The two alicorns landed in a lonely cave just before nightfall. The older lit a fire to stave off the chill of night, while the younger focused her energy on casting a spell. As a blue aura engulfed her horn, the moon began to rise slowly into the sky, lighting the night with its glow. Little points of light flared to life in the blackness above. In moments, the day was gone, and night had taken its place.

“Are you feeling all right, Luna?” the white-coated sister asked as the other tripped over her hooves.

“I’m fine, Celestia,” the blue-coated alicorn replied. “Just tired.”

“We’ve had a long day, little sister,” Celestia said, helping Luna to the fire. “Lie down and rest. I will take the first watch tonight.”

Luna lay down carefully and closed her eyes, her dark, starry mane and tail billowing around her. Celestia returned to the cave mouth and looked outside. The dark land seemed devoid of life, and they had seen nothing during their descent. Still, one could never be too careful. They were in a strange land, and Celestia would rather sacrifice a little sleep than wake up to an unpleasant surprise.

“Tia?” Celestia turned to see Luna’s tired face peeking up at her. “Where are we going?”

“I don’t know,” Celestia said. “We just have to keep going until we discover our true selves.”

“But why did we have to leave home?” Luna asked. “I miss it.”

“That’s just the way it is,” Celestia said with a sigh. “An alicorn must always go on a long journey before she can discover who she is.”

“But why?”

“We’ve been over this, Luna,” Celestia said, focusing her attention on the dark world outside. “Now get some rest. You’ll need your strength for tomorrow.”

Celestia heard sniffling behind her. She turned and saw tears falling from Luna’s eyes and splashing noiselessly on the cold stone floor. “I’m sorry,” she said as she walked towards her sister. “I shouldn’t have raised my voice.”

“It’s okay,” Luna said, her voice quavering. Celestia lay down beside her, her pastel-colored mane partially covering her sister’s body. “It’s just, sometimes I think they were right. Maybe I should have waited until I was older.”

“Why didn’t you?” Celestia asked. “Everypony said you should.”

“Because you were going,” Luna said as she snuggled her head against Celestia’s shoulder. “I didn’t want to have to say goodbye.”

Celestia’s chest filled with warmth, and she returned Luna’s affectionate gesture. “Well, I’m very glad you came with me.”

“Why?” Luna asked. “You’re always telling me to fly faster.”

“At least I have somepony to talk to,” Celestia said. “Can you imagine doing this all on your own?”

“I guess not,” Luna said, closing her eyes and resting her head on her forelegs. “Are you sure I’m not a bother?”

“You wouldn’t be very much of a little sister if you weren’t,” Celestia teased, nudging Luna with her snout. Luna smiled and managed a short laugh. “But you are my sister, and if I had to have somepony with me, I would want it to be you.”

“Thanks,” Luna mumbled as her breathing slowed. Celestia stood up and walked back to the cave entrance. “Tia?” Luna’s voice called again. “Do you think you could sleep with me tonight?”

Celestia looked from Luna’s imploring face to the dark, cold night and sighed. “Very well,” she said, lying down once more beside Luna, “but only for tonight.”

“Okay.” Luna was silent for a moment. “Tia?”

“Yes, Luna.”

“I love you.”

Celestia smiled as she nuzzled her sister’s mane. “I love you too, little sister,” she said. “Now, go to sleep. I’ll be right here.”

Celestia had already raised the sun when Luna came to the next morning. The two put out the remaining coals from their fire and took off. Their food supplies were running low, so they stayed below the clouds so they could search for a valley they had seen the day before. “We should have seen it by now,” Celestia said. “Are you sure it was this way?”

“I’m pretty sure,” Luna said. “There’s been a strong headwind all morning. Maybe that’s why we haven’t reached it.”

Celestia continued to scan the horizon when she noticed how low the sun was in the sky. It can’t be that late, she thought. She glanced at Luna, wondering if she was pulling one of her pranks, but her sister’s horn lacked the aura it always had when she used magic. “Luna, how long have we been flying?”

“A few hours. Why?” Luna asked.

“Look,” Celestia said, gesturing towards the sun. Luna followed her gaze and frowned.

“Are you doing that?” Luna asked.

“Why would I–” Celestia stopped mid-sentence as the sun dropped off the horizon and the moon shot into the sky. Celestia flared her wings and came to a stop while her eyes adjusted to the sudden change. “Luna? Are you okay?”

“Tia, what’s going on?” Luna asked. Celestia could barely see her against the dark sky.

“I don’t know,” Celestia said. “We should land, quickly.” The two began flying in wide circles, looking for a good place to descend. “Do you see anything?”

“Just forest,” Luna said. “Maybe if we – ahh!”

Luna’s suggestion was cut short as a cloud flew past, enveloping her briefly. When it passed, Luna was falling out of control. “Tia! Help!”

