Game of Discord: Competition and Conquest

Chapters

Dark Plans
Ensemble Assembles
The Competition

Dark Plans

The room was dark, lit only by a dying lantern that cast long, swaying shadows of those seated at the table. A map of Equestria lay sprawled open in the center of the table, detailed down to the tiniest village and most inconsequential railroad, with a red circle scrawled around the town of Ponyville. The group was odd to be sure, with a doberman Diamond Dog for starters. A warlord, clad in a leather vest adorned with orange highlights, his most trusted servant, a forest green draft pony with an unkempt, dirty blonde mane and tail with a cutie mark depicting a ram at his flanks, sat to his left with his dull violet eyes stared downward at the map, focused intently on it. The plan had been hatched between him and his master, the Warlord of the most powerful Diamond Dog Clan in the wastes they call home. Joining them was a gryphon. Most of this being's feathers were black, save for the dark blue ones around his eyes, at his back legs, ears, and on the top of his wings. Further highlighting his form was a white underbelly, inner ears, as well as wing and tail tips.

The three silently mulled their plans and troop movements, if things came together this would be the biggest upset in Equestrian History. A plan the likes of which had never been attempted, a plan that would shake Canterlot and the Crystal Empire to the ground. The gryphon finally broke the silence, his voice oddly smooth and soothing for his race “And you're sure this plan 'll work? We're not exactly dealing with some tiny village here, Warlord.”

The Diamond Dog glared at his feathered companion, his people's tell-tale growl offset by an unsettling eloquence, “He says he can get them out of the way, and you say you can get him to us. The plan after that works, you agreed, and the pony's sad excuse for a military is no match for my clan. There's no problem...” he paused, giving a toothy smirk as his clawed, brown padded paw squeezed the shrunken skull of a gryphon hanging from his collar in place of a jewel, the orange crystal that would typical take it's place lodged into the crown “Unless you can't get us into Equestria.”

The gryphon's taloned claw scratched across the table,“I can get us into Canterlot itself. I just need to know this is real and not just some deranged fever dream of an aging Dog.” he shot back.

Finally the draft pony cut in, his large front hoof raised into the air, “The Warlord is touched by his power. His long life and magic are proof of that, mercenary. If he says it's really the mad one, then it's really him.”

The avian group member was silent, then a resigned sigh, the edges of his mouth contouring into a frown from the base of his black tipped beak. He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples with his palms, “Alright, I can make the switch as quickly as a month. Two at most. But this isn't a normal jail break, this goes bad it's going to be me paying for it. Dearly.”

The dog scoffed as he stood and turned away from the gryphon, arms crossed behind his back, “What we're offering you in slaves and gold alone is more than enough to... ”

“Assuming your plan doesn't fail it's more than enough to cover my expenses, yes. But this isn't the first time we've done this, Warlord. You know the price. Same amount up front as always and it'll be done.” Silence fell once more over the room, finally the dog nodded to the pony, who produced a bag of gold coins and slid over to the gryphon. The mercenary picked it up quickly, weighing it before placing it within a rucksack at his side, “I'll have him at the border soon. Just be ready with... whatever it is you're planning to free him with.”

Two months later, Ponyville had just entered summer and the sun shined beautifully in the midday. Flowers were in full bloom and animals filled the forests and rivers, much to the delight of the residents of the town. Meanwhile the Ponyville Public Library was filled with talking and laughter as a purple unicorn sat along side a white unicorn on pillows, joyously chatting with each other. They were Twilight Sparkle, one of the most powerful and important mares in the land, and her mother, Twilight Velvet; proud mother of two, happily married, and still attractive. The two could, in fact, be mistaken for sisters, with their lovely coats and nearly identical hair styles. Twilight's purple and green assistant meanwhile was serving the pair lunch, nothing fancy of course, just simple sandwiches and hay fries. The little dragon had to admit, he always thought Twilight's mom was attractive, with her white fur and purple highlighted mane and tail. Maybe he just had a thing for the color scheme, but before Rarity 'Miss Velvet' was his biggest crush. Of course the little dragon didn't fail to notice his adoptive 'sister' was just as subjective to his attention with her purple fur and multicolored purple and pink mane. Perhaps he just had a thing for the color. Regardless he retired to the kitchen as the pair of ponies gossiped over their lunch, getting the other up to date on each of their lives.

“And Rainbow seriously tried to break into a hospital for one of my stories?” the pale, older mare chuckled, obviously enjoying hearing the tale of her daughter's friend's attempt to 'rescue' a book. “Have you even told her I'm the author of Daring Do, Twilight?”

The purple unicorn mare just giggled, “She'd be on you faster than if I told her you had a ticket to the Wonderbolts, mom. Just let her calm down a little, you write them anonymously to keep fans off you after all.”

