Author's Note

Warning! This one is on the longer side, and is almost exclusively backstory. We'll start moving forward again on the next chapter. Hope y'all enjoy it anyway. I know where we are going now, so I'm expecting to actually finish this, though I don't know how far in the future that will be, and I'm actually kicking around some ideas for a sequel

Chapter 8

Twilight took her companion’s suggestion quite literally, materializing a cup of steaming hot green tea, with just a hint of honey and milk, held aloft by her magic. A small white spoon quietly stirred the mixture before she took a tentative sip, and then looked up at Discord expectantly. She was prepared to listen.

Discord was incapable of telling the story without flair. Twilight’s bedroom fell away into shadows. The mare found herself seated in a plush red veleteen coated inside a small auditorium. She appeared to be surrounded by a veritable sea of Discords, all shapes , and hair styles, and ages. A small child version tugged on its mother’s sleeve next to, asking if they really had to stay for the next act. He was shushed. Twilight rolled her eyes, but said nothing as yet another Discord with a tacky orange suit and slicked back mane took the stage.

“Ponies and gentle Draconeqqus! Our next performer needs no introduction, but he's getting one anyway. The master of disasters, the Prince of pandemonium, the bonafide spirit of Chaos himself! I give you…” The announcer Discord began to walk off stage while Discord began to walk on. A drumroll played from somewhere unidentifiable. “The one, the only, Discord!” Then the announcer was gone. Twilight debated if what he had said was or was not ironic. She remained unsure as Discord took a bow. The rest of the audience clapped while Twilight clip clopped her hooves on the floor.

“Well, I suppose I should begin at the beginning. It may come as a shock to all of you, but I wasn't always the embodiment of disharmony I am now.” A huge, shocked gasp came from almost the entire crowd. A certain purple pony instead sat slightly perplexed, but without the same level of awe. The Discord on stage nodded sagely. “Yes, I know folks. It's shocking, but true. There was a time I was but a humble practitioner of the chaotic arts. Draconequs, as you well know, are not born with a knack for harmonic magic. I was an exceptional student at one time, though I was often bored by teacher after teacher, my magic continues to grow, and grow, and grow.” With utterance of the word grow, Discord’s size increased. He suddenly shrunk again rapidly as he began to speak again. “Draconequs are an exceptionally old race. We lived before the three pony tribes banded together. I like to think somewhere out there, others still survive, but I doubt this is the case.” For a moment, Twilight noticed the room began to fade out. The showmanship being poured into his story seemed to melt away as Discord’s face grew sad, but almost as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone.

“In any case, in addition to being old, we are very long lived. The average draconequs doesn't seem to have a specific lifespan. They lived for millennia in many cases, before eventually just sort of fading away. I was born after the pony tribes had come together, but before Celestia and Luna had taken over their duties as being the sole unicorns to take responsibility for the sun and moon. For that matter, I was nearing adulthood before I met Celestia the first time, but was still considered something of a teenager by Draconequs standards.” Discord morphed again, this time into what was clearly a younger version of himself. Twilight watched with intense curiosity. His transformation had been so subtle she had almost failed to notice it before completion. Voice became slightly higher, less weathered and exhausted, instead carrying a youthful optimism to it. “Back in those days, settlements were small and scattered, as well as segregated. There was no concept of interspecies mingling, which is likely why my kind got such a reputation. We have always been, by our very nature, chaotic. Ponies typically could go either way, with an inclination towards harmony or chaos that was apparent within while they were still foals. There was no Equestria in those days either, just a large swath of land inhabited by an abnormally high concentration of ponies.” At this point Discord had summoned some sort of screen and projector that appeared to be broadcasting things as he described them. Twilight saw the falls that would eventually become Canterlot, the clouds that would form Las Pegasus. In the distance, she could make out the Dragon lands and Griffin Kingdom.

