The special magic found in everypony is being leeched away by a mysterious foe.
After the release of Discord, a strange foe has arrived with it. Ponies are now missing their special magic, and it's growing worse each day. Who or what is bringing this about, and is there a way to put an end to it?
Credit to KawaiiNikki for making the cover art (please don't sue me)
He trotted down the sodden pathway; a rainy day in Canterlot, a rare sight most days. It felt as if the princesses disliked the rain in the city, he concluded it was probably complaints from wetting the manes of aristocracy. He passed a few of them, all under some sort of cover. All that protected him from the downpour was his cloak, the tattered fabric of the hood worked to obscure most of his face. ‘Canterlot Traveler’s Store’, the sign read. Travelling for several days does wear down one’s saddlebag supplies. He shrugged, turning his course toward the door. The salespony inside fixated her eyes upon the door, a strange aura shrouded it, the sigh of force creaked the wood. A hue of contorting colors, shifting with each passing moment, the door slid open to reveal the cloaked stallion entering the shop.
“Is there something I can help you with, stranger?” The salesmare behind the counter asked the shadow. The darkness did not reply, though the shifting magic grasped a few cans of hay, lodging them snugly into his saddlebag. In exchange, a large translucent gem clunked down upon the counter, and the door shut, the shadow nowhere to be seen. Had the circumstances not been so odd, she would’ve cheered upon her newfound fortune. Silence had stuffed the room full and forced the mare’s eyes open in a morbid mixture of curiosity and fear. The damp cobbled streets chilled his hooves, a day this gloomy was certainly a rarity in the capital of all Equestria. Continuing along the barren streets, he wove through its rocky labyrinth to the residential district of the walled mountain city. Warm houses glowed in Luna’s night, scratching the darkness with the light of their cozy fireplaces. Occasional laughter and clinking glassware budded from the houses, though the inviting noises were lost in his ears. He had traveled many miles to reach his former home, and yet the life it once had was lost. No fire illuminated its windows, only with the moon did it reveal to him his own reflection. He quickly looked away, and noticed the murky puddle under his hooves. The reflection showed a being of pure light, locked away in the absolute dark. It opened its mouth as to scream at him, but he nodded to it and trotted over before any noise would erupt from the water.
Closer he inched to Canterlot Castle, through the business district he roamed. Swindlers sat behind covered stalls, still peddling their goods in the sopping rain. He sat watching a mare with a long pink mane attempt to purchase some vegetables. Her bits were soaked up as if they were punch through a straw. A sullen look crept across her face, as she had all but one thing upon her rapidly soaking list. The undulating magic enacted again, dropping a hefty dark gem upon the list. Before the mare could reach for the gem, some hooligans galloped past and swiped it up, pocketing it and cackling down the street. He moved on, his mind shadowing itself in disdain as he walked through the decrepit district. Bits and gems changed hooves, most likely sealing some poor pony’s fate in debt. This was celebrated occasionally with a hoofshake, or rarely a strong drink was shared. A paper stand attracted his attention and he muttered to himself, creeping towards it, “Everypony claims they wish to see harmony in our world. Yet they gather around its evil, and embrace their own.”, his mumbling was interrupted as his eye caught something, “Look at this paper-” Colored undulation swiped a paper stack from the counter. A soggy copy of ‘The Foal Free Press: Canterlot Special Edition’ hovered in front of him with a mystical glow, the papers flipping as he quickly scanned them. A scowl of disgust became visible under the shadow of his hood, “Revealing secrets of ponies, ruining one another. Petty gossip.” Tossing the newspaper down, he stomped it into a murky puddle with a splash. An ignored moan of annoyance behind him faded as he grew closer to his destination. The being tasked him to see to this, for the purpose of ensuring the safety of its return. He entered the Canterlot Statue Garden, creaking the gilded gate open with his color-shifting magic. The statues were all in place, each beautiful and majestic in the frozen state of animation, their eyes a glowing stasis. Uneasiness crept up his spine, chilling him in a way the weather was unable to. All of the earthen works were present, except one. His eyes widened, speaking through clenched teeth, “They released the manifestation of chaos? Only those who wish suffering could ever do this. I must fix this, soon all shall be pure again.” He galloped out of the garden in a fury, leaving behind the empty pedestal.
His rage came to a staggered halt as he collided with a few ponies going nearly as fast as he. They laughed and hollered loudly, creating a scene only the empty windows would witness. “What in the hoof are you doing? This is our turf there hoodcolt. It’d be best if you would disappear. Hey wait...ain’t you the one near the market that dropped that fortune of a gem?” He did not reply, only scanning them as they paraded around him. “Yea, you are that one. You got any extra on ya? We could sure use to fund our-uh-clubhouse. Yea, clubhouse.”
“Made of diamonds after this!” The second in command added, only to get a hoof to the nose. “I’m the one talking! Now, as I was asking-” He was interrupted by a void in their circle. The hooded stallion had vanished. Something else had vanished as well, a confidence he had, now merely a void. He could see a change reflected in the others as well.
