Chapters The Element of Disharmony
THE ELEMENT OF DISHARMONY
Chrysalis groaned as she attempted to rise from the cold stone floor she lay on. She pulled one of her aching legs under her and pushed her body upwards. Her knees buckled and she fell face-first. She hissed as her face slammed into the mossy stones. A metallic taste filled her mouth; she spat and gasped for air as she tried to regain her breath. Damp air filled her lungs as she attempted to gain her footing once again. Her joints creaked at the movements. She managed to keep all four legs straight until she regained her balance, and when she felt she had enough strength, she began to explore and examine her surroundings. She squinted as she tried to see her way around, it was night, obviously, and nearly pitch black. Owls hooted in the distance, and an array of crickets chirped in unison. The force of Shining Armour re-rising his shield must have blown her back to the Everfree forest and knocked her out cold. Chrysalis frowned. She thought it strange that she survived; anyone else would have blacked out and never woken up. Never to see the light of Equestria again. It was strange for her, she felt as if something had intention to save her, a feeling she had never experienced before. She managed to adjust her eyes to the darkness just enough to get a good look at where she was. She stood in the middle of a large stone room, with an opening on each wall. She estimated that it had been at least a whole day since the wedding. At least Shining Armour and Princess Cadence wouldn't be in canterlot anymore. A cold breeze crept through cracks in the stonewalls. She started to wonder where she was. As she slowly wandered around her stone prison, she felt attracted to the darkest corner of the room. Like something was calling out to her, reeling her in. She noticed a flicker of blue light in the corner of the room but thought nothing of it.
Chrysalis awoke again, in more pain than before. It was almost unbearable, and a familiar taste filled her mouth. The stones on this side of the room were cold to the touch, she felt like her face was burning. She reluctantly rose to her hooves and instantly cowered in fear. The blue mist had spread, covering half the wall. "What magic iss this!" She hissed as her legs became frozen in place, and gasped as she noticed the mist reaching out to her. It was almost touching the tip of her horn when it stopped, and retreated back to the corner. This was her chance; she should get out before any more damage is done to her, Permanently. But she felt it calling, keeping her there. Chrysalis knew that being here was dangerous, but she was intrigued, and she could not see an immediate exit from her stone prison. She cautiously approached the moss-covered corner and noticed a short marble pedestal, holding a shattered crown. It glowed a deep blue as she came closer. She noticed a deep humming noise, which grew louder and deeper as she came near. Cautiously, she tapped the crown with the tip of her horn. She reeled back in fear, as the crown seemed to explode, spreading the blue mist everywhere. Her face flashed a horrified expression as it started speaking to her.“Welcome… to my prison…” it whispered, echoing in her ears.“I am many things… but at the same time… nothing,“ it replied eerily.“A rift... What could have been... I have been studying you… I sense great power and potential in you… I also sense… anger” “I wish only to… help you,” it whispered. “I too have reasons for revenge… on canterlot… and Equestria.” “I know everything…” The strange mist wrapped an arm-like tendril around Chrysalis, stopping her from fleeing if she chose so. But Chrysalis wasn't going anywhere. An opportunity had been presented to her, and opportunity for revenge.“I can offer you great power… nearly unlimited, and unmatched. But in return… you must lend your... soul, to me… and do as I wish…” it offered.
Too late.
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“Did you hear that sister?” Luna questioned her sister, lowering her paintbrush and twitching her ears. Celestia squinted her eyes and tried to concentrate. Luna hummed a short tune and returned to her painting. A moon surrounded by six stars, representing the elements of harmony. Luna designed much of the paintings around canterlot tower; even some of the famous stained glass windows in the halls of canterlot were inspired by Luna’s designs. Celestia walked out to her balcony and looked across Equestria. Everything seemed normal, pegasi flying as usual. Birds in trees and a dull roar of voices coming from canterlot town. But as she shifted her attention towards Everfree Forest, the sight horrified her. There was a blinding blue beam of light that shot up to the sky, coming from the centre of the forest. As she continued her fixated gaze on the beam, it started to arch down, towards canterlot! She panicked, as she stumbled across the room she yelled for the guards and ran to Luna. Her sister was her main priority. “What troubles you, sister?” Luna worried, as Celestia burst through the doors.
Walls shook and cracked underground in the princess’s safe room. The shield started to crack as the beam widened to a pillar. Dust fell from the dome of the shield, before shattering and sending shards of purple glass flying. The beam continued speeding towards the castle, until luckily, a stray, flying shard of the shield reflected the beam off to the right. It barely grazed Princess Celestia’s balcony and plummeted down to the Canterlot royal garden. It shot past various plants and statues. The beam passed, and clipped the grasping claw of the statue of Discord, entity of chaos. The beam continued through the garden, passing statues of alicorns and ponies. It ended up in a room opposite to the entrance of Canterlot castle. The room lit up to reveal mossy and damp stones, as if the room had not been entered in years. In the middle of the room stood a statue of an alicorn. The moss-covered stones became stained with scorch marks as the blinding beam flew past them. It shot directly into the heart of the bowing alicorn statue, which stood on a podium. The statue stood proudly yet hung it head, as if it were facing death. The beam thinned as it loss strength and left a black mark on the statues chest. Dust rested as everything settled down, birds returned to their trees and tunes. Water from the lake calmed and animals came out from their hiding spots. The black mark left on the statue's chest seemed to seep inside the stone and soon disappeared. But a few moments later, there was a loud ‘CRACK’ and the black mark was larger than before. The earth shook as cracks formed in the statue's stone face. They spread out from the black mark on its chest and soon covered its whole body. Shards fell from the cracks and revealed scorched black fur. Steam seeped out from the missing pieces and filled the room. The pieces of stone grinded against each other as a hoof slowly moved from its podium.
“Tia… Did you feel that?” Luna quietly asked her sister, as they both exited their safe room. “I think it was-“
He was back.
