Chapter Two
~Discord~
He gritted his teeth in annoyance, as he snapped his fingers at the final piece of rubbish which he rearranged to be tidy again. What am I doing? This isn't chaos! How he longed to spawn a banana peel or something to trip over some passing ponies. Then he remembered why he was doing it. How could that little Pegasi manage to control him? He had all the magic imaginable and she wasn't even a Unicorn! He sighed. If her friendship was the cost for causing chaos, he wasn't willing to hustle anypony. Besides, he could still pull a few harmless pranks.
Fluttershy was sitting nearby, under a tree, making sure he didn't do anything wrong. How innocent she was. That's what he hated. She had never done anything wrong… she was too perfect. But her friendship did mean a lot to him. She was the first friend he ever had, and he couldn't imagine life without her now.
"Can I be done now? It's late!" Discord glared down at the little yellow pony.
Fluttershy narrowed her eyes, thinking it through, before she sighed and nodded. "I think you've done enough good deeds- for today that is. Now go, go home."
Discord grinned and almost instantly teleported away.
~Fluttershy~
Rainbow Dash had gone home, and now so had Discord, so she was now all alone.
As soon as he left, her ears pricked to hear some ponies behind her scoffing about the draconequus. Fluttershy waited a few moments, before deciding what to do.
"That's not very nice," she turned to the two fillies behind her. She instantly recognised Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon.
Diamond Tiara laughed cruelly. "And what would a wimp like you know about that monster?"
Fluttershy cringed a bit. Not at the part the filly called her a wimp, but the part she called Discord a monster. Fluttershy thought through her mind. She was tired about being pushed around. Ponies could mess with her, but not her friends.
"Discord is one of my best friends, and if it wasn't for him, Tirek would still be leading us under tyranny."
"If it wasn't for Discord, that would have never happened in the first place," Silverspoon snapped.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but Tirek was always going to come. If Discord hadn't joined him, Discord would have never received that necklace, and without that necklace, Twilight would have never been able to unlock that chest of harmony which is how we defeated Tirek." Fluttershy stopped, realising she had already said enough, because Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon had went quiet.
"Well- well he's still ugly!" Diamond Tiara muttered, before strutting off, with her friend.
Fluttershy stood there in amazement as the two fillies left. What had become of her? Since when did she start arguments and since when did she win them?
And how angry she was that they were insulting Discord. She thought for a while, putting herself in several different situations which involved sacrifice for Discord, and she knew that at every condition, no matter how life threatening, she was willing to do whatever it took to defend the draconequus. But why? When Princess Celestia first gave the task to 'tame' Discord, it had been nothing but ersatz at first. She was unaware how close she was actually going to get to him, but now, he was like family.
Right now, Discord had a very poor reputation among the ponies. Lots of them remembered being rounded up or cornered by the draconequus, before having all their magic sucked out. Lot's kept spreading hate, saying he couldn't be trusted, etcetera, etcetera, but Fluttershy knew that Discord was in on the alliance, for real this time. If only the rest of Equestria could see it too.
Sighing, Fluttershy trotted down the path on the way back to her home.
~Applejack~
Rarity excitedly looked around all the dresses picking a beautiful golden one, and rushing up to Applejack.
"This is going to be the best girl's night ever!" Rarity squawked. Applejack winced. What is Rarity going to do to me?
"Hmm… this seems about your size! Now go put it on! I want to see what it looks like on you!" Rarity jumped up and down excitedly. Applejack quickly tried to make an excuse before the fabric touched her.
"Oh Rarity, this is, uh, nice n' all, but, uh, I am sort of busy, n' I really needa' sorta' go…" Applejack began.
"Come on Applejack! There's nothing wrong with making yourself look pretty!" Rarity smiled.
"And ta da!" Applebloom shrilled. Both Rarity and Applejack turned around to see Applebloom's improvements to Sweetie Bell's Cutie Mark Crusaders capes.
