“Discord.” Ranko repeated loud enough for everyone to hear.

Twilight just stared bug eyed.

Celestia’s jaw just hung there trying to mouth something.

Luna’s eye began twitching. “Discord.” She repeated in a voice that was far too calm. “DISCORD! GET YOUR SORRY EXCUSE FOR A…” She began shrieking.

“How may I be of service princess?” Discord asked as he snapped into existence.

“Here’s your cake, and congrats,” answered Pinkie.

“Right on time as always, my dear,” he replied. He was savoring the taste and atmosphere of chaos in the throne room.

For all of five seconds. Then in an instant it swirled around and converged on Luna, almost spontaneously teleporting her moon in front of the sun with a blood red glow. A flash of black shadow and there stood the Nightmare.

The next thing Discord knew he was staring down the horn end of a spell on par with the elements themselves. Not at their most powerful but definitely up there. And murder in her eyes. For the first time in his life the draconequus seriously wondered if there was such a thing as too much chaos.

Twilight realized that that was where the chaos from when she removed the headband had gone.

“Wait!! It’s not his fault!” Ranko pleaded trying to stop her.

Twilight’s mind raced trying to figure out what to do.

Celestia was getting ready to defend Discord or help her sister she wasn’t sure which.

Discord knew this wouldn’t kill him but it was really, really going to hurt.

When…

BONK! Every eye, even Luna’s, was on Ranma’s hoof lightly touching Luna’s muzzle. That simply act having dissipated all the chaos of the nightmare. “No!” She said in a stern voice. “Ranko said that’s wong.” Then her eyes brightened. “YAY! Mommy’s back.” And started nuzzling Luna’s barrel.

“Now I like chaos as much as the next draconequus, but what in Tarturus is going on here?” Discord nearly yelled.

“I thought you would’ve seen that coming,” Pinkie stated.

“I only had enough time to read up to chapter 3,” answered Discord.

“What about the foreshadowing of that black hole thingy in chapter 2?” Pinkie questioned.

“Ah, my dear Pinkie, that could have been explained by any number of things. For example the milk to chocolate ratio could have been off or the milk could have been expired. I was just glad the glass hadn’t spoiled,” retorted Discord.

“Enough,” shouted Luna seriously annoyed at their antics in spite of the gravity of the situation. “I want to know how the buck this… this…” she trailed off as she noticed Ranma shifting uncomfortably in her forelegs. Believing she was inadvertently rejecting the foal that was supposedly hers and not knowing what exactly to do she began nuzzling the foal while repeating “it’s alright” in an attempt to comfort the young one.

“Um, I think I can explain,” began Ranko interrupting them. “This all started with the problems between a crazy pony and a dragon couple…”

A thousand years ago…

The Great Dragon Library, an elongated structure literally grown from the fire proof ebony dragon root, intertwined with gold, silver, and unique crystalline objects. This grand structure ran along one of the seven great magic ley-lines of the world. It housed the collective knowledge of all dragons, the few hundred elder dragons, and the Council Of Elders. Opened to all especially those who seek the Seven Paths of the Nine Trials an ancient draconian Rite of Passage. Within these majestic grand halls a shit storm was brewing.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?” shouted an irritated serpentine dragoness. She was the size of a small house with jet black scales, alabaster spikes running from her head down her back to her tail, two large wings the length of her body from her forelegs to her hind legs and emerald colored underbelly scales, irises, and wing webbings. It was bad enough dealing with the council and the politics of the Assembly of Elders all day, but a pony, wearing a blue, star and moon themed cloak with bells, exiting her family’s personal room like he owned the place was just the icing on the cake. All she wanted to do was hug her little hatchling, feed her egg some magic, and hop into bed. A nice nap after all the idiots would be just lovely. As she came upon the scene in her room, the world was pulled out from beneath her feet. Lying on the floor in front of an empty magical incubator was the still form of her first born hatchling. As she sat there staring off into space trying to comprehend her life falling apart around her a thought struck her and spread like wildfire . “You crazy fucking bastard, I’ll fucking kill you,” she roared as a rage that demanded vengeance in the most gruesome and painful way possible filled her. As she flew through the halls images of her flaying the pony down to the bone one limb at a time as he watched her roast and slowly consume his flesh in front of his horrified eyes. These delusions of vengeance were furthered by the images of her hatchling laying there completely still in that empty room… empty room? Something was off about that, something she was missing. The overwhelming rage return and redoubled as it hit her, “How dare he? How dare he? How dare that, that… monster.”

As she crashed through the halls she took a moment to check. Sure enough there it was both the scent and the trace of magical aura leading toward the library‘s exit. Upon breaking the doors in her haste and rage she quickly check her surroundings. Not only did the scent lead to the nearby pony settlement but she could see the target of her vengence entering the ramparts. With a roar she gave chase. As she came upon the guards with their spears and armor shouting halt she plowed through them without a second thought.

She would not lose her prey.

