A few hours had gone by and now the moon was hanging high in the sky, the stars shining brightly just as Luna had promised Celestia to make it a cloudless night. Luna was standing on her balcony, looking out over the city of Canterlot, feeling very worried. She hadn't seen any sign of life approaching the castle, expect for the guards, and everypony was still on high alert.
She didn't know Twilight Sparkle that well, but she most certainly knew Discord well. He had use to be her playmate when she was a little filly when he ruled over Equestria and dated Celestia as she was much older then Luna had been. Discord had been quite an interesting ruler to her.
But all of that ended because of her father, long gone now. He convinced them that Discord was evil and had to be encased in stone with the legendary Elements, in which they did. Over a thousand years later, Luna knew that their father had been wrong and now they were all friends, even if he did create chaos around the palace with his pranks.
Luna looked up at the night sky, was worried. She really did hope that she and Celestia would be able to make this antidote and administer it on the two mares. They are a danger to Equestria and possibility themselves. Luna let out a sigh as she turned around to head back inside, where Celestia was waiting for her.
“You're worried, dear sister. I can tell.” said Luna as Celestia was simply standing there, looking at the moonlit sky.
“I am. I almost lost my student once with that my own mistake but with this new threat on the rise, if something ever happened to Discord, it might be enough to really harm Twilight and her unborn foal. I may no longer understand what I felt for Discord a long time ago, I can my student's love for him is very pure and there.” said Celestia. “These two mares are causing me great worry. I never thought they would have been able to acquire such a powerful charm.”
“I worry too, sister. I may not know Twilight Sparkle well, but I know she means a lot to you. She is your faithful student, as you've told me time and time again.” spoke Luna.
“She is. She has a very special gift that I sensed when I first met her as a young filly. With these two mares putting her and her family in danger, I'm afraid she'll never get a chance to use her true magic that would be learned through even more advanced study.”
“I know how you are feeling sister. I worry much about Discord. He is still an old friend of mine, after all. We used to play all the time when I was just a filly. At least when he was still encased in stone, he was still there with us, just not being able to move. But with the Amulet, those two mares might actually be able to remove him from the plain of existence all together.”
“And that is what worries me most. I could have simply made him disappear for all eternity, but I still had feelings for him, that's why he was encased in stone for the very first time instead of the Elements simply blowing him to bits.” said Celestia. “And I believe that's why it also happened the next two times he was returned to stone instead of being blow away. One of the element bearers felt that there was a small hope for him and he should have been spared.”
“Twilight Sparkle.” said Luna.
“Yes I believe it was her who felt he could have been given another chance, even if she didn't know at the time she felt that way. So instead of being blown away, he was simply encased in stone.” explained Celestia. “But now with these two mares on the rise and being in their corrupted state, the amulet will not spare Discord and will make him disappear if they ever get the chance. I'm not sure what those two will do to Twilight or Screwball, they still are just in as much danger as he is.”
“I know, sister. That is why Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, and our top guards are guarding them at the moment. So that they do not run into the two mares.” said Luna.
“I know but I do fear that our guards may not be enough to guard them. Not even Shining Armor and Princess Cadence combined.” spoke Celestia as a tear fell down her cheek. “I am just worried for their safety. I almost lost my student once, I don't want to lose her or Discord again. I learned my lesson from over a thousand years ago. I don't want my student to have learn that same lesson.”
“It is going to be alright, my sister.” spoke Luna in a reassuring tone. “Everything shall be alright.”
“I truly hope so. For now, the only thing we can really do is prepare the antidote as the midnight hour is drawing closer on us.” said Celestia glanced back up at the moon. “I can only hope that we can make it in enough time to save them for the danger that is looking for them.”
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“So this image charm is working right now, right?” asked Bookworm.
“You saw your image in the mirror back at the shop. The shop keep was so kind enough to lend it to us.” Star Mage smirked. “Though, I doubt he would have questioned the unicorn that wore the Alicorn Amulet.”
The three were now walking on the streets of Canterlot, the image charm in full affect on them. No pony was out in the streets at this time because of the state of emergency that had been placed. A perfect time for them to be out on the streets to carry out their plan.
The three walked through the streets until they all caught sight of the palace and the many guards that were in every position possible. Bookworm looked around the palace, seeing if there was any place that could be easily infiltrated, but alas, every nook and cranny was swarming with guards.
