My Little Pony
The Tides of Change
By Zangetsu114
Chapter One
The full moon is joined on this night by bright, luminous stars, the Princess of the moon guarding over the night, while every-pony sleeps peacefully in their soft comfortable beds. The posh city of Canterlot is quiet, the wind blowing quietly over its empty streets. The night guard ponies patrol the streets ready and staying vigilant. The peace of the night is interrupted, but not noticed as a shadow moves silently, flying over the high walls of Canterlot Castle with dark blue tattered insect-like wings. Once out of earshot of the sentries, it lands softly on her hooves. The dark gray fur makes it easy for the creature to slip into the dark shades of the castle courtyard. Green eyes scan the courtyard for the patrolling guards but luckily there were none.
The jagged horn on the creature's head glows a faint green to check the ties of her saddlebags, making sure it was tight and secure. Confirming that the saddlebags were secure, she creeps towards the side of castle, eyes scanning all over the grounds. Advancing slowly she makes sure that her holey dark gray hooves made no noise. Her mission depended on her stealth or the plan would never come into fruition. After much strife of staying hidden, she slips into the castle gardens where statues of legendary ponies, good and evil are displayed for all to see, but the shadowy creature passes by them and stops in front a statue of one of the most infamous creatures in Equestria. The Statue is of a long bodied shaped creature, striking a pose like it was going to be trapped in stone
The shadowy creature smiles widely, it's green eyes glowing brightly in the night. “It's time to wake up from your stony slumber.” a soft velvety voice is spoken from the shadowy creature. “It's time to drench Equestria in chaos once again.”
The mare's jagged black horn begins to glow brilliant green and the buckles of her saddlebag opens. From the saddlebags levitates a blood red apple the size of a baby dragon's head and lands in front of the statue. The apple begins to glow and pulse the bloody color of it skin as voices of angry ponies rage out of it. The shadowy creature sits down and watches with a fanged smile as the angered voices cause the statue to crack and shake.
“Yes, yes, arise lord of chaos and with me reign chaos all over the land.” the creature whispers in happiness.
The statue glows out of the cracks and as the pieces begin to crumble to the ground, they reveal the fur and scales of the actual creature underneath. The creature underneath begins to hum with the glow of power as more and more pieces of the statue begin to fall to the ground. The build up of energy explodes, flinging rocks everywhere. The yellow energy dims from the creature's body as it stretches, its joints popping from being frozen in stone.
“Looks like I've been let out early.” a cool voice said.
Alicia jolts from her slumber, gasping for breath like she had just ran the Falling of the Leaves Festival. Her golden yellow eyes scan the area of her room as the echos of laughter from the green eyed mare from her dreams. The dream she had awoken from seemed so real, like it was happening in real time. Even if it was a dream or astral vision, she would ask the Princess for an interpretation.
“This is something of dire importance.” she thought to herself as she got out of the bed and onto her hooves. “I've to hurry to Princess Luna.”
Alicia unfolds her beautiful pink pegasi wings and flies to the front door of her room and opens it with her mouth, landing in the hallway. She gallops as fast as she can down the hallway, the sound of her hooves echoing off the walls. She hangs a left, through an open doorway, into another hallway that leads east into the northeast observatory . It took one quick scan of the hallway to see that none of the sentries were where they supposed to be. Some sentries passed by her, looking very tense, like some-pony could just jump out at them at anytime. She shook her head from the thought and continues down the hallway and then turns right into the hallway that leads into the Princess's quarters. Alicia gallops halfway down the hallway and then turns left into a doorway that leads up to a spiral stairway. With sweat glossing her pink coat, she paces up the stairway two steps at a time. Up two floors she went until she reaches the observatory at last. The room is circular with one half walled in the inside and the other side outside held by white decorative pillars. After a scan of the room she finds the pony she was looking for, Princess Luna.
The moon princess's blue eyes sweep the outlaying land of Ponyville below, so focused that she didn't hear Alicia come into the observatory. A light violet aura surrounds her persian blue mane as it waves with the soft flowing wind of the night. Her shimmering dark sapphire blue coat seems to glow with from the light of the moon itself. Luna's folded wings fidgets from time to time, showing her tense uncomfortable predicament under her cool facade. Alicia lowers her body into low bow and closes her eyes in respect.
“Princess Luna, may I speak with you?” she asks “It is a matter most urgent.”
