Darkness. Wherever you look there was only darkness. A black void of nothingness. An abyss that never ends. There was no sky. No ground. No light. No nothing. The darkness was the only thing around.
However, a figure within shook as she felt numb. The darkness was cold. So very cold. It stung her skin, and ached her bones as she desperately looked around.
The tall and slender mare carefully walked through the darkness. Her horn only lighting up dimly as the dark was too thick. She shakily walked around, her eyes unable to see anything. She fluttered her elegant white wings as the cold breeze flowed through.
"Hello? Is there anypony here?" She asked, biting her lip.
"Where am I?"
She stopped dead in her tracks as she heard laughter. Child's laughter.
The mare began to breathe heavily, waiting for the oncoming terror. Fearing the worst.
Yet, nothing came. The laughter continued, but it was sweet and full of joy. A spark of light flickered in the corner of her musk rose eyes. She turned, gasping with tears in her eyes as she saw what was in front of her.
A short, pearl white filly skipped around. Her pink curls bouncing beside her face. Her small wings fluttering, and her horn barely poking out from her mane. The filly laughed and giggled as she jumped around with another creature. A shorter creature. It was clear that this creature was no pony, due to it's appearance of mismatched animals. It waved it's short red tail, and flapped it's two unusual wings. It's black hair hanging over it's face. It smiled as it played with the her, it's one sharp fang clearly showing. It laughed along with the alicorn filly.
The elder alicorn watched from a distance. Watching the filly playing with the creature...playing with him.
"Friends? What's that?" A boyish voice questioned. The voice cracking, proving his youth.
"You're really silly! Don't you know about friends?" A female voice giggled, echoing in the void.
"No. I've never heard of it. Or ever had one."
"You've never had a friend?....well, you have one now."
"What is it? Food or a tree or something?"
The filly giggled wildly.
"Oh Dizzy! You're so adorable!! No, a friend is somepony special. Somepony who will stay by your side no matter what. Who will always be there for you."
"I have a friend?" The creature squeaked as the filly booped his nose.
"Me, silly! I'm your friend! And we'll be best friends! Forever and ever!" She grinned.
"Forever and ever?"
"I promise." The voice faded, and as did the two young creatures. The Princess stared at where the two had been. Tears flowing from her eyes.
"I promise...." She croaked. "...I promised...."
Suddenly, the darkness shook and rumbled. A sickly red liquid began to drip from what seemed to be the walls. The alicorn mare gasped as she stared at the dripping liquid that began to surround her hooves. Her golden crown, necklace and shoes disappeared in a flash. Letting the mare feel the liquid on her hooves. She grimaced at the scarlet red gunk on the floor, realising that it was blood. She squealed loudly, glancing at the bright blue pegasus feathers swimming in the pool of blood. Recognising them instantly. She turned to see another event before her eyes.
"Monster! Nuisance!! Freak!!" An older, yet still young mare screamed. Her sparkling coloured locks tainted with blood and dirt.
"Tia...please...Stop!" The creature begged, crying. He spluttered out blood as the alicorn continued to beat him. His wing and tail were both crooked as she snapped them like twigs.
"I hate you! I hate you!" The pony shouted, whacking the creature to the floor. She continued screaming insults at him as he cried out in agony. The taller, older Princess watched in absolute shock as she watched the pony.
"Celestia, please! I beg of you!! It hurts!!" The draconnequus wailed in pain.
The young alicorn ignored his cries as she threw him against the wall, hissing at him as he weakly begged her to stop. She continued to use the draconnequus to throw her pent up rage. Throwing him around like a doll.
The adult Princess stared in complete shock and dismay, watching as the scene unravel before her. She sobbed loudly, screaming at the young pony to stop her abuse on the younger creature.
"Stop it!! Stop it right now!!! Celestia stop!!" The mare demanded through her tears. Yet, her yells fell on deaf ears, as the younger pony continued.
"Please...you're hurting him..." She sobbed. "He doesn't deserve it...please, he doesn't deserve the pain....he doesn't deserve anything that he's been through..."
The two younger figures faded again. Leaving the mare to cry to herself in the dark. The alicorn collapsed onto the floor, sobbing into her hooves.
"I'm sorry!! I'm so sorry!! Please....please...forgive me...I'm sorry!!"
~~~~~~
"Celestia....Sister, wake up!!...Celestia!!!" A midnight blue alicorn slapped her asleep sibling, startling her. The clean white princess shot up, her covers flying up. Tears staining her cheeks. Her usually flowing mane, ruffled and sticking to her tear ridden face. Her chest was pounding as her heart thrashed against her now bruised rib-cage. She breathed heavily as she sat up.
"Sister! Art thou alright?" The younger blue Princess asked in concern. Watching as her older sister cried into her hooves.
"Oh L-Luna...it happened...it happened again..." Princess Celestia wailed. "I hit him again...I tried to kill him again...Luunna...why won't they stop? Why won't the nightmares stop?"
The Lunar Princess sighed as she sat beside her sister, letting her cry onto her dark blue shoulder.
"Sister, I'm sorry. I should have helped you with this, alas, I cannot. It's buried too deep inside you, Tia. I am unable to stop them."
"Every night, my hooves are covered in his blood. Every night, I hear his cries. Every night, is the same....why did I do that? Why did I do such a thing?" Celestia croaked.
"Oh, Celestia. You were young. Angry about mother and father."
"Luna!! I used him!! I used him as an object!! Like a toy!! He opened up to me. He opened up his shy soul to me, and I shattered it like a hammer to glass." Celestia sniffed. "I have no excuse for what I put him through...I have no excuse to what I have made him become..."
"He's reformed, isn't he? He's friends with the Elements of Harmony."
"He's broken, can't you see? He puts up that cocky charade as a shield. He hides behind a wall of confidence....I made him turn on us...I made him like this..." The Sun Princess sighed, her sister watching quietly. "I just want the nightmares to stop...they hurt so bad..."
"If they hurt you that much, think of how much pain he goes through. With those memories engraved in his mind...Celestia, if you want the nightmares to stop, you have to confront him. You and him have to talk about this." Luna explained.
"I can't. I tried last time, but he avoided me. I remember when he was reformed, I ordered him up to the castle, and tried to talk to him about it. But he disappeared before I could even start."
"See! Not only would talking about it help you, it would help him. It seems to me that he's trying to run away from his emotions. Trying to run away from his past."
"I know, but-"
Luna shoved a hoof in her sister's mouth, staring at her with an angry glare.
"Princess Celestia Solaris, Ruler of Equestria, Mother of the Sun. You will talk to the God of Chaos. You will confront him so the both of you can face up to your fears." The younger sister ordered. "It worked with me when I returned, it will work with him."
Princess Luna pulled her hoof out, drying it on the bed covers.
"But he won't even listen to me. He won't come near me-"
A bouquet of pastel rainbow flowers were shoved into the mare's face. She yelped out as the flowers poked her in the eye.
"Celestia! He obviously wants to sort something out! Why else would he give you these?...Tia, I know what he feels. I've seen his dreams. The lack of friendship has made him bitter, but he has....an empty space. His dreams are nothing but black voids and memories. Every night, he relives his heartbreak. Every night, he relives his youth. He begs for them to stop, but they won't. It's the same with you. You two need to stop this together...like you used to be... but you can't do it alone. Knowing the two of you, the two of you will end up killing each other."
Luna smiled to her sister, who leapt up and hugged her.
"Oh Luna!! You are fantastic! You are the best sister ever!! Thank you!! Thank you so much!!" She squealed with delight. Hugging her baby sister.
As the alicorn released her sister, she gasped for air. Making the sun flanked mare giggle.
"Sorry." She squeaked, as Luna held her chest, smiling. "Wait...I have an idea. But I need six special mares to help."