So focus on the pony that she failed to notice the market place she destroyed. Or the ponies running and screaming in her wake. Or the platoon of guards rounding the corner at the far end of the market in pursuit of her. No, all that mattered was she was getting closer. Then she headed straight down an alley and right into a dead end. There at the end of the alley was the pony still wearing the same ridiculous outfit. As he turned the dragoness couldn’t get a good look at his face through all the grey beard and hair spill out from hat. “Give me back my child,” she roared.

The pony look at her with a sad expression. “Do you mean this child?” he asked as he pulled out a lavender dragon egg with violet spots.

“If you put a single scratch on that child I’ll destroy you,” she said with cold steel in her voice.

“I am sorry. I truly am,” for a moment relief crept into her. Then the pony put down the egg, reared up on his hind legs, and stomped down hard on the egg.

As she watched in horror a whispered “no” escaped her lips. What restrains she had were gone. She didn’t care if she took out half the city as long as she killed HIM. Both the ambient magic and her own began swirling around her in a violent storm of ethereal energy as it was pulled into her neck as if being inhaled.

“Oh sweet Celestria, I hope I survive this,” was all he had time to think before the dragon opened her mouth and revealed the inferno within.

Within a second the alley was engulfed in a dark rainbow torrent of blazing death and destruction.

Within the diplomatic meeting between Celestria, Luna, and the ruler of the dragons there was a bright flash and he was suddenly gone. Flabbergasted Celestria and Luna immediately began to look for him. “How rude…” Luna began before a blazing light drew their attention. Looking out the window they bore witness as a multitude of blinding lights engulfing half the city condensed on a single spot.

“Your majesties, there is a dragon rampaging within the city,” announced two pegasi guards approaching from the city.

As Celestria and Luna came upon the alleyway, the light from earlier was slowly ebbing away. “Your highnesses,” one of the guards addressed them as the others stood at attention. “According to the reports, the dragon had chased a pony down this alley. However, upon our arrival we were unable to enter or even verify what has happened within,” reported the unicorn stallion.

At that moment there was a large popping sound. Everyone turned to look into the alleyway.

There standing between the dragoness and the pony was another dragon. The dragon was the size of a pony with gray scales, ebony spikes, two large wings the length and a half of his body from his forelegs to his hind legs and ruby red underbelly scales, irises, and wing webbings with alabaster hair flowing around his spikes. His spikes and wings were emanating a blazing amber aura.

“What is the meaning of thy grievous offense?” boomed Luna in her royal Canterlot voice.

“Calm sister,” started Celestria. “But we must ask for explanation. Why did thou leave our meeting, what was that light, and what is with this disturbance, Discord?” asked Celestria.

“That bastard killed my children,” the dragoness roared as she lunged at the pony, again.

Discord caught her mid strike and whispered, “sleep.” The dragoness immediately collapsed in Discord’s hold.

“The only reason I saved that creature,” began Discord with a great deal of venom and annoyance in his voice. “was so he may face justice while preserving relations between our races. Not so you can let him go simply because he‘s a part of the arrogant class.”

“How dare you. That wretched creature,” Luna snared. “that you refer to as a citizen would have fried half the city because she was too blind and stupid to tell that her child was asleep. So why should we punish an innocent pony for a brainless dragon.”

“Her daughter was under a sleep spell enhanced by a magical incubator, she was barely alive. Her second child’s egg was stolen. She witnessed that pony leaving her room which he shouldn’t have even been in there. And less we forget, he smashed the egg in front of her,” spat Discord.

“She probably misused a spell and anyone could have stolen her egg, if she didn‘t lose it herself. For all we know those are lies to save her own skin,” Luna answered with a snide smirk. “Why should we have to listen to this arrogant fool from a kingdom of muscle-bound barbarian hoarders?”

A flash of anger crossed Discords face before being replaced by a cold emotionless mask. “This from an ignorant little child who likes to torment her subjects. Tell me princess just how many nightmares have you caused?”

“Enough!” boomed Celestria. “Discord, we understand how you and the mother feel, but there is no proof for her accusations. All that is there is a spell on the child that is so vague it is untraceable, a miss child who is only an egg, the eye witness account from a mother acting in pure rage and therefore unreliable, and no trace of the egg where he allegedly smashed the egg. I am sorry but all the evidence is inconclusive.”

After taking several calming breathes Discord finally responded. “And what of the mother?”

“Unfortunately there is substantial evidence in that case. Several dozen eye witnesses of her rampaging through the city, a similar number of her attempting to attack another sentient being, the damage she caused, several guard reports supporting these claims, and not to mention the analysis of that magical blast. The results show it would have taken out a fulcrum of over a mile from her position that would have included a good portion of the palace and the magical signal was so strong that there is no doubt its hers.”

Luna had a smug smirk on her face. Discord released a resigned sigh, “so how will this go?”

“Don’t worry, considering her state of mind at the time we have decided to be lenient. She will be placed under house arrest and relieved of her duties, so her family may help her cope while the investigation of her missing child is carried out. Do you agree to those terms?” asked Celestria.

“What?” asked both Luna and Discord simultaneously.

“Does that sound reasonable?” Celestria asked with a smirk as Discord slowly nodded.

Exhausted, Discord entered the diplomatic guest suite he was staying in. “Damn those ponies, especially that royal brat,” exclaimed Discord in frustration. “But Celestria has a point,” he grudgingly admitted.