“The lack of boundaries presented issues for the weaker races. Ponies could easily be picked off by even weak dragons. Griffins and Hypogriffs began to have deeply entrenched feuds. Ponies who had a part in creating hypogriffs were often outcast from all sides. The days were different, and angrier. When the pony tribes came together to form Equestria’s oldest iteration, and the unicorns were able to control over the celestial bodies, things began to change. Dragons couldn't pick on the weaker ones without fear any longer. My kind, the draconeqqus, cared little for what happened either way. We always were a mixed breed, which made us more welcoming. Ponies taking control over and upsetting the dragon’s almost unlimited power was honestly a bit of a blessing for us. However, the changes brought about a great unrest over the land. War began to loom.”

The map he projected took on a reddish tint across everything. Huge storm clouds from all directions began to move in. “I met Celestia during this time period. I think I would have been around five hundred then, still young for a draconeqqus, and she was past the age when most would have discovered their cutie marks. Little Luna was never far behind, following closely in her sister’s footsteps. Our lovely little Sunbutt was beginning to rise as a diplomat. Despite her faults, Celestia always had a remarkable wit, a mind for strategy, and ability to exude kindness. It made her beloved, a a dangerous combination of gifts that few creatures have ever possessed.” Discord sighed, almost dreamily, before continuing. “But Celestia’s greatest talent, far more than raising the sun, has been her utter ruthlessness when it was required.”

Had it been a few months earlier, Twilight would have snorted at the ridiculousness of such a statement. Celestia was a benevolent ruler who used love and taught friendship, after all. But her newfound knowledge of Equestria’s checkered past had changed Twilight’s views. There had been so many bloody battles wholly stripped from history, showing her mentor’s willingness to sacrifice in the name of their country. Given her age, they went back an awfully long way, but seemed to have stopped in more modern times.

“I met her on a diplomatic mission to plead for the aid of the draconeqqus. She was a determined and remarkable young pony then, radiant but wise beyond her years. I was an idiot, but a gifted Chaos magic user who could see the writing on the wall. Unicorns could now control the sun and moon, something I had not quite managed at that time, and the dragons were rising up to fight back. While the rest of my kind refused the call, I was considered young, reckless, and utterly smitten with this pony. I agreed to help her cause in exchange for protection in her new land that ponies sought to build. I was an asset, and she fancied me as well. We moved forward.”

“Celestia knew a war against the dragons would require more than fighting, more than just blood. It would require a demonstration of absolute power. Luna too understood what would need to be done. They needed something so incredible that no dragon would dear step on pony land again, and that they would talk of the spectacle for generations to come. As leadership around her began to crack under pressure or fall in battle, Celestia went higher and higher up the ranks. The pony army was, as whole, failing. Earthponies fought and died daily, unicorns were slaughtered in their sleep, and pegasi would be grounded by the air currents created by the beating wings of a thousand dragons.”

“The war would drag on, until late one night she told us her plan. Luna and I were dearly trusted advisors. Celestia told us she would gather the remaining unicorns to raise the sun and moon together, forcing the moon before the sun in a display of their abilities. The problem was that even the strongest unicorns had advised her this could not be done. Sunbutt was adamant. This was the plan. This would work. This would be the course of action on the next battle. Luna and Celestia both would help, despite neither being a terribly strong magic user, and not having been a part of the ritual before.”

The next part, Discord didn't speak, but let Twilight watch. Uncountable numbers of ragged pony troops marching to the border of the dragon lands. The arid ground scorched their hooves and the heat wafting up made it hard to carry on, but the group did. It seemed like nothing but grit and determination drew them forward. Suddenly, a massive dragon appeared in the distance. His great wings outstretched, blocking the sun for a large portion of the army as he flew overhead. The ground shook as the great green beast landed, belching plumes of fire everywhere in a clear display of ability. “Ponies!” He roared, his voice seeming to knock back creature with its sheer force. “Stand down or be slaughtered!”

