Harmony takes a step into the future and learns a bit about things in the past.
Harmony through some of his father's shenanigans and his own temporal spells, seems to find himself in the future. He finds his family, but they're all grown up!
This is a side-story series published to make it easier for my readers to see. If you came here somehow without going through the main fic it is highly recommended that you read it here. You will not get what is happening if you don't, sorry.
P.S. This will not be as rigorously edited as the main fic, sorry.
For the millionth time, I woke up after having blacked out. I didn’t like the fact that I was steadily getting used to being knocked out in some fashion or another. Of course, when one dabbles in Tempora’s magic and my father’s invention, one must be prepared for unexpected departures… and arrivals.
It’s been a while, but it looks like my botched up translation spell was still functioning, though I had to tap into a few crystals to make sure they weren’t fritzing up. Temporal distortion was a major problem with my type of magic. I snapped my fingers experimentally. A small mage-light floated above my palm. I snapped my fingers again, dismissing the small magical aid. Seems like my magic was working fine.
Around me were the comforting smell of books. Even though I preferred computers, there was something I liked about the feel of turning the pages with my fingers. Curiously, I picked out a book from the shelves at random and flicked through a couple of the pages. It seems to be something about the founding of Equestria. Huh. Okay so I haven’t shot egregiously into the past. I was some time after the founding of Equestria… I tapped a finger on my chin as I thought. Where was I? More importantly, when was I?
Suddenly I became aware of a peculiar sound, almost like the skittering of mouse footsteps, or perhaps… whispering.
I whipped around to spot a purple blob disappear up the staircase with the clatter of hooves evident. Curious, but suddenly aware that I might be intruding in somepony’s home I cautiously stood up and walked backwards towards what looked like the entrance. It was hard to tell since everything seemed to be made of wood but I managed to fumble at the handle and get it open without looking behind.
Ducking at the low frame (the one thing I could never get used to in this world). I strode outside to get my bearings. I glanced back in mild surprise as I registered that I had just left some sort of tree-house. And I don’t mean one of those trees with houses in them, I mean the tree was a house/building/thing. It was disconcerting.
I backed away slowly from the building.
Where was I? There wasn’t a tree-building as far as I knew in Equestria. Was this the future? The past? I shook my head. Perhaps I should ask around.
I caught a pink-coated pony as she strode past me with a wide grin and a carefree looking attitude.
“Hey,” I called out as the mare trotted past me. She took a look at me, waved and then whiplashed her head with an amusing crack.
“Hiya there!” she babbles, trotting up to look up at me. “Are you new around here? Of course you are, if you were I’d know you and if I knew you I wouldn’t have asked that question. My name’s Pinkie Pie, what’s yours?” She gasped. “Let me guess… is it Apple? Is it Sugar? Is it Flour? Oh wait, silly me those are the ingredients I have to get to bake a pie, like my name, Pie!”
I burst into laughter. That was probably the best reception I’ve had in Equestria since I had came… well barring Celestia and Luna, they were pretty cool. I decided to introduce myself.
“Hey there, woah! That’s one heck of a motor mouth you have there. I’m Harmony. What are you baking that pie for?”
The pink mare threw her arms out wide as she did a couple of impressive backflips.
“Hiya there! Harmony,” she repeated grinning stupidly. “I’m the premiere pink party pony of Ponyville. I have to bake a pie for a pie eating contest. But it’s not just one pie, it’ll be hundreds!”
I laughed again, caught up by the pink one’s antics.
“Oh you’re crazy, but in a good way.” I gestured around, awkwardly shifting my feet. “So… this might sound like a dumb question, but bear with me.”
Pinkie nodded, bounding up to me. I noticed that her cutie mark was three balloons. Huh, that really suits her.
“What country are we in?”
Pinkie cocked her head and paused as if waiting for a punchline. When I remained serious she giggled and gave me the answer anyway.
“You’re in Equestria of course, you silly filly!” Her eyes widened as if she suddenly remembered something.
“Oooooh! Wait here for a second. I have to fetch somepony,” she told me and I remained rooted to the spot as she disappeared. After a couple of minutes with nothing really changing, I flopped down and sat cross-legged on the street, trying to ignore the weird looks I was getting from everypony.
“Ahem, you over there!” I heard from behind me. I turned around, shifting on my backside.
“Yes?” I answered, recognising the shades of purple immediately.
“Discord,” she hissed venomously. “What are you up to?”
Huh? Why does she think I’m Discord? I really didn’t like the tone she was taking with me, not to mention that she looked like somepony who’d dislike Discord. Nopony talks to Discord like that.
“I’m not Discord,” I replied testily crossing my arms in front of me. “And I don’t like the tone you’re mentioning of Discord.”
The unicorn eyed me sideways, her tail was swishing from side to side in agitation. Finally, she snorted.
“That’s a good trick, Discord. Almost had me going there, but your magic proves it! I saw you snapping your fingers in my library!”
I rolled my eyes, giving the surly mare a pointed look. “And how am I supposed to perform magic, with my non-existent horn?” I waved my hands around. “These are the only focal points I have on my body.”
The unicorn was silent for a while. She opened her mouth several times but then eventually kept it closed.
I gave a dismissive wave. “I thought so,” I sniffed, shifting around so that my back was to her.
“Hey–” she started but was interrupted with Pinkie came back from her jaunt.
“Hi again!” she greeted cheerfully. “I’m super glad you waited for me, sometimes someponies leave when I ask them to stay in one place and then I have to go find them and then we play a small game of hide and seek and then I win! Isn’t that exciting? If they wanted to play hide and seek they should have told me! What’s a game of hide and seek if somepony doesn’t know they’re playing, you have to tell them first! That’s okay though, I’m really good at hide and seek– hey are you listening?”
I nodded.
“Seems logical. Hide and seek should be agreed on by both parties.”
Pinkie looked at me curiously as if I was a new enigma to be unwrapped.
“Funny, usually somepony clamps my mouth and tells me to stop talking by now. You’re different! I like you!”
I chuckled as she gave me an awkward hug. Awkward mainly because I was cross legged on the ground. The purple unicorn behind me was starting to get annoyed at being ignored.
“Hey! I was talking to you!” she huffed indignantly.
I spared a sharp glance at her before returning it to Pinkie.
Without looking I replied, “Correction. You were interrogating me. I don’t even know your name and you’re accusing Discord and I of being up to something. You don’t even have evidence. Until you do, I won’t listen to you unless you decide to be polite. Now go on. Shoo.”
I looked back at the last moment, flipping my hand nonchalantly. The unicorn looked absolutely incensed. She gave me a glare before growling and stomping off back to her library. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. What was she, five years old? What a foal.
Pinkie gave me a disapproving look.
“You shouldn’t be so mean to Twilight. She’s only worried that meanie-pants Discord is up to something.”
I frowned at the pink pony but I took a deep breath and thought about this logically. The way they are talking about Discord points to him being alive. The way they were addressing me meant that I was no longer a Prince or… I shuddered at that thought, feeling a brush of mortality whisk past my soul. Did Discord do something bad? I shook my head. Of course not. He would never do something to hurt anypony.
“Well Discord is a dear friend of mine and it sort of upset me when other ponies start talking about him like… like he’s some kind of monster!”
I paused and drew another breath to bring myself down a notch or two.
“Discord is one of the kindest, happiest, playful, innocent and thoughtful people I know. Whenever I hear somepony get so disparaging of him I feel so angry and frustrated. If they got to know him, it would all be different!”
Pinkie gave me a sympathetic look.
“You really like him, don’t you?”
I sighed again.
“Yeah, and you would too if you met him.”
Pinkie gave me a small giggle at that. “Here I got something for you,” she said pulling out a small treat in her hooves. I studied the cupcake. It was a rainbow cupcake with blue and red sprinkles on top. At the sight my stomach growled.
I gave her an appreciative smile.
“Thanks,” I mumbled through crumbs as I shoved the cupcake into my mouth.
Pinkie grinned as I moaned in pleasure.
“What did you put in this cupcake? Rainbows? It tastes reeeeally amazing!”
Pinkie bounded on the spot nudging me with a hoof.
“I wouldn’t use Rainbows, silly! It’s too spicy. Yuck!”
I shook my head at that, what a crazy thought process.
–––––
After I devoured the cupcake, Pinkie bounded off, saying there were pies to be made. I nodded and waved after her, concentrating on getting my bearings. I stared at my hands. How was I going to get back to Equestria? At least, the Equestria from my time? Should I go see Celestia and Luna? Maybe say hello to Discord? Was Celestia and Luna still alive?
Ugh, too many things swirling around. I better get my bearings. Maybe I can ask these questions to somepony who’d help, but Pinkie had already dashed away and I did not want to get help from that purple pony.
I walked around aimlessly until a voice called out to me.
“Oh my,” the soft voice said shyly. “You seem lost.”
I turned around to see a butter-yellow pegasus mare with pink hair pawing at the ground. I smiled at her winningly.
“Yes, I’m kind of lost,” I admitted, a hand on the back of my head in mild embarrassment. “Do you know where I could find Celestia, Luna or Discord?”
“Oh my,” the pegasus repeated. “I-I might know where Discord may be, but I don’t know if I can help you find the Princesses. I think they should be in Canterlot castle, if you need to see them.”
“Princesses?” I wondered out loud. “Is Tempora still alive? Man she lives a long time…” I trailed off at that, thinking about Tempora and my Dad. I wonder what they were up to. I hope I get back before they returned from the griffon kingdoms. “Well, I don’t really know where Canterlot is,” I continued, looking at the pegasus. Her face scrunched up with the incredulity of my statement. “Is this Canterlot?”
The pegasus giggled quietly. “Oh goodness, no. This is Ponyville. Canterlot is North-East of here, you can get there by train.”
I nodded, perhaps I would visit them later and they could help me with the temporal spell. “Hmm, it seems I’ll have to postpone seeing Celestia and Luna,” I said disappointed. “But at least I can see Discord!” I smiled cheerfully. “Can you take me to him?”
“Um, if you don’t mind,” the pegasus said nervously. “What do you want with Discord?”
I looked at the pegasus as if she had asked me if the sun would rise tomorrow.
“Discord’s my friend,” I replied easily. “What other reason would I have to see him?”
At that the mare smiled warmly at me. “Oh,” she said timidly. “No reason.”
Her tail flicked and she looked up at me. “Discord might be at my home. He usually comes visit during the afternoon.”
I smiled. “Sounds like a plan. Oh, I’m Harmony by the way.”
The pegasus gave me a shy smile. “I’m Fluttershy.”
–––––
On the way to her abode, we talked about Discord.
“So,” she said slowly. “You’re friends, then?”
“Not exactly. More like family, if I think about it. He’s a great fella, I’ve known him since he was a foal.”
Fluttershy’s eyes widened comically at that. “Oh my,” she said. “Discord as a foal. Somehow I can’t imagine that.”
I laughed. “So I’m assuming he’s all grown up now?” I must have gone forward into the future.
Fluttershy nodded. “I’m not exactly sure how old he is, but I think he’s as old or older than the Princesses.”
As if that helped.
“Sorry, I’ve been out of the loop for a while. Can you give me that in years?”
Fluttershy pondered that statement, the concentration making her stop in her tracks. I waited patiently as she cocked her head and silently tallied.
“I’d say about two thousand years at least, maybe more?” she hedged while I gaped at her.
