The Throne room was silent for all except the dull hum of the projector, Spike sat upright upon Twilight's throne digesting the events placed before him.
"It's a lot to take in", Discord began, "So..."
"This reveals little Discord, why stop there? There is clearly much more to this tale, all I can take away from your version of events is that something involving one of the magic mirrors happened at the Castle of the Two Sisters, you didn't explain what you meant, as good as dead, nor did you give reasons for why the world we know has come to pass, you must show me more!" Spike was trying to mask his anger, sorrow and frustration, but Discord was right, even after all these years, seeing the fate of Twilight was painful, tears welled in Spikes's eyes, his anguish was written all over his face.
"I'm sorry Spike, I tried, but I couldn't save her, I couldn't save any of them, I'm so ashamed to call myself their, your friend, can you ever forgive me for my failure?" Discord broke down, the mask of indifference gave way to a flood of emotion, no one would of believed the shriveling mess of a creature that spoke was once Discord master of chaos, but here he was begging for forgiveness.
"Discord, I can't forgive you for something that wasn't your fault," Spike stammered wiping away tears, "You must not blame yourself for matters that are out of your, erm limbs."
Discord looked up at Spike and was met with an unreadable gaze.
"You're not angry then?" Discord inquired delicately.
"Yes I'm angry but mostly frustrated, I'm angry at myself and the princesses, I wasn't there to help and they left me in this mess alone and scared, they didn't even give me that chance to help them," Spike vented "And I'm frustrated that you took so long to tell me, I needed answers to this mess, the world needed answers, I guess..."
" NO! you must not tell them," Discord shrieked.
Spike was taken aback at this sudden outburst, recomposing himself Spike pressed Discord, "Why not Discord? Why mustn't the ponies know?"
"It was their last request that I tell no one, Celestia feared unwitting or power hungry ponies would awaken the horror they fought so valiantly," Discord disclosed solemnly, "I will not dishonor their sacrifice and memory!"
"Okay, but why did you tell me now?" Spike asked.
"Because I couldn't take it anymore!" Discord waited defeated, "I couldn't just sit at on the side and watch the world waste away forever, knowing I didn't at least try! I know I could trust you, Spike."
"Calm down Discord, I will not stop till at the very least we avenge their loss, but we can't do anything about this mess were in without a plan, you mentioned there was more, so tell me what happened after you passed through the mirror?" Spike almost pleaded with the draconequus. "Tensions are clearly running high," Spike though, "I'm going have to deal with this delicately."
"I Can't tell you," Discord looked back down at the floor in grief, "I can't tell you because I don't remember, I only get bits and pieces, passing thoughts and blurred images, it's not enough to string chronological events together."
"Please try Discord, anything is new to me and will help," Spike asked softly.
"Okay," Discord sniveled clicking his talons causing the projector to once again roll.
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On the other side of the portal was a bleak landscape; grey grass was prevalent, with rotting trees sparsely littered across the landscape and with what could only be a city perched on the horizon. Ruined buildings barely rose to contest the skies and the only noise in those skies was the occasional croak of the crows, it was a grim sight. All of this though paled in comparison to what hung in the sky, the sun only gave weak rays of its former majesty, it was if it were dying and the land along with it. The moon did not fare much better, a huge chunk had been ripped from its surface and had been shattered into smaller pieces floating ominously in orbit.
"Well this is dull," Discord thought to himself, "I can only imagine how livid Luna would be to see the moon as it is now, well clearly there is only one place to go, right into the lion's den, right into the trap."
Facing the city on the horizon Discord left the rocky crevice holding the portal and started towards the dark imposing fortress.
With every step, the air chilled and the land somehow got bleaker until nothing grew and silence reigned, Discord couldn't shift the uneasy feeling he was being watched, but with little choice he pressed on. Eventually Discord reached the black city, obsidian battlements rose high into the sky manned by what appeared to be shadows, the foreboding gates oozed a black mist the consumed all that it touched in a deathly haze, it was all so wrong. Using magic Discord attempted to look passed the illusion manning the towers and the gates but revealed nothing, "That can't be right," Discord muttered. With no alternative Discord reached out to knock but the gates parted before he made contact, "Well someone is throwing down the welcoming mat," Discord gulped and passed into the city, his quips doing little to lift the dread he felt. Taking every step towards the keep cautiously, Discord took note of the darkened alleys between the black buildings, sickly yellow eyes much like his own glared at him from all directions watching silently as he passed.
The entrance to the keep was much the same as the city walls, imposing towers manned by shadows and those eerie black gates, steadying himself Discord reached out and this time knocked on the surprisingly solid door, the sound echoed out piercing the silence. With a loud clunk the doors groaned opening to the nothingness beyond, passing through Discord instantly regretted his actions as he was plunged into complete darkness with the slam of the gates behind him, trapping him inside the keep.
