Queen of Storms

by Via

[25] Cards

Twilight Sparkle was no stranger to high-stress scenarios. But, in her eyes, there were two kinds.

The first kind - Twilight hated. She hated it with all her heart. These were the kind that broke her and brought out the worst of her tendencies towards neurosis. Tests. Quizzes. Deadlines.

The second kind - Twilight also hated. You'd be stupid if you think she didn't hate it. But they brought out the best in her. Her kindest moments, her bravest moments - these were the disastrous scenarios. An alicorn bent on an eternal night. The return of the god of chaos, a full-scale invasion of her home city, a magic-draining centaur threatening all of Equestria -

This situation fell comfortably in the second. So Twilight did what she did best. Better than anything in the world.

A quill and parchment formed. "Let's take notes.""

The Throne Room in Canterlot was special. It, at any given time - likely contained the two most important mares in Equestria.

Right now, it contained all eleven of the most important creatures in Equestria.

In one room - the Elements of Harmony, the four Princesses of Equestria - the Spirit of Chaos, and the Queen of Storms. Tempest's bulk lay coiled around the throne room - wedged in and crammed awkwardly. Celestia and Luna stood by their thrones as they welcome the recently arriving Elements of Harmony. Fluttershy's hoof pressed against a rather uncomfortable looking Discord as he sipped from a glass of upside-down tomato wine.

Twilight then noticed a blur. She spun around, her mobility spell preparing itself - Tempest twitched,, but Luna held up a hoof. Hooves curled around her as Shining Armour squeezed her in a tight hug, quickly giving her a noogie in the way that only an older brother could.

The two quite promptly exchanged greetings between them - before Discord cleared his throat.

"Can we hurry this up already? I have an appointment at two AM, and it's half past two." Discord pulled his fur down like it was a sleeve, revealing the pink skin underneath that made him look like a naked molerat - and inspected his very empty wrist before fixing himself.

"As much as ah hate to say it, ah kinda' agree. You didn't really tell us too much about this whole thing, Twi." Applejack huffed. "Ah undestand it's important and all - but you couldn't really give any detail?"
"Why would you hate to say that?" Discord mumbled and crossed his arms. Applejack just gave him a look.
"I understand that's it a lot - to gather everyone here, and not say anything. But - everyone should hear, at once instead of everyone learning it one on one. It's easier that way, for everyone."

Twilight took in a deep breath. "A few weeks ago, I had a dream. Or - I thought it was a dream. Discord ended up killing everyone, and then when I killed him - Tempest pulled herself out of the Earth and killed me." Already, there were gasps and attempts to interrupt - glances shot towards Discord, who physically recoiled - but Twilight powered on. "Then I had another dream. This time, Discord killed everyone - but Tempest fought him, but she almost died. Then we were in the future - and we were fighting against an army of the undead. Tempest was killed by five alicorns and the Absence who was using Worldwill, lead by some kind of -" She paused for a split second. "Some kind of Absence, I guess, and I kept repeating something to myself. Cadence isn't safe, Apstra is the key. Again and again."

"I thought it was a dream, but I talked to Tempest about it because I was really stressed and she was nearby and we had training scheduled anyways and-" deep inhale, "in the dream - I was wearing this weird purple armour." Her horn flashed, and the armour promptly appeared on her. Rarity let out an audible gasp. Luna looked proud, while Celestia just arched an eyebrow. "-and it turned out, Tempest made the armour for me because she wanted me to be safe if I ever had to fight."

"Then, it turned out that Tempest had a vision - wait, no, she lived a life where she was a wolf in a forest, looking for the Ring of Apstra - and then was killed by someone who needed her soul, but that someone just said I'll see you again drakon. So obviously that was probably the Absence - judging from how Tempest described how it spoke."

Twilight let out a soft exhale. Immediately, there was a cacophony of questions.
"-truly dear, the coloration-"
"-killed us all and you're just lettin him sit-"
"-not cool, dude-"
"-everyone-"
"-h-he wouldn't-"
"-traitorous monster!"
"shining, please-"

Celestia held up a hoof. "Quiet, my ponies, please." She spoke. Her voice had an authoritative quality to it that cut through the cacophony. Slowly, noises died out - with glares still being levied at Discord and expressions of shock over the Spirit's faces. Tempest noted Cadence slowly shifted to lean more into Shining Armour and placed a hoof on her stomach.

