//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: Enter Aqua // Story: Life and Destruction: Intertwining Disasters // by Firamoon //------------------------------// Celestia's room's silence was disturbed by two knocks at her door. Her fireplace was currently lit as the fall shivers would soon be replaced by the chilling snowfall of winter. Her balcony doors were closed as she heard the wind blow against them, rattling them. She had got up from her seat and opened the door with her magic. It was one of her guards, Pegasus guard, but one of the most distinct part about him from the others was instead of his solitary stance, but a trembling body. Spike was being held by his tail in the guard's mouth. "There's Spike, where had he gone off to? He wasn't in Twilight's room," Celestia asked. The guard dropped Spike, but was caught in the levitation spell of Celestia. She had gotten no response. Upon closer inspection, she had remembered about the day recruitments joined last weekend. His helmet was currently under his wing, showing most of his features: his blazing green eyes, his light blue coat and pure white mane that was currently combed back, were the most apparent features on him. However his cutie mark was being covered up by his armour. She figured this may be one of them, or just the only new guard around in Canterlot. "I-I, w-well, Commander Shining A-Armour found him in the kitchen fridge. Must Have sneaked in for a midnight snack, then fell asleep. Isn't he Princess Twilight's assistant?" he asked. He received a chuckle from the alicorn, which made him a bit more nervous - which gave him the intent to run under pressure, but he still stood there. "Oh I'm just stealing him for the time being, Twilight won't mind." "Alright Celestia," he replied. "HOLD ON A MINUTE!" a new voice yelled. Celestia looked behind him to see one of the more superior guards galloping towards the rookie. Then he gave the new guard a death glance. "TELL ME ONE GOOD REASON WHY I SHOULDN'T MAKE GALLOP LAPS AROUND THE CASTLE FOR ADDRESSING THE PRINCESS LIKE YOU JUST DID!" he hollered. Celestia looked at the new guard he was cowering from his superiors. "YOUR SUPPOSE TO SAY 'Your highness' or 'Your majesty' BUT YOU THINK YOU CAN GO AROUND CALLING HER HIGHNESS BY HER FIRST NAME!?" "B-But I-" "DON'T GIVE ME ANY BUTS, NOW GO AND GI-" "Enough Sky Light," Celestia whispered. Even with the smallest whisper, he could hear it, so he took a solitary stance for her. "This guard will be exempt from that rule for today, please go back to your post." "Yes, your majesty," Sky Light whimpered, feeling like an imbecile after being put down by the most powerful pony in Equestria. He turned his body back to where he was stationed, and glared at the recruit before walking far enough away to be out of sight. "That was certainly... unexpected," the new guard said gaping. He let out a sigh of relief before turning to Celestia, who had put Spike down on one of her seats. "What's your name?" she asked. "Your Highness my name is Aqua." he replied. "You don’t need to address me in such a manner, as I said before, you are free to call me Celestia, or even 'Tia - don't tell Luna I said that," she whispered, giggling. "Please take a seat, I would like to know a bit more about you Aqua." He was reluctant, but he sat down. "Tell me, why did you join the royal guard?" "I need the extra money, so I am able to... live better. I figured since you’re risking, one’s life by joining the royal guard to protect the royal family, it must pay well aswell," Aqua replied. "I see, is it true that you would risk your life for someone?" Celestia pushed on. "W-Why do you ask?" Aqua worried. "Because, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were different. Unique. Like you're not from this world. I need to know about you. All I want to do is see if I can help you." "Help me, I don't think that's possible, at least in my case," he admitted. "It's time my water-loving friend!" a masculine voice echoed in the room. Celestia knew he it was, but so did Aqua. Aqua simply scoffed. "Just leave me alone Discord, I can’t remember one thing you’ve done for me that hasn’t been a nuisance, I hate you," Aqua scolded. That was before he found himself in a booster chair with a little bib around his neck, with the bib sporting the words ‘Let’s eat!’ Aqua blushed. "Well that's not a nice way to treat daddy Discord. It's time for you to take your medicine!" Discord appeared in front of him in a doctors uniform with a spoon of what looked like green syrup. That the spoon changed into a train with the syrup still in the shallow bowl. "Here comes the choo choo train! Too too!" "What are you doing Discord? And more importantly how do you know this guard?" Celestia asked suspiciously. Aqua swallowed the substance with a disgusted, yet embarrassed look on his face. He felt relieved as the booster seat and bib disappeared. A cloth appeared in Discord's paw and wiped Aqua's muzzle with a bit of the liquid dripping from his chin. "What does it look like? I'm feeding my little buddy Aqua here," Discord explained, wrapping his Talon around him. Aqua rolled his eyes in disgust and equally fear. "Not that Discord, you just happen to know him? A random