//------------------------------//
// Loss and Gain 
// Story: Of Harmony & Chaos 
// by BBeee 
//------------------------------//

	“So who is he?”
 
“I’m not quite certain. But he will be important, I think.”
 
“And the ‘ranger’?”
 
The mare chuckled “You don’t like him either, Penwell?”
 
“He certainly seems…friendly, but just as annoying. I can’t help but pity this Viator character.”
 
“Don’t worry, I believe our little ponies will be able to relieve him of his suffering soon.”
 
“You think he will travel with them?”
 
“It’s a distinct possibility.”
 
“A possibility? Or have you arranged for this in some way?”
 
Another chuckle echoed within the stone hall. “Arranged? Oh, old friend, I’m hurt! You make me sound like some sort of puppet master. I haven’t ‘arranged’ anything. Just given the occasional…nudge, is all.”
 
The stallion’s chortle joined the mare’s. “Really, Aumean, you’re terrible at times. I still can’t believe you felt it was absolutely necessary to go all the way to Manesterdam like that, even if it risked, in your own words ‘jeopardising their entire quest’.”
 
                “When you’ve lived as long as I have old friend, keepsakes of the past become more valuable than gold. They were happy times when I first read that book.”
 
                “I’m sure. How did you get back so quickly by the way? You couldn’t have flown, even in good winds you wouldn’t have been so fast.”
 
                “Did I tell you about that spell Star Swirl has been developing over the past few years?”
 
                “…you teleported?”
 
                “I most certainly did. It’s a shame though, I haven’t seen him in quite some time and I very much wanted to discuss the finished spell with him. I’m sure he’s very proud of it, but if I did go to see him…”
 
                “It would jeopardise their entire quest. I know you’ve worked with him on it a few times, but if you didn’t go and see him then how did he teach it to you?”
 
                “He didn’t, his niece, Victory Dawn snuck a copy of the perfected notes out for me and gave me all the pointers. Admittedly it took a bit of practise and more than one jump to get all the way back here, but it’s still much faster than flying.”
 
                “Well, that’ll be very useful for you I’m sure. How is the old Bearded’s niece doing anyway?”
 
                “Oh, she’s good…”
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
“Please, help me.” Despite the desperation in the unicorn’s voice being quite clear, the moss green earth pony sat and smiled, totally oblivious to the distress he was causing the azure stallion.
 
“Well, howdy there strangers! C’mon over, there’s plenty space.” The five travellers stood and looked on to the two ponies, unsure of whether to take up the offer. One was kindly gesturing for them to go and sit while the other was flailing with contained urgency, as if to try and discreetly warn them to do no such thing. “Oh, yea, Ah shud ask now rather than spring it on ya later. Like ma pal says, some ‘elp carrying all these ‘ere fancy bottles an’ such to the big ol’ city would be mighty appreciated.”
 
“Bottles? Were you the ones whose cart got smashed? We might have some of your stuff!” asked Firefly as she wiggled causing the bottles in her packs to ding together.
 
The unicorn suddenly ceased his flailing and jumped over to Firefly, his eyes locked onto her packs. “You do!? Oh, excellent! This will certainly save me a good few coins,” he excitedly stated.
 
Prompted by the eager’s pony’s twitching hooves, Firefly pulled off her saddlebags with her teeth and let their contents roll out onto the grass. The azure stallion’s worries were seemingly forgotten and he whopped happily at the sight of the bottles. “By Clover’s horn, you do have them! Thank you!” he cried and grasped each of the bottles with his magic. With impressive speed, he was settled next to the fire again and gesturing just as his companion had been. “Fear not, this will not go unpaid! Come my next performance, I, the Grand & Mightful Viator, will be sure to credit you five in helping to make it possible! Please, come, tell me your names!”
 
Encouraged by the sudden change in mood, the three youngest ponies took places by the toasty blaze. “I’m Firefly!”
 
“Surprise here!”
 
“And my name is Luna!”
 
Discord quickly went to join them, Celestia however remained somewhat wary of the two odd ponies. She joined them around the fire last, giving the two stallions another once-over. With the excitement having died down and the glow of the crackling flames illuminating their true forms, Celestia, Luna and Discord each managed to turn Viator’s smile into a slack-jawed gape. Craggy simply continued to beam happily, either somehow unaware or simply uncaring for his guest’s interesting appearance.
 
                “Stop, stop, stop…a horn and wings!? They mustn’t be permanent, oh, I cannot let anything else be spoken of until I know what magic-”
 
                “Whoo Wee! Would ya look at that! Don meen no offense o’ nuttin, but you’s an awfully funny lookin fella, pardner! An’ Ah specially don’ wanna be insulting a lady, but you two missys sure a rarity round these ‘ere parts, whut with the wings an’ a horn!” The green earth pony addressed the draconequus and alicorns in turn and tipped his hat to each. As usual, he also received a threatening glare from Viator which flew straight over him.
 
                “I’m sorry, we’ve been travelling all day and we’re tired but we’ll be happy to talk tomorrow, if that is ok with-”
 
                “Don’ git ya tail in a twist missy! Proper introductions an’ such can wait until we’ve all gotten sum rest!” Much like Viator’s own expressions of disapproval, Celestia’s raised eyebrow sailed directly past Craggy’s head and without a moment’s hesitation he lay down on the ground, placed his hat other his eyes and was soon snoring loudly.
 
                “I apologise on behalf on my…friend. I truly believe that those mountains have gotten to him in someway,” remarked Viator while he shook his head at the sleeping earth pony.
 
                “I think he would begin to grind even my hoof, eventually. Discord, by the way,” the draconequus said. He shook the unicorn’s hoof with his paw before gesturing to his elder sister. “And this is Celestia.”
 
                “A pleasure, Mr. Viator, was it?” Celestia asked, also shaking the show stallion’s hoof.
 
                “The Grand & Mightful Viator, yes,” he proclaimed his full-title proudly.
 
                “’Grand & Mightful’? What does that even mean?” inquired Firefly, looking to the stallion with clear scepticism.
 
                “It means that I am the most great and powerful uni-” Viator was stopped once more, not by Craggy, but by a loud yawn accompanied seconds later by gentle breathing. A flash of annoyance whipped across the pony’s face and he turned to fiercely gaze at whoever was not apparently listening. “…how dare-Oh…” The sight of both Luna and Surprise curled up snuggling together in slumber cut the azure stallion short for the countless time. For all the stallion’s pride, even he could not resist freeing a tender smile to play across his lips. “…perhaps we should just leave the full introductions until tomorrow,” spoke Viator. He smiled at the pair half-buried in each other’s manes and tails a moment more before shaking his head and lying down himself to try and obscure his blushing. After all, how could the Grand & Mightful Viator ever live down being caught almost audibly “d’awwing” at such a sight, as sweet and adorable as it was?
 
                “Hehe, night everypony!” called Firefly as she adjusted her sunglasses and sprawled out on her back. Discord and Celestia soon nodded to each other and followed suite, using their packs as make-shift pillows while inching closer to the warmth of the fire and their friends. Within just a few minutes, the night was filled only with the sounds of crickets and the slow, rhythmic breathing of six ponies and a draconequus.
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                There was not a single cloud in the sky. Only the sun stood up, unopposed as master of the heavens. The animals did not fight, bicker or even play with one another, they merely went about finding and doing what they needed without so much as a squeak. Straight lines had become an all too prevalent part of nature; the trees and flowers grew at strict right-angles and each leaf and branch had its symmetrical double, they even grew in patches clearly organised by species. Everywhere he looked, the draconequus saw only pervasive abominations.
 
                “By the Elements…mother! Mother, please, help! What’s happening!?” cried Discord as he launched into a swift flight, unable to stop his eyes from darting in all directions and soaking up the stringent scene. ‘I have to get out of here…get to town…somepony must know what’s happening…’ Discord’s mind raced as he focused on that goal. The perfect sanity that was infecting his beloved Everfree Forest was neither repulsive nor particularly frustrating, it was just so…wrong. How had such a place of creative freedom become like this?
 
                When he saw the roofs of Ponyville’s houses Discord let out a relieved sigh. Even if he couldn’t find his mother, the citizens would surely have some idea of what was going on. As the draconequus continued his flight towards the small village, his hopefully smile began to fall and his whooshing wings slowed to a weak flap. He had seen the thatched roofs and spires, not because he was getting closer to the earth pony-built settlement, but because the buildings themselves had grown considerably in height and had become carefully arranged in firm patterns.
 