"Hello?" Discord stuttered, "What have you done with my friends, I demand to see them," There was a whoosh of wind bending round Discord that nearly knocked him over, "You will present yourself whatever you are!" Discord yelled unconvincingly. Multiple voices whispered; a giggle that could only belong to Pinkie Pie, a hollow shriek from Rarity and a very faint "Where am I," in a southern accent.
"Enough, I am a master of misdirection your parlor tricks don't work on me, Reveal yourself!" Discord boomed, finding his courage for his friends. There was another whoosh of air as the darkness parted to unveil the presence behind everything, Discord's jaw went slack, his eyes wide, it appeared to be a gargantuan, living, morphing shadow, it oozed and pulsated with pure evil as if everything bad that had happened and could happen were contained in this room. If you were to look closely enough you could see Luna's nightmare, Cadence's heartbreak, Sombra's corruption all woven into this being. "Pandora's box," Discord pictured, "And I'm the hope."
"Who or what are you?" Discord asked alarmed.
"A draconequus? It has been a long time since i gazed upon one of your kind, mortal," The voice was cold, stern and wholly evil, "You should not be here, you do not belong in my plane, begone!"
"Mortal? I'm not leaving without you telling me what your are, nor without my friends, return them immediately!" Discord refuted.
"My name will mean little to you, look upon me for you see death, for I am Pandemonium," The reply came and Discord froze up, Discord had only heard whispers in myths and legends from a time long gone of the being that the shadow was claiming to be.
"As for your friends," Pandemonium mockingly continued, "They will be staying as my, guests," The shadow lifted momentarily to reveal five pony figures that laid unconscious on the cold marble.
Throwing all reason to the wind Discord roared upon the sight and charged horns-first into the shadow, his claws, hoof and talon bristling with power and pure anger.
And then Darkness.
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Spike turned to face Discord, waiting patiently till the draconequus was ready to divulge more.
"I couldn't harm it," Discord confessed, "It appeared to be a being of pure darkness much like Twilight described, my magic may not be inherently evil but it is derived from dark chaotic powers, as such the worst I could do was summon a few hammers and bop it on what I guess was the head, it wasn't that effective."
"Discord I," Spike was interrupted.
"Save your pity I have no use for it," Discord snapped momentarily before returning to his glum demeanor, "I suppose you want to know what happens next? It's a shame I can't remember the aftermath, the creature could hurt me but only so much, apparently amnesia is in its arsenal," Discord gestured by tapping his head. "I remember being on the receiving end of its mockery, that I must confess was crueler then I'd imagined," Discord admitted, "After that it told me in a big booming voice, 'NOW GO, LEAVE THIS PLACE AND NEVER RETURN!' and that's when I went flying thought a window off to Celestia knows where."
"And then?" Spike asked.
"Images of the grey grass and rocks," Discord equivocated.
"Discord," Spike huffed.
Discord sighed, "I guess I zoned out and somehow limped my way back to the crevice, I don't know how long I was wandering, nothing to gauge time by in that, place, oh it's all my fault! I should of been watching my every step!"
"What happened after?" Spike asked softly.
"The beginning of the end happened," Discord exclaimed, "This no one could forget, it will be etched on my mind till the day I die, I will show you, but I warn you it broke me, steel yourself less it breaks you too."
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There was a bright flash emanating from the portal that lit up the cavern, swiftly followed by a mournful, defeated Discord. Luna charged up to Discord demanding the details of past events
"Discord, Thy demands thee tell thee what havest transpired, do not spare details on the elements well-beings!" Luna bellowed.
Unmoved by the alicorn's invasion of personal space, Discord continued unwavering to the stairs leading surface.
"Sister," Celestia spoke giving Luna a hard stare, "Let me," Celestia moved into the path of Discord. "Discord, please tell us what you found, what you saw, we are all upset and I'm sorry but you need to tell us..."
Discord looked straight into the leaders eyes with a gaze that shook Celestia to the core, "Seal the portal."
Celestia pondered for but a moment looking deep into Discords soul, "Seal the portal" she nodded.
"Sister are thee certain? what of Twilight? The Elements?" Luna was poised with intent.
"The eyes are the doorway to the soul sister, it pains me but I am certain," A tear ran down Celestia's cheek as she turned her attention to the portal wings flared horn at the ready.
"You do not have to bare this burden alone Tia, I will help you," Discord moved alongside Celestia readying his own magic.
"It is a truly dark day for Equestria, I'm so sorry Twilight" Cadence addressed Twilight before moving inline.
Luna walked solemnly till she stood next to her sister, raising her head she nodded indicating she too was ready.
"Together," They all said in unison.
Three brilliant beams shot out from the group entwining around each other; one with the soft warmness of love, one with a brilliant silvery shade of pure moonlight and the other bright and intense as the sun.
"No," Twilight whimpered.
Discord turned acknowledging Twilight and quietly muttered, "I'm so Sorry." Turning back to the portal he released his own spell, the black chaotic magics swirled down the middle of the tri-coloured beams striking the portal through the centre.