new recruit of the royal guard? I’m not buying it…," Celestia replied. Suddenly Discord was slithering around Celestia in a vacation outfit, "Oh Celestia mon you told me that I need to help around the castle mon, so I decided to help out the royal guard mon, and that’s when I met this mon right here, he looked quite worried so I helped him mon. We’re just friends mon relax," Discord assured. Celestia didn't buy it. "Uh, yeah, just friends," Aqua added. By the look on her face, it looked like she still didn’t buy it. Aqua looked out the window then back to his fore leg to pretend he had a watch. That was when he started to bolt out of the room. “I got to go!” Aqua yelled back, slamming the door behind him. The room quieted, one could only hear the sound of pages turning from a random magazine Discord suddenly had in his possession. "I know what you're thinking Celestia, and trust me, it's pretty... Farfetch'd," Discord commented, bursting into a laughter. The magazine seemed to laugh as well. "Because you know, Farfetch'd. Ho-oh-oh, hehe, oh that's a real killer." He looked at Celestia's face, but it was emotionless. "You know I’ve waited a thousand years for an interesting reaction from you, but yet again you disappoint. Well maybe you will try harder next time. Smell Ya Later!" Discord laughed maniacally then snapped his finger and disappeared. If only I could rid myself of that nuisance. Aqua thought absently. Discord was not someone he would really want to be friends with, in fact, he thinks that nobody really likes him that much. He walks into the Canterlot courtyard as he looks up to the clouds in the sky, with a weather team pushing multiple clouds in different directions. As he continues to walk, he sees the tower which housed Princess Twilight. He never met her in person; with the only thing he heard was that she was the newest princess of Equestria. He thought it would be a good idea to get himself acquainted with her, but it was probably the most idiotic thing a guard can do. He turns his head to see one of the princesses approaching her room. Her dark-coat and starry mane and tail flowing behind her. He believed that her name was Princess Luna. When she opened the door to Twilight's room, her eyes widened as she entered and closing the door behind her. "Hmm, I wonder why Luna is visiting Princess Twilight,” Aqua asked himself. "And should you get fired for stalking the princesses?" a voice from behind asked. The voice was familiar as Aqua froze and turned around. Sky Light was glaring at him with fire in his eyes. "I HAVE THE FULL CAPABILITY TO FIRE YOU FROM YOUR JOB IF I WANTED, BUT CELESTIA HAD TO CODDLE YOU JUST FOR BEING NEW?! YOU WILL NOT HAVE A NICE DAY TODAY AS WE WILL TREAT YOU AS WHAT YOU ARE A NEW RECRUIT GO CLEAN THE BARRACKS!" "Heh, if you want hurt me then you should be the one putting effort into things, the world has thrown enough at me, that I can handle a few extra-working hours," Aqua responded smugly. "I was expecting you to complain kid, after that you better get your flank to the training grounds at 1030." Sky Light commanded, staring directly into his eyes. Then he brought his hoof up and stared at a golden watch he owned. "It's 0956 right now, you’ve got approximately 34 minutes to do so, GOT IT?!" Aqua scoffed then brought his hoof to his forehead. "Yes sir," he replied, with very little enthusiasm. "Heh, better be a much more firm response next time kid, you’re on very thin ice," Sky light said in a much quieter tone. However, before Sky took off, he glanced at the window to see a dark-blue glow. He shrugged and flew off, but Aqua decided to stay and see what was going on inside the princess's room. "NOW!" his Commander yelled from a distance. "Okay!" Aqua yelled back. But Aqua decided to delay that order and decided he would want to know what was going on in Princess Twilight's room. His wife once told him that he would go off and see things that interested him more than what she had wanted him to do. But they simply laughed at the end. That was when he saw it, the creature lying in the Princess's bed, it was asleep it looked like as he could see its breathing. He knew what it was, yet he didn't want to believe it. Lying there was an Umbreon, one of the choices he could've evolved into. but this one was different. Instead of golden rings around his limbs, he sported a blue color instead. He was covered in bandages and a patch was covered over the ring on his forehead. "No... it can't be..." Aqua whispered. "It just can't." He kept on mumbling this as he saw the Pokemon getting up from the bed. He looked over to his direction, but he got away in time to not be spotted. That was when a figurine-sized draconequus appeared on his soldier. "Well would you mind telling me why you're eavesdropping?" Discord questioned. That was when he looked himself. "Oh my. Looks like some weird creature attacking the Princesses. Now this is something I can watch." Discord returned to his normal size and pulled a chair out of what seemed to be a non-existent pocket, and popcorn into his lion hand. "Discord, I am in need of your assistance right as of now," Aqua asked, while his eyes stare out into the sky. "Hmm?" Discord mumbled with a bunch of