Discord
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Ring of Fire

Discord

Oh how I hate being a pony...

Don't get me wrong in the six months or so since my release, not everypony has been ecstatic about me not being a garden ornament anymore. But after allying myself with Tirek because he had me believing that I had become little more than an errand boy for Celestia, and now, because of that if I showed up somewhere as... well myself, let's say that I'm not well received. So Celestia thought that it might be a good idea to try being a pony at least while in public. When I was around my friends and just them I could be my true self. But in public, hello boring same gray stallion with a "dyed" horn and weird eyes. At least it was better than having an angry mob chasing you. You make one little mistake and almost everypony turns on you...

"Twister?"

I blinked before shaking my head. "Uh, my apologies. You were saying Fluttershy?" I asked as I took my seat.

That was another thing that got me, I couldn't even be called by my own name! "Twister" was what Fluttershy came up with due to my Cutie Mark which was a tornado. I'm not mad, I messed up and now I have to pay for it, but it didn't stop me from being melancholic about it.

Fluttershy smiled, which did make me feel better. "I asked you how long do you plan on staying here?"

I looked over the spread of coffee, tea, cakes and other pastries. "Well," I began as I levitated some tea and a croissant to me. "I'm not staying per se but I am going to be here to help every now and then." I said. "Today I wanted to visit you all." I flashed my characteristic toothy grin. "Lucky me you were all meeting up here!"

We all looked over to the counter where Rarity, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie were coming from all carrying a platter full of things to drink and eat. I caught a whiff of cotton candy and chocolate and my mouth watered. As we moved Applejack grinned. "Ah still cain't believe that we're going to be hostin' the first Winter Moon Festival in over a thousand years."

"I agree." Rarity said. "Won't it be exciting?"

"Totally awesome!" Rainbow Dash said excitedly.

Pinkie Pie beamed cheeks puffed out, "You know it!" She shouted after swallowing the mouthful of cupcake.

Fluttershy looked at me. "Do you remember the last time there was one?"

I brought a hoof to my chin feeling my talon itching to pop out. I forced the urge back hoping I could maintain this for a little while longer. I thought about the last time I had witnessed the Festival. "Well, the last time was when I was before I was imprisoned and that was about one thousand and fifteen years ago. Shortly after that..." I clammed up. I didn't want to talk about it, I still hadn't settled things with Celestia. Call me a procrastinator, but I really didn't want to talk to her about it yet.

"If you don't want to talk about it that's okay." Twilight said looking worried.

I nodded, "Thank you Twilight." I said downing my tea in one gulp; ignoring the searing burn that now throbbed in my throat and innards as best I could. Mmmm, Zap Apple! I thought.

Twilight nodded sipping her tea delicately wincing as it burned her upper lip. "So I take that you're going to help?" She asked.

I shrugged, "When I can not only do I have this but Celestia, Luna and I are getting those damned petitions again." I scowled.

"I thought they stopped?" Fluttershy asked looking concerned at my sour look.

"They did," I put my muzzle on the table, melancholy appearing. "Then I screwed up."

I didn't need to say anymore.

Applejack swallowed what she had been eating. "Well, you do see where everypony is coming from right?"

I scowled, "Of course I do, but it doesn't mean I'm liking it. I messed up, I know that. But I think they are going a little too far. I mean they welcomed Luna back with opened hooves." Now I was upset, if there was one thing I hated was sounding like a whiner, and that is what I was doing right now. All aboard the Pity Train...

Twilight looked over at me my head on the table looking forlorn. "Hey, no pity parties I--"

Pinkie Pie slammed her hooves on the table make my head jolt up. "Yeah! Pity Parties aren't fun parties at all!!"

"I--" I opened my mouth to retort but Pinkie shoved her hoof in my mouth cramming something soft sweet that tasted fondly like cotton candy soaked in chocolate milk, yummy!

"Better?" She asked hopeful.

I'll show you better... I thought

POOF

A pink cloud appeared hovering over Pinkie Pie. As she looked up confused for a moment a single drop of chocolate milk fell on her nose, before a near solid curtain of the stuff began to fall drenching her as she beamed.