"Oh my! Applebloom! These are amazing! When did you get so well with fashion?" Rarity asked in awe, trotting up to Applejack's younger sister. Applejack took this as a distraction and galloped to the side of the room, as far from Rarity as possible. Unfortunately, the door was on the other side of the room, but a window was good enough for Applejack. The orange Earth Pony opened the window as far as it would go, and jumped through it. Rarity turned around just in time to see Applejack's tail disappear.
"Applejack! Where are you going? You do realise there is a long drop from the window? You're not a Pegasi!" Rarity rushed to the window to see Applejack spitting out leaves from a bush she had landed on. Escape, escape, escape was all Applejack thought as she made a run for it.
"Oh, no she doesn't!" Rarity yapped.
~Rainbow Dash~
She hoped she was the only one here. Her home was her only place of privacy. Thank Celestia it was, for Rainbow Dash didn't want anypony else to see her cry. Cry and cry. Rainbow Dash should be excited she got into the Wonderbolts, but she already missed her friends before she even left. Training was starting in 3 days. And she wouldn't see her friends much for the rest of her life after those 3 days- or at least not as much as she used to. Rainbow Dash looked up, rubbing her nose with her hoof and made a final decision. She'd have to spend every minute of these next three days with her friends, with the exception of sleeping. Rainbow Dash got up and cantered to the door opening it, and feeling the chill of a cold breeze spaz through her veins. Then she adjusted to the coolness and summersaulted out the door before it whooshed shut by the wind.
~Pinkie Pie~
"And a little bit of this here and a bit of that there…" Pinkie Pie was making the final adjustment to the decorations of Rainbow Dash's party.
"And… done!" Pinkie Pie flopped to the floor, and stared up at the sky, impressed on what she'd done. There were rainbow coloured streamers hanging from basically every place possible, and there was a massive cake which had six layers- one layer for every colour of Rainbow Dash's multi-coloured mane. Firework cannons were lined up on the path, and there was an amazing amount of balloons.
"This party is going to be AWESOME!" Pinkie Pie did a little dance, and then stood still, as her Pinkie-Senses detected something was going to fall from the sky. Pinkie Pie quickly hid under a table as she waited. In a matter of seconds, Rainbow Dash descended from the sky, and trotted up to Pinkie Pie.
"Hi Pinkie! I see you've gone really extreme with the party decorations!" Rainbow Dash hooted.
"I know right!" Pinkie crawled out from under the table and hopped up and down excitedly. Rainbow Dash's smile faded, as she explained to the pink Earth Pony, that she was going to be gone for a while. Pinkie's smile faded too, and her pink mane deflated, as if it had been dipped in water.
"No! We can't lose you Rainbow! No! No!" Pinkie wailed, running up to her friend. Rainbow Dash accepted Pinkie Pie's hug. A few seconds later, Applejack ran up.
"Hide me! Hide me!" the orange Earth Pony squeaked, before lunging under a table. Rarity soon appeared.
"Where is she? Where is she?"
Rarity and Applejack soon realized the solemness of their surroundings, and their mad expressions changed soft as they approached Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash to see what was going on.
Fluttershy even came. She was on her way home, when she spotted most of her friends in the area, and approached curiously.
"What in tarnation is goin' on ere'?" Applejack asked. "Pinkie? Dash?"
Pinkie rubbed her nose, not daring to look up again, as her friends surrounded Rainbow Dash in confusion.
Fluttershy picked up on what was going on, and she sadly walked up to Rainbow Dash. "Are you going to tell them?"
"Tell us what? Rainbow?" Rarity frowned.
Pinkie Pie sniffed again and walked to Rainbow Dash's side, with Fluttershy.
Rainbow Dash explained how she was going to the Wonderbolts again. Rarity and Applejack only stared in horror. Their friend was leaving them.
The five huddled up in a warm embrace sobbing softly, making the most of having Rainbow Dash there. If only there was Twilight Sparkle with them.