“I could use a very strong drink right about now,” he thought as he lay on the bed. Deciding to but thought to action he got up. Just before he left he realized his appearance might cause more than a little disturbance. “Yeah especially after to day,” he chuckled sarcastically.

After a moments concentration there was a blinding flash of light. When the light dissipated there stood a pony, a pegasus stallion with a gray coat, ebony main and tail, ruby red irises with blazing amber whites, alabaster eye brows, and a tornado cutie mark. After a moments consideration there was another small flash and his whites where white. “Better, now where to get a drink?” he ponder before flashing into an empty alleyway near the market.

After awhile of wondering he came across a tavern that seemed pretty good, if the amount of patrons was any indication. Upon entering he was pleasantly surprised with how homey and inviting it felt. “This is much better than that stuffy palace,” he breathed a sigh of relieve.

As he sat at the bar the bartender approached, “what you want?”

“I’m new here what do you have?”

“Depends on how much you want to walk afterward. We got stuff that’s strong, stuff that tastes good, and stuff that can do both. As long as you can pay,” grinned the barkeep.

“Hahahaha, that shouldn’t be a problem,” he said as he removed a sack of gold bits from his saddle bags.

“If you don’t mind me asking, where’d ya get that king’s ransom?” the barkeep laughed at his own joke.

“I don’t mind, my journeys have been quite profitable,” answered Discord.

“Ah! A wander good to see someone who can pay their own tab,” joked the bartender.

“Hey, can we help it if Scarlett always pays,” shouted another patron.

“To Scarlett!” shouted everyone else in a toast.

“Who’s Scarlett?” asked Discord.

“Ah! Her real name is Night Blossom but everyone calls her Scarlett because the color of her cheeks when she leaves,” the barkeep laughed. “or when someone calls her Scarlett,” he stage whispered.

Everyone heard anyway and started laughing.

“Anyway she usually pays for everypony when she arrives and even pays off their tabs,” he continued when everyone calmed down. “Because of that she’s made quite a few friends here.”

His curious piqued Discord asked, “do you know why she does it?”

The barkeep immediately sobered up, “now that is a loaded question. You see when see was young she lost both her parents and it’s only been her and her sister for those early years. Don’t get me wrong they were well off by leaps and bounds but you can’t buy happiness. A lesson she unfortunately learned the hard way at an early age. Worst yet a few years ago both she and her sister learned that the magical accident that took their parents also prevented them from having children of their own. Lately her sister’s been kind of distant and focus on her work. I tell you this because if you bring it up even by accident your gonna hurt her real bad and I don’t know how many ponies here will try to kill you for that,” he said with a sad smirk.

“To Scarlett!” everyone toasted with a lot less cheer.

“Did someone call me,” called a voice. Everyone turned toward the source and standing there was a navy blue unicorn mare with a mane and tail that almost glowed like a full moon, her eyes were a beautiful turquoise, and she had blue nightshade cutie mark. On her cheeks was a bright scarlet blush that contrasted beautifully with her coat.

“Scarlett,” everyone cheered and her blush deepened even more.

“Hey, Soft Spoken. Who’s the new meat,” she laughed as she addressed the bartender.

“No idea, all I got is he’s a wander and that’s it,” answered Soft Spoken.

“That’s not very informative,” Scarlett laughed.

“Eh! You know me, I don’t pry. I let people tell there own stories and help when needed,” he once more laughed at his own joke.

“You know your jokes aren’t funny right? I‘m Night Blossom, but everyone calls me Scarlett,” she extended a hoof. “They are too,” retorted Soft Spoken.

“Wild Bill,” said Discord as he shook her hoof. “Nice to meet you Scarlett, if you don’t mind.”

“So then my sister says that not herbal medicine, you should of seen the look of horror on the Blue oafs face. So he asks her what it was and she tells him, get this, poison joke. His face was priceless,” Scarlett finished. Her cheeks a very deep scarlet.

The tavern burst into roaring laughter. They all cheered as they finished off the current round from Scarlett.

“So Scarlett anything new,” asked Soft Spoken.

“Nah! Just some jerk who thinks he knows everything. Now Bill I told you one got tell me another of your adventures.”

“So there I was out in the badlands doing a weather survey as a freelance for the dragons, when out of nowhere tectonic shift grinds to major deposits of magically enriched diamonds the size of the palace. The result was a massive shockwave of magical force slams into me. The problem was I was one of a team of about twenty when it hit and the others were attempting to circulate some weather for agricultural needs. This caused a massive influx of their magic with me as the neutral center. Long story short there I am minding my own business when I’m hit with a blast of magic and while I’m stunned a massive tornado forms around me.”

“Wild really does suit you,” Scarlett laughed.

“Oh, that wasn’t even the best part,” continued Discord.

“Come on spill,” she insisted.

“Yeah I’d like to hear what could top that,” added Soft Spoken.

“The reason they need agricultural support was because that particular valley was extreme fertile because it was between six formerly dormant volcanoes,” stated Discord with a grin.

“How does dirt trump a tornado like that?” asked Soft Spoken.