                “Not here as well…mother…mother!” pleaded Discord as he resumed his race to the now-bewitched village, intent on finding somepony to explain the rigid order. Passing over the bridge and into Ponyville proper, the young draconequus couldn’t help but once again surrender his eyes to the visions of utter harmony around him. Ponies of all ages and size were staring in total focus at their tasks, throwing everything they had at others, standing steely-eyed by the side of another as if trying to guard them, spouting their deepest secrets as loudly as they could or massaging and pampering random passer-bys.
 
                ‘What is wrong with everypony!?’ he wondered. ‘There must be…Penwell! He’ll know what to do!’ realised Discord as he thought of the town’s librarian, an intelligent and proud stallion who was a good family friend. Surely he wouldn’t have been drawn into all this rigidness?
As Discord set off full-speed to the village’s centre and where he hoped the local library still stood, he was so distracted and confused by such a horrid turn of events that he ploughed straight into another speeding figure, sending both crashing onto their flanks. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was-” Discord began to say before he was stopped by Firefly.
 
“Oh, hey, do you want some stuff? I should have some stuff, just wait, I’ll get it for you!” the pink earth pony offered, though her generous gifts were received by nopony, as Discord simply stared as his normally tough and independent friend with horror, unable to even continue listening or pickup the many presents she was eagerly trying to show into his arms.
 
‘Firefly too…? By the Elements, somepony help!’
 
“…but you should really be thanking our amazing queen!” applauded Firefly as she pointed a hoof to the village pavilion, where a tall, golden, throne-like seat had been placed at the top of the stairs, replacing the normal pedestal used to make announcements. Despite the harsh sun being the only source of light, the chair was engulfed in a menacing glow, obscuring the majestic figure which sat sternly upon it.
 
“She’s responsible? Who is…? Why…? How can any of this be fun!?” despaired Discord as he clutched his thoroughly aching head with his paw and talons. The figure upon the throne stirred at his agitated cries, a judgmental, disapproving “hmm” echoed from the undoubtedly tyrannical being’s throat.
 
“Of course it is not fun, you foolish monster…” spoke the figure as she sparked her horn into life, a hideously neat rainbow slowly swirling its way through the air in symmetrical patterns towards Discord as he lay frozen on the ground with terror. “…how can order exist with fun?” she hissed as the rainbow forcefully came down on the draconequus’ head, not burning his skin but solidifying his entire body and mind with such intense feelings of boredom he could do nothing but weep.
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
“Hey, Dis! Dis!” the pink blur seemed to be calling him. “Did getting up first yesterday make you this tired? Sheesh.”
 
“Shut up, Fire! Can’t you see he was having a bad dream? Look, he’ been crying!” another voice rang out.
 
“Don’t worry brother, I’ll help!” Suddenly Discord felt the damp grass beneath him disappear and a distinct sensation of hovering in the air. The grass then returned, but only in his hoof and claw. He was clearly standing.
 
Discord opened his eyes fully and allowed them to focus. Luna, Surprise and Firefly were standing around him smiling while Celestia talked over by their packs with the two ponies they had met the night before.
 
“You awake now Dissy?” Surprise spoke, a small hint of worry in her voice.
 
The sight of his three companions, particular Firefly, stirred the draconequus’ memories of the dream he had been forced to experience and he was quick to wipe his eyes before another round of droplets made a break for his cheeks. “Yes, yes! I am! Oh, and thank you Luna, for the assistance. Quite a nice way to wake up.”
 
“You’re welcome!” she giggled in response.
 
The chimera looked about his surroundings once more. “So do we have a plan, or is that still in the making?” he asked.
 
“Tia’s working it out. I think I overheard her saying something about just going along with those two,” replied Firefly while scratching her head with hoof. “So long as they can keep up, I don’t mind at least.”
 
On closer inspection it became quite apparent to the draconequus that both Celestia’s and the unicorn’s, Viator, faces were cringed in annoyance. Combined with what he had already seen and heard of the green earth pony, Discord quickly deduced that Craggy may have been well-meaning but was completely insufferable. ‘In some ways,’ he thought ‘that is the worst combination.’ If Craggy were rude, unkind or mean, then Viator -and now the other five- would have had every reason to leave him. However, because he did genuinely seem to be a good pony at heart and only unwittingly drove those around him to tear at their manes, it created an awkward situation that would be very difficult to escape from without resorting to hurting the earth pony’s feelings. It was mostly speculation on the draconequus’ part, but regardless, there was little he, or his fellows, could do about it except push on and see what the road held for them.
 
“Ohh~, Dissy! Still there?” Discord snapped from his ponderings to the sight of a white hoof full of grass. “You might want to get some breakfast quick, Dissy,” Surprise nodded her head over to Celestia who was attempting to restrain her eye from twitching. “I think Tia’s going to want to get going pretty quickly.”
 
“Of course, of course…” Without further ado, Discord took the grass and joined Luna, Surprise and Firefly in eating. The draconequus noticed that Firefly had decided to wear both her sunglasses and cap, with good reason; there were barely any clouds and those that did float lazily around the sky were small and provided nothing in the way of shade. Without the trees of the Everfree or the hills of the Range there was no cover from the shining rays of the sun. Though the mid-morning heat was gradually rising, Discord shivered. The sky was uncomfortably familiar.
 
“What do you think of this grass, brother? It’s not as juicy as in Everfree,” Luna pouted as she frowned and pawed at the faintly brown grass below her, trying to find some greener leaves.
 
“Yeah, talk about disappointment. At least the stuff in the forest was okay,” complained Firefly in agreement.
 
“It’s not that bad, right Dissy?”
 
“Well, it could be better. Instead of the magic and dew of Everfree, all this grass likely gets is a lot of sunlight and hot air,” explained the draconequus while pointing to the blazing sphere of flame above them with a talon.
 
“Luna, Surprise, Firefly, Discord, are you almost done? We’re ready to go,” called Celestia to the munching ponies. Her tone was full of frustration and she was quick to move away from the green earth pony.
 
“Just a second sister!” replied Luna, taking a final bite of grass and quickly chewing it down. Discord, Surprise and Firefly quickly followed and buckled up their saddlebags. The route was clear, though Viator and Celestia still decided to hide their faces in maps and scrolls as they waited for the others.
 
“Ready to roll, T-”
 
“Ya’ll ready there, pardners?” Firefly had become his next victim.
 
“Let’s just be on our way, ye-”
 
“A’ight, let’s head on out! Yehaw!” Discord too, was struck with a bolt of irritation. Rather than immediately following Craggy’s gallop, the six decided to let him gain a head-start before following: with a slightly slower pace.
 
Soon after the group set out on their journey once more, they were each brought in to a close-knit formation by Celestia’s subtle gestures. “Me and Viator have agreed. We’ll try to lose him in Neighly. Get on different boats perhaps. Any objections?” she spoke and outlined their plan in a hushed tone, loud enough to be heard over the pounding of their hooves but soft enough so that the earth pony ahead of them would hopefully not hear them. The alicorn’s question was met only with shaking heads. Luna and Surprise had yet to feel the green stallion’s burning sting of aggravation but had seen and understood its excruciating effects, even in the short space of time they had been around Craggy.
 
                ‘It’s a good plan. Hopefully we’ll be able to find a good enough distraction,’ Discord mused to himself. He was not entirely sure if Celestia had planned to take them to Neighly in the first place, but it would not be surprising if she had. A small riverside town built to be more of a crossing than a true settlement. Discord had heard that most ponies coming from over the Western Range on their way to Manetserdam, on hoof or by air, often stopped in Neighly to resupply and rest before the final stretch to the big city down the Saddle River. In recent years however that “final stretch” had become less imposing than that title suggested due to the town’s ferry network being expanded to include up and down stream and not just bank-to-bank.
 
                It took little more than an hour of galloping before the log cabins of Neighly became visible on the horizon. “There she is folks!” yelled Craggy. Pony and draconequus alike decided to remain silent and concentrate on keeping Craggy a good number of paces ahead.
 
They were thankful however to at least have yet more new sights to gaze upon. Unlike Canterlot Valley, the Manesterdam Plain was very flat and lacked the rolling hills they were all familiar with. It was, all in all, a very simple land; aside from the occasional tree or field of wheat it was thoroughly unremarkable. Given a few years living in it, they would all no doubt begin to find it dull but, baring Craggy, it was a new and wondrous sight for each of the travellers. It did not exceed the sheer breathtaking beauty of the mountaintop views they had recently experienced, but the countless fields of gently flowing grass had a certain rustic charm which they could all appreciate.
 
