The Heirs To The Sun And Moon
The sun was barely beginning to rise when the animals began their journey, moving on some unspoken instinct and word that their future rulers were being presented today they hurried toward Pride Rock their voices raised in song. "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba sithi uhm ingonyama ingonyama nants ingonyama bagithi Baba sithi uhhmm ingonyama ingonyama siyo nqoba ingonyama ingonyama nengw' enamabala." an elderly rhino took the first steps moving slowly as antelopes and meerkats began to realize the state of the sun following the elderly rhino as quickly as they could passing a young cheetah who, for this special occasion, didn't bother them instead beginning to follow beside them. Families of ponies soon joined their ranks nodding respectfully to the animals making sure that even the large birds were aware of what was happening for their kingdom, making them take to the sky flying high into the air, their own voices singing in joy. "From the day we arrive on the planet and blinking, step into the sun there's more to see than can ever be seen more to do than can ever be done there's far too much to take in here more to find than can ever be found but the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky keeps great and small on the endless round!" Antelopes leapt ahead cutting through the early morning fog.
A young mother giraffe lead her baby into the fresh beams of light, causing it to squint a little at first as it's eyes adjusted, before they began to run to catch up with the other animals heading to their king. Zebras kicked up dust as they trotted along and even small ants seemed to take notice picking up leaves and running along tree branches instead of along the ground where they might be crushed underfoot. Elephants especially had to be very careful not to step on any of the animals or ponies as they thundered along carrying some of the smaller birds on their tusks as they followed a herd of zebras through a large watering hole. As the animals and ponies began to arrive a large fiery bird flew over head approaching a large white grey alicorn with a long flowing, now, white beard and a neatly groomed white mane, his name was Starswirl the Bearded and he was king of the Pridelands. He had soft blue eyes which were filled with the wisdom of ruling beside his mate for many years the bird, known as Philomena, bowed low with her wings spread wide before looking up at her king with a smile which was returned with a slight nod by Starswirl as he listened to his subjects sing. "it's the Circle of Life and it moves us all through despair and hope through faith and love till we find our place on the path unwinding in the circle the Circle of Life!" The animals began to part allowing a young zebra named Zecora approach Pride Rock, dipping their heads in respect as she walked past with her walking stick tied with gourds. She had five rings on her right foreleg and a similar set of ring around her neck and a grey stylized sun on her flank as her cutie mark, she had met Starswirl when he was a young stallion and was offered a place in the Pridelands by his father, in exchange for her knowledge of herbs and the spirit world she would have a home which she was able to come and go from willingly.
She nodded to the animals and ponies with a slight smile before she approached Starswirl and pulled him into a warm embrace looking back toward the nursing den where the queen and heirs were resting. Starswirls mate was named Wild Daisy and, while her mate could control the sun, she controlled the moon. Wild Daisy was a short alicorn mare with dark blue fur with a, now, white mane and tail with magenta eyes and where her husband was strong-willed and wise, she was gentle and kind. Starswirl led Zecora in to show her his foals, they had two: one a bright white and the other dark blue "They're named Celestia and Luna." he explained to Zecora nuzzling his mate as he looked at his heirs pointing each one out as he said their names. Wild Daisy leaned down licking her foals gently making them stir and look up at Zecora curiously.
Zecora gripped her walking stick shaking the gourds at the little foals, watching as they reached up to try and grab them in their hooves. Finally setting her walking stick aside she broke open a gourd gently dipping her hoof inside one of the halves and carefully smearing the juice across their foreheads grabbing a bit of sand in her other hoof and sprinkling it over them, making the foals sneeze. Starswirl and Wild nuzzled proudly watching their young before Zecora picked them up, Starswirls horn gleaming with a spell to help her keep her balance as she walked on her hind legs with an heir gently gripped in her hooves. Animals waited with bated breath as they saw Zecora approaching the outcrop of Pride Rock going wild when, with a flourish Zecora held out the heirs, a thin coat of magic from Wild Daisy's own horn keeping them safe but for all to see their voice raised high in joy as they began to kick up dirt and grass in their excitement "it's the Circle of Life and it moves us all through despair and hope through faith and love till we find our place on the path unwinding in the circle the Circle of Life!" then almost as one the animals and ponies alike began to bow low to the ground as a beam of light broke through the clouds to shine upon them. With one final smile Zecora returned the foals to their parents and got down onto her natural hooves once again.
"They will be strong fillies." she told Starswirl watching as Wild returned to the den with her young to let them get some rest "I noticed Discord was not present at the presentation" she looked out as the animals and ponies began to slowly return to where they had been filled with a new energy from seeing their future rulers for the first time.
