged. Luckily, the odds were tipping. Hundreds of changelings had been taken out over what seemed like days. The ponies of Equestria fought hard, yet some had fallen. Gilda had sustained serious injuries to her wings, and Trixie had been deprived of her magic, which was potentially deadly for a unicorn. Fluttershy tended to whom she could, but soon there were too much for her to take care of. A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw the hundreds of ponys who needed her aid around her. There was jut too much for her to handle. She sobbed and dropped to the floor. “I cant do it.” She sobbed. “There’s just to many.” Familiar voices surrounded her and warmed her soul. “Don’t worry darl’. We can help you!” Applejack smiled, helping her off the ground. “Yeah! You’ve done so much for everyone else, its time someone did something for you!” Pinkie Pie added. Fluttershy wiped the tears from her cheeks and thank her friends. “Thank you- all.” She smiled. Applejack and Pinkie helped pull the injured Pony’s off the field and helped Fluttershy tend to their injuries. Within hours almost all of the injured pony’s had been healed of their wounds. The three smiled at their work, they gave Fluttershy a hug and returned to the battle.
“Twilight, I need your assistance.” Mercury shouted. Twilight limped over and asked what he needed. “I know this may be troubling for you, but you need to perform a spell on Spike.” Twilight gasped at the request. “What kind of spell? Will it be dangerous?” She babbled. Mercury calmed her and answer plainly. “It may be dangerous, but you need to do it. It could play a massive part in this war, and give us the advantage.” Twilight nodded and knew what she must do. She had the perfect spell for a moment like this, but she had only used it once. She called spike over and told him what she was planning to do. Spike twiddled his thumb as he was obviously nervous. “Wi- Will it hurt?” He whispered. Twilight closed her eyes and answered honestly. “I do not know, but if it does, please, forgive me.” She replied. Spike nodded and stood a distance from her. Twilight recalled on her memory from when she was applying to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. She channelled her magic and her horn glew a bright purple. She ground her teeth together and strained. Her eyes began to glow a clear white, and she started to levitate off the ground. Spike was about to run to her, when Mercury held him to the ground with his chains. He gave him an apologetic look, but Spike understood. He stood back in place and Mercury released his chains. Twilight was nearly a metre off the ground, and her horn started to emit rays of light. A thin ray fired towards spike. He strained as the rays covered his body. He began to grow before Twilight and mercury, the bright red bowtie ripped around his neck. “Amazing.” Mercury gasped. “Such magic is amazing.” Spike had to fall onto all four legs, as he became ginormous. Celestia looked at Twilight and Spike from afar, and instantly knew what spell Twilight was performing. It was what made Celestia so curious about Twilight. The power she held was released when Twilight applied so many years ago. The egg that Twilight had tried so hard to break, shattered and the dragon inside was enlarged to the ginormous beast in front of Mercury now. From then on, Celestia vowed to train Twilight, so she could control that power. Celestia smiled as she saw her student controlling and contorting the writhing magic she saw so many years ago. Twilight began to fall to the floor, only to be caught by the ginormous beast that Spike had become. He gently placed her onto the ground next to mercury. He nodded and charged onto the field. Changelings cowered as the beast came for them.
Chrysalis gasped and dodged his swipes at her. She fell onto the field and ran for her corrupted life. Spike lost interest and began to terrorise the other Changelings. Chrysalis panted under the protection of a cherry blossom tree. An idea popped into her head. She smiled at the deviousness of it. She flew out from under the tree and grabbed a nearby Changeling by the throat. She flooded magic into him, ignoring the screams of her follower. His body and arms ballooned, and his eyes bulged. His screams became roars as his body grew into a massive beast, nearing Spikes size. Chrysalis smiled at her work, and sent the Changeling off. It slammed into spike, and Spike roared as the Changeling slashed his claws into him. Spike swung at the Changeling, yet he dodged it with extreme speed, and flew into the air. It crashed down into Spike, slamming him into the cold, hard earth. Spike groaned as the Changeling twisted its foot into Spikes gut. Spike placed his hand into the ground, and pushed. The changeling was heavy, but it soon began to raise. He strained and pushed hard. He pulled his leg under him, and with his other hand, grabbed the Changeling by the neck. He clenched his claw and slammed the Changeling into the ground. His roared split tree’s and blood began to drip out of the Changelings ear. He began to land a dozen blows into the Changelings face, punching harder and harder, the Changelings skull began to crack. Spike let out a roar of victory, as the giant Changeling lay bloody and broken on the ground.