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“What... I’m - I’m free!” Discord shouted. He fell to his knees and gasped for breath. “But how? How long has it been? Ha-ha! It seems not even the “almighty” Elements of harmony can stop me!” He mocked. Discord rose to his feet and stretched his limbs. He cracked the bones in his claws and sighed. He filled his lungs with damp air. He choked in disgust, but was grateful. “Oh what mischief I shall wreak! The ponies of Equestria haven’t even begun to see what chaos I have up my sleeves! Speaking metaphorically, of course.” He clicked his fingers and began to levitate off the ground. “Prepare yourself, Equest-“
Princess Celestia kneeled. She was lost for words, this was impossible. She didn't know what she found stranger, the fact that Prince Mercury had returned, or the fact that he had just defended Discord, the monster that turned him to stone.
An eerie silence hung in the air. Mercury's eyes were fixated on Discord, as he stared blankly at the ground.
“Come everyone, it is not wise to speak of such events out in the open.” Remarked Celestia, breaking the tension. “I shall gather Twilight and her friends to my quarters, she will be ecstatic to meet you, Mercury.”
“This is amazing!” Twilight gasped, circling Mercury. “A stallion alicorn!”he doing here?” Applejack asked, staring down Discord as he floated in the corner of the room.
“Well I think that’s enough storytelling!” Twilight said. “If all this about ‘the shade’ is true, that would mean that it has already found a host. But who would bear such anger to attract it?” Mercury wondered, as he turned to Celestia
“But she has lost the element of surprise, and has only managed to take out the shield. She would be regaining her strength somewhere, plotting an attack.” Mercury added. “In the meantime, we should prepare. If this gets out of hand, there could be a war.”
“No, I wouldn’t want to spoil his honeymoon.”
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Twilight frantically paced back and forth in her room. Everybody had been given rooms in Canterlot tower for the time being until Mercury or Celestia called for them. “I don’t know what to do spike! I’m getting too anxious.” Twilight said to Spike.
Spike eagerly looked around for a stall that selled gems. He anxiously rubbed his claws together in excitement. But the further he got into town, the less excited he seem. As usual, Canterlot square was crowded with ponies, but today was different.
“Yessss, gem is that much bitsss.” The stall owner hissed. A bead of sweat ran down Twilights face, she tried desperately to keep a straight face. She blinked twice, thanked the store owner, and rushed back to Spike.
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“Have you girls noticed anything… strange, happening in Canterlot?” Twilight asked her friends. The six friends sat in their weekly spa as they spoke of what they have done the past week in Canterlot. As usual, Fluttershy didn’t get out much this week; she sat at home and attended to Angel. Whereas Applejack took this stay at Canterlot as a chance to sell as many 'Sweet Apple Acres Apples' as possible. Twilight Sparkle cleared her throat and repeated.
was it?
Luna was painting a portrait of Mercury as he studied. Yet much to Luna’s frustration, he couldn’t keep still. He had so much to learn and catch up on, So much had happened in the near 2000 years he was a statue.
By the time Mercury had finished reading almost every book in Celestia’s library, it was almost midnight. Luna had dozed asleep and Mercury carried her to her quarters. Her stayed with her for a while, until he was sure she was asleep. He was about to crawl back into bed, until Princess Celestia entered her chambers and whispered if she could speak to Mercury. He quietly exited the room into the hall with Celestia.
“Prince Mercury, I know you and Luna are happy to be together again, but please, be careful.” Celestia said to Mercury.
It was their first kiss in 200 years.
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“Princess Celestia? May I ask you something?” Twilight asked her mentor.
“It was nearly 2000 years ago… The Alicorns ruled and were a thriving race. Prince Eternal Mercury, Bender of the Elements was soon to be crowned king of Equestria, and all was peaceful, until… Discord.”
“Discord?!” Twilight wondered.
“Yes, Discord. He overtook our beautiful city, and turned it into a burning and hated place. He toyed and killed the Ponies of Equestria. Pegasi, Unicorn, Earth ponies, he didn't care. And when he got bored, he turned on us. Millions of our people died, he caused droughts and killed the land. But during his rage and chaos, he did not notice. Two sisters escaped from the burning tower of canterlot, two sisters. Me, and Luna. With our power combined, we restored life to the land, and then, we came for him. Never letting him stop, we chased him across the land. And when we finally cornered him… We turned him to stone. But the alicorns are a peaceful race. Doing that to someone almost destroyed us. So we vowed to never use such power like that again, and with that, we split our magic and formed the elements of harmony.” Celestia said as she occasionally wiped a tear from her eye.
“Thank you Celestia, I know that must have been hard for you, but you have not yet explained, how did mercury survive?” Twilight asked. Celestia sighed.
“Mercury was the first to go, before Discord could rule Equestria, he had to take out Prince Mercury. He was often regarded as Equestria’s most powerful alicorn, so it only makes sense that Discord would feel the need to take him out first.” Celestia replied, recalling her memories. “Before he went insane, Discord was once a citizen of Equestria. He was one of the Ten Senn’s, a group of ten survivors of a species, Discord, being the last living draconequus. The Ten Senn’s served the king and were treated like royalty, but Discord was always left out. The people of Equestria whispered as he passed them in the streets. They would call him such terrible things. “Beast”, “Crazy”, but worst of all, “Monster.” People only saw the dark in him. I only saw the dark in him. There was once a time where he loved me. But all I saw was a monster, and so, he became one. Discord left Canterlot, and when he returned, he was different. Being a Senn, he had constant access to the royal chambers. Discord entered Mercury’s chambers, and turned him to stone. In cold blood. Then everything started to fall apart. Instead of turning rest of the alicorns to stone, he just killed them. And if you ask me, I think he enjoyed it.”
Twilights face was as pale as the moon. She knew Discord could be dangerous, but murderous?
“Thank you, Princess Celestia, but I fear that I may regret asking you.” Twilight said, as she stared into the bottom of her empty tea cup.
