The Master, that horrid monstrosity of chaos magic, ruler of all he could see, master of everypony within his reach...and his reach was large. From Canterlot his magic spread, feeding off of the hatred and fear, the discord, of those ponies who were still in control of their senses.
In his castle the Master sat, gazing into a mirage that showed him the world that, for all intents and purposes, he had fashioned. Of course, when the view became to monotonous, he would throw in something new...maybe acid rain instead of chocolate. He turned to a light gray filly who sat dully in the corner, moping, as she always did.
"Tell me child," the Master said, his voice cheery, "Where is your sister?"
The gray filly looked up, her eyes tearing up with near-joy and hope. "I have a s-sister?" She questioned, hints of a smile beginning to show at the corners of her mouth.
the Master grinned, widely. "Of course not!" He said, through bursts of laughter. "I-hee-I killed her! With a TREE!" The Master's laughter rang through the castle. For the heck of it, he made sure it rang a little farther. "I KILLED THEM ALL!"
The gray filly began to tear up, the corners of her mouth quickly turning downward. That was as far as she went, though. She could never predict how the Master would react to any extreme of emotion. So she remained silent. There was nothing else to do.
"Oh, now this is fun..." the Master remarked, staring into his mirage. "come here, filly. Check this out! Oh...no...don't walk, tap dance!" The Master giggled as the gray filly tapdanced over to the mirage. "You do amuse me. I wonder if the rest of the sun sisters would be as fun as you are." the Master paused in contemplation. "Nope. They're better off dead."
The filly flinched for a second at the Masters remark, but remained silent. It was all she could do.
"I can feel her will growing. The sun blazes within her. "
"Is it time?"
"Soon. Are you ready?"
"I suppose so..."
"good."
"When I return...will I...will I ever see the rest of you again?"
"Once more. You are well trained for the task at hand...but there will be a time, a time when Nightmare Moon is not needed, and during this time you will be returned to us...to continue your training, and banish Nightmare Moon for the rest of eternity."
"Thank you Nebula. I shall miss you when I leave."
"And I you."
In his moment of rest, the Master contemplated. How had they escaped him? The council of the sun was easy enough to locate and destroy...but the lunar council...where did they go? It's not as if they could just disappear, right? And yet they had. They disappeared, leaving him in complete control...or lack thereof! The Master smiled at the thought of all the wondrous chaos that he had brought into being. He looked at the filly sitting in the main room. There was something different about her...was she a little taller than before? No, that was impossible. Completely impossible. And so the Master returned to his mirage, reveling in the unpredictable sunrise and sunset, the strange creatures he himself had created. And it was fun...oooooh it was fun. There are few things more fun than chaos. No rules...no restrictions. Structure, he thought, was the enemy of fun. No joy could be experienced in chains. That's all he had wanted! Freedom from the chains he had been bound to...and yet he was cast out, to fend for himself until that great and wonderful day. The day when he discovered his true name...
"Nebula...What is my name?"
"Your name? Oh yes, I suppose you do have a name...it's been so long! Let me see...you are the culmination of pieces of the life force of every night alicorn in the sky. You represent the Lunar Council. We shall call you...Luna. Yes, that should suffice. Princess Luna, speaker for the Lunar Council, mare of the night, mistress of the heavens. It is time for you to go Luna. Find the elements and deliver them safely to the sister of the sun. She will know what to do with them. Remember, the Elements of Harmony may only be used in times of immense peril, but their power is legendary."
"Yes Nebula, for the twentieth time, I understand."
"Good. I really will miss you. I don't know what I'm going to do until you come back."
"Rest. Protect the moon, just as you vowed to do when you formed the council."
"I look forward to seeing you again. Goodbye, Luna!"
Luna woke up in the middle of a dark forest, the only place where Discord's chaos could not enter. So this is what having a body feels like, she thought. Interesting. She wandered around until she found a large river to examine herself in. She had blue coloring, a small, squarish snout, and angular eyes. She would have had no problem fitting in with other Night Alicorns (if there were any left) if it weren't for one thing; her mane. Her mane and tail were both large, flowing masses of night magic, and, if you looked closely, you could see every star in the sky in them. That was the symbol of the Speaker for the Lunar Council...that and the rendering of a moon on a night sky that covered most of her flank were all she had of her life on the moon.
Crack. Snap!
Luna looked up at the sound of something behind her...something dangerous. Slowly, she turned around to examine her quarry; a manticore.
"ROOOOOAAAAAAAR!" The cry of a manticore is well known for it's volume, and at fifty feet, even luna was taken aback. The beast pawed the ground as it prepared itself to attack it's next meal. Luna stood her ground. It began to charge, but still Luna remained still...until finally, when it came within about twenty feet of her she took a breath, stood tall and cried:
"BE STILL!"
