Chapter 14

Invitations

With the sun now setting, Celestia and Luna reached the castle where Snap Shot asked what the Shapeshifter had to tell them. Celestia told him that it had something to do with Ponyville and she and Luna headed back inside the castle before the Captain of the guard could question them any further. Leaving a slightly annoyed Snap Shot behind, Celestia and Luna went to find their parents, to ask them what Scorpan was up to. Their parents however, only told them that Scorpan would be helping out with the construction of Ponyville after all, and that the whole Griffon trouble was the only important thing he had to tell them. This didn’t convince the two as they suspected that they were not being told everything once again. That night, Luna once again tried to form constellations in the starry sky and only when she fell asleep did she begin her dream hopping. A couple weeks later, the king and queen announced something that would set the sisters minds on something else other than their studies.

“A Celebration of Unity?” Wind Chime asked in surprise.

“That’s right,” said Luna to their friends. “Ever since Scorpan has agreed to help build Ponyville, the town is much closer to completion! And with the new part of Cloudsdale wrapping up as well, mother and father think a celebration is in order! It will be…. A Celebration of Unity Between The Three Clans!”

“So that’s what that big thing was,” said Tock. “Me and Tick were wondering why a random creature turned up in Ponyville. At first we thought we were being invaded again, but some of the other ponies approached the tall thing. They all seemed happy to see him! After that, the building quickened up a bit and in no time, we were nearing the completion of the town!”

“Well, I think it’s a wonderful idea!” said Wind Chime clopping her hooves together. “We could all use something like this to help make peace with each other!”

“Do you think that Scorpan, will attend?” asked Tock.

“I would think so,” said Celestia thinking that her mother and Father had already invited him. “Why are you so curious about him all of a sudden?”

“Oh, no reason,” said Tock unconvincingly.

“Tock, I don’t think you should bother him,” said Tick sounding nervous of his big brother’s intensions.

“I was only going to ask him about how he knows some of Ponyville’s inhabitants. That’s all. Honestly Tick, you should be just as curious as I am to find out!”

“I am!” said Tick truthfully. “But we shouldn’t go biting off more than we can chew with Scorpan.”

“I agree with Tick,” said Wind Chime in agreement. “From what the Princesses have told us about him, he and his brother sound like they’re feeling threatened by the Griffons and our kinds adventures into their land. You don’t want to say anything that will upset him!”

“And what makes you think that I would do such a thing!” Tock said, sounding deeply offended. “I will have you know that I can be very sympathetic when I want to be!”

“Right,” said Wind Chime sarcastically. “Now try saying that again without the dramatic flair.”

Tocks face had gone red hot. He and Wind Chime continued to go back and forth about his so-called inner gentlecolt. Wanting to avoid being dragged into the thick of it, Tick and Black Wood snuck over to Celestia and Luna.

“What do you think?” Luna asked the two stallions. “Will you be attending as well?”

“I know I will,” said Tick confidently. “What say you Black Wood?”

“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt,” said Black Wood thoughtfully. “My parents wouldn’t pass up an opportunity like this. And I could use some time off of work.”

“What kind of work?” asked Luna. "Does it have to do with shearing things?"

“Not exactly," said Black Wood sheepishly. "While cutting wool may be good for a trading job, I have been going into the Everfree a lot lately and have come across some peculiar things.”

“Oh no, you’re not going on about that again, are you?” asked Tick knowing exactly what Black Wood has been up to lately.

“I see why not?” replied Black Wood shrugging. “Just hear me out Tick. No, listen! I have collected samples this time and the evidence can’t be any clearer!”

Starting to think they might be missing something, Celestia interrupted.

“When you say you have found peculiar things, what kind of things exactly?”

“Science my dear Princess," said Black Wood feeling glad that someone was interested to here about his claims. "What I have discovered is unlike anything I have ever seen before! I don’t know how it’s happening but something is making the forest change, and not in the best way I must add.”

