Twilight loved the Canterlot library. All of Equestria's collective knowledge, gathered within four walls. She glanced down at the list Celestia had written for her. The princess was going to spend the next several months teaching her about Equestria's founding, and wanted her to do some initial research.
Twilight brushed past the help desk. She preferred to do her own searching for books. It gave her some time to be alone with her thoughts. She walked down the rows of bookshelves, searching for the history section. It was placed back at the far end of the building, sandwiched against the wall. As Twilight peered down the row, she was saddened to see no other ponies. It was disappointing that so few ponies took an interest in their own heritage. She glanced at her list again to refresh her memory, then began searching for Celestia's suggested author.
"Let's see here, Hoof Print, Hoof Print, ah, here we go!" Twilight reached onto the shelf and pulled off a copy of Hoof Print's Early Equestria. The book was one of several on the shelves, all appearing fresh and new. Twilight turned and began to walk back down the aisle.
"Oof!" Twilight bumped into another pony and fell backwards, dropping her book. She slowly climbed to her feet. "I am so sorry, sir!" She cried out. "I wasn't looking where I was going!" She searched the floor for her book before realizing that the other pony held it. Twilight studied him. He was possibly the most plain, unassuming earth pony she had ever seen. His coat was a dark brown, with a short black mane turning gray at the edges. His only distinguishing mark was a bird's talon hung from a string around his neck. He was studying her book, but glanced up when she spoke. As his eyes met hers, Twilight felt uncomfortably that he had just read her like she read her books, and probably learned more. He held out her book.
"Interested in history?" He asked. Twilight hesitated, then nodded. "What made you choose Hoof Print?"
The question surprised Twilight. "Well, you see, I am princess Celestia's personal student, and she told me that Hoof Print is the most accurate historian from early Equestrian history." The other pony's mouth tilted slightly upwards.
"Hoof Print was a spineless sycophant, who only wrote what the old regime wanted him to write." Twilight was taken aback by the sudden energy in the pony's words.
"Sir, you say that like you knew him," she said. "Princess Celestia told me that this is the best source of information."
The other pony tightened his mouth. "She would say that." He turned to the bookshelves and set a hoof on one, searching for something. "Here you go. Tool's history. Now, there was a historian. Put down exactly what happened, and didn't give a damn what any pony thought." He pulled the book of the shelf. It was an ancient tome, with faded yellow papers, and a cracking wooden cover. "If you really want to know your history, you want to read this." He handed it to Twilight. She glanced down at it.
"Thank you, sir, but I think..." her voice trailed off as she looked back up onto an empty hallway. The other pony had vanished. Twilight looked around, but there was no sign that any pony besides her had ever been there. She looked back at the book he had given her. The Early History of the Equestrian Empire. By Tool. It looked ready to fall apart. She reached to put it back onto the shelves, then stopped herself. She glanced at it again, then put it on top of her stack. She carried it to the front desk. The librarian gave her an odd look as she placed the book on the counter, but checked it out.
Twilight began to return to her quarters. She wanted to begin studying her new books as soon as possible, so she could impress the princess when their lessons began. She almost couldn't wait to hear what Celestia would have to say.
…
"What are you reading, Twilight?" Twilight leaped into the air at the sound of her teacher's voice. She turned around to see Celestia standing behind her, a wide grin on her face.
"Princess, you startled me," Twilight stammered. Celestia laughed.
"Caught up in your studies again, Twilight?" Twilight nodded. "Are you enjoying Hoof Print?"
"Yes, but actually, I have also been reading this other author." Twilight held up the book by Tool. "I don't think he's a very reliable source, though. He says that you only become princess because of some coup, and that the real founder of Equestria was-"
"Twilight," Celestia interrupted, "where did you find that book?" Twilight looked her mentor in the eye. The princess seemed almost... frightened? But Twilight knew that couldn't be right. Nothing would ever scare Celestia, certainly not something in a made up book.
"It was some pony I met in the library. I bumped into him, and he saw what I was reading, and he told me-"
"What did this pony look like?" Twilight frowned.
"Princess, are you okay?"
"Twilight, just tell me what he looked like!" Twilight recoiled from the anger in Celestia's voice. Celestia took a deep breath. "Twilight, please. I need to know. What did he look like?" Twilight bit her lip.
"Well, he was... I guess maybe I would say... Huh, that's weird. I can't really think of how to describe him. He was kind of... plain. Except for his eyes. They were, I guess I would say they were intense. Oh, and he had a weird necklace, or maybe it was more of an amulet. I think it was some kind of talon. He was pretty... princess? Are you okay?"