The command rang through the forest. In his castle, the Master looked upon the empitness of the Everfree Forest, the one place he could not see, the one place in this hilarious land free from his control. It had always been so, he believed. It was forever free, hence the name. And yet there was something there now...something in the Everfree that wasn't there before. Something powerful.
The manticore was still.
Luna looked upon it with fire in her eyes. "What do your people call you, manticore?"
A voice echoed inside her head. I am called Runt ma'm, it said. My people have rejected me.
"You are a creature of the night, are you not?"
It has been a long time since any of the denizens of this forest were called such, but yes, I am.
"Then you will be hated no longer, Runt. Go to your people, tell them their Mistress has returned."
The manticore looked up from its prostate position at the blue figure towering over it. Ma'm...
"And I do not think the name Runt suits you. I name you Scout, for you are small in comparison to your people, and can go places they cannot."
The manticore stood up and scooped Luna into one of its forearms and began licking her ecstatically. Thank you, thank you so much ma'm..uh...mistress...thank you!
"All right, you have given me your thanks. Go...tell your people!"
Yes mistress, of course mistress! On my way right now! With a gleeful jump, the manticore turned around and ran back into the forest.
And so it begins, Discord, Luna thought. Your reign is done
The large Manticore, chief of his pride, stood before Princess Luna. The runt of my family tells me you have come to save us. He said.
"That is correct, Chief." Luna replied cordially.
Then tell me...Princess...what exactly do we need saving from? We are safe in this forest. In this forest we are free. Forever. That is why it is called the Everfree Forest. We are not troubled by the magic of the outside world. The sun rises and sets here just as it always has, regardless of what goes on outside. The weather is not controlled by unicorns here. So tell me, why should we care about what goes on outside of our forest?"
Luna thought for a few minutes. Then she spoke. "Answer me this, Chief," She said, "When did the Diamond Dogs first take residence in this forest?"
When the one calling himself Master conquered their lands.
"And the Phoenixes?"
When the Master conquered their lands...Princess.
"I hope you are noticing the trend. Granted, Discord cannot enter into the Everfree. But animals who seek refuge can. They upset the balance, Chief of the Manticores. You know this. When Discord is vanquished the Phoenixes and the Diamond Dogs can return to their homes. Your land will become yours again. Your water will not run as dry as it does now."
How can you guarantee this, Princess?
"I am the guardian of the night and it's creatures." Luna stated. "It is my duty."
What would you have us do? The manticore asked
"I wish to take the one I have named Scout." Luna replied. "I shall need company on this journey."
So it shall be. I am sure he will be eager to serve you...he seemed very happy today.
"Thank you, Chief of the Manticores." There was a pause. Luna looked up into the treetops. "And I will require eyes in the air as well!" She shouted. "To assist in the finding of the Elements of Harmony!"
There was a loud screeching as a Phoenix descended from the treeline to the ground.
My name is Brightflame, Princess. I am not a beast of the night, and I owe you no allegiance, but I desire the freedom of my people. Send me, if you will.
Luna nodded. "Brightflame...your reward shall be great, when this is over. If you desire to serve me on this quest, it shall be so."
The phoenix tilted it's head slightly, as if it was bowing. Thank you princess. I shall not fail.
"I know you will not." Luna paused. "But how will you find us?"
My eyes are many times stronger than a hawks. If you do not hide, I will see you.
"But what if we must hide?"
Then I will find you when you do not. Brightflame paused. You are the princess of the night, yes?
"I am, Brightflame."
If you ever feel the need to contact me...make whatever star is directly above you glow brighter than the others.
Luna stopped, confused for a second. "I...I will try, Brightflame. I have never done such a thing before...but I will try."
Thank you, Princess.
"It is I who should be thanking you, dear Brightflame. I shall see to it that you are rewarded when this is over. Now go! Say your last farewells to your family and depart. We have a country to save." Quickly, the phoenix known as Brightflame flew black up into the treeline.
There was a rustling in the bushes behind the manticore. A manticore, who Luna recognized as Scout, the first of the animals that she had met, popped out. Luna realized why he had been known as Runt before. Though he was large in comparison with an average pony, he was much smaller when compared to his Chief.
I am ready to go, Princess! Scout bounced about like an eager puppy.
Luna chuckled. "We are leaving the Everfree Forest, young manticore. It is not safe in Discord's world. Are you sure you wish to go?"
Anything to serve my Princess, Princess! When do we leave?
Luna smiled. "If you are ready, we leave now." She nodded at the gathering of animals in the clearing. "Farewell, Chief of the manticores. Farewell Stonegaze. Farewell to all of the denizens of the Everfree. Tell those who have not seen me of the truth of my return. The Everfree Forest will be free...truly free, soon."
When she finished speaking, something akin to a cheer went up among the animals. Those who did not belong to the Everfree would not have to live under it's shadow for much longer, and those who did would not have to share it with anybody else.
Luna smiled, and nodded for Scout to join her as she walked out of the Everfree Forest, and into the realm of Discord.