Deep in the western mountains, Discord's ancient castle was creaking under the weight of the snow on the roof. Several of the older wings had already fallen prey to the weather, collapsing under the strain after several hundred years of neglect. Before settling in for his daily slumber and entrapment, Discord had noted with satisfaction that he had allocated his resources wisely and the only losses he had incurred were a couple of 'statues' and a bit of real estate.

Now, safely sealed away from the world around him, he allowed himself time to rest and recuperate. He hated the confinement that the sun’s rays forced upon him, but not because it limited his movement, and restricted his ability to influence the world around him. No, he hated it because it forced him to sleep, and much like his victims his dreams never came easily or offered relief.

Equestria, 2400 years ago

Discord sighed. Another royal ball thrown by the Princesses in Everfree Castle, dignitaries from all over lavishing them with gifts and asking for favours. Rumour had it that the gryphons were going to ask for a special preserve bordering both countries that would allow them to keep hunting feral ponies. Again. Like they did every year. Then there was the matter of the dragons sending a delegate this year, looking to set up their new migratory path over Equestria. Something about resource shortages along their current route. That one was more likely to be approved, but Discord couldn't care less about such boring matters.

He sat in his customary balcony-hammock and watched the guests mingle amongst themselves: ponies, donkeys, zebras, gryphons, a few bison. Celestia had moved her throne next to an open window for the occasion so as to include the dragon in her conversations. Most of the guests had chosen to keep a wide berth of the wyrm, but then most of them weren't alicorns. Chrysalis had yet to make her appearance. Actually she had, but was in the guise of a zebra. Celestia and Discord shared knowing looks across the room. Oh Chrysalis, you're going to have to do much better than that if you want to pull one over on Celestia. There's a reason she's the prime Pillar. He chuckled and then sunk back into boredom.

"We art surprised to see you this night Discord. Our ears doth remember that the last party thou attended you spake of how thou wouldst not return unless our jubilations were 'more entertaining'." Discord had heard this voice many times over the centuries and didn't need to turn his head to know who it belonged to. Without taking his eyes off the floor, he replied to the figure standing behind him.

"Just came for the food Luna. Your sister puts on a fantastic buffet every time, even if her company is the most dreary thing in existence." He snapped his talons and a plate full of the finest delicacies appeared in his paw. He started working on something he couldn't identify, as delicious as it was. Ethnic zebra cooking he wagered.

"That's Princess Luna, and thou wouldst do well to not cast thine magic around so foalishly."

"Oh please Luna. You can drop that ridiculous pretension. I'm not one of your loyal subjects that you need to impress with your "royal Canterlot" voice. Besides, magic is what I do. Well, that and fun." Luna rolled her eyes.

"We ... I mean I... know that. It's hard to speak normally when you're used to addressing your subjects. And your brand of fun tends to cause headaches for your victims, and ponies that are not victims."

"'Victims'? You wound me Luna. I would hardly call the target of a prank a victim. It's all in the name of fun. Even you have to admit the time I turned Celestia's mane into paintbrushes for a day was frightfully amusing." Luna giggled.

"Indeed, the servants were cleaning blue green and pink off the walls. She was furious for a week. She did get you back, if I recall."

"Certainly. the next month I received a gift from a 'secret admirer'. I opened it, and the next thing I know I'm on the moon with a letter saying that if I wanted to paint so badly that here was the biggest easel she could find. Celestia's a riot when she wants to be. I had the last laugh though." He snickered. Luna's eyes went wide with the memory.

"Oh yes. It took her years to remove that stain of yours. Tell me; is it that big in real life?" If the draconequus could blush, he was certainly doing it. Both of them rolled their heads back and shared a hearty laugh. Calming, they watched the party unfold below. Luna, her eyes not as practiced as Celestial's, gazed down looking for Chrysalis' latest guise.

"Wait, do not tell me. She's... that zebra with the inverted stripes?" Discord sighed and shook his head.

"Inverted stripes? They have black and white stripes. How do you know what order they're supposed to be in?"

"W-well I..." The draconequus laughed.

"Oh relax, Luna. Yes the stripes are inverted and yes that's her. Good eye." He raised an approving eyebrow.

"Huzzah! Her disguises are getting better. Few more decades and she may even be able to fool my sister."

"Probably a few centuries off yet, but yes, someday she's going to have this shape shifting act down. I dare say, she might actually make things fun around here again."

"Discord..."

"Oh Luna you know this day to day routine thing leaves me bored out of my skull. You can't honestly tell me that all of these functions, overseeing your subjects, raising the moon every night is enjoyable?"