“I am sorry Twilight, I know that it is hard to believe, But Discord is more dangerous than he seems. Despite what he says, I want you to avoid him.”
Twilight left without a word and left Celestia alone in her chambers. Celestia began to sob as memories of her friends and families dying before her eyes flooded back into her mind. “Its my fault” She whispered.
"Its my fault."
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Discord hummed as he searched through his chambers, if you could even call it a chamber. More like a dungeon, a prison, imprisoning him for all his past sins. Still, he was not complaining. He was happy to be even allowed in the castle. As he rushed through each book given to him, he noticed a pattern forming in them. Everfree forest has been a large source of magic ever since Nightmare Moon was defeated, but never before. It had attracted all sorts of dark magic and beasts from the night. Sightings of changelings, low humming heard from below, could Everfree forest possibly be the Changeling hive? He presumed that The Shade has resided in the everfree forest up until Chrysalis had stumbled upon it.
“Guards! I need to speak with Prince Mercury.” Discord shouted, clasping torn pages from books.
“Hrm. Odd.” Mercury frowned as he looked upon Canterlot. “The ponies of Equestria has been acting weird lately, I had better have a look around.” Prince Mercury left his chambers and continued down the winding stairs leading to the hall. Guards gave him peculiar looks as he passed them.
“Prince Mercury, I think I know whe-“ Discord froze as he noticed the cheerful guard standing behind Mercury. “Mercury, I ask that you step away from the guard.” Mercury held a confused look on his face.
“If they have not already been taken.” Discord murmured.
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“I do not want any of you to panic, but it seems Changelings have infiltrated Canterlot.” Mercury addressed to everyone.
“Tia…” Luna asked, with a somber tone in her voice. “You would try and stop me wouldn't you? If you though I was a changeling.” Celestia frowned and walked over to her distraught sister.
"Shh... It's okay, Luna. That's all in the past. I am the one who should be sorry... it was my egocentricity that made you feel the way you did. For that.. i am sorry." Celestia whispered. She ran her hoof through Luna's flowing mane as she softy sang a Lullaby.
" Once did a pony who shown like the sun, Look out on her kingdom and sigh.
She smiled and said "surely there is no pony, so lovely and beloved as I.
So great was her reign and so brilliant her glory, that long was the shadow she cast.
Which fell dark upon the young sister she loved, and grew only darker as days and nights passed.
Lullay moon princess goodnight sister mine, Rest now in moonlights' embrace.
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the earth.
Through cloud, and through sky, and through space.
Carry the peace, and the coolness of night, and carry my sorrow in kind.
Luna, you're loved so much more than you know,
Forgive me for being so blind."
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“Too think! More of those ghastly bugs, in Canterlot!” Rarity groaned.
“I can already feel my power growing…” Chrysalis hissed, as she stretched her dull green wings and groaned as she cracked her joints. “It feelsss so good to be… Whole…” She smiled. Her dry, split fur had grown into an even coat. Her eyes gave off a more luscious glow and her mane was rich and flowing. She would almost be beautiful if not for her poisonous smile. Her horn oozed with magic, hard feats seemed easy since accepting the Shades offer. She strutted down the richly decorated hallway with a dozen changelings perched either side. they bowed as she walked past them, She had made a makeshift castle with what magic she felt she could spare. As she plotted her next move, She giggled as she imagined how everyone would react when she executed her plan. “Soon.” She whispered.
Soon.
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“Now,”
Discord asked. “Who can tell me the best way to defeat a changeling?”
“Really?” He asked.
“OKAY, I AM ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE, SO LISTEN UP!” Discord shouted, as he burnt the paper with a click of his fingers. Everybody’s eyes widened as they all sat down. Celestia heard the shouting and approached her balcony. “I have had more training in fighting than all of you combined! So when I ask you a question, you answer!”
“Stun them.” She pronounced. “The best way to defeat a changeling is to stun them.” She repeated. Rarity smiled and quietly applauded her.
"I’m sorry I suppose… ” Rainbow Dash mumbled. Applejack hit her harder and Rainbow hissed at her.
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“Hrm.” Chrysalis hummed. “Too bright, darker!” A changeling approached in front of her and changed its form to that of a pony. “Hmm, better, but too short. Next!” Chrysalis walked down from her throne and circled a crouching pony. She was chained to the ground and hung her head; her mane was bruised and dirty, covered with specks of blood. “Her coat is much darker, try and imitate it from this angle.” Chrysalis said, as she spun the pony around at the flick of her horn. The pony grunted and fell to the ground, her chains tangled around her hooves. The changelings cleared their throats and changed in cue. Chrysalis picked the most perfectly imitating one and sent him to canterlot.
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“Hello Twilight dear! It is so good to see you again, how was your ‘errand’?” Rarity asked, as Twilight Sparkle entered her boutique. Rarity was fashioning armour designs on Mercury’s request, which Rarity was more than happy to accept. “Hi Rarity, thank you for asking but there’s not much to tell, just a basic delivery to the Unicorns in the east.”
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“I fear Chrysalis is planning to strike soon. I do hope Mercury has arranged everything needed in time.” Celestia said to her sister.
Let the pawns take the fall.
“And what of Discord, do you trust him?” Luna asked her sister.
“Ahh, fresh air!” Chrysalis yawned, stretching. She hissed as the sun glared in her eyes. She covered her face with here wings until she was in the forest clearing.
Equestria will fall.
THE FALL OF EQUESTRIA
The thunderous sound of marching echoed through the halls of canterlot. Vases shook and rumbled upon their marble pedestals. Luna's stain glass windows began to vibrate, and eventually they all shattered, one, by one. Cracks formed in the walls of Canterlot tower. Dried paint and dust fell from the arched ceilings. Terrified by the oncoming army, the inhabitants of Canterlot began to panic, and started to cause stampedes.
