In The Company of The Sun

Chapters

Prolog: Within The Power of A Seed (v.3)
Ch. 1: Where Is Our Balance? (v.1)
Ch. 2: Self Preservation (v.1)
Ch. 3: A Sea Of Difference (v.1)
Ch. 4: Sowing The Seeds of... (v.1)
Ch. 5 : Temperance (v.1)
Optional song: The Difference of Time
Ch. 6: Grey (v.1)
Ch. 7: Eyes of Jaiet (v.1)
Ch. 8: Faith (v.1)
Ch 9: Clarity (v.1)
Ch. 10: Futile (v.1)
Ch. 11: Limits (v.1)
Ch 12: Over Perceptive Prolix (v.1)
Ch 13: Doubts (v.1)
Ch. 14: Absense (v.1)
Song: All Are Welcome
Ch. 15: Writings of Red Ink (v.1)
Ch 16: Epiphany (v.3)
Ch. 17: Imponderable (v.1)
Ch.18: Din, Dark and Dreary (v.1)
Ch. 19: Reflection (V. 1)
Ch. 20: Black Ice
Song: Our Domain

Prolog: Within The Power of A Seed (v.3)

Prolog: Within The Power of A Seed

Nestled deep in the Earth's soil rested two opposing forces. The purest of these forces was the Seed of Harmony, which blossomed from only the purest of hearts. Its opposing force was the Seed of Hatred, and unlike the Seed of Harmony it grew by every creature's sour desires; greed, or vanity. This left the Seed of Harmony vastly weaker than it's counterpart,yet at the time only the darkest of soul's to use Hatred's power.In its youth the Seed of Harmony kept itself hidden, the Seed of Hatred, unintimidated by the creatures above, drilled its stalk like a needle through the dirt and grew among its passive kind.

Soon the tranquil forest the Seed of Hatred invaded gave into the seed's corruption. The ancient trees turned gnarled and grotesque, the flower's seeds mutated into magical weeds and the vines of the forest became linked within the seed's vile magic, growing sentient crab-clawed buds.

Only the brave would enter the twisted forest, and that's exactly whom the Seed of Hatred wanted to find.

It had been this way for thousands of years, before the migration of Pony tribes, before the settlement of Equestria and in this time the seeds had fully grown. For some reason or another the Ponies of Equestria resonated better with the Tree of Harmony. It must have been they're lawful nature,do not allude that all Ponies upheld justice, sure they knew right from wrong, they just chose otherwise.

Or so they thought. Equestrian law was always able to handle the neigh-doers, and so the real root of the problem was never treated. Thier land grew vast, just like the seeds beneath them had. So far that their roots had stretched even the once oppressive ocean borders, but it wasn't the ocean's fault. No, once the Equestrian Ponies landed on this new continent, they brought along with them the pollen of the seeds within themselves. throughout the lands the tree of harmony's cave became known across the earth, every creature aspired to do right by it,or reflect on their disharmony with the tree,yet no one had been able to find a fully grown plant that held within it a seething darkness that not even the sun could blot out. Every creature has a desire for more... more power, more gold, more food, more, more, more. So the Seed of Hatred festered like an invisible poison to the once balanced lands, and soon their laws could do nothing but rewrite their laws to combat the growing chaos. What was once "What is done unto you will be punished unto them." could no longer stay and the Equestrian Ponies were but too eager to lend their laws along with their treaty.

And it is within this treaty that the Seed of Hatred had split in two, now there were two Seeds of Hatred encompassing Earth. Not dirt, nor desert, nor water kept Hatred's growing influence at bay. Of course the lawful minded Ponies of Equestria rallied their might to combat what evil they could, but Hatred was no longer a simple seed. It had flourished in the Dragon's lands and with it's new power even the purest of hearts could be persuaded that not all evil was bad, and not all good was the law.

It's in this time that Discord was born.

Ch. 1: Where Is Our Balance? (v.1)

Ch. 1: Where Is Our Balance?

I sighed once more. The delegate stopped mid sentence and glared bitterly to me.

"Am I boring you Prince de Parnce?" She said coldly. Of course she knew the answer, but I wasn't able to tell her so. I'm sure another delegate of Equestria would visit my quarters and tell me the same news.

"Madam you're not telling me anything I haven't heard from other delegates." I scoffed.

"Then why am I still here Prince de Parnce, wasting our time?" She asked snidely.

"Because I'm going to keep sending my request to visit Equestria after you, and another, and another delegate leaves my quarters saying "No"."

"If that is what you wish." she stared at me. "No." She turned to the door to the hallway, unlocked it with her magic and close the door behind her. After a few paces I could hear her squeal of frustration echo faintly throughout the hall. Which brought a smile to my face. Then I counted down from thirty and made my way through the castle to the westernmost turret.

I had counted to fifteen as I made it to the turret's last steps and watched as the Pony delegate hoofed her papers to the ship captain. The size of the vessel dwarfed our own, but it was the exotic craftsponyship that made the ship so exquisite. I stared in awe of it even as it set sail and drifted out past the fog of morning's dew. I let out another sigh as I descended the stairs back to my quarters. There I rested on my bed until one of the servants woke me up, and ushered me down to the feasting hall for lunch.

I ate my usual fare, blue cheese and grapes, made locally here in Parnce. Then I spent the evening like every other since my coronation. I'd try my best to uphold my country's law, and that of our ally, Equestria. It wasn't easy before the treaty, but at least I knew my limits. The law was Parnce's and Parnce's alone. There was no second hoof of law, I could make judgement can feel the confidence in my words, but now... I send the guilty away, and the innocent free. It sounds simple, doesn't it?

