//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: PONYHAMMER 40,000. The Warp Incursion. // by Duskrunner //------------------------------// PONYHAMMER 40,000. CANTERLOT CASTLE CORONATION AFTER-PARTY FIVE HOURS POST-FINALE SEASON 3 THE ROYAL BALCONY Princess Celestia, alicorn ruler of Equestria, found herself looking out over the castle grounds. Beyond its walls and gardens the city of Canterlot glowed with the reflected light of countless individual lives. Ordinarily the princess would have retired to her chambers by this late hour but tonight was a special occasion. It's a beautiful night. Sometimes, in my haste, I forget to stop and take it in. Tonight the natural order is suspended and we put aside the clockwork precision of our lives to indulge in a little change. I wish that was the reason I'm motivated to stop and look over all I've worked so hard to protect, everything I love. She sighed. But it's not. I'm not here because of changes I'm celebrating but because of changes I dread. 'We are all your students now.' Bold words. Powerful words. Terrifying words. For my sister and I these are words almost beyond comprehension. For the span of millenia we have watched over the world, together. For the last thousand years we have also watched, alone. She from her prison and I from mine. For most of Equestria there is only a fragmented memory, an annual custom reminding them of the fear that was once Nightmare Night. It would be easy to believe their joy at my sister's return is the product of ignorance or a lack of understanding. Anything other than the truth. But such are not the thoughts of a pony. "They really aren't, are they?" The devil on my shoulder speaks. I find myself agreeing with him. It is hard to acclimate myself to the fact that I allow him communion with me, particularly communion of such... intimacy. 'Oh come now Celestia dear let's be honest with each other. The reason you don't like me in your head has nothing to do with the fact that you're not used to it; It's because you distrust me. You have issues with me, here, where you keep your secret, darkest thoughts.' "I would Discord, I truly would. But I believe in you." "And speaking of Nightmare Night, well, thinking technically but never-mind that. While I think it's adorable that you chose to dress the part of a candy-chasing filly. really, this costume suits you not at all. Not that this particular royal kimono isn't rather fetching but let's not mince words..." He makes a quip about my ceremonial kimono. It's very fetching and I thought it suited me when I chose it. His words are likely a distraction and not a genuine criticism. He continues and I pay attention to him trying not to let my thoughts distract me. "...but the suit you currently find yourself in fitting for is most certainly the Empress' New Clothes. And that's on top of your normally quite-naked self." I smile at him and his baiting observation. Now I know he's making a sleight of hand although I'm not sure if the 'wool' allegedly being pulled over my eyes is that Luna isn't truly restored, that not everypony rejoices at her appearance, or if Discord is hinting at some insinuation about himself and how much I trust him. It would be very much like him to tease me into thinking he's following his own ambitions. By now I know enough to stay silent and let him continue to dominate the conversation: he always outs himself in the end. The heretofore unseen draconequus emerged from her flowing mane, having shrunken himself to the size of a common parasprite, and hopped onto her shoulder. He stooped to whisper, leaning over so much that his miniaturized head was practically scratching the inside of her ear with his mismatched horns. "We both know everypony keeps those memories the same way you keep stained glass windows to immortalize them - visible, right where they want them. Which is why I'm just a fly on the wall and not out there for this particular shindig bedecked in my sun-day best." Celestia smiled warmly at him. "You do have a way to make a point, Discord. Mischief makes you clever. Clever enough to make you forget a certain -someone- didn't want to be there." He snorts derisively. "Ponyfeathers. You wanted me here." She catches him with her magic as she levitates him out of her ear and just in front of her muzzle. "Ponyville forgave you and cheered your reformation from the town square. The young might still be confused about the difference between Luna and Nightmare Moon but their love for her is genuine. Everypony moves on." Discord crossed his arms and sulked like a scolded child. "Yes, yes, the heart of a pony is a place bursting with forgiveness." Celestia giggled. One of Discord's eyes grew wider as he perceived he was being mocked. "Did I say something unintentionally amusing?" "Not just then but in a way you did." "Do tell." "You are the essence of chaos are you not?" "Of course I am." "Then you know that chaos is simply randomness with every law of the universe. And if what happens to the universe every time that chaos enters play is that things end up worse than they were before, then in what way is chaos random?" The draconequus opened his mouth for a rebuttal, hand raised, and his jaw fell open when he realized he couldn't justify hi answer. "Discord... you are no longer my captive in stone. You are my friend, and the friend of my student and her friends. It's not terribly polite of me to tell you who you are, and I really do recognize that most of life is a carefully constructed structure that one distorted stone will bring toppling down... but every now and then chaos can change a filly's castle in the sand into a palace on the beach. You needed correction Discord because you became obsessed. You forgot that chaos means surprises... not evil." "I think I know where you're heading with this. I have to say I don't like it." "Since we're being so open, I don't either." A silence fell upon them for a few seconds. Finally Discord broke it. "This is what you meant when you explained to the world at large that being a princess wasn't a privilege. It's a real calling with great responsibilities... and real consequences that can last if you fail." He doesn't say the obvious: 'You're going to use me now.' I can feel the accusation in his tone all the same. "She isn't ready you know." He tells me, guessing who my thoughts linger on. "She isn't. And that is why she will not be alone." Twilight Sparkle. We are all her students now, and I am terrified. I who have endured this heartbreaking imprisonment for a thousand years and a battle against the forces of chaos and evil long before that. And I am worried beyond all belief; not only because of this "new magic" but because of what it could mean... for all my little ponies. And when I least expect it, the little devil on my shoulder manages to surprise me. "You'd be mistaken, by the way. I didn't really mean the commonpony folk. You're right, they love her now. I was speaking about your other troublesome little thoughts. It's not that I take incarceration lightly, don't get me wrong: Luna, my most puissant self,.." A glint of mischief fills his eyes for just a moment, it's a look I haven't seen unconcern for a long time. "...and many, many others, have most certainly done our share of hard time. But for you to call yourself a prisoner? Pshh. Please. Hardly. Love, sorrow, regret... make prisoners of lesser ponies. The ones that can't bear to do what must be done." Celestia turned her back to the moonlight and headed to the door to re-enter the castle. He called after her. "It's late Princess. You really should give them their due rest." She shook her head. "Not tonight. Not for this. They are weary, and it's best they go in the right frame of mind." Discord tsked "Such a shame. Pinkie Pie will be crushed for sure."