The pair giggled to each other as they continued to talk about that night, and Rainbow's insane plan. As if invoked a certain rainbow maned, sky blue pegasus burst through the front doors of the library, looking positively ecstatic and talking faster than Pinkie Pie on a sugar high. “Twilight! You won't believe this! Fleetfoot, ya know, the Wonderbolt? She's here to evaluate me tomorrow! They're seriously considering me! Can you believe it, I mean I can believe it but can you!?” the athletic pegasus was on her in a second, grabbing her shoulders and excitedly yelling in her face.

“Rainbow!” Twilight yelled a few times before she managed to pull away from her, granted justly excited friend, “I'm happy for you, I really am, but breathe, okay?” She motioned to the pony next to her, “You remember my mom, right? I introduced you at Shining's wedding."

Rainbow took a few deep breaths then laughed nervously, “Err, yeah I do. Hi Mrs. V. Sorry I didn't see ya there. When'd you get in town?”

Velvet smiled, she did indeed remember the young pegasus from the wedding, “Hello Rainbow Dash, it's nice to see you again. I just came into town today to spend time with my dear Twilight. Congratulations on getting the Wonderbolt's attention though, I remember you telling me how much you wanted to meet them. It must be an honor for you to have to the them considering you this seriously.”

Twilight rolled her eyes as Rainbow grinned wide again, “I know right? I mean I was at one of their training camps, but that doesn't mean you're automatically in! Now I just have to impress Fleetfoot so she gives a good report to Spitfire! I'm almost there!”

A pink pony with a poofy pink mane and tail popped her head in, the ever energetic Pinkie Pie. “Rainbow! I'll make you a 'Congratulations on Fulfilling Your Life's Ambition' cake later, but right now we have to go!” The trio looked in confusion at their friend as she bounced into the room, “Darn it Dashie, you didn't tell them did you? There's a contest in town, and we're almost out of time to enter!”

Twilight smiled, an average effect from being around Pinkie, and the preferable alternative to the 'please stop talking' face hoof mark.“Thanks, Pinkie. But I'd rather spend some time doing what my mom wants. She has to get back to Canterlot in a few days.”

“Actually, this sounds kind of interesting. Twilight, why don't the four of us enter with Pinkie?” She noticed a blank look from Twilight when the four of them were brought up, “... You forgot Spike again, didn't you dear?”

The young dragon yelled from the kitchen, “Yeah she does that.” he stepped out, tossing his frilly apron behind him and revealing his green under scales, “But yeah I'd love to enter a contest, sounds like fun.”

Twilight blushed at being ganged up on, and at her forgetfulness when it came to Spike. “Um, sure we can do that if you want mom.”

“Awesome!” Rainbow grabbed the both of them by the hoof and pulled them up from their pillows. “Let's hurry, we might already be late!” As usual the athletic pegasus was dying to start a competition, even without knowing just what she was getting into.

“Rainbow, she just said we have an hour!” despite her short attempt at reasoning with her friend, Twilight and her mother were pulled forward onto their feet. She gave Rainbow an annoyed look before walking forward. “Alright, alright, we're coming.” She rolled her eyes at her friend's competitive nature, and the group finally trailed behind Rainbow as they made their way to the square.

In the square a large tent was set up next to the entrance of City Hall. Beside it was a sign reading 'Mares and Fillies only', with a matching 'Stallions and Colts' sign directed toward city hall. Twilight raised an eyebrow, “That's weird. Why are we being separated by gender?”

Rainbow laughed, “Probably because some stallions complained I'd kick their butts. Guess Spike's going into town hall.”

Spike shrugged, “I guess I'll see you girls after this is over then. Try not to let Rainbow trip over her own ego.” he smirked and ran off toward the hall after spouting out the joke, with Rainbow shouting behind him that 'it's not ego if it's true'. The group however continued into the tent, finding it filled with a surprising amount of mares and fillies. Soon they met up with the other members of their group.

“So.” Twilight looked around at the gathered crowd, “Do any of you actually know what this contest is about?”

Applejack, the well built orange furred earth pony of the group, shrugged, “Ya got me sugah cube, but Sweet Apple Acres could always use a few extra bits if that's the prize, an' ya'all know we love contests. Heck we brought the whole family.” she nodded over to her sister, laughing and playing with Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo, as well as their cousin Babs Seed.

Twilight looked back to her farmer friend, “I thought Babs was back in Manehattan?”

“Yeah but ya can't learn ta buck apples in the city, so she wanted to come back an' learn over the summer.”

Pinkie burst up from behind Applejack, confetti from nowhere joining her “Really!? Why didn't you tell me, I'd have hosted her a big welcome party!”

Applejack rolled her eyes at Pinkie's antics as a beautiful unicorn mare walked up beside her, her pure white fur and purple mane making her stand out, even in a musty tent. “I'm more curious as to why we had to be separated from the stallions. What kind of competition needs that?”

Twilight looked next to her as Fluttershy spoke up, the nervous yellow pegasus making sure to keep the group between her and the crowd. “Umm... M-maybe it's a series of events? Like a um-” She flinched a little when Rainbow wrapped a wing around her

“Fluttershy's kinda got a point, Makes sense if it's like a tournament. Winner from both brackets go up against the other.” she looked at the yellow who smiled and nodded.

