The Griffins, hippogriff, Crystal Ponies, Changelings, and even my own faithful guards have not found sighs of Twilight. Blast that construct, it doesn't move for eight hundred years, then attacks out of nowhere, but which was the target Luna or Twilight? Celestia wondered as she looked over the maps of Equestria, the Crystal Empire, and other kingdoms under her protection.

It had been well over three months and not a sigh or hair of Twilight had been found or seen. The days where reports were fewer than yesterday, but still piled high on the table. Whatever homing spell that construct had used most have had longer range then she would have believed. I just hope that it didn't drop them into the middle of the sea. Celestia felt a pit in her stomach thinking of that construct dragging Twilight the bottle of the sea, as the water filled her lungs.

Had this been Archangel plan all along to stake with long plated swords, if so does he more in the shadows waiting to strike? Celestia had known the alicorn of the west was not to be trusted and held great hate for all that used dark magic. He would have killed Luna if I had not locked her away, even then I feared he would turn his monsters on my kingdom. I was a fool to believe that he was earnest in wanted to free those he damned.

A knock came at the door. "Enter," Celestia said.

A Luna entered with a letter held in her magic. She looked tired, each night she would search in the realm of dreams for Twilight, had given up sleep for days after the monster took her. It had been only by her ordering Luna to rest that her sister finally did. However, that had not stopped Luna for looking in the dream realm. "This came for you, though it was a report at first however, the seal is one I don't recognize."

The wax seal was of six wings with a crown in the middle. Celestia unrolled it and was shocked to find it was signed by Twilight. Dear Princess Celestia, I fear that I have been marked by a Devight. So until the mark has been removed, I must remain in the hospitality of Archangel. So please tell my friends and family I am fine and will be back home soon. Twilight Sparkle. Also, do you know how many ancient books Archangel has! Celestia grated her teeth together.

"Sister is everything well?" Luna asked.

"Just peachy, seems Twilight is being held by Archangel, who has fooled her with the tales of the Devights and has made her believe she is marked." Celestia went over to the bookshelf that held maps from all over the world. She took several that were yellow and worn with time, and placed them carefully at the table. She unrolled one and place a few weights on the sides.

"Hm, if we are going to rely on those maps we could end up in the middle of a sprawling city or in the heart of the fortress. Better to send spies so we have newer knowledge of the land." Luna said as she looked over the map.

"Why I agree that the maps are ancient, and doubtless there are more towns, cities and the like. However, Archangel will destroy Twilight if he truly believes she is marked by the monsters of myth." Celestia looked between Lakeshire and the Sanctum. If I'm wrong and she is in the Sanctum, then our only hope is to plead reason with him. Yet, that hope may be in vain.

"Very well I'll gather some..."

"No, you're to remain here and rule. I can't risk you and Twilight if he should believe even for a moment your still Nightmare Moon it could very well cost me both of you. No, I must go in peace." Celestia cut her little sister off.

"Come now, I can hold myself well enough and if I bring the pillars I doubt he would try anything," Luna said.

Celestia didn't need to think on the matter, "That would only lead to more of a risk if anything. I'll take a small host of guards, and..." Celestia sighed knowing if she even said his name the fool would appear. "And, our mutual friend who will remain nameless."

Luna looked surprised for a moment, then nodded in understanding. "Are you sure that wise?"

No, but I need somepony with ancient power who could aid me in case things should go awry. Discord for all his foolishness and games is at his full might and while not being of order he wouldn't be seen a Devight's pawn. "Sadly yes, bring an army would lead to war, being the pillars will rise too many questions, can't risk Shining Armor or Cadence. As they are too close to Twilight and could very well misspeak." Celestia said.

Luna didn't say anything for a long time. She looked at the map and seemed to think over what Celestia has said. "Fine, but if things should go awry, know that I will call upon our allies." She broke the silence at last.