“Did I not say that there was a tectonic shift amplified by a massive magical burst?” asked Discord.

“No way,” gasped Scarlett.

“While everyone else got out of there I was in the middle of a tornado when all six volcanoes went off simultaneously. So there I am in the middle of this giant vacuum sucking up the pyroclastic clouds and the lava there spewing.”

“How the hell did you survive that?” shouted both Scarlett and Soft Spoken.

“Well there was a whole lot of luck involved,” began Discord. “First I had to keep the tornado sucking in fresh air to breathe, second keep the cloud of fire out, and third, the most tricky of all, keep the lava from forming a wall.”

“Why did you need to worry about that?” asked Scarlett.

“Can I borrow a glass and a bottle?” asked Discord. Soft Spoken got him the items and went back to listening to him, “let’s say the glass is the walled off tornado and beer is the stuff spewing from the volcano. If the lava formed a wall around the tornado, the tornado would still be sucking it in.” He began pouring the beer into the glass and didn’t stop until it overflowed, “now remember I couldn’t to the beer, so where in the glass is safe for me?”

As it dawned on everyone who had started listen in there was a collective “oh.”

“Sorry about the mess,” Discord apologized.

“Don’t worry about it, a story like that is worth a little mess,” answered Soft Spoken.

“Surviving something like that deserves around and not just any round but the best stuff you got Soft Spoken,” proclaimed Scarlett.

“You got it,” he said as everyone else went “here, here.”

“To the luckiest dumbass ever, cheers,” shouted Soft Spoken as everyone laughed and toasted Discord’s survival. “Unfortunately that’s the last round guys, it’s time to close for the night.”

As they approached the doors Discord asked, “would you mind if I walked you home, mademoiselle Scarlett?”

“My aren’t you fancy,” she laughed as her blush deepening. “I would be honored to have such a brave and noble stallion walk me home?”

As they walk Scarlett sighed, “isn’t it a lovely night?”

“Yes it is, especially with that beautiful full moon and nearly clear sky.”

“I’ve always loved the moon, I wish I could visit it,” whispered Scarlett as she settled closer to Discord.

“I don’t know about visiting the moon,” Discord chuckled. “but I might be able to get you closer.”

“And how is that,” Scarlett asked.

“A unicorn friend of mine and I worked on a this spell to help maimed or disabled pegasi,” Discord lied. It was a spell to help get dragons who were getting to big before there wings grew in use to flying so they wouldn’t get hurt when they finally got there wings. As a side effect it also let them walk on clouds. “The problem it is difficult to cast and only lasts a few days.”

“Oh, and what does this spell do,” Scarlett smirked.

“It gives the target wings and even let’s them walk on clouds for the duration,” answered Discord.

“That’s amazing,” Scarlett squealed as she hugged him.

“Now I only know the spell I can’t cast it. You’ll have to cast it yourself, but it shouldn’t be to hard to teach you it,” Discord said with a smile.

After about a half a hour and a few failed attempts she finally succeeded. The wings, a set of semi-transparent pegasus wings made of morning due, caught the light of the moon and reflected a deep sapphire with streaks of silver.

“You look beautiful,” Discord breathed.

“Oh, so I wasn’t before,” teased Scarlett.

“Yes… I mean no… I mean your beautiful, you’ve always been beautiful and those wings are gorgeous,” Discord panicked.

“You’re cute when your panicked,” laughed Scarlett.

“Well shall we go see your moon?” asked Discord recovering as he lifted his wing in an after you manner.

“Wha… wha…what? The moon belongs to Luna….” Scarlett started to panic.

“Don’t worry I only meant your private viewing of the moon. Besides I’d protect you even if there was a misunderstanding,” Discord grinned.

Scarlett let out a sigh of relief, “Yeah, just a little scared of her that’s all,” she chuckled nervously.

“Well, after you,” he gestured again. With her usual smirk back she hesitantly tested her wings, then took flight. Smiling happily Discord took soon followed her.

As they watched the moon and stars on their own private cloud they talked about their hopes and dreams. Throughout their discussion and private viewing of the night sky they inched closer and closer to each other. Without any warning, Scarlett kissed Discord. The shocked and surprised look, along with the deep crimson blush, on his face made her giggle. As they continued they threw themselves further and further into the throws of passion the scenery of the night was long forgotten.

Sometime just before dawn Discord dropped Scarlett off at her apartment home. “Tonight has been just lovely,” Scarlett informed him.

“I try. Tomorrow?” Discord asked.

“We’ll see,” she teased before he left.

As he entered another empty alleyway and disappeared.

Shortly after he left her apartment there was a flash and the apartment was empty. “Ah, there you are sister, did something come up your almost late?” Scarlett’s sister asked without even turn toward her.

“Oh, something most definitely happened,” responded Scarlett.

“Do tell,” asked her sister as she started to get up.

“I met the most wonderful of stallions, smart, charming, brave, noble, and unbelievably handsome,” Scarlett all but swooned.

“A prince charming…” her sister snickered. “Wait I thought Scarlett was a unicorn.”

“Wow the great and powerful Celestria pays attention to a lowly noble mare such as myself,” retorted Scarlett.