Twilight nodded as well, “Well, I guess we won't know either way until whoever's hosting this thing shows up.” As if on cue the clock tower rang out, signaling the end of sign ups. The tent's flaps shut tight as the insides became impossibly dark. The sounds of nervous and panicked ponies filled the tent as Twilight, Rarity, and several other unicorns used simple spells to make some low levels of light emanate from their horns, as the Cutie Mark Crusaders rushed over to their respective idols legs for protection. Soon a dark laugh began to emanate within the tent, growing louder and bolder until it became downright malicious. Suddenly a burst of flame created a stage and the laughter immediately died. Every pony in the place looked at it nervously, not sure of what to expect at this point. After a few moments of silence a Manticore burst forth from behind the stage, inciting screams from the organized crowd before disappearing in a cloud of smoke, the malevolent laughter returning until it turned almost jovial.

Finally lightning cracked within the tent and there on stage stood a sight familiar to the ponies of Equestria. A figure with a long serpentine body, mismatched animal body parts, and a pair of yellow eyes with red pupils, “You should've seen the looks on your faces!”

Ensemble Assembles

Earlier that day, Cup Cake was happily humming as she made her way around the kitchen, her ample blue posterior bouncing to the song within her own head. While the bakery was closed for the day she couldn't rest just yet. Her loving husband Carrot had taken the twins to visit his mother in Trottingham, while normally she would have gone along with him, they were too far behind on their orders, and somepony had to stay behind and keep the business going. She didn't mind of course, she had Pinkie to keep her company. The energetic apprentice to the Cakes was always good for a laugh or a bit of comfort, especially on a lonely night. The pudgy blue baker smiled at that thought, the couple's promiscuity was known to a lot of ponies of both genders in the town, but none more than their favorite tenant. While some of the ponies in town judged them or tried to take advantage of her over it, believing that it meant her loveable Carrot wasn't man enough, Pinkie never once did either. Besides, the mares open minded enough to share their bed knew the truth, her Carrot was second in size and stamina only to Big Macintosh, but they learned early in their marriage sometimes that stamina was a curse, with Carrot still going when she was sore in every hole. That's not to say becoming swingers was all his idea, while her husband was as straight as can be, she enjoyed variety in her partners. Her absolute favorite, other than her husband, was a pegasus the couple met once that had both parts and wound up wearing out even Carrot. However some seemed to think they didn't take precautions, that Pound and Pumpkin were born to somepony other than her husband, though in reality the mare was heavily on birth control herbs anytime she spent time with a stallion other than him to make completely sure any children she had were his. Those were the rumors that actually had an effect on the pink maned mare, angering her to no end, however she didn't have time to think about that today, there was too much baking to be done. “Mrs. Cake!” or, as a loud hyperactive voice yelling out her name would suggest, some other activity. In a pink blur the young mare she was just thinking about appeared in the kitchen, her earrings rattling as she was pounced to the floor, “There's a contest in town! They have tents and probably balloons inside the tents. Maybe it's a circus announcing it'll be in town soon! We should go, the sign ups are over in like, an hour!”

Cup Cake smiled weakly up to Pinkie and gently pushed her off, “Um, well that's nice Pinkie but I really have a lot of work to catch up on. You go enjoy yourself though.”

The poofy pink party pony pouted, “Come on Mrs. Cake, we have all of tomorrow to do it, and I'll even be here to help you then. Let's just go have some fun for today, me and you.” she bumped her flank against Cup Cake's and winked, “I'm even going to go see Big Macintosh afterward, and you know he can handle both of us.”

Cup Cake blushed, she had to admit the offer was tempting, “Oh... well fine you've convinced me Pinkie. Let me just go freshen up a bit.”

Pinkie grinned, “Great! I'm gonna go tell more ponies about this! Meet ya there!” and with that she was out of the kitchen before Cup could even respond. Of course the shapely mare merely smiled, used to her bubbly attitude by this point. She'd finish this batch of fudge up then go clean herself up. Deep down she knew of course that between Pinkie and Big Macintosh she'd be spending tomorrow resting rather than baking, but it'd be worth it.

