A Tale of Strife

Chapter 2

Canterlot was in ruins. Everywhere Twilight looked, there was debris. The once majestic towers of the illustrious castle were in pieces scattered across the city. Homes were burning, streets caved in, walls crumbled into dust, and gaping holes with debris and gems from the Canterlot Caves were present in every corner of the broken capital. The orange glow from the fires was the only source of light, save Princess Luna’s moon, which was heavily shrouded by what appeared to be storm clouds. The smell of ash and rubble filled the skies as Twilight and her friends flew over Canterlot. As for the sound, Twilight had never heard such agony as the cries of homeless ponies and the mourning of loved ones echoed throughout the kingdom. Much like the rest of the country, Canterlot Castle was shattered.

As Twilight and her friends descended back down to the ground, familiar sights came to their eyes, such as the Castle Labyrinth, Gardens and Court Yard, as well as the Royal Guards. Among the various pegasi and unicorn soldiers stood a tall stallion adorned with several medals, donning the armor of a captain. As Twilight stepped down from the chariot, she came face to face with her brother, Shinning Armor.

“Twi-ly!” shouted the captain as he rushed to his sister and wrapped his fore-hoof around her neck, tightly. Twilight wasn’t expecting such an embrace, and felt her neck getting crushed by her brother’s massive arm. She coughed a few times, making Shinning Armor quickly collect himself and release his sister. “Erm, sorry Twi-ly. I’m just so glad you’re okay. So many others have been injured and-.” Shinning Armor was interrupted by her sister hugging him around the neck, tightly. He held on to her sister for a moment before releasing her and smiling.

“I’m glad you’re okay, too.” It was a touching moment indeed. Even some of the guards were getting teary eyed, which only made Rainbow Dash snicker at their display of emotions. “How is everypony, BBBFF? Are mom and dad okay? What about Cadence or Luna? How are-?” Twilight was interrupted by her brother lifting his hoof for silence.

“Everyone’s okay. Mom’s a little beaten up from some shattered glass, but she’s alive.” He turned away from them to face the castle entrance. “Follow me. Princess Celestia asked for you, right?” The six and Spike all nodded. “Then let me take you to her.” He walked forward, not waiting for the others to start walking. The seven of them looked at one another before taking off in a gallop to catch up.

Despite the outside of the castle, Canterlot looked exactly the same, as if it wasn’t touched by the cataclysm. Of course there were broken windows and giant cracks every so often, but beyond that the castle looked intact. Twilight looked around the halls, taking in the damage, observing everything in silence, until they came across a rather peculiar door. It was pink and fluffy with fur. Twilight blinked a few times at the strange door, and looked back at her friends to realize that they too were entranced by its fluffy nature. Shinning Armor turned around and stopped for the seven.

“That’s Discord’s room. He changes his door everyday to something very obscure. You should have seen what it was yesterday, it was upside down and so small a mouse could barely fit in it.” Shinning Armor slowly approached the door and sighed with discontent. “And as much as I hate his room, I should probably tell him to come out. This earthquake concerns him, too.” He swallowed hard and walked over to his door. He first tried to knock on the fluffy surface. The door grew teeth and roared at Shinning Armor, as if he had just hurt it. “Okay… that didn’t work.”

“Ooo. Let me try!” shouted Pinkie Pie as she bounded towards the door. Once in front of it, she gently placed her hoof on the fluffy surface and began to pet the door like a cat, which in turn made the door purr like one, too, and open up. “Oh wow! Look at this place!” The others poked their heads through the door in awe.

Discord’s room was anything but a room. What they saw was a meadow behind a door. The skies had pink cotton candy clouds and chocolate rain, one half of the room was night while the other was day, the fields were polka dot and striped, and the birds were flying backwards. However, Discord was nowhere in sight.

“How are we going to find him in here?” Twilight asked. Immediately everyone looked down at Pinkie Pie, who was happily observing the chaotic scene before her. She looked up at her friends for a moment before realizing why they were staring at her.

“Ooooh… You want me to…?” she asked, pointing a hoof into the room. All seven of them nodded their heads, collectively. Her reaction was not what they were expecting.

Pinkie Pie bolted into the room and immediately began to experience the wonders of chaos. She bounded on the meadow, discovering that the polka dots were actually trampolines, she drank the chocolate rain that fell from the cotton candy clouds, and she jumped back and forth between the day side and night side of the room. She eventually deviated towards two trees that were side-by-side with feathers as leaves. Between the trees was a hammock made of clouds. On the hammock was none other than Discord, snoozing with a book laying open on his face, upside-down no less.