But would you kill another for stealing cattle? How about food? The old law's decreed "What is done unto you will be punished unto them." and Equestrian law decrees "Whomsoever is found guilty will be punished, and whomsoever is found innocent will be free." I am sworn to follow both laws, and I vowed to give equal truth and true balance. If freedom is the sentence of the innocent, then death must be the sentence for the wronged. So I kept myself to my quarters and thought of anything to reassure my faith, to believe in my word, just like my citizens did.

I thought. No I prayed that Equestria would let me voice my concern in person and that all would be fine, yet they seem unwilling to hear my thoughts, unwilling to let Parnce know more about their ally. At first I was sympathetic, I still held my hope that in time they would someday soon say yes, but years went by and all I heard was the same answer.

"Under great consideration the Royal sisters have deemed your request, not dire. you were told on moment of signing the treaty that all rulings and agreements were final. you are welcome of course to write your concerns and reapply for a hearing to rewrite the treaty's conditions." Each delegate spoke it so apathetically that I began to question if they had beating hearts. Had they not read my words, did they not understand my sadness? So I drifted far from the prospect of hope... My foolish belief in their help, and I succumbed to my feelings of hate. I didn't care for the ponies of Equestria... I only cared for my vision, for my words to be understood.

Ch. 2: Self Preservation (v.1)

Ch. 2: Self Preservation

In my attempts to rewrite the Treaty of Equality I kept careful notes by talking with the captains at harbor and having my lighthouse keepers along Parnce's borders follow the many delegate's ships. With their combined information I charted a course. If Equestria wasn't going to bring me to their ports. I'd bring myself there. What I needed however was a reason to be accepted over there, if I just landed uninvited they might consider it an act of war, even sabotage. That's when my eyes opened, and I gave the most devious grin.

So I sent my response letter once more for a hearing to rewrite the treaty's particular wording involving Equestria's laws and policies of government in Parnce, then laid waiting for the next ship to arrive. This time however, the ship hadn't arrived as timely as it usually did. I hadn't treated the last delegate any differently than the others who had worn out my sympathies. Maybe the Royal Pony Sisters had finally given up, and assumed ignoring me would quiet my resolve?

It wouldn't. It was in those months waiting I felt my anger brood. My simple visit to Equestria became a vendetta against our "ally" that crashed onto our borders, restarted The Chaos War and insisted to overstay their self-assumed welcome until said disharmony was "under control". I hadn't notice in my solace that my bitterness became known throughout our country, it was then that the unrest finally spilled out..

"Prince Norm!" One of my loyal servants yelled. I turned to her, still groggy from my sleepless haze. She bowed in forgiveness, but I lifted her head to meet mine.

"What's wrong Abby?" I asked calmly. I watched her cheeks blush in her pensiveness as she croaked out her thought in a stutter.

"Th-the court needs you my Liege. Th-there's been a m-m-m... murder."

I made my way to the throne room at once, unconcerned with my mottled sleeping gown. As I sat on the throne I had to repeatedly command the townspeople to calm themselves as they spat and screamed at the accused. It was what I feared... A Pony had killed one of my citizens, though he claimed in self-defence. I felt the saliva in my throat slide down slow as I gulped. Which law should I follow? It was a Pony, which meant he followed the Equestria law. He believes he will be free because he only harmed out of self-defence...

"You are aware of Parnce's Laws, are you not?" I asked him.

"No. Prince de P-Parnce." I heard him lie. It sickened me how they would claim stupidity over accepting their fate. Every goat of Parnce is taught the Law of Equal Punishment, but I pitied him, and told him the law. You should have seen the size of his pupils when he finally understood what his situation was.

"Please, your highness... I am the Royal Sister's delegate. I was attacked before the ship made it to port!"

"You were assaulted and now you're claiming my townsfolk sunk your ship?" I asked bemusedly. I wondered how twisted his lies would spiral until he began blaming the ocean's violent current for his obvious fatigue or the new moon on his inability to see that he wasn't fooling me. Sure his clothes were damp, but any simpleton can jump into the bay and claim to be ship wrecked.

"I understand you will not believe me, I have no proof." He said. "But I implore you to check where my ship sank for survivors."

My brow widened and I leapt from my throne. "Put the stallion in the keep, his judgement will be resumed after we search the waters." But before my guard could touch him he rebutted.

"I'm sorry your highness, but I'm not telling you the coordinates. You're taking me with you." I grinned at him.

"Alright stallion, have it your way."

Ch. 3: A Sea Of Difference (v.1)

Ch. 3: A Sea Of Difference

After I got properly dressed the murderer, ten of my royal guard and I set sail to the supposed shipwreck. In the span of that time the water had become unnaturally wild, as if by magic. Was this the stallion's plan to get away with murder? It dwelled in my thought as a guard motioned me starboard and I saw the hoofful of bodies float on a receding wave. They were the same crew the female delegate boarded with, along with some goats. The darkness if Luna's night was making it hard to make out if the water was stained with blood. Come to think of it, the stallion had only bruises. I asked my guard to fetch him when the sea had calmed down.

"Is this enough proof, Prince?" The stallion nickered.

"It isn't..." I turned to face him. "What is your name?"

" Umbra." He spat. I could taste his bitterness, but that didn't hold me back. I walked closer to him and inspected his damp yet uncomfortably pristine tan surcoat. Even all of the buttons of his scarlet cape where secured. I glared darkly to the Pony.