Luna jumped in surprise but quickly recomposed herself. Still looking out at the land below she spoke, “You may speak, Alicia.”
Alicia raises her head and takes a step towards the Princess. “I think I had an astral vision.” she said.
Luna turns around and focuses on what Alicia is talking about. She knew how important Alicia's astral visions are. Whatever she saw is what comes to pass because she was never wrong.
“Tell me what you saw, Alicia.” Luna said.
Alicia took a deep breath and closed her eyes to recall the event. It sends shivers down her spine seeing the green eyed creature and the other creature laughing madly into the night. “A great evil awakens from his stoney slumber, by a mare with a jagged black horn and bright green eyes. They combine with the shadows and cloak the kingdom in permanent darkness.”
Luna's ears twitch at this information as she turn her surprised eyes at Alicia. Then she just brings a small smile to her lips and sighs.
“I was hoping that your astral vision would be about another matter, but I now see that it is not the case.” Luna said as she turns back towards the outside of the observatory and wave her mare in waiting to her side.
Alicia trots next to the moon princess and sits down. Luna sighs again and leans on her friend's right shoulder. Alicia smiles knowing that even with the dark news of her astral vision, she can give her friend comfort.
“We are in for some troubling times indeed, Alicia.” Luna said. “A part of your astral vision has already come true. Discord is free.”
“Look at that.” The brown unicorn said to himself as the pegasi drawn carriage flies closer towards its destination. Windstrike hangs his black hooves over the edge of the carriage as his purple eyes scan the area that below him. The little town seem to be brimming with activity. He turns his head east and sees the majestic city of Canterlot.
“I can't believe that I'm finally at the capital of Equestria!” Windstrike said excitedly, stamping his hooves.
As the pegasi flies inside the city of gold and ivory, Windstrike peers down at the finely dressed ponies, going about their day. He looks up and see that the carriage would arrive at the castle soon.
“Well, looks like I better suit up.” he thought as he trots to his saddlebags and pulls out a set of armor. A blue aura surrounds his horn as he uses his magic to levitate the black and gold chest plate armor with silver inlays and fit it to his chest and back area, covering his cutiemark of a six sided red and black shield with blue wings on the top corners and blue magic shimmers lay across the shield . Next he levitates two pairs of matching shin guards and fits them around his shins. With the shin guards in place he calls back his magic as he reaches into the saddlebags and retrieve his matching helmet, places it on his head. Just as Windstrike finished fitting the helmet to his liking the carriage lands in the courtyard of the castle.
“Windstrike we've arrived.” said the left pegasi.
“Yes, thank you.” Windstrike said as he gathered the rest of his saddlebags and hops off the carriage. He summoned his magic again and levitates twenty gold bits and places ten of them in the hooves of the pegasi. “The apple ale's on me.” The pegasi nod their thanks and trots off to take off the carriage.
“Look who finally came to the party.” said a strong voice behind him.
A huge smile spreads over Windstrike's face, recognizing the stallion's voice instantly. “That can't be Andros can it?” Windstrike jokingly remarks as the turns around to see the stallion.
Windstrike faces the golden yellow eyes of a blue coated pegasi. “Who else looks this good.” Andros jokes as he flips his golden yellow mane like a fashion model.
The brown unicorn mage-knight trots to the side of his friend and mentor. “Its been six years since I last saw you and you haven't hanged changed at all.” Windstrike said as the two trot down the castle walkway towards the front of the castle.
Andros laughs at his pupil's comment, his golden yellow handlebar mustache shaking with it. “I may not have changed in body but I've changed in experience. I see now that you've changed in both though.” Andros claims as he bumps Windstrike's armor with his hoof. The black and gold armor is the uniform of a mage-knight The chest plate has a insignia of a outline of a unicorn with the shield of Equestria in the back. It's a special rank for unicorns that achieve level of magic and physical combat. “Six years and you've already become a mage-knight. I knew you'd be something special. I'm amazed that you achieved that in half the time it take for others to reach.”
Windstrike cheeks flood with a rosy blush at his mentors praise. “It was hard work, but I wanted to be the best at what I do. I trained everyday to get achieve the strength of an earth pony and I studied and practiced magic until I couldn't stand on my hooves anymore. All that advice you gave me helped me along the way to become what I am now.”
It was Andros turn to blush, his cheeks filling up with red. “My advice may have set you on the path, but it was your own willpower and determination that lead you down it. Always remember your training and believe in yourself and your friends and you can never go wrong.”