"Alright!" She cried, and in one bite shoved every last inch of the cloud into her mouth. Just to be smart, I added a whipped cream beard and mustache as well. She looked like she had enter heaven as she chewed and licked her lips getting the whipped cream off her face. "Fanks!" she cried.

Just the look on her face cheered me up immensely. Before I knew it I was laughing hard as was Pinkie Pie. "No Pinkie," I said after I stopped wiping a tear away. "Thank you. I needed that."

Some of the rain had gotten on Twilight who looked annoyed as she magiced the chocolate off her coat. "Warn us next time please?"

I couldn't resist. "Oh Twilight, where would the fun be in that?" I asked cocking an eyebrow and flashing my toothiest grin.

Applejack began to chuckle. "It was pretty funny." And Twilight smiled chuckling as well.

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After spending the rest of the morning talking and laughing Twilight ended our little get together. "Well, I have to get going." She said standing and stretching. "I promised Spike that I would take him to McHoofs for bailing on him this morning. We can start preparations tomorrow morning." She then looked at me. "Twister? Everypony?"

"Yes?"

"I would you all to come to the castle at around nine tomorrow morning." She said. We all nodded. "Great see you then!" turning she trotted off towards her home.

Applejack was the next to leave. Saying that she had a lot of chores to do at her farm. Then Rainbow Dash and Rarity both left saying something about getting back to work. Pinkie Pie looked at me hopeful. "Can I have another cloud please?"

I shook my head sternly. "You'll rot your teeth out." Just to make my point my teeth fell out and I looked at her. "See wub I meem?"

Pinkie burst into hysterical laughter. "Yeah I guess so." She said holding her sides. "Then I'll just have to get back to helping the Cakes." She hopped off leaving me and Fluttershy alone.

"So would you like to help me tend to my animals today?" Fluttershy offered. "I just rescued a Platypus that I think you'd like."

I nodded. "What's a Platypus?" I asked, curious.

"Oh it's got a duck's bill and feet, a long body and a beaver tail."

I perked up. "That I have to see!" We both headed to Fluttershy cottage.

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I helped her take care of the animals all day. And to make the day even better I helped her in my true form seeing as Fluttershy lived so far from Ponyville. She even offered to let me adopt the Platypus. I declined, as interesting and down right chaotic looking it was, I didn't feel like I needed a pet yet. After hours of fun the sun began to sink low in sky. Stifling a yawn I looked at my friend "Well I have to go Fluttershy." I said standing.

Fluttershy smiled. "Sure thing see you tomorrow!"

I snapped my talons and for a few seconds all I saw was white before I found myself standing by Celestia's room. I blinked, Oh great, missed my mark...again... I thought seeing as I intended to have popped into my room. Sighing I turned to walk there instead. Best not to risk it...

"Discord?" I whirled around and saw Celestia standing in the door way. She looked confused. "What are you doing?"

I swallowed. "Well I just...missed my target that's all." I crossed my arms looking indignant. "It happens to the best of us."

Celestia nodded. "Well, seeing that you're here would you like to join me for dinner?"

No! I thought, No, no, no, no.

"Why?"

HORSEAPPLES!

Celestia smiled. "I find it easier to enjoy good food with company."

Thanks but no thanks, it's just that simple. Just say it you feather brain!

But instead of listening to my head I walked into her room. Yeah, I'm an idiot... I looked over her room quickly. One large bed with a desk near the window. A fireplace with a fire blazing in the hearth, and a large table in the center covered in different assortments of food. I looked at Celestia a little apprehensive. "Any reason why you couldn't just ask Luna?" I asked feeling a nervous knot form in my chest.

Celestia blinked. "She's heading to Ponyville right now. If you don't want to be here I understand. I only wanted to talk that's all."

Great she gave you a chance to leave so just turn scaly tail around and walk out!

"No, no..." I sighed. "I'd rather have company while I eat as well." I curled up onto one the cushions.

You moron...