~~~~~~
"Ah!!" The draconnequus jumped out of the bed, several items hovered into the air, and crashed down to the ground. Either chipping or shattering. He fell to the floor as well, rubbing his head as a few of his books fell on his head. He grumbled to himself, before sighing in defeat.
"Again...again with the same recollection..." He muttered. He was about to get up until there was a knock at the door. "Yes?"
"Discord, I heard a crash, is everything alri-" The butterscotch mare gasped as she opened the door. Even though the owner of the room was the Creator of Chaos, everything was usually organised and neat. Books were placed in alphabetical order, pictures were hung up straight, and the covers were done up.
However, now the tables were tipped over, with wooden legs broken, vases and frames were smashed to pieces, and the bed was upside down. The bedside table was completely broken, with smaller books- labelled as spell books- and orange pots with pills across the floor.
"What happened?"
"Nothing....well...almost nothing. Just an outburst of magic...again." Discord sheepishly smiled, clicking his claws. The room flashed and suddenly, everything was back in 'order'.
"Sorry if it startled you."
"Oh, it's fine. As long as you're not hurt. But Discord, I'm worried. These surges of magic are becoming more frequent. I think you should see Twilight about it." Fluttershy advised.
"No, I don't need her help. I'm fine, I can keep my magic under-control." He muttered.
"Ironic, isn't it? Your magic is chaos and you like to keep some things in order." The pegasus sniggered, trotting out of the room. "Wait, I got a letter from Spike. It said that Twilight needs-"
"Go then. I'll stay and look after the animals for you. No matter how much I want to bury that damn rabbit six feet under." Discord pointed at the snide looking white rabbit behind the pegasus mare. He pulled a face at the draconnequus before running off.
"No. You're coming with me. Twilight has asked for you as well."
"Me? Why does she need me?"
"I don't know, it just said that you are needed as well." Fluttershy explained, the draconnequus following behind her. "Maybe afterwards, we could sort out your magic problem."
"It's not a problem. I just forgot." Discord mumbled.
"Forgot what?"
"That my magic is mainly connected to my emotions. Kinda like unicorns, but stronger." Discord clarified. "But as I'm calm most of the time, I can control it normally."
"You learn something new everyday." Fluttershy smiled as she opened the door, beckoning the draconnequus over.
~~~~~~
"I'm glad you are all here, including you, Discord." The violet alicorn greeted, sitting upon a white throne with her cutiemark engraved on it. The six mares sat in a circle of thrones, along with a young dragon, and a draconnequus by the side. They sat within a large crystal tree, which was created by the Tree of Harmony, after the defeat of Tirek. "Now, I have called you here as I have been told to perform a spell."
"What type of spell?" A cyan pegasus asked.
"A spell which may give two others, peace."
"And who might they be?" The pearl white unicorn asked.
"Discord is one of them." Twilight pointed out. Discord's head shot up in confusion.
"Wait, me?"
"Yes."
"Pttf, what peace? I don't need help."
"You do, Discord. We both do." A voice admitted. The ponies, dragon and spirit turned to see a tall figure walking out of the shadows. Her pastel, sparkling mane flowing beside her face. Her pristine white coat glimmering in the light. Although she looked happy and content far away, she was clearly tired. She had lost most of her glimmer from the lack of sleep. Her eyes were strained and tired. Her wings were also drooping.
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Discord crossed his arms.
"Please, Discord. I really am sorry. I am. For everything that I did. I was young. I was stupid and angry-"
"There is no excuse!! You say the same thing again and again!! The same bloody excuse!! And I still don't know why!!" Discord yelled. The six younger mares were shocked by his sudden outburst of anger. Yet, Celestia did not react. She just sat down next to Twilight's throne.
"I know, I shouldn't come up with such petty excuses. Nothing can justify what I did."
"Damn right." Discord snorted.
"But, I know that I am not the only one experiencing problems recently. Luna said that you are also experiencing these nightmares."
"As if. My past is way behind me."
"Discord, don't lie to yourself. You're far from leaving your past. You're not the only one. I had to go through each day, remembering it all."
"I passed a thousand years in stone, reliving it, Celestia. How's that huh? A thousand years, repeating the same thing in the cold, dark prison of my own mind! Wondering why the pony I called a 'friend' betrayed me so!"
"I don't even know myself. I was just scared."
"Scared of what? Getting a scrape on your knee? Losing your necklace?" Discord sneered.
"Listen, Discord. Celestia has asked me to perform a certain spell. Not only will it answer your questions, but it may give you both peace."
"I really don't want to do this."
"Discord, please. I know something is troubling you. You're really jumpy, you're tired most of the time as you no longer sleep right, you refuse to eat properly and all of this is making your magic...chaotic!" Fluttershy pleaded. Discord opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it.
"Fine. What do we do?"
"Well, using my alicorn magic, and the Elements of Harmony, we will go through your memories. Like Zecora's potion when the Tree of Harmony became weak. We will go through your experiences."
"So, it's like going back in time?" Pinkie squeaked.
"Kinda. But we can't communicate or react with them." Twilight inhaled deeply. "Celestia, Discord. Sit in the middle."
The two immortal beings moved to the middle, one avoiding more eye contact. The violet alicorn's horn lit up, along with the cutiemarks on the thrones. Suddenly, both Discord and Celestia's eyes shone pure white. The mares were unsure what was to come next, until flashing white light blinded them.
~~~~~~
Slowly, the light dispersed. Allowing the six mares to gain the sense of sight again. They all rubbed their eyes before gazing at their surroundings.
"Where are we?" The amber farmer asked.
"The castle of the two sisters....actually, we're in the gardens of it." Twilight Sparkle replied, recognising the layout.
"It's beautiful." Fluttershy gazed at the décor of the stunning castle.
Suddenly, a loud squeal of joy caught the mares' attention. They trotted up to a part of the garden where it was littered with various flowers and trees. As they turned around the corner, they all awe'd as they saw two adorable fillies. Giggling as they skipped around a fallen tree.
One filly was pearl white alicorn, clearly the eldest as she was taller than the other. Her long, pink hair bounced around her happy face as she snorted with laughter.
The second alicorn filly was shorter. With a musky blue coat and short, curled, pastel blue hair.
She also giggled along with her sibling.
"Cometh, Captain Luna! For we shall sail the Pony Seas!" The white filly yelled, holding a wooden sword in her hoof.
"Pull the sails and bring the rum! Tonight we start our adventure!!" Luna giggled, jumping onto the log.
As the two fillies played, an older, white alicorn trotted out.
"Luna! It's time to rest in your chambers." She ordered, a stern yet soft expression upon her face.
"But mother, tis still morning. Cannot we have five more minutes?" The filly pleaded her mother, who chuckled at her daughter.
"Princess Luna Eclipse. You will soon become Mother of the Moon and Stars. And to take care of your Children of the Night, you must rest through the day." The Queen explained.
"Yes, mother." Luna sighed in defeat. She waved to her sister as she trotted inside.
"Don't worry, my little sunny day. Luna will be up at lunchtime. Then, you two can play." The Queen smiled as she walked up the stairs.
"But that's hours away!" Celestia moaned, tossing her play sword behind her.
"I'm sure you'll find something to do." The grand alicorn hushed as she trotted inside.
The white filly slumped to the ground, sitting on the emerald grass. Bored out of her mind. She tried thinking of a game, yet nothing came.
She watched the butterflies, that came out of the Everfree Forest, flutter past her. Curious for why they were here, she followed them.
Suddenly, she heard a rustle in a near by bush. She stood completely still. Until she heard a high sneeze and a squeak. Carefully, and quietly, she moved closer to the bush.