As they turn the left corner of the castles Windstrike notices that there are many royal guards paroling the castle grounds. The golden armored ponies patrol in herds of threes with spears at the ready and two guards stood at attention at every entrance.
“Is the castle usually this busy?” Windstrike asks as a three pony patrol passes them by.
Andros ears twitch and pegasi wings ruffled as a shiver goes down his spine. “I know little of what's going on, but I know it has to be something big. My wings have that itching feeling that only seems to happen when something bad is stirring.
“You don't know the half of it.” a soft feathery voice said behind them.
The two ponies turn around to see a hot pink coated mare, with a hot pink mane with light pink highlights. Her deep yellow eyes seems to stare at more than just the two ponies in front of her. Her gold hooflets with a pink jewelery shine in the sunlight as she trots up to the left side of Andros. The blue pegasi's tense body relaxed, as his golden yellow eyes lit up from the sight of her.
“Oh yeah Windstrike, allow me to introduce somepony to you.” Andros said as he sit down nuzzles his nose on the side of her neck. “This is Princess Luna's mare in waiting and my marefriend, Alicia Brightstar.
Windstrike smiles and lowers himself into a three hoofed bow, lowing his left foreleg to kneel in front of the Alicia. “I'm glad somepony can finally keep this wild stallion in check.”
Alicia raises a foreleg over her muzzle to hide her smiling laugh, but the crystal bell sound of her voice could clearly be heard A rosy color spreads over the bridge of his muzzle. She recomposes herself and put her hoof back to the grass. “I'm very glad to meet you, Windstrike.”
“I think you already know, but this my friend Windstrike Nightrunner the mage-knight.”
“My apologies to both of you but, I'm not really here for a social visit.” said Alicia. “I've come to take you to the summons. All the military leaders have been summoned to the war room by Princess's Celestia and Luna.”
All the soft features in Andros' body harden as the brightness of his golden yellow eyes grew fierce. The Blue Lightning, a name well earned, stood ready for his Princess's, his Princessdom and his friends. The hairs in Windstrike's coat stood on end and his muscles tensed up, knowing the importance of the matter.
“What in Luna's name is going on.” The unicorn thinks. “For the Princess's to summon all of the leaders, something serious has or is about to go down.”
“Does this have anything to do with why there are more guards that usual patrolling the castle grounds?” asked Andros.
Alicia nods her head, as she turns toward the way of the castle gates. “Princess Cadence, Prince Shining Armor, The bearers of the Elements of Harmony, will also be attending.”
“Wow that is a lot of important ponies.” said Windstrike. “I wish I could attend as well.”
“Oh, but you are, Windstrike.” said the pink mare. “You will also attend the summons at Princess Luna's request.”
Andros looks at Windstrike's dumbfounded face, looking just a surprised as his friend. The brown unicorn gaping muzzle closes as his brain wraps around what he had just heard.
“What?” said the stunned unicorn. “How would Princess Luna know about somepony like me? I'm nopony important for something like this. Alicia I think your mistaking me for some other pony.”
The pink pony turns around and looks up at the clear sky, ignoring the confused unicorn. Her pink wings spring out from her sides and stays there unwavering. Windstrike trots around in front of her so see her face, but her expression is unresponsive. She continues to look towards the open sky, not even acknowledging his presence.
“How does this involve me in any way?”
Her face remains as it is, but her eyes shift to Windstrike. The iris of her eyes glows a bright blue aura, The mage-knight jumps away from her sudden change taking a defensive stance. Windstrike back shivers with mixed emotions of fear and confusion as her eyes stare at him as if she could see his soul. Windstrike averts his eyes from hers no longer able to look at them. He takes another step back as her face turns to his.
“It involves you more than you think you know, mage-knight. The future is cloaked in darkness but your actions will bring the light. Never lose your light or Equestria will fall.”
A worried Andros goes to Alicia's side rubbing her mane with his hoof trying to comfort her. The glowing eyed mare remains motionless her eyes staring the unicorn down. Windstrike looks at her but avoids looking directly into her blue glowing eyes. Due to his magic training, he knows that what Alicia is doing is not magic, but he couldn't find the answer. He activates his magic to try and lock on to what she could be using when Alicia's bell like laughter interrupts the mage-knight's mental investigation, her eyes return back to their normal yellow.