Celestia sat next to me and I stiffened. Celestia didn't seem to notice as she looked around the table her calm face lighting up. Her horn glowed gold as she levitated two bottle of cider from the table and offered one to me. I began to shake my head furiously. "Oh no, I would prefer to have a clear head thank you very much."

Celestia laughed. "Trust me, what I need to talk about won't need a clear head." she floated it a little closer.

I've never had alcohol before while I part of me was curious about what might happen, that same part was equally terrified of what might happen. The last thing I want was to be locked away again because of this. "What if I do something Chaotic?"

Celestia opened her bottle and downed a quarter of it one gulp. "Believe me, it won't be anything I can't handle. Besides it's no fun drinking alone." She then gulped down another quarter of the bottle before making her eyes large and sad, then pouting.

My ears went flat. I could never say no to that even when we were children. My eye twitched and I heaved a sigh. "You're really evil at times you know that?" She gave a smug smile as I took the bottle from her magic, opened it and gave the liquid a tentative sniff. It smelled of sour apple and cinnamon. Shrugging I looked at Celestia. "If I turn the world upside down it's your fault." I took a sip tasting it. It reminded me of the cider they gave foals but with one hell of a burn. I coughed as the unexpected burn reached the back of my throat.

"You really never drank before?" Celestia asked. I shook my head as I tried to force myself to stop coughing. "Don't worry you get used to the burn."

I downed another mouthful; wincing but thankfully not coughing. "I don't mind it really." I said as I looked through the spread picking out a few things. I looked as Celestia did the same. As she was taking a grilled daisy and cheese sandwich she hiccuped. Her magic falter and the it began to fall, in a flash I whipped my tail out and stopped it from falling to the floor.

"Thank you." She said giving me a smile. She took a bite and all was quiet while we both ate myself beginning to enjoy the warm feeling that was beginning to spread through my body, helping me to relax. "Do you remember when we first met?"

I started, looking at her in surprise. "Y-Yes..." I said with an air of suspicion. "Didn't you catch me trying to steal some of your food?"

Celestia chuckled. "Yes we did."

I felt a smile tug at my lips as the memories rushed over me. "And if I remember correctly your mane and tail were solid pink..."

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1175 years ago
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I shoved another pawful of berries into my mouth. I couldn't remember when the last time I had eaten was, looking up at the two young alicorns I swallowed my mouthful looking nervous. Celestia laughed as I wiped my mouth with my paw. "If you wanted to join us to all you had to do was ask." She said sweetly.

I scratched the back of my head. "I was afraid I'd scare you and well..." I cowered, yes I was a completely different Draconiquus back in the day.

Luna giggle. "Why would anypony be scared of you? You seem nice. Different, but nice."

I sat on my haunches and tapped my tail. "I'm not exactly normal looking." I said with a small scowl. "Most ponies I run into do one of two things." I counted on my claws. "One: they run screaming, but most go for two: attacking."

Luna gasped and shrank back. "That's awful!"

I blinked, I was surprised. Firstly because instead of chasing me away they let me eat most of their food (and all the sponge cake). And now they seemed to be showing genuine concern for someone like me. Celestia put a hoof on my shoulder. "Just because you look different, doesn't mean you're a bad pony...Or, whatever you are." She blushed feeling embarrassed. "No offence."

I grinned widely showing all my teeth. "I'm a Draconiquus." I then scuffed the ground with my paw. "It's a mouthful I know."

Luna cocked her head to the side. "What's a Drac...Draconiquus?"

I sat on my haunches shrugging, "I dunno, but it's what I am." I felt my body tense, then my tail thumped the ground. Oh no!

Three pink clouds suddenly appeared over our heads. One over Celestia's, one over Luna's and one over me. Looking in horror as brown raindrops proceeded to drench us I panicked, getting as low to the ground as I could. "Discord what did you do?!" Celestia demanded trying in vain to out run the cloud.

"I didn't mean it I swear!" I shouted as I tried to do the same. "I'm sorry!" I stopped looking forlorn as both Luna and Celestia ran trying to get away from the clouds. Tears began to fill my eyes and looking down I turned to leave before they could start chasing me. But as I left their shrieks of distress turned to squeals of laughter.