"Well then Umbra... would you mind telling me where we are going, since I can tell you are controlling these waves?"

"Relax, Prince!" He chuckled "I mean you no harm... I thought you wanted to go Equestria." he added in, to by chance mollify my growing distrust.

"I am able to-wait how did you know that? Those letters are for royal eyes only." I growled. Yet he seemed to only bury himself deeper.

"Are they now?" The stallion scoffed. "Don't fret then, Prince Norm. Not a single commoner's eyes will witness your petty attempts to reason with them. You have my word Prince to Prince." He grinned cocksure stomping his hoof to the planks, and before I could react in kind I felt my the lids of my eyes sink heavily and my muscles become numb.

I woke up in a overgrown and twisted looking forest and in the centre was a bright red glow. I felt myself rise, compelled to investigate. As I made my way closer to the light my heart began to beat faster. My hind legs gave out and I fell bowing to the light, then a voice spoke within me.

"Sow the seeds of balance Norm."

My head throbbed as my ears rang a mind-halting drone. I must have been hexed to sleep, either by the "Prince's" magic or by my own guards, yet I didn't have time to dwell on either. The sound of hoofsteps was reaching my barrel of a jail cell at a quickening rate. I felt the barrel flung to its side apathetically and my face followed suit.

Now I was not only recovering from my half-deaf ears, but the bleeding of my snout. The long barrel ride did helped wake my sleeping muscles, which did not include my throat or my eyes, which mattered little since I had been tied and gagged. No, the only thing my mind dwelled on was the validity of my forced dream.

My family always sought the wisdom in their dreams, said they were visions of the future. They implored me to do the same not only because as Prince it would give me an advantage, but with my link to Earth's magic my visions could have deadly repercussions. The dream had told me just as I had vowed to my country; To sow the seeds of balance, to keep discord in check with which would let the country flourish. The lid to the barrel lifted as did I out of its confines and met my glare to the supposed Prince's.

"Have a nice nap Norm?" He gritted his teeth mockingly as he untied my bindings. "A word for wiser. Keep you regality in check until you reach the castle, mmm?" He whispered. Then he lifted the gag and told me quietly his plans. He had stowed me away in the brig under the guise of a spoiled shipment. Which I replied to with a dirty look. Shipments of this sort had to be sent to the harbor master, and if his records where in order that would be it. But we wouldn't be telling the harbormaster the whole truth, which would lead us being sent to the castle. So off we went to the Harbormaster.

Ch. 4: Sowing The Seeds of... (v.1)

Ch. 4: Sowing The Seeds of...

She was rather odd; the Harbormaster. She darted her eyes to us both and within moments of leaving, flung her papers to the desk. "Parnce. Three barrels of grass seed and cider."

As the gray "Prince" lips began to move, she rose from her desk and placed her hoof to his mouth. "All commerce matters must be handled by either a country's delegate, or the ship captain himself." Her glance was fixated on me as she spoke. "State your profession, time travelled to and from... and file in your boarding papers."

I, in the first time of my Princehood stood dumbfounded, void of thought. All my years of believing my inner strenght was my keen guile, and here I was mouth a gap at Equestria's eccentric Harbormaster. I had become rather lax since I had always been able to get what I needed by regality alone, no one ever questioned my needs in Parnce.

"As I was going to say Sea Quill." Umbra cleared his throat. "This here is a very special goat, who spent his family's money and his time to travel here. He doesn't have time for the facts and papers. Just know that Parnce needs him back as soon as possible." As the stallion spoke I watched his eyes lock to hers, and when I finally figured out what he was doing, I looked down in disgust. "What a sickening use of power." I remember mumbling. The harbormaster's eyes watered as she swept the papers clean off her desk and started writing feverishly on a blank piece of parchment, and then gave a pound of her stamp. She became a bumbling mess, her sclera still green as she chanted her apologies to us. Umbra roped a forearm around me and pushed me along.

"Relax Prince. This might have been a change in plan, but this letter will give you a free pass to see them. Don't waste it." Umbra whispered to me. He was trying rather hard to hide his enjoyment after brainwashing the poor mare, Sea Quill. I was trying my hardest to forget what he had done to Sea Quill, soon my mind graced me with a new fixation; What purpose did Umbra have in helping me? Did he care about me or my country's needs. He seemed like the type to use those around him, and I was sure he had a plan for me that I didn't want any part of. In my thoughts I had all but forgotten that I had been aimlessly walking through Canterlot, and as I turned my head Umbra was gone. He was either lost in the sea of Pony faces or had gone his own way with or without telling me, either way I was alone now. I grasped my chest as my heart's beat hastened once more, I scanned their faces, their eyes... Somepony was trying to read my thoughts.

I could feel their alien power digging into my core. It was thick like a ship's tar, and as bitter cold as a scorned lover's desires. I forced my eyes to stay open, for if they closed the intruder would have complete control of my mind. The pain was becoming unbearable. I forced all my power to my legs and ran, ran as fast as I could to the darkest parts of Canterlot's alleyways. The pain was receding, like the grasp at my thoughts and I sighed a breath of relief, I had outrun my intruder.

Ch. 5 : Temperance (v.1)

Ch. 5 : Temperance

I staggered within the alleyways of Canterlot, unsure if I should leave the secluded darkness or brace myself once more to the open light. Dare I leave myself exposed to whoever attempted to peer at my mind? I jumped in shock to a pony whose hood was ragged and weathered. He whispered something from his four-toothed mouth and glared at me. I smiled to him and released an uneasy chuckle as I asked him . "What was that?"

