A Lullaby for Gods

Canterlot was a city of aristocracy and elegance sown together by milleniums of prejudices and sacrifices. The white marble and gilded spirals were deceptive in their innocent mien while the rich, lavish gardens lured one into the pretense of beauty and safety. But to the immortals who witnessed the toils and bloodshed that had been necessary for such a development of cultures to begin, Canterlot was a gilded cage of agony and false pretenses where shadows drowned and the light burned. It was here, in this seemingly timeless city, that Princess Celestia, Bringer of Light, Protector of the Innocent, the Eternal Light, the Sun, bathed herself in the fragile comfort of the sun's golden rays.

It had been nearly forty-eight hours since she had last closed her eyes and released herself to sleep's cool embrace. In those hours, she had fully felt the weight of her years not on her bones but in the sight of her people. Pretentious as they were, ignorant as they may seem, they were hers to protect and guide away from the evils and horrors that seemed to governor the world. She watched her citizens, her children, mindlessly go about their days from atop her balcony. Their pointless, meaningless chatter filled the silence which could at any moment overwhelm her with its dangerous secrets of ages long past.

"Sister, it is time for court." Luna said, from the frame of the entrance.

"I will come shortly, Luna. Just give me another minute." A minute they did not have.

Time was constantly against them. Though, the prismatic haired goddess was reluctant in relieving herself to such a truth. Celestia would continue on as life would but those who stirred insurrection and chaos would not. She would live and they would perish. A simple truth.

Her younger sister, angry at her and the situation at hand, huffed, "we do not have a minute, sister. He is here."

"Then welcome him, Luna. We are not without manners." said Celestia.

"We are if beasts are allowed to walk among men." snapped Luna.

Two millenniums and Luna still hated Discord's entrails. Hate being the kindest word Celestia could give to the relationship. It was not as if she forgave Discord either. Far too many things had transpired between the three for there to be any hint of forgiveness for the Lord of Chaos. That did not translate, however, to present day. They needed his particular specialty if they wished to solve this present conundrum.

"But we are neither men nor beasts, Luna." nearly smiled Celestia. "Discord may be a beast, but never shall we stoop to his level. Manners are important no matter the case."

"Amd are we supposed to let him make a farce of us, sister? Father would never have tolerated such a menace."

Celestia frowned.

Father was the one who had tried to kill the God of Chaos on sight the first time he had spotted the misshapened man. It had been Luna and her, a tiny part of soothing their Father's fiery temper from their Mother, who had talked Father into sparing Discord. To this day, she didn't know if that had been a good or bad thing.

"Father never tolerated much. That is why we are where we are today." Celestia explained. She released her hold upon the bannister and turned her back on the perfect city of Canterlot. "Discord has no choice but to cooperate with us, Luna. He knows what will come if he does not."

"And you think that is to be enough?"

"I pray that it is enough." sighed Celestia.

"And if it is not? What then? Are we to rely on children?" demanded Luna.

It was a question which would remain unanswered until the time came. She prayed the answer was no, that the six who had been chosen would not have to fight the war which she had thought long ended, that the three immortal gods would be enough to vanquish the horrors that lurked just outside their borders. Perhaps, Celestia thought dourly, they were already within their borders.

No matter the consequences, no matter the sacrifices, Celestia would not call upon the Elements of Harmony and their bearers.

"Discord can only wait for so long. Let us go, Luna, before he can cause any more trouble."

The evening light of day caressed Firefly's rosy wings as she gazed thoughtfully at the guards training in the courtyard. Their grunts and huffs were just as loud as their weapons clashing in the calm evening. Servants and peasants alike congregated in the walkways surrrounding the men and women of the Royal Guard to shout encouragements or to coo at the impressive physiques. Firefly would never admit, even in the comfort of her quarters, that some of the men were impressive.

High above, on the roof of one of the corridors that entrapped the courtyard, the valkyrie would nod at something she liked and scowled at others she didn't with the hollering of the fangirls and boys. Occasionally, one of the guard instructors, Iron Spear, would glance upwards at her in approval for new commands. Firefly would answer with a shout of, "what are you waiting for, maggots? I could do this in my sleep!" that was usually followed by a cheer of laughter from the observers.

"Hey, Fly," a voice called from below, "are you ready?"

Leaning over the edge, she peered underneath the roof. Standing there with a grin as smug as always was Maia. Unlike the young captain of the guard, Maia was a Gryphon from Griobh Empire just east of them. She served as their nation's ambassador. Her wings were a dark brown, her hair a light blonde and her eyes a brilliant gold.

And like Firefly, Maia wore the official dark red and gray uniform of the guard. Seeing Maia dressed in her uniform, sword and all, the young captain sighed dejectedly.

