The Chaos Chronicles

by AwesomeMcSupercool

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Queen Chrysalis, Adventure, Discord, Princess Celestia, Main 6, Gore, Original Character
Length: 8529

All out war for Equestria with an all-star cast of antagonists

The newly reformed Discord is feeling restless within the walls of Canterlot. He NEEDS to wreak chaos. Celestia tells him that he will eventually get used to the idea of peace and harmony, but with each passing day Discord feels his powers being sapped away. Just when Discord is about to give in and accept this powerless life, a not so mysterious note appears.

NOTE: This all happens before Alicorn Twilight.

Published 2013-08-06 00:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-20 00:47:07 UTC

Summoning Chaos

A cold breeze tickled the edge of a mountain as two creatures trotted along a dirt path within the mountain range. Their tracks clearly visible within the path for they have walked this same path, at the same time of day, for the same reason. They were on patrol.
They were to make sure no one ever got near their base of operations. No one ever did though. Hardly anyone has ever ventured this deep into the mountain range. And no pony from Canterlot would dare ruin their hooficure with a hike in the outdoors.
Everything was routine and normal for the two creatures until they were stopped by the sound of their squad leader.
"KROG! THRAX!"
The two cringed at the bellowing of their names. Normally when this happens it meant they were about to be called to kitchen duty. A regular occurance for the two low ranking soldiers. The squad leader, greater in size and much more muscular than both of them, walked up the two and signaled them to stand at attention.
"The Queen requires you two to meet her in her quarters, ASAP!" The squad leader barked.
"You mean, we aren't being called to kitchen duty?" The one called Krog inquired.
"Did it sound like I said kitchen duty?!" The squad leader barked again.
"NO SIR" Krog and Thrax shouted in unison.
"That's what I thought, now stop fucking around and GET THERE!"
Krog and Thrax didn't need to be told again. They quickly turned around and headed back towards camp.
"What would Chrysallis want with us?" Asked Thrax. "We're nobodies! All we ever do is kitchen duty or go on patrol. And it's not like this patrol is very important. No one EVER wanders this far out. I mean really, that's the reason were here in these god damn mountains!"
Krog sighed, "You have a point, she's probably just going to tell us that we aren't needed and that we can pack are bags and go home."
The two arrived back at the changeling camp. It was buzzing with activity. More than normal. Krog and Thrax didn't pay much attention to it and continued to Chrysallis's quarters.

Krog and Thrax approached a large cave with changeling guards at each side of the opening.
The guard on the left spoke up. "Halt. State your rank and business."
Krog and Thrax were taken aback. "Uhhh, Im Private Thrax and uhh this is Private Krog. Were here to see the Queen."
"Ah you two, right this way." The guard said as he motioned them inside.
The cave was dank and dimly lit. Like other changeling facilities in these mountains it was dreadfully cold.
"Ah you arrived" Their Queen said when she noticed the presence of Krog and Thrax.
"I can imagine that you two would be curious as of why I called you here."
"Ya what was with the guards stopping us at the entrance? They never do that." Krog said.
"My apologies, Krag was it?"
"Krog"
"Oh yes, Craig. You see, our guards have just been a bit more anxious than usual with the situation at hand."
"What situation?" Thrax asked.
Chrysallis was suprised. "I woukd have thought that someone would have told you by now."
"Pffff, the only thing we get told is to report to kitchen duty." said Krog.
Chrysallis was starting to second guess her decision with these two.
"Well, if you haven't been told, our army is getting stronger. A lot stronger. In fact we might be able to take Canterlot. Now, as you should know is that now we have been here for months, waiting for an opportune time to strike back and conquer Equestria. But I've come to realize something, with Celestia in power we would never be able to seize Canterlot and get any sort of foot hold in this region even with our are amassing army."
"So what? Do you expect us to sneak into Canterlot and kill Celestia!?" Krog pondered.
Chrysallis, somewhat annoyed, replied. "Not exactly, but you will be sneaking into Canterlot."
Krog and Thrax looked at each other in confusion, then looked back to their Queen.
"You see, our spies have informed me that Discord has been reformed and living in Canterlot with Celestia. Now w--"
"So what are we supposed to do?" Thrax asked, interrupting Chrysallis.
"If you'd let me finish I just might tell you." A slightly more annoyed Chrysallis said. "What I need you to do is sneak into his chambers and leave behind this letter for him to find. And make sure you leave absolutely NO trace that you were there. Do you understand?"
"Yes your highness" the two said in unison. And with that, Chrysallis gave them the letter and sent them off.
"My Queen" Said Chrysallis's advisor, who had been present throughout the entire conversation, "Why would you send those two? This mission is crucial and dangerous, why not send one of the spies who are already in Canterlot?"
Chrysallis smiled, "Yes this mission is dangerous, but after all we went through to get those spies into Canterlot, they're too valuable to lose. And these two, they're...expendable, to say the least." She said as she saw Krog tripping on the ground and then Thrax tripping over him as they attempted to leave the cave.
"Even if they are captured its not like they could leak any information of our plans. And to be honest, I'm not so much worried about the delivery of the letter, than how Discord will react to it."
"Only time will tell my Queen, only time will tell."

Author's Note

This is the first story I've decided to write. From all the notes I have this is going to be a LONG one. I plan on writing as much as I can, but no promises. And bear with me, spelling errors might be a regular occurance. I tend to write late at night.

