Distant Worlds: Shards of Harmony (uncut and extended.)

We all landed with an echoing thud in the throne room of Canterlot Castle, groaning as we got up a deafening girlish scream was heard from behind us. We turned around to see grey pegasus stallion with a chocolate brown mane and tail, bright blue eyes and a tribal dragon cutie mark on his flank.

“Jay, is that you?” Solaire asked, the pegasus in question just nodded. Jay pointed at Solaire speechless, Solaire took a moment to look around. While Solaire, Luna, Macintosh, Frost and myself were back to normal and I use that term loosely in my case, everyone that came with us were now ponies like the rest of us.

Levia examined himself and found he had been changed into a dark blue unicorn stallion, light brown mane and tail, ocean blue eyes, and a tidal wave with a sea dragon emerging from it for a cutie mark.

“This is...new?” He muttered to himself.

Fenix found he had been changed into a fiery red earth pony, he was a little shorter than Macintosh in height, had a orange mane and tail with blond highlights, brown eyes and a pheonix for a cutie mark.

“...” He remained silent aside from an unamused groan, one of his ears twitched as a sign of his annoyance.

Jinx was changed into a white pegasus mare, her mane and tail were her usual bright red, her bright blue eyes shone happily as she looked around curious about her surroundings. She had a single five pointed star in the centre of a spiral on her flank.

“Wow...this place is huge!” She said in awe, her wings rustled and stretched making her aware of her new found appendages.

Hunter had a similar expression to Jay as he found himself turned into a caramel brown earth pony, his mane and tail being a similar shade to Jay's, his brown eyes surveying his surroundings, his cutie mark was a drawn bow and arrow.

“...This...is weird...” He spoke out confused as all hell to what's going on.

While they were getting used to their new bodies, I was happily chatting to mom trying to reassure her that every thing would be okay. Mom herself was an light blue earth pony, a dusty blonde mane and tail with the occasional white streaks, greyish blue eyes and an open cook book for a cutie mark.

“Mom, everything is fine we're safe here.” I tried to reassure her, as she panicked a little due to her new form. We heard another squeak from Jay and Hunter I turned to see what they were looking at, Macintosh gave them both an annoyed look as he quickly caught on to what they looking at. I guarantee you none of the mares amongst our group were amused at what they were looking at, we returned their look with a harsh glare.

“Why are we all naked?” Hunter asked, a bright red blush adorning his cheeks.

“Trust me, you don't notice it.” Solaire said bluntly. Solaire gave Macintosh and I a raised brow, as he nuzzled me as a sign of affection. This also caught mom's attention, but she said nothing.

“So...where are we?” Jinx asked, “And what's up with these forms?” Jay added.

“We are all in Canterlot Castle.” Luna explained, “We are all currently in Equestria, as for your new forms they are only temporary for while your here though in Silent Passion's case it's quite the opposite.”

Various shouting could be heard coming from one of the hallways, an angry unicorn stomped out of the hallway muttering various obscenities under his breath. Solaire let out an annoyed sigh and muttered something about this prick again, he marched up to him and gave him a furious look.

“I'd suggest you watch what you say about Princess Celestia, I warned once before already and I made it quite clear that she wasn't interested!” Solaire practically shouted at him, we all watched on as Solaire continued to argue with the unicorn...and was that a hint of possessiveness in his eyes there.

“Why do I get the feeling there's more to that than it seemed.” Jay wondered, Luna nodded in agreement.

“Our sister did ask Solaire to drive away any would be suitors, why though we haven't a clue.” Luna explained, “In fact she and Solaire are usually seen together when she isn't busy. Our sister rescued him two months ago though she has yet to tell us how the know one another. Our sister has made plenty of trips to the human world in the past but this is the first time she brought someone back.”

“...Is that right?” I wondered, it was a small inkling of what was actually going on between Solaire and Celestia but still...

After being shown to our rooms, we were all given some time to get used our new bodies. Mom decided it was best she would stick with me and was given a room across from my own.

“I still don't understand why we can't share a room Silent.” Mom asked, “Shouldn't have they kept us together considering we're family?” I was unsure of how to explain it, I had already told her that Macintosh had been helping me adjust to life in Equestria but I never mentioned anything about us being a couple. “Look your bed is even big enough for two people...er ponies!”

“I told you already Mom, it's better you have your own room.” I reminded her, “I'll be fine sleeping on my own lord knows I'm more than old enough.” Mom just shook her head.

“That's just it though, you haven't been sleeping alone have you?” Mom pointed out, “I saw how affectionate Macintosh was towards you earlier. I don't think I've ever seen you that happy.” I stopped dead in my tracks, speechless at what she had just said.

“...I-I...” I choked out.

“You can't lie to your own mother Silent, I'm not angry...” She reassured, “Just tell me how long?”

“...” I tried to find the words to tell her, an embarrassed blush tinged my cheeks pink. “...We've been together over a month now Mom.” Mom let out a sigh and shook her head.