“Two thousand years?!” I cried in disbelief. “That’s wha–“ How far into the future had I gone?
Fluttershy looked confused. “You said you had seen Discord since he was foal. That would make you around the same age, I think.”
I shook my head. “I used magic to get here, accidentally of course. I just… wow… two thousand years old…”
“At least,” Fluttershy added helpfully. I just shook my head again.
“Well let’s hope he still remembers me,” I said in shock as we approached a small wooden bridge that spanned across a stream.
We approached the cottage languidly, pausing a couple of times as Fluttershy stopped to speak to some manner of critter chattering excitedly at the demure mare. I waited patiently as she talked softly with them, assuring them of this or that. She looked like she was a kind soul, one of the quiet, nature types that would push for conservation and the like. After conversing with the creatures, Fluttershy lead the way to the cottage apologising for the delay profusely.
I waved it away with a smile, but I was antsy though, I wanted to see Discord when he was all grown up! What would he be like? Would he be the same sweet self like he was before?
As soon as I took a step inside, my senses were assaulted with a variety of sights and smells. The cottage was small but crowded, with a small couch on the side, a fireplace that burned with a warm glow and the smell of pine wood and… something else that I couldn’t identify. I think a saw a bluejay and a squirrel skitter off into one of many nooks and crannies this place had.
I turned to Fluttershy as she returned from searching around the house. “Oh,” Fluttershy called to me. “It doesn’t seem like Discord is here at the moment, I’m so sorry.”
I laughed it off. “That’s fine, do you mind if I wait in your lounge room for him?” I located a small chair in the corner of the room and sat down in it.
Fluttershy nodded with a smile. “Make yourself at home,” she smiled, walking towards the kitchen. “Would you like some tea?”
“Yes, please!” A voice called out and with a flash, a familiar looking draconequus appeared decked out in some sort of military uniform. “You would not believe the battle I had to endure trying to get here after Celestia asked me to deal with the parasprite invasion. Summoning that many instruments was tiring, she has no idea how much strain that puts on my kind of magic!” He swooned on the couch, laying a forelimb over his eyes.
“Honestly,” he continued. “It’s like Celestia doesn’t value my contribution at all! We’re friends aren’t we?”
Fluttershy made to say something, but her words were cut off by Discord’s rant.
“It’s always ‘Discord would you mind helping out with this or Discord would you mind giving me a hoof with this pesky that,” he growled, summoning little dolls of Celestia and himself and moving them up and down as he mimed their meeting. “Discord, we’re friends now, we should have some cake and tea. I’m the Lord of Chaos! Cake and tea are things that Celestia likes, so orderly and precise. Hold the temperature at this, pour the tea into that! It’s not my fault that I like pouring my tea upside down! I would think she would be more accommodating, I solved her parasprite infestation haven’t I?”
“Discord I have something to tell you–”
“And Luna! She's always so mopey, she’s got to lighten up! I did that bubblegum trick on her, like I did all those years ago. But did she appreciate it? Noooooo! She threw a boulder at me, the nerve!”
I decided it was probably time to interject and save Fluttershy from the irate draconequus.
“I know how you feel,” I said, smirking. “But think about the bubblegum in her mane, it’ll take ages to wash out. You’re lucky she didn’t put makeup on you and sing nursery rhymes like the first time.”
“Well now that was a different set of circum–”
I saw Discord’s eyes widen until they became the size of saucers.
“Hey there, buddy,” I said. “I take it we haven’t seen each other for some time?”
“Seen each other?!” he blurted out in disbelief. “You’re dead!”
–––––
At that, poor Fluttershy gasped loudly and dropped the tray of tea, which probably would have made a mess if I hadn’t snapped my fingers with a quick levitation spell. I gently eased the tray onto the small coffee table and gave Discord a wink as he just stood there spluttering.
“How– you– but I saw you–”
“Ah ba-bup!” I interrupted loudly, putting a stern finger on his lips. “No spoilers, I’m from the past and I’m just visiting the future. You don’t want me to leave prematurely because of some paradox, do you?”
Fluttershy looked between us. She was more confused than shocked at my expression of ease though.
“Y-You don’t look very shocked,” she said shyly. “If you don’t mind me saying so.”
I waved it away. “Ah well, we all die sooner or later. It’s sad, but it’ll happen especially if it’s a couple thousand of years.” I whistled. “That’s a big number. Definitely longer than my lifespan.”
Discord was too busy having his jaw on the floor to really pay attention to what I was saying, so I turned to Fluttershy and thanked her for the tea, sipping it quietly and returning the cup to the saucer with a small clink.
The sound must have snapped Discord out of his trance because he got up and crossed the intervening space between us with a short leap, tackling me to the ground.
“Harmony!” he cried. “I missed you.”
I chuckled, ruffling his feathers as we hugged. “Hey Discord, it hasn’t been more than a few hours since I’ve seen you, but I’m betting it’s been longer than that.”
Discord nodded on my shoulder. “It’s been long,” he choked. “Too long.”
Sadly, I patted him on his back, while making eye contact with a sorrowful-eyed pegasus across the room. Quietly she left for the kitchen to fetch something while Discord clung to me like I was a rock in the middle of a tumultuous river.
“Discord,” I said gently. “I’m not going anywhere right now, so you can let me go.”
I felt a small patch of wetness soak through my shirt as he clutched me tighter.
“I’m afraid if I let go,” he said. “You’ll never come back again.”
“Don’t be silly,” I assured him. “I’ll always be here.” I poked him in the chest where his heart should be. “Just like you’re with me wherever I go.”
Discord chuckled weakly. “I know,” he replied unsteadily. “You’ve said that to me before.” Tears welled up again. “They’re not–” he hesitated “–They’re not from a happy time.”
I felt a small shiver of foreboding work up my spine, but I shook my head doggedly to dispel it.
“Nevermind that, Discord.” I smiled at him in encouragement. “Let’s go see Celestia and Luna again!”
At that, Discord’s eyes were suddenly filled with fear, he looked a little like he was on the verge of panic.
“Uh Harmony?” he spoke quickly. “Can we talk about this?”
“What’s there to talk about?” I asked, hands on my hips. Discord’s eyes flicked down at my hands and then back to my face.
“Oh you know,” he said, pressing his paw and claw digits together. “Stuff.”
“Stuff,” I repeated, with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes,” he replied anxiously. “Stuff.”
Fluttershy had trotted back in with the cookies but neither party noticed that she had come back. She gently laid the tray on the table and quietly observed Discord try and make quite possibly one of the lamest and worst excuses she’d ever heard him give in his entire life, or at least as far as Fluttershy had known him.
I crossed my arms, staring him down.
“Why don’t you want me to see Celestia and Luna?” I asked him, while the draconequus fidgeted.
“Let’s just say that there’d probably be no problems seeing you, Harmony, but as for me…”
My eyes narrowed. “I listened to your little rant to Fluttershy. Is this about you being the ‘Lord of Chaos’? Is that rubbish still being spread around?”
Discord looked completely mollified. He struggled to find the words to say something. Several times his mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. Finally, he grated out, “Well it’s not like they were 100% wrong…”
I didn’t understand. “Ugh, just… what? No. You know what? We’re going to have a get together and it’s just going to be like old times, except I get to see you all grown up and getting along! Is that clear?”
Discord looked like he had been caught sticking his hand in the cookie jar. I knew, I’ve caught him before.
“Yes, Harmony.”
“Good, now let’s be off to see the sisters, it’s been a while, Fluttershy do you want to come?”
“Oh, uhm, it would be too much trouble…”
“Nonsense! Anypony that is a friend of Discord’s is a friend of mine!” I chuckled heartily. Lacing my fingers in front of me I gave them an experimental crack and then clicked my fingers a couple of times, sparks flying as I tested the magical reserves. Woo, I was running hot.
“Okay, now where was Canterlot castle again? Can’t be too far to teleport.”
Discord cleared his throat. In a voice laced with a healthy dose of resignation, he sighed, “I’ll handle this.”
With a snap we appeared in a large vaulted room, with stone walls and marble floors, shined to a mirror-finish. I looked at the stone with some amusement. I could see my face in it.
“Don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing,” I chuckled to myself. I could see the various sigils and runes I’d temporarily plastered on my face to prevent myself from being blasted apart by the eddies and currents of the space-time continuum. Who would have thought that magic would just be as effective a travel method as science?
“Halt!” a stern voice called out. We turned around to see a stallion in armour similar to Tempora’s guard but golden hued in colour trot towards us, with a spear held out.
“Is there a problem, officer?” I responded coolly. I’ve always wanted to use that line at least once, I was never really in trouble with the law enough.
The stallion narrowed his eyes at me. “I don’t know about you, but you better not be a problem with him.”
“No problem!” Fluttershy squeaked, answering for us as she made to dash away before Discord could restrain her with a paw.
I didn’t like the tone the guard was taking with Discord.
“Now listen here–” I began, but Discord also wrapped a paw around my mouth and swapped for a claw around Fluttershy’s neck.
“We’ll be on our way,” Discord told the guard, then simply trotted off with both of us in tow. After opening and closing the door to the adjoining room. It looked like a guest room in the palace and once he shut the door on the inside, Discord finally let us go.
“Gees, Discord why did you do that?” I muttered testily. Though I rubbed my jaw with a little pride. “Though you’ve grown stronger, I’ll give you that.”
“I’m not a foal anymore, Harmony,” he snapped, half-pouting. If he wasn’t so much older than me I would have laughed at that line, he said something similar not too long ago. Something was on his mind though, and I had to figure it out.
Fluttershy looked between us nervously, I spared her a quick glance and then turned back to Discord.
“What’s wrong, buddy?” I asked him as he paced around the chambers.
“It’s nothing,” he said dismissively, sniffing.
“That may work on most ponies here, but that doesn’t cut it with me,” I growled, flopping down on the bed dominating the small room, I patted the covers next to me, giving the draconequus a meaningful look. Discord sighed and flopped down next to me.
“Tempora’s prophecy came true,” he said quietly. He looked at me with such sadness in his eyes that I just reached out with an arm and hugged him tight.
I smiled. “Then the prophecy happened for a reason and you played a part in this world. You, my brother, are more important than ever.”
“But I brought darkness and chaos to the world for over a thousand years!”
“You must of had a reason.”
At that, he was silent.
“It must have been a good reason,” I continued. “Or you wouldn’t have done it.”
“You believe in me?” he whispered hopefully. “You’re not mad?”
I laughed at him. “How long have you known me, Discord? Nothing you could do could make me mad.”
He chuckled weakly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you mad at me,” he reflected. “I think I saw you mad at Celestia once, but I don’t think you were ever mad at me.”
“What Celestia did that day was something she could have easily avoided.” That sandwich was perfect... A sudden thought occurred to me.
“It’s been a while,” I said with an evil grin. “Let’s have some fun.”
I still had my small transmutation ring Tempora gave me. I don’t know if Celestia would recognise me in this, but by heck we would try. Every now and again Discord would send me a knowing look and I’d giggle with him as Fluttershy looked on with a mixture of demure tolerance and trepidation, after all we were basically going after one of the highest authorities in the land. But still, this was for the justice of my sandwich!
After what seemed like a very long while, this line was pretty long, the assorted group was announced in.
