//------------------------------// // 4: The Servant // Story: The Archives // by -Mazer //------------------------------// The sisters dared not to use their magic or their wings, so paranoid were we of Discord’s attention. We hid along the outskirts of our little city until nightfall. Once veiled by night’s shadows, we snuck away, moving as fast as our hooves could carry us. I myself, being no longer a pony of younger age, struggled to keep up with the sisters but not once did I allow my fatigue get the best of me. Even though it felt as my heart would burst, I ran. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For the third time in the past hour, Patience stumbled over his own hooves. His body was slick with sweat, his tongue lolled out from the corner of his lips. His vision was getting blurry and it felt as if his muscles were on fire and yet he continued to run. “If ye cannot keep up,” he heard Celestia snap, “Than return to the town and take solace with Prism.” “Celestia,” Luna hissed from between clenched teeth. “Do not be so haste to dismiss Patience! We require all the help we can get!” Celestia turned her head and Patience could see the stars reflecting off her ice-cold eyes. “Help is only as good as the pony who provides it.” She set her steely gaze towards the former Chancellor. “If thou art too weak for this journey than thine help is not welcome!” Patience narrowed his eyes. “Brute force,” he wheezed, “Can only get thee so far, Celestia. Without utilizing one’s mind, ye may as well walk up to Discord and surrender thy freedom right now.” Celestia dug her hooves into the earth, bringing herself to a sudden stop. She whirled around to face Patience. “Doest thou think me a fool?” her voice echoed throughout the valley. “I know what must be done!” “Do you now?” Patience growled. “So far, Celestia, all you have shown me is that ye act before thinking. Without so much as a plan to where we are going, we left the safety of the Underground to pursue your reckless quest and while I did agree to come along, I had hoped that thou had some sort of idea to where we are supposed to go.” He snorted. “But alas, your attitude has proven me wrong. Ye have rumors and theories but no concrete evidence.” He took a bold step towards the white Alicorn. “Pray tell, Celestia, where is it that we are going in such haste?” Celestia glared daggers down upon her elder. Both Luna and Patience alike could see the power radiating off of Celestia’s horn, just waiting to be used. He knew that he would be helpless against Celestia’s magic but at the moment he did not care. “Sister,” Luna pleaded. “Please don’t.” “Thou hast nothing to prove,” Patience whispered. “We do not doubt your dedication or your loyalty. There is nothing we want more than to see you through until the end but we cannot continue along this path unless ye are willing to work with us and not against us. We are not chains around your throat meaning to drag you down but your companions and friends. Do not resist our help, Celestia, and do not think that you must do this on your own.” Patience saw that his words struck true for as he spoke them, Celestia’s stony gaze began to soften. Tears sprang forth from her eyes as she lowered her head in embarrassment and shame. “Thou speak the truth,” she whispered. “So obsess am I in finding the Shards that it has narrowed my vision to the grand scheme. As it is you say, I cannot abandon those willing to fight alongside me.” She bowed her head. “Forgive me, Patience, for my harsh words.” “Only if you forgive me for my fatigue,” he said light-heartedly. She offered him a soft smile. “Let us move,” she said. “Though this time at a more manageable pace.” She turned around and continued along her way. Patience and Luna ran side-by-side, just out of earshot of the white sister. “This is not like her,” Luna said. “I understand,” Patience responded. “The stress must be getting to her. It only makes sense that she be so edgy.” Luna shot him a look. “Not that. I am referring to how quickly she gave in. It is unlike her.” Patience frowned. “Than I suggest we keep a close eye on your sister,” he suggested. “Agreed.” Luna said. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hadn’t a day gone by and already we were at each other’s throats. I tried to brush aside my reservations but I found that I could not. While Celestia’s desires were pure, I could not forget an old saying my teacher had once said… ‘The Road to Ruin can be paved with Good Intentions.’ All throughout the journey I tried to figure out what exactly had happened to make her so angry. I made several attempts to ask Luna but each time I was thwarted by Celestia’s ever-mindful gaze. To add to the struggle was the fact that Luna refused to leave her sister’s side. I figured the dark-maned Alicorn felt guilty for siding with me and wanted to prove to Celestia that she was still willing to fight alongside her elder sister. It took us a week to arrive at our destination it was at this time when I finally realized Celestia’s true nature… -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The trio had finally arrived to their destination; a small farming community called Palomino. From what they understood, the majority of the town was under the ownership of a single stallion that had made a fortune in his farming business. Even with Discord’s antics causing the corn crops to explode into a mountain of popcorn, this stallion was still able to turn a profit. He just sold the popcorn at a much heftier price than he did the regular corn, claiming that Discord’s involvement made the treat that much more unique than the regular stuff and, because he was the sole supplier of a majority of the town’s food, they were forced to purchase it at his price. However all that changed a couple of years ago. For no reason at all, this stallion suddenly began to donate a large portion of his fortune to the town in order to assist in any destruction caused by the mischievous spirit. For every home Discord turned into a muffin, he had a new one built in its place. If some pony’s pet suddenly sprouted wings and flew away, he went out of his way to replace it. He even had hired a hoof-ful of unicorns from the big city to act as guards for the town. Whenever Discord showed his cruel face, they would sound an alarm, causing the air to be filled with a loud screeching sound so that the ponies could all escape to their cellars and basements. It was Celestia’s theory that this stallion, one MoneyBags, had somehow come across one of the Shards of Anarchy. She believed that the Shard of Greed had transformed into a Shard of Generosity and as such, he was under its influence. Now all they had to do was ask him if her theory was correct. When they entered the town, they were all amazed to see that every pony was in high spirits. Not a single one of them showed signs of being affected by Discord’s chaos. Even though the streets were covered in jelly beans (causing several ponies to fall flat on their faces), they seemed happy to go about their daily routine thanks to the assistance of several janitor ponies who were constantly sweeping up. There were several homes that had been turned into pastries; foals and young adult ponies using them as a place to both play and snack upon and finally there was a single section of the down that seemed to be devoid of sunshine for a large umbrella hovered overhead. The towns-ponies had converted that one section into a romantic getaway complete with a bed and breakfast-style establishment, candle-lit diners, and even ponies playing violins for any happy couples. “Truly astonishing,” Patience whispered as they wandered through the streets, ever mindful to not slip upon any jellybeans. “They have somehow managed to live in peace with the havoc Discord has created.” “Aye!” Luna said with a smile. “Tis truly a beautiful sight indeed. I nae can remember a time in which I saw so many smiling ponies.” She nudged Patience with her shoulder. “And look! Cutie Marks! When hast thou seen those last?” “My gracious,” he responded. “What a sight!” “Disgusting,” Celestia hissed. “How can they be so happy knowing that the rest of the world is suffering? Have they no sense of humility?” “Sister,” Luna started but Celestia quieted her with a look. “Let us find this MoneyBags and be on our way. I wish not to look upon this wretched town any longer.” “Pray tell,” Patience whispered to Luna as Celestia stomped through the town. “How could she not rejoice at the sight? Has her heart truly grown so cold?” Luna sighed. “Trust in me when I say that tis much more complicated than that.” “Does it have something to do with why she detests Discord so?” “Aye,” Luna whispered. “Ye see…” “Luna!” Celestia snapped causing her sister to jump. “This mare has informed me of the location of MoneyBags’ homestead. Make haste and keep up with me.” Without another word, Celestia spread her magnificent wings and took to the air. Luna shot Patience an apologetic look before following suite. Patience watched in dismay before rushing over to the mare who had provided Celestia with directions. “Forgive me, Madam, but where did ye send the sisters off?” “Over that hill, about a mile away ye shall find a rather large plantation. That is where he be.” “Thank thee very much!” Patience responded. He took off like a bolt of lightning, commanding his tired legs to propel him as quickly as possible to the destination. His lungs burned and his legs ached but he was able to make it just in time to see the sisters being greeted by an elderly mare with a silver