It zoomed in on Celestia. Her eyes flashed with anger. Luna sat at her right side, getting to her hooves, while Discord remained calm on her left. In his eyes was a steely determination. He reached out with his lion's paw to stroke his lover’s flank. She didn't react beyond a barely perceptible nod. Discord smiled nonetheless. Her amplified voice matched the dragon’s volume. “We will not yield, Dragon Lord! We shall fight until thou has surrendered the false claim to our lands!” Twilight recognized the royal canterlot voice, though she found it strange coming from Celestia. “We generously offer thou this one chance to surrender.”

The gargantuan dragon snorted. Celestia was young. She hardly came up to his foot. “So be it.” He growled, before unleashing a wave of fire into the oncoming army. The unicorns set up shields against it, and suddenly the battle had begun. It would rage for hours, Twilight realized, but Discord seemed to speed things along somehow. The ponies weren't winning, but neither were the dragons, until a small branch of dragons somehow overran a large group of shielding unicorns. The tide turned quickly, Twilight watched on in horror as hundreds were slaughtered before her eyes. Several time, Twilight was able to see Discord on The The projector seemed to focus back in on Celestia.

The unicorn was beginning to glow. She turned to Luna. “Sister, it is time.” She told her, surprisingly quietly. “But I will not give the order. You and I will do this together.”

The Discord on screen snorted. “Celestia, are you mad? There is no-” He was silenced with a kiss.

Celestia gazed at him lovingly. “I can do this. We can do this. Believe in us.”

With a flash, she was in a bubble above the battle. “Dragon Lord! This is thoust last chance! Kneel and I shall let thou live.” The unicorn called out, her voice impossibly loud.

“I will never yield to a pony!” He declared, before letting loose with a torrent of fire.

“I am Celestia of Equestria.” Suddenly, her mane was fire. “I am the Sun! I am the light! And thou shalt kneel or die!”

Luna appeared before her, held aloft by magic Twilight couldn't see. She too began to glow, her mane becoming a bright blue. Twilight watched until she couldn't bare to look at them. An explosion of light went out in all directions. Orange and blue raced into the sky as twin streams of incandescence, and suddenly it happened. Before the Sun stood the moon. The battlefield was bathed in an eerie light a even more disturbing silence. A perfect eclipse. A silent minute passed in confusion and terror. The dragons began to retreat. A strange thing began to come back to earth. A comet with an orange and blue tail.

There was no battlefield any longer, only pandemonium. Dragons ran every which way to escape whatever the incoming doom was. Only the dragon Lord stood still, proud and defiant, as a massive rock hurtled towards him. He did nothing as he was crushed beneath its bulk.

Celestial and Luna came back into view, panting with extortion. Each now had a pair of pegasi wings. The battle was won.

Twilight hadn't noticed, but at some point the theater had melted away. They sat together on her bed, as Discord watched his own memories play out. She said nothing to risk interrupting the moment, but swore she saw tears at the edges of his eyes.

The vision became muddle for a few moments, before clarifying into what was obviously a bedroom. A sweaty draconeqqus and white Alicorn lay tangled in the sheets. Twilight blushed realizing how private of a moment she was seeing, and belonging to her mentor no less. They didn't speak, but snuggled contentedly in each other's embrace. Softly, she heard Celestia mumble “I love you, Discord.” He gave a happy with in return. “I love you too, Sunbutt.”

There was a knock on the door. Discord groaned. “Again? This late?” But Celestia was already getting up and combing her fur.

“Duty calls.’ She sighed, sadly.

Discord shook his head, but blew a kiss as she put on her regalia. It splattered against the wall, and she turned around to stick her tongue out at him.

