Agents of Discord

“What the?” Sunset asked as she looked about the ethereal plane. She was also back to being a pony. “I can’t be here?! There are ponies; people counting on me. Where even is here?”

“It’s the ascension plane.”

Sunset whirled around to see Princess Celestia, and she had a big funny sort of grin on her muzzle.

“But?”

“You made it. You finally got here. I am so proud of you right now.”

“Here? I was in the cab of a locomotive. People are counting on me. I can’t be here. Not now. Why now? What even did I do to deserve this?”

“And why not now? But rest assured that you’ll be back in an instant from their frame of reference. As for what you did, let's have a look.”

“I… I don’t understand?”

“From the moment Mrs Nova Arthol forced open the mirror and retrieved the two of us from our folly, you became a new person dedicated to helping others. Where you were selfish, you’d become selfless. Where you had been dishonest, you were honest. Where you had taken hope from others, you returned it. You have shown generosity, loyalty, respect, kindness, and despite everything you faced moments ago, you dared to go where even fools dared not go.”

A screen had appeared from the ether and showed Sunset’s descent from the airship, her mad dash across the top of the cars, her fight with the dementors, and her drive to get that train going again.

“I… I can’t say I liked the person I was at that moment. Those things… I saw all my flaws, and my flaws were all I had.”

“And yet you demonstrated a quality seldom seen. Heroic courage. Sometimes called uncommon valor, and your presence alone inspired courage in others. See here…”

Another screen showed the Crusaders plus one. “They called forth the magic of harmony.”

Another screen appeared showing the dire moments before Aerie found her courage.

“I can’t say from where her courage came, but I’d like to think that knowing you had her back helped. After all, she’s the pony who wanted you there.”

“She wanted the Arcadia.”

“It’s not ready, so you took the Firefly,” Celestia said with a smile on her face as Sunset was swept up in magical energy. In truth, the ship was ready but finding a crew that would be able to cross over to the other dimension without panicking had proven difficult. A moment later Sunset the pony had returned with a brand new set of wings that looked every bit as fiery as her mane.

“I… I don’t want this.” her tone distressed.

“Which means you are ready. I think we have time for a quick trip down memory lane.” More screens appeared. Screens showing Sunset’s failures, screens showing her successes. And Sunset had to admit that she liked the pony she’d become. A short time later she would teleport back to the train.

“Is everyone alright in here?” Professor Lupin asked as he poked his head in to look in on Bloom, Sweetie, Louise, Isolde, and Ginny. What he saw was one girl and four fillies.

“We aren’t going to get in trouble are we?” asked the golden filly.

“Ah…”

“I’m Louise.”

Through the gaping hole in the side of the car they could hear the sound of Eighty's anthem rock as the train rolled on.

“We’re sorry about the wall,” offered one of the little unicorns.

“Ya, Apple Bloom kind of lost it,” offered the other.

“Don’t put all that on me.”

“It’s alright,” offered a young woman in an Equestrian guard uniform. She’d come up behind the professor and had one of those energy rifles strapped to her back. “I’m Sargent Lancer. I’m with the ARGAF. That’s Akkadian Royal Guard Air Force. Also known as the Argh Force.” The girls all smiled. Sargent Lancer’s eyes opened in surprise on realizing Scootaloo had both wings and a horn. “Princess… rest assured that the train has been secured, and no one is going to fault you for that hole. Perhaps the four of you might want to pull yourselves together and transform yourselves?”

“Oh, right, might be a good idea,” Louise replied.

“Awww,” Ginny protested now deprived of the cuteness that had been all around her.

Aerie’s group also had members of the Equestrian Guard in their car.

“Yes, we’re good,” Aurora offered when asked.

“I kind of uncorked,” Aerie admitted while she stroked the distressed kitty on her lap. She’d managed to pull herself together and was back to being human. “Lieutenant Rodger, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Rodger that I am, Miss…”

“Aerie. I’m Aerie.”

