//------------------------------// // chapter 7 twists and turns // Story: Twisted history // by LordOfMemory //------------------------------// Chapter 7 Twists and Turns Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic -- the characters and creations are the property rights of Hasbro, Inc. and the MLP: FiM writers, producers, etc. Crystal castle Ponies were rushing all around the castle in a rush as they tried to clean up the castle as news had finally arrived that the princess was returning. Many held a fear that it was ill news that she was bringing back and that the dragons would not be remaining neutral in the Umbran crystal war while others felt elation at the idea of the princess managing peace or even bringing the dragons in as an ally against the Umbrans. Chrysalis didn't really care either way as she was just glad to have the princess back as she had proven time and time again that she was the only pony alive that could rain in the noble and magical council members because when ever she had to leave the empire for on a diplomatic mission things would grind into a slow bureaucratic nightmare as neither the nobles or the mages could agree on anything and often worked to sabotage the other to gain more power and standing with the royal family. She could feel all of the hate, distrust, fear, anger and paranoia that went through the minds of the council members. The dark thoughts and emotions always made her feel sick often leading to her avoiding council meetings unless she had been specifically asked to attend by Leonidas.(Why do they fight against each other when it does nothing but hurt the empire and make it easier for our enemies to hurt us) Clearing her head of the creeping dark thoughts Chrysalis prepared to enter her fellow apprentices room and was greeted with a mess as if a herd of bison had stampeded through the area. Carefully maneuvering around the mess Chrysalis eventually found Gleaming silently screaming into a pillow in frustration. "Hey Gleaming are you ok? I came to check up on you when I heard about what happened at the council meeting." Gleaming just gave Chrysalis a weak smile as she let out a grown as she realized how tired she was. "I'm so sorry Chrysalis you caught me at a bad time. I'm just so angry at those jerks on the council, they think just because I'm new and that I'm a mare that I dint know what I'm talking about. I got used to it after working as a waitress for so long but i though that after I became the apprentice to master Solomon that ponies would start to actually show me a little respect or at the very least reserve their judgment until they get to see what I'm capable of." Chrysalis could only silently agree as both she and Gleaming contemplated for a moment how stupid the council members look when they thought about how the empire was being run by a princess a mare. "Wait so you aren't angry at Sombra when they preferred to hear and listen to his information over yours?" Chrysalis was unable to keep the surprise out of her voice. Gleaming just let out a small laugh at the confused look on Chrysalis' face. "Chrysalis I know that Sombra had nothing to do with the thoughts and actions of those idiot stallions on the council. I'm just glad they'll at least listen to someone about the threat against the empire, lets just hope that its not to late to prepare." Chrysalis felt a sense of relief fill her as sensed no hostility to Sombra coming from her fellow apprentice and felt relief at the honest answer Gleaming had given her. (Well at least I know that I don't have to play mediator between my only two friends) "Say Chrysalis If I was informed correctly you've basically never left the castle since you were brought in right?" Chrysalis could only nod her head as she didn't trust her voice at that moment while she felt the sheepishness and small amount of shame that was coming from Gleaming for asking such a personal question. She also felt a small amount of anger coming from herself and the growing need to give Sombra a good kick to the face. "I'm sorry if that was a bit personal but with the free time we have while the council spins its wheels looking for proof they already have why don't you and I get some fresh air outside of this dusty old castle?" Chrysalis was about to explain to her friend how the castle wasn't dusty at all when the full implication of her statement slash question hit her mind. A chance to leave the castle. "Wait what?! come on Gleaming don't even joke about that if Sombra was the one who told you about my castle arrest status then you know that no one not even master Leonidas would be willing to let me leave the castle grounds." (I should no I spent my first two years of training constantly asking and begging for a chance to leave the castle and not even master Leonidas would give the idea a moments thought if I remember correctly he actually told me to give up on the idea of leaving the castle until I took over his position as an arc-mage and magic council member of the imperial council) A sly smile grew on Gleaming's face as she started to giggle a bit at her plan to help give Chrysalis a bit of freedom and get back at the council. "Don't worry about a thing Chryssi, I just need you to meet me back here tomorrow midday, Oh and before I forget I'm going to need your badge just so they cant find us if the guards or council members get curious." Chrysalis looked skeptical but a chance to leave the castle was just to tempting and she handed over her badge rushing back to her room as she tried to think of what she would do with her moment of freedom. Gleaming just smiled as she watched how happy Chrysalis looked before leaving her mess of a room to implement her plan. (Sorry Sombra I know that this may seem unfair to you but just know that its for a good cause.) Castle hospital With the moon reaching its highest point Gleaming quietly snuck into Sombra's room being careful not to be seen by any guards or staff. The trip would have occurred sooner but wanting to make sure that the trick couldnt be traced back to her she had left her own badge back in her room making traveling through the castle a lot more difficult. Slowly she set to work casting an illusion spell in the shape of Chrysalis. It had a set pattern of actions and movements that it would follow to keep Sombra convinced that Chrysalis was actually in his room. Next she took out a small enchanted string which she had attached to Chrysalis's badge so that it would pull the badge along the illusions path from Chrysalis's room to Sombra's hospital room. Lastly she cast a small compulsion spell on the sleeping stallion so that he wouldn't question the illusion to much and to take regular naps throughout the day. (I am so happy that your sleeping right now or their would be no way this spell would work especially considering my poor skill with mental magic) Quickly leaving once she finished Gleaming gave one last silent apology to Sombra for the trouble he could end up facing before leaving for her room to get some rest for her trip Chrysalis.(Oh I hope that she has the courage to actually go out tomorrow and see what we are all working to protect.) Canterlot (Future) Discord was currently sitting in front of a very confused and angry Twilight while trying to explain the situation to Celestia and Luna. "Well the issue is I have no idea where Shining armor is. Right now miss egg head here is working on tracking down her dear old brother. It's not my fault she couldn't take a joke not to mention it wasn't even my idea. I was just being a good 'friend' and helping a brother get a win over his over achieving and uncommunicative sister." Discord put emphasis on the friend part smirking a bit as he had just been following the rules and lessons Celestia's ponies had taught him. Celestia just sighed using her wings to rub her temples to combat the headache that she knew was coming when ever Discord got involved with something while Luna sat back trying to contain her laughter as Discord explained the joke and how everything had been going before Twilight's freak out. "I must say that this seems like something that Twilight would talk to my sister about how did you manage to circumvent that?" Discord smiled as he happily shared some of his pranking knowledge with Luna enjoying the knowledge that she would use it on her sister some time in the future. "Oh that was easy I just convinced Spike to play along and had Fluttershy play the part of your sister writing back, she can be a very convincing Celestia." "Discord while you helped Shining armor plan this prank did either of you take into account Twilight's tendencies towards freak outs?" Even though she had asked she already knew the answer and just sent a message that she would be needing more tea and quite a few cakes. "I will help Twilight in her search for her brother and you Discord will be writing an apology letter and so will everyone else involved in this prank am I understood." Discord just nodded feeling that the prank had been worth it only to be hit with a massive headache as new information filled his mind playing out past events in two distinct paths next to each other as he tried to sort out the inconsistencies filling his memories. Discord froze for a moment as his mind finally cleared up enough for him to be able to sort put the memories and a cold lump of ice seemed to fill his chest as he realized what had happened as he compared his two sets of memories reel to reel. "Oh this can't be good."