“Ah, but Black Wood,” began Tick abruptly. “We already know what that is. The Defiler’s dark magic is what’s around the forest now. My brother and I along with the rest of our kind is finally starting to pick up signs of it.”

“I’m telling you Tick! It’s not the Defilers magic I’m picking up!” Black Wood shot back, starting to get annoyed. “I’ve been studying the forest for over five years now! I may not be a Unicorn, but trust me whatever is going on in the forest now is not because of the Defiler."

“Do you have any guesses as to what it could be?” asked Celestia.

For she and Luna knew who Black Wood might be sensing if their suspicions were correct.

“Of course I do!” Black Wood answered proudly. “But the thing is… There is more than one.”

Tick gave an unmistakable groan, but Black Wood ignored him.

“More than one source?” questioned Luna. “But how?”

“That’s precisely what I’ve been trying to figure out,” said Black Wood thinking heavily. “I can’t pinpoint either of them but what I’ve been able to narrow out so far is that the two traces of magic are fighting amongst each other.”

“Fighting?” asked Luna completely lost for an explanation now.

“Yes,” said Black Wood just as amazed. “One side has been trying to change the forest one way while the other is trying to interfere.”

“Has been?” asked Luna catching the past tense.

“That’s right,” said Black Wood seriously. “I think what ever was there first is trying to overpower what is being done now. Strange isn’t it?”

Celestia and Luna exchanged looks. They knew exactly who was behind the second source of magic, but if something else was trying to prevent the Shapeshifter from carrying out his plan, should they be worried? Perhaps they should pay him another visit in the Everfree. They were about to do just that when Wind Chime let out a gasp.

“What is it?” asked Tock shooting up and looking for what had startled the Pegasus.

“Phew, It’s nothing Tock. Sorry everypony, I just didn’t see him over there.”

“Him?” began Luna, but Celestia directed her attention to the mouth of the forest.

Everyone was staring at fox that was sitting perfectly still. Watching them for who knows how long. He tilted his head at the six ponies. His eyes met the Princesses and he blinked.

“Did you see that?” exclaimed Black Wood.

“See what?” asked Tick.

“His eyes just changed color! I saw it! Look, he did it again! Now there back to normal!”

Celestia and Luna stood up. They knew who it was. The rest of their friends wanted to join them too, but the fox turned its back to them and headed into the forest.

“Does it want us to follow?” asked Wind Chime hovering in place.

“Yes, he does, but I think he only wants…”

“They are welcome to come along if they wish too your highness,” came a voice from the woods.

“Who said that?” Black Wood said taken aback by the sudden voice.

“It’s alright,” said Luna. “He’s a friend.”

Their pony friends continued to look where the fox had gone but saw nothing. Celestia and Luna ventured onwards, the rest hung back for a couple more seconds before they too dared to follow. When they caught up with Celestia and Luna they saw that they were talking to the fox and to their amazement, the fox spoke back.

“I see,” the Discorded fox said. “That would explain why my own magic’s effects are taking longer than expected.”

The fox smiled humorously at the thought of whatever was trying to stop him, actually thought it stood a chance.

“It doesn’t matter! One last push is all it will take!”

“Wow!” said Tock in astonishment. “You really are talking! Do you know of any animals in the forest that can do that Wind Chime?”

“None that I’m aware of,” said Wind Chime.

“This one must be a special case then,” said Tock. “Black Wood, what do you think?”

Black Wood eyed the fox fiercely before proclaiming smartly.

“You’re a Shapeshifter. That eye trick you did back there. It was to get us to follow you wasn’t it.”

“Yes, I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t be overheard,” said the fake fox.

“Alright, now that you got us out here, what did you want to tell us?”

Beside him Tick groaned, Tock raised an eyebrow and Wind Chime still hovering above them, lowered herself to give the unicorn a good smack to the head.

“Hey!” Black Wood yelled.

“Even if he is one, you don’t have to be so rude!” snapped Wind Chime.