"One thing at a time. First off - Discord has never killed a pony. He has certainly wrought atrocities - atrocities that he will have to attone for for the rest of his life. But he has never killed a pony."
"Thank you!" Discord pointed his hands at Celestia. "Minus, the whole - yknow. Atrocity part." Discord handwaved that accusation away and snapped some lemonade in existence to squeeze into his eyes like eye drops. Fluttershy put a hoof on his claw. He shut his eyes and ran his talon over her hoof, back and forth.

"Twilight. You have much explaining to do." Luna said softly. "First - what is - Worldwill? Second - why did you not tell me of your nightmare, littlest sister? And lastly - is it truly important that the bearers know? No offense."
"Uh. Some taken?" Rainbow Dash squinted. Applejack elbowed her.

"Look - I know that this is a lot to drop onto everyone. I'd probably be freaking out right now if it wasn't for the sheer importance of it. I know that it wasn't a dream - it was the future. And it's changing. Which means that there's still time to stop it. So - everyone has to know. I'm putting every card on the table. And yes, Princess Luna. My friends do have to know." Her eyes narrowed slightly as a fire lit within her belly. "They were left alive in the first vision. They were k-killed," she stumbled slightly over the words, "in the second dream. Which means - that they're important to this. The Elements of Harmony might be able to counteract whatever the - Absence is."

"Wait a minute. Aren't the Elements of Harmony like, made by Tempest? Can't she just - yknow. Bing, bang, zap it away if the Elements worked?" Rainbow tilted her head to the side.

Tempest spoke up. "The Elements of Harmony are - beyond me. They came from me, but I didn't directly create them. They were more - subconscious. I'm not quite sure of their full limits and abilities. Furthermore - there are remnants of harmony left within you. How you harnessed the - what was it, Rainbow Power? I am almost certain that my magic alone could not compete against the entirety of Equestria's."

"You didn't answer what Worldwill was, Twilight." Cadence tilted her head to the side.
"So - um. You know how - everyone uses magic with glyphs? Well - I don't - always, have to do that."
All the more magically attuned people in the room blanched save Tempest.
"Tempest can do it too. She sort of - asks the World what she wants, and it Wills it so. So - Worldwill. Entropy- that's, uh - the evil past version of Discord-" she glanced at Cadence and Shining. "He took what he wanted from the Worldwill. And...I..." She glanced at Tempest for help.

"Twilight can use it in its purest form. To put it as bluntly as possible - it is impossible to know what limits Twilight has, if any."
That hung in the air for a few moments.
"Ah - ah'm not very smart magically," Applejack begun.
"-magically?" Rainbow Dash snickered. Fluttershy looked at her. Rainbow Dash promptly hid behind her mane.
"Heard that. But - if Twilight doesn't have any limits, can't she just - ah dunno. Worldwill all our problems away?"
"It's a lot harder than it sounds, Applejack. I can barely use it at all - doing something like that, especially when I don't know what the full problem is...it would be impossible. Or, almost impossible." Twilight sighed.

"Look - regardless. Cadence is in danger. Something is going to happen to her." Twilight pointed. "Unless we protect her. And - I think that Apstra, the Ring of Apstra is the key. Somehow - it'll be able to stop this threat. This - Absence."
"And what of me?" Discord lazily floated across the room. "I don't particularly have any desire to murder anyone. It's more likely in your vision that I come under control, or some form of corruption. Not that that's remotely likely at all - I should be immune to such things." Discord rolled his eyes. "If it would put everyone at ease - you could put me back on the leash, Celestia."
"T-The leash?" Fluttershy glanced at Celestia.
"Superconcentrated Harmony, woven around Discord by alicorns and bound to his very soul. It would reduce his power to - maybe a thousandth of what he had."
Most ponies didn't bat an eye at that. Fluttershy let out a horrified gasp as she went pale - Discord winced, and Tempest's eyes widened slightly.
"What is it, Fluttershy?" Twilight frowned and put a hoof on her withers.
"That's - that's like-"
"It would be like nailing chaos and earth magic into my soul. It would kill me. Like poison."