~The Next Morning~
~Twilight Sparkle~
She woke up in the morning, having slept in. Twilight hopped excitedly out of bed, and to the kitchen, gnawing at her toast, before approaching her saddlebag again. It was still sealed shut, but Twilight easily did a reverse spell to unlock the zip. The book was still there, and Twilight took it out keenly, and sat on a chair in the library, just staring at the cover of the book for a moment.
"I know I shouldn't be reading this book… the spells in it are probably despicable… but I am so curious to know what's inside! Should I inform Celestia? No… she'll take it away from me." Twilight knew what she was about to do was wrong, but she was too inquisitive.
As she opened the dusty old book, all her instincts told her to flee. This wasn't right. This really wasn't right. Twilight opened to the first page of the book. To her amazement, it provided some simple spells, but using it different way of magic. It was… sort of like a different technique of using the horn. To do it, you had to expose all the possible fury your mind possessed, and boil all of it up to the centre of the heart. Once your heart had devoured all the rage, it powered up to the horn. The force of the spell would be stronger with the more rage you let out. It was dangerous though. If your heart ate up too much of the rage, it could turn you into something… something you're not. The author of the book then explained some spells you couldn't conduct with any other form of magic. Spells, Twilight had never seen, and never wanted to. But she couldn't help feel impressed… and significant she had her hooves on such an incredible antique book. Twilight opened to the next page, however, it was blank. She was unaware, but a tiny scent from the pages wafted up into Twilight's nostrils. It worked its way to the lungs, and then surged through her body. The scent, so tiny, so undetectable, so… innocent. But it wasn't just any scent. It was the smell of the author of the book. Perhaps the author hid the only remains of his life in the book. Perhaps they were waiting for their next victim. Perhaps the victim was their next reader. As Twilight devoured more and more information, a low voice, deep inside her self-conscience she couldn't hear, gave a throaty laugh.
"Six million years. Six million years I tell you, as those feeble ponies grew and grew. Those feeble, stupid ponies- why they learnt so slow. At least the reader is smart. She will be good. She will be perfect for the job, plus, she is already a princess. How interesting."
"You don't have me yet though! You will never overpower me!" Another voice entered the conversation, which was Twilight's self-conscience itself.
"I can already sense a dark aroma coming from her. It may not be obvious from the outside, but she does have bad in her. I'm going to help her realise that."
…
Twilight read through more and more pages of the book, her mind nourishing the new and incredible information. It felt good. Soon, she would be the best pony with magic in Equestria. Then a thought struck her. I'm not actually thinking of using any of this magic, am I? No… I can't… I shouldn't… should I? Twilight shook her head, flabbergasted, and continued reading.
~Rarity~
Rainbow Dash's party was today, and Rarity was going around with Pinkie Pie, helping deliver invitations. Lots of ponies were coming, especially the Pegasi, which Rainbow Dash worked with. Different feelings for Rainbow Dash were going around.
Excited for her.
Happy for her.
Sad for her.
Envious for her.
Most were jealous.
Pinkie Pie wasn't sure to be happy or sad; she kept on having rapid mood swings which annoyed the life out of Rarity.
"Oh I am so happy for Rainbow Dash! …She is going to die! …I wonder if she gets free popcorn! …I am going to die! …Rainbow is so fast! …No! What if she forgets us? …Woo! This is so exciting!" Pinkie Pie turned from side to side. "Oh! Look! A snail!" Pinkie peered at the ground staring at a passing snail, clearly intrigued. The snail was slowly but surely crossing the path. Rarity rolled her eyes, trying to move passed, but Pinkie wouldn't let her, saying that the snail needed to get across first.
For what seemed like hours, the snail finally disappeared, allowing Pinkie Pie and Rarity to continue delivering the invitations.
Eventually they reached Twilight's palace, and they both enthusiastically knocked on the door, excited to see their friend again.