A stray Changeling struck down Mercury as he attempted to exit the dungeon. A few nights after he realised that the Changelings had invaded Canterlot, he had sent a small group of guards to go out and search for one. They had managed to find a few dozen, although some escaped. He had learnt what he could from the only willing changeling, but his research was cut short by all the commotion above him. He struck the changeling down only to be piled on by several more. In one swift movement, he surrounded himself with a ring of fire, incinerating the rogue Changelings.
“No… Not again…” Mercury whispered. Flashbacks flooded his mind, as he fell to his knees. Discord finally snapped out of his state and lifted Mercury to his feet.
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“We have to take this fight somewhere else! Too many lives are at stake in canterlot!” Discord shouted as he and Celestia got rid of whatever Changelings they could. Princess Celestia nodded and started to circle the courtyard, keeping as many changelings in the middle as she could. Discord started channel his magic again and began to focus what magic he saved up. Mercury felt Discord channelling his magic and made a sharp turn right. He made his way to Rarity’s boutique. He found Rarity and Twilight casually drinking tea. Surprisingly they had not noticed the noise that boomed from outside. Mercury told them that they were under attack, and decided to rush his story as he noticed that he his hoof had started to disappear.
“Get ready!” Discord shouted to Celestia as he released a burst of magic. Purple light surrounded them, as everyone in Canterlot Courtyard was being teleported. Random Changelings that strayed from the main group were incinerated in the blinding light that surrounded them. Mercury was sucked from Rarity’s boutique and was sent through a tunnel of magic. Changelings screamed and writhed as they travelled miles away from Canterlot, away from where more disaster could be caused. Chrysalis floated calmly surrounded by her Changelings.
The ground was singed underneath Celestia’s feet. Her ears rung and she saw double. She managed to track down Mercury and slowly made her way over to him. They were transported to a wide, lush green field, just south of appleloosa. Flower buds were just starting to sprout from the earth, when the Changelings trampled them with no remorse. They were gaining on Celestia and Mercury, and neither of them had enough magic to protect themselves with a shield.
Smoke filled Discords lungs as he woke up. The short blades of grass cut and stung his face, He strained as he attempted to push himself up from the ground. A cherry blossom tree towered above him, its leaves crackling in the wind. A single petal from the tree fell down and landed in front of Discords claw. He clenched his hands and pushed. He locked his knees and managed to stand as he leaned against the tree. He could hear the thundering footsteps of hundreds of changelings in the distance. He cleared his mind and tried to focus. Finding Mercury and Celestia was the most important thing he needed to do right now. He pushed off the tree and started making his way around the army of changelings. If they had not been caught yet, they would at least be near. Circling the group would be the easiest way to find them. Occasionally ducking behind a log or bush when a changeling looked his way. It had taken him almost half an hour to fully circle the group, due to the sheer amount of changelings. He once again leant against the Cherry blossom tree in despair.
“How ah’ we supposed to find Luna with all these people running about?!” Applejack asked. Even though most of the Changeling had been teleported, some still remained and chased down the ponies in Canterlot. Although the guards could easily take the rest out, Applejack still kick one or two in the face when she had the chance. Twilight had asked Applejack to help in their search for Luna, and if they could, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. Rarity stated that it would be best if she stayed back in her boutique and continued her work on the armour that Mercury requested. They had already searched most of Canterlot Town and begun to search through the rooms of Canterlot tower. While searching through the balcony of one of the top rooms, Rarity saw Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy circling the tower. She called them in and returned back To Applejack and Twilight. Twilight told them to split up while she went with Applejack to the very top of the tower, to Lunas chambers. Rainbow and Fluttershy went down to the dining chambers of the tower. Rainbows ears popped up as she heard crashes and bangs coming from the tower kitchen. Slowly, she opened the Kitchen door.
Is she in there?” Applejack yelled out to Twilight as she exited the room she just searched. Twilight shook her head and shut the door behind her.
“Twilight! Applejack! Have you had any luck?” Fluttershy smiled as she greeted the two.
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“I tried to contact you, but there were too many Changelings in the area! And if I used my magic, they would have sensed it and found us.” Rarity explained.
“Spike? Spike!” Twilight shouted as she burst through the door. She searched the whole of downstairs before galloping up the stairs.
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“H-hi Rarity!” Spike blushed as he entered Rarity’s parlour. Rarity ran over to him and hugged him tightly. She straightened his bowtie.
Princess Celestia groaned.
“I am Prince Eternal Mercury! Bender of the elements!”
“Did you say something twi-?” Applejack asked. She turned and saw Twilight lifting a rock above her head, with a grin on her face. She gasped and jumped to the side as Twilight quickly slammed the rock into the ground.
Discord clenched his claw and his horns glowed. He squinted his eyes and a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead. Changelings covered him and he could barely move his arm. He slowly twisted his hand, and then released his fist. A small blue ball floated in the palm of his hand. The dozens of Changelings surrounding him became frozen in time, and dropped the floor. Discord smiled as his work and clicked his fingers. Celestia and Luna were using their powers over the moon and sun to affect the Changelings balance. It was as if gravity left the changelings and they floated away from the battlefield. Rainbow Dash had finally reappeared, with tremendous speed. She was headed straight for the ground until she sharply rose and a Sonic Rainboom covered the field, the array of seven colours blinded the Changelings below, and the sheer force of it blew the rest back. Chrysalis floated above the battle. Occasionally firing a burst of magic down to stir things up. They had taken out a fair amount of the Changelings, but they still flooded the battle. Every second it seemed like there was more and more. Hope began to dwindle.
Twilight was shocked when she regained consciousness. There was fire and blood all around her, the war was raging.
“Discord!” Mercury shouted in an attempt for his attention. When he continued, Mercury decided he had to be stopped. He slammed his hooves into the earth and chains entangled Discords feet. Discord let out a roar and strained as he pulled against the stone chains. Mercury was shocked to see that the chains were beginning to crack. His horn hummed as he intensified the chains. They covered his legs and lower back. They continued to cover his body until he was fully immobilised. Discord almost shattered his bones as she struggled against his stone prison.