“Oh, looks a like we’re ‘ere!” The earth pony’s sudden deceleration caused an impressive mess to form behind him. Each of his companions had dug their hooves into the ground or pulled back sharply with their wings a little harder then necessary so as to not just avoid a collision, but also to not end up right next to him; instead however, they had all collided with each other and become thoroughly tangled. Craggy did not notice the groans of pain and sheer aggravation.
 
“Let’s…let’s just find out when the next ferry is due,” Celestia growled through gritted teeth after spitting the dirt from her mouth.
 
“Don’t you worry yer fancy self missy, leave that to ol’ Craggy!”
 
“NO!” The white alicorn’s scream only intensified the curious looks of the town’s ponies who had come to greet an entourage of travellers and instead found a mismatched ball of limbs that was struggling to free itself from its own confines. “I…umm…think it would…think it would…” she stuttered, trying to find any possible excuse to stop what she was slowly beginning to see as irritation incarnate. If he learned the boat’s schedule, it would be far more difficult for the rest of the group to ‘accidentally’ slip away without him. ‘…Accidentally…’ Celestia repeated the word in her mind. She really didn’t want to have to do such a thing; she could see that Craggy was an incredibly well-meaning and kind pony at heart. He just seemingly happened to also be utterly ignorant of some of the essential norms of social interaction and his own habits which drove those around him to despair. In total, Celestia had only interacted with Craggy for perhaps a few minutes at the most, yet she already found herself wanting to go against her better nature and abandon him as soon as possible. “…think…it would…” she looked over to the azure stallion who was resorting to using magic to try and free himself. From what they had talked about, Celestia knew the unicorn had suffered hours with Craggy. ‘…How did he ever…?’
 
“Think it would be fairer for you to go have some rest! You’ve been…leading us all this way after all…right?” Discord interjected. It was not the greatest pretext Discord had ever thought of, but the earth pony’s unceasingly cheery grin had become strangely frightening and had demanded an answer.
 
“Would ya looka tha’! We got ourselves a real gentlecolt righ’ ‘ere! If y’all sure ‘bout it, I’ll take ya up on tha’ mighty kind offer,” Craggy said while looking to each of the ponies in turn. Each forced a smile and shook their heads to confirm they did not mind.
 
“Where will you be?” Discord asked. “So we…know where to come and get-” he quickly tried to add for good measure.
 
“Ah might go ‘ave maself some good ol’ apple cider down at the bar. Centre o’ town, can’t miss it,” sighed the earth pony, already dreaming of his drink. “Well, catch y’all later!”
 
The six travellers had ceased their struggling and frozen, waiting for the green stallion to trot out of eye and ear shot. As soon as Craggy’s short tail disappeared around a building, the group’s efforts to untangle themselves resumed at an even more frantic pace. With the help of a little magic, they were all separated quickly.
 
“We have to be quick. Firefly, Surprisena, you find the general store and see if you can get us any food for the ride. Luna, Viator, you come with me and we will find out the boat’s schedule and secure our passage. Discord…find Craggy, make sure he isn’t fit for sailing. In case of emergency, I will send out a flare which means you should each get to the pier as soon as possible. Everyone understand?” A round of nods followed. “Good. Remember, everypony meet up at the pier once everything is ready.” Each of the six raced off to complete their tasks with no complaint and militaristic discipline. They each had a vitally important mission and would have to work in perfect synchronisation in order to succeed. They weren’t just trying to catch a boat. They were trying to save their sanities in the process.
 
_____________________________________________________________________________
 
 
“General Store spotted!” called the snowy pegasus after a few moment’s of aerial reconnaissance. “Second left, then right, third building down!”
 
                “On it!” Surprise’s pink friend yelled back. With the directions firmly stuck in her mind, Firefly burst into action, sending dust flying into the air. It was midday and ponies were going about their business in full, but years of galloping through the streets of Ponyville had taught the speedster a great deal about crowd behaviour and evasive technique which ensured the only thing she was hit with was expressions of shock and disapproval, neither of which would scar anypony. It took Firefly mere seconds to reach the store and skid her way directly in front of the counter. Several impatient taps on the wooden surface were required to break the store keeper from his trance and get him to close his gaping jaw.
 
                “…C-can I help you…?” he asked cautiously, unsure of what to do about the bright young pony that had suddenly raced into his store.
 
                “We need food for the boat! Stat!”
 
                “O-oh, yes, of course. I have these lunch-bags made specifically for the trip. They’ve got just the right things to give you the best experience!”
 
                “Great, great, give me six of them!”
 
                “Fire, you got something yet?” The two ponies looked to the swing doors to see a yellow maned pegasus that was poking her head into the store. Her urgent tone and beckoning hooves spurred the store owner into an equal state of haste.
 
‘Come to think about it, the ferry leaves soon doesn’t it…?’ realised the store pony. He had seen it before, ponies rushing about because they wanted to catch the boat before it left, and for good reason: the next wouldn’t depart until the next day. With skilful speed, the sales pony grabbed six of the bags and threw them onto the counter perfectly. “Sixty bits, please!”
 
Firefly was already tearing through her saddlebags to her money pouch. With one sweeping movement, she cast six ten-bit coins and slung the bag’s handles onto her hoof then used the remaining momentum to twist her body around. With a kick of her back hooves she was at the doors before the coins had even hit the counter. “Thanks!”
 
“Have a nice…” He did not bother finishing. The two ponies were already gone.
 
“What did you get, Fire?” inquired Surprise as she peered at the bags. Though not zooming through the streets quite as quickly as they had been, the two still garnered a host of curious looks from passerby’s who wondered what the rush was.
 
“A bunch of premade food, especially for the trip,” replied Firefly.
 
“Huh, grea-” The bouncy pegasus could not finish. A bright, red flare tore into the sky above Neighly and popped loudly. Both the two travellers and the townsponies were stunned into momentary silence. “Do you think that’s…?”
 
“Yep. Come on Surprise, race ya!” Despite the pink pony’s grin, urgency had definitely been restored.
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                “Welcome, sir. What can I-”
 
                “Ya wouldn’t min servin’ little ol’ Craggy a nice, hard cider would ya?”
 
                “…Of course, right away, sir.” The barpony obviously did not appreciate being cut off; regardless, he went to pour the first alcoholic beverage of the day drink. It was still relatively early and the bar was mostly empty save for a handful of ponies whose drinks lacked the colour, froth or bubbling of ethanol.
 
Discord, who was peering discreetly into the open bar, noticed that the few other patrons were quick to shuffle their chairs so that their backs were turned to the green earth pony. Obviously, they were either quick judges of character or Craggy had a reputation, the latter would not be all that surprising to the draconequus. Discord’s task was to make Craggy less likely to be able to sail and make it to the boat on time. He didn’t know how long he had exactly, but the sight of a fair number of ponies making their way to the river with saddlebags by their sides suggested that the boat was already here. Given the current situation and his own rough estimate of available time, Discord concluded that getting such an excessive quantity of liqueur into the earth pony that he started dancing on the counter, flirting with everypony that passed or simply ended up asleep in the corner was the best course of action.
 
“Your cider, sir. That will be three b-”
 
“Aw, thanks a bunch, pardner! How much that cost now? ‘bout three bits I reckon?” The barpony glared at Craggy but simply gave him a slow nod that to any normal creature suggested a few kindling sparks of rage were brewing.
 
Discord winced. He didn’t want to, but he knew he would have to directly intervene, not only to ensure the cider-sipping stallion would have less skill at numeracy then a newly-born foal, but also to possibly save his life from anypony less forgiving than the draconequus or his friends.
 
“…F-friend! Hell-”
 
“Well howdy there, pardner! Come ta share a drink wit’ this ol’ ranger?” Although it had been blocked before it was even finished, Discord’s voice had attracted a glance from everypony present in the bar. His body had then also succeeded in attracting mixed looks of mild fear and wariness. Much as his mind begged him to show the bar’s ponies otherwise and lecture them, the draconequus ignored the eyes watching his every move save one pair. He had far more important business to deal with.
 