“Ah, your highness. I should have known. What with the hole in the side of the car. Good thing that specific fireball is effective. I had one of them things get right in my face. I fired my blaster by reflex and torched it.” The energy delivered from the blaster had been modeled on Aerie’s blast.

“So how many did you get?” Sunset asked as she came down the corridor. She had a bright smile on her face and was glowing as though she was lit by the light of a sunbeam.

“Sorry Ma’am, I lost count.”

“Ya, I’m somewhere around a dozen. Kind of lost count too.”

“Hi Sunset,” Aerie called.

“You holding up?”

“I came close to losing it. You?”

“I’ve found that I don’t like myself while under the influence of those things. I think I went full Sith Lord.”

“I started to have a flashback.” Aerie wasn’t going to say to what. “Dare I ask what color your bean saber turned out to be?”

“White. I, um, seem to have a lot of unresolved anger. Harmony helped me purify my blade. In my rampage, I can say that I didn’t kill any humans. And shortly after the train got underway I found myself in the ascension zone for a bit.”

“I see.”

“I think we all experienced something unpleasant,” Aurora offered not sure what to make of Sunset’s announcement. “I saw myself at the train station... forgotten and alone.”

“I will never forget you,” Aerie offered while leaning into her.

“Thanks.”

“That’s a very special girl you’ve got there,” Sunset said with a smile on her face.

“One thing has me puzzled, I distinctly heard someone saying don’t just sit there, blast it, and no one here remembers saying it.”

“Moonie?”

“Moonie was up in the luggage rack caterwauling. Her good memories are what makes her sensible.” Aerie gave the cat a caress. “She’s shaken up right now. She came close to losing a good portion of herself.”

“Dumbledore!” Shouted a wizard in a dark robe as he entered the great hall of Hogwarts, and he was not alone. Dumbledore was right there with Mrs Silverwood at his side along with an individual in an Akkadian officer’s uniform.

“Lord Lestrange, how might I help you?” Dumbledore asked as he eyed up the five men who’d just barged in.

“You!” Lord Lestrange shouted on seeing Nova Silverwood. “It was your people!”

“Whatever are you talking about?” Nova Silverwood asked with a smirk on her face.

“Your half-breeds attacked my guards!”

“Attacked? Now why would you think that my people would do something like that? That and that ship flies a banner with a two-fold sun on it. Not the Akkadian banner. It’s a personal banner.”

“Hang on,” Dumbledore interjected. “Are you saying someone attacked the people handling the dementors?”

“They attacked the dementors!!” Lord Lestrange shouted as a young woman in an Akkadian officer uniform came running in.

“Ma’am,” she said stopping and giving a sharp salute. “A destroyer just dropped in over the station. It’s the Dauntless. I don’t think it’s ours though.”

“Destroyer?” Dumbledore asked and hurried to where he could see outside the great doors. Yes, they could see the station from where they stood. There over a brand new shining Hogsmeade station hung something that to his mind had no business being there. An Akkadian destroyer. And to be true, she was no ordinary airship. The Dauntless and her sister ships had been modeled from the Drumlinhay design, and had been retrofitted in that she resembled a flying boat more than a standard airship, with stubby swept-back wings and numerous guns bristling out of it. It even had turrets below where the water line built into the hull including one big one on the bow where the bow protrusion would have been with twin barrels. Lord Lestrange and his companions joined him.

“Ma’am,” the lieutenant continued. “It’s definitely not ours. It’s flying the Silver TreeSeven phases of the moon banner.”

“It’s Princess Luna Moon’s ship,” Mrs Silverwood informed her. “Not like this is a huge surprise. They did file a protest with the Ministry of Magic.”

“That thing’s huge,” one of the wizards who’d just arrived exclaimed.

“What? That little thing? Why do you think the muggle governments leave my islands alone?
“Now... I want you and your pets off my lands.”

“Your lands?” scoffed Lord Lestrange.

“My lands. The Barony of Hogsmeade. The forest, the town, the school, and all the immediate lands are part of the Barony given to me.
“There was a princess of Akkadia and Noble's daughter from Japan on that train you chose to board, I’d say that you are on thin ice. What you’ve done has created an international incident.”

