Chapter written before season 4. Not canon in the slightest. But this is a story about General Patton and tanks in Equestria so I think canon is out of the window by now. Also, I have made this an alternate universe story so this is now an alternate version of Discord. Ha! Now you can't complain about him being out of character!
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Chapter 28

More Than 1000 Years Ago

Stellar City, the last bastion of Alicorn power. It’s towering stone structures were brightly decorated in gold and precious gems. Despite being hidden under the shadows of the massive buildings the streets were brightly lit with magic lanterns of blue, yellow and green. Despite the metropolitan look of Stellar City only a few alicorns could be seen walking the streets.

In a city that could hold nearly a million there was but a third of that living there now. One of them was a young Princess who spent the entirety of her days in the spell development wing of the temple. Celestia dwelt over a scroll in absolute silence. There was only one other alicorn in the wing, the head spell smith, the others having long since returned to their homes.

“For one so young,” the spell smith said as he approached the Princess. “Thou are quite patient and diligent.”

“I am beyond my seven-hundredth year, Elder Anvil Horn.” Celestia replied with a distracted smile. She continued to look over her papers. “I am not as youthful as the spring flowers anymore. More like a firm oak.”

The ancient alicorn sighed. “When I was in my seven-hundreds I was still quite a youthful creature. This war causes the young to age so rapidly.”

“I agree with thou in that theory, Elder.” Celestia looked up at him. “And seeing as such, since I am beyond my age perhaps I can see the more restricted works of thou and thine fellow elder spell smiths?”

“Only if King Solarus permits it.” Anvil Horn replied. “But to be honest, much of the magic we have conceived should never be seen by anyone of any age or wrought upon this world so long as fate allows.”

Celestia was about to press the issue when the door slowly creaked open and Luna’s head peered through. The dark blue alicorn looked around, letting her eyes adjust to the dimly lit hall.

“Ah, the younger Princess. I have not seen thou for quite a while.” Anvil Horn gave a bow. “What brings thou out from the palace to my wing?”

Luna swallowed nervously, uneasy around the tall alicorn, then turned to her sister. “Father wants thou to return to the palace. Thou has not returned thyself to thine home in five passings of the sun.”

Celestia couldn’t help but dislike the more proper and royal tone her sister had. Luna spent most of her time in the palace and she spent her time in the temple. It was unsurprising that their vocabulary had become so different. Not to mention, she spent a majority of her time at the palace talking to her friend and his form of the language was even more laxed.

“Very well my sister, I shall return home.” Celestia started to put the papers away. “Tell father that I will be there within the hour.”

“I shall, sister.” Luan bowed, gave Anvil Horn a polite yet wary nod then left.

“Quite odd that your father sent Princess Luna to retrieve you.” The older alicorn stated.

“We are always looking for ways to get her out of the palace,” Celestia chuckled as she finished putting the last paper away.

“Hm-hm,” Anvil chuckled. “I take it that you will be back tomorrow?”

“Before the sun rises.” The Princess gathered her possession into a white and gold bag and hurried out of the hall.

In the main chamber of the Stelar Temple the monks were deep in a trance. Scented smoke and magic sparks that looked like stars wafted gleefully in the air. Celestia allowed herself the moment of tranquility in the magic rich environment before leaving. Outside in the city streets a pair of monks sat on the steps and they bowed their heads politely as she passed.

The palace was not far from the temple. Guards in shimmering armor greeted her as she hurried through the door and into the royal hall. She passed the throne where a hunched figure sat and made a beeline towards the stairs. She was about to rush up to her chambers when a soft voice stopped her.

“Celestia,” the figure on the throne whispered. “Come hither, my darling.”

The Princess took a deep breath, “Coming, father.”

She stepped before the throne and looked up at the weary and sad face that looked back at her. There was no sight in the world, other than the image of her slain mother, that gave her more pain than the sight of her father’s sorrowful eyes.

“Thine hair is quite unkempt.” King Solarus gave a slight smile. “It no longer flows like it use to, like how your mother’s use to...”

The smile quickly disappeared and Celestia gave him a tender kiss on the cheek. “You are tired, father. It has been a long day. You should head up to your room and rest.”

“I know,” he closed his eyes. “But you know I fear sleep. He might find me in my dreams and overwhelm me there. At least when I am awake the power of the sun and moon are with me.”

“Why don’t you ask Luna to help you. You know she is very skilled in dream walking.”

Solarus shook his head. “I wish not to risk her too.”

“Very well, father.” Celestia touched her horn to his. The traditional alicorn sign of affection between loved ones. “I am returning to my chambers. Please rest.”

“I shall try, my dear. I shall try.”

Celestia left him and climbed the stairs. Waiting at the top was an unexpected yet welcomed sight. Looking out of the window at the end of the hallway was a figure. A grey uniform coved his frail and bipedal form.