“Hey boss, I know I’m not supposed to be the one talking, but I think you’re missing something.” “The gem’s still here, so w-what’s the problem?” He muttered with wavering charisma. The second in command poked his hoof into the boss’ flank. He whipped around and clobbered his second again, but the new information halted any continued abuse. His flank stood blank.
The hood continued on, trotting silently through the fogged mist that hovered above the streets. The fog gave way, and the cobble submitted to strong stone blocks, paving the streets in a white glow. The castle was nearby. He snuck over the open drawbridge, the royal guards noticing him not more as a shadow is noticed in the pitch of night. He slowed passing through the main courtyard, his ears perking upon an uproar ahead of him. “I refuse to eat this, this commoner’s meal! Rid it from my sight!” A snooty voice whined through an open window of the dining hall.
“But Prince Blue-”
“I said get it away from me! It might have some revolting disease in it!” The Prince interrupted.
“Of course, your highness.” A quiet patter of hooves grew closer for a moment, then faded as a door slammed shut behind them. A sigh of exasperation exited the room, and he entered through its window. He examined his windowsill, the high windows were connected through rafters, probably to hold up massive weight in the frame caused by the ornate glass windows. His perch in the rafters of the dining hall gave him a hidden view of the source of all this commotion. The Prince showed signs of once being very well groomed, the scattered brushes and spa ointments indicated such. Despite this he looked ragged, his eyes a consistent red as tears dropped onto a picture of a unicorn with a well-groomed purple mane. A whisper caught the rafter stalker’s ear, “I don’t know what to do anymore, he’s refusing to eat now.”
“Do you think we should tell the Princess?” A worried voice of a mare suggested. “There’s not much she could do. Only the one Prince Blueblood is worrying over could change it.” Blueblood was this Prince’s name, it seemed. It mattered not, he resolved. This Blueblood still stood at a title of malignant opulence. His horn glowed softly in its undulating colors, and the room began to change. Torches were extinguished, save for the light of the moon, the dining hall was now pitch black. Only a silver sliver of moon illuminated the Prince and his picture. Blueblood began to panic and muttered nonsense, his fear growing at the discovery that he could not move. A cloak began to fall from the rafters, which Blueblood caught in the corner of his eye.
“Who’s there? Rarity? Who are you? Show your-” Blueblood babbled, his eyes growing wider in terror.
His hoof was stuffed into the mouth of the Prince, who whined in vain protest. “You listen well, aristocratic fool. Be mindful of the standard you set for your subjects. ‘Commoner food’, as you call it. You are less deserving of it now. Enjoy your shattered heart, it goes well with a lost passion.” In the time Prince Blueblood could blink, all was normal again. The shadow stallion was no longer present, though awkwardness now pervaded his heartbreak. He quickly trotted to his servant, and wrapped his tear-sodden hooves around him.
Surprise hit the servant, and he asked, “Is everything alright, your Highness?” His question was answered with a few muffled sobs in his mane. There was something missing about The Prince, and not just his confidence, as that had been absent since the last Gala. “Your Highness, where is-”
“Where is Rarity? Probably in Ponyville, having fun without me. I do wish that-”
“No your Highness, where is your cutie mark?”
“My...cutie mark?” Blueblood looked to his flank, finding only his matted white coat staring back.
Discord hung from the main hall ceiling in Canterlot Castle, half staring out a window in disinterest. A royal voice danced across his ears which refocused his mind. "Discord, what did you do to the castle windows?" Celestia inquired, glancing around at the shifted windows. She strode into his central point of view, and firmly set her hoof upon the window. "Discord, what is this?"
"Oh, nothing really. Just my old throne." Discord muttered in a half-brained haze.
"And you see nothing wrong with this being in Canterlot Castle?" Celestia prodded, her eyes piercing through his fog.
Shaking the haze from his mind, he snapped his finger and was upon the ground facing his hostess in a flash. "Well, I suppose it doesn't quite go with the drapes." With another snap, the window shifted back to its original state, that being the purification of Princess Luna. "Was there something you needed, Celestia?" He asked, snark lodged in his voice. "Perhaps an alicorn prin-" All movement paused around him, his eyes darted about in justified paranoia. "I'm the only one who can stop time in this dimension! Who's doing this?" He began a slithery exploration, for a small time crawling on his belly to discover the source of this magic. Standing upright, he walked past a window and noticed a slight glare in the stained glass. He turned his full attention to it, the stained glass depicted his second downfall, to his new and only friends. The glass eyes of each pony glowed a different color, one a searing orange, another a color that brought his full attention. It wasn't merely a color, but a shifting undulation of them, randomly changing between all colors, even those not known to ponykind.
"Discord..." the undulation moaned, "The price for your freedom is great, you endanger all of Equestria. You shall fall, harbinger of Chaos."