“Not share, to offer! I just wanted to…thank you for all the…things you’ve helped us with,” Discord forced himself to say. “So here! Have another drink…on-”
 
“Tha’ is awful kind of ya, pardner! Don’ mind if I do!” Craggy nodded to the barpony who in turn looked to Discord with a large frown. Discord was able to confirm his words with another nod, though he could not help but roll his eyes in doing so.
 
‘Two might not be enough. Hopefully I can remember how it goes…’ the draconequus said to himself as he watched the earth pony begin to reach for his first drink. Discord made sure to press himself closer against the bar so he could hide his talons with his body.
 
Without warning a lonely glass sitting on a table in the corner spontaneously shattered, drawing the attention of everypony bar Discord. With the mystery of the breaking glass, nopony noticed Craggy’s drinks being momentarily enveloped in a golden aura.
 
“What was that…?” muttered the barpony as he walked over to the table to investigate the mysterious breaking glass. After a moment spent looking around the table for any clue as to what happened, the pony shrugged and went to fetch a broom and dustpan to sweep up the shards of glass with.
 
Craggy, meanwhile, turned back to his drink and began slurping it down.
 
Discord smiled. “I should get back to my-I mean our friends now. I’ll come and get you when the boat leave-”
 
“A’ight, pardner! Come git me when we’re all ready to move ‘em out?” asked the earth pony. Though he had interrupted Discord once more, even Craggy’s unwitting efforts could not wipe the grin from Discord’s face.
 
“Of course, of course!” Discord waved and then walked out of the bar. He still received stares, though they bounced off his pride before he could even register them. ‘Oh, I am brilliant!’ he chuckled to himself. He hadn’t been able to use it in a long time, but the particular spell he had cast on Craggy’s drink was one of his personal favourites: an alcohol multiplier. It could turn even the mildest of drinks into a potent brew of liquid friendship and the best part was that it didn’t alter the taste, so whoever drank it wouldn’t realise and probably never would due to drunkenness’ immense appetite for memories. A fine party trick, one Discord had very fond recollections of, especially the one time Celestia had, for once, agreed to partake of a little social lubricant.
 
BANG!
 
“Hmm?” What sounded like a firework lured the vision of everypony to the air above the river where the fading sparkles of a firework or flare were glistening. “An emergency already? My, my.” Discord was in a humourous mood and he chortled once more before flapping his way into the air and towards Neighly’s pier.
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                She could see the whole of the town from only a few feet in the air. Though roughly the same size as the more familiar Ponyville, Neighly was markedly different in feel. Rather than the thatched cottages that Celestia was more accustomed with, Neighly consisted mostly of log cabins and planked buildings. It was far less warm or gentle than Ponyville, more rugged, but quaint enough to the white alicorn. The few patches of trees on the outskirts suggested a small wood had resided in the spot previously but was felled and then literally turned into the town. There was also the river which sat directly by the town. Unlike the small streams that surrounded and flowed through her hometown, Nieghly had one large flow of water which was perhaps the village’s very reason for continued existence. More specifically, the large wooden construct which sat patiently on the river’s edge was Nieghly’s primary source of purpose.
 
                “There it is,” called Celestia to her two companions on the ground. With one last quick glance to try and memorise the route, Celestia returned to the rough street and began to lead the way towards the pier. The aerial surveillance hadn’t really been necessary; they knew the direction of the river and Neighly was small enough that the chances of getting lost were minimal and even if they did, they could no doubt quickly find their way.
 
                “Was that really necessary?” inquired the newest member of Celestia’s entourage of fellow travellers. “If we just followed the main street, we could have found it I bet.”
 
                “I didn’t go up just to find out where the pier was,” she replied. “Seeing things from the air helps me…get a feel for the place.”
 
                “A ‘feel’? Well, regardless, it still begs the question as to how you have yourself such a fine horn but can still go and get a feel for somewhere,” Viator remarked, not even trying to hide his curious gaze which shifted its focus repeatedly from Celestia’s horn and wings.
 
                “…Would you please stop that?” the white alicorn scolded. ”I’ll tell you about it once we’re on our way to Manetserdam.”
 
                “I would, but for equalities’ sake you’ll have to ask everypony,” he nodded to a number of the town’s citizens which each stopped what they were doing to give Celestia, Luna or both a quick moments’ look of intrigue as they trotted past. “If you didn’t want ponies to look, then putting yourself on full display right above their heads might not have been the best idea.”
 
                Celestia tsk-ed and increased her pace. They didn’t have the time to be messing around with her heritage. At least Luna did not seem to mind; she responded to the attention with nothing but a friendly smile and wave.
 
                “It doesn’t matter, we’re here.” Surely enough the repeated sound of clopping on hard dirt changed to the rattle of wood as the three ponies arrived at Neighly’s single pier. The sound of their hooves on planks stirred the interest of an elderly earth pony -who Celestia assumed to be the dockmaster- from some scrolls of parchment on his podium.
 
                “…Hmm? Ah, oh, yes, yes, here for the Manesterdam Ferry? You’re just in time!” piped the old mare. She adjusted her thick glasses to give the alicorn before her a better look, though made no comment on Celestia’s somewhat unusual appearance.
 
                “Yes, six tickets, please and…just in time?” replied Celestia with a growing tone of worry in her voice.
 
                The dock mare began organising the requested tickets before speaking. “Why yes, the boat leaves in less than five minutes,” she answered, causing all three of the ponies to recoil their heads in concern. “Six, you said? For friends? They had best hurr-” She was cut off by an intense magical glow from the white pony in front of her and the bright, red ball of energy that erupted from her horn. The sphere screeched into the air above the dock and exploded with a loud pop. “Oh, my! Whatever was the meaning of that!? Almost gave me a heart attack!”
 
                “I’m very sorry, but it’s an emergency. Can we have our tickets now?” Celestia forced a smile and stared anxiously at the six, stamped pieces of paper the mare had collected on her podium.
 
                “…Yes, yes…umm…of course, that will be, uhh… ninety bits,” she stuttered, still in a state of shock and mild confusion in regard to the abrupt firework-like spell.
 
                “Sis, do you think they can make it on time?” asked Luna, her tone full of unease.
 
                Celestia’s horn was glowing anew, telekinetically sorting the money from her saddlebags. “Firefly and Surprisena should be fine, but…” Celestia trailed off as she levitated nine coins onto the podium in exchange for the tickets. ‘Discord’s good at that sort of thing, but even he might not be quick enough without resorting to violence,’ the pastel maned alicorn thought to herself. “Luna, Viator, come on. We had better get aboard.”
 
                “But sis!”
 
                “I’ve already cast the emergency spell. There isn’t anything more we can do except trust that they’ll get here on time. Hurry now…” Celestia had to resort to gently start pushing her sister along the pier and towards the boat which was now starting to buzz with activity. It was a rather modern vessel, a mixture of wood with some metal plating and two large paddled wheels on either side of it. It was reasonably short for its width and was tiered with three floors in a vaguely pyramid-like shape. The walls of each floor, with the exception of the top, was covered in benches which many ponies now sat on, normally with saddlebags at their sides.
 
                “Is all this really worth it for one pony?” Luna asked while still trying to watch the path back into town for the arrival of her friends.
 
                “Yes,” spoke Viator with nearly unnerving conviction. “He…that pony is not one we should take with us.” The unicorn’s voice was enough to subdue Luna into allowing herself to be pushed up the ramp and onto the boat.
 
                “Prepare for departure! Light ‘em up!” a pony called from above the trio. Once the order was given the paddle wheels were each enveloped in a white magical glow and creaked into life.
 
                “Oh no…”
 
                “Sis! We can’t leave th-”
 
                “Wait, wait! We’re here, we’re here!” Three heads whipped to the pier to the sight of two ponies and a draconequus racing towards the boat, not even stopping at the surprised calls of the dock mare. Encouraged by the flailing gestures of their friends, Discord, Surprise and Firefly were able to scurry up the ramp and onto the deck of the vessel just as the wheels burst into life proper, the glow surrounding them reaching its peak. The sound of splashing water grew and the ship slowly began to pull away from the pier and turn further into the river.
 
                “Brother! Surprise! Firefly! You made it!” The midnight alicorn laughed happily and drew each of them into a big group hug.
 
                “…Wai-hic!…For…for ol’ Craggy…hic!”
 
