When Friends are Said and Dun

by xenos29


Chapter 7

It was almost noon when Canterlot's central station appeared outside the car windows. The train quickly emptied, but having nowhere to go, its weary occupants lingered on the platform like a fleet of adrift ships. It was a gloomy sight until, to Twilight's comfort, royal guards immediately began guiding ponies towards a clearing across the tracks, where the beginnings of a large camp already lay. The princesses, Shining Armor, and Alpenglow stood talking at the entrance of the station while everypony else watched the guards raise row after row of tents.
Rarity tore her gaze from the camp and walked over. “Twilight, darling, I suggest that we make sure everypony settles in well. In the meantime, you can go find out from Princess Celestia and that Alpenglow character our next steps.”
“Right. I’ll be back soon,” replied Twilight. As she turned in the direction of the princesses, Spike hopped from her back.
“I think I’m gonna go help everypony else,” he said. “It looks like you guys are going to be talking about important princess stuff.”
“Spike, you know nopony will mind if you’re there, too.”
“I know, but to tell you the truth, I’m kinda worried about Applejack. I mean, everypony's upset right now, but I think it hit her pretty hard.”
“You’re definitely right about that. Think you can keep an eye on her?”
“You can count on me!” replied Spike. As he ran off, Twilight realized he was still carrying Alpenglow’s helmet and bag, and was about to call him back before deciding that returning them could wait. For her, it was no small comfort just to see somepony in reasonable spirits.
The platform had become deserted by the time Twilight approached the princesses, Shining Armor, and Alpenglow. Luna motioned her to follow, and the six of them quickly walked from the station to the castle. They stopped in the courtyard leading to the archives, and Princess Celestia spoke.
“The new shield should prevent Blight from escaping, at least for a time,” she explained. “Luna, once we check on Discord’s progress, you and I will return to Ponyville. Since Blight will no doubt use his time to regain his strength, we will have to keep a close eye on him. Shining Armor, I would also like you there to help coordinate the guards and patrol the shield for any weaknesses.”
“Of course, Princess. We’re bringing everypony from the Crystal Empire we can spare. They should all be here in under a day.”
“Good.” The Princess turned to Cadance. “I’m sorry to task you with this, Cadance, but I need you to stay here in Canterlot and ensure the rest of Equestria stays calm and collected when they learn what has happened. I know it’s a tall order, but if you can, try to make the citizens of Ponyville as comfortable as possible during their time here. I can only imagine what they’re feeling right now.”
“I’m sure I can find a way,” assured Cadance.
“We’re going to check on Discord now,” the Princess added. “We’ll come find you both shortly. In the meantime, please spread the news among the royal staff and inform them of their duties.”
As Cadance and Shining Armor continued on to the castle, Twilight and the princesses made their way into the archives. The unicorn guards at the entrance saluted the three before pulling apart the tall doors. As they entered, Twilight peered back and saw Alpenglow return the guards’ salute before closing the doors himself, leaving the four of them in a dimly-lit hallway. From there, it was a short walk to the Starswirl the Bearded wing. Twilight couldn’t help but think back to the last time she was here. She decided entering through the front door was a big improvement.
With a wave from Princess Celestia’s horn, the iron bar door to the wing creaked open, and they all stepped inside. There, reading in the center of the room, under the cart-sized hourglass, was Discord. The former spirit of chaos hovered atop a heap of old scrolls and books, seemingly absorbed by whatever he was reading. Twilight couldn't decide which was the stranger sight: that the draconequus was needlessly floating upside down, holding the book with the pages facing away from him, or that he almost appeared calm. Actually, he was probably just bored.
Discord finally took notice of the ponies and flipped to his feet. “Ah, my friends, there you all are!” His expression turned into an annoyed pout. “Hopefully to tell me that Blight is defeated, the day is saved, and I don’t have to spend another minute in this dreadful place. If I didn’t know better, Celestia, I’d say you were trying to convince me that being trapped in stone wasn’t so bad after all."