Blast! How were they supposed to get inside? “How are we supposed to get inside the palace now?” asked Bookworm.
“Have you forgotten already what I suggested back at the shop? We use a simple invisibility charm that will make us unable to be seen.” said Star Mage. “Did you not listen?”
“Sorry, just this whole sneaking into the palace and making Discord finally gone has rendered me just the slightest bit nervous.” Bookworm laughed awkwardly.
“Apple Sweet, cast the invisibility charm so we can sneak inside.” said Star Mage.
Focusing her magic, Apple Sweet's horn glowed a bright red as the magic poured off of it and began to wrap itself around the three ponies. The magic formed itself into what looked like a large eraser and erased the three's colors away, effectively turning them all invisible. The eraser disappeared as Apple Sweet was still able to see shapes, though being transparent.
“How can we still see each other?” Apple Sweet asked in confusion. “I thought we wouldn't be able to see each other at all.”
“That is where you are wrong, my student. When the invisibility charm is used on a collective group of ponies, that group will still be able to see other members, now only they appear as transparent shapes instead of full ponies.” explained Star Mage. “Now come, we have a certain chaos being to get rid of.”
The three immediately ran up to the palace where the guards were guarding. Still being careful not to make any noise, the three sneaked up the palace steps and into the palace itself.
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The three looked through one bedroom, but found it empty. They looked in one room after another, trying to locate wherever Discord and his family may have been hiding. But in all of the rooms that they had looked in, they found no one, not even the royal sisters.
They could have fled as Celestia most likely would have done that in order to protect them. But how do they know that Discord and his little family weren't still in the palace, just very well hidden? The three kept looking through the bedroom doors, until they came upon where Celestia and Luna were. They all stopped, interested on hearing what they had to hear.
“The midnight hour is almost here, sister. Only less then an hour away. Then we can prepare the antidote for those two mares.” said Luna.
“I know. The sooner we can start this antidote, the less time Twilight and her family will have to be in any danger.” said Celestia.
An antidote? Why were they making an antidote for her and Bookworm? They weren’t under a spell of some kind, that was everypony else in the palace, thanks to Discord's magic.
“Sister, we will be able to complete the antidote and all will be well. We'll find those two mares and be able to remove the Immortal Servant spell from off of them.” said Luna. “We'll make sure nothing happens to Twilight, Discord, and Screwball.”
“I hope Shining Armor and Princess Cadence will be enough to protect them long enough for this antidote to be made.”
“I think not.” boomed Star Mage's voice, using his magic to make him visible again, surprising both Luna and Celestia, the first having her horn glowing in a second's notice.
“Who are you and how did you get in here?” Luna demanded in the royal Canterlot voice. “I will have you arrested for getting in here!”
“I wouldn't do that if I were you, Princess Luna, for I have my student who currently wears the Alicorn Amulet.” spoke Star Mage as he revealed Apple Sweet wearing the amulet. “You stand no chance against her. That spell he placed on you still lingers.”
“We are not under some spell!” Luna yelled. “It is thee who is under the Immortal Servant spell along with the two mares!” Luna slipped into her old English habit.
“But why would you be trying to protect Discord, the one who brought chaos to our fair Equestria? I am trying to purge him from this world along with my two allies for the better of Equestria! He has placed all under a very powerful acceptance spell, I have studied them personally! You wouldn't be acting the way you currently are if he hadn't placed that spell on you.” spoke Star Mage.
“You. You're Star Mage, aren't you? One of my old mages when our kingdom was still young.” spoke Celestia calmly. “You were placed under an immortal spell, unable to die.”
“And I hate Discord for doing that! Thinking it would be a great little joke! But that's not why I want him gone. He used his magic to take away my family from me and added that little curse of his as the whipped cream on this horrible fate! But I will not allow you, the princesses, face the same fate that I did. I will free you.”
“That is where you are wrong, Star Mage. We are not under a spell. You have been filled by hatred for the last thousand years, not being able to die and finally have peace. But, why does your student have against Discord? I do not seem to understand.” said Celestia.
“Since she has more power then you, I'll tell you. She doesn't on her own. She was a great student of mine before she went into that stupid rock band with that jerk! After that, all she wanted to do was practice music and not her apple-based magic! So I discovered the Immortal Servant spell that allowed me to warp her mind and make her believe Discord had harmed her family. After all, the spell makes her do and believe what I want her to...”