Celestia stretched her wings as sunlight burst onto the field. The clouds had been separated, and allowed sunlight rays to flood onto everyone. The bright glow lit up the field like a parade. The sun burnt the eyes of the Changelings, making them fall on the spot. Yet the Changelings who had found shade fought on, the war still raged. Luckily, the odds were tipping. Hundreds of changelings had been taken out over what seemed like days. The ponies of Equestria fought hard, yet some had fallen. Gilda had sustained serious injuries to her wings, and Trixie had been deprived of her magic, which was potentially deadly for a unicorn. Fluttershy tended to whom she could, but soon there were too much for her to take care of. A tear rolled down her cheek as she saw the hundreds of ponys who needed her aid around her. There was jut too much for her to handle. She sobbed and dropped to the floor.
“Twilight, I need your assistance.” Mercury shouted. Twilight limped over and asked what he needed. “I know this may be troubling for you, but you need to perform a spell on Spike.” Twilight gasped at the request.
Chrysalis gasped and dodged his swipes at her. She fell onto the field and ran for her corrupted life. Spike lost interest and began to terrorise the other Changelings. Chrysalis panted under the protection of a cherry blossom tree. An idea popped into her head. She smiled at the deviousness of it. She flew out from under the tree and grabbed a nearby Changeling by the throat. She flooded magic into him, ignoring the screams of her follower. His body and arms ballooned, and his eyes bulged. His screams became roars as his body grew into a massive beast, nearing Spikes size. Chrysalis smiled at her work, and sent the Changeling off. It slammed into spike, and Spike roared as the Changeling slashed his claws into him. Spike swung at the Changeling, yet he dodged it with extreme speed, and flew into the air. It crashed down into Spike, slamming him into the cold, hard earth. Spike groaned as the Changeling twisted its foot into Spikes gut.
Chrysalis hissed and frowned, as her minion had been defeated. She had been humiliated, and this was not how her plan was supposed to go. She should have kept a few Changelings to guard Twilight. Oh how stupid she felt! But all was not lost. She still had a few tricks up her sleeve, or, the Shade did. As time passed, she felt the Shade growing stronger and stronger, if she was not careful, it may take over her. But her mind was clear and her intentions clearer. She had to get to Mercury, if not, she was a goner.
“Enough.”
Chrysalis let out a hair splitting scream, and a dark blue mist flooded out of her. Holes re-appeared in her body. Her hair returned to a dark, greasy colour.
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‘I knew it” Mercury groaned . “This was you plan all along. The war was merely a distraction. You just needed time to fully take over Chrysalis. It was all your plan… to get back at me. But since you took my power. I have prepared. I knew one day you would come for me again. I have regained my strength since you took it, and have created a spell for a time just like this. It was to be used as a failsafe, if my power combined with Celestia’s and Luna’s was not strong enough” Mercury fell to his knee’s as The Shade started to over power him. He groaned as the Shade played with his mind, causing hallucinations. “You will not win, not this time. Long ago I took a vow to protect Equestria, and I will not break that. Never.” He tried to smile as he turned to Luna. His legs buckled and his mouth quivered.
Luna sobbed and fell to the floor. “Mercury... Merc?” She gasped. She stabbed the floor with her hoof and Celestia gently cradled her. Celestia couldn’t help but let a tear roll down her cheek. Mercury stood still, and it seemed as if all of Equestria was quiet. A few ponies’ whispered to other, solemn looks on their faces.
THE AFTERMATH
“AHHH”
Mercury gasped, desperate for air, as he fell out of his crumbling stone shell. His pale face slowly regained colour, and his labored breaths became steady. Luna galloped over to him, tears in her eyes, and hugged him tightly.
“You’re okay!” Luna sobbed. Mercury smiled as he gently brushed away the drenched hairs from her face.
Celestia sighed as she placed a hoof around her sister, and gently pried her hoofs off Mercury. He slowly regained his footing and turned to Discord.
“Thank you.” He smiled, sincerely.
Discord nodded and waved his hand with a grin. Mercury frowned as he noticed something beginning to slide down his head. He reluctantly grabbed the blue crown that lay atop his head. He winced as the metal burnt his hoof, and inhaled sharply as is dropped to the ground. The crown bounced to the floor, and flashed as flames surrounded it. The crown crackled and hissed, smoke developed from the dirt under it, and the earth hissed and steamed.
Fluttershy stood behind rainbow dash with a solemn look on her face. She whimpered as the flames erupted into a deep, blue ball of fire. Everybody blinked a few times as the fireball died down into a few, measly embers.
“Is… Is it over?” she quietly murmured.
She gasped and shuffled further back as the crown began to hum deeply, this time hiding behind rarity.
“It’s ok, dear” Rarity assured her, although she herself grew fearful.
The dark blue crown began to glow a dark, and eerie black. It whistled for several seconds, and only until it slowly dimmed did Celestia make her way over to it. Twilight soon realised how badly injured she really was. Her left hoof seemed to be broken and her wing was bleeding badly. Twilight Sparkle knew she would heal in no time, but she still hated to see her like this. She seemed so… lesser. Like she was not a princess. Princess Celestia levitated the crown up and brought it close to her. Green sparks popped and whistled from her horn as the strain of magic soon became too much for her. She suddenly flashed a pained look on her face and dropped to her knees. The crown fell beside her. It hit the burnt earth with a soft “ding!”
“I… I cant…” she winced, as everybody rushed to her aid.
“Its okay Tia, we understand.” Luna whispered, as she placed her hoof around Celestia and comforted her sister.
Her words seemed so warm, comforting. Everypony gathered around Celestia and spoke comforting words. Discord also tried his best to comfort her, but unsurprisingly, he wasn't exactly skilled at it. Celestia sniffed and wiped away the tears rolling down her cheek. She looked around her, and saw the lifeless bodies of ponies that surrounded her. She began sobbing, as the feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her.
