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// Chapter 4: Choices 
// Story: Reliquiae: After Earth 
// by Kalushar 
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Chapter 4: Choices


Canterlot... 

Bronze Shield didn’t get paid enough, reflecting back he realized his life probably would’ve been better if he’d taken up his father’s offer to work at his company in Baltimare, but no, he’d decided to become a guard instead of metal-working. He stood at attention, his thoughts wondering when the princess entered the room. Princess Twilight Sparkle wasn’t who Bronze had signed up to serve, but he figured a royalty was still royalty. The only odd thing was that she was followed by the lord of chaos himself, Discord. 
 
“A new world? It’s impossible Discord, Starswirl himself said--” 
 
“Princess,” Discord interrupted. “I’m familiar with Starswirl’s work, but he wasn’t a master of chaotic magic, was he? No, even he himself wrote chaos was the driving factor involved in crossing between worlds.” 
 
“True,” Twilight replied thoughtfully. “What is this world like?” 
 
“Empty, but filled with beautiful cities, advanced technology, and vegetation.” 
 
“And who built these cities and developed this technology?” 
 
Discord gave an uncaring shrug, “I have no idea. It was empty when I showed up, it seemed like a perfect apology gift.” 
 
Twilight sighed, “Yes, I know you're trying to make up for... past deeds, but--” 
 
“Well, that’s what friends do, isn’t it,” Discord said batting his eyelids innocently. 
 
Twilight had to restrain herself from rolling her eyes, “alright Discord, we’ll see if this ‘new world’ is all that you say it is, and if it is, then it could be very prosperous for the kingdom.” Realizing the possible profits and help an entire new world had directed Twilight’s decision, but Discord would not sway her so easily, she didn’t care for the money, but the kingdom needed new funds after the “Tirek incident.” Discord grinned in his own unique way and snapped his fingers. The two figures disappeared in a flash. 
 
Bronze Shield stood still attention. His thoughts running wild, a whole new world? Think of the diplomatic issues that would cause. Who would rule it? It wasn’t any of his business, so he resolved himself to waiting at his post like he had every day for years. He made a quick glance to his right, his partner Quick Fletcher seemed wide-eyed at the princess’ words. He nodded at Bronze and slowly, but surely, slunk away out of the room. Bronze didn’t care, ponies would find out one way or another. So, he went back to thinking about Baltimare and what his future held. 
 

* * * 


Later... 

Twilight popped into existence on top of a huge building in a beautiful city of stone and metal buildings, the sight reminded her of Manehatten with its soaring skyscrapers, much like the one, she realized, that she was standing on now. Discord stood beside her taking in a deep breath and then letting it out. “Ah, I do so love the smell of chaos in the morning,” he said grinning. Twilight found her stomach doing flips, though she had long known how to use a transport spell, and over long distances nonetheless, she had never moved between worlds. Not to mention this wasn’t the work of her magic, Discord himself had performed the task of taking her to this new place and his chaos magic felt all so... wrong. 
 
Speaking of magic, she thought. It feels rather bizarre here. Twilight focused her magic and pulled it from her core to perform a simple light spell, one she’d done hundreds of times before when she read late into the night or found herself engrossed in research with no candles. Yet, when she pulled the magic through her horn and released it, it fizzled out. Dumbfounded she tried again with the same results. Nothing. Discord began to chuckle, “I’m afraid that won’t work my dear princess. This world, unlike our own, possesses no harmony magic, only chaos magic.” Twilight felt herself step back in shock, “that’s impossible! How could there be no magic?” 
 
Discord clicked his tongue, “I didn’t say no magic, I only said no harmony magic. Chaos magic is still very much at play in this world. In fact, it’s probably what drew me to this one in the first place.” 
 
“How is that possible though? What keeps everything together? How do they raise the sun and moon?” 
 
“They don’t,” Discord said bluntly. “The sun and moon raise themselves. This planet is far different from our own.” 
 
Twilight felt herself begin to breathe quicker, she had never thought it possible for something to have no innate magic, let alone an entire planet. Who lived here, she wondered, how did they build these beautiful cities without magic? Twilight slowed her breath and stood straight, like a princess should. “Discord,” she said calmly. “What technologies were you referring to earlier?” Discord smiled and chuckled to himself, “I thought you’d never ask. Now I'll show you what chaos magic can create.”