“But what of this other mare?” asked Luna, horn still blazing. “Why does she have against him?”
“I was curious about that too until I discovered she was under the same spell Apple Sweet is.” Star Mage laughed.
“But how is that possible?!” Luna yelled. “They were born in different time periods and never met each other!”
“I do not know but the pony who cast it on Bookworm here had something against Discord.” Star Mage said. “But she is a great cause to us, she has given us much valuable information about Discord.”
“Star Mage, you must stop this! Now!” Celestia yelled. “I know you have an old grudge against Discord, but you shouldn't have brought your student into this. She used to be one of his greatest friends! And Bookworm too! They need to be freed, be able to live their own lives. I can help you find peace, Star Mage, you need to let me help you.”
“How stupid do you think I am, Celestia?” Star Mage snapped. “I know you would just bring me to Discord and he'll make me suffer even more.”
“Now that is not true. It is you who is still living in the past. Please, I wish to help you.” Celestia spoke in a more calming tone. “I just want to take way the pain that has been plaguing you for the last thousand years.”
“You can never take way the pain that he has caused me!” yelled Star Mage. “Apple Sweet! Get prepared to fight.”
“But Star Mage, they aren't the ones we want! We want to get rid of Discord! The princesses are only speaking the way they are because of a spell that was placed on them.” explained Apple Sweet.
“You will do as I command, Apple Sweet! I said get prepared to fight!” Star Mage yelled as Apple Sweet felt a force weigh itself on her head before disappearing.
“Of course, my teacher. I will fight to make sure they cannot stop us from getting to Discord.” said Apple Sweet as she conjured what appeared to look like a magic aura sword. She quickly swung it in front of the princesses, causing them to back up. “You will let us get rid of him and we will free you. I do not wish to hurt the royal highnesses. I know you are only acting this way because of his spell.”
“No, we're not.” said Celestia, as she conjured her own magic aura sword. “I know you are under a spell that cannot allow to think freely, but if I must harm you in order to protect my own student, I shall.”
Celestia quickly swung her sword at Apple Sweet, who jumped back. “I don't want us to fight, Apple Sweet. I am working on an antidote that will free you from your mentor's spell.”
“You have been corrupted by his spell!” Apple Sweet yelled, swinging her sword to the left of Princess Celestia, hitting her in the leg, but not actually cutting her, simply making the area hurt. “I will fight you until you admit defeat and let us get to him!”
“No!” yelled Luna as she conjured up her own sword. “We care too much for Twilight and Discord's safety for you three to hurt them. They are our loyal friends and we will protect them for they are the future.”
Apple Sweet swung her sword now at Luna, but she quickly blocked it with her own sword and was using all of her strength to prevent Apple Sweet from swinging further. “How are they your future? You are immortal beings and they cannot rule a kingdom.”
Celestia joined Luna as she used her sword to place it next to Luna's in order to fight back Apple Sweet's. “You may never know of that day, but they are the future of out great country. One day, a new princess is going to arise from the stars after sacrificing all that she loves, as the old destiny once told.”
“You are actually going to let Discord rule over Equestria?” Apple Sweet yelled as she brought her sword, only to swing it again at the princesses, who immediately brought their swords to fight her off. The swords swung in many directions, magic sparks flying all over the place. “He has corrupted you! You would never allow that to happen if it weren't for that spell.”
Celestia and Luna began backing up as the three swords kept on clashing together. “He is not the one who would take over. It would be my student, his wife!” Celestia shouted at she swung her sword at Apple Sweet's left, hurting her back left hoof. “She has proven herself to be ready for the responsibility and has shown all of the qualities that a princess needs!”
“NO! We will not allow that monster to rule over Equestria again!” Apple Sweet yelled as she swung her sword again at the princesses.
“Enough!” Bookworm yelled as she lunged herself at Princess Luna, who was unable to take notice until the last second, was able to pull back on Luna's neck, effectively holding her, preventing her from moving her sword.
“Let my sister go this instant!” Celestia yelled at Bookworm, not lowering her sword for a second. “She has nothing to do with this!”
“Oh, she has everything to do with this.” laughed Star Mage. “You are both are trying to stop us from getting rid of Discord and what's funny about this whole thing is that Apple Sweet is actually holding back her magical powers back in order not to harm you.”