Chrysalis hissed and frowned, as her minion had been defeated. She had been humiliated, and this was not how her plan was supposed to go. She should have kept a few Changelings to guard Twilight. Oh how stupid she felt! But all was not lost. She still had a few tricks up her sleeve, or, the Shade did. As time passed, she felt the Shade growing stronger and stronger, if she was not careful, it may take over her. But her mind was clear and her intentions clearer. She had to get to Mercury, if not, she was a goner.
“Enough.” Chrysalis gasped as Mercury stood in her path. Behind him stood the rest of his so-called army. Many were injured, but they still stood tall and proud. Chrysalis’s army had been defeated, and her plan failed. “You thought you could us on? You were wrong. We have Equestria to back us up, together, we are Equestria. We are what make up the Bakers, the guard, and the Civilians of Equestria. Without us, there would be nothing. So you should think twice before taking us on!” He yelled. Thousands of cheers came from the citizens of Equestria behind him. Pegasi flew into the air, and Unicorns let out fireworks into the sky. Mercury took a step towards Chrysalis. “You never had a chance.” He grinned. Chrysalis looked around her. Her army was broken and defeated. Thousands of Changelings lay before her. Mercury was right. They never had a chance. But her?
Chrysalis let out a hair splitting scream, and a dark blue mist flooded out of her. Holes re-appeared in her body. Her hair returned to a dark, greasy colour. "No!" She hissed, wincing as he skin began to dry, and crack. "No! We had a deal!" But it laughed in her face. The Shade had finished with her. It surrounded her body and left a pile of ash behind. It flung itself to Mercury, tying itself to his legs. He gasped but his body froze. Celestia, Luna and Discord dashed to his aid. “No!” He shouted. “Stay back!” He groaned as it began to cover his body. It covered his mane, and it begun to dry out and crack.
‘I knew it” Mercury groaned . “This was you plan all along. The war was merely a distraction. You just needed time to fully take over Chrysalis. It was all your plan… to get back at me. But since you took my power. I have prepared. I knew one day you would come for me again. I have regained my strength since you took it, and have created a spell for a time just like this. It was to be used as a failsafe, if my power combined with Celestia’s and Luna’s was not strong enough” Mercury fell to his knee’s as The Shade started to over power him. He groaned as the Shade played with his mind, causing hallucinations. “You will not win, not this time. Long ago I took a vow to protect Equestria, and I will not break that. Never.” He tried to smile as he turned to Luna. His legs buckled and his mouth quivered. “Luna… forgive me” Mercury smiled, as his horn begun to glow. He clenched his teeth tightly. He relaxed, as pain exited from his body. His leg grew pale, and began to grey. His legs began to crack and his grew very still. Celestia and Discord knew what he was doing. Celestia grabbed Luna before she ran at him. Mercury’s Legs began to turn into stone, and his smile turned left him. His body cracked and froze, as he was soon completely stone. Luna was left speechless, as Mercury said no more.
