//------------------------------// // Chapter Three - The Vaults // Story: The Light of the four // by hoodedfigurine //------------------------------// Chapter 3 – The Vaults The 17th of the season of Celestia - 1023 ANM Sir Discord Your presence is requested with due haste, a matter has arisen that necessitates your presence as it has mine, meet us at the castle of the Two Sisters, do not delay. Your friend Princess Celestia of Equestria ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lounging on a candyfloss cloud the draconequss stroked his curled goatee, “Hmm, not even signed, how rude, or suspicious, nah this must be urgent, but the castle of the Two sisters, what business does Tia have there?” Intrigued Discord stretched his multi-species limbs, the claw was always the worst it always has a habit of cramping. Standing up the cloud ripped, some it sticking to his rear, “I must speak to Pinkie about the candy recipe,” He thought gobbling down the remaining candy floss. Discord smirked to himself, “Well time for a grand entrance,” With a click of his fingers and a poof of smoke he was on his way. Far across the land the stage was set, smoke enveloped the floor, trumpets and drums rang out to announce his arrival. Celestia cringed internally, normally reformed Discord's antics provide a refreshing respite from the mundane day to day running of the realm, but now was a really bad time. Squeaking and crackling fireworks erupted out from the old thrones in every direction, “You asked for more of him, and what master of chaos would I be if I denied my adoring fans!” Boomed Discord's voice, “A very poor one at that, it is my duty to bring madness and mayhem to anypony who needs their day lit up! So put your hoofs and assorted limbs together for the one the only true lord of chaos, Discord!” The room was filled with images of Discord whooping and cheering on their creator. Above them candy clouds opened up raining down chocolate milk upon the two ponies in the room, at last with a clap of thunder Discord stood tall between the thrones, grinning proudly for his little display. “Well, I’m he…ereeee,” Discord's face dropped, the glare from Celestia and the gobsmacked face of Luna was enough to tell him that whatever had happened was bad, very bad. Celestia spoke first, “Discord please it’s not a good time.” “Oh, sorry,” Discord mumbled shaking his head, with another click and a flash the fanfare had ended and the sisters were no longer soaking in chocolate milk, “So um, what is so urgent?” Discord inquired gaining a more serious composure. “It’s Twilight she desperately needs our help, our knowledge, tell me what do you know about magic mirrors?” Celestia’s voice was strained, clearly she was anxious, very unlike the strong and powerful leader Discord knew if something could ruffle her feathers dire things would follow. Before Discord could speak, Luna interjected, “Thy sister is most upset, it is best if thee come with us to the vaults, there thee will understand what has come to pass.” The sisters turned to leave, taking the path leading down past the dungeons and into the depths of the vaults. With little choice from his own concern and curiosity Discord silently followed. As the group entered the dark and gloomy vaults a presence that seemed to sap the life, the magic, from all who entered washed over Discord, that’s when he saw a terrible sight, one he had seen before, one he had caused before. An exhausted Twilight was sprawled on the cold stone floor being comforted by Cadence. Twilight had wounds all over her frame, none that were lethal, but the object of most concern was the colour of her coat and mane, or rather the lack of colour, she was grey all over. “How can this be?” Discord exclaimed, “There are very few creatures in this world that have the will and power to do something like this! I should know before I found the magic of friendship I took pride in my ability to crush a ponies soul and that took great effort on my part, and even then, this is Twilight Sparkle we are talking about, she is one of if not the most impressive ponies I have ever met! She is the embodiment of magic for goodness’ sake!” “Discord!” Celestia snapped, “Can you fix her, I… I couldn’t bare to lose her.” “This is beyond my power, to be honest, Twilight was the first to reverse this effect and only after wielding the elements, I know little about the reversing process,” Discord voice was one of defeat, “Speaking of the elements, where are they, do they know what has happened to Twilight?” An uncomfortable silence filled the room, strange for the company which usual had so much to say, it pulled on Discords mind. “We don’t know, although we can only presume that they do,” Cadence spoke for the first time, “They are still in there.” Discord looked up to see Cadence pointing a shaking hoof at the swirling portal enclosed by the mirror frame. “You mean, they haven’t returned?” Panicking, Discord's claw was raised accusingly at Celestia, “Of all the ponies how could you be so irresponsible,” He roared, “Remember what happened last time you interfered with magic beyond our understanding, foolishly using a mirror to satisfy a love, which could never be! You plunged that world’s Sombra into darkness and nearly collided two realities together! I may of even been impressed with the resulting chaos if it wouldn't have been so damned dangerous!” Celestia’s frame shrunk as Discord marched towards her with his unrelenting assault. “And now look where it has ended us all at, this is a... ” Discord's rant continued. “BE STILL!” Luna’s wings flared, her voice booming across the cavernous vault, “We are aware of thy sisters previous transgressions, but what matters is here and now, we needed to determine the extent of the danger posed by the artifact.” “So you sent in Equestria’s most powerful defenders into the unknown without even a second thought? Let me guess you didn’t think the tried and tested, just send Twilight method would fail! Am I seriously the only one who is providing sense to this situation? Me? The Lord of Chaos,” Much more of this and Discord was going to completely lose it. “It is not that simple Discord, Twilight uncovered the mirror earlier today searching the ruins at my behest, in doing so she accidentally activated the portal to…” “Darkness,” Celestia was interrupted by the soft and weak mumbles of Twilight. “Yes,” Putting on a brave face, Celestia continued, “Did you not feel the cold when you walked in here? We wanted to send scouts, but once the portal had opened only the strongest willed creatures didn't get spooked, there is something very dark and powerful lingering through there, once we discovered the presence we didn’t want anypony else knowing about it, it could draw evil minds here, ones that would foolishy seek to control such a power, we could not let that happen!” Discord muttered under his breath and nodded in agreement, “I suppose you’re correct,” He said, backing down from Celestia. “Good, now you've stopped fighting among yourselves, what do you propose we do to help Twilight and her friends?” Cadence asked, “What do you know about the mirrors Discord?” “Hmm, well I know that they were around before I was rather rudely turned to stone,” Discord pondered, “But other than they are very old, I have had no past dealings with them.” “We have no other choice then, we must retrieve the elements, thus there is only one course of action, Discord as a being of chaos it stands to reason that you will be immune to the disharmony gripping Twilight, your friends on both sides of the mirror need you, Luna, Cadence and I will remain watch over Twilight and the mirror, it pains me to say it but if the danger to Equestria increases we will have no other option but to attempt to close the portal if it is even at all possible and even if you and the others are still on the other side, have I made myself clear?” Celestia’s regale light shone through again, like this she was a sight to behold, an beacon of hope where ever she went, she was truly the goddess of the sun. “Yes mam!” Instilled by Celestia’s new presence Discord gave a quick over dramatic salute, “I’d do anything to help Fluttershy and our friends.” “Then it is settled,” Luna nodded in agreement, “Thank you Discord for doing this.” “It means a lot to all of us,” Cadence added, motioning toward Twilight. “Well then, I guess I’ll see you on the other side,” Discord turned to face the swirling portal. Deep down he was still unsure of himself, but if Fluttershy was in danger then his own safety mattered little. Turning back to face the princesses Discord gave a toothy grin and then, stepping backwards passed through into the dark beyond. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A wide eyed Spike blinked repeatedly, the screen had gone white and the projector kept clicking, the film had run out.