"Whatever do you mean? Wait...Harbinger of-" He was interrupted as time resumed. Celestia's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing Discord's new location, but remained resolute and approached him for a second time.
"That's not something I've seen you do before," Celestia remarked, "which is troubling, given our history." Discord remained silent in contemplation, staring at the now glass eye of Rainbow Dash, where the undulation spoke to him merely a moment ago. After a strained and awkward silence, Discord dropped to the floor, sitting in a deeper remembrance. Celestia sat next to him, and wrapped her hoof around his shoulder. "I know it's been difficult to adapt to reformation, but I know that with the help of your new friends-"
"I need to go. Something has caught my attention." Discord said stiffly, rising to his feet.
"What's the issue? I'm sure I could come along and help you."
"The assistance of Princess Celestia? That's a rarity. Oh, I do love making double puns," Discord chortled, but quickly shook the silliness from his face, "Nevertheless, I must go alone. An issue from long ago has come up."
"Discord, why aren't you telling me what it is?"
Discord shuffled his feet, moving around the ornate royal red rug, and reconstructed his foolish grin, "Oh nothing, it's just an issue with Rarity! I took some of her fabric," he manifested a bolt of swiss cheese, taking a bite from it, "and I really must return what's left." He muttered while chewing cheese.
Celestia glared at Discord, finding his explanation just an excuse. She sighed, "Do what you must. Just don't turn Equestria upside down on your journey, alright?" Discord winked at her, flashing out of the room before Celestia could blink. She sat, hoofing a gilded window frame alone in the now stale royal hall, contemplating the Spirit of Chaos, and his strange behavior.
Over the soaked market Discord glided, and he wondered for a moment why he has wings if he can float without them. This thought was purged with the sight of a certain pink maned pegasus. She looked to be shopping, but had no money for some of the things she needed. He flashed nearby her, though stuck out of sight to see what she did. Who knows, he thought to himself, he might be able to come the rescue and become even better friends with the beastmaster pony. He watched as a hooded figure tossed a large gem to her, and glared as some ruffians galloped by, swiping the fortune for themselves. The heist had startled his confidant, and she squealed in fear, hiding her face in her hooves. The rain persisted, shrouding the thieves, and the hood pony was also absent, and not a trace of them showed.
"Fluttershy, are you alright?" He said, bringing a face of concern close to the cowering pony. "Why are you here on such a gloomy day?"
She released her face from its hoof bunker, and immediately hugged Discord. "Angel wanted a rare vegetable not found in Ponyville, Twilight said I could find it here."
"You could've asked me, my dear. I'm always happy to help you." He said, patting her back in reassurance. An electric thought shot through him, twitching his face. "Can you keep a secret?"
She unlocked the hug, and landed firmly on the shiny cobblestone. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," She said, covering one eye with her hoof.
Smiling, Discord sat to Fluttershy's eye level. His usual giddy smile washed away, and he spoke very sternly, "All of Equestria is in grave danger. Moreso than my initial return. The changelings? Nothing compared to this. He will try to trick you, but remain resolute in your trust of me, Fluttershy. I'll need your vote of confidence when the crisis arrives. Do you promise?" A spark of hope shone in his eyes as he stared at his best friend.
"What kind of danger? It can't be worse than-"
"No matter what you might say, it is worse. Worse than a dragon infestation," the mare's eyes widened at the word 'dragon', "But you cannot tell anypony about this, ok? It's my duty to stop what I couldn't before." Her pink mane bounced slightly as she nodded in agreement.
"You'll be alright, won't you?" She questioned, a few tears welling in her shining cyan eyes.
Discord quickly wiped them away with his paw, embracing his pegasus friend, "I sure hope so." He whispered, clutching her harder. They sat attached to one another, rain messing both of their manes as they silently rocked to an fro, eventually slowing to a statue like stillness. A prolonged motionless state ended with the break of their hug. Discord stood up and smiled weakly at her. Fluttershy returned only half a smile, worry filling the rest of her face. He turned away towards the road, fading away in the rainy haze. Walking a few blocks, he checked behind him to see if he was followed. The only thing following him stalked everypony that day, the rain. He wiped his brow in relief, whipping the rain and nervous sweat aside. Regaining a wicked smile, he muttered to himself, "Now that Shutterfly and her friends are out of the way, now the real fun may begin." With a muffled laugh and a flash, the Spirit of Chaos disappeared from sight.
