//------------------------------// // Prologue / Chapter 1: The beginning of the end // Story: A fight for Balance: The race against time // by Superswag420 //------------------------------// Prologue Please note that this fan-fiction is placed in a world with no Mane 6, Elements of Harmony, etc... All was well this starry night in Equestria. It was getting to that time where everypony that had a job in the town of Baltimare was packing up their briefcases to enjoy their commute home after a long day of work. "Now I just need to finish filing these accursed papers, and then I can go home and get some shuteye..." A brown colored pony exclaimed rather loudly to himself. The pony looked around to see if any of his fellow workers were still in the building, but alas there was no one... He was given closing duty today; as the building was empty. He was obviously excited to get home! Once again the brown pony began shuffling through papers and finishing long, boring, and complicated paperwork. This job wasn't his dream job, but it definitely brought home enough money to feed his family. He began to put everything back into filing cabinets and reached out for the main set of building keys. He began to sort through the keys trying to find the ones that would do all their respective closing of the day jobs such as turning of building lights, locking doors, and activating high tech security systems. As each duty was carried out by this pony one by one, he felt an abnormal chill in the air... Like someone was there... Now having completed all of his tasks at hand, the jubilant pony began his journey through the streets of Baltimare back to his home where a wife and two fillies were awaiting his arrival. But something was becoming rather odd... I could have sworn I had made a right turn at the correct street... The office-worker thought, realizing that he would never make such a mistake as to forget a simple turn. He now realized that he was in an alleyway. As he took in his nearby surroundings, he seemed to have noticed that things were different from what they should be... almost like they were distorted. "What in the bloody name of Celestia is going on here!!" The irritated yet also very scared pony cried out. The fear was becoming more and more apparent as he began looking at reality and space being twisted before his very eyes. Something is definitely not right here... SLAM!!! An earth-shattering force struck the ground where he had been standing seconds before. Even though extremely injured from that last blow, he managed to stand up and take a look at the perpetrator before passing out. And what he saw he couldn't believe... An extended hoof striking the ground at that one point, stretching all the way to the top of the alleyway. And standing there was a pony with a smirk on his face, laughing maniacally at the scene that had just taken place. "Don't worry..." Said the mystery pony. "I just want your money, I won't kill you... This time at least!" He chuckled. That's the last thing the worker saw before he collapsed, an orange pony making off with about 30 bits of pocket money... Chapter 1: The beginning of the end Celestia was sitting calmly on the throne, going about work just as any other normal day would have in store for her. While reading over the current relations in national affairs, she would occasionally look outside and wonder what life would be like without rulers and just the common people having their own opinions just like centuries before. Celestia has been noticing signs of random chaotic energy placed randomly throughout Equestria on about a weekly basis, and getting more frequent as the days pass. A knock was heard ringing through the throne room as the doors opened and a pony from the royal guard (High in rank from the looks of Celestia) entered. "Your Majesty... There has been another incident, this time in Baltimare!" The Royal guard member explained. "Is this one any more serious than the other ones?" Celestia asked quizzically. "Yes, there was a Office pony in Baltimare who was attacked. He said he saw a pony with incredulous powers... I don't know if this bit of information would be of any importance to you but..." The guard's word abruptly stopped. "Go on...?" The look on Celestia's face seemed to tell that this next bit of information would confirm the current theory buzzing around in her mind. Don't tell me they are released already... She thought to herself. "The perpetrator seemed to have control over the space around him, the pony said that he could see objects being twisted right in front of his face. And also the blow described by the pony, was a distorted hoof stretching down to strike him unconscious... The doctors say the blow never made physical contact with his body, but ended up created such an explosive force that he was knocked back several meters..." The guardsmen finished explaining. Celestia's pupils shrank to the size of pinpricks. Her mouth completely agape, she dropped all of her paperwork and bolted out of the throne room as fast as possible. She was searching for Luna's room, she needed to tell her sister about the current events that have taken place. And what it would spell for Equestria if they didn't deal with it soon... Celestia proceeded to slam open Luna's doors with incredible force causing a loud smack against the walls next to them. "What is the meaning of this sister!!! Can't you see I'm playing a game!?" Luna brashly replied, only to be silenced instantly by Celestia's magic. "They have gotten free... The Elements..." Celestia said with a tone that would even make the most optimistic of ponies worried. She wondered how her sister would react, and to her surprise she actually handled it quite well. And then the rage was doubled... "DISCORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Luna proceeded to shout using the all powerful Royal Canterlot Voice. A roar so powerful, that it could be heard for miles. Someone was in for it this time.. Discord then proceeded to materialize out of thin air resting comfortably on a hammock. Discord seems to have an equally distasteful look on his face as well. "Look, if you are calling me about the Elements then I might as well put it bluntly. Because of my release it seems that my half of the Elements are now looking for or have hosts already. Blah blah blah blah, you must release your Elements to counteract mine before Equestria falls into eternal chaos... Naturally of course." Discord smirked. "Now if you two would excuse me, I have some napping to catching up on..." Discord pouted as he teleported away to whatever napping spot he had chosen for the day... Celestia sighed. "Well, me must release the Elements now and hope everything plays out well... If any of our Elements finds a host, find them and bring them here Luna" Celestia commanded, she was ready to see this through the end. And by the name of her beard she would. Celestia went to sleep that night with the feeling of remorse, She had never thought the elements would break free so early. And her decision to keep them low profile until they needed resealing could lost the lives of many ponies... I'm sorry...