His eyes widened as he stared to mine. "Such radiance doesn't belong among filth... ye' could outshine thee stars yet ye' sulks amidst the dirt and dank." As he rose up to me his robe slid down revealing his ali, blood red irises and half scarred skin. "Is it true what thee say? Is one forced to follow what thee know, and never grow?" He hissed in bemusement as he drew closer to me and tapped his horn to mine.

It felt like only a second of time. Yet as I looked up, Luna's light is all that shined in the sky. I darted out of the alleyways and followed the path that I took as best as I remembered. With a sigh of relief I trotted through the docks and marketplace which were void of the crowds and cheerful life I had witnessed just a moment ago. I gave another sigh, this one full of sorrow as I sat in the middle of the commons. Something the Alley-pony said, or did had removed all sense of purpose within me. Had he stolen my courage, maybe my bravery? I couldn't tell.

"Are you alright?" I heard a honeyed voice ask me. I felt a rush of comfort, like the smell of rain on an arid summer day. The vigor from her voice alone had drawn that alley-pony's poison away. Within my view were the hooves to a porcelain frame I could never forget. My kid long friend had grown quite tall during our missed years. Her neck craned closer and she repeated in the same soothing chords.

"I-I'll be alright." I spoke plainly. My voice was shaken by her beauty alone. I forced my eyes to my surroundings and they darted like sporadic flies at a picnic, each kept darting back to her regal form, or her Breezie-flossed mane. I had also gathered that I, somehow had been transported to the Royal Gardens and that her expression lacked the usual confident smile that she wore like a mask. It seemed my random appearance in her gardens was enough to wrinkle her brows in concern, but as I watched her face scour my own. I could tell it was not merely concern but the inability to identify me. Had the years been too long, had she forgotten the ali horned Prince of Parnce?

Her mask slid back into place and she bowed and greeted me. "My apologies for inspecting you so, you've come such a long way from Parnce. I'll redirect you to the throne room." I nodded with a sheepish smile, as I held in my laughter.

We made it halfway through the Royal Gardens until she started up another conversation. "What business do you have in Canterlot?"

"Royal business."

Her eyes glazed to mine, as she honed into my voice's tone. She stopped and turned her head. "My apologies I did not receive word of your arrival." She bowed her head with blushing cheeks. A sign of true embarrassment.

"Do not worry yourself Princess. He isn't mad at your declines, merely curious of their nature."

"Declines? This is news to me aswell. I have not witnessed a single letter from Parnce. What does King Par need?!"

"King Par? ..." I felt my throat grow dry. "Dear Princess... What is the last letter you remember from Parnce?"

"I was a filly at the time... " Her eyes widened in realization. "Has the prince sent you here unannounced... No, please don't tell me. My apologies can not even begin to correct this matter." Her mask cracked, her air of confidence was choked out by a smoke of terror. Her smile became forced and uncanny. Her eyes darted away. Was she thinking about what else she had missed throughout the years?

"Tis' not my concern how your Counselor of Foreign Relations is doing their job. My Prince will find his way to your ear Princess Celestia." I knew that keeping my charade as a royal delegate wasn't worth the pleasantries that poor Celestia was trying to keep up, but I needed to work that in slowly 'else the wrath of the sun would most likely boil me.

"Much has changed Princess Celestia, but I ask only for a hearing to rewrite the Equestrian Laws and Government section." I added.

Beads of sweat were building on her forehead. "S-sir." She gasped, looking to me painfully for mercy. Did she believe that the Prince de Parnce planned to abolish these laws due to her counselor's inadequacy? Surely anything could've been brewing in her fever. Inside I felt a sickening joy from her distress as I wish my years had been so lax as hers, but I was a balanced creature. I withdrew my feelings of revenge as I witnessed her shellshock, just as I had at the Harbormaster's requests.

"Celestia, please calm yourself." I hushed to her. "I would never in all my anger slight our father's work. I know the gravity of their hard work, and the many omens my father foresaw to lead our countries here. Yet my father died before he could witness his first trial with the Equestrian law partnered with our own." I hugged her tightly, and I felt her body shake from her doubt.

"Norm..." She cried happily. She gave a playful jab at my shoulder. "It is good to see you, but what is with all the secretiveness?"

"It started out innocently enough, Princess. I just couldn't help myself when you didn't recognize me at first." I chuckled to her.

"It was your horn that threw me off! I don't remember it being blue as children." She rebutted. "Though I was wondering whether you would send another ali horn as a delegate, or come yourself."

"No delegate nor advisor can speak my words better than my own tongue Celestia."

We both smiled, as we stared once more at each other. I could feel her doubt being expelled just as she had taken mine and we stood there admiring each others maturity, and lack thereof.

Optional song: The Difference of Time

(Celestia)

Look how time has changed us.

(Norm)

See how time has shaped us.

(Both)

I think it's clear to see.

Think it's clear to say.

That we're witnessing the difference of time.

(Celestia)

You've grown quite taller, but still...

(Norm)

You've aged quite better, yet still...

There is one thing I can not say

(Celestia)

And there is this feeling I can't leave out.

(Both)

I think it's clear to see.

Think it's clear to say.

That we're witnessing the difference of time.

(Norm)

Is it her eyes, or just her beauty?

Is it my mind, that's gone off-duty?

I have other things to tend to.

Obligations to uphold.

Yet I can't deny this beating, is louder than before.

(Celestia)

In my heart I know better.

Then to lead him off astray.

Yes in my heart I know better.

But I didn't feel this way before.

