Allen and Discord appeared back in ponyville in a flash. “Alright, first things first.” Discord said as he snapped his talon. His makeshift hut appeared a moment later and started reshaping itself into a house at the outskirts of town near the Everfree. “There we go, close enough to be watched as per the agreement, and close enough so I’m still the boss of Everfree.” Discord then said in a whisper. “and a nice little escape route just in case, or for secretly going out.”
Allen gave Discord a smile. As they walked into Ponyville the pink pony Pinkie Pie came hopping up. “Oh so you're both staying in ponyville?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“Yes I thought the negotiations made it clear, we are the new neighbors Discord the god of Chaos and Allen the Ancient Adventurer!” Discord said with a few fireworks going off behind them. “Well at least until Tia realizes there’s nothing to worry about… or Allen’s sis stops being so pissy, come on it was a war and we kinda were paid!” Discord said yelling at the sky.
“Yeah well I tried to tell her that… didn’t go well the first seven times.” Allen answered. “I remember I had to put my right arm back on after one of the fights.”
Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing for a moment. “Your arm was cut off?”
“Yes I heal fast, and can reattach my limbs if I’m quick enough.” Allen stated, “It's a lot easier than regrowing them.” Allen gave out a yawn. “Well I’m tired.” Even though it was day break; for Allen it felt like nighttime.
“You really shouldn’t have fought.” Discord answered. He and Allen bid farewell as they headed off to the hut.
As the two friends got into the hut Allen had a smile. “My a thousand years just fly by in a blink of an eye... hey, remember the day we meet?” Allen asked with a smile.
Discord gave a laugh. “Oh yes I did, you were so confused, and thought I was a trick of your mind.” Discord said with a laugh getting in his hammock.
“Hey in my defense I didn't know you were real that time.” Allen said as he was kicking back on the sofa. “Though what happened next was totally your fault.”
“You're never going to let that go are you?” Discord asked.
“Let’s see you cut off my legs so never.” Allen said with a laugh.
Discord glared at Allen then started to laugh as well. “I still can’t believe we became friends… how did we do that again?” Discord asked.
“Well it started when we heard a breezie talk about the ‘Fires that can harm Wendigos.’”
(Flackback)
Discord groaned, the biped was following him. He had to admit he was outlasting everyone else that tried to follow him. ‘Must be his healing factor.’ The young deity thought.
“So if you don’t mind me asking, what are you?” Allen asked.
Discord turned to him with a raised eyebrows. “You can't sense magic can you?.” Allen shook his head. “Ok then listen well, I am Discord, God of Chaos…. mortal.”
Allen raised an eyebrow of his own. “Then why are you walking if you’re a god?”
Discord gave a sigh. “Oh because I’m a young deity, haven’t fully mastered my powers yet.”
The two continued Discord walking and Allen following behind as they walked through the mountains. A voice was heard a soft squeaky voice on the wind. “Help me!” Allen caught the source as it blew by. “Thanks.” The tiny winged pony said.
“No problem... actually... why were you up here, and what are you?” Allen asked.
The tiny creature gave an indignant grunt, “I am a Breezie… creature… and I got separated from the others, we were heading to equestria to see the Fires.” The Breezie said.
“What’s so special about a fire?” Discord asked. “Please don’t tell me you just invented it?” Discord said with a sarcastic and self superior smile.
“You never seen this fire before, the ponies made it to burn the Wendigo forcing them to run away to the frozen north!” It screamed back at the deity.
Discord raised a eyebrow. “They burn Wendigo, eh.” He was now intrigued by this. Wendigo were hard to harm without a deity to help out. “I will see these “Fires” for myself, I’ll be the judge of the claim.” Discord said with a smile.
As he continued Allen followed him. With the Breezie in his shirt pocket.
(End flashback)
As the two stayed still for a moment after a thought crossed Allen’s mind. “Hey that guy Loki… I think I’ve meet him before.” Allen stated. Discord almost fell out of his hammock at this.
“Yeah, I think it might be him… or it could not be he didn’t know Renna and me after all.” Allen said with a shrug and a sheepish grin. “Though remember when he talked about a token right?” Allen asked.