I stopped turning to see Celestia her cheeks puffed out comically licking her lips. She swallowed and opened her mouth tilting her head up as she exclaimed. "Hey! It's chocolate milk!" She swallowed another mouthful. "Yum!"

Luna had managed to out run her cloud and tackled it to the ground. She sniffed it curiously, then took a bite. Her face lit up. "Sister! The clouds are made of spun sugar!" Beaming at me took another bite. "This is great! Hey," She stood her fur stuck together with bits of the sugary treat as it resumed soaking her in chocolate milk. "where you going?"

I turned slowly back to face them. "Y-You're not mad at me?"

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Present
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Celestia was laughing. "An-and when we finished the clouds we were so strung up on sugar that we played tag for most of the night." She finished her cider. Although she had a bit of color in her cheeks she seemed still able to function. "it took weeks for us to get it out of our coats and hair."

I was keeping pace with her, I wasn't going to let her out do me no matter how long she had been drinking. Yes, I can be a bit competitive. She levitated two more bottles hovering one to me I took it without comment. I had lost count on how many ciders we had had to this point, but I had noticed that I couldn't have done more than levitate anything at this point even if I wanted to do something. Which I wasn't up to at the moment. I was relaxed and talking to Celestia as opposed to taunting and jeering at her was a nice change of pace.

Though as we both fell silent I began to feel a nagging sense that something was wrong. I drifted my gaze over at Celestia to see her eating quietly though something seemed off as I levitated another tuna salad sandwich, she was too quiet and although I would never say she wasn't a beautiful mare, (I may be a liar but I like convincing lies) but at that moment she was showing her age. Letting her guard down, and I could see that something was beginning to bother her. I turned my head to face her just as she did the same. Her face became full of pain and remorse, she seemed to be close to tears. I blinked; about to ask what was wrong when. "I'm sorry Discord."

A look of surprise appeared on my face. "W-What are you--" I balked shocked as tears actually began to fall from Celestia's eyes. I felt an urge to comfort her, what was she so sorry about? Was it trapping me in stone for over a thousand years? No, I'm pretty sure it wasn't that. Wait...

Celestia looked miserable. "For what...for what I did to you..."

My heart stopped I felt the color rush from my face. Please don't say it, please don't say it. I begged silently.

"For breaking your heart..."

I stiffened a old pang in my chest and a flicker of rage. I turned quickly which was a bad idea as I swayed dangerously but I succeeded in hiding my face. "I don't want to talk about it..." I said stiffly. I looked behind me, Celestia was a study in mental anguish. At one point I would have loved to see her face look like this, but now I was having a realization that what had happened all those years ago had really done some kind of emotional damage. And again I would have loved knowing this fact, let her feel a bit of the pain I felt, but now. "I.." I sighed turning back to face her. "I'm not ready to discuss this yet 'Tia."

Celestia bowed her head and stood walking slowly staggering only once as her left fore hoof snagged on the rug as she made her way to the fireplace. There she laid down, her head going onto her fore hooves once again looking miserable. "Celestia..." I sighed as I tried standing on my hind legs and nearly falling into the table. After stabilizing for a moment I thought it wiser to go on all fours. Normally I preferred to be bipedal, it's easier to manipulate objects and intimidate ponies that way, though years ago if I needed to cover ground quickly running on all fours was the fastest way to get around. So as unsteady as I felt i slowly made my way towards the fireplace, my mind swimming with a much unneeded reminder.

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1015 years ago
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I was pacing back and forth my nerves growing with each passing second. I had asked Celestia to come and talk I had a few things to speak to her about. It had been roughly six months since their battle with Sombra and Luna had been acting strange, it was as if she had a total personality shift. Okay, how am I going to say this? Celestia, something has been up with Luna and I really think we should talk to her because we are the only family she really has aside from that insufferable unicorn you call a mentor--

"Discord!"