popcorn in his mouth. "You made a promise when you brought me here, that I’ll be able to turn back into a Vaporeon anytime I wanted. That time is now." He spit the popcorn out and snapped his finger. "Oh, that! Give me a moment," Discord responded. A chest appeared beside him as he looked through it, pulling out multiple random pieces of junk. He threw multiple things behind him like mask of unknown individuals, a deck of cards, pair of fake pegasus wings, then a bowling ball came out going towards him, but just moved aside to where it fell upon to the ground below. "Ah, here it is." He pulled out what looks like some sort of small orb with what looks like water in it. Swimming around in it was Aqua's regular body, not this pony one. "It's a little strange, seeing myself swimming around in it, it’s also somewhat uncomforting," Aqua commented. "Let us go down to the courtyard first." He jumped down onto the grass with his wings slowing down his descent. Looking at Discord, who seemed fascinated with the creature inside. "My my, even without your soul to occupy it, your body just seems to move on its own, it’s certainly one of the most interesting things to date. All right then, close your eyes," Discord asked. Aqua closes his eyes as the orb opens like a capsule and the water started to wrap around his body He started shrinking in size as he was morphing into what he originally was. His stallion tail was turning into a tail fin as his back started to line with ridges. His hooves turning into paws and his body started to grow his aquatic scales. A white ruff sprouted from his neck as another ridge started to protrude from his head. Two fins sprouted from the two sides of his head as the water started to enter his body. His transformation was complete. "You may open your eyes now, Aqua," Discord said, his previous body now in the orb instead. As he opened his eyes, he walked over to the pond and looked. He was the Pokemon he was again. He felt his scales to see that they were there and his fins were where they were. He was once the Vaporeon he once was. “Feels so nice to be in my own body.” He let out a sigh of relief as he stretched his body. All of a sudden, the wall to Twilight's room burst open as the Umbreon came out, with trails of his attack disappeared, Aqua recalling it was called Giga Impact. Discord quickly disappeared out of the area and Aqua jumped into the pond, his body dissolving into water molecules becoming camouflaged. The Umbreon walked to the edge of the pond, dipping his paws into the water, making contact with his dissolved body, and splashing it into his face. He also took a sip of the water. Aqua observed the Umbreon intently, starting to think about something he hoped he would've never thought about. However, for some reason, he started to cry, his tears falling into the pond. He was tempted to come out of the pond to ask why he was crying, but that was when he saw the Princess fly down and land rather clumsily on the grass. She looked around before she called him by what seemed like his name. "Shade, please listen to me," Twilight said. At that moment, the Umbreon turned his head towards the alicorn. Twilight still looked around, as if hoping no one was watching. The so called "Shade" turned back into the pool of water. "Leave me alone," he had responded. His voice. His voice was vaguely reminiscent to that of his son. But he just needed more evidence of it. He managed to convert himself into a physical form as he looked around the small body of water until he saw a pocket-sized scuba diver with swimming goggles and a breathing tube. "Discord," Aqua called. But he seemed to be humming some strange song in his head. He rolled his eyes and swam towards him; swishing the water around the small draconequus. "That was certainly uncalled for, why you got to be ruining my break?" Discord protested, lifting his goggles and eyeing Aqua with a glare. That was when Aqua grabbed him with both his paws and looked right at him. "Let me go!" "I remember you saying something about how you would help me in anyway to redeem myself, isn’t that why you pulled me into this world?” Aqua asked. Discord nodded. “Good, I need your help right now, and you can’t possibly be the one to break a promise, now can you?” "Ugh, I can't pull back on a promise, now can I?" "First, get us to the barracks," Aqua commanded. Discord slipped out of his grip like a bar of soap. He snapped his fingers as they were both teleported to their desired location. It was empty, but he heard all the guards seemed to be getting ready for something. "Discord, I need my disguise." Discord simply pulled out the same orb and it opened up. It was exactly like the process of him turning into Vaporeon, but in reverse. Weirdly enough, he already had his armor on him and helmet. That was when a guard walked in and took notice of Aqua. "Hey! Rookie!" he called over to him. "Something happened over at Princess Twilight's tower. We fear the worst, we must make haste!" Then he exited the room. "No, no no no. I can't let this happen," Aqua worried. He looked to Discord who was playing with what looked like a small gaming device emitting little beeps and nudged him. "Whatever that is Discord, put it away, for