“What do I want?” asked the fox Discord, smirking humorously. “The question should be, what do you want?”

There was a flash of white light and the fox was gone. Everyone looked around trying to spot where the fox had gone.

“Good going Black Wood,” said Tock irritably. “How are we supposed to find him now?”

Suddenly they heard laughter coming from all around. It was as if the forest itself was having fun at their expense.

“Do you see him?” asked Wind Chime starting to get a little cautious.

“Black Wood is it?” asked a voice from somewhere next to the straight-faced Earth Pony. “I seek nothing but to tell the Princesses of my accomplishments. Surely they must have told you?”

“No, they didn’t,” said Black Wood. “What is he talking about?”

“Mr. Shapeshifter, I thought we were going to wait until everything is done before we let everypony know!” Luna called out to the open air.

“Ah, but everything is ready my dear,” The voice said back to her.

There was another flash of white light and a brown Earth Pony stood leaning against a nearby tree.

“Just follow me everypony! And you will see!”

They did as they were told and hurried after the Earth Pony. Meanwhile Black Wood was beside himself. Something about this creature was very familiar. There was an odd since of mischief he gave off. Almost like he was channeling Tick and Tocks usual attitudes. Then, why was he playing along? Was it because he was used to the two brothers antics by now, that this new creatures behavior didn’t bother him as much? The Earth Pony led the Princesses and their friends to a clearing in the forest where he stopped and looked around as if to question if where he was standing was accurate. He spun around on the spot and announced happily.

“Your majesties, and fellow ponies it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the start of a new Everfree Forest!”

“What is he talking about?” asked Tock to Celestia.

Celstia couldn’t see what the Shapeshifter was talking about either. Everything looked the same. Nothing about the forest had changed yet. Before any of them could ask about the strange announcement, the Earth Pony’s front hooves began to glow a bright pink and he stood on his back legs before slamming his front down. This time, Celestia, Luna and three Unicorns felt the magic’s power. It sent a strong blast of magical energy through the forest, around them and continued to shoot out of the Earth Pony in waves. The ground shook, the blackened soil began to shift, and the trees quivered and began to take on new life. Somewhere in the distance, they heard animals crying out in shock. Celestia thought she could feel something else through the bursts of magic, but then, as quickly as it had started, it was over. The Shapeshifter had done it! He had succeeded in recreating the Everfree Forest! They looked up in aw as the once dead trees were once again blooming with life. Above them, Wind Chime’s ears perked up as she began to look around for something the rest hadn’t heard yet. It didn’t take long for all of them to know what she had heard. The sound of many wings flapping drew close Wind Chime narrowed her eyes to see a flock of birds coming out of hiding. They flew passed the ponies in search of new homes. Next came the rest of the wildlife. They too wanted to see what had happened.

“I don’t believe it,” said Wind Chime in amazement. “How did he do it?”

“I see what he meant,” said Celestia touching a trunk of a near by tree. “No one would come into the forest and not think it was once a wasteland. Luna what do you think?”

“I think its perfect! Oh sister, what a glorious moment! The forest is back and the animals are coming out of hiding! Mr. Shapeshifter we cannot thank you enough!”

“Think nothing of it your Princess!” said the Earth Pony trotting in place to relieve his hooves of small sparks of magic. “Now that that’s been taken care of, I think it’s time to move on to the next stage.”

“And what would that be?” asked Black Wood prodding a mushroom curiously.

“Of course,” said Celestia kindly. “The Shapeshifter wants our parents to see what he has done. And I’m sure everypony else will be pleased as well!”

“Yes, I agree!” said Luna happily. “In fact, I know how we can let him meet them! Mr. Shapeshifter, it would be an honor if you could attend The Celebration of Unity!”

“Celebration of Unity?” questioned the Shapeshifter.

“That’s right!” said Luna smiling at him. “Canterlot is hosting a celebration to congratulate the unity between the three pony tribes. And once everypony has seen what has happened to the Everfree Forest, I’m sure they would want to meat the one responsible.”