“General Lee.” Celestia walked up to him. “I am glad to see that you are still awake. I always enjoy speaking to you.”

The human turned and faced her, his grey beard and hair outlining the weathered face. He gave a slow bow and spoke in his soft yet stern voice. “Miss Celestia, it has been a while since I have seen you. I take you have been keeping yourself busy?”

“Yes General.” Celestia returned the bow. “Why are you up so late?”

Lee removed his hat and looked at her with his sad, grey-blue eyes. “Been thinking about home. It runs through my mind with ever increasing consistency.”

“You will see your home again, I assure you,” Celestia said. “Goodnight General. I have grown very tired over the past few days. I shall see you tomorrow, perhaps.”

“Goodnight Princess.” Lee bowed again then put his hat back. The General went back to looking out of the window and to his thoughts.

“Traitors! Traitors in the temple!”

Celestia shot out of bed at the alarm. She rushed out of her room, through the palace and into the city streets. The smell of smoke filled the air as she rushed to the temple. Outside the doors alicorn soldiers were preparing to go inside the temple but Celestia ran past them before they could stop her.

Inside the monks were busy protecting themselves from a small group of alicorns with blood red and yellow eyes. Spells flew around the room and she desperately wanted to help but an opportunity never presented itself. A lone Traitor that was slipping away caught her attention. He was heading up the stairs that led to the Spell Development Wing. The Princess hurried after him but another Traitor jumped into her path, stopping her.

Wild eyes looked up at her and his sharp teeth were bared in a feral growl. Celestia could tell from his size that he had been a youth of only 200 years before giving himself over to Discord’s power.

“I will bite the neck of the Princess and drink her sweet blood!” he hissed. “Maybe take a bath in it! Yes!”

Celestia stepped back. She had never been in a situation like this and had never planned on the event of being face to face with a Traitor. But reflexes took hold as he lunged for her neck. Celestia lowered her horn, impaling the Traitor through the lower jaw before he could redirect himself. The Princess tossed him away and he landed heavily, writhing on the ground screaming like a mindless beast. She quickly silenced the Traitor with a quick bolt of magic to the heart.

Celestia didn’t allow herself time to relax and she hurried after the first Traitor. Though, she wasn’t too afraid for Anvil Horn’s life. He was an expert in spell crafting and would not go down easily. As Celestia reached the hall though a sight so horrible met her eyes and it caused her to stop, frozen with terror. Anvil Horn’s body was ripped apart and laid scattered across the room. Standing over the decapitated head of the Elder alicorn was the Traitor. He smiled widely at Celestia, baring his wolflike teeth.

“Remember me, Princess?” he asked in a deep growl.

Celestia recognized him immediately. He had been one of her father’s most trusted generals, and the same pony that murdered her mother.

“You will pay!” she screamed.

“Ha! You are the one who will pay. With your blood!” the Traitor laughed as he jumped at Celestia, vanished midair, then reappeared on her left.

Before she could react he sank his teeth deep into the back of her neck and slammed her hard against the ground. His jaws tightened and Celestia could feel that her spine neared the breaking point. Suddenly the Traitor released her to let out a savage shriek of torment. A bright yellow light filled the room and flecks of ash softly fell to the floor like snow.

Her father’s voice but no discernible words filled her ears as Celestia fell out of consciousness.

Out of the darkness of her mind there came Anvil Horn’s voice.

‘In the Elder’s Chest- you know where I hid it- there is a spell that can be used to win this war. But at a cost unlike anything other. I was too afraid to continue down that path. But there is no hope for anything else and this might be our last chance. He plans on attacking soon. I have faith in you.’

Celestia wanted to call after him but another voice cut in. It was HIS voice, a voice like a continuous laugh, the Lord of Chaos, Discord! She had heard it once before, but now he sounded panicked.

“I will find that spell! Where is the chest? I will destroy everything you love unless I am given that chest! If you do that then you may live. You have my word.”

‘Your word is worth nothing,’ she screamed into the darkness.

Discord’s face filled her mind, “You are worth nothing! You have three days to bring me the contents of that chest or I am coming for it myself. I’m quite enjoying my time amongst the lesser ponies here in the nice land of Equestria so I wont be very pleased if I have to go get it myself. Understood? Good. I’ll be watching, Princess."

“Celestia, my dear, can thee hear me?”

The Princess opened her eyes and looked up at her father. A relieved smile spread across his face.

“Father?” Celestia moaned.

“Oh, thank the stars.” He leaned down and kissed her muzzle. “I was afraid that I was going to lose you.”

The Princess looked around. She was still in the same hall hall and the horrid sight met her eyes once again. Celestia quickly remembered the voices she heard in her mind while unconscious.

“Father,” the Princess groaned as she tried to sit up.

“I’m here.” Solarus gently tried to hold her still. “Stay motionless, you are injured.”

