Rainbow Dash stared down at Luna quizzically. Bleeding? The word swam through her hazed mind, currently filled with the ghost of Luna's chastising scream, which had steadily grown in intensity since her first utterance, obscuring all other things. Rainbow felt wounded and groggy, and she wasn't sure if it was from the blood seeping out of her snout. In fact, she could barely register what blood was.
Rainbow had to keep her cool, it was all she knew at that moment. Luna had shouted, and it had hurt Rainbow, pierced her mind. When she turned away, she was fighting off tears, the residual effects of Luna's powerful voice still bounding against each corner of her mind like a ravenous caged beast, eager to tear her composure to shreds. She shivered where she hovered, her vision narrowed and dark around the edges of her peripherals despite the sun's insistence on the contrary.
Rainbow only kept her balance by instinct, her proficient flying didn't waver lightly. She couldn't focus on it, nor her surroundings with her mind threatening to engulf her in a cocoon of ceaseless fear, screams that came from an alien presence in her mind, screams that were not her own. It took Rainbow an eternity to realise that it was Luna who had shouted, who had destroyed her confidence so completely and with such little effort.
Then, she remembered her link with Luna, and logic dictated that she had been the one to shout, that must have been where the sound came from, it had to be. Rainbow shook in place; Rainbow couldn't stop shaking no matter how she commanded her body to be still. Even maintaining level flight was becoming an issue, but she scarcely noticed.
Straining, she struggled to work out what the echoing and recurring sound might mean. As she focused on each syllable, she felt the inflections on each word, with their painful spiked edges coursing through her, physically chilling her spine. The sound was barbed and horrible, and Rainbow wished it would leave forever.
Rainbow became aware of an external sensation, something cold and metallic, and something warm and dark. Her muzzle sought solace in the dark place, nuzzling deep inside to escape the awful voice in her head. She squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her rear hooves come into contact with something concrete. Her body went lax, but the dark blanket remained. Her ears twitched, sitting up right as she heard the cousin of her worst nightmare join the fray.
The voice was like the other, but its edges were not sharp and painful, quite the opposite. Desperate, Rainbow latched onto the graceful melodious hum of the entity that must be her attendant spirit. The soft vibrations of the angel's hums poured into Rainbow's mind from places unknown. As she tried to cast all else from her, she was able to make out words.
"We beg thou be sure that thy bag is packed, for when we depart then we shaln't be back, a white feather adornen mine fasten' hat, as we wistfully turned our back."
The voice was soft, gentle, demure. Rainbow listened on intently.
"For now 'tis time to be lone again, a fate we may verily grow to regret, alack we have shivered our soul to shreds, now nightmare is our only friend."
Rainbow followed the voice's cues, pushing herself closer to the dark, warm 'night mare' that it must refer to. The result was her feeling the buzz of a beautiful music pouring from this place in small vibrations and purrs, this must have been the source.
"Perchance all shall witness my power now, foals yonder but tremble and cower now, pray pardon mine sister but all shall bow, enveloped by night hour's shroud."
The tone appeared most sombre here. Rainbow didn't understand, surely the pony considered the night her friend just moments ago?
"A skirmish most fierce then took hold of me, our desires eclipsed with our throne in reach, our sister quoth 'from where did you come foul beast, what madness has Luna unleashed?'"
Luna... Luna! I was with Luna! That's when my head started to hurt, and--
"A cackle took over a muzzle not mine, she swore not to back away now but to fight, she looked at me dutifully scorn in her eyes, as harmony began to shine."
W-Wait, then this is her! And this song is...
"We beg thou be sure that thy bag is packed, for when we depart then we shaln't be back, a white feather adornen mine fasten' hat, as we wistfully turned our backs, for now 'tis time to be lone again, a fate we may verily grow to regret, alack we have shivered our soul to shreds, now nightmare is our only friend."
Rainbow couldn't be sure, still disorientated as she was, but she thought she heard sniffling. Holy... Rainbow had chills. She had felt the pain in the singer's voice, mixed with a deep antipathy, and a forced acceptance.
Slowly, all of Rainbow's faculties began to return. Her thought was calm and rational, and the growing scream from earlier on was nothing but a distant, fading memory.
It took Rainbow a few seconds to realise that her muzzle was pressed against what felt like a soft cushion. When she opened her eyelids, they brushed fur, and she instinctively flinched. Pulling back, she felt a slight pull against her muzzle, an uncomfortable sensation tearing across her snout as she drew back. Facing up, she realised why.