“I found him! I found him!” Pinkie shouted as she jumped onto the Spirit of Chaos, waking him up and giggling in the process. Discord flailed for a moment as he awoke from his nap, looking around and wondering what was going on.

“Huh wha’? What’s going on?” Discord looked down at Pinkie Pie and groaned. “Can’t you see I’m sleeping?” Before he could ask any more, Shinning Armor and the others approached Discord’s hammock.

“Get up, Discord. Twilight’s here and Celestia has asked for you to come along.” Discord looked behind Shinning Armor at Twilight and rolled his eyes.

“Bah, you woke me up for that?” he asked as he rolled over and tried to fall back asleep. Before he could get the chance, however, Pinkie Pie began to jump up and down on the cranky spirit.

“Wakey wakey, sleepy head!” she cried while jumping on Discord. The Spirit of Chaos was not amused. He groaned louder and tried to shove Pinkie off him, but she wouldn’t budge. Eventually, he snapped his fingers and teleported away from the hammock while Pinkie was in mid jump. She fell through the cloud material and landed hard on her plot before Discord snickered at her misfortune from the tree above.

“Enough, Discord. Get down from there.”

“Or what, Captain? Are you going to love me to death like the changelings?” Discord let out a playful cackle, which was shortly interrupted by him falling through the feathers on the tree and landing on his butt, hard. He rubbed his sore behind and looked at Shinning Armor.

“Now,” Shinning growled. What Twilight saw next shocked her. Within Discord’s eyes, she saw fear. She had no idea why Discord would ever fear anypony, being the Spirit of Chaos after all. Not only that, but he feared Shinning Armor. What did he possibly do to strike such fear into his heart?

Discord slowly stood up and bowed his head respectfully. “Yes, Captain,” Discord said with a hint of defeat in his voice. Shinning Armor turned his head away from the spirit and back at Twilight, winking at her before trotting off to the door.

“Come on, everypony. We’re late for the Princess.” Twilight kept her distance for a while. The nine of them traversed the broken halls of Canterlot. Discord and Fluttershy were catching up, Pinkie was eating a cotton candy cloud she snagged from Discord’s room, Apple Jack and Rainbow Dash were talking about what they were planning on doing to help out around Canterlot, since they were going to be there a while, and Spike was gawking at Rarity, as usual. Everypony was talking, except Twilight and Shinning. She stayed in the back of the group while her brother led them in front. Never before had Twilight felt more awkward around her brother than that moment. She was still processing what she had witnessed in Discord’s room, and what her brother could have possibly done to cause such panic in him. Perhaps it was his tone, or maybe Discord was afraid of being turned back into stone if he didn’t cooperate. Eventually, she shrugged the suspicion off when they all reached the throne room, and at the end of the hall stood the majestic regal, Princess Celestia.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight shouted as she glided towards Celestia on her new wings and nuzzled her head against her before she could react. Celestia smiled and hugged her faithful student with her wing.

“I’m so glad you and your friends are well, Twilight. Much has happened in the last few hours.” Everyone frowned, even Discord.

“What’s happened, Princess? Why was there an earthquake? Who caused it? What caused it? Is everypony alright? How’s Canter-?” Twilight was cut off by Celestia raising her hoof for silence, her face showing a hint of annoyance. Usually the regal was calm and collected, but after the events that transpired, she could barely keep herself from snapping.

“I’m not sure what caused such a tragedy, Twilight. None of us are. Even Discord seems to be stumped on what has happened, and he commands reality.” Everyone looked to Discord for a response.

“I was able to trace where the tremor came from, but that’s about it. I don’t know how or why it happened.”

“Where was the epicenter?” Twilight asked.

“Epi-what?” Rainbow Dash asked, confused by such a big word.

“Epicenter. It’s where the earthquake originated,” Twilight replied, sounding as if she was losing her patience.

“The epicenter is somewhere close to the old castle where Celestia, Luna and I use to live. I believe you remember it, Twilight Sparkle?” Twilight did indeed. It was the ruins where she and her friends found the Elements of Harmony, the ruins where they faced Nightmare Moon, the ruins where she realized that Apple Jack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash were her friends.

“Woah woah, time out. You lived with Celestia and Luna at the old castle?” Rainbow Dash asked, suspicious to Discord’s story.

“We knew each other as fillies, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia replied. “It was a long time ago before-.”

