A New Perspective

Luna and Celestia stopped a stones throw from the pedestal and sat again. Luna still wore the smirk she had had before and Celestia looked somewhat weary. After a few moments Luna spoke up to Discords surprise.

“You owe me 5 bits.”

Celestia scoffed and Discord cracked open an eye to watch.  “Fair and square Celly, you bet me his first words would be an insult and here he is, as polite as a prince.”

At the word Discord frowned  and fully opened his eyes to look at the sisters.  They had not changed much, one wreathed in midnight and silver, the other in sunlight and gold.  It would seem that Luna had retained her sense of humor despite rumored events.  He’d have to ask later, provided there was one.

“You two took bets on what I would do once you released me? What’s your game?” He paused and scoffed, insulted. “You know what? I don’t even care anymore, if you could just get this over with you two can go back to being chummy elsewhere.”

“Mmm. So you are still in their Discord, and here I thought you were already a statue with the lack of monologue.” Celestia finally piped in.

Discords eyes became slits and his tone spoke death, “Unlike you Celestia, I don’t turn ponies to stone. I don’t torture them with forbidden magic, and I don’t gloat over the victories won by such measure.” He closed his eyes completely and took a deep breath then exhaled.

As he was opening his mouth Luna interrupted, “Discord, we are setting you free, no tricks, this is not a joke, but your freedom comes at a cost.” She stopped for a moment to make sure Discord was listening, his eyes seemed to bore into her skull, “We have noticed changes in you over the past hundred years, very drastic changes in the past few years especially and have seen fit, as the beings who passed judgment on you, to set you free. Your cost of freedom is that you will be set under the care of each of the bearers of the elements to test how each of your virtues has grown or withered.” The smirk returned and Luna turned to leave, “We have full confidence that they will be your final test.”

As Luna Left, Celestia stepped forward and gave him a glare that would have turned a mortal to ashes. “My sister is too kind. As you know there are six elements of Harmony. You will start with magic and end with magic for a second encounter, seven encounters and one day each. You will then be brought back here if you make it that long, to have judgment passed upon you again. Your actions from this moment forward will dictate how long your ‘freedom’ lasts.  Is that clear?” Celestia’s attempt at being stern had failed on Discord and instead he returned her glare full force, clenching his fists.

“You are giving me one week to live. Taking almost all of my power and hiding it Titan knows where, and setting me up on a date with your little playthings while you sit back and run the board and its pieces Celestia.” He took a step forward and saw Luna turn around right at the entrance.

“I will play your little games dear. But don’t for an instant think I am just some pawn.”  He looked over at Luna and back to Celestia “When do I get to meet the little dearies?”

Luna had decided to continue on, her sister could handle herself, especially since She had been using the moon to store away chunks of Discords power the whole night that he was slowly being freed. It had been a measure they both agreed was necessary, that if he had not been changed they could have easily subdued him and called in the Elements to finish.

Taking flight as soon as she hit an interior courtyard, Luna took a moment to look over the ramparts and towards her towers, a Lone figure stood watching from the edge but made no move to follow at the shake of her head.

Luna continued over the castle walls and around the edges of Upper Canterlot, through a sloping valley and a riverside forest.  The sun being high in the sky by this time left the scenery shining from another calm summer’s night.  In moments Luna approached the hill she had been looking for, seven figures moved around carrying assorted items for the picnic Celestia and her had requested of them this afternoon.

Flying in fast and low Luna veered upwards and whipped her wings open to an immediate stop. The aftermath of her flight ruffling her feathers lightly as she alighted near the seven figures and greeted them each with a warm smile.

Greetings were cut short as a flash of gold signaled the arrival of her sister and their guest. It was time to begin the explanation.

As Celestia and Luna walked over to the grouping together with Discord in tow general  introductions filled the air before they all sat to enjoy the picnic and speak of the real reason they had gathered.

Luna decided it was her turn to explain a bit “Discord will be staying with one of you each for one day at a time. He will be ending his week at Twilight Sparkles house where he will give his report to the both of us. We will leave the scheduling up to you ladies as to not impose as much as possible.  With that being said…” Luna nudged her sister and Celestia glared over at Discord, a glow overtaking her horn as two churning orbs of gold appeared and began orbiting his body before sinking in to his delight.

Discord let out a strong sigh of relief as she spoke “I have given you power again Discord, not enough to cause much harm but enough to experiment perhaps. Do with it what you will but know this, if any of them come to harm your judgment will be swift.”

He laughed and snapped his fingers, teleporting to and fro around the little hill completely ignoring the tense atmosphere Celestia had momentarily created. It was broken the moment Pinkie Pie began hopping around after Discord to everyone’s amusement.

After a few conversations of time periods and such Celestia and Luna announced their leave. Luna stayed behind for a moment to speak with Discord and simply wish him luck with his new friends. An alien word for him to be sure and as he sat down on the checkered picnic blanket he echoed the word out loud “Friends?”

Pinkie was on the dot “ Well, yeah. You are our friend now. We still have to get to know you but that doesn’t change the fact that we are going to have some super duper funnerific times together!” The others echoed their agreement.

“Duh” Stated Dash, “ Besides, just wait till you see some of my tricks, you’ll never want to leave.” She pumped her hoove in the air for emphasis and smirked.

“Or the festival darling, its simply divine! And, you must come by for me sometime, I own a boutique and it would be my pleasure to stitch you a few new threads as they say.” Rarity finished with a sweet smile and a soft wave.

“Doncha dare forget ‘bout ah nice meal at Sweet Apple Acres neither.” Chimed in Applejack

Fluttershy even stepped up “and of course, I can show you around all of my Animals, I-if you would like.”

Last was Twilight “ And since I’ll have you twice we can do whatever you would like, I’ve already whipped up a schedule for us all to follow, gather up girls, lets go over it real quick. “

While they gathered and talked about the scheduling arrangements Discord allowed his mind to wander. Questions burned within his mind, but were calmed when he realized that yet again, everything had changed.  He thought of the two sisters, side by side, to opposites together…. In harmony.

He lifted his hand and snapped his fingers, stopping time and looking down at the town the mares behind him called home.  He split his vision and used one eye to imagine the world as he used to, in chaos, burning, nothing functioning as it should, a world torn asunder. In his other eye he saw the world for its potential in harmony.  Beautiful in every aspect and to his ever greater surprise he saw a place for chaos within that order.

He may be akin to a convict on probation, no trial, and unjust imprisonment by all means but….

Standing atop that hill he felt every inch the conflicted patchwork being that he was.  He smiled a bit goofy at  a realization and time started again. Pinkie noticed immediately “ Whats got you in such a great mood all of a sudden? Better share the joke if it’s a good one!”

He smiled again “Nothing my….friend. I simply figured something out. I think. I think I just want to belong. “ He looked down at them from his spot on the hill and they all smiled back at him.

‘everyone can change’ he thought to himself, ‘besides, is it so bad to want to belong?’