"'If but one brick is in the wrong place, it takes but a feather to destroy a kingdom.'" Discord waved his hand dismissingly.

"Bah, don't quote ancient Equestrian proverbs at me. It makes me feel old. Not to mention that we authored half of them, so even at that it just sounds ego-stroking. Fine, you two can have your law and order. I'll go spreading the joy of random colourful mushrooms the size of manticores throughout the kingdom." He snickered. Luna's eyes went wide, the comment having reminded her of a report.

"That was you?"

"Well of course. Who else would it have been?" She shrugged and laughed. Soon after her laugh died off, she was thinking again, her face contorted in ponderance of some great mystery. Seeing her expression, Discord inquired.

"What's going on in that head of yours Luna?" Her face wrinkled, having not been prepared to talk about her internal query, however even if it was him just being him and prying into other's business, Discord's smile could be so disarming. She sighed and relented.

"Discord, the four of us... how long have we been here?"

"I don't know, an hour or so."

"No... I mean, how long have we been in Equestria? How long has it been since Equestria was formed?"

"I'll be honest, I've utterly lost track. I mean, we decided to take physical forms... what? Around half a millennia ago? That was amusing. Chrysalis couldn't decide what she wanted to look like, so she found a way to be anything she wanted. She always was terrible at commitment." Luna rolled her eyes.

“This is getting off topic, besides which you’re one to talk. I can’t tell if you’re coming or going.”

“I’ll have you know this form suits me perfectly, and I’m quite proud of it. As to whether I’m coming or going, well, that depends on what you’re doing after the ba-ow!” Luna cuffed Discord on the back of the head with one of her hooves, a deep blush covering her face.

“Off topic.” Discord snickered.

“Fine. Where were we? Ah yes. Before that? I can’t recall. Time is rather meaningless when you have no beginning or end. If I had to guess I would have to say much longer than we were ever corporal beings. Why do you ask?”

“I was just thinking: look at Chrysalis. I mean, Celestia and I took the form of the creatures we enjoyed seeing the most. I’ll be honest, being restricted to this body was a little unnerving at first, but I’ve since grown accustomed to it and I enjoy the company of the ponies a great deal. I know that my sister reflects my sentiments. Even you, in your bizarre personage, have embraced life amongst the mortals. Sure you spend your days spreading chaos and mischief, but even Celestia can see that you don’t mean any real harm by it. Chrysalis never did settle in as well. While she took the form of a pony like us, she never took any enjoyment out of it. ‘Too restrictive’ she said, missing the point of why we took forms in the first place in my opinion.

“She takes the face of whatever suits her that day, and becomes something else the next. She was an alicorn, like Tia and I… now what is she? How long has it been since you last saw her? How long has it been since you really laid your eyes on Chrysalis?” Discord felt a pang of anxiety in the back of his mind, realizing that it had in fact been decades since the last time he had seen Chrysalis in her chosen form.

“What are you getting at? You’re kind of blabbering right now.”

“Who are we?” Discord took a moment to inspect the princess’ face for some sign of emotion. Seeing none, confusion spread across his.

“I‘m sorry?”

“Who are we? Whether or not we chose to acknowledge it, since taking corporal forms we continue to change and evolve, just like the animals and citizens around us. At our core, we’re still the Pillars, but is that core even the same? If our external bodies and powers change, what does that mean for our souls? In a thousand years will I still be Princess Luna of Everfree Castle? Will everything still be the same? I see the changes in Chrysalis, both physical and emotional, and it scares me.”

“Luna, change happens.”

“We never did. Back when we were merely the pillars, none of this mattered in any intrinsic sense. Now that they matter, we care about these ponies and what stays and goes. We’re not just balance anymore Discord.” Discord just laughed again. “What’s so funny?”

“You are. Listen to yourself. You sound like something terrible is going to happen. Look, you and Celestia are obviously the beloved rulers here, and can do no wrong, I’m the avatar of chaos and have a ton of fun with your subjects, and yes Chrysalis has been a bit distant lately, but she’s still technically our ‘sibling‘. Sort of. Things are fine. I would not be surprised if we’re having this exact same conversation in a thousand years, and yes, you will still be Princess Luna.” She smiled and gave the draconequus a tight hug.

“Thanks Discord. For all your “unorthodoxy” you know exactly what to say to make me feel ok again.” She continued surveying the crowd. Chrysalis had found herself trapped in a conversation with two other zebras and the frowns on their faces indicated that, while she had emulated their form, she had failed miserably at copying their mannerisms. Luna glanced over at Celestia and noted that she was also giggling, watching the scene unfold herself. Things might be different, but some things never change.