She poked her head through, unable to see anything in the murky hedge. Until her nose bumped into something. She yelped out loudly, feeling a warm breath on her snout, making the figure in the bush cry out.
"Who are you?" She asked. She used her hooves to split the bush, gasping as she saw the creature. It was an unusual creature. With different body parts. It curled up, shaking as the filly stared at him.
"What are you?"
"...."
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I promise." Celestia crossed her heart with her hoof. Yet, the creature stayed, too scared to come out.
"I'll be ruler of all of Equestria one day. I vow I wouldn't hurt anyone. So come on."
Again, the creature stayed. Staring at her with his yellow and red fear filled eyes.
"Okay....my name is Celestia. You can call me Tia if you want. What's your name?"
"My name is...."
"What?"
"My name is Dis...."
"I can't hear you."
The creature squeaked, and then gulped.
"My name....is Discord..." He whispered, almost matching a certain yellow pegasus' tone.
"Discord? That's a funny name." She giggled.
"Sorry." He muttered.
"Oh! I didn't mean it like that. I meant....I think it's a cute name." She beamed a smile.
"Cute?"
"Yeah! I like it! But what are you? I've never seen something like you before. Are you a weird pony? Or a chimera?"
"No...I'm a drac-....dracone...draconnequus?" The creature smiled lightly as he realised that he said it right.
"A draconnequus? I've never heard of that!" Celestia snorted.
"Oh...sorry." Discord apologised again.
"Why are you apologising? You don't have to keep saying sorry."
"Oh, sorry." Discord squeaked. Quickly covering his mouth. "Sorry!"
Celestia giggled at him, watching him blush and stutter.
"You're so cute and funny!"
"Oh..."
"What's the matter? Never received a compliment?"
"No. Not really. I don't hang around ponies."
"Why not?"
"Cause they want to kill me." Discord said bluntly.
Celestia staggered back in shock. She couldn't believe such a thing. Why would ponies hurt another?
"Kill you?! Why?!"
"Cause I'm different. Ponies are scared of different things...so they run away screaming." The young draconnequus explained.
"Well, I'm not running away screaming. Hey, Discord....wait...." Celestia grinned before looking puzzled.
"Wait?" He repeated.
"I need a nickname for you. Discord sounds too grown up."
"Sorry."
"I know it! Dizzy! I'll call you Dizzy!" She leapt up.
"Dizzy?"
"Yeah! Because it's cute, funny and you're a dizzy of animals!" The filly pointed at his various limbs.
"Okay." Discord smiled. "Dizzy it is."
"And you can call me Tia. It's what my sister calls me."
"Okay, Tia."
"So, Dizzy...do you want play a game?"
"Like what?"
"Liiikkkeee....." She jumped over to the draconnequus, tapping his shoulder. "Tag, you're it."
She began running away until she realised that her new friend wasn't chasing after her. Just watching her with a confused look.
"Hey! You're it!" She called.
"I don't get it."
"Don't get what?"
"This game....I've never played a game with somepony before."
"Well, you do now. And to play tag, the pony who is it chases the others. Then you tag them."
"Okay then. So I'm it?"
"Yeah!" Celestia laughed as she ran away. "And you'll never ca-"
"Tag you're it!!" Discord giggled. Hovering above the alicorn, his tiny wings fluttering.
"You can fly?" Celestia blurted out.
"Well, unless these wings are leaves stuck to my back, then yes. I can fly."
"That's so cool!! I can't fly properly yet. Or do proper magic." She flapped her wings as hard as she could, only gaining a couple of millimetres off the ground. She sighed as she jumped onto the floor. She also tried lighting up her horn, but it just fizzled.
Discord watched as the alicorn struggled to produce light, feeling sorry for her.
She eventually sighed as she admitted defeat.
"At this rate, I won't be Princess of Equestria." She complained, feeling ashamed of herself.
Discord thought for a while before tapping the filly's horn with his claw.
"Try now."
Suddenly, Celestia's horn exploded with light. She watched in awe as her horn fizzed and sparked. Slowly, the light disappeared.
Celestia stood completely still, starstruck by the light that she had just created.
"Wow. That was amazing. How did you do that?"
"Oh, I just transferred a tiny bit of my magic to you. It won't last long, but still."
"What else can you do?" She was very curious, smiling at the draconnequus as he shook his head.
"I don't know. I try not to use my magic....it scares ponies."
"It's not scaring me."
"Okay then." Discord carefully picked up a butterfly, letting it flutter it's wings as he held it in his claw. Tapping it gently he made it turn into a pink and green kitten. It sat in his arms confused.
"Wow!" Celestia exclaimed, stroking the kitten.
He tapped it again. Changing it into a small pink bird. And finally, he changed it back to a butterfly. Carefully, he set it on a purple flower, smiling at it as it fluttered it's wings to make sure that they were there.
"That was amazing. Why are ponies scared of that?"
"Cause I'm dangerous."
"No, you're not. I think it's because ponies don't like change. But change is good."
"It is?"
"If there was no change, they'd be nothing to look forward to in life."
"Oh....so, you like me?"
"Of course! We're friends!"
"Friends? What's that?" His voice cracked slightly.
"You're really silly! Don't you know about friends?"
"No. I've never heard of it. Or ever had one."
"You've never had a friend?....well, you have one now."
"What is it? Food or a tree or something?" He inquired, still confused over the word.
The filly giggled wildly.
"Oh Dizzy! You're so adorable!! No, a friend is somepony special. Somepony who will stay by your side no matter what. Who will always be there for you."
"I have a friend?" The creature squeaked as the filly booped his nose. Making the mares watching coo over the two.
"Me, silly! I'm your friend! And we'll be best friends! Forever and ever!" She grinned.
"Forever and ever?"
"I promise." Celestia hugged the draconnequus. Shocking him at first, but slowly, he returned the hug.
The image faded. Leaving the six mares to stand in pure white.
"My goodness. Young Discord is so cute!" Fluttershy squealed.
"I agree, he was adorable." Rarity stifled a giggle.
The white void changed, fading into another scene. This time, the mares were inside the castle. They watched as a young Celestia hovered a book as she walked down the corridor. The mares giggled and glanced at the violet alicorn beside them, as the young Sun Princess resembled their book-worm friend.
~~~
"Draconnequus. A one-in-a-kind species. Can be extremely dangerous...wait what?...These spirits can withhold anger, and use their magic to create destruction. They are selfish, stubborn and hard headed. Stay clear of these creatures. And do not attempt to anger them, their magic is purely fuelled by their emotions. Any attempt to communicate with these creatures can cause injury. They are hated among ponies. However, draconnequus can-" Celestia yelped as she bumped into a larger pony. Making the book squash up to her face, the pages crumpled up as her snout was buried into it.
The elder alicorn stallion chuckled lightly as his daughter squeaked.
"Oh Celestia. Still a clutz."
"Oh. Apologies, father. I was reading." Celestia stepped back, sheepishly smiling, and hovering the book. Her magic had grown because of the draconnequus she had befriended. Everyday, at the same time, they would meet in the gardens, and he would teach her to fly and perform magic. She could now perform a basic spells like levitation and teleportation. It may have taken two years to learn, but she learnt it. She had been friends with the draconnequus for about ten years now, the two now in their early teens. She also introduced her sister to him. Who also enjoyed his company. The three were the best of friends, practically inseparable.
"A bit of light reading? What is it about? Knights in shining armour? Pixies and breezies?" He laughed, his short, dark blue mane bobbing around.
"It's about draconnequus!"
The stallion stopped his laughter and glared at the filly.
"Draconnequus...Why such interest in such a disgusting creature?"
"They can be nice. It says here-"
"No!! You do not understand, Celestia. They are dangerous. They are monsters." He hissed at his daughter, making her cower.