“I have a mandate to seek out and find the Azkaban escapees, and that includes blockading this school.”

“In that case,” Nova Silverwood began, her tone colder than ever. Off in the distance, the Firefly could be seen on approach. “You’d better keep those things under control and well away from innocents. You are not going to be able to just push people around. Not when we have the ability to take your toys away from you, and I would not be surprised if the half-breeds on that ship seek out your little pets and destroy every last one. Just one more thing I should mention is that your little pets aren't likely to want to have anything to do with Hogsmeade so good luck.”

“What did she mean by full Sith Lord,” Lavender asked in a hushed tone as the train pulled into the station. Sunset had returned to her ship and the guards in their car had moved to the ends of the car. As for the Hogsmeade station, it was looking far brighter than anyone remembered it ever being.

“I’m a little curious about that specific phrasing myself?” Aurora added as she looked out the window. The sight she was seeing just wasn’t clicking in her head nor could they see the Dauntless by simply looking out the windows.

“When we were exploring the mines she discovered an artifact. And to be honest, it was missing vital components.”

“Aerie…” Aurora pressed.

“You’d recognize it as a lightsaber.”

“A what?” Hoshiko asked.

“An energy sword. A beam saber. Somehow she found the missing component. That or it was given to her.”

“Sunset Shimmer, AKA Darth Shimmerus... kind of sends a chill down my spine.”

“She is a good person. As she said, she didn’t kill any humans, and believe you me, under the same circumstance I dare say I’d be hard-pressed if it was me.” Aerie left off saying any more as the train stopped. She knew full well that she’d have ripped into those keepers. Hogsmeade station looked better than it ever had. Not just because they were glad to be done with this day’s journey, but because it had a whole new platform, roofs over the platforms, and an actual station building. A delightful site to be sure. Cats mewed, owls hooted, and students began chatting excitedly as people started for the exits. “What did they do to the station? Why it’s downright delightful,” Aerie proclaimed as she picked up Moonie. Moonie was still a little out of it and it was looking like Aerie would need to carry her into the school.

“Firs’ years this way,” Hagrid called out on the platform as the group stepped from the coach. His form was well lit by station lights.

“Whoever it was who decided to put in a proper station, I want to hug them,” Hermione declared as she joined the others on the platform.

“Is that electric lights?” Dean Thomas asked in amazement. Why the whole town had been lit up.

“Ah…” Aerie said excitedly on examining one of the lights. “They are warding Crystals! This is Nova Silverwood’s doing, I’m sure of it. Those Dementors more than likely can’t get near the place.” Her announcement rippled through the crowd.

Hagrid waved to them, and they waved back as the crowd moved them along.

Aerie had nearly forgotten about the dementors by the time they had walked to where the carriages had been assembled. What brought her back to reality was the sight of the school’s thestrals looking heavenward. Aerie approached a team, turned, and looked to see what they were looking at.

“Ah, the Dauntless,” Aerie said softly just as a flight of Night Wing fliers flew past, several of whom were themselves thestrals. She turned her attention to the two ponies hooked up to the carriage. “What say you take us to Hogwarts before you fly off to join the Night Guard.”

“Shadowbolts,” one of the night ponies said with a tone of awe.

“No, sorry, no Shadowbolts in that group, but that is Princess Luna’s banner.” She leaned in and whispered in the old language, “..and I am her daughter.” Aerie straightened out and walked over to the carriage, but before climbing aboard she called out in the old language, “While the land sleeps I will stand watch. Ever vigilant. Shadowbolts! Ever faithful.”

Every thestral in line snapped to attention, the moment making a noticeable sound even the people who couldn't see them could not deny.

“What was that?” Ron asked in alarm. Despite the charm of the crystals he was still on edge. Nor was he the only one looking about as cries of surprise rang out on spotting the big airship.

“Miss Potter! What did you just do!?” Snape demanded as he made his way to Aerie.