"Yes I noticed that as well, my brother was always a bit anti-social but I never thought he would be this rude." Starswirl mused gesturing for Philomena to come over "go to Discord's cave, tell him I'm coming to see him, I want a word with my beloved brother about his behavior" Starswirl ordered, watching Philomena fly away intending the check on a few things before following.
Inside Discord's Cave
A small grey mouse crawled out of a hole in the cave wall that it called home sniffing and cleaning its face until a large paw fell upon it gripping its tail and pulling it up into the air. Discord was once a grey unicorn like his brother Starswirl, but after dabbling in forbidden magic he became a sort of mismatch creature, he had an antler and a horn on his head, one of his hooves became a sort of lion paw while his other became a bird claw. He had a dark maroon torso with a dragon foot and a hoof for his other limb, he had a long scale covered tail and even had two wings, one like a bat, and the other pegasus-like.
"Life's not fair is it?" He asked the mouse watching as it struggled to get free from his grip "You see I, well I, shall never be king." he let the mouse run along his paw catching it as it fell over with a wicked grin. "And you, will never be the same way again." he chuckled darkly "and you" he felt his chaotic magic flow through him beginning to focus it on the mouse when a sharp voice interrupted him.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you how to play nice?" Philomena put her wings on her hips glaring lightly at Discord with disinterest in her eyes.
Discord sighed in annoyance looking away with a roll of his red eyes "Oh what do you want?" he asked though it was clear he could careless what she wanted his paw holding the mouse down.
"I'm here to announce that King Starswirl is on his way." Philomena flung her wings out and then bowing low, as if picturing her king there now "So you better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning" she added glaring at Discord once again from her bowed position before straightening and standing tall against his larger size, the mouse slipping free from Discords grip and running quickly back toward its home in the cave wall.
Discord clicked his tongue in disappointment "Oh now look Philomena, you made me lose my play mate." Discord frowned looking over at Philomena to study her with a sharpened gaze.
But she merely laughed "You'll lose more than that when the king gets through with you, he's angrier than a hippo with a hernia." She crossed her wings looking toward the entrance of the cave.
"Oh I quiver with fear." Discord smirked slinking toward Philomena his chaotic powers pulsing through him sharpening toward the young majordomo, who seemed to realize the danger she was in.
"Now Discord, don't look at me that way... Help!" She started to back away dodging blasts of chaos magic before being stuck and trapped in a bubble of Discords magic, thankfully for her however help had arrived.
"Discord....drop her." Starswirl's deep voice growled as he approached the entrance of Discord's cave, Discord tried to look innocent but after a stare down he sighed and released her from his magical grip.
"Impeccable timing you're majesty." She said shaking her feathers out and looking at Discord in distain but he was already approaching Starswirl a wide fake smile on his face.
"Why if it isn't my big brother descending from on high to mingle with the commoners." His smile turned into a wide smirk once again as he began to walk a few steps away.
"Wild and I didn't see you at the presentation of our foals." He didn't quite glare at Discord, but he wasn't pleased either that much was clear in his face.
"That was today? Oh I feel simply awful!" He dragged his claws against the side of his den making a terrible sound that made Philomena cringe "Must have slipped my mind" he added studying his sharp claws already looking bored.
"Well as slippery as your mind is, as the king's brother you should've been first in line!" Philomena glared flying close to Discord but a quick hum of magic sent her back to hide behind Starswirl.
"I was first in line, until the little hairballs were born." Discord glared at Philomena before Starswirl crouched to make eye contact with his brother.
"Those hairballs are my children, and your future rulers." Starswirl glared openly now annoyed at his brother's blatant disrespect for his children.
"Oh I shall practice my curtsy." He replied sarcastically starting to turn away.
"Don't turn your back on me Discord..." Starswirl nearly growling the words out.
"Oh no Starswirl, perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me." Discord glanced back a moment before continuing to walk away.
Starswirl's temper snapped and he charged toward Discord his horn glowing "Is that a challenge?!" he got even closer to Discord, making him back up a few steps.
"Temper temper." He shook his head and rolled his eyes "I wouldn't dream of challenging you..." Discord spoke, soft as honey but his mind added one word: yet...
"Pity, why not?" Philomena walked between Starswirls front hooves putting her wings on her hips again.
"Well as far as brains go I got the lions share but when it comes to brute strength." He glared at Starswirl before passing him and beginning to walk away from them again "I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool." He almost sounds sad as he starts to walk away.
Philomena sighed "There's one in every family sire, two in mine actually and they always manage to ruin special occasions." She blinked before leaping up and flying onto his shoulder.
Starswirl sighed "Oh what am I going to do with him?" he shook his head sadly, the pair had been so close when they were younger but then Discord began messing with the chaotic magic he now had free control over, and they slowly drifted apart ever since.
"He'd make a very interesting throw rug." Philomena joked grinning as Starswirl even began to chuckle, though he tried to lightly reprimand her for her comment.