Out of the flash dashed a shadow, splashing small puddles in the cobbled streets as it ran from the city limits. Past the business district, he galloped silently, gathering rainwater on his cloak. He took shelter inside an inn at the very edge of the residential area. It was probably put there to give the foreign visitors a feeling of home while in the imposing imperial city. He ponied up to the bar, swiping one of the bar stools for a seat. "What'll it be, friend? We got in a fresh shipment of hay a few hours ago if you're hungry." A cheery voice offered the hood. He looked up, and saw the barkeep. He seemed rather stereotypical, a larger frame and a sizable belly, suited for hauling kegs and having pie eating competitions. A well-fed smile was slapped across his face, he poured a glass from one of the kegs under the bar, and slid it down the bar. The hood caught the glass with his magic, the shifting colors hoisted the glass to his mouth. "A unicorn, eh? That's some funny looking magic you got there. Never seen anything like that." Wiping down the bar, the bar pony lifted another keg from under the bar, and brought it through the swinging wooden doors to the back, presumably storage. The sweet cider started tumbling down into his throat, quenching a forgotten and long ignored thirst. He forgot the last time he drank anything besides the droplets of rain outside. The bar pony stepped out from storage, and rested his strong foreleg on the bar, a talkative mood caught him as he spoke. "So where do you come from, stranger? You look like-" His mouth kept moving, yet no words came out. Not only did his words fade out, all sound halted. A slight head-shake did nothing to clear the silence, the bar pony suddenly erupted a devilish smile. The bar top transformed into viscous and slime-dripping fiery colored goo, and ashes cascaded from the planked ceiling. The bar pony's eyes began to shift in hue, they became more yellow as he slowly initiated a chilling cackle.
A short blink of the eye and everything was back to normal, sound filled his ears once more, and the bar pony stood with a look of concern on his face. "You alright? It looked like you were in a trance, seeing something that'd spook Nightmare Moon." The hood shook his head slightly, both to dismiss the question, and to clear his head. "You dropped your drink, in case you didn't notice." He added, turns out the muscled pony was right. A sodden patch of wood beneath him, decorated with his now empty glass. It lay on its side, yet it sat strangely unshattered. The sound of pouring liquid entered his ears, and he peered up to see the bar pony pouring another glass. "Oh, don't worry about it. It's on the house. Nopony has been in here all day, I appreciate a little company from time to time." He set down the new glass, the shifting magic grasped the glass as it tipped into the shadow of the hood. Just as sweet and perfect as the last glass, it compelled him to finish the entire glass in one drawn out chug. As the glass settled to the bar top, the magic faded from it and was no longer animate, prompting the bar pony to grab it and step towards the keg. "You want another one?" He offered, his strong hoof hanging the glass under the spout. The hood raised his hoof, and a slight shake of his head gave the bar pony the signal to stop the free flowing of cider. A colored glow shone barely under the cloth of the hood, as a large dark green gem now hovered above the bar top, illuminated in the same contorting hues. The bar pony stared at the gem in stunned silence, not able to bring any words of thanks as the gem fell to his possession. Before he could gather his wits, his inn grew dark, though the dark gem sparkled in the moonlight. The torches slowly revived, and he found his newfound fortune lacking something. He wouldn't be sure what it was missing until it was far too late.
The hood, now relieved from constant rainfall and content with a belly full of cider, continued on his journey to exit Canterlot. He completed his objective, now knowing the Harbinger lingered somewhere in the realm. The clouds above threatened more rain soon, which seemed a higher alarm now as his body and cloak now held a comforting warmth, borrowed from the Inn and its keeper. Above him roared thunder, the first time it had done that in his time here. Just after the battle cry, rain began to pour from a cloud just above him. Riding his hood higher over his head, he trotted at a quick pace to reach the edge of Canterlot. His preparations appeared to be in vain, as no rain fell upon him. It did not fall upon the street around him or even on the grass nearby. He looked around in frustration, first the inn silence and now this, he thought. Examining the area, he found something rather troubling disguising itself as a cobblestone. A yellow shaded eye, with a ruby red pupil, stared directly at him. It blinked, then rumbled roughly in its paved cage in an attempt to break free. As it levitated after breaking free from the rest of the stones, a form began to appear around it. There were no matching parts on this form, a lion paw and a griffin chest, contradictory horns, two mismatched wings and a face fit for a jester, giggling at him as he stared at the strange creature.
"So," the creature chuckled, "you're the pony behind this little heist? I hope you don't mind the rain, I'd rather not get my horns all wet, just had them polished!" He laughed as a polishing rag swept by the cloak, ripping it right off the hood's face and whirled around his horn until it shined. "I see yours is all done up, too! Oh, how wonderful. Say, I never caught your name. I'm Dis-"
"I know who you are, Harbinger. Creator of all chaos and torturer of ponies. I had hoped they would be wiser than to free you, seems my positivist attitude was misplaced." The hood scoffed, looking away from Discord.
"You still never told me your name, I don't know what to call you other than well," he peered down at the cloak, "as 'The Hooded Stallion' or something silly like that." Discord's fingers waved in the air, mocking the title he just gifted to the hood. "Or perhaps you're the 'Pony Of Shadows' that Applejack was talking about?" He laughed excessively, nearly losing his balance. Silence covered the hood as he ignored Discord's joking. "Seriously though, what is your name? You've told nopony, from what I'm guessing. Oh, it can't be that bad. Are named Cutie Wufflekins or something?" He got a short snortle out of his own joke, but his eyes remained fixed on the hood.