“It was the motto of the Night Wing,” Princess Luna informed him as she stepped out of the shadows. She went up to Aerie and pet Moonie a couple of times. She paused a moment and placed her hand over Aerie’s heart where the moon pendant was hidden, and after a moment whispered, “All is well, my little one.”

Snape froze in his tracks.

“Mom?” Aerie said in confusion. She’d not known that her Luna was there and she was nearly as dumbstruck as Snape.

“Mom???” Snape echoed in a breathless tone for the very sight of her had stolen the air from his lungs. Even his heart dared not beat. “Lily?” His mind was racing. It was Lily, but how could… a specter? Indeed her robes and hair flowed as though commanded by an unseen breeze.

Luna leisurely walked over to him.

“I recall that I was once known by that name… but only because I so resembled an older cousin by that name. I am Luna Moon, and by accident or fortune I am a Princess of Akkadia.”

“Princess Luna, what are you doing here?” Aerie asked. Oh yes, this was her Luna, her mom, but she’d decided it might be best to be a little more formal.

“Brightstar and Kitzu are here, and I’d no intention of missing out. Not when we have an opportunity for payback.”

“I see. Can’t say I like it.”

“Well, you don’t get a choice. Besides, bringing warships over here was your idea. Now get into that carriage, you have a dinner to attend.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Aerie replied with just a bit of cheek, Put Moonie over one shoulder to free up a hand, and climbed in.

“Princess… if I might be so bold?” Snape began. His demeanor was unsure, but hopeful.

“Yes?”

“Might I, that is, would you like to accompany me to the opening banquet.”

“Why Professor, I’d be delighted.”

“What?” Aerie protested from her carriage. She’d been joined by Aurora, Hoshiko, Lavender, and the Patil twins.

“Now Aerie, we mustn't interfere,” Aurora chided playfully as the carriage began to move forward.

“If Luna Moon is your mom, doesn’t that mean she is Lily Potter and isn’t Snape your father?” Lavender asked.

“No, no, no…” Aerie began muttering.

“Look, Aerie, if they get together, maybe he’ll mellow out?” Aurora suggested.

“I’ll kill him.”

“You can’t kill Snape.”

“Not Snape. Discord!”

Having a shower of popcorn come out of nowhere and rain down on her didn’t help.

“What is that Stuff?” Padma asked in alarm.

“Popcorn,” Hoshiko replied and slapped a paper talisman to the ceiling of the carriage resulting in cutting off the shower.

“Don’t eat that,” Aurora scolded as Aerie picked up a handful.

“What? Chaos popcorn is best popcorn.”

Aurora just let out an exasperated sigh and the carriage continued up the hill. Up ahead, the towering columns with winged boars and wrought iron gates that marked the entrance to Hogwarts stood four Akkadian Guards with blasters at the ready. The guards spoke briefly to the thestrals, and passed them through.

Aurora’s hair billowed out for a moment as they passed through the gate.

“Aurora, what was that?” Hoshiko asked.

“Not sure…” Aurora replied. “Kind of felt like when Cadance…”

“Ya, like we just entered a barrier,” Aerie said softly.

“Kind of felt like Canterlot,” Aurora added. The look on her face was befuddlement and delight all mixed together. The carriage picked up a bit of speed, but the ride was soon over as they stopped in front of the school’s side entrance accessible by carriage, given the main entrance was too small for a large number of carriages. Everyone got down from the carriages and made their way to the main doors.

The lights of the Firefly could be seen slowly drifting over the lake.

“They must be keeping an eye on the first years,” Aerie suggested. And indeed, the first years had a front-row seat of armored pegasi doing a sweep of the far bank.

“Poor kids, The dementors must have terrorized them,” Aurora offered. “Let’s go in. I see our four musketeers.”

“Like we fared any better,” Aerie replied and then called to the Crusaders.
“Hey, I heard the four of you made a bigger hole in the train than I did,”

The two groups joined up, hugged, and continued on into the entry hall.

“All four of them,” Ginny offered as she stepped up to the group. “I was just talking to Ron. He said someone was running up on the roof.”