“Luna!” Celestia folded back her wings and fell into a dive as a yellow aura burst to life around her horn. Luna’s body began to glow as Celestia wrapped her in a levitation spell to slow her descent. A second cloud flew around Celestia’s body, and when it passed, Celestia found herself struggling to stay airborne, her feathers coated in a strange, sticky substance.

She was only distracted for a moment, but it was long enough. Her spell failed, and Luna disappeared with a scream into a small clearing below. “Luna! Hold on!” she yelled, swooping down and landing gracelessly beside her sister. “Luna, are you all right?”

“My wing,” Luna moaned. “I think it’s broken.”

“Don’t move,” Celestia said. She tore some branches off a nearby tree and ignited them with her magic. In the firelight, she could see Luna’s wing crumpled awkwardly under her body. Celestia carefully helped Luna roll off her injured wing so she could get a better look at it. “It doesn’t look broken,” she said.

A deep laugh echoed through the forest, and a sudden gust of wind blew out Celestia’s fire. The two alicorns looked around with wide eyes. “Who’s there?” Celestia yelled.

“My, my, what have we here?” the voice said from all directions at once. Celestia could see a dark shape moving amidst the trees. “A couple of intruders? Oh, this won’t do at all.”

“We are the princesses Celestia and Luna,” Celestia said. “We were merely passing through when my sister crashed.”

“Oho, I’ve poached a pair of princesses,” the voice said. “Well, I wasn’t expecting that!”

“You did this? You could have killed us!” Celestia shouted.

“Oh, relax,” the voice said. “It’s just a bit of honey. It’ll wash off.”

“Tia, what is that?” Luna asked in a soft, trembling voice. “What’s going on?”

“Fear not, my dear Luna,” the voice said before Celestia could answer. “I’m merely doing my job. After all, a ruler has to protect his lands from invaders.”

“You didn’t have to knock us out of the sky,” Celestia said. “You could have just asked us what we wanted, and none of this would have happened.”

“Oh, where’s the fun in that?” the voice said. “I find a little chaos is good for a pony. Keeps her on the tips of her hooves, as it were.”

“You think injuring my sister is fun?” Celestia shouted.

“Oh, Celestia, you really should lighten up,” the voice said with a groan. “It’s not good for a pony to be so serious.”

“It’s not good for a pony to find herself coating in honey mid-air, either.”

The voice let out a long chuckle. “Still hung up on that, are we? Fine, we’ll do it your way. Why are you here?”

“As I said, we are merely passing through,” Celestia said. “My sister and I are on a journey to discover our true selves.”

“Your true selves?” the voice repeated. The dark shape came to a halt, and a pair of yellow eyes looked at them from the trees. “Say, that wouldn’t happen to involve a certain image appearing on one’s flank, would it?”

Celestia frowned. “Yes, as a matter of fact, it does. Why do you ask?”

“Well, it just so happens that I’m a master of helping ponies figure out what they’re good at,” the voice said. “In fact, I’d be willing to help you do the same – granted you do me a little favor first.”

“You knock us out of the sky and still expect favors?”

“That was for trespassing and was entirely within my right,” the voice said. “However, if you do this for me, I’ll overlook your little intrusion and throw in some self-discovery as a token of goodwill. What do you say?”

“What if we refuse?”

Deep laughter surrounded them once again. “I wouldn’t recommend that, Celestia,” the voice said as the wind began to blow harder. “I think you’ll find I can be very persuasive.”

Celestia looked down at Luna. Her sister’s body was trembling, and Celestia wasn’t sure if it was from pain, fear, or both. “First, help my sister.”

“Oh, she’ll be fine,” the voice said. “Make up your mind; I have other things to do.”

“Very well,” Celestia said. “What is this favor?”

The voice’s cackling echoed through the trees. “You will travel East to Everfree, where ponies have taken to disliking me. Convince them to stand down immediately, and destinies twain I shall help you to see.”

Celestia had to think for a moment. “You want us to go to Everfree and convince the ponies there to like you?”

“More or less,” the voice said. “I will find you when your mission is complete.”

“Wait,” Celestia said. “Who should we tell them sent us?”

“Tell them Discord sent you, if you must,” the voice said. “Whether you do or not is up to you.” Celestia saw the dark shape move away, and her fire burst back to life. Moments later, the sun returned to the sky.

“Tia?” Luna’s tiny voice sounded hollow compared to Discord’s. “What are we going to do?”

Celestia helped her sister to her hooves. “First, we’re going to take care of your wing,” she said. “Come on. He said the village is to the East. Maybe somepony there can help us.”

The sun and moon traded places several times over the next few hours as Celestia and Luna made their way towards what they hoped was the village. Many of the trees were twisted into absurd shapes, and several had bright pink leaves. At one point, a lone cloud followed them for several minutes, drenching them both in cold water.

Luna’s whimpering kept Celestia from doing any real contemplation. The young alicorn could barely move without tweaking her wing the wrong way. “Just hold on,” Celestia said. “We’ll find help eventually.”

“Will I be able to fly again?” Luna asked. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life on the ground.”