“Help me up, it is important.”

The King was taken slightly aback but complied. Celestia was soon on her hooves and uneasily making her way towards a solid stone wall. She touched her horn to a single block and the wall started to dissolve like water. Beyond it sat a chest of a simple iron and wood construction but the presence of enchantments and magic emanated heavily from it. After a quick series of spells to check if it was safe to tough, Celestia opened it and peered inside.

A pile of scrolls, books and papers met her eyes. But on top was a single book that Celestia had seen Anvil Horn and his two sons working on throughout the years. Both sons had long since disappeared, the eldest died during the war and the youngest became a Traitor. Celestia carefully opened it and read the first page to herself.

-Hark to thee who reads this.

This book contains two spells and both are never to be used lightly. One can save the world and defeat Discord, giving the righteous of heart a power greater than his, but only with the utmost sacrifice. The other is the brother of this spell and can give a single wielder the power over the world at a greater and darker sacrifice. Use the first if there is no hope and never use the last.-

Celestia’s heart got caught as she turned the page to read the first spell. With every sentence she trembled in fear. When the Princess reached the second spell her mind could barely wrap around the horror Anvil Horn and his sons had created.

King Solarus noticed her shivering and approached his daughter. “What is it? Thou has been deathly silent since thee picked that book up.”

Celestia was silent for nearly a minute before facing him. Her eyes wide with terror and unwanted knowledge. “Father, how hopeless are we?”

The call went out that night for every alicorn to return to the Stellar Temple. Celestia stood next to her father and sister on the platform as the flashes of light marking the arrival of another alicon dotted the already large crowd. For an entire day they steadily arrived in the city from hidden locations across the world. The temple quickly became overcrowded and the streets outside were soon being filled.

Soon the flashing of lights lessened and quickly abated, signaling that everyone who was able to join had arrived. Behind the three royals the Stellar Monks were erecting a twenty foot stone pillar, and behind that stood General Lee, quiet and patient as always.

“My friends,” King Solarus’ voice thundered through the hall. “We have called you here to discuss a matter of importance unrivaled by anything we have experienced in the past. A way to defeat Discord has been found but like many last hopes it demands a great sacrifice from us. We are the ones responsible for the release of the worlds greatest enemy and so it must be our duty to trap him once again even if it costs us everything. If we do not perform this last spell then Discord will arrive tomorrow and a final yet hopeless battle will happen and everything will be gone. One way or another, alicorn power is passing on. It is up to us to decide if our power will manifest itself as something new or will blow away like sand under the vengeance of our enemy.”

Celestia stepped forward. “The spell we speak of is a way to make our passing a victory and not a defeat. We may never see a glorious future but perhaps due to our actions the other races may. This spell will draw together the entirety of alicorn power, harmonising it into something more. A single point of order a unity that will radiate a power that can protect the world until the sun burns out and the moon goes black. All of us will pass on and become something far more.”

The King spoke once again. “If thee do not wish to join us then thee are free to leave.”

A few flashes of light marking the disappearance of several more alicorns but nearly all of them stayed.

The King turned to his daughters. “Are you ready for this?”

“If I told you yes it would be a lie.” Celestia replied. “But we have no other choice.”

Luna nodded in agreement. Solarus smiled sadly then returned his attention to the crowd.

“Gather near my brothers and sisters, the time has come.”

The alicorns edged closer, silent in their revelation that this was indeed the end. A last few vanished in flashes of more light but barely more than a few dozen. General Lee approached them.

“I shall now enter my sleep until another age needs my help or I am able to return home.” The human bowed low. “Farewell my friends and may God help all of you.”

“Goodbye General,” the King replied. “I am quite sure you will reach your home. It may be in another thousand years but the passing of that time shall be like a swift sleep to you. Farewell, my friend.”

“Farewell,” both Princesses echoed.

Lee smiled softly before walking away.

“My daughters.” King Solarus whispered, he looked tired and weary once again. “I want you to join the ten Stellar Monks performing the spell. The two warriors that were originally going to become the vessels of our power stepped down to allow you a future. My daughters, you will become the protectors of the world.”

Celestia opened her mouth to argue against the decision but he stopped her. “I have made up my mind. I want to see both of you outlive this and nurture this world. I love both of you more than anything. Goodby my loves, the future needs you.”

He embraced them for a long moment before releasing them. They hesitantly turned to leave him and approached the stone pillar. The head monk greeted them.

“We don’t know what the outcome of the spell will be,” he said. “It has never been done before. Are you ready?”

Both princesses nodded before taking one last look at their father.

“Stand over here and close your eyes.” He pointed to the area in front of the stone. “It will be over quickly. But remember, keep your eyes closed.”