"But father, it says here. Draconnequus can be raised to be gentle and loving. If supported with love and friendship, their magic can be used for good. So, they can be good. And not dangerous."
"Celestia!!" He shouted, scaring the filly. "I'm sorry...but come with me." The stallion led the filly through a secret passage, down through a large dark hallway. The celestial filly stared at the portraits of various victories. Ponies with uniform, or helmets were placed upon the dark walls. The three leaders of the three races of ponies were also hung up, with their assistants beside them. Celestia stared at them until they came up to one particular portrait.
The little princess gasped, as did the watching mares.
"W-What's that?" She squeaked.
On the portrait, was a tall and slender shadow. It's different wings opened out, and, it's yellow and red eyes glowing. A large, evil smirk gleaming from it's shadowed figure. A claw and paw were held up in the air, holding two marionettes. Behind the creature was a deep red, dark sky. With flames flickering in the background. Figures of sad ponies were scattered at the bottom. Some attached to strings of the marionette.
"That, my dear, is a prophecy. Disharmony. It is said a creature of a mixture of animals. A creature born and bred to be pure chaos and evil. A creature who will destroy the land, disrupting all harmony." The King explained.
"It looks scary." Celestia muttered, unable to look away.
"Of course. However, you and your sister shall defeat it. And return harmony to Equestria."
"But, father...what if...what if he doesn't become evil? What if Dis- this creature becomes good?"
Yet, the elder alicorn laughed at her.
"A stupid monster like this will never change."
"What if-"
"No!! Celestia!! This creature will crush Equestria!! Your naivety will destroy Equestria!!" The stallion shouted, the filly's eyes filled up with tears.
"No! He's nice!! He's sweet and shy!! He's funny and clever!! He doesn't want to hurt anypony!! He just wants friends!!" Celestia shouted back, quickly covering her mouth.
The King frowned at her, standing up straight.
"Celestia! What is the meaning of this? You've befriended the draconnequus?! How so? How long?" He demanded.
"Nothing! I said nothing!!" Celestia lied, but she knew that her father would get it out of her.
"Celestia!! Do not lie to me!! I am your father!! Your king!!"
"I didn't say anything!!" Celestia cried.
"Fine. Shall I get your mother? Your poor, sick mother? Are you going to lie to her as well?"
At the mention of her ill mother, the young princess burst into tears.
"No!! I won't lie to mother!! Mother doesn't need it!!" She wailed. She loved her mother dearly. She was so loving and caring. Yet, a few years ago, she contracted a rare disease. Making her weak and tired. It took most of her strength to raise the sun, so she allowed her eldest daughter to aid her. After-all, the filly was going to take her place soon.
"Then tell me the truth. If you are going to take our place as Ruler of Equestria, you must learn to be honest."
"It's true!! It's true!! I made friends with a draconnequus! His name is Discord, but I call him Dizzy! I met him ten years ago in the gardens! I don't know where he lives, or know his family! But he meets us in the same place by the oak tree everyday at lunchtime. Me and Luna hang out with him until sunset." The alicorn wailed.
"You've disappointed me, Celestia. You have disgraced your honour." He muttered as he walked away.
"What....no...nono. I only became his friend. That's all he wanted."
"And now, you have brought an enemy of Equestria to us. I must kill him before he can destroy the land."
"No!! He wouldn't harm anyone!! He wouldn't even harm a butterfly!! Please!! Don't hurt him!!!" Celestia galloped towards her father, but she was picked up by his blue aura. She struggled as she floated above him in his aura.
"Please father!! I beg of you!!"
"ENOUGH, CELESTIA!! HOW DARE YOU ATTEMPT TO DEFEND THAT CREATURE!!" He bellowed throwing her into a room, locking it. Celestia screamed and shouted as she banged on the wooden door, her hooves becoming numb.
"Father please!! He's good!! He's good..." She sobbed loudly into the floor. She tried teleporting out, but her horn wouldn't light up.
"Oh Dizzy. Please be safe." She croaked.
The scene faded again, the mares who were watching watched as it did.
"My word, are draconnequus hated that much? That the King had to try and kill him?" Rarity asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. Thousands of years before Discord, a draconnequus brought death upon the land. Ruthlessly murdering ponies." Twilight explained.
"Poor Discord. Branded a monster because of his species. No wonder he turned to the dark side." Fluttershy sighed. No wonder when she, herself, tried befriending the God of Chaos, he looked so shattered when she told him she didn't want to be his friend. Being the only one of your kind, and constantly being taunted because of it must be hard on him.
Another memory appeared before the Bearers of Harmony. It was now night, and a young Celestia was laying on her bed. Her white wings spread out.
"I wonder what father did to him?" She sighed, glancing at a vase of sunflowers beside her. "I'm so sorry, Discord. It's all my fault."
"What's all your fault?" A voice asked.
Celestia's head shot up at the voice. Hovering with a smirk, beside her was her best friend, with his tousled black fringe. She leapt up and embraced him in a hug. Dragging him down.
"Oh my goodness! I thought father had killed you!! I'm so happy that you're okay!!" She hugged the spirit, so happy that he wasn't harmed, completely unaware of his crooked tail.
"Heh, yeah." He coughed. Wobbling slightly as he sat on the bed.
"Wait, your tail! It's broken!" She squealed, pointing at it.
Discord shook his tail slightly, wincing.
"It's nothing, really. It's not the worst that I've had."
"No. You need help." Celestia grabbed a small box from under her bed. Rummaging through it, she pulled out two small sticks and a roll of bandages. Carefully, she created a splint around his tail. Being careful to not hurt her friend.
"Father did this, didn't he?"
"Yes. I was waiting for you by the fallen oak tree. When I saw your father, I hid in a tree. He seemed pretty mad."
"I'm sorry! It was my fault! I told father about you! I was reading an old book on your species, and he took me to see a prophecy." She cried, hugging him.
"What prophecy?" He questioned, confused at the mention of this 'prophecy'.
"Discord, please. Whatever happens, please don't turn evil. Don't join the dark side of life. Please." She begged, staring into his eyes.
"What's this about?"
"Do you promise? Do you promise not to turn evil?"
"Of course. Why would I want to? That would mean that we couldn't be friends."
Celestia sighed.
"The prophecy was that of a spirit of chaos, a draconnequus would reign chaos upon Equestria. Destroying everything."
"Really...? Destroy Equestria...? Why would a prophecy say that?"
"I don't know, but promise me that you won't do such a thing."
"As long as we are friends." Discord smiled, the teen-aged Celestia holding onto him. Slowly falling asleep in his embrace.
"Forever and ever?" She yawned.
"Forever and ever." He blushed slightly as she fell asleep holding him. He watched her sleep. Her pink curls glimmering in the candle light. He smiled and lay down beside her, falling asleep with her. Celestia peeped an eye open. Opening one of her soft white wings, she placed it on top of the young draconnequus. Holding him closer to her. Yes, she felt something towards the draconnequus, but she was scared of her father. And feared Discord's life.
The memory disappeared again, leaving the six ponies smiling as they waited for others to appear.
"I wonder why Discord turned evil. He seems so content. So happy and generous." Rarity commented.
Several other memories flashed on large screens, leading the mares down. Twilight remembered a time like this, when she became an alicorn. Celestia showed her own memories of her friendship with the mares beside her.
They glanced at a few. A funeral, with a large gravestone. Both Luna and Celestia were crying as they held onto the gravestone.
Another one was the three young ones laughing together. An alicorn stallion leaving. Only to return for his own funeral.
The mares stared at the memories, watching as the three immortal beings grew. Celestia's mane turned into what it is today, along with Luna. And Discord still looked the same, with his black fringe still scruffy. The ponies and draconnequus were still young though.