“I don’t know,” said the fake Earth Pony.

Meeting the king and queen was something he didn’t want to do since he only played along with the Princesses plan just to gain their trust.

“We insist!” said Celestia. “I know Mother and Father will want to meet you after everything you have done for us! And they could use some actual good news for a change!”

The Shapeshifter’s doubts suddenly didn’t seem that threatening anymore as his ears twitched at what had just been said.

“Sorry, what was that?” he asked.

“Our parents haven’t been doing so well lately and this Celebration could be just the thing they needed to get their minds off of it. Meeting you and hearing what you have done to help us could be just the thing they need!”

“When you say they haven’t been doing so well, what does that mean?”

“His majesty and the Queen have been looking a little pale lately,” agreed Tick.

“How would you know that?” question Tock.

“Haven’t you guys seen them around lately? If you ask me, I think they might be a little off. Almost as if they’ve aged a bit since the last time we saw them.”

“They could just be tired Tick,” suggested Wind Chime noticing the looks Celestia and Luna were showing him. “Maybe a good nights sleep after a Celebration is what they need.”

“Speaking of age,” Tock said turning to the two sisters. “How old are your mom and dad?”

“I-I don’t know,” said Celestia truthfully.

She and Luna had never really thought about their parent’s age. Sure they knew that they’ve been around for quite some time and age never really seemed to bother them so it never occurred to Celestia or Luna to ask them about it.

“Let’s see…” began Black Wood suddenly taking interest in the new topic. “The king and queen have been around before the First Griffon Conflict. They knew the Princess of that time and she was the one who defeated the Defiler a thousand years before all of that happened…”

It took him some time before he came to an answer.

“Woah, their no spring chickens. No offense you two,” he added as an after thought.

“So, how old are they?” asked Tock curiously.

“They are 1,030.”

“No way,” said Tock. “I know they’re old, but that old?”

As Celestia and Luna were made to guess the age of their parents, The new information that had just been passed had the Shapeshifter thinking. If what was said is true, then the King and Queen won’t be as strong as they used to be. And with their daughters just being students, his plans for taking over the Everfree didn’t seem only possible now, but the King and Queen shouldn’t be hard to overpower after all. Maybe he can expand his territory a little further. Yes, if all went according to plan he just might be able to rule over forest, Ponyville and Canterlot. That just left Cloudsdale. Maybe he could convince Tirek to join forces with him so they could split the territories. He was the one who hated the ponies for trespassing onto their homeland. And he was the one who wanted to take action in the first place. With carful planning and his strategic brilliance, they could be able to chase the ponies off and make this place their new homeland. Discord knew what had to be done and the first thing to do was to accept his invitation. Next would be to talk to Tirek and then there was the lingering worry about Scorpan. No matter, he knew how to deal with him. And Tirek would see to that.

“So how about it Mr. Shapeshifter?” asked Luna again.

The Master of Chaos snapped out of his thought process to see that everyone was looking at him.

“Will you accept to attend the Celebration?”

“Well… Yes, I think I shall Princess!” said the Shapeshifter with a bow. “I will attend the Celebration after all! I think this form will do. I might even bring a gift for the occasion as well.”

“You don’t have to do that,” said Celestia. “What you did today is enough!”

“No, I insist,” said the Shapeshifter.

Straightening up he could have sworn that he saw Black Wood staring at him with the same piercing gaze as before, as if to spot any hint of deceit in his tone. Clearly, this particular Unicorn would have to be dealt with too if there was any chance of his master plan succeeding.

“Well, I must be off!” he said with another bow. “Lots to do before the big event! Which reminds me. You never said when the Celebration was your highnesses.”

“It’s at the end of the week!” said Luna cheerfully.

“Excellent! I will see you then!”

And with another flash of white light, he was gone.

That night, Luna awoke in a petrified state. She had been dream hopping again and this time around she had gone into a nightmare.