“Discord thanks again for talking…” The words were lost in her throat as she looked back to the avatar of chaos. His expression had grown dark and he was glancing around the room frantically. “What is it?”

“Something’s not right…” Luna started to shake, unnerved by the sudden and unusual disposition from Discord.

“What Discord? What is not right? What are you talking about?”

“It’s Celestia… they’re going to…”

“WHAT?!” Their debate was broken up by a booming shout coming from near the throne. One of the gryphons was gesturing angrily at the Princess. “Again you refuse our offers! We consider this a personal affront to all gryphon-kind! You will submit to our terms!” Princess Celestia’s tone was calm and level, but her expression indicated she was not to be trifled with.

“We shall do no such thing. We believe we hath made our position very clear, Ambassador Windtalon. Feral or not, we shalt not suffer such a fate for even one of our little ponies. We did not take the responsibility of ruling just to allow our subjects to be fed to the highest bidder. Do not confuse our hospitality with complacency. Thou art free to enjoy the rest of the festivities, or leave at your leisure. Our answer has always been, and will always be, no.” Luna smiled down at her sister, feeling the situation was well in hoof.

“See Discord? Nothing to worry about. Celestia can deal with a few gryphons.” Luna felt her confidence drain away as soon as she saw the colour of his face: so very impossibly white.

“The gryphons aren’t the issue it’s…” The gryphon on the floor below was laughing, drawing the entire room’s attention to himself.

“Oh Celestia, I don’t think you quite understand me. I said you will submit to our terms. You really have no choice in this matter.” Celestia arched one of her brows, and took a moment to glance up at her sister and Discord in the balcony above. The look of horror on Discord’s face gave her the first indication something was wrong.

“W-what?”

“Oh Celestia, you’re so benevolent. So wise. It’s no wonder the ponies welcomed you with open hooves when you appointed yourself and your sister as their leaders. You would do anything to protect them from a terrible fate.” The gryphon nodded to a figure just behind Celestia. The hairs on her neck stood on end as she heard a deep rumbling sound and the creaking of a wall being bowed in, threatening to break. “You silly pony. Did you honestly believe that the dragons would bother to send an envoy requesting a new migratory path over Equestria? As if you had some say in their politics or decisions?” Celestia leapt from her throne and put the gryphon between her and the dragon that was forcing its way into the ballroom. A dragon was there to devour all of her subjects, and she had been the one to invite him in.

“What… how…” She stalled for time, trying to formulate a plan.

“Oh, him? Turns out dragons are easily bought off with ample treasure. Treasure which could have been yours had you relented years ago. Now, we’re going to make sure you understand the folly of your ways. Gorefang!” The dragon howled with rage and dove towards the nearest guard pony. The pony scrambled out of the way as quickly as his hooves could carry him, narrowly avoiding being lunch for the hulking monstrosity. The dragon’s bite tore a support column in two, and a portion of the roof caved in where the pony had been standing a moment before. Screams echoed throughout the room as party-goers panicked and ran for the doors. Several of the gryphons took positions around the room and sealed the chamber, trapping them all within. Chrysalis herself narrowed her eyes, and dark red smog started rising out of her body. With a swing of her now barely morpheus head, the dark red smog engulfed the entourage of zebras she had previously been trying and failing to talk to. She turned her head back to the other immortals, speaking with a voice that had a thousand intonations.

“Brethren, I will see to the immediate evacuation. I leave the rest of the entourage to you. Be wary, our forms may not yet be bound tight enough to Equestria to survive a dragon.”

The smog quickly multiplied in mass and flooded out, engulfing nearby guests, Chrysalis herself melting into it and disappearing as well. Luna and Discord could feel Chrysalis’ pacification magic surround the room, placating the panicking crowds while the smog absorbed them.

“Discord we have to do something, now!” Luna said sharply. He glanced around the room himself, looking for some sort of opportunity, some way out that wouldn’t cost the lives of the remaining party goers. In his distraction, he missed the dark blue blur that was Luna darting past him until it was too late.

“Luna wait, no!” His claw reached out into empty air. He watched in grim horror as she planted herself on the floor between the dragon and the rest of the assembly that were still in the process of being evacuated.

“YOU WILL NOT LAY A CLAW ON A PONY THIS DAY.” Her royal Canterlot voice filled the room with a booming echo, bringing even the rampaging dragon to attention. A field of the darkest, pitchest, black began to spread from her horn, dragging stray objects towards it, enveloping the immediate area around the alicorn. In her rage and panic, she continued to pour her being into the incantation. Recognizing the energies for what they were, Celestia cried out to her sister.