Luna sobbed and fell to the floor. “Mercury... Merc?” She gasped. She stabbed the floor with her hoof and Celestia gently cradled her. Celestia couldn’t help but let a tear roll down her cheek. Mercury stood still, and it seemed as if all of Equestria was quiet. A few ponies’ whispered to other, solemn looks on their faces. “No.” Discord whispered under his breath. “I will not allow Equestria to be left without a ruler. Not again, for whatever reason.” Discord shook his head and sighed, he went through dozens of spells in his head, searching for the one to make things right. A sudden spark flashed in his eyes, and he grinned until he felt his cheek muscles would snap. He closed his eyes as he mustered all of his strength together, his claws and paw spun and twisted. A small blue, rotating ball formed in his palm. Celestia recognized the spell from one of her books she reluctantly gave to him. Perhaps it was not such a bad idea to give him new 'reading material' after all. She shut her eyes and pointed her horn and the ball. A thick swirl of dull green magic circled her horn, she strained as her horns magic intensified. Twilight and Rarity also added what magic they had left, transforming the ball into a large blue sphere. Its colour was almost blinding. Luna wiped the tears from her eyes and added the final amount of magic needed. The ball slowed its rotation and hovered in Discords hand. It glowed a blinding white, and emitted an extreme amount of heat. Discord thrust it into Mercury’s stone chest, The stone cracked and crumbled, but nothing moved. Discord slumped to the ground speechless. “I- I thought it would work.” He whispered, exhausted. “Its okay, Discord. You tried your best.” Celestia re-assured him. “Wait.” He whispered. “It needs a vessel!” Discord shouted. Discord turned to Luna. “Please, I require a vessel of emotional attachment!” Luna looked around for something to give to Discord. She then removed her crown from her head. She looked down at the midnight coloured crown, as a tear dropped from her eye. It traced through the indents in the crown. “Don’t worry Luna, we have a dozen more at the castle!” Celestia laughed. Luna smiled and nodded, handing the crown to Discord. With his claw crossed, he placed the crown onto Mercury’s head. All was silent for a moment, but then there was a low rumble. The cracks on Mercury’s stone skin started to split and cover his body. Dust and steam came from the cracks and a deep blue mist flowed through them. The mist flooded into the crown, and it begun to ring.
Mercury gasped, desperate for air, as he fell out of his crumbling stone shell. His pale face slowly regained colour, and his labored breaths became steady. Luna galloped over to him, tears in her eyes, and hugged him tightly.
“You’re okay!” Luna sobbed. Mercury smiled as he gently brushed away the drenched hairs from her face.
Celestia sighed as she placed a hoof around her sister, and gently pried her hoofs off Mercury. He slowly regained his footing and turned to Discord.
“Thank you.” He smiled, sincerely.
Discord nodded and waved his hand with a grin. Mercury frowned as he noticed something beginning to slide down his head. He reluctantly grabbed the blue crown that lay atop his head. He winced as the metal burnt his hoof, and inhaled sharply as is dropped to the ground. The crown bounced to the floor, and flashed as flames surrounded it. The crown crackled and hissed, smoke developed from the dirt under it, and the earth hissed and steamed.
Fluttershy stood behind rainbow dash with a solemn look on her face. She whimpered as the flames erupted into a deep, blue ball of fire. Everybody blinked a few times as the fireball died down into a few, measly embers.
“Is… Is it over?” she quietly murmured.
She gasped and shuffled further back as the crown began to hum deeply, this time hiding behind rarity.
“It’s ok, dear” Rarity assured her, although she herself grew fearful.
The dark blue crown began to glow a dark, and eerie black. It whistled for several seconds, and only until it slowly dimmed did Celestia make her way over to it. Twilight soon realised how badly injured she really was. Her left hoof seemed to be broken and her wing was bleeding badly. Twilight Sparkle knew she would heal in no time, but she still hated to see her like this. She seemed so… lesser. Like she was not a princess. Princess Celestia levitated the crown up and brought it close to her. Green sparks popped and whistled from her horn as the strain of magic soon became too much for her. She suddenly flashed a pained look on her face and dropped to her knees. The crown fell beside her. It hit the burnt earth with a soft “ding!”
“I… I cant…” she winced, as everybody rushed to her aid.
“Its okay Tia, we understand.” Luna whispered, as she placed her hoof around Celestia and comforted her sister.
Her words seemed so warm, comforting. Everypony gathered around Celestia and spoke comforting words. Discord also tried his best to comfort her, but unsurprisingly, he wasn't exactly skilled at it. Celestia sniffed and wiped away the tears rolling down her cheek. She looked around her, and saw the lifeless bodies of ponies that surrounded her. She began sobbing, as the feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her.
"I did nothing... When my people needed me... I did nothing!" She sobbed. "I'm useless! Useless! I did nothing to stop Discord, nothing to stop Chrysalis, and nothing now!"
Luna gently stroked her sisters mane and quietly shushed her. She closed her eyes and began to hum a slow tune. Celestia calmed down but remained sobbing in her sisters hoofs. Luna's humming soothed Celestia, and she started to gently sing a lullaby.