Meanwhile a brown cloaked mare wandered through the Everfree Forest, her fur, both light and dark gray, hidden by the heavy garment, though glittering gold bangles around her neck and left foreleg occasionally gleamed in the light. The being made no effort to silence her steady steps, soon enough finding the attention she sought. Within the thick brush a manticore stalked the pony, intent on making her it's new meal. Despite the creature's large frame, his catlike body kept his moves quiet and predatory. For him the matter of keeping up with the pony was trivial and before long he slipped from the bush, ready to pounce on his prey. Of course his dinner had other plans as she turned to him, a pair of glowing deep yellow eyes paralyzing him on the spot. The gaze seemed to go on forever into an endless pool, and without realizing it the mighty beast of the Everfree lowered it's haunches, unable to control his body. The glow gave way to a pair of turquoise irises, as the mare lowered her hood, a thick accent escaping her mouth, “Not bad, hunter most shrewd. But I have no interest in becoming your food. However it seems that you are in luck.” the mohawk maned zebra mare chuckled as she pushed the animal backward, it's body aiding her until he came to rest against a tree, “For you found a mare, in the mood to buck.” The zebra licked her lips as she eyed the creature's sheathe, the two heavy orbs that hung from it half the size of her head, and the treasure it hid that would likely reach into her abdomen. Of course this would be incredibly dangerous if not lethal for most ponies, Zecora, however was not most ponies. The local alchemist of the town knew her way around potions, not the least of which being pain dulling concoctions with the side effect of 'elasticity'. She had always been this way growing up, creatures larger than herself fascinated her and made up half the reason she preferred the forest to Ponyville. While the other half was the plant life, she had also wished to study these strange beasts most ponies flee from, and it didn't take long for her to realize she had a certain attraction to the ferocious creatures. The zebra mare nuzzled her cheek into the hefty sack of the manticore before her, “You've reason to brag! For you may cause me to gag. But please, do not hate my powers to bewitch. For today, I am your bi...”

Her rhyme was cut off by a familiar voice shouting her name, the yellow filly of the Apple family and her apprentice in the alchemical arts. She sighed and turned once more the the monster, “I apologize, truly I do. For you piercing my flank, would be a spectacular view. But no, I must attend to mundane things.” Her eyes began to glow yellow once again, “For now, sleep until the night air stings.” The manticore's eyes grew heavy at her words and before long it was sound asleep against the tree. She gave one last look to it's massive sheathe, lamenting what Apple Bloom had interrupted before she went to find the filly.

"Where in the Sam Hoof is she?" the Apple Familys signature southern drawl cut through the dead silence of the clearing surrounding Zecora's tree. She'd spent the last five minutes calling for her, and while she loved taking any opportunity she could to run off into the Everfree, it did get kind of creepy to be answered by snapping twigs and the occasional glowing eyes from the trees. Apple Bloom had wanted to invite Zecora along to some carnival that showed up in Ponyville, or at least Pinkie Pie said it was like a carnival. She had practically dragged Applejack and Big Mac off to the town square when she showed up to tell them. The filly took in another deep breath to call for Zecora again, just before a shadowy figure behind her spoke.

"We have talked about this, little foal." Zecora kindly waited for Apple Bloom to stop screaming and flailing to continue, "You must be careful on an Everfree stroll. This forest is dangerous; that I don't jest. Make too much noise, you may be a beast's dinner guest."

"Zecora! You scared the hay outta me!" Apple Bloom glared at her, while the zebra mare smirked playfully in response.

“I apologize, Apple Bloom. Now, you were looking for me, I assume? So do tell me, and hurry please, what brings you into the Everfrees trees?”

Elsewhere, a pair of pony musicians walked down the main avenue of Ponyville. Vinyl Scratch peered at Octavia, who was adjusting her bow tie for the sixth time, "Will you chill, 'Tavi? This guy's cool." The raven-maned mare shot Vinyl a glare, cleared her throat and resumed her brisk trot down the street. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this, Vinyl. This gentlecolt set you up in a filthy warehouse on the Manehattan pier! I'm sure it was a just what you had in mind, but I have standards! Showrooms! The plaza! Concert halls!" Vinyl rolled her eyes. Despite Octavia's high opinion of herself, she could sense the ragged edge of nervousness in the mare's voice.

"Look, I wouldn't even considered bringing you down here if I didn't think Neon could help you out. He knows every big name in the Equestrian music scene on a first name basis for Celestia's sake!" she looked over at her friend once again before slapping her hoof off of her bow, "And your tie looks fine, cut it out! Seriously, him and me are tight. He'll set ya up."

Octavia couldn't help but roll her eyes, “Yes I'm sure he finds you very tight, Vinyl.” she was aware of her friend's propensity toward sex, something she didn't share quite as openly. “I just hope he doesn't expect me to 'seal the deal' as it were.”

Vinyl laughed, “Nah, 'Tavi. Me and him bucking has nothin' to do with me getting my place. He's all professional and crap when it comes to the business.”

“Well I can't work my magic just by sleeping with cute mares, V.” The pair turned to see a dull mint pony in a black dress shirt and white tie, his eyes blocked by dark shades and mane gelled and styled. He smiled at the pair, “I take it you're Ocatvia, saw you at the Gala last year. You were pretty good.”

Octavia blushed, she didn't expect to be instantly recognized, after all the only reason she and her group were on stage that night was the 'unfortunate' fact the band who was supposed to perform got stuck in Fillydelphia, “Why, thank you. Yes I am Octavia, and you must be Mr. Lights?”

“Just call me Neon, and don't worry, probably about half of what V says about me is true.” this elicited a playful glare and shoulder punch from Vinyl before they continued on there way, “I know a great place we can stop at for lunch to talk over this, I have a friend up in Canterlot whose looking for a house band for his new place up near the palace. It's not much but it'll get you seen by some the big shots around the city.”

