The Laughing Statue

Discord awoke, disorientation eventually giving way to clarity as he took in his surroundings. The sun shining brightly upon him made it clear; He was not where he expected to be. He scrambled into a better position, paw rushing to see if he still had his element.

Finding his chest bare, his mind wandered, the horror of returning to stone flashing across his mind. Discord glanced around, searching for a hint of his captor. Seeing nothing but the dark and foreboding trees of what he assumed was the Everfree Forest, he waited with baited breath, preparing for an attack.

"Was this your plan all along, Celestia?" he shouted, trembling as he searched for her. "Leaving me to die in the forest?"

Nothing but the gentle swaying of the trees answered him. Eyes darting around, Discord backed up against the nearest tree. Glancing about, he could see nothing to give away his foe's location. Growing ever more wary, he spotted a glint in a nearby bush. Seeing no alternative, he leaped at it, claw poised to strike.

Bush and branch parted for him easily, causing him no hindrance as he flew past. To Discord's dismay, instead of being met with Celestia's fleshy flank, he found only air and despite his futile attempts at stopping, crashed into the ground shortly after. Groaning piteously, Discord opened an eye to be greeted by his missing element.

His body ached, the act of crashing into the ground having lasting consequences. He attempted to move and was rewarded with a dull ache throughout his limbs. Hoping for the best, he called upon his unreliable tool.

Discord snapped his fingers, deflating as the element remained unmoved. Pulling up his less damaged paw, Discord picked the element up, keenly aware that leaping at the ground had taken it's toll. Gritting his teeth as he pulled himself up, he fastened the element around him once more.

Choosing a direction, Discord began his journey. While his leap had injured him, he was glad to see that his legs were still quite fine. The trees around him giving no hint as to which way might lead to his escape. making his way through, jumping at the slightest of sounds, he warily continued. Fruitlessly, he continued his gamble. Until eventually, after a short time aimlessly wandering, he heard a faint buzzing.

At that sound, a grin formed upon his face. Discord turned toward it, his pace quickening as he rushed to it. As the buzzing got louder, he quickly found its source. Laying perched on a mossy rock, was a changeling. A race that often mixed itself, quite enthusiastically in Discord's opinion, with the ponies of Equestria.

For Discord, It's black and chitinous body was a welcome sight in the forest. Without care for stealth, he eagerly approached, noisily announcing his presence with loud, rushed steps. The Changeling jumped to attention at the sound, its large, blue eyes homing in on Discord.

Hesitating for a moment, it readied paper-thin wings. The sound that led Discord to it intensified, as it flew off its roost, quickly descending to the bottom. Still quite a distance from Discord, the Changeling sat on it haunches, peering at him unblinkingly. Silence enveloped them, as movement of both parties stopped.

Tentatively, Discord slinked closer. Confidence and pace increasing as he closed the distance, Discord quickly found himself within grabbing distance of the Changeling, who sat silently, staring up at the towering titan before it. Its face revealing nothing to him, Discord chose to take advantage of the distance.

With a sweep of his claw, Discord grabbed it, its rough and uneven body allowing him to easily hold it. Unfortunately, the Changeling seemed to take offense, yelling out as she ,although Discord always had trouble telling with changelings, began squirming. "Wha...? Let me go at once! You... you... thing!"

"Thing? Well, being rude won't get you anywhere, my dear," Discord shook her, laughing as the slightest motion made her squeal.

A glow came from the Changeling's horn, steadily building as she grinned wickedly, and perhaps a little queasily. "I'm warning you, let me go now! Or prepare to suffer my wrath!" Discord scoffed, the motion sending his captive jerking.

A green bolt flew past Discord, crashing against the trees behind him. "Bah! You'll need to try better than that. But, I agree, we've gotten to know each other," Discord promptly dropped her, watching as she swayed on her hooves. "Now, onto business. So, how have you guys been doing? It's been a while since I've seen a changeling."

Still swaying, the pony lookalike tumbled forward, collapsing onto the ground. Slowly pushing herself up, she looked to Discord, glaring at him as she spat out. "How are we doing? We're all dead, you crazy freak!"

Discord frowned. Sitting next to the changeling, who was having considerable trouble raising herself. Scooping her up, he began to stroke her. "I see, still a bit sore about me tossing you around? I suggest you get over it... I'm beginning to grow irritated," Discord growled, dragging the tip of his claw against her head.