For all Discord's grumbling, his current plight hadn't affected his mad-as-a-hatter disposition, which he made all too apparent when he turned to Twilight, grinning his cheshire grin. “And look at you! Why, it feels like only yesterday when you were just a little purple unicorn I could pick up and toss into the air. Oh wait, you still are, and I still can!” chortled Discord as he did just that. Following a quick noogie, he dropped her unceremoniously onto the floor, then pulled a handkerchief from his ear and dabbed his eyes. “They grow up so fast, don’t they, Celestia?” he said wistfully.
“Discord, please,” said the Princess. “We are facing a serious crisis right now. The citizens of Ponyville have just lost their homes, and if we don’t find a way to keep Blight under control, they will only be the first to suffer.”
“Ah yes, of course,” Discord apologized, with what may have been actual sincerity. He stretched out onto the pile of books, spinning one on his finger. “Sorry to disappoint you, Princess, but there’s nothing in here about Blight you don’t already know. Besides, I don’t see what you need me for when you’ve got the tin pony over there. Surely he has the answers.” He pointed at Alpenglow, who was half-glaring at Discord.
“No, I don’t,” said Alpenglow. “It was over a thousand years ago. I can’t remember what happened, just that I defeated him.”
Discord tapped his lips thoughtfully. “Come now, you can’t remember, or you don’t want to?” An actual light bulb flashed above Discord’s head, and he extended his hand towards the stallion. “Maybe I can help with-”
“Don’t even think about it,” growled Alpenglow, backing away. “I might not remember how to stop Blight, but I know exactly who you are. You want to back off, right now.”
Discord drew back his hand, offended. He stood, and with a snap of his fingers, a thin dueling sword appeared in his hand. “You, sir, have offended my honor!” he said in a haughty voice. “En garde!”
“Mistake,” said Alpenglow, drawing his own sword.
“Enough, both of you!” barked Luna. “Alpenglow, we told you already that Discord is reformed. He is no longer our enemy.”
Alpenglow held his stance a moment before sheathing his weapon. “If you say so.”
Discord wiped a tear from his eye. “How you can be so heartless?” he howled. “The only way you know me is from what Celestia told you; now you’re judging me?”
Twilight spoke up, eager to get back on track. “Princess, why did you have Discord doing research on Blight? Maybe he could help us fight him. He is the spirit of chaos. His magic could definitely help us.”
“True, Twilight," answered Luna, "but we cannot risk Blight trying to manipulate Discord. For that reason, we have asked that he remain here to learn as much as possible about Blight.”
Discord pulled at his horns. “A request that could very well be the end of me," he griped.
“Princess, what if we looked in the other annex of the archives?” suggested Twilight. “Jade Singer knows it like the back of her hoof. She might have some ideas.”
Princess Celestia thought for a moment. “I hadn’t considered searching there. Those collections don't contain many spells, but it does contain some of the oldest written works in Equestria.” She turned to look at Alpenglow as well. “I’m sure between the two of you and Jade, you’ll find something you can use.” She turned back to Discord. “I’m sorry, Discord, but until we’re absolutely sure there’s nothing here, I’d like you to stay and continue searching.”
Discord’s expression soured as two pairs of reading glasses landed on his head. “Oh, joy,” he said dully, and his face disappeared behind the book once more.
Twilight turned to follow the princesses and Alpenglow out of the wing, but was stopped by a tap on her shoulder.
“One moment, Twilight,” said Discord from behind his book. “I’d like to give you a little piece of advice.”
Twilight's eyes narrowed on reflex. “What is it?”
Out of the book's brown cover, between the words of the title and author, Discord’s oblong eyes popped into view. “Just so you know, Celestia’s been rather tight-lipped to me about that pony. Whatever happened between him and Blight took place far away from here, far from the eyes and ears of her and Luna, but the little I’ve figured out for myself tells me I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a room with either of them. Be careful as you turn the pages of this story. You may not like what you find.” Upon finishing, Discord cackled to himself. Over what, Twilight couldn't guess, but she disliked it just the same.