"If you really must know, Harbinger," The hood concluded, meeting Discord's uneven gaze, "seeing as I will end you, it would be best to have a name to scream out as life abandons you." Discord grinned at this threat, remaining silent as he continued on. "My name is Deep Pockets, you can understand why most normally do not know."
Discord grew a jester-ish smile, "Deep Pockets, so," he paused and scratched his beard in quick thought, "Poxie! That's what I'll call you. How's about Pox? Anything you like in there?" Only a glare emanated from Deep Pockets as Discord mocked his name. "You're up to quite a bit of trouble, Poxie. I doubt you really understand what you're bringing about. If anything, it should be I calling you Harbinger, what you're doing will lead to a new reign of darkness here in Equestria."
"Similar to your rule in ages past?" Pox remarked, a snarky grin flashed on his face for a short moment.
Discord chuckled, "Well plaid," A plaid cape manifested over his shoulders, "I'll let you go about your business, if you're going to be so rude as you are. Though a word of warning," His face grew more hostile, yellow eyes glaring into Pox's very being. "Do not set hoof in Ponyville. And don't you worry, I'll have my eye on you." His threat administered, Discord's eye disconnected itself from his head, still staring at Pox as he dissipated. Pox sat uncomfortably staring at the disembodied eye until it blinked and was no longer in sight. His horn activated, shifting his hood back over his face just as the rain resumed. A large gush of water fell upon him, since it was being held by chaotic magic for the duration of his 'conversation'. The words of Harbinger still rang in his ears, 'I'll have my eye on you'. Whether through fear or impatience, Pox began trotting through Canterlot, dodging the few ponies on the path to their various destinations. He dashed towards the train station, but suddenly collided into somepony with a quite a load in some saddlebags, as a few bags of vegetables tumbled as they met eyes, both flat on the ground.
"My apologies, miss. Allow me." Pox used his magic to pick up the scattered vegetable bags. She stood up as he set them in her saddlebag.
"I think I saw you at the market..." The pinked haired mare trailed in her soft voice. Pox nodded, rising with her help. "It was a nice gesture...um, thanks for it. Sorry it got stolen." She offered him a hoof in assistance. He stood with her help, and she seemed strangely emboldened as she spoke, her hoof extended in what appeared to be formal greeting, "I'm Fluttershy, what's your name?"
"I'm Deep Pockets," Pox said, the back of his hidden mane standing on end. Something about this mare didn't add up. From far away, she seemed like any other. Power he's never felt it before emanated from her. "I don't mean to be rude, miss. I must inquire, excuse my directness-" He spoke to frozen statue of Fluttershy. A chill ran down his back, his eyes darting around to find him. The Harbinger was surely behind this. Discord appeared behind Fluttershy wearing an expression of unrelenting rage.
"When I said I had my eye on you, I meant it." He said through clenched teeth. "You shall NEVER touch this mare. Fluttershy is worth more than you or who you stand for." Discord lifted his lion's paw, and his chaotic magic surrounded Pox. Agony clenched his entire body, like something wretched out his insides with a giant spoon for him to see. "You've already taken. I suppose I knew with the barman. Nevertheless, go take from somepony else." Pox's horn gleamed, cutting through the torturing chaos magic. Undulating colors now surrounded him as he hovered in the air. His barrier grew more colored as Discord threw a few shots of magic into it.
"Thank you Harbinger, I can use that." The chaotic magic seeped in through the barrier, under the control of his horn. He shaped it to a ball, which his flaring horn expanded into a large net. The huge blast caught Discord in his own magic, whipping him back as the net imprisoned him.
Discord realized his mistake, "You already have that power? How much have you-"
"Bother me no more." After Pox spoke, Discord flew off imprisoned in his own magic. Pox's horn extinguished, he landed back onto the cobblestone leading to the train station. He cleared his throat as Fluttershy blinked and became animate once more. She provided him an odd look, and waited in a bout of forced silence.
A short time later, Fluttershy gained her courage back and spoke, "What was it you were going to ask me?"
Pox cocked his head, and thought for a moment. She doesn't seem the talkative type, he resolved. Perhaps she could use a bit of encouragement. Pox's horn lit up for a split second, and his eyes glowed to match Fluttershy's light gold coat. He stared into her eyes, and spoke softly, "Do you know of the Elements of Harmony?" Fluttershy smiled, and nodded her head. "Have you seen them before?"
"Twilight usually keeps them at her library, we use them when danger comes around."
"How do you use these elements?"
"Well, each one of us represents one of the elements, mine is kindness."
Pox smiled, "I've noticed, you're very generous being this open about such power."
"Well, I don't know about that, Rarity represents generosity." Fluttershy blushed, her eyes now looking a bit glazed over.
"So who is this Twilight pony you spoke of?"
"Twilight is one of my best friends, she's Princess Celestia's student. She represents magic."
"The element of magic? The most unpredictable of them all."
"All six of us can unite and use the power of our friendship to overcome anything."