Then, the world just seemed to stop for a moment. It was eerily calm, like nothing had ever happened. Princess Celestia sniffled slightly in her sisters arms. Prince Mercury slowly rose to full height despite his brutal injuries. He sighed as he looked around him. The once beautiful field was now… nothing. Just a black field with a few weeds. He lowered his head at the sight of Luna, and Celestia, covered in blood, dirt and tears. He held a sorrowful look on his face, and then… he laughed. First a chuckle, then uproar. He couldn’t contain it; he almost fell to the floor in a laughing fit. Even discord joined in. He had to magic up a tissue to wipe away their tears. Everyone looked dumbfounded as Mercury and Discord laughed uproariously.
“We did it!” He laughed. “We actually did it!” They winced as their damaged lungs stung, and they started coughing instead of laughing.
"Despite facing an army, and an insane, magic craving bug, we still did it!" Discord laughed.
Celestia smiled as Luna helped her up. She slowly made her way over to Mercury and Discord, stumbling multiple times.
"Discord, if it wasn't for you... i would have lost everything. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Celestia smiled, and bowed her head. Everyone else nodded and also bowed their heads. Even some of the wounded ponies, scattered across the field began to bow their heads. Discord smiled.
"Thank you" He smiled, almost tearing up at the gesture. He looked down to Celestia, and in that moment, Discord saw the pink maned pony he knew so long ago.
Celestia looked up at Discord, and smiled. Yet, when she stared into his eyes, all she saw was hatred. His eyes startled her. Memories flooded through her. She wanted to forgive him, she truly did. But.. She couldn't. Her smile wavered, and turned into a frown. Attempting to hide it, she bowed her head back down.
Discord noticed this, and sighed. His smile and happiness drowned in regret.
She wanted to believe... he had changed. But when she looked into his eyes, she saw it.
She saw that beast that destroyed everything she loved.
Mercury called upon Canterlot’s most trusted guards to bring a dozen chariots. One for the crown and him, and another for everybody else to ride back to canterlot on. The rest were for the wounded ponies. Mercury carefully levitated the crown to the chariot, and told the guards to place it deep inside canterlot tower, where no one would think, nor have the courage to look. He insisted that no one else touched it. Something about "Possession". He instructed the remaining guards to take any Changelings that survived and to bring them to Canterlot to imprison them. Fluttershy helped in assisting the wounded Ponies onto the chariots. Luna helped her sister onto her chariot, even with her severe injuries. On the long journey home, Celestia slowly drifted to sleep in her sisters’ hoofs. And for once, Luna felt like she was the big sister. Her badly damaged wing had stopped bleeding and had already started to heal. It would leave a pale scar to constantly remind her of this day. Luna wasn't as hurt as Celestia had been, but she still winced and groaned when she tried to move. Fluttershy and Twilight did their best to tend to everyone’s wounds, but they were not alicorns. Their wounds would take days to heal. Spike was still asleep and Twilight had started to worry, despite Fluttershy assuring her that he was fine, and she believed her, after all, Fluttershy had a way with animals. But Twilight still watched over him. He had done so well today. Throughout all the years that she had raised him, she had never seen him so brave as he was today. She gently kissed him on the forehead and fell asleep for the long journey ahead.
Princess Celestia, Luna and everyone else returned to canterlot tower with many cuts and bruises. After Luna returned from her daily rising of the moon, (which took a few minutes longer than normal.) Celestia had her best tea maker pour everyone a cup of hot jasmine tea with extra sugar, to try and numb everyone’s pain. Celestia gazed out the window, appreciating the beauty of Luna’s night. A perfect shade of blue covered Equestria. Without a cloud in sight.
“The Element of harmony is now safely locked away, where none shall look for it.” Mercury announced as he entered the chambers.
“Element of disharmony?” Rainbow dash repeated, questioningly.
