Ghosts of the Past

The sound of hooves stepping on a stone floor echoed through the empty hallway.

"Now," said Princess Celestia her regal stature not affected by the tension of preparing for this year's Grand Galloping Gala, "Since I have most of the guards patroling the streets  for any hidden dangers, you two are the only guards available to watch over the prisoner."

"Don't worry Princess Celestia," said Thunder Hoof, "you can count on me."

"You mean us," added Solar Flare.

"That's what I said," replied Thunder Hoof jokingly.

Celestia rolled her eyes.  The thought of having the statue of Discord unguarded filled her with dread, but having these two guard it didn't give her mind much peace either.  They entered a room furnished only by two lit candles sitting on a lone table.  Cobwebs and dust covered the stone walls and ceiling.  The windows were darkened so no pony could see inside.  The air felt moist and had a musty smell.  It was as if this part of the castle was forgotten and was supposed to stay that way.

The center of the room was overtaken by a statue of a draconequus.  The face that once laughed at disharmony and chaos was now frozen in a mixture of disbelief and rage.  His "arms" extended in an attempt to block an oncoming attack that he was not ready for.  It could only be one being, Discord.

Celestia's face hardened in a scowl at the sight of her oldest enemy.  She then cast it upon the two royal guards.

She stated in a voice opposite of her more common and gentle tone, "You two are not to let him out of your sights until the end of the Gala."

The guards stood at attention and saluted the princess, their golden armor gleaming with the reflection of the dancing fire. Celestia turned and trotted out of the room, slamming the door as she left. The only noise after that was the echo of the door and the fading hoof steps the princess created as she walked back down the hall.

"Sooooo," said Solar Flare breaking the eerie silence, "want to play some cards."

"Sure," replied Thunder Hoof, "I don't know whats got her saddle so tight.  It's just a statue, it ain't goin anywhere."

Solar Flare produced a deck of cards and dealt them out on the table.  It was common for these two to waste the hours of the night playing games of chance to see who could win the others wages.  Solar Flare was amazing at cards, but his smirk always betrayed his hands.  Thunder Hoof was good at bluffing, but could seldom get the other to fall for them.  This game was going to take a while.

Solar Flare took an early lead with a pair of twos, but Thunder Hoof came back next hand with a full house.  The time ticked by as one hand came after another with no winner in sight.

How come I can't get an upper hoof on this guy, I really need his money, thought Thunder Hoof.

Isssn't it obviousss?  He'sssss cheating.

Alerted, Thunder Hoof jumped out of his seat.

"Did you hear that," said the startled guard.

"The only thing I hear is your money jingling in my saddlebag," replied Solar Flare with a smirk on his face.

Thunder Hoof sat back down, blaming his imagination for the weird noise.  The game continued on as normal, except Thunder Hoof found himself watching his partner more closly.  Thunder Hoof received his cards and looked intently at them, still watching Solar Flare.  Hoping to end the game quickly and as the winner, Thunder Hoof pushed all his money towards the center of the table.

Solar Flare looked at Thunder Hoof quizzically and said, "You sure you want to do this?"

Thunder Hoof nodded and produced his hand, two kings and three tens.  Thunder Hoof laughed and proceeded to take his winnings, when Solar Flare laid his cards on the table.

"Royal Flush," said Solar Flare purposefully not keeping the pleasure out of his voice.

Thunder Hoof's mouth dropped in surprise.

How did he get that hand? he thought.

Cheat...cheat...cheat, came the whispers again.

Thunder Hoof looked at his friend and angrily said, "YOU...BIG...CHEAT!"

Confused, Solar Flare replied, "Come on mate.  You know I never cheat."

He doesn't trust you, came a whisper from the shadows.

Solar Flare jumped as he searched the room for the disembodied voice.

"What's the matter?  Too much guilt for you to take," said Thunder Hoof.

"Quiet," ordered Solar Flare, "I heard something."

"Not until you admit you cheated," retorted Thunder Hoof.

"Don't you trust me?" replied Solar Flare, "I told you I didn't cheat."

"I would if you admit you cheated," replied Thunder Hoof.

Solar Flare could feel anger building up in his chest, but held it.  He, after all, did have a job to do.

He hated your vanilla cupcakes something whispered in Solar Flares ears.

He won't admit it.  He'ssss a cheater.  How can he ssssay he'ssss your mate if he can't tell you the truth. came another whisper in Thunder Hoof's ear.

"You hated my vanilla cupcakes?" said Solar Flare unable to keep the anger out of his voice.

"Well if you were my "mate", you would know I like chocolate you big cheater," replied Thunder Hoof.

"You know who else is a big cheater?  Your fillyfooler of a mother," stated Solar Flare finally losing his cool.

That was it for Thunder Hoof's patience.  He lunged at Solar Flare and caught him by surprise with a left hook.  Solar Flare reeled for a minute, then caught his balance and went after Thunder Hoof.  The fight went on for a few minutes, the one-time friends clobbering each other.  It would have went on if Celestia didn't come running in the room.

"WHAT ARE YOU...." she started but stopped suddenly.

The guards stopped and, with puzzled expressions, looked in the same direction as the startled princess.  Their expressions changed from puzzlement to shock and horror.  The statue of Discord had vanished without a trace.

"Good job brother," a sly voice said

"Pleasssse ssssisster, it wasssss all you," came another.

The fox jumped from her perch in the hidden cavern, obviously satisfied with the compliment.

"You do me too much honor with your praise Doubt," said Distrust

"It'ssss true Dissstrusst," replied the serpent uncoiling from his warm area in the cold cavern.

They both looked longingly at the statue of Discord, hoping that it would be enough to bring him back to life.

"What now dear ssssissster," asked Doubt

"Now," she replied with a sheepish grin and a knowing tone, "we sow the seeds of discord."