“What?!” Celestia spoke in alarm. “She's holding her strength back?”
“I told her mentally not to harm you, but it seems that she may have too in order to make you both back now so we can get to Discord.”
“Why don't you fight us yourself, you coward!” Luna hissed out, despite being held back by Bookworm.
“Why when I can use my own student who has the Alicorn Amulet on to do it for me instead.” smirked Star Mage. “Apple Sweet, do not hold back, they will not cooperate. Discord's magic is far too powerful on them.”
“As you say, mentor.” Apple Sweet said as her sword suddenly became more solid like. She quickly swung the sword at Princess Celestia, hitting her in the leg, this time giving her an actual mark.
Celestia flinched at the stinging pain that formed in her leg, but quickly formed an anger filled face. “Very well. If I must harm you, so it shall be.” she spoke as her own sword became more solid like.
With that, the two began to go into another sudden battle, swords hitting at each other, giving off sparks each time they clashed together. Both fighters got marks on themselves but kept on going at it.
Both of them stopped after awhile, breathing heavily as they both agreed that each other were both a formidable opponent. “You have more power then I thought, Princess Celestia. I must admit, I'm quite surprised.” breathed out Apple Sweet.
“I will not give up until you stop this or until I have defeated you in combat. I will not let you harm my student or her family!” Celestia yelled in an exhausted breath, through the love for her student was the only thing that was driving her to stay and fight. “I will stay here until the very end.”
“That is it! I have enough of this stalling. Apple Sweet, forget the sword fighting! We will end this properly.” yelled Star Mage. “Gather all of your energy into one final strike so we can move onto the main target.”
“Yes sir!” Apple Sweet said as the sword suddenly disappeared and instead appeared a ball of great energy, itself swirling in a blazing fast motion, ready to strike at a second's notice. The ball of energy got more intense when it was dropped out of Apple Sweet's control, instantly striking Celestia and causing her to fall back, defeated.
“Sister!” Luna shouted.
“Let's go, you two! We have chaos to rid Equestria of. We'll free you both.” said Star Mage to the defeated princesses. “We will, I promise you.” With that, the three of them ran out of the room, resuming their invisible selves.
With Bookworm finally off of her, Luna ran over to her sister. “Sister! Sister! Are you alright?”
Celestia weakly got up onto her hooves and looked at her window. “I'm hurting but I'm alright. I couldn't stop them from getting to Discord and them. The only thing we can do for them is to prepare that antidote. Only then will things be right again.”
“I must inform the guards immediately!” Luna panicked. “What about you, sister?”
“Go, tell them!” Celestia yelled. “Go now!”
With that, Luna ran out of the bedroom and to where the guards standing outside Twilight's doors were. Rather, she flew there in order to get there more quickly. Luna quickly made it to the bedroom and immediately busted through the doors, a panicked look on her face. Both Twilight and Discord were actually fast asleep, Screwball the only one of the family to still be awake. Shining Armor and Cadence were still awake and were looking at Luna in panic.
“Luna, what is it?” Shining Armor asked in panic.
“Those mares, they're on their way here. My sister and I tried to stop them, but the Alicorn Amulet was too much for us. I flew as quickly as I could to warn you.” Luna panted out.
“Oh no! What are we going to do?” Cadence panicked.
“We cannot wake them up and worry them. I can use my magic to transport us all out of here and to another location. I know I'm going against Celestia's orders, but we have to think of their safety.” said Shining as he placed a protective magic aura around the sleeping couple and gently lifted them off of the bed, preventing them from waking up.
“We need to get out of here as quickly as possible! They're bound to find this room!” said Luna when she heard screams from outside the bedroom door. “No, they've found us!”
“Cadence, take hold of my magic barrier. I need to take a battle stance. I will not be allowing anypony to touch a single hair on their hair. Screwball, get behind Cadence, now!” Shining ordered as Cadence took a hold of his magic spell and Screwball quickly ducked behind her.
The doors suddenly flew open to reveal the three that had finally found their target. “Finally! We've found him and his little family! Apple Sweet, get ready to use your spell!”
“Not while I'm here you won't! You will not be hurting them! Not until the fat mare sings!” yelled Shining as his horn glowed up intensely. “I will try to stop you all until the very last moment.”