“Ha ha, but seriously what is with the wings?” Celestria asked as she admired said wings.

“I said he was wonderful, didn’t I?” teased Luna. “To answer your question the spell is only temporary but I plan to investigate it thoroughly after these negotiations, can you imagine if we had this spell perfected when Stinging...”

“Stop!” shout Celestria. “That was three hundred and seventy-four years ago and you age not responsible for her death.”

“But…”

“No buts,” Celestria screamed and then hugged her sister. “She killed herself after she lost her wing and that was an accident…”

“I know, I know but it still hurts,” Luna cried in her sister’s embrace. “Why did she have to leave so soon?”

“There, there…” Celestria soothed Luna as she stroked her mane. Luna cried herself to sleep as Celestria took over her duties.

As the months passed Discord’s and Luna’s distaste and loathing for each other only grew as the negotiations continued. All that time Wild Bill continuously swept Night Blossom off her feet and, as her friends noted frequently, Scarlett now had another reason she earned that name.

Sometime in the third month, “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Discord stopped dead in his tracks. He was afraid, scared out of his mind. It wasn’t because she loved him, but because he truly loved her back. Before he could stop himself he admitted, “I love you too with all my heart.”

After a long pause he continued, “I’m sorry this such short notice but there is something I need to take care of for a few days so I won‘t be able to see you for that time.”

“Are you sure?” asked Scarlett.

“It’s very important, I am so sorry,” he answered as he nuzzled her.

Later that morning he was pacing back and forth within his suite. “What to do? What to do? She’s gonna kill me when she finds out… I need to make it up to her, but how?” And like a earth pony bucking him in the chest, it hit him, “Of coarse her and her sister’s ailment.”

He sent a letter announcing that he needed a two week break from the negotiations and thanking Celestria for her help with the investigation of the missing egg though nothing was found.

A week and an intensive library dive later he was as ready as he ever was.

“So he disappears for a week just as the negotiations hit a snag and now he wants to have a special meal to meet me. I don’t know it just seems like something is off,” stated a white coated unicorn mare with a light pink mane and tail, magenta eyes, and a yellow tulip cutie mark.

“Sister please, I told you last week, how I’d confessed to him. I’m sure he simply wants to make a good impression on my family,” answered Night Blossom.

Before her sister could response there was a knock on the door. “Coming,” called Night Blossom. As she answered the door, she began, “how have you been? …oh, let me help you with those groceries.”

“Why, thank you,” Wild Bill replied. “A little busy, but not too bad. Yourself?”

“Oh, a little less frustrated this past week or so.”

“Oh, am I that bad?” Wild Bill teased.

“Not you, silly,” she said as she nuzzled him as they entered the dining room. “And this is my sister, Day Bloom,” she said indicating the white pony in the room.

“Nice to meet you,” he greeted.

“Likewise,” she responded.

“Well, I should begin dinner,” Wild Bill grabbed the groceries and continued on into the kitchen.

“So what do you think?” asked Night Blossom.

“Well, he is certainly charm, and most definitely handsome. But, there’s just something off about him,” replied Day Bloom.

“You worry too much, he perfect and we love each other,” Night Blossom declared. The rest of the evening with some small talk and a good meal.

“That meal was one of the best I’ve ever had,” commented Day Bloom smacking her lips. “And I hate to admit it but I’m still quite hungry.”

“That was something of an old griffon with some alterations for ponies. Not very filling but quite good tasting. Tomorrow you’ll have enough energy to run a marathon or two,” Wild Bill laughed. “But, not to worry I got something special for desert. An old family recipe quite filling and could give even the fanciest of delicacies a run for their money,” he claimed as he got up to get the deserts.

In the kitchen he grabbed the three deserts and placed them of a serving tray before approaching his saddlebags. “Hopefully they won’t notice the extra drain on their magic thanks to that meal. I can only hope she will forgive me with this, when she finds out what I am. It‘s now or never,” Wild Bill thought as he removed two vials from the bags. After applying each of them to one of the three creams for the deserts, he placed the three creams on the tray and carried the whole thing in to the dining room.

As he began to serve them Day Bloom teased, “Oh, quite the gentleman.”

“Of coarse for such lovely ladies.”

“Oh and he's quite flattering too,” laughed Night Blossom.

“Now I want you to take a bite of the dish before you add the cream. Just so you can see the difference,” advised Wild Bill.

As the night went on Wild Bill made to leave, “well it was nice meeting you Day Bloom, and as always it has been a pleasure Night Blossom. But, I must take my leave.”

“Nope not going to happen,” declared Night Blossom to Wild Bill’s surprise. “I haven’t seen you in a week and I finally got you back. So, you’ll be staying for some fun and my sister can chose leave or stay and watch. I don’t care which at this point.”

Day Bloom was stunned silent and Wild Bill gulped, hard. “What harm can it cause? The potion will take at least half a day, if not a full one, to be completely effective and she’s a pony while I’m a dragon. Everything should be fine, but tomorrow I’m going to need to take precautions.”

“So are you in or out, dear sister?” asked Night Blossom with a leer.