“What do you mean?"
“No time to explain, best princess! While chaos is an ache, hate is a sting, and not even knights can escape its thorny cling. The rest you must find out for yourself. Now go, your adventure awaits!”
Twilight frowned and rushed left the wing, feeling none the wiser from Discord's 'advice.' She marched out of the archives building and into the courtyard, where she found only Alpenglow waiting.
“They went to go check on Princess Cadance and the Captain," the stallion said. "Nothing apocalyptic, just had to be taken care of right away. Something to do with making sure there's enough space for the ponies from that town. They said you knew the way to the archives, and that your friends would meet us there.”
“Yes, I know the way," she said, pointing down the road. "Just follow me."
“Yes, Your Highness."
For a while, the two of them walked in total silence. The sun blazed square above, and apart from a couple of fillies playing hopscotch and some ponies having lunch, the street was strikingly quiet.
As they walked, Twilight glanced over at Alpenglow, who held his gaze steady at the path in front of them. Unfortunately, the majority of things she knew about him wouldn’t make for very good conversation, so she started with something simple.
“So, Alpenglow, what do you think of Canterlot? Does it hold up to the princesses' old castle?”
Alpenglow looked around, taking in the street, the buildings, and the majestic skyline. Though she couldn't be sure, Twilight could have sworn he was indulging her. “Without a doubt, Your Highness. It’s a beautiful city. Puts the old one to shame, though I can't say my memory of it is all that reliable."
She jumped in, “You can really just call me Twilight. I haven’t been a princess for that long, and I’m really not that crazy about being saluted and called ‘Your Highness’ everywhere I go.”
“Sorry, ma’am, it’s an old habit. If you don't want me to refer to you as ‘Your Highness,’ I won’t.”
“It’s your choice, but I think it’s for the best. We’re all friends here, so there's no need to be formal.”
“If you say so, ma’am.”
Twilight rolled her eyes and smiled. “Twilight,” she said. “Just Twilight, really.”
“Yes, ma’am…Twilight.”
Feeling she had made a little progress, she tried something else. “I’ve never seen an emblem like that before,” she said, pointing to a dragon stitched on the right of Alpenglow's cloak. The gold-trimmed bat-serpent lay upon a red field, wings spread, with the ruby dust of a fiery breath sparkling around its mouth. "Where did you get it?"
“It was a gift,” he replied, regarding the symbol with a lack of fascination. "A long time ago, the dragons were having some kind of family dispute or trouble with the younger ones. I don't remember what it was all about, but we got in the middle of it, helped them work it out, and the eldest gave this as thanks."
To her credit, Twilight’s mouth hung open only briefly. She sprang in front of Alpenglow, eyes glittering.
“You’ve...been to the dragon homeland?! Please, tell me everything! Where is their home? What’s it look like?”
Alpenglow's face, somehow less expressive with his helmet off, drew back from Twilight and her sudden enthusiasm. Finally he answered, “I’ll tell you everything I saw...Twilight, but we should stay focused on the mission.”
The two continued walking. “Oh, of course,” she said, a bit disappointed. She added hopefully, “If we have some time later, I'd love to hear about it."
“You have my word." He paused. "I can see what the princess meant when she said you were always her most promising student.”
Twilight blushed. “I don’t know about that, but I’ve always loved learning.”
“That’s good. The responsibilities of being a princess can weigh down on you. Finding time for things you enjoy are important, something you can go home to, to just stop and rest."
“My friends have helped me a lot, too. I don’t know where I’d be without them. They celebrate my victories and catch me when I fall.”
“They seem like good ponies. You’re lucky to have each other after everything you've been through...very lucky."
Before Twilight could ponder that strange bit of emphasis, they arrived at Jade Singer’s home: the unassuming building of the royal archives.