“Presenting Discord, Fluttershy and Runner!” the chamberlain called out. I smiled privately as Celestia gave me no more than a curious look. To her I was just a foal that looked a little nervous and skittish. I leaned against Fluttershy and she gave me a shy pat on the head. I felt an electric tingle, but it died away when the pegasus withdrew her hoof. I looked up at her in confusion but it seemed like Fluttershy hadn’t noticed it. Weird.
“I don’t know how you did that,” she confided in me quietly, quickly peeking at the throne and back. “Twilight had told me age-regression spells were very difficult.”
I shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not really doing much, this spell was given to me by an alicorn of Time,” I whispered back. Fluttershy froze for a moment before continuing. I chuckled. “Basically,” I said. “Celestia and Luna’s parents are pretty bad-flank.”
Discord bowed mockingly and I saw a twitch of annoyance pass through Celestia’s features before she dismissed it.
“Discord,” she said evenly. “I didn’t expect you to be back so… early.”
I twitched at her tone. Wow Celestia sure had changed after all these years. The fierce, feisty little foal she was had matured into a motherly figure. I sighed, compared to the past, Celestia looked so straight laced, where was the fun foal I played with?
Fluttershy spoke up.
“Uhm, Your Highness,” she called out her voice no more than a quiet muffle, she gave a slow but well-executed bow. “I’ve found Runner here, he wants to ask you something.”
Celestia looked confused for a moment. “Runner,” I heard her mutter. “I’m sure I’ve heard that name before…” She shook her head. “Nevermind, what is troubling you, my little pony?”
I gave a timid smile and stepped forward a couple of paces. I didn’t try trotting too fast, it had been a while since I had used this form so I didn’t want to try anything too acrobatic. I just needed to get into strike range. Hopefully, my awkward steps would be seen as more down to my nervousness rather than my incompetence.
“Actually,” I said with a heart-wrenching pout and round, glistening eyes. “I’m lost… can you find my family?”
Celestia was immediately off her throne, wrapping me in her wings.
“Oh you poor thing!” she gushed hugging me tightly. “Who are your family members? Can you describe them to me?”
“Uhm,” I replied with a sniff. “My Dad’s tall really tall, he’s just a head shorter than a minotaur. My Mum’s white-coated with a red mane and she has a swirly thing as her cutie mark… My little brother’s tall too, but not as tall as me, but he’s kind and nice, but ponies don’t really like him all that much…” Celestia frowned, trying to piece together the information. I continued on, my grin growing wider and wider. “My sisters are kinda like opposites. One of them is pretty and white, just like Mum. She has a flowing mane all multi-colour and sparkly. My other sister is different. She’s shy and her coat is dark and blue but her mane is all blowy, like her sister. They have very special cutie marks. The white-one has a cutie mark of the sun, the little one has the cutie mark of a moon.”
At this Celestia was already staring at me open-mouth and gaping. Discord was howling in laughter on the floor and Fluttershy couldn’t help but smile.
“Actually,” I said, casually. “My name isn’t Runner, that’s from one of my friends. My name is Harmony.”
I laughed and morphed in front of her. I threw my arms out wide.
“Ta-daa!” I exclaimed but I had to rush forward as the white alicorn collapsed.
“Oops,” I grunted guiltily. “I think we took it a little too far.”
–––––
Celestia mumbled briefly as she came back to consciousness. I stroked her mane tenderly as she came to. Seeing me, she smiled.
“Oh Harmony,” she whispered to me. “I’ve had the strangest dream. The ponies were spiralling out of control, Mother had disappeared, your father had left, Discord had gone mad and you–” she choked on that “–you died…”
I smiled somewhat sadly. I died… Discord had mentioned it but I really brushed it off. I sighed, there wasn’t much I could do about it if that was fate. Pfft, I didn’t believe in fate, what was free will if fate existed? Nothing, I’d wager, but then all those things had come true… I shook my head.
“Celestia… Celly…” she smiled at that. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t a dream.”
She sighed, her eyes closing briefly before fluttering open.
“Yes,” she said softly. “I knew… I just didn’t want it to be true.” She frowned at me. “But why are you here now?”
I grinned at the alicorn princess and shot off a few sparks from my fingers. “A temporal spell went wrong. I’m trying to fix it. I can stay a while if you’d like, but I have to get back.” Celestia’s eyes turned wide and pleading. My heart rendered like wet newspaper.
“Please,” I croaked. “I can’t stay here, you know that.”
Tears matted the fur under her eyes and they dripped onto my lap, staining my trousers. I stroked her behind her ears and kissed her on the forehead.
“Harmony,” she croaked in hushed tones. “Stay with me for a while.”
“Of course,” I replied reaching up to wipe a few tears away. “I’ll stay as long as you want.”
–––––
After meeting with Celestia we had some tea and cake, catching up with old times. Fluttershy sat politely at the table but I could tell she was having trouble keeping up with the conversation.
“So, I can’t really know what’s been happening around here, at least not big world events, but I hope you’ve all been getting along nicely?”
Celestia and Discord glanced sidelong at each other quickly, I caught the motion and frowned.
“Look, I may have been gone for over a thousand years in your time, and you may be all grown up now, but I think I can still tell if you’re lying to me.”
Celestia kind of put her hooves together and looked at the ground and Discord was so uncomfortable he actually chewed at his talons. They both started fidgeting in their seats. Fluttershy looked on with a mixture of disbelief and trepidation. Probably because it looked like I was talking down to the Princess. Hmm, scratch that, I was. Oh well. Not sure about Discord but if he was the Lord of Chaos, I was probably looking more frightening by the moment than either one combined.
“Eh, don’t look so nervous, Fluttershy,” I reassured her. “We’re family!”
“We’re all getting along now,” Celestia said quickly and I saw Discord send Celestia a grateful smile.
“Yep!” he affirmed all too fast for my liking. “Nothing bad happened, we all get along swimmingly well!”
They both gave me a grin that was way too wide to be considered within the realm of natural expressions. I gave them both an unimpressed stare back.
“Uhuh,” I said neutrally, crossing my arms.
“Yep,” Discord repeated. “Absolutely fine.”
I felt like the parent coming back from a long trip to find the kids in the house had thrown a party in my absence, only they’d just managed to clean up just before I got back and everything looked spick and span on the surface, but underneath the tablecloth I’d find a stack of empty cups and party supplies. I raised an eyebrow letting them sweat it out for a while before carefully settling back into my seat.
“Okay then,” I finally said, waving the issue away with a hand. I leaned forward. “Tell me about modern Equestria–”
Before either of them could reply, a blinding flash lit up the clearing and an incensed midnight-blue alicorn stomped towards Celestia.
“Tia! I finally got the bubblegum out of my hair! Where is that draconequus? Grr he’s probably gone by now but when I get my hooves on him, I’ll make him rue the night he decided to play that little ‘prank’ on my personage!” I glanced back at Discord’s seat to find that he’d shrunken himself to about the size of a small wren and he cringed when I gave him the look.
Celestia had a wobbly smile on her muzzle as she tried to calm down her sister.
“Luna, we have a guest, why don’t you sit down and we can chat about this in a calm, collected manner?”
Luna gave a withering stare to Celestia like she’d snatched her favourite stuffed toy. I knew that look, I was there.
“Tiiiiiaaaaa, I know you want to stick to the principles of Harmony, yadda love yadda tolerance, but can’t I just this once, banish Discord to the moon? It won’t even be that long, maybe a year? I’m sure I can convince the Elements to give it a shot.”
She suddenly registered Fluttershy sitting to my left.
“Even Kindness is here we can ask her now!” She looked at me, with my arms crossed and my left eyebrow raised as far as it could go. “Look, Harmony is here too, we can ask him!”
Luna turned back to Celestia, her mouth open to say something else but then paused and slowly turned her back back to me, jerking it mechanically. She whipped her head back to Celestia, then to me and then back again.
Finally after a few moments of silence she grumbled, “I must have strained myself too hard, staying awake. I am seeing things. The visions will pass, I simply need to calm down.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then opened them again. She stared at me again.
“Funny,” she mumbled her face scrunched up in puzzlement. “He’s not going away.”
I made to say something, but she held a hoof out.
“Stop! Do not speak.” She turned to Celestia. “You can see him?” A nod. She turned to Fluttershy. “You can see him?” A timid nod. She turned back to Tia. “Tia, I think we need help, we’re all seeing things.”
–––––
After a brief explanation, Luna took it surprisingly well.
“And so, Harmony has been asking us if we’d been getting along,” Celestia stressed meaningfully, looking at Luna. Luna’s eyes widened to the size of the moon as she realised what she’d said about Discord.
“T’was a jest!” she exclaimed, taking a step back. “Merely a jest!”
Discord and Celestia gave Luna a look that kind of said, ‘Nice going there, Luna. Real smooth’.
I just laughed as they looked at me in surprise.
“Oh come off it,”I laughed. “I don’t expect you all to get along all the time! Discord played a prank and Luna got mad, it’s not like you ever wanted to kill each other.” I grinned and drew them all into a hug. “One happy family.”
“Yep,” Discord said. “That’s exactly right. Right Celestia, Luna?”
“Yes.”
“Indeed.”
I looked at them suspiciously for a moment, but then broke out into another smile. It was hard to stay mad at them.
“Ooh, I can’t get over how much you all have grown! Just a moment ago to me, you two would be pining to get on my back and Discord would be stealing cookies from the cookie jar.”
Celestia, Luna and Fluttershy giggled at that, while Discord blushed and crossed his arms.
“That was a long time ago,” he sulked, but he couldn’t prevent the edges of his mouth from tugging upwards in a smile. Fluttershy padded over to him to pat him on the back.
I looked around registering the ley lines in the ground.
“Huh,” I said snapping my fingers a few times. “I don’t sense the Tree nearby. Is it still here or did someone chop it down?”
At that the three siblings looked at each other sheepishly before turning back to me.
“The old castle was destroyed,” Celestia explained. “Your Tree, the Tree of Harmony, is within a forest that is home to many wild and dangerous magic. Harmony’s Haven has been renamed back to the Everfree Forest.”
“Huh,” I repeated snapping my fingers experimentally. “I’m not sure but I can still feel the Tree’s magic nearby. I know I tapped it into the natural wellspring near Tempora’s castle but I don’t really know what happened to it. Did it do anything weird?”
Again the three shared looks, this time Fluttershy nervously joining in.
“What?” I said.
–––––
“Woah,” I whispered taking in the massive crystalline structure. “This thing has grown pretty dang big. Who would have thought an open-ended spell matrix would grow into something so beautiful?” I peered closer at the tree, oh look there was Celestia’s and Luna’s cutie marks, how odd.
“You used an open-ended spell matrix?! Were you asking for a magic fallout?” I heard a familiar voice cried.
I turned around. “Oh,” I stated flatly. “You’re here.” The purple unicorn I had met earlier was here with an assortment of four other ponies. Her name was… Twilight, I think?
Twilight snorted. “I am here because I am Princess Celestia’s personal student,” she laid stress on the word ‘personal’ while emphasising with a hoof. “I’ve been studying magic my whole life,” she added for good measure. I rolled my eyes at that.
“While I don’t dispute that, I don’t find that relevant to what we were talking about,” I sniffed, then turned to Celestia. “Really? She’s your student?” Celestia just gave me a pleading look.
