Solstice

Chapter 3: Dawn

They landed in the throne room of the keep in Canterlot. Discord sat before them, pensive. “What, you really thought I’d let you go that easily? No, you’re going to become my servants, just like all the other winners. Maybe you’ll even be high up in the chain of command, you have such spirit.”

Discord reached over and ran his finger down Luna’s cheek, who recoiled at the touch. “Oh, and to put the icing on the cake, all the other ponies will become my slaves too. Your work was for NOTHING!”

“I wouldn’t say that, Discord,” a voice came from the ceiling.

All three looked up. The purple cloaked figure descended lightly and faced Discord. “We’re about to finish you.”

Discord laughed, “With what magic? You fool, I am chaos, and chaos is me! Your puny magic can’t begin to contain that.”

The figure tilted back his hat. He had no beard, as his ancient predecessor did, but power still radiated from his figure. He had a pale grey coat, and a bright blue mane, both of which brightened the dark hall. “Discord, with all your power, have you never heard of the Elements of Harmony?”

“The Elements-- no, can’t say that I have,” Discord replied, a bored expression on his face.

“The most powerful of all magic, they channel a power even greater than chaos. They channel something these young fillies understand better than you ever will. They channel friendship magic,” the magician replied curtly.

“Friendship?” Discord laughed, “Oh, but this is priceless. You intend to...friend me?”

“In short, yes.”

“Enough of this,” Discord grew angry, “I intend to make these fillies my slaves, and you too, for that matter.”

The magician smirked, “Too late.”

A flash of magic occurred, and sitting on the floor were five gems, each a different color and shape. As each began to glow, the magician began to speak, almost as if he was casting a spell.

“Kindness, encouraging the filly who never made it out. Laughter, facing the fears you showed them. Generosity, Celestia sacrificing her tail and safety for two foals. Loyalty, remaining true friends until the end. Honesty, answering truthfully about the ruler of Equestria--”

Discord stood, “Now wait a minute. I am the true ruler of this land, not her.”

The magician outright grinned now, “Not after today, and the Element knows it. Finally, Magic, demonstrated perfectly by Celestia, and, more importantly, through their friendship!”

A sixth gem appeared, glowing more brightly than any of the others. Together they combined into a five-spoked structure, each holding a different element. It hovered between Celestia and Luna, and began to spout a rainbow at Discord. His hand glowed as he made a punching motion at the magician. As the rainbow slowly encased him into stone, he shouted above the rushing wind, with arm still outstretched, “Ha! I still have your sis-” and he was silent, as the stone came up over his head.

After the rainbow had disappeared, the sisters noticed that the magician was lying on the floor, bleeding profusely. He gasped as his life slowly ebbed away. “Celestia...Luna...fantastic...”

Celestia knelt, eyes welling with tears. “We’ll save you, I promise.”

The magician smiled, “No, this curse is...” he coughed, “irreversible. Just...just make sure my cloak and hat...” he wheezed, each word costing him remaining strength, “they must be passed...to another...another wizard.”

Celestia whispered now, “Yes, of course.”

“One...final request?”

“Of course,” Celestia attempted to smile.

“Keep watch...on...my family... The Lula...moons...”

The magician then left this world.