“Everything will be fine,” Celestia said, though she was beginning to lose hope in this endless forest. “It looks like there’s a clearing up ahead. Maybe we’ll find somepony there.”

They reached the tree line and found themselves looking at a farm. At least, Celestia thought it was a farm. Half the field seemed to be sprouting candy, and corn grew haphazardly in the other. Celestia saw a red stallion with a black mane making his way through the corn stalks, and a purple mare with a short blue and white mane was sweeping dust off the front porch of the small farmhouse. As Celestia drew closer, she saw the mare carried the image of a paintbrush on her flank. The mare dropped her broom in surprise when she spotted them and ran to meet them.

“What’s wrong? Is she hurt?” the mare asked.

“She injured her wing,” Celestia said.

“It hurts!” Luna moaned, as if to emphasize Celestia’s words.

“Come inside, quickly,” the mare said, ushering the two alicorns toward her house. “Don’t worry. I have just the thing.”

There were only two rooms in the house, one for storage and one for sleeping. The mare took Luna to the second and had her lie on the bed while she examined her wing. “It looks sprained to me,” she said as she fetched a bandage from a chest behind a couple paintings in the corner. “Stay off it for a few days, and it will be as good as new. I’ll wrap it up and get you two something to eat.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said as the mare carefully wrapped Luna’s injured wing against her body. “Might I ask who our kind hostess is?”

“Oh, my name’s Color Wheel,” the mare said as she tied off the end of the bandage. Luna gave a small squeak in protest. “Anything in particular you’d like? I’m afraid we don’t have much, but you two look like you’ve been through a lot.”

“Anything will do,” Celestia said. Color Wheel left the room for a few minutes and returned with several carrots and two piles of hay. She set one on the bed where Luna could reach and the other in front of Celestia. “Did you make those?” Celestia asked, gesturing towards the paintings in the corner.

“Yes,” Color Wheel said as the alicorns ate. “I don’t get much time to paint right now with the harvest coming up, but I try to do a little when I get a moment.”

“They’re very nice,” Celestia said.

“Thank you. I have to admit, I’ve never seen ponies like you,” Color Wheel said. “Pegasi and unicorns, yes, but never ponies that could fly and use magic.”

“My name is Celestia, and this is my sister, Luna,” Celestia said. “We’ve journeyed from a far-away land to discover our true selves. We were passing through when a strange being attacked us and injured my sister’s wing. He said he was the ruler of this land. Do you know anything about him?”

“It must have been Discord,” Color Wheel said with a hint of disdain. “I’m sorry you had to meet him. He’s always causing trouble for somepony.”

“Color Wheel? Who are you talking to?” a voice asked from the other room. A moment later, the red stallion poked his head inside. “Who are you?”

“Celestia and Luna,” Color Wheel said. “Discord attacked them and injured Luna’s wing. This is my husband, Grainthresh,” she added.

“I’m very pleased to meet you,” Celestia said. “Your wife has been most kind to us.”

“She’s nice to just about everypony,” Grainthresh said as he entered the room. Celestia noticed he had the image of stalks of grain on his flank. “Well, what brings you to Everfree? We don’t get a lot of visitors out here.”

“This is Everfree?” Luna asked.

“The outskirts, anyway,” Color Wheel said. “The main village lies just over the hills.”

“You’ve heard of our village?” Grainthresh asked.

“Yes,” Celestia said. “After Discord waylaid us, he told us to go to Everfree. Apparently, he’s not very popular around here.”

Grainthresh and Color Wheel exchanged surprised glances. “What else did he say?” Grainthresh asked.

“Not much,” Celestia said. “I think I’ll understand what he wants us to do once I see more of the village.”

Grainthresh’s expression turned hard. “So you’re working for him?”

“I suppose that’s one way to look at it,” Celestia said.

“I see.” Grainthresh pawed at the floor with one hoof, gouging a small groove.

“I’m sure it’s all right,” Color Wheel said. “They don’t seem –”

“They never do,” Grainthresh said. “You can never be sure with Discord.”

“Is something wrong?” Luna asked.

Color Wheel started to answer, but Grainthresh cut her off. “Discord’s servants are not welcome in Everfree,” he said. “I want you out of my house and off my land, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll go back to where you came from.”

“Grainthresh, please!” Color Wheel said. “Luna is injured. You can’t possibly –”

“They are not welcome here, Color Wheel,” Grainthresh said. “They should consider themselves lucky they found us first. The others would not be so kind.”

“Is this what passes for kindness these days?” Color Wheel said. “Be reasonable. You can’t –”

“Reasonable?” Grainthresh repeated, his voice rising. “Look at the field. Look at the forest. When was the last time anything around here was reasonable?”

“That doesn’t mean we can’t be,” Color Wheel said, keeping her voice even. “They need our help.”

“I want them gone,” Grainthresh repeated slowly. “Where they go is of no importance to me.” He turned and left the room without another word.

