Chapter 33: Darkest
“Harmony, just concentrate.” Discord pulled a face, as I messed it up again.
“I can’t,” I said, raking my fingers through my hair. “It’s too difficult.”
“Don’t say that,” he admonished. “You’re usually good at picking up stuff.”
I sighed. Even though I was the ‘elder’ of the group, Discord, Celestia and Luna were just way too far ahead of me with magic. They could grasp the concepts more easily, they understood it in a way I didn’t, and they certainly were more adept in general in practicing it. I don’t know why they still looked up to me when I was relatively powerless.
“Come on,” he urged. “There’s not much time.”
I bit back some words I knew we would both regret. Trying so hard and seeing Discord get it so easily was making me feel a little jealous. I know I shouldn’t be, but it was hard when the role was reversed like this. But frustrated as I was, I knew he was right, there wasn’t much time, and he was genuinely concerned about me. I clamped down on the ugly feelings and took a deep, calming breath.
“Okay, one more time,” I said.
Discord grinned at me. “That’s great,” he said. “Okay remember to—”
“Concentrate,” I finished. “Visualise. Feel and calculate at the same time.”
Magic was a complicated beast. I don’t think I’ll ever have the affinity for it like Celestia or Luna. Discord, however, was one talented being. After Clover taught him how to retrosynthesise spells, Discord went around disassembling everything he could lay his mismatched paws and claws on. Of course, even after spending most of the day trying to evoke the spell, I couldn’t get even a small spark of the shield that Clover had erected. Finally, even Clover gave up, throwing up her hooves and collapsing on the ground.
“Even after I’ve guided you, shown you everything, taught you the theory, you still haven’t made any progress!” she had told me. “Just get Discord to teach you.”
From there I took my lessons from the talented draconequus. I was grateful to Discord, but I felt so much frustration for my ineptitude. Though the sun was setting, I knew that Discord wasn’t referring to the time of day. If I didn’t at least get this technique working, the due date to appear before the dragons was rapidly approaching with nothing to show for it.
Discord looked up and recognised something and made himself scarce.
I turned around, arms raised defensively. I sagged when I saw who it was.
Even though Tempora wasn’t actively hostile to Discord, the distrust was still evident, and I knew that Discord was deathly afraid of her.
“Oh, you scared me,” I said, as Tempora approached.
Tempora smiled at me and shook her head.
“Harmony, I’ve been looking all over for you!” She trotted up to me and batted me on the shoulder with a hoof. Ouch. “I even sent some staff out.”
“Why? What’s going on? I’ve been in the garden with Clover this whole time.”
Tempora paused at that. “Clover?” Her eyes widened. “You met Clover?”
I nodded slowly.
Tempora looked at me in disbelief, like I would vanish in a puff of dust. “How are you still alive? Never mind that, we don’t have much time, come on!” Her horn glowed and I felt a savage tug as Tempora dragged me by my sleeve.
“Hey,” I said, “what about Discord?”
Tempora shook her head, still dragging me.
“He can’t come,” she said shortly. “And I mean it this time, just let it go.”
I closed my mouth, for once taken aback by Tempora’s authoritative tone. She hadn’t used that for a while.
“You can let go of my sleeve now, you’re sort of hurting me.”
Tempora glanced back at my sleeve in surprise and slowed down.
“Oh, sorry,” she said brusquely. “Follow me, quickly now.”
“Where are we going?” I asked, rubbing my shoulder.
“We’re going to find the tailor. You need to be dressed up.”
“For what?”
“For the ball.”
“The ball?”
Tempora stopped, giving me an impatient look. “The ball. You’ve skipped quite a few of them, but now we have to establish your legitimacy with the upper echelons of our great nation.”
I swallowed. “Can’t I continue skipping them? They sound boring.”
“Oh Harmony, you’re as bad as your father. Take it from me, I’d love for you to never experience one in your whole life, but this is a sad necessity. Come now, there’s not much time before it starts.” She set off again.
Though it seemed like Tempora explained the issue, she had this nervous edge to her steps that made me suspect she wasn’t telling me everything.
I stopped. “There’s something else, isn’t there.”
Tempora sighed. “Sometimes I don’t like that part of you that’s so perceptive. Yes. There’s been trouble with the tribes.”
“Trouble?”
Tempora started trotting again. With a jerk, I followed.
“The tribes aren’t getting along as much as I’d like,” she explained. “There is a strict division in the courts. Some believe that Equestria should be split into tribal groups again. Some are in favour. Some are not.”
“What’s been stopping them from doing so?”