"Buck, it's time already, isn't it?" Firefly groaned.

She had forgotten Maia and her were needed for a party for Griobh and Armonia's tenth anniversay of peace. The Queen, Stella Nocturne, had informed her earlier in the week about the meeting as did Maia but it had been pushed back into the darkest, unused corners of her mind when Short Shield, the other instructor, had gotten sick with the avine flu. With no one else to do his job, Firefly had to take up his duties in order to not let the rookies fall too behind.

"Yeah, and we gotta hurry if we don't want to be late. Stella will have our heads for being late again." Maia grinned. "Of course, you could always call out sick if you're chicken enough."

"Stella would know something's up then."

Firefly had tried to get out of the ninth anniversary by trying to escape via the bathroom window. She was quite literally caught red handed and dragged to the celebration. Covered in red paint for the rest of the night, Firefly had to endure the humiliation of the court the entire night. The mere memory of it made her shiver in horror.

"Guess you're stuck with me the rest of the night, huh?"

The side grin she wore was contagious. Maia gave a slight flutter of her wings and Firefly joined her on the ground. Her boots hit the ground and Maia already was walking down the corridor.

"Hey," Maia glanced back at her, gold eyes twinkling, "cheer up, Fly. It's only one night. Maybe Stella will even let you go early if you ask nicely."

The captain of the guard snorted. "Yeah, and pigs can fly."

"Remember Starswirl, Fly? Your birthday last year?" laughed Maia.

Lips pursed, Firefly huffed and stormed past Maia.

The gryphon guffawed louder than before and it followed her into the halls of the castle. Servants were smart enough to get out of her way while the other guards quickly barreled out of her way with a glattering of steel and leather. While the majority of the armored men and women were hers, the occasional gryphon did appear. Their blue and silver tones were foreign to the ostentatiously lavished castle.

Firefly was halted at a pair of large, wooden doors. They were plain in all honesty. A dark brown, the rings of age were obvious to the naked eye. Scatches and indents littered the door and the stone floor where the doors swung open were lightly scratched. Just lightly so that the average citizen would spot. To the well trained eye and years of living in the castle, Firefly saw all the little imperfections. On each side of the massive doors, six guards stood with spears and swords at the ready. Over zealous in all honesty but ten years of peace was an extraordinary feat. It was no surprise that Queen Stella would employ more guards than normal.

Upon seeing the two, the guards crossed their spears and eyed the duo suspiciously.

"Halt! State your name and intention!" one guard on the left barked.

"Captain Firefly of the Royal Guard of Armonia, to see the queen." Firefly announced.

Besides her, Maia added, "Ambassador Maia of Griobh, to see the queen."

"Ma'am, sorry, ma'am!" the guards saluted and uncrossed their spears. "Right this way, ma'ams."

Two on each door, they pulled the heavy doors open. They did not creak on their hinges but they protested anyway to the action. After a few moments of tugging which was mostly due to their fumbling than the weight of the door, the guards let them pass. With a look of begrudging defeat to her older companion, Firefly drew in a breath and prepared herself for the carnage of the court.

The throne room was as the rest of the castle was: busy.

Terrans, mages, valkyries and gryphons alike in ridiciously extravegant and official clothes were huddled into separate, various groups as the servants went to and fro carrying plates of delicious looking nibbles. A good number were in the center of the spacious chamber, dancing or just talking to their partners. Somewhere, a small ochestra was playing. No one seemed to notice Maia and her entrance until a terran at the door clicked a heavy staff onto the stone floor three times. All eyes landed upon them. Some more curious than others.

Loudly, the older man announced, "Now presenting Lady Maia of Griobh, Ambassador to the Griobh Empire, and Lady Firefly of Armonia, Captain of the Royal Guard of Armonia."

"Thank you, Treble." said Maia.

Like Firefly, she was not immune to the nerves that came from being the unwanted center of attention for those whose only hobbies were fancy wines and grapevines.

She grimaced, the grin gone, underneath the unwanted attention. "That is all, Treble."

Treble tapped the floor thrice and the rambunctious chstter and music returned full force. With that, the two blushing guards made their way through the cheerful crowds to the foot of the throne where the Queen of Armonia and the King of Griobh were conversing pleasantly. They both crisply bent their knees to the sovereigns.

"Your highnesses," they said in unison.

"Captain, Ambassador." Queen Stella greeted. "You may rise."

They did so. And not for the first time, Firefly's gaze rested upon Armonia's benevolent sovereign.

Queen Stella Nocturne was as beautiful as she was kind. The Queen of Armonia was a tall woman who easily towered over the majority of men and women alike with following blue hair that sparkled like her namesake. Equally memorising eyes of a brilliant emperor’s blue were crinkled in amusement and her large, purple wings behind her gave a slight flutter. An iridescent horn which curved ever so slightly protruded from underneath her bangs and gold crown as dark blue, twinkling magic encased it. A glass encased in similar blue magic floated next to her.