“Out, way out…” before she could finish Day Bloom found herself tossed out of a slamming door and Wild Bill found himself being dragged into the bedroom by a very happy Night Blossom. It was going to be a long night and morning for both of them.

A month after that diner.

“…and with that these negotiations should be concluded,” announced Celestria.

“well, today’s the day,” sighed both Luna and Discord. Discord was a little worried about Luna’s seemingly sporadic behavior over the last few weeks even with Celestria’s mediation. As a precaution he brought along something to let him scan their auras to see if something was wrong with her and Celestria for not noticing. These negotiations were too important to let them fall through simply because someone was attacking the ponies and they mistakenly blaming the dragons.

What was revealed nearly caused his jaw to hit the floor.

“Is everything alright,” asked Celestria with concern on her face.

“Cough, cough. Yes I’m fine, just a little shocked that these negotiations are finally over,” he replied nervously.

“What is that suppose to mean, you…” Luna snapped.

“Luna,” Celestria looked shocked. “I’m so sorry for her outburst,” she apologized to Discord.

“No need for that, these talks have been most strenuous for all involved,” Discord reassured. “But, I must make my leave. Preparations and celebrations for this momentous moment,” he smiled reassuringly. Luna humped. “I pity the unfortunity bastard,” he couldn’t help but think as he left. What was revealed was that Celestria was well and healthy, but Luna on the other hand was about a month or so pregnant. “no wonder she been all over the place and Celestria hasn’t reacted like it’s unusual.”

After he left Celestria turned on Luna, “I know your worried about tonight but that is no reason to snap at a guest, especially a diplomatic guest we finally came to an agreement with.”

“I know, I know. But, I’m really worried about tonight. Do I have to tell him?” Luna pleaded.

“We agreed that it was wrong to keep this from him. You and I know that and we have been over this for the last month. We agreed that you needed time and I gave you until the end of these negotiations.”

“But what happens if he rejects me and…” Luna began.

“Stop! Please sister you must stop living in the past. If he doesn’t love you for you he is nothing but a fool,” Celestria reassured.

“Okay, you can do this. Just go in there tell her who you are, and apologize for not telling her sooner. If she asks you to leave, then leave, if she asks you to stay explain the problems with that, and if she still asks you to stay… you then have to break it to your people gently. Yeah I doubt that will go well. Whether she asks me to stay or leave I need to tell her what I did before I leave, and maybe she’ll forgive me…” Wild Bill winced. “Yeah right,” and sighed. With his preparation finished, he knocked.

“Oh, you’re early,” Night Blossom laughed nervously. She been acting weird all month, but he attributed it to the sudden return of her ability to reproduce and the hormones that went along with it.

“Hi again,” called Day Bloom.

“Oh, you’re here again. Final got over the nervousness of your sister’s sex live,” he chuckled nervously.

“More like got over the gag reflex that my sister would invite me into it,” she giggled.

Taking a sigh, “I need to tell you something,” both Wild Bill and Night Blossom began at the same time. “Hahahaha,” they both laughed. “After you,” offered Wild Bill.

“Heh, heh, heh…” she began nervously. “I’m… I’m… I am…” she started shaking.

Her sister got up and started nuzzling her, “you need to do this.”

“What could be wrong. No, it can’t be what I did. What if she’s dying? What if I made it worst? What if …” Wild Bill began to panic.

She let out a heavy sigh interrupting his thoughts, “I am Princess Luna,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“What?” was all Wild Bill could process.

“I am Princess Luna of Equestria,” she stated with an emotionless mask only her eyes revealing her desperation.

“And I guess that makes you, Celestria,” he began laughing as he gestured Day Bloom.

“Most refer to me as Princess Celestria, but yes,” she smiled and nodded. Then there was a flash of light and in Day Bloom was alicorn princess Celestria.

As he turned to face Night Blossom, a darker flash of light caught his eye and in her place was the alicorn princess Luna. His mind shut down, followed by a single thought, “I. AM. SO. DEAD!!!” After a few deep breathes he said, “I need sometime, is that okay?”

The look on Luna’s face nearly broke his heart. Celestria didn’t need to see it to know it was there, “of coarse this is a lot to take in. Just please don’t tell anyone.”

As he left, she nuzzled her sister comfortingly. Luna just cried into her sister’s shoulder.

“Lord Discord, I don’t see what the problem with this is,” stated the dragoness who lost her egg and nearly lost her daughter.

“Niece, I have told you, even before you became head librarian, you do not need to be so formal. And the problem is that, besides terrible threatening the agreement, there is a good chance that I have just made one, if not two, powerful and immortal beings royally pissed off at every dragon in existence. That’s not including if the Council or the assembly try to use this to accuse me of treason,” Discord pointed out. “Not to mention if the child is mine.”

“I had not thought of that,” admitted the dragoness. “but…”

What she was about to say was lost as Discord vision went blurry and then completely dark.

…in the void…

“Your child is dying, Master of Chaos. She is reaching out for your chaos. She is taking it through your connection. She must not die. Many would perish, many more would suffer,” said a voice that was both a thunderous echo and a whisper.

“It can’t be, old friend is…” began Discord.

“Go now and make haste. She must live and time is short.” screamed the voice.