“Are you wondering what I am, Windstrike?” she inquired with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. “I don't even know myself. I hope by the end of it all we will both know, but for now call my abilities that of a seer.”
“What did you mean when you were in seer mode?” said Windstrike still wary of coming closer to the pink mare. “The future is cloaked in darkness? The light of Equestria?”
Alicia looks at Windstrike with a confused look on her muzzle. “I said that? I don't remember any of it.” she explains. “Sometime these things happen to me. When I get, for lack of a better word, contacted, they show me events from the past, the future, or the present and I say what is happening but I can't remember afterward. I'm sorry if I scared you, Windstrike.”
“It really takes a toll on her body.” states Andros as he continues to rub the back of his marefriend. “I fear that these 'contacts' will leave her bedridden.”
Alicia turns to her coltfriend and places a hoof on her face, trying to comfort him. “Fear not my love.” she said reassuringly. “I've been dealing with these ever since I gained my cutiemark. I'll can take anything they can throw at me.”
“Now we can't waste anymore time. I'll take you to the meeting area so follow me.” Alicia said as she begins trots toward their destination.
The pink Pegasus makes her way towards the front castle entryway with the other two ponies close behind. Windstrike looks at Andros with a curious eye, motioning his head towards the leading pony, hoping his mentor can give some insight to what had occurred, but all he receives from Andros is a shrug of his shoulders and a smile, snorting his amusement. Following a small stone path down the side of the castle, they turned a left onto the larger stone brick path .
At the end of the path, two light brown Earth ponies, equipped in full gold royal guard heavy armor with sharp spears in hooves, stood guard in front of a huge door. Just as the ponies made it to the front entrance the guard ponies crossed their spears together, blocking them from entry.
“All unauthorized ponies are prohibited from entering the castle.” said the guard pony on the right.
“Please identify yourselves.” said the guard pony on the left.
“I am Alicia Brightstar.” she said in her clear voice. “I am Princess Luna's mare in waiting.”
“Andros Freespirit” said the rough voice of the blue Pegasus. “Commander of the Royal Pegasi Air-force.”
“My name is Windstrike Nightrunner” said the Unicorn. “I am a mage-knight of the Royal Mage Corp.
“We've been expecting you three to arrive for some time now.” said the pony on the left. “The Crystal Empire Royalty and the bearers of the Elements of Harmony are already inside the war room.”
The guards uncrossed their spears and saluted the three ponies with one stomp on the brick pavement. “You may enter.” the guard ponies said at the same time. “All hail the Princesses! All hail Equestria!”
“All hail the Princesses! All hail Equestria!” the three ponies repeated as the double doors flash green and purple.
The clicking sound of something unlocking echoes from the wooden double doors as they begin to open. The inside entryway reveal two unicorn royal guards using their magic to open the door. After the three walked through the threshold into the castle the unicorns, one a deep purple coat, purple eyed colt, and the other a tan and black painted mare with green eyes, use their magic to close the door.
The clicking sound of locking the door echoed throughout the huge entryway as the magic disappears from the unicorn's horns. They turn to the trio and salute the two military ponies and bow to the mare in waiting.
“We'll lead you to the war room.” said the mare Unicorn. “Please follow us.”
The two Unicorn guards take point while Alicia, Windstrike and Andros followed close behind down the entrance hall. Royal guards standing at attention with spears at the ready near the walls, snap a salute, using their off hoof to pound their chest and stomping a hoof on the ground, every time the party trot passed them. At the end of the hall white polish stone stairs dominate the left and right side of the entry hall, leading upstairs to the second floor. Underneath the second floor is a painting of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna standing together over a huge cliff, looking over their land of Equestria.
The Unicorn guards horn's began to glow once again as they begin to chant, “Through struggle and strife the sun and moon shall shine their light to bring peace and harmony and end our plight.”
The eyes of the two Princess's eyes began to glow white as the wall shimmers. The unicorn's magic winks out of their horns and proceed to walk to trot forward. “Let us continue.” said the unicorn on the right.
Windstrike watches as the two unicorn ponies walk through the wall. The wall seems to give way to the will of the ponies, giving off a slight hum of magical energy as they pass through. Alicia follow suit, passing through the false wall with Andros and Windstrike close behind. The unicorn let their magic die away from their, letting the shimmering wall return to normal. The hallway they were in is laid in cold gray stone. Windstrike squints his eyes to increase his visibility but was surprised when flames appear on the torches on the walls. As the group trots forward towards the wooden door at the end of the hall, the torches on the wall light up one by one illuminating the area until they finally reach the door.