The walking mares stared as Discord gave Celestia a bouquet of flowers. A bouquet of the brightest looking sunflowers.
Yet, as they continued, the corridor grew darker.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Rainbow Dash muttered, feeling colder.
"I can sense a dark aura. I believe that we are going to see why Discord turned evil." Twilight informed. All the screens smashed all at once, startling the mares. They gave each other unsettling looks as another memory faded in, blurring slightly as it began.
"Celestia, calm down." The draconnequus advised quietly, his back against a wall. The castle was dark, the only source of light were the dim flaming torches, and the odd flash of lightning.
The spirit of chaos panicked. He was pushed against the wall as the mare he fell for glared at him with several weapons in her magical hold.
"Please." He whispered. He was unable to perform any magic. His emotions too confusing for him to concentrate. When he tried to pick something up, it would just spark.
"Everything...everything is your fault." She hissed.
"No wait-"
"I wasn't there when mother died because of you. Father disowned me because of you, and he died hating me." The alicorn growled.
"Celestia listen, you're angry. You need to calm down." He counselled.
"No! You fool!! I need to end your life!!"
"Celestia please-"
"Stop talking!!" She yelled, throwing the draconnequus against the wall. He yelped out as his head bashed against the cold, hard stone. She held a short sword to his throat.
"Snap out of it. This isn't you." He croaked as the sword was held closer to his throat.
"You've been ignoring Luna as well."
"And?! She's a loner! She can stay alone!! I don't need a sister!! And I don't need you!!" She threw Discord onto the floor. His head buzzing and his vision blurry. He coughed up blood and his wings twitched in pain.
"Monster! Nuisance!! Freak!!" She screamed, hitting the spirit of chaos with her force of magic. Her musk rose eyes filled with anger as she continued beating the draconnequus.
"Tia...please...Stop!" Young Discord begged, crying. He spluttered out blood as the alicorn continued to beat him. One of his wings and his tail were now both crooked as she snapped them like twigs.
"I hate you! I hate you!" The pony shouted, whacking the creature to the floor. She continued screaming insults at him as he cried out in agony. The six ponies watching, winced and grimaced as their younger beloved Princess beat the draconnequus senselessly.
"Celestia, please! I beg of you!! It hurts!!" The draconnequus wailed in pain, spluttering his blood. The scarlet red liquid dripped from both his mouth and nose. Bruises coated his body, and as did a couple of large cuts. He began choking on his own blood. He cried out for her to stop, his shy and weak character stopping him from defending himself.
The young alicorn ignored his cries as she threw him against the wall, hissing at him as he weakly begged her to stop. She continued to use the draconnequus to release her pent up rage. Throwing him around like a doll.
"Come on!! If you are what the prophecy says, the God of Chaos, why aren't you fighting me?!" Celestia demanded.
Discord coughed on his blood as he was held against the wall. He weakly smiled at the mare, despite starting to lose his consciousness.
"Because I can't hurt a pretty mare like you." He wheezed. The mare blinked several times before growling.
"Dammit Discord! Why?!" She shouted, hovering another sword into the air. "Why?!"
"I fell for you, Tia. I'm sorry if it hurt you, I'm so sorry." He rasped, sparks of gold and purple flickering around him, displaying his mixed emotions.
Celestia stared at him, her expression softening. She remembered all the things that he had done for her. He gave her gifts. Made her laugh when she was upset. Made her calm when she was angry. He would travel all across Equestria for her, and she was so oblivious. He always held her hoof, always hugged her. Always kind to her, and gentle. His generous spirit always made her happy. And his shyness always made her giggle.
Yet, she was confused. He was a monster. Destined to destroy Equestria. To destroy her life.
"I-I.....I..." Celestia stuttered, her mind on overload. She loved the draconnequus as well, but she was so angry at everything. She couldn't understand why she was beating him. It was just all the pent up rage.
"I can't, Dizzy...I can't...I'm so sorry..." She cried. A waterfall of tears falling down her cheeks as she plunged the sword in her golden grip into the spirit's chest.
Discord inhaled deeply as she felt the cold metal pierce his flesh. Blood dribbled from his new wound. He glanced at the sword in his chest before looking up at the mare with tear filled eyes. He felt so betrayed by the mare he loved.
The ponies watching stared in horror as the God of Chaos bled excessively.
"Please forgive me..." Celestia whimpered, staring into his young, fear filled eyes. She pulled out the sword quickly, it dripping with warm, sticky blood.
Discord coughed up a large amount of blood as the sword left his body. He collapsed to the ground clutching his chest, attempting to stop his blood pouring out.
"Heh...heh...it's ironic...I-I give you everything....and this...this is what I get...back..." He croaked, agony rippling through his body. However, the two didn't notice that the furniture in the room began to jiggle and hover.
"...I helped you...I trust-ted you..."
"I had to. I had to. You're a danger to everypony..."
"I just...I just wanted to be accepted...I haven't...done anything wrong..." He gasped, feeling his life slip away.
"You haven't yet. But you would have. You would have destroyed us."
"Celestia!!....it was...j-just a prophecy...noth-thing else..."
"But you..."
"I trusted you....I-I loved you..." Discord rasped, despite the blood coating his throat, it still felt dry.
"...I can't feel the same way..." Celestia mumbled. She couldn't understand why she had just said that. Of course she loved him. Why?!
Discord stared at her, struggling to stand up. The hovering objects crashed to the ground. Startling the two. Yet, he glared at the alicorn. A spark of darkness growing inside of him.
"I swear...if...I shall live...I will return...and I will...kill you.."
Celestia gulped before staring at him.
"You wouldn't dare."
"I...I wouldn't count on dares, Princess. Y-Your death shall just be a stepping stone to taking back m-my throne..." He glared. "I guess t-the prophecy was right...and it's all y-your fault..." He smirked, clicking his claws, he made the torches exploded into embers. That floated to the ground. The only source of light now was the flashes of lightning. Discord grinned, his eyes glowing. The alicorn gulped as lightning lit up the room, making Discord's shadow grow. A second later, he disappeared. Celestia gasped and galloped over to where he lay. Her bare hooves stained by his blood. She panicked as she felt the warmth of the liquid.
"Celestia...." A voice squeaked. The elder alicorn turned to see her younger sister, scared as she stood by the door. "What did you do? He was our friend."
"He was an enemy! He shall always be an enemy!! Nothing but a pathetic nuisance!! The prophecy was right! He's turned!!" Celestia screamed.
"Because of you!! He was our friend!! Our family! We are shamed to be that of your blood!! You, are a dishonour, sister." Luna growled before trotting away.
Leaving the wailing alicorn to cry into a puddle of blood. Of his blood.
~~~~~~
"Oh my goodness...." Fluttershy croaked, holding a hoof to her mouth. The others stared at the empty space as the scene disappeared.
"How could....how could she be so brutal...?" Twilight muttered. The others couldn't say a thing. When they first met Discord, they thought of him as selfish, greedy and obnoxious. Knowing nothing of his past. They just jumped to conclusions. But now, they knew the truth. The truth of both Celestia and Discord.
The mares winced as a flash of white light blinded them. Returning them to reality.
~~~~~~
The Bearers of Harmony sat on their thrones. Their heads spinning. The violet Princess raised her head, struggling to open her eyes. But as she did, she noticed that the two beings in the middle were rubbing their heads. However, as the draconnequus rubbed his own head, his nose started bleeding.
"Discord? Are you okay?" Twilight asked, noticing the blood dripping on the floor.
"Oh my." He muttered, spluttering and coughing up blood. The mares gave him puzzling looks as he flashed up a box of tissues.
"Discord!!" Fluttershy squealed. Fluttering over to him. "Twilight! What's wrong with him?"
