Little Redd: the Lost Concept of Peace

Chapter Thirteen

The Element of Chaos

I have to tell them.

Redd sped through the village unable to enjoy the peace that was soon to end in True Equestria.

My life or millions?  Very possibly billions?

She stopped outside the library, but pushed through the door with some urgency anyway.  A baby dragon was leaned back in his chair wearing a top hat and cape while twiddling his mustache, reading some fairy tales and occasionally laughing maniacally.

His wide eyes met hers, and in a single move he whisked everything under his now-stable chair.  The mustache was permanent.

"What's up?"

"Where's Twilight?"

He scratched his head.

"Uh, she's in Canterlot talking to Princess Celestia about something.  Why?"

"No reason.  Toodles, Spike."

She leapt back out the door, leaving the dragon staring after her.

"How did she know my name?"

The train left just as Redd hit the platform.

"Wait!"

She charged after the train and clasped the caboose's railing in her jaws.  She pulled herself up, and pushed over the rail.

The landscape zipped by, blurring under the powerful speed of the locomotive.

"Ohhh, Green World, don't desert, me now.  Made of you, and you of me but, where are we?"

She shook the song from her head.

"Focus Redd, focus."

The train pulled into Canterlot and Redd leapt off, plowing through the streets towards what is Chrysalis' palace in Dark Equestria.

"Personally, I think Cadance is a piece of work."

Hawk Eye scoffed.

"She's nowhere near Luna.  Luna's beyond demanding."

Eagle Eye addressed his brother with a similar reaction.

"Hey, Luna's a babe.  She makes up for her needs.  I honestly can't believe the Captain married Cadance though."

The guards looked up at a dark shape charging up the path, and they crossed their spears.

"Halt!"

The spears shattered in a shower of red fire and the mare blasted past them.

"Well, that was--"

He was interrupted by Eagle Eye blowing the security horn.

A crowd of guards trailed behind her.  Those unfortunate enough to attack from the front were met with a powerful stunning spell.  Redd knew the way to the throne room as she had met Chrysalis there a few times, though the choice of decoration was still drastically different from the Changelings' and Redd took a wrong turn more than once.

Eventually the throne room doors loomed over her, and she stunned the few guards blocking her path before pushing through them.

"Celestia!  Discord's back!"

Redd froze.

Celestia sat on her throne.  Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Twilight stood before her, forming a semi-circle.  All of their attention turned to Redd.  The Elements parted, and an orange Pegasus with a ruffled purple mane and tail sporting a dark chain around her neck stepped out of the group.  Her overconfident pink eyes locked squarely with Redd's, a bit of humor lurking in the lifelights.

"Relax, limey.  I got this."

"What is the meaning of this unholy chaos?"

The Princess had stood, and was looking down her nose at Redd.  The swarm of guards came into the room, colliding in a large dog pile to get through the door.  Confused, Redd's head whipped around, going between Scootaloo, the Princess, and the moaning result of her entrance.

"You-- I wasn't... "

"You are under arrest!"

Shining Armor strode into the room, and locked Redd's hooves behind her in a field of magenta magic.

"No, she isn't!"

He looked up at Celestia, who had turned her steely gaze to him.

"Your Highness, she has paralyzed over half of the Royal Guard!  We cannot allow her to--"

"And she could've actually meant your men harm and killed them!  She was merely attempting to warn me of Discord's return.  The shocking thing for her was that Scootaloo was swifter in her arrival."

"Just 'Scoots' is fine."

Shining fumbled his words.

"I-- she… "

He sighed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

The magenta field vanished, Shining Armor saluted the Princess, and he stepped out of the room.  The dog pile of guards remained.

"The rest of you are dismissed."

It took a minute for the mob to pick themselves up and leave the room, closing the door behind them.  Celestia turned her attention back to Redd, and continued her conversation.

"I've been informed that Discord isn't going to change.  Who or what does he have on his side?"

Redd became still.  Scootaloo hasn't told her about their precise situation, and fumbled with her words.

"Well, I... "

Swallowing, she forced her tongue to comply with her thoughts.

"Remember when he reversed the Elements of Harmony's personalities?"

A slow, silent nod rippled through the room.

"Those versions of them never really left.  They're wreaking havoc on Dark Ponyville right now."

She turned to Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

"The last time I saw the both of you, you were fighting each other on the farm.  I'm not entirely sure that either of you are still alive."

Applejack's brow cocked, and Rainbow Dash shuffled a little farther away from the farmer.  Redd turned back to Celestia.

"If Dark Applejack and Dark Rainbow Dash are still alive and well, then all of the corrupted Elements are on Discord's side."

She glanced over at Scootaloo, who was looking on with a bored air about her.

"...Then there's us."

This got the attention of everypony in the room, a confused 'Huh?' escaping Rainbow Dash's lips.

"Scootaloo and I are two of the six Elements of Discord."

Rainbow Dash's eyes flashed, and she stomped forward only to be held back by Applejack's teeth clamping down on her tail.  Frustrated, she resorted to words.

"How do we know we can trust you then?"

Eyes closed and ears flattened, Redd subconsciously took a step back.

"Well, to be honest I don't expect you to.  But before you decide that I'm the enemy, let me finish what I have to say."

The Pegasus sighed and backed down, flicking her tail out of Applejack's mouth and planting her haunches on the floor.

"Thank you."

Princess Celestia, who's attention had been on Rainbow, turned back to Redd.

"Who are the rest of the Elements of Discord?"

Redd's eyes moved across the six heroes before her, before landing on Applejack.

"Applejack.  You're honest, but have the habit of being a little too truthful at times.  Gilded Star is your opposite, a military stallion from future Equestria.  His Element is Candor."

Her eyes ran across to Rainbow Dash, just a few feet from Applejack.

"Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo is your opposite.  You are loyal, yet have an enormous pride that you consistently fight to keep intact.  Scootaloo's is the Element of Pride."

Rarity met Redd's gaze.

"Rarity, you are generous."

Rarity's fake lashes fluttered, and she puffed her mane out a bit.

"Why, thank you-- "

"But you have a habit of discriminating amongst other ponies, and with that comes a legendary figure from the past.  Adolf Hoofler, Nazi Commander of the Third Reich is your opposite, and stands as the Element of Discrimination."

Rarity's mouth dropped open, and she humbled herself by shuffling to the back of the room.  Redd turned to Fluttershy.

"You are kind at heart most of the hours you are awake, but have somewhat of a short patience.  Sunset Shimmer is known for her temper, and is your opposite as the Element of Fury."

Pinkie was actually looking sorta gray, probably dreading what her counterpart would turn out to be.

"Pinkamina, you are literally the essence of happiness, though your worst side is your innocence.  Pound Cake is your opposite.  He is the Element of Innocence."

Finally, she locked eyes with Twilight.

"As your personal equal, I am the Element of Chaos."