An Opprotunity

Discord awoke in his bed chamber to the sound of birds chirping. He resided in a fairly large room. It was very clean. Everything was placed perfectly so that each side was symmetrical to the other. Discord saw it as distasteful. A little randomness in furniture placement would be nice. But this is how Celestia specified how his room should be. And thats how it always has been ever since he was reformed by Fluttershy and started living with Celestia in Canterlot. Apparently it was supposed to help curb his need for chaos.
He looked over to his night stand and then at his planner. Tuesday: Breakfast at 9:00, Birdwatching at 1:00, picnic with Celestia at 4:00. Discord glanced at the clock. 12:30.
"Hmm, guess breakfast isn't happening, better start getting ready for Birdwatching." Discord murmured to himself.
This was just one of the things Celestia had him do to end his need for chaos.
Discord lazily rose up and out and of his bed. He headed for his personal shower. Apparently not bathing for a millennium isn't really acceptable in Canterlot. He turned on the water, set it to boiling. That's how he always had it.
Just like every other time he showered, he got in, rinsed himself, grabbed the soap, which was always next to the loofa, and washed himself. He never used the loofa. He thought about it once but realized it was to fru fru even for the reformed version of himself.
Discord rinsed again and got out. With a snap of his fingers he'd be dry. He'd done this everyday and it became routine.
But something wasn't right. When he snapped his fingers he wasn't completely dry. He was still quite damp. He looked at himself confused, then grabbed a towel to finish drying himself.

The Canterlot gardens were a thing of beauty. Much to the disliking of Discord. He'd like more than just tiny woodland creatures roaming around. He'd prefer some fun animals. Like a panther, or dragon. A dragon would be real fun. But alas, Celestia wouldn't approve of such a thing.
"A thing like that would be dangerous and unnecessary" Discord said in his best attempt at mocking Celestia's voice.
Off in the distance Discord heard the chirping of birds. He pulled out his binoculars and started searching. "Birdwatching, Bah! I should be turning birds into pony eating pythons, not watching them." Discord muttered. Soon he found the birds that originally caught his attention. Two swallows tending to their nest. "How interesting" Discord lied to himself.
Just as Discord was about to go searching for new birds to observe he stole a glance at the vast mountain range outside Canterlot. He would have normally just looked at the mountains and get back to his birds, but something caught his eye. He used his binoculars to get a better look. What he saw was perplexing. It looked like two black blobs flying together.
"Huh, I haven't heard of crows being in Canterlot since the last time Sombra was in rule of the Crystal Empire."
Discord always admired Sombra. Ruthless, power hungry, feared by his subjects. THAT was a good ruler in Discord's eyes.
The sound of birds chirping in the distance reminded Discord why he was there. So with that Discord returned to his scheduled Birdwatching.

"Oh Discord, isn't it beautiful!" Celestia exclaimed at the sight of synchronized swimming of swans in the lake next to there picnic site.
Discord wanted to vomit at the thought of someone enjoying such a ridiculous thing. Discord stayed silent as he fought the urge to regurgitate.
"Discord?" Celestia asked.
"What? Oh yes it's wonderful." Discord lied.
"Such beauty, such grace, all coming together in perfect harmony." Celestia said. She was awestruck
Discord realized this and tried his best to be polite. He knew how much Celestia cared about getting him to warm up to the idea of not having a world trapped in reckless chaos.
"Say, how about you use your magic." Celestia said.
"Really!?" Discord was surprised, ever since he arrived at Canterlot, Celestia rarely let him use magic. The only time he ever did was when he was alone.
"Yes, how about you snap your fingers and make as some food for this picnic."
"Hmm? OH, okay then." Discord spent so much time keeping himself from emptying the contents of his stomach he didn't even realize that Celestia didn't bring any food.
Discord, using a cliche modern day canterlot citizen voice, "Your meal mam, A salad made with fresh roman lettuce straight from the farms of Appleloosa and to drink, the finest wine imported straight from Manehatten." With that said, Discord snapped his fingers. What appeared was definitely not what he expected.
What appeared in front of them was not a fresh salad and wine, but a bag of potato chips and a cheap can of soda.
"Haha, very funny Discord." Celestia said.
"It-It's not a joke..." Discord said while just staring at what appeared in front of him. Celestia saw that Discord wasn't in fact joking and that he was actually concerned so she tried to act as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Well that doesn't matter. This will do just fine for the picnic."
As the picnic went on not much was said. The two sat in silence as they ate their chips and sipped their soda. The only thing that broke the silence was an occasional comment from Celestia about her admiration of the swans.

"That was dreadful." Discord said as he flopped onto his bed. Discord was just going to fall asleep right there and wait for the next day of boredom and stupidity. That's all his life consisted of nowadays.
But something was wrong. He felt a draft.
"That's odd, I don't remember leaving the window open when I left."
Discord went over to the window to investigate. What he found shocked him.
It was broken. And upon closer inspection he deduced that from the markings on the edge of the glass that someone had tried to completely remove the entire window.
"Now who would be so stupid as to do that?" Discord wondered.
"There isn't a single lock on this window, you could have just opened it! But then to break a giant hole in the window is just propos---What's this?"
Discord would have continued to rant about the stupidity of the vandal/intruder but what he found stopped him in his tracks. What he saw, on the table to the right of the window, was a letter.