“Ever since you were a teenager you would keep your secrets, which turned into disappearing into the night.” Mom recalled, “There were some times that if I took my eyes off you for a moment you would disappear once again. Eventually it got to the point I followed you one day thinking of what possible trouble my son had gotten into, but instead I got to meet my daughter.”

“Mom...I-I...” She silenced me with a hoof over my mouth.

“Then all the pieces fell into place...” She continued, “All the secrets and all the disappearing, you were always one to pursue your passions. It's just how you are and it's something you can never hide from others no matter how hard you try.” Mom gave me a small smile, reassuring me that it would be okay. “Your stepfather doesn't need to know for now and let's just leave it at that.”

“...Mom...I'm sorry you kept all this from you.” I said teary eyed, Mom just hugged me and reassured me that it'll be alright.

Celestia sat in her office, trying to gather her thoughts and calm down due to that insufferable unicorn and his dismal attempts to woo her.

“Can't they all take a hint that I'm not interested.” She muttered to herself.

“Oh my dear Tia, you simply must tell me what's troubling you?” A voice asked, it's owner phased through the wall. A serpent like creature composed of mismatched body parts giving him a chaotic appearance, he held himself in a confident and composed manner. “Why don't you all just tell them your little secret?” He let out a mirthful chuckle, thinking at what trouble it would cause.

“I don't know what your referring to Discord!” Celestia snapped.

“Oh really?” Discord simply replied, snapping his fingers causing a glass of red wine to appear in his hands from out of nowhere, “Well my dear Tia, don't you sneak off to the human world to deal with the heat? I've heard some interesting rumours Tia around Canterlot, but then again I've been the confidant to many of your secrets now haven't I?” Celestia remained silent, “Despite what happened between us in the past, we're still friends are we not?”

“Discord...I...” Celestia pleaded, “...just don't tell anyone please!” Discord just shushed Celestia.

“You can relax Tia, I'm not saying a thing.” He reassured her, “But I think it would be best if you talk with your coltfriend.” He let out a chuckle as Celestia let out an embarrassed blush. “If you don't this could be as bad as that last cake eating rampage you went on, when they came up with a new recipe for you to try.” Discord let out a hearty laugh before vanishing. “I simply must bid you adieu my dear Tia, now if you excuse me I have a captain to torment.” Silence rang through the room as the laughter faded away...

“Wait...What cake eating rampage?!” Celestia asked herself. Solaire had just entered the room at that moment wondering what was wrong with Celestia.

“...Erm...Tia, are you alright?” Solaire asked worried.

“Oh! I'm fine Solaire.” She reassured him, “I was thinking if we told my sister...about us.” Solaire allowed himself a warm smile. “Now I must imagine you have plenty to tell me about what happened in the human world.”

Solaire told Celestia what had happened back in the human world, as she listened intently Celestia wondered what was causing all this to happen.

“It would appear that this is indeed becoming a problem Solaire, it's becoming very clear that something must be done regarding these crystal pillars.” She explained, “It's attracting attention that we do not need in recreating the elements.” Solaire nodded in agreement, “I do believe I shall have words with Discord regarding this.”

“I shall be accompanying you on the next trip to the human world.” Celestia stated, “I do need to see these pillars for myself.”

Jay found himself alone in his room lost in thought, trying to make sense of everything.

“Hmm, I do believe you need my help once again.” A voice asked, Jay shot up looking around the room wondering where the voice was coming from. “Ah...but you don't remember me do you?”

“Where are you?” Jay shouted, “Show yourself!”

“My dear better half, surely you must be able to recognise me?” The voice taunted mockingly, “If that's the case, allow me to reintroduce myself...I am Malice.” Jay found himself in a black void, a figure stood in front of him clad in black bone like plate armour, “I am you...or better put I am your deepest darkest desires and a physical manifestation of your own greed and lust for more power!”

“What!?” Jay shouted in disbelief.

“In other words I am a shadow of the true self!” Malice explained, “That damned pillar forced us both to do things that you damn well won't do and played me like a puppet on strings!” Malice folded his arms in disapproval, “Thanks to your friend Solaire, I was freed from that pillars influence and weather you like it or not, I will have my revenge against whosoever is behind those damned pillars!” Malice ranted furiously, “So what I'm offering is my help towards a common goal, though it's up to you weather or not you take that offer but be warned my power will have it's price.” Malice vanished before Jay laughing.

Jay looked around and found himself back in his room, wondering what all that was about. He dismissed it as nothing more than a bad dream, unaware that he was being watched.

“Well this is and interesting turn of events.” Discord sat thoughtfully for a moment and let out chuckle, “Ah humans never cease to surprise me, this makes what...two now?”  For a moment Discord pondered what this turn of events could lead to before speaking. “Now do tell me what would you all make of all this? After all you've all been present since this tale of ours all began.” Discord let out another chuckle, before vanishing with a cheshire cat like grin upon his face.