Chapter 6 - Interlude 1 - The War Begins
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Celestia stared into Discord’s eyes. A smug grin engraved onto his face while glee filled his lemon-colored eyes as he stared back at her.
“What are you doing here, Discord?”
“Oh, Celestia, you know I’m not one for sitting around doing nothing. As much as I loved being a statue, I felt it was time to stretch out the old muscles.”
Celestia continued her glare as the scenery around them began to warp. The very fabric of reality was slowly bending to Discords very presence; altering its shape and form to all manner of unnaturals. Many of the hedges began changing form and material, turning into oddly colored wool while others slowly lifted to the now pink sky above. Statues were turning to hard candy, the tall grass now made entirely out of licorice. A dark rain poured onto the new landscape as screams arose from Canterlot once its citizens realized that the chocolate milk that was pouring down upon them was ... sour. Chaos had returned.
A bright light flashed, flooding the immediate area around Celestia and forcing Discord to flinch for the mere second it lasted before noticing that Celestia had vanished.
Discord chuckled, “Let the games begin, ‘Princess’.”
Royal Guards stood ready at the entrance of the castle. Their golden armor shone brilliantly as a bright light enveloped the room. Shielding their eyes, the guards grabbed their weapons in preparation for possible danger, before relaxing and showing great relief at the sight of Celestia.
“Guards, rally every member of the reserves and summon the generals. I want a regiment out on the streets aiding any ponies who need it. Escort as many ponies as you can to the castle for protection. You two, make to the Magi-collage. I want every professor and advanced student in the labs awaiting my instruction. Oh, and send somepony to wake Luna. I’m going to need her,” Celestia commanded, sending the guards stationed into a flurry of activity.
Screams echoed across Canterlot. The streets were crowded with ponies running and fleeing from the pursuing chaos. The pegasi all took to the sky, fleeing the city and the ever-expanding wave of chaotic energies vortexing around them. Earth ponies and Unicorns alike fared badly as they flailed about across the soapslicked ground now mixed with sour chocolate rain. Those close to the city gates made to flee while those farther in followed the paths and guards to the Castle, looking for guidance from their imperial leader. Celestia hustled down the large hall, something something, exiting onto the large balcony before her few subjects standing below, awaiting her orders.
“My subjects, I have dreadful news. As you may have noticed, Moo.” Celestia said.
“Woof,” replied the subjects.
... That didn’t sound like I had hoped it would, Celestia thought. “Discord has returned. Which means, the return of marshmallows ... I mean chaos.”
The crowd fell hushed - save for the children who were happy at the thought of marshmallows - and listened intently to the words of their ruler. Her voice echoed throughout the court; power, grace, and sincerity emanating from her as she spoke.
“It is best to not panic, we have to remain strong and steadfast against our foe. We are not defenseless. Stay calm, aid each other, and be ready for anything; because there is nothing that can’t come our way.”
~~~~~
Luna’s blue eyes shot open; a loud rumble and a violent shake jolting her awake. She rose from her bed with a quick motion, her ears attentive to the screams and noises coming from outside. Concerned, she rushed herself out of bed and towards the large blue doors of her room. Blue auras surrounded the handles as she opened them to reveal of scene of pure controlled panic and motion. Dozens of guards were running up and down the halls, spears and swords at their sides and armor clanking as they ran. Workers were moving just as quickly, carrying anything from scrolls to food to ensure the castle was prepared for anything. As she observed the commotion, a sole guard approached her.
“What beeth this?” Luna called out. “A war?”
“Yes, my Princess,” the guard replied, bowing. “It is a war.”
“Against whom?”
“Chaos.”
Luna’s face grimaced. She sighed. “Where is my sister?”
The guard pointed down the hall. “Her majesty is on the terrace addressing the people. She sent for you.
“Thank you,” Luna replied. “Has my lunar guard been summoned? If not, do so and tell them to prepare for the Neighmerian gambit.”
The guard bowed once more, and ran off as Luna rushed towards the terrace, passing the many guards running about. As she neared the balcony, her eyes caught glimpse of the rampant chaos outside; trees were now lollipops, buildings were made entirely out of cheese, the sky was every possible color except the ones normally found in it, and clouds were forming shapes of great inappropriateness spewing liquids that were anything but rain water. Standing next to her sister as she finished her speech, Luna observed the frightened crowd before her; though mellowed by Celestia’s words, the fear in their eyes was all too apparent.