Dear Discord,
I require your assistance...

Author's Note

More to come.
Note: A common spelling error of mine is typing "if" instead of "of" and vice versa.

New Friends

Dear Discord,
I require your assistance. I seem to have a problem that only someone with your abilities can solve. Chaos, will ensue. I know you must be itching to cause a little havoc. It must be living hell to be stuck in Canterlot, not bring able to use your powers to their full potential. What favor does Celestia think she's doing for you by turning you into stone for a millennium, only for you to be "reformed" and expected to act like a civilized being. Being civilized isn't in your nature. You should be wreaking chaos. Ponies should FEAR you.
Work with me and that'll all be possible.
I'll be waiting at the base of the mountain range out side Canterlot at midnight. For the safety of everyone I advise you come alone.

Best wishes,
Chrysallis

Discord read the letter and immediately his brain turned into a melting pot of questions. How did Chrysallis find out about his reformation? What sort of problem does she need him to solve? Why would he need to come alone? Why did they need to break his window just send him a letter?!
"Wreaking chaos does sounding enticing." Discord said.
Enticing was an understatement. Discord had yearning for chaos ever since he stepped foot into Canterlot.
"But what would Celest---NO! Screw Celestia! For months she's been trying to turn me into the type of creature I despise, a normal one. And I've had ENOUGH."
Discord started pacing.
"What Chrysallis has in mind can't be that bad...can't it?
Discord froze as he heard a knocking on his door.
"Discord?" Said the voice from behind the door.
Discord's heart started racing.
"Yes?" Discord said, hoping that whoever was there didn't hear anything he said.
"Oh good your there. Just wanted to give you a reminder that its 9PM. Time for all lights to be turned off."
Discord sighed a sigh of relief when he found out it was just a guard doing a routine check up. He never looked at the clock when he got back from the picnic. He should have been ready for that.
"Oh I know, just give me a second and all lights will be off."
"Sounds great, Have a good night Discord."
"Go fuck yourself." Discord muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
"I said good night."
"All right then."
Discord waited for the sound of hoofsteps to fade away before he got back to his soliloquy.
"It's settled. I'm going to meet Chrysallis tonight to see what she needs me to do. I can't stand this life any longer."
Discord made his way to his broken window, opened it, closed it, opened it again to prove to himself how easy it was to open it, and flew off into the darkness of Luna's night.

Chrysallis stood alone at clearing in a forest next to the mountain range. She had been waiting on this chilly night for about half an hour. She started to think that Discord wasn't going to show up. Chrysallis started to pace in anticipation. Her already visible breaths started to become more frequent. For a moment Chrysallis thought she going to leave. But as she was turning to head back to her base in the mountains a figure swooped down from above and landed ten feet away from her.
"You actually showed up." Chrysallis said somewhat astonished, somewhat relieved.
"Yes, I did." Discord said as he started walking towards Chrysallis. "Now you have some questions to---" Before Discord could even finish his sentence dozens of changelings came down from the trees and surrounded him.
"Easy boys." Chrysallis said, casually calling off the small army of changelings that stood between her and Discord.
"So you were prepared to start a small war here at the drop of the hat, impressive." Discord said in admiration.
"Small wars isn't exactly what I had in mind."
Discord's eyes widened. "What did you have in mind?"
"Oh c'mon Discord, did you really think I would call on the god of chaos to ask for advice? You know what I have in mind. And you know what I want. I want Equestria."
"I was afraid of that."
"Why?"
"It's just that---"
"Just what? That you got used to the fact that your Celestia's pet?"
"How dare you say that!" Discord's fists were clenched, tree branches began to shake.
"Don't try to act tough Discord, look what she's done to you! You're a viscous wolf whose been turned into nothing more than a mere family dog."
It took Discord all the strength he had in him not to attack her right then and there. But after he calmed himself down he realized that she was right. He sighed.
"So how do I play a role in this Equestrian conquest of yours?"
Chrysallis smiled, knowing she had used his anger to influence his decesion. "Before I answer that I need to know the limitations of your powers."
"Well, if I'm using them for the means of chaos they're practically limitless." Discord said.
"Perfect." This was music to Chrysallis's ears.
"Why do you ask?"
Chrysallis started to pace around Discord. "Oh no reason, it's just that I'll need you to go and get some friends of mine."

Under New Management

Princess Luna stood and watched over the ponies of Equestria from her tower's balcony in Canterlot. She looked up into to her night and admired her handiwork. What she was able to do with the stars was breathtaking. Luna felt more accomplished about this night than almost any of her other nights. It was one of the best nights she's created since Celestia let her take control of the moon once again. It had been almost two years since Twilight Sparkle and her friends vanquished the being she once was. The Princess would always be grateful for what they did that night.
"My, what a lovely evening you've created Luna."
Luna turned around in shock to see Discord leaning against the balcony door's door frame.
"It's almost two in the morning! What are you doing up here Discord?" Luna asked.
"Oh the real question is what will YOU be doing here tonight." As he said this Discord started walking towards the nervous Princess. He put his hand on her forehead.
"Discord, what are you doing?!" Luna legs might as well have been cemented to the ground. Once Discord laid his hand on her she was frozen in place. She could feel something metalic start to encase her head. It was a helmet. No ordinary helmet.
"Discord stop! You can't do this!" Luna was fighting with all her strength to form words at this point.
"Yes I can actually, that's why I'm doing it." Discord said with a hint of felicity in his voice.
Luna could feel her teeth sharpening and elongating. "Guards! Guards HELP"
"Oh Im afraid they won't be able help you now, you see, they're a bit tied up at the moment." Discord couldn't help but laugh as he watched Luna look past him and into the tower to see two guards tied to each other and gagged.
Luna couldn't fight it any longer. Tears started to roll down her cheeks.
"Shhh, it will all be over soon." Discord said as he strengthened his grip.
The only things that could be heard at this point was the muffled yells of the tied up guards and the occasional sniffle from Luna.
Discord released his grip and snapped his fingers. "So, how do you feel?"
"I feel incredible."
What answered Discord was not Princess Luna.