"Of course, my dear. Now, where are all of your friends? You claim there are 6 of you in total, yet you stride through the pathways of this hollow city alone."
"We live in Ponyville together, not in the same house of course. We all have different jobs to take care of the town."
Pox nodded, his eyes dimmed to a shadowy navy blue. "Thank you for your time, Fluttershy. I shall take my leave of you."
She stood rooted for a while, only rocking idly to and fro until she came back to reality. She shook her head to clear her mind, when she looked about, Deep Pockets vanished. Standing around wasn't getting back to Angel, who by now was probably going to eat the furniture, so Fluttershy tightened her saddlebags and waited for the next train.
He hadn't done anything to her, there wasn't anything to feel bad about. You had only convinced her to tell you more about what she knew, he told himself. You used your magic, he said from the other side of his head. The ends now justify the means, Pox now knew why Discord outlawed Ponyville to him. The most powerful magic lived there, in the form of six friends. The rain had begun to cease above him, though all of Canterlot sat drenched in the leftover downpour it received. Perhaps, he thought, sticking around a while might just be the thing to turn the tides. The night stood in its prime, the moon shining from holes in the clouds to illuminate the flooded streets so they shone like new coins upon which Pox trotted through. A new objective filled his mind, for he knew he could not touch the one called Fluttershy. He would have to face his next challenge hampered, time grew more crucial with each passing moment of moonlight. Turning Discord's magic against him drained Pox, his normally keen stance and trot now sat lower to the ground, hooves and back struggled and sagged.
He stood once more in front of Canterlot Castle, examining the area. Though his body remained feeble, his senses ran with the slack. Dissecting the tall stone towers with his eyes, he located the target. His target stepped from the shadow cast by the awning above her. She stood watch during the night, the mare of shadows and darkness. The crescent moon that rested upon her flank glowed softly during that particular night. Her dark wings tucked away at her sides, she glanced down upon Pox. In a blink of Pox's eye, and she was gone. The night still ruled in the sky, though the ruler of the night vanished into thin air. He focused all his might into his horn, it did not spark, it pulled him in the direction of great power. It fought between two sides, pulling towards the castle hall as well as thrusting him to a nearby dark alley. His horn released the precious remaining energy, providing just enough to stand and watch. Options were quite limited at this point with his current agility. Besides the fact Canterlot Castle could not be entered by this time of night, it was especially so considering the panic one of the royalty created. The aristocracy of the courtyard trembled as The Prince ran by, Pox watched as Blueblood searched high and low, "Has anypony seen my cutie mark? Somepony has stolen my cutie mark!"
His shouts of desperation didn't change his situation, Pox thought within himself, chuckling quietly. His attention turned to the dark alley, the only option he'd be able to accomplish his goal with. The night-mare spotted him, he knew she awaited in the shadows between the stone buildings. He trekked over towards the entrance of the alley, it served mostly as a garbage dump for the bakery that lie ahead. Luckily it smelled of stale backed goods instead of any horrendous odors it easily could've housed. Continuing deeper into the alley, a bit of moss sat affixed on the bakery wall, threatening to touch and expand onto the bricked street. "Is there something you require here, stranger?" The shadows demanded, Pox felt as if the darkness itself stared at him.
"I come with a deal, Princess Luna." Pox stated, a showman's grin grew upon his face.
"We, er, I care not for your so-called deal, stallion." A glowing pair of eyes cut through the shadows, revealing her location. "Why should I trust one I do not know the name of?"
"Perhaps if you listen a while, you might change your mind." The luminescent eyes didn't budge from their spot. "We are both masters of the night, you and I. You rule the night, and I thrive in it. I use your glory as my tool for justice. It is only natural I admire you as the superior princess." The mare's glare softened upon these words, Pox continued and paced slowly as he spoke. "In fact, I'd say you're better than a princess. Let Celestia stay the princess, you deserve more. You deserve to be Queen of all Equestria!"
"That would not be fair to my sister, she is older than I-"
"You know as well as I, Queen Luna, that Celestia has cheated you out of much in the past, and even now. Ponies always basked in her sun, and shunned the true light they should've been imbibing. The power of the moon and the darkness you command is greater than Celestia's light."
"Sounds like my attitude during my 1000 year prison sentence on the moon."
"There's truth in it, Luna." Pox's eyes grew dark as he said this, matching the color of Luna's coat. The Princess of the Night questioningly glanced into his eyes.
"What sort of magic is that? Who are you?"
"Damnit," He muttered under his breath, eyes shifting back to normal, "my strength has yet to return."
"Who are you and what magic are you attempting to affect me with?" She repeated with a twinge of royal impatience.
"Fine. I shall tell you. I am Deep Pockets, and the magic you provide for me to use is what I use, your highness. The power of the night. This is the power all of Equestria may experience!"
"Deep Pockets, you have the power to shift your eye color? My night does not grant that. Besides the use in vanity, I don't see why-wait a moment." Luna bit her lower lip in thought, "I've seen this magic before. But where?"