"Would expect you too." Celestia paused a moment, "I'll leave the picking of my guards to you. As I'll need some time to ready a few things."

Luna still seemed a bit unsure, "Very well, is one of those things a fool?"

"Yes," Celestia replied knowing she was going to hate to summon the fool, but he would be needed. Luna left the room to attend to her tasks.

Celestia looked at the map. Long ago she had thought Archangel and Sliverfire could have been allies and friends. The Wings of Justice and the Fire of Truth, both so noble and proud, always ready to act for the greater good. Sadly the greater good was not always right, Archangel lacked mercy for mistakes, Silverfire only saw facts and not the reason behind them. She could have worked with that, but it was when she learned the truth about the constructs that any hope of even being allies with them had faded.

Had they just been animated by magic there would have been no harm in it. However, they were not made but born, had families before they were cast forever in bodies of irons, doomed to an everlasting life of servitude. Each one a soul of a pony who lived so long ago, they had put their faith in Archangel to lead them and protect them, only for that trust to be broken. It was something that Sombra would have done, it something that evil wizards seeking power would have done.

At the time she learned this she ruled alone, Luna had been on the moon for nearly two hundred years. The Crystal Empire was gone, the Griffins were her enemies and the Dragons had never been a friendly lot. She could do little, she had tried to free one, she had thought she had. However, that was a ploy, that iron pony waited, rusting till it was ready to strike.

Celestia knew it was going to be a long day in the tomorrow, and she still needed to talk with Discord. However, she could do that before she leaves in the morning, doubtless, the Lord of Chaos would appear in a washtub, or reading a book upside down. Either way, he would act as if he need to pack or come up with some kind of joke all of which Celestia didn't want to deal with this night.

The next morning Celestia sipped at her tea, as expected the Lord of Chaos had appeared in a strange fashion. Discord must have been listing last night as he appeared in a washtub reading a book upside down. However, Celestia didn't think what he would be drinking, it looked to be wine or grape juice. "So is this about our lost little Twilight?" Discord asked.

"Yes, but I'm going to guess your ears were burning last night." Celestia took a bit of breakfast, a biscuit with butter. "However, she not lost so much as with..."

"Is being held by some order-loving alicorn, who would have doubtless wished to see me smashed into a thousand tiny pieces before sending each bit of rubble to the far corners of the world." He pulled at his bread for a moment. "What was his name again... Srchangel... no, no that wasn't it. Ah, yes, Archangel with his absurd numbers of wings."

"That would be the very pony, now while he may hold contempt for you, you're also less likely to enrage him." Celestia had thought a few times of throwing him in the deepest darkest hole when he was imprisoned in stone but knew that one day she may be able to redeem him.Perhaps, the same can be done with Archangel, Celestia wondered as she took another sip of her tea.However, first I need to get out his hooves, then with luck later we can work on reforming him.

"Oh, I'm sure I could win over him over to either hating the ground I walk on or turn him into a friend. After all, I am the reformed lord of Chaos. Now, do you think the sighing tea or a tap dancing book will be better?" Discord said as he summoned forth a few bags of good, and donned a stylus suit, half yellow and the half purple.

Wonder if it too late to take Shining Armor instead, a high tempted brother may be less likely to war, plus she may reach Archon with her sanity. Celestia knew it was too late, and if she took both of them she would be unable to keep the peace. "Discord, if you could tone it down when we are there, it would be a great help. As I would like to get Twilight back without incurring the wrath of Archangel and his iron monsters.

"Fine, but that doesn't stop me from making our voyage an ever so chaotic and joyfully one." Discord replied.

Maybe war wouldn't be so bad, at least there won't be flying pies, or rain falling up. Wait, no that right Discord would still be there... Wonder if I can turn him to stone without the elements. Celestia wouldn't do it, but the thought was enjoyable at the time, as Discord was a hooffull.

Author's Note

Thought about giving this chapter a title other then chapter nine but wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not.