“There are a thousand more memories like that.” Discord spoke, his voice heavy with pain. “I loved her dearly. When she established her school, I taught Chaos there.” He paused, watching a series of other memories play out. Discord played with fillies and colts, the whole lot laughing and smiling. Discord teaching, pointing at black boards and conjuring things. Discord, sitting teary eyed at a graduation as his students walked the stage. “We spent generations of time together, but eventually… it came to an end. As I said, I wasn't the only draconeqqus. We weren't all so… considerate with our magic. More and more problems began to happen as the civilized world demanded harmony. Weather control, keeping forest pushed back, creating rainbows. The list goes on and on. Things that I can do with chaos magic, but no others ever managed. Chaos began to fall out of vogue. Fewer and fewer ponies studied it. I felt neglected, unwanted, and lost.”

“The death knell for our relationship came on one of our anniversaries, somewhere around the hundred and twentieth. Celestia had many good qualities, but she wasn't much of a romantic, but I was. It was such a cliche story, really. I planned out an elaborate date, we'd spent so little time together with how busy she was over the last few years. Once we realized she'd stopped aging after reaching her full size, the perception of time changes a bit. But I needed that night to be special, for us, and instead she blew me off, forgetting the whole thing in favor of some diplomatic dinner party.”

“I can't remember much after that, things became very fragmented. I left the castle of the pony sisters, running blindly and angrily into the Everfree. I didn't look where I flew, having little reason to fear anything with the strength of my magic. At some point, I stumbled into a cave. I still don't know precisely what I found there. It was a rock of some sort, with jagged edges on all sides. I was drawn towards it, but when I reached out to touch it the entire world around me melted away. I had horrific dreams. My eyes glowed with a red fury as disembodied voice reminded me of every awful thing Celestia had ever done, every unkind word said to me by other draconeqqus, every unjust scowl… I was sick of all of it. None of it was fun, and I hadn't had real fun in years. I had contained myself, and for what? So a bunch of unappreciative dolts would understand me? So that I could make sense to the rest of the world? What fun was there in making sense anyway?”

“When I came to, something had gone wrong. My moments of lucidity were brief. Every time I woke, things were more chaotic than the last. Eventually I regained control, but by that point the damage was done, The world was a sea of popcorn and chocolate milk rained down from cotton candy clouds. Ponies surrounded me, but looked at me with pure fear and hatred. I sat atop a massive throne made from cheese in what would become Canterlot. Scores of pony clowns tried to amuse me, but I didn't care. I did as I pleased. They had shunned my Chaos, well then chaos would engulf them. I was no longer a user of chaotic magic, but instead I had become chaos itself.”

“You know the rest of the story. I would encased in stone until eventually I was freed by that angry group of little fillies running around the gardens. I sat in a strange half state. I could hear when ponies bickered, or had any sort of disagreement, but couldn't respond. I think the only reason I was able to get out was Celestia and Luna losing their connections to the elements of harmony.” Finally, Discord stopped. He finished his tale.
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Twilight sat in silence. She wasn't sure how to respond. That had been a lot of information to digest. He'd overreacted and lost his mind a long time ago. Somehow he had become the embodiment of disharmony. And now what? What was next? He'd changed, she thought. His recent pranks had been harmless, if ridiculous, but then again… She remembered her fear as he had picked her up as a gargantuan monster. Sure, he'd calmed down, but that anger was still their. Latent, just below the surface. Twilight sighed.

“Discord, I want you to have your freedom.” The unicorn began. “I think I can help you get it. But I will need help. I'll need my friends here.” She concluded thoughtfully. “I know you'll be apprehensive, but it's the only way. After I can convince them you aren't a bad guy anymore, we can worry about the princesses. I'll need you to promise me though that you want to change. That you will never pull another stunt like you did to us in the castle maze again.”

Discord raised an eyebrow. “That's the trade? No more attempts at world domination?”

Twilight nodded resolutely.

He shrugged. “That seems fair.” He spit in his palm, and then reached out to shake hooves. Twilight, though grossed out, returned the gesture. Internally she celebrated. She WAS going to get to go home. Discord wouldn't have to go back in stone. She just would had some fine tuning to do once the others arrived.