To her left, King Emerson of Griobh was no less an imposing figure.

His gold eyes were cold and calculating with dark brown hair streaked with grey. His bird-like features were as sharp as the sword at his side and the tail behind him flickered like a waiting lion's would. His breasts were adorned with medals and ribbons of various significance. He gave a small, inconspicious nod of acknowledgment to the captain and the guard.

"It's good of you to finally show your face, captain." Commander Cyclone briskly stated. Firefly's eyes snapped to the soldier standing by Queen Stella. She had not noticed the blonde, one-eyed commander standing behind the modest throne. "We were starting to worry."

"Commander Cyclone," Firefly put on a fake smile for the one eyed commander, "I assure you, we were only delayed. Unlike the army, my guards are trained only by the best."

The commander scowled. "Then we're all doomed."

"We are if you're the one in charge of the army."

Before Commander Cyclone could answer, Queen Stella raised a hand. "We have company, captain, commander. Perhaps it is best to save this conversation for later."

Both bowed at the waist to the Queen. "Yes, your majesty."

"Of course, your highness." Commander Cyclone said. However, her lone, yellow eye was focused on Firefly.

It was all she could do not to muster up a snarl of anger at the blonde commander. Queen Stella liked her and she did do a somewhat... adequate job with the troops. Finding a replacement would be extensive and expensive. Once she had finished her term as commander, then Firefly could strangle the smug, one-eyed wench.

Firefly's thoughts were interrupted when Stella melodiously hummed her acknowledgment but kept her eyes on Firefly much to her chagrin. Her queen had the uncanny ability to know when she was agitated about something. The young captain of the guard refused to shift her weight like she so desperately wanted to. Instead, the captain brought her figure to full attention.

"You're not in the gown picked out for you." Stella hummed thoughtfully.

Firefly cringed and Commander Cyclone stifled a snicker.

That was what she had forgotten.

"I'm part of your guard, your majesty." Firefly blushed. "I don't think it would be appropriate for me not to be at my station."

"You've always worn a gown." pouted the queen.

"Yes, when I wasn't the captain of the guard." Firefly pointed out.

"You were much cuter when you weren't captain. I remember when you were this small and so huggable. Now you're cold and serious. You could have at least worn the gown." If she wasn't so elegant sitting there, Firefly would have mistaken the queen for a whining child not getting her way.

Her blush deepened when Maia's guffaws drew more than a few curious stares.

"Your majesty! This is highly inappropriate!"

"Oh hush now, Rainbow Dash." smiled Stella. "You're over reacting."

Her entire body tensed as if she had been plunged into a frozen river. The captain of the guard looked quizzically at her queen.

"What did you call me?" politely asked Firefly.

"You're being silly, Rainbow Dash. You just have to wake up." laughed the queen.

The alicorn was joined by laughter from the entire hall. It was overwhelming and sounded more like birds chirping, something wooden breaking and children's chattering than laughter.

"Wake up, Rainbow Dash. Your friends are worried. Wake up."

The throne room spun amd Firefly clutched the handle of her sword. Panic boiled inside her gut while her eyes searched for a way out of the spinning monstrosity that had been the anniversay party.

"Maia, help!" cried Firefly to her friend.

She did not. Instead, leaning into her, the gryphon said, "Rainbow Dash, are you alright? Rainbow Dash?"

"Rainbow Dash?"

"Rainbow Dash!"

Jolting awake, the prismatic coloured valkyrie abruptly sat upright only to collide with the skull of one Twilight Sparkle.

"Auhhh!" both cried, grasping their now throbbing heads.

"What did you do that for, Twilight?" whined Rainbow Dash.

She rubbed her forehead, wincing at the spot where the mage's horn had connected with her forehead. A bright red mark signified as testimony to the fact that Twilight Sparkle was an idiot. Despite common belief, headbutting a mage was a bad idea no matter if they're Celestia's student or your best friend or the freakin' Element of Magic bearer. She had thought Twilight of all people would be smarter than that.

"I didn't do it on purpose, Rainbow Dash." scowled Twilight. "You were unconscious and I was making sure you were still breathing."

"Unconscious?" The rainbow valkyrie was positive she had been sleeping on her cloud. But looking up at the sky, the early morning sky was no longer there. By her calculations of where the sun was, it was probably close to lunch.

"Yeah. You got hit by Sweetie Belle when they were trying their hands at construction." The scowl was even worse than before.

Sure enough, right beside her, the three self proclaimed Cutie Mark Crusaders were looking anywhere but at her. And behind them, the remnants of what appeared to be a skyscraper stood awkward and tall. Pieces of metal and brick were scattered across the grass that surrounded them.