"I did nothing... When my people needed me... I did nothing!" She sobbed. "I'm useless! Useless! I did nothing to stop Discord, nothing to stop Chrysalis, and nothing now!"
Luna gently stroked her sisters mane and quietly shushed her. She closed her eyes and began to hum a slow tune. Celestia calmed down but remained sobbing in her sisters hoofs. Luna's humming soothed Celestia, and she started to gently sing a lullaby.
" Lullay sun princess, goodnight sister mine,
Rest now in sunlight's embrace..
Bear up my lullaby, winds of the moon
Through star and through sky and through space...
Carry the peace and the warmth of the day,
And carry my sorrow in kind..
Tia your loved, as I'm sure that you know,
I forgive you for being so blind.."
___________________________________________________________________________
Then, the world just seemed to stop for a moment. It was eerily calm, like nothing had ever happened. Princess Celestia sniffled slightly in her sisters arms. Prince Mercury slowly rose to full height despite his brutal injuries. He sighed as he looked around him. The once beautiful field was now… nothing. Just a black field with a few weeds. He lowered his head at the sight of Luna, and Celestia, covered in blood, dirt and tears. He held a sorrowful look on his face, and then… he laughed. First a chuckle, then uproar. He couldn’t contain it; he almost fell to the floor in a laughing fit. Even discord joined in. He had to magic up a tissue to wipe away their tears. Everyone looked dumbfounded as Mercury and Discord laughed uproariously.
“We did it!” He laughed. “We actually did it!” They winced as their damaged lungs stung, and they started coughing instead of laughing.
"Despite facing an army, and an insane, magic craving bug, we still did it!" Discord laughed.
Celestia smiled as Luna helped her up. She slowly made her way over to Mercury and Discord, stumbling multiple times.
"Discord, if it wasn't for you... i would have lost everything. So, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Celestia smiled, and bowed her head. Everyone else nodded and also bowed their heads. Even some of the wounded ponies, scattered across the field began to bow their heads. Discord smiled.
"Thank you" He smiled, almost tearing up at the gesture. He looked down to Celestia, and in that moment, Discord saw the pink maned pony he knew so long ago.
Celestia looked up at Discord, and smiled. Yet, when she stared into his eyes, all she saw was hatred. His eyes startled her. Memories flooded through her. She wanted to forgive him, she truly did. But.. She couldn't. Her smile wavered, and turned into a frown. Attempting to hide it, she bowed her head back down.
Discord noticed this, and sighed. His smile and happiness drowned in regret.
She wanted to believe... he had changed. But when she looked into his eyes, she saw it.
She saw that beast that destroyed everything she loved.
That monster.
___________________________________________________________________________
Mercury called upon Canterlot’s most trusted guards to bring a dozen chariots. One for the crown and him, and another for everybody else to ride back to canterlot on. The rest were for the wounded ponies. Mercury carefully levitated the crown to the chariot, and told the guards to place it deep inside canterlot tower, where no one would think, nor have the courage to look. He insisted that no one else touched it. Something about "Possession". He instructed the remaining guards to take any Changelings that survived and to bring them to Canterlot to imprison them. Fluttershy helped in assisting the wounded Ponies onto the chariots. Luna helped her sister onto her chariot, even with her severe injuries. On the long journey home, Celestia slowly drifted to sleep in her sisters’ hoofs. And for once, Luna felt like she was the big sister. Her badly damaged wing had stopped bleeding and had already started to heal. It would leave a pale scar to constantly remind her of this day. Luna wasn't as hurt as Celestia had been, but she still winced and groaned when she tried to move. Fluttershy and Twilight did their best to tend to everyone’s wounds, but they were not alicorns. Their wounds would take days to heal. Spike was still asleep and Twilight had started to worry, despite Fluttershy assuring her that he was fine, and she believed her, after all, Fluttershy had a way with animals. But Twilight still watched over him. He had done so well today. Throughout all the years that she had raised him, she had never seen him so brave as he was today. She gently kissed him on the forehead and fell asleep for the long journey ahead.
___________________________________________________________________________
Princess Celestia, Luna and everyone else returned to canterlot tower with many cuts and bruises. After Luna returned from her daily rising of the moon, (which took a few minutes longer than normal.) Celestia had her best tea maker pour everyone a cup of hot jasmine tea with extra sugar, to try and numb everyone’s pain. Celestia gazed out the window, appreciating the beauty of Luna’s night. A perfect shade of blue covered Equestria. Without a cloud in sight.
“The Element of harmony is now safely locked away, where none shall look for it.” Mercury announced as he entered the chambers.
“Element of disharmony?” Rainbow dash repeated, questioningly.
“Yes, the item which The Shade is being held in. it caused such disharmony that I thought the name would be fitting.” He smiled. He took a cup of tea and sat down next to Luna. His wounds looked even worse than Celestia’s did. Both his wings and two hooves were obviously broken, and the tip of one of his ears had been sliced cleanly off during the battle. It seemed that he healed slower than Celestia or Luna, but still managed to only wince as he stretched his bandaged wings. Although Mercury and Celestia had sustained the worst of the injuries, Rarity complained more than any of them. Sulking as she took sips of her tea, she whined that she had chipped a hoof. After a few moments resting in Princess Celestia’s private chambers, they realised what they had just been through. They had defeated an army, and a queen with near unlimited power. Even Celestia was surprised at the feat they had managed. So surprised in fact, that she decided that a celebration was in order.
She gathered the ponies and sat them down to tell them of what she had in mind.
“Seeing as The Shade has been trapped, and the element of disharmony is now locked away, and guarded in the safest place I know of, I think it only fitting that we have a celebration!” Princess Celestia announced to Twilight and her friends. “And I know pinkie pie will agree with me when I say, it shall be the grandest celebration Equestria has seen in a while!”