"Oh, don't worry, Fluttershy dear. It's probably nothing." Discord reassured.
"You're bleeding. I hardly call that nothing." Celestia informed.
"Well, the last time I checked, you didn't care." He hissed to her. Making the alicorn sigh.
"Please, Discord, I beg for your forgiveness."
"Beg all you want. I'm never forgiving you." He growled at the princess, cleaning his nose as it stopped bleeding. He made the box and the tissues disappear, and he cleaned up the blood on the floor. He grimaced slightly, as the taste of metal lingered in his mouth.
"Now, if you please, I'm leaving."
"Discord, we need to talk."
"Talk all you must, yet I shall not listen. Cheerio!" He waved as he headed for the door.
"What about our promise? That you wouldn't turn evil."
"Like I said, for as long as we were friends. We are so very far from friendship." He clicked his claws as he disappeared from the castle. The mares sat in silence as the sun princess sighed in defeat.
"Celestia. We're sorry that it didn't work." Twilight apologised.
"No, Twilight. I knew it wouldn't work. From the back of my mind, I knew that he wouldn't forgive me. I just thought that he would get over it." Celestia muttered.
"How would he get over...all of that?! You broke his heart and tried to kill him!!" Fluttershy growled, surprising the mares from her sudden anger. "From what I have seen, what we've seen, he cared about you."
"I agree with Fluttershy. He cared for you, but you didn't care for him." Rarity agreed, standing beside the yellow pegasus.
"I did...I did care for him....I still don't understand why I hurt him...I was so stubborn. I didn't want to disgraces my father any-more than I already did. I feared for his life. He was hated because he was different. I found it unique. But...it was just so confusing." Celestia explained, standing up.
"I saw the signs of both his love and his fall to darkness. After I rejected him the first time, he tried so desperately to prove himself to me. But as I pushed him aside even more, I noticed a change in him. He was no longer shy. Or generous. He was cocky, obnoxious and overly confident. I guess he used it as a parade to hide from everything."
"Celestia..." Twilight muttered, but the grand alicorn continued.
"Heck, the signs were as clear as pure water. He pulled harsher pranks. He manipulated others to argue amongst each other. I tried telling him of the prophecy, but he ignored me. Girls, you must know, there are two sides to Discord. You have only seen one. The exterior. Sarcastic, jokey, annoying side. Yet, me and Luna have seen the darker side to him."
"Darker side?"
"In fact, that darker side can be split into two. Evil, manipulative, a hunger for destruction. Both Luna and I have seen this part. When he destroyed most of Equestria in his reign. He went mad. Not mad as in Pinkie Pie mad, but power mad."
"Oh dear."
"And the other....is a sadder, quiet, broken...almost suicidal side."
"Suicidal?! He...he tried committing..." Fluttershy stuttered. It shocked her. Discord was such a happy creature in her eyes. She would have never considered that he would have even thought about suicide. But after seeing his past, it was no wonder.
"A couple of times in fact. I wouldn't blame him. Everyone hated him. He had no family. No home. I guess my rejection was what made him snap."
"Celestia. I apologise, but I feel no remorse for you." Twilight stated. "From what we have seen, which may only be the surface of this dilemma, you are the monster in all of this." As Twilight said this, the others nodded. Usually, ponies would gasp at an insult to the Princess, but these mares felt no sorrow for the alicorn.
"I know, I know. But....I want everything to be right again. Like when we were young."
"You'll never get that back."
"Please, girls. I beg of you. Try and talk to him. All I need is his forgiveness. Not for me, but for peace of himself." Celestia begged. The mares thought before turning to the shy pegasus.
"Fluttershy, can you talk to him? You're closer to him than we are."
"Of course, Twilight. He's my friend. And I'll help a friend in need." Fluttershy grinned as she trotted out of the castle, waving as she did so. The others waved back before talking to the Sun Princess. Hoping that their pegasus friend could reach out to the Spirit of Chaos.
~~~~~~
"Girls!!" A high voice squealed. The mare galloped into the crystal tree castle, frightning the ponies inside.
"What? What is it?" They asked frantically.
"He's not at the cottage. He's nowhere in Ponyville. I can't find, Discord." The pegasus cried, worried for her friend.
"Where could he have gone then?" Rainbow asked. The mares all began thinking of possible places to where the draconnequus could have gotten to.
"Canterlot Castle?" Rarity inquired, but she was met with shaking heads.
"No. He has no business there. Besides, Canterlot still holds a grudge against him from what happened with Tirek." Celestia remembered when the unicorns of Canterlot began badgering her to turn Discord into stone again. Or to kill him. They were all angry at him for his betrayal.
"He wouldn't go anywhere near there in his state."
"Wait...what about the Everfree Forest?" Pinkie leapt up. Pointing a hoof out of the window. The trees of the dark forest were barely visible from their point of view, but it was still there.
"Yes. Of course." Twilight grinned at the pink mare. "Fluttershy, go to the Castle of the Two Sisters."
Fluttershy nodded, this time, flying out of the castle. However, she stopped before left the doorway.
"Twilight. Can you come with me?"
"Why?"
"He needs somepony else to help him. I can only help so much, and that's by comforting him. And aren't you the Princess of Friendship?" Fluttershy waited for a reply. The others turned to the violet alicorn. Watching as she fluttered over to her pegasus companion.
"Of course, I'll help. Like before, a friend in need is a friend indeed." She smiled, before the two flew away. Towards the large bundle of trees, also know as the dreaded Everfree Forest.
~~~~~~
He sat next to a long dead, old fallen tree. Reminiscing as he sighed. He hadn't actually been back here. He's only been as close as the Tree of Harmony, and that's how he would have liked to keep it. He was too anxious to go near the castle again. As he walked through, he remembered all the good times, unfortunately. He hated being back. Although the castle was just rubble and ruins, he could clearly remember when it was one piece. When it used to stand tall against the trees. With butterflies fluttering around the gardens of the castle. The draconnequus recalled when the garden was truely beautiful. Neat and filled with exotic flowers. But now, vines had taken over the gardens. Ivy had covered the statues and fountains.
The God of Chaos sat up beside the fallen oak tree. Feeling worse than he did when he betrayed Equestria, with Tirek.
As he let himself sink into thoughts, he did not notice the two mares, flutter over into the castle. The two ponies trotted around, looking for the draconnequus. Whilst they walked trough the ruins, they viewed the castle in a completely different light. Especially as they went through the throne room. Both Fluttershy and Twilight gulped as they looked around. Visions of dripping blood everywhere.
"I still can't believe that Celestia was so ruthless. She was so cold hearted." Fluttershy whispered.
"I know, but remember, what we saw were only memories that Celestia and Discord allowed us to see. This is only the surface. Who knows how deep the damage actually is." Twilight glanced around the hall, flashes of the memories she had just seen flickering around. She shook her head in disappointment. She couldn't believe how cruel her mentor had been. Discord had done nothing to her. He cared for her. And she had to destroy him.
"Come on then, he must be around here somewhere."
~~~
It took a couple of minutes before the two mares finally found the Spirit of Chaos. Sitting beside a fallen tree. The ponies gave each other concerning looks before staring at the draconnequus. Whose head was down as he sat in the shadow of large trees.
Quietly, the mares walked up to him, worried for him.
"Discord...we need to talk." Fluttershy said gently, hoping that the spirit wouldn't disappear again.
"Talk then..." He muttered. The two mares sat beside Discord, unable to think of anything to say.
"Listen, we know that...Celestia hurt you, but you've got to forgive her."
"Pttf." He snorted.
"Discord, please. It's not...it's not..."
"It's not what? Not that bad?" The draconnequus sighed. "You don't know me well enough to judge me."