It took forever for the door to open, and when it did, it was only Spike. He looked up to see Rarity and he grinned.
"Hi… I suppose you two are here to see Twilight?"
Pinkie Pie gave a vigorous nod, and Spike allowed them to enter. They instantly headed for the library, which was Twilight's number one location. Sure enough, the purple Alicorn was in the corner of the room, with her nose in a dusty old book. Rarity gave a gasp of delight, rushing over and snatching the book off Twilight.
"Oh my! This book is so incredibly vintage! That's so in style right now!" Twilight looked up in alarm as Rarity began reading the title of the book.
"The Alicorns Book on -gosh this writing is hard to read- The Proceeding Study of-" Rarity was cut off, as Twilight snatched the book back.
"My book." Twilight hugged the book close, making Rarity slant her head in confusion, before a smile returned back to her face.
"We came to give you invitations!" Pinkie Pie beamed excitedly, shoving an invitation into Twilight's hooves.
"What's the invitation for? What's the occasion?" Twilight asked.
"Oh- you don't know yet! Rainbow Dash got into the Wonderbolts and Pinkie's throwing a party for her!" Rarity nodded.
"Rainbow Dash got into the Wonderbolts? That's incredible! I know it's always been her dream to be with them, and I know that job will be perfect for her!" Twilight gasped in delight, hopping up and down.
Pinkie Pie stared at the ground. "But we won't be seeing her in ages after that." Twilight stopped jumping, and peered at her friends to work out what was going on.
"She said that being with the Wonderbolts was going to take a lot of commitment, and she'd barely have time to come back to Ponyville and see her friends," Rarity sniffed.
The glint that had worked its way to Twilight's eye disappeared, and a large frown appeared on her face. "B-but… Rainbow Dash is the element of Loyalty! She'd never leave us like that!"
"Twilight… you know that Rainbow has always wanted this-" Rarity began.
"But she can't! She can't! We need her here!" Twilight bawled.
"Now you're just being shellfish…! Or is it selfish?" Pinkie rubbed her knee. "Now you're being fish!"
"We're all very sad about Rainbow Dash leaving, but can you be the least bit happy about this?" Rarity pleaded.
"Not when one of my best friends is leaving! When did you hear this?" Twilight inquired.
"Yesterday…" Pinkie Pie began, but Twilight was too quick to let the pink pony finish her sentence.
"Oh, so one of my best friends is leaving Ponyville, and everyone else knew about it, and not me?" Twilight roared.
"Well you weren't there…" Pinkie Pie began.
"YOU KNOW WHAT? WHAT IS THE USE OF THIS FRIENDSHIP, IF YOUR FRIENDS CAN'T BE CONSIDERATE ENOUGH, AND KEEP A HUGE SECRET FROM ONE OF THEIR BEST FRIENDS?" Twilight screamed and bucked a chair behind her in fury. The chair went flying across the room.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie stepped back in terror, as the Alicorn menaced towards them.
"Get out of my house… NOW!" Twilight took another threatening step forward.
Rarity didn't need to be told twice and she turned tail towards the door, before turning around, waiting for Pinkie Pie to come too.
"Are you still coming to the party?" Pinkie Pie questioned inoffensively. Twilight's eyes softened and she gazed at the ground, realizing the fear her friends were showing. It was easy to smell- you could smell it from a mile away, and their fright was of her.
"I'm sorry for being so… harsh. I don't know what got into me. Of course I'm coming to the party." Twilight gave a sweet, pleading smile.
"You're apology has been accepted!" Pinkie Pie cheered ecstatically, bouncing away, out the door. Rarity stayed at the door, gazing at Twilight, before giving a small nod, to say the apology was accepted, before following Pinkie out the door.
That was really unlike Twilight.
"Don't you think that was a little… peculiar behaviour of Twilight's?" Rarity questioned the happy pink mare, hopping besides her.
"I know right? Did you see her hair? It was so messy!" Pinkie squealed.