                “…oh…no.” Joy was instantly transformed to dread. Slowly, as if terrified at what he might see, Viator turned his head back to the pier. There, at risk of collapsing at any moment, was Craggy galloping towards the boat. “No…no, no, no, no…” The normally proud and unshakeable show stallion seemed on the verge on a panic attack. “He’s going to try and jump. And he might make it…”
 
                “Really, incredibly impressive. There must have been enough alcohol in those drinks to sedate a bear in ten seconds flat,” commented Discord, more amused at Craggy’s ability to walk let alone gallop despite being so inebriated.
 
                “What…what do we do!?” Even Firefly had begun to panic and looked to each of her companions in turn, eyes begging for a solution.
 
                “…Be there…be there…hic!…in jus’ a secund…” The boat drew further and further away from the pier with each passing second but had not reached its full speed nor made any significant distance. Though improbable, the jump was still certainly in the realms of possibility for anypony with a bit of buck to their hind legs; many would say it was still a crazy feat to attempt but Craggy’s blood was at that point likely flammable enough to easily allow him to be included in an insane category.
 
                As the earth pony drew closer and closer to the edge of the pier, Viator suddenly darted to the edge of the boat, horn flaring. “…Sorry,” he uttered as his horn flashed with light. Just as Craggy was mere feet away from the ramp, a plank beneath his pounding hooves snapped, causing him to trip, roll and plunge into the water with a resounding splash. The six travellers remained frozen in direct contrast to the other passengers and citizens of the boat and town who rushed to try and see what had happened. Much to Viator’s chagrin, there was talk of diving in to save the drunkard stallion. Their breaths remained held as they watched the stream of bubbles pop continuously on the surface. Then, a moss green pony emerged, lying on his back in the water, his chest bobbing slowly up and down.
 
                “…Is he alright?” asked Luna, struggling to see over everypony and the considerable distance the boat had now achieved.
 
                “…I think he’s asleep,” observed Surprise, her keen pegasus eyes allowing her to make out the rhythmic rise and fall of the stallion’s stomach that was characteristic of sleep. “He’ll be fine! Just out of it for a bit!”
 
                They each breathed a sigh of relief and went to sit on some vacant benches. The way through Neighly had been far more hectic than any of them had predicted but they were all at least secretly glad that they wouldn’t have to suffer at Craggy’s hooves for the rest of their journey, even if abandoning him did leave a tiny lump of guilt.
 
                “So,” Celestia began after sighing once more. “Just plain sailing from here.”
 
                “Not quite. I think somepony wanted a little lecturing, hmm?” Discord nodded in Viator’s direction.
 
                “Yes,” he rubbed his eyes. Fatigue was beginning to set in. “What I want to know is,” he pointed to Celestia, Luna and Discord in turn. “How do you do that? Have both, I mean.” Firefly shifted a little uncomfortably, though everypony’s attention was fixed on the unicorn. “And him; I don’t think I’ve ever even heard of such a type of chimera, let alone one that’s intelligent!”
 
                ‘Should we tell him? Would mother approve? She must have known we might get questioned. Perhaps we can just say it was-‘
 
                “We’re alicorns! And our brother here is a draconequus!” Celestia was dragged from her thoughts and stared at Luna a little wide eyed. The white alicorn’s sister clearly had no reservations about revealing their true status to a pony, even one they barely knew. Discord, unsurprisingly, simply chuckled quietly to himself.
 
                “…Alicorns? Draconequus? I see.” He did not inquire further and merely began prodding the paper bags resting by Firefly’s side. Celestia frowned at him and shook her head in disbelief.
 
                “…I’m sorry?”
 
                “…Whht?” His voice was muffled from the bread he had taken from his chosen bag and hungrily began chewing on. “Is something wrong?” he clarified after swallowing the soft bit of loaf. Though not as in such a state of amazement as Celestia, the four other travellers looked at the unicorn with mild expressions of surprise.
 
                “You know about alicorns? About the draconequus?” The elder alicorns was not going to let such a simple acceptance of her heritage go un-scrutinised.
 
                “No,” replied the stallion calmly, preparing to take another large bite of bread.
 
                “Aaand you aren’t curious? At all?”
 
                “No.”
 
                “But…you seemed so interested before! Why have you suddenly changed your mind?”
 
                The unicorn sighed and put down his bread then looked at Celestia directly. “Because at first I thought that you had acquired them through some sort of magic. Now I know it’s simply because you’re a different species. The same applies to…” he nodded at the draconequus. “Discord was it?” Discord nodded back in return.
 
                “But…” Celestia was having a hard time accepting Viator’s own acceptance so easily, even though her companions had. Firefly and Surprise had snuck off to have a look around the rest of the deck, Discord lay relaxed on the boat’s edge, apparently trying to sleep and Luna was listening to her sister’s stuttering and giggling in response. It wasn’t often that Celestia got so flustered.
 
                “Listen. I travel around a lot and I’ve met many different kinds of ponies and creatures. Earth pony, unicorn, pegasus, buffalo, zebra…I know there are countless different kinds of species out there,” he spread his legs to try and illustrate his point. “What I thought you had was due to some kind of… special, magic. Something I might be able to explore for myself. But it wasn’t, you’re just another pony-Well, sapient being,” he nodded to Discord again. “Like the rest of us.” Viator picked up his bread again. “Why are you so bothered anyway? You think being an alicorn, or whatever it was, is special or something?”
 
                “Well…” Celestia shook her uncertainties away. It was neither the time nor place. “It doesn’t matter. Why don’t we talk a bit about you?”
 
                Viator smiled and placed his hoof on his chest dramatically. “The Grand & Mightful Viator, greatest show-stallion in the land. I don’t just amuse ponies with some cheap tricks, I amaze them!” The pride was already trickling back into his voice.
 
                “That sounds really cool! What kind of things do you do!?” Luna asked excitedly, shuffling closer on her seat so that she was closer to the unicorn.
 
                Celestia settled down on a vacant bench and lifted a food bag for herself. It would take a few hours for them to reach Manesterdam, there was no reason not to let Viator do a little of his thing.
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                “Come out girl! Take your punishment with dignity!”
 
                “Haa…Haa…Phew…”
 
                “Hiding will only see more strikes of the cane!”
 
                “…”
 
                “Elder Zekra, the lookouts say they see figures on the horizon! Could she be trying to flee with her pony friends?”
 
                “Check the stores! Make sure nothing has been taken and that they are guarded!”
 
                “Yes, Elder Zekra!”
 
                “…”
 
                “…You are foolish girl. This is your home, where you belong! Your kinsmen should come before all else! Alone we would perish, but together we may survive the evil which rules this world!”
 
                “…”
 
                “You continue to dishonour that unity! The unity you owe everything to!”
 
                “…”
 
                “…I know you are here somewhere, Kromi. And I will not let you disgrace your family as you did. You will be punished.”
 
                “…”
 
                “And you will learn your lesson. I have the right mind to have you exiled, but no. You will learn, I do not care how much I must beat you for it to stay, but you-“
 
                “Elder Zekra! Elder Zekra! You must come quickly!”
 
                “What is it? Did you find the girl? What of the figures?”
 
                “They took to the sky and are approaching! They must be the Taloned!”
 
                “The Taloned!? They have not been near here for months! O great Ancestors, why now!?”
 
                “Elder Zekra, what should we do!?”
 
                “How!? How did they find us!? We have remained hidden from them for years! Spirits, please!”
 
                “Elder!”
 
                “…Go…Go alert the tribe. Rouse the warriors!”
 
                “E-elder!? We are to fight!?”
 
                “Yes. The Spirits are on our side. This is our home, they cannot defeat us here!”
 
                “B-but, Elder Zekra, it is the Taloned…”
 
                “To question me is to question the Spirits! GO! And may-”
 
                “THEY ARE HERE! THEY AR-AGHHH!!”
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                Discord rubbed his eyes. He could not quite remember its contents, but he was sure he had experienced yet another dream. Unlike his previous one however, it had been chaotic, the bad kind of chaotic. He blinked and looked around to help jog his still blurry head as to where he was. Since starting his journey, the draconequus had decided that if he woke up in the same place twice, it was likely a not very good sign.
 
                “Brother!” The smiling face of his younger sister popped into view. “You’re finally awake! You’ve been really sleepy today; Celestia even got a little worri-”
 
                “D-don’t go bothering Discord now, Luna!” a clear voice called over the increasingly familiar sound of machinery and water. They were still on the ferry, though the dipping sun told the draconequus that he must have slept through most of the afternoon. Perhaps all the travelling was truly catching up to him? More importantly however, Celestia had actually been worrying about him!
 