"We may not know your darkest secrets, but, we are your friends."
"Friends is such...a glorified word. And everyone seems to be 'friends' with each other. Even if they're a complete stranger, you're friends."
"Well, Pinkie Pie does say that a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet." Twilight laughed softly. But there was only silence.
"What's an enemy then? A friend that you wish were dead?" He asked, sighing to himself. "I cried, and I cried for her. But she never gave a damn about how I felt. She broke my heart over and over again, like it was nothing. Like I was nothing."
"Discord, if we knew how you felt towards her. Then we would have-"
"You wouldn't have done anything. I feel nothing for her. Not any-more at least." Discord grumbled. "Girls, you may think of me as stupid, annoying, obnoxious and heartless. I am. But I'm not heartless. I'm just-"
"Heartbroken." Twilight finished, gently smiling at the draconnequus. He chuckled lightly.
"It's not something you hear everyday, is it? The God of Chaos is heartbroken."
"It's not everyday that I find out that the very pony who I looked up to, tried killing a friend of ours." The violet alicorn sighed. "It's true. I was very shocked when we saw what happened. Very shocked. Scared in fact. I looked up to Celestia like a mother. And when we saw the memories, I felt so scared. She was so cruel. So stubborn. I couldn't believe it. And knowing that you were close to her, it just broke my vision of her. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that. We all are."
"Just remember, Discord, we are here. We're friends. And we will always be here." Fluttershy reassured, holding his paw. He smiled to the pegasus, feeling his eyes beginning to water.
"Thank you. After everything with Tirek, I don't deserve this. I don't deserve any friends." He sniffed, wiping his eyes.
"No. You do deserve friends. You just made a mistake."
"I nearly ended Equestria." He muttered bluntly.
"Like I said, we make mistakes." Fluttershy repeated.
"I think the reason why you betrayed us, is because-"
"Celestia betrayed me, yeah yeah. I know what I think." He snapped. "I'm sorry."
"What have you got to be sorry for?"
"For being a pain. Being in the way."
"You haven't been in the way. And you aren't a pain."
"For crying out loud, Twilight. I knew about the keys. Why else would I bookmark those pages in your book?" The draconnequus exclaimed. "The most common thing I found when I was reading it was that you all had an object received. I placed in bookmarks and gave you the book, hoping that you would find it yourself."
"So you knew all along? What about Tirek? Did you join him...like, on purpose?"
"No, I joined him while I was asleep." He muttered sarcastically.
"No, I meant, did you know that you were going to join him? Or was it completely spontaneous?"
"He was very convincing. I should have known that he would only use me. To think that I was intelligent, yet, I fell for such a simple trick." Discord hesitated to continue. "It was true. I wanted power again. I wanted to be known as the God of Chaos again. I wanted to be someone."
"You are the God of Chaos, Discord. You are someone." Fluttershy assured, but the draconnequus had none of it.
"No. I guess it's because of what I am, but I wanted to be feared again. I want others to recognise me as the Creator of Chaos."
"Why?"
"I don't know. I just feel that I don't even play an important role any-more."
"But you do. Your role is being our friend."
"See?! A friend?! Is that what I am? I can juggle with the night and day. I can bring eternal torture to everyone! I can make ponies do whatever I want!!" He shouted, so sick of himself. He felt so pathetic. After the spell in Twilight's castle, it just proved to him how pathetic he really was. It made him feel so disappointed.
"I was king, upon a throne of disorder. Now what am I? I can't even create disharmony without getting threatened by you and sun butt."
"That's because we're scared, Discord. Scared that you'll return to your old ways." Fluttershy commented.
"My old ways? You mean before I met that ludicrous mare?"
"No, we mean....Discord, you are special. To one pony in particular. But she needs your forgiveness."
"Tell her to burn in Tarturus." He growled. "Girls, you might as well go. You're not helping right now. I'll be better off alone. I'm used to it anyway." Discord sighed. "Just go."
The sitting mares gave a worrying glance to each other before standing up and trotting away. Discord watched, from the corner of his eyes, as the mares walked away.
"Why am I so damn stupid?" He hissed to himself.
~~~~~~
"Did you find him?" A midnight blue mare asked, as the two mares trotted inside the crystal tree. They nodded to her, before noticing that all their friends had gone.
"Oh, the girls went home. Time was growing forth, and they needed to return to their homes. I arrived in time as they left." Princess Luna explained.
"Where's Celestia?" Twilight questioned, sitting in the middle of the thrones, along with Fluttershy.
"She's upstairs. Apparently, she started crying when you left to look for Discord."
"Oh dear." Fluttershy whispered.
"We've been too hard on her. She's a victim too." Twilight yawned, it was late. The moon was barely rising now, with a couple of stars just beginning to glimmer in the violet sky.
"This is all so very confusing."
"We know, Twilight Sparkle. The two of them are both confusing and stubborn." Luna sighed. "Did you talk to him?"
"We did. But we didn't make him feel any better than before." Fluttershy clarified. "He'll never forgive her."
"He will. He must. He wants to forgive her, but he can't. She broke him so much, he cannot tell what is right, and what is wrong."
"And she's stuck on what to do. She wants to be with him again, but knowing what she did, she can't forgive herself." Twilight continued. "I'll go and see if she's okay."
The young alicorn stood up, and began trotting to the stairs. She started calling for the Sun Princess, but she received no answer, she knocked on the door.
"Celestia? It's me, Twilight. Please, we're worried about you." She called, as she knocked on the door again, the crystal blue door creaked open. Twilight gasped as she entered the empty room. There was no one in the room. She frantically galloped to the balcony, scanning the area for the grand white alicorn.
"Celestia!!" She shouted.
~~~~~~
She trotted through the ruined castle, crying as she did so. She hysterically flapped her wings as she wailed. Her tinted rose eyes glowing red and sore from all her sobbing. Her usually glimmering hair, messy and disordered. Her pearl white cheeks stained with her tears. Her legs aching as she galloped from Twilight's castle to her old home.
"I'm sorry!! Please!! I love you!!" She cried loudly, hoping that she would be heard. "Please!! I'm sorry for everything!! I'm sorry for pushing you away!! I'm sorry for hurting you!! I'm sorry!!"
The alicorn squeezed her eyes shut as she ran, her tears spraying around. However, as she galloped through the castle, she wasn't watching where she was going.
Running straight into somepony else. She yelped out as she fell onto the creature in front of her. The Princess sniffed, tears dripping down her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, I didn't...Discord?" As she opened her eyes, she blushed. Along with the draconnequus beneath her. "I-I....sorry." She croaked.
"...Errr..." Discord sheepishly smiled, his own cheeks radiating red. The mare above him, standing tall. The two stared at each, not saying anything.
"Dear Sister's Moon!! When did he become so adorably awkward?!" She thought, glancing at him.
"Still perfect as ever." Discord gazed at the alicorn, beginning to feel embarrassed. His mind suddenly spinning around in circles.
Princess Celestia blinked several times, before realising that they had been staring at each for a while. She quickly got off the draconnequus.
"Sorry....I was just...sorry..."
Discord shakily stood up, rubbing the back of his neck. Before scowling at the mare.
"What are you doing here?" He growled.
"I don't know. I just did." Celestia sighed. "Please, Discord. I'm sorry. I can't exaggerate how sorry I am."
"Really?" He crossed his arms.
"Please, Dizzy. Please I beg of yo-" Celestia was suddenly interrupted as she was slapped across the face. Her cheek stinging as the claw made contact with it. She whimpered and held a hoof to her now red cheek.
"Don't. Ever. Call me that again." He hissed to the alicorn.
"Okay, I'm sorry I called you that. I should know better."
"You should."
"But please, Discord. I need you back. I need you close again. Please....I love you."