"No not the hair… yes it was certainly untidy- but I mean… all the yelling," Rarity glanced up at the sky. Pinkie Pie shrugged, and the two friends continued walking down the path.
~Twilight~
What's gotten into me? How could I just yell at my friends like that? That was utterly horrific, abysmal, appalling behaviour! Twilight punished herself, pacing from one side of the room to the other, clenching down on a stick she had found outside.
"Wait? Why am I biting on the stick again?" Twilight turned to Spike, nearly dropping the stick from her mouth when she said that.
"It helps you express your anger," the purple and green dragon replied.
"On a stick? Why a stick? Couldn't it have been something more hygienic?" Twilight asked.
"But a stick is funnier," Spike sneered. Twilight spat the stick out. Typical jokes. Twilight snapped her attention back to what she was thinking of. How could have I been so atrocious to her friends? Two of my best friends? Over something which was important, but didn't need that much fuss over. Twilight turned in fury to her book. It must be the book! It must be! I'm giving that to Celestia right now!
It totally made sense. The book was evil, and it had dark spells which would lead to pure chaos. If this book wasn't in the right hooves, who knew what could happen?
It's probably teaching me to be more hateful. But as long as I don't try any of the spells I'll be fine.
How wrong she was. How so very wrong she was.
~Celestia~
She snickered as her younger sister moved a piece in Checkers.
"Checkmate!" Celestia scoffed as she used her piece to buck Luna's off the board.
"You cheated!" Luna protested.
"No, I'm just better at Checkers than you!" Celestia purred. Luna grunted, giving her sister a playful punch on the arm.
Celestia suddenly felt the air sort of vibrate. Lime green flame swivelled in the air before forming into a scroll.
"Message from Twilight?" Luna questioned. Celestia nodded slowly reading the paper.
Dear Princess Celestia.
You know those books you returned to me the other day?
I am afraid to say, one I don't remember having has shown
up, and I think it might be dangerous… Anyway, if you could
please come and see this book, that would be very helpful.
Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle
Luna peered over Celestia's shoulder, snooping, and read the note.
"That can't be good," the night princess murmured.
"We should go right away. I don't like the sound of this book," Celestia mumbled, before teleporting Luna and herself to Twilight's palace.
"That was quick," Spike snorted, before walking away to leave Twilight alone with the other two Alicorn princesses.
"So what's this book you were mentioning in the scroll?" Celestia asked. Twilight picked up the book with a levitation spell and dropped it in front of Celestia and Luna. Their eyes widened as they read the title.
"WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?" Luna bellowed, realizing she was using the old fashioned way of talking, and quickly lowered her voice, "where did you get this?"
"It showed up with the other books."
"Did you read any of it?" Celestia asked urgently.
"No," Twilight replied quickly. Luna and Celestia both sighed in relief.
Celestia remembered this book- and her sister Luna remembered it even more. It had been one of the books King Sombra had read. One of the books in which spells' he had used while ruling the Crystal Empire under tyranny. You didn't even need to cast any spells. All you needed to do was so much as read it for it to get you. Once it got you, there was no going back.
"Well thank you Twilight Sparkle for informing us on this book immediately. All this book needs is to be in the wrong hooves and then it's over," Celestia nodded. Luna picked up the book with her magic and turned to Celestia, and the two of them teleported out of the room, back to Canterlot.
"Thank goodness we can trust Twilight," Lunar sighed. Celestia seemed a bit suspicious though.
"Yes, she is a good student. Can you take the book to our secret compartment? I don't want to ever see it again," Celestia grimaced. Luna nodded optimistically and trotted down the hall, still levitating the book.
When Celestia was sure her sister was gone, Celestia trotted up to one of her Royal Guards.
"I'd like you to hire some guards to keep an eye on Princess Twilight Sparkle," Celestia whispered as quietly as she could, "please report any suspicious behaviour… and keep quiet about it."