The sisters complied and stood where they were directed as the monks took their positions around them. Both closed their eyes and waited. Slowly a new sensation filled the air. An essence of pure energy and power trickled through their bodies, quickly growing with intensity. After several minutes Celestia couldn’t resist the urge to see what was happening. Her eyes cracked open and the sight nearly blinded her. The alicorn population was quickly disappearing into a spectrum of light that wrapped itself around the sisters. One final pulse of light completely blinded her and everything went silent.
It was still dark when her vision returned. Luna stood next to her, staring at the spot where their father had stood.

“They are all gone,” the younger alicorn whispered in disbelief. “What have thou done?”

Celestia gave her sister little heed. She was too busy marveling at the power coursing through her body. It was incredible, exhilarating actually. On her neck was an amulet that resembled her cutiemark. The same with Luna.

“What have thou done?” Luna muttered again.

“What do you mean, sister?” Celestia turned to her sister, slightly nervous with the slight animosity in her voice. “We now have the power to stop Discord and assure a bright future for the world. There was no other choice than this. You know that, and it is too late to question it now, sister. ”

Luna nodded in agreement but her mind was idling in darker thoughts. Celestia found the spell, she was the one who brought this option to the table. She could have had other motives than saving the future behind this. She wanted the future to herself. Yes, she wanted everything.

“I know, sister. Now we can defeat Discord and that is the only thing that matters.” Luna said, hiding the bitterness in her voice. The pain of losing everything was quickly overwhelming her and her mind was searching for somepony to blame and it fell on Celestia.

The older looked critically at the younger. “I am sad that they are gone, but it was necessary. I am trying to push the pain aside though to prepare myself for our fight against Discord. I suggest that thou do the same.”

He came the next morning. A wild cloud followed after him, harboring his hordes of twisted servants and slaves.

“I expected armies and defiance,” Discord laughed as he slid out of the sky and sat down on a tree. “Not two princesses offering themselves as fodder. Oh, how interesting indeed!”

Celestia and Luna glared up at him from their position outside the front gates. Armor clad them and hate filled their eyes.

“Oh, wait!” Discord laughed. “I smell the power wafting off of you! You performed the spell the son of Anvil Horn told me about! Murdering the population to give you immense power. You truly are far more worthy of being a tyrant than me, Celestia.”

The older princess growled but Luna looked uneasy. Unknown to either princess, Discord was hiding his own fear of the power they now possessed.

“Let me guess,” the draconequus continued, pointing at Luna. “She dragged you into this. Promising you a bright future? I doubt she told mentioned the part that included murdering family and friends. Did she tell you about the children you would have to kill? The families you would have to eliminate?”

“Silence!” Celestia screamed.

Discord had been explaining how the second form of the spell worked. Forcefully absorbing the power of others. She guessed that he did not know about the other version. The one that granted a purer power from a willing sacrifice. She had kept that one secret from everypony except her father. Luna had no knowledge of it.

“You know nothing and now you will fall.”

Celestia’s eyes glowed brightly as she prepared to attack. A wave of spectral energy shot from her horn, knocking Discord from the tree and pinning him to the ground. Luna remained motionless, deep in her tumultuous thoughts, as Discords servants poured out from the clouds to assist their lord. Unknown to either sister, the lord of chaos was working his power ever so slightly on Luna's mind.

“Luna!” the older sister screamed. “I need you! Help me end this!”

“Yes,” Discord laughed as he slowly pushed himself up against Celestia's wave of power. “Help the murderer! Help the killer of the ones you love!”

“You slaughtered more than I ever will!” Celestia shot back, sending more power with her attack and knocking Discord back down.

Luna could stand it no longer. Discord would have to pay but Celestia’s time, whether she was guilty or not, would come eventually. Blood was on her hooves and nothing was going to change that in Luna’s mind.

“Silence!” the dark blue alicorn screamed. A blast of magic joined her sister’s and the world disappeared in a blinding flash.

When the sisters opened their eyes Discord's hordes were gone and standing in a position of shock was a statue of their enemy. Both, ponies collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

“It’s over,” Celestia gasped. “We did it!”

Luna said nothing as the rain started to fall. The corruption of Discord festering like cancer in her mind.

Celestia shot up out of bed and looked into the mirror. Her double colored eyes reflecting the fear she felt inside. She slowly pulled herself together and dwelt over the dream. The years after Discords defeat were filled with healing the nation of Equestria and proclaiming themselves the leaders of the broken country. This had only strengthened Luna’s belief that Celestia only cared about power and would sacrifice anyone to reach a higher position.

“Perhaps she was right and I never noticed what my heart secretly wanted.” Celestia whispered to herself. “But it all lies in the foggy past now and I doubt it matters anymore.”

The Princess knew she was no longer in position to change the world on a grand scale but perhaps she could help it with smaller deeds. A slow redemption for her alleged sins.

Author's Notes:

Two chapters at once! So, what do you guys think so far?