//------------------------------// // Interlude // Story: The Rider Of Darkness // by GaleWind //------------------------------// Interlude It was close to midnight and I couldn’t get to sleep. My mind was still going over the details of today. I just hope the princess has calmed down. I was brought of my thoughts by a knock at my door. I opened it and there was a palace guard on the other side. “Can I help you?” I asked with a sense of dread. “Princess Celestia has requested your presence in her bedchambers.” He said. I was confused but nodded in agreement. I followed the guard with multiple thoughts going through my head. We reached the doors and knocked. The doors opened and there she was in a pure white nightgown. “Princess Celestia, I have brought the one you requested to see.” He said. “Thank you. You may return to your duties.” She said with a smile. The guard saluted and left the room, closing the doors. I stood there as the princess used her magic to cast a spell. She walked towards the window and gestured for me to come. I did and stood beside her looking out the window. “Echo Wave, it’s nice to talk with you again.” She said in her motherly tone. “The pleasure is all mine princess.” I said. She gestured me to look down into the gardens and there I saw Discord in his stone prison with a look of disbelief and fear forever etched on his face. “Tell me, what is you see down there?” she said while still starring out the window. I was confused for a minute before I answered. “I see Prince Chaon encased in stone. Again, you have my deepest sympathy.” I said while sounding humble. “That’s very kind of you. However, do you know what I see?” she asked. “No, your majesty. What do you see?” I said turning to her. She was looking at me with a small smile on her face. “I see the pony responsible for imprisoning discord once again.” She said. I stood there in shocked silence but then I looked into her eyes and saw that the influence was gone. “You have done a great thing today, my little pony.” She said as she walked to her dresser while I was still in shock. “Princess, you’re back to normal! How did the spell release?!” I wondered as questions were racing through my head. “Calm down, Echo Wave. I will explain what I can.” She said in her motherly voice. I did what she asked and calmed own. She gestured to come closer. I did and stood in front of her. “Now, I shall try to answer some of your questions. Five years ago, Luna and I sensed a growing evil coming and knew we had to take precautions. I instructed Luna to retrieve the artifact you use to prepare but, I left the choosing of the recipient too her.” She explained. I understand them being careful but, that still left blanks. “Celestia, is Princess Luna back to normal as well?” “Yes, it appears Discord portion of the spell only grasped her and my mind. I doubt the other two are even aware of this fact.” She said. It’s good to know that both princesses were back in control but I still had my questions. “Princess, I still want to know something. If Princess Luna was responsible for choosing, why would she choose me? Why wouldn't she pick someone more capable for the role? Like a guard, a soldier or even one of the girls, why me?” I asked. This was the question that has been going over in my head ever since I gained this responsibility. “I’m afraid I can not answer that question. Only Luna would know the answer into why she chose you. Even I do not know her reasons for you.” She said with a small frown. I guess the only one that can answer my question is Princess Luna but, I doubt I would get the chance to talk to her now. Celestia used her magic to levitate a small bag over to me. “I know I can not answer the questions you must likely want to ask but I can give you items that will aid you in this fight. I believe you are familiar with.” She said. I took the bag in my hand and looked in it. Inside was something I have been accustomed to use. Gems, three of them in fact. A red triangular ruby, a light blue pearl shaped turquoise and a purple oval opal. I can only guess as to what they represent. I wonder what powers these will grant me. “I trust you know what to do with them. I can only wish you luck in your future battles.” She said as she pulled me into a hug. I returned it but then another question popped up. Something I wish wouldn't be true. “Princess, was Discord telling the truth when he said that you were… pregnant?” I asked. Everything went silent after I asked the question. I heard her sniffle and that was probably her answer. I looked up and saw tears in her eyes. “Regretfully, he was telling the truth. I am with child.” She said while I stepped out of her hug. “I am so sorry, your majesty.” I said while trying to hold back my own emotions. Even on the verge of tears, she managed a small smile as she placed a hand on her stomach. “Even though that discord is the father, it is still a life that I will cherish. When it’s born, I will teach it the joy of peace, harmony and love and hopefully, not follow in Discord’s footsteps.” She said. I truly hope that it follows through. I bowed to the princess and turned to leave. “I and Luna will have to keep up the façade of still being under the spell’s influence. We know the spell to aid us in this. I will try to contact as discretely as possible. I am sorry we can not be as much help.” She said. I turned to her just when reached the door. “Don’t worry your majesty. I’ll be fine besides, I have some surprises hidden in the dark.” I said cryptically. I left the room with that thought. In the Vilotan castle “What are we going to do?!” Chrysalis shouted as she paced back and forth in for in the royal throne room. Sombra stayed silent as he stared out the window. “Discord has been turned back to stone by this ‘kamen rider’. I felt the spell weaken for just a second. How are we going to fix this!” She yelled at him. Sombra remained silent. “ANSWER ME!!!” Chrysalis screeched. He slowly turned around and fixed her with a deadly glare which silenced her. “I’ve already applied more of my magic to the spell to fill in the gap so it still holds. Discord was a fool with proposing the idea of marriage and it was his downfall. As for this ‘kamen rider’, I admit he has proven more than a simple nuisance.” He said as he walked over to a small podium with a chest on it. “I’ve already ordered two of our generals back to deal with this.” “You saw what he could do to Discord. Even if our generals are more powerful than the regular obsidians, how will they fair any different.” Chrysalis said skeptically. Sombra opened the chest and took an item out. “When we first saw him, I spent my time constructing this and finding the one that can operate it.” He said as he looked at something in his hand. “What are you holding and operate what?” She asked. He turned around and showed her the item that made an evil smile come across her face. In his hand was a diamond shaped device that was pure black with a single red diamond in the center and a handle on the side. He’s mouth formed a menacing grin. “I think the old saying goes ‘fight fire with fire.’ We’ll see how he fares fighting his own.” He said with a chuckle which turned into an evil laughter that echoed throughout the castle.