“That was Princess Sunset Shimmer.” Aerie offered. “Aurora’s sister from another mother.”

“We couldn't stick with cousins?” Aurora asked as Nova Silverwood walked up to them.

“I hear some holes got poked in my train,” Mrs Silverwood said on greeting them.

“Sorry,” Apple Bloom apologized.

“Ah, yes. It’s fine. I’m just glad you are alright. Did you really kick the dementor?”

“She sure did,” Ginny offered with a smile. “The dementor opened the door, she transformed, and the next thing I know she was bucking that thing faster than Fred and George can get into trouble.”

“That fast, that’s impressive,” Professor McGonagall offered as she joined the group. “Aerie, are you alright?”

“A bit shaken up, but otherwise fine. As Mrs Silverwood said, I blasted a hole in the side of the train.”

“I kind of lost it,” Bloom admitted.

“I’m not sure what happened after that,” Ginny continued. “They all transformed and blasted it. But it wasn’t any kind of magic I know about.”

“Our magic combined,” Isolde informed those who hadn’t been there. There was a note of awe and excitement to her tone. “It didn’t just blast that one dementor, it turned into a phoenix and went after dementors that were outside the train.”

“I think our magic harmonized,” Louise suggested with a smile.

“It does look like that,” Mrs Silverwood replied. “Given the reports I’ve gotten.”

“Harmonize?” Ginny asked.

“Harmony magic. When a group of magic users all deeply want the same thing it can result in Harmony Magic. It’s related to accidental magic in that it’s based on emotions. It also tends to behave as though some unseen third party is calling the shots.”

“Can… dark wizards do it?”

“Doubt it. The thing is, dark wizards, aren’t in it for the group, they only care about themselves and what they can get out of the deal. Harmony magic responds when the casters care, not just about each other, but about everyone.”

“That’s all very fascinating and I’m definitely going to want to hear more about it later. As for now, we need to get everyone to sit down, please?” Professor McGonagall suggested. “I know that you’ve all had an interesting trip… we need to get back on schedule, please.”

“Luna?” Mrs Silverwood said on spotting her with Snape chatting as if they were old friends.

“Oh, this day is getting more and more complicated every moment,” McGonagall muttered.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Aerie stated and went to her preferred seat.

“Ya, I don’t know what’s going on either,” Aurora offered and followed after Aerie with the rest of the group shrugging their shoulders and following.

Princess Luna went up to Nova Silverwood and hugged her.

“It’s complicated.”

“How complicated?” Mrs Silverwood asked.

“Aerie ever tell you about Mrs Arthol?”

“Can’t recall that she ever did? Who is she?”

“The woman who struck down the Basilisk last year.” Her reply was in a whisper that only Nova Silverwood’s keen ears could hear.

“But that was… Oh... that complicated. Hang on, you can’t mean that you?”

“Sort of. I have much of her memories.” Her reply was soft and only for the two of them.

“Luna…” both now spoke in hushed tones.

“Surely being trapped for a thousand years with the creature that possessed me would be too cruel. And you did feel an affinity towards Lily, did you not?”

“In truth, she reminded me of myself."

"I recall you spent a lot of time with her.”

“Places, everyone, if you please,” McGonagall called out as she walked away from the two now in a private conversation. She’d used her wand to amplify her voice causing nearly everyone to jump.

“Come on then…” Nova Silverwood prompted Princess Luna, and then in a whisper asked, “What about Snape?”

“He thinks I’m a young cousin of Lily’s who’s had access to her diary. I confess he suspects my explanation as to why Aerie addresses me as Mom, but I fear that I dare not tell him the truth.”

“I for one would not want wizards to know that Equestria is an actual place. Come, I gather you are joining us at the head table?”

“I was invited. Us?”

“I’ve taken control of the wards and will be spending a good deal of time here during this crisis. Of all the ill-guided... I suspect the dementors are Pius Thicknesse’s doing. He was always thick as thieves with Umbridge.”

“If it’s any consolation I’m to understand Sunset’s team did a number on the ones that attacked the train.”