Octavia couldn't help but grin, “That- that would be perfect! I didn't expect anything so... grand from one of Vinyl's friends.”

“Hey!”

“She's got a point, Vinyl.” he smirked playfully at the female unicorn, “I'll have to convince him, but that shouldn't be too hard. Anyway another friend of mine in town told me about some contest going on in the square. Let's have some fun with that before we get down to business.”

“Get back, Discord!” Twilight glared at the Draconequus, the tent now illuminated from various spotlights along the top. Many of the mares were screaming in fear, trying to push their way out to no avail while the Crusaders huddled behind their respective heroes and siblings, quaking in fear at the monster that turned their world upside down the last time he appeared.

“Come, come, my dear Twilight Sparkle. I'm not here to hurt you. Au contraire, I'm here to add a little spice into your lives with a lovely little game.” the mishapen form of the maniacal being known as Discord hovered above the prey who stumbled into his trap, “And before you say anything, if you don't want to play then you're out, and believe me you do not want to be out.”

“Oh yeah!? Maybe we'll refuse just so we can send your flank back to Celestia's garden!” Rainbow, as couragously stupid as ever flew straight up to Discord, glaring at him eye to eye.

“Rainbow!” Twilight facehoofed at her friend, “Get back here before he hypnotizes you!”

Discord smirked and snapped his talons, Rainbow Dash appearing once more beside her friends, “Now, now, I'll make this somewhat fair for you. Unless you lose or give up, then things'll get very bad for you, and very fun for me.” he smirked, his snaggletooth sticking out of his upturned mouth like poisonous dagger, “Of course if you win the prize will be amazing.” The shrieking of the mares stopped, but not of their own volition, those who were trying to escape were teleported back and lined up below him with another snap of his claws, “And do stop the screaming, it's so annoying.”

Twilight looked at her friends, hoping they had some idea of what they could be done, “Ah dunno Twi, I don't trust him or his games. That prize can't be worth it.”

“As much as I agree with Applejack, I don't believe we have a choice.” Rarity looked at Sweetie Belle, as the filly still cowered behind her, “Regardless I am not letting Sweetie Belle in this alone.”

Applejack nodded in agreement and scooted Apple Bloom and Babs closer to her, while Scootaloo looked up at her heroine, “Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow frowned, then followed it up with a cocky smirk, “Hey, I got your back, kiddo.” she lifted the orange filly up and placed her on her back, “Just stick with me and you'll be-” A sudden snap of Discords fingers filled the air as Scootaloo disappeared, “Oh you did not just- IT'S ON!” Luckily for Rainbow, Applejack got a mouth full of her tail before she could charge the Demi-God of Chaos once more.

“What'd ya do with Scoot!” Apple Bloom found herself with a sudden burst of courage as she confronted the being several times her size, the fear of what had happened to her friend igniting a fire within her.

“Spirited!” Discord taunted the yellow filly, “Your friend was hiding something from you. Let's just say that means she gets to be in the other half of the competition.” his smirk widen, “Lucky her. Of course if you quit now not only do you lose, you abandon her to her fate.”

“Fine.” Twilight scowled, now having no choice but to buy in to whatever the insane being's plan was “What kind of game is it going to be, Discord?”

Author's Note

Thanks for waiting patiently for this everyone. Between an unexpected injury, a new job, and Zecora's dialogue (I swear at some point she's going to wind up with a permanent ball gag) this took longer than I had expected.

The Competition

“I'm so very glad you asked Miss Sparkle.” The serpentine chaos spirit tapped Twilight's horn, soaking in the glare the mare shot at him, “It's very simple, the game begins now and will last until all but the last of you are eliminated. That could take hours, days, weeks, or even-”

“Wait vun minute, schweinehund!”

All eyes turned to a trio of ponies emerging from the crowd, head by a blue pony in a gaudy, eccentric dress and white bob-cut. She glared daggers at Discord thought he rosy lenses of her aviators, “Mein clients do not have veeks! Der train to Las Pegasus comes in a few days und it vill not vait for us!” The famous, and loud, Photo Finish stood in the center of the tent, telling off the self proclaimed 'God of Chaos' like he were some paparazzi whom she caught trespassing. The model Fleur de Lis and singer Sapphire Shores flanked her, evidently her clients.

Twilight looked at the trio, surprised to see the three famous ponies here in town, Rarity however sighed, “I'm afraid it's my fault they're here, sir Fancy Pants asked me to entertain them and Hoity during their time in Ponyville. It's a scheduled stop on the way to their photo shoot at the Las Pegasus' sign and when Sapphire heard there was some sort of venue in town, well... she insisted on a surprise public appearance..”

Discord fell over laughing in mid air, “Oh, oh well I'm very sorry. Of course the three of you can leave... have fun walking however as I'm afraid the train tracks leading to and from town have all had some unfortunate accidents. Marauding creatures from the Everfree can be so inconvenient, no?”