The room slowly went pale. Discord arched an eyebrow before he inspected his now-painted talons. "I thought you knew this, Celestia."
"Killing you?" Celestia whispered. "You didn't-"
"I thought, that you figured that out." He grunted. "Seriously, Celestia. If it turned my body to stone - wouldn't it stand to reason that it would do the same to my soul?"
"And - you forgave me?"
"Isn't that what friends do?" Discord rolled his eyes. "It's painful. Believe me - it's probably the last thing I'd want. But is there truly another option?"
"Stay with me. At all times. My aura cuts out your connection to the leylines, without harming you." Tempest offered.
Discord stared at her for a few moments before he grinned as he became massive, wrapping an arm around Tempest's shoulders as you would to a friend. "That's a splendid idea! We could be - Best Archfrenemies!"
Tempest didn't do much as blink.

"What about Cadence?" Shining Armour said softly. "You said she's in danger, Twi."
Twilight shut her eyes. "Okay. I have a theory. It's a bit of a stretch - so hear me out." She paused for a second for any interruptions before she quickly spoke -

"The Absence is reviving old foes of Equestria for some reason. They have something to do with the Ring of Apstra - and they're trying to get it, judging from Tempest's past life. They've somehow rallied the Gryphons, revived Gorolich - and here's where I think it starts to get crazy. I think - that somehow, they revive Entropy. The Evil Discord." She waved her hoof at her brother. "I think that Entropy replaces Discord, and no one really notices until it's too late. I think that the Absence also brings back Sombra - who attacks Cadence - and...probably..." She trailed off.

The words hung in the air like a blade over Cadence's head. She rubbed her stomach, her gaze looking far-off.

"Well. That's rather grim, darling." Rarity stood up. "And quite frankly - it does seem rather far-fetched to think all of that could happen. I - almost don't believe it." Twilight's ears went flat, but Rarity held up a hoof. "But I believe you, Twilight. And I know that everypony- ahem, everyone-" she glanced at Tempest and Discord, "in this room would follow you to the ends of the planet."

"Yeah!" Pinkie nodded fervently. "So what's the plan, Twi? And does it involve orbital friendship cannons? Please!?" She almost pleaded.

All eyes fell on Twilight. She shifted slightly; her mouth fell open - her eyes flitted from room to room. Finally, her eyes locked with one pony as she stared at the Sun.

Celestia simply nodded. Twilight let out a slow exhale.

"No. I don't think it involves orbital friendship cannons, Pinkie." Twilight rolled her eyes. "I think - that me, Tempest, and Discord, should go to the Ring of Apstra. Or, look for it. Talk to the Lupine Lords and Ladies."
"Careful, Twilight. The Lords and Ladies are tricky, and unforgiving." Luna spoke sagely. Celestia nodded.
"Woah - what about us, Twi? No chance in Tartarus we're just gonna sit here and do nothing. We're coming with you." Rainbow promptly interrupted. A cheer of yeah! rose from the other Bearers.
"I really don't want to go without you guys, either. But - it's dangerous. And me, Tempest, and Discord - we can take care of ourselves better than you guys can. Not that you're a liability - it's just..." She trailed off.

"you're a spirit, and we're not." Fluttershy finished. Eyes turned to her. For once, she didn't wither under the pressure as she pressed down deeper into Discord's touch.

"...yes." Twilight nodded. "It's - logical. I think it would be better if you guys - maybe if you all stayed in the Crystal Empire for a while. And before you interrupt - you could bring your families. I'm sure Cadence would accommodate, right? It would be safer that way - since you guys would be there if you need Cadence, and - each of you are spectacular. It would certainly make me feel better knowing Cadence had you nearby."

Murmurs and mumbles of dissent and discomfort rose before Celestia stepped forward.

"I think, that Princess Twilight is correct." She gently placed a hoof on top of her withers. "While - I hate to say it, Equestria is rather..." She trailed off. "...The Gryphons and Dragons won't be able to get up north, easily. It also means that neither will we, in case of danger."

"I-i'll go." Fluttershy said softly. "I just - have to arrange, for my animals...oh, dear, I hope they'll be fine without me..."
"...Yeah. I think - I gotta get my parents outta Cloudsdale. I'm also going." Rainbow Dash said, almost reluctantly. She stood by Fluttershy and put a hoof on her free hoof. Fluttershy smiled lightly at her.

Rarity, Pinkie - and a rather reluctant Applejack soon confirmed their agreement.

"So it's settled, then." Twilight nodded, a glint of determination in her eye. "I guess - this is goodbye, then. For now." She quickly added.
"It's not goodbye." Pinkie Pie shook her head. She walked over and put a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "Goodbye means you aren't coming back. This is like - see ya later, alligator."
"...Yeah." Twilight smiled lightly. "See you later, alligator." She nodded at Pinkie Pie.