//------------------------------// // Prolouge // Story: The Spirit Of Order // by TheSupremeLeaderOfChaos //------------------------------// The darkness of the Everfree Forest lay thick beneath the heavy branches of the trees, the sunlight from outside making no dent in the murk. In the dank forest, scarcely a creature moved. It was quiet. From the thickest part of the forest, a light growl was heard. Brambles rustled, and something moved. Red eyes opened and blinked. "Perfect." __________________________________________________________________________________________ The water of the lake gleamed under the rays of the bright summer sun as a light breeze rushed through the apple trees to the south. It was an incredible day. The pegasi must have worked harder than usual to make sure the sky was crystal clear and sparkling for the day of the annual Summer Sun Celebration. All the ponies in Ponyville were bustling about, going about their usual business, with maybe a bit more spring in their step than usual, and a sense of cheerfulness filled the air. This year, the Celebration had been held in Fillydelphia, so there had been no need for a huge get-together; rather, everypony was relaxing with their friends, and they were all having a delightful time. Fillies giggled behind their hooves with their friends, watching colts were caught up in fierce, competitive games of hoofball, each yelling louder than the last. Mares and stallions alike quietly walked around town, tuning out the young ones and enjoying the wonderful day. There was nothing more peaceful than a day like that day. In the library, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were gathered together laughing, reminiscing their first Summer Sun Celebration together. "I really was annoyed with you guys at first, wasn't I?" "Annoyed is an understatement, Twilight! You didn't want us around at all!" "'Member how she tried ta go into the forest alone?" "And how Rainbow Dash didn't have a tail for a full five seconds when Applejack said, 'We're sticking ta you like carmel on a candy apple!'" "Yeah, and- Wait, what?" Rainbow Dash turned to look at Pinkie Pie in confusion. "What do you mean, I didn't have a tail?" Pinkie Pie patted her rainbow mane comfortingly. "It's all right, Dashie! It was just an animation error! Nothing too serious!" "An ani- what?" RD deadpanned, looking slightly worried. "Ooh, remember how Fluttershy tamed that manticore? You were absolutely spectacular, Fluttershy!" Rarity cooed, smiling at her friend. "Oh, it was nothing, Rarity," Fluttershy said, looking at her hooves. "Nothing? Why, darling, it was-" "Buurrp!" Spike was thrown back by the unexpected letter. Rubbing his chest in annoyance, he grabbed the letter off the ground and read it to the curious ponies. "My dear Princess Twilight, I have finished my part in the ceremony in Fillydelphia and have decided to spend the rest of the celebration in the castle. I would very much enjoy it if you and your friends came to celebrate with me. I await your response! Princess Celestia" The six ponies looked at each other for a moment. Then Rarity asked hopefully, "Twilight? We're going, aren't we?" "Of course we are!" Twilight said matter-of-factly. "Yay!" Everypony yelled, except for Fluttershy, who just said it slightly louder than normal. They all ran off in opposite directions to get their stuff. _________________________________________________________________________________ The train chugged up the tracks, making quick time. They were to arrive in the capital in only a few minutes! "Isn't this going to be wonderful, Spike? We're going to celebrate the Summer Sun Celebration with the Princess!" Twilight said, excited. She pulled him off her back with magic and set him on the ground. "I can't wait to talk to her! I've barely been able to speak with her since the coronation! I really hope she'll want to talk with me!" "I'm sure she's looking forward to chatting, seeing as she was the one who invited you," Spike replied. Twilight chuckled. "You're right, as always, Spike." As they spoke, the train slowed and the ponies stepped out onto the platform. "Let's goooooo!" Pinkie yelled, and raced up the steps towards the castle. Everyone else followed behind, taking in the beautiful capital. Rarity gasped. "Oh, goodness, Fancy Pants!" Rarity called, hurrying over toward the white stallion with the blue mane. "Ah, Rarity! How wonderful to see you again! And your friends as well! Are you quite well?" Fancy Pants beamed. "We're all doing fine. The Princess invited us to spend the day at the castle!" Rarity replied happily. "That is marvelous news! I do hope you have a good time. But look, your friends are getting away from you! Wouldn't like to lose them, would you?" He gestured at the retreating figures of the ponies. Rarity gasped. "Oh dear! Well, I have to go! I hope to see you again!" "As do I. Goodbye!" Fancy Pants laughed as Rarity dashed off. "She sure does know how to get sidetracked, that mare." He turned to Fleur-de-lis, who had just exited a beauty salon. "Well, shall we return home, darling?" Fleur nodded contentedly. "You like this new mane-cut, don't you, honey?" "It looks wonderful," Fancy Pants replied, smiling. ________________________________________________________________________________ "Princess Celestia!" Twilight called, walking through the double doors. "Princess Twilight!" Celestia got up, and met Twilight halfway down the red rug. "How are you?" "I'm doing great, Princess!" "That is wonderful, Twilight. Are you enjoying the Summer Sun Celebration so far? I tried to do something different today," Celestia said. "Something different?" "Yes. Back