A Fool's Bargain

I began to walk towards the village. I could see some of the residents happily walking through the streets. It was just after sundown and lights glowed from the windows of each house. On the horizon I could see Twilight’s castle, the giant crystal star twinkled in the moonlight.

“Whoa, hold on their skipper,” Discord’s voice rang in my ears, “You can’t just walk into town looking like THAT. You’re a draconequus now, you have the power to do whatever you want.”

I looked at my hands, then to the “Welcome to Ponyville” sign. I reached out my hand and clasped it shut. The sign crumpled like tin foil. I moved it around, exploring my new found power. The sound of a passing train caught my attention. Without hesitation I hurled the ball at the train, striking the engine. Before I even realized what I had done it was too late to stop it. The engine tipped and fell onto its side, followed the rest of the train cars. I wanted to feel bad, but all I felt was emptiness. I just turned and began walking towards the town.

“A much more direct and violent approach than I would have taken, but oh well, you’ll grow into enjoying the little things like I do.” And with that Discord was gone.

I took on the appearance of a unicorn, very generic. Brown mane, brown coat, barrel for a cutie make. I made my way towards the treehouse were Twilight used to live. I was hoping it was vacant so I would have somewhere to stay while I do whatever it is Discord has planned for me. Ponies passed by me on their way to the train crash. I knocked on the door of the treehouse. It wasn’t abandoned like I’d hoped. A lot of rustling came from inside be for the door swung open.

“Can I help you?” Twilight asked, silhouetted in the door frame. Seeing her an immense pain to shot through my head, worse than any migraine. I propped myself against the doorframe, nearly collapsed from the pain. The images of what she did to Spike flashed through my head.

“Are you alright?” Her voice was barely audible. Then, it just went away. I regained my balance and stood up.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I replied. My voice was droll, monotone. I avoided making eye contact with her.

“Okay then…” She said warily, “How can I help you?”

My previous episode gave me the perfect excuse,

“I’m looking for a book on healing magic. This is the library, correct?”

“Yes, but we’re packing up our books to move to the castle. You can browse what is left on the shelves if you’d like.”

Without saying anything I walked past her and into the library. The shelves were mostly bear next to a few scattered books. I used my magic to gather them and place them on the table in the middle of the room. I flipped through them, studying each’s cover. None of them were spell books, but one caught my eye, “Pre-Equestrian History.” I opened the book and began shuffling through the pages.

“So, what’s your name?” Twilight asked. I stopped in my tracks. My… name…

“I… don’t… remember…”

“Remember?” She asked. I gave a nod, still looking at the book.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Remember, I’m Prin…”

“Princess Twilight Sparkle, I know.” I cut her off. I levitated the book, “I’d like to borrow this book.”

“That’s fine, just make sure to return it.”

I walked out the door without another word. The town seemed to have settled down from the accident. Some royal guard had shown up and were shooing people away from the wreckage. I began to walk towards the Everfree Forest. There was a vacant castle I could stay in. I surveyed the ponies trotting away from the wreckage, name each as a looked at them. In my preoccupied state I didn’t notice the pony I walked straight into. My levitation spell broke and the booked dropped to the ground. As I looked up from book my eyes locked with the mares. It was Pinkie Pie. Another sharp pain shot through my head, worse than before. I collapsed to my knees. The images of what she had done haunted my mind’s eye. I could taste iron in my mouth. It hurt so badly. But, just like before, it subsided quickly. I coughed a couple times as I pushed myself to my hooves.

“Hi, I’m Pinkie. Are you new in town? What’s your name? Did you see the train wreck? That’s crazy huh?” She spoke a mile a minute. I just levitated the book by my side and began to walk away.

“My name is… Remember…”

As I walked Pinkie bounced next to me, asking me question after question. I gave simple replies, most of which were lies. Every time I felt bad I remembered what she did, the feelings dissipated quickly afterward. I felt a gust of wind brush my mane. Looking up, I saw Rainbow Dash hovering over me. I looked down at the ground as a dull pain raked my head.

“Hey Pinkie, who’s the dweeb?” Rainbow said, landing next to me. I just stared at the ground silently.

“Hey man, I’m just kidding.” She put her arm around my shoulders. Her fur was soft… so soft. I felt an immense rage build up inside me. I let out an unnatural roar to the heavens, a mix of a thousand unholy voices. A pulse of energy sent the two mare soaring and leveled two nearby buildings. I violently reverted to the form Discord had given me. Rainbow Dash turned around midair and charged at me. I caught her by the throat. She struggled to get out of my grip. It was… adorable, her having no escape but still trying. Heat flashed against my back. I turned to see the royal guard charging at me. One of the unicorns had cast a very ineffective fireball. I looked back at Rainbow Dash with a smile and then hurled her at the unicorn. They collided with a hard thud and several crack. My guess it was their bones. They laid motionless on the ground. There was only four guard left, unfazed by their comrade’s fate. I threw my hands towards the sky, creating two pillars of sharp rock that impaled two of the guard. I teleported a spear from one of the dead guards two me and used my magic to launch it at a living one. It went clear through his chest, dropping him instantly. The last one still charged, but I could sense his fear. I snapped my fingers. His head disappeared from his body and reappeared in my hand, still alive. I held him by his mane and watched as the life left his eyes. I casually tossed it over my shoulder.

“You’re… a big… Meany.”

I turned to the Pink pony. She was trying to push herself to her hooves, but collapsed. I charged at her, intending to finish what I started. A blinding flash of light stopped me. A bolt of lightning struck my chest, knocking me down. I instantly pulled myself back to me feet. Twilight was standing over Pinkie, using a force field spell to protect her. Tears streamed down her face.

“Why?” She asked simply. I looked around at the mayhem I caused… the chaos. I looked at my hand then back to Twilight and Pinkie.

“You’re a monster!” She screamed. Tears weld up in my eyes. I made a gun with my fingers and placed it to my temple.

“Please forgive me.” I let my thumb drop. I fell over with a hard thud. I saw Twilight run over to me as my vision faded, then darkness… only Darkness.