“We've arrived.” informed the purple Unicorn as he turned the knob on the door with his hoof and opened the door. “Please enter and may the light of harmony guide you.”
The three nodded and proceeded their way into a large room filled with maps hung to the the white brick layered walls. A long table stands in the middle of the room filled with snacks and drinks, where all the of the ponies sat talking among themselves. Co-ruler of the Kingdom of Equestria, Princess Celestia sits on her throne like chair of white wood at the left end of the table also made of the same wood. Her cutie mark of a radiant golden sun sat carved into the top of the chair. Her dawn colored mane and tail moves to an invisible wind. Ruling Equestria by her older sister's side, Princess Luna sits on her throne chair of ebony at the right end of the table made of the same wood. Luna's twinkling deep blue mane is like the sky she creates every night. Her crescent moon cutie mark is carved on the top of her chair.
On the far side of the table sits the Royalty of The Crystal Empire, Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor, and The Royal Military Commanders of Equestria. Sitting next to the former commander of the Royal Guard is the new commander, Warren Strife. The russet brown coat, auburn mane, earth pony, dressed in full golden guard armor, talking quietly with the new Prince. Commander Star Wonder of the Royal Mage Corp is dressed the tradition mage cloak of purple and blue with designs of stars and moons over his gray coat. His horn, sprouting from the black bangs of his mane, glows a purple aura as he levitates a cup to his black bearded face. Siren Song, the commander of the Royal Navy, enjoys herself by eating the snacks before her. Her beauty is known throughout the seas of Equestria as well as her anger towards the enemies who tries to invade the land. Her coat is the same color as the blue ocean and her raven black mane is cut short to her chin. Andros and Alicia bows to the Princess Luna before sitting down next to her. Windstrike slowly walks towards the long table, not sure of what to do in the presents of such important ponies, and takes his seat on the other side of the table next to the Mistress of Night, Princess Luna.
On the other side of the table sits the six mares who wield the powerful Elements of Harmony. Twilight Sparkle, the element of magic and Princess Celestia's faithful student, sits next to her teacher, sipping her tea. The wielder of the element of honesty, Applejack sitting next to the intelligent unicorn, waiting for the meeting to begin. One of the fastest fliers in Equestria and the wielder of the element of loyalty, Rainbow Dash rests her head on her hooves as her elbows sits on the table, looking quite bored as she awaits for the meeting to start. Next to the rainbow haired speedster, is the calm and poised Rarity. The element of generosity sits in her chair, sipping her apple bend tea, fluttering her eyelashes at the oblivious Warren. Pinkamena Diane Pie, Pinkie Pie for short, is the wielder of the element of laughter. The pink puffy maned pony is nearly jumping out of her seat, waiting for the meeting to get underway. Last, next to Windstrike is the wielder of the element of kindness, Fluttershy. The yellow Pegasus with a long pink mane looks very nervous, trying to make herself as invisible as possible from all of the strange ponies summoned here.
Windstrike purple eyes travel toward the nervous pony his muzzle fixed in a small smile. He was quite nervous himself, but he knew how to hold his composure. An idea runs through his brain, trying to figure out a way to calm the shy pony down.
“Hello.” calls out the brown unicorn, but Fluttershy didn't answer her mind preoccupied with her nervousness.
Windstrike, seeing that calling out to her isn't working so he decides to use a physical approach to get her attention. He reaches out and taps the yellow coated Pegasus on the shoulder.
“Eeek!” she yells as she shoots straight of her chair, her wings taking her to the air. Windstrike jumps out of chair, surprised at Fluttershy's reaction.
Everypony around the table paused in what they were doing, looking at the two ponies. Windstrike and Fluttershy, clearly embarrassed by what happened, returned to their seats, their whole face blushing red through their coats. Fluttershy's friends, Windstrike's friends and the rulers of Equestria giggles softly, lighting up the tense atmosphere of the room. Windstrike regains his composure as the room fills once again with light conversation, giggling at their situation.
He flashes a small awkward smile at the wary Pegasus. “I am so sorry for startling you.” he said. “I only wanted to introduce myself, but I guess I screwed that up.”