It was Nightmare Moon.

Celestia slept peacefully in her bed. Up until she was awoken by a frantic pounding on her door.
Celestia rose to a sitting position and opened the door with her magic.
"What in Equestria could you possibly need at this hour?" Celestia said to the panic ridden guard at her door.
"Princess Celestia! Chrysallis has returned, she and her changeling army are attacking Canterlot as we speak, Discord has brought back nightma---" The guard was cut off by multiple black blobs that tackled him to the ground and carried him off out of sight.
Celestia shot out of bed and immediately ran to her window. What she saw was horrifying. Changelings were swarming her beautiful city. She stood and watched as war erupted in front of her. She saw her royal guards along with the guards of Canterlot desperately trying to protect her citizens. She looked to the streets only to see filly, not even old enough to attend her magic school, get mauled to death by a group of changelings.
It was sickening, the disregard for life shown by the changeling army made her nauseous.
"Im going to put an end to this!" Celestia declared.
"Don't kid yourself sister."
Celestia's head whipped around to see Nightmare Moon, standing in the room with her.
"Did you miss me? I sure did" Nightmare moon nonchalantly said.
"But...How?" Celestia was dumbfounded.
"Oh I got a little help from Discord." Nightmare moon said.
"What? No, that's impossible! He's changed! He's my friend!" Celestia felt like she was living a nightmare.
"Changed? Ha! You could have more luck changing a rock into a pillow. And that so called friend of yours despises every little thing about you."
Celestia stomped her hoof onto the ground. "Alright Luna, I've had enough! You can stop playing your little dream game, this isn't funny! I know this isn't real."
"Oh trust me, this is VERY real." With that Nightmare Moons horn started to glow, and from it, a beam of dark light was shot, grazing Celestia's shoulder.
"Aaaah!" Celestia exclaimed as blood started to drip from the wound. Celestia gathered herself and shot a beam of bright light back at Nightmare Moon. Nightmare Moon shot her own beam of dark light at Celestia. The two beams hit each other and stopped at in equal distance between the dueling sisters.
"You can not win Celestia, I am too powerful, even for you!" Nightmare Moon's beam started to over power Celestia's and creep closer towards her.
"I will not stand her idle as my people suffer!" Celestia mustered up as much magic as she could to put into her spell. She started to sweat from contration. Her horn started to glow vividly bright. When she was ready she broke the beam she had been holding up and jumped to the left to avoid Nightmare Moon's beam, which had barely missed her and broke a hole in the wall behind her.
When Celestia was ready, she unleashed all the magic she had stored within her horn in one blinding blast. The shot had contacted its target, who lay motionless on the ground.
It was only a very powerfull paralysis spell. Celestia could never find it within herself to kill her own sister, even with the given circumstances.
With Nightmare Moon taken care of Celestia ran out of her room and into the palace. There she found a member of the royal guard thrusting a spear through the chest of a changeling.
"You there! Guard!"
The guard quickly turned around to adress his princess. "Your highness!"
"I need you to tell every surviving member of the Royal Guard and Canterlot Guard to find as many citizens as they can and escort them to safety, we'll all rendezvous at the Crystal Empire."
"At once your highness!" The guard took off running.
Celestia ran out into the court yard. Once she was outside she flew up into the air to look over her city. By now she could see that most ponies have already fled the city and have started to flee towards the Crystal Empire. What she also saw was all the blood that covered the streets. The blood of the old, young, and innocent citizens of Canterlot.
Celestia couldn't take anymore. She started to fly in the direction of the Crystal Empire.
Before the city was out of sight she gave one last look towards Luna's tower. There she saw Nightmare Moon flying to meet up with Chrysallis, Queen of the Changelings. Chrysallis was standing next to someone. When she was able to make out who it was she furious.
It was Discord.