The Changeling struggled weakly, unable to escape the Draconequus's grip. "It's true! Most of us starved after getting caught by the ponies," she sighed, going limp. " There might be a few of us left... maybe."

Discord loosened his grip, resuming his stroking, lightly trailing the Changeling's back. "That is... unfortunate. Celestia isn't one to show mercy though... not usually, anyway. Tell me, what is your name?"

"Chrysalis," she mumbled, snuggling closer to the Draconequus. Discord made no attempt to impede her, looking on with curious eyes.

"I am Discord. Although, this is rather interesting, why did you stay when you could have fled?" Discord questioned. Chrysalis unsettled herself to stare at the Draconequus. "Most tend to run, or fly, or teleport. It got boring after a while, though.

She looked away, hesitating a moment before began to speak. "I couldn't. It's too dangerous to go near pony towns. It left me quite... tired, but then you came along," Chrysalis smiled, once again pressing herself against him.

"Quite unsettling. But you're a decent start," the Draconequus looked down upon Chrysalis. "So... how long is this going to take?

With no answer forthcoming, Discord looked up; Finding the sun signalling midday in the sky. "Perhaps I can spare a few more hours," he sprawled out, idly laying on the forest floor.

"Discord."

Discord felt a tap, a light and fleeting pressure on his head. Ignoring it, he found it becoming more persistent, albeit still light enough to be unworthy of his attention.

"Discord," again, he felt a tap, this time harder; Hard enough to force him to crack open an eye. Doing that, he found himself confronted by two members of his circle of pony friends: Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy; Both looming above him, the gloom of the Everfree enhancing their small stature as the latter examined him, her brow furrowed as she looked at the scrapes he had acquired, softly mumbling to herself.

Twilight seemed far less focused on Discord. Instead, she stood still, smirking happily. Her unfocused eyes staring at nothing. Brushing Fluttershy aside, Discord poked the unicorn, chuckling as her attention moved. "Hello, my friends. Have you come to inquire about the state of my well-being?"

Fluttershy whispered something, promptly ignored by her companions. Twilight, speaking in a manner conductive to being heard, managed to gain the attention of the troupe. "Of course, Discord. The princess herself told us that we had to look for you."

"Had to? I hoped my friends would want to know where I am," he sighed. Standing up, Discord examined himself. Unfortunately not finding everything as he left it. His element once again missing, he remembered past lessons and quickly looked over the ground around him.

Finding nothing, Discord looked to Twilight. "This is unfortunate, but I seem to have dropped my necklace. Make yourself useful and help me search for it."

Twilight beamed, holding up her hoof. Discord's missing element hooked upon it, dangling loosely as Twilight struggled to keep it from slipping. "Actually, I have it right here. But I'll just hold on to it for you, you'll just lose it again."

"You seem to be having some trouble," Discord said as Twilight swayed, struggling to balance herself. Discord reached out, easily hooking the element from Twilight's outstretched hoof. "Let me help. After all, that's what friends are for."

Twilight watched as Discord fastened the chain around himself. Her horn gained a lavender aura for a moment, with no effect. A frown enveloped her muzzle as she sighed, responding with a flat. "Thanks."

"My pleasure. I suppose we'll be going back to Ponyville?" Discord shuffled forward, following Twilight as she began to move. Dragging herself close to the ground, her downcast eyes did not travel to check who followed. Discord looked to Fluttershy, the Pegasus quick to keep pace. "Some gratitude would be nice. I try so hard, but you ponies can just be so cruel."

"Twilight's just... she was worried. It was scary when you ran off into the forest," Fluttershy shivered, eyes darting around the darkness of the trees.

"Ran off... I don't recall that," Discord said, eying the Pegasus. Fluttershy gave off a whine, breaking eye contact in favor of looking at Twilight as she marched. "I do recall Pinkie Pie offering us something, though."

Fluttershy nodded. "You drank a lot... and said some hurtful things," she trailed off, silence quickly engulfing them. Fluttershy choosing not to elaborate, Discord reached out to her.

"Oh, you're tough. I'm sure you'll get over it," ruffling her mane, Discord tossed her a reassuring smile.

"Um... please stop," she mumbled, shying away from Discord. The Draconequus watched as she seemed to fall in on herself, tensing as she moved. Although, she chose to remain close rather than move toward the unknown of the forest.

"Nobody seems to be much of a fan today. I try to help and this is how I'm repaid?" ignored by the ponies, Discord followed behind, trying to match Twilight's brisk pace.