I jumped into the air startled by Celestia's sudden appearance. I turned smiling, "'Tia! We need to talk about Luna." I began, "Something hasn't been right with Luna since you both battled Sombra. She's become distant and, and I--"

"Enough!" She snapped, I blinked looking shocked as she stomped her hoof. "I was looking through the library last night, do you know what I found?"

I gave a sheepish smile, I had no idea. "Books?"

Celestia rolled her eyes the annoyance in her eyes growing. "Will you be serious for once Discord!?"

I narrowed my eyes feeling annoyance rise in me as well. "That's what I'm trying to be 'Tia!" I snapped. "It's you who isn't listening to me!"

"Oh I heard you about Luna, but why should I believe you?!"

I blinked now any hope of civility was gone. "What's your problem?!" I yelled. "Why are you being like this?! If I did something wrong please tell me."

Instead she glowered at me, her horn glowed and she summoned about six or seven books and flung them at me. "I found these!"

I looked down and I couldn't help myself, I started chuckling. "Quite the discovery 'Tia..." I rolled my eyes. "I would never have known that you found books there..." I picked up one of the books, glancing at the title, I deadpanned. "The Alicorn-Draconequus war?" I looked back at Celestia. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Your kind is the reason that Luna and I are alone!" She screamed her eyes burning with rage. With a wave of her head all but the book I was holding vanished. "So what was your plan? Kill us in our sleep once you had perfected your powers?!"

Now I was even more irritated, as well as getting progressively more confused. "My Plan?" I folded my arms. "I don't have any plan, 'Tia, we've known each other for a hundred years. If I was planning something why would I wait for a full century? I'm not a patient stallion, yes I can be a bit difficult and snarky at times but, but you know I lo--"

I didn't get the chance to finish. Celestia's horn glowed gold, as a blast of magic hit me squarely in the chest sending me through a tree right behind me. "I'm through with your lies monster! I want you out of my sight!" She lowered her horn ready to gore me at a moments notice.

I just looked at her feeling like she had just...well, thrown me through a tree. Tears formed in my eyes she had never called me a monster, in fact her and Luna had only ever treated me with kindness. But now, "'T-Tia..." I moved to get up as she sent another blast of magic my way. Now I understood, she fully believed that I was a monster after reading those books. Well, if it's a monster she wants it's a monster she'll get...

I narrowed my eyes and with a flick of my wrist I sent the magic back at her twice as strong as she had cast it. She dodged and ran at me I grabbed her in a magic field, then flicking my wrist yet again I flung her through two trees. I then teleported in front of her glaring. "So I'm a monster huh? Be thankful you only get a few bruises for your efforts." I grabbed her mane roughly in my talon. "Next time we meet I'll show you how much of a monster I am!" I threw her as hard as I could into a tree then with a snap of my claws I vanished.

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Present
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I laid on a velvet cushion refusing to let Celestia see my face. "Why?" I said in almost a whisper. "Why did you attack me?"

"I-I don't know." She said her voice shaking. "I was angry, Luna had begun to act strange, and finding those books sent me over the edge." Felt her shift slightly. "Discord I--" She began to sob. I moved my head to see Celestia sobbing quietly. I began to realize that she must have been carrying this guilt for the last thousand years.

'Tia... Tentatively I moved closer to her so I could wrap my feathered wing around her.

Celestia hiccuped and turned looking at me surprised, I felt my muzzle begin to burn. "Discord, I'm so, so sorry."

I gave her a chuckle, "You said that already Princess." I said wryly causing her to chuckle.

I felt her put a wing around me as well causing my muzzle to practically glow. "Do you...do you think..."

"There will be anything between us again?" I finished, she nodded. I put my head on my claws. "I...I don't know 'Tia." I looked at her. "Too much has happened between us." Celestia put her head onto her hooves looking absolutely miserable. I sighed, "But if you want I'll stay here tonight...I doubt I could get to my room without running into something..."

Celestia chuckled. "I think that would be wonderful." She smiled looking slightly better. "Good night Discord."

"Good night Princess."

Author's Note

YAY CHAPTER DONE!! *sigh* I think it's a little better than the last chapter. I feel like I'm improving little by little. Well, off to write the outline for the next chapter see you all in two weeks!