“By the moon!” she panted placing a hoof on her head. “I never knew such horrors were possible! These ponies think of the most frightening things. Funny, it’s almost fascinating in a way.”

Wait, did she just think of nightmares in a good way? No, that can’t be right. She must have spent to long in that mare’s dream, that’s all. Once she pulled herself together, she could hear the distant sounds of nightlife outside. Surely everybody else must have noticed the Everfree had magically regrown by now. Come tomorrow the inhabitants of Canterlot, Ponyville and Cloudsdale will want to investigate the forest for themselves. It was strange, before today the nights barely had any noise at all, but now it felt like everything was back to normal again. Smiling to herself, Luna laid back down and waited for her eye to close on her. This time while she slept, she was in her own dreamland.

Deep in the Everfree Forest, The Master of Chaos was back in his original form. A pack of wolves were trapped in a cage he had conjured up. He wasn’t alone either. Beside him was a short and skinny four-hooved creature with small horns and glowing beady yellow eyes. Around his neck he wore a golden necklace given to him by his little brother.

“What have you called me out here for Dis-whatever it is you call yourself?” demanded Tirek.

“Only to show what I am capable of doing now,” said Discord smiling wickedly back.

He made one of his talons glow yellow before he reached inside the cage. The wolves snarled at this approach, but it didn’t phase the monstrous being before them. He only slithered to the top of the cage and peered down on the spot they were all backed up against. With his claw fully glowing, he reached inside the cage.

“Now hold still.” Discord said playfully inching his claw further. “This won’t hurt a bit.”

And he touched pack. The wolves yelped in shock as the magic made them go rigid. Tirek was watching in wonder as the pack stood frozen to the spot. Their mouths and eyes open wide. Then, it happened. Like a bunch of puppets being pulled by strings, their bodies began to move slowly. It was like watching newly sprouted trees grow in fast-forward. Their eyes closed shut as something in their mouths was fighting its way out. Their teeth dropped to the metal floor with clangs as their newly formed wooden teeth replaced them; equally sharp and twice as long. Their grey coats shed shortly after as they began to grow in size. Where there would be skin, they now stood there in tall wooden bodies. Tirek’s curious tone switched to one of delight. He couldn’t help but to show a wide evil grin. At last the magic faded away and the pack opened their eyes that now had permanent eerie yellow glow. They lifted their heads high and let out a long grasping howl that echoed throughout the forest.

“Most impressive.” said Tirek still grinning. “But is this all you have to show me?”

“Oh, there’s more I assure you,” said Discord in lazy acknowledgement. “Phase two went better than I expected!” he said aloud. “Now all that’s left is to attend the Celebration of Unity and trick the King and Queen like I did with their daughters! And that’s when the real fun will begin!”

He slapped his lion’s paw over his mouth, but it was too late. Tirek looked up at the Shapeshifter in amazement. For a while they stared at each other and then Tirek did exactly what Discord had hopped for.

“What?” he demanded, his eyes flashed with a wild hungry glow.

His voice may have been reduced to a low rattling tone in his smallest weakened form, but his greedy expression couldn’t have been any clearer.

“You have a plan that involves the royal family? How long have you been up to this?”

“Did I say plan?” said Discord smugly. “Oh, no, no, you misunderstood.”

The dark look Tirek gave the Shapeshifter made his grin disappear instantly. Finally faking a dramatic sigh, Discord purposely told Tirek about his plan and what he intended to do once the King and Queen are out of the way.

“Ingenious!” said Tirek, his hunger for action was ominous. “So with the royal family gone, we will be able to inhabit this land and everything surrounding it?”

“Oh, Ho!” Discord boomed comically. “Where’d this we come in? I thought you and your brother were here for your own reasons? Not to indulge in my own?”

Tirek glared at the Shapshifter. He was in a corner now. He guessed what Discord wanted him to do and with utter resentment he lowered himself on bended knee and bowed his head to the creature of many forms.

“Discord is it?” He asked through gritted teeth.

“Yes, or Master of Chaos if you prefer.”

