"Princess Luna and I cannot express how pleased we are to see so many bright young minds gathered for another year of studies," Celestia said proudly, speaking for Luna as usual. The midnight blue Alicorn struggled to maintain the false smile she plastered on her face as she stood in front of the students at Celestia's Academy for Gifted Unicorns. Celestia stood front and center, Luna on her left, and Twilight Sparkle on her right. The lilac colored Alicorn stepped forward, switching places with Celestia.
"As a graduate of the academy myself, I can assure you that your time here will pay off earlier than you expect," Twilight said, smiling warmly at the eager faces of two hundred fillies and colts.
It took every ounce of Luna's willpower not to gape. She had never been permitted to speak at the start-of-year Academy feast! Why was Twilight? Cold fury pulsed through Luna's veins as Twilight spoke for a good twenty minutes. Finally, Twilight closed her speech, and Celestia bid the Academy farewell. The white Alicorn teleported away, then Twilight, then Luna. Instead of teleporting to the throne room as the princesses would normally do, Luna went straight to her chambers.
"How dare she! She had been a 'princess'," Luna spat the word with disdain, "For no more than a week!"
"Luna, Luna, Luna..." A silky voice spoke from the shadows. Luna's attention snapped to the darkest corner of her room.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Luna whispered murderously.
"Oops! Right, of course," The voice chuckled. A familiar draconequus slithered into view.
"Discord," Luna said, narrowing her eyes in suspicion. "What are you doing here?"
"It seems you are playing the role of a... damsel in distress, one might say," Discord said, flashing a sickening smile. "Twilight Sparkle has officially overshadowed the great princess of the night!"
"I should banish you straight to Tartarus," Luna snarled. "Give me one good reason I should not."
"Why, you haven't even given me a chance!" Discord said, placing a claw on his chest in mock-heartache. Luna lit her horn. "Alright, alright! Goodness, you Alicorns are no fun," Discord pouted.
"I'll ask once more. What are you doing here?"
"I'll be brief, then," the god of chaos said. "You need my help."
"No. Absolutely not," Luna said immediately.
"Hear me out, Princess," Discord said, holding up his paw. "I have a spell that can turn Celestia into a mere mortal. A commoner."
"You- What?" Luna stammered, her magic deactivating.
"I," Discord said slowly, pointing to himself, "can give you," He pointed to Luna, "A spell that will remove Celestia's wings, and make her mortal."
Luna stared at the dragon-pony-whatever-else-he-was hybrid. Then her guard was up again. "And just what interest have you in helping myself and my cause?"
Discord chuckled. "I am the embodiment of chaos," He said proudly. "It's my job."
"Before I accept your offer- And I am not saying I will- I want a full explanation of this spell. How does it work?" Luna pried.
"It's rather simple. All you need is proof that Celestia has no business being immortal. And your horn, of course, but that's assumed," Discord drawled.
"Such evidence can be produced easily. What sort shall I procure?" Luna asked, slipping into her extended vocabulary as she thought.
"Any wrongdoings that have gone unnoticed or undisciplined," Discord answered, fixing Luna with an innocent stare. Thoughts of the ponies in the allies of Canterlot fueled a burning hatred in Luna's chest.
"Alright. I accept your offer," Luna said. "What is the spell?"
"Hold your Pegasi, Lulu," The draconequus said. Luna growled at the nickname. "I want something in return."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "Such as?"
"You plan on putting Celestia under a sort of... house arrest, am I right?" Discord asked. Luna nodded warily. "I want to be her guard."
"Why?" Luna asked, taken aback by the simplicity of the request.
"Let's just say, I have minor bone to pick with her," Discord responded vaguely. Luna stared at him. She knew that back in the day, Luna had only had a minor part in imprisoning Discord. Celestia, of course, had taken the reins and done most of the work herself.
Taking a deep breath, Luna complied. "Alright. Deal," She said, extending her hoof to meet Discord's paw. Discord smiled greedily, and touching Luna's nose with a claw. Instantly, a wave of heat shot through Luna's body, concentrating in her horn. She jerked away from Discord, shaking her head violently.
"What was that?!" She shouted.
"That was the spell. Cast it quickly now," Discord urged.
Though she was still a bit disoriented, Luna directed the energy out of her horn. When the aura around her horn faded, there were no visible effects, and Luna was rather disappointed.
Discord, however, seemed unfazed. "Three, two, -"
An ear-piercing scream echoed through the corridors of the castle.
"Huh. It seems I was a bit late," Discord muttered. "Ta ta, now!" He disappeared. Luna rolled her eyes, then turned her attention to the frantic hoofsteps moving rapidly towards her chambers.
"Luna! What is going on?!" Celestia shrieked as she burst into the room. It was a sight Luna hadn't beheld in thousands of years. The white pony before her had a simple pink mane that lay frizzy against her ears. She was slightly smaller than Luna, and had only a horn. The only thing that made Luna absolutely sure that this was her sister, was the cutie mark of a sun. It was almost laughable.
Twilight was hot on Celestia's heels, looking down on her mentor in fear and confusion. Luna suddenly realized a slight flaw in her plan. Twilight had to be done away with. This was a mare so powerful that she defeated Nightmare Moon, Queen Chrysalis, Discord, and countless other foes. If Twilight caught a whiff of Luna's plan, all would be lost.
"Lulu, help me," Celestia whimpered pitifully. Maintaining her composure, Luna did her best to look horrified.
"Tia, what hast happened to thee?" She simpered.
"I don't know! I didn't feel anything expect my wings shrinking into my back! I haven't the slightest idea what happened!" Celestia shrieked.
"Shh, we'll figure it out," Luna purred. She looked to Twilight. "Fetch a physician. And then my two students, Midnight Rose and Slate. I may require their assistance with my research. I ask that you stay by Celestia's side while we try to figure this out. She needs the comfort."
Twilight nodded, her face ashen. Luna turned and left the room, finally allowing a pleased smirk to cross her features. It fell quickly, however.
She needed to find Discord. Twilight Sparkle must meet her end, once and for all.