“Fear not, our subjects,” Luna proclaimed. “We have defeated the chaotic cretin before and we shall do so again. Thou shalt not live in terror for long, thou hast our word.”
With that, both sisters bowed to the crowd and turned to depart. Luna looked at Celestia with concern as they reentered the castle.
“He has truly returned? So soon?” Luna asked.
Celestia nodded, and simply continued down the hall with Luna in tow.
“Shall I summon Twilight and her friends?” Luna queried.
“You can’t,” Celestia stated. “They’re gone.”
“What do you mean ‘gone’? They cannot simply disappear.”
“They can, and they did.”
“But ... how?”
Celestia halted. “I assume Discord had something to do with it,” she sighed. “Spike told me the last time he saw them was with Trixie. I believe she has some part in this.”
Luna thought for a moment. “Shall I send troops to find her?”
“No,” Celestia replied. “I’ll find her myself. I want you to stay here and keep things under control.”
“But, we are not prepared for a war.”
“We don’t need to be. Discord isn’t one for killing, just mischief. Keep the subjects calm as long as you can; the guard have always been trained more for peacekeeping than for combat. I shall find Trixie.”
Luna nodded and left her sister.
“And, Luna,” Celestia added, halting her sister in place, “please try and hold off on the Neighmerian gambit.”
“But I never get a chance to try it,” Luna complained.
“And I pray you never do,” Celestia said as she turned and trotted to the balcony once more before teleporting away.
~~~~~
Trixie grunted, her legs straining as she pulled her wagon through the forest. The thick trees and their roots did not aid in the blue unicorn’s endeavors.
“Trixie can’t believe this,” she muttered, stopping in frustration.
“Oh, Trixie, why so down?” called a distant voice. “Isn’t this what you wanted?” it laughed.
“Trixie wouldn’t mind so much if you could help me get out of here.”
A tree, sporting bright yellow eyes and a mouth with one long tooth, turned to answer her, “I’ve already held my end of the bargain, Trixie; just as you have held yours.” The tree grinned.
“Trixie feels her end of the bargain was worth more than what she has received.”
A flash of white.
“Oh does she now?” a caterpillar said, perched on a branch near her.
Trixie snorted.
“Oh don’t be that way. I’m sure you’ll love it here.”
Another flash of white and Discord vanished, leaving Trixie alone to continue her journey though a candy cane forest; grumbling all the way.
~~~~~
With a brilliant flash of light, Celestia appeared in a pile of snow, the cold arctic winds chilling her wings forcing her to press them tightly to her body. A short distance ahead of her she saw her destination, a rather unassuming crystal archway leading into the heart of the Crystal Empire; and its seat of power, The Crystal Spire. With a few powerful flaps she passed over the city limits into the magical barrier which kept the cold at bay, allowing her to fly more easily towards the Spire.
Cadance stood on the castle’s balcony overlooking the large city, the crystal buildings dotting the crystal lined streets, lit by crystal lamp posts so the crystal ponies could sell their crystal goods in proper crystal lighting for their crystally needs …. She was starting to see why Sombra had so little to say … their was so little here that wasn’t crystal. A reverberation above snapped Cadance out of her contemplation and sent her into a bit of shock as she saw Celestia flying towards her at great speed.
“Princess Celestia,” she gasped, “what brings you here?”
“I’m sorry to have come unannounced, Princess, but there’s trouble in Canterlot and soon all of Equestria. Discord has returned.”
A hoof raised to Cadance’s mouth. “What about Twilight and her friends? Are they fighting him?” she worriedly asked.
“They’re missing,” Celestia sighed. “We don’t know where they are.”
“What do you mean they’re missing? Are they alright? And what of the Elements of Harmony?”
“It seems Discord was more clever in planning his third return. I believe he used another to send Twilight and her friends away before he revealed himself. As for the Elements, they’re currently unaccounted for. I assume they’re with Twilight and her friends.”
A brief silence.
“What will we do?”
Celestia pondered a moment and looked out to the Kingdom before her. Her eyes cast back to Cadance. “We need to hold Discord back until we find out where Twilight and her friends were sent.”
“How are we going to do that?”
“Hold him back? Or find Twilight?”
“Yes,” Cadance responded.