He looked down at Tirek who shot him another dark look. This time it was accompanied with a look that told him he would never call him ‘Master of anything’.

“Discord it is then.” said the Shapeshifter shrugging.

“Yes,” Tirek growled lowering his head again. “Discord, I will do what ever you ask! You see, I want in on this plan of yours! At long last, after centuries of waiting and doing nothing about it, our kind will be given free rain!”

With the sensation that gave Discord the impression of being addressed to as king he told the red Centaur to rise.

Back in their cave, Tirek threw his old worn out cloak over his body and made to leave. If he was going to help Discord succeed in his take over of Canterlot, he would have to be back to full strength again. It was time to hunt.

“You want to help me Tirek?” Came Discord’s voice from the mouth of the cave. “Very well,” he said without a smile this time. “You shall. I want you to go back to the Nether Lands and bring back as many of our kind as you can get. Once you’ve returned, this kingdom will have a new ruler in their midst.”

“As you wish,” said Tirek with an evil grin. “I will set off immediately. If Scorpan wonders where I went, tell him that I have gone home and will return eventually. For the meantime, he is to stay here.”

Now was the time to get one problem out of the way. Discord waited until Tirek was inches away from leaving before he let slip Scorpan’s crime.

“Oh, and before you go Tirek, there is something you should know. Believe me I regret to inform you of this but… It’s about your brother.”

Tirek stopped in his tracks. He was just a few feet away from stepping out into the starry sky.

“I’m sorry to tell you this Tirek, but if Scorpan questions me further I’m afraid he cannot be trusted with knowing about the plan.”

“And why is that?” asked Tirek, in a soft voice unlike his own.

It was a dangerous scary tone that seemed to bring Discord at a loss for words until he saw the hood of the cloak turn slightly to face him.

“What I mean is… Scorpan might have been in cahoots with the ponies for some time now.”

“For how long this time?”

“I… What? You mean this has happened before? When…”

“I said,” started Tirek in a dangerous voice. “How long?”

“I think he has been helping them build a town outside of the Everfree,” said Discord automatically. “Possibly a city in the clouds too, last I checked.”

Tirek didn’t respond to this news and continued to look at cave’s exit. Before Discord could say anything else he too had heard the sounds of wings flapping overhead. And with an easy landing, Scorpan had just arrived. His expression of excitement went away as he saw the cloaked form of his older brother.

“Tirek!” he said nodding to him. “You’re finally up and about I see. Did you see the Everfree Forest? I never thought it would grow back this fast!”

He spotted Discord in the background and pointed an accusing finger at him.

“Was it your doing?” he asked. “I must admit, it looks incredible. I like the faces in the tress. They must have been extra touches I presume. What’s going on guys? Tirek are going somewhere?”

Tirek didn’t answer. He exited the cave and headed over to his little brother.

“Um, Tirek?” Scorpan asked again, feeling a little uneasy about his older brother’s silence.

The Centaurs face was hidden behind the hood of the cloak but when he was beside his brother he motioned for him to come closer.

“What is it Tirek?” Scorpan asked in wonder. “Do you want me show you around the new forest or…”

“I want a word with you when I get back Scorpan!” Tirek whispered coldly.

Scorpan’s eyes shrunk as he swallowed nervously.

“Wha-what do you mean by…”

“Your pony friends will get nowhere Scorpan! We will discuss this later! But for now, you are to stay here! Do you understand?”

“Y-yes brother. I understand,” replied Scorpan.

His fear was threatening to have him break down on the spot, but he fought to keep a straight face as his older brother continued on his way down the mountain and out of sight. It was just Discord and Scorpan now. The Shapeshifter picked at the cave wall awkwardly while Scorpan went inside the cave and made no further attempt to start a conversation. He found a spot to lie down in and curled up, dreading what his brother was going to say to him once he returned. Discord was beside himself. A wide smile stretched across his face as he concluded that Scorpan would be one less problem he would have to worry about.