now I need you to-" "Keep in mind the only things I can't do is, you cannot request I kill sompony, it’s makes them static and boring and it risks my banishment. We all know we don’t that, now do we. Also you cannot alter somepony's memory or head, or shape of head, or... or... or! Turn them into a three headed snake-lion platypus with six claws and a zuc-" "Put all the Royal guards in Canterlot to sleep." "Excuse me?" Discord responded in surprise, dropping the device to the ground where it hid itself under one of the bunks. "You’re well aware of what that creature was Discord, and I’m pretty sure you know how I correspond to him. I also require that I be close to him and I need know more about that Umbreon. After all, we’re friends, you wouldn’t deny my request now would you? Also, make sure that Sky Light gets much more sleep, he needs it." Discord sighed. He snapped his fingers as he started to hang his head. "Every guard is asleep for one hour, except you of course with the Sky Light being asleep for the rest of the day. Dear Celestia will be outraged by this. How… exciting." Celestia eyes widened as she heard an explosion in one of the towers. She closed the book she was reading and galloped toward her door to see the guards outside of it are just as surprised as she was. She turned to one of the guards to ask. "What's going on?!" "We don't know your majesty, we could be under attack. Would you like us to scout the castle?" "Do so, I have my own things to attend to at the moment." "All right your majesty. YOU HEARD YOUR MAJESTY. LETS MOVE!" he commanded the other guards. They galloped down the hallway as Celestia went back into her room, preparing to wake up Spike. "Spike? Spike you there?" Celestia asked, prodding the sleeping dragon's head with her horseshoe. He mumbled in his sleep in response. She rolled her eyes as she stomped the ground. It woke him up instantly. "Ugh, Twilight, what was that fo..." the drowsy dragon looked up to see it was Celestia. He looked around the room to see he was indeed in Celestia's room now. "Hey Princess," he said sheepishly. "First of all, care to explain why you were found in the kitchen fridge? And that I was told that all the ketchup was gone by one of our chefs here?" Celestia asked sternly. "Oh..." he responded. "About that. I kind of gotten... a craving for ketchup." She simply sighed in response, placing a hoof on her face. "Besides this new craving you've developed, did you hear it?" "Hear what?" "Guess not. You need to follow me. There's an emergency." Spike had a look of confusion on his face as he just got up and started following Celestia to the door. But it was opened by somepony else, which happened to be her sister. "Luna, what is going on?!" Celestia demanded. However, Luna only looked up at her with a very worried look on her face. "Luna, tell me now!" "Sis..." she whispered. She kicked at the ground before looking back at her. "We need to talk, and I need to tell you something." "We can talk later, for now we ha-." "THERE WON'T BE A LATER!" Luna responded in the royal canterlot voice. She looked to Spike that was behind her. In a normal voice, she asked. "Spike, do us a favor and leave, but in any circumstances, do not go to Twilight, and that’s an order." Spike raised an eyebrow before shrugging and walking past her as Luna entered the room and closed the door behind her. Luna sighed as she motioned Celestia to sit on her pillow as she sat on the one across from it. Her sister finally sat on the other one after staring at her in disbelief, "What's going on little sister?" Celestia asked in a worried voice. "Tia, there is something that had happened today. And it would be no use trying to keep it secret from you." "Did it have to do with that explosion we heard?" "Partly, it was really what happened after it. The thing is... we have a guest from that other world, and I guess you can say he really isn’t the happiest right now." Her eyes widened as she immediately knew what she meant. “What?" Celestia responded, almost sounding like she didn't hear it. "One of the creatures had just visited our world, and left us with an assignment of some sort. An assignment with a due date.” "Please don’t add meaningless details and get straight to what you’re trying to say, Lulu." Celestia leaned in as she wanted to hear even her breathing. "The thing about the creature that came here... it wasn't his first time, Tia," Luna croaked, her voice getting raspy and her eyes getting watery. "The same one that made you banish me." Celestia had memories flash back to her, where she had used the Elements of Harmony to banish her sister. The pain that happened as she had blasted her into the moon. "You mean... that wasn't you at all?" Luna simply nodded her head. "I love you too much Sis. To think I would've done such a thing... it scares me so much, it happened right after we turned Discord to stone." For some reason, she opened with a smile. "Just glad that monster is gone now. Somehow, that monster role played as me and made it look like I really betrayed you." "What was this monster's name?! We need to take action!" "His name... its name is Yveltal, The Destruction Pokemon." Luna had started to cry afterwards into her hooves.