“Yes, the item which The Shade is being held in. it caused such disharmony that I thought the name would be fitting.” He smiled. He took a cup of tea and sat down next to Luna. His wounds looked even worse than Celestia’s did. Both his wings and two hooves were obviously broken, and the tip of one of his ears had been sliced cleanly off during the battle. It seemed that he healed slower than Celestia or Luna, but still managed to only wince as he stretched his bandaged wings. Although Mercury and Celestia had sustained the worst of the injuries, Rarity complained more than any of them. Sulking as she took sips of her tea, she whined that she had chipped a hoof. After a few moments resting in Princess Celestia’s private chambers, they realised what they had just been through. They had defeated an army, and a queen with near unlimited power. Even Celestia was surprised at the feat they had managed. So surprised in fact, that she decided that a celebration was in order.
She gathered the ponies and sat them down to tell them of what she had in mind.
“Seeing as The Shade has been trapped, and the element of disharmony is now locked away, and guarded in the safest place I know of, I think it only fitting that we have a celebration!” Princess Celestia announced to Twilight and her friends. “And I know pinkie pie will agree with me when I say, it shall be the grandest celebration Equestria has seen in a while!”
“Oh my god princess! Please, please, pleeeaaasee let me plan it! I already have the food planned, drinks, oh! And games, of course! What’s a party without games! I already have the cutest hat planned for Gummy!” pinkie pie chatted away.
“Why Princess! I think that is a splendid idea, but pinkie dear, please try and keep it civilised? It is, after all, a canterlot party.” Rarity pleaded. Everybody could already tell that rarity was creating a dress in her mind, which would be perfect for the occasion.
“Ah dunno princess, there could still be ah few of those darn changelings around…” Applejack stressed.
“Fear not Applejack, I shall see to it that the guards be on the lookout for any unusual behavior.” Celestia assured her.
Twilight pondered the idea. Many lives were lost during the war, and this could be the perfect opportunity to get everyponies mind off of it.
Discord fiddled with various things in Canterlot hospital. He examined and discarded random things around the waiting room. He had come to the hospital to get a stinging pain beneath his horn checked, although he soon regretted it. He grew tiresome of the dozens of fillies and ponies, glaring and whispering behind his back. When he became bored of making silly faces at the fillies, he decided to leave the hospital. The pain was just another nick in his old body. For a 3,000 year old, he could be worse. He was suddenly stopped by a colt in a white lab coat. Surprisingly, his coat was unlike the other doctors, and the mark on his flank seemed to have no resemblance to medicine. What could an hourglass have to do with medicine?The Doctor rambled on about how he was in danger, but Discord soon grew bored. He left the oak maned colt behind as he exited the hospital.
Until Mercury called upon him, Discord assumed he had open access to Canterlot. He craved havoc, chaos. But he thought it best not to get on Equestria's bad side. again.
He made his way to canterlot tower, craving a nap. "A nap?" Discord thought. surprised. "Maybe i really am getting old!" He chuckled. Unexpectedly, the climb up canterlots' stairs was unremarkably intense. Discord had to grasp the sidebar and pull himself up each step he took. He clicked his fingers casting multiple healing spells, but the pain kept pulsing. His horn felt red hot, and no spell could ease it. Discord was beginning to feel worried. He began doing small actions unwillingly. Nothing big, a small flinch or flick of the wrist. But the searing pain burnt through his skull. he felt faint and his vision went blurry. Declining offers of assistance from nearby guards, he had just enough strength to make it back to his new quarters, in Canterlot tower.
"A good nights rest will fix me up." He told himself. "Wont it?"
Mercury's ribs creaked as he rose from his Hospital bed. As his wounds healed slower than other Alicorns, immediate medical attention was needed as soon as he arrived back in canterlot.
"My lack of increased heal rate is the result of another spell gone wrong" Mercury repeated. It seemed he was not as good with magic as he seemed. Although the rank of his magic abilities struck fear into others, magic ranks are mainly classed on strength, not dexterity. Like Twilight Sparkle, Mercury has a large 'reservoir' of magic, except that Twilight is currently unable to use excessive amounts of said magic, only with extreme concentration and practice.