Rainbow had had her face pressed against Luna's chest. Not only that, but her matted blood was stuck to Luna's coat. Suddenly remembering that she had been bleeding, the word coming back to her, she checked her snout, but detected nothing abnormal. Standing, she stared at Luna, who laid on her side in the garden, brushing her forehoof across short blades of grass as she hummed.
Rainbow remained stock still, for a moment, transfixed. Luna didn't seem to mind, she continued to lay slowly breathing in calm serenity, until Rainbow finally spoke up. "Uhh... Wh-what the hell just happened?"
When Luna spoke, it was not with a soft, loving voice, like the one she had just heard, but her usual regal tone, although it may have been a little gentler. "We-We made another mistake."
Rainbow's eyes bulged, panic gripping her again. "Huh?! What do you mean?"
Luna held a hoof up, looking at Rainbow directly with glossed eyes. A blink, and they were as striking as always. The mistake has been averted, do not worry, Rainbow. It is like we said previously, you are new to magic, and we did not exercise proper caution when interacting with you. The shock of our amplified voice appeared to drive you to confusion and panic. Apparently, this also entailed a nosebleed, although we think this may have something to do with the level of magical energy being pressed against you at that time, which is entirely our error. We are sorry Rainbow.
Rainbow tried to reach out with her mind, but felt a stab of pain. "Nghh... it-it's really hard for me right now. Can I talk, so long as I'm careful about what I say?"
Of course, we are soundproofed and invisible right now. Speak, but be careful with your words still.
Rainbow cocked her head, rubbing it. "Ugh... If that's the case--uh, why can't we both just tal--"
Luna anticipated Rainbow's words before she could voice them. Because some are not so easily fooled by such spells.
Rainbow sat on her haunches a few feet from Luna, looking nowhere in particular. "You mean like Ce--"
Actually, no, these tricks should deceive her aptly. Our issue isn't one of superior spellcasting, it is merely that certain creatures are not so easily affected by alicorn magic.
"Whoa, really?"
There are creatures in this world more powerful than you and us, Rainbow Dash. You are about to meet one. Do not react to this.
Rainbow's wings flared, she couldn't help it. "Alright, well, could you at least tell me what just happened? It's all a total blur, all I remember is shouting, and pain... A lot of pain," she grimaced, glancing at the floor.
Luna's face saddened, but she projected her thoughts as soothingly as possible. When we commanded you not to speak, we did so very forcibly, which was the main cause of your shock and alarm. You almost crashed, but managed to level yourself out. We saw blood on you and panicked, although it appears our mind meld managed to mix your worry with ours, creating something altogether quite terrible.
Rainbow shuddered at the thought of the distant scream, the voice was eerily dissimilar to that of the princess that sat before her. "And, what next?"
We went to catch you. At this point, you were barely aloft. Any longer, and you would have fell. When we landed, we cast our spells to be sure you wouldn't be seen, and began work on soothing you. We considered exiting your mind, but were afraid it would make matters worse, so we attempted to use the link to soothe you, which seemed to have some effect, as here you stand.
Rainbow considered this for a moment, eyebrows straight. "And... That was the song, right?"
Luna sighed. Indeed, Rainbow, that was the song.
"Luna... Uhh, Your Majesty, I mean... Was that song really about--?"
Please, Rainbow, do not ask.
"But if it's really what I think it is, and it's so personal to you, why did you share it--"
We wished to calm your spirit, and it was the first song that came to mind, nothing more. Honestly, we assumed you would not remember, but that would be failing to take your talents into account, wouldn't it?
Rainbow nodded, considered saying more, then decided to change the subject. Problem was, she wasn't sure how to cryptically broach this one. "Soooo, um, we're here to, uhhh..."
To meet a creature that once ruled Equestria, much like we sisters do.
"Whoah, really?! I thought we were going to see some old guy!" Rainbow considered her words. "Actually, uh, he'd probably have to be pretty old, right?" Rainbow looked at Luna sheepishly.
In any other circumstance Luna might have smiled, either at Rainbow's silliness or her blunt reminder of Luna's age. He is, in fact, far older than either us or Celestia, which is one of the reasons we must speak to him. Be warned, he did not give up the throne by choice. In fact, the old ruler still resides here, in this very garden, trapped in stone by the Elements of Harmony, long before you or your friends wielded them.
Rainbow looked down at her neck, expecting to see a flash of ruby and gold. Dejected, she listened on.