Fluttershy moved a nervous hoof through her pink mane, using it to try to hide part of her face. “No, I am the one who should apologize.” she said in a soft voice.
“It's quite alright to be nervous in this type of situation.” said Windstrike. “Luna knows I am.”
“Indeed I do, Sir Windstrike.” said the Princess of night. The brown unicorn blushes at the use of Princess Luna's name in front of her, but is soon relieved to see a smile on her muzzle. She nods her head at Windstrike telling him that it was okay and returns to her own devices.
Windstrike turns his attention back to the shy Pegasus who was politely waiting for him to continue. “My name is Windstrike Nightrunner.” he said with a slight bow of his head. “It's a pleasure to meet you.
Fluttershy's eyes refuses to to make contact with Windstrike's face, her voice whispering, “I'm Fluttershy.”
Windstrike heard well enough but decided to use this time to flirt with the beautiful mare. He leans towards her a little flicking his ears as if he is having trouble hearing. “Beg pardon?” he asked, lowing his eyelids.
Fluttershy shrinks back in her chair a bit using her hair to cover some of her face. “Fluttershy.” she said her voice barely audible.
Windstrike leans in closer with his eyes smoldering and a sexy grin on her face. “Say again?” he asked in a deep stirring voice.
Fluttershy blushes from the tips of her ears, her cheeks, and across her muzzle as she gulps nervously. “Fluttershy” she said in a high cracked voice.
“Fluttershy, what a pretty name for such a beautiful pony. It fits you perfectly.” Windstrike said he leans back into his chair. The yellow Pegasus gasps wide eyed, as her blush intensifies all over face, so she turns her faces so that her hair blocks her face completely. Windstrike smiles at her cuteness, deciding that he's done flirting for now.
“I now call this summons to order” said Princess Celestia in her voice that commanded everypony's attention.
The room grew quiet as everypony averts their attention toward the Princess Celestia. A scan around the room confirms that everypony is patiently awaiting what she had to say, so she begins with a sharp breath. “Now I know that this summons is so sudden, I wouldn't have called you here if it wasn't of the up most importance. No one branch of the military can defend against this forthcoming threat so I have call forth the alliance of the Crystal Empire. “If the what we think we know comes to fruition, then not only would our two countries would be at stake, the whole world would be in danger.”
Everypony began to clamor away about how something like this could happen, but Celestia's hoof stamping down on the quieted them down once more.
“Our very way of life is in danger and we won't be caught off guard.” Celestia said.
“Your majesty,” cuts in Commander Strife. “All areas of Equestria are clear and none of our border patrols outposts report no invading force.”
“The threat did not come from without, but from within the heart of Equestria itself.” cuts in Princess Luna.
“How can that be true your majesty?” asks Andros, his wings ruffling a bit from his climbing stress. “Canterlot Castle is the most defended place in Equestria. No force could invade here without somepony noticing.”
“You are right about a force invading Canterlot without anypony noticing, but it takes only one to set these horrible events in motion.” cut in Princess Luna. “The threat was there. It was always there.”
“What are you two trying to say?” asked Commander Song her voice rising in anger. “A noticeable threat has been lying in wait, just happen to unleash something that could put the whole world in danger.”
Luna and Celestia eyes the Naval Commander with a disapproving stare. Siren Song quickly lowers her eyes towards to the table, her fiery expression losing its luster. “Please forgive me your majesties. I spoke out of turn.” she quickly apologized her voice sullen.
The two princess sisters smile and nodded their approval. “Please raise your head, Commander Song.” said the sun Princess. “I know we are all tense from this situation, but when we work together we can get through this.”
Siren Song raises her head with a beautiful smile. “Thank you your majesty.”
Luna clears her throat to return everypony's attention to the subject at hoof. “To continue on, two nights ago my mare in waiting, Alicia Brightstar, had an astral vision of events that were taking place that night.” Luna turns to Alicia with a knowing smile. “Alicia, please tell us what occurred that night.”
The pink Pegasus rose from her seat and closes her eyes, recalling what she had seen that night. She stood there as all eyes turn to her waiting for an answer to why they were here. Suddenly her eyes shoot open, to reveal that they were now glowing a brilliant white. Everypony shivered as Alicia's magic was felt. “A pony, black as the starless night, green eyes and jagged horn, frees the untamed one from his prison of stone. The ones without love, acknowledgment and redemption shall cloak the kingdoms in darkness to cripple the pony who did not shine for them and bring the world to it knees. Combine the harmony with unproven power and bring the peace to the dark ones.”