He cracked the joints in his wings and groaned in relief. His frayed wings had been bandaged for the past week, and to be able to finally move them felt extraordinary. Mercury had taken the use of his wings for granted, he found it difficult to even shoo away a fly during his time in the Hospital. His neck joints popped and his knees ground against his shins. The first few steps he took were more challenging than he thought, and his hips almost gave in. But he kept steady, and pushed up his knees from under him. As he slowly walked across his hospital dorm, he gently slid the large glass door open, and walked out to his balcony. He filled his lungs with crisp, warm air. Canterlot looked beautiful, bathed in sunlight. Mercury extended his wings and let them become engulfed by warm sun. With his wings out, Mercury looked like a giant. His wingspan spread out to what seemed like metres. Warm air flowed through his wings, yet it sent a shiver down his spine. He considered taking off into flight, right there on the Hospital balcony. But he was almost certain the doctors would not appreciate such a thing. He pulled his wings back close to his body and stepped back into his Hospital room. To his surprise, he found Luna asleep on the chair next to his bed. He wondered how he did not noticed her there earlier. Her soft snoring echoed through the room. Mercury smiled at the sight of her. For a princess, she slept like a pig. She was sprawled out across the chair, one wing high up in the air and the other resting on the ground. Her new crown hung off her horn and her tail gently swayed back and forth. He grinned as he fell back into bed. Knowing she was near was comforting.
"Celestia, i said no!" Mercury said sternly. He frowned as Celestia's eyes began to tear up. He knew she was obviously faking it, Celestia was never a good liar, nor did she rarely ever cry. But seeing her cry, during the few times she allowed herself to, always broke Mercury's heart, fake or not.
"Ugh, Fine..." He grumbled. Celestia smiled and let out a cheer, victory! She thanked him and trotted away. Mercury scoffed as she walked out of the hospital dorm.
"Don't close the door, it's fine!" He growled. He limped over to the doorway where he saw Luna holding a bundle of roses.
"Luna! its so good to see you!" Mercury smiled, standing aside to let her pass. "Celestia just told me about the party, although, i have my doubts." Luna kissed him on the cheek as she entered the room. She put the roses in a glass vase on Mercury's bedside table. She tapped the rim of the vase with her horn, it began to fill with water.
"How are you feeling? Is the hospital treating you well?" She quietly asked. Mercury smiled and smelt the roses. Blue lyes, his favourite.
"I am fine, although my wounds may heal slower, that doesn't mean i must act like a filly! Or perhaps, Rarity." He laughed. Luna giggled as she sat down on Mercury's hospital bed.
"What is so bad about having a celebration?" She asked. "I think it its a wonderful idea!"
"I dont think it is that bad of an idea, in fact, i thinks it's splendid! its just... i will be stuck in this hospital..." He frowned.
"Oh! You want to party!" Luna laughed. She fell to her side and covered her mouth, She continued laughing for a good minute, until she took a few deep breaths. "I will ask Tia if she can perhaps postpone the celebration, until you are released." She smiled. Mercury nodded with a grin on his face.
"I should be leaving, it is almost dusk." Luna frowned. "I will visit you again soon!" She smiled.
"Uh, thank you. For the roses!" Mercury blushed as Luna exited. She blew him a kiss and left the room.
It was the day of the celebration, and the party was being set in the canterlot sculpture garden, although Mercury had continuously discouraged the idea of the whole thing. Drinks were to be served and Pinkie Pie was to handle all the fine details of the party, she even had a table and seating arranged for gummy, (sporting a top hat and a tie) and her friends. Before the party, Rainbow dash had been personally asked by princess Celestia to remove any clouds blocking Luna’s beautiful night sky. When asked why, Celestia only replied, “She deserves it.” As usual, Twilight was educating Celestia of what she had learnt about the magic of friendship on the past weeks adventure. Although Celestia seemed to be more interested in Luna than Twilight, she still acknowledged Twilight with a few simple nods and a “Wonderful, Twilight!” At the end of her speech. Luna was gracefully waltzing with Mercury, and held the biggest grin on her face. Celestia hadn't seen her this cheerful in hundreds of years. She could tell that when Luna was with Mercury, it made her happy, and that made Celestia happy. She shot a wink towards Luna as she noticed Celestia was staring, Luna just smiled and continued in her dance. The perfect timing and symmetry of their dance mesmerized the ponies of Equestria; it was as if they had been practicing for years. The finished with a graceful bow and returned to the party as DJ PON-3 played a more, eccentric song. Rarity was showing off her wonderfully jeweled dress to all the royals who attended the party, they were having their own party. Laughing and gossiping about the party, other ponies, and of course, money. Applejack and Fluttershy felt quite alien compared to the class of the other ponies who attended the party, although half of Ponyville was there. They occasionally ordered some drinks and snacks, or told pinkie pie to settle down, as she had a few too many ciders, and was now dancing on top of the tables while wearing gummy’s top hat on her mouth. “Quack! I’m a duck!” she loudly giggled.