(Both)

There were mountains and ocean between us, yet our fathers couldn't keep our eyes away.

There are moments and memories between us that might've shaped. This. Day.

I think it's clear to see.

think it's clear to say.

That we're witnessing the difference Of. Time.

Ch. 6: Grey (v.1)

Ch. 6: Limits

Somewhere, in our enchanted gazing, my horn flared once more and sent me reeling to the trimmed lawn. I had calmed Celestia down, merely telling her that my vision "wasn't clear to me yet". The same line that my father used when he wanted to omit his knowledge, and I was doing my best to hide this knowledge like an unsavory bite of an aspiring chef's farrago. My vision had helped us both get back onto the subject of Parnce's needs. She knew both the laws, yet didn't see the dilemma. This lead both of us into a classic "discussion".

"Maybe you're defining the law too strictly Norm?"

"Laws are meant to be strict, Celestia. They uphold the law... They are written-"

"I understand the purpose for laws Norm."

"I'm speaking of equal punishment. If the victim is to be set free, what other option is there but, its. Equal?"

" ...You. You haven't been." Celestia was frozen in shock.

My conscience ran like wild at her steely gaze. Had she thought me mad? She didn't know of the urgency because she hadn't receive my letters... but maybe it was more than that? My father knew wholeheartedly the complications of a Pony's nature. They were not bound to goodness, yet The Sacred Tree watched over them. A Pony could be evil, or virtuous and everything inbetween... but for a goat. The path of right and wrong lied solely in grey.

We prided ourselves in pure balance. It's why a goat takes so long to speak... they are thinking of the perfect words, not too hurtful, not so caring. While some ponies treated my citizens as senile, or worse... as farm creatures. We knew better than to give into such dark emotions. If the world saw us as simple folk, let them. It would keep those naive from our bays.

She was still, maybe lost in her thoughts as I apologized, as I usually did for these "colorful" banters. Looking back on it they where much like the ones I would hear our fathers have... had.

"This isn't fair to you, Princess. I've already caught you off guard with my arrival. Bickering like this is but oil to your wings. We shall resume it after some thought... and maybe a date of my hearing?"

Her head shook out of her daze. "Oil... yes, I agree Prince Norm. We will continue this after I discuss the treaty with my sister. I made a promise to include her in all the royal affairs."

"How nuturing of you Celestia. Finally instilling some of your mother's lessons of compassion?" I said.

She scowled at me and then smiled. "Any other, and I would have thought you were insulting me..."

"Wouldn't dream of it." I chuckled.

"I'll be sure to ask Luna then." She nickered playfully.

The walk into the castle dredged painful memories of my younger years. My magic was frantic as I tried to lock my feelings away, but as we entered the throne room, I lost my composure and my magic leapt the memories throughout the room. My father stood tall beside King Sol, both chuckling endearingly to Celes' playful levitation of her father's gold crown to her head, and she toppled over from the sheer weight.

"Calm yourself Dear Princess Celestia." My father cackled as he helped lift the crown off of her. "Take your years of princess hood as a blessing, until the day you've learned all the Sacred Tree can offer."

"Yes Darling! Take Lord Par's wisdom... not many get such saged advice for free." King Sol assured as he hugged his pouting princess.

My eyes looked up to the present-day throne with Celestia now sitting, her father's crown perched behind her ali. I wondered if she truly heeded my father's advice. Is that why after years after her parent's death she still remains a princess? Is it out of dutiful respect to her parents, to her sister... or is she waiting for The Sacred Tree to impart her queen-like wisdom?

The sour vision I had received in the gardens ringed once more. This time with more imagery. The cutie mark of a heart? This vision was different from the rest. It didn't feel natural, but forced as if another was trying to feed me subtle clues. When I received a pure vision there was no pain when leaving my dreaming state, but in a forced dream... it felt like being reeled onto like a fish. The invader didn't know how to let go, or when to let me go. Prolonging my time in a dream state would be critical to my body, yet the mark of a well trained ali horned goat was a frail body.

Little Luna closed the throne room doors behind her as she reached her sister. "You summoned us, 'Tia?" Luna glanced over to me as the two began to whisper about. "Surely you jest?" Luna spat and she looked over to me, and Celestia turned her sister's eyes back to her and whispered more. "But could he not-" The moon mare scoffed once more.

It was clear that Luna took little after her serene mother besides her supervision of the moon. She was as bold and brash as her father. "He boiled like the sun, and was as caressing as a fire, and when you are lost... A fire is all you will need." My father said in defense of Sol's flightiness. I had never met Luna, until now, in fact it was out of my curiosity that I had even met Celestia.

I can hardly remember that day, the only thing I can remember clearly was the harsh punishment my father had given me. His eyes were cold, almost glazed as he struck me. Just standing still while he decided his punishment was in itself punishment enough. Just hard enough to prove his superiority, but merciful enough to not knock his kid son's hip out. Sometimes when I am feeling spiteful I can feel the place where he had struck become warm, even though it has been years since he struck me... years since his departure. The two both turned to me smiling with an over-welcoming candor.

"Prince De Parnce." Luna said as she cantered to me and bowed her head.

"Fret not Princess Luna. Call me as your sister does, I'm simply Norm, or Norm De Parnce... if you wish."

Her relaxed smile hinted to her gratitude, as she continued. "The Royal pony sisters decree that, there shall be no hearing over the Treaty of Equality for Equestria and Parnce. " Her lips moved on, yet my ears had gone numb. Had I wasted all this time just to be told "no" yet again...