“Please, Celestia,” Discord interjected before she could continue. Both Twilight and Celestia could see it, the pain in Discord’s eyes. Realizing what pain it caused for Discord to remember the past, Celestia did not continue the story. “Anyway, that’s not the only thing that’s strange.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“You see, the epicenter is near the ruins. However, the ruins appear completely untouched, as if there was no earthquake at all.”

“Now how in the hay is that possible?” Apple Jack asked. “Now Ay know tremors, we’ve had some in the past, and their startin’ points are always destroyed. So how in Equestria could an already weakened castle still stand?”

“That’s the mystery, isn’t it?” Celestia replied. “It’s why I believe this had to be done by somepony. Or something.” Twilight and her friends grew worried. They looked at one another for a response. None of them could think of anything. Twilight turned back to her teacher.

“What does this mean, Princess?” Celestia sighed and released Twilight from her wing’s embrace.

“Follow me.” Without hesitation, everyone, even Discord, followed Princess Celestia through a corridor. They eventually came across a gate which Twilight was all too familiar with. Celestia remained quiet as she opened the iron-gate and lit the braziers in the massive room with bookshelves filled with tomes and scrolls, and a large hourglass in the center of the room. Twilight and her friends stood in the Star Swirl the Bearded section of the castle.

“I believe you’re familiar with this room?” Celestia said, extending her hoof out to present the archive of spells and incantations to the nine of them. Twilight’s eyes lit up.

“We’re in Star Swirl’s corridor!” Twilight squealed like a fan mare.

“Yes, and it is here that Star Swirl recorded much of his research, as well as his discoveries.” Celestia walked over to one of the bookshelves and pulled an old leather-bound tome with the words, “Journal, Volume Four,” written on the cover out with her magic. “It is here that I found something interesting. An entry pertaining to some dark power that Star Swirl mentioned to me a thousand years ago.” She took the journal to Star Swirl’s old desk and opened it to where the book mark was placed, most likely by her. Twilight and her friends leaned over and began to read.

~~~~~

Entry 14,

Much has happened since Discord was turned to stone. I wish it didn’t have to be this way, but he left us no other alternative. He had such potential to be the greatest sorcerer this world has ever seen. If only he didn’t deviate from the right path.

And yet, I still question how one who had such promise would turn against his friends and family so suddenly. What possessed Discord to turn?

That’s when it hit me. Possessed. We use the term so loosely. Yet this time, I can honestly say that there may be some meaning to that word. Perhaps, just maybe, something actually did possess him.

My suspicion is only confirmed from the sudden change of heart from my old friend, King Sombra. I always knew he had some interest in the dark arts, but he knew the dangers of it, and he didn’t want to risk the safety of his ponies, especially his daughter. Yet, as I write this, he’s off enslaving his own kind with an iron hoof, consumed by the dark arts.

I knew Sombra. How could such a good King have turned so bad? On top of that, how could such a good King with very limited magic have become so powerful, even with the dark arts?

I have a theory. Perhaps, just maybe, there is something causing this sudden change within everypony. I just hope I can find a way to figure out this puzzle, before somepony like Clover or Tia or Luna get corrupted.

I’m running out of time…

Star Swirl

~~~~~

Twilight and her friends finished reading the entry. They were stunned from all that they read, all the history and relationships, but most important the theory that Star Swirl had. What was this darkness he had mentioned? How did it affect Discord or Sombra? Was this the same entity? Twilight was the first to break the silence.

“What could this mean, Princess?”

“You tell me, Twilight.” The lavender regal took a moment to think it through. It must have been the same power otherwise Celestia wouldn’t have shown them the journal. What’s more, since Celestia didn’t show them any other entries, she had to assume there was virtually no other information on the subject.

“This was Star Swirl’s only mention of his theory. The rest of the entries tell of his preparations for his departure, and of what happened to Luna before he left.” Celestia closed the book with her hoof. “We can’t take this information lightly. If Star Swirl was on to something, then maybe he has the answers we’re looking for.”

“But Princess, isn’t Star Swirl… you know?”

“It’s been a thousand years, Twilight! Of course he is!” Celestia snapped back, upset by the fact that there was no way to ask the most brilliant stallion more about the subject. She took a deep breath and brought Twilight close with her wing for a hug. “I’m sorry. It’s just… With all that’s-.” Twilight nuzzled against Celestia to silence her.

“You don’t need to explain, Princess. Just tell us, what should we do?” Celestia smiled. She didn’t want to upset her faithful student. After the day she had, she wanted whatever comfort she could receive.

“We need to find out what this dark entity is. With any luck, we can find it before it causes any more harm to the citizens of Equestria, and use the Elements of Harmony against it. We must stop this evil at all costs.” Twilight looked back at her friends for a response. All five of them nodded their heads in agreement before Twilight turned back to her mentor.