When the party (mainly Pinkie Pie) got too loud for her, Luna retreated to her quarters, closely followed by Mercury. He shut the large doors behind him and lit up the fireplace with a flash of his horn. This was the first night they had spent together without worry. She felt right at home with him. They sat down on her large silken bed and hugged each other. The fireplace crackled as she stared aimlessly into the fire. As she slowly drifted into a deep sleep, he kissed her on the cheek and the stars seemed to shine brighter. She felt warm and comfortable in his arms; you could almost mistake her soft snoring for purring. As she lay in his arms, he dulled the fire until a few red-hot ashes sizzled. The 2000 years finally caught up with him, and he was hit with a wave of fatigue. He softly fell into a sleep that he had craved for hundreds of years, it was fairly easy, considering how tired he was, but Pinkie Pie screaming, “I can hear colours!” outside while the party still thrived, did not help. As he stroked Luna’s sky blue mane, it seemed to perfectly mirror the cool night sky, it was littered with a ridiculous amount of stars, but was just as beautiful as she was. She had not spoken a word, but he knew what she was thinking at that moment. She loved him. And he was thinking the exact same thing. He had missed these nights with her, where they spoke not a single word, and preferred it that way. Quietly admiring each other. The both fell into a deep sleep, and dreamed.
Discord smiled as he slipped behind the roaring crowd, unnoticed. It was not hard, as all the attention was focused on Celestia as she announced that the party should soon be ending, and for the bartender to stop serving cider to pinkie pie. He clicked his fingers and appeared inside canterlot tower. Avoiding guards as he passed each corridor, Discords fast paced footsteps echoed through the halls of the empty, Canterlot tower. Swift and fluent, his steps were like a dance. He could have gotten around with his eyes closed; after all, this was once his palace. His castle. His home. Before he was evicted. To this very day he still regrets the events of that day. That one wrong decision was his downfall. He should have gotten rid of her when he had the chance. But that did not matter now, what mattered now, is that he kept his mind clear. One slip and Celestia, or worse, would know he was sneaking around. But they could not have foretold what he was about to do. No one could. He hid his true intentions so well, waiting, for Celestia to slip up. It was her turn to make the mistakes, and her turn to pay. He chuckled and gave himself a little congratulatory pat-on-the-back.
"TING!"
"Oops, chandelier. I should really mind where I'm walking." Discord chuckled. He deviously grinned down at the guard who stood in shock below him.
"Late for your rounds, eh?" Discord chuckled. "Naughty."
The guards face turned pale as he looked up at the the slender shadow circling the chandelier. "Luckily for you though, I dont turn ponies into stone!"
Discord clicked his claw and smiled in satisfaction as he heard a dull "crack!"
The body of the lifeless guard fell to the marble floor.
"Clean up on isle 3" discord giggled. He yet again clicked his fingers and body of the guard disappeared. Only until he heard a faint splash from a nearby lake did he continue his journey.
He effortlessly snuck past the now sleeping guards that were stationed at the unnecessarily large doors to the hall of the throne room, which once held the elements of harmony, before his… unexpected, defeat. The room seemed to darken as he entered. Each step he took the echo grew louder and deeper. The room had been remodeled to hold something much more valuable and dangerous than the elements of harmony. As he strolled to the end of the room, he couldn't help but laugh. He grinned as he grasped the element of disharmony. His eagle like claws made a soft “ting!” on its metallic surface.
“Old habits never die.” He chuckled. It grew a deep blue as he tightened his grip on it with his claws. The glow was almost heavenly. Like a blue mist on a cold night. It was truly beautiful.