“I apologize for my husband’s behavior,” Color Wheel said with a sigh. “I’m afraid Discord has made our lives unusually difficult over the past few months.”

“I’m sorry,” Celestia said. “I didn’t realize feelings were so hard between you and Discord.”

“It’s not your fault, dear,” Color Wheel said. “I’ll take you to Everfree. I have a friend there who might let you stay.”

“Are you sure?” Celestia asked as Color Wheel helped Luna up. “Maybe it would be better if we went someplace else.”

“I doubt it,” Color Wheel said. “Grainthresh wasn’t lying when he said he was being nicer than most. Just don’t mention your meeting with Discord, and things should be all right.”

“Why is that such a big deal?” Luna asked. “He’s your ruler, isn’t he? Why does everypony hate him so much?”

Color Wheel let out a long sigh. “Get your things, dear. I’ll tell you on the way.”

“I was but a young filly when Discord came to Equestria,” Color Wheel said as the three walked down a well-worn path through the forest. “Before he came, the unicorns governed us from Canterlot. It was a hard life, but unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies worked together to get by, and things were pleasant. Then Discord arrived and turned everything upside-down.”

“Is that why the clouds are made of honey?” Luna asked.

“And why the sun and moon rise and fall whenever they please?” Celestia added.

Color Wheel nodded. “It started small enough – a prank here and there, nothing more. Then our crops started changing and growing unpredictably, and the pegasi lost control of the weather. Soon our land was engulfed in chaos, and there was nothing we could do about it. Nopony knew how to stand up to Discord. He overthrew the government and set himself up as our ruler, and we have been miserable ever since.”

Celestia looked at the strange trees around them, which appeared to be made of glass. “I don’t understand,” she said. “Why would any ruler treat his subjects like this?”

“Nothing he does makes sense,” Color Wheel said as they started climbing a hill. “All we know is he enjoys watching us suffer.”

“There must be some reason,” Luna said. “How are we supposed to convince the Everfree ponies to like Discord if we don’t know what the problem is?”

“Is that what he sent you to do?” Color Wheel laughed. “That seems like the kind of game he would play. Send two total strangers to make peace with ponies that can’t be pacified. You’d be hard-pressed to convince even me to like that serpent.”

“There’s always a way,” Luna said. “Tia, there must be something we can do.”

“We’ll see,” Celestia said. “It appears this situation is more complicated than Discord made it out to be.”

“But Tia, he said he’d help us find our true selves,” Luna said.

“True selves? You mean your cutie marks?” Color Wheel asked, coming to a stop at the hill’s crest. “Is that what all this is about?”

“Luna and I left home in search of our true selves,” Celestia said. “Discord said he would help us if we pacified the Everfree ponies.”

Color Wheel studied the two sisters for a moment, a frown on her face. “Celestia, would you mind flying above the trees and looking at the mountains to the North? I want to show you something.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Celestia opened her wings and leaped into the air. She flapped hard until she rose above the trees and turned towards the mountains. She saw what looked like a city on the side of one of the cliffs. As she looked closer, she saw that most of the buildings had been reduced to rubble, and it looked like it had been abandoned for quite some time.

“That used to be Canterlot,” Color Wheel said once Celestia descended and told her what she’d seen. “Discord destroyed it when the unicorns tried to restore order to Equestria. A few survivors made it to Everfree. Nopony knows what happened to the rest.”

Color Wheel looked both of them in the eye as she spoke. “Self-discovery is important. Everypony understands that. But is your quest worth the misery of a nation?”

Celestia didn’t know what to think. If only we’d known all this when Discord first appeared, she thought. Her quest was important, but Color Wheel was right. Nothing was worth letting these ponies continue to suffer.

“Tia?” Luna’s voice brought Celestia out of her thoughts. “Did it really look that bad?”

“Yes, Luna,” Celestia said. “I can’t imagine what it must be like up close.”

“We should keep moving,” Color Wheel said. “Everfree is just over the next hill. Be careful what you say. The ponies here don’t take very kindly to outsiders.”

Everfree was dark when they arrived. Thatch-roofed huts of wood and stone lined the streets, many serving as both shops and houses. Every face they saw was lined with worry and fatigue, and every head hung low. At first only a few even noticed them, but as they drew near the village square, more ponies began to look at them with curiosity and mistrust. Some of them seemed outright hostile, and Celestia reminded herself once again not to mention the deal she’d made with Discord.

Their progress finally stopped when a black pegasus landed on the street in front of them. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“They’re travelers,” Color Wheel said.

“I didn’t ask you,” the pegasus said, brushing her aside. His blue mane was cut short except for one lock that hung over his face, and his flank bore the image of a tornado. “I am Galeforce, head of the Everfree Security Council,” he said with a scowl. “Who are you, and what do you want?”

“As she said, we are travelers,” Celestia said. “My name is Celestia, and this is my sister, Luna.”