“Sorry Harmony,” she muttered. “You wanted to know what became of your Tree, so I called the Element Bearers to come along.” She shuffled her hooves. “I didn’t know you had already met Twilight.” She paused. “She’s a very good pony, you know.”
At that Twilight beamed, but the flying blue pegasus next to her just glared at me.
“You can’t talk to the Princess like that,” she shouted, swooping towards me and bringing her face right up to mine. Luna took a step forward but I held a hand out and she took a step back. I couldn’t help it, I put my Prince on.
“And who are you,” I began quietly. “To question what I can and can’t say to my little sister?”
The pegasus looked somewhat mollified at first, but then rallied when her expression cleared.
“I’m Rainbow Dash,” she declared proudly, puffing out her chest. “I’m the fastest pegasus in Equestria and I’m smart enough to know you’re lying.”
The orange pony on the left opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it, the white-coated one stared at the orange one in surprise.
“I’m not,” I stated flatly. “Ask your Princess.”
At that the rainbow-maned pegasus shot Celestia a questioning glance, to which Celestia gave a slow nod to.
“But–” she cast a gaze to Luna, who nodded. “That–” Discord nodded. “Can’t–” Fluttershy nodded slowly. “What…” she sunk to the ground. “My head hurts,” she muttered morosely, cradling her head with her hooves.
Twilight looked at me curiously. “Why didn’t you tell me you were related to the Princesses?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Would you have believed me?” The ensuing silence was all I needed. “Thought so.” When she started to say something I held up my hands. “Okay, okay, sorry I was being kind of a jerk. I’m just sick of ponies treating Discord like he’s done something wrong. It’s not right.”
I held out a conciliatory hand.
“Let’s start over,” I said. “I’m Harmony.” I pointed behind me. "That’s my Tree.”
After a quick explanation, Twilight and the others looked at me in a new light.
“So what you’re saying…” the white-coated mare called ‘Rarity’ began.
“Is that this here Tree…” the orange-coated earth pony continued.
*GASP* “Was made by you?!” Pinkie finished bombastically.
I chuckled. “It was mainly by accident,” I admitted. “Why? Is it important?”
The rest of the ponies looked at each other in puzzlement. Twilight gave me a quizzical look. “You mean,” she stated. “You don’t know?”
I stared at her, uncomprehending. “Don’t know what?”
“What the Tree of Harmony does,” she stated. She glanced back at Celestia.
Celestia cleared her throat. “While I’m not entirely sure which point on the timeline you’ve actually come from, I’m fairly sure you haven’t been made aware of the true impact your Tree has caused on the fate of Equestria itself.
“The Tree of Harmony is one of the most powerfully magical sites in all of Equestria, it is the focal point of all Harmony magic and the Tree is often thought to maintain balance and peace in Equestria.”
I sat down on the soft earth.
“Woah,” I said quietly. “That’s deep.” With a snap I conjured up a chocolate milkshake and took a sip out of it. Ah, that’s the stuff. Discord happily joined me on the grass, summoning his own milkshake too. I knew the magically conjured milkshake wouldn’t really sustain me but the taste was something I craved.
Twilight was suddenly in front of me. Her eyes had turned all sparkly, which was disturbing. “I have so many questions!” she exclaimed laying down in front of me. Celestia and Luna came to sit around the impromptu circle we made in front of the Tree.
I shrugged. “I have some time before I should fix the temporal spell and get back.” I leaned back, propping myself up with my arms. “Fire away,” I said airily.
Twilight cleared her throat and summoned a quill and parchment. Just as she was about to say something, I darted out and touched her horn. Yelping, Twilight leaped back, shooting me a dirty glare.
“Wha– What was that for?!” she cried shrilly. I stared at my fingers. “You’re a powerful unicorn,” I commented. “Very good mastery of basic and advanced spells.” I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together, feeling the texture of her magic. I looked at her in mild surprise. “You weren’t lying when you said you’ve been studying magic for the majority of your life. Very impressive.”
At that Twilight blushed, but she recovered fairly quickly. “How could you tell?!” she half demanded, half asked. I looked at Celestia in mild surprise.
“Didn’t you teach your student multi-focal spell casting?” I queried the white alicorn off to the side. Celestia looked like she bit into a lemon. “I didn’t think it was necessary,” she said, sharing a glance with Discord. He just shrugged. “We didn’t have the best experience with multi-focal spell casting.”
“What?” I said, perplexed. “It’s the very basics of foundational magic! Everypony should know!” Twilight nodded at this. I’m glad we agreed on some things. I glanced at Luna.
“Judge me not!” she said quickly. “I was trapped on the moon for the better part of the millennia.” She hastily clamped a hoof over her muzzle.
“Oh pony feathers,” she swore, her voice muffled by her furry hoof. I raised an eyebrow.
“What’s this about being trapped on the moon?”
“Nothing!” Celestia, Luna and Discord all shouted at once. They glanced at each other uneasily.
Pinkie bounded up and decided to be helpful.
“Oooh! Pick me, I know!” I noticed that out the corner of my eye that Celestia, Luna and Discord were waving their arms frantically in an attempt to stem the pink party pony.
“Yes, Pinkie?” I gestured for her to continue.
“Weeeeeelll it all started mmmph…!” a golden glow wrapped around the mare’s mouth.
I crossed my arms again. “We’ll talk about this later,” I said and the three siblings relaxed. I returned my attention to Twilight.
“Now about multi-focal spell casting. Want to learn from the two best spell casters since ancient Equestria?”
––––
After chatting a while with an intense Q and A with Twilight, most of the ponies that had followed Twilight begged off to leave. A couple had businesses to run, one had a party to plan and the other needed a nap. Fluttershy also excused herself to tend to the menagerie of animal friends dependent at her small cottage. I was left with Twilight, the Princesses and Discord.
“So,” I spoke up in the ensuing silence. “What’s Luna been up to on the moon?”
––––
Celestia finally found a half-decent excuse to get around telling me what actually happened to Luna by saying it was a major world event and I shouldn’t pay it any heed. I rolled my eyes but I let it go when I suddenly had a thought.
“Is there a Cadance alive right now?” I asked, afraid of the answer.
For a while there was a confused silence and I felt my heart drop in free fall for a moment, until Celestia replied.
“How do you know Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?” she queried, a faint tone of suspicion creeping into her voice.
I quickly explained the situation.
Everypony’s reaction ranged from puzzlement, to surprise and everything in between. I scratched the back of my neck.
“Even though I know she wouldn’t remember me, I have this urge to see her and make sure she’s alright,” I explained awkwardly. Celestia and Luna nodded in sympathy and Discord was summoning random dolls of the Princesses and playing around with them. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow and he sheepishly dismissed them.
Twilight made a grunting noise that sounded something like disapproval.
“I don’t know,” she said, peering at me through slitted eyes. “What are you up to?”
Celestia leaned in and whispered into my ear.
“She’s a little protective of her sister-in-law,” she explained and my eyes widened.
“Small world,” I said wryly, shrugging.
“You’ve heard my reasons,” I said getting up. “If you don’t want me to see her, well I’ll respect that.”
Twilight’s mouth twisted as she thought about it. “All right,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. “But if you’re up to something…”
I rolled my eyes and threw up my hands. “Yes,” I muttered sarcastically. “I’m up to something, because clearly my two sisters and my brother vouching for me isn’t enough?”
Twilight sighed. “I suppose you have a point.” But she still poked me in the side with a hoof. “Still,” she warned. “No funny business.”
“Yes,” Cadance replied to Shining’s distrustful gaze.
“But you don’t even know this… creature! How can you just agree to meet him?”
“Because I feel it in my heart, this is the right thing to do.” She gave him a quizzical look. “Why don’t you want to see him too?”
Shining growled and stepped away from his wife to gaze out the window overlooking the eastern side of the Crystal Empire. The Crystal Ponies were out shopping, or talking, or languidly strolling around the streets at peace.
Shining took a deep breath. “Yes,” he said. “You’re right, as always. I guess I feel a little nervous. Twilight doesn’t seem to like him.”
Cadance smiled at that. “Well I’m sure we can judge Harmony, when we see him, as fair and as objectively as possible. He hasn’t done anything wrong yet, it’s not like we can condemn him for actions he has yet to partake of.” Her gaze softened as she approached him and gave him a nuzzle. “But do not worry, I’m sure to take appropriate precautions if Twilight has some misgivings. After all, she has been right once before…”
Shining blushed at that. “I’m so sorry,” he said, his voice laced with pain. “I should have paid attention, if there was something I was sure…”
“Now, now,” Cadance cooed. “None of that. Straighten up, my love. We have a big day ahead of ourselves.”
Shining straightened up at that. “Thanks,” he replied softly, but Cadance only smiled serenely back at him. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Probably fall into a pit and call for your mother, I’d wager,” she chuckled and watched in delight as Shining went crimson through his white coat.
“T-That was that one time! I legitimately thought my mother was nearby!” he snapped his mouth shut as Cadance giggled. “Oh forget it,” he grumbled, marching out the door. “Let’s just go meet the strange creature-thing.”
–––––
With a flash, Twilight, the Princesses, Discord and I appeared in the middle of Ponyville. I prepared to take us out of Ponyville with another snap, but Discord interrupted me, pointing to the other ponies in the group. They staggered around woozily and were rubbing their eyes in sympathy.
“What?” I said, not comprehending.
Discord sighed, gesturing again to the ponies. “Teleportation magic has come pretty far in the last millennia or so, it’s probably best if I do the teleporting or you’ll end up with some very sick and very disoriented ponies.”
I studied my fingers, fingering my spell. “Hmm,” I grunted, examining the spell structure. “I admit I’m not the best at teleportation, but I thought I had improved the design a fair bit.” My expression darkened. “Better than Star Swirl’s, surely.”
Discord coughed politely and nudged me. I saw Twilight stomp over angrily.
“You!” she growled. “You have got to be the most incompetent spell caster I have ever had the displeasure of meeting! Do you call that a spell?! The matrix was off by two thaumic points, the radii was embarrassingly large and then wasted energy around the dissociative dimensional directive was completely unnecessary!”
I frowned at my matrix, visualising the spell again.
“I don’t know,” I replied, shrugging. “It seemed alright to me. We got where we wanted didn’t we?”
Twilight snorted and her horn lit up, with a small pop and a barely recognisable flash she was gone and she reappeared behind me, a fact that I was only made aware of when Discord lightly guided me around to face her.
“See?” she stated rhetorically teleporting again in front of me. “That’s how it should look like.”
“Ah,” I said, grasping her horn again. Twilight shrieked and back pedalled away. She held both her hooves on her horn. “Stop that!” she demanded, giving me a glare. I glanced at her briefly, before returning my attention to the spell composition.
“Huh.” I turned the matrix this way and that. “It’s much more advanced now. Oh, tying the focal subunits together, interesting.” I gave an experimental snap.
The matrix blossomed and the field whined. Before I could even react, the spell collapsed on itself blowing me back and I fell to ground by the shockwave.
“Woah!” I shouted. “What the heck was that?!”
Twilight gave me a look that said, ‘isn’t it obvious?’
Celestia gave me a helping hoof up as she explained. Twilight looked a little annoyed at that, but I ignored her and thanked Celestia.
“You powered the spell without giving it coordinates, it dissipated the energy into sound, noise and compression of the air in front of you, to prevent thaumic feedback,” she elucidated, while I stared at the design in amazement.