There was an cataclysmic boom that could of been heard up in the frozen north. Discord was thrown forcefully and slammed against the back wall, disorientated Discord stumbled getting up, his vision all foggy. Three bright beams still targeted the portal, "Good, at they're still going, what in Tartarus was that?" Discord thought shaking his head settling his eyeballs from doing loops, "And what are those, oh no!"
"Celestia!" Discord yelled, "I was followed, the shadows! Stop them!"
Two shades had burst from the portal and were now circling the vault, they periodically swooped in for blows at the alicorns doing all they could to delay the sealing.
"You are too late, the master comes" One of the shades spoke, venom dribbling from its maw.
Evil laughter echoed round the vault causing cracks to form in the ceiling and loose rocks to fall into the unknown below, "You are too late my little ponies, for I have arrived, your world as you know it will heave with my torment." the moisture in the air froze forming little icicles on any surface they could find including the princesses, it felt as if hope and courage itself had fled. "You have done well Phobos, Deimos, return now."
Defiant, Celestia continued her magical assault, "Go back to the shadow! I fear no darkness!"
"That other alicorn you sent me was delicious her pain and fears will nourish me for many a year, oh and what's this? Another new princess, you two have been very busy Celestia, I will enjoy her too," The shadow mocked as it appeared in the portal frame.
"Silence you cur!" Cadenced retorted unleashing her full strength causing a small crack to form across the mirror, "We will bring justice upon you!"
"Ugghhh," The shadow was repelled but only slightly, "Justice? I will show you the justice of the grave and the true meaning of FEAR!" The shadow twisted and contorted striking out at Cadence, images of Shining Amour being corrupted with the changeling queen towering above her perpetrated Cadenced mind turning her eyes a sickly green.
"N-n no," Cadence's beam faltered, flickering out as the younger alicorn backed down reeling violently attempting to shake the dark emotions.
"YOU WILL PAY!" Luna screamed with the royal Canterlot voice, blasting the shade with all her righteous fury sending more cracks throughout the mirror.
The shadow turned its attention to the blue regal pony, "Ah Luna, you I know the most, how fair your dreams of late, I can feel your contempt from here, it is, delectable." Reaching out the shade struck Luna causing her coat to slowly adopt the colour of midnight, filling her with the nightmare of long ago.
"Never again, I will never again be consumed by that darkness!" Luna spat, visibly struggling, she too broke her hold over the portal.
The only being standing in the way of Equestria's demise was now Celestia, her fate was the fate of everypony. Discord watched mesmerized by the scene before him unable to move, the endless burning rage of the sun blasted away at the shadow, an unstoppable force meeting an unmovable object, a true sight to behold it looked as Celestia's heart was prevailing over the shadow.
"And you Celestia, you too lack purity of the heart, it was your inadequacies that lead to the purple ponies fate, you failed to protect her or her friends as you have failed to protect your loved ones many times before, oh yes I know of Sombra and you should know I devoured his world, his last words, Celestia, and now you must live with your failure for as long as I choose to draw out your death," The shades manipulative tone pulled all the right strings causing Discord to shield his eyes as Celestia burst into flames.
"You are not worthy of existence, your soul shall burn beneath the shadow of my wings!" Celestia roared flaring up on her hind legs, "You will fail! I will crash the sun upon us before I let you enter Equestria!" Cracks formed ceiling, the castle above was coming down barring the exit to the surface. Never before had anyone seen this side of Celestia not even Luna in all her years, Celestia's untempered fury flooded the room with heat and light, banishing darkness's hold over Luna and Cadence.
The struggle went back and forth between the blazing white alicorn and the shadow, the intensity of the clash kept rocking the foundations of the castle, something had to give soon, but Celestial moved first.
"So it comes to this, you leave me no other choice, Sisters! To me!" Celestia's wrath was joined by Luna's bite of the bitterest winter night and Cadence's most painful heartbreak, each princess nodded in unison understanding each others intent, "Discord, no pony must know what was done here today to protect them," Solemnly gazing at Discord Celestia paused for but a moment, "It's down to you now look after my ponies will you? Goodbye, Discord, now run, RUN!"
Before Discord could move Celestia violently threw him towards the ceiling, but not before he could catch a glimpse at the trio's last act. With their final breath they all stepped into the shadow, the almighty bang that followed sounded as it came from the very planet shaking the land to its core, the mixture of pure power; good, evil, righteous fury, it was too much strain, the mirror shattered into three equal sized pieces cutting the shade off sending it tumbling back from whence it came.
Flying through the sky Discord observed the aftermath, the castle was crumbling to ruin filling the air with rubble and dust. Desolate and distraught with the anguish of a thousand tortured souls Discord wailed a mind numbing screech. "This is the end, all hope is lost,"Discord thought desperately lost, it was then he saw three glowing objects, one navy blue one candy pink and one of pure white all shooting out from the ruined castle. Discord strained his sight to reveal what the lights soaring across the sky were three shards of glass. "The broken portal!" It was then for the first time since receiving that accursed letter Discord smiled.
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