                “No, no, don’t fret little Tia! I’m awake now! What were you saying Luna?” asked Discord with a barely repressed grin. Celestia sighed and it was not difficult to picture her shaking head to go along with it. As much as Discord wanted to continue teasing his elder sibling through the younger, he was interrupted by a particularly fierce rumble erupting from his stomach. “…Seems I missed lunch.”
 
                “…You did!” a pink blur said before whipping around the deck, with more than a few shouts of annoyance to accompany it.
 
                “Please, Firefly….” Celestia sighed again. The blur soon came back around, having circled the deck. Firefly never got to complete a second lap however, as her tail was nearly ripped from her rump after being grasped firmly in the grip of Celestia’s magic. “…stop with the running? I know we’re close to Manesterdam, but I still don’t want to have to wait for you to swim the rest of the way if they threw you off.”
 
                “Hey! That engineer said in a one-on-one, his magic would beat my hooves in powering the boat! How else am I going to make him take that back? It’s not as if they have a big pony wheel I can use to get the juice flowing!”
 
                “In a one-on-one, no-pony would beat any other pony. They would both lose,” Viator answered, having caught on to the conversation while returning from the front of the ship. “Well, perhaps unless I was participating. Anyway, why do you think they need a whole crew of unicorns on ships like this?”
 
                “…They take it in turns?” replied the earth pony with no great confidence.
 
                “No, silly. These things are really, really heavy, Fire!” From the upper decks, Surprise had floated down.
 
                “Going back to the original topic, where is the food?” Luna kindly levitated the last remaining lunch bag to the draconequus.
 
                “Don’t take too long, Discord. We should be coming into port soon.”
 
                Discord did as instructed and ate quickly. The time passed and the sun fell even lower. The ferry was big, but not huge nor open; a bad place in which to have to wait with a pony like Firefly. Celestia could only breathe a sigh of relief when the captain called for everypony to prepare their things and get ready to come into port. A few minutes and a final bend in the river later and the travellers were met with the sight of Manesterdam, the fastest growing town since the great migration to Equestria itself.
 
                “Wow! Sis, look at all those buildings! I’ve never seen something so tall!” Luna’s companions nodded I agreement and shared her gaze of amazement.
 
                “I wonder what we have to do there though,” Celestia thought aloud.
 
                “The compass points this way, right Tia? There’s an Element somewhere there?” The elder alicorn was too late to put a hoof to her lips to signal Surprise to be quiet. Viator had already heard.
 
                “Element? Are you scientists? I don’t believe you ever said what it was you were going to Manesterdam for,” the unicorn commented in a tone full of curiosity.
                
                “Oh…we are…umm…”
 
                “Prepare for docking! Please, hold on tightly until the boat has come to a complete standstill and form an orderly line in front of the gangway.”
 
                “Well, we had best be going!” announced Discord, saving Celestia from further questioning.
 
                Having sat next to where they boarded, the six were able to leave the boat first. After a few minutes navigating the maze-like structure of Manesterdam’s harbour they found themselves ascending a flight of perfectly-chiselled stone steps into the city proper. An awkward air suddenly engulfed them.
 
                “I…assume this is where we must part ways.” Though blunt in his approach, Viator’s efforts did little to break the tension. For as brief a time as they had been together, and despite the unicorn’s somewhat aloof personality, both parties had found each other to be good partners. They had, after all, united against a common annoyance and triumphed over it. “So, where does your route take you now?” he asked once more. Viator had temporarily travelled with other ponies before and he wouldn’t normally show as much interest as to where their own travels would take them, but this particular crowd tugged at his sense of intrigue. It held two unusual species he had never encountered or heard of and they had decided to walk over the Western Range; despite most of them having wings and not carrying enough luggage that a chariot or balloon service would refuse to transport them.
 
                ‘What do I say? I don’t even know where we’re supposed to go from here and I can’t mention the Elements,’ worried Celestia.
 
                “Hey sis, can we go see Uncle Star Swirl? Its been years!” Oblivious to the situation at hand, Luna’s suggestion nonetheless helped it. Upon hearing her words, the show-stallion’s eyes bulged to a thoroughly dangerous level.
 
                “You’re related to Star Swirl!? The Star Swirl!?”
 
                Luna frowned “Oh, no, we’re not related to him, I think. He’s just really good friends with our mother, so we sometimes call him ‘Uncle,’” clarified the midnight-foal.
 
                Viator was no less deterred and waved a dismissive hoof at Luna “Good enough! I had been tempted to try and seek him out, though I’ve heard he stays somewhat low-key these days…but this is excellent!”
 
                “Star Swirl? Isn’t that the old wizard dude?” Firefly joined in with, although she was clearly less interested than the azure stallion, having chosen to lean on the wall by the steps and gaze out over the harbour and sea.
 
                “Oh, oh, I’ve heard he’s the most powerful unicorn ever! We should totally go see him, Tia! Think of all the cool stuff he could show us!” Surprise was not normally a huge fan of magic, but even she was interested in meeting a pony as highly regarded as Star Swirl the Bearded.
 
                “I assume this isn’t where we part ways,” Discord mirrored Viator’s previous words.
 
                “Yay!” cheered Luna and Surprise in unison.
 
                With yet another common goal in mind, the six went on their way into the city. Even with the aid of a map, they repeatedly got lost and were forced to deny themselves the pleasure of visiting some of Manetserdam’s many fine attractions. It had been late afternoon when they had first arrived in the burgeoning town and Celestia knew that turning up on Star Swirl’s doorstep when it was dark would earn them more than a little scolding. As time dragged on however, such a scenario seemed more and more likely; the white alicorn could only vaguely remember the area where Star Swirl lived and though she was sure they were generally heading in the correct direction, their destination never seemed to get any closer. Neither Celestia nor any of the group had truly appreciated the sheer intricacy of Manesterdam’s countless streets and avenues. Large settlements were not a new experience for any of the travellers; they had all at one point visited Canterlot, but unlike the city in the mountain, Manesterdam was a thoroughly disorientating place for anypony unused to being surrounded by hundreds of dizzying tower blocks and skyscrapers.
 
                As the companions rounded yet another corner they came face-to-face with a large, marble building guarded by two stone manticore statues.
 
                “…You know, guys, I’m pretty sure we’ve been here before,” commented the group’s speedster.
 
                “…Yes, Firefly. We have,” Celestia spat through gritted teeth. “Ugh! Useless map! Why do they even give these things out!?” Her enraged yells prompted Luna to huddle close to Surprise and Discord. The three of them all believed they saw the map being pulled even more taut by the magic holding it in front of the pastel maned alicorn. They each figured that without correct directions soon, the paper may well cease to exist as nothing more than ash, or possibly tiny shreds if Celestia’s frustration did not build to such great heights.
 
                Rather than incinerate the offending document, the elder alicorn simply took a deep breath and stored it away. “I’ll try and find us another one. Or ask for directions. Really, I don’t think it could get worse.”
 
                “…O-oh no! She’s back! Guards, guards! Police!” The shouts drew the six’s attention. To their surprise, the source of the noise, an old pony that had just left the Public Library, was pointing and bellowing in their direction. “You’ve been suspended from the Library! We won’t have you taking anymore of our collections! Police! Shoo, be gone I say!” Each pony present tried to trace the screaming pony’s hoof. Despite numerous attempts to try and prove otherwise, they always followed it to Celestia who was sat on her haunches blinking and pointing her own hoof at herself, rage erased by the strange turn of events.
 
                “E-excuse me?”
 
                “Putting a wig on won’t help you! I’d recognise your size and coat anywhere! Guards, hurry!”
 
                It was at this point that the librarian’s calls were heeded and numerous security and police ponies began to converge towards the six travellers.
 
                “Sis! What did you do!?”
 
                “I didn’t do anything! This must all be a misunderstanding!”
 
                “But how? Tia, there isn’t any other pony that really looks like you, except…”
 
                “…Wait, you mean Meanie, Surprise? Oh, that is awesome! I never would have thought she was secretly a pony-burglar!”
 
                “Why didn’t you tell me you were criminals!? I can’t have my Grand & Mightful name tarnished through association!”
 
                “Oh mother, how I do love the things you do.”
 
“We can work out why later. For now, let’s just go!” shouted Celestia. She wasn’t well versed in Manesterdam’s laws, but the white alicorn was certain they hadn’t broken any. At least, she hoped they hadn’t.
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
 
                “Yes! Do you hear that, Dawn?”
 
