//------------------------------// // Distant Foreboding // Story: The Wardens of Order // by ScottTrek //------------------------------// Twilight swooped in low across Canterlot as she flew towards the palace, watching as the midday sunlight glinted off the rooftops below. It had taken her a while to really appreciate her new wings, more often than not she would forget to use them all kind of scenarios. But recently, with a little encouragement from Rainbow, something had just clicked. The wind ruffling through her feathers, the rush as she soared untethered through the sky… this explained so much about Rainbow Dash. Though her friend was still extreme Twilight could see why her friend lived the way she did. Snapping back to the present the palace had finally come into view; it looked busy. Of course the palace was always busy with nobles, guards, civil servants and all the periphery that came with running a kingdom. But this looked a different kind of busy, the type of busy one worked themselves into when something crucial was coming up but there was nothing you could do but wait for it to arrive. In short a lot of buzzing about in an attempt to keep ones panic under control. “Ohh wow.” Twilight muttered to herself as she glid down, deftly avoiding a few stragglers who were too caught up in themselves to get out of her way. She skidded to a halt just in time to lightly bump into Shining Armour who had rushed out to greet her. “Oomph. Phew, hey Twiley.” He gasped, “Just in time to sort…whatever this is out.” “What is going on?” Twilight gestured, looking at the ensemble of panicked ponies milling about in the castle grounds. “Hang on…is everypony from in there outside?” “Yeah Celestia cleared out the entire castle. Cadence and myself only got hear a few hours ago but as far as we can tell this has been going on since early morning.” Shining sighed and led Twilight inside. “As for what’s going on? No idea, Cadence is trying to find out more. All I know is that Celestia and Luna have locked themselves in the throne room, only leaving to order yours and Cadences summons, not to be disturbed until you arrived.” “Sorry I took such a long time to get here.” Twilight said sheepishly, “I was…uhh…preoccupied.” As Twilight said this she cleared her throat and surged ahead down the corridor, trying to hide the fact she was blushing. Shining noticed of course but decided it would be prudent to ignore his sisters startling lack of subtlety for the present moment. Arriving at the doors to the throne room Twilight was relived to find Cadence waiting for them, a royal guard and Flurry Hearts floating crib waiting just behind her. “Ahh thank goodness.” Cadence smiled, hugging Twilight tight. “I’ve told auntie you’re here but she just told me to wait outside.” Twilight held her sister-in-law tight, glad of her ever-reassuring presence. “I wasn’t expecting them to shut you out as well.” Cadence sighed and turned to introduce the Royal Guard waiting patiently behind her. “This is Lance Corporal Bastion.” The earth pony saluted. His face was set like stone; composure unwavering despite everything. “Lance Corporal, repeat to them what you told me.” “Yes ma’am.” Bastion nodded. “About a week ago her Highness Luna moved a member of the Royal Astronomical Society into private quarters in one the royal towers, along with delivers of several pieces of equipment. This coincided with noticeable sense of agitation rising from the Princesses.” “And they didn’t say why they’d moved this astronomer up there?” Twilight asked. “No Ma’am. However, the astronomer Moonglow sent at least three reports to them per day. Princesses eyes only. Additionally, though I cannot personally substantiate the claim, the Night Guard have informed us that Luna has been ‘communing’ with the stars every night almost non-stop.” “And the stars shall aid her escape.” Twilight murmured, glancing at Cadence who returned the concerned look. They’d booth been vaguely aware that Luna had a connection to the stars that was something more than them simply being points of light in her night’s sky. Now they both wished one of them had thought to inquire into the matter further. “Now, as for the event that precipitated the lockdown I can tell you exactly as I was present at the time.” Bastion continued, indicating the sealed doors. From behind them Twilight though she could hear the mummer of voices but it was impossible to be sure. “At approximately 8 o’clock this morning as Princess Celestia was beginning an open court session a beam of light appeared in the middle of the throne room.” For the briefest moment Bastions composure cracked with a small smirk. “As I recall it cut off Prince Blueblood mid speech when it struck him. Though unharmed it did cause him to scream quite loudly.” “Something finally shut him up.” Shining Armour snorted, smiling despite the tension. “Not for me to say.” Bastion replied, “It is at this moment that Princess Celestia order the evacuation of the throne room, followed shortly by the evacuation of the castle. However as the guards’ escorted everypony from the room, I was able to read the message being projected within the beam.” Bastion shut his eyes as he pictured what he had seen; “The Wardens have need to speak to you. Further communication once Tether repairs finalised. Assemble the other Alicorns, this concerns them.” “The Wardens? The Tether?” Twilight said puzzled. Looking to her family members she asked, “Either of you heard of this before?” “No.” Cadence said, pulling her child basket closer. Flurry Heart was thankful still