Discord Daze

I'm not perfect. In fact, I'm far from it.

Starry Knight stands three feet ahead of a line of four alicorns. The other four in his line are wearing identical uniforms, with their wings tucked into their sides, and their horns pointed to the ceiling. All are clad in brilliantly polished steel from head to hoof, bearing decorated sheaths, loaded with golden-hilted swords. Starry's armor is more ornate than the others, and where they wear helmets, he does not.

The castle court is a large hall, with two rows of columns going down it's center from the iron doors of the castle atrium on one end, to the huge, marble staircases on the other. Between the columns, down the middle of the room, a red carpet has been rolled out, and at the end of it sits a throne—a very special throne cast in black steel and decorated with rubies. The room is built up like the apse of a cathedral, more than twice as long as it is wide, and with a ceiling several stories high. All around the upper level walls are great mosaic windows to let the light of day and night fill the room with their beauty. For the night, when it there is less light from outside to fill the room, two chandeliers, made of brass, weighing almost three hundred pounds each, hang from the roof.

"Come forward, good knight." The voice rises from the far end of the hall. The king stands up from his throne, wearing a purple cape with white trimming, and a golden crown. He isn't a very strong looking stallion, and has a gray coat and a black mane. A glow lights up around his horn as he waits for the knight to approach, and draws his silver-and-gold ceremonial blade from his side.

Starry approaches. His mane and tail, unkempt but short cut, dim gold and silver lined in color, sway from side to side as he trots forward, each step in perfect time. Once he approaches the king, he kneels down before him, laying down on his fore-quarters.

The king's sword touches each shoulder on the alicorn before him. "By the power invested in me, King Iron Scepter, by this great kingdom, I hereby name you Commander Starry Knight." After he speaks, he sheaths his sword once again. "Rise."

As the king says so, the armor clad pony rises. "Thank you, my lord." Turning around, he heads back to his line. The five alicorns leave the throne room in an orderly fashion.

That, as you probably heard, is King Iron Scepter, the ruler of the Alicorn Kingdom. His rule takes after his father's, who marked the beginning of our kingdoms isolationist policies.

Festivities begin the night of Starry Knight's promotion ceremony. The court has been flipped, and turned into a great dining hall and ballroom. Several filled tables are delivered a banquet of food, served up by the castle chefs and servants. A musical troupe starts up, and before long, the hall is filled with dancing, food, drinks, music, and the denizens of the kingdom. It's typical of a royal party.

The king cheers on the occasion, calling for more food, more wine, and more entertainment. The queen sits next to him. The hair of her mane and tail, which used to be a brilliant white and turquoise, has grayed in its old age. Her coat is bright manila, almost golden. She seems distant from the occasion, and simply nods along to everything that's said. She barely eats, making her husband look like a glutton.

"Did you hear that our lovely queen, Diamond Chalice, has fallen out of love with the king?" a pony starts a discussion as Starry Knight, now dressed in a more casual suit, trots by a table with a cup, grasped by his magic.

"I heard that the queen was looking for a good alchemist to poison the fat king while he stuffs his face with his ponies' food," another table stirs up, snickering and joking.

Before long, the Queen Diamond Chalice grows tired of the party, and leans in to whisper something into the king's ear. Afterwards, she gets up, and leaves the party. The rumors only continue.

The seat next to hers is occupied by a rather young, gorgeous, peach-maned pony. Unlike her mother, she takes a liking to the party, and continues to drink and eat to her delight, although still quite a bit better mannered than her father. She leans into a friend who sits next to her, and whispers something into her ear. The two of them begin to laugh with each other afterwards.

That's the princess, my fiancé. We are to be wed at the end of the month. I don't love her, but she loves me. As the princess, and the eldest foal to the king and queen, she gets what she wants. And she wants me. We have been betrothed for four months, and we have only seen each other a hoof-full of times. I'm almost certain that whatever she whispered to her friend just now was about me.