What purpose did the Tree of Light, Tree of Harmony have for me in Equestria so far away from home. Why had I been deceived unto these shores?

"I-I-If that is what you decree... Then I can see we are at a loss for this treaty at all." I felt the heat burn inside me, and throughout my hip. My eyes darted up, surely burning like dry brush. I watched the moon princess step back.

If. That... That is what you two decree! Then guess what I decree Royal. Pony. Sisters! I decree That from now on, any pony set on Parnce's soil shall be deported! Any law of equine thought shall be blackened, and any-any of you two questions my anger will lead my guard to shoot all Equestrian ships on sight! Is that *equal** enough for you two? Is that not fair? You shut your eyes to my pleading, then I shut my country to your kind!*

Even though this rage felt like mine, I could taste that it did not belong to me. Sure I had been angry of their declines, and surely if I was not a balanced creature I would have howled those words like a final battle cry, as I drove our countries into war. But I gave the two the benefit of the doubt, they didn't see my suffering enough to change our father's work. So be it.

"There was a black furred pony in Parnce, who claimed himself a prince." I said in bemusement. "He lacked the knowledge if Parnce's law... He, I suspect also had a hoof in killing a delegate of yours."

The two both gasped. "Umbra?" I could hear Luna attempt to whisper, at least I assumed she was whispering.

My horn had begun acting up, amplifying my ears so that I could hear the guards outside the throne room doors breathe a natural rhythm. The drone of Celestia's magic flicker on pierced my ear drum as I quivered to the carpet.

"Sun's light!" I heard her cry out. "Normace!"

"This thoust injured?" Luna asked.

Hush foals... You dare speak to The King of Balance as a simpleton!? I heard pulse within my core.

"Shadow magic? 'Tia, Quick!" Luna commanded.

"I'm working on it Luna." Celestia rebutted. I felt her magic cling to me.

"Stop! It's burning me!" I cried, as my eyes watered from the pain."Stop your magic Celestia."

I felt the guards rush in. "Your royal highnesses! What is going on?"

"Someone has cast dark magic on the Prince of Parnce. Stay outside, and keep the door shut!" Celestia ordered them.

"Of course-but your highness, what if it channels to you?" One of the guards asked.

"He is right 'Tia... release your magic." Luna agreed. I gave another pitiful cry, and I felt her magic pull away. Another magic took its place, and I could sense the fear within the guards and Celestia. "We shall take care of him." Luna insisted. My eyes drew open in force as she looked to me with lost eyes. She shed a tear into my eye, and like a single ripple in a still lake, my body ebbed into sleep.

Ch. 7: Eyes of Jaiet (v.1)

Ch. 7: Eyes of Jaiet

The wind wrapped to me like silk sheets, engulfing my throat and forcing my eyes shut. This was another forced dream. Yet it was not of my own, but of the one that held me... little Luna. She was a foal when my father and I first met King Solstice, Celest' was just weaning in her filly years as I was reaching my first year as a billy.

Whenever I received visions in my sleep, they always became real. I didn't blame them, Celestia knew little about ali-horned goats as I suspected. She didn't know the trouble I was in being asleep within my dream state. Nor did poor Luna. How she crashed and ebbed with such sorrow... I can't imagine how she still finds the strength to stand, nor smile. It is then that I prayed to the endless air in my throat to stay, as it rushed out of me like fleeting sparrows.

Not a moment passed before the bitter chill of water swallowed me whole, the salt of the water stinged my gums and I am blinded once more. But there's a pattern growing, she does not feel able to speak. There is always something or someone blinding her eyes. Muting her tongue...

I thought about her dream's elements, air... water? Each are what I assumed a Princess of the moon to suspect the night sky is like. But is she being figurative with her symbols? What if Luna is repressing a bad dream... I shudder to think if the Guardian of nightmares is holding back her own. In my thoughts I had believed that the cold was from the water, and that I was still sinking, but as I opened my eyes in curiosity I saw that I was resting on an engorged grey cloud.

Merely noticing that I was sitting on a cloud without wings was enough for my rationality to trigger the stormcloud into quicksand. My body left the comfort of the cloud, and I succumbed once more to the smothering air. It was then that I had witnessed something that I had never before, though now in reflection it made sense.

Luna had swooped below me, saving me from her endless cycle of falling, suffocating and shutting her eyes. I was in her dream, but she was the guardian of dreams... I wondered if she knew about the mental sensitivities of my ancestors, how I had made it into her thoughts. With the dream-bearer with me, I could finally unlock from her dream, and hastily I did.

As I came too, I gripped at my sides tightly as my usual meal in Parnce greeted my tongue bitterly. It washed out of my mouth, and I quivered in its exit. I must have been in that dream for an hour or so. From leaving the unicorn's hex, to greeting Celestia at the gardens at sunrise, it was lunch time by the time we made it to...

To the throne room. What happened back there? I felt such hatred that I've never felt before. It was ancient... darkness in its primal state. Then the two spoke of dark magic around me? This all felt like a well planned trap, or maybe my father's sickness was finally reaching me. In his final days he had become crazed from horrors in his dreams, dreams that drove him into madness.

Under his breath I could hear him speak sour truths, he became insociable and shut himself from the world. On his death bed I can remember him telling me something rather odd, the same line that the Unicorn from the alley spoke; Is one forced to follow what thee know, and never grow?

I didn't need my visions to see that something dark was toying with me. With Luna by my side, I was but honey to the flies.

"You have awakened." Luna said, shaking me from my thought.

"Yes. Thank you Luna."

" 'Twas nothing... are you alright?" She asked.