It's All About Strategy

"What happened to you?" Discord asked Nightmare Moon as he sipped a glass of chocolate milk he created.
"Celestia bested me in her bedroom." Nightmare Moon said shamefully.
Discord spat out his chocolate milk as he was caught off guard by the comment.
"Discord, why did you do tha----OH C'MON. REALLY?" Nightmare Moon shot Discord a look that made him wish he was back in his stone imprisonment.
"My apologies, it's just that the way you said it could be implied that..." Discord stopped as Nightmare Moon's glare intensified. "Nevermind."
Nightmare Moon discontinued her glare continued her explanation. "She may have gotten away but she definitely won't be able to raise the sun tomorrow morning. I was able to hit her with a spell that weakens her magical abilities."
"Perfect, just perfect." Chrysallis said. "We should send a fleet of changelings to finish her off."
"No!" Discord shouted. Chrysallis and Nightmare Moon looked at him in confusion. "I mean, killing her now wouldn't be uhhh...strategious."
Chrysallis looked at him with more confusion. "How would it be unstrategious?"
Discord could feel himself starting to sweat. "It just uhhh wouldn't, you have to trust me on this."
Chrysallis thought it over. "If you say so, but if this ends up back firing on us I'll have your head!" Chrysallis turned around to adress two changelings guarding the door way. "Thrax, Craig."
"Krog."
"Whatever, go and spread the word to the army to cease the persuit and to fortify Canterlot. I could see ourselves being here quite a while."
"Yes your highness." Krog and Thrax said in unison as they left with their task, less enthusiasm from Krog.
Chrysallis turned back to Nightmare Moon. "Watch after them, make sure they don't manage to kill themselves."
Nightmare Moon nodded and took off after the two.
When Nightmare Moon was out of sight Chrysallis continued to talk. "I have to say Discord, ever since you agreed to work with me I've NEVER seen my army fight so well. Not even when they were feeding off of Shining Armor's love for Princess Cadence. Equestria should be ours within a matter of weeks!"
Discord was lost in thought until Chrysallis looked at him, awaiting a response. "Oh yes, that is wonderful."
"Indeed, we'll see what tomorrow brings us and move on from there." With that said Chrysallis turned and left.
Discord's mind was racing. He had dreamed of an opportunity like this every day of the millennium he spent trapped in stone. But now that its actually happening, is this really what he wanted?
He looked down towards the maze where he was once imprisoned, and then down towards the massacre on the streets. Neither of which helped ease the feeling of indifference he had about his actions.

Author's Note

I know this is a short chapter, but I couldn't see mixing this with the next chapter

A call to arms

"What could have happened to her." Asked a pink alicorn.
"I don't know Cadence, but the letter said that all of the remaining citizens of Canterlot would be fleeing here for shelter, and that we should have our doors open for them."
"What does she mean by remaining citizens?" Cadence asked.
"I don't know." Shining Armor said with an emotionless voice.
"But they're gonna be okay, right?" Cadence asked, the extent of her worry becoming apparent.
"I don't know." Shining Armor said, just as emotionless.
A white figure approached over the horizon.
"Is that her?" Cadence asked.
Shining Armor squinted his eyes in hope of a better look. "Probably, I'm not sure though."
"Oh it has to be, look." Cadence pointed to a large group of ponies appearing over the horizon behind the figure they assumed was Celestia. "They don't look so bad."
But as Cadence was commenting on the well being of the ponies, more ponies started to follow them. These ponies were not in any means in the same conditions of the ponies in the front of the group. They were walking corpses. They were bloody, limping, and cruedly bandaged. Some of them were actually dead. They were being carried by their family who couldn't bare to leave them behind amidst the slaughter in Canterlot.
Shining Armor was in pure shock, Cadence started to cry. Shining Armor tried to reassure his wife by putting his forehoof around her shoulder, but even he needed some reassuring. This was definitely not what he had thought what was in store when he had agreed to help shelter Canterlot citizens.

Celestia approached the gates of the Crystal Empire. The guards opened the gates to let her and the citizens of Canterlot in without any words being said. Celestia walked through the gates and was greeted by a crowd of ponys bombarding her with questions. Celestia paid no attention to the questions.
"Make way!" Celestia shouted.
The questions ceased immediately. The Crystal Empire ponys were shocked, never had they seen their princess so distraught. But they quickly obeyed and cleared a path for Celestia and her followers.
Shining Armor came running up to Celestia. "Celestia what happened t--"
"Quiet! We'll talk in the palace." Celestia snapped.
"O-Okay." Shining Armor was take aback.
As the two made their way to the palace, medics started to tend to the mutilated ponies of Canterlot.
When the arrived inside the palace Cadence came flying up to them. "What happened to your shoulder?!"
"That's not important." Celestia said. "How many battle ready guards do you have?"
Shining Armor spoke up. "Celestia, you're leaving a small trail of blood in the palace."
"Answer the question!" Celestia yelled.
Shining Armor and Cadence both looked at each other hoping the other would answer.
"Uhhh, we have around two thousand ponys able too fight that are stationed here in the Crystal Empire." Said an orange guard with a blue mane, who was watching the entrance to the palace.
"Thanks Flash, you're always there for me when I need it." Shining Armor said in appreciation.
Celestia gave Shining Armor a stern look for being some what casual in this situation. "That's not nearly going to be enough." Celestia said.
"Not enough for what?" Shining Armor asked.
"You'll find out when I address the Crystal Empire."
"Okay, but first, let me fix your shoulder." Cadence said as she tried to avoid stepping in the small puddle of blood forming around Celestia.
Cadence closed her eyes and her horn started to glow. Slowly Celestia's wound began to heal, leaving only a scar.
"Thank you Cadence." Celestia said. "Now lead me to the balcony so I can address the Crystal Empire."
"Yes Celestia, right this way." Cadence said as she motioned her to a stairway.
As the group made their way up the stairs Shining Armor turned around to look at Flash Sentry. He pointed to the blood on the floor and gave him a look that implied that he wanted him to clean it up.
Flash Sentry looked down at the ground and sighed, but he understood what he needed to do. He left to a different room to get the supplies he needed.