Before Starry Knight can go any further, he is stopped by another alicorn. A hoof wraps around his neck and pulls him aside. His friend, drunk, says to him, "Great party. You should get promoted more often." The pony's coat is a bright, coppery color, and his mane and tail are the color of rust.

"I probably will," he says, not nearly as drunk as his friend.

"Hey, so, you know how I like that Moonlight mare, right?"

"Yes."

~Moonlight Serenade~ My friend, Copper Arrows, fancies her. Unfortunately, she doesn't feel the same way towards him. Moonlight Serenade is one of the foals the king fathered out of wedlock. She is the love of my life. If fate had been kinder, it would be her I was marrying at month's end.

"I was thinking about finally asking her out."

"That's . . . lovely, good for you." Starry Knight lifted his friend's hoof off of him, and set him down at a near-by table. He did his best to hide his feelings from everyone else. If their relationship became public, there would be serious consequences. Without waiting a moment more, he approached the royal table, and took a seat that was saved for him.

The king was laughing and joking around with the captain of the royal guard, and he was too drunk to notice his soon-to-be son-in-law finally take a seat at their table. He didn't like the king, but was good friends with the prince, or at least he was close enough to have his trust.

"So, Starry," the prince says to him, turning and facing across the table from his seat, beside the king, "Are you ready for royalty yet?" The prince's coat is a bright gray color, and it even appears silver in the right light. His hair is black, like his father's.

Starry Knight smirked, and shook his head. "You royal ponies are crazy," he says back. He added a hint of sarcasm to his voice, but in truth, he wasn't being sarcastic at all. He did enjoy the idea of gaining some power, and he definitely had it in his mind that he would do the kingdom some good once he rose up. But he didn't like where the kingdom stood, and he didn't like being forced into it the way he was.

That's prince Silvercoat. He seems alright on the surface, but he is cunning. I never once trusted his motives before, and I won't start now. I think he's jealous, and that he wants the throne.

"Aren't you going to say hi to me, darling?" the princess asks, a smile on her face.

Turning back to her, he smiles, and leans forward in tandem with her to exchange a kiss to each cheek. "Crystal," he says, "How are you on this fine evening?"

"Just peachy. Enjoying the early benefits of royalty?"

It was no secret. My promotion wasn't deserved. The king only promoted me so that he could feel more comfortable giving his daughter away to me.

Starry Knight chuckles a little and nods. "Yes," he says, halfheartedly, "You could say that." It was partially true, he did enjoy the extra benefits, and the party.

"Just wait 'till you're a prince."

"Oh," he says, rolling his eyes, "I can't wait."

"Oh, you need to relax, sweetheart. It's nothing. Just a few little etiquettes, most of which you can get away with ignoring." She glances over at her father as he continues to stuff his face and make slurry, drunken jokes before continuing, "and the few you have to abide by are rather simple, probably things you already do."

"It's not the etiquette I'm worried about," he says. He lets off a soft sigh. "It's just all happening so fast."

Reaching a hoof over the table to give her husband-to-be a comforting hug, Crystal whispers into his ear. "I know, I know. Maybe we can go outside and get some fresh air . . . or"

"Or?"

"The air in my room is pretty fresh too, if you want to give that a try."

Starry Knight smirks, and shakes his head. "We should wait. Don't want to risk getting on your father's bad side." He wasn't worried about getting caught with her early. He was uncomfortable with the very idea of being somepony other than his true love.

She kisses his cheek in return. "Very well," she says, feeling that she could trust him. She hadn't a clue about Moonlight.

After Crystal Clear finished speaking with him, her friend speaks up. "Well," she says as she gets up, "I'll just leave you two love birds alone, then."

"Later, Creamy," she says, sending her friend off with a hug, and then turns back to Starry. "So, fresh air then?"

"Fresh Air sounds lovely." He gets up from his spot, and awaits Crystal. Everything he did with the royal family was for show. He had to put on a good act for them, lest they grow suspicious.