"That's not important. What's important is Celestia! We must get rid of her and place you at the head! You shall be Queen of Equestria!"
"Get RID of Celestia? Are you mad!?" Luna's tone grew angrier as she glared at Pox.
"Oh no, not be rid of her, but put you in charge. I can do that. I could give you a taste of what it feels like to be in charge."
"You really think I'll believe you now?"
"You'll never be blamed for it. It's reversible to boot. What's the harm? Celestia caused much more heartache than this in you, didn't she?"
Luna grew quiet, her eyes wandered in silent contemplation. "Reversible, you say?"
"Queen for a day, just a taste of what you could have. If you like it, it can stay. If you want it reversed, Celestia will learn how valuable you really are. You two will serve on equal terms, together. Just as you've always dreamed. A free taste of the forbidden fruit, with only benefits after."
"So, what is your plan?" Luna asked wearily.
"All you need do is bring me to the castle. Give me a few hours, and you'll be Queen of Equestria. I'd rather we teleport in, given the situation at the dining hall."
"I've been busy with the moon and my watch hours, unable to see what the commotion is about."
"It's quite entertaining. Blueblood is running about scaring the aristocratic ponies, though it's rather irrelevant. Bring me back to your perch, your highness. I'll be on my way from there."
"Just, don't get caught doing whatever it is you'll do." She sighed, stepping close to Pox.
"We won't have to worry about that." He said as Luna wrapped her foreleg around him, pressing the bottom end of his cloak against his undercarriage with her hoof. A shadowed flash changed the surroundings. No longer did the moss dangle from the bakery, the bricks did not laze about acting as a street. They sat now within a dark spire overlooking the entirety of Canterlot. The city glimmered in the moon, rooftops glazed with the recent rain. Ponies gradually began to gather in the streets, going about their business like the rain never fell. Colts and fillies splashed in the puddles and played about the streets. Snooty aristocrats traveled in their typical hordes, conforming with whomever happened to be popular as popular could be. The buzz of the soggy city could be clearly watched from this one perch.
"Go now, Deep Pockets. I'd rather stay here while you commit your treachery." Regret sat forefront in her face, the curiosity kept her from undoing her actions.
"I shall return, and you shall be Queen." Pox waltzed through the arch, examining the room as he approached the center. The room was illuminated by candlelight, just enough to read and find the bed by. A refined table made of a dark lacquered wood hefted the weight of piles of books, dusty tomes, and tattered scrolls. Many relics of eons past hung in trophy cases fixed upon the walls. Several portraits were stacked in one corner, Pox got a long look at the top painting. The rise of Nightmare Moon set in paint upon an old canvas, age had frayed some of its edges, a scorch mark blotted out a quarter of the picture. Life's an ironic thing, Pox thought, and shifted his focus to himself.
Focus was vital, especially considering his weakened state from fighting the Harbinger. Stealing from Celestia could be fatal, one slip up and the spell backfires. His horn illuminated, the undulating colors extinguished the candles, filling Luna's room in shadows. She didn't look back, and muttered words of apology into the night. Pox's focus increased in the shadow, as he melded with it. He watched his hoof as it melted into the darkness. Lifting himself into the air, Pox proceeded towards his objective, melting into shadow as he traveled. The visuals of the world fell away, leaving only a pony-shaped beacon of light. He shot forward as a glob of shadow into the royal hall. Celestia sat tiredly on her throne, a long day of diplomatic discussions and dealing with Discord drained her energy. The princess nodded off a few times as a shadow arrived in the hall and crept around her.
"Luna? Is that you? How's the nightwa-" Her eyes fluttered, and she fell asleep for a short moment. Jolting awake, she shot upright. Her crown almost fell off upon the second bout with the Sandpony.
Now stood his time to strike, Celestia had fallen asleep now, she stayed in her half slumber as Pox initiated his reforming. The shadow purred softly as it molded the cloaked stallion, growing smaller with each feature it defined of him. He landed silently on next to his target, he examined her flank. The cutie mark shone brightly, he began the process. Breaths became slower, the air paused in its place, yet these things unhindered Pox. He traced over the mark, creating a layer over it in his undulating magic. His horn glowed during the whole procedure. Muttering a few words over the mark, he placed his two front hooves upon her flank. A feeling akin to electric shock shot through Pox, and as he focused upon the mark he felt himself burning like he stood in the sun's core. Pain invaded every inch of his body whenever he pulled upon her mark. After what felt like an eternity of wrestling with the mark, he felt a magic severing. Celestia's sun now hovered in front of him, he pulled it quickly within himself. It absorbed into his body, sparking agony through his entire being. He screamed in agony, and luckily with time itself on hold, vocalized agony fell not more than out of his mouth. Engulfed in flames, he roasted in fighting to keep the mark inside. Each passing moment it grew more docile, though the pain still burned him on all ends.