Celestia approached the balcony with Shining Armor and Cadence behind her. She projected her voice far throughout the streets of the Crystal Empire. "Citizens of the Crystal Empire, refugees of Canterlot. A time of crisis has fallen upon Equestria. If you have not heard by now, Chrysallis, Queen of the changelings, has taken control of Canterlot with her army. An army not only consisting of changelings. But among her ranks is my sister, who has once again become Nightmare Moon.
The crowd beneath Celestia gasped and started to question what they had just heard.
"And also, someone who I had trusted, someone who I thought I could call my...friend, has betrayed me. Discord has turned back to his old ways of wreaking chaos and had sided with Chrysallis.
More gasps and questions arose from the crowd.
"If we do not stop them Chrysallis will take her army all over Equestria, killing anypony and anything in her path. What we need to do is rally anypony who can fight and assemble them here in the Crystal Empire. That along with taking in every pony we can to shelter them within these walls. Almost no place will be safe in Equestria. We will send couriers to every major city and town to spread the word as quickly ad possible. So get ready ponies, it's going to get rather crowded here." With that said Celestia turned and left, heading back inside to the palace.
After Celestia's departure the crowd erupted into a roar of confused and panicked questions. None of them being answered.

Author's Note

Sorry for being a bit late with this chapter, I've been busy as of late. But I'd just like to say thank you to those of who keep coming back to read more, and to those who have taken the time to like this story. It really means a lot to me seeing that this is the first story I've written. So again, thank you.

Also, Flash Sentry will appear in the story from time to time, but there will be no major interactions between him and twilight.

Sticking together can't be that hard, right?

Twilight was soundly asleep in her bed. She had been up all night studying a new masculinity enhancing spell. Needless to say it didn't work, much to Spike's disappointment.
She was awoken by the sound of books crashing to the floor.
"Spike?...What are you doing?" Twilight lazily asked as she got out of bed.
"Oh your up! I'm just packing all the books you might need."
Twilight was confused. "Why would we need to pack?"
"Haven't you heard?" Spike asked.
"Heard what? I've been asleep since 2AM." Twilight said with a yawn.
"Oh ya. Well this morning everyone was told that we needed to evacuate to the Crystal Empire because of a possible changeling attack."
"Oh okay...wait WHAT?!" Twilight screamed, once she realized what Spike had said. "When did hear this?"
Spike thought to himself. "Just a couple of hours ago I think."
"Where is everyone?"
"Most people are still here, packing up there things."
"Alright, ok, stay calm."
Twilight said.
"I'm perfectly calm Twilight."
"I wasn't talking to you!"
Spike looked somewhat hurt by the comment.
"Oh Spike, you know I'm not mad at you, it's just that Ive gotten pretty stressed in the last minute."
Twilight said, trying to console Spike.
"I know..." Spike said flatly.
Both Twilight and spike were silent as they started to pick up the books Spike had dropped earlier. They were almost done when Spike started to feel a rumble in his stomach. Twilight looked at him knowing what would happen. And just as Twilight mentally predicted what would happen, Spike burped up a letter. Twilight picked it up.

My most faithful student,
There are troubling times ahead of us Twilight. As you have most likely heard by now, Crysallis has attacked Camterlot with her army of changelings, with Discord and Nightmare Moon at her side.

"Discord? Nightmare Moon?" Twilight continued to read the letter.

Now before you leave ponyvillie to head towards the Crystal Empire I need you to round up your friends and gather the elements of harmony. They are going to be crucial in the fight against Chrysallis. And once you have them make sure you and your friends stick together at ALL TIMES.

Sincerely,
Princess Celestia

"What's it say Twilight?" Spike asked.
"Celestia wants me to gather up our friends and get the elements of harmony before we leave to the Crystal Empire."
"We'll that seems like a good idea, you go get them and I'll finish packing." Spike said.
"Ok." Twilight paused. "Spike?"
"Ya Twi?"
"I'm going to need to pack your own things and head down to Sweet Apple Acres and go to the Crystal Empire with the Apples." Twilight said.
"Why?!" Spike asked.
"Because I know that my friends and I are going to be a big target for Chrysallis seeing that we bear the elements of harmony."
"But--"
"But nothing! This is going to be dangerous and I don't want you to get hurt. The Apples will take care of you."
"Okay..." Spike said deflated.
"Hey, we'll only be separated for a few days at most." Twilight said encouragingly.
"Okay Twilight." Said Spike.
"It's going to be okay, trust me. I just wouldn't want anything to happen to my number one assistant." Twilight said, putting a hoof on Spikes shoulder.
"Twilight?"
"Yes, Spike?"
Spike turned to look Twilight in the eyes. "Stay safe. Please."
Twilight returned the gaze. "I will, don't worry." Twilight looked out the window. "Ok I'm going to go get the girls together, I'll see you when I come back for my crown."
"Ok, I'll see you then."
With everything in order Twilight turned and headed out the door.
Outside she saw ponies frantically trying to get all of their needed belongings together. Twilight decided she'd start looking for here friends at Sugercube Corner. Few words were said from the ponies of ponyvillie. Only a few remarks were made on wether or not something was necessary to bring along. Occasionally a filly could be heard crying about having to leave their home. But other than that, silence.
When Twilight arrived Sugarcube Corner she instantly saw Pinkie Pie and Rarity trying to console Fluttershy right outside of the doors.
"Darling it's going to be fine, I know it's tough but there's no possible way you can bring EVERY animal to the Crystal Empire with you to the Crystal Empire." Rarity said.
"And all of your animals are like, REALLY super duper smart so I'm sure they can take care of themselves until this is all over." Pinkie said trying to be as encouraging as possible. "Oh hi Twilight!"
"Hi Pinkie, I see that this might not be the most appropriate time but there isn't going be any other time so I'll just tell you guys what I need you to do. Before we leave I need you to get your pieces of the elements of harmony and meet me back here, Okay?"
"Can do, darling."
"Sure thing Twi!"
"okay..."
Twilight looked down at Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, I'm going to need you to get Rainbowdash down from Cloudsdale, is that alright?"
"Ya..." Fluttershy said quietly.
"Great, I'm going to go get Applejack and meet you guys back here." Twilight then promptly turned around and started heading to Sweet Apple Acres.

