//------------------------------// // Passage One: Alius vita. // Story: (Dis)Harmonics. // by overlord-flinx //------------------------------// "Other lives... Do they exist? And if they do; can we not see them? And if we can't; do we want to? Perhaps we are blinded to the looking glass of other existences because the knowledge of such worlds may be too great for our minds. Or more frightening, too horrifying for our minds to handle." -Star Swirl the Bearded. Perched in an overlook of most of Equestria, Canterlot seemed almost like a regal dream to those below. But to the folks of Canterlot, it was the royal castle that seemed like a dream to them as its majesty towered over most of the city. To those that dwelled within those royal walls, not much outranked their living; at least nothing in Equestria. However, many aspired to be as poised and sophisticated at the royal sisters that ruled over their land. Most would, throughout the day, try to take notes or wait on the two princesses, but on this day things had been a bit off. Princess Luna, who usually stalked the halls at night, was up earlier then usual as she made the venture through the halls and towards the North Tower: her elder sister's room. As she passed maids and guards, they all took to a bow before her, all of which a bit rushed and awkward. The princess paid them no mind as she met with the door of her sister's room. Normally she would've needed only to push the door open with a use of her magic, but oddly enough it was locked. This didn't matter much to the royal family since all locked doors of the castle could be opened by the insertion of their horns into the slot in the center of the door. Luna dipped down slightly and moved her horn into the small slot of the door, fluxing a small bolt of energy into it to finish the unlocking. With a rather loud click, the door opened slightly and the princess moved in. Step by step, she made her way up the spiral pass that led to Celestia's room, her mind starting to run over why her sister was locked up in her room. Irrational as Luna could've been at times, she felt always justified in worrying over her sister. Finally, she met the arch entry into her sister's room; she was also met by the flickering warmth of Celestia's pet, Philomena, sitting on a wooden desk beside the entrance. "Sister?" the room wasn't all that big, but entering into a room without letting yourself be known was very rude. As Luna looked the room over she saw her sister seated on her bed, holding something close to her chest and looking down into it with a beaten look to her face. "Sister?" Luna moved closer with a worried tone. Close enough now, Luna looked at the possession nestled into Celestia's chest. It looked to her like an ancient sun emblem crafted from copper or even bronze; either way, it looked ridden and scuffed. Celestia, aware of her sister's presence now sighed and glanced to meet her sister's eyes. "Luna... Are you familiar with Star Swirl's forty-fifth lesson?" "The... Principle of Other Lives? Indeed. He had stated that one could very well live other lives in other worlds... A common theory in today's age, I've gathered." Luna answered after some thought. "Good..." Celestia once more looked to the sun emblem laying against her, "Do you believe it?" "It would be foolish if I ruled out the possibility of any idea." "Smart as always, my little sister. So I ask you this since I value your opinion over so many; as well as your honesty..." "Honesty has nay been my strongest trait..." "And you're honest about that," Celestia joked a bit, drawing a bit of a smile from her sister, "Now may I ask your thoughts?" "Verily." Celestia took a moment, trying to piece out how to say her words. In the end, she choose the more blunt way of saying it. "In another life; would you think I could become a monster?" "In all honesty sister... We are not different... If I could become such a beast, thy own track could lead you to the same matter." "So you say yes... Good." "Good?" Luna returned confused by her sister's answer. "You're not lying to me. That in itself is good for me to know. So I ask you this: harmony can't exist without disharmony, correct?" "There must be at first an imbalance before balance can be brought, correct..." "But what if through disharmony, order can be reached?" Luna wanted to answer, but she found herself without a clear answer. That alone was what Celestia was afraid of as she looked into the piece of discarded armor tightly held to her body. For harmony to be made, disharmony would first need to be in existence; through that, order is made. But in the same regard, it also worked in reverse. Celestia was made aware of that every-time she thought back to the other side. Caballussia. "Through the endless day, and setting night, we salute to thee, with your divine sight. "We kneel before thee, blessed with no flaw. Our lord and master, giver of law. "Raised from the depths, you had us clawed. We are truly blessed, to have you, our one--" BOOM... The echo of the school gong quaked the entire institution, but the children couldn't have been happier as they scurried off to the exit. "STOP!" all their hopes of leaving and going home were dashed as their attention was brought back to their teacher standing by the blackboard in front of the room. "You foals aren't released until I say so... Understood?" The entire class grumbled out their understanding, but the teacher furrowed her brows. "Say again?!" "Yes Mistress Cheerilee..." They all said in unison. "Better... Now get out of my sight. You creatures sicken me..." they didn't need any more of an excuse to leave. She watched as students filed out from her class and into the blood red sun lit world outside; the sun was just starting to rise... Just like every afternoon. From the class window Cheerilee could see the full moon making a course through the sky, marking the afternoon of the day. She despised this job, watching over 'the future' of their world? None of them would amount to anything; nopony ever does... They only find their way under the hoof of Canterlot. But dwelling on the thought wouldn't help, Cheerilee had more important things to do. Tonight she had a date lined up; and that line up was with four others right behind it. Canterlot Castle; nopony with any whits would step a hoof onto any stretch of its land. If one soul did, they would've been met with the swift force of the Royal Guards; but everypony knew that the guards were just as afraid as the peasants were. And to those guards that weren't afraid, they lost their senses years ago... "Salute!" One unicorn yelled down the royal hall lined with hundreds of guards. No hesitation or stumbling could bee seen as each guard held firm and put their right hooves against their armored heads. Each guard sported a full, silver plated helmet, blocking their eyes from sight; but they could still hear the sound of those shackling steps. Each step that came down the hall scratched against their years, like metal scrapping up against corroded metal. Even so, not a single guard trembled or lost their hold as many of them saw the center of the sound come by. Many felt burning sensations claw against their spines, but knew the pain of losing their composure before 'her' would be a thousand times worse. Suddenly, the steps stopped near the center of the hallway. Not a soul dared to look towards 'her', not even those she stopped in front of. A collective inner breath was released from all the guards as she returned to stepping down the rest of the hallway; finally passing through the end of the passage and disappearing from their sight. "At easy!" that same unicorn yelled once more before he too followed the path 'she' went. Each guard dropped to their knees, except a few who fell in line behind the unicorn that was leading them in commands. One guard in particular quivered at his knees and took in deep shallow breathes. "You alright?" the guard beside him asked in genuine worry. "S-She stopped before me... She stopped before me..." he wept softly as droplets slipped between the slits of his helmet. "Every day is a blessing now... Thank the gods you're alive." he embraced the quivering guard as many others looked to the two of them, sharing in their concern. All, including those that carried out her wishes and deeds, feared their ruler. All feared... Queen Solaris.