"And just think, whenever he gets dirty you could take him out and beat him." Starswirl's laughter echoed through the area as he followed Philomena back toward Pride Rock.
Time passes quickly in the Pridelands, but as rainy season began Starswirl and Discord met in battle, the latter eventually being defeated by the former with the elements of harmony and banished beyond the borders of the Pridelands, threatened with worse if he ever should return. Zecora however had other things in mind as she painted on her tree there were two shapes in her painting: a tall white unicorn with a flowing multi colored mane with the mark of the sun on her flank, and the other a smaller blue pegasus with a night blue star filled mane and a moon marked on her flank. There were ill stirring in the air but perhaps she was just being too paranoid the young rulers were strong, and with Starswirl and Wild to guide them they would be great one day… But still the ill winds blew and Zecora was left to ponder.
Princess Celestia ran to the edge of the outcrop of Pride Rock smiling back at an eager looking Princess Luna the young fillies were excited this morning because they were going to have a morning lesson with their father. Usually Celestia was taught by their father and Luna was taught by their mother, due to Luna controlling the moon and Celestia controlling the sun so it was rare for the pair to get a lesson together. The two looked toward the not quite risen sun and then turned racing inside Pride Rock to wake their father, leaping and apologizing when their hooves met another pony. Celestia was the larger of the two and was born with a horn she had a long pink mane and bright white fur, Luna however had wings and dark blue fur and a mane of light night blue.
“Your children are awake” Wild mumbled sleepily to her sleeping mate over the excited choruses of ‘Dad’ that echoed in the small cave several other ponies stirring slightly at the noise.
“Before sunrise, they’re your children” Starswirl mumbled back, not quite ready to start his day even while Celestia grip his ear in her teeth and tugged until she felt backwards rolling into the sleeping mass of ponies. Luna however had a different plan, because she didn’t have a horn like her sister she could do it without worrying about hurting him, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth slightly she backed up to the edge of the raised stone that Starswirl and Wild slept on and then she charged hitting her father in the head and finally managing to get him to open his eyes.
“You promised!” Luna said glaring slightly, soon joined by Celestia who was pouting with large eyes purposely trying to win their father over.
“Okay Okay, I’m up I’m up” Starswirl stood yawning loudly and began to follow his eager children out of the cave, each filly happily going over to nuzzle Wild, who would soon be heading back to bed, before once again following their father to the top of Pride Rock where he usually stood to raise the sun. The two fillies watched in awe as their father’s magic rose the sun and beat away the dark of night exchanging eager glances once their father settled down between them once more. “Look girls” he said flicking his tail toward the view before them “everything the light touches is our kingdom” he grinned slightly at their awed voices, they really were a good audience “A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun, one day girls the sun will set on my time here and rise as you two as the new rulers” he leaned down nodding to them.
“And this will all be ours?” Celestia asked curiously Luna however was silent studying the line of the horizon and the their known borders.
“What about that shadowy place” Luna suddenly spoke up walking along the edge of Pride Rock to point out an area covered in darkness, sharp points of rocks the only thing that could be made out clearly from their current spot.
“That’s beyond our borders, you must never go there” Starswirl said looking over to see what concerned Luna.
“But I thought a ruler could do whatever they want” Luna quipped making her father chuckle.
“Well there’s more to being ruler than getting your way all the time” he replied.
“There’s more?!” Celestia jumped in eagerly making Starswirl laugh openly now before he gesture for them to follow him, walking away from Pride Rock and into their kingdom.
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance, as ruler you need to understand that balance” Starswirl told them while they walked, a herd of antelope leaping nearby “and respect all the creatures from the crawling ant” he nodded toward the herd “to the leaping antelope”
“But Dad, don’t the antelope get eaten?” Luna asked innocently looking up in confusion at her father.
“Yes Luna, but let me explain, when everything dies their bodies become the grass and the antelope eat the grass and so we are all connected in the great circle of life” a brief flicker of fiery wings announced the arrival of Philomena eager to give her morning report.
Uninterested in such affairs, Luna and Celestia decided to take this time to practice their skills Luna’s flying and Celestia being magic respectively. Celestia’s attempts to catch a cricket quickly got her father’s attention as he started giving her advice on how to use her magic properly.
“Philomena could you turn around?” Starswirl asked, the majordomo obeying without question though Luna began to frown slightly. “Make sure to keep your horn steadily pointed” he whispered to the crouching filly making Philomena look back in concern.
“What’s going on?” she questioned looking from Celestia to Starswirl and the still frowning Luna in confusion.
“A magic lesson” Starswirl explained adjusting Celestia’s stance with a hoof.