Twilight trotted down the dirt path that lead to the Apples' barn. She found Applejack packing supplies into a wagon being pulled by Big Mac.
"Applejack!" Twilight yelled in greeting.
"Oh hey Twi!" Applejack said, turning away from her work.
"Applejack, this is very important, I need you to grab your piece of the element of harmony and head down to Sugarcube Corner right way." Twilight said.
"Sure thing Sugarcube, just let me finish loadin' up this here wagon. I'm almost done and I'll head right out in a sec." Said Appkejack as she continued to load up their wagon.
"Great, I'll see you in a bit."
Twilight turned to Big Mac. "Big Mac, I told Spike that he could travel with your family to the Crystal Empire, that won't be a problem won't it?"
"Nope."
"And can you make sure he doesn't get too upset, he doesn't like it when were separated for long periods of time. It's just that it won't be safe to travel with me."
"Eeyup."
"Oh thank you so much Big Mac, your a life saver!"
"Eeyup."
Twilight gave Big Mac and Applejack a nod and headed back to the library.

"Okay, so far everything is going smoothly, great."
Twilight opened her door to find her house seemingly empty.
"Spike?" Twilight paused expecting an answer. She didn't get one.
"Spike?" Still no answer.
"He must have already headed out to Sweet Apple Acres." Twilight started looking around the library. "I didn't see him on my way back though." Twilight started to think. "He probably just took a different route." Twilight nodded in agreement with herself. "Ya that's it, now where's my crown?" Twilight started to look around her home. She grabbed a saddle bag and started filling it with food and supplies.
She came to her bed and looked to her nightstand to see her crown lying on top of it. "That's not where I left my crown." But Twilight didn't pay much attention to it and put it into her saddlebag.
After she finished getting all the supplies she thought she would need she headed out back to Sugarcube Corner.

"Where's Fluttershy and Rainbowdash?" Twilight asked as she approached her friends outside Sugarcube Corner.
"I dunno Twi, they just haven't showed up." Appkejack said.
Just as Applejack said that Fluttershy gently flew down and joined the group.
"Where's Rainbowdash?" Twilight asked.
Fluttershy looked down at the ground. "She ummm....didn't want to come."
"What do you mean she didn't want to come?!" Twilight asked with a raised voice.
Fluttershy started to sink low to the ground. "She said that she needed to help fight for Celestia and that she wanted to leave as soon as possible."
"Did you try to stop her!?" Twilight asked, raising her voice more.
Fluttershy sank even lower. "Every time I tried to convince her not to go she would just cut me o---"
"GAH! We need all six of us to head out together! You know what, that's okay. Maybe we still have a chance to reach her and convince her not to go yet." Twilight said.
"Um, Twi?" Applejack pointed to the sky. "I dunno bout' that."
Twilight looked up into the sky in frustration to see an expanding multicolored circle connected to a shooting streak of rainbow, heading straight towards the Crystal Empire.

The gang's all here

Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rarity, and Applejack trotted down the streets of ponyvillie to the train station. As they walked the sky seemed to get darker and darker with each passing minute.
"It can't be getting dark already, it's only 3 in the afternoon!"
Rarity exclaimed.
"Well I don't want to jump to conclusions but Nightmare Moon has returned." Twilight said.
"So now we have deal with changelings, Discord, Nightmare Moon, AND eternal night? That's A LOT of things to worry about." Pinkie said.
"Yes, Pinkie, it is." Twilight said, already knowing exactly how dangerous the whole situation was.
Before they knew it all the daylight they had savored, vanished. And they were covered in a blanket of darkness.
"Train station is just ahead, c'mon." Applejack said, starting to move a bit faster.
The rest of the group picked up speed as well. Soon they were at the station.
"Where is everyone?" Fluttershy asked, confused by the emptiness of the station.
"The must have all left on the last train that left." Rarity presumed.
"Nope, that's not it." A voice said from behind the group.
Twilight was the first to turn around. "Who are you?" She asked the light brown earth pony who had joined in on the conversation.
"I'm Ray Rhodes, I'm the one who runs this here station." Ray said.
"We'll then Mr. Rhodes, may I ask when the next train is going to be here?" Rarity asked.
Ray laughed. "There ain't gon be no trains tonight missy. Changelings destroyed the tracks bout 25 miles down. I'm just here to pack up the last of my things and get outta here."
"So you're saying that were gonna have to WALK all the way to the Crystal Empire!" Pinkie shouted.
"Well unless your yella friend can pick all uh you up and fly you there I don't think you gotta choice." Ray said with a chuckle.
Fluttershy hid behind her friends after the remark.
"Alright then, were walking." Twilight said declaratively. "Thank you Ray."
"You're welcome ma'am, now stay safe out there." Ray said as the group made started on their trek towards the Crystal Empire.

