Aquilon

Overture

        Moonlight streamed down through the trees. It was midnight in the Everfree forest. But on this night there were no birds flittering through the canopy. No mice in the brush. No anything. Aside from the wind in the trees, silence hung over the scene. As she passed the stream which she did every night, Zecora took these oddities into account. She noticed the lack of animals as well as the abnormal darkness. It was never this dark.

A foreboding mist had settled in beneath the branches as well, making the forest's navigation quite the challenge. She was conducting her weekly rounds about her domain, checking for disturbances. She examined every facet of the forest though she put the natural aspects under the greatest scrutiny. Most nights it was the same. However tonight, something was stirring. She raced over to various trees, running her hooves over their bark. They were too rough and dark coloured. She darted to the river. The swirling navy water was coursing along it’s normal path. She knelt down to taste it. Reeling at its bitterness she thought aloud,

        “Something is quite wrong, but what it is that does not belong...” it was in this puzzle that Zecora hit a wall. She stopped

at all the usual sensors. Each and everyone of them foretold something was askew.

        “But what could possibly be amuck, though in this pursuit sadly I am stuck.” On any given day she was the go to for

inquiries of all sorts. Today she was utterly flummoxed. Zecora sighed and decided whatever it was could wait till morning to

solve. Looking back up at the canopy, a cold breeze whistled through the leaves. The rustling unnerved her now as her guard was up. Hastening her pace she began her return. On the way back the odd sugns were still evidnent as if the development was mocking her. Arriving at the cottage she made sure to secure the entrances before settling down. still she was offset by the quandary. Then, after making a note reminding herself of her search and consuming a light snack, she retired to her quarters to rest her mind for the inevitable puzzle that dawn would bring.

 Meanwhile in Ponyville, the solution to Zecora’s conundrum was slowly sneaking through the vacant streets. Calmly yet decisively this shadow embodied the phrase festina lente. Without panic he stole through the gardens and found himself in front of the library.

        “Alas. The wait is up! Intermission is over and act two of my ballad shall commence!” The figure was none other the great Discord. Unbeknownst to the denizens of Equestria, the Draconequus was free. While he may have been “defeated”, it isn’t so easy to restrain a force of his caliber. Now once again the long term thorn in the sun princess’s side was roaming the lands. The only difference was that the old stick didn’t have a clue. So as long as he covered his tracks he had carte blanche. But Discord hadn’t spent his free time faffing around. No the king of chaos was his usual self, which meant that he was most certainly plotting his revenge. Back when he first returned, the 6 “Elements of Harmony” shot him down. They supposedly incarcerated him within a stone shell. But, despite all of Celestia’s efforts, the chaos lord still escaped.

        “Hehehehehe... Here I come Princess.” He chuckled to himself as he approached the library. “A chain of event which you could have never expected has been set into motion.” With a quick snap of his tail the draconequus conjured a mirror. He turned to his reflection smiling deviously.

        “Why hello there. Quite the handsome one aren’t you. How would you like to hear all about my fun little plan? Oh don’t worry, it will be worth your while. So after I fled the scene of my most embarising defeat, I went to the mountains; the land of the Griffins. There I plyed my trade, using a few pinches of magic and many, many heaps of mollification to gain the irritable chickens as allies. Lucky for me the assuagement worked wonders not only with the bird-lions, but with plenty of other disenfranchised groups along the way. Lastly I made my way to the new abode of the Late Queen Chrysalis and her Changeling hordes. While the death of the queen to some odd disease was quite sad, it certainly made my quest much easier. The weak regent leader crumbled under my pressure and I soon assumed total control. With my army ready, I was almost ready to take back my rightful throne. One last problem. Those pesky ponies. Last time I grew prominent they impudently interrupted my coup. But I am no fool. I know that without the purple one, the others would have fallen easy prey to my tricks. But that one, the student of Celestia. She was the barrier. Get rid of her and all impediments would be done away with. Now thats why I am here. How would I go about doing so you may ask?” The reflection did not respond.

        “Great question! While I was wandering the northlands, I developed a new spell. This new incantation was quite complex. I created a world! Yes a new world rich in lore and history with it’s own people and all that jazz. I simulated a quite interesting scenario there as well and it is to this world which I shall send Twilight. Yes it is in my made up realm that I shall imprison that incessant do-gooder. I care not for what she does when there but she won’t be able to return unless I permit it. That is the last part of my plan. So what do you think?” Once again the reflection did not respond. Discord chuckled, poofed the mirror away and entered the library. He pushed aside the dutch doors, having to squat to make it through, and proceeded through the first floor without a hint of noise. He seemed to glide over the floor and his conviction was evident: he was not going to fail this time. By the time he reached to top of the staircase the edge of the sun was becoming visible over the horizon and the ultramarine sky was growing orange. He knew now that time was of the essence. As he moved toward the bed, a small shape was stirring in the corner of his vision. No the dragon! Acting quickly without panic he tapped the lump with his tail and the purple ball was once again deep in sleep.

        “Now for the job.” Most of the mirth had left his system as he sat beside the sleeping figure. Then, removing a scroll from his knapsack, he slit his finger and dripped a small amount of blood onto the design. Then after doing the same with Twilights hoof, he began the ritual. It took all of two minutes but in a flash of green and purple light, she was gone. It had sucked all the energy from him and he crumpled against the wall. Well that was worse than I expected. Barely have enough in the reserves to get me out of here. And with the thought thunk and the deed done, he zipped himself out of the library. But when the bicoloured haze dissipated a small amount of residue from the spell remained on the ground. Turns out the deed was done but not without complication.