Crystal got up from her spot as well. Her horn glows a bright pink, and the same glow takes hold of her glass, picking it up and taking it along with her. "Let's go."

The two of them go upstairs and trot out onto a large balcony. The night air settles in, and the sun sets in the distance. Every day, somewhere between fifty and a hundred alicorns take shifts raising and lowering the moon, and it takes twice as many to raise and lower the sun. Every night, a team of alicorns watch over the kingdom, keeping everything in order.

"The sunset is beautiful," Crystal says, looking out in the distance, as the sun falls over the flat horizon.

"Yes, it is. I like the moon better, though." He points to the opposite side of the balcony to where the moon rises.

"Why's that?"

"The sun rises, and brings light to everyone who can see it. Tons of light." He then holds her close, and has her look to the distance where the moon is just coming up. "The moon rises, and it's full of light from the sun. But it doesn't shine over the land. Instead, it remains a gentle, humble light that provides for everything that thrives in the night. It doesn't have to overpower the scenery in order to let the world know it's beautiful."

"You're pretty poetic for a soldier. I didn't know you could come up with something like that."

"I didn't. I . . . I think I read it somewhere."

She then laughs at him and playfully pushes him away. "It's a beautiful night," she says as she spreads her large wings, "Let's go flying."

"Flying?"

"Yeah. It's beautiful out, the air is nice, and you're too scared to take me to bed, so let's go flying."

"Won't they miss us at the party?"

"Naw." At this point, she had already lifted herself up, flapping her wings and hovering just off of the balcony. He simply nods, and unfurls his own wings, taking flight with her. "We can review the creed while we're at it to. Do you remember?"

The Alicorn Creed. It's said to have been mistranslated and changed a few too many times by our late king, Platinum Crown. Once upon a time, it might have meant something important. As an up and coming prince, it's my duty to have it memorized. I had to memorize once before when I was knighted, but I've since forgotten.

"Right," he says, "By the might of our magic, and the kinship of our fellow alicorns, we shall protect the kingdom, the noble family . . . and . . ." The creed seemed oddly self-serving now that he was destined to become a member of the royal family.

"The royal family," Crystal corrects him. She flies around behind him, and nudges him onward. After the nudge, he starts flying forward, and upward into the sky, with her right by his side.

"The royal family, and serve—oh wait."

Giggling, the princess goes back through it with him. "By the might of our magic and the kinship of our fellow alicorns, we shall protect and serve the kingdom, and the royal family."

He chuckles a bit at the idea of it as he flies onward. "That just sounds silly as the prince."

"You're not the prince, yet, my love."

"Yes, I know. You see what I mean, though?"

"Yes," she says, and then giggles a little, "But, it's tradition, so you have to know it."

As the two fly onward, they approach the northern edge of the kingdom. In the midst of their chatting, Starry Knight happens to look down to see a lone earth pony charging in from the kingdom's northern border. Stopping mid-sentence, he points the pony out, and flies down towards it.

"Huh?" the princess questions as she looks down. "Wait? Where are you going? It's just an earth pony."

"Something's obviously wrong here."

"Yea, but we have other ponies to take care of that kind of stuff."

"But we can help out."

"I'm just saying, we don't have to." She follows him down.

The pony, battle scarred, and panting in full gallop, slows to a stop as Starry Knight lands before him.

"What's wrong?" Starry Knight asks.

The pony pants and collapses to the ground, pointing back to the border as it tries to speak up. "There was . . ." he manages to start, "Discord . . . he's here."

"Discord?" the princess asks.

"Discord is where?"

"My town," the earth pony says, starting to calm down, "right at the border, he's here. He's here."

"Calm down, now. You're safe here."

"I need to speak to the king," the earth pony says, "It's important, we need help."

"Good luck," the princess mutters with a scoff.

"I can take you to him," Starry Knight says.

"What?" The princess just looks at him, raising a brow as she hovers about five feet off the ground.

"I would appreciate it."

"Wait, wait," Crystal says, "You can't be serious, right?"