Tempora gave a dry humourless chuckle. “Survival, mostly. The tribes are interdependent in ways that make it almost impossible to survive without relying on each skill. We need the earth ponies to farm and take care of trade and works, pegasi are particularly adept at weather and they have air-mobility, unicorns drive most of our innovative technology.” Tempora sighed. “But many do not see this. What they see is that a lot of the unicorns and pegasi live comfortably, while the earth ponies struggle. The pegasi see the unicorns as fairly useless, and the unicorns seem above it all.”
“Doesn’t that seem like generalising?”
Tempora shook her head as she entered the castle. “Not all of them think like that of course, but most do. That’s the problem.”
“So how is my presence in the ball going to do any good?”
“Do you remember the test you had to perform in front of dragons, a feat of suitable magnanimity so they cannot deny you a voice?”
I didn’t like where this was going, but I nodded.
Tempora turned a corner and opened a side door. I hadn’t been keeping track of where we were going, so I was pretty lost. Inside, I recognised clothes and mirrors. This must be a dressing room of some sort.
“You’ll have to do something similar at this ball. When Equestria was formed, the three tribes thought it best to have an arbiter of law that could not be impartial to any one tribe. So Clover devised a way to combine the three attributes into one being.”
My eyes widened. “The alicorns were created?”
Tempora nodded. “In a way.” She shrugged. “Alicorns have always existed, we just like to keep to ourselves. Only after Clover brought our existence into the light, were we truly known.” Tempora looked uncomfortable. “Before that, we were secluded and excluded. Now alicorns are representative of the unity of the tribes. That is why alicorns are featured on Equestria’s flag.”
Oh, well that made sense.
“But you still haven’t told me why you need me there.”
Tempora levelled a serious look, trapping me under her suddenly intense gaze.
“The period of changeover between powers is the most dangerous. Celestia and Luna are much too young to take over the throne right now. If something were to happen to me…”
I laughed. “But who could stand up to you, you’re the alicorn of Time!”
“Don’t be so arrogant, Harmony!” she snapped. “I’ve told you before. Just because I am powerful, does not make me all-powerful. Alicorns are immortal in age, but we can still die from sickness, weapons, or just plain bad luck. In the interim between my death and Celestia’s and Luna’s ascension, you must hold arbitration in lieu.”
“Your death?” I whispered.
Tempora grimaced, like she regretted saying that. She sighed, her expression sad.
“One of the disadvantages of looking into the future is seeing yourself… and where it ends.” She grinned at me weakly. “Everypony has an end, but don’t be worried. It’s not soon. Things just need to fall into place.”
“I don’t believe it,” I said, surprising Tempora.
“What?” she shot back.
I balled my fists. “Like I said, there’s no such thing as destiny. You don’t know you saw your own death.”
Tempora shook her head. “Oh I’m sure, Harmony, but thank you for trying to cheer me up.” She scanned the room full of clothes. “We have wasted enough time debating, you will need to dress nicely to greet the stuffy nobles and their extended family. Then the gates will open to the general public and you will have contact with the general populace.”
I had my doubts about this repairing relations between the tribes.
“So this is an open event, anypony can come?”
Tempora nodded. “This is the one time of the year that all are invited and can meet royalty. You will be up all night and until the morning.”
I groaned. “How long does this last?”
Tempora smiled a slight smile. One that did not reach her eyes.
“Oh, did I forget to mention? This will be going on the whole week.”
Great. Just great.
————
The event was held in a great courtyard that was open to the stars. The middle of the castle housed a huge empty space where functions and court was usually held. If the weather soured, which it shouldn’t due to the pegasi, court could be alternatively held within one of the specially made chambers within the castle itself.
The staff had put in great effort for the ball. The walls were lined with silk and ribbon threading. Small delicate bells were hung that tinkled in the slight evening breeze. Lanterns and glowing spherical balls floated in the air, giving the courtyard an ethereal ambiance.
Though traditionally the ball was held indoors with a large dancing space in the middle, this gathering was more of a social conglomeration, with a chance to meet and greet other ponies outdoors. As per protocol, I was announced in with Tempora, Celestia and Luna. My Dad couldn’t come with the state he was in, but he sent his regards regardless.
Their was a smattering of rumbling hooves, but I felt that it was more polite than enthusiastic. Still, among those gathered, with the most frilly and fancy attire I could imagine, there were a couple that were enthusiastic. A slightly worse-for-wear Star Swirl attended and I spotted my tutor and Verity Belle within the crowd. As I skimmed the crowd I even caught sight of nobles and their accompanying foals.