Celestia had turned away. "No, no it can't be. He can't be back. Why would he come back, after all these years? He's gone, they all know it, why is he back?" Twilight set a hoof on Celestia's shoulder.
"Princess Celestia? Are you okay?" Celestia started, then turned to face Twilight.
"Of course, Twilight," she said, her face a picture of serenity. "I just have not been sleeping well, that is all. I remember this historian well, Tool. He was actually a novelist, not a historian. His accounts were all fictionalized for the enjoyment of the people, not their education. I can see how some pony may have mistaken him for a historian, but rest assured, everything in that book was made up." Twilight opened her mouth to interrupt, but Celestia continued. "I suggest you continue to read Hoof Print's accounts. He was a brilliant historian, and he will tell you everything you need to know." Twilight frowned, then nodded. Celestia gave her a warm smile. "Excellent." She turned and walked from the room. "I look forwards to beginning our lessons. Have no fear, Twilight. I will teach you how to recognize truth from lie."
…
The seventh squad of Equestria's fifth army clinked their mugs together. The four ponies sat around a table in the back of Smiley's, a small bar that catered to the local guardsponies.
"Here's to our noble sergeant, who went and got himself promoted," declared Spark, a unicorn stallion with a vibrant red coat.
"And to us, who don't have to deal with him anymore," seconded Touchy, a pale blue Pegasus mare.
"I don't know, the sergeant was never that bad," said Grass, the squad's unofficially trained earth pony healer. Spark and Wisp scoffed.
"Are you kidding?" Demanded Spark. "Do you even remember the drills he made us run?" They all shuddered at the memory. "I mean, for crying out loud, the guard hasn't been called to active duty in almost a century. Why in the name of Celestia does he insist on punishing us with those old school regimens?"
"Cold weather survival, amphibious assaults, week long expeditions," Touchy listed off their experiences. "It's like he thinks we're going to war in the next month. What do you think, Mulch?" Mulch, the earth pony sapper, merely grinned.
"I liked the sergeant. He let me use explosives!" The others shuddered again.
"Yet more proof that the sergeant needed to go," Spark declared. "I swear, that pony was one grade A son of a-" he cut off abruptly. The others stared at him, then slowly followed his gaze. Standing in the doorway was a pony they all recognized quite well.
He was a pegasus, with a coat the dark blue shade of the ocean and a mane the color of the night sky. His fur was tinged with just a hint of grey, but he had the air of a pony much older. His eyes were hard and unyielding as they surveyed his squad.
"Sergeant Kindly!" The ponies at the table leapt to their hooves and threw up hasty salutes. Kindly glared at them.
"Please, don't let me interrupt, private. Finish your thought." Spark gulped.
"I was gonna say that... the sergeant is a Grade A... nice guy?" He flinched as though awaiting punishment. Sergeant Kindly stared him in the eye until Spark turned away. The sergeant huffed.
"If you want to insult a superior officer, private, at least have the guts to say it to his face. I want a ten mile run from each of you tomorrow." The squad stared at each other in confusion.
"Sir, with all due respect, you're not our sergeant anymore. You're a captain," said Touchy. She flinched as Kindly's gaze turned to her.
"On the contrary, I'm still a sergeant. I turned down the promotion," he said. The jaws of the squad collectively dropped.
"But, why, sir?" asked Grass. Kindly's stared at each of them in turn, and his gaze seemed to drift off to some far away land.
"The royal guard wasn't always the way it is now. Equestria used to have the greatest military in the land. Every other nation feared and respected us. Now, though? We're just a shadow of our former power. The only thing keeping other lands in check is Celestia, and if something happens to her, we are the last line of defense." His gaze returned to focus.
"That's why we run our drills. Because if that day ever comes, I want to make sure that each and every one of you is ready. By the time we're done, you four will be the best and brightest of the royal guard. I selected each of you for a reason." The four soldiers shared confused glances. Before they could ask what he was talking about, Smiley appeared.
The bartender seemed uncomfortable. "I hate to interrupt, but there's a pony at the door. He asked me if there was a pony named Whiskeyjack?" Spark watched something in the sergeant shift. It was a subtle change, but Kindly's eyes became more focused, his stance shifted, and his hoof twitched near his sword belt.
"What did this pony say his name was?" Asked Kindly.