mane and a powder blue coat. “Glad you could join us,” Luna whispered with a playful smile. “Can’t,” he wheezed. “Get…rid…of…me…that…easily…” he coughed. “Buck up,” Luna giggled. She turned back to Celestia. “This won’t end well,” she whispered. “He is not in?” Celestia growled. “Nae, M’lady.” The servant bowed her head in shame. “Ye just missed him. M’lord stepped out to survey the city to see if there be anything else he could do to accommodate the citizens.” Celestia stomped her hoof into the porch so hard that the wooden boards cracked. The servant pony cringed at the outburst. “Go fetch your master. We shall wait.” “Sister, calm.” Luna said while approaching her side. “Please forgive my sister,” Luna said in a comforting tone. “For we are very tired and are in high hopes that your master could assist us in our mission. We are searching for a mystical relic, a Shard that supposedly bestows upon its owner an incredible sense of generosity and we be hoping that this relic not only exist, but has fallen into the hooves of your Master.” The servant’s eyes grew wide. “Aye!” she exclaimed. “Tis true! The relic of which ye speak, we have it here within the mansion.” Patience felt as if his heart had suddenly leapt into his throat. Celestia’s body grew tense with excitement while Luna wore an expression of utter shock upon her face. While they each had hoped for the Shard’s existence, they each held within their hearts a shred of doubt. “They exist,” Luna said while looking to her sister. “They exist!” Celestia echoed. “You there, servant mare, show us this relic immediately.” “If ye’d be so kind, that is.” Luna countered. “But of course!” She took the trio into the spacious mansion. “I am sure thou hast heard of my master’s legacy; how he would do anything for a bit? Well a couple of years ago he began to show interest in collecting ancient relics, not for the preservation of our history but to be used as a status symbol amongst his friends.” She shook her head at the idea. “So he began to fund search parties to find as many relics as possible and during one of these expeditions, they uncovered this strange gem.” She led them into a vast room, rectangular in shape and brightly lit with oil lamps. Mounted upon the walls and sitting upon shelves were dozens upon dozens of artifacts. Vases, paintings, jeweled headpieces, rusted armor, weapons of war, and treaties of peace. In the center of the room, set upon a marble pedestal sat a white jewel with a soft purple sheen. It was a most peculiar shape, looking as it had once been part of a much large gemstone with how its edges were jagged and chipped. “M’lord wouldn’t even bestow a ‘thank-you’ to those who fetched him these relics but all of that changed once he held this jewel in his hooves. I witnessed the entire event. He held the stone to the light and I be swearing when I say that I saw this spark, this twinkle suddenly appear within his eyes. I have never seen him look so content in his entire life. It was at this time when he began to pay his adventurers.” She smiled proudly. “After that he began to help the towns-ponies with their problems. He worked diligently throughout the night plotting new ways to counter anything Discord threw at us. He has become a hero to the ponies, a true knight in shining armor!” Celestia approached the stone, her eyes narrowed into slits. “Art thou certain this jewel was the cause of his sudden change of heart?” “Aye, M’lady for you see, in one of his most generous of moods, he actually sold the jewel to a travelling merchant for a rather miniscule price. The moment the merchant left the homestead, the spark in my Master’s eyes vanished and his sullen mood returned. He began demanding back payment for all the work he did for the town and his temper was most foul, he believing that the stone had bewitched him.” She frowned. “I had to give the traveler my life savings in order to return the jewel to my master.” “So if we were to take the Shard,” Patience said with a whimper. “We shall be dooming the town. MoneyBags will cease his assistance.” “Ye wish to take it?” the servant squeaked. “Nae! I cannae allow such a thing.” She forced herself between the pedestal and Celestia. “Times are at their roughest. Whilst the towns-ponies seem content they still live in fear for Discord grows impatient with my Master’s interference. We fear that Discord will retaliate in a manner most foul so my Master has begun setting up a mass exodus out of the city. He is the only one who can afford organizing such a feat! Ye mustn’t take the stone!” “Celestia,” Luna said in a teeny voice. “We can’t.” “This is the Shard of Generosity,” Luna hissed through clenched teeth. “By its very definition it should be shared with the world, not hoarded by a single, greedy stallion.” “I