Alicia's eyes return to their normal deep yellow as she slumps down into her seat exhausted from her recalled astral vision. Andros takes her hoof in his, trying to sooth her by gently rubbing it. “Are you alright, dear?” he worriedly asked.
Alicia smiles weakly at her love. “I am alright, just a bit tired is all.” She moves a hoof to stroke the side of his face. “I will be fine with a minute of rest.”
Everypony was surprised with the the exception the princess sisters, Andros, and Windstrike at what had occurred. “What in Tartarus was that?” asked a bewildered Star Wonder. “I've never seen or felt magic like that before and what's even more strange is she's not a unicorn.”
“That was truly amazing!” said an awestruck Twilight Sparkle. “That was so powerful that my fur is standing on end.”
“Never mind that for now.” interrupts Commander Strife. “We need to figure out what she said.”
“Oh, Oh!” yelled Pinkie Pie waving her hoof in the air as if she were in a classroom. “I know this one. I love riddles. The black coated, green eyed, jagged horned pony sounds a lot like Queen Chrysalis and the stone prisoner sounds like Discord.”
“Chrysalis the Changeling Queen?” asked a shocked Shining Armor. He pounds a hoof on the table making it shake slightly. “Figures that she would return sooner rather than later and now she's teaming up with Discord.”
Shining Armor's wife, Princess Cadence, put her hoof on her husbands rubbing it to try and soothe his rage. “Calm down love, those events will not ever happen again.” she ensured. “We will be better prepared and when she show her face on the field of battle then you can show her you true skills as a protector.”
“Oh, I count the days dear.” said Shining Armor.
“This is so uncool!” yells Rainbow Dash as she crosses her forelegs across her chest. “The Elements of Harmony are like the strongest magic items in all of Equestria. How can a changeling like Chrysalis break a spell that powerful to free Discord?”
“Though the Elements of Harmony are strong, Rainbow Dash, there are many magic items that could be just as strong.” stated Princess Luna. “The Elements of Harmony is, at its core, a defensive magic used to protect, heal, and banish chaotic energy. They are not an offensive magic, so these items have limits. Against the likes of Chrysalis or Sombra, they would have little or no effect.”
“Well said, dear sister. Discord is a crafty vile being who uses the fear and negativity of other ponies to sate his own satisfaction.” replied Princess Celestia. “When Discord ruled over these lands, he reveled in the pain and anguish of the ponies who were under him. He loved to see everything they held dear, ripped away. He would even go as far as to give them hope. The ponies would cling to that hope and when they thought they would be free from his claw, he snatches it away, crushing all of their hope. Breaking the ponies of their will to have hope is all Discord needed to weave his dark chaotic magic and change them into his so called, pets. The lights of their eyes fades into darkness and their coats transforms into gray.”
Everypony listened in shocked silence as the sun princess tells this story, imagining what of might have been like during those dark times. Although Ponyville received a taste of it when Discord broke free of his stony prison the first time, it seem that it was nothing compared to what the Celestia described in such detail. The look in the Princess's eyes seem to stare at nothing, like see is seeing the memories of the past. The look in Luna's eyes tell the same tale, seeing the past with such clarity.
“Discordization is what we named the state of the gray.” Princess Celestia continues. “The ponies original personality would be changed for the worst.”
The six ponies shivered as they remembered what Discord's dark magic had done to them. The feeling of their minds being taken over was like a coldness washing over them, leaving nothing but dark and empty hole.
“After the ponies were fully under the submission of his foul magic, he harvested their negative energy with a magical item of his own creation. He called it the Apple of Discord.”
“The Apple of Discord?” Windstrike and Twilight asked at the same time. The two unicorn stared at each other in shared curiosity, before turning back to Celestia.
“I have never heard of such a magical item.” said Twilight as she leaned closer to her teacher. “It is not in any book in the castle library or in Ponyville.”
“The Apple of Discord is a mystery to me as well.” joined Windstrike. “The Apple of Discord is not in any book in the Mage Corp Headquarters.”
“Some magic items are best to be forgotten in the memories of time.” speaks Star Wonder as he strokes his beard with his hoof. “If everypony knew that the Apple of Discord exists, then it could possibly fall into the wrong hoofs. It is too powerful for anypony without the strength of an alicorn to control.