Finally, the sun subsided into his possession. He looked at Celestia, her flank now lay blank as a filly. An accomplished grin nudged its way onto him, until a loud scream pierced his ears. His own scream of agony upon taking Celestia's mark. Time had resumed, he stood merely inches behind the princess when the scream jumped her wide awake.
Celestia frantically looked about her throne room to find what awoke her from her haze. Pox slipped behind the throne, holding perfectly still. He held his breath to slow his heartbeat as the princess grew more paranoid. "Luna!" Celestia shouted into the empty air. Moments later the Night Mare appeared before her sister, Pox watched with one eye behind the throne. "Did you hear that?" She inquired, looking at Luna with something akin to fear in her eyes. Luna stood in shock, she couldn't move let alone speak. Her sister never feared anything, yet it sat in her gaze. Her flank barren, Celestia followed Luna's eyes to herself. "How is this possible? What happened? Luna! Why aren't you saying anything? Luna!" Celestia shouted, clutching Luna in a supportive embrace. Luna felt the difference in her sister, the emptiness that now loomed inside her.
"I...I do not know, sister. Do you recall what happened before the scream?" Luna chose her words carefully, her tone falsified to keep her sister in the illusion. Deep Pockets played his part, she needed to play hers to obtain the throne. She looked past her sister's face as it budded with tears. The throne of Princess Celestia, her sister, now sat closer to her reach than ever before. She could simply push her sister aside and sit down. She could call the guards, proclaim her sister a changeling with her missing mark, and she could rule all forever. Forever seems an awfully long time to be away from one's own blood. Luna didn't want the throne permanently, just be 'Queen for a day'. Just as Deep Pockets promised. After the taste of rule, her sister would regain her sun-butt, and all would be well again. She saw Deep Pockets peering out beside the throne. "Sister, perhaps you should go lay down. We shall figure out what to do when you are rested."
"Luna, you need to find out what happened. My magic is nowhere near as powerful as what it should be. I cannot raise the sun, Equestria will be pitted in eternal night. I trust you. I know you can fix what happened." Celestia spoke hopefully, though her face didn't cash the checks her words wrote. Luna noticed her sister's face looked worn, more shadowed. It seemed that stealing away the sun bathed her in darkness.
Late as usual, the royal guards bashed through the doors, approaching Celestia. "Your highness, is everything al-" The speaking guard didn't finish his sentence, as he saw what the princess was missing. He and the rest of the guard there stood speechless.
"I'm not sure what happened, but I need to rest."
"Right away, your highness." They led Celestia out of the hall, and slammed the door behind them. The sharp echo went through Luna's ears, slashing them like blades. Complete trust placed in a traitor. Again.
"Nice work, Queen Luna." Pox said, stepping out into a patch moonlight near her new throne. "Come, take a seat. This is yours now. You earned it."
"I earned nothing. I betrayed my sister again. You never told me she would not raise the sun again!" Luna's glare ate at Pox's nerves.
"You will earn it, Luna. You'll earn it all. The respect of your subjects, the glory you deserve." He spoke carefully, hood covering his eyes from hers. "Besides, I thought it was assumed she would not perform her duties. What did you think I was to do?"
"I-I didn't expect it would be to steal her cutie mark from her! How can you do such a thing?" Her anger mixed with panic as she approached Pox. He guided his new queen to her throne.
"There's many things you won't expect with your new duties. You'll take them in stride, and learn to work with them, shift them to your scheme." Pox said, offering Luna the seat on the throne. Luna stared at the royal cushions sprawled upon the throne, each gilded and carrying intricate designs of Equestrian history. Minutes passed, her gaze still fixed to her throne. "Your highness, shouldn't you take a seat?" He suggested, breaking her focus.
"Since I am the ruler now, I should get used to the seat."
"That's it, Luna." She took her seat and Pox continued, "This is a new day in Equestria. Well, new night, moreover."
"Does this mean you can raise the sun? Since you took her power, don't you have it?"
"I suppose I do, don't I? Hmm, interesting."
"We will not see the sun for a long while, will we?"
"Only until you wish to undo your new royal duties. As I said, it's reversible. Now, if you do not mind, your highness, I must take my leave of you."
"I'll find you, Deep Pockets. I know there's something more to this than you're letting on. For now, you may leave." She said with a new air of royalty, and waved him away. She fixed the fit of her horseshoes, they seemed to glow brighter, the silver gleaming in the moonlight. Luna watched Pox walk down the royal hall, and he stopped at one of the stained glass windows. It was the depiction of The Harbinger's second defeat. Pox looked upon the depiction of Rainbow Dash in the glass. The eye of the pegasus initiated an undulating glow, matching that of Pox's magic.
Deep Pockets cleared his throat, and spoke in a hushed tone, "Celestia has been taken care of. The time draws nearer."
"Have you discovered anything else?" The eye spoke into his mind, changing in tone with the shifting colors.
"Yes, I know how to gather the Elements of Harmony. Their power, plus much more, has been infused within 6 ponies."