“That’s ingenious!” I exclaimed. “Who thought of this?!”
Discord gave me a look. “You did?” His expression cleared. “Wait a second, did you…?”
Luna had an ‘oooooh’ expression I found hilarious. Twilight’s eyes widened, then narrowed.
It finally dawned on me. “A time loop.” I snapped my fingers. “My Dad told me about these, but I didn’t think I’d ever get to experience one. Oh well, mess with the Time spells long enough and you get these sorts of things happening all the time.” I frowned. “I really should have listened to Tempora about them.”
Celestia glanced at Luna, Luna returned the look. Discord looked away.
“Am I missing something?” I asked the two alicorns and the draconequus.
Discord shook his head. “It’s nothing,” he said quickly. “Just a thought about time.”
Celestia nodded vigorously. “Just strange,” she added unhelpfully.
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t care if this creates paradoxes, one day you’re going to tell me. For now, we’re going to see Cadance.”
“Princess Cadance,” Twilight corrected me. I looked at her blankly.
“What?”
“Princess Cadance,” she repeated. “By your own admission, she doesn’t know anything about you. So you should address her with the proper respect.”
“Now, now,” Celestia began, but I interrupted her, clearing my throat.
“Okay,” I said, feeling a bit empty. “Fair enough.”
At that Twilight looked a little mollified that I hadn’t chosen to argue with her. She shut her mouth and nodded.
Discord nudged me from the side. “You’re scared aren’t you.” It wasn’t a question, but I nodded anyway. “Don’t worry,” he reassured me. “It’ll all work out somehow.”
I gave a sigh. “I hope so,” I replied. “I really hope so.”
Remember, time travel is possible. I wonder how Einstein would have received that little bombshell. Einstein, eh? I wonder how many ponies would know of him. Probably only Tempora. Through all my adventures, through the griffon kingdoms, the dragons, the archipelago, and all that jazz, I was starting to lose bits and pieces from my old world. Sure every now and then, a little piece might pop up. A song, a phrase, a pop culture reference, but I knew that ever so slightly I had gotten used to the language and the culture of Equestria.
So much so, that one day I caught myself saying ponyisms quite naturally, without consciously debating whether or not I should stick to my own mannerisms. Sure, there were times when Harmony the human could say somebody, someone, everybody and nobody would bat an eyelid, and sure Harmonica could do the same… but I found myself slipping more and more into the tics of Harmonica and less so of Harmony. When I realised this, it felt mildly disturbing, like watching a part of me slip silently away in the night.
I wondered of these things in my spare time, in the hours of twilight when it was not yet morning or not yet night. I reflected that it was a time of brooding.
–––––
I must have looked strange among the company I kept. Celestia sat with me on the right, Luna on the left, Discord opposite of me, with Twilight somewhat enviously staring at me, though I didn't know why.
I stroked Celestia and Luna on the head and they seemed to enjoy it, though at the beginning they initially resisted.
"Harmony," Celestia mewled adorably. "We're not foals anymore."
I gave a light-hearted chuckle, intensifying my ministrations. Luna and Celestia moaned and the remaining company started looking all degrees of embarrassed and uncomfortable. I offered it to Discord but he shook his head and waved his arms in a frantic refusal, but I noticed that it was after a disparately long hesitation. Twilight looked supremely uncomfortable when I even suggested the idea. She shook her head, her eyes going wide.
“No,” she said, glancing back at Celestia and Luna. “No… thank you…”
I shrugged and went on to belly rubs and the like. The sisters were putty before my fingers. Luckily, the carriage was first class, reserved specifically for royalty. I raised my eyebrows at that, but Celestia had insisted that the carriage was a gesture on behalf of the railroad services, after a generous donation and expansion funded by the Royal Treasury and partly from Celestia’s personal fund.
As the train car ride started, the questions flooded through too.
“So,” Twilight began, in the silence that ensued, save for the moans of pleasure from Celestia and Luna. She tried to keep eye-contact with me, but every so often her pupils slid sideways to stare at my fingers. She kept her focus admirably, though. “How did you meet Princess Celestia and Luna?”
I shrugged. “Didn’t they ever tell you? I would think that the history books would have mentioned something about it.”
Twilight glanced around. Everypony had frozen in their seats. Suspiciously, I glanced at each of them.
Twilight cleared her throat. “I thought you could shed some light on the issue, you see most of the record from the past was destroyed during Di–“
“Well would you look at that!” Discord interrupted, gesticulating out the window. “You can see the rainbow falls of Cloudsdale from here!” Twilight rolled her eyes but peeked out the window anyway. She loved to watch the rainbow falls from Cloudsdale every time she rode the train to the Crystal Empire.
Luna shifted in her seat to give me access to the window. I sighed and made my way to the window. To be fair, it was an amazing sight. Think rainbows that you see normally, except more intense in colour than you would ever imagine and then those colours plastered all over the skies. It was pretty breathtaking to be honest.
“All right,” I said. “This was worth seeing.”
After a while, we lapsed into a somewhat awkward silence. I came up with an idea.
“Anypony want to play old maid?”
––––
We ended up playing some serious poker, instead. I had to give it to Discord, his conjuration magic was top notch. I sniffed the chips. They had a hint of something extra, something multi-focal magic didn’t have. I heard a throat clear loudly.
“Your turn Harmony,” Discord prompted me. He held his cards loosely in his hands.
Sweat beaded on my brow as I considered the odds. They weren’t good considering I have a queen and a three. The flop gave me a low pair. Chance of getting a royal was roughly two-thirds, even less for a queen.
I tested the waters.
“Five bits,” I challenged, throwing the chip onto the table with a plink. A somewhat calm smile spread across Discord’s lips as he called my chips almost nonchalantly. Was he playing me? I didn’t know. Dang it.
“Fold,” I muttered in disgust. Discord cheered and flipped his hand, taunting me with a whole load of nothing. I growled muted oaths under my breath.
“You win this round,” I conceded. I flicked a gaze to Twilight who looked a little smug, considering.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said, waving at the unicorn. “Just because you didn’t want to play doesn’t mean you can judge me.” Twilight still kept that grin on her face. I ignored her at that point.
“One more round!” Celestia and Luna exchanged glances as I battled Discord again.
–––––
I lost, by the way. Though I blame the luck of the draw. Also, I’m fairly sure that Discord cheated. Somehow. I shook my head doggedly. As the game wrapped up, I went back to stroking Celestia and Luna, if only to see Twilight’s uncomfortable expression replacing that smug one she had earlier.
After a couple of minutes, Discord loudly announced we were in the Crystal Empire. He yawned, stretched and complained that he should have teleported all of us there, it would have been quicker. Celestia explained that the last time he did that, things… they looked at me as they hastily amended the statement, happened. I wasn’t really happy about being kept out of the loop, but I kind of accepted now, it annoyed me, but I understood that knowing about the future and changing the past was a dangerous proposition.
Anyway, we made our way towards the Crystal Palace, which was as impressive as it sounded. Also, no kidding that the Crystal Empire lived up to its name. There were crystals everywhere. Crystal walls, crystal doors, crystal ponies… I kid you not, crystal ponies. I don’t even see how that worked. Apparently, or so I was told via a helpful exposition from Twilight, the Crystal Heart was some ancient artefact that somehow allowed for that to manifest itself like that. I don’t get it, but that’s how it is.
As we approached the palace, my mouth hanging open most of the way, the surrounding ponies gave us a curious look. I guess seeing the Royal Sisters, Discord, Twilight and an unknown creature walking around might have sparked their interest. It was refreshing to see the looks of befuddlement and curiosity. It reminded me of the first time I arrived in Equestria. Gosh, now that I thought about it, that was a long time ago. I skipped a step thinking about it.
“Something wrong, Harmony?” Luna asked me, her face scrunched with concern. I shook my head. “No,” I replied hesitantly. “Just… something on my mind.”
Luna nodded sagely and broke off, trotting ahead.
“I’m going ahead,” she called back to us. “I have to address a rising need…”
I turned to Celestia. “You know, she used to be so cute when she asked me for permission to go to the toilet. I guess it’s a foal-thing.” Celestia rolled her eyes at me. I chuckled. “Yeah,” I continued. “It’s certainly less endearing now than it was when she was a foal.”
As we approached the Crystal Palace, Discord snapped away, leaving a disembodied voice behind. “I think I will sit this one out.” I looked around in surprise. That was a new trick. “See you later, Harmony.” Twilight mumbled something under her breath but I just shrugged and continued to follow Celestia’s lead.
“Now Harmony, I know you’ve been waiting for this moment and from the tale you’ve told us, I understand why you’d want to see her.” She gave me a sympathetic look. “Bear in mind though, Princess Cadence does not know who you are, so please don’t get too disappointed.” I nodded mutely. What could I say to that? Celestia was right, even if Cadance knew who I was she had every right to refuse seeing me. Our fates that briefly twined together was only temporary. It was only fate that brought us back together in the distant future that allowed another chance meeting to occur. I should be grateful.
–––––
We waited in line to see the Royal couple. Twilight insisted on this, although I felt she would defer to Celestia if she chose to cut the line and move to the front. I stayed patient, even though I was rearing to go. A little wait was better than never seeing Cadance again. I told myself that waiting a little longer was worth it. So I passed the time with some whistling.
*Pffftt* *pfffffffffffft*
Did I ever tell you I couldn’t whistle?
*Pfftttttttt*
“Will you stop that?!”
‘Cause I can’t.
–––––
After achieving the goal of annoying Twilight again, I stayed silent and waited in the line like any normal human would. As any normal human would know, that involved conversation.
“So,” I began, to which I was met with a fierce glare from Twilight. Seems like she wanted me to stay silent. Nope! “What’s your job?”
Twilight still looked a little annoyed but she answered the question anyway. “As I’ve stated before, I’m the Princess’ student and I’m also Ponyville’s local librarian.”
I nodded. “A librarian and a student. Looks like you have a love for books.”
Twilight finally smiled. Probably the most genuine smile I’ve seen for the last few hours. “Yes,” she chirped, her eyes positively sparkling with bibliophilic fervour. “Books are the best!”
“Hang on,” I said, scrounging around in my pockets. “I think I have something on that topic.” I was sure I brought it along. I sighed. Maybe not. I was hoping a smartphone was on me but I think I left it behind. Oh well, the sensitive electronics could have been damaged by the thaumic interaction anyway. Plus, Dad’s invention had some serious lightning effects as well. “Never mind,” I eventually muttered and shrugged. “I left it back home.”
Celestia looked puzzled for a moment, then her eyes cleared. “Oh! Are you talking about your computer?” I looked at her in surprise, it wasn’t exactly what I was talking about but I was surprised she knew about it.
“Hang on,” I said. “I thought I only showed Discord my computer. It wasn’t even working at the time.”
Celestia smiled at the memory. “Mother showed us some of the technology from your world.” She grinned. “It was very impressive.”
Before I could say anything in response to that the line lurched forward and I realised we were at the head of the queue. The guards nodded to Twilight and I and bowed deeply to Celestia. The doors slowly swung open, lit with a gentle luminous glow that was mirrored by their horns. The guards to either side of the door saluted us and I walked in to the royal court, trailing Celestia for the introductions.
We made our way to the dais, stopping a good way from it as we waited for the chamberlain to announce us.
“Announcing Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle and Harmony,” the grey coloured stallion called out, reading from a levitating scroll. He bowed to the Princess and Prince sitting on the throne and stalked out.
