Tempest Tossed

The dusty trail extends its silver streak
Ahead and off away. I stump along
With Discord right beside. He doesn't speak.

I want to crack a joke or sing a song,
But something's gone inside me, something dense
That used to fill my ribs and make me strong.

It doesn't matter. Sparing no expense,
I'll bring her back, recharge that empty space,
Return the world to partly making sense.

"And yet?" The voice is sunlight, joy, and grace
Despite the lack of anypony near
To form the words. I barely slow my pace.

The voice, renowned throughout Equestria,
Belongs to her, I know: Celestia.

"Imagine!" Discord flicks my folded ear.
"Her Nibs herself! I'm fuddled all askew!
You think she'll autograph my side or rear?"

I can't withhold a laugh. "I'm sure for you,
She'd sharpen every pen she ever owned
To carve her name across, athwart, and through."

The former princess also laughs. "I've groaned
For centuries at Discord's antic wit,
But now, it seems, he seeks to grow atoned."

Within the dark, a shape's becoming lit,
A glowing figure unmistakable.
Celestia. My teeth begin to grit.

She'll try to stop me. That's the bottom line.
My innards twist. I'm feeling less than fine...

"Unusual." Her smiling voice is full
Of light the place around us sorely lacks.
"Unless, of course, he's seeking more to gull.

"You know him, Rainbow, know he wields an axe
Intent on making trouble. Solving wrongs,
Alas, is less his thing than sly attacks."

She shakes her head. "With even iron tongs,
I wouldn't recommend embracing trust
In him. He sabotages singalongs..."

I wait for Discord, wait to hear him bust
A line or two, to raise his own defense,
But silence settles fine as any dust.

Celestia's continuing. "And so
I can't allow you passage. Time to go."

"I'll give a guarantee," I say. "Dispense
With such contrivance. Don't you feel ashamed,
Engaging noxiously in such pretense?"

A tiny twitch on her, I'd call enflamed;
The pastel colors jerk around her face.
"A guarantee? Collateral unnamed?"

I spread my wings. "Behold my sore disgrace.
Detatching all my past, I think, has left
Me somewhat worn. Could anything replace?"

She rubs her chin. "You're looking quite bereft,
It's true, but let's examine things to come.
Despite the past, your future's looking deft."

I nod. "Okay. The goals I might attain,
I toss to Applejack to break her chain."