"Whoa." was all Rainbow Dash could say.

"I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash!" cried Scootaloo. The purple haired girl was nearly in tears. "We didn't mean to hit you!"

"Yeah, it was an accident!"

"We're really sorry, Rainbow Dash!"

Said valkyried laughed and rubbed her head, "hey, no harm done. Just be more careful doing stuff around here. People could get hurt."

"We will, Rainbow Dash!" exclaimed the relieved Cutie Mark Crusaders.

Though, before they could leave the scene og the crime, a short, "girls!" from  Twilight Sparkle stopped them in their spots. The eight year olds gulped and reluctantly turned around. They suddenly became very shy when Twilight decided to give them the look.

"Yes?"

Arms crossed, Twilight gave another short snort. "You're going to clean this mess up, right?"

"Yes, ma'am!" they quickly replied.

"And you're not going to do anything this dangerous again, right?"

A more begrudging response of, "yes, ma'am" was forced out of the troublesome trio. Then, as fast as they could, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were gone in a cloud of dust. The two element bearers could only watch the trio disappear as they bickered with one another. Eventually, a sigh from Twilight Sparkle drew Rainbow Dash's attention away from the trio and to the exasperated purple haired girl.

"How are you really feeling, Rainbow Dash?" asked Twilight Sparkle.

"Fine, really!" grinned Rainbow Dash. She eyed the sky and her cyan wings came a short ruffle, anxious to once more grace the winds. "I don't even remember it."

"Why didn't you say that before, Rainbow Dash?" exclaimed Twilight. "You might have a concussion! We have to get you the hospital!"

"I'm fine, Twilight." She jumped up to prove her fine-ness but was struck by the sudden need to sit. Everything began to spin and white dots danced in her vision. Twilight—when had she gotten there?—served as a stabler. "Buck. Got up too fast."

"Are you alright? Do you need to sit?" worried Twilight.

"No, no. I'm good." She wasn't. Her vision had not cleared and she felt her breakfast threaten to crawl back up her throat. "I'm good."

She felt the world tilt and her knees hit the grass. Vaguely could she hear the shouts of Twilight Sparkle as the ground rushed to meet her with a hard kiss. Yet, through the spinning and the bile rising in her throat, Rainbow Dash was oddly at peace. A warmth spread through her chest. It started at the centre of her chest, a faint, strange little spot where she had first worn the Element of Harmony in the Everfree Forest. She felt... content? Yes, content. It was a strange feeling that blossomed in her chest but so was not remembering getting hit by a thirty foot piece of metal. Then, it stopped abruptly. Her vision was fine and her stomach was back where it was supposed to be.

"Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash! Oh Celestia, I'm taking you to the hospital." panicked Twilight Sparkle.

"Twilight, I'm fine. Really!" She pushed off her friend, opened her blue wings and took to the sky. Her wings flapped with their mundane strength and no dizziness or sickness ailed her. She was fine. "Look!"

Her friend was not as convinced. Though, Rainbow Dash noted, her expression of utter panic and helplessness transformed into one of bemusement and shock.

"The Element of Harmony. Why—when did you starting wearing it?" slowly questioned Twilight.

Surely enough when Rainbow Dash looked down, the Element of Loyalty was draped around her neck. It was where the feeling of content had originated from and it did not take a bookworm to know that the magic of the Element had been doing strange things to her head.

"It must have been some crazy magic thingy. I don't know. You're the egghead, Twilight." fumbled Rainbow Dash. She didn't have an explanation for the sudden appearance.

The last time it had just appeared out of the blue was when they were defeating Nightmare Moon. While Rainbow Dash, the fastest flyer in all of Equestria and bearer of the Element of Harmony, wasn't like Twilight Sparkle with smarts, she figured at the least that there was another evil to defeat. Perhaps Discord or something relatively evil or sinister. Though, it was weird that Twilight didn't have hers on.

"How are you feeling?" asked Twilight cautiously.

"Fine. Better than ever in fact!" grinned Rainbow Dash.

It was true. She felt like she could do three Sonic Rainboom in a row.

"But you were just hit with a—oh!" excitedly exclaimed Twilight. "The Element of Harmony must have appeared because you were hurt! It must have healed you! I mean, you should be dead! Two tons straight to the head and all you get is amnesia! Wow!"

Twilight Sparkle grabbed the confused valkyrie and started to drag her to the tree library/Twilight's house thing, jabbering about magic and tests. "Celestia has to know about this! This is extraordinary! The Elements of Harmony could potentially revolutionize medicine! Ohh, this is going to be so interesting! I wonder..."

Rainbow Dash sighed.

So much for training today.