I looked at the couple curiously. When I heard Cadence was married I was expecting the Prince to be an alicorn, but I guess I was mistaken because the white-coated stallion was just a unicorn. If I had my family trees right, that stallion was Twilight’s brother. If her brother was anything like Twilight I knew we would probably have a problem.
Cadence and her husband approached us, all smiles. She spoke first, addressing me.
“Ah,” she greeted warmly. “You must be Harmony. I’ve received forewarning of your request to see me and I’m curious to find out why.” Her husband cleared his throat. “Oh but where are my manners?! I am Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, you can just call me Cadance.” She gestured to her husband. “This is Prince Shining Armor, my husband. He used to be Captain of the Royal Guard.” At the introduction Shining nodded at me, giving me a polite smile. I sensed it was a little less genuine than Cadance’s… or was that my imagination?
Celestia cleared her throat. “Princess Cadance.”
“Auntie.”
“It has been a long journey, and there are still petitioners outside, might we retire in one of the guest rooms and convene later?”
Cadance looked surprised and then grinned ruefully. “Yes, yes. Of course. Notify the steward and he will direct you to appropriate accommodations.” She turned to Twilight, grinning spectacularly.
The next thing that happened left me flabbergasted and with a healthy dose of awkwardness.
“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake. Clap your hooves and do a little shake!”
I gaped at Celestia. “What’s this?” I made a helpless gesture. “What is this?!”
Celestia giggled at my mortified expression. “Princess Cadance used to be Twilight’s foal-sitter. This is a small song they made up together to get closer to each other.”
I stared at Twilight. Without turning, “How does Twilight know so many ponies in power? Just who exactly is this mare?”
Celestia gave me a teasing grin. “I’m sure if you ask Mother back in your time, you’d know the answer.”
“Uhuh. So she’s got a pretty heavy destiny, this one?”
Celestia nodded, her expression unexpectedly tinged with a hint of sadness. “Yes,” she whispered, so that only I could hear. “More than she knows.”
Well I didn't get a chance to chat with Cadance in that short meeting. We retreated to separate rooms. I actually wanted to bunk with Celestia, Luna and Discord just like old times, but Twilight was pretty adamant that we should all sleep in separate rooms. Oh well, with Luna gone and Discord also missing I doubt I could get us all together. It would just be me and Celestia. Hmph.
In my room, I sat in the centre, thinking about what had transpired. There were a lot of unanswered questions, that was to be expected I was time travelling after all, but the sisters and Discord were fairly secretive about the whole thing. I frowned. Knowledge of future events from a past traveller wouldn't affect the future right? Paradoxes wouldn't be made. Discord himself was a case in point.
I frowned at that. If I accepted that paradoxes could not be made in that regard, it gave the whole thing a fatalistic spin. I didn't like that. I snapped my fingers a couple of times, practicing some quick spell techniques. After the encounter with those griffons I made sure that my magic side would never be neglected to that extent. I should have paid attention in class. I chuckled inwardly, who would have thought after spending so much time on my world and travelling the parallel universes that I'd ever be seriously studyig magic? If I told myself in the past, it would be so farfetched I would have laughed myself out of my own house.
I frowned at that analogy. That was confusing. Even for me.
I started when Discord snapped into existence in my room. He was facing the other way when he materialised so he looked around in confusion until I cleared my throat.
"Ahem," I coughed, drawing his attention. "Hey Discord, what's up?"
Discord hunched his shoulders. He looked guilty.
"I know you told me that I must of had a reason to fulfil the prophecy… but I wanted you to know exactly what it was." He snapped his claw and a book materialised in the air next to him. The book looked leather bound (but I knew that was impossible) and engrained in the surface in gold were two words…
"Chaos theory," I read out loud. Discord nodded at that.
"It contains a little of our known history and some that has been… erased."
I studied the book with a healthy dose of trepidation. I looked up slowly from the book, finally tearing my eyes away from the cover.
I swallowed audibly. “Has anyone else read this?”
Discord shook his head slowly.
I looked back at the book. Truth be told, I didn’t want to read it. Discord had many secrets in here that he wasn’t happy with. Would I change my mind if I read what he did? I smirked. Of course not, I would never doubt Discord. I traced a finger down the side of the book and after a monumental effort I slid the tome back.
Discord looked at me in surprise. He raised an eyebrow.
“You’re… not going to read it?”
I sighed and wiped a hand across my face. “No… at least not yet.”
He pushed the book back into my arms.
“Then keep it,” he replied gently. “Maybe you’ll get to read it when the time is right.”
I stared at the book and set it gently down on the bed.
“Okay,” I said, then I gestured around to the rest of the room. “Where are you going to sleep?”
Discord gave me a mischievous grin.
“Oh,” he said casually. “I have my ways.” With a snap, he was gone, leaving me alone with the book.
I was sorely tempted to read that book, let me tell you. For ages I think I just stared at the covers, as if the writing would somehow speak to me through the hard layers of the front matter. It stayed inanimate and I lay down on the bed, wryly noting that the size was just a little too small… for a moment I had a flash back to Tempora’s warning.
You can’t see the future, you can’t see what he’ll become.
Back then I told her the future be damned. I meant it back then, I was so convinced… but so much had changed in the meantime and so many thing I had thought were impossible became possible. Was I the same person that appeared in Equestria so long ago? Was I still me?
I brought the book in front of me as I lay down on the bed. Eventually, my eyes felt heavy and I drifted off to a fractured sleep.
–––––
Morning over the Crystal Empire was spectacular. The old castle and the outlying city that spread beneath it was certainly better designed than the village sprawl that Tempora’s castle occupied. I gazed in some awe at the shining crystals, clouds and the patchwork of land below from the vantage point I held at the balcony of the room I was situated in.
“Harmony,” a warm voice greeted me and I turned around to meet the familiar snow-white alicorn. “I hope you liked the sunrise.”
“Celestia, it’s beautiful,” I replied, grinning. “Little Celly,” I added to her faint embarrassment.
“Oh Harmony, I hope you don’t call me that in front of anypony else,” she pleaded. I raised an eyebrow.
“What’s wrong with a nickname?”
Celly pawed the ground. “Oh you know… it’s been over a thousand years and I’m technically older than you…”
I laughed at that. “Celly, if you were ten times your current age I’d still treat you like my little sister.”
Celestia sighed but she looked a little happy.
“That’s… refreshing,” she replied with a small smile. I gave her a pat on her head.
“Come on,” Celestia beckoned me as she broke away from my ministrations. If I kept going we would probably be here until the sun set again.
As I headed out the door I had the distinct feeling that someone was watching me. As I glanced around suspiciously the feeling disappeared. Still, I think I felt something around here… Shaking my head, I followed Celestia to the dining hall where we’d have our breakfast. It was probably nothing.
I doubled back for the journal, forgetting that I left it under the pillow. I put it in the small satchel I carried and it nestled among the various crystals and preserved spell matrices I had been working on for a while.
As I stepped out of the room, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching me from the shadows. Though I looked back quite a few times, I couldn’t catch any movement or suspicious activity. If Tempora was around she’d use a detection spell, if Star Swirl was around he’d cast a number of scanning and probing spells, I was never really good with those analytical types of spells so the best I could do was pulse the area. Problem with that was that it would probably alert Celestia to some trouble. I didn’t want her to worry over something that could be nothing, but I still kept a sharp eye out.
Even though Celestia was several thousands of years out of practice, she still read me like a book.
“Is something wrong?” she asked me mildly. I couldn’t pin down her tone but it sounded more commanding, assertive.
I smiled. “It’s probably nothing.”
“I know when you are lying, Harmony.”
“And I know you know that I could be lying, but in this case I am telling you the truth,” I replied. Satisfied that I got the last word, I jogged forward, glancing back to see a cute pout adorn her face.
“Aww don’t be like that, Celly!” I cried back at her. “Just roll with it.”
–––––
I yawned a little as we entered the dining hall. The hall was as spacious and audacious as the rest of the palace and I was impressed to see servants running around, carrying trays of food and delectables. Luna was already seated and as she spotted me, she waved me over to sit next to her.
As I approached her I gave in to the urge to let loose a snarky comment.
“That was one long toilet break,” I said off-handedly.
The room went silent as Luna blushed an interesting shade of crimson. I patted her on the head.
“Aww okay, I’m done teasing, sorry,” I added, as Luna gave me one of her death glares. As I scratched her behind the ears, she reluctantly gave in with a pout that looked almost identical to Celestia’s just a few moments ago.
The doors further down the hall opened to admit a rather frazzled Twilight.
We all gazed at her with emotions ranging from what I think was exasperated amusement on Celestia’s face, a roll of the eyes from Luna’s and confusion from mine.
Twilight slumped down in her seat, quite obviously exhausted.
I decided to broach the subject, since everypony else seemed to know what was going on apart from me.
“So,” I spoke in the silence, “what has run you so ragged, Twilight?”
Twilight nearly dunked her head in the soup.
“Raggh blah,” she said unintelligibly.
“Ah, right,” I replied snidely. “Explains everything.”
Celestia interrupted before I could add anything else. I swear I wasn’t going to say anything both of us would regret. I’m over the fighting, really!
“Twilight is just tired, she’s been studying all night. She probably began the moment we left each other’s company.”
“Studying? Throughout the night? Why would anypony do that when there’s a comfortable bed and so much to see in the morning?”
Celestia giggled. “Someponies have a different definition of fun. Twilight’s is studying magic. Mine is keeping the peace and raising the sun. Luna’s is defending the weak and raising the moon. We all have our little roles to play.”
I blinked at Celestia. “Wow,” I said in wonder. “You’ve really grown up since the last time I’ve seen you. Back then, you still asked me to sleep with you sometimes before the nightlight went out.”
“Really?!” Twilight had bolted upright, staring at Celestia. Twilight's eyes widened as we all turned to her and she quickly placed a hoof over her mouth and sank back into her seat in embarrassment.
“I-I mean,” she stuttered, eyeing Celestia nervously. I saw Celestia wave the concern away giving me a raised eyebrow in response. Aww, where’s pouty Celestia? I want that back!
“Never mind Harmony, Twilight, he’s just recanting old stories to get a rise out of us.”
“Dang,” I said, pouting. “And it was working oh so well.”
Twilight looked between the two trying to decide whether or not to say something. Her indecision combined with the glare that Luna and Celestia were giving me spoke volumes about how the impenetrable wall of animosity between siblings was hard to overcome.
In the silence that followed, Twilight cleared her throat, the sound was like gunfire in the electrically charged room. With the exception of Luna, we all flinched, even Discord who flashed into existence.
“Is it just me or is that the most awkward bodily noise I've heard in quite a while?” he announced as he clicked his claws, summoning a caricature of Twilight's expression. I laughed at the picture. It didn't look anything like Twilight. Twilight fumed as Discord took a seat down the table.
Breakfast came as we chattered. When the food came in I realised I was getting pretty hungry. My fingers tapped lightly on the table as food was served. The smells were not as tempting as I thought. Instead of attending to my own food I glanced at Luna’s plate. I was disappointed.
“Luna,” I chided, glancing at the unappetising—or what looked unappetising to me—morsels on her plate. It looked like someone boiled some hay and then sprinkled some pepper on top. “That doesn’t look very tasty.”