when I was a child, someone else raised the sun, and when she would do it, she would decorate the sky around the sun in such a way that the sun would look more beautiful, and would hit the clouds just right. I tried to mimic that. What do you think?" Celestia smiled. "You did that? That's amazing!" Rainbow Dash interrupted. "I saw it this morning and thought it was just an accident with the weather team that the clouds were like that!" "Yes, Rainbow." "That's so cool!" Celestia laughed. "Well, I'm glad you think so. It was absolutely exhausting. I don't know how she did it day after day. I was only able to recreate part its wonder." "Wow," Twilight breathed while she looked up at the sky. The sun was accented by a ring of clouds, each gleaming white where the sun hit them. The sky seemed to be sparkling, rays of sunshine beaming everywhere. "I had barely glanced at the sky today! This is marvelous!" "You should have seen it when I was young," Celestia murmured. She turned towards Twilight. "So, have you made any interesting discoveries lately?" Twilight tore her eyes from the beautiful sight and focused on the Princess. "Um, yes, actually!" She pulled a scroll out of her knapsack and handed it to Celestia. "Goodness, Twilight! This is astounding!" She gasped. Twilight beamed. "I improved on the gravity spell I used at the Crystal Empire. I wondered if I focused the gravity on the objects around me instead of on myself, I could make the objects around me weightless!" "So, what does it do?" Applejack asked. "It nullifies gravity on the objects around the caster of the spell, causing them to float freely around with no magical help," Celestia explained. "That's awesome!" Rainbow said. Celestia laughed and went back to studying the scroll. She felt a small hoof tap her. She turned and looked at Fluttershy. "Um, I was wondering. Discord told me he'd be staying at the castle. Do you know where he is?" She asked softly. "Oh, Fluttershy, Discord is not here today. He's out guarding the western border of Equestria. He said that he had a weird feeling about something-or-other and wanted to check it out. I was worried, but he blew me off. I believe his words were, 'Don't worry your pretty pony princess head.'" Celestia mimicked Discord's voice. He said he's probably just imagining things. I wouldn't put it past him; he has the strongest imagination of anyone I know! Fluttershy looked stricken. "A-aren't you still worried?" "Not at the moment. Discord will come back if anything happens. I'm sure nothing is wrong." Celestia smiled. *CRACK* A flash of light illuminated the room and everypony had to cover their eyes. "Celestia, we may have a- Oh, hi Fluttershy!" Discord's attention slipped towards the yellow pony. The pegasus beamed and embraced her friend. "May have a what, Discord?" Celestia asked, getting Discord back on track. "Oh, yeah. We may or may not have a problem," Discord stated, hands behind his back. "What do you mean by that?" "Exactly what I said!" Discord replied, puzzled. Celestia sighed. "Discord, riddles are of no use right now. What's going on?" "I didn't use a riddle. It all depends on your point of view. To me, this new development isn't a problem. However, it probably is to you." Discord snapped his fingers and a holographic map of Equestria appeared before him. He zoomed in on the western corner, and pointed to an forested area. "Right around there, the clouds are moving on their own. The weather is fixing itself. It rained while I was there. The wind too began changing directions rapidly, as they should." "As they should?" Rainbow cut in indignantly. "Sorry, I meant, as I like them," Discord replied with derision. "You see, I haven't checked all over Equestria yet, but I checked a bunch of places, and they're all like this. Except for Canterlot. Canterlot hasn't been effected yet." Celestia focused on the map intently, then looked up at Discord. "Don't take offense to this, but you are honestly the only existing being I can think of that could cause this," She said cautiously. "It would seem," Discord waved a hand lazily. "But it's not me. I would know." He floated over the window and glanced outside. "Oh, hey, you did that cool thing with the sun!" "Discord, I hardly think that's the most important thing right now," Celestia said sharply. "Why not?" Celestia facehoofed. "Because if you are not the one changing the weather, who is?" Discord stopped short at that. "Oh," He stroked his goatee, apparently thinking hard. He seemed to think of something, for his eyes widened and his lion paw slowly went back down to his side. "Uh-oh." Everypony stood there staring at him. "What?" Twilight asked after a minute passed. "Wait a sec," The draconequus raised an eagle claw. "Discord, what is it?!" Celestia almost yelled. "Give me a second, sheesh, I'm trying to be absolutely sure," He lasped into silence again and closed his eyes. "What are you-" Twilight began to ask indignantly, but Celestia put a hoof over her mouth and shook her head slightly. Discord's hands glowed slightly and when he opened his eyes they were filled with light. The ponies took a large step back. But as suddenly as it had begun, the glow left his disappeared and Discord sat down abruptly, eyes wide. Fluttershy walked forward. "D-Discord? A-are you okay?" She whispered. "I- I'm fine," He said defiantly, and got up. He turned toward the window. His tone changed to something almost like apprehension. "But the world's not," He said quietly. "For the first time in a fifteen thousand years, the world is overbalanced. But not because I made it so," His voice broke slightly. "Celestia." "Yes, Discord?" "Constance is back."