Oh, so that’s why Wavey, Runner and Golden were here. I almost forgot the school I attended was meant for nobles and other important ponies.
List spoke up, drawing everypony’s attention to her.
“As always, thank you all for coming. It is a pleasure to hold the Ball once again within the castle.” Tempora had told me the Ball moved from residence to residence. That’s why I couldn’t beg off this time.
“I’m sure all of you will enjoy yourselves. Partake in the food and refreshments provided, if you have questions, be not afraid to ask me, and feel free to mingle.” List bowed slightly, then stepped to the side, as muttering and conversations sprung up among the crowd.
“Should I go?” I asked Tempora.
Tempora shook her head. “You’re not to leave this position until everypony has met you.” We were on a slightly raised dais, and I realised that practically everypony had queued up in a line that wound its way through the courtyard.
Tempora inclined her head to the first group of ponies. They trotted forward purposefully and gave a bow.
“Good evening, my Queen, Princesses, Prince. I am Fancifer of Gardenblossom and…”
Time went by slowly as each pony stepped forward and introduced themselves. I found myself growing incredibly bored and I knew that Celestia and Luna felt exactly the same. Luna sagged in her chair, Celestia sat straighter but her bored gaze spoke volumes about how she felt, and I shifted from time to time, trying to concentrate on each family, what they did and how glad, glad, glad they were to meet Royalty.
I had to give it to Tempora, she was completely fine with it. She looked genuinely happy to see each of her subjects and she conversed with them in hushed tones. So far, other than the greetings, nopony thought it necessary to speak to Celestia, Luna or I. I was probably going to die of boredom before the night ended.
“Harmony, a pleasure to meet with you again.”
Then again, fate does have its quirks.
“Verity Belle, it’s been a long time.”
“Indeed. I see you’ve grown considerably and you seem… hmm… how should I put it? A little more sure of yourself. Perhaps more mature?”
“Really?” I put an embarrassed hand to the back of my head. “Am I that different.”
Verity had the same slight smile on her lips that Tempora had before.
“Yes, it’s subtle but it’s there.”
I didn’t know whether that was a veiled insult or an honest assessment. Either way it was better time spent than sitting on my hands and trying to memorise the ridiculous amount of noble family names that Equestrian nobility seemed to enjoy.
“So how have you been?” I continued. I was desperate for any conversation, I’d even talk about the weather, static as it was.
Verity gave that same smile again. “A little strained among the estate. There are… disturbing movements around there that worry me slightly.” She flicked her tail in dismissal before I could pursue it. “Nothing to worry about, Prince Harmony, ’tis an internal disagreement. I apologise for bringing it up. Enjoy your evening.” Verity bowed gracefully, before retreating into the crowd. Almost immediately she was swallowed up by other ponies.
Tempora eyed me as her greeters left. List signalled a waiting period before the next group would come along. A small break. Thank the stars.
“Hmm, you seem to already know the important ponies,” Tempora commented.
I raised an eyebrow at that. “Verity is a minor noble,” I told her.
“Did she say that? Hmm…”
I blinked at Tempora. So Verity was more influential than she purported? I shrugged. “Or maybe they wanted to know me. You know just to get close.”
Tempora smiled. “You are learning quick, Harmony.”
I sighed. “Is it always this boring?”
The alicorn grimaced slightly. “Yes, but you have to know everypony, because it’s never a good thing when somepony knows you more than you them.”
“Right,” I said, noting List’s impatient gesture. “Better get back to it.”
Interestingly, I didn’t spot Runner, Wavey or Golden among the ponies that visited me. I asked Tempora why, and she explained that they must have belonged to a series of minor nobles. We were seeing all the important ones first. I would meet them among the crowd after this, and then the gates would open, admitting a small group from the public.
Then I recognised a certain creature in my periphery.
“Quick!” I whispered urgently to Tempora. “Hide me!”
Tempora looked confused for a moment. She scanned the crowd before giving a chuckle.
“You didn’t antagonise Melphus again, did you?”
I made a pinching motion with my fingers and shrugged my shoulders.
“It was small,” I said.
Tempora sighed and shook her head.
“Don’t do that, Melphus is a wonderful cook. I would hate to get a replacement.”
I ran a finger down the side of the chair.
“Yeah I know, but for the time being, Clover said something about her being single, so she’s probably out to kill me.”
Tempora chortled. “Melphus isn’t going to—” then she took in the way Melphus flexed her claws and raked her eyes through the crowd “—maybe you’re right, but you’re really under no threat— Harmony?”
