Author's Note

Sorry that its been a while. Chapter co-written by Harbinger-of-script

Ends of the Earth

The train clacked across the rails. What was this about? He wondered. Last time he saw the princesses they had given up… or so it had seemed. Maybe this another half-assed attempt to get him to dump Chryssi for them. For the love of Faust he hoped not. Damn them mares ruining his vacation, it was going so well, too! Apart from his idiot friends (And Grey Knight, tagging along only to keep the peace), following him and his “family”.

“So what do you think they want?” He looked over to his right. Melody just sat down beside him. Exactly the same thing he was wondering; Melody could always read him like a book.

“I don’t know... It's weird for them to contact me and make it sound so important." Cris thought about it for a moment. The entire happening, birds began to act weird, the weather became self-functioning, sporadic, and violent. Mulling it over didn't seem to help. For some reason even the slightest thought about it caused him headaches. Cris noticed an abrupt change in his surroundings. He no longer noticed the chugging of the train or the howl of the whistle. Odd.

“Crimson Link & Co. how nice to see you again,” The draconequus before them said in the most pleased-voice imaginable.

“Discord?”

“In the flesh!” He said with a bow snapping his claw. His body immediately dissipated and just became a pair of floating eyes and mouth. “Oh how it has been a while since I have been in your company Mr. Link.” A bright flash came next with him right in front of his face after it had averted. “Oh my you've grown so much since I had last seen you!” Cris backed away a bit. He favored his personal space. “And how long ago was that again? On your eighteenth birthday, perhaps? 264 years ago?”

“But I thought you were encased in stone long before Luna was sent to the moon?” Grey Knight chimed up, moving out from behind his brother, Herald. “I remember seeing you in the garden during that time, and you were unchanged.”

“And how could you possibly know that?” Grey instantly shut his mouth. Refraining from saying anything else.

“Curious. But then again you are not wrong my dear Grey Knight. For I have been known to free myself from that vitrified prison and seek out a sufficient source of entertainment, and young Mr. link here was gracious enough to entertain me!" Cris blushed a bit. As much as he hated to admit it he could not recall the day in question. It had been lost to time.

“I do believe I remember that. It’s a bit fuzzy though. Discord, do you have any clue what the princess called me, my friends, and lover here?” Cris asked.

“I’m not quite sure,” He placed his thumb and index finger over his chin. “For they would not tell me anything, I assume it must be matter that Princess Twilight can’t deal with herself. I think she and her friends went to that trading nonsense over at Rainbow Falls.”

“Oh there’s nothing but rubbish over their anyhow.” A gasped echoed through the chamber.

“How could you say that!?” Rose/Chryssi came flying up from behind. “Do you not understand stand the sentimental value of such ‘rubbish’? Hmmmm!?” She looked him straight in the eyes and demanded an answer.

Cris sighed and backed away, with the roll of his eyes. “Apparently not. Please enlighten me.”

“That must wait for another time,” Celestia called from her throne room.

“How unfortunate Ms. er...Rose was it?” Discord cupped his hands together. “I'm certain Mr. Link would’ve appreciated your candor. Right?” Discord gave him a sly grin.

“R-Right. Right. I can’t think of anything more enjoyable to listen to other than the sound of your voice, love.” Cris cleared his throat, and hurried into the throne room. Guards shared the rest of the space. All standing at attention, but nonetheless vigil.

“Alright, We’ll cut straight through the nonsense and pleasantries.” Celestia started off.

“There hath been a great number of disturbances in the northern mountains beyond the Everfree. A place too near to which our dear Fluttershy dwells. But thats beside the point-” Luna was cut off by Celestia.

“The point, my dear sister is failing to make, is that Crimson Link we would greatly appreciate if you were to take your friends and investigate such a matter. Normally we would send the elements but they are currently overseeing the Rainbow Falls Trade Day.” He found it weird that they, of all ponies, addressed him so formally as if he were some noble that served them.

“Why do you find it necessary to drag me into your little problems?”

“Well, perhaps, it’s because you owe us. Considering we did save your life of course.” Cris bit his lips. Anyone could tell anger was flaring in his eyes.

“I believe we could call ourselves even. Considering, that you have followed me since I was eighteen, and caused me psychological trauma."

"Well. Perhaps if you just would have accepted our love-”

“For the love of the sun… This again?!” Cris shouted. “Look I’m sorry you didn’t get the message over the last 264 years. How could you not get it through your thick skulls that I wanted nothing to do with you? How the buck hard is it to understand such a literal message?” He sighed, shaking his head with exhaustion. “The two of you sound like a broken record. You seem rather immature for princesses. I wonder what mother Faust would think of such a display…”

The room went deathly silent, whilst all in the room drew a hollow and shocked breath. Everyone, even the guards, stared at Cris in surprise. Luna stood stupefied, while Celestia’s eye glinted and twitched in anger. She stood up from her throne, the stomp and clop of hooves thundered through the room. Cris returned his hardened gaze to her. They both stared each other down teeth grinding, and seething rage leaking from the pairs pores.

Their head butted together, while they stared each other in the eyes. “Get. Out. Of. My. Castle.” Celestia grinned.

“Gladly.” Cris’ horn flashed with a bright light. The overall exuberance blinded everyone, but Celestia. She watched with a stern and angered look on her face. Celestia sucked in a heavy breath, then released an even heavier sigh. She was just glad they were gone.

xxxxxx

“Damn…” Herald said beneath his breath, with disbelief. Everyone had their eyes widened and set upon the either brave or crazy soul they knew. Or perhaps he was both. They watched him clamber to his hooves, and lean against the harden pillar of stone that held the gates in place. Cris feel the rough texture grind against his skin.

“I over exerted myself.” He said. I’m not Twilight, magic isn’t exactly my forte. The dizziness began to set in gradually.

“Dude you must have a death wish or something.” Grey Night whispered.

“I’m afraid sir Grey Night is right young Mr. Link.” Discord’s body separated from the stone Cris was currently leaning against. The sound of breaking cracking stone emanated through the air. It was just the Draconequus being dramatic. Cris rolled his eyes, and backed away. He bumped into Rose, she just smiled and allowed him to lean against her. Cris smiled back, doing so happily as the fatigue he felt was growing worse.

“Tis been some time since someone has spoken to dearest Tia like that. And a commoner alicorn no less. That must be one blow to the ego.” Discord chuckled, wiping a stray tear from his eye with his bird claw. And with the flick of his tail, he disappeared. A quick flash came without warning, and he reappeared all of his strange appendages were gone and he looked like a normal pony apart from the bat-like wings he possessed. “Now!” Discord chimed with the stomp of his newly formed hooves.

“Come now, everypony. Let’s go get some breakfast my treat. And then you may all set out upon your quest. I do hope you all make it back. Mayhaps you could all come back again sometime and entertain me!” Discord licked his lips at the thought. “All that chaos was simply delicious!” The group quietly glanced at the others.

“But of course!” Melody chimed. “It was pretty intense wasn’t it?”

“Pretty intense? We could have died!!!” Shadowfire practically screamed.

“Not to mention the fact that Cris could have gotten us all thrown in the dungeon for eternity. And he’s freakin’ immortal!” Herald chimed in. Everyone all nodded respectively. For they had all just played with death, and lived. The silence lived on for a few minutes or so before it was finally broken.

“So who wants pancakes?” Discord asked with the clap of his hooves.