//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End // Story: Canterlot, The Rising Phoenix // by InvaderSplorch //------------------------------// “The day started out hectic with me trying to figure out what my new roles and duties were,” Twilight spoke, her eyes slightly moving upwards as if she was living the moment all over again. “I was frantically running around my house, trying to find a book about becoming a new princess, but I couldn’t even find one closely relating to the subject. I started tearing through my bookshelves quickly to find something, anything that would guide me to the right path. I mean how does one react to just being told, ‘Congratulations, Twilight Sparkle, you are now a princess,’ I mean it is ABSURD! How can I-“ “TWILIGHT!” Spike jumped up immediately, his jade green eyes staring intensely at Twilight. A brief pause of silence passed throughout the library like a plague, silencing everything in its wake. However, Spike soon realized where he was, quickly apologized, and sat back down. “Sorry, everyone, I was just swept away with my thoughts,” giggled an embarrassed Twilight. “Anyway, I exited my house to consult Applejack to see if she could help me with my problem...”  Twilight galloped intensely out of her house, leaving hoof prints in the soft earth. As she ran, she continued to pull up soil and grass, spraying her hindquarters with Mother Nature. She passed by the center of town square, waved a friendly “hello” to Mayor Mare, and continued to head towards Sweet Apple Acres. As soon as she arrived, she slid to a halt and began scanning the area. With sweat trickling down the bridge of her horn, she heard a familiar voice.    “Hey, Twilight, over here!” shouted Applejack.                   “Where are you, I don’t see you!” responded Twilight, her shortness of breath becoming apparent.    “Well golly, Twilight, I’d say you’ve been bucking apple trees for hours on end!” Applejack responded, trotting out of the barn. “Now then, Twi, what seems to be the matter?”    “Applejack, do you know of any other ponies becoming princesses!?!? And how does one fulfill her role with dignity and poise? Is there something I need to study? Do I need to find a lost book or…or…or seek a hidden checklist that contains info about royal duties? Is there –“    “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down there sugar cube!” AJ interrupted. “Now then, this time, calmly explain why you are bugging out so much." Twilight drew a long winded breath of air, firmly held it in her chest, and slowly released the air through her nostrils. This seemed to do the trick as Twilight calmed down instantly as she began to speak slower.  “I woke up this morning in a cold sweat. As I removed myself from the thin sheets, I realized I had wings and became a princess overnight. It seems in all of the excitement from yesterday, I fell asleep in the early evening from pure exhaustion. I think I just freaked out a bit when I realized I was now a princess and an alicorn as well. I tried to find a book on princesses of the past, but the only one I know talks about Princess Celestia and Luna. I know that book by heart and it does not mention anywhere in it about how to be a princess, how to act like one, or anything related to the topic! Sorry Applejack, I think I was just flustered and came to you for help,” Twilight said, lowering her head in embarrassment.  “Awww, sugar cube, don’t be embarrassed. These things tend to happen from time to time. Hey, how about we go visit Rainbow Dash and see if she knows anything. Who knows, there might be a princess in Cloudsdale that we never heard anything about,” Applejack said. “You’re right, Applejack, let’s go!” Twilight said. “Yee-haw! Alright, what say we get a little move on?” AJ asked.   “Do you mind if we walk there, I sort of exhausted myself running here. Oh, by the way, do you know where she is?”   “Well, if I know Dash, she should be either sleeping in a cloud or playing pranks on people. If I was her, I’d probably be taking a little doozy of a cat nap,” AJ responded.   Twilight nodded her head, turned around, and began walking back to Ponyville. As Twilight walked side-by-side with Applejack, she started to notice the finer details in the changing of seasons from summer to fall. The path they walked upon was scattered with leaves of all varieties and colors. The whispers of the wind would blow softly against the trees, shaking loose leaves from their fragile branches. It felt like Twilight and Applejack were the main stars in Mother Nature’s parade of the ever approaching fall season. The pair could hear the audible crunch sound of the leaves beneath them as they continued to trot down the road. After some time had passed, they had reached their destination and were now walking in Ponyville. Upon entering the city, Twilight stopped in the middle of the city and began scanning the clouds trying to catch a glimpse of Rainbow Dash. Applejack quickly followed suit, looking everywhere in the sky for a sleeping Pegasus. The duo scanned the clouds, searching for their Pegasus friend. After an hour had passed, Twilight stopped searching and let out a hearty sigh. She closed her eyes and held them shut for a brief moment.   