                Silence.
 
                “…No? Uncle, is something wrong?”
 
                “On the contrary my dear, something is very right! You can’t hear anything and neither can I! No hammers, no drills, no noisy workers, no heavy machinery, no cursed girders!” The unicorn was ecstatic. For the first time in weeks had he had the pleasure of being able to drop his sound proofing spells early and keep them down for the rest of the day.
 
                “I’m almost afraid to question how, but I really do feel like thanking somepony!”
 
                “Then you should thank the mayor I think, Uncle. Everything’s closed early today because of the vote.”  Victory Dawn put down the beaker in her hooves and walked over to her uncle, Star Swirl, who was sitting grinning like she hadn’t seen him in many months.
 
                “Vote, dear?”
 
                She nodded. “Don’t you remember, Uncle? It’s the day everypony votes on whether to rename the city! It’s an important event for the whole town’s culture!”
 
                The old stallion nodded in recognition and began stroking his beard. His grin had faded to an expression of thought. “Oh, yes, that. You’ll have to forgive an old wizard, dear. My memory really isn’t what it used to be. Which reminds me, funnily enough, has anypony answered those adverts yet?”
 
                Dawn turned, partially to check their mat for any mail and partially so she could sigh discreetly. She had told her uncle about the renaming vote only a few hours ago. ‘What am I going to do…?’ the earth pony worried to herself. She hated to think about it, but what Star Swirl had said was perfectly true, the unicorn was old. They were going to celebrate his birthday in a few months and it should be a joyous thing, but it only made Dawn even more worried about how much longer the two could continue this life style. As the years rolled on, more and more was Dawn forced to become Star Swirl’s carer rather than him as hers. “No, Uncle, they haven’t.”
 
                “Blast, I really do need somepony willing to be a test subject for just a little while.”
 
                “Uncle, I’ve told you loads of times now that I’ll be happy to volunteer!” complained the blue earth pony. For all her efforts however, Star Swirl merely shook his head, beard still in hoof.
 
                “And I’ve told you that I won’t endanger my own niece like that! This spell isn’t without risks and I downright refuse to play about with your memory knowing that!” the stallion snapped back. Silence descended. “…Dawn, I’m sorry, it’s just… “
 
                “I know Uncle! But you just said it! Your memory isn’t what it used to be, nothing is!” Dawn shouted back in response. “You need to perfect this memory spell Uncle! You need to perfect a lot of other spells to! I don’t care if you have to use me as the test subject!”
 
                Star Swirl the Bearded sighed deeply and gestured for his niece to embrace him in a hug. “I know, dear, I know.”
 
                BANG! BANG!
 
                “…Was that the door?”
 
                BANG! BANG!
 
                “Yes, it was. Don’t worry Uncle, I’ll get it,” Dawn said. She pulled away from the old ponies hooves and smiled at him before quickly going to open their door.
 
                “Uncle Star Swirl? Are you there?” Dawn froze as she heard the voice from the other side of the wooden entrance.
 
                “Is that…?” she murmured before increasing her pace. With a quick tug, the door was opened to reveal a group of five ponies and a draconequus squashed into the corridor. “Celestia! Luna! Discord! I haven’t seen you in months! What are you all doing here?”
 
                “Who is it dear? Did someone reply?” called her uncle from within the house.
 
                “Come in, come in!” urged Dawn to the six. She didn’t need to know the other three, if they were friends of Aumean’s children then they were friends of hers. “It’s Celestia, Luna and Discord, Uncle!” she called back to the waiting stallion.
 
                “My hearing must be going as well…Aumean’s kids?” He did not need a reply as the kids in question were presented before him in addition to three strangers. One of them, a azure unicorn, looked as if he was going to explode with excitement. “Well! This is certainly an unexpected surprise. What brings you three here?”
 
                “It’s good to see you too, Star Swirl, but…”
 
                “I sorry, but I can’t wait any longer! Star Swirl the Bearded, mentor of Clover the Clever and father of the amniomorphic spell! I challenge you to a magical duel!” Viator’s sudden outburst held the tongues of everypony present and ensured their eyes were fixed upon him.
 
                It took some moments for anypony to react, but then one did: Star Swirl started laughing. A hearty chortle rang around the house and stole the attention which the show stallion adored. Viator’s confident grin slowly hardened into a fierce glare. Star Swirl did not stop laughing because of this and only calmed down after chuckling some more. “A duel? I don’t know who you are, colt, but you clearly don’t truly know who I am either.”
 
                “I am the Grand & Mightful Viator. I know full well the accomplishments you have made and I assure you, my challenge is a serious one.”
 
                “Viator! What are you doing!?” hissed Celestia. “He’s one of the most powerful unicorns in history! And we’re his guests!”
 
                “You’ve made some interesting friends, Tia. Don’t worry, it wouldn’t be the first time some colt has challenged me. I think I’ll actually rather enjoy a bit of action,” responded the elder stallion. His tone was clearly one of mocking, though Viator did not let himself get wound up and remained cool, his grin returning.
 
                “Uncle, no!” Dawn leapt in between the two unicorns on her hind legs, hooves spread. “Are you crazy!? You can’t go duelling at your age! I’m sorry, sir, but my Uncle is in no fit state-”
 
                “Settle down, Dawn. I know a pony I can beat when I see one,” retorted Star Swirl, his eyes focused solely on Viator.
 
                “But, Uncle…”
 
                “I’ll be fine, dear. Is the roof good enough for you?”
 
                “A roof? That’s excellent, higher is always better.”
 
                “Oh, this is I have to see! C’mon Surprise, race ya!” Firefly suddenly yelled and raced out the door.
 
                “Fire, wait!” The snowy pegasus called as she flew out after the speedster. “You don’t even know how to get to the roof!”
 
                “Everypony, please, just calm down!” Celestia’s efforts to defuse the quickly heating situation were largely in vain. Both Viator and Star Swirl had become dead set on having this duel. Now that the challenge had been issued both their prides were at stake.
 
                Though both Dawn and Celestia protested, they all found themselves on the roof of Star Swirl’s building with the wizard himself standing on one side, smiling assertively to Viator on the other. The five other travellers and Dawn were stood in a makeshift sideline and each had varying expressions. Firefly was grinning with excitement, Surprise was darting her head back and forth between the two unicorns, Celestia and Dawn both looked on with worry etched deeply in their faces, Luna did not seem to know what to think while Discord remained unusually quiet and distant as if lost in thought.
 
                “Standard rules, colt? Nothing lethal, no leaving the designated battlefield, no physical contact, the first to be hit three times or become unable to continue is the loser?” listed Star Swirl.
 
                “I know the rules, Star Swirl the Bearded. Let us see if you are truly as powerful as they say!”
 
                “Fine. Would someone please count us in?”
 
                “Ooh, I’ll do it!” called Luna. Before anypony could protest, she was in the air above the two unicorns with her hooves lifted above her.
 
                “On my mark…get set…”
 
                “Didn’t he say count, Luna?” questioned the pink pony. Luna simply stuck her tongue out and resumed her pose.
 
                “Get set…GO!” with a quick flourish, Luna whipped her arms downwards to signify to the two unicorns to begin, then joined her companions by the roof’s edge.
 
                Neither sorcerer made a move. The wind whistled loudly through the stone and steel canyons below.
 
                “Don’t want to make the first move? Then let the Grand & Mightful Viator make it for you!” cried the azure stallion as he focused his energy into his horn. After only a moment’s charging, six violet beams of magical energy burst forth, spread, then rapidly began homing in on the elder unicorn who remained motionless. Everypony bar Dawn leaned forward in anticipation of Viator’s attack.
 
                Star Swirl did not move and did not need to. As the beams came within mere feet of his position, his horn sparked with light once and the streams of magical energy froze in air allowing their bright trails to catch up with them. The glowing energy twitched and paralysed the breath of the travellers in the audience. Another twitch, then a small ‘poof’ and the orbs of light transformed into a handful of small pebbles which clattered to the ground.
 
                “…What did he do?” Firefly uttered, voicing the question for her pegasus friend as well.
 
                “What an honour. To see the famous amniomorphic spell used by its very creator!” proclaimed Viator with a hint of sarcasm.
 
                “Amniowhat? He said that before, what is it?” Firefly poked Celestia with both the question and her hoof.
 