“After we sealed Discord in stone while he was sealed in stone, we tried to use the Elements of Harmony to destroy the evil creation, but it proved to be indestructible as long as Discord is still alive.” said Celestia.
“Why didn't you just destroy Discord while he was sealed in stone?” asked Windstrike. “You and Princess Luna are the strongest ponies in all of Equestria. You could of easily killed Discord.”
“You are not the only pony to ask us that, but that is a story for another time.” sighed Celestia.
“Out of all the things that could happen, THIS IS THE WORST POSSIBLE THING!
“Come on now, sugercube, calm down.” said Applejack. “As long as we don't panic we can all get through this.”
The sun princess looked at all of her subjects with a slight smile on her face. “Now that you all know the details of the situation, we have to keep this classified.” Celestia states. “Due to Discord, we can't give him more power by having all of Equestria panicking.”
“Yes,Princess.” everypony agreed.
Celestia nodded and continued on. “Luna, Cadence, Shining Armor and I will stay here and stigmatize a way to mask the mobilization of all military factions. We will hold a military games all over Equestria and the Crystal Empire, but in secret, all military will build and hold defensive positions. The Crystal Empire will also join in the games in order to coordinate our forces and protect the Crystal Heart.”
“This is a great opportunity to train the crystal ponies the way of modern warfare, since they have been gone for a thousand years, but I'll train them the best that can.” said Shining Armor. “You care to assist me, Guard Commander?”
“I'll be my honor to assist, Prince.” answered Warren Strife with a smile. “We can test out some new techniques on battle formations.”
“There are key location in Equestria and the Crystal Empire that we have to keep from the enemy's clutches and one of them is Ponyville.” mentions Luna. “Windstrike and the Elements of Harmony are assigned with the task of protecting the town.”
Everypony turns to look at the brown unicorn, waiting for him to reply. Windstrike's surprised face tells plenty of what he was thinking, but they waited until we was composed enough to answer for himself.
“Protecting Ponyville with the bearers of the Elements of Harmony?” Windstrike thought with a nervous smile. “This is such an important role to bear. I don't know if I should be the one to take the task.”
Windstrike breathe in and out slowly to steady his heart and nervousness and when he felt that he was composed enough, he spoke. “I am honored for being chosen for this assignment, but I have to ask, why me? I'm sure there are plenty of ponies more suitable then I to take on this task.”
“I beg to differ Windstrike.” retorts Princess Luna with a knowing smile on her face. “Commander Star Wonder has recommended you for this task because with your offensive magic scores is almost on par with your superiors, and are a great combination with Twilight Sparkle's defensive magic.”
“I wouldn't have picked you if I didn't have confidence in you, Windstrike.” said Star Wonder. “You are a great addition to the protection of Ponyville and I'm sure that your skills will be greatly needed.”
“Commander Andros Freespirit also recommended you because your strength is also an addition to helping Applejack and Pinkie Pie if the battle comes down physical combat instead of magical.” continues Luna.
“You got this in the bag, Windstrike.” said Andros with a cocky smile. “I couldn't imagine a better pony fit for this task. Ponyville will be in safer hooves with you there.
Heads of everypony around the table nod their head with approval and smiles that will warm anypony's heart. Windstrike smiles as his body warms with all the confidence wrapping around him like a blanket.
“Wow, I didn't know all of you have so much faith in me.” said Windstrike. “I promise that I'll do my best to keep Ponyville safe.”
“You won't be alone in this.” chimed in Twilight Sparkle. “Ponyville is our home and we will fight to the end to keep it safe.”
“You got that right sister!” yelled out Rainbow Dash. “Nothing is going to get by us while we're draw breath.”
The other four chimed in with their support and Windstrike never felt so accepted until now. Ever since he joined the Mage Corp this is what he was wanted. He wanted to feel like he belonged and now he has found that feeling.
“I'll give it all that I've got.” Windstrike said. He looks at the six ponies and flashes a smile. “We will defend Ponyville to the end.”
“Do you pinkie promise?” asked Pinkie Pie.
Windstrike looks at her with a confused look and then turns to Twilight to elaborate. Twilight laughs and goes through the ritual of the pinkie promise. Windstrike watches it and smiles as all six ponies performs the promise and does it after they have finished.
“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
Author's Note
Well this story took forever to write, but it was worth it. Please readers, tell me what you think, bad or good, information is better than none at all. Thank you all.