She looked at me with helpless eyes. “I can’t help it,” she grumbled. “I eat what the royal kitchen serves. I can’t have what I like everyday. Celestia doesn’t like that.”
“Luna’s a grown mare,” I continued, turning to Celestia. “She can take care of herself.”
Luna sent a look that was in between indignant and pleading.
Celestia glanced at me, then returned to eating her own food delicately.
“Don’t tempt Luna. She always complains about her weight after I let her have anything. Then she blames it on me!”
“Huh,” I replied, looking at my own food. It was a selection of fruits and vegetables. It wasn’t very appetising either. There were no nuts. Where were the legumes? I needed protein if I wasn’t going to eat any meat. I returned my attention to Luna, to take my mind off the unpalatable nutriment on my platter.
“So that would mean peanut butter is out of the question?”
“Wha—no I’ve grown out of that!” Luna squawked, her hooves slamming on the table. When everypony stared at her, she blushed furiously slipping back into her seat.
“Oh well, I guess you won’t have any, since Discord threw that bubblegum at you.”
“That—”
“No fighting,” Discord interrupted mildly.
Luna clamped up.
“Harmony made an exception if you do recall,” Celestia stated, equally mildly.
Luna was on her hooves in an instant.
“You’re mine!” she yelled as the draconequus snapped his fingers desperately. With a flash of her horn Luna was gone too.
Twilight munched on her cereal looking at the scene with dead-tired eyes.
“That,” she mumbled, “was probably the most interesting family meals I’ve seen in a while.” She paused. “Barring my own.”
After an interesting breakfast, I brought up the topic that had been plaguing my mind since I arrived.
“Are we going to see Princess Cadance now?” I asked. Underneath the table my fingers were fidgeting, but I tried to keep an overall calm expression on my face.
I must not be doing a very convincing job because Celestia reached over and gave me a pat on the shoulders.
“It'll be alright,” she said calmly. I heard the scratch of wood on the table as Twilight rubbed a hoof along it. She had her head planted firmly on the surface.
“I don't know much of this relationship you claim to have with her," she called across the table, her voice partially muffled by her muzzle pressed against its surface. “She would not remember you at all.”
She’s right, I thought, my mind racing. I’ve been hoping that seeing her would trigger some sort of memory recall, but that was just too good to be true.
I swallowed thickly and nodded. I guess that only works in fairy tales and fantasies.
“Hey, if it’ll make you feel any better I found this place where lava flows under crystal,” Discord offered waving with a claw to simulate a lava flow I guess. I grinned at him. He really knew how to make me feel better.
“Just put your ‘best foot forward’, as you’ve said before.” Luna gave me an encouraging smile.
I felt myself melt under their gazes.
Ah, what am I doing acting all depressed, this isn’t me.
I got out of my headspace.
“Righto,” I muttered with more cheer than I felt. “Let’s get down to business. Twilight lend me a hand.”
“A what?”
“A hoof.”
“Oh. Okay, but why?”
“I need to talk to Cadance- I mean Princess Cadance and you’re the only one I can really ask.”
Twilight hesitated and looked over to Celestia who looked mildly offended.
“Apart from my biased sister.”
“I’m not–“
“No really, I’m serious.”
Celestia huffed. “Well if you are seeing fit to tease me then you must be fine.”
“Dandy,” I replied as Celestia rolled her eyes.
“Fine, well Equestria cannot stand more than a few days in my absence so we will be departing.” With that Celestia teleported away with a flash.
Luna glanced at the empty spot where her sister had sat just moment ago. She looked back at me, then at the empty spot. “Oh yes! The same with I,” she added quickly and also disappeared. Discord looked a bit confused but just shrugged and teleported away as well. Huh, weird.
“Okay, well it’s just the two of us,” I laughed. Twilight didn’t look nearly as pleased.
“Oh joy,” she muttered and cantered out of the room.
I followed her, grinning.
–––––
Luna met Celestia in their shared room.
“Sister, why did you depart so quickly.”
“We need to talk.”
“I believe we are doing so now.”
Celestia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Luna, I’m worried about Harmony.”
Luna paused as if casting her mind back to relive the past hour. “He seemed to take it fine. What are you worrying about?” she queried.
Celestia didn’t reply immediately. She paced around the room in a way that Luna knew well. “Sister…” Luna urged.
Celestia sighed and stopped pacing. “It’s just that he seemed a bit off to me. Like he was hiding something from us. Something we don’t know.” She gestured helplessly. “Am I just seeing things?”
Luna pursed her lips but didn’t look like she would discount Celestia’s fears altogether. “He does keep a few secrets about him, sister, that’s hardly a surprise.” She paused. “Do you think that he might be hiding something of import?”
Celestia struggled to answer. “Yes, no, I don’t know! I’m not as omniscient as everypony thinks I am.”
Luna’s gaze softened. “That I know sister, that I know.” She glanced out towards the one opening in the room. The sun had truly left the horizon and was no longer visible from the bay window. “Hold on, I’ll give us some privacy, I don’t think they truly bought my excuse.”
Celestia chuckled. “You always were a poor liar.”
Luna chuckled. “But I am given to better theatrics, do you not think?” She struck a pose. “Bring me my food, peasant.”
Celestia couldn’t help but break out into laughter. “Ah you always know how to cheer me up.”
Luna grinned toothily. “I am the Guardian and my duty is to protect my little ponies from everything, including sadness.” She held up a hoof before Celestia could interject. “Yes, sister, I know you are not a little pony. I just want to say that you are also made of flesh and blood too. And I also see in your eyes a wise remark about our longevity. Nay thy emotions are common I say.”
“Luna, you’re slipping.”
“It was intentional.”
“If you are sure…”
“And now you are just tugging at my reins.”
“My, how indecent.”
“I will go as far as you would, sister.”
Celestia chuckled once more then settled down.
“Still, it weighs on my mind that Harmony would hide something from us. I am wracking my mind. How can he hide anything from us, after all he is the visitor from the past and we are from the future. Don’t you think we should have the advantage?”
“Indeed, that is perplexing. Do you think Discord may be a party to this?”
“Why do you think Discord?”
Luna gave Celestia a disbelieving stare.
“Harmony and Discord are as ‘thick as thieves’ as they would say. I would not put it past the old wily prankster to be plotting something behind our backs.”
Celestia frowned. “Though he seems remarkably well behaved ever since Harmony came back.”
“Indeed, but all the more to suspect when he is playing innocent, am I wrong?”
“No… of course. You’re right, Luna. They’re up to something. Both of them.”
“Then we shall make ourselves some countermeasures.” Luna had on a look of such determination that Celestia took an involuntary step back.
“My Luna you are really getting fired up for this.”
Luna regarded her sister for a moment and then chuckled in a way that could only be described as sinister.
“As they say, sister, I shall kill two birds with but one stone…”
–––––
I shivered though I didn’t know why.
“Cold?” Twilight queried.
“Mm, no, I just felt a chill down my spine, as if someone just walked over my grave.”
“That’s a morbid expression.”
“Yeah. Anyway, where are we going?”
Twilight looked at me as I was asking her why the sky was blue. The answer I imagine her stating as being the result of Rayleigh scattering across the diffuse composition of gases. That or magic, I still haven’t performed comprehensive enough tests on the world to tell.
“We’re going to the library of course.”
“Good because I was going to ask you why the sky was blue.”
“So why are we going to the library?” I asked. Now that I wasn’t engaged in intense conversation, I got a good look at the interior of the palace. It carried the crystal motif well. The walls, ceilings and even doors looked glazed with some clear crystal. In some places, the crystal colour was so deep that a sapphire-blue shone from its depths. I nodded in appreciation. No way any of Earth’s architecture had this sort of flair, though I do miss normal houses and apartment buildings. I wonder if this future Equestria had anything like that?
“Because Princess Cadance mentioned to me that she needed to look up some of the Crystal Empire’s ancient cultures and traditions in preparation for the festival that will be held soon,” Twilight replied, glancing at me. “Hey, don’t touch that!”
I hastily whipped my hand away from the vase and gave her a sheepish expression.
Twilight rolled her eyes at my evident lack of propriety and jerked her head, continuing down.
“The library is not connected to the palace, we’ll have to go outside to get there. Don’t do anything crazy, the populace has had a traumatic experience in the past with crazy creatures trying strange magic around here. Just… keep a low profile and listen to what I say, got it?”
I shrugged deprecatingly.
“I always listen to you,” I said.
————
Outside was cold and I shivered a little when I stepped outside. I was convinced that Twilight somehow enjoyed that she had all that hair in her coat to keep her warm, and I barely resisted snatching her up and hugging her to myself. Instead, I hugged my arms to myself and clenched my teeth, marching forward briskly so I didn’t freeze over.
Twilight lead the way around fantastical crystal houses and shops. On the way here, I didn’t appreciate the architecture enough. There were all different crystal shapes, sizes and colours, and they were all arranged around paths that lead to the main palace in the middle of the city, like spokes radiating away from the axle.
We rounded the corner and came to thick double doors. The doors were crafted with crystal, like the rest of the city, but were also embossed with intricate designs. Guarding the door were two massive crystal griffons, staring stoically ahead. Their severe expression left no doubt that trespassers would not be favourably treated. This was a serious place of learning, they seemed to say.
I eyed the monuments, almost expecting one of them to spring to life. Luckily for me, they didn’t, and I followed Twilight as she pried open the door with a telekinetic push. She waved at me to get inside and I hurried on in, hearing the doors slam ominously shut behind me.
Inside, the library was constructed of mainly blue-hued crystals. The turquoise glow infused the library with a heady aura of tranquil colours. The palette gave everything a sort of dramatic, but serene tone. It was hard to describe the clashing feeling I was getting from the space. It just seemed to exude a sort of royal austerity that set it apart from the palace. I could see the majestic architecture of the palace, but the library had a serious… scholarly authority to it.
Twilight caught my expression and something indeterminable flashed across her face. It quickly went away, only to be replaced with familiar annoyance.
“You can soak it all in later,” she commented wryly. “I don’t think the Princess will be in her section for much longer, she has other duties.”
I hurried along to catch up to Twilight who had broken into a canter. I haven’t told you this, but ponies have much greater speed than we do and much greater endurance in general. I can probably catch up to them walking with my long strides, easy, but Celestia and most often Luna would complain when I lagged behind on walks. Only Discord really got me, though sometimes he’d laugh and go on all fours just for kicks. Well, the advantage of quadrupeds usually lay in their travelling, so I couldn’t really compete with that. Not that I was in the best of shape all the time. I was active, but not fit. Hopefully Twilight was the same or I’d never catch up to her.
The corridors turned in mazes of bookshelves and soon I gave up on trying to remember the twists and turns that had gotten us to our current location. If I lost Twilight, I’d probably wander this place forever. Usually, libraries would have easily navigable bookshelves, with each in ordered rows and columns of the same size so that walking between them would be easy. Unfortunately, some crazy planner must have thought that was too efficient and decided that the bookshelves should all be of differing lengths.
It was too confusing to keep track of, but if you’re asking me how I know of this, it’s because Twilight laid all this interesting trivia while we were walking. I had more fun reading some of the random titles we’d come across. Most were boring, like ‘A Complete Compendium of Crystal Catalogues’, others were significantly more interesting. ‘Crystal Crafting, Cracking the Crystal Codex to Create Crystal Cellos’. I probably forgot to mention that we were in the C section of the library. Crystals were everywhere in this place!