I chuckled softly. "As good as I can be. You can speak plainly with me Luna. There are no ears but ours out here." She had flown me to the Evergreen forest. Crickets and frogs droned out in the distance, they couldn't tell that sunset was six hours away.

She glanced at me, as she thought on my words with disregard. "Doth you remember what happened at the castle?"

"Yes thy does dear Luna, Thy also requests thoust speakest plainly..."

She gasped at my sour tact, a petty form of dark humor. Maybe it was the soil... In Parnce I never remembered feeling such glee from spitefulness. I closed my eyes and drew in a calming sigh. Within my exhale I smelled something so foul I choked. I flung back my head, as I watch Luna tilt hers bewilderingly, then she too winced to the horrid odor. The forest grew silent.

"Night's stars... What is that smell!" she cried.

"Nothing to take perrsSsonally Selene!" A dry voice hissed. Her body hunched as her neck slowly slumped forward. "Alone at last! Look at how you have grown!" I searched frantically for a body to the voice, and in my tension he teleported in a cloud of dark mist.

"You... Do you have any idea who you're addressing?" I asked in fervor.

"The King of Balance... Lord of Equal Punishment, and son to King Par, founder of Parnce... Your mother-" His eyes narrowed to me.

"It appears you do know about me... but do you know me?" I rebutted.

"You shamed your mother from the throne... You feel incomplete without full control, and most of all..." He paused to cough a chuckle my way. "You Long to rule everyone." He grinned.

"What?!" I spat.

"You might not believe it now... nor realize it when you do, but you're always judging others... Always peering into their psyche, assuming their life is but a page to turn. You read others, without question or thought. Like Selene here."

"But, this is Princess Luna." I grinned.

"Oh." He cackled darkly. "I couldn't tell... they both taste the same. Now that you mention it though, Selene did have a richer fear then Luna does." He inhaled, sighing in blissfulness. "You can sense it... can't you?" He asked mockingly as he roped an arm around me.

"I know she's in mental duress ."

"Duress! You baffle me Lord Pareil!" He wheezed uncontrollably.

"Par was my father." I said plainly.

"Oh- Right you are, Normace of Parnce. Say is it awkward having to rule a country named after your father?" He joked darkly.

"My father's name stands for his goals, He lived and breathed for equality! Of course not!"

"Equality... Sounds like you want everyone to be the same, do you want to change everyone to your vision, your perfect world?"

"Everyone is welcome to be who they are!"

"As long as they are void of any animate feeling... Is a goat able to laugh without crying afterward? That would be an equal emotion-"

"Parnce's Law of Equality is only for judicial practices, never is it entailed as a way of life."

"And isn't that what separates you from the uncouth creatures... Being able to distinguish rules as lines in the sand, not as walls to divide. " He squeezed me tighter. Look at the time, if we sat here gawking about your kinds virtues we'd be keeping half the planet from their shut eye. I'm not here to keep the sun from turning, merely wanted to probe an old friend's prodigy." He flung me into Luna. "Ta ta you two!" He's dark cackle echoed in his smoky exit.

"Norm!" Luna cried as she hugged me tightly.

"Princess?" I asked, only for her hold to increase. Violet smoke-like ribbons seeped out of her. As the smoke reached me, I knew what the Unicorn meant. Her fear was somehow now visible to me, and the air around her was saturated in fear and doubt. A gift from the dark unicorn? I started to ponder why he was invested in my father and I . I was startled by little Luna's ever hastening sobs. I tried my best to coddle her tears, and bring the princess back to her senses, but she was lost in her tears...

When I looked to her eyes, I found the problem. The Unicorn had hexed her as well. There was no time for second opinions, I placed my forehead to hers, and kissed her.

The air around me grew frigid as I held my lips to Luna's. Her thoughts and emotions clashed to battle within my own.

What if I get overthrown, what if my people abandon me?

What if I can't protect them...

Why did you leave me mother... How is this fair?

I've worked too hard just to be alone.

Why did I come here? My father could've have done this better.

I doubt I can stay here, I doubt I can make a change...

I don't need others to tell me my place! I am a king, I can rule my own land, care for my own kind!

I just want to be heard.

"They don't understand my pain, she can't feel the same as I!" We both cried. Our eyes opened, Luna was blushing. Her eyes had returned to normal. "Are you alright Luna?"

"Better now that I know I'm not alone." She smiled and cuddled my chest tufts. I smiled back, even though she couldn't see.

Ch. 8: Faith (v.1)

Ch. 8: Faith

I knew she was the princess of the moon. Yet her very touch left me warm. This was not to be, me and her, her and I. Granted she was the same age as Celestia, and granted my heart quicken around both in a frantic fury... but I had convinced a part of me that this flurry of heat and hastened beat was nothing but a fever of the moment. We both had witnessed something vile, and I had pulled from my regal mind the oldest trick known to Earth.

Love cures evil. There was no doubt that Unicorn was a fledgling to a darker force, one that had twisted even my father's mind. How easily he had taken Luna's will away. She had whispered to me as I embraced her fragile elegance. She heard nothing but her own thoughts whilst the Unicorn had questioned me, all that she could remember was the rancid odor from before and waking to my kiss, like an old tale her mother would read to her. Selene... What a mother she was.

Even my father was entranced by her compassion and grace. Her coat mimicked the azure sky so perfectly no creature could doubt her affinity to the night. Even more, she balanced her love with her daughters, and later even me so well that I can't imagine why Luna is more reserved than Celestia. The night was a secretive thing for sure, but it wouldn't help Luna overcome her nightmares if she forced herself to battle these fears alone. She had the honor of having a sister of the sun to call to. Then it resonated within me like a large bell ringing the midday, she wanted to prove her strength. Little Luna...