“I don’t care what you call yourselves,” Galeforce said. “What business do you have in Everfree?”

“My sister was injured during our flight,” Celestia said carefully. “She needs time to recover before we can continue.”

“A likely story,” Galeforce said with a snort.

“It’s true,” Color Wheel spoke up. “I bandaged her wing myself.”

“Did you not notice their horns also?” Galeforce asked. “No pony in the history of Equestria has been endowed with both flight and magic.”

“We come from a land far away,” Celestia said. “Please, I only ask that my sister be allowed to rest.”

“Do you take me for a fool?” Galeforce demanded. “Do you think I am unaware of what your master is capable of?”

“O-our master?”

“You may have fooled this mare, but you won’t fool me,” Galeforce said. “You’ve clearly been sent by Discord to spy on our activities.”

“Discord ambushed us!” Luna said. “He’s the reason my wing is –”

“Your wings and horns say otherwise,” Galeforce said. “Clearly, you are creatures of chaos, servants of the draconequus. You will remain in the castle prison until you can prove otherwise.”

“Galeforce!” The crowd parted as a dark orange pegasus with a long silver mane and the image of a scroll on his flank made his way to the front. “They are not spies, nor are they servants of Discord.”

“What is your proof, Scrollkeeper?” Galeforce asked.

“My proof is that you have none,” the pegasus called Scrollkeeper said. “These two are alicorns.”

“Alicorns?” Galeforce repeated. “You speak of pony tales, old one.”

“I speak of the archives,” Scrollkeeper said. “There are records of ponies with both wings and horns that acted benevolently towards our kind in the distant past. These alicorns are no enemies of ours.”

“You speak nonsense,” Galeforce said. “Alicorns only exist in legends.”

“As did the draconequus,” the old pegasus replied. “Yet we have been at the mercy of one for many years. If those legends are true, why not these?”

Galeforce hesitated while the surrounding ponies began to mutter amongst themselves. Celestia could see some that wanted her arrest, but the majority seemed unsure. “Very well,” Galeforce said at last. “I will let you go this time. But I will be watching you,” he added with a glare before returning to the skies.

The crowd slowly dispersed, and soon Celestia and Luna were left alone with Color Wheel and Scrollkeeper. “Thank you,” Celestia said.

“You’re lucky my nephew told me about the commotion,” Scrollkeeper said. “You were unwise to bring them here, Color Wheel.”

“Well, Grainthresh wouldn’t let them stay, and I was about to let them wander around with an injury,” Color Wheel said.

“You know how Galeforce feels about strangers,” Scrollkeeper said. “If Cleansweep hadn’t come to me, these two would have been locked in the prison indefinitely.”

“And you think leaving them on their own in the forest is a better idea?” Color Wheel asked.

“I think you should have thought things through before parading them through the center of town,” Scrollkeeper said. “Where are you going, anyway?”

“To see Shuttleweave,” Color Wheel said. “I’m hoping she’ll give them a place to stay.”

Scrollkeeper sighed. “I don’t think I’ll ever understand you, Color Wheel.”

“Some of us choose to be optimistic,” Color Wheel said.

“And some of us choose to base our decisions more on fact and less on chance,” Scrollkeeper said. “Still, I suppose something good did come of this.” He turned to face Celestia and Luna. “Perhaps these two alicorns can help us.”

Celestia shifted her weight uncomfortably. “I’ll need to learn more about Discord and the draconequus before I can say for sure,” she said.

Scrollkeeper nodded. “I believe I may be able to help you,” he said. “Come to the library after you’ve rested. I’ll be waiting.” With that, Scrollkeeper turned and walked away.

“I’m sorry about what happened back there,” Color Wheel said as the three made their way through Everfree’s streets. Celestia caught several ponies watching them discreetly, but none approached. “I’d forgotten how quick to judge Galeforce can be sometimes. Here we are.” Color Wheel came to a stop in front of a small shop. The shutters were closed, but yellow candlelight glowed within. Color Wheel tapped a hoof on the door. “Shuttleweave? Are you there?”

Soft hoof beats crossed the shop’s interior, and a teal unicorn with a brown mane opened the door. “Oh, hello, Color Wheel,” she said softly. “What brings you here?”

“I have a favor to ask,” Color Wheel said. “These two – alicorns, was it?”

“My sister’s wing is injured,” Celestia said, getting to the point for Luna’s sake. Her younger sister looked about ready to faint. “We need a place to stay.”

Shuttleweave looked them over. “Everypony’s been talking about you,” she said. “They say Discord sent you to spy on us.”

“We’re travelers, nothing more,” Celestia said.

“He attacked us and almost broke my wing,” Luna chimed in.

“I see. Well, come in.” Shuttleweave moved aside so they could enter, but Celestia had a feeling she wasn’t convinced. “If you don’t mind me asking, where have your travels taken you?”

“Mostly across mountains,” Luna said, crossing the room to examine a wooden contraption with strings strung across it. “What’s this?”