Finally, after what seemed like hours of searching, we eventually rounded a corner and abruptly came to a clearing in the crystal library. Laying down on a pile of cushions was Cadance, reading a thick tome that easily matches the Compendium of Crystal Catalogues. And that volume was thicker than my arm. Cadance was humming an unknown tune, which Twilight got really excited about.
“I didn’t know you knew Star Swirl’s repast!” Twilight babbled happily, gliding closer to Cadance.
Princess Cadance twitched as if she suddenly noticed we were there.
“Oh, phewey, I was so absorbed in this, that I didn’t noticed you standing there. Hello, Twilight, hello…” She held up a hoof to stop me from saying anything. “Hang on, I got, I know I have… Harmony, right?”
I nodded. “Yep, not many with that name, right?”
Cadance grinned. “Ah well,” she said. “Not in this part of the world, at least. That role has been taken up by a force of nature.”
Twilight blushed as Cadance wiggled her eyebrows in her direction.
“So,” Cadance continued, “what brings the two of you here?”
Twilight gestured in my direction with the toss of her head.
“Harmony wanted to meet you again,” she explained.
I jerked forward, patting my tunic. A familiar lump brushed against my palm.
“Ah,” I said, drawing out the thick crystal with a hand. “Here it is.”
Twilight cocked her head, studying the crystal suspiciously.
“What is that?” she asked.
I carefully placed the crystal in front of Cadance.
“I worked on it last night. I figured you could use it.”
Cadance stared at the crystal, speechless.
Twilight looked back and forth between us, not comprehending.
“…What is it?” she repeated impatiently.
“It’s a Clear as Crystal,” Cadance whispered, leaning forward with eyes the size of dinner plates.
“I’ve never heard of it, though the term sounds familiar,” Twilight said with a frown. “What does it do?”
Cadance reached out with a nervous hoof and touched the crystal, as if afraid the illusion would be broken if she held it.
“Legend has it, the Clear as Crystal contained the complete knowledge of the Crystal Empire.”
“So this crystal…?”
“No,” I said. “It’s just a replica.”
Cadance blinked at me. “But that’s impossible, even if it’s a replica, it couldn’t possibly have this kind of aura.”
“Well it’s a copy of the original,” I explained. “It’s not a physical replica, it’s more like a copy, but without anything written into it. I found it kind of strange that my crystal magic seemed a bit further along the line than this Empire’s.”
I caught something flickering in Cadance’s eyes, before she dismissed the concern with a flick of her tail. “The Empire’s been in slumber for so long,” she said. “Crystal technology had been used, abused and suppressed for a very long time.” She gazed intensely at the crystal before her frown burst into a grin. “But with this, we can save a lot of the culture!”
The alicorn bounded forward, surprising me with a hug.
“Thank you!” she cried.
I patted her back awkwardly. “That’s okay, I’m glad you can use it.” I put a hand on my head. “Well, I see you have a lot more to go through.” I pointed at the thick tome. “So I’ll leave you to it.”
Cadance grinned at me once more. She gently cradled the crystal and touched it with the tip of her horn. It glowed softly as she read the tome. The crystal was starting to be filled with knowledge lost over a thousand years.
I quietly shuffled away, Twilight at my side.
“I don’t get it,” she said. “If you can create these, why didn’t you teach Cadance how to make more?”
I rubbed a shoulder self-consciously. “Two reasons. First, the crystal required to make one is mentioned pretty much in the spell itself. The crystal has to be ‘clear’, the purity of the crystal is so high it’s said that only one in one billion crystals mined would match the purity for that spell. Obtaining the crystal alone would probably cost millions of pieces of gold.”
There was a pause as Twilight glanced at me sidelong. “And the second reason?”
“I didn’t make the spell, Clover did. I never learned it.”
“So you mean you gave something of almost incalculable value to somepony in the future, without them even remembering who you were, even though you met in some temporal accident, to which you only met again in another temporal accident?! How did you know she even needed it?”
“Well when you put it that way, it sounds kind of dumb,” I said.
“Then… why?”
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “It just felt…” I waved my arms around while I tried to search for the words to describe what I was feeling. I shrugged. “It just felt right.”
Twilight smiled in a way that I found very irritating.
“You might be insufferable, rude, obnoxious and arrogant,” she declared, as I glared at her. “But deep down you’re a good pony.”
“Person,” I growled, then rolled my eyes at her confused expression. “Pers— you know what? Never mind.”
Sometimes I like to take long walks. Walks to clear my head about some things. This time I was wandering the city, my eyes not really taking anything in as roiling thoughts swirled in my mind. Despite being family, Celestia and Luna did have duties of their own to attend to, so they couldn’t be with me all that long. They looked deeply apologetic but took their leave, promising they’d be back soon. I briefly wondered what kind of thing would beg their attention so urgently that they needed to head back to the capital.
I suppose ruling had its benefits, but the responsibility was something that called at them, no matter what the heart would speak. I’d sensed an air of turmoil around my siblings. An air of unease, something that begged the question—what had happened?
With me was an uncomfortable lump that sat in the confines of my clothing. The one advantage of being a unique being with a unique culture was that ponies no longer questioned why I wore clothes all the time. I think a fashion caught on that royalty or high status was attached to wearing clothes on a more permanent basis. Opulence versus practicality was the defining feature of fashion.
I digress.
Though there were ponies looking on curiously at the wayward human, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of loneliness. It was more than just a pining for home, but just a feeling of disconnection from the slow heartbeat of humanity I had been accustomed to in the very beginning of my life. You couldn’t just up and chuck away years of your life. Ponies were helpful in filling the gap, but…
I caught myself sinking into one of my moods. It was hard to tell, because I was always in my own head and feelings. My Dad was always tapping his head and saying that I seemed to use mine more than he did. Ah well, I guess with all that happened, I should have become used to being in strange new places and weird new times.
I ran my fingers down my clothes. Though they’ve been steadily replaced over time, there were still strands of the original fabric that made up my clothes from Earth. I’ve had to make modifications of course, but there was an appreciable amount of Earth clothing that qualified for an ‘alien’ garment.
I chuckled to myself. There was still a wardrobe full of Earth clothes from home, but coincidentally these were the same t-shirt and jeans I had slept in after trekking it back home and waking up to find that my world had been substituted for another.
Small clinks of the crystals embedded within my clothing reminded me why I had ventured out alone again. I glanced back and realised with a shocked gasp that I had walked quite far from the city centre all on my own. I hadn’t been paying attention and now I was well past the city limits.
This was a good a place as any.
I took a deep breath and drew out what I dreaded to set eyes upon again from the moment I received it.
Chaos Theory.
It was a simple title and apart from the gold lettering, didn’t suggest much from the book. The book was thin but it felt like it was bound by leather. I knew ponies didn’t like the feel of leather, but I doubted Discord actually used real leather. He probably made it this way to deter curious hooves and minds.
With trembling fingers that shook not from the cold, I pried open the cover and read the contents.
Dear Harmony,
If you are reading this, there can only be two possible explanations. The first is that you’re not actually reading this and this book is buried with you with the rest of my sins. The second is… well I don’t know. I think it’s impossible that you will ever read this. I wrote this after you had died.
Harmony, there are things you should know, or maybe I need to talk to you about them, or maybe my thoughts are just crowded in my mind and I just have to let them out, out, out!
The rest of the page had a thick ink line struck across the parchment. I swallowed. This might be the only chance I had to turn back and forget I ever read these words. I blinked away a couple of tears shared from Discord’s pain.
No, I thought angrily. His pain is mine. No truth could ever break my trust.
I carefully turned the page and resumed reading.
Things aren’t… things aren’t going well.
Celestia and Luna are torn up over your loss and their mother. The weight of a nation presses down on them and ancient feuds are springing up. Border nations lick their lips as they realise the inner turmoil of their leaders is a weakness…
Already some nobles are vying for a splitting of factions. Unicorns against pegasi against earth ponies, and a sickening exacerbation of a class division as Celestia tries to pull order together. They too sense that their power is waning and the sharks draw close at the spilled blood.
I must do something. I am doing something. I’m not doing enough!
I’m trying as hard as I can to quell the borders. What you’ve told me worked, Harmony, I wish you were there to see it. The Tree… it’s in my blood, it’s a part of me, and I see dreams of maddening visions.
It’s enough to drive anyone insane.
This time the page seemed intentionally blank, as if Discord had written in it, forgotten about it and then found it again. Several pages were torn out. I flipped through the book quickly to see if they had been recovered but it seemed like they were permanently missing.
You don’t have to see that. I wasn’t proud of what I did. It may have been necessary, but Harmony you should have seen the looks on their faces. I nearly broke there and gave up, but I didn’t. I would do it all again as long as the only family I care about in this world are safe.
I… I need to think.
I need to breathe. All I smell is tasteless greed and naked ambition. It sickens me.
I’m becoming almost as good as they are at playing the game, you know? Does it make me as bad as them, Harmony? Does it make me so horrible that I want to live a happy life with my family?
Am I doomed to bear the burden of the beast?
I can see them judging me as a draconequus. Now that your ‘protection’ has gone, they show their true nature behind the masks they wear. It makes me want to squash their petty, little, faces. I even have the power, I could make it happen!
Writing here reminds me of you, Harmony, and when I write I regret the impulsive thoughts I have. I hate them, but I hate myself for being so weak.
I miss you, I miss you so much.
The entry pauses again and I take a shuddering breath, realising that I had held it in unwittingly. I shook my head and slapped my cheeks. There were complex diagrams and equations scattered on the pages. The next chunk of the book was complex matrices and calculation that went far beyond what I could only dream of understanding. Although I didn’t understand it all, I was starting to get an inkling of what Discord wanted to achieve.
“Oh no,” I murmured to myself as I flipped through page after page. “This is unbelievable.”
The spells were beyond what even Star Swirl could have achieved, or even Clover, or Tempora. The spells seemed to describe a way to bend reality itself. But that was impossible, it would literally make Discord some kind of…
“God…”
The equations ended at the last few pages. Dreading what was written, I forced myself on.
War is tearing Equestria apart. With my efforts the border nations no longer pose a threat, but the greatest enemy comes from ourselves. I don’t know what to do, Celestia and Luna are trying desperately to keep everypony together. All I can do with all this power is wait. They won’t listen to me, they won’t even listen to alicorns anymore.
How do I make them listen, Harmony?
How do I get them to understand what they had was precious?
How do I convince them that harmony is better than chaos?
The last page is smudged and almost illegible. I traced the way the ink ran, seeing the drops where tears had hit the page.
I finally understand now, Harmony. By the Stars, I understand. I guess being a draconequus I was always destined for this. I have to embrace the madness, I have to put on a show, I have to break their hearts for them to put it back together.
I will reign in chaos so that they will seek harmony.
I’m sorry.
That was the last entry. In a numb daze I gently shut the book. I tried to lift my legs up, but found them locked stiff as I had read through the entirety of the book. This was such a small glimpse of his world but the pain shone through all too sharply. I had to get back. With a grunt my legs gave way and I toppled into the snow. Suddenly, I didn’t feel like moving. My mind was a scramble of roiling emotions. The snow felt cool against the burning tears that spilled down my cheeks. Discord, my brother, my friend, my family, what have you done to them? What have you done to yourself?
