//------------------------------// // Part 3: Garden // Story: Statues // by TypewriterError //------------------------------// The moon was full again for a second night in a row. Majesty kept her eyes on the yellow square of light on the grass coming from her parent’s room, which seemed to be taking forever to turn off. Majesty could see the Princess lift off from her castle and enter the garden. In the corner of her eye, the yellow square disappeared. Majesty sighed in relief and began to crawl out of her window. She had done this countless times since that first night and she knew how to climb down without hurting herself. The roof ended a little lower than her window and created enough of a ledge for her to walk on... for now. Her hooves just barely stayed inside of the dark path marked by the roof tiles. The beams creaked a little bit too much with the shield on her back and she still had some growing to do. A different path would need to be strategized later. She carefully walked to the chimney at the end of her house. The shield was heavy on her back but she felt elegant wearing it. Like she was on a prestigious mission. Once she reached the chimney, the ivy growing up it provided a faithful ladder for her to climb down. She was soon standing on the soft grass in the shadows of her house. She kept along her normal path, but instead of following the hedge along to outside to her not-so-secret spot, she walked through the front entrance and then turned left. The garden’s familiar beauty and the glistening tone of night filled her with calm. The shield swayed with her shoulders’ movements, making a soft brushing noise against her coat and mane. She rounded the corner of the garden and found the Princess waiting on the path, wearing all she had worn at the party except for her horse shoes. Majesty approached her with a smile. “Thank you so much for the shield, Princess Celestia! It’s beautiful!” she said not raising her voice but still speaking excitedly. The moon reflected in the Princess’s large visible eye. Somehow...she seemed so sad even while she smiled. “It’s a little big for you... but I felt like you should own it.” she said, walking down the path into the garden. “Who did it belong to? Was it yours?” “No, it...belonged to my brother.” “Your brother? You had—” “Yes, a long time ago.” she said briskly. "What was his name?" The Princess took a few more steps before she answered. "Astrophel, he was given authority over the stars in the sky. The top portion of your shield represents him." “Where is he? I've never heard of him before.” Majesty stated, surprised. Celestia did not answer for a while. When she spoke again it wasn’t really an answer. “I want to show you something...” she said and continued to walk. “Princess Celestia, are you alright?” Majesty asked. Celestia stopped and a breeze blew by, sounding as if it was saying something over and over again. Celestia seemed to struggle with some inward restraint. What was so... difficult for her to speak about? Why was she struggling like this whenever she entered the garden at night? Why did she find it hard to look at some of the statues? “I...honestly I...I’m...I'm not sure...” “Can you tell me what’s wrong?” Majesty offered. Celestia looked down at her and patted her mane gently with her forehoof. “My dear Majesty Song, I appreciate your willingness to help me...more than you realize. I wish I could tell you what it is...but, you’re not ready yet to find out.” “When will I be ready?” Majesty asked. Celestia stared down at her for a few moments. “You’ll be ready all too soon, I'm afraid.” she said ruefully. Majesty touched her cheek to the tall alicorn’s shoulder in comfort and the Princess smiled down at her. “I understand.” Majesty said. Even though she didn't understand what caused the Princess's sadness, she could empathize with being caught in it without being able to get out. “Thank you. You’ve always been so brave...” she couldn’t speak for a few moments, “Come, let me show you. We’re almost there.” she said with a sniff and composed herself again to walk down the path. Majesty Song followed her, looking at the different statues. One or two more had been added since she had first been there ten years ago. Music, Victory, Honor, and Love were the most recent additions. The same tingling stillness came over her as she listened to the soft tap tap tap of their hooves on the path. She wanted to be able to comfort the Princess, who had grown into her closest friend. Princess Celestia had been there to encourage her, understand her, and just listen to her sometimes. She had done so much for her and Majesty wished she could return the kindness that had been paid to her. Celestia stopped in front of one statue. The one to represent Chaos. “Majesty, What do you know of this statue?” Celestia asked, gravely. “Well... I was told it represents Chaos but some say it represents Discord. It was carved to mimic a Draconequus, a creature from the earliest