After Twilight opened her eyes, she saw a black stallion walking around the city, his head searching from left to right in a rapid fashion. Twilight didn't know what to think of this as she had never seen this pony before. She saw the horn on top of his head and deemed him to be a lost unicorn. Upon further investigation, however, she discovered small, black wings held tightly to his sides. The creature’s straight, jet-black mane covered his neck down to his sturdy shoulders. His coat was a metallic black as well, but appeared dull under the bright sunlight. His eyes were crystal blue as they frantically searched through the city. His legs were of average build and his tail was split and ragged, small hairs extending in every direction. His marking was a filled in circle encompassed by a white outlining. The color of the inner circle matched this creature’s coat, an aspect that intrigued Twilight. This creature seemed to have no colorful aspects to him at all, just a dull, worn animal.   Who is he?!?! Twilight thought to herself. He is a unicorn, right? Or is he a Pegasus? He has both features though…Just what is he?!?!     After finishing her thought, Twilight sprinted towards this mysterious creature. Her quick movements caught the attention of  her friend, Applejack. Applejack sprinted to cut Twilight off, but her intentions were all for naught.   “Just who and what are you?!” Twilight demanded, her horn glowing with a purple radiance.   “Aaahhh! Who are you?!” the stallion answered, fear in his voice.   “I am Twilight Sparkle. I have never seen a creature like you before in Ponyville. Are you a changeling or something worse? Just what are your intentions, here, huh?” Twilight asked suspiciously.   “Please forgive her, sir, she’s just a little stressed out, that’s all,” Applejack quickly interjected.   “No harm, no foul, after all. My name is Yin-Yang, but you may call me Yang for short. I used to live here, but some time has passed. I appear to be lost in this town and am a little overwhelmed by my return home. Do you think you could show me around? The town here never used to be this big back then. My, times have changed,” answered Yang.   Yang gave a slight smile towards Applejack, but noticed Twilight still glaring at his body. Yang followed Twilight’s eyes to his wings and immediately hung his head, letting out a sigh. He picked his head back up and let out a slight chuckle.   “I see you noticed my wings, huh?” Yang asked. “Well...Miss Twilight Sparkle, was it?”   “Just call me Twilight for short,” she retorted, her gaze fixated on Yang’s face.   “Haha, very well, Twilight. Well these wings are very useless, my dear. While they are real, they are just the result of a spell gone wrong,” Yang said with an embarrassing look upon his face.   “A..A failed spell?” Twilight answered meekly, her horn’s purple glow of magic dissipating.   “Yes,” Yang replied. “You see, I was performing a spell that could reverse one’s attributes. This spell would remove a horn from a unicorn and instead produce wings. This aspect would be the same on a Pegasus. As far as earth ponies go, giving them a horn or wing should be relatively simple; that type of spell is easy to perform.   The spell I was working with was supposed to be temporary and resolve itself after a couple of hours. I planned on using this to brighten ponies’ moods, but in the end, it was a failure. The spell consumed too much magic; I couldn't stop the process as the wings were rapidly appearing on my body. I collapsed on the ground in exhaustion and defeat. The process was simple, but I made a careless mistake... Performing the spell on oneself usually ends in a bad result. Since I was a unicorn, I can’t remove my own horn during the procedure; I can only add to the existing horn, thus giving myself wings.”   “Why did you tell me all of this? We just met after all,” asked Twilight.   "I don't have a filter when things come flying out of my mouth. I have a tendency to say things on my mind without mulling it over first. That does seem to be a problem," Yang mumbled as he held his chin with his hoof. "Please don't be another Pinkie Pie," said Twilight. "Who's that?" asked Yang. "She is a very overly-enthusiastic earth pony; You'll meet her soon enough, though. She's been a great friend of mine for as long as I can remember," said Twilight. "So is it safe to say that you know your way around this town well?" asked Yang. "Well, I know almost everypony here and showing you the town would be really simple," said Twilight. "It seems that you are well received here, yes?" said Yang.   