“Discord. Discord. Discord, please wake,” screamed the dragoness as she shook Discord.

“Niece?”

“Thank goodness you’re awake,” she breathed a sigh of relieve.

“There is much work to be done and not a lot of time.”

The dragoness stood at attention, “what will you ask of me?”

“First we will need to confirm my relationship to the child,” he began as he siphoned as much chaos as he would risk drawing on to the child. “Second I will need the results of the new elder recruits. Third we must prepare for an emergency ending of the assembly of elders. Fourth we will need to prepare to close and seal the library for it’s own safety,” a gasp from the dragoness interrupted him. “I know the library has not been closed since the last dragon-pony war and has never been sealed since its founding but its merely a precaution only. The seals will only last until the next migration in nineteen years. Fifth I need you to retrieve all knowledge on memory altering spells for I must remove all trace of myself as I currently am. The reason will become oblivious with the last thing. Sixth the reason we are sealing the library is so the immortal alicorn sister may find the elements. Yes, those elements, so they will need unhindered access to most secured section of the library and therefore you will have to remove it from the library seals. We will need to add the memory of them to the sister’s minds. Lastly I will need to give myself to the chaos.”

Another gasp and a look of pure fear, “no you can‘t, if you do that there will be no coming back.”

“I understand, that is why they must not realize that monster and I are one and the same. That is why they will believe I was defeated for centuries from the day they defeat me onward. This will insure the agreement will remain intact.”

“Understood, this will take awhile to prepare everything. Fortunately I already know the results of the elder recruits. Unfortunately there were none. Before I begin is there anything else you need of me, Lord Discord?”

He was a bit hesitant, but eventually let out a deep sigh, “unfortunately there is.” His paused weighed heavily on her. “Your child, though tricked by a jealous member of a branch family, has finished the Eighth Trial along the Forbidden Path, correct?”

A look of understanding horror appeared on the mother’s face as she gulped and answered, “yes.”

“The child must survive at all costs. An old friend has told me as much…” he looked off in the distances.

Her face took on a grim determination, “you don’t mean…”

“Quiet. We do not speak of her, but yes,” he said softly.

“Understood! She will be made aware of her duty and be prepared for her task, even to the point of laying down her life.” Through the emotionless mask she had on her eyes screamed for it to be untrue.

“I am sorry, dismissed.”

“Before I go, uncle will there be anyway to save you?” her face and eyes never wavered.

“Perhaps… perhaps when the library and the Council are restored,” he answered solemnly.

A month later, and all the research was done. A little more preparation and no one would remember Discord the Celestial Dragon King. No they will only remember Discord the Mad Monster Tyrant who used chaos to conquer the Kingdom of Equetria. They would hail the immortal alicorn sisters who saved them so long ago, mourn the Princess of the Night’s lover who was viciously slain by the dark king Sombra. That had been a lucky break that he had decided over the last month to make himself known and launch an all out attack on Equestria. It was funny how fast he found himself outmatched, but the coward had a failsafe that took his kingdom with him. And, when the princess has a child after being sterile for centuries, the child will be hailed as a miracle. This will insure that the child is loved and protected. When the library returns in nineteen years the treaty will allow its safety. The Council might leave him in stone but at least his people will survive.

The night before everything was to take place the library was closed and sealed.

“Child, are you scare,” Discord smirked as she jumped when he addressed her.

“Ye… ye… yes, sir… I mean no, sir,” she stammered. The child, a small serpentine dragoness with white alabaster scales, jet black spikes, without wings and sapphire blue irises, and underbelly scales.

“Be at peace child. You can call me uncle, for I am your many times great uncle,” Discord laughed as her eyes widened.

“You are?” she asked amazed.

“Yes, it is one of the many secrets the council keeps. But enough about me, child there is nothing to fear. This plan has been worked out between your mother and I to the minutest detail. Do you have the artifacts, niece?”

She nodded and held up both.

“Good, equip the first, now, for it should protect you from what is to come. Do not take it off before the child is borne. As for the second, it is only to be used in emergencies for you will not be able to use both at once for some time. Do you understand?”

She nodded again and he smiled.

“Good do you have the letter?”

She pulled out the letter of introduction.

“That letter will declare you a child of a dear friend of Wild Bill, the father of Luna’s child. You will wait a few months before you approach, and you will ask in the city first. When a guard takes you into custody for asking about a national hero, or someone points you to the palace you will bring that letter to either Celestia or Luna. But, if a guard tells you that he is dead you will tell him that your mother asked you to bring that letter to him. Act like you don’t trust them until you get to the highest ranked officer you can then give them the letter. Understood?”

Another nod.

“Good, then please don’t remember me as the monster I am about to become, but don’t mention the real me to anyone,” Discord requested.

By the end of the night the first spell was finished. They would not remember Discord until he was vanquished later that week and the memories they did have would be of an ancient terror.

As the first rays of dawn lit up the sky, true mayhem let loose upon the world. As nations banded together and failed to stop reality and common sense from being torn apart, two alicorns, no one would remember until they completed their quest, set out on an adventure to save the world.