"He didn't," said Smiley. "Just told me to go ask about Whiskeyjack. He was kind of a weird fellow, too. I wouldn't want to run into him late at night, if you know what I mean." Kindly turned towards the door.
"I'll go see if I can get him to leave." Smiley smiled, visibly relieved.
"Thanks for that, Kindly. Just shout if you need help." Spark watched as his sergeant left. As soon as he was gone, Touchy slammed her hoof onto the table.
"Dammit! That old bastard refused his promotion just to spite us! And now, thanks to Spark, he's going to punish us extra hard tomorrow."
"How is that my fault?" Spark demanded. "I didn't know he was there!" Touchy punched him in the shoulder.
"It's still your fault," she muttered. Grass tried to make peace amongst his companions.
"C'mon, you guys, you know there is some truth to what he says. We can all see the gap between us and the other squads." Spark shook his head.
"None of that matters! Equestria has been at peace for centuries. We keep a military for show, not function. We're never going to find ourselves in a fight." Mulch, who had been silent, spoke up.
"Who do you think Whiskeyjack is?"
"You don't know?" Grass asked, genuinely confused. The others all shook their heads. "Whiskeyjack was one of the worst commanders in ancient Equestria. He disobeyed orders to attack the zebras, and got the entire Equestrian Second Army wiped out. The only reason the zebras didn't push into the rest of Equestria is because Celestia managed to negotiate a treaty."
"Sounds like a real jerk," said Spark. His face took on a thoughtful expression. "So why did the sergeant look so surprised to hear his name?" The four squad members turned to the door their commander had left through, and nursed their drinks in silence for the rest of the night.
…
Kindly left the bar cautiously. The list of ponies he felt were a threat to him was small, but if this pony knew his true name, he was probably on that list. Kindly looked up and down the dark street. There was no pony there. He began to pace down the street with a measured stride, then turned and cut down an alley. When he was about halfway through, he turned around to face the pony he knew was behind him.
The earth pony he saw had no distinguishing marks of any kind. A dark grey cloak hung across his back, and Kindly knew that a carefully selected assortment of weaponry was hidden beneath it. The two ponies contemplated each other, before Kindly nodded.
"Dancer. It's been a while." The earth pony returned the nod.
"Whiskeyjack. Or would you prefer I call you Kindly now?" Kindly shrugged.
"Whiskeyjack died long ago. I go by Kindly these days."
"Kindly it is, then."
"Why are you here, Dancer?" Kindly asked. "And more importantly, what does it have to do with me?"
"I need to know which side you stand on." Kindly gave a grim smile.
"So, you or her, is that how it is?" Dancer shook his head.
"Not quite. I have no interest sitting the throne. But Celestia betrayed us all when she took it, and I want to see the old emperor return."
"Starswirl is dead," said Kindly. "Celestia killed him a thousand years ago."
"Not killed," corrected Dancer. "Imprisoned in a block of stone. A powerful enchantment. But one that will be at it's weakest point in just a few days."
"The thousandth solstice," Kindly guessed. Dancer nodded. "And how exactly do you plan on breaking one of Celestia's enchantments? Unless you have your own personal army of mages, I doubt you have a fraction of the magical muscle Celestia does."
"I have something better," Dancer replied. "A rare powder, mined from an island off the coast of the Buffalo lands. It will nullify any magic exposed to it." Kindly raised an eyebrow.
"Must be pretty rare."
"It is," agreed Dancer. "It's taken me centuries to find enough. But if this works, it will all be worth it. So I'll ask you one more time. Are you with me?"
"If I say no," Kindly asked, "will you kill me right now?"
"Not yet," Dancer replied. "I owe you at least that much."
"Do you have any of the others?" Asked Kindly.
"What others?" Retorted Dancer. "Celestia is a traitor, Tool disappeared somewhere on the buffalo plains, Crust drowned in the Manehattan harbor, Luna is trapped on the moon, and you're here hiding amongst the guard. We are the only ones left who know what happened all those years ago."
Kindly frowned and stared up at the moon. He was silent for a while, then he shook his head.
"I won't stop you," he said, "but I won't help you either." Dancer simply nodded in understanding.
"Then we have nothing left to say to each other," he said. He lightly pivoted on one hoof, and within seconds he disappeared into the shadows. Kindly remained where he was for a long time, staring up into the night sky. Whatever Dancer was planning, he only hoped it wouldn't spiral out of control. But some deeper part of himself knew that would not be the case.
…
1000 years ago...