won’t let thee take it!” the servant snarled. Celestia stared deep into her eyes. “Ye have no choice.” A bright flash of light rose from Celestia’s horn and the servant was thrown across the room. She crashed through a set of stallion armor, the heavy metal raining down upon her. “Sister!” Luna exclaimed. She ran over to the servant, using her own magic to pull the chunks of armor from her body. She didn’t seem too badly damaged, only a couple of bruises and a cut along the side of her face. Luna could see the fear within the servant’s eyes but also a fire of determination that would not be doused. “No, please,” Luna pleaded but the servant didn’t listen. She lunged at Celestia, a feral growl escaping her lips. Celestia didn’t even bother to look at the mare. She used her magic to fling the servant up against the ceiling. Patience winced as he heard the air escaping the servant’s lungs as the wind was knocked out of her. She began gasping for air but Celestia wasn’t done. She brought the servant back down to the floor. “I understand your plight,” Celestia whispered. “But I will not be stopped by such foolishness. Ye wish to use this stone to help your village instead of using it to help all of pony-kind. How could any pony be so selfish?” “I will…not let you…” the servant gasped. “Ye have no choice.” Celestia flexed his muscles and the servant screamed out in pain as the invisible vice tightened around her fragile body. “Do you nae understand that what we do today is for the greater good? I sympathize with your village, I truly do, but I must think about the world. I cannae be bothered with such trifles.” She increased her magical grip. The sounds of bones groaning against the pressure echoed throughout the chamber. “Celestia!” Luna shouted. She used her own magic to wretch the servant from Celestia’s grasp. She laid the unconscious mare upon the ground for Patience to attend. He placed his ear to her chest and felt relief when he heard that her heart was still beating strong. “She’s alive,” he sighed. “Celestia,” Luna stepped in front of her sister. “What has come over thou to act in such a manner?” “My dearest sister,” she responded with a sigh. “Please see me not as a monster. I did what was necessary to achieve our goal. Yes my methods were harsh but what I did was for us all.” She looked back to the servant with a frown. “For us to accomplish our goals we must shed sympathy for there will be more stories just as heart-wrenching as hers and if we were to bow to each one, we shall never attain the Shards and Discord will never be stopped. We must do everything necessary if we wish true freedom.” Celestia took the Shard off its pedestal and slipped it inside her saddle bag. Without so much another word, she left the room. “But,” Luna whimpered. “What is freedom if the cost is our very soul?” She looked to Patience. “Doest thou still wish continue along this journey?” Patience looked from Luna to the servant pony, back to Luna. “I must,” he responded with a frown. “I must see this to the end.” “As must I.” She closed her eyes. “Let us pray that we do not lose ourselves along the way.” -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upon leaving the plantation, Celestia explained that once our journey was over, she would return to this village to use her magic to redeem herself. She would give the protection that MoneyBags would eventually refuse. However the promise itself would be as hollow as MoneyBags’ heart for we all knew that the town would not last the end of the month without any sort of protection. How far would Celestia go to attain her dream? How many lives would we ruin along the way and was it truly worth the sacrifice? We were fighting for freedom, yes, but at what cost? At what point do we become the very thing we fight against? ‘The Road to Ruin can be paved with Good Intentions…’ How those words would ring true… So very true. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Twilight Sparkle closed the book. “She had no choice,” she whispered, trying desperately to justify the Princess’s actions. “History has proven that war is a terrible thing and that innocents sometimes suffer. She had no choice.” Twilight sat down upon the cool stone floor. She fought against tears as they threatened to trickle down the sides of her face. “It was a different time, a different era. How could I possible understand what the Princess was going through?” She could almost hear the sound of the servant pony’s bones, could picture the terrors Discord would bestow upon the town now that it was without protection, and the lives of so many ponies ruined. She lost the battle against her tears and they poured from the corners of her eyes freely. “She had no choice,” Twilight whispered. “She had no choice. She had no choice…”