As the well dressed pony fumed the dazzling Pony of Pop herself walked over to her, placing a hoof on the angered pony's shoulder “Photo, chill baby. I know show biz and he's just trying ta build up tension. This'll probably done in an afternoon.” she smiled to Photo as the mare harrumphed, seemingly pacified by her client, assuming she wasn't simply fuming silently now.

“Thank you!” The chaos god grinned, “May I continue? Good! Now, the game is a game of carnal pleasures and fun. One that'll leave all but one of you enthralled by the savage passion of a male who can take what he wants and leave you full to the brim. A dashing, powerful rogue who can-”

“Get to ze point alveady!”

Discord once more glared at the photographer pony, “Very well, spoilsport. The last one of you left un-impregnated wins the contest, and the most fabulous prize you could imagine. The rest of you will become the slaves of whoever impregnated you. In the meantime all of you have had your fertility boosted to the point where even a drop of cum is enough to knock you up. That straight to the point enough for you Miss Fussyskirt?”

No sooner had Discord made his announcement as confusion and panic began to spread through the assembled crowd of mares. Twilight was the first to speak up, “That's sick even for you, Discord.” the glare she shot at him was one of pure hatred, one that could only come from someone whose family was now in danger. Her immediate thoughts were of her mother standing next to her, and Spike stuck in the town hall, neither of whom she had anyway to protect at the moment.

“Yes, well you go a thousand years without a touch of pleasure and see how sick your mind gets, Magic butt.” he smirked and stuck his tongue out at Twilight, blowing a raspberry at her. Then he stopped, his mouth curling into a deranged grin, “Oh wait, I'm fairly should you would if you could. Well then, it's a good thing I came along when I did.”

“He's kind of got ya there, Twi.”

“Pinkie!” Rarity looked at her friend incredulously, “This is serious! I mean how many of those stallions would kill to have moi as their own?”

“Oh come on, I know they like to think with their littler head, but a lot of the males in town are good guys. They won't go along with this.” Pinkie smiled innocently at the group, still cheery as ever despite this terrible news. Though Twilight paused, she had a point. The most likely offenders would be Hoity Toity and Filthy Rich, assuming the latter was even present, but the other stallions in town would surely help and protect them, after all some of these ponies grew up together, and others – Discord's laughter suddenly cut off Twilight's train of thought.

“Oh that is adorable. You were always my favorite Pinkie, so quick with a joke.” he smirked, his eyes then swirled, the beautiful colors enthralling the females assembled in the tent, “Did you forget I can do this? I'm not even putting enough power behind these beautiful eyes of mine to hypnotize the fillies and you still can't look away.” The swirling stopped, a small act but one that slightly eased the assembled mares and fillies, “The males of your town are having their lovely little minds rearranged right now. Their inhibitions lowered, their libidos increased, and each one being retaught to see mares as the inferior sex.” The panic spread further among the mares, Pinkie's sunny idea being immediately cast down by the chaotic being floating above them. “Now, the looks of pure dread on your faces are absolutely adorable, but I'm sure you'll want to know how I've leveled the playing field for you ladies.”

“Wait, you're actually giving us a fair shot?” Rainbow snorted, “Didn't expect that.” She soon found her muzzle being cupped by Discord several feet off the ground.

“Oh but Dashie, Dashie, Dashie.” as if on cue he then dropped the pegasus, “It wouldn't be a game if I just poofed you into a room full of horny stallions would it.” He smirked as he moved to snap his fingers, a sudden fear filling Rainbow Dash's eyes. The draconequus stopped just before the snap occurred, “Oh that look on your face little Dashie. Worth every dramatic second.” The crazed beast then burst into a fit of giggles, much to the irritation of his prank's victim.

“If dat's da case, where'd ya send Scoots?” A pudgy brown filly with red hair stood beside her cousins, now having finally found the courage out of sheer concern for her friend. “Ya did just what ya said ya wouldn't do ta her, didn't ya?”

Discord's laughter intensified, “Oooh, don't worry little Apple-san. Your friend is, as I said, completely fine. I even made it so the stallions don't realize she has mare parts. I'm sure you'll see her again real, real soon.” his maniacal grin almost seemed to widen again, despite how much of his face it already took up, “Now, if I may continue? No more interruptions? Good! Now.” He held out his lion paw, a box with an odd symbol sat in it. A circle with arrows jutting from the center, something Twilight recognized from a book, the Cult of Chaos' holy symbol. “This is my gift to you ladies. Well, gift or curse. Or both really! These boxes contain 'blessings', but rather they benefit you or...” he moved the box downward, toward his crotch, sunglasses appearing on his face for some odd reason, “The stallions hunting you, well... that's up to chance.”

“What kind of blessings?” Twilight Velvet stepped up beside her daughter, the older mare getting an odd look from her offspring, “Daring and I dealt with this kind of thing a lot when we were a team, Twilight. Don't think your mother can't hold her own anymore.”