“It’s a loom,” Shuttleweave said. Celestia noticed the mark on her flank looked just like it. “I use it to weave fabric for blankets. It gets very cold here in the winter, and it usually takes me all year to make enough blankets for everypony.”

“That sounds like an important job,” Celestia said.

“I’m lucky in that respect,” Shuttleweave said. “Discord hasn’t figured out how to have fun with it, so he’s left it alone so far.”

“I still don’t understand,” Luna said. “Why would Discord cause all these problems? It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Does anything these days?” Shuttleweave asked.

“There must be some reason,” Luna insisted. “Did somepony do something to make him mad? Apologizing might do everypony good.”

“Tell that to my brother, Woodwright,” Shuttleweave said. A pale blue aura burst to life around Shuttleweave’s horn, and a woven green scarf rose from a bench and floated across the room. “This scarf used to belong to him. I made it for him several years ago when we were both young. When I saw how much he liked it, I realized that weaving was my special talent. That day, my cutie mark appeared.”

“What happened to him?” Celestia asked.

“Discord,” Shuttleweave said bitterly. “He came here and started destroying all our crops. Woodwright stood up to him, so Discord cast a spell on him that drove him mad. He lived in the forest for a while, but nopony has seen him in years. I can only hope wherever he is, somepony is taking care of him.”

She’s going to turn us out, Celestia thought. As unfair as it was, she couldn’t blame the unicorn. Would I help somepony I thought was helping the being who drove my sibling mad?

Shuttleweave returned the scarf to the table and faced Luna and Celestia. “I don’t know why you’re here, but I never turn away a pony in need, for Woodwright’s sake. You may stay here until you are well.”

Celestia could hardly believe her ears. “Thank you,” she said. The words were inadequate to express the gratitude she felt.

“I’ll prepare a room for you,” Shuttleweave said as she used her magic to levitate a stack of blankets. “What about you, Color Wheel? I still have your painting if you want to finish it.”

“Thank you, but I should be getting home,” Color Wheel said. “I might stop by tomorrow, though. It was nice meeting you two,” she added with a nod towards the alicorns. “I wish you the best of luck in your quest.”

“This way,” said Shuttleweave. The alicorns followed her to a small room in the back, where she laid out several blankets on the floor. “It’s not much, but it’ll protect you from the elements. We never know when Discord will send a storm.”

Celestia looked out the window. The sun dropped behind the horizon, and the moon shot up to take its place. “Is it always like this?” she asked.

“If it’s not the sun and the moon, it’s something else,” Shuttleweave said, hanging a blanket over the window. “This should help you get some rest. If you need anything, just ask.”

Celestia and Luna lay down on the blankets, but Celestia found it impossible to sleep. She looked over at Luna, who was staring at the floor. “How does your wing feel?”

“Better,” Luna said. “Tia, what should we do?”

Celestia sighed. “I don’t know,” she said. “Discord wants us to restore the peace, but I’m not sure that’s even possible.”

“I’m not sure I want to,” Luna said. “Not after what he did to Shuttleweave’s brother.”

“I agree,” Celestia said. “We should go see Scrollkeeper at the library. We need to find out more about what’s really going on.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Luna said. “The ponies here haven’t been very friendly.”

“Shuttleweave and Scrollkeeper have decided to help us,” Celestia said. “I don’t think anypony will harm us if we don’t give them a reason to.”

“But what if they do?” Luna asked. “We could just leave and look for our true selves somewhere else, somewhere that isn’t so dangerous.”

“Nopony ever found her true self by running away, little sister,” Celestia said, nuzzling Luna’s neck affectionately. “I know you’re scared, and I don’t blame you, but we have to be brave. As long as we’re together, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” Celestia said. “I would never leave you alone.”

Luna smiled and closed her eyes. “Okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Whatever that means in this land, Celestia thought as the sun shot into the sky once again. It’s a wonder anypony gets any sleep around here. She closed her eyes and made herself comfortable, hoping tomorrow would bring more answers than questions.

The ponies were still watching them when they walked up to the library. “Do you really think he’ll be able to help us?” Luna asked as Celestia tapped her hoof against the door.

“Come on in!” a young voice called from inside. A gold-coated colt with a messy red mane and a broom-shaped mark on his flank greeted them as they walked inside. “I’m Cleansweep. My uncle said he’ll be here in a minute.”

“So you’re the one who told Scrollkeeper about us yesterday,” Celestia said, looking around the library. The shelves were mostly organized, but the tables were covered with half-opened scrolls and notes.

“Yep!” Cleansweep said with an enthusiastic flap of his wings. “I saw everypony following you and I knew my uncle would want to know about it, so I flew straight here and told him!”

“That was a good choice,” Luna said, examining some of the books. “It looks like you have quite the collection here.”

“My uncle’s been collecting them for years,” Cleansweep said. “He goes back to Canterlot once in a while to get more. I would go with him, but he says I’m still too little.”