“You can count on us, Princess!” Twilight said with confidence. Celestia smiled and sighed with relief before turning her attention to Shinning Armor.

“Captain, I need you to send out the guards. Have them search the kingdom for this evil.” Shinning nodded his head and saluted with his fore-hoof before Celestia turned to the Spirit of Chaos. “Discord, I need you with Shinning Armor. See if you can’t sense any disturbances with your magic. Maybe you’ll find it quicker that way.” Discord didn’t bow. He created a tutu around his waist and curtsied. Celestia couldn’t help but laugh. She needed that.

“What about us, Princess?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“You six will stay here in Canterlot. I need you all by my side, ready to use the Elements when they’re needed.” They all nodded in agreement. “This is a dark time in our history, girls. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves.”

On that note, Twilight and her friends were escorted to a hallway with six rooms, three doors on each side facing each other. Despite each of them getting a room of their own, they shared rooms out of fear of being alone. Twilight and Spike’s usual room in Canterlot was destroyed during the cataclysm, so they took up one of the spare rooms as well. It felt familiar to Twilight, as the bed was simple, like her old one in Ponyville, and there was a basket next to it for Spike to sleep in. In a way, it felt like home. However, that only made Twilight’s heart sink.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” Spike asked as he climbed into his basket, getting ready for bed.

“Oh um, n-nothing, Spike. I’m just… thinking.”

“About what Celestia said?” Spike asked, totally oblivious to Twilight’s true feelings.

“Well that…. But…” She silenced herself and sighed. “I’m just nervous is all.” That was more or less true.

“You have nothing to be worried about, Twi,” Spike yawned. “You’re the most powerful alicorn in Equestria.”

“Well I don’t know about that, Spike,” Twilight refuted as her cheeks turned bright pink from the praise.

“You are, Twi. Stop worrying so much.” He yawned again before rolling over in his basket. “Tomorrow morning will… be…” Before he could finish, he dozed off. Twilight’s ears drooped as she felt a wave of doubt overwhelm her. Despite that, she still rolled over in her bed and closed her eyes, drifting off to a peaceful sleep. Or, so she wished.

~~~~~

Twilight stood in front of Ponyville, or what was left of it. The sky was black and the ground was grey, covered in ash. The quaint little town was burned to the ground, and Twilight stood in the wreckage, alone. She walked around the burned down village, calling out to no one.

“Hello? Anypony home? Is… Is anypony here?” In an instant, Twilight heard groans of pain and agony. She turned around and saw a filly. She was transparent and ghost white with empty black eyes and silvery stains all on her pale coat. Around the silvery stains were gashes and cuts. What she was staring at, was the spirit of a dead filly, covered in blood.

“Why didn’t you save us?” she asked, her voice sounding in pain.

“Where were you, Princess?” another voice asked behind her. She turned around to see a mare who looked just like the filly, her mother. “Why didn’t you save my baby? Why?”

“Why didn’t you help us?” another voice chimed in, this one was a stallion. All around her, more and more spirits were slowly approaching her, crying in pain and agony, wondering where Twilight Sparkle was, and why she didn’t save them all. Then, she saw something that made her heart stop. She turned around, and saw her friends, as ghosts.

“It’s all your fault, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said.

“You did this,” Fluttershy added.

“I didn’t even get a party for my funeral,” Pinkie growled. Her friends were turning on her. Tears welled in her eyes as they moved closer and closer.

“I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry!” Twilight cried as she collapsed to the ground. Her head was gently tilted up by a familiar hoof with jewel encrusted shoes. It was Princess Celestia. Twilight looked up with a smile of relief. “Thank goodness you’re-.” Twilight screamed at the sight of Celestia’s ghost. Her horn was shattered and her wings were broken. She looked like she came back from war, especially with the hole in her chest with silver stains all over from a spear wound.

“You are not Princess material, Twilight. You have failed us all.” Twilight’s heart broke. She began to cry as her body shook and turned cold. Then, a new voice was heard. Twilight perked her ears at the sound of laughter, and looked up at the sky. What she saw made her heart skip a beat. The black clouds had two giant demonic red eyes, staring straight at her. The laughter grew into a loud, maddening cackle that rang in Twilight’s ears. She screamed in terror and felt herself falling. She fell further and further until finally, she bolted up from her bed in a gasp, breathing heavily and sweating.

“It was only a nightmare,” she told herself before rolling back into bed, trying to forget her night terror.