At that, Rainbow Dash blinked, turning away from Discord and his 'goodie box'. “Wait.... Daring? You don't mean Daring Do. I mean you can't really, right?” she looked at Twilight, who chuckled nervously, “.... Right?”

Twilight blushed furiously, “Well, my mother does know Daring Do, yes. I can't quite tell you how well they-”

The elder Twilight sighed, “Dear, you may have a younger sibling on the way soon due to a deranged, ancient being of chaos, I think you can tell your friend I adventured with Daring when we were in college and rewrite her journals to fictional stories for her.” She looked back to Rainbow, “The poor mare doesn't quite have the knack for writing that I do, but she's far better at recording her exploits on the fly than I was.”

Rainbow's jaw hit the floor and in a flash she had grabbed her friend by the shoulders, “When were you going to tell me this!?”

Discord cleared his throat, “Ladies, please... You.” He pointed at the older mare with a slight glare, “I don't know if I like you or not yet. Anyway!” the box and sunglasses both disappeared, “In these little containers you can find such fun things as 'Get Out of Maternity Free' Cards!” A large card appeared on the stage of a baby Discord with a large X over him, “A teleportation scroll that will take you to safety, or even a scroll that'll turn any stallion chasing you at the time into a mare. Not only will this bring them over to the mare's side, but every one of you they've impregnated will be freed from their servitude and placed back in the game, baby free.” He snapped his fingers once again, a new box appearing in place of the oversized card, “However like I said these boxes won't just help you, some of them may summon tentacle monsters to impregnate you, some might tie you down to make it easier for stallions to have a go, and a few might even make those lovely crotch balloons you ponies have swell up with milk of various flavors.” he laughed, looking directly at Rarity, “Which, for some of you might be more a blessing than a curse.” the elegant mare turned her nose up defiantly at the beast of chaos, still he continued “Some will even drag new mares into the game or randomly switch an uninvolved male to a very involved female. I'll even toss my own name in for that last one, just for funsies. If you want a little revenge, feel free to keep looking for it. I'm sure you'll defeat me that way.” He laughed darkly and Twilight quickly ran the numbers in her head, they would need to gather hundred of those boxes to defeat Discord that way, and even then that was probably being generous.

She of course began wondering if they could move the boxes to the library and open them somewhere safe where she could ward off some of the more dangerous 'prizes', but her thoughts were interrupted by Discord continuing “Of course there's a few surprises left that I haven't mentioned in both categories, so do feel free to try your luck ladies. Oh, but a few more things about these boxes, the stallions and enslaved mares can't use them and they can't be moved. The moment you touch one if goes off, I've of course left some surprises in them unmentioned, but you can worry about those later.”

“Alright, now tell us why the rest of us care about this stupid game.” a loud voice came from the back of the tent. It belonged to a gray furred mare with a messy purple mane and silver ear piercings, Twilight had noticed her around town before but she never approached. She never seemed particularly friendly or welcoming, which was odd for the normally overly joyous townsfolk of Ponyville. When she asked, Applejack claimed she was a waitress at a local bar who always seemed to be annoyed at one thing or another, while Rainbow pretty much claimed to avoid her whenever she could, apparently finding the mare abrasive. “You're holding some kid hostage, whoop-de-fucking-doo. What's the prize?”

A very angry Rainbow was soon trying to make her way over to the big mouthed mare, held in place once more by Applejack, screaming at her not to talk about Scootaloo like that. Discord simply smirked, of course “Well, you can leave, however leaving means your forfeit. Which means you get the honor of being impregnated by yours truly. If you'd like to go that route, you need only speak up.” His tone was sickeningly sweet and sing song as he finished that sentence, knowing the indignant mare would scoff at the advance, “As for the prize, well... we'll get to that later. Now, if there are no more questions, the final rules. One! You can't tell anyone not involved in this little game of ours about it, two! No contacting anyone outside of Ponyville about anything related to our fun. Three!” he looked specifically at Twilight for this, a talon bopping her nose, “No using magic to switch your gender back.”

Twilight wiggled her nose, fighting back a sneeze as Discord moved away from her, “I can't even do that!”

“Just making sure, Miss 'Element of Magic', and finally four! None of you can leave the area until you're either eliminated from play or one of you ladies stands victorious and untouched. Breaking a single one of these rules will result in a Penalty Game of sorts. Now, any more questions before I give you all one final gift?” He looked over the crowd, some glaring daggers at him, others cowering, and some not sure how to feel.

“I have a question.” Cup Cake stepped forward, looking nervous, “What about family members and husbands that are coming into town after this 'game' starts. Will they be able to... to claim us even though they aren't part of the competition?”

“Yes they, sadly, will. Any stallion can claim you if they get to your first, part of the contest or no. Including your 'loved ones'.” he rolled his eyes, “If you wanna be boring like that... but fair warning, if too many of you find a 'nice guy' and have him get you out of this game, I will drag not only you back into it but him as well. Also, animals don't count, but non-pony races do. I do love a good hybrid. Alright then!” with another snap of his fingers a flash forced he various females there to close their eyes, reopening them to see the words 'DiscordUI.exe Loading...' dancing in front of their eyes.