“Oh my god princess! Please, please, pleeeaaasee let me plan it! I already have the food planned, drinks, oh! And games, of course! What’s a party without games! I already have the cutest hat planned for Gummy!” pinkie pie chatted away.
“Why Princess! I think that is a splendid idea, but pinkie dear, please try and keep it civilised? It is, after all, a canterlot party.” Rarity pleaded. Everybody could already tell that rarity was creating a dress in her mind, which would be perfect for the occasion.
“Ah dunno princess, there could still be ah few of those darn changelings around…” Applejack stressed.
“Fear not Applejack, I shall see to it that the guards be on the lookout for any unusual behavior.” Celestia assured her.
Twilight pondered the idea. Many lives were lost during the war, and this could be the perfect opportunity to get everyponies mind off of it.
___________________________________________________________________________
Discord fiddled with various things in Canterlot hospital. He examined and discarded random things around the waiting room. He had come to the hospital to get a stinging pain beneath his horn checked, although he soon regretted it. He grew tiresome of the dozens of fillies and ponies, glaring and whispering behind his back. When he became bored of making silly faces at the fillies, he decided to leave the hospital. The pain was just another nick in his old body. For a 3,000 year old, he could be worse. He was suddenly stopped by a colt in a white lab coat. Surprisingly, his coat was unlike the other doctors, and the mark on his flank seemed to have no resemblance to medicine. What could an hourglass have to do with medicine?The Doctor rambled on about how he was in danger, but Discord soon grew bored. He left the oak maned colt behind as he exited the hospital.
Until Mercury called upon him, Discord assumed he had open access to Canterlot. He craved havoc, chaos. But he thought it best not to get on Equestria's bad side. again.
He made his way to canterlot tower, craving a nap. "A nap?" Discord thought. surprised. "Maybe i really am getting old!" He chuckled. Unexpectedly, the climb up canterlots' stairs was unremarkably intense. Discord had to grasp the sidebar and pull himself up each step he took. He clicked his fingers casting multiple healing spells, but the pain kept pulsing. His horn felt red hot, and no spell could ease it. Discord was beginning to feel worried. He began doing small actions unwillingly. Nothing big, a small flinch or flick of the wrist. But the searing pain burnt through his skull. he felt faint and his vision went blurry. Declining offers of assistance from nearby guards, he had just enough strength to make it back to his new quarters, in Canterlot tower.
"A good nights rest will fix me up." He told himself. "Wont it?"
He blacked out.
___________________________________________________________________________
Mercury's ribs creaked as he rose from his Hospital bed. As his wounds healed slower than other Alicorns, immediate medical attention was needed as soon as he arrived back in canterlot.
"My lack of increased heal rate is the result of another spell gone wrong" Mercury repeated. It seemed he was not as good with magic as he seemed. Although the rank of his magic abilities struck fear into others, magic ranks are mainly classed on strength, not dexterity. Like Twilight Sparkle, Mercury has a large 'reservoir' of magic, except that Twilight is currently unable to use excessive amounts of said magic, only with extreme concentration and practice.
He cracked the joints in his wings and groaned in relief. His frayed wings had been bandaged for the past week, and to be able to finally move them felt extraordinary. Mercury had taken the use of his wings for granted, he found it difficult to even shoo away a fly during his time in the Hospital. His neck joints popped and his knees ground against his shins. The first few steps he took were more challenging than he thought, and his hips almost gave in. But he kept steady, and pushed up his knees from under him. As he slowly walked across his hospital dorm, he gently slid the large glass door open, and walked out to his balcony. He filled his lungs with crisp, warm air. Canterlot looked beautiful, bathed in sunlight. Mercury extended his wings and let them become engulfed by warm sun. With his wings out, Mercury looked like a giant. His wingspan spread out to what seemed like metres. Warm air flowed through his wings, yet it sent a shiver down his spine. He considered taking off into flight, right there on the Hospital balcony. But he was almost certain the doctors would not appreciate such a thing. He pulled his wings back close to his body and stepped back into his Hospital room. To his surprise, he found Luna asleep on the chair next to his bed. He wondered how he did not noticed her there earlier. Her soft snoring echoed through the room. Mercury smiled at the sight of her. For a princess, she slept like a pig. She was sprawled out across the chair, one wing high up in the air and the other resting on the ground. Her new crown hung off her horn and her tail gently swayed back and forth. He grinned as he fell back into bed. Knowing she was near was comforting.
Even if she slept like a slob.
___________________________________________________________________________
"Celestia, i said no!" Mercury said sternly. He frowned as Celestia's eyes began to tear up. He knew she was obviously faking it, Celestia was never a good liar, nor did she rarely ever cry. But seeing her cry, during the few times she allowed herself to, always broke Mercury's heart, fake or not.
"Ugh, Fine..." He grumbled. Celestia smiled and let out a cheer, victory! She thanked him and trotted away. Mercury scoffed as she walked out of the hospital dorm.
"Don't close the door, it's fine!" He growled. He limped over to the doorway where he saw Luna holding a bundle of roses.
"Luna! its so good to see you!" Mercury smiled, standing aside to let her pass. "Celestia just told me about the party, although, i have my doubts." Luna kissed him on the cheek as she entered the room. She put the roses in a glass vase on Mercury's bedside table. She tapped the rim of the vase with her horn, it began to fill with water.
"How are you feeling? Is the hospital treating you well?" She quietly asked. Mercury smiled and smelt the roses. Blue lyes, his favourite.
"I am fine, although my wounds may heal slower, that doesn't mean i must act like a filly! Or perhaps, Rarity." He laughed. Luna giggled as she sat down on Mercury's hospital bed.
"What is so bad about having a celebration?" She asked. "I think it its a wonderful idea!"
"I dont think it is that bad of an idea, in fact, i thinks it's splendid! its just... i will be stuck in this hospital..." He frowned.