Discord nodded. “Yes… wait.” He raised an eyebrow. “You're thinking of making one?” Discord asked. Allen gave a nod. “Count me in as well.”
Allen pulled out a old dull dagger. Holding one end Discord held the other. The blade glowed and then tore into the ground and was gone.
This Allen and Discord: Explorers, Adventures, and best friends. If you find our token give us a call, we’ll help or just you know, talk. Though if you're evil… sorry, no dice.
>Luna<
I stare down at the makeshift training session that Renna was putting Shining Armor through, my mind elsewhere. Celestia was sitting beside me, writing two letters that apparently explained the deal she made with Discord to the two individuals that were going to be shadowing them. I noted that after she was done she sent them using a conjured black flame, my eyes followed the smoke trails as they flew out an open window.
My mind snaps back to the present as I hear somepony cry out in pain. Shining Armor was on the ground cradling his horn as Renna stood over him. Celestia was on the training field in moments asking if he was alright. I frown as Celestia turns to Renna after Shining Armor got back to his hooves. I couldn’t make out what they were talking about, but the finger waving and the shocked look on Renna’s face told me that it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. After what seemed like several minutes of finger waving and confused anger, Celestia ended the argument with a decisive wave of her arm. Renna stood completely still for several moments before she threw her hands in the air and started walking away, Shining Armor trailing several steps behind her.
Celestia came back to the bench we were sharing and just collapsed on it.
“What is ailing you sister?”, I ask as I turn to her.
Celestia is quiet for a moment before she starts, “I’m worried Luna. Renna was just what Equestria needed a thousand years ago, but a lot has changed since then. In this era many of her practices that she used to train the guard or subdue threats have been outlawed, stating that they were barbaric and little less than torture.”
“A thousand years ago, where every day was a blessing, she kept us safe. Nopony ever questioned how she did it, justifying it by saying, ‘Better our enemies than our foals.’ but we’ve been in a time of peace for over seven hundred years… The Equestrian Guard has become a glorified figurehead compared to a thousand years ago because there hasn’t been any conflict. I’m worried about how Renna will adjust.”
I blink as I think about what Celestia said, my eyes trailing the two captains as they raced around the track on the outer section of the training room. “Well, what do thou suppose we do? Even if they are considered barbaric now, her training programs produced some of our best mares and stallions. Not to mention that those who she took a special interest in became our special forces.”
Celestia turned to face me, “The special forces were retired six hundred years ago.”
I blink as I turn to her eyes wide, “Art thou jesting sister? The special forces are our first and last line of defense. Wha-”
“They were no longer needed, Luna.” Celestia stated with a cold voice.
I pause waiting for Celestia to continue, when she doesn’t I speak up. “Thou claims they are gone, yet thou sent those letters using black fire.”
Celestia is silent for a moment before speaking, “While they might have been retired there are still several members alive today.”
“Tia if what thou are saying is true then that would mean that these members have been alive for at least six hundred years…”
“More like one thousand, every surviving member of the special forces today was a part of the force Renna trained personally.”
“Are thou implying something sister?” I ask in a guarded voice.
Celestia crosses her arms across her chest, her dress adjusting to compensate her movement. “I am not implying anything.”, she stated bluntly.
I sigh, “Tia… Please, this is why we were torn apart a thousand years ago. We need to stop hiding secrets from each other.”
Celestia deflates slightly, but before we could continue the two captains marched over. Once they were close enough Renna began speaking, “I have finished evaluating Shining Armor, and we both feel that the best course of action is to start training tomorrow. Seeing as most of my training methods are now unavailable to us.”
Celestia nods her head, “Well then, do you want to see your new lodgings Renna?”
As Renna nods in agreement Celestia starts heading for the door, “I’ll see you at dinner, Luna.”
>Renna<
I close the door to my new lodgings as I look around. It’s not big, there’s a bed, a desk, and a closet, along with a small bathroom. The walls and ceiling painted grey and the floor made of white tiles. ‘It’s perfect’ I thought, as I started gathering magic at the tips of my fingers, ‘Unfortunately, I have an appointment to keep’
I bring my gloved appendage up, the black tips burning red, and begin writing a glyph in the air. Once finished, I stop channeling my magic and reach forward to touch it.