“Canterlot?” Luna repeated. “The city in the mountains?”

“Yeah,” Cleansweep said. “We used to live there, but we had to come here because something bad happened. I want to go back when I’m bigger, though. I might even find my parents!”

“You don’t know where your parents are?” Celestia asked.

“No, we got separated when we left,” Cleansweep said. “Uncle Scrollkeeper says they’re probably looking for me. One day, I’m going to look for them, too.”

“Cleansweep!” Scrollkeeper said as he emerged from a small side room. “Don’t pester our guests.”

“I’m not bothering them!” Cleansweep said.

“Oh, it’s all right,” Celestia said. “He was just keeping us company while we waited.”

“Yeah! See?” Cleansweep said.

“Go play with your friends,” Scrollkeeper said. “We have important things to discuss.” Cleansweep left the library with a heavy sigh. “I hope you were able to rest,” Scrollkeeper said to the alicorns. “You looked exhausted when I saw you last.”

“Is your nephew always that happy?” Luna asked.

Scrollkeeper nodded. “It’s just his nature, I suppose. Most of the time I can’t keep up with him, but I try to teach him manners when I can.”

“Does he know what happened to his home?” Celestia asked.

“I’ve tried to explain it to him, but he’s too young to understand everything,” Scrollkeeper said. “He’s been through more than most.”

“It’s a wonder he’s not bitter like everypony else,” Celestia said.

“He chooses to see the good things in life,” Scrollkeeper said with a smile. “Most ponies get caught up on the bad, but not him. He has his faults, but everypony would do well to follow that example. Now, what can I do for you?”

“We need to know more about Discord and what he’s done,” Luna said.

“We would also like to know more about the draconequus in general,” Celestia added.

Scrollkeeper rose into the air and retrieved several scrolls from a shelf. “These are the records of Discord’s dealings in Everfree,” he said. “If you like –”

“Ahem.” The three turned to see Galeforce standing in the doorway. “The alicorns are not to read those records. You may summarize them if you like, but do not give them any names.”

“Under what authority?” Scrollkeeper asked. “I am the keeper of this library, and I will decide what to do with the records.”

“The Security Council has decided to put a strict limit on what information the alicorns may access,” Galeforce said. “Those records contain information that may jeopardize several members of the community. As such, the alicorns are not to have direct access to them. A security squad will be posted around the library at all times during their stay.”

“That’s not fair!” Luna said. “How are we supposed to find out what’s going on around here if we can’t see the records?”

“You are strangers,” Galeforce said. “Your motives are unknown. We must make the necessary precautions to protect everypony in this community from danger.”

“What?” Luna said with a confused shake of her head. “What does that even mean?”

“It means they don’t trust us,” Celestia said. “You still think we’re working for Discord, don’t you?”

“We can’t afford to take chances,” Galeforce said. “Until we know you mean us no harm, we cannot allow you full access to our records.”

“This is absurd,” Scrollkeeper said. “An injured pony comes to our village, and you assume she’s an agent of Discord? Even when she claims Discord himself is responsible for her injuries?”

“Where is the proof?” Galeforce said. “How do we know she isn’t lying?”

“We’re not working for Discord!” Luna shouted. “We’re trying to help you!”

“Then prove it!” Galeforce yelled.

“Very well,” said Celestia. “What do you propose?”

Galeforce blinked a couple times before answering. “What do you mean?”

“How do you propose we prove we are not working for Discord?” Celestia said. “You name your terms, and my sister and I will comply if we can.”

Galeforce was silent for a moment. Finally, he said, “Undo the damage he’s done.”

“Impossible,” Scrollkeeper said. “Even our best unicorns have been unable to reverse any of Discord’s mischief.”

“If they want to help us, that’s precisely what they’ll need to do,” Galeforce said. “Prove you are able and willing to help us. Fix the farms, the weather, anything, and I will consider trusting you.”

Celestia glanced at Luna, and silently they agreed. “We will accept your challenge,” Celestia said. “Gather everypony to the square, and we will prove where our loyalties lie.”

“When I said everypony, I didn’t think he’d actually do it,” Celestia muttered as she looked out at the huge crowd gathered in the square. “Are you ready, Luna?”

“Are you sure about this?” Luna asked. “I’ve never tried to keep the moon down before.”

“We have to try,” Celestia said, watching the sky with apprehension. “The next time Discord makes the night come, we’ll bring back the day.”

“But that’s your talent,” Luna said.

“Yes, but I don’t know if I can overpower Discord alone,” Celestia said. “I need your help.”

“Everypony has been gathered,” Galeforce said as he landed beside them. “You may proceed when ready.”

Celestia looked at Luna, who nodded and closed her eyes in concentration. Celestia’s horn began to glow as she focused her power on the sun. “Wait for Discord to act,” she muttered. “Once he tries to end the day, we make our move.”

They stood there for a while, waiting, while the ponies looked on expectantly. Maybe he won’t do it, Celestia thought. Perhaps this is part of his game. If we prove nothing, there’s no telling what Galeforce might do.