                “It’s a famous spell that Star Swirl created. Basically, it turns one spell into another. Very difficult to master and get right,” the white alicorn explained briefly. Celestia, Luna and Discord had all been taught the amniomorphic spell by their mother, though none of them, Aumean included, could use it with so little effort and so flawlessly as Star Swirl could.
 
                “I’m really quite glad that such a simple attack didn’t go through,” casually spoke the azure unicorn. Both Celestia and Discord frowned: Viator’s attack had been a fairly powerful one. They were curious to see what the stallion’s definition of an advanced attack would be. “It wouldn’t have been very satisfying if it had.”
 
                “Simple? Colt, I was teaching myself bigger spells in kindergarten,” Star Swirl replied coolly.
 
                Viator’s smile dropped a notch and rather than reply with words, he threw more magic at the ageing wizard. Several volleys composed of tens of magic spheres that were constantly changing their exact trajectory tore towards Star Swirl. Much like the beams before them, each sphere was stopped still in its flight, twitched, then morphed into some harmless object that fell to the ground. The roof was quickly littered with small pebbles, leaves or clumps of dirt. Star Swirl yawned.
 
                It was clear from his face that Viator was becoming frustrated. Even for the travelling unicorn, they had both been powerful attacks, yet Star Swirl had countered them with but the slightest glimmer of his horn. Though egotistical, Viator was not stupid. He had issued his challenge fully aware of the old unicorn’s reputation and had been determined not to underestimate him despite his age; regardless, the azure stallion was beginning to realise that he had done just that.
 
                “Tsk…I admit, Star Swirl the Bearded, you are indeed as great as the legends say. But I’ve barely even begun to show my hoof!” Viiator reared up as he spoke and planted his hooves firmly on the hard ground, head held low. Once again his horn glowed yet it was more intense than any of those gathered had seen before. Another barrage of magical orbs sped towards the grey unicorn, Viator however was nowhere to be seen, having disappeared in a bright flash of lavender light. Despite the fact that Star Swirl had managed to remain perfectly calm throughout the duel, this act visibly threw him off guard and he immediately adopted a more ready pose, magic at the ready.
 
                ‘He couldn’t have teleported. I haven’t even published the perfected spell yet,’ Star Swirl thought, alert but still retaining his composure. Not even Aumean had ever managed to develop a teleportation spell by herself, it was inconceivable to the old stallion that some young, country colt had managed to develop such a complex magic. ‘Invisibility, perhaps? But I should be able to sense him.’ The rapidly approaching orbs were of no concern; Star Swirl was able to counter them nearly without thinking. What the young unicorn had done was of concern however.
 
                Before even Star Swirl’s magic had fully countered Viator’s latest attack, and much to the old wizard’s surprise, he heard another distinctive poofing sound behind him. What Star Swirl saw to his rear almost took his breath away. Still partially in the air was Viator, face a picture of concentration and horn flaring with power. It was only a momentary sight, for in the next moment the azure stallion was obscured by yet more balls of energy. The sound of a teleporting pony told Star Swirl that Viator was no longer there anyway.
 
                “Uncle…!” Dawn’s cries were met with similar gasps from the rest of the crowd. The bearded old pony had been taken by surprise and the sparks from his previous spell had yet to fade. They did not know whether he would be able to defend himself in time.
 
                Star Swirl the Bearded’s horn shone; blindingly so. The orbs, that had been screeching towards the old unicorn, stuttered, convulsed and slowed to a stop mere inches from his skin. Each and every one of the many violet spheres was surrounded by another, silvery glow.
 
                The roof was silent save for Viator’s quiet panting. He had reappeared in his starting position, exhausted and with a look of grim realisation on his muzzle.
 
                “Wow…” whispered Luna. Celestia and Discord were just as stunned as their younger sister. Generally, successfully making magic directly interact with other magic was strenuous and far more difficult to achieve than having it interact with simple, physical matter. Star Swirl had telekinetically caught, and forced into submission, every single one of Viator’s projectiles. And the elder stallion did not seem even the least bit out of breath.
 
                “I have to say, colt. I misjudged you. A little, at least. It’s getting a tad cold out here now though, so I’m going to finish this, if you don’t mind.” Without giving the travelling unicorn a chance to respond, Star Swirl flicked his horn, sending the converted orbs hurtling towards Viator, even faster than they had been initially launched. Too late did the azure unicorn realise his mistake when, rather than blocking or countering, he choose to evade his own attack by teleporting. Shrouded by the fragmented wall of light, Star Swirl had prepared another spell, which he fired just as Viator’s shape began to re-materialise precisely where the older unicorn had predicted.
 
                The eagerly watching crowd reared back in shock as a huge, smouldering shape flew across the roof towards the helpless show-stallion. A dragon, composed entirely of a burning smoke, sealed the outcome of the duel. The cindering drake was upon Viator the moment he reappeared yet before he could even hope of somehow saving himself from the terrifying cloud.
 
                The dragon flew onwards, passing off the roof before slowly disintegrating into the air. The five travellers in the audience rushed over to find Viator: singed, wheezing and struggling to return to his hooves.
 
                “You alright there, V?” Firely was the first to ask. “You think you can keep on going?”
 
                With some hesitation, Viator shook his head slowly. He had only been hit once, but as much as he would like to, he was in no state to continue fighting.
 
                “He’ll be fine. Stay out here for a few minutes, clear your lungs,” blankly stated Star Swirl as he dusted his chest down with a hoof and turned to return to his apartment. “And then you may want to go back to magical kindergarden, colt,” he added bitterly before addressing his niece. “Pah! Really Dawn, can you believe this is the sort of thing this generation has to offer?  I bet I could defeat them all at once, blindfolded! Pah!”
 
                “Uncle…”
 
                “…Wait…” Viator managed to cough in between his rasping breaths. Star Swirl stopped and raised an eyebrow at the young stallion. The moon had begun to rise and with it came a biting wind, though the aged unicorn waited for the colt to recover and say his piece. With some assistance from the other five travellers, Viator rose back to his hooves with a slight grin on his face.
 
                “…Two things. Firstly: don’t you dare involve them. This was between me and you. Not ‘this’ generation or ‘that’ generation. Not western ponies or eastern ponies. Not any group against any other. Me and you. I won’t let you just group me in with some other lot like that, as if I was just a part of one big thing with no achievements or pride of my own.” Viator’s tone was fierce, as if the very notion of what Star Swirl had said was extremely offensive to him. “Secondly: magical kindergarten? You may have defeated me, but I’m still the Grand & Mightful Viator! You might be more powerful than I am, for the moment, but that doesn’t mean I’m not powerful!”
 
                The two unicorns stared at each other in silence.
 
                “Heh. Colt has guts at least,” Star Swirl chuckled and left the roof followed closely by Dawn.
 
                Viator turned to the five remaining on the roof and shook his hoof at them. “Go on. It’s getting cold out here,” he said, his voice noticeably softer than it normally was.
 
                “What about you? Shouldn’t you come in as well?” inquired Surprise, fluttering over closer to the soot-covered unicorn
 
                Viator coughed in response. “You heard the old pony. I should let my lungs clear a bit. Go on,” he urged. It was clear to all of them that Viator wanted to be alone for a little while.
 
                “That was pretty awesome, right Dis?” Firefly began as she, Surprise, Discord and Celestia made their way towards the stairwell that would take them back into the building.
 
                “Luna, come on,” spoke Celestia to her sister. Luna was still starring at him with a worried look. She tugged herself away at hearing her sister’s voice.
 
                “O-okay, coming sis.”
 
                Soon the show-stallion was the only one remaining. Being sure to be gentle, Viator cast a few spells to help clean his coat and mane and to soothe the small burns he had received after being engulfed by Star Swirl’s spell. He remained still for several minutes, letting his magic and the cool breeze do its work while he stared at the stars and moon overhead. Another handful of minutes passed before he sighed and chuckled quietly to himself. Rising to his hooves, Viator began to walk limp slowly to the stairwell but stopped suddenly when he heard a small yet beautiful dinging sound and felt the sensation of something smooth by his hoof.
 
                “What is this…?” he murmured to himself as he brought the object closer to his face with his magic. Before his muzzle was a deep blue gemstone that shone softly with its own glow. ‘Did Star Swirl or one of the others drop it…?’ he pondered. He could feel that it was magical in nature, and powerful magic at that. Viator shrugged and started to limp towards the roof entrance again. It was probably important.