days of Equestria. They were a dangerous race of creature who turned the world we live in into a nightmarish place without order or...” “Please, I have to stop you there.” Celestia said quickly. “Did I say something wrong?” “I believe you’ve said what you were taught. Unfortunately...that’s not the whole story. It’s been...twisted by time and...” she left off before she could say more. Majesty watched Celestia as she stood directly at the base of the statue and looked up at the face of the creature. She suddenly looked older but majesty could not tell why. She began in a soft, instructive lecture, “You are basically right: he is a Draconequus, representing Chaos, who went by the name of Discord. He ruled Equestria before Luna, Astrophel, and I came here. Each of us had two magical Elements of Harmony we were in control of. Six altogether. We could use these elements to create powerful magic to protect...and to fight. "We saw the world Discord was creating and felt he was...wasting the potential. His world was fun but nothing but fun. Never anything serious, never any chance to grow through trials. Only chaos where nothing could be permanent...nothing could last. So...we decided to overthrow and fight him, no matter the consequences. "His chaos was so powerful though. Astrophel tried to defeat him alone, tried to kill him even though we hadn’t been able to find a way to even wound him. No matter what we had said to our brother, he still believed we would all be able to win against Discord. Luna and I never imagined he would...go without us if we refused to fight with him. To this day I can still hear the moment...when..." Celestia stopped herself again before she changed her track, "Luna always blamed Discord and for a very long while I blamed him too. But, Astrophel...he weakened himself..." Celestia closed her eyes and shook her head as if saying no to herself. She opened her eyes and spoke matter-of-factly, "we lost him...we couldn’t do anything except turn on Discord and...” she stopped again and the silence built. “Princess?” “I’m fine, thank you. But... you said he was a statue carved to represent Discord?” “Yes?” Celestia’s look showed the briefest glint of pity. “Only two ponies know now this that are still alive but this statue isn’t carved...it is Discord.” Majesty looked up at the tall statue. “How?” she gasped. “With the six elements, Luna and I petrified Discord. He has been here ever since. He was the first statue in this garden. The first of many...” Celestia said, looking away and walking farther down the path. They walked in silence for awhile and though Majesty tried to enjoy the statues she couldn’t help but worry about Celestia. Finally, Majesty cleared her throat and spoke, “Princess Celestia?” “Hmm?” “Why did you tell me this? I mean...I appreciate knowing the truth...but...why do I need to know?” Majesty asked. Celestia stopped and turned to face Majesty. She lowered her head and her long mane tickled Majesty’s face as Celestia looked her in the eye and spoke with great compassion, “Because I want you to know that I love Equestria and the ponies in it with all my heart. I want to do all I can to defend them and keep them safe.” “But...why me?” “Because one day I may ask something great of you, Majesty Song. I think you would be willing to do it. But I want you to know why first.” “What would you ask me to do?” Majesty inquired, uncertain. Celestia’s face was the perfect example of sympathy. “Something that I am not ready to ask you yet. For now I only ask you to do this: enjoy your time. Enjoy your life and live it in a way that would leave you with no regrets. I want you to enjoy the time you have with your family. I could see how much they loved you and you are fortunate in a way many ponies are not, to have them. Treasure them even when it is hard. Some day you may not have them to treasure.” Celestia said, punctuating the last sentence with another sad smile. “You miss your brother and sister, don’t you?” Majesty asked. He heart beat in her throat as Celestia quickly raised her head again to her full height. Perhap she had asked too much. Celestia looked away and seemed to think to herself before replying, “I always do. But I am not far from them. Astrophel set the stars permanently in the sky as a constant reminder of his love. I will always have them to remember him by...and I have the moon to keep me company and remind me of the happier times I had with Luna. I have memories, at least, to keep to.” she finished with a smile that the Princess had used to describe Majesty: brave. She was only ever allowed to be brave. She had to rule Equestria by herself and deal with the pressure of royalty...alone. No family to talk to. Both of her siblings gone. “You have me too, Princess Celestia.” Majesty said suddenly. Celestia’s sadness still dwelled in her smile. “Yes, my brave, loyal friend. I do have you.” she said and smoothed the unicorn’s mane with her hoof, "I have you for now."