A week later, as the world twisted and bent around itself, two sisters came upon the one part of it that would not yield. There was their prize and salvation, as they approached the younger states, “the Tree of Harmony,” and as the elder activates it the younger asks, “are you sure?”

“We have manage to find the only means to defeat Discord. And free the citizens of Equestria,” she replies as she removes the elements.

Before the sunsets on that same day, the alicorn sisters use the elements of harmony to defeat Discord. The world then remembers their peaceful and prosperous reign for the last several millenniums. And, Discord as the monster that terrorized the world. No one rejoiced at the ancient victory and one young dragoness wept at the recent loss as she fell asleep.

Through the night, the chaos that had appeared to have dispersed from the chaos god’s defeat gathered and coalesced into a single mass. Not that anyone noticed the difference between the chaos of the day and the order of the night. And as the chaos converged on the Princess of the Night, the unborn child feasted to it’s hearts content.

Unfortunately, there was simply to much chaos even for the starving child and the mother went mad. Fortunately for her citizens, the capital had been abandoned by the people fleeing in fear from the father’s week long rampage.

After her own sister was forced to banish her to the moon and decided to abandon the home they shared for the memories of her act were to much to bear.

So no one noticed when a library failed to return and fill the gorge it left behind. The only remnants of its passing, a cavern which bared a crystalline tree and the stairs that led down to it. And when a young dragon hatchling went missing, she was neither missed nor noticed.

“I never thought a story beginning in a library could end in such tragedy!”

Everyone turned and gawked at Pinkie Pie. Everyone except for Twilight Sparkle who got up, walked over to Pinkie, and gave her a big hug, “I know, it’s so sad.”

“Wait, wait, wait, I have a child?” Discord asked incredulously.

“Well that’s why she was going to kill you,” Rainbow Dash snickered.

“I always wondered why there was no bridge there. You know, the funny thing is we had to put in a temporary rope bridge. Wait, what happened to the library?” asked Celestia.

“I don’t know, I left shortly after the incident with Nightmare Moon,” answered Ranko. “I mean, there’s a chance the ambient chaos could have had an effect. But, that doesn’t make sense there should have been enough energy to purge that and bring it back after you returned the Elements of Harmony. The only reason I can think of is if you didn’t put the elements back into the tree.”

Sometime after they finished explaining that they only recently returned the elements to the tree. And, after Ranko finished chewing them out for being stupid and explaining that the dragons were still okay since they were suspended in time.

Ranma stopped nuzzling Luna and pulled away slightly. “Did I do something bad?” She asked while starting to fidget.

“No dear.” Luna said reassuringly.

“So I don’t have to come-it sue-it-slide?” Ranma asked nervously.

Ranko slapped a claw to her face and mumbled, “I knew I forgot something.”

Author's Note

A. n. to answer your questions if you’re a bit confused on the issue. The first spell Discord casted was a multi-tier spell. The first tier, no one remembered him before he attacked. The second tier, no one remembered Celestia or Luna until he was defeated, thus allowing them to complete their quest to find the elements. The third tier, they had knowledge of the elements. The fourth and final tier, when they defeat Discord everyone remembers his reign as a distant memory from centuries past and the sisters have ruled peacefully since.

A. n. you shouldn’t take what people say at face value, the whole judging a book by it’s cover thing.

A. n. my muse finally returned. when I started on Saturday I only had over 1400 words by Monday 7000 and today a total over 8000. I hope you enjoy.

A. n. five chapters of this crossover and Ranma has six dialog paragraphs and only eight lines.

A. n. was reading “Nyx’s Family” an unofficial sequel to “Past Sins” which was written before “Winter Bells” and came to a part were Spike refers to the ponies as his hoard. Good to know I not the only one with that mindset, a bit.

A. n. I posted these in a bundle, I have finished the chapters over the last 3-4 months. I have up to chapter 9 figured out plot wise but I’m going to work one the first two to three chapters of a few other stories. This means that some of the other author notes may be a little obsolete. I will try to publish more frequently if for nothing else a story should not be left unfinished. Edit (might add 6 through 9 first momentum and all that).

A. n. was reading “Cheerilee’s Class” while they were talking about comic book heroes. Couldn’t help think of an earth pony crashing into the pavement then jump back and punching a dragon in the face while screaming “give me back my muffin.”

A. n. took me a few mouths to get up to chapter five and wanted to post in bulk because my muse. But, also wanted to give more of a start to the story before reviews. Last two chapters only took two months together because I kept running into writers block where I knew what I wanted to say but not how.

A. n. another reason for the delay is I started working on again/reviewing my courses in an undergraduates degree in software engineering geared towards interactive programming through affiliated courses. In layman’s terms game programming in online courses.

A. n. the seven paths of the nine trials was going to be the nine trials and seven elders. After I thought up the seven paths of the nine trials I thought it sounded familiar. I probably was inspired by the eight fold path and the nine trials of Hercules wasn‘t really thinking about either.

A. n. I would like your feed back on this, I been debating whether or not to make all female dragons serpentine and all males more traditionally European dragons. This would play to the usual gender divide of species. Females being more dexterous, agile, and ferocious. While the males are more physically stronger, enduring, and usually bigger.