I had left, melting into the crowd where she couldn’t find me. I needed to figure out a way to keep on the down low. Melphus had found the dais and beelined towards it, but luckily I had weaved my through to the other side of the courtyard. Hiding behind one of the pillars that supported an extended alcove, I touched my band and transformed into my pony form.
Melphus still didn’t know I had this. Which was amazing considering she had a considerable ear to the ground concerning the on-goings of the castle.
I sighed, turning around to see Wavey, Golden and Runner together. I froze. Did they see me? More importantly, did they see me transform?
Runner trotted forward. “Hey Harmonica! Fancy seeing you here!”
Wavey smiled, and Golden rushed forward to give me a short hug.
“I didn’t know you were at the Ball, I haven’t seen you here any of the previous years.”
I scuffed a hoff on the ground.
“Yeah, uhm… I was sick,” I mumbled. Dang that was a lame excuse.
“For like five years? Come on,” Runner pressed.
Golden smacked him on the shoulder. “Leave him alone. At least he’s here. This Ball will be less boring than it usually is.”
Wavey nodded. “My parents just want to get closer to the Royal family,” she added quietly.
Golden Gala gave a dramatic sigh and affected a posh voice.
“Oh Darling, wouldn’t it be splendid to meet with the Queen? She is so regal, her foals are such darlings and the Prince! Such a mysterious creature! I bet he is brimming with intrigue and gossip!” Golden rolled her eyes, dropping her persona as Runner sniggered.
“That sounds exactly like my mother,” he remarked. He cocked his head. “Actually no, maybe my father a bit more?”
Golden groaned. “Oh please, don’t get me started on that,” she grumbled. “The way they fawn over court nobles is mind-numbing.”
Runner jostled Golden. “I don’t know,” he said. “I think you’re quite suited for that, don’t you think, Gossip Gala?”
Golden smacked him hard enough to elicit a wince.
“Alright, alright,” Runner said with a pout. “I take it back.”
“You better,” Golden replied shortly. “Anyway, Runner is right.”
“I am?”
Golden shook her head and sighed. “Yes Runner, for once.”
“Aww yeah!”
Golden looked at me curiously. “We all know that’s fake, how come you’re here only this year? I know you must have an important family or you wouldn’t come to school, but where are you from?”
Wow, uhh, a few years of successfully avoiding questions and it’s now coming back at the worst time possible.
Runner gasped. “Wow, I don’t know anything.”
“I think we’ve firmly established that,” Golden shot back.
Runner gave Golden an annoyed look.
“No,” he said. “I mean I don’t know anything about Harmonica. I’ve never been to his estate, I don’t know what family he’s from and he’s never spoken about what his family does.”
“Hey, can’t you see that you’re making Harmonica uncomfortable?” Wavey interjected.
It was true, their questions didn’t have easy answers. Tempora tended to do things impulsively and having a background wasn’t something I prepared. I should have known questions like this would have come up sooner or later.
“Don’t worry, there’s nothing we’d hide from each other, right?” Golden said, looking at me with scrutinising eyes.
“Uhhhhhhhhh,” I stalled.
Runner peered at me like he was suddenly in the presence of a stranger.
“Yeah… Come to think it,” he said. “I saw a flash of light moments before we came around the corner.”
Golden gasped.
“I think I get it!” she exclaimed.
Oh no.
“I know what Harmonica is!”
Oooooh no.
“You’re….”
Dear Stars, I’m sorry for being a bad person.
“You’re an orphan!”
What?
I was genuinely confused.
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. No really, I don’t.
Comprehension dawned on Runner’s face. Then he rubbed his foreleg with an embarrassed hoof.
“Oh,” he mumbled, looking away. “Oh sorry. I didn’t know you were, uhm, an orphan.”
Golden had a hoof clamped to her muzzle and she looked mortified, like she regretted even saying the word.
Wavey let out a loud sigh. “Gees, you two. This is why I told you both to drop it.”
Golden and Runner stared at Wavey.
“You knew?!” they both said at the same time.
Wavey shrugged. “It seemed to fit,” she replied easily, then she gestured towards me. I must have had a really weird expression on my face because they all gave me looks of varying shades of pity.
“Wow, uhh, I’m really sorry!” Runner said. “I didn’t know!”
Golden nodded quickly. “Yeah, I’m sorry for pushing it.”
I looked at each other. I mean this was a good cover story, but was it right to lie to my friends? I looked into their guileless eyes. Then Wavey locked gazes with me and winked slowly.
“Uhh, yeah? No problems,” I said.
“Well anyway, I think our parents would want us back at the party. I mean not that having parents is a bad thing. I mean it could be a good thing, I mean…” Runner trailed off. “I’ll shut up now.”