fast asleep, cooing softly. “I don’t think so.” Shining Armour replied, scratching his head. “Well nothing that would warrant all this anyway. ‘The Wardens’… the wardens of what?” “The Wardens of Order,” A familiar, deep resonant voice cut in. “To give them their exact title. Though the definitive article is certainly apt.” The four ponies automatically jumped to readiness as Discord slid out from behind a pillar, grinning down mischievously. Twilight suspiciously eyes up the spirit of chaos. ‘Reformed’ he may be but she wasn’t taking any chances. “Wardens of Order huh? What have done this time?” “Me!” Discord exclaimed, “No no NO. I’m just sitting here where everyone can see me definitely not creating chaos or causing trouble. Just little old me,” he purred in mock surprise “Why would you even suggest I had done something? No siree not me.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “I don’t think I need to go into detail as to why I automatically assume it.” “Oh dear,” Discord muttered sarcastically, “I do hope I’m not becoming predictable. I am supposed to be the master of the unexpected after all.” “It would be unexpected of you to tell us what’s going on?” Shining Armour hopefully interjected. He immediately regretted his decision as Discord, in his normal disregard for personal space, reappeared virtually coiled around Shining. Ominously he was holding a small blue jack-in-the-box in front of Shining face. “Oh dear no.” he hissed, slowly cranking the box’s handle “I’m afraid that would ruin the surprise for the dear ladies in your life.” Shining cringed as looked pleadingly to his wife, but Cadence could only look apologetic and push Flurry Heart towards Bastion who began to edge the baby away. Fortunately Shining had the presence of mind to duck as cheerful chimes from the box finished their jaunty little tune so he avoided getting hit in the face with the ejected custard pie. Less fortunate was Bastion, whom the pie nailed in the back of the head with considerable force. “Permission to be excused?” Bastion groggily said from the floor. “Should I take the young princess?” “Permission granted.” Cadence said shooting a death stare at Discord. “And I appreciate the thought but I’m sure our friend has better sense than to interfere with my child.” “I assure you I value my life to much to attempt such a thing.” Discord replied hovering back up to his previous position. This was going as about as well as Twilight had expected. The phrase ‘blood from a stone’ would be apt (with a few choice adjectives thrown in). Deciding a change of tactics was needed Twilight strolled closer, batting her eyelids as she did so. “Oh Discord I’m sure one as knowledgeable as yourself can tell us something useful. I mean, good friends help each other out don’t they?” Discord narrowed his eyes as Twilight smiled sweetly up at him. “We are good friends aren’t we?” Discord looked at Twilight, then at Shining and Cadence who merely nodded “One second.” Discord grumbled as he turned round and huddled with a few copies of himself each sporting slightly different hairstyles. Twilight couldn’t make out what they were saying but after a few moments they collectively let out a sigh and the ‘lead’ Discord turned back to her; wearing reading glasses and holding a paper file. “Well………I suppose in the name of friendship I can give you what I definitely know about them…” Twilight reached for the file but Discord held it back, “if you agree to join us on the next Ogres and Oubliettes night. I hear you play an excellent wizard!” There was a moment’s hesitation before Twilight grunted, “Deal.” She magically took the file and opening it. The next noises out of her couldn’t really classify as words more just a primitive grumble of frustration. Cadence and Shining came up behind her and saw that the ‘file’ was completely blank inside. “Honestly,” Twilight groaned, “I’m just disappointed.” Discord laughed to himself, rolling in the air as the file was thrown back at him. “Oh sorry I could pass up that opportunity.” “It’s a bit passé.” Twilight sighed. Discord recoiled as the two other ponies nodded in agreement. “I am anything but passé” He exclaimed suddenly wearing a tux “And …In truth… though I don’t know anything definite about them. What I know vaguely however I can tell you for free. These beings wield more power and authority than you little ponies can even begin to dream of. This place is but a blip on the radar to them. You little mortals need to be careful.” “But you have seen them here before?” Cadence asked, “On this world?” “Sort of.” Discord said, suddenly shifting uncomfortably. “Sort of?” Cadence pressed. Discord seemed to look past them, eyes glazing over as his mind was cast back. The assembled ponies shifted uneasily as for just a fraction of a moment Discords ever jovial personality dropped as something akin to a thousand yard stare passed over his face. “Once…a very long time ago.” “What happened?” Shining Armour asked, voice low. For a long moment Discord said nothing, looking carefully at each of the assembled ponies in turn before slipping back into the shadows. “What happened? My dear friends, the Sun died.” At that moment the great, gilded door of the throne room groaned open. Princess Luna appeared in the door way and curtly said; “Commander Shining Armour you are to insure that no-one enters this room under any circumstances. Twilight, Cadence, come inside. Bring the young one. We have much to discuss.” Luna face and tone betrayed nothing, and glancing at each other nervously the two princesses walked inside.