Twilight’s cheeks flared red with embarrassment. “Well, I do try to embody myself as Celestia’s most loyal student,” she answered.   Yang’s expression shifted from one a smile to a smirk of disgust. He quickly shook his head and put on a false smile, pretending that his sour look was just a mirage. Applejack saw this happen, but ignored it, pretending as if nothing had happened.   “Well, Yang, we’d be humble as pie to give you a tour of our town,” Applejack said.   “I would be much obliged, Applejack.”   “Oh, right, I almost forgot! We’re looking for our friend, Rainbow Dash. She’s a blue Pegasus with a rainbow mane and tail, probably sleeping on a cloud somewhere. Her cutie mark is one of a multi-colored lightning bolt protruding from a cloud. Have you seen her?” Twilight asked.   “I think I may have,” Yang replied, putting one hoof up to his chin.   “Where did you see her at?” she replied.   “I believe over by the lake. I just came from that direction. I saw your friend piercing clouds and skimming the water’s edge with her outstretched wings,” Yang responded.   “Perfect! Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s get a move on, Twi!” Applejack shouted, sprinting ahead of Twilight and Yang.   Yang and Twilight both looked at each other and shrugged, dismissing the quick action. They gave chase after Applejack, their beating of hooves on the ground creating a constant beat. As the three of them continued to sprint towards the lake, they heard a loud and screeching voice.   “Gooooooo Rainbow Daaassssshhhhh!!” shouted the pink pony.   “Ow! My ears! Who is that…ughhhh…pony?” Yang asked, clutching his ears with both hooves.   “Pinkie!!! You’re being too loud again!” Twilight shouted.   “Twilight!! Applejack!! Ummm…random person I haven’t met before, Hii!” Pinkie yelled, flailing both arms in the form of hello waves.   “Pinkie, please, just be a little quitter. You’re hurting our guest’s ears,” Applejack stated politely.   “I just can’t help it! I mean have you seen Dash’s performance? It’s an amazing, spectacular, jaw-dropping, super-duper routine!” Pinkie yelled while hopping up and down.   “Yes, well, it is amazing and all, but still, Pinkie, please lower your voice,” Twilight stated sternly.   This impossible request seemed to work because Pinkie stopped her incessant yelling and sat on the ground, staring at Yang. Pinkie walked over to Yang and began observing him. Yang unclasped his hooves from his ears and rested his body on the ground.  Rainbow Dash flew to Pinkie’s position, hovering above the ground as Applejack and Twilight observed the situation around Yang. Pinkie continued to observe Yang as he slowly stood on all four legs.   “Is there something I can help you with?” Yang asked, annoyed by the ever observing Pinkie.   “Well, I just don’t get it,” she replied. “Get what?” he replied.   “You have a horn and wings? Hmmm, I don’t know, that’s awfully fishy. And I have never seen you before in my life. Are you new here?”   “Well, I’m new to this town. I haven’t been back in a while and I was a little overwhelmed at everything. Oh, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Yin-Yang. What’s yours?” asked Yang, extending his right hoof.   Pinkie started to chuckle and tears developed in her eyes. She clenched her jaw with all of her might to try to stifle this fit of laughter. She even closed her eyes so tight it seemed as if she was trying to suffocate an insect. She couldn’t hold out for long as huge roars of laughter and waterfalls of tears ran down her face.   “Bwahahahahahaha! Yin-Yang? That’s your name? That’s hilarious!! Wait, wait, and is your middle name Yo-Yo?” Pinkie chortled producing a toy yo-yo. “Am I right, huh? Am I right?”   “No,” Yang declined firmly. “All right, pinkie, you had your laugh,” said Twilight.   “I know Twilight, sorry, sorry, I just couldn’t”- was all Pinkie said before another cannonball of laughter filled the air. “Sorry about that, my name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but everyone here just calls me Pinkie. Nice to meet ya!” she said, extending her hoof. She shook Yang’s hoof as he had held it there during her rant, completely forgetting to set it down.   “Likewise,” Yang said. “Oh, as far as my wings go, it was the result of a failed spell I was performing on myself.”         “Just like Twilight!” Pinkie blurted out.         