The next second, I was gone.
I look down and smile, seeing the colorful sphere that I have watched over for the last five million years. I sigh as I see how Loki had landed on our world. My defense grid was failing. The runes that surrounded the world looked more like a moth eaten quilt than a bunker.
I glance down at myself, wondering if I looked presentable. My appearance had changed since I had teleported. I now wore a pair of glowing white robes, and I felt a hood covering my head. I knew that if I looked in a mirror I would see two shining wings coming out of my back and my face shrouded in shadows.
Feeling that I looked ready I summon my weapons, a glowing blade with a circle surrounding the handle burst into existence in my right hand and a swirling circular void faded into existence on my left arm.
I bring the sword up and start writing another glyph. I pour much more magic into this one and when it is finished I take a step back and put away my weapons.
I ready myself as I feel a powerful magic signature approach. The next moment my glyph explodes, and in it’s place is an Alicorn with a snow white coat and a rust red mane.
I put my hands behind my back and bow my head, “My lady…”
“Renna, do you mind me asking where you’ve been?” Faust asked with a raised eyebrow. “I haven’t heard from you in a thousand years.”
I cringe as I look up at the Alicorn, “I’m sorry, my lady. I was imprisoned for a time by the Elements of Harmony, I was unable to perform my duties for a time.” I say as I glance at what was left of the defense grid.
“How did that even happen?” Faust asked, waiting for the explanation for this.
I paused for a moment, “I was fighting an opponent with my allies, they used the elements on our opponent and I was caught in the blast. I was sealed in stone along with my opponent.” I said, bowing my head slightly so I wasn’t looking my lady in the eyes.
A sigh came from Faust's mouth. “I trust nothing major happened while you were away then?”
I grimace as I say the next part, “My world was visited by an outsider today… I’m sorry my lady, I failed in my duty.”
Faust raised a eyebrow. “And who was this outsider?” Faust asked.
“He looked Identical to Discord, yet he was much more powerful. His power rivaled that of a new god… While I believe I could have defeated him, I couldn’t do anything while he was on the world; for fear of damaging it.”
“Did he have a name?” Faust was getting some idea. Though she wondered, was it one of them.
“He claimed to be Loki, God of Balance, my lady.”
Faust thought this over. That name wasn’t one she remembered of any of the gods. “What did he do there?” She asked.
“He… He explained that my brother and I are both apparently displaced. Beings that are scattered throughout the multiverse, able to summon one another using something called a Token.”
“Well have you made one?” Faust asked.
“No, I reported to you as soon as I was able.”
“Well why don’t you make one? As a guardian, one can never have too many allies.” Faust said with a smile.
I was silent for a time, “...Very well, my lady.”
I began channeling magic into my hand, forcing it to take shape. In a flash of light I felt something appear in my hand. Looking down I see a digital watch is in the palm of my hand, it had two buttons, one of the left and another on the right.
I knew what the buttons would do, but just to be sure I pressed the one on the right. Two strands of metal popped out of the bottom and the top of the watch and expanded until I was holding a circular shield in my hand. Looking at the back of it, I see two straps where it would secure itself to the arm of the wielder, and a button on the lower strap. I push the button and the shield returns to being a watch.
I think for a moment and press the left button.
If you’re an ally of the Ponies, you’re an ally of mine. If you need someone to watch your back, press the left button and call upon the Guardian Angel, Renna. Press the right button, and my Token will become a shield, that can withstand any attack.
When I was done, I dropped my token. The watch disappeared in a flash of light. I looked at my lady, and bowed once more. “Thank you my lady, for answering my call.”
“Your welcome now I must be off, be sure to keep the world safe.” Faust disappeared in particles of light.
I stare at the place Faust was a while before turning around and sighing at the sight of my poor defense grid. I eventually float over to the nearest hole and start reapplying the glyphs…
This was going to take a while.