"Hmm." Discord tapped a claw on his chin, pretending to think, mocking the pony Princess. "Nah. Nope. No."
"Please. I loved you from the start. From the very first time we met. I don't why I did the things I did. I don't why I pushed you away. I cared for you. I just didn't want to see you hurt." She admitted.
"Well, it didn't go too well did it." He sneered.
"Please, I know that you hate me with a vengeance, but, I want you to be in my life again. Just give me another chance." Celestia begged.
"I did! I gave you another chance! I let myself get fooled! I let myself fall you, Celestia!!"
"I know, it broke my heart too."
"How do you think I felt? Huh? You were my damn world, and you shattered it!! As if it were glass. I want to forgive you, but when I try, I remember the anger in your eyes. The hatred. The fact that you had no remorse. It pained me so much." Draconnequus yelled, feeling his eyes build up with fresh warm tears. But he couldn't cry. Not in front of her.
"Discord. I was the true monster. For hurting you. I shouldn't have done such a thing. To you as well. You were already hurting, and I only made it worse." Celestia's eyes overflowed with tears as she sat down. Discord just watched as she cried, remembering back to their youth where he used to hold her as she cried.
"I was the pathetic one. I was the monster. I put you through more pain. I nearly killed you." She sniffed as she looked up. "How did you survive? How did you manage to live? You were bleeding so much, how did you live? I spent the next ten or twelve years believing that you were dead."
"I was hiding in the Everfree Forest. In the depths of it. There's chaotic power within. Not a lot, but enough that it kept me alive. "
"But there was so much blood. I stabbed you in the chest. You should have been dead."
"Should have, but I didn't." Discord sat beside the alicorn. "Remember when I channelled some of my magic to you when we were young. It helped you grow strength in magical ability."
"How can I forget? My horn was smoldering for the rest of the day." She sniggered. The draconnequus chuckled too.
"Yes well, I managed to channel my magic into my wound. It was the only thing I could think of that could save me. There was the thought of just letting myself die. Just pass away painfully as I bled into a puddle. "
"Oh Discord. I'm sorry. I tried looking for you. But when I saw how much blood there was, I believed that you were dead."
"I bet you would have liked that." He muttered.
"It took me many moons to regain what I had lost physically. Yet, I never gained what I felt."
"I know....but, you can now." Celestia moved closer to the spirit, their snouts touching. Discord blushed as the alicorn gazed into his eyes.
"Please, Discord. We both want to be with each other. There's no point hiding it." She hushed.
But, the God of Chaos pushed her away. Celestia stared at him, devastated.
"I can't. You know I can't."
"Oh but we can. You can. I can. Please, just let us be." She urged, but he had none of it.
"No!" He shouted. "I can't. I just can't. I can't love you like I used to."
"Then love me for who I am now!" She cried, pushing herself onto the spirit. Their lips merging together. Celestia tightly closed her eyes, her cheeks glowing red. Discord was shocked by the sudden action. His eyes opened wide in surprise. His own cheeks tinted red.
They parted after a minute or so, the mare breathing heavily. Her eyes overwhelming with tears again. The spirit sat still. His eyes still opened wide. He was also breathing heavily.
"See. I love you. I love you, Discord. I don't care what others say. I don't care what they think either. I want us to be together. I want you by my side." She cried, hovering her golden shoes, neckkace and crown. "I'll give up being princess if it means that we can be together." She tossed the objects away. Throwing them far away.
She stared hopefully at the draconnequus. Hoping that he'll finally accept her.
Yet, he said nothing. He just sat their quietly.
"Please, Discord. I can make it right. I do love you. I even kept the necklace you made for me out of Poudretteite." She clicked a small, almost invisible, chain from around her white neck. She hovered it in front of the spirit with teary eyes. The pink glimmer of the rare gemstone shining brightly in the moonlight.
Discord stared at the trinket. Remembering how he stumbled upon the stone, and how he almost dismissed it as a stupid rock. He remembered using his magic to create the necklace. Turning the jaggard gemstone into a smooth, glimmering sun shaped charm. He put so much into this gift, and he expected her to throw it away. But here it was. In front of him. Just taken off the mare's neck.
"You kept it?" He croaked.
"Of course. It was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever given to me. And it was given to me by you."
"Oh, I've been acting so stupidly recently." He huffed as Celestia placed on the small necklace back around her neck.
"You haven't. You've just been confused." Celestia defended.
"As have I. Especially everything with Tirek."
"Oh..."
"No, I know that you have apologised and all, but when I heard that you joined forces with Tirek, I....I...."
"I've said I'm sorry. It was wrong of me. I was-"
"I deserved it." Celestia interrupted, making Discord confused.
"I deserved to be betrayed. I know that you endangered Equestria, but I felt like I finally got what I deserved. After what I did to you."
She turned to the draconnequus.
"After you turned to chaos for the first time, I didn't feel anything. Just pure anger. I blamed everything on you, when it wasn't your fault. I only started feeling guilty after you turned to stone. Straight afterwards, I cried. I cried and I cried. It was my fault that you turned against us. It was my fault."
"Don't blame yourself. We equally share the blame." Discord held the alicorn's hoof, who stared at him. He smiled at her.
"It doesn't matter now. The past is behind us. We can't do anything to change it."
Celestia smiled, tears falling down her cheeks. She hugged the spirit. The Princess leaned against his chest, feeling the warmth of his fur. Discord stroked the mare's ruffled mane, feeling the silkiness on his claw. He felt something odd in his chest, something that made him happy and warm. Something that made him feeling content. He looked down at the mare that was laying him, her elegant, white wings holding the two closer. He finally felt happy. He finally felt the thing that he had tried so desperately to get in youth.
Celestia gazed up at the draconnequus, and his content smile as he stared at the faded violet sky. Staring at the glimmering sequins dotted around the sky.
"Your sister's handiwork is certainly magnificent."
"I could never match her work. It was either too dark or too bright. Or the stars were in the wrong places." Celestia giggled, making the draconnequus chuckle.
"Still a clutz, then?" He chuckled.
"I haven't changed." She sighed. The two sat quietly, just starting at the beautiful night canvas above them.
"Celestia....Tia...." Discord muttered, grabbing the mare's attention immediately. "I forgive you." He watched as the alicorn's face lit up like the very sun she raises. Her rose eyes gleaming with joy.
"Thank you!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!!" She squealed in delight. Wrapping her hooves around the spirit's neck. Their lips locking again. An explosion of total peace and serenity overwhelmed them both. The true meaning of life, the love, and the utter wonder on both of their faces, hoping this night would never end.
~~~
Off in the distance, three ponies trotted around. Searching for the goddess of the sun. Their hooves clattering on the cold stone flooring.
"She's probably okay. She's the princess after all." A pegasus panted. The three had been running around everywhere, for ages. Her lungs aching and begging for air.
"But she's emotionally unstable." The violet alicorn shouted, galloping ahead of the two other. That was until the butterscotch pegasus leapt in front of them. Making them skid to a halt.
"Fluttershy?"
"Shh. I think I saw them over there." Fluttershy pointed a hoof to the ruined hall of the collapsed castle. Quietly, the three winged ponies walked to the doorway of the hall. Carefully peeping in.
The three finally sighed with relief, as they gazed at the two silhouettes of both Princess Celestia and Discord. They watched as the two hugged and talked among themselves.
"I think they've finally found peace. Together." Princess Luna commented. Her horn glowing a glimmering blue. The two younger ponies smiles and glanced at the sky. Watching as two shooting stars skated across the sky. Forming a heart above in the sky.
The two lovestruck beings leaned their heads together as they gazed at the sky. Finally content with each other. Finally forgetting their troubles. And finally forgetting the dark sids of chaos.