“Luna! Sister, thou art playing with a force your form will not allow! Cease your projections lest they turn you!” Confused and scared, Luna was brought out of her concentration by her sister’s cry, and the field dropped. Several objects dropped to the floor scattered about her, and she looked around shocked and confused. Capitalizing on the situation, the quicker reacting dragon swung his claw around and slammed the princess into the wall, grinning as she crumpled into a pile. “LUNA!”

The dragon smiled and thought highly of his good fortune. He had only been paid to eat a few ponies and sew destruction. The gryphons would surely pay more for the death of one of the princesses. He closed in for the kill. Time moved in slow motion for Celestia, the shock of seeing her sister flung against the wall slowing her reaction. The mouth of the dragon came closer and opened wide, saliva and other fluids splaying out to the sides. The dragon brought his mouth down around the alicorn and began to bite down. Celestia looked away. To her surprise, rather than a scream or the sound of masticated flesh, all she heard was a grunt.

Turning back, she saw that Discord had teleported into the advancing dragon’s mouth and had wedged its jaws open with his own body, preventing it from biting down. He struggled against the incredible pressure the dragon was able to produce, but he held.

“Celestia, get her out of here now! We don’t know if we’ll be getting her back if she’s destroyed by draconic null-magic.” Celestia enveloped her now fainted sister in a magic field and teleported her away. Discord leapt back and allowed the dragon to clamp his mouth shut. Unprepared for the sudden lack of resistance, its jaw slammed together and it shredded the inside of its mouth on its own teeth, blood dribbling out. Another roar of anger escaped its maw and it renewed its focus on Discord.

Discord teleported behind the dragon’s head and summoned a cotton-candy cloud covered with sticky caramel to blind it. It flailed about wildly and swung its arms out into the air, attempting to strike down the fly that was buzzing around its head. Slamming his claws and paw on the floor, deceptively durable paper-mache walls erupted from the ground and encapsulated the area around the dragon, the only leading exit out the side of the castle. Teleporting again, Discord appeared at the now gaping hole in the side of the castle, and called out to the enormous beast.

“Hey! I’m right here!” The dragon spun about and barrelled after him. A moment later and both dragon and draconequus were gone, both having flown off at a rapid pace. Luna came to a few moments later.

“I-I still exist in Equestrian form?” Celestia cried a tear of joy, letting it fall on her sister’s face.

“Yes mine sister, thou art still with us. However we fear the same might not be said for our comrade Discord. The dragon just left in pursuit of him.” Luna’s eyes went wide.

“Discord?! No! We must find him!” Celestia did her best to restrict the movement of Luna, but it was to no avail. The younger sister slipped free of her embrace and was gone.

“Luna!” She would need to go after her, but there was a more pressing matter to take care of first. She turned her attention to the gryphons, standing to her full height and releasing her leashed magic once she noticed that the crimson gas that characterized Chrysalis’s essence magic bled out of the room with their guests.

“Ambassador. For treason, espionage, attempted murder and attempted regicide, thou and all of thine accomplices art now prisoners of Equestria, to be tried and dealt with in a manner that suits us. Thou can also consider this a declaration of war between our peoples.”

The Prime Pillar flared her wings, rays of the brightest light enveloping the room in sunlight.

“Discord!” Luna had flown through the air frantically, searching for any signs of either draconic entities. She had nearly gone hoarse, having screamed at the top of her lungs for an hour. Finally, in the valley between two hills she could vaguely make out a tall slender shape. Discord did not turn to face the approaching alicorn.

“Luna! You’re alright?” He snorted a bit, a slight cough escaping his lungs.

“Of course I’m alright! Are you ok? How did you escape the dragon?!” He looked up at her, trying to find the words to explain himself. He started to speak, barely forcing the words passed a lump of emotion caught in his throat.

“Luna, when we because corporeal, do you remember the vow that we made? About the responsibility of our powers?” Luna nodded, trying to comprehend his meaning.

“We said that no matter what, we would not use them to kill another, as that would be a corruption of our strength and an abuse of our powers… why are you bringing this up now?” He sighed and covered his eyes with one hand, reaching out with the other and pointing at one the hills. Following his gesture, Luna examined the hill closely. Finally realizing what she was seeing, she recoiled in shock and horror.

“D-Discord… w-what have you done?!”

Only then had she realized what it was that she was seeing. There was no valley, there was no pair of hills. There was only one hill, and Discord was standing between the hill and the now dead body of the dragon, a large gash along one side indicating the impact of one of the draconequus more violent spells. Discord placed his face in both of his claws, unable to look Luna in the eyes.

“I just wanted to protect you.”