"Why can't I?"

"You know my father. He won't even bother listening, much less helping."

"So you just want to leave him?"

The earth pony looks at the two, nervously. "Please don't leave me."

"Whatever," she finally says, deciding she couldn't care less. She was more upset that her alone time with her love was interrupted.

"Crystal," Starry says back, "I have a duty."

"Your duty lies with our own kind." Crystal starts to pick up altitude, getting ready to head back to the castle.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Crystal."

"What about tonight?"

"I'll make up for it, I promise." Starry Knight then turns back to the wounded pony. He was a little bit larger, but not big enough to carry him. "Come with me, I can get you into a carriage in the next town over."

"Discord has moved into the Northern Kingdom," the rather large earth pony says as he stands from his spot in the throne room. "I know that this may not seem like a very pressing matter to this court, but believe me, you should be worried. If Discord takes us over, then you will be surrounded by his tyranny on every side."

"Son," an older alicorn speaks up. He sat beside a row of other alicorns, including Starry Knight, at a table in front of the throne. "Discord has tried many times to invade this proud kingdom. And not once has he ever succeeded."

"Not only that, but one of the primary reasons his attempts have been so unsuccessful is that we have concentrated our efforts on our own defenses for the last seventy-five years," a second advisor speaks. "How can you expect us to protect our own people if we thin out our armies like we did in the past?"

"Please, council... your majesty," the earth pony pleads, "Our kingdom has been a strong one, withstanding the cold and the hostile environment for countless generations. We have offered our support to you many times, and believe me, we would continue to do so in the future. But how can we do that if our kingdom is torn asunder?"

"My dear colt, we have not needed your help."

"With Discord and his forces surrounding you on every corner," the earth pony keeps on, "I doubt that will continue to be the case. I fear Discord will win slaves and warriors out of my brethren. You can either be their allies today, or their enemies tomorrow."

"What is your name?"

"Iron Sword."

"Your breath is wasted. If you wish to live, stay here. But if you want to help your people so badly, then go home, Iron Sword."

Starry Knight keeps quiet, not wanting to oppose the king's view on the matter. He simply looks in his direction, and then to the prince, wondering if he'd say anything.

"Enough of this," the king suddenly says, "I'm tired. I cannot waste my time on this matter, we all know where it ends. I am going to bed, and I suggest all of you do the same."

The advisers all leave, as does the prince. Iron Sword stands there, and looks at Starry Knight, the last pony there. For a few moments, he seems to want to say one final word, but instead turns and leaves. Starry lets out a sigh, and makes his own leave.

I want to say something. But I can't afford it. We have the resources, we should help.

Starry Knight walks through the streets, heading home for the night. Along the way, he stops, and looks around to make sure nopony is following, and then takes a turn onto a different street. He takes the road to the edge of the city, and once he gets there, he waits.

A few moments pass by, and then another alicorn passes him. She wears a black, hooded cloak, and trots onward, away from the city limits, giving him only a glance, and a bright smile. He follows after her. The night grows darker, and a half hour passes before they reach a tall oak tree near a crossroads.

"Moonlight, I—" Starry begins to speak but is suddenly hushed as the mare presses a hoof to his lips. A half second passes before she leans into him and gives him a warm, passionate kiss. He doesn't hesitate, and kisses right back, pulling her hood off of her head and wrapping a hoof around her to hold her tight.

"Will you stay tonight?" she asks him a few moments after the kiss ends. Her dark purple mane hides her form in the dark of the night as she sheds her cloak, and leans in closer to him.

"I will."

She simply smiles at the response, and then gives his cheek a tender peck. The two of them lay down together and snuggle up closely to sleep through the night with one another.

I'm not perfect. I betray the trust of everypony I'm supposed to be close to . . . My best friend. My fiancé, the princess. My king. Instead, I love the king's illegitimate daughter, my best friends lifelong crush. My rank is a direct result of one of those relationships I betray. And I can't even stand for what I believe in when it matters.