“Ugh, I hate when ponies do that. I have an idea on how to hold back Discord though I need to work out a few details first. When the time comes, I’ll need your help and that of the Empire. As for finding Twilight, first I need to find Trixie. I had hoped to track her from the site Twilight was last seen, but the magic is too warped by the spreading chaos to do so.”
“So, how did he get rid of them?”
“ ... I’m not sure.”
“You don’t think he ... killed them, do you?”
“No, not likely,” Celestia replied. “Even a millenia ago, after ages of his reign, Discord never killed. He’s reckless and uncontrolled, the embodiment of chaos; he takes away hope, order, and sense. All he wants is a good time. So, I think we should grant him that ... for now.”
~~~~~
“Oh this is just lovely!” Discord sang. His feet were tacked onto his tail as he slid down a chocolate mountain side. Just ahead of him lay Candylot, as he liked to call it. Cheese-filled gingerbread housing, taffy roads, candy cane towers, gumdrop rocks, and chocolate covered everything!
On his descent Discord hit a green candy rock and shattered into a million pieces. Duplicates of the beast stood some distance away applauding, many holding up tens while one held an upside down two. A hang gliding Discord flew over the scene, his parachute being made of birds and ropes made of licorice. “This day cannot get better.”
He landed, the birds departed, and the licorice exploded into mints which turned into parasprites.
“However,” he mused, “it can get worse.” He snapped his fingers and the mountain exploded into the shape of Discord’s head. (It’s really quite something, I wish all of you could see it.) He pouted. “Though it still needs something ... Ah-hah!” He snapped his fingers once more, and the word ‘Candylot’ became embroidered in chocolate below his glorious head. “Perfect.”
Another group of Discords applauded, holding up numbers again; tens all around, except at the end of their small table sat a small gray wall eyed pony. She held up an upside down eleven.
“Thank you,” Discord replied to the table. He bowed, and then vanished in a flash of white.
Mentos piled high above one another, forming the walls of the once luscious castle; the roof of which was topped off with oozing caramel. Many guards were frantically running about the castle’s halls while Luna stood in the main chamber. Her gaze set to the outside window, watching the chaos that was unfolding.
She sighed as hoof steps echoed behind her. “Well?” she asked.
Celestia walked to her sister’s side. “Cadance had an idea for finding Trixie. Meanwhile, I have a few auxiliary plans to put into motion.”
“So Trixie still eludes you?” Luna queried.
“Yes, though I assume she won’t be going too far in this chaotic mess.”
Luna nodded. “Do you think she ... you know …?”
“No, I examined where the ground where Spike saw them last. It bore all the traits of transportation spell, but not one I’m familiar with. She must have sent them somewhere the Elements won’t have an affect on Discord.”
“ ... The moon?”
Celestia turned, a pained look flashing across her face for a moment. “I don’t think so. It would be somewhere so far away, no pony would find them.”
“You always were the smarter one, Celestia,” a grim voice echoed in the room. “So then the question is my dear princess, what are you going to do about it?”
A laugh emanated from the walls. Celestia and Luna looked around, their eyes searching for the disfigured creature.
“Show yourself, you cretin!”
“Ah ah ah, Luna, watch that temper of yours. You got banished for it last time.” Discord snickered. “Now, I suppose you’ll be wanting to know where they are. Do not fret, they are safe, for now. A year is a day and a day is a year. Long ago banished and forgotten, their hearts tarnished and rotten. Oh so smart and wise with their tongues full of lies, their toys changing lives on a whim. Hopes and dreams, turned to infinite greed, with these creatures you will find them. I’m not going to give away anymore hints, in fact I feel I gave too many, I do so hate when I wax overly poetic. It’s just such a talent for me sometimes, wouldn’t you agree? Of course you would, and I’d just make you agree if you didn’t. Now the game is afoot and I need to stay ahead it, ta-ta.” The voice faded and silence filled the room.
“Why that-”
“Let him go Luna, we have bigger things to worry about.”
“Sister, he is toying with us. We do not have time to play his game.”
“We will find Trixie first. I need to know what spell she used on Twilight. Though, for now I’ve brought the area of land the spell was cast on to the college. I need you to oversee their work on reverse-engineering the spell. Perhaps they can figure it out if Trixie proves ... unattainable.”
“And after we have the spell? What then?” Luna asked.
“We use it on me.”