“A little heads up display I cooked up for you all. Borrowed the idea from a pegasus with some weird decor on his wings, but I feel it's the easiest way to do things don't you?” Everything seemed normal after the loading screen disappeared though, nothing replaced it for the mares, “Now! That will display information on this little tournament when it's relevant. When one of you is eliminated, when one of you is placed back in the game, or when someone new joins the fun. It will also tell you how close the stallion 'engaged' with you is to finishing and give you a view of your lose in action when he finishes the deed.” he laughed a bit, “It'll also give you clear HD footage of the act, be thankful I spared no expense on these.” A wrapped present appeared on the mares 'DiscordUI' at that point, “As for the winner, well...” A drum roll came from nowhere as the box opened, then disappeared revealing a question mark, “As a creepy guy once said to a bunch of kids he lured into his factory, the best kind of prize is a surprise. Only the winner needs to worry about it. Now, au revoir my little ponies! Do try and avoid getting raped too fast, I watch to enjoy watching this play out.” With that Discord disappeared once more in a bout of roaring, maniacal laughter.

Applejack was the first to break the silence, stepping over to Twilight, “Sugarcube, please tell me ya'all have a plan to deal with this?” Twilight had to pause before answering, she'd never seen this much worry on AJ's face before. She remembered Big Mac was in the town hall with the other stallions, having his personality stripped away and replaced with that of a perverted rapist, and there she, Babs, and Apple Bloom stood, even the fillies as fertile as a mare gone into heat.

Twilight looked around at the others,each of them staring directly at her, waiting for the local genius' plan. The various out of town ponies seeming to have caught onto Twilight being the leader here, either thanks to recognizing her, having heard Discord call her the Element of Magic, or simply due to sheer desperation. Of course even Mayor Mare was looking to her for guidance, an act that likely helped cement the lack of complaints. She took a deep breath, “Alright, we don't have much time. First, everyone get somewhere safe, lock your doors, and don't open them for anyone, whether you know them or not. If your room mate's one of the guys who've been changed by Discord, find somewhere safe. A friend or family member you an stay with. Only leave if you absolutely must.”

“What about Spike, dear?” Velvet looked at her daughter, “You can't just throw him out because of what Discord's done. The little dragon is family.”

“I know mother, and I have a plan for getting Spike to safety, don't worry.”

“What about us?” Apple Bloom looked up at Twilight, “Big Mac's been changed, what are we supposed ta do?”

Twilight looked at Applejack as she pulled her sister close to her, “Big Mac'll be fine in the barn for awhile... we just... have ta be patient while Twilight figured out a way ta stop Discord's magic.” AJ looked at her friend, “Ya can stop him, right Twi?”

The purple unicorn nodded, “I'm definitely going to try. For now though, Rarity. Go find Zecora and-”

“I am here, my dear friend.” Zecora walked toward Twilight, “And my help, I am eager to lend.”

Twilight frowned, “I was hoping you might be safe from this, but... no, it doesn't matter. I need you and Rarity to find some way to protect the two while I work on my solution. Special clothing, zebra magic, anything you can figure out.”

Rarity smiled reassuringly at her friend, though Twilight could see the look of dread hidden in her eyes, “You can count on me, Darling. Between Zecora and myself, it should be easy to stop that hooligan in his tracks.”

“Alright, that's our plan then. Now we likely don't have a lot of time before the stallions are released. Everyone keep safe for as long as you can.” With that, the mares made for the tent flaps and went their separate ways, Zecora and Rarity heading for the zebra's hut while Rainbow followed Twilight and her mother.

“Sssssooo... what was Daring Do like when she was in College?” Rainbow grinned bashfully at Twilight Velvet, who gave a chuckle.

“A lot like she is now really. Kind of a loner unless you get to know her, stubborn, but always three steps ahead of everyone else.” Velvet's smile turned into a slight frown, “I kind of wish she were here now. Chances are she'd have had Discord beat within minutes....”

As Rainbow and her mother chatted Twilight's thoughts turned to her friends, their family, and most of all to Spike. The last time Spike became obsessed with greed, he nearly destroyed the town. Could a Spike obsessed with Lust be worse, and if he is, would that mean her plan endangers Celestia? She knew she had to take the chance, but it still worried her, and she would never forgive Discord if the little drake was hurt. For now though, they needed to find someplace safe, and in Twilight's mind the library was perfect.

Author's Note

Whelp, this took longer than I expected. Sorry about that! Well, now that Dissy's explained the rules, if anyone would like their OCs in the story, feel free to toss me a PM. I won't be accepting all of them, but there definitely will be some. Credit for the trap idea goes to Regreme, thanks for the help with that!

On a different note, sorry for any spelling mistakes, grammar issues, or pacing problems. As it stands I could use some extra editors as the best one I know is unwilling to help with porn fiction. Toss me a PM if you'd like to help.