Chrysallis and Discord walked down the streets of Canterlot, overseeing the activities of the army.
"My Queen!" A voice said off in the distance.
Chrysallis started to search for the owner of the voice. She found Krog and Thrax stumbling over each other trying to get to her.
"My Queen." Krog said once he was in front of Chrysallis.
"Yes, what is it Keegan?" Chrysallis asked.
"Ugh, you tell her." Krog said to Thrax.
"My Queen, we have just been informed that Celestia is assembling a massive army within the walls of Canterlot." Thrax said.
Chrysallis's eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful news! I knew you knew what you were doing Discord when you said to let Celestia go!" Chrysallis said excitedly.
"What? I'm mean, ya, of course I knew what I was doing." Discord said frantically.
"Thank you, now you two leave us, Discord and I need to discuss private matters." Chrysallis said to Krog and Thrax.
"Yes your highness." Krog and Thrax said in unison. A substantial less amount of enthusiasm from Krog.
Once the two changelings left Chrysallis turned towards Discord. "I have to say, those two have become rather useful."
"I guess, but how could Celestia assembling a massive army be wonderful news?" Discord asked.
"They said that she was assembling them all within the walls of Canterlot. Think how easy it would be to take Equestria if we could trap them within those walls. If we had just killed Celestia we would have still had to deal with all of the other soldiers and guards spread out all over Equestria." Chrysallis said.
"But how could we manage to do such a thing. I wouldn't be able to use my magic because trapping them would be stopping the fighting, and then stopping the chaos." Discord said.
"Oh you aren't going to be the one doing the trapping. You're going to get someone who can." Chrysallis said with a smile.

Discord was alone on the frozen tundra miles away from the Crystal Empire. It was cold and barren, just like his heart had been during his thousand year imprisonment. He could see the lights of the empire off in the distance. He wondered if Celestia was all right, if there was anyway she could possibly forgive him. Immediately he buried the thought. He wouldn't want her forgiveness even if she had begged him to take it.
Discord looked down at the ground beneath him and remembered why he was there. Below him were multiple cracks that scratched the earth. Discord sighed and snapped his fingers.
A black smoke started to emit from the cracks. Discord was quickly surrounded by the black smoke. But before the smoke could completely engulf him it started to form into a figure. Within seconds the smoke was gone leaving only a single being standing in front of Discord.

Sombra.

A quick briefing

A quick briefing

Sombra, shocked by the fact that he existed, looked at Discord in confusion. "Why...How...You?"
Discord gave Sombra a warm smile. "I know you're confused, but do not fret, I will tell you everything you need to know."
Sombra's curiosity was burning inside of him. "Okay..."
Discord continued. "You see, with my seemingly limitless powers I have been able to take the remnants from your vanquished body and bring you back to life, good as new!"
"It's high time someone realized they needed a proper king. Right then, take me to my subjects."
Sombra said.
"Woah there, not so fast. I didn't bring you back because I wanted you to be king, even though I personally thought you were one of the best there ever was."
"ONE of the best?" Sombra asked with a disapproving tone.
"Ugh, that doesn't matter right now. But what does matter is this." Discord took in a large breath. "Chrysallis, Queen of the changelings, has created an army powerful enough to overthrow Celestia and take over Equestria. We have already beaten them at Canterlot and the survivors have fled to the Crystal Empire with Celestia. Celestia has now amassed her own army within the walls of the Crystal Empire. And now we need someone to magically trap them within those walls so Chrysallis and her army can take over Equestria with little resistance. I'd do it myself, but trapping them would stop the fighting between the two army's and stop the chaos, making my magic useless." Discord exhaled after his explanation.
"So I'm not here to become an absolute ruler?" Sombra asked.
"No, you would be sharing power with Chrysallis, myself, and Nightmare Moon. That is, if you are able to help us trap Celestia's army." Discord said.
"You brought back Nightmare Moon?!" Sombra exclaimed.
"Yes I did." Discord said matter-o-factly.
"Neat. Now how am I supposed to be able to trap all of them inside? I don't know any spells like that." Sombra said.
Discord extended his arm. "Grab my arm. I'll take you back to our base in Canterlot where we'll get reinforcements. While we're there I could, teach you a few new tricks." Discord said.
Sombra, without hesitation, grabbed Discords arm. Discord turned his head to get one last look at the Crystal Empire, then turned away and snapped his fingers. Just like that the two vanished into thin air. Leaving the frozen wasteland with nothing but silence.

Author's Note

Another short chapter, I know. And to those of you coming back. I can't say that I have any sort of schedule when it comes to writing. I write whenever I get the chance. But I will complete this story eventually, that I can promise you.

**UPDATE
My life, in short terms, has gotten pretty busy as of late. And I can't find any time to write. But I still want this to get finished but you probably won't see another chapter for at least two weeks.

****UPDATE
I don't like doing this, but I have to put this on hold, I want to say Ill start writing again in December, but I'm not sure. I just can't find enough time to sit down and write a quality chapter. Again, I'm sorry.