We must give you fair warning about Discord, for that is his name and purpose. The creature is unlike any you may have met previously, more powerful than any alicorn alive, and positively deranged. Naturally, with the passing of the elements to you and your friends, the seal on his stone prison has weakened, but should we free him using our method, he could be a valuable asset. A dangerous one, but valuable nonetheless.
"Our method?" Rainbow echoed, confused.
Luna mentally cleared her throat. Mine. We have learnt much of Discord's prison, and believe we can wield power over him, should we free him of our own volition. For this, we must be linked to the elements of harmony, which is where you come in, Rainbow. You must channel the spirit of your element into a spell of our own design, then the Spirit of Chaos will be free once more, but only as free as we allow him to be.
"So... You're gonna relea--"
Luna shot Rainbow a look. Discretion, Rainbow.
"Uhh, cast a spell, but still keep it under control? But surely if that spell's as powerful as you said, what's to keep it contained?"
You're asking what would keep Discord from escaping, or rather, attempting to seize the throne once more, should we release him?
Rainbow nodded, sceptical.
Two things. One relies on the fortitude of our magic. If our studies have been as fruitful as we believe, the spell that releases Discord should also bind his freedom to our continuation of that spell. In other words, should he choose to betray us, he will be stone once more. Now, this may be enough for him to not outright deceive us, but we cannot force him to be of use, no magic can do so. No, the reason we think that Discord will be of use is his history with the creatures we are soon to face.
"And that is?" Rainbow asked.
They created him.
Rainbow's eyes widened, "Whoa... Wasn't expecting that. But if that's the case, then won't he--"
They didn't part on amicable terms, to put it simply. Besides this, which we hope to use to our advantage, he is a creature easily bored, as demonstrated by his rule. Unless he has changed over the last few thousand years, which I am unsure he is capable of, he will relish the opportunity to fight. Not for valour, nor honour, nor glory, merely for something to do. His magic is unlike that of any unicorn nor alicorn, it holds the power of the old ones.
"And you don't?"
Not directly, only fragments. He is of the first generation, the only of his kind. Once there were many alicorns, and many combined could not stand before him. He was much more powerful then, different too.
"Different how?" Rainbow asked.
Questions for another time, for now, we must act fast. Luna stood up straight, the blood smeared across her chest still visible. Do you feel like yourself again? she softly enquired.
Rainbow tested each leg, stretching slightly. "More or less, head's still a bit fuzzy though."
Luna drew close to Rainbow, placing a hoof on her shoulder. We will teleport there with haste.
With that, they vanished. A split second of darkness, two protons tunneling through matter, and they reappeared before a large granite statue, depicting a creature that appeared to be forever in song, made of mismatched body parts. The jocular expression on his face would almost be laughable to Rainbow, if she had not known of his power, nor the fact he was real, and conscious of the pair's arrival.
Standing before the large, imposing statue, Rainbow hesitated. When Luna spoke to her again, her voice was clear and direct. We are still invisible. We will power this spell. As we have said, we need you to pour thoughts of loyalty into it, channel them and push them into the spell, these will help the spell to take effect.
Rainbow nodded, shaky. She wanted a second to prepare, but Luna was already charging her horn. She glanced around, and, immeasurably relieved that no one was in the vicinity --whether she was visible or not-- she began to push her thoughts into the empty space where the vacant spell grew, although it was reluctant to take shape.
All the while, Rainbow regarded the statue and the soft blanket of ambient energy glowing before it, pushing memories of Nightmare's temptation to her mind, her first sonic rainboom in defense of Fluttershy, even her second, in a bid to save Rarity's life, and screw the competition. At first, nothing happened.
It wasn't enough. Any pony could perform loyal acts, but what was it to really understand loyalty? Rainbow saw it as a state of mind, rather than a trait. To be loyal wasn't just to be there for someone, it was to be somepony all in itself. Rainbow Dash knew that she would always be that pony. Even despite temptations, she would always preserve her allegiances, should they be right and just. Loyalty could be subject to change, but Rainbow would stick by whoever she believed in for as long as they needed her, and even after that she wouldn't forget them. She'd be there for everypony she knew if it killed her, as long as it meant they could all live fair and happy lives.
Rainbow would be loyal to Equestria when it needed her most, to her country, her princess, her friends, and her world, all of which she cared for deeply, far more than she did for herself. Most of all, Rainbow would be loyal to her own beliefs, because despite her deep desire to defend and help only her friends and fellow ponies, she couldn't call herself the Bearer of Loyalty without first being true to herself.
Above her, the spell began to darken as it grew more intense, and a hollow crack appeared in the statue's chest.