Then it happened. Celestia felt the sun begin to move. “Now, Luna!” she said, casting a spell to counteract Discord’s. The sun came to a sudden stop on the horizon as her magic took hold, and a gasp arose from the crowd. Celestia glanced at Luna and saw her straining to keep the night at bay. She focused all her energy into her spell. She could feel Discord trying to push the sun down, but she refused to relent. After what felt like an hour, Discord’s spell broke, and the sun returned to its place in the sky.

“We did it,” Celestia said as the crowd began to cheer. She glanced at Luna, who was panting from the effort of holding back the night. “Well done, little sister.”

“You too,” Luna said with a weak smile.

“That was awesome!” Cleansweep shouted from the crowd. Several ponies nodded in agreement, and for the first time, Celestia saw them smiling and holding their heads high.

A sudden breeze brought an echo of deep laughter. “Well, well,” Discord’s voice said from all around. “It seems somepony doesn’t like how I manage the sun and the moon. What’s wrong, Celestia? I thought we had an agreement.”

Discord appeared in the square with a flash of light. Celestia had to blink a few times to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. He vaguely resembled a serpent, but his body was a horrible mismatch of parts taken from every animal imaginable. Every pony in the square backed away except Galeforce, who took to the air and dove straight for him.

“Ah, Galeforce,” Discord said with a wave of his paw. Galeforce stopped as though he’d flown straight into a wall and fell to the ground, stunned. “Impulsive as always, I see. You need to cool off a little.” Ice crept up Galeforce’s legs, pinning him to the ground.

“Hey! Let him go!” Cleansweep shouted, throwing an apple at Discord. Discord turned the apple into dozens and sent them all hurtling back at Cleansweep, burying the young pegasus from sight.

“Is this all the great rebellion of Everfree has to offer?” Discord asked. “Pity, I thought I’d get to have some real fun for once.”

“That’s enough,” Celestia said. “Discord, restore order to this land and leave these ponies in peace.”

“Excuse me?” Discord chuckled as he cleared an ear with a talon. “I think somepony’s getting a little confused. It was your job to restore the peace, was it not?”

“We don’t take orders from you,” Luna said. “You’re a heartless tyrant who makes everypony miserable.”

“I refer to think I make life a little more interesting,” Discord said.

“What you prefer to think does not change the facts,” Celestia said. “These ponies need order and justice, not chaos and oppression.”

“Celestia, why must you be so boring?” Discord said with a groan. “It really is quite tiresome.”

“Is that all you care about? Having fun?” Luna shouted. “Look around! Do these ponies look happy to you?”

“Oh, Luna, Luna, Luna,” Discord said as he floated around her. “It is unwise to speak that way to an all-powerful ruler, especially when you are trespassing in his territory.”

“This is not your territory, and you are no ruler,” Celestia said. “If you refuse to leave in peace, I will make you leave by force.”

“Make me?” Discord repeated, bursting into laughter. “You think you can overthrow me because I let you keep the sun in the sky? And here I thought you had no sense of humor.”

“This is no joke,” Celestia said, a yellow aura bursting around her horn. “I cannot stand by and let you treat these ponies as toys.”

A blast of yellow energy shot from Celestia’s horn right at Discord’s chest. Discord waved his paw, and a shield appeared and deflected the attack. “My, that was disappointing,” Discord said. “You’ll have to do a lot better than that.”

“We’ll find a way to beat you,” Luna said. “If you don’t leave, we’ll make you leave!”

“You’re serious?” Discord said with a laugh. “Oh, this is just too good! I thought sending you here was a good joke, but this! This may be the most fun I’ve had in years!” Discord drifted to the ground to float in front of Celestia. “I’ll give you one month. If you can best me, I promise to undo everything I’ve done and leave this land forever. If you can’t, you and your sister will become my personal slaves. If you try to run away, I win. Do you accept?”

“Do we have a choice?” Celestia asked.

“Well, I could make you my slaves right now and stir up some real chaos for good measure,” Discord said. “The choice is yours.”

Celestia looked from the cowering villagers to Galeforce, who was struggling to free himself from the ice, and Scrollkeeper, who was busy digging Cleansweep out from under the pile of apples. “You must promise not to manipulate the sun and the moon as you have in the past,” Celestia said. “They must only rise and fall at their appointed times until our month is over so that we know how much time has passed. You must also promise not to cause any problems or mischief for anypony in Everfree.”

“Fine,” Discord said with a scowl. “I’ll leave the day, night, and Everfree alone. Do we have a deal?”

Celestia looked at Luna, who gave her a short nod. “Very well,” Celestia said. “We accept your challenge.”

“Excellent,” Discord said. With a snap of his fingers, the ice imprisoning Galeforce disappeared. “I’ll see you in one month. May the best one win!” With another snap and a flash of light, Discord vanished, his laughter echoing in the wind.