Golden tugged on Runner’s mane with her mouth.
“Oww!”
“Come on,” she said through clenched teeth. “Give Harmonica some time alone.”
“Actually, Wavey, can I talk to you?” I said, Wavey nodded.
Golden gave me a wink and dragged Runner off, all the while as he was protesting to the rough treatment. H-Hey! We’re not like that.
Wavey smiled at me in that serene way.
“Hey thanks,” I said. “But why did you cover for me?”
Wavey’s smile widened a little more, but her eyes grew a little sad. “Everypony has their own secrets, don’t you think?”
I stared at her as her words sank in slowly.
“I’m sorry, Wavey,” I said, feeling guilty.
Wavey’s smile widened a bit more. “Don’t be,” she said. “They died before I knew them.” Then she gave me a slight nudge with her shoulder. “But one day, you’re going to have to tell me your secret.”
I nodded firmly.
“I promise you’ll know,” I replied.
“Good.” Wavey turned back, beckoning me with a hoof. “Come join the party, we have to watch those two.”
I went after Wavey, glad that I had such a good friend.
——————
“Must have been a particularly rich and powerful estate if they could afford to send you to school with the inheritance,” Golden commented.
I shrugged, the lie not sitting very well with me, but my whole identity as a pony was a lie, so I decided to just roll with it.
“Yeah,” I replied sipping a little cocktail that I awkwardly grasped with my magic. “Mrs. Tick Tock took me in.”
“What she do?” Runner asked.
“She owns a timekeeping business.”
“What’s that?” Golden asked, curious.
“She’s a court-appointed scribe,” I said. Wow once I got into the lie, it was really easy weaving some more information. “She keeps the dates and records the events.”
“So she’s an annalist?” Runner said.
Golden turned to him in surprise.
“You know what an ‘annalist’ is?”
“Hey.” Runner huffed. “I know some things!”
Golden laughed. “Oh I’m just teasing you.”
“Ha ha,” he said. “Very funny.”
“Heh, so a minor noble, but not enough to attend every Ball,” Golden continued. “So this is your first time.”
Finally something I can answer honestly.
“Yeah.”
“Cool,” Runner said. “Hey, I thought the Prince would be here?”
Golden peered through the crowd towards the dais.
“Hmm, he’s not there. What a shame, he seemed like a nice guy. Even though he’s not a pony.”
I heard a yelp behind me.
“Help!”
Spinning around, I saw a terrifying figure, claws and feathers and beak and all.
“Melphus!” I squeaked.
The griffon blinked at me. “Oh! A new foal! Welcome to the Ball, little cutie! Are you enjoying yourselves?”
Wavey mumbled something as she was hugged by the clingy griffon.
“Oh sorry dear, I can’t help myself you are just adorable!” She put Wavey down, and Wavey scampered behind me. Hey! I’m not the safest place you know!
“We’re almost adults!” Runner exclaimed.
“Almost, which is good,” Melphus said. She hummed picking up a delectable-looking pastry from one of the dishes. “Have some treats, young ones. I’m looking for somepony, but it doesn’t seem like he is here. Perhaps I will catch him.”
“Who are you looking for?” Wavey asked.
“The Prince, of course! He stole some of my cakes!” Melphus growled, making flexing motions with her sharp claws.
“But he seems nice, why would you want to hurt him?” Wavey pressed.
Melphus smiled angelically. “I’m not going to hurt him, I’m just going to talk to him.” She patted Wavey on the head.
Lies, all lies, I know what she’ll do when she gets me!
“Oh that’s alright, then,” Runner said.
Don’t get taken in by her, Runner!
“I hope you find him!” Golden added.
Noooo! Not Golden too!
“You seem nice, don’t worry, you’ll find him— what’s wrong Harmonica?”
“Nothing,” I spluttered.
Only the unintentional betrayal of my friends.
Melphus patted me on the head too. “Aww, too bad I can’t stay around and get to know you all. The kitchens cannot be left unattended for too long when the Ball is on. Come by sometime, little ones.”
Melphus whisked away, with me tracking her suspiciously until she left.
“Hey, you alright buddy?” Runner said, trotting up to me.
“Yeah,” I replied. “Just uhh, I’ll be fine.”
But luck just has a bad habit of messing around with me.
“Ooh! We haven’t seen you here before!”
I turned around to see Luna and Celestia approaching me. I shot a look at the dais and saw the line had disappeared, with Tempora waving surreptitiously in my direction with a devilish smile. She must be getting back at me for ditching the nobles on her. Crafty mother.