//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: The Last Stand of the Alicorns // by ihaveofficiallyretired //------------------------------// “Doctor, what are we going to do?” asked The Doctor’s faithful assistant. “I mean, we can’t just leave her here…right?” “Of course not. That’d be just plain silly. Besides, then who knows what would happen to the time stream.” Shortly after the ordeal in the market, Berry Punch passed out. It is not an uncommon event for her to drink herself into unconsciousness, but it is uncommon for her to do it well over a thousand years before she is born. “She didn’t mean to do any of this, right?” “I highly doubt it. She was probably already drunk when she got here. Anyway, we can figure this all out later.” “So Doctor, what do you need me to do?” “Take her back to the TARDIS. Put her somewhere where she won’t be able to destroy anything. We don’t know when she might wake up. Then meet me back here,” said The Doctor. Ditzy carried Berry Punch out of the inn. As best as The Doctor could tell, the whole thing was more or less a coincidence. Well, except there are no coincidence’s in The Doctor’s line of work. Well, probably. Well, at least not any randomly appearing temporal portals to this exact place in time that would likely cause the deaths of the two princesses before they come into power. So what does that leave? No one really knows what happened to the alicorns, just that almost all of them disappeared. This could be The Doctor’s chance to learn the truth. It just might lead to the truth behind Berry Punch’s mysterious visit to this particular time. Not too much longer did Ditzy return. “Okay, she is safe and sound in the TARDIS. What next?” “Well, it’s time to find out what is really happening around here.” Ditzy Doo and The Doctor left the inn at once, headed towards Canterlot’s famous castle. “CELESTIA! LUNA! WHERE ARE YOU?!” The halls of the castle rang out with panic and fear. No one knew exactly where the princesses were. After the tower collapsed, everyone’s priority had been to find Celestia and Luna. Galaxius and Solara were worried beyond belief. Celestia usually slept in late, and Luna…well, no one really knew what Luna would do. Still though, the possibility that they had been in the tower when it fell was terrifying. “Guards,” commanded King Galaxius. “Find out exactly what caused that tower to fall.” The king struggled to stay calm. He was confused. Furious. Scared. Things were not as they should be. “Your Majesties, Archaeus has awoken. Well, he had. He collapsed and we brought him back to his room.” The guards seemed nervous, as if the news they had presented was unimportant. “Yes, thank you. You are dismissed,” The king looked at the floor as the guards left. Solara approached her husband. “Worry not, my dear, I’m sure they are fine.” As if on cue, the two princesses trotted into the court. “Mom, Dad, what’s going on? Why did that rock fly into the tower?” “GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT WE WERE STANDING AROUND NOT DOING ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS CAUSE THERE WASN’T A BIG BLUE BOX WITH PONIES INSIDE OR ANYTHING AND I WAS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND THERE WAS A GIANT ROCK AND IT FLEW INTO THE TOWER AND BOOOOM! THE TOWER FELL!!!” The king and queen were overjoyed that their children were safe, but were utterly confused with what they were saying. “A giant rock? What do you mean?” asked Solara. “WELL YOU SEE-“ “Luna, please calm down.” “Sorry…” Celestia started talking. “Exactly that. There was a boulder that flew over the walls and crashed into the tower. We saw it happen.” The king started thinking. “What could have caused something like that?” Galaxius, you already know yet are too afraid to face the truth. The skies were black and empty. The fields were barren and desolate. Nothing existed in this dimension. Nothing but the draconequui, that is. For over two hundred years, they have made this place their “home”. Biding their time, gathering power. Soon Pandemonium would have the strength to tear a whole through the dimensions and have his revenge. “Discord,” started the menacingly calm voice, “send word to meet at the palace. The time has come to regain our rightful place in the world.” At that, the young draconequus left the emperor’s side to do his bidding. Pandemonium arose from his throne and looked out at the world. It was a decision he had to make; risk defeat and extinct the entirety of the draconequus race or go into hiding, waiting for the opportune moment to strike back. Thousands of draconequui gathered at the base of the mountain that Pandemonium overlooked the world atop. Present as well was Discord, prince of chaos and the youngest child of the draconequus emperor. “My brethren, the time is at hand,” bellowed Pandemonium. “We shall take back the world we once ruled! Those…ponies…” Pandemonium growled over the word, the race of his enemies. “They think we have been dead this whole time! In the shadows we have grown more powerful than ever before! This is OUR time! We shall take back what is rightfully ours! To battle!” The crowd roared. Literally. The emperor had just called all of his subjects to arms. Soon, Equestria would have to fight back an army greater in power than ever before. But none knew that such a fate was looming on the horizon. After his short speech, the emperor retired to his throne to prepare mentally for the coming storm. “Dad, what about me? Can I fight too?” “Discord, my son, I fear the worst. Some part of me still thinks that we cannot win.” The mighty emperor placed his claw over the scar in his chest. “The day Galaxius gave me this wound was the day I realized we weren’t as powerful as we had thought. I almost died that day. It was luck that his horn missed my heart.” “But...we will win, right?” “I certainly hope so. After all, we have the element of surprise on our hand. But no, you shall not be joining us on the battlefield.” “Dad, I-“ “No Discord. If something were to happen to you…I am already putting your brother Entropy at risk. I will not risk you as well.” Discord looked at the ground in disappointment. “My son, I love you. I have a more important task for you.” Discord’s ears perked and instantly his attention was on his father, eager anticipation gleaming in his eyes. “There is always a chance, however small, that we will lose this battle. I need you to help me bring something to this time, unrelated to the coming fight, which will spread chaos. Likely everyone’s attention will be on the chaotic happenings elsewhere, allowing the army to sneak in and wreak as much havoc as possible.” “Yes, father. I understand.” Discord did his best to remain official in front of his father, but his enthusiasm was clear. He was being sent on a special mission to help the draconequus cause. “Then go now. You must start preparing.” Discord left, excitement dancing about his countenance. “That boy…I hope he makes it through this ordeal.” Legitimate worry and sorrow showed upon Pandemonium’s expression, but none were there to witness.