"Oh! You want to party!" Luna laughed. She fell to her side and covered her mouth, She continued laughing for a good minute, until she took a few deep breaths. "I will ask Tia if she can perhaps postpone the celebration, until you are released." She smiled. Mercury nodded with a grin on his face.
"I should be leaving, it is almost dusk." Luna frowned. "I will visit you again soon!" She smiled.
"Uh, thank you. For the roses!" Mercury blushed as Luna exited. She blew him a kiss and left the room.
___________________________________________________________________________
It was the day of the celebration, and the party was being set in the canterlot sculpture garden, although Mercury had continuously discouraged the idea of the whole thing. Drinks were to be served and Pinkie Pie was to handle all the fine details of the party, she even had a table and seating arranged for gummy, (sporting a top hat and a tie) and her friends. Before the party, Rainbow dash had been personally asked by princess Celestia to remove any clouds blocking Luna’s beautiful night sky. When asked why, Celestia only replied, “She deserves it.” As usual, Twilight was educating Celestia of what she had learnt about the magic of friendship on the past weeks adventure. Although Celestia seemed to be more interested in Luna than Twilight, she still acknowledged Twilight with a few simple nods and a “Wonderful, Twilight!” At the end of her speech. Luna was gracefully waltzing with Mercury, and held the biggest grin on her face. Celestia hadn't seen her this cheerful in hundreds of years. She could tell that when Luna was with Mercury, it made her happy, and that made Celestia happy. She shot a wink towards Luna as she noticed Celestia was staring, Luna just smiled and continued in her dance. The perfect timing and symmetry of their dance mesmerized the ponies of Equestria; it was as if they had been practicing for years. The finished with a graceful bow and returned to the party as DJ PON-3 played a more, eccentric song. Rarity was showing off her wonderfully jeweled dress to all the royals who attended the party, they were having their own party. Laughing and gossiping about the party, other ponies, and of course, money. Applejack and Fluttershy felt quite alien compared to the class of the other ponies who attended the party, although half of Ponyville was there. They occasionally ordered some drinks and snacks, or told pinkie pie to settle down, as she had a few too many ciders, and was now dancing on top of the tables while wearing gummy’s top hat on her mouth. “Quack! I’m a duck!” she loudly giggled.
When the party (mainly Pinkie Pie) got too loud for her, Luna retreated to her quarters, closely followed by Mercury. He shut the large doors behind him and lit up the fireplace with a flash of his horn. This was the first night they had spent together without worry. She felt right at home with him. They sat down on her large silken bed and hugged each other. The fireplace crackled as she stared aimlessly into the fire. As she slowly drifted into a deep sleep, he kissed her on the cheek and the stars seemed to shine brighter. She felt warm and comfortable in his arms; you could almost mistake her soft snoring for purring. As she lay in his arms, he dulled the fire until a few red-hot ashes sizzled. The 2000 years finally caught up with him, and he was hit with a wave of fatigue. He softly fell into a sleep that he had craved for hundreds of years, it was fairly easy, considering how tired he was, but Pinkie Pie screaming, “I can hear colours!” outside while the party still thrived, did not help. As he stroked Luna’s sky blue mane, it seemed to perfectly mirror the cool night sky, it was littered with a ridiculous amount of stars, but was just as beautiful as she was. She had not spoken a word, but he knew what she was thinking at that moment. She loved him. And he was thinking the exact same thing. He had missed these nights with her, where they spoke not a single word, and preferred it that way. Quietly admiring each other. The both fell into a deep sleep, and dreamed.
Bliss.
___________________________________________________________________________
Discord smiled as he slipped behind the roaring crowd, unnoticed. It was not hard, as all the attention was focused on Celestia as she announced that the party should soon be ending, and for the bartender to stop serving cider to pinkie pie. He clicked his fingers and appeared inside canterlot tower. Avoiding guards as he passed each corridor, Discords fast paced footsteps echoed through the halls of the empty, Canterlot tower. Swift and fluent, his steps were like a dance. He could have gotten around with his eyes closed; after all, this was once his palace. His castle. His home. Before he was evicted. To this very day he still regrets the events of that day. That one wrong decision was his downfall. He should have gotten rid of her when he had the chance. But that did not matter now, what mattered now, is that he kept his mind clear. One slip and Celestia, or worse, would know he was sneaking around. But they could not have foretold what he was about to do. No one could. He hid his true intentions so well, waiting, for Celestia to slip up. It was her turn to make the mistakes, and her turn to pay. He chuckled and gave himself a little congratulatory pat-on-the-back.
"TING!"
"Oops, chandelier. I should really mind where I'm walking." Discord chuckled. He deviously grinned down at the guard who stood in shock below him.
"Late for your rounds, eh?" Discord chuckled. "Naughty."
The guards face turned pale as he looked up at the the slender shadow circling the chandelier. "Luckily for you though, I dont turn ponies into stone!"
Discord clicked his claw and smiled in satisfaction as he heard a dull "crack!"
The body of the lifeless guard fell to the marble floor.
"Clean up on isle 3" discord giggled. He yet again clicked his fingers and body of the guard disappeared. Only until he heard a faint splash from a nearby lake did he continue his journey.
He effortlessly snuck past the now sleeping guards that were stationed at the unnecessarily large doors to the hall of the throne room, which once held the elements of harmony, before his… unexpected, defeat. The room seemed to darken as he entered. Each step he took the echo grew louder and deeper. The room had been remodeled to hold something much more valuable and dangerous than the elements of harmony. As he strolled to the end of the room, he couldn't help but laugh. He grinned as he grasped the element of disharmony. His eagle like claws made a soft “ting!” on its metallic surface.
“Old habits never die.” He chuckled. It grew a deep blue as he tightened his grip on it with his claws. The glow was almost heavenly. Like a blue mist on a cold night. It was truly beautiful.
And luckily,
He had an appreciation for beauty.
