Corruption

The Statue

Princess Celestia, the sole ruler of Equestria trotted down the streets of the new capital city of Equestria. Chanterlot. Built on one of the highest mountains to overlook the nation. She was followed by a small group of guards for protection as she exited the city and looked towards the forest known as the Everfree forest. Where a broken castle stood deep inside, holding many secrets.

She used her magic to teleport the guards and herself to the castle garden. It was full of overgrown or dying plants at the lack of care it was left in since a few decades ago. She had quickly ordered the guards to find the Elements of Harmony. They all scattered as Celestia trotted deeper into the garden.

She pushed away some of the plants and scrubs, trotted past broken fountains and statues until she reached the one she had come for. She used her magic to remove the plants littering the Chaos statue of Discord. She sat down in front of him, staring up at the expression of desperation to escape.

"I-It a...has been a while hasn't it, Dizzy?" She said with a sad smile. "I am sorry I have been away for so long...A lot has happened since the night the castle was destroyed...by Luna. No...By Nightmare Moon."

Celestia paused. Expecting a response that never came. She cleared her throat and continued.

"I...um...I am here today to gather the Elements of Harmony. We created a new capital of Equestria called Chanterlot. Don't worry. You will come with us. I have a nice place for you in the new Royal Garden. Doesn't that sound good?"

She shifted her hoofs uncomfortably as she pulled out a book from her saddlebag. She opened it up to reveal it was about the Elements of Harmony.

"I am afraid that I haven't come here with entirely good news Discord." She admitted. She levitated the book to face him. She wasn't even sure he could hear or see him but...She didn't want him to be lonely even if he wasn't there. If he was in there...Maybe their one-sided conversation would help him see a different side of Equestria. The side that he loved before he turned...Well...To the Lord of Chaos. "I have done some research on the Elements. I admit it is mostly so that I can get Luna back, but this is for you as well. The only way you can come back is if the Elements are unattached to the ponies who banished you. That would be Luna and I...Well, only I now since I have Luna's side of the Elements. The bond on your Elements will weaken and eventually fade. When this will happen...I do not know."

She chuckled and shook her head.

"I probably sound like a crazy Alicorn. Going on and on about a future we can't see." Celestia rambled nervously. She heard the guards meet up in the distance. Chatting with happiness that they found the Elements. She looked back at the Lord of Chaos. "I have to go now. See you soon, Dizzy."

She used her magic to teleport the statue and place the book back in her saddlebag. She turned around and went back out the thick bushes to join the others. The guards bowed to her as she appeared and placed the six jewels at her hoofs.

---

She sat on her balcony, overlooking Chanterlot as she lowered the sun and allowed the moon to rise. She looked down at the book in front of her about the Elements. She flipped through the pages. Occasionally writing important information on the scroll that she was levitating beside her.

Ignoring me again?

She flinched at the sound of the voice again. She had been dealing with it since Luna was banished. It wasn't too bad but she could sense that it was becoming impatient with her. Celestia let out an annoyed sigh and flipped another page.

Leave me alone, Celestia replied to the voice inside her head.

You know, I am becoming very impatient. How about we add a little bit of fun to this little game, hmm?

Celestia ignored the voice inside her head. Believing that it was bluffing. Suddenly her body shook as her wing felt like it had snapped. She let out a cry of pain, attempting to muffle it to not alert the guards below. She hesitantly looked to the wing that felt injured. Carefully spreading her wings, she checked them. Nothing...There were no marks at all.

She flinched in pain as the movement from her wing caused it to become worse as she folded them back to her body.

Why are you doing this?

The voice chuckled in response.

You know why. You will be the Queen.

Causing me pain isn't going to change my answer, she protested. Celestia clenched her teeth as there was a sharp increase in pain from her wing. Now it felt as if it was on fire. She muffled her pain into her hoofs. Tears started dripping down her cheeks as the male voice continued to let out an evil laugh. She considered options on who to tell...Should she even tell anypony? That would make her sound insane.

I will never hurt my citizens, she said, when the voice taunted her in response.

Stop! She begged out loud as quietly as she could. Stop, please!

She inhaled and exhaled deeply. Trying to push down the pain. She slowly got up. Taking her work with her, she reentered her dark chambers. She groaned as the exhaustion from the day started to wash over her and the pain from her wing added to it. She placed her supplies down on her desk and flopped onto her bed.

Allowing exhaustion to take her to her dark dreams. Filled with demons and Nightmare Moon.

---

(900 years later)

Princess Celestia slowly stumbled into a small clearing surrounded by trees in the middle of the Royal Chanterlot garden. She looked up at the statue of Discord. She used her magic to levitate a bucket of water and a sponge. She flew up to the statue and started to pour water on the dirty spots.

"I am back Discord." Celestia said softly as she used her hooves to press the sponge against the stone. "Today my student, Yes. Twilight Sparkle. She was able to complete her studies before any pony else but as I have told you before, I am worried about her lack of friends."

Celestia dipped the sponge in the bucket and continued the motions. Occasionally flinching at the unseeable pain she was experiencing.

"I am still experiencing the pain I mentioned last time. It has gotten worse as you know over the years and I really want to tell some pony but...Who? It is not like any of the guards could do anything. Twilight would just have a panic attack and...Well. If Luna was here, I suppose I would tell her. Besides, the voice has some sort of...Strange control over what I do. I can't tell anypony even if I wanted to. It is silly to even dream about it. I have done lots of research on the subject of mind control and the best I could come up with was dark magic. Like the magic that corrupted King Sombra."

Celestia took a few moments to appreciate the silence and beauty of nature as she finished washing the statue and flew back down to the ground. Celestia sniffed as she considered her relationship with Discord before he turned.

"I-I really miss you, Dizzy. Despite everything. I hope you know that."

---End of Chapter Three---