Dancer sat quietly in the corner of the bar. He ignored the looks the other ponies gave him, instead watching the door. Finding work had been difficult for him. The only ponies who typically had need of his particular skillset were the unicorns, and racial prejudice discouraged them from believing an earth pony was capable of much beyond pulling a plow. Dancer had been growing concerned that he might fall out of practice. A blade that went long enough without touching a stone would lose it's edge, and Dancer knew that he had gone too long without a true challenge.
Then, just last night, he finally got a pull on one of his strings. A pony had gotten in touch with his contact, looking to arrange a meeting. Dancer now waited for them.
Around the tenth bell, a unicorn entered the bar. Dancer looked him over once and dismissed him. The unicorn was short, with wire thin legs and a scrappy beard. His eyes held a twisted spark of inspiration, as though he were constantly viewing a world known only to him. Dancer knew that this could not be the pony looking to hire him. Yet the unicorn immediately approached his corner and took a seat at his table.
"You," spoke the unicorn with a dry rasp, "are the one I seek?" Dancer shook his head.
"No, I don't think I am." The unicorn's shoulders shook with a faint laugh.
"He thinks he is not, he thinks I am not, I think, therefore I am!" Dancer's mouth twisted. The unicorn was obviously unhinged. He rose to leave. The unicorn nearly fell out of his seat in surprise, and rushed to block his exit. "Hold, hold friend!" He dropped to his knees to beg. "I beseech you, grant me just a moment of time, and I can promise you the world!" Dancer scowled, but ultimately sat back down. If nothing else, he decided, it might prove amusing to listen to the unicorn's babbling. The unicorn's lips twisted into a smile which more closely resembled a grimace.
"Yes, yes, he listens to me, just as they all shall!"
"Maybe we should start with me listening to your name."
"A name, a name, yes, I need one of those. Something to fill my enemies with dread, and inspire confidence in my allies! Something grand, something like... Starswirl! Yes, that is my name, Starswirl!" Dancer raised an eyebrow.
"Starswirl?"
"The bearded."
"The bearded?"
"A title which tells of my great wisdom and forethought."
"Or your poor shaving habits."
"Bah! Do you want the job or not?"
"You still haven't told me what it is."
"Ah, of course, of course. I require a guard for a journey." Dancer frowned.
"I don't know what you've heard about me, but I'm not some mercenary guard."
"Semantics. You have weapons, you know how to use them, and you are for hire. What difference, then, between a mercenary and an assassin?"
Dancer quickly glanced around the bar to see if any pony had caught that last remark. To his surprise, every pony seemed to be ignoring them completely, despite their unusual appearance. He turned back to Starswirl.
"Are you shielding us?" He asked. Starswirl nodded eagerly.
"Yes, yes I am. I wield magics beyond the comprehension of these sad, small minded fools. I wield the raw, unfettered power of chaos! But I need more. I need to understand the true nature of chaos, which is why you will accompany me there!"
"Accompany you to chaos?" Dancer stared quizzically at Starswirl, silently pondering exactly what the unicorn suffered from. "I don't think chaos is a place you can go."
"Ah, but that is where you and so many others are wrong! It is a realm, an ancient realm, shattered long ago! Now it cries out for a leader." Dancer, against his better judgement, found himself contemplating the offer. True, it fell outside the bounds of his normal activities, but what better way to test himself than to pursue new paths?
Of course, the job would have to pay quite well. "How much are you offering?" Starswirl grinned and drew out a dirty burlap pouch.
"Behold, my bounty!" He upended the sack upon the table. Several small rocks clattered out, spilling into a pile the size of one of Dancer's hooves. He glared at Starswirl who grinned back. He opened his mouth to give Starswirl a piece of his mind, but the unicorn cut him off. "Shush, shush! Watch and see!" His horn lit up with a pale yellow light, and suddenly the rocks were gone. In their place was a mound of golden dust. Dancer stared in astonishment and picked up a pinch. Sure enough, it was true gold. He turned to Starswirl with wide eyes.
"How did you...?"
"Chaos teaches that there is no one true form of anything. Any one thing could be anything else. I could be you, you could be me, gold could be rocks, rocks could be gold." Dancer stared in astonishment at the pony before him. With magic like that, Starswirl could easily rule a whole kingdom. Yet for some reason, he seemed to believe that this power he sought would be worth even more than that. Dancer decided that no matter what, he would be stay near this pony to find out just what made it so important.
"When do we leave?"