Why do we try so hard to look strong? There is no weakness in tears, yet it is only alone... with me, does Luna cry. My chest was damp from her emotional release. I won't lie... I cried softly with her too. In Par Castle I never once mourned for my father, and I took this brevity of sorrow as a sign. When her breath had calmed I alerted Luna to the still setting sun, and she turned her head in a blush and raised her alabaster orb without a second thought. I waited a moment then I asked her curiously.

"So why did you pick the forest?"

She scrunched her lips cutely. "To be honest... I don't know. I felt my instincts tell me too." Her eyes looked to me longingly. "Norm... What were you crying about?"

"Many things... but mostly, for my father." I confessed.

"It's been five years since his passing... Yet I am, excuse me for saying so. I am glad that you still miss him. It makes me feel better about missing my own parents." Luna admitted.

"Tears are not a sign of weakness Luna. If anything they prove you are strong enough to show your feelings." I assured her.

"I-I used to, but in weeks past a Griffon emissary witness me crying and mocked my ability to lead. Only when Celestia told him I was still in mourning did he bow and give his apologies. He commended Celestia's strength given her loss..."

"My words still hold true Luna. Gryphos is a young country and still hasn't weeded out their nomadic philosophies yet." I hugged her. "Have faith in yourself Luna. Many look up to you, and much rests on your shoulders. You're blessed to rule alongside another."

Her head sank as I reminded her of Celestia. "I suppose."

My heart sank deep to my gut, as I witnessed her second of bitterness. "Would you mind if we headed back for Canterlot's harbor?" I asked, hoping to divert her thoughts.

"Certainly Norm. Heading home so soon?"

"There's no reason for me to stay here Luna..." I sighed. "You two made it quite clear-"

"Norm." Luna huffed. "Your hearing was dismissed because we decided to revisit the whole treaty, not just the part that affected you."

My eyes grew, I felt like they could have lit up the dark air around us. "The whole treaty." I repeated.

"Celestia believed it would be best to not only Parnce but to our new allies of Gryphos and the Crystal Empire."

"Crystal... Empire?" I said whimsically.

Ch 9: Clarity (v.1)

Ch 9: Clarity

We had gone back to the royal sister's castle. In this time I had forced myself to wake, I did not like the dreams that followed levitating. There was one dream that I had repeatedly had where I was gliding mere inches from a night's black ocean. I could taste the salt of the water coating my throat, yet the dream yearned on. One detail I never quite picked up on was how to tell whether all my dreams were of insight, or my wit's leisure of fantasy. I'm sure every earthbound creature dreams of flying and the effects it holds to soar so freely. Just as every base creature drolls on about the lax nature of ali-horned creatures. I couldn't dare to fathom the power of Luna, Celestia... or any other winged unicorn. Darkness had blanketed the blue night sky, In Parnce we held all sorts of night festivals, My heart ached as Luna's guise of hope eroded during her flight to Canterlot.

I didn't need to ask why she felt so, it was not merely written on her face, but engraved on her heart. Her aura drifted like squid's ink in water, thick with pain, a pain she seemed able to hide well from Celestia. How could she be silent? I knew she needed to let her emotions free, she needed another to build her strength once more, yet I was not the one. She needed the support of love, the kind not even her sister could give. But a suitor I was not, and I let the thought pass me, as I thought of revisiting the treaty of our father's. This time would be different it seemed. There would be griffons, and two other equine tribes. Luna's voice cut through my contemplation. I looked to her, the sudden prickling throb crept down my limbs as they awoke. I leaned myself on to the Castle wall as she repeated herself.

"Do you remember where the guest quarter's are?" She asked.

"Yes. I'll be up there... I just need a moment." I admitted. I was pleasantly surprised she hadn't spoken in her father's tongue.

"I don't remember much of you Norm..." She caught herself and cleared her throat. "My sister cares dearly for you. Do not forget this tomorrow..." She whispered to me, then cantered into the castle.

I stood there, musing on her words. By the time I had cleared my confusion my legs had regained their touch. It was at my last step into the castle did I turn my gaze to Prince Umbra.

"How are you Prince De Parnce?" He chuckled.

"Pleased... but now I'm second guessing if I'll feel this way for long."

"Cheeky, Norm. You can keep your comforts... You'll need them for tomorrow." He rebutted.

I stepped closer to inspect his expression, it was hard to make out much with his complexion against the darkness. Such darkness that matched Luna's. He was grieving, or holding back some plaguing sorrow. "Umb-"

"Prince Umbra." He corrected me.

"Right. What are you the Prince of again?"

His irises sparked red as purple mist drifted from his eyes. "I'm a Prince of many things... but I know what you are really asking. 'What will I lord over one day?' Let us just say it is a land too bitter for you to know of..." His eyes reverted to normal as he added calmly " and it's best kept so." His magic flared and a green and black cloud-like portal stretched up from the cobblestone to his height.

I let him go. His emotion had drawn out my usual composure, thankfully I had made it to my room without an incident. Their posh guest room bed was far more inviting than my own in Parnce, but I didn't covet the sister's wealth. Nor envied it, with that much wealth followed darker emotions that my kind didn't fall prey to.

"Prancians know their limits, when to say no... when to give up, what to fight for. " I remember mumbling before the down-feathered pillows wisped my conscience to rest.

Ch. 10: Futile (v.1)