“Oh very good magic” Philomena moved back into position for a second until the word hit her and she flipped around again splaying feathers “magic?!? Oh no sire you can’t be serious!” But Starswirl merely twirled a hoof meaning for her to turn back around grinning which she did, very slowly “This so humiliating” she added outloud crouching slightly to make a good target.
“Try not to make a sound” Starswirl whispered into Celestia ear again making Philomena straighten slightly.
“What are you telling her Starswirl?” She looked back but only saw Luna “Starswirl? Celestia?” she paused slightly before a shot of magic knocked her from her perch making Starswirl laugh loudly.
“That was very good” he praised making Celestia light up happily, unaware that Philomena was now talking to a groundhog who had popped out of the ground. Starswirl turned to Luna “alright, now you” he said gesturing for her to come over but just as Luna began to learn from her father as well Philomena popped over the rock in a panic.
“Sire! Hyenas! In the Pridelands!” she yelled making Starswirl leap up and over the rock.
“Philomena take the girls home” he ordered, all silliness gone.
“Aww Dad can’t we come?” Celestia asked, but was quickly shot down by her father.
Luna scoffed in disappointment “We never get to do anything, Dad didn’t even get to show me anything” she and Celestia began to walk back home with Philomena flying diligently overhead.
“Oh young madams, one day you’ll rule the kingdom and you can chase those slobbering mangy stupid poachers from dawn until dusk” she said, clearly trying to cheer them up, but Luna’s frown remained.
In the Outlands, not far from the Prideland border
Discord walked along his stony perch with disinterest, making aside an old animal bone trying to find a place to lay down, looking over when he heard the sound of small hooves.
“Hey Mr. Discord, guess what?!?” Luna called excitedly racing over to him.
“I despise guessing games” he grumbled turning to face the filly.
“I’m going to rule Pride Rock” she said proudly her wings flaring out behind her as she posed.
“Oh goodie” Discord said sarcastically while Luna ran to the edge of his rocky perch looking toward the Pridelands.
“My dad just showed me and Tia the whole kingdom, and we’re going to rule it all” she puffed her chest out proudly “and then you can come and live with us” she said turning back toward Discord again, she had found him a few days ago and he offered to teach her things and while her father was too busy being king or with Tia Discord was always there for her and she enjoyed spending time with him, even if he was a bit of a grump.
“Yes, well forgive me for not leaping for joy, bad back you know” Discord replied sarcastically laying down with a slight thump.
“Hey Mr. Discord, when I’m ruler, what will that make you?” Luna asked coming over and lying near his head.
“A monkey’s uncle” he replied snidely making Luna laugh as she rolled off him.
“You’re so weird” she said still snickering turning to look at him as he leaned up slightly.
“You have no idea” Discord smirked using his magic to make the seeds of darkness in her heart burrow deeper. “So you’re father showed you the whole kingdom did he?” Discord stood again making Luna, who confirmed his question, chase him slightly as he started walking again “He didn’t show you what is beyond the rise on the northern border did he?”
Luna sort of deflated “Well no… he said we can’t go there” she mumbled.
“And he’s absolutely right! It’s far too dangerous, only the bravest ponies go there” Discord could barely contain his smirk as he spoke, if he knew one thing about the young, they couldn’t resist a challenge.
“Well I’m brave” Luna said, puffing her chest out slightly “What’s out there?” she tilted her head curiously as Discord laid down again.
“I’m sorry Luna I just can’t tell you” Discord replied turning his head away slightly.
“Why not?” Luna asked leaping onto his other side looking more eager to know.
“Luna, Luna I’m only looking out for the wellbeing of my favorite little visitor” Discord reached out to her with his paw ruffling her mane in an act of affection.
“Yeah right” Luna peeked out at him grinning under his paw “I’m your only visitor” she continued.
“All the more reason for me to be protective” he easily replied “an elephant graveyard is no place for a young princess- oops” Discord covered his mouth with his paw, looking flustered.
“An elephant what?! Whoa!” Luna asked excitedly.
“Oh dear I’ve said too much” Discord pressed his paw against his head dramatically “well I suppose you’d’ve found out sooner or later you being so clever and all” he continued quietly pulling Luna close to him “now listen to me for one minute, promise me you’ll never visit that dreadful place” he said in a sickeningly sweet tone.
Luna thought quickly putting on a winning grin “no problem” she lied looking quite convincing as she nodded at him.
“There’s a good lass” Discord grinned back before nudging her off “you run along and play, have fun, and remember” he told the fleeing heir “It’s our little secret” Discord barely managed to hold off his evil smirk as Luna cantered back toward the Pridelands.
Author's Note
Look I finally added another chapter! Hahaha sorry for the wait though honestly, I had to figure out some stuff character and plot wise, but I have it all handled now so this one will be getting updated more often too I hope you enjoy it 
