//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - The Heart of Laughter // Story: For Whom the Twilight Falls // by iAmSiNnEr //------------------------------// For Whom the Twilight Falls Cowritten by iAmSiNnEr and Meowofy Chapter 8 - The Heart of Laughter Luna sat on the chair beside the bed which Princess Sunset rested on, looking at her beloved mentor. It was the first time she had seen the princess so…vulnerable.  Celestia entered the room, carrying a tray with a jug of water and a few snacks she had scrounged up from the library’s kitchen, before setting it down on the bedside table. “She’ll be fine,” Celestia reassured Luna. “The Empress said that with some rest, the princess will recover. She didn’t lose her magic, it’ll help her.” “I should have seen the signs,” Luna said hoarsely. “I should have insisted on investigating further. Now, Midnight reigns supreme, and she’s only just begun. Teachers are being called from all over Equestria, summoned to Canterlot. We don’t even know what she’s going to do to them there. Without teachers, she’s taken away the only way foals can learn without books.” “Who says that?” Celestia retorted. “We learned from the best, didn’t we? There’s so much we can teach the foals, even if their teachers are not around. There are still solutions, Luna. This isn’t your fault. If anything, it’s the princess’s fault for not telling us more beforehoof. Perhaps even Radiant’s, if she was in on this.” Luna sighed, looking out of the window. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t they trust us enough to tell us what was going on? We could have helped. We even found the location of the Tree of Harmony without their help. This could have all been prevented.” She stared up towards the sun without looking directly at it. It seemed…malevolent, without Princess Sunset’s influence on it. “At least she wasn’t insane enough to not raise the sun out of spite.” “My aunt is many things,” the Empress said morosely as she pushed open the door. “But she isn’t stupid. She may have taken the ponies’ source of knowledge and the stars away, but she does not want to be the ruler of a dead world.” “Empress,” Luna greeted, inclining her head slightly.  “No longer,” Flurry dismissed. “The Queen has dethroned me. The new ruler of the Crystal Empire was elected to be my daughter, somepony Midnight can control and overpower at a moment’s notice. Snowfall has already left for the Empire, trying to do damage control. I too, am now stuck in Ponyville like you two.” “The Crystal Empire isn’t Equestria, though,” Celestia pointed out. “You’re a foreign diplomat. How can Midnight do this?” “She’s begun her reign,” Flurry sat down on another chair. “Which means the other kingdoms join her, or face war. And no kingdom wishes to war with an alicorn as ancient as my aunt.” “Your aunt,” Luna repeated. “Your aunt, Princess Twilight.” “The very same,” Flurry whispered. “I wish I had known what happened to her before yesterday. Sunset had never told me of my aunt’s falling, nor Midnight.” “I still don’t get it,” Celestia turned to Flurry. “How could somepony as benevolent as Princess Twilight turn into… that monster?” Flurry grimaced. “All alicorns have a dark side. It festers within us, waiting to whisper to us, waiting for their time to take control. All it takes is some discontent, anger, or fear, for them to feed on it and start whispering to us. Offering us a better alternative than what we had. For me, it was the return of my father. To bring him back from the dead. I was lucky. Spike helped me away from that path.” She laughed without humor. “How ironic. Now I see it. He was only able to help me because he knew of Midnight’s transformation.” Spike. Another name Luna didn’t know. She hated not knowing. “Where is your phoenix, anyways?” Flurry asked curiously. “My mind wandered to Radiant, and I thought of her offspring. Philomena, was it?” “She went to look for her mother,” Luna shrugged. “She thinks she can get answers from Radiant, and how to stop Midnight. We have the beginnings of a plan, but without someone to fill in the gaps, we’re lost. The Elements of Harmony are guarded by the magic of Mayhem, and we can’t get past it unless we have the Element of Magic, which is behind that wall of vines. A catch twenty-two, if I say so myself.” Flurry raised an eyebrow. “I think you have a misconception.” “Educate us, then,” Luna groused. “I’m in no mood for riddles.” “The Element of Magic is two things,” Flurry explained. “One, the vessel of Harmony. That one may very well be behind the wall of vines you speak of. But I believe to unlock the enchantments, you need the other Element of Magic. Its bearer. The pony, or creature, that represents the Element of Magic.” “And who is that?” Luna asked. “A thousand years ago, it was my aunt,” Flurry tapped a hoof on her chin. “Now, the bearer would have most likely changed. My aunt betrayed the Elements, turning into Midnight. At least, it seems that way to Harmony. I know it differently. But the Elements will not grant their strength to her anymore, which makes it more likely that they have chosen a new bearer.” “How do we find the new bearer, then?” Celestia leaned forwards. “We find them, and we unlock the key to defeating Midnight.” “I believe Sunset had a plan for that,” Flurry shrugged. “But with her out of the picture, the only one we can ask now is her confidant. Radiant.” “Let’s hope Mena gets her answers, then,” Celestia muttered.  “I think you may be getting your answers first-hoof instead of from your phoenix,” Flurry said, her eyes locked on something out of the window. “You should probably open the window.” “Why-” Luna caught a glimpse of two phoenixes hovering outside the window. “Oh.” She yanked open the window using her magic, letting Radiant and Philomena in. The two phoenixes settled onto the foot of the bed, ruffling their feathers. “Midnight has taken over Canterlot completely,” Philomena announced. “She’s made several decrees already.” “Nopony is opposing her?” Celestia asked incredulously. “You must remember,” Radiant seemed distant. “Midnight showed a display of her power and strength. Word of her might has spread to the other kingdoms already, and many are pledging their support unwillingly so as to not risk war with an insane alicorn. With Sunset out of the picture, Midnight has complete control.” “Even the dragons,” Luna deadpanned. “Even the dragons,” Radiant agreed. “That doesn’t matter now. Sunset had a plan, the only one that could ensure everypony would be safe in the end. It might still work, but it may need a bit more help from me. Have you discovered the Tree of Harmony?” “We have found the Tree of Harmony,” Luna confirmed.  At that, Radiant looked straight at Luna. “You’ve gone further than expected, it seems. But that’s only step one of many to get them to work. When the Elements were used on Midnight the first time, they turned into stone orbs, the gems they were in broken. Without gems to act as a conduit for their power, the Elements are basically useless. You need pure, undiluted gems to house the Elements along with their bearers.” “We know the Ponyville jeweler,” Celestia leaned forward. “We can try to get a few from him. Sombra seems nice and generous, and would probably agree to help us.” “That’s good,” Radiant nodded. “Now, the Bearers. You’ll need ponies, or creatures, who embody the values each Element represents. Honesty, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, and Magic. We need only worry about four for now, unless Sunset judged youwas completely wrong.” “Why?” Luna asked. “There was a reason she took you two as her students,” Radiant explained. “Your magic is powerful, Luna, and she took it to mean you were Magic. Philomena hatched for Celestia, and thus Sunset assumed her to be Loyalty, as phoenixes only hatch for the loyal and brave. I should know, I hatched for Sunset-” she looked towards the window. “What’s happening outside?” A voice drifted up from outside the library. Several voices, in fact. If Radiant had not brought their attention to them, Luna suspected that she would have missed the voices entirely.  Luna trotted up to the window, looking down. She blinked at the scene. A draconequus, squatting down and talking to foals was there, outside the library door. “Discord?” The draconequus waved up to her. “Luna! I require your assistance, along with the library!” He gestured at the foals behind him. “Their teachers are gone, and some of them were their parents. I found them all alone and lost at the schoolhouse. I really don’t like seeing sad faces, so I thought I could do a little teaching for them, in my style.” “Of-of course,” Luna stammered, still surprised. “I’m coming down!” She gave a quick explanation to Celestia, and the sisters quickly made their way down the stairs to open the door to the library. Once they did, Discord entered first, along with several foals. “Right,” Discord smiled. “It’s my turn to shine, eh?” “I never knew you were a teacher, Discord,” Celestia grinned. “It’s good of you to do this.” Discord shrugged. “Just because I’m on the run doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.” He looked at the foal next to him and he knelt down. “Little one,” he smiled. “You don’t have to be scared. Your parents will be home soon. What’s your name?” “Buckle,” the colt whispered.  “Well, Buckle,” he snapped his fingers, and a book appeared in his hands. “Want me to read a story to you?” The colt nodded. Discord looked around the room and grinned. “Storytime, colts and fillies!” The foals cheered, and some of their worried faces melted away as Discord snapped his fingers, showering the room in balloons and paper streamers. Discord sat down on a stool that appeared out of nowhere, and the foals sat wherever they could, grouping on the sofas or on whatever chairs there were. “Once upon a time,” he frowned. “That doesn’t seem right, no good story starts with once upon a time.” He tossed the book aside, and it landed on the ground. Only, instead of a book falling on the ground, a live lion cub appeared. “Oh look!” he pretended to look surprised. “The book turned into a lion cub!” Luna and Celestia laughed at the astonished looks on the faces of the foals. “They don’t know draconequui, do they?” Celestia grinned. “This will be good for them to have some fun.” The foals bundled out of their seats, surrounding the cub. The cub yawned, before roaring softly at the foals. The foals shouted and laughed as Discord snapped his fingers once more, and the books flew off their shelves. At this, Luna stepped forwards, before restraining herself and sitting down on the staircase. “How about we play a little game?” Discord grinned. “Catch a book, and I’ll give you a prize!” At that, the foals jumped for the books, trying to grab one.  “Oh, I do hope he doesn’t damage any of them,” Luna muttered, then there was a knock on the door. Luna trotted over, before looking into the face of Apple Bloom as she opened the door. “Miss Bloom!” She said, surprised. “What brings you here?” “They said a draconequus brought the foals here,” Apple Bloom explained. “Some of the parents that remain are a little worried about what he's doing, so they asked me to come and see. And as far as I can tell,” she smiled as a foal zoomed past on a giant flying book. “I think they’ll be fine.” “They will,” Luna agreed. “Discord seems good-natured at heart. He just doesn’t know the meaning of permission, yet. I’m just wondering how he got the foals to agree to come along?” “He probably just gave them cotton candy and promised them more sweets,” Apple Bloom laughed. “Classic things to convince foals to follow you, eh?” “Not Luna,” Celestia joked as she trotted up to them. “She already had her head buried in a book at four.” “Hey!” Luna protested. “Did not-” “Right, four and a half,” Celestia corrected.  “That reminds me,” Apple Bloom interrupted before the sisters started bickering. “Could you help remind this Discard-” “Discord,” Luna corrected her.  “Discord to bring them home at one?” Apple Bloom finished. “That’s the normal time when school ends for them. Or perhaps it would be better for me to ask the parents to come pick them up at one?” “That would be best,” Celestia agreed. “Draconequui don’t have a great sense of time.” Apple Bloom nodded. “Thank you for allowing them in the library, Luna,” the mare grinned and arranged the hat on her head. “It means a lot to them. To have fun in a place where they’ve been told to be quiet and never make noise. I’m sure they’ll remember this.” “I think they’ll remember Discord more,” Luna smiled as a book started singing a song that sounded suspiciously like a modified version of a nursery rhyme. She giggled. “This’ll be a day they’ll never forget.” As the foals left, all of them waved goodbye to Discord, each of them holding a gift box. The draconequus reminded them not to open the boxes before they were home, before Luna closed the door behind them. “You’re great with kids,” Luna complimented him. Discord shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a natural talent.” He rubbed his hands together. “Anyways, I see you have a question for me. Ask away-” There was another knock on the door. “Oh, come on! Now?” Luna stared at him. “What?” “Nevermind,” Discord grumbled. “Just get on with whatever’s happening.” Luna shrugged, before proceeding to open the door. “Oh, Chryssy!”  The changeling princess peered into the library. “I didn’t know where else to go,” she whispered. “Everywhere else, they all hate me for who I am.” “You can’t blame them,” Flurry came into view on the staircase. “Your mother just helped a coup to take over the throne.” “Not helping,” Luna shot Flurry a glare. “She’s a friend, Em- what do I even call you now?” “Just call me Flurry,” Flurry shrugged. “I don’t particularly care. I was there, you know? I was there when the changelings helped to overpower Sunset. Your people were the ones who placed this inhibitor ring on my horn.” “Don’t,” Chrysalis whispered. “Don’t. I didn’t know. They didn’t tell me anything.” “You’re telling me,” Flurry raised an eyebrow. “You, the changeling princess, knew nothing about a coup that involved most of your kind? I find that hard to believe-” A snapping noise, and no sound came out of Flurry’s mouth. “Luna said you weren’t helping,” Discord put down his hand. “I suggest you let them talk, Flurry.” An angry look crossed the alicorn’s face before she relented and settled onto the stairs.  “That’s better,” Discord snapped again. Flurry found her voice. “I was just speaking the truth.” “She’s our friend, Flurry,” Luna paused a bit, still a little uncomfortable with speaking the alicorn’s name. “If she says she didn’t have anything to do with the whole situation, she’s speaking the truth.” “I once believed Sunset spoke the truth to me about my aunt,” Flurry said bitterly. “I found out she was lying later on. So excuse me if I have trust issues.” “I’m really sorry,” Chrysalis’s voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry my mother did this.” “We saw she spoke to you after the whole,” Celestia gestured. “You know.” Everypony nodded. They knew. “What’d she say?” “That Midnight threatened my life,” Chrysalis pawed at the ground. “And that she had no choice.” “That sounds reasonable,” Discord shrugged. “If someone threatened the life of their child, parents would almost always cave in.” “Can I stay with you two for now?” Chrysalis asked hesitantly. “I don’t have anywhere else.” “Of course!” Celestia grinned. “You’re welcome to stick with us, you’re a friend.” “Thank you,” Chrysalis smiled slightly. “Anyways,” Discord looked at his nonexistent watch. “I have to go now, I have other ponies to cheer up. I hate the worried and sad ambiance in the air. Remember, laughter is good for your soul. Discord, out!” With a snap, he disappeared in a flurry of cotton candy. Luna groaned. “That’s going to take forever to clean up…” She sighed. “Wait, we didn’t ask him to take us to the Tree of Harmony-” “Luna! Celestia!” Philomena flew down the stairs, hovering in front of them. “Princess Sunset’s awake!” As the ponies in the room turned to the stairs, Sunset descended down the stairs, her eyes scanning the room. They seemed…empty, and tired. Her mane was limp, devoid of the usual flow of power and magic. She spoke. “I’m sorry.” Deep in a cavern, at the same time Discord left the library, a stone orb glowed a faint yellow color.