Twilight grew red in the face as Applejack and Rainbow Dash stifled their giggling.   “Out of curiosity, where is Rarity and Fluttershy?” asked Applejack.   “Well Rarity is out shopping for fabric right now and Fluttershy is having a picnic with Discord,” Pinkie replied.   “Where is Fluttershy?!” Yang ecstatically shouted.   “Well, if my memory is correct, she should be in a straight line from here,” Pinkie replied pointing her hoof to the left side of him.   “There’s no time to waste!! Discord must be stopped here and now!” Yang yelled, sprinting as if he was on fire.   “Wait!” shouted Twilight, but to no avail.   Yang was running as fast as a speeding bullet towards Discord as the trio of ponies chased after him. The solo Pegasus quickly flapped her wings in a flurry of colored light as she continued to observe him from a distance in the sky. It didn’t take long to reach Fluttershy’s picnic spot as Yang slid himself to a halt. Rainbow Dash gently flapped her wings towards the ground, slowing her momentum with perfect grace and poise. The other three finally caught up to Rainbow Dash and Yang, all of them sweating and gasping for air.   “Wait,” said Twilight. “How do you know Discord? Also, Discord has changed; he only uses his magic for good now.”   “I see what’s going on here. Discord has tricked all of you into believing he has changed his dark ways. He is the god of chaos and nothing can change that fact!” Yang shouted, sprinting towards Discord and Fluttershy once again.   Rainbow Dash attempted to cut him off, but Yang cast a teleportation spell, instantly delivering him within arm’s reach of Discord.   “Oh my!” said Fluttershy, startled by the sudden appearance.   “Oh, what have we here, more guests? Come, come, sit down and enjoy yourself. There’s still plenty of food left. Relax and take it easy,” Discord said calmly, putting his paw around Yang.   “I know you, Discord; how you went against Celestia and Luna. I know how you challenged them to be the ruler of Equestria. My only question is how you were set free,” Yang said, removing Discord’s paw from his shoulder.   “We released Discord...All of us,” responded Twilight.   Yang stood there wide-eyed and dumbfounded. His jaw stretched all the way to the ground with Discord firmly pushing it back into place.   “Discord!” Yang yelled.   “Sorry, sorry, it’s just a joke. I couldn’t resist with the way you stood there all wide eyed and speechless. This was just the most perfect time to make your jaw LITERALLY drop! I mean, it’s an instant classic!” Discord said, chuckling and snickering while speaking.   “Why did you free him?” Yang asked Twilight.   “It was a request from Celestia. Fluttershy here transformed Discord from an out of control draconequus into a normal person! Well…almost normal,” Twilight responded.   “Well, if your friend here really did such a thing,” Yang replied.   “Oh, yes, it took some time, but I was finally able to convince him,” Fluttershy responded.   “Since she’s the first friend I ever had; I simply can’t go against her,” replied Discord.   Yang’s expression changed from one of admiration to one of sadness.   “You really don’t remember me?” asked Yang.   “Hmmm, you do look somewhat familiar on second glance,” replied Discord, removing his eyes from their sockets. “Let’s get a better look, shall we?” Discord took his eyes and rolled them at Yang’s feet. They eyes stared up at Yang as they slowly dissolved into the ground. Discord reappeared with a monocle and a corn cob pipe sitting in a fancy red chair. The armrests were long, curled chunks of chocolate. He easily ripped a piece of the armrest and popped it into his mouth. As he crunched the chocolate, the chair spun around Yang slowly. As it picked up speed, Yang became dizzy trying to follow it.   Yang fell over onto something soft, yet painful. As Yang’s eyes stopped spinning, he slowly realized what was supporting him. Discord had transformed himself into a mattress with restraining straps for his arms. As Yang struggled to be free, Discord changed himself from a mattress back into his original form. Yang fell to the ground with a thump as Discord had his claw resting underneath his chin.   “Nope,” was the reply from the god of chaos.   “Discord, you really don’t remember me?!” Yang answered. Yang’s sigh was filled with disappointment before he continued, “Well, maybe this will jolt your memory,” he said, closing his eyes. “I will be the king of this here place; I will rule and conquer each and every race”-   “Chaos will spread throughout this entire land; And with it, destruction shall be close at hand,” continued Discord, his eyes literally becoming big saucer plates.   “It can’t be. No, it really cannot be you. Yin-Yang!?!” Discord shouted before disappearing into a cloud of smoke.